𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 - 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐱 𝐨𝐜

¸„.-•~*°˜¨ 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫 ¨˜ˆ°*~•-.„¸

Artemis assured them that dawn was coming, but you could've fooled Phoenix. It was colder and darker and snowier than ever.

Up on the hill, Westover Hall's windows were completely lightless. She wondered if the teachers had even noticed the di Angelos and Dr. Thorn were missing yet. She didn't want to be around when they did.

The Hunters broke camp as quickly as they'd set it up. Phoenix sat next to Percy 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. Phoenix could tell from his gloomy face that she was explaining her decision to join the Hunt.

Percy couldn't help thinking how selfish it was of her, abandoning her brother like that. Thalia and Grover came up and huddled around the two, anxious to hear what had happened in his 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."

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."

"It's not exactly as you think," Artemis said.

"Oh, okay. 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."

Everyone looked away except for Phoenix. The light and warmth intensified then suddenly the light died.

A red convertible Maserati Spyder sat in the snow. The metal was so hot it glowed. The snow had melted around the Maserati in a perfect circle, which explained why Phoenix was now standing on green grass and her shoes were wet.

The driver got out, smiling. He looked about seventeen or eighteen.

This guy sandy hair and outdoorsy good looks. His smile was brighter and more playful. The Maserati driver wore jeans and loafers and a sleeveless T-shirt.

"Wow," Thalia muttered. "Apollo is hot."

"He's the sun god," Percy said.

"That's not what I meant."

"He's my dad!" Phoenix said disgusted.

"Little sister!" Apollo called. If his teeth were any whiter he could've blinded them without the sun car. "What's up? You never call. You never write. I was getting worried!"

Artemis sighed. "I'm fine, Apollo. And I am not your little sister."

"Hey, I was born first."

"We're twins! How many millennia do we have to argue-"