"My tears ricochet" (book 3 in the Storm Decology)

"You're gonna be a natural"

Artemis assured us that dawn was coming, but you could've fooled me. It was colder, darker and snowier than ever before. Up on the hill. Westover Hall's windows were completely lightless. I wondered if the teachers had noticed that Di Angelos and Dr. The Thorn was gone. I didn't want to be around when they did.
The hunters broke camp as quickly as they set it up, I stood shivering next to Percy. Artemis stared into the east like she was expecting something, Bianca sat off to one side talking to Nico. I could tell by his gloomy face that she was explaining her decision. I'm glad she was finally able to be free.
Thalia and Grover came up and huddled around us, anxious to hear about our audience with the goddess. After Percy told them (My lips were too cold to do anything but shudder). Grover went pale. "The last time the hunters visited camp it didn't go well"
"How did they even get up here?" Percy wondered. "I mean, they just appeared out of nowhere"
"And Bianca joined them," Thalia said, disgusted.
"All those years ago, the only reason you didn't was because of Luke" I scoffed.
"Who can blame her?" Grover said. "Eternity with Artemis?" He heaved a big sigh.
Thalia rolled her eyes.

Finally the sky began to lighten. Artemis muttered, "About time. He's so-o-o lazy during the winter"
"You're waiting for sunrise?" Percy asked.
"For my brother. Yes"
"It's not exactly what you think," Artemis said.
"Oh okay," Percy visibly relaxed. "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 warned. "Not until he parks"
Ah. Ok this made perfect sense. I averted my eyes and noticed the other kids were doing the same. The light and warmth intensified until my winter coat felt like it was melting off of me. Then suddenly the light died.
I looked. And I couldn't believe it. It was a red convertible Maserati Syder. The metal was so hot it glowed. The snow had melted around the car in a perfect circle, leaving my boots soaked and the grass green.
The driver got out, smiling. He looked about seventeen or eighteen. And for a second he almost looked like luke. Except this guy had a kind smile and a scarless face. The driver wore jeans and loafers and a sleeveless t-shirt.
"Wow," Thalia muttered. "Apollo is hot"
"Yuck" I said curling my lip.
"He's the sun god," Percy said, shaking his head and rolling his eyes.
"That's not what I meant"
"Little sister!" Apollo called. If his teeth were any whiter they would've blinded me before the sun had a chance. "Sister's" He corrected, pointing at Thalia and I with a smirk. He turned back to Artemis. "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 more millennia do we have to argue–"
"So what's up?" He interrupted. "Got the girls with you? Any of them need tips on. . . Archery?"
Artemis grit her teeth. "I need a favor. I have some hunting to do, alone. I need you to take the hunters to Camp Half-Blood"
"Sure sis!" Then he raised his hands as if he was going to reveal something breathtaking. "I feel a haiku coming"
The hunters all groaned. Apparently they'd met Apollo before.
He cleared his throat and held one hand up dramatically."
"Green grass breaks through snow, Artemis pleads for my help, I'm so cool."
He grinned at us waiting for an applause.
"That last line was only four syllables," Artemis said.
Apollo frowned. "Was it?"
"yes. What about 'I am so big-headed'?"
"No, no, that's six syllables. Hmm" He started muttering to himself.
Zoe Nightshade turned to us. "Lord Apollo has been going through this haiku phase ever since he visited Japan. 'Tis not as bad as the time he visited Limerick. If I'd had to listen to another poem that started with, 'There once was a goddess from Sparta–"
"I got it!" Apollo announced. ''I am so awesome. That's five syllables!" He bowed, looking very pleased with himself. "And now, Sis. Transportation for the Hunters, you say? Good timing. I was just about to get ready to roll."
"These demigods will also need a ride," Artemis said, pointing to us. "Some of Chiron's campers"
"No problem!" Apollo checked us all out. "Let's see . . . Thalia, and Victoria? Yes I've heard much of you Victoria"
I nodded and looked at Thalia. She was blushing like an idiot. "Yes, Lord Apollo," She said.
"Zeus's girls right? Make you my half sisters. Used to be a tree didn't you? Glad you're back. I hate it when pretty girls turn into trees"
"Yes, half siblings" I coughed hoping that would make him stop flirting with my sister. Yuck.
"Brother" Artemis said, raising her brow. "You must get going"
"Oh, right" Then he looked at Percy. "Percy Jackson?"
"Yeah. I mean . . .Yes sir"
I cleared my throat and grabbed Percy's arm. I gripped it tightly, keeping my mouth tightly closed as Apollo studied him.
"Well," He said at last, giving me one last look. "We'd better load up, huh? Ride only goes one way–West. And if you miss it, you miss it"
I looked at the car. It might seat two people. How the hell was that supposed to work?
"Cool car" Nico said.
"Thanks, kid" Apollo said.
"How are all of us going to fit in it?"
"Oh." Apollo said, seeming to just now notice the issue. "Well, yeah. I hate to change it out of sports-car mode, but I suppose . . ."
He took out his car keys and beeped the security alarm.
For a moment, the car grew brightly again. When the glam died, the Maserati had been replaced by a bus.
"Right," He said. "Everybody in"
Zoe ordered the Hunters to start loading in. She picked up her camping pack and Apollo said, "here, sweetheart. Let me get that"
Zoe recoiled. Her eyes flashed murderously. God she got so much prettier so often.
"Brother" Artemis chided. "You do not help my Hunters. You do not look at, talk to or flirt with my Hunters. And you do not call them sweetheart."
Apollo spread his hands. "Sorry. I forgot. Hey, sis, where are you off to anyway?"
"Hunting," Artemis said. "It's none of your business"
"I'll find out. I see all. Know all"
Artemis snorted. "Just drop them off Apollo. And no messing around!"
"No, no! I never mess around"
Artemis rolled her eyes then looked at us. "I will see you by winter solstice. Zoe, you are in charge of the Hunters. Do well. Do as I would."
Zoe straightened. "Yes, my lady"
Artemis knelt and touched the ground looking for tracks. When she rose she looked troubled. "So much danger. The beast must be found"
She sprinted toward the woods and melted into the snow and shadows.
Apollo turned and grinned, jangling the car keys on his finger. "So," He said. "Who wants to drive?"