Where You Go ― Jason Grace

xiv. return of the ice bitch

"With hockey," Cal said, his mouth still full. "And pizza. And muffins."

"Yes, yes," Khione sneered. "I had to promise a few things to the big simpleton. And to Zethes—"

"Oh, my needs are simple." Zethes slicked back his hair and winked at Piper. "I should have kept you at our palace when we first met, my dear Piper. But soon we will go there again, together, and I shall romance you most incredibly."

"Thanks, but no thanks," Piper said. "Now, let Jason go."

Zethes had no choice but to obey. He snapped his fingers. Jason instantly defrosted. He crumpled to the floor, gasping and steaming; but at least he was alive.

"You imbecile!" Khione thrust out her hand, and Jason refroze, now flat on the deck like a bearskin rug. Ophelia winced.

Khione wheeled on her brother. "If you wish the girl as your prize, you must prove you can control her. Not the other way around!"

"Yes, of course." Zethes looked chagrined.

"As for Jason Grace..." Khione's brown eyes gleamed. "He and the rest of your friends will join our court of ice statues in Quebec. Jason will grace my throne room."

"Clever," Ophelia muttered. "Did it take that pea-sized brain of yours all day to come up with that line?"

Khione's eyes narrowed with annoyance. "You're a mouthy little thing with your memories back, aren't you?" She waved a hand, and Ophelia's lips turned as cold as ice. She tried to move her mouth, but nothing happened.

That bitch had frozen her mouth shut.

Ophelia looked at Piper with wide, murderous eyes, hoping her friend got the message: Take this bitch down.

"What about Leo?" Piper blurted, stalling for time. "Where did you send him?"

The snow goddess stepped lightly around Jason, examining him as if he were sidewalk art. Ophelia struggled against Cal's hold, glaring vehemently at the oaf when his hand tightened around her arm.

"Leo Valdez deserved a special punishment," Khione said. "I have sent him to a place from which he can never return."

Ophelia felt sick. Leo.

"Alas, my dear Piper!" Khione smiled in triumph. "But it is for the best. Leo could not be tolerated, even as an ice statue... not after he insulted me. The fool refused to rule at my side! And his power over fire..." She shook her head. "He could not be allowed to reach the House of Hades. I'm afraid Lord Clytius likes fire even less than I do."

Piper looked like she was figuring out a plan, and Ophelia just hoped it was a good one.

"Well!" Khione said. "I fear our time is at a close. Cal, take care of the mouthy one. Zethes, if you would—"

"Wait!" Piper said.

A simple command, and it worked. The Boreads and Khione frowned at her, waiting.

"You're afraid of my friends," Piper said. "So why not just kill them?"

Ophelia made a muffled noise of protest. Piper shot her a thinly veiled look, as if to say, I've got this.

Khione laughed. "You are not a god, or you would understand. Death is so short, so... unsatisfying. Your puny mortal souls flit off to the Underworld, and what happens then? The best I can hope for is that you go to the Fields of Punishment or Asphodel, but you demigods are insufferably noble. More likely you will go to Elysium—or get reborn in a new life. Why would I want to reward your friends that way? Why... when I can punish them eternally?"