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Artemis assured them that dawn was coming, but she could've fooled Elaine.
It was colder and darker and snowier than ever. Up on the hill, Westover Hall's windows were completely void of light.
Elaine wondered if the teachers had even noticed the she, the di Angelos, and Dr. Thorn were missing yet. She didn't want to be around when they did.
The Hunters broke camp as quickly as they'd set it up. One of them handed Elaine her duffel bag and backpack, ignoring her questioning look as she continued to wonder how her belongings were retrieved.
Artemis stared into the east like she was expecting something. Bianca sat off to one side, talking with Nico. Elaine could tell from his somber expression that she was explaining her decision to join the Hunt.
Finally, the sky began to lighten. Artemis muttered, "About time. He's so-o-o lazy during the winter."
"You're, um, waiting for sunrise?" Elaine asked.
"For my brother. Yes."
Whatever that meant.
She didn't want to be rude. She knew the legends about Apollo—or sometimes Helios—driving a big sun chariot across the sky. But she also knew that the sun was really a star about a billion miles away.
Elaine wasn't sure to what extent Greek myths were true; obviously some had to be, she was in the presence of a goddess who she otherwise hadn't known existed, but still ... she didn't see how Apollo could drive the sun.
"It's not exactly as you think," Artemis said, like she was reading her mind.
"Oh, okay." She started to relax. "So, it's not like he'll be pulling up in a—"
There was a sudden burst of light on the horizon. A blast of warmth.
"Don't look," Artemis advised. "Not until he parks."
Parks?
She averted her eyes, and saw that the other kids were doing the same. The light and warmth intensified until her sweater felt like it was melting off of her. Then suddenly the light died.
Elaine spared a look. A red convertible Maserati parked in front of them. The snow had melted around the car in a perfect circle, which explained why she was standing on green grass and why her shoes were wet.
The driver got out, smiling. He looked about seventeen or eighteen. He wore jeans and loafers and a white cotton shirt.
"Wow, Apollo is hot." The girl who Elaine learned was named Thalia, said.
"He's the sun god," Percy said.
"That's not what I meant."
"Little sister!" Apollo called. If his teeth were any whiter he could've blinded them without the sun car. "What's up? You never call. You never write. I was getting worried!"
