Percy POV

I ran through the tunnels as fast as I could. I spotted the stairs and was shocked to learn that Alec had been telling the truth. Maybe she really wasn't so bad.

It wasn't until I was on the stairs that I realized someone at the top. I slowed down and soon came to a complete stop when I realized who she was. The girl was around twelve, black hair, and olive skin.

She was nearly the same as when I had last seen her—minutes before she died.

"Bianca?"

Bianca frowned at me. Her eyes roamed over my face. "I know you." She took a step down the stairs before I saw shock and happiness take over her features. "Percy!"

She ran to meet me and hugged me hard. "I haven't seen you since . . ." Her voice trailed off and she frowned. "Oh, since . . . well, I died."

I stared at her in shock. "How? I mean, you weren't bitten!"

"I don't really remember all of it but someone came into Hades. He asked me something and I remember just wanting it so bad." Her red eyes stared into mine. "I just couldn't say no, Percy."

"What'd he ask you?"

Bianca looked tortured. "That's just it. I can't even remember now."

I frowned. "I'm sorry, Bianca."

Bianca blinked quickly and then went stiff. "I almost forgot. I was told to give you this when you showed up." She handed me my cell phone and Riptide. "Nikki had a child of Hecate put a spell on it so it wouldn't return to your pocket. She couldn't remove it completely so now that you have it will work as it always did."

"Why did she tell you to give me this?" I asked in shock. "I mean, I'm kind of confused by all of this."

Bianca smiled now. "She puts on a tough act, Percy, but Nikki has a lot of doubt. I think so knows something or has a feeling of it at least. Only . . . well, whatever it is she doesn't like it."

I shook my head. "How do you know all of this?"

"I'm the only one of the subjects that she trusts." Bianca said with a grin. "Ever since she heard Luke speak my name . . . well, I'm not sure what happened but she trusts me."

I smiled at her. "Well, at least she can trust someone."

Bianca grinned back at me. "You need to go now. I hope things work out."

I shook myself and nodded. "I'll see you around."

I ran off into a large field. I had to warn the camp. I had to protect my family.

Nikki/Alec POV

I stood in my office with Luke. He was watching me with wary eyes. I knew he hadn't forgotten our little "interaction" from earlier.

"What is it, Luke?" I spoke coldly. "There must be a reason you have courageously decided to grace me with your presence."

"Percy Jackson is missing."

"I know." I said with an expressionless tone.

Luke blinked in surprise. "Do you mind me asking how?"

I smiled. "Well, the GreatOne left me in charge for a reason, Luke. I have my ways of learning things."

"I understand." Luke said softly. I knew he didn't.

"I suppose you are waiting to hear my plan to apprehend him?" I said in an easy-going voice.

"Yes, Nikki."

I smiled and pretended to think. "He is going to be heading towards Camp Half-Blood. I've already told Bianca to wait at the closest exit to the camp and sent a group of Aries children to search the woods outside of the closest exit to the holding room." I raised an eyebrow at Luke. "Now I'm sure you will want to add something—you always do."

Luke bowed his head slightly. "I only wish to suggest that we send Markus's group to the camp in case he makes it to the camp and tries to bring others."

I smiled. "I agree. Only if I remember correctly half of Markus's group was injured or killed during the last invasion thanks to you so you will also be informing Jacob's group that they will join what is left of Markus's."

"You wish for me to inform them?" Luke looked slightly worried.

I raised my eyebrows at him. "Is there a problem?"

Luke shook his head quickly. "No, Nikki, your orders will be obeyed."

Luke left the room quickly. I sat down at my desk and sighed. There was a knock on the door. "Come in, Bianca." I called loud enough to be heard through the thick oak door.

It opened instantly and Bianca stepped forward. She walked directly to the desk and lowered her voice so that no one could have a hope of overhearing. "Percy is free, Alec."

I nodded. It was strange that I didn't mind her using my real name. "Thank you, Bianca. You will be rewarded for your loyalty."

Bianca's eyes shone but she shook her head. "I need no reward, Alec. I am simply glad that I could be of service."

It was now my turn to shake my head. "You do not understand, Bianca." I stood and paced around the desk. I couldn't look at her when I spoke. "I know what it is the GreatOne asked you."

Annabeth POV

We followed the tracker for several miles. We went through a large forest and had currently stopped to rest. I stood by a tree and bounced with impatience.

I realized that the group was tired but I needed to find Percy. It was at that moment that twenty Aries children attacked. I quickly pulled out my sword and our group formed a giant circle so that everyone's back was covered.

The biggest one—about eighteen years old—stepped forward. "Nikki didn't speak of this." He turned to his siblings. "What should we do with them? What is their fate to be? Death or capture?"

Every single Aries child yelled "death". As if that wasn't the obvious choice for them.

Suddenly Clarisse stepped forward. "I am a daughter of Aries, receiver of his blessing, and killer of the drakon. Listen to what I have to say."

The obvious leader frowned at her. "You may speak but do so quickly for we have orders to carry out."

Clarisse took a deep breath. I had no idea where she was going with this but I hoped it was help us out. I mean, there were only twelve campers and these were children of Aries. Clarisse seemed to even be shocked that they had paused and had really no words to say.

Suddenly she did what I should have known she would. "I challenge the leader of your group! One on one. If I win you leave us be and continue with your orders."

The boy studied her. "That seems like a fair suggestion. You shall battle me: Daniel Wester for the right to free your group. What is your weapon of choice?"

Clarisse lifted her lightning spear. "And yours?"

Daniel swiped his sward through the air with blurring speed. "Now our battle to the death begins."

They clashed instantly and my mind raced. What the hell was she thinking?

Clarisse attacked furiously with her spear and seemed to be winning for a while until Daniel shot around her side and knocked her to the ground. Instead of being honorable and allowing her to stand, Daniel continued to attack.

Clarisse kicked his sward and did her best to block his advances but he kept coming. My heart was racing as I watched. Clarisse suddenly zipped her spear at Daniel's legs and he fell back a step—just enough time and space for her to snap upright.

Clarisse spun her weapon quickly and managed to smack Daniel in the side of the head. One more quick attack and her spear was in his chest. The moment it happened Clarisse gasped in pain and fell to the ground with Daniel's now lifeless body.

I rushed forward and lifted Clarisse to her feet. "What happened?"

Clarisse met my eyes with ones that were filling with angry tears. She whispered so low that no one else could hear her. "The fucker bit me."

Percy POV

I made it to Camp Half-Blood in less time than I had suspected. I knew I should have stopped at the Big House but instead I went straight to the cabin. I didn't bother to talk to the campers that were shouting my name in absolute shock.

I burst through my door only to find that it was empty. The kid's bags weren't even here anymore. I took a large calming breath and went to the fountain. I dug in my pocket and withdrew a gold drachma.

I tossed it into the small rainbow and asked the goddess to show me Harley. I didn't want to get it confused with my sister of I would have asked for Alec. The image simmered and I saw Harley sleeping soundly on a bed.

I realized with relief that the bed had green sheets and black pillows—the set my mother had bought her. I didn't have time to think of whether or not to wake her because Alec opened the door and caught sight of my image.

"Dad?" She suddenly ran forward and jumped onto Harley's bed not caring if she woke her own sister. "Where are you?"

"I am at the camp. Where is your mother?" I asked quickly.

Alec frowned and shoved Harley over so that she could get comfortable. Harley was always the heavy sleeper so her eyes didn't even flutter. "Mace found a way to track Thalia. They assumed her would be with her and set out to find you around two hours ago."

I sucked in a breath. "Okay, thank you, sweetheart. I will be home soon. I love you."

"Wait!" Alec shot her hands up as if to grab me but then stopped herself as she realized it was pointless. "You're going to find mom, aren't you?"

I nodded. "Yes, honey, but I will come home as soon as she is safe."

"I want you here." Alec said without any emotion in her voice. "You need to be with us." It seemed that without realizing what she was doing Alec touched Harley's arm lightly.

"I have to find your mother." I told her gently.

Alec glared at me. "Come home!"

"Alec, I am your father." I snapped. "That means that you have got to stop trying to order me around. I am going to get your mother so that way we can all come home!"

The message was starting to fade and Alec had time to ask one question before she was completely out of sight.

"What about your promise to Aunt Alec?"

Annabeth POV

We were now back in the tunnels it didn't take long before we were stuck again. Clarisse was fuming at her bite—which was quickly spreading along her arm. Around the corner was a long hallway filled with creatures.

Mace's tracker showed that Thalia was dead center of said hall. I sighed and turned to my friends. "Okay, guys, you can either fight with me or head back to camp."

Jackie—a daughter of Hephaestus—frowned. "You mean even if we all leave you're still going?"

I nodded. "Percy might be down there."

The group exchanged looks and then Clarisse laughed. "You already know we're fighting."

I frowned at the dark circles under her eyes. I didn't remember Alec showing these signs so soon after being bitten. I shook my head of those thoughts and nodded at the others. "Thank you."

We shot around the corner and I clashed with a creature faster than I had expected.

Nico POV

We could all hear a commotion going on outside the door and I had a small second to think that Alec was good again and going to free. Then I remembered that there was no way that was going to happen.

Suddenly the door swung open and Annabeth rushed in with a sword in hand and three Tunnel Creatures on her ass. Thalia and I were quick to help.

I snap kicked a big buff, black haired creature in the chest and spun as fast as I could to dodge his blow to my head. I spun behind him and caught him in a chock hold.

He was fighting hard and I almost lost my hold on him so I gritted my teeth against my urge to simply knock him out and broke his neck.

I set the creature's body on the ground. Annabeth grabbed my arm. "Where is Percy?"

"I don't know." I spoke fast knowing we were short on time. "Al—Nikki took him into another room and I haven't seen him since."

Annabeth looked upset. "Nikki?"

I sighed. I had to tell her. "That's what Alec changed her name to. Annabeth, you should know that everything they were saying was true."

Annabeth knew instantly. "Alec is leading them."

I nodded. We were both quiet for a moment and Katie was in the doorway—that is when I realized Annabeth and I were the only ones still in the room. "Guys, let's go! Those things keep showing up and we can't hold them back much longer."

Annabeth and I didn't waste time any longer. We bolted from the room and started fighting. We held the creatures back for a long time.

A creature that was bigger than me—and contrary to popular belief that is saying something—stepped in front of me and grabbed me by my throat. I shoved him hard but his hold didn't falter.

With his other hand the creature caught my shoulder and I couldn't fight him. He pulled me close and I knew he was going to bite me. It was only a matter of seconds now.

"STOP!" a voice shouted across the carnage filled hallway. Amazingly everyone went still.

I looked to my right and saw that Alec was standing in the middle of the hall. She looked directly at me and frowned. "You couldn't just stay in the room, could you?"

(A.N. JUST HEARD CALUMET GIRLS WON FIRST GAME OF STATE! FUCK YEAH!)

I tried to answer but the big guy still had me by my throat. Alec sighed and ignored me completely. She looked around at all the still true half-bloods. "I don't like this but I must give you your props for trying such a daring rescue."

Annabeth stepped forward. "Alec, where is Percy?"

Alec locked eyes on her. "My name is Nikki."

"Okay, Nikki," Annabeth snapped sarcastically. "Where is the father of my children?"

Alec blinked, clearly not knowing that this was the girl her brother had knocked up. Alec's face went from shocked to calculative in milliseconds. She walked around Annabeth in a slow circle as an evil smile spread across her face.

"I will make you a deal, girl." Alec said when she was in front of Annabeth again.

Annabeth was guarded. "What kind of deal?"

Alec smiled. "I will let every single demi-god in this hallway leave freely. I will even cure the one that has been bitten but I have a condition."

Annabeth's expression didn't change. "What would that be?"

This time when Alec smiled I noticed something different. She grew fangs! They were long, sharp, and fucking wicked as shit!

When Alec spoke her voice was slightly distorted from the large teeth she now had to speak around. "I get to bite you."