Before we plunged into battle, I had something to say to Nico. It looked like he had something to say too, so I let him go first.

"Lyra, I know that I've only known you for a few days. But those love arrows really sped up our relationship, so I just want to tell you this: no matter what happens, I'll be there for you. I really, really like you, Lyra, and I don't care that you're half vampire. I don't exactly care about what just happened when we were with the werewolves. I'll always try to protect you to the best of my ability. if something happens to you, I'll be right at your side trying to bail you out. No matter what."

What happened next was unreal. One moment I was staring at Nico, and the next we were kissing. I felt weightless; like I could drift up to the sky at any second and never come back down.

I was jarred viciously back to reality by Mr. D poking me in the back and draing my attention to the battle.

I looked at Nico. "Wow. That was, to put it lightly, magical. I was just going to say that I am never going to even come close to hurting you again. I'll control myself better. I never want to almost suck your blood again."

Nico was smiling, but suddenly he frowned.

"What?" I demanded.

"We need to help the campers. It looks like they're losing."

I pouted. "Fine."

With a roll of his eyes, Nico turned to the battle and started fighting valiantly. I came at it from the opposite direction. I stopped in my tracks: I knew some of the vampires attacking us. They were nomads... and thirsty.

What really made me start fighting was one of them sneaking up on me from behind and trying to bite off my arm. You know, that kind of thing really makes a person want revenge. So I circled my attacker, looking for an opening. I found one, pulled back, and found a severed hand in my mouth.

"Gross!" I squealed as I chucked it at Mr. D's head (on accident, of course).

The nomad took that as an opening and reached in for the kill. I stepped back just in time.

This was far worse than anything I had ever experienced. I was so afraid that I was almost shaking. The fear only powered me to fight harder, though, which was a definite plus.

I lunged again at the nomad and this time found an arm in my mouth, which I chucked at Mr. D again. (Seriously, it was an accident! Why would I throw an arm at him on purpose?) The vampire was losing his edge against me, and that made him mad.

As I bit off his head, he bit my arm and venom was coursing through my veins.

"AAAAGH!" I shrieked. Vampire venom was poison to me! I could feel the darkness closing in. I collapsed on my knees, holding my arm. There was a HUGE gash, but of course there was no blood. I had always wondered what flowed through my veins...

There was my super-unhelpful ADHD kicking in at the wrong time.

Nico hovered over me, shouting, "NO!"

I choked out a final sentence. "Nico... I love you."

And then the darkness overpowered me and I was in nothingness.


Author: May I make a brief note?

So, what do you think just happened? You're probably thinking something along the lines of this:

"Lyra is NOT dead! She can't be! She's going to wake up in Camp Half-Blood or something!"

I am sad to tell you that Lyra is in fact dead.

WAIT! Before you click the "Close" button! This is, however, not the end.

Now you're probably like:

"Huh? What? But if she just died, then how is that not the end? Are you trying to confuse me?!"

No, I am not trying to confuse you. Yet.

"Yet? What is THAT supposed to mean?!"

Calm down, weary reader. Just take in the facts and wait for me to post the next chapter, which of course will be in Lyra's POV.

"But how? Isn't she dead?"

Exercise your brain. It's good for you. Now, do you have an idea?

"Hmm?"

I'll take that as a "No." If you have ideas for what you think happens next, put it in your review. I'm extremely curious.

-Wacky Daughter of Apollo