Behind the Shadows

"You know you didn't need to come with me to see Hermes" Sapphire states, sounding bitter to the core. Dinner had been awkward enough without Percy tagging along to rub it in further.
The sun beams down on their heads as they stroll down a road that Sapphire had already forgotten the name of. It was weird being in this heat. At camp the temperature was controlled so that you were tan but not burn. That was one of the perks of going to a magical camp. Percy just shrugs and attempts to trip Olivia but ends up tripping himself up in the process.
"And plus" Sapphire adds, pointing her finger between her and Percy. " I don't know how Hermes will feel about having two major demigods on his doorstep"
Olivia stops walking and turns to frown at Sapphire.
"Whats a demigod?" She asks, sounds rather confused. Percy laughs to himself and gives Sapphire a knowing look. He was leaving the explaining to his sister. I didn't seem right that she should just blurt out what a demigod is. The case could be that this Hermes was just named after a god and he really just wanted to send Olivia to space camp or something. Sapphire sticks her hands into her pockets and shrugs.
"A club" She replies. "How far away are we?" Olivia is easily distracted and skips a head muttering the directions. Sapphire wiggles her eyebrows at Percy."I'm a master with kids"
Percy laughs and elbows Sapphire as she passes him.
"Only because you are one!" He calls. Sapphire pauses to turn and glare at him.
"Then what does that make you?" Olivia is back to humming that unknown song again. She is distracted and out of earshot.
"The older and wiser twin" Percy shoots back. Sapphire cracks up laughing and has to hold on to the nearest lamppost for support. "Glad you find me amusing".
"I could be the older one for all we know" Sapphire beams at Percy. "Your mom didn't seem in a rush to give us many answers"
"She is your mom too" Percy mutters. Sapphire growls. Sally was a nice person and seemed like a great mother to Percy, but to Sapphire she was just another person. She was Percy's mom.
"I've had my share of parents growing up. Don't want them and don't need 'em" Percy seems taken back by her answer and slightly annoyed.
"Is this the part when you tell me that Luke, Annabeth and Thalia are your only family?" Percy's voice is filled with anger. Sapphire freezes. She is caught between wanting to laugh in his face and curl up on the pavement and cry.
"Ouch. Maybe when you find yourself alone, with only your closest friends you will understand how much more than a family they will be" Sapphire clenches her hands in to fists. Is this what it feels like to have a fight with your sibling. To Sapphire it felt like someone was punching her in the heart with a few words. How could Percy be so heartless. Sapphire had lost to many people in her life. She blamed herself for losing them. She could of saved Thalia. She could of convinced Luke to not blame the gods. She could of stayed with her adoptive family and been what people call "normal". She could of done a lot of other things but its the loss of those people that had given her strength to pick herself up and carry on. The only person who could break her was herself. Staying grounded was all she had left.Percy sighs and steps forward.
"That was harsh of me. I'm sorry, I didn't know Thalia or much of Luke, but I do know Annabeth and you are her only family now too. Maybe the key to being a strong demigod is learning how to truly depend on your fellow demigods" Percy hugs Sapphire and ruffles her hair. If he hadn't said such nice things she would of punched him for the hair ruffling. Olivia runs and grabs Sapphire's hand.
"It's just down the street" She chirps. Sapphire looks around at the houses and is amazed. Olivia's family must be rich to live in a neighborhood like this. The whole street is just huge tudor style houses. Even public grass area has a sign saying "Do not walk on the grass". Olivia drags Sapphire to one of the houses. A man waits on the doorstep. His arms are crossed and he does not look happy. The main thing Sapphire see's is that the man is in fact Hermes. Sapphire nods at Percy to confirm it to him. "I met some new friends! They are twins, but the girl is my favorite"
One point to Sapphire. None to Percy. Percy's huff could be heard from a mile a way. Hermes gaze fall on to Percy. There is not recognition but when her sees Sapphire he knows exactly who she is.
"Shouldn't you be off throwing parcels at the gods?" Sapphire greets Hermes. "Or Stealing something from Apollo?" Percy snots at that. Hermes stares at both Sapphire and Percy as though all his worst nightmares had come to life."You two should not be near each other if you know what's good for you" Hermes growls. Sapphire was sure the Hermes she met last time was a cheery guy. What was Sapphire and Percy going to do? Destroy the world?
"Oh. So you know Poseidon's little secret?" Sapphire grins and takes a step forward. Hermes pales and opens the front door wider.
"I think its best that you two come in" He sounds defeated. Olivia is already inside somewhere. It was strange to see Hermes so afraid of her. He used to be friendly and normal towards her. He didn't seem so afraid of Percy. Was she doomed to be the evil twin or something. The thought makes her chuckle that is rewarded by a few confused looks.

Notes