Chapter 7:

The sick smell of alcohol filled Annabeth's nose, who tried to block it out with her hands, but the ties still restricted them, so it wasn't really efficient. In front of her was the gigantic festival room, filled with approximately fifty drunken lords who were laughing, eating and enjoying. Annabeth felt herself shiver when she saw some of the lords brutally drag some of the young female servants and forced them to kiss them or feed them.

It's at this particular moment King Gabe choose to make his appearance noticed and violently grabbed the Athens's princess by the metallic necklace and, with the help of his bodyguards, pulled her to the middle of the chamber. The protesting sounds of Annabeth and the clanging that her Celestial bronze made while she struggled helped to capture the attention of the High Sires. A triumphant smile was plastered over King Gabe's face.

"My dear friends, my dear friends, tomorrow will mark our successful offensive and our domination over these foolish gods and their weak allies!" Gabe declared, supported by the cheerful approving sounds of the other lords, "And tonight I have the chance of being able to present to you, the dear daughter of Athena, the princess of Athens!" As he pronounced these words, one of the bodyguards took Annabeth by the back of the neck and lifted her of the ground, her feet hanging in the air. Her hands went to the necklace, trying to make her suffer less but the attempts failed. Pain coursed through her entire body, but Annabeth restrained herself from crying out. She shut her eyes, trying to ignore the soreness.

"Look at this! Pathetic, isn't she? I can't wait to see Athena's reaction when she will learn her favourite child was killed by her own soldiers!" mocked Gabe. Laughter erupted in the room. Annabeth felt the floor connect with her skin and knock the air out of her lungs. She heard the sound of glass breaking and sharp cutting sensations spread through her back, scarlet warm liquid going down her sides. A cup of brewage was spilled on her back, making the pain double.

As Annabeth opened her eyes, her gaze met with an angry green sea one. The young woman could recognize Percy's eyes anywhere and what she could distinguish in his brilliant green eyes worried her. She could see all the hate against Gabe through his eyes, looking similar to a violent hurricane at sea. But the blonde teenager send him a pleading look to not try to interfere, knowing he would suffer the same fate if did.

Percy was at the back of the room, four guards restraining him by the arms. He was screaming something but Annabeth couldn't distinguish what he said. His normally peaceful and relaxed features were tense with wrath and worry. Another shock came, hitting her head his time, making her head dizzy. The sounds were confused around her and she was trapped in a tornado of colour and shapes, everything mixed up.

Annabeth tried to push herself up only to be immediately brought down by kicks. The sound of laughter and mocking surrounded her. A painful burning sensation spread through her limbs and she passed out.

When her eyes opened themselves again, Percy and Piper were bent down by her side, Percy slowly making her drink a bit of nectar and eat ambrosia (Annabeth was still too dizzy to wonder where he got it) and Piper taking out, with precaution, the pieces of glass which had entered her skin. The precious golden liquid felt like honey on her tongue and Annabeth could already feel her skin healing and the bruises fading.

"Percy?" weakly asked the still slightly dizzy blond woman.

"I'm here, don't worry, everything is going to be ok, Annabeth, you just need to rest." murmured Percy, lightly grabbing her hand. His captivating green-aquamarine eyes were filled with distress. A worried frown was plastered on his handsome features. He rubbed in circle on the back of her hand, trying to be as comforting as possible.

Then Annabeth heard the sound of shouting and realized King Gabe was ordering Percy and Piper to stay out this. Piper unwillingly started to get up and was violently pushed away, some lord screaming at her to get back to work. Percy, for his part, didn't move the slightest. Annabeth realizing the danger in which the young man was putting himself in if he didn't obey.

"Please, Percy, let me here and go back enjoying the party, I will take care of myself." plead Annabeth as she slowly sat, not wanting Percy to suffer on her account.

"What? You want me to enjoy this stupid celebration while you get bottles smacked on your head!? No you can't ask me to do that Annabeth, I won't do it."

"Do as I say, Seaweed Brain!" ordered firmly the Athens' warrior, a determinate look in her stormy grey eyes, silently pleading for him to leave.

"Yeah, don't worry you little brat, I won't hurt your precious, insignificant Annie, I still need her to be in form for tomorrow! It will be more fun to see her die on a battle field full of monsters!" said King Gabe with a sadistic tone. "So now let her serve my dear allies and get out of my way if you don't want to suffer." Percy slowly started to back up and gave one last worried glare in Annabeth's direction before walking to a corner of the room, as far as possible from the other guests.

Annabeth let out a sigh of relief she didn't notice she was holding. At least Percy was safe for the moment. A platter transporting beers and other kinds of brewage was put in her hands and she was pushed into the celebration chamber, being called from one end of the room to another, beckoned by awful names and spat at.

The evening slowly passed in the same way, regularly some lords sending her bottles or pushing her to the ground. Athena's daughter would stay still until they were done humiliating her. Annabeth was kept busy until King Gabe decided it was enough and ordered her to go back to the slave house with the other servants.

As she enters the tiny room she was supposed to sleep in with Piper, an idea made its way through her mind. 'Why not?'She thought, 'I might die tomorrow.'

She turned around to face her brown haired friend who was getting ready to sleep.

"Piper?" she slowly asked, "do you think you could help me getting into the palace?"

2