Stupid Cupid

~Stupid Cupid - Chapter 26

A clearing opened up just as the sun had fully disappeared behind the skyline. Thalia, thankfully, had slowed to an easy stride much slower then before. Only a few campers still wondered around and many were trying to sneak in a few more extra activities before curfew. I saw two campers - Aphrodite and Ares - leaning against a tree behind the climbing wall obviously making out. Too my left I saw a group of satyrs conversing as they chewed metal cans. And, unmistakably, Travis and Connor Stoll ran past laughing gleefully as a rather pissed Hephaestus chic ran after them wearing camouflage pants, a tattered gray tank top, and a bandanna wrapped around her waist as a belt.

One girl that I didn't recognize smiled warmly at Thalia Grace before going back on her way. 

Before I knew it, Thalia was making a break for my cabin. I had to run to keep up with her and was hardily out of breath by the time we got to the opening on the Poseidon cabin. As I expected, Jason, Annabeth, Nico, and Percy were all talking inside.

"I don't know why, Wise Girl! All I know is that Sky completely flipped. She was pale and shaky and looked like she'd been dropped in the Underworld. Did she tell you anything, Nico?"

"No, she just swung open the door like the floor was on fire and hugged me. Then you showed up and next thing I know the three of us are frozen to the ground and my girlfriend is running into the woods."

"Maybe there's an explanation-"

"Would someone please tell me why a girl I don't know somehow knows my life story?" Annabeth was cut off by her best friend and, despite the serious conversation the four of them were having, Annabeth's face broke into a grin and she attacked Thalia in a bear hug.

Percy and Jason both joined Annabeth in the death hug that Thalia was trapped in but Nico's dark eyes landed directly on my blue ones. He walked almost hesitantly towards me like he was afraid I'd run off again. Once he was in front of me the others had noticed my presence as well. Percy was the one to break the silence.

"So, you've met my baby sister."

"Yeah, and I want to know why she knows everything about me including my fear of heights!"

"You're scared of height?" Nico's question was ignored.

"That's a way longer story than you may think."

"I've got time, Fish Boy."

With that, Percy and Annabeth launched into the explanation of me. They started from how I got here to Rachel telling me my many problems to discovering my powers. They finished the story by telling her what happened before she and I met. At that point everyone looked at me. Nico tightened his grip around my waist.

"Why can't we get a break?" Percy, Annabeth, and Jason laughed halfheartedly at Thalia's response. 

"Sky, I think it's time for you to tell us what you saw." Annabeth's voice was soft and reassuring but it didn't have the same convincing tone as Piper. Her cold grey eyes - though furrowed in concern - were intense.

"I-I don't remember much but long story short I was in Nico's cabin and it was just him and me and someone else. I don't know who but when I saw them I got really angry - like, tsunami causing, earth shaking angry. And-and I used my powers on them. I controlled the blood in their bodies but it wasn't like with Clarisse where I was gentle, or, at least, trying to be. I was being cruel and harsh with my movements. Then... Then, I did something. I, kinda, flicked my wrist or something and they fell to the floor. But it wasn't natural. Their eyes. Their eyes were wide open, in pain. And they were lifeless." 

Tears swam in my eyes but I forced them back putting all I had left in me to stay in control and neutral. That is, until Nico's grip around my waist dropped away and he moved away quickly. I knew he hadn't meant to and that he probably didn't realize why he'd done it but it didn't matter. The tears that had collected in my eyes spilled over. They ran down my cheeks leaving hot and salty wet tracks on my cheeks. I hurried to wipe them away but it did nothing to conceal them. All of the people in front of me noticed. 

Thalia had a stoney expression like she was trying to hide her thoughts. Annabeth and Percy looked bewildered and Jason was looking anywhere but me. However, the person who got my attention the most was Nico. His eyes were darting between me, Percy, and the door. Nico's body was tense and ridged like he was getting ready to run and his hands were clasped in fists at his sides. 

No one dared the speak.

"We need to get Chiron. He needs to take her to Olympus and the gods will deal with her there." Thalia had finally decided to speak her thoughts and I was suddenly wishing to not know what she was thinking again.

"Thals, wait a second. Sky hasn't done anything-" Jason was cut off by his sister.

"Yet. Sky hasn't done anything yet. Jason, she's a danger to you, your friends, herself, and the rest of the camp. We can't kick her out because she has enough godly stench on her to set Tartarus loose. We don't have a choice in the matter. She just admitted to murdering two people - one of which is your friend! One of which who is her boyfriend! For Hera's sake, if you don't do something I'll have my Hunters do something."

"Di immortales! Thalia!" Annabeth's face was shocked and terrified by what her friend was saying but it was nothing compared to the terror and shock I was feeling.

"Your Hunters won't be doing a damn thing, Thalia. Sky had the blessing of Artemis therefore she is protected by and from your Hunters." Nico glared furiously at Thalia and his eyes glowed a bright hot red that reminded me of rubies. 

"Nico, calm down. The last time your eyes glowed that red you almost knocked Rhode Island off the map. No one is doing or going  anywhere until we talk to Chiron and Rachel. Is that understood?" Jason looked around all five of us with his shocking blue eyes both hands raised in caution. "Is that understood?" 

Thalia nodded begrudgingly and the others nodded more in a sign of relief than understanding.

"I guess we need to go to Chiron." Percy looked at everyone before heading out of the door and turning.

"Other way, Seaweed Brain!" Annabeth called out.

Percy turned around and headed towards the Big House. We all followed in suit. Nico stood next to me while Jason and Annabeth stayed between Thalia and I. All too soon the Big House came into view and with it the white Stallion body that Chiron was attached to.