-Addie-

No, no, no, no, no! This could not be happening! The same fear crept into me, the voice in my head reminding me of my past failures. I will take everyone you have or will ever love, it echoed. The pain in my head escalated. I had to protect Percy, not just because I was told, but because I wanted to.

I ran down the tunnel, back the way we had come. Something invisible was dragging Percy. The light in the tunnel was so dim, I could just make out his sneakers in front of us. Annabeth and I ran after him, our weapons out, ready to take down the monster. I ran faster, pushing myself to the breaking point. I had to calm down. I had to control myself. I took a deep breath, and with a simple flick of my wrist, a rock wall closed the hallway. Percy's body stopped, the thing dragging it blocked by the new stone wall. Wait, it was things.

The two shadow-like figures that were dragging Percy ran into the rock wall, and I threw one of my daggers at the one on the left. It plunged through the air, spinning tip over handle towards the being. The dagger hit it near the top, pinning it to the rock behind it. A high pitched wail echoed down the corridor, and the shadows morphed into a more corporal version. The one I hit turned to ash, as was expected. My daggers were a blend of celestial bronze and imperial gold, a gift from Athena a few hundred years back. Those things could kill just about anything and had really good, fighting worthy features, which is why I favored them so much.

"Is that what I think it is?" Annabeth asked hesitantly. "Is that a Kobalos?"

I nodded my head, summoning my dagger back to my hand. They were connected with the bracelets on my wrists, so I could recall them at will. The companion shadow, the one I had not killed yet, still had its grip on Percy. His head was resting against his chest, his body slack against the Kobalos. The Kobalos was colored a mixture of grey and black, like smoke condensed into a body. It reminded me of the carton drawings of dwarves; however, this being was just as tall as I was. Red eyes glowed with merriment back towards us, the only thing that really let me know where it was. It blended into the darkness so well; I could only really see it when it moved. It giggled at me, and I could swear it was smiling sinisterly at us.

"Let go of the demigod, and I'll kill you quickly," I threatened. It shook its head, another high pitched squeal coming out of its mouth.

"I'm not here for the demigod; I'm here to give you a message! A message from Gaia!"

I looked at it in surprise, wondering what in the world the earth goddess could want from me. It continued grinning evilly in my direction, and as it adjusted its grip on Percy, I took advantage. A rock shot out of the ground, hitting the Kobalos in the head. The rock began shifting, bringing Percy back towards Annabeth and me. Annabeth caught him and started to check his vital signs. I looked down at her quickly, and she gave me a quick nod. I knew Percy was alive, but I hoped he was not hurt badly. The last thing we needed was for him to have a concussion or something like that. We still had a long way to go before we got to the doors, and I'm sure it was going to be just as tough on the other side as well. That was something they would have to accomplish on their own, though.

"Ooo, she was right! Such talent! But that is to be expected from a bloodline such as yours!"

From the corner of my eye, I saw Annabeth steal a glance at me. I could not speak about my family, and I knew they wondered. Everyone who met me who did not already know my story wondered. Sure, most of the Olympians had an idea of what really happened, but most of that was marred by gossip. That is why I stayed hidden from the world, so the mortals and demigods would not question me about something I would never be able to answer. I glared at the creature, and it clapped its hands in delight.

"My Lady says that she wishes for your cooperation, as an ally. She has interesting news, something that has been kept from you for a long time!"

"Like what?" I snapped sarcastically. I actually rolled my eyes on this one. This was the thing that I hated most about immortals. They could not die, so they just played their games and tricks, trying to either embarrass someone or something or to get more information for their own entertainment. They were all so damn petty! Well, some were better than others, but most were all the same. Especially the ones who had never been mortal at one point, they were the worst. I figured this was just another trick she was trying to pull. Well, I sure as hell was not going to fall for it.

"Would you not like to know the real reason you are cursed?" the creature replied knowingly.

"I know the real reason I am cursed," I seethed. "I do not need the goddess to reiterate that particular tale." I took a step closer, my daggers throwing light upon the creature's face.

"She said you would say that! She said if you want proof, you should ask Apollo why it is the whole council that has control over you, not just Ares and his Roman aspect, Mars."

I blanched, fury whipping through my body. I slashed at the creature, but before my dagger hit the Kobalos, it vanished once again, arctic air rushing past me. I turned, and I felt my heart drop. Was it going to try and hurt Percy or Annabeth?

I let out the breath I did not realize I was holding. Annabeth and Percy were fine, the tunnel once again quiet and stiflingly hot. Annabeth had Percy propped up against her, gently stroking his hair.

"Is Percy okay?"

"I think so. It looks like they just knocked him out. I'd feel better if you took a look at him, though," she suggested.

I nodded my head and knelt down to get Percy. I pulled Percy's arm over my shoulder, supporting his weight. Annabeth stood up beside me and grabbed his other arm. Together we carried him, and I could feel the soft beat of his heart through my body.

"We need to get to a safe place, and I know of one just ahead. I can take a look at him, and we can rest up a little before traveling again. I do not like the fact that Gaia knew where to send the Kobalos. I was worried we would not be able to avoid her down here."

Annabeth shook her head, and I could see her mother's look in her eyes. It was their thinking look, the look they got trying to solve a problem. It was very curious how the gods were not people exactly, but their mannerisms and expressions, which were very human, showed up in their children. Even Percy had an easy temper, just like his father. Being around them as long as I have, you pick up on little things like that. It is very strange to know someone for thousands of years, just to see a child look and do things exactly like them. It is even more offsetting when it is despite the fact that their children do not see them more than a few times in their lifetime.

We walked in silence, but it gave me time to concentrate and think. I knew exactly where we were going to go. It was similar to the little alcove like I had found yesterday, and I knew I could protect and hide us from the inside of it. I felt safer surrounded by rock, I always had.

While we carried Percy along, I gazed at Annabeth for just a second, admiring her strength and loyalty. I knew Athena was fiercely proud of her and wanted to help her succeed and live. Despite what the demigods think, the gods actually do love their children, all of them. They might not watch out for them as they should, but with a whole world and cosmos to watch, I cannot say that I blame them. They had a duty as gods first and then came the relationships. Most of them did the best that they could while following the rules.

"Addie, what did Gaia mean about a curse? Why would she have information about that?"

Thoughts raced around in my head. One, I wanted to tell them what had happened. Not only because I hated the lies and hidden things in my life, but I wanted to warn them of what exactly the gods were capable of doing. Two, I wanted to know what Gaia meant by that. I considered Apollo a friend, and a deep ache rocked through my heart. What if they had been keeping something hidden from me?

"The gods and the other immortals like to stir up trouble. They've been interfering with the lives of others for millennia, simply for their own amusement. I doubt she has anything. She is simply trying to build her forces," I said. I wanted to believe my own words. I was trying to believe them.

She looked a little frightened of me, and despair encased my heart. I never wanted anyone to look at me like that, and I hated it when they did.

"Please, do not be frightened of me, Annabeth. I promise you in the name of Zeus I am here to help you. That is all I want, and I will do anything to convince you of it."

"Then tell me why you are cursed, Addie. What did you do to offend them?"

Emptiness engulfed me, and I felt my eyes burn. I had not cried in a very, very long time. Why did the tears threaten now? This was essential to protect them. I had to open up. I had to be honest with them.

"I did nothing. That is why I am cursed."

A/N: So, in the next few chapters you will get to find out exactly why Addie is cursed! Any theories as to why? Also, why would Gaia want Addie as an ally? Let me know what you think! I will update at least once more today! :)