-Melissa Whitaker-

It took a minute, but the door opened and I caught myself unable to speak to the boy that had responded. It had nothing to do with the fact that his hair was disheveled, but there was a misshapen purple, uh, I guess it is a rhino, in the Great Room beyond this kid. The kid was fast enough to yank me into the room anyway and close the door.

"You're that lady from Florida," he starts first. "I need help. Shelby's drawing came back to life again. Girl's gotta learn to just draw Oreos instead."

"I'm sorry, what-?"

The boy pulls out his khopesh and starts yelling at the misshapen thing that had just cornered a- ok is that a penguin? How did the Twenty-First Nome transform into a zoo? With another boy standing on the couch screaming at the rhino, but not drawing its attention to any degree.
I unhooked my khopesh and I closed the door behind me. The penguin darted to the left, and the rhino responded by slamming its body into the wall, shaking the building. Relieved the penguin was able to come out unscathed, I turned back to the purple beast that just turned its gaze on me.

Puzzling out the best attack to go with, it could charge and throw me off further. But I could try to strike it somewhere on its face? Or should I try for a sweep from above? The stairs would be the best option for that.

With a snort, I knew it was going to charge. I positioned myself to be ready to dodge last second and hopefully hit it with my weapon. So when it suddenly disappeared into shredded purple paper, I was staring wide-eyed and stunned by the adrenaline that was now just useless.

"Shelby," an old woman's voice scorned before I realized I hadn't taken a breath yet. "Didn't I tell you no more animals?"

A little girl in the far part of the Great Room bowed her head to the woman addressing her. "I'm sorry Miss Em."

"I know you are," the older woman took the purple crayon out of her hands. "Where did you get this?"

"I hope this isn't a regular occurrence," Trevor Starr's voice sounds from the steps.

Sadie Kane just rolls her eyes at him. "Is it going to change your mind if I told you it is?" Yep, that's Julius Kane's daughter alright. "Anyway, you still haven't told me why you and my uncle were sneaking around."

Trevor paled, moved his gaze, and spotted me peering back. "Mel, always a pleasure to see you!" I roll my eyes for being his go-to distraction here.

I loop my khopesh again and tilt my head towards him. "Answer the girl's question."

Trevor crossed his arms now, "I was asked to bother him for a disc."

"Nope," Sadie called out immediately. "You two wouldn't be smelling like alcohol and sneaking around so much if that was the truth."

Oh, then I'm keeping out of this. There's a reason why Amos would rather not start drinking. Because it's all it takes to loosen his tongue. Trevor must have noticed as well, hence why he's shaking his head, lying as straight-faced as he can to his niece.

"No, really, you remember Max? Dude's been annoying the shit out of me about it the past year-"

"If that was true, he should have gotten ahold of me," Sadie points out. "I happen to know where some of his recordings are."

Trevor shakes his pointer at her now, "Noted."

"You're not supposed to share any of that!" The woman that had disciplined the young initiate earlier starts. "You want a disc; we charge a pretty penny."

"Can I pull the whole 'I know your dad' card on this?" Trevor asks. "Or should I go with a distraught father leaving his daughter in your capable hands to train?"

Sadie's hands go to her hips, glaring at the older magician who just smirks at her. "I'm allowed to be concerned; I know why you were suspended for a week," Trevor adds.

I roll my eyes now as I go to stand on the first couple of steps. "Don't listen to him. Trevor failed several courses training in Cairo."

"Yeah," Trevor agrees quickly, "but I didn't blow up anything in my lecturer's face."

"Sure," I interrupt before Sadie can respond, "but you did bully a peer in an attempt to get him to do your paperwork."

That got the response I wanted, Starr standing down in acknowledgment. After all, he's standing in the man's mansion. Suddenly he found he needed to be somewhere else rather than being a nuisance on the stairs. Sadie frowns as she watches him head back upstairs, but chooses to bring her attention to me. "Mel, right?"

I extend my right hand to her to shake hands, but she hesitated. "I don't think we've officially met yet, Sadie."

"Carter told me that you trained alongside our dad," Sadie adds as her hand goes back to her side. "Also, you're the one that turned over information on us to Michel from Zia contacting us."

I sigh immediately at that. "That was for your protection. Especially since you two were already accompanied by your uncle."

"I guess," Sadie shrugged. "If you all knew so much though, you probably should have just said it."

"You wouldn't have believed us," I recall how they assumed wrongly that Desjardins was hosting Set. "The only person you thought you could trust within the Per Ankh was the one you shouldn't have." Which is fair, I wouldn't have trusted anyone within the Per Ankh either in their shoes.

She crosses her arms as she takes me in. "I take it you're here for Uncle Amos?"

"I've been accompanying him on his duties as General for the past month. He said he'd pick me up from Miami, but I figured I'd make it easier and turn up here instead."

"Why are you accompanying him visiting the demigods?"

I guess he hadn't said anything about that to them. "He requested I join him. If I were to make a guess, he probably needed a Per Ankh member around for further negotiations."

Sadie gives me a critical look now. "Did the Greeks cause problems?"

"No, they were hospitable. We had a slight issue with Chiron when he saw Amos' red hieroglyphs, but we were able to get past that."

That's a rough summary, the centaur wanted him gone from the camp once he realized he was a host of Set. Took a few days to let him understand that Set isn't just a threat, that he's more hospitable to foreigners than he is to his pantheon. Though he was still on edge with him around, which we both understood. Having manipulation occur within the camp amongst the demigods, why would he tolerate the idea of an Egyptian General with a manipulative patron?

Dionysus, however, was further humored by it all. Hence offering wine that he supposedly wasn't to have in the camp. And here I thought these negotiations would be boring. Just to end up with a surprised Jackson the following morning.

"Did Set behave himself at least?" Sadie asked next, but it was becoming obvious that she is starting to get concerned.

"Amos said that Set wasn't able to pass their border. He had no contact with him until we left. The boat trip to Miami was mostly him talking to himself. I'm not going to lie; your uncle needs to learn to just have those conversations privately."

Sadie laughed a bit at that, "It's kind of hard when they get annoying. Starts feeling like they are outside of your head at times." She uncrosses her arms now. "Carter ended up dragging our uncle into marriage arrangements about an hour ago. He's been trying to avoid it, but my brother was smart enough to start talking while he was getting ready to leave again."

Oh, that's quite clever. Good thing I decided to show up here early then, I reckon. Sadie clears her throat before a more serious expression appeared. "I'm concerned about him leaving for San Francisco."

"Don't be," I place my hand on her shoulder to try and be reassuring. "Your uncle can handle himself; I know this. I'm just the backup combat magician if things get further out of hand."

Most would probably see it as a security measure, which sure I can see just as well. But I know that a part of Kane misses having that hovering older brother of his. I'm not even close to representing Julius to any degree, but I'm certain just the idea of a combat being nearby is comfortable enough.

I walk past Sadie Kane and make my way up the first flight of stairs. Heading towards Amos' room, I stop myself from knocking on the closed door to hearing voices beyond it. So I keep my right ear against the door instead.

"Sadie told me," Pharaoh seemed to hesitate to say.

"Oh," Amos seems a tad hurt by that.

"You haven't updated her, so I wanted to ask for myself. Were you able to dig up any information?" Carter pushes on.

"Honestly, I haven't found anything. I've been busy with negotiations with the Greeks. I didn't have the time to focus on anything else," Amos admits. "Did she tell you what I believe?"

"About an absorbed god? Yeah, it just doesn't make much sense."

"It usually doesn't," Amos adds. "Good thing we have an expert on that sort of thing." There's a pause between them before he continues, "Set, that's who I mean. It's like having an index. Truth be told, not everything has been preserved to be studied by our scribes. The God of Chaos though…"

"I get it," Carter seems slightly annoyed by it.

"I'll be keeping an eye out while I'm there," Amos goes to reassure. "You'll hear from me if I find something relating."

"At least be safe," Carter implores. "They know you host Set. Chiron wasn't very happy about it."

I opened the door now and watch the General of Armies nod in his nephew's direction. "Everything was fine, he was just unhappy finding out. It's good to know that the Romans already know, won't come off as a surprise again."

"He'll be safe," I interrupt, earning two sets of eyes on me.

"Exactly," Amos adds, "I'll have Mel with me. She was in Camp Half-Blood with me too. The two of you can be at ease."

Carter sighs but takes a step back from his uncle with his eyes still on me, "Hello again."

I bow towards Pharaoh in recognition. "I told you I'd swing by Miami," Amos reminds me.

"I'm just being eager, General," I turn my gaze on him. "Besides, I just saw Starr running rampant."

"His daughter is going to start training here," Carter explains. "Host of Hathor. Helps to be around others."

Fair enough. Though I'm starting to suspect that Carter doesn't know Trevor and Amos' history when we were training in Cairo. I suspect Julius would have a problem with Trevor stepping foot in this place. Probably why they haven't told anyone.

"Zia and I were considering the First Nome for the wedding," Carter switches the topic. "Menshikov says the Throne Room will be done before then. She was pretty eager the last time I talked with her. I was just asking Uncle Amos if he would know anything about crowns."

"I'm suggesting Zia finds someone that can fashion their new crowns," Amos adds.

I pale a bit, speaking of unfriendly people. I know Menshikov is Chief Architect now, but that doesn't mean I should accept that the Menshikov and Kane families are not at each other's throats anymore. I suppose I should be content that the Russian Nome Leader would be in Pharaoh's good graces, who wouldn't want to be?

But Amos and Vika? I know she mentioned Jabari a few times, so I guess it makes sense that the son that helped exile him would be a suitable friend. It's just weird is all.

Amos reminds me that we should depart soon then, considering Kurtz is expecting us for lunch. Which is more of him just finding reasons to leave before Carter can talk his ear off more about this. Fair enough, I'm sure he heard his fair share from his brother as it were.

Carter, of course not a fool, pointed out how early it was to be rushing suddenly now. Amos insists anyways and I follow him to the veranda. Where of course we are faced with several initiates and the baboon to say our farewells.

It was a mere second before we were floating above the bustling city of San Francisco. While I was peering down to admire the view, I took note that my companion merely glanced to see we were where we should be and moved on to read some paperwork.


Kurtz was surprised by our early arrival to the Sixtieth. I suggest that the General and I can go explore the area some, and immediately Sebastian dismisses the thought. "I doubt you're going to find anything that interests either of you enough."

I glare at the Nome Leader and the General happily agreed and entered the Nome nonetheless. "Don't do this shit today, Whitaker," there's the threat I was expecting. "Let's just have an enjoyable lunch with no underlining bullshit."

"You know just as well as I do," I cross my arms and make sure Kane is far enough away from us.

"Duh," Sebastian goes to lessen the gap between the door and the doorway, "that's why I insisted on lunch. Didn't want him wandering around and stumbling on old memories. I'm expecting you to send him directly to Camp Jupiter once he steps foot outside."

"You realize we are the same rank? I don't take orders from you." I point out quickly.

"I'm his friend."

"Gosh, you sound so sure of it too," I kick a small pebble. "She was my sister."

"You say that pretty often for something that isn't even a fact, Mel." Kurtz crosses his arms over his chest in annoyance.

My eyes narrow in response to that, "Not literally, dumbass."

My father died doing squadron work for Iskandar when I was ten and training in Cairo to be as good. The Smiths took on being my family when I would come back on break from training. Carolina was just like a younger sister to me. She knew what I was up to, and I knew just as much from her. While it wasn't acknowledged, the Sixty-Seventh knew. That includes the General of Armies.

At some point, I have to let Kane know. Kurtz can fuck himself if he thinks I'll protect him from any backlash. I'm not here to make friends. I just want to get to the bottom of what happened to lead to her death.

Today, is the anniversary of her passing, standing not far off from the Legion of Honor Museum. I don't think I have a better option than now to discuss the matter with her significant other. I already know Amos won't be happy about it, he's practically trying to just get the day over with at this point. Hence why he hasn't even noticed we hadn't followed him through the nome.

I sigh as I meet Sebastian's blue gaze. "We should follow him before he backtracks," I suggest.

Kurtz grunts and opens the door, gesturing me to go first.


-Amos Kane-

I could go for a nap; I process as fatigue is finally hitting me.

Except that will be impossible on this bus that Mel insisted we take after visiting the Sixtieth Nome. Because she insisted on seeing the city at eye level rather than from above. Hence the combat magician seeming to maintain high energy looking out the window, and I'm just supplying sounds of pretend interest when required. She either hasn't caught on to my disinterest or had decided to ignore it.

You're not doing a good job of hiding anything, kid, Set inputs. I told you this was a bad idea. This meeting could have waited, didn't have to be today.

I roll my eyes in annoyance because Set and I had discussed this way before now. Except I'd just be sitting in the Twenty-First being depressed instead while having Carter discuss further wedding plans. And then Trevor, who had questions upon questions after reading a journal his father gave him. I figured it best I keep busy. Keep my head on straight.

Yeah, and how is that working out so far? Set scoffs. You haven't even noticed that your friends have been acting weird all day. I'm content with that, so long as they don't notice my personality change today.

Just need to get through the day, it should be easier after that. I haven't stepped foot in San Francisco since she passed, but I was going to have to at some point. Especially when I pretty much gave myself this responsibility demoting myself to General. Though I still feel like I could blame this on my older brother. Because why else would he send two demigods to Cairo for an audience with me?

With a poke at my ribs from Mel's elbow, she stands and makes it known that this is our stop. I sigh and stand up to unboard with her following. I freeze as I take in the French architecture before us. Guests are walking in, and I can barely even process that.

"It's a gorgeous art museum," Mel's voice sounds so distant. "Brochure says it's a replica of-"

"Hôtel de Salm," I exhale and turn away from it, facing the combat magician who just smirks at me.

"Yeah. I take it you've seen the actual building?" She inquires.

"No, it's west of the Seine," I answer quickly. "And do you really think Julius and I would visit Paris to check it out rather than deal with a tense earth magician?"

"Fair enough," she pauses. "You must have seen it before then. Have you been to San Francisco before?"

I shake my head, and not as a response to her. That haunting voice is trying his best to get louder the longer we stay here. I can't tell if the sun is setting this fast or if I'm just going nuts. More likely the latter.

Why keep fighting?

This is all fake. It's not happening. Holy Ra, am I really this crazy now after everything?

"Amos?" Mel's voice barely sounds over the static that seems to be enveloping us.

You're alone, Chief Lector. I've killed your precious followers. Give in to the chaos.

Red serpent eyes are staring down at me from a good twenty feet. The kids of the Twenty-First had disappeared. My nephew and niece that had trained them up to this point are missing now. The world feels like it's tipping to the right under my feet. I feel like I'm inhaling static.

I never did thank Set for giving me a sample of this shit before this snake turned up in Cairo. Was probably the only reason why I'm able to glare up at those eyes that are smirking down at me, maintaining my balance through it all. I know it's all a trick, a mirage. The kids are not gone, and I know Carter and Sadie are fine, even though I can't see through the red haze surrounding me.

I know this all in the deepest parts of my soul. But that part of my brain itches, scratching toward the surface. Last breath taken after telling me she loved me. I couldn't even respond, couldn't tell her that I loved her too. Feeling so robbed and for what?

I snapped so suddenly out of it; I needed a solid minute to realize we were in a cab now. Mel is giving me the most worried glare; I needed a moment again to process that I was back in reality now. "Wait, where are we?" We were just standing outside of the stupid art museum, weren't we?

"I got us a cab," Mel summarizes quickly. "Glad to see you snap out of whatever that was."

I remove my hat to send my left hand through my braids, trying to get a mental grip on things again. Could definitely use a glass of water. "How long was I doing, uh, whatever?" I ask as I adjust my hat back on my head.

"A little over an hour," she answers as if it wasn't a big deal. "But like I told our driver, we're heading home to get you your meds."

I take a moment to process that. Mortal eyes seeing someone freak out probably talking to themselves? It's either leaning towards PTSD or schizophrenia. And Mel hasn't been around anyone that's done what I just did yet. Then again, it's never been something that I've actually witnessed with my own eyes, it's usually Set's.

I take Mel in, and she still has that edge of concern on her face. "I'm fine, really," I go to protest.

"You shouldn't be acting like that in public-"

I continue to respond insistent about 'not needing the meds' to make sure that she understands that I really will be okay. With the cab driver getting involved butting in with how his twelve-year-old daughter says she doesn't need her brace but then struggles to walk after a good two hours without it. I cave into this and insist the cab driver take the hundred-dollar bill for a tip when he drops us off.

The combat magician sighs after he drives away. "So long as I don't have to fight you off throwing tornados around."

I eye-roll at that. "This is entirely different."

"The rumors I heard about your healing within the walls of Cairo say otherwise," I face her to see her glare. "You recall stabbing someone with a fork?"

Oh Ra, why is that the one that everyone knows? That or Vlad's soured recollection of my 'attacking the First Nome'. "I missed," I answer with some annoyance. "Anyway, it wasn't another vision gifted to me."

The puzzled look on her face just goes to annoy me further. "You can't even speak on any of this if you don't even know what is happening," I quickly dismiss, taking in the area we were dropped off. If I don't squash this stupid behavior now, someone else will be accused of being bat-shit crazy.

"What, is it some divining?" Mel goes to ask, but it's layered in disbelief.

"No," my eyes land on a spot I recall Grace saying was a marker. "It's as if Set has transposed his memories into my brain. It goes off on triggers, and there are several. The fork incident? Prompted talking about Julius' passing. What I saw? Set cutting his brother up."

Mel immediately tenses to that, earning my attention again. "Sorry…"

I wave this away. "We are heading this way," I point out the path so she understands.

We found the service tunnel easily after that, and in tense silence. Thankfully, I'm pretty much accustomed to Whitaker's intensity, and it hasn't seemed to bother her much that I brush it off. I was more concerned about the idea that I might keep seeing more of Set's nonsense and it being me rather than a different host like it normally is.

Kid, this isn't a me issue.

I quickly shake that off. Because I need to keep busy, not think about what I saw.

"Do you…" Mel broke away from interrupting the silence that has been between us.

I stop to turn and make sure she's fine, which she of course is, but edging towards upset. The fact that I stopped at all seems to give her some more confidence to just spit whatever it is out. "Do you blame yourself? For Julius?"

Of course. But I can't just say that. I've found it seems to just dive into a 'heart to heart' that people think they are connecting with me on about how they need to emphasize that it's not truly the case. Pointing out how I had tried to stop him, how it was not my fault such a powerful deity decided I was the tool for his plans for this round. Hello? I know that thanks, I was there.

Just because the facts say I had nothing to do with it, doesn't mean that I didn't have a part to play in the fault. Because my brother refused to listen and to be honest it hit a satisfying point that for once he faced the consequences of his actions. Carter and Sadie though? I will always regret putting them through any of that. I just wish Julius felt that at the volume that I do, wishing he hadn't even considered walking into that museum. Because how fucking selfish can he be?

And no one asks the bigger question anyway. Where do your interests lie that can be similar to the God of Chaos? It's the question no one asks unless you are really playing into the bad guy role. For me? It was a core problem in how I grew up around my brother. I love him still, but the next time I see him I swear I'll throw something at his big blue forehead to see if anything will ever stick in that thick skull of his.

I exhale in slight frustration but answer my company nonetheless. "I do, but I like to think of it as a learning experience too." Set huffs to my attempt to soften the blow of what I just said. But I'm not lying when I say it.

I had continued through the tunnel, Whitaker following close but in silence. When we emerged, we were immediately met with a man that appeared in his fifties, purple toga with bright amber eyes. A friendly smile was the difference between Mel launching into defensive mode.

"General of Armies hailing from Egypt?" He asks.

"Just Amos, and it's more like New York City," I answer swiftly as I get out of the tunnel to allow Mel to exit. "This is Melissa from Miami," I introduce as he quickly noticed I wasn't alone.

He takes her right hand and presses his lips to her fingers. Mel, not accustomed to anyone acting like this around her, immediately gets uncomfortable. "Theo is my name, and welcome to Camp Jupiter! I hope your trip out here was a safe one, yes?" He faces me as he asks this.

"Yes, we even did a little bit of sightseeing along the way," Mel answers so I don't.

"Excellent!" His golden eyes are gleaming. "Come, I will escort the pair of you to your housing. We made sure to make accommodations for one of Egypt's Viziers and his family during your stay."

"Oh, we're not a couple," Mel quickly corrects, earning an eyebrow raise from the Roman. "I'm a friend that is accompanying."

"My apologies then. Is a three-bedroom still manageable? If not, I'm certain we-"

"The housing is more than accommodating enough," I butt in swiftly. "I wasn't even expecting it."

"We decreed it would be sufficient of a camp warming gift. It's yours, and no others," Theo explains. "Come, let me show you, then we'll have supper. I'll give you a tour after, yes?"

"Sounds like a detailed plan," I agree to have Theo gesture us to follow him.

"We intend to let you settle in before we consider negotiations," Theo explains. "Tomorrow is filled with further activities."

Mel seems excited about that at least. I have to admit that learning how the other pantheons live has been interesting to take in. Though Camp Half-Blood hurt, especially once I understood that some of them don't even make it into the camp. So close to the Brooklyn Mansion? Unacceptable.

"I understand that you are a host of Set?" Theo's question puts me promptly back into reality. "Word from the Greek camp."

"I am," I answer without hesitation. "I take it you are all aware of that then if Chiron notified you?"

He nods, "He seemed rather upset. I explained what I knew of your patron though. Our camp may still seem tense, but it'll settle soon enough."

"Oh, you know our pantheon?" Mel asks.

"Only bits and pieces. Set is one of the bigger names that get addressed," Theo explains.

"He is popular, but for the worst reasons," I earned myself a respectful nod of acknowledgment from the man.

"I'm a legacy of Venus," Theo adds. "For the moment, I teach students on theology and other pantheons in our college. I'd love to sit with the two of you and ask some questions on Egypt of today."

"Of course! The meaning behind all of this is getting to know each other better. So long as you agree to us also prying into Rome with our questions?"

That earned me a smile and wink from the Roman. He gave us a small tour of New Rome until we reached the doors of the apparent housing they set aside for us. Gave us directions for supper but allowed us to settle into everything soon after that.

"He's super friendly," I mention to Mel.

"Perhaps too friendly," Mel immediately speaks on her observation. A combat magician would find it suspicious, constantly being put on their toes for any danger around us. Having done work for Chief Lector Iskandar and my father doesn't help any of that. "He likes you though."

"I'm sure it's more of interest in how the gods operate differently from what they are accustomed to. The idea of hosting a god is still really fresh to them." I pause as I watch Mel start to unpack a few things from her bag. "He's a teacher, I'm certain we'll get along just fine."

"Time will tell," Mel stops to face me. "I'm going to clean up a bit before we endure being possibly gawked at for hours. You should probably do the same or something. Just make sure you don't end up doing whatever you want to call happened in front of the museum. I really don't want to explain it."

"Fair."