I know I missed an update on Wednesday, but this chapter was hard to write, mostly because I wanted to do it right.

Chapter 29: The Cat's Out of the Bag

Chloe, somehow, managed to convince Alix to come over to her place to work on their project.

Alix had skating practice right after school, so Chloe and Lacy had the first hour or so to themselves. This very quickly turned into a makeover. Chloe was just finishing up some touches to Lacy's hair when Alix arrived. She looked horrified at the sight of all the makeup and hair products.

"I thought we were doing homework," Alix said.

"We were waiting on you," Lacy replied. She stood up and tiptoed around all the supplies to greet Alix. "We should probably move to a different part of the room."

The three of them set up a work station next to Chloe's huge tv, and got to work. They managed to stay focused for a whole two hours, and were starting to wrap up when Sabrina arrived.

"Chloe, you look so pretty!" She squealed.

Chloe huffed. "Don't I always?"

"I didn't know you invited Sabrina," Alix commented.

"I didn't," Chloe replied. "I don't have to."

"If I'm interrupting something-" Sabrina started.

"Nonsense," Chloe interrupted. "You're always welcome here. Same with you." She nudged Lacy's knee with her foot.

"What about me?" Alix challenged.

Chloe made a face and a so-so motion with her hand.

"That's fair," Alix agreed.

Chloe's butler brought them snacks and drinks, and the four of them sat around and chatted for about half an hour.

"Oh, did you hear Alya was contacted by that big-name researcher about something she posted on the Ladyblog?" Sabrina asked, when the topic of the superheroes came up.

"Yeah," Alix replied. "It was about that video she did on potential past wielders. My dad was also contacted."

"Good for her," Lacy commented.

"She's really starting to become a good reporter," Alix noted. "Much better than when she started, with all that speculation and gossip and stuff. Ooh, speaking of my dad, I have a present for you, Lace." Alix dug into her backpack and pulled out a book.

"A book?" Lacy questioned.

"Not just any book," Alix said, handing it to Lacy. "It's a series of photographs by some of the best photographers in the world."

"Cool."

Lacy skimmed through the pages quickly, already enraptured by the photography. "Thanks!"

That evening, Lacy headed out on her balcony with her book and a small light and started through the book.

As she scanned the photos, Lacy caught herself twisting her fingers through her hair. Chloe has redone it in a loose side ponytail, and it hung over her shoulder in just the right position for fidgeting.

Lacy was so occupied with her book that she didn't notice the akuma until it was practically on top of her.

The massive creature had perched on the roof of Lacy's apartment. At first, Lacy could only make out it's size - it was huge - but after a few seconds, she could tell what it was.

Lacy's blood ran cold. A drakon.

- there was a drakon and -

- I swear it was -

- died a hero, that's -

Lacy took a shuddered breath. She shut her eyes and tried to force the memory out.

- so sorry, Lacy, but there was nothing -

- braver than I ever gave her -

- rumors that she was a spy -

"Lacy?"

Lacy jerked up when she felt a hand on her arm.

Her dad was sitting next to her, concern on his face.

"Come on, let's get inside and away from the akuma."

Alya slid into the seat next to Lacy.

"Hey, did you see the photos from the akuma last night?" She asked, pushing her phone towards Lacy. "It was a classical studies professor who got mad after a student called her class boring. She transformed into a bunch of Greek monsters. It was really cool!"

Lacy scrolled through the photos. The akuma had transformed into a satyr, chimera, harpy, centaur, and then there was the photo of the drakon on Lacy's buildings.

- biggest monster I've ever seen -

- and Silena just charged in -

- she and Luke had always been close, I mean, are you really surprised? You know how -

"Lace?"

"Hm?"

"You zoned out on me, girl," Alya said.

"Sorry, just thinking," Lacy replied. "The akuma got a little too close to my apartment last night."

"Oh, is your family okay?" Alya asked.

"Yeah, we're fine, just a bit of a scare." Lacy tucked a loose strand behind her ear and turned back to her notebook. Since class hadn't even started yet, there was nothing there to pretend to look at.

"You okay?" Alya questioned.

Lacy shrugged.

"If you need to see the nurse or the counselor, I could tell Bustier what happened," Alya offered.

"Thanks, but I'm fine."

When Alix arrived, she kicked Alya out of her seat. Lacy gave her a half-hearted smile, and Alix shot her a concerned look.

"Rough night?" Alix asked.

"Didn't sleep," Lacy admitted.

Alix rubbed Lacy's arm in sympathy.

Marinette, Nino, and Adrien entered the classroom, Nino and Adrien in an intense discussion and Marinette looking as dead tired as Lacy felt. Alya pounced on them immediately, talking about the akuma the night before.

Bustier cleared her throat, and class began.

And Lacy really, truly did try to stay awake.

Alix still had to elbow her awake a couple of times, and Lacy caught Bustier shooting her concerned looks throughout class.

She just hoped she would be more awake for science class. Mendeleev was not as forgiving.

It was about halfway through the first period of the class when Lacy had to leave.

Bustier was going over some scary poem that had Juleka and a few other students interested and the rest of the class creeped out. Alix was moving around a lot as she took notes, as one of the class's horror lovers, which was helping keep Lacy awake.

And then Bustier said something about death and suddenly Lacy couldn't breathe.

- dead before they could find a medic -

- traitor, but Clarisse -

- pass as Clarisse, I mean -

- looked so scared -

Alix put her hand on Lacy's shoulder, helping her ground herself back in the classroom. Lacy could feel eyes of some of her classmates on her, but Bustier continued with her lesson unaware.
Lacy took a deep breath. In. Hold. Out. It helped. A little.

But there was no way she was going to be able to handle this lesson.

"Miss Bustier," Lacy called. "I need to go the bathroom, it's an emergency."

"All right," Bustier said, and Lacy was out the door.

She didn't make it to the bathroom. Instead, she stopped in the hallway, grabbing onto the rails and looking down at the courtyard before.

Breathe.

In. Hold. Out.

In. Hold. Out.

It took several breaths, but Lacy finally felt herself calm down.

"Well, hello there."

Lacy stiffened at the voice. Drew - no, Lila approached her, grinning.

- she didn't do the rite of passage -

- got what she deserved -

"Not in the mood," Lacy snapped.

"Oh, but it's been so long since we talked," Dre - Lila said. "How are you doing?"

Her voice sounded so much like Drew's. Lacy tightened her hands around the railing, reminding herself she was at school, not back at camp.

She's a traitor, Drew had yelled. She never cared for us. Stop acting like she's a hero when she betrayed all of us!

"Horrible," Lacy replied. "Go away."

Lila flinched. "Wow. You are in a bad mood."

Lacy scoffed.

She wasn't sure when Lila left, but at some point it was Alix standing next to her instead.

"Feeling any better?" Alix asked.

"A little," Lacy admitted.

"Bustier switched to a different poet," Alix said. "If you want to try to go back in."

Lacy shrugged. "I'll try. Thanks."

Somehow, Lacy made it through the day.

Many of her classmates asked her if she was feeling okay, and Mendeleev even pulled her aside after class to check on her, and Lacy just told them the same thing she told Alix earlier.

"Neither did I," Marinette admitted. "Stayed up all night working on an emergency commission for Jagged Stone." She yawned, proving her point.

"You two need better sleep schedules," Alya commented.

"I need caffeine," Marinette responded.

By the end of the day, Lacy managed to convince most of her class that she was fine, just a little tired. Alix and Nathaniel weren't convinced, but neither prodded.

Alix did insist on them walking home with her after school.

"Just so you don't fall asleep in the middle of the road," Alix explained.

No one attempted conversation as they walked - well, as Lacy and Nathaniel walked and Alix skated circles around them. Lacy was too tired to talk, Nathaniel was listening to something on his phone, and Alix was content with skating.

"Thanks," Lacy said when they arrived at her apartment.

"Anytime," Alix replied.

They turned to leave, but Lacy stopped them.

"I - do you mind staying a while? I don't really want to be alone."

"I can't," Nathaniel said. "I promised my sister I'd help her with something. Sorry."

"It's fine."

"I'll stay," Alix offered.

Lacy knew she was a poor host, but she found she didn't care.

Alix made them both sandwiches and stared at Lacy until she ate hers. After that, Lacy ended up laying on the couch, staring at the ceiling, while Alix listened to her podcast and paged through a book on graffiti.

Eventually, Lacy got up and washed her face off.

"Thanks," she said, sitting back down next to Alix. "I didn't want to be alone."

"Not a problem," Alix replied. "Feeling better?"

"A little," Lacy replied. "A good night's sleep will help a lot." She yawned. "And I think I'll sleep well tonight."

Hopefully without nightmares, too.

"Well, if you need someone to talk to tonight, Marinette's usually awake," Alix offered.

Lacy chuckled. "True."

When Lacy didn't talk anymore, Alix resumed her podcast.

Lacy undid her hair and started finger combing it, thinking through the events of the day. She managed fine, but if something like this happened again -

"Hey, Alix, can I tell you something?" Lacy asked.

"Yeah." Alix removed her headphones and turned towards Lacy.

Lacy opened her mouth, but found she had no clue how to say what she wanted to say.

"Um, well, it's about - well. Do you believe in magic?"

Alix stared at her blankly. "Have you seen the news?"

"Right, yeah, obvious question." Lacy chuckled nervously. "But like, outside of the miraculous and Hawkmoth and everything."

"Of course," Alix replied. "There's no reason to assume that the miraculous are the only source of magic. And studying some of the old mythologies and stuff, like the stuff my dad does - well, sometimes I think that Jalil's mom must have had some kind of magic, but because I didn't inherit it, they won't tell me. So yeah, I believe in it. Why?"

"Because, well - would you believe me if I said my mother is -" a goddess. For some reason, Lacy couldn't say the words.
What am I doing? She's going to think I'm insane or pranking her or something.

"Mother is a what?" Alix questioned. When Lacy hesitated, she elbowed her. "I can handle it."

Alix was genuine - Lacy could see it in her expression. So she took a deep breath, and said it.

"My mother is a goddess."

"Seriously?" Alix asked. "That's cool! Which one?"

"You believe me?" Lacy asked.

"Of course I do!" Alix said. "I've seen weirder stuff - everyone in Paris has. Besides, you wouldn't lie about this."

Lacy smiled. "Okay."

"So which one is she?" Alix asked.

"Aphrodite," Lacy replied. "Greek goddess of beauty and love."

"Oh." Alix didn't look enthused. Beauty-related stuff was never her thing, but she forced a smile anyways.

"Yeah, she's not one of the cool ones like Athena or Nike," Lacy said, having a gut feeling those were Alix's favorite Greek goddesses.

"So, are there a lot of you?" Alix asked.

"Yeah," Lach answered. "Aphrodite gets around a lot, even by Greek mythological standards. I think I have about twenty siblings I know of right now - that are alive, at least." Which reminded her of why she was having this conversation.

Alix must have noticed her mood drop, because she put a hand on her shoulder. "Did something happen?"

Lacy nodded. "There was a big war, and one of my sisters - actually, several of my sisters died. But Silena, she - I was really close to her, so when she -" Lacy broke off. "Anyways, something last night reminded me of everything with her and - and I guess it's followed me through today too."

"I'm sorry," Alix said. "I've never lost someone like that, but I remember when Jalil did, and I know how much it sucks."

"It does," Lacy agreed. "She died a hero - or at least, that's what everybody keeps telling me."

Nora said that she was the spy, Cecil whispered to her one night. But Clarisse won't let anyone say it. And the Stolls say Percy is getting defensive over it too.

"What happened?"

"She - uh, there was an argument between two of us, and the Ares campers were refusing to fight, so Silena dressed up as their leader, Clarisse, to convince them to fight."

The drakon was destined to be killed by a child of Ares, Chris explained, after the battle. If Silena hadn't done what she did, then -

"She was killed in the process," Lacy finished. And then revealed she was the spy.

"That's... harsh," Alix finally said.

Lacy shrugged. "I guess. I - it's been a while now, I don't know why I keep thinking about it."

"Well, you're the daughter of a therapist," Alix said. "You tell me."

Lacy chewed her lip, thinking. The obvious answer was obvious - she was close to Silena, had looked up to her, and losing her hurt. Especially since Silena wasn't there to help Lacy through losing her other siblings. No one from her cabin had died in the previous battles - they weren't warriors. Silena has left her when she needed her the most.

Was she... mad at Silena?

She's a traitor, Drew had yelled. She never cared for us. Stop acting like she's a hero when she betrayed all of us!

No one ever talked about it, outside of hushed rumors the days after it happened. Clarisse would yell at whoever said the s word. Percy and Annabeth weren't much better. Everyone's emotions were high, with grief and relief and victory and shock, and no one said the s word because Silena had died a hero.

She betrayed her camp because she had a crush on a guy - and yeah, okay, Luke was good looking and as a soon of Hermès he was naturally charming, but it still hurt. And in the end, she had kept it secret to protect her boyfriend.

Demigod siblings weren't close the way mortal siblings were, but it still hurt.

"She betrayed us," Lacy eventually said. It felt good to say it, finally. "She liked one of the guys on the other side, and he abused that and had her be his spy. When she started dating someone else, he threatened her boyfriend to keep her silent. Then, he died and only then did she say anything. As she was dying. And I guess I never got to process that, because she died a hero and the only one who seemed to think different was Drew, who I hate agreeing with. But, Silena still did all of that. And it hurt."

"I'm sorry," Alix said.

"It feels good to say it, you know?" Lacy said. "I never really got to say it - Silena betrayed us, she was a traitor, even if she died a hero. Both things can coexist, and they both hurt."

Especially after meeting Piper. Piper, who seemed to value lives other than her current love interest. She always seemed to put her father first, above anything, and her friendship with Valdez or Annabeth always had as much weight to it as her romance with Jason. And she always made time for her cabin, except for the whole away-on-a-quest-overseas thing she did.

Piper made their cabin mean more than just romantic love and beauty tips. Lacy realized that just made her more angry at Silena.

"It's okay to be angry," Alix said. "I'm mad at Jalil a lot - I still haven't forgiven him for the whole aliens-built-the-pyramid thing he did! It doesn't mean I don't love him, as obnoxious as he is."

"I know," Lacy said.

"You can be mad at your sister," Alix said. "Even if she's your sister, or even if she's dead. The more you bottle up those emotions, the stronger they'll get."

"I know that," Lacy said. "Dad tells me that all the time, especially now with the akumas."

"Have you told your dad about all this?" Alix questioned.

"I've told him some, but, I don't know. It's hard to talk about." Lacy sighed. "But you're really easy to talk to."

Alix shrugged. "I don't judge. For most people, that's enough."

"You get lots of people telling you secrets?" Lacy probed.

Alix chuckled. "Maybe. Mostly I figure them out by myself."

"Oh? And what other secrets do I have to figure out?" Lacy challenged.

"Hmm... You're a pretty open book, so not many. Though I had no clue about the demigod thing, so maybe I'm not as good as I thought."

Lacy chuckled. "It's a pretty far-fetched thing to come up with on its own, so I'd say you're okay."

"I appreciate the vote of confidence," Alix replied. "Hey, do you want to see this hilarious video Kim was showing me earlier?"

"Of course," Lacy said. "Kim always finds the best stuff."

Alix brought out her phone, and Lacy leaned in.

She was still tired, and that night she ended up going to bed way earlier than normal, but she felt much better. Sometimes, things just needed to be said out loud.

That was a hard chapter to write, and I hope what I was going for came across. The next chapter is probably going to be very long, so it might be a little late as well.