Chapter 1

I went out to my mailbox in outside of my dorm building in at UCLA. The first thing I saw inside was a small, brown envelope inside that took up most of the room in the small compartment. I quickly reached inside and grabbed my mail. I sifted through the other things in my hand on my way back to my dorm. When I reached the little envelope, I immediately looked at the return address and noticed that it was missing. I flopped down on the bed in my single room and tore open the top. I pulled out an obviously quickly written letter and looked at the signature. I sat up on the bed as I recognized the small, cramped writing. It was from my half-sister, Serena, but I called her Sea. I reached towards the blue and red phone that I kept for emergencies on my bedside table. I knew she would answer under dire circumstances. I reread the letter before I pressed number 2 on my speed dial. The letter read:

Dear Leila, I know I haven't talked to you in a while unless I am in trouble. I'm also sorry to say that this is no different. Every single one of our half-brothers, half-sisters, and cousins are rioting. We are all having a council meeting at the old bunker in by the beach in New York. Please hurry. I hope you can come.

Your half-sister,

Sea

I quickly put the phone to my ear. She picked up on the first ring.

"Leila? Did you get my letter?" She asked with an urgent tone in her voice.

"Yeah, I just finished reading it. What is going on?" I ask.

"Everyone is really mad at the gods. The gods banished all of us from Olympus. I really don't know why. Only the minor gods and goddesses are allowed. That is why we need you.
You and Shayna are two of the only minor gods that anyone trusts. She just got here a few hours ago. Please hurry as fast as possible. I have to go. Keep your phone on but try not to make any more calls unless really, really necessary. I gotta go. See you soon." The line cuts off as she hangs up.

I search under my bed until I find the small backpack filled with clothes and supplies that I always have packed for emergencies. I grab my iPod off of the dock in my room and as I fly through the lobby, I stop by my dorm manager, Pammi's room. I knock quickly and she opens the door.

"Hey, Lei! What's up?" She says perkily until she sees the urgent look on my face.

"Sorry, Pammi. I really have to go. I have a family emergency. Can you please get me excused from my classes for like the next couple of weeks? Say 3 to 4 weeks?" I ask quickly as I dart my eyes left and right.

"Sure. I'll email you your stuff later, okay?" She says. I can tell that she's worried because the last time I ran off, I came back with about 3 different scars, one on my hand, one on my side and one on my forehead.

"Thanks. I'll come back soon, I promise." I hug her goodbye and run towards my car. I drive to my foster parents' home in San Diego, CA. I grab the key that they leave under the mat and let myself in. I see them sitting in the kitchen and they look up when I walk in. My foster mom, Marcie, stands up and gives me a big hug. I return it eagerly after I realize how long it has been since I've been here. My foster dad, Jack, shakes my hand and pulls out a chair for me. I was extremely glad that they knew about me and my special family relations.

"I'm so sorry to pop you, but you know how my family is. They need me to come out to New York for a while. Can I leave my car here?" I ask urgently

They exchange looks and they both nod. I quickly stand up and kiss them each on the cheek and say, "Thanks," on my way to the bathroom. Once inside, I quickly will my powers to help transport me to the bunker on the beach. I imagine our old hiding spot and feel the heat and the strange cold of fire and water. I erupt into a burst of flames and water as I transport myself to the beach. I land on the yellow sand and fall back. I run up the beach into the beach house I helped build. I see my cousins, brothers, and sisters inside the glass windows. I pull open the doors and see a large table in the center of the room, filled with arguing demi-gods and minor gods who look like they are about to start to fight each other with their powers.