I DO NOT OWN THE PJO/HoO SERIES, RICK RIORDAN DOES!!! THIS IS JUST A FANFICTION!!

Chapter 14

"You tried to kill her!?" Poseidon roared.

"You aren't doing anything about it! Kayla is getting stronger by the day!" Night yelled in her defense.

"The knife went through her!" Poseidon stormed.

"Exactly my point! She's getting stronger and soon Kayla will kill Celeste and use her corpse as her own body. If you don't stop this, Celeste will die no matter what. That curse of yours, use it!" Night shouted.

"She hasn't done anything drastic in months, Night. She could be getting better maybe, I can't just curse her without a reason-"

"She's dangerous and possessed! There's your reason!" Night interrupted hastily.

"No. I won't do it until I have a solid reason. And if you try to harm my daughter again, you will face the consequences." Poseidon scowled.

Night growled. "Fine. But when she does something you can't undo, that's on you, not me."

She disappeared in a dark flash of smoke, leaving the sea god full of anger, but indecision.

Celeste would be fine. He was doing the right thing.

Wasn't he?

•••

"Another whole year, and no accidents. You've done good, sir." Nora whispered to Poseidon as they watched Celeste rip open her birthday presents.

"And I finally made it to her birthday. Pretty good if I do say so myself." Poseidon said with a smile.

"Plus, Celeste says the voice hasn't bothered her in a while. That's good too. Everything's turning up." Nora said.

Poseidon nodded. "I knew I did the right thing."

"This curse thing you told me about, you're never gonna through with it right? I know I was angry when you told me after you spoke to that goddess, but I understand why. You're a concerned father and you want what's best for her. But you made the right choice." Nora said.

"I hope so." Poseidon sighed.

Celeste strode up to them; she was wearing a silk blue blouse and jeans, and Nora's pendant dangled around her neck. Her curly black hair was done up in a messy bun, sparkly gray flats were on her feet, shell earrings studded her ears, and she wore a bright smile.

"Thank you, dad." Celeste said, hugging her father. "For everything. I don't appreciate you enough, yet you've done so much for me. I'm grateful for that."

Poseidon stroked his daughter's hair. "Of course, Celeste. I-I love you."

Celeste glanced up in surprise but immediately broke into a grin. "And I love you too."

She hugged him tighter.

Nora giggled at Poseidon's confused expression.

"You two are adorable." Nora said.

"I love my presents. From both of you." Celeste said.

"Your Majesty. May we have a word?" A deep voice said from behind them.

All three of them turned to see a merguard who looked slightly embarrassed and nervous to be interrupting.

"Of course Jamie, I'll be there immediately." Poseidon said.

The merman nodded and darted out of the room.

"I have to attend that. Celeste, I-"

"It's alright dad. Go. I'll stay with Nora." Celeste said with a smile.

Poseidon looked relieved but smiled nonetheless. He placed a gentle kiss on his daughter's forehead and made his way out of the room.

"Look at you, all grown up, 7 years old! Goodness Celeste, you're growing like a weed!" Nora said with a laugh.

Celeste chuckled right before remembering to check her pendant. She had been using it almost everyday now, watching Percy and making sure he was alright.

Today, he was at the dinner table, and Sally was placing a small cake with thick blue icing in front of him. The top had 7 candles on it, sparkling with fire.

Percy's sea green eyes reflected in the light and his smile was adorable.

With a deep breath, he blew out the candles.

Sally clapped and sang an off-key version of Happy Birthday.

Percy smiled and tackled his mother in a hug.

Sally handed Percy his presents that were wrapped in blue wrapping paper and tied off with a sea green bow.

He had finished off all three of them when another one in the corner caught his eye.

Celeste saw a flash of panic in Sally's eyes as Percy pulled out the present. He read the label, "To Celeste, love Mommy." Percy paused. "Who's Celeste?"

"A friend of mine's daughter. She left that here for her daughter's birthday." Sally said quickly.

Percy cocked his head, but nodded. "Cool."

Celeste dropped the pendant with a gasp. She felt the wetness of tears going down her face.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Nora asked. "Was it too much to see him again? Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, no, I'm fine. It's just that...my mom got me a present. For my birthday. And she's waiting for me to come home and get it. She wants me back, Nora." Celeste broke into sobs of happiness. "I could be going home."

"But your brother's memory-"

"We'd fix that. If it can be taken away, it can be brought back. This is truly the best birthday ever." Celeste said.

Nora smiled. "Well, if you do go, I'm gonna miss you."

"Oh Nora, I'll miss you too." Celeste said, wrapping her friend in a hug.

"Celeste?" A familiar voice called.

Celeste and Nora turned to see Poseidon. "Dad, I thought you were-"

"There's someone who wants to see you." Poseidon said.

Celeste cocked her head and looked back at Nora. Nora smiled and ushered Celeste ahead.

Celeste hesitantly walked towards her father.

She entered the hallway and entered a room. There, slightly shimmering in a rainbow, was her mother, Sally Jackson.

"Mom?" Celeste choked, tears threatening to overcome her.

"Hello, sweetie. Happy birthday." Sally said, looking worn yet gleaming with pride. The guilt of giving up her daughter hung over her shoulder but she couldn't be happier to see her all grown up.

"How are you here?" Celeste stuttered, shocked.

"It's called an Iris message. Your father told me how to work it. I won't have long, Percy will come out of his room eventually. He's in love with this stuffed panda pillow pet I gave him." Sally said with a chuckle.

Celeste smiled, imagining her little brother curled up in his room, telling his life story to a stuffed bear.

"I...I miss you, mommy." Celeste said, sniffling.

"I miss you too, Celeste. In fact, in a few more months, I promise, you can come back home." Sally said.

Celeste gasped and began to sob in happiness once more. "I-I can c-come home?"

Sally nodded, wishing she could reach out and hug her daughter.

Celeste was so happy. She hugged her father, bawling with happiness. "Thank you."

Poseidon stroked her hair. "Of course."

"Mom?" A voice called from the message. Sally turned and looked back at Celeste guiltily.

"Sorry, honey. That's Percy. I love you and I'll see you soon." Sally said sadly. "Coming Percy!" She called just as the image disappeared.

Celeste was sad that the conversation was over, but she was ecstatic about going back home.

"I'll miss you, dad." Celeste said, wiping her eyes.

"And I'll miss you Celeste. I'm glad everything worked out for you." Poseidon said with a smile.

Suddenly, Celeste's eyes flashed black. "So am I." She said with a smirk just before thrusting out her hand and shoving Poseidon to the wall.

In shock, Poseidon crumpled to the ground, dazed and confused as he watched his possessed daughter lean over him with a cruel gleam in her black eyes.

"And now it's time for the real show." She hissed right before walking out the door.