{1} 𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐒𝐄𝐘𝐄 | p.jackson

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘺

| chapter twenty |
in which the oracle decides to head downstairs for a little chat
( and a bonus: a quest is issued! )

NIA WOKE WITH A START AND LOOKED OVER AT THE BUNK OPPOSITE FROM HERS. There was Zoë, shaking like she had just had a nightmare, too.

She looked over at Nia and immediately said, "Artemis—"

"—and Annabeth are in trouble," Nia finished. "I know! Come on — We have to get Chiron!"

The two hurried out of bed and stumbled to the Big House in the dark. Nia was so panicked, she didn't even register Grover sitting outside the cabin. She probably looked like a mess with her pajama pants, old t-shirt, and hair up in a messy bun, but Nia didn't particularly care at the moment. Nia and Zoë both rushed to the Big House where Argus was standing outside.

"Argus!" Nia called. "We have to talk to Chiron."

Argus simply shook his head.

"Let us in, you boil-brained lout!" Zoë said. "Artemis is in danger! She needs us!"

Argus narrowed all his eyes and was about to say something — probably something just as rude — but then Chiron came out in his pajamas and with his horsetail in curlers. "What's going—"

"Chiron, my mom is in trouble," Nia said, out of breath.

"We need permission to leave camp immediately," Zoë said, turning to Chiron.

"I'm afraid you can't," Chiron said softly. "The Hunters are supposed to stay here until you receive orders from Artemis."

"How are we to get orders from Artemis if Artemis is lost?" Zoë said.

Nia looked at the centaur, eyes pleading. "Chiron, please, you have to let us go!"

Chiron looked at her sympathetically and put a hand on Nia's shoulder. "I am sorry, my dear, but I cannot. The last thing that your mother would want is for you to be yourself in danger."

Zoë threw her hands up and stormed back off to Cabin Eight, fuming.

Nia slid down to the stairs of the Big House and put her face in her hands, knowing that Chiron was right. But her mother and best friend were in trouble and Chiron expected her to just stay put?

What was she going to do?