Demons, Demigods and Hunters (Percy Jackson/Supernatural)

Chapter 50

Anna

Anna woke up to strangled gasps from the other room. She smoothly rolled off the dusty couch she'd fallen asleep on after her patrol and raced into the room with Eleos drawn.

Sam was sitting up, gasping his hand clutching at his chest. Anna knew the instant he registered her standing in the doorway, her sword drawn. She calmly crossed the room to stand by the bed next to him, never lowering her blade. Anna never once let slip the panic and painful hope that was tearing her apart inside. Instead she tilted her head sideways, calmly making a full assessment of Sam, taking in the color of his cheeks, the lack of bruising on his body.

'Holy Hades, what did I let Dean do?' She knew. She'd known what he was going to do, what he'd been planning. And she hadn't stopped him. But looking at Sam now... What had she allowed Dean to do?

"Anna? Anna, what the hell is going on? Where are Dean and Bobby?" She didn't respond, just studied him. He almost looked too good. He looked too alive. All she knew was that Sam's soul was released from the Underworld and back here, with her. And that she had let Dean do something dangerous to do it.

She finally sheathed Eleos, no matter how the unnatural this was, she knew it was Sam. Not a monster. She squeezed his arm gently before answering his question.

"Bobby went home. Dean went on an errand."

"What happened?" He looked around at the room he was in, confused by the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Where are we?" Coming back from the dead would have consequences. Not just whatever Dean paid, but ones Sam would have to live with. Consequences that could be delayed by withholding information. She weighed all the choices, the good, the bad, the ugly and the painful; her mind racing through strategies and plans. Then she came to her decision. And Anna did what Anna did best; she lied. Or rather, she withheld the truth.

"You were stabbed, it was... bad. We're in one of the houses in the town you were attacked in."

"Stabbed?" Sam felt around his chest. "Where?" Anna growled, the memory bringing a harsh snarl to her face.

"In the back, a coward's move. Turn around, I need to check on it Short Stuff." Sam stared at her, as though he didn't recognize her through the anger and disgust twisting her features. He then slowly lifted his shirt. Anna carefully examined the fully healed scar on his back. Even if Sam had survived the traditional way, that kind of wound shouldn't have healed so quickly. Anna got a sick feeling in her stomach. She had a bad feeling as to what Dean might have done to bring Sam back. That's not true, she knew exactly what he had done. And it was even more stupid and dangerous than what she thought he was originally going to do.

"Does it look bad?" He looked over his shoulder at her. Anna had let the silence drag on too long. She pasted a smile on her face before shaking her head.

"It looks fine Sam." She stood next to him as he pulled his shirt down. As she guided him back onto the bed she couldn't help the next sentiment.

"You gave me a good scare Short Stuff. I'm glad you're going to be ok." she said softly. He met her eyes.

"Anna what the hell is going on?" Anna sighed, looking her friend in the eyes.

"I have some theories. But I don't really know. We'll talk to Dean when he gets back." She shrugged, praying that he would accept the half truth. Anna almost certainly knew what had happened. And if anything, never bet against an Athena kid. But the Winchesters, being mortal, had yet to learn this. Sam looked at her, worry written across his face.

"Where is Dean?" She shook her head, this time telling the truth.

"I don't know." Sam just sighed. Anna sat next to him on the bed, struggling to suppress the constant need to patrol. Her friend was alive and vulnerable. For now, she would guard him. When Dean returns, she can patrol again.

Anna was getting the same hollow feeling that precedes battle.

It had begun.