Mortal Power: A Percy Jackson Fanfiction

Chapter 12

Time is frozen; I stare with my jaw dropped, Matthew looks accusing and Drake is simply stunned.

"What did you do?!" Says Matthew angrily.

"I don't know," I say, too shocked to retort with the fact that I saved him. My heart sinks a little when the thought occurs to me that he was in no real danger.

Drake only gives himself a couple of seconds before he kneels down next to the boy and checks for a pulse. "He's alive."

I breathe a sigh of relief, but the feeling quickly goes when we are suddenly enclosed in a circle of armoured campers, all looking concerned and curious.

"Is everything okay?" Asks Aiden, pushing to the front. "We saw lightening and-" He falters when he sees the kid.

Archie steps up next to Aiden. "Is Jordan... Well, I guess 'okay' would be pushing it."

Drake nods. "He's alive."

"We should still take him to the Big House," says someone in the crowd. After a moment of hesitation, two campers step up and lift Jordan. They walk out of the woods.

I nearly killed someone and wouldn't have known their name.

"Who did this?" Says a booming voice.

I look up to see Chiron. He is standing tall and seems very angry. Well, I did just electrocute one of his campers.

Standing next to him is Mr D in his tiger print shirt. His narrowed eyes find mine. "Only the children of my father can do something like this," he murmurs, but loud enough for the others to hear.

I swallow and look to the ground. "It was Audin," says Matthew.

Little rat.

Chiron frowns and looks at me. "Audin? But how?"

The shock is wearing off and I'm getting angry. "How am I supposed to know? I just, I felt protective so I threw my sword out and-"

There is a collective gasp from the group and I frown. What? They're all looking at my head like a chicken just sprouted there. All except Mr D, who simply has raised an eyebrow.

I look up.

Glowing above my head is the image of a bright white peacock, almost like a hologram.

But I know this symbol and what this means. Aiden told me that campers usually get claimed by their parent's marks showing over their heads.

And Drake told me the general symbols of the gods. And this is impossible. It's impossible for her symbol to claim anyone's head.

Hera.

_____

Before I know it I've pushed through the gaping crowd and I'm running out of the woods, away from the cabins and toward the big pine tree that marks the barrier of the camp.

The white peacock is following me, staying above my head like a futuristic hat. "Get away from me!" I scream at it.

It blinks out of existence.

I keep running, up the hill and to the tree. I suddenly think of my possessions, faltering, then keep going. They're replaceable; all I need is the amulet. I can feel it bouncing on my chest.

"Going somewhere?"

I slide to a stop in the soft dirt and come face-to-face with none other but Mr D. "Get out of my way."

He raises an eyebrow. "Now that's no way to talk to a god, is it? You insufferable children think you can get away with anything."

He's leaning against a pine tree and has a smug look on his face; I'm painstakingly reminded of Drake. Don't think about them.

"Wouldn't want to leave them behind, would we?"

I scowl. "Quit reading my mind and step aside."

He sighs and inspects his nails. "Unfortunately, as much as having one less troublesome child around would be nice, I can't."

I frown. "Can't? You're a freaking god. You can do what you want, right? Let me through. Like you said, one less camper."

He rolls his eyes. "There are higher authorities than me. Her and her schemes. They'll kill us all one day."

I narrow my eyes. "Look, I'm not thick. You know something about me and I want in on it."

He pushes off the tree and folds his arms. "I'm not in charge here; I simply have the front row seat for the time being. My father's dear old brother will have the pleasure soon."

I step toward him. "Zeus? His brother? Who is it?!" My hands ball into fists.

Mr D looks furious for the first time. "What is it with you children and throwing names around."

I take a step back, startled at the sudden change. He seems to take it as submission. "Go sleep in your new cabin. You'll need the rest; I expect your quest will pop up tomorrow."

I feel like I'm fighting a hydra. "Quest? What quest?"

He rolls his eyes again. "I'm bored now. You'll find out tomorrow."

"What? You can't do that! I want answers!"

But he disappears before I can get them.

I huff with frustration and turn to walk back down the hill.

"Audin! Please don't leave."

Orca is running toward me. She finally reaches me and pulls me into a hug. I'm too stunned to push her away. "Audin, everything will be fine. Jordan isn't-"

"Orca, it doesn't matter whether he lived or not. I'm already seen as an odd ball, now I've struck someone with lightening and been claimed by a goddess who can't even have demigod children!" I show a little anxiety on my face without meaning to. I quickly cover it up, but her face softens.

"This will all be fine. I'll stick with you. No matter what. Okay?"

I look into her hopeful brown eyes, contemplating the situation. There are still things for me to learn. The plan isn't lost.

"Okay."

She smiles and we walk down the hill to the cabins. She rushes me to Hera's cabin while everyone else is depositing their armour. "I'll grab your things, stay there for a moment."

She bolts to cabin 11. I look around me and shiver slightly in the cold. This is such a mess.

"Got it. I'll take your armour, too."

She hands me my bag and helps me take off my armour. I try to tell her that I can do it but she insists. "There," she says proudly when the last piece comes off. "All done. Good night, Audin."

She turns to head to the Demeter cabin. "Wait!" I say. She turns. "Thank you." I scratch my neck. "For everything."

She smiles warmly. "That's what friends do." She heads off again.

I walk into cabin 2, my new cabin, and dump my stuff.

The words trouble me until I fall asleep.

______

Hey guys! So exciting, more clues and questions!

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K.C. Bailey