We continued in silence, none of us exactly sure of where we were going or what we were going to do when we got there. We'd left our bags on the bus, so the only things we had were the clothes on our backs and a few individual items. Annabeth still had her knife hidden under her shirt sleeve, Grover still had his reed pipes and the winged trainers Luke had given Percy, Percy himself still had Riptide and I had my knife in my boot, my two belts around my waist and my locket was still hanging around my neck. My fingers kept looping through the chain subconsciously as I watched Sasha stalk ahead in front of us, her ears pricked.
"This is going to be impossible," Grover groaned as we stepped through the woods. I kept my gaze on Sasha, trying to ignore the way my stomach twisted. I knew me being here was only making the already hard quest even harder. Hera was after me, Tisiphone wouldn't pass up the opportunity, and I was being tested by the Olympian gods. How was I supposed to help Percy at the same time? But then, I had a feeling that Zeus didn't want me to help him, as such. It was more like baby-sitting.
"No, it won't," Percy argued with a dismissive wave. "There has to be a way. Right, Acacia?"
I cast him a sideways glance, scanning his determined facial expression. How was it that he could be so certain? For once, I found myself wishing I could have more faith. Still, meeting his gaze, I knew he wanted me to tell the others that we could pull this off. But when I opened my mouth to agree, my voice stuck in my throat. Taking a deep breath, I dropped my gaze with a frown. "Optimism isn't my strong suit, Percy."
Annabeth sent me a quick grimace. "Percy's right, for once. If the Master Bolt is out there somewhere, we have to be able to find it. It just . . . isn't going to be easy."
Grover snorted anxiously, wringing his hands together. "Understatement."
Percy frowned, but shook himself and fixed me with an intense gaze as we kept moving. "Okay, so I don't want to sound . . . unsupportive, or anything, but doesn't it seem a little strange that Zeus would let all the Olympian gods test you while we're supposed to be finding his Bolt?"
I blinked at him, and thunder rumbled overhead. Annabeth mumbled something that sounded oddly like an insult under her breath, rolling her eyes exasperatedly in Percy's direction.
"I . . ." My voice trailed off, and Percy raised an eyebrow. How was I supposed to tell him that I wasn't here to help, as such, but just to make sure he didn't try anything funny and that the Master Bolt was actually returned to my father? I might as well just smack him hard around the head and hope for the best.
"Do you even know why they're testing you?" he persisted, and I thought I felt the temperature drop a few degrees.
"Percy," I started in warning. "We've been over this once already."
"Acacia, they're sending you back to the Underworld!" he breathed with wide eyes. I flinched involuntarily, my fingers trailing over the locket around my neck. "You just admitted you made enemies out of a Kindly One! I just . . . find it hard to see how these tests could be important enough to get you killed."
His voice trailed slightly at the end, and his eyebrows pulled together in irritation. I couldn't find my own voice to answer him. The whole thought of being back in the Underworld made every inch of my body beg me to turn around and run, fast. I couldn't exactly remember everything that had happened down there, and I doubted that I wanted to. But I knew enough. I knew it was cold, lonely, extremely painful, and that if I spent much more time down there, I wasn't sure I could hold onto my mental stability.
Just ahead of us, Sasha growled lowly in her throat. Being chosen by the gods is an honour, as hard as the task may be, she insisted. There will be a reason they have chosen a demigod. I chose you because you are loyal and trustworthy. Because you have morals that you stand by. Because you know the difference between right and wrong. That is what has caught the gods attention. Whatever it is they want you to do, you could have the chance to do a great good.
Percy, Annabeth and Grover stared at me, as though waiting for me to explain what she'd said, but I couldn't. My fingers kept trailing over the chain, my teeth in my bottom lip. What if Sasha was right? Oddly, it didn't make me feel any better. Now, I had to wonder how serious it was, and the ramifications of what would happen if I failed.
"Acacia?" Annabeth questioned cautiously.
I gulped hard, shaking myself. "Percy, maybe you're right," I said quietly. "Maybe not. Look, I don't like the idea of twelve gods trying to kill me either, but maybe Sasha's right. They have to have chosen me for a reason, right? Taking such an interest in one particular demigod goes against their law. They aren't suppose to play favourites, or treat any demigod differently to another. There has to be a reason and if I end up being able to help, even in the slightest, it'll be worth it. Right?"
Percy gawped at me, as though he thought I was clinically insane. Grover wouldn't meet my gaze, making an odd sound in his throat that made my lips purse. Annabeth looked like she didn't want to upset me by disagreeing. The thing was, I was trying to convince myself as much as them, and their reactions weren't helping any.
Sasha barked once, giving a reassuring flick of her tail and hesitating long enough for me to catch up to her. The moment I had, she stuck to my side, nudging my fingers carefully with her nose. I do not like this Jackson boy, my lady, she informed me. But I shall not attack against your wishes. If he is to complete his quest, I suppose he must be alive. Although, there is a short cut to the Underworld...
"Sasha," I frowned. The wolf's tail wagged slightly, as though the thought of killing Percy amused her. But she licked my hand gingerly, then nudged me in the direction we had been travelling in. I started walking, aware Percy, Annabeth and Grover were probably still debating my mental health.
I shall help you as much as you wish, my lady, Sasha told me softly.
I sighed, smiling weakly. "Thanks," I mumbled.
My lady, you are an extraordinary half-blood. Not many could face what you have and still have such a defined view of right and wrong. Whatever it is that the gods found when they found you, it is their best chance of achieving their goal.
"But what's their goal?" I sighed exasperatedly. "I don't understand how I can possibly prove myself if I don't know what they want me to do. And if Hades wants me to succeed so badly, how good could it be?"
There are certain things that can benefit all gods, my lady, Sasha said wisely. Though I have not witnessed any such thing in many years.
The thought of what it would take to unite all the gods made my stomach turn and I must have paled considerably, because Sasha whined quietly in her throat and licked my fingers again. I tried to regain some sort of composure as we continued moving, taking several deep breaths, but the harder I tried, the sicker I suddenly felt.
"Can you smell ... food?" Grover asked after about ten minutes of walking in complete silence.
Percy sighed heavily, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Your food or normal food?"
"Normal," Grover replied sourly. I took a deep breath and realised he was right. I could smell food. Beside me, Annabeth's stomach suddenly gave a loud protest and she blushed, but sped up, following the smell of the food.
We broke through the trees and came across a deserted road, on the other side of which sat a gas station and an open business, the source of the smell. Percy, Annabeth and Grover instantly crossed over quickly, but I hung back a bit, trying to read the sign though my dyslexia. It took me a few minutes.
Aunty Em's Garden Gnome Emporium. Aunty Em? Who was Aunty Em? I didn't like the feeling in my stomach as I hurried after the others, frowning slightly.
"Guys, is this a good idea?" Grover asked cautiously.
"I'm with Grover," I instantly agreed, trying to resist the urge to open my locket and shoot the first thing that moved.
"Are you guys crazy?" Percy gawped.
"That's looking more likely," I found myself muttering under my breath.
He ignored me. "There's food in there!"
"I'm with Percy," Annabeth nodded. I glanced at Grover, who shuffled awkwardly. With a sigh, I followed them closer to the building. But we didn't get far before Grover tugged on my shirt sleeve.
"I smell monsters," Grover hissed. I felt myself jerk to a halt, heart racing.
Sasha immediately pressed against my side, sniffing the air cautiously. The goat boy is correct my lady, she said darkly.
"Percy," I called slowly. He turned, took one look at my facial expression and froze on the spot. Annabeth opened her mouth to argue, but she followed his line of sight and went rigid.
Just then, the door creaked open. In the doorway stood a tall Middle Eastern woman. Her black gown covered almost everything but her hands and her head was completely veiled. Her coffee coloured hands looked old, yet well-manicured and elegant.
"Children, why are you alone so late?" she asked, with a fake sounding concern that made my body shiver. "Where are your parents?"
"We're orphans," I said quickly.
"Well, quick! Come in! I have plenty of food," she reassured. "The dining area is at the back." I was about to say that we didn't want to stop, or that we were on our way home, when Percy and Annabeth hurried around the woman.
"Guys! We can't stay!" I hissed as Grover trembled beside me.
The woman hesitated, scanning me critically. As her eyebrows rose, I felt a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Please do not be another monster I irritated, I pleaded mentally.
But she smiled tightly. "Oh, they won't be long," she assured me, her voice turning cold. I raised my eyebrows cautiously, but she turned to Grover. "Aren't you hungry dear?" Before he could refuse, I sent him a warning looking and nudged him harshly. Spluttering slightly, he nodded, shuffling into the room. The woman paused for a moment, staring at me coolly, before slamming the door in my face.
"Okay," I said slowly, taking a few steps back. "That was . . . odd."
I scanned the building carefully, but it looked like the only way in was the door, and if Grover was right, I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to get in that way. I was trying to find a way around my problems when a bright light emitted from the air behind me. I froze for a moment, aware my stomach was twisting violently, before turning on my heel slowly.
In front of me stood a tall, graceful woman. She had long hair the colour of chocolate, braided in plaits with gold ribbons. She wore a simple white dress, but when she moved toward me, the fabric shimmered with colours like oil on water. She smiled coldly at me and my stomach jolted so far up, I choked.
"Dear Acacia," she said sarcastically, and the tone of her voice made it perfectly clear she detested me with a passion. I knew in an instant who this woman was and found myself pressed against the door behind me. She snorted. "No need to be scared dear. After Heracles, I don't need the bad press. My loving husband would be most upset if I killed you."
I didn't know what I was supposed to say. Thanks? Queen Hera simply glowered at me, as though she was waiting for me to piece together a puzzle designed for three year olds.
Luckily, it clicked pretty quickly.
"You're just waiting for me to fail," I said quietly.
She smiled cruelly. "Of course," she replied with a shrug. "As if a twelve year old demigod will ever be able to prove herself to twelve gods! You already have Artemis fooled and it won't take much to convince Apollo. But you aren't exactly intelligent or remarkable strong, so Athena and Ares will take much more work. Then of course there's Dionysus, who hates heroes and I don't think Demeter is much more fond of them either. I had hoped Poseidon would disagree with your... worthiness. Only you had to go and accept the quest to help his – child, Perseus and now even he has to think twice about it!"
Suddenly, I felt everything change. I hardly knew what I was doing. My eyes had narrowed without my knowing and my fists were clenched tightly, my jaw locked. It was rare that I ever got this angry this easily, but the way she spoke about the test, about everything that had been worrying me since I first met Sasha, gave me the irresistible urge to prove her wrong. It worried me slightly.
"Jealousy doesn't really suit you," I said through my teeth, pursing my lips tightly.
Her eyes flashed and narrowed dangerously. "Do not forget you will have to prove yourself to me too, little half-blood," she spat angrily. "If you don't, you will never have a peaceful existence. Enjoy your trip to the Underworld. My darling brother may never let you out." With that, her form began glowing golden. I closed my eyes tightly, until the light faded.
My heart was racing nervously and my palms were sweaty. If I had thought I was doomed before, it was nothing to what I knew now. Other than the fact Hera would never let me prove myself, she was right. I had other problems. Hades had kidnapped me once already. Would he ever let me leave, if I went down there again?
Sasha whined at my feet, sniffing the ground and pawing at the door. My lady, your friends are in danger, her voice came. We must find a way in.
"I know Sasha," I sighed, gulping hard and forcing myself to calm down. "But how?" Glancing once more at the door, I straightened out and pushed myself away from the front, starting around the side of the building. My fingers slipped over the locket as I moved, and in the same second, it disappeared to form a bow and quiver.
The edge of a forest ran right around the back of the building. It's trees towered high in the sky, blocking out what little sun was managing to get through dull, grey clouds. Stepping into the shadows, I shuddered violently, slipping the bow off my back and stringing it quickly. Sasha crept ahead of me slightly, her nose lowered to the ground and her eyes pricked up at the smallest sound.
A large, gated garden sat behind the building, and through a tall, black iron gate, I could see huge, potted plants, water fountains, and oddly life-sized stone statues. I hesitated outside, scanning the fence. There was no way I could climb over that, but there was a chance I could get over the gate itself. It stood a little lower than the fence, without the barbed wire.
Another warning sign. What garden centre was protected by barbed wire?
My lady, we must hurry, Sasha insisted, sniffing the gate cautiously. Something isn't right.
"I know Sasha," I groaned. "Hang on." I slung the bow back over my shoulder and climbed the gate. I didn't think it would be that easy, but I dropped down at the other side with nothing there to stop me. I turned to unbolt the gate, but it wouldn't budge. I guess I found out why it was so easy to get in. The idea was to stop you getting back out again.
Go my lady, Sasha whined reluctantly, straightening on the other side of the gate. I shall find another way in.
I hesitated. It sounded ridiculous, but I didn't want her to leave. I felt safer knowing that she was beside me, that she could rip any monsters throat out before they could say 'dead demigod'. But eventually, I nodded. Sasha whined again, then bolted out of sight.
I turned and stared into the garden with a sense of impending doom. Was it just me, or was every plant moving? And I mean, properly moving. Not just your average swaying-in-the-wind moving. I mean, alive moving. Even as I was figuring it out, a cold chill ran down my back as I remembered another Greek mythology fact.
Demeter was the goddess of agriculture and horticulture. I was stood in a huge garden.
I had a feeling the tests were about to start.