Reyna's POV

Sleeping in was obviously never an option when it came to Thalia Grace. I woke up as the sun was just beginning to make a dent in the dark to Thalia's panicked breathing. There was the sound of feet scampering down the hallway until the light flicked on blinding me. Squinting I made out the faint shape of Becca.

"Did you feel it?" Becca asked.

"Yeah." Thalia replied gruffly getting to her feet and heading for the door. In an instant I was following them completely in the dark as to what was going on. Thalia and Becca stopped just before the tree line their eyes peeled and scanning the trees. I had no idea what we were looking for when a flash of movement caught my attention. Something sprinted from the woods at top speed. All I saw was a shock of blonde hair and a British accent calling back to us.

"It's coming!" In a second my sword was in my hand and Thalia pulled out her switch blade. It wasn't exactly the most suitable weapon but anything would do. Becca cracked her knuckles and kissed a ring she had on her finger. It shimmered before she dissapeared. There was the sound of heavy footsteps and the sound of a tree snapping. We waited anxiously in silence until the monster came charging from the woods. It was a Cyclops it's large eye glowing with anger.

It was heading straight for the house until it roared in pain as a large cut appeared on its calf. Becca. It wheeled around trying to find its attacker but Becca was invisible. Instead, it locked it's eyes on me. I raised my sword anticipating it's move. The cyclopes swung it's massive fist in my direction. But the thing about fighting a cyclopes is that it's stupid to try and block the attack. The momentum and force would be enough to kill you. I rolled to the side feeling the rush of air in the open space he had struck. Getting to my feet I sprinted and slipped under its legs sliding easily on the grass. I racked my blade against the Cyclops's ankle. It snarled trying to reach between its legs to grab me but I was already gone. Thalia was dodging the monster's fists like a mad man. She had to get close if she was going to get a clean hit in.

There was a pained cry as Becca suddenly appeared. She went flying into the treeline at an incredible speed. Chances were she wasn't going to get up any time soon. Out of my peripheral I saw Thalia pass the blonde girl her spear. The girl was watching the monster intently. She was observing it's fighting style.

"Duck!" Thalia yelled. I did exactly as she asked and felt the force of something hard come down on my back. I winced falling to my knees only to see Thalia flying through the air having used me as a spring board. She plunged the switchblade hilt deep in the cyclops's arm. In an instant she retracted the blade and scrambled up to its shoulder. Only she wasn't quick enough. The Cyclops grabbed her by the ankle and pulled her off his shoulder. "Shit!"

I sighed. Great. The blonde girl let out a fierce yell and hurled her spear at the monster's wrist. It had such force that it punctured a clean hole and popped out the other side. Thalia yelled as she plummeted to the ground. For some reason I expected her to soften the blow, or to at least fly, but that didn't happen. She landed in a heap, nothing but a groan as an indication that she was alive.

"Why does the good shit always happen when Im gone?" A familiar voice yelled. I looked to my right to see Chloe watching the Cyclops with big eyes. She held a small gun in her hand and I wondered what in the world she was planning to do with it. "Think you can get me close?"

"Yeah just follow me." I called as the blonde girl recollected her spear. Chloe sprinted behind me and I was struggling to figure out what her plan was. The Cyclops growled angrily slamming it's fist in the ground. I leapt up onto his forearm as he began to raise his arm up over his head. I dropped my blade and grabbed tightly onto the chain it wore around its wrist. Chloe's fingers slipped but I caught her by the wrist. I began swinging back and forth to get my momentum going. "Im throwing you on the count of three!"

"Copy that!" She called back as she pulled back the hammer to the gun.

"One." I swung forward.

"Two." I swung backwards.

"Three!" I launched Chloe into the air feeling the strain in my muscles. She soared over the Cyclops's head and I watched as she pulled the trigger of the gun. A loud band sounded and the next thing I lure I was free falling with monster dust raining around me. Sucking in a breath I prepared myself for impact. Needless to say I landed better than Thalia though I completed a few somersaults before coming to a stop. Glancing up I saw Chloe slowly getting to her feet. She laughed excitedly. "How'd you kill it?"

"Bronze bullets baby. I knew they'd come in handy!" She had a ridiculous grin on her face and I could easily tell she would've fit in very nicely with the Mars kids. Becca who had been missing from action stumbled back out through the woods. Twigs and leaves stuck out of her hair and clothes and she looked genuinely pissed.

The blonde girl who'd had  deadly accuracy with the spear helped Thalia to her feet. I noted that Thalia looked significantly paler and she looked almost as traumatized as she had when she was hanging out of the train. It hit me all at once. They way she had acted after the train incident and her panicked yell when the Cyclops had picked her up.

"You're afraid of heights." I breathed. She glared at me.

"Way to go Sherlock you figured it out." She rubbed her head wincing slightly.

"I don't get it though. You could have flown."

"No I can't. I'm not like Jason. I. Don't. Fly." She grumbled straightening her jacket and stalking off towards the house.

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked in general.

"Bit of a touchy subject for her. She's got Daddy issues. I thought you knew that?" Chloe informed me.

"I knew she and her Dad didn't get along but what does that have to do with flying?" I asked watching Becca pull a twig from her hair.

"It's actually quite simple. She doesn't trust him. And because she doesn't trust him, she doesn't trust her powers. It's kind of like when Bianca was around. She didn't say it exactly but we all knew she was afraid of dying. Its part of the reason she joined the Hunt," Becca explained. It made sense I just didn't know Thalia's Daddy issues were that bad. I mean despite our talk last night we didn't really discuss the details. I knew her Mom was nuts, that Zeus didn't really care for her, but it obviously was deeper than that.

"Nice to see you Becca!" The blonde British girl smiled.

"Sam?" Becca asked noticing the other demigod for the first time.

"You bet," Sam embraced Becca. "Say, where's Zuri?"

"Inside," Becca explained. "Sam this is Reyna, a friend of Thalia's."

"Pleasure to meet you," Sam extended her hand and I shook it.

"Well. I don't know about you but that's all the adventure I want this morning." Sam noted placing her hands on her hips and surveying the area. She undid her braid and ruffled her blonde hair. It fell perfectly around her shoulders and I noted the clearness of her skin and the way her eyes shifted in the light.

"A daughter of Aphrodite on the hunt?" I inquired. Sam frowned, her eyes hardening.

"Are you going to make a big deal about it? Lecture me like my siblings do?" She asked defensively, her accent getting thicker.

"No. I just never really thought about it before. That an Aphrodite kid would join the hunt. It doesn't seem like it's your type of thing." Sam relaxed a little at this.

"I like you." She stated simply glancing at Becca. "We should keep her around."

"Well, since we have introductions taken care of lets get inside before some more bozos show up on my doorstep," Chloe stated heading for the house. Becca and Sam followed suit, Sam helping pull the twigs and leaves from Becca's hair. I tagged along trailing far in the back. Something about Thalia's fear bugged me.

I didn't have much time to think about it because as soon as I stepped inside Zuri bombarded me with words. She was up and walking which was a good sign. "I think I have a lead."

"You do?" I asked as the others milled about. I saw Thalia sitting in the corner staring out the window with a glazed look in her eyes.

"Yes. I remember something that one of my friends said just before they left. Sahar mentioned something about the Iron Giant. Next thing I know Becca's dragging me away from camp. It's not much but I think they were talking about a place. I just can't make sense of what exactly they'd call the Iron Giant." She stated excitedly.

"Shouldn't you be talking to Thalia about this?" I asked in a whisper trying not to get the others too excited.

"I would but you put her in a bad mood," Zuri noted and I let out an angry puff of air.

"I just noted she was afraid of heights and I was surprised she couldn't fly!" Zuri chuckled lightly at my exasperation.

"Think of it from her point of view though. That would be like me being afraid of trees." So that's who her parent was. Zuri was a daughter of Ceres, her accent was pleasant because it was cool and collected like the soil of the earth.

"You're right but..look I have some ideas of where this Iron Giant could be I just need a little more time to think." I reasoned. Zuri nodded.

"And you want to talk to Captain Grumpy pants!" Zuri called over her shoulder giving Thalia a pointed look. Thalia's eyes narrowed and I felt the urge to run away. I thought my death glares were scary, even Annabeth's were, but I guess Annabeth had to learn it from someone.

"Yeah. Whatever." Zuri clearly got the message that I didn't want to talk anymore and left me to stand awkwardly in the middle of the room. Thalia stood from her sitting position. She reminded me very much of the panther we used to have back at camp. She was strong and lithe with an easy but powerful aura about her. But the most terrifying and intriguing of her features were her eyes. They seemed to burn holes through me and danced like lightning reflecting her irritation.

"We need to talk." She spoke evenly and it sent a shiver down my spine. It was weird seeing this side of her. It was intimidating to say the least. I wasn't used to being around people who could match my authority and power. It was quite terrifying when she went all serious and I understood why monsters and people would be afraid of her. I wondered if this is how I made other people feel.

"Look if you're going to make a scene-" Thalia tilted her head to the side and walked easily around me heading down the hallway. "God I hate you."

It was another way she controlled the situation. I had to follow her, I had no choice. I felt sort of like a kid about to be reprimanded by their mother. I glanced around and saw that everyone was watching me intently. Sam gave me an apologetic look and I wondered if any of them had been on the receiving end of their leader's temper. Straightening I walked down the hall keeping myself poised. If she was going full bitch mode so was I.

I stepped inside Zuri's room and Thalia closed the door with a bang. She turned to face me and I matched her glare.

"You're being pathetic. I simply noted what I observed." I stated. Thalia rolled her eyes smirking without humor.

"That's the thing. You Roman's observe and spout off details like they don't matter." She quipped.

"Everyone already knew you were afraid of heights what's the big deal?" I grumbled.

"Of course they know but I don't like to be reminded of my insufficiency as a child of the big three." Thalia stated stopping her cat like pacing and standing directly in front of me.

"So that's what this is about? Your insecurities? What about last night on the steps? You didn't care then." I shrugged.

"Look. You wouldn't get it. You think it doesn't bug me all the time that my Dad is the sky God and I'm afraid of heights? I'm constantly compared to my brother. And Percy is a whole different story." Thalia's gaze hardened.

I was about to say that no one compared her to Jason when I stopped myself because I had compared her to Jason. Multiple times. It made sense to me. Before Percy and Jason came into the picture no one questioned her talents. Her gifts as a demigod. I realized for the first time that Thalia always seemed to be calm and collected when using her powers. I had seen both Percy and Jason lose control before and it was terrifying what they could do. Thalia used small bursts of electricity and that was about it but no one cared to notice her impeccable ability of hand to hand combat.

"You're right." She seemed surprised that I admitted my lack of knowledge. I could see her relax a little. She had prepared for a fight probably due to my aggressive nature but also because she was trying to defend her pride. "From what I've seen your power hardly matches Jason or Percy's"

I watched as her eyes narrowed and she tried to speak," Wh-"

"Why?" I interrupted. My question stunned her. Her eyebrows knit together in confusion.

What do you mean, why?" She asked.

"I've observed your fighting style. You always stay in control no matter what. You never extend your power too far beyond yourself. But it's not just that. Why are you afraid of heights? Fear is born from reason." The wind had been taken from Thalia's sails. A distant look clouded her gaze.

"I've always been afraid of heights there's no reason for it," She mumbled.

"Liar." Her gaze hardened in a defensive manner but I could see the wheels turning in her head. She sighed sitting on the edge of the bed. Resting her head in her hands she sucked in a deep breath.

"Sorry. I'm being an idiot I shouldn't be mad at you it just sparks old...feelings." Thalia apologized awkwardly. I assumed she wasn't used to saying sorry.

"It's fine. I understand." It was true. I used to get mad at anyone when certain situations reminded me of my past. One time I nearly strangled Dakota.

"I'm afraid of heights because when I was a kid..." She paused seeking to collect her thoughts. " It's going to sound fake."

"It won't." I assured.

"When I was younger my Mother was really drunk one night. She had just been fired from one of her tv shows. I was at home with Jason and I was really little. I had gotten in trouble at school and the principle had called my Mother. Combine that with her getting fired and bottles of wine you get nothing good out of it. She was scary that night. It was the worst she'd ever been. She'd never gotten that mad at me before. I remember her grabbing me by the back of my neck and dragging me towards the back door that lead to the balcony. It'd always been one of my favorite places to hang out but not that night. She staggered over to the railing toting me along. I remember her pushing my little head between the gap in the bars."

My gut twisted in sympathy. Thalia's Mom really was crazy and she seemed to be even worse than my own Father.

"She started yelling at me. I could see the cars rushing by dozens of feet below me and their headlights made my vision swarm. She screamed "One push and I can get rid of your sorry ass. It would make things so much easier." I started crying and she thought it was funny. She picked me up. Held me just over the lip of the railing and I was so terrified that she would actually drop me. "One more problem at school is all it'll take for you to meet that sidewalk. Understand? No more problems at school. I don't have time for it."

Thalia's voice took on a darker scarier tone when she explained what her Mother had said. It caused the hair on my arms and the back of my neck to stand up.

"'Okay mommy.' Was all I said. As pathetic as it was but she put me down and I ran to my room. Then I locked the door and made Jason sleep with me that night. I didn't want her to do the same to him. That week at school I was scared stiff. I was the perfect student. She never followed through with the threat but..."

"She didn't need to. It was already effective." I whispered. Thalia nodded and I noticed that her eyes were misty with tears. "I'm sorry I challenged your powers and authority. It wasn't my intention. It's just it would have been nice to know before you nearly fell to your death twice. And if it makes you feel better just know that Jason may use his powers more willingly but he could never match your weapons mastery and hand to hand combat."

"Your compliments suck you know that?" She laughed lightly. "I just...I don't like using my powers because I don't trust them. I don't trust my Dad because he never helped. He never did anything. At least Poseidon and Hades try. To him I'm still a disappointment."

"Have you talked to him?" I asked folding my arms over my chest.

"Yeah. After the Giant War. You want to know what he said?" Thalia asked bitterly. "He said, 'You could have at least done something to help.'"

"But you did! You kept the monster world in check and helped half bloods while everyone was at war," I protested.

"You think he knew that? You think he even noticed?" She frowned. "All my relationship with him has ever been is give and take. I poor my life into keeping this world safe and saving God damn Olympus and he just asks for more! No one noticed me. Not until I met Artemis and Chiron. That's why I care about the hunt and camp so much."

"She's like the Mother you never had and he's like the Father you always wanted." I noted.

"The only family I've ever had is the one I've built on my own. And I'm scared that if I snap like Percy or Jason I won't be able to control myself because I have so much anger and hate deep down. After Luke turned against me I realized how similar we were. I don't want to be like him. I don't want to ruin my family." Her fists clenched together.

"You won't. And I know that because you care too much. Not to mention you've recognized your potential ability as a threat which helps remove the danger. But you're limiting yourself. You have a lot of potential. Twice I've seen you control winds in a way I've never seen before. From your breath and from your palms." She looked up at me a small spark of hope in her eyes. "Besides you were never trained. You never had camp like Percy or Jason. You were a tree, you woke up went on a quest and then joined the hunt. Everything you've learned has been through experience and the fact that you've stayed alive this long only on experience is amazing."

"I guess." I could tell she was starting to shut down. It was getting too emotional and she didn't want to cry in front of me. I knew the feeling.

"Look. I know Greek and Roman fighting styles are different but if you ever want to train just...let me know." With that I left her alone and eased the door shut behind me. Our conversation had done a full three sixty degree turn. We had argued and now all of a sudden I understood her more than I had before. That seemed to be how our relationship worked. We fought each other or a monster and somehow someway we got a little bit closer because of it. I understood why people became so close after quests. Why Nico, Hedge, and I were so close. You gain bits and pieces of other people.

"She lives!" Chloe called as I entered the living room where everyone was waiting. They all looked at me expectantly.

"So...what happened?" Max asked timidly. I shrugged.

"Nothing really. She kind of yelled I apologized everything's good. Why?" Zuri and Becca were a little miffed but Sam had a funny look on her face.

"Nothing, I just expected you to come out at least a little cruised or something." Becca stated. With an awkward pause everyone assumed their tasks and I plopped down on the sofa to ponder Zuri's information. Despite my slightly touching and apparently boring altercation with Thalia we still had other things to worry about. We needed to find the Hunters and I needed to figure out just what exactly the Iron Giant was.