The Spirits of the Universe (PJO)

Chapter 7--I Almost Get Fried By a Knockoff Lightning Bolt

I immediately realized my mistake when everybody recoiled.

End's sarcastic Great job, idiot, did wonders too.

If saying Kronos' name made the gods freak out, I probably gave everybody a heart attack by mentioning Eternity. But I was confused when everybody looked at me expectantly and . . . was that sorrow?

When nothing happened for a few moments, I asked, "What's going on?"

I slapped Liam's hand away when he tried to poke me. Everyone looked shocked, as though I wasn't supposed to still be there.

"Whenever somebody says her name, they get hit by a very powerful bolt of energy," Chronos said in awe. "Even primordials. But it seems as though . . . you're an exception."

"It seems to me this person is a lot like Zeus," I commented dryly, fidgeting with Riptide in pen form. And a lot more powerful than him.

"Say her name again!" Liam exclaimed. "We need to test this!"

"I don't think we should push Percy's luck," Daphne cut in. "You boys better get ready for the gala. We should arrive there before sunset."

"What if we're late?" I couldn't help but ask.

"No one has dared to disrespect Lady Chaos in that fashion for millennia," Gilbert said in a dark tone.

I didn't miss the curious look shared between the primordials as they went to their rooms—which were clustered around mine. In truth, I was very relieved Daphne had stepped in; Eternity seemed as strong as Lady Chaos to strike fear into the primordials' hearts—not to mention I was only half-immortal.

But as my insides squeezed together in trepidation, I knew. There would be consequences.

"Percy?" Liam asked, plopping down on one of the two beds. "What are you thinking about?"

Tell him about us, End urged. Otherwise, I won't shield you from Eternity's bolt next time.

You saved me? I asked. Suddenly, I felt a lot less powerful—but at the same time, dumb. How could I have expected to stop such an attack?

More like all three of us, Order corrected. End's right. Tell him.

Fine. 

"You remember when I went to your house to tell you something?" I asked, sitting on my bed. It sagged under my weight the perfect amount.

Liam perked up. "Yeah. When you ran away after greeting my cousin."

I winced, twisting my legs together so tightly it almost hurt. "I got no real excuse for that. Just . . . I'm not going crazy, okay?"

Liam's eyebrows came together in confusion. "Why would I ever think you're crazy?"

"Just . . . let me finish." 

I wasn't sure why he was hesitating so much. It wasn't a secret that would get him into trouble—and I knew Liam wouldn't share it without my permission. But . . . a significant part of me was ready for Liam to laugh and call me insane.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. "I . . . kind of have two beings in my head that sometimes take control."

I did not open my eyes, too afraid to see Liam's incredulous expression, and focused on my breathing.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Any moment now, Liam was gonna ask me if I'd been cursed by Dionysus or something.

"That . . . actually makes a lot of sense."