Panic kicked at the back of Elli’s throat as Vas shielded her from the glass. He had no idea what the real threat was as the bull headed man brought back his arm for a swing. Elli had never tried to bend the truth because the truth was supposed to be set, but if the pseudologoi could do it, why couldn’t she?
“He’s not the enemy.” She screamed holding Vas tighter than she imaged possible. “I’m not the enemy.”
Tilting its head, the bull man gazed in confusion at her words. “Dad.” She said in fright, “Behind you.”
Vas shook the broken glass off his jacket and turned to face what Elli was muttering about. Facing him was a half bull half man with a club at his side still dazed as to why he was staring at Elli. Grabbing Elli’s hand, Vas shook his head. “Grab our ice creams, we’re heading to that camp. I’ll call the police to come deal with….bull guy over here.” Vas shrugged as they ran out.
Hitting the accelerator, Vas let out a sigh. “It’s be nice to have that GPS turn on right about now.”
Elli shook her head, as she watched the half bull half man creature look around the café in confusion then meet her eyes in aggravation.
“Kiddo?” Vas questioned, seeing that Elli was still recovering, Vas sighed. “Kiddo.” He said louder.
“It’s chasing after us…” Elli said in confusion and concern. “It wants me. Like the pseudologoi… and Apate, and Dolos.”
“Well, I say it can’t have you, kiddo. If I remember correctly, the Greeks like islands and the Romans liked one huge city castle like format. Which one appeals to you more?”
Elli shook her head. “I don’t have a preference?” She shrugged. “Is there supposed to be one?”
“Sort of…” Vas shrugged. “I wouldn’t know, I’m not a demigod. All I do know is that if we go for the Roman camp then that could be anywhere, as for the Greek camp we’re looking for an island which isn’t as hard but it’s still an island which limits us.”
“Aren’t the Romans and Greeks not supposed to get along?”
Vas shook his head. “No. Not at all but seeing as they called your mother by both her Roman and Greek names I’m guessing something happened to the camps.
“One of them said that she came together, could that mean the two camps are interacting with each other?”
Vas shrugged again. “If I knew how to answer your questions I would.” He sighed, “But sadly I can’t.”
“Which one’s closer?”! Elli exclaimed asking herself more than her father who was now going ninety down the interstate with the bull man at their heels.
“New York!” Elli shifted in confusion. “You said you got half of the necklace in New York?”
Vas focused on the traffic and weaving through it. His lights were screaming and his mind was bobbling. What creature was half bull and half man? He had seen it before.
“A minotaur.” Vas exclaimed over his sirens. “What about New York?”
Elli shook her head. “A what?”
“It’s a minotaur, that’s what’s chasing us, sorry kiddo, I’m kind of trying to concentrate here.”
Elli sighed. “You got the brace from California and New York. You said was split in two at one point!” She exclaimed hoping that she wouldn’t cause them to wreck.
“Yea. What does that have to do with anything?”
“I think one of the camps is in New York and the other is California, it’s a hunch but that’s all I can say.”
“Great, Doll.” Vas grunted. “It’d be nice if we could check that somehow.”
Elli paused for a moment. “Say it.” She suggested.
“Say what?” Vas questioned.
“Well, I know I can’t hear your truths or lies but sometimes, actually…” She muttered, her voice being lost in the siren.
“You’ll have to speak up, Kiddo.” Vas said pointing to the roof of his SUV.
“I was saying.” She said louder. “I don’t always listen for your truths and lies. I always trusted you.”
Vas smirked. He had lied to Elli before, but only when he had to.
“So…” She continued. “If you say it and I’m listening for the truth then maybe I’ll be able to tell you if our speculation is right?” She asked but tried to state.
“Okay then…” Vas smirked. He would have never thought of that. “One of the camps Greek or Roman is in New York.” He exclaimed wishing he could slow down, they were heading to New York on Interstate 30.
Elli’s eyes lit up. “You told the truth. Now specify!”
“There is a Roman camp in New York?” Vas asked.
Elli sighed. “You’re supposed to say it not ask me! Questions aren’y truths or lies, their questions!”
“Right…” Vas sighed. “There is a Roman camp in New York.”
“You don’t believe that.” Elli shook her head.
“And?” Vas asked.
“I can tell that you don’t believe it but it’s not true anyways. It’s Greek. We’re going to the Greek camp.” She smile.
“There’s a Greek Camp in New York.” Vas tried again.
Elli nodded. “I already told you that.”
“Did you taste it?” Vas raised an eyebrow as he watched an arrow buzz by his SUV.
“Please tell me that you saw that too.” Vas asked glancing at Elli who had a surprised look written al over her face.
“A shimmering arrow passing by on my side? Killing the minotaur?” She questioned.
“Killing?” Vas asked as she glanced in his rearview mirror, sure enough the minotaur was gone and he slowed to a seventy five.
In front of them came a flying object running on the opposite side of the road. Turning to face it, Elli gasped in surprise.
“A pegasus!” She said in amusement.
“Is there more than one?” Vas asked still screaming from the adjustment of the siren.
“No?” Elli wondered.
“If there’s more than one then they’re called Pegasi but that’s good that we’re only dealing with one.” Vas said managing to tone done his voice.
Elli laughed. “Well, you’re not lying.” She smiled as the pegasus approached the side of the SUV with a rider who had a bow in hand and arrows on their back. Turning to look at her, he gestured for the for her to roll the window down.
Doing so, Elli observed the boy. He was older than her and seemed to have experience in his package. She could see the emotional build up inside him and shook her head as she noticed him staring at her in silence as well. Finally, Vas broke the awkward silence.
“So,” Vas grinned. “Who’s the boyfriend, if my little girl’s been sneaking out to see a guy like that every now and then...”
Elli punched Vas’s arm. “Dad! No!” She exclaimed.
The guy on the pegasus blushed and looked away.
“I’m kidding, kid,” Vas laughed as Elli took over.
“Yea, he’s kidding. You’re clearly older than me anyways.” Elli blushed. “So, what’s your name and how’d you know about the minotaur? Moreover, how did you know your arrow would kill it?”
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