AN: Hey guys! I'm back with the next chapter as promised. I want to thank all of you for the support I'm already seeing after only one chapter! It really does mean a lot to me. Now, before we get going, let's do some review responses.

First from TheImpalaLover: "This chapter really made my day. At school I found out my best friend was moving and I really needed something to get my mind off of it and then when I saw that the first chapter was posted I started reading with a smile on my face. Once again I'd like to thank you for taking your time to make these awesome chapters."
A: Well I'm happy I could take your mind off of it, though I am sorry about your friend moving. That's no fun.

From SilverAngelo: "OMG OMG OMG OMG THIS IS SO HIGH ON THE AWESOMNESS LEVEL SCALE THAT I THINK ITS BROKEN AND OMG I THINK ITS TOTALLY BEATING ALL THE OTHERS, AND I WAS SO WORTH THE WAIT! GAGH, IM JUST FANGIRLING ALL OVER THE PLACE RIGHT NOW AND I CANT WAIT FOR CHAPTER 2! The family tree is just so confusing because there are so many new people in this chapter that got introduced, I literally had to go back and reread who they were to get a good idea. And, since Gus and Liz aren't together anymore, can we do a DanXLiz? That might be cool! Elizan! I AM SO HAPPY TO HAVE BOOK 4 THAT IM GONNA EXPLODE, IVE WAITED SO LONG! *Litterally EXPLODES*"
A: Wow. That's pretty intense excitement! Yeah, the new people in the chapter are just more campers. You'll see them around, but don't worry, you won't have to remember them too specifically. As for Elizabeth's love life, you'll have to wait and see how that develops.

From UtilitarianShank: "Hurray for the fourth book, and their mission seems to be going well so far - not to mention that they have more than 1 demititan captured."
A: It certainly seems like things are going well so far, but don't expect their good luck to hold out.

Also from UtilitarianShank: "You're right regarding the 12th legion - I think I was confused due to Jason's bid to rename the twelfth legion as the first legion."
A: Yeah, that makes sense.

From RockRoy: "Of course something is wrong, it was a bit too easy. Haven't our legacies and demigods learned that by now? Knuckleheads... "
A: I know, you'd think they'd learn.

From Person: "Great chapter. Okay, I don't know why, but I have this itchy feeling the Elizabeth's parents are kidnapped or something to that effect. Then I keep thinking, 'why would she/he do that? I know I would, but he/she's not me. This isn't your story so you can't control it...' ect. But I still can't shake the feeling off. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh I need help! I NEED CHAPTER TWO to help me combat this itchy feeling. I'm right, right? "
A: You're about to find out.

From EllaAnnieGrace: "Finally Theo and Jake! and have you listened to/watched Nico's lullaby & the SuperCarlinBrothers?"
A: I know! Took them long enough... And yes. I enjoyed both, thank you for the recommendation!

From cghe: "I feel like there is no way that this plan is going to work in real life? Since both buses are moving? Also, they are on the highway, so I don't understand how you could zipline to another bus. If Jake could control the van, then why did they continue to move the van? Just like, park over in some designated spot and start to attack shit and stuff, right?"
A: I have two answers to this. One in-universe explanation and one out-of-universe explanation. For the in-universe one, I do think it would be possible, assuming that timing was perfect and the two vehicles were moving the same speed. And they decided to do that instead of having Jake pull the bus over because that would've alerted the demititans and monsters on the bus that something was up , and they would have lost their element of surprise, which they needed since they did not have the numbers the demititans did. The out-of-universe explanation? I've done some pretty wild, far-fetched things in these books before (see jumping onto a moving train from a moving van), and I wanted to do something like that, but even more wild because I think it's fun.

Also from cghe: "Elizabeth/Jocelyn shipping, or not?"
A: You'll find out.

From an anonymous Guest: "Just wandering, is school out for you and if it is, are you going to update earlier or during the day. It would be preferred because I'm don't like to stay very late, but if not that's okay."
A: I am out of school, but I am, unfortunately, working two jobs all summer, so I'll continue to be busy during the day. So uploads will probably still be pretty late. Sorry about that :(

From J. Cage: "The wait was worth it"
A: Glad to hear it!

From the-only-soldier-left: "OMG Elizabeth is gaaaayyyyyy!"
A: It's a possibility. You'll have to wait to find out for sure.

From pizzafan123: "This is great. I'm seriously loving this like I love Rick's series. Elizabeth is getting better and better. Last book made me sad, especially at the Thalia and Annabeth part. Damn you, Drake. Your really doing a fantastic job with this and the Jocelyn/Elizabeth think I believe your hinting or I think your hinting at is cool and interesting. Lost this for a while, but found it again since I started reading Trials of Apollo. Sorry for the ramble, I can't wait for more. This is definitely going on my favorites."
A: Thank you so much for the massive compliment! I really appreciate it!

Alright, that's it from me. Enjoy the chapter and DFTBA!

Chapter 2: I Destroy a Mirror

I stood in the back, between the driver and passenger seats, as we drove back into the City. Jocelyn and Theo were arguing about the music – or something – but I wasn't really paying attention. I'd been watching Marcus, waiting for him to come to, and brooding. That mission had gone so well. Too well. There was something weird going on. And then there was the discovery I'd made when I had searched Marcus's pockets…

"Elizabeth, chill out," Jocelyn said, snapping me out of my reverie. "We did it. Our mission was a huge success. Don't be a negative Nancy all the time."

"I'm not being a negative Nancy," I protested. "But you can't tell me that this doesn't feel off to either of you. That was way too easy."

"Not this again," Theo moaned. "It was not easy. We had to freaking jump out of this van for gods' sakes!"

"This is just like our first quest," Jocelyn added. "We went through all kinds of dangerous things and you still thought it was 'too easy' then."

"And I was right that time," I pointed out. "When have I been wrong about something like this? Something is off, I'm telling you. That's why I wanted to bring Marcus in the van with us. I have to know what's going on."

"Elizabeth, just let something good be good," Jocelyn sighed. She glanced back at me, a mixture of emotions in her hazel eyes, one of them pleading. She desperately wanted to believe we'd actually succeeded for once. We'd been behind the demititans the whole war. We all needed a win. I felt my stomach churn with guilt and… something else. I shook myself slightly.

"I want to," I said. "Honestly, I wish I could just believe we were actually successful for once. But I can't shake the feeling that something is wrong, and if I ignore it and it somehow costs us something down the line, that's on me because I didn't do anything about it."

"Even if it was a trick, it doesn't matter," Jocelyn said. "The fact is, we have Marcus in our custody. No matter what, we can make this work for us."

I wasn't so sure about that. Just because we couldn't readily think of anything that would make this mission a waste didn't mean that something couldn't happen to do so. But I didn't say that, mostly because I didn't want to keep arguing with Jocelyn. "You're right," I sighed. "Something pretty drastic would have to happen to make this mission a waste. I guess I've just been paranoid lately."

"Lately?" Jocelyn asked, smirked.

"Oh, shut up," I grumbled, inexplicably blushing.

Theo glanced back at me and raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. I almost wanted to ask him what he was thinking about, but since Jocelyn was the one I was being weird around, I did not want to have that discussion with her present. Still, I'd have to talk to Theo when I got to camp tomorrow.

Then I heard a cough behind me. I whipped around, almost falling over in the moving vehicle. Marcus was conscious now. "Elizabeth," he croaked.

"Oh, good, you're up," I said, attempting nonchalance and failing miserably. "I've got some questions for you."

"Well, feel free to ask," he said hoarsely, his throat no doubt sore from when I choked him with his own tie. "But I cannot promise that I'll answer your questions. There're lots of things that you aren't supposed to know, obviously."

"I've got a question," Jocelyn said from the front. "Did you piss your pants when you saw Elizabeth coming for you?"

"Charming as always, Miss Clement," Marcus droned. "It's been awhile. Since Maryland, right?" I glanced at Jocelyn and could see her knuckles getting white on the steering wheel. "And Theo, right?" Marcus continued. "It's been… what? Three years? You've gotten quite a bit taller."

"Yeah, that's not a weird thing to say," Theo said sarcastically.

"Stop stalling," I said.

"Why should I? We're almost back at your school," Marcus pointed out. "That's where you're being dropped off, isn't it? After all, you've got to go pick up that friend of yours from the airport."

My stomach dropped. "How… how did you know that?"

"I was Gaius's spy master," Marcus said. "I know things. And don't you worry, Elizabeth. I'm not going anywhere. You'll be able to question me to your heart's content when you see me again."

At that moment, Jocelyn pulled into the parking lot of my school. I cursed, glancing at the time on my phone. I had to get going. I looked forward at Theo and Jocelyn. Jocelyn sent me a message like We'll take him back to camp and you'll have all the time in the world to question him tomorrow. I groaned, but turned and opened the door. I glanced back at Marcus, "This isn't over," I growled.

"Of course it isn't," Marcus said. "I look forward to our continued questioning." Reluctantly, I hopped out of the van. Right before I closed the door, Marcus said, "Oh, incidentally, I assume you searched me?"

I gulped. "Yeah. I did."

"And what did you notice?" Marcus asked.

"You didn't have anything on you," I said grimly. "No phone, no wallet… nothing."

"You may want to give some thought on what that could mean," he said. "So long, Elizabeth."

When I pulled into the JFK International Airport parking garage, I was still mulling over my conversation with Marcus. One thing had become abundantly clear. I was right: it had been too easy. Which meant that Marcus getting captured was part of Gaius's plan. But why? What did Gaius stand to gain by allowing us to capture one of his most trusted advisors? It didn't make any sense. Marcus surely had a dangerous amount of information about Gaius's plans. Why would he risk us getting that information?

I was so lost in thought, standing outside baggage claim, that I didn't even notice Hannah Zhang until she was right in front of me. "Elizabeth, hi!" she exclaimed, giving me a hug.

"Hey Hannah," I replied, faking enthusiasm. Hannah stood back, picking her luggage back up (having put it down to hug me). She didn't look a whole lot like her older sister, Emily. She was taller, for one. Also, Hannah's hair was pitch black, and straight, whereas Emily's was frizzy and cinnamon colored. However, both sisters had their mother's golden eyes and the same dark skin, just a shade lighter than Theo's. "How are you doing?" I asked Hannah.

"I'm great! Really looking forward to finally seeing Camp Half-Blood tomorrow. I know it's a crazy time to be going to camp with everything that's going on, but I'm still really looking forward to it."

I smiled. "Good to hear." We started out of the building, Hannah continuing to chat about how excited she was to be going to camp. I responded politely, but I honestly wasn't paying a whole lot of attention. I was still caught up on the Marcus situation. Besides, Hannah was pretty excitable. She was mostly just talking about herself, which worked out fine for letting me continue to think.

That was, until, she asked me a question right as we were getting in my car. "Anyway, how are things for you?" she asked. "When we came for your family's Christmas party, didn't you say something about being super busy?"

"Uh, yeah," I said as I started my car. "I've had to split my time between school and camp all year. With the war going on, I couldn't exactly afford to step away completely."

"Wouldn't it have been easier to just switch to being a full time camper?" Hannah asked.

"I thought about it," I admitted. "But I like going home every year, seeing my parents again, that sort of thing. Plus, I really didn't want to miss a year of school. Or however many years of school it would take for us to get through the rest of this war."

"That makes sense," Hannah said. "So what's the plan for tonight?"

"Well, my parents figured that since you were in town, we'd go out to eat someplace nice," I said. "Celebrate you getting to go to camp and all that good stuff."

"Cool!" Hannah exclaimed. "Are the Graces going to join us?"

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. The Graces. That was a tricky situation. Aunt Piper and Uncle Jason were awesome. Sierra, who was a Praetor at Camp Jupiter, had been my friend my entire life. And I didn't have any problems with Riley, the youngest Grace, who was also at Camp Jupiter. But neither Sierra or Riley were in New York. The only Grace child in New York was Augustus, and my relationship with him was… complicated, to say the least. Ever since we'd broken up last summer, we'd barely spoken. The few times we had had gone… poorly. We fought worse than we ever had before or during our relationship. "No, I don't think so," I answered Hannah casually.

Hannah looked over at me, clearly embarrassed. "Oh gods, I just realized… I'm sorry, I didn't think –"

"It's fine," I said quickly, trying to avoid a conversation about it.

"So things are still bad with you and Augustus?" Hannah asked.

I sighed. Great. Too late now. "Bad is one word for it," I grumbled. "But listen, Hannah, I'd really rather not talk about it."

"Oh, right," she said quickly. "Sorry."

We drove in silence for a few minutes. I cleared my throat awkwardly. "So how was school? You uh… just finished seventh grade, right? How was that?"

"Yeah," Hannah said. "School was pretty good."

"Are you planning to go back for eighth grade in the fall?" I asked. "Or are you planning to stay at Camp Half-Blood year round?"

"I don't know," Hannah replied. "I haven't decided yet. I guess it depends on how the summer goes. And how involved I am with the war effort. I really want to do my part to help beat the demititans."

I frowned. It almost sounded like she was excited to get involved in the war. "War isn't… Well, just try and have some fun this summer, yeah? Camp isn't just about war. It's also about making friends and capture the flag and training. Besides, new campers don't typically go on war missions until they've gotten some training." That wasn't always the case, obviously, since I'd just taken two newbies on a mission earlier in the day. But Hannah didn't need to know that. The Mars in her was already showing, I didn't need to be encouraging her to want to fight even more.

"I don't need training," Hannah said. "I'm quite good at a lot of different weapons already. Plus Aunt Reyna taught me a bunch of different martial arts."

Aunt Reyna? I guess it made sense that Hannah would call her that, since their families both lived in San Francisco. Still, it was weird to hear it like that. "So based on that, I'm guessing that you'll want to be in the Ares cabin?" I asked, trying not to let Hannah's gung ho attitude bother me too much.

Hannah chuckled. "How'd you figure that out?" she asked sarcastically. We both laughed for a second, then she said, "But yes, I was planning on joining the Ares cabin."

"Well, good for you," I said. "You'll have a lot of cabin mates, so plenty of opportunity to make some new friends. And the counselor of the Ares cabin, Spencer, is camp's weapons' master. There is no weapon that he isn't an expert in using. You'll be in great hands."

"Glad to hear it!" Hannah said excitedly.

It was good to catch up with Hannah as we drove through the City. Plus it helped me take my mind off of Marcus. However, my harsh reality all came rushing back to me when I got back to my family's apartment. Hannah had just been asking me questions about my friends as we rode up in the elevator. "Well I can't wait to meet them," she said as the doors dinged open.

"Yeah, they're –" I stopped. The door to the apartment was ajar. My family never left it ajar. The monster security wouldn't engage unless the door was closed all the way. I ripped my sword from its sheath and ran across the hall, leaving Hannah confused and concerned. I kicked the door open all the way and dashed into the living room, my sword held in front of me. The place was trashed. Furniture had been broken. The TV was shattered. A knife was stuck in the wall next to the door. My legs shook. "Mom?! Dad?!" My voice echoed through the apartment.

"What happened?" Emily asked, standing at the door.

I turned to her, a cold feeling filling up my whole body. "Just – Just stay here and uh… Do you have a weapon with you?"

Hannah yanked the knife from the wall. "Now I do."

"I'm going to search the rest of the apartment," I said breathlessly. My heart pounded furiously. I turned away from Hannah and dashed into the kitchen. From the doorway, I could tell that it was in ruins, too. I turned and bolted upstairs. My door had been ripped off its hinges and lay across the hall. I jumped over it and ran into my parents room. The bed had been turned over and was impaled with about ten arrows. It looked like my parents had used it for cover. I checked the walk-in closet and went to the back, where there was access to an emergency room. But as I moved aside Mom's business jackets where the door would be, I found a hole in the wall. The door had been busted down. The safe room wasn't safe.

My lungs constricted. I felt a panic attack coming on. "No," I growled. "Not again." It had been months since I'd had a panic attack, and I really did not want to get another one right now. Not when my parents were missing. Not when time was of the essence. But I wasn't sure if it was avoidable. This was my worst nightmare. Something had happened to my parents. And the demititans were obviously responsible.

I staggered from the room, down the hall towards my bathroom, struggling to breath. Meanwhile I ran through the tricks my therapist had taught me to hold back a panic attack. Yes, I had finally started seeing a therapist about my panic and anxiety problems. Of course, I had to fudge some of the causes, but ultimately the sessions had been helping immensely. Yet, something like this was unexpected. I didn't know how to handle it.

I made it into my bathroom and fumbled for my meds. My emotions boiled higher and higher. Panic, depression, anger, and hatred battled for dominance. What could have happened to my parents? Were they…? I pushed the thought back, refusing to entertain the notion. Memories of my parents jumped to my mind. Mom and Dad taking Matt and me to Lake Placid, Mom and I playing chess together, Dad and I having late night chats about nightmares, Mom talking to me about Luke Castellan…

"AGH!" I screamed, unable to hold it all in. I punched the bathroom mirror full force with my right hand. The glass shattered, and I even punched a hole in the drywall behind. I slid to the floor, tears streaming down my face. I buried my head in my hands.

Then my phone rang. I yanked it out of my pocket. Video call from Augustus Grace read the screen. My first instinct was to ignore it. He was the last person I wanted to talk to right now. But a small, logical part of me said, Why would he be calling you if it wasn't something important? An entire bowling alley dropped into my stomach as a daunting idea came to me. I answered the call.

Augustus's face filled up the screen. His face was grey with fear. His brown hair was messy, like he'd been running his hands through it in a freak-out. "Elizabeth, my parents are gone!" I gulped. That was what I was afraid he'd say.

"Mine too," I said darkly. I jumped back up to my feet. "What happened?" I asked as I headed downstairs. "Give me every detail."

"There aren't many details to give," he said. "I was out on a da – getting dinner."

"Do you really think I give a shit that you were on a date?" I asked, annoyed. "Come on!"

"Fine!" Augustus snapped. "I was on a date! But when I got back, the door was open and the place was trashed and my parents were gone –"

"Hannah!" I shouted as I made it back into the living room.

She looked over, fear etched on her face. "Elizabeth! I heard you yell. You told me to stay here, but I didn't know if you wanted me or if you were hurt or –"

"Try calling your parents right now," I said, cutting her off. Adrenaline was rushing through my body. Every single neuron in my brain was firing. "And Gus –" I cursed myself silently for calling him that. That nickname had gone out the window when our relationship ended. "I mean, Augustus," I went on, "try getting in touch with Uncle Leo and Aunt Calypso. Text me whether or not you're able to get a hold of them."

Augustus nodded and hung up the call. Hannah looked over at me, her phone still ringing. "What are you going to do?" she asked, worried.

"I'm calling Nico," I said, already in my contacts. I tapped on Nico's number and pressed the call button. I paced, waiting to see whether someone would pick up. I was worried. It was hard to know just how far the demititans had gone. To my relief, though, the call was answered.

"Elizabeth?" asked Nico's husband Will as he picked up the phone. His face filled up the screen. "What's up? Is something wrong?"

"Yes," I said. "Is Nico there?"

"I'm here," came a voice in the background of the call. Nico appeared on screen next to his husband, his black hair contrasting Will's blond. "What's wrong?"

"My parents have disappeared," I said, choking on the words. "I got back to the apartment after picking Hannah up at the airport and I found the place trashed. Then Augustus called me, and his parents are gone, too." Will's jaw dropped. Nico's eyebrows scrunched together, his already dark eyes turning almost purple.

"That's… I don't even have words for what that is," Nico said hoarsely.

"How could that have happened?" Will asked, bewildered. "Percy and Annabeth are two of the best fighters I've ever met."

"Elizabeth?" Hannah called, panicked. "I – I couldn't get in touch with my mom or dad."

At the same time, a bar appeared across the top of my phone's screen, informing me that I had a text message from Augustus. No luck with Uncle Leo or Aunt Calypso. I let out a hard breath, trying to think straight. My emotions were surging back in. "Okay, um… Nico, I think Uncle Frank and Aunt Hazel and Uncle Leo and Aunt Calypso are all gone too."

Nico's jaw tightened. "So it would appear that the Seven have been targeted. The demititans?"

I thought about Marcus and about how capturing him had been far too easy. "Definitely," I agreed. "Nico, do you think they're… you know…"

Nico shook his head. "I would've felt it if they died. Your family is still alive Elizabeth." I choked back a sob of relief. As awful as it was that they were gone, they were alive. Nico closed his eyes, thinking. "Alright, you and Hannah get to Camp Half-Blood right away. I'm going to start looking for your family immediately. We'll get them back."

"Can I come with you?" I asked on an impulse. "I want to help you look for them."

Nico frowned, looking down. "No, Elizabeth. Go to Camp Half-Blood. They need you there. I will let you know when I have a lead on where your parents and the others are, I promise. But Camp Half-Blood needs you."

I bit my tongue, holding back my desire to argue with him. Instead, I nodded. "Alright."

"Have faith Elizabeth," Nico said. "I will find them, I swear on the River Styx."

Will looked at his husband uneasily, clearly concerned about the seriousness of the oath Nico had just taken, then he turned to me. "Stay strong, Elizabeth," he said.

"Thank you," I said. "Both of you." I hung up. My mind and emotions were still racing wildly. Hannah was sitting on the floor, her knees pulled up to her chest and her face buried.

Marcus, I thought. My emotions slammed to a stop on hatred. I set my jaw. "Hannah, I'm going upstairs to get my stuff," I said evenly. "Then we're going to camp. I've got someone I need to ask a few questions."

AN: And that's it! I'll see you guys with the next chapter on Tuesday!