pocket full of posies
❛ iv. the offer of immortality ❜

━━━━━ YOU WOULD THINK Posie would've been able to figure it out—the one Hunter that could turn a whole helicopter into a flock of ravens. Of course that would be Artemis. But Posie had done anything but figured it out. She stared, blinking stupidly as her hands fell by her side. This twelve-year-old girl was her aunt? This twelve-year-old girl was Apollo's twin?

To make matters worse, Percy had reverted back to his ... Well, Posie found it hard to explain. He wasn't dumb, not in the slightest, but the comments had made people often think of him that way. If anything, those comments came from a place of social ineptness, a place of social obliviousness. He started at Artemis and muttered; "Um ... o-kay."

That wasn't even the worst reaction; His reaction was nothing compared to Grover's. He gasped, then knelt hastily in the snow and started yammering, "Thank you, Lady Artemis! You're so ... you're so ... Wow!"

It was like when fans—obsessed, super-fans—meet their idols. Those fans lose all sense of control and awareness, becoming stammering messes. That's what Grover was doing—groveling in the snow as he yammered how much he loves the Goddess of the Moon. Posie didn't know if she should be shocked or embarrassed by him, but Thalia chose to be angry. "Get up, goat boy!" the daughter of Zeus snapped, pulling him by the arm. "We have other things to worry about—Annabeth is gone!"

"Whoa," Bianca di Angelo spoke up, her voice wavering. "Hold up. Time out." She pointed a finger at everyone in turn as they all watched in baited silence. This could go really bad, or ... really bad. "Who ... who are you people?"

Artemis's expression softened. "It might be a better question, my dear girl, to ask who are you? Who are your parents?"

Bianca glanced nervously at her brother, who was still staring in awe at Artemis. She licked her lips and took a breath before speaking; "Our parents are dead. We're orphans. There's a bank trust that pays for our school, but ..."

She faltered, looking around at all the unconvinced faces looking back. No one believed her—there was no way they were just orphans with trust funds. It was never that simple. "What?" she demanded, frowning. "I'm telling the truth!"

"You are a half-blood," Zoë Nightshade answered, her face softening as she looked away from glaring at Thalia. Her accent was hard to place—it was old-fashioned like she was reading from one of Shakespeare's plays. "One of thy parents was mortal. The other was an Olympian."

"An Olympian ... athlete?"

"No." Zoë shook her head. "One of the gods. The Olympian gods."

"Cool!" Nico immediately gasped, shuffling through some holographic cards.

"No!" Bianca's voice quavered. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she started to breathe faster. "This is not cool!"

Her younger brother danced around like he needed to use the restroom. He fired off questions; "Does Zeus really have lightning bolts that do six hundred damage? Does he get extra movement points for—"

"Nico, shut up!" Bianca put her hands to her face, clearly overwhelmed. "This is not your stupid Mythomagic game, okay? There are no gods!"

Posie's burned palm pulsed like a dying heartbeat, and all she wanted to do was sit down and cry—but she felt pity for the di Angelos. She didn't have the typical "coming of demigod" monster attack ( honestly, her "coming of demigod" was having horrible nightmares ), but she knew the fear that came with being a demigod. You're always scared, you're always looking over your shoulder, and you never know when the next monster will attack. They call you a hero, but you feel like anything but.

Neither Bianca nor Nico understood the severity, but Bianca was understanding just a bit more. This wasn't a card game, this was fun figurines, this was life or death. The more she thought about it, the more pity Posie started to understand Bianca even more. She didn't think it was possible, but she understood the fear the older sister had.

The anger in Thalia's eyes subsided just enough. "Bianca, I know it's hard to believe ... but the gods are still around. Trust me. They're immortal. And whenever they have kids with regular humans, kids like us, well ... our lives are dangerous."

"Dangerous," Bianca repeated, "like the girl who fell."

Thalia turned away. Posie frowned and looked off. Even Artemis looked pained. "Do not despair for Annabeth," the goddess said. "She was a brave maiden. If she can be found, I shall find her."

"Then why won't you let us go and look for her?" Percy demanded.

"She is gone. Can't you sense it, Son of Poseidon? Some magic is at work. I do not know exactly how or why, but your friend has vanished."

"Vanished?" whispered Posie. "That's not ... that's not possible. People don't just vanish."

Artemis pursed her lips. "The work of magic, my niece. Even I cannot understand what it is."

"Oo!" Nico raised his hand. "What about Dr. Thorn? That was awesome how you shot him with arrows! Is he dead?"

"He was a manticore," Artemis answered. "Hopefully, he is destroyed for now, but monsters never truly die. They reform over and over again, and they must be hunted whenever they reappear."

"Or they'll hunt us," Thalia added with a bitter tone.

"Could you make them any more scared ..." Posie muttered under her breath.

Bianca shivered. "That explains ... Nico, you remember last summer, those guys who tried to attack us in the alley in D.C.?"

"And that bus driver," Nico added, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "The one with the ram's horns. I told you that was real!"

"That's why Grover was watching you guys," Posie spoke up. "To try and keep you safe—if you turned out to be half-bloods."

"Grover?" Bianca stared at the satyr. "You're a demigod?"

"Well, a satyr, actually." He kicked off his shoes and displayed his goat hooves. It looked like Bianca was going to faint right there.

"Grover, put your shoes back on," Thalia ordered. "You're freaking her out."

"Hey, my hooves are clean!"

"Bianca," Percy spoke up, cutting in before Thalia could chide Grover, "we came here to help you. You and Nico need training to survive. Dr. Thorn won't be the last monster you meet. You need to come to Camp."

"Camp?" Bianca repeated.

"Camp Half-Blood," he continued. "It's where half-bloods learn to survive and stuff. You can join us, stay there year-round if you like."

"Sweet, let's go!" said Nico.

"Wait." Bianca shook her head. "I don't—"

"There is another option," Zoë spoke up.

"No, there isn't!" Thalia hissed, her teeth gritted.

Thalia and Zoë glared at each other. And if it wasn't obvious before, it was obvious now—there was bad history between Thalia and Zoë. For some reason, they seriously hated each other.

"We've burdened these children enough," Artemis announced. "Zoë, we will rest here for a few hours. Raise the tents. Treat the wounded. Retrieve our guests' belongings from the school."

"Yes, my lady."

"And, Bianca—come with me. I would like to speak with you."

"What about me?" Nico asked.

The goddess titled her head, considering the boy. "Perhaps you can show Grover how to play that card game you enjoy. I'm sure Grover would be happy to entertain you for a while ... as a favor to me?"

Grover just about tripped over himself getting up. "You bet! Come on, Nico!"

✿

Posie was getting ready to cut off her hand and toss it over the edge of the cliff. But she didn't, Anthos and Arsis stayed securely where she left them. It was a miracle she didn't. No burn mark as small as this should hurt as much as it does. She didn't even know how she had gotten burned.

Nico and Grover walked off towards the woods, talking about hit points and armor ratings and a bunch of other geeky stuff. Artemis led a confused-looking Bianca along the cliff. The Hunters began unpacking their backpacks and making camp. Zoë gave Thalia one more evil look, then left to oversee things.

The minute the Hunter was gone, Thalia stamped her foot in frustration. "The nerve of those Hunters! They think they're so ... Argh!"

"C'mon ..." Posie muttered, her hands tucked under her arms. "They did save our lives."

"I'm with you," Percy said. "I don't trust—"

"Oh, you're with me?" Thalia turned on Percy furiously. "What were you thinking back there in the gym, Percy? Only taking Posie with you? Did you really think you'd take on Dr. Thorn only the two of you? You knew he was a monster!"

"Thalia." Posie held a hand out. "This isn't right—"

"Don't tell me what's right, Posie!" snapped the daughter of Zeus. "If we'd stuck together, we could've taken him without the Hunters getting involved. Annabeth might still be here." She glared at Percy and Posie icily. "Did you think of that, Percy? Or were just thinking of being the hero?"

Percy's jaw clenched. He was mad, that was easy to see. He looked like all sorts of insults were on his tongue, that's what usually happens when he becomes upset. Posie looked between the two of them, noticing a navy blue hat by Percy's feet—Annabeth's cap of invisibility. She reached down and picked it up.

"You guys," Posie wrung the hat in her hands, "we need to keep our wits about us. Annabeth's out there. We can't—we can't just fight each other. We'll never find her."

Thalia's nostrils flared when she saw the hat. Posie thought the girl would rip it out of her hands, but Thalia didn't say anything. Instead, she wiped a tear from her cheek, turned forcefully, and marched off.

"... I didn't help, did I?" sighed Posie, tucking the cap in her back pocket.

Percy curled his top lip. "Thalia shouldn't have to use you to control her tongue."

"That's not what I meant, Percy."

He looked at her. "What'd you mean?"

"I mean, the fighting." She looked at him. "We can't just ... fight. We need to focus on getting back to Camp and sending out a search party for Annabeth. That's what we need to do."

The Hunters set up their campsite in a matter of minutes. Seven large tents, all made of silver silk, curved in a crescent around one side of a bonfire. One of the girls blew a silver dog whistle, and a dozen white wolves appeared out of the woods. They began circling the camp like guard dogs. The Hunters walked among them and fed them treats, completely unafraid, but Posie decided to stick by the tents. Falcons watched over the camp from the trees, their eyes flashing in the firelight, and Posie got the feeling they were on guard duty, too. Even the weather seemed to bend to Artemis's will. The air was still cold, but the wind died down and the snow stopped falling, so it was almost pleasant sitting by the fire.

Almost. Except for the fact Posie's hand felt like it was about to rot off. And how much guilt she had because of Annabeth being gone. She watched Thalia pacing in the snow at the edge of the camp, walking among the wolves without fear. She stopped and looked back at Westover Hall, which was now completely dark, looming on the hillside beyond the woods.

Seven years ago, Thalia had been turned into a pine tree by her father, to prevent her from dying. ( It was as freaky as it sounded. And trust Posie, she knows. Dreams always showed the gruesome details. ) She'd stood her ground against an army of monsters on top of Half-Blood Hill to give Luke, Grover, and Annabeth time to escape into Camp safely. Thalia had only been back as a human for a few months now, but once in a while, she would stand so motionless you'd think she was still a tree.

"It's green!"

Posie looked back to the fire. Nico was watching in amazement as he caught a glimpse of Percy's green wound. Posie's stomach churned and she looked at the red fire. His wound was the same green her hands glow. If she didn't know any better, it would look like she had given Percy that wound.

She held her hands out to the fire. Her right fingertips were as cold as ice. "Nico, don't say that like it's a good thing."

He frowned at her. "But it looks cool."

"It doesn't feel cool—Ow!" Percy yelped, retching away from Grover.

"Sorry, sorry!" The satyr blushed, holding a small square of ambrosia and a roll of gauze. "Just hold still. Here—eat some ambrosia. That should help."

Grover and Nico had returned from their walk and were tucked in front of the fire with Percy and Posie. The four sat far away from any Hunters that sat at the same fire, and it was probably for the best. Percy winced again when Grover started to dress the wound with some gauze and magic salve. He nibbled on his square of ambrosia, practically melting in front of the fire.

"Hey, look at your hand!" Nico pointed to Posie's hand, which was still outstretched in front of the fire. "You have a burn mark. So why are your fingers blue?"

She pulled her hand to her chest, cupping her hand over. "My hand's not burned."

"Yes, it is!" he insisted. "Your palm—red and raised. Like a burn mark. Bianca showed me what they were. So I would know how to treat it if I got one."

Posie swallowed the bile in her throat. "It's fine, Nico. It doesn't hurt or anything."

That's a lie.

Percy broke his ambrosia square in half. "Here, Posie. Take it."

"No, I don't need it. Your arm—"

He grabbed her wrist to turn her palm over to face the sky. He winced when he saw the burn mark. "That looks like it would hurt."

"... Okay, it kinda burns," she admitted under a grumble. "But I get it checked out when we get back to Camp. Will will get it healed in no time."

"Posie, just take the ambrosia." Percy shoved half his piece at her, and she grabbed it reluctantly. The piece tasted like Mrs. Sandra Hall's chocolate cake. She savored it for a moment, almost missing her old life back in D.C.—almost.

Nico rummaged through his own bag, which the Hunters had apparently packed for him, though Posie didn't know how they'd snuck into Westover Hall unseen. Nico proudly laid out a bunch of figurines in the snow—little battle replicas of Greek gods and heroes. She recognized Zeus with a lightning bolt, Ares with a spear, and Apollo with his sun chariot. She had seen them in passing whenever she'd get the rare glance of the di Angelos over the month. She hadn't ever really thought anything of it; it was just a small thing about a person you don't really notice. But Nico clearly cared a lot about this Mythomagic stuff.

"That's a big collection," she told the boy.

Nico grinned. "I've got almost all of them, plus their holographic cards! Well, except for a few really rare ones."

"So, you've been playing a while?" she asked. "I know Will, my brother, he's been collecting comic books since he was super young."

"I haven't been playing a while, just a year. Before that ..." He knitted his eyebrows.

Posie glanced in Percy and Grover's way at the silence. "Before what?" she asked.

"I—I forgot. That's weird." He looked unsettled, but it didn't last long. "You're brother collects comic books?"

"Well," she shrugged lightly, "his granddad used to create comics, so he started collecting those, and then he just started collecting other artists' comics."

Nico's eyebrows pinched again. "What's a comic book?"

Posie frowned. "You don't know what comic books are? Well, they're like small panels of art with text overtop. They're books just with art inside."

Nico hummed, aligning some of the figurines. "Hey," he looked up at Percy, "can I see that sword you were using?"

Percy fished Riptide out of his pocket, showing the pen to Nico. He explained how it was a pen-sword—take the cap off and a bronze sword pops out. He showed it to Nico, showing off a couple of blocking moves. Then he recapped the sword and it shrunk back into a ballpoint pen.

"Cool!" Nico gasped, his face lighting up. "Does it ever run out of ink?"

Posie tittered into her hand. Percy gave her a look. "Um, well, I don't actually write with it."

"Are you really a son of Poseidon?"

"Well, yeah."

"Can you surf really well, then?"

Posie ducked her head, laughing a little bit louder. Percy nudged her, lolling his head to look back at Nico. "Jeez, Nico. I've never really tried."

"Well, you should," replied Nico. He looked at Posie. "Who's your parent then? Artemis called you her niece."

"Apollo's my dad," she answered. "Lady Artemis would call me her niece. Apollo and her are twins."

"You're dad's Apollo? That's so cool!" gasped Nico, sitting up straighter. "Have you ever seen the sun chariot?"

"Um, yes."

"Are you really good at archery?"

"... No—but I like music!" she added, knowing Nico would ask that question. It was the question always asked; Are you good at archery? "My brother, Michael, he's a really good archer."

He went on asking questions, which Posie didn't exactly mind now since they stopped revolving around her and only her. He asked stuff like, Did Percy and Thalia fight a lot since Thalia is a daughter of Zeus? ( Percy never answered, sending a nasty look Thalia's way. ) Or something like, If Annabeth's mother was Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, then why didn't Annabeth know better than to fall off a cliff? ( It was very clear now that Percy hadn't grown up with a younger sibling. They had absolutely no filter, and you just have to learn to let what they say roll off your back. ) The questions became worse; Posie, you left a handprint in the snow that was green, why? ( She struggled through an answer, and Grover swooped in by asking about one of Nico's figurines. ) The worst question he could've asked; Are you two dating? as he pointed to Percy and Posie.

Both of them sputtered, but Posie croaked; "No! No. Nico. You, um, just don't ask people that, okay?"

He considered for a moment. "Why not?"

"Because ..." She tilted her head, hoping an answer would come tumbling out of her ears. ( See in: hoping Onesimus would say something—but he didn't. ) "Because I said!"

Posie wasn't up for questions anymore, and luckily she found her escape. Zoë stalked up to them, hands placed carefully at her sides. "Posie Easton."

The Hunter had dark brown eyes and a slightly upturned nose. With her silver circlet and her proud expression, she looked so much like royalty that Posie straightened when Zoë said her name. She studied the others distastefully like they were bags of dirty laundry she was sent to fetch.

"Um, yes, Zoë?" asked Posie.

"Come with me." Zoë turned, her shoulders squared. "Lady Artemis wishes to speak with thee."

Anyway to escape Nico's questions, Posie was up for it.

✿

Zoë led Posie to the last tent, which looked no different from the others, and pushed aside the fabric so Posie could duck inside. Bianca di Angelo was seated next to Artemis, who smiled when she saw the daughter of Apollo.

The inside of the tent was warm and comfortable. Silk rugs and pillows covered the floor. In the center, a golden brazier of fire seemed to burn without fuel or smoke. Behind the goddess, on a polished oak display stand, was her huge silver bow which was carved to resemble gazelle horns. The walls were hung with animal pelts—black bear, tiger, and several others Posie didn't recognize. She almost thought there was another animal pelt lying next to Artemis, but she realized the pelt was alive—a deer with glittering fur and silver horns, its head resting contentedly in Artemis's lap.

"Hot chocolate?" offered Artemis, holding out a silver cup.

"Um, thank you." Posie took the cup, wrapping her cold fingers around it gratefully. "Zoë said you needed to speak with me?"

Apollo's twin petted the deer. "I will cut to the chase then—I am offering you a spot among my Hunters."

To avoid saying something stupid, Posie took a long sip of her hot chocolate. "... Join the Hunters?"

"Yes." Artemis nodded. "I would find it such a gift to have you among my ranks. You are very skilled with knives."

And cursing monsters with sickness.

Two summers ago, before she knew who Onesimus was, he used to say only nasty things to her. Then, he started to become more human, and started to have more sympathy and empathy. He stopped being just a more prominent manifestation of Posie's insecurities. But if this had been two summers ago, and he had been that nasty version of himself, she knew he would've said something like And cursing monsters with sickness. Because that's what she thought, and that's what Onesimus would've picked out to whisper to her.

Now, he wouldn't have said that. But he was also gone entirely. It was like he was just a whisper—something Posie thought she had, but didn't no more.

"I—I—" Posie stuttered, licking her lips. Suddenly, her hot chocolate tasted like hot dirt. "I don't know. I mean, I don't know if I want to join."

"It is a great honor to be a part of the Hunt, Posie," Zoë spoke up.

Posie looked at the Hunter, and a recent dream flashed across her mind—golden sword, dragon roaring, seashell hairpin. She reeled back and closed her eyes. "I-I mean, of course it is. But you're immortal."

"Yes, that is so we stay by mine own lady's side."

"But I don't want to be immortal."

Artemis hummed. "Many would not say that, Posie. Immortality is a great gift. To never age, to never become sick. To no longer be tied by mortality."

And Posie didn't want that. Not for some grand reason of why she thinks what makes life so special is that you only have a limited time, but because she couldn't imagine being herself for thousands of years. That was a more depressing answer than any other answer she could give.

Bianca looked up from her pamphlet. "You don't want to join?"

"I-I didn't say that," disagreed Posie. "Are you thinking about joining?"

"Well ... maybe," she replied. "This pamphlet's nice. It explains a lot. Here—"

"I know who the Hunters are," promised Posie. "Annabeth has gushed about for years. I know. I know the oath and everything."

"Is that why thee does not want to join?" asked Zoë, pursing her lips. "Thee could not swear off romantic love?"

"I—Excuse me." Posie held out her hand, giving the Hunter a look. "Frankly, I think what I can and can't swear off is none of your business. And if you really want to know—I could swear it off! I never had any romantic attention, anyway. But it's not your business!"

"Zoë." Artemis looked at her Hunter, raising her eyebrows slightly. "Go bring Percy Jackson in here for me. I wish to ask him and Posie about the monster attack."

Zoë bared her teeth as she grumbled under her breath. She left the tent, the fabric to the entrance swinging behind her as she went. When Posie knew she was far away enough, she shrilled; "Does she know that's not a question you can just ask anyone?"

"Posie, I'm sorry," the goddess apologized. "Zoë truly has good intentions. She knows as well as I do, you would be a valuable Hunter."

"Okay ..." She rubbed at the burn mark, only making it ache worse. She sat down on one of the pillows, placing her cup of hot chocolate beside her crossed legs. "Are you sure you want me to join the Hunt? I mean, I'm bad at archery."

"There is more to a hunter than just archery," replied Artemis like it was that easy. "There are hunting knives, and you are skilled with daggers and knives. Traps are very valuable to catching our hunts."

"But ..."

Before Posie could find a way to word her question, Zoë was back, and with Percy in toe. He stopped at the entrance, surveying the inside. His eyes locked with her and he raised his eyebrows in a question; You okay?

"Join us, Percy Jackson." Artemis waved the son of Poseidon inside.

He swallowed, but stumbled inside. He sat on a pretty purple silk rug next to Posie. He shifted when Artemis studied him with her strikingly yellow eyes.

"Are you surprised by my age?" the goddess asked, one half of her mouth curling upwards. She knew the answer, but was still asking as some sort of test.

"Um ..." Percy's finger tapped against his knee. "Yeah, a little."

"I could appear as a grown woman, or a blazing fire, or anything else I want, but this is what I prefer. This is the average age of my Hunters, and all young maidens for whom I am patron, before they go astray."

Percy's eyes darted. "Go astray?"

"Grow up. Become smitten with boys. Become silly, preoccupied, insecure. Forget themselves."

"Oh."

Posie took another long sip of her drink. Zoë sat down to Artemis's right. She glared at Percy as if all the stuff Artemis had just said was his fault, like he had invented the idea of being a guy.

Artemis noticed the glare too. "You must forgive my Hunters if they do not welcome you. It is very rare that we would have boys in this camp. Boys are usually forbidden to have any contact with the Hunters. The last one to see this camp ..." She looked at Zoë. "Which one was it?"

"That boy in Colorado," answered Zoë. "You turned him into a jackalope."

"Ah, yes." Artemis nodded, satisfied with her past self. "I enjoy making jackalopes. At any rate, Percy, I've asked you here so that you might tell me more of the manticore. Bianca has reported some of the ... hm, disturbing things the monster said. But she may not have understood them. I'd like to hear them from you—and Posie."

Percy and Posie exchanged a look. Neither one was a good storyteller, and together, they might be even worse at relaying messages. But they tried. She explained the most, but he would chime in with anything she forgot ( or a sarcastic comment that got a glare from Zoë ).

When they were done, Artemis put her hand thoughtfully on her silver bow. "I feared this was the answer."

Zoë sat forward. "The scent, my lady?"

"Yes."

Posie frowned, looking between the two. "Scent?" she asked. She had gotten used to flashes of the future—gold eyes, gold knife, a hearth—but that doesn't mean it makes any sense. Or that Posie saw a future that was closer than other flashes. In her dreams, she had seen nothing about scents. ( But if she had, she wouldn't know what she would be looking—smelling?—for. ) It was frustrating to have visions, but visions so vague she may not understand until it's too late.

"Things are stirring that I have not hunted in millennia," Artemis murmured. "Prey so old I have nearly forgotten." She stared at Posie and Percy intently. "We came here tonight sensing the manticore, but he was not the one I seek. Tell me again, exactly what Dr. Thorn said."

"Um ... 'I hate middle school dances'."

"No, Percy." Posie rolled her eyes. "Thorn talked about some General guy. Said he would explain things."

Zoë's face paled. She turned to Artemis and started to say something, but Artemis raised her hand. "Go on, Posie," the goddess urged.

After Zoë's reaction, Posie didn't. But she licked her lips and said, "After that, Thorn was talking about the Great Stirring—"

"I thought it was Great Stir Pot?" Percy cut in.

"It's Great Stirring," insisted Posie. "Anyway, Thorn said, 'Soon we shall have the most important monster of all—the one that shall bring about the downfall of Olympus'."

The goddess was so still she could've been a statue.

"Maybe he was lying," Percy offered, looking hopeful.

Artemis shook her head. "No. He was not. I've been too slow to see the signs. I must hunt this monster."

Zoë looked like she was trying very hard not to be afraid, but she nodded. "We will leave right away, my lady."

"No, Zoë. I must do this alone."

"But, Artemis—"

The goddess held up her hand for silence. "This task is too dangerous even for the Hunters. You know where I must start my search. You cannot go there with me."

"As ..." Zoë looked like she was trying to swallow a boulder. "As you wish, my lady."

"I will find this creature," Artemis vowed, her yellow eyes flickering to the others in the tent. "And I shall bring it back to Olympus by winter solstice. It will be all the proof I need to convince the Council of the Gods of how much danger we are in."

"Do you know what monster you'll be hunting?" asked Posie.

Artemis looked at the silver walls. "Have you seen anything in your dreams?"

For a moment, she was confused. Then she realized that Artemis knew that she had the gift of foresight. How she knew that, Posie didn't know. "Um, no. Nothing about scents or Great Stirrings or monsters that will bring the downfall of Olympus."

Artemis humed, like she expected this answer. "Apollo's foresight was never too great."

Ouch. Posie winced, even if she knew the insult wasn't for her, but was for her father. She swirled her hot chocolate, ignoring the way Percy glanced at her.

Artemis grabbed her bow. "I do have some thoughts on this monster, but ... let us pray I am wrong."

"Can goddesses pray?" Percy asked.

A flicker of a smile played across Artemis's lips. "Before I go, Percy Jackson, I have a small task for you. For you and Posie, actually."

"Does it involve getting turned into a jackalope?" Percy scrunched his face in anticipation of the goddess's answer.

"Sadly, no. I want you to escort the Hunters back to Camp Half-Blood. They can stay there in safety until I return."

"What?" Zoë blurted out. "But, Artemis, we hate that place. The last time we stayed there—"

"Yes, I know," Artemis sighed. "But I'm sure Dionysus will not hold a grudge just because of a little, ah, misunderstanding. It's your right to use Cabin Eight whenever you are in need. Besides, I hear they rebuilt the cabins you burned down."

Posie made a dubious expression. Mr. D and not holding grudges? Not likely. Zoë muttered something about foolish campers.

"And now there is one last decision to make." Artemis turned to Bianca. "Have you made up your mind, my girl?"

Bianca hesitated. "I'm still thinking about it."

Percy frowned. "Wait," he said. "Thinking about what?"

"They ... they've invited me to join the Hunt."

"What? But you can't!" he protested immediately. "You have to come to Camp Half-Blood so Chiron can train you. It's the only way you can learn to survive."

"It is not the only way for a girl," Zoë argued.

He mouthed at her like a fish out of water. Then he quickly turned back to Bianca. "Bianca, Camp is cool! It's got a pegasus stable and a sword-fighting arena and—and ... I mean, what do you get by joining the Hunters?"

"To begin with," Zoë said, "immortality."

Percy stared at her, then at Artemis. "She's kidding, right?" He jabbed his thumb in the Hunter's direction.

"Zoë rarely kids about anything," Artemis said. "My Hunters follow me on my adventures. They are my maidservants, my companions, my sisters-in-arms. Once they swear loyalty to me, they are indeed immortal ... unless they fall in battle, which is unlikely. Or break their oath."

"What oath?" he asked.

"To forswear romantic love forever," Artemis answered. "To never grow up, never get married. To be a maiden eternally."

"Like you?"

The goddess nodded.

"So you just go around the country recruiting half-bloods—"

"Not just half-bloods," Zoë interrupted. "Lady Artemis does not discriminate by birth. All who honor the goddess may join. Half-bloods, nymphs, mortals—"

"Which are you, then?"

Posie pinched some fat on the back of Percy's arm. "That's not a question you ask, Percy."

Anger flashed in Zoë's eyes. "That is not thy concern, boy. The point is Bianca may join if she wishes. It is her choice."

"Bianca, this is crazy," Percy insisted. "What about your brother? Nico can't be a Hunter."

"Certainly not," Artemis agreed. "He will go to Camp. Unfortunately, that's the best boys can do."

"Hey!" Percy protested.

"Percy," Posie muttered. "This is Bianca's choice."

"What? So are you gonna join or something?"

She sputtered. "I never said that!"

"You can see him from time to time," Artemis assured Bianca. "But you will be free of responsibility. He will have the camp counselors to take care of him. And you will have a new family. Us."

"A new family," Bianca repeated dreamily. "Free of responsibility."

Posie watched the girl with a small frown. She hadn't thought too much about whether or not she cared if Bianca joined the Hunters. But she remembered Nico, and her stomach crawled realizing he would be alone if Bianca went through with this. But Posie didn't say anything. It was Bianca's choice, even if Posie didn't understand.

"Bianca, you can't do this," Percy insisted. "It's nuts."

The older sister looked at Zoë. "Is it worth it?"

Zoë nodded. "It is."

"What do I have to do?"

"Say this," Zoë told her, "'I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis.'"

"I—I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis."

"'I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt.'"

Bianca repeated the lines. She looked up and asked, "That's it?"

Zoë nodded. "If Lady Artemis accepts thy pledge, then it is binding."

"I accept it," Artemis said.

The flames in the brazier brightened, casting a silver glow over the room. Bianca looked no different, but she took a deep breath and opened her eyes wide. "I feel ... stronger."

"Welcome, sister." Zoë smiled.

"Remember your pledge," Artemis advised. "It is now your life."

Posie sat up straighter when Artemis looked at her. She knew what was coming. She knew the question the goddess was going to ask; "Have you made up your mind?" Artemis peered at her niece, her yellow eyes flickering in the flames like a pair of dancing moons.

Truthfully, Posie made up her mind before she was ever even asked. She didn't want to be immortal, she didn't want to travel the country in search of nasty monsters. She liked Camp Half-Blood. She liked living with her siblings. She liked the routine, the comfort, the safety. Nothing was ever hundred percent safe, but Camp was the safest place for Posie—and she thrived in comfort.

"Posie, have you thought about my offer?" repeated Artemis. "You've heard what joining the Hunt could give you. You've heard the pledge."

Percy stared. He raised his eyebrows, as if waiting for her to jump up and down and cheer No, and go fuck yourself for even asking! When she didn't, he blurted. "Posie, you can't join. You—you suck at archery! You can't be a Hunter!"

If the silver cup Posie held was paper, it would have been crushed. She took a deep breath and said, "I don't know. I don't know if I want to join."

She refused to look at Percy, no matter how bad the back of her throat burned from tears. Out of all the things to say ...

"You can think about it until I return," agreed Artemis, her fingers tightening on her bow. "Do not despair, Percy Jackson. You can still show the di Angelos around. And if Nico so chooses, he can stay." She looked at Posie. "Do not rush a decision like this, especially as dawn approaches," she advised. She grabbed a silver brochure from one of the tables and gave it to Posie. "I must summon a ride from my brother. It seems it is time for you to see your father again, Posie. My irresponsible twin, Apollo."

Posie's stomach lurched and she prayed her hot chocolate stayed with it needed to. If she puked all over Artemis's feet, there was no way she would be allowed to join the Hunt. But seeing her father again ...

Posie seriously missed Onesimus. He would've had a funny comment to lighten the mood.

✿  JAN. 13TH, 2024  / writing pre-trauma nico is honestly so fun bc he was such a little shit unknowingly LMAO like posie is so done with his energy and he's just not getting (and yeah, i AM mentioning will more now that nico's shown up - i will give them better development than what rick gave them !!)

i'm not so sure how well i nailed artemis's personality in this but my excuse is she has a soft spot for apollo's children! (i don't care if this is true in canon, it's true in this fic and that's what matters)

but a slight explanation about onesimus - i've never explained much about why he was so mean in the beginning, but here's my best explanation as to why he changed! i personally really love onesimus and what he is/was and what he will do in the future. i added him on the fly but i really love how his character(?) has unfolded and will unfold. i also love writing how posie actually misses onesimus bc they're so found family *sobs*

anyways, percy fucking VIOLATED posie with that "you suck at archery line" like ,, i giggled so hard when i thought of that and i just knew i had to add it

anyways,, thoughts? opinions??

(not edited nor proofread)