A Leap of Faith (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)

21

Astri wracked her brain for the kind of monster Dr Thorn was. She'd faced thousands, if not millions, of monsters, and it was rather infuriating to her that she was still coming across new ones. And she was always at a disadvantage when that happened, for they always knew who she was, but she never knew who they were.

She kept her hand tight on the grip of the sword and she glared out at the snowy landscape in front of them. There wasn't anything for miles. They could perhaps stay hidden in the trees if she was able to keep the monster distracted enough, but those spines of his could be shot at the same time he was fighting. The kids might not even make it to the tree line.

"What are you doing, Jackson?" Dr Thorn snapped at Percy who had slowed his walking and closed his eyes. "Keep moving!"

Percy made brief eye contact with Astri before exaggerating his miserable expression. "It's my shoulder. It burns."

"Bah!" The monster waved his hand dismissively. "My poison causes pain. It will not kill you. Walk!"

Astri nearly lashed out with her sword when Dr Thorn kicked the back of her knee and her leg buckled. He cackled behind her. "I do not see anything about you that is to fear. You are small and powerless. You cannot defend them, you know."

She clenched her jaw and stood unsteadily; her leg was weak from the force he'd kicked her with. She exhaled sharply through her nose and continued to walk with Dr Thorn prodding at their backs with his fingers when they got too slow.

A sudden chill went down her spine at a breeze that swept through where they were walking. Astri noticed the moon was just a tad brighter than before, and the air was crisp. She had the sense they were being watched, but their viewers were not adversaries.

"There is a clearing ahead," the monster said, nodding towards the front of them when Astri looked behind her. "We will summon your ride."

"What ride?" Bianca asked. "Where are you taking us?"

"Silence, you insufferable girl!"

"Don't talk to my sister that way!" Nico snapped. Though, Astri could hear the fear in his voice as it trembled. But his glare was harsh, and Astri thought she could see some ferocious potential.

"I agree," Astri said, her voice light. "I don't think you should be speaking to her like that."

Dr Thorn raised his hand as if to backhand her, perhaps hoping she'd cower. But when Astri simply rose an eyebrow at him, her eyes darkening, Dr Thorn's own expression became angry. Astri blue-green eyes became almost entirely green as she stared at Dr Thorn and his raised hand, silently daring him to go ahead and try it.

He growled deep in his throat and lowered his hand slowly.

"Halt," he growled tensely, his eyes still on Astri.

They stopped in the clearing Dr Thorn had promised would be there. They didn't have anywhere to run, really. Astri had scouted out the grounds around the school weeks ago. She knew the layout of the land already.

Either they had to make a break for the woods, or Astri would have to give the di Angelos a very quick crash course on cliff diving. She and Percy could make it down to the water no problem, no matter their possible inexperience. But Bianca and Nico weren't children of Poseidon, that much Astri knew.

As the scent of the sea wafted up the cliffside, Astri took a deep breath. The scent filled her with warmth and confidence. Almost automatically, she began to channel energy from the crashing waves below them. Everything became brighter to her, clearer—not just the moon.