Olympian CHAPTOR ONE I GO CRUISING WITH THE EXPLOSIVES The end of the world star

ted when a pegasus landed on the hood of my car. Up until then, I was having a g
reat afternoon. Technically I wasn't suppose to be driving because I wouldn't be
sixteen for another week, but my mom and my stepdad,Paul, took my friend Rachel
and me to this private stretch of beach on the South Shore, and Paul let us bor
row his Prius for a short spin. Now, I know you're thinking, Wow, that was reall
y irresponsible of him,blah,blah,blah, but Paul knows me pretty well. He's seen
me slice up demons and leap out of exploding school buildings, so he probably fi
gured taking a car a few hundred yards wasn't exactly the most dangerous thing I
'd ever done. Anyway, Rachael and I were driving along. It was hot August day. R
achel's red hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she wore a white blouse over
her swimsuit. I'd never seen before, and she looked like a million golden drachm
as. "Oh, pull up right there!" she told me We parked on a ridge overlooking the
Atlantic. The sea is always one of my favorite places, but today it was especial
ly niceglittery green smooth as glass, as though my dad was keeping it calm just
for us. My dad,by the way, is Poseidon. He can do stuff like that. "So." Rachel
smiled at me. " About that invitation." "Oh . . . right." I tried to sound exci
ted. I mean, she'd asked me to her family's vacation house on St. Thomas for thr
ee days. I didn't get a lot of offers like that. My family's idea of a fancy vac
ation was a weekend in a rundown cabin on Long Island with some movie rental and
a couple of frozen pizzas, and here Rachel's folks were willing to let me tag a
long to the Caribbean. Besides, I seriously needed a vacation. This summer had b
een the hardest of my life. The idea of taking a break even for a few days was r
eally tempting. Still, something big was suppose to go down any day now. I was "
on call" for a mission. Even worse, next week was my birthday. There was this pr
ophecy that said when I turned sixteen, bad things would happen. "Percy," she sa
id, "I know the timing is bad. But it's always bad for you, right?" She had a po
int. "I really want to go," I promised. "It's just-" "The war." I nodded. I didn
't like talking about it, but Rachel knew. Unlike most mortals, she could see th
rough the Mist- the magic veil that distorts human vision. She'd seen monsters.
She'd met some of the other demigods who were fighting the Titans and their alli
es. She'd even been there last summer when the chopped-up Lord Kronos rose out o
f his coffin in a terrible new form, and she'd earn my permanent respect by nail
ing him in the eye with a blue plastic hairbrush. She put her hand on my arm. "J
ust think about it, okay? We don't leave for a couple of days. My dad . . ." Her
voice faltered. "Is he giving you a hard time?" I asked. Rachel shook her head
in disgust. "He's trying to be nice to me, which is almost worse. He wants me to
go to Clarion Ladies Academy in the fall."
"The school where your mom went?" "It's a stupid finishing school for society gi
rls, all the way in New Hampshire. Can you see me in finishing school?" I admitt
ed the idea sounded pretty dumb. Rachel was into urban art projects and feeding
the homeless and going to protest ralllies to "Save the Endangered Yellow-bellie
d Sapsucker" and stuff like that. I'd never even seen her wear a dress. It was h
ard to imagine her learning to be a socialite. She sighed. "He thinks if he does
a bunch of nice stuff for me, I'll feel guilty and give in." "Which is why he a
greed to let me come with you guys on vacation?" "Yes . . . but Percy, you'd be
doing me a huge favor. It would be so much better if you were with us. Besides,
there's something I want to talk-" She stopped abruptly. "Something you want to
talk about?" I asked. "You mean . . . so serious we'd have to go to St. Thomas t
o talk about it?" She pursed her lips. "Look just forget it for now. Let's prete
nd we're a couple for normal people. We're out for a drive, and we're watching t
he ocean, and it's nice to be together." I could tell something was bothering he
r, but she put on a brave smile. The sunlight made her hair look like fire. We'd
spent a lot of time together this summer. I hadn't exactly planned it that way,
but the more serious things got at camp, the more I found myself needing to cal
l up Rachel and get away, just for some breathing room. I needed to remind mysel
f that the mortal world was still out there, away from all the monsters using me
as their personal punching bags. "Okay," I said. "Just normal afternoon and two
normal people." She nodded. "And so . . . hypothetically, if these two people l
iked each other, what would it take to get the stupid guy to kiss the girl, huh?
" "Oh . . ." I felt like one of Apollo's sacred cows- slow, dumb, and bright red
. " Um . . ." I can't pretend I hadn't thought about Rachel. She was so much eas
ier to be around than . . . well, than some other girls I knew. I didn't have to
work hard, or watch what I said, or rack my brain trying to figure out what she
was thinking. Rachel didn't hide much. She let you know how she felt. I'm not s
ure that I would have done next- but I was so distracted, I didn't notice the hu
ge black form swooping down from the sky until four hooves landed on the hood of
the Priuis with a WUMP-WUMP-CRUNCH! Hey,boss, a voice in my head said. Nice car
! Blackjack the pegasus was an old friend of mine, so I tried not to get too ann
oyed by the craters he'd just put on the hood; but I didn't think my stepdad wou
ld be a real stoked. "Blackjack," I sighed. "What are you-" Then I saw who was r
iding on his back, and I knew my day was about to get more complicated. "'Sup, P
ercy." Charles Beckendorf, senior counselor for the Hephaestus cabin, would make
most monsters cry for their mommies. He was huge, with ripped muscles from work
ing on the forges every summer, two years older than me, and one of the camp's b
est armorsmiths. He made some seriously ingenious mechanical stuff. A month befo
re, he'd rigged a Greek firebomb in the bathroom of a tour bus that was carrying
a bunch of monsters across country. The explosion took out a whole legion of Kr
ono's evil meanies as soon as the first harpy went flush.
Beckendorf was dressed for combat. He wore bronze breastplate and war helm with
black camo pants and a sword strapped to his side. His explosives bag was slung
over his shoulder. "Time?" I asked He nodded grimly. A clump formed in my throat
. I'd known this was coming. We'd been planning it for weeks, but I'd half hoped
it would never happen. Rachel looked up at Beckendorf. "Hi." "Oh, hey. You must
be Rachel. Percy's told me . . . uh, I mean he mentioned you." Rachel raised an
eyebrow. "Really? Good." She glanced at Blackjack, who was clopping his hooves
against the hood of the Prius. "So, I guess you guys have to go save the world n
ow." "Pretty much," Beckendorf agreed. I looked at Rachel helplessly. "Would you
tell my mom-" "I'll tell her. I'm sure she's used to it. And I'll explain to Pa
ul about the hood." I nodded my thanks. I figured this might be the last time Pa
ul loaned me his car. "Good luck." Rachel kissed me before I could even react. "
Now, get going, half-blood. Go kill some monsters for me." My last view of her w
as sitting in the shotgun seat of the Prius, her arms crossed, watching as Black
jack circled higher and higher, carrying Beckendorf and me into the sky. I wonde
red what Rachel wanted to talk to me about, and whether I'd live long enough to
find out. "So," Beckendorf said, "I'm guessing you don't want me to mention that
little scene to Annabeth." "Oh, gods," I muttered. "Don't even think about it."
Beckendorf chuckled, and together we soared out over the Atlantic. It was almos
t dark by the time we spotted our target. The Princess Andromeda glowed on the h
orizon- a huge cruise ship lit up yellow and white. From a distance, you'd think
it was just a party ship, not the headquarters for the Titan lord. Then as you
got closer, you might notice the giant figurehead- a dark-haired maiden in a Gre
ek chiton, wrapped in chains with a look of horror on her face, as if she could
smell the stench of all the monsters she was being forced to carry. Seeing the s
hip again twisted my gut into knots. I'd almost died twice on the Princess Andro
meda. Now it was heading straight for New York. "You know what to do?" Beckendor
f yelled over the wind. I nodded. We'd done dry runs at the dockyards in New Jer
sey, using abandoned ships as our targets. I knew how little time we would have.
But I also knew this was our best chance to end Krono's invasion before it ever
started. "Blackjack," I said, "set us down on the lowest stern deck." Gotcha,bo
ss, he said. Man, I hate seeing that boat. Three years ago, Blackjack had been e
nslaved on the Princess Andromeda until he finally escaped with a little help fr
om my friends and me. I figured he'd rather have his mane braided like My Little
Pony than be back here again. "Don't wait for us," I told him. But, boss"Trust
me," I said. "We'll get out ourselves." Blackjack folded his wings and plummeted
toward the boat like a black comet. The wind whistled in my ears. I saw monster
s patrolling the upper decks of the ship- dracaenae snake-woman, hellhounds, gia
nts, and the humanoid seal-demons known as
telkhines- but we zipped by so fast, none of them raised the alarm. We shot down
the stern of the boat, and Blackjack spread his wings, lightly coming to a land
ing on the lowest deck. I climbed off, feeling queasy. Good luck,boss, Blackjack
said. Don't let 'em turn you into horse meat! With that, my old friend flew off
into the night. I took my pen out of my pocket and uncapped it, and Riptide spr
ang to full sizethree feet of deadly celestial bronze glowing in the dusk. Becke
ndorf pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. I thought it was a map or somet
hing. Then I realized it was a photograph. He stared at it in the dim light- the
smiling face of Silena Beauregard, daughter of Aphrodite. They'd started going
out last summer, after years of the rest of us saying "Duh, you guys like each o
ther!" Even with all the dangerous missions, Beckendorf had been happier this su
mmer than I'd ever seen him. "We'd make it back to camp," I promised. For a seco
nd I saw sorry in his eyes. Then he put on his old confident smile. "You bet," h
e said. "Let's go blow Kronos back into a million of pieces." Beckendorf led the
way. We followed a narrow corridor to the service stairwell, just like we'd pra
cticed, but we froze when we heard noises above us. "I don't care what your nose
s says!" snarled a half-human, halfdog voice- a telkhine. "The last time you sme
lled half-blood, it turned out to be a meat loaf sandwich!" "Meat loaf sandwiche
s are good!" a second voice snarled. "But this is half-blood scent, I swear. The
y are on board!" "Bah, your brain isn't on board!" They continued to argue, and
Beckendorf pointed downstairs. We descended as quietly as we could. Two floors d
own, the voices of the telkhines started to fade. Finally, we came to a metal ha
tch. Beckendorf mouthed the words "engine room." It was locked, but Beckendorf p
ulled some chain cutters out of his bag and split the bolt like it was made of b
utter. Inside, a row of yellow turbines the size of grain silos churned and humm
ed. Pressure gauges and computer terminals lined the opposite wall. A telkhine w
as hunched over a console, but he was so involved with his work, he didn't notic
e us. He was about five feet tall, with slick black seal fur and stubby little f
eet. He had the head of a Doberman, but his clawed hands were almost human. He g
rowled and muttered as he tapped on his keyboard. Maybe he was messaging his fri
ends on uglyface.com. I stepped forward, and he tensed, probably smelling someth
ing wrong. He leaped sideways toward a big red alarm button, but I blocked his p
ath. He hissed and lunged at me, but one slice of Riptide, and he exploded into
dust. "One down," Beckendorf said. " About five thousand to go." He tossed me a
jar of thick green liquid- Greek fire, one of the most dangerous magical substan
ces in the world. The he threw me another essential tool of the demigod herosduc
t tape. "Slap that one on the console," he said. "I'll get the turnbines." We we
nt to work. The room was hot and humid, and in no time we were drenched in sweat
. The boat kept chugging along. Being the son of Poseidon and all, I have perfec
t bearings at sea. Don't ask me how, but I could tell er were at 40.l9° North, 7I.9
0° West, making eighteen knots, which
meant the ship would arrive in New York Harbor by dawn. This would be our only c
hance to stop it. I had just attached a second jar of Greek fire to the control
panels when I heard the pounding of feet on metal steps- so many creatures comin
g down the stairwell I could hear them over the engines. Not a good sign. I lock
ed eyes with Beckendorf. "How much longer?" "Too long." He tapped his watch, whi
ch was our remote control detonator. "I still have to wire the receiver and prim
e the charges. Ten more minutes at least." Judging from the sound of the footste
ps, we had about ten seconds. "I'll distract them," I said. "Meet you at the ren
dezvous point." "Percy-" "Wish me luck." He looked like he wanted to argue. The
whole idea had been to get in and out without being spotted. But we were going t
o have to improvise. "Good luck," he said. I charged out the door. A half dozen
telkhines were tromping down the stairs. I cut through them with Riptide faster
than they could yelp. I kept climbing- past another telkhine, who was so started
he dropped his Lil' Demons lunch box. I left him alive- partly because his lunc
h box was cool, partly so he could raise the alarm and hopefully get his friends
to follow me rather than head towards the engine room I burst through a door on
to deck six and kept running. I'm sure the carpeted hall had once been very plus
h, but over the last three years of monster occupation the wallpaper, carpet, an
d stateroom had been clawed up and slimed so it looked like the inside of a drag
on's throat (and yes, unfortunately, I speak from experience.) Back on my first
visit to the Princess Andromeda,my old enemy Luke had kept some dazed tourist on
board for show, shrouded in Mist so they didn't realize they were on a monster-
infested ship. Now that I didn't see any sign of tourists. I hated to think what
had happened to them, but I kind of doubted they'd been allowed to go home with
their bingo winnings. I reached the promenade, a big shopping mall that took up
the whole middle of the ship, and I stopped cold. In the middle of the courtyar
d stood a fountain. And in the fountain squatted a giant crab. I'm not talking "
giant" like $7.99 all-you-can-eat Alaskan king crab. I'm talking giant like bigg
er than the fountain. The monster rose ten feet out of the water. It's shell was
mottled blue and green, its pincers longer than my body. If you've ever seen a
crab's mouth, all foamy and gross with whiskers and snapping bits, you can imagi
ne this one didn't look any better blown up to billboard size. Its beady black e
yes glared at me,and I could see intelligence in them- and hate. The fact that I
was the son of the sea god was not going to win me any points with Mr. Crabby.
"FFFFfffffff," it hissed, sea foam dripping from its mouth. The smell coming off
it was like garbage can full of fish sticks that had been sitting in the sun al
l week. Alarms blared. Soon I was going to have lots of company and I
had to keep moving. "Hey, crabby." I inched around the edge of the courtyard. "I
'm just gonna scoot around you so-" The crab moved with amazing speed. It scuttl
ed out of the fountain and came straight at me, pincers snapping. I dove into a
gift shop, plowing through a rack if T-shirts. A crab pincer smashed the glass w
alls to pieces and raked across the room. I dashed back outside, breathing heavi
ly, but Mr. Crabby turned and followed. "There!" a voice said from a balcony abo
ut me. "Intruder!" If I'd wanted to create a distraction, I'd succeeded, but thi
s was not where I wanted to fight. If I got pinned down in the center of the shi
p, I was crab chow. The demonic crustacean lunged at me. I sliced with Riptide,
taking off the tip of its claw. It hissed and foamed, but didn't seem very hurt.
I tried to remember anything from the old stories that might help with this thi
ng. Annabeth had told me about a monster crabsomething about Hercules crushing i
t under his big food? That wasn't going to work here. This crab was slightly big
ger than my Reeboks. Then a weird thought occurred to me. Last Christmas, my mom
and I had brought Paule Blofis to our old cabin at Montauk, where we'd been goi
ng forever. Paul had taken me crabbing, and when he'd brought up a net full of t
he things, he'd shown me how crabs have a chink in their armor, right in the mid
dle of their ugly bellies. The only problem was getting to the ugly belly. I gla
nced at the fountain, then at the marble floor, already slick from scuttling cra
b tracks. I held out my hand, concentrating on the water, and the fountain explo
ded. Water sprayed everywhere, three stories high,dousing the balconies and the
elevators and the windows of the shops. The crab didn't care. It loved water. It
came at me sideways, snapping and hissing, and I ran straight at it, screaming,
"AHHHHHHH!" Just before we collided, I hit the ground baseball-style and slid o
n the wet marble floor straight under the creature. It was like sliding under a
seven-ton armored vehicle. All the crab had to do was sit and squash me, but bef
ore it realized what I was going on, I jabbed Riptide into the chink in its armo
r, let go of the hilt, and pushed myself out the backside. The monster shuddered
and hissed. Its eyes dissolved. Its shell turned bright red as its insides evap
orated. The empty shell clattered to the floor in a massive heap. I didn't have
time to admire my handiwork. I ran for the nearest stairs while all around me mo
nsters and demigods shouted orders and strapped on their weapons. I was empty-ha
nded. Riptide, being magic, would appear in my pocket sooner or later, but for n
ow it was stuck somewhere under the wreckage of the crab,and I had no time to re
trieve it. In the elevator foyer on deck eight, a couple of dracaenae
slithered across my path. From the waist up, they were woman with green scaly sk
in,yellow eyes, and forked tongues. From the waist down, they had double snake t
runks instead of legs. They held spears and weighted nets, and I knew from exper
ience they could use them. "What is thisss?" one said. "A prize for Kronoss!" I
wasn't in the mood to play break-the-snake, but in front of me was a stand with
a model of the ship, like a YOU ARE HERE display. I ripped the model off the ped
estal and hurled it at the first dracaena. The boat smacked her in the face and
she went down with the ship. I jumped over her, grabbed her friend's spear, and
swung her around. She slammed into the elevator, and I kept running toward the f
ront of the ship. "Get him!" she screamed. Hellhounds bayed. An arrow from somew
here whizzed past my face and impaled itself in the mahogany-paneled wall of the
stairwell. I didn't care- as long as I got the monsters away from the engine ro
om and gave Beckendorf more time. As I was running up the stairwell, a kid charg
ed down. He looked like he'd just woken up from a nap. His armor was half on. He
drew his sword and yelled, "Kronos!" but he sounded more scared than angry. He
couldn't have been more than twelve- about the same age I was when I'd first arr
ived at Camp Half-Blood. That thought depressed me. This kid was getting brain-w
ashedtrained to hate the gods and lash out because he'd been born half Olympian.
Kronos was using him, and yet the kid thought I was his enemy. No way was I goi
ng to hurt him. I didn't need a weapon for this. I stepped inside his strike and
grabbed his wrist, slamming it against the wall. His sword clattered out of his
hand. Then I did something I hadn't planned on. It was probably stupid. It defi
nitely jeopardized our mission, but I couldn't help it. "If you want to live," I
told him, "get off this ship now. Tell the other demigods." Then I shoved him d
own the stairs and sent him tumbling to the next door. I kept climbing. Bad memo
ries: a hallway ran past the cafeteria. Annabeth, my half brother Tyson, and I h
ad sneaked through here three years ago on my first visit. I burst outside onto
the main deck. Off the port bow, the sky was darkening from purple to black. A s
wimming pool glowed between two glass towers with more balconies and restaurant
decks. The whole upper ship seemed eerily deserted. All I had to do was cross to
the other side. Then I could take the staircase down to the helipad- our emerge
ncy rendezvous point. With any luck, Beckendorf would meet me there. We'd jump i
nto the sea. My water powers would protect us both, and we'd detonate the charge
s from a quarter mile away. I was halfway across the deck when the sound of a vo
ice made me freeze. "You're late, Percy." Luke stood on the balcony above me, a
smile on his scarred face. He wore jeans, a white T-shirt, and flip-flops, like
he was just a normal college guy, but his eyes told the truth. They were solid g
old. "We've been expecting you for days." At first he sounded
normal, like Luke. But then his face twitched. A shudder passed through his body
as though he'd just drunk something really nasty. His voice became heavier, anc
ient,and powerful- the voice of the Titan lord Kronos. The words scraped down my
spine like a knife blade. "Come, bow before me." "Yeah, that'll happen," I mutt
ered. Laistrygonian giants filed in on either side of the swimming pool as if th
ey'd been waiting for a cue. Each was eight feet tall with tattooed arms, leathe
r armor, and spiked clubs. Demigod archers appeared on the roof above Luke. Two
hellhounds leaped down from the opposite balcony and snarled at me. Within secon
ds I was surrounded. A trap: there's no way they could've gotten into position s
o face unless they'd known I was coming. I looked up at Luke, and anger boiled i
nside me. I didn't know if Luke's consciousness was even still alive inside that
body. Maybe, the way his voice had changed . . . or maybe it was just Kronos ad
apting to his new form. I told myself it didn't matter. Luke had been twisted an
d evil long before Kronos possessed him. A voice in my head said: I have to figh
t him eventually. Why not now? According to that big prophecy, I was suppose to
make a choice that saved or destroyed the world when I was sixteen. That was onl
y seven days away. Why not now? If I really had the power, what difference would
a week make? I could end this threat right here by taking down Kronos. Hey, I'd
fought monsters and gods before. As if reading my thoughts, Luke smiled. No, he
was Kronos. I had to remember that. "Come forward," he said. "If you dare." The
crowd of monsters parted. I moved up the stairs, my heart pounding. I was sure
somebody would stab me in the back, but they let me pass. I felt my pocket and f
ound my pen waiting. I uncapped it, and Riptide grew into a sword. Krono's weapo
n appeared in his hands- a six-foot-long scythe, a half Celestial bronze, half m
ortal steel. Just looking at it made my knees turn to Jell-O. But before I could
change my mind, I charged. Time slowed down. I mean literally slowed down, beca
use Kronos had that power. I felt like I was moving through syrup. My arms were
so heavy, I could barely raise my sword. Kronos smiled, swirling his scythe at n
ormal speed and waiting for me to creep toward my death. I tried to fight his ma
gic. I concentrated on the sea around methe source of my power. I'd gotten bette
r at channeling it over the year, but now nothing seemed to happen. I took anoth
er slow step forward. Giants jeered Dracaenae hissed with laughter. Hey, ocean,
I pleaded. Any day would be good. Suddenly there was a wrenching pain in my gut.
The entire boat lurched sideways, throwing monsters off their feet. Four thousa
nd gallons of salt water surged out of the swimming pool, dousing me and Kronos
and everyone on the deck. The water revitalized me, breaking the time spell, and
I lunged forward. I struck at Kronos, but I was still too slow. I made the mist
ake
of looking at his face-Luke's face-a guy who was once my friend. As much as I ha
ted him, it was hard to kill him. Kronos had no such hesitation. He sliced downw
ard with his scythe. I leaped back, and the evil blade missed by an inch, cuttin
g a gash in the deck right between my feet. I kicked Kronos in the chest. He stu
mbled backward, but he was heavier than Luke should've been. It was like kicking
a refrigerator. Kronos swung his scythe again. I intercepted with Riptide, but
his strike was so powerful, my blade could only deflect it. The edge of the scyt
he shaved off my shirtsleeve and grazed my arm. It shouldn't have been a serious
cut, but the entire side of my body exploded with pain. I remembered what a sea
demon had once said about Kronos's scythe: Careful, fool. One touch, and the bl
ade will sever your soul from your body. Now I understood what he meant. I wasn'
t just losing blood. I could feel my strength, my will, my identity draining awa
y. I stumbled backward, switched my sword to my left hand, and lunged desperatel
y. My blade should've run him through, but it deflected off his stomach like I w
as hitting solid marble. There was no way he should've survived that. Kronos lau
ghed. "A poor performance, Percy Jackson. Luke tells me you were never his match
at swordplay." My vision started to blur. I knew I didn't have much time. "Luke
had a big head," I said. "But at least it was his head." "A shame to kill you n
ow," Kronos mused, "before the final plan unfolds. I would love to see the terro
r in your eyes when you realize how I will destroy Olympus." "You'll never get t
his boat to Manhattan." My arm was throbbing. Black spots danced in my vision. "
And why would that be?" Kronos's golden eyes glittered. His face-Luke's face-see
med like a mask, unnatural and lit from behind by some evil power. "Perhaps you
are counting on your friend with the explosives?" He looked down at the pool and
called, "Nakamura!" A teenage guy in full Greek armor pushed through the crowd.
His left eye was covered with a black patch. I knew him, of course: Ethan Nakam
ura, the son of Nemesis. I'd saved his life in the Labyrinth last summer, and in
return, the little punk had helped Kronos come back to life. "Success, my lord,
" Ethan called. "We found him just as we were told." He clapped his hands, and t
wo giants lumbered forward, dragging Charles Beckendorf between them. My heart a
lmost stopped. Beckendorf had a swollen eye and cuts all over his face and arms.
His armor was gone and his shirt was nearly torn off. "No!" I yelled. Beckendor
f met my eyes. He glanced at his hand like he was trying to tell me something. H
is watch. They hadn't taken it yet, and that was the detonator. Was it possible
the explosives were armed? Surely the monsters would've dismantled them right aw
ay. "We found him amidships," one of the giants said, "trying to sneak to the en
gine room. Can we eat him now?"
"Soon." Kronos scowled at Ethan. "Are you sure he didn't set the explosives?" "H
e was going toward the engine room, my lord." "How do you know that?" "Er . . ."
Ethan shifted uncomfortably. "He was heading in that direction. And he told us.
His bag is still full of explosives." Slowly, I began to understand. Beckendorf
had fooled them. When he'd realized he was going to be captured, he turned to m
ake it look like he was going the other way. He'd convinced them he hadn't made
it to the engine room yet. The Greek fire might still be primed! But that didn't
do us any good unless we could get off the ship and detonate it. Kronos hesitat
ed. Buy the story, I prayed. The pain in my arm was so bad now I could barely st
and. "Open his bag," Kronos ordered. One of the giants ripped the explosives sat
chel from Beckendorf's shoulders. He peered inside, grunted, and turned it upsid
e down. Panicked monsters surged backward. If the bag really had been full of Gr
eek fire jars, we would've all blown up. But what fell out were a dozen cans of
peaches. I could hear Kronos breathing, trying to control his anger. "Did you, p
erhaps," he said, "capture this demigod near the galley?" Ethan turned pale. "Um
-" "And did you, perhaps, send someone to actually CHECK THE ENGINE ROOM?" Ethan
scrambled back in terror, then turned on his heels and ran. I cursed silently.
Now we had only minutes before the bombs were disarmed. I caught Beckendorf's ey
es again and asked a silent question, hoping he would understand: How long? He c
upped his fingers and thumb, making a circle. Zero. There was no delay on the ti
mer at all. If he managed to press the detonator button, the ship would blow at
once. We'd never be able to get far enough away before using it. The monsters wo
uld kill us first, or disarm the explosives, or both. Kronos turned toward me wi
th a crooked smile. "You'll have to excuse my incompetent help, Percy Jackson. B
ut it doesn't matter. We have you now. We've known you were coming for weeks." H
e held out his hand and dangled a little silver bracelet with a scythe charm-the
Titan lord's symbol. The wound in my arm was sapping my ability to think, but I
muttered, "Communication device . . . spy at camp." Kronos chuckled. "You can't
count on friends. They will always let you down. Luke learned that lesson the h
ard way. Now drop your sword and surrender to me, or your friend dies." I swallo
wed. One of the giants had his hand around Beckendorf's neck. I was in no shape
to rescue him, and even if I tried, he would die before I got there. We both wou
ld. Beckendorf mouthed one word: Go. I shook my head. I couldn't just leave him.
The second giant was still rummaging through the peach cans,
which meant Beckendorf's left arm was free. He raised it slowlytoward the watch
on his right wrist. I wanted to scream, NO! Then down by the swimming pool, one
of the dracaenae hissed, "What isss he doing? What isss that on hisss wrissst?"
Beckendorf closed eyes tight and brought his hand up to his watch. I had no choi
ce. I threw my sword like a javelin at Kronos. It bounced harmlessly off his che
st, but it did startle him. I pushed through a crowd of monsters and jumped off
the side of the shiptoward the water a hundred feet below. I heard rumbling deep
in the ship. Monsters yelled at me from above. A spear sailed past my ear. An a
rrow pierced my thigh, but I barely had time to register the pain. I plunged int
o the sea and willed the currents to take me far, far away-a hundred yards, two
hundred yards. Even from that distance, the explosion shook the world. Heat sear
ed the back of my head. The Princess Andromeda blew up from both sides, a massiv
e fireball of green flame roiling into the dark sky, consuming everything. Becke
ndorf, I thought. Then I blacked out and sank like an anchor toward the bottom o
f the sea.
CHAPTER TWO I MEET SOME FISHY RELATIVES Demigod dreams suck. The thing is, they'
re never just dreams. They've got to be visions, omens, and all that other mysti
cal stuff that makes my brain hurt. I dreamed I was in a dark palace at the top
of a mountain. Unfortunately, I recognized it: the palace of the Titans on top o
f Mount Othrys, otherwise known as Mount Tamalpais, in California. The main pavi
lion was open to the night, ringed with black Greek columns and statues of the T
itans. Torchlight glowed against the black marble floor. In the center of the ro
om, an armored giant struggled under the weight of a swirling funnel cloud-Atlas
, holding up the sky. Two other giant men stood nearby over a bronze brazier, st
udying images in the flames. "Quite an explosion," one said. He wore black armor
studded with silver dots like a starry night. His face was covered in a war hel
m with a ram's horn curling on either side.
"It doesn't matter," the other said. This Titan was dressed in gold robes, with
golden eyes like Kronos. His entire body glowed. He reminded me of Apollo, God o
f the Sun, except the Titan's light was harsher, and his expression crueler. "Th
e gods have answered the challenge. Soon they will be destroyed." The images in
the fire were hard to make out: storms, buildings crumbling, mortals screaming i
n terror. "I will go east to marshal our forces," the golden Titan said. "Krios,
you shall remain and guard Mount Othrys." The ram horn dude grunted. "I always
get the stupid jobs. Lord of the South. Lord of Constellations. Now I get to bab
ysit Atlas while you have all the fun." Under the whirlwind of clouds, Atlas bel
lowed in agony, "Let me out, curse you! I am your greatest warrior. Take my burd
en so I may fight!" "Quiet!" the golden Titan roared. "You had your chance, Atla
s. You failed. Kronos likes you just where you are. As for you, Krios, do your d
uty." "And if you need more warriors?" Krios asked. "Our treacherous nephew in t
he tuxedo will not do you much good in a fight." The golden Titan laughed. "Don'
t worry about him. Besides, the gods can barely handle our first little challeng
e. They have no idea how many others we have in store. Mark my words, in a few d
ays' time, Olympus will be in ruins, and we will meet here again to celebrate th
e dawn of the Sixth Age!" The golden Titan erupted into flames and disappeared.
"Oh, sure," Krios grumbled. "He gets to erupt into flames. I get to wear these s
tupid ram's horns." The scene shifted. Now I was outside the pavilion, hiding in
the shadows of a Greek column. A boy stood next to me, eavesdropping on the Tit
ans. He had dark silky hair, pale skin, and dark clothes-my friend Nico di Angel
o, the son of Hades. He looked straight at me, his expression grim. "You see, Pe
rcy?" he whispered. "You're running out of time. Do you really think you can bea
t them without my plan?" His words washed over me as cold as the ocean floor, an
d my dreams went black. "Percy?" a deep voice said. My head felt like it had bee
n microwaved in aluminum foil. I opened my eyes and saw a large shadowy figure l
ooming over me. "Beckendorf?" I asked hopefully. "No, brother." My eyes refocuse
d. I was looking at a Cyclops-a misshapen face, ratty brown hair, one big brown
eye full of concern. "Tyson?" My brother broke into a toothy grin. "Yay! Your br
ain works!" I wasn't so sure. My body felt weightless and cold. My voice sounded
wrong. I could hear Tyson, but it was more like I was hearing vibrations inside
my skull, not the regular sounds. I sat up, and a gossamer sheet floated away.
I was on a bed made of silky woven kelp, in a room paneled with abalone shell. G
lowing pearls the size of basketballs floated around the ceiling, providing ligh
t. I was under water.
Now, being the son of Poseidon and all, I was okay with this. I can breathe unde
rwater just fine, and my clothes don't even get wet unless I want them to. But i
t was still a bit of a shock when a hammerhead shark drifted through the bedroom
window, regarded me, and then swam calmly out the opposite side of the room. "W
here-" "Daddy's palace," Tyson said. Under different circumstances, I would've b
een excited. I'd never visited Poseidon's realm, and I'd been dreaming about it
for years. But my head hurt. My shirt was still speckled with burn marks from th
e explosion. My arm and leg wounds had healed-just being in the ocean can do tha
t for me, given enough time-but I still felt like I'd been trampled by a Laistry
gonian soccer team in cleats. "How long-" "We found you last night," Tyson said,
"sinking through the water." "The Princess Andromeda?" "Went ka-boom," Tyson co
nfirmed. "Beckendorf was on board. Did you find . . ." Tyson's face darkened. "N
o sign of him. I am sorry, brother." I stared out the window into deep blue wate
r. Beckendorf was supposed to go to college in the fall. He had a girlfriend, lo
ts of friends, his whole life ahead of him. He couldn't be gone. Maybe he'd made
it off the ship like I had. Maybe he'd jumped over the side . . . and what? He
couldn't have survived a hundred-foot fall into the water like I could. He could
n't have put enough distance between himself and the explosion. I knew in my gut
he was dead. He'd sacrificed himself to take out the Princess Andromeda, and I
had abandoned him. I thought about my dream: the Titans discussing the explosion
as if it didn't matter, Nico di Angelo warning me that I would never beat Krono
s without following his plan-a dangerous idea I'd been avoiding for more than a
year. A distant blast shook the room. Green light blazed outside, turning the wh
ole sea as bright as noon. "What was that?" I asked. T yson looked worried. "Dad
dy will explain. Come, he is blowing up monsters." The palace might have it hadn
't been in the end of a long hallway the rooftops I caught underwater. been the
most amazing place I'd ever seen if process of getting destroyed. We swam to the
and shot upward on a geyser. As we rose over my breath-well, if you can catch y
our breath
The palace was as big as the city on Mount Olympus, with wide courtyards, garden
s, and columned pavilions. The gardens were sculpted with coral colonies and glo
wing sea plants. Twenty or thirty buildings were made of abalone, white but glea
ming with rainbow colors. Fish and octopi darted in and out of the windows. The
paths were lined with glowing pearls like Christmas lights. The main courtyard w
as filled with warriors-mermen with fish tails from the waist down and human bod
ies from the waist up, except their skin was blue, which I'd never known before.
Some were tending the wounded. Some were sharpening spears and
swords. One passed us, swimming in a hurry. His eyes were bright green, like tha
t stuff they put in glo-sticks, and his teeth were shark teeth. They don't show
you stuff like that in The Little Mermaid. Outside the main courtyard stood larg
e fortifications-towers, walls, and antisiege weapons-but most of these had been
smashed to ruins. Others were blazing with a strange green light that I knew we
ll-Greek fire, which can burn even underwater. Beyond this, the sea floor stretc
hed into gloom. I could see battles raging-flashes of energy, explosions, the gl
int of armies clashing. A regular human would've found it too dark to see. Heck,
a regular human would've been crushed by the pressure and frozen by the cold. E
ven my heat-sensitive eyes couldn't make out exactly what was going on. At the e
dge of the palace complex, a temple with a red coral roof exploded, sending fire
and debris streaming in slow motion across the farthest gardens. Out of the dar
kness above, an enormous form appeared-a squid larger than any skyscraper. It wa
s surrounded by a glittering cloud of dust-at least I thought it was dust, until
I realized it was a swarm of mermen trying to attack the monster. The squid des
cended on the palace and swatted its tentacles, smashing a whole column of warri
ors. Then a brilliant arc of blue light shot from the rooftop of one of the tall
est buildings. The light hit the giant squid, and the monster dissolved like foo
d coloring in water. "Daddy," Tyson said, pointing to where the light had come f
rom. "He did that?" I suddenly felt more hopeful. My dad had unbelievable powers
. He was the god of the sea. He could deal with this attack, right? Maybe he'd l
et me help. "Have you been in the fight?" I asked Tyson in awe. "Like bashing he
ads with your awesome Cyclops strength and stuff?" Tyson pouted, and immediately
I knew I'd asked a bad question, "I have been . . . fixing weapons," he mumbled
. "Come. Let's go find Daddy." I know this might sound weird to people with, lik
e, regular parents, but I'd only seen my dad four or five times in my life, and
never for more than a few minutes. The Greek gods don't exactly show up for thei
r kids' basketball games. Still, I thought I would recognize Poseidon on sight.
I was wrong. The roof of the temple was a big open deck that had been set up as
a command center. A mosaic on the floor showed an exact map of the palace ground
s and the surrounding ocean, but the mosaic moved. Colored stone tiles represent
ing different armies and sea monsters shifted around as the forces changed posit
ion. Buildings that collapsed in real life also collapsed in the picture. Standi
ng around the mosaic, grimly studying the battle, was a strange assortment of wa
rriors, but none of them looked like my dad. I was searching for a big guy with
a good tan and a black beard, wearing Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. There
was nobody like that. One guy was a merman with two fish tails instead of one.
His skin was green, his armor studded with pearls. His black hair was tied in a
ponytail, and he looked youngthough it's hard to tell with non-humans. They coul
d be a thousand years old or three. Standing next to him was an old man with a b
ushy
white beard and gray hair. His battle armor seemed to weigh him down. He had gre
en eyes and smile wrinkles around his eyes, but he wasn't smiling now. He was st
udying the map and leaning on a large metal staff. To his right stood a beautifu
l woman in green armor with flowing black hair and strange little horns like cra
b claws. And there was a dolphin-just a regular dolphin, but it was staring at t
he map intently. "Delphin," the old man said. "Send Palaemon and his legion of s
harks to the western front. We have to neutralize those leviathans." The dolphin
spoke in a chattering voice, but I could understand it in my mind: Yes, lord! I
t sped away. I looked in dismay at Tyson, then back at the old man. It didn't se
em possible, but . . . "Dad?" I asked. The old man looked up. I recognized the t
winkle in his eyes, but his face . . . he looked like he'd aged forty years. "He
llo, Percy." "What-what happened to you?" Tyson nudged me. He was shaking his he
ad so hard Iwas afraid it would fall off, but Poseidon didn't look offended. "It
's all right, Tyson," he said. "Percy, excuse my appearance. The war has been ha
rd on me." "But you're immortal," I said quietly. "You can look . . . any way yo
u want." "I reflect the state of my realm," he said. "And right now that state i
s quite grim. Percy, I should introduce you-I'm afraid you just missed my lieute
nant Delphin, God of the Dolphins. This is my, er, wife, Amphitrite. My dear-" T
he lady in green armor stared at me coldly, then crossed her arms and said, "Exc
use me, my lord. I am needed in the battle." She swam away. I felt pretty awkwar
d, but I guess I couldn't blame her. I'd never thought about it much, but my dad
had an immortal wife. All his romances with mortals, including with my mom . .
. well, Amphitrite probably didn't like that much. Poseidon cleared his throat.
"Yes, well . . . and this is my son Triton. Er, my other son." "Your son and hei
r," the green dude corrected. His double fish tails swished back and forth. He s
miled at me, but there was no friendliness in his eyes. "Hello, Perseus Jackson.
Come to help at last?" He acted like I was late or lazy. If you can blush under
water, I probably did. "Tell me what to do," I said. Triton smiled like that was
a cute suggestion-like I was a slightly amusing dog that had barked for him or
something. He turned to Poseidon. "I will see to the front line, Father. Don't w
orry. I will not fail." He nodded politely to Tyson. How come I didn't get that
much respect? Then he shot off into the water. Poseidon sighed. He raised his st
aff, and it changed into his regular weapon-a huge three-pointed trident. The ti
p glowed with blue light, and the water around it boiled with energy. "I'm sorry
about that," he told me. A huge sea serpent appeared from above us and spiraled
down
toward the roof. It was bright orange with a fanged mouth big enough to swallow
a gymnasium. Hardly looking up, Poseidon pointed his trident at the beast and za
pped it with blue energy. Ka-boom! The monster burst into a million goldfish, wh
ich all swam off in terror. "My family is anxious," Poseidon continued as if not
hing had happened. "The battle against Oceanus is going poorly." He pointed to t
he edge of the mosaic. With the butt of his trident he tapped the image of a mer
man larger than the rest, with the horns of a bull. He appeared to be riding a c
hariot pulled by crawfish, and instead of a sword he wielded a live serpent. "Oc
eanus," I said, trying to remember. "The Titan of the sea?" Poseidon nodded. "He
was neutral in the first war of gods and Titans. But Kronos has convinced him t
o fight. This is . . . well, it's not a good sign. Oceanus would not commit unle
ss he was sure he could pick the winning side." "He looks stupid," I said, tryin
g to sound upbeat. "I mean, who fights with a snake?" "Daddy will tie it in knot
s," Tyson said firmly. Poseidon smiled, but he looked weary. "I appreciate your
faith. We have been at war almost a year now. My powers are taxed. And still he
finds new forces to throw at me-sea monsters so ancient I had forgotten about th
em." I heard an explosion in the distance. About half a mile away, a mountain of
coral disintegrated under the weight of two giant creatures. I could dimly make
out their shapes. One was a lobster. The other was a giant humanoid like a Cycl
ops, but he was surrounded by a flurry of limbs. At first I thought he wearing a
bunch of giant octopi. Then I realized they were his own arms-a hundred flailin
g, fighting arms. "Briares!" I said. I was happy to see him, but he looked like
he was fighting for his life. He was the last of his kind-a Hundred-Handed One,
cousin of the Cyclopes. We'd saved him from Kronos's prison last summer, and I k
new he'd come to help Poseidon, but I hadn't heard of him since. "He fights well
," Poseidon said. "I wish we had a whole army like him, but he is the only one."
I watched as Briares bellowed in rage and picked up the lobster, which thrashed
and snapped its pincers. He threw it off the coral mountain, and the lobster di
sappeared into the darkness. Briares swam after it, his hundred arms spinning li
ke the blades of a motorboat. "Percy, we may not have much time," my dad said. "
Tell me of your mission. Did you see Kronos?" I told him everything, though my v
oice choked up when I explained about Beckendorf. I looked down at the courtyard
s below and saw hundreds of wounded mermen lying on makeshift cots. I saw rows o
f coral mounds that must've been hastily made graves. I realized Beckendorf wasn
't the first death. He was only one of hundreds, maybe thousands. I'd never felt
so angry and helpless. Poseidon stroked his beard. "Percy, Beckendorf chose a h
eroic death. You bear no blame for that. Kronos's army will be m disarray. Many
were destroyed."
"But we didn't kill him, did we?" As I said it, I knew it was a naive hope. We m
ight blow up his ship and disintegrate his monsters, but a Titan lord wouldn't b
e so easy to kill. "No," Poseidon admitted. "But you've bought our side some tim
e." "There were demigods on that ship," I said, thinking of the kid I'd seen in
the stairwell. Somehow I'd allowed myself to concentrate on the monsters and Kro
nos. I'd convinced myself that destroying their ship was all right because they
were evil, they were sailing to attack my city, and besides, they couldn't reall
y be permanently killed. Monsters just vaporized and re-formed eventually. But d
emigods . . . Poseidon put his hand on my shoulder. "Percy, there were only a fe
w demigod warriors aboard that ship, and they all chose to battle for Kronos. Pe
rhaps some heeded your warning and escaped. If they did not . . . they chose the
ir path." "They were brainwashed!" I said. "Now they're dead and Kronos is still
alive. That's supposed to make me feel better?" I glared at the mosaic-little t
ile explosions destroying tile monsters. It seemed so easy when it was just a pi
cture. Tyson put his arm around me. If anybody else had tried that, I would've p
ushed him away, but Tyson was too big and stubborn. He hugged me whether I wante
d it or not. "Not your fault, brother. Kronos does not explode good. Next time w
e will use a big stick." "Percy," my father said. "Beckendorf's sacrifice wasn't
in vain. You have scattered the invasion force. New York will be safe for a tim
e, which frees the other Olympians to deal with the bigger threat." "The bigger
threat?" I thought about what the golden Titan had said in my dream: The gods ha
ve answered the challenge. Soon they will be destroyed. A shadow passed over my
father's face. "You've had enough sorrow for one day. Ask Chiron when you return
to camp." "Return to camp? But you're in trouble here. I want to help!" "You ca
n't, Percy. Your job is elsewhere." I couldn't believe I was hearing this. I loo
ked at Tyson for backup. My brother chewed his lip. "Daddy . . . Percy can fight
with a sword. He is good." "I know that," Poseidon said gently. "Dad, I can hel
p," I said. "I know I can. You're not going to hold out here much longer." A fir
eball launched into the sky from behind the enemy lines. I thought Poseidon woul
d deflect it or something, but it landed on the outer corner of the yard and exp
loded, sending mermen tumbling through the water. Poseidon winced as if he'd jus
t been stabbed. "Return to camp," he insisted. "And tell Chiron it is time." "Fo
r what?" "You must hear the prophecy. The entire prophecy." I didn't need to ask
him which prophecy. I'd been hearing about the "Great Prophecy" for years, but
nobody would ever tell me the whole thing. All I knew was that I was supposed to
make a decision that would decide the fate of the world-but no pressure. "What
if this is the decision?" I said. "Staying here to light, or leaving? What if I
leave and you . . ." I couldn't say die. Gods weren't supposed to die, but I'd s
een it
happen. Even if they didn't die, they could be reduced to nearly nothing, exiled
, imprisoned in the depths of Tartarus like Kronos had been. "Percy, you must go
," Poseidon insisted. "I don't know what your final decision will be, but your f
ight lies in the world above. If nothing else, you must warn your friends at cam
p. Kronos knew your plans. You have a spy. We will hold here. We have no choice.
" Tyson gripped my hand desperately. "I will miss you, brother!" Watching us, ou
r father seemed to age another ten years. "Tyson, you have work to do as well, m
y son. They need you in the armory." Tyson pouted some more. "I will go," he sni
ffled. He hugged me so hard he almost cracked my ribs. "Percy, be careful! Do no
t let monsters kill you dead!" I tried to nod confidently, but it was too much f
or the big guy. He sobbed and swam away toward the armory, where his cousins wer
e fixing spears and swords. "You should let him fight," I told my father. "He ha
tes being stuck in the armory. Can't you tell?" Poseidon shook his head. "It is
bad enough I must send you into danger. Tyson is too young. I must protect him."
"You should trust him," I said. "Not try to protect him." Poseidon's eyes flare
d. I thought I'd gone too far, but then he looked down at the mosaic and his sho
ulders sagged. On the tiles, the mermaid guy in the crawfish chariot was coming
closer to the palace. "Oceanus approaches," my father said. "I must meet him in
battle." I'd never been scared for a god before, but I didn't see how my dad cou
ld face this Titan and win. "I will hold," Poseidon promised. "I will not give u
p my domain. Just tell me, Percy, do you still have the birthday gift I gave you
last summer?" I nodded and pulled out my camp necklace. It had a bead for every
summer I'd been at Camp Half-Blood, but since last year I'd also kept a sand do
llar on the cord. My father had given it to me for my fifteenth birthday. He'd t
old me I would know when to "spend it," but so far I hadn't figured out what he
meant. All I knew was that it didn't fit the vending machines in the school cafe
teria. "The time is coming," he promised. "With luck, I will see you for your bi
rthday next week, and we will have a proper celebration." He smiled, and for a m
oment I saw the old light in his eyes. Then the entire sea grew dark in front of
us, like an inky storm was rolling in. Thunder crackled, which should've been i
mpossible underwater. A huge icy presence was approaching. I sensed a wave of fe
ar roll through the armies below us. "I must assume my true godly form," Poseido
n said. "Go-and good luck, my son." I wanted to encourage him, to hug him or som
ething, but knew better than to stick around. When a god assumes his true form,
the power is so great that any mortal looking on him will disintegrate. "Good-by
e, Father," I managed. Then I turned away. I willed the ocean currents to aid me
. Water swirled around me, and I shot toward the surface at speeds that would've
caused any normal human to pop like a balloon. When I looked back, all I could
see were flashes of green and blue as
my father fought the Titan, and the sea itself was torn apart by the two armies.
CHAPTER THREE I GET A SNEAK PEEK AT MY DEATH If you want to be popular at Camp
Half-Blood, don't come back from a mission with bad news. Word of my arrival spr
ead as soon as I walked out of the ocean. Our beach is on the North Shore of Lon
g Island, and it's enchanted so most people can't even see it. People don't just
appear on the beach unless they're demigods or gods or really, really lost pizz
a delivery guys. (It's happened-but that's another story.) Anyway, that afternoo
n the lookout on duty was Connor Stoll from the Hermes cabin. When he spotted me
, he got so excited he fell out of his tree. Then he blew the conch horn to sign
al the camp and ran to greet me. Connor had a crooked smile that matched his cro
oked sense of humor. He's a pretty nice guy, but you should always keep one hand
on your wallet when he's around, and do not, under any circumstances, give him
access to shaving cream unless you want to find your sleeping bag full of it. He
's got curly brown hair and is a little shorter than his brother, Travis, which
is the only way I can tell them apart. They are both so unlike my old enemy Luke
it's hard to believe they're all sons of Hermes. "Percy!" he yelled. "What happ
ened? Where's Beckendorf?" Then he saw my expression, and his smile melted. "Oh,
no. Poor Silena. Holy Zeus, when she finds out . . ." Together we climbed the s
and dunes. A few hundred yards away, people were already streaming toward us, sm
iling and excited. Percy's back, they were probably thinking. He's saved the day
! Maybe he brought souvenirs! I stopped at the dining pavilion and waited for th
em. No sense rushing down there to tell them what a loser I was. I gazed across
the valley and tried to remember how Camp HalfBlood looked the first time I ever
saw it. That seemed like a bajillion years ago. From the dining pavilion, you c
ould see pretty much everything. Hills ringed the valley. On the tallest, Half-B
lood Hill, Thalia's pine tree stood with the Golden Fleece hanging from its bran
ches, magically protecting the camp from its enemies. The guard dragon Peleus wa
s so big now I could see him from here-curled around the tree trunk, lending up
smoke signals as he snored. To my right spread the woods. To my left, the canoe
lake glittered and the climbing wall glowed from the lava pouring down its side.
Twelve cabins-one for each Olympian god-made a horseshoe pattern around the com
mons area. Farther south were the strawberry fields, the armory, and the four-st
ory Big House with its sky blue paint job and its bronze eagle weathervane. In s
ome ways, the camp hadn't changed. But you couldn't see the
war by looking at the buildings or the fields. You could see it in the faces of
the demigods and satyrs and naiads coming up the hill. There weren't as many at
camp as four summers ago. Some had left and never come back. Some had died fight
ing. Others-we tried not to talk about them-had gone over to the enemy. The ones
who were still here were battle-hardened and weary. There was little laughter a
t camp these days. Even the Hermes cabin didn't play so many pranks. It's hard t
o enjoy practical jokes when your whole life feels like one. Chiron galloped int
o the pavilion first, which was easy for him since he's a white stallion from th
e waist down. His beard had grown wilder over the summer. He wore a green T-shir
t that said MY OTHER CAR IS A CENTAUR and a bow slung over his back. "Percy!" he
said. "Thank the gods. But where . . ." Annabeth ran in right behind him, and I
'll admit my heart did a little relay race in my chest when I saw her. It's not
that she tried to look good. We'd been doing so many combat missions lately, she
hardly brushed her curly blond hair anymore, and she didn't care what clothes s
he was wearing-usually the same old orange camp T-shirt and jeans, and once in a
while her bronze armor. Her eyes were stormy gray. Most of the time we couldn't
get through a conversation without trying to strangle each other. Still, just s
eeing her made me feel fuzzy in the head. Last summer, before Luke had turned in
to Kronos and everything went sour, there had been a few times when I thought ma
ybe . . . well, that we might get past the strangle-eachother phase. "What happe
ned?" She grabbed my arm. "Is Luke-" "The ship blew up," I said. "He wasn't dest
royed. I don't know where-" Silena Beauregard pushed through the crowd. Her hair
wasn't combed and she wasn't even wearing makeup, which wasn't like her. "Where
's Charlie?" she demanded, looking around like he might be hiding. I glanced at
Chiron helplessly. The old centaur cleared his throat. "Silena, my dear, let's t
alk about this at the Big House-" "No," she muttered. "No. No." She started to c
ry, and the rest of us stood around, too stunned to speak. We'd already lost so
many people over the summer, but this was the worst. With Beckendorf gone, it fe
lt like someone had stolen the anchor for the entire camp. Finally Clarisse from
the Ares cabin came forward. She put her arm around Silena. They had one of the
strangest friendships ever-a daughter of the war god and a daughter of the love
goddess-but ever since Silena had given Clarisse advice last summer about her f
irst boyfriend, Clarisse had decided she was Silena's personal bodyguard. Claris
se was dressed in her bloodred combat armor, her brown hair tucked into a bandan
a. She was as big and beefy as a rugby player, with a permanent scowl on her fac
e, but she spoke gently to Silena. "Come on, girl," she said. "Let's get to the
Big House. I'll make you some hot chocolate." Everyone turned and wandered off i
n twos and threes, heading back to the cabins. Nobody was excited to see me now.
Nobody wanted to
hear about the blown-up ship. Only Annabeth and Chiron stayed behind. Annabeth w
iped a tear from her cheek. "I'm glad you're not dead, Seaweed Brain." "Thanks,"
I said. "Me too." Chiron put a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure you did everythin
g you could, Percy. Will you tell us what happened?" I didn't want to go through
it again, but I told them the story, including my dream about the Titans. I lef
t out the detail about Nico. Nico had made me promise not to tell anybody about
his plan until I made up my mind, and the plan was so scary I didn't mind keepin
g it a secret. Chiron gazed down at the valley. "We must call a war council imme
diately, to discuss this spy, and other matters." "Poseidon mentioned another th
reat," I said. "Something even bigger than the Princess Andromeda. I thought it
might be that challenge the Titan had mentioned in my dream." Chiron and Annabet
h exchanged looks, like they knew something I didn't. I hated when they did that
. "We will discuss that also," Chiron promised. "One more thing." I took a deep
breath. "When I talked to my father, he said to tell you it's time. I need to kn
ow the full prophecy." Chiron's shoulders sagged, but he didn't look surprised.
"I've dreaded this day. Very well. Annabeth, we will show Percy the truth-all of
it. Let's go to the attic." * * * I'd been to the Big House attic three times b
efore, which was three times more than I wanted to. A ladder ledup from the top
of the staircase. I wondered how Chiron was going to get up there, being half ho
rse and all, but he didn't try. "You know where it is," he told Annabeth. "Bring
it down, please." Annabeth nodded. "Come on, Percy." The sun was setting outsid
e, so the attic was even darker and creepier than usual. Old hero trophies were
slacked everywheredented shields, pickled heads in jars from various monsters, a
pair of fuzzy dice on a bronze plaque that read: STOLEN FROM CHRYSAOR'S HONDA C
IVIC, BY GUS, SON OF HERMES, 1988. I picked up a curved bronze sword so badly be
nt it looked like the letter M. I could still see green stains on the metal from
the magical poison that used to cover it. The tag was dated last summer. It rea
d: Scimitar of Kampê, destroyed in the Battle of the Labyrinth. "You remember Briar
es throwing those boulders?" I asked. Annabeth gave me a grudging smile. "And Gr
over causing a Panic?" We locked eyes. I thought of a different time last summer
, under Mount St. Helens, when Annabeth thought I was going to die and she kisse
d me. She cleared her throat and looked away. "Prophecy." "Right." I put down th
e scimitar. "Prophecy." We walked over to the window. On a three-legged stool sa
t the Oracle-a shriveled female mummy m a tie-dyed dress. Tufts of black hair cl
ung to her skull. Glassy eyes stared out of her leathery face.
Just looking at her made my skin crawl. If you wanted to leave camp during the s
ummer, it used to be you had to come up here to get a quest. This summer, that r
ule had been tossed. Campers left all the time on combat missions. We had no cho
ice if we wanted to stop Kronos. Still, I remembered too well the strange green
mist-the spirit of the Oracle-that lived inside the mummy. She looked lifeless n
ow, but whenever she spoke a prophecy, she moved. Sometimes fog gushed out of he
r mouth and created strange shapes. Once, she'd even left the attic and taken a
little zombie stroll into the woods to deliver a message. I wasn't sure what she
'd do for the "Great Prophecy." I half expected her to start tap dancing or some
thing. But she just sat there like she was dead-which she was. "I never understo
od this," I whispered. "What?" Annabeth asked. "Why it's a mummy." "Percy, she d
idn't used to be a mummy. For thousands of years the spirit of the Oracle lived
inside a beautiful maiden. The spirit would be passed on from generation to gene
ration. Chiron told me she was like that fifty years ago." Annabeth pointed at t
he mummy. "But she was the last." "What happened?" Annabeth started to say somet
hing, then apparently changed her mind. "Let's just do our job and get out of he
re." I looked nervously at the Oracle's withered face. "So what now?" Annabeth a
pproached the mummy and held out her palms. "O Oracle, the time is at hand. I as
k for the Great Prophecy." I braced myself, but the mummy didn't move. Instead,
Annabeth approached and unclasped one of its necklaces. I'd never paid too much
attention to its jewelry before. I figured it was just hippie love beads and stu
ff. But when Annabeth turned toward me, she was holding a leather pouch-like a N
ative American medicine pouch on a cord braided with feathers. She opened the ba
g and took out a roll of parchment no bigger than her pinky. "No way," I said. "
You mean all these years, I've been asking about this stupid prophecy, and it's
been right there around her neck?" "The time wasn't right," Annabeth said. "Beli
eve me, Percy, I read this when I was ten years old, and I still have nightmares
about it." "Great," I said. "Can I read it now?" "Downstairs at the war council
," Annabeth said. "Not in front of . . . you know." I looked at the glassy eyes
of the Oracle, and I decided not to argue. We headed downstairs to join the othe
rs. I didn't know it then, but it would be the last time I ever visited the atti
c. * * * The senior counselors had gathered around the Ping-Pong table. Don't as
k me why, but the rec room had become the camp's informal headquarters for war c
ouncils. When Annabeth, Chiron, and I came in, though, it looked more like a sho
uting match. Clarisse was still in full battle gear. Her electric spear was stra
pped to her back. (Actually, her second electric spear, since I'd
broken the first one. She called the spear "Maimer." Behind her back, everybody
else called it "Lamer.") She had her boar-shaped helmet under one arm and a knif
e at her belt. She was in the midst of yelling at Michael Yew, the new head coun
selor for Apollo, which looked kind of funny since Clarisse was a foot taller. M
ichael had taken over the Apollo cabin after Lee Fletcher died in battle last su
mmer. Michael stood four feet six, with another two feet of attitude. He reminde
d me of a ferret, with a pointy nose and scrunched-up features-either because he
scowled so much or because he spent too much time looking down the shaft of an
arrow. "It's our loot!" he yelled, standing on his tiptoes so he could get in Cl
arisse's face. "If you don't like it, you can kiss my quiver!" Around the table,
people were trying not to laugh-the Stoll brothers, Pollux from the Dionysus ca
bin, Katie Gardner from Demeter. Even Jake Mason, the hastily appointed new coun
selor from Hephaestus, managed a faint smile. Only Silena Beauregard didn't pay
any attention. She sat beside Clarisse and stared vacantly at the PingPong net.
Her eyes were red and puffy. A cup of hot chocolate sat untouched in front of he
r. It seemed unfair that she had to be here. I couldn't believe Clarisse and Mic
hael standing over her, arguing about something as stupid as loot, when she'd ju
st lost Beckendorf. "STOP IT!" I yelled. "What are you guys doing?" Clarisse glo
wered at me. "Tell Michael not to be a selfish jerk." "Oh, that's perfect, comin
g from you," Michael said. "The only reason I'm here is to support Silena!" Clar
isse shouted. "Otherwise I'd be back in my cabin." "What are you talking about?"
I demanded. Pollux cleared his throat. "Clarisse has refused to speak to any of
us, until her, um, issue is resolved. She hasn't spoken for three days." "It's
been wonderful," Travis Stoll said wistfully. "What issue?" I asked. Clarisse tu
rned to Chiron. "You're in charge, right? Does my cabin get what we want or not?
" Chiron shuffled his hooves. "My dear, as I've already explained, Michael is co
rrect. Apollo's cabin has the best claim. Besides, we have more important matter
s-" "Sure," Clarisse snapped. "Always more important matters than what Ares need
s. We're just supposed to show up and light when you need us, and not complain!"
"That would be nice," Connor Stoll muttered. Clarisse gripped her knife. "Maybe
I should ask Mr. D-" "As you know," Chiron interrupted, his tone slightly angry
now, "our director, Dionysus, is busy with the war. He can't be bothered with t
his." "I see," Clarisse said. "And the senior counselors? Are any of you going t
o side with me?" Nobody was smiling now. None of them met Clarisse's eyes. "Fine
." Clarisse turned to Silena. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get into this when yo
u've just lost . . . Anyway, I apologize. To you. Nobody else."
Silena didn't seem to register her words. Clarisse threw her knife on the Ping-P
ong table. "All of you can fight this war without Ares. Until I get satisfaction
, no one in my cabin is lifting a finger to help. Have fun dying." The counselor
s were all too stunned to say anything as Clarisse stormed out of the room. Fina
lly Michael Yew said, "Good riddance." "Are you kidding?" Katie Gardner proteste
d. "This is a disaster!" "She can't be serious," Travis said. "Can she?" Chiron
sighed. "Her pride has been wounded. She'll calm down eventually." But he didn't
sound convinced. I wanted to ask what the heck Clarisse was so mad about, but I
looked at Annabeth and she mouthed the words I'll tell you later. "Now," Chiron
continued, "if you please, counselors. Percy has brought something I think you
should hear. Percy-the Great Prophecy." Annabeth handed me the parchment. It fel
t dry and old, and my fingers fumbled with the string. I uncurled the paper, try
ing not to rip it, and began to read: "A half-blood of the eldest dogs . . ." "E
r, Percy?" Annabeth interrupted. "That's gods. Not dogs." "Oh, right," I said. B
eing dyslexic is one mark of a demigod, but sometimes I really hate it. The more
nervous I am, the worse my reading gets. "A half~blood of the eldest gods . . .
shall reach sixteen against all odds . . ." I hesitated, staring at the next li
nes. A cold feeling started m my fingers as if the paper was freezing. "And see
the world in endless sleep, The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap." Suddenly
Riptide seemed heavier in my pocket. A cursed blade? Chiron once told me Riptide
had brought many people sorrow. Was it possible my own sword could get me kille
d? And how could the world fall into endless sleep, unless that meant death? "Pe
rcy," Chiron urged. "Read the rest." My mouth felt like it was full of sand, but
I spoke the last two lines. "A single choice shall. . . shall end his days. Oly
mpus to per-pursue-" "Preserve," Annabeth said gently. "It means to save." "I kn
ow what it means," I grumbled. "Olympus to preserve or raze." The room was silen
t. Finally Connor Stoll said, "Raise is good, isn't it?" "Not raise,"Silena said
. Her voice was hollow, but I was startled to hear her speak at all. "R-a-z-e me
ans destroy." "Obliterate," Annabeth said. "Annihilate. Turn to rubble." "Got it
." My heart felt like lead. "Thanks." Everybody was looking at me-with concern,
or pity, or maybe a little fear. Chiron closed his eyes as if he were saying a p
rayer. In horse form, his head almost brushed the lights in the rec room. "You s
ee now, Percy, why we thought it best not to tell you the whole prophecy. You've
had enough on your shoulders-" "Without realizing I was going to die in the end
anyway?" I
said. "Yeah, I get it." Chiron gazed at me sadly. The guy was three thousand yea
rs old. He'd seen hundreds of heroes die. He might not like it, but he was used
to it. He probably knew better than to try to reassure me. "Percy," Annabeth sai
d. "You know prophecies always have double meanings. It might not literally mean
you die." "Sure," I said. "A single choice shall end his days. That has tons of
meanings, right?" "Maybe we can stop it," Jake Mason offered. "The hero's soul,
cursed blade shall reap. Maybe we could find this cursed blade and destroy it.
Sounds like Kronos's scythe, right?" I hadn't thought about that, but it didn't
matter if the cursed blade was Riptide or Kronos's scythe. Either way, I doubted
we could stop the prophecy. A blade was supposed to reap my soul. As a general
rule, I preferred not to have my soul reaped. "Perhaps we should let Percy think
about these lines," Chiron said. "He needs time-" "No." I folded up the prophec
y and shoved it into my pocket. I felt defiant and angry, though I wasn't sure w
ho I was angry with. "I don't need time. If I die, I die. I can't worry about th
at, right?" Annabeth's hands were shaking a little. She wouldn't meet my eyes. "
Let's move on," I said. "We've got other problems. We've got a spy." Michael Yew
scowled. "A spy?" I told them what had happened on the Princess Andromeda-how K
ronos had known we were coming, how he'd shown me the silver scythe pendant he'd
used to communicate with someone at camp. Silena started to cry again, and Anna
beth put an arm around her shoulders. "Well," Connor Stoll said uncomfortably, "
we've suspected there might a spy for years, right? Somebody kept passing inform
ation to Luke-like the location of the Golden Fleece a couple of years ago. It m
ust be somebody who knew him well." Maybe subconsciously, he glanced at Annabeth
. She'd known Luke better than anyone, of course, but Connor looked away quickly
. "Um, I mean, it could be anybody." "Yes." Katie Gardner frowned at the Stoll b
rothers. She'd disliked them ever since they'd decorated the grass roof of the D
emeter cabin with chocolate Easter bunnies. "Like one of Luke's siblings." Travi
s and Connor both started arguing with her. "Stop!" Silena banged the table so h
ard her hot chocolate spilled. "Charlie's dead and . . . and you're all arguing
like little kids!" She put her head down and began to sob. Hot chocolate trickle
d off the Ping-Pong table. Everybody looked ashamed. "She's right," Pollux said
at last. "Accusing each other doesn't help. We need to keep our eyes open for a
silver necklace with a scythe charm. If Kronos had one, the spy probably does to
o." Michael Yew grunted. "We need to find this spy before we plan our next opera
tion. Blowing up the Princess Andromeda won't stop
Kronos forever." "No indeed," Chiron said. "In fact his next assault is already
on the way." I scowled. "You mean the 'bigger threat' Poseidon mentioned?" He an
d Annabeth looked at each other like, It's time. Did I mention I hate it when th
ey do that? "Percy," Chiron said, "we didn't want to tell you until you returned
to camp. You needed a break with your . . . mortal friends." Annabeth blushed.
It dawned on me that she knew I'd been hanging out with Rachel, and I felt guilt
y. Then I felt angry that I felt guilty. I was allowed to have friends outside c
amp, right? It wasn't like . . . "Tell me what's happened," I said. Chiron picke
d up a bronze goblet from the snack table. He tossed water onto the hot plate wh
ere we usually melted nacho cheese. Steam billowed up, making a rainbow in the f
luorescent lights. Chiron fished a golden drachma out of his pouch, tossed it th
rough the mist, and muttered, "O Iris, Goddess of the Rainbow, show us the threa
t." The mist shimmered. I saw the familiar image of a smoldering volcano-Mount S
t. Helens. As I watched, the side of the mountain exploded. Fire, ash, and lava
rolled out. A newscaster's voice was saying "-even larger than last year's erupt
ion, and geologists warn that the mountain may not be done." I knew all about la
st year's eruption. I'd caused it. But this explosion was much worse. The mounta
in tore itself apart, collapsing inward, and an enormous form rose out of the sm
oke and lava like it was emerging from a manhole. I hoped the Mist would keep th
e humans from seeing it clearly, because what I saw would've caused panic and ri
ots across the entire United States. The giant was bigger than anything I'd ever
encountered. Even my demigod eyes couldn't make out its exact form through the
ash and fire, but it was vaguely humanoid and so huge it could've used the Chrys
ler Building as a baseball bat. The mountain shook with a horrible rumbling, as
if the monster were laughing. "It's him," I said. "Typhon." I was seriously hopi
ng Chiron would say something good, like No, that's our huge friend Leroy! He's
going to help us! But no such luck. He simply nodded. "The most horrible monster
of all, the biggest single threat the gods ever faced. He has been freed from u
nder the mountain at last. But this scene is from two days ago. Here is what is
happening today." Chiron waved his hand and the image changed. I saw a bank of s
torm clouds rolling across the Midwest plains. Lightning flickered. Lines of tor
nadoes destroyed everything in their path-ripping up houses and trailers, tossin
g cars around like Matchbox toys. "Monumental floods," an announcer was saying.
"Five states declared disaster areas as the freak storm system sweeps east, cont
inuing its path of destruction." The cameras zoomed in on a column of storm bear
ing down on some Midwest city. I couldn't tell which one. Inside the storm I cou
ld see the giant-just small glimpses
of his true form: a smoky arm, a dark clawed hand the size of a city block. His
angry roar rolled across the plains like a nuclear blast. Other smaller forms da
rted through the clouds, circling the monster. I saw flashes of light, and I rea
lized the giant was trying to swat them. I squinted and thought I saw a golden c
hariot flying into the blackness. Then some kind of huge bird-a monstrous owl-di
ved in to attack the giant. "Are those . . . the gods?" I said. "Yes, Percy," Ch
iron said. "They have been fighting him for days now, trying to slow him down. B
ut Typhon is marching forward-toward New York. Toward Olympus." I let that sink
in. "How long until he gets here?" "Unless the gods can stop him? Perhaps five d
ays. Most of the Olympians are there . . . except your father, who has a war of
his own to fight." "But then who's guarding Olympus?" Connor Stoll shook his hea
d. "If Typhon gets to New York, it won't matter who's guarding Olympus." I thoug
ht about Kronos's words on the ship: I would love to see the terror in your eyes
when you realize how I will destroy Olympus. Was this what he was talking about
: an attack by Typhon? It was sure terrifying enough. But Kronos was always fool
ing us, misdirecting our attention. This seemed too obvious for him. And in my d
ream, the golden Titan had talked about several more challenges to come, as if T
yphon were only the first. "It's a trick," I said. "We have to warn the gods. So
mething else is going to happen." Chiron looked at me gravely. "Something worse
than Typhon? I hope not." "We have to defend Olympus," I insisted. "Kronos has a
nother attack planned." "He did," Travis Stoll reminded me. "But you sunk his sh
ip." Everyone was looking at me. They wanted some good news. They wanted to beli
eve that at least I'd given them a little bit of hope. I glanced at Annabeth. I
could tell we were thinking the same thing: What if the Princess Andromeda was a
ploy? What if Kronos let us blow up that ship so we'd lower our guard? But I wa
sn't going to say that in front of Silena. Her boyfriend had sacrificed himself
for that mission. "Maybe you're right," I said, though I didn't believe it. I tr
ied to imagine how things could get much worse. The gods were m the Midwest figh
ting a huge monster that had almost defeated them once before. Poseidon was unde
r siege and losing a war against the sea Titan Oceanus. Kronos was still out the
re somewhere. Olympus was virtually undefended. The demigods of Camp HalfBlood w
ere on our own with a spy in our midst. Oh, and according to the ancient prophec
y, I was going to die when I turned sixteen-which happened to be in five days, t
he exact same time Typhon was supposed to hit New York. Almost forgot that. "Wel
l," Chiron said, "I think that's enough for one night." He waved his hand and th
e steam dissipated. The stormy battle of Typhon and the gods disappeared. "That'
s an understatement," I muttered. And the war council adjourned.
CHAPTER FOUR WE BURN A METAL SHROUD I dreamed Rachel Elizabeth Dare was throwing
darts at my picture. She was standing in her room . . . Okay, back up. I have t
o explain that Rachel doesn't have a room. She has the top floor of her family's
mansion, which is a renovated brownstone in Brooklyn. Her "room" is a huge loft
with industrial lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows. It's about twice as big
as my mom's apartment. Some alt rock was blaring from her paint-covered Bose doc
king system. As far as I could tell, Rachel's only rule about music was that no
two songs on her iPod couldsound the same, and they all had to be strange. She w
ore a kimono, and her hair was frizzy, like she'd been sleeping. Her bed was mes
sed up. Sheets hung over a bunch of artist's easels. Dirty clothes and old energ
y bar wrappers were strewn around the floor, but when you've got a room that big
, the mess doesn't look so bad. Out the windows you could see the entire nightti
me skyline of Manhattan. The picture she was attacking was a painting of me stan
ding over the giant Antaeus. Rachel had painted it a couple of months ago. My ex
pression in the picture was fierce-disturbing, even-so it was hard to tell if I
was the good guy or the bad guy, but Rachel said I'd looked just like that after
the battle. "Demigods," Rachel muttered as she threw another dart at the canvas
. "And their stupid quests." Most of the darts bounced off, but a few stuck. One
hung off my chin like a goatee. Someone pounded on her bedroom door. "Rachel!"
a man shouted. "What in the world are you doing? Turn off that-" Rachel scooped
up her remote control and shut off the music. "Come in!" Her dad walked in, scow
ling and blinking from the light. He had rust-colored hair a little darker than
Rachel's. It was smushed on one side like he'd lost a fight with his pillow. His
blue silk pajamas had "WD" monogrammed on the pocket. Seriously, who has monogr
ammed pajamas? "What is going on?" he demanded. "It's three in the morning." "Co
uldn't sleep," Rachel said. On the painting, a dart fell off my face. Rachel hid
the rest behind her back, but Mr. Dare noticed. "So . . . I take it your friend
isn't coming to St. Thomas?" That's what Mr. Dare called me. Never Percy. Just
your friend. Or young man if he was talking to me, which he rarely did. Rachel k
nit her eyebrows. "I don't know." "We leave in the morning," her dad said. "If h
e hasn't made up his mind yet-" "He's probably not coming," Rachel said miserabl
y. "Happy?"
Mr. Dare put his hands behind his back. He paced the room with a stern expressio
n. I imagined he did that in the boardroom of his land development company and m
ade his employees nervous. "Are you still having bad dreams?" he asked. "Headach
es?" Rachel threw her darts on the floor. "I should never have told you about th
at." "I'm your father," he said. "I'm worried about you." "Worried about the fam
ily's reputation," Rachel muttered. Her father didn't react-maybe because he'd h
eard that comment before, or maybe because it was true. "We could call Dr. Arkwr
ight," he suggested. "He helped you get through the death of your hamster." "I w
as six then," she said. "And no, Dad, I don't need a therapist. I just . . ." Sh
e shook her head helplessly. Her father stopped in front of the windows. He gaze
d at the New York skyline as if he owned it-which wasn't true. He only owned par
t of it. "It will be good for you to get away," he decided. "You've had some unh
ealthy influences." "I'm not going to Clarion Ladies Academy," Rachel said. "And
my friends are none of your business." Mr. Dare smiled, but it wasn't a warm sm
ile. It was more like, Someday you'll realize how silly you sound. "Try to get s
ome sleep," he urged. "We'll be at the beach by tomorrow night. It will be fun."
"Fun," Rachel repeated. "Lots of fun." Her father exited the room. He left the
door open behind him. Rachel stared at the portrait of me. Then she walked to th
e easel next to it, which was covered in a sheet. "I hope they're dreams," she s
aid. She uncovered the easel. On it was a hastily sketched charcoal, but Rachel
was a good artist. The picture was definitely Luke as a young boy. He was about
nine years old, with a wide grin and no scar on his face. I had no idea how Rach
el could've known what he looked like back then, but the portrait was so good I
had a feeling she wasn't guessing. From what I knew about Luke's life (which was
n't much), the picture showed him just before he'd found out he was a half-blood
and had run away from home. Rachel stared at the portrait. Then she uncovered t
he next easel. This picture was even more disturbing. It showed the Empire State
Building with lightning all around it. In the distance a dark storm was brewing
, with a huge hand coming out of the clouds. At the base of the building a crowd
had gathered . . . but it wasn't a normal crowd of tourists and pedestrians. I
saw spears, javelins, and bannersthe trappings of an army. "Percy," Rachel mutte
red, as if she knew I was listening, "what is going on?" The dream faded, and th
e last thing I remember was wishing I could answer her question. The next mornin
g, I wanted to call her, but there were no phones at camp. Dionysus and Chiron d
idn't need a landline. They just called Olympus with an Iris-message whenever th
ey needed something. And when demigods use cell phones, the signals agitate ever
y monster within a hundred miles. It's like sending up a flare:
Here I am! Please rearrange my face! Even within the safe borders of camp, that'
s not the kind of advertising we wanted to do. Most demigods (except for Annabet
h and a few others) don't even own cell phones. And I definitely couldn't tell A
nnabeth, "Hey, let me borrow your phone so I can call Rachel!" To make the call,
I would've had to leave camp and walk several miles to the nearest convenience
store. Even if Chiron let me go, by the time I got there, Rachel would've been o
n the plane to St. Thomas. I ate a depressing breakfast by myself at the Poseido
n table. I kept staring at the fissure in the marble floor where two years ago N
ico had banished a bunch of bloodthirsty skeletons to the Underworld. The memory
didn't exactly improve my appetite. After breakfast, Annabeth and I walked down
to inspect the cabins. Actually, it was Annabeth's turn for inspection. My morn
ing chore was to sort through reports for Chiron. But since we both hated our jo
bs, we decided to do them together so it wouldn't be so heinous. We started at t
he Poseidon cabin, which was basically just me. I'd made my bunk bed that mornin
g (well, sort of) and straightened the Minotaur horn on the wall, so I gave myse
lf a four out of five. Annabeth made a face. "You're being generous." She used t
he end of her pencil to pick up an old pair of running shorts. I snatched them a
way. "Hey, give me a break. I don't have Tyson cleaning up after me this summer.
" "Three out of five," Annabeth said. I knew better than to argue, so we moved a
long. I tried to skim through Chiron's stack of reports as we walked. There were
messages from demigods, nature spirits, and satyrs all around the country, writ
ing about the latest monster activity. They were pretty depressing, and my ADHD
brain did not like concentrating on depressing stuff. Little battles were raging
everywhere. Camp recruitment was down to zero. Satyrs were having trouble findi
ng new demigods and bringing them to Half-Blood Hill because so many monsters we
re roaming the country. Our friend Thalia, who led the Hunters of Artemis, hadn'
t been heard from in months, and if Artemis knew what had happened to them, she
wasn't sharing information. We visited the Aphrodite cabin, which of course got
a five out of five. The beds were perfectly made. The clothes in everyone's foot
lockers were color coordinated. Fresh flowers bloomed on the windowsills. I want
ed to dock a point because the whole place reeked of designer perfume, but Annab
eth ignored me. "Great job as usual, Silena," Annabeth said. Silena nodded listl
essly. The wall behind her bed was decorated with pictures of Beckendorf. She sa
t on her bunk with a box of chocolates on her lap, and I remembered that her dad
owned a chocolate store in the Village, which was how he'd caught the attention
of Aphrodite. "You want a bonbon?" Silena asked. "My dad sent them. He thought-
he thought they might cheer me up." "Are they any good?" I asked. She shook her
head. "They taste like cardboard." I didn't have anything against cardboard, so
I tried one.
Annabeth passed. We promised to see Silena later and kept going. As we crossed t
he commons area, a fight broke out between the Ares and Apollo cabins. Some Apol
lo campers armed with firebombs flew over the Ares cabin in a chariot pulled by
two pegasi. I'd never seen the chariot before, but it looked like a pretty sweet
ride. Soon, the roof of the Ares cabin was burning, and naiads from the canoe l
ake rushed over to blow water on it. Then the Ares campers called down a curse,
and all the Apollo kids' arrows turned to rubber. The Apollo kids kept shooting
at the Ares kids, but the arrows bounced off. Two archers ran by, chased by an a
ngry Ares kid who was yelling in poetry: "Curse me, eh? I'll make you pay! / I d
on't want to rhyme all day!" Annabeth sighed. "Not that again. Last time Apollo
cursed a cabin, it took a week for the rhyming couplets to wear off." I shuddere
d. Apollo was god of poetry as well as archery, and I'd heard him recite in pers
on. I'd almost rather yet shot by an arrow. "What are they fighting about anyway
?" I asked. Annabeth ignored me while she scribbled on her inspection scroll, gi
ving both cabins a one out of five. I found myself staring at her, which was stu
pid since I'd seen her a billion times. She and I were about the same height thi
s summer, which was a relief. Still, she seemed so much more mature. It was kind
of intimidating. I mean, sure, she'd always been cute, but she was starting to
be seriously beautiful. Finally she said, "That flying chariot." "What?" "You as
ked what they were fighting about." "Oh. Oh, right." "They captured it in a raid
in Philadelphia last week. Some of Luke's demigods were there with that flying
chariot. The Apollo cabin seized it during the battle, but the Ares cabin led th
e raid. So they've been fighting about who gets it ever since." We ducked as Mic
hael Yew's chariot dive-bombed an Ares camper. The Ares camper tried to stab him
and cuss him out in rhyming couplets. He was pretty creative about rhyming thos
e cuss words. "We're fighting for our lives," I said, "and they're bickering abo
ut some stupid chariot." "They'll get over it," Annabeth said. "Clarisse will co
me to her senses." I wasn't so sure. That didn't sound like the Clarisse I knew.
I scanned more reports and we inspected a few more cabins. Demeter got a four.
Hephaestus got a three and probably should've gotten lower, but with Beckendorf
being gone and all, we cut them some slack. Hermes got a two, which was no surpr
ise. All campers who didn't know their godly parentage were shoved into the Herm
es cabin, and since the gods were kind of forgetful, that cabin was always overc
rowded. Finally we got to Athena's cabin, which was orderly and clean as usual.
Books were straightened on the shelves. The armor was polished. Battle maps and
blueprints decorated the walls. Only Annabeth's bunk was messy. It was covered i
n papers, and her silver laptop was still running. "Vlacas," Annabeth muttered,
which was basically calling herself an idiot in Greek.
Her second-in-command, Malcolm, suppressed a smile. "Yeah, um . . . we cleaned e
verything else. Didn't know if it was safe to move your notes." That was probabl
y smart. Annabeth had a bronze knife that she reserved just for monsters and peo
ple who messed with her stuff. Malcolm grinned at me. "We'll wait outside while
you finish inspection." The Athena campers filed out the door while Annabeth cle
aned up her bunk. I shuffled uneasily and pretended to go through some more repo
rts. Technically, even on inspection, it was against camp rules for two campers
to be . . . like, alone in a cabin. That rule had come up a lot when Silena and
Beckendorf started dating. And I know some of you might be thinking, Aren't all
demigods related on the godly side, and doesn't that make dating gross? But the
thing is, the godly side of your family doesn't count, genetically speaking, sin
ce gods don't have DNA. A demigod would never think about dating someone who had
the same godly parent. Like two kids from Athena cabin? No way. But a daughter
of Aphrodite and a son of Hephaestus? They're not related. So it's no problem. A
nyway, for some strange reason I was thinking about this as I watched Annabeth s
traighten up. She closed her laptop, which had been given to her as a gift from
the inventor Daedalus last summer. I cleared my throat. "So . . . get any good i
nfo from that thing?" "Too much," she said. "Daedalus had so many ideas, I could
spend fifty years just trying to figure them all out." "Yeah," I muttered. "Tha
t would be fun." She shuffled her papers-mostly drawings of buildings and a bunc
h of handwritten notes. I knew she wanted to be an architect someday, but I'd le
arned the hard way not to ask what she was working on. She'd start talking about
angles and load-bearing joints until my eyes glazed over. "You know . . ." She
brushed her hair behind her ear, like she does when she's nervous. "This whole t
hing with Beckendorf and Silena. It kind of makes you think. About . . . what's
important. About losing people who are important." I nodded. My brain started se
izing on little random details, like the fact that she was still wearing those s
ilver owl earrings from her dad, who was this brainiac military history professo
r in San Francisco. "Urn, yeah," I stammered. "Like . . . is everything cool wit
h your family?" Okay, really stupid question, but hey, I was nervous. Annabeth l
ooked disappointed, but she nodded. "My dad wanted to take me to Greece this sum
mer," she said wistfully. "I've always wanted to see-" "The Parthenon," I rememb
ered. She managed a smile. "Yeah." "That's okay. There'll be other summers, righ
t?" As soon as I said it, I realized it was a boneheaded comment. I was facing t
he end of my days. Within a week, Olympus might fall. If the Age of the Gods rea
lly did end, the world as we knew it would dissolve into chaos. Demigods would b
e hunted to extinction. There would be no more summers for us. Annabeth stared a
t her inspection scroll. "Three out five," she
muttered, "for a sloppy head counselor. Come on. Let's finish your reports and g
et back to Chiron." On the way to the Big House, we read the last report, which
was handwritten on a maple leaf from a satyr in Canada. If possible, the note ma
de me feel even worse. " 'Dear Grover,'" I read aloud. " 'Woods outside Toronto
attacked by giant evil badger. Tried to do as you suggested and summon power of
Pan. No effect. Many naiads' trees destroyed. Retreating to Ottawa. Please advis
e. Where are you? -Gleeson Hedge, protector.'" Annabeth grimaced. "You haven't h
eard anything from him? Even with your empathy link?" I shook my head dejectedly
. Ever since last summer when the god Pan had died, our friend Grover had been d
rifting farther and farther away. The Council of Cloven Elders treated him like
an outcast, but Grover still traveled all over the East Coast, trying to spread
the word about Pan and convince nature spirits to protect their own little bits
of the wild. He'd only come back to camp a few times to see his girlfriend, Juni
per. Last I'd heard he was in Central Park organizing the dryads, but nobody had
seen or heard from him in two months. We'd tried to send Iris-messages. They ne
ver got through. I had an empathy link with Grover, so I hoped I would know if a
nything bad happened to him. Grover had told me one time that if he died, the em
pathy link might kill me too. But I wasn't sure if that was still true or not. I
wondered if he was still in Manhattan. Then I thought about my dream of Rachel'
s sketch-dark clouds closing on the city, an army gathered around the Empire Sta
te Building. "Annabeth." I stopped her by the tetherball court. I knew I was ask
ing for trouble, but I didn't know who else to trust. Plus, I'd always depended
on Annabeth for advice. "Listen, I had this dream about, um, Rachel . . ." I tol
d her the whole thing, even the weird picture of Luke as a child. For a while sh
e didn't say anything. Then she rolled up her inspection scroll so tight she rip
ped it. "What do you want me to say?" "I'm not sure. You're the best strategist
I know. If you were Kronos planning this war, what would you do next?" "I'd use
Typhon as a distraction. Then I'd hit Olympus directly, while the gods were in t
he West." "Just like in Rachel's picture." "Percy," she said, her voice tight, "
Rachel is just a mortal." "But what if her dream is true? Those other Titans-the
y said Olympus would be destroyed in a matter of days. They said they had plenty
of other challenges. And what's with that picture of Luke as a kid-" "We'll jus
t have to be ready." "How?" I said. "Look at our camp. We can't even stop fighti
ng each other. And I'm supposed to get my stupid soul reaped." She threw down he
r scroll. "I knew we shouldn't have shown you the prophecy." Her voice was angry
and hurt. "All it did was scare you. You run away from things when you're scare
d." I stared at her, completely stunned. "Me? Run away?" She got right in my fac
e. "Yes, you. You're a coward, Percy Jackson!" We were nose to nose. Her eyes we
re red, and I suddenly realized that when she called me a coward, maybe she wasn
't talking about
the prophecy. "If you don't like our chances," she said, "maybe you should go on
that vacation with Rachel." "Annabeth-" "If you don't like our company." "That'
s not fair!" She pushed past me and stormed toward the strawberry fields. She hi
t the tetherball as she passed and sent it spinning angrily around the pole. I'd
like to say my day got better from there. Of course it didn't. That afternoon w
e had an assembly at the campfire to burn Beckendorf's burial shroud and say our
good-byes. Even the Ares and Apollo cabins called a temporary truce to attend.
Beckendorf's shroud was made out of metal links, like chain mail. I didn't see h
ow it would burn, but the Fates must've been helping out. The metal melted in th
e fire and turned to golden smoke, which rose into the sky. The campfire flames
always reflected the campers' moods, and today they burned black. I hoped Becken
dorf's spirit would end up in Elysium. Maybe he'd even choose to be reborn and t
ry for Elysium in three different lifetimes so he could reach the Isles of the B
lest, which was like the Underworld's ultimate party headquarters. If anyone des
erved it, Beckendorf did. Annabeth left without a word to me. Most of the other
campers drifted off to their afternoon activities. I just stood there staring at
the dying fire. Silena sat nearby crying, while Clarisse and her boyfriend, Chr
is Rodriguez, tried to comfort her. Finally I got up the nerve to walk over. "He
y, Silena, I'm really sorry." She sniffled. Clarisse glared at me, but she alway
s glares at everyone. Chris would barely look at me. He'd been one of Luke's men
until Clarisse rescued him from the Labyrinth last summer, and I guess he still
felt guilty about it. I cleared my throat. "Silena, you know Beckendorf carried
your picture. He looked at it right before we went into battle. You meant a lot
to him. You made the last year the best of his life." Silena sobbed. "Good work
, Percy," Clarisse muttered. "No, it's all right," Silena said. "Thank . . . tha
nk you, Percy. I should go." "You want company?" Clarisse asked. Silena shook he
r head and ran off. "She's stronger than she looks," Clarisse muttered, almost t
o herself. "She'll survive." "You could help with that," I suggested. "You could
honor Beckendorf's memory by fighting with us." Clarisse went for her knife, bu
t it wasn't there anymore. She'd thrown it on the Ping-Pong table in the Big Hou
se. "Not my problem," she growled. "My cabin doesn't get honor, I don't fight."
I noticed she wasn't speaking in rhymes. Maybe she hadn't been around when her c
abinmates got cursed, or maybe she had a way of breaking the spell. With a chill
, I wondered if Clarisse could be Kronos's spy at camp. Was that why she was kee
ping her cabin out of the fight? But as much as I disliked Clarisse, spying for
the Titans didn't seem like her style. "All right," I told her. "I didn't want t
o bring this up, but you owe me one. You'd be rotting in a Cyclops's cave in the
Sea of Monsters if it wasn't for me."
She clenched her jaw. "Any other favor, Percy. Not this. The Ares cabin has been
dissed too many times. And don't think I don't know what people say about me be
hind my back." I wanted to say, Well, it's true. But I bit my tongue. "So, what-
you're just going to let Kronos crush us?" I asked. "If you want my help so bad,
tell Apollo to give us the chariot." "You're such a big baby." She charged me,
but Chris got between us. "Whoa, guys," he said. "Clarisse, you know, maybe he's
got a point." She sneered at him. "Not you too!" She trudged off with Chris at
her heels. "Hey, wait! I just meant-Clarisse, wait!" I watched the last sparks f
rom Beckendorf's fire curl into the afternoon sky. Then I headed toward the swor
d-fighting arena. I needed a break, and I wanted to see an old friend. CHAPTER F
IVE I DRIVE MY DOG INTO A TREE
Mrs. O'Leary saw me before I saw her, which was a pretty good trick considering
she's the size of a garbage truck. I walked into the arena, and a wall of darkne
ss slammed into me. "WOOF!" The next thing I knew I was flat on the ground with
a huge paw on my chest and an oversize Brillo-pad tongue licking my face. "Ow!"
I said. "Hey, girl. Good to see you too. Ow!" It took a few minutes for Mrs. O'L
eary to calm down and get off me. By then I was pretty much drenched in dog droo
l. She wanted to play fetch, so I picked up a bronze shield and tossed it across
the arena. By the way, Mrs. O'Leary is the world's only friendly hellhound. I k
ind of inherited her when her previous owner died. She lived at camp, but Becken
dorf . . . well, Beckendorf used to take care of her whenever I was gone. He had
smelted Mrs. O'Leary's favorite bronze chewing bone. He'd forged her collar wit
h the little smiley face and a crossbones name tag. Next to me, Beckendorf had b
een her best friend. Thinking about that made me sad all over again, but I threw
the shield a few more times because Mrs. O'Leary insisted. Soon she started bar
king-a sound slightly louder than an artillery gun-like she needed to go for a w
alk. The other campers didn't think it was funny when she went to the bathroom i
n the arena. It had caused more than one unfortunate slip-and-slide accident. So
I opened the gates of the arena, and she bounded straight toward the woods. I j
ogged after her, not too concerned that she was getting ahead. Nothing in the wo
ods could threaten Mrs. O'Leary. Even the dragons and giant scorpions ran away w
hen she came close. When I finally tracked her down, she wasn't using the facili
ties. She was in a familiar clearing where the Council of Cloven Elders had once
put Grover on trial. The place didn't look so good. The grass had turned yellow
. The three topiary thrones had lost all their leaves. But that's not what surpr
ised me. In the middle of the glade stood the weirdest trio I'd ever seen: Junip
er the tree nymph, Nico di Angelo, and a very old, very fat satyr.
Nico was the only one who didn't seem freaked out by Mrs. O'Leary's appearance.
He looked pretty much like I'd seen him in my dream-an aviator's jacket, black j
eans, and a T-shirt with dancing skeletons on it, like one of those Day of the D
ead pictures. His Stygian iron sword hung at his side. He was only twelve, but h
e looked much older and sadder. He nodded when he saw me, then went back to scra
tching Mrs. O'Leary's ears. She sniffed his legs like he was the most interestin
g thing since rib-eye steaks. Being the son of Hades, he'd probably been traveli
ng in all sorts of hellhound-friendly places. The old satyr didn't look nearly s
o happy. "Will someone-what is this underworld creature doing in my forest!" He
waved his arms and trotted on his hooves as if the grass were hot. "You there, P
ercy Jackson! Is this your beast?" "Sorry, Leneus," I said. "That's your name, r
ight?" The satyr rolled his eyes. His fur was dust-bunny gray, and a spiderweb g
rew between his horns. His belly would've made him an invincible bumper car. "We
ll, of course I'm Leneus. Don't tell me you've forgotten a member of the Council
so quickly. Now, call off your beast!" "WOOF!" Mrs. O'Leary said happily. The o
ld satyr gulped. "Make it go away! Juniper, I will not help you under these circ
umstances!" Juniper turned toward me. She was pretty in a dryad-y way, with her
purple gossamer dress and her elfish face, but her eyes were greentinted with ch
lorophyll from crying. "Percy," she sniffled. "I was just asking about Grover. I
know something's happened. He wouldn't stay gone this long if he wasn't in trou
ble. I was hoping that Leneus-" "I told you!" the satyr protested. "You are bett
er off without that traitor." Juniper stamped her foot. "He is not a traitor! He
's the bravest satyr ever, and I want to know where he is!" "WOOF!" Leneus's kne
es started knocking. "I . . . I won't answer questions with this hellhound sniff
ing my tail!" Nico looked like he was trying to not crack up. "I'll walk the dog
," he volunteered. He whistled, and Mrs. O'Leary bounded after him to the far en
d of the grove. Leneus huffed indignantly and brushed the twigs off his shirt. "
Now, as I was trying to explain, young lady, your boyfriend has not sent any rep
orts since we voted him into exile." "You tried to vote him into exile," I corre
cted. "Chiron and Dionysus stopped you." "Bah! They are honorary Council members
. It wasn't a proper vote." "I'll tell Dionysus you said that." Leneus paled. "I
only meant . . . Now see here, Jackson. This is none of your business." "Grover
's my friend," I said. "He wasn't lying to you about Pan's death. I saw it mysel
f. You were just too scared to accept the truth." Leneus's lips quivered. "No! G
rover's a liar and good riddance. We're better off without him." I pointed at th
e withered thrones. "If things are going so well, where are your friends? Looks
like your Council hasn't been meeting lately." "Maron and Silenus . . . I . . .
I'm sure they'll be back," he said, but I could hear the panic in his voice. "Th
ey're just taking some time off to think. It's been a very unsettling year. "It'
s going to get a lot more unsettling," I promised. "Leneus, we
need Grover. There's got to be a way you can find him with your magic." The old
satyr's eye twitched. "I'm telling you, I've heard nothing. Perhaps he's dead."
Juniper choked back a sob. "He's not dead," I said. "I can feel that much." "Emp
athy links," Leneus said disdainfully. "Very unreliable." "So ask around," I ins
isted. "Find him. There's a war coming. Grover was preparing the nature spirits.
" "Without my permission! And it's not our war." I grabbed him by the shirt, whi
ch seriously wasn't like me, but the stupid old goat was making me mad. "Listen,
Leneus. When Kronos attacks, he's going to have packs of hellhounds. He's going
to destroy everything in his path-mortals, gods, demigods. Do you think he'll l
et the satyrs go free? You're supposed to be a leader. So LEAD. Get out there an
d see what's happening. Find Grover and bring Juniper some news. Now, GO!" I did
n't push him very hard, but he was kind of top-heavy. He fell on his furry rump,
then scrambled to his hooves and ran away with his belly jiggling. "Grover will
never be accepted! He will die an outcast!" When he'd disappeared into the bush
es, Juniper wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry, Percy. I didn't mean to get you involved
. Leneus is still a lord of the Wild. You don't want to make an enemy of him." "
No problem," I said. "I've got worse enemies than overweight satyrs." Nico walke
d back to us. "Good job, Percy. Judging from the trail of goat pellets, I'd say
you shook him up pretty well." I was afraid I knew why Nico was here, but I trie
d for a smile. "Welcome back. Did you come by just to see Juniper?" He blushed.
"Um, no. That was an accident. I kind of . . . dropped into the middle of their
conversation." "He scared us to death!" Juniper said. "Right out of the shadows.
But, Nico, you are the son of Hades and all. Are you sure you haven't heard any
thing about Grover?" Nico shifted his weight. "Juniper, like I tried to tell you
. . . even if Grover died, he would reincarnate into something else in nature.
I can't sense things like that, only mortal souls." "But if you do hear anything
?" she pleaded, putting her hand on his arm. "Anything at all?" Nico's cheeks go
t even brighter red. "Uh, you bet. I'll keep my ears open." "We'll find him, Jun
iper," I promised. "Grover's alive, I'm sure. There must be a simple reason why
he hasn't contacted us." She nodded glumly. "I hate not being able to leave the
forest. He could be anywhere, and I'm stuck here waiting. Oh, if that silly goat
has gotten himself hurt-" Mrs. O'Leary bounded back over and took an interest i
n Juniper's dress. Juniper yelped. "Oh, no you don't! I know about dogs and tree
s. I'm gone!" She went poof into green mist. Mrs. O'Leary looked disappointed, b
ut she lumbered off to find another target, leaving Nico and me alone. Nico tapp
ed his sword on the ground. A tiny mound of animal bones erupted from the dirt.
They knit themselves together into a skeletal field mouse and scampered off. "I
was sorry to hear about Beckendorf." A lump formed in my throat. "How did you-"
"I talked to his ghost."
"Oh . . . right." I'd never get used to the fact that this twelve-year-old kid s
pent more time talking with the dead than the living. "Did he say anything?" "He
doesn't blame you. He figured you'd be beating yourself up, and he said you sho
uldn't." "Is he going to try for rebirth?" Nico shook his head. "He's staying in
Elysium. Said he's waiting for someone. Not sure what he meant, but he seems ok
ay with death." It wasn't much comfort, but it was something. "I had a vision yo
u were on Mount Tarn," I told Nico. "Was that-" "Real," he said. "I didn't mean
to be spying on the Titans, but I was in the neighborhood." "Doing what?" Nico t
ugged at his sword belt. "Following a lead on . . . you know, my family." I nodd
ed. I knew his past was a painful subject. Until two years ago, he and his siste
r Bianca had been frozen in time at a place called the Lotus Hotel and Casino. T
hey'd been there for like seventy years. Eventually a mysterious lawyer rescued
them and checked them into a boarding school, but Nico had no memories of his li
fe before the casino. He didn't know anything about his mother. He didn't know w
ho the lawyer was, or why they'd been frozen in time or allowed to go free. Afte
r Bianca died and left Nico alone, he'd been obsessed with finding answers. "So
how did it go?" I asked. "Any luck?" "No," he murmured. "But I may have a new le
ad soon." "What's the lead?" Nico chewed his lip. "That's not important right no
w. You know why I'm here." A feeling of dread started to build in my chest. Ever
since Nico first proposed his plan for beating Kronos last summer, I'd had nigh
tmares about it. He would show up occasionally and press me for an answer, but I
kept putting him off. "Nico, I don't know," I said. "It seems pretty extreme."
"You've got Typhon coming in, what . . . a week? Most of the other Titans are un
leashed now and on Kronos's side. Maybe it's time to think extreme." I looked ba
ck toward the camp. Even from this distance I could hear the Ares and Apollo cam
pers fighting again, yelling curses and spouting bad poetry. "They're no match f
or the Titan army," Nico said. "You know that. This comes down to you and Luke.
And there's only one way you can beat Luke." I remembered the fight on the Princ
ess Andromeda. I'd been hopelessly outmatched. Kronos had almost killed me with
a single cut to my arm, and I couldn't even wound him. Riptide had glanced right
off his skin. "We can give you the same power," Nico urged. "You heard the Grea
t Prophecy. Unless you want to have your soul reaped by a cursed blade . . ." I
wondered how Nico had heard the prophecy- probably from some ghost. "You can't p
revent a prophecy," I said. "But you can fight it." Nico had a strange, hungry l
ight m his eyes. "You can become invincible." "Maybe we should wait. Try to figh
t without-" "No!" Nico snarled. "It has to be now!" I stared at him. I hadn't se
en his temper flare like that in a long time. "Urn, you sure you're okay?" He to
ok a deep breath. "Percy, all I mean . . . when the fighting
starts, we won't be able to make the journey. This is our last chance. I'm sorry
if I'm being too pushy, but two years ago my sister gave her life to protect yo
u. I want you to honor that. Do whatever it takes to stay alive and defeat Krono
s." I didn't like the idea. Then I thought about Annabeth calling me a coward, a
nd I got angry. Nico had a point. If Kronos attacked New York, the campers would
be no match for his forces. I had to do something. Nico's way was dangerous-may
be even deadly. But it might give me a fighting edge. "All right," I decided. "W
hat do we do first?" His cold creepy smile made me sorry I'd agreed. "First we'l
l need to retrace Luke's steps. We need to know more about his past, his childho
od." I shuddered, thinking about Rachel's picture from my dream-a smiling nine-y
ear-old Luke. "Why do we need to know about that?" "I'll explain when we get the
re," Nico said. "I've already tracked down his mother. She lives in Connecticut.
" I stared at him. I'd never thought much about Luke's mortal parent. I'd met hi
s dad, Hermes, but his mom . . . "Luke ran away when he was really young," I sai
d. "I didn't think his mom was alive." "Oh, she's alive." The way he said it mad
e me wonder what was wrong with her. What kind of horrible person could she be?
"Okay . . ." I said. "So how do we get to Connecticut? I can call Blackjack-" "N
o." Nico scowled. "Pegasi don't like me, and the feeling is mutual. But there's
no need for flying." He whistled, and Mrs. O'Leary came loping out of the woods.
"Your friend here can help." Nico patted her head. "You haven't tried shadow tr
avel yet?" "Shadow travel?" Nico whispered in Mrs. O'Leary's ear. She tilted her
head, suddenly alert. "Hop on board," Nico told me. I'd never considered riding
a dog before, bur Mrs. O'Leary was certainly big enough. I climbed onto her bac
k and held her collar. "This will make her very tired," Nico warned, "so you can
't do it often. And it works best at night. But all shadows are part of the same
substance. There is only one darkness, and creatures of the Underworld can use
it as a road, or a door." "I don't understand," I said. "No," Nico said. "It too
k me a long time to learn. But Mrs. O'Leary knows. Tell her where to go. Tell he
r Westport, the home of May Castellan." "You're not coming?" "Don't worry," he s
aid. "I'll meet you there." I was a little nervous, but I leaned down to Mrs. O'
Leary's ear. "Okay, girl. Uh, can you take me to Westport, Connecticut? May Cast
ellan's place?" Mrs. O'Leary sniffed the air. She looked into the gloom of the f
orest. Then she bounded forward, straight into an oak tree. Just before we hit,
we passed into shadows as cold as the dark side of the moon.
CHAPTER SIX MY COOKIES GET SCORCHED
I don't recommend shadow travel if you're scared of: a) The dark b) Cold shivers
up your spine c) Strange noises d) Going so fast you feel like your face is pee
ling off In other words, I thought it was awesome. One minute I couldn't see any
thing. I could only feel Mrs. O'Leary's fur and my fingers wrapped around the br
onze links of her dog collar. The next minute the shadows melted into a new scen
e. We were on a cliff in the woods of Connecticut. At least, it looked like Conn
ecticut from the few times I'd been there: lots of trees, low stone walls, big h
ouses. Down one side of the cliff, a highway cut through a ravine. Down the othe
r side was someone's backyard. The property was huge-more wilderness than lawn.
The house was a two-story white Colonial. Despite the fact that it was right on
the other side of the hill from a highway, it felt like it was in the middle of
nowhere. I could see a light glowing m the kitchen window. A rusty old swing set
stood under an apple tree. I couldn't imagine living in a house like this, with
an actual yard and everything. I'd lived in a tiny apartment or a school dorm m
y whole life. If this was Luke's home, I wondered why he'd ever wanted to leave.
Mrs. O'Leary staggered. I remembered what Nico had said about shadow travel dra
ining her, so I slipped off her back. She let out a huge toothy yawn that would'
ve scared a T. rex, then turned in a circle and flopped down so hard the ground
shook. Nico appeared right next to me, as if the shadows had darkened and create
d him. He stumbled, but I caught his arm. "I'm okay," he managed, rubbing his ey
es. "How did you do that?" "Practice. A few times running into walls. A few acci
dental trips to China." Mrs. O'Leary started snoring. If it hadn't been for the
roar of traffic behind us, I'm sure she would've woken up the whole neighborhood
. "Are you going to take a nap too?" I asked Nico. He shook his head. "The first
time I shadow traveled, I passed out for a week. Now it just makes me a little
drowsy, but I can't do it more than once or twice a night. Mrs. O'Leary won't be
going anywhere for a while." "So we've got some quality time in Connecticut." I
gazed at the white Colonial house. "What now?" "We ring the doorbell," Nico sai
d. If I were Luke's mom, I would not have opened my door at night for two strang
e kids. But I wasn't anything like Luke's mom. I knew that even before we reache
d the front door. The sidewalk was lined with those little stuffed beanbag anima
ls you see in gift shops. There were miniature lions, pigs, dragons, hydras, eve
n a teeny Minotaur in a little Minotaur diaper. Judging from their sad shape, th
e beanbag creatures had been sitting out here a long time-since the snow melted
last spring at least. One of the hydras had a tree sapling sprouting between its
necks. The front porch was infested with wind chimes. Shiny bits of glass and m
etal clinked in the breeze. Brass ribbons tinkled like water and made me realize
I needed to use the bathroom. I didn't know how
Ms. Castellan could stand all the noise. The front door was painted turquoise. T
he name CASTELLAN was written in English, and below in Greek: Î Î¹Î¿Î¹ÎºÎ·Ï Î®Ï Ï Ï Î¿Ï Ï Î¯
n sw ng pen. "L e!" e ld lady c ed app ly. S e l ed l e s me ne w enj yed s c ng
e nge s n elec cal s c e s. He w e a s c n s all ve e ead. He p n sed ess was c
ve ed n sc c ma s and smea s as . W en s e sm led, e ace l ed nna ally s e c ed
, and e g -v l age l g n e eves made me w nde s e was bl nd. "O , my dea b y!" S
e gged N c . I was y ng g e w y s e g N c was L e ( ey l ed abs l ely n ng al e
), w en s e sm led a me and sa d, "L e!" S e g all ab N c and gave me a g. S e s
melled l e b ned c es. S e was as n as a sca ec w, b a d dn' s p e m alm s c s n
g me. "C me n!" s e ns s ed. "I ave y l nc eady!"
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S e s e ed s ns de. T e l v ng m was even we de an e n lawn. M s and candles lle
d eve y ava lable space. I c ldn' l anyw e e w see ng my wn e lec n. Ab ve e man
el, a l le b nze He mes lew a nd e sec nd and a c ng cl c . I ed mag ne e g d m
essenge s eve all ng n l ve w s ld w man, b e dea was b za e. T en I n ced e ame
d p c e n e man el, and I ze. I was exac ly l e Rac el's s e c -L e a nd n ne ye
a s ld, w bl nd a and a b g sm le and w m ss ng ee . T e lac a sca n s ace made
m l l e a d e en pe s n-ca e ee and appy. H w c ld Rac el ave n wn ab a p c e? "
T s way, my dea !" Ms. Cas ellan s ee ed me wa d e bac e se. "O , I ld em y w ld
c me bac . I new !" S e sa s d wn a e c en able. S ac ed n e c n e we e nd eds-
I mean nd eds- T ppe wa e b xes w pean b e and jelly sandw c es ns de. T e nes n
e b m we e g een and zzy, l e ey'd been e e a l ng me. T e smell em nded me my
s x g ade l c e -and a 's n a g d ng. On p e ven was a s ac c e s ee s. Eac ne a
d a d zen b ned c es n . In e s n was a m n a n emp y plas c K l-A d p c e s. A
beanbag Med sa sa by e a ce l e s e was g a d ng e mess. Ms. Cas ellan s a ed mm
ng as s e g pean b e and jelly and s a ed ma ng a new sandw c . S me ng was b n
ng n e ven. I g e eel ng m e c es we e n e way. Ab ve e s n , aped all a nd e w
nd w, we e d zens l le p c es c m magaz nes and newspape ads-p c es He mes m e
FTD Fl we s l g and Q c e Cleane s, p c es e cad ce s m med cal ads. My ea san .
I wan ed ge a m, b Ms. Cas ellan ep sm l ng a me as s e made e sandw c , l e s
e was ma ng s e I d dn' b l . N c c g ed. "U n, Ms. Cas ellan?" "Mm?" "We need a
s y ab y s n." "O , yes! T ey ld me e w ld neve c me bac . B I new be e ." S e p
a ed my c ee a ec na ely, g v ng me pean b e ac ng s pes. "W en d d y las see m?
" N c as ed. He eyes l s c s. "He was s y ng w en e le ," s e sa d w s lly. "T d
g ade.
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T a 's y ng n away! He sa d e'd be bac l nc . And I wa ed. He l es pean b e sand
w c es and c es and K lA d. He'll be bac l nc ve y s n. . . ." T en s e l ed a m
e and sm led. "W y, L e, e e y a e! Y l s ands me. Y ave y a e 's eyes." S e ned
wa d e p c es He mes ab ve e s n . "N w, e e's a g d man. Yes, ndeed. He c mes
v s me, y n w." T e cl c ep c ng n e e m. I w ped e pean b e my ace and l ed a N
c plead ngly, l e Can we ge e e n w? "Ma'am," N c sa d. "W a , . . . w a appene
d y eyes?" He gaze seemed ac ed-l e s e was y ng c s n m g a ale d sc pe. "W y,
L e, y n w e s y. I was g be e y we e b n, wasn' ? I'd always been spec al, able
see g e . . . w a eve - ey-call- ." "T e M s ?" I sa d. "Yes, dea ." S e n dded
enc ag ngly. "And ey e ed me an mp an j b. T a 's w spec al I was!" I glanced a
N c , b e l ed as c n sed as I was. "W a s j b?" I as ed. "W a appened?" Ms. Ca
s ellan wned. He n e ve ed ve e sandw c b ead. "Dea me, d dn' w , d d ? Y a e wa
ned me n y. He sa d was dange s. B I ad . I was my des ny! And n w . . . I s ll
can' ge e mages my ead. T ey ma e eve y ng seem s zzy. W ld y l e s me c es?" S
e p lled a ay e ven and d mped a d zen l mps c c la e c p c a c al n e able. S
L e eally ad been e e, and s ad appened be e las s mme -be e e'd ned n K n s. "M
s. Cas ellan?" N c p s and n e ld w man's a m. "T s s ve y mp an . D d e as y an
y ng?" S e wned as y ng emembe . "My-my bless ng. Isn' a swee ?" S e l ed a s nc
e a nly. "He was g ng a ve , and
"L e was s nd," Ms. Cas ellan m m ed. "He le p ec me, y n w. He sa d e wen away,
e m ns e s w ldn' ea en me. B I ld m e m ns e s a e n ea ! T ey s s de n e s de
wal all day, and ey neve c me n." S e p c ed p e l le s ed Med sa m e w nd ws ll
. "D ey, M s. Med sa? N , n ea a all." S e beamed a me. "I'm s glad y came me. I
new y we en' as amed me!" I s ed n my sea . I mag ned be ng L e s ng a s able,
e g n ne yea s ld, and j s beg nn ng eal ze a my m e wasn' all e e. "Ms. Cas ell
an," I sa d. "M m," s e c ec ed. "Um, yea . Have y seen L e s nce e le me?" "Wel
l, c se!" I d dn' n w s e was mag n ng a n . F all I new, eve y me e ma lman cam
e e d e was L e. B N c sa wa d expec an ly. "W en?" e as ed. "W en d d L e v s y
las ?" "Well, was . . . O g dness . . ." A s ad w passed ac ss e ace. "T e las
me, e l ed s d e en . A sca . A e ble sca , and s v ce s ll pa n . . ." "H s eye
s," I sa d. "We e ey g ld?" "G ld?" S e bl n ed. "N . H w s lly. L e as bl e eye
s. Bea l bl e eyes!"
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e sa d e needed my bless ng. I gave m. O c N c l ed a me mp an ly. "T an y , ma'
am. T a n ma n we-" Ms. Cas ellan gasped. S e d bled ve , and e c e cla e ed e l
. N c and I j mped ee . "Ms. Cas ellan?" I sa d. "AHHHH," S e s a g ened. I sc
ambled away and alm s e c en able, beca se e eyes- e eyes we e gl w "My c ld," s
e asped n a m c deepe v ce. "M s p He mes, elp! N my c ld! N s a e-n !" S e g a
bbed N c by e s lde s and began s a e ma e m nde s and. "N s a e!" N c made a s
angled sc eam and p s ed e away. He g pped e l s sw d. "Pe cy, we need ge -" S d
denly Ms. Cas ellan c llapsed. I l c ed wa d and ca g e be e s e c ld e edge e a
ble. I managed ge e n a c a . "Ms. C?" I as ed. S e m e ed s me ng nc mp e ens b
le and s e ead. "G dness. I . . . I d pped e c es. H w s lly me." S e bl n ed, a
nd e eyes we e bac n mal- a leas , w a ey ad been be e. T e g een gl w was g ne.
"A e y ay?" I as ed. "Well, c se, dea . I'm ne. W y d y as ?" I glanced a N c ,
w m ed e w d Leave. "Ms. C, y we e ell ng s s me ng," I sa d. "S me ng ab y s n
." "Was I?" s e sa d d eam ly. "Yes, s bl e eyes. We we e al ng ab s bl e eyes.
S c a ands me b y!" "We ave g ," N c sa d gen ly. "We'll ell L e . . . , we'll e
ll m y sa d ell ." "B y can' leave!" Ms. Cas ellan g s a ly e ee , and I bac ed
away. I el s lly be ng sca ed a a l ld w man, b e way e v ce ad c anged, e way s
e'd g abbed N c . . . "He mes w ll be e e s n," s e p m sed. "He'll wan see s b
y!" "Maybe nex me," I sa d. "T an y -" I l ed d wn a e b ned c es sca e ed n e
l . "T an s eve y ng." S e ed s p s, e s K l-A d, b I ad ge a se. On e n p c , s
e g abbed my w s and I alm s j mped my s n. "L e, a leas be sa e. P m se me y '
ll be sa e." "I w ll . . . M m." T a made e sm le. S e eleased my w s , and as s
e cl sed e n d I c ld ea e al ng e candles: "Y ea a ? He w ll be sa e. I ld y e
w ld be!" As e d s , N c and I an. T e l le beanbag an mals n e s dewal seemed
g n a s as we passed. Bac a e cl , M s. O'Lea y ad nd a end. A c zy camp e c ac
led n a ng s nes. A g l ab e g yea s ld was s ng c ss-legged nex M s. O'Lea y, s
c a c ng e ell nd's ea s . T e g l ad m sy b wn a and a s mple b wn d ess. S e w
e a sca ve e ead s s e l ed l e a p nee d-l e e g s L le H se n e P a e s me ng
. S e p ed e e w a s c , and seemed gl w m e c ly ed an a n mal e. "Hell ," s e
sa d.
se I d d." 's all e ay
ell ve ng g een. ec m!
m as
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A e s a ng a m ldy pean b e sandw c es and b ned c es, I d dn' ave m c an appe e
, b e g l waved e and and a p cn c appea ed a e edge e e. T e e we e pla es as b
ee , ba ed p a es, b e ed ca s, es b ead, and a w le b nc e ds I adn' ad n a l n
g me. My s mac s a ed mble. I was e nd me-c ed meal pe ple a e s pp sed ave b ne
ve d . T e g l made a ve-l ng d g b sc appea M s. O'Lea y, w app ly began ea ng
s eds. I sa nex N c . We p c ed p d, and I was ab d g n w en I g be e . I sc ape
d pa my meal n e lames, e way we d a camp. "F e g ds," I sa d. T e l le g l sm l
ed. "T an y . As ende e lame, I ge a s a e eve y sac ce, y n w." "I ec gn ze y n
w," I sa d. "T e s me I came camp, y we e s ng by e e, n e m ddle e c mm ns a e
a." "Y d d n s p al ," e g l ecalled sadly. "Alas, m s neve d . N c al ed me. He
was e s n many yea s. Eve y ne s es ab . N me v s ng am ly." "Y ' e Hes a," I s
a d. "G ddess e Hea ." S e n dded. O ay . . . s s e l ed e g yea s ld. I d dn' a
s . I'd lea ned a g ds c ld l any way ey pleased. "My lady," N c as ed, "w y a e
n' y w e e Olymp ans, g ng Typ n?" "I'm n m c g ng." He ed eyes l c e ed. I eal
zed ey we en' j s e lec ng e lames. T ey we e lled w lames-b n l e A es's eyes.
Hes a's eyes we e wa m and c zy. "Bes des," s e sa d, "s me ne as eep e me es b
n ng w le e e g ds a e away." "S y ' e g a d ng M n Olymp s?" I as ed. "'G a d'
may be s ng a w d. B y eve need a wa m place s and a me-c ed meal, y a e welc me
v s . N w ea ." My pla e was emp y be e I new . N c sca ed s d wn j s as as . "
T a was g ea ," I sa d. "T an y , Hes a." S e n dded. "D d y ave a g d v s w May
Cas ellan?" F a m men I'd alm s g en e ld lady w e b g eyes and e man acal sm l
e, e way s e'd s ddenly seemed p ssessed. "W a 's w ng w e , exac ly?" I as ed.
"S e was b n w a g ," Hes a sa d. "S e c ld see g e M s ." "L e my m e ," I sa d
. And I was als n ng, L e Rac el "B e gl w ng eyes ng-" "S me bea e c se s g be
e an e s," e g ddess sa d sadly. "F a w le, May Cas ellan ad many alen s. S e a
ac ed e a en n He mes msel . T ey ad a bea l baby b y. F a b e me, s e was appy.
And en s e wen a ." I emembe ed w a Ms. Cas ellan ad sa d: T ey e ed me an mp a
n j b . . . I d dn' w . I w nde ed w a nd j b le
£
My s g was: m ns e . W en y ' e a dem g d and y nd a swee l le g l al ne n e w d
s- a 's yp cally a g d me d aw y sw d and a ac . Pl s, e enc n e w Ms. Cas ellan
ad a led me p e y bad. B N c b wed e l le g l. "Hell aga n, Lady." S e s d ed m
e w eyes as ed as e el g . I dec ded was sa es b w. "S , Pe cy Jac s n," s e sa
d. "W ld y l e s me d nne ?
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y l e a . "One m n e s e was all appy," I sa d. "And en s e was ea ng ab e s n's
a e, l e s e new e'd ned n K n s. W a appened . . . d v de e l e a ?" T e g dde
ss's ace da ened. "T a s a s y I d n l e ell. B May Cas ellan saw m c . I y a e
nde s and y enemy L e, y m s nde s and s am ly." I g ab e sad l le p c es He mes
aped ab ve May Cas ellan's s n . I w nde ed Ms. Cas ellan ad been s c azy w en
L e was l le. T a g een-eyed c ld've se sly sca ed a n neyea ld d. And He mes ne
ve v s ed, e'd le L e al ne w s m m all se yea s . . . "N w nde L e an away," I
sa d. "I mean, wasn' g leave s m m l e a , b s ll- e was j s a d. He mes s ldn'
ave aband ned em." Hes a sc a c ed be nd M s. O'Lea y's ea s. T e ell nd wagged
e a l and acc den ally n c ed ve a ee. "I 's easy j dge e s," Hes a wa ned. "B w
ll y ll w L e's pa ? See e same p we s?" N c se d wn s pla e. "We ave n c ce, m
y lady. I 's e nly way Pe cy s ands a c ance." "Mmm." Hes a pened e and and e e
a ed. Flames s y ee n e a . Hea slapped me n e ace. T en e e d ed bac d wn n mal
. "N all p we s a e spec ac la ." Hes a l ed a me. "S me mes e a des p we mas e
s e p we y eld ng. D y bel eve me?" "U - ," I sa d. Any ng eep e m mess ng w e l
ame p we s aga n. T e g ddess sm led. "Y a e a g d e , Pe cy Jac s n. N p d. I l
e a . B y ave m c lea n. W en D nys s was made a g d, I gave p my ne m. I was e
nly way av d a c v l wa am ng e g ds." "I nbalanced e C nc l," I emembe ed. "S
ddenly e e we e seven g ys and ve g ls." Hes a s gged. "I was e bes s l n, n a p
e ec ne. N w I end e e. I ade sl wly n e bac g nd. N ne w ll eve w e ep c p ems
ab e deeds Hes a. M s dem g ds d n' even s p al me. B a s n ma e . I eep e peace
. I y eld w en necessa y. Can y d s?" "I d n' n w w a y mean." S e s d ed me. "P
e aps n ye . B s n. W ll y c n n e y q es ?" "Is a w y y ' e e e- wa n me aga ns
g ng?" Hes a s e ead. "I am e e beca se w en all else a ls, w en all e e m g y
g ds ave g ne wa , I am all a 's le . H me. Hea . I am e las Olymp an. Y m s eme
mbe me w en y ace y nal dec s n. I d dn' l e e way s e sa d nal. I l ed a N c ,
en bac a Hes a's wa m gl w ng eyes. "I ave c n n e, my lady. I ave s p L e . . .
I mean K n s." Hes a n dded. " e y well. I cann be m c ass s ance, bey nd w a I
ave al eady ld y . B s nce y sac ced me, I can e n y y wn ea . I w ll see y aga
n, Pe cy, n Olymp s." He ne was m n s, as g nex mee ng w ld n be appy. T e g dd
ess waved e and, and eve y ng aded. S ddenly I was me. N c and I we e s ng n e c
c n my m m's apa men n e Uppe Eas S de. T a was e g d news.
T e bad news was a e es e l v ng m was cc p ed by M s. O'Lea y. I ea d a m led y
ell m e bed m. Pa l's v ce sa d, "W p s wall n e d way?" "Pe cy?" my m m called
. "A e y e e? A e y all g ?" "I'm e e!" I s ed bac . "WOOF!" M s. O'Lea y ed n n
a c cle nd my m m, n c ng all e p c es e walls. S e's nly me my m m nce be e (l
ng s y), b s e l ves e . I a ew m n es, b we nally g ngs w ed . A e des y ng m
s e n e n e l v ng m and p bably ma ng ne g b s eally mad, we g my pa en s e bed
m and n e c en, w e e we sa a nd e c en able. M s. O'Lea y s ll p e en e l v ng
m, b s e'd se led e ead n e c en d way s s e c ld see s, w c made e appy. My m
m ssed e a en-p nd am ly-s ze be g nd bee , w c d sappea ed d wn e g lle . Pa l
p ed lem nade e es s w le I expla ned ab v s C nnec c . "S 's e." Pa l s a ed a
me l e e'd neve seen me be e. He was wea ng s w e ba be, n w c ve ed n ell nd ,
and s sal -and-peppe a was s c ng p n eve y d ec n. "All e al ab m ns e s, and b
e ng a dem g d . . . 's eally e." I n dded. Las all I'd expla ned Pa l w I was.
My m m ad bac ed me p. B n l s m men , I d n' n e eally bel eved s. "S y ab M s.
O'Lea y," I sa d, "des y ng e l v ng m and all." Pa l la g ed l e e was del g e
d. "A e y dd ng? T s s awes me! I mean, w en I saw e p n s n e P s, I g maybe. B
s!" He pa ed M s. O'Lea y's sn . T e l v ng m s -BOOM, BOOM, BOOM-w c e e mean
a SWAT eam was b ea ng d wn e d M s. O'Lea y was wagg ng e a l. I c ldn' elp b s
m le. Pa l was a p e y c l g y, even e was my Engl s eac e as well as my s epdad
. "T an s n ea ng ," I sa d. "O , I'm ea ng ," e p m sed, s eyes w de. "I j s n
's awes me!" "Yea , well," I sa d, "y may n be s exc ed w en y ea w a 's appen n
g." I ld Pa l and my m m ab Typ n, and e g ds, and e ba le a was s e c me. T en
I ld em N c 's plan. My m m laced e nge s a nd e lem nade glass. S e was wea ng
e ld bl e lannel ba be, and e a was ed bac . Recen ly s e'd s a ed w ng a n vel,
l e s e'd wan ed d yea s, and I c ld ell s e'd been w ng n la e n e n g , beca
se e c cles nde e eyes we e da e an s al. Be nd e a e c en w nd w, s lve y m n l
ace gl wed n e l we b x. I'd b g e mag cal plan bac m Calyps 's sland las s mme
, and bl med l e c azy nde my m e 's ca e. T e scen always calmed me d wn, b als
made me sad beca se em nded me l s ends. My m m a deep b ea , l e s e was n ng
w ell me n . "Pe cy, 's dange s," s e sa d. "Even y ." "M m, I n w. I c ld d e.
N c expla ned a . B we d n' y-" "We'll all d e," N c sa d. He adn' c ed s lem na
de. "Ms. Jac s n, we d n' s and a c ance aga ns an nvas n. And e e w ll be an nv
as n." "An nvas n New Y ?" Pa l sa d. "Is a even p ss ble? H w
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c ld we n see e . . . e m ns e s?" He sa d e w d l e e s ll c ldn' bel eve s was
eal. "I d n' n w," I adm ed. "I d n' see w K n s c ld j s ma c n Man a an, b e
M s s s ng. Typ n s ampl ng ac ss e c n y g n w, and m als n e's a s m sys em."
"Ms. Jac s n," N c sa d, "Pe cy needs y bless ng. T e p cess as s a a way. I was
n' s e n l we me L e's m m, b n w I'm p s ve. T s as nly been d ne s ccess lly w
ce be e. B mes, e m e ad g ve e bless ng. S e ad be w ll ng le e s n a e e s ."
"Y wan me bless s?" S e s e ead. "I 's c azy. Pe cy, please-" "M m, I can' d w
y ." "And y s v ve s . . . s p cess?" "T en I g wa ," I sa d. "Me aga ns K n s.
And nly ne s w ll s v ve." I d dn' ell e e w le p p ecy-ab e s l eap ng and e en
d my days. S e d dn' need n w a I was p bably d med. I c ld nly pe I'd s p K n s
and save e es e w ld be e I d ed. "Y ' e my s n," s e sa d m se ably. "I can' j
s . . ." I c ld ell I'd ave p s e a de I wan ed e ag ee, b I d dn' wan . I emem
be ed p Ms. Cas ellan n e c en, wa ng e s n c me me. And I eal zed w l c y I was
. My m m ad always been e e me, always ed ma e ngs n mal me, even w e g ds and m
ns e s and s . S e p p w me g ng n adven es, b n w I was as ng e bless ng d s m
e ng a w ld p bably ge me lled. I l c ed eyes w Pa l, and s me nd nde s and ng p
assed be ween s. "Sally." He p s and ve my m e 's ands. "I can' cla m n w w a y
and Pe cy ave been g ng g all ese yea s. B s nds me . . . s nds l e Pe cy s d ng
s me ng n ble. I w s I ad a m c c age." I g a l mp n my a . I d dn' ge c mpl me
n s l e a m c . My m m s a ed a e lem nade. S e l ed l e s e was y ng n c y. I g
ab w a Hes a ad sa d, ab w a d was y eld, and I g ed maybe my m m was nd ng a .
"Pe cy," s e sa d, "I g ve y my bless ng." I d dn' eel any d e en . N mag c gl
w l e c en any ng. I glanced a N c . He l ed m e anx s an eve , b e n dded. "I '
s me." "Pe cy," my m m sa d. "One las ng. I y . . . y s v ve s g w K n s, send m
e a s gn." S e mmaged g e p se and anded me e cell p ne. "M m," I sa d, "y n w d
em g ds and p nes-" "I n w," s e sa d. "B j s n case. I y ' e n able call . . .
maybe a s gn a I c ld see m anyw e e n Man a an. T le me n w y ' e ay." "L e T e
se s," Pa l s gges ed. "He was s pp sed a se w e sa ls w en e came me A ens." "E
xcep e g ," N c m e ed. "And s a e j mped e palace n despa . B e an a , was a g
ea dea." "W a ab a lag a la e?" my m m sa d. "F m Olymp s- e Emp e S a e B ld ng
." "S me ng bl e," I sa d. We'd ad a nn ng j e yea s ab bl e d. I was my av e c
l , and my m m wen e way m me. Eve y yea my b day ca e, my Eas e bas e , my C s
mas candy canes
always ad be bl e. "Yes," my m m ag eed. "I'll wa c a bl e s gnal. And I'll y av
d j mp ng palace s." S e gave me ne las g. I ed n eel l e I was say ng g dbye.
I s ands w Pa l. T en N c and I wal ed e c en d way and l ed a M s. O'Lea y. "S
y, g l," I sa d. "S ad w avel me aga n." S e w mpe ed and c ssed e paws ve e sn
. "W e e n w?" I as ed N c . "L s Angeles?" "N need," e sa d. "T e e's a cl se e
n ance e Unde w ld." SE EN MY MATH TEACHER GI ES ME A LIFT
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We eme ged n Cen al Pa j s n e P nd. M s. O'Lea y l ed p e y ed as s e l mped ve
a cl s e b lde s. S e s a ed sn ng a nd, and I was a a d s e m g ma e e y, b N
c sa d, "I 's ay. S e j s smells e way me." I wned. "T g e c s?" "T e Unde w ld
as w maj en ances," N c sa d. "Y n w e ne n L.A." "C a n's e y." N c n dded. "M
s s ls g a way, b e e's a smalle pa , a de nd. T e D O p e s." "T e d de w e a p
." "D de w e ly e," N c c ec ed. "B yea , m. He sed s m s c c a m e ea and pen a
new pa n e Unde w ld. He sang s way g n Hades's palace and alm s g away w s w e
's s l." I emembe ed e s y. O p e s wasn' s pp sed l be nd m w en e was lead ng
s w e bac e w ld, b c se e d d. I was ne se yp cal "and-s - ey-d ed/ e-end" s es
a always made s eel wa m and zzy. "S s s e D O p e s." I ed be mp essed, b s ll
l ed l e a p le c s me. "H w d es pen?" "We need m s c," N c sa d. "H w's y s n
g ng?" "Um, n . Can' y j s , l e, ell pen? Y ' e e s n Hades and all." "I 's n s
easy. We need m s c." I was p e y s e I ed s ng, all I w ld ca se was an avalan
c e. "I ave a be e dea." I ned and called, "GRO ER!" We wa ed a l ng me. M s. O'
Lea y c led p and a nap. I c ld ea e c c e s n e w ds and an wl ng. T a c mmed a
l ng Cen al Pa Wes . H se ves cl pped d wn a nea by pa , maybe a m n ed p l ce p
a l. I was s e ey'd l ve nd w ds ang ng n e pa a ne n e m n ng. "I 's n g d," N
c sa d a las . B I ad a eel ng. My empa y l n was eally ngl ng e s me n m n s, w
c e e mean a w le l pe ple ad s ddenly sw c ed n e Na e C annel, G ve was cl se
. I s my eyes and c ncen a ed. G ve . I new e was s mew e e n e pa . W y c ldn'
I sense s em ns? All I g was a a n m n e base my s ll. G ve , I g m e ns s en ly
. Hmm- mmmm, s me ng sa d.
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An mage came n my ead. I saw a g an elm ee deep n e w ds, well e ma n pa s. Gna
led s laced e g nd, ma ng a nd bed. Ly ng n w s a ms c ssed and s eyes cl sed wa
s a sa y . A s I c ldn' be s e was G ve . He was c ve ed n w gs and leaves, l e
e'd been sleep ng e e a l ng me. T e s seemed be s ap ng emselves a nd m, sl wly
p ll ng m n e ea . G ve , I sa d. Wa e p. Unnn -zzzzz. D de, y ' e c ve ed n d
. Wa e p! Sleepy, s m nd m m ed. FOOD, I s gges ed. PANCAKES! H s eyes s pen. A
bl g s lled my ead l e e was s ddenly n as - wa d. T e mage s a e ed, and I alm
s ell ve . "W a appened?" N c as ed. "I g g . He's . . . yea . He's n s way." A
m n e la e , e ee nex s s ve ed. G ve ell e b anc es, g n s ead. "G ve !" I yell
ed. "W !" M s. O'Lea y l ed p, p bably w nde ng we we e g ng play e c w e sa y .
"Bla - aa- aa!" G ve blea ed. "Y ay, man?" "O , I'm ne." He bbed s ead. H s ns
ad g wn s m c ey p ed an nc ab ve s c ly a . "I was a e e end e pa . T e d yads
ad s g ea dea pass ng me g e ees ge me e e. T ey d n' nde s and e g ve y well."
He g nned and g s ee -well, s ves, ac ally. S nce las s mme , G ve ad s pped y n
g d sg se msel as man. He neve w e a cap a e ee anym e. He d dn' even wea jeans,
s nce e ad y g a legs m e wa s d wn. H s T-s ad a p c e m a b W e e e W ld T ng
s A e. I was c ve ed w d and ee sap. H s g a ee l ed lle , alm s manly ( g a ly?
), and e was as all as me n w. "G d see y , G-man," I sa d. "Y emembe N c ." G v
e n dded a N c , en e gave me a b g g. He smelled l e es -m wn lawns. "Pe cy!" e
blea ed. "I m ssed y ! I m ss camp. T ey d n' se ve ve y g d enc ladas n e w ld
e ness." "I was w ed," I sa d. "W e e've y been e las w m n s?" "T e las w -" G
ve 's sm le aded. "T e las w m n s? W a a e y al ng ab ?" "We aven' ea d m y ,"
I sa d. "J n pe 's w ed. We sen I smessages, b -" "H ld n." He l ed p a e s a s
l e e was y ng calc la e s p s n. "W a m n s s?" "A g s ." T e c l d a ned m s a
ce. "T a 's mp ss ble. I 's J ne. I j s lay d wn a e a nap and . . ." He g abbed
my a ms. "I emembe n w! He n c ed me . Pe cy, we ave s p m!" "W a," I sa d. "Sl
w d wn. Tell me w a appened." He a deep b ea . "I was . . . I was wal ng n e w
ds p by Ha lem Mee . And I el s emble n e g nd, l e s me ng p we l was nea ." "Y
can sense s l e a ?" N c as ed. G ve n dded. "S nce Pan's dea , I can eel w en
s me ng s w ng n na e. I 's l e my ea s and eyes a e s a pe w en I'm n e W ld. A
nyway, I s a ed ll w ng e scen . T s man n a l ng blac c a was wal ng g e pa , a
nd I n ced e d dn' cas
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a s ad w. M ddle a s nny day, and e cas n s ad w. He nd s mme ed as e m ved." "L
e a m age?" N c as ed. "Yes," G ve sa d. "And w eneve e passed mans-" "T e mans
w ld pass ," N c sa d. "C l p and g sleep." "T a 's g ! T en a e e was g ne, ey
'd ge p and g ab e b s ness l e n ng appened." I s a ed a N c . "Y n w s g y n b
lac ?" "A a d s ," N c sa d. "G ve , w a appened?" "I ll wed e g y. He ep l ng p
a e b ld ngs a nd e pa l e e was ma ng es ma es s me ng. T s lady j gge an by,
and s e c led p n e s dewal and s a ed sn ng. T e g y n blac p s and n e e ead l
e e was c ec ng e empe a e. T en e ep wal ng. By s me, I new e was a m ns e s m
e ng even w se. I ll wed m n s g ve, e base a b g elm ee. I was ab s mm n s me d
yads elp me cap e m w en e ned and . . ." G ve swall wed. "Pe cy, s ace. I c ld
n' ma e s ace beca se ep s ng. J s l ng a m made me sleepy. I sa d, 'W a a e y d
ng?' He sa d, 'J s av ng a l a nd. Y s ld always sc a ba le eld be e e ba le.'
I sa d s me ng eally sma l e, 'T s es s nde my p ec n. Y w n' s a any ba les e e
!' And e la g ed. He sa d, 'Y ' e l c y I'm sav ng my ene gy e ma n even , l le
sa y . I'll j s g an y a s nap. Pleasan d eams.' And a 's e las ng I emembe ." N
c ex aled. "G ve , y me M p e s, e G d D eams. Y ' e l c y y eve w e p." "Tw m
n s," G ve m aned. "He p me sleep w m n s!" I ed w ap my m nd a nd w a s mean .
N w made sense w y we adn' been able c n ac G ve all s me. "W y d dn' e nymp s y
wa e y ?" I as ed. G ve s gged. "M s nymp s a en' g d w me. Tw m n s a ee- a 's
n ng. T ey p bably d dn' n any ng was w ng." "We've g g e w a M p e s was d ng
n e pa ," I sa d. "I d n' l e s 'ma n even ' ng e men ned." "He's w ng K n s," N
c sa d. "We n w a al eady. A l e m n g ds a e. T s j s p ves e e's g ng be an n
vas n. Pe cy, we ave ge n w plan." "Wa ," G ve sa d. "W a plan?" We ld m, and G
ve s a ed gg ng a s leg . "Y ' e n se s," e sa d. "N e Unde w ld aga n." "I'm n
as ng y c me, man," I p m sed. "I n w y j s w e p. B we need s me m s c pen e d
. Can y d ?" G ve s eed p pes. "I g ess I c ld y. I n w a ew N vana nes a can sp
l c s. B , Pe cy, a e y s e y wan d s?" "Please, man," I sa d. "I w ld mean a l
. F ld mes' sa e?" He w mpe ed. "As I ecall, n e ld mes we alm s d ed a l . B ay
, e e g es n ng." He p s p pes s l ps and played a s ll, l vely ne. T e b lde s
embled. A ew m e s anzas, and ey c ac ed pen, eveal ng a ang la c ev ce. I pee e
d ns de. S eps led d wn n e da ness. T e a smelled m ldew and dea . I b g bac ba
d mem es my p g e Laby n las yea , b s nnel el even m e dange s. I led s a g e l
and Hades, and a was alm s always a neway p. I ned G ve . "T an s . . . I n ."
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"Pe cy, s K n s eally g ng nvade?" "I w s I c ld ell y be e , b yea . He w ll."
I g G ve m g c ew p s eed p pes n anx e y, b e s a g ened p and b s ed s T-s . I
c ldn' elp n ng w d e en e l ed m a ld Lene s. "I've g ally e na e sp s, en. Ma
ybe we can elp. I'll see we can nd s M p e s.'" "Be e ell J n pe y ' e ay, ." H
s eyes w dened. "J n pe ! O , s e's g ng ll me!" He s a ed n , en sc ambled bac
and gave me an e g. "Be ca e l d wn e e! C me bac al ve!" Once e was g ne, N c a
nd I sed M s. O'Lea y m e nap. W en s e smelled e nnel, s e g exc ed and led e w
ay d wn e s eps. I was a p e y g . I ped s e w ldn' ge s c . I c ldn' mag ne w m
c D an we'd need n-s c a ell nd wedged al way d wn a nnel e Unde w ld. "Ready?"
N c as ed me. "I 'll be ne. D n' w y." He s nded l e e was y ng c nv nce msel .
I glanced p a e s a s, w nde ng I w ld eve see em aga n. T en we pl nged n da n
ess. T e s a s wen n eve -na w, s eep, and sl ppe y. I was c mple ely da excep e
l g my sw d. I ed g sl w, b M s. O'Lea y ad e deas. S e b nded a ead, ba ng app
ly. T e s nd ec ed g e nnel l e cann n s s, and I g ed we w ld n be ca c ng any
b dy by s p se nce we eac ed e b m. N c lagged be nd, w c I g was s ange. "Y ay?
" I as ed m. "F ne." W a was a exp ess n n s ace . . . d b ? "J s eep m v ng," e
sa d. I d dn' ave m c c ce. I ll wed M s. O'Lea y n e dep s. A e an e , I s a e
d ea e a a ve . We eme ged a e base a cl , n a pla n blac v lcan c sand. T g , e
R ve S yx g s ed m e c s and a ed n a cascade ap ds. T le , a away n e gl m, es
b ned n e ampa s E eb s, e g ea blac walls Hades's ngd m. I s dde ed. I'd s bee
n e e w en I was welve, and nly Annabe and G ve 's c mpany ad g ven me e c age e
ep g ng. N c wasn' g ng be q e as elp l w e "c age" ng. He l ed pale and w ed ms
el . Only M s. O'Lea y ac ed appy. S e an al ng e beac , p c ed p a and m man le
g b ne, and mped bac wa d me. S e d pped e b ne a my ee and wa ed me w . "Um, ma
ybe la e , g l." I s a ed a e da wa e s, y ng ge p my ne ve. "S , N c . . . w d
we d s?" "We ave g ns de e ga es s ," e sa d. "B e ve 's g e e." "I ave ge s me
ng," e sa d. "I 's e nly way." He ma c ed w wa ng. I wned. N c adn' men ned any
ng ab g ng ns de e ga es. B n w a we we e e e, I d dn' n w w a else d . Rel c an
ly, I ll wed m d wn e beac wa d e b g blac ga es. L nes e dead s d s de wa ng g
e n. I m s 've been a eavy day ne als, beca se even e EZ-DEATH l ne was bac ed p
. "W !" M s. O'Lea y sa d. Be e I c ld s p e s e b nded wa d e sec y c ec p n .
Ce be s, e g a d d g Hades, appea ed e gl m-a ee- eaded we le s b g e made M s.
O'Lea y l l e a y p dle. Ce be s was al anspa en ,
 
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s e's eally a d see n l e's cl se en g ll y , b e ac ed l e e d dn' ca e ab s. H
e was b sy say ng ell M s. O'Lea y. "M s. O'Lea y, n !" I s ed a e . "D n' sn .
. . O , man." N c sm led. T en e l ed a me and s exp ess n ned all se s aga n, l
e e'd emembe ed s me ng npleasan . "C me n. T ey w n' g ve s any ble n e l ne.
Y ' e w me." I d dn' l e , b we sl pped g e sec y g ls and n e F elds Asp del. I
ad w s le M s. O'Lea y ee mes be e s e le Ce be s al ne and an a e s. We ed ve
blac elds g ass d ed w blac p pla ees. I I eally d ed n a ew days l e e p p ecy
sa d, I m g end p e e eve , b I ed n n ab a . N c dged a ead, b ng ng s cl se an
d cl se e palace Hades. "Hey," I sa d, "we' e ns de e ga es al eady. W e e a e w
e-" M s. O'Lea y g wled. A s ad w appea ed ve ead-s me ng da , c ld, and s n ng
dea . I sw ped d wn and landed n e p a p pla ee. Un na ely, I ec gn zed e . S e
ad a s veled ace, a ble bl e n a , and a c mpled velve d ess. Lea e y ba w ngs s
p ang m e bac . He ee ad s a p al ns, and n e b assclawed ands s e eld a lam ng
w p and a pa sley andbag. "M s. D dds," I sa d. S e ba ed e angs. "Welc me bac ,
ney." He w s s e s- e e F es-sw ped d wn and se led nex e n e b anc es e p pla
. "Y n w Alec ?" N c as ed me. "I y mean e ag n e m ddle, yea ," I sa d. "S e wa
s my ma eac e ." N c n dded, l e s d dn' s p se m. He l ed p a e F es and a deep
b ea . "I've d ne w a my a e as ed. Ta e s e palace." I ensed. "Wa a sec nd, N
c . W a d y -" "I'm a a d s s my new lead, Pe cy. My a e p m sed me n ma n ab my
am ly, b e wan s see y be e we y e ve . I'm s y." "Y c ed me?" I was s mad I c
ldn' n . I l nged a m, b e F es we e as . Tw em sw ped d wn and pl c ed me p by
e a ms. My sw d ell my and, and be e I new , I was dangl ng s x y ee n e a . "O
, d n' s ggle, ney," my ld ma eac e cac led n my ea . "I'd a e d p y ." M s. O'L
ea y ba ed ang ly and j mped, y ng eac me, b we we e g . "Tell M s. O'Lea y be a
ve," N c wa ned. He was ve ng nea me n e cl c es e d F y. "I d n' wan e ge , Pe
cy. My a e s wa ng. He j s wan s al ." I wan ed ell M s. O'Lea y a ac N c , b w
ldn' ave d ne any g d, and N c was g ab ne ng: my d g c ld ge s e ed p c a g w e
F es. I g ed my ee . "M s. O'Lea y, d wn! I 's ay, g l." S e w mpe ed and ned n
c cles, l ng p a me. "All g , a ," I g wled a N c . "Y 've g y p ze. Ta e me e
s p d palace." Alec d pped me l e a sac n ps n e m ddle e palace ga den. I was b
ea l n a c eepy way. S ele al w e ees g ew m ma ble bas ns. Fl we beds ve l wed
w g lden plan s and gems nes. A pa nes, ne b ne and ne s lve , sa n e
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balc ny w a v ew e F elds Asp del. I w ld've been a n ce place spend a Sa day m
n ng excep e s l s smell and e c es ed s ls n e d s ance. S ele al wa s g a ded
e nly ex . T ey w e a e ed U.S. A my dese c mba a g es and ca ed M16s. T e d F y
dep s ed N c nex me. T en all ee em se led n e p e s ele al ne. I es s ed e ge
s angle N c . T ey'd nly s p me. I'd ave wa my evenge. I s a ed a e emp y nes, w
a ng s me ng appen. T en e a s mme ed. T ee g es appea ed-Hades and Pe sep ne n
e nes, and an lde w man s and ng be ween em. T ey seemed be n e m ddle an a g me
n . "- ld y e was a b m!" e lde w man sa d. "M e !" Pe sep ne epl ed. "We ave v
s s!" Hades ba ed. "Please!" Hades, ne my leas av e g ds, sm ed s blac bes, w c
we e c ve ed w e e ed aces e damned. He ad pale s n and e n ense eyes a madman.
"Pe cy Jac s n," e sa d w sa s ac n. "A las ." Q een Pe sep ne s d ed me c sly.
I'd seen e nce be e n e w n e , b n w n e s mme s e l ed l e a ally d e en g dde
ss. S e ad l s s blac a and wa m b wn eyes. He d ess s mme ed w c l s. Fl we pa
e ns n e ab c c anged and bl med- ses, l ps, neys c le. T e w man s and ng be we
en em was bv sly Pe sep ne's m e . S e ad e same a and eyes, b l ed lde and s e
ne . He d ess was g lden, e c l a w ea eld. He a was w ven w d ed g asses s em n
ded me a w c e bas e . I g ed s meb dy l a ma c nex e , s e'd be n se s ble. "Hm
mp ," e lde w man sa d. "Dem g ds. J s w a we need." Nex me, N c nel . I w s ed
I ad my sw d s I c ld c s s p d ead . Un na ely, R p de was s ll n e elds s mew
e e. "Fa e ," N c sa d. "I ave d ne as y as ed." "T y l ng en g ," Hades g mbled
. "Y s s e w ld've d ne a be e j b." N c l we ed s ead. I I adn' been s mad a e
l le c eep, I m g 've el s y m. I gla ed p a e g d e dead. "W a d y wan , Hades?
" "T al , c se." T e g d w s ed s m n a c el sm le. "D dn' N c ell y ?" "S s w l
e q es was a l e. N c b g me d wn e e ge me lled." "O , n ," Hades sa d. "I'm a
a d N c was q e s nce e ab wan ng elp y . T e b y s as nes as e s dense. I s mpl
y c nv nced m a e a small de and b ng y e e s ." "Fa e ," N c sa d, "y p m sed a
Pe cy w ld n be a med. Y sa d I b g m, y w ld ell me ab my pas -ab my m e ." Q
een Pe sep ne s g ed d ama cally. "Can we please n al ab a w man n my p esence?"
"I'm s y, my d ve," Hades sa d. "I ad p m se e b y s me ng." T e lde lady a mp
ed. "I wa ned y , da g e . T s sc nd el Hades s n g d. Y c ld've ma ed e g d d c
s e g d lawye s, b n . Y ad ea e p meg ana e." "M e -" "And ge s c n e Unde w l
d!" "M e , please-" "And e e s A g s , and d y c me me l e y ' e s pp sed
¡ ¡¤ £ ¥£ ¡ ¥ ¥£ ¤ §¡ ¤   ¤ ¦     ¡ ¥£ ¢ ¤ ¦   ¡ ¥ ¡ £ £ ¥£
? D y eve n ab y p l nely m e ?" "DEMETER!" Hades s ed. "T a s en g . Y a e a g
es n my se." "O , a se s ?" s e sa d. "Y call s d mp a se? Ma e my da g e l ve n
s da , damp-" "I ld y ," Hades sa d, g nd ng s ee , " e e's a wa n e w ld ab ve
. Y and Pe sep ne a e be e e e w me." "Exc se me," I b e n. "B y ' e g ng ll me,
c ld y j s ge n w ?" All ee g ds l ed a me. "Well, s ne as an a de," Deme e bse
ved. "Indeed," Hades ag eed. "I'd l ve ll m." "Fa e !" N c sa d. "Y p m sed!" "
H sband, we al ed ab s," Pe sep ne c ded. "Y can' g a nd nc ne a ng eve y e . Be
s des, e's b ave. I l e a ." Hades lled s eyes. "Y l ed a O p e s ell w . L w we
ll a ned . Le me ll m, j s a l le b ." "Fa e , y p m sed!" N c sa d. "Y sa d y n
ly wan ed al m. Y sa d I b g m, y 'd expla n." Hades gl we ed, sm ng e lds s bes
. "And s I s all. Y m e -w a can I ell y ? S e was a w nde l w man." He glanced
nc m ably a Pe sep ne. "F g ve me, my dea . I mean a m al, c se. He name was Ma
a d Angel . S e was m en ce, b e a e was a d pl ma n Was ng n, D.C. T a 's w e e
I me e . W en y and y s s e we e y ng, was a bad me be c ld en Hades. W ld Wa I
I was b ew ng. A ew my, a , e c ld en we e lead ng e l s ng s de. I g bes p y w
a m's way." "T a 's w y y d s n e L s Cas n ?" Hades s gged. "Y d dn' age. Y d d
n' eal ze me was pass ng. I wa ed e g me b ng y ." "B w a appened m e ? W y d n'
I emembe e ?" "N mp an ," Hades snapped. "W a ? O c se 's mp an . And y ad e c
ld en-w y we e we e nly nes w we e sen away? And w was e lawye w g s ?" Hades g
s ee . "Y w ld d well l s en m e and al less, b y. As e lawye . . ." Hades snapp
ed s nge s. On p s ne, e F y Alec began c ange n l s e was a m ddle-aged man n a
p ns ped s w a b e case. S e- e-l ed s ange c c ng a Hades's s lde . "Y !" N c
sa d. T e F y cac led. "I d lawye s and eac e s ve y well!" N c was embl ng. "B
w y d d y ee s m e cas n ?" "Y n w w y," Hades sa d. "T s d s n P se d n cann be
all wed be e c ld e p p ecy." I pl c ed a by e nea es plan and ew a Hades. I sa
n a mlessly n s be. "Y s ld be elp ng Olymp s!" I sa d. "All e e g ds a e g ng T
yp n, and y ' e j s s ng e e-" "Wa ng ngs ," Hades n s ed. "Yes, a 's c ec . W e
n's e las me Olymp s eve elped me, al -bl d? W en's e las me a c ld m ne was eve
welc med as a e ? Ba ! W y s ld I s and elp em? I'll s ay e e w my ces n ac ."
"And w en K n s c mes a e y ?" "Le m y. He'll be wea ened. And my s n e e, N c -
" Hades l ed a m w d s as e. "Well, e's n m c n w, I'll g an y . I w ld've been
be e B anca ad l ved. B g ve m m e yea s a n ng. We can ld a l ng, s ely. N c w
ll n s x een, as e p p ecy says, and en e w ll ma e e dec s n
a w ll save e w ld. And I w ll be ng e g ds." "Y ' e c azy," I sa d. "K n s w ll
c s y , g a e e n s es p lve z ng Olymp s." Hades sp ead s ands. "Well, y 'll g
e a c ance nd , al bl d. Beca se y 'll be wa ng s wa n my d nge ns." "N !" N c s
a d. "Fa e , a wasn' ag eemen . And y aven' ld me eve y ng!" "I've ld y all y ne
ed n w," Hades sa d. "As ag eemen , I sp e w Jac s n. I d d n a m m. Y g y n ma
n. I y ad wan ed a be e deal, y s ld've made me swea n e S yx. N w, g y m!" He w
aved s and, and N c van s ed. "T a b y needs ea m e," Deme e g mbled. "He's s nn
y. He needs m e ce eal." Pe sep ne lled e eyes. "M e , en g w e ce eal. My l d H
ades, a e y s e we can' le s l le e g ? He's aw lly b ave." "N , my dea . I've s
pa ed s l e. T a 's en g ." I was s e s e was g ng s and p me. T e b ave, bea l
Pe sep ne was g ng ge me s. S e s gged nd e en ly. "F ne. W a 's b ea as ? I'm s
a v ng." "Ce eal," Deme e sa d. "M e !" T e w w men d sappea ed n a sw l l we s
and w ea . "D n' eel bad, Pe cy Jac s n," Hades sa d. "My g s s eep me well n m
ed K n s's plans. I can ass e y a y ad n c ance s p m n me. By n g , w ll be la
e y p ec s M n Olymp s. T e ap w ll be sp ng." "W a ap?" I demanded. "I y n w ab
, d s me ng! A leas le me ell e e g ds!" Hades sm led. "Y a e sp ed. I'll g ve
y c ed a . Have n n my d nge n. We'll c ec n y aga n n- , y s x y yea s." CHAPTE
R EIGHT I TAKE THE WORST BATH E ER
My sw d eappea ed n my p c e . Yea , g ea m ng. N w I c ld a ac e walls all I wa
n ed. My cell ad n ba s, n w nd ws, n even a d . T e s ele al g a ds s ved me s
a g g a wall, and became s l d be nd me. I wasn' s e e m was a g . P bably. Hade
s's d nge n was mean dead pe ple, and ey d n' b ea e. S ge y s x y yea s. I'd be
dead n y s x y m n es. Meanw le, Hades wasn' ly ng, s me b g ap was g ng be sp
ng n New Y by e end e day, and e e was abs l ely n ng I c ld d ab . I sa n e c l
d s ne l , eel ng m se able. I d n' emembe d z ng . T en aga n, m s 've been ab
seven n e m n ng, m al me, and I'd been g a l . I d eamed I was n e p c Rac el's
beac se n S . T mas. T e s n was s ng ve e Ca bbean. D zens w ded slands d ed e
sea, and w e sa ls c ac ss e wa e . T e smell sal a made me w nde I w ld eve se
e e cean aga n. Rac el's pa en s sa a e pa able w le a pe s nal c e xed em mele
s. M . Da e was d essed n a w e l nen s . He
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was ead ng T e Wall S ee J nal. T e lady ac ss e able was p bably M s. Da e, g a
ll I c ld see e we e p n nge na ls and e c ve C ndé Nas T avele . W y s e'd be ead
ng ab vaca ns w le s e was n vaca n, I wasn' s e. Rac el s d a e p c a l ng and
s g ed. S e w e Be m da s s and e van G g T-s . (Yea , Rac el was y ng eac me ab
a , b d n' ge mp essed. I nly emembe ed e d de's name beca se e c s ea .) I w n
de ed s e was n ng ab me, and w m c s c ed a I wasn' w em n vaca n. I n w a 's w
a I was n ng. T en e scene c anged. I was n S . L s, s and ng d wn wn nde e A c
. I'd been e e be e. In ac , I'd alm s allen my dea e e be e. Ove e c y, a nde
s m b led-a wall abs l e blac w l g n ng s ea ng ac ss e s y. A ew bl c s away,
swa ms eme gency ve cles ga e ed w e l g s las ng. A c l mn d s se m a m nd bble
, w c I eal zed was a c llapsed s ysc ape . A nea by ep e was yell ng n e m c p
ne: "O c als a e desc b ng s as a s c al a l e, Dan, g n ne seems n w s ela ed e
s m c nd ns." W nd w pped e a . T e empe a e was d pp ng ap dly, l e en deg ees
j s s nce I'd been s and ng e e. "T an lly, e b ld ng ad been aband ned dem l n
," s e sa d. "B p l ce ave evac a ed all nea by b ld ngs ea e c llapse m g gge -
" S e al e ed as a m g y g an c g e s y. A blas l g n ng e cen e e da ness. T e
en e c y s . T e a gl wed, and eve y a n my b dy s d p. T e blas was s p we l I
new c ld nly be ne ng: Ze s's mas e b l . I s ld ave vap zed s a ge , b e da cl
d nly s agge ed bac wa d. A sm y s appea ed e cl ds. I smas ed an e we , and e w
le ng c llapsed l e c ld en's bl c s. T e ep e sc eamed. Pe ple an g e s ee s.
Eme gency l g s las ed. I saw a s ea s lve n e s y-a c a p lled by e ndee , b wa
sn' San a Cla s d v ng. I was A em s, d ng e s m, s ng s a s m nl g n e da ness.
A e y g lden c me c ssed e pa . . . maybe e b e Ap ll . One ng was clea : Typ n
ad made e M ss ss pp R ve . He was al way ac ss e U.S., leav ng des c n n s wa
e, and e g ds we e ba ely sl w ng m d wn. T e m n a n da ness l med ab ve me. A
e s ze Yan ee S ad m was ab smas me w en a v ce ssed, "Pe cy!" I l nged bl ndly.
Be e I was lly awa e, I ad N c p nned e l e cell w e edge my sw d a s a . "Wan
. . . . . . esc e," e c ed. Ange w e me p as . "O , yea ? And w y s ld I s y ?"
"N . . . c ce?" e gagged. I w s ed e adn' sa d s me ng l g cal l e a . I le m g
. N c c led n a ball and made e c ng s nds w le s a ec ve ed. F nally e g s ee ,
eye ng my sw d wa ly. H s wn blade was s ea ed. I s pp se e'd wan ed ll me, e c
ld've d ne w le I slep . S ll, I d dn' s m. "We ave ge e e," e sa d. "W y?" I s
a d. "D es y dad wan al me aga n?" He w nced. "Pe cy, I swea n e R ve S yx, I d
dn' n w
¢  
¤¤ ¦ ¡¡ ¡ ¤ § ¦¡ Â¥ Â¥ Â¥ Â¥       § ¡ §£ ¦¤ £ £ Â¥  £ ¡¡ ¡ ¤ ¡ Â
w a e was plann ng." "Y n w w a y dad s l e!" "He c ed me. He p m sed-" N c eld
p s ands. "L . . . g n w, we need leave. I p e g a ds sleep, b w n' las ." I wan
ed s angle m aga n. Un na ely, e was g . We d dn' ave me a g e, and I c ldn' es
cape n my wn. He p n ed a e wall. A w le sec n van s ed, eveal ng a c d . "C me
n." N c led e way. I w s ed I ad Annabe 's nv s b l y a , b as ned , I d dn' nee
d . Eve y me we came a s ele n g a d, N c j s p n ed a , and s gl w ng eyes d mm
ed. Un na ely, e m e N c d d , e m e ed e seemed. We wal ed g a maze c d s lled
w g a ds. By e me we eac ed a c en s a ed by s ele al c s and se van s, I was p
ac cally ca y ng N c . He managed p all e dead sleep b nea ly passed msel . I d
agged m e se van s' en ance and n e F elds Asp del. I alm s el el eved n l I ea
d e s nd b nze g ngs g n e cas le. "Ala ms," N c m m ed sleep ly. "W a d we d ?"
He yawned en wned l e e was y ng emembe . "H w ab . . . n?" R nn ng w a d wsy c
ld Hades was m e l e d ng a ee-legged ace w a l e-s ze ag d ll. I l gged m al n
g, ld ng my sw d n n me. T e sp s e dead made way l e e Celes al b nze was a bla
z ng e. T e s nd g ngs lled ac ss e elds. A ead l med e walls E eb s, b e l nge
we wal ed, e a e away ey seemed. I was ab c llapse m ex a s n w en I ea d a am l
a "WOOOOOF!" M s. O'Lea y b nded n w e e and an c cles a nd s, eady play. "G d
g l.'" I sa d. "Can y g ve s a de e S yx?" T e w d S yx g e exc ed. S e p bably
g I mean s c s. S e j mped a ew mes, c ased e a l j s eac w was b ss, and en cal
med d wn en g me p s N c n e bac . I cl mb ab a d, and s e aced wa d e ga es. S
e leaped s a g ve e EZ-DEATH l ne, send ng g a ds sp awl ng and ca s ng m e ala
ms bla e. Ce be s ba ed, b e s nded m e exc ed an ang y, l e: Can I play ? F na
ely, e d dn' ll w s, and M s. O'Lea y ep nn ng. S e d dn' s p n l we we e a p ve
and e es E eb s ad d sappea ed n e m . N c sl d M s. O'Lea y's bac and c mpled
n a eap n e blac sand. I a sq a e amb s a-pa e eme gency g d- d I always ep w me
. I was a l le bas ed p, b N c c ewed . "U ," e m mbled. "Be e ." "Y p we s d a
n y m c ," I n ed. He n dded sleep ly. "W g ea p we . . . c mes g ea need a e a
nap. Wa e me p la e ." "W a, z mb e d de." I ca g m be e e c ld pass aga n. "We'
e a e ve . Y need ell me w a d ." I ed m e las my amb s a, w c was a l le dange
s. T e s can eal dem g ds, b can als b n s as es we ea m c . F na ely, seemed d
e c . N c s s ead a ew mes and s ggled s ee . "My a e w ll be c m ng s n," e sa
d. "We s ld y."
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T e R ve S yx's c en sw led w s ange bjec s-b en ys, pped- p c llege d pl mas, w
l ed mec m ng c sages-all e d eams pe ple ad wn away as ey'd passed m l e n dea
. L ng a e blac wa e , I c ld n ab ee m ll n places I'd a e sw m. "S . . . I j
s j mp n?" "Y ave p epa e y sel s ," N c sa d, " e ve w ll des y y . I w ll b n
away y b dy and s l." "S nds n," I m e ed. "T s s n j e," N c wa ned. "T e e s n
ly ne way s ay anc ed y m al l e. Y ave . . ." He glanced be nd me and s eyes w
dened. I ned and nd mysel ace- - ace w a G ee wa . F a sec nd I g e was A es, be
ca se s g y l ed exac ly l e e g d wa - all and b , w a c el sca ed ace and cl s
ely s aved blac a . He w e a w e n c and b nze a m . He eld a pl med wa elm nde
s a m. B s eyes we e man-pale g een l e a s all w sea-and a bl dy a w s c s le c
al , j s ab ve e an le. I s n a G ee names, b even I new e g ea es wa all me, w
ad d ed m a w nded eel. "Ac lles," I sa d. T e g s n dded. "I wa ned e e ne n ll
w my pa . N w I w ll wa n y ." "L e? Y sp e w L e?" "D n d s," e sa d. "I w ll
ma e y p we l. B w ll als ma e y wea . Y p wess n c mba w ll be bey nd any m al'
s, b y wea nesses, y a l ngs w ll nc ease as well." "Y mean I'll ave a bad eel?"
I sa d. "C ldn' I j s , l e, wea s me ng bes des sandals? N ense." He s a ed d
wn a s bl dy . "T e eel s nly my p ys cal wea ness, dem g d. My m e , T e s, eld
me e e w en s e d pped me n e S yx. W a eally lled me was my wn a gance. Bewa e
! T n bac !" He mean . I c ld ea e eg e and b e ness n s v ce. He was nes ly y n
g save me m a e ble a e. T en aga n, L e ad been e e, and e adn' ned bac . T a '
s w y L e ad been able s e sp K n s w s b dy d s n eg a ng. T s s w e'd p epa ed
msel , and w y e seemed mp ss ble ll. He ad ba ed n e R ve S yx and a en n e p
we s e g ea es m al e , Ac lles. He was nv nc ble. "I ave ," I sa d. "O e w se I
d n' s and a c ance." Ac lles l we ed s ead. "Le e g ds w ness I ed. He , y m s
d s, c ncen a e n y m al p n . Imag ne ne sp y b dy a w ll ema n v lne able. T
s s e p n w e e y s l w ll anc y b dy e w ld. I w ll be y g ea es wea ness, b al
s y nly pe. N man may be c mple ely nv lne able. L se s g w a eeps y m al, and e
R ve S yx w ll b n y as es. Y w ll cease ex s ." "I d n' s pp se y c ld ell me
L e's m al p n ?" He sc wled. "P epa e y sel , l s b y. W e e y s v ve s n , y a
ve sealed y d m!" W a appy g , e van s ed. "Pe cy," N c sa d, "maybe e's g ." "T
s was y dea." "I n w, b n w a we' e e e-" "J s wa n e s e. I any ng appens me .
. . Well, maybe Hades w ll ge s w s , and y 'll be e c ld e p p ecy a e all."
§ ¡ ¡ ¤ ¤ §¡ ¤ ¦ ¦ £¤ £ ¥£ ¥£  ¥   £    ¤ ¡ ¥£   ¥ ¥£    ¡
He d dn' l pleased ab a , b I d dn' ca e. Be e I c ld c ange my m nd, I c ncen a
ed n e small my bac -a ny p n j s pp s e my navel. I was well de ended w en I w
e my a m . I w ld be a d by acc den , and ew enem es w ld a m n p p se. N place
was pe ec , b s seemed g me, and a l m e d gn ed an, l e, my a mp s me ng. I p
c ed a s ng, a b ngee c d c nnec ng me e w ld m e small my bac . And I s epped n
e ve . Imag ne j mp ng n a p b l ng ac d. N w m l ply a pa n mes y. Y s ll w n'
be cl se nde s and ng w a el l e sw m n e S yx. I planned wal n sl w and c age
s l e a eal e . As s n as e wa e c ed my legs, my m scles ned jelly and I ell ac
e- s n e c en . I s bme ged c mple ely. F e s me n my l e, I c ldn' b ea e nde w
a e . I nally nde s d e pan c d wn ng. Eve y ne ve n my b dy b ned. I was d ss l
v ng n e wa e . I saw aces-Rac el, G ve , Tys n, my m e -b ey aded as s n as ey
appea ed. "Pe cy," my m m sa d. "I g ve y my bless ng." "Be sa e, b e !" Tys n p
leaded. "Enc ladas!" G ve sa d. I wasn' s e w e e a came m, b d dn' seem elp m c
. I was l s ng e g . T e pa n was m c . My ands and ee we e mel ng n e wa e , m
y s l was be ng pped m my b dy. I c ldn' emembe w I was. T e pa n K n s's scy e
ad been n ng c mpa ed s. T e c d, a am l a v ce sa d. Remembe y l el ne, d mmy!
S ddenly e e was a g n my l we bac . T e c en p lled a me, b wasn' ca y ng me aw
ay anym e. I mag ned e s ng n my bac eep ng me ed e s e. "H ld n, Seaweed B a n.
" I was Annabe 's v ce, m c clea e n w. "Y ' e n ge ng away m me a eas ly." T e
c d s eng ened. I c ld see Annabe n w-s and ng ba e ab ve me n e can e la e p e
. I'd allen my can e. T a was . S e was eac ng e and a l me p, and s e was y ng
n la g . S e w e e ange camp T-s and jeans. He a was c ed p n e Yan ees cap, w c
was s ange beca se a s ld ave made e nv s ble. "Y a e s c an d s me mes." S e s
m led. "C me n. Ta e my and." Mem es came l d ng bac me-s a pe and m e c l l. I
s pped d ss lv ng. My name was Pe cy Jac s n. I eac ed p and Annabe 's and. S dd
enly I b s e ve . I c llapsed n e sand, and N c sc ambled bac n s p se. "A e y a
y?" e s amme ed. "Y s n. O , g ds. Y ' e !" My a ms we e b g ed. I el l e eve y
nc my b dy ad been b led ve a sl w lame. I l ed a nd Annabe , g I new s e wasn'
e e. I ad seemed s eal. "I'm ne . . . I n ." T e c l my s n ned bac n mal. T e p
a n s bs ded. M s. O'Lea y came p and sn ed me w c nce n. Appa en ly I smelled e
ally n e es ng. "D y eel s nge ?" N c as ed. Be e I c ld dec de w a I el , a v c
e b med, "THERE!" An a my e dead ma c ed wa d s. A nd ed s ele al R man leg nna
es led e way w s elds and spea s. Be nd em came an eq al n mbe B s edc a s w bay
ne s xed. In e
¤¡ ¡ ¤ ¡ £ Â¥ £ £ £¡   ¡ Â¥ £  ¡ Â¥   ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¦ ¦¡ £ ¦ £ £ Â¥ £ Â
m ddle e s , Hades msel de a blac -and-g ld c a p lled by n g ma e ses, e eyes a
nd manes sm lde ng w e. "Y w ll n escape me s me, Pe cy Jac s n!" Hades bell wed
. "Des y m!" "Fa e , n !" N c s ed, b was la e. T e n l ne R man z mb es l we ed
e spea s and advanced. M s. O'Lea y g wled and g eady p nce. Maybe a 's w a se
me . I d dn' wan em ng my d g. Pl s, I was ed Hades be ng a b g b lly. I I was g
ng d e, I m g as well g d wn g ng. I yelled, and e R ve S yx expl ded. A blac d
al wave smas ed n e leg nna es. Spea s and s elds lew eve yw e e. R man z mb es
began d ss lve, sm e c m ng e b nze elme s. T e edc a s l we ed e bay ne s, b I
d dn' wa em. I c a ged. I was e s p des ng I've eve d ne. A nd ed m s e s ed a m
e, p n blan . All em m ssed. I c as ed n e l ne and s a ed ac ng w R p de. Bay n
e s jabbed. Sw ds slas ed. G ns el aded and ed. N ng c ed me. I w led g e an s,
slas ng edc a s d s , ne a e e e . My m nd wen n a p l : s ab, d dge, c , de lec
, ll. R p de was n l nge a sw d. I was an a c p e des c n. I b e g e enemy l ne
and leaped n e blac c a . Hades a sed s s a . A b l da ene gy s wa d me, b I de
lec ed my blade and slammed n m. T e g d and I b mbled e c a . T e nex ng I new
, my nee was plan ed n Hades's c es . I was ld ng e c lla s yal bes n ne s , and
e p my sw d was p sed g ve s ace. S lence. T e a my d d n ng de end e mas e . I
glanced bac and eal zed w y. T e e was n ng le em b weap ns n e sand and p les
sm ng, emp y n ms. I ad des yed em all. Hades swall wed. "N w, Jac s n, l s en e
e. . . ." He was mm al. T e e was n way I c ld ll m, b g ds can be w nded. I ne
w a s and, and I g ed a sw d n e ace w ldn' eel g d. "J s beca se I'm a n ce pe
s n," I sna led, "I'll le y g . B s , ell me ab a ap!" Hades mel ed n n ng, leav
ng me ld ng emp y blac bes. I c sed and g my ee , b ea ng eav ly. N w a e dange
was ve , I eal zed w ed I was. Eve y m scle n my b dy ac ed. I l ed d wn a my c
l es. T ey we e slas ed p eces and ll b lle les, b I was ne. N a ma n me. N c 's
m ng pen. "Y j s . . . w a sw d . . . y j s -" "I n e ve ng w ed," I sa d. "O g
ee," e sa d sa cas cally. "Y n ?" M s. O'Lea y ba ed app ly and wagged e a l. S
e b nded a nd, sn ng emp y n ms and n ng b nes. I l ed Hades's be. I c ld s ll s
ee e men ed aces s mme ng n e ab c. I wal ed e edge e ve . "Be ee." I d pped e b
e n e wa e and wa c ed as sw led away, d ss lv ng n e c en . "G bac y a e ," I l
d N c . "Tell m e wes me le ng m g . F nd w a 's g ng appen M n Olymp s and c nv
nce m elp." N c s a ed a me. "I . . . I can' . He'll a e me n w. I mean . . . e
ven m e."
CHATPER NINE TWO SNAKES SA E MY LIFE
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I l ve New Y . Y can p p e Unde w ld n Cen al Pa , a l a ax , ead d wn F Aven e
w a g an ell nd l p ng al ng be nd y , and n b dy even l s a y nny. O c se, e M
s elped. Pe ple p bably c ldn' see M s. O'Lea y, maybe ey g s e was a la ge, l d
, ve y endly c . I e s s ng my m m's cell p ne call Annabe e sec nd me. I'd call
ed e nce m e nnel b nly eac ed e v ce ma l. I'd g en s p s ngly g d ecep n, see
ng as I was a e my l g cal cen e e w ld and all, b I d dn' wan see w a my m m's
am ng c a ges we e g ng be. T s me, Annabe p c ed p. "Hey," I sa d. "Y ge my mes
sage?" "Pe cy, w e e ave y been? Y message sa d alm s n ng! We've been w ed s c
!" "I'll ll y n la e ," I sa d, g w I was g ng d a I ad n dea. "W e e a e y ?" "
We' e n way l e y as ed, alm s e Q eens-M d wn T nnel. B , Pe cy, w a a e y plan
n ng? We've le e camp v ally nde ended, and e e's n way e g ds-" "T s me," I sa
d. "I'll see y e e." I ng p. My ands we e embl ng. I wasn' s e was a le ve eac n
m my d p n e S yx, an c pa n w a I was ab d . I s d dn' w , be ng nv lne able w
asn' g ng save me m ge ng blas ed b s. I was la e a e n n w en e ax d pped me a
e Emp e S a e B ld ng. M s. O'Lea y b nded p and d wn F Aven e, l c ng cabs and
sn ng d g ca s. N b dy seemed n ce e , al g pe ple d d swe ve away and l c n sed
w en s e came cl se. I w s led e eel as ee w e vans p lled p e c b. T ey sa d D
elp S awbe y Se v ce, w c was e c ve name Camp Hal -Bl d. I'd neve seen all ee v
ans n e same place a nce, g I new ey s led es p d ce n e c y. T e s van was d ve
n by A g s, many-eyed sec y c e . T e e w we e d ven by a p es, w a e bas cally
dem n c man/c c en yb ds w bad a des. We sed e a p es
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"Y ave ," I sa d. "Y we me ." H s ea s ned ed. "Pe cy, I ld y I was s y. Please
. . . le me c me w y . I wan g ." "Y 'll be m e elp d wn e e." "Y mean y d n' s
me anym e," e sa d m se ably. I d dn' answe . I d dn' n w w a I mean . I was s n
ned by w a I'd j s d ne n ba le n clea ly. "J s g bac y a e ," I sa d, y ng n s
nd a s . "W n m. Y ' e e nly pe s n w m g be able ge m l s en." "T a 's a dep es
s ng g ." N c s g ed. "All g . I'll d my bes . Bes des, e's s ll d ng s me ng m
me ab my m m. Maybe I can nd w a ." "G d l c . N w M s. O'Lea y and I ave g ." "
W e e?" N c sa d. I l ed a e cave en ance and g ab e l ng cl mb bac e w ld e l v
ng. "T ge s wa s a ed. I 's me I nd L e."
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m s ly clean ng e camp, b ey d d p e y well n m d wn a c . T e d s sl d pen. A b
nc campe s cl mbed , s me em l ng a l le g een m e l ng d ve. I was glad s many
ad c me: P ll x, S lena Bea ega d, e S ll b e s, M c ael Yew, Ja e Mas n, Ka e
Ga dne , and Annabe , al ng w m s e s bl ngs. C n came e van las . H s se al was
c mpac ed n s mag c w eelc a , s e sed e and cap l . T e A es cab n wasn' e e,
b I ed n ge ang y ab a . Cla sse was a s bb n d . End s y. I d d a ead c n : y c
ampe s n all. N many g a wa , b was s ll e la ges g p al bl ds I'd eve seen ga e
ed n ne place s de camp. Eve y ne l ed ne v s, and I nde s d w y. We we e p bab
ly send ng s m c dem g d a a a eve y m ns e n e n eas e n Un ed S a es new we we
e e e. As I l ed a e aces-all ese campe s I'd n wn s many s mme s-a nagg ng v c
e w spe ed n my m nd: One em s a spy. B I c ldn' dwell n a . T ey we e my ends.
I needed em. T en I emembe ed K n s's ev l sm le. Y can' c n n ends. T ey w ll a
lways le y d wn. Annabe came p me. S e was d essed n blac cam lage w e Celes al
b nze n e s apped e a m and e lap p bag sl ng ve e s lde - eady s abb ng s ng e
In e ne , w c eve came s . S e wned. "W a s ?" "W a 's w a ?" I as ed. "Y ' e l
ng a me nny." I eal zed I was n ng ab my s ange v s n Annabe p ll ng me e S yx R
ve . "I 's, , n ng." I ned e es e g p. "T an s c m ng, eve yb dy. C n, a e y ."
My ld men s s ead. "I came w s y l c , my b y. B I ma e a p n neve v s Olymp s
nless I am s mm ned." "B y ' e leade ." He sm led. "I am y a ne , y eac e . T a
s n e same as be ng y leade . I w ll g ga e w a all es I can. I may n be la e c
nv nce my b e cen a s elp. Meanw le, y called e campe s e e, Pe cy. Y a e e lead
e ." I wan ed p es , b eve yb dy was l ng a me expec an ly, even Annabe . I a de
ep b ea . "O ay, l e I ld Annabe n e p ne, s me ng bad s g ng appen by n g . S m
e nd ap. We've g ge an a d ence w Ze s and c nv nce m de end e c y. Remembe , we
can' a e n an answe ." I as ed A g s wa c M s. O'Lea y, w c ne e em l ed appy a
b . C n s my and. "Y 'll d well, Pe cy. J s emembe y s eng s and bewa e y wea ne
sses." I s nded ee ly cl se w a Ac lles ad ld me. T en I emembe ed C n ad a g Ac
lles. T a d dn' exac ly eass e me, b I n dded and ed g ve m a c n den sm le. "L
e 's g ," I ld e campe s. A sec y g a d was s ng be nd e des n e l bby, ead ng a
b g blac b w a l we n e c ve . He glanced p w en we all led n w weap ns and a m
clan ng. "Sc l g p? We' e ab cl se p." "N ," I sa d. "S x- nd ed l ."
¤ ¡ ¡ ¦ £   ¤ £  ¤¡§ £ £ ¡ £ § £   ¡ ¥£ £¦   £¦ £ Â¥ ¥¤ ¡   Â
He c ec ed s . H s eyes we e pale bl e and s ead was c mple ely bald. I c ldn' e
ll e was man n , b e seemed n ce weap ns, s I g ess e wasn' led by e M s . "T e
e s n s x- nd ed l , d." He sa d l e was a eq ed l ne e d dn' bel eve. "M ve al
ng." I leaned ac ss e des . "F y dem g ds a ac an aw l l m ns e s. Y eally wan s
ang ng n y l bby?" He g ab a . T en e a b zze and e sec y ga e sw ng pen. "Ma e
q c ." "Y d n' wan s g ng g e me al de ec s," I added. "Um, n ," e ag eed. "Ele
va n e g . I g ess y n w e way." I ssed m a g lden d ac ma and we ma c ed ll g .
We dec ded w ld a e w ps ge eve yb dy p n e eleva . I wen w e s g p. D e en ele
va m s c was play ng s nce my las v s - a ld d sc s ng "S ay n' Al ve." A e y ng
mage las ed g my m nd Ap ll n bell-b m pan s and a sl n y s l s . I was glad w
en e eleva d s nally d nged pen. In n s, a pa l a ng s nes led g e cl ds p M n O
lymp s, ve ng s x sand ee ve Man a an. I'd seen Olymp s seve al mes, b s ll my b
ea away. T e mans ns gl e ed g ld and w e aga ns e s des e m n a n. Ga dens bl
med n a nd ed e aces. Scen ed sm e se m b az e s a l ned e w nd ng s ee s. And g
a e p e sn w-capped c es se e ma n palace e g ds. I l ed as majes c as eve , b
s me ng seemed w ng. T en I eal zed e m n a n was s len -n m s c, n v ces, n la
g e . Annabe s d ed me. "Y l . . . d e en ," s e dec ded. "W e e exac ly d d y g
?" T e eleva d s pened aga n, and e sec nd g p al bl ds j ned s. "Tell y la e ,
" I sa d. "C me n." We made way ac ss e s y b dge n e s ee s Olymp s. T e s ps w
e e cl sed. T e pa s we e emp y. A c ple M ses sa n a benc s mm ng lam ng ly es,
b e ea s d dn' seem be n . A l ne Cycl ps swep e s ee w an p ed a ee. A m n g d
l ng sp ed s m a balc ny and d c ed ns de, cl s ng s s e s. We passed nde a b g
ma ble a c way w s a es Ze s and He a n e e s de. Annabe made a ace a e q een e
g ds. "Ha e e ," s e m e ed. "Has s e been c s ng y s me ng?" I as ed. Las yea A
nnabe ad g en n He a's bad s de, b Annabe adn' eally al ed ab s nce. "J s l le s
s a ," s e sa d. "He sac ed an mal s e c w, g ?" "R g ." "S s e sends c ws a e
me." I ed n sm le. "C ws? In San F anc sc ?" "O , yea . Us ally I d n' see em, b
e c ws leave me l le p esen s all ve e place- n bac ya d, n e s dewal , n e sc
l allways. I ave be ca e l w e e I s ep." "L !" P ll x c ed, p n ng wa d e z n.
"W a s a ?" We all ze. Bl e l g s we e s ea ng ac ss e even ng s y wa d Olymp s
l e ny c me s. T ey seemed be c m ng m all ve e c y, ead ng s a g wa d e m n a n
. As ey g cl se, ey zzled . We wa c ed em seve al m n es and ey d dn' seem d any
damage, b s ll was s ange.
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"L e n a ed sc pes," M c ael Yew m e ed. "We' e be ng a ge ed." "Le 's ge e pala
ce," I sa d. N ne was g a d ng e all e g ds. T e g ld-and-s lve d s s d w de pen
. O s eps ec ed as we wal ed n e ne m. O c se, " m" d esn' eally c ve . T e plac
e was e s ze Mad s n Sq a e Ga den. H g ab ve, e bl e ce l ng gl e ed w c ns ell
a ns. Twelve g an emp y nes s d n a U a nd a ea . In ne c ne , a se-s ze gl be w
a e ve ed n e a , and ns de swam my ld end e Op a s, al -c w, al se pen . "M !"
e sa d app ly, n ng n a c cle. Desp e all e se s s g ng n, I ad sm le. Tw yea s
ag we'd spen a l me y ng save e Op a s m e T ans, and I'd g en nd nd m. He seeme
d l e me , even g I'd g nally g e was a g l and named m Bess e. "Hey, man," I sa
d. "T ey ea ng y ay?" "M ," Bess e answe ed. We wal ed wa d e nes, and a w man'
s v ce sa d, "Hell aga n, Pe cy Jac s n. Y and y ends a e welc me." Hes a s d by
e ea , p ng e lames w a s c . S e w e e same nd s mple b wn d ess as s e ad be
e, b s e was a g wn w man n w. I b wed. "Lady Hes a." My ends ll wed my example.
Hes a ega ded me w e ed gl w ng eyes. "I see y wen g w y plan. Y bea e c se Ac
lles." T e e campe s s a ed m e ng am ng emselves: W a d d s e say? W a ab Ac ll
es? "Y m s be ca e l," Hes a wa ned me. "Y ga ned m c n y j ney. B y a e s ll bl
nd e m s mp an . Pe aps a gl mpse s n de ." Annabe n dged me. "Um . . . w a s s
e al ng ab ?" I s a ed n Hes a's eyes, and an mage s ed n my m nd: I saw a da a
lley be ween ed b c wa e ses. A s gn ab ve ne e d s ead RICHMOND IRONWORKS. Tw a
l -bl ds c c ed n e s ad ws-a b y ab een and a g l ab welve. I eal zed w a s a a
e b y was L e. T e g l was T al a, da g e Ze s. I was see ng a scene m bac n e
days w en ey we e n e n, be e G ve nd em. L e ca ed a b nze n e. T al a ad e spe
a and s eld e , Aeg s. L e and T al a b l ed ng y and lean, w w ld an mal eyes,
l e ey we e sed be ng a ac ed. "A e y s e?" T al a as ed. L e n dded. "S me ng d
wn e e. I sense ." A mble ec ed m e alley, l e s me ne ad banged n a s ee me al
. T e al -bl ds c ep wa d. Old c a es we e s ac ed n a l ad ng d c . T al a and
L e app ac ed w e weap ns eady. A c a n c ga ed n q ve ed as s me ng we e be nd
. T al a glanced a L e. He c n ed s len ly: One, w , ee! He pped away e n, and a
l le g l lew a m w a amme . "W a!" L e sa d. T e g l ad angled bl nd a and was
wea ng lannel pajamas. S e c ldn' ave been m e an seven, b s e w ld've b a ned L
e e adn' been s as . He g abbed e w s , and e amme s e ed ac ss e cemen . T e l
le g l g and c ed. "N m e m ns e s! G away!" "I 's ay!" L e s ggled ld e . "T a
l a, p y s eld p.
 
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Y ' e sca ng e ." T al a apped Aeg s, and s an n a s lve b acele . "Hey, 's all
g ," s e sa d. "We' e n g ng y . I'm T al a. T s s L e." "M ns e s!" "N ," L e p
m sed. "B we n w all ab m ns e s. We g em ." Sl wly, e g l s pped c ng. S e s d
ed L e and T al a w la ge n ell gen g ay eyes. "Y ' e l e me?" s e sa d s sp c
sly. "Yea ," L e sa d. "We' e . . . well, 's a d expla n, b we' e m ns e g e s.
W e e's y am ly?" "My am ly a es me," e g l sa d. "T ey d n' wan me. I an away."
T al a and L e l c ed eyes. I new ey b ela ed w a s e was say ng. "W a 's y nam
e, dd ?" T al a as ed. "Annabe ." L e sm led. "N ce name. I ell y w a , Annabe -
y ' e p e y e ce. We c ld se a g e l e y ." Annabe 's eyes w dened. "Y c ld?" "O
, yea ." L e ned s n e and e ed e e andle. "H w'd y l e a eal m ns e -slay ng w
eap n? T s s Celes al b nze. W s a l be e an a amme ." Maybe nde m s c c ms ance
s, e ng a seven-yea - ld d a n e w ld n be a g d dea, b w en y ' e a al -bl d, e
g la les nd g e w nd w. Annabe g pped e l . "Kn ves a e nly e b aves and q c es
g e s," L e expla ned. "T ey d n' ave e eac p we a sw d, b ey' e easy c nceal an
d ey can nd wea sp s n y enemy's a m . I a es a cleve wa se a n e. I ave a eel n
g y ' e p e y cleve ." Annabe s a ed a m w ad a n. "I am!" T al a g nned. "We'd
be e ge g ng, Annabe . We ave a sa e se n e James R ve . We'll ge y s me cl es a
nd d." "Y ' e . . . y ' e n g ng a e me bac my am ly?" s e sa d. "P m se?" L e p
s and n e s lde . "Y ' e pa am ly n w. And I p m se I w n' le any ng y . I'm n
g ng a l y l e am l es d d s. Deal?" "Deal!" Annabe sa d app ly. "N w, c me n,"
T al a sa d. "We can' s ay p l ng!" T e scene s ed. T e ee dem g ds we e nn ng g
e w ds. I m s 've been seve al days la e , maybe even wee s. All em l ed bea p,
l e ey'd seen s me ba les. Annabe was wea ng new cl es-jeans and an ve s ze a m
y jac e . "J s a l le a e !" L e p m sed. Annabe s mbled, and e e and. T al a b
g p e ea , b and s ng e s eld l e s e was d v ng bac w a eve p s ed em. S e was
l mp ng n e le leg. T ey sc ambled a dge and l ed d wn e e s de a a w e C l n al
se-May Cas ellan's place. "All g ," L e sa d, b ea ng a d. "I'll j s snea n and
g ab s me d and med c ne. Wa e e." "L e, a e y s e?" T al a as ed. "Y sw e y 'd
neve c me bac e e. I s e ca c es y -" "We d n' ave a c ce!" e g wled. "T ey b n
ed nea es sa e se. And y 've g ea a leg w nd." "T s s y se?" Annabe sa d w amaze
men .
Â¥
¤  
"I was my se," L e m e ed. "Bel eve me, wasn' an eme gency-" "Is y m m eally ble
?" Annabe as ed. "Can we see e ?" "N !" L e snapped. Annabe s an away m m as g s
ange s p sed e . "I . . . I'm s y," e sa d. "J s wa e e. I p m se eve y ng w ll
be ay. N ng's g ng y . I'll be bac -" A b ll an g lden las ll m na ed e w ds. T
e dem g ds w nced, and a man's v ceb med: "Y s ld n ave c me me." T e v s n s .
My nees b c led, b Annabe g abbed me. "Pe cy! W a appened?" "D d . . . d d y se
e a ?" I as ed. "See w a ?" I glanced a Hes a, b e g ddess's ace was exp ess nle
ss. I emembe ed s me ng s e'd ld me n e w ds: I y a e nde s and y enemy L e, y m
s nde s and s am ly. B w y ad s e s wn me se scenes? "H w l ng was I ?" I m e e
d. Annabe n e eyeb ws. "Pe cy, y we en' a all. Y j s l ed a Hes a l e ne sec nd
and c llapsed." I c ld eel eve y ne's eyes n me. I c ldn' a d l wea . W a eve se
v s ns mean , I ad s ay c sed n m ss n. "Um, Lady Hes a," I sa d, "we've c me n
gen b s ness. We need see-" "We n w w a y need," a man's v ce sa d. I s dde ed,
beca se was e same v ce I'd ea d n e v s n. A g d s mme ed n ex s ence nex Hes
a. He l ed ab wen y- ve, w c ly sal -and-peppe a and el s ea es. He w e a m l a
y p l 's l g s , w ny b d's w ngs l e ng n s elme and s blac lea e b s. In e c s
a m was a l ng s a en w ned w w l v ng se pen s. "I w ll leave y n w," Hes a sa
d. S e b wed e av a and d sappea ed n sm e. I nde s d w y s e was s anx s g . H
e mes, e G d Messenge s, d d n l appy. "Hell , Pe cy." H s b w wed as g e was an
n yed w me, and I w nde ed e s me w new ab e v s n I'd j s ad. I wan ed as w y e
'd been n May Cas ellan's se a n g , and w a ad appened a e e ca g L e. I emembe
ed e s me I'd me L e a Camp Hal -Bl d. I'd as ed m e'd eve me s a e , and e'd l
ed a me b e ly and sa d, Once. B I c ld ell m He mes's exp ess n a s was n e me
as . I b wed aw wa dly. "L d He mes." O , s e, ne e sna es sa d n my m nd. D n'
say s. We' e j s ep les. Ge ge, e e sna e sc lded. Be p l e. "Hell , Ge ge," I
sa d. "Hey, Ma a." D d y b ng s a a ? Ge ge as ed. Ge ge, s p , Ma a sa d. He's
b sy! T b sy a s? Ge ge sa d. T a 's j s sad. I dec ded was be e n ge n w Ge ge.
"Um, He mes," I sa d. "We need al Ze s. I 's mp an ." He mes's eyes we e s eely
c ld. "I am s messenge . May I a e a message?" Be nd me, e e dem g ds s ed es l
essly. T s wasn' g ng as planned. Maybe I ed spea w He mes n p va e . . . "Y g y
s," I sa d. "W y d n' y d a sweep e c y? C ec e de enses. See w 's le n Olymp s.
Mee Annabe and me
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bac e e n y m n es." S lena wned. "B -" "T a 's a g d dea," Annabe sa d. "C nn a
nd T av s, y w lead." T e S lls seemed l e a -ge ng anded an mp an esp ns b l y
g n n e dad. T ey s ally neve led any ng excep le pape a ds. "We' e n !" T av s
sa d. T ey e ded e e s e ne m, leav ng Annabe and me w He mes. "My l d," Annabe
sa d. "K n s s g ng a ac New Y . Y m s s spec a . My m e m s ave eseen ." "Y m e
," He mes g mbled. He sc a c ed s bac w s cad ce s, and Ge ge and Ma a m e ed O
w, w, w. "D n' ge me s a ed n y m e , y ng lady. S e's e eas n I'm e e a all. Ze
s d dn' wan any s leave e n l ne. B y m e ep pes e ng m n ns p, 'I 's a ap, 's
a d ve s n, bla , bla , bla .' S e wan ed c me bac e sel , b Ze s was n g ng le
s n mbe ne s a eg s leave s s de w le we' e ba l ng Typ n. And s na ally e sen m
e al y ." "B s a ap!" Annabe ns s ed. "Is Ze s bl nd?" T nde lled g e s y. "I'd
wa c e c mmen s, g l," He mes wa ned. "Ze s s n bl nd dea . He as n le Olymp s c
mple ely nde ended." "B e e a e ese bl e l g s-" "Yes, yes. I saw em. S me m sc
e by a ns e able g ddess mag c, Heca e, I'd wage , b y may ave n ced ey a en' d
ng any damage. Olymp s as s ng mag cal wa ds. Bes des, Ae l s, e K ng e W nds,
as sen s m s p we l m n ns g a d e c adel. N ne save e g ds can app ac Olymp s m
e a . T ey w ld be n c ed e s y." I a sed my and. "Um . . . w a ab a ma e al z
ng/ elep ng ng y g ys d ?" "T a 's a m a avel , Jac s n. e y as , b e w nd g ds
a e as e . N , K n s wan s Olymp s, e'll ave ma c g e en e c y w s a my and a e
e eleva s! Can y see m d ng s?" He mes made s nd p e y d c l s- des m ns e s g n
g p n e eleva wen y a a me, l s en ng "S ay n' Al ve." S ll, I d dn' l e . "Mayb
e j s a ew y c ld c me bac ," I s gges ed. He mes s s ead mpa en ly. "Pe cy Jac
s n, y d n' nde s and. Typ n s g ea es enemy." "I g a was K n s." T e g d's eyes
gl wed. "N , Pe cy. In e ld days, Olymp s was alm s ve wn by Typ n. He s sband
Ec dna-" "Me e a e A c ," I m e ed. "N n ce." "-and e a e all m ns e s. We can n
eve ge w cl se e came des y ng s all; w e m l a ed s! We we e m e p we l bac n e
ld days. N w we can expec n elp m P se d n beca se e's g ng s wn wa . Hades s s
n s ealm and d es n ng, and Deme e and Pe sep ne ll w s lead. I w ll a e all em
a n ng p we pp se e s m g an . We can' d v de ces, n wa n l e ge s New Y . We av
e ba le m n w. And we' e ma ng p g ess." "P g ess?" I sa d. "He nea ly des yed S
. L s." "Yes," He mes adm ed. "B e des yed nly al Ken c y. He's sl w ng d wn. L
s ng p we ." I d dn' wan a g e, b s nded l e He mes was y ng c nv nce msel . In
e c ne , e Op a s m ed sadly.
¡¡ ¡ ¡ ¤ ¦¥ ¦  ¤¡ Â¥ ¢ Â¥ ¡ ¢  ¡ ¡ £ ¦¡ £ £ Â¥ £ £ Â¥ £¦   ¢ £ Â
"Please, He mes," Annabe sa d. "Y sa d my m e wan ed c me. D d s e g ve y any me
ssages s?" "Messages," e m e ed. "'I 'll be a g ea j b,' ey ld me. 'N m c w . L
s w s ppe s.' Hmp . N b dy ca es w a I ave say. I 's always ab e pe ple's messag
es." R den s, Ge ge m sed. I'm n e den s. S , Ma a sc lded. We ca e w a He mes a
s say. D n' we, Ge ge? O , abs l ely. Can we g bac e ba le n w? I wan d lase m d
e aga n. T a 's n. "Q e , b y ," He mes g mbled. T e g d l ed a Annabe , w was d
ng e b g-plead ng-g ayeyes ng. "Ba ," He mes sa d. "Y m e sa d wa n y a y a e n
y wn. Y m s ld Man a an w e elp e g ds. As I d dn' n w a . W y ey pay e be e w
sd m g ddess, I'm n s e." "Any ng else?" Annabe as ed. "S e sa d y s ld y plan w
en y- ee. S e sa d y w ld n w w a a mean ." Annabe 's ace paled. Obv sly s e new
w a mean , and s e d dn' l e . "G n." "Las ng." He mes l ed a me. "S e sa d ell
Pe cy: 'Remembe e ve s.' And, m, s me ng ab s ay ng away m e da g e ." I'm n s
e w se ace was edde : Annabe 's m ne. "T an y , He mes," Annabe sa d. "And I . .
. I wan ed say . . . I'm s y ab L e." T e g d's exp ess n a dened l e e'd ned m
a ble. "Y s ld've le a s bjec al ne." Annabe s epped bac ne v sly. "S y?" "SORRY
d esn' c !" Ge ge and Ma a c led a nd e cad ce s, w c s mme ed and c anged n s
me ng a l ed s sp c sly l e a g v l age ca le p d. "Y s ld've saved m w en y ad
e c ance," He mes g wled a Annabe . "Y ' e e nly ne w c ld ave." I ed s ep be we
en em. "W a a e y al ng ab ? Annabe d dn' -" "D n' de end e , Jac s n!" He mes n
ed e ca le p d wa d me. "S e n ws exac ly w a I'm al ng ab ." "Maybe y s ld blam
e y sel !" I s ld've ep my m s , b all I c ld n ab was n ng s a en n away m Anna
be . T s w le me, e adn' been ang y w me. He'd been ang y w e . "Maybe y adn' ab
and ned L e and s m m!" He mes a sed s ca le p d. He began g w n l e was en ee a
ll. I g , Well, a 's . B as e p epa ed s e, Ge ge and Ma a leaned n cl se and w
spe ed s me ng n s ea . He mes clenc ed s ee . He l we ed e ca le p d, and ned b
ac a s a . "Pe cy Jac s n," e sa d, "beca se y ave a en n e c se Ac lles, I m s
spa e y . Y a e n e ands e Fa es n w. B y w ll neve spea me l e a aga n. Y ave n
dea w m c I ave sac ced, w m c -" H s v ce b e, and e s an bac man s ze. "My s
n, my g ea es p de . . . my p May . . ." He s nded s devas a ed I d dn' n w w a
say. One m n e e was eady vap ze s. N w e l ed l e e needed a g.
¡¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¦ £ £ ¥£ £ ¤ ¦ ¥ ¥ ¥¡ ¡ £  ¤ ¦ ¦ ¦ £ £¦ ¥ ¢ ¥ ¥ ¤
"L , L d He mes," I sa d. "I'm s y, b I need n w. W a appened May? S e sa d s me
ng ab L e's a e, and e eyes-" He mes gla ed a me, and my v ce al e ed. T e l n
s ace wasn' eally ange , g . I was pa n. Deep, nc ed ble pa n. "I w ll leave y n
w," e sa d g ly. "I ave a wa g ." He began s ne. I ned away and made s e Annabe
d d e same, beca se s e was s ll zen n s c . G d l c , Pe cy, Ma a e sna e w sp
e ed. He mes gl wed w e l g a s pe n va. T en e was g ne. Annabe sa a e e m e 's
ne and c ed. I wan ed c m e , b I wasn' s e w. "Annabe ," I sa d, " 's n y a l
. I've neve seen He mes ac a way. I g ess . . . I d n' n w . . . e p bably eels
g l y ab L e. He's l ng s meb dy blame. I d n' n w w y e las ed a y . Y d dn' d
any ng dese ve a ." Annabe w ped e eyes. S e s a ed a e ea l e was e wn ne al py
e. I s ed neas ly. "Um, y d dn' , g ?" S e d dn' answe . He Celes al b nze n e
was s apped e a m- e same n e I'd seen n Hes a's v s n. All ese yea s, I adn' ea
l zed was a g m L e. I'd as ed e many mes w y s e p e e ed g w a n e ns ead a sw
d, and s e'd neve answe ed me. N w I new. "Pe cy," s e sa d. "W a d d y mean ab
L e's m e ? D d y mee e ?" I n dded el c an ly. "N c and I v s ed e . S e was a
l le . . . d e en ." I desc bed May Cas ellan, and e we d m men w en e eyes ad
s a ed gl w and s e al ed ab e s n's a e. Annabe wned. "T a d esn' ma e sense. B
w y we e y v s ng-" He eyes w dened. "He mes sa d y bea e c se Ac lles. Hes a s
a d e same ng. D d y . . . d d y ba e n e R ve S yx?" "D n' c ange e s bjec ." "
Pe cy! D d y n ?" "Um . . . maybe a l le." I ld e e s y ab Hades and N c , and w
I'd de ea ed an a my e dead. I le e v s n e p ll ng me e ve . I s ll d dn' q e
nde s and a pa , and j s n ng ab made me emba assed. S e s e ead n d sbel e . "D
y ave any dea w dange s a was?" "I ad n c ce," I sa d. "I 's e nly way I can s
and p L e." "Y mean . . . d mm ales, c se! T a 's w y L e d dn' d e. He wen e S
yx and . . . O n , L e. W a we e y n ng?" "S n w y ' e w ed ab L e aga n," I g m
bled. S e s a ed a me l e I'd j s d pped m space. "W a ?" "F ge ," I m e ed. I w
nde ed w a He mes ad mean ab Annabe n sav ng L e w en s e'd ad e c ance. Clea l
y, s e wasn' ell ng me s me ng. B a e m men I wasn' n e m d as . T e las ng I wa
n ed ea ab was m e e s y w L e. "T e p n s e d dn' d e n e S yx," I sa d. "Ne e
d d I. N w I ave ace m. We ave de end Olymp s." Annabe was s ll s dy ng my ace,
l e s e was y ng see d e ences s nce my sw m n e S yx. "I g ess y ' e g . My m m
men ned-" "Plan wen y- ee." S e mmaged n e pac and p lled Daedal s's lap p. T e
bl e Del a symb l gl wed n e p w en s e b ed p. S e
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pened a ew les and s a ed ead. "He e s," s e sa d. "G ds, we ave a l w d ." "One
Daedal s's nven ns?" "A l nven ns . . . dange s nes. I my m e wan s me se s pla
n, s e m s n ngs a e ve y bad." S e l ed a me. "W a ab e message y : 'Remembe e
ve s'? W a d es a mean?" I s my ead. As s al, I ad n cl e w a e g ds we e ell ng
me. W c ve s was I s pp sed emembe ? T e S yx? T e M ss ss pp ? J s en e S ll b
e s an n e ne m. "Y need see s," C nn sa d. "N w." T e bl e l g s n e s y ad s
pped, s a s I d dn' nde s and w a e p blem was. T e e campe s ad ga e ed n a sma
ll pa a e edge e m n a n. T ey we e cl s e ed a e g a d a l, l ng d wn a Man a a
n. T e a l ng was l ned w se s b n c la s, w e e y c ld dep s ne g lden d ac ma
and see e c y. Campe s we e s ng eve y s ngle ne. I l ed d wn a e c y. I c ld se
e alm s eve y ng m e e e Eas R ve and e H ds n R ve ca v ng e s ape Man a an, e
g d s ee s, e l g s s ysc ape s, e da s e c Cen al Pa n e n . Eve y ng l ed n ma
l, b s me ng was w ng. I el n my b nes be e I eal zed w a was. "I d n' . . . ea
any ng," Annabe sa d. T a was e p blem. Even m s e g , I s ld've ea d e n se e c
ym ll ns pe ple b s l ng a nd, sands ca s and mac nes e m a ge me p l s. Y d n'
n ab w en y l ve n New Y , b 's always e e. Even n e dead n g , New Y s neve s
len . B was n w. I el l e my bes end ad s ddenly d pped dead. "W a d d ey d ?" M
y v ce s nded g and ang y. "W a d d ey d my c y?" I p s ed M c ael Yew away m e
b n c la s and a l . In e s ee s bel w, a c ad s pped. Pedes ans we e ly ng n e
s dewal s, c led p n d ways. T e e was n s gn v lence, n w ec s, n ng l e a . I
was as all e pe ple n New Y ad s mply dec ded s p w a eve ey we e d ng and pass
. "A e ey dead?" S lena as ed n as n s men . Ice c a ed my s mac . A l ne m e p
p ecy ang n my ea s: And see e w ld n endless sleep. I emembe ed G ve 's s y ab
mee ng e g d M p e s n Cen al Pa . Y ' e l c y I'm sav ng my ene gy e ma n even
. "N dead," I sa d. "M p e s as p e en e sland Man a an sleep. T e nvas n as s a
ed." CHAPTER TEN I BUY SOME NEW FRIENDS M s. O'Lea y was e nly ne appy ab e sle
ep ng c y. We nd e p gg ng a an ve ned d g s and w le e wne was c led p n e s de
wal , s c ng s mb. A g s was wa ng s w s nd ed eyes w de pen. He d dn' say any n
g. He neve d es. I g ess a 's beca se e s pp sedly as an eyeball n s ng e. B s a
ce made clea e was ea ng . I ld m w a we'd lea ned n Olymp s, and w e g ds w ld
¡ ¡ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¦¡   £¦ £ £ ¥ ¦ ¥ ¥ ¤ ¤   ¦ ¡ §¡ ¤ ¤ ¡ ¡ ¥ ¥¦¡ £ ¤
n be d ng e esc e. A g s lled s eyes n d sg s , w c l ed p e y psyc edel c s nce
made s w le b dy sw l. "Y 'd be e ge bac camp," I ld m. "G a d as bes y can." H
e p n ed a me and a sed s eyeb w q zz cally. "I'm s ay ng," I sa d. A g s n dded
, l e s answe sa s ed m. He l ed a Annabe and d ew a c cle n e a w s nge . "Yes,
" Annabe ag eed. "I n 's me." "F w a ?" I as ed. A g s mmaged a nd n e bac s van
. He b g a b nze s eld and passed Annabe . I l ed p e y m c s anda d ss e- e sam
e nd nd s eld we always sed n cap e e lag. B w en Annabe se n e g nd, e e lec n
n e p l s ed me al c anged m s y and b ld ngs e S a e L be y-w c wasn' anyw e e
cl se s. "W a," I sa d. "A v de s eld." "One Daedal s's deas," Annabe sa d. "I a
d Bec end ma e s be e-" S e glanced a S lena. "Um, anyway, e s eld bends s nl g
m nl g m anyw e e n e w ld c ea e a e lec n. Y can l e ally see any a ge nde e s
n m n, as l ng as na al l g s c ng . L ." We c wded a nd as Annabe c ncen a ed.
T e mage z med and sp n a s , s I g m n s c ness j s wa c ng . We we e n e Cen
al Pa Z , en z m ng d wn Eas 60 , pas Bl m ngdale's, en n ng n T d Aven e. "W a,
" C nn S ll sa d. "Bac p. Z m n g e e." "W a ?" Annabe sa d ne v sly. "Y see nva
de s?" "N , g e e-Dylan's Candy Ba ." C nn g nned a s b e . "D de, 's pen. And e
ve y ne s asleep. A e y n ng w a I'm n ng?" "C nn !" Ka e Ga dne sc lded. S e s
nded l e e m e , Deme e . "T s s se s. Y a e n g ng l a candy s e n e m ddle a w
a !" "S y," C nn m e ed, b e d dn' s nd ve y as amed. Annabe passed e and n n e
s eld, and an e scene p pped p: FDR D ve, l ng ac ss e ve a L g se Pa . "T s w l
l le s see w a 's g ng n ac ss e c y," s e sa d. "T an y , A g s. H pe lly we'll
see y bac a camp . . . s meday." A g s g n ed. He gave me a l a clea ly mean G
d l c ; y 'll need , en cl mbed n s van. He and e w a py d ve s swe ved away, we
av ng a nd cl s e s dle ca s a l e ed e ad. I w s led M s. O'Lea y, and s e came
b nd ng ve . "Hey, g l," I sa d. "Y emembe G ve ? T e sa y we me n e pa ?" "WOO
F!" I ped a mean S e I d ! And n , D y ave m e d gs? "I need y nd m," I sa d. "M
a e s e e's s ll awa e. We' e g ng need s elp. Y g a ? F nd G ve !" M s. O'Lea y
gave me a sl ppy we ss, w c seemed nd nnecessa y. T en s e aced n . P ll x c c
ed nex a sleep ng p l ceman. "I d n' ge . W y d dn' we all asleep ? W y j s e m
als?" "T s s a ge spell," S lena Bea ega d sa d. "T e b gge e spell, e eas e s e
s s . I y wan sleep m ll ns m als, y 've g cas a ve y n laye mag c. Sleep ng dem
g ds s m c a de ." I s a ed a e . "W en d d y lea n s m c ab mag c?"
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S lena bl s ed. "I d n' spend all my me n my wa d be." "Pe cy," Annabe called. S
e was s ll l ng a e s eld. "Y 'd be e see s." T e b nze mage s wed L ng Island
S nd nea La G a d a. A lee a d zen speedb a s aced g e da wa e wa d Man a an. Ea
c b a was pac ed w dem g ds n ll G ee a m . A e bac e lead b a , a p ple banne e
mblaz ned w a blac scy e lapped m e n g w nd. I'd neve seen a des gn be e, b was
n' a d g e : e ba le lag K n s. "Scan e pe me e e sland," I sa d. "Q c ." Annabe
s ed e scene s e a b . A S a en Island Fe y was pl w ng g e waves nea Ell s Isl
and. T e dec was c wded w d acaenae and a w le pac ell nds. Sw mm ng n n e s p w
as a p d ma ne mammals. A s I g ey we e d lp ns. T en I saw e d gl e aces and e
sw ds s apped e wa s s, and I eal zed ey we e el nes-sea dem ns. T e scene s ed
aga n: e Je sey s e, g a e en ance e L nc ln T nnel. A nd ed ass ed m ns e s we
e ma c ng pas e lanes s pped a c: g an s w cl bs, g e Cycl pes, a ew e-sp ng d a
g ns, and j s b n, a W ld Wa II-e a S e man an , p s ng ca s s way as mbled n e
nnel. "W a 's appen ng w e m als s de Man a an?" I sa d. "Is e w le s a e asleep
?" Annabe wned. "I d n' n s , b 's s ange. As a as I can ell m ese p c es, Man a
an s ally asleep. T en e e's l e a y-m le ad s a nd e sland w e e me s nn ng ea
lly, eally sl w. T e cl se y ge Man a an, e sl we s." S e s wed me an e scene-a
New Je sey g way. I was Sa day even ng, s e a c wasn' as bad as m g 've been n a
wee day. T e d ve s l ed awa e, b e ca s we e m v ng a ab ne m le pe . B ds lew
ve ead n sl w m n. "K n s," I sa d. "He's sl w ng me." "Heca e m g be elp ng,"
Ka e Ga dne sa d. "L w e ca s a e all vee ng away m e Man a an ex s, l e ey' e g
e ng a s bc nsc s message n bac ." "I d n' n w." Annabe s nded eally s a ed. S e
a ed n n w ng. "B s me w ey've s nded Man a an n laye s mag c. T e s de w ld m
g n even eal ze s me ng s w ng. Any m als c m ng wa d Man a an w ll sl w d wn s
m c ey w n' n w w a 's appen ng." "L e l es n ambe ," Ja e Mas n m m ed. Annabe
n dded. "We s ldn' expec any elp c m ng n." I ned my ends. T ey l ed s nned and
sca ed, and I c ldn' blame em. T e s eld ad s wn s a leas ee nd ed enem es n e w
ay. T e e we e y s. And we we e al ne. "All g ," I sa d. "We' e g ng ld Man a an
." S lena gged a e a m . "Um, Pe cy, Man a an s ge." "We a e g ng ld ," I sa d.
"We ave ." "He's g ," Annabe sa d. "T e g ds e w nd s ld eep K n s's ces away m
Olymp s by a , s e'll y a g nd assa l . We ave c e en ances e sland." "T ey ave
b a s," M c ael Yew p n ed . An elec c ngle wen d wn my bac . S ddenly I nde s d
A ena's adv ce: Remembe e ve s. "I'll a e ca e e b a s," I sa d. M c ael wned.
"H w?" "J s leave me," I sa d. "We need g a d e b dges and nnels. Le 's ass me e
y'll y a m d wn d wn wn assa l , a
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leas n e s y. T a w ld be e m s d ec way e Emp e S a e B ld ng. M c ael, a e Ap
ll 's cab n e W ll amsb g B dge. Ka e, Deme e 's cab n a es e B lynBa e y T nnel
. G w n b s es and p s n vy n e nnel. D w a eve y ave d , b eep em e e! C nne ,
a e al He mes cab n and c ve e Man a an B dge. T av s, y a e e e al and c ve e B
lyn B dge. And n s pp ng l ng p llag ng!" "Awwww!" e w le He mes cab n c mpla n
ed. "S lena, a e e Ap d e c ew e Q eens-M d wn T nnel." "O my g ds," ne e s s e
s sa d. "F Aven e s s n way! We c ld access ze, and m ns e s, l e, ally a e e sm
ell G venc y." "N delays," I sa d. "Well . . . e pe me ng, y n 'll w ." S x Ap d
e g ls ssed me n e c ee n exc emen . "All g , en g !" I cl sed my eyes, y ng n
w a I'd g en. "T e H lland T nnel. Ja e, a e e Hep aes s cab n e e. Use G ee e,
se aps. W a eve y 've g ." He g nned. "Gladly. We've g a sc e se le. F Bec end !
" T e w le cab n a ed n app val. "T e 59 S ee B dge," I sa d. "Cla sse-" I al e
ed. Cla sse wasn' e e. T e w le A es cab n, c se em, was s ng bac a camp. "We'll
a e a ," Annabe s epped n, sav ng me m an emba ass ng s lence. S e ned e s bl n
gs. "Malc lm, a e e A ena cab n, ac va e plan wen y- ee al ng e way, j s l e I s
wed y . H ld a p s n." "Y g ." "I'll g w Pe cy," s e sa d. "T en we'll j n y ,
we'll g w e eve we' e needed." S meb dy n e bac e g p sa d, "N de s, y w ." T e
e we e s me g ggles, b I dec ded le pass. "All g ," I sa d. "Keep n c w cell p n
es." "We d n' ave cell p nes," S lena p es ed. I eac ed d wn, p c ed p s me sn n
g lady's Blac Be y, and ssed S lena. "Y d n w. Y all n w Annabe 's n mbe , g ? I
y need s, p c p a and m p ne and call s. Use nce, d p , en b w an e ne y ave .
T a s ld ma e a de e m ns e s ze n n y ." Eve y ne g nned as g ey l ed s dea. T
av s clea ed s a . "U , we nd a eally n ce p ne-" "N , y can' eep ," I sa d. "Aw
, man." "H ld , Pe cy," Ja e Mas n sa d. "Y g e L nc ln T nnel." I b bac a c se.
He was g . A S e man an and a nd ed m ns e s we e ma c ng g a nnel g n w, and I
'd p s ned ces eve yw e e else. T en a g l's v ce called m ac ss e s ee : "H w a
b y leave a s?" I'd neve been app e ea any ne n my l e. Aband y ad lescen g ls c
ssed F Aven e. T ey w e w e s s, s lve y cam lage pan s, and c mba b s. T ey al
l ad sw ds a e s des, q ve s n e bac s, and b ws a e eady. A pac w e mbe w lves
m lled a nd e ee , and many e g ls ad n ng alc ns n e a ms. T e g l n e lead ad
sp y blac a and a blac lea e jac e . S e w e a s lve c cle n e ead l e a p ncess
's a a, w c d dn' ma c e s ll ea ngs e Dea Ba b e T-s s w ng a l le Ba b e d ll
w an a w g s ead.
¤ ¤ ¦ ¡ ¤ ¦ ¥£ ¥ ¢     ¤ ¤¡¡ §   ¤ £ ¢ ¤     £ ¢   ¤¦ § ¡ ¡¡
"T al a!" Annabe c ed. T e da g e Ze s g nned. "T e H n e s A em s, ep ng d y."
T e e we e gs and g ee ngs all a nd . . . a leas T al a was endly. T e e H n e s
d dn' l e be ng a nd campe s, espec ally b ys, b ey d dn' s any s, w c em was a
p e y wa m welc me. "W e e ave y been e las yea ?" I as ed T al a. "Y 've g l e
w ce as many H n e s n w!" S e la g ed. "L ng, l ng s y. I be my adven es we e
m e dange s an y s, Jac s n." "C mple e l e," I sa d. "We'll see," s e p m sed.
"A e s s ve , y , Annabe , and me: c eeseb ge s and es a a el n Wes 57 ." "Le Pa
e Me d en," I sa d. "Y ' e n. And T al a, an s." S e s gged. "T se m ns e s w n
' n w w a em. H n e s, m ve !" S e slapped e s lve b acele , and e s eld Aeg s s
p aled n ll m. T e g lden ead Med sa m lded n e cen e was s ble, e campe s all b
ac ed away. T e H n e s d wn e aven e, ll wed by e w lves and alc ns, and I ad a
eel ng e L nc ln T nnel w ld be sa e n w. "T an e g ds," Annabe sa d. "B we d n
' bl c ade e ve s m se b a s, g a d ng e b dges and nnels w ll be p n less." "Y
' e g ," I sa d. I l ed a e campe s, all em g m and de e m ned. I ed n eel l e s
was e las me I'd eve see em all ge e . "Y ' e e g ea es e es s m llenn m," I ld
em. "I d esn' ma e w many m ns e s c me a y . F g b avely, and we w ll w n." I
a sed R p de and s ed, "FOR OLYMPUS!" T ey s ed n esp nse, and y v ces ec ed e b
ld ngs M d wn. F a m men s nded b ave, b d ed q c ly n e s lence en m ll n slee
p ng New Y e s. Annabe and I w ld've ad p c ca s, b ey we e all wedged n b mpe -
-b mpe a c. N ne e eng nes we e nn ng, w c was we d. I seemed e d ve s ad ad me
n e gn n be e ey g sleepy. O maybe M p e s ad e p we p eng nes sleep as well. M
s e d ve s ad appa en ly ed p ll e c b w en ey el emselves pass ng , b s ll e s
ee s we e cl gged nav ga e. F nally we nd an nc nsc s c e lean ng aga ns a b c
wall, s ll s addl ng s ed espa. We d agged m e sc e and la d m n e s dewal . "S
y, d de," I sa d. W any l c , I'd be able b ng s sc e bac . I I d dn' , w ld a d
ly ma e , beca se e c y w ld be des yed. I d ve w Annabe be nd me ld ng n my wa
s . We z gzagged d wn B adway w eng ne b zz ng g e ee e calm. T e nly s nds we e
ccas nal cell p nes ng ng-l e ey we e call ng eac e , as New Y ad ned n a g an
elec n c av a y. O p g ess was sl w. Eve y s en we'd c me ac ss pedes ans w 'd a
llen asleep g n n a ca , and we'd m ve em j s be sa e. Once we s pped ex ng s a
p e zel vend 's ca a ad ca g n e. A ew m n es la e we ad esc e a baby ca age a w
as ll ng a mlessly d wn e s ee . I ned e e was n baby n -j s s meb dy's sleep ng
p dle. G g e. We pa ed sa ely n a d way and ep d ng. We we e pass ng Mad s n Sq
a e Pa w en Annabe sa d, "P ll
 
ve ." I s pped n e m ddle Eas 23 d. Annabe j mped and an wa d e pa . By e me I c
a g p w e , s e was s a ng a a b nze s a e n a ed ma ble pedes al. I'd p bably p
assed a m ll n mes b neve eally l ed a . T e d de was s ng n a c a w s legs c ss
ed. He w e an ld- as ned s -Ab a am L nc ln s yle-w a b w e and l ng c a a ls an
d s . A b nc b nze b s we e p led nde s c a . He eld a w ng q ll n ne and and a
b g me al s ee pa c men n e e . "W y d we ca e ab . . ." I sq n ed a e name n e
pedes al. "W ll am H. S ewa d?" "Sewa d," Annabe c ec ed. "He was a New Y g ve n
. M n dem g d-s n Hebe, I n . B a 's n mp an . I 's e s a e I ca e ab ." S e cl
mbed n a pa benc and exam ned e base e s a e. "D n' ell me e's an a ma n," I sa
d. Annabe sm led. "T ns m s e s a es n e c y a e a ma ns. Daedal s plan ed em e
e j s n case e needed an a my." "T a ac Olymp s de end ?" Annabe s gged. "E e n
e. T a was plan wen y- ee. He c ld ac va e ne s a e and w ld s a ac va ng s b e
en all ve e c y, n l e e was an a my. I 's dange s, g . Y n w w np ed c able a m
a ns a e." "U - ," I sa d. We'd ad s a e bad expe ences w em. "Y ' e se sly n ng
ab ac va ng ?" "I ave Daedal s's n es," s e sa d. "I n I can . . . A , e e we g
." S e p essed e p Sewa d's b , and e s a e s d p, s q ll and pape eady. "W a '
s e g ng d ?" I m e ed. "Ta e a mem ?" "S ," Annabe . "Hell , W ll am." "B ll,"
I s gges ed. "B ll . . . O , s p," Annabe ld me. T e s a e l ed s ead, l ng a s
w blan me al eyes. Annabe clea ed e a . "Hell , e , G ve n Sewa d. C mmand seq e
nce: Daedal s Twen y- ee. De end Man a an. Beg n Ac va n." Sewa d j mped s pedes
al. He e g nd s a d s s es c ac ed e s dewal . T en e wen clan ng wa d e eas .
"He's p bably g ng wa e p C n c s," Annabe g essed. "W a ?" I sa d. "An e s a e,
n D v s n. T e p n s, ey'll eep wa ng eac e p n l ey' e all ac va ed." "And en?
" "H pe lly, ey de end Man a an." "D ey n w a we' e n e enemy?" "I n s ." "T a '
s eass ng." I g ab all e b nze s a es n e pa s, plazas, and b ld ngs New Y . T e
e ad be nd eds, maybe sands. T en a ball g een l g expl ded n e even ng s y. G
ee e, s mew e e ve e Eas R ve . "We ave y," I sa d. And we an e espa. We pa ed s
de Ba e y Pa , a e l we p Man a an w e e e H ds n and Eas R ve s came ge e and
emp ed n e bay. "Wa e e," I ld Annabe . "Pe cy, y s ldn' g al ne." "Well, nless
y can b ea e nde wa e . . ."
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¡ ¦ ¡¡ £ ¥£     ¢ ¢¡ ¡ ¡ §¡ ¡ £ ¢ ¤   ¡ ¤ ¤ ¡ £ £ £ ¡¥   ¤ ¦
S e s g ed. "Y a e s ann y ng s me mes." "L e w en I'm g ? T s me, I'll be ne. I
've g e c se Ac lles n w. I'll all nv nc ble and s ." Annabe d dn' l c nv nced.
"J s be ca e l. I d n' wan any ng appen y . I mean, beca se we need y e ba le."
I g nned. "Bac n a las ." I clambe ed d wn e s el ne and waded n e wa e . J s y
n n-sea-g d ypes e e, d n' g sw mm ng m New Y Ha b . I may n be as l y as was n
my m m's day, b a wa e w ll s ll p bably ma e y g w a d eye ave m an c ld en w e
n y g w p. I d ve n e m and san e b m. I ed nd e sp w e e e w ve s' c en s seeme
d eq al-w e e ey me m e bay. I g ed a was e bes place ge e a en n. "HEY!" I s ed
n my bes nde wa e v ce. T e s nd ec ed n e da ness. "I ea d y g ys a e s p ll e
d y ' e emba assed s w y aces. Is a e?" A c ld c en ppled g e bay, c n ng p pl m
es ga bage and s l . "I ea d e Eas R ve s m e x c," I c n n ed, "b e H ds n smel
ls w se. O s e e way a nd?" T e wa e s mme ed. S me ng p we l and ang y was wa c
ng me n w. I c ld sense s p esence . . . maybe w p esences. I was a a d I'd m s
calc la ed w e ns l s. W a ey j s blas ed me w s w ng emselves? B ese we e New Y
ve g ds. I g ed e ns nc w ld be ge n my ace. S e en g , w g an ms appea ed n n
me. A s ey we e j s da b wn c l mns s l , dense an e wa e a nd em. T en ey g ew
legs, a ms, and sc wl ng aces. T e c ea e n e le l ed d s b ngly l e a el ne. H
s ace was w l s . H s b dy was vag ely l e a seal's-slee blac w l ppe ands and e
e . H s eyes gl wed ad a n g een. T e d de n e g was m e man d. He was d essed n
ags and seaweed, w a c a n-ma l c a made b le caps and ld plas c s x-pac lde s.
H s ace was bl c y w algae, and s bea d was ve g wn. H s deep bl e eyes b ned w
ange . T e seal, w ad be e g d e Eas R ve , sa d, "A e y y ng ge y sel lled, d?
O a e y j s ex a s p d?" T e bea ded sp e H ds n sc ed. "Y ' e e expe n s p d,
Eas ." "Wa c , H ds n," Eas g wled. "S ay n y s de e sland and m nd y b s ness."
"O w a ? Y 'll w an e ga bage ba ge a me?" T ey l a ed wa d eac e , eady g . "H
ld !" I yelled. "We've g a b gge p blem." "T e d's g ," Eas sna led. "Le 's b l
l m, en we'll g eac e ." "S nds g d," H ds n sa d. Be e I c ld p es , a sand sc
aps ga bage s ged e b m and lew s a g a me m b d ec ns: b en glass, c s, cans, e
s. I was expec ng , g . T e wa e n n me c ened n a s eld. T e deb s b nced a mle
ssly. Only ne p ece g g -a b g c n glass a my c es and p bably s ld've lled me,
b s a e ed aga ns my s n. T e w ve g ds s a ed a me. "S n P se d n?" Eas as ed.
I n dded. "T a d p n e S yx?" H ds n as ed.
¤¡§ ¦¡ ¥£ ¡ £ £ ¤¦ ¡ ¥£ £
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"Yep." T ey b made d sg s ed s nds. "Well, a 's pe ec ," Eas sa d. "N w w d we l
l m?" "We c ld elec c e m," H ds n m sed. "I I c ld j s nd s me j mpe cables-" "
L s en me!" I sa d. "K n s's a my s nvad ng Man a an.'" "D n' y n we n w a ?" Ea
s as ed. "I can eel s b a s g n w. T ey' e alm s ac ss." "Yep," H ds n ag eed. "
I g s me l y m ns e s c ss ng my wa e s ." "S s p em," I sa d. "D wn em. S n e b
a s." "W y s ld we?" H ds n g mbled. "S ey nvade Olymp s. W a d we ca e?" "Beca
se I can pay y ." I e sand d lla my a e ad g ven me my b day. T e ve g ds' eyes
w dened. "I 's m ne!" Eas sa d. "G ve e e, d, and I p m se n ne K n s's sc m a
e ge ng ac ss e Eas R ve ." "F ge a ," H ds n sa d. "T a sand d lla 's m ne, nle
ss y wan me le all se s ps c ss e H ds n." "We'll c mp m se." I b e e sand d lla
n al . A pple clean es wa e sp ead m e b ea , as all e p ll n n e bay we e be n
g d ss lved. "Y eac ge al ," I sa d. "In exc ange, y eep all K n s's ces away m
Man a an." "O , man," H ds n w mpe ed, eac ng e sand d lla . "I 's been s l ng s
nce I was clean." "T e p we P se d n," Eas R ve m m ed. "He's a je , b e s e n
ws w sweep p ll n away." T ey l ed a eac e , en sp e as ne: "I 's a deal." I gav
e em eac a sand-d lla al , w c ey eld eve en ly. "Um, e nvade s?" I p mp ed. Eas
l c ed s and. "T ey j s g s n ." H ds n snapped s nge s. "B nc ell nds j s a d
ve." "T an y ," I sa d. "S ay clean." As I se wa d e s ace, Eas called , "Hey, d
, any me y g a sand d lla spend, c me n bac . Ass m ng y l ve." "C se Ac lles,"
H ds n sn ed. "T ey always n a 'll save em, d n' ey?" "I nly e new," Eas ag eed.
T ey b la g ed, d ss lv ng n e wa e . Bac n e s e, Annabe was al ng n e cell p
ne, b s e ng p as s n as s e saw me. S e l ed p e y s a en. "I w ed," I ld e . "
T e ve s a e sa e." "G d," s e sa d. "Beca se we've g e p blems. M c ael Yew j s
called. An e a my s ma c ng ve e W ll amsb g B dge. T e Ap ll cab n needs elp.
And Pe cy, e m ns e lead ng e enemy . . . 's e M n a ."
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¡¤   ¥ £¦§¤ £ £ £ ¦  
CHAPTER ELE EN WE BREAK A BRIDGE F na ely, Blac jac was n d y. I d d my bes ax c
ab w s le, and w n a ew m n es w da s apes c cled e s y. T ey l ed l e aw s a s
, b as ey descended I c ld ma e e l ng gall p ng legs pegas . Y , b ss. Blac jac
landed a a , s end P p e g be nd m. Man, I g se w nd g ds we e g nna n c s Penn
sylvan a n l we sa d we we e w y ! "T an s c m ng," I ld m. "Hey, w y d pegas ga
ll p as ey ly, anyway?" Blac jac w nn ed. W y d mans sw ng e a ms as ey wal ? I
d nn , b ss. I j s eels g . W e e ? "We need ge e W ll amsb g B dge," I sa d. Bl
ac jac l we ed s nec . Y ' e da n g , b ss. We lew ve n e way e e, and d n' l g
d. H p n! On e way e b dge, a n med n e p my s mac . T e M n a was ne e s m ns e
s I'd eve de ea ed. F yea s ag e'd nea ly lled my m e n Hal -Bl d H ll. I s ll
ad n g ma es ab a . I'd been p ng e w ld s ay dead a ew cen es, b I s ld've n wn
my l c w ldn' ld. We saw e ba le be e we we e cl se en g ma e nd v d al g e s.
I was well a e m dn g n w, b e b dge blazed w l g . Ca s we e b n ng. A cs e s e
amed n b d ec ns as lam ng a ws and spea s sa led g e a . We came n a l w pass,
and I saw e Ap ll campe s e ea ng. T ey w ld de be nd ca s and sn pe a e app ac
ng a my, se ng expl s ve a ws and d pp ng cal ps n e ad, b ld ng e y ba cades w
e eve ey c ld, d agg ng sleep ng d ve s e ca s ge em a m's way. B e enemy ep adv
anc ng. An en e p alanx d acaenae ma c ed n e lead, e s elds l c ed ge e , spea
ps b s l ng ve e p. An ccas nal a w w ld c nnec w e sna y n s, a nec , a c n n e
a m , and e nl c y sna e w man w ld d s n eg a e, b m s e Ap ll a ws glanced a
mlessly e s eld wall. Ab a nd ed m e m ns e s ma c ed be nd em. Hell nds leaped
a ead e l ne m me me. M s we e des yed w a ws, b ne g ld an Ap ll campe and d ag
ged m away. I d dn' see w a appened m nex . I d dn' wan n w. "T e e!" Annabe cal
led m e bac e pegas s. S e en g , n e m ddle e nvad ng leg n was Old Bee ead mse
l . T e las me I'd seen e M n a , e'd been wea ng n ng b s g y w es. I d n' n w
w y. Maybe e'd been s a en bed c ase me. T s me, e was p epa ed ba le. F m e wa
s d wn, e w e s anda d G ee ba le gea -a l l e ap n lea e and me al laps, b nze
g eaves c ve ng s legs, and g ly w apped lea e sandals. H s p was all b ll- a an
d de and m scle lead ng a ead s la ge e s ld've ppled ve
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¨
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j s m e we g s ns. He seemed la ge an e las me I'd seen m- en ee all a leas . A
d ble-bladed axe was s apped s bac , b e was mpa en se . As s n as e saw me c cl
ng ve ead ( sn ed me, m e l ely, s nce s eyes g was bad), e bell wed and p c ed
p a w e l m s ne. "Blac jac , d ve!" I yelled. W a ? T e pegas s as ed. N way c
ld e . . . H ly se eed! We we e a leas a nd ed ee p, b e l m came sa l ng wa d
s, l pp ng ende ve ende l e a w - n b me ang. Annabe and P p e swe ved madly e l
e , w le Blac jac c ed n s w ngs and pl nged. T e l m sa led ve my ead, m ss ng
by maybe w nc es. I clea ed e s spens n l nes e b dge and ell wa d e Eas R ve .
M ns e s jee ed and s ed, and e M n a p c ed p an e ca . "D p s be nd e l nes w
e Ap ll cab n," I ld Blac jac . "S ay n ea s b ge dange !" I a n' g nna a g e, b
ss! Blac jac sw ped d wn be nd an ve ned sc l b s, w e e a c ple campe s we e d
ng. Annabe and I leaped as s n as pegas 's ves c ed e pavemen . T en Blac jac a
nd P p e s a ed n e n g s y. M c ael Yew an p s. He was de n ely e s es c mmand
I'd eve seen. He ad a bandaged c n s a m. H s e e y ace was smea ed w s and s q
ve was alm s emp y, b e was sm l ng l e e was av ng a g ea me. "Glad y c ld j n
s," e sa d. "W e e a e e e e n cemen s?" "F n w, we' e ," I sa d. "T en we' e de
ad," e sa d. "Y s ll ave y ly ng c a ?" Annabe as ed. "Na ," M c ael sa d. "Le a
camp. I ld Cla sse s e c ld ave . W a eve , y n w? N w g ng ab anym e. B s e sa
d was la e. We'd ns l ed e n e las me s me s p d ng." "Leas y ed," I sa d. M c
ael s gged. "Yea , well, I called e s me names w en s e sa d s e s ll w ldn' g .
I d b a elped. He e c me e gl es!" He d ew an a w and la nc ed wa d e enemy. T
e a w made a sc eam ng s nd as lew. W en landed, nleas ed a blas l e a p we c d
n an elec c g a magn ed g e w ld's la ges spea e s. T e nea es ca s expl ded. M
ns e s d pped e weap ns and clasped e ea s n pa n. S me an. O e s d s n eg a ed
n e sp . "T a was my las s n c a w," M c ael sa d. "A g m y dad?" I as ed. "G d
m s c?" M c ael g nned w c edly. "L d m s c can be bad y . Un na ely, d esn' alw
ays ll." S e en g , m s m ns e s we e eg p ng, s a ng e c n s n. "We ave all bac
," M c ael sa d. "I've g Kayla and A s n se ng aps a e d wn e b dge." "N ," I s
a d. "B ng y campe s wa d s p s n and wa my s gnal. We' e g ng d ve e enemy bac
B lyn." M c ael la g ed. "H w d y plan d a ?" I d ew my sw d. "Pe cy," Annabe sa
d, "le me c me w y ." "T dange s," I sa d. "Bes des, I need y elp M c ael c d n
a e e de ens ve l ne. I'll d s ac e m ns e s. Y g p p
 £ £
¡ ¡ ¤¦ ¡ £   ¤ ¤ ¡ ¤ ¤£   £     ¥¤ Â¥ ¤ Â¥   §¡ ¥£¤ £   ¡ ¥£ Â
e e. M ve e sleep ng m als e way. T en y can s a p c ng m ns e s w le I eep em c
sed n me. I anyb dy can d all a , y can." M c ael sn ed. "T an s a l ." I ep my
eyes n Annabe . S e n dded el c an ly. "All g . Ge m v ng." Be e I c ld l se my
c age, I sa d, "D n' I ge a ss l c ? I 's nd a ad n, g ?" I g ed s e w ld p nc
me. Ins ead, s e d ew e n e and s a ed a e a my ma c ng wa d s. "C me bac al ve,
Seaweed B a n. T en we'll see." I g ed was e bes e I w ld ge , s I s epped m be
nd e sc l b s. I wal ed p e b dge n pla n s g , s a g wa d e enemy. W en e M n
a saw me, s eyes b ned w a e. He bell weda s nd a was s mew e e be ween a yell,
a m , and a eally l d belc . "Hey, Bee B y," I s ed bac . "D dn' I ll y al eady?
" He p nded s s n e d a Lex s, and c mpled l e al m n m l. A ew d acaenae ew lam
ng javel ns a me. I n c ed em as de. A ell nd l nged, and I s des epped. I c ld
ave s abbed , b I es a ed. T s s n M s. O'Lea y, I em nded mysel . T s s an n a
med m ns e . I w ll ll me and all my ends. I p nced aga n. T s me I b g R p de p
n a deadly a c. T e ell nd d s n eg a ed n d s and . M e m ns e s s ged wa d-sn
a es and g an s and el nes-b e M n a a ed a em, and ey bac ed "One n ne?" I call
ed. "J s l e ld mes?" T e M n a 's n s ls q ve ed. He se sly needed eep a pac Al
e e a Kleenex n s a m p c e , beca se a n se was we and ed and p e y g ss. He n
s apped s axe and sw ng a nd. I was bea l n a a s I'm~g ng~ -g ~y ~l e~a~ s nd w
ay. Eac s w n blades was s aped l e an mega: Ω- e las le e e G ee alp abe . Maybe a
was beca se e axe w ld be e las ng s v c ms eve saw. T e s a was ab e same e g
as e M n a , b nze w apped n lea e . T ed a nd e base eac blade we e l s bead ne
c laces. I eal zed ey we e Camp Hal -Bl d beads-nec laces a en m de ea ed dem g
ds. I was s mad, I mag ned my eyes gl w ng j s l e e M n a 's. I a sed my sw d.
T e m ns e a my c ee ed e M n a , b e s nd d ed w en I d dged s s sw ng and sl c
ed s axe n al , g be ween e and lds. "M ?" e g n ed. "HAAA!" I sp n and c ed m n
e sn . He s agge ed bac wa d, y ng ega n s ng, en l we ed s ead c a ge. He neve
g e c ance. My sw d las ed-sl c ng ne n, en e e . He ed g ab me. I lled away, p
c ng p al s b en axe. T e e m ns e s bac ed p n s nned s lence, ma ng a c cle a
nd s. T e M n a bell wed n age. He was neve ve y sma beg n w , b n w s ange mad
e m ec less. He c a ged me, and I an e edge e b dge, b ea ng g a l ne d acaenae.
T e M n a m s 've smelled v c y. He g I was y ng ge away. H s m n ns c ee ed. A
e edge e b dge, I ned and b aced e axe aga ns e a l ng ece ve s c a ge. T e M n
a d dn' even sl w d wn. CRUNCH.
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He l ed d wn n s p se a e axe andle sp ng m s b eas pla e. "T an s play ng," I l
d m. I l ed m by s legs and ssed m ve e s de e b dge. Even as e ell, e was d s n
eg a ng, n ng bac n d s , s essence e n ng Ta a s. I ned wa d s a my. I was n w
g ly ne nd ed and n ne y-n ne ne. I d d e na al ng. I c a ged em. Y ' e g ng as
w e " nv nc ble" ng w ed: I mag cally d dged eve y weap n, e weap ns me and j s
d dn' a m me. H nes ly, I d n' emembe . All I new was a I wasn' g ng le ese m n
s e s nvade my me wn. I sl ced g a m l e was made pape . Sna e w men expl ded. H
ell nds mel ed s ad w. I slas ed and s abbed and w led, and I m g ave even la g
ed nce w ce-a c azy la g a sca ed me as m c as d d my enem es. I was awa e e Ap
ll campe s be nd me s ng a ws, d s p ng eve y a emp by e enemy ally. F nally, e
m ns e s ned and ledab wen y le al ve w nd ed. I ll wed w e Ap ll campe s a my e
els. "Yes!" yelled M c ael Yew. "T a 's w a I'm al ng ab !" We d ve em bac wa d
e B lyn s de e b dge. T e s y was g w ng pale m e eas . I c ld see e ll s a ns a
ead. "Pe cy!" Annabe yelled. "Y 've al eady ed em. P ll bac ! We' e ve ex ended
!" S me pa me new s e was g , b I was d ng s well, I wan ed des y eve y las m ns
e . T en I saw e c wd a e base e b dge. T e e ea ng m ns e s we e nn ng s a g w
a d e e n cemen s. I was a small g p, maybe y y dem g ds n ba le a m , m n ed n
s ele al ses. One em eld a p ple banne w e blac scy e des gn. T e lead seman ed
wa d. He s elm, and I ec gn zed K n s msel , s eyes l e m l en g ld. Annabe and
e Ap ll campe s al e ed. T e m ns e s we'd been p s ng eac ed e T an's l ne and
we e abs bed n e new ce. K n s gazed n d ec n. He was a q a e m le away, b I swe
a I c ld see m sm le. "N w," I sa d, "we p ll bac ." T e T an l d's men d ew e s
w ds and c a ged. T e ves e s ele al ses nde ed aga ns e pavemen . O a c e s s a
v lley, b ng ng d wn seve al e enemy, b ey j s ep d ng. "Re ea !" I ld my ends.
"I'll ld em.'" In a ma e sec nds ey we e n me. M c ael and s a c e s ed e ea ,
b Annabe s ayed g bes de me, g ng w e n e and m ed s eld as we sl wly bac ed p e
b dge. K n s's caval y sw led a nd s, slas ng and yell ng ns l s. T e T an msel
advanced le s ely, l e e ad all e me n e w ld. Be ng e l d me, I g ess e d d. I
ed w nd s men, n ll. T a sl wed me d wn, b ese we en' m ns e s. T ey we e dem g
ds w 'd allen nde K n s's spell. I c ldn' see aces nde l e ba le elme s, b s me
em ad p bably been my ends. I slas ed e legs e ses and made e s ele al m n s d
s n eg a e. A e e s ew dem g ds a sp ll, e es g ed ey'd be e d sm n and g me n .
Annabe and I s ayed s lde s lde , ac ng pp s e d ec ns. A da s ape passed ve me
, and I da ed glance p.
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Blac jac and P p e we e sw p ng n, c ng enem es n e elme s and ly ng away l e ve
y la ge am aze p ge ns. We'd alm s made e m ddle e b dge w en s me ng s ange ap
pened. I el a c ll d wn my sp ne-l e a ld say ng ab s me ne wal ng n y g ave. Be
nd me, Annabe c ed n pa n. "Annabe !" I ned n me see e all, cl c ng e a m. A de
m g d w a bl dy n e s d ve e . In a las I nde s d w a ad appened. He'd been y ng
s ab me. J dg ng m e p s n s blade, e w ld've a en memaybe by s ee l c - n e sm
all my bac , my nly wea p n . Annabe ad n e cep ed e n e w e wn b dy. B w y? S e
d dn' n w ab my wea sp . N ne d d. I l c ed eyes w e enemy dem g d. He w e an e
ye pa c nde s wa elm: E an Na am a, e s n Nemes s. S me w e'd s v ved e expl s n
n e P ncess And meda. I slammed m n e ace w my sw d l s a d I den ed s elm. "Ge
bac !" I slas ed e a n a w de a c, d v ng e es e dem g ds away m Annabe . "N ne
c es e !" "In e es ng," K n s sa d. He we ed ab ve me n s s ele al se, s scy e
n ne and. He s d ed e scene w na wed eyes as e c ld sense a I'd j s c me cl se d
ea , e way a w l can smell ea . "B avely g , Pe cy Jac s n," e sa d. "B 's me s
ende . . . e g l d es." "Pe cy, d n' ," Annabe g aned. He s was s a ed w bl d. I
ad ge e e e. "Blac jac !" I yelled. As as as l g , e pegas s sw ped d wn and cl
amped s ee n e s aps Annabe 's a m . T ey s a ed away ve e ve be e e enemy c ld
even eac . K n s sna led. "S me day s n, I am g ng ma e pegas s s p. B n e mean
me . . ." He d sm n ed, s scy e gl s en ng n e dawn l g . "I'll se le an e dead
dem g d." I me s s s e w R p de. T e mpac s e en e b dge, b I eld my g nd. K n s
's sm le wave ed. W a yell, I c ed s legs m nde m. H s scy e s e ed ac ss e pave
men . I s abbed d wnwa d, b e lled as de and ega ned s ng. H s scy e lew bac s a
nds. "S . . ." He s d ed me, l ng m ldly ann yed. "Y ad e c age v s e S yx. I ad
p ess e L e n many ways c nv nce m. I nly y ad s ppl ed my s b dy ns ead . . .
B n ma e . I am s ll m e p we l. I am a TITAN." He s c e b dge w e b s scy e, an
d a wave p e ce blas ed me bac wa d. Ca s wen ca een ng. Dem g ds-even L e's wn
men-we e bl wn e edge e b dge. S spens n c ds w pped a nd, and I s dded al way b
ac Man a an. I g ns ead ly my ee . T e ema n ng Ap ll campe s ad alm s made e en
d e b dge, excep M c ael Yew, w was pe c ed n ne e s spens n cables a ew ya ds a
way m me, H s las a w was n c ed n s b w. "M c ael, g !" I sc eamed. "Pe cy, e b
dge!" e called. "I 's al eady wea !" A s I d dn' nde s and. T en I l ed d wn an
d saw ss es n e pavemen . Pa c es e ad we e al mel ed m G ee e. T e b dge ad a e
n a bea ng m K n s's blas and e expl d ng a ws. "B ea !" M c ael yelled. "Use y
p we s!" I was a despe a e g -n way w ld w - b I s abbed R p de n e b dge. T e m
ag c blade san s l m asp al .
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Sal wa e s m e c ac l e I'd a geyse . I p lled my blade and e ss e g ew. T e b d
ge s and began c mble. C n s e s ze ses ell n e Eas R ve . K n s's dem g ds c ed
n ala m and sc ambled bac wa d. S me we e n c ed e ee . W n a ew sec nds, a yc
asm pened n e W ll amsb g B dge be ween K n s and me. T e v b a ns d ed. K n s's
men c ep e edge and l ed a e nd ed-andyd p n e ve . I d dn' eel sa e, g . T e s
spens n cables we e s ll a ac ed. T e men c ld ge ac ss a way ey we e b ave en
g . O maybe K n s ad a mag c way span e gap. T e T an l d s d ed e p blem. He l
ed be nd m a e s ng s n, en sm led ac ss e c asm. He a sed s scy e n a m c sal e
. "Un l s even ng, Jac s n." He m n ed s se, w led a nd, and gall ped bac B lyn,
ll wed by s wa s. I ned an M c ael Yew, b e w ds d ed n my a . Twen y ee away,
a b w lay n e s ee . I s wne was n w e e be seen. "N !" I sea c ed e w ec age n
my s de e b dge. I s a ed d wn a e ve . N ng. I yelled n ange and s a n. T e s n
d ca ed eve n e m n ng s llness. I was ab w s le Blac jac elp me sea c , w en my
m m's p ne ang. T e LCD d splay sa d I ad a call m F n les e n & Ass c a es-p b
ably a dem g d call ng n a b wed p ne. I p c ed p, p ng g d news. O c se I was w
ng. "Pe cy?" S lena Bea ega d s nded l e s e'd been c y ng. "Plaza H el. Y 'd b
e e c me q c ly and b ng a eale m Ap ll 's cab n. I 's . . . 's Annabe ." CHAPTE
R TWEL E RACHEL MAKES A BAD DEAL I g abbed W ll S lace m e Ap ll cab n and ld e
es s s bl ngs eep sea c ng M c ael Yew. We b wed a Yama a FZI m a sleep ng b e a
nd d ve e Plaza H el a speeds a w ld've g ven my m m a ea a ac . I'd neve d ven
a m cycle be e, b wasn' any a de an d ng a pegas s. Al ng e way, I n ced a l emp
y pedes als a s ally eld s a es. Plan wen y- ee seemed be w ng. I d dn' n w a w
as g d bad. I nly s ve m n es eac e Plaza-an ld- as ned w e s ne el w a gabled b
l e , s ng a e s eas c ne Cen al Pa . Tac cally spea ng, e Plaza wasn' e bes pla
ce a eadq a e s. I wasn' e alles b ld ng n wn, e m s cen ally l ca ed. B ad ld-s
c l s yle and ad a ac ed a l am s dem g ds ve e yea s, l e e Bea les and Al ed H
c c c , s I g ed we we e n g d c mpany. I g nned e Yama a ve e c b and swe ved
a s p a e n a n s de e el. W ll and I pped . T e s a e a e p e n a n called d wn
, "O , ne. I s pp se y wan me wa c y b e !" S e was a l e-s ze b nze s and ng n
e m ddle a g an e b wl. S e w e nly a b nze s ee a nd e legs, and s e was ld ng
a bas e me al . I'd neve pa d e m c a en n be e. T en aga n, s e'd neve al ed me
be e. "A e y s pp sed be Deme e ?" I as ed. A b nze apple sa led ve my ead. "Ev
e y ne n s I'm Deme e .'" s e c mpla ned. "I'm P mp na, e
¡ ¡ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¡ ¡ £ ¥ ¥ ¥     ¤¥ ¡ ¡   ¤¡ ¡ £ £ £ £¡ ¡ ¡ ¤ § ¡ ¤
R man G ddess Plen y, b w y s ld y ca e? N b dy ca es ab e m n g ds. I y ca ed a
b e m n g ds, y w ldn' be l s ng s wa ! T ee c ee s M p e s and Heca e, I say!"
"Wa c e b e," I ld e . P mp na c sed n La n and ew m e as W ll and I an wa d e e
l. I'd neve ac ally been ns de e Plaza. T e l bby was mp ess ve, w e c ys al c a
ndel e s and e passedc pe ple, b I d dn' pay m c a en n. A c ple H n e s gave s
d ec ns e eleva s, and we de p e pen se s es. Dem g ds ad c mple ely a en ve e p
l s. Campe s and H n e s we e c as ed n s as, was ng p n e ba ms, pp ng s l d a
pe es bandage e w nds, and elp ng emselves snac s and s das m e m n ba s. A c pl
e mbe w lves we e d n ng e le s. I was el eved see a s many my ends ad made g e
n g al ve, b eve yb dy l ed bea p. "Pe cy!" Ja e Mas n clapped me n e s lde . "W
e' e ge ng ep s-" "La e ," I sa d. "W e e's Annabe ?" "T e e ace. S e's al ve, m
an, b . . ." I p s ed pas m. Unde d e en c c ms ances I w ld've l ved e v ew m e
e ace. I l ed s a g d wn n Cen al Pa . T e m n ng was clea and b g -pe ec a p c
n c a e, p e y m c any ng excep g ng m ns e s. Annabe lay n a l nge c a . He ace
was pale and beaded w swea . Even g s e was c ve ed n blan e s, s e s ve ed. S
lena Bea ega d was w p ng e e ead w a c l cl . W ll and I p s ed g a c wd A ena
ds. W ll nw apped Annabe 's bandages exam ne e w nd, and I wan ed a n . T e blee
d ng ad s pped b e gas l ed deep. T e s n a nd e c was a ble s ade g een. "Annab
e . . ." I c ed p. S e'd a en a n e me. H w c ld I ave le a appen? "P s n n e da
gge ," s e m mbled. "P e y s p d me, ?" W ll S lace ex aled w el e . "I 's n s b
ad, Annabe . A ew m e m n es and we w ld've been n ble, b e ven m asn' g en pas
e s lde ye . J s l e s ll. S meb dy and me s me nec a ." I g abbed a can een. W
ll cleaned e w nd w e g dly d n w le I eld Annabe 's and. "Ow,"s e sa d. "Ow, w!
" S e g pped my nge s s g ey ned p ple, b s e s ayed s ll, l e W ll as ed. S len
a m e ed w ds enc agemen . W ll p s me s lve pas e ve e w nd and mmed w ds n Anc
en G ee -a ymn Ap ll . T en e appl ed es bandages and s d p s a ly. T e eal ng
m s 've a en a l s ene gy. He l ed alm s as pale as Annabe . "T a s ld d ," e sa
d. "B we' e g ng need s me m al s ppl es." He g abbed a p ece el s a ne y, j ed
d wn s me n es, and anded ne e A ena g ys. "T e e's a D ane Reade n F . N mally
I w ld neve s eal-" "I w ld," T av s v l n ee ed. W ll gla ed a m. "Leave cas d
ac mas pay, w a eve y 've g , b s s an eme gency. I've g a eel ng we' e g ng av
e a l m e pe ple ea ." N b dy d sag eed. T e e was a dly a s ngle dem g d w adn'
§ ¡ ¡ ¡ ¦¡ ¦ £ £ ¥£   ¥£ £¦ ¡ ¤ ¤ £ £¤ ¤ ¦¡ £ ¥£¤   ¡ ¥ ¥¤
al eady been w nded . . . excep me. "C me n, g ys," T av s S ll sa d. "Le 's g v
e Annabe s me space. We've g a d gs e a d . . . I mean, v s ." T e dem g ds s le
d bac ns de. Ja e Mas n g abbed my s lde as e was leav ng. "We'll al la e , b 's
nde c n l. I'm s ng Annabe 's s eld eep an eye n ngs. T e enemy w d ew a s n se
; n s e w y. We've g a l a eac b dge and nnel." "T an s, man," I sa d. He n dded
. "J s a e y me." He cl sed e e ace d s be nd m, leav ng S lena, Annabe , and me
al ne. S lena p essed a c l cl Annabe 's e ead. "T s s all my a l ." "N ," Anna
be sa d wea ly. "S lena, w s y a l ?" "I've neve been any g d a camp," s e m m e
d. "N l e y Pe cy. I I was a be e g e . . ." He m embled. Eve s nce Bec end d ed
s e'd been ge ng w se, and eve y me I l ed a e , made me ang y ab s dea all ve
aga n. He exp ess n em nded me glass-l e s e m g b ea any m n e. I sw e mysel a
I eve nd e spy w 'd c s e b y end s l e, I w ld g ve m M s. O'Lea y as a c ew y.
"Y ' e a g ea campe ," I ld S lena. "Y ' e e bes pegas s de we ave. And y ge al
ng w pe ple. Bel eve me, any ne w can ma e ends w Cla sse as alen ." S e s a ed
a me l e I'd j s g ven e an dea. "T a 's ! We need e A es cab n. I can al Cla s
se. I n w I can c nv nce e elp s." "W a, S lena. Even y c ld ge e sland, Cla sse
s p e y s bb n. Once s e ge s ang y-" "Please," S lena sa d. "I can a e a pegas
s. I n w I can ma e bac camp. Le me y." I exc anged l s w Annabe . S e n dded s
l g ly. I d dn' l e e dea. I d dn' n S lena s d a c ance c nv nc ng Cla sse g .
On e e and, S lena was s d s ac ed g n w a s e w ld j s ge e sel n ba le. Maybe
send ng e bac camp w ld g ve e s me ng else c s n. "All g ," I ld e . "I can' n
anyb dy be e y." S lena ew e a ms a nd me. T en s e p s ed bac aw wa dly, glanc
ng a Annabe . "Um, s y. T an y , Pe cy! I w n' le y d wn!" Once s e was g ne, I
nel nex Annabe and el e e ead. S e was s ll b n ng p. "Y ' e c e w en y ' e w ed
," s e m e ed. "Y eyeb ws ge all sc nc ed ge e ." "Y a e n g ng d e w le I we y
a av ," I sa d. "W y d d y a e a n e?" "Y w ld've d ne e same me." I was e. I g
ess we b new . S ll, I el l e s meb dy was p ng my ea w a c ld me al d. "H w d d
y n w?" "Kn w w a ?" I l ed a nd ma e s e we we e al ne. T en I leaned n cl se
and w spe ed: "My Ac lles sp . I y adn' a en a n e, I w ld've d ed." S e g a a a
way l n e eyes. He b ea smelled g apes, maybe m e nec a . "I d n' n w, Pe cy. I
j s ad s eel ng y we e n dange . W e e . . . w e e s e sp ?" I wasn' s pp sed el
l any ne. B s was Annabe . I I c ldn'
  £
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s e , I c ldn' s any ne. "T e small my bac ." S e l ed e and. "W e e? He e?" S e
p e and n my sp ne, and my s n ngled. I m ved e nge s e ne sp a g nded me my m
al l e. A sand v l s elec c y seemed a c g my b dy. "Y saved me," I sa d. "T an
s." S e em ved e and, b I ep ld ng . "S y we me," s e sa d wea ly. "W a else s n
ew?" We wa c ed e s n c me p ve e c y. T e a c s ld've been eavy by n w, b e e w
e e n ca s n ng, n c wds b s l ng al ng e s dewal s. Fa away, I c ld ea a ca ala
m ec g e s ee s. A pl me blac sm e c led n e s y s mew e e ve Ha lem. I w nde e
d w many vens ad been le n w en e M p e s spell ; w many pe ple ad allen asleep
n e m ddle c ng d nne . P e y s n e e w ld be m e es. Eve y ne n New Y was n dan
ge -and all se l ves depended n s. "Y as ed me w y He mes was mad a me," Annabe
sa d. "Hey, y need es -" "N , I wan ell y . I 's been b e ng me a l ng me." S e
m ved e s lde and w nced. "Las yea , L e came see me n San F anc sc ." "In pe s
n?" I el l e s e'd j s me w a amme . "He came y se?" "T s was be e we wen n e La
by n , be e . . ." S e al e ed, b I new w a s e mean : be e be ned n K n s. "He
came nde a lag ce. He sa d e nly wan ed ve m n es al . He l ed sca ed, Pe cy. He
ld me K n s was g ng se m a e ve e w ld. He sa d e wan ed n away, l e e ld days
. He wan ed me c me w m." "B y d dn' s m." "O c se n . I g was a c . Pl s . . .
well, a l ngs ad c anged s nce e ld days. I ld L e e e was n way. He g mad. He s
a d . . . e sa d I m g as well g m g e e, beca se was e las c ance I'd ge ." He
e ead b e n swea aga n. T e s y was a ng m c e ene gy. "I 's ay," I sa d. "T y g
e s me es ." "Y d n' nde s and, Pe cy. He mes was g . Maybe I'd g ne w m, I c ld
've c anged s m nd. O - I ad a n e. L e was na med. I c ld've-" "K lled m?" I sa
d. "Y n w a w ldn' ave been g ." S e sq eezed e eyes s . "L e sa d K n s w ld s
e m l e a s epp ng s ne. T se we e s exac w ds. K n s w ld se L e, and bec me ev
en m e p we l." "He d d a ," I sa d. "He p ssessed L e's b dy." "B w a L e's b d
y s nly a ans n? W a K n s as a plan bec me even m e p we l? I c ld've s pped m.
T e wa s my a l ." He s y made me eel l e I was bac n e S yx, sl wly d ss lv ng
. I emembe ed las s mme , w en e w - eaded g d, Jan s, ad wa ned Annabe s e w ld
ave ma e a maj c ce-and a ad appened a e s e saw L e. Pan ad als sa d s me ng e
: Y w ll play a g ea le, g may n be e le y mag ned. I wan ed as e ab e v s n He
s a ad s wn me, ab e ea ly days w L e and T al a. I new ad s me ng d w my p p ec
y, b I d dn' nde s and w a . Be e I c ld ge p my ne ve, e e ace d pened. C nn
¡¡¤ ¡ ¤¡§ ¡ ££ £ ¥£   ¥ ¡ ¤ ¡¤ ¤ ¡ £ ¤¤  ¢ ¤¡§ ¥£   ¡ £ ¤
S ll s epped g . "Pe cy." He glanced a Annabe l e e d dn' wan say any ng bad n n
e , b I c ld ell e wasn' b ng ng g d news. "M s. O'Lea y j s came bac w G ve .
I n y s ld al m." G ve was av ng a snac n e l v ng m. He was d essed ba le n an
a m ed s made m ee ba and w s es, w s w den c dgel and s eed p pes ang ng m s be
l . T e Deme e cab n ad w pped p a w le b e n e el c ens-eve y ng m p zza p neap
ple ce c eam. Un na ely, G ve was ea ng e n e. He'd al eady c ewed e s ng a ancy
c a and was n w gnaw ng e a m es . "D de," I sa d, "we' e nly b w ng s place."
"Bla - a- a!" He ad s ng all ve s ace. "S y, Pe cy. I 's j s . . . L s e S x een
n e. Del c s. Pl s I always ea n e w en I ge -" "W en y ge ne v s," I sa d. "Ye
a , I n w. S w a 's p?" He cl pped n s ves. "I ea d ab Annabe . Is s e . . .?" "
S e's g ng be ne. S e's es ng." G ve a deep b ea . "T a 's g d. I've m b l zed m
s e na e sp s n e c y-well, e nes a w ll l s en me, anyway." He bbed s e ead. "
I ad n dea ac ns c ld s m c . Anyway, we' e elp ng as m c as we can." He ld me a
b e s m s es ey'd seen. M s ly ey'd been c ve ng p wn, w e e we d dn' ave en g d
em g ds. Hell nds ad appea ed n all s s places, s ad w- avel ng ns de l nes, and
e d yads and sa y s ad been g ng em . A y ng d ag n ad appea ed n Ha lem, and a
d zen w d nymp s d ed be e e m ns e was nally de ea ed. As G ve al ed, T al a e
n e ed e m w w e l e enan s. S e n dded me g mly, wen s de c ec n Annabe , and c
ame bac n. S e l s ened w le G ve c mple ed s ep - e de a ls ge ng w se and w se
. "We l s wen y sa y s aga ns s me g an s a F Was ng n," e sa d, s v ce embl ng.
"Alm s al my nsmen. R ve sp s d wned e g an s n e end, b . . ." T al a s lde ed
e b w. "Pe cy, K n s's ces a e s ll ga e ng a eve y b dge and nnel. And K n s s
n' e nly T an. One my H n e s sp ed a ge man n g lden a m m s e ng an a my n e J
e sey s e. I'm n s e w e s, b e ad a es p we l e nly a T an g d." I emembe ed e
g lden T an m my d eam- e ne n M n O ys w e p ed n lames. "G ea ," I sa d. "Any
g d news?" T al a s gged. "We've sealed e s bway nnels n Man a an. My bes appe s
ca e . Als , seems l e e enemy s wa ng n g a ac . I n L e"-s e ca g e sel -"I m
ean K n s needs me egene a e a e eac g . He's s ll n c m able w s new m. I 's a
ng a l s p we sl w me a nd e c y." G ve n dded. "M s s ces a e m e p we l a n g
, . B ey'll be bac a e s nd wn." I ed n clea ly. "O ay. Any w d m e g ds?" T al
a s e ead. "I n w Lady A em s w ld be e e s e c ld. A ena, . B Ze s as de ed em
s ay a s s de. T e las I ea d, Typ n was des y ng e O R ve valley. He s ld eac e
Appalac an M n a ns by m dday." "S a bes ," I sa d, "we've g an e w days be e e
a ves." Ja e Mas n clea ed s a . He'd been s and ng e e s s len ly I'd alm s g
en e was n e m.
¤ ¡ ¤ ¤ ¡ ¤ £  ¦ £ ¡ ¥ £ £   £   ¢       ¥       ¡ ¡ ¡¤§ ¤ £
"Pe cy, s me ng else," e sa d. "T e way K n s s wed p a e W ll amsb g B dge, l e
e new y we e g ng e e. And e s ed s ces wea es p n s. As s n as we depl yed, e
c anged ac cs. He ba ely c ed e L nc ln T nnel, w e e e H n e s we e s ng. He we
n wea es sp s, l e e new." "L e e ad ns de n ma n," I sa d. "T e spy." "W a spy?
" T al a demanded. I ld e ab e s lve c a m K n s ad s wn me, e c mm n ca n dev c
e. "T a 's bad," s e sa d. " e y bad." "I c ld be any ne," Ja e sa d. "We we e a
ll s and ng e e w en Pe cy gave e de s." "B w a can we d ?" G ve as ed. "F s eve
y dem g d n l we nd a scy e c a m?" T ey all l ed a me, wa ng a dec s n. I c ld
n' a d s w w pan c ed I el , even ngs seemed peless. "We eep g ng," I sa d. "We
can' bsess ab s spy. I we' e s sp c s eac e , we'll j s ea selves apa . Y g ys w
e e awes me las n g . I c ldn' as a b ave a my. Le 's se p a a n e wa c es. Res
p w le y can. We've g a l ng n g a ead s." T e dem g ds m mbled ag eemen . T ey
wen e sepa a e ways sleep ea epa e weap ns. "Pe cy, y ," T al a sa d. "We'll eep
an eye n ngs. G l e d wn. We need y n g d s ape n g ." I d dn' a g e a d. I nd
e nea es bed m and c as ed n e can p ed bed. I g I was w ed sleep, b my eyes cl
sed alm s mmed a ely. In my d eam, I saw N c d Angel al ne n e ga dens Hades. He
'd j s d g a le n ne Pe sep ne's l we beds, w c I d dn' g e w ld ma e e q een ve
y appy. He p ed a g ble w ne n e le and began c an . "Le e dead as e aga n. Le
em se and a e s e ng. Ma a d Angel , s w y sel !" W e sm e ga e ed. A man g e me
d, b wasn' N c 's m e . I was a g l w da a , l ve s n, and e s lve y cl es a H n
e . "B anca," N c sa d. "B -" D n' s mm n m e , N c , s e wa ned. S e s e ne sp
y a e b dden see. "W y?" e demanded. "W a 's a e d ng?" Pa n, B anca sa d. Ha e
d. A c se a s e c es bac e G ea P p ecy. "W a d y mean?" N c sa d. "I ave n w!"
T e n wledge w ll nly y . Remembe w a I sa d: ld ng g dges s a a al law c ld en
Hades. "I n w a ," N c sa d. "B I'm n e same as I sed be, B anca. S p y ng p ec
me!" B e , y d n' nde s andN c sw ped s and g e m s , and B anca s mage d ss pa
ed. "Ma a d Angel ," e sa d aga n. "Spea me!" A d e en mage med. I was a scene a
e an a s ngle g s . In e m s , I saw N c and B anca as l le c ld en, play ng n
e l bby an elegan el, c as ng eac e a nd ma ble c l mns. A w man sa n a nea by s
a. S e w e a blac d ess, gl ves, and a blac ve led a l e a s a m an ld 1940s m
v e. S e ad B anca's sm le and N c 's eyes. On a c a nex e sa a la ge ly man n a
blac p ns pe s .
¡ ¡ ¤ ¡ ¤¡ £ £ ¥£ £ £¦  ¥  ¥ ¤¡§ ¦¤ Â¥ £ ¡ ¡ ¤ ¡   ¦¡ £  ¥ Â
W a s c , I eal zed was Hades. He was lean ng wa d e w man, s ng s ands as e al
ed, l e e was ag a ed. "Please, my dea ," e sa d. "Y m s c me e Unde w ld. I d n
' ca e w a Pe sep ne n s! I can eep y sa e e e." "N , my l ve." S e sp e w an I
al an accen . "Ra se c ld en n e land e dead? I w ll n d s." "Ma a, l s en me. T
e wa n E pe as ned e e g ds aga ns me. A p p ecy as been made. My c ld en a e n
l nge sa e. P se d n and Ze s ave ced me n an ag eemen . N ne s a e ave dem g d
c ld en eve aga n." "B y al eady ave N c and B anca. S ely-" "N ! T e p p ecy w
a ns a c ld w ns s x een. Ze s as dec eed a e c ld en I c en ly ave m s be ned v
e Camp Hal -Bl d p pe a n ng, b I n w w a e means. A bes ey'll be wa c ed, mp s
ned, ned aga ns e a e . Even m e l ely, e w ll n a e a c ance. He w n' all w my
dem g d c ld en eac s x een. He'll nd a way des y em, and I w n' s a !" "Ce amen
e,"Ma a sa d. "We w ll s ay ge e . Ze s s n mbec le." I c ldn' elp adm ng e c a
ge, b Hades glanced ne v sly a e ce l ng. "Ma a, please. I ld y , Ze s gave me a
deadl ne las wee n ve e c ld en. H s w a w ll be ble, and I cann de y eve . As
l ng as y a e w e c ld en, y a e n dange ." Ma a sm led, and aga n was c eepy w
m c s e l ed l e e da g e . "Y a e a g d, my l ve. Y w ll p ec s. B I w ll n a e
N c and B anca e Unde w ld." Hades w ng s ands. "T en, e e s an e p n. I n w a
place n e dese w e e me s ands s ll. I c ld send e c ld en e e, j s a w le, e wn
sa e y, and we c ld be ge e . I w ll b ld y a g lden palace by e S yx." Ma a d
Angel la g ed gen ly. "Y a e a nd man, my l ve. A gene s man. T e e g ds s ld se
e y as I d , and ey w ld n ea y s . B N c and B anca need e m e . Bes des, ey a
e nly c ld en. T e g ds w ldn' eally em." "Y d n' n w my am ly," Hades sa d da l
y. "Please, Ma a, I can' l se y ." S e c ed s l ps w e nge s. "Y w ll n l se me.
Wa me w le I ge my p se. Wa c e c ld en." S e ssed e l d e dead and se m e s a.
Hades wa c ed e wal ps a s as e eve y s ep away ca sed m pa n. A m men la e , e
ensed. T e c ld en s pped play ng as ey sensed s me ng . "N !" Hades sa d. B ev
en s g dly p we s we e sl w. He nly ad me e ec a wall blac ene gy a nd e c ld en
be e e el expl ded. T e ce was s v len , e en e m s mage d ss lved. W en came n
c s aga n, I saw Hades neel ng n e ns, ld ng e b en m Ma a d Angel . F es s ll
b ned all a nd m. L g n ng las ed ac ss e s y, and nde mbled. L le N c and B anc
a s a ed a e m e nc mp e end ngly. T e F y Alec appea ed be nd em, ss ng and lap
p ng e lea e y w ngs. T e c ld en d dn' seem n ce e . "Ze s!" Hades s s s a e s
y. "I w ll c s y s! I w llb ng e bac !" "My l d, y cann ," Alec wa ned. "Y all m
m als m s espec e laws dea ." Hades gl wed w age. I g e w ld s w s e m and vap z
e s wn c ld en, b a e las m men e seemed
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ega n c n l. "Ta e em," e ld Alec , c ng bac a s b. "Was e mem es clean m e Le e
and b ng em e L s H el. Ze s w ll n a m em e e." "As y w s , my l d," Alec sa d
. "And e w man's b dy? "Ta e e as well," e sa d b e ly. "G ve e e anc en es." Al
ec , e c ld en, and Ma a's b dy d ss lved n s ad ws, leav ng Hades al ne n e ns.
"I wa ned y ," a new v ce sa d. Hades ned. A g l n a m l c l ed d ess s d by e
sm lde ng ema ns e s a. S e ad s blac a and sad eyes. S e was n m e an welve. I
d dn' n w e , b s e l ed s angely am l a . "Y da e c me e e?" Hades g wled. "I s
ld blas y d s !" "Y cann ," e g l sa d. "T e p we Delp p ec s me." W a c ll, I
eal zed I was l ng a e O acle Delp , bac w en s e was al ve and y ng. S me w, se
e ng e l e s was even sp e an see ng e as a m mmy. "Y 've lled e w man I l ved!"
Hades a ed. "Y p p ecy b g s s.'" He l med ve e g l, b s e d dn' l nc . "Ze s d
a ned e expl s n des y e c ld en," s e sa d, "beca se y de ed s w ll. I ad n ng
d w . And I d d wa n y de em s ne ." "I c ldn' ! Ma a w ld n le me! Bes des, ey
we e nn cen ." "Neve eless, ey a e y c ld en, w c ma es em dange s. Even y p em
away n e L s H el, y nly delay e p blem. N c and B anca w ll neve be able ej n e
w ld les ey n s x een." "Beca se y s -called G ea P p ecy. And y ave ced me n a
n a ave n e c ld en. Y ave le me w n ng!" "I esee e e," e g l sa d. "I cann c an
ge ." Blac e l e g d's eyes, and I new s me ng bad was c m ng. I wan ed yell a e
g l de n. "T en, O acle, ea e w ds Hades," e g wled. "Pe aps I cann b ng bac Ma
a. N can I b ng y n an ea ly dea . B y s l s s ll m al, and I can c se y ." T e
g l's eyes w dened. "Y w ld n -" "I swea ," Hades sa d, "as l ng as my c ld en
ema n cas s, as l ng as I lab nde e c se y G ea P p ecy, e O acle Delp w ll neve
ave an e m al s . Y w ll neve es n peace. N e w ll a e y place. Y b dy w ll w e
and d e, and s ll e O acle's sp w ll be l c ed ns de y . Y w ll spea y b e p p
ec es n l y c mble n ng. T e O acle w ll d e w y !" T e g l sc eamed, and e m s
y mage was blas ed s eds. N c ell s nees n Pe sep ne's ga den, s ace w e w s c .
S and ng n n m was e eal Hades, we ng n s blac bes and sc wl ng d wn a s s n. "
And j s w a ," e as ed N c , "d y n y ' e d ng?" A blac expl s n lled my d eams.
T en e scene c anged. Rac el El zabe Da e was wal ng al ng a w e sand beac . S
e w e a sw ms w a T-s w apped a nd e wa s . He s lde s and ace we e s nb ned. S
e nel and began w ng n e s w e nge . I ed ma e e le e s. I g my dyslex a was ac
ng p n l I eal zed s e was w ng n Anc en G ee . T a was mp ss ble. T e d eam ad
be alse. Rac el n s ed w ng a ew w ds and m e ed, "W a n e
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w ld?" I can ead G ee , b I nly ec gn zed ne w d be e e sea was ed away: Î ÎµÏ Ï ÎµÏ Ï . My n
tood ab uptly and back d away f om th u f. "Oh, god ," h aid. "That' what it m
an ." Sh tu n d and an, kicking up and a h ac d back to h family' villa. Sh poun
d d up th po ch t p , b athing ha d. H fath look d up f om hi Wall St t Jou nal
"Dad." Rach l ma ch d up to him. "W hav to go back." H dad' mouth twitch d, lik
h wa t ying to m mb how to mil . "Back? W ju t got h ." "Th ' t oubl in N w Yo k
. cy' in dang ." "Did h call you?" "No . . . not xactly. But I know. It' a f lin
g." M . Da fold d hi n w pap . "You moth and I hav b n looking fo wa d to thi va
cation fo a long tim ." "No you hav n't! You both hat th b ach! You' ju t too tu
bbo n to admit it." "Now, Rach l-" "I'm t lling you om thing i w ong in N w Yo k
! Th whol city . . . I don't know what xactly, but it' und attack." H fath igh d
. "I think w would'v h a d om thing lik that on th n w ." "No," Rach l in i t d.
"Not thi kind of attack. Hav you had any call inc w got h ?" H fath f own d. "N
o . . . but it i th w k nd, in th middl of th umm ." "You alway g t call ," Rach
l aid. "You'v got to admit that' t ang ." H fath h itat d. "W can't ju t l av .
W 'v p nt a lot of mon y." "Look," Rach l aid. "Daddy . . . cy n d m . I hav to
d liv a m ag . It' lif o d ath." "What m ag ? What a you talking about?" "I can
't t ll you. "Th n you can't go." Rach l clo d h y lik h wa g tting up h cou ag
. "Dad . . . l t m go, and I'll mak a d al with you." M . Da at fo wa d. D al w
om thing h und tood. "I'm li t ning." "Cla ion Ladi Acad my. I'll-I'll go th in
th fall. I won't v n complain. But you hav to g t m back to N w Yo k ight now."
H wa il nt fo a long tim . Th n h op n d hi phon and mad a call. "Dougla ? p th
plan . W ' l aving fo N w Yo k. Y . . . imm diat ly." Rach l flung h a m a ound
him, and h fath m d u p i d, lik h 'd n v hugg d him b fo . "I'll mak it up to y
ou, Dad!" H mil d, but hi xp ion wa chilly. H tudi d h lik h wa n't ing hi daugh
t -ju t th young lady h want d h to b , onc Cla ion Acad my got th ough with h .
"Y , Rach l," h ag d. "You mo t c tainly will." Th c n fad d. I mumbl d in my l
p: "Rach l, no!" I wa till to ing and tu ning wh n Thalia hook m awak . " cy,"
h aid. "Com on. It' lat aft noon. W 'v got vi ito ." I at up, di o i nt d. Th b
d wa too comfo tabl , and I hat d l ping in th middl of th day.

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" i ito ?" I aid. Thalia nodd d g imly. "A Titan want to you, und a flag of t uc
. H ha a m ag f om K ono ." CHA TER THIRTEEN A TITAN BRINGS ME A RESENT W could
th whit flag f om half a mil away. It wa a big a a occ fi ld, ca i d by a thi t
y-foot-tall giant with b ight blu kin and icy g ay hai . "A Hyp bo an," Thalia a
id. "Th giant of th no th. It' a bad ign that th y id d with K ono . Th y' u ual
ly p ac ful." "You'v m t th m?" I aid. "Mmm. Th ' a big colony in Alb ta. You do
not want to g t into a nowball fight with tho guy ." A th giant got clo , I cou
ld th human- iz nvoy with him: a half-blood in a mo , an mpou a d mon with a bla
ck d and flaming hai , and a tall man in a tux do. Th mpou a h ld th tux dud ' a
m, o th y look d lik a coupl on th i way to a B oadway how o om thing xc pt fo
h flaming hai and fang . Th g oup walk d l i u ly towa d th H ck ch layg ound. T
h wing and ball cou t w mpty. Th only ound wa th fountain on Umpi Rock. I look d
at G ov . "Th tux dud i th Titan?" H nodd d n vou ly. "H look lik a magician. I
hat magician . Th y u ually hav abbit ." I ta d at him. "You' ca d of bunni ?"
"Blah-hah-hah! Th y' big bulli . Alway t aling c l y f om d f n l aty !" Thalia
cough d. "What?" G ov d mand d. "W 'll hav to wo k on you bunny phobia lat ," I
aid. "H th y com ." Th man in th tux t pp d fo wa d. H wa tall than an av ag hum
an-about v n f t. Hi black hai wa ti d in a ponytail. Da k ound gla cov d hi y ,
but what ally caught my att ntion wa th kin on hi fac . It wa cov d in c atch ,
lik h 'd b n attack d by a mall animal-a ally, ally mad ham t , mayb . " cy Jac
k on," h aid in a ilky voic . "It' a g at hono ." Hi lady f i nd th mpou a hi d
at m . Sh 'd p obably h a d how I'd d t oy d two of h i t la t umm . "My d a ,"
Tux Dud aid to h . "Why don't you mak you lf comfo tabl ov th , h?" Sh l a d hi
a m and d ift d ov to a pa k b nch. I glanc d at th a m d d migod b hind Tux Dud
. 1 hadn't cogniz d him in hi n w h lm t, but it wa my old back tabbing buddy E
than Nakamu a. Hi no look d lik a qua h d tomato f om ou fight on th William bu
g B idg . That mad m f l b tt . "H y, Ethan," I aid. "You' looking good." Ethan
gla d at m . "To bu in ." Tux Dud xt nd d hi hand. "I am om th u ." I wa too u p
i d to hak . "Th fi - t al guy? Th chain d-toth ock-with-th -vultu guy?" om th
u winc d. H touch d th c atch on hi fac . " l a , don't m ntion th vultu . But y
, I tol fi f om th god and gav it to you anc to . In tu n, th v m ciful Z u had
m chain d to a ock and to tu d fo all t nity." "But-" "How did I g t f ? H cul
did that, on ago. So you , I hav
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a oft pot fo h o . Som of you can b quit civiliz d." "Unlik th company you k p,"
I notic d. I wa looking at Ethan, but om th u appa ntly thought I m ant th mpou
a. "Oh, d mon a n't o bad," h aid. "You ju t hav to k p th m w ll f d. Now, cy
Jack on, l t u pa l y." H wav d m towa d a picnic tabl and w at down. Thalia and
G ov tood b hind m . Th blu giant p opp d hi whit flag again t a t and b gan ab
ntly playing on th playg ound. H t pp d on th monk y ba and c u h d th m, but h
didn't m ang y. H ju t f own d and aid, "Uh-oh." Th n h t pp d in th fountain a
nd b ok th conc t bowl in half. "Uh-oh." Th wat f oz wh hi foot touch d it. A bu
nch of tuff d animal hung f om hi b lt-th hug kind you g t fo g and p iz at an a
cad . H mind d m of Ty on, and th id a of fighting him mad m ad. om th u at fo
wa d and lac d hi fing . H look d a n t, kindly, and wi . " cy, you po ition i w
ak. You know you can't top anoth a ault." "W 'll ." om th u look d pain d, lik
h ally ca d what happ n d to m . " cy, I'm th Titan of fo thought. I know what'
going to happ n." "Al o th Titan of c afty coun l," G ov put in. "Empha i on c a
fty." om th u h ugg d. "T u nough, aty . But I uppo t d th god in th la t wa . I
told K ono : 'You don't hav th t ngth. You'll lo .' And I wa ight. So you , I k
now how to pick th winning id . Thi tim , I'm backing K ono ." "B cau Z u chain
d you to a ock," I gu d. " a tly, y . I won't d ny I want v ng . But that' not t
h only a on I'm uppo ting K ono . It' th wi t choic . I'm h b cau I thought you
might li t n to a on." H d w a map on th tabl with hi fing . Wh v h touch d, gol
d n lin app a d, glowing on th conc t . "Thi i Manhattan. W hav a mi h , h , h ,
and h . W know you numb . W outnumb you tw nty to on ." "You py ha b n k ping y
ou po t d," I gu d. om th u mil d apolog tically. "At any at , ou fo c a g owing
daily. Tonight, K ono will attack. You will b ov wh lm d. You'v fought b av ly,
but th ' ju t no way you can hold all of Manhattan. You'll b fo c d to t at to
th Empi Stat Building. Th you'll b d t oy d. I hav n thi . It will happ n." I th
ought about th pictu Rach l had d awn in my d am -an a my at th ba of th Empi St
at Building. I m mb d th wo d of th young gi l O acl in my d am: I fo th futu .
I cannot chang it. om th u pok with uch c tainty it wa ha d not to b li v him. "
I won't l t it happ n," I aid. om th u b u h d a p ck off hi tux lap l. "Und tan
d, cy. You a fighting th T ojan Wa h . att n p at th m lv in hi to y. Th y app a
ju t a mon t do. A g at i g . Two a mi . Th only diff nc i , thi tim you a d f
nding. You a T oy. And you know what happ n d to th T ojan , don't you?" "So you
' going to c am a wood n ho into th l vato at th Empi Stat Building?" I a k d. "
Good luck." om th u mil d. "T oy wa compl t ly d t oy d, cy. You don't want that
to happ n h . Stand down, and N w Yo k will b pa d. You fo c will b g ant d amn
ty. I will p onally a u you af ty. L t K ono tak Olympu . Who ca ? Typhon will
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d t oy th god .my way." "Right," I aid. "And I'm uppo d to b li v K ono would pa
th city." "All h want i Olympu ," om th u p omi d. "Th might of th god i ti d t
o th i at of pow . You aw what happ n d to o idon onc hi und a palac wa attack d
." I winc d, m mb ing how old and d c pit my fath look d. "Y ," om th u aid adly
. "I know that wa ha d fo you. Wh n K ono d t oy Olympu , th god will fad . Th y
will b com o w ak th y will b a ily d f at d. K ono would ath do thi whil Typho
n ha th Olympian di t act d in th w t. Much a i . F w liv lo t. But mak no mi ta
k , th b t you can do i low u down. Th day aft tomo ow, Typhon a iv in N w Yo k,
and you will hav no chanc at all. Th god and Mount Olympu will till b d t oy d,
but it will b much m i . Much, much wo fo you and you city. Eith way, th Titan
will ul ." Thalia pound d h fi t on th tabl . "I v A t mi . Th Hunt will fight t
o ou la t b ath. cy, you' not iou ly going to li t n to thi lim ball, a you?" I
figu d om th u wa going to bla t h , but h ju t mil d. "You cou ag do you c dit,
Thalia G ac ." Thalia tiff n d. "That' my moth ' u nam . I don't u it." "A you
wi h," om th u aid ca ually, but I could t ll h 'd gott n und h kin. I'd n v v n
h a d Thalia' la t nam b fo . Som how it mad h m almo t no mal. L my t iou and
pow ful. "At any at ," th Titan aid, "you n d not b my n my. I hav alway b n a h
lp of mankind." "That' a load of Minotau dung," Thalia aid. "Wh n mankind fi t
ac ific d to th god , you t ick d th m into giving you th b t po tion. You gav u
fi to annoy th god , not b cau you ca d about u ." om th u hook hi h ad. "You d
on't und tand. I h lp d hap you natu ." A wiggling lump of clay app a d in hi ha
nd . H fa hion d it into a littl doll with l g and a m . Th lump man didn't hav
any y , but it g op d a ound th tabl , tumbling ov om th u ' fing . "I hav b n w
hi p ing in man' a inc th b ginning of you xi t nc . I p nt you cu io ity, you n
of xplo ation, you inv ntiv n . H lp m av you, cy. Do thi , and I will giv mank
ind a n w gift-a n w v lation that will mov you a fa fo wa d a fi did. You can't
mak that kind of advanc und th god . Th y would n v allow it. But thi could b a
n w gold n ag fo you. O . . ." H mad a fi t and ma h d th clay man into a panca
k . Th blu giant umbl d, "Uh-oh." Ov at th pa k b nch, th mpou a ba d h fang in
a mil . " cy, you know th Titan and th i off p ing a not all bad," om th u aid.
"You'v m t Calyp o." My fac f lt hot. "That' diff nt." "How? Much lik m , h did
nothing w ong, and y t h wa xil dfo v imply b cau h wa Atla ' daught . W a not y
ou n mi . Don't l t th wo t happ n," h pl ad d. "W off you p ac ." I look d at E
than Nakamu a. "You mu t hat thi ." "I don't know what you m an." "If w took thi
d al, you wouldn't g t v ng . You wouldn't g t to kill u all. I n't that what y
ou want?" Hi good y fla d. "All I want i p ct, Jack on. Th god n v gav m that. Y
ou want d m to go to you tupid camp, p nd my
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tim c amm d into th H m cabin b cau I'm not impo tant? Not v n cogniz d?" H ound
d ju t lik Luk wh n h 'd t i d to kill m in th wood at camp fou y a ago. Th m m
o y mad my hand ach wh th pit co pion had tung m . "You mom' th godd of v ng ,"
I told Ethan. "W hould p ct that?" "N m i tand fo balanc ! Wh n p opl hav too mu
ch good luck, h t a th m down." "Which i why h took you y ?" "It wa paym nt," h
g owl d. "In xchang , h wo to m that on day I would tip th balanc of pow . I wou
ld b ing th mino god p ct. An y wa a mall p ic to pay." "G at mom." "At l a t h
k p h wo d, unlik th Olympian . Sh alway pay h d bt -good o vil." "Y ah," I aid.
"So I av d you lif , and you paid m by ai ing K ono . That' fai ." Ethan g abb
d th hilt of hi wo d, but om th u topp d him. "Now, now," th Titan aid. "W ' on
a diplomatic mi ion." om th u tudi d m a if t ying to und tand my ang . Th n h n
odd d lik h 'd ju t pick d a thought f om my b ain. "It both you what happ n d t
o Luk ," h d cid d. "H tia didn't how you th full to y. hap if you und tood . .
." Th Titan ach d out. Thalia c i d a wa ning, but b fo I could act, om th u ' i
nd x fing touch d my fo h ad. * * * Sudd nly I wa back in May Ca t llan' living
oom. Candl flick d on th fi plac mant l, fl ct d in th mi o along th wall . Th o
ugh th kitch n doo way I could Thalia itting at th tabl whil M . Ca t llan banda
g d h wound d l g. S v n-y a old Annab th at n xt to h , playing with a M du a b
anbag toy. H m and Luk tood apa t in th living oom. Th god' fac look d liquid i
n th candl light, lik h couldn't d cid what hap to adopt. H wa d d in a navy blu
jogging outfit with wing d R bok . "Why how you lf now?" Luk d mand d. Hi hould
w t n , a if h xp ct d a fight. "All th y a I'v b n calling to you, p aying you
'd how up, and nothing. You l ft m with h ."H point d towa d th kitch n lik h co
uldn't b a to look at hi moth , much l ay h nam . "Luk , do not di hono h ," H m
wa n d. "You moth did th b t h could. A fo m , I could not int f with you path.
Th child n of th god mu t find th i own way." "So it wa fo my own good. G owing
up on th t t , f nding fo my lf, fighting mon t ." "You' my on," H m aid. "I kn
w you had th ability. Wh n I wa only a baby, I c awl d f om my c adl and t out
fo -" "I'm not a god! Ju t onc , you could'v aid om thing. You could'v h lp d wh
n"-h took an un t ady b ath, low ing hi voic o no on in th kitch n could ov h a
-"wh n h wa having on of h fit , haking m and aying c azy thing about my fat .
Wh n I u d to hid in th clo t o h wouldn't find m with tho . . . tho glowing y .
Did you v n ca that I wa ca d? Did you v n know wh n I finally an away?" In th
kitch n, M . Ca t llan chatt d aiml ly, pou ing Kool-Aid fo Thalia and Annab th
a h told th m to i about Luk a a baby. Thalia ubb d h bandag d l g n vou ly. Ann
ab th glanc d into th living oom and h ld up a bu n d cooki fo Luk to .
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Sh mouth d, Can w go now? "Luk , I ca v y much," H m aid lowly, "but god mu t no
t int f di ctly in mo tal affai . It i on of ou Anci nt Law . E p cially wh n yo
u d tiny . . ." Hi voic t ail d off. H ta d at th candl a if m mb ing om thing u
npl a ant. "What?" Luk a k d. "What about my d tiny?" "You hould not hav com bac
k," H m mutt d. "It only up t you both. How v , I now that you a g tting too old
to b on th un without h lp. I'll p ak with Chi on at Camp Half-Blood and a k hi
m to nd a aty to coll ct you." "W ' doing fin without you h lp," Luk g owl d. "N
ow, what w you aying about my d tiny?" Th wing on H m ' R bok flutt d tl ly. H t
udi d hi on lik h wa t ying to m mo iz hi fac , and udd nly a cold f ling wa h d
th ough m . I aliz d H m kn w what May Ca t llan' mutt ing m ant. I wa n't u ho
w, but looking at hi fac I wa ab olut ly c tain. H m und tood what would happ n
to Luk om day, how h would tu n vil. "My on," h aid, "I'm th god of t av l , th
god of load . If I know anything, I know that you mu t walk you own path, v n th
ough it t a my h a t." "You don't lov m ." "I p omi I . . . I do lov you. Go to
camp. I will that you g t a qu t oon. hap you can d f at th Hyd a, o t al th app
l of H p id . You will g t a chanc to b a g at h o b fo . . ." "B fo what?" Luk
' voic wa t mbling now. "What did my mom that mad h lik thi ? What' going to hap
p n to m ? If you lov m , t ll m ." H m ' xp ion tight n d. "I cannot." "Th n yo
u don't ca !" Luk y ll d. In th kitch n, th talking di d ab uptly. "Luk ?" May C
a t llan call d. "I that you? I my boy all ight?" Luk tu n d to hid hi fac , but
I could th t a in hi y . "I'm fin . I hav a n w family. I don't n d ith of you.
" "I'm you fath ," H m in i t d. "A fath i uppo d to b a ound. I'v n v v n m t y
ou. Thalia, Annab th, com on! W ' l aving!" "My boy, don't go!" May Ca t llan ca
ll d aft him. "I hav you lunch ady!" Luk to m d out th doo , Thalia and Annab th
c ambling aft him. May Ca t llan t i d to follow, but H m h ld h back. A th c n
doo lamm d, May collap d in H m ' a m and b gan to hak . H y op n d-glowing g n
-and h clutch d d p at ly at H m ' hould . "My on," h hi d in a d y voic . "Dang
. T ibl fat !" "I know, my lov ," H m aid adly. "B li v m , I know." Th imag fa
d d. om th u pull d hi hand away f om my fo h ad. " cy?" Thalia a k d. "What . .
. what wa that?" I aliz d I wa clammy with w at. om th u nodd d ympath tically.
"Appalling, i n't it? Th god know what i to com , and y t th y do nothing, v n
fo th i child n. How long did it tak fo th m to t ll you you p oph cy, cy Jack o
n? Don't you think you fath know what will happ n to you?" I wa too tunn d to an
w . " cy," G ov wa n d, "h ' playing with you mind. T ying to mak you ang y." G
ov could ad motion , o h p obably kn w om th u wa ucc ding.
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"Do you ally blam you f i nd Luk ?" th Titan a k d m . "And what about you, cy?
Will you b cont oll d by you fat ? K ono off you a much b tt d al." I cl nch d m
y fi t . A much a I hat d what om th u had hown m , I hat d K ono a lot mo . "I'
ll giv you a d al. T ll K ono to call off hi attack, l av Luk Ca t llan' body, a
nd tu n to th pit of Ta ta u . Th n mayb I won't hav to d t oy him," Th mpou a n
a l d. H hai upt d in f h flam , but om th u ju t igh d. "If you chang you mind,
" h aid, "I hav a gift fo you." A G k va app a d on th tabl . It wa about th f t
high and a foot wid , glaz d with black-and-whit g om t ic d ign . Th c amic li
d wa fa t n d with a l ath ha n . G ov whimp d wh n h aw it. Thalia ga p d. "Tha
t' not-" "Y ," om th u aid. "You cogniz it." Looking at th ja , I f lt a t ang n
of f a , but I had no id a why. "Thi b long d to my i t -in-law," om th u xplai
n d. " ando a." A lump fo m d in my th oat. "A in ando a' box?" om th u hook hi
h ad. "I don't know how thi box bu in got ta t d. It wa n v a box. It wa a pitho
, a to ag ja . I uppo ando a' pitho do n't hav th am ing to it, but n v mind th
at. Y , h did op n thi ja , which contain d mo t of th d mon that now haunt mank
ind-f a , d ath, hung , ickn ." "Don't fo g t m ," th mpou a pu d. "Ind d," om t
h u conc d d. "Th fi t mpou a wa al o t app d in thi ja , l a d by ando a. But w
hat I find cu iou about th to y- ando a alway g t th blam . Sh i puni h d fo b i
ng cu iou . Th god would hav you b li v that thi i th l on: mankind hould not xp
lo . Th y hould not a k qu tion . Th y hould do what th y a told. In t uth, cy,
thi ja wa a t ap d ign d by Z u and th oth god . It wa v ng on m and my nti fami
ly-my poo impl b oth Epim th u and hi wif ando a. Th god kn w h would op n th ja
. Th y w willing to puni h th nti ac of humanity along with u ." I thought abou
t my d am of Had and Ma ia di Ang lo. Z u had d t oy d an nti hot l to liminat t
wo d migod child n-ju t to av hi own kin, b cau h wa ca d of a p oph cy. H 'd ki
ll d an innoc nt woman and p obably hadn't lo t any l p ov it. Had wa no b tt .
H wa n't pow ful nough to tak hi v ng on Z u , o h cu d th O acl , dooming a you
ng gi l to a ho ibl fat . And H m . . . why had h abandon d Luk ? Why hadn't h a
t l a t wa n d Luk , o t i d to ai him b tt o h wouldn't tu n vil? Mayb om th u
wa toying with my mind. But what if h ' ight? pa t of m wond d. How a th god any
b tt than th Titan ? om th u tapp d th lid of ando a' ja . "Only on pi it main
d in id wh n ando a op n d it." "Hop ," I aid. om th u look d pl a d. " y good,
cy. Elpi , th Spi it of Hop , would not abandon humanity. Hop do not l av withou
t b ing giv n p mi ion. Sh can only b l a d by a child of man." Th Titan lid th
ja ac o th tabl . "I giv you thi a a mind of what th god a lik ," h aid. "K p El
pi , if you wi h. But if you d cid that you hav n nough d t uction, nough futil
uff ing, th n op n th ja . L t Elpi go. Giv up Hop , and I will know that you a
u nd ing. I
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p omi K ono will b l ni nt. H will pa th u vivo ." I ta d at th ja and got a v y
bad f ling. I figu d ando a had b n compl t ly ADHD, lik m . I could n v l av t
hing alon . I didn't lik t mptation. What if thi wa my choic ? Mayb th p oph cy
all cam down to my k ping thi ja clo d o op ning it. "I don't want th thing," I
g owl d. "Too lat ," om th u aid. "Th gift i giv n. It cannot b tak n back." H t
ood. Th mpou a cam fo wa d and lipp d h a m th ough hi . "Mo ain!" om th u call
d to th blu giant. "W a l aving. G t you flag." "Uh-oh," th giant aid. "W will y
ou oon, cy Jack on," om th u p omi d. "On way o anoth ." Ethan Nakamu a gav m on
la t hat ful look. Th n th t uc pa ty tu n d and t oll d up th lan th ough C nt
al a k, lik it wa ju t a gula unny Sunday aft noon. CHA TER FOURTEEN IGS FLY Ba
ck at th laza, Thalia pull d m a id . "What did om th u how you?" R luctantly, I
told h about th vi ion of May Ca t llan' hou . Thalia ubb d h thigh lik h wa m
mb ing th old wound. "That wa a bad night," h admitt d. "Annab th wa o littl , I
don't think h ally und tood what h aw. Sh ju t kn w Luk wa up t." I look d out
th hot l window at C nt al a k. Small fi w till bu ning in th no th, but oth wi
th city m d unnatu ally p ac ful. "Do you know what happ n d to May Ca t llan? I
m an-" "I know what you m an," Thalia aid. "I n v aw h hav an, um, pi od , but
Luk told m about th glowing y , th t ang thing h would ay. H mad m p omi n v to
t ll. What cau d it, I hav no id a. If Luk kn w, h n v told m ." "H m kn w," I a
id. "Som thing cau d May to pa t of Luk ' futu , and H m und tood what would hap
p n-how Luk would tu n into K ono ." Thalia f own d. "You can't b u of that. R m
mb om th u wa manipulating what you aw, cy, howing you what happ n d in th wo t
po ibl light. H m did lov Luk . I could t ll ju t by looking at hi fac . And H
m wa th that night b cau h wa ch cking up on May, taking ca of h . H wa n't all
bad." "It' till not ight," I in i t d. "Luk wa ju t a littl kid. H m n v h lp d
him, n v topp d him f om unning away." Thalia hould d h bow. Again it t uck m ho
w much t ong h look d now that h 'd topp d aging. You could almo t a ilv y glow
a ound h -th bl ing of A t mi . " cy," h aid, "you can't ta t f ling o y fo Luk
. W all hav tough thing to d al with. All d migod do. Ou pa nt a ha dly v a ound
. But Luk mad bad choic . Nobody fo c d him to do that. In fact-" Sh glanc d dow
n th hall to mak u w w alon . "I'm wo i d about Annab th. If h ha to fac Luk in
battl , I don't know if h can do it. Sh ' alway had a oft pot fo him." Blood o t
o my fac . "Sh 'll do fin ." "I don't know. Aft that night, aft w l ft hi mom' h
ou ? Luk wa n v th am . H got ckl and moody, lik h had om thing to p ov . By th
tim G ov found u and t i d to g t u to camp . . . w ll, pa t of th a on w had o
much t oubl wa b cau Luk wouldn't b ca ful. H want d to pick a fight with
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v y mon t w c o d. Annab th didn't that a a p obl m. Luk wa h h o. Sh only und t
ood that hi pa nt had mad him ad, and h got v y d f n iv of him. Sh till i d f n
iv . All I'm aying . . . don't you fall into th am t ap. Luk ha giv n him lf to
K ono now. W can't affo d to b oft on him." I look d out at th fi in Ha l m, wo
nd ing how many l ping mo tal w in dang ight now b cau of Luk ' bad choic . "You
' ight," I aid. Thalia patt d my hould . "I'm going to ch ck on th Hunt , th n g
t om mo l p b fo nightfall. You hould c a h too." "Th la t thing I n d i mo d a
m ." "I know, b li v m ." H da k xp ion mad m wond what h 'd b n d aming about.
It wa a common d migod p obl m: th mo dang ou ou ituation b cam , th wo and mo f
qu nt ou d am got. "But cy, th ' no t lling wh n you'll g t anoth chanc fo t. I
t' going to b a long night-mayb ou la t night." I didn't lik it, but I kn w h wa
ight. I nodd d w a ily and gav h ando a' ja . "Do m a favo . Lock thi in th hot
l vault, will you? I think I'm all gic to pitho ." Thalia mil d. "You got it."
I found th n a t b d and pa d out. But of cou l p only b ought mo nightma . I aw
th und a palac of my fath . Th n my a my wa clo now, nt nch d only a f w hund d
ya d out id th palac . Th fo t wall w compl t ly d t oy d. Th t mpl my dad had
u d a hi h adqua t wa bu ning with G k fi . I zoom d in on th a mo y, wh my b ot
h and om oth Cyclop w on lunch b ak, ating f om hug ja of Skippy xt a-chunky p a
nut butt (and don't a k m how it ta t d und wat , b cau I don't want to know). A
I watch d, th out wall of th a mo y xplod d. A Cyclop wa io tumbl d in id , col
lap ing on th lunch tabl . Ty on kn lt down to h lp, but it wa too lat . Th Cycl
op di olv d into a ilt. En my giant mov d towa d th b ach, and Ty on pick d up t
h fall n wa io ' club. H y ll d om thing to hi f llow black mith p obably "Fo o
idon!"-but with hi mouth full of p anut butt it ound d lik " UH TEH BUN!" Hi b t
h n all g abb d hamm and chi l , y ll d, " EANUT BUTTER!" and cha g d b hind Ty
on into battl . Th n th c n hift d. I wa with Ethan Nakamu a at th n my camp. Wh
at I aw mad m hiv , pa tly b cau th a my wa o hug , pa tly b cau I cogniz d th p
lac . W w in th backwood of N w J y, on a c umbling oad lin d with un-down bu in
and tatt d billboa d ign . A t ampl d f nc ing d a big ya d full of c m nt tatu
a y. Th ign abov th wa hou wa ha d to ad b cau it wa in d cu iv , but I kn w wha
t it aid: AUNTY EM'S GARDEN GNOME EM ORIUM. I hadn't thought about th plac in y
a . It wa cl a ly abandon d. Th tatu w b ok n and p ay-paint d with g affiti. A
c m nt aty -G ov ' Uncl F dinand-had lo t hi a m. a t of th wa hou oof had cav d
in. A big y llow ign pa t d on th doo ad: CONDEMNED. Hund d of t nt and fi u ou
nd d th p op ty. Mo tly I aw mon t , but th w om human m c na i in combat fatigu
and d migod in a mo , too. A pu pl -and-black bann hung out id th mpo ium, gua
d d by two hug blu Hyp bo an . Ethan wa c ouch d at th n a t campfi . A coupl of
oth d migod at with him, ha p ning th i wo d . Th doo of th wa hou op n d, and
om th u t pp d out.
"Nakamu a," h call d. "Th ma t would lik to p ak to you." Ethan tood up wa ily.
"Som thing w ong?" om th u mil d. "You'll hav to a k him." On of th oth d migod
nick d. "Nic knowing you." Ethan adju t d hi wo d b lt and h ad d into th wa hou
. Exc pt fo th hol in th oof, th plac wa ju t a 1 m mb d. Statu of t ifi d p op
l tood f oz n in mid c am. In th nack ba a a, th picnic tabl had b n mov d a id
. Right b tw n th oda di p n and p tz l wa m tood a gold n th on . K ono loung d
on it, hi cyth ac o hi lap. H wo j an and a T- hi t, and with hi b ooding xp io
n h look d almo t human-lik th young v ion of Luk I'd n in th vi ion, pl ading w
ith H m to t ll him hi fat . Th n Luk aw Ethan, and hi fac conto t d into a v y
inhuman mil . Hi gold n y glow d. "W ll, Nakamu a. What did you think of th dipl
omatic mi ion?" Ethan h itat d. "I'm u Lo d om th u i b tt uit d to p ak-" "But
I a k d you." Ethan' good y da t d back and fo th, noting th gua d that tood a o
und K ono . "I . . . I don't think Jack on will u nd . Ev ." K ono nodd d. "Anyt
hing l you want d to t ll m ?" "N-no, i . "You look n vou , Ethan." "No, i . It'
ju t . . . I h a d thi wa th lai of -" "M du a? Y , quit t u . Lov ly plac , h?
Unfo tunat ly, M du a ha n't -fo m d inc Jack on kill d h , o you n dn't wo y a
bout joining h coll ction. B id , th a much mo dang ou fo c in thi oom." K ono l
ook d ov at a Lai t ygonian giant who wa munching noi ily on om f nch f i . K on
o wav d hi hand and th giant f oz . A f nch f y hung u p nd d in midai halfway b
tw n hi hand and hi mouth. "Why tu n th m to ton ," K ono a k d, "wh n you can
f z tim it lf?" Hi gold n y bo d into Ethan' fac . "Now, t ll m on mo thing. Wha
t happ n d la t night on th William bu g B idg ?" Ethan t mbl d. B ad of p pi at
ion w popping up on hi fo h ad. "I . . . I don't know, i ." "Y , you do." K ono
o f om hi at. "Wh n you attack d Jack on, om thing happ n d. Som thing wa not qu
it ight. Th gi l, Annab th, jump d in you way." "Sh want d to av him." "But h i
invuln abl ," K ono aid qui tly. "You aw that you lf." "I can't xplain it. Mayb
h fo got." "Sh fo got," K ono aid. "Y , that mu t'v b n it. Oh d a , I fo got my
f i nd i invuln abl and took a knif fo him. Oop . T ll m , Ethan, wh w you aimi
ng wh n you tabb d at Jack on?" Ethan f own d. H cla p d hi hand a if h w holdin
g a blad , and mim d a th u t. "I'm not u , i . It all happ n d o fa t. I wa n't
aiming fo any pot in pa ticula .' K ono ' fing tapp d th blad of hi cyth . "I ,
" h aid in a chilly ton . "If you m mo y imp ov , I will xp ct-" Sudd nly th Tit
an lo d winc d. Th giant in th co n unf oz and th f nch f y f ll into hi mouth.
K ono tumbl d backwa d and ank into hi th on . "My lo d?" Ethan ta t d fo wa d.
"I-" Th voic wa w ak, but ju t fo a mom nt it wa Luk ' . Th n K ono ' xp ion ha
d n d. H ai d hi hand and fl x d hi fing lowly a if fo cing th m to ob y.
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"It i nothing," h aid, hi voic t ly and cold again. "A mino di comfo t." Ethan m
oi t n d hi lip . "H ' till fighting you, i n't h ? Luk -" "Non n ," K ono pat.
"R p at that li , and I will cut out you tongu . Th boy' oul ha b n c u h d. I a
m imply adju ting to th limit of thi fo m. It qui t. It i annoying, but no mo th
an a t mpo a y inconv ni nc ." "A . . . a you ay, my lo d." "You!" K ono point d
hi cyth at a d aca na with g n a mo and a g n c own. "Qu n S , i it?" "Y , my l
o d." "I ou littl u p i ady to b unl a h d?" Th d aca na qu n ba d h fang . "Oh,
y , my lo d. Quit a lov ly u p i ." "Exc ll nt," K ono aid. "T ll my b oth Hyp
ion to mov ou main fo c outh into C nt al a k. Th half-blood will b in uch di a
ay th y will not b abl to d f nd th m lv . Go now, Ethan. Wo k on imp oving you
m mo y. W will talk again wh n w hav tak n Manhattan." Ethan bow d, and my d am
hift d on la t tim . I aw th Big Hou at camp, but it wa a diff nt a. Th hou wa p
aint d d in t ad of blu . Th camp down at th voll yball pit had a ly '90 hai tyl
, which w p obably good fo k ping mon t away. Chi on tood by th po ch, talking
to H m and a woman holding a baby. Chi on' hai wa ho t and da k . H m wo hi u ua
l jogging uit with hi wing d high-top . Th woman wa tall and p tty. Sh had blond
hai , hining y and a f i ndly mil . Th baby in h a m qui m d in hi blu blank t
lik Camp Half-Blood wa th la t plac h want d to b . "It' an hono to hav you h ,"
Chi on told th woman, though h ound d n vou . "It' b n a long tim inc a mo tal
wa allow d at camp." "Don't ncou ag h ," H m g umbl d. "May, you can't do thi ."
With a hock, I aliz d I wa ing May Ca t llan. Sh look d nothing lik th old woma
n I'd m t. Sh m d full of lif -th kind of p on who could mil and mak v yon a oun
d h f l good. "Oh, don't wo y o much," May aid, ocking th baby. "You n d an O ac
l , don't you? Th old on ' b n d ad fo , what, tw nty y a ?" "Long ," Chi on aid
g av ly. H m ai d hi a m in xa p ation. "I didn't t ll you that to y o you coul
d apply. It' dang ou . Chi on, t ll h ." "It i ," Chi on wa n d. "Fo many y a ,
I hav fo bidd n anyon f om t ying. W don't know xactly what' happ n d. Humanity
m to hav lo t th ability to ho t th O acl ." "W 'v b n th ough that," May aid. "
And I know I can do it. H m , thi i my chanc to do om thing good. I'v b n giv n
th gift of ight fo a a on." I want d to y ll at May Ca t llan to top. I kn w wha
t wa about to happ n. I finally und tood how h lif had b n d t oy d. But I could
n't mov o p ak. H m look d mo hu t than wo i d. "You couldn't ma y if you b cam
th O acl ," h complain d. "You couldn't m anymo ." May put h hand on hi a m. "I
can't hav you fo v , can I? You'll mov on oon. You' immo tal." H ta t d to p ot
t, but h put h hand on hi ch t. "You know it' t u ! Don't t y to pa my f ling .
B id , w hav a wond ful child. I can till ai Luk if I'm th O acl , ight?" Chi on
cough d. "Y , but in all fai n , I don't know how that will
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aff ct th pi it of th O acl . A woman who ha al ady bo n a child-a fa a I know,
thi ha n v b n don b fo . If th pi it do not tak -" "It will," May in i t d. No,
I want d to hout. It won't. May Ca t llan ki d h baby and hand d th bundl to H
m . "I'll b ight back." Sh gav th m on la t confid nt mil and climb d th t p . C
hi on and H m pac d in il nc . Th baby qui m d. A g n glow lit th window of th h
ou . Th camp topp d playing voll yball and ta d up at th attic. A cold wind u h
d th ough th t awb y fi ld . H m mu t'v f lt it too. H c i d, "No! NO!" H hov d
th baby into Chi on' a m and an fo th po ch. B fo h ach d th doo , th unny aft n
oon wa hatt d by May Ca t llan' t ifi d c am. I got up o fa t I bang d my h ad o
n om body' hi ld. "Ow!" "So y, cy." Annab th wa tanding ov m . "I wa ju t about
to wak you." I ubb d my h ad, t ying to cl a th di tu bing vi ion . Sudd nly a l
ot of thing mad n to m : May Ca t llan had t i d to b com th O acl . Sh hadn't k
nown about Had ' cu p v nting th pi it of D lphi f om taking anoth ho t. N ith h
ad Chi on o H m . Th y hadn't aliz d that by t ying to tak th job, May would b d
iv n mad, plagu d with fit in which h y would glow g n and h would hav hatt d g
limp of h child' futu . " cy?" Annab th a k d. "What' w ong?" "Nothing," I li d.
"What . . . what a you doing in a mo ? You hould b ting." "Oh, I'm fin ," h aid
, though h till look d pal . Sh wa ba ly moving h ight a m. "That n cta and amb
o ia fix d m up." "Uh-huh. You can't iou ly go out and fight." Sh off d m h good
hand and h lp d m up. My h ad wa pounding. Out id , th ky wa pu pl and d. "You'
going to n d v y p on you hav ," h aid. "I ju t look d in my hi ld. Th ' an a m
y-" "H ading outh into C nt al a k," I aid. "Y ah, I know." I told h pa t of my
d am . I l ft out th vi ion of May Ca t llan, b cau it wa too di tu bing to talk
about. I al o l ft out Ethan' p culation about Luk fighting K ono in id hi body
. I didn't want to g t Annab th' hop up. "Do you think Ethan u p ct about you w
ak pot?" h a k d. "I don't know," I admitt d. "H didn't t ll K ono anything, but
if h figu it out-" "W can't l t him." "I'll bonk him on th h ad ha d n xt tim ,
" I ugg t d. "Any id a what u p i K ono wa talking about?" Sh hook h h ad. "I di
dn't anything in th hi ld, but I don't lik u p i ." "Ag d." "So," h aid, "a you
going to a gu about m coming along?" "Nah. You'd ju t b at m up." Sh manag d a l
augh, which wa good to h a . I g abb d my wo d, and w w nt to ally th t oop . Th
alia and th h ad coun lo w waiting fo u at th R voi . Th light of th city w blin
king on at twilight. I gu a lot of th m w on automatic tim . St tlamp glow d a o
und th ho of th lak , making th wat and t look v n pooki .
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"Th y' coming," Thalia confi m d, pointing no th with a ilv a ow. "On of my cout
ju t po t d th y'v c o d th Ha l m Riv . Th wa no way to hold th m back. Th a m
y . . ." Sh h ugg d. "It' hug ." "W 'll hold th m at th pa k," I aid. "G ov , yo
u ady?" H nodd d. "A ady a w 'll v b . If my natu pi it can top th m anywh , thi
i th plac ." "Y , w will!" aid anoth voic . A v y old, fat aty pu h d th ough t
h c owd, tumbling ov hi own p a . H wa d d in wood-ba k a mo that only cov d hal
f of hi b lly. "L n u ?" I aid. "Don't act o u p i d," h huff d. "I am a l ad of
th Council, and you did t ll m to find G ov . W ll, I found him, and I'm not go
ing to l t a m outca t l ad th aty without my h lp!" B hind L n u ' back, G ov m
ad gagging motion , but th old aty g inn d lik h wa th avio of th day. "N v f a
! W 'll how tho Titan !" I didn't know wh th to laugh o b ang y, but I manag d t
o k p a t aight fac . "Um . . . y ah. W ll, G ov , you won't b alon . Annab th a
nd th Ath na cabin will mak th i tand h . And m , and . . . Thalia?" Sh patt d m
on th hould . "Say no mo . Th Hunt a ady." I look d at th oth coun lo . "That l
av th t of you with a job ju t a impo tant. You hav to gua d th oth nt anc to M
anhattan. You know how t icky K ono i . H 'll hop to di t act u with thi big a m
y and n ak anoth fo c in om wh l . It' up to you to mak u that do n't happ n. Ha
ach cabin cho n a b idg o tunn l?" Th coun lo nodd d g imly. "Th n l t' do it,"
I aid. "Good hunting, v ybody!" W h a d th a my b fo w aw it. Th noi wa lik a c
annon ba ag combin d with afootball tadium c owd-lik v y at iot fan in N w Engla
nd wa cha ging u with bazooka . At th no th nd of th voi , th n my vangua d b ok
th ough th wood -a wa io in gold n a mo l ading a battalion of Lai t ygonian gi
ant with hug b onz ax . Hund d of oth mon t pou d out b hind th m. " o ition !"
Annab th y ll d. H cabinmat c ambl d. Th id a wa to mak th n my a my b ak a ound
th voi . To g t to u , th y'd hav to follow th t ail , which m ant th y'd b ma
ching in na ow column on ith id of th wat . At fi t, th plan m d to wo k. Th n m
y divid d and t am d towa d u along th ho . Wh n th y w halfway ac o , ou d f n
kick d in. Th jogging t ail upt d in G k fi , incin ating many of th mon t in ta
ntly. Oth flail d a ound, ngulf d in g n flam . Ath na camp th w g appling hook
a ound th la g t giant and pull d th m to th g ound. In th wood on th ight, th H
unt nt a voll y of ilv a ow into th n my lin , d t oying tw nty o thi ty d aca n
a , but mo ma ch d b hind th m. A bolt of lightning c ackl d out of th ky and f
i d a Lai t ygonian giant to a h , and I kn w Thalia mu t b doing h daught of Z
u thing. G ov ai d hi pip and play d a quick tun . A oa w nt up f om th wood on
both id a v y t , ock, and bu h m d to p out a pi it. D yad and aty ai d th i cl
ub and cha g d. Th t w app d a ound th mon t , t angling th m. G a g w a ound th
f t of th n my a ch . Ston fl w up and hit



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d aca na in th fac . Th n my logg d fo wa d. Giant ma h d th ough th t , and nai
ad fad d a th i lif ou c w d t oy d. H llhound lung d at th timb wolv , knocking
th m a id . En my a ch tu n d fi , and a Hunt f ll f om a high b anch. " cy!" A
nnab th g abb d my a m and point d at th voi . Th Titan in th gold a mo wa n't w
aiting fo hi fo c to advanc a ound th id . H wa cha ging towa d u , walking t ai
ght ov th top of th lak . A G k fi bomb xplod d ight on top of him, but h ai d h
i palm and uck d th flam out of th ai . "Hyp ion," Annab th aid in aw . "Th lo d
of light. Titan of th a t." "Bad?" I gu d. "N xt to Atla , h ' th g at t Titan
wa io . In th old day , fou Titan cont oll d th fou co n of th wo ld. Hyp ion wa
th a t-th mo t pow ful. H wa th fath of H lio , th fi t un god." "I'll k p him
bu y," I p omi d. " cy, v n you can't-" "Ju t k p ou fo c tog th ." W 'd t up at
th voi fo good a on. I conc nt at d on th wat and f lt it pow u ging th ough m
. I advanc d towa d Hyp ion, unning ov th top of th wat . Y ah, buddy. Two can p
lay that gam . Tw nty f t away, Hyp ion ai d hi wo d. Hi y w ju t lik I'd n in m
y d am-a gold a K ono ' but b ight , lik miniatu un . "Th a god' b at," h mu d.
"You' th on who t app d Atla b n ath th ky again?" "It wa n't ha d," I aid. "You
Titan a about a b ight a my gym ock ." Hyp ion na l d. "You want b ight?" Hi bo
dy ignit d in a column of light and h at. I look d away, but I wa till blind d.
In tinctiv ly I ai d Riptid -ju t in tim . Hyp ion' blad lamm d again t min . Th
hock wav nt a t n-foot ing of wat ac o th u fac of th lak . My y till bu n d. I
had to hut off hi light. I conc nt at d on th tidal wav and fo c d it to v . Ju
t b fo impact, I jump d upwa d on a j t of wat . "AHHHHH!" Th wav ma h d into H
yp ion and h w nt und , hi light xtingui h d. I land d on th lak ' u fac ju t a
Hyp ion t uggl d to hi f t. Hi gold n a mo wa d ipping w t. Hi y no long blaz d,
but th y till look d mu d ou . "You will bu n, Jack on!" h oa d. Ou wo d m t ag
ain and th ai cha g d with ozon . Th battl till ag d a ound u . On th ight flank
, Annab th wa l ading an a ault with h ibling . On th l ft flank, G ov and hi na
tu pi it w g ouping, ntangling th n mi with bu h and w d . "Enough gam ," Hyp io
n told m . "W fight on land." I wa about to mak om cl v comm nt, lik "No," wh n
th Titan y ll d. A wall of fo c lamm d m th ough th ai -ju t lik th t ick K ono
had pull d on th b idg . I ail d backwa d about th hund d ya d and ma h d into t
h g ound. If it hadn't b n fo my n w invuln ability, I would'v b ok n v y bon in
my body. I got to my f t, g oaning. "I ally hat it wh n you Titan do that." Hyp
ion clo d on m with blinding p d.
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I conc nt at d on th wat , d awing t ngth f om it. Hyp ion attack d. H wa pow fu
l and fa t, but h couldn't m to land a blow. Th g ound a ound hi f t k pt upting
in flam , but I k pt dou ing it ju t a quickly. "Stop it!" th Titan oa d. "Stop
that wind!" I wa n't u what h m ant. I wa too bu y fighting. Hyp ion tumbl d li
k h wa b ing pu h d away. Wat p ay d hi fac , tinging hi y . Th wind pick d up,
and Hyp ion tagg d backwa d. " cy!" G ov call d in amaz m nt. "How a you doing t
hat?" Doing what? I thought. Th n I look d down, and I aliz d I wa tanding in th
middl of my own p onal hu ican . Cloud of wat vapo wi l d a ound m , wind o pow
ful th y buff t d Hyp ion and flatt n d th g a in a tw nty-ya d adiu . En my wa
io th w jav lin at m , but th to m knock d th m a id . "Sw t," I mutt d. "But a
littl mo !" Lightning flick d a ound m . Th cloud da k n d and th ain wi l d fa
t . I clo d in on Hyp ion and bl w him off hi f t. " cy!" G ov call d again. "B
ing him ov h !" I la h d and jabb d, l tting my fl x tak ov , Hyp ion could ba
ly d f nd him lf. Hi y k pt t ying to ignit , but th hu ican qu nch d hi flam .
I couldn't k p up a to m lik thi fo v , though. I could f l my pow w ak ning. Wi
th on la t ffo t, I p op ll d Hyp ion ac o th fi ld, t aight to wh G ov wa waiti
ng. "I will not b toy d with!" Hyp ion b llow d. H manag d to g t to hi f t agai
n, but G ov put hi d pip to hi lip and b gan to play. L n u join d him. A ound t
h g ov , v y aty took up th ong-an i m lody, lik a c k flowing ov ton . Th g oun
d upt d at Hyp ion' f t. Gna l d oot w app d a ound hi l g . "What' thi ?" h p o
t t d. H t i d to hak off th oot , but h wa till w ak. Th oot thick n d until h
look d lik h wa w a ing wood n boot . "Stop thi !" h hout d. "You woodland magic
i no match fo a Titan!" But th mo h t uggl d, th fa t th oot g w. Th y cu l d a
bout hi body, thick ning and ha d ning into ba k. Hi gold n a mo m lt d into th
wood, b coming pa t of a la g t unk. Th mu ic continu d. Hyp ion' fo c back d up
in a toni hm nt a th i l ad wa ab o b d. H t tch d out hi a m and th y b cam b
anch , f om which mall b anch hot out and g w l av . Th t g w tall and thick , u
ntil only th Titan' fac wa vi ibl in th middl of th t unk. "You cannot imp i on
m !" h b llow d. "I am Hyp ion! I am-" Th ba k clo d ov hi fac . G ov took hi pi
p f om hi mouth. "You a a v y nic mapl t ." S v al of th oth aty pa d out f om x
hau tion, but th y'd don th i job w ll. Th Titan lo d wa compl t ly nca d in an
no mou mapl . Th t unk wa at l a t tw nty f t in diam t , with b anch a tall a a
ny in th pa k. Th t might'v tood th fo c ntu i . Th Titan' a my ta t d to t at.
A ch w nt up f om th Ath na cabin, but ou victo y wa ho t-liv d. B cau ju t th n
K ono unl a h d hi u p i . "REEEEET!" Th qu al cho d th ough upp Manhattan. D m
igod and mon t alik f oz in t o .
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G ov hot m a panick d look. "Why do that ound lik . . . It can't b !" I kn w wha
t h wa thinking. Two y a ago w 'd gott n a "gift" f om an-a hug boa that ca i d
u ac o th Southw t (aft it t i d to kill u ). Th boa had a imila qu al, but what
w w h a ing now m d high pitch d, h ill , almo t lik . . . lik if th boa had an
ang y gi lf i nd. "REEEEEET!" A hug pink c atu oa d ov th voi -a Macy' Thank gi
ving Day a ad nightma blimp with wing . "A ow!" Annab th c i d. "Tak cov !" Th d
migod catt d a th wing d lady pig woop d down. H wing w pink lik a flamingo' ,
which match d h kin b autifully, but it wa ha d to think of h a cut wh n h hoov
lamm d into th g ound, ba ly mi ing on of Annab th' ibling . Th pig tomp d a oun
d and to down half an ac of t , b lching a cloud of noxiou ga . Th n it took off
again, ci cling a ound fo anoth t ik . "Don't t ll m that thing i f om G k myth
ology," I complain d. "Af aid o," Annab th aid. "Th Clazmonian Sow. It t o iz d
G k town back in th day." "L t m gu ," I aid. "H cul b at it." "Nop ," Annab th
aid. "A fa a I know, no h o ha v b at n it." " f ct," I mutt d. Th Titan' a my w
a cov ing f om it hock. I gu th y aliz d th pig wa n't aft th m. W only had cond
b fo th y w ady to fight, and ou fo c w till in a panic. Ev y tim th ow b lch d
, G ov ' natu pi it y lp d and fad d back into th i t . "That pig ha to go." I g
abb d a g appling hook f om on of Annab th' ibling . "I'll tak ca of it. You gu
y hold th t of th n my. u h th m back!" "But, cy," G ov aid, "what if w can't?"
I aw how ti d h wa . Th magic had ally d ain d him. Annab th didn't look much b
tt f om fighting with a bad hould wound. I didn't know how th Hunt w doing, but
th ight flank of th n my a my wa now b tw n th m and u . I didn't want to l av m
y f i nd in uch bad hap , but that ow wa th bigg t th at. It would d t oy v ythi
ng: building , t , l ping mo tal . It had to b topp d. "R t at if you n d to," I
aid. "Ju t low th m down. I'll b back a oon a I can." B fo I could chang my min
d, I wung th g appling hook lik a la o. Wh n th ow cam down fo it n xt pa , I th
w with all my t ngth. Th hook w app d a ound th ba of th pig' wing. It qu al d
in ag and v d off, yanking th op and m into th ky. If you' h ading downtown f om
C nt al a k, my advic i to tak th ubway. Flying pig a fa t , but way mo dang ou
. Th ow oa d pa t th laza Hot l, t aight into th canyon of Fifth Av nu . My b i
lliant plan wa to climb th op and g t on th pig' back. Unfo tunat ly I wa too bu
y winging a ound dodging t tlamp and th id of building . Anoth thing I l a n d:
it' on thing to climb a op in gym cla . It' a compl t ly diff nt thing to climb
a op attach d to a moving pig' wing whil you' flying at a hund d mil an hou . W
zigzagg d along v al block and continu d outh on a k Av nu . Bo ! H y, bo ! Out
of th co n of my y , I aw Blackjack p ding along n xt to u , da ting back and f
o th to avoid th pig'
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wing . "Watch out!" I told him. Hop on! Blackjack whinni d. I can catch you . .
. p obably. That wa n't v y a u ing. G and C nt al lay d ad ah ad. Abov th main
nt anc tood th giant tatu of H m , which I gu hadn't b n activat d b cau it wa o
high up. I wa flying ight towa d him at th p d of d migod- ma hing. "Stay al t!
" I told Blackjack. "I'v got an id a." Oh, I hat you id a . I wung outwa d with
all my might. In t ad of ma hing into th H m tatu , I whipp d a ound it, ci clin
g th op und it a m . I thought thi would t th th pig, but I'd und timat d th mom
ntum of a thi ty-ton ow in flight. Ju t a th pig w nch d th tatu loo f om it p
d tal, I l t go. H m w nt fo a id , taking my plac a th pig' pa ng , and I f -f
ll towa d th t t. In that plit cond I thought about th day wh n my mom u d to wo
k at th G and C nt al candy hop. I thought how bad it would b if I nd d up a a
g a pot on th pav m nt. Th n a hadow woop d und m , and thump-I wa on Blackjack'
back. It wa n't th mo t comfo tabl landing. In fact, wh n I y ll d "OW!" my voi
c wa an octav high than u ual. So y, bo , Blackjack mu mu d. "No p obl m," I qu
ak d. "Follow that pig!" Th po k had tak n a ight at Ea t 42nd and wa flying bac
k towa d Fifth Av nu . Wh n it fl w abov th ooftop , I could fi h and th a ound
th city. It look dlik my f i nd w having a ough tim . K ono wa attacking on v al
f ont . But at th mom nt, I had my own p obl m . Th H m tatu wa till on it l a
h. It k pt bonking into building and pinning a ound. Th pig woop d ov an offic b
uilding, and H m plow d into a wat tow on th oof, bla ting wat and wood v ywh .
Th n om thing occu d to m . "G t clo ," I told Blackjack. H whinni d in p ot t.
"Ju t within houting di tanc ," I aid. "I n d to talk to th tatu ." Now I'm u yo
u'v lo t it, bo , Blackjack aid, but h did what I a k d. Wh n I wa clo nough to
th tatu ' fac cl a ly, I y ll d, "H llo, H m ! Command qu nc : Da dalu Tw ntyth
. Kill Flying ig ! B gin Activation!" Imm diat ly th tatu mov d it l g . It m d
confu d to find that it wa no long on top of G and C nt al T minal. It wa , in t
ad, b ing giv n a ky- id on th nd of a op by a la g wing d ow. It ma h d th oug
h th id of a b ick building, which I think mad it a littl mad. It hook it h ad a
nd b gan to climb th op . I glanc d down at th t t. W w coming up on th main pub
lic lib a y, with th big ma bl lion flanking th t p . Sudd nly I had a w i d tho
ught: Could ton tatu b automaton too? It m d lik a long hot, but . . . "Fa t !"
I told Blackjack. "G t in f ont of th pig, Taunt him!" Um, bo "T u t m ," I aid.
"I can do thi . . . p obably." Oh, u . Mock th ho . Blackjack bu t th ough th a
i . H could fly p tty da n d fa t wh n h want d to. H got in f ont of th pig, wh
ich now had a m tal H m on it back. Blackjack whinni d, You m ll lik ham! H kick
d th pig in th nout with hi back hoov and w nt into a t p div . Th pig c am d i
n ag and follow d.
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W ba l d t aight fo th f ont t p of th lib a y. Blackjack low d down ju t nough
fo m to hop off, th n h k pt flying towa d th main doo . I y ll d out, "Lion ! C
ommand qu nc : Da dalu Tw nty-th . Kill Flying ig ! B gin Activation!" Th lion t
ood up and look d at m . Th y p obably thought I wa t a ing th m. But ju t th n:
"REEEEEET!" Th ma iv pink po k mon t land d with a thud, c acking th id walk. T
h lion ta d at it, not b li ving th i luck, and pounc d. At th am tim , a v y b
at-up H m tatu l ap d onto th pig' h ad and ta t d banging it m cil ly with a ca
duc u . Tho lion had om na ty claw . I d w Riptid , but th wa n't much fo m to d
o. Th pig di int g at d b fo my y . I almo t f lt o y fo it. I hop d it got to m
t th boa of it d am down in Ta ta u . Wh n th mon t had compl t ly tu n d to du
t, th lion and th H m tatu look d a ound in confu ion. "You can d f nd Manhatta
n now," I told th m, but th y didn't m to h a . Th y w nt cha ging down a k Av n
u , and I imagin d th y would k p looking fo flying pig until om on d activat d
th m. H y, bo , aid Blackjack. Can w tak a donut b ak? I wip d th w at off my b
ow. "I wi h, big guy, but th fight' till going on." In fact, I could h a it g tt
ing clo . My f i nd n d d h lp. I jump d on Blackjack, and w fl w no th towa d t
h ound of xplo ion . CHA TER FIFTEEN CHIRON THROWS A ARTY Midtown wa a wa zon .
W fl w ov littl ki mi h v ywh . A giant wa ipping up t in B yant a k whil d yad
p lt d him with nut . Out id th Waldo f A to ia, a b onz tatu of B njamin F ankl
in wa whacking a h llhound with a oll d-up n w pap . A t io of H pha tu camp fou
ght a quad of d aca na in th middl of Rock f ll C nt . I wa t mpt d to top and h
lp, but I could t ll f om th mok and noi that th al action had mov d fa th outh
. Ou d f n w collap ing. Th n my wa clo ing in on th Empi Stat Building. W did a
quick w p of th u ounding a a. Th Hunt had t up a d f n iv lin on 37th, ju t th
block no th of Olympu . To th a t on a k Av nu , Jak Ma on and om oth H pha tu
camp w l ading an a my of tatu again t th n my. To th w t, th D m t cabin and G
ov ' natu pi it had tu n d Sixth Av nu into a jungl that wa hamp ing a quad on o
f K ono ' d migod . Th outh wa cl a fo now, but th flank of th n my a my w wingi
ng a ound. A f w mo minut and w 'd b totally u ound d. "W hav to land wh th y n
d u mo t," I mutt d. That' v ywh , bo . I pott d a familia ilv owl bann in th ou
th a t co n of th fight, 33 d at th a k Av nu tunn l. Annab th and two of h ibli
ng w holding back a Hyp bo an giant. "Th !" I told Blackjack. H plung d towa d t
h battl . I l ap d off hi back and land d on th giant' h ad. Wh n th giant look
d up, I lid off hi fac , hi ld-ba hing hi no on th way down. "RAWWWR!' Th giant
tagg d backwa d, blu blood t ickling f om hi no t il . I hit th pav m nt unning.
Th Hyp bo an b ath d a cloud of
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whit mi t, and th t mp atu d opp d. Th pot wh I'd land d wa now coat d with ic ,
and I wa cov d in f o t lik a uga donut. "H y, ugly!" Annab th y ll d. I hop d
h wa talking to th giant, not m . Blu Boy b llow d and tu n d towa d h , xpo ing
th unp ot ct d back of hi l g . I cha g d and tabb d him b hind th kn . "WAAAAH
!" Th Hyp bo an buckl d. I wait d fo him to tu n, but h f oz . I m an h lit ally
tu n d to olid ic . F om th point wh I'd tabb d him, c ack app a d in hi body.
Th y got la g and wid until th giant c umbl d in a mountain of blu ha d . "Thank
." Annab th winc d, t ying to catch h b ath. "Th pig?" " o k chop ," I aid. "Go
od." Sh fl x d h hould . Obviou ly, th wound wa till both ing h , but h aw my xp
ion and oll d h y . "I'm fin , cy. Com on! W 'v got pl nty of n mi l ft." Sh wa
ight. Th n xt hou wa a blu . I fought lik I'd n v fought b fo -wading into l gi
on of d aca na , taking out doz n of t lkhin with v y t ik , d t oying mpou ai a
nd knocking out n my d migod . No matt how many I d f at d, mo took th i plac .
Annab th and I ac d f om block to block, t ying to ho up ou d f n . Too many of
ou f i nd lay wound d in th t t . Too many w mi ing. A th night wo on and th moo
n got high , w w back d up foot by foot until w w only a block f om th Empi Stat
Building in any di ction. At on point G ov wa n xt to m , bonking nak wom n ov
th h ad with hi cudg l. Th n h di app a d in th c owd, and it wa Thalia at my id
, d iving th mon t back with th pow of h magic hi ld. M . O'L a y bound d out o
f nowh , pick d up a Lai t ygonian giant in h mouth, and flung him into th ai li
k a F i b . Annab th u d h invi ibility cap to n ak b hind th n my lin . Wh n v
a mon t di int g at d fo no appa nt a on with a u p i d look on hi fac , I kn w
Annab th had b n th . But it till wa n't nough. "Hold you lin !" Kati Ga dn hout
d, om wh off to my l ft. Th p obl m wa th w too f w of u to hold anything. Th n
t anc to Olympu wa tw nty f t b hind m . A ing of b av d migod , Hunt , and natu
pi it gua d d th doo . I la h d and hack d, d t oying v ything m my path, but v
n I wa g tting ti d, and I couldn't b v ywh at onc . B hind th n my t oop , a f
w block to th a t, a b ight light b gan to hin . I thought it wa th un i . Th n
I aliz d K ono wa iding towa d u on a gold n cha iot. A doz n Lai t ygonian gia
nt bo to ch b fo him. Two Hyp bo an ca i d hi blackandpu pl bann . Th Titan lo d
look d f h and t d, hi pow at full t ngth. H wa taking hi tim advancing, l ttin
g m w a my lf down. Annab th app a d n xt to m . "W hav to fall back to th doo w
ay. Hold it at all co t !" Sh wa ight. I wa about to o d a t at wh n I h a d th
hunting ho n. It cut th ough th noi of th battl lik a fi ala m. A cho u of ho n
an w d f om all a ound u , choing off th building of Manhattan. I glanc d at Tha
lia, but h ju t f own d. "Not th Hunt ," h a u d m . "W ' all h ." "Th n who?" T
h ho n got loud . I couldn't t ll wh th y w coming f om
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b cau of th cho, but it ound d lik an nti a my wa app oaching. I wa af aid it mi
ght b mo n mi , but K ono ' fo c look d a confu d a w w . Giant low d th i club
. D aca na hi d. Ev n K ono ' hono gua d look d un a y. Th n, to ou l ft, a hund
d mon t c i d out at onc . K ono ' nti no th n flank u g d fo wa d. I thought w
w doom d, but th y didn't attack. Th y an t aight pa t u and c a h d into th i
outh n alli . A n w bla t of ho n hatt d th night. Th ai himm d. In a blu of mov
m nt, an nti caval y app a d a if d opping out of light p d. "Y ah, baby!" a vo
ic wail d. " ARTY!" A how of a ow a c d ov ou h ad and lamm d into th n my, vapo
izing hund d of d mon . But th w n't gula a ow . Th y mad whizzy ound a th y fl
w, lik WHEEEEEE! Som had pinwh l attach d to th m. Oth had boxing glov ath than
point . "C ntau !" Annab th y ll d. Th a ty ony a my xplod d into ou mid t in a
iot of colo : ti dy d hi t , ainbow Af o wig , ov iz ungla , and wa -paint d fa
c . Som had logan c awl d ac o th i flank lik HORSEZ WN o KRONOS SUX. Hund d of
th m fill d th nti block. My b ain couldn't p oc v ything I aw, but I kn w if I
w th n my, I'd b unning. " cy!" Chi on hout d ac o th a of wild c ntau . H wa d
d in a mo f om th wai t up, hi bow in hi hand, and h wa g inning in ati faction.
"So y w ' lat !" "DUDE!" Anoth c ntau y ll d. "Talk lat . WASTE MONSTERS NOW!"
H lock d and load d a doubl -ba l paint gun and bla t d an n my h llhound b ight
pink. Th paint mu t'v b n mix d with C l tial b onz du t o om thing, b cau a oo
n a it platt d th h llhound, th mon t y lp d and di olv d into a pink-andblack p
uddl . " ARTY ONIES.'" a c ntau y ll d. "SOUTH FLORIDA!" Som wh ac o th battl fi
ld, a twangy voic y ll d back, "HEART OF TEXAS CHA TER!" "HAWAII OWNS YOUR FACE
S!" a thi d on hout d. It wa th mo t b autiful thing I'd v n. Th nti Titan a my
tu n d and fl d, pu h d back by a flood of paintball , a ow , wo d , and NERF ba
ball bat . Th c ntau t ampl d v ything in th i path. "Stop unning, you fool !"
K ono y ll d. "Stand and ACKK!" That la t pa t wa b cau a panick d Hyp bo an gia
nt tumbl d backwa d and at on top of him. Th lo d of tim di app a d und a giant
blu butt. W pu h d th m fo v al block until Chi on y ll d, "HOLD! On you p omi ,
HOLD!" It wa n't a y, but v ntually th o d got lay d up and down th ank of c nt
au , and th y ta t d to pull back, l tting th n my fl . "Chi on' ma t," Annab th
aid, wiping th w at off h fac . "If w pu u , w 'll g t too p ad out. W n d to g
oup." "But th n my-" "Th y' not d f at d," h ag d. "But th dawn i coming. At l
a t w 'v bought om tim ." I didn't lik pulling back, but I kn w h wa ight. I wat
ch d a th la t of th t lkhin cuttl d towa d th Ea t Riv . Th n luctantly I tu n
d and h ad d back towa d th Empi Stat Building.
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W t up a two-block p im t , with a command t nt at th Empi Stat Building. Chi on
info m d u that th a ty oni had nt chapt f om almo t v y tat in th Union: fo ty
f om Califo nia, two f om Rhod I land, thi ty f om Illinoi . . . Roughly fiv hu
nd d total had an w d hi call, but v n with that many, w couldn't d f nd mo than
a f w block . "Dud ," aid a c ntau nam d La y. Hi T- hi t id ntifi d him a BIG
CHIEF UBER GUY, NEW MEXICO CHA TER. "That wa mo fun than ou la t conv ntion in g
a !" "Y ah," aid Ow n f om South Dakota. H wo a black l ath jack t and an old WW
II a my h lm t. "W totally wa t d th m!" Chi on patt d Ow n on th back. "You did
w ll, my f i nd , but don't g t ca l . K ono hould n v b und timat d. Now why d
on't you vi it th din on W t 33 d and g t om b akfa t? I h a th D lawa chapt fou
nd a ta h of oot b ." "Root b !" Th y almo t t ampl d ach oth a th y gallop d of
f. Chi on mil d. Annab th gav him a big hug, and M . O'L a y lick d hi fac . "Ac
k," h g umbl d. "Enough of that, dog. Y , I'm glad to you too." "Chi on, thank ,
" I aid. "Talk about aving th day." H h ugg d. "I'm o y it took o long. C ntau t
av l fa t, a you know. W can b nd di tanc a w id . Ev n o, g tting all th c nta
u tog th wa no a y ta k. Th a ty oni a not xactly o ganiz d." "How'd you g t th
ough th magic d f n a ound th city?" Annab th a k d. "Th y low d u down a bit,"
Chi on admitt d, "but I think th y' int nd d mo tly to k p mo tal out. K ono do
n't want puny human g tting in th way of hi g at victo y." "So mayb oth info c m
nt can g t th ough," I aid hop fully. Chi on t ok d hi b a d. " hap , though ti
m i ho t. A oon a K ono g oup , h will attack again. Without th l m nt of u p i
on ou id . . ." I und tood what h m ant. K ono wa n't b at n. Not by a long hot.
I half hop d K ono had b n qua h d und that Hyp bo an giant' butt, but I kn w b
tt . H 'd b back, tonight at th lat t. "And Typhon?" I a k d. Chi on' fac da k
n d. "Th god a ti ing. Diony u wa incapacitat d y t day. Typhon ma h d hi cha io
t, and th win god w nt down om wh m th Appalachian . No on ha n him inc . H pha
tu i out of action a w ll. H wa th own f om th battl o ha d h c at d a n w lak i
n W t i ginia. H will h al, but not oon nough to h lp. Th oth till fight. Th y'v
manag d to low Typhon' app oach. But th mon t can not b topp d. H will a iv in
N w Yo k by thi tim tomo ow. Onc h and K ono combin fo c -" "Th n what chanc do
w hav ?" I aid. "W can't hold out anoth day." "W 'll hav to," Thalia aid. "I'll
about tting om n w t ap a ound th p im t ." Sh look d xhau t d. H jack t wa m a
d in g im and mon t du t, but h manag d to g t to h f t and tagg off. "I will h
lp h ," Chi on d cid d. "I hould mak u my b th n don't go too ov boa d with th o
ot b ." I thought "too ov boa d" p tty much umm d up th a ty oni , but Chi on ca
nt d off, l aving Annab th and m alon . Sh cl an d th mon t lim off h knif . I'd
n h do that hund d of tim , but I'd n v thought about why h ca d o much about t
h blad .

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"At l a t you mom i okay," I off d. "If you call fighting Typhon okay." Sh lock
d y with m . " cy, v n with th c ntau ' h lp, I'm ta ting to think-" "I know." I
had a bad f ling thi might b ou la t chanc to talk, and I f lt lik th w a milli
on thing I hadn't told h . "Li t n, th w om . . . om vi ion H tia how d m ." "Yo
u m an about Luk ?" Mayb it wa ju t a af gu , but I got th f ling Annab th kn w
what I'd b n holding back. Mayb h 'd b n having d am of h own. "Y ah," I aid. "Y
ou and Thalia and Luk . Th fi t tim you m t. And th tim you m t H m ." Annab th
lipp d h knif back into it h ath. "Luk p omi d h 'd n v l t m g t hu t. H aid .
. . h aid w 'd b a n w family, and it would tu n out b tt than hi ." H y mind d
m of that v n-y a -old gi l' in th all yang y, ca d, d p at fo a f i nd. "Thalia
talk d to m a li ," I aid. "Sh ' af aid-" "That I can't fac Luk ," h aid mi abl
y. I nodd d. "But th ' om thing l you hould know. Ethan Nakamu a m d to think Lu
k wa till aliv in id hi body, mayb v n fighting K ono fo cont ol." Annab th t i
d to hid it, but I could almo t h mind wo king on th po ibiliti , mayb ta ting t
o hop . "I didn't want to t ll you," I admitt d. Sh look d up at th Empi Stat Bu
ilding. " cy, fo o much of my lif , I f lt lik v ything wa changing, all th tim
. I didn't hav anyon I could ly on." I nodd d. That wa om thing mo t d migod cou
ld und tand. "I an away wh n I wa v n," h aid. "Th n with Luk and Thalia, I thou
ght I'd found a family, but it f ll apa t almo t imm diat ly. What I'm aying . .
. I hat it wh n p opl l t m down, wh n thing a t mpo a y. I think that' why I w
ant to b an a chit ct." "To build om thing p man nt," I aid. "A monum nt to la t
a thou and y a ." Sh h ld my y . "I gu that ound lik my fatal flaw again." Y a
ago in th S a of Mon t , Annab th had told m h bigg t flaw wa p id -thinking h c
ould fix anything. I'd v n n a glimp of h d p t d i , hown to h by th Si n ' mag
ic. Annab th had imagin d h moth and fath tog th , tanding in f ont of a n wly b
uilt Manhattan, d ign d by Annab th. And Luk had b n th too-good again, w lcomin
g h hom . "I gu I und tand how you f l," I aid. "But Thalia' ight. Luk ha al ady
b t ay d you o many tim . H wa vil v n b fo K ono . I don't want him to hu t yo
u anymo ." Annab th pu d h lip . I could t ll h wa t ying not to g t mad. "And y
ou'll und tand if I k p hoping th ' a chanc you' w ong." I look d away. I f lt l
ik I'd don my b t, but that didn't mak m f l any b tt . Ac o th t t, th Apollo c
amp had t up a fi ld ho pital to t nd th wound d-doz n of camp and almo t a many
Hunt . I wa watching th m dic wo k, and thinking about ou lim chanc fo holding
Mount Olympu . . . . And udd nly: I wa n't th anymo . I wa tanding in a long din
gy ba with black wall , n on ign , and a bunch of pa tying adult . A bann ac o t
h ba ad HA Y BIRTHDAY, BOBBY EARL. Count y mu ic play d on th p ak . Big guy in
j an and wo k hi t c owd d th ba . Wait
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ca i d t ay of d ink and hout d at ach oth . It wa p tty much xactly th kind of
plac my mom would n v l t m go. I wa tuck in th v y back of th oom, n xt to th b
ath oom (which didn't m ll o g at) and a coupl of antiqu a cad gam . "Oh good, y
ou' h ," aid th man at th ac-Man machin . "I'll hav a Di t Cok ." H wa a pudgy g
uy in a l opa d- kin Hawaiian hi t, pu pl ho t , d unning ho , and black ock , w
hich didn't xactly mak him bl nd in with th c owd. Hi no wa b ight d. A bandag w
a w app d a ound hi cu ly black hai lik h wa cov ing f om a concu ion. I blink d
. "M . D?" H igh d, not taking hi y f om th gam . "R ally, t John on, how long w
ill it tak fo you to cogniz m on ight?" "About a long a it'll tak fo you to figu
out my nam ," I mutt d. "Wh a w ?" "Why, Bobby Ea l' bi thday pa ty," Diony u a
id. "Som wh in lov ly u al Am ica." "I thought Typhon watt d you out of th ky. T
h y aid you c a hland d." "You conc n i touching. I did c a h-land. y painfully.
In fact, pa t of m i till bu i d und a hund d f t of ubbl in an abandon d coal
min . It will b v al mo hou b fo I hav nough t ngth to m nd. But in th m antim ,
pa t of my con ciou n i h ." "At a ba , playing ac-Man." " a ty tim ," Diony u
aid. "Su ly you'v h a d of it. Wh v th i a pa ty, my p nc i invok d. B cau of th
i , I can xi t in many diff nt plac at onc . Th only p obl m wa finding a pa ty.
I don't know if you' awa how iou thing a out id you af littl bubbl of N w Yo k-
" "Saf littl bubbl ?" "-but b li v m , th mo tal out h in th h a tland a panicki
ng. Typhon ha t ifi d th m. y f w a th owing pa ti . Appa ntly Bobby Ea l and hi
f i nd , bl th m, a a littl low. Th y hav n't y t figu d out that th wo ld i nd
ing." "So . . . I'm not ally h ?" "No. In a mom nt I'll nd you back to you no ma
l in ignificant lif , and it will b a if nothing had happ n d." "And why did you
b ing m h ?" Diony u no t d. "Oh, I didn't want you pa ticula ly. Any of you il
ly h o would do. That Anni gi l-" "Annab th." "Th point i ," h aid, "I pull d yo
u into pa ty tim to d liv a wa ning. W a in dang ." "G ," I aid. "N v would'v fi
gu d that out. Thank ." H gla d at m and mom nta ily fo got hi gam . ac-Man got
at n by th d gho t dud . "E ko aka , Blinky!" Diony u cu d. "I will hav you oul!
" "Um, h ' a vid o gam cha act ," I aid. "That' no xcu ! And you' uining my gam
, Jo g n on!" "Jack on." "Which v ! Now li t n, th ituation i g av than you imag
in . If Olympu fall , not only will th god fad , but v ything that i conn ct d t
o ou l gacy will al o b gin to un av l. Th v y fab ic of you puny littl civiliza
tion-" Th gam play d a ong and M . D p og d to l v l 254. "Ha!" h hout d. "Tak t
hat, you pix lat d fi nd !" "Um, fab ic of civilization," I p ompt d. "Y , y . Y
ou nti oci ty will di olv . hap not ight away, but ma k my wo d , th chao of th
Titan will m an th nd of
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W t n civilization. A t, law, win ta ting , mu ic, vid o gam , ilk hi t , black
v lv t painting -all th thing that mak lif wo th living will di app a !" "So why
a n't th god u hing back to h lp u ?" I aid. "W hould combin fo c at Olympu . F
o g t Typhon." H napp d hi fing impati ntly. "You fo got my Di t Cok ." "God , y
ou' annoying." I got th att ntion of a wait and o d d th tupid oda. I put it on
Bobby Ea l' tab. M . D took a good long d ink. Hi y n v l ft th vid o gam . "Th
t uth i , i -" " cy." "-th oth god would n v admit thi , but w actually n d you
mo tal to cu Olympu . You , w a manif tation of you cultu . If you don't ca noug
h to av Olympu you lv -" "Lik an," I aid, "d p nding on th aty to av th Wild." "
Y , quit . I will d ny I v aid thi , of cou , but th god n d h o . Th y alway ha
v . Oth wi w would not k p you annoying littl b at a ound." "I f l o want d. Tha
nk ." "U th t aining I hav giv n you at camp." "What t aining?" "You know. All t
ho h o t chniqu and . . . No!" M . D lapp d th gam con ol . "Na pa i i ychi! Th
la t l v l!" H look d at m , and pu pl fi flick d in hi y . "A 1 call, I onc p d
ict d you would tu n out to b a lfi h a all th oth human h o . W ll, h i you cha
nc to p ov m w ong." "Y ah, making you p oud i al high on my li t." "You mu t av
Olympu , d o! L av Typhon to th Olympian and av ou own at of pow . It mu t b do
n !" "G at. Nic littl chat. Now, if you don't mind, my f i nd will b wond ing-"
"Th i mo ," M . D wa n d. "K ono ha not y t attain d full pow . Th body of th mo
tal wa only a t mpo a y m a u ." "W kind of gu d that." "And did you al o gu th
at within a day at mo t, K ono will bu n away that mo tal body and tak on th t u
fo m of a Titan king?" "And that would m an . . ." Diony u in t d anoth qua t .
"You know about th t u fo m of th god ." "Y ah. You can't look at th m without
bu ning up." "K ono would b t n tim mo pow ful. Hi v y p nc would incin at you.
And onc h achi v thi , h will mpow th oth Titan . Th y a w ak now, compa d to wh
at th y will oon b com , unl you can top th m. Th wo ld will fall, th god will d
i , and I will n v achi v a p f ct co on thi tupid machin ." Mayb I hould'v b n
t ifi d, but hon tly, I wa al ady about a ca d a I could g t. "Can I go now?" I
a k d. "On la t thing. My on ollux. I h aliv ?" I blink d. "Y ah, la t I aw him.
" "I would v y much app ciat it if you could k p him that way. I lo t hi b oth C
a to la t y a -" "I m mb ." I ta d at him, t ying to w ap my mind a ound th id a
that Diony u could b a ca ing fath . I wond d how many oth Olympian w thinking
about th i d migod child n ight now. "I'll do my b t." "You b t," Diony u mutt d
. "W ll, i n't that a u ing. Go now. You hav om na ty u p i to d al with, and I
mu t d f at Blinky!"
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"Na ty u p i ?" H wav d hi hand, and th ba di app a d. I wa back on Fifth Av nu
. Annab th hadn't mov d. Sh didn't giv any ign that I'd b n gon o anything. Sh c
aught m ta ing and f own d. "What?" "Um . . . nothing, I gu ." I gaz d down th a
v nu , wond ing what M . D had m ant by na ty u p i . How much wo could it g t?
My y t d on a b at-up blu ca . Th hood wa badly d nt d, lik om body had t i d to
hamm out om hug c at . My kin tingl d. Why did that ca look o familia ? Th n I
aliz d it wa a iu . aul' iu . I bolt d down th t t. " cy!" Annab th call d. "Wh
a you going?" aul wa pa d out in th d iv ' at. My mom wa no ing b id him. My min
d f lt lik mu h. How had I not n th m b fo ? Th y'd b n itting h in t affic fo o
v a day, th battl aging a ound th m, and I hadn't v n notic d. "Th y . . . th y
mu t'v n tho blu light in th ky." I attl d th doo but th y w lock d. "I n d to g
t th m out." " cy," Annab th aid g ntly. "I can't l av th m h !" I ound d a lit
tl c azy. I pound d on th wind hi ld. "I hav to mov th m. I hav to-" " cy, ju t
. . . ju t hold on." Annab th wav d to Chi on, who wa talking to om c ntau down
th block. "W can pu h th ca to a id t t, all ight? Th y' going to b fin ." My ha
nd t mbl d. Aft all I'd b n th ough ov th la t f w day , I f lt o tupid and w ak
, but th ight of my pa nt mad m want to b ak down. Chi on gallop d ov . "What' .
. . Oh d a . I ." "Th y w coming to find m ," I aid. "My mom mu t'v n d om thin
g wa w ong." "Mo t lik ly," Chi on aid. "But, cy, th y will b fin . Th b t thing
w can do fo th m i tay focu d on ou job." Th n I notic d om thing in th back at
of th iu , and my h a t kipp d a b at. S at-b lt d b hind my moth wa a black-an
d-whit G k ja about th f t tall. It lid wa w app d in a l ath ha n . "No way," I
mutt d. Annab th p d h hand to th window. "That' impo ibl ! I thought you l ft
that at th laza." "Lock d in a vault," I ag d. Chi on aw th ja and hi y wid n d.
"That i n't- " " ando a' ja ." I told him about my m ting with om th u . "Th n
th ja i you ," Chi on aid g imly. "It will follow you and t mpt you to op n it,
no matt wh you l av it. It will app a wh n you a w ak t." Lik now, I thought. Lo
oking at my h lpl pa nt . I imagin d om th u miling, o anxiou to h lp out u poo
mo tal . Giv up Hop , and I will know that you a u nd ing. I p omi K ono will b
l ni nt. Ang u g d th ough m . I d w Riptid and cut th ough th d iv ' id window
lik it wa mad of pla tic w ap. "W 'll put th ca in n ut al," I aid. " u h th m o
ut of th way. And tak that tupid ja to Olympu ." Chi on nodd d. "A good plan. Bu
t, cy . . ." What v h wa going to ay, h falt d. A m chanical d umb at g w loud i
n th di tanc -th chop-chop-chop of a h licopt . On a no mal Monday mo ning in N
w Yo k, thi would'v b n no
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big d al, but aft two day of il nc , a mo tal h licopt wa th odd t thing I'd v h
a d. A f w block a t, th mon t a my hout d and j d a th h licopt cam into vi w.
It wa a civilian mod l paint d da k d, with a b ight g n "DE" logo on th id . T
h wo d und th logo w too mall to ad, but I kn w what th y aid: DARE ENTER RISES.
My th oat clo d up. I look d at Annab th and could t ll h cogniz d th logo too.
H fac wa a d a th h licopt . "What i h doing h ?" Annab th d mand d. "How did h
g t th ough th ba i ?" "Who?" Chi on look d confu d. "What mo tal would b in an
nough-" Sudd nly th h licopt pitch d fo wa d. "Th Mo ph u nchantm nt!" Chi on a
id. "Th fooli h mo tal pilot i a l p." I watch d in ho o a th h licopt ca n d id
way , falling towa d a ow of offic building . Ev n if it didn't c a h, th god o
f th ai would p obably wat it out of th ky fo coming n a th Empi Stat Building.
I wa too pa alyz d to mov , but Annab th whi tl d and Guido th p ga u woop d out
of nowh . You ang fo a hand om ho ? h a k d. "Com on, cy," Annab th g owl d. "W
hav to av you f i nd." CHA TER SIXTEEN WE GET HEL FROM A THIEF H ' my d finitio
n of not fun. Fly a p ga u towa d an out-ofcont ol h licopt . If Guido had b n a
ny l of a fancy fli , w would'v b n chopp d to conf tti. I could h a Rach l c am
ing in id . Fo om a on, h hadn't fall n a l p, but I could th pilot lump d ov th
cont ol , pitching back and fo th a th h licopt wobbl d towa d th id of an offi
c building. "Id a ?" I a k d Annab th. "You' going to hav to tak Guido and g t o
ut," h aid. "What a you going to do?" In pon , h aid, "Hyah!" and Guido w nt int
o a no div . "Duck!" Annab th y ll d. W pa d o clo to th oto I f lt th fo c of t
h blad ipping at my hai . W zipp d along th id of th h licopt , and Annab th g a
bb d th doo . That' wh n thing w nt w ong. Guido' wing lamm d again t th h licop
t . H plumm t d t aight down with m on hi back, l aving Annab th dangling f om t
h id of th ai c aft. I wa o t ifi d I could ba ly think, but a Guido pi al d I c
aught a glimp of Rach l pulling Annab th in id th copt . "Hang in th !" I y ll d
at Guido. My wing, h moan d. It' bu t d. "You can do it!" I d p at ly t i d to
m mb what Sil na u d to t ll u in p ga u - iding l on . "Ju t lax th wing. Ext n
d it and glid ." W f ll lik a ock- t aight towa d th pav m nt th hund d f t b lo
w. At th la t mom nt Guido xt nd d hi wing . I aw th fac of c ntau gaping up at
u . Th n w pull d out of ou div , ail d fifty f t, and tumbl d onto th pav m nt-
p ga u ov d migod. Ow! Guido moan d. My l g . My h ad. My wing . Chi on gallop d
ov with hi m dical pouch and b gan wo king on th p ga u .
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I got to my f t. Wh n I look d up, my h a t c awl d into my th oat. Th h licopt
wa only a f w cond away f om lamming into th id of th building. Th n mi aculou l
y th h licopt ight d it lf. It pun in a ci cl and hov d. y lowly, it b gan to d
c nd. It m d to tak fo v , but finally th h licopt thudd d to a landing in th mi
ddl of Fifth Av nu . I look d th ough th wind hi ld and couldn't b li v what I w
a ing. Annab th wa at th cont ol . I an fo wa d a th oto pun to a top. Rach l op
n d th id doo and d agg d out th pilot. Rach l wa till d d lik h wa on vacation
, in b ach ho t , a T- hi t, and andal . H hai wa tangl d and h fac wa g n f om
th h licopt id . Annab th climb d out la t. I ta d at h in aw . "I didn't know y
ou could fly a h licopt ." "N ith did I," h aid. "My dad' c azy into aviation. l
u , Da dalu had om not on flying machin . I ju t took my b t gu on th cont ol ."
"You av d my lif ," Rach l aid. Annab th fl x d h bad hould . "Y ah, w ll . . .
l t' not mak a habit of it. What a you doing h , Da ? Don't you know b tt than
to fly into a wa zon ?" "I-" Rach l glanc d at m . "I had to b h . I kn w cy wa
in t oubl ." "Got that ight," Annab th g umbl d. "W ll, if you'll xcu m , I hav
om inju d f i nd I'v got to t nd to. Glad you could top by, Rach l." 'Annab th-"
I call d. Sh to m d off. Rach l plopp d down on th cu b and put h h ad in h han
d . "I'm o y, cy. I didn't m an to . . . I alway m thing up." It wa kind of ha d
to a gu with h , though I wa glad h wa af . I look d in th di ction Annab th ha
d gon , but h 'd di app a d into th c owd. I couldn't b li v what h 'd ju t don
- av d Rach l' lif , land d a h licopt , and walk d away lik it wa no big d al.
"It' okay," I told Rach l, though my wo d ound d hollow. "So what' th m ag you w
ant d to d liv ?" Sh f own d. "How did you know about that?" "A d am." Rach l di
dn't look u p i d. Sh tugg d at h b ach ho t . Th y w cov d in d awing , which w
a n't unu ual fo h , but th ymbol I cogniz d: G k l tt , pictu f om camp b ad ,
k tch of mon t and fac of god . I didn't und tand how Rach l could hav known abo
ut om of that. Sh 'd n v b n to Olympu o Camp Half-Blood. "I'v b n ing thing too
," h mutt d. "I m an, not ju t th ough th Mi t. Thi i diff nt. I'v b n d awing p
ictu , w iting lin -" "In Anci nt G k," I aid. "Do you know what th y ay?" "That
' what I want d to talk to you about. I wa hoping . . . w ll, if you had gon wit
h u on vacation, I wa hoping you could hav h lp d m figu out what' happ ning to
m ." Sh look d at m pl adingly. H fac wa unbu n d f om th b ach. H no wa p ling.
I couldn't g t ov th hock that h wa h in p on. Sh 'd fo c d h family to cut ho
t th i vacation, ag d to go to a ho ibl chool, and flown a h licopt into a mon t
battl ju t to m . In h own way, h wa a b av a Annab th. But what wa happ ning t
o h with th vi ion ally f ak d m
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out. Mayb it wa om thing that happ n d to all mo tal who could th ough th Mi t.
But my mom had n v talk d about anything lik that. And H tia' wo d about Luk ' m
om k pt coming back to m : May Ca t llan w nt too fa . Sh t i d to too much. "Ra
ch l," I aid, "I wi h I kn w. Mayb w hould a k Chi on-" Sh flinch d lik h 'd got
t n an l ct ic hock. " cy, om thing i about to happ n. A t ick that nd in d ath.
" "What do you m an? Who d ath?" "I don't know." Sh look d a ound n vou ly. "Don
't you f l it?" "I that th m ag you want d to t ll m ?" "No." Sh h itat d. "I'm
o y. I'm not making n , but that thought ju t cam to m . Th m ag I w ot on th b
ach wa diff nt. It had you nam in it." " u ," I m mb d. "In Anci nt G k." Rach l
nodd d. "I don't know it m aning. But I know it' impo tant. You hav to h a it.
It aid, u , you a not th h o." I ta d at h lik h 'd ju t lapp d m . "You cam tho
u and of mil to t ll m I'm not th h o?" "It' impo tant," h in i t d. "It will af
f ct what you do." "Not th h o of th p oph cy?" I a k d. "Not th h o who d f at
K ono ? What do you m an?" "I'm . . . I'm o y, cy. That' all I know. I had to t
ll you b cau -" "W ll!" Chi on cant d ov . "Thi mu t b Mi Da ." I want d to y ll
at him to go away, but of cou I couldn't. I t i d to g t my motion und cont ol.
I f lt lik I had anoth p onal hu ican wi ling a ound m . "Chi on, Rach l Da ,"
I aid. "Rach l, thi i my t ach Chi on." "H llo," Rach l aid glumly. Sh didn't lo
ok at all u p i d that Chi on wa a c ntau . "You a not a l p, Mi Da ," h notic d
. "And y t you a mo tal?" "I'm mo tal," h ag d, lik it wa a d p ing thought. "Th
pilot f ll a l p a oon a w pa d th iv . I don't know why I didn't. I ju t kn w
I had to b h , to wa n cy." "Wa n cy?" "Sh ' b n ing thing ," I aid. "W iting li
n and making d awing ." Chi on ai d an y b ow. "Ind d? T ll m ." Sh told him th
am thing h 'd told m . Chi on t ok d hi b a d. "Mi Da . . . p hap w hould talk."
"Chi on," I blu t d. I had a udd n t ibl imag of Camp HalfBlood in th 1990 , an
d May Ca t llan' c am coming f om that attic. "You . . . you'll h lp Rach l, igh
t? I m an, you'll wa n h that h ' got to b ca ful with thi tuff. Not go too fa .
" Hi tail flick d lik it do wh n h ' anxiou . "Y , cy. I will do my b t to und t
and what i happ ning and advi Mi Da , but thi may tak om tim . M anwhil , you ho
uld t. W 'v mov d you pa nt ' ca to af ty. Th n my m to b taying put fo now. W '
v t up bunk in th Empi Stat Building. G t om l p." "Ev ybody k p t lling m to l
p," I g umbl d. "I don't n d l p." Chi on manag d a mil . "Hav you look d at you
lf c ntly, cy?" I glanc d down at my cloth , which w co ch d, bu n d, lic d, an
d tatt d f om my night of con tant battl . "I look lik d ath," I admitt d. "But
you think I can l p aft what ju t happ n d?" "You may b invuln abl in combat," C
hi on chid d, "but that only mak you body ti fa t . I m mb Achill . Wh n v that
lad
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wa n't fighting, h wa l ping. H mu t'v tak n tw nty nap a day. You, cy, n d you
t. You may b ou only hop ." I want d to complain that I wa n't th i only hop , A
cco ding to Rach l, I wa n't v n th h o. But th look in Chi on' y mad it cl a h
wa n't going to tak no fo an an w . "Su ," I g umbl d. "Talk." I t udg d towa d
th Empi Stat Building. Wh n I glanc d back, Rach l and Chi on w walking tog th i
n a n t conv ation, lik th y w di cu ing fun al a ang m nt . In id th lobby, I f
ound an mpty bunk and collap d, u that I would n v b abl to l p. A cond lat , my
y clo d. In my d am , I wa back in Had ' ga d n. Th lo d of th d ad pac d up an
d down, holding hi a whil Nico follow d him, waving hi a m . "You hav to!" Nico
in i t d. D m t and phon at b hind th m at th b akfa t tabl . Both of th godd lo
ok d bo d. D m t pou d h dd d wh at into fou hug bowl . phon wa magically changi
ng th flow a ang m nt on th tabl , tu ning th blo om f om d to y llow to polka-d
ott d. "I don't hav to do anything!" Had y blaz d. "I'm a god!" "Fath ," Nico ai
d, "if Olympu fall , you own palac ' af ty do n't matt . You'll fad too." "I am
not an Olympian!" h g owl d. "My family ha mad that quit cl a ." "You a ,'' Nico
aid. "Wh th you lik it o not." "You aw what th y did to you moth ," Had aid. "Z
u kill d h . And you would hav m h lp th m? Th y d v what th y g t!" phon igh d
. Sh walk d h fing ac o th tabl , ab ntly tu ning th ilv wa into o . "Could w pl
a not talk about that woman?" "You know what would h lp thi boy?" D m t mu d. "
Fa ming." phon oll d h y . "Moth -" "Six month b hind a plow. Exc ll nt cha act
building." Nico t pp d in f ont of hi fath , fo cing Had to fac him. "My moth un
d tood about family. That' why h didn't want to l av u . You can't ju t abandon
you family b cau th y did om thing ho ibl . You'v don ho ibl thing to th m too."
"Ma ia di d!" Had mind d him. "You can't ju t cut you lf off f om th oth god !"
"I'v don v y w ll at it fo thou and of y a ." "And ha that mad you f l any b tt
?" Nico d mand d. "Ha that cu on th O acl h lp d you at all? Holding g udg i a
fatal flaw. Bianca wa n d m about that, and h wa ight." "Fo d migod ! I am immo
tal, all-pow ful! I would not h lp th oth god if th y b gg d m , if cy Jack on h
im lf pl ad d-" "You' ju t a much of an outca t a I am!" Nico y ll d. "Stop b in
g ang y about it and do om thing h lpful fo onc . That' th only way th y'll p ct
you!" Had ' palm fill d with black fi . "Go ah ad," Nico aid. "Bla t m . That'
ju t what th oth god would xp ct f om you. ov th m ight." "Y , pl a ," D m t com
plain d. "Shut him up." phon igh d. "Oh, I don't know. I would ath fight in th w
a than at anoth bowl of c al. Thi i bo ing." Had oa d in ang . Hi fi ball hit a
ilv t ight n xt to Nico, m lting it into a pool of liquid m tal. And my d am cha
ng d. I wa tanding out id th Unit d Nation , about a mil no th a t of
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th Empi Stat Building. Th Titan a my had t up camp all a ound th UN compl x. Th
flagpol w hung with ho ibl t ophi -h lm t and a mo pi c f om d f at d camp . All
along Fi t Av nu , giant ha p n d th i ax . T lkhin pai d a mo at mak hift fo g
. K ono him lf pac d at th top of th plaza, winging hi cyth o hi d aca na bodyg
ua d tay d way back. Ethan Nakamu a and om th u tood n a by, out of licing ang .
Ethan wa fidg ting with hi hi ld t ap , but om th u look d a calm and coll ct d
a v in hi tux do. "I hat thi plac ," K ono g owl d. "Unit d Nation . A if manki
nd could v unit . R mind m to t a down thi building aft w d t oy Olympu ." "Y ,
lo d." om th u mil d a if hi ma t ' ang amu d him. "Shall w t a down th tabl in
C nt al a k too? I know how much ho can annoy you." "Don't mock m , om th u ! Th
o cu d c ntau will b o y th y int f d. I will f d th m to th h llhound , ta ting
with that on of min -that w akling Chi on." om th u h ugg d. "That w akling d t
oy d an nti l gion of t lkhin with hi a ow ." K ono wung hi cyth and cut a flag
pol in half. Th national colo of B azil toppl d into th a my, qua hing a d aca n
a. "W will d t oy th m!" K ono oa d. "It i tim to unl a h th d akon. Nakamu a, y
ou will do thi ." "Y-y , lo d. At un t?" "No," K ono aid. "Imm diat ly. Th d f n
d of Olympu a badly wound d. Th y will not xp ct a quick attack. B id , w know t
hi d akon th y cannot b at." Ethan look d confu d. "My lo d?" "N v you mind, Nak
amu a. Ju t do my bidding. I want Olympu in uin by th tim Typhon ach N w Yo k. W
will b ak th god utt ly!" "But, my lo d," Ethan aid. "You g n ation." K ono poi
nt d at Ethan, and th d migod f oz . "Do it m," K ono hi d, "that I n d to g n a
t ?" Ethan didn't pond. Kind of ha d to do wh n you' immobiliz d in tim . K ono
napp d hi fing and Ethan collap d. "Soon," th Titan g owl d, "thi fo m will b un
n c a y. I will not t with victo y o clo . Now, go!" Ethan c ambl d away. "Thi i
dang ou , my lo d," om th u wa n d. "Do not b ha ty." "Ha ty? Aft f t ing fo th
thou and y a in th d pth of Ta ta u , you call m ha ty? I will lic cy Jack on i
nto a thou and pi c ." "Th ic you'v fought him," om th u point d out. "And y t y
ou'v alway aid it i b n ath th dignity of a Titan to fight a m mo tal. I wond if
you mo tal ho t i influ ncing you, w ak ning you judgm nt." K ono tu n d hi gol
d n y on th oth Titan. "You call m w ak?" "No, my lo d. I only m ant-" "A you lo
yalti divid d?" K ono a k d. " hap you mi you old f i nd , th god . Would you li
k to join th m?" om th u pal d. "I mi pok , my lo d. You o d will b ca i d out."
H tu n d to th a mi and hout d, " RE ARE FOR BATTLE!" Th t oop b gan to ti .
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F om om wh b hind th UN compound, an ang y oa hook th city-th ound of a d akon w
aking. Th noi wa o ho ibl it wok m , and I aliz d I could till h a it f om a mil
away. G ov tood n xt to m , looking n vou . "What wa that?" "Th y' coming," I t
old him. "And w ' in t oubl ." Th H pha tu cabin wa out of G k fi . Th Apollo ca
bin and th Hunt w c ounging fo a ow . Mo t of u had al ady ing t d o much amb o
ia and n cta w didn't da tak any mo . W had ixt n camp , fift n Hunt , and half
a doz n aty l ft in fighting hap . Th t had tak n fug on Olympu . Th a ty oni t
i d to fo m ank , but th y tagg d and giggl d and th y all m ll d lik oot b . Th
T xan w h ad-butting th Colo adoan . Th Mi ou i b anch wa a guing with Illinoi
. Th chanc w p tty good th whol a my would nd up fighting ach oth ath than th n
my. Chi on t ott d up with Rach l on hi back. I f lt a twing of annoyanc b cau C
hi on a ly gav anyon a id , and n v a mo tal. "You f i nd h ha om u ful in ight
, cy," h aid. Rach l blu h d. "Ju t om thing I aw in my h ad." "A d akon," Chi o
n aid. "A Lydian d akon, to b xact. Th old t and mo t dang ou kind." I ta d at h
. "How did you know that?" "I'm not u ," Rach l admitt d. "But thi d akon ha a
pa ticula fat . It will b kill d by a child of A ." Annab th c o d h a m . "How
can you po ibly know that?" "I ju t aw it. I can't xplain." "W ll, l t' hop you'
w ong," I aid. "B cau w ' a littl ho t on child n of A . . . ." A ho ibl though
t occu d to m , and I cu d in Anci nt G k. "What?" Annab th a k d. "Th py," I to
ld h . "K ono aid, W know th y cannot b at thi d akon. Th py ha b n k ping him u
pdat d. K ono know th A cabin i n't with u . H int ntionally pick d a mon t w ca
n't kill." Thalia cowl d. "If I v catch you py, h ' going to b v y o y. Mayb w c
ould nd anoth m ng to camp-" "I'v al ady don it," Chi on aid. "Blackjack i on hi
way. But if Sil na wa n't abl to convinc Cla i , I doubt Blackjack will b abl -
" A oa hook th g ound. It ound d v y clo . "Rach l," I aid, "g t in id th buildi
ng." "I want to tay." A hadow blott d out th un. Ac o th t t, th d akon lith d d
own th id of a ky c ap . It oa d, and a thou and window hatt d. "On cond thought
," Rach l aid in a mall voic , "I'll b in id ." * * * L t m xplain: th a d agon
, and th n th a d akon . D akon a v al mill nnia old than d agon , and much la g
. Th y look lik giant p nt . Mo t don't hav wing . Mo t don't b ath fi (though
om do). All a poi onou . All a imm n ly t ong, with cal ha d than titanium. Th i
y can pa alyz you; not th tu n-you~to- ton M du a-typ pa aly i , but th oh~my~g
od -that~big~ nak ~i ~going~to~ at~m typ of pa aly i , which i ju t a bad. W hav
d akon-fighting cla at camp, but th i no way to p pa you lf fo a two-hund d-foo
t-long p nt a thick a a chool bu lith ing down th id of a building, it y llow y
lik a chlight and it mouth full of azo - ha p t th big nough to
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ch w l phant . It almo t mad m long fo th flying pig. M anwhil , th n my a my ad
vanc d down Fifth Av nu . W 'd don ou b t to pu h ca out of th way to k p th mo
tal af , but that ju t mad it a i fo ou n mi to app oach. Th a ty oni wi h d th
i tail n vou ly. Chi on gallop d up and down th i ank , houting ncou ag m nt to
tand tough and think about victo y and oot b , but I figu d any cond th y would
panic and un. "I'll tak th d akon." My voic cam out a a timid qu ak. Th n I y ll
d loud : "I'LL TAKE THE DRAKON! Ev yon l , hold th lin again t th a my!" Annab
th tood n xt to m . Sh had pull d h owl h lm t low ov h fac , but I could t ll h
y w d. "Will you h lp m ?" I a k d. "That' what I do," h aid mi ably. "I h lp m
y f i nd ." I f lt lik a compl t j k. I want d to pull h a id and xplain that I
didn't m an fo Rach l to b h , that it wa n't my id a, but w had no tim . "Go in
vi ibl ," I aid. "Look fo w ak link in it a mo whil I k p it bu y. Ju t b ca ful
." I whi tl d. "M . O'L a y, h l!" "ROOOF!" My h llhound l ap d ov a lin of c nt
au and gav m a ki that m ll d u piciou ly of p pp oni pizza. I d w my wo d and w
cha g d th mon t . Th d akon wa th to i abov u , lith ing id way along th build
ing a it iz d up ou fo c . Wh v it look d, c ntau f oz in f a . F om th no th, t
h n my a my c a h d into th a ty oni , and ou lin b ok . Th d akon la h d out, w
allowing th Califo nian c ntau in on gulp b fo I could v n g t clo . M . O'L a y
launch d h lf th ough th ai -a d adly black hadow with t th and claw . No mally
, a pouncing h llhound i a t ifying ight, but n xt to th d akon, M . O'L a y loo
k d lik a child' night-night doll. H claw ak d ha ml ly off th d akon' cal . Sh
bit th mon t ' th oat but couldn't mak a d nt. H w ight, how v , wa nough to kno
ck th d akon off th id of th building. It flail d awkwa dly and c a h d to th id
walk, h llhound and p nt twi ting and th a hing. Th d akon t i d to bit M . O'L
a y, but h wa too clo to th p nt' mouth. oi on p w d v ywh , m lting c ntau int
o du t along with quit a f w mon t , but M . O'L a y w av d a ound th p nt' h ad
, c atching and biting. "YAAAH!" I plung d Riptid d p into th mon t ' l ft y . T
h potlight w nt da k. Th d akon hi d and a d back to t ik , but I oll d a id . I
t bit a wimming-pool- iz chunk out of th pav m nt. It tu n d towa d m with it go
od y , and I focu d on it t th o I wouldn't g t pa alyz d. M . O'L a y did h b t
to cau a di t action. Sh l ap d onto th p nt' h ad and c atch d and g owl d lik
a ally ang y black wig. Th t of th battl wa n't going w ll. Th c ntau had panic
k d und th on laught of giant and d mon . An occa ional o ang camp T- hi t app a
d in th a of fighting, but quickly di app a d. A ow c am d. Fi xplod d in wav a
c o both a mi , but th action wa moving ac o th t t to th nt anc of th Empi Stat
Building. W w lo ing g ound. Sudd nly Annab th mat ializ d on th d akon' back.
H invi ibility cap oll d off h h ad a h d ov h b onz knif
b tw n a chink in th p nt' cal . Th d akon oa d. It coil d a ound, knocking Anna
b th off it back. I ach d h ju t a h hit th g ound. I d agg d h out of th way a
th p nt oll d, c u hing a lamppo t ight wh h 'd b n. "Thank ," h aid. "I told yo
u to b ca ful!" "Y ah, w ll, DUCK!" It wa h tu n to av m . Sh tackl d m a th mon
t ' t th napp d abov my h ad. M . O'L a y body- lamm d th d akon' fac to g t it
att ntion, and w oll d out of th way. M anwhil ou alli had t at d to th doo of
th Empi Stat Building. Th nti n my a my wa u ounding th m. W w out of option . N
o mo h lp wa coming. Annab th and I would hav to t at b fo w w cut off f om Moun
t Olympu . Th n I h a d a umbling in th outh. It wa n't a ound you h a much in N
w Yo k, but I cogniz d it imm diat ly: cha iot wh l . A gi l' voic y ll d, "ARE
S!" And a doz n wa cha iot cha g d into battl . Each fl w a d bann with th ymbol
of th wild boa ' h ad. Each wa pull d by a t am of k l tal ho with man of fi .
A total of thi ty f h wa io , a mo gl aming and y full of hat , low d th i lanc
a on making a b i tling wall of d ath. "Th child n of A !" Annab th aid in amaz
m nt. "How did Rach l know?" I didn't hav an an w . But l ading th cha g wa a gi
l in familia d a mo , h fac cov d by a boa ' -h ad h lm. Sh h ld aloft a p a th
at c ackl d with l ct icity. Cla i h lf had com to th cu . Whil half h cha iot c
ha g d th mon t a my, Cla i l d th oth ix t aight fo th d akon. Th p nt a d back
and manag d to th ow off M . O'L a y. My poo p t hit th id of th building with
a y lp. I an to h lp h , but th p nt had al ady z o d in on th n w th at. Ev n w
ith only on y , it gla wa nough to pa alyz two cha iot d iv . Th y v d into a li
n of ca . Th oth fou cha iot k pt cha ging. Th mon t ba d it fang to t ik and go
t a mouthful of C l tial b onz jav lin . "EEESSSSS!!!!!" it c am d, which i p ob
ably d akon fo OWWWW! "A , to m !" Cla i c am d. H voic ound d h ill than u ual,
but I gu that wa n't u p i ing giv n what h wa fighting. Ac o th t t, th a ival
of ix cha iot gav th a ty oni n w hop . Th y alli d at th doo of th Empi Stat B
uilding, and th n my a my wa mom nta ily th own into confu ion. M anwhil , Cla i
' cha iot ci cl d th d akon. Lanc b ok again t th mon t ' kin. Sk l tal ho b at
h d fi and whinni d. Two mo cha iot ov tu n d, but th wa io imply l ap d to th i
f t, d w th i wo d , and w nt to wo k. Th y hack d at chink in th c atu ' cal .
Th y dodg d poi on p ay lik th y'd b n t aining fo thi all th i liv , which of
cou th y had. No on could ay th A camp w n't b av . Cla i wa ight th in f ont, t
abbing h p a at th d akon' fac , t ying to put out it oth y . But a I watch d, t
hing ta t d to go w ong. Th d akon napp d up on A camp in a gulp. It knock d a i
d anoth and p ay d poi on on a thi d, who t at d in a panic, hi a mo m lting. "W
hav to h lp," Annab th aid. Sh wa ight. I'd ju t b n tanding th f oz n in amaz
m nt. M . O'L a y t i d to g t up but y lp d again. On of h paw wa bl ding.
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"Stay back, gi l," I told h . "You'v don nough al ady." Annab th and I jump d on
to th mon t ' back and an towa d it h ad, t ying to d aw it att ntion away f om
Cla i . H cabinmat th w jav lin , mo t of which b ok , but om lodg d in th mon t
' t th. It napp d it jaw tog th until it mouth wa a m of g n blood, y llow foam
y poi on, and plint d w apon . "You can do it!" I c am d at Cla i . "A child of
A i d tin d to kill it!" Th ough h wa h lm t, I could only h y -but I could t ll
om thing wa w ong. H blu y hon with f a . Cla i n v look d lik that. And h didn
't hav blu y . "ARES!" h hout d, in that t ang ly h ill voic . Sh l v l d h p a
and cha g d th d akon. "No," I mutt d. "WAIT!" But th mon t look d down at h -al
mo t in cont mpt-and pit poi on di ctly in h fac . Sh c am d and f ll. "Cla i !"
Annab th jump d off th mon t ' back and an to h lp, whil th oth A camp t i d to
d f nd th i fall n coun lo . I d ov Riptid b tw n two of th c atu ' cal and man
ag d to tu n it att ntion on m . I got th own but I land d on my f t. "C'MON, yo
u tupid wo m! Look at m !" Fo th n xt v al minut , all I aw w t th. I t at d and
dodg d poi on, but I couldn't hu t th thing. At th dg of my vi ion, I aw a flyi
ng cha iot land on Fifth Av nu . Th n om on an towa d u . A gi l' voic , hak n w
ith g i f, c i d, "NO! Cu you, WHY?" I da d to glanc ov , but what I aw mad no n
. Cla i wa lying on th g ound wh h 'd fall n. H a mo mok d with poi on. Annab t
h and th A camp w t ying to unfa t n h h lm t. And kn ling n xt to th m, h fac b
lotchy with t a , wa a gi l in camp cloth . It wa . . . Cla i . My h ad pun. Why
hadn't I notic d b fo ? Th gi l in Cla i ' a mo wa much thinn , not a tall. But
why would om on p t nd to b Cla i ? I wa o tunn d, th d akon almo t napp d m in
half. I dodg d and th b a t bu i d it h ad in a b ick wall. "WHY?" Th al Cla i
d mand d, holding th oth gi l in h a m whil th camp t uggl d to mov th poi on-co
od d h lm t. Ch i Rod igu z an ov f om th flying cha iot. H and Cla i mu t'v id
d n it h f om camp, cha ing th A camp , who'd mi tak nly b n following th oth gi
l, thinking h wa Cla i . But it till mad no n . Th d akon tugg d it h ad f om t
h b ick wall and c am d in ag . "Look out!" Ch i wa n d. In t ad of tu ning towa
d m , th d akon whi l d towa d th ound of Ch i ' voic . It ba d it fang at th g
oup of d migod . Th al Cla i look d up at th d akon, h fac fill d with ab olut
hat . I'd n a look that int n only onc b fo . H fath , A , had wo n th am xp ion
wh n I'd fought him in ingl combat. "YOU WANT DEATH?" Cla i c am d at th d akon
. "WELL, COME ON!" Sh g abb d h p a f om th fall n gi l. With no a mo o hi ld, h
cha g d th d akon.

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I t i d to clo th di tanc to h lp, but Cla i wa fa t . Sh l ap d a id a th mon t
t uck, pulv izing th g ound in f ont of h . Th n h jump d onto th c atu ' h ad.
A it a d up, h d ov h l ct ic p a into it good y with o much fo c it hatt d th
haft, l a ing all of th magic w apon' pow . El ct icity a c d ac o th c atu ' h
ad, cau ing it whol body to hudd . Cla i jump d f , olling af ly to th id walk a
mok boil d f om th d akon' mouth. Th d akon' fl h di olv d, and it collap d int
o a hollow caly tunn l of a mo . Th t of u ta d at Cla i in aw . I had n v n any
on tak down uch a hug mon t ingl -hand dly. But Cla i didn't m to ca . Sh an bac
k to th wound d gi l who'd tol n h a mo . Finally Annab th manag d to mov th gi
l' h lm t. W all gath d a ound: th A camp , Ch i , Cla i , Annab th, and m . Th
battl till ag d along Fifth Av nu , but fo that mom nt nothing xi t d xc pt ou m
all ci cl and th fall n gi l. H f atu , onc b autiful, w badly bu n d f om poi o
n. I could t ll that no amount of n cta o amb o ia would av h . Som thing i abou
t to happ n. Rach l' wo d ang in my a . A t ick that nd in d ath. Now I kn w wha
t h m ant, and I kn w who had l d th A cabin into battl . I look d down at th dy
ing fac of Sil na B au ga d. CHA TER SE ENTEEN I SIT ON THE HOT SEAT "What w you
thinking?" Cla i c adl d Sil na' h ad in h lap. Sil na t i d to wallow, but h l
ip w d y and c ack d. "Wouldn't . . . li t n. Cabin would . . . only follow you.
" "So you tol my a mo ," Cla i aid in di b li f. "You wait d until Ch i and I w
nt out on pat ol; you tol my a mo and p t nd d to b m ." Sh gla d at h ibling .
"And NONE of you notic d?" Th A camp d v lop d a udd n int t in th i combat boot
. "Don't blam th m," Sil na aid. "Th y want d to . . . to b li v I wa you." "Yo
u tupid Aph odit gi l," Cla i obb d. "You cha g d a d akon? Why?" "All my fault,
" Sil na aid, a t a t aking th id of h fac . "Th d akon, Cha li ' d ath . . . ca
mp ndang d-" "Stop it!" Cla i aid. "That' not t u ." Sil na op n d h hand. In h
palm wa a ilv b ac l t with a cyth cha m, th ma k of K ono . A cold fi t clo d a
ound my h a t. "You w th py." Sil na t i d to nod. "B fo . . . b fo I lik d Cha
li , Luk wa nic to m . H wa o . . . cha ming. Hand om . Lat , I want d to top h
lping him, but h th at n d to t ll. H p omi d . . . h p omi d I wa aving liv .
F w p opl would g t hu t. H told m h wouldn't hu t . . . Cha li . H li d to m ."
I m t Annab th' y . H fac wa chalky. Sh look d lik om body had ju t yank d th w
o ld out f om und h f t. B hind u , th battl ag d. Cla i cowl d at h cabinmat .
"Go, h lp th c ntau . ot ct th doo . GO!" Th y c ambl d off to join th fight. Si
l na took a h avy, painful b ath. "Fo giv m ." "You' not dying," Cla i in i t d.
"Cha li . . ." Sil na' y w a million mil away. "S Cha li . . ." Sh didn't p ak
again.
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Cla i h ld h and w pt. Ch i put a hand on h hould . Finally Annab th clo d Sil n
a' y . "W hav to fight." Annab th' voic wa b ittl . "Sh gav h lif to h lp u . W
hav to hono h ." Cla i niffl d and wip d h no . "Sh wa a h o, und tand? A h o."
I nodd d. "Com on, Cla i ." Sh pick d up a wo d f om on of h fall n ibling . "K
ono i going to pay." * * * I'd lik to ay I d ov th n my away f om th Empi Stat B
uilding. Th t uth wa Cla i did all th wo k. Ev n without h a mo o p a , h wa a d
mon. Sh od h cha iot t aight into th Titan' a my and c u h d v ything in h path
. Sh wa o in pi ing, v n th panick d c ntau ta t d to ally. Th Hunt c oung d a o
w f om th fall n and launch d voll y aft voll y into th n my. Th A cabin la h d
and hack d, which wa th i favo it thing. Th mon t t at d towa d 35th St t. Cla i
d ov to th d akon' ca ca and loop d a g appling lin th ough it y ock t . Sh la
h d h ho and took off, d agging th d akon b hind th cha iot lik a Chin N w Y a d
agon. Sh cha g d aft th n my, y lling in ult and da ing th m to c o h . A h od
, I aliz d h wa lit ally glowing. An au a of d fi flick d a ound h . "Th bl ing
of A ," Thalia aid. "I'v n v n it in p on b fo ." Fo th mom nt, Cla i wa a invin
cibl a I wa . Th n my th w p a and a ow , but nothing hit h . "I AM CLARISSE, DR
AKON-SLAYER!" h y ll d. "I will kill you ALL! Wh i K ono ? B ing him out! I h a
cowa d?" "Cla i !" I y ll d. "Stop it. Withd aw!" "What' th matt , Titan lo d?"
h y ll d. "BRING IT ON!" Th wa no an w f om th n my. Slowly, th y b gan to fall
back b hind a d aca na hi ld wall, whil Cla i d ov in ci cl a ound Fifth Av nu ,
da ing anyon to c o h path. Th twohund dfoot-long d akon ca ca mad a hollow c a
ping noi again t th pav m nt, lik a thou and kniv . M anwhil , w t nd d ou wound
d, b inging th m in id th lobby. Long aft th n my had t at d f om ight, Cla i k
pt iding up and down th av nu with h ho ibl t ophy, d manding that K ono m t h
battl . Ch i aid, "I'll watch h . Sh 'll g t ti d v ntually. I'll mak u h com in
id ." "What about th camp?" I a k d. "I anybody l ft th ?" Ch i hook hi h ad. "
Only A gu and th natu pi it . l u th d agon i till gua ding th t ." "Th y won't
la t long," I aid. "But I'm glad you cam ." Ch i nodd d adly. "I'm o y it took o
long. I t i d to a on with Cla i . I aid th ' no point in d f nding camp if you
guy di . All ou f i nd a h . I'm o y it took Sil na . . ." "My Hunt will h lp y
ou tand gua d," Thalia aid. "Annab th and cy, you hould go to Olympu . I hav a f
ling th y'll n d you up th -to t up th final d f n ." Th doo man had di app a d
f om th lobby. Hi book wa fac down on th d k and hi chai wa mpty. Th t of th lo
bby, how v , wa jam-pack d with wound d camp , Hunt , and aty . Conno and T avi
Stoll m t u by th l vato . "I it t u ?" Conno a k d. "About Sil na?" I nodd d. "
Sh di d a h o."
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T avi hift d uncomfo tably. "Um, I al o h a d-" "That' it," I in i t d. "End of
to y." "Right," T avi mumbl d. "Li t n, w figu th Titan' a my will hav t oubl g
tting up th l vato . Th y'll hav to go up a f w at a tim . And th giant won't b
abl to fit at all." "That' ou bigg t advantag ," I aid. "Any way to di abl th l
vato ?" "It' magic," T avi aid. "U ually you n d a k y ca d, but th doo man vani
h d. That m an th d f n a c umbling. Anyon can walk into th l vato now and h ad
t aight up." "Th n w hav to k p th m away f om th doo ," I aid. "W 'll bottl th
m up in th lobby." "W n d info c m nt ," T avi aid. "Th y'll ju t k p coming. E
v ntually th y'll ov wh lm u ." "Th a no info c m nt ," Conno complain d. I look
d out id at M . O'L a y, who wa b athing again t th gla doo and m a ing th m wi
th h llhound d ool. "Mayb that' not t u ," I aid. I w nt out id and put a hand o
n M . O'L a y muzzl . Chi on had bandag d h paw, but h wa till limping. H fu wa
matt d with mud, l av , pizza lic , and d i d mon t blood. "H y, gi l." I t i d
to ound upb at. "I know you' ti d, but I'v got on mo big favo to a k you." I l a
n d n xt to h and whi p d in h a . Aft M . O'L a y hadow-t av l d away, I join d
Annab th in th lobby. On th way to th l vato , w pott d G ov kn ling ov a fat w
ound d aty . "L n u !" I aid. Th old aty look d t ibl . Hi lip w blu . Th wa a b
ok n p a in hi b lly, and hi fu y goat l g w twi t d at a painful angl . H t i
d to focu on u , but I don't think h aw u . "G ov ?" h mu mu d. "I'm h , L n u .
" G ov wa blinking back t a , d pit all th ho ibl thing L n u had aid about him.
"Did . . . did w win?" "Um . . . y ," G ov li d. "Thank to you, L n u . W d ov
th n my away." "Told you," th old aty mumbl d. "T u l ad . T u . . ." H clo d hi
y fo th la t tim . G ov gulp d. H put hi hand on L n u ' fo h ad and pok an anc
i nt bl ing. Th old aty ' body m lt d, until all that wa l ft wa a tiny apling m
a pil of f h oil. "A lau l," G ov aid in aw . "Oh, that lucky old goat." H gath
d up th apling in hi hand . "I . . . I hould plant him. In Olympu , in th ga d
n ." "W ' going that way," I aid. "Com on." Ea y-li t ning mu ic play d a th l v
ato o . I thought about th fi t tim I'd vi it d Mount Olympu , back wh n I wa tw
lv . Annab th and G ov hadn't b n with m th n. I wa glad th y w with m now. I h
ad a f ling it might b ou la t adv ntu tog th . " cy," Annab th aid qui tly. "Yo
u w ight about Luk ." It wa th fi t tim h 'd pok n inc Sil na B au ga d' d ath.
Sh k pt h y fix d on th l vato floo a th y blink d into th magical numb : 400, 4
50, 500. G ov and I xchang d glanc . "Annab th," I aid. "I'm o y-" "You t i d to
t ll m ." H voic wa haky. "Luk i no good. I didn't b li v you until . . . until
I h a d how h 'd u d Sil na. Now I know. I hop you' happy."
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"That do n't mak m happy." Sh put h h ad again t th l vato wall and wouldn't loo
k at m . G ov c adl d hi lau l apling in hi hand . "W ll . . . u good to b tog t
h again. A guing. Almo t dying. Abj ct t o . Oh, look. It' ou floo ." Th doo din
g d and w t pp d onto th a ial walkway. D p ing i not a wo d that u ually d c ib
Mount Olympu , but it look d that way now. No fi lit th b azi . Th window w da
k. Th t t w d t d and th doo w ba d. Th only mov m nt wa in th pa k , which had
b n t up a fi ld ho pital . Will Solac and th oth Apollo camp c ambl d a ound, c
a ing fo th wound d. Naiad and d yad t i d to h lp, u ing natu magic ong to h al
bu n and poi on. A G ov plant d th lau l apling, Annab th and I w nt a ound t y
ing to ch up th wound d. I pa d a aty with a b ok n l g, a d migod who wa bandag
d f om h ad to to , and a body cov d in th gold n bu ial h oud of Apollo' cabin
. I didn't know who wa und n ath. I didn't want to find out. My h a t f lt lik l
ad, but w t i d to find po itiv thing to ay. "You'll b up and fighting Titan in
no tim !" I told on camp . "You look g at," Annab th told anoth camp . "L n u t
u n d into a h ub!" G ov told a g oaning aty . I found Diony u ' on ollux p opp
d up again t a t . H had a b ok n a m, but oth wi h wa okay. "I can till fight w
ith th oth hand," h aid, g itting hi t th. "No," I aid. "You'v don nough. I want
you to tay h and h lp with th wound d." "But-" " omi m to tay af ," I aid. "Oka
y? onal favo ." H f own d unc tainly. It wa n't lik w w good f i nd o anything,
but I wa n't going to t ll him it wa a qu t f om hi dad. That would ju t mba a h
im. Finally h p omi d, and wh n h at back down, I could t ll h wa kind of li v d
. Annab th, G ov , and I k pt walking towa d th palac . That' wh K ono would h a
d. A oon a h mad it up th l vato and I had no doubt h would, on way o anoth -h w
ould d t oy th th on oom, th c nt of th god ' pow . Th b onz doo c ak d op n. Ou
foot t p cho d on th ma bl floo . Th con t llation twinkl d coldly on th c ilin
g of th g at hall. Th h a th wa down to a dull d glow. H tia, in th fo m of a li
ttl gi l in b own ob , hunch d at it dg , hiv ing. Th Ophiotau u wam adly in hi
ph of wat . H l t out a halfh a t d moo wh n h aw m . In th fi light, th th on c
a t vil-looking hadow , lik g a ping hand . Standing at th foot of Z u ' th on ,
looking up at th ta , wa Rach l Elizab th Da . Sh wa holding a G k c amic va .
"Rach l?" I aid. "Um, what a you doing with that?" Sh focu d on m a if h w comin
g out of a d am. "I found it. It' ando a' ja , i n't it?" H y w b ight than u ua
l, and I had a bad fla hback of moldy andwich and bu n d cooki . " l a put down
th ja ," I aid. "I can Hop in id it." Rach l an h fing ov th c amic d ign . "So
f agil ." "Rach l." My voic m d to b ing h back to ality. Sh h ld out th ja , an
d I took it. Th clay f lt a cold a ic . "G ov ," Annab th mumbl d. "L t' cout a
ound th palac . Mayb w can find om xt a G k fi o H pha tu t ap ."
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"But-" Annab th lbow d him. "Right!" h y lp d. "I lov t ap !" Sh d agg d him out
of th th on oom. Ov by th fi , H tia wa huddl d in h ob , ocking back and fo th
. "Com on," I told Rach l. "I want you to m t om on ." W at n xt to th godd . "L
ady H tia," I aid. "H llo, cy Jack on," th godd mu mu d. "G tting cold . Ha d to
k p th fi going." "I know," I aid. "Th Titan a n a ." H tia focu d on Rach l. "
H llo, my d a . You'v com to ou h a th at la t." Rach l blink d. "You'v b n xp c
ting m ?" H tia h ld out h hand , and th coal glow d. I aw imag in th fi : My mo
th , aul, and I ating Thank giving dinn at th kitch n tabl ; my f i nd and m a o
und th campfi at Camp HalfBlood, inging ong and oa ting ma hmallow ; Rach l and
m d iving along th b ach in aul' iu . I didn't know if Rach l aw th am imag , bu
t th t n ion w nt out of h hould . Th wa mth of th fi m d to p ad ac o h . "To c
laim you plac at th h a th," H tia told h , "you mu t l t go of you di t action
. It i th only way you will u viv ." Rach l nodd d. "I . . . I und tand." "Wait,
" I aid. "What i h talking about?" Rach l took a haky b ath. " cy, wh n I cam h
. . . I thought I wa coming fo you. But I wa n't. You and m . . ." Sh hook h h a
d. "Wait. Now I'm a di t action? I thi b cau I'm 'not th h o' o what v ?" "I'm n
ot u I can put it into wo d ," h aid. "I wa d awn to you b cau . . . b cau you o
p n d th doo to all of thi ." Sh g tu d at th th on oom. "I n d d to und tand my
t u ight. But you and m , that wa n't pa t of it. Ou fat a n't int twin d. I th
ink you'v alway known that, d p down." I ta d at h . Mayb I wa n't th b ight t g
uy in th wo ld wh n it cam to gi l , but I wa p tty u Rach l had ju t dump d m ,
which wa lam con id ing w 'd n v v n b n tog th . "So . . . what," I aid. '"Tha
nk fo b inging m to Olympu . S ya.' I that what you' aying?" Rach l ta d at th f
i . " cy Jack on," H tia aid. "Rach l ha told you all h can. H mom nt i coming,
but you d ci ion app oach v n mo apidly. A you p pa d?" I want d to complain tha
t no, I wa n't v n clo to p pa d. I look d at ando a' ja , and fo th fi t tim I
had an u g to op n it. Hop m d p tty u l to m ight now. So many of my f i nd w d
ad. Rach l wa cutting m off. Annab th wa ang y with m . My pa nt w a l p down i
n th t t om wh whil a mon t a my u ound d th building. Olympu wa on th v g of fa
iling, and I'd n o many c u l thing th god had don : Z u d t oying Ma ia diAng l
o, Had cu ing th la t O acl , H m tu ning hi back on Luk v n wh n h kn w hi on w
ould b com vil. Su nd , om th u ' voic whi p d in my a . Oth wi you hom will b d
t oy d. You p ciou camp will bu n. Th n I look d at H tia. H d y glow d wa mly.
I m mb d th imag I'd n in h h a th-f i nd and family, v yon I ca d
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about. I m mb d om thing Ch i Rod igu z had aid: Th ' no point in d f nding camp
if you guy di . All ou f i nd a h . And Nico, tanding up to hi fath , Had : If
Olympu fall , h aid, you own palac ' af ty do n't matt . I h a d foot t p . Anna
b th and G ov cam back into th th on oom and topp d wh n th y aw u . I p obably
had a p tty t ang look on my fac . " cy?" Annab th didn't ound ang y anymo -ju t
conc n d. "Should w , um, l av again?" Sudd nly I f lt lik om on had inj ct d m
with t l. I und tood what to do. Ilook d at Rach l. "You' not going to do anyth
ing tupid, a you? I m an . . . you talk d to Chi on, ight?" Sh manag d a faint m
il . "You' wo i d about m doing om thing tupid?" "But I m an . . . will you b ok
ay?" "I don't know," h admitt d. "That kind of d p nd on wh th you av th wo ld,
h o." I pick d up ando a' ja . Th pi it of Hop flutt d in id , t ying to wa m th
cold contain . "H tia," I aid, "I giv thi to you a an off ing." Th godd tilt d
h h ad. "I am th l a t of th god . Why would you t u t m with thi ?" "You' th la
t Olympian," I aid. "And th mo t impo tant." "And why i that, cy Jack on?" "B c
au Hop u viv b t at th h a th," I aid. "Gua d it fo m , and I won't b t mpt d to
giv up again." Th godd mil d. Sh took th ja in h hand and it b gan to glow. Th
h a th fi bu n d a littl b ight . "W ll don , cy Jack on," h aid. "May th god bl
you." "W ' about to find out." I look d at Annab th and G ov . "Com on, guy ."
I ma ch d towa d my fath ' th on . Th at of o idon tood ju t to th ight of Z u '
, but it wa n't n a ly a g and. Th mold d black l ath at wa attach d to a wiv l
p d tal, with a coupl of i on ing on th id fo fa t ning a fi hing pol (o a t id
nt). Ba ically it look d lik a chai on a d p- a boat, that you would it in if y
ou want d to hunt ha k o ma lin o a mon t . God in th i natu al tat a about tw n
ty f t tall, o I could ju t ach th dg of th at if I t tch d my a m . "H lp m up,
" I told Annab th and G ov . "'A you c azy?" Annab th a k d. " obably," I admitt
d. " cy," G ov aid, "th god ally don't app ciat p opl itting in th i th on . I
m an lik tu n-you-into-a-pil -of-a h don't app ciat it." "I n d to g t hi att nt
ion," I aid. "It' th only way." Th y xchang d un a y look . "W ll," Annab th aid
, "thi 'll g t hi att ntion." Th y link d th i a m to mak a t p, th n boo t d m
onto th th on . I f lt lik a baby with my f t o high off th g ound. I look d a o
und at th oth gloomy, mpty th on , and I could imagin what it would b lik itting
on th Olympian Council- o much pow but o much a guing, alway l v n oth god t yi
ng to g t th i way. It would b a y to g t pa anoid, to look out only fo my own i
nt t, p cially if I w o idon. Sitting in hi th on , I f lt lik I had th nti a at
my command-va t cubic mil of oc an chu ning with pow and my t y. Why hould o id
on li t n

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to anyon ? Why houldn't h b th g at t of th tw lv ? Th n I hook my h ad. Conc nt
at . Th th on umbl d. A wav of gal -fo c ang lamm d into my mind: WHO DARESTh v
oic topp d ab uptly. Th ang t at d, which wa a good thing, b cau ju t tho two wo
d had almo t bla t d my mind to h d . cy. My fath ' voic wa till ang y but mo c
ont oll d. What xactlya you doing on my th on ? "I'm o y, Fath ," I aid. "I n d
d to g t you att ntion." Thi wa a v y dang ou thing to do. Ev n fo you. If I had
n't look d b fo I bla t d, you would now b a puddl of awat . "I'm o y," I aid ag
ain. "Li t n, thing a ough up h ." I told him what wa happ ning. Th n I told him
my plan. Hi voic wa il nt fo a long tim . cy, what you a k i impo ibl . My pala
c "Dad, K ono nt an a my again t you on pu po . H want to divid you f om th oth
god b cau h know you could tip th cal ." B that a it may, h attack my hom . "I'm
at you hom ," I aid. "Olympu ." Th floo hook. A wav of ang wa h d ov my mind. I
thought I'd gon too fa , but th n th t mbling a d. In th backg ound of my m nta
l link, I h a d und wat xplo ion and th ound of battl c i : Cyclop b llowing, m
m n houting. "I Ty on okay?" I a k d. Th qu tion m d to tak my dad by u p i . H
' fin . Doing much b tt than I xp ct d. Though "p anut butt " i a t ang battl c
y. "You l t him fight?" Stop changing th ubj ct! You aliz what you a a king m to
do? My palac will b d t oy d. "And Olympu might b av d." Do you hav any id a ho
w long I'v wo k d on mod ling thi palac ? Th gam oom alon took ix hund d y a . "
Dad-" y w ll! It hall b a you ay. But my on, p ay thi wo k . "I am p aying. I'm
talking to you, ight?" Oh . . . y . Good point. Amphit it -incoming! Th ound of
a la g xplo ion hatt d ou conn ction. I lipp d down f om th th on . G ov tudi d
m n vou ly. "A you okay? You tu n d pal and . . . you ta t d moking." "I did not
!" Th n I look d at my a m . St am wa cu ling off my hi t l v . Th hai on my a m
wa ing d. "If you'd at th any long ," Annab th aid, "you would'v pontan ou ly c
ombu t d. I hop th conv ation wa wo th it?" Moo, aid th Ophiotau u in hi ph of w
at . "W 'll find out oon," I aid. Ju t th n th doo of th th on oom wung op n. Th
alia ma ch d in. H bow wa napp d in half and h quiv wa mpty. "You'v got to g t d
own th ," h told u . "Th n my i advancing. And K ono i l ading th m." CHA TER EI
GHTEEN MY ARENTS GO COMMANDO By th tim w got to th t t, it wa too lat . Camp and
Hunt lay wound d on th g ound. Cla i mu t'v lo t a fight with a Hyp bo an giant
, b cau h and h
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cha iot w f oz n in a block of ic . Th c ntau w nowh to b n. Eith th y'd panick
d and an o th y'd b n di int g at d. Th Titan a my ing d th building, tanding ma
yb tw nty f t f om th doo . K ono ' vangua d wa in th l ad: Ethan Nakamu a, th d
aca na qu n in h g n a mo , and two Hyp bo an . I didn't om th u . Th limy w a
l wa p obably hiding back at th i h adqua t . But K ono him lf tood ight in f on
t with hi cyth in hand. Th only thing tanding in hi way wa . . . "Chi on," Annab
th aid, h voic t mbling. If Chi on h a d u , h didn't an w . H had an a ow notc
h d, aim d t aight at K ono ' fac . A oon a K ono aw m , hi gold y fla d. Ev y m
u cl in my body f oz . Th n th Titan lo d tu n d hi att ntion back to Chi on. "S
t p a id , littl on." H a ing Luk call Chi on hi on wa w i d nough, but K ono pu
t cont mpt in hi voic , lik on wa th wo t wo d h could think of. "I'm af aid not
." Chi on' ton wa t ly calm, th way h g t wh n h ' ally ang y. I t i d to mov ,
but my f t f lt lik conc t . Annab th, G ov , and Thalia w t aining too, lik th
y w ju t a tuck. "Chi on!" Annab th aid. "Look out!" Th d aca na qu n b cam impa
ti nt and cha g d. Chi on' a ow fl w t aight b tw n h y and h vapo iz d on th po
t, h mpty a mo clatt ing to th a phalt. Chi on ach d fo anoth a ow, but hi quiv
wa mpty. H d opp d th bow and d w hi wo d. I kn w h hat d fighting with a wo d.
It wa n v hi favo it w apon. K ono chuckl d. H advanc d a t p, and Chi on' ho -h
alf kitt d n vou ly. Hi tail flick d back and fo th. "You' a t ach ," K ono n d.
"Not a h o." "Luk wa a h o," Chi on aid. "H wa a good on , until you co upt d h
im." "FOOL!" K ono ' voic hook th city. "You fill d hi h ad with mpty p omi . Yo
u aid th god ca d about m !" "M ," Chi on notic d. "You aid m ." K ono look d co
nfu d, and in that mom nt, Chi on t uck. It wa a good man uv -a f int follow d b
y a t ik to th fac . I couldn't hav don b tt my lf, but K ono wa quick. H had al
l of Luk ' fighting kill, which wa a lot. H knock d a id Chi on' blad and y ll d
, "BACK!" Ablinding whit light xplod d b tw n th Titan and th c ntau . Chi on fl
w into th id of th building with uch fo c th wall c umbl d and collap d on top
of him. "No!" Annab th wail d. Th f zing p ll b ok . W an towa d ou t ach , but
th wa no ign of him. Thalia and I pull d h lpl ly at th b ick whil a ippl of ugl
y laught an th ough th Titan' a my. "YOU!" Annab th tu n d on Luk . "To think th
at I . . . that I thought-" Sh d w h knif . "Annab th, don't." I t i d to tak h
a m, but h hook m off. Sh attack d K ono , and hi mug mil fad d. hap om pa t of
Luk m mb d that h u d to lik thi gi l, u d to tak ca of h wh n h wa littl . Sh p
lung d h knif b tw n th t ap of hi a mo , ight at hi colla bon . Th blad hould'v
unk into hi ch t. In t ad it bounc d off. Annab th doubl d ov , clutching h a m
to h tomach. Th jolt might'v b n nough to di locat h bad hould .
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I yank d h back a K ono wung hi cyth , licing th ai wh h 'd b n tanding. Sh foug
ht m and c am d, "I HATE you!" I wa n't u who h wa talking to-m o Luk o K ono .
T a t ak d th du t on h fac . "I hav to fight him," I told h . "It' my fight too
, cy!" K ono laugh d. "So much pi it. I can why Luk want d to pa you. Unfo tunat
ly, that won't b po ibl ." H ai d hi cyth . I got ady to d f nd, but b fo K ono
could t ik , a dog' howl pi c d th ai om wh b hind th Titan' a my. "A oooooooo!
" It wa too much to hop , but I call d, "M . O'L a y?" Th n my fo c ti d un a il
y. Th n th t ang t thing happ n d. Th y b gan to pa t, cl a ing a path th ough t
h t t lik om thing b hind th m wa fo cing th m to. Soon th wa a f ai l down th c
nt of Fifth Av nu . Standing at th nd of th block wa my giant dog, and a mall f
igu in black a mo . "Nico?" I call d. "ROWWF!" M . O'L a y bound d towa d m , ig
no ing th g owling mon t on ith id . Nico t od fo wa d. Th n my a my f ll back b
fo him lik h adiat d d ath, which of cou h did. Th ough th fac gua d of hi kull
- hap d h lm t, h mil d. "Got you m ag . I it too lat to join th pa ty?" "Son of
Had ." K ono pit on th g ound. "Do you lov d ath o much you wi h to xp i nc it?
" "You d ath," Nico aid, "would b g at fo m ." "I'm immo tal, you fool! I hav ca
p d Ta ta u . You hav no bu in h , and no chanc to liv ." Nico d w hi wo d-th f
t of wick d ha p Stygian i on, black a a nightma . "I don't ag ." Th g ound umbl
d. C ack app a d m th oad, th id walk , th id of th building . Sk l tal hand g
a p d th ai a th d ad claw d th i way into th wo ld of th living. Th w thou and
of th m, and a th y m g d, th Titan' mon t got jumpy and ta t d to back up. "HOL
D YOUR GROUND!" K ono d mand d. "Th d ad a no match fo u ." Th ky tu n d da k an
d cold. Shadow thick n d. A ha h wa ho n ound d, and a th d ad oldi fo m d up an
k with th i gun and wo d and p a , an no mou cha iot oa d down Fifth Av nu . It
cam to a top n xt to Nico. Th ho w living hadow , fa hion d f om da kn . Th cha
iot wa inlaid with ob idian and gold, d co at d with c n of painful d ath. Holdi
ng th in wa Had him lf, Lo d of th D ad, with D m t and phon iding b hind him. H
ad wo black a mo and a cloak th colo of f h blood. On top of hi pal h ad wa th h
lm of da kn : a c own that adiat d pu t o . It chang d hap a I watch d-f om a d
agon' h ad to a ci cl of black flam to a w ath of human bon . But that wa n't t
h ca y pa t. Th h lm ach d into my mind and ignit d my wo t nightma , my mo t c
t f a . I want d to c awl into a hol and hid , and I could t ll th n my a my f l
t th am way. Only K ono ' pow and autho ity k pt hi ank f om fl ing. Had mil d c
oldly. "H llo, Fath . You' looking . . . young." "Had ," K ono g owl d. "I hop y
ou and th ladi hav com to pl dg you all gianc ." "I'm af aid not." Had igh d. "M
y on h convinc d m that
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p hap I hould p io itiz my li t of n mi ." H glanc d at m with di ta t . "A much
a I di lik c tain up ta t d migod , it would not do fo Olympu to fall. I would
mi bick ing with my ibling . And if th i on thing w ag on-it i that you w a TERR
IBLE fath ." "T u ," mutt d D m t . "No app ciation of ag icultu ." "Moth !" pho
n complain d. Had d w hi wo d, a doubl - dg d Stygian blad tch d with ilv . "Now
fight m ! Fo today th Hou of Had will b call d th avio of Olympu ." "I don't ha
v tim fo thi ," K ono na l d. H t uck th g ound with hi cyth . A c ack p ad in b
oth di ction , ci cling th Empi Stat Building. A wall of fo c himm d along th fi
u lin , pa ating K ono ' vangua d, my f i nd , and m f om th bulk of th two a m
i . "What' h doing?" I mutt d. "S aling u in," Thalia aid. "H ' collap ing th ma
gic ba i a ound Manhattan-cutting off ju t th building, and u ." Su nough, out i
d th ba i , ca ngin vv d to lif . d t ian wok up and ta d uncomp h ndingly at th
mon t and zombi all a ound th m. No t lling what th y aw th ough th Mi t, but I
'm u it wa pl nty ca y. Ca doo op n d. And at th nd of th block, aul Blofi and m
y mom got out of th i iu . "No," I aid. "Don't . . ." My moth could th ough th M
i t. I could t ll f om h xp ion that h und tood how iou thing w . I hop d h woul
d hav th n to un. But h lock d y with m , aid om thing to aul, and th y an t aig
ht towa d u . I couldn't call out. Th la t thing I want d to do wa b ing h to K
ono ' att ntion. Fo tunat ly, Had cau d a di t action. H cha g d at th wall of f
o c , but hi cha iot c a h d again t it and ov tu n d. H got to hi f t, cu ing,
and bla t d th wall with black n gy. Th ba i h ld. "ATTACK!" h oa d. Th a mi of
th d ad cla h d with th Titan' mon t . Fifth Av nu xplod d into ab olut chao . M
o tal c am d and an fo cov . D m t wav d h hand and an nti column of giant tu n
d into a wh at fi ld. phon chang d th d aca na ' p a into unflow . Nico la h d a
nd hack d hi way th ough th n my, t ying to p ot ct th p d t ian a b t h could.
My pa nt an towa d m , dodging mon t and zombi , but th wa nothing I could do to
h lp th m. "Nakamu a," K ono aid. "Att nd m . Giant -d al with th m." H point d
at my f i nd and m . Th n h duck d into th lobby. Fo a cond I wa tunn d. I'd b
n xp cting a fight, but K ono compl t ly igno d m lik I wa n't wo th th t oubl .
That mad m mad. Th fi t Hyp bo an giant ma h d at m with hi club. I oll d b tw
n hi l g and tabb d Riptid into hi back id . H hatt d into a pil of ic ha d . Th
cond giant b ath d f o t at Annab th, who wa ba ly abl to tand, but G ov pull d
h out of th way whil Thalia w nt to wo k. Sh p int d up th giant' back lik a ga
z ll , lic d h hunting kniv ac o hi mon t ou blu n ck, and c at d th wo ld' la g
t h adl ic culptu . I glanc d out id th magic ba i . Nico wa fighting hi way to
wa d my mom and aul, but th y w n't waiting fo h lp. aul g abb d a wo d f om a f
all n h o and dida p tty fin job k ping a d aca na bu y. H tabb d h in th gut, a
nd h di int g at d. " aul?" I aid in amaz m nt.
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H tu n d towa d m and g inn d. "I hop that wa a mon t I ju t kill d. I wa a Shak
p a ian acto in coll g ! ick d up a littl wo dplay!" I lik d him v n b tt fo th
at, but th n a Lai t ygonian giant cha g d towa d my mom. Sh wa ummaging a ound
in an abandon d polic ca -mayb looking fo th m g ncy adio-and h back wa tu n d.
"Mom!" I y ll d. Sh whi l d wh n th mon t wa almo t on top of h . I thought th t
hing in h hand wa an umb lla until h c ank d th pump and th hotgun bla t bl w th
giant tw nty f t backwa d, ight into Nico' wo d. "Nic on ," aul aid. "Wh n did
you l a n to fi a hotgun?" I d mand d. My mom bl w th hai out of h fac . "About
two cond ago. cy, w 'll b fin . Go!" "Y ," Nico ag d, "w 'll handl th a my. You
hav to g t K ono !" "Com on, S aw d B ain!" Annab th aid. I nodd d. Th n I look
d at th ubbl pil on th id of th building. My h a t twi t d. I'd fo gott n about
Chi on. How could I do that? "M . O'L a y," I aid. " l a , Chi on' und th . If a
nyon can dig him out, you can. Find him! H lp him!" I'm not u how much h und too
d, but h bound d to th pil and ta t d to dig. Annab th, Thalia, G ov , and I ac
d fo th l vato . CHA TER NINETEEN WE TRASH THE ETERNAL CITY Th b idg to Olympu w
a di olving. W t pp d out of th l vato onto th whit ma bl walkway, and imm diat
ly c ack app a d at ou f t. "Jump!" G ov aid, which wa a y fo him inc h ' pa t m
ountain goat. H p ang to th n xt lab of ton whil ou tilt d ick ningly. "God , I
hat h ight !" Thalia y ll d a h and I l ap d. But Annab th wa in no hap fo jumpi
ng. Sh tumbl d and y ll d, " cy!" I caught h hand a th pav m nt f ll, c umbling
into du t. Fo a cond I thought h wa going to pull u both ov . H f t dangl d in t
h op n ai . H hand ta t d to lip until I wa holding h only by h fing . Th n G ov
and Thalia g abb d my l g , and I found xt a t ngth. Annab th wa not going to f
all. I pull d h up and w lay t mbling on th pav m nt. I didn't aliz w had ou a m
a ound ach oth until h udd nly t n d. "Um, thank ," h mutt d. I t i d to ay Don
't m ntion it, but it cam out a , "Uh duh." "K p moving!" G ov tugg d my hould .
W untangl d ou lv and p int d ac o th ky b idg a mo ton di int g at d and f ll
into oblivion. W mad it to th dg of th mountain ju t a th final ction collap d.
Annab th look d back at th l vato , which wa now compl t ly out of ach-a poli h
d t of m tal doo hanging in pac , attach d to nothing, ix hund d to i abov Manha
ttan. "W ' ma oon d," h aid. "On ou own." "Blah-ha-ha!" G ov aid. "Th conn ction
b tw n Olympu and Am ica i di olving. If it fail -" "Th god won't mov on to ano
th count y thi tim ," Thalia aid. "Thi will b th nd of Olympu . Th final nd." W
an th ough t t . Man ion w bu ning. Statu had b n
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hack d down. T in th pa k w bla t d to plint . It look d lik om on had attack d
th city with a giant W dwack . "K ono ' cyth ," I aid. W follow d th winding pat
h towa d th palac of th god . I didn't m mb th oad b ing o long. Mayb K ono wa m
aking tim go low , o mayb it wa ju t d ad lowing m down. Th whol mountaintop wa
in uin - o many b autiful building and ga d n gon . A f w mino god and natu pi i
t had t i d to top K ono . What main d of th m wa t wn about th oad: hatt d a mo
, ipp d clothing, wo d and p a b ok n in half. Som wh ah ad of u , K ono ' voic
oa d: "B ick by b ick! That wa my p omi . T a it down BRICK BY BRICK!" A whit m
a bl t mpl with a gold dom udd nly xplod d. Th dom hot up lik th lid of a t apot
and hatt d into a billion pi c , aining ubbl ov th city. "That wa a h in to A t
mi ," Thalia g umbl d. "H 'll pay fo that." W w unning und th ma bl a chway wit
h th hug tatu of Z u and H a wh n th nti mountain g oan d, ocking id way lik a b
oat in a to m. "Look out!" G ov y lp d. Th a chway c umbl d. I look d up in tim
to a tw nty-ton cowling H a toppl ov on u . Annab th and I would'v b n flatt n d
, but Thalia hov d u f om b hind and w land d ju t out of dang . "Thalia!" G ov
c i d. Wh n th du t cl a d and th mountain topp d ocking, w found h till aliv ,
but h l g w pinn d und th tatu . W t i d d p at ly to mov it, but it would'v tak
n v al Cyclop . Wh n w t i d to pull Thalia out f om und it, h y ll d in pain.
"I u viv all tho battl ," h g owl d, "and I g t d f at d by a tupid chunk of ock
!" "It' H a," Annab th aid in out ag . "Sh ' had it in fo m all y a . H tatu wou
ld'v kill d m if you hadn't pu h d u away." Thalia g imac d. "W ll, don't ju t t
and th ! I'll b fin . Go!" W didn't want to l av h , but I could h a K ono laugh
ing a h app oach d th hall of th god . Mo building xplod d. "W 'll b back," I p
omi d. "I'm not going anywh ," Thalia g oan d. A fi ball upt d on th id of th mo
untain, ight n a th gat of th palac . "W 'v got to un," I aid. "I don't uppo you
m an away," G ov mu mu d hop fully. I p int d towa d th palac , Annab th ight b
hind m . "I wa af aid of that," G ov igh d, and clip-clopp d aft u . Th doo of
th palac w big nough to t a c ui hip th ough, but th y'd b n ipp d off th i hing
and ma h d lik th y w igh d nothing. W had to climb ov a hug pil of b ok n ton
and twi t d m tal to g t in id . K ono tood in th middl of th th on oom, hi a m
wid , ta ing at th ta y c iling a if taking it all in. Hi laught cho d v n loud
than it had f om th pit of Ta ta u . "Finally!" h b llow d. "Th Olympian Council
- o p oud and mighty. Which at of pow hall I d t oy fi t?" Ethan Nakamu a tood t
o on id , t ying to tay out of th way of hi ma t ' cyth . Th h a th wa almo t d
ad, ju t a f w coal glowing d p in th a h . H tia wa nowh to b n. N ith wa Rach
l. I hop d h wa okay, but I'd n o much d t uction I wa af aid to think about it.
Th Ophiotau u wam in hi wat
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ph in th fa co n of th oom, wi ly not making a ound, but it wouldn't b long b fo
K ono notic d him. Annab th, G ov , and I t pp d fo wa d into th to chlight. Et
han aw u fi t. "My lo d," h wa n d. K ono tu n d and mil d th ough Luk ' fac . E
xc pt fo th gold n y , h look d ju t th am a h had fou y a ago wh n h 'd w lcom
d m into th H m cabin. Annab th mad a painful ound in th back of h th oat, lik o
m on had ju t uck punch d h . "Shall I d t oy you fi t, Jack on?" K ono a k d. "
I that th choic you will mak -to fight m and di in t ad of bowing down? oph ci n
v nd w ll, you know." "Luk would fight with a wo d," I aid. "But I uppo you don
't hav hi kill." K ono n d. Hi cyth b gan to chang , until h h ld Luk ' old w ap
on, Backbit , with it half- t l, half-C l tial b onz blad . N xt to m , Annab th
ga p d lik h 'd udd nly had an id a. " cy, th blad !" Sh un h ath d h knif . "T
h h o' oul, cu d blad hall ap." I didn't und tand why h wa minding m of that p o
ph cy lin ight now. It wa n't xactly a mo al boo t , but b fo I could ay anythin
g, K ono ai d hi wo d. "Wait!" Annab th y ll d. K ono cam at m lik a whi lwind.
My in tinct took ov . I dodg d and la h d and oll d, but I f lt lik I wa fightin
g a hund d wo d m n. Ethan duck d to on id , t ying to g t b hind m until Annab
th int c pt d him. Th y ta t d to fight, but I couldn't focu on how h wa doing.
I wa vagu ly awa of G ov playing hi d pip . Th ound fill d m with wa mth and cou
ag -thought of unlight and a blu ky and a calm m adow, om wh fa away f om th wa
. K ono back d m up again t th th on of H pha tu -a hug m chanical La-Z-Boy typ
thing cov d with b onz and ilv g a . K ono la h d, and I manag d to jump t aigh
t up onto th at. Th th on whi d and humm d with c t m chani m . D f n mod , it w
a n d. D f n mod . That couldn't b good. I jump d t aight ov K ono ' h ad a th t
h on hot t nd il of l ct icity in all di ction . On hit K ono in th fac , a cing
down hi body and up hi wo d. "ARG!" H c umpl d to hi kn and d opp d Backbit . A
nnab th aw h chanc . Sh kick d Ethan out of th way and cha g d K ono . "Luk , li
t n!" I want d to hout at h , to t ll h h wa c azy fo t ying to a on with K ono
, but th wa no tim . K ono flick d hi hand. Annab th fl w backwa d, lamming int
o th th on of h moth and c umpling to th floo . "Annab th!" I c am d. Ethan Naka
mu a got to hi f t. H now tood b tw n Annab th and m . I couldn't fight him with
out tu ning my back on K ono . G ov ' mu ic took on a mo u g nt tun . H mov d to
wa d Annab th, but h couldn't go any fa t and k p up th ong. G a g w on th floo
of th th on oom. Tiny oot c pt up b tw n th c ack of th ma bl ton . K ono o to o
n kn . Hi hai mold d. Hi fac wa cov d with l ct ical bu n . H ach d fo hi wo d,
but thi tim it didn't fly into hi hand . "Nakamu a!" h g oan d. "Tim to p ov you
lf. You know Jack on' c t w akn . Kill him, and you will hav wa d b yond m a u
."
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Ethan' y d opp d to my mid ction, and I wa u that h kn w. Ev n if h couldn't kil
l m him lf, all h had to do wa t ll K ono . Th wa no way I could d f nd my lf fo
v . "Look a ound you, Ethan," I aid. "Th nd of th wo ld. I thi th wa d you want
? Do you ally want v ything d t oy d-th good with th bad? Ev ything?" G ov wa al
mo t to Annab th now. Th g a thick n d on th floo . Th oot w almo t a foot long,
lik a tubbl of whi k . "Th i no th on to N m i ," Ethan mutt d. "No th on to my
moth ." "That' ight!" K ono t i d to g t up, but tumbl d. Abov hi l ft a , a pa
tch of blond hai till mold d. "St ik th m down! Th y d v to uff ." "You aid you
mom i th godd of balanc ," I mind d him. "Th mino god d v b tt , Ethan, but tota
l d t uction i n't balanc . K ono do n't build. H only d t oy ." Ethan look d at
th izzling th on of H pha tu . G ov ' mu ic k pt playing, and Ethan way d to it
, a if th ong w filling him with no talgia-a wi h to a b autiful day, to b anywh
but h . Hi good y blink d. Th n h cha g d . . . but not at m . Whil K ono wa ti
ll on hi kn , Ethan b ought down hi wo d on th Titan lo d' n ck. It hould hav ki
ll d him in tantly, but th blad hatt d. Ethan f ll back, g a ping hi tomach. A h
a d of hi own blad had icoch t d and pi c d hi a mo . K ono o un t adily, tow in
g ov hi vant. "T a on," h na l d. G ov ' mu ic k pt playing, and g a g w a ound
Ethan' body. Ethan ta d at m , hi fac tight with pain. "D v b tt ," h ga p d. "I
f th y ju t . . . had th on -" K ono tomp d hi foot, and th floo uptu d a ound E
than Nakamu a. Th on of N m i f ll th ough a fi u that w nt t aight th ough th h
a t of th mountain- t aight into op n ai . "So much fo him." K ono pick d up hi
wo d. "And now fo th t of you." My only thought wa to k p him away f om Annab t
h. G ov wa at h id now. H 'd topp d playing and wa f ding h amb o ia. Ev ywh K o
no t pp d, th oot w app d a ound hi f t, but G ov had topp d hi magic too a ly.
Th oot w n't thick o t ong nough to do much mo than annoy th Titan. W fought th
ough th h a th, kicking up coal and pa k . K ono la h d an a m t off th th on of
A , which wa okay by m , but th n h back d m up to my dad' th on . "Oh, y ," K
ono aid. "Thi on will mak fin kindling fo my n w h a th!" Ou blad cla h d in a h
ow of pa k . H wa t ong than m , but fo th mom nt I f lt th pow of th oc an in m
y a m . I pu h d him back and t uck again- la hing Riptid ac o hi b a tplat o ha
d I cut a ga h in th C l tial b onz . H tamp d hi foot again and tim low d. I t
i d to attack but I wa moving at th p d of a glaci . K ono back d up l i u ly,
catching hi b ath. H xamin d th ga h in hi a mo whil I t uggl d fo wa d, il ntly
cu ing him. H could tak all th tim out h want d. H could f z m in plac at will.
My only hop wa that th ffo t wa d aining him. If I could w a him down . . . "It
' too lat , cy Jack on," h aid. "B hold." H point d to th h a th, and th coal gl
ow d. A h t of whit mok pou d f om th fi , fo ming imag lik an I i -m ag . I aw
Nico and my pa nt down on Fifth Av nu , fighting a hop l
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battl , ing d in n mi . In th backg ound Had fought f om hi black cha iot, ummon
ing wav aft wav of zombi out of th g ound, but th fo c of th Titan' a my m d ju
t a ndl . M anwhil , Manhattan wa b ing d t oy d. Mo tal , now fully awak , w un
ning in t o . Ca w v d and c a h d. Th c n hift d, and I aw om thing v n mo t if
ying. A column of to m wa app oaching th Hud on Riv , moving apidly ov th J y ho
. Cha iot ci cl d it, lock d in combat with th c atu in th cloud. Th god attack
d. Lightning fla h d. A ow of gold and ilv t ak d into th cloud lik ock t t ac
and xplod d. Slowly, th cloud ipp d apa t, and I aw Typhon cl a ly fo th fi t ti
m . I kn w a long a I liv d (which might not b that long) I would n v b abl to g
t th imag out of my mind. Typhon' h ad hift d con tantly. Ev y mom nt h wa a di
ff nt mon t , ach mo ho ibl than th la t. Looking at hi fac would'v d iv n m in
an , o I focu d on hi body, which wa n't much b tt . H wa humanoid, but hi kin m
ind d m of a m at loaf andwich that had b n in om on ' lock all y a . H wa mottl
d g n, with bli t th iz of building , and black n d patch f om on of b ing tuck
und a volcano. Hi hand w human, but with talon lik an agl ' . Hi l g w caly and
ptilian. "Th Olympian a giving th i final ffo t." K ono laugh d. "How path tic.
" Z u th w a thund bolt f om hi cha iot. Th bla t lit up th wo ld. I could f l t
h hock v n h on Olympu , but wh n th du t cl a d, Typhon wa till tanding. H tagg
d a bit, with a moking c at on top of hi mi hap n h ad, but h oa d in ang and k
pt advancing. My limb b gan to loo n up. K ono didn't m to notic . Hi att ntion
wa focu d on th fight and hi final victo y. If I could hold out a f w mo cond ,
and if my dad k pt hi wo d . . . Typhon t pp d into th Hud on Riv and ba ly ank
to midcalf. Now, I thought, implo ing th imag in th mok . l a , it ha to happ n
now. Lik a mi acl , a conch ho n ound d f om th moky pictu . Th call of th oc a
n. Th call of o idon. All a ound Typhon, th Hud on Riv upt d, chu ning with fo t
yfoot wav . Out of th wat bu t a n w cha iot-thi on pull d by ma iv hippocampi,
who wam in ai a a ily a in wat . My fath , glowing with a blu au a of pow , od a
d fiant ci cl a ound th giant' l g . o idon wa no long an old man. H look d lik
him lf again-tan and t ong with a black b a d. A h wung hi t id nt, th iv pond
d, making a funn l cloud a ound th mon t . "No!" K ono b llow d aft a mom nt of
tunn d il nc . "NO!" "NOW, MY BRETHREN!" o idon' voic wa o loud I wa n't u if I
wa h a ing it f om th mok imag o f om all th way ac o town. "STRIKE FOR OLYM US!
" Wa io bu t out of th iv , iding th wav on hug ha k and d agon and a ho . It wa
a l gion of Cyclop , and l ading th m into battl wa . . . "Ty on!" I y ll d. I
kn w h couldn't h a m , but I ta d at him in amaz m nt. H 'd magically g own in
iz . H had to b thi ty f t tall, a big a any of hi old cou in , and fo th fi t t
im h wa w a ing full battl a mo . Riding b hind him wa B ia , th Hund d-Hand d O
n . All th Cyclop h ld hug l ngth of black i on chain -big nough to ancho a batt
l hip-with g appling hook at th nd . Th y wung th m lik la o and b gan to n na T
yphon, th owing lin a ound
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th c atu ' l g and a m , u ing th tid to k p ci cling, lowly tangling him. Typho
n hook and oa d and yank d at th chain , pulling om of th Cyclop off th i mount
; but th w too many chain . Th h w ight of th Cyclop battalion b gan to w igh Ty
phon down. o idon th w hi t id nt and impal d th mon t in th th oat. Gold n bloo
d, immo tal icho , p w d f om th wound, making a wat fall tall than a ky c ap .
Th t id nt fl w back to o idon' hand. Th oth god t uck with n w d fo c . A od in
and tabb d Typhon in th no . A t mi hot th mon t in th y with a doz n ilv a ow
. Apollo hot a blazing voll y of a ow and t th mon t ' loincloth on fi . And Z u
k pt pounding th giant with lightning, until finally, lowly, th wat o , w appin
g Typhon lik a cocoon, and h b gan to ink und th w ight of th chain . Typhon b l
low d in agony, th a hing with uch fo c that wav lo h d th J y ho , oaking fiv -
to y building and pla hing ov th G o g Wa hington B idg -but down h w nt a my d
ad op n d a p cial tunn l fo him at th bottom of th iv -an ndl wat lid that woul
d tak him t aight to Ta ta u . Th giant' h ad w nt und in a thing whi lpool, and
h wa gon . "BAH!" K ono c am d. H la h d hi wo d th ough th mok , t a ing th im
ag to h d . "Th y' on th i way," I aid. "You'v lo t." "I hav n't v n ta t d." H
advanc d with blinding p d. G ov -b av , tupid aty that h wa -t i d to p ot ct m
, but K ono to d him a id lik a ag doll. I id t pp d and jabb d und K ono ' gua
d. It wa a good t ick. Unfo tunat ly, Luk kn w it. H count d th t ik and di a m
d m u ing on of th fi t mov h 'd v taught m . My wo d kitt d ac o th g ound and
f ll t aight into th op n fi u . "STO !" Annab th cam f om nowh . K ono whi l d
to fac h and la h d with Backbit , but om how Annab th caught th t ik on h dagg
hilt. It wa a mov only th quick t and mo t kill d knif fight could'v manag d. D
on't a k m wh h found th t ngth, but h t pp d in clo fo l v ag , th i blad c o d
, and fo a mom nt h tood fac -tofac with th Titan lo d, holding him at a tand ti
ll. "Luk ," h aid, g itting h t th, "I und tand now. You hav to t u t m ." K ono
oa d in out ag . "Luk Ca t llan i d ad! Hi body will bu n away a I a um my t u
fo m!" I t i d to mov , but my body wa f oz n again. How could Annab th, batt d
and half d ad with xhau tion, hav th t ngth to fight a Titan lik K ono ? K ono p
u h d again t h , t ying to di lodg hi blad , but h h ld him in ch ck, h a m t m
bling a h fo c d hi wo d down towa d h n ck. "You moth ," Annab th g unt d. "Sh
aw you fat ." "S vic to K ono !" th Titan oa d. "Thi i my fat ." "No!" Annab th
in i t d. H y w t a ing up, but I didn't know if it wa f om adn o pain. "That' n
ot th nd, Luk . Th p oph cy: h aw what you would do. It appli to you!" "I will c
u h you, child!" K ono b llow d. "You won't," Annab th aid. "You p omi d. You'
holding K ono back v n now." "LIES!" K ono pu h d again, and thi tim Annab th lo
t h balanc . With hi f hand, K ono t uck h fac , and h lid backwa d. I ummon d
all my will. I manag d to i , but it wa lik holding th w ight of th ky again.
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K ono loom d ov Annab th, hi wo d ai d. Blood t ickl d f om th co n of h mouth.
Sh c oak d, "Family, Luk . You p omi d." I took a painful t p fo wa d. G ov wa b
ack on hi f t, ov by th th on of H a, but h m d to b t uggling to mov a w ll. B
fo ith of u could g t anywh clo to Annab th, K ono tagg d. H ta d at th knif in
Annab th' hand, th blood on h fac . " omi ." Th n h ga p d lik h couldn't g t ai
. "Annab th . . ." But it wa n't th Titan' voic . It wa Luk ' . H tumbl d fo wa
d lik h couldn't cont ol hi own body. "You' bl ding. . . ." "My knif ." Annab t
h t i d to ai h dagg , but it clatt d out of h hand. H a m wa b nt at a funny an
gl . Sh look d at m , implo ing, " cy, pl a . . ." I could mov again. I u g d fo
wa d and coop d up h knif . I knock d Backbit out of Luk ' hand, and it pun int
o th h a th. Luk ha dly paid m any att ntion. H t pp d towa d Annab th, but I pu
t my lf b tw n him and h . "Don't touch h ," I aid. Ang ippl d ac o hi fac . K o
no ' voic g owl d: "Jack on . . ." Wa it my imagination, o wa hi whol body glowi
ng, tu ning gold? H ga p d again. Luk ' voic : "H ' changing. H lp. H ' . . . h
' almo t ady. H won't n d my body anymo . l a -" "NO!" K ono b llow d. H look d
a ound fo hi wo d, but it wa in th h a th, glowing among th coal . H tumbl d tow
a d it. I t i d to top him, but h pu h d m out of th way with uch fo c I land d
n xt to Annab th and c ack d my h ad on th ba of Ath na' th on . "Th knif , cy,"
Annab th mutt d. H b ath wa hallow. "H o . . . cu d blad . . ." Wh n my vi ion
cam back into focu , I aw K ono g a ping hi wo d. Th n h b llow d in pain and d
opp d it. Hi hand w moking and a d. Th h a th fi had g own d-hot, lik th cyth wa
n't compatibl with it. I aw an imag of H tia flick ing in th a h , f owning at
K ono with di app oval. Luk tu n d and collap d, clutching hi uin d hand . " l a
, cy . . ." I t uggl d to my f t. I mov d towa d him with th knif . I hould kil
l him. That wa th plan. Luk m d to know what I wa thinking. H moi t n d hi lip .
"You can't . . . can't do it you lf. H 'll b ak my cont ol. H 'll d f nd him lf
. Only my hand. I know wh . I can . . . can k p him cont oll d." H wa d finit ly
glowing now, hi kin ta ting to mok . I ai d th knif to t ik . Th n I look d at
Annab th, at G ov c adling h in hi a m , t ying to hi ld h . And I finally und t
ood what h 'd b n t ying to t ll m . You a not th h o, Rach l had aid. It will a
ff ct what you do. " l a ," Luk g oan d. "No tim ." If K ono volv d into hi t u
fo m, th would b no topping him. H would mak Typhon look lik a playg ound bully.
Th lin f om th g at p oph cy cho d in my h ad: A h o' oul, cu d blad hall ap. M
y whol wo ld tipp d up id down, and I gav th knif to Luk . G ov y lp d. " cy? A
you . . . um . . ." C azy. In an . Off my ock . obably. But I watch d a Luk g a
p d th hilt.

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I tood b fo him-d f n l . H unlatch d th id t ap of hi a mo , xpo ing a mall bit
of hi kin ju t und hi l ft a m, a plac that would b v y ha d to hit. With diffi
culty, h tabb d him lf. It wa n't a d p cut, but Luk howl d. Hi y glow d lik lav
a. Th th on oom hook, th owing m off my f t. An au a of n gy u ound d Luk , g ow
ing b ight and b ight . I hut my y and f lt a fo c lik a nucl a xplo ion bli t m
y kin and c ack my lip . It wa il nt fo a long tim . Wh n I op n d my y , I aw L
uk p awl d at th h a th. On th floo a ound him wa a black n d ci cl of a h. K on
o ' cyth had liqu fi d into molt n m tal and wa t ickling into th coal of th h a
th, which now glow d lik a black mith' fu nac . Luk ' l ft id wa bloody. Hi y w
op n-blu y , th way th y u d to b . Hi b ath wa a d p attl . "Good . . . blad ,
" h c oak d. I kn lt n xt to him. Annab th limp d ov with G ov ' uppo t. Th y bo
th had t a in th i y . Luk gaz d at Annab th. "You kn w. I almo t kill d you, bu
t you kn w . . ." "Shhh." H voic t mbl d. "You w a h o at th nd, Luk . You'll go
to Ely ium." H hook hi h ad w akly. "Think . . . bi th. T y fo th tim . I l of
th Bl t." Annab th niffl d. "You alway pu h d you lf too ha d." H h ld up hi cha
d hand. Annab th touch d hi fing tip . "Did you . . ." Luk cough d and hi lip g
li t n d d. "Did you lov m ?" Annab th wip d h t a away. "Th wa a tim I thought
. . . w ll, I thought . . ." Sh look d at m , lik h wa d inking in th fact that
I wa till h . And I aliz d I wa doing th am thing. Th wo ld wa collap ing, and t
h only thing that ally matt d to m wa that h wa aliv . "You w lik a b oth to m ,
Luk ," h aid oftly. "But I didn't lov you." H nodd d, a if h 'd xp ct d it. H w
inc d in pain. "W can g t amb o ia," G ov aid. "W can-" "G ov ," Luk gulp d. "Yo
u' th b av t aty I v kn w. But no. Th ' no h aling. . . ." Anoth cough. H g ipp
d my l v , and I could f l th h at of hi kin lik a fi . "Ethan. M . All th uncla
im d. Don't l t it . . . Don't l t it happ n again." Hi y w ang y, but pl ading
too. "I won't," I aid. "I p omi ." Luk nodd d, and hi hand w nt lack. Th god a i
v d a f w minut lat in th i full wa galia, thund ing into th th on oom and xp ct
ing a battl . What th y found w Annab th, G ov , and m tanding ov th body of a b
ok n half-blood, in th dim wa m light of th h a th. " cy," my fath call d, aw i
n hi voic . "What . . . what i thi ?" I tu n d and fac d th Olympian . "W n d a
h oud," I announc d, my voic c acking. "A h oud fo th on of H m ." CHA TER TWENT
Y WE WIN FABULOUS RIZES Th Th Fat th m lv took Luk ' body. I hadn't n th old lad
i in y a , inc I'd witn d th m nip a lif th ad at a oad id f uit tand wh n I wa
tw lv . Th y'd ca d
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m th n, and th y ca d m now-th ghouli h g andmoth with bag of knitting n dl and
ya n. On of th m look d at m , and v n though h didn't ay anything, my lif lit a
lly fla h d b fo my y . Sudd nly I wa tw nty. Th n I wa a middl -ag d man. Th n
I tu n d old and with d. All th t ngth l ft my body, and I aw my own tomb ton an
d an op n g av , a coffin b ing low d into th g ound. All thi happ n d in l than
a cond. It i don , h aid. Th Fat h ld up th nipp t of blu ya n-and I kn w it wa
th am on I'd n fou y a ago, th lif lin I'd watch d th m nip. I had thought it w
a my lif . Now I aliz d it wa Luk ' . Th y'd b n howing m th lif that would hav
to b ac ific d to t thing ight. Th y gath d up Luk ' body, now w app d in a whit
-and-g n h oud, and b gan ca ying it out of th th on oom. "Wait," H m aid. Th m
ng god wa d d in hi cla ic outfit of whit G k ob , andal , and h lm t. Th wing
of hi h lm flutt d a h walk d. Th nak G o g and Ma tha cu l d a ound hi caduc u
, mu mu ing, Luk , poo Luk . I thought about May Ca t llan, alon in h kitch n, b
aking cooki and making andwich fo a on who would n v com hom . H m unw app d Luk
' fac and ki d hi fo h ad. H mu mu d om wo d in Anci nt G k-a final bl ing. "Fa
w ll," h whi p d. Th n h nodd d and allow d th Fat to ca y away hi on' body. A
th y l ft, I thought about th G at oph cy. Th lin now mad n to m . Th h o' oul,
cu d blad hall ap. Th h o wa Luk . Th cu d blad wa th knif h 'd giv n Annab th l
ong ago-cu d b cau Luk had b ok n hi p omi and b t ay d hi f i nd . A ingl choic
hall nd hi day . My choic , to giv him th knif , and to b li v , a Annab th had
, that h wa till capabl of tting thing ight. Olympu to p v o az . By ac ificing
him lf, h had av d Olympu . Rach l wa ight. In th nd, I wa n't ally th h o. Luk
wa . And I und tood om thing l : Wh n Luk had d c nd d into th Riv Styx, h would
'v had to focu on om thing impo tant that would hold him to hi mo tal lif . Oth
wi h would'v di olv d. I had n Annab th, and I had a f ling h had too. H had pic
tu d that c n H tia how d m -of him lf in th good old day with Thalia and Annab
th, wh n h p omi d th y would b a family. Hu ting Annab th in battl had hock d h
im into m mb ing that p omi . It had allow d hi mo tal con ci nc to tak ov again
, and d f at K ono . Hi w ak pot-hi Achill h lhad av d u all. N xt to m , Annab
th' kn buckl d. I caught h , but h c i d out in pain, and I aliz d I'd g abb d h
b ok n a m. "Oh god ," I aid. "Annab th, I'm o y." "It' all ight," h aid a h pa
d out in my a m . "Sh n d h lp!" I y ll d. "I'v got thi ." Apollo t pp d fo wa
d. Hi fi y a mo wa o b ight it wa ha d to look at, and hi matching Ray-Ban and p
f ct mil mad him look lik a mal mod l fo battl g a . "God of m dicin , at you v
ic ." H pa d hi hand ov Annab th' fac and pok an incantation. Imm diat ly th b u
i fad d. H cut and ca di app a d. H a m t aight n d, and h igh d in h l p. Apoll
o g inn d. "Sh 'll b fin in a f w minut . Ju t nough tim fo m to compo a po m ab
out ou victo y: 'Apollo and hi f i nd
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av Olympu .' Good, h?" "Thank , Apollo," I aid. "I'll, um, l t you handl th po t
y." Th n xt f w hou w a blu . I m mb d my p omi to my moth . Z u didn't v n bli
nk an y wh n I told him my t ang qu t. H napp d hi fing and info m d m that th t
op of th Empi Stat Building wa now lit up blu . Mo t mo tal would ju t hav to wo
nd what it m ant, but my mom would know: I had u viv d, Olympu wa av d. Th god t
about pai ing th th on oom, which w nt u p i ingly fa t with tw lv up pow ful b
ing at wo k. G ov and I ca d fo th wound d, and onc th ky b idg -fo m d, w g t
d ou f i nd who had u viv d. Th Cyclop had av d Thalia f om th fall n tatu . Sh
wa on c utch , but oth wi h wa okay. Conno and T avi Stoll had mad it th ough wi
th only mino inju i . Th y p omi d m th y hadn't v n loot d th city much. Th y t
old m my pa nt w fin , though th y w n't allow d into Mount Olympu . M . O'L a y
had dug Chi on out of th ubbl and u h d him off to camp. Th Stoll look d kind o
f wo i d about th old c ntau , but at l a t h wa aliv . Kati Ga dn po t d that h
'd n Rach l Elizab th Da un out of th Empi Stat Building at th nd of th battl .
Rach l had look d unha m d, but nobody kn w wh h 'd gon , which al o t oubl d m
. Nico di Ang lo cam into Olympu to a h o' w lcom , hi fath ight b hind him, d
pit th fact that Had wa only uppo d to vi it Olympu on wint ol tic . Th god of t
h d ad look d tunn d wh n hi lativ clapp d him on th back. I doubt h 'd v gott n
uch an nthu ia tic w lcom b fo . Cla i ma ch d in, till hiv ing f om h tim in t
h ic block, and A b llow d, "Th ' my gi l!" Th god of wa uffl d h hai and pound
d h on th back, calling h th b t wa io h 'd v n. "That d akon- laying? THAT'S wh
at I'm talking about!" Sh look d p tty ov wh lm d. All h could do wa nod and bli
nk, lik h wa af aid h 'd ta t hitting h , but v ntually h b gan to mil . H a and
H pha tu pa d m , and whil H pha tu wa a littl g umpy about my jumping on hi th
on , h thought I'd don "a p tty bang-up job, mo tly." H a niff d in di dain. "I
uppo I won't d t oy you and that littl gi l now." "Annab th av d Olympu ," I to
ld h . "Sh convinc d Luk to top K ono ." "Hmm," H a whi l d away in a huff, but
I figu d ou liv would b af , at l a t fo a littl whil . Diony u ' h ad wa till w
app d in a bandag . H look d m up and down and aid, "W ll, cy Jack on. I ollux
mad it th ough, o I uppo you a n't compl t ly in pt. It' all thank to my t ainin
g, I uppo ." "U n, y , i ," I aid. M . D nodd d. "A thank fo my b av y, Z u ha c
ut my p obation at that mi abl camp in half. I now hav only fifty y a l ft in t
ad of on hund d." "Fifty y a , huh?" I t i d to imagin putting up with Diony u u
ntil I wa an old man, a uming I liv d that long. "Don't g t o xcit d, Jack on,"
h aid, and I aliz d h wa aying my nam co ctly. "I till plan on making you lif mi
abl ." I couldn't h lp miling. "Natu ally." "Ju t o w und tand ach oth ." H tu
n d and b gan pai ing hi g ap vin th on , which had b n ing d by fi .
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G ov tay d at my id . F om tim to tim h would b ak down in t a . "So many natu p
i it d ad, cy. So many." I put my a m a ound hi hould and gav him a ag to blow h
i no . "You did a g at job, G-man. W will com back f om thi . W 'll plant n w t
. W 'll cl an up th pa k . You f i nd will b inca nat d into a b tt wo ld." H ni
ffl d d j ct dly. "I . . . I uppo . But it wa ha d nough to ally th m b fo . I'm
till an outca t. I could ba ly g t anyon to li t n to m about an. Now will th y
v li t n to m again? I l d th m into a laught ." "Th y will li t n," I p omi d.
"B cau you ca about th m. You ca about th Wild mo than anyon ." H t i d fo a mi
l . "Thank , cy. I hop . . . I hop you know I'm ally p oud to b you f i nd." I p
att d hi a m. "Luk wa ight about on thing, G-man. You' th b av t aty I v m t." H
blu h d, but b fo h could ay anything, conch ho n bl w. Th a my of o idon ma ch
d into th th on oom. " cy!" Ty on y ll d. H cha g d towa d m with hi a m op n.
Fo tunat ly h 'd h unk back to no mal iz , o hi hug wa lik g tting hit by a t ac
to , not th nti fa m. "You a not d ad!" h aid. "Y ah!" I ag d. "Amazing, huh?" H
clapp d hi hand and laugh d happily. "I am not d ad ith . Yay! W chain d Typhon
. It wa fun!" B hind him, fifty oth a mo d Cyclop laugh d and nodd d and gav ach
oth high fiv . "Ty on l d u ," on umbl d. "H i b av !" "B av t of th Cyclop !"
anoth b llow d. Ty on blu h d. "Wa nothing." "I aw you!" I aid. "You w inc dibl
!" I thought poo G ov would pa out. H ' d athly af aid of Cyclop . But h t l d h
i n v and aid, "Y . Um . . . th ch fo Ty on!" "YAAARRRRR!" th Cyclop oa d. " l a
don't at m ," G ov mutt d, but I don't think anyon h a d him. Th conch ho n bla
t d again. Th Cyclop pa t d, and my fath t od into th th on oom in hi battl a m
o , hi t id nt glowing in hi hand . "Ty on!" h oa d. "W ll don , my on. And cy-"
Hi fac tu n d t n. H wagg d hi fing at m , and fo a cond I wa af aid h wa going
to zap m . "I v n fo giv you fo itting on my th on . You hav av d Olympu !" H h
ld out hi a m and gav m a hug. I aliz d, a littl mba a d, that I'd n v actually
hugg d my dad b fo . H wa wa m-lik a gula human-and h m ll d of a alty b ach an
d f h a ai . Wh n h pull d away, h mil d kindly at m . I f lt o good, I'll admit
I t a d up a littl . I gu until that mom nt I hadn't allow d my lf to aliz ju t
how t ifi d I had b n th la t f w day . "Dad-" "Shhh," h aid. "No h o i abov f
a , cy. And you hav i n abov v y h o. Not v n H cul -" " OSEIDON!" a voic oa d.
Z u had tak n hi th on . H gla d ac o th oom at my dad whil all th oth god fil d
in and took th i at . Ev n Had wa p nt, itting on a impl ton gu t chai at th fo
ot of th h a th. Nico at c o -l gg d on th g ound at hi dad' f t. "W ll, o idon?
" Z u g ump d. "A you too p oud to join u in
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council, my b oth ?" I thought o idon wa going to g t mad, but h ju t look d at
m and wink d. "I would b hono d, Lo d Z u ." I gu mi acl do happ n. o idon t od
ov to hi fi hing at, and th Olympian Council conv n d. Whil Z u wa talking- om l
ong p ch about th b av y of th god , tc.-Annab th walk d in and tood n xt to m .
Sh look d good fo om on who'd c ntly pa d out. "Mi much?" h whi p d. "Nobody' p
lanning to kill u , o fa ," I whi p d back. "Fi t tim today." I c ack d up, but
G ov nudg d m b cau H a wa giving u a di ty look. "A fo my b oth ," Z u aid, "w
a thankful"-h cl a d hi th oat lik th wo d w ha d to g t out-" m, thankful fo th
aid of Had ." Th lo d of th d ad nodd d. H had a mug look on hi fac , but I fig
u h 'd a n d th ight. H patt d hi on Nico on th hould , and Nico look d happi th
an I'd v n him. "And, of cou ," Z u continu d, though h look d lik hi pant w mol
d ing, "w mu t . . . um . . . thank o idon." "I'm o y, b oth ," o idon aid. "Wha
t wa that?" "W mu t thank o idon," Z u g owl d. "Without whom . . . it would'v b
n difficult-" "Difficult?" o idon a k d innoc ntly. "Impo ibl ," Z u aid. "Impo
ibl to d f at Typhon." Th god mu mu d ag m nt and pound d th i w apon in app ov
al. "Which l av u ," Z u aid, "only th matt of thanking ou young d migod h o , w
ho d f nd d Olympu o w ll- v n if th a a f w d nt in my th on ." H call d Thalia
fo wa d fi t, inc h wa hi daught , and p omi d h h lp in filling th Hunt ' ank
. A t mi mil d. "You hav don w ll, my li ut nant. You hav mad m p oud, and all t
ho Hunt who p i h d in my vic will n v b fo gott n. Th y willachi v Ely ium, I a
m u ." Sh gla d point dly at Had . H h ugg d. " obably." A t mi gla d at him om
mo . "Okay," Had g umbl d. "I'll t amlin th i application p oc ." Thalia b am d
with p id . "Thank you, my lady." Sh bow d to th god , v n Had , and th n limp d
ov to tand by A t mi ' id . "Ty on, on of o idon!" Z u call d. Ty on look d n v
ou , but h w nt to tand in th middl of th Council, and Z u g unt d. "Do n't mi m
any m al , do h ?" Z u mutt d. "Ty on, fo you b av y in th wa , and fo l ading t
h Cyclop , you a appoint d a g n al in th a mi of Olympu . You hall h nc fo th l
ad you b th n into wa wh n v qui d by th god . And you hall hav a n w . . . um
. . . what kind of w apon would you lik ? A wo d? An ax ?" "Stick!" Ty on aid, h
owing hi b ok n club. " y w ll," Z u aid. "W will g ant you a n w, , tick. Th b
t tick that may b found." "Hoo ay!" Ty on c i d, and all th Cyclop ch d and poun
d d him on th back a h join d th m. "G ov Und wood of th aty !" Diony u call d.
G ov cam fo wa d n vou ly. "Oh, top ch wing you hi t," Diony u chid d. "Hon tly,
I'm not going to bla t you. Fo you b av y and ac ific , blah, blah, blah, and i
nc w hav an unfo tunat vacancy, th god hav n fit to
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nam you a m mb of th Council of Clov n Eld ." G ov collap d on th pot. "Oh, wond
ful," Diony u igh d, a v al naiad cam fo wa d to h lp G ov . "W ll, wh n h wak
up, om on t ll him that h will no long b an outca t, and that all aty , naiad ,
and oth pi it of natu will h nc fo th t at him a a lo d of th Wild, with all igh
t , p ivil g , and hono , blah, blah, blah. Now pl a , d ag him off b fo h wak u
p and ta t g ov ling." "FOOOOOD," G ov moan d, a th natu pi it ca i d him away.
I figu d h 'd b okay. H would wak up a a lo d of th Wild with a bunch of b autif
ul naiad taking ca of him. Lif could b wo . Ath na call d, "Annab th Cha , my ow
n daught ." Annab th qu z d my a m, th n walk d fo wa d and kn lt at h moth ' f
t. Ath na mil d. "You, my daught , hav xc d d all xp ctation . You hav u d you w
it , you t ngth, and you cou ag to d f nd thi city, and ou at of pow . It ha com
to ou att ntion that Olympu i . . . w ll, t a h d. Th Titan lo d did much damag
that will hav to b pai d. W could build it by magic, of cou , and mak it ju t a
it wa . But th god f l that th city could b imp ov d. W will tak thi a an oppo
tunity. And you, my daught , will d ign th imp ov m nt ." Annab th look d up, tu
nn d. "My . . . my lady?" Ath na mil d w yly. "You a an a chit ct, a you not? Yo
u hav tudi d th t chniqu of Da dalu him lf. Who b tt to d ign Olympu and mak it
a monum nt that will la t fo anoth on?" "You m an . . . I can d ign what v I wan
t?" "A you h a t d i ," th godd aid. "Mak u a city fo th ag ." "A long a you hav
pl nty of tatu of m ," Apollo add d. "And m ," Aph odit ag d. "H y, and m !" A
aid. "Big tatu with hug wick d wo d and-" "All ight!" Ath na int upt d. "Sh g t
th point. Ri , my daught , official a chit ct of Olympu ." Annab th o in a t anc
and walk d back towa d m . "Way to go," I told h , g inning. Fo onc h wa at a l
o fo wo d . "I'll . . . I'll hav to ta t planning . . . D afting pap , and, um,
p ncil -" " ERCY JACKSON!" o idon announc d. My nam cho d a ound th chamb . All
talking di d down. Th oom wa il nt xc pt fo th c ackl of th h a th fi . Ev yon '
y w on m -all th god , th d migod , th Cyclop , th pi it . I walk d into th mid
dl of th th on oom. H tia mil d at m a u ingly. Sh wa in th fo m of a gi l now,
and h m d happy and cont nt to b itting by h fi again. H mil gav m cou ag to k p
walking. Fi t I bow d to Z u . Th n I kn lt at my fath ' f t. "Ri , my on," o i
don aid. I tood un a ily. "A g at h o mu t b wa d d," o idon aid. "I th anyon h
who would d ny that my on i d ving?" I wait d fo om on to pip up. Th god n v ag
d on anything, and many of th m till didn't lik m , but not a ingl on p ot t d.
"Th Council ag ," Z u aid. " cy Jack on, you will hav on gift f om th god ." I h
itat d. "Any gift?" Z u nodd d g imly. "I know what you will a k. Th g at t gif
t of all. Y , if you want it, it hall b you . Th god hav not b tow d
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 thi gift on a mo tal h o in many c ntu i , but, u Jack on-if you wi h it-you hal
l b mad a god. Immo tal. Undying. You hall v a you fath ' li ut nant fo all tim
." I ta d at him, tunn d. "Um . . . a god?" Z u oll d hi y . "A dimwitt d god, a
ppa ntly. But y . With th con n u of th nti Council, I can mak you immo tal. Th
n I will hav to put up with you fo v ." "Hmm," A mu d. "That m an I can ma h him
to a pulp a oft n a I want, and h 'll ju t k p coming back fo mo . I lik thi id
a." "I app ov a w ll," Ath na aid, though h wa looking at Annab th. I glanc d b
ack. Annab th wa t ying not to m t my y . H fac wa pal . I fla h d back to two y
a ago, wh n I'd thought h wa going to tak th pl dg to A t mi and b com a Hunt .
I'd b n on th dg of a panic attack, thinking that I'd lo h . Now, h look d p tt
y much th am way. I thought about th Th Fat , and th way I'd n my lif fla h by.
I could avoid all that. No aging, no d ath, no body in th g av . I could b a t n
ag fo v , in top condition, pow ful, and immo tal, ving my fath . I could hav po
w and t nal lif . Who could fu that? Th n I look d at Annab th again. I thought
about my f i nd f om camp: Cha l B ck ndo f, Micha l Y w, Sil na B au ga d, o ma
ny oth who w now d ad. I thought about Ethan Nakamu a and Luk . And I kn w what
to do. "No," I aid. Th Council wa il nt. Th god f own d at ach oth lik th y mu t
hav mi h a d. "No?" Z u aid. "You a . . . tu ning down ou g n ou gift?" Th wa a
dang ou dg to hi voic , lik a thund to m about to upt. "I'm hono d and v ything
," I aid. "Don't g t m w ong. It' ju t . . . I'v got a lot of lif l ft to liv .
I'd hat to p ak in my ophomo y a ." Th god w gla ing at m , but Annab th had h h
and ov h mouth. H y w hining. And that kind of mad up fo it. "I do want a gift,
though," I aid. "Do you p omi to g ant my wi h?" Z u thought about thi . "If it
i within ou pow ." "It i ," I aid. "And it' not v n difficult. But I n d you p o
mi on th Riv Styx." "What?" Diony u c i d. "You don't t u t u ?" "Som on onc tol
d m ," I aid, looking at Had , "you hould alway g t a ol mn oath." Had h ugg d.
"Guilty." " y w ll!" Z u g owl d. "In th nam of th Council, w w a by th Riv Styx
to g ant you a onabl qu t a long a it i within ou pow ." Th oth god mutt d a nt
. Thund boom d, haking th th on oom. Th d al wa mad . "F om now on, I want to yo
u p op ly cogniz th child n of th god ," I aid. "All th child n . . . of all th
god ." Th Olympian hift d uncomfo tably. " cy," my fath aid, "what xactly do you
m an?" "K ono couldn't hav i n if it hadn't b n fo a lot of d migod who f lt ab
andon d by th i pa nt ," I aid. "Th y f lt ang y, ntful, and unlov d, and th y h
ad a good a on." Z u ' oyal no t il fla d. "You da accu -"

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"No mo und t min d child n," I aid. "I want you to p omi to claim you child n-al
l you d migod child n-by th tim th y tu n thi t n. Th y won't b l ft out in th w
o ld on th i own at th m cy of mon t . I want th m claim d and b ought to camp o
th y can b t ain d ight, and u viv ." "Now, wait ju t a mom nt," Apollo aid, bu
t I wa on a oll. "And th mino god ," I aid. "N m i , H cat , Mo ph u , Janu , H
b --th y all d v a g n al amn ty and a plac at Camp HalfBlood. Th i child n houl
dn't b igno d. Calyp o and th oth p ac ful Titan-kind hould b pa don d too. And
Had -" "A you calling m a mino god?" Had b llow d. "No, my lo d," I aid quickly.
"But you child n hould not b l ft out. Th y hould hav a cabin at camp. Nico ha
p ov n that. No unclaim d d migod will b c amm d into th H m cabin anymo , wond
ing who th i pa nt a . Th y'll hav th i own cabin , fo all th god . And no mo pa
ct of th Big Th . That didn't wo k anyway. You'v got to top t ying to g t id of
pow ful d migod . W ' going to t ain th m and acc pt th m in t ad. All child n o
f th god will b w lcom and t at d with p ct. That i my wi h." Z u no t d. "I tha
t all?" " cy," o idon aid, "you a k much. You p um much." "I hold you to you oat
h," I aid. "All of you." I got a lot of t ly look . St ang ly, it wa Ath na who
pok up: "Th boy i co ct. W hav b n unwi to igno ou child n. It p ov d a t at gic
w akn in thi wa and almo t cau d ou d t uction. cy Jack on, I hav had my doubt
about you, but p hap "- h glanc d at Annab th, and th n pok a if th wo d had a o
u ta t -"p hap I wa mi tak n. I mov that w acc pt th boy' plan." "Humph," Z u ai
d. "B ing told what to do by a m child. But I uppo . . ." "All in favo ," H m ai
d. All th god ai d th i hand . "Um, thank ," I aid. I tu n d, but b fo I could l
av , o idon call d, "Hono gua d!" Imm diat ly th Cyclop cam fo wa d and mad two
lin f om th th on to th doo -an ai l fo m to walk th ough. Th y cam to att ntio
n. "All hail, u Jack on," Ty on aid. "H o of Olympu . . . and my big b oth !" CH
A TER TWENTY-ONE BLACKJACK GETS JACKED Annab th and I w on ou way out wh n I pot
t d H m in a id cou tya d of th palac . H wa ta ing at an I i -m ag in th mi t o
f a fountain. I glanc d at Annab th. "I'll m t you at th l vato ." "You u ?" Th
n h tudi d my fac . "Y ah, you' u ." H m didn't m to notic m app oach. Th I i -m
ag imag w going o fa t I could ha dly und tand th m. Mo tal n w ca t f om all o
v th count y fla h d by: c n of Typhon' d t uction, th w ckag ou battl had l ft
ac o Manhattan, th p id nt doing a n w conf nc , th mayo of N w Yo k, om a my v
hicl iding down th Av nu of th Am ica . "Amazing," H m mu mu d. H tu n d towa d
m . "Th thou and y a , and I will n v g t ov th pow of th Mi t . . . and mo tal
igno anc ." "Thank , I gu ." "Oh, not you. Although, I uppo I hould wond , tu ni
ng down
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immo tality." "It wa th ight choic ." H m look d at m cu iou ly, th n tu n d hi
att ntion to th I i -m ag . "Look at th m. Th y'v al ady d cid d Typhon wa a f a
k i of to m . Don't I wi h. Th y hav n't figu d out how all th tatu in Low Manha
ttan got mov d f om th i p d tal and hack d to pi c . Th y k p howing a hot of S
u an B. Anthony t angling F d ick Dougla . But I imagin th y'll v n com up with
a logical xplanation fo that." "How bad i th city?" H m h ugg d. "Su p i ingly,
not too bad. Th mo tal a hak n, of cou . But thi i N w Yo k. I'v n v n uch a ili
nt bunch of human . I imagin th y'll b back to no mal in a f w w k ; and of cou
I'll b h lping." "You?" "I'm th m ng of th god . It' my job to monito what th m
o tal a aying, and if n c a y, h lp th m mak n of what' happ n d. I'll a u th m.
T u t m , th y'll put thi down to a f ak a thquak o a ola fla . Anything but th
t uth." H ound d bitt . G o g and Ma tha cu l d a ound hi caduc u , but th y w
il nt, which mad m think that H m wa ally ally ang y. I p obably hould'v k pt qu
i t, but I aid, "I ow you an apology." H m gav m a cautiou look. "And why i that
?" "I thought you w a bad fath ," I admitt d. "I thought you abandon d Luk b cau
you kn w hi futu and didn't do anything to top it." "I did know hi futu ," H m
aid mi ably. "But you kn w mo than ju t th bad tuff-that h 'd tu n vil. You und
tood what h would do in th nd. You kn w h 'd mak th ight choic . But you couldn'
t t ll him, could you?" H m ta d at th fountain. "No on can tamp with fat , cy,
not v n a god. If I had wa n d him what wa to com , o t i d to influ nc hi choic
, I would'v mad thing v n wo . Staying il nt, taying away f om him . . . that w
a th ha d t thing I'v v don ." "You had to l t him find hi own path," I aid, "an
d play hi pa t in aving Olympu ." H m igh d. "I hould not hav gott n mad at Anna
b th. Wh n Luk vi it d h in San F anci co . . . w ll, I kn w h would hav a pa t
to play in hi fat . I fo aw that much. I thought p hap h could do what I could n
ot and av him. Wh n h fu d to go with him, I could ba ly contain my ag . I hould
hav known b tt . I wa ally ang y with my lf." "Annab th did av him," I aid. "Lu
k di d a h o. H ac ific d him lf to kill K ono ." "I app ciat you wo d , cy. But
K ono i n't d ad. You can't kill a Titan." "Th n-" "I don't know," H m g umbl d
. "Non of u do. Blown to du t. Scatt d to th wind. With luck, h ' p ad o thin th
at h 'll n v b abl to fo m a con ciou n again, much l a body. But don't mi tak h
im fo d ad, cy." My tomach did a qu a y om ault. "What about th oth Titan ?" "In
hiding," H m aid. " om th u nt Z u a m ag with a bunch of xcu fo uppo ting K on
o . 'I wa ju t t ying to minimiz th damag ,' blah, blah. H 'll k p hi h ad low f
o a f w c ntu i if h ' ma t. K io ha fl d, and Mount Oth y ha c umbl d into uin
. Oc anu lipp d back into th d p oc an wh n it wa cl a K ono had lo t. M anwhil
, my on Luk i d ad. H

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di d b li ving I didn't ca about him. I will n v fo giv my lf." H m la h d hi ca
duc u th ough th mi t. Th I i -pictu di app a d. "A long tim ago," I aid, "you t
old m th ha d t thing about b ing a god wa not b ing abl to h lp you child n. Yo
u al o told m that you couldn't giv up on you family, no matt how t mpting th y
mad it." "And now you know I'm a hypoc it ?" "No, you w ight, Luk lov d you. At
th nd, h aliz d hi fat . I think h aliz d why you couldn't h lp him. H m mb d wh
at wa impo tant." "Too lat fo him and m ." "You hav oth child n. Hono Luk by cog
nizing th m. All th god can do that." H m ' hould agg d. "Th y'll t y, cy. Oh, w
'll all t y to k p ou p omi . And mayb fo a whil thing will g t b tt . But w go
d hav n v b n good at k ping oath . You w bo n b cau of a b ok n p omi , h? Ev n
tually w 'll b com fo g tful. W alway do." "You can chang ." H m laugh d. "Aft t
h thou and y a , you think th god can chang th i natu ?" "Y ah," I aid. "I do."
H m m d u p i d by that. "You think . . . Luk actually lov d m ? Aft all that ha
pp n d?" "I'm u of it." H m ta d at th fountain. "I'll giv you a li t of my chil
d n. Th ' a boy in Wi con in. Two gi l in Lo Ang l . A f w oth . Will you that t
h y g t to camp?" "I p omi ," I aid. "And I won't fo g t." G o g and Ma tha twi
l d a ound th caduc u . I know nak can't mil , but th y m d to b t ying. " cy Ja
ck on," H m aid, "you might ju t t ach u a thing o two." Anoth god wa waiting fo
m on th way out of Olympu . Ath na tood in th middl of th oad with h a m c o d
and a look on h fac that mad m think Uh-oh. Sh 'd chang d out of h a mo , into j
an and a whit blou , but h didn't look any l wa lik . H g ay y blaz d. "W ll, c
y," h aid. "You will tay mo tal." "Um, y , ma'am." "I would know you a on ." "I
want to b a gula guy. I want to g ow up. Hav , you know, a gula high chool xp i
nc ." "And my daught ?" "I couldn't l av h ," I admitt d, my th oat d y. "O G ov
," I add d quickly. "O -" "Spa m ." Ath na t pp d clo to m , and I could f l h
au a of pow making my kin itch. "I onc wa n d you, cy Jack on, that to av a f i
nd you would d t oy th wo ld. hap I wa mi tak n. You m to hav av d both you f i
nd and th wo ld. But think v y ca fully about how you p oc d f om h . I hav giv
n you th b n fit of th doubt. Don't m up." Ju t to p ov h point, h upt d in a co
lumn of flam , cha ing th f ont of my hi t. Annab th wa waiting fo m at th l vat
o . "Why do you m ll lik mok ?" "Long to y," I aid. Tog th w mad ou way down to
th t t l v l. N ith of u aid a wo d. Th mu ic wa awful-N il Diamond o om thing.
I hould'v mad that pa t of my gift f om th god :
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b tt l vato tun . Wh n w got into th lobby, I found my moth and aul a guing with
th bald cu ity guy, who'd tu n d to hi po t. "I'm t lling you," my mom y ll d,
"w hav to go up! My on-" Th n h aw m and h y wid n d. " cy!" Sh hugg d th b ath
ight out of m . "W aw th building lit up blu ," h aid. "But th n you didn't com
down. You w nt up hou ago!" "Sh wa g tting a bit anxiou ," aul aid d ily. "I'm a
ll ight," I p omi d a my mom hugg d Annab th. "Ev ything' okay now." "M . Blofi
," Annab th aid, "that wa wick d wo d wo k." aul h ugg d. "It m d lik th thing t
o do. But cy, i thi ally . . . I m an, thi to y about th ix hund dth floo ?" "Ol
ympu ," I aid. "Y ah." aul look d at th c iling with a d amy xp ion. "I'd lik to
that." " aul," my mom chid d. "It' not fo mo tal . Anyway, th impo tant thing i
w ' af . All of u ." I wa about to lax. Ev ything f lt p f ct. Annab th and I w
okay. My mom and aul had u viv d. Olympu wa av d. But th lif of a d migod i n v
o a y. Ju t th n Nico an in f om th t t, and hi fac told m om thing wa w ong. "
It' Rach l," h aid. "I ju t an into h down on 32nd St t." Annab th f own d. "Wha
t' h don thi tim ?" "It' wh h ' gon ," Nico aid. "I told h h would di if h t i d
, but h in i t d. Sh ju t took Blackjack and-" "Sh took my p ga u ?" I d mand d.
Nico nodd d. "Sh ' h ading to Half-Blood Hill. Sh aid h had to g t to camp." CH
A TER TWENTY-TWO I AM DUM ED Nobody t al my p ga u . Not v n Rach l. I wa n't u
if I wa mo ang y o amaz d o wo i d. "What wa h thinking?" Annab th aid a w an fo
th iv . Unfo tunat ly, I had a p tty good id a, and it fill d m with d ad. Th t
affic wa ho ibl . Ev ybody wa out on th t t gawking at th wa zon damag . olic i
n wail d on v y block. Th wa no po ibility of catching a cab, and th p ga i had
flown away. I would'v ttl d fo om a ty oni , but th y had di app a d along with
mo t of th oot b in Midtown. So w an, pu hing th ough mob of daz d mo tal that
clogg d th id walk . "Sh 'll n v g t th ough th d f n ," Annab th aid. " l u wil
l at h ." I hadn't con id d that. Th Mi t wouldn't fool Rach l lik it would mo t
p opl . Sh 'd b abl to find th camp no p obl m, but I'd b n hoping th magical b
ounda i would ju t k p h out lik a fo c fi ld. It hadn't occu d to m that l u mi
ght attack. "W 'v got to hu y." I glanc d at Nico. "I don't uppo you could conju
up om k l ton ho ." H wh z d a h an. "So ti d . . . couldn't ummon a dog bon ."
Finally w c ambl d ov th mbankm nt to th ho , and I l t out a loud whi tl . I h
at d doing it. Ev n with th and dolla I'd giv n th Ea t Riv fo a magic cl aning,
th wat h wa p tty pollut d. I didn't want to mak any a animal ick, but th y cam
to my call. Th wak lin app a d in th g ay wat , and a pod of hippocampi b ok th
u fac . Th y whinni d unhappily, haking th iv muck f om th i man . Th y w b aut
iful c atu , with multicolo d fi h tail , and th h ad and fo l g of whit tallion
.

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Th hippocampu in f ont wa much bigg than th oth -a id fit fo a Cyclop . "Rainbow
!" I call d. "How' it going, buddy?" H n igh d a complaint. "Y ah, I'm o y," I a
id. "But it' an m g ncy. W n d to g t to camp." H no t d. "Ty on?" I aid. "Ty on
i fin ! I'm o y h ' not h . H ' a big g n al now in th Cyclop a my." "NEEEEIGGG
GH!" "Y ah, I'm u h 'll till b ing you appl . Now, about that id . . ." In no ti
m , Annab th, Nico, and I w zipping up th Ea t Riv fa t than J t Ski . W p d und
th Th og N ck B idg and h ad d fo Long I land Sound. It m d lik fo v until w aw
th b ach at camp. W thank d th hippocampi and wad d a ho , only to find A gu wa
iting fo u . H tood in th and with hi a m c o d, hi hund d y gla ing at u . "I h
h ?" I a k d. H nodd d g imly. "I v ything okay?" Annab th aid. A gu hook hi h
ad. W follow d him up th t ail. It wa u al b ing back at camp, b cau v ything lo
ok d o p ac ful: no bu ning building , no wound d fight . Th cabin w b ight in t
h un hin , and th fi ld glitt d with d w. But th plac wa mo tly mpty. Up at th B
ig Hou , om thing wa d finit ly w ong. G n light wa hooting out all th window ,
ju t lik I'd n in my d am about May Ca t llan. Mi t-th magical kind- wi l d a ou
nd th ya d. Chi on lay on a ho - iz t tch by th voll yball pit, a bunch of aty t
anding a ound him. Blackjack cant d n vou ly in th g a . Don't blam m , bo ! h p
l ad d wh n h aw m . Th w i d gi l mad m do it! Rach l Elizab th Da tood at th b
ottom of th po ch t p . H a m w ai d lik h wa waiting fo om on in id th hou to t
h ow h a ball. "What' h doing?" Annab th d mand d. "How did h g t pa t th ba i ?
" "Sh fl w," on of th aty aid, looking accu ingly at Blackjack. "Right pa t th d
agon, ight th ough th magic bounda i ." "Rach l!" I call d, but th aty topp d m
wh n I t i d to go any clo . " cy, don't," Chi on wa n d. H winc d a h t i d to
mov . Hi l ft a m wa in a ling, hi two back l g w in plint , and hi h ad wa w a
pp d in bandag . "You can't int upt." "I thought you xplain d thing to h !" "I d
id. And I invit d h h ." I ta d at him in di b li f. "You aid you'd n v l t anyo
n t y again! You aid-" "I know what I aid, cy. But I wa w ong. Rach l had a vi i
on about th cu of Had . Sh b li v it may b lift d now. Sh convinc d m h d v a ch
anc ." "And if th cu i n't lift d? If Had ha n't gott n to that y t, h 'll go c
azy!" Th Mi t wi l d a ound Rach l. Sh hiv d lik h wa going into hock. "H y!" I
hout d. "Stop!" I an towa d h , igno ing th aty . I got within t n f t and hit o
m thing lik an invi ibl b ach ball. I bounc d back and land d in
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th g a . Rach l op n d h y and tu n d. Sh look d lik h wa l pwalking-lik h could
m , but only in a d am. "It' all ight." H voic ound d fa away. "Thi i why I'v c
om ." "You'll b d t oy d!" Sh hook h h ad. "Thi i wh I b long, cy. I finally und
tand why." It ound d too much lik what May Ca t llan had aid. I had to top h ,
but I couldn't v n g t to my f t. Th hou umbl d. Th doo fl w op n and g n light
pou d out. I cogniz d th wa m mu ty m ll of nak . Mi t cu l d into a hund d moky
p nt , lith ing up th po ch column , cu ling a ound th hou . Th n th O acl app
a d in th doo way. Th with d mummy huffl d fo wa d in h ainbow d . Sh look d v n
wo than u ual, which i aying a lot. H hai wa falling out in clump . H l ath y k
in wa c acking lik th at of a wo n-out bu . H gla y y ta d blankly into pac , bu
t I got th c pi t f ling h wa b ing d awn t aight towa d Rach l. Rach l h ld out
h a m . Sh didn't look ca d. "You'v wait d too long," Rach l aid. "But I'm h no
w." Th un blaz d mo b ightly. A man app a d abov th po ch, floating in th ai -a
blond dud in a whit toga, with ungla and a cocky mil . "Apollo," I aid. H wink d
at m but h ld up hi fing to hi lip . "Rach l Elizab th Da ," h aid. "You hav th
gift of p oph cy. But it i al o a cu . A you u you want thi ?" Rach l nodd d. "
It' my d tiny." "Do you acc pt th i k ?" "I do." "Th n p oc d," th god aid. Rach
l clo d h y . "I acc pt thi ol . I pl dg my lf to Apollo, God of O acl . I op n
my y to th futu and mb ac th pa t. I acc pt th pi it of D lphi, oic of th God ,
Sp ak of Riddl , S of Fat ." I didn't know wh h wa g tting th wo d , but th y f
low d out of h a th Mi t thick n d. A g n column of mok , lik a hug python, unco
il d f om th mummy' mouth and lith d down th tai , cu ling aff ctionat ly a ound
Rach l' f t. Th O acl ' mummy c umbl d, falling away until it wa nothing but a
pil of du t in an old ti -dy d d . Mi t nv lop d Rach l in a column. Fo a mom nt
I couldn't h at all. Th n th mok cl a d. Rach l collap d and cu l d into th f t
al po ition. Annab th, Nico, and I u h d fo wa d, but Apollo aid, "Stop! Thi i t
h mo t d licat pa t." "What' going on?" I d mand d. "What do you m an?" Apollo t
udi d Rach l with conc n. "Eith th pi it tak hold, o it do n't." "And if it do n
't?" Annab th a k d. "Fiv yllabl ," Apollo aid, counting th m on hi fing . "That
would b al bad." D pit Apollo' wa ning, I an fo wa d and kn lt ov Rach l. Th m
ll of th attic wa gon . Th Mi t ank into th g ound and th g n light fad d. But R
ach l wa till pal . Sh wa ba ly b athing. Th n h y flutt d op n. Sh focu d on m
with difficulty. " cy." "A you okay?" Sh t i d to it up. "Ow." Sh p d h hand to
h t mpl .
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"Rach l," Nico aid, "you lif au a almo t fad d compl t ly. I could you dying." "
I'm all ight," h mu mu d. " l a , h lp m up. Th vi ion th y' a littl di o i ntin
g." "A you u you' okay?" I a k d. Apollo d ift d down f om th po ch. "Ladi and g
ntl m n, may I int oduc th n w O acl of D lphi." "You' kidding," Annab th aid.
Rach l manag d a w ak mil . "It' a littl u p i ing to m too, but thi i my fat .
I aw it wh n I wa in N w Yo k. I know why I wa bo n with t u ight. I wa m ant to
b com th O acl ." I blink d. "You m an you can t ll th futu now?" "Not all th t
im ," h aid. "But th a vi ion , imag , wo d in my mind. Wh n om on a k m a qu ti
on, I . . . Oh no-" "It' ta ting," Apollo announc d. Rach l doubl d ov lik om on
had punch d h . Th n h tood up t aight and h y glow d p nt g n. Wh n h pok , h
voic ound d t ipl d-lik th Rach l w talking at onc : "S v n half-blood hall an w
th call. To to m o fi , th wo ld mu t fall. An oath to k p with a final b ath,
And fo b a a m to th Doo of D ath." At th la t wo d, Rach l collap d. Nico and I
caught h and h lp d h to th po ch. H kin wa f v i h. "I'm all ight," h aid, h v
oic tu ning to no mal. "What wa that?" I a k d. Sh hook h h ad, confu d. "What w
a what?" "I b li v ," Apollo aid, "that w ju t h a d th n xt G at oph cy." "What
do it m an?" I d mand d. Rach l f own d. "I don't v n m mb what I aid." "No," A
pollo mu d. "Th pi it will only p ak th ough you occa ionally. Th t of th tim ,
ou Rach l will b much a h ' alway b n. Th ' no point in g illing h , v n if h ha
ju t i u d th n xt big p diction fo th futu of th wo ld." "What?" I aid. "But-"
" cy," Apollo aid, "I wouldn't wo y too much. Th la t G at oph cy about you too
k almo t v nty y a to compl t . Thi on may not v n happ n in you lif tim ." I th
ought about th lin Rach l had pok n in that c py voic : about to m and fi and th
Doo of D ath. "Mayb ," I aid, "but it didn't ound o good." "No," aid Apollo ch
fully. "It c tainly didn't. Sh ' going to mak a wond ful O acl !" It wa ha d to
d op th ubj ct, but Apollo in i t d that Rach l n d d to t, and h did look p tty
di o i nt d. "I'm o y, cy," h aid. "Back on Olympu , I didn't xplain v ything t
o you, but th calling f ight n d m . I didn't think you'd und tand." "I till don
't," I admitt d. "But I gu I'm happy fo you." Rach l mil d. "Happy p obably i n'
t th ight wo d. S ing th futu i n't going to b a y, but it' my d tiny. I only ho
p my family . . ." Sh didn't fini h h thought. "Will you till go to Cla ion Acad
my?" I a k d. "I mad a p omi to my fath . I gu I'll t y to b a no mal kid du in
g th chool y a , but-" "But ight now you n d l p," Apollo cold d. "Chi on, I don
't think th attic i th p op plac fo ou n w O acl , do you?"
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"No, ind d." Chi on look d a lot b tt now that Apollo had wo k d om m dical magi
c on him. "Rach l may u a gu t oom in th Big Hou fo now, until w giv th matt mo
thought." "I'm thinking a cav in th hill ," Apollo mu d. "With to ch and a big p
u pl cu tain ov th nt anc . . . ally my t iou . But in id , a totally d ck d-out
pad with a gam oom and on of tho hom th at y t m ." Chi on cl a d hi th oat lou
dly. "What?" Apollo d mand d. Rach l ki d m on th ch k. "Good-by , cy," h whi p
d. "And I don't hav to th futu to t ll you what to do now, do I?" H y m d mo pi
cing than b fo . I blu h d. "No." "Good," h aid. Th n h tu n d and follow d Apol
lo into th Big Hou . Th t of th day wa a t ang a th b ginning. Camp t ickl d in
f om N w Yo k by ca , p ga u , and cha iot. Th wound d w ca d fo . Th d ad w giv
n p op fun al it at th campfi . Sil na' h oud wa hot pink, but mb oid d with an
l ct ic p a . Th A and Aph odit cabin both claim d h a a h o, and lit th h oud
tog th . No on m ntion d th wo d py. That c t bu n d to a h a th d ign p fum mok
d ift d into th ky. Ev n Ethan Nakamu a wa giv n a h oud-black ilk with a logo
of wo d c o d und a t of cal . A hi h oud w nt up in flam , I hop d Ethan kn w h
had mad a diff nc in th nd. H 'd paid a lot mo than an y , but th mino god woul
d finally g t th p ct th y d v d. Dinn at th pavilion wa low-k y. Th only highli
ght wa Junip th t nymph, who c am d, "G ov !" and gav h boyf i nd a flying tackl
hug, making v ybody ch . Th y w nt down to th b ach to tak a moonlit walk, and
I wa happy fo th m, though th c n mind d m of Sil na and B ck ndo f, which mad m
ad. M . O'L a y omp d a ound happily, ating v ybody' tabl c ap . Nico at at th
main tabl with Chi on and M . D, and nobody m d to think thi wa out of plac . Ev
ybody wa patting Nico on th back, complim nting him on hi fighting. Ev n th A k
id m d to think h wa p tty cool. H y, how up with an a my of und ad wa io to av
th day, and udd nly you' v ybody' b t f i nd. Slowly, th dinn c owd t ickl d awa
y. Som w nt to th campfi fo a ing-along. Oth w nt to b d. I at at th o idon tabl
by my lf and watch d th moonlight on Long I land Sound. I could G ov and Junip
at th b ach, holding hand and talking. It wa p ac ful. "H y." Annab th lid n xt
to m on th b nch. "Happy bi thday." Sh wa holding a hug mi hap n cupcak with blu
icing. I ta d at h . "What?" "It' Augu t 18th," h aid. "You bi thday, ight?" I
wa tunn d. It hadn't v n occu d to m , but h wa ight. I had tu n d ixt n thi mo
ning-th am mo ning I'd mad th choic to giv Luk th knif . Th p oph cy had com t u
ight on ch dul , and I hadn't v n thought about th fact that it wa my bi thday.
"Mak a wi h," h aid. "Did you bak thi you lf?" I a k d. "Ty on h lp d." "That x
plain why it look lik a chocolat b ick," I aid. "With xt a blu c m nt." Annab th
laugh d. I thought fo a cond, th n bl w out th candl . W cut it in half and ha
d, ating with ou fing . Annab th at
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n xt to m , and w watch d th oc an. C ick t and mon t w making noi in th wood ,
but oth wi it wa qui t. "You av d th wo ld," h aid. "W av d th wo ld." "And Rach
l i th n w O acl , which m an h won't b dating anybody." "You don't ound di app
oint d," I notic d. Annab th h ugg d. "Oh, I don't ca ." "Uh-huh." Sh ai d an y
b ow. "You got om thing to ay to m , S aw d B ain?" "You'd p obably kick my butt
." "You know I'd kick you butt." I b u h d th cak off my hand . "Wh n I wa at th
Riv Styx, tu ning invuln abl . . . Nico aid I had to conc nt at on on thing tha
t k pt m ancho d to th wo ld, that mad m want to tay mo tal." Annab th k pt h y
on th ho izon. "Y ah?" "Th n up on Olympu ," I aid, "wh n th y want d to mak m a
god and tuff, I k pt thinking-" "Oh, you o want d to." "W ll, mayb a littl . Bu
t I didn't, b cau I thought-I didn't want thing to tay th am fo t nity, b cau th
ing could alway g t b tt . And I wa thinking . . ." My th oat f lt ally d y. "An
yon in pa ticula ?" Annab th a k d, h voic oft. I look d ov and aw that h wa t y
ing not to mil . "You' laughing at m ," I complain d. "I am not!" "You a o not m
aking thi a y." Th n h laugh d fo al, and h put h hand a ound my n ck. "I am n v
, v going to mak thing a y fo you, S aw d B ain. G t u d to it." Wh n h ki d m
, I had th f ling my b ain wa m lting ight th ough my body. I could'v tay d that
way fo v , xc pt a voic b hind u g owl d, "W ll, it' about tim !" Sudd nly th p
avilion wa fill d with to chlight and camp . Cla i l d th way a th av d opp cha
g d and hoi t d u both onto th i hould . "Oh, com on!" I complain d. "I th no p
ivacy?" "Th lov bi d n d to cool off!" Cla i aid with gl . "Th cano lak !" Conno
Stoll hout d. With a hug ch , th y ca i d u down th hill, but th y k pt u clo n
ough to hold hand . Annab th wa laughing, and I couldn't h lp laughing too, v n
though my fac wa compl t ly d. W h ld hand ight up to th mom nt th y dump d u in
th wat . Aft wa d, I had th la t laugh. I mad an ai bubbl at th bottom of th la
k . Ou f i nd k pt waiting fo u to com up, but h y-wh n you' th on of o idon, yo
u don't hav to hu y. And it wa p tty much th b t und wat ki of all tim . CHA TER
TWENTY-THREE WE SAY GOOD-BYE, SORT OF Camp w nt lat that umm . It la t d two mo
w k , ight up to th ta t of a n w chool y a , and I hav to admit th y w th b t
two w k of my lif . Of cou , Annab th would kill m if I aid anything diff nt, bu
t th wa a lot of oth g at tuff going on too. G ov had tak n ov th aty k and wa n
ding th m out ac o th wo ld to find unclaim d half-blood . So fa , th god had k
pt th i
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p omi . N w d migod w popping up all ov th plac -not ju t in Am ica, but in a lo
t of oth count i a w ll. "W can ha dly k p up," G ov admitt d on aft noon a w w
taking a b ak at th cano lak . "W ' going to n d a bigg t av l budg t, and I cou
ld u a hund d mo aty ." "Y ah, but th aty you hav a wo king up ha d," I aid. "I
think th y' ca d of you." G ov blu h d. "That' illy. I'm not ca y." "You' a lo d
of th Wild, dud . Th cho n on of an. A m mb of th Council of-" "Stop it!" G ov
p ot t d. "You' a bad a Junip . I think h want m to un fo p id nt n xt." H ch w
d on a tin can a w ta d ac o th pond at th lin of n w cabin und con t uction. Th
U- hap would oon b a compl t ctangl , and th d migod had ally tak n to th n w t
a k with gu to. Nico had om und ad build wo king on th Had cabin. Ev n though h
wa till th only kid in it, it wa going to look p tty cool: olid ob idian wall wi
th a kull ov th doo and to ch that bu n d with g n fi tw nty-fou hou a day. N xt
to that w th cabin of I i , N m i , H cat , and v al oth I didn't cogniz . Th y
k pt adding n w on to th blu p int v y day. It wa going o w ll, Annab th and Ch
i on w talking about adding an nti ly n w wing of cabin ju t o th y could hav no
ugh oom. Th H m cabin wa a lot l c owd d now, b cau mo t of th unclaim d kid had
c iv d ign f om th i godly pa nt . It happ n d almo t v y night, and v y night
mo d migod t aggl d ov th p op ty lin with th aty guid , u ually with om na ty m
on t pu uing th m, but almo t all of th m mad it th ough. "It' going to b a lot
diff nt n xt umm ," I aid. "Chi on' xp cting w 'll hav twic a many camp ." "Y ah
," G ov ag d, "but it'll b th am old plac ." H igh d cont nt dly. I watch d a Ty
on l d a g oup of Cyclop build . Th y w hoi ting hug ton in plac fo th H cat ca
bin, and I kn w it wa a d licat job. Each ton wa ng av d with magical w iting, a
nd if th y d opp d on , it would ith xplod o tu n v yon within half a mil into a
t . I figu d nobody but G ov would lik that. "I'll b t av ling a lot," G ov wa
n d, "b tw n p ot cting natu and finding half-blood . I may not you a much." "Wo
n't chang anything," I aid. "You' till my b t f i nd." H g inn d. "Exc pt fo Ann
ab th." "That' diff nt." "Y ah," h ag d. "It u i ." In th lat aft noon, I wa tak
ing on la t walk along th b ach wh n a familia voic aid, "Good day fo fi hing."
My dad, o idon, wa tanding kn -d p in th u f, w a ing hi typical B muda ho t , b
at-up cap, and a al ubtl pink-andg n Tommy Bahama hi t. H had a d p- a fi hing
od in hi hand , and wh n h ca t it th lin w nt way out-lik halfway ac o Long I l
and Sound. "H y, Dad," I aid. "What b ing you h ?" H wink d. "N v ally got to ta
lk in p ivat on Olympu . I want d to thank you." "Thank m ? You cam to th cu ."
"Y , and I got my palac d t oy d in th p oc , but you know-palac can b built. I'
v gott n o many thank-you ca d f om th oth god . Ev n A w ot on , though I think
H a
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fo c d him to. It' ath g atifying. So, thank you. I uppo v n th god can l a n n
w t ick ." Th Sound b gan to boil. At th nd of my dad' lin , a hug g n a p nt up
t d f om th wat . It th a h d and fought, but o idon ju t igh d. Holding hi fi h
ing pol with on hand, h whipp d out hi knif and cut th lin . Th mon t ank b low
th u fac . "Not ating iz ," h complain d. "I hav to l a th littl on o th gam wa
d n will b all ov m ." "Littl on ?" H g inn d. "You' doing w ll with tho n w cab
in , by th way. I uppo thi m an I can claim all tho oth on and daught of min and
nd you om ibling n xt umm ." "Ha-ha." o idon l d in hi mpty lin . I hift d my f
t. "Um, you w kidding, ight?" o idon gav m on of hi in id -jok wink , and I til
l didn't know wh th h wa iou o not. "I'll you oon, cy. And m mb , know which fi
h a big nough to land, h?" With that h di olv d in th a b z , l aving a fi hing
pol lying in th and. That v ning wa th la t night of camp-th b ad c mony. Th H p
ha tu cabin had d ign d th b ad thi y a . It how d th Empi Stat Building, and tc
h d in tiny G k l tt , pi aling a ound th imag , w th nam of all th h o who had
di d d f nding Olympu . Th w too many nam , but I wa p oud to w a th b ad. I put
it on my camp n cklac -fou b ad now. I f lt lik an old-tim . I thought about th
fi t campfi I'd v att nd d, back wh n I wa tw lv , and how I'd f lt o at hom .
That at l a t hadn't chang d. "N v fo g t thi umm !" Chi on told u . H had h al
d ma kably w ll, but h till t ott d in f ont of th fi with a light limp. "W hav
di cov d b av y and f i nd hip and cou ag thi umm . W hav uph ld th hono of th c
amp." H mil d at m , and v ybody ch d. A I look d at th fi , I aw a littl gi l i
n a b own d t nding th flam . Sh wink d at m with d glowing y . No on l m d to n
otic h , but I aliz d mayb h p f d it that way. "And now," Chi on aid, " a ly to
b d! R m mb , you mu t vacat you cabin by noon tomo ow unl you'v mad a ang m nt
to tay th y a with u . Th cl aning ha pi will at any t aggl , and I'd hat to nd
th umm on a ou not !" Th n xt mo ning, Annab th and I tood at th top of HalfBlo
od Hill. W watch d th bu and van pull away, taking mo t of th camp back to th al
wo ld. A f w old-tim would b taying b hind, and a f w of th n wcom , but I wa h
ading back to Good High School fo my ophomo y a -th fi t tim in my lif I'd v do
n two y a at th am chool. "Good-by ," Rach l aid to u a h hould d h bag. Sh look
d p tty n vou , but h wa k ping a p omi to h fath and att nding Cla ion Acad my
in N w Hamp hi . It would b n xt umm b fo w got ou O acl back. "You'll do g at.
" Annab th hugg d h . Funny, h m d to g t along fin with Rach l th day . Rach l
bit h lip. "I hop you' ight. I'm a littl wo i d. What if om body a k what' on th
n xt math t t and I ta t pouting a p oph cy in th middl of g om t y cla ? Th yt
hago an th o m hall b p obl m two. . . . God , that would b mba a ing." Annab th
laugh d, and to my li f, it mad Rach l mil . "W ll," h aid, "you two b good to
ach oth ." Go figu ,
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but h look d at m lik I wa om kind of t oubl mak . B fo I could p ot t, Rach l w
i h d u w ll and an down th hill to catch h id . Annab th, thank goodn , would b
taying in N w Yo k. Sh 'd gott n p mi ion f om h pa nt to att nd a boa ding cho
ol in th city o h could b clo to Olympu and ov th building ffo t . "And clo to m
?" I a k d. "W ll, om on ' got a big n of hi own impo tanc ." But h lac d h fin
g th ough min . I m mb d what h 'd told m in N w Yo k, about building om thing p
man nt, and I thoughtju t mayb -w w off to a good ta t. Th gua d d agon l u cu
l d cont nt dly a ound th pin t und n ath th Gold n Fl c and b gan to no , blowi
ng t am with v y b ath. "You'v b n thinking about Rach l' p oph cy?" I a k d Ann
ab th. Sh f own d. "How did you know?" "B cau I know you." Sh bump d m with h ho
uld . "Okay, o I hav . S v n half-blood hall an w th call. I wond who th y'll b
. W ' going to hav o many n w fac n xt umm ." "Y p," I ag d. "And all that tuff
about th wo ld falling in to m o fi ." Sh pu d h lip . "And fo at th Doo of D at
h. I don't know, cy, but I don't lik it. I thought . . . w ll, mayb w 'd g t om
p ac fo a chang ." "Wouldn't b Camp Half-Blood if it wa p ac ful," I aid. "I gu
you' ight . . . O mayb th p oph cy won't happ n fo y a ." "Could b a p obl m fo
anoth g n ation of d migod ," I ag d. "Th n w can kick back and njoy." Sh nodd d
, though h till m d un a y. I didn't blam h , but it wa ha d to f l too up t on
a nic day, with h n xt to m , knowing that I wa n't ally aying good-by . W had l
ot of tim . "Rac you to th oad?" I aid. "You a o going to lo ." Sh took off down
Half-Blood Hill and I p int d aft h . Fo onc , I didn't look back.
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