Happy New Year! Anyone have any New Year's Resolutions for 2020? I returned from China a few months ago and have been slowly adjusting to life back home. It's been pretty boring tbh and I've been really struggling to write anything, but I figured I have this chapter already typed up. I might as well post it. If anyone's still out there and reading, I'd love any feedback you guys have.

~AF

XVIII.

Jason flew them to hide in one of the palm trees along the beach. They watched as the pirates ran ashore, jeering and yelling, brandishing their swords and cutlasses.

Reyna's expression was dark as she watched them, but she remained stoic. Once the pirates were up to the resort, Jason flew them to the crow's nest of the ship where they waited for an hour in tense silence.

Reyna didn't speak, but she didn't look scared even knowing they would soon be facing the men who kidnapped her and her sister. And despite what they were up against, Jason didn't feel scared or even nervous. He felt focused, like he did before the war games. It was like Reyna's bravery was rubbing off on him.

"They're coming back," Reyna said quietly, breaking the silence. "Remember what I said about the duel." Her black eyes met his. "You can do this," she said without a trace of doubt.

Jason believed her. He could do this. "We should wait until we're away from the island," he said.

Reyna nodded, listening as the pirates celebrated their success. "Blackbeard will come out a give a victory speech soon. That's when we'll make ourselves known," she whispered.

Sure enough, half an hour after they had started sailing away from the island, Blackbeard came out of the captain's quarters, holding a mug of a drink that was definitely not nectar.

Jason had heard stories of Blackbeard, but he was more terrifying in person than Jason could have imagined. He stood over six feet tall and was built like an ox. He had a wiry black beard that covered most of his face, making him look a bit like a bear. But his eyes were the most terrifying feature. Even from a distance, Jason could see a wild and sadistic glint in his eyes. They were black, but not nice like Reyna's, and from certain angles, they seemed to glow like smoldering embers.

"Get ready," Reyna said.

On the deck, Blackbeard began to address his men, "Gentlemen! We've had another successful raid!"

The pirates roared in approval. Blackbeard continued, "And of course, none of this would have been possible without our gracious host."

The pirates jeered and laughed, but Reyna's voice cut through the noise, "She says you're not welcome."

The pirates instantly went quiet as she and Jason swooped down from the crow's nest. The pirates murmured among themselves anxiously.

"Is that Hylla?" One whispered.

"It's Reyna."

"What's she doing here?"

Blackbeard chuckled good-naturedly, but Jason could see the flames in his eyes growing. "My, my, my... Is that our little Reynita?" Blackbeard mocked, "Where's your big sissy? We've… missed her," he said, grinning to reveal his blackened teeth.

The pirates laughed, getting over their initial shock.

"You've missed her? Was that before or after she almost took over your ship?" Reyna asked coolly.

One of the pirates raised his sword to strike at her, but Blackbeard raised his hand to stop him. He didn't try to hide his contempt for her now, the smirk leaving his face. "Did the witch send you?" Blackbeard asked.

"No," Reyna said. "Do what you'd like with Circe. She deserves what she gets. Her slaves don't, but that's not why I'm here either," Reyna said smoothly.

"So, why are you here then?" he nodded toward Jason, "I see you've gotten yourself a little boyfriend." He studied Jason uninterestedly, "If you're here to ask for my approval, I'll admit I think you're a tad young, but ultimately it's your decision."

Reyna scowled at him, and some of the pirates shifted uneasily. "I'm not here for your jokes. You have something of ours. We want it back."

Blackbeard laughed, but his eyes remained fiery and angry, "And that would be?"

"The Roman weapons from Circe's island. I want you to take us to them," Reyna said.

Blackbeard stroked his beard, "That's an interesting proposition, Reynita. But I could also just kill you and be done with you once and for all."

"We'll duel you for it," Jason said.

The pirates laughed and waved their swords until Blackbeard silenced them with a glare.

"Ah, so he does speak," Blackbeard said, trying to goad him. "A duel, hmmm? That makes things more interesting, doesn't it? And if we win the duel, what be in it for us?"

"I'll stay as your slave for the rest of my life," Reyna said calmly.

Jason stared at her in alarm. That had not been discussed as part of their plan, "Reyna—" he hissed, but she ignored him.

Blackbeard grinned and the pirates took their cue and jeered and whistled, "Oh, I like that very much. Very well, girl. You have yourself a deal. If you win, I'll take you to your precious weapons, and if I win, you'll be my slave for eternity." He held out his hand, and before Jason could try to stop her, she shook his hand.

"That settles it," He whistled once, "James, prepare to duel."

Reyna smirked, "And for a second I thought I was going to finally battle the infamous Blackbeard."

Blackbeard grinned darkly, "Oh, you won't be dueling anyone, missy. I want to see what your little boyfriend can do."

To her credit, Reyna was good at feigning alarm, "That wasn't part of the deal!"

"I'm the captain of this ship! I set the terms for the duel. My best fighter versus your friend." He turned to the crowd of pirates, "What do you say men? Shall we see what the boy can do?"

The pirates hooted and hollered, and as she turned toward him, Jason could see the slight smirk on her lips. She had known they would do the opposite of what she said she wanted. They had played right into her hands.

She walked over to him, "Remember what I told you; third step, turn and prepare to block. James was injured last year, so he favors his left side."

Jason nodded. He felt focused and powerful. He was ready.

"Fighters, step forward!" One of the pirates called.

"You've got this," Reyna murmured.

Jason and the other fighter stepped forward and the referee explained the rules, just as Reyna said.

"Ready?"

Jason and the pirate, James crossed blades.

"Positions."

Jason turned and counted his steps; one, two, three. He turned, and sure enough, James had already crossed the distance to strike, but Jason was prepared. He parried the strike and rolled to the side.

The pirate was good and definitely didn't fight like a Roman. His fighting style was a bit like Reyna's, but more open. Where Reyna fought more defensively, the pirate was more aggressive with his swings. But that also left him more vulnerable.

Jason decided to test what Reyna had told him. He feigned to the left and the pirate moved to block his hip.

Interesting, Jason thought.

He slashed toward the left and at the last moment, swung right. The pirate just barely managed to block in time.

"You really think you can win, boy?" The pirate laughed, "I'm just warming up."

Suddenly, he began to strike with such a ferocity that it took all that Jason had to deflect his blows.

He turned suddenly and struck at Jason's arm.

Jason was able to avoid getting his hand chopped off, but the blade managed to cut Jason's arm. He gasped in pain, and the pirate grinned wickedly, "I'll hack you to pieces and feed you to the sharks. Then your little girlfriend will be ours." He licked his lips, "I've certainly missed having a little girl like her aboard."

Jason felt his fury blindingly hot. Storm clouds rumbled overhead, and Jason heard a crack of thunder and felt a surge of electricity course through him. He was vaguely aware of the smell of ozone that he was fairly certain was coming off of his clothes, but he didn't care. He was so angry for Reyna. He wanted to destroy the pirates.

He let out a scream as he struck at the pirate. The pirate's eyes widened in shock as he struggled to block Jason's strikes.

A sudden charge of electricity surge through his sword, shocking James sword out of his hand. James tripped backward and landed on his butt, eyes wide with fear.

"Yield!" Jason growled, digging his sword under the pirate's chin.

"Yield! I yield!" The pirate stammered.

He lowered his sword and turned away from the pirate. He felt his energy leave him almost as quickly as it came and his arm throbbed, but he refused to let it show.

The pirates were silent and wide-eyed. Reyna tried to remain stoic, but he could see the hint of a smile on her lips.

Suddenly, her expression changed, and quicker than he could process, she struck at James over Jason's shoulder as he tried to attack Jason from behind. The pirate disintegrated into dust, an Reyna turned and suddenly had her sword under Blackbeard's chin.

Jason raised his sword as the other pirates started forward to defend their captain.

"Tell your men to back off or I'll send you to Tartarus to join your little cheater," Reyna growled, eyes steely.

Blackbeard laughed, "You need me to find your weapons and save your little camp. You wouldn't kill me."

"Really?" Reyna said, digging her sword deeper. Blackbeard made a strangled noise, "I've been at Camp Jupiter for a week. I've hated you every day for over a year." She pushed her sword deeper, and a thin line of blood began to drip down her blade, "I dare you to try me."

The pirates and Jason watched nervously waiting to see what would happen.

"Fine," Blackbeard said. The dark fire in his eyes was an inferno, "Your little friend won fair and square. I'll take you to your weapons." He gave a sharp whistle. "Thomas! Take these two to the quarter master's room. They can stay there."

"If you try to double cross us, I will send this entire ship to Tartarus where it belongs," Reyna warned coldly. "Don't underestimate my rage."

Blackbeard's eyes flashed dangerously, but Reyna's stare didn't falter.

"You heard the lady," Blackbeard shouted to his ship. "No funny business."

Reyna reluctantly lowered her sword, and the other pirates did the same. One of the pirates, Thomas, stepped forward.

"This way, ma'am," he said glancing nervously between Reyna and Jason as he took them below the deck. Even though Reyna was shorter than most of the pirates, the power she exuded was incredible. None of the pirates dared to meet her eyes as Thomas led them to their room.

He stopped in front of a door and unlocked it for them. Then, he gave them a nervous bow before running back for the deck.

The room was bare except for a bed bolted to ground, and an old lantern for light. As soon as they closed and bolted the door, Reyna crumpled, her confidence façade crumbling.

Her hands were trembling, and her breathing was ragged as she tried to control her panic. Jason dropped to his knees next to her and took one of her hands in his. "Hey, you were amazing," he said quietly. "You're doing great, Reyna."

"He knows," Reyna said. "He knows he still terrifies me."

"Well you know what, he's pretty damn scared of you too," Jason said.

They sat in silence for a few moments. He hadn't realized just how scared she really was. The fact that she was able to face her former captors, trick them into a duel, and keep them from skewering him alive was pretty impressive in Jason's eyes.

"Is your arm okay?" Reyna asked after a moment.

He had almost forgotten. He winced as he rolled up the sleeve of his torn sweatshirt, revealing an ugly looking gash. It didn't look too deep, but it definitely hurt.

"It's just a flesh wound," Jason joked in a British accent.

Reyna rolled her eyes at him as she rummaged through her backpack. "Remember when I said you're not as funny as you think you are?"

"I'll have you know; Dakota thinks I'm hysterical," He protested.

"After eight glasses of fruit punch, Dakota would probably think trees were hysterical too," Reyna said dryly. But a smile tugging on her lips just enough to betray her amusement.

Jason couldn't help but grin, "Now who's the funny one?" he teased.

Reyna cracked a smile and handed him a piece of ambrosia before beginning to bandage his arm.

"You can rest first," she said as she finished wrapping his arm. "I'll keep watch. Blackbeard's going to try something before we reach those weapons. I know it."

Jason wanted to protest, but as his adrenaline from the duel wore off and the effects of the ambrosia started to sink in, he realized he probably wouldn't be able to keep his eyes open if he wanted to.

"Okay," he said. "Wake me up in a few hours."

Reyna nodded seriously, and Jason found himself drifting off to sleep.