27: The Team

                                    

                                          


                          
TWENTY-SEVEN
                          
            Percy and Kelly disappeared before Jason could even blink. And in the same second, they had reappeared. But they both looked different than they had a moment ago. They looked less angry. More relaxed. And it was in that moment that Jason knew their plan had worked to perfection. 
                          
            Okay, maybe the murderous rampage into the Arctic Sea had been unplanned, but everything else had gone mostly okay. 
                          
            "What just happened?" Leo demanded.
                          
            Percy exhaled slowly and exchanged a glance with Kelly. "We're going to Turkey," he said. "We made a deal. Kelly is going to help us get to Chaos."
                          
            "And then...what?" asked Hazel. "What happens when we get Chaos?"
                          
            "Yeah," Piper agreed. "I mean, are we putting the angels to sleep, or...?"
                          
            "I will accept whatever decision you make," Kelly said firmly. "I've made my decision and I know I want to help you guys."
                          
            "Okay," Annabeth said, nodding slowly. "Alright, then. Looks like it's time to come up with a plan, guys." She grimaced. "And then throw it out the window and save the world, knowing us."
                          
            Jason clapped Leo on the shoulder. "Set a course. Istanbul." He looked around at his friends. "We only get one shot now," he said determinedly. "This is the one that has to count."
                          
            Frank nodded. "I'll give the ship some extra air," he offered. "We barely have a day left to stop what's happening now." His dark gaze flickered to the horizon. The sun was setting, bleeding across the sky. "We're cutting it just as close as ever," he muttered.
                          
            "Will you be able to stay shifted?" Hazel asked with a hint of worry in her voice. "Our powers... they barely work anymore."
                          
            "I can help you," Kelly spoke up. Her eyes followed Frank's to the horizon. "You're right to think you're running out of time. I'll make sure Frank can shift."
                          
            "You can do that? Just control whether or not our powers work?" Leo said doubtfully.
                          
            The angel's eyes sparkled. The faintest hint of a smile graced her lips. "Are you trying to ask me a question, Leo Valdez?"
                          
            His face flushed. "It's just, you know. Annoying," he mumbled. "Not having my fire anymore. Matches keep breaking before I can get them lit."
                          
            "I'm afraid I can only spare enough energy to help Frank," Kelly admitted ruefully. She nodded to the son of Mars. "Whenever you're ready."
                          
            "We can trust you, right?" Jason cut in, stepping in front of Frank. He glanced at Percy briefly. "How do we know you aren't just playing us?"
                          
            Percy frowned. "Jason, don't-"
                          
            "It's fine," Kelly murmured to him. She turned to face Jason and raised her eyebrows. "What makes you think you can't trust me, Jason Grace? Or are you just playing up your team's valiant act of... what was the phrase? Unlocking the fearless heart?" She smiled at him fully then. A shiver went down his spine.
                          
            Jason and his friends were silent, exchanging looks of shock mingled with horror. She knew. How did she know? Did Percy tell her? 
                          
            But one look at the son of Poseidon made it clear that he was just as shocked as the rest of them.
                          
            Kelly shook her head. Her eyes strayed back to the horizon. "I have been alive for longer than anyone can remember. Even me. I know when I'm being played." Her gaze flicked back to Percy. "And I know when someone is being honest with me."