Author's Note: Sorry for the wait everyone! I appreciate your patience. It took a bit longer than I an anticipated to post this out due to falling ill, but finally I've been able to sit down and finish writing the next chapter. I wanted to thank everyone for their support and I hope you continue to enjoy this story! Enjoy!

P.S. I know that some of you are probably craving to know what will happen with the whole Percy/Annabeth/Leah complex, and I promise things will become clearer soon. This chapter doesn't have that much Leah and Percy interaction, I'm afraid, but next chapter you can look forward to it!

Percy Jackson

There was once a time where I've said I've never asked to be a demigod, but over time that sort of perspective changed for me. Yeah, there have always been moments where I'd look at those who live out their lives normally – wishing that'd be me. I'd often long for a life that would have lead me to Annabeth and we'd live our lives normally together, but no matter how much you wish for your life to be different, it's all that you get. While you probably won't ever hear me say this ever again, being a demigod can be pretty freaking cool too – when you're not dying a horrible death, of course. "So yeah. That pretty much sums up what's been happening here so far." I sighed, gazing through the Iris Message. Annabeth was on the other side with a thoughtful expression.

"And Hermes didn't say anything else?"

"Nah. I think he's pretty much in the dark like I am. Though he did say he had business in the area. Not sure if that even relates."

Annabeth just shrugged. "Maybe." She gave me look of concern. "Just be careful. We won't be able to send you back up if something does happen. Not in time, that its."

"Don't worry. I'm always careful." I grinned and she just rolled her eyes. After a while, we said our goodbyes and I ended the IM with her. I was back to trying to decide where I wanted to start. La Push seemed like my best bet for now. I wasn't too sure of what I'd find there, but I had a hunch that Billy Black knew more than he let on. Plus the bonfire would give me a good opportunity to ask around – even if all I get is local ghost stories or whatever. I might still get a lead. My mom seemed really happy when I asked her and Paul for a ride out there.

"I know you have plenty of friends back at home, but I think it'll be really good for you to make a few friends outside of the craziness." Mom was saying while on the road. I made the choice not to mention that depending on what I found, the people here may not be as normal as we think.

"Are you and Paul sticking around when we get there? I heard there will be plenty of food."

"We might come back a bit earlier to enjoy the bonfire and maybe some dinner too, but Paul and I have a few other things planned today. I hope that's okay." She smiled back at me.

I yawned. "Yeah that's totally okay." I was secretly a bit relieved. I did want to spend as much time as I could with them, but I didn't want to drag them into this either. Not when we were all supposed to be on vacation. I'd hate to worry them.

When we arrived, I was surprised to see how many people were already there this early. I was pretty sure that it didn't officially start until an hour from now. "We'll see you soon," My mom waved at me through the window as I stepped out, "Just call if you need anything."

"Don't worry. Just have fun." I returned the wave as they drove off.

During the exchange, I noticed a familiar figure approaching. Billy Black smiled as he stopped in front of me. "Nice to see you again, Percy. We're still setting up, but you're free to go around and meet everyone."

"I don't mind helping either if you'd like me to." I glanced around, noticing a few setting chairs around a fire pit and others putting tables up.

"Don't mind if you do," Billy chuckled, "I'm sure it'll be appreciated. In the meantime, the kitchen needs its official taste tester." He claimed, the mischievous look in his eyes making me snicker a bit as he rolled off.

I wasn't really sure where to start, but after a moment's hesitation, I wandered over towards a younger looking guy. At my approach, he gazed at me curiously before a flash of recognition lit in his eyes. Geez, word traveled almost too quickly here. Did they already know who I was here too?

The guy gave me a cheerful wave. "Hey there. You're Percy, right?" That answered that question. "I heard from Billy that you might come." He set down the chair was holding. "I'm Seth." He eagerly shook my hand, "It's nice to finally meet you."

"Finally?" I frowned.

"Well yeah," His laugh sounded a bit nervous, "Charlie's well known in this area so we've all been kind of excited when we heard his family was visiting."

I felt like there was a bit more to that, but I decided not to press for now. "Man, I feel like news travels like a forest fire here." I sighed, but smiled. If I thought about it though, back at Camp Half Blood news traveled just as quickly too. So technically, I was sort of used to it. "Anyway, do you guys need any help?"

"Actually we're almost done." Seth patted my shoulder, "But let me introduce you to some of the guys while we're at it. Yo, Quil, Embry." He motioned two of the others over. "This is Percy. Charlie's nephew." Lie Seth, a spark of recognition sparked in their eyes.

"Nice to meet you." Quil gave my hand a nice shake and Embry echoed him. "New York, right?" He gazed at me curiously.

"Yep – Manhattan to be exact."

"Man, that's really far from us. How did you even connect with Charlie?" He wondered. All three of them seemed to be intrigued by that detail.

I shrugged. "Honestly, that's a good question. My mom was the one who ended up tracking him down. She never really told me how she did it."

"Hey, you three slackers," A new voice suddenly interrupted us, "Just because Jake isn't here doesn't mean you guys can just chill out while the rest of us work." The new arrival approached, pausing when he saw me.

Seth grinned. "Sorry Jared. I was just introducing Percy around."

"Charlie's nephew?" Jared tilted his head, his gaze sweeping over me.

"That's me." I was just going to assume that everyone here knew me. Something did click with me, though. The guy said something about a guy called Jake. I wasn't sure if it was even related to the person that Nessie wanted me to meet, but it could be. In the brief moment I had seen him, he did look similar to the guys around here.

Jared nodded. "Nice that you could make it. I'll let Seth continue with showing you around, but I'm borrowing these two back," He smirked, grabbing both Quil and Embry by their collars in spite of their protests. "See you around."

As we watched them being dragged off, Seth turned to me. "I wanted to introduce you to my sister, but I don't think she's back yet. I think you'll like her though." There seemed to be a playful gleam in his eyes. "But for now, I'll just show you around."

He was a pretty good tour guide, but I knew there would be no way that I'd remember everyone he introduced me to. There were quite a few people here – more so guys than girls and the brief image of the Hunters and Amazons came to my mind. I'm not sure why – I guess I was always used to groups that were made up of primarily girls. As I went around with Seth, I heard several mentions of hunting as well. Artemis and her Hunters would probably have trouble getting along with this crew. I wonder if she's aware of them. I mused thoughtfully.

When the time came for the bonfire, I realized that they weren't joking about the food. They practically had a feast waiting for us. While I was stacking my plate, my shoulder bumped someone, almost causing them to spill their drink. "Watch it." The voice snapped, making me look up in surprise when I realized it was a girl's voice. The woman was turning to glare at me, but then her eyes widened a bit when she saw me.

"Sorry about that." I quickly apologized, "Kind of crowded around here." I smiled a bit sheepishly. This moment was sort of giving me dejavu of a time back at camp where I had bumped Clarisse during our lunch. Lucky for me, this girl didn't attempt to throw me over her shoulder like she had.

"No… it's okay." She hesitated. "You're his nephew, right? Charlie's?"

"Yeah. Percy's the name." I offered another smile. "You?"

"I'm Leah."

The two of us headed over to the bonfire after gathering up the rest of our food, and I subconsciously headed for Seth. He looked up as I approached ad gave me a wide grin when he noticed who was next to me. "Hey, sis. I see you've already met Percy." I didn't miss her sending him a brief scowl and it was hard not to smile a bit myself. Usually this sort of thing would bypass right over my head, but it was obvious enough even to me that he was looking to set me up with her. It wasn't that I didn't think she wasn't attractive or anything – she was – but it was hard to picture myself with anyone other than Annabeth. Maybe it'd be a good idea to hint in that I have a girlfriend.

"So do you guys do this sort of thing often?" I wondered, drawing the siblings' attention from each other. "Billy made it sound like it was something that happened annually."

Seth nodded, "Yeah, something like that. It's a bit of a tradition so to speak."

"Yeah? It's nice. I have a camp back at home that does a bonfire on a regular basis too." The small talk continued on for a bit longer, and for the most part it was just Seth who was doing the talking. Leah was quiet, but whenever I wasn't looking towards her, I could feel her gaze on me.

"Hey, did you guys hear?" Two younger guys were on the other Seth and their voices carried over to us. I didn't remember their names, but they were the only twins in the group. "There was another string of murders reported in a city nearby. All of them were women too. I heard things are getting pretty rough." One of them was saying as he took a long swing of his soda. "And get this – three of the victims had their blood drained. Just like last time – you know what I bet? I bet it's—"

The guy from earlier, Jared, suddenly appeared from behind the twins, bumping the one who was talking on the head and he leaned over, seeming to say something in the other's ear before walking away to the refreshments. All of their blood drained. I looked away from the twins, munching thoughtfully on my hotdog. Could it be Empousa? I can't really see them going full out like this, though. The ones I've ran into have always been secretive and like to be under the radar. Plus they tend to only like guys…

"You okay?"

Seth's voice drew me away from my thoughts. "Yeah I'm fine. What's this about murders?"

Leah and him exchanged a look and it was her who answered me. "For the past month there's been reports of people being killed out on the streets at night. They're never reported in the same place and there's never too many reports in the same city. Sometimes the killings will even stop for a bit before they pick up once more – whoever the killer is, they're managing to keep a step ahead of the police."

My expression must of appeared a bit nervous without intending to because Seth gave my shoulder a pat, laughing. "Don't worry though. I doubt a serial killer would bother coming here. Every report is issued in a major city – this would probably be too small towny for their taste."

Definitely not an Empousa's style…but if not that, then what?

?

"Ugh. This place is such a hell hole." A figure leaned up against one of the alley's walls, head tipped back against the brick as he drew in a long drag of his cigarette. "Why do we even have to bother with sticking around? The area is clear."

"Because Fred told us so." A feminine voice answered further into the darkness.

The man uttered a sound of disgust, allowing the butt of his cigarette to fall to the ground before he stamped it out. "You're such a lap warmer now. It's all because of that Tanner – ever since he joined he's had all of you wrapped around his finger. Even Fred fucking worships the kid."

"You know Fred," The other voice answered, much more calmly, "He wouldn't have allowed him to join us if he felt as if he'd be a threat. You're being too shortsighted."

Clicking his tongue in disapproval, the man turned his head slightly to watch a few cars pass by. "I don't have anything against the kid when it comes down to it – but he has no place being Fred's second—"

"Jasmine, Jace." A new voice quieted them both quickly, and they watched as another boy stepped into view – his green gaze flashing briefly as the streetlights shone against them. "We'll be leaving soon. Fred said he had a few errands to run beforehand."

Cole Tanner wasn't much to look at on the outside. He was shorter than most his age, and appeared to be a bit plain. Upon closer inspection, however, one would find all the scars marring his body – the steel firmness of his muscles, and a hard glint in his eyes. Jace narrowed his eyes a bit, his nose flaring. "Where have you been? You reek."

"I was down in the sewers." Cole replied, leaning back against the wall across from him. "There were a couple who escaped down there from the earlier ambush."

"You went by yourself?" Jace curled his lip. "You should have told us. I hate your guts, but we were told to stick together."

Cole twirled a dagger absently in his hand for a moment before stopping it, pointing it towards Jace's chest. "I'm not here to make friends with you bloodsuckers. I only listen to Fred because he's the only one worth listening to."

"Fucking brat—" Jace hissed and a hand caught his shoulder before he could spring forward.

"Just let it go, Jace," Jasmine warned, tugging him back a bit more, "Does Fred want us to meet at the usual place?" She glanced towards Cole and the boy nodded. "Let's go, then. Kyle and Molly are probably already there." Keeping a firm grip on Jace, she walked past Cole who remained unmoved.

Once the two were out of sight, Cole put his dagger away, turning his head up towards the night sky. It was clear and the air was crisp. After a moment of quiet, he began to rummage around in his other pocket, he pulled out his wallet, flipping it open to a single picture of him standing next to a girl that looked quite similar to him.

Just a bit longer. I'll destroy them all.

For you.