Chapter 29

"Reyna… Reyna wake up"

He could feel someone shaking her, her hand tightening around her blade until she recognised the voice that was waking her, she opened her eyes to see Damien looking up towards the sky, he glanced back down at her, seeing that she was awake he stepped back

"What's wrong?" she asked a little groggy

Damien pointed towards the skyline "We have company"

Reyna spun over to see three large silhouettes coming over the trees, the sky a blood orange after yesterday's storm, Reyna stood as the figures became clearer, large wings flapped against the air

"Annabeth" she breathed as the blonde hair whipped in the breeze as they landed their pegai and dismounted

Reyna walked forward to meet them while Damien woke Hazel, who had a smile on her face when she saw who had arrived. She leapt to her feet and rushed over to the blonde wrapping her arms around her in an embrace, Damien held back not wanting to be a downer on the reunion that was obviously happening.

Damien assumed the blonde female was Annabeth but Reyna had said nothing about the man accompanying her, he too stayed quiet and slightly behind Annabeth, Damien reckoned that he had never actually met Reyna or Hazel before, which struck him as odd, seeing as how close the women seemed

"Damien" called Reyna gesturing him to join them

He walked over to where the group was by the three pegai

"This is the child of Letus, Damien" Reyna introduced "Damien this is Annabeth, Daughter of Athena and Markos Son of Ares"

The guy nodded towards Damien and he returned it, unsure of what to say to them. The blonde, Annabeth however stepped towards him, curiosity in her grey eyes

"So you are the famous Damien" she said looking him up and down

"And you're the girl who is almost as brave as Reyna" he countered

Annabeth shot a look back at Reyna "Is that what you've been telling him?" she teased

"Only the truth" Reyna grinned

Annabeth turned her attention back to Damien, she held out her hand "May I?"

Damien looked between her and Reyna, who nodded, silently signalling that it was okay, so Damien extended his hand, which was taken immediately by the blonde, who flipped over his hand and grabbed his wrist, checking for a pulse.

There was a long silence before Annabeth looked up into his eyes "Fascinating" she muttered, her hand darting to his neck checking there as well

Damien shifted uncomfortably at being poked and prodded "Are you a medic?" he asked as she continued to check his lack of vitals

"No" she said stepping back sensing she was being a little intrusive for someone she had just met "I'm just curious, daughter of wisdom and all"

"Right" Damien said slowly not 100% sure who Athena was but getting the general idea, he looked to Reyna who was smiling softly, it dropping when she made eye contact with him

"We should proceed" she gestured to the winged horses "We have a long way ahead of us and not a lot of time to do it in"

Annabeth nodded turning back to the pegai "We brought everything you asked for" she moved to the side where a saddle bag was draped over the winged horse's back, she opened it allowing Reyna to peek in

"Annabeth I cannot thank you enough, but I need you to take into account the dangers that face us on our quest ahead" Reyna said seriously "I don't want you to go in without thinking through all of the risks involved"

Annabeth placed a hand on her shoulder "Risk analysis is what I do best and I know that numbers also count towards victory"

Reyna smiled kindly at the blonde "I can't repay you enough for you friendship Annabeth"

The raven haired Praetor reached into the bag and threw the content at Damien, he used his reflexes to catch it before it hit him in the face, he unrolled it to reveal a heavy winter jacket, it felt unnecessary in the south American heat but he watched as the others shrugged into them and headed towards the winged beasts, he mimicked and followed, but he slowed as he neared the creatures, they seemed to back away a little at his approach

"You ever ridden a Pegasus before?"

He turned as the big guy Markos walked over

Damien shook his head "Can't say that I have, grew up in a city… not really a place for large animals"

Markos nodded "They used to be afraid of me too, wanna know the secret?"

Damien looked back at the winged horse "Yep" he said as the creature whinnied and shook it's head

Markos reached into a bag and produced some sugar cubes, which he handed to the child of Letus

"Go and introduce yourself" he said, pushing the smaller guy towards the horse "Her name is Firefly" he said

Damien straightened and looked at the chestnut beast in front of him, he held out his hand with the sugar cubes in them and slowly walked forward

"Tell her your name" Markos called

Damien felt a little foolish but he came closer to the Pegasus "I don't know what I'm supposed to say" he whispered "But I know animals don't like me, I have my father's scent, but I am not him, my name is Damien" he lifted his hand and the Pegasus thought for a moment before carefully nibbling the cubes out of his hand, it then looked up at his, sniffing at his chest and gently nudging it.

"Yer, no heartbeat" he confirmed guessing that was what the beautiful creature was getting at "But Firefly I need you help… see that girl" he subtly nodded towards Reyna

"I need to help her save the world" he slowly placed a hand on the horse's muzzle "I'd do anything for her"

The horse grumbled in response seeming to understand what he was saying and pressed her head into his chest, Damien took that to mean that Firefly now accepted him. Damien glanced back to see the group watching him, his heart soared when he saw the faint smile crossing Reyna's features

"Right" announced Annabeth "Let's go"