THEY SAT IN THE MEADOW WATCHING THE SATYRS CHASE THE WOOD NYMPJS THROUGHT THE SNOW. The nymphs had promised to kiss the satyrs if they got caught, but they hardly ever did. Usually the nymph would let the satyr get up a full head of steam, then she'd turn into a snow-covered tree and the poor satyr would slam into it headfirst and get a pile of snow dumped on him.
When Percy told Grover and VIviene, Grover started twirling his finger in his shaggy leg fur while Viviene nervously played with her ring.
"A cave ceiling collapsed on her?" he asked.
"Yeah. What the heck does that mean?"
Grover shook his head. "I don't know. But after what Zoë dreamed—"
"Whoa. What do you mean? Zoë had a dream like that?" Viviene asked, frown deepening.
"I... I don't know, exactly. About three in the morning she came to the Big House anddemanded to talk to Chiron. She looked really panicked."
"Wait, how do you know this?"
Grover blushed. "I was sort of camped outside the Artemis cabin."
"What for?" Percy teased, smirking.
"Just to be, you know, near them."
"You're a stalker with hooves." Viviene snickered and Percy raised his hand, letting Viviene high five him.
"I am not! Anyway, I followed her to the Big House and hid in a bush and watched thewhole thing. She got real upset when Argus wouldn't let her in. It was kind of a dangerousscene. I tried to imagine that. Argus was the head of security for camp—a big blond dude witheyes all over his body. He rarely showed himself unless something serious was going on. Iwouldn't want to place bets on a fight between him and Zoe Nightshade."
"What did she say?" Percy asked.
Grover grimaced. "Well, she starts talking really old-fashioned when she gets upset, soit was kind of hard to understand. But something about Artemis being in trouble and needing the Hunters. And then she called Argus a boil-brained lout... I think that's a bad thing. And then he called her—"
"Whoa, wait. How could Artemis be in trouble?"
"I... well, finally Chiron came out in his pajamas and his horse tail in curlers and—"
"He wears curlers in his tail?" Viviene snorted, sharing a teasing look with Percy.
Grover covered his mouth.
"Sorry," Viviene said. "Go on."
"Well, Zoë said she needed permission to leave camp immediately. Chiron refused. Hereminded Zoë that the Hunters were supposed to stay here until they received orders from Artemis. And she said..." Grover gulped. "She said 'How are we to get orders from Artemis if Artemis is lost?'"
"What do you mean lost? Like she needs directions?" Percy asked. Viviene rolled her eyes.
"No. I think she meant gone. Taken. Kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?" Percy tried to get his mind around that idea. "How would you kidnap an immortal goddess? Is that even possible?"
CZYTASZ
RED ¹ / Percy Jackson !
Fanfiction"I suggest you stop this nonsense." "No. No unless she does as I say, or I swear, I will murder Percy right here right now." "Don't you dare touch a single hair on Percy, do you hear me?" Viviene yelled, taking a step closer to her father. " I fucki...
