The Huntress

Chapter 11

Jade's POV:

I wake up and the sun is only just beginning to rise. I smile as I look across the once - before wasteland. The grass was still green, rolling over the hills and flowers dotted the countryside. And the trees.

They were magnificent. The forest grew tall and thick. It's amazing what you can do when you decide to do it. The stars still shine, waiting for the sun to wash them away from view. I stood and extinguished the fire, before packing away my sleeping bag.

I heard a sleepy voice call out," Where are you going so early in the morning?" I turn around to see Nico sitting up straight and staring at me with those intense eyes of his. I cant help but smile." I'm returning to my pack of course," I say as I prop my backpack across my shoulder and turn away.

"What! You can't leave," Nico says desperately, grabbing my wrist. I turn and look at him. "I don't belong in this quest. It has nothing to do with me," I say quietly. He looks shocked and begins to shake his head." Yes you do. You saved our butts and seem like you could really help us," he reasons.

Then he looks at me in my eyes. "I know it's not a coincidence that we met and that you showed up yesterday," he finishes. I look away from his eyes and agree quietly. He lets go of my wrist, and smiles in triumph.

Nico's POV:

I wake up to the sound of footsteps around our make shift camp. I slept really well last night. The "show" last night was unlike anything I've ever seen before. I've never seen Artemis use the stars before and that was amazing.

There is something strange with Jade. I remember her silver eyes glowing as she played with the silver mist and stars. Using one finger she would connect the stars that floated around to form tiny animals. I wasn't able to take my eyes away from her as she laughed.

She seemed so happy, surrounded by stars. But, sadly, deep down, something is telling me not to trust her and to stay as far away as possible. I turn to see her stuffing her sleeping bag into her backpack.

"Where are you going so early in the morning?" I call out softly, trying not to wake the others. She turns, with a smile on her face, and says,"I'm returning to my pack of course." She throws her backpack over her shoulder and turns away.

I can't help myself. I jump to my feet and cry," What! You can't leave." I reach forward and grab her wrist, swinging her around to face me. "I don't belong in this quest. It has nothing to do with me," she tells me softly. I shake my head and say,"Yes you do. You saved our butts and you seem like you can really help us."

I probably sound really desperate, but I know she does belong here. I look her straight in the eyes. "I know it's not a coincidence that we met and that you showed up yesterday," I reason. She looks down and nods.

I release her wrist in relief. She needs to stay. We need her. I immediately push the thought away. "Good. Now I'll wake up the rest." All she does is nod. I rush over to Hazel and wake her up.

She looks at me and says groggily,"Good morning Nico." Then she smiles and asks,"Why are you blushing?" "I am not blushing!"I say defensively.

"Hmm, sure," she says through closed eyes. I roll my eyes and haul her to her feet. I wake up the others, luckily not getting anymore comments about my red face.

Hazel's POV:

I'm woken up by my brother shaking me. "Good morning Nico," I mutter, still half asleep. When I realise his face is red, I smile and ask him why. He got a bit defensive and refuesed to speak with me during breakfast, which we had walked 1/4 of a mile to reach.

We're sitting down and at a local McDonalds, Nico's favourite, but he still refueses to speak to anyone, not only me. "Why's Nico so quiet?" Percy whispers to me. "I embarrassed him this morning and now he's grumpy," I reply. He raises an eyebrow at me, but I shake my head.

"Later," I whisper. Luckily he gets it and doesn't press the situation. I notice Jade isn't eating anything. Before I could say anything, Jason speaks up. "We need to discuss the phropcey," I declares and suddenly Jade reaches across the table and clamps her hand over his mouth.

She moved so fast it took us a few seconds to register what had happened. "Say it any louder and Canada could hear you," she hisses. Everyone nods, but she doesn't remove her hand. She's staring off to her left.

I look in that direction and notice a group of 3 middle aged men in wearing suites and reading newspapers, leather briefcases sitting at their feet. They look like lawyers, I think to myself. Now the others are staring as well.

Realising that they've been noticed they begin to walk over to us. Jade sat back in her seat, both hands hidden from view. When they reach our table, they greet us." Hello demigods," the one on the right  says.

Nico is suddenly on his feet and glaring at the men. "You," he hisses. "Yes, us, Nico di Angelo. But I advise you all not to do anything rash," the one in the middle says, glancing nervously at Jade. "We have only come here seeking your help. We wish to speak with you all. Alone."