A/N: So sorry its a day late! It was a joy to write this chapter, so I hope you enjoy it! :D

Don't hate me at the end...

-Cas-

"You've got to talk to me, Cassia."

"The only thing that I have to do is die," she retorted, but there was no heat in her words. Her mind was spent, utterly drained from all the chaos she experienced today. A normal day was taxing enough, dealing with the brief flashes from a different time, but this? This day was enough to drive the sanest seer mad beyond all reckoning.

Why did the world seemed determine to drop more immortal problems on her plate? She was already under contract with the Egyptians. She'd fulfilled her requirement to pay for Orion's necklace. After she completed this job tomorrow, Isis promised to look in to a way to strip her of her curse. Granted, it was a long shot. There was a good chance that even with Isis's extensive knowledge of magic, there would be no way to overcome it. After all, it crossed pantheon lines. But it was a ray of hope, a sliver of light in the constant darkness of her life. She wanted to trust Apollo. She hoped that he would keep his word, and in some of her visions, he had. But there were also scenarios where he wouldn't, and Cassia wouldn't take that chance. She wanted to be able to talk to someone without them staring at her like she'd just swore the sky was green.

"How bad is it?" Apollo questioned.

"I don't want to talk about it," she sighed, hoping that he would let it go. Sometimes, the things Cassia saw frightened her, blew her mind. She knew better than to discredit her premonitions, but occasionally, she'd see something that seemed so utterly impossible…

"I wasn't talking about whatever you saw. I was referring to the pain," he patiently added. He stopped at a red light and turned to face her. Cas bit her lip. The pain was still there, significantly less than at the game, but enough pressure to make her wish for a household drug strong enough to knock her out until it subsided. She was accustomed to it by now. All she had to do was-

Apollo brushed her hand, so quickly that she didn't even have time to flinch. Her whole body relaxed, the pain blissfully retreating. Cas couldn't stop the sigh of relief or fight the way her body sagged in the seat. She was too tired to try and appear strong.

"Thank you," she whispered, truly meaning it. With what she had to do tomorrow, she'd need all the sleep she could get.

"Least I could do."

Silence fell between them. Cas rested her head against the window, the coolness amazing against her still heated skin. She closed her eyes, feeling safe enough in Apollo's presence to doze. She knew the sun god felt guilty for what happened to her, but she was surprised at his attentiveness the past couple of weeks. Once his sister came back, Cas was sure that he'd go right back to the way he was before…

"You traitorous bitch!" Artemis screamed with glowing eyes, bearing down on her with a dagger in hand. Her hand tightened around Cas's neck, cutting off her breathing. "Every second of your remaining existence will be shrouded in unbelievable pain-"

"She's okay," Apollo old Orion. "I've gotten everything handled for now-"

Aphrodite walked towards her, looking the same despite the years Cas had aged. But she was smarter now, and a far more formidable opponent. If the goddess of love wanted to play a game with her, she and the other Olympians might find that they were outmatched.

"How can that possibly happen? There's no way." Orion paced in front of Apollo, his agitation apparent….

"You naïve, little girl," Isis mused, looking at her with a knowing grin. Cas fought to stand, to retort, but there was nothing she could do. She'd never felt so hopeless…

Artemis and Orion were locked in an embrace on the bed, their clothes scattered around it on the floor…

"It doesn't change things," Marcus Woodard whispered to Apollo. The fury in Apollo's eyes was barely constrained…

Cassia stared at the arrow in her abdomen, pain radiating from every inch of her frame. This wasn't a wound she could walk away from, and she was too drained to make herself disappear. A figure loomed over her and ripped the arrow from her, a scream of pain leaving her. He bent down and grabbed her by her hair, his whisper raising every fear within her. "We're going to have fun, you and I."

Cas's body jerked, trying to escape the pain. The quick jolt woke her, her mind still reeling. She quickly looked around, certain that he was nearby, that he knew what she had stolen from him and was just waiting for his chance to-

"Cassia," Apollo intoned, his voice commanding as he took hold of her other arm. His hand rested on her forearm, not the other god's. "You are okay, Cas. You're home."

-Apollo-

Cas looked out the window, studying her house like she'd never seen it before. Her breaths were still ragged, her frame shaking with fear.

"It was just a dream," she whispered, her voice frighteningly shaky.

"You fell asleep. I know with tomorrow, you needed it. I didn't want to wake you, but when you started to scream…" Apollo paused, watching her carefully. Fear hadn't coated his stomach like that in a long time. "Are you okay?"

"I'm f-fine," she stuttered. Cas ran a hand across her forehead before pushing her hair away from her face, which was pale, all the color completely gone. "I just n-need to calm down."

Apollo nodded his head before offering her his hand. She glanced briefly at it before meeting his gaze. "I can help, if you want," he offered. Cas tentatively took his hand. He pushed his power into her, making her muscles relax and calming her heart rate. It took a solid minute before Cassia calmed down enough that he felt okay letting her hand go. She curled into herself, resting her head against her knees. He'd seen her cocky, confident, in pain…but he'd never seen her that scared. And Apollo didn't blame her.

He'd seen it when he touched her, when he tried to wake her up from whatever nightmare she was having. He saw the blood, felt the pain, the fear, like it was his own. He could feel the malice from the other immortal, the pure hate he had for the girl. And his gut, his power, told him that this vision could soon come to pass…

"How are you feeling?" he questioned. He could feel her heartbeat from here, still a little quick but in the normal range.

"I'm fine, Apollo. It was just a bad dream," she assured him. He almost wanted to believe her, but he knew that it was more than a simple dream. That was a vision, or at least a repeat of one.

"Do you have dreams like that often?"

She stole a glance at him before looking at the window again. "Define often."

"Often, as in often enough that lately, you haven't been sleeping well. That was more than a nightmare, Cassia."

"Will you stop calling me that!?"

"Will you start answering me?" he countered. She huffed out a breath, looking determinedly away from him. "I could make you, you know."

"You wouldn't," she vowed. It was the strongest her voice had sounded since the vision at the game. Apollo smiled at that. Sure, he could, but he wanted Cas to trust him in her own time. She took a deep breath while her fingers tapped against her elbows. "The things I see…. I see more when I'm around magic, when I'm around immortals. It triples them, almost. Some of what I see…no one should see. And they don't leave the mind quietly."

Apollo nodded his head. A mortal's mind was a fragile thing. With all the things constantly running through her mind, it was a wonder she hadn't gone mad. He waved his hand, making a tiny vial appear.

"Take this before going to bed," he ordered as he handed it to her. She looked at it, curiosity peeking. "Just a sip, enough to get it on your tongue. It'll let you have a dreamless sleep."

"I'm going to be in debt to you," she muttered, gripping it in her hand.

"No, you are not. I still owe you," he replied. Her lips twisted into something almost like a smile.

"If you insist. I need to get in before my parents come out." She opened the door and stepped out of the Jeep. "Thank you, for everything tonight," she added, her voice low.

"Anytime."

She offered him a small smile before closing the door. His visions and feelings about the future were difference from most immortals and seers. He didn't always have the break in thought like Cassia did. He could feel it in his very soul, just as much a part of him as a heartbeat. Dread filled Apollo, making his essence quiver. Something terrible was going to happen to her soon, and he feared that what he saw tonight would come to pass. She went about five steps up the walkway before Apollo appeared before her. He took hold of her shoulders, her face not surprised in the slightest.

"What exactly are you doing tomorrow?"

"I can't tell you that."

"Is it dangerous? Don't lie to me."

She glanced behind him at the door, her expression guarded. "Yes."

"Dangerous enough to get you killed?"

Cas nodded her head.

"And are you scared?"

She looked right into his eyes. It amazed him how she could look at an immortal like that. Not exactly fearless, but with enough determination and bravery to conquer it. "Unequivocally. But I'll be okay. It's not like the world will miss me if I'm gone-"

"Wrong, Cassia Woodard," he insisted. She opened her mouth to refute him, but another voice cut her short.

"Cas?"

Thank the gods Apollo had already cloaked himself for the mortals at the game. Her mother stood just outside the door with a concerned look. She raised her brow at the pair, her foot tapping impatiently.

"You need to come in, now," she called, her voice commanding.

"I'm coming, Mom!" Cas turned back to Apollo, her eyes wide.

"She doesn't know," he murmured, easing her fears. "Just tell her that I'm a friend of Orion's, that I volunteered to take you home because you didn't feel good. She'll believe you."

"Okay," Cas whispered. She shrugged out from underneath his grip, but before she turned Apollo brushed her hand. He couldn't tell her not to go. She wouldn't listen to him even if he did. He could offer her some protection. With a simple thought, Apollo put his blessing on her. It was a one shot deal, one critical hit that wouldn't affect her. He knew better than to interfere in mortal lives, but the very thought of her getting hurt pained him. He couldn't let her go without some form of protection.

"Stay safe, little diviner," he whispered.

Cas nodded her head before heading up to her house. Apollo walked back to his truck, hoping he bought her enough time to get away should she get into any trouble tomorrow.

Monday came all too quickly, and he spent more than he cared to admit worrying about what kind of trouble a sixteen year old mortal girl had gotten herself into. He'd called Orion Saturday, only to find out that Cassia was gone. Apollo tried to divinely find her to no avail, and when he called, it went straight to voicemail. The next day, when he tried to call Orion for the sixth time, his sister picked up the phone, yelling that he needed to stay out of her personal business before hanging up. That was Artemis, always thinking it was about her. Didn't Orion realize that his supposed friend might have died?!

Cassia finally texted him back late Sunday, letting him know that she was alive. Still, something didn't feel right. If Artemis wasn't over there, he would have checked on her. He asked how everything went, and she simply replied that she'd tell him tomorrow.

Patience was not something Apollo was particularly good at.

Still, he managed to keep his cool the most of the day. When lunch rolled around, he went straight to her locker, only to find her there with Orion and Artemis.

She looked fine. Maybe a little tired, sore from the way she was moving, but overall healthy. She was the first one to notice him, those knowing violet eyes curiously examining him.

"I'm starving," Artemis sighed. "Please tell me it's something good for lunch."

"Taco salad," Orion explained. Artemis gave him a fist bump, totally pleased. They walked beside each other discussing food and other things. Cas fell back, falling into step with Apollo.

"Are you eating lunch with us today?" he questioned.

"I wasn't planning on it. I brought something. I need to head to the library. I've got to finish my homework for 5th period. Didn't exactly have time for it over the weekend."

"You know, you could say the word, and it would be done," Apollo hinted. Cas gave him a dubious look before rolling her eyes.

"And squander my good grades? No thank you!"

"I can't appear all knowing in class, people would get suspicious," he declared. "I'd make sure it was right."

"Sure you would. Whatever lets you sleep at night, sunshine."

"Sunshine?" Apollo balked. Cas just gave him a cheeky grin. "Fine, but I'm coming with you."

"Alright," she agreed. She didn't look at all surprised, which meant she knew he wanted to talk to her.

"Cas, just come to lunch! At least sit with us for ten minutes. You can finish it at the table," Orion suggested. Cas smiled at him, only a little worry seeping into her gaze. She glanced down the hall where the others stood at the lunch room entrance. Hestia offered them a small wave, which Artemis returned.

"I don't know if that's the best-"

Cas's jaw went slack and her eyes glazed over. She stared to collapse, but Apollo quickly caught her before she hit the floor. Everything in her arms fell to the floor, the contents scattering. The halls were mostly empty now, so there wasn't a crowd to witness her passing out.

"Cas?" Orion worried, Artemis right behind him.

Her eyes opened and refocused, utmost fear in them. "No, no, no," she murmured, quickly shaking her head.

"Cas, what the hell is going on?" Orion worried. "Are you still sick?" He looked up at Apollo with a grudging look. So, that was the lie that she told Orion to cover her weekend escapades. She was playing off from being sick Friday night.

"Apollo?" Artemis added, her tone all business.

Apollo ignored them. All he could focus on was how her color drained, how she gripped into his arms like her life depended on it. She was shaking all over, hard enough that you could see it. In the back of his mind, he was aware that the others were approaching them, but at the moment, that didn't matter.

"Cassia, what did you see?" he asked urgently. Whatever it was, it had to be bad.

"Do you remember that favor you owe me?" she pleaded. Apollo nodded his head.

Artemis shouted, "A favor, I knew it!"

"Artemis, shut up! Cas, what do you need? Tell me what you need." It struck Apollo how eerily similar his words were to Orion's that night. Her eyes were narrowed, filled with the thoughts and possibilities she was analyzing. She looked back up at him, a determined but resigned glint in her eyes.

"I need to borrow your dagger, the celestial bronze one."

"A dagger!?" Orion exploded. Cas visibly winced at the words.

"What the hell-" Athena began from about twenty feet away. But she was interrupted by a door slamming open down the hall and a male figure striding confidently through it. Cas shrank in Apollo's arms for a moment. He had pale skin and keen, cruel, red eyes. His suit was solid black, of expensive make. Hieroglyphics were painted on his neck and hands, a few Apollo recognized as related to war and chaos. It was the same man who shot her with an arrow, the same one who threatened her in the vision he saw.

"Why hello, my little thief," he mused while taking Cas in. She broke away from Apollo, a fierce look on her face. "Not even your Olympian friends can save you now."

Eeep. I won't make you wait too long for the next chapter. I think you'll really enjoy it!

Thank you for reading my story and reviewing. It means a lot that you take the time to do so! I love to hear from you!