The Altered Seven

The City of New Rome

Piper and Annabeth quickly brought Killian to what they called the Praetorian Gates. Killian received a number of questioning looks as they passed what looked like barracks, until they reached the Principia. They led him inside where they found a beautiful girl with dark brown hair and dark eyes scowling as she listened to a skinny boy with blonde hair and a smug look on his face.

The girl noticed the new occupants of the room before her eyes widened as she quickly stood from her chair, looking eager to stop conversing with the boy. She stooped into a bow and the boy turned, looking annoyed, before his eyes widened and he followed suit.

Killian whispered, "Do they do this with every new demigod?"

The girl's head perked up. "You are...not a god?"

Killian shook his head. "I'm pretty mortal, if you ask me."

She straightened immediately. "Apologies. I mistook you for a god. You have an air about you that tells of your power." She jerked her chin at Annabeth and Piper. "Chase, McLean, explain yourselves."

"This is Killian Vixon, Praetor," Annabeth introduced. "He appeared at the Tiber not ten minutes ago, asking where he was and what this place was. We believe he suffers from memory loss."

The Praetor nodded. She turned back to Killian. "I am Reyna, Killian. Forgive me, but you seem older than most demigods Lady Lupa sends our way."

"It's fine, Praetor," Killian assured her. "I look older than I am. I'm only 23."

"Most recruits are barely above 13," the boy said. "A demigod reaching adulthood is rare. Especially alone, beyond the safety of our borders."

Judging by the looks of disgust and annoyance on Piper and Annabeth's faces, Killian guessed that this kid wasn't the most popular.

"Who're you?" he asked.

The boy stiffened. "I am Octavian, a descendant of Apollo. I am the one who will consult the auguries about what your arrival means."

Killian raised his brow. "So you're an oracle?"

Piper scoffed. "He wishes."

Reyna resisted a smile. "Octavian is not an oracle, but he reads what is between the lines. He predicts the future with his offerings, a power he inherited from Apollo."

"Hm." Killian turned back to Reyna. "And what will happen if these auguries come back negative?"

"Then you will be turned away from the Legion," Reyna answered. "Though I doubt it will happen. We have never been denied a recruit, no matter how old they were." She turned and stalked over to her seat behind the table. She sat down, clasping her hands in front of her. "There are a few ways for you to be accepted, Killian. One is to fight a line up of our centurions to gauge your strength. A second is for you to have letters of recommendation."

"Don't have those."

"I suspected as much. The third, and much rarer way, is for a god to vouch for you. Not once during my leadership has that happened."

"I guess that leaves fighting," Killian surmised.

Reyna nodded. "Indeed. We will begin your test at 5 o'clock tonight. I would not recommend being late. Until then, Piper and Annabeth can show you the city and camp."

Killian glanced at the two girls. They didn't seem too bummed out by the idea of showing him everything, so he said, "Thank you, Praetor. I look forward to the challenge."

He bowed before turning to follow Annabeth out.

As they led him through the camp, Killian found it lucky that he wasn't afraid of ghosts. Half the people in camp were dead.