Luke pushed aside the unsettling revelation about the opacity of his future aside. The golden banner, the fire, none of it mattered right now. The clock on the wall showed 5:17 PM. Less than two hours before the Leucrotae would return, hungry and relentless.
"We need weapons," he said, scanning the bookshelves. "Something that can hurt those creatures."
Thalia nodded, her face still pale from Halcyon's prophecy. She moved to the opposite shelf, pulling down volumes and flipping through them with desperate urgency. "There has to be something here about how to kill them."
Halcyon shuffled to his desk, his movements slow and pained. The prophecy had drained him visibly, his skin hung looser, his eyes more sunken. With trembling fingers, he typed on his ancient computer.
I will search my digital archives. There may be something in my father's notes.
Luke pulled down a heavy tome bound in what felt like human skin, a disturbing thought he quickly dismissed. The book contained detailed illustrations of mythological creatures, their weaknesses and strengths meticulously documented. He flipped to the section on Leucrotae.
"They're immune to mortal weapons," he read aloud, his voice . "Born from the blood of slain monsters. Their bone plates can deflect celestial bronze."
"Great," Thalia muttered, slamming shut a book she'd been examining. "So we're completely defenseless."
Luke continued reading, searching for any loophole. "Says here they're vulnerable to fire. Not ordinary fire, but divine flame."
Thalia's eyes lit up. "I can make fire. Well, lightning. Close enough?"
"Not the same thing," Luke said, though the idea sparked something in his mind. "But it might work as a catalyst."
Halcyon's fingers suddenly flew across his keyboard with renewed energy. He turned the monitor toward them, his expression animated for the first time since they'd arrived.
I have found something in Apollo's archives. A recipe for Greek Fire.
Luke moved closer, reading the text on the screen. His pulse quickened as he recognized the description, this was the legendary weapon of the Byzantine Empire, a liquid fire that couldn't be extinguished by water. The recipe had been lost for centuries.
"This could work," he said, excitement building in his chest. "Greek Fire was devastating in naval battles. It stuck to everything it touched."
Thalia peered over his shoulder. "What's it made of?"
Luke scrolled down, reading the ingredients listed in the ancient text. "Pitch from old torches, godly nectar, alcohol, and a catalyst - preferably lightning or electricity."
Thalia's face broke into a fierce grin. "I can be the catalyst."
"We'll need to gather the ingredients quickly," Luke said, already calculating how much time they had. "Hal, do you have these items?"
Halcyon nodded, typing rapidly. The mansion contains all these components. I've been collecting them for centuries, hoping someone might come who could use them.
He rose slowly, his joints cracking as he led them to a hidden cabinet behind a false wall. Inside, rows of bottles and jars lined the shelves, each labeled with faded writing. He selected a dark, viscous liquid that smelled strongly of pine.
Pitch, he typed, showing them the label.
Next, he retrieved a small flask of golden liquid, godly nectar, glowing faintly in the dim light. Finally, he produced a bottle of clear liquid that Luke recognized as pure ethanol.
Alcohol, Halcyon typed. From my father's temple.
"Perfect," Luke said, gathering the materials. "Now we need to mix these properly. The recipe calls for specific proportions."
Thalia checked the clock. 6:34 PM. "We're running out of time."
Luke set the ingredients on the oak table, his mind racing through the chemical properties of each component. The Greek Fire had been devastating in naval warfare because it clung to surfaces and couldn't be extinguished by water. If they could create even a small amount, it might be enough to drive back the Leucrotae.
"According to the text," he said, reading from Halcyon's screen, "we need to heat the pitch first, then add the nectar and alcohol in equal parts."
Halcyon produced a small burner from another cabinet, his hands shaking as he lit it with a match. The blue flame danced beneath the small pot Luke placed on top.
"We need to be careful," Luke warned as the pitch began to melt. "This stuff is dangerous. The Byzantines had special ships just to deploy it."
Thalia watched intently as Luke carefully measured the nectar and alcohol. "How will we deliver it once it's made?"
Luke paused, considering. "We'll need containers. Something that won't dissolve when the fire touches it."
Halcyon disappeared into another room, returning with several small glass vials. He typed on his tablet: These should work. They're enchanted to withstand divine fire.
The pitch bubbled and smoked, filling the room with an acrid smell. Luke added the nectar and alcohol, stirring carefully with a wooden spoon. The mixture hissed and sparked, turning from black to a strange, iridescent green.
"It's changing color," Thalia observed, stepping back cautiously.
Luke nodded, his eyes fixed on the mixture. "That's a good sign. The recipe mentions the color shift."
The mixture continued to bubble, small flames dancing across its surface. Luke carefully filled each vial, his movements precise and measured. The liquid glowed with an inner light, casting eerie shadows across the room.
"We need your lightning," he told Thalia, holding up one of the vials. "The recipe says it needs a catalyst to activate."
Thalia extended her hand, electricity crackling between her fingers. "How much?"
"Just a small spark. Too much and we might blow up the whole mansion."
She nodded, focusing her power into a tiny arc of electricity that jumped from her fingertip to the vial. The liquid inside ignited immediately, burning with an intense blue-white flame.
"Perfect," Luke said, quickly capping the vial. "Now we need to make more."
They worked quickly, filling vial after vial as the clock ticked toward 7:00 PM. Kuro paced nervously, his hackles raised as he sensed the approaching danger.
At 6:40 PM, they had twelve vials of Greek Fire, each glowing with divine flame. Luke distributed them evenly between himself and Thalia, tucking them into special pockets he'd sewn into his vest for exactly this kind of situation.
"We need to position ourselves strategically," he said, scanning the room. "The Leucrotae will come through that panel again. We should be ready.
They still had twenty minutes before sundown. Luke glanced at the golden bracelet again, something tugging at his mind. The way it caught the light, the faint shimmer of divine power he'd sensed earlier, there had to be more to it.
"Let me see that again," he said to Thalia, reaching for the bracelet.
She handed it over with a questioning look. "What's so special about it?"
Luke closed his eyes, pushing his senses into the metal. As a son of Hermes, hidden mechanisms and secret compartments were practically second nature to him. He could feel something there, a subtle vibration beneath the surface.
"It's not just a bracelet," he murmured, his fingers tracing the intricate designs. "There's a Mist veil woven into it, but it's different from what I've encountered before."
"What do you mean?" Thalia asked, leaning closer.
Luke opened his eyes, turning the bracelet in his hands. "It's tied to a myth. The Mist isn't just hiding something physical—it's hiding the truth of what this is."
Halcyon shuffled closer, his eyes widening with interest.
Luke focused again, reaching deeper into the Mist manipulation. The technique was ancient, more sophisticated than anything he'd encountered. The bracelet was merely concealing the object's true form, it was binding its power to a specific word or phrase.
The story of Amaltheia," Luke thought suddenly, pieces falling into place. "The divine goat who nursed Zeus as an infant."
She whose skin was used to craft the legendary shield wielded by Athena… Maybe the bloody goat had a purpose bringing you here after all,” Luke grinned.
He held the bracelet up, feeling the power thrumming within it. The Mist veil was tied to the myth, unravel the story, and you could guess the code word.
"Aegis," Luke whispered, the word carrying weight beyond its syllables.
The bracelet expanded in his hands, metal unfolding and reshaping. Light blazed forth, forcing Luke to shield his eyes. When the glow faded, he held not a bracelet but a magnificent shield of celestial bronze.
The shield was circular, its surface polished to mirror brightness. At its center, the horrific face of Medusa stared out, her serpentine hair writhing as if alive, her eyes burning with ancient malice. Around the Gorgon's head, the shield depicted scenes of divine battle - Zeus hurling thunderbolts, Athena in her full armor, the fall of the Titans.
Halcyon recoiled instinctively, his face contorting in terror. Even Luke felt a primal fear clawing at his mind, a deep-seated dread that had nothing to do with rational thought. This was no ordinary shield, it projected a fear genjutsu, bypassing conscious thought entirely to strike at those parts of the brain associated with terror.
"Impressive," he said, forcing his voice to remain steady. With iron-will he broke the genjutsu, but even still, the dread clawed at his mind. "What the hell is that?" Thalia gasped, taking a step back, her face had gone pale.
"The Aegis," Luke replied,"Athena's shield. Or at least a replica enchanted with similar properties."Luke extended the shield toward Thalia. "The Aegis was made for a daughter of Zeus. It's only fitting that you wear it."
Thalia's eyes widened as she reached for the legendary artifact. The moment her fingers touched the celestial bronze, electricity crackled between them, blue-white arcs dancing across the shield's surface. The face of Medusa seemed to come alive, the serpents hissing as Thalia's power flowed into the metal.
"I told you Amaltheia had a reason for bringing us here!" she crowed, her grin spreading wide and vicious across her face. She held the shield up, admiring the way it caught the light. "This is why she led us to this place!"
Luke rolled his eyes, adjusting his mask. "Instead of gloating, maybe you should familiarize yourself with how it works, Sparky. We've got about three minutes before those things come back."
Thalia's smile faltered as she looked at the clock. 7:00 PM. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the mansion's windows. She turned the shield in her hands, feeling its weight, testing how it balanced on her arm.
"How does it work?" she asked, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The fear thing, I mean."
Luke watched as she experimented with different grips. "The Gorgon's head projects an aura of terror. In battle, it can paralyze your enemies with fear. But be careful—it can affect allies too if you're not careful."
Thalia nodded, her expression turning serious as she focused on the shield. Luke could see her testing different angles, learning how to position it to protect herself while keeping the Medusa face directed toward potential threats.
"Try channeling your lightning through it," Luke suggested. "See what happens."
Thalia closed her eyes, and Luke felt the air grow heavy with electricity. Blue sparks danced across the shield's surface, intensifying the glow of the Gorgon's eyes. The serpents seemed to writhe more vigorously, their stone-like bodies taking on a bluish hue.
"I can feel it responding to me," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "Like it's been waiting."
Halcyon watched from the corner, his expression a mixture of fear and awe.
Kuro paced nervously, his hackles raised. The hellhound's red eyes darted between the panel where the monsters would emerge and the shield in Thalia's hands. Luke could feel the tension building in the air, the mansion itself seeming to hold its breath.
7:02 PM.
The clock's ticking suddenly seemed deafening in the silence. Luke checked his vials of Greek Fire one last time, making sure they were securely tucked into his vest. He gripped his golden sword, feeling its familiar weight in his hand.
"Get ready," he whispered.
The panel in the wall slid open with a grinding sound. The first Leucrotae emerged, its bone plates clicking together in that ominous rhythm. Its red eyes glowed with hunger as it caught sight of them.
Behind it, two more of the monstrous creatures appeared, their lion-like bodies moving with predatory grace. The jail bars that had separated them from Halcyon shimmered and disappeared, leaving nothing between the demigods and the hungry monsters.
"Now!" Luke shouted, hurling the first vial of Greek Fire.
The glass shattered against the lead Leucrotae's chest, the divine flame exploding outward. The creature shrieked, the sound like nails on a chalkboard, as the fire clung to its fur, spreading rapidly across its body.
Thalia stepped forward, raising the Aegis. The Gorgon's face seemed to pulse with power, its eyes glowing with an unholy light. The Leucrotae faltered, their advance slowing as fear washed over them.
"Good," Luke called, drawing his sword. "Keep them back!"
The first Leucrotae charged despite the flames eating at its flesh, its bone plates snapping together as it lunged for Thalia. She met its attack with the Aegis, the impact sending shockwaves through the room. The Medusa's face blazed with light, and the creature recoiled, a keening wail escaping its throat.
Luke moved in, his golden sword flashing as he sliced at the creature's flank. The blade connected with one of the bone plates, sending sparks flying but failing to penetrate. He cursed, darting back as the second Leucrotae lunged at him.
"Thalia, the fire!" he shouted, rolling away from the attack. "Hit them with the fire!"
Thalia nodded, her eyes blazing with blue electricity. She raised the shield, and lightning arced from its surface, striking the Greek Fire that still burned on the first Leucrotae. The flames exploded with renewed intensity, the creature's shrieks filling the mansion.
The third Leucrotae circled around, trying to flank them. Luke caught the movement from the corner of his eye and hurled another vial. The Greek Fire splashed across the monster's face, blinding it temporarily.
"We need to push them back!" Luke called, his mind racing through tactical options. "Toward the panel!"
Thalia understood immediately, advancing on the burning Leucrotae with the Aegis raised. The shield's fear aura intensified, and Luke felt it even from this distance—a primal terror that made his hands tremble. He forced it down, focusing on the fight.
The second Leucrotae charged at Thalia, its bone plates clicking furiously. She met it with the Aegis, the impact driving her back several feet. But instead of retreating, she pushed forward, electricity crackling along the shield's edge.
Luke seized the opportunity, darting in to slash at the creature's exposed flank. His golden sword found a gap between the bone plates, drawing ichor. The Leucrotae howled, twisting to attack him, but Thalia was there, the Aegis slamming into its head.
Luke watched coldly as the Leucrotae's wounds began to close, the divine fire sputtering and dying as new flesh knitted together beneath the charred fur. The monsters shook themselves like wet dogs, their bone plates clicking together with renewed malice.
"Shit," he muttered, backing away. "They're regenerating."
Thalia hurled another vial of Greek Fire, but the creatures had learned. They scattered, the fire splashing harmlessly against the wall. The lead Leucrotae fixed its glowing red eyes on them, a low growl rumbling from its throat.
Luke moved without thinking. His body became a blur of motion as he drew a pair of throwing knives from his vest, the blades flashing in the dim light. He launched himself forward, channeling his divine speed into a devastating assault.
The knives became extensions of his will, striking at the Leucrotae's vulnerable points, eyes, joints, the gaps between bone plates. He moved so fast he left afterimages in his wake, ducking and weaving between the creatures' snapping jaws.
"Thalia, cover!" he shouted, his voice echoing as he accelerated.
Thalia raised the Aegis, electricity crackling across its surface. The Medusa's face blazed with power, projecting waves of terror that momentarily staggered the Leucrotae. She hurled lightning through the shield, the bolts arcing with deadly precision.
One Leucrotae lunged at Luke, its bone plates opening wide to reveal a gaping maw lined with razor-sharp teeth. He dropped to his knees, sliding beneath the creature's belly as his golden sword flashed upward. The blade struck true, but merely glanced off the monster's armored hide.
"Fuck!" Luke rolled away, barely avoiding the creature's snapping jaws. "These things are invulnerable!"
He hurled another knife, this one aimed at the creature's eye. The blade struck home, ichor spraying from the wound. But before Luke could celebrate, the eye began to regenerate, pushing the knife out as new tissue formed.
Thalia backed toward him, the Aegis raised defensively. "The fire's not working! They heal too fast!"
Luke's mind raced, analyzing their options. The mansion's confined space gave them no room to maneuver, no strategic advantage. The Greek Fire, while potent, simply wasn't enough to overcome the creatures' regenerative abilities.
"We need to fall back," he decided, grabbing another vial from his vest. "We can't fight them in here."
Halcyon stood frozen in the corner, his face a mask of terror. Luke grabbed the old man's arm, pulling him toward the door.
"Come on!" he urged. "We need to get out of here!"
Thalia unleashed a massive blast of electricity, forcing the Leucrotae to retreat momentarily. The Medusa's face on the Aegis glowed with an unholy light, projecting waves of terror that bought them precious seconds.
They ran for the door, Kuro bounding ahead of them, barking furiously at the pursuing monsters. Luke could hear the Leucrotae's bone plates clicking together, the sound growing louder as they gave chase.
"Thalia!" he shouted. "The door!"
Thalia raised her hand, electricity gathering around her fingertips. With a deafening crack, she unleashed a bolt of lightning that shattered the enchanted door into a thousand pieces. Wood splinters flew in all directions as they burst through the opening, tumbling down the mansion's front steps.
The cool night air hit Luke's face as they emerged into the overgrown garden. He pulled Halcyon along, the old man stumbling in his snakeskin boots. Kuro circled around them, growling at the mansion's entrance where the Leucrotae had paused, their red eyes glowing in the darkness.
"They won't follow us out here," Luke breathed lightly, watching as the creatures paced just inside the doorway. "The curse must keep them bound to the mansion."
But as he turned to check on Thalia, Luke noticed Halcyon had stopped at the threshold. The old man's trembling hands reached into his snakeskin vest, pulling out a small folded note and a gleaming bronze knife.
Halcyon handed Luke the note, his gnarled fingers trembling as they brushed against Luke's palm. The paper felt brittle, ancient.
Luke unfolded it, reading the words scrawled in shaky handwriting:
Thank you, young demigods. You've shown me some hope. But my sins don't allow me to live. Let me sacrifice myself and die in this cursed mansion. My soul is at peace knowing that no more demigods will die at my hands. Please take my knife, and keep it as a memory of me.
Luke looked into Hal's eyes. The old man's gaze held a clarity he hadn't seen before, a terrible peace that sent a chill down his spine. He could forcibly drag the man away. The Leucrotae, though formidable, weren't so dangerous that they wouldn't be able to flee them. But there was just a look in Hal's eyes. One Luke—or rather Kakashi—had been intimately familiar with.
This was a man willing to go to death. For there was no peace for him in life any longer. His power was too dangerous for the gods to let him run free as well.
Luke closed his eyes. "As you wish, old man."
"Luke?" called Thalia. "Grab the old man and come!"
Luke walked away toward Thalia.
"Let him go, kid. It's his last wish. Let him gain control of his destiny."
Thalia's face twisted with confusion. "What are you talking about? We can't just leave him!"
Before Luke could explain, a blinding flash of light erupted from the mansion. The remaining vials of Greek Fire had been set off simultaneously, creating an explosion that engulfed the entire structure. Flames roared skyward, painting the night in hues of blue and gold. The Leucrotae's shrieks echoed through the inferno, their monstrous forms writhing in the divine fire.
They watched as the mansion burned, the ancient curse consuming itself in the flames.
"Why?" Thalia whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling flames. "Why did he want to end his life?"
Luke stared at the pyre, feeling the heat on his face. "He was cursed by Apollo for using his gift of prophecy to save someone. Every demigod who came before us died trying to break that curse."
"But we almost did it," Thalia said, her voice thick with emotion. "We found the Aegis. We made Greek Fire. We could have saved him."
Luke shook his head. "Some wounds go too deep, Thalia. Some burdens become too heavy to carry." He thought of his own past life, the weight of all those deaths, all those failures. "Sometimes death is the only freedom left."
Thalia clutched the Aegis to her chest, the shield humming with power. "That's not freedom. That's giving up."
"Maybe," Luke conceded. "Or maybe it's the bravest choice he could make." He turned away from the burning mansion, the heat warming his back. "He chose to end the cycle, to ensure no more demigods would die because of his curse."
They stood in silence as the mansion continued to burn, the flames reaching toward the sky like grasping fingers. Kuro pressed against Luke's leg, the hellhound's red eyes reflecting the inferno.
"Will he... go to the Underworld?" Thalia asked after a while.
Luke nodded. "I think so. Even cursed prophets deserve their rest."
"Come on," he said to Thalia, turning around. "We should keep moving. We've still got a camp to reach."
Thalia looked back at the ruins one last time, her expression unreadable. "Do you think his father ever loved him? Apollo, I mean."
Luke considered the question, remembering the prophecy Hal had given him, the golden banner, the fire. "I think the gods love in their own way. But it's a love that demands sacrifice."
As they walked away from the smoldering remains, Luke felt something shift in the air. The divine wards that had surrounded the mansion were gone, the ancient magic dissipated with Hal's death. The neighborhood seemed brighter somehow, as if a shadow had been lifted.
"He's free now," Thalia said quietly, her fingers tracing the edge of the Aegis. "At least he's free."
Luke nodded quietly saying nothing.Luke's ears perked up as the faint wail of sirens cut through the morning air. The authorities had finally noticed the inferno that had consumed Halcyon's mansion. He tapped Thalia's shoulder, nodding toward the direction of the sound.
"Sparky, let's head to the James River and restock on supplies," he said, keeping his voice low. "We need to move before the police start asking questions."
Thalia nodded, her expression still troubled as she glanced back at the smoldering ruins.
As they slipped away from the scene, Luke silently made a promise to the old prophet. I'll fight back for all demigods under my protection. To protect them from the capricious and cruel nature of gods.
They were halfway to the river when Luke froze, his senses suddenly alert. Something, or someone, was watching them from the direction of the Richmond Iron Works. The industrial complex loomed in the distance, its rusted towers and abandoned buildings creating a maze of shadows perfect for hiding.
"Wait," he whispered, placing a hand on Thalia's arm. "Someone's there."
Thalia tensed, the Aegis materializing on her arm with a soft whisper. "Monster?
Luke shook his head, his enhanced senses picking up the unmistakable scent of human fear. "No. Something else."
They approached cautiously, Kuro's hackles raised as the hellhound sensed the presence too. The Iron Works was a graveyard of industry, machinery rusting under the open sky, concrete cracked and weeds pushing through. Luke motioned for Thalia to circle around while he approached from the front.
The sound came again - a soft scrape of metal against concrete. Luke moved silently, his years of training allowing him to navigate the debris without making a sound. He spotted movement behind a stack of steel pipes, something small and quick.
He lunged.
His hand closed around the scruff of something that immediately began to thrash and bite. Luke held it at arm's length, surprised to find himself face-to-face with a tiny blonde girl, no more than seven years old, her gray eyes blazing with fury as she swung a makeshift weapon, a length of pipe, at his face.
"Let me go!" she shrieked, her small face contorted with rage. "I'll kill you!"
Luke held her firmly, her feet kicking at empty air. The girl was wild, her blonde curls tangled with dirt and debris, her face smudged with what looked like days of grime. But beneath the dirt and fury, he recognized something in her eyes - the same hunted look he'd seen in Thalia, the same desperate intelligence of someone forced onto the streets too young.
Thalia appeared from behind the pipes, spear at the ready. When she saw what Luke had caught, she lowered her weapon, her expression shifting from battle-ready to confused.
"Luke, what the hell is that?"
Luke grinned beneath his mask, holding the still-struggling child out for Thalia to see. "I found a stray kitten."
The girl's eyes widened at the sight of Thalia, her struggles momentarily ceasing. There was something in her expression, relief, perhaps, at seeing another girl.
Thalia snorted, her stance relaxing. "Calm down, kid. We're not going to hurt you."
The child's body went rigid, but she stopped swinging the pipe. Her eyes darted between Luke and Thalia, calculating, assessing threats and escape routes with a precision that belied her young age. Classic Athena kid, Luke thought
"Tell us about yourself, kid," Thalia said, crouching down to the girl's eye level. "I'm Thalia, and the asshole with the mask is Luke. We're demigods. What's your story, kiddo?"
The effect was immediate. The girl's face lit up, a tentative hope breaking through her defensive exterior. "Demigods? You mean... like me?"Cute. Though Luke and Thalia simultaneously.
"I ran away," the girl admitted, her voice small but steady. "From my home. They didn't want me. My stepmom hated me, and my dad... he didn't care."
Thalia and Luke exchanged glances. Another orphan of the divine, abandoned to the mercies of a world that didn't understand what she was.
"What's your name?" Luke asked, his voice gentler than usual.
"Annabeth," she said, chin lifting with pride. "Annabeth Chase."
Luke set her down but kept a firm grip on her shoulder. The girl was still ready to bolt at the first opportunity. "How long have you been out here?"
"Three days," Annabeth admitted. "Monsters found my home. A spider woman. She killed my babysitter."
Luke felt Thalia's sharp intake of breath. They both knew what that meant, Arachne or one of her children had been hunting this child.
"We can't leave her here," Thalia said, her voice leaving no room for argument.
Luke nodded, already making the calculation. Another mouth to feed, another person to protect. But also another demigod who needed sanctuary. "You're right."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out Halcyon's bronze knife, the one the old prophet had given him before his sacrifice. The blade gleamed with a dusky bronze light.
"Yo, shorty," he said, holding the knife out to Annabeth. "Keep this and stick monsters with the pointy end."
Annabeth's eyes widened as she took the blade, her small hands wrapping around the hilt with surprising confidence. "Really?"
"Really," Luke confirmed. "But you have to promise to follow our rules. No wandering off, no unnecessary risks. We're heading to a safe place for demigods, but it's a long journey."
Annabeth nodded solemnly, clutching the knife to her chest like a talisman. "I promise."
Thalia ruffled the girl's dirty blonde hair. "Welcome to the team, Annabeth."
As they turned to continue their journey toward the James River, Luke felt the weight of responsibility settle more firmly on his shoulders. Whatever future awaited them, he would ensure that Annabeth, Thalia, and all the demigods who followed them would have a fighting chance against the cruel whims of the divine.
Kuro trotted ahead, occasionally looking back to make sure they were following. The hellhound seemed to have accepted Annabeth immediately, nuzzling her hand when she reached out to pet him.
"Your dog is weird," Annabeth observed, her voice still cautious but warming.
"He's a hellhound," Luke corrected. "And he eats little kids like you for breakfast.”
Annabeth screamed and leaped backward, her small frame trembling as she pointed the dagger at Kuro with white-knuckled determination. The hellhound's tail wagged furiously, his red eyes bright with excitement as he misinterpreted her defensive stance as an invitation to play.
Luke sidestepped a bolt of lightning that crackled past his ear, the electricity scorching the ground where he'd been standing a split second before. He didn't even bother turning around.
"Stop scaring little kids, asshole," Thalia muttered, electricity still dancing at her fingertips.
"Don't worry, Annabeth. Kuro's a sweetheart despite being a monster. Luke's just a professional asshole," Thalia muttered kneeling beside the terrified girl. "He thinks he's funny."
Kuro whined, his head head drooping as he sensed Annabeth's fear. The hellhound took a tentative step forward, his movements gentle and cautious, then lowered himself to the ground, his red eyes fixed on the girl with what could only be described as canine concern.
"It's okay," Thalia said softly, placing a reassuring hand on Annabeth's shoulder. "He won't hurt you."
Annabeth's grip on the dagger loosened slightly. "He's... not going to eat me?"
"Not unless you're exceptionally tender," Luke replied, adjusting his mask. "And even then, I've trained him to share."
Thalia shot him a withering look. "Ignore him. Kuro's been with us for a while now. He protects demigods, not eats them."
Annabeth took a hesitant step forward, her gray eyes still wide with fear but now tinged with curiosity. Kuro remained perfectly still, his massive body tense with anticipation. When her small hand finally reached out to touch his snout, the hellhound's tail began to thump against the ground with such force it kicked up clouds of dust.
"He's soft," Annabeth whispered in surprise, her fingers sinking into Kuro's bristly fur. A tentative smile spread across her dirt-smudged face.
"See? Not so scary," Thalia said, her voice gentler than Luke had ever heard it. "Now, we should get moving. We need to find supplies before heading north."
Annabeth nodded, still petting Kuro with one hand while the other clutched the bronze dagger. "Where are we going?"
“Connecticut.” Luke interrupted. Thalia looked up sharply, not having heard this plan yet. “I’ve got to make a pit-stop at home.”