Epov

I. Hated. Missions.

I darted between shadows, trying to avoid jets of fire and acid as the other demigods cowered behind me, and I was uncertain if they were more afraid of the monsters or me.

I let out a shout as a claw caught my side and anger took control. The earth erupted with a loud rumbled as fracture appeared the ground, and skeletons tore their way out of the soil. They swarmed the monsters in front of me, as the youngest of the demigods, a girl, let out a scream as, what I could only assume as her worst nightmare, came to life in front of her eyes.

The shadows around us grew darker and encroached on the monsters, paralyzing them leaving them helpless to the undead.

"Finish it." I ordered, feeling dark energy radiating from me as the skeletons attacked. I turned away to see the three I was with looking at me in fear.

"What are you?" the youngest of them asked, her voice shaking in terror.

I woke up cold and sore, in the narrow space between crates I'd been sleeping in to hear whispered voices.

"Should we leave now? Camps not that far…"

"What about Evelyn? We shouldn't leave her alone."

"She'll be fine." The first voice said. "And she might attract the monsters away from us. She's Big Three. They'll care more about her than us."

"But what if she needs help? She came to help us."

"She knew the risks. Besides," the first voice hesitated. "Do you really want to spend more time around her?"

There wasn't a response.

I looked up at the tall ceiling of the abandoned ware house we'd taken refuge in, knowing despite only having a few hours of rest, monsters probably weren't far from our trail.

I'd been called away from camp to help with an extraction mission. The two campers who'd gone to pick up a suspected demigod, had run into monsters and gotten trapped. Now I'd saved their asses and they were planning on ditching me.

I sighed and closed my eyes.

If they left, they left. At least I could get more sleep…

They continued to debate for the next ten minutes or so, but eventually they came to a decision, the one I knew they'd come to because they always did.

I heard the faint rustling which meant they were packing up their things, and part of me wanted to step out, make it clear to them that I knew what they were doing, but I decided against it.

This wasn't the first time I'd been left behind on a mission and I knew it wouldn't be the last.

"Let's go." The first voice whispered and I knew they were near the door.

I was going to let them go. I really was, but just as I heard the door open, the words spouted from me without my control.

"You know, it would be safer to shadow travel." I said opening my eyes, looking at the moonlight filtering through the high windows of the broken-down building.

There was a cold silence where I could practically feel the tension radiating from the them.

I wondered if they'd say anything. Apologize for abandoning me, or just leave. They went for the latter option.

I heard the door shut and felt a bitter smile make its way onto my face.

"I hope they run into the hydra." I muttered closing my eyes trying to get comfortable again.

At least I wouldn't have to waste energy transporting the others back to camp, if I was just moving me, I could grab a few extra hours sleep. Hell, who said I had to go back to camp at all? I could go to Europe for the day if I wanted. Nothing was really stopping me.

Suddenly, Cassian's image popped into my thoughts and I frowned.

Tensions between the demigod factions were probably still pretty high. I should probably go back to camp. Make sure everything was ok.

I sighed and opened my eyes, then looked down myself mentally cataloguing my various injuries. Nothing looked too bad, my side still hurt, and I had a few burns, but it wasn't anything that would stop me from shadow traveling.

So unwillingly, I stood and stretched, wondering how angry Chiron would be if I showed up without the campers I was supposed to be on a mission to retrieve.

Deciding I didn't care, I started to walk towards the exit.

'They shouldn't have left me.' I thought, something just short of bitter as I walked out into the night. 'It was their choice. They had the option to shadow travel if they wanted to.'

I smiled as I stepped outside, enjoying the cool summer breeze that rustled the leaves of the trees that lined the street, but as this thought occurred to me, I felt it disappear.

No one ever really wanted to shadow travel. It scared the crap out of most people and I found myself frowning at this thought.

I knew it wasn't exactly the most pleasant sensation, but it wasn't that bad.

'Maybe I'm just used to it.' I thought putting my hands in my pocket and looking up at the moon.

There was one person, however, who hadn't been freaked by it. I remembered the way Cassian had laughed after he'd realized he'd shadow traveled. Like it hadn't bothered him at all.

Hands still in my pockets, I looked around feeling at home in the night.

My smile returned. I was probably one of the few people on this planet who was comfortable walking alone in the dark. Most people, no matter what they told others, still felt some fear when the lights went out but not me. I was in my element. If anything, I was what people should be scared of.

I heard a noise and turned, melting into the shadows knowing I'd be hidden from whatever was coming.

"The demigods are close." Hissed a low voice and an Empousa came into my eye line. "We should have no problems catching them."

She wasn't alone, a small horde of monsters had gathered, and I knew nothing would stop them from tracking the others. Still hidden by the shadows, they walked passed me completely unaware of my presence, on the trail that would lead them to my ex mission members.

'Serves them right.' I thought acidly. I allowed myself to reappear as the darkness swallowed the monsters. 'They can deal with whatever's coming to them.'

They had left me, and I knew if those monsters had been on my trail, the others wouldn't have lifted a finger to stop them.

Anger swelled within me and I was half way to traveling back to camp, when a small voice in the back of my head stopped me.

'You're better than this.'

I froze and in shock, I realized that the voice that I'd heard was not my own. It took a few moments, but eventually I placed it. It was Cassian's.

What was that about?

I thought back to when he'd come to speak to me outside the Big House, when he'd said that he liked me. That he knew how hard I worked to keep the peace at camp. I hesitated and look over my shoulder down the road, in the direction where the monsters had gone. They'd left me for the monsters to find, but if I left them now, well, wouldn't I be just as bad?

Uncertainty spread within me.

He'd said he liked me. That he considered me a friend. What would he think if he'd known I'd abandoned fellow campers? More importantly, what would I think of myself?

'It's what they deserve.' I thought bitterly, but the anger that had risen inside me was cooling now. Guilt flooded through me and I knew I couldn't do it. I couldn't leave.

I swore.

They had left me. They didn't care if I didn't make it back to camp, and yet for some reason, I couldn't force myself to go.

I swore again, kicking a near by rock and watching it sail into the darkness, but eventually took my sword off my belt and started running.

This was going to be a long night.

Cpov

Things were tense in the camp over the next few days. Rumors of what had happened between Evelyn and the Ares campers spread like wildfire, and as always when people were reminded of Evelyn's powers, things were set on edge.

All and all, it was probably a good thing Evelyn was called out for a rescue mission. I wasn't particularly worried, this had happened before, and I knew tensions would die down especially since she hadn't been here.

In the meantime, I had other problems.

Light flew on as I entered my cabin, and I jumped as several people shouted.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASS!"

Party Poppers launched confetti and streamers into the air and they settled on the floor as I was rushed by my friends.

"Thanks guys." I said forcing a smile, caught completely off guard.

Angela had said she was planning something for this weekend.

I had no time to process this however, because I was tackled into a hug and my vision was obscured by long blonde hair.

"Happy birthday babe!" April said giggling sliding her hand into mine as she let me go and dragged me into the party.

Several girls giggled as I passed and while usually I would have been into all the attention, I wasn't today. I had just checked my phone before I'd walked into the party, no calls and no texts. Nothing from my father.

"Are you surprised?" April asked.

"Very." I said trying to keep the smile on my face, but feeling it falter. No one seemed to notice. "Angela said we were going to have a party this weekend."

"Well of course I did." She said falling out of the crowd and beaming with pride at her efforts. "That way you wouldn't suspect it was on your actual birthday."

"Very clever." I said and she smirked.

"I know."

Over the next hour or so, I tried my best to enjoy the party. But the later it got, and the more I checked my phone, the more obvious it became that my father had forgotten.

At about ten I couldn't take it anymore. The fake smiles and talking just for appearances sake. I stepped out onto the pouch to get some air and checked my phone one last time. Nothing.

I sighed and turned it off, putting it back in my pocket. I didn't know why I was surprised.

"You're not having fun, are you?"

I looked up to see Angela had stepped out on to the porch behind me, and she was frowning.

"What makes you think that?" I asked and she rolled her eyes.

"You're not that good an actor."

"What do you mean?"

"You've barely paid attention to your girlfriend."

"So?"

"So, you're being really rude to people, even for you. What's up?"

I shrugged not really knowing what was wrong with me. I shouldn't be surprised that my dad had forgotten, it wouldn't be the first time. But all my friends were annoying me right now, especially April. She'd been following me around all night, practically attached to my hip.

"I guess I'm just not in a party mood." I said.

"Well get it together will you?" she asked sounding a little irritated. "Because I worked really hard on this and I'm pretty sure Broderick is about this close to decking you."

She held her fingers about centimeter apart and I almost laughed at this. I'd like to see how he'd react to the army of girl who'd attack him if he did.

"Fine." I said with a sigh and plastering a smile on my face. "Better?"

"Much. Now go in there and be charming." She said pushing me towards the cabin's front door. "I know you know how. You might not be having fun but you don't have to be rude to the people who showed up to be with you today."

"Alright."

We stepped back inside and were immediately found by April.

"Hey, I was wondering where you got to." She said taking my hand and Angela squealed.

"You two are so cute together! Seriously I could die."

April giggled and moved closer to me as another one of my sisters, Mimi, a short brunette who was a few years younger than us giggled as well.

"I know, aren't they? Wouldn't it be so cute if they ended up getting married?"

"Married?" I asked gagging on the soda I'd picked up and April beamed.

"April Carter." She said looking up at me, seeming amused. "I dunno, I like the sound of it."

"What?" I asked totally confused.

"You know, Carter. As in Cassian Carter. Your last name."

I felt a stab of irritation go through me as I realized what she was getting at.

"That isn't my last name." I said annoyed and her smile faltered.

"Wait, what?" she asked.

"It's Holt." I said frowning pulling my hand out of hers. Did she seriously not know my last name? We'd been dating for a month.

"Oh," she said looking a little surprised, but she rallied almost immediately. "It's not that big of a deal. Besides. Do you even know my last name?"

"It's Peterson." I said flatly and I noticed my sisters were looking at each other a little awkwardly.

April looked as if she wanted to say something, but I cut her off before she could even start.

"I'm going to get another drink." I said tersely.

I walked back to the cooler ignoring the several people that tried to speak to me.

I grabbed another soda, still in disbelief at what April had said, when I noticed pretty girl looking my way. I didn't know her name, but I was pretty sure she was one of April's sisters. I was just about to go talk to her when my name was called, and I looked up to see a tall blonde boy walking my way.

"Hey! Cass!"

It was Andrew, Mandy's brother and a friend of mine.

"What's up Drew?" I asked.

"I was looking for you earlier during letter writing, but I couldn't find you. You got mail."

"I did?" I asked in surprise.

I avoided writing letters during the designated times. There was only one person who'd write to me, and my father never wrote letters.

"Yeah, here." He said handing me a letter, which I opened a little too eagerly. Maybe he had remembered after all.

I scanned the brief note, feeling my stomach sink as I read the contents.

"You ok?" Andrew asked as I felt the paper crush between my fingers.

At no point tonight had I felt like partying, but now, I didn't feel like being around people at all. Not even my siblings, the only people I'd been able to tolerate during this entire head ache.

"Yeah." I said keeping my tone casual, trying to ignore the way my knuckles had gone white from the fists my hands were making.

"What did the letter say?" Andrew asked, clearly noticing this too.

"Nothing." I said shaking my head and putting it in my pocket. "My Dad just changed our Christmas plans. That's all."

"Oh." Andrew said looking a little relieved. "You guys doing anything cool?"

"Yeah." I lied, not wanting to admit the truth. "We're going to go on a cruise."

"Nice." He said grinning. "Bet you can't wait to get out of here."

"Yeah." I said half-heartedly, but he didn't notice.

He mentioned something about finding his sister and wandered off back into the party.

I noticed the girl from earlier was still looking at me, but any desire I'd had to talk to her had been extinguished by the letter.

Completely forgetting about my friends and my girlfriend, I stepped out into the night finding that I wanted to be alone.

Another Christmas, he'd left me for another Christmas… There had been no card, no gift, no mention of my birthday at all. He'd just cancelled our plans. That was it.

Random thoughts filtered through my mind as I walked away from the cabins having no real direction I was determined to go.

It was a full moon, and there was plenty of light to see, but I still jumped when I heard a door slam.

I blinked and looked up to see in my distracted state I'd wandered to the Big House, and Evelyn had just walked out.

"Ev," I said in surprise. She looked, well she looked awful. Her clothes were dirty and torn in some places, and she was covered in scratches that I knew had to be from monsters. Her hair was falling out of braids that looked as if they'd been done days ago, and she looked extremely tired.

She must have been coming from the infirmary after her mission.

"Cassian?" she asked in blank shock. "What are you doing out here?"

I shrugged and looked back at the cabins, where I could still see the light and noise coming from the party.

"Just didn't feel like dealing with all that right now." I said gesturing towards my cabin and she frowned.

She ignored my question in favor of her own.

"Isn't that usually your sort of thing?" she asked. "Partying with the beautiful people and such?"

She said it like a joke, but I didn't find it very funny. It was weird, any other time I would have laughed, I might have even joked back, but I just didn't have it in me tonight.

She seemed to notice because she frowned.

"Are you ok Cass?"

"Fine."

"Are you sure?" she pressed and I hesitated, surprised she'd asked. People usually took me at my word, that or they didn't care enough to press the issue. "Isn't it your birthday today? Why aren't you with your friends?"

I stared at her a little surprised. How had she known?

"Your last name." I said eventually. "It's Blake, isn't it?"

"Yeah." She said warily, as if she was expecting something devious out of this question. "Why?"

I shrugged.

"No reason."

"Alright." She said and it was her turn to pause.

"Are you sure you're ok?" she asked again and I nodded though I wasn't sure why. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't. I didn't feel ok at all, but something about standing here, talking to her was making me feel better.

"Alright then." She said looking unconvinced but she moved to keep walking back in the direction of her cabin, no doubt to get some rest after her mission.

It wasn't until she passed me that I was seized by a sudden urge to turn and ask.

"Do you know mine?"

"What?"

She looked over her shoulder and as my gaze met hers, she looked more than a little confused by this question.

"My last name." I said wondering why I cared so much, but I suddenly felt a strong desire to hear her response. "Do you know what it is?"

"It's Holt, isn't it?"

"Yeah." I said and for some reason, hearing her say it had put a smile on my face.

"What's with the sudden interest in surnames?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing." I said easily, continuing to grin. I was suddenly in a much better mood. "But it would sound good, wouldn't it?"

"What?"

"Evelyn Holt." I said my grin growing and she stared at me for a full thirty seconds before shaking her head and saying.

"I'm too tired for this."

"For what?"

"For this," she gestured towards me. "Whatever you're up to." She said waving me off and walking back in the direction of the cabins.

"Even you have to admit, it has a nice ring to it!" I called after her grinning and she waved again, already several feet away.

I was suddenly gripped by an urge to talk to her more, to make her stay.

I jogged after her.

"Hey! Ev!" I called. "Wait up for a second!"

She paused, looking over her shoulder giving me a curious expression. I noticed it was a little suspicious and I found I didn't like that.

"Yeah?"

I hadn't expected her to stop and I was brought up short. I had to scramble for something to say.

"Is it true you can use darkness to make yourself invisible?" I asked.

I hadn't meant to ask this, but I'd heard rumors from people who'd faced her during the capture the flag games. Part of me couldn't quite believe it, but it was something I'd always wanted to know.

"Yeah." She said simply.

"Show me." I said and she looked surprised by this, but eventually, she grinned.

"Alright."

She sounded amused and suddenly, it looked as if the shadows around her cast by the moon light were encroaching on her. The twisted up her form, and suddenly, she was gone.

I almost couldn't believe my eyes. She'd just vanished.

I walked over to where she'd been, half convinced she'd just shadow traveled to trick me, when something grabbed the back of my shirt and I heard a voice say.

"Boo."

I nearly jumped out of my skin.

"Gods Ev!" I said looking over my shoulder.

Her laughter came from nowhere, but she reappeared, smirking as she let me go.

"Did I scare you?"

"No." I said stubbornly and she raised an eyebrow.

"Wouldn't you jump if someone grabbed you in the middle of the night?"

"I'm not all that concerned about things in the dark, usually it's the other way around."

She'd said this as a joke, and she'd smiled, but something in her eyes made me feel like she personally didn't find it very funny.

"You ok?" I asked and the emotion vanished.

"I'm fine." She said easily. "But I'm tired, I'm going to go to bed. I'll see you around."

"Alright. See ya."

"Happy Birthday Cass."

"Thanks." I said watching her walk back to her cabin, I wasn't sure why, but suddenly, today didn't feel like a total loss.