Chapter 11
My two sides collide.
"Friends of yours?" Cato teased.
"Shut up." I snapped.
I turned to see one very angry teenage girl stalking towards us. Her blonde hair was pulled up in a ponytail like usual. She was wearing her bright orange Camp Halfblood T-shirt. I could see her drakon bone sword out ready for a fight. I already knew she had ten clay beads on a necklace around her neck. I could already sense the fury in her slate gray eyes.
The boy running beside her with curly black hair and an orange Camp Halfblood shirt was none other than Percy Jackson. The girl was my best friend Annabeth Chase and she looked ready to kill me. I was screwed.
"Should I just leave it to you?" Cato asked.
"Yes." I sighed.
Annabeth finally reached us. She smacked me upside the head.
"What were you thinking!" Annabeth demanded. She punched me in the gut.
"Do you know how stupid and reckless that was? How close you were to getting killed?"She continued.
While I was doubled over she swept me off my feet by kicking my leg. I hit the ground hard. I managed to roll onto my back with a groan.
Annabeth offered me a hand. I accepted it and she helped me off the ground. Annabeth isn't bipolar this just means she really cares about you and you've done something incredibly stupid. I've seen her do this to Seaweed Brain a lot. Once I was on my feet she pulled me into a tight hug.
"You had me worried sick. When Chiron told me you were missing." She mumbled.
"It's okay Annabeth. I'm fine. It's okay. I got rid of the bad guy." I told her, hugging her back.
"Now please explain how The Little Tiber wiped out an army?" Percy asked.
Cato chuckled as he looked at Percy. I elbowed him in the ribs.
"Don't you have Senator duties to attend to or getting your butt chewed out by Reyna?" I snapped, glaring at him.
"I think she's a little busy currently. So please continue how exactly did The Little Tiber flood the battlefield?" Cato teased.
"Don't think I won't kick your podex later." I snarled. All three of them looked at me curiously.
"Did she just say what I think she said?" Percy asked, looking at the others confused.
"She just swore at me in Latin." Cato finished.
"Technically calling you a butt isn't swearing," I argued.
"Alright out with it Lamia, what did you do in your absence?"
Annabeth demanded impatiently, her gray eyes turning stormy.
"Got claimed by a goddess," I mumbled, looking at my feet. Annabeth glared at me.
"Speak up." She huffed.
"I got claimed by a goddess!" I blurted.
"But I thought you were going for a god?" Percy asked.
"I was. He will never claim me though because of some stupid promise he made to my mother." I huffed.
"Which goddess?" Annabeth asked cautiously.
I couldn't help but chuckle. I couldn't help but tease her a little.
"Yes, I'm related to Hera." I teased. Percy laughed.
"Be serious." Annabeth sighed. But I could tell she was slightly amused by that.
"Hestia. Well, Vesta claimed me because I'm her great granddaughter." I explained. Percy's jaw dropped. He looked me curiously.
"I don't see the family resemblance." He blurted. Annabeth rolled her gray eyes.
"So who's he?" Annabeth asked gesturing to Cato. He feigned offense.
"I can't believe you don't see the resemblance." He scoffed.
I could tell he was just teasing her. Annabeth studied the pair of us for a few minutes.
"You never told me you had a brother." Annabeth finally said.
"Cato Argo Smith, soon to be full senator of the fifth cohort." Cato greeted.
"Soon to be?" Annabeth asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Let me guess you were also unclaimed." Percy inquired.
"Check. Not anymore." Cato nodded.
"Congrats who's your father?" Percy asked, holding his hand out to Cato.
"Your favorite god." I teased. Percy hesitantly pulled his hand back.
"There's so many to pick from." Annabeth quipped.
"The first god to hate your guts," I added.
"Ares?" He guessed.
"No the other one." I laughed.
"Zeus?" He guessed.
"Correct except it's Jupiter," Cato responded, shaking Percy's hand.
"So how much trouble am I in when I go back?" I asked Annabeth.
"Wait you're going back? I thought you were staying here?" Cato asked. He sounded surprised.
"Compromise?" I suggested.
"Spend the summer in camp halfblood spend the rest here with him?" Annabeth asked.
"Are you sure you can't read my mind?" I teased her.
"How about we talk about this more later," Cato suggested.
"Deal." I nodded.
"I don't know how much trouble you're in all I know is he knew where you were the minute you disappeared. He decided against sending someone after you." Annabeth finally explained.
"I can feel the love. Then why are you here?" I asked.
"Because she informed Chiron she was leaving and wasn't returning until she found you." Percy smiled, he flashed Annabeth a grin.
"Thank you, Annabeth," I replied hugging her again.
"You'd do the same for me, Lamia." She chuckled, hugging me back.
"So now what to do?" I asked Cato.
"Well, I have to go help with all the attackers. I know it's hard but try to keep her out of trouble while I'm busy." Cato teased. I elbowed him.
"I don't think we ever went on that quest to prove ourselves," I remarked.
"Oh yeah, we'll have to do that another time. Oh, wait we're already claimed." Cato teased.
"Get going senator." I laughed.
"Someone gotta keep Octavian on his toes." Cato chuckled walking away.
"Octavian on his toes?" Annabeth asked.
"Octavian is the butthead behind the whole war last summer." Percy quipped.
"Wrong! Hera was behind that whole disaster. Octavian was just the idiot who decided he didn't need to listen to Reyna's orders and went right ahead with attacking Camp Halfblood." I corrected.
"Same old same old?" Percy asked.
"Just like he was described in everyone's stories." I chuckled. "So what do you want to do while we wait?"
"Why don't you start with the amulet still on fire and the toga you're wearing," Annabeth suggested.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." I laughed.
"Try us." Annabeth challenged.
"Okay."
And I told them all of it.
So apparently I didn't take long to round up the fleeing attackers or Reyna figured centurions had it under control. I wouldn't leave Octavian alone with the centurions and possibly hundreds of prisoners but that's just me.
I was standing outside the Principia waiting for Cato to finish getting his lecture from Reyna. Except I wasn't alone. I was being lectured by Annabeth.
"Do you know how dangerous for an unclaimed demigod to go out on her own?" Annabeth demanded. Crap I wasn't paying attention to her lecture.
"Very, that's why they send only claimed demigods on quests so they can have assistance from their godly parent," I answered.
I won another glare from Annabeth. I don't think I was making this easy for her. I knew exactly what I did when I did it and I know the consequences for it. I knew exactly why unclaimed demigods weren't allowed to leave camp. I think my correct answers were proving to her I didn't act rashly. I put lots of thought into my plans.
Percy had disappeared under the excuse he had people he wanted to see before we left. I didn't tell him that Jason, Frank, and Reyna were all inside the Principia.
"Do you know how dangerous it was for you to run off alone? You could've been killed by monsters!" Annabeth demanded.
"Could've? I almost was." I scoffed. Bad choice of words.
"What!" Annabeth demanded.
Well, I guess now I have to defend myself now.
"One I wasn't alone for most of this. Two I said almost got killed by a monster. A fury to be specific. If it wasn't for my traveling partner I would've died in Wyoming." I argued. Annabeth raised an eyebrow at me.
"Who were you traveling with?" She asked.
"He upheld his end of the deal so I'll uphold mine. I won't reveal him." I responded, bouncing on the balls of my feet.
"Out with it. You're holding back info." Annabeth huffed.
"You don't know that." I retorted.
"You're bouncing on the balls of your feet and holding your hands behind your back. You're also smirking at me. All signs point to your holding back info. You do this all the time to Chiron." Annabeth explained.
Dang it! She knows me too well.
"All he did was help me to camp Jupiter. The rest of this journey had nothing to do with him." I answered. Annabeth looked at me for a minute like she could will the answer out of me. Luckily she doesn't have charmspeak, she's the daughter of Athena.
"What you don't care that two furies came after me? And that was just the beginning." I asked acting offended.
"Two?" Annabeth asked. Her gray eyes widened.
"Yep and hellhounds," I answered proudly. Okay, small lie. I never actually saw the hellhounds I just remember Nico saying that we had incoming hellhounds before we got out of there. But Annabeth didn't need to know about that.
I heard the door to the Principia open and turned away before she could respond. Cato walked out with Jason. Jason had an arm around him and was laughing. Cato seemed to be trying to explain something to him. Jason patted him on the back at the bottom of the stairs and turned back around to join Frank at the top with Reyna. Cato smiled when he saw me and joined Annabeth and me.
I looked up at Reyna who was studying me curiously. Then she switched her gaze to Cato before returning to me. She smiled before heading back into the Principia. Jason and Frank followed her back in.
"
Let me guess. If she didn't figure it out beforehand she now definitely knows we're siblings." I quipped.
"She had her suspicions and I just confirmed them," Cato answered.
"So how much trouble you in?" I asked.
"Well, I don't know if she's trying to reward me or punish me. But Octavian must've done something to get on her bad side in our absence." Cato chuckled.
"Oh?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"I have to spend the next week cleaning Octavian's altar. That means cleaning up all the loose stuffing and debris. I also have to inventory all the stuffed bears he has." Cato explained. He was desperately trying not to laugh.
"What happened to the Romans are unforgiving and I wouldn't last a day here?" I teased.
"As I said. I don't know who she's punishing. Because I for one will enjoy my quality time with the furry ax murder." Cato smiled.
"Why are you spending quality time with Octavian?" Percy asked, walking up.
"Because either Reyna thinks that it is punishing to Cato or Octavian is the one being punished and it just has to look like she's punishing Cato," I answered with a smirk.
"Senators aren't supposed to escape with their Greek sisters I presume?" Percy teased.
"Obviously not. She's ticked. But I think she restrained herself for Jason and Frank." Cato explained. I laughed.
"What about me?" I asked him.
"Welcome to the fifth cohort, Lamia Smith. You will no longer be on probatio as soon as she gets it organized." Cato smiled.
"Speak English." I groaned. What irritated me, even more, was I saw Percy give Cato a knowing smile.
"The worst part will be Octavian having to touch you." Percy quipped.
"Cato!" I demanded impatiently.
"As soon as the dust settles and she gets the fall out of this attack sorted out she will have us marked in front of the senate," Cato explained.
"What do you mean marked?" I asked. I heard Percy chuckled and he held out the inside of his right wrist.
"This is being marked. You can only get it after being claimed and proving yourself to the camp." Percy explained.
"But I haven't proven myself yet," I argued. Cato put an arm around me and guided me away.
"Don't worry. I have to go put on my toga before you prove yourself my little fireball." He whispered once we were out of hearing range.
"How the?" I asked.
"Next time don't take on your arch enemy at the top of the hills of camp Jupiter. Some of the campers and Frank spotted a girl who was giving off small flames." Cato quietly teased. I elbowed him.
"I don't know if I could do it again." I sighed rubbing my arm awkwardly. My amulet pulsed in protest.
"Your jewelry dares to disagree." Cato chuckled.
"Get going senator. I'll start heading that way." I teased.
"It's a closed session. Only select people allowed." He added.
"Let me guess the chosen one is invited." I huffed.
"Correct, and his girlfriend, and Sapphira, and Hazel." Cato smiled. He walked towards the fifth cohort barracks.
I saw Frank and Jason hustle out of the Principia and go their separate ways. Frank booked it for the fifth cohort barracks and Jason went into a different building. Suddenly there was a small rush of demigods going into the different cohorts.
"What's with the sudden burst of activity?" Annabeth asked walking up to me.
"Reyna is calling a closed Senate meeting," I responded heading out of the camp.
"Are you a senator?" Percy asked raising an eyebrow at me. Annabeth chuckled following his line of sight to my outfit. I completely forgot I was wearing a white toga still.
"Long story. I got claimed like Piper." I sighed. Annabeth smiled at me looking ready to burst out laughing.
"I presume since your brother headed for the fifth cohort barracks you're also in the fifth cohort?" Percy asked.
"Correct. Why does that matter currently?" I questioned.
Annabeth took off her backpack and started digging. I sighed at the loss of my backpack and weapons. I lost them when I was claimed. Annabeth pulled out an orange t-shirt and a pair of denim shorts.
"We took these from your chest before leaving camp," Annabeth explained handing me them.
It was my camp halfblood shirt.
"Also." Annabeth smiled opening a small side pouch in her backpack and pulled out a necklace with four beads.
"Nico gave this to me. before we left." Annabeth responded handing me it.
"When did you arrive at camp halfblood?" I asked.
"The Monday after you ran away," Annabeth answered.
I have to admit I'm pretty impressed at Nico's ability to get from one side of the country to the other so quickly. I slipped it on.
"I'll be right back," I told Annabeth before running for the fifth cohort barracks.
All three boys turned their backs so I could change while they were changing. Togas are apparently more complicated than I originally assumed. By the time I was out of mine and into the clothes Annabeth gave me Cato had gotten his on and was helping Dakota untangle his limbs and head from the mass of white material. Frank in the struggle to get his on managed to hit his head off one of the bunks. I laughed before leaving.
At the rate they were going we'd beat all three of them there.
Annabeth and Percy were waiting right where I left them.
"Quite the sight isn't it?" Percy teased raising an eyebrow.
"Excuse me?" I asked scowling at him.
"Dakota stuck in his toga?" Percy asked.
I bit my tongue to keep my jaw from dropping. How on earth did he know that?
"Remember Lamia I did go here for a little bit. I do remember my time here." Percy chuckled. Annabeth smiled at the pair of us.
"So was Frank." I quipped before walking towards the exit. Percy chuckled. Annabeth quickly caught up with me.
"I presume you'll finally be able to return the favor when we get to camp." Annabeth smiled.
"What favor?" I asked curiously. I couldn't think of any favor I owed her.
"You certainly have tales to tell of your adventure," Annabeth responded elbowing me. I laughed. For the first time in days, I felt at peace as we walked towards the Senate building.
We sat in the front row closest to the senate. Reyna was there talking with Jason. Octavian was sitting in his seat observing everyone else. He keeps looking at Reyna like he was waiting for her to explain why he was there. Reyna finally turned away from Jason and took her seat. Jason smiled at me and gave me an encouraging nod. He took his seat next to Reyna.
Most of the senators had already arrived. I had to chuckle when Frank rushed in with Cato shoving Dakota ahead of him. They rushed down the stairs and took their seats at the other end of the table. Frank straightened his toga and Dakotas had a few red spots. If I remembered correctly Dakota loved red Kool Aid.
Reyna looked around the table doing a mental attendance list it seemed. Hazel slipped in holding Sapphira's hand. She leads the girl down the stairs and sat a few chairs away from us. Hazel smiled and waved at us. Sapphira tapped on her arm and Hazel whispered something to the girl.
"May I have your attention?" Reyna announced. Everyone turned to her waiting for further instruction.
"It has been brought to my attention that something the Roman Empire lost centuries ago has been recovered and brought back to us. Lamia Smith, please step forward." Reyna announced.
For once in my life, I didn't want everyone looking at me. I didn't even know if I could do it again. Annabeth squeezed my hand reassuringly before releasing me. I remembered I was wearing my camp halfblood t-shirt in front of a bunch of Romans. I was flaunting my Greek heritage right in front of them. That couldn't be a good thing.
I managed to get to my feet and approach the senators. It was all I could do to keep my knees from shaking. What was wrong with me! I never get nervous! Reyna flashed me a small smile. Octavian glared at me from his seat. Reyna nodded at me to reveal the fire.
I clasped the amulet with my right hand and closed my eyes searching for the flame I had earlier. The amulet pulsed under my hand coming to life with its own heartbeat. I'm pretty sure it lit up and light streamed between the cracks in my fist. I felt it warm up and the warm feeling spread through my body. I saw more memories pass through my closed eyes.
But this time they weren't mine. I saw an older woman present the amulet to a young woman. And much more visions of the amulet being passed from woman to woman. The only one that was different was the last one. There was a frail woman who looked ready to die. A man presented her with a baby wrapped in a pink blanket.
"I wish you luck Laelia." The woman wheezed unclasping the amulet from her neck and placing it in the small babies out reaching hands.
Suddenly understanding washed over me. I smiled and let all my emotions loose.
The fire feeds on different materials than regular fire. I left out a sigh as I let it all loose and pour into the amulet. I felt every muscle in my body relax. I released all the emotions I've held in for years. The good and the bad mixed together and I unclasped my hand from the amulet.
When I did fire poured out of the amulet following my hand. I conducted the fire to form a small hall fire in my hands before shutting off my amulet. Everyone in the room just stared at me. Reyna was the first to act. She bowed to me.
"Legacy of Vesta."
All the other senators followed suit saying the same thing. Annabeth, Percy, Hazel, and Sapphira were also bowing. I swallowed my discomfort. I wasn't used to people bowing to me. I'm nothing. I'm no one. I don't deserve to be bowed to. My fear and self-consciousness filled my body and the fire dimmed.
It faded until nothing was there anymore. I scrambled to keep it alive but the fire died in my hands. My mind was scrambling to reconstruct the walls around my emotions before anyone could see me completely vulnerable. By the time everyone stood back up I was standing there frozen. I sighed. This wasn't going to be easy.
"She can't be related to a Roman god she's a Greek!" Octavian finally exclaimed.
I'd been waiting for him to comment about that. I couldn't help but smile at him. He wasn't going to take the truth very well. Reyna gave him the look and he piped down.
"I want you all to have an open mind for what I have to tell you next," Reyna announced giving all the senators a look as if daring them to oppose her.
"Lamia is related to Vesta. She's her great granddaughter. Her father, on the other hand, will forever be unknown for he swore never to claim her. Her father is a Greek god. So Lamia is the first demigod to share lineage with both Rome and Greece." Reyna explained.
So Cato told her all of it in their meeting. Great.
"She also is the bearer of the flame of Vesta. Tonight we will celebrate as we return the flame to its proper home. Now we will reconvene in a short bit. We have two demigods to officially welcome into our ranks." I could've sworn I saw Reyna smile at Cato and then me.
"Dismissed!" She announced. The senators started filing out. Cato approached me wearing a huge smile.
"How much more official does my welcome have to be?" I huffed crossing my arms.
Jason approached us and put an arm around me.
"Anyone who can so easily crawl under Octavian's skin is welcome here." Jason chuckled.
"So I presume my absence and now the attack has extended our schedule for the shift of power?" Cato asked Jason.
"I don't know. I had hoped to be gone by my birthday. I may just end up visiting camp halfblood for a few days." Jason sighed.
"What transfer of power?" I asked, looking at Cato.
"As you probably already know Jason gave his praetorship to Frank. Well, I needed to be claimed before I could take Frank's place and become full senator." Cato explained.
"And what does that make me?" I teased, elbowing him.
"A demigod." He retorted, with a big smile.
"So are you excited?" Annabeth asked walking up.
"To be marked and then give Chiron another reason to lecture me? Sure." I replied sarcastically. Percy smiled.
"Cato!" A female voice squealed.
I saw a flash of purple and heard Cato grunt. Sapphira had managed to tear away from Hazel and nearly tackled Cato.
"Did you defeat the bad guy?" She asked excitedly. Cato chuckled.
"No Saph, I didn't defeat the bad guy. My sister defeated the bad guy all on her own."
Sapphira looked at me in awe before turning to hug me. "Thank you for saving us," Sapphira told me.
"You're welcome Sapphira." I chuckled hugging her back.
"Are you staying?" She inquired.
"Not currently Sapphira. But I'll be back and I'll stay for part of the year." I told her.
"Awesome! Another girl!" Sapphira squealed jumping up and down.
I smiled and raised an eyebrow at Cato. He gave me a look as if to say don't ask me.
"Alright, Sapphira that's enough." Hazel chuckled walking up.
I looked at the senator table. Reyna and Octavian were in a heated debate over something. Frank was slowly making his way away from Reyna and towards us. I chuckled. Frank went to talk to Hazel and I turned back to the others. What a dysfunctional family I now have.
