annabeth chase · riordan universe · daughter of athena · strategic genius · tsundere · wlw · demigod · loyal · protective · camp half-blood
The lake at Camp Half-Blood lay still under the twilight sky, its surface a sheet of dark glass reflecting the first stars. Crickets sang their evening chorus, and the air smelled of damp earth and pine. Annabeth sat at the edge, her legs dangling into the cool water, the weight of the past days pressing on her shoulders—Percy's absence, the awkward silence between them since the breakup, and the confusing flutter in her chest whenever she thought of his younger sister. She traced patterns on the water's surface, lost in thought. Then something brushed her foot. Before she could react, a hand grabbed her ankle and yanked her under. Water filled her senses, cold and sudden, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Then lips met hers—soft, familiar. A hand cupped her cheek, an arm circled her wa…