Chapter 9
I growled as I shot arrow after arrow into the target. Some of my siblings were at the range, as well as other demigods. They left me alone, which was good, otherwise I might have actually killed them. Whether it would have been accidental, or on purpose, is still yet to be decided. I sighed, and left the range after blowing off my steam.
I walked to the docks, and put my feet in the water. The lake was calm, and barely had the energy to lick at my feet. I soaked in the sunlight, feeling recharged. I looked up at the sky and sighed. "What do I do, Dad?" I asked the sun. "I love Leo, but he's not here, it's hard to have a relationship when your boyfriend is in a giant battleship." I said, shaking my head. Talking to the sun, stupid. I fiddled with my necklace, and didn't see the person next to me until they spoke.
"I know exactly how you feel." The boy said, making me jump. I stared at the boy who had seemed to appear from nowhere. He was our age, had sunkissed skin, and bright blue eyes. His hair was wavy, but also curled, and was the blondest blonde I'd ever seen. "I've had relationship problems of my own." He continued, ignoring my stares.
I struggled to form a sentence. I settled on, "Who are you?!" The boy glanced at me, and smirked. He looked familiar, but I'd never seen this boy before in my life. I shook my head, searching for some clue. He folded his arms, and shook his head at me, and that's when it clicked. "Oh my gods." I whispered.
I knew where I knew this boy from, I saw that face every time I looked at Will. I choked on my words, and tears formed in my eyes. "Dad?" I whispered. The boy's smirk disappeared, and he almost looked sad.
"Yes." He said, as equally quiet. I gasped, and let out a sob, before staring into the lake, trying to process all of this. "Della, look at me." I glanced up, and he put a hand on my shoulder. "You know, I tend to forget the women I've been with, and the men, but I never forgot your mom. Or you."
I shook my head. "You left her, she hated you for it." I replied. Apollo shook his head.
"No, Della, your mom pretended to hate me, to keep the monsters away from you. I never forgot about you, I watched over you, and I protected you. That's how you made it this long without knowing your true powers."
I shook my head, but he continued. "Della, do you remember the light when the Hell-hound attacked you?" He asked.
"That was you?" I asked.
He shook his head, "No, it was you. You can control, create, and get rid of light. Along with your bow and arrow skills, and singing to heal."
I was shocked, I felt as though all the oxygen in my lungs had been removed. "So, I have special powers?" Apollo nodded in return.
"Leo has special powers with fire, and it's rare. Controlling light is equally rare among my kids, and you have that power." I sighed, and placed my head in my hands.
"Why did you leave my mom?" I asked, "Why did you leave me?" Apollo bit his lip.
"I can't just abandon my responsibilities, Dell." He replied. "I loved your mother, she was one of the few women who actually made me feel in love. She was more than a one-night stand, or a drunken time. She was a real relationship. I think that's why your powers are so strong."
I thought this over. "Have you ever forgotten about a child of yours?" I asked.
He sighed. "I never forget, but I'm not exactly good at giving attention, as you may have noticed."
I huffed, "You got that right." I said, rolling my eyes. Apollo smiled.
"You have your mother's attitude." He said, which took me by surprise. I looked to him, my eyes full of wonder.
I hesitated, and bit my lip, before asking, "What was she like, when you met her?"
Apollo gazed to a far away place, a faint smile on his lips. "Oh, Dell, she was the most amazing woman I'd seen in a long time. We were at a bar, and she got up to sing karaoke. I was flirting with another woman, when she started singing. I dropped everything, and listened to the voice of an angel." I watched my dad as he visited a happier place.
"After she finished, I introduced myself, using my real name, and she of course made fun of it. Deep down I think she always knew, even before I told her I was a god. She made me chase her for days after, and we dated for a few months before we made you." He said, glancing at me.
"She was so beautiful, sassy, funny, and smart. She had the prettiest brown hair, blue eyes and the brightest smile. She was so happy when she found out she was pregnant, and when I warned her about a demigod's life, she did her best to protect you, and get you here before it was too late. And you made it, however you had to." Apollo said, and clamped a hand on my shoulder. "It's not a mistake I gave you that necklace, you're one of my most talented kids, and I want you to know that I know you exist, and that I care about you."
I'd heard stories about Apollo, but everyone seemed to misjudge him. He was a good person, not selfish or stuck-up. I sighed, and suddenly he changed the subject. "Now, tell me about this Leo, and what the problem is." I laughed, and began to explain, hoping to gain some insight from someone who'd been alive for centuries.
