Did I surprise you with that chapter?  I hope so :) Just wait until later chapters (muhahaha).  Have fun!

Chapter Quote:

“The strength of the pack is in the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is in the pack.”

~Unknown

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Chapter 4: I Punch a Praetor

Derek 

The trip over to New Rome was relatively silent.  Silena walked between Derek and Luke, but refused to speak to her boyfriend.  He understood she was mad at him, but really?  Not saying a single word to him?  Needless to say, it irked him.  Ralph, Adolpha, and Sandulf walked in front of the demigods, respectively to Luke, Silena, and Derek.

“So how are we going to talk to Cora and Antony?  I don’t think they’ll have a horrible problem with Luke, but they will with me and Silena.  We didn’t leave the best impression on them last time,” Derek pointed out.

“At least they know not to tick you off,” Luke said.

“Antony pisses me off just looking at him.  He’s going to trust us even less now that we don’t have Bradley and Brady with us.  He’ll think we let them get away on purpose.”

“He’s that thick-headed?”

“Worse.”

“Cora may be able to restrain him from doing some things but if he has as much influence as I think he does, we’re in trouble.  Our best bet is that the wolves help us prevent that from happening.”

“That’s the point of them being here.  Luke, maybe you should do the talking since they don’t really know you.  Anything that comes out of mine or Silena’s mouth is automatically deemed a lie to them.”

“I understand yours, but why mine?” Silena commented.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Derek demanded.

“Nothing, not a thing.”

“All right lovebirds, save the quarreling for later.  Right now let’s focus on the Romans, because we’re here,” Luke said.  The three demigods came to a halt at the entrance to New Rome.  Two sentries stared at them.

“Derek?  Silena?  Is that you?” The sentry on the right took of their helmet.  A familiar blonde stood before them.

“Vanessa,” Silena. “How are you?”

“I’m good.  And you?”

“Um, I’ve been better.  How are Prerana and Ana?”

“Good.  What are you doing here?  I mean, Cora will be welcoming, but Antony?  He’s like Henry the Eighth and wants to behead everyone who he doesn’t like.” Her eyes fell on Luke.  “Who are you?”

“I’m Luke Jackson.  Nice to meet you,” Luke replied.  Derek felt a twinge of annoyance flash through him when he saw the look of awe in Vanessa’s eyes.  Luke was handsome, and his mischievous eyes with his charming, sincere, albeit sometimes idiotic, personality made the girls swoon over him.  Even Bryn had fallen for him, although she would’ve died before admitting that, which with sad irony, she did.  At the thought of his best friend, grief rose up in Derek’s throat, threatening to burst out.  He’d been able to hide his sorrow well from others, but being alone was a completely different story.  The entire quest would play over and over in his mind, from the storm Bryn created for them to escape to her mouthing “I love you” to him right before she died.  With the playback of the memories came revelations.  Derek began to remember certain things she said: “I have to go save him.  This is it”, “I have to go rescue him.  I have to.  It has to be me”, “I already know… Months now.  The gods told me”, and “Derek, just remember, I love you and you’re like a brother to me.”  It began to dawn on him that maybe she’d known all along that she hadn’t been going to make it out of the quest alive.  But Luke’s dream- Bryn had been in it.  She’d been working for Hannah.  Had she been working for her all along?  But if she had, why hadn’t she killed them?

“Pleasure,” Vanessa said, smiling at him.

“Vanessa, we shouldn’t be associating with Greeks,” the other sentry finally spoke.  The three demigods turned to face him.  He shifted uneasily on his feet.

“We’re not here to cause a war, we’re here to talk to Cora and Antony. Lupa sent some of her comrades with us to establish that no is not a good answer,” Luke said casually.  Vanessa and the other sentry did a double take as Lupa’s wolves trotted into view.  They’d stayed hidden, wanting to make a statement (and probably an entrance). “What’s your name sentry?”

“Carlo.  You’ve been to see Lupa?” the sentry asked.

“Yes, and she sent Adolpha, Sandulf, and Ralph,” Luke introduced. “They’re emissaries.  We came to report to Cora and Antony what happened while we were with Lupa.  They have to know.”

“Tell us and we will relay it to them,” Carlo said.

“No can do. They are the leaders of New Rome, we, technically speaking are the leaders of the Greeks in the upcoming war.  We need to speak leaders to leaders.  I apologize for any inconvenience this might cause but that’s the way it has to be.”

“Antony will get over it,” Vanessa spoke up. “Carlo, stay here.  I will take these three to our praetors.”

With a disproving look, the other sentry acceded and Vanessa led the three Greeks down the tunnel to New Rome.  At first hardly anyone looked at them.  But soon the Romans began to recognize Derek and Silena.  Some said hi, others scowled at them.  It wasn’t hard to figure out who supported which praetor.

“The camp is really split up,” Vanessa commented quietly. “It was bad when your parents were trying to recruit our help, it’s even worse now.  No one thought a person could be worse than Octavian.  Boy were we wrong.  So,” –she glanced back at Luke- “you’re Silena’s older brother?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s nice to meet you.  You have very loyal people in your life.  I thought your girlfriend was going to strike down Antony with a lightning bolt.  To be honest, I wish she would have.  Would’ve gotten rid of that headache for us,” Vanessa grumbled.

“Girlfriend?” Luke repeated.

“Bryn.  Wasn’t she your girlfriend?”

“No, she and I were just friends.  I guess a lot of people thought we might’ve been dating because we were really close, but we couldn’t.  Her dad and my grandfather wouldn’t allow it.  Don’t know why.  I wonder if she did; if Bryn did, she never told me.”

“The way you talk about her, it’s like she’s not even-”

“Here?  She’s not.  Something happened on the quest…”

“Oh, I’m sorry!  I didn’t mean to bring this all up.  If I’d known-”

“Don’t worry about it.” Luke turned his head.  Derek happened to see his friend’s face turning rather red. “So, um, is that the Senate House?”

“Yeah.  It got finished being rebuilt just a couple days ago.  We’ll go to Cora’s office, it’s just down this road.  She can call Antony and then he’ll come and she’ll have the upper hand in any argument because it’s in her office,” Vanessa explained.  The four demigods and wolves walked into a very simple room with red curtains and light hardwood flooring.  Cora sat facing her window, away from them.

“Cora?” Vanessa asked.

“Yes?”

“You have visitors.”

Cora turned around.  Some color left her face at the wolves, but she held her composure. “Silena, Derek,” she greeted.  Her eyes settled on the oldest Jackson, “and you must be Luke.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Pleasure to finally meet you.  My condolences are with you all for losing Bryn.  She may have caused quite the stir here, but I admired her tenacity.  May I ask who Lupa’s emissaries are?”

“This is Adolpha, Sandulf, and Ralph.  Lupa sent them with us to help persuade you and Antony, but let’s be truthful, we’re talking about mostly Antony here, about what happened and what’s going on and what we need to do.”

“I shall call him.” Cora excused herself for a minute.  When she returned, Antony was behind her.  Must’ve been in his office if she’d been able to get him that quickly, Derek figured.

“You!” Antony stated angrily. 

“Us,” Luke responded with a raised eyebrow.

“So you’re the reason Bryn destroyed our Senate House?” the praetor snarled.

“From what I’ve heard, you were holding her back from doing so and it ticked her off.  If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Bryn in the past year I’ve known her, it’s that you never bet against her.  But we’re not here to talk about the past.  We’re here to talk about the present and future.”

“If she hadn’t been so hostile-”

“Hostile?” Silena interrupted. “Don’t even go there Antony.  You’re the one who refused to listen to her.  She was respectful to people who gave her the same courtesy so stop blaming her for this.”

Derek stared at his girlfriend in surprise.  She rarely lost her cool about things, and while she and Bryn had been friends, they’d had some nasty spats with each other.  To see Silena become defensive of Bryn, well, it was just new for Derek.

Antony seemed lost for words, so Luke jumped in and said, “As you both know, the three of us went to meet Lupa in order to see Bradley and Brady.”

“And?  Are the twins all right?” Cora asked hurriedly.

“They appeared fine, but we didn’t necessarily get to talk to them.”

“Why’s that?”

“Remember how we told you two about how we believed someone from Hannah’s group was going after them?”

“Yes.”

“Turns out we were right.  They got there before us.  Do you know anyone by the name of Penn?”

“No, doesn’t ring a bell, but this is very disturbing news.  The twins were wayward but I know they’d never join enemy forces unless the person that recruited them threatened something or someone they love dearly or they were unbelievably persuasive.  The twins, while rash in their decisions they may be sometimes, are not stupid.  This is worrisome.  If this person could convince the twins to join them, then who knows who else they’ll be able to get to,” Cora stated, sitting down and rubbing her forehead.

“We should send a legion after them.  I want them back here, alive or dead,” Antony snarled. “I don’t like the twins but they are deadly fighters.  If we can’t have them on our side, then the enemy can’t have them on theirs.”

“Do you just want to kill everyone?” Silena grunted. “I bet you wanted to kill me, Bryn, Rachel, and Derek when we came.”

“I just wanted to imprison you, Rachel, and Derek.  Bryn on the other hand, I wouldn’t have minded if she was gone.  Too unpredictable that one.  She probably would’ve turned on all of us if she thought the enemy was going to win the war and-”

Neither Derek, Silena, Cora, nor Antony had any inclination of what was going to happen next, but Luke’s fist connected with Antony’s nose, causing the praetor to fly backwards.  The Jackson boy was huffing, nostrils flaring, and he was eyeing his target maliciously.  Derek and Silena grabbed him by the arms before he could do anymore damage.  Cora stood between the Greeks and her comrade.  Derek had a feeling she wanted to laugh really badly, but was managing to hold it in.  Antony stood up, blood streaming out of his nose and down his face.  His eyes were watering, practically bulging out of his head.

“You dare attack me?  You filthy Greek!” he spat.

Luke tried to lunge at him, but Silena and Derek held him at bay, if only barely. “Say another bad word about Bryn, and I’ll do a lot worse than punch you in the nose.  I don’t hate Romans, but I hate you.”

Enough! A voice rang out in Derek’s head.  Instinctively, he turned to face Lupa’s emissaries.  He wasn’t sure which one of them said it though.  Everyone in the room turned too, telling Derek he hadn’t been the only one with the voice inside his head. This bickering is foolish, and Antony, do not insult Miss Winchester.  If you do, make sure it is not in the presence of someone who could kick your butt from here to Pluto.  Mr. Jackson, if you want to forge an alliance with someone, attacking one of their leaders is not the way to go.

“Which one of you is speaking?” Derek queried. “It’s kind of awkward staring at the three of you without knowing which one is doing the talking.”

The black wolf, Adolpha, stepped forward. I am speaking.  Now, Cora, Antony, Lupa has sent me, Sandulf, and Ralph- the noble, the true, and the wise- to first, show that they did do as they said and that they came to see our leader in order to find the twins, and second, to bring word to you two that Lupa has decided to form an alliance with the Greeks for the upcoming war.

“She’s siding with the imbeciles?  These barbarians?” Antony demanded.

Sandulf snarled and said, Are you calling our leader stupid?

“No, of course not, I’m just questioning her judgment.  She should not trust the Greeks.”

Ralph came forward. Our leader does not make new alliances lightly.  If she has sided with the Greeks, then she believes this war, and fighting alongside them is vital to our survival.  We are not ordering you to join our side, just highly recommending it. 

Adolpha spoke again. It is getting dark, and my pack mates and I should be heading back.  Luke, Silena, Derek, be careful, and we will see you in battle.  Cora, Antony, we hope you make the right decision.

With that, the three wolves left, leaving the three Greeks and the two Romans alone.  Everyone stood in silence for a few minutes Silena and Derek warily letting go of Luke, Luke forcing himself not to run his sword through Antony, Antony still trying to stop his bleeding nose, and Cora resorting to rubbing her forehead again.  She was the first to speak, however, and said, “The wolves are right, and since you three have no transportation, it would only be right to offer you a place to stay here tonight.  We have an empty bunker that you three can use.  It is reserved for guests.  I can gather pajamas and any other necessities you may need if you will accept our offer.”

“You’re going to let them stay here?” Antony snapped.

“Would you be quiet before you prompt Mr. Jackson to punch you again?  Because I will not stop him.” Turning back to the three demigods, she said, “Do you accept?”

“Yes, thank you,” Silena replied.

“When you leave my office, make a right and walk until you see Bunker Thirteen.  Antony and I will discuss some things and we will get back to you about joining you in the war.  Good day,” Cora said.

Derek, Silena, and Luke left the praetor’s office.  Luke was rubbing the hand he’d punched Antony with. “The kid has a hard nose,” he muttered.

“I’ll make a call to Chiron and tell him we’ll be coming back tomorrow.  I’ll tell him about Lupa and all that happened.  You two go find that bunker and I’ll meet you there,” Silena said, beginning to walk off.

“I’ll go with you,” Derek remarked, sidling next to her.  He wanted to talk to her one-on-one without Luke there, and Luke seemed to understand that because he started to nod and walk off, but Silena stopped him and snapped, “I’m perfectly capable of doing things by myself.  Besides I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

“And why not?” he responded, barely holding back his anger.

“You lied to me Derek!  Multiple times, and the gods only know how many times before that!  I don’t trust you right now- couple don’t lie to each other.”

“What type of relationship do we have if we don’t trust each other?” he pointed out.

“A crappy one, and one that makes me question if we should even be dating.”Silena whirled on her boyfriend and brother and stalked off.  The two boys stared at her.

“She’ll come around.  She’s stressed, just like you and me.  Don’t worry about it; come on, let’s go find that bunker,” Luke insisted.  Derek nodded but he couldn’t shake the feeling that his relationship with Silena was crumbling to pieces.  He had lost his best friend, he couldn’t lose his girlfriend too.

“Derek, stop,” Luke ordered, placing a hand on his shoulder.  Derek listened, and following Luke’s line of vision, looked down.  Cracks were forming in the streets.  All the Romans were halting in their tracks, staring at the ground beneath their feet. “What in Poseidon’s name is happening?”

“I don’t- I don’t know,” Derek admitted, but he did know something.  He was causing this.  He didn’t know how, but he was.  Realizing his heart was pounding, Derek forced it to slow down to a normal rate.  As it did, the cracks in the earth disappeared.  The Romans slowly went back to doing, and Luke and Derek continued on to the bunker.  Once they reached it, Luke went straight for the bathroom.  Derek sat down in a chair.  As he thought about all that he’d discovered he could do in the past few hours, between raising a skeleton and causing the ground to crack in New Rome, he muttered to himself: “Something is wrong with me.”

There was no way possibly way he was a child of Hades.  Because of Percy Jackson, all gods had to claim their children by the time they were thirteen.  He was well past thirteen.  But another idea struck him.  Percy had only told the Greek gods that, he hadn’t told the Roman gods that.  So maybe Hades wasn’t his father, but Pluto!  They were technically the same person, but at the same time, their personalities were different.  It was the only logical idea Derek could come up with, if you could even call this entire situation logical.

“Where’s Luke?” Silena’s voice inquired.

“Bathroom,” Derek answered absentmindedly.

“What did Chiron say?” Luke asked, stepping into the room.

“Said he’d see us tomorrow and to be careful.”

“I don’t trust Antony not to try and bludgeon us in the middle of the night.  Derek, Silena, why don’t you two go to sleep first.  I’ll take first watch, wake one of you up in four or five hours,” Luke offered.

“You sure you’re okay with that?” Silena queried.

“Yeah, I’m not tired anyway.  Go on, I’ll be fine,” he insisted.  Derek didn’t argue.  Unlike his friend, he was exhausted.  He went face forward onto his bed and crashed.

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“I am here, yeah,” a girl said on her phone.  She spoke with a very peculiar dialect, but Derek couldn’t understand what made it so peculiar.  A garbled voice responded to the girl. “No, but I am asking around… I am trying!  It is not easy to find a girl who has practically disappeared off the face of the planet… Earth!  Whatever, same thing… the high school was a dead end.  I believe she has been homeschooled for a while now… no record of her at the high school or the middle school.  I checked the elementary, and the only information I could get was when she attended up until the third grade.  I did not get her address either.  I am having to go search the town to see if anyone knows her… we have to save her, Bradley… because I promised someone I would, Brady!” The girl stopped and leaned up against the building. “Sorry, it is just that this is important to me.  I am carrying out a promise and saving a girl from the gods know what.  We are going through with this.  Are you almost here?” More garbled speaking but from what Derek could determine, it sounded like a yes. “Wonderful.  I will see you soon.  Be careful, the town does not like outsiders, let alone ones trying to pry into a person’s life that has not been seen for years.  I love you two.”  The girl hung up and entered a quaint bar.  It was obviously a good place to gossip.

“Hello miss, what can I get ya?” An old man queried.  There weren’t many people in the bar.  Just a few booths and three barstools were occupied.

“Do you have Diet Dr. Pepper?” The girl took off her hat, revealing long, dark brown hair.

“You’re not from around here are ya?”

“What gave it away, sir?  My clothes or my accent?” the girl quipped

“Your car,” he replied with a smile.  Derek looked outside, between all the trucks was a solid black Lamborghini Gallardo.

“I have always had a soft spot for fast cars,” the girl admitted. “I was wondering, sir, if you knew a girl named Hallie Argent.  She should have light brown hair, brown eyes, around fifteen, sixteen years old?”

“No offense miss, but I’m not going to give an answer to a stranger such as yourself,” the guy said, glaring at her. “I don’t even know your name.”

“My name is Penn, and would you answer me if the reason I am asking such a question is because me and my team suspect she is a victim of child abuse?”

The man paled. “Ch-child abuse?”

“Yes, and it is not a matter that we take lightly.  Since you seem unable to answer me, could you possibly direct me to someone who could?”

“I can,” a guy said, raising his hand.  Penn turned around.  Derek still couldn’t see her face.  She didn’t say anything but the guy continued anyway. “My friend owns the property next to hers.  Once in a while, we’ll go ride horses out there.  We see her sometimes, maybe three times a year at most.  She smiles and waves at us but never talks.  We think she’s afraid of her dad.  I know we are.  We can’t even look him in the eye.”

“What’s her address?”

“When you leave this bar, make a right and just keep going down the main road until it turns to dirt.  Then keep going and when you reach a fork in the road, make a left.  It will lead you straight to her house.”

“Thank you, sir.  Your help is greatly appreciated.  What is your name?”

“Scott Posey.”

“It is a pleasure to speak with you.  If it is not too much trouble, may I have some form of contacting you?  Just in case I have any more questions.”

“Sure.  Here, have my cell.” Scott wrote down his number and handed it to Penn. “Hope she’s all right.  Tell her I say hi.  We used to hang out in kindergarten.  You don’t forget a girl who made silver raise from the ground,” he laughed.

Penn waved goodbye, thanked him again, and left.  She got in her car and headed in the direction Scott had instructed her to.  Movement in the skies made Derek look up.  Two pegasi were flying in circles.  Upon seeing the Lamborghini, they shot down to the ground.  Derek recognized the riders as Bradley and Brady.

“Well?” one of them asked.

“We head down this road and make a left when there is a fork.  But I have another job for you.  Find Scott Posey’s address.  Hallie was on our list and so was he.  Find him.”

“On it, sis,” the other twin said, winking.  They flew back up into the air and Penn continued to her destination.

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Derek bolted into sitting position.  Promise?  Sis?  List?

“You all right?” Luke inquired quietly, causing Derek to jump.  He calmed down when he realized who it was.  Leaning back against the headboard of his bed, he replied, “Yeah, weird dream.”

“Dream or vision?”

“I think it was a vision.  The twins were in it.  So was Penn.  I didn’t see her face, but one of the twins… they referred to her as ‘sis.’  So either Zeus fell off the wagon again or the twins aren’t Bryn’s brothers like we thought they were.”

“Or maybe it was Bryn and she’s just hiding from us for some reason?”

“She wouldn’t do that.  I know her.”

“So did I.”

“Not for over ten years.” Derek sighed. “I’m not meaning to be harsh Luke, it’s just that I know Bryn wouldn’t hide from us.  We were family to her.  I’ll take the next watch.  You get some sleep.”

“It’s not falling asleep that’s the problem.  It’s staying asleep that is,” Luke mumbled.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t have any trouble actually falling asleep, it’s staying asleep that I have problems with now.  And it’s the opposite with Silena.  It started ever since Bryn… died.”

“I’m sorry, Luke.  Are dreams waking you up or…?”

“Yeah.  I’d rather not talk about it though.  I’m going to get some sleep.  See you later.  If you want, I don’t think Antony is going to bludgeon us to death so you get some more sleep too,” Luke said.

“I’m fine.  I’m not tired anymore right now.  If I do, then I will,” Derek responded.  It was true, he wasn’t tired; in fact, he was anything but.  After his dream, he had more questions than answers.  Penn was going after Hallie because she had promised someone she would save her.  But who had she promised?  And why was she going after Scott?  What list was he on?  And why in Apollo’s name did the twins call Penn ‘sis’?  Derek had to find out.  He’d already told Luke his suspicions, but no matter how defeated the grandson of Poseidon seemed when Derek told him it wasn’t Bryn, he still had a strong suspicion Luke was only acting.  He couldn’t talk to someone who had a one track mind about that sort of thing.  Then there was Silena, who would be more logical about it, but she didn’t want to speak with him, let alone discuss things with him, so that left just Derek himself to find out.  If Bryn was still here, she’d go with him.  He would be able to count on her, but she wasn’t.  Derek was going to have to do this alone.

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Luke 

A black Lamborghini stopped alongside a dirt road, with a blonde girl stepping out of it.  A few seconds later, two pegasi landed next to it.  Bradley and Brady Winchester hopped off.  If they were Bryn’s brothers, it meant that they were thirteen going on fourteen.  Puberty had hit them early though.  They did not look thirteen in the slightest.  In fact, they could’ve passed off as twenty year olds if they tried hard enough.

“Did you find Scott?” the girl asked.  Luke’s heart physically ached as he heard the familiar British voice.

“We did, but he wasn’t home, so we’ll head over there later,” a twin said.

“So what’s the plan?” the other twin questioned, leaning against the hood of the car.  Bryn swatted him off of it.

“You two are going to pretend to be local officials.  Upon recent survey, it was found that the fence encasing his sheep has been broken and it needs to be repaired for the sheep’s safety and other animals on the bordering property.  If he argues, convince him to come with you and go to the far corner of the pasture.  It’ll be broken, I promise you.”

“How’d you manage to do that?  We’ve been watching your car almost the entire time.”

“I called in a favor from father,” Bryn said, opening the hood of the car.  She pulled out a box and handed it to a twin. “Suit up.  You’re the distraction.  Distract him for as long as you can.  Warn me when he’s coming back so I can get out.”

“Aye, aye, captain.  So, while Brady gets to look ridiculous in a suit, do I get to go help you rescue a damsel in distress?” Bradley queried.

“First off, if she’s as powerful as I think she is, she could give all of us a run for our money.  Second, you’re suiting up with Brady.  I’m going in alone.”

“You can’t go in there alone!” Brady retorted.

“I’m older, wiser, and faster than you two.  I love you both, but it’s true.  Now go suit up.  We have to hurry.  We’re not the only ones that are after her.”

“Derek?” Bradley stated.

“Yes,” Bryn replied emotionlessly. “Now seriously, get going.  The sun is starting to set.  We don’t have much time.”

The twins nodded and began changing clothes.  Bryn stood at the back of the car, facing away from them.  She appeared haggard, as if she hadn’t gotten much sleep.

“Bryn, are you ever going to tell us the truth about why you’re doing all this?” Brady prodded resting his head on her shoulder.

“I’ve told you already.”

“Not everything,” Bradley added, resting his head on her other shoulder.

“Some things are better left unsaid.  Come on.  Bradley, you’re older, so you get to drive first.  I don’t care if you’re fourteen, you don’t look it.  Brady, you can drive it out of the driveway back here to this spot.  After that, I’m driving again.  I swear, if you mess up this car-”

“We won’t!” Brady promised.

“Promise!” Bradley added.

She smiled. “I’ll fly behind you.  Now go, and slowly!” The twins nodded, hopping into the super car.  As Bryn said, she flew behind the car, but far enough that she didn’t get dust into her eyes.  The car pulled up to a two story, log cabin.  There was a window to the basement and a few feet over was a cellar door, most likely for tornadoes.

“I would not want to live in Oklahoma,” Bradley remarked, getting out of the car.

“Why’s that?” Brady queried.

“Too many tornadoes.”

“Dude, we can control those.  It’s essentially wind isn’t it?”

“I… oh yeah.”

“And you think you’re the smart one.” The two brothers started hitting each other until Bryn sent a lightning strike at the two of them, effectively stopping them.  She also gave them a pretty intimidating warning glare.  Brady knocked on the door, and a man double their height and triple their size answered.

“What do you want?” he demanded.  The boys began to explain, becoming more comfortable in their roles.  Somehow, they managed to convince the man to follow them.  The moment the owner’s back was turned, Bryn dashed to the house, slipping inside.  Luke followed.  She headed downstairs and began checking rooms.  One was a boiler room, another a bathroom.  The last room was at the end of the hall, and music could be heard playing softly.  Bryn carefully opened the door and peeked in.

“Are you Hallie Argent?” she asked softly.  The girl jumped about a foot in the air and instantly got in a fighting position.

“Who the hell are you?” Hallie barked, sounding stronger than she looked.  Her brown hair was pulled into a bun, she wore sweatpants and a hoodie.

“My name is Bryn Winchester.  I don’t have much time to explain things.  My brothers will be able to keep your father at bay for only so long,” Bryn explained, holding her hands up as a peace gesture.

“How do you know who I am?”

“This may sound awfully strange, but a… an acquaintance of mine dreamt about you.  He said he felt like you were in trouble, in pain.  He wanted to come rescue you.”

“So why isn’t he here?”

“It’s a long story that I don’t have time to explain to you right now.”

“I’m a freak Miss Winchester.  I don’t know why the hell you’d want anything to do with me.”

“Please, call me Bryn.  And why do you think you’re a freak?”

“I can do things that… that other people can’t do.  And it’s not cool, flashy things either.  It’s freaking scary things.”

“I’d like to see,” Bryn said genuinely.

Hallie looked at her dubiously. “You’ll just run off like the others.”

“Where I come from, it takes a lot to surprise me.  In fact, I think you and I might have more in common than you realize.  Please, I’d love to see what you can do.”

Hallie raised her eyebrows but conceded.  Closing her eyes, she held her hands out towards the floor.  Luke blinked, and in that split-second he wasn’t paying attention, a skeleton formed in front of Bryn.  Instinctively, Luke tried to throw himself in front of his friend, but he remained in place.  He had to remind himself that this was a dream.  He couldn’t control anything.

“You’re not running,” Hallie observed.

Bryn smiled, although she kept careful watch on the skeleton. “Because I was right.  This is going to sound like another strange statement, but do you believe in gods?  Greek gods in specific?”

“No.  If any god did exist, they would’ve heard my prayers to get out of this hellhole.  Why?  Don’t tell me you believe in that stuff.”

“I do, actually.  And the Greek gods, believe it or not, do exist.  You’ve prayed to them, and they haven’t heard you.”

“How do you know?”

“Because your dad would’ve gotten you out of here sooner.  He knows what town you’re in, but some magic, strong magic, is blocking him from finding exactly where you are.”

“So how did you find me?”

“Through old-fashioned-detective work: asking.”

“You said you and I are more alike than I think.  How so?” Bryn held out her hand.  Lightning sparked off her fingers.  Hallie jumped back in surprise and breathed, “What are you?”

“I’m a demigod, half human, half god.  The same as you.  My father is Zeus, grandmother is Aphrodite, great granddaughter of Hecate, and great-great granddaughter of Apollo.  I know, it’s a mouthful.  And you, you’re a daughter of Hades.”

“God of the Underworld and riches,” Hallie said.

“Precisely.  That man you’ve been living with?  That isn’t your real father.  The gods have issues, but even though they may not show it all the time, they actually do care for their kids.  It’s just the Fates usually don’t allow them to get too involved in our lives and- Hallie, what’s that?” Bryn’s eyes narrowed in on the girl’s wrists.

“Nothing,” Hallie responded, tugging her sleeves down even though they already were.

“Hallie, let me see your wrist,” Bryn ordered firmly yet gently.  Reluctantly, the daughter of Hades obeyed.  Bryn pulled up the sleeves and gasped.  Bruises and welts went up the entirety of Hallie’s arms.  Luke was disgusted, and he figured it was probably the same on the other arm.

“Did… did he do this to you?  The man keeping you here?” Bryn demanded.  Hallie nodded.  Bryn’s eyes flared with anger as she placed her hand about an inch above Hallie’s arm and started whispering healing incantations.  The welts disappeared, the bruises faded.

“How on earth…?” Hallie began.

“Do you want out of here?” Bryn asked.

“What?”

“Do you want to get away from him?  I have a place where you can stay.  I will teach you how to fight, because all those myths and legends you read about in Greek mythology, they’re real.  The monsters will come after you, but I can help you.”

“I’ll go.  How much time do I have to pack?”

Bryn blanched. “You have all night.  I have to come back tomorrow.  Your… keeper is coming back.  Be ready by ten tomorrow morning.  Get in your storm cellar and do not let your keeper come in with you.  One of my brothers will come get you.”

“What will you be doing?”

“Distracting your keeper.  I have a feeling he’s not… human.”

“Then what is he?!”

“I’ll find out.  I have to go, okay?  Be strong, and if he hurts you anymore, I’ll heal your wounds when I see you tomorrow okay?”

“All right… but why do I have to go in the storm cellar?”

Bryn grinned as she opened up the window leading outside. “Because I’m a pissed off daughter of Zeus.  Lightning isn’t the only thing I can control.  I’ll see you tomorrow Hallie.  I’ll get you out of here.  I promise.”  With that said, Bryn literally flew out the window and behind the Lamborghini just as Brady and Bradley slunk to the car.

“God he’s scary,” Brady muttered.

“I can’t believe he didn’t gut us,” Bradley added.

“Will you hurry up you two?” Bryn hissed.  The twins started up the engine.

__________________________________

“Luke, oh my gods, wake up!” Silena shook her brother forcefully.  He groaned as he opened his eyes.

“What happened?” he murmured, still out of it.

“Derek’s gone!  I heard him leave this morning and he hasn’t returned.  His backpacks gone too!”

By now, he was wide awake. “Damn it.  Silena, grab your backpack.  We have to go talk to Cora.  I think I know where he’s going.”

“Where?”

“Oklahoma.  To get Hallie.”

__________________________________

Uh oh, Derek left by himself without telling anyone!  And what’s with Luke’s dream about Bryn?  Or Derek’s dream about Penn?  Guess you have to read to find out- review please! :)