[1] something new | pjo

ix. nine

DAPHNE DIDN'T KNOW WHEN HER FATHER SAID SOON IT WOULD BE THIS SOON.

Well, maybe not her father technically, because Ares is much more infuriating than she would admit.

The back door of the limo opened right next to Percy. Before he could step away, the point of a sword touched his throat.

Instantly Daphne knew who it is. "Father," she sighed. Of course he would threatened Percy every chance he had.

He glanced at Daphne and smiled cruelly at Percy. "Not so fast now, are you, punk?"

He was a big man with a crew cut, a black leather biker's jacket, black jeans, a white muscle shirt, and combat boots.

"Ares," Percy growled. Daphne crossed her arms. Percy was really an idiot.

The war god glanced at Percy's back. "At ease, people."

He snapped his fingers, and their weapons fell to the ground.

"This is a friendly meeting." He dug the point of his blade a little farther under Percy's chin.

"Of course I'd like to take your head for a trophy, but someone wants to see you. And I never behead my enemies in front of a lady."

"What lady?" Thalia asked.

Ares looked over at her. "Well, well. I heard you were back."

He lowered his sword and pushed Percy away.

"Thalia, daughter of Zeus and my own daughter," Ares mused. "You both are not hanging out with very good company."

"What's your business, Ares?" Thalia said. "Who's in the car?"

Daphne had a few guessed even though it's clear who is in the car.

Ares smiled, enjoying the attention. "Oh, I doubt she wants to meet the rest of you. Particularly not them." He jutted his chin toward Zoe and Bianca. "Why don't you all go get some tacos while you wait? Only take Percy a few minutes."

"We will not leave him alone with thee, Lord Ares," Zoe said.

"Besides," Grover managed, "the taco place is closed."

Ares snapped his fingers again. The lights inside the taqueria suddenly blazed to life.

The boards flew off the door and the CLOSED sign flipped to OPEN. "You were saying, goat boy?"

"Go on," Percy told my friends. "I'll handle this."

He tried to sound more confident but Daphne knew better. And she doesn't think Ares was fooled either.

"You heard the boy," Ares mocked. "He's big and strong. He's got things under control."

The others reluctantly headed over to the taco restaurant. Ares regarded Percy with loathing, then opened the limousine door like a chauffeur.

"Get inside, punk," he said. "And mind your manners. She's not as forgiving of rudeness as I am."

Daphne followed Thalia to get inside the taco shop but her father stopped her.

"Not you," he said. "I need to talk to you about your... gift,"

Daphne saw different person. He wasn't wore the black leather biker's jacket, black jeans, a white muscle shirt, and combat boots. But instead the same clothes he wore in her dream.

"Mars, it's Venus right inside the car?"

"Yes, but it's not your business, it's him. Even though I hope you choose a much more decent... companion than him," He eyed her from head to toe with his calculated eyes.