Leo Valdez

I'm staring at Annabeth in awe.

Or, more accurately, at her stomach.

"You- you're- when the hell did this happen?"

She blushes. "A while ago, clearly. Now, Leonidas, if you're done gaping, you can start taking my measurements."

My turn to blush. It's never going to stop being awkward that I have to see her naked. I try desperately to make conversation while performing my duties.

"So... it's your fiancé's, right?"

The blonde raises her eyebrows indignantly. "Of course it is! Who else's could it be?"

"Well... I wasn't sure if you and Luke..."

Annabeth scowls. "Luke and I... that wasn't real. I only ever cared for him like a brother. It was just a strategy."

"Frankly, a good amount of people around here were pissed. They thought you'd lied to them."

"To be fair, we did. We used to know each other... But it was a long time ago. He made a mistake, and I hadn't seen him since."

I can't contain my curiosity. "Were you two a couple back then?"

She shakes her head. "Not me; my friend Thalia. Percy had pretty much captured my attention at that point."

"You say it wasn't real for you... But was there attraction? On his side?"

My client nods. "Yes, there was, although I didn't encourage it until we were in the Arena."

I'm quiet for a moment. "Man, it was pretty brave of him to volunteer for your boyfriend without even knowing-"

Annabeth freezes. "What did you say?"

"Wait... you didn't know?"

She's staring at me numbly, looking like she's going to cry. "Oh, gods. He volunteered for Percy and didn't even tell me. I knew I should have watched the reapings!"

I shake my head. "There's nothing you can do about it now. No use fussing. Oh, I'm done. See you around."

She sighs. "Thanks, Leo."

I glance back at her as I'm closing the door, and I see a year slide down her cheek.

Clary Fray

Darkness. Endless, eternal darkness. That is all I know.

Okay, maybe not all. I know who I am. I have some memories, although they're blurry. I know that knife was poisoned. I know that it was killing me.

I remember fainting in Sebastian's arms, and then... nothing.

I don't know where I am. I don't know if I'm alive, although the chances of that are small.

It seems that I have been trapped in this limbo for eternity. I don't understand why.

I'm not sure if I believe in heaven. Or even God, for that matter. But I always thought when I died I'd go somewhere. I never expected to be nowhere.

Darkness.

And then, suddenly, light.

Blinding, bright, white light. And I feel someone kissing me.

Jace?

I open my eyes, and jerk away in shock. Because the eyes are not gold, and the hair is not blond, and I'm being kissed by my best friend.

"What the hell, Simon?" I sputter, but it comes out raspy and strange.

His eyes are relieved. "Thank God, Fray," he breathes. "I was worried it wasn't going to work."

My sight comes into focus, and I discern two figures standing behind Simon. Magnus and... "Sebastian?"

The blond smirks. "Glad to see you awake, Clarissa. It's been awhile."

Tobias Eaton

I don't know why my mother brought me here.

District 13 isn't what I expected it to be. First of all, they basically have their own king - a dude named Tiberias, who for some reason goes by Cal. And apparently this district had somewhat of a Civil War, involving a personal vendetta that the king's younger brother had against his ex. And within the civil war, there was also a rebellion, which somehow ended up fighting in the king's side? I dunno. It's confusing.

Anyway, the prince - who's name was Maven - had totally betrayed this girl but was crazy so he was mad at her for leaving him and wanted revenge. Also the girl (Mare) had cheated on Maven with his brother, who was at the time the crown prince. Then there was this huge war, which ended when Mare killed Maven and Cal was crowned king.

That's pretty much all I know about this place. The citizens are happy to elaborate on their kingdom's history, but aren't very forthcoming about recent events.

For example: no one talks about the bombing, like, ever. They don't even mention the President. When I try to ask questions, they skillfully deflect them. I've been here for over a month, and I have no answers.

What, might you ask, have I been doing since I arrived here with Evelyn? Not much. They have a training facility, but it's for 'Silvers and Newbloods' only, whatever that means. Basically, I've been impaling the walls of the apartment I share with my mother with kitchen knives.

I'm using said kitchen knives to chop up some vegetables for dinner when I hear a knock on the door, and I go to answer it.

Outside stands a girl who has brown hair dyed purple at the tips, and a blonde woman with a pixie cut who has a scar on her face. "Tobias Eaton?" the girl asks.

I nod. "Who are you?"

The woman speaks. "My name is Commander Farley. My associate and I are here to escort you to your training."

I blink. "My training for what?"

"The Nortan Army, of course. It is mandatory that every able-bodied resident serves time in our military."

Without another word, the two grab me by the arms and pull me down the hallway. "Don't panic," the girl hisses in my ear. "It's a ruse."

"And for God's sake, don't scream when they grab you," Commander Farley mutters. "That could compromise the entire mission."

I glance back and forth between them. "What-"

Before I can finish, the lights in the hallway abruptly go out, and a hand clamps over my mouth. Obedient to the words of my acquaintances, I go quietly.

A blindfold is tied around my eyes by my captors. As they lead me through long, winding corridors, I wonder what the hell it is I've gotten myself into.

I UPDATED!!! I really wanted to get this out because school starts in a few days and I'll be busier. What do you think is going on with Four? Also, congrats to anyone who caught my Red Queen references! (It's a great series if you haven't read it you should.) Also I promise something will actually happen in the Annabeth plotline in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and please vote!

P.S. Shout out to Percy Jackson, who's birthday is coming up on Saturday. We love you seaweed brain!