❀ ❀ ❀

AMARA WAS IN The Hermes Cabin. She missed the sleepovers with Luke. Luke's arm was draped around her as they slept. That was nice. Amara whimpered in her sleep, snuggling closer to Luke.

"I got you, I got you. It's okay. It's okay." Luke whispered, planting a kiss to the back of her head.

Amara turned over, wrapping her arms around Luke "I-i can't handle the nightmares."

"Shh. It's okay, it's okay." Luke cooed, rubbing her back, trying to get her to relax.

Amara sniffed, wiping her tears "I keep seeing Kronos..."

Luke kissed her forehead, stroking her hair. Amara snuggled closer to Luke, kissing his cheek.

"Try to go back to sleep. I'll be right here, okay?" Luke comforted her, running his fingers through her hair.

Amara looked at Luke, sniffling. Luke wiped her tears, sighing sadly. Amara leaned into his touch, blushing.

"I'm here, okay? I'm right here." Luke swore, smiling at her.

Amara smiled a bit, sighing softly "Intense recurring nightmares, huh?"

Luke kissed her head, rubbing her back "I still get them, too."

Amara rubbed his arms, closing her eyes "I'm sorry."

Luke tapped her nose, shaking his head "Don't worry about me, just go to sleep."

Amara listened to Luke, letting sleep take over her.

❀ ❀ ❀

CLARISSE WRAPPED HER Arm around Amara, walking with her. Amara rolled her eyes, playfully.

"Well, well. Hi, favorite cousin." Clarisse gushed at Amara as they walked towards Percy and Luke.

Amara chuckled, rolling her eyes "I'm your favorite?"

Clarisse shrugged, pouting at Amara "That's shocking?"

Amara made a 'little bit' sign with her fingers. Clarisse hummed, bumping into Percy. Amara covered her face, groaning. Oh my Gods.

"Hey!" Percy exclaimed, bumping into Luke.

Amara sighed, deeply as Clarisse stepped closer to Percy. Not again. Clarisse gave Percy a look before shoving him to the ground. Amara stepped in between Clarisse and Percy.

"Clare, really? Knock it off." Amara shot Clarisse a look, shaking her head.

Clarisse rolled her eyes in annoyance, looking between Luke and Amara.

"Amara's right. Knock it off, Clarisse. It's like his first day, come on." Luke gave Clarisse a look.

Amara rubbed her temples, shaking her head "Here we go again..."

"Wait, so this is the kid who killed the Minotaur. Is that right?" Clarisse pointed at Percy, looking at him.

Percy looked around, nervously "Yeah.."

"I'll bet. Look, you want attention around here, dummy? You better be ready for it when it comes." Clarisse got close to Percy trying to spook him.

Amara crossed her arms, sighing in annoyance "Enough."

Clarisse chuckled softly, turning to Amara "You coming, Ames?"

Amara shrugged, looking at Luke "I'll catch up later."

Clarisse looked between the two making fake kissing noises before walking off. Amara rolled her eyes, glaring at Clarisse.

"Well, she seems nice." Percy spoke sarcastically, pointing at Clarisse.

Amara chuckled, softly "You could say that."

"Why?" Percy turned to Amara, a quizzical look on his face.

Luke sighed, turning to Percy. Amara rubbed her lips together, letting Luke take it from there.

"Ares kids. They come by it honestly." Luke placed his hands on his hips, looking at Percy.

"Why don't they mess with you two?" Percy looked between them.

Amara snorted, looking at Percy "Cause of who my mom is."

"They know better." Luke shrugged with a smirk.

"Wait, who's your mom?" Percy furrowed his brows, intrigued with Amara.

Amara held her hand out "Amara Menendez. Daughter of Demeter."

"Percy Jackson." Percy shook her hand with a soft smile.

"I know who you are, I'm sorry about your mom." Amara frowned, standing up straight.

Percy's smile faded slightly at that. Chris looked between them, breaking the awkward silence.

"Luke and Amara are the strongest swordsmen at camp. Especially Amara with her background." Chris praised the two.

"So, they leave you both alone, because 'glory'?" Percy questioned the two.

Amara clicked her tongue, pointing at Percy. Luke nodded, closing his eyes. He got it.

"So, if I get glory, Clarisse wouldn't mess with me either?" Percy questioned, his eyes averting between Amara and Luke.

"Exactly." Luke replied, looking at Percy.

"And people think I'm a big deal?" Percy furrowed his brows at them.

Amara bit her nail, shrugging. Luke shrugged as well. Percy definitely got cocky.

"Well, sorta, but..." Luke started, but got cut off by Percy.

"And my dad's got no choice but to claim me." Percy looked away from Luke and Amara.

Amara smirked, whispering to Luke "That's the spirit."

Luke snorted, rubbing Amara's back "Shut up. Percy, you can't force the gods to do anything."

Amara held onto Luke, trying to hide the smile on her face. That was entertaining.

"Well, yeah, but it would make it harder for him to pretend I don't exist, right?" Percy looked over to Luke then Amara.

Amara gave Percy a soft smile, shrugging "Maybe."

"Well, great. Where do we start?" Percy looked between Amara, Luke, and Chris.

Amara winced, looking at Luke "I better find Clarisse."

Luke frowned, looking at her with pleading eyes "Stay?"

"Clare will have my head, you know this." Amara kissed his cheek, rubbing his arm.

Percy was confused as to where Amara was going in such a hurry. Luke kept pouting as he looked at Amara. Amara bit her lip, looking down at her shoes.

Chris smirked between them, chuckling "Aw, Lukey."

Luke rolled his eyes at Chris, blushing "Alright, that's enough."

Amara hugged Chris and Luke before turning to Percy "Nice to meet you."

"You, too." Percy waved with a soft smile.

Amara waved back before going to find Clarisse. Luke Castellan was smitten with Amara Menendez.