¹𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒 ! - percy jackson

-004

IT WASN'T STELLA'S FIRST winter at Camp Half-Blood.

There were fewer people during the winter, but there was something else about the holiday break that just made camp feel so different.

Maybe it was that Mr. D would allow the snow to fall lightly. Frost covered the chariot track and the strawberry fields. The cabins were decorated with tiny flickering lights, like Christmas lights, except they seemed to be balls of real fire. More lights glowed in the woods.

Or maybe it was the simple fact that Stella would be spending the holiday with people other than herself.

"Whoa," Nico said as he climbed off the bus. "Is that a climbing wall?"

"Yeah," Percy said.

"Why is there lava pouring down it?"

"Little extra challenge. Come on. I'll introduce you to Chiron. Zoë, have you met—"

"I know Chiron," Zoë said stiffly. "Tell him we will be in Cabin Eight. Hunters, follow me."

"I'll show you the way," Grover offered.

"We know the way."

"Oh, really, it's no trouble. It's easy to get lost here, if you don't"—he tripped over a canoe and came up still talking—"like my old daddy goat used to say! Come on!"

Zoë rolled her eyes but didn't protest further. The Hunters shouldered their packs and their bows and headed off toward the cabins. As Bianca di Angelo was leaving, she leaned over and whispered something in her brother's ear. She looked at him for an answer, but Nico just scowled and turned away.

"Take care, sweethearts!" Apollo called after the Hunters. He winked at Percy, "Watch out for those prophecies, Percy. I'll see you soon."

"What do you mean?"

Instead of answering, he turned to Thalia. "Later, Thalia," he called. "And, uh, be good!" He smiled wickedly at her as if he knew something she didn't.

"Star," Apollo beckoned to Stella.

Stella walked over to him and looked back at her friends, who looked at her curiously. "Go on ahead to The Big House, I'll catch up with you guys later."

Thalia nodded and began to walk in the direction of The Big House with Nico in tow. Percy's eyes lingered on Stella a moment longer before he turned around sharply to follow Thalia.

She turned her head back around to face her father. He had a serious look on his face, a rare sighting, and that scared her.

"So Artemis has made you an offer to join the Hunters," Apollo mused.

"She has."

He sighed, "My sister was right, it is only the beginning. Something terrible is coming, and it directly concerns you."

Well, isn't that fantastic. Stella looked off at the steaming lake, a million thoughts running through her mind at once.

Apollo reached out his hand, cradling her cheek. "My Star. I'm sorry, but I can't protect you from your fate any longer. It is up to you to choose to fight."

"I am not strong enough—" Stella's voice trembled.

"Your powers— your gifts... they will strengthen. You must not let them consume you. That will be your downfall."

"Joining the Hunters would make everything easier," She whispered.

"That is your decision to make. But know that you are strong, Estella Cruz. Do not doubt. I have watched over you and guided you from your birth. You were given horrible circumstances, but no matter the poor soil and weeds, you too will bloom."