chapter twenty-two

─── betrayal is just the thing i need for a healthy lifestyle

          𝔖urviving a quest and coming back alive was apparently a big deal, so all four of us not dying was nothing short of impressive. We had a feast prepared in our honour, where we had to wear laurel wreaths, and then we had a large bonfire to burn the burial shrouds our cabins had made for us whilst we were away.

Annabeth's shroud was beautiful - grey silk, embroidered with owls. I told her it seemed a shame not to bury her in it. She had laughed, but punched me all the same. I like to think that we were now getting along (hopefully).

Luke's was also stunning; metallic white and emerald green with snakes curling around the hem of it all. Mine was more humorous. It was sea green, emblazoned with a trident and a plethora of spray painted smiley faces courtesy of Five.

Burning them was fun.

Seven led the sing-along, passing out treats. I was surrounded by Luke, and my old Eleven cabin mates, Annabeth's friends and Grover's satyr buddies, all of whom were admiring the brand-new searcher's licence he'd received. The council had called Grover's performance on the quest "Brave to the point of indigestion."

Even Dionysus's welcome-home speech wasn't enough to dampen my spirits.

I moved back to Three, but it wasn't as lonely. I had friends to train with, and hang out with and at night, I lay awake and listened to the sea. My father was out there. Maybe he wasn't quite sure about me yet, maybe he hadn't even wanted me born, but he was watching. And so far, he was proud of what I'd done.

My mother had a chance at a new life. Her letter arrived after about of week of being back at camp. She told me Gabe left mysteriously, disappearing off the face of the earth. She'd reported him missing to the police, but she and I knew that they'd never find him.

On a completely unrelated subject, she'd sold her first life-size concrete sculpture, entitled The Poker Player, to a collector, through an art gallery in Soho. She'd gotten so much money for it, she'd put a deposit down on a new apartment and made a payment on her first semester's tuition at NYU. The Soho gallery was clamouring for more of her work, which they called 'a huge step forward in ugly neorealism.'

But, my mum had told me that she was done with sculptures. The box of tools I'd gifted her, had been disposed of, and she was going back to writing.

At the bottom, she wrote a P.S : Dree, I've found a good private school here in the city. I've put a deposit down to hold you a spot, in case you want to enrol for your final year. You could live at home. But if you want to go year-round at Camp, I'll understand.

I'd put a pin in that thought, folded it up, and put it in my drawer. Whether to stay or go had been playing on my mind for a while now.

On the Fourth of July, the whole camp gathered at the beach for a fireworks display by Nine. Being Hephaestus's kids, they weren't going to settle for a few lame red-white-and-blue explosions. They'd anchored a barge offshore and loaded it with rockets the size of Patriot missiles. According to Annabeth, who'd seen the show before, the blasts would be sequenced so tightly they'd look like frames of animation across the sky. The finale was set to be amazing.

Luke and I were spreading out a picnic blanket, whilst Annabeth held a basket of food and shouted orders, when Grover showed up to tell us goodbye.

He was dressed in his usual jeans and T-shirt and sneakers, but in the last few weeks he'd started to look older, almost high-school age. His goatee had gotten thicker. He'd put on weight. His horns had grown at least an inch, so he now had to wear his cap all the time to pass as human.

"I'm off," he said. "I just came to say...well, you know."

I tried to feel happy for him. After all, it wasn't every day a satyr got permission to go look for the great god Pan. But it was hard saying goodbye. I'd only known Grover a year, yet he was my oldest friend (which was a little concerning). 

I wrapped him in a hug, asking him where he was going to search first.

"Kind of a secret," he said, looking embarrassed. "I wish you could come with me, guys, but humans and Pan..."

"We know," Luke held his hand out for the satyr to shake. "You got all the tin cans you need for the trip?"

"Yeah,"

"Keep your fake feet on," Annabeth hugged him, a small smile on her face.

"Yeah."

He gripped his walking stick and slung a backpack over his shoulder. He looked like any hitchhiker you might see on an American highway—nothing like the little boy I used to defend from bullies at Yancy Academy.

"Well," he said, "wish me luck."

He gave Annabeth and me another hug. He clapped Luke on the shoulder, then headed back through the dunes.

Fireworks exploded to life overhead: Hercules killing the Nemean lion, Artemis chasing the boar, George Washington crossing the Delaware.

"Hey, Grover," I called.

He turned at the edge of the woods.

"Wherever you're going—I hope they make good enchiladas."

Grover grinned, and then he was gone, the trees closing around him. I watched the treeline, my eyebrows furrowing.

"We'll see him again." Luke stood beside me. "Promise."

I scratched at the scars from the hellhound, before nodding and turning away. I tried to believe it. Grover would be the first searcher to come back in two thousand years. He had to be.

July passed.

I spent my days devising strategies for Capture the Flag, making alliances with others, and training. I reached the top of the climbing wall without getting scorched by lava, then promptly fallen off because I'd gotten distracted (it was Luke's fault). I'd even begun to train one on one with Luke, honing my sword skills.

From time to time, I'd walk past the Big House, glance up at the attic windows, and think about the Oracle. I tried to convince myself that its prophecy had come to completion.

You shall go west, and face the god who has turned.

Been there, Ares was being manipulated but still somewhat turned.

You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned.

A master bolt to one uncle. A helm of darkness to the other.

You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend.

This line still bothered me. It kept me on edge around everyone in camp, not knowing who to trust or what to do. 

And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end.

I had failed to save my mom, but only because I'd let her save herself, and I knew that was the right thing. I was still uneasy. Nothing felt right.

The last night of the summer session came all too quickly.

The campers had one last meal together. We burned part of our dinner for the gods. At the bonfire, the senior counsellors awarded the end-of-summer beads. I'd been given my leather necklace at the start, but I was able to get my first bead. I was glad it was dark so no one could see me blush. The design was pitch black, a sea green trident shimmering in the centre.

"The choice was unanimous." Luke announced, his arm wrapped around my shoulder as I shook my head. "This bead commemorates the first Daughter of the Sea God, and the quest she undertook into the Underworld to stop a war!"

The entire camp burst into cheers, standing up as Annabeth was pushed to join me and Luke at the front. The son of Hermes had his arms wrapped around both of us, as I laughed at the calls for 'speech'.

I don't know how I felt in that moment. I'd finally found a family who cared for me, and in the morning, most of them would be leaving for the year.

∘☽༓☾∘

The next morning, I found a form letter on my bedside table. I knew Dionysus must've filled it out, because he stubbornly insisted on getting my name wrong:

Dear Anastasia Johnson,

If you intend to stay at Camp Half-Blood year-round, you must inform the Big House by noon today. If you do not announce your intentions, we will assume you have vacated your cabin or died a horrible death. Cleaning harpies will begin work at sundown. They will be authorized to eat any unregistered campers. All personal articles left behind will be incinerated in the lava pit.

Have a nice day!

Mr. D (Dionysus)

Camp Director, Olympian Council #12

Deadlines aren't my thing until they're staring me in the face. Summer was over and I'd put off answering my mum, and camp, about what I'd be doing.

I only had a few hours to decide, and I didn't want to make a choice.

The decision was harder than it looked. Get my high school education and run the risk of having monsters hunt me down for the entire year? Or stay at camp, not finish my education, train and not be allowed out again?

Each had their pros and cons. But I was worried for my mum.

I couldn't make a choice, so I decided to procrastinate some more. Slipping into shorts and a training top, I grabbed my sword and headed for the arena. The area was deserted, the heat already causing me to sweat. Most campers were being sensible, packing up or running around to get everything cleaned for final inspection.

I shook it off, entering the arena before pausing. Luke seemed to have the same idea. His gym bag was next to me at the entrance, and he was working solo (something I'd rarely seen him do). He had a new sword it seemed, which must have been partly steel, because he was slashing the dummies' heads right off, stabbing through their straw-stuffed guts.

His shirt had been discarded, allowing me a full view of all the muscles in his back working and the scars from his own failed quest, but I could see the intense expression on his face. Despite them only being dummies, I still couldn't help being awed by Luke's skill. He was an incredibly fighter, but it made me wonder how he ever failed at his quest.

I brought my fingers to my lips, before wolf whistling, as Luke stopped mid swing. He almost tripped, eyes going wide.

"Andi!"

"What the poor dummies ever do to you?" I cackled, dropping my bag by his as I padded over. Luke shook his head, stabbing the sword in the ground. "Bit stressed there?"

"No, not at all." He grinned. Something in his expression was off though, and my guard was raised. He was lying. Why was he lying?

"New sword?" The prophecy circled around my head. Not Luke. Anyone, but Luke.

"Yeah. Got it yesterday, actually." Luke grabbed it, handing it over to me. It weighed more than Riptide, longer to as I tilted it back and forth, looking at the metal.

"Celestial bronze and...?" 

Not Luke.

"Tempered steel," Luke explained. "Works on mortals and immortals."

Anyone but Luke. 

"I thought heroes weren't supposed to do harm?" Luke chuckled, as my stomach rolled. I'd had a crush on this man for at least two months now, and I'd never thought what I was going to do if he turned out to be the one who betrayed me. It hadn't even crossed my mind. "Does it have a name?"

"Backbiter." 

"Backbiter?" I laughed nervously, the feeling in my stomach getting worse. "You suck at naming things."

"Thank you." Luke rolled his eyes, chuckling as he walked back to his bag, pulling his shirt on. "Maybe I'll use it on you."

"You'd miss me too much." Luke huffed at that, as the playful atmosphere disappeared. I gulped. "Wouldn't you?"

"I wouldn't kill you, Andi." He turned back to look at me, a confused grin on his face. "Why would I kill you?"

"I was just asking if you'd miss me, not if you'd kill me." I corrected. "Cause I'm not going to be a year rounder, just a summer camper."

"Oh, course I'll miss you." Luke turned away again as I took another step closer. 

"Luke, what's happened?"

"What?" Luke turned immediately.

"Something's off. What have you done?"

"I haven't done anything. Why do you think I've done something, Andromeda?" His hand reached for Backbiter.

I stepped back, my hand clutching onto Riptide but Luke merely sheathed the sword and took a seat. Suddenly, everything clicked in my head, my heart sinking as I realised the Fates weren't on my side.

It was Luke.

"You stole the lightning bolt." Hurt welled up inside of me, realising that someone I trusted was the one who had almost caused my mother's death. "You're the reason that I had to go on that stupid quest, the reason I had to fight Ares, the reason my mum almost died?"

Luke still said nothing.

"Say something!" I got out through gritted teeth, glaring vehemently at him as I tried not to cry. I wanted him to deny it.

"What do you want me to say?" He set the water bottle down, looking up at me with questioning eyes, before finally shrugging. "Yes. I did that."

I took another step back, tears welling in my eyes as I shook my head. Not him. Not Luke.

"You betrayed everyone, then." I shook my head. "I trusted you. I trusted you, and you did this!"

"I didn't even know you then." Luke finally stood, glaring down at me as I drew Riptide and pressed the tip of the lid against his chest. "This is how it's gonna be?"

"You betrayed me." I pushed it further into his chest, knowing that it would do nothing to hurt him. Celestial bronze didn't work on mortals. "You betrayed Annabeth! And Grover! And Thalia!"

"Don't you dare mention her name." Luke hissed, batting the pen to the corner of the arena as he towered over me. "Who the fuck do you think I was doing this for, huh? Do you think I decided to do this for the fun of it? I was doing this to protect Annie. That's all I've ever done."

"And taking the lightning bolt was the way to go?"

"It was the only way!" Luke threw his hands in the air, as both of us took a moment to control ourselves. I glared past him, begging myself not to cry. "I thought I was doing the right thing."

"Thought?" I scoffed, staring at the wall opposite. "Wouldn't it be 'think'? Because you're still in the middle of doing it!"

"I got out of this weeks ago." Luke turned my face towards him, but I refused to look at him. "Andi, please. Look at me. Please, Andi."

My eyes met his at his pleading tone, staring into the blue eyes that I'd come to care for deeply.

"I'm out."

"I don't believe you."

"I am out. I was out the moment you ended up here." Luke reaffirmed, though I shook my head, the tears finally starting to fall. I didn't trust him.

"Someone's still speaking to Kronos and why do I believe that it's you."

"I'm out!" Luke shook his head, brushing the tears away. "What bit of that don't you understand? I split from Kronos a long time ago. I split as soon as you turned up."

"Why? What made you do that? What could possibly make you change your views?"

"Because I realised that I would never have you if I did it." And at that moment, the world suddenly became very still. "You were always meant to be good and if I was evil, then you could never be mine."

"We met three months ago and you expect me to believe that I had that big of an impact on you in the first few moments that you met me?" I pulled free, turning away as Luke kept talking.

"I haven't had a crush on anyone since Thalia. I didn't want one and then you showed up and suddenly, my brain decided that it would be a really good idea to go and get a crush on you!" Luke's voice sounded desperate as he tried to get the words out as quickly as possible. "All I knew though was that the Fates were screwing with me! I finally had the chance to hold the gods accountable, and then you were going to be the one opposing me. You were going to be fighting for them, because you have morals."

"They're good morals."

"They're annoying." Luke snapped. "And I tried to get over you. I tried to distance myself, and then there was the quest and the hellhound..."

"Did you set a hellhound on me?" I spun to glare at him.

"Not important." Luke waved it off. "Now, suddenly, instead of actually thinking about what I need to do to hold the gods accountable, my brain's filled with you. Kronos found out about all of that and promptly told me to choose between him and Camp. And guess what, I chose you-Camp!"

I stepped back, as Luke took a deep breath and seemed to struggle to hold his emotions back in. His hands were shaking, despite how desperately he tried to hide it, and fear was plastered across his face as he realised he'd confessed to both betraying and liking me at the same time.

I continued to back away, brushing at the tears as I thought of what to do. Did I tell Chiron, even though Luke had chosen Camp over Kronos, or did I do nothing? Luke was right, I'd never chose Kronos over Camp. My morals were too high for that. 

Why was it my luck that the boy I truly liked was evil?

Just as I reached the edge of the arena, leading to the sea, I turned, finding Luke in the same place. His eyes were on the floor, but he reached up, brushing harshly at them as I took a deep breath and cursed everything, all of my emotions, my traitorous heart and my brain. He'd almost caused a war, yet I still had a crush on him.

Yes, he was evil, and the things he did were so entirely stupid that it couldn't be believed. He was an idiot, truly and deeply.

But unfortunately he was my idiot.

With that, I grabbed his shirt, pulling him down to my level so that I could smash my lips onto his. He stumbled, almost falling as he clung onto me tightly. Pulling away, I glared up at him as Luke looked stunned.

"This is only going to work one way, Luke. I won't tell Chiron about this, about any of this, but in return, you have to stay at camp. You cannot betray us." I pleaded. "If you do, you're right, I will fight you and I'd win. Please, don't make me do that. I don't care what your views are about the gods, just stay with me, with Annabeth, please."

Luke looked stunned for a moment, before he kissed me again, his arms wrapped tightly around my body as I gripped onto his shirt. He pulled away first this time.

"I don't like the gods. I don't like what they're doing."

"We'll change it, but Kronos is not the way to go." I replied. "He'd be more of the same. Just stay, we can work it out."

"I'll stay." Relief filled me, as I clung onto the tall man. "I'll stay for you, for Annie."

"Thank you." I whispered, holding him tightly as he buried his head in my neck.

"Luke! Romy!" The call of our names had us pulling apart, spotting Puck entering the arena. "Sorry. Eleven's looking for you, Luke. Something about final checks?"

"Yeah, I'll be there right away." Luke grabbed his bag, shot me one final look over Puck's head, and disappeared. I turned to Puck, forcing a grin.

"You alright?" He nodded, joining my side as we entered the beach. "Never got to thank you for the shoes. They were awesome!"

"That's alright. I'm glad they worked." Puck smiled before turning away as my smile dropped. The voice. How could I have been this stupid? I'd been so wrapped up with Luke, Grover, Annabeth and my prophecy that I'd ignored the truth.

I'd heard this voice before.

"I need to go to my cabin." I laughed, trying to stay friendly. "I've been procrastinating packing."

Puck snapped his fingers as I turned. A scorpion appeared at my feet, and I froze.

"Good choice." Puck stated. "Pit scorpions can jump up to fifteen feet. Its stinger can pierce right through your clothes. You'll be dead in sixty seconds."

It wasn't just Luke.

The scorpion paid him no attention, crawling onto my shoe.

"I really didn't want you to come back from the quest," Puck sighed, as I clutched onto Riptide. "My master said that you wouldn't but then you did."

The scorpion crawled onto my leg.

"You serve Kronos."

The air got colder.

"You should be careful with names," Puck warned.

"You're the replacement." I nodded. "He spoke to you in your drea-"

"Careful." Puck turned, his eyes dark as anger crossed his face. "I replaced no one. I'm the upgraded version. Luke was too weak, he did his job well, but he lost sight of the end goal as soon as you showed up."

"Puck, you don't want to do this."

"You don't know anything." Puck glared, as the scorpion rested on my knee. I tried to keep my voice level.

"You're not chosen. You're replacing Luke, because your emotions are being manipulated."

"I am chosen!" Puck stood, shaking his head. "He recognizes my talent, my skills."

"No, he recognizes that you're a vulnerable child easy to manipulate," I said slowly, still cautious of the scorpion. "Puck, there's still time to turn back. To your sister, to your family."

"Don't belittle me," I stopped speaking, keeping an eye on the scorpion. "I will do what others failed. I'll take down Olympus and they'll recognize me as the hero that saved them from the tyranny of the gods."

I saw the look in his eyes, seeing the determination and the anger.

"You're being used, Puck," I spoke softly. "What will Brooke think?"

"She'll thank me! When this is all over, she'll thank me," Puck stepped away from me. "She, Luke and all the other demigods will thank me for saving them."

"Will they?"

"Stop it!" He cried, before grabbing his hair as the air turned chill and someone seemed to whisper to him. "Yes, Lord...Of course, Lord."

"Puck, please," He was only sixteen, a year younger than me. "Don't do this. We can work this out."

"Goodbye, Romy. There is a new Golden Age coming. You won't be part of it if I have anything to do about it." Puck drew a rune in the sand, pressing his hand to it and disappearing.

The scorpion lunged.

I swatted it away with my hand and uncapped my sword. The thing jumped at me and I cut it in half in mid-air. I was about to congratulate myself until I looked down at my hand. My palm had a huge red welt, oozing and smoking with yellow guck. The thing had gotten me after all.

My ears pounded. My vision went foggy as I stumbled to the sea and submerged my hand, but nothing seemed to happen. The poison was too strong. My vision was getting dark. I could barely stand up.

Sixty seconds, Puck had told me. Sixty seconds.

I had to get back to camp. If I collapsed out here, my body would be dinner for a monster. Nobody would ever know what had happened.

My legs felt like lead. My forehead was burning. I stumbled toward the camp, and the nymphs stirred from their trees.

"Help," I croaked. "Please..."

Two of them took my arms, pulling me along. I remember making it to the clearing, a counsellor shouting for help, a centaur blowing a conch horn.

Then everything went black.

∘☽༓☾∘

When I woke, I was drinking liquid popcorn through a straw. Or rather, I was drinking nectar.

I opened my eyes.

I was in the sickroom, my right hand bandaged and strapped to my chest. Luke was sitting beside me, his eyebrow furrowed. Argus stood guard in the corner, whilst Annabeth fed me nectar.

"This feels familiar." 

"Romy!" Annabeth set the glass down, flinging her arms around me as I groaned. "You were green and turning grey when we found you. If it weren't for Chiron's healing..."

"Now, now," Chiron's voice said. "Andromeda's constitution deserves some of the credit."

He was sitting near the foot of my bed in human form, which was why I hadn't noticed him yet. He smiled, but his face looked weary and pale, the way it did when he'd been up all night grading Latin papers.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Peachy." I forced a grin, patting Annabeth's head with my free hand.

"That was pit scorpion venom. Now you must tell me, if you can, exactly what happened."

Between sips of nectar, I told them the story. It was quiet after that.

"So it was Puck." Luke kissed his teeth. The others must have thought Luke was talking about the lightning bolt, but I knew better. He was talking about his replacement.

"May the gods curse him..." Annabeth growled.

"This must be reported to Olympus," Chiron murmured. "I will go at once."

"Puck is out there right now," I said. "I have to go after him."

Chiron shook his head. "No, Andromeda. The gods—"

"Won't even talk about Kronos," I snapped. 

"Andromeda, I know this is hard. But you must not rush out for vengeance. You aren't ready."

"I don't want to fight him for vengeance," I replied, pushing myself upright. "He's a child. He's sixteen, being manipulated. The gods will kill him, of that I am sure, but we still have a chance to talk him out of this."

"Andromeda. The gods will decide," Chiron snapped. I took a deep breath, catching Luke's eye as he cocked an eyebrow. I scowled, before thinking of something as I looked at the centaur

"Chiron...your prophecy from the Oracle...it was about Kronos, wasn't it? Was I in it? And Luke?"

Chiron glanced nervously at the ceiling. "Andromeda, it isn't my place—"

"You've been ordered not to talk to me about it, haven't you?"

His eyes were sympathetic, but sad. "You will be a great hero, child. I will do my best to prepare you. But if I'm right about the path ahead of you..."

Thunder boomed overhead, rattling the windows.

"The gods have their reasons, Andromeda. Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing."

"We can't just sit back and do nothing," I said, as Luke ran his hand through his hair.

"We will not sit back," Chiron promised. "But you must be careful. Kronos wants you to come unravelled. He wants your life disrupted, your thoughts clouded with fear and anger. Do not give him what he wants. Train patiently. Your time will come."

"Assuming I live that long."

"Andi..." Luke groaned as I sighed and stopped glaring.

Chiron put his hand on my ankle. "You'll have to trust me, Andromeda. You will live. But first you must decide your path for the coming year..."

"I've already decided." I cut him off. "I'm not being a year rounder. I won't stop my life to become a soldier."

"I see." Chiron nodded his head. "Annabeth, they're here."

"Who's here?" I asked.

Nobody answered.

Chiron rolled himself out of the room. I heard the wheels of his chair clunk carefully down the front steps, two at a time.

"Annabeth, go," Luke commanded gently, as the smaller girl gave me a reluctant hug and ran off. I watched her go, before swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "What are you doing?"

"Going outside." I struggled to my feet, though Luke had to catch me as my legs gave out. I sighed, shooting down the wave of nausea, as he wrapped my arm over his shoulder.

"You should rest..."

"No. I need to be outside." I reaffirmed, as Luke helped me outside.

By the time we reached the porch, my face was beaded with sweat. My stomach had twisted into knots. But I had managed to make it all the way to the railing.

It was dusk. The camp looked completely deserted. The cabins were dark and the volleyball pit silent. No canoes cut the surface of the lake. Beyond the woods and the strawberry fields, the Long Island Sound glittered in the last light of the sun.

"I feel kind of bad about leaving you here without the pleasure of my company," Luke laughed at that.

"Don't you worry. I'll find ways to entertain myself, I'm sure," He replied, squeezing me a bit tighter. 

"What's Annabeth doing?"

"She's going home for the year," Luke replied, before turning and pointing to the crest of Half-Blood hill. Next to Thalia's pine tree, at the very edge of the camp's magical boundaries, a family stood silhouetted—two little children, a woman, and a tall man. I could make out Annabeth beside him.

"That's good?"

"Yeah, but it will be weird not having her here," Luke sighed. "She's been at camp with me for five years and now she's not." He shook his head. "I'll come and visit. Both you and her."

"You better," I replied. "Otherwise I'll blow the school up again."

"You've blown up a school?" He watched me, before shaking his head. "Actually, considering it's you, that's something I'd imagine you doing."

We fell into silence.

"Next summer, we'll deal with Puck." Luke turned to me. "Agreed?"

"Agreed." I grinned. "Don't do anything stupid, Luke."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

∘☽༓☾∘

Hiya,

Puck was the traitor, but he's only a replacement for Luke so this is gonna turn interesting cause we also haven't yet heard all of Puck's motives. You can have a think on his other motives and then guess.

Let me know what you think,

Love Li xx