First Lie || Deception Book I ||

The Warning

Annabeth's POV

I can't say I liked the new girl, Rianna. She arrived two days ago, and as far as I can tell, she's pretty nice and chill, and normally, I would be fast friends with her. She also seemed smart. However, there was something off about her, something that didn't seem right. I couldn't place it.

I turned back around to see Percy flinch and turn in his bed. Not that I'd talked to her, since she always seemed to be with Luke or her friend, Ally. From what I could tell, she was also a decent fighter. And extremely pretty.

Annabeth, you can't seriously be jealous, can you? I chided myself. Sighing, I nodded to Argus, who was standing in the corner, and left, closing the door behind me silently. Unconsciously, my feet carried me to the small library in the Big House. I stopped in front of the oak door, noticing that it was slightly ajar.

That's weird, I thought. No one comes here. The Athena cabin had its library, which was about adequate for my siblings. It was rare for campers to come. I opened the door.

"What are you doing?" I blurted. The girl had added another bookshelf next to the other two and was placing books from a couple of boxes onto it.

She grimaced. "Damn it."

I closed the door behind me and crossed my arms. "What do you mean?"

Rianna sighed, meeting my gaze. "You're Annabeth? Athena's daughter?"

I took a step back. "How did you know? And am I supposed to know you?"

Rianna shook her head. "It's nothing." She looked at me and gave me a small smile. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced. My name is Rianna, but you can call me Anna."

She held out her hand.

I hesitated. This was clearly a gesture of friendship, but I wasn't entirely sure. She seemed genuine, but a gut feeling told me that she had ulterior motives, and I wasn't entirely sure if they were friendly.

Take it, a voice whispered in my head. You'll need her later on.

Mom? I asked.

There was no reply. I focused back on Rianna, who was still extending her hand. Never doubt Athena, I reminded myself and shook it. "My name's Annabeth."

She nodded and went back to her books. I watched silently until my curiosity got the better of me.

"Do you read?" I questioned. "What are those books? Where did you get them? Don't you have dyslexia? And can I take a look?"

"Whoa, whoa," Rianna said, facing me. A smile pulled at her lips. "Slowly. And yes, they're my books, they just appeared as a delivery this morning, yes, and of course, you can take a look."

I couldn't hold back my smile. It had been such a long time since any books were delivered. I peered into the remaining boxes and the books already on the bookshelf and checked the boxes off in my mind. Harry Potter, check. Hunger Games, Divergent, Mortal Instruments, The Fault In Our Stars, Five Feet Apart, check. She even had the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit! Red Queen, Maze Runner, Lorien Legacies, Legend, Lunar Chronicles, and Twilight (though I didn't like those books), check. There were more books, with equally famous authors, and multiple Greek books as well. Some of them I didn't know, like Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses, along with the Iron Fey.

I looked up to see Rianna smirking. "Hello, my fellow bookworm. You can read anything you like." She shrugged, noticing my aren't-you worried-about-them-or-that-something-might-happen-to-them look. "Literature and knowledge should always be shared with others."

I smiled. "You sound like my mother." Turning back to the books, I pulled out an interesting book titled Six of Crows. "Can I..."

Rianna looked up. "Oh, of course. Take as much as you want. Just make sure they come back," she warned, "or I'll be forced to hunt you down." She smiled, showing that she was only half-joking, and I nodded.

"Duly noted."

"I'm about done," she said, standing up and dusting off her hands. "Why don't we do something after you bring those back to your cabin together?"

I perked up. "Capture the flag is on Friday, at the end of the week. I'd like to see how good you are since you'll be on my team. Luke told me that you're good with blades, but I'd like to see for myself."

Rianna laughed. "Nothing like a good fight for bonding, huh? Maybe we can go out into the woods after as well." She shot another smirk at me. "Yeah, I'll go with you. And if you don't mind, can I take a look at your strategic plans?"

I raised my brows, heading down the porch. "Today's only Monday. Who told you that I'd be planning already?"

Rianna looked at me. "I would be. You seem smart. I figured you'd be done with your plans already."

I nodded, ignoring the compliment she'd sent me. With my blond hair, most people assumed that I was dumb and 'giggly', but not Rianna. Even if she didn't like to read, wasn't good at battle or strategy, I'd be friends with her for that comment alone.

"Maybe you can help make it even better," I said. We stopped in front of the Athena cabin. "And, Anna? I have a feeling that we're going to be good friends." I smiled, pushing open the door. "Welcome home."

Rianna nodded. Her face was neutral as ever, but I could tell she was experiencing overwhelming gratitude for being accepted. "Thanks. I think we'll be friends too, you and I."

"Meet you at the arena!" I called, heading inside.

"Okay!" she responded.

I closed the door. Maybe I was too quick in judging her. My mother seemed to approve, and that was good enough for me. She was nice, and my type of person. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming. Maybe it has to do with what happened during the winter solstice, I mused.

Whatever the case, I thought, I hope nothing happens to her.

Trust me, Annabeth, Athena whispered in my ear. Trust me that you can trust her. She'll need you, and you'll need her. She does have more motives than meets the eye, but you can be sure that she's helping us. She will explain them to you soon.

I started, then nodded. Okay, mom.

I was right. She did have ulterior motives. However, according to my mother, she would tell me soon. Hopefully very soon. All I could do was wait and try to get them out of her, though I had the feeling that Rianna was the type of person that would never say anything unless she wanted to. At least I know her motives are friendly, I thought. I patted the books on my bunk and headed out the door, towards the arena, where my new friend was waiting. 

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