Thalia's POV

Reyna had left me to my own despair. I was slumped over on the mattress my mind contemplating the things she had said. It was true. My training was completely sub-par. I had never really thought about it before and no one had ever mentioned it. However, she was right as usual. I had picked everything up off the streets, I struggled when it came to defense, I was more of a 'constantly go for the kill' type of person. I had been turned into a tree and in case people don't know you can't exactly train to be a demigod. The best you can do is produce oxygen and get poisoned by your former best friend. So yes, I was behind on the learning curve and to be honest it bothered me the more I thought about it.

With a sigh I stood up from the bed and began to mentally kick myself for what I was about to do. I slunk out of the room and walked casually down the hall. Needless to say everyone had provably expected a rather large blow out of a scene and they would be rather curious as to why that didn't happen. Sure enough as soon as my ugly face appeared everyone craned their necks to get a good look at me. Reyna was slumped over on one of the couches her face strained with concentration and a distant look in her eye. She was way to much like Annabeth.

"Yo Space Cadet," I called snapping Reyna out of her daze. She looked up at me curiously and I could feel the other's eyes burning in my back. "I thought about your offer. Training it is."

I realized my huge mistake during the first few seconds of our sparring round. Everyone had gathered outside to see me get my ass whooped. To be honest I couldn't blame them. It probably got their minds off of our problems and well...who doesn't like to watch their leader get beat up?

Reyna stood in a casual stance her fists raised in a boxer's poise. I mimicked a similar poise. Becca who had been chosen to give the word to start called for us to fight. Reyna was the first to move. She feigned a right hook and went for the straight jab. I managed to side step and circled around her. She moved  to correct her stance and face me. I went to punch her when she intercepted my fist mid swing, ducked under my arm and flipped me onto my back. I landed with a painful thud and the wind left my lungs.

"Too slow. The punch was good but I could see the opening before it happened." Reyna stated pulling me to my feet. I let out a deep breath and rolled my shoulders.

"Alright let's go again." And so we did. This time I was the first to make a move. I clipped her shoulder with a left hook but she retaliated with a shot of her own. Ducking swiftly I avoided the punch but walked right into the knee she had waiting for me.

"Better. You have to remember there are other body parts not only your own but your opponent's as well. Everything can be used as a weapon. You have to be aware of all of it. If you get too close after a punch they can knee you. If you stay far away they can kick you. Always keep moving. It interrupts your enemy's ability to comprehend your attack." I nodded already feeling bruises form on my skin.

"Alright. Keep moving." Becca gave the word and we went at it for a third time. I spun kicking at Reyna's head. She batted my leg away and went to sweep my leg out from under me. I jumped dodging the attack and landed easily. I shuffled my feet a little remembering her advice. I watched trying to observe her fighting style. The only problem was she didn't have one. She acted as need be. Reyna lashed out with a butterfly kick jumping and spinning in the air. I smacked her leg away and struck at her from behind. My fist almost hit her square in the back when she side stepped slightly and hooked my arm under hers. I was trapped. No you're not, everything is a weapon. She had her back to me. I had an advantage. I kneed her in the back of the leg which caused her knee to buckle. Only as she crumbled did I notice she was using her momentum to flip me over her shoulder. I was on my back again.

"Good. I didn't expect you to get out of that one. You kept moving." So we continued. She beat me every round but as  time went on each round lasted longer than the first. I was given bits of advice along the way like "Don't give anything away with your eyes." , " Defence is as important as offense." , Never stay flat footed."

By now I was drenched in sweat. I had ditched my jacket a long time ago. Blood trickled from my nose and my skin was black and blue in most places but Reyna had bruises of her own. It was the last match of the day seeing as how the onlookers were growing bored. Becca gave the last signal and Reyna struck.

She aimed an open palm at my chest that would have sent me sprawling on my back if I hadn't noticed the slight movement of her stance before hand. Adjusting slightly I avoided the strike and punched her hard in the shoulder. This left my side open for her to elbow me and I winced as her elbow connected with my ribs. I grabbed her free arm tucking it up behind her back but she kicked a foot backwards into my knee. I staggered backwards and she aimed a kick at my head. I ducked getting low to the ground and lashed out at her feet. She avoided my leg sweep and attempted to knee me in the face. I rolled to the side springing to my feet and set back into my stance.

Reuna's eyes narrowed and she let loose a flurry of punches that connected with my arms. I blocked them all instinctively, my mind taking control of my actions. I retaliated with a combination of my own which she ducked and weaved out of. I kicked her in the side but she caught my leg and bashed an elbow in my knee. I dropped to the ground but not without reason. She was forced to let go of my foot allowing me to scissor her legs out from under her. She went toppling onto the ground before rolling onto her feet. Punches and kicks flew as both of us searched for the upper hand. I could see her eyes trying to calculate me.

In a  matter of seconds I managed to get behind Reyna and pounced. I tackled her like a line backer and sent her sprawling on the grass. She rolled over to face me. I straddled her and pinned her arms under my knees. She squirmed but alas there was no escape. Becca, Zuri, Sam, Max, and Chloe went nuts. I had finally won a round.

"Not bad," Reyna breathed drops of sweat dotting her forehead.

"This is awfully familiar isn't it?" I joked. She laughed as I helped her to her feet.

"You're a quick learner. It takes most legionaries at least a year or two to at least compete at my level. I wasn't joking when I said your combat skills were unparalleled." Reyna mused a humorous glint in her dark eyes.

"Yes well I can guarantee you Annabeth could still kick my butt." I laughed.

"Yes, well Annabeth is incredible at everything."

"Yeah she is." I smiled as Becca and Zuri tried to get Sam to join in on chanting my name. The thing about Sam was she was the exact opposite of an Aphrodite kid. She was more of an introvert, the complete opposite of girlie, and well...the only sibling who didn't think she was at least a little weird was Piper. But she was new to the hunt so she still felt a little awkward around the other girls.

Raising my hands in victory Zuri and Becca exploded into a wild frenzy. Becca punched me lightly in the shoulder and Zuri ruffled my hair. I watched as Reyna and Max walked side by side talking casually until they disappeared inside the house.

I spent the rest of the evening walking gingerly due to my sore muscles. Despite my single victory Reyna had given me a beating. We didn't talk much but it didn't matter Reyna was hyper focused on a book about land marks. I was confused as to why until Zuri filled me in on her discovery. Needless to say my pulse jumped a bit at the idea of finding more of my friends and maybe even Hylla.

"I've got it!" Reyna yelled excitedly. Everyone jumped about ten feet in the air.

"What?" Sam asked looking completely confused. Reyna placed her open book on the table to a very familiar picture. A giant structure was featured on the page its iron beams cross crossing.

"The Eifle Tower. Also known as The Iron Lady or as some people joke The Iron Giant." Zuri's face broke into a large grin.

"I knew it was a place! It makes sense that Sahar would go their! It's where Darcy is from!" Sam and Becca mirrored Zuri's excited look. I pumped my fist in the air. Of course it made sense! Darcy was born in Paris. It was where Artemis had picked her up off the streets. Darcy was Sahar's "Safety buddy".

"So you guys are going to Paris?" Chloe asked looking impressed.

"I hate to burst your bubble but how are you gonna get there?" Max asked. My excitement faded instantly. There was no possible way we could get there in decent time. We had to work fast. If Lycaon was hunting them we needed to get there before he did. Otherwise there wouldn't be anyone to save.

"I've got a plan." Reyna said smirking. "But you aren't going to like it."

I didn't know until later that night what she'd meant. I had immedialty began scrambling around for supplies. According to Reyna we could leave by tonight. Becca and Zuri were conversing in low whispers as they recollected the supplies they still had from their trip. Sam had lost her pack on her way here. It'd been ripped open by the same shape shifting monster that'd been a constant nuisance to Reyna and I. Reyna was busy completing a weapons check and I picked through our bag trying to salvage what I could from our dip in the lake.

"Looks like we have literally nothing other than a few bottles of water and...nope that's it." I grumbled. Reyna strapped a dagger to her thigh and slipped her sword in its sheath before tossing me a band of throwing knives. "What did you do? Raid the US armory?"

"No. I raided my closet." She quipped.

"Like your weapons closet?" Becca asked slinging her pack on her back.

"No. My closet." Reyna stated as if that would be obvious.

"You keep this many weapons in your closet?" I asked in surprise.

"Well, I like to be prepared." Reyna shrugged zipping up her pack. "I got some of my own supplies before we left Rome. Did you really think I'd trust you to pack everything for both of us?"

"No, but what exactly are you 'being prepared for'?" I asked. Nothing could possibly be that bad that you needed an entire arsenal in your closet.

"Assassination." She stated simply. Becca's jaw dropped and Zuri seemed stunned. "The praetor four times my junior was killed in his sleep. Not to mention the multiple assassinations in Roman history. Ever since Val was killed it's been customary to sleep well armed."

"Great. Nice to know your people would have you killed," Sam stated sarcastically.

"Actually my polls are quite impressive. It would take a lot to turn my people against me. Val on the other hand was pretty tyrannical. I can't blame them for wanting him dead," Reyna reasoned.

"Well all this assassination talk is great but I think your guys' ride just landed on my front lawn." Chloe broke up the conversation. Reyna straightened the straps of her back pack and stepped outside. I followed her into the dark with Sam, Becca, and Zuri close behind. The first thing I noticed were the animal eyes staring at us and the snorting.

"You're kidding," I grumbled.

"Hello Blackjack." Reyna said happily stroking the dark pegasus' nose. He whinnied excitedly and pranced around.

"Pegasi? Do you not understand what 'afraid of heights' means?" I asked. Reyna laughed lightly.

"Quit whining you'll be fine." I couldn't help myself. I groaned wanting to throw a fit like a kid who was told they couldn't eat dessert.

Zuri had already claimed Drachma a golden colored horse as her own while Sam and Becca were talking animatedly to Twix which looked like a mixture of Nutella and peanut butter.

"Great, I even have to ride with you." I pouted. Blackjack whinnied again though it sounded more like a laugh.

"Yo Grace. You be careful you understand? I don't want to find out your ass was killed cause you did something stupid." Chloe glowered before turning and facing Reyna. "Keep an eye on her. She's a tricky one."

"Will do," Reyna stated slipping on to Blackjack's back. Zuri saddled Drachma and Sam and Becca climbed on Twix. Max who'd been watching curiously shook Reyna's hand.

"I hope you find your sister," She smiled warmly at Reyna who returned the expression.

"Alright Scardy Cat. Saddle up." Reyna offered me her hand and I grudgingly took it. I sat on the back of the saddle which was even worse because I could easily slip off if the opportunity occurred. Blackjack beat his wings once and the other Pegasi followed suit. Max and Chloe took a step back their hands fitted together. I gave them a quick wave goodbye before latching onto Reyna's waist. There was no way I was going to fall off, not if I could help it.

A few seconds later we were lifting up off the ground and the next thing I knew we were soaring in the sky with a blanket of stars splayed out before us. I averted my gaze and closed my eyes tightly. It didn't help much knowing I wasn't grounded and currently flying dozens of feet above the ground.

"Come on. At least open your eyes. It's not that bad. It's actually kind of beautiful out," Reyna chastised.

"No way. Not happening." Blackjack dropped in altitude for a moment and my heart nearly stopped. The thing was, I knew exactly how high off the ground I was, how fast we were moving, and which way the winds were blowing. It was overwhelming and I did not like knowing the details of how far I would have to fall before I hit the ground.

"Thalia I'm serious. You're not gonna fall just look up," Reyna urged gently.

"How do you know?" I asked trying to keep my voice from wavering.

"Well in case you didn't know I may have tethered you." This sparked my interest. I cracked one eye open and sure enough somehow Reyna had hooked a piece of cable to my waist and the saddle.

"This is so cool!" Sam gasped in amazement. She was watching clouds pass over the moon her arms outstretched like an angel's, the cool air whipping her hair around. Becca was leaning forward her arms resting on the back of Twix's head her eyes alight with amazement. Zuri was up ahead her silhouette framed in white light. It was a pretty scene and for a moment I forgot how high up I was. My fear didn't exactly disappear but it wasn't as crippling. My eyes landed on Reyna who was sitting in front of me.

Her armor glinted in the moonlight and her hair almost blended in with the dark. A large smile was plastered on her face as she looked at the stars. I hadn't seen her smile that big before. We passed a cloud and she reached out running her fingers through the mist. "Not so bad huh?"

She looked back at me over her shoulder. I shrugged but the truth was it really wasn't that bad. It was kind of incredible. It felt like there wasn't any ground beneath us, that maybe if I fell off I would bounce harmlessly on the clouds. I knew that wasn't true of course and as soon as I realized this my fear came back. I closed my eyes tightly again resting my forehead on the back or Reyna's armor. I still clutched onto her tightly but I still couldn't wipe the smile off my face. For a moment no matter how brief it was, I wasn't afraid. I wondered if that was how it should feel for a child of Zeus to be in the sky.

Pleasant, care free, happy. Though I didn't look up again the image was still painted in my mind. Sam's look of pure glee, Becca and Twix seeming content to stay in the sky forever, Zuri's silhouette framed in light, and Reyna's smile. For a small moment the world of our troubles had disappeared. And for that I could endure my fear no matter how long it took us to get to Paris.