Chapter 53-

"Ares threatened you." Odysseus stood in the hallway, watching as she turned towards him.

"It's no big deal." She ran her hand through her hair and made to move towards the throne room. Odysseus blocked her.

"You are hereby under lockdown, Persephone." His gaze didn't change as he stood in front of the doors. "I'm sorry." He was slightly remorseful, but Percy knew he was doing this to keep her safe.

"For how long?" she questioned, crossing her arms and glaring at him. She was still a demigod and those words didn't sit well with her.

"Until Ares is found and questioned." She raised her eyebrow and shook her head. He could tell she was frustrated. "You'll have two guards wherever you are."

"So, do you count as two guards or?" he smirked slightly at her and looked over her head. Percy turned to see Achilles walking towards them with a guarded look upon his face.

"Great!" she replied sarcastically, glaring at him as he stepped to her side. "Both of you at the same time, I'll never be able to go anywhere." She murmured these words to herself, but Achilles heard.

"That's why it's called lockdown, Persephone." She didn't answer, just walked off. Both men were chuckling as she did so. They followed about five feet behind her and Percy sighed, knowing they'd never be distracted from their job.

"All the gods and demigods have been taken to Olympus. Volunteers to search for Ares are asked for."

"Great! Can I volunteer?" she turned towards Odysseus and he shook his head as Achilles snorted.

"You are a queen now, Percy." Achilles shook his head "You are not simply a demigod anymore."

"Maybe that's all I've ever wanted. Just too simply be Percy." She muttered, turning around and continuing down the hallway. "Where's Perseus?" she questioned, louder.

"Here." He came around the corner and stopped directly in front of her "I'd like you to know that I'm not taking orders from you again. As your guard, I will be at your side." She studied him for a moment before relaxing and shrugging her shoulders.

"Okay." She walked off and smirked silently to herself, knowing that two of her guards were staring in shock at the third. She entered her chambers and they came in silently behind her, but Percy slammed the door to her bedroom in their faces.

xxx

"Everybody has left." Perseus's voice came from outside the door and Persephone looked at it tiredly. Standing up she opened the door and peaked her head out.

"Good." She murmured, looking around the room. She was surprised to see that Achilles and Odysseus weren't in sight.

"They're standing guard outside." He seemed to have known what she was thinking and answered her question. "Here." He handed her a sandwich and an apple. "Eat this."

"I'm going to bed." She sighed tiredly and grabbed the apple, but not the sandwich "Please don't let anyone in." he eyed her carefully for a moment before sighing.

"You'll need to eat actual food at some point, Persephone." She took a bite of apple and raised an eyebrow.

"I am eating." And with that, she shut the door with a soft click. She heard him sigh once again and listened to his footsteps through the door. Usually he slept on the couch.

Tossing the apple in the garbage can, she pulled the circlet off her head and looked at herself in the mirror. Dark circles had begun to form under her eyes again. Her eyes had lost their luster and her face overall, looked gaunt.

"What does he want from me?" she whispered, leaning forward and studying her eyes. Her hands where clasped in front of her mouth, knuckles white as she squeezed them tightly together.