Shadows and The Sea - The Darkling

Confrontations & New Developments

Aleks' POV

I made my way to the Healer's room where I saw Marie and Genya sitting across from one another but couldn't find the one person I was truly looking for. My steps slowed as I neared the two women and came to a halt in front of them.

The Inferni looked as if she were about to pass out, pale and shaky, but Genya was still. The ginger woman I had seen grow up had a stone cold face but I could see the fright in her eyes.

"Are you both alright?" I asked lowly.

I didn't get a reaction out of Genya but Marie all but jumped up, "Yes, general. The intruder almost...he attacked me but Persephone saved me. I don't know how she did it but she did. I am forever indebted to her."

I saw the sway in her stance and held my arms out to ease her back down onto the medical bed, "I shall let her know of your gratitude. But, please, rest. You have dealt with much today."

The woman took my words and did as suggested. Once she was on the bed I turned my attention to the still quiet woman.

"Genya. Genya, are you alright?"

The tailor's attention finally snapped sharp and she turned to face me, "Yes, general. I am fine. But you need to go to Percy."

"Where is she?"

"I took her back to her room. When she healed Marie...she seemed disturbed by the blood because I couldn't get her to take her eyes off of it until we were out of the room. Her hands were shaking and once we got to her chambers, she walked in and shut the door behind her without a single word."

I took in what was being said and nodded before turning around and walking with only one destination in mind.

When I made it to the double doors, they were indeed shut like Genya described but I knew Persephone was still inside. I rapt the door gently with one knuckle so as to not startle the demigoddess inside. To my surprise, the door simply creaked open.

She wanted someone to check on her.

I pushed the door open slowly and the room was void of any immediate light source but that never bothered me in the slightest. Once all the way in the room, my eyes landed on a figure sitting on the bed. The once worn blue kefta was draped on the vanity and she was now wearing a silver robe that I had seen often on her. However, as I cautiously walked closer, there was no response or acknowledgement of my presence.

The bed sunk under my weight as I sat in front of her still frame and I could see that her eyes were trained downwards. Her legs were pulled to her chest and she was propped up in a sitting position with the copious amount of pillows that were provided.

Remember.

Only people who want to kill me use my full name.

"Percy?" I whispered.

When there was no reaction, I reached across the sheets and brushed my fingers against hers.

A rush of cold spread through me at the contact but the mark on my forearm hummed with a pleasant heat. As the feelings washed through me, it was as if Persephone awoke from a coma and clarity came to her eyes. She looked around as if wondering how she got there until she fixed her gaze on me.

"Aleks?"

"Persephone," I responded, allowing the beautiful woman in front of me to regain her bearings.

She continued to keep my eyes and I felt like I could almost see the gears turning in her head. After a couple of moments, her thoughtful expression morphed into a frantic one and she turned her hands to grip mine tightly.