CHAPTER 11

You know that feeling when you you've just woken up from a nightmare/feeling of being burnt, broiled alive, and set on fire? That's what Larissa felt like when she woke up. Not to mention with a splitting headache, and drenched in sweet.

The most humiliating part of it all? Will. He was right next to her, sleeping. Icky, sweaty, messed up hair, and dirty clothes. Why would she be feeling this way? She's never really felt like this at all. She's also never worried about her appearance.

What is wrong with me!? she though to herself.

She quietly slipped away to the outside cool air, which felt good on her warm skin. What didn't feel good? The rising sun.

"Larissa!" exclaimed Tia, happily.

"Shhh!" hushed Larissa.

"What's wrong?" whispered Shyann.

"It's Will. He's sleeping... I don't want to wake him. No, doubt he'll start making sure I eat and drink something..." complained Larissa.

"You really should though." chirped in Tia.

She seems extra happy today... Wonder why... thought Larissa.

"Happy much? Come on... Spill." ordered Larissa.

"Well... Umm... It's... Hard..." stammered Tia.

"Oh, gods... We found the next queen. Her name is Diana. She is also connected to us in some way... Don't exactly know how. Nixie somebody explained it... Anyway. Yeah. Not hard. Like... At all." explained Shyann.

"This is good! No. This is fantastic!" exclaimed Larissa.

"I know!" giggled Tia.

Tia usually had the tendency to get weird happy mood swings. Not mood swings like from happy to mad, or to depressing. No. She got happy mood swings. She'd get all bubbly and happy, and giggly.

"Shhh!" hushed Larissa and Shyann.

"Sorry." whispered Tia.

"So. What'd I miss? I mean, besides that?" asked Larissa, as she sat down, exhausted.

"Well... You were out for about a day..." said Tia.

"What!?" exploded Larissa.

"Shh!" cautioned Tia.

"Sorry. It was the sirens fault, as I'm sure you guessed." added Tia.

"I know." grumbled Larissa, drinking some water.

"As we also said, we met Queen Diana. She is sorta nice. She didn't blow us to bits, blah blah blah. Nixie said we're connected, blah blah blah... I think that's... Oh! And the Queen wants you to live in Nereyda forever." finished Shyann.

"What?!" shouted Larissa, spitting out the water.

"Gross." mumbled Shyann.

"Shyann! You could've been a little more sensitive!" scolded Tia, with her arms on her hips.

"Ok. Wow. Whatever." muttered Shyann.

"I need some space. Is there a lake or pond or something with water around?" asked Larissa.

"Um... Yeah. Go through those trees, and when you get to a big boulder, take a right." answered Shyann, pointing to a cluster of trees.

"But you really shouldn't go alone... And Nixie said to not go near water." added Tia.

"Thanks, for the concern... But I really need cool water. And I need to be alone." emphasized Larissa, as she started to walk away.

When she was out of sight, Tia groaned.

"Will is not gonna like this..."

"That's why we're not gonna say a word." said Shyann.

"But-!"

"Not. A. Word!"

"Not a word about what? And where's Larissa?" asked Will, stepping out of the tent.

Malcolm was on the ground, leg bleeding. And Viola finally snapped out of her trance.

"Malcolm!" she exclaimed.

"Viola, get out of here!" ordered Malcolm.

Great first date! Hellhound on the loose, Malcolm can't walk, and they were both going to die. Typical day. Lots of fun, too!

"No way!" disagreed Viola.

"Viola..." warned Malcolm, as the hellhound growled.

He was a few feet in front of them, saliva dripping from his teeth.

"I'm not going! So, you can just forget it!"

Snow and ice were swirling around her clenched fists. She was trembling hard, and had her eyes closed shut as she tried to concentrate hard. And as she opened her hands, more snow and ice was forming, swirling. Finally, she opened her eyes and threw her hands in front of her, which released a massive power of ice, which froze the hellhound all the way to his neck.

Viola panted, as she slumped to the ground. She had used most of her power. Malcolm inched towards her, cringing as he moved his leg.

"You, ok?" he asked.

"I'm good... Just... Just a little... Out of breath..." panted Viola.

Suddenly, something appeared out of the shadows. Another hellhound, much larger and fiercer than the other one. But on the back of the bigger hellhound, was a boy with black hair, ghostly white skin, and brown eyes. He was wearing an aviator's jacket, and had a black sword attacked to a chain around his waist. He looked depressed and unhappy. Like he went through great grief and strife.

"Nico!" called Malcolm.

"Who?" questioned Viola, who was now sweating a bit.

"Son of Hades. Nico, get her out of here."

"No way!"

"You don't know how to fight yet! This is a hellhound we're talking about!"

Nico jumped down from the bigger hellhound and drew his sword. At the same time, Viola used her ice powers to create a sword of her own. It was long and pointed like an icicle, with an ice hilt and a snowflake in the middle of the hilt.

"Malcolm, if she's not going to leave, she might as well help." said Nico.

"Thank you. Someone with sense. My name's Viola." she greeted, as she walked in front of Malcolm, who was holding his leg.

"Nico di Angelo."

"So... How do we kill it?" asked Viola.

"You don't. You run." said Malcolm, from behind her.

Ice started to crack, as the hellhound struggled to break free. The larger hellhound, jumped to their side, growling.

"We don't have to kill it. I'm a child of Hades, hellhounds listen to me." replied Nico.

"Oh. Well... Umm... Ok." mumbled Viola.

"Can you break the ice?" asked Nico.

"Uhhh... You sure?"

"Yes."

"Ok... Just don't get us killed."

Viola focused on the ice around the hellhound, and squeezed her hand in front of her, and broke the ice. It all turned into semi-large shards.

The small hellhound started to move towards them, but Nico stepped towards and narrowed his eyes. The small hellhound whimpered quietly, and dashed off into the shadows.

"I've been tracking hellhounds around the world. Mrs. O'Leary picked this one up, and sensed the two of you in trouble." said Nico, as Viola made an ice/snow sword scabbard and sheathed her ice sword.

"Oh, great. Well, good thing you came to help us." replied Malcolm, as Viola helped him up.

"Hey! I could've stopped it! Maybe..." objected Viola.

"Maybe." agreed Malcolm.

"If you two are done, I gotta get going." said Nico, as he climbed onto Mrs. O'Leary's back.

"Hey, Nico... Thanks, for the help." smiled Viola.

And just for a second, Viola thought she saw a hint of happiness in his eyes, as he returned a faint smile. But then it disappeared and so did he, through the shadows.

"So! How are we gonna get home? We can't exactly take those bright yellow cars you people talk about..." asked Viola.

"Taxis. And I have no idea... Guess you'll have to drive..." replied Malcolm, as he hopped back towards the car, with Viola's help.

"ME!? I'm scared of cars, what makes you think I can drive one!?" exclaimed Viola.

"Guess I'll have to guide you on how not to get us killed..."