The Alliance

I meet some people who might be weirder than me (Sophie's POV)

Keefe was staring at me. I could tell. I had hunted him down in the forbidden cities, dragging all of my friends along with me. Naturally, when we saw a group of kids fightin a dragon thing, Marella said, "And we're walking the other way."

I was about to agree with her, but then I saw one of them was about to get eaten alive. So, I ran at him, shoving him out of the way. I landed on his chest, couldn't care less, and leapt up. I brushed myself and helped him up. 

That's about all I remember, before I felt something cool spread through my body. I sat up and saw Keefe looking in my eyes. I could see the concern, but, I was still angry at him. I stood and said, "What was that? What happened?"

Dex said, "She healed you." He gestured to a girl standing in front of me. She looked nice enough until I saw the ice in her eyes. I said, "Uh, thanks." She nodded and went over to a small group of kids. Only 5 of them stood there. 

I then turned to the kid I had saved. He said, "Uh, hey. I'm Percy. And who in Hades' name are you?"

Immediately my mind recalled the usual information about the Greek god. I said, "Uh, well, we don't know a Hades, so we aren't doing anything in his name. And I'm Sophie." I noticed Keefe start to slide to the side, but I grabbed his ear.

He said, "Ow!" Then slapped his hands over his mouth. Dex said, "Ow isn't really a command, Keefe. It isn't gonna do anything." Keefe shook his head. At least the best he could with me still holding his ear.

I had toughened. Honestly, I was sick of being a scared kid. So I was willing to do what it took to keep the people I cared about safe. Including burning down his mom's safehouse. (Looooooong Story.)

Percy said, "Uh, command?" I shrugged and said, "Nothing." One of the guys with the girl who had healed me, I was gonna call him strong, said, "Sounded like something. I'd like to know what."

I shook my head, and mimed locking my mouth and throwing away the key. The girl with a feather braided in her hair said, "Tell us now." Immediately, I said, "He can command people." Then, I slapped a hand over my mouth. 

Fitz stalked up to her and said, "You do it too." Biana walked right beside him and said, "Yeah."

Percy held up hands and said, "I feel like we are going to want to get to know you."

I nodded, "Agreed." 

He turned and said, "We have a camp for people with powers. If you guys come with us, maybe we can exchange some stories."

I looked at my watch. Dex had made it for me, and I saw that Grady was about to kill me. I said, "Uh, guys, we have 5 minutes." Keefe made a face at me, but everyone else nodded.  I said, "Well, nice to meet you guys! See you in another life!"

I waved and then we all linked hands. But Percy said, "Please don't tell anyone about us, okay?" I nodded and looked in his eyes. I said, "I promise." Then, we shot in the sky. 

***

Biana laid upside down on my bed. She said, "But the green eyed one was cute, so maybe we should."

She had spent the last 30 minutes debating whether or not we should go looking for the kids. I was doing homework at my desk. Biana rolled over and said, "Sophie, are you really going to keep ignoring Keefe's letter?"

I shrugged and said, "It told me he was running. I found him and dragged him back. Done." She rolled her eyes and huffed. "Fine. Be oblivious. See if I care." I shook my head and finished my history homework.

Suddenly, a familiar blonde boy burst into my room. He gestured out the window, then to Biana, then to an embarrassed Dex, who stood behind him.

I said, "Keefe, you have to talk." He shook his head, and Dex translated. He said, "Keefe thinks we should find the kids. He also says he is going to Manhattan. I convinced him to wait for you." I glared at Keefe. Yes, I was still mad at him.

I said, "Let's go then."