First Lie || Deception Book I ||

The Second Chapter

"There you are, Anna," Ally said, jumping up from the rock she was sitting on as I walked into the clearing. "Hey, Avalanche," she added as my wolf trotted up to her and licked her hand.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," I apologized as I picked up my duffel bag and headed over to where Blackfire was waiting with Neraida.

"No, I just got here," Ally said, standing up as well. "By the way, where's Luke? It's almost noon."

"Oh, Luke is. . . ." I trailed off. "I don't know."

Where was he? I thought he'd have come right here, which was why I'd been in such a hurry to get back to the clearing, but he was nowhere to be found.

Ally shrugged. "We'll wait for him. It's no biggie."

I sighed and sat down on the grass before I collapsed, still drained from the spell I'd used to heal Percy. I silently opened the bag of ambrosia I'd snuck from the med bay and popped another piece into my mouth, enjoying the decadent taste of the pastry tarts that I'd eaten on Olympus and felt energy surge into my veins again.

Avalanche nudged me, reminding me that even I couldn't eat more than a piece at a time, so I shoved the bag back into my pocket. I know you need the energy, but try to avoid a burnout, all right? I scolded myself.

"How did it go?" I asked Ally, breaking the silence as I sat up to face her. "Your brothers, I mean. It must have been hard."

"Oh, that." Ally nodded, smiling sadly. "I told them that I was going back, but later, and they promised to visit. But I couldn't give them the address since I couldn't tell them that I was living at an orphanage."

I stared at her. "Did I not tell you?"

"Tell me what?" Ally asked, puzzled.

"You're not living at an orphanage!" I said, indignant. "Did you think I'd send you back to that shit-hole, especially after the trouble with Olivia?"

"Well. . . ."

"Now that she knows there's something different about you, there's no way I could send you back," I said. "Also, that place is torture. I'm not that horrible of a friend, you know."

"Honestly, it just occurred to me today that I didn't have anywhere to go to," Ally admitted. "And I just thought that since you were staying with Luke, I'd have to go back."

I huffed, crossing my arms. "You could if you want to."

"NO!" Ally burst out, glaring at me.

I smirked. "That's what I thought."

"So where am I going to stay?" Ally asked curiously.

"I, uh, pulled some strings," I started. "And managed to get you an apartment in New York City. It's pretty close to Percy's place, actually, and I let Sally know a few weeks ago about that, so yeah. And don't worry about the expenses," I added as Ally's mouth dropped open in surprise. "I've got it covered." I wiggled my fingers, a wisp of black mist forming at the tips.

"Y-you didn't have to do that," Ally stammered in surprise. "The cost-"

"I told you, I've got it covered," I said, smirking. "Trust me, it's going to be fine."

"But-"

"But nothing," Luke said as he walked into the clearing, leading a grey pegasus with him. Ally cut off, glancing at him, and I turned around to do the same.

I kept my face a mask of cool indifference with just a hint of relief and sighed, "Finally, you're here. It's almost half-past noon! Where were you?"

"I had a bit of trouble to go over," Luke replied smoothly and tossed me a bag. "Here, the stuff you'll need on the Andromeda. And, Ally, don't worry about the cost. We've got it covered."

"But I can't just-" Ally stammered, standing up. "That-"

"Ally, come on," I said. "You don't have anywhere to go, and money isn't an issue when Luke's backed by him. It's fine."

"Let's go," I added as Ally glanced back and forth between Luke and me. "We're gonna be late."

I mounted Blackfire, Luke and Ally doing the same. "Avalanche, I'll summon you when we get on the boat, alright?" I asked, and my wolf nodded in understanding before turning tail and disappearing into the forest.

As we flew into the sky, Camp Half-blood shrank below us. I circled above the camp, taking in the mess hall where we'd eaten our meals, the amphitheatre, which had been full of laughter and song, the cabins, the ripe strawberry fields, the canoe lake which shimmered in the midday sun, the swaths of forest, and the sandy beach. All of my memories of this summer came rushing back, and I knew that this was the final goodbye. I lingered for a moment longer, caught up in my emotions and memories before I tapped Blackfire's left flank and abruptly flew off towards the city.

I was now officially the eyes and ears of Olympus, and it was time for the next chapter of my mission.

There could be no room for hesitation, for doubt, for if I didn't execute every action with ruthlessness and command, if I was not cunning or smart enough, if I took one misstep, I would be killed without a second thought. The line of the blade's edge I was walking was a dangerous one. I knew that a single mistake I made would be my last. I had to stay, not one step ahead of Luke, but a mile ahead of Kronos.

Today was the day where my first lie ended, and my final one began.

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