"Close one guys, they nearly had you there."
I laughed at his response as I gave him a fist pump.
"Too close. Nico and I got all the supplies we need, how is everyone here?"
I handed the supplies to Percy as the three of us walked into the kitchen.
"Yea we are good here. Annabeth, Frank and I were talking about Nico's suggestion, Leo and Calypso are resting together and Piper and Hazel are practising sword fighting outside. And don't worry it's all barricaded, those things can't break down the fence or climb over it, were safe for now."
We were living in Annabeth's house, which was left abandoned after her parents were killed by one of the 'things'. That was seven months ago; after the war with Gaia. Now it's the quest to survive and kill the mysterious source of evil, if we can find it. So far we know this spirit is linked to Tartarus, searching for revenge on us demigods after we destroyed Gaia. Nico suggested we should go into Tartarus and search for the heart of the pit, as he thinks we can destroy it by destroying the heart. It's a big risk, the last time we were down there searching for Percy and Annabeth, some of us were nearly killed, but we know he's right; Tartarus must be killed. As I look at Percy, I can still see the fear in his eyes, none of us will ever forget our experience in Tartarus, never, but we're the last hope for the demigods, so we must go back down there.
"JASON!"
Piper's distressed voice brought me out of my thinking as she ran into my arms. I could feel her racing heart beat against my chest as she sighed into my neck.
"I didn't know whether you were coming back alive or not. Are you OK? Tell me what happened."
Pipers concerned voice and the warmth of her arms around my neck sent a shiver down my back, I hated leaving her. I leaned my forehead against her and brushed my lips against hers ever so gently and responded into her lips.
"I'm okay Pipes. It was a close encounter, but no harm done to either me or Nico. I'm here now OK?"
She nodded her head and placed a sweet peck on my lips.
"OK. Can you switch you night shift with someone and sleep with me?"
I raised my brows in concern. I knew straight away she was having the nightmares again.
"I'm sure Percy won't mind. Are they getting worse?"
"Yes. I'm just so scared Jason and I hate it when you leave me, the thought of you getting killed out thereā¦"
I gripped her trembling hands to my heart and kissed her tenderly on the tip of her nose.
"Shh, please don't cry. I know, and I hate it as well, but I don't want you out there, I'm not going to send you out there with your life on the line. I love you Piper."
I felt her body instantly relax as I looked deep into her eyes.
"Really?"
"Listen to my heart Piper, I love you."
She cupped my face in her hands and kissed me with such passion, I died right there in her arms. Good thing the boys walked off to give us some privacy. I kissed her back with equal passion.
"I have waited so long for you to say that. I've always loved you Jason."
"I know and I'm so sorry it took so long to admit. Anyway we will talk more about this later, we should go eat and see what the others are up to."
"OK."
I took her hand and laced our fingers together as we walked into the living room.
