-Zia Rashid-

Kyra joined us upon Maria's insistence. "Perhaps you can explain to young Rashid here that there's such a thing as patient confidentiality?"

Kyra's gaze lands on me for a moment since upon seeing each other during lunch. "Zia, what are you doing here?"

I suppose now that we are outside, and away from anyone else, she's decided now is the time to dig into the dirt. Fine, I can do the same, after all. I huff a strand of hair out of my face, gaze meeting hers. "I'm trying to figure out what your cousin is hiding. If anyone is bound to know, it would be Maria."

Kyra's eyes narrow at that. "What makes you believe that?"

"It's not what, it's who, and the who is Desjardins himself. He told me that Maria was hard set on a few select magicians who would enter her infirmary to be just her patients. And Amos was on that list."

"Again, I was a close friend of Nadia Teal's, who happens to be their mother." Maria reminds me yet again. "That and I feared what would happen to any of those boys if any of my students were to tend to them. I don't think you understand the amount of hatred involved when it came to their father."

"That's why you were hard set on helping Amos after his possession?" I pry further in. Everyone else had apparently refused, but Maria had been the one to press the issue that he needed whatever help they could offer him.

Kyra's arms are crossed against her chest, about to respond angrily but Maria beats her to it. "I think you are misunderstanding, Rashid. That was a patient in dire need of help. Everyone else chose to judge and turn their backs. I knew him well enough to understand that his asking for help was a rare instance. He didn't even let Desjardins know he was in the First Nome; I recall the annoyance on Michel's face to having to find out from hearsay."

"What are you hoping to find digging through Amos' past anyway?" Kyra butts in.

"I'm hoping to find whatever it is that someone was willing to kill him for." I snap. "People seem to keep tip-toeing around the idea of Iskandar having an apprentice, including you. So if you don't mind us finally cutting to the chase on the issue."

Maria rolls her eyes and sips at her juice. Kyra seems surprised by my response. "Wait, how-"

"He told me. A week into him being Chief Lector and having to work around each other made it honestly obvious. He was fast to pick up on how the war map worked. He even had practice bouncing between all four languages he knew in a conversation. Something I learned how to do from Iskandar himself."

Kyra takes a moment to process this, sighing as her eyes land on me again. "We were instructed to not say anything on the matter."

"Because of Jabari, I know."

"Amos avoiding the idea from Sadie asking about it was enough to let me know not to say anything," Kyra explains. "I honestly don't think I want to know what he has that someone would want to hunt him down for."

"We should look into it, Kyra. Someone wants whatever he has, or knows about."

"And how do you know that you finding it won't lead to this other person finding it right behind you? If Amos himself didn't find a reason to tell anyone, I'd rather respect his wishes and let it remain buried."

There's tense silence between us, but Maria decides to cut in. "For future reference, I tended to him first as Nadia's son, it was never about his studying under Chief Lector Iskandar, though I did know about it."

"Well, now that we've settled that we all know, I'll ask again. Maria, do you know of anything that involved Iskandar as well?"

"Again, I refuse to answer." She's a stubborn old woman.

I sigh in frustration on the matter. "He's dead."

"We don't know that for sure yet," Maria spits back. "I was told he had died at the Red Pyramid. Only to find him a mental mess in need of help."

"It's been a month now! If he was still alive, he would have tried to contact his nephew after a few weeks at the most." I point out, being faced with doubtful looks by both of the older women. "Carter reminds him too much of Julius. Desjardins would tell me stories of Julius randomly showing up supposedly out of concern over what his brother was up to. So, Amos would resort to updating him often to keep him from causing issues. The number of times he updated while in Camp Half-Blood was enough evidence for me."

Kyra sighs, hesitating to want to speak on the matter. "Vika and Sadie confirmed that Amos has passed on. They're currently looking for him in the Roman underworld, not sure what happened there, to be honest. But it explains why Julius hasn't responded."

I raise an eyebrow at this. "Vika and Sadie? I thought Sadie was in London?"

"If you thought you were the only one looking for answers, you're mistaken." Kyra is quick to point out. "And if you think it odd that a Menshikov and Kane are looking for the same answers, you don't know my cousin as well as you claim you do."

I'm held aback by that statement. "Well, it is weird. Menshikovs and Kanes are known family enemies."

"It's not that odd," Maria inputs, placing her glass down. "I had Vika contact me for ideas on what could be used to force someone to sleep last year. Apparently Amos' insomnia was acting up enough that it bothered her."

Kyra clears her throat as I'm raising an eyebrow at that. "Wait, was he hiding in Russia?"

"Of course he was," Maria snapped at my question. "I doubt Vika would have been very happy about him being on the run otherwise. They have the same views on the Per Ankh, after all. Killing Fredrich was a goal both of them had settled on. I wasn't even there for any of it and I know that."

She stands from the table now, grabbing her glass. "If you will excuse me, I'll need a moment to mourn yet another death. Kyra, I'll be looking into Sebastian's condition after."

"Take your time, I appreciate your help," Kyra responds as Maria leaves for the nome.

"Did something happen to Kurtz?" I ask Teal. I didn't even question why she would be here originally.

Her expression falls fast. "No offense, Zia, but I am not sure I should get into it with you. And if anyone asks, you didn't see us here either."

I roll my eyes at this. "Why can't you just be forward with me?"

"Your fiancé has decided that war with the Roman camp is the best course of action," Kyra answered rather quickly. "It's apparent that is his approach to finding the same answers we are all wanting."

My eyes are wide as I process the rest of it. I can't believe Carter would be so quick to trash the work his uncle has put in. Kyra is clearly against it; she had voiced as much when Carter had tried to offer her the General position that Amos' death left vacant. Kurtz is a friend of Amos as well; he more than likely would try to defend the idea of an alliance as well.

And now Kyra can't trust that I won't turn around and tell him where they are. That hurts, especially when I am not supporting Carter on his position on this yet. But of course, by association, I'm bordering a threat to Kyra, and whoever else agrees that fighting isn't the answer in all of this.

I respect Kyra too much to let her feel uncomfortable about me knowing too much that could get her potentially into further trouble. So I apologize instead for the situation she is finding herself in now, though keeping it vague.

"There is something I can maybe help with," Kyra starts after the silence that followed for a minute. "I recall there being an incident while Amos was recruiting potential statuaries for the Per Ankh. I don't know all of the details, but he had told Julius some, like you said earlier to keep him in check and deter him from causing a problem. He ended up visiting for Sadie's birthday injured, and insisting he had fallen down the stairs in the mansion, with no recollection of recruiting anyone recently. Julius confronted Iskandar on the matter, and he seemed surprised that he knew that he had wiped his brother of whatever had happened."

"I'm not sure if it is a lead on anything or just a dead end. But maybe something to look into, if you are that insistent on finding whatever it is Amos is keeping to himself."

"That doesn't sound like something he would willingly keep to himself, especially if Iskandar did wipe his memory of it." I sigh in annoyance.

"Cousin Amos was never fond of people looking for dirt on anyone. Sadie's vision was warning enough that someone wanted information from him. He might have not known what they wanted anyway, but chose to not let them know who he was to be safe."

"Kane stubbornness again?" I ask.

Kyra smirks a bit and nods. "I wish I could be of more help on the matter. However, I don't think I want to know."

Fair enough, I suppose. Kyra leaves the table for the nome, and I don't feel right to follow her for the moment. As of late, death seems to be chasing us around since Cater and Sadie were introduced to Egyptian magic. Wishing for things to be calm now I suppose was asking too much.

I sat outside for a good thirty minutes before walking back inside to the room Palacios had offered since my appearance here last night. Laying on the bed, contemplating if a nap is on the table or not, the scrying bowl in the corner lights up. I sit up and wait on the bed for a bit.

"Ra-girl, you there?" That's a voice I haven't heard in some time now.

I get up to peer in and see Zack's face peering back at me. I haven't seen him since Amos finally confronted the fact that he and a group of others broke into the Kane mansion while he hadn't been around. Zack, having shown that to some degree was sorry for having done as much, was handed the pardon he had been working towards.

"It's been a while Zia, how are you?"

"Could be better," I answer honestly.

"Fair, I got word about the General's death a few weeks ago. Cuba's Nome doesn't get much for news and when we do it takes a bit."

"I was wondering where you ended up," I point out. "You've been staying out of trouble?"

Zack immediately raises his hands in defense. "I've been busy with hurricane cleanups. No time to fuck around with people with stupid ideas, at least for now anyway."

I nod in understanding to that. "Speaking of stupid ideas," Zack continues, "what is this about declaring war on Romans? I thought the idea was to make alliances with them?"

I frown immediately. "To be honest, I just heard about it myself."

"Husband not into work talk?"

"I wouldn't consider it 'work talk' when his uncle has just passed," I explain briefly. "A lot is happening, it's a bit hard to explain it all."

Zack's not happy with that answer. "I'm being asked to go to San Francisco tomorrow with others. I'm not going to lie, Zia, it feels weird being told to respect demigods and then put on the battlefield against them. I was hoping you'd have a sure reason on why we're doing this."

I sigh, "Carter wants answers for what happened to his uncle. I'm not going to lie, Zack, I'm not happy this is happening."

Zack takes me in for a bit before sighing as well. "It's that complicated, huh?"

"I'll be heading home tonight. See if I can talk Carter down." I reassure him as much as I can. "For now, hold off from doing anything you don't feel right about, okay?"

"I think that'll be difficult, but sure. Take care, Zia."

I stare at the blank oil for a good two minutes before grabbing the few things I had brought with me and leaving the room. Palacios insists I stick around for dinner, and I'm slightly annoyed because I can't exactly refuse but there are far more urgent things than trying more of their food in hopes he can win me over on having the wedding here. Because to be honest, I'm questioning if a wedding will even happen.

I took samples of the food before us to make sure he saw that I was tasting at least. But Kyra and Maria seemed like they read right through the act from across the table. Upon trying to leave, Brayan asks about what the chances of the wedding being held here are.

"I'll get back to you on that," I try to dismiss, but he moves himself to be in the way of the door.

"I feel like I deserve a rating, at least, from our future queen. I hope you understand."

"I imagine you are highly considered, Palacios." Kyra's voice sounds from behind me. "It's beautiful here, I'm envious."

I turn to take her in, as Palacios happily eats up the words she had thrown at him. Kyra gives a subtle nod towards me to follow up on it. I turn to the Nome Leader to see his eyes are now on me. "You are highly considered; I just need to talk with Carter about it."

"Oh good, I will look forward to your update! Please have a safe trip back to New York, Rashid." He dismisses himself finally, like a breath of fresh air considering how much he likes to hover.

I turn back to Kyra to see her giving a knowing look. "Thanks, he's been rather annoying," I make sure to tell her as I open the door.

"Don't mention it. Have a safe trip, Zia." Though her gaze emphasizes on the don't mention I was here part.

I nod in agreement and leave, closing the door behind me.

-Percy Jackson-

A door slams, jolting me awake. I test my hands again to find they're still chained to the wall on their respective sides. Was hoping earlier was a trick of sorts. But opening my eyes to see the Egyptian-themed room of treasure and weaponry made me grunt in annoyance.

"You stirred the pot, haven't you?" Well, at least he sounds pissed off. "What did you tell Grace?"

I refuse to respond to that. At least it means that Jason is being a tad more active about things now. Part of that might be the fact that I haven't been able to meet him after stalking 'Theo'.

A hand cups my chin, forcing me to look up at him. Yep, he's angry, good. "What did you tell him?" He asks again.

"I told him Amos Kane is dead," I speak flatly.

I can tell he wishes he was able to set things on fire if he glares at it hard enough. "What else?"

"That you look ugly when mad."

He immediately used his grip to press my neck against the wall, making it difficult to breathe. I choke for air and he lessens the pressure some. "Well, you're too late anyway. I just got back from offing an Egyptian scouting the area. Grace won't have the time to do anything and halt the bloodbath the Per Ankh will commit."

"He can evacuate," I point out a flaw in his plan.

He smirked and removed his hand to watch me recover. "I wish him luck in that endeavor then. I've turned Camp Jupiter into a spell-locked feeder for the Egyptians. No one will be getting out."

"Like how you blocked any contact from outside?"

He laughs and backs off some. "Yet not a single Roman demigod has noticed, or at least cared enough to draw attention to it." He picks up his khopesh to start sharpening. "Everything is falling into place, Jackson. Their false Pharaoh has decided he wants to be here for the battle after all. I was worried he wouldn't have the resolve to do it."

"Carter will be a harder fight. Imperial Gold won't take him as easily as it took his uncle."

"I know the story; Grace has made sure that everyone knows about how he mistakenly stabbed him. But thank you for your concerns, I don't plan to let him get up once I'm done. But not before he tells me where Iskandar's apprentice is."

"Who is that?"

"Iskandar was the Chief Lector when the throne was mine. When Rome took over, he led me to believe it was safe for me to come back and take the throne. I foolishly believed it, his job was to protect the throne after all, not backstab it. I barely escaped capture, and watched as he was released with his precious scribes in return."

Right, kind of hard to remember he's supposedly Egyptian royalty when he acts like he is ten years old. "That sucks and all, but why are you going for an apprentice? Did the guy pee in your cereal too?"

"Oh no," he sets the khopesh down. "The poor fool found property of mine. I would like it back, and perhaps I will offer him mercy in return. It's been apparent from their General they were all led to believe that Iskandar is their savior. I will offer them clemency and the opportunity to work under their actual Pharaoh. I will offer them the Chief Lector position as an act of spitting on Iskandar's name."

"And if they don't cooperate?" I ask.

"Then I will have to sadly dispose of them as well. It's all rather simple, Jackson." He takes me in for a moment. "You should have taken my offer. But you made it complicated when you destroyed my book. So now, as payment for the damage, you'll stay here without water until I have my throne back. Then I will release you and consider payment due."

"Book?"

He lifts a hand and grabs a waterlogged book with the other. Flipping through the pages, I can tell the pages are disintegrating in his hands. Like an angry librarian, he closes the book as we both know it's not salvageable.

"Don't worry though, I will keep you posted on how things are going. I have to feed you after all." Right, that's really reassuring.