Apollo's Wolves

Chapter Thirteen -- Amari

Darkness surrounds me, which is really weird because I'm pretty sure that I'm awake right now. What's going on? I go to get up when I suddenly feel like I'm swaying; it's almost like someone is carrying me! Am I being kidnapped again?! "Let me go!" I exclaim, thrashing around in the arms of my captor. I refuse to be taken again!

I can feel the arms of my captor tightening around me as they try to hold on. "Amari! Calm down! It's me, Percy!" A familiar voice grunts.

"And me, Leo!"

I manage to squirm free and land on the ground, turning around to fight my captors. When I see who they are, I blush big-time. I'm so glad it's dark or else they'd see how red I am right now! "Oh, my gods! I can't believe that I just freaked out on you!" I groan, burying my face in my hands.

Percy bursts out laughing. "That was great!" He's doubled over, laughing so hard that tears are coming from his eyes. His laughter is contagious and pretty soon, we're all doubled over, laughing.

"I don't see what's so funny," Delta grumbles, causing me to stop laughing and look at her.

"Huh?" I ask, wiping my eyes.

"I mean, I would freak out too. You just got kidnapped; waking up in pitch darkness and being carried would freak anyone out, but especially someone who just got kidnapped. You guys should be glad she didn't wolf-out and rip into you," she fumes. "Not that I care if she kills you, but I didn't want her to come after me."

I look down at my feet, avoiding eye contact with anyone. Suddenly, Leo and Calypso are on either side of me, linking arms. "What the...?"

"We're finally on our way to Camp Jupiter!" Leo cheers. "We're almost there, Amari! And then, you can start your new li-" I cut him off my slapping my hand over his mouth.

"Shut up! They don't know about that yet!" I hiss at him quietly.

He looks at me apologetically and mumbles something against my hand before I feel something wet on my palm.

"Ew! Did you just lick me?!" I ask in shock, pulling my hand away and looking at him in shock.

He nods. "I did because you weren't letting me talk. I was going to say that I'm sorry and that I didn't know that you wanted to keep this a secret," he comments.

"Keep what a secret?" Annabeth asks.

"It's nothing," Calypso replies. "Amari will tell you when she's ready."

"This is taking too long!" Percy groans. "I know it's only five in the morning, but I just want to get to Camp Jupiter. I need a shower!"

We continue walking, having quiet small-talk for about twenty minutes before Percy suddenly stops in his tracks. "What's wrong, Percy?" I ask, turning to him.

He puts a hand up to his mouth and lets out a piercing whistle that has me covering my ears in pain. "I'm going to speed up this trip!" He announces.

"My ears! I think they're bleeding!" I groan.

"What did I tell you about doing something like that?" Delta snaps, rubbing her temples. "I'm a werewolf and I have heightened hearing! That just split my skull open!"

"Mine, too!" I whine.

"Sorry, girls. Sometimes, his brain doesn't work," Annabeth tells us, apologizing for him.

The sound of flapping wings fills the air along with the sound of horses snorting. "Why are there pegasi here?" I ask uneasily.

"Well," Percy says as he scoops me up bridal style, "they're our mode of transportation to get to Camp Jupiter."