Chapter 42-

"Well, that's out." Persephone was the first to speak. Luke and her had made it back to Camp Half-blood and where now walking on the beach. Persephone had already called her father and begged him to meet here there, but she wasn't sure if he was coming.

"Now all we have to deal with is your father." Luke answered, nodding to himself uncomfortably. Persephone thought for a moment as the waves began to still.

"Maybe you should leave and let me handle this." She mentioned. Luke immediately thought it was a great idea, as Poseidon was very protective.

"Okay. I'll be in the arena." He walked away and Percy watched him go for a second before turning back to the sea. Jumping a bit in surprise when she saw her father standing there.

"Persephone, you wanted to talk?" he questioned. Percy nodded and stepped closer. The two walked down the beach for a moment as Percy gathered her thoughts.

"Today at the council, Artemis let something slip that I really need to talk to you about." She mentioned. Poseidon motioned for her to continue. "A few days ago, after you disowned me," she paused as his breath hitched "I started dating Luke." To say Poseidon was surprised was an understatement. Even the waves paused as he stood looking at her.

"Why didn't you tell me this before now?" his voice was accusing and Percy winced.

"I was scared. With everything in my life so overboard and the gods watching me every second, I was scared that it would become another one of Olympus's t.v. shows or something."

"I understand, but next time please tell me." He's still a bit in shock and Persephone's not sure if more is coming.

"Okay." She found herself nodding in agreement as they continued walking down the beach.

"While we're speaking on such honest terms, I'd like to talk to you about the quest." This was another conversation Persephone didn't want to have.

"I've already told you why. I don't have any other explanation right now." She knew that her answer had not satisfied her father, but she also knew she couldn't explain it to him in a way he'd understand.

"Just be safe." He stated after a moment. Persephone nodded softly and Poseidon sighed, almost in relief. "Come, Amphitrite has decided that we'll be staying at your house until we leave since it's more homely." He reached out to take her arm to flash away, but Persephone shifted away.

"I've got to tell Luke where I'm going." She stated "I'll be right back." She took off down the beach, slipping a little once she hit the dry sand. A dune separated camp from the beach and she leapt over it gracefully and continued her jog down a well-worn path to the arena. Surprisingly, Luke was the only one there.

"Hey!" she called happily. He had been fighting one of the dummies, but when she ran in he had set down his sword and begun walking over to her.

"How'd it go?" he looked around, as if expecting to be attacked.

"It went fine, I think he's more worried about me going on a quest than anything else." She rolled her eyes and Luke nodded.

"Makes sense. You leaving?" he asked, Persephone nodded in answer and hugged him.

"I'll invite you over and we can hang out before I leave." She stated, Luke smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Okay. Stay safe." He had a darkness in his eyes that Percy couldn't place, but she didn't ask.

"I will." She pauses to watch him. He's hiding something. "Hey, do you need to say something?" It took a moment for Luke to answer, and he walked several feet away, expecting her to follow. She did, of course, and soon they were deep into the woods. It kind of reminded Persephone of the time he tried to kill her, but she didn't mention it to him.

"Have you been having nightmares lately?" he finally asked, turning towards her. Persephone shrugged.

"Just the regular ones." She didn't mention that that morning she'd had a bad one. Luke must have seen her expression though.

"What are they about?" he stepped forward worriedly, but she stepped away, thinking back to the ones she'd had the last few weeks.

"First war and Tartarus." She answered vaguely. Suddenly, arms wrapped around her. Luke rested his head on hers as she gripped him tightly.

"You shouldn't be going on this quest." He whispered. Persephone jumped slightly, but shook her head, leaning into him and resting her head on his shoulder.

"I have to go." She muttered. Luke pushed her away from him, holding her by the arms and looking into her eyes.

"Why? You don't even know the quest yet." He shook his head like he was disappointed. A hellhound howled somewhere and both jumped.

"This is why." She muttered after her heart had settled. Luke shook his head, confused.

"I don't want someone else having to go through this." She looked up at him, her eyes pleading.

"Don't do this." He begged her, his eyes held fear and Persephone knew somehow that it was her death he feared.

"Have you been having nightmares?" she questioned. H glared at her, knowing she was going off topic.

"Yes," he paused to run his fingers through his hair "Mostly about Kronos and the first war." He didn't seem thrilled to be telling her this. Percy thought about his words for a moment, leaning against the tree across from him.

"I think Kronos is trying to scare us." She paused to look at him, but looked down as he spoke.

"He wants us to believe that he's more powerful. In truth he has more that he can use against us in the dreams, but he's at the same level of power as before." Persephone wasn't so sure about this, Kronos had seemed pretty powerful when she'd seen him last, but she didn't mention it.

"Yes." She agreed uncertainly and Luke heard it. He tilted his head slightly, watching her for a moment.

"He likes to blow himself up to be more than he is. Don't worry too much about it, okay?" he reached out to hug her and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I'll see you soon." She whispered. She pulled back to see Luke smile as he nodded. He stopped back, still smiling.

"See you soon. Stay safe." He pointed accusingly at her before running back the way they had come, leaving Persephone alone in the forest. She knew where she was. She only had to take about twenty steps and she'd be on the beach where she had left her father.

"Are you ready now?" he questioned, grinning slightly. Persephone nodded her head as he took her arm.