Annabeth's POV:

I woke to a dimly lit room, on a soft bed, smothered in blankets. My stomach growled–I was so hungry. Where was I? I heard a tutting sound, and whipped around. A girl was looking at me, shaking her head. Strands of her flaming red hair fell out of its braid as she did. She looked at me with piercing stormy gray eyes, like my own. Her eyes were knowing, like someone who lived for a hundred years–for all I know, she might've–Fae are immortal.

"Two days. Mortals are so vulnerable," she said.

As I recalled where I was, and why, I asked, "You knocked me out, didn't you? Why? What am I of use of you? I already have to serve some secret mission for this fae king–" I halted abruptly.

"Don't worry about it," she sounded bored. "I already know about your secret quest from your mother. And I am ready to make a compromise." Her voice turned serious. "The king isn't what he seems. I won't tell you all of it, but he's working towards obtaining all the Doeth stones. Prilea is the most powerful territory now, but when he retrieves it all of them, he will be insuperable. The whole world–including the mortal lands, will be in danger."

My mind strained against all the information. "Okay...I'm not even going to question the validity of your story, because I have one important question: Why me? If you all know of demigods, surely you have heard of Percy, or Jason, or Reyna. They all are way more powerful than me, a better representation of a demigod."

She rolled her eyes. "You don't know, don't you?"

"Know what?" I was really peeved. "I don't know why I am here, where I am, or who you are?"

"I just answered your first question, you are in my humble abode, and I am Ingrid."

"So, can you tell me what I don't know?"

"No, it'll be quite amusing to see you figure it out." she smiled. "But, I will try to best clarify your situation right now. The king wants you to complete missions for him. I want you to complete missions for me. And my missions quite contrast the king's."

Bemused, I inquired, "What makes you think I'll help you? The King or Eralith is requesting my help, and my mother is also involved in that apparently. Why would I help you?"

She sighed. "It's truly difficult to explain. Go on a mission with me, and you'll get some part of the picture. Before you refuse, remember that you are in my home, and you have no idea how to get back to your temporary home near the palace. If you wish to survive, you will do as I say." She went out of the room.

When she left, I racked my head for ways to escape, scanned the room, and tried all the windows, but they were all locked. When she came back, she rolled her eyes.

"You can't escape," she said, though not harshly. "Here, this is fighting gear." she handed me some tight black clothing, made of a strange material–like a mix between leather and silk. "Change."

I picked it up, and examined it. When she was still standing there, I cleared my throat. She gave a great sigh, and left, muttering, "Mortals and their sensitivity".

When I was done, she slapped on a belt around my waste, and handed me a sword. "Here. We'll be leaving now."

My jaw dropped a bit. "Excuse me?" I was indignant. "I was literally unconscious a couple of minutes ago. We are not going to fight right now."

"The world isn't going to wait until you're ready." was all she said. I had no choice but follow.