Masked Hearts

Chapter 11 - Rachel's P.O.V.

I haven't worked out the details, but on the basics, my plan had three parts:

Part 1, create a distraction long enough for Peleus to ignore his duties and me for, let's say... 3 hours?

Part 2, take the Golden Fleece to Octavian, sneaking in the way and heal him, without him saying a word about it.

Part 3, return the Golden Fleece and stop distracting Peleus.

Sounds easy on my mind, but not in reality. How I'm going to distract a dragon that's ten times bigger than me, and growing at speed, without getting hurt?! I looked around, trying to find some inspiration when I came up with something that could be worthy of Hermes! I chased down Chiron to tell him my plan (not my entire plan, mind you! I'm not gonna give away that easily).

"Chiron!" He turned around, as soon as he heard my voice. But I also had the eyes of his entire class, making me cursed myself. Asking Chiron in the middle of the class? Either it's suicide or a brilliant thing of mine.

"What can I do for you, Rachel?" he asked, politely. I felt bad for deceiving him, but not that much.

"It just occurred to me... Shouldn't we teach Peleus how to stand a distraction attack?" Suddenly, I had the attention of everyone. And, I mean, everyone "I mean, what if someone wanted to break into camp and know that, the best way to do so is distracting Peleus by pretending to steal the Fleece... We need to train him around that possibility..." Chiron was stroking his beard while listening to me. I was quickly losing my confidence, when someone said something.

"Rachel's right" The voice came from Malcolm, Annabeth's lieutenant and brother "Peleus is here to protect the Golden Fleece, but it can also be a tactical disadvantage when we get attack, because Peleus won't recognize an enemy if they don't go towards the Fleece..." Hope sparked in me. I can't believe I was pulling this off!

"We should get organized for next week-"

"NO!" I panicked, cutting their conversation, shocking everyone. Apparently, I was doing that lately "What better time than now? He doesn't have a clue..."

"She's right!" This time, Sherman from Ares' Cabin agreed with me. I smirked to myself and left them to make the plans, while searching for my next ally. You can't steal something without the blessing of the god of thieves...

"Stolls!!" I whispered-yelled at them, when they passed by. They looked at me, interestedly "I have a bet for you two..."

"A bet?" Connor smirked, wrapping an arm around my shoulders "Rachel, dear... While you flatter us, we can't take you up on that bet..."

"Though, who could blame you? We're the hottest in Camp..."

"If you don't count Percy..."

"But, he's taken"

"So is Jason..."

"He's in Camp Jupiter, fixing the mess..."

"That means she came to the left ones..."

"I'm ashamed of you, Rachel!" Travis finished, with mock hurt. I rolled my eyes and pushed Connor's arm off me.

"It's not about that!" I wanted to whack their heads, but I didn't have enough time "I have another kind of bet..."

"We're all ears..." Travis announced, crossing his arms.

"I just convinced Chiron to 'train' Peleus in case of some surprise attack... And, I know you and your siblings won't be able to hold for the longest-" I had placed the bait and the brothers took it with pleasure and no recognition.

"Are you saying the Hermes' Cabin won't be able to hold it?" Connor actually looked upset I thought that.

"If you guys can do it... I'll pay the entire Cabin 10 drachmas... each" That fueled the bet and the brothers took it. They left me not believing what I just did. The worst part? I didn't feel guilty!

I rounded the campers, watching them doing plans and the sleeping Peleus, who was ignorant to everything. I felt bad for tricking Peleus, no one was more used than the poor animal, but I was desperate and no one wanted to help me. The responsibility landed on me.

I watched as the Ares' Cabin was doing the first frontal attack. Peleus deflected it quickly, but it got ambushed by the Athena' Cabin. Rumors run faster than wind and every cabin was trying to prove its worth by distracting Peleus. Since it would be a while for each cabin, I sneaked from behind, praying no one would see me and, silently, I took the Fleece away from it's spot. I wasn't afraid of the tree to suddenly putrefy itself, because the Fleece had taken all the venom, and Thalia, off it.

I rushed into Big House, thanking that everyone was trying to distract Peleus. If this was going on like this, I'd have enough time to return it. I rushed along the hallways until I reached Octavian's room. I didn't knock, knowing he'd either shout me away or he'd be sleeping.

I was so glad I didn't knock.

Octavian was laying on his bed, with a knife that I hadn't seen before stabbed onto his thigh. The cut wasn't deep, probably because he didn't had enough strength, but he was bleeding out quickly and non stop. His blue eyes weren't focusing on anything, but they were on me the second I walked inside. I'm sure my face of horror said enough to him.

"You- How-" I was left speechless and it wasn't something that happened often. I kneeled at his side and, without waiting an answer, I wrapped the Fleece around his body. He wanted to move, but I held him down, by his wrists "I just didn't steal one of the most powerful objects in Camp just for you to try to kill yourself!" I scolded him, sounded worry for him "I know we don't have to be friends, but I'd love to see a little more worry about your health if no one but me is gonna take care of you!" I sounded like a mother grounding her kid, but I didn't care.

I just hoped we could survive the next four hours...

----

Hello and good morning to you all!

I realize is not Sunday, but I haven't had the time to post yesterday. Also, I apologize for not posting the previous weekends and, even though I have no excuse for that, I have an excuse for posting today.

You see, next weekend I'll be leaving on holidays and I won't be posting for two weekends, almost three. So, I decided to post now the chapters I owe you and the ones I will, since practically is the only moment free I have while getting ready!

Here are the chapters!

Sis/Bro, Your Shadow is Hot!: 5 CHAPTERS! (Nope, not insane).

Maidenhood (adopted from TheColorofBoom): 5 CHAPTERS as well!!

Rise of Ouranos (ReWrite) (former collab with LordNitro): 5 CHAPTERS

Quest: Matchmade (former collab with Hugs6): 5 CHAPTERS

Masked Hearts (former collab with Hugs6): 5 CHAPTERS

I wish you all have a great Monday and, obviously, I'll see you the last weekend of March!

xoxo, SilverHuntresses