Riptide

Chapter 16 - The Next Day

"That shouldn't be possible." Phoebe said seriously.

"I don't know how it happened, it just...did. They gave the prophecy - well, I assume it was a prophecy, it seemed like one - and then just collapsed against me." Chiara told her.

"Tell me again how it went."

"Three against four, Divinity to thwart, Hidden ones are found, Use those beneath the ground, Old truths employed, The ancient's convoy." Chiara recited.

"Hidden ones..." Phoebe muttered. "It can't be..."

"What can't be?" Chiara asked.

"Nothing that concerns you. Would you mind leaving the room for a bit? I need some time alone to think."

"Yeah, sure. I'll go check on the horses."

"Thanks."

"No problem." Chiara left the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click. Phoebe sank down into a chair with a sigh.

"It can't be about them, it's impossible." She reassured herself, but she wasn't sure if she believed it. "She's a kid, she's younger than Percy was, even they wouldn't be that heartless." It felt so wrong to imagine the girl - who was only a year older than Angel - getting mixed up in that mess of a world. Maybe calling Ryan would calm her anxiety a bit, he would be more able to make sure she was safe after all. She took a deep breath, calming herself as she picked up her phone and pressed on Ryan's contact.

There was one ring...two rings...and on the third ring, he picked up.

"Hey, Abby, what's up?" His voice was happy but a little concerned.

"A lot. I wish I could come see you."

"There's no reason you couldn't."

"You're 3000 miles away, Zo."

"And? Don't you trust Chiara and Robin to look after everything?"

"Of course I trust them, but what if something happens? What if they're found and-"

"Abby, I'm gonna stop you right there before you start spiralling. Nothing will happen. Okay?" Phoebe took a deep, slow breath.

"Okay."

"Tell me."

"Nothing's going to happen."

"Good." She could almost hear the smile in his voice. He was always good at calming her down when she started freaking out.

"Thanks."

"Of course."

"Maybe I will come visit you, just for a week."

"I'd like that a lot. Love you."

"Love you too."

"See you in a couple of days?"

"Yeah." Phoebe decided. "Yeah, I'll come see you."

"Great."

"Bye, Zo."

"Bye, Abby." She smiled slightly as he hung up. She stood up with another deep breath, closing her eyes for a few seconds. When she opened them, she walked towards the door, pulling her hair back in a ponytail as she did so, and stepped out into the hallway. A lock of blonde hair, which was shorter than the others, fell out of her ponytail, the loose curl brushing against her cheeks. She headed for the stables, where Chiara most likely was.

The grass below her feet as she stepped outside was soft, even through her shoes, and she could see the beach a small way away, the California sun glinting off the sea. As she reached the stables, she slowed her walk. She saw Irene at the far end and smiled. The daughter of Poseidon spent a lot of time outside and with the horses, expecially Stella.

Irene waved at her, still stroking Stella.

~~~

Meanwhile, in Washington DC

"Aura, come back inside!" The woman shouted, smiling slightly at the girl dancing around the garden.

"But I like the rain!"

"It's not safe, it's storming!"

"Ugh, fine!" The girl crossed her arms and made her way back inside. "You're boring."

"That might be, but I have seniority while your mom's gone." She chuckled, ruffling Aura's hair.

"Doesn't mean I have to like it." Aura flopped down on the couch.

"If you like the rain so much, how come you're not wet?"

"I don't want to get wet, Amber." Aura said as if it was obvious.

"Oh, obviously." Amber smirked. "C'mon, Storm Cloud, I bought cupcakes."