𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 • 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 ¹

𝐕

I was taking a walk around camp two days later around dawn. They hadn't changed much really. Maybe added a new decoration to a cabin or two.

With a gasp, I spotted Nico spying on Bianca and Zoe. Watching as my skin suddenly became transparent, I snuck up behind him, watching the girl's exchange.

Footsteps coming from behind us startled me out of my ghost-like state and I slowly began to appear again.

"It cannot be cured," Zoe said. "Not quickly at any rate."

"But how did it happen?" Bianca asked.

"A foolish prank," Zoe growled. "Those stoll boys from the hermes cabin. Centaur blood is like acid. Everyone knows that. They sprayed the inside of those Artemis Hunting Tour T-shirts with it."

"That's terrible." It is isn't it.

"They will live." Zoe said. "But they will be bedridden for weeks with horrible hives. There is no way they can go. It's up to me.. And thee."

"But the prophecy," Bianca said. "If they can't go, we only have four. We'll have to pick two more."

"There is no time." Zoe said. "We must leave at first light. That's immediately. Besides, the prophecy said we would lose another."

"In the land without rain," Bianca said. "But that can't be here."

"It might be," Zoe said, though she didn't sound convinced. "The camp has magic borders. Nothing, not even weather, is allowed in without permission. It could be a land without rain."

"But-"

"Bianca, hear me." Zoe's voice became strained. "I... I can't explain, but I have a sense that we should not pick anyone else. It would be too dangerous. They would meet an end worse than Peobe and Lila's. I don't want Chiron to choose campers to be our fifth and sixth companions. And... I don't want to risk more Hunters."

Bianca was silent and I could see her biting her lip. "You should tell Thalia the rest of your dream."

"No. It would not help."

"But if your suspicions are correct, about the General-"

"I have thy word not to talk about that," Zoe said, her voice sounded really anguished. "We will find out soon enough. Now come. Dawn is breaking."

Nico scooted out of their way. He was faster than me. I smiled before slowly fading into the scenery as the girl's passed through me.

As the girls ran down the steps, Zoe froze, her eyes narrowing. Her hand crept towards her bow, then Bianca said, "The lights of the Big House are on. Hurry!"

And Zoe followed her out of the pavilion.

I could tell what Nico was thinking. He took a deep breath and was about to run after Bianca when Percy appeared out of thin air and said, "Wait."

I slowly began to creep off to the side, still invisible. "You too, Nova." He said with raised eyebrows and I cursed, becoming solid again.

Nico almost slipped on the icy steps as he spun around to find us. "Where did you two come from?"

I caught Percy's eye before shaking my head subtly. "We were invisible."

He mouthed the word invisible. "Wow. Cool!"

"How did you know Zoe and your sister were here?" Percy asked.

He blushed. "I heard them walk by the Hermes cabin. I don't.. I don't sleep well at camp. So I heard footsteps and them whispering. And so I kind of followed."

"And now you're thinking about following them on the quests," I guessed, rubbing the bridge of my nose.

"How did you know that?"

"You're my little brother. Of course I know your plans."

"If that was my sister, I'd probably be thinking the same thing. But you can't." Percy said.

Nico looked defiant. "Because I'm too young?"

"Because they won't let you. They'll catch you and send you back here. And.. yeah you are too young. You remember that manticore? There will be lots more like that. More dangerous. Some heroes will die. Also.. I'd rather not be on the receiving end of your sister and brother's anger or glares. They're a little scary." I rolled my eyes at Percy with a small smile.

Nico's shoulders sagged. He shifted from foot to foot. "Maybe you're right. But you can go for me."

"Say what?"

"You can turn invisible. You can go!"

"The Hunters don't like boys." Percy reminded him.

"They can't argue with it if I go with you." I smiled at him and he frowned.

"Yeah but if they find out-"

"Don't let them find out. Follow them invisibly. Keep an eye on Bianca! You have to. Please?"

"Nico-"

"It's either I go with you or I go alone, as a very inexperienced half-blood who will probably die on her first day out of this camp." I glared at him as I lied through my teeth. At the same time Nico exclaimed, "You're planning on going anyway, aren't you?"

I could tell Percy wanted to lie but then he looked between Nico and I before sighing. He knew he couldn't lie to us.

"Yeah." He said. "I have to find Annabeth. I have to help, even if they don't want me to."

"I won't tell on you guys." Nico said. "But you have to promise to keep my sisters safe."

"Nico, I can take care of myself-" I protested.

"I.. that's a big thing to promise, Nico, on a trip like this. Besides, she's got Zoe, Grover, and Thalia-"

"Promise." Nico insisted.

"I'll do my best. I promise that."

"Get going, then!" Nico said. "Good luck!"

It was crazy. I had nothing but the sword necklace around my neck, my powers and the clothes I was wearing.

"Tell Chiron-" Nico cut Percy off as I wrapped the younger son of Hades in a hug.

"I'll make something up," Nico smiled crookedly as my skin changed from solid to see through. "I'm good at that. Go on!"

I ran alongside Percy who was putting on a blue yankee's cap. As the sun came up, I watched him turn invisible. We hit the top of Half-Blood Hill in time to see the camp's van disappearing down the farm road, probably Argus taking the quest group into the city. After that, they would be on their own.

I started wondering how we were going to get there when I heard the beating of huge wings. A black pegasus landed next to us. He began casually nuzzling a few tufts of grass that stuck through the ice.

"Yeah. Let's fly." Percy said and I shook the weird feeling of him talking to horses off. I had an old friend who was a daughter of Posiedon.