A/N: So. *laughs nervously* Remember me?

Anywho, I highly suggest you SKIP THIS CHAPTER if you have not yet read The Lost Hero. There are major, major, major spoilers for those of you who haven't.

AND RELAX.There's plenty of time for you to read The Lost Hero, come back, and then read this chapter. I'll still be here, I promise. :)

~interference~

For the most part, she was confined to Olympus. That wasn't to say that she hadn't broken the rules already – because certainly she'd made contact with her Hunters. Yet it was very hard to conceal – she couldn't tell anyone, for fear that Lord Zeus would hear of it eventually; she had to remain very subtle and secretive about speaking to Thalia since most of Olympus was watching the demigods' progress; and most of all, she felt compelled to make certain that Thalia crossed paths with her brother.

It was almost too much.

Now, in the starlit haven of her temple on Olympus, she felt hidden and remarkably safe. She reclined against her marble throne, silvery eyes focused intensely on the moon-pool straight ahead of her. With a flick of her wrist, an image shimmered into view in the glistening moonlit water – the sight of her Hunters, sporting their signature parkas, and the demigods with the quest to save Queen Hera. She smiled softly as a shocked Thalia Grace hurriedly embraced the son of Jupiter, Jason Grace – her brother. But while the scene was touching, there were other things to worry about.

"Aww." A voice startled Artemis out of her reverie. "Isn't that sweet? Now see – why can't we hug like that?"

Though she was taken by complete surprise, she tried to hold her composure. "Because, brother – Jason Grace is not half as irritating as you are." And when she remembered that absolutely no one was meant to know of her interference with Thalia and the others, the huntress quickly bid the image to fade. "Apollo – how did you – why are you - "

Apollo gave her a look. "Honestly, sis – we're twins. I think I know when you're up to something."

Artemis narrowed her eyes. "I don't know what you mean."

"Artemis," he said warningly.

She sighed, defeated. "Fine, brother, you've caught me." She paused briefly. "I swear, if you mention this to anyone - "

Apollo raised his hands in surrender. "Relax. I wasn't planning on it," he promised. Artemis huffed.

"Yes, well, I'm not so sure," she replied, annoyed.

Apollo scoffed. "Okay then. Let's get back to watching the demigods – I've been looking for a nice show." He nudged her and squeezed into the throne beside her. She glared, moving over.

"They are not simply for your entertainment!" she insisted as he settled in to the throne, obviously uncomfortable.

"Right, just yours, then," he countered.

"Touché," she said.

When the image appeared again, Thalia was busy retelling the story of how she and Jason had been separated. Artemis shook her head solemnly. Of all the things her father - whether in Greek or Roman form - had ever done wrong (and there were plenty of happenings to choose from), offering up the life of one of his children to satisfy his wife was among the most sickening.

"I would never let anyone do that to you," Apollo growled. "Ever."

Artemis reddened. "This is no time for nonsense, Apollo."

"Hardly nonsense," Apollo muttered, but he silenced as Thalia finished recounting the story. Artemis willed the image to dissipate, unable to watch anymore. It was simply too depressing.

"Poor Thalia," she murmured. "She's only just been reunited with her brother, and soon enough they will have to go their separate ways again." She sighed briefly. "I feel so cruel, like the Ice Queen they say I am. It is as if I am torturing her, as a heartless person would."

"That isn't true, Artemis, and you know it," Apollo said sternly. "You gave her the opportunity to see him again, and that's the best thing you could have done for her. She hasn't seen him in so long, Artemis. She would be grateful even if she had only caught a glimpse of him. She would feel reassured just to know that her mother had lied, and he never died – that he was safe. I didn't get that opportunity when you went missing. I couldn't connect with you, or see you. I had to wait it out to see if you came out of everything unscathed and okay."

Artemis leaned into him. "You are far too good at this."

"At what?" he asked, wrapping an arm around her as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Talking about things," she replied. "I almost forget about how annoying you actually are."

"…almost?"

"Don't push it," Artemis warned, though she was smiling at her twin brother's antics. The familiar chime of Apollo's jovial laughter was enough to push her fears for Thalia to the very back of her mind.

"I'm glad that I could be of assistance to you, little sister," he told her. She glared. "I mean, uh, sis." Another dirty look. "Okay, fine – Artemis." She smiled.

"Better," she admitted. "We're improving. Now, let's work on your unplanned visits and sneaking up on me in my temple while I am in the middle of something very, very secretive and important!"

"Whoops." Apollo shrugged. "I forgot." Artemis released him and rose from her throne.

"You always forget," she accused him.

"You never remind me!" he replied.

"It is not that hard to remember," she insisted.

"Easy for you to say – I have to remember a million things at a time," Apollo muttered.

"Oh – so you can remember your long, thought-out prophecies, but not my constant reminders to call me by my name, stay away from my Hunters, and leave me be?" Apollo smiled.

"You're so cute when you're angry, baby sis," he told her. "Now what happened to that sweet moment we just had?"

"It's gone, as is my tolerance," Artemis said bluntly. "Good day, brother." She disappeared in a flash of moonlight as Apollo sunk lower into her throne.

"Whatever. I'm staying here anyway."*

*A little thing my brother and I currently have going. It's really kind of stupid, but we're cool like that.

e.g. Mom or Dad: You're not allowed to do that.

Us: *under our breath* Whatever. I'm doing it anyway. ;)

-Chelsea