He pulled her after him after they had crawled out of the room, past broken tables and overturned furniture. They got outside away from the mess inside and ran for cover, campers were charging out from different sides of the cabin in search of weapons. They ran for the armory and to their cabins to retrieve what they needed while other stopped and stored at the cabin, looking for the threat. It emerged from the dust, menacing and ugly with sharp horns a furry chest and fruit of the loon underwear. But it wasn't the Minotaur that worried her it was the lastrigonian giants the followed it. Three of them, towering over them. The remaining campers scrambled backward, someone was ordered to find the councilors while others were instructed to get as far away as they could.

She had realized early on in her stay at the camp that not everyone was suited to be a warrior. Her ears were ringing and she felt a hand on her shoulder she looked over her shoulder to see Derek shaking her shoulder insistently and mouthing something to her, no he was talking to her but his words were drowned out by the ringing. She listened closer trying to push the ringing away

"What?" she asked painting at her ears, her looked at her, worried, and placed his hands on either side of her neck and slid them up till they were touching her ears. His thumbs grazed her jaw as his fingers ran up the back of her ears, he leaned closer and spoke loud ad slow.

"Are you okay" He asked, he pulled back and looked at her intently, she nodded reassuring then gestured towards the monsters emerging from the other side of the Cabin.

"I'VE GOT TO GO!" She yelled, Derek shook his head.

"NO, YOUR BROTHER CAN HANDLE THIS" He replied, grabbing hold of her hand gently. Familiar images flashed through her mind, dead campers, her brother included. She was shaking her head now too.

"NO, NO I NEED TO HELP!" She argued. He looked reluctant but there was something else in his eyes that she couldn't place, conflict? she wondered.
He squeezed her hand before nodding and letting it go

"COME WITH ME!" He yelled, Skye shook her head and looked back to the Minotaur. She felt Derek's hand grab hers again and tug her away, She reluctantly followed him as they hurriedly crept towards the cabins.

Once inside the Apollo cabin Derek ran for his room, Skye unpinned the bow clip she had put in her hair before they left for the party and unlatched the chain from around her neck. She pressed them where Leo had shown her and they Expanded into their full sizes, She slung the quiver over her shoulder and adjusted the strap and tested the sting of her bow. Derek emerged from his room wearing his bronze plated armor over the outfit he had already been wearing for the party. He had a beautiful bronze sword in one hand and a shield clipped to the back of his Armor.

"Okay come on" He said ushering her to the door.

"Hey I've been waiting for you pal, Not the other way around" Skye replied, relieved her hearing was clearer, the ringing had dulled to a faint hum. She pulled her hair up into a ponytail and tied it up tightly. Derek watched her and chuckled when she glared back at him.

"What now?" She asked, annoyed. He didnt answer, instead he opened the door and stepped aside.

"Ladies first" He said, bowing slightly. Skye rolled her eyes and stepped out, together they ran back down the path to the Aphrodite cabin where campers in armor had gathered to battle the beasts, the number of monsters had increased in the few minutes they were gone. The three lastrigonian giants were now accompanied by several Cyclopes's and two gorgons.

"Shit" She heard Derek whisper as they assessed the situation, The cyclops's seemed to be losing against a strong pack of Ares kids commanding the Children of Hephaestus and Apollo. The lastrigonians were being handled by The children of Athena and Hermes, and the Minotaur was nowhere to be seen. Skye scanned her surroundings, she saw some campers being herded in the other direction by the children of Aphrodite and Demeter.

"Where's Percy?" She asked Derek. He was shaking his head n confusion

"Im not sure they should be here by now" He sad looking toward the big house.

"We cant wait" Skye said before Running into the battle. She heard Derek call out to her but continues, lining up arrows as she ran towards the group of giants. She hit the first in the Neck, causing it to shriek in pain and swipe out at the campers trying to get in close enough to stick it with their Celestial bronze weapons. Skye lined up another shot and released, watching the arrow as she ran. It sailed on course straight the the monsters left eye, it screamed in a painful rage then burst into dust (I haven't read the books in a while but i'm fairly sure this would kill it because they are celestial bronze arrows and it was already weak from the Athena/ Hermes children's attacks.)

The campers didn't hesitate to move on to their next target, assisting their sibling with taking down the next beast, Skye loosed a few arrows into them but they seemed to have it handled. Most of the cyclops's had been taken down too, she noticed as she looked around. She found Derek fighting sword to club against one and moved towards him to help, he was doing exceptionally well considering the cyclops was twice his size and the smell it gave off made Skye want to drop her weapons to cover her nose. She Was half way towards him, watching as he parried another strike when she heard the voice that made her skin crawl

"You know what i want" She said eerily. Skye's hands flew to her head as a migraine washed over her "You know how to stop it" The Queen continued, increasing the pressure.

"You better decide fast" She said, then the pain vanished, Skye looked up and opened her eyes hesitantly to the scene in front of her, Derek had him back to her and was winning against the Cyclops, a few more strikes and it'd be done for but there was movement on the other side of him. Skye pushed to her feet trying to see the figure, growing larger, The Minotaur. It had circled round them and was heading straight for Derek who was to busy to notice, She couldn't call out to him because the Cyclops would knock him down, Skye ran flat out towards him, Time seemed to slow, her path extended, her nightmare was playing out in front of her.

No, she decided, this is not a dream its real life. She pushed herself to move faster and the distance changed, the Minotaur was mere feet from Derek who had just Struck the final blow against the Cyclops. But Skye was closer, as the beast lowered its horns to charge its prey and Skye moved, throwing herself at Derek's body hard enough to knock him aside. She fell with him as the beast swept past and she bit her lip hard to stop from crying out when one of its horns sliced through her back.

Derek was the first to get to his feet and pull Skye up with him, he yanked a dagger from his belt and handed it to her. Skye thanked him with a curtesy nod, teeth dug firmly into her lip as she struggled to straighten herself. The Minotaur had continued it's path for a few feet and now stood, pawing the ground a short distance away. Derek swung his sword and stepped forward to fave the beast, Skye looked at the path she had taken in search for her fallen weapons. She wasn't sure when but she had let them both go along the track. There was a shimmer in front of the monsters hoofs and Skye growled. She stepped up beside Derek and claimed her fighting stance

"I need my Bow" She said calmly.

"Yes, Your highness" Derek bowed, smirking at her with his sideways glance.

The beast charged first but Derek easily sidestepped its attack, Skye dodged the other way and made a move for her weapons. She ran for them as the beast turned around and started to charge again, it pawed the ground and roared angrily. She turned around in time to see Derek get knocked aside by a powerful blow from the Minotaur's massive Arms, it was running directly for her when she got to the bow. She fished an arrow from he quiver and pulled back releasing it quickly, it struck the beast above its left brow and cried own. Skye pulled another back, further this time and tears filled her eyes as the slice in her back opened more at the movement. She released it and the arrow stuck deeper this time but it still only hit near the left eye, missing my an inch. There was no time to notch another as the beast approached Skye swung her bow around and used it to knock the bulls head upwards after his horns had initially sliced into her calf. The beast stumbled, off balance and Skye struck, plunging the dagger into its chest. She twisted the blade and it cried out in pain then stepped backward and swayed, she pushed it backwards with a kick to its gut. The effort made her grind her teeth together but she managed to scramble backwards as it fell and exploded in a golden cloud.

Derek was running towards her when she looked up, she quickly covered her leg with her dress to hide her wound.

"Are you okay, did he get you?" Derek asked her hurriedly, Skye shook her head and looked over him. His Armour was battered up and his face was covered with dirt and dust, he had cuts up his arm from scraping against the stones of the path when the Minotaur shoved him aside. He seemed otherwise uninjured, She was relieved.

"Where to now?" She asked him, he was crouched just in front of her looking at the battle still going behind her.

"We can lend a hand over there," Derek said pointing behind her, Skye turned to look but the movement tugged on her wound and she felt t tear further. Her vision darkened momentarily and a fresh coat of blood trickled town her back

"only one giant left that i can see" He continued weighing up who needed more assistance. Skye's vision returned as she blinked her eyes clear, Derek was staring worriedly at her when she looked back at him.

"Did he get you?" Derek asked again, more serious now. Skye blinked at him but her continued to stare, looking deep into her eyes. She turned away and pulled the fabric from where it rested over the fresh wound n her calf.

His eyes widened when he saw it and he shot her a disapproving look. He tore a length off her skirt and wrapped it tightly around the cut, Skye fingers dug into the ground and she squeezed her eyes tight.

"Your going to the med bay" He told her, standing himself up and leaning down to help her.

"Like hell." Skye replied, placing her hands in his. He pulled her up and watched as she put weight on the injured leg, she held back a wince and shifted her weight from foot to foot.

"See all good" She said smiling up at Derek. "My boots to the blunt of it and i don't need to run cause i can shoot from a distance" she reasoned.

Derek let go of her and leaned down to grab her weapon's. They made there way to the group fighting the giant, Derek moving slower to not leave her behind. Once close enough Derek left her and raced in to help, sword held high. The giant was going down fast and there were only two Cyclopes's left, Skye loosed a few arrows, alternating between targets each time. the giant burst to dust after someone hurled their spear into its throat. There was a scream and Skye head spun to the left where a camper had just been tossed into a cabin wall by the last remaining Cyclops. Skye moved forward, shooting as she got closer.

"EMMA!" she heard from her right, she released the arrow, missing the target and turned towards the voice. Carly was kneeling beside Emma who was laying flat out on the ground, She had her hands pressed firmly against her sister chest, blood flowing between her fingers. Skye felt the world slow around her, everything turning red.

"I warned you dear" a familiar voice said, Beside her stood the translucent figure of the queen herself. She wore a Greek gown with her blonde hair pinned up in extravagant braids.

"I gave you a chance" She said sadly. Tears welled in Skye's eyes as she watched in slow motion as Campers rushed to help stop the bleeding. Carly's face was red and streaked with tears, her hands remained where they were as campers searched for a makeshift stretcher to carry her on.

"I was leaving" Skye replied, "I was going to leave in the morning, You gave me two days!" Her voice rose as she spoke

"I'm not a patient woman" Cynthia replied. "So if you want the rest of your friends to live..." She trailed off, Skye turned back to her but she was gone, she heard howls in the distance and roars of monster's heading their way. She wanted to run and help with Emma who was being lifter onto a broken chunk of the front door from the Aphrodite cabin. She stepped back instead, stumbling on her injured leg. Her back was warm and she felt light headed but she stumbled further back. She didn't notice Derek approaching until he was right in front of her.

"SKYE" He yelled, trying to get her attention. She focused on him and time sped back up, The monster's were gone and campers were being carried to the med bay.

"Hey Skye c'mon" He said waving a hand in her face, she looked back at him and noticed a few new scratches on his face. His hands were on her face checking for signs of injury.

"I'm okay" Skye said wrapping her hands around his wrists "I'm fine, just dazed"

"Did you hit you head on anything" He asked gently feeling her scalp. She shook her head

"No, Maybe" She hesitated "I don't know, probably." She decided, Derek released his hold on her face and grabbed her hand, he moved himself so that Skye could lean on him.

"Come on," He said, placing her arm around his neck for support. "You need the med bay" he pulled her forward gently. She allowed him to help her walk to the med bay, she had lost sight of Carly and Emma. She stumbled over some rocks and braced herself, placing her hand against Derek's chest for support.

"Sorry" She mumbled, straightening up. She looked down to see what she had tripped on and noticed a line of red on the bottom of Derek's shirt. "Your Bleeding " She told him, halting where they were.

"It's fine, the cut just opened up when i was helping with the giant" he assured her "I probably ripped the stitches." He tried to move her forward but she remained where she was.

Skye unwound her arm from his neck and took a small step away.

"I should go find Will" She said looking towards the big house. Derek looked confused as she took another step away.

"What, not he's probably in the med bay already" Derek assured her stepping closer

"I dont think he is, you go check there and i'll look in the big house" Skye told him

"No Skye someone has to have a look at your leg."

"Derek, Emma's hurt bad. We need to be sure" His face fell

"What how, when?"

"A cyclops threw her against a Cabin and she looked really bad, Please" She begged "Go help with her and i'll look for will" Derek hesitated but Skye could see his worry, The triplets had been his closest friends long before she had arrived.

"Go," She urged him, "I'll meet you there"

"You better" He told her as he hesitantly turned to go, after a few feet his speed picked up and he ran to the Med bay in search of Emma.

Skye watched him go and headed towards the big house. In reality she knew Will was In the med bay, She had seen him running that way just after Cynthia had dissipated.

She swapped her Quiver back int a charm and threaded it onto the chain as she walked, she fixed it comfortably around her neck the clip for her bow had been placed back in her hair sometime between the Queen popping up and Derek arriving. She felt over its smooth surface as she walked, her head felt dull and her vision blurred but she continued onward.

Once past the Big house she continued until she arrived at the barrier, she passed through the gate and into the woods, ignoring the monstrous cries around her. Her head was heavy as she moved and she started to feel sluggish, the forest was dark but she managed to stay off the path. She was down the hill and over the road when she stumbled forward and crashed to the ground. Her back was warm and her vision was dark. She had trouble lifting her limbs but struggled to her feet anyway. She stood up straight and took a step.

"You've made the right choice" She heard as a shape moved in front of her "Just sleep" She heard as she was taken by the darkness.

"What happened?" Percy Asked frantically as he entered the Med bay.

"We were attacked" Leo said dully

"Obviously" Percy snapped "But how, the barrier"

"Was temporarily down" Hazel said entering behind them. Percy turned to her confused

"Why?" He asked stepping out off the path of some campers carrying an injured kid between them.

"When we were talking to the Gods we or they had to scythen some power from the fleece and the barrier to hold the connection" Hazel Explained.

Percy cursed and kicked the ground, his eyes scamming the room.

"Why didn't we hear any of this going on?" He asked her, concern and anger evident in his voice.

"The connection blocked out the outside world to stop anyone from eavesdropping" Hazel said. Percy nodded still searching the room, once he found his target he moved straight towards him.

"Will!" he called as he got closer. Will looked up but his hands kept moving, cleaning out a deep cut across someone's thigh. "Details?" He asked.

"Seven campers with minor lacerations, three with broken ribs, one broken leg, a fractured collarbone some minor head injuries but otherwise no critical cases."Will informed him, threading a needle to stitch up his patients leg.

"No deaths?" Percy asked cautiously. Will shook his head before getting back to work. Percy searched the room for familiar faces, Hazel was assisting with wrapping bandages around some stitched up wounds. Leo was entertaining some of the scared younger campers who didn't want to leave the safety of the med bay and their injured siblings. Piper was using charm speak to calm a camper with a broken leg who didn't want to sit still or let them touch his leg. Percy new where the others were to, Annabeth and frank had gone to check the boundaries to see where the monsters got in, Jason was flying up to see if there were anymore monsters heading there way and Nico and Thalia had left earlier that day. Thalia needed to get back to the hunters and had agreed to take Nico along until they reached new Rome, he had insisted he could shadow travel there in a minute but they agreed it would be a good idea for him to save his strength and get a good look at what was going on out there.

Percy was walking over to help Hazel when the doors to the cabin were thrown open and Campers shuffled through carrying a blonde girl on a chunk of broken wood. Derek came jogging in behind them instructing them what to do.

"Will, here!" He called waving to Will from beside Emma. They gently shifted her onto one of the beds, Carly stood on her other side with her hands pressed firmly against her sisters bleeding chest. Will Handed the needle to the patient he was stitching up, sutures half done and ran over, he motioned for someone to take over as he reached Emma's bed.

"Did anyone see what happened?" He asked as he took her pulse and checked her eyes.

"we were fighting a Cyclopes and she ducked to late." Carly told him "It knocked her back into a cabin wall, she hit it pretty Hard then fell a few feet." her face was red and she sniffed a few times, there were dark wet streaks down her face from where her tears had mixed with her make-up.

Will nodded along looking for any head injuries, his hand came away red after running it over the back of her skull. He moved quickly shoving gloves over his hands and gently shifting Carly to the side.

"Have you seen Skye?" Percy asked Derek who had moved out of the way for Will to work.

"She went to find Will, should be here in a minute" Derek sad, his face full of worry as he watched Will work on his friend.

"But Will's here" Percy replied,

"I know but she wanted to check the big house just in case, said she'd meet here afterwards. They were distracted by a cry of Pain when Piper helped pop in a campers dislocated shoulder.

"anything?" Annabeth asked as she approached Frank by the gates.

"yeah i think they came in Near the lake in the woods" He said. They had done a full perimeter search each taking a side and planning to meet back at the entrance.

"Makes sense there's a weak spot near where the maze used to be" Annabeth agreed, they started walking back into camp as they talked.

"why didn't they try to take the fleece or anything while they had a chance?" Frank asked, Annabeth shook her head, half in though.

"They couldn't if they tried" she replied.

"Right the Dragon" Frank remembered.

"But i doubt this was random" Annabeth continued, thinking out loud. "some one was waiting out there for a weak point."

"How would they know though,?" Frank asked as they walked through the door of the med bay.

"Who know what?" Leo asked joining the conversation.

"I'm pretty sure this was planned" Annabeth informed him as they moved out of the doorway.

"What the attack?" Leo asked fiddling with some scraps of metal in one hand.

"Yes, the attack and its not hard to figure out who organised it"

"The witch, but how would she even know?" Leo asked "i mean it not like we sent up a big signal to say Direct call to the Gods Via Camp Half Blood, warning shield and or magical items may be weakened or useless while call in progress, thank you have a good day" He said with wild hand gestures.

"I know Leo, but we dont know the extent of her powers and we dont know how she knows half the stuff she does so this is highly probable." Annabeth said. " need to go look into something, can you guys let everyone know we need another meeting"

"They probably already know" Leo said, Annabeth gave him a sharp look "But of course we will remind them, right Frank?" Leo asked Frank nodded and Annabeth left, muttering something in Latin.

"Well?!" Piper yelled to Jason as he lowered himself to the ground, he shook his head as he landed, planting his feet firmly on he ground.

"No unusual monster activity" He confirmed "and no sign of whoever led the attack"

"You think it wasn't random?" Piper asked

"No, definitely organised." he confirmed "But it was organised to look random i think"

"Why?"

"Who knows, We'll have to talk it over with the others they might have some ideas"

"You think it was her?" Piper asked "Cause i think it was."

"Yeah maybe, i dont know." Jason said. "If she had this chance to attack us, and she knows were a threat then why send such a small troop through?" He questioned, more to himself than anyone else.

"That's Annabeth's field" Piper replied

"Yeah, id assume we'll have another meeting today" Jason said "How's everything, any casualties?" Piper shook her hear but didn't smile.

"No, at least not yet." She said "Its minor injuries mostly but Emma, one of Hermes triplets" Piper Reminded him "Didn't look good when i left" Jason nodded sadly.

"And destruction wise?" He asked.

"What you couldn't see it from up there?" She asked gesturing to the sky.

"No its got dust and stuff surrounding it, makes it harder to tell whats destroyed or not."

"i only got a glimpse when we headed to the med bay but it doesn't look good."

"what now Mistress?" A squeaky voice asked from in the distance.

"Ugh don't talk so quietly" Cynthia Snapped pacing the room.

"My apologies" The Squeaky voice said stepping closer to be heard. "I just wondered what your plans were" it said speaking louder.

"You know im not going to tell you that" Cynthia growled, stopping in front of a glass table covered with maps and figurines.

"Yes but"

"No buts, Shree." The queen snapped "You do what i say when i say and don't ask questions, Remember?" She asked reminding the small creature of its place.

"Yes of course, your majestic highness" Shree said, bowing on its uneven legs.

"Good, now fetch me someone useful and finish your assignments" She ordered it, shooing it from the room. She went back to pacing, eyes on the battle plans she had drawn up.

"Your highness" A cool voice greeted from the doorway, Cynthia smiled and turned to it. "Oh Damian good, i need your assistance" she said waving him over as she moved back to her table.

"Anything" He replied calmly moving to her side.

"I'm giving you that job you wanted so bad."

"Thank you your-"

"If you finish a task" Cynthia said, cutting him off mid sentence"

"Of course" Damien nodded, not missing a beat.

"I have someone very important here that i need you to talk to" The queen explained "She's been brainwashed you see, and thinks me her enemy"

"Oh?" Damian replied

"Yes i know, it sad." Cynthia frowned "Could you be a darling and, re- educate her?" She asked kindly.

"At once" He said. Cynthia's face brightened and she clapped her hand together happily.

"Great she's just down the hall, oh and could you see to her wounds." She asked as an after thought "Poor thing was attacked trying to escape her captors."

Damien nodded and headed to get some medical supplies before heading to meet his new patient. As he left a dark, shadowy figure entered.

"Must you continue this reckless behavior" The tall dark figure asked Cynthia as it approached, she didn't bat an eye at it, instead she continued to gaze over her plans.

"It's Hardly Reckless" She retorted moving a small ornament to the other side of her map "You new quite well id come for the girl eventually"

"Yes but there were conditions to the deal" He reminded her, his deep voice rumbling. "You agreed not to harm any Demigods under the gods protection"

"I didn't" She argued.

"You attacked their camp, that under their protection" His voice stayed calm as he argued her Statement.

"It wasn't at the time"

"Let me remind you of the consequences of breaking a deal" the deep voice said, calm as a breeze. Cynthia's hands slammed on the table, stopping him short.

"NO!" she yelled. "I know The consequences, i know the deal." She said, finally turning to him "I also know that you swore you had no clue where she was" Cynthia said stepping towards him.

"In fact the last time i spoke to you you said that she was heading in the complete opposite direction"

"I am sometimes wrong, she was being blocked by powerful magic, hard to get a good read on her completely." The queen did not look satisfied with this answer. She huffed angrily

"Why are you here, What does he want?" She demanded.

"He wants The same as always."

"Like a broken record, no."

"Shall i repeat his warning?" He asked. Cynthia shook her head.

"No, i have it memorized" She answered "if that's then you can leave." Without a word he vanished.

"Ma'am?" A stern voice asked from the corner of the room

"Gracious how many more interruptions am i to deal with" Cynthia groaned as the owner of the voice stepped closer.

"Sorry, i can come back" He said

"Your here now, what do you want" she questioned.

"The girl we took for you" The man said "we have some questions" Cynthia gave him a warning look.

"And they would be?" she asked patiently.

"Why did you have us take her and not yourself, or one of your pets."

"Simple," She replied "Because i could, because i don't have to answer to you and because you have to do what i tell you."

"there has to be some reason why you couldn't get off your throne to take a simple girl" The man continued "You didn't even destroy the camp, where your enemies train so that they may defeat you" He argued, Cynthia let him ramble "Why do you want her anyway, we agreed to partner with you that means we want information"

"Do you?" she finally asked. "I'm sorry, your right im not that great at sharing. Here all the information you want is on this table." She said, her voice sweet and innocent, she stepped aside to allow him to gaze over her maps and the multiple books she had lying open over the table. He stepped forward confidently and immediately attached his eyes to the tables contents.

"Your names, Michael yes?" She asked sweetly, The man nodded, picking up a leather bound book from the right side of the table.

"would you like a drink, here how about a glass of wine" she offered, walking back over to him with two glasses. He took one, still looking at the book in his hand and too a large gulp. Cynthia watched him as he did so, his face fell when he noticed something off about his beverage and his eyes shot up to meet hers. She gave him an innocent smile and sipped her own wine.

"Poison?" He asked, a hand flying to his throat, dropping the book to the stone floor.

"Gracious, no" She said, gasping innocently. "I would never do that" She watched as he looked from her to his glass and back.

"Oh, that." She smiled "Its a toxin, yes, but it shouldn't kill you." his eyes widened and he went to speak but she cut him off.

"i wouldn't bother with words the toxin will be closing you windpipe sooner then id like if you continue with whatever it is you planned to say." She warned him. he stayed silent. "Okay then. First off i don't particularly like you Roman's anyway so i wouldn't have a problem with feeding you to my pets" Cynthia said, leaning down to pick up the book.

"Second, i don't like being spoken to the way you just did, it was rude and pushy so shhh" she placed her book on the table and reached to the side "And third, i dont have to tell you or anyone my reasons or explain myself in any way." She pulled a long sword out from beside the table running her finger along the sharp edge as she spoke.

"And I'm going to make sure your soldiers know that because you will, sadly, be incapable." Micheal tried to move, to defend himself but couldn't move his limbs.

"you may be immobilized but you will, feel this." Cynthia's said smiling, she swung her sword low and slashed across his knees, he cried out in pain and she hushed him.

"Ah ah" She said "Each time you scream i'll add one of your soldiers names to my list" He stared back at her silently, She lifted her weapon again and slashed across his chest, Her hazel eyes staring into his.

"brave boy" She said later on as his lifeless body was dragged from the room, "Shame he was also and idiot"