DIVINE » l. valdez

xvi

"And this is Annabeth," Jason said. "Uh, normally she doesn't judo-flip people."

Reyna's eyes sparkled. "You sure you're not a Roman, Annabeth? Or an Amazon?"

"I only attack my boyfriend like that," she promised. "Pleased to meet you."

Reyna clasped her hand firmly. "It seems we have a lot to discuss. Centurions!"

A few of the Roman campers hustled forward—apparently the senior officers. Two kids appeared at Percy's side. The first one was an Asian guy who looked to be near Hina's age. He was a solid guy, with a buzz cut. He was cute in a giant teddy bear way. The other Roman was a girl. She was short, with curly hair and chocolate skin. Her brown eyes shone in the sun and she held her helmet under her arm.

The two stood close to Percy, in a protective stance. It was obvious they were as close with him as Leo, Hina, and Piper were with Jason.

The girl was frowning in Leo's direction, as if repressing a bad memory. Without thinking, Hina pulled Leo closer to her side, away from the girl's gaze.

Meanwhile, Reyna was giving orders to her officers. "...tell the legion to stand down. Dakota, alert the spirits in the kitchen. Tell them to prepare a welcome feast. And, Octavian—"

"You're letting these intruders into the camp?" A tall guy with stringy blond hair elbowed his way forward. "Reyna, the security risks—"

"We're not taking them to the camp, Octavian." Reyna flashed him a stern look. "We'll eat here, in the forum."

"Oh, much better," Octavian grumbled. He seemed to be the only one who didn't defer to Reyna as his superior, despite the fact that he looked dangerously anemic and for some reason had three teddy bears hanging from his belt. "You want us to relax in the shadow of their warship."

"These are our guests." Reyna clipped off every word. "We will welcome them, and we will talk to them. As augur, you should burn an offering to thank the gods for bringing Jason back to us safely."

"Good idea," Percy put in. "Go burn your bears, Octavian."

Reyna looked like she was trying not to smile. "You have my orders. Go."

The officers dispersed. Octavian shot Percy a look of absolute loathing. Then he gave the Greeks a suspicious once-over and stalked away.

Hina looked up at the Argo II. Its massive bronze hull glittered in the sunlight. She wanted to retreat into the ship with Leo and hide away in the control room. They were welcomed to New Rome, but Hina had a sense that it wouldn't last long.

They seemed to be really good at having their plans go awry. 

"Excellent," Reyna said. She turned to Jason, and Hina thought there was a hungry sort of gleam in her eyes. "Let's talk, and we can have a proper reunion."

Hina thought they ate well at Camp Half-Blood, until she saw the Roman's feast.

Sets of couches and coffee tables were wheeled into the forum, making the space look like a furniture store than a Roman forum. Romans lounged around in small groups, laughing and chatting while the occasional wind spirit floated by carrying trays of food.

The food was seemingly never ending, the wind spirits bringing in trays full of pizza, fresh cookies, sandwiches, lemonade, and chips. Purple ghosts drifted through the tables in their togas and armor. At the edge of the room, satyrs, or fauns- Hina corrected herself, were begging for scraps of food and money. Her heart broke looking at the creatures, knowing how enraged Hedge would be if he saw the scene.

Hina sat sandwiched between Leo and Piper with the Greeks, and they faced Reyna, Octavian, along with Percy and his two friends. A whirlwind of plates settled before them.

"I could get used to this," Leo whispered into Hina's ear, prompting the blonde to smile in agreement. 

New Rome was a sanctuary for demigods.

Reyna called for a toast to friendship and all of the demigods, Greek and Roman, raised their glasses in the air.

Then, they went around the table, introducing themselves. Hina learned Percy's friends were Frank and Hazel. They seemed like good people.