A/N: You guys probably hate me right now. But all I've got now is my iPod to work with (the school blocked FF from my laptop- stupid muggles), and even then. Don't have enerything I should.

On a happier note, it's almost Halloween! Which means my friend is turning 16 on Thursday!

And I am so relieved to finally get this up. It has een sitting in my notes for far too long!

Chapter 10

Agnes was driving at an agonizingly slow pace. I peeked over at the speedometer. Okay, so she was driving at eighty miles an hour, but still. We were in Tennessee, and I had to be in New York before my birthday- which was in a month. I was in a hurry, but Agnes didn't seem to think it was that important. The first hour on the road, she kept muttering about how a young child traveling without her parents would be sure to cause some sort of trouble.

"Mrs. White, could ya please drive a little faster? I'm supposed to be in New York before January."

Agnes shot a poisoned look. "Listen to me, child. I only agreed to take you to New Jersey because I respect the goddess. I never wanted anything to do with you. I knew you were a strange child the minute I laid my eyes on you. You had that same devious look on your baby face as you do now. Hush up an let me drive- in silence!"

I stared out the side window, watching Tennessee pass by. I knew that there was no going back, that this was my last look at home. But I also knew that I was leaving behind one home for a better, safer one. It was hard, but I would finally be where I truly belonged. My eyelids fluttered and I gave in to the powers of sleep.

I was with six other people, none of whom I recognized. We were surrounded by ancient architecture, probably Greek. All of us were covered in dirt and grime, and we were all staring at an impressive, though intimidating, black ruin. A boy, smaller than the rest, stepped forward. "This is it," he announced. "The Doors are through here."

A hispanic boy clasped my hand. "Promise me you'll stay away from the Doors." He whispered. I met his eyes reluctantly. "Leo, you know it's my destiny. This is the end...for me, anyway."

I touched his cheek. He closed his eyes as a single, fat, teardrop rolled down and onto my fingers. I pressed the tear to my heart. "Ti amo, mi Leo. Ti amo..."

"I love you too, Elizabeta. But por favor, stay with me."

I took something from around my waist: an emerald-encrusted bronze dagger. "Take this. I made it myself, so it has more of me than anything I own. And..." I swallowed a lump in my mouth. "The notebooks Hecate gave me...they're in Annabeth's room. Read them. Please read them, Leo."

The image faded, and I was standing in a spacious temple of Greek design, made from black marble. A woman stood in the shadows. "You are growing, my dear."

"Who are you?" I called, my voice echoing. The woman laughed. "I am the one who gave you your gifts, child." She stepped out of the shadows. Dark, wavy hair reached down to her lower back. Bright green eyes portrayed a wide range of emotions: anger, pride, pain, and fear. She smiled tightly. "I am Hecate, goddess of magic."

"I saw you, in a memory. When the gods gave me those gifts Daddy told me about."

Hecate gave me a pained expression. "Yes, my child. But your gifts are more of a curse than you know. I did not foresee that much when I peered into the future." She tore her gaze away from me, and closed her eyes. "You received a vision of your future. The Earth Mother, Gaia, will stop at nothing to see you, Leo Valdez, and Frank Zhang destroyed. You three pose the greatest threat against her plan."

I was confused. I knew a little about Gaia, but not enough to understand Hecate. "Who are those other two you mentioned- Leo and Frank?" The goddess waved her hand, and a green mist swirled. A cute, crazy- looking boy laughed, though no sound was heard. His laughing face changed to one of deep despair. He was clearly depressed. The image changed, a big Asian kid with a spear appeared. He was charging at something, his face contorted with anger. He changed as well, and this time he was with a girl, in a large grain field. He gave the girl a small package, wrapped in cloth.

Hecate dispersed the smoke, staring at me. "Those are only two of the countless others you will meet on your journey." She closed my eyelids. "I will see you soon, Elizabeth King."

So I finished HoH yeasterday...*cries* It is officialky my favorite . And I thought Harry Potter would always sit at the top...Aand now, I have to wait another YEAR for Blood of Olympus. I am terrified for that book. For my sanity, I mean, after I read it. Because it will drive me insane, that's for sure. More than I already am, I mean.

Don't forget to leave a comment! I miss them so much!