Betrayed But Never Forgotten

Its like milk , don't spoil it

Jason's pov

The evening shadows stretched long across the Zeus cabin's marble floor as I watched my new half-brother settle in. Nick was maybe a year younger than me, but there was something in his eyes that spoke of experience beyond his years. According to him, he'd been claimed long ago, surviving on his own against monsters until he found his way to camp. Part of me wondered why Zeus would let his son struggle alone for so long, but I pushed the thought aside.

Thalia's reaction to him earlier still burned in my mind. She'd practically sneered when she met him, then run off to join the Hunters' latest hunt. Some sister she was – more concerned with Percy Jackson's latest quest than her own blood.

"So you're my brother," Nick said, perched on the edge of his newly claimed bed. The dying sunlight caught his purple eyes, making them gleam like amethysts. Something about that color nagged at me, but I couldn't place why.

"Half-brother," I corrected, sitting on my own bed. "Same father, different mothers." The words tasted bitter in my mouth.

Nick's fingers traced patterns on his blanket as he stared out the window. "What's the deal with that girl? The one who treated me like I was made of glass?"

I rolled my eyes, seizing the opportunity. "Annabeth Chase. She thinks she runs this place." I stood up, moving to sit beside him. The marble floor felt cold through my socks. "Her and her boyfriend, Percy Jackson – they've got everyone fooled."

"Fooled?" Nick leaned forward, interest sparking in those strange eyes.

My heart raced as words I'd been holding back for months finally found release. "Percy's built his whole reputation on lies. You know the Second Titan War? He claims he defeated Kronos single-handedly. Reality is, it was a group effort – the other demigods did the real work. But somehow, everyone backs his story." I lowered my voice. "I think he's got them all under his thumb somehow."

A low growl rumbled in Nick's throat. The sound was almost inhuman, but it only encouraged me.

"And Gaia's awakening? That was his fault too. One nosebleed – that's all it took. His blood woke the earth mother, nearly doomed us all. But does anyone blame him? No. They practically worship him for it." The words came faster now, my voice trembling with suppressed rage.

"I noticed something during the Chimera fight," Nick said slowly. "The way he stole your glory, took credit for your strike..."

"Exactly!" Electricity crackled between my fingers in excitement. This was working better than I'd hoped. Finally, someone who saw through Percy's act.

Thunder rolled overhead, though the sky was clear. Nick's expression darkened, and for a moment, his face seemed to shift in the shadows – becoming older, harder, more familiar somehow.

I pushed away my unease. "Listen," I said, lowering my voice to barely above a whisper, "this has to stay between us. The whole camp's under their spell. If they find out we know the truth..."

"Our secret," Nick agreed, his purple eyes seeming to glow in the growing darkness. "Brother to brother."

I returned to my bed, watching as he curled under his blanket. Something about his silhouette seemed wrong – too sharp, too angular – but when I blinked, it was just Nick again.

"This is our secret," I repeated, lying back. "Don't spoil it."

As I drifted off to sleep, I could have sworn I heard Nick chuckle – a sound that sent chills down my spine. But that was ridiculous. He was just my brother, wasn't he? Just another son of Zeus...The last thing I saw before sleep took me was those purple eyes, watching me from across the cabin. They seemed to hover in the darkness, like twin flames burning with an ancient hunger.