The Sun and Sky (Volume 2)

Charlotte | Fate

Charlotte didn't know what to do anymore. She tried her best to keep her emotions in check, though it became harder the more she spoke to the Praetors. Sure, they were both her friends, but her life was on the line, and more importantly: the entire camp, and she knew that she would give her life to save the demigods in a heartbeat, but she hoped she wouldn't have to.

Charlotte strolled up to Temple Hill, letting the gentle breeze fly through her hair.

She felt so free of her problems in the peaceful place. It felt like there was no prophecy, no problems, and no arguments. Just peace.

Charlotte sat down on a bench, overlooking the camp. The view impressed her every time she saw it.

What could the prophecy mean? What was coming?

After what felt like entire hours of thinking, a voice snapped her out of thought.

"Charlotte?"

The daughter of Jupiter's head snapped around to see Liam making his way to the bench.

"Why don't you come meet up with the others? You've been up here for a long time. You could use a break."

"A break from what?"
"From thinking about the prophecy."

She looked away from his eyes. "I feel like I have to though. We don't understand the slightest bit of it and we can't leave until May 21."

Liam sighed and sat down next to her. "I agree. It's frustrating. But we can't wear ourselves ragged by trying to figure something out that will obviously take time."

"But..." she trailed off.

The son of Mercury met her eyes. "Look. Nothing will happen to you. I'll make sure of it. You're going to make it back to camp, along with the rest of us."

Charlotte managed a smile, though deep down she had a gut feeling that something bad would happen.

She paused and tried to change the topic. "How did you find me anyway?"

He shrugged. "I thought you would be up here. Char wanted to make it a competition of who could find you first. She got tired of waiting for you."

The daughter of Jupiter cracked a smile. "Of course she did. She knows that I come up here a lot. I'm surprised she didn't try to race you up here."
Liam grinned. "Oh, she did."

"NOT FAIR!" a voice screamed from the side of the hill.

Char gasped for air as she made it up. She pointed to Liam, obviously frustrated. "I WAS GOING TO COME HERE! YOU STOLE MY IDEA, YOU THIEF!"

"Hey, I'm not a thief!" he protested. "And I didn't steal your idea!"

Charlotte laughed. "And what was the prize of winning this stupid contest?"

Mason appeared from behind Char, looking exhausted as well. He held up a shaky hand full of a pile of gold denarii.

"Char came up with the competition, and I think you could guess who had the idea of bringing money into it," Liam whispered to her.

Charlotte palmed her face. "Mason stop placing bets that you can't win!"

Mason panted. "I thought I could win this one!"

Char shook her head. "Maybe you could ask Liam for some gambling advise," she suggested.

Liam's face went sour.

"Why?" both boys asked at the same time.

"Because he has some experience."

"GUYS." Liam stood up, making sure everyone could see him. "HOW CAN I MAKE THIS ANY MORE CLEAR? I. DO. NOT. STEAL."

"You used to," Mason commented. "Before Char and Charlotte arrived."

"BUT NOT ANYMORE!"

"Well you still have experience with gambling and slight of hand, etcetera," Char told him.

Liam looked up at the sky as if he was saying 'I can't be around these people anymore.'

They all burst into laughter making Charlotte feel infinitely better.