Ten: Kally

If Satyrs Turn into Daisies When They Die, What do Satyr-Daisies Turn into?

The models went beserk. Not that she hadn't just seen them go crazy before, but this was worse than a limited edition tablet on sale for 90% off on a Black Friday.

Kally had been trying to figure out when Calex had moved. At first, he was crouched beside Merry, then he appeared in the doorway with his bow drawn. Either Calex decided he was too good for standing up and walking or Kally just had a stroke.

After he fired, nailing all the models with some mirage of light, he collapsed backwards. Kally tried to catch him. Tried being the operative word. This resulted in Pax scrambling to save her from also falling and potentially being crushed. Pax clearly had no intentions of helping when it was just Calex in trouble. When Kally braced against Calex's back, Pax barely managed to prevent all three of them from thwacking into the floor.

Meanwhile, all of the models swarmed the potted daisy by the beauty table. They clawed, bit, and slapped one another, each trying to gain ownership of the… plant? Calex's godly power was to make people fall in love with potted house ornaments or reincarnated satyrs? At this point, she'd seen weirder: after all, she knew Pax.

"That's a violent distraction. I'll watch over this hunk" Merry said, lifting Calex's head and resting him on her thighs. "You two run and grab their hairbrushes."

Before Kally could even ask why Merry was staying behind, Merry gave her a grin. "I hate running. Now go. We don't know how long the flower sale will be going on."

Pax shot her a devilish grin. "Last one to become fertilizer wins," he teased.

She didn't have time to think. Pax sprinted through the doorway. Kally dropped her messenger bag onto the ground and dashed after him. He grabbed her hand and dragged her into a crouch behind him. From the way Pax shuffled rapidly to direct them in a wide arch around the seething mass of models, she got the feeling he'd done this exact type of semi-sneak work before. She could imagine he and Chris creeping into the Big House to dip Chiron's tail in pink hair dye. That poor centaur must have a constant battle with the Hermes Cabin and security detection.

The fashionistias didn't notice their passing, though Kally did get hit with someone's broken, golden nail that flew off in the scuffle. Gross and painful.

"That was dipped in gold!" one of the girls screamed.

Somehow, Kally couldn't relate to that problem.

Once Pax decided they'd gotten far enough away from the screeches and squeals of the models, he paused. Kally could see him debate on whether or not he wanted to send her to the side closer to the swirling mosh pit of arms, teeth, and bleached hair.

She almost rolled her eyes and started to creep towards it. Yea, she was scared, but she was more afraid of Calex's spell wearing down during their indecision.

Pax shoved her towards the safer side, his grin now sheepish.

She didn't argue. Kally rushed over to the far beauty counter. There were four brushes immediately stacked on the surface. Cursing herself for not bringing her messenger bag, she picked up the end of her T-shirt so she could cradle the hairbrushes in it.

As she moved, she could hear the snarl and hiss of the sheep as they fought amongst each other. Kally had to wonder, if satyrs turned into flower pots at death, did demigods turn into talking swords or something? She didn't want to find out. In the mirror reflection, she could see Pax creeping down the other beauty counter, getting uncomfortably close to where one male model lifted the daisy planter and tried to run with it. Two other Aphrodite Devils took him down.

Pax had shoved three combs into his utility belt and even raided-to Kally's disgust-one of the trashcans for snipped golden locks that he shoved into his pockets. There was one last comb, on the counter right beside the fight.

Shouting, "Stop!" would have defeated their semi-stealthy purpose, but it likely would have had a better outcome. Kally didn't know if they had enough hair, but getting that close to the planter seemed unnecessarily dangerous.

Pax dodge smoothly around one of the models by clambering up onto the beauty counter. One of the sheep noticed him but was distracted when another grabbed her by the hair and shouted, "You're not worthy of a piece of grass let alone that beautiful daisy!"

Pax reached a hang out to grab the last comb.

And one of the models-a girl who probably had beautiful features when her face wasn't snarled and didn't look like it just went through a blender-latched her nails into his shoulder. Pax choked on a strangled squeak.

Kally frantically grasped her empty hand for her Argonaut statue only to remember she'd left her messenger bag in the hall. She mentally sorted through all her training with Mr. Paine in the last month, but they hadn't covered in event of rabid sheep.

Pax headbutted the girl, but she didn't let him go. Instead, she recoiled, tugging his arm. His eyes widened with alarm as he lost his balance.

Pax fell into the fray.

His quiet whimper turned into a stream of curses in Spanish, Mayan, Greek, Kriol, and English.

Kally knew if she ran into the middle of the fight, no one would be left to see if demigods turned into ancient weapons when they died. Even if she could grab her discus, it only gave her one shot and there were at least a dozen shrieking… monsters? Could she call these monsters as this point? She had no idea how she'd done that supernova thing at Howe Cavern-Pax had somehow set it off.

As she debated, she saw a model get kicked backwards. Pax was shouting insults like, "his hair is prettier than yours!" and "I'll bet his teeth are shinier!" This somehow worked-to an extent. A model attacking him would suddenly turn on the other that Pax gestured towards, but at least two more nearby thought he wanted a piece of their deceased, flowery attendant.

Unable to come up with a better idea, Kally spotted another potted daisy tucked under the beauty counter. "I'm sorry," Kally whispered, feeling like this was a violation of some poor satyr's grave. She hefted it up with her free arm and threw the pot as hard as she could at the other side of the room. Being a daughter of Apollo, she had pretty good aim with projectiles.

The plant made contact with the vanity mirror. The glass shattered. All the models froze for a moment, glancing over at the shards and potting soil scattered about the floor.

Then they noticed the daisies crumpled in the pile of glass and dirt. About half of them flooded after those poor, pathetic flowers.

Kally could imagine having to talk to that satyr's children now. "I'm sorry… it was for a godly cause."

After a brief moment to thank the gods and Calex-she didn't know if what he did exclusively made one daisy appealing-Kally rushed to the remaining five models by Pax's daisy planter.

"Your nose will never be as perfect!" Pax shrieked. The model currently attacking him suddenly altered directions and crashed into another.

"Yes it will!" the diva shrieked, "My nose is the alpha! It is eternal in its beauty!"

Kally picked up a chair and smashed it against the back of the one that still had her claws in his arm. That model released him, collapsing onto the ground.

As the last three tore at the shredded petals of the daisy, Pax scrambled to gather all the combs. They'd scattered after he was attacked.

Once done, Kally grabbed his arm and ran. The last three models destroyed the remnants of the first daisy as she half-dragged, half-lead him towards the exit.

She'd expected Merry to still be placidly sitting with Calex in her lap, but was relieved to find the girl waiting outside with a chair to bar the door. Once she and Pax stumbled through, Merry slammed the doors shut and put the chair into place.

Further down the hall, Kally could see where Merry had dragged Calex to the side of the elevator for a fast escape. He might have been coming to, but seemed completely unaware of his surroundings.

"Let's get out of this party before those sheepies realize you murdered that satyr's second life," Merry suggested.

Kally nodded, but frowned. "I didn't mean-"

"I'll have to talk to dad to see if he can do something about those… uh… daisies' lovely souls," Merry assured.

That made Kally feel a little better. She hoped Dionysus could do… something. Maybe make them into whatever the next higher level of satyr incarnation was.

A thud came from the door. The chair shuddered.

Pax snagged Kally's messenger bag and pushed Kally into a run. They sprinted down the hallway, reaching the elevator long before Merry did. Pax smashed his fist into the button. He glanced down at the semi-conscious Calex and groaned. "You know, it might be easier to leave him behind. He took a good one for the team-purple heart definitely awarded."

If Pax wasn't already injured, Kally might have hit him. Instead, she let go of Pax to grab one of Calex's arms. Pax grumbled as he grabbed the other.

When the elevator door dinged, the chair blocking room 316's entrance flopped off the door. The entryway bust open, several ravenous looking humans spilling out.

Zombies, Kally decided. They remind me of love-struck zombies. And I just killed the last fresh brain in the area.

As they dragged Calex through the elevator doors, she felt her arms scream at the strain. This was way worse than when Mr. Paine had her drag his desk-with him on top of it-across the room. She'd thought it was impractical training. She'd have to apologize to Mr. Paine later.

Merry hopped in with them.

The elevator doors closed shut before the mob of Aphrodite's Devils had made it halfway down the hallway. Kally sighed in relief, leaning against the wall. While gasping for breath, she felt Pax curl up against her side. She blushed, and tried to ignore him. Although he was now fully dressed, Pax shook. She'd have to take care of his injuries in the van.

"How did you carry Calex all the way over here without hurting yourself?" Kally asked Merry. The daughter of Dionysus was bent over, also gasping for breath. "You don't usually do…" Kally tried to think of a way to be polite. Maybe Merry would be crass in this situation, but Kally didn't want to be a jerk after their heart to heart earlier. "...athletic things."

Merry waved her off, holding a hand to her lower back as she stood straight. "Oh, I hurt. That boy owes me back massages for at least two weeks. The sweetheart just doesn't know it yet."

Kally chuckled softly. Although she had almost witnessed her not-boyfriend be torn apart by fashionistas, she figured Merry could have had a worse first quest.

When they dragged Calex past the poor receptionist, Merry made some distressed comment about, "the most ill-behaved brats ever! My word-you'll be hearing from Arsenal Industries about this!"

Fortunately, they got out fast enough that the woman didn't have time or wherewithal to call the police-or the police didn't show up fast enough to stop them-and fast enough that the security guards hadn't alerted the receptionist to the break in. Kally hoped Pax had knocked them out and not actually hurt them. None of them knew if those guards were mortal or not and Kally figured Pax might not take that into consideration.

Once they got to Lucius and the van, they found a ticket pinned under the windshield wiper. Apparently this was a no-carriage parking zone.

Pax didn't care. He muttered something about, "having to change the license plates again," and directed everyone inside. With a lot of effort, swearing, and prayers to the god of strength, they managed to prop Calex in the passenger seat.

Merry immediately hopped in the driver's seat and motioned Pax and Kally into the back. Kally figured Pax must be exhausted, because he let Merry take his seat with the simple stipulation that she never touch the steering wheel. Since Kally had to take care of his shoulder, she knew they'd probably be banished to the back, but the dumb, knowing grin on Merry's face made Kally want to forcibly switch places with the girl.

Once the coordinates were set up for Lucius, Kally remembered she couldn't do much healing with the suspension Matt had supplied for the van. To do list for when she got home: curse Mattias Sverre Hanson. Though, maybe he meant "suspension" like the type you'd find in a book: you never knew when you'd hit the next bump and be thrown across the van.

After the first time Luke took a sharp turn, Hunnie and Baller tumbled through the wall of Pax's hidden trunk. They appeared disgruntled instead of fierce. They must have been sleeping during their guard duty shift.

Kally had been trying to balance on the bench beside Pax, but almost crashed onto the floor. He grabbed the bar of the wall's weapon's rack with one hand and caught her arm with the other. He tugged her back onto the bench and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Thanks for saving me back there Cyclops. I'd say my performance was a little sheepish, but you really rammed it out of the ballpark," he said.

If she didn't find his arm so comforting in lieu of a seat belt, she'd hit him.

He looked exhausted. There were darkened holes in his duster jacket, where the female model had clawed his shoulder. More cuts ran across his left cheek, though Kally could have sworn the cuts were worse only seconds ago. Overall, Kally had to wonder how he'd gotten so few injuries.

As careful as she could be with the rocking of the van, she touched his face.

"It hurrrrtttts," he whined, pouting. "Will you kiss it and make it better?"

Kally's hand shook. She could feel Hunnie and Baller rush past her feet and dart into her messenger bag. She was so distracted, she didn't care that they were probably raiding their stash of treats. "Pax…" she asked slowly. "Have you gotten… cut around us before?"

"It takes a lot to make me…" Pax's cute pout fell away. He must have realized what she saw.

The blood on his face glistened a burnt gold. The color was unlike anything she'd seen. When they were inside, she assumed it was because of the lighting. Now that Kally was close, examining his face, the coagulating liquid was a deep crimson, but glistened brilliantly each time it caught the light, like a five year old had decided Pax wasn't flashy enough and dumped glitter into his arteries.

Her throat felt dry. "What… Why..?"

Pax moved around, reorienting so he could slip one of his legs between Kally and the van's wall. Kally assumed he'd straighten it for a stretch, but he wrapped his legs around her waist instead. Kally squeaked, but, knowing Pax, this was build up for some false story or another. Now that his legs had her anchored, he removed his arm from her waist to press a finger against her lips.

With that dangerous glint to his yellow eye, Pax mouthed the word, secret.

He nodded his head toward Calex and Merry. Both appeared to be sleeping, though Kally was sure Merry was feigning it as to not interrupt what looked like a romantic tryst.

Pax leaned forward, his hair tickling her jaw. She decided she'd hit him if he tried to kiss her, but he brushed past her lips and pressed his mouth to her ear. A small puff of air fluttered against her neck, and she knew he'd done his nervous tick-puffing up his cheeks and popping them. Thanks for doing that in my ear jerk, she wanted to say, but only managed to push her hand into Pax's chest.

"I'm a vampire," he said.

For a split second, she considered where he was in proximity with her neck. Then Pax added in a near-laugh, "Rawr."

Kally jabbed his rib with one of her fingers.

"Ay! I'm sorry-" he whisper-laughed, "you set it up too well-come on now-everyone knows a vampire's skin glistens, not their blood-Kally-"1

"Ajax." She didn't know why she used his first name. Not many people called him by it, but the effect was instantaneous: the laughing stopped. "This is why I can't trust you," she grumbled.

Pax squirmed, like she was the one holding him to the bench. "Axel doesn't like it when I tell people about it… and I don't… I don't want you treating me differently."

He'd said that before, when Pax told her about his dad beating his uncle to death in front of him and his siblings. After all the lies she'd heard him say, she'd wanted to reaffirm that story with Axel, but didn't know how to bring itup. "Hey… so your little brother said your dad killed your uncle… how'd that go?" sounded a little disrespectful.

Maybe she should be putting Pax more at ease when discussing his past. Kally thought about telling a stranger that she was the offspring of an affair or an attack and realized how much encouragement she'd needed. Gently, she tilted her head towards Pax's ear. "I'll still treat you like the annoying and deceptive snake you are," she promised.

Pax laced his fingers with her hand on his chest. "There's my Cyclops."

They sat in silence long enough to make Kally's cheeks feel hot. At least Pax had a strong enough grip on her that they weren't sliding with each of Luke's lane shifts, but she was painfully aware that he had a strong grip on her and that her mind picked now to hyperventilate over his prior bare essential promenade.

"My chiich used to tell us why the Mayan civilization crumbled," Pax suddenly whispered into her ear. She had to refrain from jumping. "She said the last rulers became bold and called themselves gods, the cities fell apart, and the common people fled into the jungle… Kally… they could become godly."

Pax withdrew enough to look her in the eyes, but she could tell he didn't really see her. He was too lost in thought.

"When dad dragged us back to the house, he said our family was special. That we, especially Axel and I, were special. We always knew Axel was, but me? Who doesn't want their dad to say they're special?" He laughed, but the sound was choked.

Kally never considered that Pax and Axel had to go back with their father. She tried to think of what that would be like and decided she didn't want to. "How… how did the rulers become godly?" she asked instead. That idea frightened her. Her priest would call it blasphemy and demonic-though that summed up his thoughts on most things, especially involving Pagan gods.

Pax puffed up his cheeks and popped them. "Dad wants to do it a more Greek way-obsessed with the West and all, but some thought you had to expand your empire and... others thought you had to capture opposing gods and eat their-"2

Pax suddenly clenched. He twisted his head to glance at the bin attached to the back of the driver seat. Although Kally hadn't noticed amidst the other junk, there was a golden net tied in with the extra bow strings wrapped around the container.

"Do you think the God of Nightmares would give false warnings to scare me?" he asked.

Do I think the night time fear-mongering god would try to scare someone? "Uh, yes," she said. That felt like she was affirming, Yes, homework is less fun than Fast Passes to DisneyLand, so added, "What did he say?"

"That conscelpsy is a serious dise-"

She shoved him.

His attempt at playfulness died. Pax frowned as he leaned forward to press his mouth back against her ear. "Kally," he whispered. "My mom will never be satisfied by some small acknowledgement from the Olympians to keep their peace. She wants my dad to attain godhood. And Axel and I have been doing some very bad things under her orders..."

1 At least three readers put this book down with a, "Hecate damn it-not another vampire romance!" Another three put this book down and said, "Damn it! This could have been another vampire romance!" To all of you, Pax and I say, "Thank you for being invested enough in this book to be mad at falling for our joke" and please don't stop reading because of it .

2 Different Mayan groups have different stories. This might be particular to the Mayans of Belize. (Jack is behind on his research and needs to do more on general modern Mayan studies -.-)

Thanks for reading!