Disclaimer: I don't own the PJO characters

Chapter Eleven

Annabeth got home half an hour later and immediately went up to her room to check on Jason and Percy. Helen helped her up the stairs, kissed her forehead at the top, and left to prepare for Athena's visit. It made Annabeth's heart drop to her stomach. It wasn't just Annabeth who was flustered every time Athena came over. Both Annabeth's dad and Helen were beyond embarrassed that they couldn't provide for the family on their own and went out of their way to seem worthy in front of Athena.

Annabeth knocked on her door, signalling Percy she was outside. She was lucky her family respected her privacy and didn't enter whenever she was outside. It wasn't customary for genies to be roaming free in the room while their owners weren't with them. Just in case, though, Annabeth had set up a manual alarm system so if anyone turned the doorknob to her room, a bell would ring and alert Percy inside to hide.

She entered the room.

Percy was lounging on her bed. Jason was no where in sight.

Annabeth dropped her crutches by her bed and collapsed into the sheets. She sat up, head supported by her elbows, as Percy watched her. He gave her a small, amused smile.

"How was it with Leo?"

Annabeth frowned. She couldn't tell Percy what Leo told her about the family on his street. "Nothing exciting happened. We just went for some drinks, sat in the park. The boring. On the other hand, Athena is coming tonight for dinner."

"Oh."

"I'm not sure what she wants me to say. What excuse do I give her? I can't walk and that's angered her more than I imagined it would."

Percy cocked his head to the side. His dark strands stuck to her white pillowcase. "What are you afraid of? She's going to come here. She'll scream. She'll slap you then she'll storm out. I can heal you and you can just let the words go from one ear to another."

"It's not that," Annabeth bit her lip. "She wants me to become what she is. I'm afraid that she'll put her foot down and do something drastic like sending me to boarding school. Then I truly won't have a life."

"Oh."

"I have a feeling that day is today."

"Not if you fight back, angel."

"Percy, it's not that easy. She's paying for Bobby and Matthew's education. Our entire house's expenses because dammit, we have so many past debts to pay off my dad can't earn enough for even just himself. Helen can't find a job. It's been too long since she graduated university. Matthew and Bobby are always going around the hospital with asthma or twisted ankles, what not. We need money for medical and someone to look after them. Helen doesn't have time to spare."

Percy fell back on her pillow. He stared at the ceiling. "I don't understand humans. One of the unwritten rules of being a genie is that you fight for what you want. It doesn't matter if it's your mom or not. You take them to ground in blood. Honor is huge among genies. If you lose it, sometimes it's better to die than stay alive."

"In blood?"

He winced. "Well, genies can end up being quite violent."

Annabeth froze. Leo's story flashed in her head. "Violent?"

"We have some traditions. Duelling, more specifically. I've never been in a duelling ring myself but I've watched some from the sidelines. I don't remember specifics but I remember a lot of blood. I think I threw up when I saw a duel for the first time."

Annabeth's breathing went ragged. She buried her face in the sheets and counted down to ten. She imagined Leo's neighbor letting their genie free of their lamp, however they did it, and waking up just to see the genie stabbing their parents. Percy would never do that. Would he?

"When we first met, I insulted you and your capabilities, remember? You told me you could raise buildings with nothing but your mind."

"Huh. Did I? It's true. Genies can do a lot but these Silverbane won't let me raise any buildings any time soon."

Annabeth glanced down at her hands. "And you can kill with your mind too. I'm positive."

Percy turned to look at her. His green eyes were dark in the brightly-lit room. Annabeth hadn't ever noticed how beautiful his eyes were. His eyes were the ocean, lashes dark and long enough to skim the skin underneath. She mentally shut down the thought. God, Annabeth was acting ridiculous.

"I could never hurt you, angel," Percy said finally. "I physically can't ever hurt you even if I wasn't bound by these chains."

"Okay." Annabeth wondered if Leo's neighbor heard the same line from his genie before the genie stormed in killed everyone else at the house. She asked, "How's it going with Jason? Is he sleeping?"

Percy deflated. "Yeah. He's different. Jason is always scared now. The bell on the door rung at some point when you were out. As usual, I dived into my lamp and he did too. It was your dad just grabbing something from your desk. Then when we came out of the lamps, Jason was having a panic attack and I had to calm him down."

"Is it better than yesterday when we first met him?"

Percy hesitated. "No. In some ways, it's worse. I did, though, get a lot of dirt on Frank."

"Good or bad?"

"He has a crush on some girl named Piper. Do you know her?"

Annabeth did a double take. "She's one of my closest friends."

Percy snorted. "Apparently Frank spent an hour trying to find a wish that wouldn't break the rules and get him closer to Piper. It didn't work. Instead, Jason's a little hung up on Piper now. The first girl he had even seen in pictures since he came out out of his lamp and became Frank's genie. Geez."

"Piper hates how arrogant Frank is with his grades. Especially with how he's at the top of the class in calculus. He never shuts up about it."

"Fake grades. He made wishes to get them, remember?"

Annabeth chuckled. "Right. Then again, I made the biology wish so I can't really talk, can I?"

Helen's voice echoed through the door and Annabeth curled into herself. Percy sent her a pitied gaze.

"I have to go," Annabeth said. "I bet Athena just texted Helen telling her she was a few minutes away."

Percy nodded. "I'll get back in my lamp then. Just don't freak out, okay? You won't believe what a small thing this is compared to what genies have to go through sometimes. At least your mom isn't trying to bash your skull on the ground to break it open."

Annabeth tilted her head. "Why haven't you said anything about these genie habits earlier? Might've been nice to have that warning before I followed Luke and lost my legs."

He blushed. "I think it's because I'm starting to trust you more, I can reveal more of the not-so-great side of genies. Besides, did I know you were going to walk straight into a genie lamp?"

Annabeth gave him a wary look. Percy disappeared into his lamp in a swirl of colors, and she draped herself over her crutches and moved to open the door. Ever since Leo warned her in the park, she had been on red alert and the signs were all there. Percy's expression when he told her not to underestimate his magic was murderous and now it was plastered in her head. Or the way he fought back in the other genie's lair. And now, hearing about how genies violently fought out their disagreements?

"Annabeth," Helen called out for her once she was at the bottom of the stairs. "Athena is just outside. She'll be here any second."

"Wonderful. Time to get my head chewed off."

Helen ignored Annabeth, scooping up the tons of legos on the ground from Matthew and Bobby playing earlier. As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Annabeth stiffened, seating herself on the dining table as Frederick came out of some random room to go open the door. Annabeth folded her legs and let her crutches fall to the ground.

Athena didn't look like she had just walked off a flight that same morning. She was wearing a pair of gorgeous gold earrings with her hair pulled back in a neat pony tail. Her dark jeans hugged her long legs and a grey blouse complimented her eyes. It was strange seeing Athena wear anything but black and white. She almost seemed motherly.

"Annabeth," Athena said firmly. "Frederick. Helen. Where are the boys?"

"The boys are out at a friend's place right now," Helen replied. "We have the place to ourselves for a relaxing dinner. Fredrick bought wine just a few hours ago when he heard you were coming over."

Athena pursed her lips. "How awfully kind of you, Helen, to have prepared such a meal. Thank you for the wine, Frederick."

They all pulled out chairs and sat around the dining table. Annabeth didn't move a muscle until Frederick had served her the potatoes and grilled chicken Helen had made for dinner that night. Only then did Annabeth inch forward to stab a potato.

It was coming any second. The look Athena was giving her was terrifyingly calm and it was the worst when Athena was calm. It was the eye of the tornado before all hell broke loose. Any second, Athena would slap her. Any second, there would be screaming. Any second, the tears Annabeth was holding back would come flowing down her cheeks. Any second —

"Annabeth, how're you feeling today?"

"Fine, Mom. I went out with Leo earlier so I'm a little worn out but fine otherwise."

"Your studies?"

"I scored a ninety-one for my History assignment."

Athena steeled her expression.

"For real," Annabeth hurriedly interjected. "I didn't make a wish this time. I learned my lesson the first time around."

"I hear you should be getting better soon," Athena said. "Frederick, the doctor said in about two weeks, the crutches will be gone?"

"Yes. It seems to the doctor that her muscles were temporarily paralysed out of shock," he gave Annabeth a reassuring glance. "Even after crutches, she'll be stumbling around here and there. Annabeth won't do what she did again. No more diving into old museums for architecture research."

"No. No more of that. I promise. I'm… sorry."

Athena waved a hand. "I was livid before, I'll admit. But after I got off the flight, I got an absolutely wonderful opportunity for you, Annabeth. Why don't we get straight to it? One of my partner businesses, Zeus Enterprises, is hosting a luncheon. His daughter is in your grade. Thalia Grace. He's invited me to join the luncheon and hopes that you and Thalia can become good friends."

Annabeth swallowed. "I know Thalia already."

"But not well enough. I want you to be there. There will be many important people there, not just Thalia. I've already checked the date with school events and nothing is clashing. You cannot argue with me."

It wasn't the worst preposition. Annabeth was okay going to this luncheon to keep Athena happy. At least it wasn't boarding school or something crooked like that.

"Another thing," Athena said. "I want you to move in with me."

Oh gods. Annabeth would've picked boarding school instead. She jumped onto a defensive stance immediately. "Mom, I can't do that. Matthew and Bobby are going to be absolutely devastated."

"I am your mother," Athena said, unfazed. She scooped more potatoes onto her plate. "I do what is best for your future whether or not you like it. Annabeth, starting January next year, you are moving into my penthouse. You will go to the same school. It's not like I'm tearing you away from your entire life here."

"It might be for the best," Helen said quietly.

Annabeth swung around to glare at Helen. "How is it for the best?"

"Matthew and Bobby are constant distractions," Helen said. "They're always loud with friends over. Your father and I, let's face it, can't afford a lot. With Athena, you might have a better standard of living. You'll have better focus to achieve your dreams."

"No!" Annabeth cried. "I'm not leaving. This is my home."

"Neither place is your home. You make your home when you're earning your own money and paying for your own place," Athena said. Her voice rose in volume. "I'm not ready to argue. You have another month here. That is final."

Something buzzed, cutting into their conversation. Annabeth's phone was vibrating on the dining table with a familiar name and picture on screen. Annabeth's heart dropped. She stared at the name as if it'd go away if she didn't pick up. The person on the other end rang her again and again. Luke Castellan. No way. No freaking way. She last saw him broken, limping his way into the museum. He had the nerve not to show up to school for an entire month and now he was calling her?

Why now of all times? Right now when Athena is staring her down and Annabeth is still busy trying to digest the fact that she might have to move out in January.

"Luke," Athena said, eyes narrowing at the phone that went on ringing. "Castellan, correct? He's a senior right now who is applying to Stanford. Princeton. Yale. A wonderful contact for the future, really. I heard he was up for valedictorian this year. I have to say, I'm pleasantly surprised that you're close enough to him that he's calling you."

Annabeth's mouth went dry.

"Pick the phone. Networking, Annabeth. You'll realise what a gem it is."

Annabeth glanced at Athena who was watching her closely. She leaned forward, trembling, and picked the phone from the table. Annabeth put it to her ear. She croaked, "Hello?"

aoaoaoaoaoaoao

"We need to talk."

The genie lair. The pain up her legs. Screaming. Percy's entire body glowing. Fire. Running. She couldn't walk. Annabeth didn't think she'd make it out alive.

"It's me, Luke."

The fear Annabeth felt standing in that genie lair, with that genie's rough hands gripping her throat, was returning. She forgot how scared she was then. Hearing Luke's voice was bringing it all back and suddenly she wanted to pass out. Athena was unblinking, tracking Annabeth's every move. Frederick and Helen were both leaning to the conversation, concerned.

"Annabeth?"

"I'm here. Give me a minute," Annabeth stuttered. She bent to grab one crutch on the ground. "Mom, is it okay if I can take this to my room?"

Athena, thank the gods, was still in a good mood. "Of course. I need to discuss your move with Frederick and Helen anyway."

It took Annabeth more than a minute to stumble her way up to her room. She crashed through the door and blindly swung an arm behind her to close it. Annabeth fell in front of her desk and swiped Percy's lamp, rubbing it vigorously. Percy came out good-natured and eating a Hershey's kiss, sitting on the floor, but froze seeing her expression.

Annabeth wiped a line of sweat from her forehead. "Hello?"

"Annabeth."

"Hi, Luke. I haven't seen you in a really long time." Percy leaned in to listen. Goosebumps erupted on Annabeth's neck where she could feel his warm breath.

"Yes. I'm aware the last time was because you were following me all the way back to the museum. Do you know how long it took us to fix the museum? We went through hell to be here and you're going to get the same thing now."

Luke wasn't supposed to know about Annabeth following him. She hadn't seen him since he went in, goddamn, how was Annabeth going to ever know what happened to Luke? Was he a genie, was he a human, Annabeth still had no proper evidence. She knew, though, deep inside that Luke was a genie.

"I heard everything from my friend you attacked in the genie trap," Luke said. His voice was metallic over the receiver.

"What? Your genie friend attacked me."

"I'm not talking about this over the phone, Chase," he said coldly. "I demand that you meet me at the museum immediately. Come alone. My friends and I are closely watching you through your bedroom window so don't try to ask for help from anyone. You will climb out of your window and walk the entire way to the museum. If you don't follow these instructions, my friends will attack. And don't forget that we're all genies who are free and out of our lamps. There is no Silverbane to bound our capabilities with magic. For the first time, I suppose, you humans will learn what a genie can really do."

"What? Luke, I swear I don't know what happened back at the museum. I'm just a regular girl going to high school. I'm nothing special."

"Lies. You knew what you were doing walking into the trap. You started it, and now we have to finish it."

The line went dead.

Annabeth closed her eyes, heart hammering her ribs. Percy was still on the ground with his mouth halfway open. He was close enough to have heard every word Luke uttered.

"He or his friends can't see me right now," Percy whispered. "I'm on the floor. Otherwise he would've mentioned me."

Annabeth opened her eyes, horrified. "You're not actually considering going. I'm calling the authorities. If they can't see you, you can call the authorities for me."

"Annabeth. You don't know what a genie is capable of. I won't be surprised if they're eavesdropping right now. Hell, they probably do know I'm here but neglected to mention me to throw you off your game."

"Then still nothing they should know about…" Annabeth lowered her eyes, pointing at Jason's lamp hidden from plain sight.

Percy pulled out a pen and piece of paper from Annabeth's desk. He scribbled something on it in a hurry and crawled to wear Jason's lamp was underneath Annabeth's bed. Percy slipped the note through the spout of Jason's lamp and retracted. "I'm going into my own lamp. Get a backpack and put me in that."

"Percy, we're not going."

"Do you want to die? Do you want to see Helen and the boys and your dad dead?"

Annabeth blinked away tears.

"Then you get up and climb out that window. They're not bound by Silverbane, angel. To tell you honestly, even I don't know the length to what they can do." Percy picked up his lamp and in seconds, it was clattering on the ground with Percy no where in sight.

Annabeth worked quickly and quietly but she couldn't control the tears falling down her face. This was the end of the road. Luke was clear. The genies were going to finish it. And they were going to do that by killing her. Annabeth was limping straight to her death bed and this time, even Percy wouldn't be able to save her. It was one genie last time and a wish to burn an entire museum to the ground.

She slung her bag over her shoulders and grabbed the single crutch on the ground. The other crutch was still by the dining table downstairs where Helen, Frederick, and Athena were eating dinner.

Fear pulsed through Annabeth's veins. All she wanted to do was help a genie friend who was trapped in their lamp. Where had she gone wrong? What had she found herself in?

Hello all you lovelies xx I finished the chapter early so decided to update before Saturday. I didn't actually end up doing the Rachel thing I wanted to. I put that away for a bit later 'cause I think this way makes more sense chronologically.

I really do hope you liked it. are you guys still finding this story engaging? If not, I seriously have to step it up!

Love all the reviews, favs, and follows! thank you SOOOO much, it's such amazing motivation to keep writing

I'm going to go back to the weekly update schedule now until like February or so ('cause school trip then that's three weeks long so I'll have to break in the updates). I'll try to update every Saturday!

Ami