A/N: Don't worry, the good part is coming soon ;) Chapters will be getting longer. I promise! 3

There's such a thing as 6:00 in the morning on a Saturday? I haven't known that until now.

Groaning and hitting the off button on my alarm clock I sit up in bed. There's a thin coating of sweat on my body—nightmares, you know, the norm. I feel disgusting and can't wait to get to my mom's apartment to shower in a nice bathroom instead of the camp ones. Shared showers just freak me out, even with the cleaning Harpies.

Thinking back on last night's dream I can't help but feel uneasy about this trip. But I can't let a stupid threat like this ruin my life. Odds are they'll never find me. Luke hasn't seen me in years. He probably even forgot about my house in Upper State New York.

I try to reassure myself that everything will be just fine. I get dressed in my regular attire—jean shorts, a tank top and (to be dressy since I'll be in the city shortly) gladiator sandals. I even put on some jewelry for once after doing my morning rituals for makeup and hair.

I think this is the thing that freaks everyone out. I'm the daughter of one of the greatest—possibly the greatest—inventor of all time… and I hate almost everything he loves. The only thing that interests me is the medicine side of his inventions—which are little to none. I still have his brains, I just choose to put them towards a career in medicine. I start up in my second semester at NYU in September.

See here's the thing… my dad is not a god. He's an immortal. The gods granted him immortality. Then of course he made himself into a robot or something a few years ago. I really don't know what happened there. I swear. However, I guess this means I don't inherit a lot of his traits.

I am quite like my mother though—fashion savvy and a decorating fanatic.

All is silent as I sling my backpack over my shoulder and close the cabin door behind me. A light morning breeze tousles my honey blonde hair softly. It smells like strawberries—as usual. My cabin is right near the fields. But the smell is nice today—not sickening.

I begin my walk to the big house. Just as it comes into my view I see Chiron standing on the front porch—in his centaur form. It's a noble sight. The light morning sunshine creates quite the glow around him. His face looks calm; serene. It's about time. I haven't seen him this relaxed in months; years even.

At first he doesn't see me. I take a moment to remember his peaceful demeanor. But then, he notices me as I grow nearer and frowns.

"Morning, Chiron," I say with a heavy yawn.

I must look terrible because he asked, "Bad night of sleep?"

I nod and say, "Bad dreams."

He makes a face and asks, "Did he speak to you?"

"Who?" I ask before putting the piece together. "Oh! Um… not really…"

"Adara," he says in a warning tone of voice. "You need to tell me these things."

I sigh and tell him what happened in my dreams last night. His face makes me think he wants to tie me up and make me stay here.

"It is not safe for you out there anymore," he states. It's a statement, not a hypothesis.

I bite my lip nervously. "But I have to… I haven't seen her in months. She'll be worried about me…"

His horse legs shift with anxiety as he says, "You are free to make your own choices. I cannot make you stay. But please keep in touch."

I nod, "I will. I promise. I'll Iris Message you as soon as I get to the apartment."

With that I start off towards my car, which is parked right next to the big house. I just barely make it through the gates with my Nissan Rouge. Thank god it's a tiny SUV.

The ride is boring, as usual. I have my iPod on shuffle and blast it the entire time.

When I finally reach the parking garage I'm beyond exhausted. I hate driving in the mornings. It makes me even sleepier.

I tiredly get out of the car, grab my bag, hit the locks and make my way towards the connecting walkway. There's no one up and walking around here at eight thirty in the morning, so everything is quiet. People are sleeping in, taking their time getting ready for the day. Meanwhile, I'm worried about getting kidnapped, never mind the latest sales going on at Saks 5th Avenue.

I arrive on the third floor in no time. My mom is at the door in seconds after I ring the bell.

"Oh, sweetie! I've missed you so much!" She shouts, embracing me in a bear hug in the middle of the hallway. I laugh and try to explain that she's choking me by squeezing me too hard. She lets go quickly. "Sorry. Long time no see!"

I shrug my bag off and dump it in her spare bedroom.

"So," she says excitedly. "What did you want to do today? Go shopping?" She winks. "I came out with a new collection for summer. It'll look amazing on you—all the green shades. I made an entirely green themed line in the collection inspired by those amazing eyes of yours."

I laugh and remember how evergreen my eyes are. She smiles and says, "You should try some of them on. You can even take the whole line back to camp!"

"Thanks, mom," I laugh and get ready for an exciting day of shopping.

But before I can change into something more New York-ish I Iris-Message camp.

"Hey, Chiron," I greet his face with Percy, Annabeth and the rest of the cabin leaders in the background. "Oh… hey guys," I laugh a little and wave. They all wave back.

"Ah, you're just in time for the meeting, Adara," Chiron chuckles. (A/N: Let's all just pretend like Silena stopped spying for Luke around this time. Okay? Okay. Back to the story!)

"Uh… I can't stay long, though," I say as my mom shouts from the kitchen for me to see something. I wince and every chuckles a little. "Mom wants to go shopping. Just letting you know I'm still okay."

"Alright," he says, a bit disappointed. "Stay in contact."

I nod. "I will. See you later!"

With that, I rush down the hall and into the sitting room where she's waiting, holding up the most gorgeous tank top, pair of ripped jean shorts and wedges she's ever designed. My mouth drops.

"Oh my gosh it's gorgeous." I gape at it as she hands it to me with a smile.

"I know. I said the line was inspired by you."

"Aw, thanks," I laugh and peck her on the cheek. I change into it and feel pretty damn hot. I'll admit her outfits always make me feel sexy.

We spend the walking down SoHo and shopping the hottest shops. We save her boutique for last. She gives me practically a whole new wardrobe.

"I've got visual," Ethan says, mimicking a CIA operative.

Luke rolls his eyes and slaps him on the arm. "I know you idiot," he hisses, "I'm standing right here."

"Oh, I thought you didn't see her at first. You didn't say anything," Ethan shrugs before rubbing his arm.

"Tell me why he's still here again?" Jesse asks from beside Luke.

Eric answers for him. "Because apparently little Lukey needs three of us to back him up."

Luke throws a glare their way before continuing to stare through the windows of Adara's mother's boutique. He can see her honey blonde hair through the glass. That's the first thing he saw when he spotted her walking into the shop with her mother. Coming here had been a long shot. They used it as a last resort since they discovered he mother's mansion in upper state New York was vacant.

After a long silence—a period of the four of them simply leaning against a brick wall in the alley way—Jesse says, "It's unbelievable how hot she is when she's just a daughter of Daedalus."

"Mm," Eric says, putting a hand to his chin thoughtfully. "She could easily equal an Aphrodite chick."

"Yeah," Ethan chuckles, "and this lucky bastard gets to spend every waking moment with her for the next few months."

He motioned towards Luke and Luke laughed, "Like she's ever leaving us. I'm making sure she stays. We could use the Labyrinth for during the actual war—and even after…"

"And you could always use a wife like that," Jesse—a fellow twenty-two year old—grinned.

Luke's lips turned up into a smile. He kind of liked that idea…

As she walked out of the store an hour later—bags in hand—he admired her stunning, yet petite figure. She couldn't be taller than five foot two without those heels on. However, she did look good with them on. They made her lightly tanned legs look longer and showed off the muscles she'd no doubt gained at camp. Her skin simply glowed. Her smile was radiant.

She laughed at something her mother said and even the boys remarked.

"Gorgeous smile," Eric commented.

"Well enjoy it now because she won't be smiling once we show up in her apartment."