Chapter Twenty-Seven

The plan was all set. The five were to leave that night. Luke had stolen a guards' keys to the back door of the gladiator confines. Percy, Luke, and Jason were to exit the building first so that if anyone were to stop them, Nico and Thalia could still be inside. The spiky haired girl had not agreed easily to the plan but after much persuasion she had conceded.

So when the night had fallen, the three boys made their way through the tunnels and out the back door, but not before Percy had stopped by the armory to take his favorite sword, Riptide, and other weapons for his friends. Now as they crept silently to the gate, each person held a sword while Luke held the keys tightly in hand to keep them from jingling.

Finally they reached the gate and Luke carefully took out the keys and as silently as possible, turned the lock. The boys slowly opened the gate, wincing whenever so much as a small creak was made by the rusty gate. Jason and Percy were to make their way to the hypogeum while Luke was to wait for Nico and Thalia and guide them there. From the hypogeum, they were to make their way to the docks, steal a boat, and row their way up the Tiber. Word had reached him that the 13th legion, his legion, was waiting outside Rome. Nakamura was meeting with the Emperor but the legion was still loyal to Perseus. After all, who would you be more loyal to? The man who fought beside you for years, or the man who sent you off to your doom as they ate grapes in luxury?From the Tiber, the five were to make their way to the legion and unite with the 11th and 12th legion, led by General Beckendorf and General Tyson.

These thoughts were what was running through Percy's mind as he and Jason silently scurried down the street. These, and Annabeth. It could take months to gather the legions and he hadn't been with her since that midnight meeting weeks ago. He couldn't leave Rome without saying goodbye.

He stopped and grabbed Jason. "Jason, go back to Luke. You can't wander Rome by yourself, especially since you're the prince."

"Where are you going then?" Jason asked, surprised by the last minute decision.

"I'm going to the palace," and with that, the green eyed boy took off running.

It was midnight. The Emperor had thrown another party, only this time, demanding that Annabeth and Piper attend. At around 10 at night, Piper had left, claiming she was tired. Annabeth had wanted to join her but Triton had not allowed it, which is why the blonde had spent most of the party in the courtyard, away from the party and the Emperor. A guard stood in the corner, sent by Triton to make sure she didn't leave to go to bed.

On the cold, stone bench, Annabeth watched the stars. She remembered her mother once telling her that you could predict the future by watching the stars. The sky was dark blue, the stars bright, white, orbs in the sky.

The night was pleasant yet she had goosebumps. She knew something was going to happen tonight. All was not well.

An hour later, she was awakened from her trance by the voice of the one she despised. He was addressing the guard, thanking him and sending him off. Fear grew inside her as the guard left the courtyard, leaving Annabeth and Triton alone.

Percy approached the palace in shadow. From the lights streaming out onto the courtyard, Percy could tell that the Emperor had thrown a party. He crept along the wall and climbed at the corner. He quickly swung his legs across and dropped the 7 feet to the ground with a thud. Staying in the shadows, he raced to palace, sneaking up the steps. Luckily for him, one of the guards was asleep and the other was occupied with a girl. He quickly hid behind a column and when the 'romantic' wasn't looking, snuck inside.

Music could be heard echoing through the marble hallways and Percy made his way toward it. Then he stopped. He couldn't go in there looking like a slave. He'd be caught for sure. He continued walking, looking for any stray men walking alone. Finally, he found one. A fat man, obviously drunk by the smell of alcohol in his breath.

He walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. "Excuse me sir."

"What?"

"Would you care to follow me. My master has orders for you," Percy lied.

The fat man drunkenly complied and soon, Percy had him out cold. He stole his toga, leaving the man in his undergarments. Percy looked about for a closet or nook where he could hide him in. He found a balcony and left him out there behind the thick purple curtains. It was a warm night, he won't freeze, he told himself.

Percy quickly adorned himself in the toga, and made his way to the party. He instantly got some looks from the female party-goers. Quite a few had drawn closer to him. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, he thought.

He made his way to a tall man with brown hair. "Excuse me sir," he said to the man. "Would you happen to know where the bedchambers are?"

Eyeing the growing crowd of women behind the raven haired man, a smirk crept across the tall man's face. "East wing lad, oh, and save some for the rest of us."

Percy blushed at the implication and hurriedly walked past the tall man. As he made his way to the East wing exit of the ballroom, the crowd of women around him thickened. My face must look like a tomato now, he thought.

A woman latched onto his arm. Percy turned his gaze to look at a dark haired girl. "Excuse me sir, but are you looking for the bedchambers?" she asked sultrily. "I'd be happy to accompany you there," she said seductively pressing closer to him and laying a hand on his chest.

Percy gulped gently removed her hands from his chest. "Uh no, I think I'll do just fine, um, thanks," he said, squeezing past her.

He quickened his pace to the East wing and soon he had arrived. He let out a breath of relief. He had lost the 'harem' in the crowd. He began walking down the marble hallway, moonlight streaming onto the white walls. Wooden doors lined the hallway on either side every 40 feet. He wondered which one was Annabeth's. They all looked the same, except for the large golden door at the end which was obviously the Emperor's.

The Emperor's. He could kill the Emperor in his sleep. It was midnight. He hadn't seen the Emperor at the party. He might be in the bedchambers. He hurried down the hallway toward the bedroom but was stopped by sounds coming from his right.

Probably some drunk lovers, he thought.

He was about to continue when he heard someone scream "stop!" His eyes widened and he returned to the door. The screams continued and with a kick, quickly busted open the door. Nothing could prepare him for what he saw.

Annabeth became alert as soon as the guard had left. She had learned to do this whenever in Triton's presence. She cursed. She had forgotten her dagger in Piper's room.

Triton drew nearer with a warm smile, as if they were best friends. "Hello Annabeth."

"Emperor," she answered curtly.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" he asked, his eyes taking in the surroundings.

"It is."

Triton sat down on the bench beside her. "Why such short responses? You aren't mad at me are you?"

"Of course not your Majesty."

"Come now Annabeth, you know you can call me Triton don't you. Go on, call me Triton," he said.

"Hello Triton."

"Ah, that's better," Triton said with a smile, gazing across the courtyard.

Annabeth struggled to keep calm. This man had almost raped her several times. The first, she had had a knife. The second, she was absent. When his hand moved to her back and down lower, she jumped. "Triton!"

"Annabeth?" he asked with an innocent look. He stood up and drew closer to her. "Take my hand Annabeth."

Annabeth didn't move.

A look of anger crossed his face. "Take my hand!" he ordered.

Reluctantly, she placed her hand in his. "Follow me," he said. "That's an order, on pain of death."

Annabeth's eyes widened and she followed him as he led her out of the courtyard and into the East Wing.

"Please Triton, don't do this," she pleaded. He remained silent. They had reached her door. That's when she snapped. "No, you will not rape me in my own bedchamber!" she screamed.

Triton growled and smacked her but Annabeth kept struggling. He kicked open the door and threw her in onto the bed, locking the door.

He immediately advanced on her, pressing onto the bed, smothering her in lusty, smothering kisses. Annabeth cried out in disgust and tried to push him off her, but he was too strong and simply began kissing her mouth. She screamed all throughout the kisses. He began taking off her clothing, ripping off her dress. "Stop!" she screamed. Yet he didn't. He was about to take off his own clothes before the sound of the door getting knocked down.

She glanced toward the door and caught sight of her savior with raven hair and green eyes. "Percy," she gasped.

Author's Note: DUN DUN DUNNNNN! There you go, the big escape and Percy to save the day! Thanks for reading and reviewing guys. Seriously, REVIEW. I don't know how I'm doing but it kind of feels like I suck with this, like I'm rushing or something. PLEASE REVIEW