The Hunters broke camp as quickly as they'd set it up, Percy was shivering beside me, and Artemis stared into the eastern sky, no doubt waiting for her brother.

The cold never bothered me, if that was because of who my father was or my mother having come from the north, I didn't know. Bianca stood to the side, talking with her brother, possibly discussing Artemis' offer.

Thalia and Grover walked up to us, huddling around Percy, I moved to give them space.

Percy frowned, "Why did you move away?"

I shrugged, "I do not wish to intrude."

Thalia raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean by that?"

"It's obvious you're close to each other, I on the other hand am a stranger you didn't know a few hours ago."

Percy grinned, "Dude, you became part of the group the moment you saved me and Thalia from Dr. Thorn's spikes." Thalia nodded in agreement.

"I didn't get all of them though."

"It doesn't matter, it's the thought that counts." Percy pulled me closer. To the point we were all huddling together.

And so, he began explaining what happened in Artemis' tent, with me adding my own input every once in a while.

Grover paled, "The last time the Hunters visited camp, it didn't go well."

"We heard," I said, "something about burning down cabins."

"How'd they even show up here?" Percy wondered out loud, "I mean they just appeared out of nowhere."

"And they offered Bianca to join them." Thalia sounded almost disgusted, but then she looked at me, "Good job getting her to reconsider."

"I merely said she should see both sides before making a decision."

"It got her to deny Artemis' offer."

I opened my mouth to correct her, but realized there was no use arguing against her. In the end, I settled for a nod.

Finally the sky began to lighten. Artemis muttered, "About time. He's so-o-o lazy during the winter."

"You're, um, waiting for sunrise?" Percy asked.

"For my brother, yes."

Percy looked like he wanted to say more when there was a sudden burst of light from the horizon and warmth filled the cold morning air. The sun had risen.

"Don't look," Artemis advised. "Not until he parks."

Strange request, but I complied nonetheless. Even with my eyes closed, the light almost blinded me. When it finally died down, I found myself staring at a glowing, bright red Maserati Spyder.

Apollo was like his sister in the way he chose to take a young appearance, albeit Artemis used the appearance of a twelve year old, Apollo looked more like seventeen or eighteen, around my age. He loomed exactly as the myths described him, sandy blonde hair, a perfect tan, playful smile.

"Wow," Thalia muttered. "Apollo is hot."

Even as a straight guy, I had to admit that. It was like complimenting Ryan Reynolds, it didn't matter what your sexuality was, you had to admit he was hot.

"He's the sun god." Percy stated the obvious.

"Something tells me that's not what she meant, Percy." I muttered.

"Little sister!" Apollo called. If his teeth were any whiter he could've blinded us without the sun car. "What's up? You never call. You never write. I was getting worried!"

Artemis sighed. "I'm fine, Apollo. And I am not your little sister."

"Hey, I was born first."

"We're twins! How many millennia do we have to argue—"

"So what's up?" he interrupted. "Got the girls with you, I see. You all need some tips on archery?"

I stared at the gods, it was honestly a bit jarring to see gods act so…human. Whether that was a good thing or bad, only time would tell.

Artemis gritted her teeth. "I need a favor. I have some hunting to do, alone. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-Blood."

"Sure, sis!" Then he raised his hands in a stop everything gesture. "I feel a haiku coming on."

The Hunters all groaned. Apparently they'd met Apollo before. He cleared his throat and held up one hand dramatically.

"Green grass breaks through snow.

Artemis pleads for my help.

I am so cool." He grinned at us, waiting for applause.

"That last line was only four syllables," Artemis said dryly.

Apollo frowned. "Was it?"

"Yes. What about I am so big-headed?"

"No, no, that's six syllables. Hmm." He started muttering to himself.

Zoe Nightshade turned to us. "Lord Apollo has been going through this haiku phase ever since he visited Japan. 'Tis not as bad as the time he visited Limerick. If I'd had to hear one more poem that started with, There once was a goddess from Sparta—"

"I've got it!" Apollo announced. "I am so awesome. That's five syllables!" He bowed, looking very pleased with himself.

"And now, sis. Transportation for the Hunters, you say? Good timing. I was just about ready to roll."

"These demigods will also need a ride," Artemis said, pointing to us. "Some of Chiron's campers."

"No problem!" Apollo checked us out. "Let's see… Thalia, right? I've heard all about you."

Thalia blushed. "Hi, Lord Apollo."

"Zeus's girl, yes? Makes you my half sister. Used to be a tree, didn't you? Glad you're back. I hate it when pretty girls turn into trees. Man, I remember one time—"

"Brother," Artemis said. "You should get going."

"Oh, right." Then he looked at me, and his eyes narrowed. "Valen Steensen?"

I gulped, oh boy I sure was regretting all my insults at the sun now, "Yes sir…"

"Be glad you do not count as a half blood, you wouldn't have gone nearly as long unnoticed if you had."

"What do you mean…sir?"

Apparently he decided he had enough, switching his gaze to Percy, "Percy Jackson."

"Yeah. I mean… yes, sir."

Apollo merely stared at him wordlessly, a bit creepy if you ask me. "Well!" he said at last. "We'd better load up, huh? Ride only goes one way—west. And if you miss it, you miss it."

I let out a sigh of relief, not knowing I had been holding my breath, and stared at the Maserati, wondering how we would all fit in.

"Cool car," Nico said.

"Thanks, kid,"

"But how will we all fit?"

"Oh." Apollo seemed to notice the problem for the first time. "Well, yeah. I hate to change out of sports-car mode, but I suppose…" He took out his car keys and beeped the security alarm button. Chirp, chirp.

For a moment, the car glowed brightly again. When the glare died, the Maserati had been replaced by one of those Turtle Top shuttle buses like I used to go to school before..

"Right," he said. "Everybody in."

Zoe ordered the Hunters to start loading. She picked up her camping pack, and Apollo said, "Here, sweetheart. Let me get that."

Zoe recoiled. Her eyes flashed murderously.

"Brother," Artemis chided. "You do not help my Hunters. You do not look at, talk to, or flirt with my Hunters. And you do not call them sweetheart."

Apollo spread his hands. "Sorry, I forgot. Hey, sis, where are you off to, anyway?"

"Hunting," Artemis said. "It's none of your business."

"I'll find out. I see all. Know all."

Artemis snorted. "Just drop them off, Apollo. And no messing around!"

"No, no! I never mess around."

Artemis rolled her eyes, then looked at us. "I will see you by winter solstice. Zoe, you are in charge of the Hunters. Do well. Do as I would do."

Zoe straightened. "Yes, my lady."

Artemis knelt and touched the ground as if looking for tracks. When she rose, she looked troubled. "So much danger. The beast must be found." She sprinted toward the woods and melted into the snow and shadows.

Apollo turned and grinned, jangling the car keys on his finger. "So," he said. "Who wants to drive?"

Definitely not me bud. Definitely not me.

.

.

.

The Hunters decided to sit at the back, far away from the oh so despicable males. Bianca however, chose to stay by her brother.

"This is so cool!" Nico said, jumping up and down in the driver's seat. "Is this really the sun? I thought Helios and Selene were the sun and moon gods. How come sometimes it's them and sometimes it's you and Artemis?"

"Downsizing," Apollo said. "The Romans started it. They couldn't afford all those temple sacrifices, so they laid off Helios and Selene and folded their duties into our job descriptions. My sis got the moon. I got the sun. It was pretty annoying at first, but at least I got this cool car."

"But how does it work?" Nico asked. "I thought the sun was a big fiery ball of gas!"

Apollo chuckled and ruffled Nico's hair. "That rumor probably got started because Artemis used to call me a big fiery ball of gas. Seriously, kid, it depends on whether you're talking astronomy or philosophy. You want to talk astronomy? Bah, what fun is that? You want to talk about how humans think about the sun? Ah, now that's more interesting. They've got a lot riding on the sun… er, so to speak. It keeps them warm, grows their crops, powers engines, makes everything look, well, sunnier. This chariot is built out of human dreams about the sun, kid. It's as old as Western Civilization. Every day, it drives across the sky from east to west, lighting up all those puny little mortal lives. The chariot is a manifestation of the sun's power, the way mortals perceive it. Make sense?"

Nico shook his head. "No."

Like that wasn't confusing at all.

"Well then, just think of it as a really powerful, really dangerous solar car."

"Can I drive?"

"No. Too young."

"Oo! Oo!" Grover raised his hand.

"Mm, no," Apollo said. "Too furry."

Bit racist, no?

He looked past Percy, completely disregarding him, and settled on me, "No, Hades would have my hide."

I scowled, I've never even met the guy. Probably never will, and I'm fine with it.

He moved to Thalia, "Daughter of Zeus!" he said. "Lord of the sky. Perfect."

"Oh, no." Thalia shook her head. "No, thanks."

"C'mon," Apollo said. "How old are you?"

Thalia hesitated. "I don't know."

I furrowed my brows, what kinda person doesn't know their own age?

Apollo tapped his finger to his lips. "You're fifteen, almost sixteen."

"How do you know that?"

"Hey, I'm the god of prophecy. I know stuff. You'll turn sixteen in about a week."

"That's my birthday! December twenty-second."

"Which means you're old enough now to drive with a learner's permit!"

Thalia shifted her feet nervously. "Uh—"

"I know what you're going to say," Apollo said. "You don't deserve an honor like driving the sun chariot."

"That's not what I was going to say."

"Don't sweat it! Maine to Long Island is a really short trip, and don't worry about what happened to the last kid I trained. You're Zeus's daughter. He's not going to blast you out of the sky." Apollo laughed good-naturedly, expecting the rest of us to join him. None of us did.

Thalia tried to protest, but Apollo was absolutely not going to take "no" for an answer. He hit a button on the dashboard, and a sign popped up along the top of the windshield. I had to read it backward (which, for a dyslexic, really isn't that different than reading forward). I was pretty sure it said WARNING: STUDENT DRIVER.

"Take it away!" Apollo told Thalia. "You're gonna be a natural!"

"Well, it was good being alive." I muttered dejectedly.

"Speed equals heat," Apollo advised. "So start slowly, and make sure you've got good altitude before you really open her up."

Thalia gripped the wheel so tight her knuckles turned white. She looked like she was going to be sick.

Swiftly putting on my seatbelt, I waited for my impending doom. I did not have to wait long, the breath was almost knocked out of me when the bus suddenly ascended perfectly vertically.

"Easier on the gas up there!" I yelled, "It's a bus, not a goddamned rocket!"

"Sorry!" Thalia said. "I've got it under control!"

For some reason, I did not believe that. Wonder why.

"Thalia," Percy said, "lighten up on the accelerator."

"I've got it, Percy," she said, gritting her teeth. But she kept it floored.

"Loosen up," he repeated.

"I'm loose!" Thalia said. She was so stiff she looked like she was made out of plywood.

Normally I would've made a comment on how inappropriate it sounded, but as it stood I was too busy holding on for dear life to say anything.

"We need to veer south for Long Island," Apollo said. "Hang a left."

Thalia jerked the wheel and almost threw me off my seat, if not for my seatbelt.

"The other left," Apollo suggested.

I focused on my breathing, spreading my senses out for any shadow nearby, I might have to get off the hard way.

"Ah…" Apollo said, I could feel how tense he was. "A little lower, sweetheart. Cape Cod is freezing over."

Thalia tilted the wheel. Her face was chalk white, her forehead beaded with sweat. Something was definitely wrong. She was in her element, a daughter of Zeus shouldn't have this much trouble driving a flying car.

The bus pitched down and somebody screamed. Now we were heading straight toward the Atlantic Ocean at a thousand miles an hour, the New England coastline off to our right. And it was getting hot in the bus.

Apollo had been thrown somewhere in the back of the bus, but he started climbing up the rows of seats.

"Take the wheel!" Grover begged him.

"No worries," Apollo said. He looked plenty worried. "She just has to learn to— WHOA!"

I saw what he was seeing. Down below us was a little snow-covered New England town. At least, it used to be snow-covered. As I watched, the snow melted off the trees and the roofs and the lawns. The white steeple on a church turned brown and started to smolder. Little plumes of smoke, like birthday candles, were popping up all over the town. Trees and rooftops were catching fire.

"Pull up!" Percy yelled.

"Lord Apollo," I turned to face the golden god.

"Yes?"

"Can gods teleport?" He nodded, and I continued, "Could you perhaps teleport us out, preferably before Thalia kills us all?"

Apollo paled, walking up to Thalia, grabbing the driver seat to stabilize himself.

There was a wild light in Thalia's eyes. She yanked back on the wheel. As we zoomed up, I could see through the back window that the fires in the town were being snuffed out by the sudden blast of cold.

"There!" Apollo pointed. "Long Island, dead ahead. Let's slow down, dear. 'Dead' is only an expression."

Were about to meet him soon at this rate.

Thalia was thundering toward the coastline of northern Long Island, and what I could only assume to be Camp Half-Blood peaned at through from the valleys.

"I'm under control," Thalia muttered. "I'm under control."

We were only a few hundred yards away now.

"Brake," Apollo said.

"I can do this."

"BRAKE!"

Thalia slammed her foot on the brake, and the sun bus pitched forward at a forty-fivedegree angle, slamming into what seemed like a canoeing lake with a huge FLOOOOOOSH! Steam billowed up, sending several frightened naiads scrambling out of the water with halfwoven wicker baskets.

The bus bobbed to the surface, along with a couple of capsized, half-melted canoes.

"Well," said Apollo with a brave smile. "You were right, my dear. You had everything under control! Let's go see if we boiled anyone important, shall we?"

I scoffed, As if, she almost went kamikaze on us.

Camp Half-Blood was…not what I expected. Considering it was supposed to be the only safe haven for us demigods, I'd thought it would've been more militaristic, more secure. Instead, it looked like somewhere people went to have fun, if fun included gladiator matches, forging weapons, and climbing a wall with lava dropping from above.

"Whoa," Nico said as he climbed off the bus. "Is that a climbing wall?"

"With lava pouring down it." I added dryly.

Percy gave us a carefree grin, "Little extra challenge. Come on. I'll introduce you to Chiron. Zoe, have you met—"

"I know Chiron," Zoe said stiffly. "Tell him we will be in Cabin Eight. Hunters, follow me."

"I'll show you the way," Grover offered. "We know the way."

"Oh, really, it's no trouble. It's easy to get lost here, if you don't"—he tripped over a canoe and came up still talking—"like my old daddy goat used to say! Come on!"

I smirked, amused at his antics. Guess it's natural for satyrs to worship the Hunt. Bianca stood silently beside her brother, taking in all that the camp had to offer.

"Take care, sweethearts!" Apollo called after the Hunters. He winked at Percy. "Watch out for those prophecies, Percy. I'll see you soon."

'Careful not to speak too much of your mother, Valen.' I heard his voice resonate within my head, yet when I glanced back, he was busy talking with Thalia. Noticing me stare, he nodded subtly at my direction.

Then he closed the doors and revved the engine. I turned aside as the sun chariot took off in a blast of heat. When I looked back, the lake was steaming. A red Maserati soared over the woods, glowing brighter and climbing higher until it disappeared in a ray of sunlight.

"Who's Chiron?" Nico asked, ""I don't have his figurine."

"Our activities director," Percy said. "He's… well, you'll see."

"If those Hunter girls don't like him," Nico grumbled, "that's good enough for me. Let's go."

I raised an eyebrow, looked like he didn't like the Hunters for trying to take away his sister. As Percy led us to the Big House a, well big house (very original, I know), I noticed how few people there were in the camp. Did demigods really die that often?

The Big House was decorated with strings of red and yellow fireballs that warmed the porch but didn't seem to catch anything on fire. Inside, flames crackled in the hearth. The air smelled like hot chocolate. A short pudgy man and a man in a wheelchair were sitting in the parlor playing cards.

The man in the wheelchair smiled when he saw us, "Percy! Thalia! Ah, and this must be—"

"Nico and Bianca di Angelo, they're siblings." Percy explained, "And this is Valen Steensen, he was in the area. Valen, Nico, Bainca, this is Chiron, and Mr. D, the camp director."

"A pleasure to meet you child." Chiron nodded at me, and I inclined my head slightly in respect. "You have succeeded then."

"Well…"

His smile melted. "What's wrong? And where is Annabeth?"

"Oh, dear," The other man said in a bored voice, "Not another one lost."

"Rather apathetic about this aren't you?"

The man turned to me, "And what if I am?"

Before I could speak any further Grover trotted in, grinning as if he had just had the time of his life, although the black eye spoke for itself. "The Hunters are all moved in!"

Chiron frowned. "The Hunters, eh? I see we have much to talk about." He glanced at us. "Grover, perhaps you should take our newest members to the den and show them our orientation film."

"Orientation film?" Bianca asked. "Is it G or PG? Cause I am not letting Nico wat-"

"It's PG-13," Grover said.

"Cool!" Nico happily followed him out of the room, Bianca not much behind. Chiron raised an eye, seeing how I decided to stay.

I shrugged, "I've been taught a decent bit about mythology by my mother."

He nodded understandingly, before turning to the others, "Now, perhaps you three should sit down and tell us the whole story."

When we were done, Chiron turned to Mr. D. "We should launch a search for Annabeth immediately."

"I'll go," The other two demigods said almost instantly.

Mr. D sniffed. "Certainly not!"

As the two began complaining, Mr. D held up his hand to silence them, a purple fire in his eyes. He was definitely not mortal, a god perhaps?

"From what you have told me," Mr. D said, "we have broken even on this escapade. We have, ah, regrettably lost Annie Bell—"

"Annabeth." Percy snapped.

"Yes, yes," he said. "And you procured three new demigods to replace her. So I see no point risking further half-bloods on a ridiculous rescue. The possibility is very great that this Annie girl is dead."

"She's not." I said.

"What makes you so certain?"

"I'm a son of Hades."

"What makes you sure?" Chiron asked, his face pale. Mr. D. raised an eyebrow at me.

I shrugged, waving my hand as a ruby shot out of the ground, before allowing it to melt in the shadow of my finger, switching it to my other hand. As a cherry on top, I had hellfire reduce the ruby to vapor.

Chiron now looked spooked, "How old did you say you were again?"

I smiled in understanding, "Just turned sixteen today, but don't worry, I'm not the child of prophecy, Lord Apollo all but confirmed it."

"Lord Apollo?"

I nodded, "He said, and I quote, 'Be glad you do not count as a half blood, you wouldn't have gone nearly as long unnoticed if you had'"

Chiron furrowed his brows, "That doesn't make sense."

I shrugged, "My mother was a-descended from a line of demigods, so maybe I have just a bit more godly gene, thus putting me somewhere between demigod and god. That's my best guess." I heeded Apollos warning about my mother, hiding the fact that she was a demigod.

Chiron rubbed his beard in thought, "I don't know if that counts…"

"I have no other theories."

He sighed, "Well, I suppose I shouldn't question Lord Apollo's words."

Dionysus snorted, "Half the things he sprouts out are nonsense."

"Anyways, as a son of Hades, I can sense when people die. I definitely didn't sense that with Annabeth."

"So she may be alive," Chiron said, his face strained, "She's very bright. If… if our enemies have her, she will try to play for time. She may even pretend to cooperate."

"That's right," Thalia said. "Luke would want her alive."

"In which case" said Mr. D, "I'm afraid she will have to be smart enough to escape on her own."

Percy got up from the table with such force, his chair skidded backwards a few feet.

"Percy." Chiron warned, his actions further strengthening my suspicions.

"You're glad to lose another camper," he said. "You'd like it if we all disappeared!"

Mr. D stifled a yawn. "You have a point?"

"Yeah," he growled. "Just because you were sent here as a punishment doesn't mean you have to be a lazy jerk! This is your civilization, too. Maybe you could try helping out a little!"

This guy, does he try to piss off every deity that comes his way? What is he, suicidal?

No one spoke, the crackle of the fire the only thing that made a sound. The god opened his mouth, possibly about to threaten him, but his saving grace came in the form of one hyperactive kid.

"SO COOL!" Nico yelled, holding his hands out to Chiron. "You're… you're a centaur!"

Chiron managed a nervous smile. "Yes, Mr. di Angelo, if you please. Though, I prefer to stay in human form in this wheelchair for, ah, first encounters."

"And, whoa!" He looked at Mr. D. "You're the wine dude? No way!"

I was right, Mr. D was a god. An Olympian to boot. Dionysus looked at Nico, the loath in his eyes doing nothing to curb his excitement, "The wine dude?"

"Dionysus, right? Oh, wow! I've got your figurine."

"My figurine."

"In my game, Mythomagic. And a holofoil card, too! And even though you've only got like five hundred attack points and everybody thinks you're the lamest god card, I totally think your powers are sweet!"

"Ah." Mr. D seemed truly perplexed, which probably saved Percys life. "Well, that's… gratifying."

"Percy," Chiron said, "you and Thalia go down to the cabins. Inform the campers we'll be playing capture the flag tomorrow evening."

"Capture the flag?" Percy asked. "But we don't have enough—"

"It is a tradition," Chiron said. "A friendly match, whenever the Hunters visit."

"Yeah," Thalia muttered. "I bet it's real friendly."

Chiron jerked his head toward Mr. D, who was still frowning as Nico talked about how many defense points all the gods had in his game. "Run along now," Chiron told us.

"Oh, right," Thalia said, pulling him along. "Come on, Percy."

As they left, I turned to Chiron, "Uh, Mr. Chiron?"

"Please, just call me Chiron."

"Right, where am I supposed to go?"

"Ah yes, I should show you three around."

And so Chiron showed us around the camp, although it was clear his heart wasn't into it. When we reached the Armory, he asked if we had any weapons. As if any normal kid would be caught holding a sword or a dagger.

"I do." Then again, I wasn't exactly normal. I showed him Stormguard, and he stared intently at the blade. "Child, do you know what those letters mean?"

I shrugged, "All I know is they are runes."

Chiron hummed to himself, "Take good care of that sword, it's not every day you get to see Imperial Gold and Stygian Iron used together."

He next took us to the cabins, where I had been visibly displeased to learn that only the twelve olympians had cabins to their name.

"Where am I supposed to stay?" I grumbled, "the woods?" More importantly, why was the Hermes cabin so overfilled?

Chiron shook his head, "You three will stay in the Hermes cabin, Hermes is the god of travellers, so naturally he allows anyone in his cabin."

"Cool!" Nico, the innocent kid he was, didn't seem to have any issues with it.

"..." I stared neutrally at cabin 11, remembering Hermes was also a god of thieves. Well, it wasn't like I had anything valuable, bar my mothers letter and my ring. I scowled, if those bastards even attempted stealing those, I'll make sure to send them straight to my father.

Chiron led us to the Hermes cabin, "Good luck you three, I'll see you at dinner."

I was the first to enter the cabin, making sure not to trip and make a fool of myself. A brown haired boy around my age approached us, "Hey there, I'm Travis Stoll, head cousellor."

"Valen Steensen, Nico di Angelo, Bianca di Angelo." I pointed at each of us respectively.

"Right, so undetermined or claimed?"

"Claimed?" I asked.

"He means if your godly parent has sent a sign your way, normally a glowing symbol over your head." Another boy, the spitting image of Travis just younger, approached, "Hi, I'm Connor Stoll, his twin brother."

I shrugged, "Well, they are undetermined, as for me," I paused for dramatic effect, "Unclaimed son of Hades."

Their eyes widened, and I could hear whispers about how Hades had broken his oath too. I was seriously getting tired of this thing.

Travis grinned, "Well then, you'll be staying with us for the foreseeable future. Apologies for the lack of a proper throne for you Prince of the Underworld."

I could practically taste the sarcasm, but decided to play along, "No worries, I'll just use your corpses to build one."

They chuckled, "Oh you'll fit right in."

I smirked, it seems I would indeed.

.

.

.

Dinner was…strange to say the least. Chiron made a toast to the gods and formally welcomed the Hunters of Artemis. And I found out we had to leave off the best part of our meal as a burnt offering. A waste of perfectly good food if you ask me.

After dinner, Chiron mentioned the "good will" capture-the-flag game for tomorrow night. I still didn't know what it was. I mean, we had to capture a flag, that part was obvious, but I lacked the knowledge of it's inner machinations.

Afterward, we all trailed back to our cabins for an early, winter lights out. I was exhausted after the day I'd had, fighting a manticore, meeting three gods, and finding out you have two half siblings tends to do that to you.

The good news? This meant I fell asleep as soon as I hit the bed, or well the concrete floor. The bad news? My dear father decided this would be the perfect time to pay me a visit.

"What do you want?" I scoffed, all those years of living on the streets and he appears now?

Hades smiled wearily, "Can I not visit my son?"