KAT'S EYES DARTED around as she and Piper walked arm in arm, following Annabeth, Jason, and Leo who were walking in front of them. Their hands swung almost violently as Kat examined the demigods around them. Some looked tense, some nervous. Some were bandaged from their recent battle with the giants, but no one was armed. No one attacked.

Entire families had gathered to see the newcomers. Kat saw couples with babies, toddlers clinging to their parents' legs, even some elderly folks in a combination of Roman robes and modern clothes. She was used to seeing generations of demigods — hell, right now she was the second generation in her family that was alive. But still. Kids? She would never have a kid.

Unless . . .

At the far end of the crowd, Kat spotted Tyson the Cyclops and Percy Jackson's hellhound, what's her face — who had been the first scouting party from Camp Half-Blood to reach Camp Jupiter. They looked to be in good spirits. Tyson waved and grinned at Annabeth. He was wearing an SPQR banner like a giant bib.

Some part of Kat's mind registered how beautiful the city was — the smells from the bakeries, the gurgling fountains, the flowers blooming in the gardens. It reminded her of Rome, a little, but like a cheap imitation.

In the way front, the demigods made way for a girl in full Roman armor and a purple cape. Dark hair tumbled across her shoulders. Her eyes were as black as obsidian.

Reyna.

Honestly, she was kinda really fucking hot. Jason hadn't described her in much detail, but goddamn. Medals decorated her armor. She carried herself with such confidence the other demigods backed away and averted their gaze.

Kat saw something else in her face, too — in the hard set of her mouth and the deliberate way she raised her chin like she was ready to accept any challenge. Reyna was forcing a look of courage, while holding back a mixture of hopefulness and worry and fear that she couldn't show in public.

She looked like her sister. Which, duh, of course she did, but they looked a lot alike, down to the expression. They probably acted a lot alike too.

She and Annabeth considered each other. The rest of the crew fanned out on either side. The Romans murmured Jason's name, staring at him in awe. Kat snickered at how uncomfortable he seemed at the attention, but it's not like she could help him. He was standing on the other side.

Then Percy Jackson appeared from the crowd, as familiar as ever. Well, maybe he'd gotten buffed and shit, but he was smiling at Annabeth like he had during the war when they were in denial of their feelings. All dopey lovesick shit. Of course, Kat can't talk, because that's how she looks at Piper and Jason, but at least she wasn't Annabeth, who was staring at Percy like a complete idiot.

The praetor Reyna straightened. With apparent reluctance, she turned toward Jason.

"Jason Grace, my former colleague . . ." She spoke the word colleague like it was a dangerous thing. "I welcome you home. And these, your friends—"

Annabeth surged forward. Percy rushed toward her at the same time. The crowd tensed. Some reached for swords that weren't there.

"Wait for it . . ." Piper whispered in Kat's ear.

Percy threw his arms around Annabeth. They kissed as if no one else was there. Not even a mob of people surrounding them.

Kat turned toward Piper and stuck out her tongue, jabbing her finger toward her mouth.

"Let them have this," Piper said quietly, rolling her eyes at Kat.

"No."

"What if that were me and you?"

"Impossible," whispered Kat. "I'd never let you out of my sight for a second. I'd never leave you for an hour, let alone six months."

Suddenly she heard a thud and a shit ton of yells and looked over to see Percy on the ground, Annabeth pinning him down as Reyna tried to regain control of the people who had surged forward.

"Kinky," Kat commented.

Piper elbowed her, making her turn toward her. "Shut the fuck up, Kat, oh my gods, I didn't want that image in my head."

"What?" Kat smirked. "You don't ever imagine Annabeth and Percy, getting it on in the middle of a public area? Outside?"

"I will literally pummel you into tomorrow, Mikhailova."

"Oh, with your lips? I'd be a fan of that, moya malyshka."

Piper winked. "Use your secret door to my room tonight, Rina."

Kat's smirk widened. "You know, I just might take you—"

Jason cleared his throat, and she instantly shut her mouth because she likes hearing his voice. Except when he's scolding her, then she doesn't. "So, yeah . . . it's good to be back."

He introduced Reyna to Leo, who grinned and flashed a peace sign, then to Piper, who had sadly lost the sultry expression and had pulled off a charming smile last second, then to Kat, who just smirked.

Reyna looked at her dubiously. "You're a Mikhailov?"

"As much as I wish I wasn't," Kat shrugged. "You're Hylla's sister, right? She's mentioned you once or twice."

"You know my sister," repeated Reyna.

"She and my mama have a partnership, as a CEO and the leader of the Amazons," Kat explained. "She helped teach me how to fight. I was too spiteful to actually retain a thing, but I like spending time with her."

Reyna nodded, turning to look at Annabeth curtly.

"And this is Annabeth," Jason said. "Uh, normally she doesn't judo-flip people."

Reyna's eyes sparkled. "You sure you're not a Roman, Annabeth? Or an Amazon?"

Annabeth held out her hand. "I only attack my boyfriend like that," she promised. "Pleased to meet you."

Bullshit, Kat thought, but Reyna clasped Annabeth's hand firmly. "It seems we have a lot to discuss. Centurions!"

A few of the Roman campers hustled forward — apparently the senior officers. Two kids appeared at Percy's side. One was a girl, maybe thirteen, with amber eyes and chocolate skin and long curly hair. Her cavalry helmet was tucked under her arm.

And . . . no fucking way. Kat stared at her childhood best friend, her absolute savior, her safe place, her Bumblebee, her Foo Foo Bear. Frank Zhang. And he had a fucking buzz cut?

He sent her a sheepish smile. She gaped at him. Then she pointed at him, then at herself, then clapped her four fingers over her thumb to gesture that they would talk later. Or that she'd eat him later. He understood, giving her a nod before looking away.

Meanwhile, Reyna was giving orders to her officers. ". . . tell the legion to stand down. Dakota, alert the spirits in the kitchen. Tell them to prepare a welcome feast. And, Octavian—"

"You're letting these intruders into the camp?" A tall guy with stringy blond hair elbowed his way forward. "Reyna, the security risks—"

"We're not taking them to the camp, Octavian." Reyna flashed him a stern look. "We'll eat here, in the forum."

"Oh, much better," Octavian grumbled. He seemed to be the only one who didn't defer to Reyna as his superior, despite the fact that he was scrawny and pale and for some reason had three teddy bears hanging from his belt. "You want us to relax in the shadow of their warship."

"These are our guests." Reyna clipped off every word. "We will welcome them, and we will talk to them. As augur, you should burn an offering to thank the gods for bringing Jason back to us safely."

"Good idea," Percy put in. "Go burn your bears, Octavian."

Reyna looked like she was trying not to smile. "You have my orders. Go."

The officers dispersed. Octavian shot Percy a look of absolute loathing. Then he gave Annabeth a suspicious once-over and stalked away.

Percy slipped his hand into Annabeth's. "Don't worry about Octavian," he said. "Most of the Romans are good people—like Frank and Hazel here, and Reyna. We'll be fine."

"We'll be fine," Annabeth repeated.

"Excellent," Reyna said. She turned to Jason, and Kat thought there was a hungry sort of gleam in her eyes. "Let's talk, and we can have a proper reunion."