Bewitched || P. Jackson

𝕀nvestment opportunities

It took Leo, Jason, Ethan, and Piper to hold the satyr back. Nicki only sat up on the couch, watching them with a bemused expression.

"Whoa, Coach!" Jason said. "Bring it down a few notches."

A younger man charged into the room. Jason guessed he must be Lit, the old guy's son. He was dressed in pajama pants with a sleeveless T-shirt that said 'cornhuskers,' and he held a sword that looked like it could husk a lot of things besides corn.

His ripped arms were covered in scars, and his face, framed by curly dark hair. Piper thought he would've been handsome if it wasn't also sliced up. Nicki let out a wolf whistle, making Ethan snort.

Lit immediately zeroed in on Jason like he was the biggest threat, and stalked toward him, swinging his sword overhead.

"Hold on!" Piper stepped forward, trying for her best calming voice. "This is just a misunderstanding! Everything's fine."

Lit stopped in his tracks, but he still looked wary. It didn't help that Hedge was screaming, "I'll get them! Don't worry!"

"Shut up, Hedge!"

"Coach," Jason pleaded, "they may be friendly. Besides, we're trespassing in their house."

"Thank you!" said the old man in the bathrobe. "Now, who are you, and why are you here?"

"Let's all put our weapons down," Piper said. "Coach, you first."

Hedge clenched his jaw. "Just one thwack?"

"No."

"What about a compromise? I'll kill them first, and if it turns out they were friendly, I'll apologize."

"No!" Nicki insisted this time, more forcefully than when Piper said it. She gave Lit a small smile and the boy seemed to relax as if looking at her smile made him melt.

"Meh." Coach Hedge lowered his club.

Nicki reached forward and grabbed the club and tossed it onto the couch. As she passed Piper, she whispered something to the girl. Her eyes narrowed in on Lit's sword and she smiled widely, eyes glowing with interest, "That's a cool sword, what kind is it?"

Even with her hair messed up, wearing two-day-old clothes and the black sling holding her right arm, Nicki looked extremely cute, and Lit seemed to agree.

"It's celestial bronze."

"Mines Stygian Iron! Can I touch it?"

Lit held the sword out for her and Nicki's fingers danced across the blade. The demigods stared at her in confusion, but allowed her to continue. Nicki's green eyes darted over every detail of the sword. "What is your opinion?"

"I'm jealous that it gets to be held by you."

Ethan made a choked noise, but was hurried shushed by a kick from Piper.

Lit looked Nicki up and down and sheathed his sword. "You speak well, fortunately for your friends, or I would've run them through."

"Appreciate it," Leo said. "I try not to get run through before lunchtime."

The old man in the bathrobe sighed, kicking the teapot that Coach Hedge had smashed. "Well, since you're here. Please, sit down."

Lit frowned. "Your Majesty—"

"No, no, it's fine, Lit," the old man said. "New land, new customs. They may sit in my presence. After all, they've seen me in my nightclothes. No sense in observing formalities." He did his best to smile, though it looked a little forced. "Welcome to my humble home. I am King Midas."