Ch42

Annabeth sighed as she approached the camp boundaries. This summer maybe our last one she thought as she ignored the pit in her stomach and walked towards the camp. Its hard to believe Percy has been here for a few years already. The memory was still fresh in her mind, the day he came to camp and the crush she started developing on him.

So much has changed since then she thought as she thought about how much she and her cousin have changed. She had grown stronger and wiser and made herself a leader among the campers. While her cousin Magnus also became stronger and more confident in himself. This camp was both of their home and she knew that both of them would give up their lives to defend it.

She quickly dropped her belongings off in her cabin and then headed towards the Big House. She was going to talk to Chiron but as she approached his office she heard him deep in conversation with another person. "So you didn't send them there?" said a voice she recognized as belonging to Clarisse. "What were they doing there? That area is known to be active for Kronos's agents."

What is she talking about? She frowned as she pressed her ear close to the door.

She heard Chiron sigh, "I do not know what they were doing. Perhaps they were just hanging out as you young people put it."

Who are they talking about? Though deep down she had an idea of who they were referring to.

"Yeah with suspicious people and near where we picked up activity from Kronos's army. Something is not right I know that they were hiding something," Clarisse said seriously.

She heard Chiron pause before speaking again. "I will ask them if it will put you at ease Clarisse but I know that they are both loyal to this camp."

"I know they are and Percy has no reason to help them. Magnus on the other hand has every reason to," Clarisse said. "Don't you think we haven't noticed how he has been acting weird lately?"

Magnus? What on earth is going on? What are they talking about? She wanted to run inside and demand to know what they were talking about but she stayed put.

"Clarisse I know Magnus I know he is going through some very personal challenges but I can vouch for his loyalty to this camp," Chiron said firmly. "He has family and friends here and he would never want to see them harmed.

Loyalty, does Clarisse think Magnus is a traitor? The idea made her head spin and her blood boil at the same time. Who does she think she is to accuse him of something like that? Just because he is unclaimed doesn't mean he is a traitor! Though she hated to admit it, there was a teeny tiny bit of her that said what if? A really small part of her conscious that nagged at her saying what if? She felt guilty as soon as she felt that emotion and shook her head and took a step back.

She heard Clarisse end the conversation and quickly hid around the corner. As soon as she heard Clarisse leave she went and knocked on Chiron's door. "Come in," Chiron said on the other side.

She walked in and found Chiron sitting at his desk, "Ah Annabeth welcome back, do you need anything?"

She stared at Chiron and tried to say something but no words came out. However, Chiron must have guessed that she overheard him. "You overheard Clarisse huh?" He said with a sigh.

She only nodded as she turned and closed the door behind her. "I heard some of it. She better not be implying what I think she was implying," she said as she gripped her fists.

Chiron sighed, "Clarisse can be quick to jump to conclusions and impulsive."

"But that's ridiculous, Magnus isn't a traitor!" She said louder than she intended. Her blood felt like it was about to boil. How dare Clarisse accuse or imply that her cousin was working for Kronos.

"I know Annabeth, I know Magnus isn't a traitor neither is he the spy," he said seriously. The topic of a spy had come up often and she often discussed it with Chiron. They knew it must be one of the campers but they couldn't figure out who it could be.

She sighed, "What aroused her suspicions anyway? Is it because he isn't claimed?" As much as she hated to admit it Magnus was one of the few unclaimed that decided to stay and the fact that he was close to Percy and stayed in the Poseidon cabin could raise some eyebrows.

"That is a part of the reason," Chiron said softly. "However, your cousin and Percy borrowed some Pegasi and went on some sort of adventure."

"Adventure? What did they do?" She asked in shock. She couldn't help but feel a bit hurt, yeah her cousin lived near Percy but the fact that they did some sort of adventure without her hurt her. I mean they would've probably invited me it is just I wasn't around that's all she told herself though it did little to make her feel better, especially since she knew that they hung out with a certain redhead. Did she go with them? That thought did make her grip her fist in anger.

"I don't know what they did," Chiron said looking her in the eyes. "They both went alone and probably went to enjoy the weekend together or something."

She took a deep breath and calmed herself. Maybe they just wanted a break from school together. "Yeah maybe," she muttered.

Chiron nodded, "Annabeth dear know that Magnus and Percy both care for and cherish you dearly. You are special to both of them."

She felt her face redden, "Thanks I know, its just that I feel that me and Magnus are growing apart. Its almost as if he and Percy have this other life together and don't want me in it," she said with a sigh.

Chiron gave her a sympathetic look, "I understand Annabeth, Magnus is just going through a lot of changes in his life."

"Changes? Like what?" She asked.

Chiron avoided her eyes, "Annabeth there are things I shouldn't talk about, but as your cousin gets older his body and mind change."

"Ok I get it!" she said her face turning red. Maybe it is just puberty and I am just paranoid though a part of her knew that it wasn't the case and that Chiron had subtly covered for something. "Oh Chiron I wanted to ask you something else."

"What is it?" Chiron asked carefully.

She looked at him and for a second she could tell that he was thinking of what she was going to ask him. He seems on edge, does he really know something about Magnus and can't or wont tell me? "That sword Magnus uses, Gram where did he get it from?"

There was a pause as Chiron looked to the side quickly before looking back at her. "I gave it to him," he said firmly.

"Oh ok," she said. She could read her teacher's face and as much as he was trying to hide it she could tell that he was lying. "I'm just curious because that sword is from Norse mythology."

Chiron sighed, "Yes, it is a sword that has much history to it and he wields it without any problem."

Chiron gave her a look that basically said they should stop talking so she just nodded, "Ah ok. I was just curious on how he got it."

Chiron nodded as his posture stiffened, "Yes, it was a gift I gave him. Now if you excuse me I have other matters to attend to."

She nodded and left the room as Chiron got up and grabbed his belongings. Something is definitely going on with Magnus. She felt a bit upset that Chiron and Percy knew whatever was going on. Maybe they can't tell me? The thought has passed through her mind occasionally but she couldn't figure out what it was. What would be so important that they couldn't tell her?

She headed towards her cabin but on the way she ran into Clarisse. "Hey Clarisse," she said as she fought the urge to confront her about what she heard her talk to Chiron about.

Clarisse nodded at her. Her face was calm, "Hey Annabeth glad you are back."

"I'm glad to be back," she said meeting her gaze.

"How's Magnus doing? Is he coming back soon?" She asked.

She resisted the temptation to hit her, "Probably, I haven't seen him for a while since he lives here in New York."

"Really with who?" Clarisse asked.

She shrugged her shoulders, "He said he found a place to rent. Chiron said he helped him acquire it."

Clarisse nodded, "That's good well see you around," she said. Annabeth nodded as they both went their ways.

She went to her cabin and rested a bit before it was time for dinner. After dinner, she got showered and ready for bed and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She felt her mind enter a dream. She was in some kind of room, she quickly recognized it as Magnus's apartment. He had sent her photos of the place once in a while and it was definitely nicer than what she imagined.

Percy and Magnus were sitting across from each other, the expressions on their faces were tense. "I mean do you think it's a good idea Percy?" Magnus asked.

"If it can help our chances of winning why not," Percy said as he looked up at Magnus.

"But it would be dangerous to do, besides can you even trust him?" Magnus asked.

Percy sighed, "A part of me does. I admit I don't know him well and he makes me a bit uneasy but I believe he wants to help us." Magnus sighed and looked up at Percy who continued talking, "Besides you are thinking of doing something dangerous too right?"

Annabeth watched her cousin shift in his seat. "I know but what if knowing them can help us."

Percy nodded, "That's my assumption too. But at least I won't be dangling from a tree branch for like a week."

Magnus chuckled, "Yeah but will you be able to swim in it?"

"Not sure dude," Percy said with a shrug.

Annabeth stared at both of them. What are they talking about? She could tell that they were about to do something dangerous but she couldn't tell what it was about.

"But if I can protect the camp I would do it," Percy said as he looked up at Magnus. "Especially to protect her."

"You took the words right out of my mouth," Magnus said looking up at Percy.

Protect who? Her mind was trying to make sense of this dream but she couldn't figure out what it was about.

"Anyway is Sadie still coming tomorrow?" Percy asked.

"Yeah she agreed too," Magnus said with a sigh. "Sam said she would join if she can."

Sadie and Sam? Who are they? Her cousin never mentioned a girl, though to be fair he hasn't mentioned a lot of things to her lately.

Percy chuckled, "Great, me and Rachel are dying to meet her. Are you both an item now?"

"Its complicated," Magnus said with a sigh. "I mean she has been busy with stuff and lately she has been very busy. She disappeared for about a week or two for some personal reasons about a month ago."

"Wow, sounds complicated," Percy said with a sigh.

"I am sure you both will get along," Magnus said with a laugh.

The dream slowly ended and Annabeth eventually found herself staring up at the ceiling feeling a mixture of emotions. What exactly are they doing? Also what the hell are they doing? She gripped her fists and clenched her blanket tightly.

I mean we are in the middle of a war and they just think they can take a vacation and go on a double date? The thought definitely made her blood boil. She knew who Percy hung with and the idea of him seeing Rachel and going on a date with her cousin and his supposed girlfriend made her want to stab something with her knife.

Magnus what is happening with you? What are you keeping from me and why? She and her cousin had never kept secrets before, maybe it was something more than puberty.

I mean he tells Percy they are really close as much as she hated to admit it she often felt that she had to compete for Percy's attention with her cousin. Not helping matters was that Percy always seemed to prefer to hang out and be with Magnus. Yeah they shared a cabin and went to the same school so it was natural that they would be friends. Yet she still could not shake the feeling of jealousy that her cousin was closer to Percy than she was.

She didn't like it; she wanted her cousin to be happy and to have a friend. But she just wished Percy and her had a connection just like he did with Magnus. I mean I know he cares about me and we are friends but he obviously prefers being with Magnus over me. I wonder if Percy will ever want to hang out with me as much as he does with him. But she knew one thing though, she trusted Magnus and knew that he wouldn't leave her.

She got up and ready for the day with her cabin. She ate breakfast and did her morning routine with her cabin. She tried to distract her mind from her dream and work with her cabinmates but she still found herself distracted throughout the day. She helped train the less experienced campers and worked wherever there was need of her.

She had just finished lunch and was going to take a rest when she heard a voice call out to her. "Hey Annabeth do you have a minute?" She turned around and saw Clarisse walking towards her with a serious expression on her face.

What now she thought as she let out a sigh. "Yeah what is it?"

"I wonder if we can talk in private; its important," Clarisse said seriously.

Even though she had an idea of what Clarisse was going to tell her she was surprised by how serious she sounded. She wasn't looking to pick a fight, she honestly wanted to talk. Well I might as well be diplomatic about it. She sighed, "Sure no problem."

Clarisse nodded and the two went to the Athena Cabin to talk since no one was in her cabin. "What is it?" She asked as she closed the door behind her.

Clarisse took a sigh as she looked her in the eye, "Annabeth I want to talk to you about something and by no means am I trying to pick a fight."

"Go on," she said as she felt her heart rate increase. I can't offend her, she is an integral part of the camp. I'll just hear her out and that will be that.

Clarisse took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes. "I know you wont like to hear this but you know about how we believe that there is a traitor among us?" Annabeth nodded as she felt her heart rate increase as she resisted the urge to ball her fists.

Clarisse sighed and looked at her with a serious look, "Well there are people that think your cousin could be a traitor." Even though she was expecting her to say it she was at a loss for words. "I know what you are thinking but I did see him and Percy interact with some suspicious looking people in Pennsylvania, in an area that is known to have frequent monsters and spies for Kronos. I overheard your cousin and Percy talking with someone, I didn't hear what it was about but I heard them talk about Kronos and other things."

Annabeth felt her eyes widen; she didn't know what to feel angry or surprised that her cousin and Percy were meeting with someone and talking about the war. "Was it with a red head girl?" She asked softly.

Clarisse shook her head, "No it was a guy and a girl with a green towel on her head, they gave off a weird vibe too. I wanted to run my spear through them but they vanished without a trace."

A guy and a girl? Who could they be? "Were they from camp?" She asked curiously.

Clarisse shook her head, "No, never seen him before. But Annabeth what is your cousin was the spy?"

Annabeth stared at Clarisse in shock, she was dead serious in her question. Normally she would've decked her for even suggesting that but right now the last thing they needed was a fight to break out between cabins. "What? That's crazy, Magnus is loyal to the camp," she said defensively.

Clarisse sighed, "I know but think about it. Magnus would have every reason to work for Kronos, he hasn't been claimed after all."

"Yeah but he is loyal to the camp," she insisted. "Me and him have been together forever, we are basically the only family we have. Besides Percy is his best friend." He also doesn't like Luke a lot.

Clarisse sighed and gave her a sympathetic look, "A spy does not outright kill or hurt their targets outright. In a war a spy's main job is to gather intel. He is with you and lives in Percy's cabin he has access to a lot of things here. What if Kronos got to him and he has been a double agent this entire time? What if Kronos promised him something; you have to admit he has been acting weird lately."

Her face must have betrayed her emotions, "Yeah but its probably just guy stuff."

Clarisse sighed, "Maybe but you have to admit that he is hiding something. Either way I just wanted to let you know."

"Thanks, but I know he is loyal to camp," she said firmly.

Clarisse looked at her and nodded, "I hope he is."

"Thanks Magnus I had a lovely lunch with you and your friends," Sadie said as Magnus walked her back home. He had a fun day with his friends, Sadie and Sam got along really well with Percy and Rachel and there were no awkward interruptions.

"I'm glad you liked it," he said as he reached the corner where they usually part ways. He didn't know where she lived exactly but he figured it would be the best since he didn't want another negative run in with her family.

Sadie smiled at him, "Also thanks for the present, the necklace was lovely."

Magnus felt his face redden, "Thanks no problem, a friend helped me get it." It was true, Blitz may have given him the gift as a present. He wanted to give it to her for her birthday but she kind of disappeared for some sort of family emergency.

"Anyway thanks Magnus but there is something else I want to talk to you about," Sadie said with a sigh as she avoided his gaze.

"Uh oh kid this is never good," Gram said in his head.

He ignored his sword, "What is it?"

Sadie sighed, "Magnus you are a nice guy and all and I do like being with you but I have to be honest." She looked at him with a sympathetic look, "You see I'm in a complicated position in life now and I don't know how things will be in the future between us. I mean I still want to go out with you when I can its just that a lot of personal things and I don't know if will have time to continue seeing you."

Magnus eyes widened and he sighed. "I understand, I also have things to deal with."

Sadie smiled at him, "Thanks for understanding. I mean we can still hang out and go on dates when we can but I don't want to lead you on or anything since my life is very busy at the moment."

"I understand, thanks for telling me," he said.

Sadie smiled at him and hugged him. "Well see you around Magnus, I hope we can see each other again."

He smiled at her as he felt his heart rate increase. "Yeah hopefully soon." Sadie smiled and the two said their final goodbyes before she turned around and left.

"So was that a breakup or not?" he said as he headed back to his apartment.

"It kind of was but at the same time she might be busy," Gram said in his head.

"True but I guess with summer approaching I will be too busy to see her," he said as he looked up at the bright sky. "Besides I hear that Balmung is almost done being reforged."

"Yeah us swords take our time to be reforged," Gram said as they headed back to his place.

AN: Yeah I have plans for the traitor subplot after all in the eyes of the campers Magnus is unclaimed, knew Luke, and is around Percy and camp a lot. I'm also writing a Bianca Lives AU along with this story so check it out if it interests you.