The Titans Curse: Apollo's Daughter

Forgive or Forget

Artemis mounted her chariot, which began to glow. We averted our eyes. There was a flash of silver, and the goddess was gone.

"Well," Dr. Chase sighed. "She was impressive; though I must say I still prefer Athena."

Annabeth turned toward him. "Dad, I... I'm sorry that--"

"Shh." He hugged her. "Do what you must, my dear. I know this isn't easy for you." His voice was a little shaky, but he gave Annabeth a brave smile.

I glanced at my mother and then at Percy who stared at me the way he had our first summer. The first time I joined Luke at his side. The first time I broke their trust... Percy sighed and took a step towards me then placed his hand over mine, giving it a gentle squeeze before pushing me towards my mother. I stumbled over my feet as I came to a stop in front of her.

"Skyler..." She whispered, looking me over. "You've grown...so much." She said, her voice cracking faintly.

"How did you--"

"Your friends." She nodded towards the group behind us. "I phoned Dr. Chase and we got up there as fast as we could."

"But the mist...How did you--"

"I've got my secrets." She said with a small smile.

I was about to say something else when I heard the whoosh of large wings. Three pegasi descended through the fog: two white-winged horses and one pure black one.

"Blackjack!" Percy called, rushing towards the black pegasus.

The black pegasus seemed to look the group of us over. "Nah," Percy said aloud. "These are my friends. We need to get to Olympus pretty fast."

"So that's your boyfriend huh? The one who talks to horses?"

"He doesn't always do that..." I mumbled before looking back at Percy who was still talking to the three pegasi. "But yea..." I said softly. "At least...for now.." I said pained

"And who's his... you know?"

"Poseidon," I said. "Hence the horses."

My mother made a soft 'aha' and placed her hand on my shoulder hesitantly. "You're always welcome home Skye..."

I looked up at her before hugging her as if my life depended on it. I hadn't realized how much I had wanted to hug my mom after all these years. She quickly accepted the embrace, holding me close to her. "You'll do great things, Skyler. I can see it in you." I smiled and pulled away from the hug. My mom wiped a tear from my cheek that I hadn't even known was there.

"Fascinating," Dr. Chase said. "Such maneuverability! How does the wingspan compensate for the weight of the horse's body, I wonder?"

Blackjack cocked his head to the side.

"Why, if the British had had these pegasi in the cavalry charges on the Crimea," Dr. Chase said, "the charge of the light brigade--"

"Dad!" Annabeth interrupted.

Dr. Chase blinked. He looked at his daughter and managed a smile. "I'm sorry, my dear, I know you must go."

He gave her one last awkward, well-meaning hug. As she turned to climb aboard one of the white pegasi Dr. Chase called, "Annabeth. I know... I know San Francisco is a dangerous place for you. But please remember, you always have a home with us. We will keep you safe."

Annabeth didn't answer, but her eyes were red as she turned away. Dr. Chase started to say more, then apparently thought better of it. He raised his hand in a sad farewell and trudged away across the dark field.

I gave my mom one more quick hug before returning to my friends. Percy offered me his hand and I climbed up onto Blackjack behind Percy I watched my mother lean against her car and watch us take off.

We soared over the bay and flew toward the eastern hills. Soon San Francisco was only a glittering crescent behind us, with an occasional flicker of lightning in the north.

Thalia was so exhausted she fell asleep on her pegasi's back. I knew she had to be really tired to sleep in the air, with her fear of heights, but she didn't have much to worry about. Her pegasus flew with ease, adjusting himself every once in a while so Thalia stayed safely on his back.

It was dark but I could make out Annabeth staring off into the night sky lost in thought.

"How are you?" Percy asked softly.

I glanced at him before looking back at the night sky. Zoe's constellation seemed to run in the same direction we flew like she was following us. "He isn't dead."

Percy looked over his shoulder at me. "Skyler, that fall was pretty bad. There's no way--"

"He isn't dead," I insisted. "I know it."

Percy's POV

The towns were zipping by faster now, islands of light thicker together, until the whole landscape below was a glittering carpet. Dawn was close. The eastern sky was turning gray. And up ahead, a huge white-and-yellow glow spread out before us... the lights of New York.

How's that for speedy, Boss? Blackjack bragged. We get extra hay for breakfast or what?

"You're the man, Blackjack," I told him. "Er, the horse, I mean."

"You don't believe me about Luke," Skyler said from behind me, "but we'll see him again. He's in trouble, Percy. He's under Kronos's spell. I was on his ship. He's weak, drained."

I didn't feel like arguing, though it made me mad. How could she still have any feelings for that creep? How could she possibly make excuses for him? He deserved that fall. He deserved... okay, I'll say it. He deserved to die. Unlike Bianca. Unlike Zoe. Luke couldn't be alive. It wouldn't be fair.

"There it is." Thalia's voice; she'd woken up. She was pointing toward Manhattan, which was quickly zooming into view. "It's started."

"What's started?" I asked.

Then I looked where she was pointing. High above the Empire State Building, Olympus was its own island of light, a floating mountain ablaze with torches and braziers, white marble palaces gleaming in the early morning air.

"The winter solstice," Annabeth said. "The Council of the Gods."