Despite Annabeth leaving him to the mercy of Queen Athena, Percy was having a good day. He didn't stumble through his words and spoke clearly for the duration of their morning meeting. Things had gone so well, in fact, that Percy was beginning to think they'd be fully prepared to launch their first attack the following day.

Returning to the war room after lunch, Percy was optimistic. Queen Athena seemed to be too. She gave him a small smile upon his return which was almost as surprising as the moment Malcolm interrupted without so much as a knock.

Queen Athena frowned immediately upon seeing him which Percy didn't think was very kind of her. After all that Malcolm had done for them on her behalf, he would have expected Athena to show a least a bit of gratitude.

"King Percy."

Percy's attention was yanked away from the plan he'd been reviewing. Looking up from his work, he half expected Malcolm to simply be excusing himself after a short conversation with the queen. At the concern on his face, however, Percy's blood ran cold.

"What?" he breathed.

"Your immediate presence is requested," Malcolm said wearily, "on behalf of your general."

"Where's Annabeth?" Percy gasped. He scrambled to his feet, nearly knocking over his chair as he repeated his question more frantically. "Where's Annabeth?"

"General Jason returned to the barracks alone and—"

Percy didn't hear the rest. He was out of his chair and out of the room before Malcolm could finish. Without so much as a murmur, he left Queen Athena and ran towards the barracks.

When he arrived at the barracks, he was almost swept away by the frantic gathering of soldiers. It took him nearly a full minute to spot Jason amidst the desperate flow of soldiers and when he did, it took everything in him not to throw him against the nearest wall.

"I trusted you with her," Percy snarled, blocking his path.

"I know," Jason said, looking rightfully guilty. Percy revelled in it. "I know you did, Percy," he repeated, "and believe me, there is nothing I regret more, but I'm going to fix it."

"How?" Percy demanded. His fingers itched for his sword, but he could go without it. If he could just put his fist in Jason's face, that would be enough. "You—" he stabbed his finger into Jason's chest, "—lost her!"

His voice cracked and his sneer wavered, but he did not back away from Jason.

"You lost her," he hissed fiercely, "and I will never forgive you for it."

Jason nodded, not meeting Percy's eyes. "I understand, Your Highness, but I will do everything in my power to bring her back. We will not leave Athens until she is found."

"You will never leave Athens if she is not."

Before he could see Jason's reaction, Percy turned and shouted for someone to find his horse. A stable hand appeared in a blur and by the time Percy realised what he had told Jason, he was already halfway to the city.

* * * * *

Annabeth hadn't really expected Luke to be on the ship after the eyepatch man had grabbed her. She'd assumed he had tricked her and would be bringing her to his captain, so when the door opened to reveal Luke, it took her a moment to recognise him.

There was a long scar across his cheek and his face seemed to be set in a permanent frown. It was so unlike the Luke she knew that it was almost enough to make her think he wasn't the real Luke.

"Annabeth."

She'd know his voice anywhere. Even if everything else about him was different, there was no mistaking the sound of his voice.

"Luke," Annabeth exclaimed. Pulling away from the man with the eyepatch, she scowled at him before turning back to Luke. "What on earth is going on?"

"You upset a lot of our plans," Luke told her, glancing at the man still standing behind her. "You didn't honestly think we could leave it be, did you?"

His words did nothing but confuse her further and it must have shown on her face because Luke sighed.

"You always paid too much attention for your own good, Annie," Luke murmured. "This time, it's going to cost you."

"What does that mean?" Annabeth narrowed her eyes at him. "I just came to say 'hello' so I apologise if I upset any plans. If you're busy, I will leave."

When she turned to leave, the man with the eyepatch blocked her way. She tried to step around him, but he grabbed her shoulders and turned her around roughly, forcing her down into a seat across from Luke.

"You're not leaving, Annabeth."

She crossed her arms. "I have places to be, Luke. If you don't want to see me, I'd like to leave."

"The palace keeps you busy, then?" Luke sneered. Annabeth's eyes widened in surprise and Luke leaned across the table between them. "I know all about your new life. The prince. The dramatic self-reveal. I even know it was you who uncovered our lord's plans. He knows it too."

"'Your lord'?" Annabeth echoed warily. Suddenly, the man with the eye patch made a bit more sense. He had fallen into league with Kronos. "You work for him then?"

Luke's lips twitched, but it was all the affirmation Annabeth needed.

She sighed. "Luke."

"It's not personal," he hissed, standing abruptly. The table shook and it was to Annabeth's credit that she didn't jump. "He can help us. He could have helped you."

Annabeth pursed her lips and Luke's eyes softened.

"I looked for you after the attack," he told her quietly. "I thought you'd been killed until someone said they'd seen you leave with a soldier." His eyes darkened and his lip curled up in a sneer as he told her, "I wanted to help you, but you turned to Atlantis instead."

He spat at the mention of Atlantis and Annabeth looked away.

"So you turned to Kronos because you felt betrayed?" Annabeth accused, glancing up at him.

"No." Luke barked at the idea. "I joined Kronos years ago," he told her. "I thought that you would see the reason of his ways. Maybe I could convince the Princess of Athens—"

"How did you know that?"

"—to join us!" Luke scoffed. "It was never a secret, Annabeth. You arrived out of nowhere, looking like the queen herself, and thought no one would notice?"

Annabeth tried not to be too offended. She'd known Luke long enough to know he noticed things others often did not. If any of her friends were to discover who she had been before, it would be him.

"I didn't betray Athens," Annabeth said firmly. Luke's face hardened. "I don't care what you think, but that's not the truth."

"It's a good thing Athens doesn't depend on you, then," Luke taunted. "We'll make sure it never has to."