Chapter One ✴ Snowflake summer

CAMP HALF-BLOOD was the most beautiful during winter time. The snow was allowed to fall lightly, young demigods playing in it. Frost covered the chariot track and the strawberry fields with snow angels on them. The cabins were decorated with tiny flickering lights, like Christmas lights, except they were balls of real fire. More lights glowed in the woods where the nymph had taken it upon themselves to decorate their home for the festive season.

Music filled her ears as she placed an ornament on the tree in the middle of the room, lights shinning in her eyes from the glow of the tree and a scent of pine and gingerbread filled her nostrils. She hummed to the familiar melody of Christmas music her cabinmates played, every year the same tunes, but never sick of it. Placing the last ornament upon the tree, the girl stood up to her feet, admiring her work. It was her task to decorate the tree, and despite one being in the amphitheater, they all decided to get one of their own.

"All I want for Christmas is you!"

Giselle Wright turned around to where the sound came from. She knew who was singing on top of their lungs, used to it for the last four years. On the sofa of their cabin laid Cindy Blossom, daughter of Euterpe, a blanket over her body as she scrolled though her phone. The girl decided to visit the Camp for Christmas as her father and step-mother went on a holiday vacation she didn't want to. Her red hair was sprawled all over the pillow she laid on, green eyes squinting at the bright screen, her glasses no where in sight.

The brunette patted towards the red-head, moving her legs up so she could sit on the sofa and placing them over her lap. She let her head fall backward onto the back of the sofa, her hand moving to cover her eyes from the bright light that illuminated the room. Christmas and such holidays were always hard for her since young age ─ her father passing on the day of Christmas Eve, day when she met her mother.

Footsteps echoed around the room and when Giselle removed her arm and looked towards it, the familiar set of stair appearing by the wall, seeming to come from the ceiling, leading four demigods to come down from their rooms. It was a set of stairs their mothers made possible when building the cabin for their children. Unlike most cabins in the Camp, cabin of the muses was special by all means. Not all of them had magical homes like they did ─ room for every single one of them, on a magic floor that only they can access. When entering their home, other demigods would only see a simple room with sofa and armchairs, a door to bathroom and décor hanging on the walls. Many questioned where they sleep, but the children of muses only laughed and said it was a mystery.

The first to reach the ground floor was Cody Peterson, son of Clio, and second oldest of the cabin and one that stayed with Giselle year-around. The hood of his hoodie covered his head as he descended from the stairs, black hair pulled back in a bun, away from his eyes and pajama pants on his legs ─ he never bothered changing. Hands in his pockets as Fleur Blanchet, daughter of Melpomene walked behind him, in conversation with Juliet Nova, daughter of Erato. With Fleur's freshly dyed blue hair and glossed lips, her school's uniform still on her body, the girl decided to visit her cabinmates before going back to town as she lived in New York. Juliet, much like Giselle and Cody, stayed year-round at the Camp, her mother working in her hometown back in Madrid and the girl deciding she wanted to stay for at least one more year before committing to moving away ─ but knowing the girl, Giselle knew she would stay.

And last that entered the living room was Matheo Bones, son of Polyhymnia and one of the youngest demigods at their cabin. He had only been with them for just over three months now, learning about his new life and what it was like to be a demigod. Fear was evident on his face almost all the time ─ first time seeing pegasus must have let traumatic experience for the kid ─ and Giselle couldn't blame him. If people started telling you that everything about your life is about to change, she would be scared too ─ she was scared.

The rest of her cabinmates where absent ─ Ashlyn Beauty, daughter of Calliope, Luca Monet, son of Thalia, and twins of Terpsichore, Misha and Margaret Jones, all of them going to a boarding schools scattered across the country.

Giselle loved her cabin. She loved her cabinmates. They were more like family then people that lived together ─ seeing as their mothers were close like sisters. Calling one another their siblings happened naturally over the years they've known each other.

Cody's eyes fell onto his older sister, a frown met his face, "Were you not supposed to go to the extraction?"

Giselle nodded, "I am."

"So. . ."

"I'm just waiting for Percy to call."

Fleur fell into the armchair next to the sofa where the brunette and red-head were, "It's not fair," she complained, "You get to go on all these different quests, but we can't. How is that fair?"

"It's much better for you to stay here where it's safe." Giselle said, looking at the younger girl, "I would much prefer that. And, it's nothing special on the quests ─ so it's better here."

"But ─ "

A ringing sound came from Giselle's phone that sat on top of table in front of them. All her siblings looked at it before looking at each other. The brunette knew where it was going, having happened almost every time her friends called. They launched at her phone to grab it, but Giselle was faster, taking her phone quickly and standing up harshly and away from her siblings.

"Hey, Perc!" the girl answered, "You almost here?"

"We'll be there in ten minutes," a voice on the other line said, to which Giselle nodded as she listened, "Be ready in time. I don't want to wait like last time."

"Bitch, you waited only for fifteen minutes." the girl said, "I can be worse and you know that."

Giselle could tell her friend rolled his eyes, "Gigi, you know I love you, but for the love of gods if I have to wait for you more than ten minutes you will drive yourself next time."

"It's not like you're driving," Giselle responded, walking up the stairs that appeared and into her room where her bag sat on the bed, all prepared "We know you still don't have your driving license."

"I'm older than you." Percy said from the other line.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Giselle rolled her eyes, taking the bag and putting it on her shoulder.

"Is that Giselle?" a feminine voice called out in the background, "Oh, I can't wait to see her! She should come over more often."

Percy groaned, "Mom, don't call her over. We won't be able to get rid of her."

"Percy!"

Giselle smiled, "I love your mother."

"There in five!"

IT WAS AN eight-hour drive from New York to Bar Harbor, Maine. On their way to the boarding school, they had picked up Annabeth Chase and Thalia Grace from their dorms. Giselle was enthusiastic, finally having her best friend to herself, the daughter of Athena mirroring her smile. Despite the group hadn't seen each other in months, but between the blizzard and the thought of what they were about to do, they were too nervous to talk much.

Except for Percy's mom. She talks more when she's nervous. By the time they finally got to Westover Hall, it was getting dark, and she'd told Giselle, Annabeth and Thalia every embarrassing baby story there was to tell about the boy.

Thalia wiped the fog off the car window and peered outside. "Oh, yeah. This'll be fun."

Westover Hall looked like an evil knight's castle. It was all black stone, with towers and slit windows and a big set of wooden double doors. It stood on a snowy cliff overlooking this big frosty forest on one side and the gray churning ocean on the other.

"Are you sure you don't want me to wait?" Sally asked.

"No, thanks, Mom," Percy said. "I don't know how long it will take. We'll be okay."

"But how will you get back? I'm worried, Percy."

Percy looked like he was blushing. Giselle resisted the urge to tease him on the spot. 

"It's okay, Ms. Jackson." Annabeth smiled reassuringly. Her braids were pulled into a low ponytail and her gray eyes were the same color as the ocean. "We'll keep him out of trouble."

"If that's possible," Giselle said, throwing her arm around his shoulder, "This boy gets into too much trouble."

Percy shoved his best friend off, sending her a harmless glare. She stuck her tongue out at him.

Sally seemed to relax a little. She thought Annabeth is the most levelheaded demigod ever to hit eighth grade. She's always made sure to keep her two best friends from getting killed. 

"All right, dears," Percy's mom said. "Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes, Ms. Jackson," Thalia said. "Thanks for the ride."

"Extra sweaters? You have my cell phone number?"

"Mom ─ "

"Your ambrosia and nectar, Percy? And a golden drachma in case you need to contactcamp?" 

"Mom, seriously! We'll be fine. Come on, guys."

She looked a little hurt, and Giselle gave her a hug before exiting the car, following after Percy and the two other girls. The wind blew straight through the girl's coat like ice daggers. 

"Your mom is so cool, Percy." Thalia said.

"She's pretty okay," the boy admitted admitted. "What about you? You ever get in touch with your mom?"

As soon as he said it, he wished he hadn't. Thalia was great at giving evil looks, what with the punk clothes she always wears ─ the ripped-up army jacket, black leather pants and chain jewelry, the black eyeliner and those intense blue eyes. But the look she gave Percy now was a perfect evil "ten."

"If that was any of your business, Percy ─ "

"We'd better get inside," Annabeth interrupted. "Grover will be waiting."

Thalia looked at the castle and shivered. "You're right. I wonder what he found here that made him send the distress call."

Giselle stared up at the dark towers of Westover Hall. "Nothing good,"

As they walked towards the oak doors, they groaned open, and the four of them stepped into the entry hall in a swirl of snow. The place was huge. The walls were lined with battle flags and weapon displays: antique rifles, battle axes, and a bunch of other stuff. She knew Westover was a military school and all, but the decorations seemed like overkill.

It needed a bit of light here.

Giselle's hand went into her pocket, where she kept her compacted mirror ─ which changed into her bow and arrow when she wished to and opened it. She could already sense something wrong in this place. Something dangerous. Percy's hand went to his pocket, where he kept his lethal ballpoint pen, Riptide. Thalia was rubbing her silver bracelet, her favorite magic item. They were all thinking the same thing. A fight was coming.

Annabeth started to say, "I wonder where ─ "

The doors slammed shut behind them.

"Oo-kay," Percy mumbled. "Guess we'll stay awhile."

Giselle could hear music echoing from the other end of the hall. It sounded like dance music.

The demigods stashed their overnight bags behind a pillar, before starting down the hall. The group hadn't gone very far when they heard footsteps on the stone floor, and a man and woman marched out of the shadows to intercept them. They both had short gray hair and black military-style uniforms with red trim. The woman had a wispy mustache, and the guy was clean-shaven, which seemed kind of backward to them. They both walked stiffly, like they had broomsticks taped to their spines.

"Well?" the woman demanded. "What are you doing here?"

"Um. . ." Percy begun to say, "Ma'am, we're just ─ "

"Ha!" the man snapped, which made Percy jump. "Visitors are not allowed at the dance! You shall be eee-jected!"

He had an accent ─ French, maybe. He pronounced his J like in Jacques, He was tall, with a hawkish face. His nostrils flared when he spoke, which made it really hard not to stare up his nose, and his eyes were two different colors ─ one brown, one blue ─ like an alley cat's.

Thalia and Giselle shared a look, before the older one stepped forward and snapped her fingers. The sound was sharp and loud. The sensation flowing though her as a gust of wind ripple out from her hand, across the room. It washed over all of them, making the banners rustle on the walls.

"Oh, but we're not visitors, sir," the brunette said. "We go to school here. You remember: I'm Giselle. And this is Thalia, Annabeth and Percy. We're in the eighth grade."

The male teacher narrowed his two-colored eyes, and the girl stared back with the same stare. The man seemed to be hesitating. He looked at his colleague. "Ms. Gottschalk, do you know these students?"

The woman blinked, "I. . . yes. I believe I do, sir." she frowned at them. "Giselle. Annabeth. Thalia. Percy. What are you doing away from the gymnasium?"

Before they could answer, the girl heard more footsteps, and Grover ran up, breathless. "You made it! You ─ " he stopped short when he saw the teachers. "Oh, Mrs. Gottschalk. Dr. Thorn! I, uh ─ "

"What is it, Mr. Underwood?" said the man. His tone made it clear that he detested Grover. "What do you mean, they made it? These students live here."

Grover swallowed. "Yes, sir. Of course, Dr. Thorn. I just meant, I'm so glad they made. . . the punch for the dance! The punch is great. And they made it!"

Dr. Thorn glared at them. Giselle decided one of his eyes had to be fake. The brown one? The blue one? He looked like he wanted to pitch them off the castle's highest tower, but then Mrs. Gottschalk said dreamily, "Yes, the punch is excellent. Now run along, all of you. You are not to leave the gymnasium again!"

They didn't wait to be told twice. They left with a lot of "Yes, ma'ams" and "Yes, sirs" and a couple of salutes, just because it seemed like the thing to do. Grover hustled them down the hall in the direction of the music.

She could feel the teachers' eyes on her back, but Percy walked closely to Thalia and Giselle and asked in alow voice, "How did you do that finger-snap thing?" 

"You mean the Mist? Hasn't Chiron shown you how to do that yet?"

"That was close!" Grover said. "Thank the gods you got here!"

Giselle, Annabeth and Thalia hugged Grover. Percy gave him a big high five, which was lame truth to be told.

"So what's the emergency?" Percy asked.

Grover took a deep breath. "I found two."

"Two half-bloods?" Thalia asked, amazed. "Here?"

Grover nodded. Finding one half-blood was rare enough. This year, Chiron had put the satyrs on emergency over time and sent them all over the country, scouring schools from fourth grade through high school for possible recruits. These were desperate times. They were losing campers. They needed all the new fighters they could find. The problem was, there just weren't that many demigods out there.

"A brother and a sister," he said. "They're ten and twelve. I don't know their parentage, but they're strong. And, we're running out of time, though. I need help."

"Monsters?"

"One." Grover looked nervous. "He suspects. I don't think he's positive yet, but this is the last day of term. I'm sure he won't let them leave campus without finding out. It may be our last chance! Every time I try to get close to them, he's always there, blocking me. I don't know what to do!"

"Right," Thalia said. "These half-bloods are at the dance?"

Grover nodded.

"Then let's dance," Thalia said. "Who's the monster?"

"Oh," Grover said, and looked around nervously. "You just met him. The vice principal, Dr. Thorn."

"Fun."

WEIRD THING about military schools: the kids go absolutely nuts when there's a special event and they get to be out of uniform. Giselle guessed it's because everything's so strict the rest of the time, they feel like they've got to overcompensate or something.

There were black and red balloons all over the gym floor, and guys were kicking them in each others faces, or trying to strangle each other with the crepe-paper streamers taped to the walls. Girls moved around in groups, and some of the older guys looked uncomfortable, hanging out at the edges of the gym and trying to hide.

"There they are." Grover nodded toward a couple of younger kids arguing in the bleachers. "Bianca and Nico di Angelo."

The girl wore a floppy green cap, like she was trying to hide her face. The boy was obviously her little brother. They both had dark silky hair and olive skin, and they used their hands a lot as they talked. The boy was shuffling some kind of trading cards. His sister seemed to be scolding him about something. She kept looking around like she sensed something was wrong.

Annabeth said, "Do they. . . I mean, have you told them?"

Grover shook his head. "You know how it is. That could put them in more danger. Once they realize who they are, their scent becomes stronger."

"So let's grab them and get out of here," Percy said.

He started forward, but Thalia put her hand on his shoulder. The vice principal, Dr. Thorn, had slipped out of a doorway near the bleachers and was standing near the di Angelo siblings. He nodded coldly in their direction. His blue eye seemed to glow. 

Giselle pursed her lips, "He knows," she whispered.

Annabeth nodded at her statement.

"Don't look at the kids," Thalia ordered. "We have to wait for a chance to get them. We need to pretend we're not interested in them. Throw him off the scent."

"How?"

"We're four powerful half-bloods. Our presence should confuse him. Mingle. Act natural. Do some dancing. But keep an eye on those kids."

"Dancing?" Annabeth asked.

Thalia nodded. She cocked her ear to the music and made a face. "Ugh. Who chose the Jesse McCartney?"

Grover looked hurt. "I did."

"Oh my gods, Grover. That is so fucking lame. Can't you play, like, Green Day or something?"

"Green who?"

"Never mind. Let's dance."

"But I can't dance!"

"You can if I'm leading," Thalia said. "Come on, goat boy."

Grover yelped as Thalia grabbed his hand and led him onto the dance floor.

Annabeth smiled.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's just cool to have Thalia back."

Annabeth had grown taller over the summer; everyone in the Camp had. Even before, Annabeth was taller than the girl, but now she seemed to be even more. She used to wear no jewelry except for her Camp Half-Blood bead necklace, but now she wore little silver earrings shaped like owls ─ the symbol of her mother, Athena.

Giselle looked around at people dancing. She saw Thalia slow dancing with Grover, who was tripping all over himself, kicking Thalia in the shins, and looking like he wanted to die. At least his feet were fake.

She turned towards her best friend, extending a hand before her, "Care to dance, darling." she asked, her voice going an octave deeper than her usually deeper tone.

The girl turned to her with slight redness decorating her cheeks. She looked passed her shoulder and towards Percy. The boy shot her thumbs up, nodding his head, a smile gracing his face. Annabeth took Giselle's hand into hers, and the younger girl pulled her towards the dance floor, placing her hands on her waist as they swayed to the music.

"So. . . Did that pretty head of yours came up with any good buildings designs lately?" the brunette asked.

Annabeth's eyes lit up, the way they always did when she talked about architecture. "Oh my gods, Ellie. At my new school, I get to take 3-D design as an elective, and there's this cool computer program. . ." 

She went on to explain how she'd designed this huge monument that she wanted to build at Ground Zero in Manhattan. She talked about structural supports and facades and stuff, and Giselle tried to listen. She knew she wanted to be a super architect when she grew up ─ she loves math and historical buildings and all that ─ but the girl hardly understood a word she was saying.

Giselle loved listening to her best friend rambling about things she's passionate in. Her voice travelled though the air and into her ears, like sweet melody she couldn't get enough of. Her gray eyes sparkled with excitement and her smile bright like shinning sun.

But the truth was right now, she was kind of disappointed to hear that she liked her new school so much. It was the first time she'd gone to school in New York ─ leaving Giselle all alone at the Camp. It was a boarding school in Brooklyn, and she and Thalia were both attending, close enough to Camp Half-Blood that Chiron could help if they got in any trouble. Giselle could have gone too, but she would rather stay with her siblings at the Camp before going to school. Maybe later, but for now it's this.

"So you're staying there the rest of the year, huh?"

Annabeth's face got dark. "Well, maybe. . . It's my dad. And you know how he is. . ."

"Uh-oh." Giselle knew Annabeth had a rocky relationship with her father. "I thought it was getting better with you two. Is it your stepmom again?"

The girl sighed. "He decided to move. Just when I was getting settled in New York, he took this stupid new job researching for a World War I book. In San Francisco!"

"So he wants you to move out there with him?" Giselle asked.

"To the other side of the country," she said miserably. "And half-bloods can't live in SanFrancisco. He should know that."

"Oh, that. . ." the brunette said, her lips in a tight line, "You'll go back to living at camp or what?"

"Uh. . . I don't know. . . I probably should tell you something." suddenly she froze. "They're gone."

"What?" Giselle followed her gaze.

The bleachers. The two half-blood kids, Bianca and Nico, were no longer there. The door next to the bleachers was wide open. Dr. Thorn and Percy Jackson were nowhere in sight.