Rise of the Vampire Queen
Chapter One
The sun glowed in the clear blue sky over Camp Half-Blood. While the birds sailed across the sky, the sun peaked through the window of Annabeth's room. The light trickled up the blanket, finally reaching Annabeth's face, causing her to stir. A yawn escaped her lips as she sat up in her bed. Rubbing her eyes, another yawn followed, but her eyes fell upon her door when she heard someone knocking. Tilting her head, she continued staring at the door.
"Hm, I'm always the first one up," Annabeth said to herself.
Shrugging, Annabeth threw off her covers and made her way over to her door. She could hear many voices as she opened the door. She locked eyes with Jacob, who was a year younger than her and the second in charge of the cabin. He stood there completely dressed, his eyes stern, but they held fear within them.
"What wrong?" Annabeth asked.
"It's Chiron…. he's injured." Jacob replied.
"Let me get dressed."
Closing her door, Annabeth slipped on her clothes in seconds. Tighten her leather boots and leather armor. Annabeth wrapped her belt around her waist. Touching the hilt of her blade, she took a deep breath before opening the door.
Everyone waited in the main room as Annabeth emerged. They were all quiet, as all eyes were on her.
"Let's go," she commanded.
Leading the way, the children of Athena left their cabin. They kept their fear hidden behind their straight faces, for they didn't know what was going on, but they knew they would be ready.
Heading over to the medical tent, Annabeth spotted Grover searching the tents. The moment he turned around, he spotted Annabeth and walked over in her direction.
"Have you seen Percy?" Grover asked.
"No, we just got here." Annabeth replied.
"With Chiron down and Percy missing…" Grover trailed off.
"He can't be missing. I'll help you look," Annabeth said.
Glancing back at Jacob, who nodded, Annabeth ran off with Grover to help search for Percy.
From the cabins, mess hall and training grounds to Big House, arena and armory, Percy was nowhere to be found. They even stopped by the shore, but to no avail. This worried Annabeth and Grover because something was wrong here.
"Grover…" Annabeth said in a worried tone.
"I know," Grover replied.
Before they could say another word, the two of them noticed everyone heading to the amphitheater. Looking at each other, Annabeth and Grover followed everyone into the amphitheater.
Once inside, Annabeth sat near the middle in the seating by Jacob and the others in her cabin while Grover sat down in the front with the other satyr's.
The amphitheater was filled to the brim with a mixture of whispers and talking. The moment Dionysus walked on stage, everyone grew quiet as they looked in his direction.
Holding the microphone in hand, Dionysus' eyes wandered over the crowd of adults, teens, children, nymphs, and satyrs, along with other mythical beings. All were looking at him, waiting for an explanation.
"As you all know, Chiron is injured. He hasn't awakened yet, but we have doubled up on the guards around the camp. We are currently looking into what happened. Dionysus paused. "As of right now, classes and training will go on as normal. That is all for now."
As everyone headed out of the amphitheater, a guard approached Dionysus. Whispering in his ear, he nodded and then laid eyes upon Annabeth and Grover, who were walking up to him.
"Ah, just the two I need to talk to," Dionysus said.
"Oh, what is it?" Grover asked.
"Chiron's awake and he wants to talk to the both of you."
At the medical tent, Dionysus pulled back the sheet as Annabeth and Grover walked in. Laying on his side with his chest wrapped in bandages, a sweating Chiron grunted in pain. While he was immortal, it was still taking a long time for his wound to heal.
His ears perked up when he heard footsteps. He looked up at Annabeth and Grover.
"How are you? "Annabeth asked.
"I've had better days. I suppose you notice by now that Percy is missing," Chiron said.
"Where is he?" Annabeth asked, hesitant in wanting to know the answer.
Chiron sighed. "Taken by an old student who doesn't seem to be herself," Chiron replied.
"Her name?"
"Elizabeth King, a daughter of Dionysus,"
Dionysus' eyes narrowed. That name didn't sound familiar. He thought he knew all the people who came across this camp. Why was she kept from him he wondered? He would have to ask Chiron about that later.
"I let my guard down and before I knew it, Percy stabbed me with a spear in my side." Yet when I looked at his eyes, they were red.
Chiron tried to move, but a hiss of pain escaped his lips as he balled up his first. Annabeth moved to help, but he shook his head as he waited for the pain to pass before talking again.
"The both of you will work with Dionysus on this when I am able. I will join in as well."
Both Annabeth's and Grover's faces lit up as they rose to their feet.
"We understand. Thank you." Grover said.
They moved over to Dionysus, waiting to receive their orders.
"Head back to class. Once I get a few things sorted, I will send for you."
Disappoint, Annabeth and Grover sighed as they nodded and left the tent.
"A daughter, I have many sons, but a daughter that took me by surprise," Dionysus said.
"When Elizabeth came here, she was holding a note. It read that she was your daughter, but not to tell you and please keep her safe." Chiron said.
"Sounds Cryptic," Dionysus paused when a thought came to him. "Ah, so the blessing Zeus gambled away from me in poker was for her."
"Yes, but there is something else I need to tell you."
Before Chiron could say another word, a searing pain ran through the Centaurs body. It got to where Chiron had to bite his lip to keep himself from screaming.
Dionysus jump to his feet. He was about to call for the nurse when Chiron grab his arm squeezing it as the pain continued to torture his body.
"I wasn't supposed to say anything, but I quickly noticed that Elizabeth was not like you other children. Her fascination with blood even coming close to drinking some. I knew then that she was born under your dark alter ego…. Bacchus.
Dionysus eyes widen the moment that name reached his ears, one he never wanted to hear again.
"I'm sorry," Chiron said before gritting his teeth as the pain grew worse.
"Nurse!" Dionysus shouted.
Soon, two medical nymphs ran in and started checking Chiron wraps, noticing the blood seeping from the wound. It didn't take long for Dionysus to be pushed out of the area while they tended to Chiron.
Waiting was never Dionysus strong suit, so he took a deep breath and kept on walking, leaving the tent, for he had a lot of work to do.
Meanwhile, out in a field with the night sky above, a woman with long reddish-brown hair and crimson red eyes walked thought a massive wheat field as the wind brushed across her skin.
A smile crept across her lips as the two people were waiting for her at the end of the field by the house. As she grew closer, her smile remained, for that stood Elizabeth alone with the one she has been waiting for, Percy Jackson.
The woman's smile remained across her lips as she gently touched Elizabeth's cheek.
"You've done well," the woman said.
Elizabeth bowed to the woman, who looked to Percy, whose eyes were as red as hers.
"So, you are Percy. My name is Natalia. I am your queen. Natalia said, brushing her fingers across his cheek. "So, tell me, are you ready to shake things up?
Percy looked right at Natalia as his eyes twinkled.
"Yes, my Queen,"
Laughter echoed through the field, causing every animal of the night to shutter for the fun was about to begin.