CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE:
MY BLOOD

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IF AREUM MIN HAD ever gotten the chance to meet her eldest niece, Annais knew without a shadow of a doubt that her mother would've loved her -- no, adored was the better word. Penelope was easy to love. Perhaps, that was the most ironic thing about her tragic demise. With eyes that glittered like freshly cut gemstones, a rosebud mouth always perched in a smile, and a heart bigger than the five Min sisters combined, Penelope Min was admirable. And in a cruel twist of fate, it made the most sense to Annais that Penelope was the one who died first.

The fates always took the good hearts before their time had come.

But those like Annais, and Ezra, and even Hea -- the ones left with the memories, who probably should've found themselves in an early grave a long time ago, were destined to stay behind and wither.

Annais didn't necessarily want to die, but she didn't want to live either, not in the way she was supposed to.

Sometimes, she wondered if the same thoughts had crossed Penelope's mind in her final moments. The eldest sister with the weight of the world on her shoulders, the stricken lover of Apollo, the burdened daughter of Kronos himself. Was her life worth living in constant peril?

Annais would never get to know; she wasn't sure if she wanted to, either.

There were times she couldn't control the way her mind spiralled.

And on the anniversary that marked one year, three-hundred and sixty-five momentous days of grief, since Penelope Min had taken her last breath in Ezra's arms, her mind wanted to run wild.

Her friends gave her a wide berth that morning as they stood and gaped at the brilliant blue sky. It was so sunny, so... serene for a day that should've been stormy and bleak. Ezra's face was a cloud of thunder as she sulked a few feet away from the group; close enough to hear the plan but far enough to signify her bitter mood. Annais wasn't sure what her own face looked like, just that everyone seemed to walk on eggshells, not quite certain of why they were being so cautious; rather, that it seemed necessary.

Rome was unlike anything Annais had ever seen, and she had been to Mount Olympus. She wished she had the heart to enjoy it, to commit every tiny detail to memory.

Her mind betrayed her instead.

Would Penelope have loved Rome? She'd always wanted to travel--

"We're setting down in that park," Leo declared, one arm curled in a comforting gesture around Mel's waist. With the other hand, he pointed down to a green patch of grass dotted by towering trees. "Let's hope the Mist makes us look like a large pigeon or something."

Subconsciously, he turned to Annais and Ezra for some kind of snide remark.

Nothing came.

He tried not to look disheartened, but Annais saw his face falter and sighed.

Fortunately, the park was pretty much deserted, which was surprising for such a nice day. To their left, a green lawn sloped into a forest of some kind. To the right loomed a hill, with a long brick wall lining the top that reminded Annais of something out of a mediaeval storybook. And, probably the most notable thing of all in their surroundings; to the North, the top of the infamous Colosseum rose above the city streets, an ancient oddity contrasting the distinct, modern rooftops.

"I think I know where we are," Jason commented, his brows furrowed in thought. He pointed off in the distance. Despite standing beside him, Annais struggled to follow his hand. "That's the Tomb of the Scipios."

Percy echoed the name in confusion. "Reyna's pegasus?"

"No," Annabeth shook her head. "They were a noble Roman family, and-- wow, this place is amazing."

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hide the impressed look, one of pure amazement, from her face. Jason watched her for a moment before nodding. "I've studied maps of Rome before. I've always wanted to come here, but. . ."

He, too, spoke in a tone of pure awe. Annais wished she could feel the same way, to feel like she belonged in the group, now more than ever before. But she felt. . . empty. Numb. She hadn't cried or screamed, or done anything, really, that would've counted as grief in her mind. She just. . . existed, on this normal, unassuming day.

"So. . . plans?" Hazel prompted. "Nico has until sunset at best. And this entire city is supposedly getting destroyed today."

Percy shook his head. "You're right," he murmured, trying his best to sound rooted in the present rather than dazed by the past. "Annabeth, did you zero in on that spot from your bronze map?"

Annabeth hesitated before answering. "Yes. It's on the Tiber River. I think I can find it, but I should--"

"Take me along?" Percy interjected before she could finish. "Yeah, you're right."

Annabeth's eyes narrowed into a pointed, stubborn glare. "That is not--"

"Safe?" he offered, a small grin tugging at his lips when her nostrils flared furiously. "One demigod walking through Rome alone. I'll go with you as far as the Tiber. We can use that letter of introduction, hopefully to meet the River God Tiberinus. Maybe, he can give you some help or advice. Then you can go on alone from there."

"I'm coming too," Ezra insisted when Annabeth stayed silent, contemplating Percy's suggestion. Annabeth and Percy exchanged a look then; somehow, Ezra seemed to sense the hesitation of the gesture. She scowled, daring them to contradict her with Penelope's pin clutched in her hand, blade out for good measure.

"Fine," Annabeth muttered at last. Another look between her and Percy. Annais' brows furrowed. "Hazel, now that we're in Rome, do you think you can pinpoint Nico's location?"

"Um. . . hopefully." Well, that didn't sound reassuring. "If I get close enough. I'll have to walk around the city, though. Annais, Frank, would you come with me?"

On any other day, Annais would've felt. . . honoured, that Hazel wanted her there. Sure, Nico was also her brother, and they both were adamant on saving his life from the very beginning, but there was something so. . . sisterly about Hazel wanting Annais at her side.

But that was on a normal day. On a normal day, Annais would've teared up, maybe even hugged her -- away from the prying eyes of their friends, of course. Instead, she nodded, allowing Frank to take up most of the moment with a beaming grin.

"Absolutely," he said.

Hazel's face flushed pink. "And, uh. . . Leo! It might be a good idea if you came along, too. The fish-centaurs said we'd need your help with something mechanical."

"Yeah," Leo shrugged, unbothered. "No problem."

Frank's face soured, his smile long gone. Hazel grimaced at the sudden tension, letting out a breath of relief when Piper redirected the conversation by drawing her knife.

"Hea and Mel can help Jason and I watch the ship for now," she decided, catching Mel's tired eyes and smiling. Mel nodded back at her, squeezing Leo's hand against her hip. "I'll see what Katoptris can show me. But, Hazel, if you guys get a fix on Nico's location, don't go in there by yourselves. Come back and get us. It'll take all of us to fight the giants."

And even then, Annais had her doubts.

"Good idea," Percy agreed with Piper. "How about we plan to meet back here at. . . what time?"

"Three this afternoon?" Jason suggested when no one else volunteered an answer. "That's probably the latest we could rendezvous and still hope to fight the giants and save Nico. If something happens to change the plan, try to send an Iris-message."

Everyone nodded their agreement, but Annais couldn't help looking at Annabeth. Would she be alive to meet them at three? Or was this the last time Annais may ever see the girl she'd come to view as a dear friend?

She didn't have the chance to ponder on it, on the resolute absence of the God forsaken shadows Annais would normally see if death was close, for Gleeson was already breaking the tension.

"That'll give me time to eat the coconuts -- uh, I mean. . . did the coconuts out of our hull." He shot Ezra, Percy and Annabeth a withering look. "Percy, Annabeth, Ezra Min--" The way he said Ezra's full name with emphasis was almost laughable. Ezra frowned in his direction, surprisingly caught off-guard by his stern, paternal tone. "I don't like you three going off on your own. Just remember; behave. If I hear about any funny business, I will ground you until the Styx freezes over."

Percy grinned, reaching for Ezra's hand while his other arm circled Annabeth's shoulders. "We'll be back soon," he promised. It sounded so simple, far too good to be true. He turned to everyone else, catching Annais' eyes and nodding. She returned the gesture, a silent promise; I'll keep Ezra safe, no matter what. He knew, Annabeth knew, that today more than ever, Ezra was of priority. "Good luck, everyone."

Annais watched them until they were too far away to be seen anymore. Then, she turned to Jason, wrapping her arms around him before she could change her mind.

"You'll stay safe?" he murmured into her hair.

Unlike Percy, Annais wasn't prepared to dish out potentially false promises. "I will if you do," she said, as if safety in a life or death situation could be negotiated.

Jason smiled. He kissed her before she could stop him. Annais' face burned from half a dozen pairs of eyes watching them. For a second, she thought she heard Gleeson gasp in horror.

"Come back to me," Jason murmured, then hesitated.

Annais frowned at him. "I'll try."

He watched her until she was a mere dot in the distance; then, forced his mind to move on from the girl he loved.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

ANNAIS HAD FORGOTTEN HOW much she detested going on quests with Leo. It was like baby-sitting a toddler who had a knack for chasing down certain death; and, to top it off, said toddler knew what he was doing and continued just because it annoyed Annais. They were only twenty minutes in, and yet she wanted nothing more than to head back to the ship.

"Valdez!" she exclaimed, beginning to sound like a broken record as she watched Leo unwittingly step out into oncoming traffic. She managed to latch onto his sleeve at the last second, yanking him back between her and Frank, who looked ready to push Leo in front of the cars himself. "For the love of Hades, we're never going to find Nico at this rate."

"That's not just my fault," Leo protested, then quickly second-guessed himself when Hazel's face dropped and Frank's eyes narrowed into a glare. "I, uh -- That's now what I -- Sorry, Hazel. . ."

Hazel didn't respond, anxiously beginning to fumble with the ends of her hair when they rounded the corner onto yet another familiar street. Annais recognised the pizza place located on the other side of the road; they'd already passed it three times. Hazel followed her eyes and groaned in dismay. "It's just. . . there's so many underground here, so many layers, it's overwhelming! Like standing in the middle of an orchestra and trying to concentrate on a single instrument. I'm. . . I'm going deaf!"

"It's alright, Hazel," Annais assured the girl, even though it definitely wasn't alright and Nico's prospects were looking more and more bleak by the hour. "We'll find him another way."

Though Annais had no other suggestions to give, and neither did the others. So they continued to helplessly walk around in circles, blending in with the tourists that seemed to clog the streets the closer the group got to the heart of Rome. It was a beautiful city, but Annais couldn't find it in her to enjoy it.

"I never thought I'd get to see Rome," Hazel commented at one point, when they were leaving behind The Forum. "When I was alive -- I mean, the first time -- Mussolini was in charge. We were at war."

"Mussolini?" Leo echoed the name with a frown. "Wasn't he, like, BFFs with Hitler?"

Hazel gaped at him, though an edge of curiosity glinted in her eyes, caught between distrust and suspicion whenever it came to understanding Leo's brain. "Uh. . . BFFs?"

"Never mind."

Hazel turned to Annais next. Annais let out a sigh. "Another time."

The daughter of Pluto looked ready to argue; instead, she let her eyes dart around the vibrant streets and was quickly distracted again. "I'd love to see the Trevi Fountain," she said, and Leo's nose scrunched up.

"There's a fountain on every block. . ."

"Or the Spanish steps."

"Why would you come to Italy to see Spanish steps? That's like going to China for Mexican food, isn't it?"

"You're hopeless," Hazel glowered, looking utterly fed up with him.

"So I've been told."

"It's true," Annais nodded. "I tell him that all the time."

Shaking her head, Hazel grabbed Frank's hand and dragged him ahead of Annais and Leo, Frank looking down at her with a dreamy sigh. "Come on. I think we should go this way."

"Because listening to you worked out so great the last time. . ." Leo grumbled, to which Annais almost immediately whacked him over the head. Leo let out a cry that earned him a dubious stare from Hazel and Frank. "Hey! What was that for?"

"You know what."

Before Leo could retort, they arrived at a church of some kind. Its large, domed roof loomed over distinct, Roman columns, an inscription written across the top of the door in neat cursive.

M. AGRIPPA.

"Latin for 'get a grip?'" Leo smirked, proud of himself for thinking of the remark.

Annais rolled her eyes.

"This is our best bet," Hazel declared then, running her hand along the grooves of the doorframe like she expected to find a secret hatch hidden there. Even when she pulled back in defeat, she sounded certain. "There should be a secret passage somewhere inside."

Behind them, a large group of tourists gathered to the side of the steps. Some had information brochures on the history of the church. Others held cameras and were photographing the scenery, and themselves standing in front of different monuments. Their presence was a nuisance -- with so many of them, it would be hard to truly look around without being spotted -- but Annais would find a way, even if she had to knock a few of them out.

No one was going to stand in the way of her finding Nico. Her brother wasn't about to die on the day she lost her sister. Life couldn't be that cruel.

"This is the Pantheon," Leo realised after listening to the Spanish tour guide for a second. "It was originally constructed by Marcus Agrippa as a temple to the Gods. After it burned down, Emperor Hadrian rebuilt it, and it's been standing for two thousand years. It's one of the best-preserved Roman buildings in the world."

"How did you know that?" Hazel frowned, trying not to seem impressed by the knowledge.

Leo grinned. "I'm naturally brilliant."

"Bullshit," Annais scoffed, Leo shooting her and Frank an offended look when the son of Mars added, "He just eavesdropped to the tour guide."

It was Hazel's turn to smirk then, making a show of laughing at Leo's pouting face. "That does make more sense."

"You're all so cruel to me."

"Yeah, yeah, get a move on, won't you?" Annais grumbled, pulling at her sweat-slick shirt that was beginning to stick to her chest. She'd picked a horrible day to wear a black tank top. "It's as hot as balls out here."

Annais knew she made a mistake when Leo's pout quickly changed into a shit-eating grin. "Whose balls? Jason's?"

"Leo!" Hazel let out a gasp. She looked horrified, her face turning a sickly shade of green. It was a wonder she hadn't fainted on the spot from the shock of it.

Leo paid her no mind. He was too busy debating how far he could push Annais. "I see you've been spending too much time with your sister."

"I'm going to kill you."

"Okay!" And there was the limit. Leo backed up nervously against the door. "We're going inside now! I hope this place has air conditioning. . ."

Of course, just when Annais needed it, there was no air-conditioning in sight. Not even a fan, or an open window to let in a breeze. And to top it off, the room was already stifling with the giant group of tourists and their body heat warming up the place. Annais was beginning to contemplate just walking around in her sports bra, modesty be damned, when Hazel stopped in the middle of the room and forced the others to pause, too.

The Pantheon was. . . beautiful; in a historical kind of way, of course, but also in a natural way. Thousands of years of life and death were ingrained into the marble floors, the shrines and statues that were woven into the walls. Above their heads, the kaleidoscope domed ceiling let through beams of sunlight in an abundance of colours; reds, blues, pinks and greens -- a sea of colour bathing the statues' faces in the light of Zeus himself.

"This is. . .it's just so. . ."

"Amazing," Hazel finished what Annais couldn't quite put into words. "You know, in the old days, the children of Vulcan would come here in secret to consecrate demigod weapons. This is where Imperial gold was enchanted."

It truly fascinated Annais how time worked. People changed, the world continued to spin, Gods ruled and rioted, and yet the Earth -- as troublesome as She was -- had seen everything in its entirety, a constant fly on the wall, a listening ear for what people took to their shallow graves.

Suddenly, Annais felt awfully exposed.

"There should be an entrance, a tunnel that will lead us toward Nico," Hazel said. "I can sense it close by. I'm just not sure where."

Frank sighed. It was the first sound Annais had heard from him for a while. She'd almost forgotten he was there, towering over Hazel's small frame as he gripped her hand. "If this building is two thousand years old, it makes sense there could be some kind of secret passage left over from the Roman days."

What Frank said was logical. Annais appreciated that. At least someone could see reason; it was easy to lose hope whenever Leo came on a quest. She could never quite tell what he was thinking, just that it was going to cause some trouble. For a moment, he spun around in a dizzying circle, eyeing each of the statues faces until he reached the Virgin Mary on top of the altar.

"Over there," Leo said, and Annais barely had time to blink before he marched across the room and left them behind. He called over his shoulder at them, earning a few glares from the tourist group who were trying to get a photo at the altar, "The passage is around here. This guy's final resting place is in the way. . . Raphael somebody."

"A famous painter, I think," Hazel commented as the others joined him.

Fortunately, most of the tourists had moved on by then, no longer seeming to care about the loud teenagers lingering about. But three of them in particular stood out to Annais. They were. . . different. The others were gawking at the dome, but these three men just. . . didn't care. They wore their tourist merch and each held a brochure about the Pantheon; however, they looked