The Blazing Fate

Chapter Eighteen

Astrid couldn't believe what she had just heard. Thalia has never spoken about a brother, ever. Although, Thalia didn't talk about her family at all.

For a minute, Jason and Thalia faced each other, stunned. Then, Thalia rushed forward and hugged him.

'My gods! She told me you were dead!' She gripped Jason's face and seemed to be examining everything about it. 'Thank Artemis, it is you. That little scared on your lip—you tried to eat a stapler when you were two!'

Leo laughed. 'Seriously?'

Hedge nodded. 'Staplers—excellent source of iron.'

'W-wait,' Jason stammered. 'Who told you I was dead? What happened?'

At the cave entrance, one of the white wolves barked. Thalia looked back at the wolf and nodded, but she kept her hands on Jason's face, like she was afraid he might vanish. 'My wolf is telling me I don't have much time, and she's right. But we have to talk. Let's sit.'

Piper did better than that. She collapsed. She would've cracked her head on the cave floor if Hedge hadn't caught her.

Thalia rushed over. 'What's wrong with her? Ah—never mind. I see. Hypothermia.' She frowned at Astrid. 'You usually heal people better than this.'

Astrid rolled her eyes. 'I've been a little sick myself. I haven't been able to give her the full Astrid healing experience.'

Thalia smirked and then glared at Leo. 'You and the satyr take this girl to my friend at the entrance. Phoebe's an excellent healer.'

'Its cold out there!' Hedge said. 'I'll freeze my horns off.'

'Come on, Hedge,' Leo said. 'These two need time to talk.'

'Humph. Fine,' the satyr mumbled. 'Didn't even get to brain anybody.'

Hedge carried Piper toward the entrance. Astrid squeezed Leo's shoulder and watches as he walks out. She turns to Thalia.

'I'll let you two have a moment,' she said. 'But I need to talk—'

'Actually, Ash,' Jason said, 'could you, um, stick around?'

Astrid saw something in Jason's eyes she didn't expect. Jason was asking for support. He was scared. He wanted someone that knew both of them there.

'Of course,' Astrid said, softly.

One look at Thalia and Astrid knew the girl was relieved. Astrid and Thalia fought a lot the first year they met. Astrid felt the girls lightning and Thalia and been sunburned by her. They didn't get along. Not until Thalia joined the Hunters, leaving Astrid with her camp just like before.

The three of them sat by the fire and for a few minutes nobody spoke. Jason studied his sister like she was a scary device—one that might explode if handled incorrectly. Thalia seemed more at ease, as if she was used to stumbling across stranger things than long-lost relatives. But still she regarded Jason in a kind of amazed trance, maybe remembering a little two-year-old who tried to eat a stapler.

Astrid couldn't stand the silence. 'So, Thalia, are the Hunters still required to not date? Cause if they changed that I'd be in.'

Thalia glared. 'Shut up, Phoenix. You don't even want to date.'

Jason kicked her in the shin, lightly. 'She's just trying to break the ice. You know her better than I do, probably. But Thalia... what happened to our family? Who told you I was dead?'

Thalia tugged at a silver bracelet on her wrist. 'Do you remember anything?' she asked.

Jason shook his head. 'I woke up three days ago on a bus with Astrid, Leo, and Piper.'