Sunburn- phoebus apollo

--iv. thalia torches new england

ARTEMIS ASSURED THEM THAT DAWN was coming, but she could've fooled Rhea. It was colder and darker and snowier than ever. Up on the hill, Westover Hall's windows were completely lightless. Rhea wondered if the teachers had even noticed the di Angelos and Dr. Thorn were missing yet. Rhea didn't want to be around when they did. With their luck, the only names Mrs. Gottschalk would remember was "Percy and Rhea Jackson," and then they'd be the subject of a nationwide manhunt... again.

The Hunters broke camp as quickly as they'd set it up. Rhea and Percy stood shivering in the snow (unlike the Hunters, who didn't seem to feel at all uncomfortable), and Artemis stared into the east like she was expecting something. Bianca sat off to one side, talking with Nico. Rhea could tell from his gloomy face that she was explaining her decision to join the Hunt. Rhea couldn't help thinking how selfish it was of her, abandoning her brother like that.

Thalia and Grover came up and huddled around the twins, anxious to hear what had happened in their audience with the goddess.

When Percy told them, Grover turned pale. "The last time the Hunters visited camp, it didn't go well."

"How'd they even show up here?" Percy wondered. "I mean, they just appeared out of nowhere."

"And Bianca joined them," Thalia said, disgusted. "It's all Zoe's fault. That stuck-up, no good—"

"Who can blame her?" Grover said. "Eternity with Artemis?" He heaved a big sigh.

Thalia rolled her eyes. "You satyrs. You're all in love with Artemis. Don't you get that she'll never love you back?"

"But she's so... into nature," Grover swooned.

"You're nuts," said Thalia.

"Nuts and berries," Grover said dreamily. "Yeah."

Despite herself, Rhea snorted at that interaction.

Finally the sky began to lighten. Artemis muttered, "About time. He's so-o-o lazy during the winter."

"You're, um, waiting for sunrise?" Percy asked.

"For my brother. Yes."

Percy's face scrunched up.

"It's not exactly as you think," Artemis said, likely having noticed the expression on Percy's face. Rhea has been in Apollo's sun chariot before (in her dreams, of course) so she knows exactly what to expect.

"Oh, okay." Percy started to relax. "So, it's not like he'll be pulling up in a—"

There was a sudden burst of light on the horizon. A blast of warmth.

"Don't look," Artemis advised. "Not until he parks."

Percy glanced over at Rhea and mouthed Parks?

Rhea shrugged and adverted her eyes in reply. The light and warmth intensified until Rhea's winter coat felt like it was melting off of her. Then suddenly the light died.

Rhea looked and saw a car. It was so awesome it glowed. Then she realized it was glowing because the metal was hot. The snow had melted around the Maserati in a perfect circle, which explained why she was now standing on green grass and her shoes were wet.

The driver got out, smiling. He looked about fifteen or sixteen. He had the same sandy hair and handsome looks that Rhea got used to in her dreams, with sunglasses tucked inside his collar, and a nice tan. He somehow managed to make jeans, loafers, and a sleeveless t-shirt look stylish, and he was most definitely the prettiest god Rhea had ever seen. Apollo was unreasonably attractive; with sharp eyes and bright white teeth. His elegant bone structure stood out in stark relief, glowing gold, and when his mouth curved into a wide grin, Rhea thought he was extra gorgeous when he smiled. The sea-green eyed girl could never get used to his beauty.