Ancient Reicarnation: The First Daughter

XXVIII. Pandora

"Thanks for coming along," Pandora said to Will after bringing her mother, Heidi, back to their apartment in Manhattan. "I really appreciate it."

"No problem," Will said really quickly. He wiped his forehead.

"You're sweating."

"It's hot out."

"It's only fifty-two degrees out." Pandora crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

"I-I get hot easily."

You are, Pandora thought. "Do you wanna go get a coffee?" she asked. Will nodded as they walked towards a small café around the block. Will seemed extremely off as they ordered, so Pandora began to worry. They walked up to a male barista. He had chocolate brown eyes and coffee colored skin. Perfect for a barista.

"What can I get the beautiful lady?" he asked. His voice was quite dreamy, almost like a lullaby...

Pandora blinked a few times. "Umm, I'll have an ice mocha and..." She looked at Will. "What d'ya want?"

"Same thing," he said coldly. He had a rock solid stare at the barista. Pandora nodded and told the barista.

"Seven fifty-nine," he said. "Did you see that blizzard a couple days ago? That was intense."

"No I didn't!" Pandora exclaimed, trying to sound believable. "I just moved from Topeka, Kansas."

"Well, it's been on the news. And the radio. All over the country."

"Not very fond of the radio or the news," she lied.

"Well," he said. "I'll have your drinks in a few. My name is Jace."

"Pandora. And that person over there is my friend Will." Will muttered something under his breath. "What was that?"

"Nothing," he said quickly. Color started to rise in his face, so Pandora assumed it wasn't "nothing".

"Well," Jace said. "If you want to, we could have a coffee tomorrow." Pandora's heart started racing.

"I-I'll consider it," she replied, sitting down at the table Will got. "Oh my gods," she whispered.

"Let me guess," Will said. "You got a date with Coffee Dude over there?"

Pandora looked at him in shock. "Will! I never agreed I would go! What's got you worked up you?" She slouched down. "Guwapo anak na lalaki ng isang baril..." she muttered.

"What was that?" Will asked.

"N-Nothing."

Will sighed. "Pandora, I've been meaning to ask-"

"Here are your mochas," Jace said, placing them on the table. Pandora thanked him. "I put my number on the card. Tell me if this is an invasion of privacy, but tell me: Is your mother's name Heidi? Was she kidnapped? By Khione?"

Pandora stared at him in shock. He laughed. "Your hesitation is enough." He put his finger to his ear. "I've found her." He listened before directing his attention to them again. "The other leader of Khione's army would like to finish you both."

Jace made a deep, growling sound in his throat. "Well," he growled. "It was nice knowing you for ten minutes." He instantly turned into a wolf. Pandora knew it wasn't a werewolf because they changed involuntarily. Jace, well, he changed instantly.

By instinct, Pandora reached for one of her weapons before remembering she left them all on her bed. Will was also weaponless, leaving them with one option.

"Run!" Pandora screamed, pushing her way to the door. Will ran behind her, swearing in Greek as they sprinted away from the café.

"I knew I had a bad feeling about him!" Will yelled. They ducked into an alley and waited for Jace to pass, but he slowly came their way.

"What was it that you wanted ask?" Pandora questioned.

"Umm, well, we've been through a lot so..." They heard the clanking of trash cans and deep breathing and snarling coming closer.

"Will Solace," Pandora said, smiled. "I have an uncanny feeling that you are asking me out."

"Well-"

"You were," Pandora said, planting a kiss on his lips. "Let's hope we survive this."

There came a roar, and more clanging of trash cans. "You must be wondering what the first line of your prophecy is milady," Jace said mockingly. Pandora's heart skipped a beat. The first line of the prophecy! They had forgotten. "Miss the mark of everlasting wake and pain. Part of it was complete, the other, not so much. But we'll complete it today."

The trash can they were hiding behind went flying, and they went running towards Half-Blood Hill. It was still so far away.

"You cannot cheat fate!" Jace yelled.

"I can and I will!" Pandora yelled back. The made it to the crest of the hill. He roared and picked up his pace before Pandora felt the slashing of claws on her shoulder. Jace turned back into a human and grabbed a knife, stabbing at her shoulder where she had been clawed. She cried in pain. Will was wincing, holding on to his shoulder.

"Well," Jace said in his lullaby voice. "No one can cheat fate." He stabbed her in the chest, and Pandora inhaled sharply. He disappeared in a flash of light, leaving a loud booming sound.

Will was screaming at her, but she was in too much pain to acknowledge his presence. He slung her over his shoulder and carried her up the hill. Before her, the force field shimmered, and she closed her eyes.

If you forgot what the Prophecy was, here it is:

Miss the mark of everlasting wake and pain,
Love is trapped by snow's own claim,
The flower's kin will join death
And to rise or fall one will confess
11 now and of past will join together in power
Different, but joining until the final hour
Flame in sands will be conjured by times of bliss
The cursed child will have the final kiss

Translation:

Pandora will be put to sleep, then killed
Aphrodite is trapped by Khione
They have until Persephone joins Hades for the fall and winter
Pandora must confess to free Aphrodite
Eleven different people, demigods and Egyptians, will join together
They are different, but will be with each other until the job is done
Flames will be conjured to free Aphrodite by a confession of love
Pandora will be saved by the one she loves

Thanks for continuing to read, even if I am being Uncle Rick.

But what if I am?

DONT THINK ABOUT IT.

~Erica