Heir of a Titan - Book 2 PJO

Chapter 4: Peace Out Mortal World. It's Been a Slice.

It took a long time to finish eating breakfast and clean up. While everyone got ready and took turns in the bathroom I talked to Dad and Sally, they reluctantly agreed that it was a good idea for me to return to camp and become a full time camper. At least this year until Kronos was somehow defeated- or we all died.

"Will you come back into town for visitors?"

"I'm sure I can convince Chiron to let me come visit."

"Please be safe."

"Safe?" I signed with an eye roll. "What is safe?"

"Don't die." Dad looked like he aged a few years in one night. "You sacred me Nora. That young man of your stumbles into the house your covered in blood and unresponsive."

"I'm sorry dad." I paused. "seriously, we were just going for ice cream and then they were there, waiting for us. An entire mini army waiting to take me to Kronos."

Dad nodded sadly. "We'll miss you around here." Dad paused and gave my hand a squeeze. "I love you."

"I love you too dad."

It sucked that I finally had a family, one that understood who I was and what I was going through, a step mom who actually liked my dad for who he was and someone who accepted me and a step brother just like me, and I was forced to leave their home. I pushed that thought to the back and got up, giving them both a tight hug.

I lent Kayla some clothes. Sally had washed Raph's bloody clothes and his cheeks and ears were pink when she handed them back cleaned and folded.

"Thank you Miss Jackson."

"Oh please, call me Sally. Miss Jackson makes me sound so old!"

"Thank you....Sally."

"You just take care of my daughter."

"Yes ma'am. Always."

She smiled and patted his cheek. I pressed my lips together to keep from giggling at his pink blush. Sally winked at me and left the room.

"Too bad. I like the shirtless look."

He raised an eyebrow and sauntered closer. His dark eyes drilled into my amber gold ones and his cocky smirk made my stomach back flip. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me tighter into his bare chest. My fingers trailed the sunflower tattoo on his chest. He just watched me. I flattened my hands against his chest and I laid my forehead on his chest feeling the weight of everything. I knew the prophecy wasn't about me, but I still had my own dark one. And it hung over me, and the fact Kronos was trying to get me.

Raph seemed to sense my mood and just held me and kissed the top of my head. He didn't say anything, didn't do anything other than hold me tight. I felt safe in Raph's strong arms, standing in the middle of my family kitchen. I turned my head and laid my ear in his chest, wishing I could hear the thumb of his heart. But I couldn't. I could feel it though, I could feel the steady rhythmic thump under my cheek. My fingers felt everything else; his iron levels, his cholesterol, blood pressure, I could feel his muscles tense and contracting, I could feel how much oxygen was in his body and I could sense how stressed or relaxed he was.

I felt his hand slowly run up my back and bury into my hair, and apply just a bit more pressure, holding me even tighter. I felt a small rumble in his chest. I exhaled heavily.

Raph stiffened and turned his head. I picked my head up and looked around. Percy was leaning on the doorway his arms crossed.

"Oh, don't mind me?" He signed.

"Okay, we won't." I signed back and pushed up on my toes and pulled Raph's head down. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him make a face and spin around. I smirked and laughed at his reaction. Raph closed the distance and brushed his lips against my laughing mouth.