I sighed, watching the dark water move under the glinting light of the moon. Everyone was down below. Percy and Annabeth were asleep, as they always seemed to be after Tartarus. Frank and Hazel had gone to bed after a small argument which no one had heard properly. Piper and Jason were talking, presumably about serious camp stuff.

I had labeled that under 'topics to avoid' . I didn't want to think about camp. I knew my cabin would be able to protect camp for a while. The bunker had unlimited weapons and devices just waiting to be flipped on. I smiled thinking of little Harley shooting a flame thrower or Jake trying to figure out how that small EMP in my back room worked. I saw those hammy fingers trying to flip the right tiny switches.

Then I remembered why they would have to use those weapons in the first place. Romans were attacking Camp. They would flatten everyone in a week. We couldn't contact Reyna, Nico or Hedge since they had left with the statue.

"Topics to avoid!" I groaned, smacking my head on the railing.

The ship was on a steady flow back to America and all had agreed it was best to stay on the water. Percy was-however- unaware of this decision, but was grateful. Flying wouldn't have been safe anyway. Roman eagles would most likely be patrolling the sky's for us.

"Think about something else." I whacked my head harder down on the ship. "Ow..." I came up, rubbing the spot, when something caught my eye.

Running to the ropes I pulled myself onto the railings. It was bright sliver, shining across the water. Patterns flowed over the waves and up into the sky. It was almost like a...

"Distress signal?" I ran to the steering and slowly and carefully changed the ships course, heading to the pattern.

As I got closer I saw it was something under the water. Stopping the ship I walked back to the side. In hind sight I probably should have gotten someone else. Anyone would have been nice. Hazel would have used her gem power. Piper would have used charm speak. Jason could've used the wind. Annabeth would have reasoned with it. Frank could've changed into a bird or fish and draw it away. Percy could have water controlled it. But me? I was useless. Fire...? Well let's just say fire wasn't the best defense.

"Hello?" I called, as I saw bubbles rising to the top.

My instincts screamed at me me to flee. But when I heard the song I lost it. I can never remember the tune and I probably never will. But the tone was light, airy and strong all at the same time. It flowed like the ocean and the high notes seemed to cut away at my very soul.

I said something really intelligent like, "whoa..." but I don't remember that either.

She came from the ocean like a goddess herself. Her body dripped with water and a flawless pale face lined in silver blonde hair stared at me. Her eyes were darker than black, setting off her alabaster skin and nearly blue, full, lips. Her face was flat but gorgeous with lashes longer than my fingers and high cheek bones.

She reached out a hand and I responded, imitating her, my mouth open like fish. Her touch was cool and soft, like silk. And as she moved the water shifted around her as if it were cloth.

"Hmmm," she said smoothly, the song never ceasing. But to this day I'm not sure if the song was still going on or if it echoed in my head. "A boy. Not alone either."

I was sure I was going something witty and charming but when I opened my mouth all that came out was a moaning gasp.

"Sweet looking," she tilted my head to the side. "But skinny and small. Not a good sacrifice at all."

"S-sacrifice?" I recovered my voice.

"Hmmm. No man has ever recovered from my song so quickly but, ah well, I might simply answer your question. Yes young Leonard Valdez. You were to be my sacrifice to the queen, but," she sighed. "Alas, to skinny."

"It's j-just Leo." I choked.

"Yes," she tilted her head. "I was told you are important. Why would this be? What could you possibly do to offend my queen and her mistress the mother of the gods?"

Gaia. This beautiful woman worked for Gaia. "Well lady," I pushed myself farther out from her curse. "I don't know why I'm important, I really don't, but my friends and I..." my breaths came a bit shorter as cold water sprayed into my lungs. "Were the ones who closed the doors of death."

"What!" the nymph screamed and became larger, larger than even the giants I had seen. The boat rocked and it was a wonder to me that the others weren't running up, swords drawn. "You?" Her hand wrapped around my waist, gripping me tightly. "You? A skinny child was able to beat my mistress?"

"Apperantly," I grinned.

"You will be punished," she growled, eyes churning like the sea in a storm. "I will take you to the goddess and she will punish you herself."

"No she won't!" I protested, squirming in her tight fingers. "You'll never take me alive."

"If that is what it takes." She sighed.

That was the last straw. I lit myself fire. She let go with a cry of pain as her hand melted into an unrecognizable shape. My head was full of stars and I knew I would have bruises but I stood.

"You dare burn me?" She asked, as the flames ceased. My vision returned and I wondered how I had ever thought she was beautiful. Her eyes were slowly turning blood red and her hair flew around like it would in a storm. "You dare burn me; Marina princess of ocean spirits. I will teach you a lesson Leo Valdez!"

"I'd like to see you try," I smirked, running a small stream of fire through my fingers.

She snarled, a sound like a wave crashing and spoke, "you will pay," her tone was charged with energy like Piper's charm speak. "Your body will betray you and you will know the pain of flames, the water your only safe haven."

I tried to remain skeptic and would have succeeded if she hadn't grown lager than the Argo 2 and pushed it away like a child's toy.

That's the first chapter :) tell me what you think please!

(PS this story should have quick updates depending in how many reviews I get)