Hey guys! I hope you enjoy this chapter, I think you will. And keep the reviews coming, please! I love it.
Undeath9087: I feel sorry for Leo when they're dealing with Medea- knowing what she did. You gotta feel sorry for him really. And yeah I'm still counting votes, and yours shall be counted, and yeah, Octavian isn't as bad as Alabaster I'll give him that- though he's still a dick. As for the Hera blackmailing Poseidon in the Roman AU- you have to think not only did he break the oath, but he had a child with a Roman Demigod- now there may be some crossover between Greeks and Romans but usually it's a very long time apart like Frank, Percy's like, massively not supposed to exist. All Hera would have to do is say 'Agree to this or I tell my husband and your daughter is dead'. And if I did bring Alabaster back I can't explain how because of spoilers- anyways, enjoy!
Guest: I mean, Hera knew about Leo and Frank when they were little, it's not too much of a longshot to say that she knew about all of them fairly early- she'd have known about Jason, and she'd have plenty of reason to notice Percy so she could figure it out. And Percy would most likely still end up with Jason. As for the minific, there is only one minific, and all will become clear when we get to it. And there's so much in your review it's hard to address it all without risking spoilers but I do appreciate all of it I really do.
Quip Scarlet: It didn't say which option you voted for, and I have plans regarding Calypso but as always, spoilers.
The Official Clarisse: I don't mind big reviews at all! Well, you should be able to figure out what a part of it is about- I'll give you a lil hint- the first chapter, seventh paragraph. And it would probably be Jercy as it would be in the Roman AU, after all Hera would have a huge bombshell to blackmail Poseidon with when she finds out what he did. And yeah there will be more than the Seven on the Argo II, like a fair few more. Should be fun huh?
Revel: Leo should start classes! And I have counted your vote.
Union: Your votes been counted! Thanks for the review.
Nortje: Your vote's been counted.
Black' Victor Cachat: This would be in the Roman AU which probably won't be Percabeth, as I kinda want to write some Jercy, but Percy would not be happy at first at being told what to do.
Guest86: Your vote has been counted.
Jake: Your vote's been counted.
Guest: Your vote has been counted, and it's definitely in character for Hera.
Weirdhead: Yeah, Hera definitely needs to be taught a lesson I'd agree there. She does what she thinks is necessary, no matter who gets hurt. She's ruthless. And your vote's counted, and Leo is just there like 'Fucking seriously? You're almost grown ass adults you need to cook!' because you just know that all of the Jacksons know how to cook because Sally is a Queen who refuses to let her kids be savages who can't fend for themselves.
Flirt: I've noted your vote!
Poll:
Option 1: 10
Option 2: 13
Leo was genuinely considering starting cooking classes when he got back to camp- he'd been surprised by how genuinely fun it had been to teach his friends- admittedly he'd done most of the work but Piper and Jason had been pretty eager to help- and they'd enjoyed themselves too- Leo was proud to hear Piper's loud genuine laughter when Jason had burned his food beyond any hope of eating.
It lightened the mood, made them all relax- it was much needed, Leo was willing to admit that much- especially when, maybe five minutes after they'd eaten Piper ended up falling asleep with her head resting on Jason's lap.
And the look on Jason's face when Leo had given him a wide cheeky grin had been hilarious- he'd looked like he wanted to strangle Leo- but he couldn't because he had Piper in his lap which was adorable- Leo finally understood why Sally had squealed that time she'd seen Calypso and him like that when Cal had fallen asleep during a movie night in his room- he'd wanted to help her understand pop culture references more- and it was cute, the way she had so many questions about everything.
Yeah, he definitely understood it now. If he and Calypso were half as cute as Jason and Piper were- and given the fact that Calypso was like, insanely cute, then his mom hadn't lost her mind by squealing like that.
In any case, after some convincing by Jason Leo let himself have a little nap too- as much as Leo didn't like it, Jason was right, Leo was the one with the worst injury, which meant he needed sleep because the body did heal better when asleep.
And Leo had to admit that he did feel better when he woke up- and the three of them packed up camp and headed down the tunnel together, heading south through the tunnels.
They twisted and turned- they seemed to almost go on forever. It brought back unpleasant memories of the Labyrinth for Leo, and honestly he was grateful for the fact that Jason and Piper didn't have those bad memories too- they didn't look happy but at least they weren't comparing this to one of the worst places ever.
And then they reached the end of the tunnel and they found polished steel elevator doors, each one engraved with a cursive letter M. Next to the elevator was a directory, like for a department store. Leo's eyes narrowed automatically- this was definitely not normal. No way, it was the sort of crap that'd show up in the Labyrinth- it was ridiculously out of place.
"M for Macy's?" Piper guessed. "I think they have one in downtown Chicago. "
"Or Monocle Motors still?" Jason suggested hesitantly. "Read the directory you two- something is very weird."
Leo's eyes narrowed and he leaned closer to look, "Parking, Kennels, Main Entrance: Sewer Level, Furnishings and Café M: 1, Women's Fashion and Magical Appliances: 2, Men's Wear and Weaponry: 3, Cosmetics, Potions, Poisons & Sundries: 4."
"Kennels for what?" Piper said. "And what kind of department store has its entrance in a sewer?"
"Or sells poisons," Leo said. "Man, what does 'sundries' even mean? Is that like underwear? I have a real bad feeling about this. One time Luke and Thal's found this place- a Garden Gnome Emporium, you wanna know who was there? Medusa. Medusa was there. This sorta place is never actually good news."
Jason took a deep breath. "We don't have much of a choice. When in doubt, start at the top right?"
The doors slid open on the fourth floor, and the scent of perfume wafted into the elevator. Jason stepped out first, sword ready, Leo a step behind him.
"Guys," he said. "You've got to see this. "
Piper joined them and caught her breath. "This is not Macy's. "
The department store looked like the inside of a kaleidoscope. The entire ceiling was a stained glass mosaic with astrological signs around a giant sun. The daylight streaming through it washed everything in a thousand different colors. The upper floors made a ring of balconies around a huge central atrium, so they could see all the way down to the ground floor. Gold railings glittered so brightly, they were hard to look at.
Aside from the stained glass ceiling and the elevator, Leo couldn't see any other windows or doors, but two sets of glass escalators ran between the levels. The carpeting was a riot of oriental patterns and colors, and the racks of merchandise were just as bizarre. There was too much to take it at once, but Leo saw normal stuff like shirt racks and shoe trees mixed in with armored manikins, beds of nails, and fur coats that seemed to be moving.
Leo stepped to the railing and looked down. "Check it out. "
In the middle of the atrium a fountain sprayed water twenty feet into the air, changing color from red to yellow to blue. The pool glittered with gold coins, and on either side of the fountain stood a gilded cage—like an oversize canary cage.
Inside one, a miniature hurricane swirled, and lightning flashed. Somebody had imprisoned the storm spirits, and the cage shuddered as they tried to get out. In the other, frozen like a statue, was a short, buff satyr, holding a tree-branch club. Leo felt a rush of shock, and recognition at the sight.
"Coach Hedge!" Piper gasped out. "We've got to get down there. "
A voice said, "May I help you find something?"
All three of them jumped back.
A woman had just appeared in front of them. She wore an elegant black dress with diamond jewelry, and she looked like a retired fashion model—maybe fifty years old, though it was hard for Leo to judge. Her long dark hair swept over one shoulder, and her face was gorgeous in that surreal super-model way—thin and haughty and cold, not quite human. With their long red-painted nails, her fingers looked more like talons.
She smiled. "I'm so happy to see new customers. How may I help you?"
And Leo glanced at his friends, seeing the uneasy looks on their faces. He resisted the urge to groan. Right. It was Jason's quest but Leo was the one doing the actual leading wasn't he?
"Hey there. So, is this store all yours?" he asked, giving his most winning grin.
The woman nodded. "I found it abandoned, you know. I understand so many stores are, these days. I decided it would make the perfect place. I love collecting tasteful objects, helping people, and offering quality goods at a reasonable price. So this seemed a good … how do you say … first acquisition in this country. "
She spoke with a pleasing accent, but Leo couldn't guess where from. Clearly she wasn't hostile, though. Leo started to relax. Her voice was rich and exotic. He wanted to hear more.
"So you're new to America?" he asked.
"I am … new," the woman agreed. "I am the Princess of Colchis. My friends call me Your Highness. Now, what are you looking for?"
Princess of Colchis. Why did that sound familiar to Leo? He was sure he should know that- but he couldn't seem to put his finger on it. She sounded so nice- she couldn't be all bad could she? He glanced towards Jason, who had a distant look on his face and he was nodding, his eyes almost looked glazed over- that was odd.
It was Piper's expression that stirred something in Leo, the way her eyes narrowed and she looked between himself and Jason, that worried glint as she elbowed Leo in the side. "Um, right. Actually, Your Highness …" He pointed to the gilded cage on the first floor. "That's our friend down there, Gleeson Hedge. The satyr. Could we … have him back, please?"
"Of course!" the princess agreed immediately. "I would love to show you my inventory. First, may I know your names?"
And that made the unease worse- Leo winced slightly, face scrunching up as he tried to shake off the uncomfortable feeling- giving total strangers your name wasn't usually a good idea even for mortal teenagers let alone demigods like them- but his moment of distraction was the reason why he didn't stop Jason- though Piper did try.
"This is Piper," he said. "This is Leo. I'm Jason. "
The princess fixed her eyes on him and, just for a moment, her face literally glowed, blazing with so much anger that could see her skull beneath her skin.
And Leo sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes widening in surprise and his gaze swung towards Jason- who's expression was dreamy- lost, and Leo's gaze then flicked to Piper, who looked terrified- though she did look relieved when her eyes met Leo's and she realise that he'd managed to shake off whatever the woman was doing to him and Jason- it reminded Leo of really, really strong charmspeak actually- Leo was suddenly painfully grateful for the fact that he'd actually had some practise at resisting it thanks to Drew, though he could still feel the pull, the urge to listen to the kind beautiful woman- surely she couldn't be bad- he pinched his leg through his jeans to draw himself back into his own mind as the Woman spoke again.
"Jason. What an interesting name," she said, her eyes as cold as the Chicago wind. "I think we'll have to make a special deal for you. Come, children. Let's go shopping." and oh but that did not sound good, that really did not sound good at all.
Leo gave Piper a warning look when the woman looked away for a brief second, hand lashing out to grab her wrist before she could pull out her dagger, giving a tiny shake of his head. Attacking without figuring out more would be stupid and reckless- and while he was usually all for stupid and reckless, he had to try and make sure they all made it home safely and that meant he needed to reign Piper in even if it sucked.
Leo forced himself to move, following the woman and Jason, pulling Piper with them before releasing her wrist when she started following of her own volition, his gaze shifting to focus on the woman, who gestured toward the cosmetics counter. "Shall we start with the potions?"
"Cool," Jason said.
"Jason," Piper interrupted, "we're here to get the storm spirits and Coach Hedge. If this—princess—is really our friend—"
"Pipes-" Leo gave her a look before putting on a fake dreamy look when he looked at the woman, "She's our friend, trust her." hopefully she'd get the message- and it would be better if she believed Leo was under her control too, they'd stand a better chance of getting a jump on her.
"Oh, I'm better than a friend, my dear," Her Highness said. "I'm a saleswoman. " Her diamonds sparkled, and her eyes glittered like a snake's—cold and dark. "Don't worry. We'll work our way down to the first floor, eh?"
And Leo gave an eager nod, "Yeah, yeah that sounds great right Piper?" he saw the uncertainty in her gaze- and he didn't blame her, but- piss the lady off to early and they might end up in worse trouble.
"Of course it's okay. " The woman put her hands on Leo's and Jason's shoulders and steered them toward the cosmetics. "Come along, boys." and Leo let her steer him, even if he wanted to bolt, and soon they were led to another counter.
"And here," the princess said, "is the finest assortment of magical mixtures anywhere. "
The counter was crammed with bubbling beakers and smoking vials on tripods. Lining the display shelves were crystal flasks—some shaped like swans or honey bear dispensers. The liquids inside were every color, from glowing white to polka-dotted. And the smells—ugh! Some were pleasant, like fresh-baked cookies or roses, but they were mixed with the scents of burning tires, skunk spray, and gym lockers.
The princess pointed to a bloodred vial—a simple test tube with a cork stopper. "This one will heal any disease."
"Even cancer?" Leo asked, curious despite himself- he wondered if he could pocket it, Will would probably kiss him- which would be funny because Nico would then try to brutally murder him so it probably wasn't a good idea but still. "Leprosy? Hangnails?"
"Any disease, sweet boy. And this vial"—she pointed to a swan-shaped container with blue liquid inside—"will kill you very painfully. "
"Awesome," Jason said. His voice sounded dazed and sleepy. That was not good, not at all.
"Jason." Piper's voice was slightly panicked, "We have a job to do, remember-" and Leo could hear how she was trying to put power into the words- but she wasn't confident enough, she didn't believe it enough. It wouldn't work while she was so nervous.
"Job to do," Jason muttered. "Sure. But shopping first, okay?"
The princess beamed at him. "Then we have potions for resisting fire—"
"Not necessary." Leo's voice was light, "But cool."
"We also have potions that cause blindness, insanity, sleep, or—"
"Wait. " Piper was staring at the red vial. "Could that potion cure lost memory?"
And Leo's eyes widened at that- okay, okay Piper was definitely a smart one, she was gonna be great friends with Annabeth once all of this was over.
The princess narrowed her eyes. "Possibly. Yes. Quite possibly. Why, my dear? Have you forgotten something important?"
"How much?" Piper asked.
The princess got a faraway look in her eyes. "Well, now … The price is always tricky. I love helping people. Honestly, I do. And I always keep my bargains, but sometimes people try to cheat me. " Her gaze drifted to Jason. "Once, for instance, I met a handsome young man who wanted a treasure from my father's kingdom. We made a bargain, and I promised to help him steal it. "
"From your own dad?" Jason still looked half in a trance, but the idea seemed to bother him.
"Oh, don't worry," the princess said. "I demanded a high price. The young man had to take me away with him. He was quite good-looking, dashing, strong …" She looked at Piper. "I'm sure, my dear, you understand how one might be attracted to such a hero, and want to help him."
Piper was blushing at that, but Leo barely noticed, a flood of panic flowing over him.
He remembered now- hearing about this particular person- but it wasn't possible it couldn't be.
And Leo couldn't help it, the words slipped out before he could stop them, "You're Medea."