I was sat just outside the dining pavilion, overlooking the ocean. My legs were pulled up against my chest, and my chin was resting on my knees. I couldn't deny that I'd known this was coming. Finding out that I was Zeus's daughter was no surprise. But hearing it said out loud – then watching Percy get claimed by Poseidon – it felt like the beginning of a horror story with a really, really bad ending.

Just as I was contemplating how much worse things could get, Percy threw himself down on the grass beside me. He didn't look like he was doing much better than me; his face was a shade or two paler than usual, and his eyebrows couldn't seem to relax.

"Everything okay?" I asked, a little unnecessarily.

He sighed, shrugging one shoulder. "Chiron's about to have a heart-attack," he grimaced. "He won't let that t-shirt out of his sight. Annabeth wanted to burn it."

I scoffed. "For once, I'm right behind her."

"How about you?" he questioned, gazing out at the sparkling water with an unfocused look in his eyes.

"Well, I can't remember the vast majority of my life, the only people I'm supposed to be able to trust are freaking out, there's a god after me because I'm Zeus's daughter, and someone inside this camp is trying to kill me."

"When you put it like that," Percy winced.

"How else would you like me to phrase it?"

He glanced at me with another shrug. "It's a normal day?"

I laughed with no humour, nodding. "That works too, but then I guess that's half the problem."

"Yeah," he snorted. "Anyway, Chiron asked us to move our stuff out of Cabin Eleven. Says it's probably best we move into the other cabins as soon as possible."

"Guess it makes it harder for someone to kill us in our sleep," I scoffed as I pushed myself to my feet.

Percy blinked. "You think it's someone in the Hermes cabin?" I raised an eyebrow at him, and he shook himself, confused. "Sarcasm? You know, I'm really not used to you using that."

I smiled slightly. "Yeah, well I'm having a bad day. You coming?" He nodded, leaping to his feet and following me back through the dining pavilion.

Annoyingly, everyone stared as we walked through the camp. I wasn't sure if they were still staring because they were surprised, or if it was just what everyone else was doing, so they thought they'd join in. Whatever the reason, by the time we reached Cabin Eleven, it was really beginning to get on my nerves. Unfortunately, we also had to enter a packed cabin.

The moment we stepped in, all eyes were on us. Luke leapt to his feet, glancing between the two of us cautiously. "No need to stare, campers," he instructed, and everyone tried to look busy doing something.

"Erm, actually, we just came to collect our stuff," Percy grimaced.

"Moving into Cabin Three?" Luke guessed. He nodded. "And you're in One?"

"Apparently."

He pursed his lips. "Look, Acacia, I know we didn't exactly get off on the right foot, but I just want to say that we have campers searching the forest for any signs of misconduct. If whoever tried to kill you left anything behind, we'll find it."

I wanted to argue, but everyone seemed to be listening to my reply, and while I didn't like Luke, some of the other campers here weren't bad people. I sighed heavily. "Thanks," I muttered.

Luke smiled tightly, holding his hand out in front of him. "Quits?"

I restrained a shudder, trying not to notice the twenty pairs of eyes that suddenly found us. Biting my tongue, I stretched out a hand and shook it cautiously. Luke's grip tightened, and before I could pull my hand back, electricity sparked between our skin. He gasped loudly, pulling back with a slight jump.

"Sorry," I rushed, shaking out my hand as everyone gawped. "I'm . . . err, on edge today."

Luke scanned my expression. "Sure," he nodded slowly. "Do you need a hand with any of your stuff?" I shook my head.

"Well, we best get moving," Percy insisting, pushing me away from Luke with a bewildered look. I gulped, collecting my stuff quickly and hurrying back outside. I didn't have much with me. Chiron had allowed us to take a few things from the store to get us started; a backpack with some fresh clothes, toiletries and things like that. The only thing I still had from my real stuff – probably still somewhere with Mr Graham's History class – was my favourite jacket that I refused to part with.

Outside, Percy gawped at me. "What was that for?"

"I don't know!" I shrugged with a grimace. "I just . . . I really don't like that guy!"

"What? Why?" he blinked. "He's an alright guy!"

"I don't know, I just don't," I told him, slinging my backpack over my shoulder and starting across the common area. "He just . . . he's trying to see me like he saw Thalia, and I'm not like her Percy. She was strong, stubborn, confident and . . . a little arrogant actually. I'm not like that. I'm not confident, and I'm not strong."

"You defended your Mum's house for three years," Percy pointed out.

"Yeah, and I can't remember how," I frowned.

"You managed to get rid of those hellhounds this morning at the Capture the Flag game," he shrugged.

"You helped! Don't start on that Percy, please."

He smirked as we came to a halt outside the last four cabins. "If it makes you feel any better, I don't think you're strong or confident."

I glowered at me. "And I don't think you're funny."

"Each to their own," he chuckled. "I'll see you later." He turned on his heel and started toward Cabin Three, a low-built cabin that looked like it belonged on the beach. I sighed heavily as he grimaced back once, then pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"Oh, this is all going to go very badly," I muttered to myself, taking a deep breath and striding toward Cabin One.

It wasn't low built like Cabin Three, and it didn't look like it belonged in a camp. Instead, it was made of bright white marble, with pillars at the front. It was tall and grand, and the front door was made of a gold metal that seemed to glisten with lightning when the sun caught it. Pursing my lips tightly, I skipped up the three steps at the front and reached out for the door. Despite the fact that no one had touched it for years, the metal felt warm and comfortable under my hand. Shaking myself, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

If the outside was something to stare at, then the inside would make your knees weak. For a start, a huge statue of Zeus dominated the entire room. The sight of it made my throat close up tightly, and for a few seconds, I stood clutching the open door, trying to catch my breath awkwardly. Campers outside hovered, as though wondering if I needed help. Before any of them could come any closer, I reluctantly shut the door.

The statue was staring at me. Well, sort of. It seemed to be able to see everywhere. There were six bunk beds inside, all empty and abandoned. Picking the one in the furthest corner, I threw my bag down on the floor and collapsed face first onto the pillows.

I was the daughter of Zeus, the ruler of Mount Olympus. Five years ago, my sister had died right outside the door. Four years ago, I'd been defending a house I didn't remember from the Lord of the Underworld. One year ago, he'd finally won and kidnapped me. The thought made me flinch violently, but I shook myself and took a calming breath.

If I was going to do this – stay here and try to live as a half-blood – then I was going to do it properly. First things first, relax and calm down. Secondly, I really needed to remember how to defend myself properly, across the board; archery, sword fighting, javelin . . . even lightning, if I could muster the energy.

Pursing my lips, I ran a hand through my hair and pushed myself to my feet, slipping into bathroom to get refreshed. Just as I'd finished, the horn went for dinner. I took another breath as I stepped back outside, scooping my hair into a strict ponytail.

Dinner was awkward. Of course, I was the only one at Zeus's table, facing away from the rest of the campers. Behind me, Percy sat with his back to me at Poseidon's table, hissing over his shoulder on occasion. If I was being honest, I was a little relieved that Percy was Poseidon's kid. He was just about the only thing keeping me grounded right now. I wasn't sure I'd be able to handle everything if I was alone in this.

I muttered a prayer at my father when I scraped some of my food into the hearth. It wasn't much, but I found myself thanking him for saving Thalia, without realising it had been on my mind. She might not be here, but at least she wasn't in the Underworld, at the mercy of Hades. Thunder rumbled overhead as I spoke, and Chiron shot me a warning look. Clamping my mouth shut, I hurried back to my seat and sat down silently.

It wasn't until halfway through dinner that I felt any pressure about being alone though. Mumbling a conversation over my shoulder with Percy helped a lot on that score, until someone threw themselves into the seat opposite me with a tiny whimper.

I gawped at Annabeth, her face straight and her eyes shining. Her blonde hair was pulled into a loose bun, and her teeth gnawed nervously on her bottom lip. For a split second, the camp fell quiet, and I thought Mr. D might actually explode. Chiron looked terrified. Then hushed whispers shot around the dining pavilion, and I shuffled nervously.

"I'm not sure you should be sat there," I commented under my breath, leaning over the table so no one else hear.

She gulped, shifting closer. "I'm sorry," she blurted. "I'm sorry!"

I blinked at her, astonished. "Sorry? For what?"

"I know you're angry about Thalia, but I don't know what to do!"

My back straightened in protest, and my face fell. She sniffed. "I know you blame me and Luke for what happened to her, and I hate myself for it, but-"

"Annabeth!" I breathed, wide eyed.

She ignored me. "I was only seven! If there had been any way for me to have stayed on that hill and let her get away, I would have done it, I swear."

"Annabeth, stop talking," I pleaded, my hands shaking on the table in front of me.

"There were so many of them beasts," she gulped. "And I didn't know what to do, all I had was a small knife! When I saw all those hellhounds coming for you this morning-"

"Annabeth, stop talking!" I snapped, so loudly the camp froze. My stomach twisted as she pursed her lips tightly in an attempt to stop herself from blurting anything else out. Shifting, I took a ragged breath and leant closer again. "Look, I know I've not exactly handled everything very well-"

"Acaci-" She cut off when I held up a hand to silence her.

"I shouldn't have avoided you," I told her quietly. "I'm not even sure why I did, but I know I don't blame you for anything. Thalia made her decision, and I'm proud of her, if not a little annoyed." Annabeth didn't seem to have an answer, but the look on her face – as though she was about to burst into tears – made me sigh wryly. "You have nothing to feel guilty about, Annabeth. You were there for her. I'm glad someone was."

My mouth suddenly went dry as I finally admitted why I was so upset with Annabeth and Luke. It wasn't them I was annoyed at. It was me. I should have been there for her. If I was strong enough to look after myself and Mum for three years, when everyone knew exactly where we were, I could have helped her. Mum would've been okay alone.

I made a promise not to take it out on Luke and Annabeth anymore.

"She loved you, Acacia," Annabeth muttered at me, and I knew she had realised the exact same thing I had. I dropped my gaze to my plate and stabbed a chip, a little harder than necessary. "She only ever spoke about you once, and it was the first time I'd ever seen her upset."

I looked up at her, scanning her expression critically. "I'm not her, Annabeth," I said, for what felt like the hundredth time since I had arrived here.

She blinked. "Yeah, I know. I'm not trying to replace her by talking to you. I just needed to clear the air. Thalia would've been so annoyed if I hadn't at least tried."

I stared at her, wondering why I didn't hate the sight of her like I did Luke. "I suppose," I said slowly. "Erm, for the record, you can consider the air cleared."

She smiled tightly, nodding once and pushing herself to her feet. "I'll see you later." My lips pursed as she walked away, and behind me, Percy let out a low whistle.

"Tense," he muttered.

"You're an idiot."

"Are you just figuring that out?"

I snorted at him, my gaze fixed on my plate. Somehow, everything suddenly seemed a lot more manageable, and I had no idea why.

The next day, I was stood in the sword fighting arena with Luke. I didn't think it was a brilliant idea to train against him, but as he kept repeatedly reminding me, he was the best sword fighter here. If I really wanted to push myself, I had to fight him. Unfortunately, my sudden interest in training attracted a lot of attention. A couple of kids from the Ares cabin, the Athena cabin, the Apollo cabin and the Hermes cabin were hovering around the fence. Behind them, the daughters of Aphrodite hovered, as though they wanted to know the latest gossip without being anywhere near the danger. Percy stood the closest, leaning over the fence and winking at me occasionally for support.

"Tired yet?" Luke asked after we'd been fighting for a few hours.

I breathed deeply. "Shattered," I admitted. "Come on then. Get it over with." He'd already beaten me about ten times this morning, but even he had to admit I was resilient. I refused to step outside this arena until I had made at least a little progress.

Luke raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. With one spin of his sword, he lunged. I side-stepped, but he expected it. I blocked just in time and used every ounce of strength I had left to push him back far enough for me to stumble back more. It gave me more time to react at least. He laughed wryly at me, not looking the slightest bit tired yet.

"Aw, cut her some slack!" Lee smirked. "She's new!"

"Don't be stupid," Clarisse spat at him. "Push her to her limits. If she's Zeus's daughter, then she's stronger than the rest of us. She just needs to learn how to use it."

"She has a point," Michael Yew, one of the other Apollo kids, muttered at Lee.

"Traitor," he hissed back. Luke just stared back at me, as though waiting for the signal that I needed a break. When it didn't come, he gave a small shrug and bolted again.

Luckily, I had backed up enough to be prepared for his attack. Our swords smashed together as my mind raced ahead of me, thinking about what Clarisse had said. I was the daughter of Zeus. How did that help me when I was on the ground? I blocked another attack from Luke and leapt back, still trying to piece together the annoyingly hard jigsaw that my life depended upon. Okay, maybe not against Luke, but I needed to know these things.

"Keep your head in it Acacia!" Luke warned, just like he had yesterday. I tried to summon the same feeling I had had, but I couldn't. Instead, I focused on Zeus. He controlled the weather, right? The second the thought came to my mind, lightning struck the field, dead centre. Luke and I hesitated, eyes wide.

"Go for it!" Clarisse as good as yelled at me. "Fry him!" Luke's face set, as though this was no longer just some training session.

He lunged again and this time, when our blades met, there was a crack of lightning. I was only vaguely aware the others were backing away from the fence nervously or that Mr. D and Chiron were hovering in the background, the first scowling and the latter looking incredibly worried. For me or Luke, I didn't know. There was also someone else with them. I couldn't really make out who it was, I was too busy defending myself, but I could see sandy coloured hair. That was as far as it got.

It started raining. Only in the arena though. It was as though we had our own little weather climate. The campers were gawping now. It never rained inside the camp barriers. Ever. In seconds, Luke and I were soaked to the skin, but the worse the weather got, the stronger I seemed to get. Thunder rumbled, lightning cracked and I stopped playing defence. Instead, I waited to make one more block, then pushed Luke back. I lunged and he only just managed to raise his sword in time. He stumbled under the pressure. I spun and slammed the flat of my sword into his side. He winced a little, but brought his sword back up. I stepped back slightly and let him lunge. Our swords clashed again, but the flat of mine was rested on the hilt of his. With all my strength, I twisted.

Luke's sword clattered to the floor and mine was rested on his left shoulder, dangerously close to his neck. His eyes were wide, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. I took a deep breath and drew my sword back, scraping my soaking hair back and twisting as much water out as I could as the weather suddenly returned to normal. Everyone was gawping at me.

"What?" I asked innocently. Luke laughed, almost nervously.

"Where did that come from?" he breathed.

I shrugged, jerking my head in Clarisse's direction. "I just thought about what she said," I answered simply. "I didn't think it would start raining though." I glanced down at my wet clothes, scrunching my face up in disgust. "Yeah, didn't think that one through properly."

"You did that?" Annabeth gasped. Her eyes were wider than I would have thought possible, but I nodded slowly. "Wow. I mean – Thalia–" She broke off, dropping her gaze. Luke had gone rigid and my face had fallen. I gulped, shaking myself.

"Still prefer archery," I mumbled.

"Told you it was better," Lee sneered at Clarisse. She clenched one of her fists and slammed it into her other palm threateningly.

"Alright, alright, so the brats good." Everyone turned to watch Mr. D approached, followed by an anxious Chiron. I didn't know exactly why he looked so nervous, but I figured I wouldn't like it. The sandy haired guy followed them, eyes fixed on Luke and I. He looked about seventeen, maybe eighteen and, as he reached the fence, some of the Apollo kids choked. I realised with a jolt that this eighteen year old guy was actually Apollo himself, their father. He didn't look old enough to have so many kids. It gave me a very odd, uncomfortably feeling. "How about we make it an even fight?"

"Dionysus," Chiron started.

"Yeah, yeah," he dismissed with a wave of his hand. "But the other kids are obviously no challenge. So how about Zeus's kid against Poseidon's brat?"

I froze on the spot. Percy's expression suddenly became very set and unreadable. Thunder rumbled over head, but everyone knew it wasn't me this time. The water in the creek, just a few yards away, suddenly got restless and dark clouds seemed to appear from nowhere. Everyone gulped.

"Perhaps that isn't such a good idea," Chiron suggested quietly.

Mr. D scowled up at the sky and shrugged. "Good judge of character it is," he said defiantly.

"Err, Dionysus?" Apollo smirked, staring up at the darkening clouds. "I don't think the big guy'll appreciate this much."

"Better give the Johnson boy his sword," Mr. D glowered, ignoring Apollo completely. The god sighed, shaking his head with an exasperated smirk.

"My name's Jackson," Percy corrected sourly. Mr. D shrugged, snapping his fingers impatiently and pointing at the arena. Chiron sighed heavily as the clouds darkened further. I could tell neither Zeus or Poseidon wanted Percy and I fighting, which was sensible I guessed. I suddenly remembered that World War II had actually been a fight between the Big Three's kids and although Zeus and Poseidon had been on the same side then, that was only because they were against Hades.

Before I had much more time to think about what our fathers thought, Percy had taken Luke's spot and Luke Percy's. Luke and Annabeth stood side by side, eyebrows pulled together in worry. I frowned. This ought to be good.

My mind raced ahead again, debating how I'd get the upper hand this time. I couldn't use rain again. Obviously, it was water. Percy's only major advantage over me was water, and he was a reasonable distance from the creek. Then again, he was better than me at sword work. I was finding it hard to find an upper-hand here.

"Well?" Mr. D snapped. "What are you waiting for?" I met Percy's gaze and saw how uncertain he was. I had to admit, I was a little relieved. At least I wasn't the only one. But we couldn't just stand here.

Percy made the first move. He lunged forward and immediately went to disarm, but I knew he'd do that. I twisted back so the flat of his blade hit the edge of mine. I pushed his sword away and stalled, the exact why I had done with Luke as I tried to figure it out. But even as I did this, the water from the creek began stirring restlessly. Percy didn't look the least bit surprised and I wondered if Poseidon was just getting more annoyed or if Percy was doing this. I frowned and went on the attack instead, forcing Jackson into defence.

Every time our swords hit, lightning would crack and Percy flinched every time. I could feel the force of the lightning through my sword and knew it would be weakening him. But the water got so restless, waves grew and slammed into the side, sending spray everywhere. If the waves got any harder, the spray might actually (gods forbid) reach us. The Aphrodite campers squealed when water sprayed down their backs and the girls ran for cover. Everyone else was too fixated on the fight to do anymore than gawp.

The water kept getting closer and the lightning was hardly touching Percy anymore. He was getting stronger the nearer he got to the water. I scowled and tried to disarm again, but like me, Percy managed to push me away. I stumbled back, trying to think. Rain wasn't the only weather.

Water rushed into the arena, soaking me and, though it hit Percy, he stayed perfectly dry. Only, I could see the strength return in his eyes. I cursed in Ancient Greek and barely managed to block in time. I focused my thoughts and the temperature dropped drastically. Campers yelped in surprise and leapt away from the fence as I lunged at Percy. More water sprayed, but it froze in mid air as it reached us and lumps of ice began falling from the air. There were several screams, but none sounded pained, thank the gods.

Percy's sword met mine and lightning cracked again. This time, the water hadn't reached him in time and he fell to his knees, too weak. He raised his sword just in time to block me. I drew back and stared down at him, breathing heavily. No one yelled out encouragement anymore and the thunder rumbled so loud over head, I couldn't hear myself think. The water was gaining strength and weather didn't seem to affect it anymore. I knew it was Poseidon behind it, Percy was too weak. Still, he managed to take advantage of my pity.

The flat of his blade slammed into my side with amazing strength and I stumbled to the ground, wincing. The blades both clattered to the floor and we were both gasping for breath. I shook my head weakly, resting my hands on the soaking, freezing floor.

"Draw," I managed to choke.

"Definitely," Percy shivered, actually looking slightly blue.

"Aw, come on!" Clarisse scowled. "You were so close Acacia!"

"So was Percy!" Annabeth snapped back indignantly.

"You want to start, blondie?" Clarisse snarled, stepping forward threatening. Annabeth frowned, but she looked uncertain. Luke stepped between them, glowering at Clarisse.

"Do you?" he said quietly, his eyes narrowed.

"Sounds like a challenge to me," she snorted.

"HEY!" I yelled, and everyone turned. I staggered to my feet, cursing as I did so and rubbing my side with a wince. "Would you please quit the fighting. It was a draw. End of story." For a moment, they all blinked at me. Then, as though I ruined their party, they rolled their eyes and shuffled away to do their own thing. Annabeth smiled tightly at me, miming a thank you. I shrugged.

"Thank you, Acacia," Chiron sighed. I glanced at him in surprise. I'd completely forgotten he, Mr. D and Apollo were still there. But Chiron looked as though he hadn't slept in week, and Mr. D was watching me with narrowed eyes. Apollo, however, had his eyes fixed on Percy, who shuffled slightly under the scrutiny.

"Yeah, sure," I mumbled, rolling my shoulders and stretching my side. "And now that's over, I'm going to go collapse somewhere before archery."

"That sounds like a good idea," Percy groaned. "If you see Annabeth on your way, tell her I'm hiding in the creek." I raised an eyebrow, but decided it was probably best not to ask. Instead, I leapt over the fence and dragged myself toward the cabins, thinking only of the bunk bed waiting for me in Cabin One.