I'm not one of them

Easy now, don't stab me

Lianna's POV

"I would love to stay here." I said excitedly. I then remembered Rachel. "But, I have to come and go freely. As I said, I'm living with my friend, and it'd be pretty horrible of me to just up and leave her." Chiron waved his hand in dismissal.

"I expected you to come and go. Since you're not a demigod, I really have no control over your actions."

I frowned, not liking his choice of words. "Yes you do. You can ask me. I do have feelings and opinions, but I gladly put other peoples feelings before mine. If you want me to do something, just say so. Oh, and, if you want to summon me for anything," I fished a golden whistle out of my pocket and handed it to him. "Just blow twice quickly on this. I'll hear it, and in return, the whistle will vibrate twice in your hand. Then place the whistle on the ground. After that, I'll be summoned to you."

Chiron looked at the whistle in interest. "Perplexing. Would you mind giving me a demonstration?"

I beamed at him, but shuddered internally. "Of course. I'll sheer off to somewhere in the forest. Wait 30 seconds before blowing the whistle. Only twice." I warned, then took off. Sheering away, I was quickly at the edge of the barrier. Soon, I felt two spastic shudders travel down my spine. It was the only thing I hated about the summoning. I pushed outward with my hands and sent two blasts of energy back to the whistle. Waiting a few seconds, I sank to the ground and placed a few fingers down, as if taking its pulse. Feeling the link for the small piece of gold, I closed my eyes and dissolved.

Holding onto the link, I zipped towards the pinging piece of metal. Reaching it quickly, I grasped it and re-materialized next to Chiron, kneeling on the ground. Standing, I handed him the whistle back. He smiled. "Remarkable. You truly are amazing."

I bowed. "Thank you sir. Do you happen to have the time?" I didn't want to miss my meet with Annabeth. Hopefully, a friendship can come out of this.

Chiron glanced at his wrist watch. "It's 3:28. If you'll excuse me, I have an archery class to teach." He dipped his head in farewell and rose out of his wheelchair, but his bottom half pulled out of the chair as a horse. I looked on, amazed, as he galloped away. "Centaur," I murmered. Turning around, I saw Grover hanging back. "What's up Grover?" I asked.

He bleated nervously. "I was wondering, the first time Percy and I found you, were you gonna kill me?" I looked at him, surprised, but then considered how he must have felt. A strange being with fangs and claws holding him tightly, teeth poised above the neck.

I shook my head. "No, no Grover. My whole existence is to protect people like you and Percy. I just wanted Percy to stop attacking me without reason, so I dumbly threatened you instead. I'm sorry."

His expression lightened. "Well, I'm sorry I was so quick to judge. You seem like a nice person."

I grinned and stuck out my hand. "Can we start over Grover? Hi, I'm Lianna Bridays. You can call me Lia."

He smiled and shook my hand. "Hi Lia, I'm Grover Underwood. Nice to meet you." We shook hands, and pulled away.

"Well I hate to meet and run, but I have a meeting with a certain blonde Athenian so, I'll see you around. Oh! Here, I can't really eat them well, so, you have it." I handed him the apple that was in my pocket. His demeanor brightened considerably and he bleated his thanks. I saluted him and turned, sheering off towards the cabins. I stopped behind the bathhouse, trying to remember which cabin was the Hephaestus cabin.

My eyes met a cabin painted blood red and covered in barbed wire. Nope, Ares cabin. The next was a frilly, girly cabin with supermodel type girls and guys hanging around. The girls were cute, had to remember that cabin. But nope, Aphrodite. Next. Dark cabin with skulls and bones. Ooh, Hades. I'll visit there soon. Have to give him thanks again. Next. Bluish gray cabin, big rocks, trident on door, nope. Poseidon. Finally, my eyes landed on a steampunk sort of cabin covered in gears. Bingo! Hephaestus cabin.