Reyna stood on the top of a ballist looking out over her beloved Camp Jupiter and New Rome. Her troops were lined up ready for battle. Suddenly, one by one they all fell to the ground. It was like a domino effect. She watched helplessly as they all fell, slain by some unforeseen force. Then to her horror she watched an army of monsters break through their barrier unhindered and fall upon her helpless troops.
"Nooooo!" Reyna screamed.
"What the . . . ?" The car swerved violently.
Reyna became aware that she was in a van, an orange van if the color of the hood was any thing to go by.
"What was that?!" Nightwing asked. He was dressed in an oversized t-shirt and Levi's, but still had his mask on.
"What happened to the black car?" Reyna avoided his question. She really didn't feel like sharing her unsettling dream.
"The tires melted off, thanks to our last encounter." He said irritably. "This was the only option."
She looked behind her and saw all six kid's sitting comfortably. Some looked like they had been asleep, but had been woken up. She looked back at Nightwing. "Where are we?" She tried to figure out their surroundings. They weren't in the country any more. There were more buildings and businesses.
"Just about to enter San Francisco." He replied. "I promised to get you back to the clearing."
She studied him for a moment. He had gotten them out. It bugged her that she wasn't able to do it herself, but at the same time, he wouldn't have gotten out with out her. The only reason they had made it out alive was because they had worked together. She knew this wasn't over, and knew she would need help again, but she felt guilty throwing this mortal into the middle of their world. It was so irritating that she sometimes envied the ignorance of mortals. "Actually there's a better place to drop us off at. I really don't feel like climbing." She said as she shifted in her seat. Her ribs ached in response.
Nightwing didn't say anything for a while as he navigated the increasing traffic. "So are you going to answer my questions now?"
Reyna sighed. "Take the next exit."
"What were those things?" He persisted as he turned onto the exit.
"Take a left."
"Why are they after you?"
"Turn into here." She had him turn onto a private row where there were a row of warehouses.
Nightwing sighed in frustration as he followed her directions.
"Stop here." She ordered, when she found the right warehouse. He stopped the vehicle and parked it. "Everyone out." She ordered. The kids began filing out. She stayed in the vehicle and turned toward Nightwing. "Thank you."
"What?" He looked confused.
"It's not easy for me to admit that I need help. We couldn't have gotten out without you. When I reached out to the Justice League, I didn't realize what I was getting you into. I didn't know." She looked down, embarrassed at her own lack of proper intel.
"Hey, that's what we do." Nightwing smirked. "We rarely know what we are getting into."
"But you can walk away. You can go home and forget everything. This never happened." Reyna opened the door and got out.
Nightwing got out and caught her arm that she had wounded, but seemed to be fully healed now. "So that's it? You're just going to walk away? Not so much as a phone number? And what if I can't forget?" He said angrily, almost with a hint of panic.
Reyna thought about it. She removed her arm from his grasp and said, "There's a cafe I like to visit sometimes on the weekends. Dandelion Chocolate, 1 San Francisco Bay Trail. Thanks again for the ride." She eyed the large orange van behind them. She opened the side door to the warehouse and ushered the kids inside. As they filed in one by one, Nightwing stared at her. Once all the kids were in, she was about to enter herself when she had a last minute thought, "Oh, and you might want to wear your day clothes, Mr. Grayson."
Nightwing's eyes widened. "How did you know?"
"You talk to yourself, and your mask doesn't hide you as much as you think."
Nightwing blushed as she entered the building and shut the door behind her. The warehouse was filled with all of the Roman empire's vehicles for quests or other uses deemed worthy of by the senate. She was a little ways in when she felt the barrier as she crossed it. She heard the door open behind her. Nightwing was looking around.
"Can he see us?" One of the kids asked.
"No." Reyna sighed. "We are within the boundaries. Mortals can't see past it." She motioned for them to continue further back into the warehouse.
"Sweet! Is that a Rolls Royce?" The mousy haired kid asked in awe as he reached out to touch it.
Reyna slapped his hand and said, "Don't touch."
He held his hand close to his chest looking hurt. Reyna ignored him and continued leading them back until they reached the back wall, where she opened a door. Bright sunlight flooded the warehouse as they stepped out into it. Once everyone's eyes had adjusted, the kids all oohed and ahhed at the sight of what had become her home, and what would become their home.
"Welcome to Camp Jupiter." Reyna announced. "We should all get checked out by the medicus first and then we'll get you situated."
"Preator?" The once wounded kid asked as he returned her sword. Reyna hadn't even realized it was missing. She took it gratefully. The husky kid followed suit and returned her knife. "My papers listing my references and lineage were taken. Is there a way I can contact my father to get new ones?"
Reyna was troubled with this news. "Yes. Once you're checked out, I'll get you in touch with our mail system."
"Thank you."
"Reyna!" A voice called out. Reyna turned to see Frank running toward her. "We thought the worst when you disappeared. But you did it!"
Reyna gave Frank a somber look. "Not without help." She replied. "There have been some developments that we need to discuss."
"Senate meeting?" Frank asked.
"Not until tomorrow." Reyna agreed. "It's been a long night. Could you get these kids settled. Some have been wounded. I'm sure all of them are exhausted."
"You got it. I'll take care of them, you get some rest." Frank assured her.
"This one needs to contact his father." She motioned toward the kid who first broached the subject.
"I've got it. Stop being in charge for a minute and get some rest. That's an order." Frank tried to act stern, but she knew better. He was worried about her.
She nodded and went her own way to the bath house. She realized that her armor had been removed. At the moment it only made things easier. As she undressed and settled down into the warm water, her thoughts sifted through the recent events. She tried to separate the main facts. One, empousa were involved. Whether they were controlling the men or not, was in question, but she wouldn't put it past them. It was however against their nature to be this organized. Someone was behind it, but who? Two, the Justice League member had been vital in dealing with the mortals. He could be very useful in a mixed mortal/monster fight. She wondered if he would forget her, or if he would choose to remember. As much as any half-blood hated this world forced upon them, a small part of her hoped that he would choose to remember.
