"I appreciate you guys coming," Reyna said. She glanced back at Nico and Piper. They were the only two who didn't have any plans for that day. Will was still hobbling around, since he had almost broke his leg once again a few days prior. Apparently, he still insisted on teaching archery and had been so focused on lecturing someone about how they held their bow that he did not focus on where he was walking. Everyone else had prior commitments.

"How exactly do these parties work?" Nico asked. He looked at Reyna, and she just shrugged. Nico frowned. Piper gave both of them a look. "Hey. I don't know exactly what an adult party means."

"It means you two need to relax," Piper said. She stopped walking and looked at the two of them. Piper suddenly grabbed Reyna's shoulders, and Reyna tried to keep herself from making a noise. "You need to relax your shoulders. You look so tense."

"And, you," Piper said. She turned on Nico and tried to fix his hair. "You two are messes. Try to relax and not freak out. An adult party means you two need to show how mature you are. Try to just react to conversations. Don't led them."

"I hate that I have to be here," Reyna muttered. Ever since she parted ways with her sister and went to Camp Jupiter, she hadn't been there for any of Hylla's birthdays. She might have sent a birthday card or two, but didn't actually spend a majority of the day with her sister.

"Just relax," Piper ordered. Reyna smiled slightly. Reyna glanced up at the Amazon base and stepped inside. She immediately saw Kinzie at the front desk. Kinzie was in the middle of a conversation with an Amazon, but she turned to look at them.

"I didn't think you would actually come," Kinzie said. She walked towards Reyna and grinned. "Nico and Piper, how are you two doing?"

"We're doing good," Nico answered. He crossed his arms. "Am I actually going to be allowed inside your base?"

"You're a guest tonight," Kinzie said. She led them towards the front desk and grabbed a black bag. "I'm going to need you to put this on though."

Nico gave Kinzie a look, and she studied him for a few moments. Nico sighed and went to grab the bag. Kinzie laughed and spoke, "I'm just kidding. This isn't our main base, and we aren't going deep inside anyway."

Kinzie threw the bag to the Amazon at the front desk and led them into the hallway. She spoke, "What did Hylla tell you about the party?"

"She just said it was an adult party," Reyna said with a shrug. Instead of focusing on her surroundings, she focused on Piper. They were at a dead end when it came to figuring out anything about the Inquisition. Prisca had somehow managed to turn Annabeth's questions about the Inquisition into questions about Camp Half-Blood. Arria had talked to Nico for two minutes before excusing herself and standing with the other ambassadors.

Ever since seeing the stupid cut on Reyna's lip, Arria had completely avoided her. Reyna just wanted to tell Arria that it wasn't her fault that her former master had targeted Reyna. Kinzie spoke, "Did she even warn you that she invited Arria?"

"No," Reyna said. She stared at the ground and felt Piper squeeze her arm. "Why didn't she tell me?"

"Probably because you wouldn't have come," Kinzie said. "It won't be too bad. I'll send some Amazons Arria's way and make sure she stays away from you. Hylla and Arria are pretty close, so Hylla insisted that we invite her. She didn't seem to understand how awkward it would be."

"I'll be fine," Reyna said quickly. Kinzie glanced back at her and gave her a look. Reyna looked away.
It's fine, Kinzie. Seriously. That's why Nico is here."

"It is an adult party," Kinzie warned. Reyna nodded her agreement. She knew that it was going to be boring. Everyone would be standing around talking and drinking from a fancy wine glass. What would they even talk about?

Kinzie opened the door, and Reyna stared at the large room in front of them. It was the size of the warehouse and full of partying Amazons. A few boys in collars were rushing around and serving all of the Amazons. Then, there was the strippers. Oh, it was that kind of adult party.

Reyna barely felt Kinzie nudge her into the room. It only took Reyna a few moments to find her older sister. Hylla was sitting in a chair and being fed grapes, as she received a lap dance. If Kinzie was jealous, she didn't say a word.

"Make sure to tip if you get a lap dance. I don't think that I have to warn you three, but they are not sex workers," Kinzie said. She looked around. "Some of the drinks are alcoholic. Just talk to the bartender and let him know you're underage. If you'll excuse me, I am going to get my own lap dance and watch Hylla get insanely jealous."

Kinzie walked away and moved to Hylla's side. She pointed out Reyna and then walked towards an empty chair. Hylla glared slightly and stood. She walked towards Reyna. It took a moment for Reyna to glance back at her friends.

"If I got a lap dance, would you guys judge me?" Piper asked. "Would any of you tell Jason? Gods, that sounds weird. It's just that I don't think I'll ever have this opportunity again."

"Piper, we won't judge," Nico answered. Reyna nodded her agreement and saw Hylla make it to their side. "Happy birthday, Hylla."

"Thanks Nico. I'm glad you two managed to drag Reyna here," Hylla said. Reyna gave her sister a look. Hylla grinned and hugged her tightly. She then dragged Reyna towards the bartender. "Grindal, this is my younger sister that I told you all about. Treat her and her friends right."

Grindal smiled at them and started to make drinks. Reyna glanced at Hylla and spoke, "I didn't realize your party would be like this."

"Well, some of us know how to have fun," Hylla said. Reyna rolled her eyes and glanced at Nico. He gave her a look. "I want all of you to get a lap dance. Well, not you Nico. I didn't think to get any males when we were ordering."

"That's okay," Nico said quickly. He slowly looked Grindal, who poured all three of them drinks. Reyna studied the dark concoction. She finally grabbed it and took a small sip. It tasted like soda, along with something like candy. Licorice. Reyna took another sip and spoke, "Is this alcohol?"

"Oh, it is," Hylla said. She grabbed a shot from the bartender and downed it in one gulp. "And, you are going to drink it. You need to loosen up and relax."

"I don't need to do anything," Reyna argued. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nico eyeing the drink. He took a small sip of it. Piper grabbed her own glass and shrugged. She took a large sip of it. "I am plenty relaxed."

"You're a terrible liar," Hylla said. She shook her head and leaned on the counter next to Reyna. "I heard about your break up with Arria, even though you didn't tell me. Rumor has it that you were the one broke it up. Why?"

Instead of answering, Reyna downed the rest of the glass. She could taste the alcohol, but anything was better than having to explain to her sister. The bartender passed Reyna another glass, and Hylla gave Reyna a look.

"Did she hurt you, Reyna?" Hylla asked. Reyna shook her head. She glanced at her sister and saw that Hylla was now looking ahead. Reyna followed the gaze and looked at Arria. Her ex was in a deep conversation with Kinzie. "Was she abusive?"

"It's nothing like that," Reyna said. She sighed and took a sip of the drink. "Are you really going to give kids alcoholic drinks?"

"You guys have been through enough to be considered adults," Hylla commented. "And, you're at an adult party. That makes you adults for the duration of the party. Stop trying to change the subject."

"It's complicated," Reyna began. She downed the rest of the drink and wished that the ground would swallow her whole. A glance to Nico showed that he was in a deep conversation with Grindal about Hellhounds. An Amazon was talking to Piper. "I don't really want to talk about it."

"Relationships are complicated," Hylla said. She sighed. "I talked to Arria, but she won't give me anymore information. What the hell is going on, Reyna? You know that you can tell me anything."

"I know," Reyna muttered. She grabbed one of Hylla's shots and took it. Reyna almost gagged on the alcohol, and Hylla laughed. Reyna just shook her head and tried to focus. She didn't feel drunk yet, which was probably a good thing. "It's complicated."

"You've said that twice now," Hylla said. She looked at the bartender and shook her head. When Reyna was handed another drink, it was water. "I know we argue a lot Reyna, but if you're in some of abusive relationship, I need to know."

"It's not that," Reyna said. She looked down. "If I tell you, will you promise to not go on a rampage?"

"Promise," Hylla said. She nodded to the bartender and grabbed two shot glasses. Hylla handed one to Reyna. "It doesn't look like it's going to be an easy story."

"Nerva is bribing me," Reyna muttered. She slowly looked at Hylla. "She knows what happened that night in Puerto Rico, and I don't know how. Nerva told me to break up with Arria. I don't know what else she wants, but she said that if I don't do it, she will tell the Senate about my crime."

"I always hated the Inquisition," Hylla muttered. "I hate those stupid creepy masks. Arria told me she's been having issues with her older sister, but I didn't realize it was that bad. Did you tell Arria?"

"I tried to. Then, she saw this," Reyna muttered. She pointed to now healed cut on her lip. It had left a small scar that was more prominent than Reyna would have liked. "Her old master, Marius, decided to pay me a visit. Wanted to give me Arria's contract if I freed Felika."

"You're such a light weight," Hylla commented. She took the shot from Reyna and downed it in one gulp. "Why don't you tell me anything?"

"I'm the praetor of New Rome. I don't need you to fight my battles for me," Reyna muttered. She closed her eyes and realized that she was totally on the verge of being drunk. How had that crept up on her so fast?

"I'm your sister, and I don't like being replaced," Hylla said. Reyna slowly opened her eyes and looked at her older sister. Hylla just studied Nico. "I'm glad you have someone that you are so close to, but you don't have to replace me."

"Hylla, I can't ever replace you," Reyna said. She looked down. Her relationship with Hylla was so complicated that she didn't know how to feel most of the time. They were always fighting, whether it was with each other or against someone else. It all traced back to when her and Hylla parted ways after leaving Blackbeard's ship, but if they talked about it, there would be a screaming match. "You're my older sister."

"I guess I don't have anyone to blame but myself," Hylla muttered. She pushed herself off of the counter and started to walk away. Reyna grabbed her sister's arm, and Hylla looked back at her.

"I am not a lightweight," Reyna argued. She crossed her arms. There was anger in Hylla's eyes, but there was no need for them to fight on Hylla's birthday. "I'll even prove it to you and relax along the way. Drinking contest."

Hylla laughed and spoke, "I will drink you under the table, Reyna. Do you really want to do this?"

"Only if you're ready for everyone to see you lose," Reyna said. Hylla shook her head and grinned. She walked towards the counter and looked at the bartender.

"We have a drinking contest," Hylla said. The bartender nodded. Reyna realized that the words drinking and contest had caught attention of the nearby Amazons. They were going to have an audience for it.

"Are you sure this is such a great idea?" Nico asked quietly.

"Not at all," Reyna said. Nico laughed and rubbed her shoulder. Reyna took a deep breath and watched the bartender line up shots. Hylla leaned on the counter, and it looked like Kinzie was telling her to take it easy. Reyna focused on the counter. She was just going to suck it up and do her best in the drinking contest. Winning wasn't what mattered, and if it made her sister's birthday better and kept them from arguing, that was all that Reyna wanted.


A soft groan escaped Reyna, and she tried to ignore the pounding in her head. It felt like someone was hammering the inside of her skull. Reyna buried her face in the pillow and slowly forced her eyes open. It hurt to even think.

Reyna closed her eyes once again and tried to remember exactly what had happened the night before. She definitely remembered the drinking contest, but she couldn't remember who had won. Reyna vaguely remembered someone helping her away from the bartender, and everything after that fuzzy and disoriented.

Reyna heard a small groan that wasn't her own. Her eyes snapped open, and she realized that she wasn't alone. Reyna blinked a few times and realized that someone's arm was wrapped around her waist. A glance down at the ground showed where her shirt had been discarded the night before. Reyna closed her eyes. She definitely remembered having sex with someone, but she wasn't sure who.

Another groan escaped Reyna, and she buried her face back in the pillow. Was Arria the one who pulled her away from the drinking contest? Reyna felt like she had talked to Arria, so had they made up? Had Reyna's drunken self managed to explain to Arria what had happened and make up with her?

Reyna slowly opened her eyes and finally looked at the hand that was wrapped around her waist. She expected to see an arm covered in tattoos, but this arm was bare. Which meant it was not Arria. Who in Bellona's name was it? The person groaned, and the arm suddenly tensed. It moved away from Reyna.

That probably wasn't a good sign. Reyna stared at the wall and blinked a few times, begging for any memories to come back. When nothing did, she just stared at the wall. It would have been easy to turn on her other side and see who she had spent the night with, but that was also the last thing that she wanted to do.

If it was an Amazon, Hylla would never let her live it down. Who else could it be though? Reyna took a deep breath. All she could do was bite the bullet. Reyna slowly turned on her side and stared at the person she had spent the night with. They stared back at her, and Reyna slowly spoke, "Piper?"