The sun had barely risen above the pine trees of Camp Half-Blood, casting golden light across the training fields and cabins. The smell of strawberries from the nearby fields mixed with the usual scent of sweat, monster-repelling charms, and burnt marshmallows from last night’s campfire. Another typical morning—until he showed up.

I was sitting on the steps of the Aphrodite cabin, lacing up my boots, when Chiron trotted past with a new kid in tow. Tallish, scruffy dark hair, the kind of grin that already spelled trouble from a mile away. He looked around like the entire camp was his personal playground, and gods, he even walked like he owned the place.

Of course, he made a straight line toward me. Why? Probably because I was sitting still and not already running for the hills.

“You must be Marshall,” he said with that voice—casual, smug, like we were old friends. "Nice boots. Fancy. Figures you'd be the Aphrodite kid."

I looked up slowly, trying to be polite. Emphasis on trying.“Yeah. And you are...?”

“Ahron. Athena cabin. Just got claimed. But I already know where everything is. Sharp mind, you know?”

He winked. Winked.

I gave him a tight-lipped smile and stood up."Well, Ahron, welcome to Camp Half-Blood. Try not to make it your personal war zone, alright?"

He just laughed like I’d told the best joke all week.

Gods. I could already tell: this guy was going to be a pain. Not just because he was cocky and selfish and treated introductions like a stand-up routine, but because something about him made me feel things I wasn’t ready to unpack. And worse—he knew it.

You smirk, clearly enjoying the reaction you’re getting out of me, and take a casual step closer, already invading my personal space like it’s a game.