This chapter is rated T (Bad language)

This is where Erocy takes a turn for the worst. I'm sorry, but that relationship wouldn't fit in my plot. Sorry…I hope I can make it up to you guys somehow...

Ink…

Chapter 13: Inside Information

I was looking over some battle plans that Athena had given me when someone knocked on my door. "Enter."

Luke popped his head in. "Uh…hey, Percy."

I swiveled in my chair and steepled my hands. "I've been expecting you."

He blinked.

I laughed. "Nah, I really haven't. I've just always wanted to do that."

He chuckled and shook his head. "No matter what happens, you still manage to be the same, old Percy."

I smirked and shrugged. "Try to, at least. What was it you needed?" I frowned.

Swallowing, Luke played with the hem of his shirt. "I just thought you might like some inside information about Kronos."

I smirked at the unintentional pun. "I'd love to hear anything that could give us an edge."

He nodded slightly and then swallowed again. "I was able to influence him. That's the key thing. I influenced him against taking action against you too soon. I fed his mind with thoughts that you weren't important enough for his notice. I made him feel impatient. It was my influence that caused him to attack Olympus before he was completely ready. I knew that it was my only chance. I had to give you guys an edge."

I blinked and took in everything Luke was saying. "Okay…so you're saying that mind control and possession can go both ways?"

Luke nodded. "You have to keep what is you, close to you. What makes you Percy Jackson? What is your identity? That's the most important thing to know. It's similar to taking a dip in the Styx. You have to be strong in your identity, or you'll just melt away."

I nodded and frowned. "What makes you think that I'm in such a position now?"

Luke shook his head quickly. "I'm not saying any such thing. I'm just giving you something you might need to know."

I smiled and nodded. "Thanks." He didn't leave. I frowned. "Something else?"

He nodded. "I…uh…" He straightened. "I ruined every chance I had with Annabeth." His eyes narrowed. "If she couldn't be my girlfriend, then she damn well will be my little sister. If you mess up and choose another suitor, Perseus Jackson, god or not, I will end you."

I blinked.

After an intense staring contest, anger and determination coming from him, and utter disbelief and amusement coming from me, I started laughing.

My laughing fit subsided, and I got up off my chair. I pulled Luke into a hug and then smiled at him. "Luke, I promise to you, that I will never hurt Annabeth Chase. I will always love her more than my own life." I smiled. "I vow on the Styx, that I will never breakup with Annabeth Chase." Thunder rolled.

I could see the stress in Luke's shoulders disappear. He grinned and nodded. "Thanks."

I chuckled. "No sweat man." I looked at the hated papers. "Athena wants my okay on this shit…it's due tomorrow morning…" I stared at it some more and then gave him a sly grin. "So…wanna sword fight?"

He gave me a grin worthy of a son of Hermes. "Lets."

Meanwhile, POV Change

Apollo walked after Hermes quietly. "You really do love him, don't you?"

Hermes stiffened and then nodded slowly. "I loved him even before Kronos cursed him. I…" Hermes tilted his head down. "I'll steal him away forcibly, if Eros wins this thrice damned contest. Eros cannot get Percy."

Apollo raised an eyebrow. "What do you know that I don't?"

Hermes coughed and then hesitantly faced his brother and best friend. "Eros…he…" Apollo watched Hermes intently. Hermes sighed. "Psyche told me what he did. She didn't fall in love with another man and cheat on him. She fled Eros."

Apollo frowned. "She was known for being a liar. What makes you believe her now?"

Hermes tilted his head and lifted his phone. Apollo looked at the photos. He felt sick. "Are those…scars?"

Hermes nodded. "Eros used to chain her to the bed, so she wouldn't leave in the middle of the night. He was obsessed with the fear that she would leave him."

Apollo blinked and quickly shook his head. "No…no…how?" He took a breath. "He's Love! For Zeus' sake, how can he show her anything but Love?!"

Hermes sighed. "Apollo, the word 'love' is such a vague word at best. Selfish love. True love. Possessive love. Dominant love. Puppy love. Familial love. Unrequited love. Requited love. Passive love. There are so many, and Eros goes through them all in a single relationship. He is Love. That means he has to be every Love. It's a cycle for him."

Apollo froze and counted them. "Familial love: he was intrigued with the rumors about Percy's demigod exploits. Friendly love: he helped Percy find Paris' bow. Unrequited love: he decided to court Percy. Puppy love: he blushed when he saw Percy take off his shirt. True love: he's willing to risk Zeus' anger to fight for Percy's freedom. Requited love: Percy's starting to like Eros' company. Dominant love: he tricked Percy into spending time with him when this war was over. Possessive love: he didn't like anyone mentioning Annabeth." Apollo's voice was getting fainter and fainter with fear and anxiety.

Hermes nodded. "What's left? Selfish love. He will obliterate Percy's freedom and crush his spirit. I cannot let that happen."

Apollo stared at Hermes. "We cannot let that happen."

Hermes nodded. "Percy needs to be warned." They moved quickly only to pause at the sound of laughter.

Turning, they saw Eros. The god of Love was shaking his head slowly. "Tell me, Hermes, why did you think it was wise to say all of that in public?" He chuckled and floated down to the veranda. He laughed. "Psyche is a liar. I never put chains on her." He scoffed. "She only wanted to sensationalize our affair." He smiled at Hermes. "Besides…Percy trusts me."

Hermes clenched his fist and growled. "He trusts me more! I've been through more with him than you ever have!"

Eros smirked. "He won't trust you after Annabeth Chase experiences a small accident with the shoes that you gave her."

Hermes blinked. "I didn't give her any…" His eyes widened. "You BASTARD!"

Eros chuckled. He made a show of checking his watch. "Should be any minute now that she'll take a tragic tumble."