Chapter 35
Reyna, Annabeth and Hazel were stripped of their weapons and taken along the corridor following Thamyris
"Greeks and Romans working together" Thamyris mused aloud, his hands clasped behind his back as he walked along in front of them "Wouldn't have been like that back in my day" He chuckled slightly
He turned his head back towards them, Reyna looking into the dark holes where his eyes once were, she wondered if he could actually see her somehow of if he was using his other senses to pinpoint where she was.
"So tell me Praetor Reyna Ramirez Arellano"
She hated the way he said her name, like it was something that he wanted in his possession
"How does it come to be that you are working with the Grecians?" he asked as he turned into a large room, he gestured for the women to go ahead first, a horrid smile crossing his lips
Reyna kept herself composed even though she felt unnerved by being unarmed and surrounded by enemies, separated from half her group, but she held her tongue from demands until she knew more
"We settled our differences" she answered bluntly "And when the world is threatened we work together"
Thamyris exhaled, Reyna could imagine him rolling his eyes, if he had any. He snapped his fingers and the guards dragged the three of them to the awaiting table, it looked out of place within the icy cavern, it was ornate, candles lit upon it. they were sat in the large chairs one on each side of the table as Thamyris took his place at the head of it.
"Very interesting Praetor" he leant towards her "You seem very advanced knowledgably for such a young age, very impressive" he inhaled deeply
Reyna looked towards Annabeth who was gazing between the two of them, her grey eyes slightly wide as she realised the same thing the other two girls, Thamyris was flirting with Reyna
A noise from the corridor had all eyes turning to see a few of the guards walking in with trays, plates of food upon them. Annabeth shot Reyna a look as a plate and goblet was set down in front of each of them, Thamyris sat back and pulled a napkin and placed it across his lap, picking up his fork ad tucking into his meal.
Reyna glanced around the room, they were still out numbered, they had given her a knife for her food but she doubted she could take it without someone noticing, or use it before they would take it from her
"Please eat" Thamyris proposed to the girls
"Where are my comrades?" she countered, not touching her food, Hazel and Annabeth followed suit, both sitting back in their chairs and carefully watching their surroundings
"Let's just enjoy our meal" he suggested, his jaw clenching a little
Reyna crossed her arms "Where are Damien and Markos?" she demanded
Suddenly Thamyris slammed down is cutlery violently "Is it so much to ask for a pleasant meal with some polite company" he exhaled and took a deep breath, calming himself down, patting his napkin to the corners of his mouth delicately
"Forgive my outburst" he smiled towards Reyna "I have been known to lose my temper every now and again"
Silence hung in the air, Thamyris waited for Reyna to speak, waiting for her forgiveness
"THAMYRIS!"
The faun entered through the door, red in the face and looking like he was going to kill everyone in the room himself
"What is it now Marsyas?" Thamyris asked impatiently
The faun came to stand by his chair, glowering at him "You are having dinner with them now?" he demanded "Have you completely lost sight of our goals here, they are trying to stop us, kill them now and be done with this stupid charade"
Thamyris stood slowly, he turned to face Marsyas "It's called good manners, and not that it is any of your business but I have a proposition for these young ladies" he tilted his head slightly as if listening to something "You will still have your revenge, no need to threat, now if you will excuse me" he waved his hand signalling Marsyas that this conversation was over
The faun mumbled something in ancient Greek and stormed off
"You must excuse my acquaintance ladies, he holds no love for the gods or demigods for that matter" Thamyris chuckled darkly, "But he is only here because I allow him to be and won't trouble you as long as I deem it so"
He went back to enjoying his meal but looked up when he realised that none of the others were eating, he gently placed down his knife and fork, clearing his throat
"I find it a little rude that you are refusing to eat the meal I had prepared for you as my guests" he spoke through a tightened jaw, trying to keep his anger to a minimum
"Guests?" Reyna asked "I wouldn't exactly call us guests as we are being kept against our will, surrounded by armed guards"
Thamyris took two long deep breaths, his voice lower this time "Considering the circumstances of our meeting can you blame me for making sure my plan is safe" he sat back in his chair and smiled round at the girls "Have I not made you comfortable ladies, offering you food before our business commences"
"What business?" asked Annabeth "Do you wish to surrender to us?" she folded her arms across her chest, she like Reyna were concerned of where Damien and Markos had been taken to and if they were unharmed
He barked out a cold forced laugh "I didn't catch you name young one but you have fire and I enjoy that in a companion"
Annabeth fell silent, Reyna staring at the blinded man, Hazel looked a little repulsed
"What?"
"My proposition to you, well you three" he gestured around the table "I will let you live if you agree to my term, one of which is to serve me in my new world and kneel before me as my loyal subjects" his words echoed around the hall
"Never" the three said in union
Reyna leant forward "Now you have your answer, tell me what you have done with my comrades" her voice low and full of power
Thamyris's fists clenched on the table