Page 50 of Poseidon's Trident
Raven frowns at the reminder of the muses who were wreaking havoc on Nudies bar. They had decided that all the humans in there boasted too much and deserved their wrath. Jayden and I had to save them by promising to find their crowns.
“Okay, I might have some friends who can get us to the crab, but they aren’t going to like it.” Thad shakes his head.
“We won’t make any trouble for your friends, Thad. We can find another way,” I say.
“The thing they will be most upset about is being treated like steeds,” he says.
“I would never treat them that way,” I gasp. “The hippocampi are intelligent and deserve to be treated with respect.”
“You really are better than most demigods.” Thad nods his head.
My cheeks heat at his compliment. I have heard the same from several gods and goddesses but not from many demigods who understand empathy and compassion. They are mostly selfish, entitled assholes other than the few friends I have.
“Does anyone remember a giant crab from ancient history?” I ask.
The whole concept is bothering me because I can’t remember ever hearing about a giant crab. Could Thetis be wrong about what we’re about to face?
“I don’t think so,” Raven grumbles.
“Could it be a primordial monster?” Jayden asks.
“I don’t know. I guess, but if it is, then how do we kill it?” I tilt my head up and stare at the ceiling.
“I don’t know. We will have to figure that out when we get there.” Jayden grips my hand in his.
“I hate not knowing what we’re up against. Usually, we have some idea but not with this thing.” I squeeze my eyes shut.
Am I once again letting my compassion for others put my friends in danger? I mean, we can’t let something like that continue to terrorize the coast, but how can we stop it if it really is primordial?
“Don’t, Beth.” Jayden pulls my hand into his lap.
“Don’t what?” I ask, turning my head to him.
“I can see it in your slumped shoulders. You’re taking blame for this and wondering if you’re putting us all in danger.” He squeezes my hand. “We know the risks and we will all get through this together.”
“Are you a mind reader now?” I grumble.
“No, I just know you and we’re coming up against a monster you don’t know how to beat. You like to blame yourself when you think one of us may get injured helping you save the world.”
“You can’t do that, Beth.” Raven pats my shoulder. “It’s not just your responsibility to stop this. The oracle has chosen all of us to do this because we have a better chance if we do it together.”
“But we don’t even know what we’re up against. It might not even be a giant crab at all and what if it is a giant crab? They already have superhard shells. What kind of crazy shell did the gods or the primordials give it?”
“Plus, giant ducking crab pincers,” Greyson mumbles.
“See?” I point to Greyson. “It literally snapped ships in half with them.”
“Hey, stop it. We killed the Nemean lion and you spayed the hydra by yourself. We defeated countless demons in the underworld and a fucking golem. We’ve fucking got this.” Raven smacks the back of my seat so hard I pitch forward and my seat belt locks, choking me.
“Raven, what the hell?” Jayden unbuckles my seat belt.
“Sorry,” Raven says.
“It’s okay,” I wheeze.
I fix my seat belt so it’s not trying to murder me before we ever get to the crab or whatever is waiting for us at Monterey and stare out the window at the ocean. It almost looks more turbulent than before. It’s only been a couple hours but it’s getting worse by the minute. Rain pelts the windshield in sheets. Jayden has the wipers on full blast and visibility is still low.
“How are we going to get out into the ocean without it killing us?” Greyson asks.
