I've already posted this chapter, but I had to delete it because it was not showing the words. I wasn't sure if I was the only one seeing it this way, but I decided to re-upload it, just in case.
"Well, this is it." Parker said helping me out of the van.
"But this is the Empire State Building." I said in disbelief.
"Yes it is, but Olympus is not far from it." Esperanza said, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Okay, if it's nearby then why are we going in?" I asked.
"You'll see." May said.
"Excuse me, sir, we'd like the key to the six-hundredth floor, please." Jaden said.
"There is no six-hundredth floor kid, get lost." The man at the desk said.
"Check your roster," Jared said threateningly while fingering a gold coin. "We have an appointment."
"I-I see," the man said. "H-here's the key."
"Thank you." Zoë said grabbing the key. She bounced over to the elevator and ushered us all inside. Once the doors closed, she placed the key in a lock and turned it. We all stood in awkward silence as the elevator ascended. The music that was playing didn't help at all.
"We're here!" Ruby exclaimed when the bell dinged signaling the elevator had stopped. The doors opened and I was amazed. I'd read in the diaries that Annabeth had done the designs for Olympus, but this was amazing.
"Was your mom really the head architect for all of this!" I asked Parker.
"Yeah, she's amazing." He said. I nodded in agreement. Then the realization hit me that she was my mom too.
"We demand an audience with Hera!" Jared shouted to the guards in front of the Hall of the Gods. They stood there as if he had never spoken.
"Let me try," I said. "We demand an audience with the Gods! We believe that we know the whereabouts of Poseidon and Athena's lost granddaughter, Pearl Jackson!"
At that comment the doors were opened. We walked through the doors and were met with the faces of ten annoyed Gods, and two that were extremely overjoyed to see us.
"I understand that you wish to speak with me." Hera said smugly.
"Hera, Goddess of Family, we believe that you are to blame for the disappearance of Pearl Jackson." Parker accused.
"Dear child, if you believe that I am the only one to blame for her disappearance you are sorely mistaken." Hera chuckled.
"Who else?" I asked.
"Ah, Miss Peyton. I am correct in assuming that you know the truth." She asked.
"I do, but you are avoiding my question, who else?" I reiterated.
"I'll give you a hint. He was on the wrong side, but given a second chance. His lover broke an oath, his children here reside. Two of which you know, and are standing side by side." Hera said. May and Zoë realized it first.
"No!" they exclaimed.
"Yes, dear girls. Your father is to blame." Hera said.
"Why?" May asked.
"He wanted the seven to be happy, and was all too willing to agree to my terms. The perfect families for the seven, but one child that I could have on their eighth birthday," Hera said. "He was so happy that I agreed that he forgot about the terms until it was already to late."
"Where is she," Jared demanded. "Where!"
"Foolish boy, she is closer than you think. Fear is the only thing keeping her from telling you the truth. She believes that if she reveals herself then she will disappear again. Child, fear not. I have no reason to remove you from your family. The deal is done. The fact that you have been found is not my problem, it just means that I'll get to start messing with your life again." Hera said.
"That doesn't tell us where she is!" Jared exclaimed.
"Young man, she is here. You've had her the whole time. You brought her with you." Hera stated. She looked at Poseidon and Athena signaling that they could take over.
"Pearl, step forward." Athena said. I made eye contact with the two Gods. They nodded, and I took a step forward.