Okay, as a thirteenth chapter that has been posted on April Fool's Day, you had to have had to seen that last chapter coming. But if not, I'm honestly very thrilled ;)

Please disregard the last chapter when continuing onto this story :) No, Ira and Shem did not get married, and Ken is perfectly fine :) Nothing worth noting has happened in the past few days at Camp Half-Blood. I thank you all for seriously sticking with me on this. I assure you that this story will get ten times better soon, and you will all have your minds blown :)

Thank you, and don't forget to review!

-Olo Eopia03

- Chapter 14 ~ Smooth Arrival -

Of course, it is only in love and in murder that we will remain sincere.

When Lynx stole 15 trillion dollars, he didn't say he was going to use all of it for his secret project.

"Hey, I only took an estimate," Lynx had said dismissively. It had happened earlier that day before Shem and Ira had gone on their departure. "Besides, if you wanna get away with something, better to get away with something big than something lame, right?"

With the extra few million, Lynx had taken the time to ramp up his Lair, build a few things, and develop a few technological devices - the HD3DHP included - before Otto had made the move to take Lynx's data.

Stealing Lynx's data had only impeded the growth of his new devices, but one would not be able to believe what Lynx had been able to acquire in such a short amount of time.

"A few tiny toys," Lynx had said. Only a few, tiny things.

Ira muttered to herself as her fingers twined themselves through Shem's hair in an attempt to smooth them out. Shem was trying his best not to snap at her after she had insisted on fixing his hair.

No one ever touched his hair. Until now.

"They never really cooperate, do they?" Ira said in frustration before giving up. Her hands made one last round on Shem's hair as Shem slung a long, light blue tie around his shoulder, not concealing the annoyed look on his face that had been intended for the daughter of Hermes.

The two of them sat in an extravagant private jet, its leather seats lining the walls and the clean environment giving way to fresh air.

To say this was tiny . . . was definitely not the right way to describe it.

"How . . . How did no one see how suspicious it was for a sixteen year old to buy a private jet?" Ira had gawked at the large space they were sitting in and looked out the window to see that the plane had just taken off from the ground.

"I only bought parts of it," A voice had crackled from the speaker above them. Shem guessed that every monitor in the plane was controlled by Lynx as well. "It wasn't hard to assemble, but I played it safe by clearing my name on all the transactions."

"How did you get all of this?" Ira had demanded immediately.

"Um . . . Online shopping?" The voice replied slyly. "Came with free shipping too - Oh look, we're already passing over Rhode Island!"

An hour later, Shem had resulted to changing his clothes as Ira took out the devices that Lynx had told them to bring along with them.

"Okay, it's never going to stay put," Shem said, swatting Ira's hands away as she huffed a second time. His disheveled hair had always been known to never stay neat. Shem was already dressed up in a nice black tuxedo for the party that night, but for the time being, the black jacket that was he was going to be wearing had been taken off.

Ira, on the other hand, was still in a pair of faded jeans and a pink blouse.

"Are you going to get ready?" Shem asked as Ira swiped through a holographic device.

"I told her this morning that it would be best to wait 'til she arrived in North Carolina," Lynx's voice appeared over the speaker a second time that day. "Ya know, keep it a surprise, heighten the suspense. Have you gone over the steps yet?"

"I'm reviewing," Ira said, as images of the mansion and Otto Bartlett appeared before the two demigods. Nearby, there was a small device that projected an image of Lynx sitting cross-legged on his rolling chair, laptop sitting on his knees. Next to him on the seat was a snuggled up Toby.

Shem reached for another gadget that resembled a more modified iPad and began looking at the detailed plans. Honestly, Shem had been impressed by all the devices Lynx had invented. Usually if a demigod were to even hold onto a cell phone, it was a sure sign that would definitely attract monsters within a ten mile radius.

However, since Lynx had constructed these electronics himself, they were truly safe to use, without the danger of attracting any monsters nearby.

Shem made a mental note to contact Lynx again after this quest in request to making a few changes at Camp Half-Blood.

Every once in a while, he would see Ira's eyes flit nervously over to the front of the jet, where the pilot would be manning the plane.

Except there was no pilot.

"Oh, just chill out, Ira," The miniature holographic version of Lynx said, catching her uneasy glances. "I've flown a plane across a country through a monitor before."

"I am chill," Ira said, although her voice sounded a bit uptight. She leaned over to look at the screen in Shem's hands. "I'm just- Hold on."

A tiny giggle escaped Ira's lips. Shem looked up from his screen.

"Yes?" Shem asked. The worry from Ira's face had disappeared so quickly that it was impossible to have imagined that she was worried in the first place. Ira's eyes were trained on Shem's screen.

"You're watching tutorial videos on ballroom dancing?" Both Ira and Lynx were smirking like they had known Shem their whole lives, as compared to only a day.

"Isn't it necessary?" Shem asked, not a hint of embarrassment in his voice. Shem shrugged when Ira's smile widened. "It's a grand party."

A ding sounded overhead from the monitor.

"Fifteen minutes 'til landing in Asheville, North Carolina," Lynx's voice came from the speaker. "Wrap up with the Youtube Videos. I hope you all know the plan."

Ira faced Shem after putting her screen away and shifted closer to him, her blue diamond eyes sparkling.

"Okay, enough of the ballroom dancing. Let's fix up that tie of yours, Sherlock."

[xxx]

By the time the clock struck two, Shem and Ira had already settled into a hotel just a few miles from Otto's mansion. Even though they had arrived just a few hours early, the hotel was crowded with people. People who were all heading to the same party that was to start at 5:30 PM.

In the meantime, Shem had resulted to walking around the streets when Ira had been taken into a guest room by a few maids. It seemed as though the maids did not belong to that hotel, and they knew of the business that they were getting into.

"Some outside people are aware of the plan," Lynx had told him earlier that day. "But Ira's getting ready after you. I wanted to keep it a surprise. More flare, ya' know?"

And so there was Shem, strolling down the streets in his black tuxedo, the ebony black cane at his side. From time to time, his mind would flit to an image of her face, and occasionally the jaded necklace with the upside down triangle engraved on its center. The message that had come out was still imprinted in his mind.

The key is the gift. Come with an open mind, and wait for the kill.

His eyes caught onto a couple of young boys running past him, yelling out something inaudible. Unwillingly, Shem's mind glossed over a short memory, one before Miro and Austin had acted strangely. Before the incident, when everything was completely normal . . .

They were all outside, on a hot, summer's day. Shem was six years old again, his fingers curling onto the rough bark beneath his skin. He looked down, and saw Miro leaving the clearing to go "exploring," leaving Austin to rest under the maple across from the tree Shem was climbing up. Austin seemed to be sleeping, oblivious to the world as the black cap laid rested lightly on his eyes.

Shem reached higher for another branch, at the same time securing his foothold on an indenture on the side of the tree. He was going to get to the top, and he was going to spy out Miro!

Shem wanted Miro's eyes to light up brighter than they usually do when Miro sees his brother waving at him from the high treetops.

Shem's eyes gleamed. He was so close to the top! There was just one more branch in his way, but it was too high to reach for. If only he could reach for that last branch. Shem stretched out, allowing his body to dangle precariously over the edge, ignoring the eleven-feet drop below. If he fell, surely he would break a bone as a result of his tender and young age, but he wasn't going to leave himself hanging for that long, right?

Just one more branch, Shem thought to himself as he craned over his whole body, fingers outstretched and only a few centimeters from his destination.

There was a yelp of surprise, and Shem stopped in mid-stroll when he saw one the youngest boy fall onto his knees after tripping over a crack on the ground. Shem adjusted his coat when he saw the oldest run back to help the younger up to his feet. Shem shook his head.

A crack sounded beneath him as his foot slipped against the bark. Wildly, Shem grabbed for another branch positioned just close enough, his heart skipping a hundred beats as he clambered back to safety.

His breath hitched at that close call. If he hadn't reacted in time he would've-

The weak branch under his hand gave way, and he could feel his body being plunged downward.

He couldn't hear his sudden cry for help, but could only feel the wind rushing past his ears, and his heart beating hysterically. He closed his eyes, hoping that at least Miro would come back to save him in time. He was falling so fast, the ground getting closer, closer -

A grunt came from under him as he felt his body slam into something. But it wasn't the hard ground that Shem had made contact with.

The one from under him had taken his fall, only to catch him at the last second before the two of them landed on the ground, sprawling.

It took a few minutes for Shem to start moving again, his heartbeat desperately trying to slow itself, and his breathing gradually coming down to long, ragged gasps.

Safe. He was safe.

A loud groan from underneath him. Shem sat up immediately and crawled off the being that had been laying under him this whole time.

"Miro!" Shem cried out suddenly, not bothering to look at the older boy that he'd gotten off of. "Are you-?"

"Shem!" A voice called out from the other side, and Shem turned around in surprise. The voice came from Miro Baker, who was running across the clearing, panic written on every feature of his face.

"Miro?" Shem wondered, and snapped his gaze around to the one on the ground behind him.

Austin groaned a second time, sitting up slowly and running a hand through his hair. His black cap had fallen off, revealing his slightly disheveled, black hair. Austin glanced at Shem, concern in his eyes.

A second later, a crooked smile appeared on Austin's face.

"That was close," Austin said, with that half-smile still on his face. "You alright?"

"I'm so sorry-"

"What happened?!" Miro was there pulling Shem up to his feet and placing his hands on Shem's shoulders. "Are you okay, ol' Chap?!"

"It's okay," Austin said, staggering onto his feet and brushing off the leaves on his jacket. "It was a miracle that he didn't scrape past any branches on his way down."

"What about you?" Miro asked Austin, clearly concerned when he saw Austin wince slightly. Miro looked down, and both he and Shem saw a slight cut on the back of Austin's hand. The wound was bleeding profusely.

"It's fine," Austin said, his voice light, but Shem did not fail to notice the dark look in his eyes. "I've been through worse."

"Thank you," Shem said, looking up at Austin. He'd just saved Shem from a month full of painful injuries. Austin smiled warmly. "For catching me."

"No problem," Austin said, his bleeding hand moving into his jacket pocket. Austin looked at Miro. "So how was your mini excursion?"

Miro's glittering eyes brightened. Shem always felt as though his own eyes were so dull compared to Miro's.

"I found something so amazing that I was sprinting just to get back to you guys!" Miro said, taking Shem's hand and dragging him out of the woods. Austin followed behind. "We can even take it home. I'll show you!"

The voices of the people around him were starting to get louder and louder. Shem walked back towards the hotel, taking in a deep breath of fresh air. That memory had occurred maybe a month or so before Austin had killed everyone off. Shem remembered the kind look in Austin's eyes. He always looked so tired, but he'd always been kind to Shem. How could such a boy turn into a cold hearted murderer in less than a month?

But Austin had been after the real jaded necklace in the first place. Shem had a vague idea of what the necklace could do, but it was such a pity to find out that Ira's necklace was a fake. It was true that anyone who knew of that necklace's power would kill just to get their hands on it anyway . . .

After the three had gone to get Ausitn's hand bandaged, both Shem and Austin began to pester Miro about what he'd found during his exploration. When Shem saw Miro's eyes light up, Shem knew that Miro had found something wonderful.

And to all three boys, it was a very big treat.

[xxx]

"Boys?" Nicholas Baker walked into the living room only to see that it was completely empty. Baker looked out the window, noting the sun's dim light slowly waning as the sky darkened. They should be back soon.

Baker knew that being the older brother Miro was, Miro had enough responsibility to bring Shem home. Baker smiled when the thought of the two boys crossed his mind. They were both very brilliant children, Miro being the one who was already far ahead of his time. His best friend, Austin, was also like a third son to Mr. Baker.

The door creaked open, and Baker turned to see the three boys enter the room, but they were not alone.

At the doorway, the three boys shuffled inside to reveal two burly men hauling in what looked like parts of a grand piano.

"Daddy! Look what Miro found!" Shem, who was resting perched on Miro's shoulders, piped up. Shem saw the amused look on his father's face as the men assembled the piano in the middle of the room, and then left the house. Miro put Shem down onto the ground and Shem ran to sit on the piano bench.

"I found it at the warehouse, and no one actually wanted it," Miro explained, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

Shem looked up to see his dad's face light up with a smile.

"No one wanted this?" Baker said in disbelief, chuckling as Miro nodded. Baker really had to go back to his study, so he supposed he'd better leave the three boys to their new toy. He didn't mind that Miro had found such a large and expensive item. Baker - in fact - was actually glad Miro had found it, because Baker was just about to take part in the struggles to afford for a grand piano for Miro's birthday.

In a few minutes, Baker left the room, his mind set on resuming his research in his study.

Miro and Austin followed to sit next to Shem on the piano bench. Miro had noticed Shem had been eyeing the instrument with scrutiny, and Miro smiled.

Miro had known all along that he was not the only one with an acute sense of logic.

It was definitely slower, but Shem's mind was developing similarly to Miro's in a way Miro would only understand and notice. Shem's gift was gradually appearing, but it was there.

"What do you see, Ol' Chap?" Miro asked, grinning. Shem cast a look of uncertainty, but Miro nodded in encouragement.

"It was made in Germany, about . . . Three years ago?" Shem began, and Miro nodded. Austin was watching, clearly impressed, but not surprised since Miro had constantly demonstrated this strength a long time ago.

"And?" Miro pushed further.

"The maker had stopped making piano like this and just started a job in tuning organ pipes, "Shem said. "But this piano was used by eight people before us, three of whom have moved on to becoming piano majors and then remaining five quitting their hobby. The piano traveled from Germany to France and then to the United States. The previous owner passed away, so that's why it was just moved to a warehouse . . ."

Shem squeezed his eyes shut for a few seconds, and when he opened his eyes, Miro noted the bright gleam in them.

"That's all I got so far," Shem said.

Miro was beaming at his younger brother. Shem hadn't caught every little detail, but it was a great start.

Probability of conjectures accurate: 99 %. Inaccurate? 1%.

It was obvious to Miro that Shem had that mysterious gift that many children didn't have. Shem looked up as he heard Miro sigh, a sad smile playing on his face. But as soon as it had occurred, the sad smile had vanished, replaced with pride and joy.

"Be proud of what you can do, okay?" Miro said, smiling. "Papa might not see it, but you're going to be ten times as gifted. Trust me, Ol' Chap."

The little boy looked up at his brother, and Miro felt his heart sink a little when Shem looked up in disbelief.

I can't be better than you, Shem said, not catching Miro's hurt expression. You'll always be the best.

Miro placed his fingers on the piano, and although his hands were unfamiliar to the of the black and white keys underneath, Shem saw his eyes roam the whole keyboard, until his eyes stopped near the middle.

"Hm," Miro said as he reached forward to press a black key he had been eyeing on. However, as soon as the key when down, no sound came out.

The three boys puzzled over this. After placing their hands on all the other keys to investigate further, they found that the rest of the keys were working perfectly fine. It was just that one key - the one Miro had touched first - that had not emitted a sound.

"Well, there's one reason why someone would not want this." Austin said finally, adjusting the black cap on his head.

"But it's only one key," Shem said, not understanding why someone would discard such an expensive object. "Can't you replace it?"

"The D flat key," Miro said, eyeing the key thoughtfully, "Black key, two octaves above the middle C. I really like that key. It's just as important, but there's always a reason why things like this happen."

Shem looked up at Miro, wondering if Miro had said it knowing that there were many meaning to his statement.

"Well, it's a key," Austin said, smiling. "Key's are always important, no matter how useless they can be."

Miro smirked back, and for a moment, Shem felt as though the two friends were having another mental conversation again. It seemed that everything they were saying definitely had more than one meaning.

Seeing the sparkle in Miro's eyes, Shem took it as an immediate confirmation.

Shem heard his wrist watch beep three times - an alarm indicating that it was 5:15 PM, fifteen minutes before the party was to begin. Shem made his way to the front desk of the hotel.

"Excuse me," Shem raised his voice as a lady came by the front. "I'm looking for Ira Vagler?"

"Your ride is right outside the door," The woman replied, nodding towards the entrance. Shem turned around to see a gleaming white limo parked outside the front entrance. The several people that were walking by began to gawk at it and take pictures with their smart phones.

You really outdid yourself this time, Lynx, Shem thought.

"And she will be at the party soon, so it's best you go now," The woman said, smiling sweetly. Shem nodded in gratitude and walked away, knowing that her smile was just another mask that covered up the faces of one of the many conspirators that Lynx had secretly hired.

As soon as Shem stepped into the limo and got seated, the driver turned around with a grin.

"So here's the lucky man," The limo driver said, shaking hands with Shem. Shem took out an earpiece from his pocket, showing it to the man as confirmation that he was with Lynx, but it seemed that the driver did not need that. "I got a good look at your date for tonight. Man, she is something."

Date? Shem thought, trying not to show face. He pushed that first thought away. So she's already there?

"She'll be coming after you, so you'll be the first one to see her step out of her own limo," The man said, answering Shem's unasked question. The limo started to move, and in a few moments, they were both out on the road. "But damn, she's a real beauty."

Did Lynx really have to hire people like him? Shem shook his head. Shem turned the earpiece around in his hand again, thinking of what Lynx had gotten them into.

The GPS on the man's dashboard flickered to life, and for a second Shem thought he saw a screen of a tetris game, but it flickered a second time to display the name of the location they were headed for.

Biltmore Estate. Asheville, North Carolina.