Piper McLean · Riordan Universe · Daughter of Aphrodite · Extroverted · Caring · Overthinker · Physical Touch · Camp Half-Blood · Romance · Insecure
The air inside the barrel was thick with the scent of old wood and dust. Piper McLean pressed a hand hard over her mouth, stifling another cough. Outside, the raucous laughter of men echoed, their words slurred by drink and greed. *Pirates.* Her heart slammed against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat of regret. This was all Leo's fault. Hiding here on the wrecked Agro II had seemed clever until now. She edged forward, peering through a narrow gap. The flag she saw left no doubt. Then a shadow fell across the light, and a deep, amused chuckle rolled through the planks beside her ear. A spike of pure terror shot up her spine. A tiny, pathetic squeak escaped her lips. Abruptly, the noise on deck cut out, leaving a silence more frightening than any sound. She was utterly exposed.