Chapter Ten: I Eat The Tacos Of The Gods

Zoë Nightshade

Thalia looked at me for permission to speak. It was odd to see her regard me as a leader. To me, she had always seemed stronger, even back when she was physically younger than me. I found it odd. I nodded my ascent, and she turned to Bianca.

"What I want to know is how you destroyed one of the zombies. There are a lot more of them somewhere. We need to figure out how to fight them."

Bianca looked uncomfortable. Thalia, however, was already in the mode of the inquisitive, unable to be stopped. I supposed Bianca saw that as well, for she offered a half-hearted answer. "I don't know... I just stabbed it and it went up in flames."

"Maybe there's something special about your knife," Percy guessed.

Silly boy. Thou knows nothing of a Hunter's weapons. "It is the same as mine. Celestial bronze, yes, but mine did not affect the warriors in that way."

"Maybe you have to hit the skeleton in a certain spot," he guessed again. Even I had to admit that this was a likely possibility. If Achilles had his heel, it could be that these skeleton monsters had the same issue. But I glanced at Bianca, who looked so sad, and decided that we had best not pursue the topic.

"Never mind," I promised. ""We will find the answer. In the meantime, we should plan our next move." I pointed to the path we were destined to take. "When we get through this junkyard, we must continue west. If we can find a road, we can hitchhike to the nearest city. I think that would be Las Vegas."

"No! Not there!"

I looked at Bianca, who had gotten paler still. I felt my brow furrow. "Why?" I asked.

"I... I think we stayed there for a while. Nico and I... when we were travelling. And then, I can't remember..."

I saw Percy's head snap up, realization dawning in his eyes- of what, I didn't know. "Bianca," he said. "That hotel you stayed at... was it possibly called the Lotus Hotel and Casino?"

"How could you know that?"

Percy slapped his hand to his forehead. "Oh. Great."

"Wait, what is the Lotus Casino?" asked Thalia.

The male sighed. "A couple of years ago, Grover, Annabeth, and I got trapped there. It's designed so you never want to leave. We stayed for about an hour. When we came out, five days had passed. It makes time speed up."

"No! No!" Bianca said, shaking her head. "That's not possible!"

"You said somebody came and got you out," Percy said.

"Yes..."

"What did he look like? What did he say?"

"I... I don't remember! Please, I really don't want to talk about this!"

I leaned forward, concerned. I didn't want to upset Bianca, but I knew that sometimes, one had to do things one didn't want for the good of oneself and one's sisters. "You said that Washington D.C. had changed when you went back last summer. You didn't remember the subway being there."

"Yes, but..."

She was crying now, and I nearly relented. But I knew I could not. "Bianca, can you tell me the name of the president of the United States right now?"

"Don't be silly. Barack Obama."

"And who was the president before that?" I pressed.

There was a long moment of silence. "Roosevelt?" Bianca guessed.

My eyes widened, and I swallowed. "Theodore? Or Franklin?"

"Franklin. F.D.R."

"Like F.D.R. Drive?" Percy said. If the situation had not been so grinned, I would have glared.

Instead, I just took Bianca's hands in mine, pressing gently. "Bianca- F.D.R. was not the last president. That was about seventy years ago."

She ripped her hands away. "That's impossible! I... I'm not that old!"

"It's okay, Bianca."

I turned to see Thalia smiling sadly at my sister. "The most important thing," she said, "is that you and Nico are safe. You made it out."

"But how?" Percy ruined the soft, caring mood with his useless curiosity. "We were only there for an hour and we barely escaped. How could you have escaped after being there for so long?"

"I told you, a man came and said it was time to leave. And..."

"But who? Why did he do it?"

Bianca started to cry again, this time in soft, choking sobs, but nobody seemed to notice. As I looked up, I saw why. A car was rushing towards us, coming from nowhere out of the dark. "Run!" I said, and we all jumped out of our bags, getting out of the way as the sleek car, white as bone, pulled to a stop inches from Bianca, who hadn't moved at all.

The back door, next to Percy, opened, and I saw the sharp point of a sword caress his throat. Swiftly, I drew my bow, and I saw that despite her tears, Bianca had done the same, and was standing up next to me. We held our fire as a man got out of the car, his silver gleaming sword pushing Percy back, inch by inch. He looked vaguely familiar as he smiled cruelly. "Not so fast now, are you, punk?" he growled.

"Ares," Percy gasped.

Oh! That makes sense. And as soon as I thought that, the god of war snapped his fingers, and my bow crumpled to the floor. I looked at Bianca and saw that the same had happened to her.

Ares pushed his sword into Percy's neck, drawing a small prick of blood. "This is a friendly meeting," he said. "Of course, I'd like to take your head for a trophy... but someone wants to see you. And I never behead my enemies in front of a lady."

"What lady?" Thalia challenged. I looked into her eyes and saw her thoughts- she didn't want to seem weak in front of the god of war. I doubted that he was referring to her, though- Aphrodite was the most likely choice. I would have gambled on her being inside the sleek car.

Ares glanced over at my girlfriend with a smile. "Well well. I heard you were back. Thalia, Daughter of Zeus," he said as he pushed Percy away, making the boy land on his bottom, "You're not hanging out with very good company."

Thalia gave him a look that would have burned anyone besides a god. "What's your business, Ares? Who's in the car?"

He smiled, smug. "Oh, I doubt she wants to meet the rest of you, particularly not them." And he jutted his chin towards Bianca and me. "Why don't you all get some tacos while you wait? Only take Percy a few minutes."

I snapped my weapon up from the ground and aimed. "We will not leave him alone with thee, Lord Ares," I said. From her spot, I heard Bianca make a sound of agreement as she picked up her own weapon.

"Besides, the taco place is closed," Grover said.

Ares snapped his fingers once again, and I prepared myself for my weapon to drop. Instead, the taco stand suddenly illuminated and became a wonderfully delicious-smelling haven. "You were saying, goat-boy?" Ares said boredly.

Percy gritted his teeth, and through them, said, "Go on. I'll handle this."

We started for the taco stand, keeping an eye out for Percy until the door of the restaurant closed behind us.

As it did, a man approached us. "Welcome to Tacos Casa del Amor, would you like to try today's special, the Afrodita Carnitas?"

Grover was nodding frantically, but I put my arm out. "Tacos Casa del Amor. The Taco House of Love. Best we keep with waters all around."

The man shook his head with a smile. "Upon the River Styx, I swear that none of this food has been spelled with love- for, my angel, you are not food."

I reached out to slap him, but Thalia was in front of me already, kicking the man in the loins. He crumpled to the ground, and she smiled down at him. "We'll take ten tacos, two each for the girls and four for the goat. I trust service will be quick?"

The man groaned.

The four of us gathered around a small table. "So," Bianca said. "What now?" I was pleased to see that she had wiped her tears and composed herself, as a Hunter should.

"Well, we'll have to face the junkyard..." Thalia said, but Bianca cut her off.

"I mean, what do we do while we're here? Why can't we go rescue Percy, he could be in trouble! When are the tacos going to come?"

I sighed. "Bianca, we are defenseless against two gods, mere ants in their path. Percy shall not be harmed, I am sure of it. Let us relax and recuperate."

She fidgeted. I could tell she did not like this plan. However, I was the lieutenant of Artemis, for now, at least. I was the one who would call the shots. "Fine," she said, "but if we're just going to sit here and talk, then tell me something."

"Yes?"

"What is going on between you and Thalia?"

My eyes widened and I looked at the young woman sitting next to me. Thalia looked annoyed, as though it was horrible that Bianca asked anything. "She's my girlfriend," the daughter of Zeus said hotly. "Now, what's going on between you and Zoë?"

It was Bianca's moment to widen her eyes, shocked. "She's the lieutenant of Artemis, and my best friend. There's nothing going on between us!"

"Yeah," Thalia scoffed, "sure. That's why you're always together."

"Exactly," Bianca said. "What, did you think that when I swore off boys, I became gay or something?"

"I never thought so," Grover said. His tone was helpful even when his comment wasn't.

The man came around with our tacos, still groaning softly. Still, though, he hung around after the food was passed out- possibly waiting for a tip. He scampered off when Thalia glared at him, her bright blue eyes chilly as ice. "Well it isn't impossible," Thalia said after a moment. "Or maybe you always were."

"Well I wasn't, and I'm not. I mean it isn't ancient Greece anymore!"

"But it is modern day America. Maybe you're too old to comprehend, Bianca, but homosexuality isn't taboo anymore!"

Bianca looked startled, almost as if she were about to cry. I could see Thalia soften. "That... that was over the line. I'm sorry."

Bianca looked away. "No. You're right. I'm not ready for all this modern stuff. Maybe I can't really remember my old life, but I don't think that means that it isn't still in me." She touched one hand to her heart. "Inside, I'm still Bianca di Angelo from the thirties, fourties, whatever. And that's left it's mark. Maybe that's why the Hunters are so good for me. We're all displaced in time. Except for Jenn. Six years is nothing."

I laughed in agreeance. "You're perfect for us, Bianca," I said. "I promise."

I picked up my taco. Grover was already on his third, but none of us girls had even started. "To the Hunters, lost in time," I toasted.

"To best friends... and to girlfriends," said Thalia.

"To Zoë and Thalia. I think that two girls dating is weird, but really, you two are kinda cute." Bianca blushed as she, too, raised her taco. We tapped the three together and then took a bite in unison.

Then the world began to spin and the food disappeared from our hands. The disorienting tornado only lasted a split second, but it made me dizzy. I closed my eyes briefly. When I opened them, the four of us stood with Percy in the middle of a junkyard, balancing on scraps of metal.

"Hey," Grover said suddenly. "I didn't get to finish my tacos!"

Author's Note: Sorry this chapter was so long coming! I hope to update every two weeks from now on, but for a while I kind of lost my muse! I do believe I'm back though! :) Did you miss me?