Indigo Eyes

Chapter 94

Rachel had freaked slightly when she learned that Percy had a half-brother that was also a Cyclops that they were also looking for. She was also apparently seeing things, such as a brightness on the floor that told her where things were.

Annabeth had asked if Rachel was going crazy and Cressida had confirmed that she was sane, well as sane as mortals were these days.

A glare from Cressida then had Annabeth trying to make small take with Rachel such as asking where she was from and if her parents would be worried if she was out late.

Rachel exhaled. "Not likely. I could be gone a week and they'd never notice." 

"Why not?" This time Annabeth didn't sound as sarcastic. Having trouble with parents was something she understood; it was something they all understood.

But before Rachel could answer, there was a creaking noise in front of them, like huge doors opening.

"What was that?" Annabeth asked.

"I don't know," Rachel said. "Metal hinges."

"Oh, that's very helpful. I mean, what is it?"

"Big doors, probably," Cressida suggested and Annabeth gave her a look.

"Whose side are you on?"

"Don't even ask me that question, Books," she warned before they heard the sound of heavy footsteps that shook the corridor - and the sound was getting louder as it came towards them.

"Run?" Percy asked.

"Run," Rachel agreed.

They ran back the way they came but they didn't even make it six metres before they ran into some of Percy's old friends.

Two dracaenae – snake women in Greek armour – levelled their javelins at our chests. Standing between them was Kelli, the empousi cheerleader.

"Well, well," Kelli said.

Annabeth pulled out her knife as Percy went for Riptide but before he could turn it into a sword, Kelli pounced on Rachel.

Her hand turned into a claw and she spun Rachel around, holding her tight, with her talons at Rachel's neck. "Taking your little mortal pet for a walk?" Kelli asked Percy. "They're such fragile things. So easy to break!"

Cressida didn't even go for her spear as her hands burst into flames.

"Much like monsters," she snarled. "Empousi in particular are such weak things."

Cressida took all of one step forward before Kelli tightened her grip on Rachel who gasped. "Uh, ah," she cooed. "I believe I'm faster than you are."

"Let's see who's faster then," Cressida challenged but before she could even move, Annabeth let out a yelp as she was lifted up into the hands of a three-metre-tall Laistrygonian giant with red eyes and fangs.

Cressida may have taken her chances with Rachel's life, but there was no way she was going to take any chances with Annabeth's life.

"Can I eat her?" the giant asked as he licked his lips.

"No," Kelli said. "Your master will want these. They will provide a great deal of entertainment." She smiled at Percy. "Now march, half-bloods. Or you all die here, starting with the mortal girl."

And Cressida let her flames go out as they began walking. "You know her?"

"She was the monster that blew up my school," Percy whispered.

"Any Positive Thinking Percy Jackson Plans? Now would be a good time for one," she said as they walked.

"I was thinking a Crazy Can-do Cressida Lynn Plan would be better," he replied.

"I can't take both of them out with madness or vines," she muttered. "The vines won't grow fast enough and I don't want to invade Annabeth or Rachel's minds with my madness magic if I could move fast enough. Or if I were to pick one..."

"No, No," he said as he put a hand on her arm. "It's alright. We'll come up with something else."

They were led towards bronze doors. They were about three and a half metres tall, emblazoned with a pair of crossed swords. From behind them came a muffled roar, like a crowd.

"Oh, yessssss," said one of the snake women. "You'll be very popular with our hossssst."

"Who's your host?" Percy asked.

She hissed, which might have been a laugh. "Oh, you'll sssssee. You'll get along famousssly. He'ssss your brother, after all."

"My what?" Percy asked in disbelief with a glance and Cressida whose eyes widened.

"Oh my gods. Chris," she said and Percy was definitely confused. What would Chris have to do with this? He was back at camp.

The giant that was still holding Annabeth walked forward to push the doors open before he turned to her. "You stay here."

"Hey!" she protested, but she'd already been disarmed as had Percy. No one dared touch Cressida for her bracelet which was why they kept the two girls hostage.

Kelli laughed. She still had her claws at Rachel's neck. "Go on, Percy. Entertain us. We'll wait here with your friends to make sure you behave."

"What about Cressida?" he said as his shoulder was prodded by one of their javelins.

"Oh, she's to go in with you," Kelli said. "My boss would like a word."

Percy then looked at Rachel. "I'm sorry. I'll get you out of this."

She nodded as much as she could with a demon at her throat. "That would be nice."

The dracaenae prodded them towards the doorway at javelin-point, and Percy and Cressida glanced at each other as they walked out onto the floor of an arena.