𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 •| ⊱ Jason Grace¹

•| ⊱ TWENTY-NINE

[ chapter twenty-nine: hermia ]

° • ° • °

Hermia watched as Aeolus grinned at Jason. "Now, sorry about that kill-on-sight business. But gods, I really was mad, wasn't I?" His face suddenly darkened, and his suit did the same, the lapels flashing with lightning. "You know ... I remember now. Almost seemed like a voice was telling me to give that order. A little cold tingle on the back of my neck."

Hermia tensed. A cold tingle on the back of his neck ... Why did that sound so familiar to her? For a moment Mia thought of Gaea. It made sense because the whole reason why Gaea brought Mia back was to kill Demigods and not to mention the Gods.

"A ... um, voice in your head, sir?" Jason asked.

"Yes. How odd. Mellie, should we kill them?" Hermia let her hands hang loosely by her sides. Just in case she needed to preform a spell, she'd be ready.

"No, sir," she said patiently. "They just brought us the storm spirits, which makes everything all right."

"Of course." Aeolus laughed. "Sorry. Mellie, let's send the demigods something nice. A box of chocolates, perhaps."

"A box of chocolates to every demigod in the world, sir?"

"No, too expensive. Never mind. Wait, it's time! I'm on!"

Aeolus flew off toward the blue screen as newscast music started to play.

Hermia and Jason shared a glance and she couldn't help but noticed she wasn't the only one who was confused. Piper and Leo seemed just as confused as they were.

"Mellie," Jason said, "is he ... always like that?"

She smiled sheepishly. "Well, you know what they say. If you don't like his mood, wait five minutes. That expression 'whichever way the wind blows'-that was based on him."

Hermia had no idea what Mellie was talking about.

"And that thing about the sea monster," Jason said. "Was I here before?" Hermia couldn't help but think that he must have been here before. But because he had no memories he couldn't possibly remember it.

Mellie blushed. "I'm sorry, I don't remember. I'm Mr. Aeolus's new assistant. I've been with him longer than most, but still-not that long."

"How long do his assistants usually last?" Piper asked.

"Oh ..." Mellie thought for a moment. "I've been doing this for ... twelve hours?"

"Oh... wow." Mia said as she thought about the millions of assistants Aeolus got rid of. She didn't understand how his past assistants could put up with a boss like Aeolus.

A voice blared from floating speakers: "And now, weather every twelve minutes! Here's your forecaster for Olympian Weather-the OW! channel-Aeolus!"