Alternatively

To Be Human (vi.)

The next morning, she discovered a new want, and that was the want to stay in bed all day. She didn't want to see Percy, to feel whatever that was, to deal with the pressures of what she needed to become once more. She was paranoid that the king would appear again to tell her of the mistake she was making, of the harm she was doing, but his absence was a welcome relief.

Besides, she was already berating herself enough for two.

The end began on a dreary day, one that was just like any other. She and Grover were patrolling the halls as she tested the strength of her charms on the mage's spells, and she was receiving mixed results. The creatures were just as annoyed with her attempts, glaring whenever she passed, but they were used to her presence by this point. Some of the mermaids deemed her worthy enough to nod stiffly, and one of the centaurs managed to mime a joke from his tapestry. They all were startled by footsteps racing down the hall, a whispered yell carrying her name through the hall.

"Why are you-"

"I finished it," Percy skidded to a stop before them, eyes bright. "I'm finally done, oh my-"

She waved his exclamation aside. "Where is it?"

He pulled a small vial from his pocket, a purple liquid sloshing against the glass. "This shit cost me some memories, but don't ask how I extracted them because oh, man, I wouldn't want to relive that."

"Percy, you genius," she took the elixir, feeling it's warmth. "Okay, just let me get-"

"Congratulations!"

Her blood froze in her veins as she watched the king and his mage approach, staring into smiling golden eyes.

"Such an elixir takes great talent to make," the king said, hands clasped amicably before him. "There might just be a place for you here."

Percy inched to stand before her. "How did you-"

"The how's and why's aren't important, please, continue with what you were about to do."

Annabeth frowned as Grover quietly faded to stand behind the king and Luke. She knew he had to inform his master, knew it was beyond his control, yet she couldn't help but feel betrayed. She thought she would have more time.

"Percy, I'm going to have to insist you continue," the king's face slipped into careful neutrality. "I wouldn't want anything dreadful to befall the lady, but I can't ensure that if she remains so vulnerable."

She gripped the vial tightly, looking between the two men before her. Luke was poised ever so nicely, ready to strike at his king's command. She saw no bonds of servitude on his wrists, no remorse in his eyes; him, she would not forgive.

"Well, go on. Let's see what you're made of."

They flinched and fire flashed through the ice in her blood. He orders them like they're under his rule, he invades their moments as though they belong to him. She did not belong to anyone, she did not bow to mortals.

"Annabeth-"

"You dare threaten me," she pushed past Percy's arm. "Threaten what is mine, you foolish man."

The king inclined his head, and Luke threw his spell. She merely stumbled, continuing to stalk forward with Percy's cry of outrage distant in her ear.

"How-"

"You think I am not prepared," she smiled coldly, the charm under her dress absorbing the blow. "There have always been beasts like you, and you have always fallen."

"My lady," he opened his arms. "I thought you to be smarter than this."

Still grinning, she slapped him across the face, leaping back as Luke tried to grab her in the king's stead. "I am not your lady."