The Life of a Demigod

Chapter 10

"Ummmmmm," a voice interrupted as I flopped down face first onto my bed.

I muttered into my pillow and heard a laugh from someone in my cabin as I did. "What do you want?"

"I want you to come with me, blue bunny."

I shot up and looked at him. "What are you doing here?"

He looked at me with his arms folded and an eyebrow raised. "I told you, I want you to come with me."

"Come with you to where?"

He smirked and took a step closer to me. "Travel the world, just the two of us." He took his hand and placed it gently on my cheek as he sat next to me and stared into my eyes. My face flushed as I stared back at him.

"Why? But- how did you, why did you..?" I was stuttering trying to find the right words to say.

"My blue bunny, I know that you could do better than this place. There's a place you'll fit in better, and not be defined by your parent."

"Defined by my parent? You mean Poseidon? There's a place where I could blend in more? And maybe not be in the infirmary every day."

"Yes, and so much more. If you just try it, you could be with me, I'd be right there with you." He smiled at me, the warmest smile I had seen from him. "Would you please come?"

"But what about this camp? You want me to leave here?"

"Just think about it?" He asked, as he left. Through the door this time.

As I sat in my cabin I couldn't help but think about the other camp. Is Ethan serious about it? Another camp with more demigods, a place that's more accepting?

I sighed and got up to talk a walk. Maybe fresh air would help me feel better. Without realizing it, I headed to the beach.

The waves rolled, splashing onto the shore and creating foam. A head poked out from the water and glared at a person who was on the beach laughing. I walked closer to them, I saw that it was Jess and Jay. Jay was in the water and saying something about how Jess pushed him while pointing at her in an accusatory way. She just kept laughing and making teasing remarks. I cleared my throat and coughed uncomfortably.

They both looked at me. "Ri?"

I raised an eyebrow at Jess. "What? It's a shortened version of your name." She shrugged. "Anyways, what brings you here?"

"I just needed some fresh air. Hey, do you know anything about another camp?"

"You mean the Roman camp? Camp Jupiter?" Jay looked at me as he spoke, still in the water from when Jess pushed him in.

"I don't think so. I mean a different one. More of a mix."

Jess stared at me for a minute before replying, "Camp Blacksword."

"Blacksword?"

"It's not very known. They believe in more freedom and individuality. It's different, I've been there before. But they have what they need and it works."

"Why don't more people know about it?"

"It's different..." Jess said it slowly, carefully thinking over what she said. Like she was aware that if she said the wrong thing that it would change something. "They don't work like we do. It's in Canada and frankly, a small place. They have mixed mythologies... and it's generally only talked about when someone doesn't fit in at Camp Jupiter or Camp Half-Blood."

"Do you think I could go see it?" I heard Jess' breath catch and she flinched with the question.

"Ask Chiron. If he lets you I'd like to check it out too." Jay stood up and walked out of the water, shivering as he got into the breeze.

Jess looked uncertain for a minute before groaning. "If you two are going then I guess I am too. Now to hunt down the horse man."

Jay snorted. "Horse man? Well he's in the big house for another hour before he has something he has to do."

Jess punched his arm. "Let's just go." She pushed Jay to in front of her and motioned for him to lead the way. We walked in silence. Jess didn't seem happy when I mentioned the other camp.

She banged on the door to the Big House with her fist and yelled to open up. My eyes widened at her brass behaviour while Jay just shook his head. Was this a normal thing for Jess?

"Children, what has happened?" Chiron opened the door in his wheelchair and looked between the three of us with a confused glance.

"Can we go see Camp Blacksword?" I blurted it out before I could stop myself.

"Riley, where did you hear about that camp? Why would you want to go somewhere else? You just got here. There shouldn't be any reason that you'd want to leave." He looked at me as if he was daring me to go on. Or he was analyzing a problem to find the solution.

"Well, I heard about specifics from Jess. But," I caught myself before mentioning Ethan. I doubted he wanted to be known here. "I guess I just want to see more places. Being confined to here doesn't seem like it's very fair."

His gaze hardened when I stopped, not very noticeably but enough to realize that he didn't like my answer. "You will stay here. Try out this camp until next school year then we'll see what suits you best."

"But, you can't do that!" Jess and Jay each grabbed one of my arms and gently pulled me away from my yelling fit at Chiron. I let them pull me away but I didn't stop yelling. They kept dragging me until I couldn't see the Big house and there was no one around.

"What's your problem?" The look on Jess' face was somewhere between mad and concerned. And she added some word that I wouldn't repeat into what she was asking.

"He has no right.." I couldn't finish what I was thinking. They were both staring at me with nothing but concern now. But they couldn't help.

"Riley, he's doing what's best for you. He's been around a lot longer than any of us."

"Yeah... I think I'll just go to my cabin and calm down a bit. See you guys around." I turned to leave and they didn't stop me. Their only reaction was a shared look before watching me walk off.

As I got to my cabin I slammed the door. I was still mad at Chiron so I punched the wall by the door. I would've kept going but I stopped when I heard a quiet whistle in the corner. Not even bothering to look, I responded. "What now?"

"What's gotten you into a foul mood? You're too pretty to be wearing that frown. But of course, it still looks beautiful on you."

"Ethan, now is not the time."

"You told Chiron? And he said no?" He nodded like he knew what happened without me telling him. He's like a stalker. "Why would you tell him? You're your own person. He can't dictate over what you do."

"Well, he's got me stuck here until the fall. So much for visiting the camp you told me about."

He looked slightly nervous for a second before shaking it off. "Hey, did you happen to mention me when you were talking to him?"

"No, should I have?"

He smiled brightly before seeing my hand and frowning slightly. He took my hand that I punched the wall with in his own hand. "Bunny, you shouldn't hurt yourself. And I must thank you for keeping my visits between us. Chiron and I, well, we aren't exactly on the best terms."

I blushed at him holding my hand, he was too close. "Why are you on bad terms?"

"Let's just say I'm not very welcome here." He flashed me a grin. "How would you like to see the camp? Ol' Chiron couldn't stop you from coming with me."

"Could I? Wouldn't the people here worry? I can't just-"

"Do you trust me?" He cut me off and looked worredly at the door. "Now is the time if you want to go."

I took a shaky breath and braced myself. "Take me away."

There was sudden darkness and I didn't know what was happening. Seconds later, there was light and I was staring at a group of people my age at a campfire by a different camp. I guess this was it.

"Welcome to Camp Blacksword." Ethan looked at me with a cocky smile and I saw a girl with dark hair that fades into rainbow streaks roll her eyes. I was here.