Stark's Protective Daughter (S.P.N.D. Book 5)

Chapter 2: Poisonous Thorns, Tall Cliffs, What Other Death Traps Are Here?

***

The door led into a dark hallway. I heard sounds of scuffling up ahead, then a painful grunt. Percy uncapped Riptide as I took off my bracelet.

The bracelet grew in my hands until I held a familiar bronze Greek sword. The blade glowed faintly, casting a golden light on the rows of lockers. When I looked over, Riptide did the same in my friend's hands.

The two of us jogged down the corridor, but when we got to the other end, no one was there. I opened a door and found myself back in the main entry hall. I was completely turned around. I didn't see Dr. Thorn anywhere, but there on the opposite side of the room were the di Angelo kids. They stood frozen in horror, staring right at me.

I advanced slowly, lowering the tip of my sword. "It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you."

They didn't answer. Their eyes were full of fear. What was wrong with them? Where was Dr. Thorn? Maybe he'd sensed the presence of Riptide and Nightmare and retreated. Monsters hated celestial bronze weapons.

"My name's Lillian, and this here is Percy," I said, trying to keep my voice level. "I'm going to take you out of here, get you somewhere safe."

Bianca's eyes widened. Her fists clenched. Only too late did I realize what her look meant. She wasn't afraid of me. She was trying to warn me. I whirled around and something went WHIIISH! Percy was yanked backward and slammed into the wall.

A cold laugh echoed through the hall. "Yes, Perseus Jackson," Dr. Thorn said. His accent mangled the J in Percy's last name. "I know who you are. Same with you, Lillith Stark."

A dark silhouette now moved toward us. Dr. Thorn stepped into the dim light. He still looked human, but his face was ghoulish. He had perfect white teeth and his brown/blue eyes reflected the light of my sword.

"Thank you for coming out of the gym," he said. "I hate middle school dances."

Percy swung his sword, but he was just out of reach. I ushered the di Angelo siblings behind me as I raised my sword.

Next to me, Bianca yelped. The second thorn impaled itself in the stone wall, half an inch from her face.

"All four of you will come with me," Dr. Thorn said. "Quietly. Obediently. If you make a single noise, if you call out for help or try to fight, I will show you just how accurately I can throw."

***

I didn't know what kind of monster Dr. Thorn was, but he was fast.

"What are you doing, Jackson?" hissed Dr. Thorn. "Keep moving!"

"It's my shoulder," Percy told him. "It burns."

"Bah! My poison causes pain. It will not kill you. Walk!"

Thorn inarched us into the woods. We took a snowy path dimly lit by old-fashioned lamplights. The wind blowing was cold, and once again I was grateful for my thick clothes. Percy's jacket was ripped, causing him to look even more miserable than before.

"There is a clearing ahead," Thorn said. "We will summon your ride."

"What ride?" Bianca demanded. "Where are you taking us?"

"Silence, you insufferable girl!"

"Don't talk to my sister that way.'" Nico said. His voice quivered, but I was impressed that he had the guts to say anything at all.

Dr. Thorn made a growling sound that definitely wasn't human. It made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck, but I forced myself to keep walking and pretend I was being a good little captive.