It had never occurred to Thana that she might not be completely human. Now, staring down a griffon, a 4 year old clutching at her shirt, and a baby in her arms, Thana realized there was something her relatives had never told her.

A string of numbers burned above the monster’s head, sequenced 3:02:43. The numbers ticked down, as if it were a timer.

“Hannah…” Abigail whimpered at her side. The flowers weaved into her hair had begun to wilt, something Thana had never seen in the few months she’d known the girl. Flowers always bloomed around her.

The griffon took a step toward them, but it seemed unsure of itself. Why, Thana didn’t know. The children were no threat, and Thana herself could barely walk with the deep gash in her leg from falling on a log as they were running.

Abigail whimpered again. “Someone help Hannah.”

“Stay back.” Thana yelled at the monster. She took a gamble, guessing at what the numbers meant. “If you want to live out the 3 hours you have left, I suggest you turn around and forget you ever saw us.”

To her surprise, the griffon listened. Eyes darting from side to side, it turned and flew away.

One problem solved. Thana sighed. She tried to take a step, but her leg glared with pain and she collapsed. She shifted mid-fall so she wouldn’t hurt Oliver, who had managed to stay asleep throughout the entire encounter.

“Hannah!” Abigail balled her hands into fists around the hem of her shirt and cried. The flowers fell out of her hair, wilted and dead.

Something disturbed the bushes to their left and Thana held out her arm, sheltering Abigail to her side. If it was another monster, or if the one from before had changed its mind, Thana didn’t think she could protect them again.

The bushes rustled again and a young man stepped toward them. He swatted leaves off his baggy jeans and straightened his ball cap. “These woods are on private property.” He stated it like he was reading off a billboard.

“Sorry.” Thana answered, blushing. “It was an emergency.”

The looked at her, then at the two children and his eyes grew wide. “Oh Gods.” He whispered. He glanced back the way he’d come, then back at Thana. “The Academy is just past these trees.”

Academy? Thana gently handed Oliver to Abigail. “Take your brother. It’ll be safe.”

“Hannah.” Abigail sniffled. “What about you?”

Thana shook her head and gestured to her leg. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“No.” Abigail stomped her foot. “Hannah is coming, too.”

The man bit his lip and looked around again. He sighed, then looped his arm under Thana’s, helping her to her feet. “Someone can look at your leg at the Academy. We need to go.”

They limped through the trees, across a grassy field, and into a large brick building. From the outside, it looked like an old factory. But inside, it was clearly a school.

“This is the Major Dorms.” The man explained. “Children of the Twelve room here. Apollo’s clinic is at the end of the hall.” He led them through a glass doorway and Thana recoiled from the smell.

There were five white cots along one wall, each with privacy curtains around them, though none were closed. Along the opposite wall were three doctor’s desks. Two were empty, but the middle desk had a boy seated behind it.

“Zain, we need help.” The man escorting them helped Thana to the chair in front of the middle desk.

“It’s too early, Luke.” Zain pointed to the window. “The sun isn’t in yet.”

“This is serious.” Luke ripped Thana’s pant leg so her cut was exposed. “A little more pressing than a cold.”

Abigail started crying again. “Is Hannah okay.” Her tears must have woken Oliver, because he started crying, too.

Zain came around the desk to look at her leg. “It’s pretty deep.” He murmured. Louder, to the kids, he said. “This is nothing. A little rest and my special medicine and Hannah here will be good as new.”

“Thana.” She corrected him. “It’s Thana.”

Zain paused for a second, confused. Then he wheeled the chair over to one of the beds and helped her transfer. “Just rest for now.” He opened a drawer and pulled out what looked like a flattened lemon square. “Eat this.”

She did as he instructed. The medicine bar was sweet and it warmed her stomach. Almost instantly, the pain in her leg began to fade.

Pink light flared and she looked back at the kids, where a pink and purple flower crown was glowing around Abigail’s head. She and Oliver were still crying, but Luke had a satisfied look on his face.

“What’s that one?” Zain asked.

“Persephone.” Luke stated. “We don’t see many from her. They don’t give off much of a scent, so most can live normal lives and never know who their mom is.”

Thana felt like her stomach had dropped into her intestines. “Don’t talk about that.” She warned, earning confused looks from both boys. “Abigail and Oliver are foster children.”

Zain winced. “That’s rough. Having a mortal parent is pretty important, since we’re rarely understood.”

Mortal? Thana’s head spun. It didn’t help that, at that moment, wisps of silvery vapor started steaming off Oliver. “What--”

“Hades.” Luke chuckled. “They really are siblings, then.”

Abigail’s eyes met Thana’s and something passed between them. She was more than just a guardian to these children, she knew. But she couldn’t place what was drawing her to them. But before she could think about it, Luke put a hand on Abigail’s shoulder.

“I’ll take them to Hestia.” He met Thana’s eyes and gave her a smile. “I’ll get them settled, then I’ll be back.”

“They need to be together.” Thana said quickly, falling into guardian mode. “Oliver’s only 8 months, so he needs to be watched at all times. And Abigail doesn’t like tomatoes. She’ll say she’s allergic, but she’s not. She is allergic to almonds, though.”

Luke nodded. “I’ll tell the cooks.” He led them away and closed the door.

Zain gave her a sympathetic look. “Foster care must have been tough. I couldn’t imagine being responsible for those kids at 15.”

“What?”

Zain blushed, embarrassed. “Sorry. I made a guess. How old are you?”

Thana couldn’t help but laugh. “23.” She confessed. “I’m their social worker.”