71. (PERCY POV)

(PERCY POV)

I pouted when we ended it so quickly. While I was curious about why Mag was such an asshole, that wasn't the biggest thing on my mind.

What I really wanted to know about was the man I was falling in love with. He was so old and had lived so many lifetimes compared to me.

I wanted to explore them all.

I pouted again.

Deirk noticed immediately and pulled me into his lap. "What's wrong, Carnio?"

I whispered, "I wanted to see more of you."

Jo interrupted, "No, I need a minute, not right now." Deirk shifted me off his lap, looked at me, and winked. I couldn't figure out why he winked.

Then he stood and pulled Jo into his lap. I wanted to get jealous, but I was starting to understand why he was the way he was with her. She was an adult, but something happened to her when she was younger.

Something bad.

Something she wasn't old enough or strong enough to deal with yet.

I could sense it, having grown up with so many foster kids who lived in group homes before the orphanag