Accidental Beauty

Chapter Nine

✲ F a i t h ✲

I scurried away from Kate and her questions I knew were soon to be approaching. It's not that I didn't want to talk to her, it's that I'm a really bad liar and this would not end well if I tried to concoct my own answers. The usual pangs of hunger I felt in the morning were absent, so I slipped onto the lonely stone bench of the Poseidon table without breakfast and waited until the conch horn was blown.

When I glanced over to James' table, it was empty, leaving me pondering his whereabouts. I know he was nervous about the whole prophecy of Kate and Cat, but that doesn't mean he has to talk to Chiron all day. He could be with Jake, though. I suppose we won't be seeing Jake much anymore since he hates all Aphrodite children which now includes Cat and Kate. I slumped back on the bench and let out a deep breath. We were going through so much and the rest of the campers reminded oblivious, their only focus being the capture the flag game tonight.

Just then the sound of the conch horn blared through the air. Everyone rose to their feet and started out towards various sections of the camp. I saw the Aphrodite children head back to the cabins. They never participated in anything that required work. Instead of my daily job at the pegai stable, I directed my course to the forge to have a chat with a certain moody wannabe blacksmith. Cat and Jake were getting really close, so I saw, and I don't want that to be ruined.

I walked around the back of the line of cabins to not be seen. The river to my left glistening in the morning sun as the current swiftly moved downwards, creating a welcoming aura. A few stray campers sat on the dock, dangling their feet over the refreshing water. The river beckoned to me to unleash the power I kept stored away. However, there was a reason I didn't go all out and commune with the strength of passing water. I snapped my head forward and kept walking, licking my lips.

I neared the black stronghold and immediately stepped inside. The place was only beginning to fill up, a select few were already hard at work. I headed towards the back where Jake was already going to town in carving his harpe. He went off about his latest creation to James many times in the past. I leaned against the wooden workbench, crossing my arms across my chest. Jake glanced up, briefly acknowledging my presence, then went back to work.

"Look, I know you're all connected to mythology and all that, but you have to give Cat, and Kate, a chance. You don't even know her-them so stop being all judgey, gloomy, and mysterious in a totally unattractive way and actually get to know them." I fired off, waiting for him to put down his tools and actually respond.

Jake looked up at me from under his eyelashes, "I don't hate Cat." He blurted out, completely off topic.

"You sure looked like it when you walked off last night." I retorted.

"Maybe I hate Kate." Jake sarcastically remarked causing me to roll my eyes. He's been spending too much time with James.

"Whatever. All I'm asking is for you to look past Aphrodite and Hephaestus because technically, your dad cheated to have you."

He narrowed his eyes at me, "It's not that. Did you ever think that Kayla will manipulate Cat, or even Kate, to be just like her?"

I stared at him, knowing what he said might actually become true. Kayla can charmspeak. She's the only Aphrodite kid who can do it hence the reason she's the cabin leader. It won't be too difficult for her to completely chance Cat and Kate's mindsets. There was also the looming fact that Kayla was Jake's exe who dumped him after revealing her cheating on him with the Ares cabin leader, Ryan. And the worst part is they were still dating or hooking up, whatever it is they do.

'But the prophecy' my mind reminded me. I chewed down on the inside of my cheek. If only Jake knew that Kate and Cat have abilities, too. Well, they might. The thought of one of them using their powers against the Gods makes my stomach churn.