Catching Lightning | Jason Grace

ix

☀️☀️☀️

Aurora didn't want to leave Leo, but she was starting to think that hanging out with Cal the hockey jock might be the least dangerous option in this place. Not to mention the entrance was the warmest part of the hotel. 

As they climbed the icy staircase, Zethes stayed behind them, his blade drawn. The guy might've looked like a disco-era reject, but there was nothing funny about his sword. Aurora figured one hit from that thing would probably turn her into a popsicle.

Then there was the ice princess. Every once in a while she'd turn and give Jason a smile, but there was no warmth in her expression. Aurora didn't like those moments. The princess regarded Jason like he was an especially interesting science specimen- one she couldn't wait to dissect. Aurora had shut her knife but still twisted it in her hand, whether it was nerves or anger, she wasn't sure.

If these were Boreas' kids, Aurora wasn't sure she wanted to meet dad. She remembered Annabeth telling her that Boreas was the friendliest of the wind gods. But she had learned that only meant he didn't kill heroes quite as fast as the others did.

Warmth engulfed her hand and Aurora looked down to see that Jason had grabbed it. He looked as nervous as she felt. Apparently he didn't have as much practice as her at hiding nerves.

"Hey," she said, squeezing his hand, "it'll be fine. Just a talk, right?"

At the top of the stairs, the ice princess looked back and noticed them holding hands. Her smile faded. Suddenly, Jason's hand in Aurora's felt cold- burning cold. He let go, and his fingers were smoking with frost. Aurora swore under her breath and shook her hand.

"Warmth is not a good idea here," the princess advised, "especially when I am your best chance of staying alive. You're lucky to have been allowed this far, daughter of Apollo. Please, this way."

Piper shot the pair a confused look. Aurora shrugged and rubbed her hands in an attempt to get rid of the frost.

Jason didn't have an answer either, Zethes poked him in the back with his icicle sword, and they followed the princess down a massive hallway decked in frosty tapestries.

Freezing winds blew back and forth, Aurora could feel her cheeks burning from the cold and her hair kept blowing into her face. Jason looked even more nervous than before and Aurora wished she could take his hand again. For her own comfort as much as his.

"Earth to Jason," Aurora lightly bumped her shoulder into his. "You okay?"

"Yeah... yeah, sorry."

At the end of the hallway, they found themselves in front of a set of oaken doors carved with a map of the world. In each corner was a man's bearded face, blowing wind. All the guys were Winter, blowing ice and snow from every corner of the world.

The princess turned. Her brown eyes glittered, and she looked at Jason like he was a Christmas present she was hoping to open.

"This is the throne room," she said. "Be on your best behavior, Jason Grace. My father can be... chilly. I will translate for you, and try to encourage him to hear you out. I do hope he spares you. We could have such fun."

Aurora furrowed her eyebrows, she guessed this girl's definition of fun was not the same as hers.

"Um, okay," Jason managed. "But really, we're just here for a little talk. We'll be leaving right afterward."

The girl smiled. "I love heroes. So blissfully ignorant."

Aurora turned the knife in her hand, and out of the corner of her eye she saw Piper rest hers on her dagger.