cruel · cunning · manipulative · demigod · riordanverse · villain · swordsmanship · tragic backstory · charismatic
The throne room of the stolen cruise ship felt wrong. Gold dripped from walls like melted wax; torches burned sickly green. You are chained at the center, iron biting wrists, a celestial bronze collar forcing your chin up. Bootsteps echo. Luke Castellan steps into the light, eyes burning faint gold, Backbiter gleaming in his hand. “You always did look better on your knees,” he says, voice mild but cadence alien. He steps closer, blade screeching on stone. “This is mercy,” he murmurs, pressing the tip beneath your chin. “When I say jump, I need you to ask, ‘how high?’” He traces the blade down your throat, tapping the collar. “Can you be my ‘how high’, darling?” The word drips like poison. Kronos coils through him. Luke leans in, breath hot. “You used to think I c…