She came to me again.

I guess my mind was focused on summer, the summers I'd once known, not the ones I had at camp, because I was at a carnival. I found myself entering a freak show, watching fire-eaters and snake charmers, but rather than calliope music, Panic! At the Disco was playing in the background. Some off key version of Mad as Rabbits. That's certainly how I felt.

I guess, ever since that first time with Apollo, I'd gained some semblance of the ability to be lucid every time. Because I knew, vaguely, that I was dreaming. But I couldn't to do anything, couldn't control myself as I passed acts. Even as I reached the final one, the one the ad on the outside of the building had promised was the most interesting.

The Transparent Woman! The marquee explained above her. See through her, and see your future!

But the woman was not transparent. She looked the same as she always had, other than she wore a velvet top hat, like the Ringmaster had decided she didn't fit the theme well enough and decided to add that to help. It didn't work.

"You," I hissed. "Even now?"

The woman met my eyes. She had been looking through a pane of glass before, part of the act, but now she was scowling.

"You make it hard to get through to you," she said. "It's not my fault. I do what I have to."

I frowned back at her. "You're a titan. You should be able to do whatever you want."

The woman sighed, setting down the glass. "Child, if that were true, my Lord would not have needed that kid's help to rise."

She meant Kronos - Kronos and Luke. I backed up, feeling scared suddenly.

"I will not continue to be kind to you," said the woman, "Because you obviously will not hear me out. So, tough love it is."

She moved a finger, and suddenly I was brought forward, without any control of my own. I was placed firmly under her, and she touched my chin. She was simultaneously so cold she was hot and so hot she was cold. Her finger felt like dry ice against my skin.

"You still have a chance," she said. "I am the mother of the lights of the heavens. I decide what shines. You can shine, if you'd like - but you must side with us."

"I don't want to shine."

"No?" she asked. "You don't want to shine, child - or you're too afraid to? Think of how you feel when you swing your sword. Think of how deeply you fear what others think."

"I do not fear what others think," I hissed. "That's why I'm open about how awkward and annoying I am."

The woman lifted her chin. "Ah. Only someone who cares about what others think would say such a thing - after all, who defines what awkward and annoying is, beyond 'others'?"

I didn't know what to say. Suddenly my mouth was dry.

"Uh huh," she said. Then, with a sneer, she added, "Make good choices, child."

She let go of me, and instantly, I flew backwards. I flew into the exhibit across from her, velvet curtains overtaking me; then I woke up to sweat-soaked sheets and a quiet cabin at dawn.