Wow it has been a while since I posted a chapter. Sorry for being absent everyone. I got into a real funk over the summer and honestly thought about giving up on my writings completely. I picked the stories back up though over the last couple of days. I'm hoping to be back into my rhythm with writing soon. I would like to say thanks to all of you who have not given up on the story yet, the constant reviews about updates really helped give me a reason to pick my writing back up. You guys are awesome, now enough from me. Here is the next chapter of The Venator.

Fall drew to a close and winter was getting started. December had arrived faster than anyone had expected. Both Camp Jupiter and Camp Half-Blood decided that they would get together at Camp Half-Blood for the week of Christmas and New Year's, this year. Everyone was excited to see their friends from the other camp. Reyna was sitting in her office finalizing some paperwork for when they would be gone. Reyna had called up the reserve cohort, a cohort made up of retired legionnaires who agreed to step up when the main Legion was gone. Their job was to keep an eye on things and contact the praetors if something threatened New Rome.

A gust of wind blew through her slightly opened window, causing Reyna to pull her jacket tighter around her. She inhaled the forest scent that was ingrained into the jacket from how much Arthur had worn it. It was his Hunt jacket that he gave her that morning when he returned, she just never gave it back. Why should she, he was her boyfriend after all.

Many in the Legion had not been too happy with the news that the venator and she were dating. When they had returned from the archers first training week, Arthur had offered to keep their relationship private if Reyna had wanted. That lasted for a grand total of one day. Reyna decided that she did not care what others thought about them, especially when they kissed in public. It was her life and if the legionnaires did not like it, they could get over it. If they complained, Reyna could always punish them.

Thinking of punishments, Reyna rubbed her shoulder. The tattoo that Artemis had placed on her was still there, but had not burned since she and Arthur had started dating. In fact, Artemis had not shown up to give her any chores lately either. Reyna hoped that Artemis had forgiven her, especially since she and Arthur were now a couple. A shadow passed in front of the window to her office and she realized that she had thought his name too many times.

"My Praetor," Arthur said as he climbed into her office through her window.

Reyna spun her chair around glaring at Arthur, "How many times do I have to tell you that you don't need to always be so formal with me. Especially when we are alone."

Arthur's lips turned up in a playful grin, "At least once more."

Reyna sighed as she stood up and walked over to her boyfriend. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him lightly on his lips, his outdoor scent filling her nose. She felt Arthur's arms wrap around her shoulders and immediately felt safe.

"What have you been working so hard on?" Arthur asked.

Reyna turned around to sift through the papers on her desk, "Our holiday plans with the Greeks."

Arthur had kept his arms around Reyna as she turned, wrapping them a little tighter to hold her closer. Reyna leaned her head against his arms, causing Arthur to chuckle lightly. He had realized early on in their relationship that Reyna was going to use him as a pillow whenever she wanted.

"You've come a long way since you were my little rookie," Arthur commented.

Reyna smacked his forehead, "I told you I hate it when you call me that."

Arthur shrugged as he let her go, "I know, but you look cute when you get frustrated."

Reyna pushed some loose strands of her hair behind her ear, and fixed Arthur with a glare. She had taken to wearing her hair shorter and loose lately. I had gotten cut in the war games a month ago, and Arthur had mentioned that it looked good on her. Since then, Reyna does not braid her hair in a single braid down her back, and she keeps it just a little longer than her shoulders.

"Well it's your lucky day then. If you keep calling me your little rookie then I'm gonna look better than Venus, because it is pissing me off," Reyna had a dangerous edge to her voice.

Arthur knew when he had overstepped his bounds. He bowed at his waist and muttered his apologies. Reyna sighed as she sat back in her seat. Arthur inhaled deeply to determine what kind of scent she was giving off.

"You seem more nervous than usual Rey, why?" Arthur asked. He took a seat on the window ledge, watching Reyna rub her temples in frustration.

Reyna met Arthur's gaze, "Have you heard anything from Lady Diana about me?"

Arthur's features hardened, "Why do you ask?"

"She has not appeared to me with more tasks to prove myself to her, and I'm getting worried that either she does not like me, or that the next task is going to be too difficult for me to do," Reyna said quietly.

Arthur's eyes began to glow a familiar silver. Reyna knew he was upset about something and that he was trying to control it. She quickly stood and made her way to him, sitting on his lap.

"My mother should never have done that to you," Arthur told her, "That mark she placed on you, she had swore to not use it unless absolutely necessary. I had a long talk with her when I discovered that mark on you. She will apologize at Camp Half-Blood while we are there."

Reyna's mouth fell open when she heard that Arthur knew about the mark. She had been so careful to hide it from him, that was one of Diana's rules. Reyna realized that it must have been very difficult for Arthur, to choose her well-being over his mother's rules like that. That must have been an affect of being raised Greek. She leaned up and placed a passionate kiss on Arthur's lips.

"Thank you," Reyna said, "You did not have to do that."

Arthur shook his head, "Yes I did. Mom claimed to be protecting me by placing it on you. After I spoke with her she ended the curse and agreed to remove the tattoo when she apologizes."

"NO!" Reyna cried out.

Arthur looked at her in shock and surprise.

"I don't want to lose the tattoo," Reyna mumbled.

Arthur's confusion grew, "Why not?"

Reyna smirked, "I like it. It lets me feel more connected with you, seeing as how Diana put it on me because of how I treated you."

Arthur smirked, "You did hurt my feelings when you were upset with me."

Reyna rolled her eyes before kissing him on the cheek, "Better?"

Arthur captured her lips with a deep kiss of his own. When he pulled away he grinned down at Reyna, "Much."

Reyna sighed as she allowed herself to collapse into Arthur's embrace. She hoped she could get to the forge tonight to finish his gift that she was making for him. It had taken some time, but she managed to get Arthur to tell her when his birthday was. She was a little disappointed that it was so close to Christmas. That meant that it would be harder to get him a gift for both holidays.

Arthur placed a kiss on her head before saying, "Rey, I've got to go now. I need to run the archers through some drills so they are not hopelessly embarrassed by my sisters at Camp Half-Blood."

"I hope they are not upset with me," Reyna muttered as she stood up from Arthur's lap. She made her way to her desk and leafed through the paperwork to find the forms she needed.

Arthur chuckled, "Don't worry. They are more likely to embarrass me than to be angry with you. Especially since I straightened everything out with my mother."

With that Arthur lept out the window and onto the roof of a nearby building as he made his way to the archery ranges. Reyna could not stop the smile that started to form on her face as she watched her boyfriend make his way across New Rome in the most unconventional of ways. A knock at her office door drew her attention.

"Enter," Reyna commanded.

In through the door walked one of the newer Senators New Rome had. The man's name was Silas, and beyond that, Reyna did not know much about him. He always wore long sleeve to cover his arm so she could not instantly know how long he had served in the Legion or who his parent was. However, to have gained the respect that he seemed to command, he must have been one of the many names Reyna never learned. She hated that she did not know each member of the Legion, but there were so many soldiers that it was difficult to remember each and every one of them.

"Praetor," Silas said, bowing slightly as he entered.

Reyna held back a groan. If the Senate was sending someone that could only mean more paperwork and bad news.

"What can I do to aid the Senate today?" Reyna asked.

Silas rubbed the back of his hand nervously, Reyna noticed the folder he carried.

"It's more of how we can help you Reyna. You asked us before to have some children of Trivia look into the dark magics that seemed to be affecting New Rome's citizens, yourself included. Well, they have finished their search of all of New Rome to determine where the dark magics originated from."

Reyna's eyes opened a little wider. Now she would finally have answers as to why she had gotten so angry with Arthur when he had first returned. Whoever the culprit was, they would surely pay for their transgressions. What Lady Diana did to her was nothing compared to what Reyna would do to the one that had messed with her mind and emotions.

Reyna grabbed the folder and opened it quickly. What she saw nearly shattered her where she sat. Her face lost all color and and she glanced up at Silas warily, "Who all knows of these findings?"

Silas gulped, "Unfortunately, the Senate's records are open for everyone. That way they can determine if something illegal or shady was occurring."

Reyna shook her head in disbelief, "We need to keep this as quiet as possible. Until it can be proven beyond the shadow of a doubt. If this information were to get out and the entire Legion knew, there would be no saving him."

Silas nodded, "I agree, which is why the only copy of the records has yet to be released and the investigators sworn to secrecy until I received commands from you."

"Someone is setting him up, I just know it. He is a loyal servant of Rome," Reyna said.

Silas coughed, "I think it would be more accurate to say he is your loyal servant, my Praetor."

Reyna closed her eyes so she would not have to look at the folder on her desk. Staring up at her were the results of the search the children of Trivia had done. According to them, the only source of dark magic anywhere near New Rome and Camp Jupiter that was strong enough to control someone came from one source. Accompanying the file was a picture of the culprit. Reyna still could not believe it. The picture showed the face of her boyfriend. They believed Arthur was using dark magics against Rome!

Sorry for how bad it was. I needed a transition for what will happen next. I'm also sorry for the ending. Don't worry though the next chapter is well under way and should be up soon. Thanks again to all the readers, favorites, reviews for all the support you guys have given me. I do enjoy writing and find it to be an escape from stress, even if my writing is not that good. I do plan to write this story until its conclusion, so don't worry if there is ever a period of time without an update. See y'all next chapter.