[vincit omnia veritas / truth conquers all]

Coming back to life hit Tessa like a bus. As soon as her eyes fluttered open, even the dim light of the cavern seemed like a spotlight shining directly on her. She felt her heartbeat pulsing normally, in time with the pounding in her head. Water was dripping down her body, which didn't make any sense to her.

"Tessa, oh my gods," A voice croaked.

Tessa sat up and saw Kaden leaning over her. His green eyes were puffy and bloodshot, tear stains on his face. His shirt was torn in some places, and he had scrapes and cuts up and down his arms.

"Kaden," Tessa managed, her mouth feeling like it was made of cotton.

The son of Aphrodite looked at her in astonishment. "You're alive." He reached up to cup her face in his hands. "Thank the gods, you're alive." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

Tessa felt herself blush, but she needed to focus. "Where are the others?" She asked, sitting up. She glanced around and noticed she was near the edge of the cavern, on the banks of the pool.

That's when she noticed the battle raging on around her.

Kaden and Tessa were in their own little bubble away from the central fight, where Dale, Mark, and Reese were waging war on the god of terror and his army of monsters. Dale was glowing green, arcs of her natural energy soaring around her as she strangled various monsters with vines. Reese was positioned nearby, serving as a guard to Kaden and Tessa. He was firing his golden arrows at a vanguard of hellhounds. Meanwhile, Mark stood, fighting with his katana against a duo of dracenae. All the while, Deimos sat on his stone throne, gripping his spear of power.

"We need to help them." Tessa tried to stand, but her limbs felt weak. She remembered what both her father and her uncle said; her injuries upon revival could cause her ultimate death.

"Oh, no you don't." Kaden tried to force her back down. "You literally just died, you are not hurting yourself again."

Tessa met Kaden's gaze sternly. "My backpack. Ambrosia. Give it to me," she said quickly.

Kaden sighed, but got to work. He unzipped Tessa's backpack and dug out the packet of ambrosia, crushed from constant impact in the past week. He broke off a piece and held it out to Tessa.

Gingerly, Tessa plucked it from his grasp and stuffed it in her mouth. It was a fairly large piece, and she could feel the impact of the godly power surging through her veins. Her strength was rebooting, which was all she needed to know.

Slowly, Tessa stood. Kaden rushed to help her up, and as she stood, Reese ran over to them.

"Tessa! How are you awake?" He asked in amazement.

Tessa waved her free hand. "I'll explain later. How's the battle looking?"

Reese fired another arrow as he spoke.but she was centered on one thing: Tempest.

"Where is it?" She asked anxiously. "Where's Tempest?"

Deimos cried in defiance, making Tessa wince as the cavern rumbled in response. She looked around wildly for her beloved bronze sword, but it was nowhere to be seen. "Kaden, I need Tempest!" She pressed.

Kaden looked around frantically, but his gaze fell when it landed on the battle in the distance. "Tess," He nudged her and pointed.

Tessa whirled around and found herself staring at Deimos in the distance. While he gripped his spear of power, Tempest stood in the stand at the foot of the throne. Tessa cursed under her breath. She couldn't afford to go grab it now, not while her friends needed her. She needed a backup plan, quick.

"Kaden, go," Tessa ordered to the son of Aphrodite. He watched her warily, and she rolled her eyes and stepped forward. She pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "I'll be fine, now go!"

Kaden took a breath and drew his sword, sprinting into battle. Tessa, on the other hand, scanned the battlefield. She needed to stop Deimos, but how?

A scream ripped Tessa out of her reverie and sharpened her battle senses. She zoned in on Mark, who had collapsed and was writhing in agony. A katobleps was circling him, green smoke billowing from it.

So Tessa did the one thing she knew she could do. She willed the water behind her to her command. Just as it had before, it erupted with explosion-like force. Tessa manipulated it forward, riding the tidal wave of her own making into battle.

She soared above the war, using one hand to maintain her control on the wave and the other to send jet streams of water at the monsters who tried to attack her. She felt the tightening in her veins as she forced one arc of water into a blade of ice, throwing it at the monster near Mark. The cow monster dissolved into gold dust, and Mark looked around as he caught his breath.

"Tessa?" He asked in astonishment. "How—"

"Not the time!" Tessa interjected. She touched down in the center of the battle field, only a few feet from Deimos' dias.

The god of terror's dark eyes widened, flames flickering within them in fury. "How on earth are you alive?"

"Looks like you just can't kill me," Tessa taunted. She drew the dagger on her forearm, praying to Ares that it would do her justice in battle against his son.

Deimos smiled grimly. "I wouldn't be too sure about that." He stood. However, he traded the spear for Tempest, twirling it in his hands as he marched down the dias.

Mark stepped in between them, his katana raised. "If you want to get to Tessa, you'll have to go through me."

Deimos narrowed his eyes at the son of Iris. "Puny halfblood, do you really think that a threat will stop me?"

"Yes," Mark said proudly. "Now step back."

"No, thanks," Deimos said flatly.

As the two began to bicker, Tessa did her best to analyze the situation. The plan hit her all at once. It was so simple, she almost laughed. All she had to do was time it correctly. She caught Mark's gaze, and hoped that an ESP message with the plan would go through to him somehow.

"Mark, now!" Tessa commanded.

The son of Iris flew into action, swinging his katana at the god before him. Deimos yelled in defiance, but as soon as he tried to swing Tempest, it clattered out of his grip. He tried to reach for it, like Tantalus reaching for food, but each time, the sword moved back and back until it rested at Tessa's feet.

"Thank you," Tessa said sweetly.

Deimos' eyes flared. "I do not need weapons to fight, halfblood." He raised his hand at Tessa, as if he were about to manipulate her fears once more.

But Tessa no longer was afraid.

She zoned in on his flexed palm and sent her dagger flying. The knife flew true, and pierced Deimos' hand. Golden ichor, the blood of the gods, spilled from the wound as he pulled the weapon out.

"Careful," Tessa said patronizingly. "You wouldn't want one of those to match, would you?"

Another shudder rippled through the cavern, and Tessa forced herself to stand her ground. She caught Dale's gaze from where she finished off the monsters she was fighting. The daughter of Demeter stood in her own jungle, and with a nod, Dale got the message. Slowly, one of the vines began to inch across the cavern floor, towards Deimos' throne.

Tessa needed to stall. So she did what she was good at during any battle: talking smack.

"Face it, Deimos, you're just not as good as you thought you were." Tessa shrugged. "Stand down, and I'll do what I can to not gossip about how badly you suck at camp."

That must have been the wrong thing to say. An amused glint shimmered in Deimos' eyes, despite the blades pointed at him from either direction.

"Right, that camp of yours," he drawled. "It's a shame that one of your own has betrayed you."

Tessa forced herself to keep her face neutral. "It's a shame that you believe your little spy has the guts to go through with their plans."

"Ah, but they already have. Camp Half-Blood burns as we speak," Deimos taunted, smiling his sinister grin. "Whatever shall the young heroine do? Stand down, and I can let you go in peace. Save your camp, I don't care."

Tessa made a face. "I think you're lying." She turned to Dale behind her. "Dale, now!"

"What—" Deimos started, but by the time he realized what was going on, it was too late.

Dale's vines shot out at the spear in its stand, tangling around it and yanking it away. "Mark, catch!" Dale shouted as the vines recoiled and dropped the spear.

Deimos tried to reach for it, but Mark caught it first. He bolted backwards, but when a hellhound cornered him, he had no choice but to hand it off. "Oy, Sunny! Catch!" He called and chucked the obsidian spear.

"Stop calling me that!" Reese bellowed, shouldering his bow in time to catch the spear. He kicked away a telkhine and executed a backflip, to where Kaden was waiting at the foot of the pool. "Here you go."

Kaden slashed at the last of the dracenae, sheathing his golden sword and snatching the spear out of Reese's grip. "Why, thank you." He dangled the spear over the pool.

Everything was silent. The monsters of Deimos' army had disintegrated, thanks to the demigods. Now, the five of them stood at the ready, waiting.

Tessa stood with Tempest's tip at the point of Deimos' carotid artery, waiting to attack. She watched him carefully. "Make one more move and it'll be your last," she said gravely.

Deimos glanced down at the sword at his throat and at the blood pooling on the cavern beneath his injured hand. "I must say, I'm impressed," he managed. "Most demigods do not possess the skill you all do."

"Quit the flattery and shut up," Reese snapped, arrow poised at the god's heart from a distance.

A muscle twitched in the god of terror's jaw. "What do you wish for me to do?"

"Stay still and stay silent until reinforcements come," Kaden suggested. "Unless you want your precious toy to sink."

Tessa made a face. Maintaining her blade near Deimos, she craned her neck to peer at Kaden, who was still holding the god's spear above the pool. "Reinforcements?"

To answer her question, a hunting horn sounded. From the tunnel that Tessa had come from, a squadron of teenage girls in silvery camouflage entered. The girl at the lead stood with her bow drown, the silver of the arrow almost as bright as her emerald green eyes.

"Are we late?" Kassie, lieutenant of Artemis, called. She glanced at her brother, who was watching her happily.

Kaden grinned. "Just on time."

Deimos scowled. "The Hunters of Artemis," he spat. "You have no business here, daughter of Aphrodite."

Kassie quirked an eyebrow. "No, but my lady does." She lowered her bow and stepped aside as the sea of hunters parted.

One girl, dressed like her followers, sauntered to the front of the group. Her caramel colored hair was tied into a braid, resting daintily over her shoulder. A hunting knife hung at her waist, and there was a silvery quiver of arrows on her back. Her bow rested in her hand, curved like the horns of a deer. She appeared to be about Tessa's age, maybe a little younger, but her yellowish irises reflected a soul that had seen the turn of many eras.

"I do," Artemis noted. "Thank you, Kassie." She glanced at her lieutenant and smiled before walking further into the cavern. "Deimos, my nephew. What have you been up to?"

"What's your business here, goddess?" Deimos snarled.

Artemis only smiled. "I am here on behalf of Zeus, and your father, Ares. They have requested that you be brought back to Olympus to stand trial for your crimes."

Deimos frowned, narrowing his eyes at the goddess of the hunt. He jerked a finger at Tessa, causing Tessa, her friends, and the hunters to raise their weapons. "The halfbloods don't have to follow me there, right?"

Artemis met Tessa's gaze and smiled. "No, they do not," she said to Deimos. "Now, be gone." She snapped her fingers, and glowing silver bands of energy snapped Deimos' hands together, like godly handcuffs. Kassie, as well as a few other hunters, approached and lugged him forward, back towards the tunnel, before disappearing in silvery light.

Tessa sighed, lowering Tempest. She grabbed the dagger from where Deimos had dropped it, wiping the golden ichor on the sandy floor before sheathing it back onto her arm. When she looked up, Artemis stood before her.

"Thalassa Brennan, daughter of Poseidon," the goddess of the hunt said. "I was watching you fight just now. Very tactful."

Tessa blinked. How often was it that a goddess complimented your strategy? Not only that, but now she had something to hold over Sophia's head at camp. "Thanks." She smiled. "Oh, um, I mean, thank you, Lady Artemis." She curtsied awkwardly.

Artemis held up a hand. "No need for that." She smiled good-naturedly and glanced around at where her friends were regrouping. "You are quite the hero. I have been watching your quest, and while I haven't been able to aid you until now, I see there would have been no need for my help until now. You handled things very well, Tessa."

"Well." Tessa laughed sheepishly. "Considering I got myself killed, I would've said things could have gone better."

The goddess of the moon turned to face Tessa's friends, who were all watching the two of them talk. At Artemis' attention, they all pretended to be otherwise occupied. All expect Kaden, who watched Tessa with that same sparkle of admiration in his eyes.

"I see there's no need to ask you to join the Hunters." Artemis winked knowingly. "While I normally frown upon teenage romance, I am certain that this is one love story that should have no interference."

If Tessa could blush anymore, she probably would have.

"However, before I go, I wish to give you a gift for your strength and valor in battle. If there have been other heroes that have done what you did, even without being revived, I have not seen them." Artemis said. Her gaze flicked to the dagger on Tessa's forearm. "May I?"

Tessa knit her eyebrows, but nodded.

Artemis lifted a hand and pressed it over the dagger. A silvery light shimmered over the weapon from the goddess' hand, and when it faded, it was a dagger no more. In its place, a silver armlet had formed. Engraved into the metal was a crescent moon symbol.

"I, Artemis, Lady of the Hunt and goddess of the moon, bless thee, Thalassa Brennan, daughter of Poseidon with the gift of sharp-shooting, and safe passage through all wild places on Earth." Artemis announced.

Instantly, Tessa felt as if the silver light had returned, and she was bathed in it. This must have been what it was like to become a hunter, just on a smaller scale.

Artemis smiled. "The armlet's a bonus gift," she said. "Should you ever need to shoot an arrow, just tap it and a bow and quiver it shall become."

Tessa smiled. "Thank you," She said sincerely.

Artemis nodded and turned on her heel. Just as she did, Tessa remembered something. "Wait!"

The goddess turned, glancing at Tessa quizzically. "Yes?"

Tessa bit her lip. "My mother." Her voice caught. "Do you know anything about her location?"

The goddess' gaze softened as she shook her head. "I'm afraid not," she said. "But I can try to search for her. Do you have something of hers that I can use?"

Tessa reached into her back pocket, where her mother's golden necklace from Alcatraz had rested. She held it out to Artemis, who took it and inspected it.

"Should I find any clues, I'll let you know." The goddess nodded. She turned again, and was interjected by Kassie sprinting into the cavern.

"M'Lady!" She called, breathing heavily.

"Kassie, what is it?" Artemis responded, walking towards her lieutenant.

Kassie caught her breath. "Deimos," she managed. "We got him into the woods, but he shouted a curse, a threat. Then he disappeared."

Tessa's eyes widened. She dashed to catch up with the hunter, standing at Artemis' side. Her friends gathered as well, prepared to fight as another rumble—this one stronger—ripped through the cavern.

"What kind of curse?" Kaden asked his sister.

Kassie's green eyes were ablaze with fear. "He said 'Warn those halfbloods that the order has been given.'"

Tessa felt her heart drop to her stomach. She had thought Deimos was bluffing about camp in flames, but now, she felt like she needed a blessing from Artemis that would grant her super speed. "We need to go." She turned to her friends urgently. "Now."

Another quake caused the cavern to tremble, and rocks and gravel began to fall from its ceiling. If they didn't leave now, they'd be subject to a cave-in.

"Kassie, go. I'll be right behind you!" Artemis ordered. The daughter of Aphrodite nodded to her mistress, glanced at Kaden, and took off the way she'd come.

Artemis turned to the demigods as another rumble threatened to demolish the cavern. "This cavern is linked to Deimos' presence. Now that he's gone, it threatens to succumb back to Mist. I must find him, and you five." She pointed at them. "You need to leave. Now."

"How can we get back to camp?" Dale asked the goddess, intensity in her golden eyes. She had a bleeding cut on her forehead, but she didn't seem to care, or notice.

Artemis shook her head. "That, you'll have to figure out for yourselves, I'm afraid." She nodded to them and drew her bow. "Godspeed, heroes." And with that, she took off.

"Well, great!" Mark shouted as a boulder fell down from the ceiling in the distance. His katana was gone, as were his throwing knives, but he looked in the same spirits as he always was. "What do we do now?"

Tessa looked around for a plan, and found one in the form of the opening back to the actual Crystal Cave. Rocks from above were dropping into the pool lying between her and the opening, creating a makeshift path across the water to the other side. From there, she could find one of the waterfalls in the forest outside and use that to transport them back to camp.

"Come on!" Tessa ordered and bolted to the pool. She jumped in, hopping from rock to rock until she landed on the opposite shore. The tremors were more close together now, and larger chunks of rock and earth began to fall into the cavern.

Dale followed across the pool, landing beside Tessa. Reese followed, then Kaden, and Mark was half-way across when he froze on the middle step.

"Mark, come on!" Kaden shouted as more rocks began to fall. Only a minute, maybe two, until the entire thing caved in.

"My katana!" Mark shouted. He glanced behind him, into the cavern which was hardly a cavern anymore. "I have to get it!"

"We'll get you a new one!" Reese yelled. "Come on, we've gotta go!"

Tessa met Mark's gaze, and knew instantly what he planned to do. "Mark—" She started.

"Get to camp! I'll be there soon!" Mark ordered, his voice grave. The roar of the cavern's fall cut him off.

"MARK NO!" Dale shrieked. She started forward, but Reese and Kaden cut her off, holding the daughter of Demeter back.

Mark met Dale's gaze and addressed the group. He appeared so calm as the world fell around him. "I love you guys," he called.

"Mark, come on!" Tessa started forward, but before she could reach the edge, Mark as hopping back the way he came. Before anyone could follow, the last wave of rocks fell, cutting off any path in or out of the cavern.

The four remaining demigods watched the rock barricade in horror, breathing heavily. They stood; watching, waiting for Mark to somehow reappear. For what had just happened to have been another one of Deimos' illusions.

But it wasn't.

"Guys," Tessa said, her voice hoarse. "We've gotta go."

"But Mark—" Dale started.

"Mark's gone!" Tessa's voice cracked. "He said he'd meet us there. Now we've come this far, we can't let him down." She reached up and wiped away the tears that threatened to fall. "Now come on!"

She forced away her tears as she burst into a run. Thankfully, her friends followed and soon enough, they were out of the cave and into fresh air. A large group of mortals was standing outside the entrance to the cavern, and multiple news vans were pulled up. Ambulances, cop cars, and firetrucks were also among the gathered, and yet not one son of Iris to be found.

"Visitors report seeing a group of wildcats inside the cave, yet rangers who investigated the scene could find no such thing. Authorities say—" A news reporter was announcing into a camera nearby.

"Come on," Kaden said. "Before someone wonders why four kids just waltzed out of the cave."

The four demigods snuck their way away from the crowd, and barreled down the trails towards the waterfalls. Finally, they reached one, and it was only a matter of getting down at that point.

"It's too far down." Reese huffed a breath, scanning the gap.

"Then say your prayers," Tessa grumbled. She stepped to the edge and jumped.

She could hear the wind whistling in her ears as she went down, the sounds of her friends shocked gasps as she did. However, Tessa only cared about getting home and kicking the ass of Deimos' cohort.

She plunged into the river below, grateful that she didn't paralyze herself on any rocks. She spread her hands, willing the water to keep her friends safe as they plummeted down as well. One by one, the remaining three dove into the river, surfacing and blubbering from the shock they had just faced.

"What's the plan?" Dale asked, her voice scratchy.

Tessa took a breath. "I'll get us back to camp. From there, we save it, and then beat us up one spy." She smiled grimly before submerging.

The water reenergized her, even if her heart still hurt from being stabbed, and from seeing her best friend disappear.

Not now, Brennan. He'd slap you for dwelling on him when camp's in flames. Focus. She thought to herself.

Tessa sent her energy into the waves around her. She channeled the power of the water and concentrated on the current, on the waves back at camp. She focused on camp, everything about camp.

The water around them began to swirl at whirlpool speeds but Tessa kept focusing. She thought of how Kaden and she had met on the dock, of how the lake and the Sound were her safe places, of how the water ran through her veins and into her heart.

With one last push of energy, Tessa opened her eyes, now the same shade as the water around her. She kicked to the surface, and was met with the familiar sight of the canoe lake at camp.

What wasn't familiar with her was the massive plume of onyx smoke rippling up into the sky in the distance, and the sounds of battle from the borders.

~~

Tessa hauled herself out of the lake, and her friends followed suit. They stalked their way back into camp, unable to believe what was unfolding around them.

"So he wasn't kidding then," Kaden managed. "The spy's burning camp. But who are they?"

Tessa racked her brain. The spy had supplies of Greek fire that were being shipped to them by the telkhines of Deimos army. But camp already had Greek fire, so why would they need more?

Tessa gasped.

Images of her dreams raced back to her. She saw Sophia rummaging through the attic for the storage units of the explosive, and even from before the quest, when Tessa had had to hide from her.

"Sophia," she whispered. Disbelief filled her heart, before it was filled with rage. She couldn't stand the daughter of Athena before the quest, but now, at this betrayal, the girl had a death wish.

Tessa whirled around at her three friends. "Dale, go find your siblings and Amelie and head to the front lines. Stop the fighting." She glanced at Reese, who already had an arrow drawn. "Find your brother and put out the fire. Get Calum and Nova, maybe they know something. Then, aid the wounded." The two sprinted off in opposite directions.

"And me?" Kaden asked.

Tessa smirked. "You get to come with me to watch me murder one haughty daughter of Athena."

"What was that?" A high-pitched voice asked.

Tessa turned and nearly leapt out in rage. Standing there, with her siblings, dressed in armor, was Sophia. Her helmet was under her arm, and soot coated her face, like she'd been playing in a fireplace.

"Well, speak of the back-stabbing devil," Tessa spat. "Done doing Deimos' work then, I see?"

Sophia blinked. "What on Earth are you talking about?"

"Admit it!" Tessa leapt at her, but Kaden grabbed her and held her back.

"Settle down, sea princess, hear her out." Kaden said quickly.

Tessa narrowed her eyes at him for using yet another old nickname on her, but glared at Sophia. "Talk." 

The daughter of Athena looked wildly from Tessa to Kaden. "When did you get back from the quest?"

"Now," Tessa snapped. "We defeated Deimos but looks like he still managed to get an order through to his little spy."

"Yeah, he did," Sophia said blatantly. "We're trying to figure out who it is."

Tessa blinked. That wasn't in the script. "But it's you."

Sophie gave her a tired look. "Tessa, I know you don't like me, and the feeling is mutual, but I would never do something like that!" 

Tessa exhaled, looking around. "Then what...?" She motioned around her.

Sophia held up a hand. "Allow me to explain." She turned and waved her siblings off, and they hurried towards the fire in the distance. "About a half hour ago, a fleet of monsters started to attack the northern borders. That's where most of the troops are now; fighting them off. About ten minutes ago, the amphitheater went up in flames again, only this time it spread. It's made of Greek fire, so we're trying to figure out a way to put it out without getting hurt. Then you guys showed up."

Tessa met Kaden's gaze. None of this was adding up to what she'd seen in her gaze. Before she could interrogate the redhead any further, Dale and Reese came sprinting back, Flynn and Amelie in their wake.

"What?" Tessa asked. "What's wrong?"

"The monsters are gone, Tessa. The fight's dying down," Dale reported, taking a breath.

Reese nodded, running a hand through his blonde hair. "And the fire, it's fueled by—"

Amelie and Flynn pushed forward, catching their breaths. 

"Tessa, you're back!" Amelie exclaimed.

"Yeah, this is a great welcome home celebration. Look, Amelie, I know about the first explosion—" Tessa started.

"You do?" Sophia interjected.

"Yes," Tessa snapped, before turning back to her friend. "You need to tell me what happened."

Amelie took a breath. She glanced to Flynn, who bit his lip and stepped forward. "I was training Amelie to help strengthen the border, when we saw the explosion. We ran to go see what was going on, but we saw someone standing in the flames."

"Who? Who did you see?" Kaden urged, his green eyes ablaze with determination.

"They saw me," A snide voice responded, one that always sent a chill down Tessa's spine.

Slowly, Tessa turned as she registered its source. There, stalking towards them, sword in hand, was Matthew Baines, son of Ares.

"Well, if it isn't Tessa Brennan," Matthew said, smirking at her. "Glad to see you, babe."

"That's awkward, the feeling isn't mutual," Tessa rebuffed. She raised Tempest. "You have a thirty seconds to convince me that you aren't the spy, or else you're gonna become a creep kabob."

Matthew's smirk only deepened. "No can do, sweetheart." He spread his hands in mock helplessness. "The deed's done."

"How? How could you?" Sophia asked, standing at Tessa's side. She raised her sword as well, staring the son of Ares down.

Matthew shrugged. "The deal was too enticing to say no." His gaze fell on Sophia, and he laughed. "What, you don't remember?"

Sophia's expression made it seem like he had asked her to go jump off a cliff without a parachute. "What?" 

Matthew made a face. "You're the one who delivered the Greek fire to me, after all," he said, his voice mocking. "You're not as innocent as you think, Ransom."

"Leave her out of this," Tessa growled. "This is between you and me."

"Is it?" Matthew arched his eyebrows, giving Tessa onceover. "I'd rather you and I fight in one of those empty cabins, babe. Put down your sword."

Tessa took a breath, but did as he said. She stabbed Tempest into the ground, stalking forward slowly. "Matthew," she said, dangerously calm. "I did not just risk my life, my sanity, travel across this country in less than a week, lose my mom, lose my best friend, die, come back to life, and nearly die again to come back to this."

"That sucks," Matthew said sarcastically, folding his arms.

"So, you're going to do as I say. Call off the monsters, put out the fire, and maybe, just maybe, I'll let you live," Tessa growled. She was nearly face to face with him, her hands clenched into fists at her side.

"'Fraid not, sweetheart." Matthew smirked.

Tessa shrugged. "Have it your way." In one swift movement, she lifted her fist and punched the son of Ares across the face.

Matthew stumbled away in shock, but fury filled his eyes. "Bitch." He wiped away the blood from his now-broken nose.

Tessa smiled sweetly. "You're not wrong," she retorted, stalking back up to him and kicking him square in the chest. The son of Ares stumbled to the ground.

"Man, you must really have been working for Deimos. He's almost as bad a fighter as you are," she said in disgust. She turned on her heel, starting forwards. However, the next thing she knew she fell to the ground.

Matthew was on top of her the next instant, his sword at her throat. He looked up, no doubt at her friends ready to strike. "Make one move and she's dead."

Again? That's not necessarily frightening anymore, Tessa thought sarcastically.

Matthew glanced down at her, venom in his eyes. "You want a confession? Fine. I admit to working under Deimos influence, and I admit to being the one to reveal camp's location to his fleet of monsters. I admit to recruiting the Palikoi for being the ones to help ignite the fire. I admit to it all!"

"What was that?" Chiron's voice sounded.

Matthew's eyes widened. In his shock, Tessa brought her knee up, hitting him where it hurt. The son of Ares fell back and Tessa bounced to her feet. A blare of purple light shot forward, hitting Matthew in the chest and spreading outwards, arcs of energy forming a magical cage.

Her friends surged forward, and the next thing she knew, the cage and its victim were surrounded by Kaden, Reese, Dale, Flynn, Amelie, and Sophia. Their weapons were at the ready as they looked behind Tessa.

The daughter of Poseidon turned and saw Chiron trotting down the path towards them. He was dressed in armor, his bow across his back, but when he looked at Tessa, that old familiar glint in his eyes was still there.

"Tessa, kids." He smiled. "Welcome home."

"Hey, Chiron," Kaden called. "What're you gonna do with this traitor?" He poked his golden sword at the cage.

Chiron knit his eyebrows, approaching Matt in the cage. "Like his employer, he awaits trial on Olympus for his crimes," he said simply. "Mr. Baines, we do not condone betrayal in this camp."

Matt sneered. "Then why's he here?" He jerked his chin at Kaden, who quickly glanced down at his forearm before looking up.

"Because Kaden is a son of Aphrodite, and a good hero, and a victor of a quest," Chiron said sternly. "Unlike you, a cowardly son of Ares. You could have amounted to so much."

"This isn't the last of me," Matthew threatened. He continued talking, but another zap of energy from Amelie and his voice was no longer heard.

"You've been practicing!" Tessa smiled to the daughter of Hecate, who blushed and looked away.

Now, more and more of the campers were returning to the central part of camp. They were watching the scene play out in astonishment, all covered in soot, or battle wounds.

Chiron snapped his fingers and the cage, and Matt, dissolved. He turned and addressed the group of campers that had gathered. "Heroes, you have fought well today. Had it not been for your heroics, and the combined efforts of the quest group, we would not have won." He glanced to Tessa. "Celebrations for the victory of the quest will begin starting tomorrow! Here's to Tessa Brennan, Kaden Gray, Reese Hale, Dale Alcander, and Mark Akagi, for their defeat of Deimos!"

The camp erupted into cheers and while Tessa looked to her friends with a twisted smile, she felt a flare of pain within her. Then the world faded to black.

~~

When Tessa woke up, she was clean. Her hair had been washed, her wounds were healing, and she wasn't covered in dust, blood, dirt, and ichor like she had been in the battle at crystal cave. She was in a hospital cot, and the muffled sounds of the infirmary sounded from around her. On her bedside table were get-well gifts, teddy bears, and cards. And at her bedside, sat Kaden.

"Hey," Tessa croaked.

Kaden looked up like he'd been stabbed. Rejoice filled his eyes as he smiled at Tessa. "You're awake!"

"If I had a nickel for each time I'd heard that lately." She laughed. She glanced around, sitting up. "I'm in the infirmary?"

Kaden nodded. "You knocked out after we defeated Matt. The Apollo kids have been watching over you in here for the past three days."

Tessa's eyes widened. "Three days? I've been out for three days?"

Kaden shrugged. "You needed the rest." Tessa tried to protest, but Kaden held up a finger at her. "Don't fight it. You know you did."

Tessa sighed. "You know me so well."

Kaden grinned. "That I do." He leant forward, and Tessa leant to meet him halfway, but just as their lips brushed, the curtain was ripped open.

Flynn walked in, donning his infirmary get up. A white coat was over his camp t-shirt and khaki shorts, a stethoscope around his neck. He held a clipboard in his hands and his blue eyes were wide as he spotted Tessa and Kaden.

"Sorry! I'll come back later," he yelped.

Tessa rolled her eyes and laughed. "What's the report, doc?" She smiled at Flynn.

Reese's twin brother walked towards them and checked the clipboard. "Well, your vitals are good. You had a minor concussion, but that should be disappearing any day now. You're free to stay in your cabin from now on, but if you feel funny, come right on back here."

Tessa nodded. "Thanks Flynn," she said.

"No problem," He fiddled in his coat pocket for a moment. "Want a lollipop?"

Tessa made a face. "Do I look like a kid?" She teased, but nodded. "Give me a blue one."

Flynn dug one out of his pocket and tossed it to her. "Feel better! Oh, and congratulations, both of you." He smiled, before turning on his heel and disappearing into the infirmary.

Tessa glanced to Kaden. "We did well, didn't we?"

"We did." Kaden grinned. "Now, come on. There's even more get well presents for you at your cabin."

The two exited the infirmary, with Kaden lugging all of Tessa's presents in her wake. As they walked back to the cabins, Tessa took a breath of fresh air. In honor of their victory, everyone at camp had freedom of activity for the week. While Tessa had missed nearly half of it, Kaden was right—she did need the rest.

Her gaze fell upon Cabin Three, and it was like seeing her old house for the first time again. She smiled softly and bounded up the steps. She swung the front door open, and waltzed in.

What she didn't expect was to find someone sitting on one of the empty bunks.

Within a second, Tessa reached into her pocket and dug out Tempest. Within another second, it was in sword form and pointed at the girl on the bed.

"Who are you and what're you doing in my cabin?" Tessa asked.

The girl blinked at Tessa tiredly. She had brown hair, like Tessa, and hazel eyes, unlike Tessa. She was in a camp shirt, white shorts, and had a necklace hanging around her throat.

"I could ask you the same question," The girl responded. "My name's Madi, and this is my cabin. I'm the daughter of Poseidon."