Chapter 3
Annabeth and Chiron shared a startled expression first laced with puzzlement, then shifting to realization, and then finally settling on horror.
"What—?" Annabeth choked out, "B…but that's…impossible! Demigodscan'tevolve!"
"Well, we sure-as-hell ain't human," I said, completely frank with a sudden tiredness. The rest of the flock's expressions showed that they shared my extreme boredom and complete and utter hatred of moments like these.
The sad thing was that we were painfully used to them by now.
I pulled my wings close to my back and pulled my shirt and jacket back on as the screen door creaked at the front of the house, causing my gaze to shoot toward Fang's. He blinked, a tiny light of understanding flashing in his eyes. I glanced quickly at the rest of my family and all of their stances tightened, preparing for fight-or-flight at any second.
A tall-ish kid (like, two inches shorter than me) with mussed black hair and green eyes like an ocean wave stepped cautiously into the game room with much tension in the air. "Annabeth? Chiron? What's—?"
He saw the six of us plus Total, and I could almost see the light bulb of realization flash over his head. This guy had no pokerface, I was sure of it. His face spit through confusion into a pleasantly surprised grin as the gentlest of breezes wafted though the air, smelling like the ocean. "Oh! You're new campers!" His smile widened to the point of making his eyes sparkle, and I swear Annabeth's cheeks went a shade pinker. "Hey, I'm—"
Angel cut him off with a slight intake of breath. 'You're Percy Jackson. Aren't you?"
I felt a collective wince radiated from my family. The she went, off playing her 'I deserve to be the leader' game.
"Uh...?" Percy glanced uncomfortably at Chiron and Annabeth, unsure of what was going on, "...yeah. Annabeth, did you-?"
She shook her head. "We haven't even gotten around to showing them the video yet, let alone singling out specific people." Annabeth sighed visibly. "It's like she-"
"Read your mind," Angel spoke matter-of-factly.
"Wha? But-ah-nn-gods!" A-beth (I am good at making up nicknames, eh? No? Ah, whatever) spluttered, "Chiron! I positive now! These kids are-"
The old guy paled and nodded. He yanked the little joystick on his motorized chair and turned to face us. "You kids..."
The six of 'us kids' leaned forward slightly in building anticipation, and I could clearly see that Total, though still sullen from Annabeth's comment from before, was curious.
"...are children of Zeus." Chiron finished on a heavy breath.
Silence fell.
And I cracked up.