The Shadow Summoner | Book Three - PJO Universe

four

SAFE AND SOUND

Ariana opted to not visit Lupa with Apollo, claiming that she had spent too much time with her when she had no memories.

So Apollo went alone and Ariana was immediately bombarded by questions and theories.

The daughter of Hades didn't care for the crazy theories they came up with within the span of a few minutes.

What she did care about, however, was Hazel, Frank, Meg (who had chucked a sword at Ariana - nearly slashing her) and Reyna.

After doing her rounds around the room, catching up and trying to avoid the subject of her death (she'd rather they didn't make it a big thing), Ariana managed to get some time alone with Meg.

Hazel had been reluctant to leave Ariana's side but after seeing Meg nearly kill Ariana the girl clearly thought it would be best to leave them alone.

Ariana didn't blame her, although Meg didn't scare her she knew how terrifying she could be to other people. Ariana didn't think the constant frown she wore on her face helped.

"Where in the Hades were you!" Meg screamed in her face, fury radiating off her so much so it reminded Ariana of Ares - the god of war had a lot of anger.

Ariana smirked, she didn't like seeing her friends distressed - she had watched them in the underworld and hated seeing them all in the state they were.

But now she alive, Ariana had an opportunity and she was going to take it.

"You just said," She shrugged, "in the underworld."

Meg opened her mouth, then closed it like a puffer-fish. Ariana had never seen the daughter of Demeter so speechless before.

"What?" Meg eventually said.

Ariana understood her confusion, after-all what God of the dead would allow their daughter to essentially come back to life?

"Look, I'll explain later when everyone's here."

Meg narrowed her eyes but eventually agreed and nodded her head. Then, the girl ran off somewhere and when Ariana couldn't spot her she found Hazel.

Immediately she waved her sister over and the younger (older?) girl quickly dismissed the Roman she was speaking to and walked over to her.

"You desperately need to explain." Hazel shook her head, her brows furrowed.

"I know but not yet." Ariana thought for a moment. "Are communications still down?"

Ariana watched as Hazel frowned and sighed. "Yeah. We tried contacting Camp Half-Blood again when Apollo and Meg showed up with you... but no luck. I don't know how any of them are doing."

Ariana sighed heavily, even more than Hazel. Percy, Annabeth and Nico along with everyone else at Camp would probably be digging themselves into a hole by now.

But, she couldn't return just yet - Apollo wasn't a god again and she doubted she could even shadow travel that far.

As much as she hated not letting them know she was alive straight away, Ariana knew there was no way around.

Besides, she hoped they hadn't even found out yet and she could explain everything without being scared for her life.

After spending that much time with Hades whilst she was dead, Ariana hoped she'd never have to die and live that fate.

"I'm sure they're alright." Hazel spoke, though she sounded uncertain and her encouragement didn't help ease Ariana in the slightest.

"Yeah..."