A web of fates | Percy Jackson and the Olympians

I| dances

The Friday before winter break, Connor packed Daphne an overnight bag and a few deadly weapons and Sally picked her and Theo up.

It was an eight-hour drive from New York to Bar Harbor, Maine. Sleet and snow pounded the highway.

Theo, Daphne, Annabeth, Thalia, and Percy hadn't seen each other in months, but between the blizzard and the thought of what they were about to do, they were too nervous to talk much.

Except for Percy's mom. Daphne learnt she talks more when she's nervous. By the time they finally got to Westover Hall, it was getting dark, and she'd told the five demigods every embarrassing baby story there was to tell about Percy.

Thalia wiped the fog off the car window and peered outside. "Oh, yeah. This'll be fun."

Theo looked outside. "Looks like something out of a gothic book."

"Cause you do know all about gothic books." Daphne sighed.

Theo rolled his eyes. "Just because I read doesn't mean—-"

"Yeah, yeah." Daphne waved her hand in the air, dismissing him.

Westover Hall looked like an evil knight's castle. It was all black stone, with towers and overlook this big frosty forest on one side and the gray churning ocean on the other.

"Are you sure you don't want me to wait?" Sally asked.

"No, thanks, Mom," Percy said. "I don't know how long it will take. We'll be okay."

"But how will you get back? I'm worried, Percy."

"It's okay Ms. Jackson," Annabeth spoke up, "We'll keep him out of trouble."

Daphne smirked. "I'll make sure he knows his right leg from his left leg."

"All right, dears," his mom said. "Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes, Ms. Jackson," Thalia said. "Thanks for the ride."

"Extra sweaters? You have my cell phone number?"

"Mom-"

"Your ambrosia and nectar, Percy? And a golden drachma in case you need to contact camp?"

"Mom, seriously! We'll be fine. Come on, guys."

Theo, Daphne, Annabeth and Thalia followed Percy outside. The wind blew straight through her coat like ice daggers.

Once his mother's car was out of sight, Thalia said, "Your mom is so cool, Percy."

"She's pretty okay," Percy admitted. "What about you? You ever get in touch with your mom?"

As soon as he said it, Daphne wished he hadn't. Thalia was great at giving evil looks, what with the punk clothes she always wears the ripped-up army jacket, black leather pants and chain jewellery, the black eyeliner and those intense blue eyes.

But the look she gave Percy now was a perfect evil 'ten.'

"If that was any of your business, Percy—"

"We'd better get inside," Annabeth interrupted.

"Grover will be waiting." Theo added, standing beside Annabeth.

Daphne was surprised at the sibling duo considering that for the entire eight hour car ride they hadn't bickered a single time.

Thalia looked at the castle and shivered. "You're right. I wonder what he found here that made him send the distress call."

Daphne stared up at the dark towers of Westover Hall.

"Nothing good." She guessed.

The oak doors groaned open, and the three of them stepped into the entry hall in a swirl of snow.