Chloe

---

"This is ridiculous," Andrew said, running a hand though his hair. "Another child of the big three?"
"I agree it is odd," Chiron said, sipping his cup of tea. "It is what is Andrew. Chloe has been claimed. It's simple."
"It's a death sentence," Andrew said. "Everyone knows that a third child of one of the Big Three gods is a big deal. Zeus and Hades are going to feel threatened. Chiron, she could get hurt!"
"I assure you, nothing like that will happen on my watch," Chiron said turning to Chloe. "My dear you must know, Andrew is concerned because you have a brother. Two, actually."
Chloe stared into her lap, the golden metal of the shield capturing her gaze. In the middle of the shield stood a trident, proud and tall. Around the edge was an ancient text engraved in the metal about the power of the shield.
The events of the night before became a haze in her mind. She stayed in a cabin built for her, but it didn't feel like home. The low groans of monsters deep in the woods greeted her ears from outside the window, miles away from where she was. She was a stranger, an outsider. She could not be the treasure her father loved, or the great hero the other campers whispered about.
"Gia ton íroa ton iróon," Chloe read aloud. "For the hero of heroes. I'm no hero."
"On the contrary my dear, that is exactly what you are," Chiron said. "That instinct you have, is your demigod senses, telling you how to fight in a battle. Why, only yesterday you killed a skull beast without any training whatsoever."
"It's in your blood Chloe," Andrew said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"It doesn't make sense!" Chloe cried, standing up. "Something isn't right! I feel it. I feel a lie."
"A lie?" Chiron asked.
"Yes, a lie," Chloe said. "I know it is a little odd, but I'm not crazy. I know what I feel. I felt a lie."
"Devil child," her uncle's voice echoed. "Freak of nature."
The centaur leaned backwards, his eyes observing her.
"Mr. Henderson," he said. "Why don't you take Chloe to the armory to pick out a weapon? I shall meet you in the main area later with a guest. There is something I want to try with you my dear."
Andrew motioned for Chloe to follow him out the door and down the hall. Outside the big house campers milled around to their designated activities.
Chloe concentrated on Andrew, the aura around him sending off discomfort and embarrassment.
"Did I do something to offend you?" Chloe asked.
Andrew met her gaze.
"No," he said. "It's just that..our parents don't exactly get along."
"What's your point?" Chloe asked.
Andrew shrugged, the discomfort visible on his cheeks as he blushed.
"Well..I uh..like you-as a friend!" he quickly added. "Friend."
Chloe laughed, covering her smile.
"Why does that embarrass you?" she asked.
Andrew chuckled, turning his head.
"My sister, Annabeth, she uh, was friends with your brother before they got together. They've been dating for two..three years now? They've been through a lot."
"What is my brother like if you don't mind my asking?" Chloe asked.
"I actually wouldn't know," Andrew said. "I've never met him. I do know some people you could ask though. Your cousins, they're here at camp. They were at campfire last night. I've never seen Thalia so...."
"Excited?" Chloe guessed.
"Anxious," Andrew corrected. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. Your father obviously wants you to be protected. I guess now all that is left is to find you a weapon to go along with that shield."
Chloe followed Andrew into a small pavilion covered with a metal roof. Inside were bins filled with weapons from different eras. Grenades, spears, knives, swords, bows. Chloe picked up a belt, the side of the belt was decorated knives of multiple different sizes and a double edged blade shaped like a scythe on the end of a long rope.
A smile came across Chloe's lips as she put the belt around her waist, fastening the buttons to her pants.
"What are you doing?" Andrew asked. "Don't you want a sword?"
"Why would I need one with this?" Chloe asked, picking out two small pistols from the pile. "I have tons of knives and a blade-thingy on the end of a rope. I think I'm good."
Andrew raised an eyebrow.
"Knives aren't really a popular choice for girls your size now-a-days," he said. "I didn't think you were the type."
"I'm not really a sword type of girl," Chloe said, pulling her hair into a ponytail. "Do you really think the knives are a bad choice?"
"No. I think with some training you could learn to be quick and smart with your cuts. Who knows, maybe I can find a book in the Athena cabin and we can make a soaking agent to dip them in from blow-fish poison or something like that."
Chloe laughed, shaking her head. She opened her mouth to say something when something very large and fast moved in the trees behind them. She sensed the creature, moving towards them.
"What is it?" Andrew asked.
"I feel something," Chloe said. "I don't know what it is, but it isn't human. It also isn't friendly."
Andrew drew his sword, glaring into the brush.
"Where did it go?" he asked.
Chloe moved forward, peering deeper behind the trees when she felt a different presence. Something immortal.
She turned around quickly, seeing the man standing across the pavilion. He was shrouded in a dark cloak, and a held trident of his own.
The word "Sister" hissed from his lips, stinging her ears, echoing in her mind.
Chloe squeezed her eyes closed, covering her ears like a child.
"Chloe!" Andrew shouted, kneeling down to her level. "What's going on? Are you okay?"
Chloe looked back up, seeing the dark figure disappear. She uncovered her ears, pulling out the scythe and rope.
"Come on," she said. "We're going on hunt."

---

"Chiron is going to kill me," Andrew said as they trekked through the woods. "You should be back in the pavilion. He is waiting for you!"
"Once I catch the guy I saw it won't be a problem," Chloe said. "Now quit slowing us down you big baby."
Andrew frowned and rolled his eyes, continuing forward. He chopped through a thick group of branches, stepping towards a wall of moving rainbow colors.
"No!" Chloe cried jumping in front of him.
She and Andrew collided, rolling onto the ground a few feet away. He sat on top, his arms around her waist.
"Sorry," Chloe said. "I saw something. I didn't want you to get hurt."
"It's fine," Andrew said, looking back. "What did you see?"
"Something moving," Chloe said. "I don't know what it was exactly, but it seems dangerous."
Andrew helped Chloe up, gazing into the trees.
"I don't see anything," he said.
Chloe walked over to the edge, standing directly in front.
"Watch," she said. "It's right here."
Chloe held up her hand, sticking it though the rainbow colored wall slowly. The colors flowed around her hand and Andrew came from behind her, his eyes wide.
"I see it now," he said. "What the hell is that?"
"I don't know," Chloe said. "I don't think I wanna find out."
On the other side, something cold and hard stroked her hand. Hissing, Chloe withdrew her hand, stuffing it into her pocket.
"Something touched me," she said. "We should go. I don't like this place."
Andrew looked through the colored wall before following her back into the woods.
"Sister," Chloe heard. "Sister. I'm coming for you dear sister."

Notes