•as the sky falls•

•one•

Coriane Tucker sat on the chariot as they neared the Grand Canyon, sitting with her friend Annabeth and fellow demigod Butch.

She couldn't help but feel excited, eager at the thought of seeing Percy again, she would yell at him, but she would be happy, so happy to have him back.

Coriane jumped off before the chariot even landed, ignoring Annabeth and Butch, and leapt at the blond guy standing in front of her. "Where is he?"

"Where's who?" He asked, jumping away from her.

Coriane frowned and she grew anxious, turning to the boy and girl beside him. "W-what about Gleeson? Where is he, Gleeson Hedge?"

The boy cleared his throat. "He got taken by some... tornado things."

"Venti," the blond confirmed. "Storm spirits."

Annabeth had caught up to Coriane, frowning. "You mean anemoi thuellai? That's the Greek term. Who are you guys?"

The blond tried to explain. His name was Jason, the girl was Piper, and the other boy was Leo. Jason explained how these two guys from their school group turned into the storm spirits and how he ended up flying somehow.

When he finished, Coriane gripped onto Annabeth. "She told me he would be here! Where is he?"

Annabeth tried to console her, but pointed down. "Look."

Coriane looked to see he was missing a shoe. "He's not the answer." She glared to the sky. "What have you done with him?"

"We gotta go," Butch said. "Let's get them to camp and figure it out, those storm spirits might come back."

Annabeth nodded and guided Coriane back to the chariot, who was on the verge of tears from anger and sadness.

•.•.•.•

Coriane was spaced out most of the ride and only got knocked out from it when storm spirits started attacking and they crashed into the lake.

She groaned as she dragged herself ashore where Will Solace handed her a blanket and other campers used an oversized hairdryer to help. Coriane looked to Annabeth who only had a blank face as she bundled herself with the towel.

Will looked at the two. "I said you could borrow the chariot, not destroy it!"

"Sorry, Will." Coriane sighed. "We'll get it fixed."

Will only scowled before looking at the three new campers. "These are the ones? Way older than thirteen, why haven't they been claimed already?"

"Claimed?" Leo asked.

Neither Annabeth or Coriane could explain before Will kept on. "Any sign of Percy?"

Annabeth chewed the inside of her cheek. "No."

Coriane glanced to her side as Drew came to the crowd, scowling at the new comers. "Hope they were worth the trouble."

Jason looked around. "How about some answers?"

"Jason," Coriane said, "I promise we'll answer everything. Drew." She scowled. "All demigods are worth saving. There's one exception I could think of though."

Drew gasped and Annabeth snapped. "Enough. We need to give our new campers a welcoming environment. Hopefully they'll be claimed tonight."

"Would somebody tell me what claimed means?" Piper asked.

Coriane went to answer when she was blinded by a red light. When she recovered, above Leo was a fiery hammer. "That is claiming."

Butch started muttering about the curse, but Annabeth shushed him. Jason frowned. "That's the symbol of Vulcan."

Annabeth frowned. "Jason, how did you know that?"

He shrugged.

Leo groaned. "I hate Star Trek!"

Coriane looked to Will. "Take him to Cabin Nine, introduce him to his cabin-mates."

Will nodded and started to lead Leo away. Coriane looked to Jason, frowning.

Annabeth pointed to him. "Hold out your arm."

Jason did as he was told. On his right arm was a tattoo, a dozen lines with an eagle and spqr.

Coriane unconsciously backed away at the realization of what it meant. "He needs to go the Chiron."

"I'll take him!" Drew said and laced her arm through his. "This way sweetie..."

Coriane glanced to Piper who was glaring at the two.

Piper looked at Annabeth and Coriane. "Is he in trouble?"

"Good question." Coriane said.

Annabeth hesitated. "We'll give you the tour. Come on."