After dinner, there was a funeral service. Amy sat beside Willow and watched as Hunter and three other students carried a body wrapped in cloth to a funeral pyre. They set it down and the students stepped back into the crowd. Hunter put a hand on the bundle and faced the gathered assembly.

“Tyler McCaffery, like many of us, never fit in in the outside world. For months, she’d wanted to come here, but there were to many monsters.” She choked back tears and looked away. “I only knew her for a few days, but she was very important to me.” She leaned down and kissed the bundle. “She was brave. I will never forget her.”

One of the boys who had helped carry the girl to the pyre stood. “Tyler, the manticore slayer!” he was joined by other students until the words echoed around them. The pyre was lit and they watched the girl burn to ash.

When the fire finally burned itself out, Hunter turned to the sky. “Hephaestus! Thank you for letting me know your daughter!” She wiped tears from her eyes and walked away.

Amy locked eyes with Caitlyn from across the crowd. Her sister’s eyes were wet and her face was contorted with pain. She’d just lost a half-sister she’d never known about. And now she had to sleep in the same room as that sister’s best friend.

Henry wrapped an arm around Caitlyn and they walked toward one of the dorm buildings, Yale close behind them.

Amy sat still until all the other students were gone. “Does this happen a lot?” She whispered.

Willow must have heard her, because she patted her shoulder. “Recently, the woods have been more dangerous. There are monsters everywhere.”

“But it’s safe here?”

“Yes.” Willow helped Amy to her feet and they headed toward Hestia’s house. “My mom’s magic creates a barrier that keeps them out.”

“It’s safer than where we were living?”

“Probably.” Willow bit her lip. “Three Godchildren living in one place was really dangerous. If you didn’t have the Sight, things could have been bad.” She pointed at Amy’s headband. “No one here will bother you, since that shows you’re an oracle.”

Amy had almost forgotten about Aphrodite’s gift. “How many oracles does this school usually have?”

Willow bit her lip. “Usually, two or three. But they tend to leave when they graduate. Currently, you’re the only one.” She stopped walking and stared at Amy. “And, you’re not just any oracle. You’re eyes show that you’re an Oracle of Delphi.”

Amy resisted the urge to turn away and close her eyes. She’d always been teased for her heterochromia. “And that means?”

“You get prophecies.” Willow stated simply. “The average oracle has something like clairvoyance and can see far off places or a day or two into the future. But an Oracle of Delphi receives prophecies from Apollo, which could mean the difference between life and death on a quest.”

No pressure or anything. Amy thought. Willow led the way to the Hestia dorms and showed her the room they’d be sharing.

“These are your siblings’ schedules.” She said, pointing to the papers on Amy’s new desk. “They start classes tomorrow. You don’t have classes, but Hestia will be teaching you oracle skills. Apollo might show up sometimes, too.” She looked at the clock and sighed. “I wish I could stay, but I’m kind of on an ongoing quest. I need to find--”

Amy didn’t hear what she said next. Her head became fuzzy and her vision went dark. She could feel her lips moving, but she couldn’t hear anything. She was starting to get really freaked out, when it stopped. Her vision returned and she saw Willow staring at her, wide-eyed. “What?”

“You had a prophecy.” Willow grabbed a pen and paper and quickly wrote something down. She stared at it for a while, then nodded. “That must be me.” She muttered.

“What did I say?”

Willow handed her the paper. “I really need to go, but Hestia will explain everything tomorrow.” She ran from the room, leaving Amy alone and confused.

Looking down at the prophecy in her hands, Amy’s stomach twisted.

“Through a monster army walks a child of Death”

The words scared her and she threw the paper onto her desk before reading any more. Exhausted, she flopped onto her bed and fell asleep.