Broken Bow Book 5: The Lost Prince

by Xed Alpha

As the most dangerous adventure of his life begins, Armani is tasked with not only a journey of self-discovery, but a challenge to recover something so elusive, that his path will take him further than he ever imagined possible... Beta by Shrrgnien. Winner of the Phoenix Best OC Award.

10. Chapter 10: Paradox

The Lost Prince

Chapter 10: Paradox

"Who is that?" asked Percy. He leaned around to look at the still form that was watching us calmly, blocking our path.

"Oh, please, not now..." said my father quietly as he regarded the form, echoing my own thoughts. Obviously with his memories back he recognized the hooded figure.

I looked back. The guards' shadows were visible in the corridor behind us.

I turned my gaze back to the hooded form of Zoë Nightshade.

"Your bow!" I hissed to Aren. She glanced at the weapon and back at me from under her robe. "Hide it! Don't let her get a good look."

She frowned but slipped the weapon back under her cloak as she leaned up to me. "Do you know who it is?" she asked in a whisper.

I looked sidelong at the girl in the square and could see from here the piercing gaze glinting from under that hood. I considered not telling Aren, worrying how she might take the news. However, something told me it would be simply wrong for her not to know. "It's Zoë," I whispered back after a moment.

"Zoë?" gasped Aren, turning about to look at me and then back at the hooded figure blocking our path.

She regarded Zoë in dead silence for a second. My hand slipped under the arm of her robe and gripped her hand once, gently. It seemed as if it she had been waiting for it, as she gripped me back appreciatively and without hesitation.

"Did you say-" Percy trailed off and I saw his face under his hood. He looked somewhat pale. I couldn't guess the storm of emotions going through either demigod or Huntress in that moment.

I glanced quickly at Aren. She tensed as Zoë drew back her hood. And I think I could finally understand the feelings etched on both Percy and Aren's features. They were seeing a dear friend they wanted nothing more than to greet happily and embrace, but they simply couldn't.

It seemed it was up to me to be the voice of reason.

It was a refreshing change.

"We might have to go through her," I said quickly. "It's either that or face an entire battalion of guards."

A humorless laugh escaped Percy. "Tough choice..."

A smile twitched at my lips. "Isn't it just. She's here probably because my mother sensed something. I can sense her clearly now. Whatever interference that was coming from Hippolytus seems to be fading quickly. I'm not sure what my range is just now, but luckily she seems to be the only other Hunter in the area besides Aren."

"I don't get it. Who is she?" demanded Aemilia.

I inclined my head. "You're looking at Zoë Nightshade, lieutenant of Lady Diana, daughter of the Titan Atlas."

"That's one Hesperid who's far from home," said Theia with a nod.

I inclined my head in reply. "True, and she also happens to be one of the most fearsome fighters I've ever met. Even now, she's probably got centuries of combat experience under her belt."

"So what do you suggest?"enquired my father urgently.

I took a calming breath. "Just follow my lead," I said, and began calmly walking down the steps and then slowly pacing across the square towards the waiting girl, the others following uncertainly.

"So... we just go walking right up to her?" whispered Percy in English. "What kind of plan is that?"

"Just keep calm and pretend nothing is wrong. Pretend there's nothing for her to be suspicious about."

"Will that work?"

"Probably not."

"Great plan. And then what do we do?"

I shrugged. "...I'll get back to you on that."

The others seemed to have caught my lead and were acting as if we were just crossing the square like any normal members of the public.

Zoë's brow creased slowly into a frown as we closed, deepening into a full scowl as we turned to pass innocently around her.

"Stop." Her voice wasn't loud, but still caused us to flinch and halt dead as if someone had clapped their hands in our faces.

We glanced warily at each other as Zoë tilted her head to try and get a better look at Aren. "Who are you?"

Aren visibly flinched and took a step backwards.

Zoë's brow twitched. "Your bow... that was the bow of a Hunter. Tell me... are you one of my sisters?" she asked quietly, as if trying not to startle her.

"Umm..." stammered Aren.

Thankfully, that was when the guards chose to burst free of the entrance.

Zoë looked past us as one of the guards looked long and hard at us. Only then did I realize that our disguises were pretty lame. The cloaks we wore were open at the front, and didn't disguise much more than our heads.

He stabbed a finger at us. "It's them! Caesar's murderers!"

It's okay, so long as we get away and don't cause anybody else to get dragged in-

"That girl must be their accomplice!" shouted another.

"Kill her too!" called a third.

Oh, for the love of...

Zoë's jaw dropped in shock as the guards moved to circle around us, raising their weapons.

"Okay guys, new plan..." I said.

"Run?" asked Percy.

"Run!" I agreed hurriedly as we made to run in the opposite direction.

We'd gotten barely a few feet when we noticed that Zoë was still standing there in bewilderment. "Were you born without a brain?" I shouted urgently. "Run for it!"

She shot me a glare out the corner of her eye. "I have done nothing. And I don't take orders from boys."

"Don't have time for this," I growled through gritted teeth. "Aren, give me one of those arrows!" I nodded to the pair of arrows gripped in her hand, recognizing the design of the arrowhead.

Her eyes went wide. "You can't be-" I cut her off by snatching one from her regardless and, in one fluid movement, swung about, summoned my bow, and fired it at almost point-blank range at Zoë.

Her hand moved with lightning speed for her dagger, but obviously she was unfamiliar with this particular customization, as it quickly exploded into a lattice of weighted ropes which had her completely ensnared into a neat and quite irritated bundle on the ground.

Wasting no more time, I slung the irate Hunter over my shoulder and made my escape.

"What are you doing?" asked Percy incredulously, looking out from under his hood.

I shook my head, "I don't know!" I shouted desperately, "I panicked!"

-A-

We made several twists and turns, managing to lose the more encumbered guards quite easily. The word seemed to be spreading though, and every guard we saw seemed to be on alert.

Oh, and you know what? It turned out Zoe Nightshade didn't appreciate being lugged around like a sack of potatoes by a bunch of people just accused of murdering a high ranking government official.

And boy did this girl know how to swear.

"Will you stop shouting for just one minute?" I barked at her over my shoulder as I kept pace with the others, "And stop kicking me there!"

She didn't acquiesce to my request. If anything it would appear I had inspired her to do the exact opposite. And so, after making sure I got some lasting bruises and then making several threats implying my imminent evisceration, I was becoming tempted to just throw her at the guards.

"Will somebody please do something about her?" I practically cried.

Aemilia groaned and reached up, grabbing the thrashing Zoe by the neck. I caught a flash of blue out the corner of my eye and suddenly the captive Hunter went blissfully still and silent.

I practically gasped with relief, "Thank you."

She nodded, "My pleasure, now do you have any idea where we are supposed to be going?"

We skidded to a halt and I took a moment to massage my upper legs on the spot where I would no doubt be soon sporting some nasty black and blue marks.

I handed Zoe to my father, "Here, you can carry her for a while."

He nodded his head and warily took her from me, "Miss Aemilia raises a valid point. Where shall we go?"

I dwelled on it. Sure, we could vanish there and then, but we would be leaving the two priestesses to the slaughter. "We have to get to safety first."

"And then?" Sacra hopped down from the rooftops, where she had been running along beside us.

"And then we'll..." I hesitated, shaking my head. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"We should head to the temple of Diana first. Zoe should be fine there. We can probably stay hidden among the temples for a little while." said Aren.

I nodded at the Huntress, "How long will she be out?"

"I just stunned her a little. A normal person will start to come around in about half an hour."

I frowned, "Considering whom it is, I'd say we've got less. Let's move."

Theia nodded approvingly, decidedly untroubled, and scratched then Sacra beneath the chin. The cat purred.

-A-

We sprinted as best we could down the back alleys and gaps of the buildings, making a beeline back to the temple district. The two cats circled ahead, mapping the safest path while Theia lead the way.

The girl now being carried by my father was starting to stir slightly.

We skidded to a halt near a white marble building. A statue of my mother loomed in front of the entryway. Marble or not, I found myself giving it a wide birth as we entered. Like many of the other temples, this one seemed deserted, at least for now. I suspected a city-wide emergency had by now been declared.

My father sliced free Zoe's bonds and laid her down on the bench by the altar. By now she just seemed to be snoozing and I suspected it wouldn't be long before she was up and out for payback over the indignation she'd been forced to endure.

The others took a second to take a breather. Percy slumped down on a nearby seat, Aren leaning against the pillar whilst Theia looked outside, her eyes sweeping the area for guards. Aemilia was pacing, her arms folded and an irritated look on her face, as if she were wondering where she should start laying blame for the whole mess.

My fingers drummed against the marble as I assessed the situation.

"Are you okay?" asked Aren quietly.

I sighed. "Fine, always just fine," I mumbled, trying to think out any way to save the two demigods we had gotten caught up in this whole debacle.

I noticed her take a step closer, her hand gripping mine for just a brief second. "Well, you know where I am if you ever need me."

I blinked in surprise, a weak but appreciative smile tugging on my face. "Thanks."

She smiled back, but there was a sad, longing look in her eyes as she regarded the unconscious girl. "…Why does it hurt so much to see her again?" she whispered after a moment. "I mean, part of me is so happy to see her alive and well that I could cry, but..."

I rested my hand on her arm. "She'll live another two thousand years yet. There aren't many who can boast that with certainty."

"You don't suppose-"

"No," I cut in firmly. "I don't."

Her brow twitched. "You don't even know what I was going to say," she whispered back defensively.

I sighed. "I do. You were thinking, what if we warn her now, maybe then she might still be alive when we return to our own time."

She averted her eyes, studying the ground. "...Is that so wrong?"

"Not just to think it. Who wouldn't? However, for all we know, warning her could cause her to be uncertain at some critical point in her life, be too cautious or not cautious enough. She could die earlier, or her survival could somehow alter the outcome of the war against the Titans. I know it's a horrible thing to say, but fate cannot be altered in such a drastic way." I exhaled a tired breath. "Regardless... we should get moving."

"You sound urgent," said Theia suddenly, breaking the calm silence she had maintained for some time.

"Like I said, it's best we get out of here before Zoë wakes up."

She glanced back at me over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Is that the only reason?"

I regarded her silently. Her eyes seemed to be challenging me. "No," I replied after a moment without elaboration.

A tiny wisp of a smile tugged at her lips at the response as she turned back to her vigil.

She already knows...

I frowned as I regarded her from behind. I wasn't sure how I knew, but considering her cats had worked me out so far, I'd hazard a guess that they'd shared the information with their mistress.

She knows, and the concept amuses her.

"So they told you, did they?" I asked out loud.

Theia didn't turn around. "Of course they did."

"What are you two on about?" asked Aemilia, her tone still irritable.

Theia glanced at her for a second and then back again. "Oh, he just wanted to check and see if I knew that he was the immaculate child of Lady Diana - or Artemis, as he still calls her, or will call her, or...this concept is confusing."

Stupid psychic cats... I shot a withering glare at the black tom, who shrunk back against his partner. She curled around him protectively.

"Please don't say any more," I said tiredly, rubbing my brow.

Aemilia, however, didn't seem content with leaving that revelation unaddressed. "He's a son of WHO?"

Theia shrugged. "Diana. You know; the little one who likes playing in the woods."

Thunder crackled in the distance and my brow twitched reflexively.

Aemilia gritted her teeth. "I know who she is. I meant, how is that possible?"

Theia tapped a dark, painted nail on her chin. "I really don't know... I didn't get that much."

Aemilia turned to look at me. "Is it true?"

Theia shrugged again. "I said it, so of course it is."

The daughter of Jupiter flashed the other priestess a dark look. "You don't lie. That doesn't mean you don't get things wrong. Remember the incident with the unicorn horn?"

Theia waved a dismissive hand. "A minor error on my part."

"That's not what they called it in court..."

"Really, you turn a few people into animals with a cursed unicorn horn and people never let you live it down."

Percy, Aren and I looked at each other in bewilderment. I edged over to Divus. "Let me guess: you used to be king of some far-off land before you met her."

His tail swished over the marble irritably. "No, I was always this way. I was, however, a far saner feline before Lady Veritas entrusted us to her."

"I heard that," muttered Theia.

Aemilia shook her head. "You're taking me off track! Was she right or not?"she demanded, turning back to me.

I hesitated, glancing at the others. Unfortunately, this seemed to be all the confirmation she needed. She flung her hands up. "And the day gets madder and madder. You want to tell me why you're so desperate to get away from Diana's lieutenant if you're her mistress' son?"

"Oh, that part's simple," said Theia as dismissively as usual. A sinking feeling went through me as she continued. "He doesn't want to be seen because he hasn't been born yet."

"Theia!" I snapped a little louder than I intended. Glancing warily at the dark street outside and back, I lowered my voice to a harsh whisper. "That's enough!"

Aemilia was looking at Theia as if she'd just been informed that the world was really some kind of virtual reality built by robots.

"...What?"

Theia turned about, leaning back against the pillar. She pointed a finger at me. "Both him," she then pointed the digit at Percy and my father in turn, "Him," Her finger hovered frozen at my father, and I noticed a slight sadness creep into her eyes. "You too?"she paused to ask.

My father seemed hesitant, but after a moment he inclined his head and responded gravely, almost apologetically. "Yes, miss Theia, me too."

I noticed he had dropped the 'mistress' from her name as she smiled weakly. "Yes... him and her," she finished, pointing at Aren, "are not from our time. They come from the future."

Aemilia looked at her blankly.

"What?"she repeated.

Theia sighed. "I'm not sure how to describe it. I've never thought of the concept before. Imagine being able to move from today and jump into the world of tomorrow. Well, they come from a tomorrow; in fact they come from many tomorrows away."

I rubbed my brow tiredly. This was precisely the sort of thing we were supposed to avoid. This time it wasn't a gang of robbers or a legendary demigod that had been dropped on us, but a crazy priestess, two psychic cats and a dead politician.

There's an anecdote in there, I'm sure...

"That's...insane," gasped Aemilia.

"Tell me about it," grumbled Aren under her breath.

Aemilia glanced at us. "Well, how many...how many 'yesterdays' did you travel through to get here?"

My father, obviously seeing the gig as being up, replied, "I come from about two thousand years in the future. My friends here are the same, I think, though a little ahead of me."

Theia nodded ponderingly. "That's a lot of tomorrows..." She turned to regard my father. "But why did you come here?"

Percy spoke up now. "We came looking for him," he said, nodding at Hippolytus. "But we sort of didn't know that at the start."

My father shook his head. "I don't know how it happened..."

"I do," I cut in suddenly. "At least... I have a very good idea. You were saying earlier that you received a strange Iris Message, something about a Divine Forestry Commission. Tell me what happened then. May as well sort this out while we've got a second."

My father raised his eyebrows. "It was a simple message: a proposal to put in place several preservation orders to prevent the destruction of masses of forestland that are home to many numbers of rare mythical beasts whose habitats are now being threatened by mortal logging campaigns. The message requested a meeting to discuss the issue with a representative of Lady Artemis."

I nodded as it began to dawn. "And you being you-"

He shrugged. "I agreed readily. The mistress was otherwise occupied with her annual solstice celebrations-"

"-Which Lady Artemis said you could attend," Aren cut in hotly.

Hippolytus waved her off. "I was busy cleaning."

"You're always busy cleaning."

"I'm an eternal temple attendant, what else would I be busy doing?"

"Moving right along," I butted in with a sigh.

"Right, as I was saying: There I was; it seemed like a splendid concept and there was no harm in at least hearing what this gentleman had to say."

"No harm?" I echoed. "You get a shady anonymous message and just go along?"

He shrugged."Well, I was assured there would be no horses around."

Percy frowned, seeming slightly offended. "What's wrong with horses?"

Hippolytus paled a little. "Let's just say I had a bad experience once..." He shook his head and continued. "Well, the place he wanted to meet me wasn't far away, just a few blocks according to the map by the elevator. And so I picked out some modern clothes-"

"Makes a change...He hasn't updated his wardrobe in two hundred years," Aren butted in again.

My father scowled. "I haven't left Olympus in two hundred years. I must say, everything's gotten so tall since I last went out. Tall and loud..."

"Two hundred years?" asked Percy. "You hadn't left the Empire State Building in two hundred years?"

Hippolytus shrugged. "I wasn't even aware that's where we were at the time. But Apollo enjoyed keeping me up to date on modern culture...despite the mistress' repeated objections. So I knew what to expect. I know about you kids, and how everything is all 'radical' and 'bodacious', and about your pop music and Tetris video games."

I suppressed a very loud groan.

Typical... I finally meet my father, after all these years, and what do I get? 80's dad.

"Um…Yeah. Sounds about right." Percy was trying his best not to snicker.

"And so I put on a suit, called a yellow carriage-"

"-Taxi," corrected Aren.

"That's what I said. And I was taken swiftly to my destination. However, I did have to pass through a narrow walkway between the buildings as a shortcut. This turned out to be unwise, as en route I was accosted by some highwaymen-"

"-You were mugged," corrected Aren again.

"That's what I said. But their small daggers and meager skill were no match for my blade. I quickly felled them."

"You killed them?" enquired Aren.

"No, but one did lose a leg. And soon after that I made it to my destination."

"Just be thankful he didn't stop for a hotdog..." I muttered. "And I assume you met this strange 'benefactor'?"

He nodded his head. "He seemed a very pleasant sort to start off with. Mr Goldman...that was his name."

This time I couldn't suppress the groan. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me..."

My father paused. "What's wrong?"

I paused to massage my sinuses. "That wasn't his real name. Tell me you've grasped that much..."

He regarded me blankly. "Do you know who he was?"

I inclined my head. "King Midas."

Hippolytus' eyebrows rose. "Oh," he said in surprise. "OH!" in comprehension, and then finally he scowled. "Oh..."

"Got it yet?"

"So he wasn't from the-"

"Nope." I replied.

"And he-" he sort of indicated his chest.

"Yup."

"And I was-"

"Through time, yes."

He seemed to hesitate. "...And you?"

That also gave me pause. I took a long breath. "That gem Midas stabbed you with absorbed a good portion of your life force..."

My father regarded me impassively. "Carry on."

"Midas took the energy he acquired from you and launched a surprise attack on Lady Artemis with it. Your energy combined with a portion of hers. I was the result of that incident."

He was silent for a long moment. Finally, he just nodded. "I see."

I blinked. "Y-you do?"

He nodded once more. "I will of course commit suicide immediately." At that he went to draw his sword.

Aren's hand shot out and shoved the partially-drawn weapon back into its sheathe. "What did Lady Artemis tell you about trying to kill yourself?"

"B-but it was my fault! And Lady Artemis-"

Aren rolled her eyes. "Please, it barely knocked the wind out of her. Now grow up and stop with the dramatics."

And like a scolded child, he glumly lowered his weapon.

He's nuttier than a fruitcake... I can see why they don't let him out much.

And now you know where you get it from.

Oh, be quiet.

I was broken out of my reverie when I suddenly found my father scrutinizing me very closely, to the point he was leaning seriously into my personal space. This was something that always tended to disturb me.

I took a step back and he grabbed hold of my chin, tilting my head to the side. "Amazing. You're like a...mini...me."

Percy snickered again. I glared at him.

I batted Hippolytus' hand away. "Yes, fascinating and all. But now that you've cleared that-"

"I'm a father," he breathed.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, that is what it entails, now if we could-"

"I have a son..."

I let out a tired sigh and Aren patted him on the arm, grinning at me. "Don'tworry; the true horror won't set in until a bit later."

I frowned at her indignantly. "Meaning?"

Hippolytus shook his head incredulously. "How long, I mean...how old are you?"

I opened my mouth to respond, and then hesitated. "Physically or chronologically? One is getting increasingly more confusing than the other."

"Sixteen," cut in Aren. "You've been gone over sixteen years."

"Sixteen?" he gaped, silent in shock for another moment. "...The temples must be so untidy."

Aren's brow twitched. "That's what worries you?"she asked with a sigh. "Must be genetic...Don't worry, Lady Artemis only left one temple untouched. Just so you'd have something to do when you came back. The others are okay."

He breathed a slight sigh of relief. "I see. Wait, then who's been keeping the others clean?"

Aren shrugged. "Well, we have. The Hunters, that is."

He suddenly looked worried again. "The horror..."

Aren scowled at him. "Hey! We may not be perfectionists, but we did our best."

"Still... Sixteen years. Accident or not, that is a long time for me to have vacated my post. Truly: even if Lady Artemis forgives me, Zoë will probably kill me when I get back. Tell me: has she forgotten about the comb? I honestly thought deer antler was more resilient than that."

Aren opened her mouth to reply, and suddenly pain and realization washed over her features.

She looked desperately at me and I shook my head slightly. We'd spent long enough discussing the past; it was no time for tears.

Later, I mouthed silently to her.

"Miss Aren, is something wrong?" he asked, frowning.

She shook her head abruptly and did her best to smile. "I-it's nothing. Sorry."

"I think it's time we moved on," I said. "We can carry on catching up later. I think we've rested here long enough."

Hippolytus and the others nodded, Aren looking both relieved and immensely guilty at the same time.

The ginger tabby hopped onto a nearby bench and butted her head gently on the Huntress' thigh. She probably knew exactly what was wrong with Aren, especially considering she'd effectively lied when she said it was 'nothing'.

I paused to regard the slumbering Huntress and tried not to be sad; she had thousands of years and countless adventures yet to come. Hers was a life to be celebrated, not mourned.

I sighed. "Enough. Let's get moving."

As we turned to leave and the cat moved to jump down, there was a blur of movement as Zoe's arm lashed out and grabbed a hold of the feline by the throat.

Divus hissed as Zoë, grasping his startled partner by the scruff of the neck, leaped to her feet and backed away. The Huntress' eyes surveyed us coldly, her hand drawing a dagger and holding it to Sacra's throat. The simple act of us having already drawn up our hoods had no doubt saved us a world of trouble.

Aren raised her hands in a calming gesture. "Zoë, please-"

"Silence!" she barked, glaring at each of us in turn. "Who are you?"

"Zoë," Aren repeated, her voice level and calm still. "Just stay calm and put the kitty down." She paused, and I could've sworn I heard her mutter "Never thought I'd have to say that again…"

Zoe bared her teeth. "Assassins...And you would have me caught up with your plot?!"

I let out a tired groan, the act causing Zoë to flinch and tighten her grip on her furry prisoner's scruff. To her credit, the ginger she-cat seemed to be taking it in her stride, hanging glum and disgruntled in the Huntress' grip. "We didn't kill anybody," I said with a sigh. "In fact, it was pretty much everyone in the room but us."

I heard a slight crackle as Aemilia began to raise a hand. Zoë reacted quickly, pressing the dagger more firmly against the cat's throat. "Hands down, daughter of Jupiter."

"Put her down," said Theia calmly, her gaze fixed outside, seemingly undisturbed by the current situation.

"You will identify yourselves immediately and surrender your arms, if you value the life of your animal familiar."

"No," sighed Theia tiredly.

Zoë's eyebrow twitched. "You don't care for your followers?"

The priestess sighed again. "Oh, I do; very much so. But you're not going to hurt her."

Zoë scowled at her. "And what makes you so sure?"

"Because I know something you don't."

"And that is?"

"That you're bluffing, Zoë Nightshade. I don't like it when people lie to me."

"The priestess of truth..." said Zoë in a low tone.

Theia inclined her head, still not turning. "The very same. Now kindly put my cat down. You're making her unhappy."

I wasn't sure just how right Theia was about what was happening. Zoë very likely didn't want to kill the animal, but if she suddenly decided it was her only way out, then the 'truth' of the situation could change very quickly.

A static discharge cackled up the side of Aemilia's left arm. "Theia's right -and I truly hope I can get through my life without ever having to utter those two words together in a sentence again- so you just calm down and let the cat go."

"Do not pressure me, priestess."

Aemilia smirked. "I could say the same. Now, if there's a brain behind that huge forehead of yours, you'll settle down and we can talk this through."

Zoe flushed angrily but slowly began to comply. As she crouched down and carefully put the cat on the ground, her other hand drifted behind her back.

The cat slipped free and bolted for its partner. "It has been a very disagreeable day," she grumbled, tail lashing her sides indignantly.

The tom nuzzled her as she passed. "Hasn't it just."

Suddenly, Zoë's hand whipped back in front of her, which caused all of us to defensively go for our weapons. However, it wasn't a blade or bow she withdrew, but something far more troublesome.

It was a horn.

I reached out suddenly, as if I could stop her as she brought it to her lips, but there was no way I had the time to even drop my sword and switch to bow. "No, don't, don't, don't!" I yelped in a panic, and guess what?

She chose not to comply.

A long, harmonious note, like the cry of a wolf echoing through a rustling breeze, filled the confined space.

The sound carried on, rebounding and echoing further off the buildings outside.

And I wasn't sure what it was, it could've been the adrenaline, or it could've been the strange sound of the horn, but as she blew it was almost as if she were blowing away the last tiny film of dust coating my senses and from behind it, pinpricks of light began to shine through in my mind. I could feel Aren as clear as day, Zoë too, and out in the distance...

"Oh no..." I breathed.

"Trouble?" asked Aren.

I nodded. "Lots of trouble, and it's now headed right this way."

"What does he mean?" asked Aemilia quickly.

"He can sense Hunters," explained Aren. "How many?"

I backed slowly away from Zoë, moving towards the entryway. "Lots. And they're only our secondary concern."

Aren's eyes widened. I nodded, confirming her unspoken question. "She's coming."

I think Percy caught the gist of what we were saying, as he beckoned the others. "Let's get out of here!"

"Stay where you are!" shouted Zoë, switching for her dagger. I intercepted her before she could reach Percy and knocked her back with a kick.

We bolted out of the small temple and took to the gaps between the large marble buildings. And guess what else? Turns out blowing a loud horn in a city full of soldiers currently on high alert tends to draw attention.

The air was filled with the sound of heavy footfalls as guards filled the streets and began hurriedly searching the temples. The only bonus to this was that the guards probably wouldn't differentiate between Zoë and us, so she'd probably have to be equally cautious.

Or they could catch and kill her.

I was trying not to dwell on that concept.

"Problem!" shouted Aren, looking behind us.

I glanced back and, sure enough, sprinting after us at speeds that would probably make a Cheetah blush was Zoë Nightshade. The Huntress leaped effortlessly over any obstacles in her path like an Olympic Hurdle champion.

"Why's she chasing us?" shouted Aemilia as I swung round another corner, trying to choose a path that would keep us as far away from the Hunters as possible whilst also avoiding the hordes of guards, which is not as easily done as it is just said.

"She's still on a mission," I explained quickly. "Lady Artemis -Diana, whatever!- must've sensed something inside Rome and sent Zoë to investigate."

"Well, how does she know it's us?"

"It's kind of obvious!" shouted Percy.

I glanced back. Even as we turned corners and as best we tried to lose her, Zoë was hot on our tail and closing. I knew if she caught just one of us then we'd surely be delayed long enough for either the guards or the other Hunters to catch up. I also knew that there was no way we could outrun her as a group. Aren and I were by far the fastest, and while the others all had well above average endurance, they were no match for a Hunter's speed. I came to a decision.

Are you sure about this?

A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth at my instinct's almost nervous interruption.

On a sureness scale of one to ten? About negative six.

"Aren," I began.

"What is it?"

"I'll catch up with you and the others later."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "You can't mean-"

"Don't worry," I said quickly. "I can evade the Hunters and outrun the guards. I'll meet you in the alley where we first arrived."

She looked at me for a long moment. "Stay safe."

I smiled weakly. "Oh, you know me..." I said, and dug my heels in and skidded to a halt.

"Armani!" I heard Percy shout in surprise.

"He'll catch up in a while, keep moving!" shouted Aren, shoving him ahead. I turned fully about as our pursuer approached.

Zoë wasn't breaking her pace, and though she raised her dagger, I realized she wasn't intending to stop, only pass by. Her gaze was still fixed on the others, and it occurred to me suddenly what she was thinking.

She knows I wasn't the one with the bow. Even with the cloaks and hoods she was able to keep track of which one of us she had seen earlier using body size and posture alone. She is incredible, I'll hand her that. Best give her something else to think about.

I extended my hand to the side in her path and she twisted her dagger in readiness. And then, in that same hand, I summoned my bow.

That got her attention.

Confusion followed almost instantly by recognition flashed over Zoë's features and she skidded abruptly to a sideways halt.

She looked past me at the others, and then back. I could see the bewilderment in her eyes, the unspoken question:

Did I make a mistake?

I noticed her eyes flick to my bow, and it seemed only then that she noticed the distinct differences between the Hunters' silver bows and the one that I now held.

Her eyes went as wide as saucers as she regarded the bow. It was understandable, after all; it was a weapon she had seen countless times across numerous centuries, but only in the hands of one person.

She looked at me guardedly and I saw her eyes sweep up and down my form, assessing my size.

After a moment, she took a hesitant step forward. "Mistress?" she asked, her tone understandably confuse.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Hardly." Zoë reared back at the sound in surprise.

Need to keep her confused, just for a few moments longer.

Hurry it up! The Hunters are closing.

I'm more than aware of that.

Slowly, I reached up and drew back my hood, revealing myself to the Huntress.

Zoë hissed in shock and I smiled warmly at her, resting my bow against a shoulder. "Hello, Zoë."

The Huntress was at an utter, gobsmacked loss for words. This was understandable, after all; she'd run into someone who was wielding an exact copy of her mistress' bow and, I had to accept, basically looked like a slightly larger male version of the goddess herself.

Zoë wavered slightly. "Who...?"

"You appear somewhat confused."

She inclined her head the tiniest fraction of an inch, as if to say, 'That would be the case, Captain Obvious'.

She gripped the hilt of her dagger tighter and shook her head furiously, as if to disperse her confusion. Her eyes bored into the weapon in my hand, "Who are you? And where did you get that?" she whispered.

"I'm afraid I can't tell you, Zoë."

"And how do you know who I am?" she demanded.

"You're the lieutenant of Artemis. Everyone knows who you are."

"Artemis?" she breathed.

My smile remained in place. "I'm afraid I've never known her by any other name, so you'll have to forgive me not calling her by her current title."

Sensing that I wasn't going to be too forthcoming, her eyes narrowed at me. "Was it you? Were you the one Lady Diana sensed?"

I regarded her in silence, then inclined my head. "Yes."

Her posture shifted slightly. "What are you?"

I shrugged. "I'm a demigod."

She glanced back over her shoulder and back.

She's delaying you, and you don't have long.

Zoë began pacing slowly back and forth, assessing me as I stood before her. "A demigod, you say?"

I smiled slightly. "Is this the part where you ask who my parents are?"

A smirk tugged on her lips. "A mortal and a god, obviously."

I inclined my head. "Goddess and mortal, to be precise. Well, I say mortal..."

"Well?" she demanded, stopping in front of me.

My eyes narrowed back at her and took several slow steps forwards, "Why don't you tell me," I said, leaning into her ear as she stood rigid, knife gripped tightly. "Work it out for me. Who am I, Zoë Nightshade?"

She remained frozen, glaring at me out the corner of her eye as I carried on round, stopping just behind her. "There's a boy in your personal space," I said in a level tone.

Her shoulders tensed and she flinched. The Huntress swung back about and retreated a few paces, knife raised. "Who are you? Answer!" she snarled, obviously rattled.

"It always bothered me..." I said thoughtfully.

She frowned. "What did?"

I continued, recalling the memory of a very different Zoë. "When we first met, you recognized me. You knew my face. You'd seen me before somewhere. It wasn't like you had been looking down on me from afar; you actually knew me. You remembered... being you, looking at me, here and now."

Zoë was looking at me with a raised eyebrow. "What are you talking about? We've never met before. I do my best not to associate with your kind."

I let out a tired breath and shook my head. "Sorry, thinking out loud. And what do you mean by 'my kind'?"

She gritted her teeth. "You're...you're a-"

My eyebrows rose slightly. "You can't even associate that particular prejudice with me, can you? Something else is overriding it, something more important than gender."

She glared openly at me. "Presumptuous... I'll humor you, for the moment. Why don't you tell me what this 'thing' is?"

"That 'thing' is the fact that you can't shake that first impression. The impression that I look like someone you know."

There was a blur of movement as she slashed at me with her dagger. It missed my nose by a fraction of an inch, close enough for the blade's air pressure to be clearly felt.

I wasn't above flinching, though it was clear she had missed with intention. She was gripping the dagger so hard her tanned skin was white around it. "How...DARE you..."

I cocked my head. "How dare I what?"

"Suggest such a thing..."she breathed.

My smile returned. "And what might I be suggesting?"

"YOU KNOW!" She snapped, and then slowly shook her head. "If I weren't under orders... I assure you, it is taking every last ounce of my willpower not to cut you down right where you stand."

I cocked my head inquisitively. "Do you believe that I'm implying someone of significant importance may have violated some kind of oath?" Zoë hissed dangerously in response. "Because I'm not."

Her glare turned into a confused frown. "What?"

I shrugged. "I'm a -what was it that you called me when we first met? Ah, yes -I'm an 'immaculate child'-only here's the kicker: I haven't actually been born yet."

Zoë's mouth opened and closed as she attempted to search for a response.

I nodded. "And that's the issue: I'm just passing through, a wanderer in time itself."

"…What are you talking about?"

"I think the priestess said it best: I'm from a long-distant tomorrow. And so, whilst we are both stalling each other for very different reasons, I'm afraid I really must be going."

"You're going nowhere," said the huntress in a steely voice.

"Not until your mistress gets here, you mean?" I glanced off to the side. "Well, I wouldn't worry about it, she'll be here in about five minutes."

"How can you possibly know that?"

I looked at her out the corner of my eye. "I wonder. She really is going at quite a leisurely pace. I'm sure she thinks you've got the situation in hand."

"I do have the situation in hand. I think you'll find I'm more than capable of handling any scrawny demigod who gets in my path."

My smile melted. "And I think you'll find, Zoë, that I am not just any scrawny demigod."

Her eyebrows raised slightly. "Is that so?"

"Am I right in assuming that you're not going to let me just walk away?"

She regarded me unwaveringly. "That's right."

I clenched my fist and slid into a stance. "Then it would appear we have reached an impasse. I regret that due to certain time constraints, this fight can't last long."

Zoë shifted her centre of gravity, readying to attack, a predatory smirk spread across her face. "I wouldn't worry about that, boy. It won't."

I couldn't suppress an exasperated sigh.

Zoë raised an eyebrow. "What?"

I shook my head. "I'm sorry. It's just I had a feeling when I first laid eyes on you in Venus' temple that it would undoubtedly come to this."

She inclined her head. "You don't seem upset."

I nodded. "I should be, shouldn't I? But I'm not. We're not fighting to really hurt each other, at least I'm not. So I guess it's because getting one last chance to pit myself against you isn't a chore, Zoë Nightshade...it's an honor."

Her brow furrowed slightly and she shook her head in slight bewilderment. "You are a strange one..."

I laughed, and lowered my head, sensing the approaching Hunters getting uncomfortably close. "That I will not deny...let's go."

Zoë needed no further invitation, though she did precede her attack with an almost curt nod. And as before, she moved with lightning speed.

The Huntress slid sideways, crouching under my guard, and shoulder barged me back. With said guard broken, she struck me flat in the chest and sent me flying back onto the alley floor.

She immediately leaped about and took up a position in my path.

I jumped back to my feet and charged her. She parried my blows with practiced ease, but my speed was enough to score a few choice hits across her torso.

My hands caught her knee before it could hit me in the chest. This, however, left me unable to stop her as she backhanded me violently away from her.

Stars swam across my vision as I staggered back from her.

She's fighting to stall, not to win. Blocking your path and knocking you back.

I smirked despite the fat lip I had welling up. "I suppose you only need to keep me here long enough for your mistress to arrive. Once she gets here, I admit I'll be pretty much finished."

Zoë regarded me coldly. "My orders are not to kill you. Lady Diana will want to question you, therefore I will hold you here."

Why do I find myself getting a profound sense of Déjà vu from this?

I leaped directly at her, foot aimed above her defense. Her hands shot out, grabbed me by the calf and hurled me through the air behind her.

Such beastly strength; I guess some things never change.

It was different from the other time I'd fought her. This Zoë's combat style was different than her shade's. The way her body moved was similar, but her attitude about the fight was completely different. It was a difference that made things distinctly more difficult this time around.

This time she was fighting defensively. Her survival instincts were fully active, unlike the last time when she was essentially indestructible and could focus all her efforts on attacking. And I had to say, this girl had some seriously sharp defensive instinct.

However, that didn't mean she was above making mistakes.

Now!

As I spun through the air, I swiftly righted myself and propelled my body into a spiral off one hand, spinning myself back onto my feet and using the added momentum to break into an instant sprint.

When in doubt, run away.

"Come back here, coward!" shouted the indignant Huntress.

"Not bloody likely!" I shot back as I took the next corner, going to full speed.

Zoë was hot on my tail, but I was putting a safe gap between myself and the Hunters and Goddess I could sense in the distance. I had felt them amass on the temple we had occupied earlier; now they had dispersed into what I assumed was a search pattern in our general direction. One of them, however, seemed to be continually heading this way. And of course, as luck would have it, that one just happened to be Diana/Artemis/Mom herself.

She's homing in on either Zoë or me. I guess which one doesn't really matter given the circumstances. Time for a change of tactics, and fast…

My eyes trailed to the hanging shades covering some of the windows in the buildings that lined our path. They were on differing levels, which presented an opportunity.

I reared to the side and leaped up, grabbing hold of the pole holding the shade above a ground floor window and flipped myself onto it. I didn't halt, springing off the fabric and up to grab the next one above the second floor window. There wasn't a third in the sequence and so I was forced to jump up and grab the bottom of the next window ledge, pulling myself up and onto it.

I took a deep breath and jumped up to grasp hold of the roof ledge. As I dragged myself up I felt something latch firmly onto my ankle.

I looked back to find Zoë just below me. "I'm not so easily shaken," she snarled.

My instinct was, of course, to kick out at her, but an uncontrolled three-story drop would no doubt cause even a half-Titan serious injury or worse.

"Blasted Hunters…" I grunted, trying to pull my leg free. "Can't you be just a tad less tenacious? It would make my day so much more pleasant."

With a loud groan of strain, I managed to pull myself up onto the rooftop, dragging Zoë along with me.

"Ah!" I cried out as I was pulled back to the edge. I realized that by pulling myself up I had probably lifted Zoë off of whatever she had been using as a foothold. I braced my other leg against the side of the roof whilst my other threatened to break due to the strange angles it was being pulled on. I looked up over the side. Indeed, Zoë was now hanging over the drop by my leg.

I gritted my teeth through the pain. "How in Zeus' name have you lived so long?"

She didn't dignify me with a response as I shifted my position and found myself sitting on the edge of the rooftop, bracing backward to stop myself being pulled over.

Oh for the love of...

I swung a hand down. "Take it!" I barked.

She glared at me with indignation, though she obviously wasn't above allowing herself to be saved from a most pathetic death. She grasped hold of my left hand and I pulled up with as much strength as I could from my current position.

Once Zoë had swung back against the side of the building, she braced her legs against it and flipped herself effortlessly over and onto the roof behind me.

I took a moment to catch my breath and massage my aching calf muscle.

The respite was cut short as Zoë grabbed me by the neck of my robes and hurled me onto the rooftop in front of her.

The next thing I knew, she had me pinned underneath her, her knee pressed into my upper chest.

I looked at her blankly. "You are really starting to put a crimp on my day."

She glared down at me, seeming to be searching for what to say. After all, I had just saved her, when logically it would've been more beneficial to let her fall. After a moment she seemed to give up. She shook her head, holding me with her eyes, "Who are you?"

A small, sad smile came to my face. "You already sort of know, and I wish I could explain it to you. All I can tell you is that I am what I am: an impossible thing that shouldn't exist. And you're a friend that I never got to know."

Whether out of confusion or something else, as her gaze held mine, I felt the pressure on my chest lighten just a bit.

She held me there in silence. "Zoë, please... I'm running out of time..." I trailed off in a whisper, and I'm not sure what it was, and it would always puzzle me why-perhaps it was her own instinct telling her something, or maybe something deeper- but after a long moment, she slowly slid off me.

I stood up and dusted myself off, my back to her as I freed myself of the cumbersome hooded robe. I held it to the side and let the air currents blowing over the rooftops carry it away.

I looked back at Zoë, who crouched silently near the edge of the roof, eyes lowered, looking out over the city. I couldn't guess the thoughts going through her head at that moment. Had she believed me? Did she feel she'd betrayed my mother by letting me go? Did she simply let me live because I'd saved her? It would be a shame that I'd never get the answers to any of those questions, just as Zoë must've known that there was no time for her questions to be answered, either.

Without a word, I turned about and began walking away.

"There were maidens with you, were there not?" I paused at Zoë's words and glanced back. She still wasn't looking up.

I hesitated. "Yes, there were."

"Then stop wasting time, and do your duty."

"Of course."

And with that, I took off across the rooftops in Aren's direction, leaving the lone Huntress behind.

-A-

To say I was breathless by the time I caught up would be an understatement. To be honest, I probably hadn't run that fast since I was chased through the woods by that...thing Eris summoned, which shall not be spoken of.

I skidded to a halt on top of a building overlooking the market square. Surprisingly, the entire area appeared to be deserted. In fact, I had noticed most of the streets en route were in a similar way. Whatever system of policing the Romans used, I had to applaud its efficiency.

I surveyed the square below me carefully. There was nothing moving; not a soul was about, and looking down I could see no one waiting to ambush me.

And yet I still have a bad feeling.

Slowly, carefully, I climbed down the wall of the building and dropped to a crouch behind an abandoned stall...

There!

I could sense Aren's position and I caught the subtle scents I associated with her and Percy coming from the alley across the square.

I gave the area a quick once over. There were no people, nobody peeking out through the windows. The coast seemed clear enough.

I made a break for it, cutting directly across the square.

In retrospect, I probably should've been more careful.

"Halt!" came the sharp shout. I didn't comply, of course, as the soldier who had shouted turned a corner into view.

Oh, typical!

I increased my pace and bolted into the alleyway.

"Oh, look. He made it," said Aemilia dryly.

"What kept you?"asked Theia.

I skidded to a halt. "Sorry, got a little held up."

"What happened to Zoë?" asked Aren as she and the others emerged from hiding behind a group of crates.

I glanced back over my shoulder. "I wouldn't worry. We thrashed something out."

"So you've shaken all the Hunters?" asked Percy.

I nodded. "At least for now. However, a new problem may have just presented itself."

Aemilia frowned. "Define 'problem'."

"There they are!"

We turned to find a group of armed soldiers at the end of the alleyway.

"Move it!" shouted Aren, and we immediately retreated down the path in the opposite direction.

"More running?" moaned the black cat.

"This is what you get for sneaking second helpings on salmon day," said Theia, as disturbingly calm as ever, glancing back at the guards as they gave pursuit.

"How do they even know it was us?" I asked as we emerged into a smaller square.

"They've imposed an emergency curfew!" said Aemilia. "They'll arrest anyone they see in the streets."

"We need to get out of sight," said Aren as we stopped to get our bearings. Two paths led out from the darkened square, and we immediately headed for the one opposite us.

"Other way!" shouted Percy, skidding to a halt ahead of us as guards poured out of the route he had taken, the ones behind us catching up and entering the square. The only remaining exit had soldiers at the end, and they too were heading this way.

"Talk about being outflanked..." I grumbled as we backed into the center of the square, drawing weapons as the soldiers encircled us.

"Lower your weapons!" barked one of the soldiers, his adornments clearly showing him to be an officer.

"I'm open to suggestions..." I mumbled.

Aemilia sighed. "Lower your weapons."

"We're giving up?" asked Aren disbelievingly.

Aemilia kept her gaze locked on the soldiers around us. "Hardly. Now drop your weapons, and when I say so, drop to the ground."

"Oh, not this again..." sighed Theia. "I hope you're more careful than that incident with the dragon."

"The what?" I felt I had to ask.

Aemilia rolled her eyes. "I was young and my aim wasn't so good. Now will you please let me save all our hides?"

"I'm going to go stand over here," said the tabby. She and her companion slipped away from us and disappeared through the legs of the guards.

"Drop!"

We had no idea what was going on, but we thought it best to do as the daughter of Jupiter said.

The guards made to strike as we hit the marble and Aemilia extended a palm straight up.

The guards paused to glance at each other as a strange humming filled the air. I glanced up as I felt the hairs on the back of my neck prickle and stand up.

Aemilia had her fist closed and, when she flicked it open, strands of electricity shot out from her fingertips, striking the armored men on their breastplates and helmets as tendrils of electricity leapt from man to man.

Shocked cries filled the air as electrical charge coursed over their armor. They all shook and spasmed before collapsing in a heap around us.

We cautiously climbed to our feet, the occasional spark of electricity dancing over the glistening plates of the men's armor.

They were all groaning, and still appeared to be conscious.

"Wh-what did you do?" asked Aren, gingerly picking up her dagger, hissing as a static discharge leaped to her finger.

Aemilia shrugged as she collected her weapon. "Well, if they insist on wearing so much armor..."

I leaned over and prodded one of the guards; he groaned and shook, drooling slightly.

"You paralyzed them?" I asked.

Theia sighed as she patted down her hair, which had begun to stick up at the back. "It's her favorite technique."

Aemilia dusted herself down. "Of course. I don't even have to aim."

Once we were up, I glanced quickly about the area. "How long until it wears off?"

Aemilia blinked. "Wears off?"

I felt myself pale somewhat and we all shared a nervous glance as we set off after her.

Note to self: wear rubber soles around this girl.

"Don't let her scare you, it does wear off," said Theia, as she bent down to flatten down her cats' fur. The ginger female was purring with amusement, repeatedly shocking her frizzy, grumbling partner with one claw.

I felt slightly relieved that we hadn't just left two dozen roman troops a group of drooling paralytics.

"So they'll be all right?" asked Percy.

Theia stood back up and walked off after the other priestess. "Sure. They should start getting feeling back in the next couple of months."

"…Are all Roman demigods this scary?" I asked, glancing at my father.

He cocked his head. "Actually, compared to most, these two are quite subdued."

My entire body tensed up as I heard the telltale twang of a pair of bowstrings being loosed.

My body swung about, ready to dodge to the side.

Not aiming for me!

My body moved as fast as it could, though I knew there was nothing I could do as I summoned my own bow.

I shot one of the arrows clean out the air as I had done a hundred times before. The second arrow shot right in front of me, and I turned my aim after it, though I knew there was no way to stop it in time.

The projectile seemed to move in slow motion as it closed in on the back of Aemilia's neck.

And then it shattered, pretty much exploding in midair.

There was a clatter of wood as the arrow's remnants fell about us. Aemilia swung about towards the two archers who had remained on the edge of the square.

Her stormy grey eyes seemed to glisten with rage and a bolt of angry blue light caught the furthest away of the guards. The man was smashed against the building behind him and he fell limply to the floor.

I saw a flurry of robes out my peripheral vision as Theia drew a dagger from her robes and, with a flick of her wrist, sent it spinning through the air towards the other archer.

The soldier didn't have time to move as it pierced clean into the hand reaching back for another arrow, impaling it into the wooden structure behind him.

His scream filled the air as he desperately moved to pull it free and scrambled around into an alley, whimpering as he went.

Aren inclined her head. "Nice throw."

Theia smiled pleasantly. "Why, thank you. I've been practicing."

"Enough of this. We need to get out of here, now. They're only going to keep coming!" said my father, ushering us on. We didn't stop to argue as we hastily left the area to find a more secluded spot. I hesitated only to give a passing glance at the lone silver arrow embedded in the ground nearby.

-?-

The silhouetted figure of Zoë Nightshade let her bow shimmer into nonexistence as she watched the robed group below slip away. Her eyes drifted from the stranger she had fought earlier to the only other unhooded figured present: Hippolytus.

She was torn; but if it were true that the revelation the boy had made could in some small way hurt her goddess, then Zoë would do her utmost to protect her from it.

And so, as she often did with her worries and insecurities when around Lady Diana, so as not to worry her with them, she packaged up the memory in her head, bound it tightly, and buried it deep within the dark recesses of her mind.

It would be another lifetime before that memory would be called back.

"Zoë."

The Huntress gave a slight start as she turned to find Diana standing mere feet away from her.

Zoe immediately bowed her head. "My lady."

The goddess inclined her head slightly in response and strolled calmly forward, casting a brief glance down into the square. "You made it quite a chore to catch up with you."

Zoë bowed her head again. "My deepest apologies, my lady. I would've been more vigilant had I known my actions would cause you an inconvenience."

Diana shook her head slightly, lips twitching. "Put it out of your mind, Zoë. We were merely concerned for you. We heard you signal us."

Zoë blinked, confusion flashing over her features. "I did?" she muttered as an echo of a memory came to her. "…Yes, I suppose I did. I'm sorry to have worried you."

The goddess narrowed her eyes ever so slightly at her lieutenant. "Did something happen, Zoë? Did you discover what it was that I asked you to investigate?"

Zoë's gaze drifted down to the square below and was silent for a long minute. Slowly she shook her head. "I'm sorry, my lady... I didn't find anything."

Diana looked at her inquisitively for a second. After a pause, she turned and headed off back across the roof. "Very well. Come along..."

"Yes, my lady."

"And, Zoë..."

"Yes, Lady Diana?"

"What were you doing up on the roof?"

"I have absolutely no idea."

-A-

We came to a halt in a dark, secluded back alley.

Percy gave a quick glance around. "Looks like the coast is clear."

Aren nodded. "Time to go then, at last."

I pulled out the glowing shard and passed a glance at the others.

Percy turned to Aemilia and Theia. "You two may want to stand clear."

"No," I said suddenly.

"No what?" asked Percy.

I looked at the two Roman demigods. "We can't leave them behind."

Percy blinked, "Are you insane?"

I sighed. "If I had a drachma for every time I heard that..."

"Percy makes a good point," said my father seriously. "You can't just take people out of the past."

I turned to Theia and Aemilia. "Let me ask you: if we leave you here in Rome, what will happen to you?"

Theia and Aemilia exchanged looks. "We wouldn't remain,"said Theia. "At best we'd be forced into exile to avoid execution."

"No more smoked salmon?"mewed the black cat.

"No more fish, period. It's going to be common rat from here on out,"replied the tabby mournfully, causing him to give a heartbroken mrrrow.

"To be fair, there was no historical record of any priestesses being accused of Caesar's assassination." I mused.

"Are you trying to justify this?" sighed Aren.

I switched momentarily back to English. "No, Aren. I'm saying that our intervention has effectively destroyed their lives. If they get caught, they'll be executed; and if not, they'll have to live the rest of their lives in hiding. Their lives as priestesses are effectively over. I also made a promise to a friend that I'd keep them safe."

Aren sighed and wiped her forehead. "You're incorrigible, you know that?"

I smiled warmly for her, which she responded to by blushing and glancing away, muttering under her breath.

I turned back to Aemilia and Theia. "Okay, here are your options: You can stay here in the past and take your chances, or come with us a few thousand years into the future. By then things should have, hopefully, blown over."

Theia looked down. "I don't know. I may not have any family, but all of my other friends-"

"What other friends?" interrupted Aemilia. "Your only friends are me, two cats and crazy janitor from the future!"

Theia looked up. "So you admit I'm your friend, then?"

"Oh, don't start..."

I flipped the shard. "Alright then, so I guess it's settled: we're taking you with us, back to the…umm…back to where we came from."

Aemilia and Theia each picked up one of the cats as I gripped the shard firmly. "Here goes..."

I slashed out at nothing and was greeted again by a glowing tear in the air in front of us, illuminating the dank alley.

The cats hissed and Aemilia took a hesitant step away. "So, how does this work?"

I looked back at her and smiled reassuringly. "Just click your heels and think of Kansas."

Aemilia looked blankly back. "Of where?"

I looked back into the vortex and sighed, "Oh, Apollo's going to have a field day with you..."

Aren crouched and got ready to jump. "Just empty your minds and we'll do the rest."

"I'm sure Theia can do that..." muttered the daughter of Jupiter just loud enough for the other priestess to hear.

"Let's go," said the Huntress with a tired sigh as she led the two priestesses into the gap, Percy jumping in after them.

I looked sidelong at my father. "Ready?"

"Zoë's dead, isn't she?" He asked suddenly, and I froze to the spot.

I looked into the bright light until my eyes hurt. "…She is."

My father was silent as he took it in, but judging by how quiet he had been for the past while, he had probably been absorbing it for some time. "I see."

"How long have you known?" I asked.

I saw him hang his head. "To be honest? As soon as I saw Aren's reaction. Even when she lies, that girl's reactions have always been incredibly honest."

I smiled. "That's certainly true."

He was quiet for a moment. "How did it happen?"

I paused to consider how to respond. "I think it best I leave my mother to answer that one, but from what I've heard she went out well, defending her goddess, fighting for the future of the entire world."

He smiled sadly. "That's good to hear."

I rested a hand on his shoulder and took a calming breath, striding into the light with him by my side. "Come along, father. Time to go home..."

To be concluded…