Piper was starting to learn how to read Reyna. The pirate was quiet and kept to herself. It was like she was scared of opening herself up and putting her heart out there. She didn't like to share her emotions. But, Piper could see that Reyna was a caring person deep inside, even if she didn't show it much. The only thing that Piper learned about Reyna was to just get away from her when she was angry.
That wasn't quite possible now. Reyna was clearly fuming. Her entire body was tense, and she stared down at her Pegasus. Both of Reyna's hands gripped the reins tightly. The two of them were using Scipio to get to the other side of the island. Piper wanted to ask why they didn't just board the ship and then veer around to the other end, but something told her it wasn't the best time to ask. Piper focused on their surroundings.
From above, the island was almost breathtaking. A few people were milling around, but the majority seemed to be on the beaches fishing or surfing. Some also laid back on the beach and were working on their tans. If anyone saw a Pegasus flying overhead, they didn't react. The beauty of the island was marred by Circe's spa looming over it.
Everyone seemed to steer clear from Circe's part of the island. Piper could imagine that the witch was oppressive, and she got the feeling that Circe wasn't that well liked. The witch was exactly how Piper expected: cold and evil. It made sense that Reyna didn't like her.
Piper glanced at Reyna. She wanted to ask where they were going after they landed, but something told her that Reyna didn't know. Circe had not given them much to go on, and Reyna seemed pretty annoyed by that as well. Piper slowly spoke, "What should we do when we find these people?"
"It depends on who they are," Reyna muttered. She let go of the reins and sighed. "Like I said earlier, I just want to do reconnaissance and see who it is. We'll go from there."
Piper nodded and didn't say anything else. Reyna glanced back at her and spoke, "I'm sorry, Piper. I'm just annoyed by Circe."
"It's okay," Piper said. She didn't know what else to say. Piper had been there for what Circe said to Reyna. There was no missing how much that bothered and and angered Reyna. It had also thrown Reyna off of her game, and something told Piper that was what Circe wanted. "I know you have a lot of pressure on your shoulders right now."
"You don't have to make me feel better," Reyna muttered. She shook her head. "I just don't get what Circe is trying to pull. Why does she think that showering me with alcohol and women will make me happy? I just want to talk business."
Piper studied Reyna. She spoke, "Why do you think Circe offered those things to Hylla?"
"Because it's all Hylla cares about," Reyna answered. She looked forward. Piper didn't have the heart to tell Reyna that Circe did those things to make Hylla feel comfortable, and Hylla accepted it to make Circe feel comfortable. The two showed trust in each other, which helped with business.
Reyna wanted to jump straight to the point, and Circe obviously didn't know what to make of her. Circe probably thought that Hylla or Reyna was trying to pull something, and Reyna's actions weren't helping any. Piper bit her tongue and instead looked at Reyna's back.
"Just follow my lead. I want to be done with this stupid errand," Reyna said. She said something in Latin, and Scipio descended towards the island. They were now at the other docks, and Piper saw this side was much busier. A ship was at the docks, and men were forming an assembly line to carry crates off of the ship and onto the island.
As they landed, Reyna dismounted Scipio and helped Piper off of the Pegasus. Reyna said another word in Latin, and Scipio took off. Piper looked around, but no one was watching them. The few buildings, more like huts, seemed to be a hive of activity. People darted in and out of the huts.
Reyna looked around and made her way to the hut closest to the docks. She stepped inside. Piper quickly followed behind her. They stepped inside, and Piper looked around. A man stood behind a small counter. A logbook was on the counter in front of him, and a woman was writing into it.
Two more men stood off to the side and seemed to be watching the entrance. The woman stepped away from the logbook and left the hut. Reyna walked up to the counter. The man looked at her and spoke, "State your name and business."
"Cici sent us," Reyna said. The man's eyes narrowed slightly, and he straightened. "I need to speak to the dock manager."
"You are," the man said coldly. "And, you can tell that witch Circe that we ain't doing any more business with her."
"You have a business deal. Whatever little group that is helping you now is only pissing Circe off. If you promise to go back to her, I can make sure she works out a nice deal with you," Reyna said. The man glared at her. "Look, I know how she works. I can get you a good deal."
"You can get out," the man snapped. Reyna just watched him. Piper turned her head and saw that one of the other men had left. The other was just watching them.
"Look, this is pretty simple. Everyone here is living a decent life, and I know that Circe is trying to take your home away from you. She's trying to kick you off of your island, but here's the thing. Circe is going to make your life a living hell if you don't work with her. She will enslave you or worse. If you work with me, I can get you a fair deal," Reyna said. She rested her hands on the counter.
"I can make it so that Circe doesn't take anymore of your land. She doesn't hurt anyone you love or try to enslave them. You can even make a profit with her. All you have to do is let Circe use these docks without taking from her suppliers and tell me who has been harassing her."
"Who do you think you are to make these demands of me?" the man questioned. He walked out from behind the counter. Despite the fact that he was a foot taller than Reyna, she didn't move an inch. She just looked up at him unimpressed.
"Someone who can make your life a living hell," Reyna answered. The man glared at her. Piper heard footsteps and turned around. She stared as two men with guns walked into the hut. Reyna seemed to notice them too. She pushed herself off of the counter, but the man suddenly injected his fist into her stomach.
Reyna yelled in pain and collapsed to her knees. She placed both hands to her stomach and gasped desperately for breath. Piper quickly stepped back and opened her mouth. Both guns immediately moved to her. One of the gunmen spoke, "Do not say a word. We know of your witching words."
Piper knew better than to say anything, so she just nodded. Her glance moved to the side. Reyna looked up and slowly spoke, "Tell them to back off."
"They're not mine," the man at the counter stated. He stepped away. Reyna placed one of her fists to the ground and kept her other against her stomach. Piper quickly knelt by Reyna's side, but Reyna shook her head.
"Stand up and don't make any sudden movements," the other gunmen said. Piper reluctantly stood. One of them threw a bag at her, and she slowly put it on. The world was consumed by darkness, and she felt someone grab her hands. Her arms were tied behind her back. "Walk."
Piper slowly walked forward and felt someone leading her. The sun hitting her bare skin was the only indication they had made it outside. She was led onto sand and then shoved to the ground. A grunt near her told her that Reyna had been thrown to the ground as well.
"Don't move," one of the gunmen ordered. Piper slowly rested her head against the sand. The bag was impossible to see through, and the only noises she could make out was the sounds of birds and the ocean. She heard a cracking noise a moment later. "I told you to not move!"
"Stop," Piper began, but she felt a gun pressed against the back of her head. Piper quickly shut her mouth. Minutes of silence passed as Piper tried to think of a plan. Speaking would end with her brains splattered all over the sand. Reyna had to be in a similar position, and she doubted Circe had sent anyone to help them. They had to wait to see who the leader was, but there was no guarantee he wouldn't kill them.
Piper heard a groan, and she was pulled to her knees. The bag was thrown off of her head, and she blinked a few times. Piper looked around. The two gunmen were standing behind her. Three more were standing in front of her, but it was the one in the middle who drew her attention.
The man wore a black vest and black combat pants. A shotgun rested in his hands, and a belt of ammo was across his chest, along with a few knives. His face was surprisingly young, but he was tan and muscular. A small smirk was on his face. He grabbed his shotgun and loaded it.
"Now, I have one question before I kill you," the man said. He walked towards Reyna and rested the shotgun against her chest. Reyna was being kept on her knees by one of the gunmen, and the bag had not been taken off of her head. After a moment, Reyna looked up.
"Hey there, Marcus," Reyna said. The man stepped away and lowered his shotgun. Then, he tore the black bag off of Reyna's head.
"Quartermaster? What the hell are you doing here?" Marcus questioned. He placed the shotgun on his back and then snapped his fingers. The gunman let go of Reyna, and she brought her hands to her bloody nose. The rope around Piper's wrists were cut, and Piper quickly brought her hands in front of her.
"Circe wanted me to kill the guy who was making her life a living hell," Reyna answered. She slowly tried to stand. Piper quickly stood and helped her. Marcus studied the two of them. "Should have known it was you."
"The witch has gotten only a fraction of what she deserves," Marcus stated.
"We can both agree that Circe deserves to rot in Tartarus," Reyna said. "But, you need to leave her and her island alone. You owe me after all. I saved your ass."
"How much do you have?" Marcus questioned. A confused look came to Reyna's face. "This island is pretty profitable. Do you know how much money we earn a day here? Can you match that?"
"You owe me," Reyna said. "I saved your life. I'm cashing in that favor, and you are going to leave Circe's island alone."
"Do you really think that Circe will hand over the information about how to reattach the wings that easily?" Marcus asked. A frown came to Reyna's face, and she didn't answer. Piper went to open her mouth, but Reyna gave her a cold look. Piper looked down.
"You know," Marcus began. He grabbed his shotgun once again and examined the barrel. Marcus checked to make sure it was loaded. "It's kind of funny actually. I received a call recently from Trevor Avenicci. Have you ever heard of him?"
"Someone killed his parents and sister. And, they now have a huge bounty on their heads," Marcus said. He pressed the shotgun against Reyna's chest. Reyna slowly looked down at the barrel of the shotgun. Marcus used the barrel of the shotgun to lift her head back up. "A very large bounty, in fact. It would keep my men happy for a very long time."
"Now, you and your friend here can help me take over the island.. You can help the former slave become the new master," Marcus continued. He rested his finger on the trigger, and Reyna visibly tensed. "You do owe me, after all. I'm saving your life by not bringing you right to Trevor."
"What do you say?" Marcus asked. Reyna just glared at him and didn't respond. Piper felt a gun press against the back of her head. Reyna's eyes moved to the side.
"Fine," Reyna said through gritted teeth.
"Good, I'm glad we could come to an agreement!" Marcus said. He lowered the shotgun. "Now, my men are ready to go. We just need someone to take Circe out. You can handle that, right? Oh. That reminds me. Since you like to swear on the River Styx so much, I should have you swear on that little river."
"Do you know what happens to people who vow on the river and then break that vow?" Marcus questioned. Reyna didn't answer. Marcus laughed and hit Reyna's shoulder, almost like they were old friends. "Terrible things! The gods were exiled from Olympus. Well, that was only for a few years, not really exile. What did the Greeks call it? Ostracizing?"
"I'm getting off topic though," Marcus continued. "See, very bad things happen to people that break that vow. Things that are worse than death. Hopefully, none of those happen to you. Why don't you go ahead and swear to help me? And not double cross me."
"I swear to help you," Reyna muttered. She stared at the ground, but the shotgun was placed back to her chest. Marcus gave her a cheeky look. "I swear on the River Styx to help you take over Circe's island."
Thunder boomed overhead. Marcus smiled and lowered his shotgun. Reyna stared daggers into his back. Marcus spoke, "A piece of advice, kid. Learn to play the game."
"Ah, you should also figure out how you want to handle Circe. My men are attacking in eight hours," Marcus said. He looked back at the two and waved his hand. "Ta ta for now. I'll see you tonight. And, don't forget what happens if you even think about breaking that vow, because you won't have to worry about what the Fates will do. I'll destroy you myself."