LUCIANA: Where are Angel and Dakota?
KATHERINE: Angel got kidnapped.
LUCIANA: And Dakota?
KATHERINE: He's in Las Vegas.
LUCIANA: Alone? But that's dangerous! Thousands of Evil Sues and Tragic Sues live there!
KATHERINE: Of course LT didn't go alone; he went with Angel.
LUCIANA: But she got kidnapped.
KATHERINE: Exactly. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

I believe that dreams are sacred; take your darkest fears and play them like a lullaby.

-Thalia Grace

The group settled down in the forest after five hours of walking. They had found a clearing and a small river running through it. A chilly breeze signaled that autumn had arrived as the demigods and Rachel sat down and fixed their wounds. They felt considerably better after thirty minutes of regrouping.

"So, I think we should decide on a leader," Connor said, after sipping some water from the stream. "Or maybe decide on two leaders."

"Okay, so let's do a vote," Thalia began, but Jake cut her off by giving her a look.

"It's obvious who should be leader and who should be co leader."

Thalia smiled cheerfully. "Thanks."

After a while, the demigods went into an uncomfortable silence. Then Connor yawned.

"You all should get some sleep," Nico said. "Rest is crucial."

"Yes," Thalia agreed. "So that monsters can creep up to you and slit your throat when you're snoring and dreaming about rainbows and ponies."

If looks could kill, Thalia would be dead and gone by the look Nico gave her.

"Right," Thalia said hastily, taking a breath of cold night air. "Nico and I will take watch. You guys, rest, okay?"

Three hours later

Thalia started dreaming right after she fell asleep.

"Hello, Thalia," Luke Castellan said, his emerald green eyes cold and calculating, standing about three feet away from her. His scar that was supposed to be on his cheek wasn't there.

Wait a moment. Green eyes?

The girl tried to speak, but she failed. That was when she noticed that her hands were bounded to a wooden chair, and a cloth sprayed with perfume was covering her mouth. The scent was overpowering, and it made Thalia slightly dizzy. She tried to take the cloth off by rubbing it on her shoulder, but Luke walked towards her and slid it off, his fingers brushing her face casually. The girl gasped for air.

"It's good to see you again," Luke said, his hand still on her cheek. "I told you. You should have joined me."

Thalia shook her head, still taking deep breaths. "You're wrong," she decided after a long moment. "I- I don't think I would have liked killing demigods and sentencing people to death."

Luke smiled. "Do you want to know what happened up at Olympus?"

Thalia tilted her head. She didn't want to hear the details. "I know what happened," she said coldly.

"Annabeth Chase was stupid enough to believe that her celestial bronze knife will be able to destroy Kronos," Luke said, his fingers slipping off Thalia's face and resting onto her shoulders. "Well, I managed to fight back the Titan Lord's power and stab myself with the knife. The Titan died, but his power remained with me."

"You betrayed Annabeth," Thalia said, straining at the ropes. "After everything she'd done for you."

Luke slashed at the ropes with Backbiter, and Thalia tried to leap up and attack Luke, but he was ready for it. He slammed her back into the chair, his arms reaching out to secure her shoulders to the wood. A pair of electric blue eyes darted up at him. She breathed heavily; her mouth parted slightly.

"When somebody releases you," Luke drawled, tilting his head towards Thalia, "You do not attack them."

She unconsciously leaned back. "I'm dreaming. You're not being attacked."

Luke smiled. "Just teaching you a lesson on how to survive."

A little bit of the old Thalia came back. "Oh, yeah? I don't need anything from you, traitor, murderer," she spat. "I hate you!"

He laughed. "That's the Thalia I know. And, don't worry, I'll be tracking you. Until then, enjoy your freedom."

Fifteen seconds later

"Thalia? Thalia. Wake up. Are you okay?" Nico shook her shoulders, hard.

"Sorry, Nico. Just a nightmare," the girl said, sitting up and rubbing her eyes wearily. "What time is it?"

"Six in the morning. Wake Chris and Clarisse," Nico whispered softly, moving on to shake Connor awake.

"Guys, get up," Thalia called, briefly touching their arms. "Rachel, Chris, Clarisse, Connor, Jake and Katie, go look for some food. Pollux and Will, would you mind running the perimeter for me?"

As soon as the other demigods were gone, the son of Hades turned to Thalia. "What happened in your dream?"

"It was just a nightmare. Nothing to be worried about," Thalia smiled at him. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Nico didn't look convinced.

The girl nodded, her smile fading. "But we have to move soon. Luke's tracking us."

DAKOTA: And I have successfully kidnapped my Evilsuehunter.
ANGELIQUE: Kota… ugh… let… GO!