Chapter 27. Alva: Twisted Logic

Secrets. A small word with a whole hidden world attached to it. It could mean nothing to one and everything to another. Our world is built on it really. The secrets we keep from one another, becoming the armour we protect ourselves with. We deflect questions and hide the answers.

But secrets, like misery love company.


I walked in silence, all too aware of the two eyes drilling holes into my back. I sighed; Di Angelo seriously needed to get over me walking in on his lovey-dovey moment with Vanessa. I could feel the heat of his thoughts, all poisonous little daggers plotting ways to get rid of me. I had to stifle a smile at some of time. I had to give it up to him; the boy sure knows creative ways to chase people away – creating an abyss to swallow me up being one of my favourites I didn't think Vanessa would be mad at me too but she was plenty pissed. She walked on front of me, the tenor of her thoughts matching Di Angelo's. What a lovely couple.

Not long after the two love-birds had started spilling their guts to each other, I had woken up and slunk off; to give them a little privacy, I told myself, but really just to save my sanity. What the both of them were thinking was enough to make me puke. Speaking of which, I remembered that our last meal was a really, really long time ago. I slunk off, careful not to make any noise in search for food. I figured it was the least I could do.

I knew there was a town not far off. The clustered presence of a whole bunch of minds had its own gravity and I walked towards its general direction. Where there are lots of people, there was sure some way to get food. Legally or otherwise. I knew there was a whole bunch of dollar bills in my bag pack, courtesy of Chiron. I figured he wanted the demigods he thought to live honestly. But sometimes honest living was just the fast track to bankruptcy.

Walking generally left the brain too free and the body busy, so naturally, my mind began to wander. We still had a long way to go, I knew. Our quest had just started but we had already lost someone. I sighed. Zena had been nice to us. Unlike the other Hunters, she didn't even try to recruit us at all. Instead, she fell in step and cracked jokes like she had known us forever. People, in general, unnerved me but Zena was unassuming and ... nice. She didn't deserve to die.

My heart felt like a stone in my chest. Another death on my conscience. I had fought with her. I should have had her back. Should have... could have... All the ways mortals try to convince themselves that it was their fault but it really isn't at the same time. It was pathetic, really, what I was thinking. What can I do now? Thinking won't change the fact that she's dead, would it? Thinking won't bring her back, would it? She's gone. Poof, bye bye, see ya in Hades.

I walked faster, trying to escape my own thoughts. But guilt, just like lies, tends to catch up with you. Black, black, black guilt swarmed me. Zena. Ethan. Zena. Ethan. They seemed almost interchangeable now. Was I that cold? Just unfeelingly exchanging one's death for another?

It was strange really, how I just knew Ethan was dead. He up and went some day after months and months of trying to convince me to come along. He joined Kronos' army.

"We will change the world!" he had said. "We will make it better!" I didn't agree. I paid for not agreeing of course. I paid for it night after night when I pissed him off too much. But I stuck with it. I wasn't going a pawn in nobody's army. In the months after he left, I just wandered around. Like I how was doing now. Every day I asked myself, what now? What do I do? What was going to happen? What was supposed to happen?

Eventually, I had found myself in New York, at the heart of the final battle. I didn't see Ethan. But I did see enough to convince me I was right. I had helped as much as I could without someone noticing me. It was easy. It was surprising how little people notice in the midst of a battle. Just as long as you're in an orange T-shirt, they're in an orange T-shirt, you're good to go. If you're not, boy, you better run.

I stopped now at the edge of a town. It wasn't big. It was just a little out-of-the-way town that was probably not even on the map. Still, I spotted a little store, one of those places where you stop and stock up for your journey, no matter how short in may be, a little way down the street.

Food, here I come.


I had walked back to our little camp-site laden with food when I stumbled upon an intense moment between my two dear friends. Well, it wasn't my fault, really. All I knew was that I walked up and called out to them when they both turned and looked at me, identical looks on their faces. That is to say, they both looked pissed. Of course, during intense moments like this, there was only one thin going through my mind.

Shit.

"Um, you hungry?" I figured offering food would help. Wrong. Apparently love can fill up the stomach too. Pity I didn't figure that out earlier. One extremely awkward meal later, we were on our way back to town. We had no idea where to go next. The prophecy told us where to go first, although we only figured it out once we got there. Unfortunately, all that mystical, reading the future thing did absolutely no good in telling us where to next. I sighed, looking around. I was too preoccupied to notice the view earlier but now I saw that the place really was beautiful.

If I didn't know better, I would say that we were on a road to nowhere. But the cool tarmac road leading us to the little town could be the yellow brick road, really. We were surrounded on one side by a thick crop of trees which we gave a wide berth and one the other by a huge plain. All that flat ground was a little unnerving. Anyone could spot us from a mile off but there was not a soul in sight. Probably to early. The sun slowly pulled itself out from beneath the horizon and every thing looked fresh and happy. Well, everything except me.

I mentally recited the prophecy my eyes on the back of Vanessa's head. 'They shall begin at the Lady Who watches.' Found the monsters, lost a friend. Check. 'And travel east along Earth's trail.' Perfect. The Greek mystic oracles apparently didn't realise that east implied everything from here to Japan. And what the heck was the Earth's trail?

Overhead, there was a bend in the road. How ironic. It didn't take long to past the corner and then the town was sprawled out before us. I stopped beside Vanessa who was staring at the place, her eyes open wide with something like wonder. Her emotions, as always were all jumbled up. But it never ceased to amaze me how much she could feel at any one time. Now, she just wanted to see other people.

"Civilisation, at last," I muttered under my breath. Finally, she grinned. I felt my shoulders slump in relief. I hated it when Vanessa was mad at me. Funny, since I didn't really care about what people think. Di Angelo stopped on Vanessa's other side. He shot me a glare before talking.

"We need to move fast. I think I have a plan." He spoke like he always did, in that unassuming way that probably was what made Vanessa fall for him in the first place, I could hear her swooning mentally now.

"Oooh, Death Boy has a plan," I mocked. I don't know why I did it, I just did. Di Angelo ignored me, walking ahead with Vanessa right there by his side. I waited till they way a little way off before shouting after him. "Does it involve eye-liner " Without turning around, Di Angelo lifted his hand and shot me the bird. I laughed and followed.


Of all places to choose for discussing top-secret demigod plans, a café would be my last choice. Apparently, it was Di Angelo's first. I was about to protest but Vanessa took one look at the place and practically ran towards it, muttering something about coffee. So, what was I to do against the supreme powers of coffee?

We were sitting there now. The place was ridiculously happy-looking. With sickeningly optimistic signs and sayings pasted on the walls and horribly cherry décor. I pulled the both of them towards the back, towards a sheltered place without any visible smileys or proverbs exclaiming the wonders of positive thinking. Really, it was almost too much. Add that to the hyper active mutterings of the customers and employees minds and I had a guaranteed headache by just stepping into the place. As though the minds of my two companions weren't unbearable already.

Vanessa ordered a double espresso latte. I stared as she practically inhaled half of the cup. How could anyone take so much coffee? I loathed coffee. I hated the smell and the drink itself made me sick. I am more of a hot chocolate girl. Coffee? Not so much. Di Angelo pulled out a piece of paper he had snagged from a shop we passed by earlier. For an all perfect boy, he sure didn't protest to stealing. At least, minor stealing.

As Death Boy unfolded the paper and spread it out on the table, I saw that it wasn't any piece of paper. It was a map of America. Hm, Death Boy had more brains than I had thought. He pulled out a pen - another surprise; how did he get a pen? – and put an X somewhere in Washington.

"I assume that's us?" Vanessa asked. She hadn't been saying much before this. I guess the coffee woke her up. She had never been much of a morning person. Nico nodded. Then, he drew a wobbly line east, cutting across America all the way to the Atlantic, disfiguring the map. I smirked.

"What's so funny, freak?" Death Boy growled. Behind us, the café door opened, the little bell over it tinkling merrily. We didn't pay it any heed. Something began niggling at the edge of my mind, like my head had a little bell of its own. It was annoying, and distracting. I frowned, trying to concentrate on the map.

"So, you drew a line east. Bravo. That's just two-thirds of America we have to go through now." I slumped back in my seat. Di Angelo had a point using the map, but we had absolutely no clue where to go, except east. That's a lot of land. Di Angelo looked like he wanted to argue but apparently thought the better of it. Thank the gods, I really didn't want to argue in a stupid café. Although, I 'm probably asking for it.

"Um," Vanessa said. Neither of us looked at her, preferring to stare at the map instead. Maybe it'll miraculously show us the way. "Guys?" Di Angelo raised his head and looked at her. Vanessa continued her voice dropping, "Someone just came in. A godly someone." Di Angelo's head snapped up. I looked up from the map, not turning. The niggling presence at the edge of my mind had just turned into something that demanded attention. It was almost too much the sheer vastness of the consciousness was unbelievable. I retracted into my head by instinct. Something with a mind that complex can't mean anything good for us.

Finally, I turned. For a moment, I almost couldn't believe my eyes. In the slanting golden light of the rising sun pouring through the windows, it was almost like … No, it can't be. But still …

"Connor?" I whispered, my heart lifting. Then, I realised it couldn't be him. The man who just walked in was far too old to be Connor Stoll. But the features were the same unruly brown hair, twinkling mischievous blue eyes that immediately put you on edge and that same unnerving smile. From far, they could almost be the same person. But this man was older with a leather briefcase in on hand and an iPad in the other. So it could only be … his father. For some reason. I felt disappointed.

I saw at once how Vanessa knew the man was godly. He was talking loudly into his iPad which had two bright mottled green snakes wrapped around it.

"I know it's urgent, it always is but tell Narcissus we can't get him a mirror that fast! Not even a celestial bronze one! Our services don't extend out that far! Why did he have to go out into the middle of Canada?" Hermes paused listening to whoever was on the other end, nodding impatiently at intervals. "He's taking the premium package?" His face brightened immediately. "Well, then that's a completely different story! I'll get Aeolus on it right away. Yes, thank you, Amanda."

Despite this extremely loud and decidedly strange phone conversation, the other patrons barely spared him a glance. Definitely not mortal. Hermes looked up and saw us for the first time. He smiled again. My heart sped up. He looked so much like Connor it was almost unbelievable. Striding forward, the god took a seat at our table. We just stared at him, speechless. I have done many things but I have never, ever, sat at the same table as a god.

"Hermes?" Vanessa whispered. Hermes grinned again.

"Ah, it's so gratifying to be recognized. What gave it away?" He looked at each of us. Vanessa's mouth hanging open. I still didn't think it was safe to talk so I kept my mouth shut. Di Angelo decided to answer. Maybe Hermes will teleport him away or something.

"The conversation?" He made it onto a question. I rolled my eyes. Hermes didn't seem to be very offended.

"Was it that obvious?" Hermes leaned back in his chair and loosened his tie. I blinked. I had been so fixed on his face I barely realised he was wearing a suit. Connor would never wear a suit.

"They are smart children." A woman's voice came out of nowhere. Vanessa jumped and stared at the iPad. One of the mottled green snakes was talking. Obviously, this was going to be a day full of firsts.

"Pah! Barely. If they were smart, they would have a rat for me." Now, both of the mottled green snakes were talking. A guy and a girl. Or should I say male and female? Anyway, I can't believe this. Neither could Di Angelo apparently. He was staring at the reptiles with the strangest look on his face.

"Hush, George. They couldn't possibly have known we were coming." The lady-snake scolded.

"Well, she's a witch, so she should have –" I blinked when I realised the guy-snake was referring to me. I was the witch. Obviously, my parentage wasn't such a secret any more Funny how once the cat's out of the bag, the cat makes it its business to announce itself to the whole world.

"George!" The lady-snake really was very motherly.

"Now, now," Hermes said, picking up the iPad. "What did I say about arguing?"

"Don't do it in public and never in front of clients." The snakes chorused. They were chorusing.

"And these are?" Hermes prodded.

"Clients?" The guy-snake guessed. Hermes smiled, satisfied.

"Precisely. Now, conference-mode please." The snakes obliged and curled around the device, falling silent. Hermes smiled at us apologetically. "I'm sorry. They get a little excited sometimes. It's not often they get to show off."

"T-That was showing off?" Vanessa asked. Hermes nodded.

"Anyway, getting to business. How are you doing?" he asked briskly, like some kind of businessmen. We just stared at him. Hermes sighed and rephrased his question. "How is your quest going?" We were quiet for a while. Then:

"Terrible." Di Angelo looked at Hermes angrily. Was he crazy? This is a god. An all-mighty, all-powerful being. He could turn Death Boy into a toad or something in a blink. On second thought … that wouldn't be a bad idea. I wanted to hear his thoughts but with a god within touching distance I think my mind would blow if I tried anything even remotely magical. I was already getting a headache.

To my surprise, Hermes nodded like he actually understood. This was crazy because gods never understood. They abandoned children, gauged out eyes and spent their time fighting but understand? This was a first. Suddenly, the god met my eyes and I flinched. It was almost like he knew what I was thinking. He held my eyes for a moment then looked at Vanessa then Di Angelo.

"Do you know the purpose of your quest?" He asked quietly. My mind was reeling and felt sick suddenly. My palms were sweaty and my head was pounding. I knew this sensation. It meant something bad was going to happen. Happen soon. I swallowed the bile in my throat and tried to concentrate on the conversation.

"To avenge Percy Jackson's death?" Vanessa answered quietly. Hermes shook his head, a small smile on his lips.

"Percy Jackson is not dead." Di Angelo sat up in his seat, like he had been jolted awake from a deep sleep. His eyes were bright. Vanessa looked dumbfounded. Di Angelo shook his head like it would help clear his head somehow. I felt spots appear in front of my eyes and clenched the table to keep myself from falling.

"But we found Riptide, his sword." Di Angelo's voice was hoarse. "It was supposed to return to his pocket but –" Hermes cut him off with a wave of his hand. Watching his hand move made me even dizzier.

"A simple enchantment. Easy enough to undo." We were quiet again, processing this new information. "Think, kids, think. Since the beginning, has anyone mentioned Jackson?"

"Gaia." Di Angelo's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Prometheus is helping her! She's planning to take over somehow! Just like the olden days when the giants – "Vanessa broke off her own excited rambling. Her eyes went wide. I could almost see the light bulb over her head. "Oh Zeus," Vanessa whispered. "The giants." Di Angelo looked at her puzzled.

"But we already met the giants. We fought them remember?" His voice when he was talking to her was gentle like he was afraid she would break somehow. She's a lot tougher than you think, Death Boy. I swallowed bile again. I thought back to the giants and the Hunters' Camp. I had heard something there. Something many of the Hunters' were thinking about. If only my head would stop pounding.

"Not those giants! There were minions! I'm talking about Gaia's sons! The Gigantes! Annabeth mentioned it during one of her Greek myth classes! Remember, Alva? Alva?" Vanessa had begun rambling again, I barely heard her. Hermes had been watching Di Angelo and Vanessa, that smile on his face again. All of them swam in and out of focus. I saw stars. "Alva!" Vanessa sounded hysterical now.

Shut up, I wanted to say. My head hurts. I opened my mouth. Then, just like that, I remembered.

"The Hunter's they are going missing. Thalia Grace is … gone."

And just like that, I blacked out.


I found you, daughter.

The voice was light and breathy, like the sound of the wind in trees and the sound of secrets being whispered in your ear. It was familiar. So terribly familiar. Where had I heard it before? I was in a dark, dark, dark place. I couldn't see a thing.

Now, it's your turn to find me.

Just like that the darkness was sucked away. A series of images flashed before me. A girl with electric blue eyes and freckles. A tall mountain, illuminated by the sun behind in so that it looked like it was glowing. Stones laid out in a formation on the ground. The images came faster. An eagle. An old man with a scarred face. Blood on the ground.


"Alva!" My eyes flew open. The voice when clear through my head. For a moment, the images still hung in front of my eyes. Then, I blinked and they disappeared. Three faces came into focus.

Vanessa's blue grey eyes were still as wide as they were before. Her forehead was wrinkled with worry and she was biting her lip anxiously.

"If you're not careful, your face is going is going to stay like that, forever," I told her. Immediately, her face brightened. She threw her arms around me, knocking me down again. I hadn't realised I was on the floor. I pushed her off. "Gods, I didn't die, did I?"

"You're okay!" she said happily. I sighed. Di Angelo straightened up, opening his mouth to say something. I shot him glare and he seemed to think the better of it.

"Here," Vanessa said, handing me a cup of something brown and hot. I sipped it automatically and gagged when I realised what it was.

"Coffee!" I hissed, pushing the brown slosh away.

"You don't like coffee?" She asked surprised.

"I don't like coffee? I hate coffee!"

Hermes was looking down at me, a strange look in his eye. I had a feeling he knew what happened to me. It was crazy, how could this god know everything? I just hoped he didn't know what happened on my last day at camp. Now, that would be embarrassing.

I straightened up, thinking about the visions. Suddenly, I bolted up from the floor, feeling like I had just been electrocuted.

"I know where we need to go." Hermes smiled. Vanessa and Di Angelo stared at me, taken aback by my sudden declaration.

"You do?" Di Angelo sounded doubtful. For once, I didn't pick a fight with him. But the visions weren't the only thing the mysterious voice had shown me. Somehow I knew where to go now. It was pulling at me. I felt like dropping everything and running there now.

"Yes. Wyoming. We have to go to Wyoming." Di Angelo looked sceptical and Vanessa was staring at me like I announced I could fly. But Hermes just smiled. He really liked doing that.

"Well, then. Walk a mile east and you'll get there." Now, we stared at the god. A mile east? Wyoming was miles away. It was another state for gods' sake!

"Trust me." Hermes said. And just like that, he picked up his iPad and walked out. We stared after him and then at each other. Vanessa looked at Di Angelo and Di Angelo looked at me.

Uh-oh.

"You have a lot of explaining to do." I sighed and nodded. I owed it to them. We were a team after all. I couldn't hold back any more from them than I already had. It wasn't fair. It was even potentially dangerous.

Wyoming. We have to go to Wyoming. It was crazy how that suddenly became the sole reason for my existence. What was in Wyoming? What was pulling me there?

Daughter. The voice had called me. Daughter. My stomach dropped. I had a bad feeling I was finally going to meet my mother.

Things were going to get much worse than they already are.