"Do any of you know where we are going?" Percy moaned loudly.
I snorted, shrugging and shoving my hands in my pockets. "Don't ask me, I haven't a clue." Sasha whined at my feet, nudging me slightly and staring up at me with wide eyes. "Don't tell me there's another problem?"
You seem distracted my lady. I have never seen you like this before. It worries me.
"There's no need, honest," I assured her. "I'm perfectly fine." Percy scoffed beside me and I shot him a look so evil, he stumbled.
Your dreams are disturbing you, Sasha said, as though she was reading my mind. I understand. Many demigods have odd dreams. You should not feel too bad about them.
I didn't answer her. I wasn't sure I could. My dreams weren't normal, even by a demigod's standards. The locket was hung around my neck like a weight trying to break my neck, still hot to touch and uncomfortable to think about. I had never been one for puzzles. They irritated and confused me. But this was one that wouldn't go away until I figured it out.
"You led us down a dead end!" Annabeth moaned.
"Well, at least I led us somewhere," Percy frowned. Annabeth's jaw set and I pushed my way between them, sending them both a warning look. Sasha barked indignantly, sniffing at the ground. I stared at the end of the alley, where a sign read 'The Lotus Hotel and Casino'. The door was decorated like a neon flower, but something in my stomach twisted awkwardly.
I think we should turn around my lady, Sasha growled.
"Right behind you," I muttered, aware goosebumps were raising on my arms.
"Come on," Annabeth said, hurrying toward the door.
"Annabeth, wait!" I hissed, but she was already halfway there.
"Would you relax?" Percy breathed, shaking his head and following Annabeth.
Sasha straightened out, nudging my hand. I will protect you and your friends my lady, she promised, leading the way toward Percy, Annabeth and Grover.
"Oh, I don't like this," I moaned, hesitating. I dropped to the ground and pulled my knife out of my boot, slipping it up my sleeve. Making sure both belts were there and my locket was still around my neck, I hurried to catch the others up.
"Hey," the doorman smiled. Percy, Annabeth and Grover smiled back, but I glanced over my shoulder nervously. "You look tired. Would you like something to eat and somewhere to sleep?"
"Erm, I just slept," I muttered.
"Yes," the others answered quickly. I rolled my eyes as the doorman pushed the door open and let us in. I followed Percy into the lobby and almost ran into him when he came to a sudden halt.
"Whoa," he mumbled. I peered around him and felt my jaw drop.
The whole place was like a giant game room. One wall was actually a rock climbing wall, there was a bungee jump, an indoor waterslide snaking around a glass elevator that saw right in the middle of the room, going up around forty, maybe fifty floors. Hundreds of widescreen TV's were sat in one corner, each with a different game. There was a bar and vending machines, as well as waitresses and waiters that hurried around the place serving people's food.
"Hey kids!" a bellhop smiled. "Welcome to the Lotus Hotel and Casino. Here are you cash cards. The guys get room 4001, girls in 4002. They join together. Enjoy your stay!" He shoved a green plastic card at each of us and handed Percy and me a key each for our rooms. Before we could even ask his name, he turned and walked away briskly.
"Does anyone else think this is too good to be true?" I asked slowly.
"Oh, stop being so pessimistic," Annabeth sighed.
"Yes, because pessimism has always been so off target for us," I mumbled with a roll of my eyes.
"Look, we can relax here," Percy argued. "Eat. Sleep. Just give us a day, then we're out of here." I blinked at Percy, unsure. Something didn't feel right. "I promise, Acacia. Calm down. Everything's fine."
"Everything is not fine. Everything is never fine," I muttered as they turned and hurried toward the elevator.
I agree my lady, Sasha said exasperatedly. But we can't allow your friends to stay here without you. Perseus must retrieve the bolt.
"I know," I sighed, letting her lead the way and squeezing into the elevator beside them. It took us to the top floor, where the first rooms we saw were marked 4001 and 4002. The others breathed a sigh of relief, but I pursed my lips tightly as I followed Annabeth and Sasha into our room.
There were two king size beds, with comfy looking duvets and pillows. One door led to Percy and Grover's room, while another led to the bathroom. There was a balcony that had its own swimming pool and there was even a large suede cushion on the floor for Sasha. She sniffed at it cautiously, glancing back at me.
"I don't think that's such a good idea," I frowned.
I was thinking the same myself, the wolf agreed.
"Oh, would the pair of you quit it?" Annabeth groaned. "Just take a deep breath, eat, shower, sleep and then we will leave. Okay?" I rolled my eyes, but nodded at her. The sooner I was out of here, the better.
I'll admit, I definitely appreciated the shower. I was clean, dressed in fresh clothes and was surprised to find an iPod not unlike the one I lost awhile back. It was load with all my favourite songs, which made me even more nervous. How in the world...?
"Percy and Grover are downstairs," Annabeth called to me from the hallway. "You coming?" I whistled for Sasha.
"Yeah, hang on a minute!" I pulled on a shirt and scooped my damp hair up into a bobble, before turning and hurrying to Annabeth. She beamed at me cheerfully and I managed to smile back. She led the way back to the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor.
Percy and Grover were already messing about by the time we got down there. Predictably, Percy was on the waterslide. Grover was playing on one of those virtual reality things, shooting humans that were supposed to be hunting the dear. He had a vicious look on his face that worried me slightly, but I shook myself and took a deep breath.
"Race you to the top?" Annabeth smirked, pointing across at the rock climbing wall.
"I really think we sh-" But Annabeth was already running for the wall. I groaned, rolling my eyes again.
Perhaps you should stay with her my lady, Sasha suggested. I know you do not like water. I shall watch Perseus and the satyr for you.
"Thanks Sasha, I owe you," I smiled wryly. Sasha whined and licking my hand, before sitting down at the bottom of the waterslide. Without hesitating any longer, I turned and bolted for Annabeth. And ran straight into something rather solid.
"Hey kid, watch where you're going!" the guy frowned. I was about to apologise. Then I saw what he was wearing. the guy was around fourteen, had loads of spots, a greasy perm and clothes that looked like they belonged to the 70s.
"What in the name of the gods are you wearing?" was all I could think to say.
"Could ask you the same thing, crazy chick," the guy snorted.
My eyes narrowed. "What did you just call me?" I asked, my voice dangerously level.
The guy just snorted again. "Need me to spell it out? C-R-A-Z-Y_C-H-I-C-K," he said slowly.
"Alright, look here, you irritating, greasy little worm," I scowled. "I want to know what's going on. You think you live in the seventies or something?"
"Look, maybe you should stop taking whatever is in you're on, love," the guy said, holding his hands up and edging around me like I was contagious. "It is the seventies."
"What do you mean, it is the seventies? It's 2012!" I frowned. The guy's face fell a little and he stumbled on his way to avoid me. I stared after him for a moment, ignoring the odd looks I was getting from people around me. "What in the name of...? Right. That's it. SASHA!" The wolf barked and skidded to a halt beside me.
Yes my lady? Is something wrong?
"Yeah," I frowned, nodding. "We have to get out of here. Now."
As you wish my lady. Shall I get the satyr, Perseus or Annabeth?
"Start with Percy," I answered. "Going near water will just weaken me and I am not taking any risks here. Not when there are spotty, greasy little guys are telling me it's the seventies."
My lady, this is the Lotus Hotel! Sasha whined in her throat.
"Erm, yeah," I said slowly. "Didn't you read the sign?"
Sasha's voice chuckled in my head. I cannot read, my lady. After all, I am still just a wolf.
"Huh," I snorted. "I suppose so."
Sasha barked. The Lotus Hotel makes you lose track of time. Those who have been here for years, like that young man you just met, will think they have only been here a few weeks.
"So, what about us?" I asked carefully. "I mean, it feels like we've been here for an hour, maybe less. How long have we actually been here?"
It is hard to judge. We will not know until we get out.
"Right. Take Percy. I'll go get Annabeth and Grover."
If he won't co-operate?
"Drag him, bite him, do whatever. I don't really care. But the longer we stay here, the harder it is going to be to make them realise and I am not leaving this place without all of them." Sasha whined again, licking my fingers before spinning around and bolting for the waterslide. I turned and raced for the rock climbing wall again.
"ANNABETH!" I yelled. She didn't turn. "Oh, for the love of the gods!" I almost flew up the wall after her. It took me all of a second to catch up to her.
"Hey Acacia!" Annabeth beamed, out of breath. "How did you get up here so fast?"
"Keyword in that sentence," I started. "Up. I'm Zeus's daughter. It's kinda my thing." Annabeth just shrugged slightly and pulled herself up. I had to slow to match her pace, rolling my eyes impatiently. "We need to leave."
"We need to finish the race first," Annabeth smirked. "First to the top, remember?"
"Annabeth, we haven't got time!" I complained. She completely ignored me. "Fine. You asked for it. You promise that when we finish the race, we'll leave?"
"Yeap!" Annabeth beamed.
"Okay then," I shrugged. I bolted for the top, leaving Annabeth struggling to keep up behind me. My hand latched around each of the grips quicker than the last, hauling myself up so fast, I hit the buzzer at the top before Annabeth had even moved up her own height. Moving back down was slightly slower, but I was still faster than Annabeth. I was back at her side in no time, smiling without even being out of breath.
"There," I said. "Finished. Now we leave." Annabeth blinked, then nodded slowly. I waited for her to start the descent, then followed. There was no way I was going to take any precautions here. We finally dropped to the floor, just as Sasha dragged Percy toward us, her mouth full of his shirt.
"Hey! Would you call her off?" Percy scowled.
"We're getting out of here," I said shortly, ignoring Sasha, who refused to let go. "We need Grover."
"What is your problem?" Percy snapped. "You've been acting weird all day!"
"This place is weird Percy!" I spat back. "It's messing with your head! Look around! Do any of these people look like they're from 2012?" Percy turned and stared around him. He blinked a few times.
"Well... people can be strange," he shrugged, but his face didn't match his attitude.
I sighed. "Look, let's just get Grover and get out of here. I want to know what day it is again." I grabbed Annabeth's wrist and whistled for Sasha again. She growled and pulled at Percy's shirt until he followed.
"Okay! Acacia, I get the point!" he moaned. I smirked slightly, shaking it off my face when Annabeth raised her eyebrows.
"What?" I muttered. "He's an easy target."
"He's a friend," she scowled.
"A friend you argue with so much, I'm surprised he still has a head." She rolled her eyes, but had to purse her lips tightly to stop herself smiling. "GROVER!" Annabeth flinched beside me, giving me a disapproving look before glancing back at Sasha and Percy.
"I'll get him, if you call her off," he scowled.
"Sasha, you can let go now," I finally sighed, chuckling. She let go and barked at Percy happily, wagging her tail furiously. He frowned down at her, then glowered at me before he grabbed hold of Grover.
Do you need me to bring the satyr my lady? Sasha asked innocently. I laughed out loud, receiving odd looks from Annabeth and Percy.
"Erm, I think we got it this time," I replied, smiling at her. She flicked her tail once and barked happily again. Still smiling, I grabbed hold of Grover's other arm as he struggled against Percy, moaning loudly about how he almost had the high score. As we got close to the door, the bellhop suddenly returned.
"Leaving so soon?" he asked, as though we had personally offended him. Percy faltered in his steps and Grover kept struggling.
My face straightened. "Yes," I said bluntly.
"And you have only just got here," he added sadly. "We were going to upgrade you too." He held out four silver LotusCash cards. Percy moved.
"Sasha," I muttered. She snapped her jaw, then latched herself onto Percy's shirt again and pulled. "Goodbye!" I called over my shoulder, as I shoved Grover and Percy forward and grabbed Annabeth, who was inching closer to the silver LotusCash cards.
We stumbled out into the street again. Percy, Grover and Annabeth came to a sudden halt, shaking themselves. They looked slightly dazed, yet their eyes were slowly becoming more... with it.
"That was... weird," Annabeth said slowly.
"Erm," Percy frowned, staring down at Sasha, who was still latched to his shirt.
"Sasha, release," I sighed. Sasha let go, whining innocently. She gave Percy an odd look, then trotted to my feet and sat down. "We need to find out what day it is. Now."
"Easy," Percy dismissed, shrugging. He ran down the alley, the rest of us hot on his heels. He skidded around the corner and toward the nearest news stand. We peered over his shoulder, at the date on the newspaper he picked up.
"Oh no," I muttered.
"June 20th," Annabeth whimpered.
"We only have a day left," Percy said grimly.