I was on a beach, smoke rising from my skin. The Master Bolt seemed stuck to my hand as I stayed on all fours, eyes closed and weak. Demigods weren't supposed to use things this powerful. I could hardly fell any of my limbs and all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and go to sleep.
"ACACIA!" Weakly, I lifted my head and opened my eyes. Percy, Annabeth, Grover and Mrs Jackson ran toward me, worried and scared. Annabeth and Mrs Jackson collapsed to their knees beside me, supporting me carefully. Both winced and retracted their hands. My skin was too hot. Percy and Grover stood over us, frowning in concern.
"Well, well," a smug voice came. "You figured it out, huh punk?" Gulping, I pushed myself to my knees. Ares smirked down at me, his eyes flicking from me to Percy. A baseball bat was propped on his shoulder. Annabeth and Mrs Jackson immediately shuffled closer. Percy's eyes narrowed and Grover took a step back.
"You set us up," Percy snarled at him.
Ares snorted, shrugging. "Nothing personal, punk," he sighed. "You just got in the way."
"You stole the helm and the Master Bolt," Percy scowled.
"Well, not personally," Ares scoffed, shaking his head. "Gods stealing each other's symbol of power, that's a big no-no. Like I said, half-bloods get in the way sometimes." Percy's jaw locked and Mrs Jackson shuddered beside me. Apparently, she didn't like the idea of Percy going up against a god. I mumbled a prayer to my father, hoping with every feeble fibre in my body that Hera didn't show up now. Thunder rumbled in the sky, as though he had heard and agreed completely. Annabeth and Grover sent me a funny look, but I shook my head, breathing deeply and trying to keep myself awake.
"Why would you want war amongst your family?" Annabeth breathed, eyes wide. Ares sighed, as though he thought he shouldn't have to explain this.
"It's the best kind of war, a family war. Always the bloodiest. Only, you had to go and spoil it. You were supposed to die down there. Then Poseidon would have been mad at Hades for killing the punk, Zeus would have been mad at him for stealing the bolt and killing little Acacia there and even Athena would have been mad because of blondie. And then of course Hades would be mad because of his missing helm." He pulled a ski cap out of his pocket and, before our very eyes, it transformed into an elaborate bronze war helmet.
"You gave me the backpack in Denver," Percy reminded him. "It's been there the whole time."
"Yes," Ares nodded. "And no. The backpack is the bolt's sheath, just morphed a bit. It's designed to always return to it. Kind of like the sword in your pocket. I tampered with the magic a bit, so the bolt would only return to the backpack when you got close to Hades. Simple."
"Why did you send the bolt to the underworld?" Percy asked. "Why not keep it for yourself?" Ares's jaw twitched, and he stared into space for a second. I blinked, still trying to catch my breath. "It wasn't your idea, was it?"
"Of course it was," Ares snapped, smoke drifting from his glasses.
"No it wasn't," Percy shook his head. "Someone sent a demigod to steal the bolt and when Zeus sent you to find them, you did. Only, you didn't turn them over. You took the bolt from them and kept it until another hero came to complete the delivery. That thing in the pit is ordering you around."
My panic showed. In an instant, the Master Bolt cracked loudly and the wind stirred around me, pushing myself back before the lightning could hurt any of the others. Annabeth shrieked in surprise and Mrs Jackson immediately tried to hurry back to my side, but Grover kept her in place as I slumped to my hands and knees in the sand, breathing hard. Ares . . . was taking orders from . . .
"I'm the god of war! I don't take orders from anyone! I don't have dreams!"
Percy hesitated. "Who said anything about dreams?" he asked carefully. Ares didn't say anything, but he clicked his fingers and a wild boar charged out of the sand, eyes fixed to Percy. Mrs Jackson whimpered.
In the same second, I pushed myself back onto my knees, hating the way my head swam painfully. "Grover, the bag," I instructed weakly, snapping my fingers at him. Without hesitating, he flung the backpack at me, and I ripped it open, shoving the Master Bolt inside and peeling my hand away with a wince. Annabeth and Mrs Jackson hurried to my side as I slung the bag over my shoulder, taking one of my arms each and helping me to my feet. They led me up the beach and away from Percy and Ares, slowly and with a feather light touch as though they thought I was about to disintegrate.
As we reached the top of the beach, Mrs Jackson cast a glance back over her shoulder. I followed her gaze to Percy and clamped my lips shut for a second. "He'll be fine," Annabeth assured her, shooting me a pleading look. "He knows how to take care of himself."
Pulling my arm out of her grasp, I jerked my head back toward the scene unfolding in front of us and she barely hesitated. Watching her race toward Percy and Grover, I pulled Mrs Jackson down onto the sand beside me as my knees caved.
"Annabeth's right," I told her. "He saved my life." Her head whipped around so fast, I was surprised it was still attached when she met my gaze. I scoffed before I could stop myself. "Let's just say Percy isn't the only one with a psychotic god on his back."
She gulped, shuddering on the spot. "Who?" she asked, barely whispering. "Why?" I didn't answer her straight away, thinking my answer through carefully as I tested each of my muscles out. None of them seemed to be functioning properly, something I knew was going to be a serious problem down the road. Mrs Jackson scoffed weakly, pursing her lips. "I don't even know who you are."
I smiled again shakily, holding out my hand. "Acacia Grace," I answered. She took my hand, staring at me questioningly. "Daughter of Zeus."
Her eyes widened. "And you're helping Percy?" she asked, stumped.
I chuckled wryly. "My father told me to," I shrugged. "He really wants his bolt back." She nodded, still staring at me with a puzzled look. "You know, when I got to camp, Percy was the only friend I had. Being singled out as the Daughter of Zeus, especially after Thalia . . ."
"Thalia?" she asked.
"My older sister," I mumbled. "She died just on camp's borders five years ago."
"Oh, I'm so sorry," she breathed.
"So am I," I admitted with a heavy sigh. "My point is, Percy was the only one who understood. It isn't any easier for him being the Son of Poseidon. He's more like a brother to me than a cousin. Never once has he ever thought twice before helping me out, and considering Hera's out to get me . . ."
"Hera, Zeus's wife?" Mrs Jackson blurted.
I snorted, nodding. "She doesn't particularly like me very much."
"Is that how . . ."
"Thalia?" I blinked. "No, she didn't kill Thalia. Thalia ran off when I was four. She met a few demigods, one of them being Annabeth Chase over there. Grover was sent to lead them to Camp, but there were too many monsters after them. The hill just outside of Camp was named Half-Blood Hill in her honour. She made her last stand there, protecting Grover, Annabeth and Luke until they got to safety."
"That's horrible," she muttered.
I nodded slowly. "Zeus took pity on her, as she was dying. He turned her into the pine tree that protects the Camp."
Mrs Jackson looked startled. "A pine tree?" she repeated.
"Better than her going to the Underworld. Hades wouldn't be too pleased that she existed in the first place."
"Like you and Percy?" she said, in barely a whisper. I didn't know what to say. "I know all about the oath Zeus, Poseidon and Hades took. Why do you think I protected Percy so much?"
I smiled weakly. "I guess I never thought about it," I admitted.
"Surely your mother protected you?" Mrs Jackson scoffed. Thunder rumbled overhead. My face fell and I suddenly became very interested in my shoes. "Oh. I- I didn't think, I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," I shrugged. "My mother was an alcoholic. She didn't do much for Thalia and me." I felt the need to leave it at that. Not that I didn't trust Mrs Jackson, but it wasn't like I knew her. Okay, so I admitted it to Artemis, but she sent me Sasha. I owe her big time.
"Oh my," Mrs Jackson breathed.
A darkness had suddenly descended over the beach, as though someone had just blocked the sun from view. It was as though a terrifying presence had arrived, making me feel helpless and weak. The temperature dropped well below freezing and instantly they all turned to me, praying that I was doing this as some sort of joke. I just blinked in shock.
Before anyone could make sense of it, the darkness lifted. The sun beat down on us and for a second, I was sure I could see the image of the gods in the corner of my eye again. But when I turned to look, they were gone. Ares stood, stunned. He shook himself, limping forward slightly.
"You have made an enemy, godling," he spat at Percy. Mrs Jackson's hands tightened in worry around my wrist, but I had no idea what to do. There was no way this could seem any less threatening. "Every time you lift your blade for success, you will feel my curse. Beware, Perseus Jackson." His eyes flicked to me for a split second, as though curious. But his body began glowing.
"Don't look!" I hissed at Mrs Jackson. She squeaked and spun around, her eyes tight shut. The light faded again and I turned back to Percy. He had bent down to pick Hades's helm up, just as leathery wings descended.
All three Furies landed in front of him, each carrying a fiery whip. And the only thing that rang in my head was that one of them had tried to destroy my locket. I was right behind them with my swords out before I knew what I was doing, ignoring every inch of my burning muscles. One Furies turned. Tisiphone cackled at me, her eyes flashing. The middle one, the one that seemed to recognise Percy, didn't turn.
"So, it really wasn't you?" she asked him cautiously.
"No," Percy said flatly, tossing the helm to her. She caught it, surprised. My jaw locked. It took so much self-restraint not to kill her for the third time, my sword was actually shaking. But I knew if I killed her, the others would turn and I could still feel my body shaking, preparing to give in in seconds. "Take that back to Hades. Tell him to call of the war."
The three Furies cackled again and took off. Percy's eyes met mine, curious. I lowered my swords, jaw still locked. Shaking my head and shoving both swords back into their sheaths, I turned back toward Annabeth and Grover, who were stood reassuringly beside Mrs Jackson.
"Percy!" she whimpered, throwing her arms around him tightly. He burned red, but hugged her back just as hard. I smiled, suddenly feeling everything catch up to me. I hadn't slept properly in so long.
"That was amazing," Grover breathed, patting Percy's back.
"We need to get to New York," he replied, breathing deeply.
"Defiantly," I agreed, stumbling forward with a wince and shoving the backpack at him. "I'm not touching that thing again," I added sharply. "Ever." They raised their eyebrows, but Annabeth smiled in understanding, nodding her agreement.
"So how we get to New York by tonight?" Grover asked.
"It's impossible," Annabeth dismissed. "Unless we-"
"Fly," Percy and I breathed. I bit my lip as Mrs Jackson's eyes went wider.
She shook her head furiously. "No way," she said. "I am not letting you get on a plane."
"Zeus would strike you down!" Annabeth breathed. "It's insane!"
Percy glanced at me and I gulped. "They're right," I nodded. "But so are you. The only way to get to New York on time is to fly."
"Acacia can take it," Grover said. "She's allowed in the sky."
"Chiron said I had to hand it over," Percy muttered sourly. "Something about an apology."
"Percy, the Master Bolt is more destructive than a nuclear bomb," Annabeth persisted. "If Zeus strikes that out of the sky-"
"He wouldn't," I frowned. "Not his own bolt."
"How do you know?" she breathed. "This isn't something to be impulsive about!"
"What is?" I asked with a snort. "Annabeth, Zeus would never let anyone use his bolt, not even his children."
"He let you," Grover frowned.
"That's my point! It was the only way to get it out of Hades's reach! He wants it back that badly, he let me use it. He wouldn't strike it from the sky."
"You can't be sure," Annabeth muttered.
"I know," I nodded. "And I don't ask people to do something I'm not willing to." Percy's eyes widened and he pulled himself from his mother's reach, shaking his head at me.
"No," he said sternly.
"Hey, you don't have a choice," I frowned. "Annabeth, Grover, you need to get back to Camp and tell Chiron what's happening. Oh, and see if Sasha's there. Make sure she's not attacking anyone."
"Sasha?" Mrs Jackson asked.
"Her psychotic pet wolf," Percy muttered.
"She is not psychotic!" I protested. "She was a gift from the goddess Artemis, of course she doesn't like boys!" Percy smirked slightly, shrugging. "Back to the point. We need to get going."
"I-" Mrs Jackson started.
"Defiantly not," Percy scowled. "Mum, you're not getting on that plane. Go with Annabeth and Grover. Go home, I'll be there soon." Mrs Jackson's eyes watered, but she nodded and hugged her son tightly again.
"I'm so proud of you," she muttered. Again, Percy was bright red. He nodded and pulled himself away again, starting down the beach. I followed him weakly, smiling.
"Don't even say it," he warned with a scowl.
"What? I think it's sweet how much she cares about you. I've never seen it before, that's all."
He paused, glancing down awkwardly. "I thought you were adopted," he said.
"Mary?" I asked. "She, erm, she doesn't exactly show her feelings like that. She's a hard person to read." Percy nodded, but said nothing as we walked. I suddenly felt anxious to get back to Scotland. I wanted to see Mary and Felicity again, wanted something that was normal. I wondered if it would last, if I could go back at all.
