𝓢𝓞𝓝 𝓞𝓕 𝓝𝓔𝓟𝓣𝓤𝓝𝓔

THE FIFTH COHORT TOOK A PLUNGE IN RANK WHEN JASON GRACE LEFT.

Of course, the cohort really wasn't all that since Michael Varus, a legionnaire of the Fifth and a senior Praetor led them to disaster in Alaska. The big idiot lost the Legion's eagle and most of their Imperial gold weapons in the 1980s. Why did he do it? Because he was another arrogant glory-chasing hero who thought he could complete the Prophecy of Seven, despite being warned that it was way too early.

But Jason Grace—amazing, brave, and majorly attractive Jason Grace—had brought the cohort up in ranks. He helped restore the Fifth's status with his leadership and efforts through the Titan war—An effort he shared with Evangeline and Reyna.

Despite Evangeline hoping her presence could be more than enough and that she should get some credit for her sweat and tears. Jason's unexplained disappearance destroyed all their gains and they went back to being a disgrace.

In the end, his disappearance didn't just ruin Evangeline's cohort and spirit, but it destroyed her heart.

She remembered the last day she saw him vividly, they were sitting on the rooftop the night before, it was right after they had a training—and it was the first time they had ever kissed...

He was basically ripped away from existence the next day. Leaving Evangeline with questions, piled-on insecurities, and a whole lot of heartache.

Evangeline still had memorized his electric blue eyes and golden clean-cut blonde hair.

"I have an amazing view from up here handsome." She teased him like she always had, he smiled slightly, and her gaze fell on the staple scar on his lip.

"I can bet that mine is way better..."

Her amber eyes flicked up to his. Widening slightly.

Evangeline was surprised, she always flirted with him—but she never got such a response. See Jason was a rule follower a moral compass, a golden boy type. Don't get her wrong—these were things Evangeline loved about him, he always did the right thing, and he was a great leader.

When she was little she wished she could be as strong as him and Reyna—and when they offered to train her she had been ecstatic to be taken so seriously.

The trainings lasted for a year and paused for a bit during the Titan War. Where Evangeline finally showed off her hard work. Jason and Reyna helped her get to where she wanted to be, and for that she was grateful. But she cursed herself for falling victim to her heart...

Evangeline loved the other side of Jason even more, the one she learned through being his mentee.

The Jason that let himself relax and would laugh at her flirty jokes. The Jason that opened up to her about his mom and sister and about being scared of not meeting everyone's expectations. The Jason that let himself be himself. The Jason Grace that was perfectly imperfect.

The Jason who let himself sneak around Camp Jupiter's rooftops in the middle of the night.

He cleared his throat when she looked at him in surprise. A hand reached out to tuck a strand of her brown hair behind her ear. "Angel, You've helped me so much...Do you know that?... I don't think we would have survived that war without you."

Evangeline blushed at the nickname—feeling butterflies every time the simple word left his lips. He'd always called her that since she joined the legion at twelve. But when she started to get to know him more than the warrior praetor of the legion. That's when the nickname started causing her heart to flutter.

She smirked, "Are you saying that you need me, Jason Grace?"

"I do." He said simply, "I'll always need you and Rey. You guys help ease all the pressure...If I didn't have you two I would have already crumbled. You're the only ones who see me as just Jason. You're the only ones..."

She smiled softly,

"I try hard to be a good Leader." Jason went off on a rant. Feeling comfortable around Evangeline's loving presence. "I try to be the leader everyone expects of me but it's like I have to always wear a mask and armor and it's so tiring sometimes. I'm scared to make a mistake—And I mean we won the war and everyone's praising me—But I still feel so...Unfulfilled.."

Evangeline frowned, and her hand fell on his shoulder. They had similar talks like this before, she knew what he needed most was someplace to be truly heard.

"Even as your mentor I've tried to be perfect and stay professional...I've tried so hard not to disappoint you and I try so hard to not let myself...."

Evangeline felt a wave of realization fall over her. She fought a grin, only allowing herself to rub his shoulder. It was a sneaky attempt to coax him into telling her what she so desperately wanted to hear. Jason took a sharp breath in, he looked into her amber eyes once again.

The gaze sent a shock through Evangeline.

"Is it terrible of me to want to break the rules every time you're near me?" He whispered, "I swear...I forget all my responsibilities...because I just want to..."

"Finish your sentence, Superman." She hummed.

"You're enjoying this..." He gave her a smile that caused her heart to skip a beat.

"I'd enjoy it more if you got to the point." She smirked with a nonchalant shrug, "Instead of beating around the bush...You could tell me...Since, when I'm around you...I forget everything else too..."

She still thinks of the way she teased him like she always had, her flirting wasn't anything new, but he was the only one she truly ever meant her words with...Ironically, he was also the only one to ever leave her speechless...

She could never forget the way he leaned in and took her breath away. The way his arm snaked itself around her waist as he pulled her closer. The way he kissed her with so much emotion, and the way her name slipped out his lips as they were brushing against hers. Angel, I think I'm falling for you...

Then, She remembered waking up hours later. Excited that maybe, just maybe she'd found something genuine. Just to find out that the boy she was head over heels for—was gone.

She was worried for the most part, but she was also extremely bitter: If he left on his own why wouldn't he say goodbye? why the hell would he kiss her just to leave without a word? Did he even like her—or did he just want what everyone else wanted...A taste.

She knew they were questions she wouldn't get answered soon.

Despite his absence. She never stopped training with Reyna, which she knew was difficult for the Boricuan girl considering her best friend (Besides Evangeline!) had dropped off the face of the earth and left her to lead an entire legion.

Evangeline sought to help her in the ways she could to show her gratitude. Bringing the girls much closer than before. They leaned on each other. But not even Reyna could alleviate Evangeline's pain...

Of course, she did what every normal teenage girl does when they're heartbroken—she dyed her hair red.

The scarlet locks that now fell over her shoulders were the one thing to make her feel better amidst his absence.

At least that's what she thought before Percy Jackson came scrambling to their camp entrance with a goddess in his arms...

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

BORDER PATROL DUTY WAS A PUNISHMENT assigned by Reyna. To say the least, Evangeline absolutely despised Border Patrol. She knew that Reyna didn't really want to assign Evangeline out there, finding her way more useful within the camp walls. But it was a punishment for dropkicking (yes dropkicking) a high-ranking legionnaire who was being way too bold.

The older boy tried getting her exiled for her quote "aggressive promiscuity" but Reyna had more sense than that. She trusted Evangeline despite all the witnesses saying she began it with her flirting.

In her defense, the flirting was completely innocent until he started grabbing her and asking how many guys she'd had before him. —As if she'd ever sleep with that idiot!

Evangeline was a flirt, sure, but that didn't mean she didn't deserve respect. Or that she wouldn't demand it.

'Cause of the incident, she was now stuck at the entrance tunnel to Camp Jupiter. Guarding it alongside the newest recruits Hazel and Frank in head-to-toe armor.

It started off super super boring. Evangeline wanted any kind of reason to unsheath her Fulham Gladius which was encrusted with Pearls and Rubies. But then again— she also just loved showing it off.

At one point, to kill time she started playing matchmaker. Noticing for a while now how Frank kept getting starry-eyed around Hazel.

"So Frankie," She hummed patting his shoulder. "Doesn't Hazel look spectacular in her armor?"

Hazel snorted, "You can only see my eyes Eva."

Evangeline winked at the girl, "Oh honey! with those expensive eyes that's more than enough! Isn't that right Frank?"

Frank was blushing from head to toe, and Hazel was begging Evangeline to give the boy a break with her 14-karat eyes when they saw a boy running toward them on the highway—holding an old lady in his arms?

"Hey, Do you see that—?" Frank blinked.

Hazel cried, "He's being chased!"

Evangeline caught a glimpse of the gorgons running behind him, she looked at Frank with wide eyes, "Snap out of it! Shoot!"

Frank felt the words fall over him, he nocked an arrow.

The boy shouted, "Wait!"

However, Frank wasn't aiming at him. The arrow flew over Percy's head. A gorgon wailed in pain. Hazel readied her spear, and Evangeline flipped over her hairpin, allowing it to form into her gorgeous sword (Her words).

The boy was fifty feet from the door. Thirty feet.

"Gotcha!" shrieked a gorgon. An arrow thudded into her forehead right after her false triumph. She tumbled into the fast lane. A truck slammed into her and carried her backward a hundred yards, but she just climbed over the cab, pulled the arrow out of her head, and launched back into the air.

The guy reached the door. "Thanks," he told the guards."Good shot."

"That should've killed her!" the archer protested.

"Welcome to my world," He muttered.

"You really stink." Evangeline wrinkled her nose. The boy's aroma almost frying away her nose hairs.

Then he looked right at her. Evangeline didn't want to be a stereotypical Venus child— But godsdamn! was this boy some great eye candy!

Seriously, The boy could've been a Roman god for all she knew.

His sea-green eyes were enchanting despite his gaze of offense.

He was tan, muscular, and tall. His dark raven hair was unruly and dripping with sweat as some strands stuck to his forehead. His face was perfectly sculpted and his full lips had a prominent cupid bow— She could already tell they'd be great for kissing.

His arms and legs were covered with dirt. His orange shirt that had faded writing on it was ripped and burnt to shreds. Allowing Evangeline to see his sooted chest and abs.

Loving this view. She thought. She cleared her throat when she thought of Jason. A wave of sadness and yearning fell over her as she remembered that night...

She forced herself to focus."We need to get them inside, as fast as possible, Those are gorgons."

"Gorgons?" Frank squeaked under his helmet. "Will the door hold them?"

In Super Hot Boy's arms, The old hag cackled. "No, no it won't. Onward, Percy Jackson! Through the tunnel, over the river!"

"Percy Jackson?" Hazel's voice peaked. "Okay, you're obviously a demigod. But who's the—" She glanced at the lady "Never mind. Evangeline get him inside. Frank and I will hold them off."

Frank's eyes widened, "What—"

Evangeline giggled at the pair, "Aw cute! Don't die haze!" She demanded, opening the door."Come on Pretty boy, you're with me."

Percy looked taken aback but followed, staggering under the weight of the old lady, who seemed to be getting heavier.

The tunnel cut through solid rock, about the width and height of a school hallway.

At first, The tunnel towards Camp looked like a typical maintenance tunnel, with electric cables, warning signs, fuse boxes on the walls, and lightbulbs in wire cages along the ceiling. But as they ran deeper into the hillside, the cement floor changed to a tiled mosaic. The lights changed to reed torches, which burned but didn't smoke. A few hundred yards ahead, they already saw daylight.

Behind them, the gorgons' voices echoed in the tunnel.
Hazel shouted. Evangeline was tempted to dump the pretty boy and run back to help, but then the entire tunnel shook with the rumble of falling stones.

She glanced back. The west end of the tunnel was now filled with dust.

"Shouldn't we check on them?" He asked.

"They'll be okay—I'm hoping." Evangeline reassured, "Hazel is good underground and hey if they die together it'll be romantic."

He stared at her like she had grown two heads.

"I'm kidding." She hissed, "Mostly, Just keep moving! We're almost there."

"Almost where?"

The old lady chuckled. "All roads lead there, child. You should know that"

"Detention?" Percy asked.

"Rome, child," She said. "Rome."

They kept running. The glow at the end of the tunnel grew brighter, and finally, they burst into sunlight.

Percy froze. He looked out toward the bowl-shaped valley several miles wide. Evangeline grinned, knowing that he was taking in the beauty of her home. The basin floor was rumpled with smaller hills, golden plains, and stretches of forest. A small clear river cut a winding course from a lake in the center and round the perimeter, like a capital G.

In the center of the valley, nestled by the lake, was a small city of white marble buildings with red-tiled roofs. Some had domes and columned porticoes.

Others looked like palaces, with golden doors and large gardens. There was an open plaza with freestanding columns, fountains, and statues. A five-story-tall Roman coliseum gleamed in the sun, next to a long oval arena like a racetrack.

Across the lake to the south, another hill was dotted with even more temples.

Several stone bridges crossed the river as it wound through the valley and, in the north, a long line of brickwork arches stretched from the hills into the town.

Below them, about two hundred yards away, just across the river, was some sort of military encampment. It was about a quarter mile square, with earthen ramparts on all four sides, the tops lined with sharpened spikes. Outside the walls ran a dry moat, also studded with spikes. Wooden watchtowers rose at each corner, manned by sentries with oversized mounted crossbows. Purple banners hung from the towers.

A wide gateway opened on the far side of the camp, leading towards the city. A narrower gate stood closed on the riverbank side. Inside, the fortress bustled with activity: dozens of kids going to and from barracks, carrying weapons, polishing armor.

"You done drooling Pretty boy?" Evangeline asked, she finally took off her helmet. Tucking it under her arm, she ran her hand through her long scarlet hair.

"Woah—" Percy choked on his saliva, "I mean—I'm not drooling...Um, By any chance is your name Annabeth?"

"Nice name, but No" She smirked, "Evangeline, you'll remember that. My friends call me Eva or Angie. That is—if you want to stay friends. You're looking at Camp Jupiter. Now if you're done, we'll be safe once—"

Footsteps echoed in the tunnel behind them. Hazel and Frank burst into the light. They were covered with stone dust and breathing hard. Hazel had lost her helmet, so her curly brown hair fell around her shoulders. Frank stood next to her with a 50% OFF sticker on his helmet. Their armor had long slash marks in front from the claws of a gorgon.

"Not the clearance rack..." Evangeline gasped dramatically

"We slowed them down,' Hazel said. "But they'll be here any second."

Frank cursed. "We have to get across the river."

The old lady squeezed Percy's neck tighter. "Oh yes, please. I can't get my dress wet."

Hey, She's totally stealing my thunder...

Percy bit his tongue. He stumbled a few times as they ran for the river. Evangeline and Hazel kept him on his feet.

They reached the riverbank, and Percy stopped to catch his breath. The current was fast, but the river didn't look deep. Only a stone's throw across stood the gates of the fort.

"Go, Hazel, Evangeline." Frank nocked two arrows at once. "Escort Percy so the sentries don't shoot him. I'll continue to hold off the baddies."

Hazel nodded and waded into the stream along with Evangeline.

Percy started to follow, but something made him hesitate.

The redhead furrowed her eyebrows, "Hey are you good—?"

"The Little Tiber," The lady said sympathetically. "It flows with the power of the original Tiber, river of the empire. This is your last chance to back out, child. The mark of Achilles is a Greek blessing. You can't retain it if you cross into Roman territory. The Tiber will wash it away."

"Huh—Greek blessing?" Evangeline questioned.

Percy seemed to understand some of that, "If I cross, I won't have iron skin anymore?"

June smiled. "So what will it be? Safety, or a future of pain and possibility?"

Behind him, the gorgons screeched as they flew from the tunnel.

Frank let his arrows fly.

She was sick and tired of the ladies rambling, they were wasting time. "Percy, Could you please get your fine ass to start moving!"

Up on the watchtowers, horns blew. The sentries shouted and swiveled their crossbows towards the gorgons.

The boy forged into the river. He seemed to stand straighter as he dipped into the water. Evangeline continued, when she made it to the other side she turned. She couldn't help but watch in admiration as his muscles rippled and tensed the farther he got inside the river.

When he reached the other side and caught up with her and Hazel, he put the old woman down as the camp's gates opened. Dozens of kids in armor poured out.

Evangeline turned with a relieved smile. Then she looked over Percy's shoulder, and her expression changed to horror.

"Frankie!"

Frank was halfway across the river when the gorgons caught him. They swooped out of the sky and grabbed him by either arm. He screamed in pain as their claws dug into his skin.

The sentries yelled, but Evangeline knew they couldn't get a clear shot. She was having the same dilemma when she stepped up, she was too afraid her energy blast would harm him...

Evangeline almost dove into the water when Percy thrust out his hands. The Tiber obeyed his will. The river surged. Whirlpools formed on either side of Frank. Giant watery hands erupted from the stream, copying Percy's movements. The giant hands grabbed the gorgons, who dropped Frank in surprise. Then the hands lifted the squawking monsters in a liquid vice grip.

Percy made a smashing gesture with his fists, and the giant hands plunged the gorgons into the Tiber. The monsters hit bottom and broke into dust. Glittering clouds of gorgon essence struggled to re-form, but the river pulled them apart like a blender. Soon every trace of the gorgons was swept downstream. The whirlpools vanished, and the current returned to normal.

Percy stood on the riverbank. His clothes and his skin steamed as if the Tiber's waters had given him an acid bath.

"Woah." Evangeline hummed. "That was...So fucking attractive!"

His cheeks tinted red, he scratched the back of his neck. "Evangeline, right?"

In the middle of the Tiber, Frank stumbled around, looking stunned but perfectly fine. Hazel waded out and helped him ashore. Only then did Evangeline realize how quiet the other kids had become.

Everyone was staring at him. Only the old lady looked unfazed.

"Well, that was a lovely trip," She said. "Thank you, Percy Jackson, for bringing me to Camp Jupiter."

Reyna who'd appeared from the crowd made a choking sound. "Percy. Jackson?'

She sounded as if she recognized his name. Percy focused on her, Which caused Evangeline to pout. Hey, keep those eyes here pretty boy.

The lady laughed with delight. "Oh, yes. You'll have such fun together

Then, just because the day hadn't been weird enough already, the old lady began to glow and change form. She grew until she was a shining seven-foot-tall goddess in a blue dress, with a cloak that looked like goat's skin over her shoulders. Her face was stern and stately. In her hand was a staff topped with a lotus flower.

Evangeline gasped, she realized who it was.

If it was possible for the campers to look more stunned, they did. Reyna knelt. The others followed her lead. Octavian got down so hastily that he almost impaled himself on his sword.

Evangeline was the first to speak. "Juno."

Hazel and Frank also fell to their knees, leaving Percy the only one standing. He wasn't kneeling before a god? How crazy was this dude?

"Juno, huh?' he said. "If I passed your test, can I have my memory and my life back?"

This boy is gutsy. Does he want to die?!

The goddess smiled. "In time, Percy Jackson, if you succeed here at camp. You've done well today, which is a good start. Perhaps there's hope for you yet."

She turned to the other kids. "Romans, I present to you the son of Neptune. For months he has been slumbering, but now he is awake. His fate is in your hands. The Feast of Fortuna comes quickly, and Death must be unleashed if you are to stand any hope in the battle. Do not fail me!" Juno shimmered and disappeared.

Percy looked at Evangeline, Frank, and Hazel for some kind of explanation, but they seemed just as confused as he was.

Reyna stepped forward. She examined Percy warily, and Evangeline recognized the recurring look that said she wanted to stab something with her dagger.

She fought the urge to say, no! Rara he's too pretty! It'd be such a waste!

"So," Her dark eyes blank and her voice cold, "a son of Neptune, who comes to us with the blessing of Juno."

"Look," he said, "my memory's a little fuzzy. Um, it's gone, actually. Do I know you?"

"Amnesia?" Evangeline laughed, "Are we in a Roman Soap opera right now?"

The girl tried not to react to Evangeline's comment, but the daughter of Venus saw her ghost of a smile behind the praetor mask, she hesitated. "I am Reyna, praetor of the Twelfth Legion. And...no, I don't know you."

"Eva." said Reyna, "Bring him inside. I want to question him at the Principia. Then we'll send him to Octavian. We must consult the auguries before we decide what to do with him."

"You sure it's a good idea for her to be alone with him." One of the girls teased, chortling with another boy. "You know how Eva is.."

Evangeline growled, "Evangeline for you, you little bitch. What's not a good idea is that robe with those shoes. I mean come on if you're going to be shady at least don't look like you got dressed in the dark while doing it."

"Enough Eva." Reyna sighed, "Julia are you questioning my authority?"

"No—I'm just saying." She mumbled lowly, looking away from Reyna's piercing obsidian eyes.

"Wait, What do you mean," Percy asked, "decide what to do with me?"

Reyna's hand tightened on her dagger. Obviously, she was pissed about having her orders questioned. Evangeline had learned that she really really hated that. Almost as much as Eva hated jeggings.

"Before we accept anyone into camp, we must interrogate them and read the auguries. Juno said your fate is in our hands. We have to know whether the goddess has brought us a new recruit..."

Reyna studied Percy as if she found that doubtful.

"Or," she said more hopefully, "If she's brought us an enemy to kill."