I never asked for this.

My name is Annabeth Chase, and I am a half-blood, a demigod, a freak, whatever. My godly parent is Athena, I'm 18 years old, and we aren't supposed to live as long as I have. Most of us can only manage as long as me if we're indoctrinated into that cult. We call it Camp Half-Blood and it is fucking dangerous. How could it be dangerous if it's practically the only method of survival? It's the idea. The way they teach you to live. It's a pyramid scheme – everyone except the gods loses. They need to die.

I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm not sure where the best place to begin my tale is. How about….

"Hey." A voice calls out to me. I'm removed from my thoughts, and I saw him standing in the doorway. Percy.

"Hey." I smiled at him, and he smiled back. A stupid, toothy grin. Percy is sweet. He's kind, sensitive, more than a little stupid, and he's strong. Easy. Perfect. I'm glad to have him. He's glad to have me too. "Did you need something?" I ask. I don't like being interrupted when I'm thinking, but he does it all the time and I have unfortunately adjusted.

"Yeah." He hadn't stopped his stupid fucking smirk. He always looks at me like that. I always want to slap it off him. I pushed down the anger inside me, and asked as nicely as possible what the fuck he wanted. "Chiron wants to see you. Said it's important."

I buried the growl building inside me, closed my laptop, and stood from my desk. Percy moves out of the doorway and motions me to follow. As I walked behind him, I felt strong. I felt safe. I felt an overwhelming second-hand power. I always feel that way. Because he's mine.

I met Percy a few months ago, when summer began. He'd been a resident of the camp for a very long time, since he was about 8 years old. His mother, Sally, knew of the prophecy and sent him here to keep him safe. Or something like that. He used to visit her every once in a while, but he won't be going back ever again.

They don't get along anymore. I made sure of that.

The thought lifted my spirits, and I dashed next to him and lovingly grabbed his arm. We looked into each other's eyes and smile at each other like we're in love. Seaweed brain doesn't even begin to cover it.

We arrived at the big house after a short, comfortable silence. "I'm not supposed to go in with you, so I'm gonna head out."

I winked at him and suppressed my gag. "See you tonight?" His eyes widen and he nods his head before turning around and walking away. I go inside with my chin held high, close the door behind me, and find Chiron.

He stood more confidently than I, but he looked a different kind of serious; troubled maybe. My immediate reaction to Chiron was always unease – he was very perceptive. I constantly worried he could see right through me. Don't get it twisted – I never doubted myself for a second. I just always acted with the assumption that everyone else was as smart as I was. Especially him.

"Chiron." I greeted him as I usually did. He nodded, kind of distantly, and turned to look at me.

"Annabeth." He spoke, definitely troubled, shaky. "I have an… unusual favor to ask of you."

My chest rose. Excitement filled me – was I going on a quest? Finally? Could my plan finally be put into action, after all this time? "I would do anything for this camp," I hesitantly spoke, trying not to sound too eager. "What can I do?"

The centaur sighed – a deep, melancholy sigh. I noticed but did not care. "Your mother wishes to speak with you. It is non-negotiable."

Excitement was immediately replaced and overtaken by immense rage. My mother? Don't call her that, I wanted to say. She is no mother of mine. I want fucking nothing to do with her! But I couldn't snap. Not now. My mission was too important. I must have let my mask slip briefly though, because he seemed to read my mind.

"I did what I could, Annabeth, but you and I both know a direct request from any god is impossible to ignore. She came to me herself." My eyes shot up from the floor at that. On her own? That was unusual. "I know. It seems there are things bigger than you and I at play, Annabeth. She wishes for you to visit Olympus directly, alone. Tonight."

I furrowed my eyebrows. Athena would never, ever, arrange a meeting like this with anyone – let alone me – for any reason. What was going on?

"Fine. Anything else?"

Chiron looked away from me, into the darkness of the unlit house. "Annabeth," he started, and my heart sank. I could tell from the first syllable where this was going. "I know – "

I was not going to let him finish. "Can we do this later? The sun is already setting and I have to get to the Empire State tonight. Unless Argus is finally willing to drive me?"

His eyes still would not meet mine. The darkness seemed to stare back at him. At least I knew what shook him. "Go."

I left the Big House angrier than when I walked in, which was saying something. Not much makes me angrier than acting all lovey-dovey with Percy fucking Jackson. Unfortunately, Percy fucking Jackson needed to know my whereabouts, especially since I made the mistake of inviting him over. "Fuck me," I muttered to myself. "Gods fucking damn it."

I found him by the water – shocking. He was practicing pushing his powers past their limits, which I had mandated he do at least two hours daily. The water around him was, to be honest, beautiful. He was standing on a platform of water floating in the air. Floating is the wrong word; it was being constantly uplifted by Percy. It was constantly in motion – almost like a hamster in a wheel perpetually running to keep himself from falling. It was difficult and strenuous, and he could only get about a foot off the ground. It wasn't really an issue with strength – he was just a pussy. He feared the air, what Zeus would do to him if he left where he belonged.

I pulled out my knife. It was as good a time as any.

It was always so easy to sneak up behind him. I left him that weakness for a reason.

I stalked up behind him easily. You can't teach this kind of grace, I thought to myself.

Grace.

My breath hitched and I almost slipped. I quietly stumbled forward trying to reclaim my sense of self, my confidence, my control. I paused. Percy was right in front of me now.

I grabbed his shoulder and put my blade near his neck. The attack left him surprised, and his control of his powers slipped – and so did he. He fell to the ground, and into my knife.

He let out a gasp and I quickly covered his mouth and dug the blade further into him. It was now at least an inch deep. "It's me," I said sweetly. He relaxed, and, like the idiot he is, tried to nod. The blade dug deeper into Percy's neck, and he let out as much of a scream as he could with my hand covering his stupid mouth. He choked on the blood welling up in his throat, and I smiled, glad he was looking away from me. "Control yourself, baby," I whispered into his ear. "Relax. Bring the water to me."

We were so close together. I was completely pressed against him, and could feel his deep breath as he tried to focus. Despite the agony welling up inside him, he brought a sizeable amount of water from the lake to us. It floated in front of us, tantalizing him, but he knew better than to use it yet. "More," I commanded.

Another deep breath. Another large increase to the bubble. "More," I commanded again. Another deep breath. Another increase. Another liquid pooled at our feet, crimson instead of clear. It dripped down my arm. The water was at least the size of a sixteen-wheeler at this point, and I could tell Percy was starting to dwindle. "Good job, Percy," I bubbled into his ear. I ripped the celestial bronze out of his throat and shoved him into the huge wall of liquid.

We sat by the lake with our backs against the tree, side by side, holding hands. The watermelon sunset was probably gorgeous, but I was distracted. Percy tapped his fingers against mine, while I impatiently shook my leg. I wish we didn't have that in common.

Percy spoke first, as usual. "That hurt a lot more than normal, you know," he started with a frown. "You don't usually stab me. Is something wrong? What did Chiron want?"

I rolled my eyes, disgusted. I just stabbed him in the throat and he's worried about me. What a fucking loser. "Athena wants to speak with me. At Olympus."

His frown deepened. I can't put my finger on whether he's uglier when smiling or frowning. "Your mom?" I shot him a look and he instantly looked sorry. "My fault. Athena. What do you think she wants?"

I shook my head. I obviously didn't know what she wanted. "Well, when are we leaving?"

I didn't meet his eyes. "I have to go alone. She specifically said I have to go alone." He looked crestfallen. We usually do everything together. I hate it. "I'm sorry," I lied. "I'd take you with me if I could."

He seemed to accept this. "I'm sorry I can't be there. I know how much you hate her."

I nodded. I didn't need his backup, but he was right. I hate her.

I always hated Olympus. It's beautiful. It's everything I've ever dreamed of.

But it could be better. It could be ashes.

When I was little, I loved architecture. I grew up wanting to be an architect and doing everything I could to learn more about foundations and buildings and what I thought to be art. I was even fascinated with Greek stuff. Everything changed when she died in front of me.

Thalia Grace.

Thalia found me cold, wet, and crying. It was an alley in San Francisco. It was my home for weeks when I ran from home. It was where I met my best friend. It was the best place I'd ever lived.

She took me with her. Three years we were on our own, fighting, stealing, training, doing everything we could to survive. We did everything together. We ate, bathed, slept, and killed together. I caught feelings for her. How could I not?

I don't know that I loved her. I don't know that I could love anyone. I don't think I could now.

Athena killed her.

I nearly grinded my teeth to dust as I arrived at her temple. I was not told where to find Athena, but I knew the gods too well – they can always be found at their place of worship. Sure enough, there she was, towering over me. I figured my height wasn't hereditary. I looked into her disgusting gray eyes wand was reminded why the mirrors in my cabin had sheets over them.

"There is something I need you to do."

I tried to hide the anger in my eyes. "Obviously you needed something from me. I'm not fucking stupid!" I waved my arms around like a child throwing a tantrum. I felt fucking stupid. I wished I could have figured out on my own what she wanted. Why I was there. Why she wanted to see me. I knew it wasn't my fault; I didn't have the information I needed. But I was stubborn. I wanted to know and I wanted to be the reason I knew.

Athena narrowed her eyes. "Watch your tone, girl, or I will kill you where you stand." Her voice boomed and echoed off the temple we stood in. I turned up my nose, and looked her dead in the eye. I did not fear death. I did not fear Athena.

We stood that way for minutes. Neither of us giving an inch. Maybe we blinked. I don't remember. A disgusting part of me thought maybe I inherited my stubbornness from this virgin whore. A disgusting part of me that she gave me.

I never asked for this.

She must have known she couldn't beat me at this childish staring contest we locked ourselves into, because she spoke first. I don't remember what she said exactly. Something about a quest. A prophecy. The Oracle. What I do remember is this:

A half-blood of the eldest gods

Shall reach nineteen against all odds

And see the world in endless sleep

The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap

A single choice shall end his days

Olympus to preserve or raze

Words could not describe how I felt. Excited didn't begin to cover it.

I heard the prophecy.

Even Percy had not heard the prophecy despite being the star of it. Everyone had a vague understanding of the contents of the prophecy, being the big three age thing, but as far as I knew this made me the first demigod to hear it. This was perfect.

Athena's words shot me away from my thoughts. "I need you to kill him."