Her stomach could take no more appartion after the event in Magnuson Park. For all she knew, she might end up falling into a sewer next. Not to mention that she wasn't really too eager to see Alabaster.

Of course, this was not because she didn't like her half-brother. She really did admire and look up to him, but she wasn't sure he'd just like her showing up on his doorstep. Lou know how she felt about him, but what did he feel about her? How would he react to seeing the sister he hadn't see in almost two years? Wishing the bus would go a little slower, Lou-Ellen sank in her thought, feeling worried. She had just realized how involved she was in this war. The past two wars, she wasn't exactl that in. During the Giant War, all she did was make a few alertness potions to help warriors, until the last moment, when she felt as usleless as floo powder in microwave. Lou wasn't warrior-built like some children of Hecate. She was stealth and quiet, but not all that skilled in combat. That's why she had volunteered to go with Will Solace and that other demigod she didn't know the name of.

That was her first real role of significance. And it had been with Nico. He was so different back then. Snappish, with a short fuse, and a knack for being creepy and dark. But that was just his nature. With a little acceptance from everyone, Nico had opened up. Will had credit for most of that, really, but Lou liked to think she helped with it two. It was because of that misson, however, that Lou-Ellen truly came to respect and actually like Nico. And she realized that she no longer had to be that silent (however rebellious) girl who sat in the corner and brewed potions. Will and Nico had given her a chance- a chance to prove she could do more than that. And she had taken it.

So technically, it was a very different Lou-Ellen that was riding the bus to her brother's new residence in Seattle. That, however, did not stop her stomach from churning with concern, as the veichle came to an abrupt stop.

"Woodinville, Pine Lane." The Driver's bored voice said. Lou pulled her backpack onto her shoulder and slowly climbed out of the white bus, watching gloomily as it drove away as soon as she stepped down. Gathering up her courage, she recited a carefuly and barely audible directing spell. A silver arrow of mist pointed toward a house across from where she was standing.

Number Sixteen, Amber Mirrage, PineLane, it read. Steeling herself and forcing ehr legs to ove forward, Lou took a deep, supposedly calming breath.

The concept wasn't so nervewrecking when she came up with the idea . Maybe she could leave now. Maybe if she apparated away, she could get back to camp and try and forget about Alabaster.

Shaking her head, she raised her hand to knock the door, but before her fist came in contact with the mahogany wood, she was standing face to face, looking at a brown haired- freckly child of Hecate who looked less than pleased.

-O-

"Don't. Just, don't." Annabeth said, holding her temples in confusion. "Seriously, Nico. It's not making any sense. Do I get this right- Hecate wants you to apologize to the Lares? Why?"

Nico shrugged. After arriving at Camp, and being greeted by a few hugs from Annabeth and Reyna, confirming with Malcom that his cabin was still as un-white as ever, and making sure Will Solace was not going to be handling his bow and quiver once Nico was at camp, they had gotten straight to business.

"That's what she said," Nico responded calmly. It felt strange, yet so calming to be back at camp without wizard robes. Nico's wand, however, was tucked safely into his pocket. It was quite a habit he couldn't grow out of- he knew, of course, that should he be engaged in a battle with demigods, he would have to use his powers and rely purely on his dueling skills. Of course, most of the demigods now knew about the Wizardring world, but none of them had any idea exactly how anything worked, and according to Chiron, the wizardring community would not be too pleased if Nico had showed some of their 'skills' in front of demigods, which would probably be considered treachery since none of them really trusted demigods.

"Okay!" Annabeth said with a reproachful look. "Let's go apologizing to spirits for reasons unknown and trust goddesses who threw us into a world we didn't know without a reason! Why not? It'll be awful fun, won't it?"

Nico knew quite well that Annabeth did not trust any divine forms of any kind. Not since the Giant War, when Hera sent pooping cows after her and practically literally Percy's memories after having him comatose for about eight months. He couldn't exactly blame her, but he had a feeling that Hecate knew what she was doing. After all, this goddess in particular had blessed his sister, Hazel, which had save dher life in several situations. Besides, it wouldn't exactly hurt to try, would it?

"Annabeth, I know you don't exactly trust g-"

"Trust them? Of course I don't! Don't you know what happened to Percy the last time that happened? One word could turn things upside down, Nico. This scenario's unstable. I can't figure out what the Lares are mad about exactly, and anything can go wrong. This just doesn't make any logical sense to me, and do you know many hazards and hinders that could cause? The Lares have ancient powers, do you really understand what would happen if you said something you shouldn't to them? I do not think you get-"

And so on...Annabeth ranted and ranted and ranted, and Nico finally understood what had her so worried. Of course, there was the fact that she didn't trust the Olympians, but there was more so the fact the fact that she couldn't make head not tails of this situation- she couldn't deal with it. Annabeth, being a daughter of Athena, like to solve things with all the calculations, possibilities, scenarios, and consequences listed down so she knew what she was getting in to- she didn't like going into thing blind-folded. She would go insane if the results were not what she expected them to be.

"Annabeth," Nico tried, but to no avail.

"- I don't exactly trust Hecate, Nico, but even so, what if she doesn't know what she's getting into? It's the Hera-decision all again! Things probably won't go as planned!" What-"

"Annabeth?"

"-It's Daedalus' labyrinth all over again! You turn a corner, and you're not sure what'll be waiting for you around it! That's why we have to take things carefully, you know? That why we have to-"

Nico ha had absolutely enough. Sighing in exasperation, Nico made sure no one was around for a good twenty meters, pulled out his wand, and muttered a quick 'Silencio'.

It was quite a while until Annabeth noticed that Nico wasn't listening to her rant. She fumed red, and yelled some more. Nico was grateful he couldn't hear what she was saying- it was most probably not very nice.

"Sorry." Nico said, smirking. "You were worrying too much. There's only one way to get ahead with this, Annie- forward. I don't know what's gotten into you, really. The last time you went into a rant like that was when you Drew rearranged your cabin."

Annabeth sighed, looking exhausted for a second there. Once Nico was a hundred percent sure she wouldn't be yelling anymore, her undid his spell, and heard her sigh.

"Sorry, Nico." Annabeth muttered, rubbing her head. "I just had this...most unpleasant vision, if you could call it that. It really unnerved me."

"A vision?" Nico said, frowning slightly. "Was it of unsolved math equations. How horrific! No wonder, Annabeth, I should've cut you some slack there."

Annabeth slapped the back of his head, but smirked at him. "It's nothing, really. It was a few days ago, and totally had me of balance. I was losing my mind there. Lou gave me a dreamless sleep potion. I wanted to IM for another vial, but she wasn't there."

"She...wait what?" Nico said, all his demigod reflexes alarming him. There was something odd going on...

"No one knows where she is, apparently. Chiron said she asked for permission to go out into the mortal world, and no one knew where she wandered off to since. But Kye offered to brew me some potion instead. Why are you asking, by the way?" she said, looking at Nico pointedly. Annabeth was perfect at reading emotions and body language, but so was Nico at hiding the former and controlling the latter. He tried to look casual about it, and act as if Hecate hadn't mentioned something about dangers in the mortal world.

"Just curious." Nico said, shrugging."May I ask what your vision's about? It may be-"

"It's nothing, Nico. Believe me." Annabeth's voice was firm, and Nico knew there was no point arguing with her anymore. One this daughter of Athena put her mind up to something, she wouldn't give in easily. But another thing Nico knew about Annabeth was that she was extremely prideful, and although she had tried to fix that once it landed her in Tartarus, she still had problems with her hubris. Nico made a point to ask Percy about it later- Annabeth told him everything.

"Right," Nico said, trying to look like he wasn't up to something too devious. "I'll go check on the Lares before popping up with the golden statement, shall I? Just lead me to a particularly stupid one."

Annabeth rolled hers eyes, smiling slightly, but Nico could have sworn she was staring at him and right through his cover with those penetrating gray eyes of hers. Annabeth however, quickly looked away and scribbled something on here note-pad, frowning and muttering things like "doesn't make sense," or "absolutely worthless," as she did.

Annabeth sighed, looking ready to throw the pen she had all across New Rome.

"Hold on," Nico said, realizing something so comical it should have been funny. "Are you writing with Riptide?"

Annabeth smirked at his expression. "Glad you noticed." she stated. "I've grown quite fond of it. Sneaked it out from Percy when he came to visit with Mrs. O'Leary yesterday. I've grown quite fond of it, and the demigods at Camp Half-Blood won't have to be harassed by their sparring sessions anymore."

Nico was baffled. "How did you managed to get around the enchantment? The one that gets Riptide back to his pocket whenever he loses it?"

"Piper just about had it with their duels, too. She and the Aphrodite cabin made sure to replace all the jeans he had for pocket-less ones, and we IMed Sally just in time to confirm she wouldn't give him any with pockets, either." Annabeth grinned, all signs of concern disappearing. Nico had to admit it was quite the job she did- and a good thing for everyone, too.

"Anyway," Annabeth said, her expression turning grave. "There was this Lar Malcom was talking about...Vitellius, or something? Maybe you can talk to him."

SHOUT OUT TO MARISSATODD! WOOOOOOOH! Everyone else with insults for old Voldy, please don't hesitate to comment!

As for those who haven't read Son Of Magic, then I'll see if there's any online website where you can read it. As far as I know, there's an audiobook on YouTube, but it's really hard to find- I was lucky to come across it. You can try to find it by yourselves, however, if you could. It's a really, really, good book. I mean, writing clearly runs in the Riordan blood. GO HALEY RIORDAN!