A/N: Sorry about the wait! Please review and tell me what you think of this chapter! Also, tell me whether Jason should choose Piper or Reyna :)

X - PIPER

"PIPER!"

I jerked awake. Annabeth had been gone so long that I'd fallen asleep.

"PIP-"

The next shout was cut off by a deafening scream. I knew immediately that it was Annabeth.

I jumped to my feet. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out Kaptoptris.

I tiptoed towards the tunnel. What I saw made me gasp in horror.

Annabeth was attempting to fight two Empousae. Her face was strained and blood dribbled down her cheek.

I sprinted towards them as fast as I could, but it was too late.

One of the Empousai tackled Annabeth to the floor, knocking her dagger out of her hand. The other bent down and locked her lips around Annabeth's throat.

There was a loud squelching noise as the Empousae began to suck her blood.

Annabeth sagged to the floor, the colour draining out of her face. Her breaths were becoming wheezes, and her body sagged against the floor.

My heart raced. I had to do something – anything. Annabeth had been a good friend to me. I couldn't stand there and watch her die.

The Empousae sucked harder. Annabeth's face was as white as snow now, and her eyes glazed over.

I felt sick. Annabeth was dying right before my eyes.

Then, I had an idea.

If my plan went wrong, Annabeth would die for sure. But, if it worked, Annabeth would be saved.

I held Kaptoptris up high, and then launched it at the Empousai.

I held my breath as it soured through the air. But, to my immense relief, it collided with the Empousae who was feeding off Annabeth.

The Empousae vanished into gold dust.

I ran to Annabeth. She was gasping and spluttering, shaking with fear.

"It's okay, it's okay," I whispered.

I pulled some Ambrosia from my pocket and gave it to Annabeth, hoping that it would seal the cut on her neck. Leaving Annabeth to regain her colour, I turned around.

The other Empousae hobbled towards me. "Oh no you don't!" I shouted. I picked up my dagger off the floor and held it in front of me.

The Empousae recoiled.

"Tell me what's going to happen to Jason."

The Empousae shook her head, her mouth firmly closed.

I darted towards her and dug my dagger into her neck.

"Fine, I'll tell you!" The Empousae stuttered desperately. "Soup….hut…"

Soup? I thought. What does she mean?

I looked up, ready to ask more questions. However, the Empousae had disappeared while I was distracted.

Normally I would chase after it, but I needed to check that Annabeth was alright.

I bent down next to her. She still looked shocked.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Annabeth tried to smile, but her eyes didn't light up like they normally did. The gash on her neck had almost disappeared. "I'm fine," she lied, wiping the blood off her cheek, "what did the Empousae say?"

"I don't know," I replied. "Something about soup and a hut."

"What?" Annabeth jumped to her feet. "That's awful!"

Now it was my turn to look shocked. "Why?"

"Remember what I told you about Phaidra? About her making soup out of her son?" Annabeth asked. I nodded. "Well, I bet she's going to make soup out of Jason and Leo!"

I gasped, my face falling.

"What are we going to do?" I whispered.

"We have to go to the hut. We have to find Jason and Leo and stop Phaidra before it's too late."

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please review! Don't forget to tell me whether Jason should date Piper or Reyna :)