𝒍𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒛𝒆 - pjo x hp [₂]

xliv. the bubblehead charm

"𝐔𝐌.... 𝐒𝐀𝐘 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖?" Percy furrowed his brows, looking at Raya. He looked a mix between concerned and confused, but Raya had faith in what she was saying. She knew exactly what she needed to do to fulfil her end of the prophecy.

She was sure.

The prophecy, all the advice that she'd been given... it was all falling into place. For the first time since she learnt that she was the daughter of Regulus Black, things were actually making sense to her.

It was so different from her normal, that she began to feel off balance.

"My dad, he told me to listen to the voices in the desert. Apollo," she clarified after she realized she had many dads. "Every time someone mentions that stupid hotel, I hear voices. Maybe it's Regulus, maybe it's someone else. But it's clear — to me, at least. Regulus Black is in the Lotus Hotel. He's been there for a long time now. Maybe ever since he'd been thought to have died," she added quietly.

That'd be nearly eighteen years, then. A long time indeed.

Kayse nodded, "Then we'll go there." He turned to the rest of the group. "Raya and I were always meant to part with the rest of you at some point in the quest. The prophecy was pretty clear about it. I think that point is right now. If we're going into a hotel that speeds up time, then we'll need all the time we can get. We can't stay any longer."

Percy looked like he wanted to argue, but Thalia nodded in agreement. "They're right. Cast as many protection spells you can as you travel. And you guys can do the magical transportation thingy. Do that whenever you can so you save travel time. Be safe."

Raya smiled, giving Thalia a quick hug. Despite the turmoil in her heart and head, Raya knew Thalia had come to be a better friend than she had even realized.

"We will. Promise."

"Wait, but, can't you guys wait until morning?" Percy asked, looking between Raya and Kayse. He got to his feet quickly, looking worriedly between them. "It's dark right now. Are you guys sure you want to leave right now?"

Raya smiled, squeezing his shoulder lightly. She kissed the top of Percy's head, and pulled him into a hug. The younger boy didn't seem keen on letting go anytime soon.

"We'll be okay," she reminded him. "Kayse and I can apparate to Las Vegas and make our way from there. I'll create some spells if I can too. We got this."

Percy hugged her tighter, before finally letting go. "Okay, fine." He didn't look too happy, but he wasn't comfortable showing his displeasure in front of everyone.

Raya smiled, ruffling his hair. "We'll be back soon. Hopefully we can even head back to Camp all together."

She hugged Grover, and then Zoe and Bianca too, before stepping back to grab all her things. Once she and Kayse were ready, they waved one last time. Then, they intertwined their fingers, and apparated away from their friends and the giant junkyard.

They landed in some alley Raya didn't recognize. The contrast from the barren desert they left was immediately apparent, almost giving her whiplash.

Laughter, voices, cars, everything around them was loud and busy. And not just in a usual 'city' manner. Raya wasn't sure if it because they'd been isolated for so long, or if this was just Las Vegas was like.

"C'mon," Kayse held a hand out for her. "We can't stay here forever."

Raya nodded. "Let's find a hotel for tonight, and plan how to get in and out of the Lotus Hotel without getting caught up in its trap."

He nodded, and the two of them walked out of the alley and down the busy streets. She could hear voices calling out to her and Kayse, inviting them to try their luck at the casinos. Raya blinked when she passed the statue of liberty, raising her brows at Kayse.