Guardian of the Hunt

Chapter 26 (Edited)

We were currently having our dinner in the dinning pavilion and I could not stop feeling shivers tumbling down my spine whenever someone so much as glanced at Artemis. It was only last night that i'd had the nightmare and I had so many question, but no one answer them. Or not that I know of. All of the Hypnos and Morpheus kids are on some weird winter trip in Russia to practice there powers over sleeps and dreaming on the people, but non of it is harmful - at the most it'll be irritating, randomly falling to the ground to sleep for five minutes before shooting back up like nothing happened and doing that on repeat. Rachel was also away with her family to go to Japan so Rachel could study the ancient Japanese drawings. 

I flinched as I heard a cup smack down onto the table, It was Dane. He seemed fine after the beat up I gave him but he still cowers when I get near him. I looked over at Artemis who seemed to be enjoying herself with Chiron as he smiled brighter than the millions of stars above us - and they are extremely bright due to Artemis's mood. I then glanced at all of the hunters to make sure they were content and it seemed they were.

Nadia, one of the smaller of the hunters, skipped over to my chair and smiled up at me. She couldn't speak due swallowing glass when she was younger but it hadn't been her fault, it had been her dad's. 

"What is it Nadia," I grinned, looking down and ignoring the shivers. She spread her fingers wide before opening her arms - her way of asking for a hug. "You want a hug?" She very enthusiastically nodded and gave a cheeky smile. 

I chuckled lightly, carefully placing my hands under her arms and placing her on my knee - last time I picked her up she accidentally kneed me in the nuts. She yawned, leaning into me before completely zoning out staring at a tree in the distance. 

"I think someones tired," Thalia whispered, leaning towards us and looking at her face. I slowly nodded, slightly smiling down at her. I like the small moments like this, when the younger hunter would ask for a hug. Artemis had told me it was because they needed a fatherly figure in life and saw me as that person. I was deeply honoured to be given this role but I was also upset - they shouldn't need to have another fatherly figure, they should only have one. I know what you're thinking, don't they have Godly parent? No, the younger ones are completely mortal but they can see through the mist, much like Rachel. "It is actually quite late."

"Do you want me to put them to bed?" I questioned, placing my hand on top of Nadia's head and watching as she lazily ginned. She was falling asleep as we spoke.

"Nah, I'll do it. I promised them a story about Zoe," Thalia giggled, smiling with nostalgia at the thought of Zoe, one of the first hunters to see me as an equal. I nodded.

I looked up from Nadia and glanced over at the Zeus table, where Jason and Piper sat together. They both seemed content, so maybe now would be a good time to tell them who I really am. I looked over at Thalia who noticed me looking at her brother and nodded, knowing what I was thinking.

"Let Piper and Jason know that you're alive."

***

I walked over to the Zeus table and sat directly opposite them, looking at both of them from under my hood. They both stopped smiling and stared at me, Jason protectively hugged Piper closer to his body.

"What do you want Demeo?" He asked, his voice cold as he glared at me. 

"I need to talk to you - both of you - alone." I stated. Placing both of my hands on the table. They looked at each other and I could definitely tell they were about to disagree with me as I added on the extra, little detail that would surely get there attention. "Why should you come with me? Because it's about Percy Jackson, and I think you should both know about it." At the mention of my name they both practically leapt up from their seats. Jason looked angry and Piper looked upset.

"You don't get to say his name!" Jason snapped, pointing a finger at me. "Only worthy people get to say his name, not you, or me or any other person on this camp apart from Chiron. He was the only kind-hearted soul left when we all turned our backs on him and let him leave-"

"If you let me explain what I need to explain somewhere private first, only then can you deem me worthy or not worthy to say his name." I interjected, standing up and walking away. Hopefully they would catch on and follow me, or they could both stand there and look like fools. Thankfully, only moments later I felt two presences move towards me, both running to catch up as I smirked under my hood. "Follow me." I ordered, before speeding up and moving towards the Poseidon cabin. That was one place that I knew for a fact was sound proof, and that no one can just randomly barge into. They both stood either side of me, looking at each other before Piper spoke up.

"What makes you think we can trust anything you have to say about him?" She asked, waving her arms around as we neared the cabin. "Where are we even go... No. We can't go in his cabin. That's trespassing."

"That cabin is only open to family members," Jason stated, going in front of me and holding up an arm to my chest but I simply pushed past.

"Well, I guess you could say I am his family," I chuckled, grinning at my own little joke. I walked up to the door and then barged right in, Jason and Piper both hesitated as they walked through holding hands. I sat on the bed, receiving a glare from Jason.

"That's. His. Bed." He snarled through gritted teeth. 

"I know."

"Why are we here?" Piper asked, placing her hand on Jason's knee and rubbing it slightly to calm him down.

"Well, I thought you'd like to know that Percy Jackson is not dead." I stated, waiting to see there reactions as they slowly processed it. Piper was the first to react, her eyes welled up with tears and her mouth opened a little - she quickly smacked her hand to her mouth to hide an emotional sob that came up. And then Jason was next to react. He seemed in shock, staring it me with disbelief and anger, but also a small hint of hope. They entwined there fingers together, both seeming a little breathless as they news sunk in.

"Where is he," Piper squealed, wiping the tears away and looking excitedly at Jason. Jason just remained quiet, waiting for my answer. I took a deep breath, sitting up straight and leaning forwards. I could feel my heart thudding as worry grew in their eyes. 

"Tell us!" Jason demanded, his voice deathly quiet. 

"If you must know..." I started, lifting my hand to the hem of the hood and pretending to scratch, before slowly letting it fall down my head to my neck. "I'm right here."

"What the fuck!"

This is a shorter chapter but the next chapter is gooooooooooooooooooood.