Page 92 of Poseidon's Trident
I glance around the churning sea and my shoulders slump. There’s no way back to California but I don’t need to go there anyway. I need to get to Vancouver so maybe being towed like I’m the prize catch to an unknown location in the Pacific Ocean is actually helpful.
“The gods only call on those brave enough to answer their call,” the creature says.
“Shit. Where are my friends?” I ask, scanning the ocean for any signs of them.
Why would he only grab me? Is this a fake ploy to take me to Triton or some other sea deity so they can kill me before I find Poseidon’s trident?
“Your language patterns are intriguing.” The creature shakes its long blue mane. “Your friends should be along shortly. We could only get through the caverns one at a time.”
“They are coming to the same place?” I ask hopefully.
“Yes, when Prince Thaddeus called for aid, we came immediately to help you all get to a safe place.” He turns to me.
“Thad called you?” I ask, shocked.
It’s also the first time anyone has referred to him as Prince in my presence. I’ll have to tease him about it when I see him again.
“He is protective of his friends since he hasn’t had many in his life,” he says and my heart breaks a little for Thad.
“I didn’t know that. He seemed so cocky and confident when I first met him,” I say.
That’s super sad. Did he think he needed false bravado when he met us so he could fit in with the heroes of the academy? I hate thinking of myself like that but it’s kind of true. We have saved the world and the academy several times already and probably will several more before this is all said and done.
I glance ahead as an island comes into view. It’s got the purest white sand beaches and palm trees dot the edge of the space. There is a mountain in the center that raises up the horizon. It appears deserted. Appearances are almost always deceiving though. Especially when dealing with the gods.
What new fresh hell is this creature dropping me into? It appears peaceful but I’ve learned never to let appearances deceive me.
“This is where I will leave you. You can swim, yes?” the creature asks.
“Yes, but is it safe for the daughter of Zeus to swim in the sea unaccompanied?” I raise a brow.
“Lord Poseidon has offered you and the others his protection. You will be safe from all but the monsters of the deep,” he says.
“That’s comforting,” I grumble.
“You have killed many monsters already, have you not?” he asks.
He tugs at the net and releases me. I flip ridiculously into the water, but it isn’t as cold as I’m expecting. There’s no way the Pacific Ocean should be this warm.
“I’ve never had to do it while swimming in the ocean,” I say.
“Fair enough. I will watch you from here until you get to shore. I don’t have a human form that allows me to walk on the land.”
“Thank you for the rescue.” I nod to him. “It was looking pretty dire back there.”
“It was and I forgive you for the kick to the face.” He rubs his cheek.
I flinch. “In my defense, you kind of scared the hell out of me when you grabbed me. I was in fight mode.”
“There was little time to warn you. Chrysoar had almost risen and once that happened, you would have been sucked into oblivion and the world would surely fall.”
“I understand. More than you could possibly imagine.” I kick my legs to stay afloat.
“I don’t doubt that, young demigod.” He nods. “Now go, Prince Thaddeus is anxious for his friends to arrive on the island.”
“Thank you.” I turn and swim to the island.
It’s not far but it’s been a while since I have swam and never long-distance. The island grows the closer I get to the shore and the shadow of a man stands with his hands on his hips on the beach. The waves are much calmer here and I have to wonder if Poseidon is holding them off or if this is another place taken out of ancient history.
