PERI'S POV

"Frank, no!" I screamed.

But it was too late.

He let the arrow fly.

Right towards us.

I grabbed Eido-Leo and hit the deck with inhuman speed. He fell to the ground with me on top of him, and I was too freaked to be flustered about it. His glassy golden eyes stared up at me expressionlessly.

I didn't know I had been hit until I saw the drop of blood fall onto his cheek. I touched my face gingerly and felt the gash just under my left eye where the arrow must have grazed me.

"Oh my gods, Peri!" I heard Hazel gasp.

Frank inhaled sharply. "Peri! I'm so-"

I turned around angrily. "Oi! Frank! What part of 'Frank, no!' don't you understand?!"

His lip quivered. "I'm so sorry! It's just, the ghosts and I didn't know what to do and-"

I sighed. "It's okay, I know you didn't mean it. Besides, I can't stay mad at you and those puppy dog eyes."

And just when we were having a heart-to-heart, Eido-Leo butts in.

"Get off of me," he muttered emotionlessly.

I growled a little and rose. He stood up, his movements clunky and robotic like before. He sat down in his seat again like nothing was abnormal, but it looked like he had a bit of a pout on his features.

Ghosts are weird.

Frank stuttered out a few more apologies, even though I told him time and time again that it was alright. Hazel insisted on dabbing my face with a moist napkin and cleaning my wound.

Percy growled suddenly, making Hazel jump. "Look at you - even fighting among yourselves. You cannot control us. We will rise again."

"Listen, eidolons," Hazel said sternly, "you do not belong here. We may not command you, but Piper does. Obey her."

I turned to Piper and gave her a reassuring look. "Try again. You can do this."

She nodded once, and I saw her mustering up all of her courage. She looked straight at Jason, determination etched onto her features.

"You will leave these bodies," she repeated, even more forcefully.

Jason's face tightened. His forehead beaded in sweat. "We-we will leave these bodies."

"You will vow on the River Styx never to return to this ship," Piper continued, "and never possess any member of this crew."

Leo and Percy both hissed in protest.

"You will promise on the River Styx!" Piper insisted.

There was a long moment of tension as their wills fought against hers. Percy's eyebrow twitched, and Leo made a low growling sound deep in his throat.

Then all three eidolons spoke in unison. "We promise on the river Styx."

"You are dead," Piper said.

"We are dead," they agreed. I was tempted to ask Piper to force them to say they were stupid and suck eggs, but thought against it.

Piper glared at them, her kaleidoscope eyes flashing. "Now, leave."

All three boys slumped forward. Percy fell face-first into his pizza.

"Percy!" Annabeth grabbed him.

Piper and Hazel caught Jason's arms as he slipped out of his chair.

Leo began to fall forwards, and I saw Frank make no attempt to intercept him whatsoever. Just before his head could connect with the deck's hardwood floor, I dove for him. Catching him just in time, Leo's head lolled into my lap.

I slowly lowered him to the ground and eased myself into a sitting position, shooting Frank a look. "Nice save there, Frankie boy."

Leo's face scrunched up as he stirred. "Huh. . . ? What?"

"Don't worry," I murmured softly, "Peri's gotcha."

His eyes fluttered open, and to my relief I saw his warm brown eyes staring up at me.

I smiled softly. "Hey, Leo. Welcome back."

"Wait, so. . . Are they gone?"

I nodded and tapped his head lightly. "Yup. It's just you in there."

He sat up and looked at me. He opened his mouth like he was going to speak, but then clamped it shut. His eyes ran over my face. "Peri," he breathed.

Leo leaned forward and cupped my face gently, studying it. His almond eyes narrowed as he stared at the cut running beneath my own. His fingers tilted my chin down a little so he could inspect.

"You're bleeding," he whispered. His fingertip brushed over my cheek, wiping some of the sticky red liquid away. His touch was just a bit too close to my wound, and I winced involuntarily.

I saw his jaw contract, and he swallowed thickly. "Did I - did I do this to you?"

My eyes widened, and my hands covered his own. "No! Oh gods, no. Don't worry, this wasn't you. Frank accidentally shot me with his arrow when-"

"Frank?!" Leo whirled around and glared at Frank, his eyes hard as stone. "Frank, you shot Peri?! What the fu-"

"Leo, it was an accident!" I exclaimed. "It wasn't his fault! Don't be upset with him. Please, don't be upset."

Leo's eyes flickered between me and Frank who looked like he might just fire another arrow if necessary.

Finally, Leo sighed and embraced me tightly. "I'm-I'm sorry," he murmured. "I just don't want anything bad to happen to you. Like, ever."

"Yeah. . . likewise," I whispered.

Leo loosened his grip on me a little and looked down. "We should probably, uh, go talk to Festus."

I nodded. "Yeah, who knows where Coach Hedge has got us headed."

He chuckled. "I know, right? That old goat's probably sending us to some boot camp!"

Someone cleared their throat. "Old goat, huh?"

I didn't even have to look up. "Oh, fuck."