Miss Quinn

68 ~ Thalia Scorches New England

"What do I have to do?" Bianca asked.

"Say this," Zoe told her, " 'I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis.'"

"I... I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis."

"'I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt.'"

Bianca repeated the lines. "That's it?"

Zoe nodded. "If Lady Artemis accepts thy pledge, then it is binding."

"I accept it," Artemis said.

The flames in the brazier brightened, casting a silver glow over the room. Bianca looked no different, but she took a deep breath and opened her eyes wide. "I feel... stronger."

"Welcome, sister," Zoe said.

"Remember your pledge," Artemis said. "It is now your life."

Percy shifted uncomfortably next to Emma.

"Do not despair, Percy Jackson," Artemis said. "You will still get to show the di Angelos your camp. And if Nico so chooses, he can stay there."

"Great," he said, trying not to sound surly. "How are we supposed to get there?"

Artemis closed her eyes. "Dawn is approaching. Zoe, break camp. You must get to Long Island quickly and safely. I shall summon a ride from my brother."

"Oh, no, not dad!" Emma groaned.

Zoe didn't look real happy about this idea either, but she nodded and told Bianca to follow her. As she was leaving, Bianca paused in front of Percy. "I'm sorry, Percy. But I want this. I really, really do."

Then she was gone, and Percy and Emma were left alone with the twelve-year-old goddess.

"So," Percy said glumly. "We're going to get a ride from Emma's dad?"

Artemis's silver eyes gleamed. "Yes, boy. You see, Bianca di Angelo is not the only one with an annoying brother. It's time for you to meet my irresponsible twin, Apollo."

Artemis assured them that dawn was coming, but Emma wasn't so sure. It was colder and darker and snowier than ever. Up on the hill, Westover Hall's windows were completely lightless. Emma wondered if the teachers had even noticed the di Angelos and Dr. Thorn were missing yet. She didn't want to be around when they did.

The Hunters broke camp as quickly as they'd set it up. Percy stood shivering in the snow (unlike the Hunters, who didn't seem to feel at all uncomfortable, and Emma who had her father's sun powers keeping her warm), and Artemis stared into the east like she was expecting something. Bianca sat off to one side, talking with Nico. Emma could tell from his gloomy face that she was explaining her decision to join the Hunt.

Thalia and Grover came up and huddled around Percy and Emma, anxious to hear what had happened in their audience with the goddess.

When they told them, Grover turned pale. "The last time the Hunters visited camp, it didn't go well."

"How'd they even show up here?" Percy wondered. "I mean, they just appeared out of nowhere."

"And Bianca joined them," Thalia said, disgusted. "It's all Zoe's fault. That stuck-up, no good—"

"Who can blame her?" Grover said. "Eternity with Artemis?" He heaved a big sigh.

Thalia rolled her eyes. "You satyrs. You're all in love with Artemis. Don't you get that she'll never love you back?"

"But she's so.... into nature," Grover swooned.

"You're nuts," said Thalia.

"Nuts and berries," Grover said dreamily. "Yeah."