BLOODSHOT . . . piper mclean

45.

SOMETHING ELSE EDEN hated were people that weren't Piper. Well, and her five million other best friends.

Nonetheless, she held Piper's hand, swinging them around to offend homophobic people as they walked through the crowd behind Annabeth, because Eden hated confronting people head on. Unfortunately, Piper would step forward and charmspeak in case, which meant she had to be in the front, and Eden didn't want to let go of her hand, which just sucked all in itself.

At the far end of the crowd, Eden spotted Tyson, her brother, and Percy's hellhound, Mrs. O'Leary — who had been the first scouting party from Camp Half-Blood to reach Camp Jupiter. They looked to be in good spirits. Tyson waved and grinned. He was wearing an SPQR banner like a giant bib. Eden averted her eyes, looking down at her and her girlfriend's hands, painted similarly because Eden had done them herself so naturally they had to match. Just couple things.

Piper's were white with gold, because she was a literal angel that came into Eden's life, that came with honeyed words and kaleidoscope eyes and braided hair.

She looked like art, right there.

Eden's was black, because she liked the color and not because she was the devil of the pair of them, for that sorts. The gold patterns matched with Piper's. Familiar rings decorated her fingers, and Eden loved the way they glittered different colors on her hand.

Looking up, her gaze locked on a familiar girl.

She wore full Roman armor and a purple cape. Shining medals decorated said armor. Dark hair tumbled across her shoulders. Her eyes were as black as obsidian. Eden could've sworn she'd seen those eyes somewhere, and definitely not in a past life.

She carried herself with such confidence the other demigods backed away and averted their gaze. It was unfamiliar. Eden remembered her being timid, but honestly able to hold her own.

The girl and Annabeth considered each other. Eden and Piper fanned out on her left side. The Romans murmured Perfect Jason's name, staring at him in awe.

God, what a prick he was. Eden almost voiced that out loud.

Then someone else appeared from the crowd, and suddenly Eden forgot about how prickly Perfect Jason was.

Percy smiled at Annabeth. His sea-green eyes were similar to Eden's, too similar, thank god hers were blue. His dark hair was swept to one side, and he got stronger physically, but it would never match hers.

The pretty girl straightened. With apparent reluctance, she turned toward Jason.

"Jason Grace, my former colleague . . ." She spoke the word colleague like it was a dangerous thing. God, Eden loved her. "I welcome you home. And these, your friends—"

Annabeth surged forward. Percy rushed toward her at the same time. The crowd tensed. Some reached for swords that weren't there.

Percy threw his arms around her. They kissed, and Eden gagged, turning to Piper. "Absolutely disgusting."

Her girlfriend giggled under her breath. "Didn't you do that to me a week ago?"

"Okay, but it's us." Eden mumbled. "And they're . . . them. It's gross."

Piper just sent her a look, but it was ruined by her small smile. The one that would prompt Eden to do anything.

Percy pulled away and studied Annabeth's face. "Gods, I never thought—"

Annabeth grabbed his wrist and flipped him over her shoulder. He slammed into the stone pavement. Romans cried out. Some surged forward, but Reyna ( at least, Eden assumed that was her name, looking back in memories ) shouted, "Hold! Stand down!"

"Beat him to a pulp!" Eden called, and Piper put her hand over her mouth.

Eden looked over at her disappointedly. She just sent her that stupid small smile that made her do anything for her.

Perfect Jason cleared his throat after Glorified Superhero and Uptight Blonde stood up. "So, yeah . . . It's good to be back."

God, Eden had never wanted to laugh at him more than right then and there.

He introduced Reyna to Piper, who looked a little miffed that she hadn't gotten to say the lines she'd been practicing, then to Leo, who grinned and flashed a peace sign.

"This is Eden," he said. "She's a really good fighter."

"That's an understatement," Eden rolled her eyes. "But hey. Again. Been a while, huh? I have to search through my memory to find you."

Reyna or whatever her name was politely laughed. "It has been a while, Eden. You were an exceptional fighter even then."

Eden felt like she should've curtseyed. "Thanks," she instead used finger guns, because she was cool.

"And this is Annabeth," Perfect Jason said. "Uh, normally she doesn't judo-flip people."

Reyna's eyes sparkled. "You sure you're not a Roman, Annabeth? Or an Amazon?"

Annabeth held out her hand. "I only attack my boyfriend like that," she promised. "Pleased to meet you."

Reyna clasped her hand firmly. "It seems we have a lot to discuss. Centurions!"

A few of the Roman campers hustled forward — apparently the senior officers. Two kids appeared at Percy's side. There was an burly Asian guy with the buzz cut was about fifteen. He reminded Eden of Clarisse, a little bit. The girl was younger, maybe thirteen, with amber eyes and dark skin and long curly hair. Her cavalry helmet was tucked under her arm.

Meanwhile, Reyna was giving orders to her officers. ". . . tell the legion to stand down. Dakota, alert the spirits in the kitchen. Tell them to prepare a welcome feast. And, Octavian—"

"You're letting these intruders into the camp?" A tall guy with stringy blond hair elbowed his way forward. Eden scrunched her nose up at him. "Reyna, the security risks—"

"We're not taking them to the camp, Octavian." Reyna flashed him a stern look. "We'll eat here, in the forum."

"Oh, much better," Octavian grumbled. He seemed to be the only one who didn't defer to Reyna as his superior, despite the fact that he was scrawny and pale and for some reason had three teddy bears hanging from his belt. Fucking weirdo. ( Eden commented as if she didn't sleep with stuffed animals ) "You want us to relax in the shadow of their warship."

"These are our guests." Reyna clipped off every word. "We will welcome them, and we will talk to them. As augur, you should burn an offering to thank the gods for bringing Jason back to us safely."

"Good idea," Percy put in. "Go burn your bears, Octavian."

Reyna looked like she was trying not to smile. "You have my orders. Go."

The officers dispersed. Octavian shot Percy a look of absolute loathing. Then he gave Annabeth a suspicious once-over and stalked away.

God, that was kind of hot. Unluckily for Reyna, though, Eden was only into Piper. Maybe in an alternate universe.

"Are we gonna eat yet, cause I'm hungry." Eden frowned as she looked around.

Piper sighed. "Darling, you can't even eat much."

"I don't care, I want food." Eden pouted.

"We'll be fine," Annabeth said, and Eden couldn't tell if she'd heard her or just said it randomly.

"Excellent," Reyna said. She turned to Perfect Jason, and Eden thought there was a hungry sort of gleam in her eyes that was not hungry for food. "Let's talk, and we can have a proper reunion."

ignore the fact that this is rlly short i got the next chapter and it was 3000 words i did not want to edit in here so !!! fun

<3 maybel