Hey guys, I hope you enjoy this chapter- Percy is a very good baby sister and Sadie loves her.
Replies:
Undeath9087: Nope- I'm curious to what people might think they're about.
Ryan Fowler: Yeah, those two would brutally murder anyone who fucks with their brother if they got the chance.
Guest: You hit the nail on the head. The last time Percy had a dream like that it was about Apophis and we all know how that went. So she's terrified that this dream will end in more pain so she's trying to ignore it. As for the who, well, you'll have to wait and see.
The cake was good, very crumbly and messy, but good. Unfortunately Sadie's dream was less so.
Percy was sat on the bed with Sadie and Amos, her legs crossed as Sadie took a bite of her cake, clearly trying to find the words before she spoke.
"My Ba went to the First Nome." she said after a moment, "I- Desjardin's was there." her eyes flicked to Percy, who blinked. None of them had seen or heard anything of the French Magician since the Pyramid business. Carter and Sadie both hated the guy. Percy's feelings were a tiny bit more complicated.
After all, he had saved her life when he hadn't needed to- he could have left her at the mercy of those demons, instead he'd pulled her up and out. And when Set had attacked them to try and stop them from destroying the Pyramidion Desjardins had pushed her out of the way and gotten hurt himself protecting her.
Sure he was an asshole- but- Percy couldn't help but think that there must be some good in him if he was willing to protect her despite his feelings about her and her family. "How did he look?" Percy asked after a moment.
"Old." Sadie shifted uncomfortably, "Like he's aged ten years not three months. It was weird." She shook her head, "But that's not the important part. There was this other guy with him. His eyes were- it was horrible. It looked like he'd been splashed with acid of something. Desjardins called him Vladimir. And they were in the Hall of Ages." Sadie's brows furrowed, "The light was turning dark purple- it... it wasn't good. They were blaming us for it. The Vladimir guy wanted to come after us himself- I think- I don't know it was weird. I- I don't like the Valdimir guy. Something about him didn't feel right and- Desjardins. I mean he hates us but Desjardins knows that we might be able to help."
"That's incredibly worrying." Amos frowned, "Sadie-"
"And they're going to come for us. Desjardin's hasn't given the order yet but I don't know how long we have until he does- though-" her eyes flicked to Percy.
"What is it?" Percy tilted her head, "Why are you lookin' at me like that?"
"They don't want you dead like they do Carter and I. Vladimir said about how you could still be useful and Desjardins said that you might not be too far gone- though he did say how he still doesn't understand what you are?"
"Me?" Percy frowned, "But that doesn't make any sense why me? I'm probably more dangerous to him than you and Carter combined."
"I don't know. Maybe Desjardins has a soft spot for you. You did say he saved your life that day."
"He did." Percy nodded, "and it wasn't like he had to. He just did. He might be a stinky head but he's not evil."
"Percy is right." Amos shook his head, "Valdimir- I don't- I've heard the name before but I've never met the man personally." he rose from his spot on the bed, "This is troubling indeed- we need to discuss this with everyone-"
"But-"
"Sadie-" Amos gave her a strained smile, "Everyone needs to know so that we can prepare."
"I hate it when you're right." Sadie's shoulders slumped. "But okay."
"You two need to get dressed." Amos added, "I'll meet you on the veranda in twenty minutes." then he was gone and Percy turned her head to look at her sister, who pulled a face.
"So much for going to London." and she looked so sad that Percy straightened up, tilting her head back slightly.
"Don't be dumb Sadie. You just get dressed."
"What- Percy what exactly do you mean don't be dumb?"
"We're still goin' to London. It's not like that Vladimir dude is likely to attack today. Desjardins hasn't given the order yet right?"
"I mean- I don't think he has but Sally and Carter are never gonna let us go now Per-"
"I don't care." Percy declared, "We're goin' to London for your birthday."
"I-" Sadie hesitated before letting out a laugh, "Get dressed and meet me in the hall." she said after a moment, "I'm not sure if you'll convince the others but if anyone can make them agree to let us go to London then it's you."
With that Percy was whirling around and rushing to her room- she had a quick shower before she got changed, pulling on a blue long sleeved dress- it was all cotton, safe for magic- it was warm too, with a plaid skirt, and she pulled on a pair of tights as well.
Once she was dressed she headed out of her room, grinning when she spotted Sadie in the hall- and she couldn't help but notice the leather jacket- not the best for magic, Sadie was definitely determined to make a statement today.
Sadie grinned when she saw Percy, "You and blue-"
"It's 'cause it's the best color in the universe."
"Maybe I should get some blue in my hair next time, we could be twins-"
"You're too tall for that." Percy giggled as Sadie slung an arm over her shoulder- and she did love how much their relationship had improved since that Christmas eve that had changed everything.
Three months, within three months they'd gone from Percy feeling rejected- and kind of hurt and angry at times, and Sadie being jealous and hating Percy for replacing her, to being as close as sisters should be.
Together they made their way through the mansion- which was strangely silent with everyone at breakfast- Percy had gotten used to the usual bustle and chaos. She liked it like that- Brooklyn House was made to be lived in. It didn't feel as sad and lonely as it once had.
Sure the Great Room still had many of the same touches as it had before- the massive statue of Thoth in the middle, Amos's collection of weapons and jazz instruments along the wall, the snakeskin rug in front of the garage-size fireplace.
But there were differences too now- it looked lived in. There was an assortment of remote controls, wands, ipads, snack food wrappers and shabti figurines littering the coffee table. There were muddy trainers- big ones, on the stairs- and Percy snickered when she spotted the fireplace- it had been turned into an Antarctic wonderland, complete with snow and a live penguin.
Sadie followed her gaze at the snickering and she tried to hide her snort of laughter, "You need to tell your friend that Carter's gonna kill him if he doesn't stop summoning penguins."
"It's not my fault that Felix is obsessed." Percy grinned despite herself- Felix was their youngest initiate, he was a few months older than Percy- which she'd been very excited about. Most of them were a few years older than her at least, it had been nice being able to make a friend her own age- and Felix was pretty awesome. How could she not like a guy who thought that the solution to all of the worlds problems was penguins?
Honestly he was probably one of her first actual friends ever. Carter and Sadie didn't count because they were her siblings, and Zia did count- but she was almost like a sister too.
"It is kinda funny-" Sadie waved a hand at one of the magical dusters that tried to dust her hair- mops and brooms were speeding around trying to clean up after them- which was a full time job with so many kids living in the same house.
When they reached the veranda Sadie snatched up a couple of pain au chocolat's for them both, while Percy grabbed a glass of orange juice and Sadie snatched up some tea.
It was only once the two girls were sat that Percy and Sadie both realised that the others weren't eating- they were staring at Sadie.
At the head of the table Amos, Bast, Zia and Carter were looking very serious- and Percy frowned, looking around. It looked like her mom wasn't there for breakfast. That was kind of weird, usually if she was home she'd make sure to come and sit with them- if only to make sure none of them blew stuff up- which was sadly a common occurrence.
In any case it wasn't just Amos, Carter, Zia and Bast who looked so worried. The trainees were all looking worried and shocked.
The only one unaffected by the mood was Khufu- who was stuffing his face in his mountain of breakfast- which consisted of Jell-O which had grapes inside.
There was a long moment of uncomfortable silence before Sadie spoke up. "Morning. Lovely day. Penguin in the fireplace if anyone's interested."
And Percy blinked before whispering to Sadie. "Great deflection. I'm sure it'll work-" which earned her an elbow to the ribs for her sarcasm- but really how was she supposed to resist. Sadie just set herself up for it so perfectly.
"Sadie." Amos' voice was gentle, "You need to tell everyone what you told me and Percy."
And Sadie looked uncomfortable, sipping her tea before she spoke, explaining what she'd seen to everyone around the table. Though Percy couldn't help but notice that she hadn't mentioned the special mention of Percy. She was grateful to her sister for that. None of the trainees knew that Percy was a demigod too, she didn't want any special attention.
The silence when Sadie was finished was broken after several long minutes by Felix.
"Does that mean we're all gonna die then?"
"No." Amos sat forward, "Absolutely not. Children I know I've just arrived. I've hardly met most of you, but I promise we'll do everything we can to keep you safe. This house is layered with magic protection. You have a major goddess on your side-" he gestured to Bast, who was opening a can of Fancy Feast Tuna Supreme with her fingernails—"and the Kane family to protect you. Carter, Sadie and Percy are more powerful than you might realize, and I've battled Michel Desjardins before, if it comes to that."
"'Sides, if he comes here I'll just jump out and threaten to blow up his house again." she declared, "He'll get so distracted that he'll just chase me." that seemed to break some of the tension- the trainees looked relieved- and Percy still found it oddly funny that even as the youngest one there she was considered one of the people in charge- but then that came with being one of the Kanes didn't it?
"Amos said if it comes to that." Alyssa spoke up at that, "It sounds pretty certain that they'll attack us from what Sadie said."
Amos knitted his brow. "Perhaps, but it troubles me that Desjardins would agree to such a foolish move. Apophis is the real enemy, and Desjardins knows it. He should realize he needs all the help he can get. Unless…" He didn't finish the sentence. Whatever he was thinking, it apparently troubled him greatly. "At any rate, if Desjardins decides to come after us, he will plan carefully. He knows this mansion will not fall easily. He can't afford to be embarrassed by the Kane family again. He'll study the problem, consider his options, and gather his forces. It would take several days for him to prepare —time he should be using to stop Apophis."
Walt raised an index finger then-and Percy had to admit that there was something about him. Everyone turned to look at the boy. "If Desjardins does attack us," he said, "he'll be well prepared, with magicians who are a lot more experienced than we are. Can he get through our defenses?"
Amos gazed at the sliding glass doors, possibly remembering the last time the defenses had been breached. The results hadn't been good. Percy and Bast were probably the only reason Carter and Sadie hadn't been captured then and there.
But then again the defences had been sabotaged by Amos so it wasn't like they'd been breached in the normal way. "We must make sure it doesn't come to that," he said. "Desjardins knows what we're attempting, and that we only have five days—well, four days, now. According to Sadie's vision, Desjardins is aware of our plan and will try to prevent it out of some misguided belief that we are working for the forces of Chaos. But if we succeed, we'll have bargaining power to make Desjardins back off."
Cleo- another one of their trainees raised her hand, "Um... what plan? Four days to do what?"
And Percy grinned, speaking before anyone else could. "Oh that's easy. We're gonna wake up Ra." and she personally loved the plan- who better to help them stop Apophis than Ra himself after all, and she ignored the look that Carter gave her as the trainees looked at each other, clearly in disbelief.
"You-" Felix spoke up slowly, "You mean the sun god? You're going to wake up the old king of the gods?"
"Yeah. See, like I said. It's simple." and she could see Zia's lips twitching as she tried not to laugh.
"Percy." Carter let out a long suffering sigh, "If you could let me explain-"
"But you'll be all boring and long winded-"
"She's not wrong." Sadie grinned. "I love you but you will."
"Fine." Carter gave a strained smile, "I'll make this short shall I?"
"Yes please." Percy and Sadie chorused the words in unison.