Thanks for the reviews, alerts and favourites. Especially the reviews.

As always, thank you to my beta, Reading Obsession. You rock. :)

I touched the scars on my cheek, wincing at the pain. I was looking in the mirror, frowning at my reflection. Four long parallel cuts scored my cheek where that drakken... thing, swiped me with its claws.

I turned away from the mirror, unhappy with my reflection. We were still in the thing's house, the fire put out and Lily freed. Without the malevolent presence that had invaded the bed and breakfast when we arrived, the place was actually very welcoming.

Percy, Nico, Lily, Annabeth, Giac and I were now installed in different bedrooms, though I was still sharing, this time with Nico. There weren't really enough to have one each, and it was discovered that Lily didn't actually have a bed, or a room. She was forced to sleep on the floor in the kitchen. Since most nights she ran into Percy and Annabeth's room with nightmares, it was decided she would sleep there, leaving one spare room, which Giac quickly took. This left Nico and me in one room, Percy, Annabeth and Lily in another, and Giac all to himself.

We'd been there for five days. In that time, it had rained really, really hard, and misted a little. However, over the past day or so, it was almost hot, the sun even having the good grace to show itself.

We were moving off the next day, back to Camp. I had Iris Messaged Camp, and transport had been arranged.

Walking out of the bathroom, fingers still gently probing my cheek, I lay down in the bed. According to the clock on the bedside table, it was one in the morning, but I couldn't sleep. Nico was completely silent. He sleeps like the dead.

...Which isn't really surprising, now that I think about it.

I turned on my side, willing myself to drift off to sleep. It doesn't ever really work. I remember when I was little...

I sat bolt upright, all thoughts of sleep forgotten, desperately trying to hold onto the memory. But it faded away, and I lay back again, frustrated.

It was bothering me, but I still couldn't remember anything from about two years ago. It was absolutely infuriating, and it made me wonder if I had some sort of mental problem. Pushing that thought to the back of my mind—no use worrying about what I can't change—I settled back down, trying to sleep.

Dawn came before sleep did, and I settled into a sort of half-dozing, half awake, and fraught with dreams of snowy nights and memories I don't quite remember.

oOo

I was pulled out of the dream by Nico, who shook my shoulder.

"Hey, Jakob. Geddup."

I opened my eyes, instantly alert. The sunlight was filtering through the windows, and Nico was standing beside my bed, two cups of something with steam curling off the top.

"Here you go," he said, handing me one, before leaving the room. "We leave in about an hour," he said over his shoulder.

I drank the coffee eagerly, before hopping out of the bed and heading towards the shower. After my shower, I redressed and came downstairs. Everyone was assembled, including Lily who was clutching Giac's hand.

"Obviously, we're taking her with us. She said that a glowing thing appeared over her head, and that's why LeBarbera took her," he said, still clutching her hand as she bobbed her head rapidly. "We're trying to help her remember exactly what it was, but no luck so far."

I nodded, and we stayed in the kitchen for the rest of the wait, just talking. Soon a car horn sounded outside, and we left the building.

It never ceased to amaze me how easily modern technology blended seamlessly with Greek mythology. In front of us was a sleek black hair, with a Pegasus mascot on the hood.

The car tooted again, and we got inside. It was warm outside, but the temperature inside the car was cool.

It was fully stocked, with a large bar fridge, a flat screen television, and three black leather-covered stretch seats.

"Argus, good to see ya!" Nico said, as one of the eyes on the back of his neck winked in affirmation. Lily stood still, transfixed with the man in front of her.

"Why does he have eyes everywhere?" she whispered to Percy.

He shrugged. "I... don't know. Don't worry, though, he won't hurt you."

Lily nodded, but still stuck close to the older man.

They all sat down, and the car moved off smoothly, away from the Bed and Breakfast.

I went to sit down, but something jabbed me in the thigh. I felt around for the object, already knowing what it was, and pulled out a lipstick tube. I sighed, replacing it in his pocket.

Since I had woken from my dream with Aphrodite, this lipstick tube had followed me around relentlessly. Nico, Giac and Percy had laughed at it, and Annabeth had suppressed a smile and turned away. However, when the tube was uncapped, it formed a straight-edged sword, celestial bronze with a sapphire set into the hilt. Sort of like Percy's pen, but far, far more embarrassing. And since it seemed to be charmed to follow me, there was no way I could get rid of it.

"Have the camp's magical borders been restored yet?" Annabeth asked Argus. He shook his head, worryingly. "But it's protected, isn't it?" He nodded, and Annabeth settled back, relieved.

We drove for a long time, stopping only for bathroom breaks, which Annabeth took frequently. It was pleasant inside the limousine, and I managed to catch a few hours sleep between stops. We stopped for the last time outside a hotel. Night had fallen, and the night was lit by millions of stars, which usually weren't able to be seen from Long Island.

We piled out into the cool night air. We must have travelled quite a bit, because there was absolutely no trace of rain here. It was a very pleasant climate, actually, and I was glad there was finally no rain.

The hotel in front of us blazed with light, a large neon sign saying 'Delphino Hotel'.

"Looks promising," Giac said, as we walked into the lobby, Lily holding Annabeth's hand this time. Percy crossed to the desk, opening the piece of paper that Argus had thrust into his hand before exiting the car.

"Jackson," he said, reading the paper. "That's my last name, but I already know that...? Why would Argus give me this?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Give it here stupid," she said, snatching the paper from his hand. She strode up to the desk, where the pretty receptionist smiled at her. Behind Annabeth's back, Percy poked his tongue out, and Nico snorted.

"The reservation is under 'Jackson'," Annabeth said to her.

The receptionist turned to the computer screen, fingers flying over the keyboard.

"Ah, the penthouse suite," she said, brightly. "Here are your keys..." she gave a small packet labelled 299 to Annabeth. "And go right up," she finished, smiling.

"Thank you," Annabeth said, smiling, before elbowing past Percy, clutching Lily's hand and gently leading the group to the elevator. "Come on," she said impatiently. "I'm hungry."

So, we all piled into the elevator, and it shot up, straight to the thirtieth floor.

oOo

Icicle-blue eyes watched through the window of the lobby as the stupid fools got into the elevator. The doors closed, and the elevator moved upwards, towards the suite.

The mouth underneath the eyes smiled. His plan was that much closer to fruition...

Sorry for the shortness, but I have something major for the next chapter.

–coughcharacterdeathcough-

So you'll just have to wait for that.

Oh, I've decided I'll do a story recommendations thing. The first one is The Rise of Percy Jackson by PurpleLightning12. Her grammar and spelling is a bit iffy, but the story itself is pretty good. The second one is Flying Sparks by, oddly enough, sparks flying. It's a very good Hunger Games story.

I have a poll where you can vote on Jakob's heritage. I also have a formspring, where you can ask my questions about my stories. Please do. What happened to all my reviewers? I feel sad. :(

Joking. :DD

Okay, I've wasted enough words on this author's note... (122 words, to be exact.)

So, bye.

November Rising