"Take the gun. The way things are now protection isn't a bad thing. We keep the data from the hard drive but we keep it secret. As for the party I say we go. See if we can't make better sense of everything. Besides, I'm curious about what Drew knows." Thalia watched as Reyna took the weapon and checked the barrel of the pistol.

It was loaded, with a sigh Reyna handed it to me. "Tuck it in your waist band. Your shirt and jacket should cover it."

"I've never shot a gun before." Thalia admitted taking it gingerly and turning it over in her hands.

"Then you better get some practice." Reyna opened the drawer of her father's desk and pulled out a box of bullets. "Let's go we have maybe an hour."

"Alright." Thalia nodded tucking the gun away and then the bullets. Reyna and Thalia made their way to a down town part of the area, where there was a small river that ran through the woods.

Reyna figured it was best if they were out of sight from public eye insisting they go a little ways in the treeline. Thalia obliged and after a bit of effort Reyna managed to collect some old junk to make a target. Nothing like an old tire to shoot at.

"Alright. Now to teach you how to shoot." Reyna breathed, dusting her hands off on her pants and making her way back to Thalia. Thalia handed her the weapon.

Reyna showed her how to hold it properly and warned her about the kickback that could occur. Once Reyna was certain Thalia was remotely prepared she turned the girl loose.

Sighing Thalia rolled her shoulders and raised the weapon making sure to hold it as Reyna had shown her. Grip firm her finger hovered just over the trigger. It felt odd to hold something so powerful. It could cause serious damage but it was in her hands of all people.

"Just breath. Don't think." Reyna instructed calmly seeming to sense Thalia's nerves.

"Got it." Reyna watched as Thalia's eyes narrowed into a rather fierce expression, pupils shrinking as she focused. Her finger pulled the trigger and she remained rooted to the spot as the gun kicked back. The barrel steamed from the friction and the thunk of the bullet hitting the tire echoed in the trees.

Reyna stood there for a moment in awe. Thalia had impeccable aim managing to hit the center of the O in the tire brand name. Throat dry Reyna shook her head collecting herself. "Seems like you didn't need much teaching,"

"Lucky shot." Thalia said staring at the gun with a mixture of emotions. It felt incredible, her heart hammered with adrenaline. Pulling back the hammer Thalia raised the weapon once again and just like before aimed for a letter. The crack of the gun was followed by the tearing of rubber as the bullet slammed into her target.

A slight smile tugged at the edges of Thalia's mouth. "Maybe it wasn't so lucky."

"Alright put the gun down. Don't get too trigger happy." Reyna joked uncrossing her arms and walking back to Thalia from her safe distance. Thalia nodded and tucked the gun back in the waist band of her jeans. "The real test is making it through this party."

"Well I'm a C and D average student so don't have high expectations about me passing tests." Thalia smirked lopsidedly at her little joke earning an eye roll from Reyna.

"Lucky for you I don't like failing tests. Now, we have a long walk so let's get going." Reyna tugged on Thalia's sleeves flattening out some of the wrinkles.

"Copy that captain." Thalia tried to tame her hair at least a tiny bit but it was hopeless as they made their way back from the secret spot. It indeed was a long walk but the weather was nice...ish.

Thalia noted quite suddenly that there was something about walking down barren roads with the sky dimming overhead that gives one a melancholy feeling. Like the world stopped turning just for you, and while that's special, you know it won't last forever.

Sure enough, it didn't, because Drew's house wasn't hard to find. Lights were flashing from the windows and music pulsed from the house in loud rhythms. Thalia wasn't opposed to loud music, her's was often loud, but this was just bad music.

Sighing, she followed Reyna up the steps to the large front door with the overly expensive doorbell. As it turned out no one heard the doorbell so the two girls awkwardly showed themselves inside.

Dozens of smells hit Thalia at once. Sweat, alcohol, pizza. Reyna on the other hand found it hard to make much out in all of the chaos. Squinting due to the flickering lights she gripped Thalia's hand in her own and guided her through the crowd.

They'd gone unnoticed for the most part except for a glance or two. Reyna turned her nose up at the numerous high school students dancing provocatively, grinding on one another in a hormone induced frenzy.

She never understood how people could demean themselves in such a manor. On the counter rested bottles of soda, punch, beer, and bowls of snacks that Reyna and Thalia were both sure had been touched by hands that had been in nasty areas.

"Tell me you have a plan." Thalia called over the music glancing about. Her head was swarming with too many things to process at once.

"I do. Just follow my lead, okay?" Reyna gave her a half smile and patted Thalia on the shoulder.

"Hey girls! Thought you weren't coming!" Thalia winced at Apollo's familiar drawl and turned to see him walking over happily.

"Hey." Reyna waved lacking enthusiasm.

"Come on let's head outback. It's quieter there." Thalia was about to protest when Apollo winked at her and tugged Reyna behind him.

"Hey man, come on." Thalia groaned trying to follow but she was cut off by a group of kids making a straight shot for a pizza box while another dove for the garbage can before throwing up.

Thalia felt vulnerable. Her eyes glancing around for familiar faces. She briefly spotted Nico sulking in a corner but she lost track of him in the mess. The music seemed to be getting louder and even more disorienting.

"Hey pumpkin. You lost?" The voice caused dread to settle in her stomach as an arm slung around her shoulders.

"Don't touch me." Thalia recoiled from Orion who gave her a feigned offended look.

"Just want to help. Lost that friend of yours?" He asked eyes scanning the throng of people.

"None of your business. Have you seen Apollo?" Thalia demanded getting shoved to the side by an eager boy making his way to the backyard.

"No I haven't. Hey, you know someone I know wants to meet you." Orion's eyes glinted in a dangerous way.

"Look I have places to be." Thalia looked for the quickest means of escape but it wasn't an option. Just like Reyna, Thalia was pulled roughly through the crowd and herded towards the front door. "Look man- get off of me!"

"Hey, now, I don't bite." He winked shoving her down the front steps and into the cool night air.

"Step aside or I swear to God I will hurt you." Thalia growled making a move to go back inside where other people could at least see if something bad happened.

No such luck. A large hand cuffed the back of her neck and shoved her towards the street where cars lined the road. Waiting there was Octavian, arms crossed, blue eyes flaring angrily.

"You little bitch." Octavian growled.

"Look, I don't know what you want but you better not fuck with me." Thalia glanced about getting a feel for her surroundings.

"Let's take a walk shall we?" Octavian sneered gesturing for Orion to take the front. There was a good chance Thalia could run away and be quicker than they were. The question was wether or not she could out power Orion. That seemed unlikely as he was built like an ox.

The end of the block was where the rich people golf courses were and those connected to a lake. It was empty and grim looking in the dark.

"I know you have that hard drive." Octavian glowered.

"Actually, I don't. I have no idea what you're talking about," Thalia frowned glancing between the two boys as Orion took a step back.

"Oh cut the shit Grace. That Hispanic friend of yours spilled his guts." Thalia's blood ran cold. "That's right. You know who I'm talking about."

"What did you do to him?" Thalia demanded her fists balling tightly.

"That's to the discretion of me. You're in no position to argue. Now...give it to me." Thalia watched as his hand dipped into his pocket producing the switch blade he'd pulled on her once already.

"I told you I don't have it." Thalia glared watching his hand carefully.

"Now, now." Octavian waved the blade carelessly and took a step forward. Thalia would have backed up if it wasn't for the ledge that dropped into the golf course lake behind her. Octavian reached out quickly grabbing the back of her head and pulling her closer. The blade rested against her mouth. "Feel like talking sweet heart?"

"Take a step back." Thalia warned remembering she was the one with the pistol. Octavian rolled his eyes.

"Last chance before I make you smile and then gut you like a fish."

"Why? So you can hide my body and pay off the police like you did with Charlie, Zoë, and Silena?" Thalia's fingers twitched and in Octavian's moment of contemplation she shoved him backwards pulling the gun.

Octavian's eyes widened in surprise. He took an extra step back but it didn't stop a smirk from playing across his features. "A bold statement."

"Drop the knife." Thalia ordered.

"Not happening. Besides it's two against one." Orion said drawing a blade of his own.

"You heard her, put the blade down." Thalia glanced to the right surprised to see Reyna standing there with what looked to be a bat. Something told Thalia she'd stolen it from Drew's garage, the popular girl was a huge softball player, guess Reyna was just borrowing it.

"Here's the dilemma Grace. You've pulled the weapon, now you have to use it." Octavian snickered his eyes gleaming. "You shoot or you flake out. If you bale you're dead. But you don't have the balls to shoot."

"You have no idea what I am capable of." Reyna watched as Thalia's expression shifted to how it had been earlier when firing at the tire. "You've earned this. You deserve it. For all the shit you put people through but I need to know something. What do the eyes mean? Who is K on the contacts list?"

Octavian said nothing but stood there grip tightening on the handle of his knife.

"I said who is K?" Thalia yelled peering down the sight of the gun. She could see Octavian's forehead just between the eyes.

"You'll find out soon enough." He mused swinging wildly with the blade. Thalia felt it slice deep into her forearm. She lost hold of the gun as Octavian made a bolt for it. Orion wasn't so lucky. Reyna slammed the bat into the back of his knees. The giant figure toppled to the ground. Before Octavian could get too far Thalia pounced tackling him to the ground.

The blonde fumbled for the scattered weapon, hand clamping lightly around the hilt. Thalia managed to just barely kick it away with her foot. Orion scooped it up and clambered to his feet as Thalia pounded her fists into Octavian's face.

Reyna dropped the bat knowing it was useless against the gun. Octavian slashed wildly once again but this time the blade dragged across Thalia's face.

Blood gushed from the wound as he pushed her back with anger. Orion's finger rested on the trigger and Thalia could see his muscle twitch just as he pulled down on it. Lunging she reached him just as the gun went off. There was a loud yell from Reyna and Octavian cried out in pain. Thalia and Orion toppled to the ground.

Even in the dark it was unmistakable. The sidewalk was covered in blood.