Please PLEASE note that this chapter includes attempted SA. If you are uncomfortable with this topic please consider skipping this chapter.

Maddie sat next to Thomas on his bed inside the Apollo cabin. They had spent the morning at the training grounds. Thomas hadn't seemed too happy that Marcus was still training her and being her combat partner but he backed off when he had heard that Marcus and Alicia were still dating. And after all, the summer had just started up again, so the two hadn't seen each other for months. It would be a good chance to get to spend time together.

He had commented on how much she had improved over the winter and was shaping up to be a pretty strong demigod, especially at only the age of 16. Maddie had smiled brightly at his words and had given him a giant hug in response.

After they had both taken much needed showers after a long, sweaty training session, he had invited her to his cabin to hang out and talk, which Maddie had happily agreed to. They spent their time joking and teasing each other, catching up on what had happened while they were away and enjoying each other's company.

"And Chastity started trying to teach me how to play music! I'm not very good at it, but she thinks it'll help me get closer to Apollo!"

Thomas raised an eyebrow and a smile spread across his face but it didn't seem to reach his eyes. "That's great news...I'm sure you spent lots of time with her over the winter. You should play for me sometime."

"I would love to! Though I want to get better at it first...Chastity says I need to work on my grip with the instrument."

"Grip huh? I could help with that." Thomas said, his eyes twinkling.

"Really!? I would really appreciate it! Thank you!"

The two let a comfortable silence fall over them before Thomas spoke up.

"So I was wondering...since we're here. And we're alone. Do you want some...private lessons?"

"Private…? Sure, I guess. But is there a reason we need to be alone for it?"

Thomas cracked a smile. "As interesting as it may be to try to do so in public, maybe we should start off alone first. Since it's your first time and everything."

"Oh...sure yeah. I guess that makes sense. What's the subject?"

Thomas smiled and inched closer to her so that they were touching. She gave him a confused look and awkwardly tried to move away. He didn't need to be this close to her to help her study.

"Don't be shy, shortcake. It's just me." He said, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"H-huh? I just don't get why you have to be so close to me. It's weird."

"You kinda have to be close to someone in order to do so."

"To study?" Maddie's confusion apparent on her face.

"For this type of studying, yes." He took hold of her forearm and drew her closer, his eyes closing and leaning towards her face. His movements were so quick Maddie only had a split second to register what was happening before she quickly yanked away before his mouth collided with hers. He pulled away, giving her the same confused look she had given him earlier.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"What's-? You tried to k-kiss m-me…" Maddie's face had turned bright red and she looked away from him, utterly embarrassed.

Thomas laughed at her response. "Well duh. It's obvious we like each other. That's what couples do. Besides, you agreed to do this so-"

"I agreed to study though. There's no kissing when you study."

"You agreed to have private time with me."

"To study."

"Maddie you can't be that stupid can you? I want to have sex with you. Right now. You can't expect me not to want you after all the teasing you've been doing to me all day."

"W-what?" Maddie's body went numb. His words didn't make any sense to her. Where was this coming from? Why was he saying these things?

"C'mon, you can't expect a boy to wait for you forever. You're old enough and we're plenty close. I should get rewarded now shouldn't I? For how good of a friend I've been all these years? You can't just deny me after all we've been through."

Is that what it meant when you had friends? That you owed them something? Owed them a relationship or something so intimate? She thought she had understood the concept of friends by now having spent so long at camp. Had she been wrong this whole time? Maddie's thoughts ran in circles, none of it made any sense. While she sat, awkwardly shifting and trying to make sense of it all Thomas sighed beside her.

"Look, I know it's your first time so I'll go easy on you, just trust me." He smiled a grin close to that of a wolf before pushing her over, causing her to land backwards on the bed. He took her hands and pinned them by her sides, his body leering down at her. Maddie's thoughts snapped to one cohesive thought all in one moment and she let out a panicked scream. She flailed her legs and managed to kick him between the legs, causing him to seize up and hiss in pain.

"Get off of me!" She cried as she tried to throw him off of her.

"Stop squirming! You'll thank me later. I know you will. After all, I'm your best friend. I'm the one that deserves you the most." He sneered. "Now don't be afraid my little Maddie."

Maddie felt a feeling of peace wash over her for a split second, her body relaxing. No. No no no. He was using his magic against her. Like she had seen him do to panicked patients a hundred times before. This wasn't right. Why was he doing this to her?

In a moment of realization, before his calming spell could completely take hold, she quickly thrusted her head forward, head butting him right in the nose. He let out a groan of pain and the spell lost its hold, as did his grip on her. Her panic and fear set back in but she was more focused, less scattered in her thoughts.

In one swift motion she pushed him off the bed, causing him to fall on the wooden floor with a thud.

Maddie didn't hesitate as she jumped off the bed and stood in a battle stance over top of him, her eyes flashing dangerously with a mix of rage and fear.

"What the hell?! What are you doing?!" Thomas yelled at her as he stood up, holding his nose which had begun to leak blood.

Despite her strong stance and unflinching eyes her voice shook as she tried to speak. "I…I made a vow. I'm going to become a hunter of Artemis. I don't…I don't like you Thomas. I don't want to…I don't want to kiss you or touch you or do anything with you!" She exclaimed, forcing her eyes shut as her body began to shake.

"You…? You what!? You must be more psychotic than I thought. You would rather spend the rest of your life slaving to some lousy god than be with me!? You must be truly fucked in the head thinking that the gods would even look twice at someone like you. You're a nobody like the rest of us Maddie! Get it through your dumb head! Pay attention to someone who actually likes you for a change!" He yelled at her, advancing towards her. "I'm the only one who cares about you, got it? So just shut up and let me have you." He reached out to grab her arm and immediately she moved in a fluid motion, swiping at his arm and grabbing hold, twisting it around and pinning it behind his back. A move Marcus had taught her at the start of her training.

"You will never. Never. Do so." She growled at him as she twisted his arm further back causing him to yell in pain.

"And you wonder why no one seems to like you…you're insane. And not just because of daddy." He sneered at her.

Maddie pulled on his arm again, feeling the joint protest against her and he screamed once more. She could feel her grip on her mind lessening and the dark, murderous thoughts started to flood in. And she wondered if it would really be a bad thing if she let them loose.

"I think you've both done enough." A voice broke through the air. Both Thomas and Maddie snapped their heads to the voice to see a man casually sitting on Thomas's bed, eyeing the two of them with an unreadable expression.

"What the hell-…who are you?" Thomas demanded.

Maddie slowly began to regain control, and as she did, she began to recognize the man in front of them. His tanned skin and blue eyes that seemed to glow. Locks of golden hair and clothes that seemed to sparkle. Her jaw dropped as realization hit her. It couldn't be…

"I said, who are you?" Thomas growled.

"So rude. You don't even recognize your own dad." The man sighed while shaking his head.

Maddie felt Thomas tense in her grip as realization dawned on him too.

"…Apollo." Thomas breathed quietly.

"Bingo kid. But we're not here to discuss me." The god's eyes narrowed at the two of them. "Care to explain?"

"This psychotic girl attacked me!" Thomas blurted out, his face red with rage.

Maddie went to defend herself before Apollo's laughter cut through the air. Though it wasn't joyous, it was quite cold and dark.

"Nice try boy. Would you like to try again or should I just let her continue?"

Thomas growled as he tried to squirm from her grip but she held on tight.

"Normally I don't like to interfere with stuff like this but considering you are one of the few children I have that actually gained magic from me, I feel the need to punish you. Your sick twisted ego needs to be taken down a peg and realize that you can't have everything you want. Especially another human." Apollo said as he stood up, glaring daggers at Thomas. "You're a disappointment to me."

"Who cares about your dumb opinion anyways!? I don't need you! You may be my dad but I'm not a mindless follower! I can do whatever I want and I will never care about you!"

Apollo froze at his words before a wicked smile overcame his face. "If that's how it is then so be it. Release him." Apollo said simply, addressing Maddie for the first time. She hesitated for a second, fearing Thomas would attack her again. But she was not one to go against a direct order. Especially not from the gods. Especially not from Apollo.

She let go of Thomas and quickly moved away from him, refusing to be close to him anymore.

Before Thomas could do anything, Apollo grabbed his chin roughly, forcing him to stare into his father's eyes. The two stood still for a few seconds, frozen like that. Maddie swore she saw the color in Thomas's eyes dim just the tiniest bit. After a moment, Thomas frantically pushed himself away from Apollo. "What the hell!? What did you do!?"

Apollo said nothing as he walked over to Maddie, towering over her. Her hands shook. She still couldn't believe it. She was really standing in the presence of Apollo. What was she supposed to do?

He gently took her chin, much like he had just done to Thomas. "I'm showing you that you aren't as special as you think you are Thomas. That you don't deserve the power I gave you if this is how you'll use it."

He locked eyes with her and she felt a warmth spread throughout her entire body. It was like nothing she had ever felt before. Her entire body seemed to hum with energy. She felt like she could breathe easier, see brighter colors, dance forever and never feel tired. He let go of her and that feeling of warmth began to fade but the image of his eyes staring so intensely into hers remained.

"You…" Thomas stared at the two of them in shock, as if seeing them both for the first time. "You gave her your blessing!? You can't be serious! She's a nobody! I'm your son!"

"A worthless son who just said he doesn't want anything to do with me. If you want nothing to do with me then you clearly don't want my blessing either."

"That…you can't!"

"I believe it's too late for that. Now get out of my sight."

Thomas looked like he was a bomb about to explode, his face was red from anger and embarrassment and his entire body shook. But he stormed out of the cabin all the same, not looking at either of them as he left.

Maddie watched him go and quickly turned her attention back to Apollo, who was turning around, most likely to leave.

"Um!" She exclaimed, causing him to stop and glance at her.

There were a thousand things she wanted to say and ask. About how much she loved him. About if he would introduce her to his sister. About what this blessing was and how to use it. But as he stared at her, her mouth went dry and her thoughts went blank.

"…t-thank you." She managed to sputter out.

He offered her a small smile. "I hope you're more responsible with magic then he was. Good luck kid."

And in the blink of an eye, he was gone.