Guest: I was wondering though, did you remove chapter 44? Got an update, but no new chapter.

No, I did not. I'm not sure why you got an update, but there are only forty-three chapters of this story—the forty-one main chapters, and the two side-stories released so far. Though I could be mistaken. If so, feel free to correct me.

Guest: I'm confused... If Percy was born on August 18, 1993, and Hunter was born on December 21, 1993, that would mean Percy is older than hunter by about 4 months

That's a typo on my part. Hunter was born in 1992, not '93. Sorry about that.

The Hunter's Heir

The Stolen Girdle

He knew immediately that he was dreaming. Camp Half-Blood didn't have an ornate gold-and-white gazebo that stood before a massive glimmering pool and surrounded by rose bushes so well kept any gardener would be driven mad with jealousy.

Also, he was fairly certain the camp was far too unimportant to warrant a visit from the queen of Olympus.

The goddess was seated in a finely-ornate chair, sipping from a porcelain teacup. Dressed in a white gown and golden crown, she looked every inch a queen. She placed her cup down upon a small table, swallowed, and held out a plate. "Blueberry scones, Jason?"

"Jay," he said at once. "My name is Jay."

"Your name is Jason. I know, because I named you. Have a scone."

He crossed his arms over his large chest, unsmiling.

His mother sighed. "Very well, Jay. Will you have a scone now?"

He took one and chewed a bit. It was good; not quite dry, with a bit of butter and blueberry inside. He looked down at himself. He was wearing a dark green shirt and camo pants. It was what he'd worn during military school. "What is this place?"

"My palace on Olympus. Beautiful, no? It's my favorite place in the whole universe. You should come visit sometime."

"Would that be wise?" Should Lord Zeus discover his identity, the king would destroy his wife's bastard, as she had done with all his.

"Perhaps not, but you needn't fear my husband."

"And why is that?"

"Because while he may rule Olympus, behind closed doors it is I who rule him. He will roar and thunder and curse, but at the end of the day you will remain unmolested. On that, I promise."

He'd had enough beating around the bush. "Why am I here, Mother? I know this is a dream, and demigods only dream when there is danger, or when something is needed of them." Most demigods, anyway. "Which is it?"

"First of all, I would suggest you watch your tone, young man. This may be a dream, but I am still your mother; you will speak to me with respect. Second of all, I am here to make a request for you."

"And what is that?"

"Recently, I . . . misplaced a certain girdle belonging to a certain love goddess. I ask that you find it for me."

"Why can't you get it yourself?"

"Because I am much too busy to get it myself. War is raging; Titans and monsters are stirring, and every day more gods and demigods go over to their side. I am needed at all hours of the day."

He breathed deep to swallow his anger. "Where do I need to go?"

"The Jasmine Pavilion. It's a nightclub in New York."

That honestly surprised him. "Why were you in a nightclub?"

"To celebrate hour anniversary, Lord Zeus and I took a few days' vacation there, and a few other choice destinations. I brought the girdle along to . . . make certain he was focused entirely on me."

"And not some of the dancers?"

Her nostrils flared. "Sarcasm is most unbecoming of you, my son."

"I have a bad influence."

"Then maybe you should rid yourself of it."

"Never. I will get your girdle for you, though."

"Good. Should I fail to return it to Aphrodite that infernal harlot—or the rest of Olympus—will never let me live it down." She rose and placed a kiss upon his forehead. "Now go."

-o-

His eyes opened slowly, still groggy from sleep. The Hermes cabin was rising around him, the early dawn light peeking through the windows, curtains drawn back. He and Melony were still tucked away in their corner, but they'd both gotten used to it by now. Speaking of . . .

She was sitting up, brown hair frazzled in every which way. One of the straps of her dark tank top had slipped off one shoulder. Jay swallowed and looked to her face, eyes blinking slowly and half-closed. She glanced over and tugged her strap back into place.

He crawled out of his sleeping bag and made his way to the bathroom to shower, brush his teeth, and get dressed. By the time he was done the Stolls were getting ready to lead their cabinmates to breakfast. As they fell in line Jay leaned over to whisper in Melony's ear. "I had a dream last night."

She looked over. "About what?"

He explained what Hera had said, keeping his voice down and choosing which words he used carefully. Revealing his parentage would be dangerous. By the time he was done they were seated at the Hermes table and taking the first bites of their breakfast.

"Do you want help?" she asked, cutting into a sunny side-up egg.

He nodded, wiping some of the butter from his toast off his fingers. "That's why I'm telling you. I'm planning on asking Hunter after breakfast."

She looked over. "Is he even here?"

Jay looked over his shoulder. The Artemis cabin was empty. "Probably just overslept." It wasn't the first time. "We'll head over after breakfast."

Hunter was closing the door to his cabin when they walked up, travel bag slung over one shoulder, Dusk perched on the other, Broteas' axe across his back, Dawn gripped in his hand. "Oh, hey, guys."

Jay frowned. "Are you going somewhere?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Chiron got reports of monsters on the move, killing nature spirits as they go. He's sending me to check it out and stop them if I can. What are you two doing?" He told Hunter about the dream he'd had. "I'm sorry I can't help."

"It's fine," Melony said. "You have your own thing to do."

"Tell me how it went when you get back," Hunter said.

"Only if you do the same."

He grinned. "Definitely."

-o-

They arrived in New York a little after noon, when the streets were still full of people and the roads were choked with cars. They could hardly go more than ten seconds before they bumped shoulders with some stranger. They followed Hera's directions, only stopping to ask for directions once or twice. Eventually the trail led to a three-story building in a tightly-packed neighborhood surrounded by a bar on the right and an office building on the left. Hardly someplace the king and queen of the gods would think to be seen, Jay thought. The sign on the door said the place wouldn't be opening for another few hours, but Jay so no harm in knocking, so he did.

A big man with dark brown eyes and a suit opened the door, scowling. "We're closed."

Melony stepped forward. "Hi! We're sorry to bother you, but we forgot something here a few days ago and were hoping to pick it up."

The big man crossed his arms. "No you haven't. I would've remembered letting two kids get in."

Shit, Jay thought, and Melony said, "Well, it wasn't exactly us, per say. A friend of ours. She was here with her husband and forgot her belt."

His eyes narrowed. He was quiet for a long time, then said, "Haven't seen it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to help get us ready to open." He promptly shut the door in their face.

"What now?" Melony asked, turning toward him. "Do we go back?"

"No," Jay said. "We'll wait a few hours, then sneak in."

"I didn't know you were the sneaking type."

He ignored her smirk. "I'm not, but we don't have a choice. Come on." They waited until dark, once a good-sized crowd had gathered outside the nightclub and inside was full. They snuck through a back alley, heading for the door. There was no camera outside, so they didn't need to worry.

"Can you pick a lock?" Melony asked.

"No," he said, "but I should be able to . . ." He put one hand on the doorknob and the other on the door itself, and using just a bit of his great strength, pushed. The knob and locks snapped off loudly. "There."

Melony winced. "You think anyone heard that?"

He shook his head. "No, the music is too loud and—"

Suddenly a hand shot out and clamped around his neck, squeezing just enough to dissuade him from fighting back. A second hand grabbed Melony, pulling her off her feet as well. A big man that could have been the bouncer's younger brother grinned. "Well, well, well. Looks like my brother was right." He turned and began to drag them into the club.

"Where . . . where are you . . . taking us?" Melony croaked.

"To the boss. She'll want to see you, demigods."

-o-

The big man slammed them down on a hardwood floor in a massive office in front of a large mahogany desk. Seated behind that desk was a woman who seemed to be the walking definition of beautiful. Her long hair was shiny and without snare or split end; her lips were both seductive and inviting; her eyes were as deep as the ocean and warm as a lover's embrace. She wore a sleeveless black dress, necklaces of all kinds hanging from her neck while half a dozen rings adorned her fingers.

She interlocked them and rested her head on them. "What do we have here?"

"Some trespassers," said the big man. He stood behind them, arms crossed behind his back. The other one—Jay assumed it was his brother—stood to the woman's right.

"I met them earlier, m'lady," said the bodyguard to her right. He had dark brown hair and eyes, his whole body muscular and tall. He and his brother looked almost identical. "They're looking for a belt."

The woman raised a slim eyebrow. "A belt, you say?" She reached under her desk and pulled out a beautiful shining girdle that shimmered and shone in the light. "Like this?"

"Yes!" Melony said quickly. "May we have it back?"

"No."

"Why not?" Jay demanded.

"Because I have it, and I do not want to give it back. Do you think me a fool, boy? I am Peitho, spirit of seduction and desire. I was born when Pandora opened her box and let us plague your world with our desires. This girdle belongs to Lady Aphrodite herself, supposedly capable of making the wearer desirable to whomever sees her." A smile spread across her lips. "Why, even Lord Zeus may fall under my sway. Now that would be a sweet thing to hear. 'Queen Peitho,' yes, I like the sound of that."

"It suits you," said one of the brothers.

"Thank you, Alexiares."

Jay frowned. "Alexiares?" It sounded important, but he had no idea why. Hunter would probably know; he was always good with Greek-sounding names.

She nodded. "He and his brother started working for me some centuries ago. You probably know their father, Heracles. Isn't he the role model for you male heroes?"

"Not really," Jay said.

She seemed honestly taken aback. "Impressive."

"Thank you, but can we get back on track? We need that girdle."

"I'm so sorry, but I'm afraid not. Alexaires, Anicetus, please show them out."

"Gladly." Grinning, Anicetus put a hand on Melony's shoulder, then yowled and yanked his hand back, skin smoking from where Melony's had burned him. Alexaires scowled and rushed around the desk. Jay shot to his feet, grabbing the son of Heracles's wrist and throwing him over his shoulder to slam into the bookshelf against the far wall. Luckily the blaring music from the floor below was drowning out the noise.

"We're not leaving without that girdle," Jay said, summoning his spear and shield as Melony did the same with her sword.

"Then you will be leaving in a body bag," said Peitho.

The big men rose, blades suddenly in their hands, and charged across the room. Jay raised his shield to block Anicetus' sword, then jabbed out with his spear. The big man dodged, but not fast enough. A thin line of blood stretched across his cheek, dripping. He slid to the left, sword moving so fast he seemed to have four arms and just as many blades. Jay raised his shield again, but only managed to block one of the blows. Two of the cuts landed on his right arm, while the third cut his leg. He staggered back, then sent his spear at his enemy's chest. Anicetus dodged and came on again. On and on again it went, cutting and jabbing and blocking. They fought all along the office, throwing books, kicking over chairs, smashing a table. Eventually it ended with Anicetus impaled on Jay's spear and Alexaires' head semi-cut from his neck by Melony's sword. They both turned, panting, to the desk, where Peitho sat, pale-faced.

"You . . . you killed them."

Jay advanced, grabbed the girdle, which turned into a long black leather belt, and turned away. Hunter would've killed her or something, but he didn't see the need for that. Melony took care of it. She hurried to catch up with him, wiping he blood from her sword. Together, they left the nightclub behind and began to walk the streets of New York City.

-o-

Hera was waiting for them at the base of the Empire State Building the next morning, dressed in a more modern pencil skirt, white dress shirt, and a dark coat buttoned up. Her dark brown hair was tied back into an extravagant braid. "You have it, I trust?" she said once they were close enough.

Jay held the belt out. "Here's the stupid girdle. I hope it was worth the effort."

She took it. "Oh, indeed. Now I won't have to worry about Aphrodite's chattering." She slipped it into her coat. "You have done very well, my heroes. You look familiar." The last part was addressed to Melony.

She paled. Jay chided himself silently. If anyone were to recognize Hestia's child, it would be her elder sister. "We met once before, my lady," Melony said nervously. "A few years ago, it was a little diner I think."

Hera smiled. "Ah, yes, that's it. I am glad to see you've continued to remain at my son's side."

Jay's chest tightened. What did she mean by that? His ears were pink, he knew it. Stop talking, stop talking, stop talking, he begged.

"As am I. Jay's very important to me." Now his cheeks were pink, too. He snuck a glance to the girl next to him, and she looked flushed as well, like she hadn't meant to say it.

"I am most glad to hear it," Hera went on with a little smirk. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must really get back. Do enjoy yourselves; the city is wonderful this time of year." She turned on her heel and walked away, right through the doors to the building.

After a moment he turned back to Melony. "So, do you want to head back?"

"Do you?"

"Cities aren't really my thing."

She smiled. "Me either. Come on, I wanna see what Hunter's up to."

A/N: What did you think? I should be back in a few weeks. I know I said bi-weekly at most, but the next side-story will be much longer than the previous three, and I'll be going on a week-long camping trip with some friends. But there'll be a lot of Hunter/Artemis son/mother moments, so I hope that'll make up for the wait. Please leave a review and feel free to leave comments.