Disclaimer: Alas, I am still not Rick Riordan or Cassandra Clare

I'm afraid to open my eyes. I know it's morning already and I can hear people in the kitchen, but I keep selfishly hoping I can just drift back to sleep and miss another day. I don't want to hear about the meeting. I don't want to face what might be going on right now because of it. I don't want people to look to me for guidance, because I am so not up for this.

But I know I have to. I roll out of bed, run my fingers through my hair and pull on the purple t-shirt and gear pants I wore yesterday. I definitely need to get back to the Institute, if only to grab a few extra outfits. The leather isn't as stiff as it used to be - actually wearing it will do that - but it's still difficult to put on and certainly doesn't fit me any better. My ankles are dangerously exposed and I can barely bend my knees even without hidden weapons, but for some reason I don't feel nearly as uncomfortable in the gear as I used to.

Percy and Annabeth are in the middle of a heated conversation when I enter the kitchen, so I freeze in the doorway and clear my throat loudly enough for them to hear. They both spin around and greet me enthusiastically enough that I know I've just intruded on a conversation that concerns me.

"Hey," I sit down at the table and grab a bowl that was clearly left out for me. Pouring myself some cereal, I finally work up the courage to speak.

"So… how did they react?"

Annabeth sighs and leans forward, resting her chin on her hands. "Better than expected, I guess. They believe you. We're gonna send as many people out there as possible to protect the mortals. The third cohort left about an hour ago. We're rotating."

"And the shadowhunters?"

"Apparently they've been fighting all night. I guess your message got through."

I feel a surge of pride at this news, which surprises me. I've never considered myself one of the nephilim, but hearing that they've been out there protecting mundanes all night in a cause that I'm leading makes me feel like I'm part of something greater than myself. My people are doing amazing, heroic things. And for once, I consider myself one of them.

I surprise even myself when I blurt out, "Can I join them?"

Percy and Annabeth share a look, and I have a feeling this has to do with the conversation I walked in on.

"What, you don't want me to fight? You don't think I have enough training?" My disappointment only increases when the looks on their faces confirm my fears. I was stupid to think anything would change. Stupid to assume that these two would back me up when everyone else - including myself - has consistently told me I'm not good enough. "Look, it was just an idea-"

"It's not just that," Annabeth interjects, "it's just that you were pretty beaten up last night, and we didn't want you to do anything rash and put yourself in danger."

Of course they didn't. People never think I can take care of myself, and I suddenly find myself upset about that. I think I've proven that I can kick some ass. It's time people stop telling me to sit on the sidelines. Angry and emboldened, I lean forward and look her in the eyes. "My people are out there right now, fighting for the future of the entire human race, because of me. I have spent years sitting at home waiting for news as they went out and risked their lives, not knowing if they would come back or what state they would be in when I next saw them. This time, I'm not going to sit back and let them fight my battles. This is my fight, and you are not going to stop me from participating."

Annabeth nods. "I understand. I just don't want you to feel like you're being pressured into this. You don't have to fight if you don't want to."

"Nobody's pressuring me into this," I assure her, "I want to fight." And though a little voice in my head screams no, you really, really don't, I do my best to ignore it. I'm tired of always choosing the safe option.

Annabeth nods. "Just checking. Normally, you wouldn't be able to fight without being a recognized member of the 12th Legion, but since we have allies this time, you can fight with them."

"So I have to find the shadowhunters if I want to fight?"

"Sort of. We can give you weapons, armour, anything you need. Just go out there and find the monsters. Unless they're really incompetent, your friends should be there."

Friends isn't exactly the word I'd use, considering I've never met the nephilim situated in California, and my demigod acquaintances are all back in New York handling the situation there. Splitting up from the only people I know on this side of the country is not exactly my favourite course of action. I try not to think of what will happen to me if I'm hurt in battle.

"And you guys?" I ask hopefully, "Have you changed your minds about fighting?"

They share another knowing look. "We're still not sure…"

"Please? I don't want to go out there alone and you guys are probably the most experienced warriors I know."

"Well, we're not members of the twelfth legion anymore," Percy starts, but I cut him off.

"You said that doesn't matter. Just come with me. Fight with the shadowhunters."

"Like greeks," a smile plays across Annabeth's lips as she says it.

"Exactly! Come on, you've done this before, and I have no idea what I'm doing. If you're not doing it for the mortals, do it so that I don't die a gruesome and embarrassing death."

Percy is still staring at his girlfriend. "It's your call, Annabeth. I know we've worked hard for our happiness, but this isn't who we are."

The look she gives him is so intense it makes me suddenly wish I could disappear and give them some privacy. "I hate that we have to keep doing this," she whispers, "but such is the life of heroes, I guess."

"We never really had a choice, did we?"

Annabeth shakes her head. "We're heroes. As long as the world needs saving, we'll be there."

That settles it. I dart back to my room to pick up my stele and apply a few battle runes - definitely a new experience. Then I follow the two of them to the front hall and out the door into New Rome. I'm momentarily confused that Percy and Annabeth didn't even bother to get their gear or weapons, until I remember that none of that is allowed in the city. I'll bet everything they need is in the armory.

There's a certain charm to New Rome this early in the morning, one that I was too distracted to notice the first time I came here. The white of the buildings makes the city as a whole seem brighter and livelier. Shops are opening up all along the street and early risers weave through the city on their way to work. The smell of bread emanates from a nearby café, making me wish I had gone there for breakfast instead of settling for cereal. I hope this won't be my last visit to the city.

Percy and Annabeth waste no time getting to the border, waving to shopkeepers and citizens as people recognize them on the street. I get a few greetings myself, and I have a feeling it's not just because of the company I'm keeping. These people know who I am. For the first time in my life, I've done something noteworthy, and it feels amazing.

We don't need to go through security on our way out of New Rome, which doesn't surprise me in the slightest since I don't think anything is off-limits at Camp Jupiter. That doesn't stop Terminus from giving me a nasty look on my way out, however, and I get the feeling I'll have a pretty tough time crossing back into the city if I ever make it back here. The armless statue doesn't strike me as the type to forgive and forget easily.

"Don't worry about it," Annabeth assures me, seeing my uneasiness at this treatment, "he's annoying, but he'll warm up to you eventually."

"I won't hold my breath."

While New Rome looks like it has just woken up, Camp Jupiter is already at work. Campers circulate all over the grounds, some hanging around while most seem to be preparing for battle - unsurprising, considering the amount of soldiers that have undoubtedly been sent out in the last few hours. There's a certain uneasiness about them, and their eyes follow us as we pass. On this side of the Pomerian line, it's all business as everyone awaits the call to battle.

We soon reach the armory, where Percy and Annabeth help me try on a few pieces. My bottom half is perfectly covered by my gear, but I'm starting to regret not wearing the whole thing as the metal breastplate they give me is very uncomfortable and distracting. I mean, I'm glad I won't get stabbed through the chest and everything, but I know there are much more comfortable ways to protect myself. I'm slightly worried about mobility, until I remember that I've never been the most nimble shadowhunter and it probably won't make much of a difference anyway.

I put my foot down when Percy starts examining a row of ridiculous-looking helmets that I would never be caught dead in. "Shadowhunters have survived for thousands of years without helmets. I'll be fine."

I finally decide to forgo the armor altogether, since neither of my friends are wearing any and I know that putting this stuff on will be more of an inconvenience than an advantage anyway. We focus instead on the weapons, where I have a distinct advantage over the other two, having what feels like an infinite amount of places to stash knives and swords. I grab a fancy-looking bow and few adamas weapons from the brand-new shadowhunter shelf, but mostly load up on imperial gold, leaving the shadowhunter stuff for the others. Annabeth grabs one of each, and Percy straps one blade to his back but explains that he owns a ballpoint pen that turns into a bronze sword when he uncaps it. I've never been one to obsess over weapons, but riptide is so unbelievably cool that I'm instantly jealous. That's a first. This new life really has changed me.

Once we've acquired our weapons, we make the trek across the grounds and through the tunnels. The guards step aside without hesitation when they see us coming, and I get the impression this is far from the usual arrangement at Camp Jupiter.

Our return to the Mundane world is abrupt and shocking. Cars race past us along the highway and mundanes go about their daily business, oblivious to the war that has occupied my every waking (and even sleeping) moment since the day I first learned about the existence of demigods. I've never thought about how weird it must be for shadowhunters to spend so much time in this world.

It doesn't take us long to find our first demon. Just down the highway, an unidentifiable mass of scales and teeth is closing in on a broken down minivan as its occupants argue loudly in the backseat. Percy and Annabeth both pull out their adamas blades, looking way too excited and proud of themselves. I don't even have to do anything: the two of them attack in unison, and before I know it they've disposed of the demon as quickly and efficiently as any shadowhunter. After cleaning her blade on her jeans, Annabeth holds up her hand for a high-give, which Percy enthusiastically returns.

"First demon!" he exclaims, adding a fist-pump for good measure. "We're on our way to becoming real shadowhunters!"

"You're better than I am," I admit, "and I can wear runes."

"Aw, don't say that," he throws his arm around me, steering us away from the scene, "you'll have plenty of time to prove yourself today."

He isn't wrong. The next hour isn't quite as much fun, as we use my sensor to track down demons, and kill any monsters we find along the way. Most of our foes are much more fearsome and resilient than the first one, and it takes all three of us to protect the mundanes. I see a few other shadowhunters and demigods in the city, as well as a large group of Romans I'm assuming is one of the cohorts, though I don't know which one. I hope my friends in New York are okay, and suddenly wonder how much time it would take for me to find out if something were to happen to them. I push those thoughts to the back of my mind. I'll think about that stuff later. For the moment, I need to focus on the battle.

The monsters and demons become more numerous as the day wears on, and it becomes clear that Prometheus has singled us out as the biggest threat to his plan. An army of horrible creatures descends on us, until we're forced to back to back to back, battling for our lives as they keep on coming. I wonder if there will be any end to this, or if the enemies will just keep on coming by the thousands until we finally cave. My shirt is torn, again, because I am the biggest idiot ever for thinking I can fight in a t-shirt. My arms are scratched and there's blood dripping in my eyes, but there's no time to get out my stele or ask for a bite of ambrosia. Besides, the battle leaves no time for pain or exhaustion.

They keep coming. We're joined by other warriors; shadowhunters, demigods and romans alike, until I'm pretty sure we have the entire roman army and then some. We're locked in an all-out war, and I can't tell who's winning. Black ichor mixes with human blood on the ground beneath our feet, which is littered with corpses - the demons and monsters having disappeared as soon as they were killed. I don't look at faces. I don't want to recognize anyone, though I can't hold back a cry of horror when I see acquaintances from my (admittedly brief) time at Camp Jupiter. I'm relieved every time I realize they're not one of my friends, and then I immediately hate myself for thinking that way.

Confusion ripples through the crowd as our enemy begins to retreat without warning. There is a momentary pause in the battle, during which I come to the sudden realization that I am now at the very front of the group. Exhaustion washes over me, and I become aware of the blinding pain on my forehead. I reach up to discover a gruesome cut that will probably leave a nasty scar. Before the battle can recommence, I whip out my stele and draw three quick iratzes: one on my head and one on each arm. I add an extra strength rune for good measure, and immediately start to feel better.

The people around me are clearly on edge, and it's not hard to tell why. The demons and monsters aren't just moving away from us, they're moving out to the edges, making a path down the centre of their group. A tall figure advances slowly through the crowd, sword in hand, and I don't have to wait for him to come closer to know exactly who I'm facing.

Prometheus.