[aurora borealis]

Silence cast over the Principia's courtyard in the force of Adhara Wren's unyielding violet stare. The bronze-skinned daughter of Nemesis had that power to stun a room into silence, Tessa knew that first hand; back at camp, Adhara had always possessed an...otherworldly aura and energy that encompassed her all the time. It seemed that that power of the short girl had returned, if not strengthened, in the months Tessa had been gone.

Most of her friends glanced at one another in partial discomfort or confusion. But Mark on the other hand...he was another story.

The son of Iris had lit up in excitement to see Adhara step through the portal, but withered under the pressure of her gaze. It'd been a few minutes now, and the two were still engaged in some sort of heated mental argument, violet on onyx.

"What're you doing here, Addie?" Mark laughed nervously, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck.

Tessa blinked like she'd been hit between the eyes. Addie? She looked around, and saw that Kaden and Dale wore identical visages to her own.

Adhara scowled at the nickname, but Tessa could discern the light blush rising beneath her bronze complexion. "Tessa asked me to come. It was nice of her to actually keep in touch these past few months. Unlike someone."

Mark paled.

Oh.

Tessa took that moment to seize the initiative. Her recruits had made it on time, and it was time for her to both debrief them all and save Mark from public humiliation.

"Well, let me start by saying thank you all for coming," Tessa walked a few paces forward, clapping her mitten-clad hands together. "I know that it was pretty short notice but I appreciate your punctuality."

Sierra folded her arms across her chest, her steel gaze fixing on Tessa. "We are going to be debriefed before we leave for whatever this is, right?"

"Of course," Tessa nodded. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her coat, eyeing the group. Her friends had averted their attention to her, but Mark and Adhara still seemed to be engaged in that telepathic battle.

"Lukas, Sierra; your task is to search for and apprehend Vinny Maxwell, public enemy of New Rome." Kaya began, walking forward to hand them each a manila file. The couple flipped them open, scanning the contents. "He is considered highly dangerous and extremely manipulative, so be on the lookout."

"What's our motive?" Lukas asked without looking up from the paper. "Why are we going after this guy, even if I love a good witch-hunt."

Kaden cleared his throat from his stance beside Tessa. "Let's just say he's got something we want."

The son of Neptune nodded at that, familiarity lighting up his eyes. "Oh, I remember this guy. Sarcastic mate with the slightly crazy eyes?"

Dale snorted. "That's one way of describing him."

Tessa fought a smile but nodded to her half-brother. "That's the one."

"Excellent," Lukas grinned as he shut his file.

Sierra lowered her own. "Do we have a place to start looking?"

Kaden swept forward, tapping at the tablet he appeared to be glued to these past few weeks. "Last known location was near Fresno a few days ago."

Amelie wrinkled her nose at that, waving her hand behind her to shut the portal glimmering behind her. "Fresno? What does Vinny want in Fresno?"

Kaden bit his lip but shrugged. He glanced over his shoulder to give Tessa look that she recognized: we need to talk.

A pang of apprehension shook Tessa's heart, but she fought the sensation. "Regardless, it's as good a starting point as any. You'll have two other companions on this trip: Jett Tran and Aspen Castillo. The latter will meet you in Fresno, but if you'll so kindly follow Kaya, she'll lead you to Jett and send you on your way."

Sierra arched a dark eyebrow, readjusting the strap of her backpack on her shoulder. "So this is a reconnaissance mission?"

"More or less," Tessa confirmed with a breath. "Although...feel free to rough the target up a bit before you bring him to us."

A grim smile settled on the daughter of Apollo's lips. "Fantastic."

With that, Kaya led Lukas and Sierra down a winding path leading towards Camp Jupiter in the heart of the valley. Dale waltzed up to Kaden, who handed the tablet off to her like a baton, and the daughter of Demeter swept away from the group into the Principia. Soon enough, Tessa stood with Kaden, Amelie, Adhara, and Mark in the center of the courtyard.

"So you want to tell us why you both look like you either want to kill each other or kiss one another?" Kaden broke the silence, amusement lacing is voice.

Both Adhara and Mark tore their gaze from one another at that, glaring at Kaden in equal parts and anger and astonishment. It took everything within Tessa not to laugh.

"Adhara, thanks again for coming on such short notice," Tessa continued.

"My pleasure," The daughter of Nemesis said airily, turning away from Mark. "What can I do to help?"

"Well, Mark tells us that you've helped him conquer his dark side. We'd like you to work with Amelie to develop a training strategy and course of action to aid the rest of us in case of emergency." Tessa explained.

Adhara gave Tessa a funny look. "What kind of emergency?"

Amelie stepped forward, and Tessa found herself staring at the daughter of Hecate as she took the reins of the conversation. The dark-haired girl had once been incredibly meek, quiet, and unsure of her own capabilities when Tessa met her. However, the events of the past year had changed that, bringing Amelie out of her shell.

Tessa wondered if she appeared as changed as Amelie did, as the rest of her friends. They'd once been kids playing with swords and were now soldiers fighting a war.

"—if you'll come with me, I'll get you up to speed on what you've missed," Tessa heard Amelie say, and before she knew it, Adhara was casting a sideways glance at Mark and disappeared down the trails alongside Amelie.

"So," Tessa began when all was quiet. "You and Adhara?"

Mark narrowed his gaze at her but it didn't stop the blush on his cheeks. "Now you know how I felt when you and Kaden weren't dating."

"At least we didn't want to murder each other," Kaden laughed, resting a reassuring hand on the small of Tessa's back.

Mark let out a strangled noise that was either a laugh or a sob. "Simpler times."

Tessa tried not to let the full effect of his words take too much of a toll on her, but it was true. Back in Camp Half-Blood, quests were rare. Hardly anyone ever left the valley if they weren't a summer camper, and even the days Tessa had been allowed to go into the city or on field trips were few and far between. More or less...they'd been safe in their training ground. The outside world was as far away as the mortal lives they'd left behind within it.

A vibration in Tessa's coat pocket shook her out of her reverie. She dug out her phone and stared at the reminder illuminating the screen: ONE HOUR.

Tessa sighed, her breath fogging up in the chill of the air around her. "I've gotta go finish packing if I'm gonna make it in time."

Kaden smiled sadly. "I'll miss you, Tess."

Tessa rolled her eyes. "I'll be gone for a few days, max. Hold down the fort while I'm gone, will you?"

"Of course," Kaden grinned.

"Oh my gods, just kiss already!" Mark groaned.

Tessa and Kaden gave the son of Iris their universal look of 'Mark, Shut Up' before turning back to one another and following his whim. Then, Tessa turned on her heel, headed back to her residence hall to where her bags awaited, and beyond the eastern horizon, where home did too.

~~

Being home felt weird. For a place that had been her home for most of her life, Tessa found her house almost foreign. Everything looked the same as it had been the last time she'd come home—save the aftermath of the explosion being cleaned up. But for the most part, a calm had settled around the Brennan household like the barriers around camp.

Tessa wasn't sure how to feel about it.

She'd lived five years of her life learning to look over one shoulder, stay armed at all times, expect the unexpected. She felt like a wild animal that had once been injured and rehabilitated in captivity, only to be released back into its habitat once it was back to health. Sure, she knew her way around but...she felt out of place.

However, it was still a relieving sight to see. Her mother had taken the liberty of stringing up their Christmas lights outside amid the thick blanket of snow. Twinkling lights hung from bushes, trees, the lining of the garage and windows. Inside, vases of poinsettias and holly dotted every room, as well as the large Christmas tree set up in the family room.

Tessa had been home for a day, and was lying on the couch in the family room, staring up at the Christmas tree before her. She'd been thirteen the last time she'd celebrated Christmas with her mother, gone to select a tree, wheedle her way into getting certain gifts. It'd been five years since they'd marathoned the Santa Clause movies, drank their weight in hot chocolate, and visited Macy's amid the holiday season. Five years since Sera Brennan had tried to convince Tessa that Santa existed, and nearly succeeded in taking her to see him at the mall that year.

Tessa smiled at the thought, but five years ago felt like a lifetime at this point.

"I know that look, Tessa," Her mother's voice chimed. "That's your overthinking face."

The daughter of Poseidon pushed herself up onto her elbows to see her mother descending the staircase. Sera Brennan's dark brown hair was unbound, flowing to just past her shoulders. She wore a fuzzy sweater and jeans, looking as much unlike a Huntress as Tessa could imagine.

"Despite popular belief, my normal face and my overthinking face are one and the same," Tessa joked, sitting up straight. She traipsed past her mom and down the hall, into the large living room to where she flopped down on that couch. She snatched up the remote the way she would a dagger, aiming it at the TV with precision as the screen ignited.

Tessa could feel her mother's unyielding stare. She glanced over to where she stood behind the leather couch, watching her daughter carefully. There was the Huntress' gaze, the one as sharp and honed as the silver arrows she once fired.

"I won't push you to talk about anything you're dealing with back at school," Her mother began. "But just know that...even with all of the abnormalities about our family, you can always call this place home. You should feel just as safe here as you would in Camp Half-Blood or Camp Jupiter. Okay?" Ms, Brennan began.

Tessa set the remote down, meeting her mother's gaze as she weighed her words. "Mom, do you remember what it was like to be a Huntress?"

Her mother nodded begrudgingly, coming around the couch to sit down.

"Then you know that when you become used to a new way of life for so long...what used to be normal is suddenly alien." Tessa explained. "Yes, this place will always be my home and I love it with all my heart but..." She waved her hand around, searching for the right words.

"But its more the home of the life you left behind," Her mother finished for her. There was no trace of bitterness in Sera's tone; only complete understanding.

"Exactly," Tessa breathed, slumping back into the couch, looking around. She eyed the picture frames lining the mantel of the fireplace, cringing at the embarrassing pictures her mother had hung up over the years.

"Well," Ms. Brennan sighed, standing up slowly. "If these next few days are the only form of a break you're going to get nowadays, then let's make the most of it."

Tessa stifled a groan, flopping onto the couch. "But mom, I just want to stay here."

Her mother nailed her with a look that read 'really?'. "I know when you're really tired and when you're trying to get out of doing things, Tessa, get up."

Tessa frowned. "For a woman who has barely seen her daughter in five years, you sure aren't one for sappy reunions, huh?"

Sera Brennan laughed as she slipped her puffer jacket on, and Tessa mirrored the action, smiling herself. And in that moment, however alien the experience was, she could block out all that was happening back in California, in the alternate universe, with her friends and Reese and the General. For right now and the next few days, she had the chance to pretend. She had the chance to see what was down that other road, the one buried in pristine snow and hopes for the future before they'd been whisked away.

And so as Tessa hopped into the passenger seat of her mother's car, the two of them driving towards the grocery store, she looked out the window, at the light-lined houses and snowmen and sleds, and wondered.

~~

Christmas Eve settled upon the Brennan household as silently and swiftly as the soft winter storm that had hit the night before. A white Christmas was on the horizon, and Tessa basked in the serenity.

Tessa's mom had insisted on a formal dinner to celebrate and commemorate the first Christmas they'd shared in five years, and was now cooking up a storm downstairs. Smells of a roasting turkey, hot chocolate, and more floated through the house, to where Tessa sat in her old bedroom. Another order from her mother: pick something nice to wear.

And so now, Tessa found herself rifling through the small selection of dresses and nice clothing she'd brought with her. She finally settled on fleece-lined leggings and an oversized red sweater she'd bought with Dale and Imogen months earlier. A golden necklace hung from her neck, and Tessa had curled her hair and applied minimal makeup; winged eyeliner and a soft red lipstick.

That's when the doorbell rang, triggering Tessa's battle senses. She snatched Tempest from where it sat in her hair, darting out of her room and looking out over the banister to the foyer down below. She couldn't see who was outside, she could only hear muffled noises coming from outside.

"Tessa, can you get that please?" Her mother called.

"Are we expecting anyone?" Tessa asked in bewilderment.

"Just get the door, Tessa!"

Tessa frowned, but didn't turn Tempest back into a pin. She hurried down the stairs, her years of battle training succeeding with the absence of creaks, and made her way to the door. She swung it open—and froze.

"You sure know how to kill the holiday spirit, don't you?" Mark noted from outside. Crowded behind him were Dale, Kaden, Imogen, Madi, Ben, Sophia, Alexia, more of their friends beyond. They were all huddled together in winter coats and scarves, cheeks and noses red from the slight cold.

Tessa gaped at them for a good minute.

"You gonna let us in, Tessa, or should we find someone else's Christmas party to crash?" Sophia called from where she stood in the group.

Blinking in confusion, Tessa stepped aside, watching as her friends filed into her childhood home. They all chatted amongst themselves, removing their coats and shoes in the foyer until the couches were stacked with fabric and the tile lined with boots. Even when Kaden brushed his lips against hers in greeting, she was frozen in confusion.

"Mom," Tessa crowed. "What have you been up to?"

Ms. Brennan emerged from around the corner, smiling. "I see you all got my message. Welcome!"

"Glad to be here, Ms. B," Mark pointed a finger-gun at Ms. Brennan. "Is that food I smell?"

"Yes, but it won't be ready for about another hour or so," Sera laughed.

Kaden stepped forward, as charming as ever. "Would you like some help?"

A twinkle illuminated Ms. Brennan's eye, and with a knowing wink at Tessa, she smiled back at Kaden. "That would be lovely, thank you, Kaden. But the rest of you kids, please, make yourselves at home!"

It took only that for Kaden to peel off with Alexia in Ms. Brennan's wake to aid with the cooking, and the rest of the group to file towards the living room. Tessa emerged from her daze, following her friends.

And once her haze washed away as Christmas music echoed through the house, punctuated by the chatter and laughter of her closest friends, Tessa felt a warmth settle in her bones.

Old home or not, this is what she wanted when all was said and done.

~~

About a half hour later, Tessa was overlooking a heated game of Trivial Pursuit between Ben, Sophia, Mark, and Imogen when Kaden sat down beside her on the couch.

"Did you know about this?" Tessa asked him incredulously.

Kaden grinned, laughter in his emerald eyes. "Maybe."

"Wow," Tessa noted. "I'm wounded."

Kaden tossed his head back and laughed, leaning forward to kiss Tessa's cheek. "We wanted to surprise you."

"Well, consider me surprised," Tessa chuckled. "But this means a lot. Thank you."

Tessa watched as Kaden looked around the room, noted the warmth that filled his gaze as he stared at the pictures on the wall, the friends surrounding them, at the general mundane aspect of the place. It hit Tessa like a truck in that moment; it must have been a long time since Kaden had seen a setting much like this. His homes had consisted of rigorous training, battle scars, and enemies to fight. Sure, he knew holiday parties and closeknit friends but...

"Come on," Tessa stood up, taking Kaden's hand.

"Where are we going?" Kaden asked.

"On a walk," Tessa said simply.

"Tessa, I don't do cold very well," Kaden warned as she led him to the foyer.

The daughter of Poseidon whirled around and fixed him with a look until he laughed. Together, the couple pulled on their winter gear and disappeared out the front door, into the night of snow and lights.

~~

[Kaden's Perspective]

"No way," Kaden laughed into the night air, glancing at his love at his side.

"It's the truth," Tessa nodded, an amused smile on her lips. "When I was eight, my friends and I put on a whole remixed performance of 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' for our class party."

The image in Kaden's head was too good, too pure to do anything but laugh. He pictured a younger version of Tessa, bopping around in an amateur dance routine with a bunch of other third-graders wearing antlers.

"I get it, my life is pitifully funny," Tessa whacked him jokingly.

Kaden took a breath, meeting Tessa's gaze as they walked down the snowy sidewalks of her neighborhood. "No, just amusing."

Tessa quirked a brow at that, but smiled nonetheless. Kaden squeezed her hand as they walked, casting a gaze around the illuminated houses. In each one of them was a story, a family, with a bond as tight as the family Kaden had created for himself. He always loved the holiday season for that reason: love and happiness were so natural.

"What're you thinking about?" Tessa swung their hands at their sides.

Kaden shrugged. "Just...I keep thinking about what you must have been like as a kid, living here. In the winters, you played with friends and wrote letters to Santa and went sledding. I remember I'd always have a snowman building contest with Kassie and Landon, and my dad would judge and then end up building a bigger and better snowman."

"Really?" Tessa's eyes shimmered with warmth, and Kaden kept going.

"Christmas was pretty fun back then," He noted wistfully. "But then everything happened and...I don't know, I guess I just really like how we've come full circle in a sense. Your house, this town, all of it represents another life and yet here we are, back to it like we don't have powers and ancient strength."

"Trust me, I know," Tessa laughed wryly. "But I see your point."

They stopped in their tracks, facing one another. Despite the cold whistling around them, Kaden felt an absolute warmth cover him from head to toe. Everything about that night was perfect, this moment, forever.

"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" Kaden whispered down at Tessa.

Her cranberry-colored lips quirked up into a smile so impish, Kaden wanted to kiss it right off. "Sometimes."

Kaden grinned, pulling her close to him. He peppered kisses across her face, whispered sweet nothings into her ear, and before he knew it, he was just holding her under the light of the evening. He could have frozen that moment and lived in it forever.

"How cute," Tessa spoke. "The happy couple enjoys their one night of peace."

Kaden jerked away quickly, but judging from the look of confusion on Tessa's face, she hadn't been the one to speak.

The realization dawned on them at once, and they both armed themselves in flashes of gold and bronze.

Standing a few yards away in the middle of the icy street stood a girl in a black jumpsuit and golden belt around her waist. Her unbound chocolate hair hung in waves down to the small of her back. Her turquoise irises glimmered with malevolence.

"Greetings," TheGeneral grinned a vampire's smile. "I come in peace."