Lucas woke to the sound of soft humming.
The loft above Rainbow Organic was quiet, save for the occasional creak of the wood. The smell of lavender and bread filled the air. Lucas pushed himself upright, wincing slightly as the soreness from yesterday settled into his muscles.
Harold was already awake, curled beside a folded wool blanket, blinking slowly at the door.
A knock followed. Then the door creaked open, revealing Fleecy floating in with a tray. "Good morning," she said cheerfully. "Breakfast. Herbal bread, sliced fruit, and my latest attempt at cloud-pudding."
Lucas rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "You're a lifesaver."
Thalia was already halfway through a piece of bread, sitting cross-legged on a cushion near the window. Luke leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, watching Fleecy with a guarded but appreciative look.
"How're your wounds?" Fleecy asked, setting the tray on the table between them.
Thalia rotated her arm slowly. "Completely Healed"
Fleecy beamed. "That's the Asclepius cream. Works as good as ambrosia without the worry from over-consumption."
A few minutes later, Iris entered. She was barefoot, dressed in a loose wrap patterned with faded rainbows. "I hope you slept well."
Lucas nodded. "Better than expected."
"Good. You'll need the rest." She moved to a nearby shelf and pulled down a small leather satchel. "A parting gift. Just essentials. Bandages, another jar of the cream, some powdered nectar, and this."
She pulled out a thin, silver chain with a rainbow pendant the size of a coin.
"A charm?" Lucas asked
"It's just a decoration," she said. "Pretty, but not enchanted. Still, I think it suits you."
Lucas accepted it with a quiet thank you.
They packed their things, said their goodbyes, and stepped into the rising light.
...
A few days later
The drive was quiet. They passed through stretches of flatland and low desert, the roads long and empty. Lucas watched the horizon blur under the heat.
Luke finally broke the silence. "We're heading to Caesar's Palace. Hermes said the auction would be hosted there."
"That's subtle," Thalia muttered.
"It's Vegas. Subtlety gets ignored." Luke shifted in his seat. "He said someone old runs it. Didn't give a name."
They reached the city by late afternoon. Neon lights shimmered in the distance, the desert giving way to glowing towers and impossible opulence. They parked just off the Strip and made their way to Caesar's Palace.
Lucas felt the Mist grow heavier as they neared the entrance. A man stood at the door, dressed in a crisp black suit, hands folded in front. He looked ordinary, except for his golden eyes.
He didn't smile. "Demigods."
The word was bitter.
Thalia bristled, but Luke stepped forward. "We're here for the auction."
The man smiled, "No entry without invitation, get lost"
Luke had to hold back Thalia as she was about to confront the man. Instead he simply handed an invitation to the man, which caused him to frown.
The bouncer gave a faint, reluctant nod and opened the door without a word.
Thalia leaned towards Lucas whispering, "What's with the golden eyes?"
"Eidolons. Spirits that possess others." Lucas answered, focusing on what was on the other side of the door.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted. The walls gleamed with false gold and marble, but it was the crowd that stole their attention. Ghosts shimmered faintly, drifting past satyrs dressed in blazers. A pair of dracaenae slithered past an elderly demigod with a jeweled eyepatch.
Demigods were few. Mortals were non-existent.
A temporary stage had been built at the end of the hall. Rows of seating stretched back from it, velvet-robed and numbered. Lucas caught glimpses of magical artifacts in cases lining the walls.
They approached a waiter, a thin man whose smile was too practiced, whose golden eyes betrayed his nature.
Luke spoke calmly. "We're here to speak with whoever's in charge. It's important."
The waiter raised an eyebrow. "Important?"
"Olympus-important."
That earned a pause.
The waiter didn't speak again, but they caught the slight frown. He gestured for them to follow.
They were led through a side door and down a corridor lined with coin-stamped wallpaper. At the end stood a man dressed in an italian-tailored suit, fingers glinting with rings. His face was sharp, looking like a man straight off wall-street.
But what stood out was the look on his face, annoyance.
"Why has Olympus sent some brats to me?"
Luke stepped forward. "We've come on behalf of Olympus. The Chains of Prometheus..."
"Are under auction," Plutus interrupted. "And will remain so."
Lucas watched the god closely. He saw the glint of frustration when Olympus was mentioned.
"This auction is held once every ten years," Plutus continued. "I open my vaults, I gather patrons, I set the rules. And Olympus dares send children to interrupt it?"
Luke scowled. "We were told to retrieve the chains. That's it."
Plutus' lip curled into a scornful smile. "Of course they did. They assumed their authority would be enough."
He turned his back to them. "If you want the chains, bid. Like everyone else."
Lucas stopped him, "And what of the individual who gave those chains to you? They stole from Olympus, surely you wouldn't mind giving a name to help divert the gods anger? After all, you wouldn't want to be considered the thief who stole from Olympus, right?"
That caused the god to pause and turn to face Lucas, studying him.
"You are an interesting one...threatening me....fine, I suppose I can give you the information but, you must guarantee I will not be held accountable. It would be a bother to have Olympus summon me." He finished, turning to Luke, understanding him to be the leader of this quest of theirs.
Receiving a nod from Luke, he gave the information.
"I received the chains from the Kerkopes, they were the ones who stole the chains. Now if you will excuse me, I have an auction to start"
Watching Plutus make his way back towards the auction floor, they decided to return too.