Synantiómaste kai páli (We meet again)

It's been a few days since the trip to Duke and I've spent them combing over the journals Isobel left for me. The ones written cover to cover in Greek. I also had a few folders full of illustrations that went along with the journals.

Jeremy took me down to Steven's Quarry, saying I needed to get out. He didn't give me any choice in the matter whatsoever. What caught me off guard was the picnic setup in the trunk of his car.

As I read over the journal, Jeremy sat behind me, his chin resting on the top of my head. "You know, this would be a bit more realistic if you could actually read Greek." I titled my head to look up at him.

Jeremy pecked my lips, wrapping his arms around me. "I wasn't paying attention to the journal." he whispered, his lips curling into a smile. "I'm more interested in the demigoddess reading it." he nuzzled my cheek, planting a kiss on my temple.

I rolled my eyes. "You think you're quite the charmer, aren't you?" I chuckled, batting my eyelashes.

"I'd like to think so." he replied, caressing my upper arm. "So, what exactly does the journal say?"

"Istoría tou Lykáona." I answered. "Story of Lycaon."

Jeremy's smile grew as he leaned in closer, "It's so sexy when you speak Greek." he pecked my lips, brushing his knuckles down my jawline.

I giggled, pulling away. "Just wait until you see me kill something, you'll rethink this relationship." I flipped to the ear-marked page where I left off. "Lycaon is said to be the father of all werewolves. According to the legend, he tested Zeus by serving him the roasted flesh of his son Nyctimus, in order to see whether Zeus was truly omniscient. In return for these gruesome deeds, Zeus transformed Lycaon and his offspring into the forms of a wolf."

"Damn." Jeremy commented, rubbing my shoulder.

"Yeah, well, Zeus is a dick that way." I scoffed. "Instead of saving his own daughter's life, he turned her into a pine tree that would act as a barrier to protect Camp Half Blood." I bit my lip, remembering the first time my sister Clarisse told me the story of Thalia Grace. "She's alive now, thanks to the Golden Fleece, but that's a moot point." I slammed the journal shut and fell back on the blanket, my arms stretched out above my head.

"You don't talk about your father much." Jeremy noted, laying beside me propped up on his elbow. He brushed some hair from my face, his hand resting on my cheek.

"What's there to say?" I shrugged, rolling onto my side. "By Zeus' orders, the gods weren't allowed contact with their offspring. That is, until after the war against Kronos." I closed my eyes, images from that time flashing through my mind. I took a deep breath and exhaled, opening my eyes. "After the victory, Percy requested that the gods claim their mortal offspring. There was a feast around camp and we actually got to meet our godly parents. Ares isn't much for conversation, and he only praised our performance on the battlefield."

"Well, isn't that sort of like a compliment?" Jeremy questioned.

I looked him dead in the eyes, "Well yeah, but still." I sighed. "I was twelve when I fought in that war Jer. I saw and did things a twelve year old girl should never see or do. I watched comrades die. I watched my own half-siblings die." I closed my eyes. "It's a dark spot in my past I don't like to remember."

I felt Jeremy's hand brush down my cheek and rest on my neck. "Lucy, if you want to talk about-"

"I don't." I cut off, reaching up to take his hand, meeting his deep brown puppy-dog eyes. "Sorry." I apologized, lacing our fingers together. "It's just, we have other things to deal with. Werewolves are not to be taken lightly, they're more dangerous than vampires."

Jeremy caressed the back of my hand with his thumb. He leaned down and kissed me, squeezing my hand as me moved it to my side. I closed my eyes and kissed back, moving my hand up his arm, gently squeezing his shoulder. I tangled my fingers in his hair, leaning up to deepen the kiss, wrapping my other arm around his upper back, fisting the fabric of his jacket.

A small gust of wind blew, and it carried a soft voice that whispered "Lucy."

I pulled back with a gasp, looking around. There was nobody else except me and Jeremy. "Luce?" he questioned, his hand resting on the curve of my hip. "What is it?"

The soft voice spoke my name again as another breeze blew through my hair, sending a chill throughout my body. "Did you hear that?" I asked, standing up.

"Hear what?" Jeremy shrugged.

"Lucy." the wind whispered once more.

"That." I turned to face him. "Someone, or something, is out there." I looked back towards the forest, the breeze blowing by again. "And it's calling my name."

Jeremy was suddenly at my side, his arm around my lower back. "Lucy, I don't hear anything." he admitted. "I think we should get out of here."

A small image by the treeline caught my eye. I took a step closer and squinted for a better look; it was a little girl with dark skin and pigtails wearing a light pink dress. Another breeze blew by, this time saying something different "Come and catch me Lucy." The little girl then took off.

"Margaret?" I muttered, running after her.

I ran deep into the woods, following the sound of the little girl's laughter. My heart was racing, my blood pumping, my mind swirling with questions. There was no way this could be Margaret. She was dead. I knew that. Or maybe, by some sheer miracle, she was alive. I didn't know what to think anymore.

A thick fog rolled in which made me stop. I looked around in all directions, the fog getting thicker all around me. The little girl's laughter echoed throughout the forest, seemingly coming from all directions. "Where are you?" I yelled, looking around. "Who are you?"

"You know who I am silly." the little girl giggled.

I pinpointed where the voice was coming from and walked in that general direction. The small figure darted behind the trees, leaving no visble trail other than a breeze. I ran after her, my adrenaline pumping. I came to a clearing and suddenly froze when I saw the child standing a few feet ahead of me, staring at a tree stump. Carefully, I walked up behind her and went to touch her shoulder.

"Lucy." Jeremy's voice came from right behind me and I spun around to face him. He braced his hands on my shoulders, rubbing them. The look in his eyes reflected fear and confusion. "You're okay." he pulled me to his chest, wrapping his arms around my back. That's when I realized how hard I was panting. "You just took off into the woods like you saw a ghost or something. Freaked me out a little."

I bit my lip and caught my breath, taking a step back. "A ghost pretty much sums it up I think." I muttered, turning back to the stump. Only there wasn't a stump at all, and the little girl wasn't anywhere to be found. All I saw was a little caramel brown stuffed rabbit with a red ribbon tied around it's neck. "Oh my gods." I gasped, picking up the animal and brushing off the dirt and leaves. "I recognize this."

Jeremy rubbed my shoulders, standing right behind me. "Okay Luce, what the hell is going on?" he asked, his voice shaky.

"I don't have any idea." I answered honestly. "But, that little girl-"

"What little girl?" Jeremy cut off.

I raised an eyebrow as I turned to face him, holding the rabbit in my arms. "A little girl was calling my name. She looked familiar so I went after her." I squeezed the stuffed animal tighter.

"Who did she remind you of?" Jeremy cupped my cheek, caressing it. "Talk to me Lucy."

I looked up and met his eyes, biting my lip. "Margaret. She reminded me of Margaret." I looked down at the stuffed rabbit, brushing her ears back. "This is hers. Her name is Lucy."

"Are you sure?" Jaremy questioned. "It could just be a look-alike."

I shook my head, "It's hers!" I stated, showing him the nameplate in the center of the ribbon. "I know because I made this for her." I took a deep breath and exhaled. "I have one just like it for a similar looking rabbit, that I named Margaret."

Jeremy didn't say anything. He just pulled me to his chest and held me, twisting his fingers in my hair. I relaxed in his embrace and wrapped my arms around his back, clutching the rabbit tightly. "I'm here Lucy." he whispered, rubbing my back. "I'm right here."

"I know." I muttered, pulling back. I tucked my hair behind my ear, mustering a small smile. "Thank you, Jer."

"Anything for my demigoddess girlfriend." Jeremy chuckled, kissing my forehead.

I turned around and my eyes widened, "How long as that mansion been there?" I raised an eyebrow, gaping at the mansion-sized cabin a yard away from us.

"That wasn't there a minute ago." Jeremy noted.

"Okay, so you see it too." I confirmed. "Nice to know I'm not loosing my mind."

"It's kinda hard to miss." Jeremy sighed. "I think we should head back."

I licked my lips, looking down at the stuffed rabbit in my arms, it's black marble eyes reflecting my dark brown orbs. I looked up at the mansion, taking a deep breath and exhaling. "I was led here for a reason. I'm going to see exactly why." I strode up to the house, stopping at the front porch.

I knocked on the front door and it creaked open. Jeremy stood beside me, his hands in his jacket pockets. "That's not creepy at all." he muttered. We both peered inside, seeing an empty hallway leading straight to a staircase. "Luce, we really shouldn't be here."

"Don't wuss out on me now." I scoffed, stepping over the threshold. I looked around a took note of the various paintings that decorted the walls.

"Hey Luce, check this out." Jeremy motioned for me to join him in the living room.

"What?" I pressed, joining him. I looked up at the painting and gaped. The painting was of a single female warrior with bright mahagony hair wielding a spear in what looked like the midst of a battle. "Woah." I blinked.

"It looks just like you." Jeremy noted, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "Even the spear looks like yours."

I reached up and touched the arrowhead choker, leaning into Jeremy's arm. "It's almost scary how much she resembles me." I pursed my lips together, shaking my head.

"It's called 'A Warrior Demigoddess'." A calm voice spoke not too far behind us. I spun around and there was the new girl, Mary, standing not too far from us. "It's Alana's most recent work of art."

"Alana." I repeated.

Mary nodded. "Yep, Alana." she confirmed. "The woman who saved my life and raised me as her own." she joined the two of us, a smile on her face. Mary looked down and saw the rabbit in my arms. "Where'd you get that?"

I looked down, stroking the rabbit's ears. "In the woods." I answered. "It belonged to a friend of mine."

Mary nodded, "Her name's Lucy." she said, getting my attention. Our eyes met, and I narrowed mine ever so slightly. "I named her after my best friend, my sister." she touched my arm and a jolt was sent right through me.

Vision/No POV

Mary stood just outside Lucy's hospital room, watching as Damon Salvatore entered. She kept a close eye as she peered through the cracked door. Damon took a needle and syringe, and pierced his arm, drawing the synringe until it was full of blood.

"I'm doing this for your sister, little demi-slayer." Damon sighed, injecting his blood directly into Lucy's veins. He discarded the needle and syringe and sat at her bedside, taking her hand in his. "You'll break a lot of hearts if you die Lucy, so fight. Fight and live." he quickly jumped to his feet and rushed out of the room.

Mary snuck inside Lucy's room and stood at her bedside, her dark eyes full of sadness. "Always have to be the hero huh?" she chuckled, moisture welling in her eyes. "You're strong Lucy, but you're not invincible." Mary reached out to stroke Lucy's mahagony hair. "Please fight Luce, I need you to live." a single tear fell down her cheek. "I need my best friend back." she took Lucy's hand, which was in a brace. "I'm back Lulu. It's me, Margaret."

End Vision

I gasped and stepped back, panting. "That's not possible." I muttered, running my fingers through my hair.

"You're a daughter of a Greek god." she pointed out, making me snap my head in her direction. "Other people would say that's not possible."

"Wait how did you know that she's-" Jeremy stuttered.

"Because I'm a witch." Mary cut off. "I can sense these things." she smiled. "I've known Lucy for a long time."

The room was spinning and the echo of my heartbeat was pounding in my ears. I twisted my hair around my fingers, sinking to the floor, gasping for breath. My senses were all over the place and I felt as if I was supphocating. Suddenly, I was pulled into a pair of arms, my head pressed against a warm shoulder. Everything calmed down around me in an instant.

"I'm here Lucy." Jeremy whispered, stroking my hair. "You're okay."

I slowly caught my breath, relaxing in Jeremy's arms. I let Jeremy pull me to my feet, wrapping my arms around his neck and I pressed my forehead into his shoulder. "This can't be real. I'm dreaming." I panted, turning back to face Mary. "Who do you think you are? My best friend died a long time ago."

"Then how do I know that this-" she removed a pillow from the couch and revealed a stuffed rabbit with ebony colored fur and light brown eyes, a lavender ribbon around it's neck with a star charm in the center. "is yours that you named Margaret. It's the only thing from your past that you still regard with sentimental value." She picked it up and held it, "The day we bought these was the day we promised to be best friends forever, no matter what."

"There is no we!" I corrected. "Margaret was killed six years ago." I took a few steps back. "I have to get out of here."

I ran for the front door, which slammed shut right in my face. I gripped the antique handle and yanked as hard as I could, but it was like a force so much stronger was holding it in place. "It's useless, even with your demigod abilities, you can't open that door." Mary called, standing at the foot of the staircase.

"Let me out or so help me Ares, I'll make you." I threatened, advancing towards her with narrowed eyes.

"Growing up you wante to be a singer." Mary stated, which made me stop. "That's what you always said you wanted to be. You'd write in a journal, trying to come up with ideas. You even had your mom, Isobel, teach you how to play piano." she started walking towards me. "Halloween is your favorite holiday. You're favorite candy is a tie between Twix and Kit-Kats. You like your meat medium-rare, and your favorite ice creame flavor is Double Fudge Brownie with butterscotch syrup." Mary and I were now staring eye to eye. "Now, those are all things your best friend would know. To seal the deal," she brushed my hair over my left shoulder, "you have a small birthmark behind your right ear that's shaped like a lotus blossom." she touched the birthmark in the exact spot.

"Margaret?" I swallowed the lump in my throat, still not believing what was right in front of me.

She pulled me into a tight embrace, squeezing me. "It's me Lulu." she whispered, her voice cracking. "It's really me."

Shuddering, I returned the embrace, closing my eyes and tightening my grip. My best friend was alive and hugging me in this very moment. "I've missed you M." I admitted, pulling back. I brushed her ebony bangs from her face, "How? How did you escape those vampires?"

"That would be where I come in." another voice spoke from atop the stairs. "Welcome to our home, Lucy."

I looked right into her eyes, and I knew she wasn't human. "Okay so who are you really?" I asked, my hands on my hips.

In an instant she was down the stairs and behind us, standing in the living room entrance. "My name's Alana." she introduced. "I'm your mother, Lucy."

"You're also a vampire." I noted. "So tell me, is your switch on or off?" I raised my eyebrow. "If your anything like my last mom that came to town, I'm not interested."

Alana chuckled, "My humanity is very much intact." she assured. "Come Lucy, let's talk."

"Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of Jeremy." I glanced to the side and looped my arm through his, interlocking our fingers.

Alana nodded, "Of course." her eyes shifted to Margaret. "Will you bring the tea in?"

"Sure." Margaret smiled walked off towards the kitchen.

"So, what happened after the car accident?" I asked, leaning back in the couch.

Alana sighed, folding her hands on her lap. "I woke up in the home of an old friend, one I reconnected with at the party." she answered. "He explained everything to me, what was happening and what I would become." she licked her lips. "All I wanted was to see my baby girl again, to watch you grow up." her eyes met mine and at the same time, Jeremy's fingers interlocked with mine. "Of course, you being a demigod, your blood smelled sweeter and was much more tempting." Alana closed her eyes, calming herself. "I had to stay away from you, at least until I could control myself."

"So you knew long before I did?" I questioned. "That I was a demigod?"

She nodded. "Yes. The scent was faint, but as you grew older it became stronger." she confrimed. "Then those vampires attacked you and Margaret when you were nine, and my maternal insticnts kicked in. I fought them off and saved Margaret." she patted the teenager's leg beside her. "I found Phoebus and he promised me he'd take care of you."

My jaw dropped. "Phoebus." I scoffed, shaking my head. "He told you I was here. In Mystic Falls."

Margaret nodded. "We've been in town since the Founder's Celebrations began." she informed. "Keeping an eye on you."

"You're the ones who called Phoebus after the incident during Founder's Day." I inferred, brushing hair from my face. I stood up and turned my back on them, running my fingers through my hair before slapping them at my sides. "So why now?" I faced them. "Why reveal yourselves to me now?"

In a flash, Alana was right in front of me, her hands on my shoulders. "Because you're in danger!" she warned. "The feud between vampires and werewolves is just the start. More danger is coming, something dark and evil."

I felt my lips curl into a smile. "Bring it on." I stated, taking a step back. "Vampires are nothing but demons who stalk the innocent. Werewolves are just overgrown mutts with zero training and only have power once a month. I've killed pleanty of both over the years, and have battle scars to prove it. Whatever dark and evil being is coming to this town better be afraid of me, because it'll be the last thing it does." I spun on my heels and marched up the stairs.

"There is so much you don't understand Lucy!" Alana called after me. "You need to-"

"No! You don't get to tell me jack what to do!" I yelled, looking over my shoulder. "You may be my birth mother, and saved Margaret's life, but neither of you have given me any reasons to trust you." I scoffed. "Once you give me something, then maybe I'll consider listening. But right now, just leave me the fuck alone." I grabbed my red leather jacket and my stuffed rabbit and walked away.

Jeremy's car was parked right in front of the house, which threw me for a loop. Alana must've driven it while I was chasing ghosts. I checked the door and it was unlocked, so I just slid into the passenger seat, holding my rabbit close to my chest.

"Are you gonna be okay?" Jeremy asked, climbing into the driver's seat. He reached over and patted my thigh.

"Just take me home Jer." I shook my head and leaned against the window. After that, the only sound was the car's engine and the low volume of the radio.

The loft was quiet when Jeremy dropped me off, and the events of the day were finally setting in. I set my stuffed rabbit on my bed, propped up against my pillows.

"So, guess I'll see ya tomorrow." Jeremy muttered, leaning against the doorframe of my bedroom.

"Jer wait." I halted, grabbing his arm. He turned back to face me, "Will you stay? I don't think I can handle being alone right now." I let go of his arm and sighed, slipping my hands into my back pockets.

Jeremy smiled and pulled me into his arms, holding the back of my head. "Of course I'll stay." he whispered, kissing the side of my head. "I'll always be here for you, Lucy."

I smiled, laying my cheek against his shoulder. "I know." I replied, pulling back. I reached up and caressed his cheek. "It's hard for me to trust people, but," I ran my hands up his arms, "I trust you, and that means something."

Jeremy touched his forehead to mine, cupping the left side of my face, brushing his lips over mine. I locked my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. He slowly stepped forward, which made me step back. Soon, I was pressed between Jeremy and my own bed. Jeremy's hands moved from my waist to the back of my knees, he picked me up and pressed me against my pillows, our lips still locked in the heated kiss. I tangled my fingers in his hair, letting out a soft moan as our lips parted. My chest heaved as I caught my breath. I felt Jeremy's hand glide up my hip before resting it on the side of my neck, where I'm sure he felt my rapid pulse. "No matter what happens Lucy, I'm never going to leave your side." he whispered, kissing my forehead.

I opened my eyes and met his, holding his face in my hands. "If what Alana and Margaret said is true, then things are going to get dicy before too long." I muttered, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Jeremy, if anything happened to-"

He cut me off by placing a finger on my lips. "We're gonna be okay." he assured, pulling me into his arms and holding me tightly. He rested his cheek against the side of my head, stroking my hair. "As long as we stay together, we'll be fine." he kissed my temple.

I felt my lips curl into a smile and I relaxed, leaning into Jeremy's arms. I looped mine under his, resting my head in the crook of his neck. "I believe you." I whispered, craining my neck to look up at him. "For some strange reason, I believe you."

Jeremy smiled and pecked my lips, caressing the ridge of my shoulder blades. I pulled back, licking my lips and mustering up a smile. I rested my head against Jeremy's shoulder and we sat there in silence, and I knew that as long as I had him, I would somehow be okay, no matter what came at me.