Daughter of Neptune, Book one

XLI

Tori's pov

After the fight in Mount Diablo, I didn't think I could ever feel more afraid or devastated.

Now Jason's sister was frozen at his feet. We were surrounded by monsters. He also broke his golden sword and replaced it with a piece of wood. We had approximately five minutes until the king of the giants busted out and destroyed us. Jason had already pulled his biggest ace, calling down Zeus's lightning when we'd fought Enceladus, I doubted he'd have the strength or the cooperation from above to do it again. Which meant my assets were one really whiny imprisoned goddess, one great friend with a dagger, my crush who thought he could defeat the armies of darkness with breath mints, and my mostly amnesiac best friend who had a piece of wood for a weapon.

On top of all this, my worst memories were flooding back. Those memories made me want to crawl into a hole and cry. But I couldn't do that right now. I knew for certain I'd done many dangerous things in my life, I'm talking about bleeding to death, fighting to death, falling to death, lots of things "to death". But believe it or not, is not the closest I've ever been to death (long story).

The enemy wasn't really that beautiful. I mean, sure, Khione had dark eyes that glittered and just prettier than me in general. But she also had a dagger of ice that was growing in her hand.

"What've you done?" Jason demanded.

"Oh, so many things," the snow goddess purred. "Your sister's not dead, if that's what you mean. She and her Hunters will make fine toys for our wolves. I thought we'd defrost them one at a time and hunt them down for amusement. Let them be the prey for once."

The wolves snarled appreciatively.

"Yes, my dears." Khione kept her eyes on Jason. "Your sister almost killed their king, you know. Lycaon's off in a cave somewhere, no doubt licking his wounds, but his minions have joined us to take revenge for their master. And soon Porphyrion will arise, and we shall rule the world."

"Traitor!" Hera shouted. "You meddlesome, D-list goddess! You aren't worthy to pour my wine, much less rule the world."

Khione sighed. "Tiresome as ever, Queen Hera. I've been wanting to shut you up for millennia."
Khione waved her hand, and ice encased the prison, sealing in he spaces between the earthen tendrils. "That's better," the snow goddess said. "Now, demigods, about your death—"

"You're the one who tricked Hera into coming here," I said. "You gave Zeus the idea of closing Olympus."

The wolves snarled, and the storm spirits whinnied, ready to attack, but Khione held up her hand. "Patience, my loves. If she wants to talk, what matter? The sun is setting, and time is on our side. Of course, Victoria Jackson. Like snow, my voice is quiet and gentle and very cold. It's easy for me to whisper to other gods, especially when I am only confirming their deepest fears. I also whispered in Aeolus's ear that he should issue an order to kill demigods. It is a small service for Gaea, but I'm sure I will be well rewarded when her sons the giant's come to power."

"You could've killed us in Quebec," Jason said. "Why let us live?"

Khione wrinkled her nose. "Messy business, killing you in my father's house, especially when he insists on meeting all visitors. I did try, you remember. It would've been lovey if he'd agreed to turn you to ice. But once he'd given you guarantee of safe passage, I couldn't openly disobey him. My father is an old fool. He lives in fear of Zeus and Aeolus, but he's still powerful. Soon enough, when my new masters have awakened, I will depose Boreas and take the throne of the North Wind, but not just yet. Besides, my father did have a point. Your quest was suicidal. I fully expect you to fail."

"And to help us with that," Leo said, "you knocked our dragon out of the sky over Detroit. Those froze wires in his head—that was your fault. You're gonna pay for that."

"You're also the one who kept Enceladus informed about us," Piper added. "We've been plagued by snowstorms the whole trip."

"Yes, I feel so close to all of you all now!" Khione said. "Once you made it past Omaha, I decided to asked Lycaon to track you down so Jason and Victoria could die here, at the Wolf House." Khione smiled at me. "You see, Jason and Victoria, your blood spilled on this sacred ground will taint it for generations. Your demigod brethren will be outraged, especially when they find the bodies of these two from Camp Half-Blood. They'll believe the Greeks have conspired with giants. It will be...delicious."

Piper and Leo didn't seem to understand what she was saying. But Jason and I knew. Our memories were returning enough for us to realize how dangerously effective Khione's plan could be.

"You'll set demigods again demigods," I said.

"It's so easy!" said Khione. "As I told you, I only encourage what you would do anyway."

"But why?" Piper spread her hands. "Khione, you'll tear the world apart. The giants will destroy everything. You don't want that. Call off your monsters."

Khione hesitated, then laughed. "You persuasive powers are improving, girl. But I am a goddess. You can't charmspeak me. We wind gods are creatures of chaos! I'll overthrow Aeolus and let the storms run free. If we destroy the mortal world, all the better! They never honored me, even in Greek times. Humans and their talk of global warming. Pah! I'll cool them down quickly enough. When we retake the ancient places, I will cover the Acropolis in snow."

"I don't really think the atmosphere works like that," I said.

"The ancient places." Leo's eyes widened. "That's what Enceladus meant about destroy the roots of the gods. He meant Greece."

"You could join me, son of Hephaestus," Khione said. "I know you find me beautiful. It would be enough for my plan if these other three were to die. Reject that ridiculous destiny the Fates have given you. Live and be my champion, instead. Your skills would be quite useful."

Leo looked stunned. He glanced behind him, like Khione might be talking to somebody else. For a second I was worried. I figured Leo didn't have beautiful goddesses make offers like this everyday.

Then Leo laughed so hard, he doubled over. "Yeah, join you. Right. Until you get bored of me and turn me into a Leosicle? I can't believe I thought you were hot."

Khione's face turned red. "Hot? You dare insult me? I am cold, Leo Valdez. Very, very cold."

She shot a blast of wintery sleet at the us, but Leo held up his hand. A wall of fire roared to life in front of us, and the snow dissolved in a steamy cloud.

"Hot damn," I mumbled under my breath.

Leo grinned. "See, lady, that's what happens to snow in Texas. It—freaking—melts."

Khione hissed. "Enough of this. Hera is failing. Porphyrion is rising. Kill the demigods. Let them be our king's first meal!"

I nocked an arrow and the monsters charged.