Beta reader: Dreisie

Author: RapunzelInTheSnow

Rating: T Because of reasons like angst and drama involving demigods with claws.

Disclaimer: I'm not Rick Riordan. I don't own Percy Jackson just my OC's Tigris, Luca, Jack, Toby and random cabin people. Also the chimera.

Seriously. Own Percy Jackson I do not.

As sunset made its way towards the end of the road, I felt a spark of anger flare into life. Who the hell is this person riding the chariot?

While I'd never seen it, I know that it's my father's. He might not be a great guy, but he was family, and I was going to kick hijacker butt when I got out of this damn strawberry van.

Connor screeched to a halt. "There. They're up ahead. Can you run that fast?"

I slid open the door and glared. "Watch me." I ran faster than I had when the chimeras hot on my trail, angrier than ever. Everyone doubted my loyalty to the camp and my father, and it was royally annoying. I mean, I went to the damn camp, I saw my father without strangling him for the lack of support or visits (although I sassed him) and I took up this quest knowing it would lead to my death. I began to feel the flare build up to an inferno of rage.

I was Tigris Matthews. I was a demigod who had survived without help. I was strong, and they thought me so weak willed as to abandon a quest? They could stuff that thought and serve it on a Sunday!

The chariot was in car form – a rather ostentatious sports car, obviously Daddy Dearest's choice rather than the driver's, and I grabbed the door, intending to rip it off to reach the driver before I looked at him.

I saw him, strapped to the seat, terrified and bound with thick ropes, and felt very cold all of a sudden. I collapsed as he started to cry, clutching the door like a lifeline.

He's the boy I'd seen in my dreams.

Once he was untied (by Jack, I could hardly move) he began to sob out his story. He was seven years old. He had been caught by a sleepy lady (his words) and tied to the car. It had hurt him, but he was somehow able to control it. He'd driven it back and forth for about two weeks. Every sunset the sleepy lady came with food.

Only last night she hadn't come and the little boy had been cold, frightened and alone. Not to mention hungry. When he'd seen me in all my tiger fury, he'd thought he was about to die.

"I was not going to kill you," I sputtered out, and he hugged my waist.

"I know! My name's Luca Smithson. What's yours?" he asked, little blond locks falling into his eyes as he looked up brightly. He had deep amber eyes that looked like honey. I ruffled his head.

"Tigris Matthews. Sorry, but you were driving my dad's chariot. He's been a little off without it."

Luca looked up at me with a confused look. "But it's my dad's chariot."

I cuddled him protectively. "I know. I'm a child of Apollo as well." He flung his little arms around my neck and looked up at me with those big, honey coloured eyes.

"That's what the sleepy lady said I was. But if Apollo is your dad, what does that make you?"

I grinned at him as he ran his chubby little fingers along the scar on my face, seemingly fascinated by what I considered an ugly mark of battle.

"I'm your big sister." His eyes widened, although it scarcely seemed possible, and he clung to me suddenly. Jack coughed, apparently unnerved by the family scene.

"If we attach the chariot to the back of the van we can tow it back to camp." Connor's voice cut through the air sharply, revving the engine. I remembered the last lines with horrible certainty.

When the child with the sun you will find

You will save him with your sacrifice.

I clutched at Luca suddenly as his grip on me tightened. Both of us seemed to be able to sense something wrong, as Connor and Jack hitched the sun chariot to the back of the van. I wanted to shout out and warn them but it was like one of those horrible dreams where you can't move. I tried again and again to speak, before Luca screamed in fear as a wind whipped up a dust cloud. A woman's face appeared, smiling drowsily.

So you took the bait, little tiger. Her smug face was terrifying Luca, and I felt myself suddenly freed. "JACK! CONNOR!" I screamed. The sound of the van driving struck a sickening panic in my gut. They wouldn't… They might drive away without me if pressed, but surely not without a seven year old demigod?

Vines ripped through the dust cloud and the woman's face disappeared. Oh, but she wasn't done yet. The vines began to rot and crinkle, and Jack fell to the ground, shuddering like he was having a seizure. I tried to run to him and the dust poured into Luca's screaming mouth. He began to cough, and I felt tears sting my eyes.

"LEAVE THEM ALONE!" I screamed, and felt a weird tug in my gut. A growling voice spoke from me.

"Darkness and destruction have no place here. The new queen rules now, Dirt Queen." It was insulting and threatening, warning the woman like a poker player might warn his opponent in all good humour, or a shark warn a human to come no closer. A series of white spots began to creep around in front of my eyes. Lazy laughter drifted from the gathering dust.

What can you do? Heal me until I beg for mercy? Spout prophecies until my ears bleed?

Luca choked a little as Jack shook on the ground and I cursed Connor Stoll for abandoning us, although I knew this Dirt Witch probably had something to do with it. I let my anger pour into my entire being and the white dots blinded me, searing heat burning along my arms and legs.

DUNDUNDUUUUUUNN! Cliffhanger, hope you like adventures so far. It won't end after the quest is completed, never worry…

Or maybe it will (evil laughter).

Snow out!