Chapter 6

Grover jerked awake sometime after they crossed the Colorado boarder, instantly diving back into the food, eating everything with the wrapper on as he gazed out of the window. Annabeth herself had drifted in and out of consciousness, waking again when Markos pulled into a rough gravel car park, finding a space far from the other cars already there.

He climbed out going straight round to the covered bed of the pick-up, the three followed watching as Markos looked round the car park, apart from a family grabbing a picnic basket and moving towards the trail, once they had gone he unlocked the trunk lifting the cover. The younger Demi-Gods jaws dropped.

"You have an armoury in the back of your truck" Grover's hand involuntarily reached out, a slight smile played on Markos's features as the others admired his collection, Annabeth's eyes landed on a sleek black bow in the corner, her desire not going unnoticed by the Son of Ares who reached for a sword and tucked it into his rucksack before taking a dagger for his belt.

"May I?" Annabeth asked shyly, not taking her eyes from the bow, Markos deliberated for a moment taking in Annabeth's features and the small smile on her lips, and then a strange feeling arose in Markos's chest, one he hadn't felt in many years, he dismissed it immediately

"If it so much as has a scratch on it" he started, but by that point it was in her hands as she pulled the string and ran her fingers along the carbon fibre body. Reaching in the truck Markos pulled out a matching black quiver filled with arrows, he held it out to the enthralled blonde Demi-God who slid her arm in the strap as Markos tightened it.

It was only then that Annabeth realised how close their proximity was, she could see his chest rise and fall as his skilled fingers tightened the straps, every so often they would brush her shoulder. She couldn't help but blush slightly, quickly turning away, thankful that the others were to invested in the armoury to notice her heated cheeks, well all apart from Markos who looked away as well, grabbing the rucksack with all the climbing equipment

They followed the Son of Ares as he led them away from the official trail, heading into the dense trees at a slight incline. Grover had left his crutches in Markos's truck and bounced along, his hooves tapping on the occasional rock.

The trio chattered a little while they walked, Markos remained quiet as he focused on the way, he couldn't help but roll his eyes when they laughed aloud, probably alerting any monster in a 5 mile radius to their position. When he cast a glance over his shoulder to tell them to be quiet, his words stuck in his throat at what he saw, Annabeth's face covered in a broad smile, which made her grey eyes shine.

When she caught him watching he tried to conceal it but it was too late, he dropped his gaze and carried on walking. He had always known that the Daughter of Athena was attractive but he had never seen her smile before, not like this, he had seen her fight and man did she fight, he respected that, but beyond that nothing, seeing her now though, 'no' he thought, condemning the idea instantly. He could never again put himself through that again, so once more he put up his walls and ignored them.

Mid laugh Grover stopped dead inhaling sharply through his nose, his eyes darting around the area, sensing another presence nearby.

"Grover?" Percy noticed the look on his face and reached for his blade "What is it?"

A mighty roar sounded, four huge, ugly hell hounds came crashing through the trees, their strong bodies splintering the bark when they ploughed through them, teeth sharp and going for the Demi-Gods, each of whom were readying their weapons

"STASI!" yelled Markos as he jumped between the black hounds and the trio without hesitation, the beast paused their attack, but still barked and growled not a foot away from Markos, but the larger Demi-God did not flinch. Annabeth watched her hand resting on the arrow cocked in the bow, understanding the Greek words instantly.

"Diamoni" he said forcefully, not breaking eye contact, the growls subsided after a moment, they still had a defensive stance but whatever Markos was saying was working. Annabeth watched as he puffed his chest out and brought himself to his full height, his shoulders tensed.

"Makria" his voice low, almost menacingly "TORA!" he bellowed and the hounds scarpered, disappearing into the trees, Percy and Grover relaxed slightly, Percy turned to check on Annabeth who was stood there staring at Markos, still with his back to them, his posture stiff and hands balled into fists and shaking.

"Annabeth" Percy whispered gently pulling her back slightly, he knew anger when he saw it

"Are you ok?" asked Percy loud enough for Markos to hear, after a few more moments of shaking he took a deep breath, he turned and passed the others without looking at them his eyes dark.

"We're close" he murmured, as he walked he felt the tension across his shoulders the fire in his chest as painful as he remembered, he tried to slow his breathing, he had nearly lost it… nearly, he couldn't afford to give into it.

They made their way to Red Feather Peak, Markos jumped up to the edge peering over, he walked forward about 15 feet before dumping his rucksack and removing the climbing equipment, he then proceeded to knot the ropes and attach the d-links. His movements indicated that he had done this before, he said nothing as he worked.

Percy moved to Annabeth's side "What was that back there?" he asked in a hushed voice glancing over at Markos, feeling the need to keep an eye on him,

Annabeth looked down at her feet kicking a stone with her toe "I'm not sure"

Percy sensed her hesitation "Annabeth" he whispered, knowing that she was holding back something

She just looked him dead in the eye "He's dangerous when he is angry, that's all I know" something twisted in her stomach as she spoke, but she ignored it.

Footsteps signalled Markos's approach "If you two are done gossiping" he started "We have to abseil to the ledge below" his voice was colder than before, contrasting the way he spoke to Annabeth this morning at the gas station, and it didn't go unnoticed by the blonde

He hooked up the two guys easily then turned to Annabeth who did not look him in the eye as he stood before her, her heart thudded unsteady as he then knelt down with the harness carefully she stepped into it as he brought it up to her waist, his hands grazed her legs ever so slightly.

Annabeth tried to focus on anything else but as he straightened their eyes met for only a moment before he dropped his gaze to her waist as he tightened the harness, even through the clothing she could feel the warm of his skin. Markos finished dropping his hands and stepping back. Annabeth didn't know if her heart was beating so fast was because of his anger just now with the hell hounds or the way he looked at her

"Erm… Markos" mumbled Grover his eyes fixed on the trees, Markos scanned finding the hell hounds waiting there silently, eyes glowing dangerously.

"What are they doing?" Percy asked, riptide in his hand once more

"Waiting for their masters command" Markos moved to the ropes "Shall we" he said flatly descending over the edge with a final look at the dormant hounds the three followed suit, leaning over the ledge, over 800 feet below them was a river with clear blue water.

Wordlessly they descended, Markos looked up to check on the others spotting the hounds watching them. Enyo knew they were coming, this was not a good sign and yet if she did not want the Demi-Gods there her hounds would have killed them no matter if he was the cursed Son of Ares or not.