-Carter Kane-

I shot my sister a nervous look, which she just shrugged off as she gestured the new kids to join the table. "Are they the demigods?" I asked Amos immediately.

"Yes, Romans and Greeks." He quickly informed. "I suggest you let me speak diplomacy, otherwise we'll have to discuss the story again." He advised.

I nodded in understanding and watched them quickly make friends with the initiates. Only a few of us knew what they were doing here, for Amos insisted to keep it secret until he decided to spill what needed to be said. And of course I left it to Amos, for he's, for obvious reasons, better at the leading game than I am.

Once everyone finished, Amos stood and gained everyone's attention. The calm focus from Brooklyn House still freaked me out beyond belief, and apparently Amos was halfway surprised as well. "I believe we have warmed up towards each other." He started slowly. "I will start with the other two first. Percy and Jason, please stand."

Percy stood at the same time as a blonde kid roughly his age. "Percy is the leader of the Greeks, whereas Jason is to the Romans." Amos clarified. "And to the curious eyes; yes, their Gods exist just as much as ours do."

"Uh, what?" Julian managed to speak through the mix of alarm and confusion amongst our initiates.

Kyra hesitated. "Don't play dumb, we are fully aware you guys were listening to the meeting last month."

Cleo's eyes widened. "How did you-?"

"You left the book open in the library," Amos clarified to her.

She stood up and quickly bowed towards us. "I'm so sorry, it won't happen again, I swear-"

"Cleo, you should sit." I reassured, which Amos nodded in agreement.

"So, who's the Pharaoh I keep hearing is stirring problems on your end?" Jason hesitated to speak.

Percy's eyes darted at the Roman demigod immediately. "Dude, wrong question-"

The initiates gave them confused looks and turned immediately to me. "Uh, the Pharaoh is about." I quickly made up.

"He is none of your concern, is who he is." Amos laid a hidden threat in his tone. "If you need anything from the Per Ankh, you will only speak to me. Now that we've clarified that, let's continue to who will be joining you."

"Yeah, I think we can go with an Egyptian God and we'll-" Jason stopped when Amos' glare landed on him again. "Or do what you want, that's cool."

"I'm sending a group with you, to represent the House of Life." Amos started. "The leader of this group is Sadie Kane, and she happens to host a goddess. Walt, Julian, Jaz, Felix, and Sean will accompany her."

"That makes a team of fourteen." Annabeth confirmed. "Or two teams of seven if we ever need to split."

"Uh, Amos?" Sadie nervously started. "What about Carter?"

Everyone but Amos' eyes landed on me again. "He isn't a valid pick for this quest. He'll be accompanying me to the Nomes while you help the demigods." Amos lied again; he's getting really accustomed to it recently.

Sadie peered at me now. "Yeah, the Chief Lector is going to need my help with the crisis we have going on-"

"What other crisis is going on other than this?" Sean asked.

"It wasn't discussed at the meeting, but the other Nomes are encountering what they think may be signs of plagues." Kyra lied for us. "But no one is certain, foreseeing such a disaster is difficult."

"Yes it is, but it will require leadership through it if that kind of mayhem occurs." Amos supported, but the initiates didn't seem like they really accepted it. "Sadie, I trust you will keep peace between our worlds."

Sadie sighed and nodded towards Percy and Jason. "I won't kill anyone intentionally." She grumbled. "When do we want to head out?"

"As soon as we can would be best." Percy confirmed. "We need to resupply at Camp Half-blood and give them a few updates."

"Good, we'll get ready now and meet up by your weird flying machine." Sadie finalized before leaving with the rest of her group.

Percy faced Amos again. "Is it okay if we resupply on food while we're here?"

Amos smirked. "Take whatever you want. I honestly didn't think you would ask."

"I have a question!" A demigod named Leo, I believe, started in an excited manner. "You are Amos Kane from Jagged Blue, right?"

My right eyebrow rose in reaction and Amos couldn't help but smile. "Uh, yeah I am."

"Oh boy…" A girl named Hazel muttered.

"Why haven't you guys done a gig in two years now?" Leo continued.

"Well, there was a list of things that happened within that time frame. I can't juggle the duties of Chief Lector and jazz tenor for a gig." Amos informed. "So I picked Chief Lector, but I still play, just not at minor bars or little get-togethers."

"I thought you played for fun, not for a band." I continued.

Amos grinned in response. "Don't recall those odd trips you and Julius took to small restaurants just because a jazz band was playing there that night?"

I easily recalled them. Dad was always ecstatic about jazz. If he saw one playing close by, that is where we were. I guess you could say I was pretty hooked on the genre, and the different sounds the saxophones could make to express any mood. "Wait, did we seriously attend a few of your gigs?" I asked out of awe.

"Julius and Amos may have been distant for a time, but Julius liked pushing his luck." Kyra added. "The Per Ankh would get testy about it each time, accuse Amos of having contact."

"There were times I was getting chewed out and I didn't even see him there." Amos complained. "Anyways, do you play?" He asked Leo.

"No, I don't think I would do too well at it either." Leo grumbled. "Anyways, dude, you rule the jazz world."

"I don't know about that, but thank you." Amos admitted. "And since you brought it up, I may have to call the gang up and see about arranging a few more gigs for old time sake."

"Once Armageddon is done and over with, again." I continued dryly.

"Yes, if we can ever get a break." Amos agreed.


"We'll be in Seattle for a week, then maybe Los Angeles." I started. "You know, looking at the supposed signs."

Sadie glared at me now, which I shrugged off. "You heard Amos, Sadie. Can't go around announcing it." I reminded.

"I know, but wouldn't it be best if you came with us?" She asked now.

"Uh, I'm starting to believe Amos might need my help." I started. "Especially with the way he came home, he's going to need someone to have his back when she decides to harass him again."

Sadie let out a sad sigh. "You're going to call and tell me you're okay every night. I bought you a cellphone for a good reason."

"Yeah yeah, Amos will remind me." I rolled my eyes. "You should be careful out there. You'll be in the danger zone more than me."

Sadie suddenly went for a hug, which I returned just as quickly as she tried to hold back scared tears. "Hey, we'll pull through like the other three times." I reassured, but I wasn't sure really what to say without lying to my little sister.

"How sure are you?" She spoke into my right shoulder.

"Very," I assured. "Because even if Amos and I run into Gaia, I'll make sure we live through it for you."

She looked up at me, her eyes turning a shade of red. "I'll promise the same then." She decided.

I pulled her into another hug and then stood up. "You ready to lead a group of immaturity?" I asked to cheer her up.

She hesitated, but nodded as she gathered her bag to stand. "It will be far more mature than if it is just you and me."

"Oh, that's right, Walt will equal out whatever weird questions pop out of your big mouth-" I teased as she playfully punched my left shoulder.

"The magical penguins will do a better job of fighting than you do anyways. So I'm in good hands." Sadie teased back and dashed to the roof, which I ran after her.

We relaxed on the roof, eyes on us and everything. It's too bad we just can't be kids anymore and do whatever the hell we wish without someone to judge. "I'll make sure Carter calls." Amos reassured Sadie when he hugged her goodbye.

"And we'll make sure your niece comes back in one piece." Jason added.

Sadie sighed and faced the group of magicians coming with her. "Okay guys, we have a long couple of days ahead. Let's get it over with." She led them onto the ship with the demigods following after.

Amos chuckled as we watched them leave. "Your sister has the oddest way of leading." He confirmed as we both went back inside.

"That's why she usually doesn't." I added. "And she's your niece."

Amos smirked in reaction. "So it's my job to make sure you two can lead without making people laugh too much?"

"Hey, you're the one who tried to pull the guardian card on us a month ago if you don't remember."