Tilia had not come to greet me today, nor had her siblings.
My eyes narrowed as I scanned the area.
Not a single mortal was in sight—Central Park stood empty.
I breathed out deeply.
It seemed I had finally managed to cross their bottom line.
"How much longer are you going to make me wait?" I asked, leaning back against the hard wooden bench.
A moment later, a trio of female figures materialized on the pavement before me—heralded by the crack of lightning streaking across the cloudy sky.
Golden light reflected in my slit pupils as I stared straight at the three mistresses of fate.
"Ladora Buné," the Moirai thundered in unison.
Their voices synchronized into an eerie symphony as they glowered at me.
"You have gone too far this time."
"This time?" I repeated incredulously. "You gods really do play favourites."
"We have permitted your dealings with the mundane world," they scoffed dismissively. "Our worshippers multiply by the day. A mere handful of conversions is beneath our notice."
My shoulders loosened slightly as I tilted my head.
"Then what changed?"
The roaring winds stilled as their power coalesced into a single overbearing divine presence that blanketed the area.
"You've grasped beyond your station."
My carefully maintained hold over my emotions nearly slipped as I gave a quiet nod.
"I see."
"We do not believe that you do."
The Moirai's milky white eyes grew distant as their presence drew back.
"Despite our warning—you will not change your path."
"Does that surprise you?" I asked, arching a brow. "I have made no secret of my nature."
"We know very well what you are, devil," the most youthful of the Fates huffed.
"And we will tolerate it no longer," her siblings added.
Their pale faces darkened as thunder shook the heavens above.
"You would break our contract?" I asked, leaning forward, "because of a single half-blood?"
"Do not twist our words!" Klotho hissed. "The contract will remain intact. And you will cease your vain pursuit of Love's daughter."
'Vain', was it?
They truly were not omniscient.
"And what of the other one?" I asked, genuine curiosity seeping into my voice. "What of Audrey? Why is it only now that you intervene in my… pursuits?"
"The owl child is no longer of consequence to us," Lachesis said. "Her willful association with an Outsider has torn her fate from its natural path."
"In what way?"
"I cut her thread," Atropos proclaimed, the deep lines on her weathered face growing even more pronounced.
"It was her lot to die at the hands of the arachnid Broodmother."
My lips twitched as I fought to suppress the victorious smile that threatened to spread across them.
They really should not have told me that.
"That was your first offense," the Moirai continued as one. "If the girl had not arrived in Camp Half-Blood as a mortal—it would have been your last."
The Eyes of the Dragon glimmered like kindling embers as I met their gaze without blinking.
How dramatic.
"Of course she did," I said, a sharp scoff slipping from my nose. "As per the terms of our agreement, I have refrained from turning your kin—nor have I compelled any of your followers without your permission."
My expression darkened as I forced my voice to deepened beyond its natural limits.
"So by what right do you dare come here and demand even more of me?"
"Your safety within these lands continues solely at our sustained goodwill," Lachesis sneered, her black lips curling upward into a mocking grin.
"You would be wise not to forget that."
The bench shattered into fine splinters as I shot upward.
"No!" I shouted, the word reverberated across the clearing like the beating of a drum in a closed room. "You would be wise not to forget who you it is you're speaking to."
The Moirai's presence surged, quickly becoming even more oppressive than it had been before.
"Such hubris!" they bellowed. "Even for one of your kind! We ought to—"
"Do you take me for a fool?" I asked, my voice slowing as I tilted my head. "Did you really think I would not figure it out?"
The goddesses blinked, as if unable to believe I possessed the temerity to interrupt their threats.
"What do you speak of?" they asked, studying me closely.
The distance between us shortened as I circled to the side.
"There are no other Outsiders in this country. They have all been sent away—or denied entry at your borders. All but me."
My eyes narrowed as they shifted between three sets of milky white ones.
"Why? It can't be my power—nor my faction's backing," I continued, "surely you've figured out by now the true state of my relationship with them."
My movements halted. Closer than before, but still outside striking distance.
"In truth, the reason matters little. No. What matters, is what it reveals."
A slow grin twisted my lips.
"You need me."
"Impudent devil!"
A phantom pair of golden scissors appeared in Atropos's hand as she rounded on me, her graying black hair swinging to the side.
I did not move, calling her bluff.
"Am I wrong?"
Klotho rested her hand on her sister's trembling shoulder as she turned to face me.
"You think far too highly of yourself," she said, her youthful voice cracking like a whip.
"There exists… a negligible probability that your presence may prove beneficial in the future. That is all."
"If that's true," I retorted without missing a beat, "then I will leave. Right now."
My lips thinned as I forced my expression to still.
"After all, I only came here to fight monsters. And so far—your beasts have been very underwhelming. Why—"
Radiant threads wove themselves into being and sealed my mouth shut—then they slithered down to bind the rest of my body.
"You will do no such thing!" Lachesis hissed imperiously, her refined features contorted into a grimace.
I knew it.
My draconic heart pulsed as demonic energy rippled outward from my immobilized form.
An illusory echo of my voice rang around us.
"As long as you remain within the bounds of our agreement, I won't," I said, stifling a laugh as I watched the expression on their faces.
Defying the divine… it felt good.
It felt natural.
"This will be our final warning," the Moirai declared, ignoring my deliberately transparent attempt at blackmail.
"Should you be foolish enough to bring harm to her favored daughter," their voice rand with the kind of surety granted only to deities of fate, "nothing will save you from her wrath."
The restraints keeping me in place loosened—and then disappeared entirely as my godly contractors vanished in a blinding flash of golden light.
—————-
Isabella exhaled slowly as she scrutinized her reflection in the towering mirror.
As always, she was flawless.
The fact that it made her even more beautiful was only a distant second to the real reason why she took such great care of her appearance.
She did it because she enjoyed it.
Every time she brushed her hair, or optimised her skincare routine—a facsimile of the innocent joy she had once felt playing with dolls as a child would echo through her.
Except now, the doll was her.
"What do you think of this, dear?" Isabella asked, twirling in a circle as she turned toward her new friends.
A bright smile curved her lips as the white sundress fluttered like dancing leaves in the gentle breeze she had conjured.
"Does it suit me?" she added. "I wanted to try something different today."
The demigoddess lounging on her bed stiffened as their eyes met.
A faint blush touched Audrey's cheeks as she cleared her throat.
"You… well… I—" Her voice steadied as she shook her head. "Why even ask me such a pointless question? Looking good in everything you wear is literally half your power set!"
A tinkling laugh swept through the room as Isabella stepped forward.
What a refreshing answer.
She sprawled across the couch opposite her bed and sank into the silver cushions.
"I suppose you're right," she conceded. "Still, I would very much like to hear your opinion, my dear Audrey."
She met the other girl's stormy eyes with a soft smile.
"Yes," Audrey sighed, leaning back into the pink sheets. "I think it suits you. But… are you sure you want to wear a dress like that—today of all days?"
Isabella tilted her head, arching an immaculate eyebrow.
"Why would I not?" she asked. "I've never once regretted wearing a dress."
"You also haven't left camp in ages. Not until yesterday, and that barely counted."
Audrey paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully.
"After all that time, maybe you forgot… but this country isn't exactly kind to half-bloods like us."
This country. Not all of them.
The exciting thought sent a quiet thrill racing up Isabella's spine.
"Rest assured," she said. "I remember it perfectly."
She absentmindedly straightened the white fabric of her dress as her gaze grew vacant.
"I was young, yes—but not that young."
"Then you know how dangerous the world outside is," Audrey shot back, fidgeting with the cushion on her lap.
"Why not wear something more… suited for battle?"
A gentle smile played on Isabella's lips as she shook her head.
How cute.
"You don't need to worry about me, dear. My weapons are different from yours."
Isabella had been pleasantly surprised when she first witnessed the young demigoddess fight in the arena. Audrey's technical skills were still lacking, but they were also improving at a preternatural pace.
"And even if they were to fail me..." she continued, raising her hand.
"I am never helpless. »
Her magic core ignited, and a small flame blossomed above her index finger.
"I wasn't exaggerating when I spoke of my prowess to our devilish friend."
Audrey's eyes glinted with undisguised wonder as she stared at the small demonstration of her magic.
"You still haven't told me how you do that!" she exclaimed. "Ladora didn't either. How come I—"
She stopped, her bright golden hair falling to the side as she tilted her head.
"Did you really just call him devilish?"
"Too much?"
"A little bit."
A quiet snort slipped from Isabella' nose as she peered past the girl occupying her bed, her amethyst gaze following the graceful flock of white dove figures that were drifting before the heavy curtains.
This was fun.
Her head snapped to the side as a familiar knock sounded through her room.
Her expression dimmed as Audrey perked up.
"Who's that?"
"It's one of my siblings," she said, rising to her feet. "They're here to tell me that it's time to leave."
"Already?"
"I'm afraid so."
Isabella closed the distance between them and pulled her friend into a tight embrace.
"It will be alright. If something goes wrong, I promise I'll use the mark… We will see each other again soon."
"I should come with you," Audrey muttered, returning the hug hesitantly.
To Isabella, that moment of hesitation revealed more than words ever could.
Audrey was not accustomed to physical intimacy.
"This is a Great Quest," Audrey continued. "Ladora is expecting too much from you."
Isabella pulled back and met the demigoddess's narrowed eyes with a steady gaze.
"It is only natural," she said, her voice as soothing as she could make it. "He tested you too, did he not?"
"That's not the same!" Audrey forced out, her expression tightening.
"Maybe not," Isabella said, squeezing the other girl's shoulder, "but that no longer matters. I already agreed… and I will prove myself."
Her smile deepened as she pivoted toward the door.
"After this is all over… we will leave this place. Together."
————
Isabella's eyes narrowed as she observed the satyr sneaking through the woods back to camp.
She had been aware of him even before his recent return to fame.
He was the disgraced satyr whose incompetence had doomed the daughter of Zeus.
If rumors were to be believed, he had led her directly into a cyclops lair—and it that had been that same monster that would end up claiming her life.
Isabella's posture straightened as the boy drew nearer.
Investigating him had been a simple task.
Finding out about the lovely dryad he so fancied—even simpler.
After a few carefully placed words, he had found himself unable to face the dangers of a Great Quest without visiting the object of his affection just one last time.
The satyr's brown eyes bulged as they met hers.
"Lady Isabella!" he cried. "I… you… why—"
A well-practiced smile formed on her face as she watched the animal boy stammer for a few seconds longer.
"You're Grover Underwood, yes?" she asked. "The famous satyr who returned to us with the son of the Stormbringer."
"I... yes."
The corners of Grover's mouth lifted shyly.
"That's me."
A dried wooden branch snapped beneath her heel as she stepped forward.
"Where are you going in such a hurry, Grover Underwood?"
The boy's eyes grew cloudy as he gawked up at her.
"I… me… Percy—" He cleared his throat and steadied his posture. "We're going on a quest."
"No."
"… No?" he echoed uncertainly, his voice rising a pitch as she stopped a few feet away from him.
"You will not join the Great Quest," she added, cocking her head to the side—leaving her neck bare.
"In ancient times, quests were given to solitary heroes. Now, they are given to a trio. It's the highest honor our kind can receive.
Her gaze darkened by just a fraction as her voice grew frigid.
"Do you truly think it's appropriate for someone like you to steal such an opportunity from us?"
Grover's shoulders quivered as his eyes darted to to her neck. His nose twitched rapidly as her scent filled the space between them.
"I… I don't know," he stuttered. "Percy asked me to come—"
His voice steadied as he clenched his trembling fists and met her gaze head on.
"I want to help him!"
"Help him?" she repeatedly incredulously. "Is that really something you imagine yourself to be capable of?"
She slowly drew closer, until they were close enough that she could have reached out and touched his shaking form.
"You, who killed your previous charge," she continued. "You, who had to be carried into camp by the very same boy you were meant to protect."
Her voice sank into a breathless whisper as she wrinkled her nose.
"You don't even believe it yourself, do you?"
"You!… I—"
She suppressed the urge to grimace as the satyr's labored breath hit her face.
"You're right," Grover muttered, his head dropping.
"I don't believe it… they all expect too much from me! I… I'm just a cowardly satyr."
His furry knees quivered as he visibly struggled to keep himself standing straight.
"But… I promised—I can't abandon him!"
Isabella's smile softened as she reconsidered the boy standing before her.
What a surprise.
"That is admirable," she admitted, "but you don't need to worry. You will not abandon him."
She took a step back and smiled brightly.
"Because I will join the quest—and I will personally guarantee your friend's safety."
"You will…" Grover whispered, his jaw slackening. "But… you can't! You can't leave camp!"
Isabella's smile froze as she bit down on her tongue.
"Do you doubt my power?"
They satyr's eyes widened as he frantically shook his head.
"No!" he cried. "I… I would never!"
I have given this creature more courtesy than he deserves.
Her divine core pulsed as her vision turned purple at the edges.
"Good," she said. "Because you will now go back to where you came from. You spend the rest of your day with little Juniper, and will have a wonderful time together. You will rest easy, knowing that Percy Jackson is safe under my protection."
The satyr's pupils dilated as he nodded slowly.
"I… yes… that sounds… very nice." The shaking in his shoulders eased as his brow's creased slightly. "There is something else—"
"Go," she cut him off with a faint smile.
Grover nodded rapidly, his gaze briefly dropping to his ridiculously oversized shoes before he turned around and skipped away.
Isabella released a quiet breath as she watched his retreat.
That was the easy part.
——————-
A tight knot formed in her stomach as Thalia's tree grew closer.
Leaving Camp Half-Blood was more daunting than she would like to admit.
Like a caged bird that refused to escape even when freedom was within its grasp, Isabella had not considered running away for a long time.
There had always been so many reasons why.
The fear of a child raised on horror stories about the terrible outside world.
The pitiful desire to make her legendary teacher proud, and the naive hope that her divine mother would eventually come and take her away.
A small smile tugged at her lips as two pairs of distinctive eyes surfaced in her mind.
Crimson red and stormy grey.
Those reasons no longer mattered.
"Lady Isabella! What… what are you doing here?"
Her gaze shifted toward the young man, who had quickly sprang to his feet and was now adjusting his bronze armor.
"Do you need something?" he asked. "You can ask me anything. I'm your man!"
Isabella continued her stride until she reached the top of the hill and calmly assessed the guard before her.
House Ares… this should not take long.
"I do need something," she said, smiling pleasantly. "Thank you for noticing."
A different voice rang out from the side as a heavyset girl stepped out from behind the tree.
"What do you want, Princess?"
A girl… perhaps a little longer.
When Isabella had been a child, she had not understood why girls were so much harder to get along with than boys.
She stifled a snort.
It was difficult to believe she had once been so young.
"I want to leave camp," she said, clasping her hands behind her back. "I will be joining the Great Quest."
The other girl's brown eyes dropped to Isabella's waist, like a moth pulled toward a blazing flame.
"We have strict orders not to let you pass," she said slowly, gulping down the saliva than had accumulated in her mouth. "I'm sorry, my lady."
Isabella's brows drew together as she turned to face the silent warrior of Ares.
"Is that true… Marcellus?" she asked, biting down on her lower lip. "Will you really deny me my wish?"
The man's breath hitched, his eyes snapping wide open.
"You… you know my name?" he breathed. His posture stiffened as he turned on his partner. "We'll let her pass… I'll take responsibility."
"You cannot be serious!" The girl blinked. "Chiron will skin you alive! You know how he gets about her."
Marcellus rested a hand on the pommel of his sword. "Kara…" he said quietly, flexing his muscular arm. "Drop it. Now."
Kara matched his glare as she shook her head.
"It's your funeral."
She turned to Isabella and exhaled sharply.
"You can pass."
She paused as their eyes met.
"Be careful out there, princess."
Isabella's smile warmed as she gave a shallow nod.
"I will."
She walked past the pair of guards and descended Half-Blood Hill with long strides.
Her magic seeped into the ground, hardening the earth beneath her feet into solid stone.
It would not do for her shoes to get dirty this soon into her adventure.
Aside from the old camp van, the country road lay empty.
She approached the driver's seat and opened the door without hesitation.
A dozen blue eyes goggled at her.
The most effective words and phrases she could use to bend the giant to her will formed instantly—turning him into putty in her hands would take no more than a minute.
She forced those thoughts down.
Her fellow demigods might have been deserving of such effort, but this creature was not.
Her voice gained a melodious quality as she smiled at the camp's security guard.
"Good morning, Argus. We're all ready to go. Start driving in exactly one minute."
She shut the door without waiting for a reply that she knew would never come and walked around to the back door.
Ladora Buné's instructions had been clear.
"You're right. That boy is the destined child—the one whose choices will decide the fate of your entire pantheon."
"I am… invested in his continued well-being. And now, I have entrusted you with that responsibility. Don't disappoint me, alright?"
A quiet huff escaped her as she opened the white door.
'Don't disappoint me' he says.
She wondered how long he would manage to keep up that superior attitude.
"G-Man!" Percy called. "What took you—"
The boy's words cut off mid-sentence.
His jaw dropped.
Meanwhile, the blonde girl sitting beside him jerked upright, her hand clenching into small fists.
"Hello, Percy Jackson," Isabella said. "My name is Isabella Barthomeloi."
A bright smile kissed her blood red lips as she met the boy's wide sea-green eyes.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you."