ELECTRIC WHISPERS | Jason Grace

Feeling the Heat from the Dragon, But That Leather Jacket's Making It Worse

Up high, the air was bone-chilling, but the dragon's metal hide radiated so much heat that Viella felt like she was riding a flying sauna. The grooves in the dragon's back were surprisingly comfortable-Leo had outdone himself with these sci-fi saddles. Still, as much as she appreciated the heated seats, she couldn't shake the thought that she was trusting her life to something that looked one software update away from self-destructing.

She sat behind Piper, with Jason right behind her. And let's be honest-Viella was very aware of Jason. If she leaned back even a fraction, she'd brush against him. Not that she was planning on doing it... again. He was polite enough not to call her out the first time she'd "accidentally" shifted into his space.

Leo turned around, his grin brighter than the dragon's glowing eyes. "Cool, right?"

"Cool?" Viella scoffed, leaning forward slightly. "Leo, I'm riding a fire-breathing toaster. If this thing gets any hotter, I'll end up as Hebe-flavored barbecue."

"What if someone spots us?" Piper asked, her voice shaky.

Jason, calm as ever, replied, "The Mist will cover us. Mortals won't see us as a dragon. They'll think we're a small plane or something."

Viella twisted just enough to look back at him. "Oh yeah, because fire-breathing lizards totally scream 'luxury airliner.' If we're lucky, they'll write this off as a UFO. Or we're trending on some conspiracy forum by tomorrow."

"Optimistic as always," Jason replied with a half-smile.

Viella was about to respond when her eyes caught a glimpse of something in Jason's hand-a photo. The girl in it had piercing dark eyes, a smirk that could make the devil nervous, and a leather jacket that screamed don't mess with me. Jason, realizing he'd been spotted, shoved the picture into his pocket, but it was too late.

Viella's interest piqued. "Hold up. Who was that? And don't even try the 'it's no one' excuse. That girl looked like she could crush me with a single glare, and honestly? I'd thank her."

Jason hesitated. "She's... someone."

Viella narrowed her eyes, her lips twitching into a sly grin. "Wait. Is that-oh my gods, that's Thalia, isn't it?"

Jason froze, then sighed and tucked the photo back into his pocket. "Yeah. She's my sister." He didn't say much more, clearly not in the mood to elaborate.

Viella clapped her hands together, her tone shifting into full fangirl mode. "Okay, real talk: Thalia is the coolest person ever. Have you seen her? Leather jacket, electric blue streak in her hair, those combat boots? I mean, who gave her permission to look like the lead singer of a rock band and a Greek goddess at the same time?"

Leo snickered from the front. "Sounds like someone's got a crush."

"Oh, I absolutely do," Viella admitted, unbothered. "Once, at camp, I saw her take down a hellhound with a spear and zero hesitation. I've never been the same since. Like, I'm not saying I'd let her step on me, but... okay, yes, I am saying that."

Piper raised an eyebrow from beside her, clearly not impressed. "Seriously, Viella? You're crushing on a girl who could probably roast us alive with a glance?"

Viella shrugged, her smirk never fading. "I mean, what's not to love? A little fire, a little danger. Plus, have you seen her? She's got that leather-jacket, cool-girl attitude down. I'd let her break my heart any day."

Leo, who had been listening in, snickered from the front. "How many times are you going to bring up the leather jacket?"

Piper, unable to hold back, chimed in, "Honestly, if Viella crushes any harder on Thalia, she's gonna end up proposing to her jacket instead of her."

The entire group burst into laughter, Jason trying to stifle his but failing miserably. Even Viella couldn't help but laugh, her cheeks warm from the teasing.

Jason sighed heavily, though his lips twitched into a reluctant smile. "Where are we even heading again?"

"To find the god of the North Wind," Leo announced with a smirk, "and figure out why all the cold guys are the ones with the biggest blows."

The silence lasted half a beat before Piper choked on her laugh, Jason buried his face in his hands, groaning, "Leo, no."

"Yes," Leo insisted, looking far too pleased with himself. "It's basic physics, bro. Big gusts, big-"

"Stop. Right there," Jason cut him off, but his flushed face only made everyone laugh harder.

Viella was wheezing, her cheeks hurting from smiling so much. "Leo, I swear to the gods, you are unhinged."

"Unhinged or enlightened?" Leo shot back, grinning.

As the laughter echoed across the sky, Viella glanced around at them, feeling her chest ache-not from fear, but from joy. If these were the people she was facing death with, at least she'd go out laughing.

As the laughter finally started to die down, Viella tilted her head, a fond smile lingering on her lips. "Storm spirits, ice gods, and the possibility of seeing Thalia again. This day just keeps getting better."

Leo shot her a look over his shoulder. "You're welcome for all of it, by the way."

She grinned. "Yeah, yeah, you're a genius, Valdez. Just make sure this thing doesn't crash, and I might even thank you. Maybe."

Jason chuckled softly behind her, and Viella allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. At least someone appreciated her sense of humor.

But the lightness of the moment faded quickly, and the weight of their mission pressed in on them. The cold wind bit at her skin, and her thoughts shifted to what lay ahead-the unpredictable gods, deadly spirits, and whatever chaos they'd have to face next.

For a moment, the only sound was the rhythmic beat of the dragon's wings. Viella found herself lost in the hum of it, her mind wandering. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were all walking a razor-thin line between life and death, a line that could snap any moment.

Jason's presence behind her felt oddly grounding, but it didn't stop the unease from creeping in.

Leo's voice broke through the silence, quieter now. "We're in for a hell of a ride."

Viella didn't reply, just stared out at the horizon as it blurred in a haze of gray. The laughter had died down, replaced by the unspoken awareness that they were all headed toward something far bigger than they could imagine.

A/N

Did y'all hear about the latest PJO cast drama?? I honestly never thought Dior and Tamara would be caught up in all this (hopefully, it's just a misunderstanding). But the Walker drama? Yeah, that one seems a little too real to be fake.