Percy's POV

It's been thirty minutes since I was supposed to meet Piper in the gardens. She hasn't shown up yet. It doesn't make sense for her to show me up. She's literally here because of me. Besides, when I met her, she seemed like a nice person.

I check my watch for the one hundredth time. Still no sign of Piper. I hear the door open and I look up hopefully.

A girl walks in, but it isn't Piper. It's a girl with long dark hair, twisted into a braid. She doesn't see me.

The girl walks among the flowers, gazing at them fondly. I feel bad for interrupting.

"Excuse me, miss?"

She looks at me with a fire in her eyes. "Let me guess. I'm not allowed to be here. Is it royalty only?"

"N-no of course not. I was only inquiring if you had seen someone named Piper McLean. She was supposed to be here forty five minutes ago, and there's been no sign of her.

"Really? I know Piper and I doubt that she would do something like that."

"That's what I was thinking as well. Do you know where she could be, miss?"

"It's Reyna. And no I don't, but I'll help you look."

"Thank you," I say gratefully.

Reyna gives me a curt nod and a small smile. Together, we walk out of the garden and into my castle.

We walk down the halls for a bit in awkward silence. Not knowing where to look, we just wander around. I don't remember meeting Reyna, but then again, I had to talk to thirty five different girls who all tried to catch my attention. It's not my fault that I don't remember one of them.

A scream pierces through the silence. It's coming from the direction of one of the hidden rooms that were used when Rebel's decided to attack multiple times.

Reyna runs down the hallway. Cursing, I touch a panel next to the room. It flips over, revealing an array of weapons. Reyna gives me a look. I wink at her.

"Things are not what they seem," I tell her while picking up a sword.

Another scream interrupts us. Reyna selects a sword and I start to run. Ripping down the tapestry, I reveal the door. I open it and barge inside.

Piper is on the floor tied up. Tears are running down her face. I see blood coming from more than one places. Other than her, the room is empty.

I run to her side and try to untie her, but my shaking hands aren't much help. Reyna shoves me to the side and cuts through the ropes herself.

Piper curls into a ball, smearing more blood over the floor. I hold her in my arms, trying to comfort her.

"Isn't this all so touching," a voice says.

I hear Reyna curse right after a door slams shut. Now we're trapped along with Piper. I should have brought guards or at least more than just myself and someone that I'm responsible for.

"Even though you've never before been on a date, you still seem to care."

"I care about all of the Selected," I say firmly. The person speaking isn't visible.

"So you say. I'm locking you in here until you promise me something, young Prince," the voice says. If words were sharp, I would be dead on the floor.

"What is that?" I ask weakly, already fearing her answer.

Even though I can't see the speaker, I sense that they're smiling.

"I want you to send home Annabeth Chase and for me to be the winner of the Selection."