riptide chapter 9
Katie sits between Grover and Percy on the couch while Annabeth stands at her mystery board, filling in some blanks.
“What do you mean you don’t know who you’re working for?” Annabeth asks, her brow furrowed. “How is that possible?”
Katie has her arms propped on her knees with her head in her hands. “I don’t know what to tell you. He’s very good about hiding his identity. All I know is he goes by Mercury and has super speed which is how he keeps tabs on all of us. It’s pretty hard to keep an eye out for someone you can’t see.”
Grover looks around the room like a prey animal who senses a predator. “Do you think he’s here right now?”
“No, he took Boar and Gemini on a mission to retrieve whatever it is he’s looking for. They’re not supposed to be back for a week or so. He just told me to keep you busy, and technically, I am doing exactly that.”
“You don’t even know who he’s the Champion of?” Percy asks.
Katie shakes her head as she leans back on the couch. “The only Houses I know of that could have super speed haven’t been active for at least three generations.”
“Well can you tell us more about Gemini?” Annabeth asks. “He’s the one in purple, right?”
“Yeah,” Katie confirms. “He’s kind of grumpy, to be honest. Not really a small talk guy.”
“What about his powers?” Percy asks.
“It’s kind of a mixed bag. Wild animals listen to him, and if he touches your forehead, he can make you lose it.”
“What do you mean lose it?”
“I mean the security guard at the first jewelry store we broke into spent a month in Bellevue before Mercury made him sneak in and return him to normal.”
“Jesus,” Percy says with disgust. “How the hell did that help anyone beat monsters however long ago?”
Katie shrugs. “My keeper said some powers have evolved over time, so that may not even be what that Champion started with. It can do different things to different people.”
“That’s so cool,” Grover says. “Bad but… pretty cool.”
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mob au: research
Jason hates to admit it, but the city library is, hands down, the most beautiful building in the whole city. It’s three stories of white marble and reflective glass surrounded by lush green gardens that have the local botanical society swooning year round, create an oasis in the heart of the downtown district that cannot be beaten. Olive trees line the long walk way up to a series of grand walnut doors hand carved with depictions of wildlife that look so real they might jump right off the wood, giving anyone who approaches the air of a grand entrance.
Leaning against one of the building’s imposing Doric columns, Jason looks out at all the people enjoying the lawn, having picnics and playing with their dogs and he can’t help but remember Luke’s words about Annabeth not being the villain he thinks she is. Watching the people of his city that he has taken an oath to protect, the thought that maybe he’s right begins to creep in, but before it can settle, his shoulder is being bumped, pulling him from his thoughts. He frowns and looks up to find his partner, Reyna, donning her signature brown leather jacket over a royal purple blouse.
“Took you long enough,” Jason teases.
“Some of us actually have a life, Grace,” she says with another nudge.
Jason rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, let’s do this.”
He leads the way into the library, stopping abruptly to read a golden plaque that marks the main entrance:
This library could not have been possible without the generous support of local businesswoman, Athena Pallas. The passion Ms. Pallas has for Greek architecture and the pursuit of knowledge were the foundations of this project and this city will forever be in her debt.
Reyna scoffs, “Businesswoman is quite the generous title.”
“No kidding,” Jason adds.
The detectives enter the library and neither of them can help but be awed by the interior’s beauty. The slight gleam of the gold leaf crown molding catches their eyes, their eyeline following down the wall to the bookcases with delicate owl carvings and the olive leaf patterned carpeting.
“At least she had taste,” Jason says in a low voice.
Reyna shrugs. “I prefer a Roman aesthetic myself, but this isn’t too bad if you like the Greek thing.”
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