Chapter 14

Kalina's POV

Lola screamed as a giant hellhound came crashing true the trees in front of us. I dropped my phone and instantly grabbed my dagger. Quickly tying up my hair, I side stepped to the back of the monster. Taking a huge leap, I landed on the hellhound's back. From in between its' ears, I saw Theo emerging from the tent with a sword in his hand. It glinted in the early morning sun; catching the hound's eye and making it step forward towards him, growling and snarling at him. I looked behind Theo and saw about 30 teenage girls in silver snow jackets, creeping forward with arrows pointing at the hellhound. It didn't seem to notice because it was now focused on Lola who was backed up a tree looking terrified. Where had Theo gone?

"Hi there." Theo said. He had managed to climb onto the monster's back without me even noticing.

"Ok, on the count of three, we attack."

"One!" I yelled.

"Three!" Theo shouted, and he drove his sword and I drove my dagger into the monster's back.

It disintegrated and Theo and I fell to the ground. The Hunters' arrows went whistling over our heads harmlessly.

"Bit of a let down after all I heard about them." Theo said, making me giggle.

"Kalina Cyan," of the Hunters said, stepping forward. "Artemis has requested that you join us."

"What?" I stammered.

Theo stepped forward and put his hand on my arm. I turned around to face him.

"Kalina. Please, don't join them." he said softy.

"Why?"

"Because if you join them, you'll have to leave me."

I looked over my shoulder at the Hunter who had spoken. "Yep," she said, "no guys allowed. At all."

"Why shouldn't I join them?" I demanded, turning back to Theo.

"Because…"

"Because?"

"Because I love you!" Theo said. "And I'll shout it to the world if I have to."

"Oh Theo," I breathed, "you old softie. I love you too."

The Hunters looked away as we kissed.

"So I guess this means you're not joining us?" The leader said.

"Sorry but I have other things to do." I said. Theo squeezed my hand.

"Artemis will be most disappointed but no matter." The girl said, "We have plenty more recruits. We shall leave you with a parting gift however." A little girl walked forward and smiled at me. Theo bowed. I laughed at him.

"Why are you bowing to this little kid?" I asked him.

"This "little kid" just so happens to be you aunt!" he hissed back.

"Artemis?" I said.

"Yes, child." she said. I hastily curtsied, blushing and stammering an apology.

Artemis came forward and pressed a box into my hand.

"A gift from your father and me."

"My d-dad?" I stammered. Artemis nodded and I opened the box. Inside it was a beautiful set of earrings. They were circles with a silver moon on one side and a golden sun on the other. I looked up to thank Artemis but she and her Hunters had already faded away into the shadows. Theo helped me put them on; stroking my neck as he did so, making me shiver.

We continued on with the quest. By the time we reached Olympus, there was snow on the ground. We left our bags at the seats at reception and headed up in the lift. Theo managed to find the throne room and fortunately everyone was present- except Hades. We went over to Hera's throne. I stepped and curtsied. "Hera, we have brought you a child." Hera looked uneasily around and hissed, "What?"

"This child claims she is your um daughter."

"What's this dear?" said Zeus, leaning sideways and smiling down at me. Even though he was smiling, I still felt scared. Well all the gods looked about 10 feet tall when they were on their thrones.

"Th-this girl says that t-this child is mine." Hera said, trying to sound disdainful but stammering a little.

"WHAT!" Zeus shouted. The room crackled with electricity and a heard thunder rumble and lightning crackle outside. This would be freaking out the people in New York. Just a random thunder storm coming out of nowhere.

"You always complain about me cheating on you and now you cheat on ME?" Zeus yelled. I expected Hera to quaver under his furious glare but she stood her ground.

"You betrayed me thousands of times, why is it so bad when I cheat on you!" she demanded. "There's no proof that this child is mine! This daughter of Apollo could be lieing!"

"Hey! said my dad, "My kids don't lie! Especially her!"

"Thanks dad." I whispered, smiling gratefully up at him. He winked at me.

Hera and Zeus' argument got heated with threats of filing for a divorce and pregnancy tests being shot back and forth. Apollo stood up and he shrank down to normal human size.

"Hey kids, you should get out here, things are gonna get a bit crazy. I'll make sure this girl's ok. You two just get out here and keep safe. I'll come check on you later." Theo and I made out of the tower safely. I looked up when we walked out of the Empire State Building. Lightning was flashing across the sky and the thunder was increasing. It started to hail. Hard pellets the size of tennis balls were falling from the sky. Theo and I ran across the road to a coffee shop to shelter. As we sipped our coffees, we discussed what bad things would happen if different minor gods got into arguments. If Hermes got angry, would there be a lot more hate mail and spam? We were just discussing what would happened when Hera was angry when I heard shouting coming from upstairs in the café. A man came running down the stairs followed closely by a angry looking woman.

"I'm filing for a divorce!" The man shouted.

"Good!" the woman shouted.

Theo looked at me, eyebrows raised.

"Now we know what happens when Hera gets annoyed." He said.

"Yeah, lots of divorces." I said.