Ch26
Despite not wanting to admit it, things at her father's place were not as horrible as she thought they would be. Annabeth so far had not had a single fight with her stepmom or father and was actually starting to enjoy the holidays with her dad. She and Magnus had both decided to visit them in San Francisco and for the most part things were ok, well for the most part. She knew that Mangus was going to stay in New York and while a part of her was upset she knew that she made the choice to return to late and apparently Ms. Jackson's new boyfriend got him enrolled in a school over there and he didn't want any tension resulting from him pulling out. Besides, it is for the best she thought.
Magnus had always been the calm voice of reason between her and her family. And while she appreciated it she knew that she had to work on her relationship with her dad and his family by herself and that Magnus can't always be there to calm things down. Speaking of Magnus he has been acting weird lately
She frowned as she saw Magnus enter her father's study and carefully close the door behind him. What is it they are doing? She thought as she looked at the door to the study. Something was off about her cousin and she didn't know what it was, he seemed to be hiding something big, and while she usually respected his privacy the fact that he was confiding it with her dad did not sit well with her.
It wasn't a lot of big things, just a bunch of small things he did such as avoid eye contact with her or avoid certain topics about the quest he did to save her and Artemis Percy must be in on it too, they were both acting weird around me before we headed our separate ways she thought as she let out a sigh as she got up and got her baseball cap and put it on.
She carefully walked towards the door of her father's study and put her ear to the door and could barely make out the voice of her cousin and father. "Its all complicated," Magnus said with a sigh. "Me and Percy aren't allowed to talk about it with anyone."
Percy? So he is in on it. What are they hiding? She thought as she pressed her ear closer to the door. Her mind raced through countless scenarios, what could they be hiding? She recalled that Magnus and Percy met in private with Zeus, could it have something to do with that?
Her father sighed, "I don't understand these affairs but if things are tense I think it would be best to not tell anyone else."
"Yeah I agree, as much as we would like to tell her we cannot besides it will just bring her problems," Magnus said with a sigh. "Percy and I have agreed to keep it between us."
Her? Is he talking about me? And why Percy what does he have to do with all of this? Her fists clenched as she tried to ignore the stinging in her chest. Percy and Magnus were close to her and with Luke doing what he is doing the fact that they are hiding secrets from her hurt her. She felt her blood boil a bit, what are they hiding from me? If it involves me they should tell me directly.
She pressed her ear to the door to hear more but it appeared that the conversation had changed. "Well Magnus I know that you don't have your father around and as your uncle, I would like to talk to you as a son," her father said with a sigh. "I know after all that your body is going through all of these changes now and I think it is best we have this talk now."
Annabeth felt her eyes widen as the anger in her body was replaced by embarrassment. Oh gods no, I am out of here. She quickly walked away from the door as quietly as she good forcing herself not to hear her Dad give her cousin the talk.
When she got to her room she closed the door behind her and took off her cap. She looked around her room, which she had to herself with Magnus staying with her stepbrothers. "What on earth are you hiding Magnus," she mumbled to herself as an idea came to her head. Maybe Thalia can help me.
She quickly went into her bag and took out a golden drachma and headed outside. Her stepmom and brothers were out doing some shopping so she did not have to worry about privacy. She grabbed the garden hose and placed it on the mist setting and turned it on. Once she had enough mist and saw the rainbow she threw the drachma and said, "Oh Iris, goddess of the Rainbow, please accept my offering show me Thalia Grace."
She watched as the drachma disappeared and the image of Thalia in hunter's garb appeared before her resting and sharpening a knife. "Hey Thalia," she said with a smile.
Thalia nearly jumped up but when she saw it was her she just smiled and laughed, "Hey Annabeth caught me by surprise there."
Annabeth smiled at her, "Sorry, how are things in the hunt?"
"Great things are going well Zoe isn't riding my ass as much so I am good," Thalia said as she set down her knife and stretched. "How have you been? Are you and Magnus at home for the holidays?"
"Yeah we are visiting my folks, things are good so far," Annabeth said. "Oh out of curiosity when Magnus and Percy went on that quest how did they do?"
"Um good as usual they did well. Lady Artemis and Zoe view them better than most men," Thalia said as she looked at her knife. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh it's just that Magnus has been acting weird I think he and Percy are keeping something from me. Do you know anything about what they could be hiding?" She asked.
She noticed Thalia avoid her gaze for a minute as if she were thinking about what to say before shaking her head, "Um no I don't know what would be going on between them or what they could be hiding. Maybe its just guy stuff or something, you know how guys are at this age."
Annabeth frowned as he noticed Thalia went back to sharpening her knife as if to avoid her gaze. "Yeah maybe," she said. "Its just that we never had secrets between us before."
Thalia gave her a sympathetic look, "Yeah well sometimes siblings drift, maybe it's a phase and he wants privacy? Who knows maybe he and Percy are dating some girls in secret."
Annabeth felt her blood boil at that thought, why would Percy date anyone? Also who would Magnus go out with?. "Oh sorry Annabeth looks like I have to go now," Thalia said as she got up. "It was nice catching up," she said as she waved goodbye.
"Yeah see you around," Annabeth said with a small smile before the message. "So you are hiding something from me too," she mumbled in frustration as she turned around and went inside.
Maybe I am overthinking this, what if it is just teenage stuff and they are just dating some girls while she would be happy for her cousin to be in a relationship the thought of Percy going out with someone made her want to punch something. Though its not like I care if he or Magnus had dates or anything she thought bitterly as she went back to her room.
Maybe Magnus found an upgrade, he no longer needs you. He will just put you aside just like everyone else. He is growing up now and can take care of himself, besides he has Percy as his friend a sinister voice in her head said. She shook her head and forced those thoughts out of her head. Magnus wouldn't abandon her, they have been through a lot together and he wouldn't just toss her aside. Still, she couldn't help but feel hurt at the idea of her and Magnus drifting apart. No I am probably just imagining things she thought as she shook her head. She sat in her chair and shook her head; she didn't have time for all she knew things were brewing back at Camp.
Magnus was sitting at a table at a nearby bookstore as he was reading one of his books that he had just bought. He was waiting for his orientation to start at Goode Middle School which he would be attending this year. It was near Goode High School which Percy was attending; apparently, Ms. Jackson's boyfriend knew people at the middle school and was able to talk them into letting him attend. He had plans to meet up with his friend before the orientation to talk a bit and later Percy had invited him to hang out with his cousin.
Ms. Jackson's boyfriend helped him get into the school and while he wanted to be with Uncle Frederick and Annabeth in San Francisco by the time Annabeth decided to go with her father Percy and him had already been enrolled and he did not want anything to be awkward between Percy and his potentially new stepfather. Uncle Frederick understood and said he is always welcome at his place which he intended to visit for holidays and the weekend.
He was so focused on his book that he did not hear the sounds of approaching footsteps. "May we join you?" said a familiar voice.
He looked up and saw Blitz and Hearthstone smiling with cups of coffee and pastries from the store café. He sighed and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Sure, though I will be leaving soon I have orientation today." The dwarf and elf had been visiting him and Percy since he came here about a week ago, they were ok.
The dwarf and elf nodded and sat across from him while drinking their coffee. "So how have you been?" Blitz asked
"Oh good just resting and ready for summer," he said as he stretched his arms. "You guys doing anything else besides following me around?"
The dwarf and elf shared an awkward gaze before the elf signed something. Magnus didn't know why but he had a vague idea in his head what he was saying even though it caused him to have a small headache. "You said you guys aren't following me?" The elf smiled and nodded.
"He did, good job kid," Blitz said with a chuckle.
"Thanks but I see you guys every time I am here and when I am out of school; even my friend Percy notices you guys," he said as he watched the dwarf and elf exchange awkward look. "Look I don't mind if you guys follow me just as long as you don't try to hurt me or my friends."
"Hey we don't want to hurt you or your friends," Blitz said quickly while Hearthstone nodded in agreement. "We just want to make sure you are ok and all we just moved here after all too."
Magnus sighed, "Fine I don't mind if you guys talk to me as long as you don't get in my way or hurt my friends. Percy actually thinks you guys are cool." The last time they met he had been with Percy and they got along even though it was awkward at first.
The elf signed something that he pretty sure meant we wont and he just smiled at the guy and nodded. They do seem friendly even though the elf usually keeps a straight face the entire time. I wonder if he could do stuff like the elves in Lord of the Rings? "So what brings you guys to New York?" He asked as he looked at his watch and realized he should be leaving soon.
"Oh you know just checking out the sights," Blitz said as he and his friend ate sipped their coffee and ate their pastries. "Are you going back to camp this summer?"
"Yeah, I'll be heading there soon; probably today after orientation," he said as he realized that he had to meet Percy, "Hey sorry but I got to head off to my orientation now."
"Ah ok well it was nice seeing you Magnus. Oh by chance would you be interested in learning about your father?" The dwarf asked as he got his stuff ready.
"I'm not sure. Maybe another time," he said as he watched them both looked surprised. "See you guys around," he said with a smile as he waved goodbye. The two waved at him as he left the bookstore and headed towards the direction of his school.
The school was not far from the bookstore and he was still pretty early but he figured he would check it out before his orientation started. He looked around the outside of the middle school and saw a few students ready, since he was still early he decided to go and check out the high school to see if Percy was there. When he approached the school he noticed some students and faculty standing around, "I think I'll look around to see if there are any cool places to read," he said as he headed towards the side of the building and was checking out what was around when he heard a voice that he thought he would never hear again.
"So you are here too huh?" Magnus turned around to see the blonde Valkyrie girl Gunilla accompanied by a red haired girl who looked at him as if debating if he were friend or foe.
"Yeah this is my friend's school," he said with a forced smile why are you people following me? "Let me guess you are just passing by too?" He said trying his best to not sound annoyed but sounded more sarcastic than usual.
Gunilla shook her head, "No me and my friend here are patrolling this area. This is my friend Mallory Keen," he said.
"Nice to meet you," the red haired girl extending a hand. She had long red hair and he noticed the pair of knives on her.
"Likewise, I'm Magnus," he said with a sigh. Is this girl Irish or something? She gives off the same vibe as the blonde like I should just run the opposite direction and not look back. "So what brings you guys here?"
"We are looking for monsters in this area," Gunilla said as her friend rolled her eyes.
"Ah ok well I'm attending the place across the street. My friend is attending here," he said as he looked around and saw another red hair girl. She looks familiar where have I seen her before the two locked eyes and stared at each other before she slowly started approaching them. Oh crap Hoover Dam, damn it.
"Hey I know," the girl said as she approached him. "Magnus right and you are Gunilla?"
"Yeah you are Rachel right?" Magnus said trying to remain calm. "What brings you here?" She looks just like this Mallory girl. He looked from Rachel to Mallory, they indeed looked like twins.
"You have good memory for a mortal," Gunilla said with a smile.
Rachel nodded, "Yeah well I don't live in a dam. I live here in New York, is your other friend here too?"
"Well," he said but he was cut off by the sound of another person approaching.
"Hey Magnus how have you been man," said Percy from behind him.
Well this keeps on getting more awkward he thought as he turned around and gave Percy a smile and pointed to the people around him. "Hey Percy you remember Rachel and Gunilla from the dam right?" He said, trying to not sound annoyed.
Percy looked shocked and surprised at the sight of Rachel and then Gunilla and her friend and his face looked like he had just been slapped. "Hey Rachel Dare and Gunilla what brings you both here?"
"Well we live nearby and are patrolling this area," Gunilla said pointing to her friend.
"Yeah and I live here in New York," Rachel said looking at them as if they were about to start fighting each other. "So what are you guys exactly and why are those weird cheerleaders staring at us?"
He and Percy turned around to see two cheerleaders staring and smiling at them as if they were trash. "Awe Kelli it looks like they found us," one of them said with a giggle as they approached them.
"Yeah Tammi foolish demigods now they will be our snacks," Kelli said as their bodies both began to change into something he would describe as a vampire with a metal leg and a donkey leg.
"What the hell are they," Rachel said in shock.
"Greek monsters crap," Gunilla said as she and Mallory took out their weapons.
"Hey Rachel we promise we will explain things later by try to stay close to us," Percy said as he drew Riptide.
Magnus grabbed Gram from his pocket and activated Sigurd's armor. Yo kid nice to see you again, more monsters I see Gram said in his head.
"Not now we need to focus," he said as he activated his sword he noticed Gunilla and Mallory stare at the sword in shock and awe and for a second he swore Gunilla wanted to take it from him again.
"We shouldn't get involved we will protect the mortal," Mallory said as she and Gunilla stood in front of Rachel with their swords drawn.
"Sounds good," Percy said as they ignored Rachel's protests.
"You think you can beat us? Foolish demigods," Tammi said with a laugh as they both lunged at him and Percy.
They are fast he thought as he managed to avoid Kelli's claws. He tried to slash and her but she was quick despite her donkey feet. Percy was trying to fight Tammi but he could tell that he was on edge since they were in public.
Also his mom's boyfriend got him into this school he probably doesn't want trouble on the first day, we should end this fast he looked at his watch and saw that they had about twenty minutes before orientation starts. He scanned the area quickly and found no one else but he did not want to think what mortals would see through the mist.
Kelli attempted to slash at him again and he managed to dodge it and land a hit on her with Gram. Kelli hissed in pain as she glared at him. "This is our school we will eat you all now," she said as she lunged at him. He avoided the attack and managed to stab her again with his sword. He looked over and saw that Percy was holding off the other monster.
He looked over at Gunilla who was guarding Rachel with her friend observing the fight keenly with their weapons drawn. "Kelli take out the others I will handle these two," Tammi hissed as she charged at Percy.
It took a while for him to process what was happening. Kelli lunged at Gunilla while Tammi started attack Percy ferociously. Damn it they are quick he thought as he looked at Gunilla who gave him a nod. She can take care of herself so he charged at Tammi and threw one of the short swords piercing her armor. Tammi shrieked just as a loud sound that sounded like lighting pierced the area. He and Percy looked at say Kelli on the ground with Gunilla pointing her weapon at her.
"Do not underestimate a Valkyrie monster," Gunilla said as electricity vibrated through the area.
Tammi got up, her body shaking just as they heard voices approach them. "Lady Gunilla do you need assistance," said a voice he recognized as belonging to Blitzen. He looked up and saw Blitzen, Hearthstone, along with a tall black guy in a blue military style outfit run towards them with weapons drawn.
"You guys should leave you are outnumbered," He said focusing his power on each word. The monsters stared at him and for a second he feared they would attack. He felt a wave of calm spread through the area. "If you all stay here your defeat will be guaranteed."
Tammi hissed in anger, "We will be back demigods." With that she ran over and quickly grabbed Kelli with the last of her strength and ran off in the opposite direction from the school leaving everyone stunned.
"Wh-Who are you people," Rachel said in shock her face a mixture of terrified and curiosity.
Magnus and Percy exchanged a look before Percy spoke up, "Look we are half-bloods and they are monsters. I promise we will explain everything after orientation ok?" Rachel looked at both of them and then nodded.
"Ok but I will need an explanation," she said seriously.
"Don't worry we will tell you everything," Gunilla said putting her arm on Rachel's shoulder. Then turning to him and Percy, "This is my other colleague Thomas Jefferson Jr. I believe you know Hearthstone and Blitzen already."
"Nice to meet you," Percy said as he capped Riptide.
"Likewise," Thomas Jefferson said with a smile. "Call me TJ, I'll be watching over this place."
"Nice to meet you," he said with a nod as he deactivated Gram and the armor and put them away. "We should get going now orientation will start soon." Everyone nodded as they headed towards the front of the school. He walked next to Percy while Rachel walked a bit behind them, not taking their eyes off of them.
"That was close what will we do now?" Percy whispered to him.
"Just play it cool I guess. We will just take them to the café where we were planning on meeting Annabeth. We at least owe Rachel some kind of explanation; I mean I didn't even notice those monsters did you?" He asked
Percy shook his head, "No I didn't. But yeah we should tell Rachel something. Oh about that Valkyrie girl what do you think she is up to?"
"I honestly have no clue," he said with a sigh. Percy had already met Blitz and Hearthstone a few times when they caught them spying on them hanging out. Percy didn't seem to have a problem with them and thought that they were cool and the dwarf and elf got along with him as well.
He said goodbye to Percy and wished him luck as he ran over to his school just as orientation was about to start. The orientation actually ended a bit early and when it was done he ran into Percy and found Rachel, Mallory, and Gunilla approached them. "So um lets go to somewhere private," he said Rachel and Gunilla nodded and headed out to a nearby café. There weren't a lot of people so they just ordered some drinks and appetizers. He also ordered himself a nice plate of falafel all for himself, he needed it after all that happened this morning.
He sat down next to Percy and across from the three girls. "So who exactly are you people?" Rachel asked.
Percy and him exchanged a look before looking at Gunilla who nodded at them. "We are demigods," Percy said as they both explained the bare minimum to Rachel. Gunilla did not say a word and kept quiet as their drinks and food came and they all started drinking their coffees
When Percy told her the basics Rachel's eyes were wide, "So you are all demigods and Greek monsters are real, I would say you are all crazy but I saw it with my own eyes," she said with a sigh.
"Yeah it is," he said with a small laugh. Technically Norse ones too but I don't want to make her mind explode.
"Hey seaweed brain and Magnus you guys are here early," said a familiar voice behind them. He and Percy turned around to see Annabeth walking up to them with a smile on her face.
"Hey Annabeth come and join us," he said pointing to a spare seat at the table.
For a second she seemed happy with a bright smile as she jogged towards them; however, his cousin upon seeing Gunilla, Mallory, and Rachel her face froze, "Oh I didn't know you both had company," she said coolly looking as if she had just been hit with a bucket of water.
"Yeah it's a long story; come and join us," Percy said as they both felt the atmosphere get tense as Annabeth looked at them as if they had done something wrong.
"Is she a friend of you guys?" Rachel asked cutting through the awkwardness.
"Um yeah she is my cousin," Magnus said as he introduced Annabeth to the three females. Gunilla and Mallory avoided looking at his cousin and only nodded at her while Rachel smiled and waved at Annabeth.
"We have to go," Annabeth said coldly looking at them as if they had just slapped her with a fish.
"But we just got here come and join us," he said pointing to the food and extra chair. "There is falafel," he said trying to encourage her but her face was anything but happy and even the offer of falafel did not make her happier.
"Yeah Percy and Magnus were just telling me about half bloods and the Gods," Rachel said as she smiled at Percy causing him to blush while he felt his own face redden as he avoided her gaze.
"We have to leave now; it is important," Annabeth said coldly.
"Hey Annabeth wait," Percy said as he got up. "You can join us really."
But Annabth's expression was unmoved, "We have to leave now," she said in a low tone while giving them a cold look.
"Sorry girls looks like we have to go," he said with a sigh. Geez what's her problem
"No problem, let me give you guys my number," Rachel said as she took out a marker and wrote her phone number on both of their arms. He noticed Annabeth glare at Rachel as if she were something horrible to them.
"Good luck with you both I hope we can meet each other again," Gunilla said as she extended her hand. He and Percy shook her hand and left the three girls to eat the food and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
AN: Well here we have the next arc. Magnus is growing up and he and Percy have to keep his secret from Annabeth who fears that they are growing apart. Hope you all enjoy it.