The Mark of Athena,Heroes of Olympus, Book 3

Annabeth VII


Annabeth was nearly giddy with excitement as she stepped onto the boat following Leo. She doubted that she would get any sleep at all after what happened that day. Annabeth was expecting herself to dance around her broom closet of a cabin that she shared with Piper. However, when she arrived, she was aware of a vague sadness weighing her down. The same sadness she felt when Percy was gone.

Apparently, Annabeth was making her pain visual, and when Piper stepped in, she noticed immediately.

"Annabeth, what's wrong?"

"I... don't know," Annabeth answered honestly, thinking what the heck on this planet could make her feel so sad after today. Today. The day Percy Jackson told her, Annabeth Marie Chase, that he loved her.

"Sure?" Piper sat down on Annabeth's bed. She looked slightly worried. Annabeth shrugged. She was glad she had Piper, who had practically become her best friend after those long months.

"Annabeth, are you thinking about Percy?" Piper asked. Annabeth nodded.

"You're not sure about him?"

"No, Piper. I'm absolutely positive that he's the one."

"Well then, what's wrong?"

Suddenly, Annabeth figured it out, although it confused her.

"I-I miss him," whispered Annabeth.

"Annabeth." Annabeth could hear the smile in Piper's voice. "You're in love with him."

"I think we've already established that," chuckled Annabeth.

"No, we've established that you love him. There's a difference between love and in love. I love my dad, but does that mean I'm in love-no. No way. That would just be gross. You love your friends and your family. You are in love with Percy Jackson."

"That was deep," Leo said from the door.

Annabeth groaned and shoved her face into her pillow.

"You heard that?" Annabeth's voice was muffled in the pillow.

"Yeah. See you. Won't tell anything to anyone! Except my friends on face book! Before you kill me, I'm kidding. I don't even have a face book."

Piper rolled her eyes and yawned.

"'Kay, well-" yawn, "'Night, Annabeth."

"'Night, Piper."

X X X X X X

When Annabeth woke up, she felt that a small portion of the weight had been lifted of her heart. Of course, Percy probably already came to this realization before he had told her, so Annabeth didn't bother rehearsing what she would say. She didn't really need to say it.

Annabeth flew into Percy's arms, and her heart felt light as air.

Of course that wouldn't last long.

X X X X X X

After the most amazing breakfast Annabeth had ever had (the food was good, too) she and Percy were kind of just hanging out. Percy wondered out loud why they hadn't had war games yet.

"Well, the Romans haven't actually gotten used to us yet, and it might turn into more of a war and less of a game."

"I might just have to file a complaint. Hannibal and Mrs. O'Leary must be heartbroken." Annabeth laughed.

"Oh, gods, is she okay?" exclaimed Reyna suddenly. Percy and Annabeth whipped around and saw Rachel-eyes glowing, mouth spewing smoke.

Seven will go and rescue an eighth

To find and close death's wide open gates

Seven demigods will not come to harm

One will walk into deaths arms

Wisdom's daughter walks alone

The mark of Athena burns through Rome

"It's official-we're going to Rome!" shouted Leo.