Chapter 1
I hate being the last one to know things
It was the end of summer and I knew we were getting ready to leave but I was still mad at Annabeth so the girl could come find me before we left. I didn't care if it made us late. It was completely unfair to drop this on me.
I continued to sit in the center of the campfire watching the different colors. I'd learned more this summer about how to control it with my emotions. Purple for anger, bluish green for happiness, dark red for sadness, and so on. Currently, I was still a little angry so occasionally there was a purple flame mixed in with the orange flames. I had to chuckle at that. Purple and orange what an awful combination and yet a perfect description of my heritage.
I was slightly worried about camp Jupiter. Here at least I had people to stand up for me when someone picked on me for my heritage. Percy practically killed Drew for calling me useless.
'An abomination that needs to be put down.'
And Piper wasn't far behind. Although it was Annabeth who kept Percy and Piper from killing Drew. Not that I wouldn't have minded if that daughter of Aphrodite died. I wouldn't have missed her at all.
Maybe I could back out of going to camp Jupiter. Maybe I could just stay here in the amphitheater in the campfire. I was a little nervous about camp Jupiter. If I thought the occasional slam against my heritage was bad here I couldn't imagine how bad it would get at camp Jupiter. I could take Drew any day of the week and have plenty of back up but I didn't know about the Romans.
What would they think about a Greek and Roman demigod?
When I was there under an assumed identity at the beginning of summer they seemed fine but now that they know my heritage would they still accept me? I didn't care if Reyna approves of it. Reyna wasn't the whole camp. There was Octavian but I was positive I could handle him. And what about meeting their uncle? Cato and I planned on approaching him once I got settled in.
Although Cato had told me Sapphira was counting the days until I arrived. The girl had finally become eligible for her mark and couldn't wait for me to be there to see her get marked. She could've received it back in June for her efforts in helping Cato and I warn camp Jupiter about the attack. Not really her falcon delivered a status report and Cato's box had delivered the actually warning but no one needed to know that. The boxes were a secret. But she wanted to wait until I arrived so we could all be there to watch her get her mark. I was curious what Hermes mark was. Mercury. Sapphira is the daughter of Mercury. I was really going to have to get better at that. But I was dreading all the Latin studies.
Because of my stupid heritage, my mind wasn't hard-wired for Greek or Latin. Sure I might randomly spit out the occasional phrase in either language but that was it. I wasn't proficient in either. I heard footsteps but hoped it was just the unlucky soul that got stuck with cleaning the amphitheater. I'd managed to stay out of trouble for the whole summer. Well, there was that incident with putting hair dye in Drew's hair mask but that was totally deserved.
"Alright, I'm not stupid enough to believe this thing is burning at ten in the morning. The lovebirds might but I see right through your disguise."
I froze and the fire died a little bit turning a bright yellow. Then sighed and the fire turned pink. It was Piper. Not Annabeth coming to drag me out by the ear.
"What gives? They're tearing apart the camp looking for you." Piper asked.
I sighed and killed the fire. It died down around me and revealed the empty amphitheater and Piper sitting outside the circle of stones looking at her.
"I thought I only had to deal with him for the summer and then be free of him when I left for camp Jupiter. Now I find out that Annabeth and he are going to college in New Rome which may I add is walking distance from camp Jupiter! It's all in the same valley! I'm still stuck with him." I huffed
"Woah there. Back it up. I thought you two had made up. I thought you liked him now. That you two were copacetic." Piper asked confused.
I groaned and climbed out of the pit so I could flop onto the ground next to her. "I have to deal with him, probably a butt load of prejudice, and Octavian. I can only handle so many stupid males." I told her.
Piper chuckled and toyed with one of my black curls that had fanned out.
"How about this. The Romans give you crap and give us a call. I'll send Percy and Jason in after them. There are no rules against Jason killing Octavian now." Piper chuckled. I laughed.
"He's way too nice. Too much of a goody two shoes. Besides aren't you guys coming a few days later for the ceremony? From what I understand all the paperwork is out of the way and they're finally shifting power this weekend." I asked.
Piper smiled.
"I have to bring Praetor Jason. Although your brother must have some serious pull with Reyna for delaying it this long."
"And a serious ability in agitating Octavian. He couldn't have been pleased about the delay." I remarked.
"He's just power hungry and upset that the Greek abomination's brother is getting full senatorship and for the second time he's gone for the Praetor position and been beaten by someone from the lowest cohort in the camp. That must've bruised his pride." Piper chuckled.
"I still think I put a serious dent in it during the lunch meeting earlier this summer," I remarked. Piper threw her head back and laughed.
"Now come on Annabeth and Percy are waiting for you at the Big House. You will play nice with you brother. Or I will take this out in your sleep." Piper teased, pulling on a purple curl.
"I'm not looking you in the eye. I'm not falling for it." I told her, staring at the ground.
"Ah but charmspeak can still work without eye contact." Piper smiled, helping me off the ground.
"Can you use charmspeak on Octavian and convince him to off himself?" I asked curiously. Piper almost fell over laughing from that one.
"Alright up to the Big House. Don't give the Romans to much trouble." She called after her.
I ran up to the Big House to see Chiron waiting with Percy and Annabeth.
"About time. Where were you?" Annabeth asked, handing me my backpack.
"If I revealed the location of my hiding spot it wouldn't be a hiding spot now would it?" I replied, stretching my arms over my head. Percy chuckled.
"Good luck at the other camp." Chiron nodded. I rushed to hug him.
"I'm not leaving forever. I'll be back next summer." I told him.
"Behave for Reyna and the new Praetor." Chiron chuckled. Percy snorted. I pulled away to look at my stupid half-brother.
"What was that for?" I huffed. Annabeth smiled.
"I think he's saying that Reyna can and will kick your butt if you step out of line."
"So glad you two have such little faith in me," I remarked.
"Hey wait!" Piper hollered. She and Jason were running towards the Big House.
"You can't leave without saying goodbye." Piper teased.
"It's rude to leave without saying goodbye," Jason added with a grin. Percy chuckled and hugged Jason.
"Good luck at New Rome," Piper told Annabeth, hugging her.
"Have fun with your brother," Piper told me when she turned to hug me.
"Keep your brother in line and most importantly…" Jason started, taking his turn at hugging me.
"Irritate Octavian every chance I get." I finished with a smile. Jason laughed.
"Good luck." Piper smiled.
We went down Halfblood hill where Argus was waiting with the car full of our luggage. I don't think I'll ever get over how creepy all his eyes look. It's just unnatural to be covered in eyes. And now we got to spend the next few days with him. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. All I'll be able to do is stare at them or try to count them.
After three long days of driving cross country, we pulled up to the Caldecott tunnel. The only problem was it was 9:50 and I was supposed to be in the Senate building at 10 for Sapphira's marking ceremony. So with a nod from Percy, I ran like all of the Underworld armies were chasing me. Through the tunnel and into the valley that housed Camp Jupiter. Without it even phasing me I splashed across the Little Tiber and towards New Rome. Sadly, then I ran straight into Terminus.
I always forget about him.
One of these days I was going to break my face on him.
"No weapons past the Pomeranian line!" He ordered.
"Yes, Terminus." I sighed.
"And no running!" Walk!" He demanded.
"Yes, Terminus." I impatiently replied.
"Who let a troublemaker such as you back in?" He sneered.
"Me, myself, and I." I retorted. I set down my backpack and tried passing him but he moved to block me.
"No weapons past the Pomeranian line." He pressed.
"Do you have like X-ray vision or something?" I snapped, pulling the daggers out from under my shirt.
"That's better." He replied with a smug grin.
"Now can I go? I'm running late." I snapped.
"That's not all your weapons graecus scum." Terminus huffed.
"Over my dead body." I snarled, clutching my locket. He still stood in my way.
How to get past a man that is literally the border?
"Hey Terminus someone is trying to sneak past you!" I blurted.
"What?!" He demanded, turning away. I sprinted right past him.
"Hey get back here!" Terminus demanded from behind me.
I couldn't help but smile as I ran for the Senate building. Up the steps and into the building. Crap Terminus must've held me up longer then I thought. They were already starting. I slipped down the stairs and quietly sat down next to Hazel in the front row.
"You're late." She whispered.
"I blame traffic and Terminus," I replied.
"Sapphira was worried you wouldn't make it when they moved up her date," Hazel told me.
"Oh come on. I made it just in time." I teased.
"Unhuh." She smirked.
"Did they move up anything else?" I inquired.
"Some things certainly moved up but not any government positions." Hazel chuckled.
"Oh?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"Ask your brother about it. Octavian's starting." Hazel shushed.
We both turned our attentions to the Senate. Sapphira looked so small compared to tall and lanky Octavian.
"Sapphira Mathews, please remove your ID."
Sapphira lifted the lead tablet off her neck and gave it to Octavian.
Octavian grabbed her right hand and lifted it high in the air.
"We accept Sapphira Mathews, daughter of Mercury, to the Twelfth Legion Fulminata for her first year of service. Do you pledge your life to the Senate and the people of Rome."
"I do," Sapphira answered.
"Senatus Populusque Romanus!" He announced.
"Senatus Populusque Romanus." All of us replied.
A flash of light streaked through the Senate building and struck Sapphira's arm. Sapphira flinched and jerked away from Octavian. She held her arm against her chest as everyone cheered. She rushed over to us trying to hold back tears.
"It's okay Sapphira. The worst part is over." Hazel reassured hugging the girl. She wiped the tears from the ten-year old's eyes.
"You made it!" Sapphira squealed, turning to hug me.
"Of course I made it. I wouldn't have missed it for the world." I told her. She smiled to reveal her teeth.
"What happened to your front tooth?" I asked her. Hazel chuckled.
"She lost last week during war games," Hazel replied.
"It was awesome. I had managed to get inside the fort but they caught me and punched me but I tried to dodge and it hit me in the mouth." Sapphira finished, her face lighting up with joy.
"There's the newest legionnaire!" Cato cheered. He sneaked up behind Sapphira and scooped her off the ground. She squealed in delight.
"And what am I chopped liver?" I teased him. He put Sapphira down and turned to hug me.
"Did you have a good trip?"
"I was stuck in a car for three days with The Percy Jackson. How do you think I am?" I teased.
"Horrible?" Cato guessed.
"Actually it was pretty awesome. He told me about some of his awesome quests that Annabeth didn't know about. Then he helped me learned the Roman and Greek god differences with Annabeth aiding him occasionally." I replied.
"Speaking of Annabeth and Percy where are they?" Hazel asked.
"I left them at the Caldecott tunnel." I shrugged.
"Well, now that Senate is dismissed we need to celebrate," Cato replied, with a grin.
"Oh, can we go to the green store and get some cookies?" Sapphira asked.
"Why not the bakery?" I asked her. She frowned.
"There's a creepy lady there. She scares me."
"Creepy lady huh?" I inquired, giving Cato a look.
"Yeah she's spooky and Cato doesn't like her either. She glares at him and starts muttering nonsense." Sapphira explained. Cato mouthed the word later.
"Can we please go to the green store?" Sapphira pleaded.
"Of course Saph." Hazel smiled.
"Where we going?" Frank asked.
"Don't you have to go prepare for your ceremony some more?" Cato inquired.
"Nah Reyna gave me the day off to celebrate with Sapphira and you guys. Although we still have to discuss that thing later." Frank answered.
"What thing?" I asked.
"Nothing Lamia. Just political stuff." Cato dismissed.
"Still discussing his replacement?" Hazel raised an eyebrow. Cato and Frank gave her a look. Hazel immediately shut up. What were they hiding from me?
"Come on let's go get some cookies," Sapphira begged, pulling on Hazel's hand. Hazel chuckled and slipped her other hand into Franks.
"You guys not changing out of your togas?" I inquired with a smirk.
"Oh yeah," Frank replied. Sapphira's face fell.
"Hey how about you and Hazel go ahead and we'll meet up with you there," Cato suggested.
"Okay," Sapphira replied with a smile. She and Hazel went down the steps of the Senate building and onto the roads of New Rome.
"Why do I have to come with you?" I asked Cato as I followed him and Frank towards the camp.
"Because I figured you wanted to know about the strange lady at the bakery," Cato answered.
"Let me guess. There's more to it than just that she's a creepy lady." I sighed.
"Remember in those letters in grandma's attic talked about our mother's crazy little sister?" Cato inquired.
"Cassia" I nodded.
"Yeah well, I'm becoming more and more disturbed by our past. News that you are the legacy of Vesta has spread throughout this place. And the woman who runs the bakery put two and two and two together and decided we are her niece and nephew." Cato explained.
"No way." I gasped.
"Yep. Our lunatic aunt that gave birth to the lovely Victoria and gave her up to Boadicea who in turn is faithful to Nemesis runs the bakery where Sapphira used to love getting cookies. Your head hurt yet?" Cato inquired.
"Gods of Olympus this is confusing." I groaned.
"Our lunatic of an aunt runs a bakery and our uncle who we never knew about runs a store in New Rome."
"And it just gets better," Frank added.
We approached the edge of New Rome and I grabbed my stuff off the ground where I had left it.
"Cassia isn't our blood relative. She was adopted. Then our grandparents had Augustus. I've been looking into old records" Cato explained.
"That's not what I was talking about." Frank sighed.
Cato shot him a look.
"What is it?" I asked, noticing the tension.
"Out with it Romeo," Frank smirked.
"She'll kill me followed by her friends," Cato argued.
"She'll kill you if she finds out from someone else." Frank countered.
"What is it!" I demanded.
"Your brother has a confession to make." Frank started. Cato sighed.
"I'm in love with someone."
"That's wonderful Cato who is it?" I chuckled.
Cato started turning red. Frank elbowed him.
"Reyna!" Cato yelped.
"By the gods, Cato are you out of your ever loving mind!" I snapped, smacking him.
"Told you she'd kill me. Cecilia would've been better than her and she hates my guts." Cato huffed.
"Cecilia hates anyone who is associated with Camp Jupiter." Frank corrected.
"Don't try to change the subject," I argued. Cato gave a helpless shrug.
"I can't help it."
"By the gods stop talking!" I snapped. Frank chuckled.
"I think I'll leave you two to it." He suggested. We had entered the camp part of the valley and he slipped away to one of the villas.
"Don't leave me with her! She'll kill me!" Cato called after him. I slugged him in the shoulder.
"Meet me in the garden later!" Frank replied before disappearing inside one of the two villas.
"What are you two having a secret make-out session later?" I huffed. Cato choked. I patted him on the back.
"It's okay. I was teasing." I laughed.
"I can't tell you yet. We're trying to keep it away from his royal highness." Cato answered.
"Go get changed senator," I told him. With a laugh, he walked away.
"Really blue cheeseburger? Now that's just wrong." I teased Percy. Annabeth chuckled. I didn't know how I'd ended up wedged between my two brothers at dinner. Cato was on my left and Percy was on my right. Followed by Annabeth on the end. Frank, Hazel, and Sapphira sat on the other side of the table.
"Never," Percy replied with a smirk. As if to emphasize his point he picked it up and took a huge bite of it.
"I hope you choke." I huffed. Hazel chuckled.
"So how's Nico?" Hazel asked me.
"Last I checked good. Haven't really hung out with the dark overlord recently. Will has a monopoly on your brother." I replied.
At this Percy and Annabeth laughed. Percy laughed so hard he choked on his burger. Annabeth and I patted his back until he coughed up a half-chewed piece of burger onto the table.
"Didn't your parents ever teach you to chew?" Sapphira asked curiously. At this, we all started laughing.
"So what's new in this place?" I inquired. Frank and Cato stared at their meals very intently.
"Out with it senators." I huffed.
"We can't tell you. Private Praetor issue." Frank solemnly replied.
"But Cato isn't even a Praetor!" I argued.
"Come on Sapphira, Reyna looks lonely." Hazel blurted picking up her plate and then Saph's before walking over to where Reyna was sitting alone. Cato moved to sit next to Frank.
"But Reyna trusts me-" he lowered his voice, "unlike other senators currently." He finished.
"Let me guess Octavian is behind this?" I whispered back with a scowl.
"We're not entirely sure this time. But the Senate isn't faithful to Reyna that's why we need to shift power now before crap hits the fan." Cato quietly explained.
"Isn't it always Octavian?" Percy asked. Frank snorted at that.
"We actually don't think it's Octavian because Octavian preaches to the choir when he's planning something. But this is more sneaky and secretive." Frank added.
"Any other suspects?" I inquired.
"Nothing solid. Besides we can't go accusing the senators. That will only weaken an already fragile system we got currently." Cato answered.
"We're here to help." Annabeth offered.
"Currently the plan is to pray to the gods that it doesn't come to a head before Friday. We just need to make it through the ceremony and then we can go after what is going on." Frank sighed.
"Remember I'm famous for spying and knowing things I'm not supposed to," I added.
"She's not cheap either." Percy quipped.
"How do you know?" I scoffed.
"I recommend double-checking your water breathing brother isn't in the lake next time you meet your clients on the dock," Percy replied with a smile. I glared at him.
"Really? Have you no respect for privacy?" I huffed.
"The lake is public property. I was enjoying a swim before I heard you and a certain someone discuss something about exploding gum." Percy pointed out.
"Be glad he didn't report you to Chiron. If I remember correctly Travis and Connor took the fall for that because it was their creation that they keep to themselves." Annabeth added.
"They need to learn to lock their nightstand." I shot back.
"Okay out with it who'd you go after?" Cato sighed.
"I was paid to set it off in the Ares cabin. And you were implicated in this too bro. If it wasn't for a certain artifact I would've been caught launching it at my targets." I answered.
"You didn't." Cato gawked.
"I did. And because of it Clarisse almost beat the Stoll brothers to a pulp." I finished with a grin.
"You gave her it!" Frank demanded finally figuring it out.
"Technically I didn't. We used it to sneak out of camp." Cato corrected.
"The firecrackers weren't enough?" Frank huffed. I grin at the mention of my awesome stunt earlier this summer.
"You can't prove it." I grinned.
"Reyna's dogs can." Frank smiled.
"Alright different topic. How about we discuss when my brother lost his mind when he fell in love with Ra Ra." I huffed.
Percy choked on his burger again. Once he stopped coughing he spit out words.
"Excuse me? Did I just hear what I think I heard?"
"Bachelor number three is sixteen years old, average height and buff. He enjoys long walks along the beach, reading, and sparring. And yes ladies he looks amazing in a toga. And lastly, he is the son of none other but the king of the gods himself, Jupiter." I teased, pretending to speak into a microphone. Cato had put his head on the table and wrapped his arms around it. Frank and Annabeth were dying from laughter. Percy was still in shock.
"Wait he is in love with her not the other way around?" Percy stuttered.
"Yes watery brains." I sighed.
Frank lifted one of Cato's arms before laughing again.
"You truly are something else. I don't think I've ever seen him turn so red before." Frank laughed.
"I can also do the same to Percy." I quipped.
"Don't!" Percy exclaimed.
"Why not? Don't you want them to know about your secret games of mythomagic with Nico? Every Monday night?" I teased.
"Lamia!" Percy shouted. Annabeth chuckled.
"So you are cheating on me." Annabeth teased.
"With a board game and Hazel's brother," Frank added with a grin. Percy buried his head in his arms.
"Anyone else?" I chuckled.
Frank just looked at me, like he was seeing me for the first time. "You sure she isn't related to Mercury?"
Annabeth and I laughed.
"I would ask but I don't want it to be announced to the world," Annabeth spoke.
"I'll whisper it in your ear." I smiled. I walked around to whisper it in her ear.
"By the gods." Annabeth sighed, burying her face in her hands. I chuckled and sat back down next to Percy.
"Do I want to even know?" Frank asked.
"No, you don't." I simply answered.
"Alright, next topic." Cato huffed, picking his head up.