I don't own any Percy Jackson characters.

Chapter 6

We were all standing around the stove, Chiron had put a pot of hot water on and it was beginning to steam. For demigods using a cell phone would be the same as sending up a flare and screaming 'Come get me monsters!', so most the time we communicated through Iris messages. He threw a drachma, the golden currency of the gods, into the rainbow he created and said, "Oh Iris, goddess of the Rainbow, accept my offering. Please show me Rachel Dare at the Clarion Academy."

A shimmering picture of Rachel came into view. She was sitting alone in a dorm room that looked more like a luxury hotel. Her father was a big business man and Rachel was filthy rich. Her room at home is the size of two of our apartments. The bed and walls were covered in sketches. Some of the pictures I recognized and others I didn't, things to come.

She looked up at us and a huge smile came across her face. She ran to the door to her room, flipped the lock, and ran back into view. Her frizzy red hair was tied back and she was wearing her normal paint smeared jeans and t-shirt. It reminded me of the time I first met her around three years ago, she had helped me escape from skeletons that were chasing me. She was a mortal, but she was born with the ability to see through the mist, the stuff that covers human's view of the world and makes them see what they want rather than the monsters that really exist. She has known all about the world of the gods for years, even before she was the Oracle. She had also helped us in the labyrinth, earning my admiration by hitting Kronos in the eye with a blue brush, and the war in Manhattan last summer.

"Percy, Annabeth! I've been waiting for you to call. I've been having visions like crazy of the camp; I knew it was only a matter of time. "

Annabeth told her all about the attacks at the school and our plan to try and find the person responsible. They had become considerably friendlier since Rachel became the oracle for some reason. I guess it's a respect thing. Rachel made a face like she was in deep thought and then shrugged.

"I don't see why it wouldn't work." She opened her mouth like she was going to say something but she just made choking noises, her eyes turned green and began to glow. I had seen the oracle do this before, back when she was just a shriveled mummy in the attic of the Big House. I had seen green smoke billow out of her mouth. I had even seen her get up and decide to take a stroll in the woods before, I still have nightmares about that, but it was different seeing someone you know, a close friend, experience it. Somehow it made it so much worse.

"The mother of monsters will arise

She will come to claim her prize

Two half-bloods shall have to fight

Until one comes to the light

The she viper will join the storm

Then the camp may return to its form"

Rachel collapsed and I instinctively stepped forward, but Annabeth grabbed my arm before I could disrupt the view. Rachel sat up, shook her head, and started rubbing the back of it with her hand.

"Are you okay?" I asked. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Annabeth tense and a sad look came into her eyes.

"I might have a concussion, no big deal. I don't think I'm ever going to get used to that." She had a sarcastic look on her face, but then she took on a completely serious expression, "Did I help? Do you know who it is?"

"I think I have an idea. If it does turn out to be who I think it is though, I'm not sure how much of a chance we have." Annabeth stated. Her eyes were far away, thinking of a plan I'm sure. She exchanged a look with Chiron and he turned back at Rachel.

"Thank you. You have helped us more than you know, but if you don't mind we need to go and speak with the council."

"Of course, and please keep me updated on what's going on." Chiron nodded a goodbye and galloped off to gather the members. The rest of us said our farewells, and I swiped my hand through the mist destroying the connection.

Annabeth turned to me, "I'm going to help Chiron."

I could tell something was bothering her and I wanted to comfort her, yet I didn't know how so I just said, "Okay." She turned and walked away. I immediately felt a lot worse, but I had bigger problems on my plate. I wasn't sure who the 'mother of monsters' was, but I really didn't think I wanted to find out.