daylight | percy jackson

percy no no wanna

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

BOOK THREE

CHAPTER FOUR.

❝ apollo is hot. ❞

THE TWO demigods exited the tent, Percy stomping off like a toddler in the other direction. Aria left him to sulk, the girl in no mood to deal with his anger. 

Artemis materialised behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "He isn't worth your energy, my dear."

Aria didn't say anything.

Artemis assured them that dawn was coming, even if it was colder and darker and snowier than ever. Up on the hill, Westover Hall's windows were completely lightless. Aria wondered if the teachers had even noticed the di Angelo's and Dr. Thorn were missing yet. She didn't want to be around when they did.

The Hunters broke camp as quickly as they had set it up. Artemis stared into the east expectantly. Thalia, Grover, and Percy were huddled together for warmth, the son of Poseidon still dodging Aria. Bianca sat off to one side, talking with Nico. Aria could tell by the look on his gloomy face that she was explaining her decision to join the hunt.

Hesitantly, Aria sat down on the wooden bench next to Percy. The boy gave her a furious look, still refusing to talk to her, his lips curled up in what Aria guessed was a mix of frustration and...sadness? 

After a brief conversation about Grover's obsession with Artemis, and how Percy wasn't happy about Bianca, Aria began to feel the ice seep into her bones, threatening to freeze her forever.

"It's so fucking cold," she muttered, wrapping her hands around her middle for warmth.

Without a word, Percy mindlessly took off his jacket, handing it to the shivering demigod. She took it gratefully, slipping the larger article of clothing on, smelling the familiar scent of vanilla and sea salt which she had grown to love so dearly. 

"Thanks," she mumbled, but Percy still said nothing. 

She would never understand boys.

Finally, the sky began to lighten. Artemis muttered, "About time. He's so lazy during the winter."

"You're, um, waiting for sunrise?" Percy asked.

"For my brother. Yes."

"Oh."

"It's not exactly what you think," Artemis said. By Percy's freaked out expression, she was answering his silent questions. 

"Oh, okay," Percy muttered. "So, it's not like he'll be pulling up in a--"

There was a sudden burst of light on the horizon. A blast of warmth. Aria could feel the sun practically radiate off her skin. 

"Don't look," Artemis advised. "Not until he parks."

"Parks?"

Aria averted her eyes, and saw that the other kids were doing the same. The light and warmth intensified until she felt her clothes practically melting off her. Then suddenly the light died.