The Traitor {book 1}

5 - Suspected By The General

Heather's POV
It was three hours later, and the General was staring at me with cold, grey eyes. His eyes were grey like stone, whereas Annabeth's were stormy and determined.

"Yes?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as I ended the tension between us.

"Yes? He nearly got away, Jackson!" The General boomed, making the ground shake and my legs turn to jelly.

"Maybe you should pick some where with more security!" I yelled, standing up and looking him hardly in the face.

"No, Heather," he said. "They - he - had information given." I frowned so hard I could vaguely see my eyebrows.

"And you think it was me!? " I asked, and he took a step forward, and I fell to the ground. It was like he'd pushed me, with one loud, earthquake causing footstep.

"Well, Heather. Your playing it smart. I'm immortal, girl, I have more intelligence then you ever will." The General spat wickedly, as I rose unsteadily to my feet.

"I've been servicing you and that Nostril Flaring Freak for months! And your questioning my  loyalty!?" I pointed out, as I glared at him vilely.

"I'm afraid you have a point. But, as I said before, Heather. There is a traitor among us. Speaking of which," he said. "Have you got any ideas?" He asked, with a raised eyebrow and his hands behind his back.

"Not currently," I said, surprised at the subject change. "Have you?"

"Fortunately, yes," he replied. "You see, Thorn has always been envious of my position. He wants to be higher ranked, let's say. He wants to be envied himself, as you heard yourself a mere few hours ago."

"So you think its Thorn?" In my mind, I was thrilled he didn't suspect me. But on the outside, I went along willingly with the General's plans.

"I have a theory. But your cousin, Luke Castellan, too." The General said. He suspects Luke? Man, he's crazy. Crazier than my mind when I was told I had a cyclops for a baby half brother. I've never actually met Tyson, but Percy told me pretty strange series of stories over an Iris Message.

"What makes you think Luke would betray you?" I asked, and he paced the room.

"He seems so sure  of the demigods at Camp Half-blood, a little too sure, in my opinion," he explained. "But, dear Heather, there is another candidate."

"Is there?" I asked and eyebrow raised. I felt so afraid I could fall into Tartarus and make myself look brave and bold. I remembered something Chiron had once told me, two years ago: "Courage is the only strength that can change for some people Heather. I hope you can keep as much as you can with you. After all, your might is what sent you on this mission."  At first, I didn't understand it either.

But now I do. I think it means that I have to stay strong, to not crack the truth open. To be brave.

"Heather, it's a little coincidental  how your brother escaped on your watch. Don't you?" The General asked, eyeing me darkly.

"I - I don't think it is." I managed to say through stutters. The guy sure is quite intimidating.

"And how you've been disappearing once every month?" The General was eyeing me shiftily now, like he knew what I was about to say next.

"I've told you," I said. "I have business. Hasn't Kronos told you?" I lied quickly through gritted teeth.

"Suspicious. Heather, I would hate to think -"

"Well, luckily I'm not." I assured, and he paced in circles around me. I forced myself not to tremble or stutter as he questioned. I denied each one with a bold statement which seemed to annoy him.

But after that pressuring hour of suspecting, he finally gave up.