Chapter 21: Recruiter

Luke's POV

It had been over a year since my 14th birthday. Annabeth was 10 and I was 15. I was training harder than ever now. Kronos had been invading my dreams more and more lately. His last message told me that I had to recruit two spies to prove my loyalty.

"If Kronos doesn't know about the fact that you're a double agent, then he's obviously not monitoring you constantly. Just bring two more double agents into the picture." Dionysus suggested.

"Like who? Annabeth?" Chiron argued.

"No, I don't want her to get hurt because of me. We could try some of my friends, but she's off limits." I said with authority.

"See, he's even mastered the tone of authority! He's ready to take some control, so let him pick the spies." Dionysus said. "Who do you want to be your fellow double agents?"

"Chris could work. He's mature and I trust him." I decided.

"Okay, that's good. Now you should pick a girl. Kronos has a high sense of respect for women. He's willing to kill them if necessary, but he respects them." Dionysus said.

"How did you know that?" Chiron questioned.

"He might be your father, but I pay attention when people mention him, and I was there for the last part of the Titan War." Dionysus rolled his eyes.

"But the only girl I can think of is Clarisse. And she doesn't really have issues with the Gods, she actually respects her dad even though he's abusive." I said.

"Why don't you pick someone that no one would expect? Someone who's good at acting like they have issues with the Gods, but that no one would expect to hate the Gods." Dionysus suggested.

"An actress? Those are the worst type of girls, they're totally fake. Not necessarily the famous ones, but you know what I meant." I stumbled.

I don't hate literal actresses, just fake girls.

"I get it, actresses can be pretty stupid. Just ask Zeus..." Dionysus trailed off.

If looks could kill, Chiron and I would've killed him.

"Thalia's mom was an actress." I said venomously.

"Um..." Dionysus was at a loss for words.

"Just get off this topic and watch what you say." Chiron advised.

"Anyway, not all actresses are fake. Take Silena from the Aphrodite cabin for example. She only uses her acting skills for good..." Dionysus trailed off again.

"Silena could be our female spy." I suggested.

"Maybe..." Chiron muttered.

An hour later, I was asking Chris to be a double agent, and I explained everything.

"I don't know, what if I do something wrong and Kronos does something to Clarisse?" Chris worried.

"Dionysus said he had a soft spot for women, and besides, he usually likes to punish people directly." I explained.

"I'm not so sure that makes me feel better. But I'll do it if it means that we're preventing another Titan War." Chris agreed.

"Thank you. You just made this a million times easier." I sighed in relief.

"I still think you should at least tell Annabeth." He said.

"I'd rather keep her safe." I answered.

Another hour later, I was trying to get Silena alone, but her siblings were always there. I also noted that Charlie hadn't asked her out yet. I used that to my advantage.

"Do you want to have lunch with me? Alone?" I asked.

"Like a date?" Silena asked curiously.

"Kind of." I answered.

"Sure, why not?" She stared in Charlie's direction with a hurt expression.

A half hour later, we were in Manhattan, at some sandwich shop.

"Judging by the fact that I'm not what's making you nervous, I'm going to guess that this isn't a date." Silena was blunt.

"No, I just needed to talk to you alone. Besides, I..." I was cut off.

"Still love Thalia? I get that. All children of Aphrodite are natural empaths, which means we know what people are feeling, especially if it's love. What did you need me alone for?" Silena asked. "Oh, and I know you'd date Annabeth whenever you get over Thalia, so don't think I read you wrong."

Her bluntness shocked me, but I slowly explained why I needed her alone. She asked more questions than Chris, but she didn't seem overly shocked.

"I guess that explains why you're so nervous and afraid." She said. "I'll do it, but on two conditions."

"What's conditions?" I asked.

"Charlie doesn't get hurt. And for Gods' sake, ask Annabeth on a date already. She desperately wants you to, and you need to move on to at least a small extent with Thalia. If the date doesn't feel right, then fine, but at least try going on a date with Annabeth. She's going nuts over you. Take advantage of the fact that it's her birthday today." Silena seemed exasperated about the second condition.

Oh crap! I forgot that today was her 10th birthday!

"It's fine, just use the date as her gift and say you were busy getting things set up, and she'll never know you forgot." Silena advised.

Annabeth's POV

Luke forgot. He actually forgot my birthday. Even Drew remembered long enough to make fun of the fact that I was only 10 while she was older. My best friend forgot my birthday. I sat in my cabin crying on my bunk when I heard the door open.

"Go away, I'm not going to archery practice." I assumed it was a sibling sent to check on me.

"I wasn't going to make you go to archery practice, I was just going to ask if you wanted to go to the movies tonight. I was hoping that a date could be your present." Luke's voice said.

I turned and saw Luke holding to movie tickets that looked like they were from Apollo's Sunshine Theater.

"You're asking me on a date?" I sniffled.

"Yes. A friend recently told me that I was stupid not to. And I think you deserve it." Luke said.

I hugged him hard. "Thank you."

"Of course." He said.

We went to the theater and were half way through our movie when a good looking teenager appeared next to us.

"So, how's the movie so far?" The teenager asked.

"Do we know you?" Luke questioned.

I wondered the same thing, he looked familiar. He actually looked a lot like Delphi...

"Apollo?!" I asked.

"Shh. I'm incognito, call me Fred." Apollo said.

"Why are you here?" Luke wondered.

"It's my theater, why are you here?" Apollo mocked him.

A teenage girl slapped the back of Apollo's head.

"Knock it off. If Athena hears about this, she'll kill you." She whispered.

She looked familiar too.

"Artemis?" I questioned.

"Yes, now focus on your movie and I'll get rid of him." Artemis said.

And she did get rid of him for the rest of the movie. After the movie was over, Luke and I went back to Camp and he walked me to my cabin.

"Did you have fun?" He asked.

"Best birthday present ever. Did you have fun?" I replied.

"It was fun. Most things are with you." He responded.

I hugged him tightly. "Thanks."

When I released him from my hug, he kissed me. It was just a peck on the lips, but it was still my first kiss.

"Goodnight Annabeth. And Happy Birthday." Luke said as he started walking back to his cabin.

"Goodnight Luke." I muttered.

Thalia's POV

I saw them leave, come back, and at her cabin. It doesn't really bother me that Luke kissed Annabeth and that they went on a date, but what am I going to do if I ever get out of this tree? I guess I'll just have to wait and see.