Book 1: The Voice and The Hammer (PJO fanfic)

Marina XIII

"Okay Finn slow and steady" I held up Finn's arm up and guided her fingers. "Alright now exhale and shoot the target."

"I don't know about this, what if I break the bow? Or shoot someone?"

"Relax and think about what you're doing." I pointed to the target.

Her fingers released and the arrow went flying past the target into a tree.

"You closed your eyes. I saw you!"

I gave Finn another arrow and placed her hands were they needed to be. "Remember breath a-"

Finn closed her eyes again. This time her arrow landed in a group of Aphrodite kids.
"Sorry!" Finn yelled.

"Come on Finn, you got this." Piper cheered, standing in between Leo and Jason, behind Finn and I.

"Finn listen to me, exhale then shoot. Look where you want the arrow to go." I backed away, hoping her next target wasn't me.

Finn exhaled and released the arrow, puncturing the middle of the target with such power that it forced its way to the back of the target and fell to the ground with a loud clang.

"You did it!" I hugged Finn as hard as I could. She pat me on the back. 

"Ive got a good teacher."She said. Finn looked over at Jason, Leo and Piper. "I guess I should keep practicing then."

"Good idea," I put my hands on Jason and Leo's shoulders. "Hey you three, I want to talk to you."

Finn continued to shoot the target as I walked Jason, Piper and Leo to a more private spot.

"Look I know you guys are going on a mission, and I know Finn wants to go with you but she isn't ready. I wasn't ready to give up my sister four years ago and I'm not going to do it now."

"Marina, how about we talk." Piper looked at Leo and Jason. They got the hint and left. Once they were out of earshot she spoke again. "Look Marina, uh..."

"Piper, I know Leo likes her. It sticks out like a sore thumb, but that doesn't change the fact that she's not ready for this kind of responsibility. She's barely been taught how to fight and she has no survival skills!"

"That's what we're here for! The three of us we know how to survive, we know how to fight."

Piper paused after she spoke. I had hoped that by talking to another girl that we may have been able to come to a reasonable conclusion.

"Let this be her decision." She said.

I knew she wasn't going to let this go. Leo was her friend. And I had a feeling Piper knew something she wasn't letting on. "Fine." I said. "But if anything happens to her, it will be on you three."

Piper smiled and nodded. I headed back to my cabin with a bitter feeling in my chest.