Chapter [11]
Artemis' eyes widened, "You're blackmailing me?"
Percy nodded. Artemis glared at him before sighing. "Fine. I have been calling you Percy for most of the night anyway. But if you ever tell anyone, they won't ever find your body. My hunting wolves would love some seafood for a change."
Percy paled at the thought causing Artemis to smirk. She got off him and offered him a hand, pulling him to his feet.
When she did, their faces were inches apart. Artemis took in his scent, it was intoxicating to her.
Percy felt his face heat up being so close to the goddess. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was.
Percy stepped back and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Hey Artemis?" He asked softly.
She looked up at him, her blush finally fading.
"Thank you." He said gratefully.
Artemis raised an eyebrow.
Percy looked down, "I haven't had this much fun in years. I've spent the past five years pretty much emotionless and cold towards everyone except with Hera and Hestia. With the demigods, I kept things pretty impersonal. Except for the girls I brought to you. I couldn't help myself with them, they are such sweet girls. But tonight was different. I actually relaxed for once without being guarded toward people. I just wanted to say thank you for being such a good friend. It was nice to just hang out for once and have a real conversation."
Artemis smiled at his words. She stepped closer to Percy, "Percy, you've done more things for me than anyone in my life. So thank you for being such a good friend. Make sure you make it to camp tomorrow." She said before she leaned over to Percy and kissed him softly on the cheek.
"See you tomorrow Percy." She whispered before vanishing in a flash of silver light.
Percy stood frozen for a minute, his hand touching the spot on his cheek were she kissed him. He felt butterflies in his stomach.
He shook it off. He was thankful to have her as a friend. Both were against love anyway, so the kiss was a friendly one he told himself before vanishing in a flash of flames.
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Percy appeared in the edge of a forest in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Percy looked around before making his way into the city.
He was slightly apprehensive about this mission. Hestia had seemed angry when giving him the mission.
She had even encouraged Percy to take his time when he dealt with the mortal, which is not something he had ever heard from the kind-hearted Goddess of the Hearth.
He knew whatever it was he would find was not going to be pleasant. He just prayed there wouldn't be any kind of sexual abuse.
He had trouble controlling his rage when he saw evidence of that. Percy began to pick up the pace as he looked for Turner Street.
He wanted to get the girl out of there as fast as possible. Finally he saw Turner Street and quickly located the house he was looking for.
He found the number house he wanted as he looked around it for any signs of danger. The house was large but not well kept.
It looked like it had been nice not long ago but been neglected over the past few years.
As Percy walked up to the house, he noticed the beer bottles that littered the porch of the house.
"Chloe! Chloe where are you? Where are you hiding you little brat?" A male voice yelled from inside the house.
Percy scowled, it was noon and it was clear the man was already drunk from his slurred speech.
Percy saw a small shadow run across the window in front of the porch. Percy could see a larger shadow slinking its way in the same direction.
Percy's face contorted into one of anger. As the larger shadow neared the door, Percy walked up and kicked the door in, catching the unsuspecting man in the face with the door.
Percy stepped into the house were the man was holding his broken nose in shock as he looked at Percy enraged.
"Who the fuck are you? Get the fuck out of my house!" The man yelled as he got up and charged toward Percy.
The man took at wild swing at Percy, aiming for his face. But Percy just moved to the side and shoved the man roughly to the floor.
A soft whimper in the corner of the room drew Percy's attention. A small girl with blonde hair and grey eyes looked up at him with fear evident on her face.
Percy felt his stomach twist into a knot. The little girl looked exactly like Annabeth except a few years younger than when they first met.
Then Percy looked at the girl's face a little closer. The left side of her face was badly bruised. Her eye was swollen shut. Her lip was split and still bleeding.
As Percy looked at the girl he felt himself losing control of his anger.
While Percy was distracted, the man landed a hard punch to side of Percy's face, causing him to stagger a bit.
Percy stumbled but turned as the man tried to punch him again. Percy caught the fist in his hand before letting his hand catch fire.
The man screamed in agony as his flesh burned away. Percy released his hand and threw a heavy punch into the man's face, his hand still on fire.
The man stumbled back and fell to the ground where he clutched his charred hand. Another soft whimper drew Percy's attention.
Percy's heart ached when the girl looked up at him with fear and awe.
"Turn around and stay hidden little one. I am here to help." Percy said softly. The girl's eyes widened and she ducked behind a chair.
Percy turned back to the man, her father he assumed, and scowled.
He so wanted to take his time with this guy but for the sake of the girl he knew he needed to be quick. She was already scared enough.
Percy walked up to the cowering man and pulled him to his feet before slipping behind him and wrapping his arms and hands around the man's head and neck.
In one swift movement he snapped the man's neck effortlessly.
"I'll have my cousin make sure you face the worst Hades has to offer." Percy muttered as he dropped the man's now dead body.
Percy grabbed the man's limp shoulder and teleported his body to another room.
He then turned back the chair the girl was hiding behind. Percy slowly made his way closer before taking a seat on the floor five feet away from the chair.
"Chloe?" He asked softly. A trembling hand appeared on top of the chair before two teary eyes followed as the girl peered over the chair.
"I'm not going to hurt you Chloe, I was sent here to help you." Percy said softly.