Anne's POV
I zoomed forward, zigzagging through the trees, careful to keep the flame in sight. It was funny, it never seemed to increase in size, like a real flame would, but something told me it was important. I kept running.
Maybe it was my ADHD, or the adrenaline, but I was aware of everything. My bow felt solid and strong gripped in my hand, something I could rely on to protect me. My bare feet skimmed quietly over the earth, carrying me toward the fire. I had always been a fast runner, but now I felt like I could run faster than Atalanta, that girl from Greek myths who could run faster than everyone and the only man who could beat her would be the one she would marry.
My sharper-than-usual senses told me the source of the fire was just ahead, maybe forty paces into the darkening night. I sprinted forward.
Suddenly, just ahead of me, I sensed movement, and not from the flame. Something alive was up there! I yelped in surprise, then silently cursed myself for my stupidity. No doubt the monster could hear me now. It was coming my way! I skidded to a stop and clumsily pulled an arrow from my quiver. With trembling fingers I drew back my bow.
The monster leapt at me but halted in its tracks. Now I could see it wasn't a monster. It was just a boy my age with curly brown hair, beautiful brown skin, and a weird black streak across his face. He held a huge hammer in one hand and a fireball in the other, which I realized must have been the flame I saw. And my arrow was pointing right at his face.
"Oh my gods, I'm so sorry!" I gasped, lowering my bow. "I thought you were a monster!"
"I thought that too," the boy said, lowering his hammer and closing his long fingers around the fireball, which extinguished. How did he do that without burning his hands?
"How…?" I asked, gesturing at his hand. Then I remembered who he was. "Oh, you're the new head counselor of the Hephaestus cabin!"
He nodded. "And you're Anne Soleil from Apollo."
How did he know my name?
"Yeah. And you're Leo, right? Leo…Perez?"
"Uh, Valdez, actually."
My face flushed bright red. "Gods, I'm sorry."
He grunted. "S'okay."
I felt really bad. "No, it's not. I feel bad; you remembered my name, and I didn't remember yours."
He waved one hand. "Not important. I'm used to it. What are you doing out here?"
"Couldn't sleep."
"Me either." He rubbed his hand across his face.
"Um, you've got a black smear on your face," I informed him. I know, that probably sounded rude, but I can't help it. It's the ADHD, I guess.
He groaned. "I know. It's grease. I've been working on the Argo II for hours."
"How is that going?" I asked. "I'm really curious."
"Pretty good. You want to sit?" He gestured one arm to a nearby log.
"Yeah, thanks." I put the arrow I was holding back into my quiver and sat. I was a little confused. I had heard from Will that Leo Valdez was really energetic and flirted with every girl he met. The guy sitting on the log next to me looked tired, strained. And he wasn't making the slightest move on me.
"You look exhausted," I said, sympathy creeping into my tone.
Leo was rubbing his face with his hands. "Yeah. I am."
"I thought so. Will Solace told me that you're normally really energetic and that you've flirted with just about every girl at Camp Half-Blood."
Leo snorted. "Well, not when I've been working on my ship for six hours straight."
"Look, I'm sorry I forgot your name."
"Forget about it. I've gotten used to that."
"Nobody should have to get used to that," I said sympathetically, shifting closer to him on the log. "And I can't believe I did. I heard all about how you killed three Cyclopes, and defeated six Earthborn with construction equipment."
He shrugged. "Jason destroyed a thirty-foot-tall fire-breathing giant."
"How is that a greater victory?" I couldn't help asking. I couldn't believe he thought he didn't do as well as Jason. From what I heard, this guy was pretty amazing.
"You weren't there," he snapped. Then he dropped his head into his hands again. "I'm so sorry. I'm just stressed."
My soft heart went out to him. I know it was impulsive, but I couldn't help it. I leaned over and gave him a hug. He smelled like smoke and machine grease, which I didn't mind at all. My chin rested on his shoulder, and one of his dark brown curls brushed my nose. And then I felt his arms go around me, returning the embrace. My whole body suddenly felt warm, despite the cool night.
