Claimed by Twelve

11. Dreams

"Julian?" My eyes snapped open. I had fallen asleep on the floor, still leaning against the wall. I pushed myself to my feet. I squinted against the darkness. "Julian."
"Who's asking?" The figure stepped forward. I was shocked. He looked like Percy. "Poseidon." I whispered.
"Actually no." He smiled as the moonlight reflected off his face. "Neptune." I stood still, unsure of what to say. "Come here Julian." I took a few steps forward. Neptune smiled at me. "You've grown so much."
I couldn't stop the words coming out of my mouth. "No thanks to you."
"I wouldn't have left if I didn't have to. The mortal world is not a place I could stay in. The other Gods would notice my absence."
"You couldn't even come back once?"
"You must understand, Julian. I–"
"It's Jules," I replied cooly.
He hesitated. "Jules." He glanced at the door. "I would rather not do this in here."
"Rain check. I'm not exactly at liberty to be walking around free at the moment. Sorry." I met his eyes.
"Because you almost killed your cousin and brother," he countered.
An uneasy feeling started growing in my gut. "I'd rather not call them that. I'm not like them."
"Of course not. You're special." My eyes must have betrayed my surprise because he started laughing. "Trust me Julian–"
"Jules."
"Jules," he corrected himself as the laughter subsided. "You're not the downfall of Olympus."
It was my turn to laugh. "Really? You want to tell me what the hell is going on then?"
He stepped backwards through the door. I saw the two Romans who were guarding my cell were fast asleep. "I am so going to regret this," I mumbled as I followed him out the door.
      The camp was actually peaceful at night. There weren't dozens of Romans running around. I followed Neptune out the gate and to the riverside. It was full again; either by Percy's doing or Neptune's.
      The latter was looking at the water with sadness. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there Julian." His voice was sincere. I remained quiet. The water reminded me of home. I wished I could go home.
      I missed the beach. When I couldn't sleep I used to sit on the sand and watch the stars reflect off the ocean. A longing feeling built up inside of me. I wanted to go home. Home wasn't much, but it was home. Our house had three bedrooms; my mom's, mine, and one that my mom never let me enter. I always assumed it was my father's.
Neptune's voice snapped me back to reality. "Move it."
"What?" I was clearly startled.
"Move the water. Like you did earlier."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
I bit my bottom lip. "I don't know how. I nearly killed Jason and Percy today and now–"
"But you weren't in full control then. If you want to survive – if you want to protect both camps – then you must learn."
I remained quiet. Did I want to save both camps? I closed my eyes and thought of Camp Half-Blood. Sure, I didn't like it there. But that didn't mean they should die. I open my eyes and focused on the water.
      I felt a hollow feeling in my gut. I pushed it down. The water was mine. I started to feel it. I willed the water to move up. It did. I smiled as I let the water fall back to the ground. I turned around and my smile faltered. Neptune was gone. I sighed as I made my way back to my cell. The guards were still knocked out so I just walked in and shut the door behind me. I slid to the ground again. My eyelids started to droop as a thought crossed my mind.
      Was that just a dream?