Hylla couldn't quell the worry in her chest. Why did she let Reyna go to meet the Olympians by herself? Sure, Arcadia was there, but Hylla needed to be there as well. It had been hours now, and neither were back yet. Has things gone that well? Or did it go wrong?
Hylla tried to lay down and sleep, but even with Kinzie curled up against her, it was impossible. She slowly untangled herself and rolled out of bed. Hylla stepped out of the room and walked through the small Amazon base that they had rented.
Most of the Sixth Legion was setting up their new base. While Reyna and her centurions were busy at the library, the rest of the Sixth Legion had found a place to stay and were currently renovating it. Hylla wasn't sure of the location, but Reyna had assured her that she would tell her.
If Reyna came back. Why did Hylla just let her go like that? She promised to have her sister's back, so she shouldn't have just let her walk to Olympus, goddess or no goddess at her side. An angry sigh left her as she made it to her small office.
There was nothing in the office other than a small desk and a laptop. With all of the craziness that had happened over the last year, the most stressful part was keeping the Amazons together. And that wasn't just in terms of loyalty. Hylla had to worry about the demigod affairs: supplying and helping the camps. There were also all of the mortals' affairs. Sometimes, it was stressful to be the queen.
"Hylla," a voice greeted. Hylla froze and slowly turned around. She studied the shimmering air in front of her and focused on the Iris message. A frown came to her face as she studied the eyes of Beleza.
"What do you want?" Hylla slowly asked. She had spoken to the woman a few times before, but it didn't mean she trusted her. Hylla didn't like that her sister was working with them, but she would support Reyna. Why was the peacekeeper calling her now?
"I can't talk for long," Beleza began. She turned her head to the side and nodded. Her gaze focused back on Hylla. "Something has happened to your sister and Arcadia."
"How do you know?" Hylla asked. A fist clenched around her heart, and she crossed her arms. She knew that something bad was going to happen to Reyna. If the peacekeeper was telling the truth and not lying to her.
"Zara had a dream of Arcadia. The goddess was dragged to Mount Othrys and forced to take the place of Atlas. If she didn't, the gods would slowly and painfully kill each member of the Sixth Legion. And you," Beleza explained.
"You're lying," Hylla challenged.
"I cannot offer any proof, and Iris will soon realize that we are talking," Beleza stated. "There is something else that you must know, but you may want to sit down."
"Is it about Reyna?" Hylla asked. Beleza nodded, and a pained look came to her face. "What happened to her?"
"The Olympians, they sent her to Tartarus."
Hylla felt her knees go weak. Her hand shot out to grab onto the table near her, and she just stared at Beleza. The peacekeeper had to be lying to her. Reyna couldn't be in Tartarus. That place was reserved for gods and monsters. Not demigods.
And Hylla knew that half of Reyna's soul had been in Tartarus after Hylla stabbed her in the chest, and her sister never spoke of that time. The only time Hylla brought it up, Reyna had muttered that she followed the rivers. There had been this faraway look in her eyes that made it seem like there was more to the story.
Percy and Annabeth had fallen into Tartarus as well. Hylla heard a few stories but nothing concrete. She just knew it wasn't good. The two had been in Tartarus together, but it sounded like Reyna was alone. If Beleza was telling the truth. Because she could not be telling the truth. This wasn't, couldn't, be true.
"I have to go," Beleza said softly. "But, we want to help, Hylla. We have always wanted to help Reyna. We can meet with you, if you want our help."
"How do I know this isn't a trap?" Hylla asked. Beleza studied her and let out a soft sigh.
"I have no way to prove that, Hylla. But, have I not helped you before? We showed you Reyna in a dream, and we saved her from Eris. I-" Beleza cut off and turned her head to the side. "Fuck. I have to go before Iris knows we are talking. Go to the diner where you were earlier. Meet us there in two hours if you want our help."
The iris message ended, and Hylla stared at where it had been. Her heart felt like it was dropping to her stomach as her stomach crawled up to her throat, and her knees started to shake. Reyna could not be in Tartarus. She had to be safe. The Olympians wouldn't do that.
"Fuck," Hylla whispered as she placed a hand to her chest. Her heart was beating like crazy, and it was getting harder to breathe. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!"
Hylla turned and left the room. She made her way down the hall and through a few rooms that held sleeping Amazons. She had to get to Bristol. He was still there with Sparta and Aquitaine as they kept an eye on Aquitaine and waited for Reyna to come back.
Hylla was not going to let something happen to her sister. And gods fucking help the peacekeepers if they were lying to Hylla. She would kill them where they stood. If this was a trap, it would be the worst mistake they had ever made.
Her anger grew as she stepped into another hall and stormed down it. The end of the hall held the door that the members of the Sixth Legion were behind. Hylla shoved the door open and stepped inside. Her gaze moved around the room.
Sparta was laying on the bed, and her eyes snapped open as the door slammed into the wall. Bristol and Aquitaine were sitting at a table surrounded by maps, notebooks, and papers. They both jumped as the thud of the door ran through the room.
"Reyna," Hylla began. She felt her heart jump to her throat, and her hand moved back to her chest. "The peacekeepers... they-"
Hylla let out a shaky breath, and Bristol stood. He gently led her towards the table. Hylla leaned on the furniture and closed her eyes. Bristol spoke, "Did the peacekeepers attack her?"
"No," Hylla gasped. She hit the table in anger. "They said that Arcadia is in trouble. And Reyna. She's... she's in Tartarus."
The room fell silent. Hylla slowly looked at the centurions. Sparta was in the middle of sitting up but froze in complete shock. Bristol's jaw dropped, and Aquitaine paled. They looked just as terrified as Hylla felt.
"I will not lose my sister," Hylla growled. She hit the table again, and even though she wasn't wearing her belt, it cracked under her hand. "I don't know if the peacekeepers are telling the truth or if this is some kind of trap. It better not be a fucking trap."
"They want me to meet them at the restaurant we were at," Hylla continued. Bristol stood.
"We're going with you," Bristol promised.
"We can be ready in ten minutes," Sparta said as she slowly stood. Hylla closed her eyes.
"I have to know if the peacekeepers are telling the truth or if this is a trap," Hylla whispered. "They have only helped my sister so far, but what if she had decided to not help them? You guys did stop them after all."
"Where is Arcadia?" Aquitaine asked softly. Hylla looked at her.
"Beleza, one of the peacekeepers, said she was on Mount Othrys," Hylla answered. She gripped her chest and tried to calm down.
"We go there and find out," Sparta stated. "It shouldn't be hard to find a car and steal it."
"The peacekeepers want me to meet them in two hours if I want their help. We have to find answers before then. I mean, what if they are telling the truth? And I missed my opportunity to get help from them because I didn't know whether to help them or not?"
"Let me go with you," Bristol began. "Sparta and Aquitaine can back us up but stay hidden. If the peacekeepers are trying to trick you, I will not let any harm come to you. I promise on my honor."
"Trust me. If they are lying, I will tear them apart myself," Hylla swore. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Panicking was not going to help her sister. Freaking out would be useless. "We have to prepare a plan for if she is in Tartarus. How are we going to save her?"
None of the centurions answered. Hylla took another deep breath and opened her eyes. No one seemed to have an answer, but Hylla would figure it out. She promised to have her sister's back, and she would. After everything that Hylla had done to Reyna, her sister didn't give up on her.
There were too many times when Hylla didn't have her sister's back. Times when she didn't believe her or allowed her to be hurt. Or where Hylla herself hurt Reyna. It felt like she could never make up for what she had done. This had to be a start, though.
It didn't matter if Hylla had to move heaven or hell. She would find Reyna.
And gods help anyone who got in her way.