Chapter 12

Markos sat on the edge of the mountain cliff, the wide open space helped him to remain calm. From his position he could just about see the camp, he took a deep breath wincing slightly, the wounds on his chest still caused him pain but it was starting to dull, the healers had refused to continue with the work on his chest, not that Markos really cared, the scars would remain, he was used to scars, both physically and mentally.

Markos closed his eyes once more until the pain faded, he could not lose it, Chiron had said this was his last chance. Markos had nowhere else to go, he leaned back against the small boulder, he opened his eyes to look at the blue sky as his mind drifted. All he could see were those grey eyes, the eyes that invaded his dreams, ever since the road trip he had seen Annabeth in a different light and when she had cauterised his wounds he had seen sorrow and worry in her beautiful eyes. She had even brought him out of his curse, she had fear in her eyes but also strength that made her not only beautiful but extraordinary, like nothing he'd ever known.

"Markos?"

He spun around obviously taken by surprise by the sudden appearance of another in his secluded spot, his heartbeat quickened when he saw the Daughter of Athena standing there,

"Annabeth" he greeted weakly he watched her face, she seemed nervous "Are you okay?" he asked

She half smiled "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

Markos shifted so he was sitting upright as Annabeth took a seated position beside him looking out over the view below, their arms brushing against one another's slightly, a heat rising in Markos's chest, he didn't know if it was due to the pain or just the proximity of the beautiful blonde

"So how are you?" she asked, her gaze flickered to his torso hoping it would go unnoticed, it didn't

"I am alive thanks to you Annabeth, without you I would have died in that forest" without thinking Markos placed a hand on top of Annabeth's as they fiddled with a stray thread on her jeans, he just wanted to comfort her, she was obviously having a hard time with what she had to do in order to keep him alive.

Annabeth's heart skipped at the warmth and strength that spread from where their skin touched, she studied his hand for a moment. The pale lines of numerous scars that lined his skin, slowly unsure of her actions she laced her fingers through his, feeling his callous fingers from years of training and living out in the woods.

They sat there for a moment saying nothing, Markos looked down at the younger Demi-God, a thousand thoughts rushed through his mind but memories of his past still haunted him. He couldn't get close to anyone again, it was too dangerous, he pulled his hand away from hers and stood moving so his back was to her.

Annabeth looked up confused her body feeling cold from the lack of contact

"What's wrong?" she asked quietly standing herself, moving towards him

When he didn't answer she placed a hand on his shoulder pulling him around to face her, but still he avoided her gaze, how could he explain what he had done, so he just changed the subject instead

"Why are you here?"

Taken aback slightly she replied "I came to see how you were, if you were healing well" she took a step towards him, too close, but he couldn't let history repeat itself, his mind flashing back, back to that day when his life got ripped from him, he could not do that to Annabeth, so he did what he had always done and he pushed those close to him away

"I'm fine" he snapped "Camp Half-Blood is saved, I want to be left alone Annabeth… the way it was before" Markos wouldn't look in her eyes, he couldn't bring himself to

She didn't understand why he was acting this way "Markos…" she began

"Annabeth" Markos cut in "Please leave me in peace" he forced his voice to be cold, Annabeth took a step back, shocked at the sudden harshness, she swallowed looking down, not wanting Markos to see the water forming in her eyes

"Very well" she took a deep breath "Goodbye Markos"

Markos watched as Annabeth walked away, as soon as she was gone, Markos launched his fist into a nearby tree, splintering the bark, feeling the warm liquid as it seeped from the new wounds on his knuckle, the torment in his chest growing

Annabeth walked alone, trying to hold it together, What had gotten into him? Did he hate her for what she had done? Resent her for it? Or had she just imagined the whole thing? The looks between them, the way he seemed to change while they travelled, now he was suddenly cold and distant.

Was she being a fool for believing that he actually felt anything for her

"Daughter of Athena"

Annabeth whirled around searching for the source of the voice, but she couldn't see anyone else in the misty woods, her hand grasped the cool metal of her dagger as her eyes scanned the treeline

"Falling for a Son of Ares is never a good idea, especially that one" the voice was louder this time, clearer, she recognised the voice. She recognised the voice, the purring accent

"Enyo?" Annabeth drew her blade

"You can't handle him" the Godess's voice was almost angry, as though Markos belonged to her and Annabeth was trying to take him

Annabeth spun around coming face to face with the Goddess of destruction, her black hair pulled back, eyes glowing

"What do you want?" Annabeth demanded

"I want Markos" she said simply, before grabbing Annabeth's arm and disappearing from Camp Half-Blood, taking the young blonde with her.