Unlikely Heroes

Chapter 71: Love Is In The Air

We trudge back to our car that was parked on a small deserted parking space. It was ideal as it was flanked by the forest and clearly not used in for who knows how long. Zoe led the way towards the car before she stopped and looked with a frown at what she sees.

We all soon look surprised in the direction of the parking lot. My car is still there, that is not the problem. But now there is a limousine parked as well. Not only that, Ares stands close to the door like a guard.

"Hey punks," Ares says with a bored tone and a bit of irritation. He still has a biker look. Sunglasses, black leather jacket, and a similar themed pants. His boots were more of a military theme.

"Gotten more powerful, Aileen. Probably be a good sparring partner now," Ares mused as he looks me over. His gaze eventually goes over the others. My friends look tense, and who can blame them. The last time was not exactly a friendly meeting. Their hands reach for their weapons.

Ares snaps his fingers and everyone's weapons but mine drop to the ground. "At ease, this is a friendly visit. As much as I like to behead some of you, I wouldn't do it in front of a lady," Ares says.

"Why do I get to keep my weapon?" I ask the man.

"It is disrespectful to disarm a fellow God or Goddess. Don't get any ideas, I won't hesitate to kill you," he says with a shrug and then sees Thalia.

"Well, well, the Daughter of Zeus has come back to us. Not hanging out with the right people, I see," he says and points to Percy. He rolls his eyes in annoyance, but knows better than to retort. I mean, one curse is more than enough.

"Percy is good company, Lord Ares. What is it thy want from us," Zoe says as she stares at him. It causes Ares to raise an eyebrow. Even Percy looks touched as he glances at her.

"This is a rare sight. The prickly Zoe Nightshade defending a boy. My Lady wants to see you, Percy, and Aileen. The rest best scramble into that car of yours," Ares says.

The three of us look confused as we share a glance. I know who is in the car, but I have no idea why she would want to meet me. She said it herself, I am boring. Well, in any case, I rather not leave her waiting before she tempers with my love life. Ares opens the door and ushered us in. We do as commanded.

I was the first to enter, and I am met by a stunning person. Aphrodite is an utterly beautiful woman. I can even say that she is almost reaching the beauty of Annabeth. And that is a feat in itself. Many of her feature are an imperfect representation of Annabeth. Golden hair, a slightly tanned skin, and features that women would die for. Still, Annabeth remains my number one.

Aphrodite's gaze goes to me as these thoughts went through my head. I'm not entirely sure what her expression means, but a bit of amusement, anger, and, I think, amazement goes through it. The mixed expression turns to a more pleased and more happy expression as my friends gasp in shock. Their breath is stuck in their throat as they seem to almost forget to breath.

"M-my l-lady," Zoe mutters in Greek. It seems she completely forgot how to speak in English. Percy seems unable to form any words at all. Curiously, I find Aphrodite easy to understand and not hard to penetrate. She is devoted to love and beauty, that is what is most prominent in her. It probably is her reason for hating her husband.

"Ah, there you are, dears. I am Aphrodite," she says while greeting us. Her eyes look with delight at Percy and Zoe. It is as if Aphrodite sees something of great interest in them. After she looks them over, she turns to look at me.

"Aileen, my dear Aileen. You. Are. Bo-ring," she says as if it is a tragedy. "At least you have love within you. And most importantly!" Her gaze goes to Zoe, a smile on her lips. It makes Zoe and Percy sweat a bit even. "Made this girl see reason!"

"Uhm... R-reason?" Zoe stutters out. "Do you know what you'll find at the end of this little trip, little dove?" Aphrodite asks the poor girl.

"Lady Artemis..." Zoe answers. I guess she can only manage to speak in Greek. Aphrodite tisked as she rolls her eyes.

"Oh, dear, still stubborn. And you, Percy?"

"S-saving Artemis and Annabeth..." he says softly as an answer. He seems very much flustered, just like Zoe. I wonder who Aphrodite looks like in their eyes. Her appearance is probably different for each of us.

"Dear, oh, dear. Blind. Why are the three of you on this quest?"

"We told you, Lady Artemis..." I say as an answer, but Aphrodite swats the answer away like an irritating fly.

"Talk about a hopeless case. Artemis is utterly boring. Athena is even more exciting. Can you believe that?" She says as if that is a horrible comparison. "I will have a lovely surprise waiting for you. Make it a very dramatic, Percy dear. I love drama," she says to him.

"You too, dear Hunter. I can't wait! Oooh, the last time was with Troy that such a spectacle will happen! That was such a good time!"

"Didn't that cause war?" Percy asks hesitantly. Aphrodite merely shrugs. "Details, details. Nobody likes to focus on the details that do not matter, dear. Ah, you kids have always the best love stories... Anguish, indecision, not knowing how the other feels. It's so cute, I am going to cry!" She practically squeals out.

Zoe and Percy practically look horrified at the thought. "Please, don't my lady!" Zoe says to lift Aphrodite up, even making hand gestures. Percy does the same as he nods in agreement.

"Don't worry, doves!" She says while smiling at them. I am not sure if I like the smile. "I am not making it boring for you two. It won't be that easy for both of you! Plenty of surprises will be laid out for you two! Oh, just wait and see!"

Percy and Zoe share a confused glance. They do not know what to think about this. And I can't say I blame them. I rather not get my love story paved out by Aphrodite. She very much enjoys a drama, it seems.

"Now, off you go! Oh, and do watch out when you reach the dam!" She says.

The flustered Zoe and Percy exit with confusion on their faces. I follow them, but hear some words from Aphrodite before I do. "Aileen, dear, I was indeed feasting on your love. It is not often I witness pure love between two persons. Get that lady of yours, dear. I appreciate a tragic love story, but not always," she says and winks at me.

"Nothing will get in my way, Lady Aphrodite. No one takes my lady and gets away with it."

"Splendid! Bye, bye!" She says and waves me out of the car. Ares watches us leave with a mix of irritation and anger. I am guessing he still hasn't forgiven us for our little fight at the beach. At the moment, I stand with two slightly dazed persons just outside the limousine. Ares roughly pushed us away from the entrance.

"You punks are lucky. Better be grateful," he says to us. Percy looks at him in confusion, not getting what he means. Zoe walks away towards the car with a deep frown on her face. It seems she is not hearing any of it. For now, I stayed with Percy. Ares shouldn't kill him while I stand next to him.

"For what?" Percy asks.

"That we are so nice to the likes of you. If it was up to me, it would be different," he says.

"You know Ares, even with or without us, war would have come. It has already begun. Holding a grudge against us will only shorten the war," I say to him. Ares narrows his eyes as he looks at me. It seems he was not entirely sure why I would mention it to him. Or seems to not have thought about it.

"Too smart for your own good. The boy will feel my wrath. One does not go against me without suffering the consequences," he says and snaps his fingers. In a whirlwind of red, the limousine and Ares disappear from our sight.