Heir of Selene

Chapter 11

We stayed in New Orleans for a few days, relaxing and recuperating from the road and the monsters we had encountered. Krysta tried to cut my hair and I jumped into the air out of her reach and she glared prettily at me. "Serena, your hair needs a trim. The snarls and the split ends are practically screaming for someone's help!" Krysta is prone to being overdramatic. "Last time you cut my hair, I had to wear a hat until it grew out properly." I reminded her sternly and Psyche walked past our room and poked her head in. "Is everything alright, ladies?" She took in the sight. Krysta glaring up at me sternly holding a pair of scissors, a chair in front of her and me in the air, arms crossed and glaring at her defiantly. "Krysta, do you like hair clips?" How did she find Krysta's weakness so quickly? Krysta grinned excitedly. "There's a shop not far from here with lovely and unique hair accessories and I believe they can even add stripes to your hair. I can have someone take you there?" Psyche asked, and Krysta nodded eagerly. Krysta raced down the stairs, and Psyche picked up the scissors Krysta had dropped on the floor. "I can trim your hair if you wish." I nodded and floated back down. "I like having it back in a braid, it's easier to deal with while we're on the run and when we're dealing with monsters." Psyche nodded understandingly. "I'll just trim the split ends and I can even teach you a few new braids. The one you use; does it fall down a lot?" Psyche asked and I nearly nodded, reminding myself at the last second that she was holding a pair of scissors. "I know a few that will hold better. I'll finish your hair first then I'll teach you."

Psyche was sad to watch the girls and Serena leave the next day. She knew that Serena had lost her mom and Psyche had started to feel like she and Serena could have a mother and daughter relationship. Before she had left, Serena had run to give her a hug and Psyche felt her heart swell with love.

"Chiron, Eros will fight on our side." Serena said to Chiron through the Iris Message and the tension vanished from his eyes a bit. "Well done, all of you." Annabeth said over Serena's shoulder "we're on our way back to Camp to discuss our next move." Chiron nodded, and they closed the Message. They had stopped to refuel and to get food and use the bathroom. Serena was practicing a French braid on Annabeth's curly hair when they felt the ground rumble. Each girl pulled out their weapons and searched for the source of the rumbling. A large group of monsters was heading their way and the girls ran for it, Alpha staying close to Serena's side.

The monsters caught up with them just as they reached a lake and Serena swept them all into the lake, smashing their essence apart. She started swaying and Aoife caught her. "You're too warm, Rena. Artemis?" Artemis came over to feel Serena's forehead which was burning. "Ambrosia, now!" She snapped, and Thalia grabbed some from her backpack and passed it to Artemis, who nearly shoved it into Serena's mouth. Serena cooled down and her eyes opened. "You used too much power. You can't do that. We have to go back to Camp immediately." Artemis said, turning away and raking her hands through her hair. Alpha pressed his nose into Serena's hand and whined gently. She petted his head as they walked back to the buses. "Thalia, I don't understand." Serena said to Thalia after she caught up with her. "You have all of Selene's power and she was a Titaness. A human wasn't meant to possess so much power, you could burn up from all that power." Serena stood there for a minute and the girls turned to look at her. "Am I going to die?" Instead of an answer, all she got was pitying looks.

Artemis looked back when she realized that the girls weren't following her when she saw Serena sink to the ground, raking her hands into her hair, her eyes wide with terror. Artemis's shoulders slumped when she realized that Serena had found out what all that power could do to her.

"The power you have is incredible, but we WILL find a way to ensure that it won't kill you. Now, get up, Heir of Selene." Artemis commanded Serena and Serena looked up at her and stood up, taking her hand.

End of Book 1