The Mark of Athena (Fan-Fiction)

Chapter 23- Percy

Chapter 23

Percy

     Percy wanted to kill Octavian right there and then. The rage ripped through his body like an explosion. He squeezed Annabeth’s hand. He noticed she was shaking all over, her eyes closed, a look of pure hatred on her perfect face. When she opened her eyes, the gray was stormier than usual.

     “We have to finish off Octavian,” Hazel said, pulling out her spatha. “Get ready. We’re going into town.”

     “Couldn’t agree more,” Percy growled. He stomped to his room, took a short shower, and changed his clothes. Click, click. He tapped his fingers on the pen form of Riptide.

     He walked out of his room to see the other six already pumped up to go. Without another word, they walked off the ship. Through the grass, through the alleys… they looked around, but no mortals were out. Gaea must have been keeping the mortals asleep still.

     In front of the Arch of Constantine, a fire was burning. Knees tucked up, head on knees was Reyna. Her purple cloak was wrapped around her like a blanket. Her eyes were red, and a look of loneliness was etched upon her harsh face.

     “Reyna,” Piper suddenly called. She began to rush to the praetor.

     Jason’s mouth was open in shock. “A second ago they were sworn enemies, and now look at them!”

     Piper’s arm was around Reyna, and the praetor was mumbling something. Once she was done talking, Piper nodded, and walked back over.

     “What in the name of Hades was that about?” Leo blurted out.

     “She knows where Octavian is,” Piper answered, walking in the other direction. “Come on!” She began to run through the empty streets.

     Percy’s thoughts were elsewhere. What was that slimeball Octavian thinking? He barely noticed when Hazel in front of him stopped and gasped like something bad was happening. He stopped and was suddenly horrified.

     Octavian had one arm pressing Piper flat against a wall, and the other hand was holding his knife inches in front of her throat. Her eyes were surprisingly calm and just the slightest bit annoyed, like he was just an annoying guy trying to get her autograph.

     “Hello, Piper McLean,” he said, smiling a crude grin. “How have you been doing?”

     She squirmed against his restraining arm. Her calm façade was quickly melting away and now she was vulnerable. Her eyes were so broken it hurt to watch. Her eyes were like she was seeing the worst thing imaginable… Well, Octavian was pretty horrible.

     He touched her face, his hand cupping over her mouth for a few seconds. Her eyes fluttered before she collapsed when he let go. He smirked before running off, leaving the seven demigods alone.

     “Gods, what did he do to her?” Annabeth cried in disbelief. She bent down by Jason, who was holding the unconscious girl.

     Percy’s eyes fell onto a little glass bottle on the ground that was empty. He picked it up and held it up. “He gave her something.”

     Leo’s brown eyes filled with horror. “Is it… poison?” he choked out.

     “No,” Percy answered. He could tell. “I don’t know what it is, exactly. Maybe a potion or something, but I really don’t know.”

     Piper suddenly began to stir, and her eyes opened. With every blink, her eyes changed color. There seemed to be a halo around her glossy hair, and Percy was stunned by her look of beauty for a moment. She was just as beautiful as Aphrodite, but not as beautiful as Annabeth.