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ALL TOO WELL
THE TITAN'S CURSE
[ A R T E M I S A N D A P O L L O ]
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NATALIA FLYNN DIDN'T really know what was going on. One moment she was inside the gymnasium dancing with Percy, and the next she was fighting a Manticore who was going to kidnap them along with Bianca and Nico di Angelo. Good thing she had ADHD, because if she didn't, she would probably be more hopelessly confused than she already was.
With an intelligent move by Annabeth under her cap of invisibility, Dr. Thorn was taken by surprise. Annabeth plowed through Natalia, Percy, and the di Angelos, knocking them to the ground. Dr. Thorn let his first volley of missiles fly, but they all missed due to his confusion.
Thalia and Grover now had a chance to advance from behind. She wielded her magic shield, Aegis, that was modeled from the one Athena gifted Zeus. It had the head of the Gorgon Medusa (Natalia shuddered, remembering her encounter with her), and its vision was so horrible it would make anyone panic and run the other way. Dr. Thorn even winced and growled when he saw it.
She advanced with her spear in her other hand. "For Zeus!"
Dr. Thorn snarled and swatted her spear aside as she jabbed at her head. His hand suddenly changed into an orange paw with enormous claws that sparked against Thalia's shield as he slashed. She managed to roll backwards and land on her feet.
Natalia glanced down. Her silver bracelet glinted in the moonlight. She smirked and tapped it, clenching it tightly. The sound of the helicopter was getting louder and louder. Natalia didn't let it distract her and instead let loose a Celestial Bronze arrow. It embedded itself in Dr. Thorn's shoulder. He roared and sent a volley of missiles from his spiky tail at her. Natalia's eyes widened and she rolled out of the way, managing to dodge all of the spikes.
Grover came forward. He raised his reed pipes and began to play a frantic jig. Grass broke through the snow and thick weeds wrapped around Dr. Thorn's leg. He roared again and began to change, growing larger into his true form - his face still human, yet his body was a lion.
"A Manticore!" Annabeth exclaimed, now visible since her Yankees cap had come off when she'd plowed into them.
"Who are you people?" Bianca di Angelo demanded. "And what is that?"
"A Manticore?" Nico gasped. "He's got three thousand attack power and plus five to saving throws!"
Natalia blinked. She had no idea what the hell he was talking about, but there was no time to dwell on it. The Manticore ripped apart Grover's magic weeds and turned towards the group with a snarl.
"Get down!" Annabeth pushed the di Angelos flat into the snow.
Percy suddenly hit his wristwatch, and a thick bronze shield his Cyclops brother Tyson made him sprung out. As soon as it appeared, the thorns hit against it with such force they dented the metal. Natalia heard a thwack and a yelp, and looked over to see Grover land next to her and Percy with a thud.
"Yield!" the monster ordered.
"Never!" Thalia yelled from the other side of the field.
She charged at the monster. However, there was a thunderous noise and a blaze of light from behind them. The helicopter appeared out of the mist and hovered just beyond the cliff. It was a sleek black military style gunship with attachments on the sides that looked suspiciously like laser-guided rockets. The helicopter had to be manned by mortals, but how could they be working with a monster?
The lights blinded Thalia, giving the Manticore an opportunity to swat her away with its tail. Her spear and shield flew in opposite directions.
"No!" Percy shouted.
Natalia notched an arrow and let it intercept a spike just before it hit her chest. The spike sliced in two and clattered on the ground next to Thalia while the arrow flew over the cliff. She let out a breath, having no idea that she was able to have perfect aim that fast.
Dr. Thorn laughed evilly. "Now do you see how hopeless it is? Yield, little heroes."
They were trapped between a monster and a fully armed helicopter. There was no way they had a chance, but Natalia stood up straight, determined to not go down without a fight.
Suddenly, a hunting horn pierced through the silence. Natalia froze. She could recognize that sound anywhere. Everything went silent and no one moved for a moment.
"No," Dr. Thorn said. "It cannot be-"
He was cut off by a silver arrow, flying through the air like a streak of moonlight, embedding itself in his shoulder next to the one Natalia had used. Dr. Thorn staggered backwards while wailing in agony.
"Curse you!" he cried.
Dr. Thorn unleashed as many spikes as he could towards the direction the arrow had come from, but silvery arrows shot back in reply just as fast. They intercepted the thorns and sliced them in two, just as Natalia had done. Whoever shot them was trained exceptionally well.
The Manticore pulled the arrows out of his shoulder with a howl of pain. He was breathing heavily. Percy tried to slash him with Riptide, but he dodged the attack and slammed his tail into his shield, knocking him aside.
Then the archers appeared. About a dozen girls, ages ten to fourteen, were wearing silvery ski parkas and jeans and all had bows for a weapon. They advanced on the Manticore with determined expressions.
"The Hunters!" Annabeth shouted.
"Oh, wonderful," Thalia muttered.
Zoë Nightshade, one of the older and oldest archers, stepped forwards with her bow drawn. Like the couple of times Natalia had seen her, she was tall and graceful with coppery colored skin. A silver circlet, the mark of being the lieutenant, was braided into the top of her long dark hair.
"Permission to kill, my Lady?" she asked, keeping her eyes on the Manticore.
Dr. Thorn wailed. "This is not fair! Direct interference! It is against the ancient laws."
"Not so," another girl argued. Warmth flowed through Natalia just looking at her. Her auburn hair was gathered back into a ponytail. The girl's eyes, the same silvery color as the specks that were in Natalia's, shone like the moon. Her expression was stern and dangerous. "The hunting of all wild beasts is within my sphere. And you, foul creature, are a wild beast." She looked at Zoë. "Zoë, permission granted."
The Manticore growled. "If I cannot have these alive, I shall have them dead!"
He lunged at Percy and Thalia, knowing they were weak and dazed.
"No!" Annabeth yelled, charging at him.
"Get back, Half-Blood!" Zoë ordered. "Get out of the line of fire!"
Annabeth didn't listen to her. She leaped on the monster's back and stabbed him in the mane with her knife. The Manticore howled and began turning in circles with his tail flailing, making Annabeth hang on for dear life.
"Fire!" Zoë ordered.
"Wait!" Natalia screamed.
They didn't listen to her and let their arrows fly. One impaled the Manticore's neck while another hit his chest. The Manticore staggered backwards.
"This is not the end, Huntress!" he promised. "You shall pay!"
Before anybody was able to do anything, the monster leaped over the cliff onto the darkness with Annabeth still on his back.
Natalia let out a scream and her hands flew to her mouth. "Annabeth!"
Gunfire immediately came from the helicopter. The Hunters scattered as tiny holes appeared in the snow at their feet. However, the one with auburn hair merely looked up at the helicopter calmly.
"Mortals are not allowed to witness my hunt," she announced.
She thrust out her hand. The helicopter exploded into a flock of ravens that scattered in the night. Natalia continued to stare down at the cliff with Percy by her side, tears gathering in her eyes. She only turned when the Hunters bowed in front of her.
"Natalia Flynn," Zoë said respectfully.
Natalia hastily wiped away a tear that fell down her cheek. "Hello, Hunters."
They rose, and Zoë looked distastefully at Thalia. "You."
"Zoë Nightshade." Thalia's voice shook with anger. "Perfect timing, as usual."
Zoë scanned all of them. "Five Half-Bloods and a Satyr, my Lady."
"Yes," the girl with the auburn hair replied. "Some of Chiron's campers, along with my daughter."
Natalia went to go approach her mother, but Percy stopped her. "Annabeth! You have to let us save her!"
The younger girl turned to face him. "I'm sorry, Percy Jackson, but your friend is beyond help." He tried to struggle to his feet, but some of the Hunters held him down. "You are in no condition to be hurling yourself off cliffs."
"Let me go!" he demanded. "Who do you think you are?"
"Percy," Natalia said sternly.
He looked at her in disbelief, but stopped struggling when he saw the pleading look in her eyes. Natalia approached the auburn-haired girl. She squared her shoulders and knelt at her feet.
"Mother," Natalia greeted.
"Mother?" Percy asked incredulously.
"You may stand up, Natalia." She followed her mother's orders, and she put her hand on Natalia's shoulder, staring at Percy with eyes colder and brighter than the moon. "Mother is right, Percy Jackson. I am Artemis, Goddess of the hunt."
He blinked. "Um . . . okay."
Grover gasped and knelt hastily in the snow. "Thank you, Lady Artemis! You're so . . . you're so . . . Wow!"
"Get up, goat boy!" Thalia snapped. "We have other things to worry about. Annabeth is gone!"
"Woah," Bianca di Angelo cut in. "Hold up. Time out." She pointed at all of them, as if she was trying to connect the dots. "Who . . . who are you people?"
"It might be a better question, my dear girl, to ask who are you!" Artemis countered. "Who are your parents?"
Bianca glanced nervously at her little brother Nico, who was still staring in awe at Artemis. Natalia couldn't help but feel her heart swell. He was so young and innocent.
"Our parents are dead. We're orphans. There's a bank trust that pays for our school, but . . ." She faltered, obviously nothing their disbelieving expressions. "What? I'm telling the truth."
"You are a Half-Blood," Zoë told her, talking like they did in the olden days. "One of thy parents was mortal. The other was an Olympian."
"An Olympian . . . athlete?"
"No. One of the Gods."
"Cool!" Nico exclaimed.
"No!" Bianca's voice quavered. "This is not cool!"
Nico bounced up and down excitedly. "Does Zeus really have lightning bolts that do six hundred damage? Does he get extra movement points for—"
"Nico, shut up!" Bianca scolded, putting her hands to her face. "This is not your stupid Mythomagic game, okay? There are no Gods!"
Natalia couldn't help but feel sorry for her. She remembered her encounter with the snow Goddess Khione and her mother bringing her to Camp. Natalia could only guess Bianca was feeling as scared as she had back then.
Thalia's anger subsided a bit. "Bianca, I know it's hard to believe. But the Gods are still around. Trust me. They're immortal. And whenever they have kids with regular humans, kids like us, well . . . Our lives are dangerous."
"Dangerous," Bianca said. "Like the girl who fell."
Thalia turned away. Natalia looked down and began to scuff the snow with her boot. Even Artemis looked pained.
"Do not despair for Annabeth," the Goddess told them. "She was a brave maiden. If she can be found, I shall find her."
"Then why won't you let us go look for her?" Percy asked.
"She is gone. Can't you sense it, Son of Poseidon? Some magic is at work. I do not know exactly how or why, but your friend has vanished."
Natalia had a horrible feeling her mother was right.
"Ooh!" Nico raised his hand. "What about Dr. Thorn? That was awesome how you shot him with arrows! Is he dead?"
"He was a Manticore," Artemis responded. "Hopefully he is destroyed for now, but monsters never truly die. They reform over and over again, and they must be hunted whenever they reappear."
"Or they'll hunt us," Thalia countered.
Bianca shivered. "That explains . . . Nico, you remember last summer, those guys who tried to attack us in the alley in D.C.?"
"And that bus driver," Nico continued. "The one with the ram's horns. I told you that was real."
"To keep you safe, in case you were Half-Bloods, Grover was in charge of watching you," Natalia explained, clenching her bow tightly in her fist.
Bianca stared at him. "Grover? You're a Demigod?"
"Well, a Satyr, actually."
He took off his shoes and displayed his goat hooves. Bianca looked like she was going to faint.
"Grover, put your shoes back on," Thalia scolded. "You're freaking her out."
"Hey, my hooves are clean!"
"Bianca," Percy interrupted. "We came here to help you. You and Nico need training to survive. Dr. Thorn won't be the last monster you meet. You need to come to Camp."
"Camp?" she questioned.
"Camp Half-Blood. It's where Half-Bloods learn to survive and stuff. You can join us, stay there year-round if you like."
"Sweet, let's go!" Nico agreed.
"Wait," Bianca shook her head. "I don't-"
"There is another option," Zoë said.
"No, there isn't!" Thalia argued.
Thalia and Zoe glared at each other. Natalia winced. They had bad blood between them because of Luke Castellan.
"We've burdened these children enough," Artemis announced. "Zoë, we will rest here for a few hours. Raise the tents. Treat the wounded. Retrieve our guests' belongings from the school."
"Yes, my Lady."
"And, Bianca, come with me. I would like to speak with you."
"What about me?" Nico cut in.
Artemis considered him for a moment. "Perhaps you can show Grover how to play that card game you enjoy. I'm sure Grover would be happy to entertain you for a while . . . as a favor to me?"
Grover scrambled to his hooves, almost tripping over himself in the process. "You bet! Come on, Nico!"
The Demigod and Satyr walked off in the direction of the woods, talking about hit points, armor ratings, and some other stuff Natalia didn't care for. Artemis squeezed her daughter's shoulder gently with a small smile before leading a confused Bianca along the cliff. Meanwhile, the Hunters began unpacking their knapsacks and making camp. Zoë gave Thalia one last dirty look then left to oversee everything. Natalia tapped her bow and slipped the silver bracelet on her wrist.
Thalia looked like she was about to explode. "The nerve of those Hunters! They think they're so . . . Argh!"
"Hey," Natalia protested. "They're my mother's warriors. I, personally, am glad they're here."
"Sorry Tals, but I'm with Thalia," Percy said. "I don't trust—"
"Oh, you're with me?" Thalia turned to look at him furiously. "What were you thinking back there in the gym, Percy? You'd take on Dr. Thorn all by yourself? You knew he was a monster! If we'd stuck together, we could've taken him without the Hunters getting involved. Annabeth might still be here. Did you think of that?"
Percy's jaw clenched. He went to go say something, but he looked down. Natalia followed his gaze to see Annabeth's New York Yankees baseball cap lying in the snow. Thalia wiped a tear from her cheek and marched off, not saying another word.
Natalia leaned down and and picked up the cap, brushing the snow off of it. "She might still be out there," she voiced hopefully, trying to convince both herself and Percy.
Percy slung an arm around her shoulder as they both looked down at the cap. "I sure hope so, Tals."
She glanced up at him. "You should learn to trust the Hunters, Percy. And I'm not just saying that as a daughter of Artemis."
He squeezed her into his side for a moment before letting her go. "I'll try."
Several quick minutes later, the Hunters finally set up their camping site. Seven large tents made of silver silk curved around a bonfire in the shape of a crescent moon. One of the Hunters blew a silver dog whistle, making a dozen white wolves appear out of the woods. Natalia dropped to her knees as all of them came running over to her. She pet each of them on the heads until the whistle was blown again and they began circling the camp.
Natalia led Percy over to the bonfire. They sat, and she looked around. The Hunters were feeding the wolves treats while falcons watched from high up in the trees. Even the weather bent to Artemis' will, since the wind died down and the snow stopped falling. Thalia, at the edge of camp, was pacing through the woods.
She looked at Percy, who looked angry while being lost in thought. "What happened to Annabeth was not your fault, Percy. It was none of ours."
A Hunter gave him his backpack, and he gave her a quiet thank you. "How can you be so sure?"
"Annabeth's brave like that. She charges into battle like the fierce warrior she is." Natalia took out a canteen of nectar and an ambrosia square from Percy's backpack. "Now sit still and let me treat your wound. Phoebe," she paused, turning to a ginger-haired Hunter. "Could you bring me some gauze, please?"
She nodded. "Yes, Natalia."
Phoebe brought her what she asked and Natalia began to dress the wound as Grover and Nico came back.
Natalia held out the square of ambrosia to Percy. "Eat this."
"It's green!" Nico exclaimed in delight.
Percy obeyed. Natalia poured some nectar over the wound, watching as it paled back to its normal color and began to close up. She put the gauze over it and wrapped it tightly.
She patted Percy's back. "You're as good as new, Fish-Boy."
"Thanks, Moon Moon."
Nico rummaged through his backpack and laid out some figurines in the snow - small replicas of Greek Gods and Heroes. Natalia recognized Zeus with a lightning bolt, Ares with a spear, and Apollo with his sun chariot.
"Big collection," Percy commented.
Nico grinned widely. "I've got almost all of them, plus their holographic cards! Well, except for a few really rare ones."
"You've been playing this game a long time?"
"Just this year. Before that . . ." He knit his eyebrows together.
Natalia looked at him in concern. "What's wrong?"
"I forget. That's weird." He looked unsettled, but quickly shook it off. "Hey, can I see that sword you were using?"
Percy showed him Riptide and how it turned from a pen to a sword by uncapping it.
"Cool! Does it ever run out of ink?"
"Um, well, I don't actually write with it."
"Are you really the son of Poseidon?"
"Well, yeah."
"Can you surf really well, then?"
Percy looked over at Natalia, who was trying her best not to burst out laughing. "Jeez, Nico, I've never really tried."
He continued to answer questions. Did Percy fight a lot with Thalia since she was Zeus' daughter? (The answer was yes.) If Annabeth was a child of the wisdom Goddess, why didn't Annabeth know better than to fall off a cliff? (Natalia was a little angered by that one.) Was Annabeth Percy's girlfriend? (Natalia's jealousy skyrocketed.)
As soon as Percy looked like he was about to lose it, Zoë Nightshade walked up to them.
"Percy Jackson." She looked at Percy disgust, but her features softened when she looked at Natalia. "Natalia Flynn. Come with me. Lady Artemis wishes to speak with thee."
Zoë led them to the last tent. Bianca was seated across from Artemis. The inside of the tent was warm and comfortable with silk rugs and pillows covering the floor. A golden brazier of fire burned in the center. Behind Artemis, her huge silver bow that was carved to resemble gazelle horns rested on a polished oak display stand. Several animal pelts were hung on the wall. A deer with glittering fur and silver horns rested its head comfortably in Artemis' lap.
"Join us, my daughter and Percy Jackson," the Goddess ordered.
They sat across from her next to Bianca on the tent floor. Artemis studied them, which seemed to make Percy uncomfortable, but filled Natalia with warmth. She hadn't seen her mother since she was ten.
"Are you surprised by my age?" Artemis asked.
"Uh . . . a little," Percy answered.
"I could appear as a grown woman, or a blazing fire, or anything else I want, but this is what I prefer. This is the average age of my Hunters, and all young maidens for whom I am patron, before they go astray."
"Go astray?" Percy looked to Natalia's, whose cheeks burned a light shade of crimson.
"Grow up. Become smitten with boys. Become silly, preoccupied, insecure. Forget themselves."
"Oh." He looked in between Artemis and Natalia. "But I thought—"
Artemis held up her hand, and Percy went quiet. "Natalia is my only exception to my rules. And even though I broke my oath, I am glad she is here." Her eyes sparkled. "I watch over you, you know, Natalia. I feel as if it is my duty to keep you safe."
She nodded her head respectfully. "Thank you, mother."
Artemis patted the seat to her left. "Come sit, Natalia my dear."
Natalia stood up and sat down next to Artemis' left while Zoë sat on her right. Zoë glared at Percy harshly.
"You must forgive my Hunters if they do not welcome you," Artemis told Percy. "It is very rare that we would have boys in this camp. Boys are usually forbidden to have any contact with the Hunters. The last one to see this camp . . ." She glanced at Zoë. "Which one was it?"
"That boy in Colorado," Zoë responded. "You turned him into a jackalope."
"Ah, yes." Artemis nodded in satisfaction. "I enjoy making jackalopes. At any rate, Percy, I've asked you and Natalia here so that you might tell me more of the Manticore. Bianca has reported some of the . . . mmm, disturbing things the monster said. But she may not have understood them. I'd like to hear them from you."
Percy and Natalia took turns telling her what the Manticore said.
When they were done, Artemis put her hand thoughtfully on her silver bow. "I feared this was the answer."
Zoë sat forward. "The scent, my Lady?"
"Yes."
Natalia's eyebrows knit in thought. "I'm confused. What scent?"
"Things are stirring that I have not hunted in millennia, dear daughter," Artemis murmured. "Prey so old I have nearly forgotten. We came here tonight sensing the Manticore, but he was not the one I seek. Tell me again, exactly what Dr. Thorn said."
"Um, I hate middle school dances," Percy repeated.
"No, no. After that."
"He said somebody called the General was going to explain things to me."
Zoë suddenly looked pale. She went to say something to Artemis, but the Goddess raised her hand.
"Go on, Percy."
"Well, then Thorn was talking about the Great Stir Pot—"
"Stirring," Bianca corrected.
"Yeah. And he said, Soon we shall have the most important monster of all — the one that shall bring about the downfall of Olympus."
Artemis went so still she looked like an old Greek statue.
"Maybe he was lying," Percy suggested.
Artemis shook her head. "No. He was not. I've been too slow to see the signs. I must hunt this monster."
Zoë looked a little frightened, but she nodded nonetheless. "We will leave right away, my Lady."
"No, Zoë. I must do this alone."
Natalia immediately grew concerned. "Mother, let—"
"No, Natalia. This task is too dangerous for you and even for the Hunters. Zoë knows where I must start my search. None of you cannot go there with me."
She swallowed. "Yes, mother."
"As . . . as you wish, my Lady," Zoë choked out.
"I will find this creature," Artemis vowed. "And I shall bring it back to Olympus by winter solstice. It will be all the proof I need to convince the Council of the Gods of how much danger we are in."
"You know what the monster is?" Percy urged.
Artemis gripped her bow, a habit that Natalia also adorned. "Let us pray I am wrong."
"Can Goddesses pray?"
A smile flickered across Artemis' face. "Before I go, Percy Jackson and Natalia Flynn, I have a small task for you."
"Does it involve getting turned into a jackalope?"
"Sadly, no. I want you to escort the Hunters back to Camp Half-Blood. They can stay there in safety until I return."
"What?" Zoë blurted out incredulously. "But, Artemis, we hate that place. The last time we stayed there—"
"Yes, I know," Artemis interrupted. "But I'm sure Dionysus will not hold a grudge just because of a little, ah, misunderstanding. It's your right to use Cabin Eight whenever you are in need. I'm sure Natalia has kept it tidy."
She nodded at Zoë. "I'll definitely have to clean it up a little, but you're welcome to stay as long as you'd like. We're practically sisters, right?"
Zoë reached over Artemis and grabbed Natalia's hand, squeezing it gently. "Of course, Natalia."
"Besides, I hear they rebuilt the Cabins you burned down," Artemis continued.
Natalia winced, remembering the incident. Zoë let go of her hand and muttered something about foolish campers.
"And now there is one last decision to make." Artemis turned to Bianca. "Have you made up your mind, my girl?"
Bianca hesitated. "I'm still thinking about it."
"Wait," Percy cut in. "Thinking about what?"
"They . . . they've invited me to join the Hunt."
"What? But you can't! You have to come to Camp Half-Blood so Chiron can train you. It's the only way you can learn to survive."
"It is not the only way for a girl," Zoë argued.
"Bianca, Camp is cool!" Percy insisted. "It's got a Pegasus stable and a sword-fighting arena and . . . I mean, what do you get by joining the Hunters?"
"To begin with, immortality."
Percy stared at Zoë for a moment before looking at Artemis. "She's kidding, right?"
"Zoë rarely kids about anything," Artemis replied. "My Hunters follow me on my adventures. They are my maidservants, my companions, my sisters-in-arms. Once they swear loyalty to me, they are indeed immortal . . . unless they fall in battle, which is unlikely. Or break their oath."
"What oath?"
"To foreswear romantic love forever. To never grow up, never get married. To be a maiden eternally."
"Like you . . . well, kind of?"
Natalia tried to ignore eye contact with anyone at all costs. Artemis merely nodded.
"So you just go around the country recruiting Half-Bloods—"
"Not just Half-Bloods," Zoë cut him off. "Lady Artemis does not discriminate by birth. All who honor the Goddess may join. Half-Bloods, Nymphs, mortals—"
"Which are you, then?"
Zoë's eyes flashed wing anger. "That is not thy concern, boy. The point is Bianca may join if she wishes. It is her choice."
"Bianca, this is crazy," Percy argued. "What about your brother? Nico can't be a Hunter."
"Certainly not," Artemis agreed. "He will go to Camp. Unfortunately, that's the best boys can do."
"Hey!" Percy protested.
"Mother," Natalia groaned.
"You can see him from time to time," Artemis assured Bianca. "But you will be free of responsibility. He will have the Camp counselors to take care of him. And you will have a new family. Us."
"A new family," Bianca repeated, sounding like this fulfilled all of her dreams. "Free of responsibility."
Percy shook his head. "Bianca, you can't do this. It's nuts."
She looked to Zoë. "Is it worth it?"
Zoë nodded. "It is."
"What do I have to do?"
"Say this. 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."
"I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt." She paused. "That's it?"
"If Lady Artemis accepts thy pledge, then it is binding."
"I accept it," Artemis said.
The flames inside the brazier brightened, illuminating a silver glow over the room. Bianca didn't look any different, but she took a deep breath with wide eyes.
"I feel . . . stronger," she announced.
"Welcome, sister," Zoë replied.
"Remember your pledge," Artemis spoke. "It is now your life."
Natalia smiled. "Congratulations, Bianca."
Percy whirled to look at her in disbelief. "Are you gonna join, too?"
Artemis and Zoë looked at her expectantly. The girl looked down and began twiddling with her thumbs.
Natalia shook her head. "No. Not yet, at least. I might in the future if anything goes wrong."
"Do not despair, Percy Jackson," Artemis continued. "You and Natalia will still get to show the di Angelos your Camp. And if Nico so chooses, he can stay there."
"Great," Percy said. "How are we supposed to get there?"
Artemis closed her eyes. "Dawn is approaching. Zoë, break camp. You must get to Long Island quickly and safely. I shall summon a ride from my brother."
Zoë definitely didn't look happy about that, but she obeyed and told Bianca to follow her.
Bianca paused one front of Percy. "I'm sorry, Percy. But I want this. I really, really do."
Both of them left the tent, leaving Natalia and Percy alone with the Goddess Artemis.
Percy looked a little glum. "So, we're going to get a ride from your brother, huh?"
Artemis' silver eyes gleamed like a moon in the night. "Yes, boy. You see, Bianca di Angelo is not the only one with anannoying brother. It's time for you to meet my irresponsible twin, Apollo."
»»---------------------►
NATALIA WAS TIRED. Her mother had assured them that dawn was coming, but it was darker, colder, and snowier than ever. Westover Hall stood lightless on the hill, nobody noticing that Dr. Thorn and the di Angelos were missing. The Hunters stood next to Artemis, who was staring at the east, waiting for the sun to rise. Bianca sat off to one side, talking to Nico quietly (Natalia felt so bad for the kid.) Meanwhile, Thalia and Grover huddled around her and Percy, anxious to hear what had happened while in the tent.
Grover turned pale once they finished. "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 in disgust. "It's all Zoë's fault. That stuck up, no good-"
"Hey, let's not place blame," Natalia scolded.
"Who can blame her?" Grover asked dreamily. "Eternity with Artemis?"
He heaved a big sigh. Natalia shook her head and crossed her arms.
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."
"Nuts and berries. Yeah."
Finally, the sky began to lighten.
"About time," Artemis muttered. "He's sooo lazy during the winter."
"You're, um, waiting for sunrise?" Percy questioned.
"For my brother. Yes."
Natalia raised an eyebrow at Percy. "Apollo's the sun God. Remember, Fish-Boy?"
"It's not exactly as you think," Artemis told him.
"Oh, okay." Percy began to relax. "So, it's not like he'll be pulling up in a—"
A sudden burst of light and a blast of warmth appeared from the horizon.
"Don't look," Artemis warned. "Not until he parks."
Natalia looked away. The light and warmth got so intense that she felt as if her winter coat was melting off of her body. Then suddenly, as fast as it had appeared, the light died.
She opened her eyes. A red convertible Maserati Spyder was sitting there. Its metal was glowing hot, making the snow melt around the car in a perfect circle.
The driver got out of the car with a big bright and playful smile on his face. He looked about seventeen or eighteen. The driver wore jeans, loafers, and a sleeveless t-shirt.
It was the God Apollo.
"Wow," Thalia breathed to herself. "Apollo is hot."
"He's the sun God," Percy said.
"That's not what I meant."
"Ew, Thalia." Natalia scrunched her nose up. "That's my uncle."
"Little sister!" Apollo called out, his teeth a blinding white color. "What's up? You never call. You never write. I was getting worried!"
Artemis sighed. "I'm fine, Apollo. And I am not your little sister."
"Hey, I was born first."
"We're twins! How many millennia do we have to argue—"
"So what's up?" he interrupted Artemis. "Got the girls with you, I see. You all need some tips on archery?"
Artemis gritted her teeth. "I need a favor. I have some hunting to do, alone. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-Blood."
"Sure, sis!" Then he raised his hands, and everything paused. "I feel a haiku coming on."
All of the Hunters groaned.
Apollo cleared his throat and held up one hand dramatically. "Green grass breaks through snow. Artemis pleads for my help. I am so cool."
He grinned and waited for applause. None of them clapped.
"That last line was only four syllables," Artemis told him.
Apollo frowned. "Was it?"
"Yes. What about I am so big-headed?"
"No, no, that's six syllables. Hmm."
He began muttering to himself.
Zoë turned to them. "Lord Apollo has been going through this haiku phase ever since he visited Japan. 'Tis not as bad as the time he visited Limerick. If I'd had to hear one more poem that started with, There once was a Goddess from Sparta—"
"I've got it!" Apollo announced. "I am so awesome. That's five syllables!" He bowed, looking extremely pleased with himself. "And now, sis. Transportation for the Hunters, you say? Good timing. I was just about ready to roll."
"These Demigods will also need a ride." Artemis pointed to Natalia's group. "Some of Chiron's campers."
"No problem!" Apollo scanned all of them. "Let's see . . . Thalia, right? I've heard all about you."
Thalia blushed. "Hi, Lord Apollo."
"Zeus' girl, yes? Makes you my half sister. Used to be a tree, didn't you? Glad you're back. I hate it when pretty girls turn into trees. Man, I remember one time-"
"Brother," Artemis cut in. "You should get going."
"Oh, right." He looked at Natalia and his eyes widened. "Oh, no way. Natalia Flynn. Like, the Natalia Flynn?"
She waved at him. "Hello, Uncle Apollo."
"That's music to my ears! I've heard so much about you. Artemis raves about you all—"
"Apollo," Artemis insisted.
"All right, all right." Apollo's eyes then narrowed. "Percy Jackson?"
"Yeah," Percy answered. "I mean . . . yes, sir."
Apollo studied him for a moment. "Well! We'd better load up, huh? Ride only goes one way — west. And if you miss it, you miss it."
Natalia looked at the Maserati. Between the twenty of them, there were only two seats.
"Cool car," Nico commented.
"Thanks, kid," Apollo responded.
"But how will we all fit?"
"Oh." Apollo apparently didn't think about it. "Well, yeah. I hate to change out of sports-car mode, but I suppose . . ."
He took out the car keys and pressed the security alarm button. Chirp, chirp.
The car glowed brightly again for a moment. When it died, the red Maserati was replaced with a Turtle Top shuttle bus.
"Right," he approved. "Everybody in."
Zoë commanded the Hunters to begin loading. When she picked up her camping pack, Apollo said, "Here, sweetheart. Let me get that."
She recoiled, her eyes flashing murderously.
"Brother," Artemis chided. "You do not help my Hunters. You do not look at, talk to, or flirt with my Hunters. And you do not call them sweetheart."
Apollo raised his hands in surrender. "Sorry. I forgot. Hey, sis, where are you off to, anyway?"
"Hunting. It's none of your business."
"I'll find out. I see all. Know all."
Artemis snorted. "Just drop them off, Apollo. And no messing around!"
"No, no! I never mess around."
Artemis rolled her eyes and then looked back at the group. "I will see you by the winter solstice. Zoë, you are in charge of the Hunters. Do well. Do as I would do."
Zoë straightened up. "Yes, my Lady."
"Natalia." The daughter of Artemis looked her mother in the eyes. "Assure these Demigods get to Camp safely and that my Hunters will feel welcomed in Cabin Eight." Her eyes then flickered down to Natalia's silver bracelet. "You've been using the weapon I gifted you well. Continue to do so."
She nodded. "Yes, mother. Be careful."
Artemis knelt and touched the ground. When she rose, she looked extremely troubled. "So much danger. The beast must be found."
With that, she sprinted into the woods, melting into the snow and shadows. Natalia stared at the place she once stood wistfully.
Apollo turned and grinned, jingling the car keys on his finger. "So," he began. "Who wants to drive?"
★彡
when I first thought of natalia, in the very beginning stages of her character, I knew that she had to reunite with her mother in this scene!!! I hope I did not disappoint