ONE LAST TIME . . . heroes of olympus

42

KAT'S EYES DARTED around as she and Piper walked arm in arm, following Annabeth, Jason, and Leo who were walking in front of them. Their hands swung almost violently as Kat examined the demigods around them. Some looked tense, some nervous. Some were bandaged from their recent battle with the giants, but no one was armed. No one attacked.

Entire families had gathered to see the newcomers. Kat saw couples with babies, toddlers clinging to their parents' legs, even some elderly folks in a combination of Roman robes and modern clothes. She was used to seeing generations of demigods — hell, right now she was the second generation in her family that was alive. But still. Kids? She would never have a kid.

Unless . . .

At the far end of the crowd, Kat spotted Tyson the Cyclops and Percy Jackson's hellhound, what's her face — who had been the first scouting party from Camp Half-Blood to reach Camp Jupiter. They looked to be in good spirits. Tyson waved and grinned at Annabeth. He was wearing an SPQR banner like a giant bib.

Some part of Kat's mind registered how beautiful the city was — the smells from the bakeries, the gurgling fountains, the flowers blooming in the gardens. It reminded her of Rome, a little, but like a cheap imitation.

In the way front, the demigods made way for a girl in full Roman armor and a purple cape. Dark hair tumbled across her shoulders. Her eyes were as black as obsidian.

Reyna.

Honestly, she was kinda really fucking hot. Jason hadn't described her in much detail, but goddamn. Medals decorated her armor. She carried herself with such confidence the other demigods backed away and averted their gaze.

Kat saw something else in her face, too — in the hard set of her mouth and the deliberate way she raised her chin like she was ready to accept any challenge. Reyna was forcing a look of courage, while holding back a mixture of hopefulness and worry and fear that she couldn't show in public.

She looked like her sister. Which, duh, of course she did, but they looked a lot alike, down to the expression. They probably acted a lot alike too.

She and Annabeth considered each other. The rest of the crew fanned out on either side. The Romans murmured Jason's name, staring at him in awe. Kat snickered at how uncomfortable he seemed at the attention, but it's not like she could help him. He was standing on the other side.

Then Percy Jackson appeared from the crowd, as familiar as ever. Well, maybe he'd gotten buffed and shit, but he was smiling at Annabeth like he had during the war when they were in denial of their feelings. All dopey lovesick shit. Of course, Kat can't talk, because that's how she looks at Piper and Jason, but at least she wasn't Annabeth, who was staring at Percy like a complete idiot.

The praetor Reyna straightened. With apparent reluctance, she turned toward Jason.

"Jason Grace, my former colleague . . ." She spoke the word colleague like it was a dangerous thing. "I welcome you home. And these, your friends—"

Annabeth surged forward. Percy rushed toward her at the same time. The crowd tensed. Some reached for swords that weren't there.

"Wait for it . . ." Piper whispered in Kat's ear.

Percy threw his arms around Annabeth. They kissed as if no one else was there. Not even a mob of people surrounding them.

Kat turned toward Piper and stuck out her tongue, jabbing her finger toward her mouth.

"Let them have this," Piper said quietly, rolling her eyes at Kat.

"No."

"What if that were me and you?"