"Well, Apollo didn't drag you off and Mr D didn't kill me," Percy sighed as I moved to stand beside him again. "So what now?"

I sighed heavily, my hands wringing at the thought of what I'd agreed to yet again. "Now, you're going to catch up with Thalia and Bianca."

He snorted. "I have no idea where they are."

"They're on the highway to Washington," I replied easily. "I checked with Sasha. She isn't that far away and says she's been searching for me since she realised we'd run off. Set off now and you'll probably manage to catch up with them."

"What about you? You can't go out there alone!"

I felt my eyes roll. "Why does everyone keep telling me that? I'll be fine, Percy. I know where to start and I'm not going to be on my own for long. Besides, I have a feeling things are going to get … hectic."

"The difference from the last two quests being?" he scoffed at me. The only response I could give him was an uneasy smile. "Acacia, I don't think splitting up is a good idea."

"Well, as I need to go to Detroit and you promised to watch out for Bianca in Washington, I'm not sure we've got much of a choice," I pointed out dryly.

"Could you not-"

"No," I interrupted sternly. "I'm going, Percy, and I've had enough arguing about it. Do you reckon Ghost can make it that far?"

His lips twisted, and I knew he wanted to push it further, but instead, he shifted forward and ran one hand down Ghost's neck. "With a few rest stops, she'll can get you there for this afternoon."

Afternoon… Apollo had said Nicholas Hunt would be at the archery range at midday. Would he still be there by the time I arrived?

There's nothing for it, I'm going to have to try. I nodded at him. "Then I guess I'd better get going. You too if you want to keep up with the others."

He frowned, taking a few steps back toward Blackjack. "Be careful Acacia."

"Always am!" I called back as I swung onto Ghost's saddle. She shifted, impatient to get going. "Just promise me you won't do something stupid like… kill my sister?"

"I'll be good if she is," he snorted, wheeling Blackjack around and launching himself into the sky.

"They're going to kill each other," I sighed, watching him go for a minute. Ghost tossed her head into the air agitatedly. "Come on then. Now or never."

She didn't need any more encouragement. In the same second, she bolted to the edge of the roof and leapt gracefully into the air, heading straight toward the clouds to conceal herself in. Once again, the cold air attacked the scar on my neck, making me wince sharply through my teeth. After the initial shock though, it wasn't too bad. My hair was still wrapped up away from it, so I reached up and stood my collar as close to my skin as I could.

We had to make a couple of stops along the way to Detroit for Ghost to rest. Every now and then, I'd feel the pegasus losing altitude, the beat of her wings gradually getting slower, and we'd have to search for somewhere quiet to drop from the sky and let her recover for as short a time as she could manage. Overhead, birds circled us curiously, as though they were trying to figure out what sort of creature Ghost was. If they got too close, she'd only twist her head and snort at them irritably and they soon left her alone.

All apart from one rather large, very persistent eagle. For the first few hours of the journey, it had kept its distance, watching from afar as we travelled closer and closer to Detroit. But when we reached the halfway mark, it began flying nearer until I could make out the colours of its feathers; the black fletched with dark brown and large golden eyes glistening from its white head. It didn't bother me, but Ghost didn't seem overly pleased at its proximity.

Finally, at around two in the afternoon, Ghost dropped beneath the clouds to give me a view of Detroit. Having never been there before, I had no idea which area of the city I was looking for, but beside us, the eagle gave a loud squawk and regarded me coolly for a moment. Then, with one large beat of its wings, it flew straight in front of Ghost's nose and angled toward the left. Ghost ruffled her mane angrily, but followed, nose-diving straight toward a large patch of grass.

The closer we got, the surer I was that this was the archery range I was looking for. "Maybe we should avoid the arrows!" I called over the sound of the wind, and Ghost dutifully slowed her descent, swerving to the right, where a large collection of trees stood just out of the way.

She dropped to the ground, snorting again when she noticed the eagle perched on a branch in one of the trees overhead. My lips pursed, but I swung out of the saddle, running a soothing hand over Ghost's nose as she prodded me accusingly, her eyes still fixed on the eagle.

It was only then that I remembered the eagle was one of my father's symbols. I stared at it for a moment. "This isn't a very subtle way of keeping an eye on me," I commented.

It isn't supposed to be subtle, the eagle responded coolly, shaking out its wings.

"Another animal talking in my head," I sighed. "Great. Why are you here?"

On Lord Zeus's orders.

"Yes, I got that. What orders?"

I'm to monitor how close you get.

"To what?"

Passing all the tests.

I pursed my lips. Wasn't passing them all the point of all of this? "Zeus still has to test me. I haven't passed his, Athena's, Apollo's or Hera's."

Lord Zeus did not give his reasons, nor does he have to, the eagle told me stiffly.

You're not as nice to talk to as Sasha, I told him internally before I could help it.

I'm aware.

My eyes rolled. "Just … try not to get shot out of the sky?" He said nothing, but remained exactly where he was, watching me carefully.

Trying not to let that unnerve me, I patted Ghost one last time and adjusted the strap of my backpack on my shoulder, turning away toward the archery range. From here, I could see the entrance, stood by a small wooden hut I figured must have been the reception area. Without any better idea of how to find Nicholas, I started forward, vaulting over a low built fence and trying once again to conceal as much of my scar as I could.

The hut bore a large sign, which I figured must have read 'Detroit Archers' though I couldn't be entirely sure with my dyslexia. The front door was stood open, and from inside, I could hear several people talking and laughing amongst themselves.

"Game time, Acacia," I muttered to myself, double-checking my swords and hunting knife were still hidden.

Just as I reached the door, a tall, elderly looking man stepped into the frame with a broad smile on his face from something one of the others had said. He looked quite strong, his hair flecked grey and his blue eyes shining cheerfully. His sleeves were rolled up, and in his hands he held a longbow and quiver of arrows.

He stopped short at the sight of me. "Hi," he smiled. "Can I help you?"

I smiled back. "Hi, I'm looking for Nicholas Hunt?"

"Nick? Sure, you know him?"

I debated my answer for a split second, wondering how to make it sound least weird. "Old friend," I settled on with a small shrug.

The man regarded me for a second. "Well, I can tell him you called, but it's members only past the gates I'm afraid. You a member?"

Before I could change my mind, I flicked my hand the way Thalia had taught me and the man's eyes glazed over through the Mist. For good measure, I prized the locket around my neck open too. "I'm new," I grimaced.

"Of course!" he declared, striding forward to push the gate open. "You're … Miss …?" He frowned, confused.

"Grace," I supplied hurriedly, before he could come around. "But Acacia's fine." He managed a half smile as I slipped past him.

"Nick's on the far range, just to the left there behind the trees."

"Thank you," I smiled, starting across the rocky sand path toward the ranges. Trees surrounded the entire club, and dotted here and there were archers of varying ages and abilities, aiming at mundane targets. My lips twitched at the thought. I'd obviously be spending far too much time practising with the camp targets, where the harpies had a horrible habit of pushing them over or moving them aside just as you'd released your arrow. Guessing what they were going to do next was a skill in itself.

I rounded the trees, still scanning the ranges for a sign of anyone that could possibly be Nicholas Hunt. That's when my eyes fell on the guy at the furthest targets.

He was a lot older than me, at least twenty years old, with an uncanny resemblance to his father; sandy hair, heavy tan, lean build. I thought I could even make out his bright eyes from this distance, though where Apollo's were usually shining and mischievous, this guy looked stern and serious.

No turning back now, Acacia, I thought wryly, pushing myself to keep moving toward him.

I tried not to make too much noise as I approached. The guy seemed completely absorbed with his work, and as I watched, he somehow managed to fire two arrows simultaneously into two separate targets. "Show off," I mumbled.

"I like to think of it as practise," he remarked over his shoulder, and I blinked in surprise. He spared half a glance in my direction, his face still stern. "Don't worry about it. You're not the first to say that."

"Sorry," I replied. "That's… impressive."

"You don't sound very sure of that." He released another arrow, which seemed to hit its mark on a target I could barely see from this distance. "You shoot yourself?" He pointed to the bow over my shoulder.

"Not like that," I commented wryly, hoping Apollo wasn't watching this.

Nicholas allowed himself a small smile. "Thanks." He scanned me carefully for a moment, his eyes lingering on the scar poking out from behind the edge of my collar. His eyebrows tightened. "Do I know you?"

"Err, no," I replied. "I actually came here looking for you."

His expression became very fixed. "Oh? And you are?"

"My name's Acacia," I replied. "I'm here to-"

"Acacia Grace?" the boy spluttered in surprise, and it was my turn to go rigid, eyeing him cautiously. Vaguely, I remembered Apollo warning me that Nicholas knew I was coming, but he hadn't bothered to tell me how.

"I don't know you," I repeated, my fingertips twitching for the side of my belt where my sword was hidden.

"No, you don't," he agreed quietly, lowering his bow and taking a few steps forward. "But I've been waiting for you to find one of us."

"What?" I scoffed, trying and failing to hide my concern. His eyebrows tightened again. "Look, I don't know who you are or how you know about me, but I was told to find you by-" I cut off, not entirely sure how to continue.

"Artemis," Nicholas supplied. "She's been captured on a hunt and now you want my help to find four other demigods to help you get her back. That sound about right?"

I couldn't answer, torn between shock and fear. Artemis had said these demigods were special. Even Apollo hadn't wanted me to find his son, determined that he was better off far away from camp. Now, I was starting to think maybe he was right. Something was very unsettling about this boy, and not just because he looked so much like his father.

As if realising he was freaking me out, Nicholas lowered his bow to the floor and held his empty hands out in surrender. "I'm not dangerous, Acacia," he told me patiently. "To you, at least. More than my life's worth, I'd guess." I made to protest at that, praying he couldn't possibly be referring to Apollo, but Nicholas only smiled half-heartedly. "Look, I'll explain everything, since you don't seem very prepared for this."

"I've been a bit busy," I managed to scowl.

"I wasn't criticising you, relax," he insisted. "We should talk, but it's probably best done inside. Somewhere quiet."

I wanted to argue, to point out that I wasn't remotely comfortable with the idea of disappearing with a guy I barely knew who freaked me out quite this much. Before I could though, something squawked loudly overhead.

Company! Zeus's eagle shouted at me, and I started, automatically twisting toward the tree line and unsheathing my sword. Nicholas froze.

I tried to tell him to run, but in that second, monsters burst from the tree line. Hellhounds. At least twenty of them. And the sight of them instantly turned the archery range to chaos. In the distance, I could hear mortals screaming in terror, all trying to scramble for the exit as the hellhounds bound straight toward us.

Adrenaline pumping, I spun my sword in my hands as they neared. Just as the first one got in range, two arrows shot straight past me and thudded into the pack leaders, who immediately roared in pain and exploded in a cloud of yellow dust.

I glanced back to see Nicholas scowling. "You can take this many, right?" he clarified. I frowned, but didn't bother replying, turning back to the monsters and ducking as the first leapt at me. Without hesitating, I plunged the sword straight through its stomach, spinning on my knee to slash another in two on my right.

"Behind you!" Nicholas shouted, and I tensed. Thunder rumbled, grey clouds swarmed, and in that second, lightning crashed, inches from my back. Several howls sounded, barely audible over the sound of the sudden storm, but I felt the yellow dust blast over my skin.

Just as quickly as it had started, the storm vanished, and Nicholas was stood in front of me, holding out one of his hands. "That works too," he shrugged. "I'm impressed."

"Gee, thanks," I muttered, taking his hand and climbing to my feet.

He frowned over my shoulder. "There's more coming. We should get out of here."

"Lead the way."

Rolling his bow in his hand, he let his free hand hover over his arrows as he led the way further away from the treeline, moving deeper into the archery range. My lips pursed at that, but I followed dutifully, nervously spinning my sword in my hand. We skirted around the far side of the range, vaulting over more low fences until we finally appeared to have circled back on ourselves, back at the entrance.

"Over here," Nicholas instructed, pointing toward the car park. He led the way straight across the tarmac to the far end, where an expensive looking, black Audi was parked.

"Nice," I commented. He just unlocked the car and climbed into the driver's seat. Sparing a quick look to the sky, where Zeus's eagle continued to circle, I yanked the passenger side door open and got in. Without hesitating, Nicholas threw the car into reverse and skidded out of the parking space before flooring the accelerator.

I remained tense and alert for at least ten minutes after we hit the highway, my eyes darting across every window as I monitored our surroundings. Eventually though, my shoulders relaxed and fraction, and Nicholas shifted in his seat.

"Ready to explain yet?" I frowned at him.

"My sister can probably do that better than I can." I stared. "She's my twin."

"You're kidding."

"No," he replied with a straight face. "Her name's Olympia. In fact, we're going to see her now. She lives in Denver though, so we're in for a long drive."

My stomach sank. "Why is everything in Denver?" I grumbled.

He snorted. "What do you have against Denver?"

"I was born there. It was where I lost two siblings, grew up with an inconsiderate, alcoholic mother and was kidnapped by the God of the Dead. So not much, really."

For the first time, he had the grace to look guilt for being so blunt. "We won't stay long," he assured me.

"What is it with you and these other demigods?" I blurted, more to change the subject than anything else. "What makes you so different?"

Nicholas' face straightened again, and he stared at the road ahead. "Most demigods are born with abilities inherited from their parents. Naturally, that means some are stronger than the others. Look at you. As the daughter of Zeus, you're one of the strongest demigods alive, at least within camp."

"Excuse me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't get offended, it's just a fact that the demigods you're looking for aren't like the ones you already know," he shrugged. "We were born with … more. Abilities that make us stronger, different from regular half-bloods."

"Like what?"

"Take Olympia. She sees the future. And not just delivering prophecies or the knowing to pray to our father for help, but she actually sees. She has dreams and visions that tell her what will come. Sometimes we can change it, sometimes we can't, and sometimes we don't want to. But those visions are why we know about the others, why we knew you'd come to find us."

I shuffled. "People tried to stop me coming though. How could you possibly know for sure I'd be here?"

He shot me a look, as if questioning how I could be so stupid. My eyes narrowed. "The type of person you are meant you were never going to let anything stop you from doing this. No matter what you had to do or say or promise to get you here, you were always going to do it."

My expression must have soured considerably, because he suddenly grew uncomfortable and avoided my gaze. As though I didn't need more evidence that I was so easy to manipulate. Were any of the decisions I ever made really mine?

"Look, I don't know you," Nicholas sighed. "I don't know what sort of person you are, or what you had to do to get here, but I know what's at stake. There are a hundred reasons I never wanted to go to Camp Half-Blood, but there are millions more to make me help. The world is on the verge of war, and no mortal will ever know its even coming, let alone how to stop it. The gods, and your camp for that matter, will need all the strength they have. I'm not making any promises about the others, but I'll help you as much as I can, and I know Olympia will too."

I scanned his expression carefully, twirling my fingers anxiously. "Then I guess we'd better start in Denver."