Lightning and thunder boiled over Mount Tamalpais in the north. The wind blew everyone's hair slightly. Saying goodbye to Zoe wasn't easy. 

Artemis took it the hardest. Her body was flickering between her true form and her mortal form. This, of course, was fatal to the demigods seeing as it could vaporize them in an instant. 

"I must go to Olympus immediately," Artemis said. "I will not be able to take you, but I will send help." 

The goddess set her hand on Annabeth's shoulder. "You are brave beyond measure, my girl. You will do what is right." 

Then she looked quizzically at Thalia as if she weren't sure what to make of this younger daughter of Zeus. Thalia seemed reluctant to look up, but something made her, and she held the goddess's eyes. Artemis's gaze softened with sympathy. Then she turned to Percy. 

"You did well," she said. "For a man." 

Artemis looked at Finley, who had dry tear tracks running from her hazel eyes. The moonlight somehow made her eyes shine. 

"I told you once your talents were different from your siblings, the rest of my brother's offspring," Artemis said softly. "You are destined for great things, Finley Jones. You showed the heart of a warrior tonight. That's something I admire. Continue on as you do."

She mounted her chariot, which began to glow. They averted our eyes. There was a flash of silver, and the goddess was gone. 

"Well," Dr. Chase sighed. "She was impressive; though I must say I still prefer Athena." 

Annabeth turned toward him. "Dad, I... I'm sorry that—" 

"Shh." He hugged her. "Do what you must, my dear. I know this isn't easy for you." 

His voice was a little shaky, but he gave Annabeth a brave smile.

Finley looked at the two with a sad smile but turned away. Tears danced in her eyes as she thought of what a good life she could've had if her mother's heart was not full of hate. She could have someone to call when she needs them. She could have someone to advise her. To have someone that will protect her. 

But she couldn't. 

Finley didn't hate Annabeth and Percy for having that. She didn't hate them at all. She just wished she were fortunate enough to know what it feels like to be loved as more than friends. To be loved in a way only a parent could show. 

 Not wanting to ruin Annabeth's happiness, Finely quickly wiped the tears from her eyes. 

A loud whoosh of wings was heard overhead.  Three pegasi descended through the fog: two white-winged horses and one pure black one.

"Blackjack!" Percy called happily. 

Finley smiled softly before approaching Blackjack and stroking his main while Percy spoke to the horses. 

Now Blackjack didn't like many people, but he loved Finley. During the winters when Percy wasn't at camp, Finley kept him company. It was to the point she was the only one, other than Percy, who was allowed to clean his stall. 

"Nah," Percy said aloud. "These are my friends. We need to get to Olympus pretty fast." 

"If you stomp on me," Finley began as she looked at Blackjack. "and I won't give you any more donuts or rubs."

Blackjack looked mildly offended. 

"He said, and I quote, 'Didn't mean you, Bossette!'," Percy translated.

Blackjack made a noise. 

"He also says, 'I will assist Boss Lady on her trip to Olympus. Do you by any chance have donuts?'" Percy translated again. "Sorry, Blackjack. We're fresh out of donuts."

Dr. Chase was staring openmouthed at the pegasi. 

"Fascinating," he said. "Such maneuverability! How does the wingspan compensate for the weight of the horse's body, I wonder?" 

Blackjack cocked his head to the side. 

"Why, if the British had had these pegasi in the cavalry charges on the Crimea," Dr.Chase said, "the charge of the light brigade—" 

"Dad!" Annabeth interrupted. 

Dr. Chase blinked. He looked at his daughter and managed a smile. "I'm sorry, my dear, I know you must go." 

He gave her one last awkward, well-meaning hug. As she turned to climb aboard the pegasus Guido, Dr. Chase called, "Annabeth. I know... I know San Francisco is a dangerous place for you. But please remember, you always have a home with us. We will keep you safe." 

Annabeth didn't answer, but her eyes were red as she turned away. Dr. Chase started to say more, then apparently thought better of it. He raised his hand in a sad farewell and trudged away across the dark field. 

Finley swung her leg over Blackjack, ready to go. Thalia was next. 

That's when Percy realized he didn't have a ride. 

"Look, Seaweed Brain," Finley rolled her eyes. "We're in a bit of a time crunch. Get on a dam pegasi or we're leaving you to walk across the country."

Percy walked over to Blackjack before looking up at the hazel-eyed girl. 

"Can I ride with you?"

"You act like it's a big deal or something," Finley joked as she offered him a hand to grab as he got up. 

Annabeth and Thalia shared a look before hiding their laughter as Percy awkwardly had his hands rested on his legs, careful not to invade Finley's personal bubble.

"You can put your hands on my waist you know?" Finley asked him. "I mean unless you'd like to fall off."

With flushed cheeks, Percy delicately placed his hands on Finley's hips. 

Blackjack made a noise and, if possible, Percy flushed even more.

Together the trio soared over the bay and flew toward the eastern hills. Soon San Francisco was only a glittering crescent behind the, with an occasional flicker of lightning in the north. 

Thalia was so exhausted she fell asleep on Porkpie's back. Her pegasus flew with ease, adjusting himself every once in a while so Thalia stayed safely on his back. 

Percy was half expecting Apollo to somehow blast him from the sky. After all, the last time they had spoken, the god had warned him not to harm Finley. He wasn't sure if this counted, but the thought of being vaporized by one of the more likable gods didn't sit right with Percy. 

Annabeth flew next to Percy and Finley. 

"Your dad seems cool," Percy told Annabeth. It was too dark to see her expression. She looked back, even though California was far behind them now. 

"I guess so," she said. "We've been arguing for so many years." 

"Yeah, you said." 

"You think I was lying about that?" It sounded like a challenge, but a pretty halfhearted one, like she was asking it of herself. 

"I didn't say you were lying. It's just... he seems okay. Your stepmom, too. Maybe they've, uh, gotten cooler since you saw them last." 

"I'm personally glad the two of you are better now," Finley declared, ignoring the butterflies in her stomach. She simply told herself it was from flying. But she flew all the time. And every time she flew, it was with Blackjack. 

"What about your mom?" Annabeth asked. "You can-"

"No. No, I can't," Finely cut off. 

"Finny-"

"No." she shot down. "My mom is full of hate and spite. I don't think she knows what love is."

"Sunny-"

"It doesn't matter anyway," Finley told herself despite the tears pooling in her eyes. She was glad no one could see her face. "I don't need her."

"Have you ever thought of visiting her?" Percy's breath tickled her neck as he spoke. Luckily for the dark-haired boy, Finley had tied her hair into a bun so he wouldn't be attacked by her locks. 

"I will," Finley nodded. "I'll visit her when I'm successful. Show her I didn't need her to get where I needed to go. To show her I'm better off without her."

They flew over a town, an island of lights in the middle of the dark. It whisked by so fast they might've been in an airplane. 

"Thank you for rescuing me," Annabeth told her best friends, changing the subject. 

"Hey, no big deal. We're friends." Percy declared. 

"You didn't believe I was dead?" 

"Never," Finley stated. She decided it best not to tell Annabeth she had been preparing herself for Annabeth's death. 

There was a war on its way and she wished it weren't true, but people were going to die. People close to her were going to die. Finley just hoped to prepare herself. 

But one can't prepare themselves for the pain loss can cause. It simply doesn't work like that, no matter how hard you try. 

"Neither is Luke, you know. I mean... he isn't dead." Annabeth stated. 

Finley and Percy both turned to her with concern. 

"Annabeth, that fall was pretty bad. There's no way—" 

"He isn't dead," she insisted. "I know it. The same way you knew about me." 

Neither Percy nor Finley liked that comparison. They loved Annabeth and hated Luke. He was someone that betrayed them while Annabeth was their best friend. 

The towns were zipping by faster now, islands of light thicker together, until the whole landscape below was a glittering carpet. Dawn was close. The eastern sky was turning gray. Up ahead, a huge white-and-yellow glow spread out before them—the lights of New York. 

"You're the man, Blackjack," Percy told the black pegasus. "Er, the horse, I mean." 

Finley grinned and promised to reward the pegasi once they returned to camp. 

"You don't believe me about Luke," Annabeth said, "but we'll see him again. He's in trouble, Percy, Finny. He's under Kronos's spell." 

Neither felt like arguing, though it made them mad. 

How could she still have any feelings for that creep? How could she possibly make excuses for him? He deserved that fall. 

While Percy was hesitant to say it, Finley was not. 

Luke deserved to die. Unlike Bianca. Unlike Zoe. Luke couldn't be alive. It wouldn't be fair. 

"There it is." Thalia's voice; she'd woken up. She was pointing toward Manhattan, which was quickly zooming into view. "It's started." 

"What's started?" Percy asked. 

High above the Empire State Building, Olympuswas its own island of light, a floating mountain ablaze with torches and braziers, white marble palaces gleaming in the early morning air. 

"The winter solstice," Thalia said. "The Council of the Gods." 

In the early-morning darkness, torches and fires made the mountainside palaces glow twenty different colors, from bloodred to indigo. Apparently, no one ever slept on Olympus. The twisting streets were full of demigods and nature spirits and minor godlings bustling about, riding chariots or sedan chairs carried by Cyclopes. Winter didn't seem to exist here. Finley caught the scent of the gardens in full bloom, jasmine and roses and even sweeter things she couldn't name. Music drifted up from many windows, the soft sounds of lyres and reed pipes. 

Towering at the peak of the mountain was the greatest palace of all, the glowing Whitehall of the gods. 

The pegasi set them down in the outer courtyard, in front of huge silver gates. Before anyone could even think to knock, the gates opened by themselves. 

Percy didn't know why, but he had a sense of doom. He'd never seen all the gods together. He knew any one of them could blast him to dust, and a few of them would like to. 

Blackjack and his friends flew off, leaving Thalia, Annabeth, Finley, and Percy alone. For a minute they stood there regarding the palace, the way they'd stood together in front of WestoverHall, what seemed like a million years ago. 

And then, side by side, they walked into the throne room. 

 Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at camp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations—even the newest one, Zoethe Huntress, making her way across the heavens with her bow drawn. 

All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess was about fifteen feet tall.  if you've ever had a dozen all-powerful super-huge beings turn their eyes on you at once... Well, suddenly, facing monsters seemed like a picnic. 

Thalia in her punk outfit and spiky black hair greatly contrasted against Annabeth's green shirt and blonde hair. 

Percy stood in a dark blue zip-up sweatshirt and jeans. His hands were stashed away in his pockets as he pulled at the strings. 

Finley wore a grey wolf shirt that was covered by a red flannel. Over that, she wore a denim jack and skinny jeans. Her black converses were covered in dirt and mud, but she didn't seem to care. Her light brown hair was slowly spilling from its bun. 

"Welcome, heroes," Artemis said. 

"Mooo!" 

That's when Finley noticed Grover and some sea creature. 

A sphere of water was hovering in the center of the room, next to the hearth fire. The sea creature was swimming happily around, swishing his serpent tail and poking his head out the sides and bottom of the sphere. He seemed to be enjoying the novelty of swimming in a magic bubble. 

Grover was kneeling at Zeus's throne as if he'd just been giving a report, but when he saw us, he cried, "You made it!" 

He started to run toward Percy, then remembered he was turning his back on Zeus and looked for permission. 

"Go on," Zeus said. But he wasn't really paying attention to Grover. The lord of the sky was staring intently at Thalia. Grover trotted over. None of the gods spoke. Every clop of Grover's hooves echoed on the marble floor. 

The creature, Bessie, splashed in his bubble of water. The hearth fire crackled. Percy looked nervously at his father, Poseidon. He was dressed similar to the last time he'd seen him: beach shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and sandals. He had a weathered, suntanned face with a dark beard and deep green eyes. Percy wasn't sure how he would feel about seeing him again, but the corners of his eyes crinkled with smile lines. He nodded as if to say It's okay. 

Grover gave the girls big hugs. Then he grasped Percy's arms. 

"Percy, Bessie and I made it! But you have to convince them! They can't do it!"

"Do what?" he asked.

"Heroes," Artemis called. 

For the first time since entering, Finley's eyes moved from her father. He sat in all his glory; chiseled features, blonde hair, blazing skin, perfect grin, and blue eyes. She was looking up at him for some sort of validation. She sought comfort in the idea of making her father proud. 

She couldn't explain the relief she felt when Apollo flashed her a small proud smile with a nod. 

Then he caught sight of the boy next to his daughter . . .

And he glared. 

Artemis slid down from her throne and turned to human size, a young auburn-haired girl, perfectly at ease in the midst of the giant Olympians. She walked toward them, her silver robes shimmering. There was no emotion on her face. She seemed to walk in a column of moonlight. 

"The Council has been informed of your deeds," Artemis told them. "They know that Mount Othrys is rising in the West. They know of Atlas's attempt for freedom, and the gathering armies of Kronos. We have voted to act." 

There was some mumbling and shuffling among the gods as if they weren't all happy with this plan, but nobody protested. 

"At my Lord Zeus's command," Artemis said, "my brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerful monsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titans' cause. Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons. Lord Poseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea. And as for you, my heroes..." 

She turned to face the other immortals. 

"These half-bloods have done Olympus a great service. Would any here deny that?" 

She looked around at the assembled gods, meeting their faces individually. Zeus in his dark pin-striped suit, his black beard neatly trimmed, and his eyes sparking with energy. Next to him sat a beautiful woman with silver hair braided over one shoulder and a dress that shimmered colors like peacock feathers. The Lady Hera. 

This is a woman Finley would grow to despise in coming years. This woman would rank lower on her 'Likable Immortals' list than Ares and Atlas.

On Zeus's right, Percy's father Poseidon. Next to him, a huge lump of a man with a leg in a steel brace, a misshapen head, and a wild brown beard, fire flickering through his whiskers. The Lord of the Forges, Hephaestus. 

Hermes winked at them. He was wearing a business suit today, checking messages on his caduceus mobile phone. Apollo leaned back in his golden throne with his shades on. He had iPod headphones on, so Finley wasn't sure he was even listening, but he gave her a thumbs-up. Dionysus looked bored, twirling a grapevine between his fingers. And Ares, well, he sat on his chrome-and-leather throne, glowering at Percy while he sharpened a knife. 

On the ladies' side of the throne room, a dark-haired goddess in green robes sat next to Hera on a throne woven of apple-tree branches. Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest. Next to her sat a beautiful gray-eyed woman in an elegant white dress. She could only be Annabeth'smother, Athena. Then there was Aphrodite, who smiled at Percy knowingly and made him blush in spite of him. 

All the Olympians in one place. So much power in this room it was a miracle the whole palace didn't blow apart. 

"I gotta say"—Apollo broke the silence—"these kids did okay. Especially my daughter." He cleared his throat and began to recite: "Heroes win laurels—" 

Finley flushed slightly but was thankful for the praise. 

"Um, yes, first-class," Hermes interrupted, like he was anxious to avoid Apollo's poetry. "All in favor of not disintegrating them?" 

A few tentative hands went up—Demeter, Aphrodite. 

"Wait just a minute," Ares growled. He pointed at Thalia and me. "These two are dangerous. It'd be much safer, while we've got them here—" 

"Ares," Poseidon interrupted, "they are worthy heroes. We will not blast my son to bits." 

"Nor my daughter," Zeus grumbled. "She has done well." 

Thalia blushed. She studied the floor. 

The goddess Athena cleared her throat and sat forward. "I am proud of my daughter as well. But there is a security risk here with the other two." 

"Mother!" Annabeth said. "How can you—" 

Athena cut her off with a calm but firm look. "It is unfortunate that my father, Zeus, and my uncle, Poseidon, chose to break their oath not to have more children. Only Hades kept his word, a fact that I find ironic. As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods... such as Thalia and Percy... are dangerous. As thickheaded as he is, Ares has a point." 

"Right!" Ares said. "Hey, wait a minute. Who you callin'—" 

He started to get up, but a grapevine grew around his waist like a seat belt and pulled him back down. 

"Oh, please, Ares," Dionysus sighed. "Save the fighting for later." 

Ares cursed and ripped away the vine. "You're one to talk, you old drunk. You seriously want to protect these brats?" 

Dionysus gazed down at them wearily. "I have no love for them. Athena, do you truly think it safest to destroy them?" 

"I do not pass judgment," Athena said. "I only point out the risk. What we do, the Council must decide." 

"If you kill them," Finley spoke up, not sure where her courage was coming from. Annabeth motioned for her to be quiet, but she did not listen. "You'll only be delaying the inevitable. It's fate that the titans will rise again. Killing Percy and Thalia won't change that. I see why it is wise, Lady Athena," Finley nodded to the woman. "But Kronos is gaining new recruits every day. By the time another child of the 'Big Three' turns up, you might not have any warriors. You'll be left to fight hoards of monsters, demigods, and titans all on your own. It's not wise to kill them."

Percy was sure Finley was going to be blown to bits for contradicting a goddess, especially one of wisdom, but she wasn't. Athena actually seemed . . .pleased with her input. 

"The girl is right," Zeus nodded.

Finley wanted to tell him she was more than just a girl but stayed silent. 

"I must agree," Poseidon agreed. "Finley is correct." 

"I must also agree with Finley. I will not have them punished," Artemis said. "I will have them rewarded. If we destroy heroes who do us a great favor, then we are no better than the Titans. If this isOlympian justice, I will have none of it." 

"Calm down, sis," Apollo said. "Jeez, you need to lighten up." 

"Don't call me sis! I will reward them." 

"Well," Zeus grumbled. "Perhaps. But the monster at least must be destroyed. We have agreement on that?"

A lot of nodding heads. It took Percy a second to realize what they were saying. Then his heart turned to lead.

"Bessie? You want to destroy Bessie?" 

"Who the fuck is Bessie?" Finley asked with mild curiosity. 

"Mooooooo!" Bessie protested.

 My father frowned. "You have named the Ophiotaurus Bessie?" 

"You've got to be kidding me," Finley whispered to herself as she tried to stop herself from laughing. 

Thalia elbowed her trying to hide her own laughter. 

"Guys, stop," Annabeth hissed. "You're embarrassing yourselves."

"Dad," Percy reasoned, ignoring the other conversation. "he's just a sea creature. A really nice sea creature. You can't destroy him." 

Poseidon shifted uncomfortably. "Percy, the monster's power is considerable. If the titans were to steal it, or—" 

"You can't," Percy insisted. He looked at Zeus. He probably should have been afraid of him, but he stared him right in the eye. "Controlling the prophecies never works. Isn't that true? Besides, Bess—the Ophiotaurus is innocent. Killing something like that is wrong. It's just as wrong as... as Kronos eating his children, just because of something they might do. It's wrong!" 

Zeus seemed to consider this. His eyes drifted to his daughter Thalia. "And what of the risk? Kronos knows full well, if one of you were to sacrifice the beast's entrails, you would have the power to destroy us. Do you think we can let that possibility remain? You, my daughter, will turn sixteen on the morrow, just as the prophecy says." 

"You have to trust them," Annabeth spoke up. "Sir, you have to trust them." 

Zeus scowled. "Trust a hero?" 

"I mean we did only-" Thalia's hand was placed over Finley's mouth before she said something she'd regret. 

"Annabeth is right," Artemis said. "Which is why I must first make a reward. My faithful companion, Zoe Nightshade, has passed into the stars. I must have a new lieutenant. And I intend to choose one. But first, Father Zeus, I must speak to you privately." 

Zeus beckoned Artemis forward. He leaned down and listened as she spoke in his ear. A feeling of panic seized Percy. 

"Finley," he said under my breath. "Don't."

She frowned at him. "What?" 

"Look, I need to tell you something," Percy continued. The words came stumbling out of him."I couldn't stand it if... I don't want you to—" 

"Percy?" she said. "You look like you're going to be sick."

 And that's how he felt. he wanted to say more, but his tongue betrayed him. It wouldn't move because of the fear in his stomach. And then Artemis turned. 

"I shall have a new lieutenant," she announced. "If she will accept it." 

"No," Percy murmured. 

Finley was seriously wondering what had gotten into him. 

"Thalia," Artemis said. "Daughter of Zeus. Will you join the Hunt?" 

Stunned silence filled the room. Percy stared at Thalia, unable to believe what he was hearing. Annabeth and Finley smiled. Annabeth squeezed Thalia's hand and let it go, as if she'd been expecting this all along. 

"I will," Thalia said firmly. 

Zeus rose, his eyes full of concern. "My daughter, consider well—" 

"Father," she said. "I will not turn sixteen tomorrow. I will never turn sixteen. I won't let this prophecy be mine. I stand with my sister Artemis. Kronos will never tempt me again." 

She knelt before the goddess. "I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men..." 

Afterward, Thalia did something that surprised Finley almost as much as the pledge. She came over to Percy, smiled, and in front of the whole assembly, she gave him a big hug. Percy blushed. 

When she pulled away and gripped my shoulders, he said, "Um... aren't you supposed to not do that anymore? Hug boys, I mean?" 

"I'm honoring a friend," she corrected. "I must join the Hunt, Percy. I haven't known peace since... since Half-Blood Hill. I finally feel like I have a home. But you're a hero. You will be the one of the prophecy." 

"Great," he muttered."I'm proud to be your friend." 

She hugged Annabeth, who was trying hard not to cry. Then she even hugged Grover, who looked ready to pass out, like somebody had just given him an all-you-can-eat enchilada coupon. Finally, she turned to Finley, who was grinning. Thalia went to stand by Artemis's side. 

"Now for the Ophiotaurus," Artemis said. 

"This boy is still dangerous," Dionysus warned.  "The beast is a temptation to great power. Even if we spare the boy—"

"What's he gonna do?" Finley sassed. "Attack it with blue cookies? Spaghetti noodles?"

"That's blatant disrespect, Sunny." Percy huffed as he shot a half-heart glare in her direction. 

Apollo cleared his throat. 

"Please. Keep the Ophiotaurus safe." Percy stated, getting back on track. "My dad can hide him under the sea somewhere, or keep him in an aquarium here in Olympus. But you have to protect him." 

"And why should we trust you?" rumbled Hephaestus. 

"I'm only fourteen," Percy reasoned. "If this prophecy is about me, that's two more years." 

"Two years for Kronos to deceive you," Athena said. "Much can change in two years, my young hero." 

"Mother!" Annabeth said, exasperated. 

"It is only the truth, child. It is bad strategy to keep the animal alive. Or the boy." 

Poseidon stood. "I will not have a sea creature destroyed if I can help it. And I can help it."

He held out his hand, and a trident appeared in it: a twenty-foot-long bronze shaft with three spear tips that shimmered with blue, watery light. "I will vouch for the boy and the safety of the Ophiotaurus." 

"You won't take it under the sea!" Zeus stood suddenly. "I won't have that kind of bargaining chip in your possession." 

"Brother, please," Poseidon sighed. Zeus's lightning bolt appeared in his hand, a shaft of electricity that filled the whole room with the smell of ozone. 

"Fine," Poseidon said. "I will build an aquarium for the creature here. Hephaestus can help me. The creature will be safe. We shall protect it with all our powers. The boy will not betray us. I vouch for this on my honor."

 Zeus thought about this. "All in favor?" 

To Finley's surprise, a lot of hands went up. Dionysus abstained. So did Ares and Athena. But everybody else... 

"We have a majority," Zeus decreed. "And so, since we will not be destroying these heroes... I imagine we should honor them. Let the triumph celebration begin!" 

There are parties, and then there are huge, major, blowout parties. And then there are Olympian parties. If you ever get a choice, go for the Olympian. 

The Nine Muses cranked up the tunes, and the music was whatever you wanted it to be: the gods could listen to classical and the younger demigods heard hip-hop or whatever, and it was all the same soundtrack. No arguments. No fights to change the radio station. Just requests to crank it up. 

Dionysus went around growing refreshment stands out of the ground, and a beautiful woman walked with him arm in arm—his wife, Ariadne. Dionysus looked happy for the first time. Nectar and ambrosia overflowed from golden fountains, and platters of mortal snackfood crowded the banquet tables. Golden goblets filled with whatever drink you wanted. Grover trotted around with a full plate of tin cans and enchiladas, and his goblet was full of double-espresso latte, which he kept muttering over like an incantation: "Pan! Pan!" 

"Finley," someone spoke behind the girl. 

She turned around to see Artemis. 

"Hey," Finley greeted awkwardly. 

Siriusly (a/n teheheh) how does one greet a goddess? 

'Howdy, mate,' doesn't seem like a good idea. 

"Out of all my brother's children," Artemis spoke with a small smile. "You are my favorite."

"Thanks," Finley's cheeks flamed red. 

"I would have asked you to join my hunters," Artemis began with a small smirk. "But it seems your heart lies elsewhere."

"At camp."

"That's not what I meant," Artemis stated. 

"My heart lies at camp."

"Keep telling yourself that," Aphrodite grinned as she walked by. 

Artemis and Finley both rolled their eyes. 

"Hey, sis!" Apollo grinned as he appeared beside Finley. "Wanna hear my new haiku?"

"No," Finley stated. 

Artemis simply used her lips before walking away grumbling about annoying brothers and boys. 

"Finster," Apollo grinned brightly as he turned to her. 

"Dad," she mocked. 

"Good job, kiddo," Apollo ruffled Finley's hair. 

"Thanks," she said, not even bothering to fix her hair at the moment. 

"I see you discovered your powers," Apollo commented as he looked out over the room. 

Finley followed his example and studied the room. She saw Annabeth dancing and Grover speaking of Pan. Percy was with his father. 

"Any other powers I should know about?" Finley asked as her eyes caught a certain pair of sea-green ones. "That way I can use them to my advantage. Any letdowns that will lead to my ultimate demise?"

"The visions," Apollo began sincerely. "They come with massive migraines, and they don't come often. The light might be hard to control in times of distress. Once you've proven you can harness the ability, it will come more often. But you can lose control."

"Great. So I'm a tick time bomb."

"No," Apollo assured. "The worst that gonna happen is you might blind a few people."

"That's reassuring."

"Listen, Finley," Apollo placed his hands on her shoulders. "I have complete faith in you."

"Thanks, Dad," Finley grinned despite how nervous she felt. 

"Now, I must go threaten-I mean speak with the Jackson boy once more," Apollo nodded. 

Finley watched with humor evident in her eyes as Apollo was dragged off his course by Poseidon, who grabbed him by the ear. 

"So," Finley said as Percy approached her. "What did you want to tell me earlier?" 

The music was playing. People were dancing in the streets. 

"I, uh, was thinking we got interrupted at Westover Hall. And... I think I owe you a dance." Percy said nervously. 

She smiled slowly. 

"All right, Seaweed Brain."

He took her hand, and they don't know what everybody else heard, but to them, it sounded like a slow dance: a little sad, but maybe a little hopeful, too.