Pegasus and the Mirrored Ones

Chapter 9

Percy's POV:

Annabeth has been acting weird about Emily, and I don't know why! Emily's nice, when she's not got eyes of fire, and it is fun talking to her about New York. I asked Piper and she said to ignore Annabeth, that Piper would deal with her. Uggh, girls! Why must they be so complicated? That's another good thing about Emily. She doesn't give me a look that says, "I know something you don't," or get exasperated or scoffs and says "Boys!" Unlike somebody...

Anyway, we were having dinner. Connor and Travis had accepted Emily's sincere apology, and so all the Hermes cabinmates were happy.

We stood in a line, ready to share a part of our meal. It's just something we do here at camp. Emily, who was ahead of me, poured some of her food into the fire. Suddenly, she jumped back like she'd been startled.

Above her head a picture of a hearth swirled around. Mr D sighed and flicked his fingers towards her. A grapevine followed soon after. Campers gasped. Was Emily the daughter of Hestia, who happened to not have that many kids, and Dionysus?

A caduceus appeared followed by an anvil, dove, boar, moon. A lyre floated down beside an owl, a grain of wheat, a peacock. These 11 signs floated above Emily, whose shock was etched on her face. Campers shifted uneasily, some looked at Emily like she was a curse. Nothing like this had ever happened before.

A pomegranate took its place by a trident. I looked at Nico. No way was Emily the daughter of my dad or his! Above them all, a thunderbolt crackled menacingly. 13 symbols, 13 gods. They all merged before a fire devoured them, leaving the letter F, blazing against the night sky.

Emily was pale, even more shocked than when she had discovered Travis and Connor's prank. "They know," she whispered. Around her, campers moved away. Emily looked at Mr D. "How?" She asked. Her fists were clenched. Suddenly, a crack opened near her. Fire spat out, whilst Emily looked horrified. This was getting stranger and stranger.

Chiron looked firm. "Emily, can you join Dionysus and me in my office? Thank you." He walked, or whatever centaurs do, away.

Emily didn't even look remotely shocked now. In fact, she seemed ashamed, like she was responsible for all this. Or maybe I was reading her wrong. My head span in circles as she swept after him.

"What just happened?" Leo asked, coming up.

"I don't know," I replied. "But that conversation sounds interesting."

He glanced at me. I nodded. Leo slipped after Emily. Before I followed him, I turned around just in time to see two golden lights shining above the trees. I shook my head. I was seeing things after this crazy scene.