Chapter 2

~Val's P.O.V~

We had just gotten home all our homework done and out of the way. Seraphina and Mark were who knows where doing who knows what, while Phoenix and I were in our living room playing with Gaia's new wolf pups.

"I challenge you to a horseback riding race!" Phoenix pipes up after a while. A smirk creeps its way to my lips.

"You're on!" I exclaim jumping to my feet, trying not to step on any of the pups, kits, or cubs. Being the daughters of Mother Nature, we have pets of almost all kinds. My personal favorites are the wolf pups, but I make sure not to let the others know that. As Phoenix and I reach the stables, I could hear my horse, Sugar, getting restless. I smile to myself as we make our way to our horses stalls. Sugar was a beautiful appaloosa mare, with gleaming brown eyes. Phoenix's horse, Arrow, was a stallion with a shining auburn coat with a black mane and tail. When he ran, I got the image of an arrow being fired, which is probably why Phoenix named him Arrow. Once they were all saddled up, we led them out of the stables, got up onto the saddles, and rode up to the beach where we always have our races, only to find it was occupied already by, surprise, Seraphina and Mark. Phoenix and I groan in frustration getting their attention. They pull away from their-erm, "little" makeout session.

"Oh! You guys are taking the horses out!" Seraphina exclaims, shock flashing in her pale sky blue eyes.

"We were going to race them, but it seems our race track is in use," Phoenix sighed. Mark blushes slightly.

"Sorry, we can go somewhere else if you want," he says looking from me to Phoenix.

"No. We were here first, they can go race somewhere else." Seraphina mutters shooting daggers at us through her blue gaze. Phoenix pouts, but doesn't argue. Instead she turns to me with a bright smile.

"I found a forest trail I've been meaning to scope out. We can go there and leave these two to their...business," Phoenix says encouragingly, my lavender eyes light up with excitement.

"Sounds great! Let's go!" I exclaim turning Sugar and trotting off followed by Arrow and Phoenix.

"I'll come next time!" Seraphina calls after us. I just roll my eyes as Sugar brings us closer to the forest. I slow her down to a walk, allowing Phoenix to pull ahead. She looks at me with a sly smile, before urging Arrow on into the heavily wooded area. I indicate for Sugar to follow her inside. As we get deeper into it, we hear a stick snap causing us to come to a halt.

"Who's there?" I call out into the trees as a man with blonde hair, blue eyes, and small wings on the heels of his shoes appeared.

"Hello, my name is Hermes. I am the God of messengers. I have a message for Valentina, Phoenix, and Seraphina, daughters of Gaia," Hermes says bowing as he introduces himself. Phoenix and I exchange a look before responding.

"From whom?" I ask as Hermes shifts slightly.

"From Hades ma'am." he replies, "He's asked for your presence immediately." I look at my sister confused.

"Um, alright. Let us go fetch Seraphina and we will head out." I mumble giving Sugar's neck a pat.

"Good luck." Hermes says turning on his heel and leaves. I take a deep breath and look at Phoenix before leading Sugar back home.