"I suppose this is goodbye." Payton held her hand out for Thalia to shake. The daughter of Zeus took it a step farther by giving her a hug. Payton returned it awkwardly, stepping back sooner than later.

"You could always come with us on the hunt." Thalia suggested. "There's always room for those willing to pledge their loyalty."

A month ago Payton would have jumped at the chance. The idea of going all across the United States with her friends, killing monsters along the way, had seemed like to good an offer to pass. And the idea of sleeping in the Artemis cabin alone until the hunters returned was seriously intimidating.

But something nagged her. It kept whispering that to find the answers to all the questions she had she would need to stay here.

"No Thals. Maybe next time I'll join you. But I've barely started my life here. Going into the outside world... That's to much right now."

"I understand." Thalia nodded with a smirk. "Watch Annie for me, will you?"

"Sure Thalia." Payton nodded.

"You must be Payton." A teenage hunter came from the group. She also had auburn hair, wavy just like Payton's, and silver eyes. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, face to face."

With a confused look Payton stepped back carefully. She had been living with the hunters for an entire month and never seen this girl before. "I'm sorry, who are you?" Payton arched an eyebrow.

"How rude of me." The new hunter rolled her eyes. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Artemis, goddess of the hunt and moon."

"Mom?"