AN: Pretty short Chapter today~

despite that, i hope you like it ^^

Read, Rate, review~

disclaimer: i won nothing but my characters

Chapter 18

Jarred was in the arena hacking and slashing at the dummies with his spear during a free period.

It has already been a month since he had that terrifying dream and told all his friends. They had agreed with the plan and agreed that at least one of them had to be with her at all times especially during Capture the Flag games every end of the week. He was sure Alice had noticed the change but said nothing and didn't complain to Jarred's immense relief.

He had just cut the head of a dummy off when a familiar voice came to his ears.

"Nice technique Warhead."

He turned, leaning on the spear. "Hey Nate, what's up?"

"I just dropped off Alice to her brother. Alice wanted to go to the lake and Arcus was the only one available at the time." She told him. "I just thought you ought to know."

"Yeah thanks Nate." He smiled. "I'll take her after Arcus."

"Alright." Nate said as she sat down to watch Jarred. "It's amazing that she hasn't complained even once or tried to ask questions. She just took it in stride and adjusted."

He didn't answer for a few minutes as he continued to train on the dummies. "I know that she's curious, but she knows that there's a reason." He was silent for a few moments. "So I don't think she'll ask questions unless she really feels the need to."

Nate nodded in understanding. The two were silent spare the tips Nate would say occasionally. "I have to go now. I still have Arts and Crafts with the Dionysus cabin." Nate said as she stood up.

"Alright. I'll see you later. I'm going to the lake." He said as he stuck his spear into the ground.

Nate nodded then walked out of the arena. "Take care Warhead."

"You too." He watched her leave before heading out to the lake.

Jarred quickly arrived at the lake to see Alice at the water's edge with Arcus sitting a few ways back.

He jogged over to Arcus. "Hey"

Arcus looked up from the book he was reading. Looking at the pages, Jarred saw that they were in ancient Greek. "Hey there Jarred. Taking over?"

He nodded, his eyes fitting the Greek into English as he read a few lines.

"Alright." Arcus replied as he stood up. "Alice! Jarred's-" Alice suddenly tackled Jarred to the ground. "-here." Arcus finished. He chuckled before leaving the two alone.

Jarred sat up. "A little warning next time?" He laughed.

"Nope!" Alice said as she grinned at him.

Jarred pulled her into a hug. "So what's up?"

"I missed you and I'm bored." she said as she hugged him back. "Can we go into the forest?"

He seemed uneasy about it. "Um, sure."

Alice's excited face fell when she saw his expression but it quickly turned into a grin. "We could go practice archery instead!" she said before standing up.

"No if you want to go to the forest, then we can go." He smiled pushing his fear away.

"No it's okay." Alice said cheerily. "I want to go practice archery." she said, pulling on Jarred's hoodie.

He followed her smiling at how enthusiastic she was. "But you're already an amazing archer."

"I still want to go." she pouted up at him.

"I wasn't saying that we weren't going to go!" He kissed her cheek.

Alice grinned up at him and turned forward. Jarred thought he saw a flicker of emotion in her eyes but shrugged it off. It was probably nothing.

He took her hand as they walked. Alice was the one thing that brightened up his day.

Alice grinned up at him as they reached the archery range. She took a bow and a quiver of arrows and started shooting at the target.

Jarred watched her silently. He had always been impressed with how experienced she was with a bow and arrow.

Alice turned to look at Jarred and gave him a wide smile. She unleashed the notched arrow and though she was looking at him, the arrow hit the target perfectly in the middle.

He stared in awe. "H-How did you do that?!"

"Do what?" she asked, tilting her head to the side in confusion.

"Hit the target perfectly without even looking!"

Alice turned toward the target with wide eyes. "Aww, I let the arrow go."

Jarred fell over laughing. He had a totally different personality around Alice, and he enjoyed it. "I thought that was intentional."

Alice stuck her tongue out then laughed with Jarred. "Guess I'm full of surprises."

He smiled at her happily. "I guess so." He walked over to her, gently kissing her cheek.

Alice blushed but smiled happily up at him. "I love you Jarred!" she said

"I love you too Alice." He chuckled "You still want to go to the forest?"

Something flickered in Alice's eyes but she smiled. "Nope! I'm good! Can we sit at the beach?"

Okay, he knew something was up. He wouldn't tell her like he promised Chiron but he at least would explain why they were doing this. "Alice, listen I know that you can tell something's up." Jarred shook his head. "Don't say otherwise, because I can tell."

Alice stayed silent as she looked at her feet. "I'm in danger aren't I?" She muttered.

He tilted her chin up so she looked him in the eye. "Yes, that's why we're doing this. I-I can't tell you why we think you're in danger, Chiron made me promise not to tell."

Alice just smiled at him, her eyes full of understanding. "Okay."

Jarred gave a soft smile, glad she wouldn't argue. "As long as one of us is with you, you'll be safe." He pulled her into a hug. "I promised to keep you safe, and that's what I'm trying to do."