Chapter Text
Prologue: finding home
Persephone 'Persi' Atlanta Jackson had a horrible childhood. She was a 4 year old child. The only daughter of Sally Jackson and her stepfather Gabe Ugliano.
Persi loved her mother above everything. Ever since her mother had to start working full time again her life had gone downhill. In preschool she was constantly picked on by the other children casting her aside as a 'weirdo' because of her entirely white hair.
Her stepfather had made her life a living hell abusing her so he could be lazy every moment her mother wasn't home. This had gone on for as long as she was able to walk. Not that she remembered most of it.
But ever since she had started forming full sentences and memories this had been her life.
Her mother brought her to preschool where she would get picked on by the other children.
She would then try and delay going home as long as possible. While her preschool was essentially around the corner from her mothers apartment she would spend almost an hour everyday to get home. She was avoiding her stepfather.
When she did get home she would be hushed around the house bringing Gabe bottles and cleaning the table and dishes. When she was too slow or reluctant to do something he would hit her. And when she had cried out that she'd tell mommy Gabe had threatened to hurt her mommy as well.
So she hid it all. She hid the bruises and even the few cuts he had given her. She'd always go to bed in a long sleeved jumper to hide the few bruises on her arms. The majority of them were all over her chest and tummy.
Everyday after her mommy had tucked her in she would read her a story— they were all for whatever reason about Greek gods and heroes. Her favorite story was the one about Actaeon being turned into a deer by Artemis and killed by his dogs afterwards. She would always imagine something similar happening to Gabe— After her mommy had left she would cry herself to sleep silently.
More often than not when she was washing the dishes on Gabe's command she would stare at any given knife and think how it would be like to not suffer. To not live this life she was living.
It was winter and just like last winter Gabe would always get her from preschool and drive her home. While it was only a few meters to walk her mother refused to let her walk home alone during the winter months. Why she was allowed to walk home alone during the summer was beyond her 4 year old self.
Because of this she developed a natural hatred towards winter since she would spend more time with Gabe. More time as a slave for her stepfather.
It was a week before Christmas when she was feeling very sick in preschool.
When she was brought to the nurse's office and asked what was wrong all she could do was whimper "Mommy". After all, she didn't want anyone to find out what Gabe was doing to her. She was scared that her mommy would find out and Gabe would punish her too.
The nurse called her mother at work, who wouldn't be able to get her, to take her home. A few minutes later Gabe was at the front desk to take her home since Sally couldn't take her.
He was acting all nice and caring. Asking the nurse things like "Where is my Baby daughter?" Or how she was.
All Persi could do was whimper silently and not say anything. A few minutes later she was in Gabe's car and he was driving her home.
As soon as the doors closed and the nurse had left Gabe exploded. He had started cursing her and her mother. Calling her things that she didn't understand. Inevitably she started crying out loud.
When Gabe brought the car to a stop next to their apartment she undid her seatbelt slowly. Gabe had walked around the car yanking her door open. Not even bothering to look at her he had grabbed her and forcefully pulled her out of the car and up the stairs into their apartment.
Once they were inside he closed the door and grabbed her again. Just to forcefully throw her into the kitchen she stumbled as she did, crying out as she hit the ground, trying to catch herself-and pain shot through her arm as she did.
She sobbed violently, shaking her head.
"That hurt-"
"Think I give a shit?" Gabe sneered, kicking the door shut behind him as Persi pushed herself up so that she was on her hands and knees.
"Hey!" Gabe's voice was sharp, "Did I tell you to get up bitch?"
"W-wha-" Gabe's foot hit her side and Persi cried out, arms giving out as she curled into a ball.
"Ouch! That hurt!"
"Of course it did bitch, it was meant to." Gabe sneered at her and he kicked her again.
And again and again until Persi was sobbing and screaming.
He was panting by the time he stopped, and he snorted as he stared down at Persi- who was crying brokenly, shaking- her body hurt all over. "Help me-"
"No one's gonna help you you stupid little bitch. No one loves you. Your mommy doesn't even want you-"
"S-she does-" Persi whimpered, "You're a nasty liar-"
"Yeah, well mommy's not here-" Gabe reached down, grabbing Persi by her hair and lifting her up, ignoring Persi's pained yelp as she grabbed at his wrist with her uninjured hand- he'd caught her left wrist on one of his kicks and now it really hurt.
She kicked her legs frantically and Gabe laughed.
"Shame you're too young." Gabe sneered, "You might actually be useful in a few years."
"I hate you!" Persi clawed at his wrist and Gabe let out a yelp, dropping her, and she yelped as she hit the ground, ignoring the pain as she lurched to her feet, she frantically looked around spotting a knife. She lunged towards it and grabbed it. Gabe, who assumed she was going to run, followed her.
Turning around Persi held the knife and stabbed blindly. Hitting Gabe in the Stomach. Blood started pouring out of the wound that Persi had managed to make. It splattered all over her clothes.
Gabe let out a shocked yell of pain and hunched over and Persi turned around and bolted. Gabe was a monster- only monsters hurt people. That was what her mommy had told her.
She wasn't sure how she did it but she managed to get out of the apartment and down into the street and she ran- she ran for what felt like a lifetime-she wanted to find her mommy- she knew where she worked but she'd never gone there by herself before- and it didn't take her long to get lost.
She was crying openly by the time she ran into a group of girls. Through her tears she could make out a total of 7 girls. All of them were wearing silver .
One of the older girls stepped forward and caught Persi. Persi yelped trying to get away from the girls until one of the younger girls stepped out of the group and looked at her with piercing silver eyes. "Hello young one. What happened to you?"
Persi was frantic trying to get away from the girls. She only trusted her mommy. "No" she yelled between sobbing and trying to wiggle out of the arms of the older girls. "Let me go"
"We want to help you young one" the silver eyed girl spoke soothingly. "Wh— wh— who a-a-are you-u-u?" Persi choked out between sobs.
It was the one holding her firmly that answered first "My name is Zoë Nightshade and I swear we do not want to harm thee. We only want to help a young maiden in distress."
Persi's head was pounding but her sobs lessened slightly. She couldn't make sense of what the girl holding her had said. She used words that didn't have any meaning for her. 'thee?' 'maiden' what does that mean she was thinking.
Before she could answer or ask anything the other girl spoke. "My name is Artemis—" while it was clear she wanted to say more Persi couldn't help it and interrupted her "Like the goddess." She exclaimed. Her sobbing had stopped and now was reduced to sniving every few seconds.
Artemis looked at her curiously. The first thing she noticed were the deep sea green eyes. She had seen that color a couple of times throughout her long life. But the most prominent person who seemed to pass it down to his children every time was her uncle Poseidon.
Were it not for the unnaturally white hair the girl had she would've gambled her hunters on the fact that this girl was a daughter— no, the first demigod daughter of Poseidon. But Poseidon's children without exception had Black hair. "Where are your parents, young one?" She asked, completely ignoring the girl's exclamation.
"Mommy is at work and she said daddy was lost at sea" Persi answered silently. "And what is your name, little one?" The girl holding her asked "Persi" that's all she got out. Being asked about her parents and answering it had hit her again.
"Zoë." Artemis called her Lieutenant. Zoë released Persi gently guiding her towards Artemis who caught her in a Hug ignoring the blood on persi's slightly ripped clothes. "You must be freezing Persi, come with us and tell us who did this to you."
Melting into the embrace Persi relaxed. "Monster," she said. "It was a monster." All the girls around Persi gasped at that. "Milady—" Zoë started but was interrupted by Artemis. "Permission granted Zoë… Persi, where is this monster?"
The young girl had memorised her address by now in case she ever got lost and needed to ask for direction. It happened sometimes in summer when she walked home alone and avoided a direct route. "337 East 85th Street," she said. "Apartment 407". Too engulfed in the hug to notice Artemis nodding and the girls leaving Persi was confused when she looked up and around and saw only her and Artemis.
"Where…" she started but didn't finish. "Shh it will be alright Persi. Come with me now. We will clean up your wounds and get you some nice warm clothes."
"Okay" Persi said hesitantly "but where did the other girls go?"
Artemis didn't answer directly. Instead, she turned, effortlessly scooping the small, shivering girl into her arms. Persi instinctively curled into the surprisingly solid and warm embrace, her tiny hands fisting in the silver fabric of the goddess's parka. The scent of cold winter air and wild forests clung to her, a stark contrast to the stale beer and sweat of the apartment she'd fled.
"We are Hunters, little one," Artemis said, her voice a low, soothing murmur. "It is our sacred duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves. They have gone to ensure the monster who hurt you will never harm you, or anyone, ever again."
Persi processed this. The word 'monster' felt right. A small, fragile sense of relief began to thaw the icy fear in her chest. The monster was being hunted.
Artemis carried her into a small, secluded clearing where four silvery tents were pitched in a precise, protective circle around a cold fire pit. A fifth, slightly larger tent stood a little ways off, its flap closed. The camp was utterly silent and still.
"Where is everyone?" Persi whispered, her voice small in the quiet grove.
"You have met all of us," Artemis replied, her tone matter-of-fact. "The others are taking care of the monster"
She carried Persi to one of the tents. It looked no different from the rest. It was way bigger on the inside. Artemis carried her into what looked like a bathroom. There she started pouring water into a tub big enough to fit multiple grown adults.
Gently, Artemis set Persi down and began to help her out of the bloodied, ripped clothes. Persi flinched as the fabric brushed a bruise on her side.
"Shhh," Artemis soothed while involuntarily flinching at the number of bruises and small cuts on her skin. "I will make it better."
She lifted the child and placed her into the warm water. Persi gasped, not from pain, but from shock. The moment the water touched her skin, a deep, thrumming warmth spread through her body. The sharp, stinging pain in her wrist faded to a dull ache, then to nothing. The purple bruises on her ribs and stomach seemed to lighten before her eyes, the angry colors softening to faint yellows and greens as if days were passing in seconds. The countless little cuts and scrapes sealed themselves, leaving behind only smooth, clean skin.
Persi stared, wide-eyed, at her arms. The water felt… alive. It felt like a hug from her mommy, but all over. She looked up at the silver-eyed girl in awe. "How…?"
Artemis watched, her own awe carefully hidden behind a neutral mask. The water had reacted to the child, healing her with an efficiency that was far beyond a simple divine blessing. It was responding to her. To the power within her. The sea-green eyes, the water's affinity… and the shock of white hair, a testament to a trauma so profound it had scarred her very essence. The pieces were aligning into a picture that was both impossible and undeniable.
This was no ordinary maiden. This was a daughter of Poseidon.
"It's healing water," Artemis said simply, not yet ready to voice her suspicions. She took a soft cloth and began to gently wash the blood from Persi's hair and skin. The water around the girl remained pristine, as if repelling the filth of her old life. "It helps by not only cleaning but also healing wounds."
Once Persi was clean, Artemis lifted her out and wrapped her in a towel as soft as down, then dressed her in a soft silver tunic, one of Artemis's own, from a much younger form.
She sat Persi on the fur bed and brought her a bowl of broth and a piece of waybread. Persi ate ravenously, her eyelids beginning to droop with the exhaustion from her day. The running and struggling caught up to the young girl. Artemis tried laying down the girl but found herself unable to escape the grasp of the young girl. Reluctantly she laid down with the girl and hugged her while she was falling asleep.
It was then that the six hunters returned silently to the camp. Zoë Nightshade appeared at the entrance to Artemis's tent and gave a single, sharp nod. No words were needed. The message was clear: the monster was gone, and the Mist had woven a convincing lie for the mortal world.
Artemis nodded back in acknowledgment and dismissal though Zoë knew her mistress would want to speak with her after dinner. Zoë's eyes softened for a fraction of a second as she saw the clean, sleepy child, then she melted back into the night to eat dinner and organise her sisters.
Persi, nearly asleep, stirred. "Were they… was that…?"
"All is well, Persi," Artemis said, her voice the gentlest it had been all night. She eased the child down onto the furs and pulled a silver blanket over her. "The monster is gone. You are safe. Sleep now."
Persi whimpered softly "Mommy.." before falling asleep mid sentence.
As Persi's breathing evened out into the deep, trusting rhythm of sleep, Artemis laid beside her, watching. Her mind raced with the implications. A daughter of the Big Three. A child despite the oath. A girl whose existence shouldn't be a thing.
And she was now under Artemis's protection.
"Sleep, little hunter," Artemis whispered into the darkness. "Tomorrow we will talk."
30 Minutes later Zoë made her way towards Artemis' tent again. After eating dinner and organising a guard schedule for the night she finally found the time to talk to their patron.
"Milady," she greeted softly. And just as softly Artemis responded "Zoë." Both spoke quietly to avoid waking the girl next to Artemis in the bed. "We took care of the…" Zoë hesitated searching for the word before settling on "thing. What are we going to do with the girl?"
Artemis took time thinking about her answer. "I need you to send messages to my uncles." She said carefully. "I'm 99% sure Persephone here is a halfblood. And I'm just as sure about her parent but I want confirmation. Can you send messages to them to meet me in 30 minutes?" Zoë's eyes widened at the implication but nodded nonetheless.
"Where do thee want to meet thy Uncle's Milady?"
"You do not need to tell them a place. They will know where to go."
Zoë knowing better than to question her simply bowed and exited the tent to inform Lord Poseidon and Lord Hades of her ladies request. She made her way towards her tent that she shared with Atalanta. A daughter of Apollo who had been with the Hunt ever since her adventures with the Argonauts ended in Ancient Greek. Only half a century before Zoë herself joined the Hunt.
"Zoë," Atalanta greeted her. "How is the young girl?", "She is resting in Milady's tent. Lady Artemis cleaned her by the looks of it. She suspects the girl is a halfblood and asked me to call her Uncles to meet her." Atalanta's eyes widened "Lord Poseidon and Lord Hades?" Nodding grimly Zoë turned towards the small sink in their tent.
Without needing more words Atalanta retreated to her bed out of vision from the impending iris messages.
"Oh Iris, goddess of the rainbow, show me Lord Poseidon in Atlantis" a few seconds passed until the image flickered and showed Poseidon in his throne. He looked intrigued to say the least. Considering it had been centuries since Zoë Nightshade had to call any gods for her mistress it was no surprise.
"Zoë Nightshade, Lieutenant of the Hunt. Rise" The Lord of the sea greeted and gestured to her to explain herself. Once Zoë rose from the bow she had dropped into she stated "Lord Poseidon, Lady Artemis wishes to speak with thee in person. Milady did not tell me a location only that thee will know where to go."
Poseidon looked slightly startled by that request. "Why does Artemis not contact me directly?" "Lord Poseidon, I do not presume to know my lady's intentions. But she was distracted comforting a child we ran into during our travels."
"Very well, until we meet again Zoë Nightshade." Poseidon cut the connection with a concerned look on his face.
Zoë sighing to herself "And now Lord Hades" she steeled her nerves looking at Atalanta quickly he gave her a reassuring nod from her place on her bed. "Iris, goddess of the rainbow, show me Lord Hades in the underworld" this time it took longer.
When the image flickered into view she could see Lord Hades seated on his throne next to Lady Persephone on her throne. She looked angry. Disregarding that fact Zoë dropped into yet another bow "Lord Hades, Lady Persephone."
And just like his Brother Lord Hades spoke the same words Lord Poseidon had spoken minutes prior "Zoë Nightshade, Lieutenant of the Hunt. Rise." Though he added "Why is it that you message me"
Getting to her feet Zoë explained that Lady Artemis wishes to speak with him in person and that she hadn't given her a location. Hades' expression mirrored the startled expression Poseidon had but nodded nonetheless.
"Very well. Thank you for delivering this message" and he swiped through the image undoubtedly explaining to his wife who looked clueless what was happening.
"What now?" Atalanta's voice pierced the silence. "Now we sleep. I'm tired and we might as well. It is too late to train." And with that Zoë turned off the light and got to bed.
Poseidon was slightly nervous as he waited at their location for Artemis to show up. There could only be a few reasons why Artemis would call him to meet in Person. Even fewer why here of all places. He paced across the shores of the island when the shadows darkened further until they seemed to form a person.
"Brother," Poseidon greeted. "What are you doing here?" Hades gave nothing away, he looked at his brother neutrally. "Artemis' lieutenant called that Artemis wishes to speak to me. Here out of all places. What about you why are you here?"
"The same reason" Poseidon responded calmly.
The brothers stood in silence next to each other on the shores of Delos. Looking at the moon Poseidon sighed. It wasn't like Artemis to be late but she asked to talk to them. Here as well which meant it was important.
Even more so than he thought considering Hades was here as well. In an attempt to break the silence he asked Hades about his 2 children. "Still in that damned Casino I'm afraid."
Both Poseidon and Hades resented Zeus for forcing the oath on them. Both knew as well that it was pointless to fight a prophecy but in the end they gave in to please Zeus and save mortal lives. "When do you plan on getting them out?"
"Honestly? I don't know. It's gonna be hard for them no matter what. Perhaps in a few years when your daughter grows older. Or when Zeus' daughter grows older than they are." Hades spat out their brother's name.
Before Poseidon could respond the moon shined brighter until a beam of moonlight focused on the beach and condensed into a person.
"Uncles," Artemis greeted when the moonlight retreated to its origin. A second later she hugged Poseidon first and then Hades after. Both fondly looked down at her younger form and greeted her in turn "Niece."
"I need your help." She got straight to the point. As usual. Causing Poseidon to chuckle slightly. "What can we do for you, Niece?" Hades responded first.
"There are three things I need help with. One with each of you individually and the third is something concerning both of you."
Poseidon and Hades exchanged glances before Poseidon gestured her to go on.
"Ok first Uncle Hades my hunters have sent a mortal to your realm. I need him to be punished for harming a child as well as abusing her as effectively a house slave. Thank chaos that.. thing" she spat out "didn't do more."
Hades raises his eyebrow looking at Poseidon slightly amused but complied nonetheless.
"Second Uncle Poseidon. I do not want to hide anything from you. The girl that said mortal had harmed and abused has a familiar aura around her." Poseidon's eyes widened and he looked angry when realisation hit him halfway through the explanation. "Would my assumption that the white haired girl with your eyes called Persephone Atlanta Jackson is your daughter be correct?"
"Yes," his voice was nothing but a whisper. Artemis nodded. "When we met her there was blood spilled all over her clothes but thankfully it wasn't hers. It was her stepfathers, or the person that abused her. I took her to my camp and treated her wounds. She is now resting in my tent as we speak."
"Thank you, niece" Poseidon looked relieved. Artemis continued her effectively monologue. "For the time being I will refrain from offering her a place in the Hunt until she is older and more mature. But I do wish for you to inform her mother of her fate. Since I told her we would talk tomorrow she will know if her heritage and thus living in the mortal world would not be advised. Even if I didn't tell her she would most likely get suspicions since her mother read her the myths for bedtime stories. Also I do not wish for her or her mother to fall in the hands of another mortal like that simply to prevent her scent from attracting monsters."
Artemis hesitated briefly "I think it is best if she does travel with the Hunt for the time being. I doubt she would feel comfortable in camp at age four."
Poseidon thought briefly before voicing his agreement. Artemis didn't say anything after for a while. Hades spoke again when it was obvious no one would say anything. "You said you needed help with three things, Niece."
Artemis hesitated briefly before inhaling. "I've.. I'm…" she stopped herself while she blushed. Clearly visible in the moonlight. "Artemis are you okay?" Poseidon asked. She nodded before taking a deep breath. "I've always wanted children of my own but I didn't want to be stuck in a loveless marriage or used and then discarded hence my oath. I.. I want to adopt your daughter Uncle but I'm scared of my father." She blurted out that last part. It was so fast Poseidon and Hades needed a second to gather themselves.
"You know I will always stand with you and protect you against Zeus" Hades spoke first. Poseidon took a second longer staring into Artemis' eyes. "You.." she nodded knowing what he wanted to ask. "Fine. She will need a parental figure in her life. Especially now since her mother won't be with her anymore. You have my blessing and of course I will help if Zeus throws a tantrum."
Artemis' eyes lit up. "Thank you thank you thank you Thank you thank you thank you" Poseidon and Hades laughed at that. "Seeing your enthusiasm I will say if she goes to camp for whatever reason. I will let you claim her as long as she is aware that I am her father and why I can't visit her."
After hearing that Artemis was beaming with happiness. She jumped towards Poseidon pulling him into a hug. "I won't disappoint you Uncle!"
After a few seconds where none of them moved, Hades cleared his throat causing Artemis to blush slightly and jump out of Poseidon's embrace. "I will return to the Underworld before Persephone throws another tantrum. Goodbye brother, Goodbye niece"
After saying their goodbyes and going back to their respective places Artemis walked back to her tent. She looked at the small child on her bed and decided it would be best to keep her current twelve year old form until she had talked with her soon to be daughter.
She knelt beside the bed. Poseidon's blessing echoed in her mind. She would not fail him. And she would not fail Persi.
The night passed in silent vigil. At the first hint of dawn, Persi stirred. Her sea-green eyes fluttered open, blinking in confusion at the unfamiliar silvery ceiling. For a heart-stopping second, panic flashed across her face.
Then her eyes found Artemis. "Hello, Persi," Artemis said, her voice softer than she used with anyone but her most wounded hunters.
Persi sat up slowly, the oversized silver tunic pooling around her. She looked down at her arms, poking at the skin where vivid bruises had been. "It… it doesn't hurt," she whispered, her voice full of wonder.
"The water has powerful magic," Artemis replied. She offered Persi a small piece of Ambrosia. "Eat. It will make you strong."
Persi hesitantly took the food. When she ate it it tasted like her mothers pancakes. When she was done, she looked at Artemis, her small face serious.
"The monster… is it really gone?"
"Yes," Artemis said, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "My hunters made sure of it. He will never hurt you again." She studied the little girl. "Persi, the stories your mother reads you… about the Greek gods. Do you remember the goddess in them who protects young girls? The one with the silver bow who runs with a band of maidens through the wild places?"
Persi answered immediately with no hesitation. "Artemis. Like you!" She exclaimed. "She was always my favorite. Whenever mommy read me stories of her punishing guys for doing bad things I always hoped that those things would happen to Gabe."
A second later Persi's eyes left Artemis' and darted around the tent taking it in for the first time. The goddess didn't say anything and simply waited for the realisation to happen. When Persi's eyes fell on the silver bow that was displayed her eyes widened.
She looked at Artemis again. "You.. your name.. you're a…" her voice failed her.
"Yes Persi, I am the Artemis." Artemis confirmed, a smile touching her lips.
Persi gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "But… you're a goddess! You're real!"
"The world is far more real, and far more magical, than most mortals are allowed to see," Artemis explained. "The gods are real. The monsters in those stories are real. And the heroes… they were real too. Most were children of gods and mortals. We call them demigods."
She leaned forward slightly. "Persi, do you remember when you saw that person with one eye? Or the horse with wings? The reason you could see through the magic that hides our world from most people, it is because you have the blood of a god in your veins. You are a demigod."
Persi stared, trying to process the impossible. "My… my daddy? Lost at sea?"
Artemis nodded. "Your father is my uncle, the god Poseidon, Lord of the Seas. The water healed you so well because you're his daughter."
The little girl was silent, staring at her hands as if she might see something new in them. She thought about how she always loved the bathtub, how she never got cold in the rain. Little things that suddenly made a terrifying, wonderful kind of sense.
"Does that make me a monster?" she asked in a very small voice.
"No!" Artemis's reply was immediate and fierce. She placed a hand on Persi's shoulder. "It makes you special. It makes you powerful. But it also means that monsters will want to hurt you. The world is not safe for you anymore. You cannot go back to your old life."
Tears welled in Persi's eyes. "What about Mommy? I can't leave Mommy."
"You have to," Artemis said sadly. "At least for a bit." The small girl cried. "Persi." No reaction. "Persephone look at me" she looked up meeting Artemis' eyes. "I talked to your father yesterday. As well as our Uncle Hades. I made sure that Gabe would get the worst punishment for his acts against you. And I made sure your mother is informed of what happened."
Persi looked shocked. "You talked to Mommy?"
"No. Your father talked to her. He explained what happened. And what we thought would be best for you. For your safety. She agreed that for your safety you should stay with me and my hunters and travel with us."
Artemis stopped before continuing "Persi. What do you know about me? From the stories your mother read for you?"
"Mommy said you're forever a maiden! And you don't like guys. But I don't know what a maiden is and I didn't understand until yesterday why you don't like guys. But now I do. And I think mommy said that you never had children. Isn't that lonely? Being so old but you don't have any children?"
Artemis stared at the girl and blinked. Then she started laughing, confusing Persi. When she finally stopped Persi asked her why she laughed. "Persi. I laughed because I was overwhelmed with what you said. But what you said is true. Your mother has taught you well. And to explain what a maiden is that's a bit more complicated but I can explain. To make children a guy and a girl need to come together and love each other very much. When they do that the girl stops being a maiden. That is why I don't have any children and also why I am forever a maiden."
"Oh. That makes sense then. I will also always be a maiden! Guys are stupid and scary."
Artemis laughed again. "You sound like my Hunters already. Persi I have something to ask you. Because I can't have children of my own since I don't like guys I've always wanted a child. But up until now I couldn't. I want to adopt you to be my daughter as well, Persi."
Persi hesitated and looked at Artemis. "What about mommy? Will she still be my mommy?" Artemis looked exasperated. "Of course she will always be your mommy. You'll just have two mothers. And we can visit her every time we are near." Persi's hesitation vanished and she threw herself at Artemis pulling her into a big hug "Then yes I would love for you to be my mommy as well!"
Artemis held her close, a profound sense of rightness settling over her. She stood, lifting Persi into her arms. "Then come. It is time you met your sisters."
She carried Persi out of the tent. The Hunters of Artemis were gathered around the cold fire pit, their expressions a mix of curiosity and inherent protectiveness. They looked at the small girl in their Lady's arms, seeing the silver glow and the single artificial auburn streak in her previously pure white hair they understood.
They understood that this was no longer a stranger. Nor was it a member of the hunt like the rest. It was their ladies daughter.
She was family. She was home.
Chapter 1: through the years
The last 18 months had turned out to be the best time in her short life.
Persi had been travelling with the Hunt across the United States with no worry on her mind.
It had taken a grand total of a single week for the Hunters to warm up to the idea of raising their little baby sister.
While her new mommy Artemis had not allowed the Hunters to teach Persi how to wield any weapons they had been allowed to reach her pretty much anything else.
Zoë had taken on the role of a stern yet concerned Big sister that would make sure no harm fell upon her. The older girl seemed more like a Protector than anything.
The other hunters would often tell Persi stories of their youth and their time before the Hunt.
Phoebe and Atalanta would tell her all about the Ancient Greek heroes and their adventures. Stories that until that faithful day 18 months ago were nothing but stories now held more weight for Persi. Especially when they were told by her big sisters that witnessed the events with their own eyes.
Naomi would talk about the Roman Empire and the differences of Romans and Greeks. The expeditions she went on as a young girl when her father dragged her with the army to help with the supply chain. Seeing as he had been a single child to his parents and her mother was a nymph he didn't see it fit to leave her alone in Rome while he went with the army.
Now being around a bunch of soldiers as a small girl of course left behind some scars. While not actual scars from wounds it left Naomi scared for centuries to come. Which was also why she had joined the Hunt in the first place after being orphaned in the third Punic war.
Jasmine talked about the 100 year war in France while Grace talked about the Second World War. All three of the Huntresses had seen more war than any young girl should until they joined the Hunt.
Jasmine was also a daughter of a nymph while Grace was a daughter of Athena.
The stories never seemed to end, and Persi loved every single one. Sometimes she would curl up in someone's lap while they worked. Phoebe mending a strap, Naomi polishing arrows and listen with wide eyes as voices from centuries past spun tales just for her.
But stories weren't the only thing the Hunt gave her. They gave her a feeling of belonging.
The Hunters treated her like she was theirs. Like she was a precious princess. But they also allowed her to help and get her hands dirty making her feel involved and not like an outsider. They let her help gather firewood, though Zoë never let her carry more than a few twigs at a time, and taught her how to tell apart the footprints of deer and rabbits in the dirt.
Grace showed her how to cheat at chores by pretending she had done more than she had, which always made Zoë scold both of them. They taught her how to navigate using the stars and how to tell the time using the moon or the sun.
By June, the days were long and golden. At night, the fireflies began to show in the grass, though the sun still clung to the edges of the sky when the Hunters sat together after supper. Persi sat comfortably in Atalanta's lap while said hunter braided her hair
"Stay still, little princess," Atalanta said ironically, considering she herself was a princess before joining the hunt, tying the bow at the end of the braid. Tonight it was a pale green ribbon, bright as the summer leaves. "You wriggle like a little fish."
"I'm not a fish," Persi giggled. "I'm a wolf!" She bared her teeth, small but fierce.
Atalanta simply shut her down. "A wolf pup, maybe." Persi puffed up her chest. "I'll be big one day!"
Phoebe's low, yet steady voice answered her. "Yes you will, little one. But I hope you know even big wolves need their pack."
The words made Persi's chest warm. She liked being part of the pack. She liked even more when the older girls treated her as if she was one of them. She wanted to stay there forever, listening to stories and pretending she was grown.
She was just about to beg for another tale when a familiar shadow stretched across the grass. Artemis had walked out of her tent, her silver eyes looked at her family fondly. She moved like she always did soft, certain, impossible not to notice.
"Mommy!" Persi scrambled up and ran to hug her around the waist.
Artemis smoothed a hand over her hair, careful not to disturb her ribbon. "Persi," she said gently, "you should already be in your bed."
"But I'm not sleepy," Persi tried while trying to stifle a yawn. She tilted her head up, putting on her best wolfish glare. Artemis raised an eyebrow. "Not sleepy?"
Persi yawned so wide her jaw popped. A ripple of laughter went around the circle. Even Zoë's stern mouth twitched.
"I would say that's not true," Artemis said softly, brushing a stray curl from her cheek. She took Persi's small hand. "Come little wolf. You may have more stories tomorrow. But now you have to sleep."
Persi didn't want to go to sleep. So she did the only — for her — logical thing. She went completely limp against her mother trying to remain at the campfire with her sister.
Seeing that caused another ripple of laughter throughout the camp. Artemis sighed looking down at her daughter. And in one swift motion she lifted Persi off the ground into her arms. Persi yelped and tried fruitlessly to wiggle herself out of her mothers arms.
Artemis turned around and started moving towards her tent, which she had shared with Persi for the past 18 months. Not that she minded. She hadn't taken 2 steps when she stopped and turned her head around again to look at her Hunters. "We're moving to Camp Half Blood tomorrow."
That caused all the laughter to die down immediately and be replaced with groans from the six girls.
Persi on the other hand stopped struggling and tucked on her mothers parka to gain her attention. "What's wrong with that camp?" She asked once her mother looked down at her. Artemis simply smiled at her daughter "Boys. Lots of Boys."
Now Persi groaned as well while her mother carried her into their tent and into Persi's bed. Before Artemis could leave after tucking Persi in, Persi spoke again. "Mommy?"
"Yes, my little wolf?" Persi giggled at the nickname she had come to love. "Where is this camp?", "New York, my lovely daughter."
"Mommy. Mommy. Does this mean I can see my other mommy again. Are we going to visit? Please let's visit mom. Can we? Please? Please? Please?" Persi blurted out excitedly while doing her best impression of puppy eyes.
"If you're nice and behave until we get there we will visit your mom, Persi. But you have to behave okay?" Artemis said with a stern expression though on the inside she was smiling wider than ever before at the excitement of her daughter.
Persi nodded excitedly. "That includes your bedtime. We will need to rest two more times until we make it to New York."
Now she nodded less enthusiastically but still agreed. "Okay mommy! I'll be nice and sleep a lot!" And a few seconds later she fell asleep.
Artemis emerged from her tent and returned to her Hunters less than 5 minutes after she stole Persi from them. All of them sent curious glances towards the tent their little sister was sleeping in. Usually it would take over half an hour for Persi to fall asleep.
Zoë spoke for all of them when she asked Artemis how she managed that. "Milady, how did thee manage to put our little sister to sleep so fast?" Artemis smiled fondly. "I told her we will visit her mother if she behaves until we're in New York"
The next morning, Persi was the first that got ready. Packing her small collection of items. A wolf plushie and a small dolphin plushie courtesy of Poseidon as a gift for her 5th birthday. As well as a small number of stones for the campfire. Not too much for her to handle but also not nothing.
While practically bursting with excitement she was waiting as patiently as possible without disturbing the older hunters and her mommy while they were packing up the camp.
When they finally finished packing they walked up to Persi who without hesitation jumped at her mother and tackled her in a hug.
"You promised," she whispered. Zoë raised a brow. "Promised?"
"Mommy said we're going to see my other mommy," Persi explained, turning to her and pointing toward the east as though Manhattan itself lay just behind the horizon.
Phoebe ruffled her hair as she passed. "Then you better behave.", "I am behaving!" Persi insisted.
The days blurred together after that. Long treks through the summer forests, Persi's small hand always held in someone's, Zoë, Atalanta, Grace, never Artemis herself until they stopped for the evening. While Artemis didn't hold her hand during the day she would stay each evening when Persi went to sleep at 8 pm.
Persi learned to walk longer without complaining, to carry her tiny backpack with pride and on her own. And at dinner she listened to new stories, always with the thought in the back of her mind: Closer. We're getting closer to Mom. Of course she didn't forget her new mommy Artemis but something about meeting her first mom felt different.
Two nights later, Artemis announced their final stop before New York. Persi nearly vibrated out of her skin with excitement, so much so that Atalanta finally threatened to tie her to a tree if she didn't stop wriggling. Persi tried to behave, she really did. But the promise of her mother waiting in the city pulled at her like the moon tugged the tides.
On the morning they crossed into Queens, the air felt different, thicker, busier, full of smells Persi couldn't name. She clutched Artemis's hand and stayed close, overwhelmed by the rush of cars and voices echoing through the streets. The Hunters were tense too; none of them liked the city.
At a quiet corner, Artemis stopped. The Hunters formed up around them, protective as always, but they knew what came next. Artemis knelt and straightened Persi's hair. She had been very insistent on keeping her hair open today. Usually she liked it braided but she was meeting her mom again. She never had it braided back then.
"We will split up here. You must go to camp alone. I do not want Persi there for the time being. And I think we can all agree she has behaved well enough these past days." Artemis' eyes flicked toward Zoë who reluctantly inclined her head to signal that she had understood.
Persi blinked up at all of them. "When are you going to be back?"
Phoebe crouched down so they were eye level. "Soon enough. You will barely notice that we are missing, little wolf"
Even Zoë's expression softened as she gently straightened Persi's hair "Do not forget your pack and come back to us, little one."
Persi nodded, though her throat felt tight. She threw her arms around Zoë, then Phoebe, then each of her sisters in turn, clinging fiercely. They hugged her back just as fiercely.
When at last Artemis took her hand again, Persi looked up toward Manhattan's skyline glittering in the distance. Her heart beat fast.
"Come, Persephone," Artemis said quietly. "I want to meet your other mother."
And together they stepped away toward Manhattan, while behind them the Hunt turned toward Long Island.
The walk into Manhattan felt like stepping into another world. Persi kept her small hand clenched around Artemis's, her wide eyes darting between the towering buildings and the endless movement of cars and people. The noise was overwhelming after weeks of forests and quiet camps, but Artemis's presence was steady at her side.
"Is she going to like me still?" Persi whispered, almost lost in the roar of a passing bus.
Artemis squeezed her hand gently. "Of course she will. She has always loved you, Persi. That kind of love doesn't fade. Especially since she is also your mother."
The words settled in Persi's chest, easing the nervous flutter there. She nodded, clutching her wolf plush to her with her free arm as though it might help. She had taken it out after the pair had split off from the rest of the Hunt.
By the time they reached the block Poseidon had guided them to, the streets had thinned. Artemis stopped before a modest but well-kept apartment building, the kind with flower boxes in the windows and a faded blue awning stretched across the entrance. She looked down at Persi.
"Are you ready, Persi?"
Persi nodded, though her lip caught between her teeth. She was confused because it looked nothing like her mother's house. But then again it has been almost 2 years.
Upstairs, Sally Jackson was bent over a notebook at the small desk in her living room. A mug of tea steamed beside her, forgotten as she scribbled a half-formed sentence in the margin of a draft. Her studies had been intense, but fulfilling, the patterns of language, the way words lived and breathed. She could almost see her dream taking shape now.
The occasional visits from Poseidon filled her with joy. And even if it wasn't like it was before her daughter's birth it was enough. Now after they had been forcefully separated for 4 and a half long years they were friends. Not lovers or anything simply friends.
After a couple months of persuasion she had accepted his help in moving out of her old apartment and pursuing the career of her dreams.
She looked back down on her notes. Half of a draft was scrabbled onto the pages. She realised she wouldn't be able to publish this specific book for a lot of years but it was her project. The one closest to her heart.
The bell shook her out of her thoughts. Poseidon had mentioned some surprise today. While making her way towards the door she was pondering about what gifts the god of the sea would come up with this time.
Brushing through her hair once with her left hand she reached for the door expecting the tall bearded man that had become somewhat of a regular in her home. Where his face would be usually there was nothing. Just air. When she looked down she noticed 2 younger girls at her door. The taller one, maybe 18 or 19 years old had striking silver eyes and her auburn hair was flowing down her shoulders.
Before she could move towards the smaller girl a blur of white met her. Jumping at her and hugging her. "MOM!"
Persi squealed, dropping the wolf plush to the floor as she launched forward. Artemis caught the plushie before it hit the floor with a fond smile on her face.
Sally caught her, arms closing around the small, wriggling body she hadn't held in over a year. Tears stung her eyes as she buried her face in Persi's white hair, breathing in the scent of campfires and pine. "Oh, my baby. My sweet girl…"
Persi hugged her as tightly as she could, small arms nearly choking Sally's neck. "I missed you so much!"
Sally could only laugh and cry at once, rocking her daughter in the doorway.
When at last she looked back up, her gaze met Artemis's. Recognition sparked not from familiarity, but from every story she had ever read, from the way the goddess's presence filled the hall with quiet power. Sally's breath caught. "Lady Artemis."
Artemis inclined her head, her expression soft in a way few ever saw. "Sally Jackson." She looked down at Persi, still clinging to her mother.
Sally swallowed hard, smoothing her daughter's hair even as her own hand shook. "Please. Come inside."
Artemis stepped over the threshold, the goddess of the Hunt in a small New York apartment, while Persi tugged her mother toward her room with the urgency only a five-year-old could muster.
The little girl's chatter filled the apartment—questions about the new furniture, the bigger room, the bright windows. Persi poked at everything, peering into drawers, bouncing slightly on her toes. "Mom, why isn't it the same as before? And look! There's more books!"
Sally knelt beside her, holding her shoulders gently. "It's a new place, Persi. Your father helped me afford it."
Sally then carefully picked up Persi as if she was made out of porcelain and could break at any moment and carried her towards the couch. Artemis followed silently looking around the apartment taking in everything around her.
"Please sit down, My lady." Sally inclined her head slightly. Through her friendship with Poseidon she had learned that small gestures were for the most part enough unless she dealt with particularly sensitive Gods. "Can I get you something to drink?"
Artemis smiled faintly, noticing the show of respect. Undoubtedly Poseidon's doing. "Please no formalities. And some water would be nice. And if you have some orange juice for our little baby."
From the couch they could hear Persi complaining "Mommmmyyy I'm not a baby." Sally smiled and repeated. "Take a seat then Artemis. I will be right with you."
When all three sat down Persi immediately tucked on Sally's hand "Look Mom! I got a wolf plushie! Mommy gave it to me last year." She was practically bouncing in her seat. "And here!" She exclaimed while looking through her small backpack "look daddy got me a dolphin!" She proudly showed her other plushie.
They spent the next couple hours talking and exploring the apartment as well as playing games until Persi stifled a yawn. Checking the clock they realised how late it was and decided to call it a day.
Since Sally had kept a considerably large room dedicated to Persi, her and Artemis would share the room with one another since Sally did not have an extra guest room.
Sure Artemis could've always flashed to her palace on Olympus or her cabin at camp half blood but she didn't want to be separated from her daughter for that long if the Hunt wasn't there to protect her.
Persi and Artemis stayed with Sally for almost an entire week until Artemis spotted a hellhound strolling around the block. Taking that as a sign that they stayed for too long she convinced Persi to tearfully say her goodbye from her mother.
At the same time the Hunters were making their way back from camp and towards the first forest outside New York. Through the comically emotional reunion considering it hadn't been a week Artemis overlooked the fact that her Hunters burned down a cabin or two at camp. And because it was Apollo's cabin then she might have rewarded the two responsible Huntresses.
Seven weeks later August 18th rolled around and Persi spent another Birthday filled with stories from the older Hunters and gifts from the Hunters and her father.
~~ fall year 2000 (After Persi's 7th birthday)
Life with the hunt continued as normal. Not much happened since Persi and Artemis visited her mother the year prior. A couple weeks before Persi had turned 7 the Hunters picked up a new girl to join the Hunt. Diana, just like Artemis' Roman form.
While they bonded as well Persi never grew as close to her as she was with the older Hunters. Diana was only 5 years older than Persi so there weren't many stories the girl could tell. And among other things Persi was a sucker for stories.
As the Hunters had learned, telling a story once wasn't enough. In the 3 years Persi had been with the Hunt Atalanta had told the story of the adventures with the argonauts at least 15 times.
Her mother still didn't allow Persi to wield any weapons other than a small dagger for self defence but she did start training Persi using the bow after her 7th birthday.
At first Persi was horrible. Going as far as having arrows fly backwards somehow. But over the past few months her aim improved as well as her prowess with her dagger.
With Artemis closely following her in the tree tops Persi was even allowed to track the animals the Hunt would… well Hunt so they would not starve.
One time Persi was tracking a group of deer when she noticed a faint trace of smoke in the distance. Looking around the trees around her she found her mothers eyes and sent her a questioning look. Almost unnoticeably Artemis gave her a nod allowing Persi to trace whatever caused the smoke.
So Persi followed everything Zoë, Phoebe and her mother had taught her about tracking and approaching campsites that weren't theirs she climbed a tree and jumped from tree to tree towards the smoke indicating a campfire.
The trees grew thinner until Persi finally spotted the source of the smoke. A small fire crackled at the edge of a clearing, its flames tamed but steady. Around it were three figures. Two of them seemed to be sleeping. While the third, a beautiful girl with short black hair around the age of the Hunters, was awake glancing around the tree line surrounding them. She was holding a spear and twirled it in her hand casually.
The other two were sound asleep. An older boy with sandy hair and a blonde girl around her own age. She was cuddled up to the boy causing Persi to scrunch her nose.
Persi's nose wrinkled in confusion. Why were they sleeping? It was bright daylight, not even late! None of the Hunt would ever waste such hours. She clutched her wolf plush tighter under her arm and shifted in the branches, accidentally rustling the leaves. Even now she would bring her wolf plushie everywhere.
The black-haired girl's head snapped up. "Who's there?"
Persi froze in the tree above the girl. Then she decided she could always run back to her mommy if things went bad so she backflipped out of the tree to land in front of the girl.
Thalia tightened her grip on her spear, glaring at the little girl who had just dropped out of the trees. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
Persi tilted her head, unbothered by the weapon leveled at her. "Why are you awake when they're sleeping? Don't you get bored just sitting there? Why's your fire so smoky? Mommy says that's bad, it means you don't stack it right and people can find you easily. Why's that boy sleeping in the middle like he's the boss? Why is he the boss? Why's she hugging her knife while sleeping, doesn't that hurt? Why do you have a spear? Phoebe has a spear too but she never points it at me. Are you hungry? We had rabbit last night—well, they had rabbit, I only got stew—"
"Wait—what—slow down!" Thalia stammered, blinking like she'd been hit by a storm.
But Persi only leaned forward, eyes bright with curiosity. "What's your name? Do you live here? Why are you hiding in the woods? Are you running from monsters? Or from Hunters? You don't look like a Hunter. Do you want to be one? Zoë says most girls do but some don't. Do you like —?"
Thalia opened her mouth, completely overwhelmed, when a cool, firm voice sliced through the rapid-fire barrage:
"Persephone."
Persi froze mid-question, head snapping around. Artemis stepped from the shadows, silver bow in hand, moonlight trailing her like a mantle. Persi's pout deepened, but she shuffled back to her mother's side, clutching her wolf plush tight.
Thalia blinked, gripping her spear tightly. "Who—who are you? What do you want?"
Artemis's gaze fell on her, sharp and steady. "I am Artemis, goddess of the Hunt."
The words settled heavy in the clearing. The trees seemed to hush, the faint crackle of the fire dimming as though in deference.
Thalia's eyes went wide, and she instinctively lowered her weapon fully this time, though her knuckles were still white around the shaft she bowed slightly before the goddess.
Before she could speak again, Persi tugged at her mother's sleeve and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear:
"Mommy, can we help them pleeease? Even if they're traveling with a boy?" Artemis's silver gaze lingered on Thalia a moment before turning down to her daughter. "Persephone…"
She hesitated looking down at her daughter who was pleading with her. Making her eyes go big and all teary just like a hurt puppy. A few seconds went by with the mother-daughter stare down until Artemis finally gave in. "… fine. We'll help them Persi"
She then turned to Thalia. "What is your name half-blood?" Persi fist bumped the air and turned to look at Thalia as well. Just now she noticed how pretty the girl actually was. Her electric blue eyes were mesmerising. And her black hair, the polar opposite to her own white hair. "Thalia Grace, My Lady"
Persi chuckled silently at the formal expression. "Are you always so nice? Do you like travelling?" Persi started bombarding Thalia with questions again. She scrunched her nose again "Is he your boyfriend? And is she your sister? I don't think she is. You don't look alike but my sisters also don't look like me. And your campfire is all wrong. Did you know? That's why it —" "Persephone." Artemis cut her off before she could continue. "But mommyyy it's true. The campfire is all wrong and you know it."
Thalia gaped at the little girl poking her head around Lady Artemis legs. "Who are you even?" Without giving Persi the chance to respond Artemis covered her mouth with her hands before she looked at Thalia. "You must excuse Persephone here, she is quite the curious girl."
Thalia simply nodded but didn't trust her mouth at the time. She waited a few seconds collecting her thoughts before carefully addressing what had been confusing her for a bit now. Ever since the goddess joined the conversation actually. "My Lady, I mean no disrespect but I think you would understand if I ask why…, Persephone Was it? Refers to you as her mother?"
Artemis chuckled while Persi giggled through her mother's hands. Both stretched out their left arm and twisted it so Thalia could see the matching scar in the shape of a moon and a bow and arrow. "Your question is understandable. To answer it my Hunters and I ran into Persi when she ran away from a monster fleeing her home. I adopted Persi afterwards and eventually blood adopted her as well making her my full blooded daughter."
Since only one hand covered her mouth now Persi managed to wiggle free and rejoin the conversation. "Mommy and Daddy said it was okay that mommy Artemis adopted me!" She exclaimed proudly.
Not finding the words to respond, Thalia just nodded again. "I must ask you to keep this information private Thalia. The last thing we need is father finding out about Persi's existence." Persi pouted at that. "I still don't know why Uncle Z finding out is such a problem. He's my Uncle is he not? Uncle H is amazing."
"And that as well. You cannot tell anyone. Not even your travel companions." Artemis said, turning to Thalia once more. "I swear I won't tell anyone what you don't want me to tell." Thalia said, gulping at the cold glare from the goddess. Her expression immediately softened.
"We are really helping them? Yay. Can I call the others?" Persi exclaimed after that. "Do you remember how?" Persi nodded excitedly.
Persi went off towards the edge of the clearing leaving the two daughters of Zeus in awkward silence. Not that Artemis cared but Thalia felt very out of place with the hyper and excited kid running around and the goddess in front of her.
5 minutes later Persi came back from whatever she was doing and Thalia for the first time really looked at her. She noticed the unnaturally white hair as well as the deep sea green eyes. With her cheeks being slightly puffy and her slanted eyebrows she looked kind of cute as she skidded her way back to Artemis and Thalia.
Thalia noticed she was unnaturally small as well and before she could help herself. "You're really small Persi" and of course height being a fragile topic for every smaller person she immediately scowled and retorted. "I'm not small! I'm just.. um… I'm just little so I can run faster!"
Thali chuckled softly. "Sure you are. And you're full of questions are you not?" "Of course! I want to know all." She then turned to Artemis and without any sign of communication she complained "do I really have to call you Artemis, mommy?" "Yes Persi. At least while we're accompanying Thalia and her friends."
Persi pouted but resigned to her fate. "Find I'll do it for the pretty girl"
Persi's head tilted as more questions bubbled up, faster than she could contain. "Why do you sleep in the day? Why are you hiding out here? Who is the boy? Is he a friend or a bad guy? Why is she hugging her knife? Do you eat stew too? Can I play with your spear?"
"Enough!" Artemis's voice rang sharp and clear, cutting through the rapid-fire barrage. Persi froze mid-sentence, looking up at her mother with wide, pleading eyes. "Persephone Atlanta Jackson." Persi visibly flinched. Rarely had her mother used her entire name. The last time was over a year ago when she was jumping across the campfire over and over again while having stolen a hunting dagger from Zoë. "You will ask one question at a time Persephone and wait patiently for Thalia to answer."
Before Thalia could answer anything or Persi could ask a single first question a small and sleepy voice called out. "What's happening? Thalia?" Annabeth had woken up from her sleep. Thalia hastened towards the 7 year old girl that was like a sister to her.
Annabeth sat up, her grey eyes wide with sleep and immediate alarm. Her hand, which had indeed been curled around the hilt of a bronze knife, tightened its grip. She scanned the clearing, her intelligent gaze quickly locking onto the new, intimidating presence of Artemis. Her young face, already too serious for a seven-year-old, paled.
"Thalia?" she whispered, her voice small. "Who's that?"
Thalia answered soothingly. "It's okay, Annabeth. This is Lady Artemis. She's… agreed to help us."
Persi, who had been half-hidden behind her mother's legs, studied the blonde girl with a quiet, intense curiosity. She didn't speak, her earlier torrent of questions banked by her mother's warning and the palpable tension in the clearing. She saw the knife, the defensive posture, the intelligent fear in the girl's eyes. She recognized it. This one knew about monsters.
At that moment the rest of the Hunt arrived. They made their way out of the woods fanning out behind their goddess in a loose crescent shape.
The movement and quiet voices finally stirred Luke. He groaned, rolling over and squinting against the light. "Thalia? What's going on? Who are—" His words died in his throat as he sat bolt upright, taking in the silver-clad hunters and the powerful figure of the goddess. His hand flew to the hilt of his sword.
The hunt reacted instantaneously and simultaneously. All 7 Hunters — excluding Persi and Artemis — had their bows out and an arrow placed on the bowstring in less than a second. They all aimed their weapons at Luke.
Persi gripped her dagger tighter at the sight of the boy.
Luke froze under the weight of their collective gaze and the weapons aimed at him, his knuckles white on his sword hilt. He slowly, very slowly, moved his hand away, raising both palms in a gesture of surrender. The air was thick with unsaid threats.
Thalia broke the silence, her voice tight. "Luke, They're here to help." She looked to Artemis, a plea in her eyes. "He's with us. Please do not harm him."
Artemis' gaze lingered on Luke for a couple moments. Seeing the fear but also resolve in his eyes she nodded internally. She raised her hand signaling the hunt to step down. Her other arm still draped around Persi's shoulder protectively.
All 7 Hunters lowered their bows hesitantly.
"We are leaving in 5 minutes," Artemis's voice cut through the clearing, brooking no argument. "Zoë, help them with their camp"
Zoë nodded sharply and gestured to Phoebe and Naomi. The three Hunters moved with an efficiency that made Thalia's group's efforts look like child's play. In moments, their sleeping bags were rolled, their meager supplies packed into their bags with a neatness they hadn't managed themselves.
Once everything had been packed they got ready to leave. Artemis looked at the three newcomers. "You will walk in the center of our formation. You will do exactly as you are told, the moment you are told. Is this understood?"
Thalia and Annabeth nodded immediately. Luke, after a moment's hesitation and a nudge from Thalia, gave a sullen nod.
Persi had already returned to her mother's side. She looked up at Artemis, her earlier excitement now channeled into a focused seriousness. "Where shall I walk, Milady?" she asked, her tone formal, mimicking the way Zoë addressed Artemis when on a mission. The rest of the Hunt was holding in their snickering. Never in their lives had they imagined to hear Persephone fucking Jackson speak so respectfully to her own mother.
Artemis placed a hand on her daughter's head. "You will walk with me, Persi." Her eyes flickered towards Luke for a split second.
As the party began to move, a silent column of silver slipping into the shadows of the trees, Persi fell into step beside her mother. She was quiet, her eyes constantly moving, scanning the trees, watching the Hunters flank them, observing the three new demigods who walked ahead of them. She wasn't the chatty little girl from the clearing anymore. She was a hunter in training. And she had new prey to learn about. Her gaze lingered on Annabeth, a silent, curious counterpart to her own strange life. The boy, Luke, she glanced at only once, her nose wrinkling slightly before she focused back on the path ahead, a small, serious shadow beside the goddess of the moon.
For a long while though she kept her eyes locked on Thalia. The girl had something captivating around her.
Throughout their track back towards camp Persi kept stealing glances at Thalia but always returned to watching the forest for any hints of animals or threats. It was around dinner time when they made it back to the Hunt's camp. Travelling with 3 regular demigods really slowed them down a lot. Normally it would've taken them about a quarter of the time to get back to their campsite.
After dinner the hunters sat around the campfire, as usual Persi decided whose turn it was to tell stories by sitting in their lap or in front of them so the Huntress telling the story could distract themselves by braiding Persi's hair.
It had become a routine throughout the last three years and none of the Hunters minded. This day Persi chose Atalanta and after quite a bit of pleading convinced her to tell the tale of the argonauts entering the sea of monsters, yet again. If Artemis had kept track correctly this would be the 17th time that Atalanta told that story ever since adopting Persi.
Eventually Persi fell asleep from all the running, tracking and exploring she did that day. Atalanta noticed right after Artemis did and stopped her tale. The Millennia old Huntress shot her Mistress a questioning look.
Artemis nodded in response. Since there were strangers in camp and they didn't want Zeus to find out about Persi being Artemis' child, even if she was adopted, Atalanta carried Persi to bed that night and tucked her in carefully. She planted a soft kiss on Persi's forehead before heading back outside to join the other hunters and the three demigods.
Immediately she noticed Zoë and the daughter of Zeus missing. Another questioning glance at Artemis and a subtle hint at her own tent, which she shared with Zoë, later and the daughter of Apollo understood.
Zoë was trying to recruit the daughter of Zeus. It was undoubtedly because of Persi's not so subtle glances at her that Zoë was doing it. Otherwise they wouldn't have even considered trying to recruit someone that willingly travels with a boy.
When a quite literally crackling Thalia emerged from the tent a couple minutes later nobody had to ask what her reaction had been. Especially when Zoë stepped out of the tent with a displeased scowl on her face.
Soon after everyone went to sleep and the Hunters escorted the three demigods out of the woods with clear instructions where the camp would be.