Star

"Who's your parent?" Was the immediate loud response.

Siren just look at them. His eyes analyzed the whole group, and I noticed they seemed to linger on Poseidon's strong form for a millisecond more. Then he turned back to his food, eating quietly.

Is that your second question?

They looked at each other, Praetor Frank speaking up,"Yes."

I don't have one.

Snake's and my head snapped up, at that. He just lied to their face, and did it so smoothly. I didn't see any noticeable change to signal he was lying. I'm usually great at seeing through his lies too, so either he was telling the truth or he got better at hiding his thoughts and emotions. Snake looked at me questionably, but I just focused on Siren.

"What do you mean, brother?" I asked him, softly.

I was disowned.

My eyebrows knit together in confusion. I didn't know that, and based off the look on Snake's face, he didn't either. Then I felt a wave of anger rise within me, and I barely kept myself from focusing that on the sea god to keep Siren's identity a secret. I quickly alerted the rest of the Orbital's to not give away their Commander's identity.

"Why?" The son of Jupiter asked, suspiciously.

Third question?

"No." Lady Athena swiftly cut in, waving off the frustrated demigods.

Then go away.

"How do we know we can trust you then?" The blond male demanded,"If you were disowned it must've been for some bad reason."

If it's not your third question, then I will not answer. Leave.

"Why won't you answer? Even to just assure us you're not on the wrong side." Lady Demeter asked, confusedly.

It's personal. Now go away.

Just as they opened their mouths to protest, Eros stood up. His aura increased, and for once, instead of feelings the usual attraction, I felt fear. Like instead of one wanting him, it was him wanting me without the ability to stop him. I hated this feeling, and wished it gone, but held my tongue so he could scare the gods away. Nyx and Erebus appeared on his sides as he stood in front of the table, guarding the Commander.

"He doesn't want to answer any more questions, now go back to your tables or I'll make you." Eros growled.

Zeus' face turned into a snarl,"Who do you—"

Siren shot up.

Do not finish your sentence son of Kronos. These are the children of the Creators', and we do not tolerate any disrespect towards them. Go.

What happened to Siren throwing Eros into a bush? Attacking Erebus in the throne room? Well, actually that's deserved. They kind of held him their prisoner so I guess it's even now. We all settled back down, but the three deities remained standing as the campers and gods stayed.

"What happened to your wings?" Piper suddenly asked.

The scary demeanor of the Commander vanished, and I realized I haven't asked yet. When Snake and I went to wake Siren up for dinner, we immediately noticed his lack of wings, but the fact that he was so out of it concerned me more. The Commander was strewn across his bed diagonally, one leg in his covers, the other out.

His pillow was barely on the bed, being clutched on the corner by the Commander. At least by one hand, the right arm of Siren was hanging off the bed, his fingertips touching the floor. Amusedly, drool was escaping the corners of his mouth, and dripping onto the material beneath him. When we had woken him, he used Lady Order's power to update us on his deal with Piper McLean.

Looking at Siren now, I noticed he wasn't as comfortable as he was without them. He used to use his wings to keep space between others and him, and right now he was pretty squished between Ariel and Harmony. They were also his other defense, so I assumed the Commander didn't like being without his weapons. He even slept with all his weapons on his body, the exceptions were Silent and Justice.

The usual flutter of nervousness was gone with his wings. Those also made it easier to tell what Siren was feeling. They would flap in anxiousness, curl around him in empathy, and flare out around him in anger. Now we had no physical clues to what he was internally feeling. Although the side glance Eros and the Commander shared gave me a small hint.

I cut them off.

"Why?" Piper's husband pressed.

I had the opportunity to, now go eat. I have a test for you four after dinner.

"What kind of test?" Praetor Frank asked, nervously.

You'll see.

***

Nyx

"Hold still, love." Eros tried to persuaded the Commander.

In response, the boy jerked to the side to get out of Eros grip. We all, meaning my siblings and the Commander were gathered at the edge of the forest where Eros betrayed us, waiting for the leaders of the camps. Eros was trying to give back the Commander's wings, but the boy refused to be touched by my brother.

I smirked amusedly. Erebus came up on my side, wrapping an arm around my waist, chuckling with me. Tartarus on the other hand stood to the side a bit annoyed at us all for making him be here, but he had to. The sight of fire brought me back to the present.

A wall of flames had appeared between the Commander and my brother. They stood face to face, one growing slowly frustrated, the other determined to resist the best of his ability, no matter his waning energy. That six hour nap didn't do the Commander any good, he should be sleeping for the next twelve.

"Do you want your wings or not?" Eros snapped.

The Commander glared, lowering the flames so they only came up to their waists. His hands were in fists as he waited for Eros to do something. I thought this was funny, finally someone who didn't bend over in my brother's presence. Someone who could actually resist, that earned my respect. With my respect came protection, also I've grown fond of the little mysterious demigod. Not to mention with me came my husband, so lucky Commander.

One minute.

Eros quickly got to work, knowing the Commander didn't joke about the time limit. My brother stretched his arms out and started tracing thin air on both sides of the Commander. Where his fingers marked, a line of white appeared. Soon enough, the outline of the Commander's previous wings were there, fluttering on his command.

Satisfied in his art, Eros leaned back and blew into his hand. Rubbing the limbs together, I saw a black and white color leak brightly out of his hands. Then Eros separated them, quickly pointing his palms on both sides of the Commander. When the light died down, the Commanders old wings were back, and as beautiful as ever.

This time though, the wings had an ombré effect. Midnight black at the base, and slowly changing to pure white on the ends. I inwardly grumbled, seriously Eros? Better hope the Commander doesn't understand it, and assumes he just got new wings. My thoughts were proven wrong with the next flaming sentence from the Commander's mind.

Why are they white too?

Eros smirked back,"Its my claim on your soul."

I laughed out loud when Eros got stabbed in the foot. I knew it was coming, couldn't keep himself under control could he? Although, if it was Tartarus who healed the Commander, it would've been red. My husband and I were already bound, so the person to rid the Commander of poison had to be either Eros or Tartarus.

We all agree that Eros was the better option. Although it didn't seem as if Eros had a heart, he did, deep down for the one that earned it. Good luck, Commander Siren, you're doing great. Eros' yell brought another round of laughter to my lips as he became drenched in water.

"Why are we here?" A new voice cut in.

I stopped my inappropriate sounds of glee, and focused on the anxious demigods before us. They were all gripping their weapons for assurance, and running their eyes over all of us, looking at the Commander a little more as they saw his wings. My eyes focused on the Praetor who asked, her dark hair flowing in the wind behind her.

"To see if you're worthy of being blessed by one of us." I answered sharply.

Tell me what you think...