The Hidden Follower

21.

Seconds later, more wolves could be heard baying, but the sound was different—less threatening, more like hunting dogs on the scent. A smaller white wolf burst into the cave, followed by two more.

Hedge said, "Kill it?"

"No!" Piper said. "Wait."

"It's just the hunters of Artemis and their hunting wolves. Seriously, I just said that."

The wolves tilted their heads and studied the campers with huge golden eyes.

A heartbeat later, the hunters arrived in their white-and-gray winter camouflage, at least half a dozen. All of them carried bows, with quivers of glowing silver arrows on their backs.
Their faces were covered with their parka hoods.

    Thalia crouched in the firelight and snatched up the arrow that had wounded Lycaon's hand. "So close." She turned to her the other hunters. "Phoebe, stay with me. Watch the entrance. The rest of you, follow Lycaon. We can't lose him now. I'll catch up with you."

The other hunters mumbled agreement and disappeared, heading after Lycaon's pack.

Thalia turned toward them, her face still partly hidden in her parka hood. "We've been following that demon's trail for over a week. Is everyone all right? No one got hurt."

"You're her," Piper guessed. "You're Thalia. "

Thalia tensed, then pulled down her parka hood. Her silver lieutenant tiara across her brow. Her face had a super-healthy glow to it, her eyes shined with a brilliant blue.

"Do I know you?" Thalia asked.

Piper took a breath. "This might be a shock, but—"

"Thalia. " Jason stepped forward, his voice trembling. "I'm Jason, your brother. "

For a minute, Jason and Thalia faced each other, stunned. Then Thalia rushed forward and hugged him.

"My gods! She told me you were dead!" She gripped Jason's face and seemed to be examining everything about it. "Thank Artemis, it is you. That little scar on your lip—you tried to eat a stapler when you were two!"

Leo laughed. "Seriously?"

Hedge nodded like he approved of Jason's taste. "Staplers —excellent source of iron."

  "Not so normal for people that aren't satyrs though, coach."

"W-wait," Jason stammered. "Who told you I was dead? What happened?"

At the cave entrance, one of the white wolves barked. Thalia looked back at the wolf and nodded, but she kept her hands on Jason's face, like she was afraid he might vanish. "My wolf is telling me I don't have much time, and she's right. But we have to talk. Let's sit. "

Piper did better than that. She collapsed. She would've cracked her head on the cave floor if Hedge hadn't caught her.

Thalia rushed over. "What's wrong with her? Ah—never mind. I see. Hypothermia. Ankle. " She frowned at the satyr. "Don't you know nature healing?"

Hedge scoffed. "Why do you think she looks this good? Can't you smell the Gatorade?"

Thalia looked at Leo for the first time, and of course it was an accusatory glare.

"You, Delta, and the satyr," Thalia ordered, "take this girl to my friend at the entrance. Phoebe's an excellent healer."

"It's cold out there!" Hedge said. "I'll freeze my horns off. "

But Leo and Delta could tell they weren't wanted. "Come on, Hedge. These two need time to talk. "

"Humph. Fine," the satyr muttered. "Didn't even get to brain anybody."