His Father's Glory

Chapter 13

All eyes were on me as a wave of murmurs rushed through the hall.

"You have no right to impose like this!" Hera hissed at me.

"And you have no right to force children to fight your battles." I snapped. 

Unease rolled through the room. The guests started to make a path as Percy parted the sea of onlookers. His rage could be felt by everyone in the room. The minor gods began to leave, unwilling to watch the devastation sure to ensue.

"Why won't you leave us alone?" Percy growled. "We fought two wars for you. We died for you! Is that not enough?"

"Son, please," Poseidon tried, moving to clasp Percy's shoulders. Percy stepped back before his father could reach him.

"No, dad. Not right now. She's missing. She's gone and I know you had something to do with it." His glare was fixed on Hera. "What did you do to her? Does she at least know who she is?"

"Something is coming Perseus Jackson.  Something we cannot stop." Hera said, her voice unwavering.

"I don't care! I want her back now!"

"She plays too big of a role, we can't bring her back." She reasoned.

"I will not lift a finger to fight in this war until she is brought home." He spat.

He spun on his heel and walked out of the hall, slamming the door behind him, leaving the twelve Olympians stunned and wearily watching me.

"You should never have touched Annabeth Chase," I said as I let my gaze bore into Hera's. "You people put them through enough already. They are your children, yet you treat them as pawns in a war, and for what? So you won't get your hands dirty? Well, you've done a mighty fine job then because you're hands are free of any particle of dirt whatsoever but they are stained. They are stained red by the blood of your children and family that you decided were expendable."

The silence was deafening.

"This will never happen again," I vowed. "Mark my words. Every camp hosting a child of an immortal is under my protection. If you send so much as one demigod on a quest to bring you coffee, you will be hearing from me. I am not an enemy to you but I could be. They're your children! They aren't as mortal as they could be but mortals all the same. You are gods. Start acting like it. "

I sat in the silence of the throne room for a minute, daring any to oppose me. I doubt that they would.

Zeus knew I could take his throne with a snap of my fingers, quite literally.

Not that I would. I wouldn't be a good king. I have too many other things to worry about.

"One more thing," I said as I drew my sword. "Hermes."

I watched as one of the gods flinched and the rest looked uneasy. My eyes locked on him. He's the one who messed with my sister. I pointed Hell Fire in his direction.

"You and I will be having a chat very soon." 

Hermes gulped as I lowered my sword. I turned around to leave when Hera's voice stopped me.

"Cleo, wait!" She called as I stopped to listen. "I didn't take Annabeth, but I know who did."

"If you didn't take her, then who did?"

"Your father," she said icily. I narrowed my eyes at her, her gaze remaining unwavering.

She was telling the truth.

Well, shit.