Pegasus and the Mirrored Ones

Chapter 23

Emily's POV:

[TW: more swearing ]

Again, apologies for the English spelling of 'mum'. Sorry Americans.

The classes passed by in a blur. I hadn't realised just how much school work I had missed during my time on Olympus. An entire school year missed because I was too busy saving the world. I guess that means another trip to the library to pick up some textbooks. And I'd have to bring Cupid with me. He looked so confused when the teacher talked about calculus and geometry. Oh and formulae. That was one thing he particularly refused to understand. It was honestly hilarious watching Cupid struggling to understand x's and y's and BIDMAS.

I was waiting for him and the seven to come out of school. My art teacher, Miss Johns, had let my class out early. I really liked her, but I found it hard to concentrate on my piece as my mind kept on wandering to the prophecy. Whoever the girl mentioned was, we had to find her fast. Doubts started to spring as my thoughts turned to the Temple of the Flame. Was it possible that this was girl was the new Flame?

If so, it would mean that I would have to die. This relevation scared me to no ends. In my mind I imagined worse and worse scenarios. Could the mystery girl be Lorin? I remember Pele's shocked face as she struggled to fight against her in Hawaii. I refused to have her as the hero of the prophecy. She had taken so many things away from me. Well you ain't taking this away from me bitch. It's time to show the Olympians what they had lost and to teach Ms Titan's bitch a serious lesson.

That escalated quickly. Okay I'm done being dark now. The bell rang, signalling the end of the school day. Students streamed out of the building. I stood up on my tiptoes and searched eagerly for Cupid and the Seven. After a while I saw their faces out of the swarm of students rushing to get home. The Seven and Cupid ran to me and we quickly found a long bench.

Cupid noticed my worried expression and he raised an eyebrow quizzically. I shook my head a little bit, hoping he got the message that we would talk later about it. He nodded and turned to face the Seven.

"Hey guys," Percy suddenly said. "I was thinking if you two wanted to meet my mum and her boyfriend." He gestured towards me and Cupid whilst he said this. I noticed that as soon as he said the word 'boyfriend', Cupid immediately sat up straighter. I wasn't surprised.

"Yeah sure, I'd really like to meet her." I said, smiling.

Leo pumped his hand into the air. "Wooh! Are there going to be any blue cookies?"

Blue cookies? There was only one person I knew who was famous for her blue cookies. Maybe I was wrong. I mean, many people dye their food different colours right?

Percy's POV:

I couldn't wait to see Mum again. When was the last time I saw her? The beginning of summer break? And this time I'd be bringing the rest of the Seven and introducing Cameron and Emily. I led them through a couple of paths and streets, narrowly dodging the many taxis that passed us. I noticed that Emily was a bit quieter on the way, but that may have just been me.

Finally we arrived at a familiar apartment block. Emily's knuckles tightened and she looked pale against the beautiful blue sky. I knocked on the door and a female voice yelled "Coming!" The door opened and I was greeted with my mum, blue food dye in her hair and clothes. She gave me a tight hug, which I gladly returned. Wafts of blue cookies drifted from inside and I turned to see Leo, his nose also picking up the scent. Mum chuckled and said 'Why don't you guys come in and you can introduce me to your new friends?"

We took a seat around the kitchen table. Emily's smile was completely wiped off her face. Mum reached into the oven and pulled out a batch of freshly made blue cookies, still warm. My stomach rumbled and I eagerly grabbed one. Mum laughed. "Percy, let your friends have some too!" I crammed the rest of the cookie into my mouth and swallowed. Gods Mum's cookies were the best.

All of the seven took one eagerly. Cameron also took one but he was more cautious, as if he'd never seen blue food before. Which he hadn't, but you get the point. Only Emily refused politely to take one, and she leant against the counter, knitting her fingers together, before unravelling them and knitting them again. Her cheek muscle (is that even a muscle?) twitched ever so slightly.

"Sooo Mum this is Cameron," I said, gesturing to him with a blue cookie in my hand. He smiled politely and shook her hand. "And this," I said "Is Emily." To my surprise Mum smiled, although it looked like she was trying not to grimace. In her eyes I saw a spark of fear. Emily returned the half-hearted smile with a smirk and a slight raise of her eyebrow. What in Hades name was going on?

"Percy," Mum said calmly. "Do you mind if Emily and I have a little conversation in the room next to here? You can show your friends to your room?" The tone she used sounded like she wasn't going to take no for an answer. I nodded, and Mum quickly went out of the room, followed by Emily, who had her arms crossed.

Once they had both gone into the living room and shut the door behind them, Annabeth, Piper, Cameron and me followed them. Cameron, who apparently had the best hearing, placed his ear beside the lock, whilst Piper prepared to write everything she heard down.

Annnddd yes, one of the worst cliffhangers I've done in my life.