A/N: So we are getting to the good stuff. Again, my updates are going to be a little more sporadic until after the 16th. I also want to apologize for any typos. My brain is bogged down in Auditing (I'm an accounting major... surprising, right!?)

I accidentally wiped my e-mail, but thank you to the new follows/favs and the people that reviewed. You rock my world. Seriously.

More at the bottom!

-Addie-

I had no idea how long I slept. I stretched out, testing the soreness of my muscles from last night's fight. I was tight, but not in the worst condition I had ever been in. I realized that an arm was still draped over me. I slowly turned so I was facing Apollo, careful not to wake him up. I didn't expect him to be here. After all, he said a few hours, and by the amount of light coming in at the edge of my tent, it had been way more than a few.

I had never seen a god sleep, and to be honest, I was absolutely fascinated. His blonde hair was messy, tumbling into his eyes. Part of it stuck up at an odd angle, and I had to stifle my giggle. Tentatively, I brushed it down. His eyelashes were fanned against his cheeks, and it looked like he had to be dreaming something pleasant. Then again, did gods even dream? He really was heartbreakingly handsome. I knew he could change his looks to however he liked, but this was how he normally looked. They each kept to their preferred form. To me, it didn't matter how he looked. I wondered what the god of the sun found attractive about me. I was decent looking, sure, but I was nothing compared Aphrodite or countless others. I sighed, sending the deprecating thoughts from my mind. He was here, with me, and that should be enough. My fingers brushed his cheek, feeling the smoothness of his skin. He was always so warm, a fact I loved about him.

Apollo began to stir, his arms tightened around me, pulling me closer to him. He groaned just a little, burying his face into the crook of my neck. He sighed against me, sending warmth along my skin. There was no stopping the laughter that escaped from me. My fingers ran through his hair, skimming over his scalp. I started steadily working my way down to his neck and back, rubbing small circles into his muscles.

"That feels exquisite," he rumbled in satisfaction. The sound was slightly muffled, but it just made my smile larger. I shifted us so I was lying on my back, and his torso was angled on top of mine. I brought my other hand around, it joining the other in its work. Apollo was breathing deeply on top of me, his whole frame relaxed. We didn't move for a few minutes. I just felt along his shoulders and neck, massaging the toned muscles there. I closed my eyes, enjoying the myriad of sensations rolling through me.

I looked down and saw amber eyes peeking at me from underneath dark lashes. For a second, my breath was taken away. Apollo had a strange look on his face, one I couldn't exactly pin down.

"What's wrong?" I questioned softly. He propped himself up above me, and his fingers caressed my face. He didn't answer me; he just stared. His eyes met mine, and he almost looked desperate. I knew the gods could be mercurial, and I wondered what had set off this change in him. He leaned down, a little bit hesitant, before his lips met mine. At first it was tentative and soft, but it quickly grew harsher, stronger. It was no longer a slow, passionate burn. It was a raging inferno that I would willingly walk in. His grip tightened on my waist, and my whole world blurred for a moment. My heart began racing, and his hands found a way under my shirt. The feeling of his hands on my bare skin, the way his hands gripped into me, was incapacitating. There was nothing in the world except me and him, and I was powerless against it. It was like he was a man dying of thirst, and I was the only one who could quench it. I didn't mind, not in the least bit, but something still bothered me. I couldn't get rid of this feeling in the back of my head that something was wrong.

"Apollo," I murmured quietly. He chose that moment to move to my neck, ravishing the spot he knew would make me forget everything. I wanted to protest, but I forgot what I was going to say…

"Apollo!"

The voice did not sound close. I tensed, but Apollo kept on like he hadn't heard anything. Part of me desperately wanted him to continue, but the other part of me was worried. Something was wrong with my sun god, and I couldn't figure out what. I hesitated, for just a second, and Apollo's grip tightened on me.

"Please, Addie," he whispered against my lips. His fingers were laced in my hair, and his thumbs were stroking my cheeks. He pulled back for just a second, his amber eyes glowing in the early evening light. His lips brushed my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "I need you."

Those words were what undid me. The reverence in them pulled at something deep inside of my heart, and I didn't care. If this is what he needed, I would certainly oblige. I pulled his face to mine, the passion clear in our kisses. He tasted absolutely heavenly. My shirt was pushed up, and in a matter of seconds his was on the floor. I could feel his abs pressed into my stomach. His hands pinned mine down beside my head, gripping into them. It was so easy to forget everything when I was with him, allowing me to relish in bliss for a few precious seconds.

Someone cleared their throat, and Apollo and I looked up at the same time. Artemis stood at the entrance, a grin plastered on her face.

"Artemis," he ground out between his teeth. "LEAVE." I could tell he was quite angry, especially where his bare skin touched my own. The heat had increased substantially, making me almost uncomfortable underneath him.

"I will as soon as I speak to you a moment," she replied with a smirk. "No one said you had to stop."

Oh. My. Gods.

I pushed against Apollo's restraining hands, sitting up so I could pull my shirt back down. I knew my face was pure red, and I moved so there was a safe distance between Apollo and me on the cot. Getting caught making out with the goddess of virginity's brother was going to be number one on my most embarrassing moment's list. He stole a regretful looking glance at me, brushing his hair out of his face.

"Well, you now have my full attention," he snapped. Artemis rolled her eyes, taking a seat in one of the chairs. She looked a little annoyed. It was evident in the way her foot was tapping on the ground in an erratic beat.

"I'm just here to vent mostly, as I sometimes value your opinion, oh wise brother. Addie, you are not to say a word about this," she added, catching my gaze. "Thalia informed me that she intends to go on a rescue mission for her brother and the daughter of Pluto, and wanted to know where the army was," Artemis said, crossing her arms. "I told her the location before I realized her plan. She actually tricked me into telling her! It's too dangerous for a demigod to enter that camp alone, and there is no telling how father would react. She actually had the nerve to begin arguing with me! She said she wouldn't go alone, she'd get help from one of the others." She sighed deeply in concern, her eyes narrowing in contemplation. "Not that I blame her, I do understand. Something needs to be done, but I also have a reputation to uphold. She can't tell me what she can and cannot do. She is my lieutenant; I tell her what to do! Plus, I can't afford to lose another one so soon."

It was silent for just a moment as we considered Artemis's words.

"Lady Artemis?"

She looked in my direction. She nodded her head, giving me permission to speak freely.

"If you are worried about her going alone, I'd be happy to assist her," I offered. Artemis appraised me for a minute, considering the option. She knew as well as I that Thalia and I were both very skilled for demigods. There was a good chance we could get in and out without being caught, and if we ran into any trouble, we would be able to get out of there quickly with my handy vanishing ability. I could see her weighing the pros and the cons in her head, considering the possibility.

"No, absolutely not."

I turned to face Apollo. His face was completely blank of emotion. He was staring at Artemis, and I could tell that they were having a mental twin conversation. Their expressions on their faces changed slightly each time one of them mentally spoke. Artemis raised her eyebrows, and Apollo's gaze darkened in response. I saw her get almost a resigned expression on her face, and she shook her head lightly.

"Why not?"

Apollo turned to look at me, the same blank mask in place. The immortals could be plain scary, especially if they went into scary-calm mode. Scary-calm usually was not far from yelling and blasting the smithereens out of you scary. For a second, I felt a little bit of trepidation roll through me. I was not scared of Apollo. I knew he wouldn't hurt me, but the look on his face was blistering in its passivity. I just met his gazing questioningly, my own eyes narrowing in response.

"Because there is no telling what will happen. Gaia is already mad enough at you, so what if it's simply a trap? What if she just wants to lure more of you in there? You could be essential to the demigods here. That was what your orders were. There is too much at stake to attempt a rescue mission on a whim."

"We should at least consider some sort of rescue mission, or even some recon. That way, we could better plan the attack. If we don't do anything about it, then she has her two sacrifices. We can't let her rise, and the feast of Spes starts at midnight tomorrow. Personally, I owe both Jason and Nico. I want to help them."

"I'm done considering. We will decide how this is to be handled. You will not go anywhere near that army," he warned me. Anger, hot and fresh, coursed through me. I couldn't leave them to die. What if the gods never got a chance to act? What if she killed them before we got a chance to save them?

"Someone has to help them! You can't tell me that I can't go! I know that it would be a useful trip-"

"ENOUGH, EUADNE!" Apollo yelled. "I forbid you to go or assist them, and that is my final word!"

I opened my mouth to protest again but shut it quickly. Apollo was angry, angrier than I had ever seen him. I knew I had just messed up. I almost let it slip that he had freed me, and I had no idea whether or not Artemis knew. I didn't have to follow his orders, but I had to continue to act as if I did. I was just so mad at him in that moment. Just because he woke up in a bad mood did not give him the right to boss me around. What happened to trusting my judgment? To trusting me? I looked down at the ground, tears building in my eyes. I would not let him see how much he had gotten to me.

"He's right, Addie. You are not to go off with Thalia on a rescue mission for the two. However, we will go speak with the other Olympians to see what should be done about the matter," Artemis decided. I nodded my head, not looking at either one of them. Artemis's tone was a lot kinder than her brother's. Her command hit me, so it didn't matter that I wanted to help. Apollo got what he wanted, whether he could order me around or not.

"Artemis, will you please give me a minute?"

I heard the rustle of the tent door, and the quiet that followed. I could feel Apollo's burning gaze on me. I didn't like it, not one bit, but it didn't change how angry I was at him.

"What did you think you were doing?"

I turned to look at him, a glare of my own meeting his.

"Trying to help," I seethed.

"Whether you wanted to help or not, you need to remember your place," he reprimanded me.

"My place?" I stuttered, shocked. "What is my place, My Lord? Is it still below the council's precious thumb, where I cannot move or speak unless it is for your own amusement? I don't have to listen to you anymore!"

Apollo's form flickered momentarily. I shouldn't have said it, but I was just so angry. Of course, my father's temper problem came out in the worst possible time. He was in front of me, his face just inches from his own. I wanted to flinch away, but I held my ground. I'd be damned if I let another god walk all over me.

"You cannot speak to me that way! I am a god, Euadne! I deserve some respect!"

"Respect!? Beings deserve respect when they earn it! I thought you cared about me! That you trusted me enough to listen to me! Did you even take the moment to consider my proposition before you blatantly disregarded it? Even your sister could do that!"

"Leave Artemis out of this, this is between you and me-"

"NO! This is all you, because apparently, my opinions are irrelevant."

We stood there, neither of us backing down. I heard the distant rumble of thunder, and I closed my eyes and began taking deep, full breaths. I had to calm myself down. I didn't know what Apollo had stuck up his godly rear end, but at the moment, I really didn't care. If he was going to be an ass, I could be one right back. I fell back against the cot, staring at the ceiling of my tent.

"When I get back, we will continue talking about this."

I rolled my eyes, and I fought the smart-ass reply I had in my head. I heard the tent flutter, and I gave it a good five minutes before I headed out of the tent myself. I needed some fresh air. I walked into the woods, fury rolling through me. He wouldn't even hear me out! The least he could have done was listen to my idea, instead of letting his anger get the best of him. A yell left me, and I threw my daggers at a tree, embedding them to the hilt. I heard a similar thunk from not too far away, and I followed the sound. I spotted Thalia through the trees, sending arrow after arrow into a knot on a branch overhead. She was muttering under her breath, and I knew in that instant the storm I was causing wasn't just from me. Thalia was just as angry as I was, so she was partly to blame for the lightning.

"They are idiots," she grumbled as I stood beside her. The sky rumbled in reply, and I could tell Thalia wanted to make a rude gesture. I just offered her my daggers, and she handed me her bow and arrows.

THWACK! "Did you get yelled at too?" THWACK!

"I got ordered not to go after the two of them with you," I declared as I shot an arrow between where she had thrown my daggers.

"Artemis told me if I went by myself, she'd kick me off the Hunters. You know that we could get in there and get out without anyone suspecting us. Like Gaia would really think two demigods would walk into her camp," she said as she pulled the daggers out of the tree.

"I tried," I sighed. I shot another arrow, splitting one of hers in half.

"Nice shot," she admitted.

"It was just luck," I sighed. Or it was a certain god of archery who regretted yelling at me. Whatever.

"So we are stuck here, while my kid brother rots in one of the earth drag queen's cages, when we could be helping," she surmised. I leaned against the tree trunk, watching her throw the daggers one more.

There was a sound off to our left, and Thalia and I both went to attention. I notched an arrow, and she held both of my daggers in her hands.

"Or we could go with Plan B," a voice said from behind us. I jumped about a foot in the air, turning quickly towards the sound. Every instinct I had told me to shoot the arrow, but at the last second, I stayed my hand.

"Nico di Angelo, that is the second time I almost killed you," I remarked as I lowered the bow.

"I hate shadow travelers," Thalia grumbled as she sat on a log. "What do you want di Angelo?"

"The same thing you do. I want to save my sister and my cousin."

"Well, if you've been creeping in the shadows listening to us, then you would know that I am not allowed to go after them and neither is Addie," she grumbled.

"Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Artemis said you couldn't go with alone, and you won't have to because I will go with you."

Thalia looked up, and I saw the hope come back in her eyes. She grinned, the mischief and defiance that was always there sparkling in the evening light.

"I'd probably still get kicked out," she mused. "But I'm in. Addie? We'd be a big three if you came with us. Better to ask forgiveness than permission right?"

"Sometimes, but I have a direct order, Thalia. I'd be no good to you if I tried to go."

It was silent for a few moments, and I hung my shoulders. I didn't want any of them to go. Call me a mother hen, but I just felt protective over all of them. As the oldest, I felt like it was my responsibility to watch over these demigods. They hadn't even lived yet, and they deserved to.

"When we first met," Nico began, "you had direct orders to kill anyone in your way, but you maneuvered around them, correct? You found a loophole to work through. What exactly did Artemis say?"

I repeated her words, and a spark of intuition flared in Nico's eyes.

"What if you came with us? That wouldn't be going alone with Thalia," he wagered. "And… if you help with my sibling, I'll help with yours," he offered. "It's the least I could do."

I smiled my first genuine smile at Nico. He looked anxious for an answer, but I wouldn't know if I could go until I tried to do it. I stood, walking away from the two of them. I just had to test his theory. I closed my eyes, thinking of going with the two of them, instead of only Thalia. We were going to rescue three demigods, not just two. It was bending the rules, sure, but Artemis hadn't forbid me against that. A light pain began to fill my head, but it was completely bearable. A smile lit my face.

"Are you in?" Nico asked eagerly.

"I'm in."

So I am interested to hear the theories on what you guys think is going to happen! What was bothering Apollo? Is it a trap? Will Jason and Hazel be sacrificed? How mad is Apollo going to be at Addie, not to mention Artemis...

Tell me what you think! :D