𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗘! 𝙥. 𝙟𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙨𝙤𝙣 ¹

Nico Tests Percy's Patience

CHAPTER THREE: LYDIA

If you know anything about Lydia, you know how much she loves heights. That was sarcasm. Lydia hated heights; it was like spiders for Annabeth, or Percy and squirrels. But she was genuinely ready to dive off that cliff. If Percy hadn't been holding on to her so tightly, she'd probably be at the bottom of the sea.

Percy said something like, "Um...Okay," in reaction to Artemis' grand reveal. But it was nothing compared to Grover.

He gasped, then knelt hastily in the snow and started yammering, "Thank you, Lady Artemis! You're so... you're so... Wow!"

"Get up, goat boy!" Thalia snapped. "We have other things to worry about. Annabeth is gone!"

"Whoa," Bianca di Angelo said. "Hold up. Time out."

Everybody looked at her. She pointed her finger at everyone else in turn, like she was trying to connect the dots.

"Who...who are you people?"

Artemis's expression softened. "It might be a better question, my dear girl, to ask who are you? Who are your parents?"

Bianca glanced nervously at her brother, who was still staring in awe at Artemis.

"Our parents are dead," Bianca said. "We're orphans. There's a bank trust that pays for our school, but..."

She faltered. She could probably tell from everyone's faces that they didn't believe her.

"What?" She demanded. "I'm telling the truth."

"You are a half-blood," Zoe Nightshade said. Her accent was hard to place. It sounded old-fashioned, like she was reading from a really old book.

"One of thy parents was mortal. The other was an Olympian."

"An Olympian...athlete?"

"No," Zoe said. "One of the gods."

"Cool!" said Nico.

"No!" Bianca's voice quavered. "This is not cool!"

Nico danced around like he needed to pee. "Does Zeus really have lightning bolts that do six hundred damage? Does he get extra movement points for—"

"Nico, shut up!" Bianca put her hands to her face. "This is not your stupid Mythomagic game, okay? There are no gods!"

Listen, Bianca, Lydia was usually a really empathetic person, and she knows exactly how Bianca feels, but to be frank, she couldn't care less. Her best friend just jumped off a cliff. You'll have to excuse her for being a little harsh.

"I know it's hard to believe," Lydia sniffled. "But the gods exist, and you're probably one of theirs. So, snap out of it! Your life will be dangerous...and not fun."

"Dangerous," Bianca said, "like the girl who fell."

Lydia's lower lip trembled, and she let out a choked sob. Percy rubbed her arm, but he was equally as troubled. Thalia turned away. Even Artemis looked pained.

"Do not despair for Annabeth," the goddess said to Lydia. "She was a brave maiden. If she can be found, I shall find her."

"Then why won't you let us go look for her?" Percy asked.

"She is gone. Can't you sense it, Son of Poseidon? Some magic is at work. I do not know exactly how or why, but your friend has vanished."

Lydia wasn't convinced, she wouldn't accept it unless she looked for her herself. She sniffled, wiping the tears from her eyes and cheeks. She stood up on shaky legs.