I do not own the Percy Jackson or Kane chronicles series

Chapter 17:

Annabeth's POV:

I lie down on my bunk, twirling my dagger between my fingers. All my other siblings were at the sword arena, I would've went too, but I've just been feeling like tartarus lately.

The guilt has been eating at me, from the inside out. I wanted to punch walls, break glass, throw things. Anything. Maybe even stick Octavian's face on a doll and strangle it.

Now, that may seem a bit extreme. Maybe it is. But I can't take it. Finally, I heave myself off of my bed, and head to the big house.

I found Chiron inside, examining a battle map. He heard me come in and motioned me forward.

I walked up beside him and took a deep breath. "Chiron?" I said. "You're going to tell me that you knew about the Egyptians all along, aren't you? That you're one of them." He said without looking my way.

For a second, I just stared at him. How had he possibly known? I tried so hard to keep it a secret. "How did you know?" I whispered. This time, he turned and looked at me.

"Your mother knew about it. So she convinced your father to send you to Brooklyn House to see if you would get along with the others. We needed to know that both sides were able to co-operate with each other. The other adults at Brooklyn house knew. So we kept in touch, to see how things were going. " He answered.

"But-" I started. "Anubis" he said, "yes. Listen Annabeth. What he did, was nothing personal. He just… needs to learn to trust. I'm sure he'll adjust."

I stood there. My mind blank. "Don't worry Annabeth" he said reassuringly.

"Am I supposed to keep it a secret?" I whispered. Chiron hesitated. "I'm not going to tell you what you should or shouldn't do. You're a smart girl, and I trust you. You'll do what you have to. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a class to teach." He turned and wheeled out the door.

I wish he wouldn't always talk like that. Sometimes I need straight forward answers.

Sadie's POV:

So about an hour ago, Bast told me that we were to meet the Greeks and Romans in a week. Great. So we only have a week of freedom. She told me to tell Carter, so I've been running around Brooklyn House trying to find him. I finally found him in the library {nerd. Am not!}.

I told him what Bast told me. He sighed. "So soon?" he asked, I nodded. I haven't had a good look at him in a while and now that I did, I felt kind of bad for him. Ever since Amos left Carter in charge because he had to go back to the first nome and stuff, Carter's been thrown into all kinds of different responsibilities. He looked weary, with deep purple shades under his eyes, tousled hair, and this droopy expression in his eyes.

I gotta admit. I was a little excited to meet our… ummm cousins? Is that what we are? Ok no. That seems kinda creepy. Uhhh let's go with… friends. Yeah, alright, friends. So, I was kinda excited to meet them, but now, seeing Carter's anxious expression, I got kind of scared myself.

What if we don't get along? What if we go into war with each other? No. Shut up Sadie.

"Why don't you get some sleep? You look terrible." I said to him. He hesitated. "I'll look after them, don't worry."

Carter returned the book he was holding to the shelf. "Yeah, alright." He turned to go.

Then he turned back to me. "Sadie?" he asked. "Mhmm?" I answered. "Please try not to burn the place down."