Hi! 4 days 'till the summer holidays! On with the story!

Amber's POV

"It can't be him! Why would Hephaestus kidnap Venus and Alex?" I said, still shocked by what the map had showed us.

"Some kind of test maybe? From the gods?"

"Maybe, but wouldn't they want to test us all together?"

"I guess... maybe the gods have just run out of ideas to torture us demigods without separating us."

"Mr D run out of ways to torture us? Yeah right! In every demigod's dreams! But seriously, that's not going to happen."

"Yeah, you're right I guess. It was a faint hope."

"Oh, ha ha" I said sarcastically. "Meanwhile, test or no test, we still need to get them back. So, do you have any idea where the nearest perfume store is?"

"Why are you asking me? You're the girl! Plus, we're in the middle of the wilderness!"

"Mmm... good point. Why don't we just use the map to get to NY?"

"Ok, let's go! While we're there, can we get some milk? We've run out!"

I rolled my eyes and took the computer-satellite-map-thingy. Making sure I had the credit card Chiron gave me in my pocket, I pressed the shop.

After having bought the Givenchy paint balls, two paint ball guns and some milk, we used the map to go back to our tents, where an unexpected someone was waiting for us.

"Well hello darlings!" a sweet voice said from a picnic table. Wait, since when did we have a picnic table? Oh great, is there a picnic table monster somewhere?

"So, what have you two been up to?"

"Lady Aphrodite? Is that you?" I asked doubtfully. I looked sideways at Evandro. He had a love struck look on his face. Restraining a burst of jelousy, I looked back at the godess. She smiled sweetly.

"Well of course it's me! Who else has such perfect style darling? Tell me, so I can inflict some eternal punishment on them!"

"Oh, nobody! Of course it's you, we're just suprised, that's all. So, um, why are we honored to be in your godly presence?" I asked, smiling insincerely.

"Well, you know, I heard my daughter has been kidnapped, along with that son of Artemis." her mouth clenched when she said that name. "So, I thought: Ooohh! This is the perfect opportunity to get back at Artemis! Her own son to fall in love with a daughter of love! It's perfect! I might even give them a happy ever after!" she exclaimed. I don't like the way she said might.

"Um...so what has this got to do with us?" I asked, admittedly slightly that, absolutely terrifed.

"Well silly! I want you to keep them together when they get back of course! It's easy when they're being kidnapped! They're terrified and only have each other! But when they're back with you guys, it'll be harder. So, I have a few gifts to help you." she said. We both paled. Evandro looked slightly sick now. I remember he'd had experience with helping the love godess. Not very good ones, might I add.

Aphrodite opened her hanbag and clapped her hands, jumping up and down excitedly.

"Yay, I have some left!" she squealed, taking out something that look suspiciously like...channel perfume. Oh Hades. "Here you go Amber, I modified it a bit so it gives you the ability to charmspeak, but careful, it only lasts for a few minutes and there are only about five uses left in there. And son of Hades, here is a hat. It can make you look like anybody you want. It's for sneaking around to make sure their future dates go well. Don't worry, you're naturally a stalker, being a son of Hades and all that."

Evandro's eyes turned really black, like they do when he gets really angry or summons skeletons. They both amount to the same thing and I don't think Aphrodite would enjoy getting assaulted by a pile of grimy bones.

"Thanks so much, we'll do our best!" I said, stamping on his foot. That seemed to bring him back to reality.

"Er, yes, thanks so much for accusing me of having criminal talents, we'll do our best to..." he looked like he was trying not to say 'torture your unfortunate victims.' Luckily, Aphrodite had been too busy with her mirror to pay attention to what we were saying. She snapped it shut and said: "Oh, I still have one more thing to give you two! Here you go!" she said, handing us two coats. Mine was pink, with sinthetic leopard fur around the collar and a dove embroidered in the pocket. Evandro's was brown leather and still had the same dove on the pocket.

"Thanks, they look great! So what do they do?" I asked.

"Oh, well, lots of things! They look great, keep you warm and you can keep stuff in the pockets!". She looked at our expressions. "Oh, you mean the magical proprieties! Well, you press the dove on the pocket and I'll help you, but this only works once so, I know I'm going to sound like Athena, but use it wisely. Ok darlings? Now I've got to b going, I have to convince Ares not to move to Mars to get away from Hephaetus. Think of what that would do to my hair! Bye, have fun!" and with that she turned into her true form as we jumped backwards with our eyes closed tightly.

Wow, she'd actually been helpful. Sure, her goal was to create a couple, but her magic items would be very useful for the quest.

"Have fun? We're on a super dangerous quest! Albus Dumbledore'll say before that happens!" Evandro exclaimed.

We both burst out laughing. The sky was orangy-pink, sunset.

"Well, I've got a feeling tomorrow's going to be a looong day, so I'm going to get some rest. 'Night!" I said, going into the tent.

I lay down on my sleeping bag and fell asleep imediatly. Little did I know that it would be a looong night too...

So? Whatcha think? Should I do the next chapter in Venus's POV? Or Alex's? Or stick with Amber? Or Evandro? Or Artemis? Or Hephaestus? Ok, I'll just stop. Please please please review! If you do I'll update sooner! Ok, bye, going now, put the oatmeal down! Sorry, random.

Ya...well, bye!