Demonology (a Percabeth AU)

Are You a Demon?

      "Thalia," Annabeth said, standing over her friend's bed. "I need to talk."

      "Annabeth," Thalia groaned. "It's not even five o'clock. I'll talk later."

    She rolled over to one side and snuggled under her covers. Annabeth sighed and laid down on her own bed. To her surprise, she fell into a deep slumber.

***

"Sleeping Beauty wakes up," Thalia said, smirking as Annabeth yawned and rubbed her eyes.

"What time is it?" Annabeth said as she slowly shifted into a sitting position.

"It's past noon," Thalia said. "Want to get lunch?"

"It's what?" Annabeth said, slithering out of bed. "Oh my gods, I'm going to be late to class. I better get ready. How will I explain this to my professors? They're going to kill me. I'm going to fail all my classes. I don't know — why is that a spider?"

"That got your attention," Thalia said, waving her plush spider in Annabeth's face. "Calm down. It's a Sunday."

"I can't calm down with that in here!" Annabeth said, pointing to the toy spider, and shifted away from it.

Thalia dramatically sighed as she put it away. Annabeth relaxed once it was out of sight. When she was younger, she used to have nightmares of spiders biting her at night. She would wake up screaming and her stepmother would scold her for waking up her half-brothers. She might be in college now, but spiders still scared her.

"Annabeth, you need to eat," Thalia said. "You also needed sleep. I'm giving you fifteen minutes to get ready before we go to the dining hall."

***

Thirty minutes later, Annabeth had changed into a grey jumpsuit and was entering Hestia's Hearth. It was a dining hall known for its offerings of warm, comforting foods. "Mmm, is that enchiladas I smell?" Annabeth asked.

"Enchiladas!" Grover said, harrying past them.

Thalia and Annabeth laughed. They decided on following Grover's example and five minutes later, they were eating enchiladas and sitting in the corner.

"You wanted to talk?" Thalia asked between bites of her enchilada.

Annabeth nodded. The food was warm and the flavors danced in her mouth. It was as comforting as the atmosphere of Hestia's Hearth. Most dining halls resembled school cafeterias, but Hestia's Hearth looked more like a cafe with its plush couches, roaring fireplaces, and natural lighting.

The topic of discussion was less comforting than their surrounding. Annabeth put down her fork. "Are you — are you a demon?"

"What kind of a question is that?" Thalia asked.

"Exactly how it sounds," Annabeth said.

Thalia's blue eyes narrowed. "Just because I like punk music and wearing black doesn't mean I am a demon."

Annabeth nodded, her stomach churning. "I know. I ask because you're so much like Percy — the same recklessness and impulsivity and adaptability. The only difference is that you're more sure of yourself."

Thalia snorted. "I'm no Kelp Head," she said, "and certainly no demon."

Annabeth swallowed. S limo was building in her throat. "But Percy — Percy is."

"I'm not Percy," Thalia said. "You've known me your whole life, Annabeth. You shouldn't have trust issues with me."

"I don't have trust issues," Annabeth said. "Other people just keep betraying my trust."

"Point proven," Thalia muttered.

"Percy lied!" Annabeth said, her voice breaking. "I thought I could trust him. I should've known he wasn't for me because he's a Seaweed Brain, but I never imagined he was a demon. Whatever we had — it was all a lie. He betrayed me."

Thalia placed one hand on her friend's shoulder. "I'm not Percy," she repeated, "but I think I know someone who you should speak to."