𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀, percy jackson!

𝐗𝐈. waterland? nah, munchkin land

──★ Chapter eleven

Now, Adira hadn't met Ares before, and she was glad, because he seemed to be a huge dick. She thought that he wouldn't be any different from his insufferable kids.

Now, seated across from Adira and Percy, Ares lounged with a casual arrogance that was almost impressive.

The god looked up at the waitress, who was gaping at him, and said, "Are you still here?"

He pointed at her, and she stiffened. She turned as if she'd been spun around, then marched back towards the kitchen.

Ares then turned his attention to Percy and Adira, his eyes glinting with amusement. Adira's irritation flared, but it was Percy who held his gaze the longest. Ares's grin widened. "So you're old Seaweed Brain's kid, huh?" he taunted.

Every other demigod would have been intimidated by the god of war talking to them. But Percy being Percy, snapped back, "What's it to you?"

Adira's eyes widened at his audacity. This was going to be a disaster.

Annabeth's eyes narrowed, flashing Percy a warning. "Percy, this is–"

Ares raised his hand, silencing her.

"S'okay," he said, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "I don't mind a little attitude. Long as you remember who's the boss. You know who I am, little cousin?"

Adira noticed Percy's posture stiffen even further. "You're Clarisse's dad," Percy said. "Ares, god of war."

Ares grinned wider, taking off his shades. Where his eyes should've been, there was only fire, empty sockets glowing with miniature nuclear explosions. "That's right, punk. I heard you broke Clarisse's spear."

"Well, if your kids weren't unbearable assholes, maybe her spear would still be fine. But I guess they take after their dad," Adira said, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips as she looked Ares in the eye.

Ares' eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching. He let out a low, rumbling scoff. "And you're the infamous daughter of Nike? Heard a lot about you from my son. But hey, I don't fight my kids' fights, you know?" he told her.

Adira scrunched her eyebrows in confusion. "Why is your son talking about –"

"What are you here for, Ares?" Percy cut her off, his annoyance evident in the tight set of his jaw, as if he couldn't stand hearing about a certain son of Ares.

Adira turned her head sharply to glare at Percy, her eyes burning with irritation. Without missing a beat, she kicked him in the leg, earning a small grunt from him.

"What I'm here for – I heard you were in town. I got a little proposition for you," Ares continued, his voice dripping with a casual menace as he leaned back.

The waitress returned, balancing heaping trays of food – cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings, and chocolate shakes. Her hands shook slightly as she set the plates down, her eyes darting nervously between Ares and the other demigods.

Ares handed her a few gold drachmas.

She stared at the coins, her brow furrowing in confusion. "But, these aren't..."

Ares pulled out his huge knife and started cleaning his fingernails. "Problem, sweetheart?" Adira's face scrunched up in disgust.

The waitress swallowed, then left with the gold.

Percy's irritation boiled over, his fists clenching at his sides. "You can't do that. You can't just threaten people with a knife."

Ares laughed at him. "Are you kidding? I love this country. Best place since Sparta. Don't you carry a weapon, punk? You should. Dangerous world out there. Which brings me to my proposition. I need you to do me a favor."