This Cold Year ― Percy Jackson & Annabeth Chase²

―ii. the worst happens

THERE WASN'T MUCH FOR NAOMI TO PACK, so the process should have been quick and easy—but as she was quickly learning, her cousins could prolong even the shortest of tasks.

"I really don't think I need to bring a toga on a quest," Naomi told Isaac, gently setting the folded cloth back on her dresser.

"You're a praetor, you have to have a toga!" Isaac protested. "You have to look official!"

"For what?" Adrien snorted. "I doubt monsters will care about her leadership status."

Naomi pointed at him. "See? That's what I'm saying."

"You could at least pack your cape," Isaac said. "It's a cape!"

"You really expect me to fight monsters in a cape?" Naomi asked. "That's like, rule number one of being a demigod: dress for a fight."

"You just have to practice," Isaac said. "Uncle Gabe says your dad fought in his cape all the time!"

"I'm pretty sure my dad was normal height, too," Naomi said. She gestured to herself. "I'm already a klutz walking in the cape—I'm not about to risk my life trying to fight in one."

Isaac grumbled under his breath, arms crossed over his chest.

"I can't believe you're abandoning us already," Adrien said, letting out a dramatic sigh. "I thought it'd take at least another week to run you off."

Naomi smiled. "I'll be back," she said, hoping if she said it out loud, the Fates might not want to make her break her promise. She zipped up her bag. "Just have to defeat Mother Earth and her ugly kids first."

"Guess that's as good a reason as any," Adrien said. He grabbed her bag before she could, slinging it over his shoulder. "C'mon, we're making a detour to Uncle Gabe's house before the Senate meeting."

Naomi decided against arguing. It took them about ten minutes to walk from the First Cohort barracks to her grandfather's house. Judging by the amount of cars in the driveway, Naomi had a feeling what was waiting for her inside.

As expected, all of the Pattersons were waiting to greet them in the living room. Naomi smiled at the sight of all of them.

"There she is!" Gabriel exclaimed, grinning from ear-to-ear.

"You've hardly been at camp a week and you're already on your second quest," Wendy joked. "That has to be a record."

Naomi smiled. "Guess I'm a bit of an overachiever."

Juliet snorted. "I'll say."

"C'mon, take a seat," Elijah said. "We made cupcakes."

"I made cupcakes," Wendy corrected. "So don't worry—they're actually edible."

"You guys didn't have to do this," Naomi said, taking the empty seat by Delaney.

"Couldn't send you off again without doing something," Delaney told her. "Consider it a little congratulations party for being raised up as praetor."

Felix and Wendy passed out the cupcakes, which were chocolate with purple icing and gold sprinkles—Camp Jupiter colors. Naomi was entirely unsurprised to learn that Wendy owned a bakery in New Rome. The cupcakes were amazing.

As they ate, Delaney asked Naomi about Annabeth. Naomi was a little nervous about her new family's reaction to her dating two people, but they took it in stride, asking a few questions so they understood it better. The twins asked Naomi whether her dating them made Percy and Annabeth their cousins, too, which made Naomi's cheeks flush a little before Elijah rescued her and explained.