Sons of the Big Three

The Argo II

Disclaimer: I do not own PJO. I don’t own anything.

Nick’s POV

I stood there in shock. I had never seen Annabeth looking this desolate. ‘Percy,’ I whispered, feeling the world spin about, and I nearly fell, if Lucy wasn’t holding me tightly in fear.

Will was gone, replaced by a person who knew nothing. And now Percy was taken by… ‘Did demons take him?’ I asked.

Annabeth nodded. ‘He was there, you know. Mephisto.’

Anger washed over me. ‘Him,’ I echoed with loathing. ‘How?’

Annabeth shook her head in disbelief. ‘I still don’t know what happened. They just appeared through the camp defences, him and four others. Percy, Jason and Desmond tried to fight them, but they overpowered them. Desmond and Jason are being treated by the Apollo campers.’

She choked, and Travis came over, his eyes wide with confusion. ‘Annabeth, we need you to come with us,’ he said seriously, something that I never thought I would see the son of Hermes be. ‘We need to see if the camp defences are still in place, and you and the Hecate campers are the best to have.’

Annabeth stood shakily and the two left. Lucy was trembling around me, and I put my arms around her. ‘What’s happening around here?’

I rubbed her back. ‘Let’s go,’ I told her. ‘We can't do anything here.’

We walked off together, frantic campers still running around. Chiron was mustering the defences, getting sentries and even though he looked calm the air about was filled with nervousness. Of course it was.

Our leader, Percy Jackson, saviour of the world not once but twice, was taken from us again, and this time it wasn’t because of the gods.

I guided Lucy to my cabin and we entered. I sat her down on my bed and went inside to the kitchen, a gift from Annabeth who redesigned the cabins to include other rooms, and made her a mug of tea, which I knew she liked because Will had confided that to me.

She looked up when I pressed the cup into her hands, warming her up. ‘How did you know I liked tea?’ she asked.

I grinned. ‘Trade secret.’ She pouted at me and I couldn’t resist her. ‘Fine. First, you’re English, and I know that you guys love tea.’

‘How-‘

‘Your accent and because Will told me,’ I finished, and she sighed, but we both were thinking about her brother. ‘I hope he gets better,’ I added quietly.

She nodded and took a sip. She looked up in suspicion. ‘How do you know how I like to have my tea?’ she challenged.

I tried to look casual but failed. ‘Will,’ I said quickly. ‘On our trip he was telling me all about you, since he knew that we both had… feelings for each other.’

Lucy smiled. ‘Only feelings?’

My face burned, but I was pleased to see that hers was also colouring. I stepped closer to her and took the mug, placing it on the table somewhere behind me, and took her hands in mine.

‘Nick,’ she breathed, and I could feel my heart racing as I stared into those pale eyes. ‘You do realise there’s a rule about two campers with different parents being by themselves in an empty cabin.’

I moved closer. ‘Damn the rules; in case you haven’t realised, I’m a son of Poseidon, and I don’t go well with rules. That’s what Desmond does.’

We were about to kiss when someone cleared their throat and we spun about quickly, facing the intruder, while I tried to retain my balance. ‘When you two stop making out, Chiron wants us to meet at the Big House,’ Desmond announced.