︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

DAYS IN THE SUN

chapter eighteen
❛ 𝚒'𝚕𝚕 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚖𝚢 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎. ❜

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

THE CAR RIDE was silent aside from the voice of Sally Jackson as she told the demigods stories, mostly about Percy when he was a kid. They had just sat through roughly an eight hour car ride from New York to Maine, something Amara wasn't looking forward to doing again.

She hated sitting still for long, which was probably her demigod side kicking in to be constantly moving. But, the long ride had given her time to catch up with Annabeth about the past five and a half months they've been apart.

The daughter of Athena had gone home for the school year with her father, only coming back to Camp once winter break hit. While the daughter of Zeus stayed behind at camp with Beckendorf and Thalia, with the promise to Jada her two children will return home for Christmas and spend the rest of the year with her.

The past couple months the three demigods had a mission, which Chiron in-trusted for them to train the younger generation. So for hours, days, weeks, and long months they restlessly trained whatever campers remained and newcomers that appeared. Their goal was to prepare them for war, mentally and physically so they would be ready.

"Oh yeah," Thalia spoke up drawing Amara from her thoughts as the raven haired girl looked out the window. "This'll be fun."

The younger Grace turned her attention to the outside world as Westover Hall came into view, resembling a knight's castle but the dark version of it. Her mind immediately thought of it as a Disney villain's hideout with it's spot on the snowy cliff overlooking the forest.

"Percy," the single mother spoke, turning her attention to her only son as she put the car in park. "Are you sure you don't want me to wait?"

"It's okay mom," he answered, unknowingly earning a certain electric blue eyed girl's attention. "I don't know how long this will take."

A frown formed onto Sally's features. "But how will you get back? I'm worried, Percy." The raven haired boys cheeks flushed red as Amara's eyes shined with amusement.

"Don't worry, Ms. Jackson," the brunette spoke up, causing older ocean blue eyes to land on her "I'll keep Percy out of trouble, you'll get him back in one piece."

The mother's frown disappeared as a smile appeared in it's place. "Thank you, Amara." A grin curled onto the girl's lips at the mother's thanks, earning herself an unseen smile from her sister who watched the interaction with pride.

"Now," the older women said. "Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes, Ms. Jackson," Thalia replied this time as she leaned forward, ruffling the younger Grace's hair while sparing their driver a smile. "Thanks for the ride."

"Extra sweaters? You have my cell phone number?"

"Mom—"

"Your ambrosia and nectar, Percy? And a golden drachma in case you need to contact camp?"

"Mom, seriously!" Percy let out a sigh as he opened his door. "We'll be fine, come on guys."

The daughters of Athena and Zeus followed his lead as they climbed out, however Amara stayed behind to speak with the older women for a moment longer. "I'll keep my promise," her words earned Sally's attention as her ocean blue eyes sparkled. "He'll come back in one piece."

The mother turned around in her seat, quickly wrapping her arms around the younger girl. "Thank you," she whispered as she squeezed the girl who was too shocked to move. "Thank you for always being there for him."

Amara wasn't able to get any words out before Sally pulled away, a loving smile lacing her lips. "Jada should be proud of the girl she raised, I'll make sure to tell her you all made it safely."

"Thank you, Ms. Jackson."

"Of course,"

Amara went to climb out of the car, grabbing her bag and ready to shut the door when the older women called out. "Hey, Amara?" The daughter of Zeus raised her brow at the mother. "Make sure you come back in one piece too."

She had to resist the smile that threatened to curl onto her lips at the words, only able to get a nod out before shutting the door and making her way to her fellow demigods.

"Percy, your mom is so cool," Thalia commented as the group of four began making their way to the castle.

"She's pretty okay," Percy shrugged, earning himself an elbow in the ribs from Amara. The boy let out a noise of pain before shooting her a glare, but she merely shrugged. Personally, she believed Sally Jackson deserved to be called more than 'pretty okay' and had no problem showing that.

"Anyway," he continued where he left off. "Did you guys ever get in touch with your mom?"

Thalia stopped in her tracks, tilting her head back as she shot a glare towards the Jackson boy. Anger was clear in the older girl's eyes as her tone became harsh when she spoke. "If that was any of your business Percy—"

"We'd better get inside," Annabeth interrupted the eldest daughter of Zeus. "Grover will be waiting," with that she grabbed Thalia's arm and began dragging her towards the castle with no doubt a lecture planned.

"She passed away two years ago," Amara explained as she tucked her hands inside the leather jacket she wore. "Car accident, right before you showed up at camp."

She made her way after the blonde, Percy following after getting over his shock. "I'm sorry—"

"It's okay, Kelp Head." The brunette shot him a false smirk. "Wasn't much of a mother anyway."

The oak doors had already been opened when the duo made it to the castle, revealing walls lined with weapons, antiques, flags, and more. But the school itself gave off a bad impression, even for a military school. Without realizing her fingers went to her ring as she twisted it back and forth, unknowingly doing the same thing as the son of Poseidon who twisted his pen.

None of them were given a chance to speak aloud about the odd vibes before the doors slammed shut behind the group, confirming their suspicions the school was far from normal.

"Looks like we'll be staying awhile," Amara mumbled as she quickly stashed her bag behind a pillar, hiding it within the shadows as the others followed her lead. They began exploring the school immediately afterwards, only to run into a man and women marching towards them.

The duo had grey hair, dressed in military uniforms with red trimmings. However, the women had a wispy mustache and the man was shaven-clean. "How backwards is that," Amara whispered to Percy, but the boy ignored her as a slight panic look formed on his features.

"Well?" The she-man demanded, crossing her arms across her chest as she questioned the demigods. "What are you doing here?"

Percy began stumbling over his words. "Ma'am, we were just—"

"Visitors are not allowed at the dance!" The man snapped, causing the Jackson boy to jump from the sudden volume change. "You shall be eee-jected!"

Amara arched a brow at the accent, French definitely, but his eyes were something she's never seen a mortal born with before. One was brown and the other blue, unusual for a human.

A sigh escaped from Thalia as she stepped in front of the younger demigods and closer to the adults, a snap echoed throughout the hall from the older demigod. A gust of wind ripped from the eldest Grace's hand that flooded the room, washing over the teachers.

Thalia smiled. "We're not visitors sir," she gestured to the three demigods standing behind her. "You know us, I'm Thalia, this is Amara, Annabeth, and Percy. We all go to school here, remember?"

The duel-eyed teacher narrowed his eyes at the teens, and the brunette couldn't help narrowing hers back. Finally, he stopped the staring contest to look at his coworker. "Ms. Gottschalk, do you know these students?"

The military women looked like someone had just woken her up, her eyes quickly scanned across the four as realization formed. "I believe I do, sir." A frown appeared as she looked at them once more. "Annabeth, Amara, Percy, and Thalia. What are you all doing away from the gymnasium?"

They weren't given the chance to answer before a certain curly brown haired boy ran down the hall and towards the group, his breaths heaving. "You made it! You—" he stopped abruptly upon noticing the teachers. "Oh, Mrs. Gottschalk, Dr. Thorn. I, uh—"

"Yes, Mr. Underwood?" Dr. Thorn questioned with a slight harshness to his tone. "What do you mean they made it? These students live here."

The satyr swallowed after getting shot a glare from the youngest Grace for almost blowing the mist trick. "Of course, Dr. Thorn. I just meant I'm glad they made . . . the punch! They made the punch and it was delicious."

The teacher glared at their protector, but didn't argue further. "Yes . . . the punch was excellent. Now, run along all of you and don't leave the gymnasium again!"

Thalia and Annabeth followed behind Grover while Amara gave a mock salute to the teacher, earning a smile from Percy while Dr. Thorn narrowed his eyes at the girl.

Grover quickly grabbed the girls arm and dragged her down the hall towards the direction of music, getting as far from Dr. Thorn as possible. He finally stopped dragging her when they stopped in front of a door with the word gym written on the glass. "That was close," the satyr let out a breath before dropping the younger demigods arm. "Thank the gods you got here!"

"So," Percy started. "What's the emergency?"

A small smile slipped onto Grover's features. "I found two."

"Two half-bloods?" Thalia's eyes widened momentarily. "Here?"

The satyr nodded. "A brother and sister," he continued as his smile widened. "Their ten and twelve, I'm unsure about their parentage but they're strong. We're running out of time though and I need help."

"Monsters?" Amara assumed.

"One," he agreed. "He suspects, but I think he's not positive yet. Today is the last day of term, he won't let them leave campus without finding out. It could be our last chance, but whenever I try to get close, he's blocking me everytime!"

His tree brown eyes landed on Thalia with a pleading look on what to do next. But her older sister's eyes were glazed over like her mind was in a far off place, and she couldn't blame her. When Grover mentioned a brother and sister, the eldest Grace's eye had shifted towards Amara for a moment so the younger girl instantly knew what she was thinking about.

"Right," The raven haired girl cleared her throat as she looked through the gym door. "The half-bloods are inside the gym right now?"

Grover nodded.

"Then, let's dance." Thalia said with a small smirk as she turned her attention back to the satyr. "Who's the monster?"

"You just met him," their protector looked around, as if waiting for their monster to pop up. "The vice principal, Dr. Thorn."

Amara couldn't help the small grin that tugged at the corner of her lips, she had already challenged him in the hall during their conversation. Now, she couldn't wait to do it again with her weapon in hand.

"There they are," Grover pointed out two kids arguing in the bleachers as they made their way inside the dance. "Bianca and Nico di Angelo."

The brunette tilted her head as she analyzed the demigods, the girl wore a floppy green cap in an obvious attempt to hide her face while smiling at the boy who was obviously her younger brother. They shared the same silky hair, olive skin, and habit of using their hands as they talked.

The boy began shuffling cards he held in his hand and his sister's smile turned into a scowl as she lectured him, but she always seemed on high alert and constantly looked around as if something was doomed to go wrong any second. The duo looked oddly familiar to the demigod, but she couldn't figure out why or where she could've seen them.

"Let's grab them, and get out of here." Percy stated, making his way towards the demigods before Amara pulled him back by his arm.

Dr. Thorn had appeared besides the children, his blue eye seemingly glowing as Amara met his gaze once more. Judging by the harsh glare the creature was sending her, he knew who they were and was waiting to see what they had come for.

"Don't look at the kids," Thalia ordered, drawing everyone's attention away except for a certain demigod.

"Amara," Annabeth hissed. "Stop glaring him down."

The electric blue eyed girl rolled her eyes, but listened to the blonde in the end. "We have to wait for a chance to get them, pretend we're not interested." Thalia instructed. "Throw him off the scent."

"How?"

"We're four powerful half-bloods, our presence alone should confuse him," the eldest Grace explained. "Mingle, act natural, do some dancing but always keep an eye on those kids."

Annabeth's nose scrunched up as she met eye contact with the younger Grace. "Dancing?" They muttered in unison.

Thalia nodded, sparring the girls a smirk until she caught wind of the music. "Ugh," she complained. "Who chose Jesse McCarteny?"

A hurt expression twisted onto Grover's face. "I did."

"Oh my gods, Grover," the oldest demigod rolled her dark electric blue eyes. "That's so lame, couldn't you have played Green Day or something?"

"Green who?"

"Nevermind, let's go dance."

"But I can't dance!"

"You can if I'm leading." Thalia ordered. "Come on, Goat boy."

"Sounds like it would make a good movie title," Amara teased her sister who shot her a jokingly glare before grabbing the satyr's hand, leading him to the dance floor.

"I can't believe she's back," Annabeth mumbled, a smile lacing her lips as the three demigods watch Grover step over the eldest daughter of Zeus's feet.

"Excuse me," A voice spoke up as the group turned, a boy dressed in a military uniform held out his hand towards the blonde. "May I have this dance . . ."

"A—Annabeth," the Chase girl stuttered as she took his hand. "And you may."

Smiles appeared on the duos face as the boy led the daughter of Athena away, leaving Percy and Amara by themselves.

"Hey!" Thalia suddenly called out to the duo, earning their attention away from their blushing blonde friend who was currently being spun. "Dance, you two!" She ordered. "You look stupid just standing there."

Amara shot her sister a glare, "Very funny, Thals." But the older girl returned the gesture with a smirk before focusing back on her dance with the satyr.

The brunette turned back around to see the raven haired boy had one hand behind his back, the other outstretched towards her. "May I have this dance, Grace?"

A grin twisted onto her lips at the sight, accepting his hand as he immediately guided her to the dance floor where Annabeth was being twirled by her military friend. Their hands interlocked while her free hand rested on his shoulder, and he began leading the dance with ease.

She had to resist the urge to laugh when he managed to spin her without making a fool of himself, "I gotta say Jackson," she started once she was pulled back into him. "You're not half bad."

A smirk appeared on his lips as she was suddenly dipped, a noise of surprise escaped the girl as she quickly wrapped her arms around his neck. "Percy!" His sea green eyes shined with joy from her shocked expression, carefully pulling her back up as their grazes unintentionally locked.

She didn't mean too but she began analyzing his eyes, the way the blue and green mixed together was perfect. A true artist would've been jealous if they had been able to see them like she was, at least, until her eyes landed on the empty bleachers.

"They're gone," she suddenly spoke, snapping him from his gaze. "The kids, their gone."

Her hands dropped from him as she began scanning the gym. The di Angelo's was gone, along with Dr. Thorn but the door next to the bleachers had been thrown open.

"We need to follow them," she instructed, her hand grabbing his arm.

"But—"

"There's no time, Perce," the nickname slipped from her tongue with ease, catching herself and the Jackson boy off-guard. She resisted the blood that threatened to rush to her cheeks from what she said, focusing on the demigods. "We need to follow them, now."

"But what about your sister and the others?"

"There's no time, if we go get the others there's a chance we could lose them. We won't be able to catch up." Finally, after a moment of pondering he sent her a nod.

The duo began making their way through the dancers, arriving to the bleachers only to find a floppy green hat with scattered cards on the gym floor. Through the corner of her eye, she was able to see the monster hurrying the siblings out the door by their necks.

"Percy—"

"I know,"

With that he led her towards the direction of the vice principal, through a dark hallway where a painful grunt and scuffling could be heard. Using her free hand, she ripped her necklace free as it morphed into her sword. Percy followed suit as he uncapped Riptide and spun it briefly.

They quickly jogged to the end of the hallway, only to be met with nobody. The whole situation felt like a maze as Percy opened a door that led them straight back to the entry hall. Amara's eyes widened as they landed upon the kids, frozen in their steps and they stared at the children of the big three.

"Thorn's not here," she muttered, earning a subtle nod from the boy as he addressed the di Angelo's.

"It's okay, we're not going to hurt you." Percy spoke in a calm voice as he sent a reassuring smile to the demigods. "I'm Percy, this is my friend Amara and we're going to take you somewhere safe."

The brunette knew the situation felt strange, her suspicions were proven when Bianca's eyes widened and her fists clenched while looking at something behind them. The duo spun around only for Percy to be hit in the shoulder and slammed into a wall behind the di Angelo's.

Amara moved in front of the kids, her sword raised defensively as the demigods gripped onto her shirt for support. She quickly scanned the raven haired boy's injury, something had definitely grazed his shoulder and she could only imagine it to be poison.

"Perseus Jackson . . . Amara Grace," Dr. Thorn spoke as his voice echoed throughout the hall. "I know who you two are."

Their creature emerged from the shadows and into the dim lighting, his face ghoulish instead of a typical older man. "Thank you, for coming out of the gym." He said. "I hate middle school dances."

Percy attempted to lunge at the monster, but the creature was out of reach. A thorn shot out somewhere behind the vice principal, like it had been thrown for him. Amara was barely able to catch it coming her way, quickly grabbing the demigods and ducking as the projectile landed half an inch above her head.

"All four of you, will come with me." Dr. Thorn commanded as a sinister look appeared on the man's face. "Quietly and obediently, if you attempt to make noise, call for help or attack. I will show how accurately I can throw by making a wonderful target out of Amara here."

The Grace girl narrowed her eyes, truly wanting more than ever to take him on with her weapon.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

Amara held onto Percy's forearm as they followed behind Thorn, the di Angelo's walking behind the two as the older demigods instructed. The raven haired boy's head suddenly fell onto the brunette's shoulder, his eyes closed as she grew an idea of what he was trying to do.

"Jackson," the vice principal hissed as he glared at the boy. "What are you doing? Keep moving!"

"It's my shoulder," he lied smoothly as the duo began shuffling forward once again. "It burns."

"Bah, my poisons causes pain." Amara had to resist the urge to smirk, so she was right about it being poison. "It will not kill you, walk!"

The four demigods were herded outside and through a snowy path in the woods, the only light provided being the moon and dimly lit lamplights.

"There is a clearing up ahead," Thorn explained. "We will summon your ride there."

"What ride?" Bianca demanded as she made her way besides Percy, gripping onto the older boy's jacket but staying wary of his sword.

"Silence you insufferable girl!"

"Hey, don't talk to my sister that way!" Nico called out with shaky lips and tone as he made his way besides Amara, also gripping onto the girls shirt.

"Halt," the monster commanded. He made the demigods stop in a clearing somewhere in the forest, on a cliff overlooking the sea where the vice principal led them towards.

Amara's arm around Percy tightened as Thorn continued making them walk towards the cliff edge. "Percy," she hissed, only able to see mist and darkness instead of water.

"I know, Mara," he mumbled back as he stumbled when they moved to walk forward once again, luckily Bianca helped stabilize him before he could faceplant into the snow.

"The package," Thorn spoke drawing the demigod's attention to the cellphone pressed against his ear. "It is ready to be delivered."

She was able to see Percy's head tilt towards the water behind the creature, resulting in their monster to laugh once he caught the action. "By all means, son of Poseidon." The vice principle gestured to the water with a maniac grin. "There is the sea, jump, and save yourself."

Thorn's gaze landed on Amara next, her gaze looking anywhere but the water that laid beyond the cliff edge. "But," the monster's grin widened at the evident fear in the electric blue eyed girl. "I doubt the daughter of Zeus could make it very long, she's not very fond of water as I've been told. Isn't that correct, Amara?"

Percy's teeth clenched as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders tighter, unintentionally tugging her closer at the threat that was unleashed through his Thorn's words.

"What did he call you guys?" Bianca questioned.

"Not now," Amara shot down the demigod.

"You do have a plan, right?"

"I would kill you before you reach the water," the monster called towards the Jackson boy. "You do not realize who I am, do you?"

Amara caught a flicker of movement behind him as another thorn whistled by Percy's ears, it had been flexible . . . like a tail. A glare formed in her electric blue eyes at the manticore who stood before them, but it seemed like he didn't care she had figured it out.

"Unfortunately," Thorn spoke. "You are wanted alive, if possible. Otherwise, I promise you would already be dead."

Thunder rumbled above as the storm seemed to worsen, for once not Amara's doing but she made a mental note to take advantage of it later.

"Who wants us?" Bianca demanded the creature with a strong voice. "Because if you think you'll get a ransom, you're wrong. We don't have any family, Nico and I . . . We've got no one but each other."

The manticore let out a false sympathetic noise. "Do not worry, little brats." He snapped, throwing away the sympathy. "You will be meeting my employer soon enough. Then you will have a brand-new family."

"Luke," Percy breathed as his grip tightened. "You work for Luke."

The creature's eyes turned to narrow slits on they landed on the children of Poseidon and Zeus. "You have no idea what is happening, Perseus Jackson. I will let the general enlighten you. You are going to do him a great service tonight in which he is looking forward to meeting you and Amara Grace."

"The general?" Amara questioned as her brow raised towards the monster. "Who's the general?"

She didn't get an answer, instead the older man looked to the horizon with a smirk. "Here we are," he spoke. "Your transportation."

A searchlight appeared, briefly blinding the half-blood as she shielded her eyes while the sound of helicopter blades grew closer. "Where are you taking us?" Nico asked.

"You should be honored, my boy!" The monster spoke. "You will have the opportunity to join a great army! Just like that silly game you play with cards and dolls."

"They're not dolls! They're figurines! And you can take your great army and—"

"Now, now," Thorn interrupted the boy while Amara held a smirk, the kid had spunk. "You will change your mind about joining us, my boy. And if you do not, well . . . there are other uses for half-bloods. We have many monstrous mouths to feed, the great stirring is underway."

"The great what?" Percy questioned, his arm around her shoulder slipping off as he stood to his full height which was a little taller than the brunette.

"The stirring of monsters," a crooked evil smile appeared on the manticore's face. "The worst, most powerful of them are waking, one's not seen in thousands of years. They will cause death and destruction in ways mortals have never known, and we shall have the most important of all. The one who will bring about the downfall of Olympus!"

"Okay," Bianca whispered while lightly rolling her eyes. "He's gone insane."

"Amara," Percy mumbled. "We need to jump off the cliff into the sea."

She didn't get a chance to argue before Bianca spoke up again. "Oh, super idea, you're insane too." An amused grin twisted onto the daughter of Zeus's lips before she was knocked to the ground by an invisible force, one she recognized to be Annabeth and her invisibility cap.

Thalia soon appeared in the younger Grace's line of sight, her spear raised as she let out a war cry. "For Zeus!"

Quickly, Amara got to her feet and hurried the di Angelo's to the trees. "Stay here," she commanded, spinning her sword lightly. "Don't let him see you, and don't get in the way of swords, lightning, winds, and a giant tail."

Bianca arched a brow. "Lightning and winds?" As if on cue, lightning flashed somewhere in the ocean while the winds in the area picked up. Amara ruffled the girls hair, "See what I mean?"

"Yep, have fun."

Turning her attention back to the battle at head, she was able to witness her sister jabbing at Thorn's head. The manticore let out a snarl, swatting the spear aside as his hand morphed into a giant paw with claws that slashed against Thalia's shield. If it hadn't been for Aegis, the shield their father gifted her, she would've been a goner once more.

A growl escaped the vice principal as he launched a volley of missiles at the eldest daughter of Zeus. Taking a few steps back, Amara lifted her hand out to the wind spirits in the area. "Let's see how well Dionysus's training has worked out," she mumbled and began running.

Catching a stray wind spirit, she guided it to the snow underneath her shoes where she was suddenly launched into the air. Dionysus had taught her not only to use the spirits to fly, but give her boosts and launch her forward as well.

Taking use of the advantage, she raised her sword above her head while making her descent towards the creature. Thorn let out a roar upon her approaching figure, but Grover had quickly sprang into action, his reed pipes lifted to his lips as he played a frantic jig. Grass began breaking through the snow as weeds wrapped around Thorn's legs, trapping him in one spot.

In an attempt to dodge the daughter of Zeus, the creature raised his morphed arm towards her. Her sword sunk through the paw, earning an agony filled growl as he began thrashing his arm around in an attempt to shake her off.

"As fun as this look," Amara called, gripping her sword tighter as her shoes dig into the snow. "It isn't!"

Thalia suddenly raced forward, her spear raised as she jab the weapon into Thorn's paw arm. "For Zeus!" The eldest Grace yelled once again, summoning lightning directly to the spear in which shocked the manticore.

The monster let out a roar as his shape shifted, his face still human but his body has transformed to that of a lion. His tail, leathery, and spiky swung deadly thorns in multiple directions.

The force of his change alone threw the daughters of Zeus off, sending the Grace family tumbling through the snow in different directions. "Amara!" Percy yelled, his focus on the brunette while the daughter of Athena cried out for Thalia.

The younger demigod laid on the ground motionless, the only clue she was still alive being the rise and fall of her shoulders. At least, until she lifted her now snow covered head from the ground.

"Who are you people?" Bianca questioned as she raced to Amara, ironically near where the girl had hid the siblings. "And what is that?"

"A manticore?" Nico gasped as he fell to his knees besides the electric blue eyed girl who was struggling to get back to her feet. "He's got three thousand attack power and plus five to saving throws!"

Thorn clawed away Grover's weeds, his attention turning to the di Angelo's as a snarl escaped. They had just gotten the daughter of Zeus to her feet, when she saw the thorns being shot their way. "Move!" She yelled, shoving the siblings to the side and awaited the feeling of being jabbed with the poisonous splinters.

At least, that's what she thought until arms wrapped around her, tackling her into the snow. She was able to catch a glimpse of sea green eyes as he held a shield over their bodies, guarding the kids behind them who had huddled together.

With a thwack sound, Grover suddenly appeared besides the duo as he landed on the ground with a thud.

"Yield!" The vice principal roared, but Thalia was already up and charging against him. "Never!" For a second, Amara thought her sister would be able to run him through until the helicopter from earlier appeared out of the mist. The searchlights blinded the older girl as the manticore swatted her away with it's tail. Her weapons flew off in different directions as Thorn prepared for another attack.

"No!" The youngest Grace yelled, ready to race to her sisters side had if not been for Percy's arms still wrapped around her. "Jackson, let go!" She demanded, but he didn't budge. Instead, Annabeth had managed to make her way across the field with Aegis on her arm. The blonde successfully blocked a spike from hitting the raven haired girl as she slid next to the older girl, using the demigods shield as protection against the thorn's.

The manticore let out a laugh at the sight of the children of the big three before forced to hide behind their defenses. "Now do you see how hopeless it is?" He demanded. "Yield, little heroes."

And then the piercing sound of a hunting horn blew through the air, signaling the arrival of a group Amara thought she would never see again.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

6-29-23

hello hello ! i hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as i enjoyed writing it, this officially marks the beginning of the titans curse ! i have so many things planned for you, and i cannot wait to see all your reactions :) thank you for the support and i'll see you in the next chapter <3