Chapter 7

How not to be a demigod.

I have done some things I am not proud of, oh wait I am proud of every illegal thing I've done on this quest. Grand theft auto is one of them. That's right I stole the closest car and haphazardly drove the car through Holland only causing havoc the entire time. I don't know what Nico was so worried about I can drive a car. It got easier once I was on the highway, following my gut. Eventually, I pulled up to a house in Belmont, Michigan with only a few bumps and scrapes.

On instinct, I approached a small bungalow styled house. What should've concerned me was that the house was completely devoid of life. No vehicles and no lights. I had my daggers ready as I entered through a side door into a family room. Except it was in a state of chaos, chairs tipped over and the table knocked over. The room was empty besides that. I came to an intersection. There was a room to the left, a hallway to the right, and stairs in front of us.

I went right. I had my daggers already as I inspected the first room. It was dark and had no windows until I turned the light on. I had to lean against the doorway as I took the whole room in. It had white paneling and hardwood flooring. A single cot laid in the back next to manacles hooked to the wall. The blood on the cot didn't look that old. I forced myself into the room. On the table to my right laid a sheathed sword and a note. Gravity abandoned me when I recognized the sword. Cato. I gasped grabbing the sword. I hooked it onto my waist band and snatched the note before sinking to the ground.

Dear Lamia

I'm sorry if you missed us. I can't wait to meet you actually. Your brother isn't much good to us currently. I promise not to harm him until we meet. I'll be waiting for you in Omaha Nebraska. Someone will meet you at the intersection of 72nd street and Ames street. Come alone.

Victoria

I just sat there staring at the paper.

"He's gone. They took him. Why?" I mumbled to no one important.

Snap out of it! I wasn't allowed to break down currently I was my brothers only chance. I knew my next step now I just need to figure out how to do it. Obviously driving would be fastest but should I use the same car? I ran back to my stolen car and found an atlas in the back. I marked my route and headed for Omaha, Nebraska.

I'm coming, Cato.

I do not recommend approaching an already suspicious situation in the dark, especially if you're a demigod. But I didn't have much of a choice in the matter. And as she said in her letter there was someone waiting at the intersection of 72nd street and Ames street.

Black fedora pulled low over her face, the long black overcoat was hanging loose, huge black shoes, dark sunglasses blocking their eyes. Man, what was wrong with these people? This was starting to turn into a really tacky gangster movie. But I got out of my stolen car and approached him ready to draw my daggers on a seconds notice.

"Fire bearer?" The voice sounded female but very gruff.

"Brother stealer?" I retorted.

Before I could react she had me in a headlock and cutting off my blood supply. I tried to fight back but it was pointless as my strength waned and I lost consciousness. I was so stupid, I acted recklessly and walked right into a trap.

Worst demigod ever.

Well after coming to the conclusion that I am the biggest idiot on the face of the planet I decided that I was in some serious trouble. I was locked in a room with no windows or furniture except the cot I was on.

Well, in theory, I discovered the fastest route to my brother. At least I had my stuff still. So I did the logical thing.

"What do you want with me!" I hollered to the empty room.

As if in response the door opened to reveal an empty hallway. I got up and went into the hallway. Only certain fluorescent lights came to life as if to show me the way to my destination. By Zeus please don't let me have been kidnapped by a psycho. The lights ended at a simple office door.

"Come in!" I swallowed my fear and uneasiness and entered. Now was not the time to be scared. I was Lamia Ava Smith for god's sake I didn't get spooked easily. I instantly recognized the girl sitting patiently on the other side of the desk.

That was the leader of the attack at grandmas house.

"So mother spoke the truth. You carry the blessing." She calmly spoke.

"Sorry speak English. My Latin is horrible. Although if you know Greek feel free to use it."I retorted.

The girl smiled. "Your brother is useless to us for he doesn't carry the blessing. Fire doesn't listen to him. But since you lived through the fire you must carry the blessing."

I finally got to see her features. They were sharp like a predator's. Her cold dark eyes were calculating and unforgiving with a hint of sadistic humor. Her thin lips formed a smile that reminded me of a predator stalking its prey. Her black hair was in a pixie cut that made her look even more deadly somehow. How in Hades was I related to this girl? She couldn't be any older than Cato but still.

"By Zeus can you explain what in Hades you're talking about!" I exclaimed in frustration.

The girl snarled at me.

"I forgot about your impurity." She hissed.

"What?" I snapped.

"No, you carry the blessing." She coldly responded.

"Yet again, What in Hades is that!" I hollered.

The girl gave me an aggrieved sigh.

"Way back in the time of the Roman Empire my tribe helped her highness the Warrior Queen steal Vesta's fire from them. We have kept it with us wherever we go. But then came along a girl who was disobedient. In an act of defiance she took Vesta's fire from us and ran away with it, her name was Mia." The girl explained with clear displeasure. "That girl was your great aunt. She hid it away in Camp Jupiter. The fire hasn't been seen since. Only someone with the blessing can retrieve her fire and return it to its proper home." The girl explained.

She sounded like a teacher talking down to a student who asked a stupid question.

"It's proper home is with the Romans." I pointed out.

"History is written by the winners. Why should they get it? Why can't us, the loyal followers of the greatest warrior of all time? What makes them so much better?" The girl ranted.

"Who do you follow?" I inquired.

That only made her glare at me more than she already was.

"Your impurities have greatly affected you haven't they? Only the greatest warrior queen ever. The one that brought Rome to its knees!" The girl exclaimed in exasperation.

The light bulb came on finally. My mind made the connection between Rome and Warrior Queen. Grandmas favorite Roman tale was Boadicea. She always read it to us. Gods of Olympus please don't tell me I'm related to Boadicea. I'm very close to going home and curling up under my covers because my lineage is so messed up.

"You follow Boadicea," I answered trying not to sound as stunned as I truly was.

"Not only follow but can trace my lineage back to her" She sneered.

"So why do you want me?" I inquired.

"Because I don't carry the blessing. Only those with a pure heart and good intentions have the blessing, such as you." The girl impatiently explained.

"And what makes you think I will help you?" I retorted. This girl was absolutely crazy. "Why would I help the bad guys steal something that belongs to the Romans?"

"Because you are too loyal for your own good. Bring him in!" The girl commanded. A guard appeared as if out of nowhere and opened the door to let two more guards in and they were dragging a teenage boy in with them. I recognized the boy instantly and my heart threatened to jump straight out of my chest.

"Cato!" I hollered.

The first guard restrained me. I twisted out of his grip and slugged him straight in the chin. Cato grimaced and threw his weight into the guard to his right. He tried to flip the other guard but he didn't have enough strength to do such. The two guards quickly overcame him. I stupidly got distracted and took a sharp kick to the spine. I collapsed to the ground biting back a moan. I was grabbed from behind by the hair and hauled to my feet.

"Listen, you, little hellion, we can get this over much sooner if you stop resisting." She growled in my ear.

Hellion? She ain't seen nothing yet.

"You will listen to me or he gets it." She snapped jerking my head back so I could look at her. The first guard joined the two restraining Cato and flashed an imperial gold dagger. Great, I was in the presence of demigods. Why does that not surprise me?

The girl released me.

"So what's your answer?" She demanded.

"Go to Tartarus!" I snarled. The girl nodded to the guards. The one with the dagger stabbed Cato in the right shoulder and twisted the dagger.

But being the good Roman Cato didn't cry out.

The girl glared at him as the guard pulled the dagger out. I felt rage pounding through my veins already. That was crossing a line. For some reason, my amulet lit up and I felt it pulsing as if in time with my own heart.

"Listen, chick I am no one's toy and I listen to absolutely no one except myself. So back off or I'll teach you the meaning of the word hellion." I snarled.

I really need to learn when to mouth off and when not to because guess what she did in response. Cato was sliced across the cheek. He never showed any signs of pain but he must've been in pain for the way he held himself. I shot him a look as if to secretly apologize. But my sadness quickly turned to anger and fury. I felt my muscles tense as if anticipating an attack. If I strike the guards the girl will hurt me if I go after her the guards will probably kill Cato. Great. I love a challenge.

I wheeled on the girl.

"Why do you want it so bad? It isn't yours in the first place!" I hollered.

"Because it is one of the few things our queen has stolen from the Romans." The girl retorted. I didn't have time for who stole what from whom. This was getting ridiculous. She nodded at the guards again. He raised his dagger to strike.

"Stop!" I screamed rushing towards Cato.

My muscles when rigid and I felt some muscle deep inside me pull taunt. The locket was beating strong and fast like a second heartbeat but somehow in time with my own heart. There was a groan and the walls exploded with water, flooding the room. The guards released Cato and he slumped to the ground. I pulled him out of the room, the water giving me the strength to haul his weight out of the room and flee the building. Every pipe in the building must've exploded. I swear that couldn't have been me.

It couldn't have been me right? Pipes burst for lots of other reasons besides demigods.

I slung Cato's good arm on my shoulders and helped him walk out.

We hobbled across the parking lot towards the road. No help materialized, typical.

I will add to my list of crimes now. I stopped a pickup truck and threw its driver out and threw myself and Cato in before speeding away. We sped into downtown Omaha and ditched the truck.

Cato had directed me with a series of grunts and groans. Through another series of grunts and painful gestures, he directed me to a coffee shop. I didn't ask questions because from the determined look on his face it was important. He had me help him into the cafe and to the register. He whispered something that sounded like Hermes has cold ducks. I looked at him in confusion.

"Healer." He gasped. His breathing becoming even more labored.

The light bulb clicked on as I remember the story Piper told me about meeting Asclepius, god of medicine. Cato weakly gestured that I should holler it.

"Hermes is the god of medicine!" I hollered past the counter.

I felt Cato wheeze a laugh. A girl with straight black hair and stormy hazel eyes came from the back room and glared at us. She glanced at me before glaring at Cato.

"What do you want Cato?" She groaned.

Cato grunted a response. She must've figured out that a pained smile was all she was going to get out of him.

"Who are you ?" she snapped.

"His sister, please help he's lost lots of blood." I pleaded.

The girl walked back to the door to the back room and barked something in Latin.

A younger girl came scurrying out and pulled a stool in front of the counter before putting a book up on the counter and climbing up on the stool. She looked like a younger version of the girl Cato apparently knows. The older girl slung Cato's other arm around her shoulders and we hauled him into the back room and up a set of stairs. She laid him on a couch up in the room we came to. It looked like an apartment.

"What is someone like her doing here?" A boy about my age rudely asked.

"And what is wrong with her?" The girl snapped taking Cato's shirt off.

"She's graecus scum." He snarled.

Wow is it really that obvious?

"And you're a son of Trivia so shut up." She finished.

"Al!" She hollered.

A boy that looked just like her came into the room and rushed to help her treat Cato.

"What did he do this time?" The girl demanded, looking at me.

"Lots of monsters and a few demigods. Family problems." I blurted.

"Shoulder and check wounds inflicted by Imperial gold?" She asked.

I nodded.

"Di immortales!" She cursed getting up and running from the room. She came out carrying a box and pulled out a thing of nectar and poured some of it on his shoulder wound before making him drink it. He coughed and wheezed some more before slumping back against the end of the couch.

"Not on my watch." The girl argued slapping him on the bad cheek.

He didn't move a muscle. The boy placed a hand on Cato's chest. He smiled and his hand lit up. The girl's hand was lighting up in response to his hand and smacked Cato again. The boy held up one finger with his free hand. The girl smacked him for a final time. I didn't know if I should've been mad at her or not but Cato's chest heaved and he sat up coughing.

"Amentis!" The girl huffed closing her box and walking out of the room. She walked back in and smacked Cato again.

"Stultum centurione posset! Cur ego semper sum salute vestra blandeque coruscant fatuum sonat? Ne forte moriamini et tempore! Vos es questus semper deterioratus est et aliquando non erit tibi cura de iniuriis tuis sunt! A diis estis vos desperato moron!" The girl muttered pacing while shooting daggers at Cato.

"Nice to see you, Cecilia." Cato chuckled.

"What did she just say besides moron?" I questioned.

"That's just Cecilia's way of saying hi." Cato chuckled.

"And how exactly do you know her?" I inquired.

"We go way back right, Ceci?" Cato teased raising an eyebrow at the girl.

She was still pacing while muttering in Latin. I'd guarantee she's still insulting Cato. She glared at him and went to smack him again but he ducked.

"Cecilia is the only other demigod I know who speaks in fluent swear in multiple languages. She puts your swearing to shame." Cato added.

"How'd you two meet?" I asked. Cecilia started a whole new string of insults in Latin.

"Does she know how to swear in any other language?" I questioned.

"Yes but she prefers Latin. She can cuss best in Latin." The older boy named Al answered.

"Believe it or not she and her siblings used to go to Camp Jupiter about two years ago. Her brother was accused of a very bad thing and they got banished. Well kind of." Cato answered.

The girl glared at Cato and then Al. She continued muttering in Latin.

"Veteribus suis in rebus non citra oceanum! Teddy ursi omnes interfectores eius culpa! Dici pater noster, et nos eum quia non erat deus et sanitatem suam!"

"Does she ever calm down?" I asked curiously.

"Maybe." Al shrugged.

The younger boy let out a groan and went downstairs.

"Few others and I helped them escape the camp and they set up shop here. Cecilia, Al, and Sierra are all children of Asclepius and Caesar is they're extra as the child of Trivia or otherwise known as Hecate, goddess of magic." Cato explained.

"And goddess of the mist," I added. Cato rolled his eyes.

"Hazel would blow him out of the water on that subject." Cato chuckled.

"So what happened? Why? Where? How? And why me?" Cecilia snapped turning back to English.

"Because you are my one true love and I couldn't stand being apart from you for so long. My heart aches when it is without your cheeriness to brighten my life. You are my soulmate and I can't live without you." Cato sounded like a heartsick child of Aphrodite. Al and I collapsed laughing at his goofy face.

"Go to Tartarus." Cecilia scoffed.

"Only if you come with me sweetie pie." Cato teased, blowing her a kiss. I rolled my eyes. This was a different Cato than I was used to but why was he trying to irritate her?

"Di immortales!" Cecilia huffed throwing her hands up in exasperation.

"Alright, you two I think that's enough out of both of you." Al chuckled.

"Finally." Cecilia huffed.

"My heart yearns for you Cecilia, my dear!" Cato laughed. She stormed out of the room muttering in Latin.

"Come back snookums! I yearn to be in your ever loving embrace again!" Cato hollered, rushing after her.

I laughed and shook my head. "Care to explain what in Hades is wrong with him?"

"He and Cecil have a unique relationship with his mere presence irritates her but once they're alone they can be civil," Al answered.

"Why did he want to come here?" I asked.

"One because she's saved his worthless life before and two because she had a crush on him at one point and she told him that when she thought he might die. As you can tell he didn't return the same feelings so now he won't let her live it down." Al explained.

"So now what?"

"I'm going to go check on the two downstairs. Make yourself comfortable." Al shrugged before heading downstairs. I sat down on the second couch and stretched out. I dug in my bag for the journal but it was gone and replaced with a different journal. A much older one. The leather was cracked and worn, whatever had been written on the cover long gone. Curiosity won and I opened it to the first entry.

April 24th, 2002

Today Maia gave birth to her second child, it is a girl named Lamia. She told me today her grave error in conceiving Lamia. The girl's father is a Greek god whereas Cato has a different father that is a Roman god. She tried so hard prevent giving birth to the children that my mother predicted but Lamia is proof that there is no preventing fate. The Fates decided her children would solve the prophecy and so they will someday. She's determined to keep both her children hidden away from the truth of their lineage. I've told her fighting against the Fates never ends well but she wouldn't listen to me. She's stubborn and bullheaded just like I was when I was her age. Hopefully, neither of her children inherit that for I have a bad feeling I'm going to end up with both them.

April 25th, 2002

During the night Maia passed away in her sleep. As if sensing her mother was gone Lamia spent all night and all day screaming at the top of her lungs. She has a set of lungs and could not be consoled until she woke up Cato. He asked if he could hold her while I prepared her bottle. I fear Lamia got a full dose of her mother's attitude and willfulness. I went to feed her and she just kept spitting up the formula not matter how slow I fed her. And then the child just kept wailing. She's only been alive a day and she's already a handful. I hope she won't always be like this.

I skipped several pages until I found an entry for later that year.

December 20th, 2002

Today was a close call. I was putting Lamia down for her afternoon nap and I walked out to discover I left the attic door open and Cato was inside. He was just staring at the maps in absolute wonder. I quickly scooped up the small toddler and took him away from the attic. They can never find out the truth about our family.

I heard hollering from the stairwell. I closed the journal and stashed it back in my backpack. The little girl came bounding up the stairs.

"Where's my sister?" She breathlessly demanded.

I pointed down the hall. She ran in that direction hollering for her sister. Cecilia, Cato, and the little girl came pouring out of the hallway.

"You folks need to leave now. They're here and we don't want any more problems with them. The Followers are a dangerous organization to cross." Cecilia explained.

"It was nice seeing you, Ceci," Cato responded. She nodded in agreement.

"Any other exits besides the coffee shop?" I inquired.

"No." Cecilia sighed. She placed a sheathed sword in his hands.

"Don't lose this one." Cecilia huffed before rushing her little sister back down the hall. Cato dug out the cape.

"Ceci, can you escort us down?" He questioned.

The girl muttered something derogatory in Latin and headed down the stairs in front of us. Cato wrapped the cape so we were both wearing it and followed her down. We entered right behind her into the cafe.

As expected Victoria and a few others littered the cafe all armed and none looking too friendly. Cato and I tried cautiously picking our way around the counter.

"Come on out Lamia. Whatever trick you two are performing isn't going to work. We all know you're here somewhere." Victoria announced. Cato and I froze.

"Although I presume you're used to being unnoticeable because of your inability to fit in. Your heritage prevents you from fitting in anywhere." She continued.

I scowled at her even though she couldn't see me.

"The Romans hate you because of your Greek and once the Greeks find out your Roman they'll hate you as well. You're a descendant of Roman god just like Cato and just like me." She sneered.

I must've gasped out loud because she turned in our direction. and continued her rant.

"What would Annabeth and Piper think of you once they discover your Roman as well as Greek. You'd lose the few remaining friends you have. You'd truly become an outcast." She continued ranting, smiling in my direction like a predator who's caught its next meal. "Face it, Lamia. You're an outcast no matter where you go. But if you come with us I can promise you a place where you'll fit in. A place where you won't be judged. If you two come with me willingly, I will leave theses pathetic excuses for demigods alone." She suggested.

I saw Al restrain Cecilia at that comment. I thought about it and she was right. I was never going to fit in and once my secret was out no one would care about me, not even Annabeth. I broke away from Cato.

"Fine." I snapped.

Victoria smiled at me but I wasn't a friendly smile it was as if I just signed my soul to the devil smile.

"Cato come on. She has a point." I sighed.

"Glad we've come to an agreement." Victoria smiled.

Cato had dropped the cape and was just staring at me like he didn't understand. He folded up the cape and stuffed it in my backpack.

"Come along no you two. Let's go home." Victoria ordered directing her troops out.

We followed her out and into the black SUV. Deep down in the depth of my brain logic was beating up the rest of my brain. Deep down in my gut, I felt like this was a horribly wrong decision.