A/N: Hola guys! I'm back and here with a new chapter. I hope you guys like it. I have big plans for this later, when everyone's back, especially a certain tyrant (Drew) comes into play. Now to see how Tabitha takes meeting her stepmom. Enjoy and review!

Disclaimer: I own Tabitha. That's it.

Creep

Chapter 14

Tabitha became agonizingly still. She could only stare at the goddess while her body panicked. Droplets of sweat ran down her face and neck. She swallowed hard in an unfortunate attempt at clearing her throat, but her mouth was too dry. She was surprised her heart wasn't exploding by the sheer speed of its pulse. Shock was evident as she had begun quivering uncontrollably.

Worry and a sliver of guilt crossed Macaria's features as she gazed at the child. She wrapped an arm around Tabitha, the way a mother would, and pulled her tightly. The shaking stopped immediately. They sat like that for a moment in relative silence. When Macaria felt the girl had calmed, she pulled away and turned to her.

"I did not mean to frighten you, child," she said earnestly.

Tabitha swallowed, her eyes drifting around sheepishly. "I just thought all goddesses hate their husbands' bastards."

An elegant eyebrow was raised. "Believe me when I say I am nothing like my aunt, Hera. Thanatos rarely ever has demigod children, and, thus, I have no qualms with them. It is only when they speak or act with ill intent of their father do I have an issue with them."

Tabitha fiddled with her fingers anxiously. "Why…why have you brought me here…? How have you brought me here, for that matter?"

Macaria slipped off her gloves and placed them in her lap. "As to the 'why', I simply brought you here to talk. The 'how' is… Well, you're dreaming, darling."

She let the information sink in. "Talk? About?"

"I have watched you grow up alongside your father, and I must say I see great potential-Oh, how rude of me." She waved her hand and a small table covered with plates of cookies and other sweet treats and tea appeared in front of them. The tea poured itself, and the scent of Earl Grey tea filled Tabitha's nostrils.

Macaria took a sip. "As I was saying, I see great potential in you. In fact, that scythe you seem so intrigued by was my idea. Your father said it was too soon, but to hell with that. Um, pardon the phrase. I see you're figuring out your powers as well."

Tabitha's gaze was filled with immense curiosity. "What other powers do I have?"

Macaria leaned back against the tree and tilted her head back in thought. "No child of Thanatos has ever had the exact same abilities as another, so I'm not quite sure. You are, however, able to control the cycle of decomposition, as you discovered earlier today. You are also a natural with that scythe of yours. I wish I could tell you more, sweetie."

The daughter of Thanatos slouched and bit her lip. "And what…and what of my curse?"

The goddess's brows furrowed in sympathy. "I wish I knew more, darling, I really do. Your father never told me of the details. He did, however, say it would not last forever."

Tabitha's heart fluttered a bit. "I—it won't?"

Macaria shook her head and reached to stroke the girl's face when she saw the look of terror on the demigod's face. She scoffed halfheartedly and tucked a curl behind Tabitha's ear, "I am a goddess, Tabitha. Your curse has no effect on me."

She then proceeded to lift Tabitha's chin and kiss her forehead. Somewhere in Tabitha's chest, a gaping hole was closing ever so slowly. Never had she been touched before, at least, not on purpose. The only other person to ever show her true affection was Anthony, but he would steer clear of touching her as well. She had never imagined feeling direct contact without fear.

The goddess then kissed the top of her head and murmured, "You have your mother's likeness."

Tabitha pulled away so fast she nearly fell off the bench. "H—how—"

"I am the goddess of blessed death, Tabitha. I was there." Macaria cocked her head to the side curiously. "Surely you remember me from your dream?"

Reeling at a breakneck pace, her brain searched through the archives of her memory. She abhorred thinking about that dream. The excruciated expression on her mother's face brought tears to her eyes and made her body quiver. Her father's comfort toward her mother softened the tightness in her chest. Then she saw her. In the corner veiled in shadows stood Macaria dressed in Victorian style mourning attire. Her face was grim, and a tear escaped out of the corner of her eye. When Tabitha's newborn cries filled the air, the goddess surged forward next to her husband. As the heart monitor beeped in finality and the baby was rushed away, Macaria hummed in ancient Greek and kissed the babe on the forehead. The vision went dark and she could see no more.

Why didn't she remember this? Questions seemed to skim over the ripples of her mind as stones would a pond. She rested her face in her hands and sighed. She turned back to the goddess who gazed at her with patient, warm, beautifully crafted royal blue eyes.

"I apologize if I caused you pain, Tabitha. I did not mean to startle you so." Her voice was soft and sweet, like a mother talking to her toddler. She wanted to keep Tabitha safe.

"Why are you treating me like this? Like I'm your daughter?"

The goddess flushed a pretty shade of pink. "I… I have no children of my own. I only have you and my baby brother, Nico, who you will meet very soon, I assure you."

"Baby br—" Tabitha faltered as she knit her eyebrows. "I was told the Big Three don't have demigod children, aside from Poseidon."

Macaria sighed. "Nico is an interesting case. I would appreciate it if you didn't mention him at camp, though. He is lost at the moment, and I am afraid he is drowning in his own despair."

She then leaned in and pressed her lips against Tabitha's temple, murmuring another prayer in ancient Greek as she pulled away. "I sense my father needing my presence. Be safe, and if you ever need me—" She reached into a small coin purse at her side and pulled out a small silver handheld mirror with elegant skulls engraved into the metal and placed it in the pocket of Tabitha's hoodie—"simply fog up the glass and write my name. I will answer always."

Before Tabitha could regain control of her body, she lunged and wrapped her arms around the goddess tightly. Macaria seemed to be caught off guard for a moment before returning the gesture. When they pulled away, Macaria gave a soft smile as she waved her hand over Tabitha's face. Tabitha awoke in her bed at camp with a conch horn sounding in the distance.

A/N: Hey guys. How was that? Feedback would be amazing, if you would be so kind. I kind of figured Macaria wouldn't be very bitter because Thanatos is so loyal. She's a great mommy figure. Oh, if you guys would please check out my revised poll if you haven't already. That would be awesome. Until next time! Ciao!