"So, we're going to New Orleans to stop these people who call themselves 'the Light'?" Ash Annabeth and Hope sat in a private jet, courtesy of Rachel Dare, who had decided to stay behind. 'What would camp be without and oracle?',she told them. He knew she hadn't meant to imply that they were disposable, but it still rubbed him the wrong way. "Yeah, that's the plan; kill the leader, kill the movement." Annabeth frowned when Ash said, 'kill' . He hoped he wasn't dealing with a pacifistic daughter of Athena—a walking paradox. He changed the subject. "Tell me about Percy Jackson." Annabeth's let out an amused laugh."You mean to tell me you don't know the famous hero Percy Jackson? The chosen one? One of the Seven?" He rolled his eyes. "Tell me how you know him Chase. You were really tense when they mentioned him in New Rome." Annabeth's smile quickly fell, and her mouth set into a hard line."He's my boyfriend. We planned to go to college together in the fall. We had a...scare, and he left to 'deal with it'. I guess this is just my way of 'dealing with it '"Ash could tell from the bitterness in her voice that it still hurt. When he touched her hand, she pulled away and quickly said, "Don't worry, I'm focused." They slipped into their comfortable silence until the plane took off. Finally, Annabeth sniffed, then asked, "What did you mean when you said you got into 'a lot of trouble'?" He lied, "Oh you know, I got into a lot of fights, never really excelled in school." She turned uncomfortably in her seat to face him,"Tell me the truth. I know you meant much more than that." Nothing got past this girl. He had to. He had to tell her about Selena. Ash took a deep breath. "Annabeth," he said carefully,"You have to promise that you won't pass judgement until you've heard my entire story. Swear on the River Styx." They both felt the gravity of his words. Annabeth nodded slowly."I do. I, Annabeth Chase, swear not to pass judgment on you until I've heard your entire story. "


"You have to understand, I was so, so angry. Kronos was like a parasite, he loved your my for the Olympians, my mother— it only made him stronger. Soon I wasn't sure If it was me doing these things or Kronos pushing me, speaking into my ear. I'd like to think it wasn't really me, that I was being brainwashed and used. It makes everything so much more palatable."

Ash stopped himself. He couldn't bear to look at Annabeth's reaction. He continued.

"I found this sense of belonging, of feeling needed. And as sick as it was, I'd rather have died than lose it. But everything changed with Selena."

His heart ached just thinking about her , and he hated himself all over task was simple, acquire a spy inside of Camp Half Blood. Selena was a easy target. She was newly heartbroken and angry-she'd just lost her boyfriend.

"Selena fell for me so quickly—she was hurting, and I could always make her forget, at least for a little bit. In a way, I found comfort in her too. She made me...peaceful. Eventually I persuaded her to join our cause,spy for us, and she agreed. It was almost seamless, but I started to see the toll it took on her. She was a beautiful person caught in an ugliness I pulled her into. I should have stopped it I should have—"

Ash's words caught in his throat.

"Towards the end, I could see her loyalty wavering. And I knew Kronos would sense it, and kill her. I told her to run, disappear until it was over."

Ash touched his lips, thinking of the last time he'd seen her. She'd kissed him, and smiled sadly, 'Running's not in my nature,love.'

"I don't know if we were ever really in love, but I do know that I loved her."

He finally looked at Annabeth. She was crying so, so silently. She turned away to look out the window without another word. He didn't tell her that Kronos found out he'd let her get away. He didn't tell her that Kronos had slashed him with his cursed blade as punishment. He didn't tell her about the blood and the horrible pain that lasted for months as he healed. Not knowing if he was alive, but praying for death. It did not matter, it wouldn't change anything. Ash absentmindedly touched unnatural silvery scar that ran from his left shoulder down to his right hip. He deserved it.

He closed his eyes,wanting to vanish.