There has been a big gap between updates I know. I am sorry. I will try to update again sooner.
Athena's wisdom to you.
-Athena'sPride95

Chapter 3: Salem Wolves

That first night I spent a few hours just wandering. Wandering the unfamiliar streets of Salem not really knowing or caring what I was doing or where I was going. Why would I? I didn't have an education or job to return to. All my loved ones thought that I was long since dead and cremated, moving on with their lives. I still wanted to talk to Annabeth and my mum but Hecate's warning about a bad reception still rang clearly in my mind. I knew she was right but that didn't mean I was going to listen. I was going to find them, just not yet. The question really bugging me all that night as I walked past small shops and houses with darkened windows was 'what should I do until then?' Or more specifically what was I capable of doing? I'd never really paid any attention to any kind of mortal mythology that didn't pertain to Greek legends. After you discover that the Greek Gods and everything in their world was real then everything else mortals come out with sounds like bull you know? Annabeth of course would have read stuff she said most of the supernatural stuff that existed in literature had come about, at one point or another, as a result of stories told by a clear sighted mortal somewhere. I was really wishing I had listened now. Of course I'd heard about vampires. In today's modern society, with all the films flooding the cinema and the fiction section of every library being dominated by stacks of paranormal romance novels that featured the bloodsuckers, you'd have to look very hard to find someone who hadn't. Personally I had avoided such things like the plague when I'd been alive. I'd never had much of an inclination to read because of the dyslexia, and I'd only visited the cinema once or twice as a kid. None of them had been to watch vampire films I'm glad to say. When you've lived a life like mine dealing with real monsters and life threatening situations from the age of twelve the stuff you read and see in the cinema just doesn't seem to do the real thing justice and in some cases it was just insulting. Of course had I had the slightest inkling that this was going to happen then I would have bought a library's worth of books, at least I would have had some idea of what I could be doing. Actually if the fates had informed me that this would happen then I probably would have said my goodbyes and offed myself on the spot.

Eventually I found myself on yet another street in southern Salem, wandering past a row of big, wood panelled houses all with neatly trimmed grass and perfectly manicured bushes out front. I'm sure Annabeth would have recognised the architectural style had she been there but to me they were just houses. I could hear the sounds of TV and music coming from inside a couple of them but I didn't bother straining to listen. I reached the corner, looking up to a long driveway leading up to a large concrete structure. Even in the darkness of very early morning my new eyes could make out the words engraved on a small concrete block that sat on the grass verge between the two lanes.

SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
Home of the Witches

I almost smiled. I guess the teenager that still inhabited my subconscious must have led me here instinctually. I rolled my eyes and turned away, crossed the street and continued on my way along Highland Avenue. Still with no real idea where I was going I continued on for a good twenty minutes more. It should have taken less but I got held up.

At this time in the morning there was little traffic on Salem's roads and even fewer people on foot. The few who passed me were mainly teenagers and drunken adults. The latter just grumbled something incoherent and staggered aside. The teenagers I thought would have been a problem but I guess my new attire served the double purpose of camouflage and intimidation. One or two, usually the ones walking alone eyed me with suspicion and fear, but I passed a couple of groups and they were more of a problem. The first was a bunch of guys who just shouted and jeered things that were so petty and stupid I couldn't be bothered to remember. The second though looked like a party group about a dozen guys and girls, most of whom had the tell-tale wobble of slightly too much to drink. We were just passing each other under a streetlamp when one of the men, obviously out to impress his companions, got in my way.
"Hey you buddy" he slurred the smell of alcohol coming off him in waves "whatcha doing creepin around this time in the morning?"
"Just out for a walk" I told him flatly. I was in no mood to be dealing with this.
"What you like a serial killer or something, waiting for some poor girl to be alone so you can slit her throat?"
"No" I told him but I wouldn't mind slitting yours bub if you don't get out of my way "can you please move?"
The guy smirked at his dumb friends "I don't think I will. See I gotta do a public service here. People like you need to be taken off the streets before they kill someone"
I can see where this is going I thought. I didn't normally like confrontations with mortals but I felt something rising at the man's hostility wanting him to start something so that I could attack right back. I was shocked at myself. I'm no child of Ares.
"I'm not out to kill anyone" I told him keeping my voice flat and neutral "yet. Now move before I make you regret it" I added letting a tiny bit of my irritation tint my voice. The subtlety was lost on the teen though who just laughed in my face.
"You're going to make me regret it are you?" he mocked poking me hard in the shoulder, the dude was only slightly taller than me but he was a big guy perhaps a footballer or something "I'd like to see you stop me beating you to a pulp you little Goth freak!"

He swung at me then, a wild poorly aimed punch that a medusa victim would've had time to avoid. I just leaned back and kicked him in the shin. It wasn't a hard kick but the guy yelled in pain and fell forward. I took my hand out of my pocket long enough to grab his shoulder and hurl him out of my way into the road. I watched impassively as the guy, groaning, hauled himself back to the curb and lay there clutching his leg.
What a wimp I thought a little tap like that wouldn't have made Clarisse even flinch. Still, if the guy insisted on hamming it up it might ward off his buddies. I looked over my shoulder at them the guys were staring open mouthed and the girls were hiding behind them, one texting frantically.
"Anyone else?" I asked calmly. Despite my tone I couldn't help feeling a flash of anger as a stared at them. Particularly the girls hiding further back.
Annabeth or Thalia would be ready to fight anyone who treated one of their friends like that. These girls, tipsy or not, are pathetic.
For some reason the entire group took a sudden step back. A blonde girl screamed and fell out of her high heels.
"N-nah man you're good" one of the guys stammered edging away from me "J-just don't kill us okay?"
I sneered and moved on not bothering to look back as I heard anxious voices and the rapid clicking of high heels moving apace. I only wondered a couple of minutes later why they had gone from silent shock to screaming and stammering with fear just because I'd looked at them.

A little later I reached the entrance to a small park just of the main road. Having nothing else to do and nowhere to go I figured I'd just get away from the roads and houses. Amongst the trees it would be quiet and a better place to think without having to deal with more rambling party goers and suspicious eyes. With all that was going on in my head I didn't really pay much attention to where I was going. I think I may have crossed a children's play area and basketball court but it wasn't until I hit grass that I stopped. I'd stopped because of noises that didn't gel with the night-time ambience of Salem; the muted sound of tense voices mixing with occasional canine growls. I glanced around expecting to see an irritated dog walker with an unhappy pooch. Of course there wasn't any. It occurred to me that by now it was gone two in the morning and no sane mortal would be out walking a dog in an unlit park at this hour. Any with half a brain would be fast asleep by now. Looking around again I was certain that there was no one nearby. Behind me the occasional car or truck rumbled along the road but there were no people and certainly no dogs. I had an inkling, a feeling in my gut, that whatever was making those noises was dangerous and should be avoided but regardless I pressed on curiosity trumping common sense. I focused all my attention on the noises and continued across the football pitch toward another grassy area surrounded on three sides by trees. I only had to go a little ways before the voices or rather voice was easily understandable.

"Damn that Goddess and her insufferable brats! How close are they?" something growled a response and the voice cursed.
Wow! Add to my list of powers; enhanced hearing. I'd only crossed just reached the end of the football pitch and there was still no one to be seen, even with my enhanced night vision. As I passed the dividing tree I heard the voice speak again.
"Very well, we will keep moving. Travelling both day and night we should be able to lose them before . . ." a breeze rustled my hair from behind and the voice cut off abruptly. A few seconds passed before the unknown person spoke again.
"Do you smell that?"
Uh-oh my spine prickled at the sound of numerous growls as well as one or two whines.
I stopped in the middle of the grassy area beginning to get some idea of who might be doing the talking and, more importantly, the growling. I desperately hoped I was wrong because I really was in no condition or mood to be in a life or death situation. Egged on by my own stupidity I started forward again very slowly and cautiously. Despite the potential danger I didn't draw Riptide. I still didn't trust my old blade not to hurt me when I took it out.
The unknown spoke again "how close?" there was the sound of deep inhalation "so familiar and yet somehow, tainted." I tensed. Something had moved in the blackness beneath the trees, impenetrable at this distance even with my eyesight. Suddenly having no desire to me who or whatever had moved I turned and began to retreat, as quickly as I dared, toward the football field and the car park beyond. I had just reached the dividing line between the grass and the football pitch when something growled very close behind me. I froze and turned very slowly. I was greeted with the sight of a dozen massive wolves all snarling threateningly, drool dripping from their fanged maws. At their centre stood a very ragged looking man, a strange crown of some kind atop his head, his strange eyes aglow in the light.

He stepped forward and took a great breath through his nose, drawing in my scent.
"I thought I could smell the spawn of that accursed Sea God . . . Perseus Jackson. What an unexpected displeasure."
I straightened looking him directly in the face. I had no illusions that I could tackle twelve hungry werewolves and their king all at once but there was no need to give any indication that I was afraid of being ripped into dog kibble.
"The dishonour is all mine Lycaon" I responded coolly "so what are you running from this time, demigods, hunters, the local cats?"
Lycaon snarled "do not mock me boy or I will have my wolves tear you apart!"
I rolled my eyes and began to turn away. I wasn't in the mood for a monster monologue "listen pooch, no disrespect but I really can't be bothered with this right now"
"Oh? Why the hurry?" the Wolf King enquired mockingly "you've already missed your funeral."
His words froze me with shock. I turned back to face him "Whay did you say?" I asked quietly.
"Surprised? News travels fast amongst monsters Jackson. The rumours are saying that Kelli that dratted Empousa she-devil took your life in Springfield. Painted the walls with your blood they said. It seems though that she didn't finish the job before Hecate erased her and her sister from existence. Something I will be only too glad to rectify."
I took another step backwards, shifting my weight ready to bolt at the first hint of attack. Some instinct was screaming at me to just run now. I couldn't hold up in a fight against this many predators. I ignored it though.
"It's difficult to kill something that's already dead dog breath."
Lycaon bore his teeth in an evil smile "it is just as well you are still alive then isn't it? I have not eaten in days." His words made me automatically take two steps backward, every instinct screamed run but I couldn't see how I could outrun twelve wolves and their master on open ground.
Just means I'll be seeing Tartarus again a little sooner than I had hoped I though resignedly.

Didn't mean I had to encourage them though.
"Easy there Fido. Trust me the way I am now, you'd probably just die of food poisoning."
This seemed to give Lycaon pause "Why? Are you afflicted? It would certainly explain the abnormality in your already dreadful stench"
Sensing a break I pressed the subject "yeah ill. Kelli left me with something nasty. Tell you what how 'bout you let me get some meds from the doctor for it and you can eat me some other time. How's a week from Tuesday sound?"
Lycaon chuckled faintly "most amusing. You will find though that we werewolves have remarkably resilient immune systems. This conversation has proven most entertaining though." He gave no visible signal, his arms remaining folded across his chest but all his wolves suddenly lunged at once. Ready for them I launched away onto the football pitch but, just my luck, hadn't taken five steps before I tripped and face planted the grass. Rolling onto my back and sitting up I was stunned to see that Lycaon's wolves had retreated a little way, the master werewolf himself staring at my with something that was unmistakably surprise. At least on first glance I thought they had pulled back, looking around though I instantly realised that I had in fact gone from the tree I had been standing under to quarter of the way across the football pitch and the wolves hadn't moved.

It was only moments before their confusion cleared and they came at me again, racing towards me across the grass, rapidly closing the distance.
"Your skills surprise me Jackson, have you perhaps the blessing of Hermes?" asked Lycaon as he strode forward unconcerned with my enhanced speed. I tried to get up but Lycaon snapped his fingers and the nearest wolf launched itself at me bowling me back over and crouching on my chest snapping at me furiously. Not wishing to have my face chewed off I threw up my right arm, my left being pinned under one of the wolves massive forepaws, and grabbed the massive lupine by the throat desperate to keep those teeth away from me. It continued to bite at me trying to close its jaws around my neck and I automatically tightened my grip to keep it away. Suddenly there was an audible CRACK like the sound of a branch breaking and the wolf's whole weight suddenly dropped onto my chest smothering my face in thick fur. There was an expletive from Lycaon and a number of wolves howled plaintively. Sitting up the now dead wolf, snarl frozen on its ugly face, dropped to the floor its head falling at a funny angle. I scrambled backwards, shaken, to stand upright amid the circle of wolves. I had broken its neck with one hand! Lycaon roared with fury glaring right at me, murder boiling in his eyes.
"Curse you Jackson. You shall pay dearly for that! Destroy him!" Another wolf lunged at me, low this time, in an attempt to take my legs out from underneath me but it was to slow. I jumped the animal with the intent to use its back as a springboard and launch myself at Lycaon.
Instead I heard the Wolf King's incredulous "WHAT THE . . ." as I leapt ten feet into the air easily dodging the wolf easily. As soon as I came back down yet another wolf came at me but I ducked its attack and punched the next in the snout sending scrambling into the trees, howling in agony.
"Very well. I shall destroy you myself!" Lycaon barked and attacked. He was much faster than any of his wolves and it was difficult to avoid him. I sidestepped his first strike but he followed up instantly and caught me across the cheek. Pain instantly turned to rage. As I spun back to face him, crouched low to strike, I hissed furiously, something I had never done before but it just felt right. A challenge daring him to attack me when I was so pissed off. Lycaon, who was swiping at my face yet again, pulled his strike at the last moment and stumbled backward shock evident on his features. It was all the opening I needed. I propelled myself at him aiming to bunch him right between those ugly eyes and drive him to the ground. The strike missed him, but only just.
"Stop, Perseus!" he ordered holding out a hand. I ignored him and tried to hammer the blow home, the need for violence rising up again. To my surprise and anger Lycaon actually caught my fist in his hand, stopping my strike dead. He held me in place for a few seconds. He was strong to be sure, but now I was stronger, I wrenched my hand free and attacked again but the wolf king leaped away his ten remaining puppies blocking my way to him.

"Stop Perseus" ordered the Wolf King again but this time he did so amid heavy panting, apparently it had taken more effort for him to deflect my strikes than I had expected.
He's Pathetic I thought bitterly I'm not tired. I wasn't even breathing heavily. I caught myself then as I realised; I wasn't breathing at all! The revelation was enough to drive all the fight from me and I stood there staring at my own hands in shock. My eyes rose to Lycaon's and the master Werewolf was staring at me intently once again, but the look in his eyes was different. Not hungry as if I was prey to be hunted, but wary and interested as if I were another predator that he didn't know if he should attack or flee from. He flicked his wrist and I tensed expecting another assault but all his wolves backed off leaving nothing between me and him. He took a step toward me and I made to defend myself but he held up his hands in the universal gesture of surrender.
What's he playing at? I thought perplexed. He moved slowly towards me, hands till raised, until he was inches from my face. He lowered his hands and stared right into my eyes examining me up close. Without warning he growled, a deep challenging growl, and on pure instinct I responded in kind baring my fangs at him in warning. To my absolute astonishment the corners of Lycaon's eyes crinkled with mirth.
"Oh, now this is amusing" he chuckled. He then began to roar with laughter walking away as if there was nothing dangerous about the situation what so ever.
When he finally stopped and looked at me again he said "I'm going to watch this with great interest." With a snap of his fingers the wolves turned as one and disappeared into the darkness beneath the trees. Lycaon kept walking "farewell Perseus, I look forward to our next encounter. When it comes we will likely clash over prey rather than each other's heads. With a final chuckle he strode away into the trees vanishing into the darkness without so much as a rustle of leaves leaving my alone with the slowly dissolving corpse of the wolf whose neck I'd broken.
What in Hades just happened? I thought confusedly staring at the spot where Lycaon had vanished the guy turns up, tries to kill me and then leaves, laughing like a mad man!

I was forced to take shelter as the sun began to rise. I had no desire to find out just how quickly the sun would reduce me to so much icy slush and flakes of ash. The problem was where do you stop when you are the new-born undead spawn of a Goddess? One that can't go out in sunlight. For me the answer turned out to be the basement of a for sale house on some suburban street that I can't remember the name of. By that point I didn't care I was just desperate to avoid the early morning ray's just beginning to break over the rooftops. It wasn't the first house I had tried that morning either. I had tried several buildings including occupied houses, closed shops and another for sale house but I couldn't go into any of them. Every time I had tried to enter one of the buildings I'd suffered excruciating, blinding pain like being burned alive but when I had checked myself there had been no visible marks. This house had been my fifth attempt. I almost passed it up to but the difference was that the sign at the end of the path had stated "All viewers welcome". I suppose it's because in some mythologies vampires were not able to enter a dwelling without permission (like I said you pick stuff up whether you want to or not) so I suppose the sign must have been tantamount to an invitation to enter. As you might expect I had been wary at first and didn't hold out much hope. So I was not only surprised to find that I wasn't burned on contact the door was also unlocked, which meant I didn't have to force entry anywhere.

I could see why it was open there was nothing in any of the rooms worth taking but still I'd have thought the estate agent handling the place would have kept it locked in case of squatters. Not that I'm complaining it was quite a lucky break I found it at all. I made my way down into the basement to find solid concrete walls, ceiling and floor and no windows to let in natural light.
Perfect. I pulled the door closed behind me and settled myself in the corner as comfortably as I could manage. The utter silence was disturbing. Even when you are alone the sounds of your own breathing at least break the silence. Of course I wasn't breathing, nor did I have a pulse so the room was deathly silent.
Appropriate I thought sadly as I took my coat off and rolled it up to act as a makeshift pillow. I lay on it not really expecting to fall asleep, but fall asleep I did. Before long my dreamless darkness was invaded by Hecate and her bed chamber.
"Good morning Perseus" she said in her usual flat emotionless tone "how are you adjusting to your new self? I noticed that you have already started to become aware of your abilities." For a long moment I seriously considered ignoring her. I didn't want to think about all I'd done during the night. For the sake of my continued existence though I decided it was in my best interests to respond.
"I've discovered I can move with freakish agility, break a wolf's neck with one hand and can't go in a building without feeling like I'm burning alive but other than that I'm peachy thanks" I told her as insolently as I dared.
To my annoyance she didn't become irritated. Instead she said "and that is only the barest hint of what you could be capable of. Consuming blood will no doubt unlock all of your potential and grant you power beyond imagination!"

I felt something dark stir at the mention of blood, something that could have been excitement or maybe longing. I pushed it down repulsed.
"There is no way I'm doing that" I told her defiantly.
Now Hecate looked irritated "I'm afraid you have little choice my rather stubborn little servant. It is a fact of your existence now"
My heart, still or not lurched a little, it was the first time she had gone out of her way to make it clear what I was to her.
I must be getting on her nerves.
"The sacrificial blood that was used in your creation will only sustain you for a while" she continued her tone neutral once again "less if you insist on getting into fights with anything and everything that crosses your path"
I was reminded of the drunk teen who's shin, I now realised, I had likely shattered. And I was reminded of Lycaon and the wolf that I had killed.
Still something about what Hecate had said made me queasy "sacrificial blood?"
I couldn't tell because she didn't have pupils but I think Hecate may have rolled her eyes "I did not kill anyone the mortals that I took it from are still very much alive and they don't even know it's gone" I relaxed slightly.
"But as I said it will not be long before you will be in need of more. I'm sure you have already felt the first twitches of hunger, especially considering your exertions earlier this evening" at her words that feeling flickered momentarily.
"I'm not harming anyone" I insisted, more for my own sake rather than the Goddess.
"In time you will and I suspect when it happens you will rather enjoy it" the words sounded unmistakably ominous and I shivered slightly.

"Isn't there someone who could help me out?" I asked "I'm kind of adrift in an ocean of 'WTF am I doing?' right now"
The Goddess looked thoughtful "i was just about to give you that exact task" she told me "I had to track down someone of use but . . . yes if you seek out the vampire obsessive in Torrington, he may be able to help you. Provided he doesn't try and stake you first." I felt the sudden urge to hide at the word 'stake'.
"Torrington? I'm presuming you don't mean your son Alabaster. Where is it?"
"Connecticut"
"Wonderful" I mumbled unable to keep sarcasm out of my tone.
If Hecate noticed she overlooked it "It is about four night's foot travel from Salem but I'm sure you could find a faster way."
"I don't even know how to get there"
Hecate actually smiled slightly "you are a smart boy. I'm sure you'll find out"
"Fine" I grunted.
Her smile vanished and she was all business again "Sleep now I must go."
"Good" I mumbled, just wanting her to go so I could get back to the blissful blackness of a dreamless sleep but the Goddess was staring at me now.
"Perseus" she prompted her voice hard "I've just given you a quest. Something to focus on like you wanted. Aren't you grateful?"
It took me a second to swallow my pride and say "yes" and I was. At least now I wasn't wandering aimlessly.
"Then shouldn't you thank me for it?" she prompted her tone still harsh.
"Thank you" I said quietly.
"Thank you what?" she asked still glaring.
I had to swallow very hard. I knew what I had to say but obedience was not something I was good at and I nearly vomited at the very thought of it.
"Thank you m . . ." I actually had to pause and supress a gag "thank you mistress."
Hecate unfolded her arms and smiled again "there we go. A little etiquette isn't too much to ask for. I know it's hard for you right now but after a while it will be second nature. Good night Perseus."

The mistress of magic and her bedchamber faded away and I was left in blackness again. At least now I had a plan. Tomorrow I would head for Torrington and hopefully find a guy who would help me figure out exactly who or what I was. And after that I could go and find Annabeth.