A web of fates | Percy Jackson and the Olympians

I| birthdays

Daphne Evans was struggling to keep her secret a, well, a secret.

That's why she had made the executive decision to not return to boarding school, no matter how much she wanted to spent the year with her friends messing around and doing nothing.

But, she couldn't.

Daphne didn't trust herself not to spill the secret she had been keeping from them for so long. Her friends, including Annabeth and Percy, had been writing to her but she ignored most of their letters.

Life around Camp was strange for Daphne, especially when Hermes had decided to claim one of the new demigods at Camp.

Cecil Markowitz was a twelve year old boy, who was confused about the whole Greek World. His confusion didn't surprise Daphne, most demigods reacted in the same way.

For a few years now (since Luke and Chris left) it had just been Daphne, Travis and Connor in Cabin Eleven during the school year.

It was strange having a new addition.
On top of that, the death of Zoë and Bianca had hit Daphne a lot harder when she returned to Camp HalfBlood.

The only people who were able to drag Daphne out of Cabin Eleven was Travis and Connor on the rare occasion Theo was there, him too.

*•*

April 16 2007,

"Daph!" Theo singsonged, entering Cabin Eleven.

Daphne forced a smile, it was her birthday and yet it felt like an ordinary day. She was not in the mood to celebrate.

To start off her day, she had spoken to Luke (who wished her a happy birthday). After Christmas, Daphne had began sneaking out of Camp to see her brother.

Luke had begun training her and slowly but surely Daphne's powers began to grow. Together, the pair found out that Daphne had the ability to shape-shift into people she knew.

And if that person had powers, Daphne was able to use them.

That information both excited and terrified Daphne. It made her one of, if not the most powerful demigod ever.

"Hey Theo. Are the others here yet?" She asked, standing up.

It had become a tradition amongst the group of friends to spend their birthdays together. Unlike other years, Daphne didn't want to celebrate but she wouldn't tell them that.

It felt like it would be the last birthday she'd be able to celebrate with them. Daphne despised the feeling.

Theo nodded eagerly, grinning like a small child on Christmas. He held out his hands for Daphne to take, which she gladly did.

Another thing that had changed was the pair's relationship. Daphne had soon come to the realisation, with the help of Silena and Valentina, that she did indeed like the Son of Athena.

It made her betrayal even harder to keep a secret. Every bone in her screamed at her to tell Theo. He deserved to know, they all did.

But Daphne was doing this in order for them to have a better life, wasn't she?

"We all arrived together but I wanted to see you before dinner." Theo grinned, his eyes sparkling.

Daphne smiled, ruffling up his hair that had gotten longer. "Well, you've seen me now so come on I'm starving!"

Theo laughed, walking out of Cabin Eleven. "Good because we had to convince Chiron and Mr. D to let us eat our dinner on the beach. And trust me when I say, Ellis had to practically beg his father to let us."