Daughter of Wine

Callida

Piper and I draw our daggers. I'm wondering if Jason and Leo would be on our side or not. We'd have to knock them out or something before we go after Medea. "Jason, Leo, we have to go. Now."

"Before you've closed the deal?" Medea asks. "What of your quest, boys? And my price is so easy. Did you know this fountain is magic? If a dead man were to be thrown into it, even if he was chopped to pieces, he would pop back out fully formed- stronger and more powerful than ever."

"Seriously?" Leo asks.

"Leo, she's lying." Piper says. "She did that trick with somebody before- a king, I think. She convinced his daughters to cut him to pieces so he could come out of the water young and healthy again, but it just killed him!"

"Ridiculous." Medea sneers. "Leo, Jason, my price is so simple. Why don't you two fight? If you get injured, or even killed, no problem. We'll just throw you into the fountain and you'll be better than ever. You do want to fight, don't you? You resent each other!"

I can feel the power in her words, and a new wave of panic washes over me. Leo and Jason can't fight. "Guys, no!" I briefly consider grabbing the storm spirits and teleporting out of here. I could abandon these three and find a way to Aeolus myself. But that's not right. I couldn't do that to them. Even if Hera hadn't told me they were important, I feel they are. It's a tingling in my spine. 

Leo scowls. "Jason's always the star. He always gets the attention and takes me for granted."

"You're annoying, Leo." Jason counters. "You never take anything seriously. You can't even fix a dragon."

They draw their weapons, Jason his sword, and Leo a hammer from his toolbelt, which does not look big enough to hold a hammer.

"Stop!" Piper pleads. 

"Let them go, girls." Medea urges. "I'm doing you a favor. Let it happen now, and it will make your choice so much easier. Enceladus will be pleased. You could have your father back today!"

I don't know what Medea is talking about, but Piper's face changes for a moment. She seems to be considering it. "Piper, whatever is going on, we can figure it out. Together. Now is not the time for this."

Piper turns on the witch. "You work for Enceladus."

Medea laughs. "Serve a giant? No. But we all serve the same greater cause. A patron you cannot begin to challenge. Walk away, children of Aphrodite. This does not have to be your death too. Save yourself, and your father can go free."

Leo and Jason seem to be awaiting orders from Medea. They must be resisting.

"Listen to me, girl." Medea turns to Piper. She plucks a diamond from her bracelet and tosses it into the rainbow from the fountain. "Oh, Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow, show me the office of Tristan McLean."

The mist shimmers and Piper's face changes. There's a woman sitting behind a desk, in a dark business suit.

"Hello, Jane." Medea greets her.

Jane hangs up the phone calmly. "How can I help you, ma'am? Hello, Piper."

"You-" Piper sounds incredibly angry.

"Yes, child." Medea says. "Your father's assistant. Quite easy to manipulate. An organized mind for a mortal, but incredibly weak."

"Thank you, ma'am." Jane replies evenly.

"Don't mention it." Media replies. "I just wanted to congratulate you, Jane. Getting Mr. McLean to leave town so suddenly, take his jet to Oakland without alerting the press or the police- well done! No one seems to know where he's gone. And telling him his daughter's life was on the line- that was a nice touch to get his cooperation."