The Apollo cabin was kept busy most of the night with the wounded. We didn't sleep much. There was a lot of activity in the infirmary. Will yelled at me for using too much energy.

"Your not very frightening sunny boi, when you flung your hands around like that." I signed back with an exhausted smirk.

"Eleanora Blofis I swear to the gods I will tie you to the bed."

"I'd burn the rope."

"You're impossible!"

"Impertinent you mean."

"Both."

Kayla tapped us on the shoulder. "Guys? Less hand arguing and more helping. No more powers. Nectar and Ambrosia, and our other remedies from now on."

"Fine."

Will threw his hands into the air in exasperation. I winked at Kayla and went back to the camper.

I moved to the next bed, I needed to pop his dislocated shoulder back into place and wrap the broken bone. He shied away from me. It wasn't the first time. I waved Kayla over and she explained. But he shook his head adimint. I felt the anger and hurt. I threw the bandages and sling into his lap and stormed out of the room, slamming the door open and I stormed out into the sunshine and over to the cabin. I threw myself into bed, dirty sweaty and covered in blood, but I was exhausted and needed to sleep. And if they didn't want me around, fine, I'd sleep. Take my iron and Victim D I was asleep within seconds.

🔆

I woke with a jolt.

My dreams were of a huge raging wild flame being trapped and contained. The ice cold smooth black walls became closer, a black solid roof slammed down, cutting off any air. Cold smoke and mist swirled in the air. The flame was suffocating. It sputtered and was dying. The cold stone box became smaller. And a cold sharp voice cackled in my head.

I was twisted in my blankets. A few other Apollo kids were sleeping in the cabin now. I lay for a minute, the sun was beating through the wide open windows. None of us had waken up with the Sun Chariot guitar solo. Maybe dad saw his exhausted children struggling to heal all the campers and kept the music down. I rolled out of bed and grabbed my stuff and went to the showers.

I stood in the hot water for a long time. Finally scrubbing all the dirt and dust and grime and blood. I felt better. Slowly drying off and now I stood looking in the mirror again, wrapped in a towel. Last time I did this was before I left camp, almost a month ago, maybe longer. I didn't really look different, but I definitely felt different. My hair had changed. Firey red and white blond and flecks of gold. My eyes were still bright soft honey brown, but now they had flecks of gold. And glowed slightly. I had a wicked scar across my temple from the rock I took for Raph, I also had a scar on my palm. The skin wasn't black anymore, but the stumble of magic was scared into my skin. It was still ice white.

I inhaled and looked away. My camp t shirt was ruined and I'd have to get another one, instead I pulled a black tank top on and my jean shorts. My yellow convers sneakers somehow still held up after all they went through on our quest. The conch shell horn sounded calling us for breakfast. We all filed into the pavilion. I sat at the end of the bench. I noticed a dark figure flickering around the shadows. I watched Nico look around and then turn to leave. I filled my plate quickly. Chucked a muffin and some fruit into the fire as a thank you to Apollo and left the pavilion with my plate, balancing two to go mugs. I followed the shadow into the tree line of the forest. And sat down beside Nico.

"What are you doing?"

"Making sure you eat."

I handed him a blueberry muffin, and hit chocolate.

"Your gonna get in trouble "

"By who? Apollo?" I raised an eyebrow. "Dad's cool. I sat at Percy's table the first day, campers were pissed. But I wasn't admitted. Also Will write me a doctor's note." I winked. "I don't like rules. I think those one especially are dumb. It's stupid to keep everyone so segregated."

"At least you have a place. He said moodily. "And I'm not sitting with Chiron."

"Apollo's cabin is cool. We don't care."

"Ya, you made that clear." He snapped.

"Why you angry?"

"I'm not angry."

"Ya you are."

"Am not.

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Tell that to your muffin that's now squished to nothing and the dead grass around you."

"Fuck sakes Nora!"

"Fuck sakes indeed. Now tell me why your angry."

"Because I don't belong!"

"Bull shit. But explain."

He looked away, his dark eyes narrowed. He dropped the squished muffin. He lain his hand on the ground and from the earth a small little skeleton creature crawled out of the dirt. It looked like a little squirrel or something. It scampered up his arm.

"How many can do that? I control the dead Nora. No wants to be around someone like that."

"You're right no one at all, none of us."

I rolled my eyes and leaned back with a smug look.

"What's your problem? Whip that stupid smirk off your face."

"Nah. I'm being impertinent."

I saw his scowl deepen as he glared at me. He tried to be intimidating, I just smirked even more. I had seen his true self, he was kind and carrying, and I knew he wouldn't ever hurt me. And I chuckled. Will and Michael, Austin and Kayla plunked down beside us.

Nico stiffened and looked shocked.

"Yes Nico." And I started to sign along with talking in my head, for the sake of the others, "no one wants to be around you and you don't belong."

Will looked shocked, "who says you don't belong?" He signed as he spoke.

Nico just scowled. I smiled and tapped Nico and signed as I mind linked.

"They are just as scared of me. Half the campers wouldn't let me heal them because they think I'm going to Fry them rotisserie style."

"Fact." Austin signed with a chuckle.

"See? We belong together sunshiny death dream team!"

Wrinkled his nose and threw a blueberry at me. Will was howling with laughter. I smiled gently at Nico as he deflated. I could still detect his uncomfortablness, but he didn't get up and run away. So I would count that as a win.

🔆

The Council of Cloven Elders held an emergency meeting in their sacred grove. The three senior satyrs were there, along with Chiron, who was in wheelchair form. His broken horse leg was still mending, so he would be confined to the chair for a few months, until the leg was strong enough to take his weight. The grove was filled with satyrs and dryads and naiads up from the water- hundreds of them, anxious to hear what would happen. Juniper, Annabeth, and Percy stood by Grover’s side.

I was also asked to come by Chiron, and I dragged Nico and Will along with me. One, because Nico was there when when it happens and two because they could translate for me, even though Chiron was fluent in American Sign. I stood at the back with Nico and Will.

Silenus, an old fat Sytre who was in charge of the Council of Cloven Elders, wanted to exile Grover immediately, but Chiron persuaded him to at least hear evidence first, so whoever was present told everyone what had happened in the crystal cavern, and what Pan had said. Then several eyewitnesses from the battle described the weird sound Grover had made, which drove the Titan's army back and then how I insinerated them as they tried to go back underground.

"Juniper says it was panic. She says Grover summoned the power of the wild god. And now Percy asked what "

"Yes clearly." I rolled my eyes, I could see Percy's scrumpled face and furrowed eyebrows.

"Now Chiron is explaining; during the first war of the gods and the Titans-"

"Can you do different voices? It's very hard to distinguish who's talking."

"Absolutely not. And I hate you."

"You love me, don't lie death boy. I can tell. Now get back to narrating. This is a good story!"

"I should leave you here and you'd be lost without me!"

"You wouldn't!" I slapped a hand to my chest and the back of my other hand to my forehead, faking a faint.

"Try me, Sparky!"

I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"Fine I'll struggle along. Now continue please."

"...uhh...Pan let forth a horrible cry that scared away the enemy armies. It is- it was his greatest power- a massive wave of fear that helped the gods win the day. The word panic is named after Pan. And Grover used that same power."

The fat old syatr was clearly upset and kept off his big ornate chair, and was bellowing something.

"Fat Sytre says its all sacrilege and we're lying! Perhaps the wild god favored us with a blessing. Or perhaps Grover’s music was so awful it scared the enemy away! Or this girl, he means you by the way-"

"Yes clearly. He's pointing at me."

"He thinks you fried them all."

"I did."

"But Grover scared them first.

"He did something all right. I don't actually know. I didn't hear it. I can't hear."

"Really? Hadn't noticed."

He looked at me blankly. His humour varied, sometimes it was dark and twisted, and something it was so dry, it was hilarious. I snorted, silently with laughter. Will gave us another look and raised his eyes.

Grover was shaking his head. He was quite calm considering how angry and dumb his fat old boss was. And considering how nervous and upset he was before we set out, he seemed different. Clearly he had grown in his confidence and there was something else, he seemed more regal.

"Grover is trying to explain again. Pan let his spirit pass into all of us. He says we must act and work to renew the wild, protect what's left...or something. He wants everyone to spread the word. Pan is dead."

"Huh there ya go." I shrugged.

"Now this old dude is mad. Something about two thousand years of searching, blah blah blah. He wants to continue searching and Exile the traitor..."

"Man these guys are persistent huh."

I watched as more of the older satyrs were nodding, but they looked more scared of this Silenus guy.

"Now they wanna vote."

"Of course they do."

Everyone in the area turned, confused, I looked over my shoulder. Striding into the grove was a middle aged man. He wore a formal black suit, a deep purple tie and violet dress shirt, his curly dark hair carefully combed. It took me a second I glanced at Will who looked shocked.

"Mr D." He signed.

I made an OH face and looked back at him. I was told he always wore wild Hawaiian patterned shirts, but I guess he had business to attend to. His eyes were bloodshot, and his pudgy face was flushed, but he looked like he was suffering from grief more than wine-withdrawal. And then I remembered, and felt guilty. His son was killed in battle. He started up the middle and stopped and backed up and regarded me for a second.

I waved and signed. "The infamous Mr D."

He raised an eyebrow. And in perfect American sign he, said "Erica Barker. Your what all this fuss is about?"

"It's Eleanora Blofis, sir "

"Sir?" He raised his eyebrow.

"I'm trying not to be impertinent. Sir."

I saw a small twitch in his lip.

"How do you know sign?"

"Selective mutism is a biproduct of some mental illness, which is a specialty of mine, and differences and such. And I heard Elinor Bennett was... selectively deaf."

I snorted. "Nora. And uh...Yeah... selectively..."

He nodded and turned back to the satyrs, who all stood respectfully and bowed as he approached. Dionysus waved his hand, and a new chair grew out of the ground next to Silenus’s- a throne made of grapevines.

Dionysus sat down and crossed his legs. He snapped his fingers and satyr hurried forward with a plate of cheese and crackers and a Diet Coke. The god of wine looked around at the assembled crowd.

"Miss me?" He also signed as he spoke. For a god who had a reputation for hating the campers and the camp itself, he was signing fluidly for only my sake. The satyrs fell over themselves nodding and bowing.

"I did not miss this place!" Dionysus clearly was not impressed with the situation or the place he was at. "I bear bad news, my friends. Evil news. The minor gods are changing sides. Morpheus has gone over to the enemy. Hecate, Janus, and Nemesis, as well. Zeus knows how many more."

Thunder rumbled in the distance.

"Strike that," Dionysus said. "Even Zeus doesn’t know. Now, I want to hear Grover’s story. Again, from the top."

I could see Silenus protesting. Clearly Mr D didn't appreciate being told otherwise and his eyes flared with purple fire.

"I have just learned that my son Castor is dead, Silenus. I am not in a good mood. You would do well to humor me."

Silenus gulped, and waved at Grover to start again. I was done, there wasn't much more for me to do. I slid backwards and left the area. I felt Nico and Will following me.

Will tapped my shoulder, "I'm going to the infirmary."

I nodded, "I'll come." I looked at Nico. "You too?"

He shook his head. I narrowed my eyes.

"I'm not leaving. Just...need some alone time."

"No ghost friends. You come find me!"

He nodded. I squeezed his shoulder gently. "After my shift I'll come find you."

I spent the afternoon in the infirmary with the other Apollo medics. Again after the fifth person refused my help, I threw the medical kit onto the bed and stormed out. Tears in my eyes I stormed through the field and away from everyone. Heads turned as I walked passed. I must have had sparks flying off of me. I noticed when I was feeling especially emotional I sparked it glowed. I found a patch of sun and sunk down. Placing my head into my hands and letting the tears fall.

I hadn't seen Raph since the battle. Him and Chris were in a different room, and I didn't risk going on. I was scared to set him off and I didn't think my heart could handle the look of fear and panic in his eyes when he looked at me. Even the confusion hurt. My chest hurt from crying so hard, the wild gasping shallow breathing was making it hard. The knife in my chest was twisting deeper and deeper.

I didn't feel the vibrations on the ground until I felt the presence of someone. Hands took hold of my wrists. They were calloused, warm and sure of themselves. I jerked my head up and tried to scramble backwards, but I was held tightly. I stopped fighting. Staring back at me were dark intense broody eyes, they softened when I looked back.

I opened my mouth slightly. But then I froze.
He let go with one hand and did the simple sigh for hi.

I spelt his name, "Raph?"

He made the sign for sunshine. A sob got stuck in my throat.

He let go of both my wrists and I started signing so fast.

"What? How? Is this you? Are you back? What happened? Did Mr D help?"

He chuckled, his eyes lighting up as he watched me sign like it was a race. He held up both hands.

"Slow."

He pulled out a paper and pen. And wrote something down. He held it up. Mr D fixed my mind. Will told me what happened. I'm sorry. I'll learn, only know a few words right now.

I covered my mouth with a hand, holding the sob back. He smirked at me. He gently, but firmly pulled my hand away from my mouth. His other hand slid to my cheek, his hand was so huge, his finger tips wrapped around my head into my hair, his calloused thumb rubbed my cheek bone. His other hand made the simple sign for beautiful.

I flushed pink, and I could feel the gold glow rise to the surface. Man this was kinda embarrassing, not only do I go pink, but now I glow when I'm blushing. He smirked.

Beautiful Sunshine.

He leaned closer, his hand slid to the nap of my neck, pulling me closer and tipping my head back slightly. His dark intense eyes searched mine. His eyes were steady and calm, I didn't see any confusion, or hesitancy. He was confident and sure of himself. Raph was back. My eyes flicked down to his lips. Which twitched into a smirk. I bit my bottom lip to keep from smile, or laughing or crying or yelling. His thumb gently pulled my lil free from my teeth.

My heart just about exploded, and my stomach erupted in butterflies. I'm pretty sure I also forgot how to breath. His smirk grew even more, he looked so smug. We were talking turns glancing at each others lips.

"Yes?" He signed.

My hands found his chest, and I somehow managed to nod, giving him permission. He slowly pulled me closer, but paused. His cocky smirk slid off his face. His breath fanned my face. He just looked at me for a long time, he looked at me with such a tended gentleness, like I was the most fragile beloved thing in the whole world, despite the wild devastating fire power I had. Despite the fact I could run up the arm of a giant and kill it. He slowly ran his nose along mine, his forehead pressed into mine. I had to focus really hard on not passing out. For a son of Ares he was so incredibly gentle and soft.

Raph tipped my head up and closed the distance between us. I sighed deeper into the kiss. I felt his chest rumble under my hands. He pulled me closer, a hand sliding to the back of my neck. He kissed me slowly and gently. It was cautious, and curious, but also kind of needy and yet sure of himself. He kissed me while pulling me closer. His hand slid further into my hair, wrapping from beside my ear to the nap of my neck; his thumb gently brushing the skin on my jaw bone. He kissed me like he was drowning; but it wasn't aggressive. He kissed me until a silent moan escaped. My hands clenched his t shirt, forming tight clenched glowing fists on his chest. My knees felt weak and my heart was going to beat right out of my chest, while my lungs forgot to work.

We finally had the part for a breath.

"Whoa."

I could read that word from him lips. I smirked. And nodded, agreeing. Whoa was right. Butterflies, fireworks...whatever it was, I knew my world had changed, and it would never go back. Raph had shifted my world. And I was okay with that.

🔆

YEAS!! FINALLY! WHOO HOO!
WE'RE BACK! AND WE FINALLY KISSED! (Last like few chapters of the book- finally!)