@Chapter 1@

A bump in the road woke me up. Groaning, I sat up. I opened my eyes to see I was still on the bus to school. We were heading back from a field trip at Swan Lake. And as soon as we got home, Christmas vacation was going to start. I turned to find Michaela fast asleep. I wouldn't  dare  steal her Ipod. The truth was, I was more afraid of Michaela then Maddie (but don't tell Maddie that).

The bus was full of 7th graders like us (not demigods). I looked at the front of the bus, where Mrs. Venner was sitting. She saw me looking at her, and turned and smiled at me, but the smile was more smug than nice. And for a second, her hazel eyes turned blood red, than back to hazel. "Michaela!" I said, shaking her awake, "Michaela! Wake up!"

"Tori?" Maddie asked, rubbing her eyes, "What's wrong?"

"Wha?" Michaela asked, groggily.

"Something is wrong with Mrs. Venner." I whispered, hoping she couldn't hear us.

Mrs. Venner stood up, with a crazy smile on her face. Just then, the bus started to spin. Everyone screamed, then the bus rolled in the ditch.

"Is everyone ok?!" Michaela screamed, when the bus was still. I looked at her, and saw a big cut on her forehead, and she was pale as a ghost. Mrs. Venner grabbed a small girl, who was screaming, and jumped out the broken door. "Madison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" 3 girls shouted, as they jumped out. Maddie raised her foot, and kicked out a half broken window. She jumped out, and Michaela and I followed.

When I saw Mrs. Venner, I was shocked. Her dark brown hair was now live flames, her hazel eyes blood red, and her skin was as white as a vampire's butt.

I grabbed my sword, a signal to my friends to grab their weapons. Michaela raised her bow. Maddie was ready with her sword.

"Michaela, Maddie, " I said, "I think we have an Empousa on our hands."