Ethereal

Chapter IV

I could tell that that dawn was coming, but you could've fooled me. It was colder and darker and snowier than ever. Upon the hill, Westover Hall's windows were completely lightless. I wondered if the teachers had even noticed the di Angelos, Dr Thorn and me were missing yet. I didn't want to be around when they did. With our luck, the only name Mrs Gottschalk would remember was "Percy Jackson," and then he'd be the subject of a nationwide manhunt.

The Hunters broke camp as quickly as they'd set it up. We stood shivering in the snow (unlike the Hunters, who didn't seem to feel at all uncomfortable), and Artemis stared into the east like she was expecting something. Bianca sat off to one side, talking with Nico. I could tell from his gloomy face that she was explaining her decision to join the Hunt. I couldn't help thinking how sorry I felt for both of them, her leaving her brother like that and her feeling like this was her only hope of being free of the responsibility of being a big sister.

Thalia and Grover came up and huddled around us, anxious to hear what had happened in our audience with the goddess.

When we told them, Grover turned pale. "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, disgusted. "It's all Zoe's fault. That stuck-up, no good—"

"Who can blame her?" Grover said. "Eternity with Artemis?" He heaved a big sigh.

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," said Thalia.

"Nuts and berries," Grover said dreamily. "Yeah."

Finally, the sky began to lighten. Artemis muttered, "About time. He's so-o-o lazy during the winter."

"You're, um, waiting for sunrise?" Percy asked.

"For my brother. Yes."

Percy looked confused.

"It's not exactly as you think," I said upon seeing his expression.

"Oh, okay." Percy looked more relaxed. "So, it's not like he'll be pulling up in a—"

There was a sudden burst of light on the horizon. A blast of warmth.

"Don't look," Artemis advised. "Not until he parks."

I averted my eyes and saw that the other kids were doing the same. The light and warmth intensified until my winter coat felt like it was melting off of me. Then suddenly the light died.

I looked. There was a red convertible Maserati Spyder. It was so awesome it glowed. Then I remembered it was glowing because the metal was hot. The snow had melted around the Maserati in a perfect circle, which explained why I was now standing on green grass and my shoes were wet.

My Dad got out, smiling. He looked about seventeen or eighteen. His smile was bright and playful and he wore jeans and loafers and a sleeveless T-shirt.

"Wow," Thalia muttered. "Apollo is hot."

"Ew," I said.

"He's the sun god," Percy said.

"That's not what I meant."

"Shut up please?" I asked.

"Little sister!" Apollo called. If his teeth were any whiter he could've blinded us without the sun car. "What's up? You never call. You never write. I was getting worried!"