𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 || 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙮 𝙟𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙨𝙤𝙣¹

036

(chapter xxxvi — you and me)

"KELLI," SELENE GRIPPED Lunar tighter — her gaze hardening as she stared back at the she-demon.

"Selene," Kelli purred in reply. She studied Selene and grinned, "Oooh, that scar doesn't look too good. Poor dear, it totally dampens your face..hm..I bet even make-up couldn't cover that up!"

Selene's face fell a bit at her words.

"You're one to talk," Percy then suddenly retorted — rising to Selene's defense. "You're literally half donkey."

Kelli stomped her foot in exasperation, "When will you realize, Perseus Jackson —"

Percy spoke over her using donkey noises. Mrs. O'Leary's head tilted at the sound, and Selene tried not to fall to the floor in laughter. It was hard not to — it got even harder once she saw the pure hatred in Kelli's eyes.

Kelli tried to turn to Daedalus — her grip on Nico's chains tightening. "Luke sends his compliments —"

"Hee-Haw!"

Fire flamed in Kelli's eyes, "He thought you would like to see—"

"Hee-Haw! Hee-Haw!"

"Your old employer —"

"Haw! Haw! Haw!"

'Perseus Jackson, you are so unserious,' Selene thought with a snort, shaking her head. It was clear in that moment Percy had no regard — nor worry — for his life.

Kelli turned to Percy — her claws extending. "You will be the one I kill first, son of Poseidon —"

Daedalus suddenly stepped forward — Selene was glad he got the attention off of Percy — who knows what would've happened if he didn't. "I'm sorry, what is happening?"  He asked — eyes narrowing in suspicion. "You all aren't supposed to be here. This wasn't apart of our deal."

Minos laughed, his form wavering slightly. It started to look more like an actual person. Selene didn't like that. "You are so clever, yet so blind, Daedalus," The ghost said — tutting. "I cannot wait until I issue you your eternal punishment."

Kelli sent one final warning look to Percy before nodding. "Yes. We already have what we want from you, Daedalus, and we have other agreements to honor. Minos required something else from us — in order to have this fine demigod join our cause," She ran her finger under Nico's chin, "All we need to give him...is your head."

Daedalus shook his head, "Treachery."

"Get used to it!" Kelli replied with an enthusiastic shrug — a creepy smile on her face.

"Nico," Selene tried to whisper to him while Kelli wasn't looking, "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

Nico coughed — his whole form shook, and he looked deathly pale. Despite his appearance saying otherwise, he nodded morosely, "Yes, I'm okay. They didn't hurt me. I'm sorry, Selene. Minos told me you all were in danger. He convinced me to head back into the maze."