Claimed by Twelve

Decision

      I slumped against the wall. Each breath was a struggle. I focused on breathing and getting enough air to actually survive and not pass out. Khione was going to kill me. I knew it in my heart. I knew it in my soul. There was no way to explain this now. I had defended Camp Half-Blood. Khione knew what side I was on now. And so did I.
"Julian?" Aidin's voice distracted me from my thoughts of impending doom.
      "Aidin." My voice was weak. My thoughts started spinning in a new direction. Aidin and Pax. I couldn't take a chance that Khione would figure out they were working with the gods. I couldn't let them die. Besides, they would make more of a difference at Camp Jupiter.
      "Gods Julian." I felt Aidin's arm slip around me as he took my weight. "What the hell happened?"
      "Pax." I whispered. I cleared my throat. "You and Pax need to leave. Now."
      "Why? Julian, answer me." I looked at Aidin. His eyes were wild, but I could see the concern in them.
      They had trusted me. It was time for me to trust them.
      "You can control the shadows." I started. "Child of..."
      "Nyx."
      "How fast can Khione get back here?"
      "She has plenty of demigods that can shadow travel. Why?"
      I most definitely screwed. "Khione attacked Camp Half-Blood." I could see the questions on Aidin's lips. I cut him off. "I chose my side Aidin. Now get Pax and leave."
      Understanding dawned in his eyes. "You mean..."
      "Go!" I pushed Aidin away from me with as much strength as possible. Each second we talked was another second Khione got closer to killing me. "Camp Jupiter. That's where you'll be safest." It was a lie on my lips. Khione would attack Camp Jupiter next and I knew it.
      Aidin hesitated in the doorway. "Khione has her. So you know." His voice was quiet. He met my eyes and I saw the fear in them. "She has Jayde." Aidin disappeared before I could reply.
      I stood in silence. My sister. Jayde. Khione had taken Jayde. My anger started to boil and my certainty of death started to fade. Khione would be the one to die.
"JULIAN GLYNN." Khione's voice shook the ceiling above me. I pushed down the feeling of dread rising in my throat. I had used my strength to save Camp Half-Blood. Now I had to face Khione without my powers. No, not without my powers. Without my strength.
      I heard ice crackle and I spun around. A bright light burst across my vision as a huge icicle slammed into my head. I gasped as I struggled to keep myself upright against the wall. I felt hands grab me and shove me against the wall. Two big dudes held me in place as Khione stalked forward. I noticed that on the arms of each guy was an SPQR tattoo. I recognized the symbol as Mars. They each had eight lines.
A feeling of disgust swelled in my stomach. They had served the Roman Legion for eight years. Eight years! And this is how they repay them? They turn against their friends and cover their home in blood. It made me sick. But more importantly, it made me angry.
I fueled that anger into strength as my head snapped back up to look at Khione.
She was not happy.