Cringe

Zoe Nightshade came up to them. "Percy Jackson and Y/N Y/L/N," she called.

She had dark brown eyes and a slightly upturned nose. With her silver circlet and her proud expression, she looked so much like royalty that they had to resist the urge to sit up straight and say "Yes, ma'am." She studied Percy distastefully, like he was a bag of dirty laundry she'd been sent to fetch.

"Come with me," she said. "Lady Artemis wishes to speak with thee."

Zoe led them to the last tent, which looked no different from the others, and waved them inside. Bianca di Angelo was seated next to the auburn-haired girl, Artemis.

The inside of the tent was warm and comfortable. Silk rugs and pillows covered the floor. In the center, a golden brazier of fire seemed to burn without fuel or smoke. Behind the goddess, on a polished oak display stand, was her huge silver bow, carved to resemble gazelle horns. The walls were hung with animal pelts: black bear, tiger, and several others they didn't recognize. An animal rights activist would've had a heart attack looking at all those rare skins, but maybe since Artemis was the goddess of the hunt, she could replenish whatever she shot. A deer with glittering fur and silver horns, rested its head contentedly in Artemis's lap.

"Join us," the goddess said.

Both sat across from her on the tent floor, leaving the little argument they had at the back of their mind. The goddess studied them, which made them uncomfortable. She had such old eyes for a young girl.

"Are you surprised by my age?" she asked.

"Uh… a little."

"I could appear as a grown woman, or a blazing fire, or anything else I want, but this is what I prefer. This is the average age of my Hunters, and all young maidens for whom I am patron, before they go astray."

"Go astray?" Percy asked.

"Grow up. Become smitten with boys. Become silly, preoccupied, insecure. Forget themselves."

"Oh."

Her eyes went towards Y/N, as she observed her for a minute and said, "You are already in the process, aren't you?"

Y/N's eyes widened as her face changed color. She cleared her throat and looked down at her fiddling fingers. Percy looked at his right, and stared at her flushed face for a moment before looking back at Artemis, jaws tightening.

"Such a shame. You have excellent archery skills," Artemis sighed.

Zoe sat down at Artemis's right. She glared at Percy as if all the stuff Artemis had just said was his fault, like he'd invented the idea of being a guy.

"You must forgive my Hunters if they do not welcome you," Artemis said. "It is very rare that we would have boys in this camp. Boys are usually forbidden to have any contact with the Hunters. The last one to see this camp…" She looked at Zoe. "Which one was it?"

"That boy in Colorado," Zoe said. "You turned him into a jackalope."

"Ah, yes." Artemis nodded, satisfied. "I enjoy making jackalopes. At any rate, Percy, I've asked you here so that you might tell me more of the manticore. Bianca has reported some of the… mmm, disturbing things the monster said. But she may not have understood them. I'd like to hear them from you."

And so he told her.

When he was done, Artemis put her hand thoughtfully on her silver bow. "I feared this was the answer."

Zoe sat forward. "The scent, my lady?"

"Yes."

"What scent?" Y/N asked.

"Things are stirring that I have not hunted in millennia," Artemis murmured. "Prey so old I have nearly forgotten."

She stared at Percy intently. "We came here tonight sensing the manticore, but he was not the one I seek. Tell me again, exactly what Dr. Thorn said."

"Um, 'I hate middle school dances.'"

"No, no. After that."

"He said somebody called the General was going to explain things to me."

Zoe's face paled. She turned to Artemis and started to say something, but Artemis raised her hand.

"Go on, Percy," the goddess said.

"Well, then Thorn was talking about the Great Stir Pot—"

"Stirring," Bianca corrected.

"Yeah. And he said, 'Soon we shall have the most important monster of all—the one that shall bring about the downfall of Olympus.'"

The goddess was so still she could've been a statue.

"Maybe he was lying," Percy said.

Artemis shook her head. "No. He was not. I've been too slow to see the signs. I must hunt this monster."

Zoe looked like she was trying very hard not to be afraid, but she nodded. "We will leave right away, my lady."

"No, Zoe. I must do this alone."

"But, Artemis—"

"This task is too dangerous even for the Hunters. You know where I must start my search. You cannot go there with me."

"As… as you wish, my lady."

"I will find this creature," Artemis vowed. "And I shall bring it back to Olympus by winter solstice. It will be all the proof I need to convince the Council of the Gods of how much danger we are in."

"You know what the monster is?" Percy asked.

Artemis gripped her bow. "Let us pray I am wrong."

"Can goddesses pray?" Y/N asked, whispering.

A flicker of a smile played across Artemis's lips. "Before I go, I have a small task for you."

"Does it involve getting turned into a jackalope?" Percy asked.

"Sadly, no. I want you to escort the Hunters back to Camp Half-Blood. They can stay there in safety until I return."

"What?" Zoe' blurted out. "But, Artemis, we hate that place. The last time we stayed there—"

"Yes, I know," Artemis said. "But I'm sure Dionysus will not hold a grudge just because of a little, ah, misunderstanding. It's your right to use Cabin Eight whenever you are in need. Besides, I hear they rebuilt the cabins you burned down."

Zoe muttered something about foolish campers.

"And now there is one last decision to make." Artemis turned to Bianca. "Have you made up your mind, my girl?"

Bianca hesitated. "I'm still thinking about it."

"Wait," Percy said. "Thinking about what?"

After a lot of questions from Percy, Bianca joined Artemis in the end. He tried to get her out of it, probably because she was too young to make this decision or maybe because she had a brother to think about. Y/N didn't know if it was her place to speak on the matter. So she refrained from speaking anything at all. Her mind though, was focused on Artemis's words - 'such a shame'. No doubt in it, the Hunters' camp has been looking at Percy and Harris with irritation. But she felt as if Artemis' was hinting at something.

Probably how she would've been an excellent add to the Hunters. She blushed thinking about it. It was tempting but she couldn't take a pledge like Bianca did. It would be a lie.

Artemis closed her eyes. "Dawn is approaching. Zoe, break camp. You must get to Long Island quickly and safely. I shall summon a ride from my brother."

Zoe didn't look real happy about this idea, but she nodded and told Bianca to follow her. As she was leaving, Bianca paused in front of Percy. "I'm sorry, Percy. But I want this. I really, really do."

Then she was gone, and they were left alone with the twelve-year-old goddess.

"So," he said glumly. "We're going to get a ride from your brother, huh?"

Y/N laughed. He probably forgot about it.

Artemis's silver eyes gleamed. "Yes, boy. You see, Bianca di Angelo is not the only one with an annoying brother. It's time for you to meet my irresponsible twin, Apollo."

"Ahem," Y/N cleared her throat with a smile plastered on her face, "my father."

Artemis assured that dawn was coming, but it didn't look like it. It was colder and darker and snowier than ever. Up on the hill, Westover Hall's windows were completely lightless.

The Hunters broke camp as quickly as they'd set it up. Percy stood shivering in the snow (unlike the Hunters, who didn't seem to feel at all uncomfortable), and Artemis stared into the east like she was expecting something. Bianca sat off to one side, talking with Nico. One could tell from his gloomy face that she was explaining her decision to join the Hunt.

Thalia and Grover came up and huddled around him, anxious to hear what had happened in my audience with the goddess. While Y/N was standing a little far away with Harris and telling him the details.

"So, she asked about you?" he asked.

"I just told you what she said. I'm not sure," she said.

"C'mon, you know what she meant right?" he stepped closer to her. She could feel his body warmth.

"I guess.." she muttered and looked down blushing.

"You're.." he slowly locked his hand with her, "..not thinking about...joining, right?"

"Oh my god," Y/N chuckled, "no. You know I can't do it if I'm being honest."

"I would like to think it's because of me," he said, smirking.

Y/N's ears turned red. The cold wasn't helping her hide her blush. She cleared her throat and nudged him as the sky began to lighten.

Artemis muttered, "About time. He's so-o-o lazy during the winter."

"You're, um, waiting for sunrise?" Percy asked.

"For my brother. Yes."

"It's not exactly as you think," Artemis said, like she was reading his mind.

"Oh, okay." he started to relax. "So, it's not like he'll be pulling up in a—"

There was a sudden burst of light on the horizon. A blast of warmth.

"Don't look," Artemis advised. "Not until he parks."

Y/N unlike the others could look, ofcourse. Her smile grew wider as she stared at the light, unknowingly her hands tightened around Harris's hands. The light and warmth intensified until her winter coat felt like it was melting off of them. Then suddenly the light died.

"You can look now," Y/N said, looking at her father. Well, it did feel like a lot of time has passed since she saw him.

When Percy looked, he couldn't believe it. It was a red convertible Maserati Spyder. It was glowing because the metal was hot. The snow had melted around the Maserati in a perfect circle, which explained the green grass and wet shoes of those standing.

The driver got out, smiling. He looked about seventeen or eighteen. This guy had sandy hair and outdoorsy good looks. He was tall and his smile was brighter and more playful. The Maserati driver wore jeans and loafers and a sleeveless T-shirt.

"What is he wearing," Y/N sighed, blushing almost in embarrassment.

"Wow," Thalia muttered. "Apollo is hot."

"He's the sun god," Percy said.

"That's not what I meant."

"He's my father, please I don't wanna hear all that," Y/N said, cringing.

"Little sister!" Apollo called. "What's up? You never call. You never write. I was getting worried!"

Artemis sighed. "I'm fine, Apollo. And I am not your little sister."

"Hey, I was born first."

"We're twins! How many millennia do we have to argue—"

He turned deaf to her words and looked at the direction where Y/N was standing. He grinned and walked towards her, smile faltering for a second when he observed the hand she was holding. Noticing his gaze, she quickly released Harris's hand and rushed towards him. Apollo probably sensed how she was being too polite to hug him, so he did what a dad would do in this situation.

Ofcourse, hug her as tightly as he could, making sure to embarrass her in front of everyone.

"Papa, don't-" she muttered as he squeezed her cheeks. He finally turned to look at Harris and asked, "And who are you? Her new boyfriend?"

Both Y/N and Harris flushed in embarrassment, as they ignored the scoff from Thalia and Percy. "No, This is Harris. He's a close friend," Y/N explained before he said something worse. Well, she didn't want him to blurt out anything about Percy in front of everyone.

"So what's up?" he asked turning to look at Artemis. "Got the girls with you, I see. You all need some tips on archery?"

Artemis grit her teeth. "I need a favor. I have some hunting to do, alone. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-Blood."

"Sure, sis!" Then he raised his hands in a stop everything gesture. "I feel a haiku coming on."

The Hunters all groaned. They'd met Apollo before. And Y/N was yet to experience exactly what her father was like.

He cleared his throat and held up one hand dramatically. "Green grass breaks through snow. Artemis pleads for my help. I am so cool."

He grinned at them, waiting for applause.

"That last line was only four syllables," Artemis said.

Apollo frowned. "Was it?"

"Yes. What about I am so big-headed?"

"No, no, that's six syllables. Hmm." He started muttering to himself.

Zoe Nightshade turned to them. "Lord Apollo has been going through this haiku phase ever since he visited Japan. 'Tis not as bad as the time he visited Limerick. If I'd had to hear one more poem that started with, There once was a goddess from Sparta—"

"I've got it!" Apollo announced. "I am so awesome. That's five syllables!" He bowed, looking very pleased with himself.

Y/N sighed and hid her face on Harris's back who was trying to hold his laughter.

"And now, sis. Transportation for the Hunters, you say? Good timing. I was just about ready to roll."

"These demigods will also need a ride," Artemis said, pointing to them. "Some of Chiron's campers."

"No problem!" Apollo checked them out. "Let's see… Thalia, right? I've heard all about you."

Thalia blushed. "Hi, Lord Apollo."

"Zeus's girl, yes? Makes you my half sister. Used to be a tree, didn't you? Glad you're back. I hate it when pretty girls turn into trees. Man, I remember one time—"

"Brother," Artemis said. "You should get going."

"Oh my god, just kill me," Y/N groaned as Harris brought her closer to his chest and ruffled her hair.

"Good thing he's cool cause he doesn't seem to mind me touching you," he said, immediately dropping his hand down, "or not."

Y/N looked up at Apollo, who was staring at them - his eyebrows showing a little disapproval. Her eyes went behind him as she observed Percy's reaction. He looked... a bit weird. Almost as if he found it funny how her father reacted about them.

Apollo followed her eyes and looked back at Percy, narrowing his eyes "Percy Jackson?"

[ TIME SKIP ]

"Yeah. I mean… yes, sir."

It seemed weird calling a teenager "sir," but he'd learned to be careful with immortals. They tended to get offended easily. Then they blew stuff up.

Apollo studied him, but he didn't say anything, which he found a little creepy. He looked at Y/N and Harris. While she had a reaction of curiosity, Harris's reaction irked him a little. It seemed as if now it was his turn to laugh at him.

"Well!" Apollo said at last. "We'd better load up, huh? Ride only goes one way—west. And if you miss it, you miss it."

"Cool car," Nico said.

"Thanks, kid," Apollo said.

"Papa, he means how will we all fit?" Y/N asked.

"Oh." Apollo seemed to notice the problem for the first time. "Well, yeah. I hate to change out of sports-car mode, but I suppose…"

He took out his car keys and beeped the security alarm button. Chirp, chirp. For a moment, the car glowed brightly again. When the glare died, the Maserati had been replaced by one of those Turtle Top shuttle buses like how its used for school basketball games.

"Right," he said. "Everybody in."

Zoe ordered the Hunters to start loading. She picked up her camping pack, and Apollo said, "Here, sweetheart. Let me get that."

Zoe recoiled. Her eyes flashed murderously.

"God, I'm about to barf-" Y/N said as Harris quickly led her away from Apollo and towards the bus.

"Brother," Artemis chided. "You do not help my Hunters. You do not look at, talk to, or flirt with my Hunters. And you do not call them sweetheart."

Apollo spread his hands. "Sorry. I forgot. Hey, sis, where are you off to, anyway?"

"Hunting," Artemis said. "It's none of your business."

"I'll find out. I see all. Know all."

Artemis snorted. "Just drop them off, Apollo. And no messing around!"

"No, no! I never mess around."

Artemis rolled her eyes, then looked at the demigods. "I will see you by winter solstice. Zoe, you are in charge of the Hunters. Do well. Do as I would do."

Zoe straightened. "Yes, my lady."

Artemis knelt and touched the ground as if looking for tracks. When she rose, she looked troubled. "So much danger. The beast must be found."

She sprinted toward the woods and melted into the snow and shadows.

Apollo turned and grinned, jangling the car keys on his finger. "So," he said. "Who wants to drive?"