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CHAPTER FOUR iv. which brings us to the subject of doomsday _______
When Reyna told Sebastian her idea, he wasn't as surprised as she'd been expected. Making someone who had barely been at camp for 24 hours praetor was unusual to say the least, but things appeared to be changing. And Sebastian knew that Percy would make an excellent praetor if he accepted, which Sebastian doubted he would. But he was more than happy to stand by Reyna's side when they extended the offer.
Percy was sitting in one of the praetor chairs when Sebastian and Reyna walked into the principia. Well, walked was probably to delicate a verb for Reyna. Stormed would be more accurate. She always got agitated at senate meetings. Sebastian almost found it amusing - walking with that smirk of his with his hands clasped behind his back.
When the two entered, Percy began to get up, realising that what he'd done might not be considered proper.
"Stay seated," Reyna growled. "You leave after lunch. We have a lot to discuss."
Reyna slammed her dagger down on the desk. Her metal greyhounds, Aurum and Argentum took their posts on either side of her, their ruby eyes on Percy who looked at them nervously before glancing at the strangely calm Sebastian.
"What'd I do wrong?" Percy asked. "If it's about the chair-"
"It's not you." Reyna scowled. "I hate senate meetings. When Octavian gets talking..."
Percy nodded. "You're a warrior. Octavian is a talker. Put him in front of the senate, and suddenly he becomes the powerful one."
She narrowed her eyes. "You're smarter than you look."
"Gee, thanks. I hear Octavian might get elected praetor, assuming the camp survives that long."
"Which brings us to the subject of doomsday," Reyna said, "and how you might help prevent it. But before I place the fate of Camp Jupiter in your hands, we need to get a few things straight."
She sat down and put a ring on the table - a band of silver etched with a sword-and-torch design, like Reyna's tattoo.
"Do you know what this is?"
"The sign of your mom," Percy said. "The... uh, war goddess."
"Bellona, yes." Reyna scrutinised him carefully. "You don't remember where you saw this ring before? You really don't remember me or my sister, Hylla?"
Percy shook his head. "I'm sorry."
"It would've been four years ago."
"Just before you came to camp."
Reyna frowned. "How did you-?"
"You've got four stripes on your tattoo. Four years."
