Forbidden Quests

Chapter 53

Percy

There were no more attacks on the rest of our journey to Antikythera, thanks to Adrian and his men. But I still didn't let down my guard, and I kept a protective arm around Annabeth just in case. I had seen her fall into the water during the last attack, and I think my heart stopped when I didn't see her come up for the longest time. I was so scared, but I was stuck with at least three mermen fighting me, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get to her. I hated that feeling; the feeling of not being able to do anything while the ones you loved were being hurt. I just thanked the gods that Adrian came.

"Lord Percy, we have more warriors coming in as we speak, and war creatures."

I nodded to the merman that had spoken, and he bowed and swam away. I had long ago given up trying to correct the mermen saying "lord" before my name. It wasn't necessary, and I didn't really like to be called that. But they did it anyway, so I just let it go.

More warriors... that was a lot of mermen coming to fight. But they couldn't get above ground, which was a downer. The war creatures were sharks, deadly fish, all those dangerous sea creatures. Even hippocampi were known to fight, but we were going to need those if we wanted to make it to the island without taking a long swim.

The water around me swirled in greens and blues, the greek fire swaying like the smoke in the air it would make if it were above the surface. I was currently in the middle of the camp of mermen warriors underwater. It was in one of Poseidon's old temples, shielded from enemy eyes. But it wasn't nice like the temple Poseidon was living in right now. It was a circular marble plateau with greek columns surrounding it. Mermen had camped up on the edges of the round upraising, and Lord Caspion and I were discussing battle plans.

To be honest, I couldn't stand this. I couldn't stand making battle plans. Partially because it meant that a fight was on its way, and fights mean death and harm to my friends, and partially because I in no way could ever devise a decent plan. Ask the Questers.

So that's why Annabeth was with me, standing in a sphere of air. She was studying papers and maps, her eyebrows scrunching up in a cute little way. I remembered the conversation we had when we were riding the hippocampus. I had almost told her that I thought of her as more than a friend. Then I probably would've gone on to say I loved her and all, what with my mouth having no filter whatsoever! I had finally worked up all that courage, and then Shar and his stupid cronies had to come and disrupt it. But at the same time, I didn't know if that was a bad thing or a good thing. After all, if I had told Annabeth that I was in love with her, and she didn't feel anything in return... well, let's just say if we piled that on top of my little sister, I would pretty much be the most depressed man in Greece.

But I wanted to tell Annabeth. I wanted to so badly. Just like, right now, staring at her breath-taking face and pink lips, I wanted to just grab her and kiss her like mad. Gods, it was tempting.

"Percy, look at this," Annabeth sounded exasperated and confused as she addressed me. I swallowed down my thoughts, forcing my feet to walk over to her. I entered the bubble and stood close to her. If I went a few inches closer, we would be touching. I clenched my jaw and leaned over her shoulders.

"What am I supposed to be looking at?" I asked.

Annabeth rolled her eyes, a small smirk appearing on her face. "If this is where Luke and his men are, why is there nothing on the island?"

I pursed my lips. "Well, we think he might have an underground something."

Annabeth groaned. "That's going to make devising battle plans so much fun." Sarcasm dripped off her words, and I didn't blame her. It was going to be hard, especially with nothing to go off of. But I trusted she would do it.