Loveless Daughter of Love

Chapter 4

We followed Chiron into his office and sat down in front of his desk as he wheeled himself around the other side. Kalen was quickly distracted by all of the pictures hanging on the walls depicting demigods that attended the camp. Some so old that the paper was starting to crumble with age, most a lot more recent. One was of Percy and his friends after their first quest to the Underworld. Another was myself and two of my friends from the Ares cabin, Chelsea and Braxton, after our mission to destroy a hydra that was tormenting a nearby town. Seeing that picture always makes me smile because I proved I wasn't just another Aphrodite girl. My half-sister Piper congratulated me as soon as I got home telling me she knew I could do it all along.

"So," Chiron interrupted our daydreaming as he looked at us seriously. "Alyssa if you could please tell me how you happened upon Mr. Michaels, it should help us get started on helping him discover his mother." He said looking at me calmly and evenly.

"Of course. I had been on my way to the beach for the fireworks show when I.. decided to go do some training instead." I lied feeling my cheeks burn in embarrassment at the real reason as to why I didn't go. "Once I was in the arena I heard rustling from the tree line. I went over to investigate when Kalen appeared out of the bushes and collapsed unconscious. I checked his pulse," I could feel me cheeks color more as I recalled the first time I saw him. "Then gave him some nectar to help him heal faster." I say completeing my part of the story looking at Chiron as I willed the color to leave my cheeks.

I know Aphrodite girls have a tendency to become infatuated easily but I was like Piper, never focusing on looks only on ability and personality. But for some reason Kalen just made my heart race and it was driving me crazy. I just met him and every time I look at him my mind goes fuzzy and I struggle just to make complete sentences.

Chiron nodded then turned to look at Kalen. He took a deep breath and released it before speaking. "Earlier this afternoon I left my apartment to go on a hike, the forests outside of New York are my favorite place to go. When I walked to my car I saw several scratches on my car but I just figured that someone keyed my car. I drove out of the city and parked off to the side of the road. I climbed out and felt a chill run up my spine. I looked around and didn't see anything at first, then I heard the growl. I looked behind me and I thought it was just a really big wolf until I noticed that its fur was missing in chunks and its eyes were glowing red." A hellhound. Chiron and I look at each otherand come to a silent agreement, but why would a hellhound be chasing demigods in broad daylight? Kalen continued without noticing our exchange. "Before I could even react it was lunging at me. I dove under it and started running away through the brush to try and loose it. I could hear it behind me even though I had no idea where I was going, I was just following my gut. After I don't know how long of running, I realized that I couldn't hear that thing chasing me any more. I kept running sensing something ahead when I tripped and basically flew through the bushes and knocked myself out. Then Alyssa found me." He said the last part looking straight in my eyes, that increasingly familiar fluttering feeling starting up in my chest again.

"Well it seems that all we can do is get you situated and pray that your mother claims you soon. Alyssa could you please take Kalen to the camp store and get him set up with a bag and supplies?" Chiron asked with a gentle smile at Kalen.

I nod smiling as I stand up looking at Kalen as he stands as well. "Come on, I'll show the camp store." I said as I walked out of the Big House and across the camp grounds to a small building set apart from the arena.

I push open the door and flip on the lights. Normally there's at least one camper manning the counter during the day but we leave it unlocked at night incase we have an emergency. Such as this situation. I grab the standard camp duffle bag and start grabbing supplies like a canteen and assorted toiletries before I move on to the clothes. "What size shirt are you? Medium or large?" I ask grabbing both sizes. When I don't get a response I turn around to face Kalen and find him staring intently at a banner hanging on the wall. "Kalen? Are you okay?" I ask as I walk over beside him and glance up at the banner. An owl clutching a scroll and an olive branch in its talons seemed to be staring right back at Kalen.

"That's it.." He murmurs, his eyes never leaving the owl figure. "Athena, she's my mother." As soon as the word left his mouth the banner began to glow with a silver light that gradually grew brighter and brighter until we had to avert our eyes it was so bright. I look up at Kalen and I find myself looking into his bright silver eyes, that fluttering feeling starting up in my belly again as the light starts to fade.

" Guess we need to go see Chiron again." I say a bit breathlessly as the room returns to its original brightness.

"Yeah, we probably should." He replied, his voice sounding different. Calmer.

I quickly finish packing his bag of supplies and hold it out to him. "At least now you wont be in this alone." I say smiling slightly.

When he reaches out to take the bag his hand wraps around mine as he looks in my eyes smiling causing blood to rush into my cheeks. "I never was alone thanks to you."