The Mark of Athena,Heroes of Olympus, Book 3

Perxy XXIX


What was with Annabeth and getting lost?

Percy didn't know why Annabeth had ended up in that cave in the first place, or why it she was with Leo of all people, and he wanted to know. Percy felt like the curiosity was eating him alive.

Percy ran up to the control room, full of buttons, knobs, levers, cranks, wheels, and parts Percy had no name for. All of which Annabeth had specifically told him not to touch.

"I don't think she'll mind this," Percy muttered, punching the button with the Greek letter Tau. Just as Leo said, a screen popped up. The first name on the list was Chase, Annabeth M. Percy touched her name, and then a message popped up.

Teleport? Yes/No.

Percy tapped yes, and the exhilarating feeling that Percy had whenever he shadow traveled came over him again.

"OH MY GODS!" Percy heard Frank scream. Percy cracked up, remembering when Arion had taken them out of the Amazon lair, and grabbed the walls of the boat. There was a sonic boom as they broke the sound barrier, zooming towards wherever Annabeth, Leo, Hazel, and this Victoria chick were. The boat stopped, and they were floating in front of a cliff. Percy ran up to the top deck.

Leo waved. He pointed to a girl with brown curls. "This is Victoria!" Victoria waved.

"Hi!" she called. Hazel and Annabeth ran out to the edge of the cave.

"Lookit!" Leo shouted, holding up his sword.

"Nice!" yelled Luke.

Jason put his legs over the prow of the boat and slid off. He rose up again, flying towards the people in the cave. He grabbed Leo and hauled him up to the boat. Jason flew back and forth until everyone was on the boat.

"That was probably the simplest rescue mission ever," Annabeth said. Percy laughed remembering trying to save many people, most of them taking over a week.

"Thanks to the Argo!" Leo exclaimed.

"Hi," Victoria said out of the blue. "Anyone, oh, I don't know, recognize me? I went to camp."

"Daughter of Tyche?" Piper said. Victoria nodded, grinning.

"Hey, do you have a weapon?" Leo asked.

"Leo, are you just looking for an excuse to show her your workshop?" Jason asked. Leo turned red.

"N-no." Leo glared at Jason, who grinned back at him. Victoria was obviously suppressing laughter.

"No, I don't have a weapon. I've never been attacked by monsters."

"No doubt that'll change," Leo muttered. "Come on!"

As soon as Leo and Victoria were gone, Annabeth cracked up.

"That's what we would do whenever he would try to make a move!" Hazel laughed.

"You guys, that's mean-but hilarious!" Percy said.

"Seven o' clock and we've already been on a rescue mission," said Luke.
Percy XXX


"So... why were you even in the gym at, like, six o' clock in the morning?" Percy asked Annabeth.

"It was more like four. I went into Leo's workshop, because I didn't get a good look at everything the other day, and he showed up there. He told me he finally finished his sword and I asked him if he knew how to use it."

"Let me guess, you won?"

"In about three minutes. Anyway, Hazel showed up and beat me-"

"She probably just manipulated the metals in your knife." Annabeth's mouth dropped. She turned to face Hazel with a glare.

Before Annabeth could finish her story, Victoria entered the room again, with Leo tagging behind her. Victoria was holding a long, glossy bow.

"I didn't make this one. Bows aren't my strong point. Arrows, yes. Bows, no. Every bow I make ends up being too stiff or too flimsy. I'm working on it." Leo shrugged.

"Is there any place I can try this out?" Victoria asked.

"Top deck," Frank answered. Victoria grinned, pulling the quiver over her shoulder. Everyone followed her, eager to see how the new girl could shoot.

Victoria notched an arrow.

"Wait, what are you aiming at?" Luke asked.

"The knot on that tree," answered Victoria, pointing. It was tiny, and Percy doubted this fifteen year old, who appeared to be scrawny, could hit it.

Victoria pulled the bowstring back, and let the arrow fly. Percy stared at the arrow, which had landed just off the mark.

"I like this bow," Victoria said with a grin.

"The hunters are going to be begging for her to join," murmured Piper.

"Okay, will someone please tell me who the heck these hunters are?"

"The hunters," explained Annabeth, "are eternal maidens. They're immortal, unless they break their vows or die in combat. But they have to swear off boys. Forever."

"Jason's hot sister's their lieutenant," supplied Leo. It became clear to Percy that if Leo saw a pretty girl, he would immediately fall in love with them-as long as they were totally unattainable. Victoria's nostrils flared slightly, but she didn't say anything. Hazel narrowed her eyes.

Jason glared at Leo, and Leo shrank under his stare. Annabeth stifled a laugh. Victoria leapt over the side of the boat and landed on her feet like a cat. She went to retrieve her arrow.

"Let me guess," Annabeth told Leo. "Meow?" Leo turned bright red.

"Shut up," he mumbled. Annabeth laughed.

"What are you going to do? Tell your girlfriend on me?"

"Shut up!" At this point, Percy was cracking up. Leo stomped over to him.

"Stop laughing before I find out if you cook better grilled or fried!"

Annabeth laughed. Percy wondered if every day on the Argo would be like this: a bunch of people laughing and joking around until something bad happened.

Looking back on it, Percy thought that it would be the best option.