DIVINE » l. valdez

iii

Hina stood up, cutting Annabeth off abruptly.

"It's me, Jason. I'm the sun that shines brightest," Hina promised, locking eyes with the leader. Jason nodded slowly, as if inviting Hina to provide proof.

Hina glanced towards Will nervously, who mimed hitting Hina with a sword. She gulped and nodded back.

"Jason, could you- ummm," he seemed to understand her request and raised him javelin into the air once again. The campers cowered away in fear as electricity arced towards Hina. For a millisecond, Hina froze, the image of lightning striking her mom blurring her vision. She raised her hands quickly, to block the lightning from hitting her. A bright light enveloped the amphitheater as a wall of golden light absorbed the lightning strike.

Chaos broke out between the campers, no one knowing how to process the events. Will's voice boomed over the noise, gaining their attention.

"It's her, she's the only child of Apollo who can control light."

Jason cracked a smile, letting relief wash over Hina.

"You're in."

The two shared a smile, before Jason continued, deciding on his final member.

"The dove-"

Drew shot to her feet, interrupting Jason once again, "Oh, absolutely! The dove is Aphrodite. Everybody knows that. I am totally yours." She flashed Jason a flirtatious smile.

Piper frowned as she stepped forward. "No."

Hina was relieved Piper stood up against Drew, unable to imagine spending any time with the diva.

Drew rolled her eyes. "Oh, please, Dumpster girl. Back off."

"I had the vision of Hera; not you. I have to do this."

"Anyone can have a vision," Drew said. "You were just at the right place at the right time." She turned to Jason. "Look, fighting is all fine, I suppose. And people who build things ..." She looked at Leo in disdain. "Well, I suppose someone has to get their hands dirty. And a human lightbulb..." Drew frowned at Hina. "But you need charm on your side. I can be very persuasive. I could help a lot."

The campers started murmuring about how Drew was pretty persuasive. Hina found herself nodding along, beginning to doubt her opinion. Even Chiron was scratching his beard, like Drew's participation suddenly made sense to him.

"Well ..." Annabeth said. "Given the wording of the prophecy—"

"No!" Piper's own voice sounded like it was cutting through glass, more persuasive, insistent. "I'm supposed to go."

Hina felt like her mind was a tennis court, continuously flipping between Drew's side and Piper's. The girls went back and forth, their words sounding muddled.

Suddenly Piper was enveloped in a reddish glow, as her clothes transformed into a sleeveless ballgown, her hair becoming untangled. Hina was amazed, before Piper was beautiful in her old clothes, but now she was absolutely stunning.

"Beautiful... Piper you're a knockout," Jason exclaimed, his mouth falling open slightly. Hina bit back a laugh at Jason's reaction. Drew's shrill voice gained everyone's attention as she shrieked, "No! Not possible!"

"This isn't me," Piper protested. "I—don't understand."

Chiron the centaur folded his front legs and bowed to her, and all the campers followed his example.