Ch.13

All rights belong to Riordan

"So, m'lady, why did Minerva tell the camps Percy is dead if he isn't?" Reyna inquired as they traversed Artemis's home.

"I will explain once Percy finishes his workout and joins us in the main room," Artemis replied cryptically.

Reyna nodded in understanding before a soft smirk played on her lips. "I see things with Percy are going well. I thought Annabeth was going to blow a fuse at the kiss Percy gave you at the premiere," she remarked teasingly.

Artemis smiled softly, a hint of warmth in her eyes. "Yeah, they are. We haven't made anything official yet because we want to get comfortable being affectionate around other gods and with each other," she explained, her voice tinged with fondness.

Reyna nodded in understanding, empathizing with Artemis's sentiments. "I'm sure Zoe is ecstatic that her parents are happy together. Most demigods and even godlings aren't that lucky," she remarked thoughtfully.

Artemis's expression softened, a hint of sadness flickering in her eyes. "Yeah, I definitely wasn't planning on finding happiness with anyone after millennia of being alone, but Percy is special," she admitted, her voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and affection.

Reyna nodded in agreement, her expression reflecting her acknowledgment of Percy's unique qualities. "Yeah, he sure is," she affirmed with a small smile, acknowledging the profound impact Percy had on those around him.

Artemis regarded Reyna with a slightly puzzled and suspicious expression, prompting Reyna to offer a quick explanation. "Most of the girls at camp were fond of Percy when he arrived, myself included. Unfortunately, he was still with Annabeth at that point, so there was no chance of anything happening between us."

Understanding dawned on Artemis as she slowly connected the dots, recalling Percy's teasing earlier. "Is that why you didn't respond when he asked if you had found someone?" she inquired tentatively. Reyna nodded sadly in response.

"When you lose out on two demigods like Jason and Percy, it's hard to find someone who compares, you know? I'm immortal now, so I have all the time in the world to find someone else, but it's going to be a while before I'm ready for that," Reyna explained, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.

Artemis nodded in understanding before reaching two doors. Pushing them open, she led Reyna into a spacious room that resembled a massive living area. Reyna's eyes widened in amazement at the sheer size of the room, taking in the various activities of its occupants.

The hunters were scattered around the room, engaged in different activities. Some were engrossed in board games, while others were meticulously sharpening their arrows. A couple of them were engaged in a lively game of ping pong, their laughter echoing through the room. The remainder of the hunters moved in and out of what appeared to be a kitchen area, suggesting a hive of activity within.

"Damn, m'lady, got a big enough place?" Reyna exclaimed, her eyes widening in astonishment. Artemis chuckled before responding, "When you travel around with a varying-sized group of girls, you tend to need more space. Hephaestus enchanted my home to expand to fit everyone comfortably."

Reyna nodded appreciatively as she surveyed the expansive room. Her smile grew warmer as Zoe emerged from the kitchen, her arms laden with an array of snacks ranging from chips to cookies. Catching sight of Reyna, Zoe beamed and carefully navigated her way over, ensuring not to drop any of the snacks.

"Reyna, hiiiii!" Zoe exclaimed joyfully as she reached them. Reyna laughed warmly before responding, "Hello, Zoe! How are you?"

Zoe's smile widened as she replied, "I'm good. Want some chips?"

"No, thank you," Reyna declined politely.

Zoe nodded understandingly before turning to her mother, who was beaming affectionately at her daughter. "Mom, when is Dad gonna be here?" she inquired eagerly.

Artemis began to respond, but before she could utter a word, the doors behind them swung open.

"I'm already here," a voice chimed in amusingly. The girls turned to see Percy walking into the room, his smile lighting up his face. Percy made his way over to the group, enveloping Artemis in a warm hug as he reached them. She returned the embrace, leaning contentedly against his chest.

"DADDDDD, do you want some snacks?" Zoe exclaimed excitedly. Percy chuckled before replying, "Sure Zoe. What did you find?" Zoe giggled and held out her pile of snacks for him to inspect. Percy sifted through them before selecting a bag of Blue Doritos. Satisfied with his choice, Zoe skipped over to where Thalia was sitting, eager to join the fun.

"Alright, Arty, now that we're all here, including Reyna, should we explain what's been going on?" Percy inquired, glancing down at Artemis. She smiled and nodded before stepping away from Percy, calling out to the room.

"Hunters, please find seats and settle down so we can go over the situation," Artemis announced loudly. The hunters swiftly abandoned their activities, rushing over to the sitting area and taking seats.

Meanwhile, Artemis headed to the kitchen to ensure all the food had been put away, while Percy and Reyna made their way to the sitting area, taking seats across from Thalia. Once she had returned, she began her explanation.

"So, as you guys know, Athena visited the camps a few days ago to inform them of Percy's death. As you can see, he's clearly not dead. The reason for this is because someone made an attempt on Percy's life at the premiere, and unfortunately succeeded."

The hunters listened intently, their brows furrowing in confusion. "But, m'lady, he's sitting right there," Thalia exclaimed, puzzled. Percy grinned before nodding in agreement. "Yes, I did die, but I got better," he quipped, summoning a knife to cut his hand. The hunters watched in astonishment as Percy revealed his golden blood, providing undeniable proof of his miraculous recovery.

"You're a god now," Thalia exclaimed in surprise. Percy chuckled before nodding and dismissing the knife. "Yes, I am. God of the tides, loyalty, and heroes, at your service," he confirmed with a grin. The hunters murmured in astonishment before smiling, pleased that Zoe's father was now immortal like her mother.

"Wait, m'lady, who tried to kill Percy?" Thalia demanded, her anger simmering beneath the surface.

"We don't know for certain, but Percy suspects it was Leo due to his absence during the premiere and his underlying hatred for Percy over his rescue of Calypso from her island," Artemis explained, her tone grave.

Thalia sat in shock before speaking through clenched teeth, "I always disliked that boy, and now he kills my cousin? He's a dead god walking." The hunters nodded in agreement, their expressions mirroring Thalia's anger and rage.

"We don't know for sure if it was Leo; it's only an estimated assumption," Percy clarified, his voice steady. "The reason we told the camps I'm dead is because we're going to let it slip to the hero gods that I'm alive and just being kept on Olympus in secret for my safety. We're hoping that Leo would have confessed by now if it was him, but clearly, as that hasn't happened, we are waiting to see if he will attempt it again," he explained, his tone resolute.

The hunters nodded, absorbing Artemis's explanation. Then, one of the younger ones spoke up, "But if you're a god, what good would attempting again do for him?"

Artemis smiled at the hunter before responding, "Because the only people who know Percy is a god now are sitting in this room, as well as the other Olympians. If Leo tries again, he would be under the false assumption that Percy is still mortal, and we will catch him in the act."

The group fell into contemplative silence, mulling over Artemis's words. After a few moments, Artemis turned to Reyna. "Reyna, when was the last time you saw Leo?" she inquired.

Reyna leaned back, deep in thought for a moment before replying, "The day that Annabeth went to the gods to throw you and Percy under the bus over Zoe's existence."

"It's been a while since then," Percy confirmed, nodding in agreement with Reyna's assessment.

Reyna then recalled another significant event from that time. "Percy, remember when we all had a panic attack because Zoe was gone and the note you guys left was missing?" she asked, her brows furrowing in concern.

Percy's confusion deepened as he nodded his head in acknowledgment. "What if it was Leo? He has access to our house," Reyna suggested.

Percy shook his head in response. "Unfortunately, Leo was with his dad at that time. I asked him a few days ago," he explained, his expression troubled.

Reyna nodded in disappointment. "I guess that leaves just Annabeth then. I don't see why a random person would come into our home just to take the note."

Thalia furrowed her brows in confusion. "Why would Annabeth go out of her way to do that?" she asked.

Reyna turned to face her, her expression somber. "Because I don't think she's too happy about Zoe's existence. Or Percy's relationship with Artemis, for that matter. We thought she was going to blow a fuse at the affection the two showed each other at the premiere."

Thalia nodded in understanding before turning her attention to Artemis and Percy. "What would taking the note accomplish, though? It's not like she kidnapped Zoe herself."

Artemis considered for a moment before responding, "It's possible she was hoping another god would visit the heroes, and they would have to explain that Zoe disappeared under their watch. Most of the gods adore her, so if she went missing while with them, they would have been severely punished for it."

Reyna felt her anger growing as she listened to Artemis's explanation. If what Artemis said was true, was Annabeth really trying to drag them all down out of jealousy of Artemis? Her thoughts were interrupted when Percy spoke up.

"Artemis, as much as I hate to say it, what if Annabeth is working with Leo to some degree? I highly doubt Annabeth would agree to attempt murder, but it's possible she helped plan when Leo was supposed to do his thing," Percy suggested, his expression troubled.

Artemis furrowed her brow in thought, considering the possibility, but before she could respond, Reyna interjected, her tone firm. "I don't think so. Annabeth took your supposed death harder than any of us. The only way that's possible is if Annabeth didn't know what Leo was going to do, and only knew he was going to do something," Reyna reasoned, her eyes reflecting her conviction.

"It's still a possibility that needs to be considered, Reyna," Percy reiterated firmly. "There's no way that Leo could have planned that kind of attack on his own. That boy is mechanically gifted, but tactically, that's all Annabeth's area."

Reyna nodded dejectedly, acknowledging Percy's point. It was indeed possible that Annabeth didn't know what Leo was going to do, and that's why she took the news of his death so hard. She probably felt incredibly guilty for any involvement she may have had, intentional or not.

"Well for now, let's sit tight until the gods decide to inform the other hero gods. We will let them know that Reyna is with me and Zoe as a support system while we grieve for Percy, so they don't get suspicious with her absence," Artemis said.

The group nodded in agreement before Artemis dismissed them back to their activities. Reyna, Zoe, and Thalia walked off to join the hunters, while Percy walked out of the room, with Artemis following in concern.

She followed him until they reached her bedroom, where Percy slipped inside, shortly followed by Artemis. As she entered, she saw Percy sitting on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on the floor.

"Percy, what's wrong?" she asked softly. Percy looked up at her, and Artemis could see the pain etched in his eyes.

"I'm the god of loyalty, and yet supposedly two people that meant a lot to me now tried and succeeded in killing me. How do you think that makes me feel?" he expressed, his voice tinged with anguish.

Artemis quickly walked over and pulled Percy into a hug as she felt him softly cry into her chest. "It's okay Percy, we'll figure this out," she assured him gently. Percy nodded into her chest but remained in her embrace for a few minutes, finding solace in her presence.

As they held each other, Artemis sensed someone approaching her bedroom door. She turned her head to see Thalia poking her head in, seemingly about to say something, but froze as she observed Percy's vulnerable state. Artemis shook her head and gestured for Thalia to leave, which she promptly did, understanding the need for privacy.

Artemis soothed Percy as best she could for a few minutes until she felt his tears stop. When he finally pulled away, she looked at him with concern in her eyes before leaning down and softly kissing him, a gesture of comfort and reassurance. Percy responded softly before she pulled away.

"We should check on the girls to make sure they haven't destroyed anything," Artemis said softly, breaking the silence.

Percy smiled gently before nodding, allowing Artemis to pull him to his feet and lead him back out of the room, grateful for her support.

When they found the girls, they were still in the living room, engrossed in the games they had been playing before the meeting.

Artemis, from the corner of her eye, could see Thalia observing Percy with concern in her eyes, clearly worried about what she had witnessed minutes prior.

Percy and Artemis walked over to one of the empty couches and settled down, with Artemis leaning her head on Percy's chest and curling into his side. They found comfort in each other's presence, a silent reassurance amidst the turmoil surrounding them.

"Percy, Ouranos should be visiting you in a dream any day now, right?" Artemis inquired, her gaze fixed on Percy. He nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, sometime in the next couple of days. Have you decided what you want to do with Zoe?"

Artemis nodded before responding, "I want to take Ouranos's offer. Having my old lieutenant and daughter together would be a dream come true."

Percy smiled, pleased with her decision. "I'm glad to hear that because I want to take his offer too. We'll have to wait a few years before seeing Zoe again, but knowing she'll be back soon is good enough for me."

Artemis smiled warmly as she envisioned her old lieutenant returning to her. With that decision made, she settled back down at his side.

That evening, while the group were having dinner, they had an unexpected visitor

Percy was the one who opted to check who was at the door so Artemis didn't have to to leave the table.

When Percy swung the door open, the sight of Hermes caught him off guard. "Hello, Percy. Mind if I come in?" Percy nodded, stepping aside to make way. "Of course. The girls are just having dinner. Are you hungry?" A grin spread across Hermes' face as he nodded in response, stepping over the threshold while Percy shut the door behind them.

As Artemis and Percy reentered the dining room, the girls turned their attention to Hermes, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity. Artemis's question hung in the air, prompting Hermes to offer an explanation.

With a partial smile, Hermes cleared his throat before addressing them. "Annabeth came to visit us today," he began, drawing their attention. "According to her, Leo hasn't been the same since the day Percy returned to camp."

Artemis's brows furrowed in concern as she listened intently, prompting Hermes to continue. "She did help in the attack at the premiere, but she was under false pretense that Leo was just planning on pranking you and Percy as a welcome back. She had no idea of his true intentions."

A sense of disbelief washed over the group as they processed Hermes's words, their thoughts racing with implications. Hermes's gaze held a hint of somberness as he concluded, "Father was skeptical, but Apollo confirmed her story."

"So the question now is, what's wrong with Leo," Percy pondered, to which Hermes nodded in agreement. "Leo departed Olympus the same time as the other hero gods, according to his father. We don't know his current whereabouts," Hermes replied.

Reyna shook her head, voicing her skepticism. "Still, this isn't typical of Leo. There's more to this situation than we're aware of. There has to be."

The girls exchanged thoughtful glances before Artemis cleared her throat. "Well, thank you for the information, Hermes. Since you're already here, why not join us for dinner?" Hermes smiled warmly before nodding his assent. Percy waved his hand, enlarging the table to accommodate Hermes to allow him to sit beside him. With that settled, the group settled in for the evening.