A Second Life

22. Cursed By Fate(s)

Percy could tell something was wrong with Ares the moment they left the classroom. For one, his eyes looked as if they were on fire. Percy flinched when he saw the anger raging in them, reminding him too much of Gabe. The difference was that Ares had a scowl and wouldn't look at anyone. His gaze was trained to the floor. He wasn't going to hurt anyone. Percy subconciously rubbed at his arms in an effort to warm himself up, ignoring the chasm of dread eating at his stomach. He would deal with Harry later.

Aphrodite

She had to remind herself that Ares wasn't him. The burning intensity in Ares eyes was so similar to his that she had to stop herself from shrinking back. It's ok. It's fine. It's only Ares.

Ares' aura had changed completely. His aura went from silent and deadly and heavy to completely brooding and mad. He was radiating waves of anger so high she felt the beginnings of madness arise in her. He marched through the crowd of eager students and left. The students had enough common sense to part and let him pass. She watched as he left, desperately hoping he didn't understand the vision.

Percy had noticed it too. He had tentatively reached for his pocket as a battle instinct, and she could see Nico looking warily in Ares' direction. Apollo had been doing the same, but he looked at her in concern. Aphrodite looked away. Apollo was the God of Prophecy and Knowledge for a reason. He was smarter than he let on and she knew it. That's exactly why he had become an Olympian. His power was enough to rival Zeus', if only he was any different. But his domains forced him to change his personality. They couldn't have a sadistic God of Prophecy and Knowledge who would wreak havoc onto the world. He was a masterpiece sculpted by Ananke herself, flawless to a fault.

She forced her feet to move, but she was too late. Apollo had made his way over to her.

"I'm guessing he isn't very happy."

Aphrodite smiled guiltily. "Yeah, I would agree."

"How come?"

She remained silent.

"It's about the incident, isn't it? That whole year-"

"Shut up!" She hissed. "Yes, it was. Mind broadcasting that to the whole world for me?"

"Sorry Sil, I didn't mean to-"

"I don't know why I ever told you in the first place." She snapped. Ares had left her feeling completely mad, and for some reason, him walking away hurt more than him talking to her. It felt like he was disgusted.

"Maybe you told me because you were hurt and bleeding, could barely speak and needed a God of Healing?" Apollo's tone matched hers, except his wasn't mad or angry. His was level and calming. She told herself to knock it off. She had no reason to be mad at Apollo.

"Sorry Sunshine." Her smile was back, and so was her cool-headed self. She was a Queen. She could do this. "Ryle looking into my mind left me a bit jumpy and raw, I didn't mean to snap at you."

"Don't hide from me, Sil."

She raised her hands in surrender. "I'm not hiding anything, darling. I'm just acting how I should."

His gaze softened. "It's alright to be hurting Aph- Silena. You can't keep deluding yourself forever."

"I sure as hell can try."

"Guys, I don't mean to interrupt, but it's lunch time and that fishy Gryffindor is sending weird looks our way, can we just please do this somewhere else?"

Apollo and Aphrodite both looked in the direction Percy was motioning in, but the interruption was enough for her to slip away from the conversation and join the girls ahead.