The Last Olympian

ONE
I GO CRUISING WITH
EXPLOSIVES
The end of the world started when a pegass landed on the hood of !" #ar$
Up nt%l then& I was ha'%ng a great afternoon$ Te#hn%#all" I wasn(t spposed to
)e dr%'%ng )e#ase I woldn(t trn s%*teen for another wee+& )t !" !o! and !"
stepdad& Pal& too+ !" fr%end Ra#hel and !e to th%s pr%'ate stret#h of )ea#h on
the Soth Shore& and Pal let s )orrow h%s Pr%s for a short sp%n$
Now& I +now "o(re th%n+%ng& Wow& that was reall" %rrespons%)le of h%!& )lah&
)lah& )lah& )t Pal +nows !e prett" well$ He(s seen !e sl%#e p de!ons and
leap ot of e*plod%ng s#hool )%ld%ngs& so he pro)a)l" ,gred ta+%ng a #ar a few
hndred "ards wasn(t e*a#tl" the !ost dangeros th%ng I(d e'er done$
-n"wa"& Ra#hel and I were dr%'%ng along$ It was a hot -gst da"$ Ra#hel(s red
ha%r was plled )a#+ %n a pon"ta%l and she wore a wh%te )lose o'er her sw%!s%t$
I(d ne'er seen her %n an"th%ng )t ratt" T.sh%rts and pa%nt.splattered /eans )efore&
and she loo+ed l%+e a !%ll%on golden dra#h!as$
0Oh& pll p r%ght there10 she told !e$
We par+ed on a r%dge o'erloo+%ng the -tlant%#$ The sea %s alwa"s one of !"
fa'or%te pla#es& )t toda" %t was espe#%all" n%#e2gl%tter" green and s!ooth as
glass& as thogh !" dad was +eep%ng %t #al! /st for s$
3" dad& )" the wa"& %s Pose%don$ He #an do st4 l%+e that$
0So$0 Ra#hel s!%led at !e$ 0-)ot that %n'%tat%on$0
0Oh $ $ $ r%ght$0 I tr%ed to sond e*#%ted$ I !ean& she(d as+ed !e to her fa!%l"(s
'a#at%on hose on St$ Tho!as for three da"s$ I d%dn(t get a lot of o4ers l%+e that$
3" fa!%l"(s %dea of a fan#" 'a#at%on was a wee+end %n a rndown #a)%n on Long
Island w%th so!e !o'%e rentals and a #ople of fro5en p%55as& and here Ra#hel(s
fol+s were w%ll%ng to let !e tag along to the Car%))ean$
6es%des& I ser%osl" needed a 'a#at%on$ Th%s s!!er had )een the hardest of
!" l%fe$ The %dea of ta+%ng a )rea+ e'en for a few da"s was reall" te!pt%ng$
St%ll& so!eth%ng )%g was spposed to go down an" da" now$ I was 0on #all0 for
a !%ss%on$ E'en worse& ne*t wee+ was !" )%rthda"$ There was th%s prophe#" that
sa%d when I trned s%*teen& )ad th%ngs wold happen$
0Per#"&0 she sa%d& 0I +now the t%!%ng %s )ad$ 6t %t(s alwa"s )ad for "o& r%ght70
She had a po%nt$
0I reall" want to go&0 I pro!%sed$ 0It(s /st20
0The war$8
I nodded$ I d%dn(t l%+e tal+%ng a)ot %t& )t Ra#hel +new$ Unl%+e !ost !ortals&
she #old see throgh the 3%st2the !ag%# 'e%l that d%storts h!an '%s%on$ She(d
seen !onsters$ She(d !et so!e of the other de!%gods who were ,ght%ng the
T%tans and the%r all%es$ She(d e'en )een there last s!!er when the #hopped.p
Lord 9ronos rose ot of h%s #o:n %n a terr%)le new for!& and she(d earned !"
per!anent respe#t )" na%l%ng h%! %n the e"e w%th a )le plast%# ha%r)rsh$
She pt her hand on !" ar!$ 0;st th%n+ a)ot %t& o+a"7 We don(t lea'e for a
#ople of da"s$ 3" dad $ $ $0 Her 'o%#e faltered$
0Is he g%'%ng "o a hard t%!e70 I as+ed$
Ra#hel shoo+ her head %n d%sgst$ 0He(s tr"%ng to )e n%#e to !e& wh%#h %s
al!ost worse$ He wants !e to go to Clar%on Lad%es -#ade!" %n the fall$0
0The s#hool where "or !o! went70
0It(s a stp%d ,n%sh%ng s#hool for so#%et" g%rls& all the wa" %n New Ha!psh%re$
Can "o see !e %n ,n%sh%ng s#hool70
I ad!%tted the %dea sonded prett" d!)$ Ra#hel was %nto r)an art pro/e#ts
and feed%ng the ho!eless and go%ng to protest rall%es to 0Sa'e the Endangered
<ellow.)ell%ed Saps#+er0 and st4 l%+e that$ I(d ne'er e'en seen her wear a
dress$ It was hard to %!ag%ne her learn%ng to )e a so#%al%te$
She s%ghed$ 0He th%n+s %f he does a )n#h of n%#e st4 for !e& I(ll feel g%lt"
and g%'e %n$0
0Wh%#h %s wh" he agreed to let !e #o!e w%th "o g"s on 'a#at%on70
0<es $ $ $ )t Per#"& "o(d )e do%ng !e a hge fa'or$ It wold )e so !#h )etter
%f "o were w%th s$ 6es%des& there(s so!eth%ng I want to tal+20 She stopped
a)rptl"$
0So!eth%ng "o want to tal+ a)ot70 I as+ed$ 0<o !ean $ $ $ so ser%os we(d
ha'e to go to St$ Tho!as to tal+ a)ot %t70
She prsed her l%ps$ 0Loo+& /st forget %t for now$ Let(s pretend we(re a #ople
of nor!al people$ We(re ot for a dr%'e& and we(re wat#h%ng the o#ean& and %t(s
n%#e to )e together$0
I #old tell so!eth%ng was )other%ng her& )t she pt on a )ra'e s!%le$ The
snl%ght !ade her ha%r loo+ l%+e ,re$
We(d spent a lot of t%!e together th%s s!!er$ I hadn(t e*a#tl" planned %t that
wa"& )t the !ore ser%os th%ngs got at #a!p& the !ore I fond !"self need%ng
to #all p Ra#hel and get awa"& /st for so!e )reath%ng roo!$ I needed to re!%nd
!"self that the !ortal world was st%ll ot there& awa" fro! all the !onsters s%ng
!e as the%r personal pn#h%ng )ag$
0O+a"&0 I sa%d$ 0;st a nor!al afternoon and two nor!al people$0
She nodded$ 0-nd so $ $ $ h"pothet%#all"& %f these two people l%+ed ea#h other&
what wold %t ta+e to get the stp%d g" to +%ss the g%rl& hh70
0Oh $ $ $0 I felt l%+e one of -pollo(s sa#red #ows2slow& d!)& and )r%ght red$
0U! $ $ $0
I #an(t pretend I hadn(t thoght a)ot Ra#hel$ She was so !#h eas%er to )e
arond than $ $ $ well& than so!e other g%rls I +new$ I d%dn(t ha'e to wor+ hard& or
wat#h what I sa%d& or ra#+ !" )ra%n tr"%ng to ,gre ot what she was th%n+%ng$
Ra#hel d%dn(t h%de !#h$ She let "o +now how she felt$
I(! not sre what I wold ha'e done ne*t2)t I was so d%stra#ted& I d%dn(t
not%#e the hge )la#+ for! swoop%ng down fro! the s+" nt%l for hoo'es landed
on the hood of the Pr%s w%th a WU3P.WU3P.CRUNCH1
He"& )oss& a 'o%#e sa%d %n !" head$ N%#e #ar1
6la#+/a#+ the pegass was an old fr%end of !%ne& so I tr%ed not to get too
anno"ed )" the #raters he(d /st pt %n the hood= )t I d%dn(t th%n+ !" stepdad
wold )e real sto+ed$
06la#+/a#+&0 I s%ghed$ 0What are "o20
Then I saw who was r%d%ng on h%s )a#+& and I +new !" da" was a)ot to get a
lot !ore #o!pl%#ated$
0 (Sp& Per#"$0
Charles 6e#+endorf& sen%or #onselor for the Hephaests #a)%n& wold !a+e
!ost !onsters #r" for the%r !o!!%es$ He was hge& w%th r%pped !s#les fro!
wor+%ng on the forges e'er" s!!er& two "ears older than !e& and one of the
#a!p(s )est ar!ors!%ths$ He !ade so!e ser%osl" %ngen%os !e#han%#al st4$ -
!onth )efore& he(d r%gged a Gree+ ,re)o!) %n the )athroo! of a tor )s that
was #arr"%ng a )n#h of !onsters a#ross #ontr"$ The e*plos%on too+ ot a whole
leg%on of 9ronos(s e'%l !ean%es as soon as the ,rst harp" went >sh$

6e#+endorf was dressed for #o!)at$ He wore a )ron5e )reastplate and war
hel! w%th )la#+ #a!o pants and a sword strapped to h%s s%de$ H%s e*plos%'es )ag
was slng o'er h%s sholder$
0T%!e70 I as+ed$
He nodded gr%!l"$
- #l!p for!ed %n !" throat$ I(d +nown th%s was #o!%ng$ We(d )een plann%ng
for %t for wee+s& )t I(d half hoped %t wold ne'er happen$
Ra#hel loo+ed p at 6e#+endorf$ 0H%$0
0Oh& he"$ I(! 6e#+endorf$ <o !st )e Ra#hel$ Per#"(s told !e $ $ $ h& I !ean
he !ent%oned "o$0
Ra#hel ra%sed an e"e)row$ 0Reall"7 Good$0 She glan#ed at 6la#+/a#+& who was
#lopp%ng h%s hoo'es aga%nst the hood of the Pr%s$ 0So I gess "o g"s ha'e to
go sa'e the world now$0
0Prett" !#h&0 6e#+endorf agreed$
I loo+ed at Ra#hel helplessl"$ 0Wold "o tell !" !o!20
0I(ll tell her$ I(! sre she(s sed to %t$ -nd I(ll e*pla%n to Pal a)ot the hood$0
I nodded !" than+s$ I ,gred th%s !%ght )e the last t%!e Pal loaned !e h%s
#ar$
0Good l#+$0 Ra#hel +%ssed !e )efore I #old e'en rea#t$ 0Now& get go%ng& half.
)lood$ Go +%ll so!e !onsters for !e$0
3" last '%ew of her was s%tt%ng %n the shotgn seat of the Pr%s& her ar!s
#rossed& wat#h%ng as 6la#+/a#+ #%r#led h%gher and h%gher& #arr"%ng 6e#+endorf
and !e %nto the s+"$ I wondered what Ra#hel wanted to tal+ to !e a)ot& and
whether I(d l%'e long enogh to ,nd ot$
0So&0 6e#+endorf sa%d& 0I(! gess%ng "o don(t want !e to !ent%on that l%ttle
s#ene to -nna)eth$0
0Oh& gods&0 I !ttered$ 0?on(t e'en th%n+ a)ot %t$0
6e#+endorf #h#+led& and together we soared ot o'er the -tlant%#$
It was al!ost dar+ )" the t%!e we spotted or target$ The Pr%n#ess -ndro!eda
glowed on the hor%5on2a hge #r%se sh%p l%t p "ellow and wh%te$ @ro! a
d%stan#e& "o(d th%n+ %t was /st a part" sh%p& not the headAarters for the T%tan
lord$ Then as "o got #loser& "o !%ght not%#e the g%ant ,grehead2a dar+.
ha%red !a%den %n a Gree+ #h%ton& wrapped %n #ha%ns w%th a loo+ of horror on her
fa#e& as %f she #old s!ell the sten#h of all the !onsters she was )e%ng for#ed to
#arr"$
See%ng the sh%p aga%n tw%sted !" gt %nto +nots$ I(d al!ost d%ed tw%#e on the
Pr%n#ess -ndro!eda$ Now %t was head%ng stra%ght for New <or+$
0<o +now what to do70 6e#+endorf "elled o'er the w%nd$
I nodded$ We(d done dr" rns at the do#+"ards %n New ;erse"& s%ng
a)andoned sh%ps as or targets$ I +new how l%ttle t%!e we wold ha'e$ 6t I also
+new th%s was or )est #han#e to end 9ronos(s %n'as%on )efore %t e'er started$
06la#+/a#+&0 I sa%d& 0set s down on the lowest stern de#+$0
Got#ha& )oss& he sa%d$ 3an& I hate see%ng that )oat$
Three "ears ago& 6la#+/a#+ had )een ensla'ed on the Pr%n#ess -ndro!eda
nt%l he(d es#aped w%th a l%ttle help fro! !" fr%ends and !e$ I ,gred he(d rather
ha'e h%s !ane )ra%ded l%+e 3" L%ttle Pon" than )e )a#+ here aga%n$
0?on(t wa%t for s&0 I told h%!$
6t& )oss2
0Trst !e&0 I sa%d$ 0We(ll get ot )" orsel'es$0
6la#+/a#+ folded h%s w%ngs and pl!!eted toward the )oat l%+e a )la#+ #o!et$
The w%nd wh%stled %n !" ears$ I saw !onsters patroll%ng the pper de#+s of the
sh%p2dra#aenae sna+e.wo!en& hellhonds& g%ants& and the h!ano%d seal.
de!ons +nown as tel+h%nes2)t we 5%pped )" so fast& none of the! ra%sed the
alar!$ We shot down the stern of the )oat& and 6la#+/a#+ spread h%s w%ngs&
l%ghtl" #o!%ng to a land%ng on the lowest de#+$ I #l%!)ed o4& feel%ng Aeas"$
Good l#+& )oss& 6la#+/a#+ sa%d$ ?on(t let (e! trn "o %nto horse !eat1
W%th that& !" old fr%end >ew o4 %nto the n%ght$ I too+ !" pen ot of !" po#+et
and n#apped %t& and R%pt%de sprang to fll s%5e2three feet of deadl" Celest%al
)ron5e glow%ng %n the ds+$
6e#+endorf plled a p%e#e of paper ot of h%s po#+et$ I thoght %t was a !ap or
so!eth%ng$ Then I real%5ed %t was a photograph$ He stared at %t %n the d%! l%ght2
the s!%l%ng fa#e of S%lena 6earegard& daghter of -phrod%te$ The"(d started
go%ng ot last s!!er& after "ears of the rest of s sa"%ng& 0?h& "o g"s l%+e
ea#h other10 E'en w%th all the dangeros !%ss%ons& 6e#+endorf had )een happ%er
th%s s!!er than I(d e'er seen h%!$
0We(ll !a+e %t )a#+ to #a!p&0 I pro!%sed$
@or a se#ond I saw worr" %n h%s e"es$ Then he pt on h%s old #on,dent s!%le$
0<o )et&0 he sa%d$ 0Let(s go )low 9ronos )a#+ %nto a !%ll%on p%e#es$0
6e#+endorf led the wa"$ We followed a narrow #orr%dor to the ser'%#e sta%rwell&
/st l%+e we(d pra#t%#ed& )t we fro5e when we heard no%ses a)o'e s$
0I don(t #are what "or nose sa"s10 snarled a half.h!an& half.dog 'o%#e2a
tel+h%ne$ 0The last t%!e "o s!elled half.)lood& %t trned ot to )e a !eat loaf
sandw%#h10
03eat loaf sandw%#hes are good10 a se#ond 'o%#e snarled$ 06t th%s %s half.
)lood s#ent& I swear$ The" are on )oard10
06ah& "or )ra%n %sn(t on )oard10
The" #ont%ned to arge& and 6e#+endorf po%nted downsta%rs$ We des#ended
as A%etl" as we #old$ Two >oors down& the 'o%#es of the tel+h%nes started to
fade$
@%nall" we #a!e to a !etal hat#h$ 6e#+endorf !othed the words 0eng%ne
roo!$0
It was lo#+ed& )t 6e#+endorf plled so!e #ha%n #tters ot of h%s )ag and
spl%t the )olt l%+e %t was !ade of )tter$
Ins%de& a row of "ellow tr)%nes the s%5e of gra%n s%los #hrned and h!!ed$
Pressre gages and #o!pter ter!%nals l%ned the oppos%te wall$ - tel+h%ne was
hn#hed o'er a #onsole& )t he was so %n'ol'ed w%th h%s wor+& he d%dn(t not%#e
s$ He was a)ot ,'e feet tall& w%th sl%#+ )la#+ seal fr and st))" l%ttle feet$ He
had the head of a ?o)er!an& )t h%s #lawed hands were al!ost h!an$ He
growled and !ttered as he tapped on h%s +e")oard$ 3a")e he was !essag%ng
h%s fr%ends on gl"fa#e$#o!$
I stepped forward& and he tensed& pro)a)l" s!ell%ng so!eth%ng was wrong$ He
leaped s%dewa"s toward a )%g red alar! )tton& )t I )lo#+ed h%s path$ He h%ssed
and lnged at !e& )t one sl%#e of R%pt%de& and he e*ploded %nto dst$
0One down&0 6e#+endorf sa%d$ 0-)ot ,'e thosand to go$0 He tossed !e a /ar
of th%#+ green l%A%d2Gree+ ,re& one of the !ost dangeros !ag%#al s)stan#es
%n the world$ Then he threw !e another essent%al tool of de!%god heroes2d#t
tape$
0Slap that one on the #onsole&0 he sa%d$ 0I(ll get the tr)%nes$0
We went to wor+$ The roo! was hot and h!%d& and %n no t%!e we were
dren#hed %n sweat$
The )oat +ept #hgg%ng along$ 6e%ng the son of Pose%don and all& I ha'e
perfe#t )ear%ngs at sea$ ?on(t as+ !e how& )t I #old tell we were at BC$DEF
North& GD$ECF West& !a+%ng e%ghteen +nots& wh%#h !eant the sh%p wold arr%'e %n
New <or+ Har)or )" dawn$ Th%s wold )e or onl" #han#e to stop %t$
I had /st atta#hed a se#ond /ar of Gree+ ,re to the #ontrol panels when I
heard the pond%ng of feet on !etal steps2so !an" #reatres #o!%ng down the
sta%rwell I #old hear the! o'er the eng%nes$ Not a good s%gn$
I lo#+ed e"es w%th 6e#+endorf$ 0How !#h longer70
0Too long$0 He tapped h%s wat#h& wh%#h was or re!ote #ontrol detonator$ 0I
st%ll ha'e to w%re the re#e%'er and pr%!e the #harges$ Ten !ore !%ntes at least$0
;dg%ng fro! the sond of the footsteps& we had a)ot ten se#onds$
0I(ll d%stra#t the!&0 I sa%d$ 03eet "o at the rende5'os po%nt$0
0Per#"20
0W%sh !e l#+$0
He loo+ed l%+e he wanted to arge$ The whole %dea had )een to get %n and ot
w%thot )e%ng spotted$ 6t we were go%ng to ha'e to %!pro'%se$
0Good l#+&0 he sa%d$
I #harged ot the door$
- half do5en tel+h%nes were tro!p%ng down the sta%rs$ I #t throgh the! w%th
R%pt%de faster than the" #old "elp$ I +ept #l%!)%ng2past another tel+h%ne& who
was so startled he dropped h%s L%l( ?e!ons ln#h )o*$ I left h%! al%'e2partl"
)e#ase h%s ln#h )o* was #ool& partl" so he #old ra%se the alar! and hopefll"
get h%s fr%ends to follow !e rather than head toward the eng%ne roo!$
I )rst throgh a door onto de#+ s%* and +ept rnn%ng$ I(! sre the #arpeted
hall had on#e )een 'er" plsh& )t o'er the last three "ears of !onster
o##pat%on the wallpaper& #arpet& and stateroo! doors had )een #lawed p and
sl%!ed so %t loo+ed l%+e the %ns%de of a dragon(s throat Hand "es& nfortnatel"& I
spea+ fro! e*per%en#eI$
6a#+ on !" ,rst '%s%t to the Pr%n#ess -ndro!eda& !" old ene!" L+e had +ept
so!e da5ed tor%sts on )oard for show& shroded %n 3%st so the" d%dn(t real%5e
the" were on a !onster.%nfested sh%p$ Now I d%dn(t see an" s%gn of tor%sts$ I
hated to th%n+ what had happened to the!& )t I +%nd of do)ted the"(d )een
allowed to go ho!e w%th the%r )%ngo w%nn%ngs$
I rea#hed the pro!enade& a )%g shopp%ng !all that too+ p the whole !%ddle
of the sh%p& and I stopped #old$ In the !%ddle of the #ort"ard stood a fonta%n$
-nd %n the fonta%n sAatted a g%ant #ra)$
I(! not tal+%ng 0g%ant0 l%+e JG$EE all."o.#an.eat -las+an +%ng #ra)$ I(! tal+%ng
g%ant l%+e )%gger than the fonta%n$ The !onster rose ten feet ot of the water$ Its
shell was !ottled )le and green& %ts p%n#ers longer than !" )od"$
If "o('e e'er seen a #ra)(s !oth& all foa!" and gross w%th wh%s+ers and
snapp%ng )%ts& "o #an %!ag%ne th%s one d%dn(t loo+ an" )etter )lown p to
)%ll)oard s%5e$ Its )ead" )la#+ e"es glared at !e& and I #old see %ntell%gen#e %n
the!2and hate$ The fa#t that I was the son of the sea god was not go%ng to w%n
!e an" po%nts w%th 3r$ Cra))"$
0@@@@444&0 %t h%ssed& sea foa! dr%pp%ng fro! %ts !oth$ The s!ell #o!%ng o4 %t
was l%+e a gar)age #an fll of ,sh st%#+s that had )een s%tt%ng %n the sn all wee+$
-lar!s )lared$ Soon I was go%ng to ha'e lots of #o!pan" and I had to +eep
!o'%ng$
0He"& #ra))"$0 I %n#hed arond the edge of the #ort"ard$ 0I(! /st gonna s#oot
arond "o so20
The #ra) !o'ed w%th a!a5%ng speed$ It s#ttled ot of the fonta%n and #a!e
stra%ght at !e& p%n#ers snapp%ng$ D do'e %nto a g%ft shop& plow%ng throgh a ra#+
of T.sh%rts$ - #ra) p%n#er s!ashed the glass walls to p%e#es and ra+ed a#ross the
roo!$ I dashed )a#+ ots%de& )reath%ng hea'%l"& )t 3r$ Cra))" trned and
followed$
0There10 a 'o%#e sa%d fro! a )al#on" a)o'e !e$ 0Intrder10
If I(d wanted to #reate a d%stra#t%on& I(d s##eeded& )t th%s was not where I
wanted to ,ght$ If I got p%nned down %n the #enter of the sh%p& I was #ra) #how$
The de!on%# #rsta#ean lnged at !e$ I sl%#ed w%th R%pt%de& ta+%ng o4 the t%p
of %ts #law$ It h%ssed and foa!ed& )t d%dn(t see! 'er" hrt$
I tr%ed to re!e!)er an"th%ng fro! the old stor%es that !%ght help w%th th%s
th%ng$ -nna)eth had told !e a)ot a !onster #ra)2so!eth%ng a)ot Her#les
#rsh%ng %t nder h%s foot7 That wasn(t go%ng to wor+ here$ Th%s #ra) was sl%ghtl"
)%gger than !" Ree)o+s$
Then a we%rd thoght o##rred to !e$ Last Chr%st!as& !" !o! and I had
)roght Pal 6lo,s to or old #a)%n at 3onta+& where we(d )een go%ng fore'er$
Pal had ta+en !e #ra))%ng& and when he(d )roght p a net fll of the th%ngs&
he(d shown !e how #ra)s ha'e a #h%n+ %n the%r ar!or& r%ght %n the !%ddle of the%r
gl" )ell%es$
The onl" pro)le! was gett%ng to the gl" )ell"$
I glan#ed at the fonta%n& then at the !ar)le >oor& alread" sl%#+ fro! s#ttl%ng
#ra) tra#+s$ I held ot !" hand& #on#entrat%ng on the water& and the fonta%n
e*ploded$ Water spra"ed e'er"where& three stor%es h%gh& dos%ng the )al#on%es
and the ele'ators and the w%ndows of the shops$ The #ra) d%dn(t #are$ It lo'ed
water$ It #a!e at !e s%dewa"s& snapp%ng and h%ss%ng& and I ran stra%ght at %t&
s#rea!%ng& 0-HHHHHHH10
;st )efore we #oll%ded& I h%t the grond )ase)all.st"le and sl%d on the wet
!ar)le >oor stra%ght nder the #reatre$ It was l%+e sl%d%ng nder a se'en.ton
ar!ored 'eh%#le$ -ll the #ra) had to do was s%t and sAash !e& )t )efore %t
real%5ed what was go%ng on& I /a))ed R%pt%de %nto the #h%n+ %n %ts ar!or& let go of
the h%lt& and pshed !"self ot the )a#+s%de$
The !onster shddered and h%ssed$ Its e"es d%ssol'ed$ Its shell trned )r%ght
red as %ts %ns%des e'aporated$ The e!pt" shell #lattered to the >oor %n a !ass%'e
heap$
I d%dn(t ha'e t%!e to ad!%re !" hand%wor+$ I ran for the nearest sta%rs wh%le all
arond !e !onsters and de!%gods shoted orders and strapped on the%r
weapons$ I was e!pt".handed$ R%pt%de& )e%ng !ag%#& wold appear %n !" po#+et
sooner or later& )t for now %t was st#+ so!ewhere nder the wre#+age of the
#ra)& and I had no t%!e to retr%e'e %t$
In the ele'ator fo"er on de#+ e%ght& a #ople of dra#aenae sl%thered a#ross !"
path$ @ro! the wa%st p& the" were wo!en w%th green s#al" s+%n& "ellow e"es&
and for+ed tonges$ @ro! the wa%st down& the" had do)le sna+e trn+s %nstead
of legs$ The" held spears and we%ghted nets& and I +new fro! e*per%en#e the"
#old se the!$
0What %sss th%sss70 one sa%d$ 0- pr%5e for 9ronosss10
I wasn(t %n the !ood to pla" )rea+.the.sna+e& )t %n front of !e was a stand
w%th a !odel of the sh%p& l%+e a <OU -RE HERE d%spla"$ I r%pped the !odel o4 the
pedestal and hrled %t at the ,rst %ra#aena$ The )oat s!a#+ed her %n the fa#e and
she went down w%th the sh%p$ I /!ped o'er her& gra))ed her fr%end(s spear& and
swng her arond$ She sla!!ed %nto the ele'ator& and I +ept rnn%ng toward the
front of the sh%p$
0Get h%!10 she s#rea!ed$
Hellhonds )a"ed$ -n arrow fro! so!ewhere wh%55ed past !" fa#e and
%!paled %tself %n the !ahogan".paneled wall of the sta%rwell$
I d%dn(t #are2as long as I got the !onsters awa" fro! the eng%ne roo! and
ga'e 6e#+endorf !ore t%!e$
-s I was rnn%ng p the sta%rwell& a +%d #harged down$ He loo+ed l%+e he(d /st
wo+en p fro! a nap$ H%s ar!or was half on$ He drew h%s sword and "elled&
09ronos10 )t he sonded !ore s#ared than angr"$ He #oldn(t ha'e )een !ore
than twel'e2a)ot the sa!e age I was when I(d ,rst arr%'ed at Ca!p Half.6lood$
That thoght depressed !e$ Th%s +%d was gett%ng )ra%nwashed2tra%ned to
hate the gods and lash ot )e#ase he(d )een )orn half Ol"!p%an$ 9ronos was
s%ng h%!& and "et the +%d thoght I was h%s ene!"$
No wa" was I go%ng to hrt h%!$ I d%dn(t need a weapon for th%s$ I stepped
%ns%de h%s str%+e and gra))ed h%s wr%st& sla!!%ng %t aga%nst the wall$ H%s sword
#lattered ot of h%s hand$
Then I d%d so!eth%ng I hadn(t planned on$ It was pro)a)l" stp%d$ It de,n%tel"
/eopard%5ed or !%ss%on& )t I #oldn(t help %t$
0If "o want to l%'e&0 I told h%!& 0get o4 th%s sh%p now$ Tell the other de!%gods$0
Then I sho'ed h%! down the sta%rs and sent h%! t!)l%ng to the ne*t >oor$
I +ept #l%!)%ng$
6ad !e!or%esK a hallwa" ran past the #afeter%a$ -nna)eth& !" half )rother
T"son& and I had snea+ed throgh here three "ears ago on !" ,rst '%s%t$
I )rst ots%de onto the !a%n de#+$ O4 the port )ow& the s+" was dar+en%ng
fro! prple to )la#+$ - sw%!!%ng pool glowed )etween two glass towers w%th
!ore )al#on%es and restarant de#+s$ The whole pper sh%p see!ed eer%l"
deserted$
-ll I had to do was #ross to the other s%de$ Then I #old ta+e the sta%r#ase
down to the hel%pad2or e!ergen#" rende5'os po%nt$ W%th an" l#+&
6e#+endorf wold !eet !e there$ We(d /!p %nto the sea$ 3" water powers
wold prote#t s )oth& and we(d detonate the #harges fro! a Aarter !%le awa"$
I was halfwa" a#ross the de#+ when the sond of a 'o%#e !ade !e free5e$
0<o(re late& Per#"$0
L+e stood on the )al#on" a)o'e !e& a s!%le on h%s s#arred fa#e$ He wore
/eans& a wh%te T.sh%rt& and >%p.>ops& l%+e he was /st a nor!al #ollege.age g"&
)t h%s e"es told the trth$ The" were sol%d gold$
0We('e )een e*pe#t%ng "o for da"s$0 -t ,rst he sonded nor!al& l%+e L+e$
6t then h%s fa#e tw%t#hed$ - shdder passed throgh h%s )od" as thogh he(d
/st drn+ so!eth%ng reall" nast"$ H%s 'o%#e )e#a!e hea'%er& an#%ent& and
powerfl2the 'o%#e of the T%tan lord 9ronos$ The words s#raped down !" sp%ne
l%+e a +n%fe )lade$ 0Co!e& )ow )efore !e$0
0<eah& that(ll happen&0 I !ttered$
La%str"gon%an g%ants ,led %n on e%ther s%de of the sw%!!%ng pool as %f the"(d
)een wa%t%ng for a #e$ Ea#h was e%ght feet tall w%th tattooed ar!s& leather
ar!or& and sp%+ed #l)s$ ?e!%god ar#hers appeared on the roof a)o'e L+e$ Two
hellhonds leaped down fro! the oppos%te )al#on" and snarled at !e$ W%th%n
se#onds I was srronded$ - trapK there(s no wa" the" #old('e gotten %nto
pos%t%on so fast nless the"(d +nown I was #o!%ng$
I loo+ed p at L+e& and anger )o%led %ns%de !e$ I d%dn(t +now %f L+e(s
#ons#%osness was e'en st%ll al%'e %ns%de that )od"$ 3a")e& the wa" h%s 'o%#e had
#hanged $ $ $ or !a")e %t was /st 9ronos adapt%ng to h%s new for!$ I told !"self %t
d%dn(t !atter$ L+e had )een tw%sted and e'%l long )efore 9ronos possessed h%!$
- 'o%#e %n !" head sa%dK I ha'e to ,ght h%! e'entall"$ Wh" not now7
-##ord%ng to that )%g prophe#"& I was spposed to !a+e a #ho%#e that sa'ed or
destro"ed the world when I was s%*teen$ That was onl" se'en da"s awa"$ Wh" not
now7 If I reall" had the power& what d%4eren#e wold a wee+ !a+e7 I #old end
th%s threat r%ght here )" ta+%ng down 9ronos$ He"& I(d foght !onsters and gods
)efore$
-s %f read%ng !" thoghts& L+e s!%led$ No& he was 9ronos$ I had to re!e!)er
that$
0Co!e forward&0 he sa%d$ 0If "o dare$0
The #rowd of !onsters parted$ I !o'ed p the sta%rs& !" heart pond%ng$ I
was sre so!e)od" wold sta) !e %n the )a#+& )t the" let !e pass$ I felt !"
po#+et and fond !" pen wa%t%ng$ I n#apped %t& and R%pt%de grew %nto a sword$
9ronos(s weapon appeared %n h%s hands2a s%*.foot.long s#"the& half Celest%al
)ron5e& half !ortal steel$ ;st loo+%ng at the th%ng !ade !" +nees trn to ;ell.O$
6t )efore I #old #hange !" !%nd& I #harged$
T%!e slowed down$ I !ean l%terall" slowed down& )e#ase 9ronos had that
power$ I felt l%+e I was !o'%ng throgh s"rp$ 3" ar!s were so hea'"& I #old
)arel" ra%se !" sword$ 9ronos s!%led& sw%rl%ng h%s s#"the at nor!al speed and
wa%t%ng for !e to #reep toward !" death$
I tr%ed to ,ght h%s !ag%#$ I #on#entrated on the sea arond !e2the sor#e of
!" power$ I(d gotten )etter at #hannel%ng %t o'er the "ears& )t now noth%ng
see!ed to happen$
I too+ another slow step forward$ G%ants /eered$ ?ra#aenae h%ssed w%th
laghter$
He"& o#ean& I pleaded$ -n" da" now wold )e good$
Sddenl" there was a wren#h%ng pa%n %n !" gt$ The ent%re )oat lr#hed
s%dewa"s& throw%ng !onsters o4 the%r feet$ @or thosand gallons of salt water
srged ot of the sw%!!%ng pool& dos%ng !e and 9ronos and e'er"one on the
de#+$ The water re'%tal%5ed !e& )rea+%ng the t%!e spell& and I lnged forward$
I str#+ at 9ronos& )t I was st%ll too slow$ I !ade the !%sta+e of loo+%ng at h%s
fa#e2L+e(s fa#e2a g" who was on#e !" fr%end$ -s !#h as I hated h%!& %t was
hard to +%ll h%!$
9ronos had no s#h hes%tat%on$ He sl%#ed downward w%th h%s s#"the$ I leaped
)a#+& and the e'%l )lade !%ssed )" an %n#h& #tt%ng a gash %n the de#+ r%ght
)etween !" feet$
I +%#+ed 9ronos %n the #hest$ He st!)led )a#+ward& )t he was hea'%er than
L+e shold('e )een$ It was l%+e +%#+%ng a refr%gerator$
9ronos swng h%s s#"the aga%n$ I %nter#epted w%th R%pt%de& )t h%s str%+e was so
powerfl& !" )lade #old onl" de>e#t %t$ The edge of the s#"the sha'ed o4 !"
sh%rtslee'e and gra5ed !" ar!$ It sholdn(t ha'e )een a ser%os #t& )t the
ent%re s%de of !" )od" e*ploded w%th pa%n$ I re!e!)ered what a sea de!on had
on#e sa%d a)ot 9ronos(s s#"theK Carefl& fool$ One to#h& and the )lade w%ll
se'er "or sol fro! "or )od"$ Now I nderstood what he !eant$ I wasn(t /st
los%ng )lood$ I #old feel !" strength& !" w%ll& !" %dent%t" dra%n%ng awa"$
I st!)led )a#+ward& sw%t#hed !" sword to !" left hand& and lnged
desperatel"$ 3" )lade shold('e rn h%! throgh& )t %t de>e#ted o4 h%s sto!a#h
l%+e I was h%tt%ng sol%d !ar)le$ There was no wa" he shold('e sr'%'ed that$
9ronos laghed$ 0- poor perfor!an#e& Per#" ;a#+son$ L+e tells !e "o were
ne'er h%s !at#h at swordpla"$0
3" '%s%on started to )lr$ I +new I d%dn(t ha'e !#h t%!e$ 0L+e had a )%g
head&0 I sa%d$ 06t at least %t was h%s head$0
0- sha!e to +%ll "o now&0 9ronos !sed& 0)efore the ,nal plan nfolds$ I
wold lo'e to see the terror %n "or e"es when "o real%5e how I w%ll destro"
Ol"!ps$0
0<o(ll ne'er get th%s )oat to 3anhattan$0 3" ar! was thro))%ng$ 6la#+ spots
dan#ed %n !" '%s%on$
0-nd wh" wold that )e70 9ronos(s golden e"es gl%ttered$ H%s fa#e2L+e(s fa#e
2see!ed l%+e a !as+& nnatral and l%t fro! )eh%nd )" so!e e'%l power$
0Perhaps "o are #ont%ng on "or fr%end w%th the e*plos%'es70
He loo+ed down at the pool and #alled& 0Na+a!ra10
- teenage g" %n fll Gree+ ar!or pshed throgh the #rowd$ H%s left e"e was
#o'ered w%th a )la#+ pat#h$ I +new h%!& of #orseK Ethan Na+a!ra& the son of
Ne!es%s$ I(d sa'ed h%s l%fe %n the La)"r%nth last s!!er& and %n retrn& the l%ttle
pn+ had helped 9ronos #o!e )a#+ to l%fe$
0S##ess& !" lord&0 Ethan #alled$ 0We fond h%! /st as we were told$0
He #lapped h%s hands& and two g%ants l!)ered forward& dragg%ng Charles
6e#+endorf )etween the!$ 3" heart al!ost stopped$ 6e#+endorf had a swollen
e"e and #ts all o'er h%s fa#e and ar!s$ H%s ar!or was gone and h%s sh%rt was
nearl" torn o4$
0No10 I "elled$
6e#+endorf !et !" e"es$ He glan#ed at h%s hand l%+e he was tr"%ng to tell !e
so!eth%ng$ H%s wat#h$ The" hadn(t ta+en %t "et& and that was the detonator$ Was
%t poss%)le the e*plos%'es were ar!ed7 Srel" the !onsters wold('e d%s!antled
the! r%ght awa"$
0We fond h%! a!%dsh%ps&0 one of the g%ants sa%d& 0tr"%ng to snea+ to the
eng%ne roo!$ Can we eat h%! now70
0Soon$0 9ronos s#owled at Ethan$ 0-re "o sre he d%dn(t set the e*plos%'es70
0He was go%ng toward the eng%ne roo!& !" lord$0
0How do "o +now that70
0Er $ $ $0 Ethan sh%fted n#o!forta)l"$ 0He was head%ng %n that d%re#t%on$ -nd
he told s$ H%s )ag %s st%ll fll of e*plos%'es$0
Slowl"& I )egan to nderstand$ 6e#+endorf had fooled the!$ When he(d
real%5ed he was go%ng to )e #aptred& he trned to !a+e %t loo+ l%+e he was go%ng
the other wa"$ He(d #on'%n#ed the! he hadn(t !ade %t to the eng%ne roo! "et$
The Gree+ ,re !%ght st%ll )e pr%!ed1 6t that d%dn(t do s an" good nless we
#old get o4 the sh%p and detonate %t$
9ronos hes%tated$
6" the stor"& I pra"ed$ The pa%n %n !" ar! was so )ad now I #old )arel"
stand$
0Open h%s )ag&0 9ronos ordered$
One of the g%ants r%pped the e*plos%'es sat#hel fro! 6e#+endorf(s sholders$
He peered %ns%de& grnted& and trned %t ps%de down$ Pan%#+ed !onsters srged
)a#+ward$ If the )ag reall" had )een fll of Gree+ ,re /ars& we wold('e all )lown
p$ 6t what fell ot were a do5en #ans of pea#hes$
I #old hear 9ronos )reath%ng& tr"%ng to #ontrol h%s anger$
0?%d "o& perhaps&0 he sa%d& 0#aptre th%s de!%god near the galle"70
Ethan trned pale$ 0U!20
0-nd d%d "o& perhaps& send so!eone to a#tall" CHEC9 THE ENGINE ROO370
Ethan s#ra!)led )a#+ %n terror& then trned on h%s heels and ran$
I #rsed s%lentl"$ Now we had onl" !%ntes )efore the )o!)s were d%sar!ed$ I
#aght 6e#+endorf(s e"es aga%n and as+ed a s%lent Aest%on& hop%ng he wold
nderstandK How long7
He #pped h%s ,ngers and th!)& !a+%ng a #%r#le$ Lero$ There was no dela"
on the t%!er at all$ If he !anaged to press the detonator )tton& the sh%p wold
)low at on#e$ We(d ne'er )e a)le to get far enogh awa" )efore s%ng %t$ The
!onsters wold +%ll s ,rst& or d%sar! the e*plos%'es& or )oth$
9ronos trned toward !e w%th a #roo+ed s!%le$ 0<o(ll ha'e to e*#se !"
%n#o!petent help& Per#" ;a#+son$ 6t %t doesn(t !atter$ We ha'e "o now$ We('e
+nown "o were #o!%ng for wee+s$0
He held ot h%s hand and dangled a l%ttle s%l'er )ra#elet w%th a s#"the #har!2
the T%tan lord(s s"!)ol$
The wond %n !" ar! was sapp%ng !" a)%l%t" to th%n+& )t I !ttered&
0Co!!n%#at%on de'%#e $ $ $ sp" at #a!p$0
9ronos #h#+led$ 0<o #an(t #ont on fr%ends$ The" w%ll alwa"s let "o down$
L+e learned that lesson the hard wa"$ Now drop "or sword and srrender to
!e& or "or fr%end d%es$0
I swallowed$ One of the g%ants had h%s hand arond 6e#+endorf(s ne#+$ I was %n
no shape to res#e h%!& and e'en %f I tr%ed& he wold d%e )efore I got there$ We
)oth wold$
6e#+endorf !othed one wordK Go$
I shoo+ !" head$ I #oldn(t /st lea'e h%!$

The se#ond g%ant was st%ll r!!ag%ng throgh the pea#h #ans& wh%#h !eant
6e#+endorf(s left ar! was free$ He ra%sed %t slowl"2toward the wat#h on h%s r%ght
wr%st$
I wanted to s#rea!& NO1
Then down )" the sw%!!%ng pool& one of the dra#aenae h%ssed& 0What %sss he
do%ng7 What %sss that on h%sss wr%ssst70
6e#+endorf #losed e"es t%ght and )roght h%s hand p to h%s wat#h$
I had no #ho%#e$ I threw !" sword l%+e a /a'el%n at 9ronos$ It )on#ed
har!lessl" o4 h%s #hest& )t %t d%d startle h%!$ I pshed throgh a #rowd of
!onsters and /!ped o4 the s%de of the sh%p2toward the water a hndred feet
)elow$
I heard r!)l%ng deep %n the sh%p$ 3onsters "elled at !e fro! a)o'e$ - spear
sa%led past !" ear$ -n arrow p%er#ed !" th%gh& )t I )arel" had t%!e to reg%ster
the pa%n$ I plnged %nto the sea and w%lled the #rrents to ta+e !e far& far awa"2
a hndred "ards& two hndred "ards$
E'en fro! that d%stan#e& the e*plos%on shoo+ the world$ Heat seared the )a#+
of !" head$ The Pr%n#ess -ndro!eda )lew p fro! )oth s%des& a !ass%'e ,re)all
of green >a!e ro%l%ng %nto the dar+ s+"& #ons!%ng e'er"th%ng$
6e#+endorf& I thoght$
Then I )la#+ed ot and san+ l%+e an an#hor toward the )otto! of the sea$
TWO
I 3EET SO3E @ISH<
REL-TIVES
?e!%god drea!s s#+$
The th%ng %s& the"(re ne'er /st drea!s$ The"('e got to )e '%s%ons& o!ens& and
all that other !"st%#al st4 that !a+es !" )ra%n hrt$
I drea!ed I was %n a dar+ pala#e at the top of a !onta%n$ Unfortnatel"& I
re#ogn%5ed %tK the pala#e of the T%tans on top of 3ont Othr"s& otherw%se +nown
as 3ont Ta!alpa%s& %n Cal%forn%a$ The !a%n pa'%l%on was open to the n%ght& r%nged
w%th )la#+ Gree+ #ol!ns and states of the T%tans$ Tor#hl%ght glowed aga%nst the
)la#+ !ar)le >oor$ In the #enter of the roo!& an ar!ored g%ant strggled nder
the we%ght of a sw%rl%ng fnnel #lod2-tlas& hold%ng p the s+"$
Two other g%ant !en stood near)" o'er a )ron5e )ra5%er& std"%ng %!ages %n
the >a!es$
0M%te an e*plos%on&0 one sa%d$ He wore )la#+ ar!or stdded w%th s%l'er dots
l%+e a starr" n%ght$ H%s fa#e was #o'ered %n a war hel! w%th a ra!(s horn #rl%ng
on e%ther s%de$
0It doesn(t !atter&0 the other sa%d$ Th%s T%tan was dressed %n gold ro)es& w%th
golden e"es l%+e 9ronos$ H%s ent%re )od" glowed$ He re!%nded !e of -pollo& God
of the Sn& e*#ept the T%tan(s l%ght was harsher& and h%s e*press%on #reler$ 0The
gods ha'e answered the #hallenge$ Soon the" w%ll )e destro"ed$0
The %!ages %n the ,re were hard to !a+e otK stor!s& )%ld%ngs #r!)l%ng&
!ortals s#rea!%ng %n terror$
0I w%ll go east to !arshal or for#es&0 the golden T%tan sa%d$ 09r%os& "o shall
re!a%n and gard 3ont Othr"s$0
The ra! horn dde grnted$ 0I alwa"s get the stp%d /o)s$ Lord of the Soth$
Lord of Constellat%ons$ Now I get to )a)"s%t -tlas wh%le "o ha'e all the fn$0
Under the wh%rlw%nd of #lods& -tlas )ellowed %n agon"& 0Let !e ot& #rse
"o1 I a! "or greatest warr%or$ Ta+e !" )rden so I !a" ,ght10
0M%et10 the golden T%tan roared$ 0<o had "or #han#e& -tlas$ <o fa%led$
9ronos l%+es "o /st where "o are$ -s for "o& 9r%os& do "or dt"$0
0-nd %f "o need !ore warr%ors70 9r%os as+ed$ 0Or trea#heros nephew %n the
t*edo w%ll not do "o !#h good %n a ,ght$0
The golden T%tan laghed$ 0?on(t worr" a)ot h%!$ 6es%des& the gods #an
)arel" handle or ,rst l%ttle #hallenge$ The" ha'e no %dea how !an" others we
ha'e %n store$ 3ar+ !" words& %n a few da"s( t%!e& Ol"!ps w%ll )e %n r%ns& and
we w%ll !eet here aga%n to #ele)rate the dawn of the S%*th -ge10
The golden T%tan erpted %nto >a!es and d%sappeared$
0Oh& sre&0 9r%os gr!)led$ 0He gets to erpt %nto >a!es$ I get to wear these
stp%d ra!(s horns$0
The s#ene sh%fted$ Now I was ots%de the pa'%l%on& h%d%ng %n the shadows of a
Gree+ #ol!n$ - )o" stood ne*t to !e& ea'esdropp%ng on the T%tans$ He had dar+
s%l+" ha%r& pale s+%n& and dar+ #lothes2!" fr%end N%#o d% -ngelo& the son of
Hades$
He loo+ed stra%ght at !e& h%s e*press%on gr%!$ 0<o see& Per#"70 he wh%spered$
0<o(re rnn%ng ot of t%!e$ ?o "o reall" th%n+ "o #an )eat the! w%thot !"
plan70
H%s words washed o'er !e as #old as the o#ean >oor& and !" drea!s went
)la#+$
0Per#"70 a deep 'o%#e sa%d$
3" head felt l%+e %t had )een !%#rowa'ed %n al!%n! fo%l$ I opened !" e"es
and saw a large shadow" ,gre loo!%ng o'er !e$
06e#+endorf70 I as+ed hopefll"$
0No& )rother$0
3" e"es refo#sed$ I was loo+%ng at a C"#lops2a !%sshapen fa#e& ratt" )rown
ha%r& one )%g )rown e"e fll of #on#ern$ 0T"son70
3" )rother )ro+e %nto a tooth" gr%n$ 0<a"1 <or )ra%n wor+s10
I wasn(t so sre$ 3" )od" felt we%ghtless and #old$ 3" 'o%#e sonded wrong$ I
#old hear T"son& )t %t was !ore l%+e I was hear%ng '%)rat%ons %ns%de !" s+ll&
not the reglar sonds$
I sat p& and a gossa!er sheet >oated awa"$ I was on a )ed !ade of s%l+"
wo'en +elp& %n a roo! paneled w%th a)alone shell$ Glow%ng pearls the s%5e of
)as+et)alls >oated arond the #e%l%ng& pro'%d%ng l%ght$ I was nder water$
Now& )e%ng the son of Pose%don and all& I was o+a" w%th th%s$ I #an )reathe
nderwater /st ,ne& and !" #lothes don(t e'en get wet nless I want the! to$
6t %t was st%ll a )%t of a sho#+ when a ha!!erhead shar+ dr%fted throgh the
)edroo! w%ndow& regarded !e& and then swa! #al!l" ot the oppos%te s%de of
the roo!$
0Where20
0?add"(s pala#e&0 T"son sa%d$
Under d%4erent #%r#!stan#es& I wold('e )een e*#%ted$ I(d ne'er '%s%ted
Pose%don(s real!& and I(d )een drea!%ng a)ot %t for "ears$ 6t !" head hrt$ 3"
sh%rt was st%ll spe#+led w%th )rn !ar+s fro! the e*plos%on$ 3" ar! and leg
wonds had healed2/st )e%ng %n the o#ean #an do that for !e& g%'en enogh
t%!e2)t I st%ll felt l%+e I(d )een tra!pled )" a La%str"gon%an so##er tea! %n
#leats$
0How long20
0We fond "o last n%ght&0 T"son sa%d& 0s%n+%ng throgh the water$0
0The Pr%n#ess -ndro!eda70
0Went +a.)oo!&0 T"son #on,r!ed$
06e#+endorf was on )oard$ ?%d "o ,nd $ $ $0
T"son(s fa#e dar+ened$ 0No s%gn of h%!$ I a! sorr"& )rother$0
I stared ot the w%ndow %nto deep )le water$ 6e#+endorf was spposed to go
to #ollege %n the fall$ He had a g%rlfr%end& lots of fr%ends& h%s whole l%fe ahead of
h%!$ He #oldn(t )e gone$ 3a")e he(d !ade %t o4 the sh%p l%+e I had$ 3a")e he(d
/!ped o'er the s%de $ $ $ and what7 He #oldn(t ha'e sr'%'ed a hndred.foot fall
%nto the water l%+e I #old$ He #oldn(t ha'e pt enogh d%stan#e )etween h%!self
and the e*plos%on$
I +new %n !" gt he was dead$ He(d sa#r%,#ed h%!self to ta+e ot the Pr%n#ess
-ndro!eda& and I had a)andoned h%!$
I thoght a)ot !" drea!K the T%tans d%s#ss%ng the e*plos%on as %f %t d%dn(t
!atter& N%#o d% -ngelo warn%ng !e that I wold ne'er )eat 9ronos w%thot
follow%ng h%s plan2a dangeros %dea I(d )een a'o%d%ng for !ore than a "ear$
- d%stant )last shoo+ the roo!$ Green l%ght )la5ed ots%de& trn%ng the whole
sea as )r%ght as noon$
0What was that70 I as+ed$
T"son loo+ed worr%ed$ 0?add" w%ll e*pla%n$ Co!e& he %s )low%ng p !onsters$0
The pala#e !%ght ha'e )een the !ost a!a5%ng pla#e I(d e'er seen %f %t hadn(t
)een %n the pro#ess of gett%ng destro"ed$ We swa! to the end of a long hallwa"
and shot pward on a ge"ser$ -s we rose o'er the rooftops I #aght !" )reath2
well& %f "o #an #at#h "or )reath nderwater$
The pala#e was as )%g as the #%t" on 3ont Ol"!ps& w%th w%de #ort"ards&
gardens& and #ol!ned pa'%l%ons$ The gardens were s#lpted w%th #oral #olon%es
and glow%ng sea plants$ Twent" or th%rt" )%ld%ngs were !ade of a)alone& wh%te
)t glea!%ng w%th ra%n)ow #olors$ @%sh and o#top% darted %n and ot of the
w%ndows$ The paths were l%ned w%th glow%ng pearls l%+e Chr%st!as l%ghts$
The !a%n #ort"ard was ,lled w%th warr%ors2!er!en w%th ,sh ta%ls fro! the
wa%st down and h!an )od%es fro! the wa%st p& e*#ept the%r s+%n was )le&
wh%#h I(d ne'er +nown )efore$ So!e were tend%ng the wonded$ So!e were
sharpen%ng spears and swords$ One passed s& sw%!!%ng %n a hrr"$ H%s e"es
were )r%ght green& l%+e that st4 the" pt %n glo.st%#+s& and h%s teeth were shar+
teeth$ The" don(t show "o st4 l%+e that %n The L%ttle 3er!a%d$
Ots%de the !a%n #ort"ard stood large fort%,#at%ons2towers& walls& and
ant%s%ege weapons2)t !ost of these had )een s!ashed to r%ns$ Others were
)la5%ng w%th a strange green l%ght that I +new well2Gree+ ,re& wh%#h #an )rn
e'en nderwater$
6e"ond th%s& the sea >oor stret#hed %nto gloo!$ I #old see )attles rag%ng2
>ashes of energ"& e*plos%ons& the gl%nt of ar!%es #lash%ng$ - reglar h!an
wold('e fond %t too dar+ to see$ He#+& a reglar h!an wold('e )een #rshed
)" the pressre and fro5en )" the #old$ E'en !" heat.sens%t%'e e"es #oldn(t
!a+e ot e*a#tl" what was go%ng on$
-t the edge of the pala#e #o!ple*& a te!ple w%th a red #oral roof e*ploded&
send%ng ,re and de)r%s strea!%ng %n slow !ot%on a#ross the farthest gardens$ Ot
of the dar+ness a)o'e& an enor!os for! appeared2a sA%d larger than an"
s+"s#raper$ It was srronded )" a gl%tter%ng #lod of dst2at least I thoght %t
was dst& nt%l I real%5ed %t was a swar! of !er!en tr"%ng to atta#+ the !onster$
The sA%d des#ended on the pala#e and swatted %ts tenta#les& s!ash%ng a whole
#ol!n of warr%ors$ Then a )r%ll%ant ar# of )le l%ght shot fro! the rooftop of one
of the tallest )%ld%ngs$ The l%ght h%t the g%ant sA%d& and the !onster d%ssol'ed
l%+e food #olor%ng %n water$
0?add"&0 T"son sa%d& po%nt%ng to where the l%ght had #o!e fro!$
0He d%d that70 I sddenl" felt !ore hopefl$ 3" dad had n)el%e'a)le powers$
He was the god of the sea$ He #old deal w%th th%s atta#+& r%ght7 3a")e he(d let
!e help$
0Ha'e "o )een %n the ,ght70 I as+ed T"son %n awe$ 0L%+e )ash%ng heads w%th
"or aweso!e C"#lops strength and st470
T"son poted& and %!!ed%atel" I +new I(d as+ed a )ad Aest%on& 0I ha'e )een $
$ $ ,*%ng weapons&0 he !!)led$ 0Co!e$ Let(s go ,nd ?add"$0
I +now th%s !%ght sond we%rd to people w%th& l%+e& reglar parents& )t I(d onl"
seen !" dad for or ,'e t%!es %n !" l%fe& and ne'er for !ore than a few !%ntes$
The Gree+ gods don(t e*a#tl" show p for the%r +%ds( )as+et)all ga!es$ St%ll& I
thoght I wold re#ogn%5e Pose%don on s%ght$
I was wrong$
The roof of the te!ple was a )%g open de#+ that had )een set p as a
#o!!and #enter$ - !osa%# on the >oor showed an e*a#t !ap of the pala#e
gronds and the srrond%ng o#ean& )t the !osa%# !o'ed$ Colored stone t%les
represent%ng d%4erent ar!%es and sea !onsters sh%fted arond as the for#es
#hanged pos%t%on$ 6%ld%ngs that #ollapsed %n real l%fe also #ollapsed %n the
p%#tre$
Stand%ng arond the !osa%#& gr%!l" std"%ng the )attle& was a strange
assort!ent of warr%ors& )t none of the! loo+ed l%+e !" dad$ I was sear#h%ng for
a )%g g" w%th a good tan and a )la#+ )eard& wear%ng 6er!da shorts and a
Hawa%%an sh%rt$
There was no)od" l%+e that$ One g" was a !er!an w%th two ,sh ta%ls %nstead
of one$ H%s s+%n was green& h%s ar!or stdded w%th pearls$ H%s )la#+ ha%r was t%ed
%n a pon"ta%l& and he loo+ed "ong2thogh %t(s hard to tell w%th non.h!ans$
The" #old )e a thosand "ears old or three$ Stand%ng ne*t to h%! was an old
!an w%th a )sh" wh%te )eard and gra" ha%r$ H%s )attle ar!or see!ed to we%gh
h%! down$ He had green e"es and s!%le wr%n+les arond h%s e"es& )t he wasn(t
s!%l%ng now$ He was std"%ng the !ap and lean%ng on a large !etal sta4$ To h%s
r%ght stood a )eat%fl wo!an %n green ar!or w%th >ow%ng )la#+ ha%r and strange
l%ttle horns l%+e #ra) #laws$ -nd there was a dolph%n2/st a reglar dolph%n& )t %t
was star%ng at the !ap %ntentl"$
0?elph%n&0 the old !an sa%d$ 0Send Palae!on and h%s leg%on of shar+s to the
western front$ We ha'e to netral%5e those le'%athans$0
The dolph%n spo+e %n a #hatter%ng 'o%#e& )t I #old nderstand %t %n !" !%ndK
<es& lord1 It sped awa"$
I loo+ed %n d%s!a" at T"son& then )a#+ at the old !an$
It d%dn(t see! poss%)le& )t $ $ $ 0?ad70 I as+ed$
The old !an loo+ed p$ I re#ogn%5ed the tw%n+le %n h%s e"es& )t h%s fa#e $ $ $ he
loo+ed l%+e he(d aged fort" "ears$
0Hello& Per#"$0
0What2what happened to "o70
T"son ndged !e$ He was sha+%ng h%s head so hard I was afra%d %t wold fall
o4& )t Pose%don d%dn(t loo+ o4ended$

0It(s all r%ght& T"son&0 he sa%d$ 0Per#"& e*#se !" appearan#e$ The war has
)een hard on !e$0
06t "o(re %!!ortal&0 I sa%d A%etl"$ 0<o #an loo+ $ $ $ an" wa" "o want$0
0I re>e#t the state of !" real!&0 he sa%d$ 0-nd r%ght now that state %s A%te
gr%!$ Per#"& I shold %ntrod#e "o2I(! afra%d "o /st !%ssed !" l%etenant
?elph%n& God of the ?olph%ns$ Th%s %s !"& er& w%fe& -!ph%tr%te$ 3" dear20
The lad" %n green ar!or stared at !e #oldl"& then #rossed her ar!s and sa%d&
0E*#se !e& !" lord$ I a! needed %n the )attle$0
She swa! awa"$
I felt prett" aw+ward& )t I gess I #oldn(t )la!e her$ I(d ne'er thoght a)ot
%t !#h& )t !" dad had an %!!ortal w%fe$ -ll h%s ro!an#es w%th !ortals&
%n#ld%ng w%th !" !o! $ $ $ well& -!ph%tr%te pro)a)l" d%dn(t l%+e that !#h$
Pose%don #leared h%s throat$ 0<es& well $ $ $ and th%s %s !" son Tr%ton$ Er& !"
other son$0
0<or son and he%r&0 the green dde #orre#ted$ H%s do)le ,sh ta%ls sw%shed
)a#+ and forth$ He s!%led at !e& )t there was no fr%endl%ness %n h%s e"es$ 0Hello&
Perses ;a#+son$ Co!e to help at last70
He a#ted l%+e I was late or la5"$ If "o #an )lsh nderwater& I pro)a)l" d%d$
0Tell !e what to do&0 I sa%d$
Tr%ton s!%led l%+e that was a #te sggest%on2l%+e I was a sl%ghtl" a!s%ng dog
that had )ar+ed for h%! or so!eth%ng$ He trned to Pose%don$ 0I w%ll see to the
front l%ne& @ather$ ?on(t worr"$ I w%ll not fa%l$0
He nodded pol%tel" to T"son$ How #o!e I d%dn(t get that !#h respe#t7 Then
he shot o4 %nto the water$
Pose%don s%ghed$ He ra%sed h%s sta4& and %t #hanged %nto h%s reglar weapon2a
hge three.po%nted tr%dent$ The t%p glowed w%th )le l%ght& and the water arond
%t )o%led w%th energ"$
0I(! sorr" a)ot that&0 he told !e$
- hge sea serpent appeared fro! a)o'e s and sp%raled down toward the
roof$ It was )r%ght orange w%th a fanged !oth )%g enogh to swallow a
g"!nas%!$
Hardl" loo+%ng p& Pose%don po%nted h%s tr%dent at the )east and 5apped %t w%th
)le energ"$ 9a.)oo!1 The !onster )rst %nto a !%ll%on gold,sh& wh%#h all swa!
o4 %n terror$
03" fa!%l" %s an*%os&0 Pose%don #ont%ned as %f noth%ng had happened$ 0The
)attle aga%nst O#eans %s go%ng poorl"$0
He po%nted to the edge of the !osa%#$ W%th the )tt of h%s tr%dent he tapped
the %!age of a !er!an larger than the rest& w%th the horns of a )ll$ He appeared
to )e r%d%ng a #har%ot plled )" #raw,sh& and %nstead of a sword he w%elded a l%'e
serpent$
0O#eans&0 I sa%d& tr"%ng to re!e!)er$ 0The T%tan of the sea70
Pose%don nodded$ 0He was netral %n the ,rst war of gods and T%tans$ 6t
9ronos has #on'%n#ed h%! to ,ght$ Th%s %s $ $ $ well& %t(s not a good s%gn$ O#eans
wold not #o!!%t nless he was sre he #old p%#+ the w%nn%ng s%de$0
0He loo+s stp%d&0 I sa%d& tr"%ng to sond p)eat$ 0I !ean& who ,ghts w%th a
sna+e70
0?add" w%ll t%e %t %n +nots&0 T"son sa%d ,r!l"$
Pose%don s!%led& )t he loo+ed wear"$ 0I appre#%ate "or fa%th$ We ha'e )een
at war al!ost a "ear now$ 3" powers are ta*ed$ -nd st%ll he ,nds new for#es to
throw at !e2sea !onsters so an#%ent I had forgotten a)ot the!$0
I heard an e*plos%on %n the d%stan#e$ -)ot half a !%le awa"& a !onta%n of
#oral d%s%ntegrated nder the we%ght of two g%ant #reatres$ I #old d%!l" !a+e
ot the%r shapes$ One was a lo)ster$ The other was a g%ant h!ano%d l%+e a
C"#lops& )t he was srronded )" a >rr" of l%!)s$ -t ,rst I thoght he wear%ng
a )n#h of g%ant o#top%$ Then I real%5ed the" were h%s own ar!s2a hndred
>a%l%ng& ,ght%ng ar!s$
06r%ares10 I sa%d$
I was happ" to see h%!& )t he loo+ed l%+e he was ,ght%ng for h%s l%fe$ He was
the last of h%s +%nd2a Hndred.Handed One& #os%n of the C"#lopes$ We(d sa'ed
h%! fro! 9ronos(s pr%son last s!!er& and I +new he(d #o!e to help Pose%don&
)t I hadn(t heard of h%! s%n#e$
0He ,ghts well&0 Pose%don sa%d$ 0I w%sh we had a whole ar!" l%+e h%!& )t he %s
the onl" one$0
I wat#hed as 6r%ares )ellowed %n rage and p%#+ed p the lo)ster& wh%#h
thrashed and snapped %ts p%n#ers$ He threw %t o4 the #oral !onta%n& and the
lo)ster d%sappeared %nto the dar+ness$ 6r%ares swa! after %t& h%s hndred ar!s
sp%nn%ng l%+e the )lades of a !otor)oat$
0Per#"& we !a" not ha'e !#h t%!e&0 !" dad sa%d$ 0Tell !e of "or !%ss%on$
?%d "o see 9ronos70
I told h%! e'er"th%ng& thogh !" 'o%#e #ho+ed p when I e*pla%ned a)ot
6e#+endorf$ I loo+ed down at the #ort"ards )elow and saw hndreds of wonded
!er!en l"%ng on !a+esh%ft #ots$ I saw rows of #oral !onds that !st('e )een
hast%l" !ade gra'es$ I real%5ed 6e#+endorf wasn(t the ,rst death$ He was onl"
one of hndreds& !a")e thosands$ I(d ne'er felt so angr" and helpless$
Pose%don stro+ed h%s )eard$ 0Per#"& 6e#+endorf #hose a hero%# death$ <o )ear
no )la!e for that$ 9ronos(s ar!" w%ll )e %n d%sarra"$ 3an" were destro"ed$0
06t we d%dn(t +%ll h%!& d%d we70
-s I sa%d %t& I +new %t was a na%'e hope$ We !%ght )low p h%s sh%p and
d%s%ntegrate h%s !onsters& )t a T%tan lord woldn(t )e so eas" to +%ll$
0No&0 Pose%don ad!%tted$ 06t "o('e )oght or s%de so!e t%!e$0
0There were de!%gods on that sh%p&0 I sa%d& th%n+%ng of the +%d I(d seen %n the
sta%rwell$ So!ehow I(d allowed !"self to #on#entrate on the !onsters and
9ronos$ I(d #on'%n#ed !"self that destro"%ng the%r sh%p was all r%ght )e#ase the"
were e'%l& the" were sa%l%ng to atta#+ !" #%t"& and )es%des& the" #oldn(t reall" )e
per!anentl" +%lled$ 3onsters /st 'apor%5ed and re.for!ed e'entall"$ 6t
de!%gods $ $ $
Pose%don pt h%s hand on !" sholder$ 0Per#"& there were onl" a few de!%god
warr%ors a)oard that sh%p& and the" all #hose to )attle for 9ronos$ Perhaps so!e
heeded "or warn%ng and es#aped$ If the" d%d not $ $ $ the" #hose the%r path$0
0The" were )ra%nwashed10 I sa%d$ 0Now the"(re dead and 9ronos %s st%ll al%'e$
That(s spposed to !a+e !e feel )etter70
I glared at the !osa%#2l%ttle t%le e*plos%ons destro"%ng t%le !onsters$ It
see!ed so eas" when %t was /st a p%#tre$
T"son pt h%s ar! arond !e$ If an")od" else had tr%ed that& I wold('e
pshed h%! awa"& )t T"son was too )%g and st))orn$ He hgged !e whether I
wanted %t or not$ 0Not "or falt& )rother$ 9ronos does not e*plode good$ Ne*t
t%!e we w%ll se a )%g st%#+$0
0Per#"&0 !" father sa%d$ 06e#+endorf(s sa#r%,#e wasn(t %n 'a%n$ <o ha'e
s#attered the %n'as%on for#e$ New <or+ w%ll )e safe for a t%!e& wh%#h frees the
other Ol"!p%ans to deal w%th the )%gger threat$0
0The )%gger threat70 I thoght a)ot what the golden T%tan had sa%d %n !"
drea!K The gods ha'e answered the #hallenge$ Soon the" w%ll )e destro"ed$
- shadow passed o'er !" father(s fa#e$ 0<o('e had enogh sorrow for one
da"$ -s+ Ch%ron when "o retrn to #a!p$0
0Retrn to #a!p7 6t "o(re %n tro)le here$ I want to help10
0<o #an(t& Per#"$ <or /o) %s elsewhere$0
I #oldn(t )el%e'e I was hear%ng th%s$ I loo+ed at T"son for )a#+p$
3" )rother #hewed h%s l%p$ 0?add" $ $ $ Per#" #an ,ght w%th a sword$ He %s
good$0
0I +now that&0 Pose%don sa%d gentl"$
0?ad& I #an help&0 I sa%d$ 0I +now I #an$ <o(re not go%ng to hold ot here !#h
longer$0
- ,re)all lan#hed %nto the s+" fro! )eh%nd the ene!" l%nes$ I thoght
Pose%don wold de>e#t %t or so!eth%ng& )t %t landed on the oter #orner of the
"ard and e*ploded& send%ng !er!en t!)l%ng throgh the water$ Pose%don
w%n#ed as %f he(d /st )een sta))ed$
0Retrn to #a!p&0 he %ns%sted$ 0-nd tell Ch%ron %t %s t%!e$0
0@or what70
0<o !st hear the prophe#"$ The ent%re prophe#"$0
I d%dn(t need to as+ h%! wh%#h prophe#"$ I(d )een hear%ng a)ot the 0Great
Prophe#"0 for "ears& )t no)od" wold e'er tell !e the whole th%ng$ -ll I +new
was that I was spposed to !a+e a de#%s%on that wold de#%de the fate of the
world2)t no pressre$
0What %f th%s %s the de#%s%on70 I sa%d$ 0Sta"%ng here to l%ght& or lea'%ng7 What %f I
lea'e and "o $ $ $0
I #oldn(t sa" d%e$ Gods weren(t spposed to d%e& )t I(d seen %t happen$ E'en %f
the" d%dn(t d%e& the" #old )e red#ed to nearl" noth%ng& e*%led& %!pr%soned %n the
depths of Tartars l%+e 9ronos had )een$
0Per#"& "o !st go&0 Pose%don %ns%sted$ 0I don(t +now what "or ,nal de#%s%on
w%ll )e& )t "or ,ght l%es %n the world a)o'e$ If noth%ng else& "o !st warn "or
fr%ends at #a!p$ 9ronos +new "or plans$ <o ha'e a sp"$ We w%ll hold here$ We
ha'e no #ho%#e$0
T"son gr%pped !" hand desperatel"$ 0I w%ll !%ss "o& )rother10
Wat#h%ng s& or father see!ed to age another ten "ears$ 0T"son& "o ha'e
wor+ to do as well& !" son$ The" need "o %n the ar!or"$0
T"son poted so!e !ore$
0I w%ll go&0 he sn%Ned$ He hgged !e so hard he al!ost #ra#+ed !" r%)s$
0Per#"& )e #arefl1 ?o not let !onsters +%ll "o dead10
I tr%ed to nod #on,dentl"& )t %t was too !#h for the )%g g"$ He so))ed and
swa! awa" toward the ar!or"& where h%s #os%ns were ,*%ng spears and swords$
0<o shold let h%! ,ght&0 I told !" father$ 0He hates )e%ng st#+ %n the
ar!or"$ Can(t "o tell70
Pose%don shoo+ h%s head$ 0It %s )ad enogh I !st send "o %nto danger$ T"son
%s too "ong$ I !st prote#t h%!$0
0<o shold trst h%!&0 I sa%d$ 0Not tr" to prote#t h%!$0
Pose%don(s e"es >ared$ I thoght I(d gone too far& )t then he loo+ed down at
the !osa%# and h%s sholders sagged$ On the t%les& the !er!a%d g" %n the
#raw,sh #har%ot was #o!%ng #loser to the pala#e$
0O#eans approa#hes&0 !" father sa%d$ 0I !st !eet h%! %n )attle$0
I(d ne'er )een s#ared for a god )efore& )t I d%dn(t see how !" dad #old fa#e
th%s T%tan and w%n$
0I w%ll hold&0 Pose%don pro!%sed$ 0I w%ll not g%'e p !" do!a%n$ ;st tell !e&
Per#"& do "o st%ll ha'e the )%rthda" g%ft I ga'e "o last s!!er70
I nodded and plled ot !" #a!p ne#+la#e$ It had a )ead for e'er" s!!er
I(d )een at Ca!p Half.6lood& )t s%n#e last "ear I(d also +ept a sand dollar on the
#ord$ 3" father had g%'en %t to !e for !" ,fteenth )%rthda"$ He(d told !e I wold
+now when to 0spend %t&0 )t so far I hadn(t ,gred ot what he !eant$ -ll I +new
was that %t d%dn(t ,t the 'end%ng !a#h%nes %n the s#hool #afeter%a$
0The t%!e %s #o!%ng&0 he pro!%sed$ 0W%th l#+& I w%ll see "o for "or )%rthda"
ne*t wee+& and we w%ll ha'e a proper #ele)rat%on$0
He s!%led& and for a !o!ent I saw the old l%ght %n h%s e"es$
Then the ent%re sea grew dar+ %n front of s& l%+e an %n+" stor! was roll%ng %n$
Thnder #ra#+led& wh%#h shold('e )een %!poss%)le nderwater$ - hge %#"
presen#e was approa#h%ng$ I sensed a wa'e of fear roll throgh the ar!%es )elow
s$
0I !st ass!e !" tre godl" for!&0 Pose%don sa%d$ 0Go2and good l#+& !"
son$0
I wanted to en#orage h%!& to hg h%! or so!eth%ng& )t +new )etter than to
st%#+ arond$ When a god ass!es h%s tre for!& the power %s so great that an"
!ortal loo+%ng on h%! w%ll d%s%ntegrate$

0Good.)"e& @ather&0 I !anaged$
Then I trned awa"$ I w%lled the o#ean #rrents to a%d !e$ Water sw%rled
arond !e& and I shot toward the srfa#e at speeds that wold('e #ased an"
nor!al h!an to pop l%+e a )alloon$
When I loo+ed )a#+& all I #old see were >ashes of green and )le as !"
father foght the T%tan& and the sea %tself was torn apart )" the two ar!%es$
THREE
I GET - SNE-9 PEE9 -T
3< ?E-TH
If "o want to )e poplar at Ca!p Half.6lood& don(t #o!e )a#+ fro! a !%ss%on
w%th )ad news$
Word of !" arr%'al spread as soon as I wal+ed ot of the o#ean$ Or )ea#h %s
on the North Shore of Long Island& and %t(s en#hanted so !ost people #an(t e'en
see %t$ People don(t /st appear on the )ea#h nless the"(re de!%gods or gods or
reall"& reall" lost p%55a del%'er" g"s$ HIt(s happened2)t that(s another stor"$I
-n"wa"& that afternoon the loo+ot on dt" was Connor Stoll fro! the Her!es
#a)%n$ When he spotted !e& he got so e*#%ted he fell ot of h%s tree$ Then he
)lew the #on#h horn to s%gnal the #a!p and ran to greet !e$
Connor had a #roo+ed s!%le that !at#hed h%s #roo+ed sense of h!or$ He(s a
prett" n%#e g"& )t "o shold alwa"s +eep one hand on "or wallet when he(s
arond& and do not& nder an" #%r#!stan#es& g%'e h%! a##ess to sha'%ng #rea!
nless "o want to ,nd "or sleep%ng )ag fll of %t$ He(s got #rl" )rown ha%r and
%s a l%ttle shorter than h%s )rother& Tra'%s& wh%#h %s the onl" wa" I #an tell the!
apart$ The" are )oth so nl%+e !" old ene!" L+e %t(s hard to )el%e'e the"(re all
sons of Her!es$
0Per#"10 he "elled$ 0What happened7 Where(s 6e#+endorf70
Then he saw !" e*press%on& and h%s s!%le !elted$ 0Oh& no$ Poor S%lena$ Hol"
Les& when she ,nds ot $ $ $0
Together we #l%!)ed the sand dnes$ - few hndred "ards awa"& people were
alread" strea!%ng toward s& s!%l%ng and e*#%ted$ Per#"(s )a#+& the" were
pro)a)l" th%n+%ng$ He(s sa'ed the da"1 3a")e he )roght so'en%rs1
I stopped at the d%n%ng pa'%l%on and wa%ted for the!$ No sense rsh%ng down
there to tell the! what a loser I was$
I ga5ed a#ross the 'alle" and tr%ed to re!e!)er how Ca!p Half.6lood loo+ed
the ,rst t%!e I e'er saw %t$ That see!ed l%+e a )a/%ll%on "ears ago$
@ro! the d%n%ng pa'%l%on& "o #old see prett" !#h e'er"th%ng$ H%lls r%nged
the 'alle"$ On the tallest& Half.6lood H%ll& Thal%a(s p%ne tree stood w%th the Golden
@lee#e hang%ng fro! %ts )ran#hes& !ag%#all" prote#t%ng the #a!p fro! %ts
ene!%es$ The gard dragon Peles was so )%g now I #old see h%! fro! here2
#rled arond the tree trn+& lend%ng p s!o+e s%gnals as he snored$
To !" r%ght spread the woods$ To !" left& the #anoe la+e gl%ttered and the
#l%!)%ng wall glowed fro! the la'a por%ng down %ts s%de$ Twel'e #a)%ns2one for
ea#h Ol"!p%an god2!ade a horseshoe pattern arond the #o!!ons area$
@arther soth were the straw)err" ,elds& the ar!or"& and the for.stor" 6%g
Hose w%th %ts s+" )le pa%nt /o) and %ts )ron5e eagle weather'ane$
In so!e wa"s& the #a!p hadn(t #hanged$ 6t "o #oldn(t see the war )"
loo+%ng at the )%ld%ngs or the ,elds$ <o #old see %t %n the fa#es of the de!%gods
and sat"rs and na%ads #o!%ng p the h%ll$
There weren(t as !an" at #a!p as for s!!ers ago$ So!e had left and
ne'er #o!e )a#+$ So!e had d%ed ,ght%ng$ Others2we tr%ed not to tal+ a)ot
the!2had gone o'er to the ene!"$
The ones who were st%ll here were )attle.hardened and wear"$ There was l%ttle
laghter at #a!p these da"s$ E'en the Her!es #a)%n d%dn(t pla" so !an" pran+s$
It(s hard to en/o" pra#t%#al /o+es when "or whole l%fe feels l%+e one$
Ch%ron galloped %nto the pa'%l%on ,rst& wh%#h was eas" for h%! s%n#e he(s a
wh%te stall%on fro! the wa%st down$ H%s )eard had grown w%lder o'er the s!!er$
He wore a green T.sh%rt that sa%d 3< OTHER C-R IS - CENT-UR and a )ow slng
o'er h%s )a#+$
0Per#"10 he sa%d$ 0Than+ the gods$ 6t where $ $ $0
-nna)eth ran %n r%ght )eh%nd h%!& and I(ll ad!%t !" heart d%d a l%ttle rela" ra#e
%n !" #hest when I saw her$ It(s not that she tr%ed to loo+ good$ We(d )een do%ng
so !an" #o!)at !%ss%ons latel"& she hardl" )rshed her #rl" )lond ha%r
an"!ore& and she d%dn(t #are what #lothes she was wear%ng2sall" the sa!e
old orange #a!p T.sh%rt and /eans& and on#e %n a wh%le her )ron5e ar!or$ Her
e"es were stor!" gra"$ 3ost of the t%!e we #oldn(t get throgh a #on'ersat%on
w%thot tr"%ng to strangle ea#h other$ St%ll& /st see%ng her !ade !e feel f55" %n
the head$ Last s!!er& )efore L+e had trned %nto 9ronos and e'er"th%ng went
sor& there had )een a few t%!es when I thoght !a")e $ $ $ well& that we !%ght
get past the strangle.ea#h.other phase$
0What happened70 She gra))ed !" ar!$ 0Is L+e20
0The sh%p )lew p&0 I sa%d$ 0He wasn(t destro"ed$ I don(t +now where20
S%lena 6earegard pshed throgh the #rowd$ Her ha%r wasn(t #o!)ed and she
wasn(t e'en wear%ng !a+ep& wh%#h wasn(t l%+e her$
0Where(s Charl%e70 she de!anded& loo+%ng arond l%+e he !%ght )e h%d%ng$
I glan#ed at Ch%ron helplessl"$
The old #entar #leared h%s throat$ 0S%lena& !" dear& let(s tal+ a)ot th%s at the
6%g Hose20
0No&0 she !ttered$ 0No$ No$0
She started to #r"& and the rest of s stood arond& too stnned to spea+$ We(d
alread" lost so !an" people o'er the s!!er& )t th%s was the worst$ W%th
6e#+endorf gone& %t felt l%+e so!eone had stolen the an#hor for the ent%re #a!p$
@%nall" Clar%sse fro! the -res #a)%n #a!e forward$ She pt her ar! arond
S%lena$ The" had one of the strangest fr%endsh%ps e'er2a daghter of the war
god and a daghter of the lo'e goddess2)t e'er s%n#e S%lena had g%'en Clar%sse
ad'%#e last s!!er a)ot her ,rst )o"fr%end& Clar%sse had de#%ded she was
S%lena(s personal )od"gard$
Clar%sse was dressed %n her )loodred #o!)at ar!or& her )rown ha%r t#+ed %nto
a )andana$ She was as )%g and )eef" as a rg)" pla"er& w%th a per!anent s#owl
on her fa#e& )t she spo+e gentl" to S%lena$
0Co!e on& g%rl&0 she sa%d$ 0Let(s get to the 6%g Hose$ I(ll !a+e "o so!e hot
#ho#olate$0
E'er"one trned and wandered o4 %n twos and threes& head%ng )a#+ to the
#a)%ns$ No)od" was e*#%ted to see !e now$ No)od" wanted to hear a)ot the
)lown.p sh%p$
Onl" -nna)eth and Ch%ron sta"ed )eh%nd$
-nna)eth w%ped a tear fro! her #hee+$ 0I(! glad "o(re not dead& Seaweed
6ra%n$0
0Than+s&0 I sa%d$ 03e too$0
Ch%ron pt a hand on !" sholder$ 0I(! sre "o d%d e'er"th%ng "o #old&
Per#"$ W%ll "o tell s what happened70
I d%dn(t want to go throgh %t aga%n& )t I told the! the stor"& %n#ld%ng !"
drea! a)ot the T%tans$ I left ot the deta%l a)ot N%#o$ N%#o had !ade !e
pro!%se not to tell an")od" a)ot h%s plan nt%l I !ade p !" !%nd& and the plan
was so s#ar" I d%dn(t !%nd +eep%ng %t a se#ret$
Ch%ron ga5ed down at the 'alle"$ 0We !st #all a war #on#%l %!!ed%atel"& to
d%s#ss th%s sp"& and other !atters$0
0Pose%don !ent%oned another threat&0 I sa%d$ 0So!eth%ng e'en )%gger than the
Pr%n#ess -ndro!eda$ I thoght %t !%ght )e that #hallenge the T%tan had
!ent%oned %n !" drea!$0
Ch%ron and -nna)eth e*#hanged loo+s& l%+e the" +new so!eth%ng I d%dn(t$ I
hated when the" d%d that$
0We w%ll d%s#ss that also&0 Ch%ron pro!%sed$
0One !ore th%ng$0 I too+ a deep )reath$ 0When I tal+ed to !" father& he sa%d to
tell "o %t(s t%!e$ I need to +now the fll prophe#"$0
Ch%ron(s sholders sagged& )t he d%dn(t loo+ srpr%sed$ 0I('e dreaded th%s da"$
Ver" well$ -nna)eth& we w%ll show Per#" the trth2all of %t$ Let(s go to the att%#$0
O O O
IPd )een to the 6%g Hose att%# three t%!es )efore& wh%#h was three t%!es !ore
than I wanted to$
- ladder led p fro! the top of the sta%r#ase$ I wondered how Ch%ron was
go%ng to get p there& )e%ng half horse and all& )t he d%dn(t tr"$
0<o +now where %t %s&0 he told -nna)eth$ 06r%ng %t down& please$0
-nna)eth nodded$ 0Co!e on& Per#"$0
The sn was sett%ng ots%de& so the att%# was e'en dar+er and #reep%er than
sal$ Old hero troph%es were sla#+ed e'er"where2dented sh%elds& p%#+led heads
%n /ars fro! 'ar%os !onsters& a pa%r of f55" d%#e on a )ron5e plaAe that readK
STOLEN @RO3 CHR<S-OR(S HON?- CIVIC& 6< GUS& SON O@ HER3ES& DEQQ$
I p%#+ed p a #r'ed )ron5e sword so )adl" )ent %t loo+ed l%+e the letter 3$ I
#old st%ll see green sta%ns on the !etal fro! the !ag%#al po%son that sed to
#o'er %t$ The tag was dated last s!!er$ It readK S#%!%tar of 9a!pR& destro"ed %n
the 6attle of the La)"r%nth$
0<o re!e!)er 6r%ares throw%ng those )olders70 I as+ed$
-nna)eth ga'e !e a grdg%ng s!%le$ 0-nd Gro'er #as%ng a Pan%#70
We lo#+ed e"es$ I thoght of a d%4erent t%!e last s!!er& nder 3ont St$
Helens& when -nna)eth thoght I was go%ng to d%e and she +%ssed !e$
She #leared her throat and loo+ed awa"$ 0Prophe#"$0
0R%ght$0 I pt down the s#%!%tar$ 0Prophe#"$0
We wal+ed o'er to the w%ndow$ On a three.legged stool sat the Ora#le2a
shr%'eled fe!ale !!!" %n a t%e.d"ed dress$ Tfts of )la#+ ha%r #lng to her s+ll$
Glass" e"es stared ot of her leather" fa#e$ ;st loo+%ng at her !ade !" s+%n
#rawl$
If "o wanted to lea'e #a!p dr%ng the s!!er& %t sed to )e "o had to
#o!e p here to get a Aest$ Th%s s!!er& that rle had )een tossed$ Ca!pers
left all the t%!e on #o!)at !%ss%ons$ We had no #ho%#e %f we wanted to stop
9ronos$
St%ll& I re!e!)ered too well the strange green !%st2the sp%r%t of the Ora#le2
that l%'ed %ns%de the !!!"$ She loo+ed l%feless now& )t whene'er she spo+e a
prophe#"& she !o'ed$ So!et%!es fog gshed ot of her !oth and #reated
strange shapes$ On#e& she(d e'en left the att%# and ta+en a l%ttle 5o!)%e stroll
%nto the woods to del%'er a !essage$ I wasn(t sre what she(d do for the 0Great
Prophe#"$0 I half e*pe#ted her to start tap dan#%ng or so!eth%ng$
6t she /st sat there l%+e she was dead2wh%#h she was$
0I ne'er nderstood th%s&0 I wh%spered$
0What70 -nna)eth as+ed$
0Wh" %t(s a !!!"$0
0Per#"& she d%dn(t sed to )e a !!!"$ @or thosands of "ears the sp%r%t of the
Ora#le l%'ed %ns%de a )eat%fl !a%den$ The sp%r%t wold )e passed on fro!
generat%on to generat%on$ Ch%ron told !e she was l%+e that ,ft" "ears ago$0
-nna)eth po%nted at the !!!"$ 06t she was the last$0
0What happened70
-nna)eth started to sa" so!eth%ng& then apparentl" #hanged her !%nd$ 0Let(s
/st do or /o) and get ot of here$0
I loo+ed ner'osl" at the Ora#le(s w%thered fa#e$ 0So what now70
-nna)eth approa#hed the !!!" and held ot her pal!s$ 0O Ora#le& the
t%!e %s at hand$ I as+ for the Great Prophe#"$0
I )ra#ed !"self& )t the !!!" d%dn(t !o'e$ Instead& -nna)eth approa#hed
and n#lasped one of %ts ne#+la#es$ IPd ne'er pa%d too !#h attent%on to %ts
/ewelr" )efore$ I ,gred %t was /st h%pp%e lo'e )eads and st4$ 6t when
-nna)eth trned toward !e& she was hold%ng a leather po#h2l%+e a Nat%'e
-!er%#an !ed%#%ne po#h on a #ord )ra%ded w%th feathers$ She opened the )ag
and too+ ot a roll of par#h!ent no )%gger than her p%n+"$
0No wa"&0 I sa%d$ 0<o !ean all these "ears& I('e )een as+%ng a)ot th%s stp%d
prophe#"& and %t(s )een r%ght there arond her ne#+70
0The t%!e wasn(t r%ght&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 06el%e'e !e& Per#"& I read th%s when I
was ten "ears old& and I st%ll ha'e n%ght!ares a)ot %t$0
0Great&0 I sa%d$ 0Can I read %t now70
0?ownsta%rs at the war #on#%l&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0Not %n front of $ $ $ "o +now$0
I loo+ed at the glass" e"es of the Ora#le& and I de#%ded not to arge$ We
headed downsta%rs to /o%n the others$ I d%dn(t +now %t then& )t %t wold )e the
last t%!e I e'er '%s%ted the att%#$
O O O
The sen%or #onselors had gathered arond the P%ng.Pong ta)le$ ?on(t as+ !e
wh"& )t the re# roo! had )e#o!e the #a!p(s %nfor!al headAarters for war
#on#%ls$ When -nna)eth& Ch%ron& and I #a!e %n& thogh& %t loo+ed !ore l%+e a
shot%ng !at#h$
Clar%sse was st%ll %n fll )attle gear$ Her ele#tr%# spear was strapped to her
)a#+$ H-#tall"& her se#ond ele#tr%# spear& s%n#e I(d )ro+en the ,rst one$ She
#alled the spear 03a%!er$0 6eh%nd her )a#+& e'er")od" else #alled %t 0La!er$0I
She had her )oar.shaped hel!et nder one ar! and a +n%fe at her )elt$
She was %n the !%dst of "ell%ng at 3%#hael <ew& the new head #onselor for
-pollo& wh%#h loo+ed +%nd of fnn" s%n#e Clar%sse was a foot taller$ 3%#hael had
ta+en o'er the -pollo #a)%n after Lee @let#her d%ed %n )attle last s!!er$ 3%#hael
stood for feet s%*& w%th another two feet of att%tde$ He re!%nded !e of a ferret&
w%th a po%nt" nose and s#rn#hed.p featres2e%ther )e#ase he s#owled so
!#h or )e#ase he spent too !#h t%!e loo+%ng down the shaft of an arrow$
0It(s or loot10 he "elled& stand%ng on h%s t%ptoes so he #old get %n Clar%sse(s
fa#e$ 0If "o don(t l%+e %t& "o #an +%ss !" A%'er10
-rond the ta)le& people were tr"%ng not to lagh2the Stoll )rothers& Poll*
fro! the ?%on"ss #a)%n& 9at%e Gardner fro! ?e!eter$ E'en ;a+e 3ason& the
hast%l" appo%nted new #onselor fro! Hephaests& !anaged a fa%nt s!%le$ Onl"
S%lena 6earegard d%dn(t pa" an" attent%on$ She sat )es%de Clar%sse and stared
'a#antl" at the P%ng.Pong net$ Her e"es were red and p4"$ - #p of hot
#ho#olate sat nto#hed %n front of her$ It see!ed nfa%r that she had to )e here$
I #oldn(t )el%e'e Clar%sse and 3%#hael stand%ng o'er her& arg%ng a)ot
so!eth%ng as stp%d as loot& when she(d /st lost 6e#+endorf$
0STOP IT10 I "elled$ 0What are "o g"s do%ng70
Clar%sse glowered at !e$ 0Tell 3%#hael not to )e a sel,sh /er+$0
0Oh& that(s perfe#t& #o!%ng fro! "o&0 3%#hael sa%d$

0The onl" reason I(! here %s to spport S%lena10 Clar%sse shoted$ 0Otherw%se
I(d )e )a#+ %n !" #a)%n$0
0What are "o tal+%ng a)ot70 I de!anded$
Poll* #leared h%s throat$ 0Clar%sse has refsed to spea+ to an" of s& nt%l her&
!& %sse %s resol'ed$ She hasn(t spo+en for three da"s$0
0It(s )een wonderfl&0 Tra'%s Stoll sa%d w%stfll"$
0What %sse70 I as+ed$
Clar%sse trned to Ch%ron$ 0<o(re %n #harge& r%ght7 ?oes !" #a)%n get what we
want or not70
Ch%ron shNed h%s hoo'es$ 03" dear& as I('e alread" e*pla%ned& 3%#hael %s
#orre#t$ -pollo(s #a)%n has the )est #la%!$ 6es%des& we ha'e !ore %!portant
!atters20
0Sre&0 Clar%sse snapped$ 0-lwa"s !ore %!portant !atters than what -res
needs$ We(re /st spposed to show p and l%ght when "o need s& and not
#o!pla%n10
0That wold )e n%#e&0 Connor Stoll !ttered$
Clar%sse gr%pped her +n%fe$ 03a")e I shold as+ 3r$ ?20
0-s "o +now&0 Ch%ron %nterrpted& h%s tone sl%ghtl" angr" now& 0or d%re#tor&
?%on"ss& %s )s" w%th the war$ He #an(t )e )othered w%th th%s$0
0I see&0 Clar%sse sa%d$ 0-nd the sen%or #onselors7 -re an" of "o go%ng to s%de
w%th !e70
No)od" was s!%l%ng now$ None of the! !et Clar%sse(s e"es$
0@%ne$0 Clar%sse trned to S%lena$ 0I(! sorr"$ I d%dn(t !ean to get %nto th%s when
"o('e /st lost $ $ $ -n"wa"& I apolog%5e$ To "o$ No)od" else$0
S%lena d%dn(t see! to reg%ster her words$
Clar%sse threw her +n%fe on the P%ng.Pong ta)le$ 0-ll of "o #an ,ght th%s war
w%thot -res$ Unt%l I get sat%sfa#t%on& no one %n !" #a)%n %s l%ft%ng a ,nger to help$
Ha'e fn d"%ng$0
The #onselors were all too stnned to sa" an"th%ng as Clar%sse stor!ed ot of
the roo!$
@%nall" 3%#hael <ew sa%d& 0Good r%ddan#e$0
0-re "o +%dd%ng70 9at%e Gardner protested$ 0Th%s %s a d%saster10
0She #an(t )e ser%os&0 Tra'%s sa%d$ 0Can she70
Ch%ron s%ghed$ 0Her pr%de has )een wonded$ She(ll #al! down e'entall"$0
6t he d%dn(t sond #on'%n#ed$
I wanted to as+ what the he#+ Clar%sse was so !ad a)ot& )t I loo+ed at
-nna)eth and she !othed the words I(ll tell "o later$
0Now&0 Ch%ron #ont%ned& 0%f "o please& #onselors$ Per#" has )roght
so!eth%ng I th%n+ "o shold hear$ Per#"2the Great Prophe#"$0
-nna)eth handed !e the par#h!ent$ It felt dr" and old& and !" ,ngers
f!)led w%th the str%ng$ I n#rled the paper& tr"%ng not to r%p %t& and )egan to
readK
0- half.)lood of the eldest dogs $ $ $0
0Er& Per#"70 -nna)eth %nterrpted$ 0That(s gods$ Not dogs$0
0Oh& r%ght&0 I sa%d$ 6e%ng d"sle*%# %s one !ar+ of a de!%god& )t so!et%!es I
reall" hate %t$ The !ore ner'os I a!& the worse !" read%ng gets$ 0- halfS)lood
of the eldest gods $ $ $ shall rea#h s%*teen aga%nst all odds $ $ $0
I hes%tated& star%ng at the ne*t l%nes$ - #old feel%ng started %n !" ,ngers as %f
the paper was free5%ng$
0-nd see the world %n endless sleep&
The hero(s sol& #rsed )lade shall reap$0
Sddenl" R%pt%de see!ed hea'%er %n !" po#+et$ - #rsed )lade7 Ch%ron on#e
told !e R%pt%de had )roght !an" people sorrow$ Was %t poss%)le !" own sword
#old get !e +%lled7 -nd how #old the world fall %nto endless sleep& nless that
!eant death7
0Per#"&0 Ch%ron rged$ 0Read the rest$0
3" !oth felt l%+e %t was fll of sand& )t I spo+e the last two l%nes$
0- s%ngle #ho%#e shall$ $ $ shall end h%s da"s$
Ol"!ps to per2prse20
0Preser'e&0 -nna)eth sa%d gentl"$ 0It !eans to sa'e$0
0I +now what %t !eans&0 I gr!)led$ 0Ol"!ps to preser'e or ra5e$0
The roo! was s%lent$ @%nall" Connor Stoll sa%d& 0Ra%se %s good& %sn(t %t70
0Not ra%se&0 S%lena sa%d$ Her 'o%#e was hollow& )t I was startled to hear her
spea+ at all$ 0R.a.5.e !eans destro"$0
0O)l%terate&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0-nn%h%late$ Trn to r))le$0
0Got %t$0 3" heart felt l%+e lead$ 0Than+s$0
E'er")od" was loo+%ng at !e2w%th #on#ern& or p%t"& or !a")e a l%ttle fear$
Ch%ron #losed h%s e"es as %f he were sa"%ng a pra"er$ In horse for!& h%s head
al!ost )rshed the l%ghts %n the re# roo!$ 0<o see now& Per#"& wh" we thoght %t
)est not to tell "o the whole prophe#"$ <o('e had enogh on "or sholders20
0W%thot real%5%ng I was go%ng to d%e %n the end an"wa"70 I sa%d$ 0<eah& I get
%t$0
Ch%ron ga5ed at !e sadl"$ The g" was three thosand "ears old$ He(d seen
hndreds of heroes d%e$ He !%ght not l%+e %t& )t he was sed to %t$ He pro)a)l"
+new )etter than to tr" to reassre !e$
0Per#"&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0<o +now prophe#%es alwa"s ha'e do)le !ean%ngs$
It !%ght not l%terall" !ean "o d%e$0
0Sre&0 I sa%d$ 0- s%ngle #ho%#e shall end h%s da"s$ That has tons of !ean%ngs&
r%ght70
03a")e we #an stop %t&0 ;a+e 3ason o4ered$ 0The hero(s sol& #rsed )lade
shall reap$ 3a")e we #old ,nd th%s #rsed )lade and destro" %t$ Sonds l%+e
9ronos(s s#"the& r%ght70
I hadn(t thoght a)ot that& )t %t d%dn(t !atter %f the #rsed )lade was R%pt%de
or 9ronos(s s#"the$ E%ther wa"& I do)ted we #old stop the prophe#"$ - )lade
was spposed to reap !" sol$ -s a general rle& I preferred not to ha'e !" sol
reaped$
0Perhaps we shold let Per#" th%n+ a)ot these l%nes&0 Ch%ron sa%d$ 0He needs
t%!e20
0No$0 I folded p the prophe#" and sho'ed %t %nto !" po#+et$ I felt de,ant and
angr"& thogh I wasn(t sre who I was angr" w%th$ 0I don(t need t%!e$ If I d%e& I d%e$
I #an(t worr" a)ot that& r%ght70
-nna)eth(s hands were sha+%ng a l%ttle$ She woldn(t !eet !" e"es$
0Let(s !o'e on&0 I sa%d$ 0We('e got other pro)le!s$ We('e got a sp"$0
3%#hael <ew s#owled$ 0- sp"70
I told the! what had happened on the Pr%n#ess -ndro!eda2how 9ronos had
+nown we were #o!%ng& how he(d shown !e the s%l'er s#"the pendant he(d sed
to #o!!n%#ate w%th so!eone at #a!p$
S%lena started to #r" aga%n& and -nna)eth pt an ar! arond her sholders$
0Well&0 Connor Stoll sa%d n#o!forta)l"& 0we('e sspe#ted there !%ght a sp"
for "ears& r%ght7 So!e)od" +ept pass%ng %nfor!at%on to L+e2l%+e the lo#at%on of
the Golden @lee#e a #ople of "ears ago$ It !st )e so!e)od" who +new h%!
well$0
3a")e s)#ons#%osl"& he glan#ed at -nna)eth$ She(d +nown L+e )etter than
an"one& of #orse& )t Connor loo+ed awa" A%#+l"$ 0U!& I !ean& %t #old )e
an")od"$0
0<es$0 9at%e Gardner frowned at the Stoll )rothers$ She(d d%sl%+ed the! e'er
s%n#e the"(d de#orated the grass roof of the ?e!eter #a)%n w%th #ho#olate Easter
)nn%es$ 0L%+e one of L+e(s s%)l%ngs$0
Tra'%s and Connor )oth started arg%ng w%th her$
0Stop10 S%lena )anged the ta)le so hard her hot #ho#olate sp%lled$ 0Charl%e(s
dead and $ $ $ and "o(re all arg%ng l%+e l%ttle +%ds10 She pt her head down and
)egan to so)$
Hot #ho#olate tr%#+led o4 the P%ng.Pong ta)le$ E'er")od" loo+ed asha!ed$
0She(s r%ght&0 Poll* sa%d at last$ 0-##s%ng ea#h other doesn(t help$ We need
to +eep or e"es open for a s%l'er ne#+la#e w%th a s#"the #har!$ If 9ronos had
one& the sp" pro)a)l" does too$0
3%#hael <ew grnted$ 0We need to ,nd th%s sp" )efore we plan or ne*t
operat%on$ 6low%ng p the Pr%n#ess -ndro!eda won(t stop 9ronos fore'er$0
0No %ndeed&0 Ch%ron sa%d$ 0In fa#t h%s ne*t assalt %s alread" on the wa"$0
I s#owled$ 0<o !ean the ()%gger threat( Pose%don !ent%oned70
He and -nna)eth loo+ed at ea#h other l%+e& It(s t%!e$ ?%d I !ent%on I hate %t
when the" do that7
0Per#"&0 Ch%ron sa%d& 0we d%dn(t want to tell "o nt%l "o retrned to #a!p$
<o needed a )rea+ w%th "or $ $ $ !ortal fr%ends$0
-nna)eth )lshed$ It dawned on !e that she +new I(d )een hang%ng ot w%th
Ra#hel& and I felt g%lt"$ Then I felt angr" that I felt g%lt"$ I was allowed to ha'e
fr%ends ots%de #a!p& r%ght7 It wasn(t l%+e $ $ $
0Tell !e what(s happened&0 I sa%d$
Ch%ron p%#+ed p a )ron5e go)let fro! the sna#+ ta)le$ He tossed water onto
the hot plate where we sall" !elted na#ho #heese$ Stea! )%llowed p& !a+%ng
a ra%n)ow %n the >ores#ent l%ghts$ Ch%ron ,shed a golden dra#h!a ot of h%s
po#h& tossed %t throgh the !%st& and !ttered& 0O Ir%s& Goddess of the Ra%n)ow&
show s the threat$0
The !%st sh%!!ered$ I saw the fa!%l%ar %!age of a s!older%ng 'ol#ano23ont
St$ Helens$ -s I wat#hed& the s%de of the !onta%n e*ploded$ @%re& ash& and la'a
rolled ot$ - news#aster(s 'o%#e was sa"%ng 02e'en larger than last "ear(s
erpt%on& and geolog%sts warn that the !onta%n !a" not )e done$0
I +new all a)ot last "ear(s erpt%on$ I(d #ased %t$ 6t th%s e*plos%on was !#h
worse$ The !onta%n tore %tself apart& #ollaps%ng %nward& and an enor!os for!
rose ot of the s!o+e and la'a l%+e %t was e!erg%ng fro! a !anhole$ I hoped the
3%st wold +eep the h!ans fro! see%ng %t #learl"& )e#ase what I saw wold('e
#ased pan%# and r%ots a#ross the ent%re Un%ted States$
The g%ant was )%gger than an"th%ng I(d e'er en#ontered$ E'en !" de!%god
e"es #oldn(t !a+e ot %ts e*a#t for! throgh the ash and ,re& )t %t was
'agel" h!ano%d and so hge %t #old('e sed the Chr"sler 6%ld%ng as a
)ase)all )at$ The !onta%n shoo+ w%th a horr%)le r!)l%ng& as %f the !onster
were lagh%ng$
0It(s h%!&0 I sa%d$ 0T"phon$0
I was ser%osl" hop%ng Ch%ron wold sa" so!eth%ng good& l%+e No& that(s or
hge fr%end Lero"1 He(s go%ng to help s1 6t no s#h l#+$ He s%!pl" nodded$
0The !ost horr%)le !onster of all& the )%ggest s%ngle threat the gods e'er fa#ed$
He has )een freed fro! nder the !onta%n at last$ 6t th%s s#ene %s fro! two
da"s ago$ Here %s what %s happen%ng toda"$0
Ch%ron wa'ed h%s hand and the %!age #hanged$ I saw a )an+ of stor! #lods
roll%ng a#ross the 3%dwest pla%ns$ L%ghtn%ng >%#+ered$ L%nes of tornadoes
destro"ed e'er"th%ng %n the%r path2r%pp%ng p hoses and tra%lers& toss%ng #ars
arond l%+e 3at#h)o* to"s$
03on!ental >oods&0 an annon#er was sa"%ng$ 0@%'e states de#lared d%saster
areas as the frea+ stor! s"ste! sweeps east& #ont%n%ng %ts path of destr#t%on$0
The #a!eras 5oo!ed %n on a #ol!n of stor! )ear%ng down on so!e 3%dwest
#%t"$ I #oldn(t tell wh%#h one$ Ins%de the stor! I #old see the g%ant2/st s!all
gl%!pses of h%s tre for!K a s!o+" ar!& a dar+ #lawed hand the s%5e of a #%t"
)lo#+$ H%s angr" roar rolled a#ross the pla%ns l%+e a n#lear )last$ Other s!aller
for!s darted throgh the #lods& #%r#l%ng the !onster$ I saw >ashes of l%ght& and I
real%5ed the g%ant was tr"%ng to swat the!$ I sA%nted and thoght I saw a golden
#har%ot >"%ng %nto the )la#+ness$ Then so!e +%nd of hge )%rd2a !onstros owl
2d%'ed %n to atta#+ the g%ant$
0-re those $ $ $ the gods70 I sa%d$
0<es& Per#"&0 Ch%ron sa%d$ 0The" ha'e )een ,ght%ng h%! for da"s now& tr"%ng to
slow h%! down$ 6t T"phon %s !ar#h%ng forward2toward New <or+$ Toward
Ol"!ps$0
I let that s%n+ %n$ 0How long nt%l he gets here70
0Unless the gods #an stop h%!7 Perhaps ,'e da"s$ 3ost of the Ol"!p%ans are
there $ $ $ e*#ept "or father& who has a war of h%s own to ,ght$0
06t then who(s gard%ng Ol"!ps70
Connor Stoll shoo+ h%s head$ 0If T"phon gets to New <or+& %t won(t !atter who(s
gard%ng Ol"!ps$0
I thoght a)ot 9ronos(s words on the sh%pK I wold lo'e to see the terror %n
"or e"es when "o real%5e how I w%ll destro" Ol"!ps$

Was th%s what he was tal+%ng a)otK an atta#+ )" T"phon7 It was sre terr%f"%ng
enogh$ 6t 9ronos was alwa"s fool%ng s& !%sd%re#t%ng or attent%on$ Th%s
see!ed too o)'%os for h%!$ -nd %n !" drea!& the golden T%tan had tal+ed a)ot
se'eral !ore #hallenges to #o!e& as %f T"phon were onl" the ,rst$
0It(s a tr%#+&0 I sa%d$ 0We ha'e to warn the gods$ So!eth%ng else %s go%ng to
happen$0
Ch%ron loo+ed at !e gra'el"$ 0So!eth%ng worse than T"phon7 I hope not$0
0We ha'e to defend Ol"!ps&0 I %ns%sted$ 09ronos has another atta#+ planned$0
0He d%d&0 Tra'%s Stoll re!%nded !e$ 06t "o sn+ h%s sh%p$0
E'er"one was loo+%ng at !e$ The" wanted so!e good news$ The" wanted to
)el%e'e that at least I(d g%'en the! a l%ttle )%t of hope$
I glan#ed at -nna)eth$ I #old tell we were th%n+%ng the sa!e th%ngK What %f
the Pr%n#ess -ndro!eda was a plo"7 What %f 9ronos let s )low p that sh%p so
we(d lower or gard7
6t I wasn(t go%ng to sa" that %n front of S%lena$ Her )o"fr%end had sa#r%,#ed
h%!self for that !%ss%on$
03a")e "o(re r%ght&0 I sa%d& thogh I d%dn(t )el%e'e %t$
I tr%ed to %!ag%ne how th%ngs #old get !#h worse$ The gods were %n the
3%dwest ,ght%ng a hge !onster that had al!ost defeated the! on#e )efore$
Pose%don was nder s%ege and los%ng a war aga%nst the sea T%tan O#eans$ 9ronos
was st%ll ot there so!ewhere$ Ol"!ps was '%rtall" ndefended$ The de!%gods
of Ca!p Half.6lood were on or own w%th a sp" %n or !%dst$
Oh& and a##ord%ng to the an#%ent prophe#"& I was go%ng to d%e when I trned
s%*teen2wh%#h happened to )e %n ,'e da"s& the e*a#t sa!e t%!e T"phon was
spposed to h%t New <or+$ -l!ost forgot that$
0Well&0 Ch%ron sa%d& 0I th%n+ that(s enogh for one n%ght$0
He wa'ed h%s hand and the stea! d%ss%pated$ The stor!" )attle of T"phon and
the gods d%sappeared$
0That(s an nderstate!ent&0 I !ttered$
-nd the war #on#%l ad/orned$
@OUR
WE 6URN - 3ET-L
SHROU?
I drea!ed Ra#hel El%5a)eth ?are was throw%ng darts at !" p%#tre$
She was stand%ng %n her roo! $ $ $ O+a"& )a#+ p$ I ha'e to e*pla%n that Ra#hel
doesn(t ha'e a roo!$ She has the top >oor of her fa!%l"(s !ans%on& wh%#h %s a
reno'ated )rownstone %n 6roo+l"n$ Her 0roo!0 %s a hge loft w%th %ndstr%al
l%ght%ng and >oor.to.#e%l%ng w%ndows$ It(s a)ot tw%#e as )%g as !" !o!(s
apart!ent$
So!e alt ro#+ was )lar%ng fro! her pa%nt.#o'ered 6ose do#+%ng s"ste!$ -s far
as I #old tell& Ra#hel(s onl" rle a)ot !s%# was that no two songs on her %Pod
#old sond the sa!e& and the" all had to )e strange$
She wore a +%!ono& and her ha%r was fr%55"& l%+e she(d )een sleep%ng$ Her )ed
was !essed p$ Sheets hng o'er a )n#h of art%st(s easels$ ?%rt" #lothes and old
energ" )ar wrappers were strewn arond the >oor& )t when "o('e got a roo!
that )%g& the !ess doesn(t loo+ so )ad$ Ot the w%ndows "o #old see the ent%re
n%ghtt%!e s+"l%ne of 3anhattan$
The p%#tre she was atta#+%ng was a pa%nt%ng of !e stand%ng o'er the g%ant
-ntaes$ Ra#hel had pa%nted %t a #ople of !onths ago$ 3" e*press%on %n the
p%#tre was ,er#e2d%str)%ng& e'en2so %t was hard to tell %f I was the good g"
or the )ad g"& )t Ra#hel sa%d I(d loo+ed /st l%+e that after the )attle$
0?e!%gods&0 Ra#hel !ttered as she threw another dart at the #an'as$ 0-nd
the%r stp%d Aests$0
3ost of the darts )on#ed o4& )t a few st#+$ One hng o4 !" #h%n l%+e a
goatee$
So!eone ponded on her )edroo! door$
0Ra#hel10 a !an shoted$ 0What %n the world are "o do%ng7 Trn o4 that20
Ra#hel s#ooped p her re!ote #ontrol and sht o4 the !s%#$ 0Co!e %n10
Her dad wal+ed %n& s#owl%ng and )l%n+%ng fro! the l%ght$ He had rst.#olored
ha%r a l%ttle dar+er than Ra#hel(s$ It was s!shed on one s%de l%+e he(d lost a ,ght
w%th h%s p%llow$ H%s )le s%l+ pa/a!as had 0W?0 !onogra!!ed on the po#+et$
Ser%osl"& who has !onogra!!ed pa/a!as7
0What %s go%ng on70 he de!anded$ 0It(s three %n the !orn%ng$0
0Coldn(t sleep&0 Ra#hel sa%d$
On the pa%nt%ng& a dart fell o4 !" fa#e$ Ra#hel h%d the rest )eh%nd her )a#+&
)t 3r$ ?are not%#ed$
0So $ $ $ I ta+e %t "or fr%end %sn(t #o!%ng to St$ Tho!as70 That(s what 3r$ ?are
#alled !e$ Ne'er Per#"$ ;st "or fr%end$ Or "ong !an %f he was tal+%ng to !e&
wh%#h he rarel" d%d$
Ra#hel +n%t her e"e)rows$ 0I don(t +now$0
0We lea'e %n the !orn%ng&0 her dad sa%d$ 0If he hasn(t !ade p h%s !%nd "et20
0He(s pro)a)l" not #o!%ng&0 Ra#hel sa%d !%sera)l"$ 0Happ"70
3r$ ?are pt h%s hands )eh%nd h%s )a#+$ He pa#ed the roo! w%th a stern
e*press%on$ I %!ag%ned he d%d that %n the )oardroo! of h%s land de'elop!ent
#o!pan" and !ade h%s e!plo"ees ner'os$
0-re "o st%ll ha'%ng )ad drea!s70 he as+ed$ 0Heada#hes70
Ra#hel threw her darts on the >oor$ 0I shold ne'er ha'e told "o a)ot that$0
0I(! "or father&0 he sa%d$ 0I(! worr%ed a)ot "o$0
0Worr%ed a)ot the fa!%l"(s reptat%on&0 Ra#hel !ttered$
Her father d%dn(t rea#t2!a")e )e#ase he(d heard that #o!!ent )efore& or
!a")e )e#ase %t was tre$
0We #old #all ?r$ -r+wr%ght&0 he sggested$ 0He helped "o get throgh the
death of "or ha!ster$0
0I was s%* then&0 she sa%d$ 0-nd no& ?ad& I don(t need a therap%st$ I /st $ $ $0
She shoo+ her head helplessl"$
Her father stopped %n front of the w%ndows$ He ga5ed at the New <or+ s+"l%ne
as %f he owned %t2wh%#h wasn(t tre$ He onl" owned part of %t$
0It w%ll )e good for "o to get awa"&0 he de#%ded$ 0<o('e had so!e nhealth"
%n>en#es$0
0I(! not go%ng to Clar%on Lad%es -#ade!"&0 Ra#hel sa%d$ 0-nd !" fr%ends are
none of "or )s%ness$0
3r$ ?are s!%led& )t %t wasn(t a war! s!%le$ It was !ore l%+e& So!eda" "o(ll
real%5e how s%ll" "o sond$
0Tr" to get so!e sleep&0 he rged$ 0We(ll )e at the )ea#h )" to!orrow n%ght$ It
w%ll )e fn$0
0@n&0 Ra#hel repeated$ 0Lots of fn$0
Her father e*%ted the roo!$ He left the door open )eh%nd h%!$
Ra#hel stared at the portra%t of !e$ Then she wal+ed to the easel ne*t to %t&
wh%#h was #o'ered %n a sheet$
0I hope the"(re drea!s&0 she sa%d$
She n#o'ered the easel$ On %t was a hast%l" s+et#hed #har#oal& )t Ra#hel
was a good art%st$ The p%#tre was de,n%tel" L+e as a "ong )o"$ He was a)ot
n%ne "ears old& w%th a w%de gr%n and no s#ar on h%s fa#e$ I had no %dea how Ra#hel
#old('e +nown what he loo+ed l%+e )a#+ then& )t the portra%t was so good I had
a feel%ng she wasn(t gess%ng$ @ro! what I +new a)ot L+e(s l%fe Hwh%#h wasn(t
!#hI& the p%#tre showed h%! /st )efore he(d fond ot he was a half.)lood
and had rn awa" fro! ho!e$
Ra#hel stared at the portra%t$ Then she n#o'ered the ne*t easel$ Th%s p%#tre
was e'en !ore d%str)%ng$ It showed the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng w%th l%ghtn%ng all
arond %t$ In the d%stan#e a dar+ stor! was )rew%ng& w%th a hge hand #o!%ng
ot of the #lods$ -t the )ase of the )%ld%ng a #rowd had gathered $ $ $ )t %t
wasn(t a nor!al #rowd of tor%sts and pedestr%ans$ I saw spears& /a'el%ns& and
)anners2the trapp%ngs of an ar!"$
0Per#"&0 Ra#hel !ttered& as %f she +new I was l%sten%ng& 0what %s go%ng on70
The drea! faded& and the last th%ng I re!e!)er was w%sh%ng I #old answer
her Aest%on$
The ne*t !orn%ng& I wanted to #all her& )t there were no phones at #a!p$
?%on"ss and Ch%ron d%dn(t need a landl%ne$ The" /st #alled Ol"!ps w%th an Ir%s.
!essage whene'er the" needed so!eth%ng$ -nd when de!%gods se #ell
phones& the s%gnals ag%tate e'er" !onster w%th%n a hndred !%les$ It(s l%+e
send%ng p a >areK Here I a!1 Please rearrange !" fa#e1 E'en w%th%n the safe
)orders of #a!p& that(s not the +%nd of ad'ert%s%ng we wanted to do$
3ost de!%gods He*#ept for -nna)eth and a few othersI don(t e'en own #ell
phones$ -nd I de,n%tel" #oldn(t tell -nna)eth& 0He"& let !e )orrow "or phone
so I #an #all Ra#hel10 To !a+e the #all& I wold('e had to lea'e #a!p and wal+
se'eral !%les to the nearest #on'en%en#e store$ E'en %f Ch%ron let !e go& )" the
t%!e I got there& Ra#hel wold('e )een on the plane to St$ Tho!as$
I ate a depress%ng )rea+fast )" !"self at the Pose%don ta)le$ I +ept star%ng at
the ,ssre %n the !ar)le >oor where two "ears ago N%#o had )an%shed a )n#h of
)loodth%rst" s+eletons to the Underworld$ The !e!or" d%dn(t e*a#tl" %!pro'e !"
appet%te$
-fter )rea+fast& -nna)eth and I wal+ed down to %nspe#t the #a)%ns$ -#tall"& %t
was -nna)eth(s trn for %nspe#t%on$ 3" !orn%ng #hore was to sort throgh reports
for Ch%ron$ 6t s%n#e we )oth hated or /o)s& we de#%ded to do the! together so
%t woldn(t )e so he%nos$
We started at the Pose%don #a)%n& wh%#h was )as%#all" /st !e$ I(d !ade !"
)n+ )ed that !orn%ng Hwell& sort ofI and stra%ghtened the 3%notar horn on the
wall& so I ga'e !"self a for ot of ,'e$
-nna)eth !ade a fa#e$ 0<o(re )e%ng generos$0 She sed the end of her
pen#%l to p%#+ p an old pa%r of rnn%ng shorts$
I snat#hed the! awa"$ 0He"& g%'e !e a )rea+$ I don(t ha'e T"son #lean%ng p
after !e th%s s!!er$0
0Three ot of ,'e&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ I +new )etter than to arge& so we !o'ed
along$
I tr%ed to s+%! throgh Ch%ron(s sta#+ of reports as we wal+ed$ There were
!essages fro! de!%gods& natre sp%r%ts& and sat"rs all arond the #ontr"&
wr%t%ng a)ot the latest !onster a#t%'%t"$ The" were prett" depress%ng& and !"
-?H? )ra%n d%d not l%+e #on#entrat%ng on depress%ng st4$
L%ttle )attles were rag%ng e'er"where$ Ca!p re#r%t!ent was down to 5ero$
Sat"rs were ha'%ng tro)le ,nd%ng new de!%gods and )r%ng%ng the! to Half.
6lood H%ll )e#ase so !an" !onsters were roa!%ng the #ontr"$ Or fr%end
Thal%a& who led the Hnters of -rte!%s& hadn(t )een heard fro! %n !onths& and %f
-rte!%s +new what had happened to the!& she wasn(t shar%ng %nfor!at%on$
We '%s%ted the -phrod%te #a)%n& wh%#h of #orse got a ,'e ot of ,'e$ The )eds
were perfe#tl" !ade$ The #lothes %n e'er"one(s footlo#+ers were #olor
#oord%nated$ @resh >owers )loo!ed on the w%ndows%lls$ I wanted to do#+ a po%nt
)e#ase the whole pla#e ree+ed of des%gner perf!e& )t -nna)eth %gnored !e$
0Great /o) as sal& S%lena&0 -nna)eth sa%d$
S%lena nodded l%stlessl"$ The wall )eh%nd her )ed was de#orated w%th p%#tres
of 6e#+endorf$ She sat on her )n+ w%th a )o* of #ho#olates on her lap& and I
re!e!)ered that her dad owned a #ho#olate store %n the V%llage& wh%#h was how
he(d #aght the attent%on of -phrod%te$
0<o want a )on)on70 S%lena as+ed$ 03" dad sent the!$ He thoght2he
thoght the" !%ght #heer !e p$0
0-re the" an" good70 I as+ed$
She shoo+ her head$ 0The" taste l%+e #ard)oard$0
I d%dn(t ha'e an"th%ng aga%nst #ard)oard& so I tr%ed one$ -nna)eth passed$ We
pro!%sed to see S%lena later and +ept go%ng$
-s we #rossed the #o!!ons area& a ,ght )ro+e ot )etween the -res and
-pollo #a)%ns$ So!e -pollo #a!pers ar!ed w%th ,re)o!)s >ew o'er the -res
#a)%n %n a #har%ot plled )" two pegas%$ I(d ne'er seen the #har%ot )efore& )t %t
loo+ed l%+e a prett" sweet r%de$ Soon& the roof of the -res #a)%n was )rn%ng& and
na%ads fro! the #anoe la+e rshed o'er to )low water on %t$
Then the -res #a!pers #alled down a #rse& and all the -pollo +%ds( arrows
trned to r))er$ The -pollo +%ds +ept shoot%ng at the -res +%ds& )t the arrows
)on#ed o4$
Two ar#hers ran )"& #hased )" an angr" -res +%d who was "ell%ng %n poetr"K
0Crse !e& eh7 I(ll !a+e "o pa"1 T I don(t want to rh"!e all da"10
-nna)eth s%ghed$ 0Not that aga%n$ Last t%!e -pollo #rsed a #a)%n& %t too+ a
wee+ for the rh"!%ng #oplets to wear o4$0
I shddered$ -pollo was god of poetr" as well as ar#her"& and I(d heard h%!
re#%te %n person$ I(d al!ost rather "et shot )" an arrow$
0What are the" ,ght%ng a)ot an"wa"70 I as+ed$
-nna)eth %gnored !e wh%le she s#r%))led on her %nspe#t%on s#roll& g%'%ng )oth
#a)%ns a one ot of ,'e$
I fond !"self star%ng at her& wh%#h was stp%d s%n#e I(d seen her a )%ll%on
t%!es$ She and I were a)ot the sa!e he%ght th%s s!!er& wh%#h was a rel%ef$
St%ll& she see!ed so !#h !ore !atre$ It was +%nd of %nt%!%dat%ng$ I !ean& sre&
she(d alwa"s )een #te& )t she was start%ng to )e ser%osl" )eat%fl$
@%nall" she sa%d& 0That >"%ng #har%ot$0
0What70
0<o as+ed what the" were ,ght%ng a)ot$0
0Oh$ Oh& r%ght$0
0The" #aptred %t %n a ra%d %n Ph%ladelph%a last wee+$ So!e of L+e(s de!%gods
were there w%th that >"%ng #har%ot$ The -pollo #a)%n se%5ed %t dr%ng the )attle&
)t the -res #a)%n led the ra%d$ So the"('e )een ,ght%ng a)ot who gets %t e'er
s%n#e$0
We d#+ed as 3%#hael <ew(s #har%ot d%'e.)o!)ed an -res #a!per$ The -res
#a!per tr%ed to sta) h%! and #ss h%! ot %n rh"!%ng #oplets$ He was prett"
#reat%'e a)ot rh"!%ng those #ss words$
0We(re ,ght%ng for or l%'es&0 I sa%d& 0and the"(re )%#+er%ng a)ot so!e stp%d
#har%ot$0
0The"(ll get o'er %t&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0Clar%sse w%ll #o!e to her senses$0
I wasn(t so sre$ That d%dn(t sond l%+e the Clar%sse I +new$
I s#anned !ore reports and we %nspe#ted a few !ore #a)%ns$ ?e!eter got a
for$ Hephaests got a three and pro)a)l" shold('e gotten lower& )t w%th
6e#+endorf )e%ng gone and all& we #t the! so!e sla#+$ Her!es got a two&
wh%#h was no srpr%se$ -ll #a!pers who d%dn(t +now the%r godl" parentage were
sho'ed %nto the Her!es #a)%n& and s%n#e the gods were +%nd of forgetfl& that
#a)%n was alwa"s o'er#rowded$
@%nall" we got to -thena(s #a)%n& wh%#h was orderl" and #lean as sal$ 6oo+s
were stra%ghtened on the shel'es$ The ar!or was pol%shed$ 6attle !aps and
)lepr%nts de#orated the walls$ Onl" -nna)eth(s )n+ was !ess"$ It was #o'ered
%n papers& and her s%l'er laptop was st%ll rnn%ng$
0Vla#as&0 -nna)eth !ttered& wh%#h was )as%#all" #all%ng herself an %d%ot %n
Gree+$
Her se#ond.%n.#o!!and& 3al#ol!& sppressed a s!%le$ 0<eah& ! $ $ $ we
#leaned e'er"th%ng else$ ?%dn(t +now %f %t was safe to !o'e "or notes$0
That was pro)a)l" s!art$ -nna)eth had a )ron5e +n%fe that she reser'ed /st
for !onsters and people who !essed w%th her st4$
3al#ol! gr%nned at !e$ 0We(ll wa%t ots%de wh%le "o ,n%sh %nspe#t%on$0 The
-thena #a!pers ,led ot the door wh%le -nna)eth #leaned p her )n+$
I shNed neas%l" and pretended to go throgh so!e !ore reports$
Te#hn%#all"& e'en on %nspe#t%on& %t was aga%nst #a!p rles for two #a!pers to )e $
$ $ l%+e& alone %n a #a)%n$
That rle had #o!e p a lot when S%lena and 6e#+endorf started dat%ng$ -nd I
+now so!e of "o !%ght )e th%n+%ng& -ren(t all de!%gods related on the godl"
s%de& and doesn(t that !a+e dat%ng gross7 6t the th%ng %s& the godl" s%de of "or
fa!%l" doesn(t #ont& genet%#all" spea+%ng& s%n#e gods don(t ha'e ?N-$ -
de!%god wold ne'er th%n+ a)ot dat%ng so!eone who had the sa!e godl"
parent$ L%+e two +%ds fro! -thena #a)%n7 No wa"$ 6t a daghter of -phrod%te
and a son of Hephaests7 The"(re not related$ So %t(s no pro)le!$
-n"wa"& for so!e strange reason I was th%n+%ng a)ot th%s as I wat#hed
-nna)eth stra%ghten p$ She #losed her laptop& wh%#h had )een g%'en to her as a
g%ft fro! the %n'entor ?aedals last s!!er$
I #leared !" throat$ 0So $ $ $ get an" good %nfo fro! that th%ng70
0Too !#h&0 she sa%d$ 0?aedals had so !an" %deas& I #old spend ,ft" "ears
/st tr"%ng to ,gre the! all ot$0
0<eah&0 I !ttered$ 0That wold )e fn$0
She shNed her papers2!ostl" draw%ngs of )%ld%ngs and a )n#h of
handwr%tten notes$ I +new she wanted to )e an ar#h%te#t so!eda"& )t I(d
learned the hard wa" not to as+ what she was wor+%ng on$ She(d start tal+%ng
a)ot angles and load.)ear%ng /o%nts nt%l !" e"es gla5ed o'er$
0<o +now $ $ $0 She )rshed her ha%r )eh%nd her ear& l%+e she does when she(s
ner'os$ 0Th%s whole th%ng w%th 6e#+endorf and S%lena$ It +%nd of !a+es "o
th%n+$ -)ot $ $ $ what(s %!portant$ -)ot los%ng people who are %!portant$0
I nodded$ 3" )ra%n started se%5%ng on l%ttle rando! deta%ls& l%+e the fa#t that
she was st%ll wear%ng those s%l'er owl earr%ngs fro! her dad& who was th%s
)ra%n%a# !%l%tar" h%stor" professor %n San @ran#%s#o$
0Urn& "eah&0 I sta!!ered$ 0L%+e $ $ $ %s e'er"th%ng #ool w%th "or fa!%l"70
O+a"& reall" stp%d Aest%on& )t he"& I was ner'os$
-nna)eth loo+ed d%sappo%nted& )t she nodded$
03" dad wanted to ta+e !e to Gree#e th%s s!!er&0 she sa%d w%stfll"$ 0I('e
alwa"s wanted to see20
0The Parthenon&0 I re!e!)ered$
She !anaged a s!%le$ 0<eah$0
0That(s o+a"$ There(ll )e other s!!ers& r%ght70
-s soon as I sa%d %t& I real%5ed %t was a )oneheaded #o!!ent$ I was fa#%ng the
end of !" da"s$ W%th%n a wee+& Ol"!ps !%ght fall$ If the -ge of the Gods reall"
d%d end& the world as we +new %t wold d%ssol'e %nto #haos$ ?e!%gods wold )e
hnted to e*t%n#t%on$ There wold )e no !ore s!!ers for s$
-nna)eth stared at her %nspe#t%on s#roll$ 0Three ot ,'e&0 she !ttered& 0for a
slopp" head #onselor$ Co!e on$ Let(s ,n%sh "or reports and get )a#+ to
Ch%ron$0
On the wa" to the 6%g Hose& we read the last report& wh%#h was handwr%tten
on a !aple leaf fro! a sat"r %n Canada$ If poss%)le& the note !ade !e feel e'en
worse$
0 (?ear Gro'er&(0 I read alod$ 0 (Woods ots%de Toronto atta#+ed )" g%ant e'%l
)adger$ Tr%ed to do as "o sggested and s!!on power of Pan$ No e4e#t$ 3an"
na%ads( trees destro"ed$ Retreat%ng to Ottawa$ Please ad'%se$ Where are "o7 2
Gleeson Hedge& prote#tor$(0
-nna)eth gr%!a#ed$ 0<o ha'en(t heard an"th%ng fro! h%!7 E'en w%th "or
e!path" l%n+70
I shoo+ !" head de/e#tedl"$
E'er s%n#e last s!!er when the god Pan had d%ed& or fr%end Gro'er had
)een dr%ft%ng farther and farther awa"$ The Con#%l of Clo'en Elders treated h%!
l%+e an ot#ast& )t Gro'er st%ll tra'eled all o'er the East Coast& tr"%ng to spread
the word a)ot Pan and #on'%n#e natre sp%r%ts to prote#t the%r own l%ttle )%ts of
the w%ld$ He(d onl" #o!e )a#+ to #a!p a few t%!es to see h%s g%rlfr%end& ;n%per$
Last I(d heard he was %n Central Par+ organ%5%ng the dr"ads& )t no)od" had
seen or heard fro! h%! %n two !onths$ We(d tr%ed to send Ir%s.!essages$ The"
ne'er got throgh$ I had an e!path" l%n+ w%th Gro'er& so I hoped I wold +now %f
an"th%ng )ad happened to h%!$ Gro'er had told !e one t%!e that %f he d%ed& the
e!path" l%n+ !%ght +%ll !e too$ 6t I wasn(t sre %f that was st%ll tre or not$
I wondered %f he was st%ll %n 3anhattan$ Then I thoght a)ot !" drea! of
Ra#hel(s s+et#h2dar+ #lods #los%ng on the #%t"& an ar!" gathered arond the
E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$
0-nna)eth$0 I stopped her )" the tether)all #ort$ I +new I was as+%ng for
tro)le& )t I d%dn(t +now who else to trst$ Pls& I(d alwa"s depended on
-nna)eth for ad'%#e$ 0L%sten& I had th%s drea! a)ot& !& Ra#hel $ $ $0
I told her the whole th%ng& e'en the we%rd p%#tre of L+e as a #h%ld$
@or a wh%le she d%dn(t sa" an"th%ng$ Then she rolled p her %nspe#t%on s#roll so
t%ght she r%pped %t$ 0What do "o want !e to sa"70
0I(! not sre$ <o(re the )est strateg%st I +now$ If "o were 9ronos plann%ng
th%s war& what wold "o do ne*t70
0I(d se T"phon as a d%stra#t%on$ Then I(d h%t Ol"!ps d%re#tl"& wh%le the gods
were %n the West$0
0;st l%+e %n Ra#hel(s p%#tre$0
0Per#"&0 she sa%d& her 'o%#e t%ght& 0Ra#hel %s /st a !ortal$0
06t what %f her drea! %s tre7 Those other T%tans2the" sa%d Ol"!ps wold
)e destro"ed %n a !atter of da"s$ The" sa%d the" had plent" of other #hallenges$
-nd what(s w%th that p%#tre of L+e as a +%d20
0We(ll /st ha'e to )e read"$0
0How70 I sa%d$ 0Loo+ at or #a!p$ We #an(t e'en stop ,ght%ng ea#h other$ -nd
I(! spposed to get !" stp%d sol reaped$0
She threw down her s#roll$ 0I +new we sholdn(t ha'e shown "o the
prophe#"$0 Her 'o%#e was angr" and hrt$ 0-ll %t d%d was s#are "o$ <o rn awa"
fro! th%ngs when "o(re s#ared$0
I stared at her& #o!pletel" stnned$ 03e7 Rn awa"70
She got r%ght %n !" fa#e$ 0<es& "o$ <o(re a #oward& Per#" ;a#+son10
We were nose to nose$ Her e"es were red& and I sddenl" real%5ed that when
she #alled !e a #oward& !a")e she wasn(t tal+%ng a)ot the prophe#"$
0If "o don(t l%+e or #han#es&0 she sa%d& 0!a")e "o shold go on that
'a#at%on w%th Ra#hel$0
0-nna)eth20
0If "o don(t l%+e or #o!pan"$0
0That(s not fa%r10
She pshed past !e and stor!ed toward the straw)err" ,elds$ She h%t the
tether)all as she passed and sent %t sp%nn%ng angr%l" arond the pole$
I(d l%+e to sa" !" da" got )etter fro! there$ Of #orse %t d%dn(t$
That afternoon we had an asse!)l" at the #a!p,re to )rn 6e#+endorf(s
)r%al shrod and sa" or good.)"es$ E'en the -res and -pollo #a)%ns #alled a
te!porar" tr#e to attend$
6e#+endorf(s shrod was !ade ot of !etal l%n+s& l%+e #ha%n !a%l$ I d%dn(t see
how %t wold )rn& )t the @ates !st('e )een help%ng ot$ The !etal !elted %n
the ,re and trned to golden s!o+e& wh%#h rose %nto the s+"$ The #a!p,re >a!es
alwa"s re>e#ted the #a!pers( !oods& and toda" the" )rned )la#+$
I hoped 6e#+endorf(s sp%r%t wold end p %n El"s%!$ 3a")e he(d e'en #hoose
to )e re)orn and tr" for El"s%! %n three d%4erent l%fet%!es so he #old rea#h the
Isles of the 6lest& wh%#h was l%+e the Underworld(s lt%!ate part" headAarters$ If
an"one deser'ed %t& 6e#+endorf d%d$
-nna)eth left w%thot a word to !e$ 3ost of the other #a!pers dr%fted o4 to
the%r afternoon a#t%'%t%es$ I /st stood there star%ng at the d"%ng ,re$ S%lena sat
near)" #r"%ng& wh%le Clar%sse and her )o"fr%end& Chr%s Rodr%ge5& tr%ed to #o!fort
her$
@%nall" I got p the ner'e to wal+ o'er$ 0He"& S%lena& I(! reall" sorr"$0
She sn%Ned$ Clar%sse glared at !e& )t she alwa"s glares at e'er"one$ Chr%s
wold )arel" loo+ at !e$ He(d )een one of L+e(s !en nt%l Clar%sse res#ed h%!
fro! the La)"r%nth last s!!er& and I gess he st%ll felt g%lt" a)ot %t$
I #leared !" throat$ 0S%lena& "o +now 6e#+endorf #arr%ed "or p%#tre$ He
loo+ed at %t r%ght )efore we went %nto )attle$ <o !eant a lot to h%!$ <o !ade
the last "ear the )est of h%s l%fe$0
S%lena so))ed$
0Good wor+& Per#"&0 Clar%sse !ttered$
0No& %t(s all r%ght&0 S%lena sa%d$ 0Than+ $ $ $ than+ "o& Per#"$ I shold go$0
0<o want #o!pan"70 Clar%sse as+ed$
S%lena shoo+ her head and ran o4$
0She(s stronger than she loo+s&0 Clar%sse !ttered& al!ost to herself$ 0She(ll
sr'%'e$0
0<o #old help w%th that&0 I sggested$ 0<o #old honor 6e#+endorf(s
!e!or" )" ,ght%ng w%th s$0
Clar%sse went for her +n%fe& )t %t wasn(t there an"!ore$ She(d thrown %t on the
P%ng.Pong ta)le %n the 6%g Hose$

0Not !" pro)le!&0 she growled$ 03" #a)%n doesn(t get honor& I don(t ,ght$0
I not%#ed she wasn(t spea+%ng %n rh"!es$ 3a")e she hadn(t )een arond when
her #a)%n!ates got #rsed& or !a")e she had a wa" of )rea+%ng the spell$ W%th a
#h%ll& I wondered %f Clar%sse #old )e 9ronos(s sp" at #a!p$ Was that wh" she was
+eep%ng her #a)%n ot of the ,ght7 6t as !#h as I d%sl%+ed Clar%sse& sp"%ng for
the T%tans d%dn(t see! l%+e her st"le$
0-ll r%ght&0 I told her$ 0I d%dn(t want to )r%ng th%s p& )t "o owe !e one$ <o(d
)e rott%ng %n a C"#lops(s #a'e %n the Sea of 3onsters %f %t wasn(t for !e$0
She #len#hed her /aw$ 0-n" other fa'or& Per#"$ Not th%s$ The -res #a)%n has
)een d%ssed too !an" t%!es$ -nd don(t th%n+ I don(t +now what people sa" a)ot
!e )eh%nd !" )a#+$0
I wanted to sa"& Well& %t(s tre$ 6t I )%t !" tonge$
0So& what2"o(re /st go%ng to let 9ronos #rsh s70 I as+ed$
0If "o want !" help so )ad& tell -pollo to g%'e s the #har%ot$0
0<o(re s#h a )%g )a)"$0
She #harged !e& )t Chr%s got )etween s$ 0Whoa& g"s&0 he sa%d$ 0Clar%sse&
"o +now& !a")e he(s got a po%nt$0
She sneered at h%!$ 0Not "o too10 She trdged o4 w%th Chr%s at her heels$
0He"& wa%t1 I /st !eant2Clar%sse& wa%t10
I wat#hed the last spar+s fro! 6e#+endorf(s ,re #rl %nto the afternoon s+"$
Then I headed toward the sword.,ght%ng arena$ I needed a )rea+& and I wanted
to see an old fr%end$
@IVE
I ?RIVE 3< ?OG INTO
- TREE
3rs$ O(Lear" saw !e )efore I saw her& wh%#h was a prett" good tr%#+
#ons%der%ng she(s the s%5e of a gar)age tr#+$ I wal+ed %nto the arena& and a wall
of dar+ness sla!!ed %nto !e$
0WOO@10
The ne*t th%ng I +new I was >at on the grond w%th a hge paw on !" #hest
and an o'ers%5e 6r%llo.pad tonge l%#+%ng !" fa#e$
0Ow10 I sa%d$ 0He"& g%rl$ Good to see "o too$ Ow10
It too+ a few !%ntes for 3rs$ O(Lear" to #al! down and get o4 !e$ 6" then I
was prett" !#h dren#hed %n dog drool$ She wanted to pla" fet#h& so I p%#+ed p
a )ron5e sh%eld and tossed %t a#ross the arena$
6" the wa"& 3rs$ O(Lear" %s the world(s onl" fr%endl" hellhond$ I +%nd of
%nher%ted her when her pre'%os owner d%ed$ She l%'ed at #a!p& )t
6e#+endorf $ $ $ well& 6e#+endorf sed to ta+e #are of her whene'er I was gone$
He had s!elted 3rs$ O(Lear"(s fa'or%te )ron5e #hew%ng )one$ He(d forged her
#ollar w%th the l%ttle s!%le" fa#e and a #ross)ones na!e tag$ Ne*t to !e&
6e#+endorf had )een her )est fr%end$
Th%n+%ng a)ot that !ade !e sad all o'er aga%n& )t I threw the sh%eld a few
!ore t%!es )e#ase 3rs$ O(Lear" %ns%sted$
Soon she started )ar+%ng2a sond sl%ghtl" loder than an art%ller" gn2l%+e
she needed to go for a wal+$ The other #a!pers d%dn(t th%n+ %t was fnn" when
she went to the )athroo! %n the arena$ It had #ased !ore than one nfortnate
sl%p.and.sl%de a##%dent$ So I opened the gates of the arena& and she )onded
stra%ght toward the woods$
I /ogged after her& not too #on#erned that she was gett%ng ahead$ Noth%ng %n
the woods #old threaten 3rs$ O(Lear"$ E'en the dragons and g%ant s#orp%ons ran
awa" when she #a!e #lose$
When I ,nall" tra#+ed her down& she wasn(t s%ng the fa#%l%t%es$ She was %n a
fa!%l%ar #lear%ng where the Con#%l of Clo'en Elders had on#e pt Gro'er on tr%al$
The pla#e d%dn(t loo+ so good$ The grass had trned "ellow$ The three top%ar"
thrones had lost all the%r lea'es$ 6t that(s not what srpr%sed !e$ In the !%ddle
of the glade stood the we%rdest tr%o I(d e'er seenK ;n%per the tree n"!ph& N%#o d%
-ngelo& and a 'er" old& 'er" fat sat"r$
N%#o was the onl" one who d%dn(t see! frea+ed ot )" 3rs$ O(Lear"(s
appearan#e$ He loo+ed prett" !#h l%+e I(d seen h%! %n !" drea!2an a'%ator(s
/a#+et& )la#+ /eans& and a T.sh%rt w%th dan#%ng s+eletons on %t& l%+e one of those
?a" of the ?ead p%#tres$ H%s St"g%an %ron sword hng at h%s s%de$ He was onl"
twel'e& )t he loo+ed !#h older and sadder$
He nodded when he saw !e& then went )a#+ to s#rat#h%ng 3rs$ O(Lear"(s ears$
She sn%4ed h%s legs l%+e he was the !ost %nterest%ng th%ng s%n#e r%).e"e stea+s$
6e%ng the son of Hades& he(d pro)a)l" )een tra'el%ng %n all sorts of hellhond.
fr%endl" pla#es$
The old sat"r d%dn(t loo+ nearl" so happ"$ 0W%ll so!eone2what %s th%s
nderworld #reatre do%ng %n !" forest10 He wa'ed h%s ar!s and trotted on h%s
hoo'es as %f the grass were hot$ 0<o there& Per#" ;a#+son1 Is th%s "or )east70
0Sorr"& Lenes&0 I sa%d$ 0That(s "or na!e& r%ght70
The sat"r rolled h%s e"es$ H%s fr was dst.)nn" gra"& and a sp%derwe) grew
)etween h%s horns$ H%s )ell" wold('e !ade h%! an %n'%n#%)le )!per #ar$ 0Well&
of #orse I(! Lenes$ ?on(t tell !e "o('e forgotten a !e!)er of the Con#%l so
A%#+l"$ Now& #all o4 "or )east10
0WOO@10 3rs$ O(Lear" sa%d happ%l"$
The old sat"r glped$ 03a+e %t go awa"1 ;n%per& I w%ll not help "o nder these
#%r#!stan#es10
;n%per trned toward !e$ She was prett" %n a dr"ad." wa"& w%th her prple
gossa!er dress and her el,sh fa#e& )t her e"es were green.t%nted w%th
#hloroph"ll fro! #r"%ng$
0Per#"&0 she sn%Ned$ 0I was /st as+%ng a)ot Gro'er$ I +now so!eth%ng(s
happened$ He woldn(t sta" gone th%s long %f he wasn(t %n tro)le$ I was hop%ng
that Lenes20
0I told "o10 the sat"r protested$ 0<o are )etter o4 w%thot that tra%tor$0
;n%per sta!ped her foot$ 0He %s not a tra%tor1 He(s the )ra'est sat"r e'er& and
I want to +now where he %s10
0WOO@10
Lenes(s +nees started +no#+%ng$ 0I $ $ $ I won(t answer Aest%ons w%th th%s
hellhond sn%:ng !" ta%l10
N%#o loo+ed l%+e he was tr"%ng to not #ra#+ p$ 0I(ll wal+ the dog&0 he
'olnteered$
He wh%stled& and 3rs$ O(Lear" )onded after h%! to the far end of the gro'e$
Lenes h4ed %nd%gnantl" and )rshed the tw%gs o4 h%s sh%rt$ 0Now& as I was
tr"%ng to e*pla%n& "ong lad"& "or )o"fr%end has not sent an" reports s%n#e we
'oted h%! %nto e*%le$0
0<o tr%ed to 'ote h%! %nto e*%le&0 I #orre#ted$ 0Ch%ron and ?%on"ss stopped
"o$0
06ah1 The" are honorar" Con#%l !e!)ers$ It wasn(t a proper 'ote$0
0I(ll tell ?%on"ss "o sa%d that$0
Lenes paled$ 0I onl" !eant $ $ $ Now see here& ;a#+son$ Th%s %s none of "or
)s%ness$0
0Gro'er(s !" fr%end&0 I sa%d$ 0He wasn(t l"%ng to "o a)ot Pan(s death$ I saw %t
!"self$ <o were /st too s#ared to a##ept the trth$0
Lenes(s l%ps A%'ered$ 0No1 Gro'er(s a l%ar and good r%ddan#e$ We(re )etter o4
w%thot h%!$0
I po%nted at the w%thered thrones$ 0If th%ngs are go%ng so well& where are "or
fr%ends7 Loo+s l%+e "or Con#%l hasn(t )een !eet%ng latel"$0
03aron and S%lens $ $ $ I $ $ $ I(! sre the"(ll )e )a#+&0 he sa%d& )t I #old hear
the pan%# %n h%s 'o%#e$ 0The"(re /st ta+%ng so!e t%!e o4 to th%n+$ It(s )een a 'er"
nsettl%ng "ear$
0It(s go%ng to get a lot !ore nsettl%ng&0 I pro!%sed$ 0Lenes& we need Gro'er$
There(s got to )e a wa" "o #an ,nd h%! w%th "or !ag%#$0
The old sat"r(s e"e tw%t#hed$ 0I(! tell%ng "o& I('e heard noth%ng$ Perhaps he(s
dead$0
;n%per #ho+ed )a#+ a so)$
0He(s not dead&0 I sa%d$ 0I #an feel that !#h$0
0E!path" l%n+s&0 Lenes sa%d d%sda%nfll"$ 0Ver" nrel%a)le$0
0So as+ arond&0 I %ns%sted$ 0@%nd h%!$ There(s a war #o!%ng$ Gro'er was
prepar%ng the natre sp%r%ts$0
0W%thot !" per!%ss%on1 -nd %t(s not or war$0
I gra))ed h%! )" the sh%rt& wh%#h ser%osl" wasn(t l%+e !e& )t the stp%d old
goat was !a+%ng !e !ad$ 0L%sten& Lenes$ When 9ronos atta#+s& he(s go%ng to
ha'e pa#+s of hellhonds$ He(s go%ng to destro" e'er"th%ng %n h%s path2!ortals&
gods& de!%gods$ ?o "o th%n+ he(ll let the sat"rs go free7 <o(re spposed to )e a
leader$ So LE-?$ Get ot there and see what(s happen%ng$ @%nd Gro'er and )r%ng
;n%per so!e news$ Now& GO10
I d%dn(t psh h%! 'er" hard& )t he was +%nd of top.hea'"$ He fell on h%s frr"
r!p& then s#ra!)led to h%s hoo'es and ran awa" w%th h%s )ell" /%ggl%ng$ 0Gro'er
w%ll ne'er )e a##epted1 He w%ll d%e an ot#ast10
When he(d d%sappeared %nto the )shes& ;n%per w%ped her e"es$ 0I(! sorr"&
Per#"$ I d%dn(t !ean to get "o %n'ol'ed$ Lenes %s st%ll a lord of the W%ld$ <o
don(t want to !a+e an ene!" of h%!$0
0No pro)le!&0 I sa%d$ 0I('e got worse ene!%es than o'erwe%ght sat"rs$0
N%#o wal+ed )a#+ to s$ 0Good /o)& Per#"$ ;dg%ng fro! the tra%l of goat pellets&
I(d sa" "o shoo+ h%! p prett" well$0
I was afra%d I +new wh" N%#o was here& )t I tr%ed for a s!%le$ 0Wel#o!e )a#+$
?%d "o #o!e )" /st to see ;n%per70
He )lshed$ 0U!& no$ That was an a##%dent$ I +%nd of $ $ $ dropped %nto the
!%ddle of the%r #on'ersat%on$0
0He s#ared s to death10 ;n%per sa%d$ 0R%ght ot of the shadows$ 6t& N%#o&
"o are the son of Hades and all$ -re "o sre "o ha'en(t heard an"th%ng a)ot
Gro'er70
N%#o sh%fted h%s we%ght$ 0;n%per& l%+e I tr%ed to tell "o $ $ $ e'en %f Gro'er d%ed&
he wold re%n#arnate %nto so!eth%ng else %n natre$ I #an(t sense th%ngs l%+e that&
onl" !ortal sols$0
06t %f "o do hear an"th%ng70 she pleaded& ptt%ng her hand on h%s ar!$
0-n"th%ng at all70
N%#o(s #hee+s got e'en )r%ghter red$ 0Uh& "o )et$ I(ll +eep !" ears open$0
0We(ll ,nd h%!& ;n%per&0 I pro!%sed$ 0Gro'er(s al%'e& I(! sre$ There !st )e a
s%!ple reason wh" he hasn(t #onta#ted s$0
She nodded gl!l"$ 0I hate not )e%ng a)le to lea'e the forest$ He #old )e
an"where& and I(! st#+ here wa%t%ng$ Oh& %f that s%ll" goat has gotten h%!self
hrt20
3rs$ O(Lear" )onded )a#+ o'er and too+ an %nterest %n ;n%per(s dress$
;n%per "elped$ 0Oh& no "o don(t1 I +now a)ot dogs and trees$ I(! gone10
She went poof %nto green !%st$ 3rs$ O(Lear" loo+ed d%sappo%nted& )t she
l!)ered o4 to ,nd another target& lea'%ng N%#o and !e alone$
N%#o tapped h%s sword on the grond$ - t%n" !ond of an%!al )ones erpted
fro! the d%rt$ The" +n%t the!sel'es together %nto a s+eletal ,eld !ose and
s#a!pered o4$ 0I was sorr" to hear a)ot 6e#+endorf$0
- l!p for!ed %n !" throat$ 0How d%d "o20
0I tal+ed to h%s ghost$0
0Oh $ $ $ r%ght$0 I(d ne'er get sed to the fa#t that th%s twel'e."ear.old +%d spent
!ore t%!e tal+%ng w%th the dead than the l%'%ng$ 0?%d he sa" an"th%ng70
0He doesn(t )la!e "o$ He ,gred "o(d )e )eat%ng "orself p& and he sa%d
"o sholdn(t$0
0Is he go%ng to tr" for re)%rth70
N%#o shoo+ h%s head$ 0He(s sta"%ng %n El"s%!$ Sa%d he(s wa%t%ng for so!eone$
Not sre what he !eant& )t he see!s o+a" w%th death$0
It wasn(t !#h #o!fort& )t %t was so!eth%ng$
0I had a '%s%on "o were on 3ont Tarn&0 I told N%#o$ 0Was that20
0Real&0 he sa%d$ 0I d%dn(t !ean to )e sp"%ng on the T%tans& )t I was %n the
ne%gh)orhood$0
0?o%ng what70
N%#o tgged at h%s sword )elt$ 0@ollow%ng a lead on $ $ $ "o +now& !" fa!%l"$0
I nodded$ I +new h%s past was a pa%nfl s)/e#t$ Unt%l two "ears ago& he and h%s
s%ster 6%an#a had )een fro5en %n t%!e at a pla#e #alled the Lots Hotel and
Cas%no$ The"(d )een there for l%+e se'ent" "ears$ E'entall" a !"ster%os law"er
res#ed the! and #he#+ed the! %nto a )oard%ng s#hool& )t N%#o had no
!e!or%es of h%s l%fe )efore the #as%no$ He d%dn(t +now an"th%ng a)ot h%s !other$
He d%dn(t +now who the law"er was& or wh" the"(d )een fro5en %n t%!e or allowed
to go free$ -fter 6%an#a d%ed and left N%#o alone& he(d )een o)sessed w%th ,nd%ng
answers$
0So how d%d %t go70 I as+ed$ 0-n" l#+70
0No&0 he !r!red$ 06t I !a" ha'e a new lead soon$0
0What(s the lead70
N%#o #hewed h%s l%p$ 0That(s not %!portant r%ght now$ <o +now wh" I(! here$0
- feel%ng of dread started to )%ld %n !" #hest$ E'er s%n#e N%#o ,rst proposed
h%s plan for )eat%ng 9ronos last s!!er& I(d had n%ght!ares a)ot %t$ He wold
show p o##as%onall" and press !e for an answer& )t I +ept ptt%ng h%! o4$

0N%#o& I don(t +now&0 I sa%d$ 0It see!s prett" e*tre!e$0
0<o('e got T"phon #o!%ng %n& what $ $ $ a wee+7 3ost of the other T%tans are
nleashed now and on 9ronos(s s%de$ 3a")e %t(s t%!e to th%n+ e*tre!e$0
I loo+ed )a#+ toward the #a!p$ E'en fro! th%s d%stan#e I #old hear the -res
and -pollo #a!pers ,ght%ng aga%n& "ell%ng #rses and spot%ng )ad poetr"$
0The"(re no !at#h for the T%tan ar!"&0 N%#o sa%d$ 0<o +now that$ Th%s #o!es
down to "o and L+e$ -nd there(s onl" one wa" "o #an )eat L+e$0
I re!e!)ered the ,ght on the Pr%n#ess -ndro!eda$ I(d )een hopelessl"
ot!at#hed$ 9ronos had al!ost +%lled !e w%th a s%ngle #t to !" ar!& and I
#oldn(t e'en wond h%!$ R%pt%de had glan#ed r%ght o4 h%s s+%n$
0We #an g%'e "o the sa!e power&0 N%#o rged$ 0<o heard the Great
Prophe#"$ Unless "o want to ha'e "or sol reaped )" a #rsed )lade $ $ $0
I wondered how N%#o had heard the prophe#"2 pro)a)l" fro! so!e ghost$
0<o #an(t pre'ent a prophe#"&0 I sa%d$
06t "o #an ,ght %t$0 N%#o had a strange& hngr" l%ght %n h%s e"es$ 0<o #an
)e#o!e %n'%n#%)le$0
03a")e we shold wa%t$ Tr" to ,ght w%thot20
0No10 N%#o snarled$ 0It has to )e now10
I stared at h%!$ I hadn(t seen h%s te!per >are l%+e that %n a long t%!e$ 0Urn& "o
sre "o(re o+a"70
He too+ a deep )reath$ 0Per#"& all I !ean $ $ $ when the ,ght%ng starts& we
won(t )e a)le to !a+e the /orne"$ Th%s %s or last #han#e$ I(! sorr" %f I(! )e%ng
too psh"& )t two "ears ago !" s%ster ga'e her l%fe to prote#t "o$ I want "o to
honor that$ ?o whate'er %t ta+es to sta" al%'e and defeat 9ronos$0
I d%dn(t l%+e the %dea$ Then I thoght a)ot -nna)eth #all%ng !e a #oward& and
I got angr"$
N%#o had a po%nt$ If 9ronos atta#+ed New <or+& the #a!pers wold )e no !at#h
for h%s for#es$ I had to do so!eth%ng$ N%#o(s wa" was dangeros2!a")e e'en
deadl"$ 6t %t !%ght g%'e !e a ,ght%ng edge$
0-ll r%ght&0 I de#%ded$ 0What do we do ,rst70
H%s #old #reep" s!%le !ade !e sorr" I(d agreed$ 0@%rst we(ll need to retra#e
L+e(s steps$ We need to +now !ore a)ot h%s past& h%s #h%ldhood$0
I shddered& th%n+%ng a)ot Ra#hel(s p%#tre fro! !" drea!2a s!%l%ng n%ne.
"ear.old L+e$ 0Wh" do we need to +now a)ot that70
0I(ll e*pla%n when we get there&0 N%#o sa%d$ 0I('e alread" tra#+ed down h%s
!other$ She l%'es %n Conne#t%#t$0
I stared at h%!$ I(d ne'er thoght !#h a)ot L+e(s !ortal parent$ I(d !et h%s
dad& Her!es& )t h%s !o! $ $ $
0L+e ran awa" when he was reall" "ong&0 I sa%d$ 0I d%dn(t th%n+ h%s !o! was
al%'e$0
0Oh& she(s al%'e$0 The wa" he sa%d %t !ade !e wonder what was wrong w%th
her$ What +%nd of horr%)le person #old she )e7
0O+a" $ $ $0 I sa%d$ 0So how do we get to Conne#t%#t7 I #an #all 6la#+/a#+20
0No$0 N%#o s#owled$ 0Pegas% don(t l%+e !e& and the feel%ng %s !tal$ 6t
there(s no need for >"%ng$0 He wh%stled& and 3rs$ O(Lear" #a!e lop%ng ot of the
woods$
0<or fr%end here #an help$0 N%#o patted her head$ 0<o ha'en(t tr%ed shadow
tra'el "et70
0Shadow tra'el70
N%#o wh%spered %n 3rs$ O(Lear"(s ear$ She t%lted her head& sddenl" alert$
0Hop on )oard&0 N%#o told !e$
I(d ne'er #ons%dered r%d%ng a dog )efore& )r 3rs$ O(Lear" was #erta%nl" )%g
enogh$ I #l%!)ed onto her )a#+ and held her #ollar$
0Th%s w%ll !a+e her 'er" t%red&0 N%#o warned& 0so "o #an(t do %t often$ -nd %t
wor+s )est at n%ght$ 6t all shadows are part of the sa!e s)stan#e$ There %s
onl" one dar+ness& and #reatres of the Underworld #an se %t as a road& or a
door$0
0I don(t nderstand&0 I sa%d$
0No&0 N%#o sa%d$ 0It too+ !e a long t%!e to learn$ 6t 3rs$ O(Lear" +nows$ Tell
her where to go$ Tell her Westport& the ho!e of 3a" Castellan$0
0<o(re not #o!%ng70
0?on(t worr"&0 he sa%d$ 0I(ll !eet "o there$0
I was a l%ttle ner'os& )t I leaned down to 3rs$ O(Lear"(s ear$ 0O+a"& g%rl$ Uh&
#an "o ta+e !e to Westport& Conne#t%#t7 3a" Castellan(s pla#e70
3rs$ O(Lear" sn%4ed the a%r$ She loo+ed %nto the gloo! of the forest$ Then she
)onded forward& stra%ght %nto an oa+ tree$
;st )efore we h%t& we passed %nto shadows as #old as the dar+ s%de of the
!oon$
SIX
3< COO9IES GET
SCORCHE?
I don(t re#o!!end shadow tra'el %f "o(re s#ared ofK
aI The dar+
)I Cold sh%'ers p "or sp%ne
#I Strange no%ses
dI Go%ng so fast "o feel l%+e "or fa#e %s peel%ng o4
In other words& I thoght %t was aweso!e$ One !%nte I #oldn(t see an"th%ng$
I #old onl" feel 3rs$ O(Lear"(s fr and !" ,ngers wrapped arond the )ron5e
l%n+s of her dog #ollar$
The ne*t !%nte the shadows !elted %nto a new s#ene$ We were on a #l%4 %n
the woods of Conne#t%#t$ -t least& %t loo+ed l%+e Conne#t%#t fro! the few t%!es
I(d )een thereK lots of trees& low stone walls& )%g hoses$ ?own one s%de of the
#l%4& a h%ghwa" #t throgh a ra'%ne$ ?own the other s%de was so!eone(s
)a#+"ard$ The propert" was hge2!ore w%lderness than lawn$ The hose was a
two.stor" wh%te Colon%al$ ?esp%te the fa#t that %t was r%ght on the other s%de of the
h%ll fro! a h%ghwa"& %t felt l%+e %t was %n the !%ddle of nowhere$ I #old see a l%ght
glow%ng %n the +%t#hen w%ndow$ - rst" old sw%ng set stood nder an apple tree$
I #oldn(t %!ag%ne l%'%ng %n a hose l%+e th%s& w%th an a#tal "ard and
e'er"th%ng$ I(d l%'ed %n a t%n" apart!ent or a s#hool dor! !" whole l%fe$ If th%s
was L+e(s ho!e& I wondered wh" he(d e'er wanted to lea'e$
3rs$ O(Lear" staggered$ I re!e!)ered what N%#o had sa%d a)ot shadow
tra'el dra%n%ng her& so I sl%pped o4 her )a#+$ She let ot a hge tooth" "awn that
wold('e s#ared a T$ re*& then trned %n a #%r#le and >opped down so hard the
grond shoo+$
N%#o appeared r%ght ne*t to !e& as %f the shadows had dar+ened and #reated
h%!$ He st!)led& )t I #aght h%s ar!$
0I(! o+a"&0 he !anaged& r))%ng h%s e"es$
0How d%d "o do that70
0Pra#t%#e$ - few t%!es rnn%ng %nto walls$ - few a##%dental tr%ps to Ch%na$0
3rs$ O(Lear" started snor%ng$ If %t hadn(t )een for the roar of tra:# )eh%nd s&
I(! sre she wold('e wo+en p the whole ne%gh)orhood$
0-re "o go%ng to ta+e a nap too70 I as+ed N%#o$
He shoo+ h%s head$ 0The ,rst t%!e I shadow tra'eled& I passed ot for a wee+$
Now %t /st !a+es !e a l%ttle drows"& )t I #an(t do %t !ore than on#e or tw%#e a
n%ght$ 3rs$ O(Lear" won(t )e go%ng an"where for a wh%le$0
0So we('e got so!e Aal%t" t%!e %n Conne#t%#t$0 I ga5ed at the wh%te Colon%al
hose$ 0What now70
0We r%ng the door)ell&0 N%#o sa%d$
If I were L+e(s !o!& I wold not ha'e opened !" door at n%ght for two
strange +%ds$ 6t I wasn(t an"th%ng l%+e L+e(s !o!$
I +new that e'en )efore we rea#hed the front door$ The s%dewal+ was l%ned
w%th those l%ttle st4ed )ean)ag an%!als "o see %n g%ft shops$ There were
!%n%atre l%ons& p%gs& dragons& h"dras& e'en a teen" 3%notar %n a l%ttle 3%notar
d%aper$ ;dg%ng fro! the%r sad shape& the )ean)ag #reatres had )een s%tt%ng ot
here a long t%!e2s%n#e the snow !elted last spr%ng at least$ One of the h"dras
had a tree sapl%ng sprot%ng )etween %ts ne#+s$
The front por#h was %nfested w%th w%nd #h%!es$ Sh%n" )%ts of glass and !etal
#l%n+ed %n the )ree5e$ 6rass r%))ons t%n+led l%+e water and !ade !e real%5e I
needed to se the )athroo!$ I d%dn(t +now how 3s$ Castellan #old stand all the
no%se$
The front door was pa%nted trAo%se$ The na!e C-STELL-N was wr%tten %n
Engl%sh& and )elow %n Gree+K UVWVXYZ[\ ]^W_^`W_$
N%#o loo+ed at !e$ 0Read"70
He(d )arel" tapped the door when %t swng open$
0L+e10 the old lad" #r%ed happ%l"$
She loo+ed l%+e so!eone who en/o"ed st%#+%ng her ,ngers %n ele#tr%#al so#+ets$
Her wh%te ha%r st#+ ot %n tfts all o'er her head$ Her p%n+ hosedress was
#o'ered %n s#or#h !ar+s and s!ears of ash$ When she s!%led& her fa#e loo+ed
nnatrall" stret#hed& and the h%gh.'oltage l%ght %n her e'es !ade !e wonder %f
she was )l%nd$
0Oh& !" dear )o"10 She hgged N%#o$ I was tr"%ng to ,gre ot wh" she
thoght N%#o was L+e Hthe" loo+ed a)soltel" noth%ng al%+eI& when she s!%led at
!e and sa%d& 0L+e10
She forgot all a)ot N%#o and ga'e !e a hg$ She s!elled l%+e )rned #oo+%es$
She was as th%n as a s#are#row& )t that d%dn(t stop her fro! al!ost #rsh%ng !e$
0Co!e %n10 she %ns%sted$ 0I ha'e "or ln#h read"10
She shered s %ns%de$ The l%'%ng roo! was e'en we%rder than the front lawn$
3%rrors and #andles ,lled e'er" a'a%la)le spa#e$ I #oldn(t loo+ an"where w%thot
see%ng !" own re>e#t%on$ -)o'e the !antel& a l%ttle )ron5e Her!es >ew arond
the se#ond hand of a t%#+%ng #lo#+$ I tr%ed to %!ag%ne the god of !essengers e'er
fall%ng %n lo'e w%th th%s old wo!an& )t the %dea was too )%5arre$
Then I not%#ed the fra!ed p%#tre on the !antel& and I fro5e$ It was e*a#tl" l%+e
Ra#hel(s s+et#h2L+e arond n%ne "ears old& w%th )lond ha%r and a )%g s!%le and
two !%ss%ng teeth$ The la#+ of a s#ar on h%s fa#e !ade h%! loo+ l%+e a d%4erent
person2#arefree and happ"$ How #old Ra#hel ha'e +nown a)ot that p%#tre7
0Th%s wa"& !" dear10 3s$ Castellan steered !e toward the )a#+ of the hose$
0Oh& I told the! "o wold #o!e )a#+$ I +new %t10
She sat s down at the +%t#hen ta)le$ Sta#+ed on the #onter were hndreds2
I !ean hndreds2of Tpperware )o*es w%th peant )tter and /ell" sandw%#hes
%ns%de$ The ones on the )otto! were green and f55"& l%+e the"(d )een there for a
long t%!e$ The s!ell re!%nded !e of !" s%*th grade lo#+er2and that(s not a
good th%ng$
On top of the o'en was a sta#+ of #oo+%e sheets$ Ea#h one had a do5en )rned
#oo+%es on %t$ In the s%n+ was a !onta%n of e!pt" plast%# 9ool.-%d p%t#hers$ -
)ean)ag 3edsa sat )" the fa#et l%+e she was gard%ng the !ess$
3s$ Castellan started h!!%ng as she got ot peant )tter and /ell" and
started !a+%ng a new sandw%#h$ So!eth%ng was )rn%ng %n the o'en$ I got the
feel%ng !ore #oo+%es were on the wa"$
-)o'e the s%n+& taped all arond the w%ndow& were do5ens of l%ttle p%#tres #t
fro! !aga5%nes and newspaper ads2p%#tres of Her!es fro! the @T? @lowers
logo and M%#+%e Cleaners& p%#tres of the #ad#es fro! !ed%#al ads$
3" heart san+$ I wanted to get ot of that roo!& )t 3s$ Castellan +ept s!%l%ng
at !e as she !ade the sandw%#h& l%+e she was !a+%ng sre I d%dn(t )olt$
N%#o #oghed$ 0Urn& 3s$ Castellan70
03!70
0We need to as+ "o a)ot "or son$0
0Oh& "es1 The" told !e he wold ne'er #o!e )a#+$ 6t I +new )etter$0 She
patted !" #hee+ a4e#t%onatel"& g%'%ng !e peant )tter ra#%ng str%pes$
0When d%d "o last see h%!70 N%#o as+ed$
Her e"es lost fo#s$
0He was so "ong when he left&0 she sa%d w%stfll"$ 0Th%rd grade$ That(s too
"ong to rn awa"1 He sa%d he(d )e )a#+ for ln#h$ -nd I wa%ted$ He l%+es peant
)tter sandw%#hes and #oo+%es and 9ool.-%d$ He(ll )e )a#+ for ln#h 'er"
soon$ $ $ $0 Then she loo+ed at !e and s!%led$ 0Wh"& L+e& there "o are1 <o loo+
so handso!e$ <o ha'e "or father(s e"es$0
She trned toward the p%#tres of Her!es a)o'e the s%n+$ 0Now& there(s a
good !an$ <es& %ndeed$ He #o!es to '%s%t !e& "o +now$0
The #lo#+ +ept t%#+%ng %n the other roo!$ I w%ped the peant )tter o4 !" fa#e
and loo+ed at N%#o plead%ngl"& l%+e Can we get ot of here now7
03a(a!&0 N%#o sa%d$ 0What& h $ $ $ what happened to "or e"es70
Her ga5e see!ed fra#tred2l%+e she was tr"%ng to fo#s on h%! throgh a
+ale%dos#ope$ 0Wh"& L+e& "o +now the stor"$ It was r%ght )efore "o were )orn&
wasn(t %t7 I(d alwa"s )een spe#%al& a)le to see throgh the $ $ $ whate'er.the".#all.
%t$0
0The 3%st70 I sa%d$
0<es& dear$0 She nodded en#orag%ngl"$ 0-nd the" o4ered !e an %!portant /o)$
That(s how spe#%al I was10
I glan#ed at N%#o& )t he loo+ed as #onfsed as I was$
0What sort of /o)70 I as+ed$ 0What happened70
3s$ Castellan frowned$ Her +n%fe ho'ered o'er the sandw%#h )read$ 0?ear !e&
%t d%dn(t wor+ ot& d%d %t7 <or father warned !e not to tr"$ He sa%d %t was too
dangeros$ 6t I had to$ It was !" dest%n"1 -nd now $ $ $ I st%ll #an(t get the
%!ages ot of !" head$ The" !a+e e'er"th%ng see! so f55"$ Wold "o l%+e
so!e #oo+%es70

She plled a tra" ot of the o'en and d!ped a do5en l!ps of #ho#olate #h%p
#har#oal on the ta)le$
0L+e was so +%nd&0 3s$ Castellan !r!red$ 0He left to prote#t !e& "o +now$
He sa%d %f he went awa"& the !onsters woldn(t threaten !e$ 6t I told h%! the
!onsters are no threat1 The" s%t ots%de on the s%dewal+ all da"& and the" ne'er
#o!e %n$0 She p%#+ed p the l%ttle st4ed 3edsa fro! the w%ndows%ll$ 0?o the"&
3rs$ 3edsa7 No& no threat at all$0 She )ea!ed at !e$ 0I(! so glad "o #a!e
ho!e$ I +new "o weren(t asha!ed of !e10
I sh%fted %n !" seat$ I %!ag%ned )e%ng L+e s%tt%ng at th%s ta)le& e%ght or n%ne
"ears old& and /st )eg%nn%ng to real%5e that !" !other wasn(t all there$
03s$ Castellan&0 I sa%d$
03o!&0 she #orre#ted$
0U!& "eah$ Ha'e "o seen L+e s%n#e he left ho!e70
0Well& of #orse10
I d%dn(t +now %f she was %!ag%n%ng that or not$ @or all I +new& e'er" t%!e the
!a%l!an #a!e to the door he was L+e$ 6t N%#o sat forward e*pe#tantl"$
0When70 he as+ed$ 0When d%d L+e '%s%t "o last70
0Well& %t was $ $ $ Oh goodness $ $ $0 - shadow passed a#ross her fa#e$ 0The last
t%!e& he loo+ed so d%4erent$ - s#ar$ - terr%)le s#ar& and h%s 'o%#e so fll of
pa%n $ $ $0
0H%s e"es&0 I sa%d$ 0Were the" gold70
0Gold70 She )l%n+ed$ 0No$ How s%ll"$ L+e has )le e"es$ 6eat%fl )le e"es10
So L+e reall" had )een here& and th%s had happened )efore last s!!er2
)efore he(d trned %nto 9ronos$
03s$ Castellan70 N%#o pt h%s hand on the old wo!an(s ar!$ 0Th%s %s 'er"
%!portant$ ?%d he as+ "o for an"th%ng70
She frowned as %f tr"%ng to re!e!)er$ 03"2!" )less%ng$ Isn(t that sweet70
She loo+ed at s n#erta%nl"$ 0He was go%ng to a r%'er& and he sa%d he needed !"
)less%ng$ I ga'e %t to h%!$ Of #orse I d%d$0
N%#o loo+ed at !e tr%!phantl"$ 0Than+ "o& !a(a!$ That(s all the %nfor!at%on
we20
3s$ Castellan gasped$ She do)led o'er& and her #oo+%e tra" #lattered to the
>oor$ N%#o and I /!ped to or feet$
03s$ Castellan70 I sa%d$
0-HHHH&0 She stra%ghtened$ I s#ra!)led awa" and al!ost fell o'er the +%t#hen
ta)le& )e#ase her e"es2her e"es were glow%ng green$
03" #h%ld&0 she rasped %n a !#h deeper 'o%#e$ 03st prote#t h%!1 Her!es&
help1 Not !" #h%ld1 Not h%s fate2no10
She gra))ed N%#o )" the sholders and )egan to sha+e h%! as %f to !a+e h%!
nderstand$ 0Not h%s fate10
N%#o !ade a strangled s#rea! and pshed her awa"$ He gr%pped the h%lt of h%s
sword$ 0Per#"& we need to get ot20
Sddenl" 3s$ Castellan #ollapsed$ I lr#hed forward and #aght her )efore she
#old h%t the edge of the ta)le$ I !anaged to get her %nto a #ha%r$
03s$ C70 I as+ed$
She !ttered so!eth%ng %n#o!prehens%)le and shoo+ her head$ 0Goodness$ I $
$ $ I dropped the #oo+%es$ How s%ll" of !e$0
She )l%n+ed& and her e"es were )a#+ to nor!al2or at least& what the" had
)een )efore$ The green glow was gone$
0-re "o o+a"70 I as+ed$
0Well& of #orse& dear$ I(! ,ne$ Wh" do "o as+70
I glan#ed at N%#o& who !othed the word Lea'e$
03s$ C& "o were tell%ng s so!eth%ng&0 I sa%d$ 0So!eth%ng a)ot "or son$0
0Was I70 she sa%d drea!%l"$ 0<es& h%s )le e"es$ We were tal+%ng a)ot h%s )le
e"es$ S#h a handso!e )o"10
0We ha'e to go&0 N%#o sa%d rgentl"$ 0We(ll tell L+e $ $ $ h& we(ll tell h%! "o
sa%d hello$0
06t "o #an(t lea'e10 3s$ Castellan got sha+%l" to her feet& and I )a#+ed awa"$
I felt s%ll" )e%ng s#ared of a fra%l old wo!an& )t the wa" her 'o%#e had #hanged&
the wa" she(d gra))ed N%#o $ $ $
0Her!es w%ll )e here soon&0 she pro!%sed$ 0He(ll want to see h%s )o"10
03a")e ne*t t%!e&0 I sa%d$ 0Than+ "o for20 I loo+ed down at the )rned
#oo+%es s#attered on the >oor$ 0Than+s for e'er"th%ng$0
She tr%ed to stop s& to o4er s 9ool.-%d& )t I had to get ot of that hose$ On
the front por#h& she gra))ed !" wr%st and I al!ost /!ped ot of !" s+%n$ 0L+e&
at least )e safe$ Pro!%se !e "o(ll )e safe$0
0I w%ll $ $ $ 3o!$0
That !ade her s!%le$ She released !" wr%st& and as she #losed the front door I
#old hear her tal+%ng to the #andlesK 0<o hear that7 He w%ll )e safe$ I told "o
he wold )e10
-s the door sht& N%#o and I ran$ The l%ttle )ean)ag an%!als on the s%dewal+
see!ed to gr%n at s as we passed$
6a#+ at the #l%4& 3rs$ O(Lear" had fond a fr%end$
- #o5" #a!p,re #ra#+led %n a r%ng of stones$ - g%rl a)ot e%ght "ears old was
s%tt%ng #ross.legged ne*t to 3rs$ O(Lear"& s#rat#h%ng the hellhond(s ears$
The g%rl had !os" )rown ha%r and a s%!ple )rown dress$ She wore a s#arf
o'er her head so she loo+ed l%+e a p%oneer +%d2l%+e the ghost of L%ttle Hose on
the Pra%r%e or so!eth%ng$ She po+ed the ,re w%th a st%#+& and %t see!ed to glow
!ore r%#hl" red than a nor!al ,re$
0Hello&0 she sa%d$
3" ,rst thoght wasK !onster$ When "o(re a de!%god and "o ,nd a sweet
l%ttle g%rl alone %n the woods2that(s t"p%#all" a good t%!e to draw "or sword and
atta#+$ Pls& the en#onter w%th 3s$ Castellan had rattled !e prett" )ad$
6t N%#o )owed to the l%ttle g%rl$ 0Hello aga%n& Lad"$0
She std%ed !e w%th e"es as red as the ,rel%ght$ I de#%ded %t was safest to )ow$
0S%t& Per#" ;a#+son&0 she sa%d$ 0Wold "o l%+e so!e d%nner7
-fter star%ng at !old" peant )tter sandw%#hes and )rned #oo+%es& I d%dn(t
ha'e !#h of an appet%te& )t the g%rl wa'ed her hand and a p%#n%# appeared at
the edge of the ,re$ There were plates of roast )eef& )a+ed potatoes& )ttered
#arrots& fresh )read& and a whole )n#h of other foods I hadn(t had %n a long t%!e$
3" sto!a#h started to r!)le$ It was the +%nd of ho!e.#oo+ed !eal people are
spposed to ha'e )t ne'er do$ The g%rl !ade a ,'e.foot.long dog )%s#%t appear
for 3rs$ O(Lear"& who happ%l" )egan tear%ng %t to shreds$
I sat ne*t to N%#o$ We p%#+ed p or food& and I was a)ot to d%g %n when I
thoght )etter of %t$
I s#raped part of !" !eal %nto the >a!es& the wa" we do at #a!p$ 0@or the
gods&0 I sa%d$
The l%ttle g%rl s!%led$ 0Than+ "o$ -s tender of the >a!e& I get a share of e'er"
sa#r%,#e& "o +now$0
0I re#ogn%5e "o now&0 I sa%d$ 0The ,rst t%!e I #a!e to #a!p& "o were s%tt%ng
)" the ,re& %n the !%ddle of the #o!!ons area$0
0<o d%d not stop to tal+&0 the g%rl re#alled sadl"$ 0-las& !ost ne'er do$ N%#o
tal+ed to !e$ He was the ,rst %n !an" "ears$ E'er"one rshes a)ot$ No t%!e for
'%s%t%ng fa!%l"$0
0<o(re Hest%a&0 I sa%d$ 0Goddess of the Hearth$0
She nodded$
O+a" $ $ $ so she loo+ed e%ght "ears old$ I d%dn(t as+$ I(d learned that gods #old
loo+ an" wa" the" pleased$
03" lad"&0 N%#o as+ed& 0wh" aren(t "o w%th the other Ol"!p%ans& ,ght%ng
T"phon70
0I(! not !#h for ,ght%ng$0 Her red e"es >%#+ered$ I real%5ed the" weren(t /st
re>e#t%ng the >a!es$ The" were ,lled w%th >a!es2)t not l%+e -res(s e"es$
Hest%a(s e"es were war! and #o5"$
06es%des&0 she sa%d& 0so!eone has to +eep the ho!e ,res )rn%ng wh%le the
other gods are awa"$0
0So "o(re gard%ng 3ont Ol"!ps70 I as+ed$
0(Gard( !a" )e too strong a word$ 6t %f "o e'er need a war! pla#e to s%t
and a ho!e.#oo+ed !eal& "o are wel#o!e to '%s%t$ Now eat$0
3" plate was e!pt" )efore I +new %t$ N%#o s#arfed h%s down /st as fast$
0That was great&0 I sa%d$ 0Than+ "o& Hest%a$0
She nodded$ 0?%d "o ha'e a good '%s%t w%th 3a" Castellan70
@or a !o!ent I(d al!ost forgotten the old lad" w%th her )r%ght e"es and her
!an%a#al s!%le& the wa" she(d sddenl" see!ed possessed$
0What(s wrong w%th her& e*a#tl"70 I as+ed$
0She was )orn w%th a g%ft&0 Hest%a sa%d$ 0She #old see throgh the 3%st$0
0L%+e !" !other&0 I sa%d$ -nd I was also th%n+%ng& L%+e Ra#hel 06t the glow%ng
e"es th%ng20
0So!e )ear the #rse of s%ght )etter than others&0 the goddess sa%d sadl"$ 0@or
a wh%le& 3a" Castellan had !an" talents$ She attra#ted the attent%on of Her!es
h%!self$ The" had a )eat%fl )a)" )o"$ @or a )r%ef t%!e& she was happ"$ -nd then
she went too far$0
I re!e!)ered what 3s$ Castellan had sa%dK The" o4ered !e an %!portant /o) $
$ $ It d%dn(t wor+ ot$ I wondered what +%nd of /o) left "o l%+e that$
0One !%nte she was all happ"&0 I sa%d$ 0-nd then she was frea+%ng ot a)ot
her son(s fate& l%+e she +new he(d trned %nto 9ronos$ What happened to $ $ $ to
d%'%de her l%+e that70
The goddess(s fa#e dar+ened$ 0That %s a stor" I do not l%+e to tell$ 6t 3a"
Castellan saw too !#h$ If "o are to nderstand "or ene!" L+e& "o !st
nderstand h%s fa!%l"$0
I thoght a)ot the sad l%ttle p%#tres of Her!es taped a)o'e 3a" Castellan(s
s%n+$ I wondered %f 3s$ Castellan had )een so #ra5" when L+e was l%ttle$ That
green.e"ed ,t #old('e ser%osl" s#ared a n%ne."ear.old +%d$ -nd %f Her!es ne'er
'%s%ted& %f he(d left L+e alone w%th h%s !o! all those "ears $ $ $
0No wonder L+e ran awa"&0 I sa%d$ 0I !ean& %t wasn(t r%ght to lea'e h%s !o!
l%+e that& )t st%ll2he was /st a +%d$ Her!es sholdn(t ha'e a)andoned the!$0
Hest%a s#rat#hed )eh%nd 3rs$ O(Lear"(s ears$ The hellhond wagged her ta%l
and a##%dentall" +no#+ed o'er a tree$
0It(s eas" to /dge others&0 Hest%a warned$ 06t w%ll "o follow L+e(s path7
See+ the sa!e powers70
N%#o set down h%s plate$ 0We ha'e no #ho%#e& !" lad"$ It(s the onl" wa" Per#"
stands a #han#e$0
03!!$0 Hest%a opened her hand and the ,re roared$ @la!es shot th%rt" feet
%nto the a%r$ Heat slapped !e %n the fa#e$ Then the ,re d%ed )a#+ down to nor!al$
0Not all powers are spe#ta#lar$0 Hest%a loo+ed at !e$ 0So!et%!es the hardest
power to !aster %s the power of "%eld%ng$ ?o "o )el%e'e !e70
0Uh.hh&0 I sa%d$ -n"th%ng to +eep her fro! !ess%ng w%th her >a!e powers
aga%n$
The goddess s!%led$ 0<o are a good hero& Per#" ;a#+son$ Not too prod$ I l%+e
that$ 6t "o ha'e !#h to learn$ When ?%on"ss was !ade a god& I ga'e p !"
throne for h%!$ It was the onl" wa" to a'o%d a #%'%l war a!ong the gods$0
0It n)alan#ed the Con#%l&0 I re!e!)ered$ 0Sddenl" there were se'en g"s
and ,'e g%rls$0
Hest%a shrgged$ 0It was the )est solt%on& not a perfe#t one$ Now I tend the
,re$ I fade slowl" %nto the )a#+grond$ No one w%ll e'er wr%te ep%# poe!s a)ot
the deeds of Hest%a$ 3ost de!%gods don(t e'en stop to tal+ to !e$ 6t that %s no
!atter$ I +eep the pea#e$ I "%eld when ne#essar"$ Can "o do th%s70
0I don(t +now what "o !ean$0
She std%ed !e$ 0Perhaps not "et$ 6t soon$ W%ll "o #ont%ne "or Aest70
0Is that wh" "o(re here2to warn !e aga%nst go%ng70

Hest%a shoo+ her head$ 0I a! here )e#ase when all else fa%ls& when all the
other !%ght" gods ha'e gone o4 to war& I a! all that(s left$ Ho!e$ Hearth$ I a!
the last Ol"!p%an$ <o !st re!e!)er !e when "o fa#e "or ,nal de#%s%on$
I d%dn(t l%+e the wa" she sa%d ,nal$
I loo+ed at N%#o& then )a#+ at Hest%a(s war! glow%ng e"es$ 0I ha'e to #ont%ne&
!" lad"$ I ha'e to stop L+e $ $ $ I !ean 9ronos$0
Hest%a nodded$ 0Ver" well$ I #annot )e of !#h ass%stan#e& )e"ond what I ha'e
alread" told "o$ 6t s%n#e "o sa#r%,#ed to !e& I #an retrn "o to "or own
hearth$ I w%ll see "o aga%n& Per#"& on Ol"!ps$0
Her tone was o!%nos& as thogh or ne*t !eet%ng wold not )e happ"$
The goddess wa'ed her hand& and e'er"th%ng faded$
Sddenl" I was ho!e$ N%#o and I were s%tt%ng on the #o#h %n !" !o!(s
apart!ent on the Upper East S%de$ That was the good news$ The )ad news was
that the rest of the l%'%ng roo! was o##p%ed )" 3rs$ O(Lear"$
I heard a !Ned "ell fro! the )edroo!$ Pal(s 'o%#e sa%d& 0Who pt th%s wall
of fr %n the doorwa"70
0Per#"70 !" !o! #alled ot$ 0-re "o here7 -re "o all r%ght70
0I(! here10 I shoted )a#+$
0WOO@10 3rs$ O(Lear" tr%ed to trn %n a #%r#le to ,nd !" !o!& +no#+%ng all the
p%#tres o4 the walls$ She(s onl" !et !" !o! on#e )efore Hlong stor"I& )t she
lo'es her$
It too+ a few !%ntes& )t we ,nall" got th%ngs wor+ed ot$ -fter destro"%ng
!ost of the frn%tre %n the l%'%ng roo! and pro)a)l" !a+%ng or ne%gh)ors reall"
!ad& we got !" parents ot of the )edroo! and %nto the +%t#hen& where we sat
arond the +%t#hen ta)le$ 3rs$ O(Lear" st%ll too+ p the ent%re l%'%ng roo!& )t
she(d settled her head %n the +%t#hen doorwa" so she #old see s& wh%#h !ade
her happ"$ 3" !o! tossed her a ten.pond fa!%l".s%5e t)e of grond )eef&
wh%#h d%sappeared down her gllet$ Pal pored le!onade for the rest of s wh%le
I e*pla%ned a)ot or '%s%t to Conne#t%#t$
0So %t(s tre$0 Pal stared at !e l%+e he(d ne'er seen !e )efore$ He was
wear%ng h%s wh%te )athro)e& now #o'ered %n hellhond fr& and h%s salt.and.
pepper ha%r was st%#+%ng p %n e'er" d%re#t%on$ 0-ll the tal+ a)ot !onsters& and
)e%ng a de!%god $ $ $ %t(s reall" tre$0
I nodded$ Last fall I(d e*pla%ned to Pal who I was$ 3" !o! had )a#+ed !e p$
6t nt%l th%s !o!ent& I don(t th%n+ he reall" )el%e'ed s$
0Sorr" a)ot 3rs$ O(Lear"&0 I sa%d& 0destro"%ng the l%'%ng roo! and all$0
Pal laghed l%+e he was del%ghted$ 0-re "o +%dd%ng7 Th%s %s aweso!e1 I
!ean& when I saw the hoofpr%nts on the Pr%s& I thoght !a")e$ 6t th%s10
He patted 3rs$ O(Lear"(s snot$ The l%'%ng roo! shoo+26OO3& 6OO3& 6OO3
2wh%#h e%ther !eant a SW-T tea! was )rea+%ng down the door or 3rs$ O(Lear"
was wagg%ng her ta%l$
I #oldn(t help )t s!%le$ Pal was a prett" #ool g"& e'en %f he was !" Engl%sh
tea#her as well as !" stepdad$
0Than+s for not frea+%ng ot&0 I sa%d$
0Oh& I(! frea+%ng ot&0 he pro!%sed& h%s e"es w%de$ 0I /st th%n+ %t(s aweso!e10
0<eah& well&0 I sa%d& 0"o !a" not )e so e*#%ted when "o hear what(s
happen%ng$0
I told Pal and !" !o! a)ot T"phon& and the gods& and the )attle that was
sre to #o!e$ Then I told the! N%#o(s plan$
3" !o! la#ed her ,ngers arond her le!onade glass$ She was wear%ng her
old )le >annel )athro)e& and her ha%r was t%ed )a#+$ Re#entl" she(d started
wr%t%ng a no'el& l%+e she(d wanted to do for "ears& and I #old tell she(d )een
wor+%ng on %t late %nto the n%ght& )e#ase the #%r#les nder her e"es were dar+er
than sal$
6eh%nd her at the +%t#hen w%ndow& s%l'er" !oon la#e glowed %n the >ower )o*$
I(d )roght the !ag%#al plant )a#+ fro! Cal"pso(s %sland last s!!er& and %t
)loo!ed l%+e #ra5" nder !" !other(s #are$ The s#ent alwa"s #al!ed !e down&
)t %t also !ade !e sad )e#ase %t re!%nded !e of lost fr%ends$
3" !o! too+ a deep )reath& l%+e she was th%n+%ng how to tell !e no$
0Per#"& %t(s dangeros&0 she sa%d$ 0E'en for "o$0
03o!& I +now$ I #old d%e$ N%#o e*pla%ned that$ 6t %f we don(t tr"20
0We(ll all d%e&0 N%#o sa%d$ He hadn(t to#hed h%s le!onade$ 03s$ ;a#+son& we
don(t stand a #han#e aga%nst an %n'as%on$ -nd there w%ll )e an %n'as%on$0
0-n %n'as%on of New <or+70 Pal sa%d$ 0Is that e'en poss%)le7 How #old we not
see the $ $ $ the !onsters70
He sa%d the word l%+e he st%ll #oldn(t )el%e'e th%s was real$
0I don(t +now&0 I ad!%tted$ 0I don(t see how 9ronos #old /st !ar#h %nto
3anhattan& )t the 3%st %s strong$ T"phon %s tra!pl%ng a#ross the #ontr" r%ght
now& and !ortals th%n+ he(s a stor! s"ste!$0
03s$ ;a#+son&0 N%#o sa%d& 0Per#" needs "or )less%ng$ The pro#ess has to start
that wa"$ I wasn(t sre nt%l we !et L+e(s !o!& )t now I(! pos%t%'e$ Th%s has
onl" )een done s##essfll" tw%#e )efore$ 6oth t%!es& the !other had to g%'e her
)less%ng$ She had to )e w%ll%ng to let her son ta+e the r%s+$0
0<o want !e to )less th%s70 She shoo+ her head$ 0It(s #ra5"$ Per#"& please20
03o!& I #an(t do %t w%thot "o$0
0-nd %f "o sr'%'e th%s $ $ $ th%s pro#ess70
0Then I go to war&0 I sa%d$ 03e aga%nst 9ronos$ -nd onl" one of s w%ll sr'%'e$0
I d%dn(t tell her the whole prophe#"2a)ot the sol reap%ng and the end of !"
da"s$ She d%dn(t need to +now that I was pro)a)l" doo!ed$ I #old onl" hope I(d
stop 9ronos and sa'e the rest of the world )efore I d%ed$
0<o(re !" son&0 she sa%d !%sera)l"$ 0I #an(t /st $ $ $0
I #old tell I(d ha'e to psh her harder %f I wanted her to agree& )t I d%dn(t
want to$ I re!e!)ered poor 3s$ Castellan %n her +%t#hen& wa%t%ng for her son to
#o!e ho!e$ -nd I real%5ed how l#+" I was$ 3" !o! had alwa"s )een there for
!e& alwa"s tr%ed to !a+e th%ngs nor!al for !e& e'en w%th the gods and !onsters
and st4$ She pt p w%th !e go%ng o4 on ad'entres& )t now I was as+%ng her
)less%ng to do so!eth%ng that wold pro)a)l" get !e +%lled$
I lo#+ed e"es w%th Pal& and so!e +%nd of nderstand%ng passed )etween s$
0Sall"$0 He pt h%s hand o'er !" !other(s hands$ 0I #an(t #la%! to +now what
"o and Per#" ha'e )een go%ng throgh all these "ears$ 6t %t sonds to !e $ $ $ %t
sonds l%+e Per#" %s do%ng so!eth%ng no)le$ I w%sh I had that !#h #orage$0
I got a l!p %n !" throat$ I d%dn(t get #o!pl%!ents l%+e that too !#h$
3" !o! stared at her le!onade$ She loo+ed l%+e she was tr"%ng not to #r"$ I
thoght a)ot what Hest%a had sa%d& a)ot how hard %t was to "%eld& and I ,gred
!a")e !" !o! was ,nd%ng that ot$
0Per#"&0 she sa%d& 0I g%'e "o !" )less%ng$0
I d%dn(t feel an" d%4erent$ No !ag%# glow l%t the +%t#hen or an"th%ng$
I glan#ed at N%#o$
He loo+ed !ore an*%os than e'er& )t he nodded$ 0It(s t%!e$0
0Per#"&0 !" !o! sa%d$ 0One last th%ng$ If "o $ $ $ %f "o sr'%'e th%s ,ght w%th
9ronos& send !e a s%gn$0 She r!!aged throgh her prse and handed !e her
#ell phone$
03o!&0 I sa%d& 0"o +now de!%gods and phones20
0I +now&0 she sa%d$ 06t /st %n #ase$ If "o(re not a)le to #all $ $ $ !a")e a s%gn
that I #old see fro! an"where %n 3anhattan$ To let !e +now "o(re o+a"$0
0L%+e Theses&0 Pal sggested$ 0He was spposed to ra%se wh%te sa%ls when
he #a!e ho!e to -thens$0
0E*#ept he forgot&0 N%#o !ttered$ 0-nd h%s father /!ped o4 the pala#e roof
%n despa%r$ 6t other than that& %t was a great %dea$0
0What a)ot a >ag or a >are70 !" !o! sa%d$ 0@ro! Ol"!ps2the E!p%re
State 6%ld%ng$0
0So!eth%ng )le&0 I sa%d$
We(d had a rnn%ng /o+e for "ears a)ot )le food$ It was !" fa'or%te #olor&
and !" !o! went ot of her wa" to h!or !e$ E'er" "ear !" )%rthda" #a+e& !"
Easter )as+et& !" Chr%st!as #and" #anes alwa"s had to )e )le$
0<es&0 !" !o! agreed$ 0I(ll wat#h for a )le s%gnal$ -nd I(ll tr" to a'o%d
/!p%ng o4 pala#e roofs$0
She ga'e !e one last hg$ I tr%ed not to feel l%+e I was sa"%ng good.)"e$ I
shoo+ hands w%th Pal$ Then N%#o and I wal+ed to the +%t#hen doorwa" and loo+ed
at 3rs$ O(Lear"$
0Sorr"& g%rl&0 I sa%d$ 0Shadow tra'el t%!e aga%n$0
She wh%!pered and #rossed her paws o'er her snot$
0Where now70 I as+ed N%#o$ 0Los -ngeles70
0No need&0 he sa%d$ 0There(s a #loser entran#e to the Underworld$0
SEVEN
3< 3-TH TE-CHER
GIVES 3E - LI@T
We e!erged %n Central Par+ /st north of the Pond$ 3rs$ O(Lear" loo+ed prett"
t%red as she l%!ped o'er to a #lster of )olders$ She started sn%:ng arond& and
I was afra%d she !%ght !ar+ her terr%tor"& )t N%#o sa%d& 0It(s o+a"$ She /st s!ells
the wa" ho!e$0
I frowned$ 0Throgh the ro#+s70
0The Underworld has two !a/or entran#es&0 N%#o sa%d$ 0<o +now the one %n
L$-$0
0Charon(s ferr"$0
N%#o nodded$ 03ost sols go that wa"& )t there(s a s!aller path& harder to
,nd$ The ?oor of Orphes$0
0The dde w%th the harp$0
0?de w%th the l"re&0 N%#o #orre#ted$ 06t "eah& h%!$ He sed h%s !s%# to
#har! the earth and open a new path %nto the Underworld$ He sang h%s wa" r%ght
%nto Hades(s pala#e and al!ost got awa" w%th h%s w%fe(s sol$0
I re!e!)ered the stor"$ Orphes wasn(t spposed to loo+ )eh%nd h%! when he
was lead%ng h%s w%fe )a#+ to the world& )t of #orse he d%d$ It was one of those
t"p%#al 0and.so.the".d%edTthe.end0 stor%es that alwa"s !ade s feel war! and
f55"$
0So th%s %s the ?oor of Orphes$0 I tr%ed to )e %!pressed& )t %t st%ll loo+ed l%+e
a p%le of ro#+s to !e$ 0How does %t open70
0We need !s%#&0 N%#o sa%d$ 0How(s "or s%ng%ng70
0U!& no$ Can(t "o /st& l%+e& tell %t to open7 <o(re the son of Hades and all$0
0It(s not so eas"$ We need !s%#$0
I was prett" sre %f I tr%ed to s%ng& all I wold #ase was an a'alan#he$
0I ha'e a )etter %dea$0 I trned and #alled& 0GROVER10
We wa%ted for a long t%!e$ 3rs$ O(Lear" #rled p and too+ a nap$ I #old hear
the #r%#+ets %n the woods and an owl hoot%ng$ Tra:# h!!ed along Central Par+
West$ Horse hoo'es #lopped down a near)" path& !a")e a !onted pol%#e
patrol$ I was sre the"(d lo'e to ,nd two +%ds hang%ng ot %n the par+ at one %n
the !orn%ng$
0It(s no good&0 N%#o sa%d at last$
6t I had a feel%ng$ 3" e!path" l%n+ was reall" t%ngl%ng for the ,rst t%!e %n
!onths& wh%#h e%ther !eant a whole lot of people had sddenl" sw%t#hed on the
Natre Channel& or Gro'er was #lose$
I sht !" e"es and #on#entrated$ Gro'er$
I +new he was so!ewhere %n the par+$ Wh" #oldn(t I sense h%s e!ot%ons7 -ll I
got was a fa%nt h! %n the )ase of !" s+ll$
Gro'er& I thoght !ore %ns%stentl"$
H!!.h!!!!& so!eth%ng sa%d$
-n %!age #a!e %nto !" head$ I saw a g%ant el! tree deep %n the woods& well
o4 the !a%n paths$ Gnarled roots la#ed the grond& !a+%ng a +%nd of )ed$ L"%ng %n
%t w%th h%s ar!s #rossed and h%s e"es #losed was a sat"r$ -t ,rst I #oldn(t )e sre
%t was Gro'er$ He was #o'ered %n tw%gs and lea'es& l%+e he(d )een sleep%ng there
a long t%!e$ The roots see!ed to )e shap%ng the!sel'es arond h%!& slowl"
pll%ng h%! %nto the earth$
Gro'er& I sa%d$ Wa+e p$
Unnnh255555$
?de& "o(re #o'ered %n d%rt$ Wa+e p1
Sleep"& h%s !%nd !r!red$
@OO?& I sggested$ P-NC-9ES1
H%s e"es shot open$ - )lr of thoghts ,lled !" head l%+e he was sddenl" on
fast.forward$ The %!age shattered& and I al!ost fell o'er$

0What happened70 N%#o as+ed$
0I got throgh$ He(s $ $ $ "eah$ He(s on h%s wa"$0
- !%nte later& the tree ne*t to s sh%'ered$ Gro'er fell ot of the )ran#hes&
r%ght on h%s head$
0Gro'er10 I "elled$
0Woof10 3rs$ O(Lear" loo+ed p& pro)a)l" wonder%ng %f we were go%ng to pla"
fet#h w%th the sat"r$
06lah.haa.haa10 Gro'er )leated$
0<o o+a"& !an70
0Oh& I(! ,ne$0 He r))ed h%s head$ H%s horns had grown so !#h the" po+ed
an %n#h a)o'e h%s #rl" ha%r$ 0I was at the other end of the par+$ The dr"ads had
th%s great %dea of pass%ng !e throgh the trees to get !e here$ The" don(t
nderstand he%ght 'er" well$0
He gr%nned and got to h%s feet2well& h%s hoo'es& a#tall"$ S%n#e last s!!er&
Gro'er had stopped tr"%ng to d%sg%se h%!self as h!an$ He ne'er wore a #ap or
fa+e feet an"!ore$ He d%dn(t e'en wear /eans& s%n#e he had frr" goat legs fro!
the wa%st down$ H%s T.sh%rt had a p%#tre fro! that )oo+ Where the W%ld Th%ngs
-re$ It was #o'ered w%th d%rt and tree sap$ H%s goatee loo+ed fller& al!ost !anl"
Hor goatl"7I& and he was as tall as !e now$
0Good to see "o& G.!an&0 I sa%d$ 0<o re!e!)er N%#o$0
Gro'er nodded at N%#o& then he ga'e !e a )%g hg$ He s!elled l%+e fresh.
!own lawns$
0Perrrr#"10 he )leated$ 0I !%ssed "o1 I !%ss #a!p$ The" don(t ser'e 'er" good
en#h%ladas %n the w%lderness$0
0I was worr%ed&0 I sa%d$ 0Where('e "o )een the last two !onths70
0The last two20 Gro'er(s s!%le faded$ 0The last two !onths7 What are "o
tal+%ng a)ot70
0We ha'en(t heard fro! "o&0 I sa%d$ 0;n%per(s worr%ed$ We sent Ir%s.!essages&
)t20
0Hold on$0 He loo+ed p at the stars l%+e he was tr"%ng to #al#late h%s pos%t%on$
0What !onth %s th%s70
0-gst$0
The #olor dra%ned fro! h%s fa#e$ 0That(s %!poss%)le$ It(s ;ne$ I /st la" down to
ta+e a nap and $ $ $0 He gra))ed !" ar!s$ 0I re!e!)er now1 He +no#+ed !e ot$
Per#"& we ha'e to stop h%!10
0Whoa&0 I sa%d$ 0Slow down$ Tell !e what happened$0
He too+ a deep )reath$ 0I was $ $ $ I was wal+%ng %n the woods p )" Harle!
3eer$ -nd I felt th%s tre!)le %n the grond& l%+e so!eth%ng powerfl was near$0
0<o #an sense st4 l%+e that70 N%#o as+ed$
Gro'er nodded$ 0S%n#e Pan(s death& I #an feel when so!eth%ng %s wrong %n
natre$ It(s l%+e !" ears and e"es are sharper when I(! %n the W%ld$ -n"wa"& I
started follow%ng the s#ent$ Th%s !an %n a long )la#+ #oat was wal+%ng throgh
the par+& and I not%#ed he d%dn(t #ast a shadow$ 3%ddle of a snn" da"& and he
#ast no shadow$ He +%nd of sh%!!ered as he !o'ed$0
0L%+e a !%rage70 N%#o as+ed$
0<es&0 Gro'er sa%d$ 0-nd whene'er he passed h!ans20
0The h!ans wold pass ot&0 N%#o sa%d$ 0Crl p and go to sleep$0
0That(s r%ght1 Then after he was gone& the"(d get p and go a)ot the%r
)s%ness l%+e noth%ng happened$0
I stared at N%#o$ 0<o +now th%s g" %n )la#+70
0-fra%d so&0 N%#o sa%d$ 0Gro'er& what happened70
0I followed the g"$ He +ept loo+%ng p at the )%ld%ngs arond the par+ l%+e he
was !a+%ng est%!ates or so!eth%ng$ Th%s lad" /ogger ran )"& and she #rled p
on the s%dewal+ and started snor%ng$ The g" %n )la#+ pt h%s hand on her
forehead l%+e he was #he#+%ng her te!peratre$ Then he +ept wal+%ng$ 6" th%s
t%!e& I +new he was a !onster or so!eth%ng e'en worse$ I followed h%! %nto th%s
gro'e& to the )ase of a )%g el! tree$ I was a)ot to s!!on so!e dr"ads to help
!e #aptre h%! when he trned and $ $ $0
Gro'er swallowed$ 0Per#"& h%s fa#e$ I #oldn(t !a+e ot h%s fa#e )e#ase %t +ept
sh%ft%ng$ ;st loo+%ng at h%! !ade !e sleep"$ I sa%d& (What are "o do%ng7( He
sa%d& (;st ha'%ng a loo+ arond$ <o shold alwa"s s#ot a )attle,eld )efore the
)attle$( I sa%d so!eth%ng reall" s!art l%+e& (Th%s forest %s nder !" prote#t%on$ <o
won(t start an" )attles here1( -nd he laghed$ He sa%d& (<o(re l#+" I(! sa'%ng
!" energ" for the !a%n e'ent& l%ttle sat"r$ I(ll /st grant "o a short nap$ Pleasant
drea!s$( -nd that(s the last th%ng I re!e!)er$0
N%#o e*haled$ 0Gro'er& "o !et 3orphes& the God of ?rea!s$ <o(re l#+"
"o e'er wo+e p$0
0Two !onths&0 Gro'er !oaned$ 0He pt !e to sleep for two !onths10
I tr%ed to wrap !" !%nd arond what th%s !eant$ Now %t !ade sense wh" we
hadn(t )een a)le to #onta#t Gro'er all th%s t%!e$
0Wh" d%dn(t the n"!phs tr" to wa+e "o70 I as+ed$
Gro'er shrgged$ 03ost n"!phs aren(t good w%th t%!e$ Two !onths for a tree
2that(s noth%ng$ The" pro)a)l" d%dn(t th%n+ an"th%ng was wrong$0
0We('e got to ,gre ot what 3orphes was do%ng %n the par+&0 I sa%d$ 0I don(t
l%+e th%s (!a%n e'ent( th%ng he !ent%oned$0
0He(s wor+%ng for 9ronos&0 N%#o sa%d$ 0We +now that alread"$ - lot of the !%nor
gods are$ Th%s /st pro'es there(s go%ng to )e an %n'as%on$ Per#"& we ha'e to get
on w%th or plan$0
0Wa%t&0 Gro'er sa%d$ 0What plan70
We told h%!& and Gro'er started tgg%ng at h%s leg fr$
0<o(re not ser%os&0 he sa%d$ 0Not the Underworld aga%n$0
0I(! not as+%ng "o to #o!e& !an&0 I pro!%sed$ 0I +now "o /st wo+e p$ 6t
we need so!e !s%# to open the door$ Can "o do %t70
Gro'er too+ ot h%s reed p%pes$ 0I gess I #old tr"$ I +now a few N%r'ana tnes
that #an spl%t ro#+s$ 6t& Per#"& are "o sre "o want to do th%s70
0Please& !an&0 I sa%d$ 0It wold !ean a lot$ @or old t%!es( sa+e70
He wh%!pered$ 0-s I re#all& %n the old t%!es we al!ost d%ed a lot$ 6t o+a"&
here goes noth%ng$0
He pt h%s p%pes to h%s l%ps and pla"ed a shr%ll& l%'el" tne$ The )olders
tre!)led$ - few !ore stan5as& and the" #ra#+ed open& re'eal%ng a tr%anglar
#re'%#e$
I peered %ns%de$ Steps led down %nto the dar+ness$ The a%r s!elled of !%ldew
and death$ It )roght )a#+ )ad !e!or%es of !" tr%p throgh the La)"r%nth last
"ear& )t th%s tnnel felt e'en !ore dangeros$ It led stra%ght to the land of
Hades& and that was al!ost alwa"s a one.wa" tr%p$
I trned to Gro'er$ 0Than+s $ $ $ I th%n+$0
0Perrrr#"& %s 9ronos reall" go%ng to %n'ade70
0I w%sh I #old tell "o )etter& )t "eah$ He w%ll$0
I thoght Gro'er !%ght #hew p h%s reed p%pes %n an*%et"& )t he stra%ghtened
p and )rshed o4 h%s T.sh%rt$ I #oldn(t help th%n+%ng how d%4erent he loo+ed
fro! fat old Lenes$ 0I('e got to rall" the natre sp%r%ts& then$ 3a")e we #an help$
I(ll see %f we #an ,nd th%s 3orphes$(0
06etter tell ;n%per "o(re o+a"& too$0
H%s e"es w%dened$ 0;n%per1 Oh& she(s go%ng to +%ll !e10
He started to rn o4& then s#ra!)led )a#+ and ga'e !e another hg$ 06e
#arefl down there1 Co!e )a#+ al%'e10
On#e he was gone& N%#o and I rosed 3rs$ O(Lear" fro! her nap$
When she s!elled the tnnel& she got e*#%ted and led the wa" down the steps$
It was a prett" t%ght ,t$ I hoped she woldn(t get st#+$ I #oldn(t %!ag%ne how
!#h ?rano we(d need to n.st%#+ a hellhond wedged halfwa" down a tnnel to
the Underworld$
0Read"70 N%#o as+ed !e$ 0It(ll )e ,ne$ ?on(t worr"$0
He sonded l%+e he was tr"%ng to #on'%n#e h%!self$
I glan#ed p at the stars& wonder%ng %f I wold e'er see the! aga%n$ Then we
plnged %nto dar+ness$
The sta%rs went on fore'er2narrow& steep& and sl%pper"$ It was #o!pletel" dar+
e*#ept for the l%ght of !" sword$ I tr%ed to go slow& )t 3rs$ O(Lear" had other
%deas$ She )onded ahead& )ar+%ng happ%l"$ The sond e#hoed throgh the tnnel
l%+e #annon shots& and I ,gred we wold not )e #at#h%ng an")od" )" srpr%se
on#e we rea#hed the )otto!$
N%#o lagged )eh%nd& wh%#h I thoght was strange$
0<o o+a"70 I as+ed h%!$
0@%ne$0 What was that e*press%on on h%s fa#e $ $ $ do)t7 0;st +eep !o'%ng&0 he
sa%d$
I d%dn(t ha'e !#h #ho%#e$ I followed 3rs$ O(Lear" %nto the depths$ -fter
another hor& I started to hear the roar of a r%'er$
We e!erged at the )ase of a #l%4& on a pla%n of )la#+ 'ol#an%# sand$ To or
r%ght& the R%'er St"* gshed fro! the ro#+s and roared o4 %n a #as#ade of rap%ds$
To or left& far awa" %n the gloo!& ,res )rned on the ra!parts of Ere)os& the
great )la#+ walls of Hades(s +%ngdo!$
I shddered$ I(d ,rst )een here when I was twel'e& and onl" -nna)eth and
Gro'er(s #o!pan" had g%'en !e the #orage to +eep go%ng$ N%#o wasn(t go%ng to
)e A%te as helpfl w%th the 0#orage0 th%ng$ He loo+ed pale and worr%ed h%!self$
Onl" 3rs$ O(Lear" a#ted happ"$ She ran along the )ea#h& p%#+ed p a rando!
h!an leg )one& and ro!ped )a#+ toward !e$ She dropped the )one at !" feet
and wa%ted for !e to throw %t$
0U!& !a")e later& g%rl$0 I stared at the dar+ waters& tr"%ng to get p !" ner'e$
0So& N%#o $ $ $ how do we do th%s70
0We ha'e to go %ns%de the gates ,rst&0 he sa%d$
06t the r%'er(s r%ght here$0
0I ha'e to get so!eth%ng&0 he sa%d$ 0It(s the onl" wa"$0
He !ar#hed o4 w%thot wa%t%ng$
I frowned$ N%#o hadn(t !ent%oned an"th%ng a)ot go%ng %ns%de the gates$ 6t
now that we were here& I d%dn(t +now what else to do$ Rel#tantl"& I followed h%!
down the )ea#h toward the )%g )la#+ gates$
L%nes of the dead stood ots%de wa%t%ng to get %n$ It !st('e )een a hea'" da"
for fnerals& )e#ase e'en the EL.?E-TH l%ne was )a#+ed p$
0Woof10 3rs$ O(Lear" sa%d$ 6efore I #old stop her she )onded toward the
se#r%t" #he#+po%nt$ Cer)ers& the gard dog of Hades& appeared ot of the
gloo!2a three.headed rottwe%ler so )%g he !ade 3rs$ O(Lear" loo+ l%+e a to"
poodle$ Cer)ers was half transparent& so he(s reall" hard to see nt%l he(s #lose
enogh to +%ll "o& )t he a#ted l%+e he d%dn(t #are a)ot s$ He was too )s"
sa"%ng hello to 3rs$ O(Lear"$
03rs$ O(Lear"& no10 I shoted at her$ 0?on(t sn%4 $ $ $ Oh& !an$0
N%#o s!%led$ Then he loo+ed at !e and h%s e*press%on trned all ser%os aga%n&
l%+e he(d re!e!)ered so!eth%ng npleasant$ 0Co!e on$ The" won(t g%'e s an"
tro)le %n the l%ne$ <o(re w%th !e$0
I d%dn(t l%+e %t& )t we sl%pped throgh the se#r%t" ghols and %nto the @%elds of
-sphodel$ I had to wh%stle for 3rs$ O(Lear" three t%!es )efore she left Cer)ers
alone and ran after s$
We h%+ed o'er )la#+ ,elds of grass dotted w%th )la#+ poplar trees$ If I reall"
d%ed %n a few da"s l%+e the prophe#" sa%d& I !%ght end p here fore'er& )t I tr%ed
not to th%n+ a)ot that$
N%#o trdged ahead& )r%ng%ng s #loser and #loser to the pala#e of Hades$
0He"&0 I sa%d& 0we(re %ns%de the gates alread"$ Where are we20
3rs$ O(Lear" growled$ - shadow appeared o'erhead2so!eth%ng dar+& #old&
and st%n+%ng of death$ It swooped down and landed %n the top of a poplar tree$
Unfortnatel"& I re#ogn%5ed her$ She had a shr%'eled fa#e& a horr%)le )le +n%t
hat& and a #r!pled 'el'et dress$ Leather" )at w%ngs sprang fro! her )a#+$ Her
feet had sharp talons& and %n her )rass.#lawed hands she held a >a!%ng wh%p and
a pa%sle" hand)ag$
03rs$ ?odds&0 I sa%d$
She )ared her fangs$ 0Wel#o!e )a#+& hone"$0
Her two s%sters2the other @r%es2swooped down and settled ne*t to her %n
the )ran#hes of the poplar$
0<o +now -le#to70 N%#o as+ed !e$
0If "o !ean the hag %n the !%ddle& "eah&0 I sa%d$ 0She was !" !ath tea#her$0
N%#o nodded& l%+e th%s d%dn(t srpr%se h%!$ He loo+ed p at the @r%es and too+
a deep )reath$ 0I('e done what !" father as+ed$ Ta+e s to the pala#e$0
I tensed$ 0Wa%t a se#ond& N%#o$ What do "o20
0I(! afra%d th%s %s !" new lead& Per#"$ 3" father pro!%sed !e %nfor!at%on
a)ot !" fa!%l"& )t he wants to see "o )efore we tr" the r%'er$ I(! sorr"$0
0<o tr%#+ed !e70 I was so !ad I #oldn(t th%n+$ I lnged at h%!& )t the @r%es
were fast$ Two of the! swooped down and pl#+ed !e p )" the ar!s$ 3" sword
fell ot of !" hand& and )efore I +new %t& I was dangl%ng s%*t" feet %n the a%r$
0Oh& don(t strggle& hone"&0 !" old !ath tea#her #a#+led %n !" ear$ 0I(d hate
to drop "o$0
3rs$ O(Lear" )ar+ed angr%l" and /!ped& tr"%ng to rea#h !e& )t we were too
h%gh$
0Tell 3rs$ O(Lear" to )eha'e&0 N%#o warned$ He was ho'er%ng near !e %n the
#lt#hes of the th%rd @r"$ 0I don(t want her to get hrt& Per#"$ 3" father %s wa%t%ng$
He /st wants to tal+$0
I wanted to tell 3rs$ O(Lear" to atta#+ N%#o& )t %t woldn(t ha'e done an"
good& and N%#o was r%ght a)ot one th%ngK !" dog #old get hrt %f she tr%ed to
p%#+ a ,ght w%th the @r%es$

I gr%tted !" teeth$ 03rs$ O(Lear"& down1 It(s o+a"& g%rl$0
She wh%!pered and trned %n #%r#les& loo+%ng p at !e$ 0-ll r%ght& tra%tor&0 I
growled at N%#o$ 0<o('e got "or pr%5e$ Ta+e !e to the stp%d pala#e$0
-le#to dropped !e l%+e a sa#+ of trn%ps %n the !%ddle of the pala#e garden$
It was )eat%fl %n a #reep" wa"$ S+eletal wh%te trees grew fro! !ar)le )as%ns$
@lower )eds o'er>owed w%th golden plants and ge!stones$ - pa%r of thrones& one
)one and one s%l'er& sat on the )al#on" w%th a '%ew of the @%elds of -sphodel$ It
wold('e )een a n%#e pla#e to spend a Satrda" !orn%ng e*#ept for the slfros
s!ell and the #r%es of tortred sols %n the d%stan#e$
S+eletal warr%ors garded the onl" e*%t$ The" wore tattered U$S$ -r!" desert
#o!)at fat%ges and #arr%ed 3Das$
The th%rd @r" depos%ted N%#o ne*t to !e$ Then all three of the! settled on the
top of the s+eletal throne$ I res%sted the rge to strangle N%#o$ The"(d onl" stop
!e$ I(d ha'e to wa%t for !" re'enge$
I stared at the e!pt" thrones& wa%t%ng for so!eth%ng to happen$ Then the a%r
sh%!!ered$ Three ,gres appeared2Hades and Persephone on the%r thrones&
and an older wo!an stand%ng )etween the!$ The" see!ed to )e %n the !%ddle of
an arg!ent$
02told "o he was a )!10 the older wo!an sa%d$
03other10 Persephone repl%ed$
0We ha'e '%s%tors10 Hades )ar+ed$ 0Please10
Hades& one of !" least fa'or%te gods& s!oothed h%s )la#+ ro)es& wh%#h were
#o'ered w%th the terr%,ed fa#es of the da!ned$ He had pale s+%n and the %ntense
e"es of a !ad!an$
0Per#" ;a#+son&0 he sa%d w%th sat%sfa#t%on$ 0-t last$0
Meen Persephone std%ed !e #r%osl"$ I(d seen her on#e )efore %n the
w%nter& )t now %n the s!!er she loo+ed l%+e a totall" d%4erent goddess$ She
had lstros )la#+ ha%r and war! )rown e"es$ Her dress sh%!!ered w%th #olors$
@lower patterns %n the fa)r%# #hanged and )loo!ed2roses& tl%ps& hone"s#+le$
The wo!an stand%ng )etween the! was o)'%osl" Persephone(s !other$ She
had the sa!e ha%r and e"es& )t loo+ed older and sterner$ Her dress was golden&
the #olor of a wheat ,eld$ Her ha%r was wo'en w%th dr%ed grasses so %t re!%nded
!e of a w%#+er )as+et$ I ,gred %f so!e)od" l%t a !at#h ne*t to her& she(d )e %n
ser%os tro)le$
0H!!ph&0 the older wo!an sa%d$ 0?e!%gods$ ;st what we need$0
Ne*t to !e& N%#o +nelt$ I w%shed I had !" sword so I #old #t h%s stp%d head
o4$ Unfortnatel"& R%pt%de was st%ll ot %n the ,elds so!ewhere$
0@ather&0 N%#o sa%d$ 0I ha'e done as "o as+ed$0
0Too+ "o long enogh&0 Hades gr!)led$ 0<or s%ster wold('e done a )etter
/o)$0
N%#o lowered h%s head$ If I hadn(t )een so !ad at the l%ttle #reep& I !%ght('e
felt sorr" for h%!$
I glared p at the god of the dead$ 0What do "o want& Hades70
0To tal+& of #orse$0 The god tw%sted h%s !oth %n a #rel s!%le$ 0?%dn(t N%#o
tell "o70
0So th%s whole Aest was a l%e$ N%#o )roght !e down here to get !e +%lled$0
0Oh& no&0 Hades sa%d$ 0I(! afra%d N%#o was A%te s%n#ere a)ot want%ng to help
"o$ The )o" %s as honest as he %s dense$ I s%!pl" #on'%n#ed h%! to ta+e a s!all
detor and )r%ng "o here ,rst$0
0@ather&0 N%#o sa%d& 0"o pro!%sed that Per#" wold not )e har!ed$ <o sa%d %f
I )roght h%!& "o wold tell !e a)ot !" past2a)ot !" !other$0
Meen Persephone s%ghed dra!at%#all"$ 0Can we please not tal+ a)ot that
wo!an %n !" presen#e70
0I(! sorr"& !" do'e&0 Hades sa%d$ 0I had to pro!%se the )o" so!eth%ng$0
The older lad" harr!phed$ 0I warned "o& daghter$ Th%s s#ondrel Hades %s
no good$ <o #old('e !arr%ed the god of do#tors or the god of law"ers& )t
noooo$ <o had to eat the po!egranate$0
03other20
0-nd get st#+ %n the Underworld10
03other& please20
0-nd here %t %s -gst& and do "o #o!e ho!e l%+e "o(re spposed to7 ?o "o
e'er th%n+ a)ot "or poor lonel" !other70
0?E3ETER10 Hades shoted$ 0That %s enogh$ <o are a gest %n !" hose$0
0Oh& a hose %s %t70 she sa%d$ 0<o #all th%s d!p a hose7 3a+e !" daghter
l%'e %n th%s dar+& da!p20
0I told "o&0 Hades sa%d& gr%nd%ng h%s teeth& 0there(s a war %n the world a)o'e$
<o and Persephone are )etter o4 here w%th !e$0
0E*#se !e&0 I )ro+e %n$ 06t %f "o(re go%ng to +%ll !e& #old "o /st get on
w%th %t70
-ll three gods loo+ed at !e$
0Well& th%s one has an att%tde&0 ?e!eter o)ser'ed$
0Indeed&0 Hades agreed$ 0I(d lo'e to +%ll h%!$0
0@ather10 N%#o sa%d$ 0<o pro!%sed10
0Hs)and& we tal+ed a)ot th%s&0 Persephone #h%ded$ 0<o #an(t go arond
%n#%nerat%ng e'er" hero$ 6es%des& he(s )ra'e$ I l%+e that$0
Hades rolled h%s e"es$ 0<o l%+ed that Orphes fellow too$ Loo+ how well that
trned ot$ Let !e +%ll h%!& /st a l%ttle )%t$0
0@ather& "o pro!%sed10 N%#o sa%d$ 0<o sa%d "o onl" wanted to tal+ to h%!$
<o sa%d %f I )roght h%!& "o(d e*pla%n$0
Hades glowered& s!ooth%ng the folds of h%s ro)es$ 0-nd so I shall$ <or !other
2what #an I tell "o7 She was a wonderfl wo!an$0 He glan#ed n#o!forta)l" at
Persephone$ 0@org%'e !e& !" dear$ I !ean for a !ortal& of #orse$ Her na!e was
3ar%a d% -ngelo$ She was fro! Ven%#e& )t her father was a d%plo!at %n
Wash%ngton& ?$C$ That(s where I !et her$ When "o and "or s%ster were "ong&
%t was a )ad t%!e to )e #h%ldren of Hades$ World War II was )rew%ng$ - few of !"&
ah& other #h%ldren were lead%ng the los%ng s%de$ I thoght %t )est to pt "o two
ot of har!(s wa"$0
0That(s wh" "o h%d s %n the Lots Cas%no70
Hades shrgged$ 0<o d%dn(t age$ <o d%dn(t real%5e t%!e was pass%ng$ I wa%ted
for the r%ght t%!e to )r%ng "o ot$0
06t what happened to or !other7 Wh" don(t I re!e!)er her70
0Not %!portant&0 Hades snapped$
0What7 Of #orse %t(s %!portant$ -nd "o had other #h%ldren2wh" were we the
onl" ones who were sent awa"7 -nd who was the law"er who got s ot70
Hades gr%t h%s teeth$ 0<o wold do well to l%sten !ore and tal+ less& )o"$ -s for
the law"er $ $ $0
Hades snapped h%s ,ngers$ On top of h%s throne& the @r" -le#to )egan to
#hange nt%l she was a !%ddle.aged !an %n a p%nstr%ped s%t w%th a )r%ef#ase$ She
2he2loo+ed strange #ro#h%ng at Hades(s sholder$
0<o10 N%#o sa%d$
The @r" #a#+led$ 0I do law"ers and tea#hers 'er" well10
N%#o was tre!)l%ng$ 06t wh" d%d "o free s fro! the #as%no70
0<o +now wh"&0 Hades sa%d$ 0Th%s %d%ot son of Pose%don #annot )e allowed to
)e the #h%ld of the prophe#"$0
I pl#+ed a r)" o4 the nearest plant and threw %t at Hades$ It san+ har!lessl"
%nto h%s ro)e$ 0<o shold )e help%ng Ol"!ps10 I sa%d$ 0-ll the other gods are
,ght%ng T"phon& and "o(re /st s%tt%ng here20
0Wa%t%ng th%ngs ot&0 Hades ,n%shed$ 0<es& that(s #orre#t$ When(s the last t%!e
Ol"!ps e'er helped !e& half.)lood7 When(s the last t%!e a #h%ld of !%ne was
e'er wel#o!ed as a hero7 6ah1 Wh" shold I rsh ot and help the!7 I(ll sta"
here w%th !" for#es %nta#t$0
0-nd when 9ronos #o!es after "o70
0Let h%! tr"$ He(ll )e wea+ened$ -nd !" son here& N%#o20 Hades loo+ed at h%!
w%th d%staste$ 0Well& he(s not !#h now& I(ll grant "o$ It wold('e )een )etter %f
6%an#a had l%'ed$ 6t g%'e h%! for !ore "ears of tra%n%ng$ We #an hold ot that
long& srel"$ N%#o w%ll trn s%*teen& as the prophe#" sa"s& and then he w%ll !a+e
the de#%s%on that w%ll sa'e the world$ -nd I w%ll )e +%ng of the gods$0
0<o(re #ra5"&0 I sa%d$ 09ronos w%ll #rsh "o& r%ght after he ,n%shes pl'er%5%ng
Ol"!ps$0
Hades spread h%s hands$ 0Well& "o(ll get a #han#e to ,nd ot& half.)lood$
6e#ase "o(ll )e wa%t%ng ot th%s war %n !" dngeons$0
0No10 N%#o sa%d$ 0@ather& that wasn(t or agree!ent$ -nd "o ha'en(t told !e
e'er"th%ng10
0I('e told "o all "o need to +now&0 Hades sa%d$ 0-s for or agree!ent& I
spo+e w%th ;a#+son$ I d%d not har! h%!$ <o got "or %nfor!at%on$ If "o had
wanted a )etter deal& "o shold('e !ade !e swear on the St"*$ Now& go to "or
roo!10 He wa'ed h%s hand& and N%#o 'an%shed$
0That )o" needs to eat !ore&0 ?e!eter gr!)led$ 0He(s too s+%nn"$ He needs
!ore #ereal$0
Persephone rolled her e"es$ 03other& enogh w%th the #ereal$ 3" lord Hades&
are "o sre we #an(t let th%s l%ttle hero go7 He(s awfll" )ra'e$0
0No& !" dear$ I('e spared h%s l%fe$ That(s enogh$0
I was sre she was go%ng to stand p for !e$ The )ra'e& )eat%fl Persephone
was go%ng to get !e ot of th%s$
She shrgged %nd%4erentl"$ 0@%ne$ What(s for )rea+fast7 I(! star'%ng$0
0Cereal&0 ?e!eter sa%d$
03other10 The two wo!en d%sappeared %n a sw%rl of >owers and wheat$
0?on(t feel too )ad& Per#" ;a#+son&0 Hades sa%d$ 03" ghosts +eep !e well
%nfor!ed of 9ronos(s plans$ I #an assre "o that "o had no #han#e to stop h%!
%n t%!e$ 6" ton%ght& %t w%ll )e too late for "or pre#%os 3ont Ol"!ps$ The trap
w%ll )e sprng$0
0What trap70 I de!anded$ 0If "o +now a)ot %t& do so!eth%ng1 -t least let !e
tell the other gods10
Hades s!%led$ 0<o are sp%r%ted$ I(ll g%'e "o #red%t for that$ Ha'e fn %n !"
dngeon$ We(ll #he#+ on "o aga%n %n2oh& ,ft" or s%*t" "ears$0
EIGHT
I T-9E THE WORST
6-TH EVER
3" sword reappeared %n !" po#+et$
<eah& great t%!%ng$ Now I #old atta#+ the walls all I wanted$ 3" #ell had no
)ars& no w%ndows& not e'en a door$ The s+eletal gards sho'ed !e stra%ght
throgh a wall& and %t )e#a!e sol%d )eh%nd !e$ I wasn(t sre %f the roo! was
a%rt%ght$ Pro)a)l"$ Hades(s dngeon was !eant for dead people& and the" don(t
)reathe$ So forget ,ft" or s%*t" "ears$ I(d )e dead %n ,ft" or s%*t" !%ntes$
3eanwh%le& %f Hades wasn(t l"%ng& so!e )%g trap was go%ng to )e sprng %n New
<or+ )" the end of the da"& and there was a)soltel" noth%ng I #old do a)ot %t$
I sat on the #old stone >oor& feel%ng !%sera)le$
I don(t re!e!)er do5%ng o4$ Then aga%n& %t !st('e )een a)ot se'en %n the
!orn%ng& !ortal t%!e& and I(d )een throgh a lot$
I drea!ed I was on the por#h of Ra#hel(s )ea#h hose %n St$ Tho!as$ The sn
was r%s%ng o'er the Car%))ean$ ?o5ens of wooded %slands dotted the sea& and
wh%te sa%ls #t a#ross the water$ The s!ell of salt a%r !ade !e wonder %f I wold
e'er see the o#ean aga%n$
Ra#hel(s parents sat at the pat%o ta)le wh%le a personal #hef ,*ed the!
o!elets$ 3r$ ?are was dressed %n a wh%te l%nen s%t$ He was read%ng The Wall
Street ;ornal$ The lad" a#ross the ta)le was pro)a)l" 3rs$ ?are& thogh all I
#old see of her were hot p%n+ ,ngerna%ls and the #o'er of Condb Nast Tra'eler$
Wh" she(d )e read%ng a)ot 'a#at%ons wh%le she was on 'a#at%on& I wasn(t sre$
Ra#hel stood at the por#h ra%l%ng and s%ghed$ She wore 6er!da shorts and
her 'an Gogh T.sh%rt$ H<eah& Ra#hel was tr"%ng to tea#h !e a)ot art& )t don(t
get too %!pressed$ I onl" re!e!)ered the dde(s na!e )e#ase he #t h%s ear
o4$I
I wondered %f she was th%n+%ng a)ot !e& and how !#h %t s#+ed that I
wasn(t w%th the! on 'a#at%on$ I +now that(s what I was th%n+%ng$
Then the s#ene #hanged$ I was %n St$ Lo%s& stand%ng downtown nder the
-r#h$ I(d )een there )efore$ In fa#t& I(d al!ost fallen to !" death there )efore$
O'er the #%t"& a thnderstor! )o%led2a wall of a)solte )la#+ w%th l%ghtn%ng
strea+%ng a#ross the s+"$ - few )lo#+s awa"& swar!s of e!ergen#" 'eh%#les
gathered w%th the%r l%ghts >ash%ng$ - #ol!n of dst rose fro! a !ond of r))le&
wh%#h I real%5ed was a #ollapsed s+"s#raper$
- near)" reporter was "ell%ng %nto her !%#rophoneK 0O:#%als are des#r%)%ng
th%s as a str#tral fa%lre& ?an& thogh no one see!s to +now %f %t %s related to
the stor! #ond%t%ons$0

W%nd wh%pped her ha%r$ The te!peratre was dropp%ng rap%dl"& l%+e ten
degrees /st s%n#e I(d )een stand%ng there$
0Than+fll"& the )%ld%ng had )een a)andoned for de!ol%t%on&0 she sa%d$ 06t
pol%#e ha'e e'a#ated all near)" )%ld%ngs for fear the #ollapse !%ght tr%gger20
She faltered as a !%ght" groan #t throgh the s+"$ - )last of l%ghtn%ng h%t the
#enter of the dar+ness$ The ent%re #%t" shoo+$ The a%r glowed& and e'er" ha%r on
!" )od" stood p$ The )last was so powerfl I +new %t #old onl" )e one th%ngK
Les(s !aster )olt$ It shold ha'e 'apor%5ed %ts target& )t the dar+ #lod onl"
staggered )a#+ward$ - s!o+" ,st appeared ot of the #lods$ It s!ashed another
tower& and the whole th%ng #ollapsed l%+e #h%ldren(s )lo#+s$
The reporter s#rea!ed$ People ran throgh the streets$ E!ergen#" l%ghts
>ashed$ I saw a strea+ of s%l'er %n the s+"2a #har%ot plled )" re%ndeer& )t %t
wasn(t Santa Clas dr%'%ng$ It was -rte!%s& r%d%ng the stor!& shoot%ng shafts of
!oonl%ght %nto the dar+ness$ - ,er" golden #o!et #rossed her path $ $ $ !a")e
her )rother -pollo$
One th%ng was #learK T"phon had !ade %t to the 3%ss%ss%pp% R%'er$ He was
halfwa" a#ross the U$S$& lea'%ng destr#t%on %n h%s wa+e& and the gods were
)arel" slow%ng h%! down$
The !onta%n of dar+ness loo!ed a)o'e !e$ - foot the s%5e of <an+ee
Stad%! was a)ot to s!ash !e when a 'o%#e h%ssed& 0Per#"10
I lnged ot )l%ndl"$ 6efore I was fll" awa+e& I had N%#o p%nned to the >oor of
the #ell w%th the edge of !" sword at h%s throat$
0Want $ $ $ to $ $ $ res#e&0 he #ho+ed$
-nger wo+e !e p fast$ 0Oh& "eah7 -nd wh" shold I trst "o70
0No $ $ $ #ho%#e70 he gagged$
I w%shed he hadn(t sa%d so!eth%ng log%#al l%+e that$ I let h%! go$
N%#o #rled %nto a )all and !ade ret#h%ng sonds wh%le h%s throat re#o'ered$
@%nall" he got to h%s feet& e"e%ng !" sword war%l"$ H%s own )lade was sheathed$ I
sppose %f he(d wanted to +%ll !e& he #old('e done %t wh%le I slept$ St%ll& I d%dn(t
trst h%!$
0We ha'e to get ot of here&0 he sa%d$
0Wh"70 I sa%d$ 0?oes "or dad want to tal+ to !e aga%n70
He w%n#ed$ 0Per#"& I swear on the R%'er St"*& I d%dn(t +now what he was
plann%ng$0
0<o +now what "or dad %s l%+e10
0He tr%#+ed !e$ He pro!%sed20 N%#o held p h%s hands$ 0Loo+ $ $ $ r%ght now&
we need to lea'e$ I pt the gards to sleep& )t %t won(t last$0
I wanted to strangle h%! aga%n$ Unfortnatel"& he was r%ght$ We d%dn(t ha'e
t%!e to arge& and I #oldn(t es#ape on !" own$ He po%nted at the wall$ - whole
se#t%on 'an%shed& re'eal%ng a #orr%dor$
0Co!e on$0 N%#o led the wa"$
I w%shed I had -nna)eth(s %n'%s%)%l%t" hat& )t as %t trned ot& I d%dn(t need %t$
E'er" t%!e we #a!e to a s+eleton gard& N%#o /st po%nted at %t& and %ts glow%ng
e"es d%!!ed$ Unfortnatel"& the !ore N%#o d%d %t& the !ore t%red he see!ed$ We
wal+ed throgh a !a5e of #orr%dors ,lled w%th gards$ 6" the t%!e we rea#hed a
+%t#hen sta4ed )" s+eletal #oo+s and ser'ants& I was pra#t%#all" #arr"%ng N%#o$ He
!anaged to pt all the dead to sleep )t nearl" passed ot h%!self$ I dragged
h%! ot of the ser'ants( entran#e and %nto the @%elds of -sphodel$
I al!ost felt rel%e'ed nt%l I heard the sond of )ron5e gongs h%gh %n the #astle$
0-lar!s&0 N%#o !r!red sleep%l"$
0What do we do70
He "awned then frowned l%+e he was tr"%ng to re!e!)er$ 0How a)ot $ $ $
rn70
Rnn%ng w%th a drows" #h%ld of Hades was !ore l%+e do%ng a three.legged ra#e
w%th a l%fe.s%5e rag doll$ I lgged h%! along& hold%ng !" sword %n front of !e$ The
sp%r%ts of the dead !ade wa" l%+e the Celest%al )ron5e was a )la5%ng ,re$
The sond of gongs rolled a#ross the ,elds$ -head loo!ed the walls of Ere)os&
)t the longer we wal+ed& the farther awa" the" see!ed$ I was a)ot to #ollapse
fro! e*hast%on when I heard a fa!%l%ar 0WOOOOO@10
3rs$ O(Lear" )onded ot of nowhere and ran #%r#les arond s& read" to pla"$
0Good g%rl$(0 I sa%d$ 0Can "o g%'e s a r%de to the St"*70
The word St"* got her e*#%ted$ She pro)a)l" thoght I !eant st%#+s$ She
/!ped a few t%!es& #hased her ta%l /st to tea#h %t who was )oss& and then
#al!ed down enogh for !e to psh N%#o onto her )a#+$ I #l%!) a)oard& and she
ra#ed toward the gates$ She leaped stra%ght o'er the EL.?E-TH l%ne& send%ng
gards sprawl%ng and #as%ng !ore alar!s to )lare$ Cer)ers )ar+ed& )t he
sonded !ore e*#%ted than angr"& l%+eK Can I pla" too7
@ortnatel"& he d%dn(t follow s& and 3rs$ O(Lear" +ept rnn%ng$ She d%dn(t stop
nt%l we were far pr%'er and the ,res of Ere)os had d%sappeared %n the !r+$
N%#o sl%d o4 3rs$ O(Lear"(s )a#+ and #r!pled %n a heap on the )la#+ sand$
I too+ ot a sAare of a!)ros%a2part of the e!ergen#" god.food I alwa"s +ept
w%th !e$ It was a l%ttle )ashed p& )t N%#o #hewed %t$
0Uh&0 he !!)led$ 06etter$0
0<or powers dra%n "o too !#h&0 I noted$
He nodded sleep%l"$ 0W%th great power $ $ $ #o!es great need to ta+e a nap$
Wa+e !e p later$0
0Whoa& 5o!)%e dde$0 I #aght h%! )efore he #old pass ot aga%n$ 0We(re at
the r%'er$ <o need to tell !e what to do$0
I fed h%! the last of !" a!)ros%a& wh%#h was a l%ttle dangeros$ The st4 #an
heal de!%gods& )t %t #an also )rn s to ashes %f we eat too !#h$ @ortnatel"& %t
see!ed to do the tr%#+$ N%#o shoo+ h%s head a few t%!es and strggled to h%s feet$
03" father w%ll )e #o!%ng soon&0 he sa%d$ 0We shold hrr"$0
The R%'er St"*(s #rrent sw%rled w%th strange o)/e#ts2)ro+en to"s& r%pped.p
#ollege d%plo!as& w%lted ho!e#o!%ng #orsages2all the drea!s people had
thrown awa" as the"(d passed fro! l%fe %nto death$ Loo+%ng at the )la#+ water& I
#old th%n+ of a)ot three !%ll%on pla#es I(d rather sw%!$
0So $ $ $ I /st /!p %n70
0<o ha'e to prepare "orself ,rst&0 N%#o sa%d& 0or the r%'er w%ll destro" "o$ It
w%ll )rn awa" "or )od" and sol$0
0Sonds fn&0 I !ttered$
0Th%s %s no /o+e&0 N%#o warned$ 0There %s onl" one wa" to sta" an#hored to "or
!ortal l%fe$ <o ha'e to $ $ $0
He glan#ed )eh%nd !e and h%s e"es w%dened$ I trned and fond !"self fa#e.
to.fa#e w%th a Gree+ warr%or$
@or a se#ond I thoght he was -res& )e#ase th%s g" loo+ed e*a#tl" l%+e the
god of war2tall and )4& w%th a #rel s#arred fa#e and #losel" sha'ed )la#+ ha%r$
He wore a wh%te tn%# and )ron5e ar!or$ He held a pl!ed war hel! nder h%s
ar!$ 6t h%s e"es were h!an2pale green l%+e a shallow sea2and a )lood"
arrow st#+ ot of h%s left #alf& /st a)o'e the an+le$
I stn+ at Gree+ na!es& )t e'en I +new the greatest warr%or of all t%!e& who
had d%ed fro! a wonded heel$
0-#h%lles&0 I sa%d$
The ghost nodded$ 0I warned the other one not to follow !" path$ Now I w%ll
warn "o$0
0L+e7 <o spo+e w%th L+e70
0?o not do th%s&0 he sa%d$ 0It w%ll !a+e "o powerfl$ 6t %t w%ll also !a+e "o
wea+$ <or prowess %n #o!)at w%ll )e )e"ond an" !ortal(s& )t "or wea+nesses&
"or fa%l%ngs w%ll %n#rease as well$0
0<o !ean I(ll ha'e a )ad heel70 I sa%d$ 0Coldn(t I /st& l%+e& wear so!eth%ng
)es%des sandals7 No o4ense$0
He stared down at h%s )lood" foot$ 0The heel %s onl" !" ph"s%#al wea+ness&
de!%god$ 3" !other& Thet%s& held !e there when she d%pped !e %n the St"*$
What reall" +%lled !e was !" own arrogan#e$ 6eware1 Trn )a#+10
He !eant %t$ I #old hear the regret and )%tterness %n h%s 'o%#e$ He was
honestl" tr"%ng to sa'e !e fro! a terr%)le fate$
Then aga%n& L+e had )een here& and he hadn(t trned )a#+$
That(s wh" L+e had )een a)le to host the sp%r%t of 9ronos w%thot h%s )od"
d%s%ntegrat%ng$ Th%s %s how he(d prepared h%!self& and wh" he see!ed %!poss%)le
to +%ll$ He had )athed %n the R%'er St"* and ta+en on the powers of the greatest
!ortal hero& -#h%lles$ He was %n'%n#%)le$
0I ha'e to&0 I sa%d$ 0Otherw%se I don(t stand a #han#e$0
-#h%lles lowered h%s head$ 0Let the gods w%tness I tr%ed$ Hero& %f "o !st do
th%s& #on#entrate on "or !ortal po%nt$ I!ag%ne one spot of "or )od" that w%ll
re!a%n 'lnera)le$ Th%s %s the po%nt where "or sol w%ll an#hor "or )od" to the
world$ It w%ll )e "or greatest wea+ness& )t also "or onl" hope$ No !an !a" )e
#o!pletel" %n'lnera)le$ Lose s%ght of what +eeps "o !ortal& and the R%'er St"*
w%ll )rn "o to ashes$ <o w%ll #ease to e*%st$0
0I don(t sppose "o #old tell !e L+e(s !ortal po%nt70
He s#owled$ 0Prepare "orself& fool%sh )o"$ Whether "o sr'%'e th%s or not&
"o ha'e sealed "or doo!10
W%th that happ" thoght& he 'an%shed$
0Per#"&0 N%#o sa%d& 0!a")e he(s r%ght$0
0Th%s was "or %dea$0
0I +now& )t now that we(re here20
0;st wa%t on the shore$ If an"th%ng happens to !e $ $ $ Well& !a")e Hades w%ll
get h%s w%sh& and "o(ll )e the #h%ld of the prophe#" after all$0
He d%dn(t loo+ pleased a)ot that& )t I d%dn(t #are$
6efore I #old #hange !" !%nd& I #on#entrated on the s!all of !" )a#+2a
t%n" po%nt /st oppos%te !" na'el$ It was well defended when I wore !" ar!or$ It
wold )e hard to h%t )" a##%dent& and few ene!%es wold a%! for %t on prpose$
No pla#e was perfe#t& )t th%s see!ed r%ght to !e& and a lot !ore d%gn%,ed than&
l%+e& !" ar!p%t or so!eth%ng$
I p%#tred a str%ng& a )ngee #ord #onne#t%ng !e to the world fro! the s!all of
!" )a#+$ -nd I stepped %nto the r%'er$
I!ag%ne /!p%ng %nto a p%t of )o%l%ng a#%d$ Now !lt%pl" that pa%n t%!es ,ft"$
<o st%ll won(t )e #lose to nderstand%ng what %t felt l%+e to sw%! %n the St"*$ I
planned to wal+ %n slow and #orageos l%+e a real hero$ -s soon as the water
to#hed !" legs& !" !s#les trned to /ell" and I fell fa#e.,rst %nto the #rrent$
I s)!erged #o!pletel"$ @or the ,rst t%!e %n !" l%fe& I #oldn(t )reathe
nderwater$ I ,nall" nderstood the pan%# of drown%ng$ E'er" ner'e %n !" )od"
)rned$ I was d%ssol'%ng %n the water$ I saw fa#es2Ra#hel& Gro'er& T"son& !"
!other2)t the" faded as soon as the" appeared$
0Per#"&0 !" !o! sa%d$ 0I g%'e "o !" )less%ng$0
06e safe& )rother10 T"son pleaded$
0En#h%ladas10 Gro'er sa%d$ I wasn(t sre where that #a!e fro!& )t %t d%dn(t
see! to help !#h$
I was los%ng the ,ght$ The pa%n was too !#h$ 3" hands and feet were !elt%ng
%nto the water& !" sol was )e%ng r%pped fro! !" )od"$ I #oldn(t re!e!)er who
I was$ The pa%n of 9ronos(s s#"the had )een noth%ng #o!pared to th%s$
The #ord& a fa!%l%ar 'o%#e sa%d$ Re!e!)er "or l%fel%ne& d!!"1
Sddenl" there was a tg %n !" lower )a#+$ The #rrent plled at !e& )t %t
wasn(t #arr"%ng !e awa" an"!ore$ I %!ag%ned the str%ng %n !" )a#+ +eep%ng !e
t%ed to the shore$
0Hold on& Seaweed 6ra%n$0 It was -nna)eth(s 'o%#e& !#h #learer now$ 0<o(re
not gett%ng awa" fro! !e that eas%l"$0
The #ord strengthened$
I #old see -nna)eth now2stand%ng )arefoot a)o'e !e on the #anoe la+e
p%er$ I(d fallen ot of !" #anoe$ That was %t$ She was rea#h%ng ot her hand to
hal !e p& and she was tr"%ng not to lagh$ She wore her orange #a!p T.sh%rt
and /eans$ Her ha%r was t#+ed p %n her <an+ees #ap& wh%#h was strange
)e#ase that shold ha'e !ade her %n'%s%)le$
0<o are s#h an %d%ot so!et%!es$0 She s!%led$ 0Co!e on$ Ta+e !" hand$0
3e!or%es #a!e >ood%ng )a#+ to !e2sharper and !ore #olorfl$ I stopped
d%ssol'%ng$ 3" na!e was Per#" ;a#+son$ I rea#hed p and too+ -nna)eth(s hand$
Sddenl" I )rst ot of the r%'er$ I #ollapsed on the sand& and N%#o s#ra!)led
)a#+ %n srpr%se$
0-re "o o+a"70 he sta!!ered$ 0<or s+%n$ Oh& gods$ <o(re hrt10
3" ar!s were )r%ght red$ I felt l%+e e'er" %n#h of !" )od" had )een )ro%led
o'er a slow >a!e$
I loo+ed arond for -nna)eth& thogh I +new she wasn(t here$ It had see!ed
so real$
0I(! ,ne $ $ $ I th%n+$0 The #olor of !" s+%n trned )a#+ to nor!al$ The pa%n
s)s%ded$ 3rs$ O(Lear" #a!e p and sn%4ed !e w%th #on#ern$ -pparentl" I
s!elled reall" %nterest%ng$
0?o "o feel stronger70 N%#o as+ed$
6efore I #old de#%de what I felt& a 'o%#e )oo!ed& 0THERE10
-n ar!" of the dead !ar#hed toward s$ - hndred s+eletal Ro!an
leg%onna%res led the wa" w%th sh%elds and spears$ 6eh%nd the! #a!e an eAal
n!)er of 6r%t%sh red#oats w%th )a"onets ,*ed$ In the !%ddle of the host& Hades
h%!self rode a )la#+.and.gold #har%ot plled )" n%ght!are horses& the%r e"es and
!anes s!older%ng w%th ,re$
0<o w%ll not es#ape !e th%s t%!e& Per#" ;a#+son10 Hades )ellowed$ 0?estro"
h%!10
0@ather& no10 N%#o shoted& )t %t was too late$ The front l%ne of Ro!an
5o!)%es lowered the%r spears and ad'an#ed$
3rs$ O(Lear" growled and got read" to pon#e$ 3a")e that(s what set !e o4$ I
d%dn(t want the! hrt%ng !" dog$ Pls& I was t%red of Hades )e%ng a )%g )ll"$ If I
was go%ng to d%e& I !%ght as well go down ,ght%ng$
I "elled& and the R%'er St"* e*ploded$ - )la#+ t%dal wa'e s!ashed %nto the
leg%onna%res$ Spears and sh%elds >ew e'er"where$ Ro!an 5o!)%es )egan to
d%ssol'e& s!o+e #o!%ng o4 the%r )ron5e hel!ets$
The red#oats lowered the%r )a"onets& )t I d%dn(t wa%t for the!$ I #harged$
It was the stp%dest th%ng I('e e'er done$ - hndred !s+ets ,red at !e& po%nt
)lan+$ -ll of the! !%ssed$ I #rashed %nto the%r l%ne and started ha#+%ng w%th
R%pt%de$ 6a"onets /a))ed$ Swords slashed$ Gns reloaded and ,red$ Noth%ng
to#hed !e$
I wh%rled throgh the ran+s& slash%ng red#oats to dst& one after the other$ 3"
!%nd went on atop%lotK sta)& dodge& #t& de>e#t& roll$ R%pt%de was no longer a
sword$ It was an ar# of pre destr#t%on$
I )ro+e throgh the ene!" l%ne and leaped %nto the )la#+ #har%ot$ Hades ra%sed
h%s sta4$ - )olt of dar+ energ" shot toward !e& )t I de>e#ted %t o4 !" )lade and
sla!!ed %nto h%!$ The god and I )oth t!)led ot of the #har%ot$
The ne*t th%ng I +new& !" +nee was planted on Hades(s #hest$ I was hold%ng
the #ollar of h%s ro"al ro)es %n one ,st& and the t%p of !" sword was po%sed r%ght
o'er h%s fa#e$
S%len#e$ The ar!" d%d noth%ng to defend the%r !aster$ I glan#ed )a#+ and
real%5ed wh"$ There was noth%ng left of the! )t weapons %n the sand and p%les of
s!o+%ng& e!pt" n%for!s$ I had destro"ed the! all$
Hades swallowed$ 0Now& ;a#+son& l%sten here$ $ $ $0
He was %!!ortal$ There was no wa" I #old +%ll h%!& )t gods #an )e wonded$
I +new that ,rsthand& and I ,gred a sword %n the fa#e woldn(t feel too good$
0;st )e#ase I(! a n%#e person&0 I snarled& 0I(ll let "o go$ 6t ,rst& tell !e
a)ot that trap10
Hades !elted %nto noth%ng& lea'%ng !e hold%ng e!pt" )la#+ ro)es$
I #rsed and got to !" feet& )reath%ng hea'%l"$ Now that the danger was o'er& I
real%5ed how t%red I was$ E'er" !s#le %n !" )od" a#hed$ I loo+ed down at !"
#lothes$ The" were slashed to p%e#es and fll of )llet holes& )t I was ,ne$ Not a
!ar+ on !e$
N%#o(s !oth hng open$ 0<o /st $ $ $ w%th a sword $ $ $ "o /st20
0I th%n+ the r%'er th%ng wor+ed&0 I sa%d$
0Oh gee&0 he sa%d sar#ast%#all"$ 0<o th%n+70
3rs$ O(Lear" )ar+ed happ%l" and wagged her ta%l$ She )onded arond&
sn%:ng e!pt" n%for!s and hnt%ng for )ones$ I l%fted Hades(s ro)e$ I #old st%ll
see the tor!ented fa#es sh%!!er%ng %n the fa)r%#$
I wal+ed to the edge of the r%'er$ 06e free$0
I dropped the ro)e %n the water and wat#hed as %t sw%rled awa"& d%ssol'%ng %n
the #rrent$
0Go )a#+ to "or father&0 I told N%#o$ 0Tell h%! he owes !e for lett%ng h%! go$
@%nd ot what(s go%ng to happen to 3ont Ol"!ps and #on'%n#e h%! to help$0
N%#o stared at !e$ 0I $ $ $ I #an(t$ He(ll hate !e now$ I !ean $ $ $ e'en !ore$0
0<o ha'e to&0 I sa%d$ 0<o owe !e too$0
H%s ears trned red$ 0Per#"& I told "o I was sorr"$ Please $ $ $ let !e #o!e w%th
"o$ I want to ,ght$0
0<o(ll )e !ore help down here$0
0<o !ean "o don(t trst !e an"!ore&0 he sa%d !%sera)l"$
I d%dn(t answer$ I d%dn(t +now what I !eant$ I was too stnned )" what I(d /st
done %n )attle to th%n+ #learl"$
0;st go )a#+ to "or father&0 I sa%d& tr"%ng not to sond too harsh$ 0Wor+ on
h%!$ <o(re the onl" person who !%ght )e a)le to get h%! to l%sten$0
0That(s a depress%ng thoght$0 N%#o s%ghed$ 0-ll r%ght$ I(ll do !" )est$ 6es%des&
he(s st%ll h%d%ng so!eth%ng fro! !e a)ot !" !o!$ 3a")e I #an ,nd ot what$0
0Good l#+$ Now 3rs$ O(Lear" and I ha'e to go$0
0Where70 N%#o sa%d$
I loo+ed at the #a'e entran#e and thoght a)ot the long #l%!) )a#+ to the
world of the l%'%ng$ 0To get th%s war started$ It(s t%!e I fond L+e$0
NINE
TWO SN-9ES S-VE
3< LI@E
I lo'e New <or+$ <o #an pop ot of the Underworld %n Central Par+& ha%l a ta*%&
head down @%fth -'ene w%th a g%ant hellhond lop%ng along )eh%nd "o& and
no)od" e'en loo+s at "o fnn"$
Of #orse& the 3%st helped$ People pro)a)l" #oldn(t see 3rs$ O(Lear"& or
!a")e the" thoght she was a large& lod& 'er" fr%endl" tr#+$
I too+ the r%s+ of s%ng !" !o!(s #ell phone to #all -nna)eth for the se#ond
t%!e$ I(d #alled her on#e fro! the rnnel )t onl" rea#hed her 'o%#e !a%l$ I(d
gotten srpr%s%ngl" good re#ept%on& see%ng as I was at the !"tholog%#al #enter of
the world and all& )t I d%dn(t want to see what !" !o!(s roa!%ng #harges were
go%ng to )e$
Th%s t%!e& -nna)eth p%#+ed p$
0He"&0 I sa%d$ 0<o get !" !essage70
0Per#"& where ha'e "o )een7 <or !essage sa%d al!ost noth%ng1 We('e )een
worr%ed s%#+10
0I(ll ,ll "o %n later&0 I sa%d& thogh how I was go%ng to do that I had no %dea$
0Where are "o70
0We(re on or wa" l%+e "o as+ed& al!ost to the Meens23%dtown Tnnel$ 6t&
Per#"& what are "o plann%ng7 We('e left the #a!p '%rtall" ndefended& and
there(s no wa" the gods20
0Trst !e&0 I sa%d$ 0I(ll see "o there$0
I hng p$ 3" hands were tre!)l%ng$ I wasn(t sre %f %t was a lefto'er rea#t%on
fro! !" d%p %n the St"*& or ant%#%pat%on of what I was a)ot to do$ If th%s d%dn(t
wor+& )e%ng %n'lnera)le wasn(t go%ng to sa'e !e fro! gett%ng )lasted to )%ts$
It was late afternoon when the ta*% dropped !e at the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$
3rs$ O(Lear" )onded p and down @%fth -'ene& l%#+%ng #a)s and sn%:ng hot dog
#arts$ No)od" see!ed to not%#e her& althogh people d%d swer'e awa" and loo+
#onfsed when she #a!e #lose$
I wh%stled for her to heel as three wh%te 'ans plled p to the #r)$ The" sa%d
?elph% Straw)err" Ser'%#e& wh%#h was the #o'er na!e for Ca!p Half.6lood$ I(d
ne'er seen all three 'ans %n the sa!e pla#e at on#e& thogh I +new the" shttled
or fresh prod#e %nto the #%t"$
The ,rst 'an was dr%'en )" -rgs& or !an".e"ed se#r%t" #h%ef$ The other two
were dr%'en )" harp%es& who are )as%#all" de!on%# h!anT#h%#+en h")r%ds w%th
)ad att%tdes$ We sed the harp%es !ostl" for #lean%ng the #a!p& )t the" d%d
prett" well %n !%dtown tra:# too$
The doors sl%d open$ - )n#h of #a!pers #l%!)ed ot& so!e of the! loo+%ng a
l%ttle green fro! the long dr%'e$ I was glad so !an" had #o!eK Poll*& S%lena
6earegard& the Stoll )rothers& 3%#hael <ew& ;a+e 3ason& 9at%e Gardner& and
-nna)eth& along w%th !ost of the%r s%)l%ngs$ Ch%ron #a!e ot of the 'an last$ H%s
horse half was #o!pa#ted %nto h%s !ag%# wheel#ha%r& so he sed the hand%#ap l%ft$
The -res #a)%n wasn(t here& )t I tr%ed not to get too angr" a)ot that$ Clar%sse
was a st))orn %d%ot$ End of stor"$
I d%d a head #ontK fort" #a!pers %n all$
Not !an" to ,ght a war& )t %t was st%ll the largest grop of half.)loods I(d e'er
seen gathered %n one pla#e ots%de #a!p$ E'er"one loo+ed ner'os& and I
nderstood wh"$ We were pro)a)l" send%ng ot so !#h de!%god ara that e'er"
!onster %n the northeastern Un%ted States +new we were here$
-s I loo+ed at the%r fa#es2all these #a!pers I(d +nown for so !an" s!!ers2
a nagg%ng 'o%#e wh%spered %n !" !%ndK One of the! %s a sp"$
6t I #oldn(t dwell on that$ The" were !" fr%ends$ I needed the!$
Then I re!e!)ered 9ronos(s e'%l s!%le$ <o #an(t #ont on fr%ends$ The" w%ll
alwa"s let "o down$
-nna)eth #a!e p to !e$ She was dressed %n )la#+ #a!o>age w%th her
Celest%al )ron5e +n%fe strapped to her ar! and her laptop )ag slng o'er her
sholder2read" for sta))%ng or sr,ng the Internet& wh%#he'er #a!e ,rst$
She frowned$ 0What %s %t70
0What(s what70 I as+ed$
0<o(re loo+%ng at !e fnn"$0
I real%5ed I was th%n+%ng a)ot !" strange '%s%on of -nna)eth pll%ng !e ot of
the St"* R%'er$ 0It(s& h& noth%ng$0 I trned to the rest of the grop$ 0Than+s for
#o!%ng& e'er")od"$ Ch%ron& after "o$0
3" old !entor shoo+ h%s head$ 0I #a!e to w%sh "o l#+& !" )o"$ 6t I !a+e %t
a po%nt ne'er to '%s%t Ol"!ps nless I a! s!!oned$0
06t "o(re or leader$0
He s!%led$ 0I a! "or tra%ner& "or tea#her$ That %s not the sa!e as )e%ng "or
leader$ I w%ll go gather what all%es I #an$ It !a" not )e too late to #on'%n#e !"
)rother #entars to help$ 3eanwh%le& "o #alled the #a!pers here& Per#"$ <o are
the leader$0
I wanted to protest& )t e'er")od" was loo+%ng at !e e*pe#tantl"& e'en
-nna)eth$
I too+ a deep )reath$ 0O+a"& l%+e I told -nna)eth on the phone& so!eth%ng )ad
%s go%ng to happen )" ton%ght$ So!e +%nd of trap$ We('e got to get an ad%en#e
w%th Les and #on'%n#e h%! to defend the #%t"$ Re!e!)er& we #an(t ta+e no for
an answer$0
I as+ed -rgs to wat#h 3rs$ O(Lear"& wh%#h ne%ther of the! loo+ed happ"
a)ot$
Ch%ron shoo+ !" hand$ 0<o(ll do well& Per#"$ ;st re!e!)er "or strengths
and )eware "or wea+nesses$0
It sonded eer%l" #lose to what -#h%lles had told !e$ Then I re!e!)ered
Ch%ron had taght -#h%lles$ That d%dn(t e*a#tl" reassre !e& )t I nodded and
tr%ed to g%'e h%! a #on,dent s!%le$
0Let(s go&0 I told the #a!pers$
- se#r%t" gard was s%tt%ng )eh%nd the des+ %n the lo))"& read%ng a )%g )la#+
)oo+ w%th a >ower on the #o'er$ He glan#ed p when we all ,led %n w%th or
weapons and ar!or #lan+%ng$ 0S#hool grop7 We(re a)ot to #lose p$0
0No&0 I sa%d$ 0S%*.hndredth >oor$0
He #he#+ed s ot$ H%s e"es were pale )le and h%s head was #o!pletel" )ald$
I #oldn(t tell %f he was h!an or not& )t he see!ed to not%#e or weapons& so I
gess he wasn(t fooled )" the 3%st$
0There %s no s%*.hndredth >oor& +%d$0 He sa%d %t l%+e %t was a reA%red l%ne he
d%dn(t )el%e'e$ 03o'e along$0
I leaned a#ross the des+$ 0@ort" de!%gods attra#t an awfl lot of !onsters$ <o
reall" want s hang%ng ot %n "or lo))"70
He thoght a)ot that$ Then he h%t a )55er and the se#r%t" gate swng
open$ 03a+e %t A%#+$0
0<o don(t want s go%ng throgh the !etal dete#tors&0 I added$
0U!& no&0 he agreed$ 0Ele'ator on the r%ght$ I gess "o +now the wa"$0
I tossed h%! a golden dra#h!a and we !ar#hed %ll rogh$
We de#%ded %t wold ta+e two tr%ps to get e'er")od" p %n the ele'ator$ I went
w%th the ,rst grop$ ?%4erent ele'ator !s%# was pla"%ng s%n#e !" last '%s%t2that
old d%s#o song 0Sta"%n( -l%'e$0 - terr%f"%ng %!age >ashed throgh !" !%nd of
-pollo %n )ell.)otto! pants and a sl%n+" s%l+ sh%rt$
I was glad when the ele'ator doors ,nall" d%nged open$ In front of s& a path of
>oat%ng stones led throgh the #lods p to 3ont Ol"!ps& ho'er%ng s%*
thosand feet o'er 3anhattan$
I(d seen Ol"!ps se'eral t%!es& )t %t st%ll too+ !" )reath awa"$ The !ans%ons
gl%ttered gold and wh%te aga%nst the s%des of the !onta%n$ Gardens )loo!ed on a
hndred terra#es$ S#ented s!o+e rose fro! )ra5%ers that l%ned the w%nd%ng
streets$ -nd r%ght at the top of the snow.#apped #rest rose the !a%n pala#e of the
gods$ It loo+ed as !a/est%# as e'er& )t so!eth%ng see!ed wrong$ Then I real%5ed
the !onta%n was s%lent2no !s%#& no 'o%#es& no laghter$
-nna)eth std%ed !e$ 0<o loo+ $ $ $ d%4erent&0 she de#%ded$ 0Where e*a#tl"
d%d "o go70
The ele'ator doors opened aga%n& and the se#ond grop of half.)loods /o%ned
s$
0Tell "o later&0 I sa%d$ 0Co!e on$0
We !ade or wa" a#ross the s+" )r%dge %nto the streets of Ol"!ps$ The
shops were #losed$ The par+s were e!pt"$ - #ople of 3ses sat on a )en#h
str!!%ng >a!%ng l"res& )t the%r hearts d%dn(t see! to )e %n %t$ - lone C"#lops
swept the street w%th an prooted oa+ tree$ - !%nor godl%ng spotted s fro! a
)al#on" and d#+ed %ns%de& #los%ng h%s shtters$
We passed nder a )%g !ar)le ar#hwa" w%th states of Les and Hera on
e%ther s%de$ -nna)eth !ade a fa#e at the Aeen of the gods$
0Hate her&0 she !ttered$
0Has she )een #rs%ng "o or so!eth%ng70 I as+ed$ Last "ear -nna)eth had
gotten on Hera(s )ad s%de& )t -nna)eth hadn(t reall" tal+ed a)ot %t s%n#e$
0;st l%ttle st4 so far&0 she sa%d$ 0Her sa#red an%!al %s the #ow& r%ght70
0R%ght$0

0So she sends #ows after !e$0
I tr%ed not to s!%le$ 0Cows7 In San @ran#%s#o70
0Oh& "eah$ Usall" I don(t see the!& )t the #ows lea'e !e l%ttle presents all
o'er the pla#e2%n or )a#+"ard& on the s%dewal+& %n the s#hool hallwa"s$ I ha'e
to )e #arefl where I step$0
0Loo+10 Poll* #r%ed& po%nt%ng toward the hor%5on$ 0What %s that70
We all fro5e$ 6le l%ghts were strea+%ng a#ross the e'en%ng s+" toward
Ol"!ps l%+e t%n" #o!ets$ The" see!ed to )e #o!%ng fro! all o'er the #%t"&
head%ng stra%ght toward the !onta%n$ -s the" got #lose& the" ,55led ot$ We
wat#hed the! for se'eral !%ntes and the" d%dn(t see! to do an" da!age& )t
st%ll %t was strange$
0L%+e %nfrared s#opes&0 3%#hael <ew !ttered$ 0We(re )e%ng targeted$0
0Let(s get to the pala#e&0 I sa%d$
No one was gard%ng the hall of the gods$ The gold.and.s%l'er doors stood
w%de open$ Or footsteps e#hoed as we wal+ed %nto the throne roo!$
Of #orse& 0roo!0 doesn(t reall" #o'er %t$ The pla#e was the s%5e of 3ad%son
SAare Garden$ H%gh a)o'e& the )le #e%l%ng gl%ttered w%th #onstellat%ons$ Twel'e
g%ant e!pt" thrones stood %n a U arond a hearth$ In one #orner& a hose.s%5e
glo)e of water ho'ered %n the a%r& and %ns%de swa! !" old fr%end the
Oph%otars& half.#ow& half.serpent$
03oooo10 he sa%d happ%l"& trn%ng %n a #%r#le$
?esp%te all the ser%os st4 go%ng on& I had to s!%le$ Two "ears ago we(d spent
a lot of t%!e tr"%ng to sa'e the Oph%otars fro! the T%tans& and I(d gotten +%nd of
fond of h%!$ He see!ed to l%+e !e too& e'en thogh I(d or%g%nall" thoght he was
a g%rl and na!ed h%! 6ess%e$
0He"& !an&0 I sa%d$ 0The" treat%ng "o o+a"70
03ooo&0 6ess%e answered$
We wal+ed toward the thrones& and a wo!an(s 'o%#e sa%d& 0Hello aga%n& Per#"
;a#+son$ <o and "or fr%ends are wel#o!e$0
Hest%a stood )" the hearth& po+%ng the >a!es w%th a st%#+$ She wore the sa!e
+%nd of s%!ple )rown dress as she had )efore& )t she was a grown wo!an now$
I )owed$ 0Lad" Hest%a$0
3" fr%ends followed !" e*a!ple$
Hest%a regarded !e w%th her red glow%ng e"es$ 0I see "o went throgh w%th
"or plan$ <o )ear the #rse of -#h%lles$0
The other #a!pers started !tter%ng a!ong the!sel'esK What d%d she sa"7
What a)ot -#h%lles7
0<o !st )e #arefl&0 Hest%a warned !e$ 0<o ga%ned !#h on "or /orne"$
6t "o are st%ll )l%nd to the !ost %!portant trth$ Perhaps a gl%!pse %s %n order$0
-nna)eth ndged !e$ 0U! $ $ $ what %s she tal+%ng a)ot70
I stared %nto Hest%a(s e"es& and an %!age rshed %nto !" !%ndK I saw a dar+
alle" )etween red )r%#+ warehoses$ - s%gn a)o'e one of the doors read
RICH3ON? IRONWOR9S$
Two half.)loods #ro#hed %n the shadows2a )o" a)ot forteen and a g%rl
a)ot twel'e$ I real%5ed w%th a start that the )o" was L+e$ The g%rl was Thal%a&
daghter of Les$ I was see%ng a s#ene fro! )a#+ %n the da"s when the" were on
the rn& )efore Gro'er fond the!$
L+e #arr%ed a )ron5e +n%fe$ Thal%a had her spear and sh%eld of terror& -eg%s$
L+e and Thal%a )oth loo+ed hngr" and lean& w%th w%ld an%!al e"es& l%+e the"
were sed to )e%ng atta#+ed$
0-re "o sre70 Thal%a as+ed$
L+e nodded$ 0So!eth%ng down here$ I sense %t$0
- r!)le e#hoed fro! the alle"& l%+e so!eone had )anged on a sheet of
!etal$ The half.)loods #rept forward$
Old #rates were sta#+ed on a load%ng do#+$ Thal%a and L+e approa#hed w%th
the%r weapons read"$ - #rta%n of #orrgated t%n A%'ered as %f so!eth%ng were
)eh%nd %t$
Thal%a glan#ed at L+e$ He #onted s%lentl"K One& two& three1 He r%pped awa"
the t%n& and a l%ttle g%rl >ew at h%! w%th a ha!!er$
0Whoa10 L+e sa%d$
The g%rl had tangled )lond ha%r and was wear%ng >annel pa/a!as$ She #oldn(t
ha'e )een !ore than se'en& )t she wold('e )ra%ned L+e %f he hadn(t )een so
fast$
He gra))ed her wr%st& and the ha!!er s+%ttered a#ross the #e!ent$
The l%ttle g%rl foght and +%#+ed$ 0No !ore !onsters1 Go awa"10
0It(s o+a"10 L+e strggled to hold her$ 0Thal%a& pt "or sh%eld p$ <o(re
s#ar%ng her$0
Thal%a tapped -eg%s& and %t shran+ %nto a s%l'er )ra#elet$ 0He"& %t(s all r%ght&0
she sa%d$ 0We(re not go%ng to hrt "o$ I(! Thal%a$ Th%s %s L+e$0
03onsters10
0No&0 L+e pro!%sed$ 06t we +now all a)ot !onsters$ We ,ght the! too$0
Slowl"& the g%rl stopped +%#+%ng$ She std%ed L+e and Thal%a w%th large
%ntell%gent gra" e"es$
0<o(re l%+e !e70 she sa%d ssp%#%osl"$
0<eah&0 L+e sa%d$ 0We(re $ $ $ well& %t(s hard to e*pla%n& )t we(re !onster
,ghters$ Where(s "or fa!%l"70
03" fa!%l" hates !e&0 the g%rl sa%d$ 0The" don(t want !e$ I ran awa"$0
Thal%a and L+e lo#+ed e"es$ I +new the" )oth related to what she was sa"%ng$
0What(s "or na!e& +%ddo70 Thal%a as+ed$
0-nna)eth$0
L+e s!%led$ 0N%#e na!e$ I tell "o what& -nna)eth2"o(re prett" ,er#e$ We
#old se a ,ghter l%+e "o$0
-nna)eth(s e"es w%dened$ 0<o #old70
0Oh& "eah$0 L+e trned h%s +n%fe and o4ered her the handle$ 0How(d "o l%+e a
real !onster.sla"%ng weapon7 Th%s %s Celest%al )ron5e$ Wor+s a lot )etter than a
ha!!er$0
3a")e nder !ost #%r#!stan#es& o4er%ng a se'en."ear.old +%d a +n%fe wold
not )e a good %dea& )t when "o(re a half.)lood& reglar rles +%nd of go ot the
w%ndow$
-nna)eth gr%pped the h%lt$
09n%'es are onl" for the )ra'est and A%#+est ,ghters&0 L+e e*pla%ned$ 0The"
don(t ha'e the rea#h or power of a sword& )t the"(re eas" to #on#eal and the"
#an ,nd wea+ spots %n "or ene!"(s ar!or$ It ta+es a #le'er warr%or to se a
+n%fe$ I ha'e a feel%ng "o(re prett" #le'er$0
-nna)eth stared at h%! w%th adorat%on$ 0I a!10
Thal%a gr%nned$ 0We(d )etter get go%ng& -nna)eth$ We ha'e a safe hose on
the ;a!es R%'er$ We(ll get "o so!e #lothes and food$0
0<o(re $ $ $ "o(re not go%ng to ta+e !e )a#+ to !" fa!%l"70 she sa%d$
0Pro!%se70
L+e pt h%s hand on her sholder$ 0<o(re part of or fa!%l" now$ -nd I
pro!%se I won(t let an"th%ng hrt "o$ I(! not go%ng to fa%l "o l%+e or fa!%l%es
d%d s$ ?eal70
0?eal10 -nna)eth sa%d happ%l"$
0Now& #o!e on&0 Thal%a sa%d$ 0We #an(t sta" pt for long10
The s#ene sh%fted$ The three de!%gods were rnn%ng throgh the woods$ It
!st('e )een se'eral da"s later& !a")e e'en wee+s$ -ll of the! loo+ed )eat p&
l%+e the"(d seen so!e )attles$ -nna)eth was wear%ng new #lothes2/eans and an
o'ers%5e ar!" /a#+et$
0;st a l%ttle farther10 L+e pro!%sed$ -nna)eth st!)led& and he too+ her
hand$ Thal%a )roght p the rear& )rand%sh%ng her sh%eld l%+e she was dr%'%ng )a#+
whate'er prsed the!$ She was l%!p%ng on her left leg$
The" s#ra!)led to a r%dge and loo+ed down the other s%de at a wh%te Colon%al
hose23a" Castellan(s pla#e$
0-ll r%ght&0 L+e sa%d& )reath%ng hard$ 0I(ll /st snea+ %n and gra) so!e food and
!ed%#%ne$ Wa%t here$0
0L+e& are "o sre70 Thal%a as+ed$ 0<o swore "o(d ne'er #o!e )a#+ here$ If
she #at#hes "o20
0We don(t ha'e a #ho%#e10 he growled$ 0The" )rned or nearest safe hose$
-nd "o('e got to treat that leg wond$0
0Th%s %s "or hose70 -nna)eth sa%d w%th a!a5e!ent$
0It was !" hose&0 L+e !ttered$ 06el%e'e !e& %f %t wasn(t an e!ergen#"20
0Is "or !o! reall" horr%)le70 -nna)eth as+ed$ 0Can we see her70
0No10 L+e snapped$
-nna)eth shran+ awa" fro! h%! as thogh h%s anger srpr%sed her$
0I $ $ $ I(! sorr"&0 he sa%d$ 0;st wa%t here$ I pro!%se e'er"th%ng w%ll )e o+a"$
Noth%ng(s go%ng to hrt "o$ I(ll )e )a#+20
- )r%ll%ant golden >ash %ll!%nated the woods$ The de!%gods w%n#ed& and a
!an(s 'o%#e )oo!edK 0<o shold not ha'e #o!e ho!e$0
The '%s%on sht o4$
3" +nees )#+led& )t -nna)eth gra))ed !e$ 0Per#"1 What happened70
0?%d $ $ $ d%d "o see that70 I as+ed$
0See what70
I glan#ed at Hest%a& )t the goddess(s fa#e was e*press%onless$ I re!e!)ered
so!eth%ng she(d told !e %n the woodsK If "o are to nderstand "or ene!"
L+e& "o !st nderstand h%s fa!%l"$ 6t wh" had she shown !e those s#enes7
0How long was I ot70 I !ttered$
-nna)eth +n%t her e"e)rows$ 0Per#"& "o weren(t ot at all$ <o /st loo+ed at
Hest%a for l%+e one se#ond and #ollapsed$0
I #old feel e'er"one(s e"es on !e$ I #oldn(t a4ord to loo+ wea+$ Whate'er
those '%s%ons !eant& I had to sta" fo#sed on or !%ss%on$
0U!& Lad" Hest%a&0 I sa%d& 0we('e #o!e on rgent )s%ness$ We need to see20
0We +now what "o need&0 a !an(s 'o%#e sa%d$ I shddered& )e#ase %t was the
sa!e 'o%#e I(d heard %n the '%s%on$
- god sh%!!ered %nto e*%sten#e ne*t to Hest%a$ He loo+ed a)ot twent".,'e&
w%th #rl" salt.and.pepper ha%r and el,sh featres$ He wore a !%l%tar" p%lot(s >%ght
s%t& w%th t%n" )%rd(s w%ngs >tter%ng on h%s hel!et and h%s )la#+ leather )oots$ In
the #roo+ of h%s ar! was a long sta4 entw%ned w%th two l%'%ng serpents$
0I w%ll lea'e "o now&0 Hest%a sa%d$ She )owed to the a'%ator and d%sappeared
%nto s!o+e$ I nderstood wh" she was so an*%os to go$ Her!es& the God of
3essengers& d%d not loo+ happ"$
0Hello& Per#"$0 H%s )row frrowed as thogh he was anno"ed w%th !e& and I
wondered %f he so!ehow +new a)ot the '%s%on I(d /st had$ I wanted to as+ wh"
he(d )een %n 3a" Castellan(s hose that n%ght& and what had happened after he
#aght L+e$ I re!e!)ered the ,rst t%!e I(d !et L+e at Ca!p Half.6lood$ I(d
as+ed h%! %f he(d e'er !et h%s father& and he(d loo+ed at !e )%tterl" and sa%d&
On#e$ 6t I #old tell fro! Her!es(s e*press%on that th%s was not the t%!e to as+$
I )owed aw+wardl"$ 0Lord Her!es$0
Oh& sre& one of the sna+es sa%d %n !" !%nd$ ?on(t sa" h% to s$ We(re /st
rept%les$
George& the other sna+e s#olded$ 6e pol%te$
0Hello& George&0 I sa%d$ 0He"& 3artha$0
?%d "o )r%ng s a rat7 George as+ed$
George& stop %t& 3artha sa%d$ He(s )s"1
Too )s" for rats7 George sa%d$ That(s /st sad$
I de#%ded %t was )etter not to get %nto %t w%th George$ 0U!& Her!es&0 I sa%d$
0We need to tal+ to Les$ It(s %!portant$0
Her!es(s e"es were steel" #old$ 0I a! h%s !essenger$ 3a" I ta+e a !essage70
6eh%nd !e& the other de!%gods sh%fted restlessl"$ Th%s wasn(t go%ng as
planned$ 3a")e %f I tr%ed to spea+ w%th Her!es %n pr%'ate $ $ $

0<o g"s&0 I sa%d$ 0Wh" don(t "o do a sweep of the #%t"7 Che#+ the defenses$
See who(s left %n Ol"!ps$ 3eet -nna)eth and !e )a#+ here %n th%rt" !%ntes$0
S%lena frowned$ 06t20
0That(s a good %dea&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0Connor and Tra'%s& "o two lead$0
The Stolls see!ed to l%+e that2gett%ng handed an %!portant respons%)%l%t"
r%ght %n front of the%r dad$ The" sall" ne'er led an"th%ng e*#ept to%let paper
ra%ds$ 0We(re on %t10 Tra'%s sa%d$ The" herded the others ot of the throne roo!&
lea'%ng -nna)eth and !e w%th Her!es$
03" lord&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 09ronos %s go%ng to atta#+ New <or+$ <o !st
sspe#t that$ 3" !other !st ha'e foreseen %t$0
0<or !other&0 Her!es gr!)led$ He s#rat#hed h%s )a#+ w%th h%s #ad#es&
and George and 3artha !ttered Ow& ow& ow$ 0?on(t get !e started on "or
!other& "ong lad"$ She(s the reason I(! here at all$ Les d%dn(t want an" of s
to lea'e the front l%ne$ 6t "or !other +ept pester%ng h%! nonstop& (It(s a trap&
%t(s a d%'ers%on& )lah& )lah& )lah$( She wanted to #o!e )a#+ herself& )t Les was
not go%ng to let h%s n!)er one strateg%st lea'e h%s s%de wh%le we(re )attl%ng
T"phon$ -nd so natrall" he sent !e to tal+ to "o$0
06t %t %s a trap10 -nna)eth %ns%sted$ 0Is Les )l%nd70
Thnder rolled throgh the s+"$
0I(d wat#h the #o!!ents& g%rl&0 Her!es warned$ 0Les %s not )l%nd or deaf$ He
has not left Ol"!ps #o!pletel" ndefended$0
06t there are these )le l%ghts20
0<es& "es$ I saw the!$ So!e !%s#h%ef )" that %ns4era)le goddess of !ag%#&
He#ate& I(d wager& )t "o !a" ha'e not%#ed the" aren(t do%ng an" da!age$
Ol"!ps has strong !ag%#al wards$ 6es%des& -eols& the 9%ng of the W%nds& has
sent h%s !ost powerfl !%n%ons to gard the #%tadel$ No one sa'e the gods #an
approa#h Ol"!ps fro! the a%r$ The" wold )e +no#+ed ot of the s+"$0
I ra%sed !" hand$ 0U! $ $ $ what a)ot that !ater%al%5%ngTteleport%ng th%ng "o
g"s do70
0That(s a for! of a%r tra'el too& ;a#+son$ Ver" fast& )t the w%nd gods are faster$
No& %f 9ronos wants Ol"!ps& he(ll ha'e to !ar#h throgh the ent%re #%t" w%th h%s
ar!" and ta+e the ele'ators1 Can "o see h%! do%ng th%s70
Her!es !ade %t sond prett" r%d%#los2hordes of !onsters go%ng p %n the
ele'ator twent" at a t%!e& l%sten%ng to 0Sta"%n( -l%'e$0 St%ll& I d%dn(t l%+e %t$
03a")e /st a few of "o #old #o!e )a#+&0 I sggested$
Her!es shoo+ h%s head %!pat%entl"$ 0Per#" ;a#+son& "o don(t nderstand$
T"phon %s or greatest ene!"$0
0I thoght that was 9ronos$0
The god(s e"es glowed$ 0No& Per#"$ In the old da"s& Ol"!ps was al!ost
o'erthrown )" T"phon$ He %s hs)and of E#h%dna20
03et her at the -r#h&0 I !ttered$ 0Not n%#e$0
02and the father of all !onsters$ We #an ne'er forget how #lose he #a!e to
destro"%ng s all= how he h!%l%ated s1 We were !ore powerfl )a#+ %n the old
da"s$ Now we #an e*pe#t no help fro! Pose%don )e#ase he(s ,ght%ng h%s own
war$ Hades s%ts %n h%s real! and does noth%ng& and ?e!eter and Persephone
follow h%s lead$ It w%ll ta+e all or re!a%n%ng power to oppose the stor! g%ant$ We
#an(t d%'%de or for#es& nor wa%t nt%l he gets to New <or+$ We ha'e to )attle h%!
now$ -nd we(re !a+%ng progress$0
0Progress70 I sa%d$ 0He nearl" destro"ed St$ Lo%s$0
0<es&0 Her!es ad!%tted$ 06t he destro"ed onl" half of 9ent#+"$ He(s slow%ng
down$ Los%ng power$0
I d%dn(t want to arge& )t %t sonded l%+e Her!es was tr"%ng to #on'%n#e
h%!self$
In the #orner& the Oph%otars !ooed sadl"$
0Please& Her!es&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0<o sa%d !" !other wanted to #o!e$ ?%d
she g%'e "o an" !essages for s70
03essages&0 he !ttered$ 0(It(ll )e a great /o)&( the" told !e$ (Not !#h wor+$
Lots of worsh%ppers$( H!ph$ No)od" #ares what I ha'e to sa"$ It(s alwa"s a)ot
other people(s !essages$8
Rodents& George !sed$ I(! %n %t for the rodents$
Shhh& 3artha s#olded$ We #are what Her!es has to sa"$ ?on(t we& George7
Oh& a)soltel"$ Can we go )a#+ to the )attle now7 I want to do laser !ode
aga%n$ That(s fn$
0M%et& )oth of "o&0 Her!es gr!)led$
The god loo+ed at -nna)eth& who was do%ng her )%g.plead%ng.gra".e"es th%ng$
06ah&0 Her!es sa%d$ 0<or !other sa%d to warn "o that "o are on "or own$
<o !st hold 3anhattan w%thot the help of the gods$ -s %f I d%dn(t +now that$
Wh" the" pa" her to )e the w%sdo! goddess& I(! not sre$0
0-n"th%ng else70 -nna)eth as+ed$
0She sa%d "o shold tr" plan twent".three$ She sa%d "o wold +now what
that !eant$0
-nna)eth(s fa#e paled$ O)'%osl" she +new what %t !eant& and she d%dn(t l%+e
%t$ 0Go on$0
0Last th%ng$0 Her!es loo+ed at !e$ 0She sa%d to tell Per#"K (Re!e!)er the
r%'ers$( -nd& !& so!eth%ng a)ot sta"%ng awa" fro! her daghter$0
I(! not sre whose fa#e was redderK -nna)eth(s or !%ne$
0Than+ "o& Her!es&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0-nd I $ $ $ I wanted to sa" $ $ $ I(! sorr"
a)ot L+e$0
The god(s e*press%on hardened l%+e he(d trned to !ar)le$ 0<o shold('e left
that s)/e#t alone$0
-nna)eth stepped )a#+ ner'osl"$ 0Sorr"70
0SORR< doesn(t #t %t10
George and 3artha #rled arond the #ad#es& wh%#h sh%!!ered and
#hanged %nto so!eth%ng that loo+ed ssp%#%osl" l%+e a h%gh.'oltage #attle prod$
0<o shold('e sa'ed h%! when "o had the #han#e&0 Her!es growled at
-nna)eth$ 0<o(re the onl" one who #old ha'e$0
I tr%ed to step )etween the!$ 0What are "o tal+%ng a)ot7 -nna)eth d%dn(t20
0?on(t defend her& ;a#+son10 Her!es trned the #attle prod toward !e$ 0She
+nows e*a#tl" what I(! tal+%ng a)ot$0
03a")e "o shold )la!e "orself10 I shold('e +ept !" !oth sht& )t all I
#old th%n+ a)ot was trn%ng h%s attent%on awa" fro! -nna)eth$ Th%s whole
t%!e& he hadn(t )een angr" w%th !e$ He(d )een angr" w%th her$ 03a")e %f "o
hadn(t a)andoned L+e and h%s !o!10
Her!es ra%sed h%s #attle prod$ He )egan to grow nt%l he was ten feet tall$ I
thoght& Well& that(s %t$
6t as he prepared to str%+e& George and 3artha leaned %n #lose and
wh%spered so!eth%ng %n h%s ear$
Her!es #len#hed h%s teeth$ He lowered the #attle prod& and %t trned )a#+ to a
sta4$
0Per#" ;a#+son&0 he sa%d& 0)e#ase "o ha'e ta+en on the #rse of -#h%lles& I
!st spare "o$ <o are %n the hands of the @ates now$ 6t "o w%ll ne'er spea+
to !e l%+e that aga%n$ <o ha'e no %dea how !#h I ha'e sa#r%,#ed& how !#h20
H%s 'o%#e )ro+e& and he shran+ )a#+ to h!an s%5e$ 03" son& !" greatest
pr%de $ $ $ !" poor 3a" $ $ $0
He sonded so de'astated I d%dn(t +now what to sa"$ One !%nte he was read"
to 'apor%5e s$ Now he loo+ed l%+e he needed a hg$
0Loo+& Lord Her!es&0 I sa%d$ 0I(! sorr"& )t I need to +now$ What happened to
3a"7 She sa%d so!eth%ng a)ot L+e(s fate& and her e"es20
Her!es glared at !e& and !" 'o%#e faltered$ The loo+ on h%s fa#e wasn(t reall"
anger& thogh$ It was pa%n$ ?eep& %n#red%)le pa%n$
0I w%ll lea'e "o now&0 he sa%d t%ghtl"$ 0I ha'e a war to ,ght$0
He )egan to sh%ne$ I trned awa" and !ade sre -nna)eth d%d the sa!e&
)e#ase she was st%ll fro5en %n sho#+$
Good l#+& Per#"& 3artha the sna+e wh%spered$
Her!es glowed w%th the l%ght of a sperno'a$ Then he was gone$
-nna)eth sat at the foot of her !other(s throne and #r%ed$ I wanted to #o!fort
her& )t I wasn(t sre how$
0-nna)eth&0 I sa%d& 0%t(s not "or falt$ I('e ne'er seen Her!es a#t that wa"$ I
gess $ $ $ I don(t +now $ $ $ he pro)a)l" feels g%lt" a)ot L+e$ He(s loo+%ng for
so!e)od" to )la!e$ I don(t +now wh" he lashed ot at "o$ <o d%dn(t do
an"th%ng to deser'e that$0
-nna)eth w%ped her e"es$ She stared at the hearth l%+e %t was her own fneral
p"re$
I sh%fted neas%l"$ 0U!& "o d%dn(t& r%ght70
She d%dn(t answer$ Her Celest%al )ron5e +n%fe was strapped to her ar!2the
sa!e +n%fe I(d seen %n Hest%a(s '%s%on$ -ll these "ears& I hadn(t real%5ed %t was a
g%ft fro! L+e$ I(d as+ed her !an" t%!es wh" she preferred to ,ght w%th a +n%fe
%nstead of a sword& and she(d ne'er answered !e$ Now I +new$
0Per#"&0 she sa%d$ 0What d%d "o !ean a)ot L+e(s !other7 ?%d "o !eet
her70
I nodded rel#tantl"$ 0N%#o and I '%s%ted her$ She was a l%ttle $ $ $ d%4erent$0 I
des#r%)ed 3a" Castellan& and the we%rd !o!ent when her e"es had started to
glow and she tal+ed a)ot her son(s fate$
-nna)eth frowned$ 0That doesn(t !a+e sense$ 6t wh" were "o '%s%t%ng20
Her e"es w%dened$ 0Her!es sa%d "o )ear the #rse of -#h%lles$ Hest%a sa%d the
sa!e th%ng$ ?%d "o $ $ $ d%d "o )athe %n the R%'er St"*70
0?on(t #hange the s)/e#t$0
0Per#"1 ?%d "o or not70
0U! $ $ $ !a")e a l%ttle$0
I told her the stor" a)ot Hades and N%#o& and how I(d defeated an ar!" of the
dead$ I left ot the '%s%on of her pll%ng !e ot of the r%'er$ I st%ll d%dn(t A%te
nderstand that part& and /st th%n+%ng a)ot %t !ade !e e!)arrassed$
She shoo+ her head %n d%s)el%ef$ 0?o "o ha'e an" %dea how dangeros that
was70
0I had no #ho%#e&0 I sa%d$ 0It(s the onl" wa" I #an stand p to L+e$0
0<o !ean $ $ $ d% %!!ortales& of #orse1 That(s wh" L+e d%dn(t d%e$ He went to
the St"* and $ $ $ Oh no& L+e$ What were "o th%n+%ng70
0So now "o(re worr%ed a)ot L+e aga%n&0 I gr!)led$
She stared at !e l%+e I(d /st dropped fro! spa#e$ 0What70
0@orget %t&0 I !ttered$ I wondered what Her!es had !eant a)ot -nna)eth
not sa'%ng L+e when she(d had the #han#e$ Clearl"& she wasn(t tell%ng !e
so!eth%ng$ 6t at the !o!ent I wasn(t %n the !ood to as+$ The last th%ng I
wanted to hear a)ot was !ore of her h%stor" w%th L+e$
0The po%nt %s he d%dn(t d%e %n the St"*&0 I sa%d$ 0Ne%ther d%d I$ Now I ha'e to fa#e
h%!$ We ha'e to defend Ol"!ps$0
-nna)eth was st%ll std"%ng !" fa#e& l%+e she was tr"%ng to see d%4eren#es
s%n#e !" sw%! %n the St"*$ 0I gess "o(re r%ght$ 3" !o! !ent%oned20
0Plan twent".three$0
She r!!aged %n her pa#+ and plled ot ?aedals(s laptop$ The )le ?elta
s"!)ol glowed on the top when she )ooted %t p$ She opened a few ,les and
started to read$
0Here %t %s&0 she sa%d$ 0Gods& we ha'e a lot of wor+ to do$0
0One of ?aedals(s %n'ent%ons70
0- lot of %n'ent%ons $ $ $ dangeros ones$ If !" !other wants !e to se th%s
plan& she !st th%n+ th%ngs are 'er" )ad$0 She loo+ed at !e$ 0What a)ot her
!essage to "oK (Re!e!)er the r%'ers(7 What does that !ean70
I shoo+ !" head$ -s sal& I had no #le what the gods were tell%ng !e$ Wh%#h
r%'ers was I spposed to re!e!)er7 The St"*7 The 3%ss%ss%pp%7
;st then the Stoll )rothers ran %n to the throne roo!$
0<o need to see th%s&0 Connor sa%d$ 0Now$0
The )le l%ghts %n the s+" had stopped& so at ,rst I d%dn(t nderstand what the
pro)le! was$
The other #a!pers had gathered %n a s!all par+ at the edge of the !onta%n$
The" were #lstered at the gardra%l& loo+%ng down at 3anhattan$ The ra%l%ng was
l%ned w%th those tor%st )%no#lars& where "o #old depos%t one golden dra#h!a
and see the #%t"$ Ca!pers were s%ng e'er" s%ngle one$
I loo+ed down at the #%t"$ I #old see al!ost e'er"th%ng fro! here2the East
R%'er and the Hdson R%'er #ar'%ng the shape of 3anhattan& the gr%d of streets&
the l%ghts of s+"s#rapers& the dar+ stret#h of Central Par+ %n the north$ E'er"th%ng
loo+ed nor!al& )t so!eth%ng was wrong$ I felt %t %n !" )ones )efore I real%5ed
what %t was$
0I don(t $ $ $ hear an"th%ng&0 -nna)eth sa%d$
That was the pro)le!$
E'en fro! th%s he%ght& I shold('e heard the no%se of the #%t"2!%ll%ons of
people )stl%ng arond& thosands of #ars and !a#h%nes2the h! of a hge
!etropol%s$ <o don(t th%n+ a)ot %t when "o l%'e %n New <or+& )t %t(s alwa"s
there$ E'en %n the dead of n%ght& New <or+ %s ne'er s%lent$
6t %t was now$
I felt l%+e !" )est fr%end had sddenl" dropped dead$

0What d%d the" do70 3" 'o%#e sonded t%ght and angr"$ 0What d%d the" do to
!" #%t"70
I pshed 3%#hael <ew awa" fro! the )%no#lars and too+ a loo+$
In the streets )elow& tra:# had stopped$ Pedestr%ans were l"%ng on the
s%dewal+s& or #rled p %n doorwa"s$ There was no s%gn of '%olen#e& no wre#+s&
noth%ng l%+e that$ It was as %f all the people %n New <or+ had s%!pl" de#%ded to
stop whate'er the" were do%ng and pass ot$
0-re the" dead70 S%lena as+ed %n aston%sh!ent$
I#e #oated !" sto!a#h$ - l%ne fro! the prophe#" rang %n !" earsK -nd see the
world %n endless sleep$ I re!e!)ered Gro'er(s stor" a)ot !eet%ng the god
3orphes %n Central Par+$ <o(re l#+" I(! sa'%ng !" energ" for the !a%n e'ent$
0Not dead&0 I sa%d$ 03orphes has pt the ent%re %sland of 3anhattan to sleep$
The %n'as%on has started$0
TEN
I 6U< SO3E NEW
@RIEN?S
3rs$ O(Lear" was the onl" one happ" a)ot the sleep%ng #%t"$
We fond her p%gg%ng ot at an o'ertrned hot dog stand wh%le the owner was
#rled p on the s%dewal+& s#+%ng h%s th!)$
-rgs was wa%t%ng for s w%th h%s hndred e"es w%de open$ He d%dn(t sa"
an"th%ng$ He ne'er does$ I gess that(s )e#ase he spposedl" has an e"e)all on
h%s tonge$ 6t h%s fa#e !ade %t #lear he was frea+%ng ot$
I told h%! what we(d learned %n Ol"!ps& and how the gods wold not )e
r%d%ng to the res#e$ -rgs rolled h%s e"es %n d%sgst& wh%#h loo+ed prett"
ps"#hedel%# s%n#e %t !ade h%s whole )od" sw%rl$
0<o(d )etter get )a#+ to #a!p&0 I told h%!$ 0Gard %t as )est "o #an$0
He po%nted at !e and ra%sed h%s e"e)row A%55%#all"$
0I(! sta"%ng&0 I sa%d$
-rgs nodded& l%+e th%s answer sat%s,ed h%!$ He loo+ed at -nna)eth and drew
a #%r#le %n the a%r w%th h%s ,nger$
0<es&0 -nna)eth agreed$ 0I th%n+ %t(s t%!e$0
0@or what70 I as+ed$
-rgs r!!aged arond %n the )a#+ of h%s 'an$ He )roght ot a )ron5e
sh%eld and passed %t to -nna)eth$ It loo+ed prett" !#h standard %sse2the
sa!e +%nd of rond sh%eld we alwa"s sed %n #aptre the >ag$ 6t when
-nna)eth set %t on the grond& the re>e#t%on on the pol%shed !etal #hanged fro!
s+" and )%ld%ngs to the State of L%)ert"2wh%#h wasn(t an"where #lose to s$
0Whoa&0 I sa%d$ 0- '%deo sh%eld$0
0One of ?aedals(s %deas&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0I had 6e#+endorf !a+e th%s )efore
20 She glan#ed at S%lena$ 0U!& an"wa"& the sh%eld )ends snl%ght or !oonl%ght
fro! an"where %n the world to #reate a re>e#t%on$ <o #an l%terall" see an" target
nder the sn or !oon& as long as natral l%ght %s to#h%ng %t$ Loo+$0
We #rowded arond as -nna)eth #on#entrated$ The %!age 5oo!ed and spn
at ,rst& so I got !ot%on s%#+ness /st wat#h%ng %t$ We were %n the Central Par+ Loo&
then 5oo!%ng down East aCth& past 6loo!%ngdale(s& then trn%ng on Th%rd
-'ene$
0Whoa&0 Connor Stoll sa%d$ 06a#+ p$ Loo! %n r%ght there$0
0What70 -nna)eth sa%d ner'osl"$ 0<o see %n'aders70
0No& r%ght there2?"lan(s Cand" 6ar$0 Connor gr%nned at h%s )rother$ 0?de& %t(s
open$ -nd e'er"one %s asleep$ -re "o th%n+%ng what I(! th%n+%ng70
0Connor10 9at%e Gardner s#olded$ She sonded l%+e her !other& ?e!eter$ 0Th%s
%s ser%os$ <o are not go%ng to loot a #and" store %n the !%ddle of a war10
0Sorr"&0 Connor !ttered& )t he d%dn(t sond 'er" asha!ed$
-nna)eth passed her hand %n front of the sh%eld& and another s#ene popped
pK @?R ?r%'e& loo+%ng a#ross the r%'er at L%ghthose Par+$
0Th%s w%ll let s see what(s go%ng on a#ross the #%t"&0 she sa%d$ 0Than+ "o&
-rgs$ Hopefll" we(ll see "o )a#+ at #a!p $ $ $ so!eda"$0
-rgs grnted$ He ga'e !e a loo+ that #learl" !eant Good l#+= "o(ll need %t&
then #l%!)ed %nto h%s 'an$ He and the two harp" dr%'ers swer'ed awa"& wea'%ng
arond #lsters of %dle #ars that l%ttered the road$
I wh%stled for 3rs$ O(Lear"& and she #a!e )ond%ng o'er$
0He"& g%rl&0 I sa%d$ 0<o re!e!)er Gro'er7 The sat"r we !et %n the par+70
0WOO@10
I hoped that !eant Sre I do1 -nd not& ?o "o ha'e !ore hot dogs7
0I need "o to ,nd h%!&0 I sa%d$ 03a+e sre he(s st%ll awa+e$ We(re go%ng to
need h%s help$ <o got that7 @%nd Gro'er10
3rs$ O(Lear" ga'e !e a slopp" wet +%ss& wh%#h see!ed +%nd of nne#essar"$
Then she ra#ed o4 north$
Poll* #ro#hed ne*t to a sleep%ng pol%#e!an$ 0I don(t get %t$ Wh" d%dn(t we fall
asleep too7 Wh" /st the !ortals70
0Th%s %s a hge spell&0 S%lena 6earegard sa%d$ 0The )%gger the spell& the eas%er
%t %s to res%st$ If "o want to sleep !%ll%ons of !ortals& "o('e got to #ast a 'er"
th%n la"er of !ag%#$ Sleep%ng de!%gods %s !#h harder$0
I stared at her$ 0When d%d "o learn so !#h a)ot !ag%#70
S%lena )lshed$ 0I don(t spend all !" t%!e on !" wardro)e$0
0Per#"&0 -nna)eth #alled$ She was st%ll loo+%ng at the sh%eld$ 0<o(d )etter see
th%s$0
The )ron5e %!age showed Long Island Sond near La Gard%a$ - >eet of a
do5en speed)oats ra#ed throgh the dar+ water toward 3anhattan$ Ea#h )oat
was pa#+ed w%th de!%gods %n fll Gree+ ar!or$ -t the )a#+ of the lead )oat& a
prple )anner e!)la5oned w%th a )la#+ s#"the >apped %n the n%ght w%nd$ I(d
ne'er seen that des%gn )efore& )t %t wasn(t hard to ,gre otK the )attle >ag of
9ronos$
0S#an the per%!eter of the %sland&0 I sa%d$ 0M%#+$0
-nna)eth sh%fted the s#ene soth to the har)or$ - Staten Island @err" was
plow%ng throgh the wa'es near Ell%s Island$ The de#+ was #rowded w%th
dra#aenae and a whole pa#+ of hellhonds$ Sw%!!%ng %n front of the sh%p was a
pod of !ar%ne !a!!als$ -t ,rst I thoght the" were dolph%ns$ Then I saw the%r
dogl%+e fa#es and the swords strapped to the%r wa%sts& and I real%5ed the" were
tel+h%nes2sea de!ons$
The s#ene sh%fted aga%nK the ;erse" shore& r%ght at the entran#e to the L%n#oln
Tnnel$ - hndred assorted !onsters were !ar#h%ng past the lanes of stopped
tra:#K g%ants w%th #l)s& roge C"#lopes& a few ,re.sp%tt%ng dragons& and /st to
r) %t %n& a World War II.era Sher!an tan+& psh%ng #ars ot of %ts wa" as %t
r!)led %nto the tnnel$
0What(s happen%ng w%th the !ortals ots%de 3anhattan70 I sa%d$ 0Is the whole
state asleep70
-nna)eth frowned$ 0I don(t th%n+ so& )t %t(s strange$ -s far as I #an tell fro!
these p%#tres& 3anhattan %s totall" asleep$ Then there(s l%+e a ,ft".!%le rad%s
arond the %sland where t%!e %s rnn%ng reall"& reall" slow$ The #loser "o get to
3anhattan& the slower %t %s$0
She showed !e another s#ene2a New ;erse" h%ghwa"$ It was Satrda"
e'en%ng& so the tra:# wasn(t as )ad as %t !%ght('e )een on a wee+da"$ The
dr%'ers loo+ed awa+e& )t the #ars were !o'%ng at a)ot one !%le per hor$ 6%rds
>ew o'erhead %n slow !ot%on$
09ronos&0 I sa%d$ 0He(s slow%ng t%!e$0
0He#ate !%ght )e help%ng&0 9at%e Gardner sa%d$ 0Loo+ how the #ars are all
'eer%ng awa" fro! the 3anhattan e*%ts& l%+e the"(re gett%ng a s)#ons#%os
!essage to trn )a#+$0
0I don(t +now$0 -nna)eth sonded reall" frstrated$ She hated not +now%ng$
06t so!ehow the"('e srronded 3anhattan %n la"ers of !ag%#$ The ots%de
world !%ght not e'en real%5e so!eth%ng %s wrong$ -n" !ortals #o!%ng toward
3anhattan w%ll slow down so !#h the" won(t +now what(s happen%ng$0
0L%+e >%es %n a!)er&0 ;a+e 3ason !r!red$
-nna)eth nodded$ 0We sholdn(t e*pe#t an" help #o!%ng %n$0
I trned to !" fr%ends$ The" loo+ed stnned and s#ared& and I #oldn(t )la!e
the!$ The sh%eld had shown s at least three hndred ene!%es on the wa"$ There
were fort" of s$ -nd we were alone$
0-ll r%ght&0 I sa%d$ 0We(re go%ng to hold 3anhattan$0
S%lena tgged at her ar!or$ 0U!& Per#"& 3anhattan %s hge$0
0We are go%ng to hold %t&0 I sa%d$ 0We ha'e to$0
0He(s r%ght&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0The gods of the w%nd shold +eep 9ronos(s for#es
awa" fro! Ol"!ps )" a%r& so he(ll tr" a grond assalt$ We ha'e to #t o4 the
entran#es to the %sland$0
0The" ha'e )oats&0 3%#hael <ew po%nted ot$
-n ele#tr%# t%ngle went down !" )a#+$ Sddenl" I nderstood -thena(s ad'%#eK
Re!e!)er the r%'ers$
0I(ll ta+e #are of the )oats&0 I sa%d$
3%#hael frowned$ 0How70
0;st lea'e %t to !e&0 I sa%d$ 0We need to gard the )r%dges and tnnels$ Let(s
ass!e the"(ll tr" a !%dtown or downtown assalt& at least on the%r ,rst tr"$ That
wold )e the !ost d%re#t wa" to the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$ 3%#hael& ta+e -pollo(s
#a)%n to the W%ll%a!s)rg 6r%dge$ 9at%e& ?e!eter(s #a)%n ta+es the 6roo+l"n.
6atter" Tnnel$ Grow thorn )shes and po%son %'" %n the tnnel$ ?o whate'er "o
ha'e to do& )t +eep the! ot of there1 Conner& ta+e half of Her!es #a)%n and
#o'er the 3anhattan 6r%dge$ Tra'%s& "o ta+e the other half and #o'er the
6roo+l"n 6r%dge$ -nd no stopp%ng for loot%ng or p%llag%ng10
0-wwww10 the whole Her!es #a)%n #o!pla%ned$
0S%lena& ta+e the -phrod%te #rew to the Meens.3%dtown Tnnel$0
0Oh !" gods&0 one of her s%sters sa%d$ 0@%fth -'ene %s so on or wa"1 We #old
a##essor%5e& and !onsters& l%+e& totall" hate the s!ell of G%'en#h"$0
0No dela"s&0 I sa%d$ 0Well $ $ $ the perf!e th%ng& %f "o th%n+ %t(ll wor+$0
S%* -phrod%te g%rls +%ssed !e on the #hee+ %n e*#%te!ent$
0-ll r%ght& enogh10 I #losed !" e"es& tr"%ng to th%n+ of what I(d forgotten$ 0The
Holland Tnnel$ ;a+e& ta+e the Hephaests #a)%n there$ Use Gree+ ,re& set traps$
Whate'er "o('e got$0
He gr%nned$ 0Gladl"$ We('e got a s#ore to settle$ @or 6e#+endorf10
The whole #a)%n roared %n appro'al$
0The cEth Street 6r%dge&0 I sa%d$ 0Clar%sse20
I faltered$ Clar%sse wasn(t here$ The whole -res #a)%n& #rse the!& was s%tt%ng
)a#+ at #a!p$
0We(ll ta+e that&0 -nna)eth stepped %n& sa'%ng !e fro! an e!)arrass%ng
s%len#e$ She trned to her s%)l%ngs$ 03al#ol!& ta+e the -thena #a)%n& a#t%'ate plan
twent".three along the wa"& /st l%+e I showed "o$ Hold that pos%t%on$0
0<o got %t$0
0I(ll go w%th Per#"&0 she sa%d$ 0Then we(ll /o%n "o& or we(ll go where'er we(re
needed$0
So!e)od" %n the )a#+ of the grop sa%d& 0No detors& "o two$0
There were so!e g%ggles& )t I de#%ded to let %t pass$
0-ll r%ght&0 I sa%d$ 09eep %n to#h w%th #ell phones$0
0We don(t ha'e #ell phones&0 S%lena protested$
I rea#hed down& p%#+ed p so!e snor%ng lad"(s 6la#+6err"& and tossed %t to
S%lena$ 0<o do now$ <o all +now -nna)eth(s n!)er& r%ght7 If "o need s& p%#+
p a rando! phone and #all s$ Use %t on#e& drop %t& then )orrow another one %f
"o ha'e to$ That shold !a+e %t harder for the !onsters to 5ero %n on "o$0
E'er"one gr%nned as thogh the" l%+ed th%s %dea$
Tra'%s #leared h%s throat$ 0Uh& %f we ,nd a reall" n%#e phone20
0No& "o #an(t +eep %t&0 I sa%d$
0-w& !an$0
0Hold %t& Per#"&0 ;a+e 3ason sa%d$ 0<o forgot the L%n#oln Tnnel$0
I )%t )a#+ a #rse$ He was r%ght$ - Sher!an tan+ and a hndred !onsters were
!ar#h%ng throgh that tnnel r%ght now& and I(d pos%t%oned or for#es e'er"where
else$
Then a g%rl(s 'o%#e #alled fro! a#ross the streetK 0How a)ot "o lea'e that to
s70
I(d ne'er )een happ%er to hear an"one %n !" l%fe$ - )and of th%rt" adoles#ent
g%rls #rossed @%fth -'ene$ The" wore wh%te sh%rts& s%l'er" #a!o>age pants& and
#o!)at )oots$ The" all had swords at the%r s%des& A%'ers on the%r )a#+s& and
)ows at the read"$ - pa#+ of wh%te t%!)er wol'es !%lled arond the%r feet& and
!an" of the g%rls had hnt%ng fal#ons on the%r ar!s$
The g%rl %n the lead had sp%+" )la#+ ha%r and a )la#+ leather /a#+et$ She wore a
s%l'er #%r#let on her head l%+e a pr%n#ess(s t%ara& wh%#h d%dn(t !at#h her s+ll
earr%ngs or her ?eath to 6ar)%e T.sh%rt show%ng a l%ttle 6ar)%e doll w%th an arrow
throgh %ts head$

0Thal%a10 -nna)eth #r%ed$
The daghter of Les gr%nned$ 0The Hnters of -rte!%s& report%ng for dt"$0
There were hgs and greet%ngs all arond $ $ $ or at least Thal%a was fr%endl"$
The other Hnters d%dn(t l%+e )e%ng arond #a!pers& espe#%all" )o"s& )t the"
d%dn(t shoot an" of s& wh%#h for the! was a prett" war! wel#o!e$
0Where ha'e "o )een the last "ear70 I as+ed Thal%a$ 0<o('e got l%+e tw%#e as
!an" Hnters now10
She laghed$ 0Long& long stor"$ I )et !" ad'entres were !ore dangeros
than "ors& ;a#+son$0
0Co!plete l%e&0 I sa%d$
0We(ll see&0 she pro!%sed$ 0-fter th%s %s o'er& "o& -nna)eth& and !eK
#heese)rgers and fr%es at that hotel on West cGth$0
0Le Par+er 3er%d%en&0 I sa%d$ 0<o(re on$ -nd Thal%a& than+s$0
She shrgged$ 0Those !onsters won(t +now what h%t the!$ Hnters& !o'e
ot10
She slapped her s%l'er )ra#elet& and the sh%eld -eg%s sp%raled %nto fll for!$
The golden head of 3edsa !olded %n the #enter was so horr%)le& the #a!pers all
)a#+ed awa"$ The Hnters too+ o4 down the a'ene& followed )" the%r wol'es
and fal#ons& and I had a feel%ng the L%n#oln Tnnel wold )e safe for now$
0Than+ the gods&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 06t %f we don(t )lo#+ade the r%'ers fro!
those )oats& gard%ng the )r%dges and tnnels w%ll )e po%ntless$0
0<o(re r%ght&0 I sa%d$
I loo+ed at the #a!pers& all of the! gr%! and deter!%ned$ I tr%ed not to feel
l%+e th%s was the last t%!e I(d e'er see the! all together$
0<o(re the greatest heroes of th%s !%llenn%!&0 I told the!$ 0It doesn(t !atter
how !an" !onsters #o!e at "o$ @%ght )ra'el"& and we w%ll w%n$0 I ra%sed R%pt%de
and shoted& 0@OR OL<3PUS10
The" shoted %n response& and or fort" 'o%#es e#hoed o4 the )%ld%ngs of
3%dtown$ @or a !o!ent %t sonded )ra'e& )t %t d%ed A%#+l" %n the s%len#e of ten
!%ll%on sleep%ng New <or+ers$
-nna)eth and I wold('e had or p%#+ of #ars& )t the" were all wedged %n
)!per.to.)!per tra:#$ None of the eng%nes were rnn%ng& wh%#h was we%rd$ It
see!ed the dr%'ers had had t%!e to trn o4 the %gn%t%on )efore the" got too
sleep"$ Or !a")e 3orphes had the power to pt eng%nes to sleep as well$ 3ost
of the dr%'ers had apparentl" tr%ed to pll to the #r) when the" felt the!sel'es
pass%ng ot& )t st%ll the streets were too #logged to na'%gate$
@%nall" we fond an n#ons#%os #or%er lean%ng aga%nst a )r%#+ wall& st%ll
straddl%ng h%s red Vespa$ We dragged h%! o4 the s#ooter and la%d h%! on the
s%dewal+$
0Sorr"& dde&0 I sa%d$ W%th an" l#+& I(d )e a)le to )r%ng h%s s#ooter )a#+$ If I
d%dn(t& %t wold hardl" !atter& )e#ase the #%t" wold )e destro"ed$
I dro'e w%th -nna)eth )eh%nd !e hold%ng on to !" wa%st$ We 5%g5agged down
6roadwa" w%th or eng%ne )55%ng throgh the eer%e #al!$ The onl" sonds were
o##as%onal #ell phones r%ng%ng2l%+e the" were #all%ng ot to ea#h other& as %f New
<or+ had trned %nto a g%ant ele#tron%# a'%ar"$
Or progress was slow$ E'er" so often we(d #o!e a#ross pedestr%ans who(d
fallen asleep r%ght %n front of a #ar& and we(d !o'e the! /st to )e safe$ On#e we
stopped to e*t%ng%sh a pret5el 'endor(s #art that had #aght on ,re$ - few
!%ntes later we had to res#e a )a)" #arr%age that was roll%ng a%!lessl" down
the street$ It trned ot there was no )a)" %n %t2/st so!e)od"(s sleep%ng
poodle$ Go ,gre$ We par+ed %t safel" %n a doorwa" and +ept r%d%ng$
We were pass%ng 3ad%son SAare Par+ when -nna)eth sa%d& 0Pll o'er$0
I stopped %n the !%ddle of East derd$ -nna)eth /!ped o4 and ran toward the
par+$ 6" the t%!e I #aght p w%th her& she was star%ng at a )ron5e state on a
red !ar)le pedestal$ I(d pro)a)l" passed %t a !%ll%on t%!es )t ne'er reall" loo+ed
at %t$
The dde was s%tt%ng %n a #ha%r w%th h%s legs #rossed$ He wore an old.fash%oned
s%t2-)raha! L%n#oln st"le2w%th a )ow t%e and long #oatta%ls and st4$ - )n#h
of )ron5e )oo+s were p%led nder h%s #ha%r$ He held a wr%t%ng A%ll %n one hand
and a )%g !etal sheet of par#h!ent %n the other$
0Wh" do we #are a)ot $ $ $0 I sA%nted at the na!e on the pedestal$ 0W%ll%a!
H$ Steward70
0Seward&0 -nna)eth #orre#ted$ 0He was a New <or+ go'ernor$ 3%nor de!%god2
son of He)e& I th%n+$ 6t that(s not %!portant$ It(s the state I #are a)ot$0
She #l%!)ed on a par+ )en#h and e*a!%ned the )ase of the state$
0?on(t tell !e he(s an ato!aton&0 I sa%d$
-nna)eth s!%led$ 0Trns ot !ost of the states %n the #%t" are ato!atons$
?aedals planted the! here /st %n #ase he needed an ar!"$0
0To atta#+ Ol"!ps or defend %t70
-nna)eth shrgged$ 0E%ther one$ That was plan twent".three$ He #old
a#t%'ate one state and %t wold start a#t%'at%ng %ts )rethren all o'er the #%t"&
nt%l there was an ar!"$ It(s dangeros& thogh$ <o +now how npred%#ta)le
ato!atons are$0
0Uh.hh&0 I sa%d$ We(d had or share of )ad e*per%en#es w%th the!$ 0<o(re
ser%osl" th%n+%ng a)ot a#t%'at%ng %t70
0I ha'e ?aedals(s notes&0 she sa%d$ 0I th%n+ I #an $ $ $ -h& here we go$0
She pressed the t%p of Seward(s )oot& and the state stood p& %ts A%ll and
paper read"$
0What(s he go%ng to do70 I !ttered$ 0Ta+e a !e!o70
0Shh&0 -nna)eth$ 0Hello& W%ll%a!$0
06%ll&0 I sggested$
06%ll $ $ $ Oh& sht p&0 -nna)eth told !e$ The state t%lted %ts head& loo+%ng at
s w%th )lan+ !etal e"es$
-nna)eth #leared her throat$ 0Hello& er& Go'ernor Seward$ Co!!and
seAen#eK ?aedals Twent".three$ ?efend 3anhattan$ 6eg%n -#t%'at%on$0
Seward /!ped o4 h%s pedestal$ He h%t the grond so hard h%s shoes #ra#+ed
the s%dewal+$ Then he went #lan+%ng o4 toward the east$
0He(s pro)a)l" go%ng to wa+e p Conf#%s&0 -nna)eth gessed$
0What70 I sa%d$
0-nother state& on ?%'%s%on$ The po%nt %s& the"(ll +eep wa+%ng ea#h other p
nt%l the"(re all a#t%'ated$0
0-nd then70
0Hopefll"& the" defend 3anhattan$0
0?o the" +now that we(re not the ene!"70
0I th%n+ so$0
0That(s reassr%ng$0 I thoght a)ot all the )ron5e states %n the par+s& pla5as&
and )%ld%ngs of New <or+$ There had to )e hndreds& !a")e thosands$
Then a )all of green l%ght e*ploded %n the e'en%ng s+"$ Gree+ ,re& so!ewhere
o'er the East R%'er$
0We ha'e to hrr"&0 I sa%d$ -nd we ran for the Vespa$
We par+ed ots%de 6atter" Par+& at the lower t%p of 3anhattan where the
Hdson and East R%'ers #a!e together and e!pt%ed %nto the )a"$
0Wa%t here&0 I told -nna)eth$
0Per#"& "o sholdn(t go alone$0
0Well& nless "o #an )reathe nderwater $ $ $0
She s%ghed$ 0<o are so anno"%ng so!et%!es$0
0L%+e when I(! r%ght7 Trst !e& I(ll )e ,ne$ I('e got the #rse of -#h%lles now$ I(ll
all %n'%n#%)le and st4$0
-nna)eth d%dn(t loo+ #on'%n#ed$ 0;st )e #arefl$ I don(t want an"th%ng to
happen to "o$ I !ean& )e#ase we need "o for the )attle$0
I gr%nned$ 06a#+ %n a >ash$0
I #la!)ered down the shorel%ne and waded %nto the water$
;st for "o non.sea.god t"pes ot there& don(t go sw%!!%ng %n New <or+
Har)or$ It !a" not )e as ,lth" as %t was %n !" !o!(s da"& )t that water w%ll st%ll
pro)a)l" !a+e "o grow a th%rd e"e or ha'e !tant #h%ldren when "o grow p$
I do'e %nto the !r+ and san+ to the )otto!$ I tr%ed to ,nd the spot where the
two r%'ers( #rrents see!ed eAal2where the" !et to for! the )a"$ I ,gred that
was the )est pla#e to get the%r attent%on$
0HE<10 I shoted %n !" )est nderwater 'o%#e$ The sond e#hoed %n the
dar+ness$ 0I heard "o g"s are so pollted "o(re e!)arrassed to show "or
fa#es$ Is that tre70
- #old #rrent r%ppled throgh the )a"& #hrn%ng p pl!es of gar)age and
s%lt$
0I heard the East R%'er %s !ore to*%#&0 I #ont%ned& 0)t the Hdson s!ells
worse$ Or %s %t the other wa" arond70
The water sh%!!ered$ So!eth%ng powerfl and angr" was wat#h%ng !e now$ I
#old sense %ts presen#e $ $ $ or !a")e two presen#es$
I was afra%d I(d !%s#al#lated w%th the %nslts$ What %f the" /st )lasted !e
w%thot show%ng the!sel'es7 6t these were New <or+ r%'er gods$ I ,gred the%r
%nst%n#t wold )e to get %n !" fa#e$
Sre enogh& two g%ant for!s appeared %n front of !e$ -t ,rst the" were /st
dar+ )rown #ol!ns of s%lt& denser than the water arond the!$ Then the" grew
legs& ar!s& and s#owl%ng fa#es$
The #reatre on the left loo+ed d%str)%ngl" l%+e a tel+h%ne$ H%s fa#e was
wol,sh$ H%s )od" was 'agel" l%+e a seal(s2slee+ )la#+ w%th >%pper hands and
feet$ H%s e"es glowed rad%at%on green$
The dde on the r%ght was !ore h!ano%d$ He was dressed %n rags and
seaweed& w%th a #ha%n.!a%l #oat !ade of )ottle #aps and old plast%# s%*.pa#+
holders$ H%s fa#e was )lot#h" w%th algae& and h%s )eard was o'ergrown$ H%s deep
)le e"es )rned w%th anger$
The seal& who had to )e the god of the East R%'er& sa%d& 0-re "o tr"%ng to get
"orself +%lled& +%d7 Or are "o /st e*tra stp%d70
The )earded sp%r%t of the Hdson s#o4ed$ 0<o(re the e*pert on stp%d& East$0
0Wat#h %t& Hdson&0 East growled$ 0Sta" on "or s%de of the %sland and !%nd
"or )s%ness$0
0Or what7 <o(ll throw another gar)age )arge at !e70
The" >oated toward ea#h other& read" to ,ght$
0Hold %t10 I "elled$ 0We('e got a )%gger pro)le!$0
0The +%d(s r%ght&0 East snarled$ 0Let(s )oth +%ll h%!& then we(ll ,ght ea#h other$0
0Sonds good&0 Hdson sa%d$
6efore I #old protest& a thosand s#raps of gar)age srged o4 the )otto!
and >ew stra%ght at !e fro! )oth d%re#t%onsK )ro+en glass& ro#+s& #ans& t%res$
I was e*pe#t%ng %t& thogh$ The water %n front of !e th%#+ened %nto a sh%eld$
The de)r%s )on#ed o4 har!lessl"$ Onl" one p%e#e got throgh2a )%g #hn+ of
glass that h%t !" #hest and pro)a)l" shold('e +%lled !e& )t %t shattered aga%nst
!" s+%n$
The two r%'er gods stared at !e$
0Son of Pose%don70 East as+ed$
I nodded$
0Too+ a d%p %n the St"*70 Hdson as+ed$
0<ep$0
The" )oth !ade d%sgsted sonds$
0Well& that(s perfe#t&0 East sa%d$ 0Now how do we +%ll h%!70
0We #old ele#tro#te h%!&0 Hdson !sed$ 0If I #old /st ,nd so!e /!per
#a)les20
0L%sten to !e10 I sa%d$ 09ronos(s ar!" %s %n'ad%ng 3anhattan$(0
0?on(t "o th%n+ we +now that70 East as+ed$ 0I #an feel h%s )oats r%ght now$
The"(re al!ost a#ross$0
0<ep&0 Hdson agreed$ 0I got so!e ,lth" !onsters #ross%ng !" waters too$0
0So stop the!&0 I sa%d$ 0?rown the!$ S%n+ the%r )oats$0
0Wh" shold we70 Hdson gr!)led$ 0So the" %n'ade Ol"!ps$ What do we
#are70
06e#ase I #an pa" "o$0 I too+ ot the sand dollar !" father had g%'en !e for
!" )%rthda"$
The r%'er gods( e"es w%dened$
0It(s !%ne10 East sa%d$ 0G%'e %t here& +%d& and I pro!%se none of 9ronos(s s#!
are gett%ng a#ross the East R%'er$0

0@orget that&0 Hdson sa%d$ 0That sand dollar(s !%ne& nless "o want !e to let
all those sh%ps #ross the Hdson$0
0We(ll #o!pro!%se$0 I )ro+e the sand dollar %n half$ - r%pple of #lean fresh
water spread ot fro! the )rea+& as %f all the pollt%on %n the )a" were )e%ng
d%ssol'ed$
0<o ea#h get half&0 I sa%d$ 0In e*#hange& "o +eep all of 9ronos(s for#es awa"
fro! 3anhattan$0
0Oh& !an&0 Hdson wh%!pered& rea#h%ng ot for the sand dollar$ 0It(s )een so
long s%n#e I was #lean$0
0The power of Pose%don&0 East R%'er !r!red$ 0He(s a /er+& )t he sre
+nows how to sweep pollt%on awa"$0
The" loo+ed at ea#h other& then spo+e as oneK 0It(s a deal$0
I ga'e the! ea#h a sand.dollar half& wh%#h the" held re'erentl"$
0U!& the %n'aders70 I pro!pted$
East >%#+ed h%s hand$ 0The" /st got sn+$0
Hdson snapped h%s ,ngers$ 06n#h of hellhonds /st too+ a d%'e$0
0Than+ "o&0 I sa%d$ 0Sta" #lean$0
-s I rose toward the srfa#e& East #alled ot& 0He"& +%d& an" t%!e "o got a
sand dollar to spend& #o!e on )a#+$ -ss!%ng "o l%'e$0
0Crse of -#h%lles&0 Hdson snorted$ 0The" alwa"s th%n+ that(ll sa'e the!&
don(t the"70
0If onl" he +new&0 East agreed$ The" )oth laghed& d%ssol'%ng %nto the water$
6a#+ on the shore& -nna)eth was tal+%ng on her #ell phone& )t she hng p
as soon as she saw !e$ She loo+ed prett" sha+en$
0It wor+ed&0 I told her$ 0The r%'ers are safe$0
0Good&0 she sa%d$ 06e#ase we('e got other pro)le!s$ 3%#hael <ew /st #alled$
-nother ar!" %s !ar#h%ng o'er the W%ll%a!s)rg 6r%dge$ The -pollo #a)%n needs
help$ -nd Per#"& the !onster lead%ng the ene!" $ $ $ %t(s the 3%notar$0
ELEVEN
WE 6RE-9 - 6RI?GE
@ortnatel"& 6la#+/a#+ was on dt"$
I d%d !" )est ta*%#a) wh%stle& and w%th%n a few !%ntes two dar+ shapes
#%r#led ot of the s+"$ The" loo+ed l%+e haw+s at ,rst& )t as the" des#ended I
#old !a+e ot the long gallop%ng legs of pegas%$
<o& )oss$ 6la#+/a#+ landed at a trot& h%s fr%end Por+p%e r%ght )eh%nd h%!$ 3an& I
thoght those w%nd gods were gonna +no#+ s to Penns"l'an%a nt%l we sa%d we
were w%th "o1
0Than+s for #o!%ng&0 I told h%!$ 0He"& wh" do pegas% gallop as the" >"&
an"wa"70
6la#+/a#+ wh%nn%ed$ Wh" do h!ans sw%ng the%r ar!s as the" wal+7 I dnno&
)oss$ It /st feels r%ght$ Where to7
0We need to get to the W%ll%a!s)rg 6r%dge&0 I sa%d$
6la#+/a#+ lowered h%s ne#+$ <o(re darn r%ght& )oss$ We >ew o'er %t on the wa"
here& and %t don(t loo+ good$ Hop on1
On the wa" to the )r%dge& a +not for!ed %n the p%t of !" sto!a#h$ The
3%notar was one of the ,rst !onsters I(d e'er defeated$ @or "ears ago he(d
nearl" +%lled !" !other on Half.6lood H%ll$ I st%ll had n%ght!ares a)ot that$
I(d )een hop%ng he wold sta" dead for a few #entr%es& )t I shold('e +nown
!" l#+ woldn(t hold$
We saw the )attle )efore we were #lose enogh to !a+e ot %nd%'%dal
,ghters$ It was well after !%dn%ght now& )t the )r%dge )la5ed w%th l%ght$ Cars
were )rn%ng$ -r#s of ,re strea!ed %n )oth d%re#t%ons as >a!%ng arrows and
spears sa%led throgh the a%r$
We #a!e %n for a low pass& and I saw the -pollo #a!pers retreat%ng$ The"
wold h%de )eh%nd #ars and sn%pe at the approa#h%ng ar!"& sett%ng o4 e*plos%'e
arrows and dropp%ng #altrops %n the road& )%ld%ng ,er" )arr%#ades where'er the"
#old& dragg%ng sleep%ng dr%'ers ot of the%r #ars to get the! ot of har!(s wa"$
6t the ene!" +ept ad'an#%ng$ -n ent%re phalan* of dra#aenae !ar#hed %n the
lead& the%r sh%elds lo#+ed together& spear t%ps )r%stl%ng o'er the top$ -n o##as%onal
arrow wold #onne#t w%th the%r sna+" trn+s& or a ne#+& or a #h%n+ %n the%r ar!or&
and the nl#+" sna+e wo!an wold d%s%ntegrate& )t !ost of the -pollo arrows
glan#ed har!lessl" o4 the%r sh%eld wall$ -)ot a hndred !ore !onsters
!ar#hed )eh%nd the!$
Hellhonds leaped ahead of the l%ne fro! t%!e to t%!e$ 3ost were destro"ed
w%th arrows& )t one got hold of an -pollo #a!per and dragged h%! awa"$ I d%dn(t
see what happened to h%! ne*t$ I d%dn(t want to +now$
0There10 -nna)eth #alled fro! the )a#+ of her pegass$
Sre enogh& %n the !%ddle of the %n'ad%ng leg%on was Old 6eefhead h%!self$
The last t%!e I(d seen the 3%notar& he(d )een wear%ng noth%ng )t h%s t%ght"
wh%t%es$ I don(t +now wh"$ 3a")e he(d )een sha+en ot of )ed to #hase !e$ Th%s
t%!e& he was prepared for )attle$
@ro! the wa%st down& he wore standard Gree+ )attle gear2a +%ltl%+e apron of
leather and !etal >aps& )ron5e grea'es #o'er%ng h%s legs& and t%ghtl" wrapped
leather sandals$ H%s top was all )ll2ha%r and h%de and !s#le lead%ng to a head
so large he shold('e toppled o'er /st fro! the we%ght of h%s horns$ He see!ed
larger than the last t%!e I(d seen h%!2ten feet tall at least$ - do)le.)laded a*e
was strapped to h%s )a#+& )t he was too %!pat%ent to se %t$ -s soon as he saw
!e #%r#l%ng o'erhead Hor sn%4ed !e& !ore l%+el"& s%n#e h%s e"es%ght was )adI& he
)ellowed and p%#+ed p a wh%te l%!os%ne$
06la#+/a#+& d%'e10 I "elled$
What7 The pegass as+ed$ No wa" #old he $ $ $ Hol" horse feed1
We were at least a hndred feet p& )t the l%!o #a!e sa%l%ng toward s&
>%pp%ng fender o'er fender l%+e a two.ton )oo!erang$ -nna)eth and Por+p%e
swer'ed !adl" to the left& wh%le 6la#+/a#+ t#+ed %n h%s w%ngs and plnged$ The
l%!o sa%led o'er !" head& !%ss%ng )" !a")e two %n#hes$ It #leared the
sspens%on l%nes of the )r%dge and fell toward the East R%'er$
3onsters /eered and shoted& and the 3%notar p%#+ed p another #ar$
0?rop s )eh%nd the l%nes w%th the -pollo #a)%n&0 I told 6la#+/a#+$ 0Sta" %n
earshot )t get ot of danger10
I a%n(t gonna arge& )oss1
6la#+/a#+ swooped down )eh%nd an o'ertrned s#hool )s& where a #ople of
#a!pers were h%d%ng$ -nna)eth and I leaped o4 as soon as or pegas%(s hoo'es
to#hed the pa'e!ent$ Then 6la#+/a#+ and Por+p%e soared %nto the n%ght s+"$
3%#hael <ew ran p to s$ He was de,n%tel" the shortest #o!!ando I(d e'er
seen$ He had a )andaged #t on h%s ar!$ H%s ferret" fa#e was s!eared w%th soot
and h%s A%'er was al!ost e!pt"& )t he was s!%l%ng l%+e he was ha'%ng a great
t%!e$
0Glad "o #old /o%n s&0 he sa%d$ 0Where are the other re%nfor#e!ents70
0@or now& we(re %t&0 I sa%d$
0Then we(re dead&0 he sa%d$
0<o st%ll ha'e "or >"%ng #har%ot70 -nna)eth as+ed$
0Nah&0 3%#hael sa%d$ 0Left %t at #a!p$ I told Clar%sse she #old ha'e %t$
Whate'er& "o +now7 Not worth ,ght%ng a)ot an"!ore$ 6t she sa%d %t was too
late$ We(d %nslted her honor for the last t%!e or so!e stp%d th%ng$0
0Least "o tr%ed&0 I sa%d$
3%#hael shrgged$ 0<eah& well& I #alled her so!e na!es when she sa%d she st%ll
woldn(t ,ght$ I do)t that helped$ Here #o!e the gl%es10
He drew an arrow and lan#hed %t toward the ene!"$ The arrow !ade a
s#rea!%ng sond as %t >ew$ When %t landed& %t nleashed a )last l%+e a power
#hord on an ele#tr%# g%tar !agn%,ed throgh the world(s largest spea+ers$ The
nearest #ars e*ploded$ 3onsters dropped the%r weapons and #lasped the%r ears %n
pa%n$ So!e ran$ Others d%s%ntegrated on the spot$
0That was !" last son%# arrow&0 3%#hael sa%d$
0- g%ft fro! "or dad70 I as+ed$ 0God of !s%#70
3%#hael gr%nned w%#+edl"$ 0Lod !s%# #an )e )ad for "o$ Unfortnatel"& %t
doesn(t alwa"s +%ll$0
Sre enogh& !ost !onsters were regrop%ng& sha+%ng o4 the%r #onfs%on$
0We ha'e to fall )a#+&0 3%#hael sa%d$ 0I('e got 9a"la and -st%n sett%ng traps
farther down the )r%dge$0
0No&0 I sa%d$ 06r%ng "or #a!pers forward to th%s pos%t%on and wa%t for !"
s%gnal$ We(re go%ng to dr%'e the ene!" )a#+ to 6roo+l"n$0
3%#hael laghed$ 0How do "o plan to do that70
I drew !" sword$
0Per#"&0 -nna)eth sa%d& 0let !e #o!e w%th "o$0
0Too dangeros&0 I sa%d$ 06es%des& I need "o to help 3%#hael #oord%nate the
defens%'e l%ne$ I(ll d%stra#t the !onsters$ <o grop p here$ 3o'e the sleep%ng
!ortals ot of the wa"$ Then "o #an start p%#+%ng o4 !onsters wh%le I +eep the!
fo#sed on !e$ If an")od" #an do all that& "o #an$0
3%#hael snorted$ 0Than+s a lot$0
I +ept !" e"es on -nna)eth$
She nodded rel#tantl"$ 0-ll r%ght$ Get !o'%ng$0
6efore I #old lose !" #orage& I sa%d& 0?on(t I get a +%ss for l#+7 It(s +%nd of a
trad%t%on& r%ght70
I ,gred she wold pn#h !e$ Instead& she drew her +n%fe and stared at the
ar!" !ar#h%ng toward s$ 0Co!e )a#+ al%'e& Seaweed 6ra%n$ Then we(ll see$0
I ,gred %t was the )est o4er I wold get& so I stepped ot fro! )eh%nd the
s#hool )s$ I wal+ed p the )r%dge %n pla%n s%ght& stra%ght toward the ene!"$
When the 3%notar saw !e& h%s e"es )rned w%th hate$ He )ellowed2a sond
that was so!ewhere )etween a "ell& a !oo& and a reall" lod )el#h$
0He"& 6eef 6o"&0 I shoted )a#+$ 0?%dn(t I +%ll "o alread"70
He ponded h%s ,st %nto the hood of a Le*s& and %t #r!pled l%+e al!%n!
fo%l$
- few dra#aenae threw >a!%ng /a'el%ns at !e$ I +no#+ed the! as%de$ -
hellhond lnged& and I s%destepped$ I #old ha'e sta))ed %t& )t I hes%tated$
Th%s %s not 3rs$ O(Lear"& I re!%nded !"self$ Th%s %s an nta!ed !onster$ It w%ll
+%ll !e and all !" fr%ends$
It pon#ed aga%n$ Th%s t%!e I )roght R%pt%de p %n a deadl" ar#$ The hellhond
d%s%ntegrated %nto dst and fr$
3ore !onsters srged forward2sna+es and g%ants and tel+h%nes2)t the
3%notar roared at the!& and the" )a#+ed o4
0One on one70 I #alled$ 0;st l%+e old t%!es70
The 3%notar(s nostr%ls A%'ered$ He ser%osl" needed to +eep a pa#+ of -loe
Vera 9leene* %n h%s ar!or po#+et& )e#ase that nose was wet and red and prett"
gross$ He nstrapped h%s a*e and swng %t arond$
It was )eat%fl %n a harsh IP!Sgo%ngSto.gtS"oSl%+eSaS,sh +%nd of wa"$
Ea#h of %ts tw%n )lades was shaped l%+e an o!egaK f2the last letter of the Gree+
alpha)et$ 3a")e that was )e#ase the a*e wold )e the last th%ng h%s '%#t%!s
e'er saw$ The shaft was a)ot the sa!e he%ght as the 3%notar& )ron5e wrapped
%n leather$ T%ed arond the )ase of ea#h )lade were lots of )ead ne#+la#es$ I
real%5ed the" were Ca!p Half.6lood )eads2ne#+la#es ta+en fro! defeated
de!%gods$
I was so !ad& I %!ag%ned !" e"es glow%ng /st l%+e the 3%notar(s$ I ra%sed !"
sword$ The !onster ar!" #heered for the 3%notar& )t the sond d%ed when I
dodged h%s ,rst sw%ng and sl%#ed h%s a*e %n half& r%ght )etween the handholds$
03oo70 he grnted$
0H---10 I spn and +%#+ed h%! %n the snot$ He staggered )a#+ward& tr"%ng to
rega%n h%s foot%ng& then lowered h%s head to #harge$
He ne'er got the #han#e$ 3" sword >ashed2sl%#%ng o4 one horn& then the
other$ He tr%ed to gra) !e$ I rolled awa"& p%#+%ng p half of h%s )ro+en a*e$ The
other !onsters )a#+ed p %n stnned s%len#e& !a+%ng a #%r#le arond s$ The
3%notar )ellowed %n rage$ He was ne'er 'er" s!art to )eg%n w%th& )t now h%s
anger !ade h%! re#+less$ He #harged !e& and I ran for the edge of the )r%dge&
)rea+%ng throgh a l%ne of dra#aenae$
The 3%notar !st('e s!elled '%#tor"$ He thoght I was tr"%ng to get awa"$ H%s
!%n%ons #heered$ -t the edge of the )r%dge& I trned and )ra#ed the a*e aga%nst
the ra%l%ng to re#e%'e h%s #harge$ The 3%notar d%dn(t e'en slow down$
CRUNCH$
He loo+ed down %n srpr%se at the a*e handle sprot%ng fro! h%s )reastplate$
0Than+s for pla"%ng&0 I told h%!$
I l%fted h%! )" h%s legs and tossed h%! o'er the s%de of the )r%dge$ E'en as he
fell& he was d%s%ntegrat%ng& trn%ng )a#+ %nto dst& h%s essen#e retrn%ng to
Tartars$
I trned toward h%s ar!"$ It was now roghl" one hndred and n%net".n%ne to
one$ I d%d the natral th%ng$ I #harged the!$
<o(re go%ng to as+ how the 0%n'%n#%)le0 th%ng wor+edK %f I !ag%#all" dodged
e'er" weapon& or %f the weapons h%t !e and /st d%dn(t har! !e$ Honestl"& I don(t
re!e!)er$ -ll I +new was that I wasn(t go%ng to let these !onsters %n'ade !"
ho!etown$
I sl%#ed throgh ar!or l%+e %t was !ade of paper$ Sna+e wo!en e*ploded$
Hellhonds !elted to shadow$ I slashed and sta))ed and wh%rled& and I !%ght
ha'e e'en laghed on#e or tw%#e2a #ra5" lagh that s#ared !e as !#h as %t d%d
!" ene!%es$ I was aware of the -pollo #a!pers )eh%nd !e shoot%ng arrows&
d%srpt%ng e'er" atte!pt )" the ene!" to rall"$ @%nall"& the !onsters trned and
>ed2a)ot twent" left al%'e ot of two hndred$
I followed w%th the -pollo #a!pers at !" heels$

0<es10 "elled 3%#hael <ew$ 0That(s what I(! tal+%ng a)ot10
We dro'e the! )a#+ toward the 6roo+l"n s%de of the )r%dge$ The s+" was
grow%ng pale %n the east$ I #old see the toll stat%ons ahead$
0Per#"10 -nna)eth "elled$ 0<o('e alread" roted the!$ Pll )a#+1 We(re
o'ere*tended10
So!e part of !e +new she was r%ght& )t I was do%ng so well& I wanted to
destro" e'er" last !onster$
Then I saw the #rowd at the )ase of the )r%dge$ The retreat%ng !onsters were
rnn%ng stra%ght toward the%r re%nfor#e!ents$ It was a s!all grop& !a")e th%rt"
or fort" de!%gods %n )attle ar!or& !onted on s+eletal horses$ One of the! held
a prple )anner w%th the )la#+ s#"the des%gn$
The lead horse!an trotted forward$ He too+ o4 h%s hel!& and I re#ogn%5ed
9ronos h%!self& h%s e"es l%+e !olten gold$
-nna)eth and the -pollo #a!pers faltered$ The !onsters we(d )een prs%ng
rea#hed the T%tan(s l%ne and were a)sor)ed %nto the new for#e$ 9ronos ga5ed %n
or d%re#t%on$ He was a Aarter !%le awa"& )t I swear I #old see h%! s!%le$
0Now&0 I sa%d& 0we pll )a#+$0
The T%tan lord(s !en drew the%r swords and #harged$ The hoo'es of the%r
s+eletal horses thndered aga%nst the pa'e!ent$ Or ar#hers shot a 'olle"&
)r%ng%ng down se'eral of the ene!"& )t the" /st +ept r%d%ng$
0Retreat10 I told !" fr%ends$ 0I(ll hold the!$(0
In a !atter of se#onds the" were on !e$
3%#hael and h%s ar#hers tr%ed to retreat& )t -nna)eth sta"ed r%ght )es%de !e&
,ght%ng w%th her +n%fe and !%rrored sh%eld as we slowl" )a#+ed p the )r%dge$
9ronos(s #a'alr" sw%rled arond s& slash%ng and "ell%ng %nslts$ The T%tan
h%!self ad'an#ed le%srel"& l%+e he had all the t%!e %n the world$ 6e%ng the lord of
t%!e& I gess he d%d$
I tr%ed to wond h%s !en& not +%ll$ That slowed !e down& )t these weren(t
!onsters$ The" were de!%gods who(d fallen nder 9ronos(s spell$ I #oldn(t see
fa#es nder l he%r )attle hel!ets& )t so!e of the! had pro)a)l" )een !"
fr%ends$ I slashed the legs o4 the%r horses and !ade the s+eletal !onts
d%s%ntegrate$ -fter the ,rst few de!%gods too+ a sp%ll& the rest ,gred ot the"(d
)etter d%s!ont and ,ght !e on foot$
-nna)eth and I sta"ed sholder to sholder& fa#%ng oppos%te d%re#t%ons$ - dar+
shape passed o'er !e& and I dared to glan#e p$ 6la#+/a#+ and Por+p%e were
swoop%ng %n& +%#+%ng or ene!%es %n the hel!ets and >"%ng awa" l%+e 'er" large
+a!%+a5e p%geons$
We(d al!ost !ade %t to the !%ddle of the )r%dge when so!eth%ng strange
happened$ I felt a #h%ll down !" sp%ne2l%+e that old sa"%ng a)ot so!eone
wal+%ng on "or gra'e$ 6eh%nd !e& -nna)eth #r%ed ot %n pa%n$
0-nna)eth10 I trned %n t%!e to see her fall& #lt#h%ng her ar!$ - de!%god w%th
a )lood" +n%fe stood o'er her$
In a >ash I nderstood what had happened$ He(d )een tr"%ng to sta) !e$
;dg%ng fro! the pos%t%on of h%s )lade& he wold('e ta+en !e2!a")e )" sheer
l#+2%n the s!all of !" )a#+& !" onl" wea+ po%nt$
-nna)eth had %nter#epted the +n%fe w%th her own )od"$
6t wh"7 She d%dn(t +now a)ot !" wea+ spot$ No one d%d$
I lo#+ed e"es w%th the ene!" de!%god$ He wore an e"e pat#h nder h%s war
hel!K Ethan Na+a!ra& the son of Ne!es%s$ So!ehow he(d sr'%'ed the
e*plos%on on the Pr%n#ess -ndro!eda$ I sla!!ed h%! %n the fa#e w%th !" sword
h%lt so hard I dented h%s hel!$
0Get )a#+10 I slashed the a%r %n a w%de ar#& dr%'%ng the rest of the de!%gods
awa" fro! -nna)eth$ 0No one to#hes her10
0Interest%ng&0 9ronos sa%d$
He towered a)o'e !e on h%s s+eletal horse& h%s s#"the %n one hand$ He std%ed
the s#ene w%th narrowed e"es as %f he #old sense that I(d /st #o!e #lose to
death& the wa" a wolf #an s!ell fear$
06ra'el" foght& Per#" ;a#+son&0 he sa%d$ 06t %t(s t%!e to srrender $ $ $ or the
g%rl d%es$0
0Per#"& don(t&0 -nna)eth groaned$ Her sh%rt was soa+ed w%th )lood$ I had to
get her ot of here$
06la#+/a#+10 I "elled$
-s fast as l%ght& the pegass swooped down and #la!ped h%s teeth on the
straps of -nna)eth(s ar!or$ The" soared awa" o'er the r%'er )efore the ene!"
#old e'en rea#t$
9ronos snarled$ 0So!e da" soon& I a! go%ng to !a+e pegass sop$ 6t %n the
!eant%!e $ $ $0 He d%s!onted& h%s s#"the gl%sten%ng %n the dawn l%ght$ 0I(ll settle
for another dead de!%god$0
I !et h%s ,rst str%+e w%th R%pt%de$ The %!pa#t shoo+ the ent%re )r%dge& )t I held
!" grond$ 9ronos(s s!%le wa'ered$
W%th a "ell& I +%#+ed h%s legs ot fro! nder h%!$ H%s s#"the s+%ttered a#ross
the pa'e!ent$ I sta))ed downward& )t he rolled as%de and rega%ned h%s foot%ng$
H%s s#"the >ew )a#+ to h%s hands$
0So $ $ $0 He std%ed !e& loo+%ng !%ldl" anno"ed$ 0<o had the #orage to '%s%t
the St"*$ I had to pressre L+e %n !an" wa"s to #on'%n#e h%!$ If onl" "o had
sppl%ed !" host )od" %nstead $ $ $ 6t no !atter$ I a! st%ll !ore powerfl$ I a! a
TIT-N$0
He str#+ the )r%dge w%th the )tt of h%s s#"the& and a wa'e of pre for#e
)lasted !e )a#+ward$ Cars went #areen%ng$ ?e!%gods2e'en L+e(s own !en2
were )lown o4 the edge of the )r%dge$ Sspens%on #ords wh%pped arond& and I
s+%dded halfwa" )a#+ to 3anhattan$
I got nstead%l" to !" feet$ The re!a%n%ng -pollo #a!pers had al!ost !ade %t
to the end of the )r%dge& e*#ept for 3%#hael <ew& who was per#hed on one of the
sspens%on #a)les a few "ards awa" fro! !e& H%s last arrow was not#hed %n h%s
)ow$
03%#hael& go10 I s#rea!ed$
0Per#"& the )r%dge10 he #alled$ 0It(s alread" wea+10
-t ,rst I d%dn(t nderstand$ Then I loo+ed down and saw ,ssres %n the
pa'e!ent$ Pat#hes of the road were half !elted fro! Gree+ ,re$ The )r%dge had
ta+en a )eat%ng fro! 9ronos(s )last and the e*plod%ng arrows$
06rea+ %t10 3%#hael "elled$ 0Use "or powers10
It was a desperate thoght2no wa" %t wold wor+2 )t I sta))ed R%pt%de %nto
the )r%dge$ The !ag%# )lade san+ to %ts h%lt %n asphalt$ Salt water shot fro! the
#ra#+ l%+e I(d h%t a ge"ser$ I plled ot !" )lade and the ,ssre grew$ The )r%dge
shoo+ and )egan to #r!)le$ Chn+s the s%5e of hoses fell %nto the East R%'er$
9ronos(s de!%gods #r%ed ot %n alar! and s#ra!)led )a#+ward$ So!e were
+no#+ed o4 the%r feet$ W%th%n a few se#onds& a ,ft".foot #has! opened %n the
W%ll%a!s)rg 6r%dge )etween 9ronos and !e$
The '%)rat%ons d%ed$ 9ronos(s !en #rept to the edge and loo+ed at the
hndred.and.th%rt".foot drop %nto the r%'er$
I d%dn(t feel safe& thogh$ The sspens%on #a)les were st%ll atta#hed$ The !en
#old get a#ross that wa" %f the" were )ra'e enogh$ Or !a")e 9ronos had a
!ag%# wa" to span the gap$
The T%tan lord std%ed the pro)le!$ He loo+ed )eh%nd h%! at the r%s%ng sn&
then s!%led a#ross the #has!$ He ra%sed h%s s#"the %n a !o#+ salte$ 0Unt%l th%s
e'en%ng& ;a#+son$0
He !onted h%s horse& wh%rled arond& and galloped )a#+ to 6roo+l"n&
followed )" h%s warr%ors$
I trned to than+ 3%#hael <ew& )t the words d%ed %n !" throat$ Twent" feet
awa"& a )ow la" %n the street$ Its owner was nowhere to )e seen$
0No10 I sear#hed the wre#+age on !" s%de of the )r%dge$ I stared down at the
r%'er$ Noth%ng$
I "elled %n anger and frstrat%on$ The sond #arr%ed fore'er %n the !orn%ng
st%llness$ I was a)ot to wh%stle for 6la#+/a#+ to help !e sear#h& when !" !o!(s
phone rang$ The LC? d%spla" sa%d I had a #all fro! @%n+leste%n g -sso#%ates2
pro)a)l" a de!%god #all%ng on a )orrowed phone$
I p%#+ed p& hop%ng for good news$ Of #orse I was wrong$
0Per#"70 S%lena 6earegard sonded l%+e she(d )een #r"%ng$ 0Pla5a Hotel$ <o(d
)etter #o!e A%#+l" and )r%ng a healer fro! -pollo(s #a)%n$ It(s $ $ $ %t(s
-nna)eth$0
TWELVE
R-CHEL 3-9ES -
6-? ?E-L
I gra))ed W%ll Sola#e fro! the -pollo #a)%n and told the rest of h%s s%)l%ngs to
+eep sear#h%ng for 3%#hael <ew$ We )orrowed a <a!aha @LI fro! a sleep%ng )%+er
and dro'e to the Pla5a Hotel at speeds that wold('e g%'en !" !o! a heart
atta#+$ I(d ne'er dr%'en a !otor#"#le )efore& )t %t wasn(t an" harder than r%d%ng
a pegass$
-long the wa"& I not%#ed a lot of e!pt" pedestals that sall" held states$
Plan twent".three see!ed to )e wor+%ng$ I d%dn(t +now %f that was good or )ad$
It onl" too+ s ,'e !%ntes to rea#h the Pla5a2an old.fash%oned wh%te stone
hotel w%th a ga)led )le roof& s%tt%ng at the sotheast #orner of Central Par+$
Ta#t%#all" spea+%ng& the Pla5a wasn(t the )est pla#e for a headAarters$ It
wasn(t the tallest )%ld%ng %n town& or the !ost #entrall" lo#ated$ 6t %t had old.
s#hool st"le and had attra#ted a lot of fa!os de!%gods o'er the "ears& l%+e the
6eatles and -lfred H%t#h#o#+& so I ,gred we were %n good #o!pan"$
I gnned the <a!aha o'er the #r) and swer'ed to a stop at the fonta%n
ots%de the hotel$
W%ll and I hopped o4$ The state at the top of the fonta%n #alled down& 0Oh&
,ne$ I sppose "o want !e to wat#h "or )%+e too10
She was a l%fe.s%5e )ron5e stand%ng %n the !%ddle of a gran%te )owl$ She wore
onl" a )ron5e sheet arond her legs& and she was hold%ng a )as+et of !etal fr%t$
I(d ne'er pa%d her too !#h attent%on )efore$ Then aga%n& she(d ne'er tal+ed to
!e )efore$
0-re "o spposed to )e ?e!eter70 I as+ed$
- )ron5e apple sa%led o'er !" head$
0E'er"one th%n+s I(! ?e!eter$(0 she #o!pla%ned$ 0I(! Po!pona& the Ro!an
Goddess of Plent"& )t wh" shold "o #are7 No)od" #ares a)ot the !%nor gods$
If "o #ared a)ot the !%nor gods& "o woldn(t )e los%ng th%s war1 Three #heers
for 3orphes and He#ate& I sa"10
0Wat#h the )%+e&0 I told her$
Po!pona #rsed %n Lat%n and threw !ore fr%t as W%ll and I ran toward the
hotel$
I(d ne'er a#tall" )een %ns%de the Pla5a$ The lo))" was %!press%'e& w%th the
#r"stal #handel%ers and the passed.ot r%#h people& )t I d%dn(t pa" !#h
attent%on$ - #ople of Hnters ga'e s d%re#t%ons to the ele'ators& and we rode
p to the penthose s%tes$
?e!%gods had #o!pletel" ta+en o'er the top >oors$ Ca!pers and Hnters
were #rashed ot on sofas& wash%ng p %n the )athroo!s& r%pp%ng s%l+ draper%es to
)andage the%r wonds& and help%ng the!sel'es to sna#+s and sodas fro! the
!%n%)ars$ - #ople of t%!)er wol'es were dr%n+%ng ot of the to%lets$ I was
rel%e'ed to see that so !an" of !" fr%ends had !ade %t throgh the n%ght al%'e&
)t e'er")od" loo+ed )eat p$
0Per#"10 ;a+e 3ason #lapped !e on the sholder$ 0We(re gett%ng reports20
0Later&0 I sa%d$ 0Where(s -nna)eth70
0The terra#e$ She(s al%'e& !an& )t $ $ $0
I pshed past h%!$
Under d%4erent #%r#!stan#es I wold('e lo'ed the '%ew fro! the terra#e$ It
loo+ed stra%ght down onto Central Par+$ The !orn%ng was #lear and )r%ght2
perfe#t for a p%#n%# or a h%+e& or prett" !#h an"th%ng e*#ept ,ght%ng !onsters$
-nna)eth la" on a longe #ha%r$ Her fa#e was pale and )eaded w%th sweat$
E'en thogh she was #o'ered %n )lan+ets& she sh%'ered$ S%lena 6earegard was
w%p%ng her forehead w%th a #ool #loth$
W%ll and I pshed throgh a #rowd of -thena +%ds$ W%ll nwrapped -nna)eth(s
)andages to e*a!%ne the wond& and I wanted to fa%nt$ The )leed%ng had
stopped )t the gash loo+ed deep$ The s+%n arond the #t was a horr%)le shade
of green$
0-nna)eth $ $ $0 I #ho+ed p$ She(d ta+en that +n%fe for !e$ How #old I ha'e
let that happen7
0Po%son on the dagger&0 she !!)led$ 0Prett" stp%d of !e& hh70
W%ll Sola#e e*haled w%th rel%ef$ 0It(s not so )ad& -nna)eth$ - few !ore !%ntes
and we wold('e )een %n tro)le& )t the 'eno! hasn(t gotten past the sholder
"et$ ;st l%e st%ll$ So!e)od" hand !e so!e ne#tar$0
I gra))ed a #anteen$ W%ll #leaned ot the wond w%th the godl" dr%n+ wh%le I
held -nna)eth(s hand$
0Ow&0 she sa%d$ 0Ow& ow10 She gr%pped !" ,ngers so t%ght the" trned prple&
)t she sta"ed st%ll& l%+e W%ll as+ed$ S%lena !ttered words of en#orage!ent$ W%ll
pt so!e s%l'er paste o'er the wond and h!!ed words %n -n#%ent Gree+2a
h"!n to -pollo$ Then he appl%ed fresh )andages and stood p sha+%l"$
The heal%ng !st('e ta+en a lot of h%s energ"$ He loo+ed al!ost as pale as
-nna)eth$
0That shold do %t&0 he sa%d$ 06t we(re go%ng to need so!e !ortal sppl%es$0
He gra))ed a p%e#e of hotel stat%oner"& /otted down so!e notes& and handed %t
to one of the -thena g"s$ 0There(s a ?ane Reade on @%fth$ Nor!all" I wold
ne'er steal20
0I wold&0 Tra'%s 'olnteered$
W%ll glared at h%!$ 0Lea'e #ash or dra#h!as to pa"& whate'er "o('e got& )t
th%s %s an e!ergen#"$ I('e got a feel%ng we(re go%ng to ha'e a lot !ore people to
treat$0
No)od" d%sagreed$ There was hardl" a s%ngle de!%god who hadn(t alread"
)een wonded $ $ $ e*#ept !e$
0Co!e on& g"s&0 Tra'%s Stoll sa%d$ 0Let(s g%'e -nna)eth so!e spa#e$ We('e
got a drgstore to ra%d $ $ $ I !ean& '%s%t$0

The de!%gods shNed )a#+ %ns%de$ ;a+e 3ason gra))ed !" sholder as he
was lea'%ng$ 0We(ll tal+ later& )t %t(s nder #ontrol$ I(! s%ng -nna)eth(s sh%eld to
+eep an e"e on th%ngs$ The ene!" w%thdrew at snr%se= not sre wh"$ We('e got a
loo+ot at ea#h )r%dge and tnnel$0
0Than+s& !an&0 I sa%d$
He nodded$ 0;st ta+e "or t%!e$0
He #losed the terra#e doors )eh%nd h%!& lea'%ng S%lena& -nna)eth& and !e
alone$
S%lena pressed a #ool #loth to -nna)eth(s forehead$ 0Th%s %s all !" falt$0
0No&0 -nna)eth sa%d wea+l"$ 0S%lena& how %s %t "or falt70
0I('e ne'er )een an" good at #a!p&0 she !r!red$ 0Not l%+e "o or Per#"$ If I
was a )etter ,ghter $ $ $0
Her !oth tre!)led$ E'er s%n#e 6e#+endorf d%ed she(d )een gett%ng worse&
and e'er" t%!e I loo+ed at her& %t !ade !e angr" a)ot h%s death all o'er aga%n$
Her e*press%on re!%nded !e of glass2l%+e she !%ght )rea+ an" !%nte$ I swore
to !"self that %f I e'er fond the sp" who(d #ost her )o"fr%end h%s l%fe& I wold
g%'e h%! to 3rs$ O(Lear" as a #hew to"$
0<o(re a great #a!per&0 I told S%lena$ 0<o(re the )est pegass r%der we ha'e$
-nd "o get along w%th people$ 6el%e'e !e& an"one who #an !a+e fr%ends w%th
Clar%sse has talent$0
She stared at !e l%+e I(d /st g%'en her an %dea$ 0That(s %t1 We need the -res
#a)%n$ I #an tal+ to Clar%sse$ I +now I #an #on'%n#e her to help s$0
0Whoa& S%lena$ E'en %f "o #old get o4 the %sland& Clar%sse %s prett" st))orn$
On#e she gets angr"20
0Please&0 S%lena sa%d$ 0I #an ta+e a pegass$ I +now I #an !a+e %t )a#+ to
#a!p$ Let !e tr"$0
I e*#hanged loo+s w%th -nna)eth$ She nodded sl%ghtl"$
I d%dn(t l%+e the %dea$ I d%dn(t th%n+ S%lena stood a #han#e of #on'%n#%ng Clar%sse
to ,ght$ On the other hand& S%lena was so d%stra#ted r%ght now that she wold /st
get herself hrt %n )attle$ 3a")e send%ng her )a#+ to #a!p wold g%'e her
so!eth%ng else to fo#s on$
0-ll r%ght&0 I told her$ 0I #an(t th%n+ of an")od" )etter to tr"$0
S%lena threw her ar!s arond !e$ Then she pshed )a#+ aw+wardl"& glan#%ng
at -nna)eth$ 0U!& sorr"$ Than+ "o& Per#"1 I won(t let "o down10
On#e she was gone& I +nelt ne*t to -nna)eth and felt her forehead$ She was
st%ll )rn%ng p$
0<o(re #te when "o(re worr%ed&0 she !ttered$ 0<or e"e)rows get all
s#rn#hed together$0
0<o are not go%ng to d%e wh%le I owe "o a fa'or&0 I sa%d$ 0Wh" d%d "o ta+e
that +n%fe70
0<o wold('e done the sa!e for !e$0
It was tre$ I gess we )oth +new %t$ St%ll& I felt l%+e so!e)od" was po+%ng !"
heart w%th a #old !etal rod$ 0How d%d "o +now70
09now what70
I loo+ed arond to !a+e sre we were alone$ Then I leaned %n #lose and
wh%speredK 03" -#h%lles spot$ If "o hadn(t ta+en that +n%fe& I wold('e d%ed$0
She got a farawa" loo+ %n her e"es$ Her )reath s!elled of grapes& !a")e fro!
the ne#tar$ 0I don(t +now& Per#"$ I /st had th%s feel%ng "o were %n danger$ Where $
$ $ where %s the spot70
I wasn(t spposed to tell an"one$ 6t th%s was -nna)eth$ If I #oldn(t trst her&
I #oldn(t trst an"one$
0The s!all of !" )a#+$0
She l%fted her hand$ 0Where7 Here70
She pt her hand on !" sp%ne& and !" s+%n t%ngled$ I !o'ed her ,ngers to the
one spot that gronded !e to !" !ortal l%fe$ - thosand 'olts of ele#tr%#%t"
see!ed to ar# throgh !" )od"$
0<o sa'ed !e&0 I sa%d$ 0Than+s$0
She re!o'ed her hand& )t I +ept hold%ng %t$
0So "o owe !e&0 she sa%d wea+l"$ 0What else %s new70
We wat#hed the sn #o!e p o'er the #%t"$ The tra:# shold('e )een hea'"
)" now& )t there were no #ars hon+%ng& no #rowds )stl%ng along the s%dewal+s$
@ar awa"& I #old hear a #ar alar! e#ho throgh the streets$ - pl!e of )la#+
s!o+e #rled %nto the s+" so!ewhere o'er Harle!$ I wondered how !an" o'ens
had )een left on when the 3orphes spell h%t= how !an" people had fallen asleep
%n the !%ddle of #oo+%ng d%nner$ Prett" soon there wold )e !ore ,res$ E'er"one
%n New <or+ was %n danger2and all those l%'es depended on s$
0<o as+ed !e wh" Her!es was !ad at !e&0 -nna)eth sa%d$
0He"& "o need to rest20
0No& I want to tell "o$ It(s )een )other%ng !e for a long t%!e$0 She !o'ed her
sholder and w%n#ed$ 0Last "ear& L+e #a!e to see !e %n San @ran#%s#o$0
0In person70 I felt l%+e she(d /st h%t !e w%th a ha!!er$ 0He #a!e to "or
hose70
0Th%s was )efore we went %nto the La)"r%nth& )efore $ $ $0 She faltered& )t I
+new what she !eantK )efore )e trned %nto 9ronos$ 0He #a!e nder a >ag of
tr#e$ He sa%d he onl" wanted ,'e !%ntes to tal+$ He loo+ed s#ared& Per#"$ He
told !e 9ronos was go%ng to se h%! to ta+e o'er the world$ He sa%d he wanted
to rn awa"& l%+e the old da"s$ He wanted !e to #o!e w%th h%!$0
06t "o d%dn(t trst h%!$0
0Of #orse not$ I thoght %t was a tr%#+$ Pls $ $ $ well& a lot of th%ngs had
#hanged s%n#e the old da"s$ I told L+e there was no wa"$ He got !ad$ He
sa%d $ $ $ he sa%d I !%ght as well ,ght h%! r%ght there& )e#ase %t was the last
#han#e I(d get$0
Her forehead )ro+e ot %n sweat aga%n$ The stor" was ta+%ng too !#h of her
energ"$
0It(s o+a"&0 I sa%d$ 0Tr" to get so!e rest$0
0<o don(t nderstand& Per#"$ Her!es was r%ght$ 3a")e %f I(d gone w%th h%!& I
#old('e #hanged h%s !%nd$ Or2or I had a +n%fe$ L+e was nar!ed$ I #old('e20
09%lled h%!70 I sa%d$ 0<o +now that woldn(t ha'e )een r%ght$0
She sAee5ed her e"es sht$ 0L+e sa%d 9ronos wold se h%! l%+e a stepp%ng
stone$ Those were h%s e*a#t words$ 9ronos wold se L+e& and )e#o!e e'en
!ore powerfl$0
0He d%d that&0 I sa%d$ 0He possessed L+e(s )od"$0
06t what %f L+e(s )od" %s onl" a trans%t%on7 What %f 9ronos has a plan to
)e#o!e e'en !ore powerfl7 I #old('e stopped h%!$ The war %s !" falt$0
Her stor" !ade !e feel l%+e I was )a#+ %n the St"*& slowl" d%ssol'%ng$ I
re!e!)ered last s!!er& when the two.headed god& ;ans& had warned
-nna)eth she wold ha'e to !a+e a !a/or #ho%#e2and that had happened after
she saw L+e$ Pan had also sa%d so!eth%ng to herK <o w%ll pla" a great role&
thogh %t !a" not )e the role "o %!ag%ned$
I wanted to as+ her a)ot the '%s%on Hest%a had shown !e& a)ot her earl"
da"s w%th L+e and Thal%a$ I +new %t had so!eth%ng to do w%th !" prophe#"& )t I
d%dn(t nderstand what$
6efore I #old get p !" ner'e& the terra#e door opened$ Connor Stoll stepped
throgh$
0Per#"$0 He glan#ed at -nna)eth l%+e he d%dn(t want to sa" an"th%ng )ad %n
front of her& )t I #old tell he wasn(t )r%ng%ng good news$ 03rs$ O(Lear" /st
#a!e )a#+ w%th Gro'er$ I th%n+ "o shold tal+ to h%!$0
Gro'er was ha'%ng a sna#+ %n the l%'%ng roo!$ He was dressed for )attle %n an
ar!ored sh%rt !ade fro! tree )ar+ and tw%st t%es& w%th h%s wooden #dgel and h%s
reed p%pes hang%ng fro! h%s )elt$
The ?e!eter #a)%n had wh%pped p a whole )4et %n the hotel +%t#hens2
e'er"th%ng fro! p%55a to p%neapple %#e #rea!$ Unfortnatel"& Gro'er was eat%ng
the frn%tre$ He(d alread" #hewed the st:ng o4 a fan#" #ha%r and was now
gnaw%ng the ar!rest$
0?de&0 I sa%d& 0we(re onl" )orrow%ng th%s pla#e$0
06lah.ha.ha10 He had st:ng all o'er h%s fa#e$ 0Sorr"& Per#"$ It(s /st $ $ $ Lo%s
the S%*teenth frn%tre$ ?el%#%os$ Pls I alwa"s eat frn%tre when I get20
0When "o get ner'os&0 I sa%d$ 0<eah& I +now$ So what(s p70
He #lopped on h%s hoo'es$ 0I heard a)ot -nna)eth$ Is she $ $ $70
0She(s go%ng to )e ,ne$ She(s rest%ng$0
Gro'er too+ a deep )reath$ 0That(s good$ I('e !o)%l%5ed !ost of the natre
sp%r%ts %n the #%t"2well& the ones that w%ll l%sten to !e& an"wa"$0 He r))ed h%s
forehead$ 0I had no %dea a#orns #old hrt so !#h$ -n"wa"& we(re help%ng ot as
!#h as we #an$0
He told !e a)ot the s+%r!%shes the"(d seen$ 3ostl" the"(d )een #o'er%ng
ptown& where we d%dn(t ha'e enogh de!%gods$ Hellhonds had appeared %n all
sorts of pla#es& shadow.tra'el%ng %ns%de or l%nes& and the dr"ads and sat"rs had
)een ,ght%ng the! o4$ - "ong dragon had appeared %n Harle!& and a do5en
wood n"!phs d%ed )efore the !onster was ,nall" defeated$
-s Gro'er tal+ed& Thal%a entered the roo! w%th two of her l%etenants$ She
nodded to !e gr%!l"& went ots%de to #he#+ on -nna)eth& and #a!e )a#+ %n$ She
l%stened wh%le Gro'er #o!pleted h%s report2the deta%ls gett%ng worse and worse$
0We lost twent" sat"rs aga%nst so!e g%ants at @ort Wash%ngton&0 he sa%d& h%s
'o%#e tre!)l%ng$ 0-l!ost half !" +%ns!en$ R%'er sp%r%ts drowned the g%ants %n the
end& )t $ $ $0
Thal%a sholdered her )ow$ 0Per#"& 9ronos(s for#es are st%ll gather%ng at e'er"
)r%dge and tnnel$ -nd 9ronos %sn(t the onl" T%tan$ One of !" Hnters spotted a
hge !an %n golden ar!or !ster%ng an ar!" on the ;erse" shore$ I(! not sre
who he %s& )t he rad%ates power l%+e onl" a T%tan or god$0
I re!e!)ered the golden T%tan fro! !" drea!2the one on 3ont Othr"s who
erpted %nto >a!es$
0Great&0 I sa%d$ 0-n" good news70
Thal%a shrgged$ 0We('e sealed o4 the s)wa" tnnels %nto 3anhattan$ 3"
)est trappers too+ #are of %t$ -lso& %t see!s l%+e the ene!" %s wa%t%ng for ton%ght
to atta#+$ I th%n+ L+e02she #aght herself20I !ean 9ronos needs t%!e to
regenerate after ea#h ,ght$ He(s st%ll not #o!forta)le w%th h%s new for!$ It(s
ta+%ng a lot of h%s power to slow t%!e arond the #%t"$0
Gro'er nodded$ 03ost of h%s for#es are !ore powerfl at n%ght& too$ 6t the"(ll
)e )a#+ after sndown$0
I tr%ed to th%n+ #learl"$ 0O+a"$ -n" word fro! the gods70
Thal%a shoo+ her head$ 0I +now Lad" -rte!%s wold )e here %f she #old$
-thena& too$ 6t Les has ordered the! to sta" at h%s s%de$ The last I heard&
T"phon was destro"%ng the Oh%o R%'er 'alle"$ He shold rea#h the -ppala#h%an
3onta%ns )" !%dda"$0
0So at )est&0 I sa%d& 0we('e got another two da"s )efore he arr%'es$0
;a+e 3ason #leared h%s throat$ He(d )een stand%ng there so s%lentl" I(d al!ost
forgotten he was %n the roo!$
0Per#"& so!eth%ng else&0 he sa%d$ 0The wa" 9ronos showed p at the
W%ll%a!s)rg 6r%dge& l%+e he +new "o were go%ng there$ -nd he sh%fted h%s for#es
to or wea+est po%nts$ -s soon as we deplo"ed& he #hanged ta#t%#s$ He )arel"
to#hed the L%n#oln Tnnel& where the Hnters were strong$ He went for or
wea+est spots& l%+e he +new$0
0L%+e he had %ns%de %nfor!at%on&0 I sa%d$ 0The sp"$0
0What sp"70 Thal%a de!anded$
I told her a)ot the s%l'er #har! 9ronos had shown !e& the #o!!n%#at%on
de'%#e$
0That(s )ad&0 she sa%d$ 0Ver" )ad$0
0It #old )e an"one&0 ;a+e sa%d$ 0We were all stand%ng there when Per#" ga'e
the orders$0
06t what #an we do70 Gro'er as+ed$ 0@r%s+ e'er" de!%god nt%l we ,nd a
s#"the #har!70
The" all loo+ed at !e& wa%t%ng for a de#%s%on$ I #oldn(t a4ord to show how
pan%#+ed I felt& e'en %f th%ngs see!ed hopeless$
0We +eep ,ght%ng&0 I sa%d$ 0We #an(t o)sess a)ot th%s sp"$ If we(re ssp%#%os
of ea#h other& we(ll /st tear orsel'es apart$ <o g"s were aweso!e last n%ght$ I
#oldn(t as+ for a )ra'er ar!"$ Let(s set p a rotat%on for the wat#hes$ Rest p
wh%le "o #an$ We('e got a long n%ght ahead of s$0
The de!%gods !!)led agree!ent$ The" went the%r separate wa"s to sleep or
eat or repa%r the%r weapons$
0Per#"& "o too&0 Thal%a sa%d$ 0We(ll +eep an e"e on th%ngs$ Go l%e down$ We
need "o %n good shape for ton%ght$0
I d%dn(t arge too hard$ I fond the nearest )edroo! and #rashed on the
#anop%ed )ed$ I thoght I was too w%red to sleep& )t !" e"es #losed al!ost
%!!ed%atel"$

In !" drea!& I saw N%#o d% -ngelo alone %n the gardens of Hades$ He(d /st dg
a hole %n one of Persephone(s >ower )eds& wh%#h I d%dn(t ,gre wold !a+e the
Aeen 'er" happ"$
He pored a go)let of w%ne %nto the hole and )egan to #hant$ 0Let the dead
taste aga%n$ Let the! r%se and ta+e th%s o4er%ng$ 3ar%a d% -ngelo& show "orself10
Wh%te s!o+e gathered$ - h!an ,gre for!ed& )t %t wasn(t N%#o(s !other$ It
was a g%rl w%th dar+ ha%r& ol%'e s+%n& and the s%l'er" #lothes of a Hnter$
06%an#a&0 N%#o sa%d$ 06t20
?on(t s!!on or !other& N%#o& she warned$ She %s the one sp%r%t "o are
for)%dden to see$
0Wh"70 he de!anded$ 0What(s or father h%d%ng70
Pa%n& 6%an#a sa%d$ Hatred$ - #rse that stret#hes )a#+ to the Great Prophe#"$
0What do "o !ean70 N%#o sa%d$ 0I ha'e to +now10
The +nowledge w%ll onl" hrt "o$ Re!e!)er what I sa%dK hold%ng grdges %s a
fatal >aw for #h%ldren of Hades$
0I +now that&0 N%#o sa%d$ 06t I(! not the sa!e as I sed to )e& 6%an#a$ Stop
tr"%ng to prote#t !e10
6rother& "o don(t nderstand2
N%#o sw%ped h%s hand throgh the !%st& and 6%an#a s %!age d%ss%pated$
03ar%a d% -ngelo&0 he sa%d aga%n$ 0Spea+ to !e10
- d%4erent %!age for!ed$ It was a s#ene rather than a s%ngle ghost$ In the
!%st& I saw N%#o and 6%an#a as l%ttle #h%ldren& pla"%ng %n the lo))" of an elegant
hotel& #has%ng ea#h other arond !ar)le #ol!ns$
- wo!an sat on a near)" sofa$ She wore a )la#+ dress& glo'es& and a )la#+
'e%led hat l%+e a star fro! an old DEBCs !o'%e$ She had 6%an#a(s s!%le and N%#o(s
e"es$
On a #ha%r ne*t to her sat a large o%l" !an %n a )la#+ p%nstr%pe s%t$ W%th a
sho#+& I real%5ed %t was Hades$ He was lean%ng toward the wo!an& s%ng h%s
hands as he tal+ed& l%+e he was ag%tated$
0Please& !" dear&0 he sa%d$ 0<o !st #o!e to the Underworld$ I don(t #are
what Persephone th%n+s1 I #an +eep "o safe there$0
0No& !" lo'e$0 She spo+e w%th an Ital%an a##ent$ 0Ra%se or #h%ldren %n the land
of the dead7 I w%ll not do th%s$0
03ar%a& l%sten to !e$ The war %n Erope has trned the other gods aga%nst !e$
- prophe#" has )een !ade$ 3" #h%ldren are no longer safe$ Pose%don and Les
ha'e for#ed !e %nto an agree!ent$ None of s are to ha'e de!%god #h%ldren e'er
aga%n$0
06t "o alread" ha'e N%#o and 6%an#a$ Srel"20
0No1 The prophe#" warns of a #h%ld who trns s%*teen$ Les has de#reed that
the #h%ldren I #rrentl" ha'e !st )e trned o'er to Ca!p Half.6lood for proper
tra%n%ng& )t I +now what he !eans$ -t )est the"(ll )e wat#hed& %!pr%soned&
trned aga%nst the%r father$ E'en !ore l%+el"& he w%ll not ta+e a #han#e$ He won(t
allow !" de!%god #h%ldren to rea#h s%*teen$ He(ll ,nd a wa" to destro" the!& and
I won(t r%s+ that10
0Certa!ente&0 3ar%a sa%d$ 0We w%ll sta" together$ Les %s n %!)e#%le$0
I #oldn(t help ad!%r%ng her #orage& )t Hades glan#ed ner'osl" at the
#e%l%ng$ 03ar%a& please$ I told "o& Les ga'e !e a deadl%ne of last wee+ to trn
o'er the #h%ldren$ H%s wrath w%ll )e horr%)le& and I #annot h%de "o fore'er$ -s
long as "o are w%th the #h%ldren& "o are %n danger too$0
3ar%a s!%led& and aga%n %t was #reep" how !#h she loo+ed l%+e her daghter$
0<o are a god& !" lo'e$ <o w%ll prote#t s$ 6t I w%ll not ta+e N%#o and 6%an#a to
the Underworld$0
Hades wrng h%s hands$ 0Then& there %s another opt%on$ I +now a pla#e %n the
desert where t%!e stands st%ll$ I #old send the #h%ldren there& /st for a wh%le& for
the%r own safet"& and we #old )e together$ I w%ll )%ld "o a golden pala#e )" the
St"*$0
3ar%a d% -ngelo laghed gentl"$ 0<o are a +%nd !an& !" lo'e$ - generos
!an$ The other gods shold see "o as I do& and the" wold not fear "o so$ 6t
N%#o and 6%an#a need the%r !other$ 6es%des& the" are onl" #h%ldren$ The gods
woldn(t reall" hrt the!$0
0<o don(t +now !" fa!%l"&0 Hades sa%d dar+l"$ 0Please& 3ar%a& I #an(t lose
"o$0
She to#hed h%s l%ps w%th her ,ngers$ 0<o w%ll not lose !e$ Wa%t for !e wh%le I
get !" prse$ Wat#h the #h%ldren$0
She +%ssed the lord of the dead and rose fro! the sofa$ Hades wat#hed her
wal+ psta%rs as %f her e'er" step awa" #ased h%! pa%n$
- !o!ent later& he tensed$ The #h%ldren stopped pla"%ng as %f the" sensed
so!eth%ng too$
0No10 Hades sa%d$ 6t e'en h%s godl" powers were too slow$ He onl" had t%!e
to ere#t a wall of )la#+ energ" arond the #h%ldren )efore the hotel e*ploded$
The for#e was so '%olent& the ent%re !%st %!age d%ssol'ed$
When %t #a!e %nto fo#s aga%n& I saw Hades +neel%ng %n the r%ns& hold%ng the
)ro+en for! of 3ar%a d% -ngelo$ @%res st%ll )rned all arond h%!$ L%ghtn%ng >ashed
a#ross the s+"& and thnder r!)led$
L%ttle N%#o and 6%an#a stared at the%r !other n#o!prehend%ngl"$ The @r"
-le#to appeared )eh%nd the!& h%ss%ng and >app%ng her leather" w%ngs$ The
#h%ldren d%dn(t see! to not%#e her$
0Les10 Hades shoo+ h%s ,st at the s+"$ 0I w%ll #rsh "o for th%s1 I w%ll )r%ng her
)a#+10
03" lord& "o #annot&0 -le#to warned$ 0<o of all %!!ortals !st respe#t the
laws of death$0
Hades glowed w%th rage$ I thoght he wold show h%s tre for! and 'apor%5e
h%s own #h%ldren& )t at the last !o!ent he see!ed to rega%n #ontrol$
0Ta+e the!&0 he told -le#to& #ho+%ng )a#+ a so)$ 0Wash the%r !e!or%es #lean
%n the Lethe and )r%ng the! to the Lots Hotel$ Les w%ll not har! the! there$0
0-s "o w%sh& !" lord&0 -le#to sa%d$ 0-nd the wo!an(s )od"7
0Ta+e her as well&0 he sa%d )%tterl"$ 0G%'e her the an#%ent r%tes$0
-le#to& the #h%ldren& and 3ar%a(s )od" d%ssol'ed %nto shadows& lea'%ng Hades
alone %n the r%ns$
0I warned "o&0 a new 'o%#e sa%d$
Hades trned$ - g%rl %n a !lt%#olored dress stood )" the s!older%ng re!a%ns
of the sofa$ She had short )la#+ ha%r and sad e"es$ She was no !ore than twel'e$
I d%dn(t +now her& )t she loo+ed strangel" fa!%l%ar$
0<o dare #o!e here70 Hades growled$ 0I shold )last "o to dst10
0<o #annot&0 the g%rl sa%d$ 0The power of ?elph% prote#ts !e$0
W%th a #h%ll& I real%5ed I was loo+%ng at the Ora#le of ?elph%& )a#+ when she was
al%'e and "ong$ So!ehow& see%ng her l%+e th%s was e'en spoo+%er than see%ng
her as a !!!"$
0<o('e +%lled the wo!an I lo'ed10 Hades roared$ 0<or prophe#" )roght s to
th%s$(0
He loo!ed o'er the g%rl& )t she d%dn(t >%n#h$
0Les orda%ned the e*plos%on to destro" the #h%ldren&0 she sa%d& 0)e#ase "o
de,ed h%s w%ll$ I had noth%ng to do w%th %t$ -nd I d%d warn "o to h%de the!
sooner$0
0I #oldn(t1 3ar%a wold not let !e1 6es%des& the" were %nno#ent$0
0Ne'ertheless& the" are "or #h%ldren& wh%#h !a+es the! dangeros$ E'en %f
"o pt the! awa" %n the Lots Hotel& "o onl" dela" the pro)le!$ N%#o and
6%an#a w%ll ne'er )e a)le to re/o%n the world lest the" trn s%*teen$0
06e#ase of "or so.#alled Great Prophe#"$ -nd "o ha'e for#ed !e %nto an
oath to ha'e no other #h%ldren$ <o ha'e left !e w%th noth%ng10
0I foresee the ftre&0 the g%rl sa%d$ 0I #annot #hange %t$0
6la#+ ,re l%t the god(s e"es& and I +new so!eth%ng )ad was #o!%ng$ I wanted
to "ell at the g%rl to h%de or rn$
0Then& Ora#le& hear the words of Hades&0 he growled$ 0Perhaps I #annot )r%ng
)a#+ 3ar%a$ Nor #an I )r%ng "on an earl" death$ 6t "or sol %s st%ll !ortal& and I
#an #rse "o$0
The g%rl(s e"es w%dened$ 0<o wold not20
0I swear&0 Hades sa%d& 0as long as !" #h%ldren re!a%n ot#asts& as long as I
la)or nder the #rse of "or Great Prophe#"& the Ora#le of ?elph% w%ll ne'er
ha'e another !ortal host$ <o w%ll ne'er rest %n pea#e$ No other w%ll ta+e "or
pla#e$ <or )od" w%ll w%ther and d%e& and st%ll the Ora#le(s sp%r%t w%ll )e lo#+ed
%ns%de "o$ <o w%ll spea+ "or )%tter prophe#%es nt%l "o #r!)le to noth%ng$
The Ora#le w%ll d%e w%th "o10
The g%rl s#rea!ed& and the !%st" %!age was )lasted to shreds$ N%#o fell to h%s
+nees %n Persephone(s garden& h%s fa#e wh%te w%th sho#+$ Stand%ng %n front of h%!
was the real Hades& tower%ng %n h%s )la#+ ro)es and s#owl%ng down at h%s son$
0-nd /st what&0 he as+ed N%#o& 0do "o th%n+ "o(re do%ng70
- )la#+ e*plos%on ,lled !" drea!s$ Then the s#ene #hanged$
Ra#hel El%5a)eth ?are was wal+%ng along a wh%te sand )ea#h$ She wore a
sw%!s%t w%th a T.sh%rt wrapped arond her wa%st$ Her sholders and fa#e were
sn)rned$
She +nelt and )egan wr%t%ng %n the srf w%th her ,nger$ I tr%ed to !a+e ot the
letters$ I thoght !" d"sle*%a was a#t%ng p nt%l I real%5ed she was wr%t%ng %n
-n#%ent Gree+$
That was %!poss%)le$ The drea! had to )e false$
Ra#hel ,n%shed wr%t%ng a few words and !ttered& 0What %n the world70
I #an read Gree+& )t I onl" re#ogn%5ed one word )efore the sea washed %t
awa"K hi^jik\$ 3" na!eK Perses$
Ra#hel stood a)rptl" and )a#+ed awa" fro! the srf$
0Oh& gods&0 she sa%d$ 0That(s what %t !eans$0
She trned and ran& +%#+%ng p sand as she ra#ed )a#+ to her fa!%l"(s '%lla$
She ponded p the por#h steps& )reath%ng hard$ Her father loo+ed p fro! h%s
Wall Street ;ornal
0?ad$0 Ra#hel !ar#hed p to h%!$ 0We ha'e to go )a#+$0
Her dad(s !oth tw%t#hed& l%+e he was tr"%ng to re!e!)er how to s!%le$
06a#+7 We /st got here$0
0There(s tro)le %n New <or+$ Per#"(s %n danger$0
0?%d he #all "o70
0No $ $ $ not e*a#tl"$ 6t I +now$ It(s a feel%ng$0
3r$ ?are folded h%s newspaper$ 0<or !other and I ha'e )een loo+%ng forward
to th%s 'a#at%on for a long t%!e$0
0No "o ha'en(t1 <o )oth hate the )ea#h1 <o(re /st too st))orn to ad!%t
%t$0
0Now& Ra#hel20
0I(! tell%ng "o so!eth%ng %s wrong %n New <or+1 The whole #%t" $ $ $ I don(t
+now what e*a#tl"& )t %t(s nder atta#+$0
Her father s%ghed$ 0I th%n+ we wold('e heard so!e th%ng l%+e that on the
news$0
0No&0 Ra#hel %ns%sted$ 0Not th%s +%nd of atta#+$ Ha'e "o had an" #alls s%n#e we
got here70
Her father frowned$ 0No $ $ $ )t %t %s the wee+end& %n the !%ddle of the
s!!er$0
0<o alwa"s get #alls&0 Ra#hel sa%d$ 0<o('e got to ad!%t that(s strange$0
Her father hes%tated$ 0We #an(t /st lea'e$ We('e spent a lot of !one"$0
0Loo+&0 Ra#hel sa%d$ 0?add" $ $ $ Per#" needs !e$ I ha'e to del%'er a !essage$
It(s l%fe or death$0
0What !essage7 What are "o tal+%ng a)ot70
0I #an(t tell "o$
0Then "o #an(t go$0
Ra#hel #losed her e"es l%+e she was gett%ng p her #orage$ 0?ad $ $ $ let !e
go& and I(ll !a+e a deal w%th "o$0
3r$ ?are sat forward$ ?eals were so!eth%ng he nderstood$ 0I(! l%sten%ng$0
0Clar%on Lad%es -#ade!"$ I(ll2I(ll go there %n the fall$ I won(t e'en #o!pla%n$
6t "o ha'e to get !e )a#+ to New <or+ r%ght now$0
He was s%lent for a long t%!e$ Then he opened h%s phone and !ade a #all$
0?oglas7 Prep the plane$ We(re lea'%ng for New <or+$ <es $ $ $ %!!ed%atel"$0
Ra#hel >ng her ar!s arond h%!& and her father see!ed srpr%sed& l%+e she(d
ne'er hgged h%! )efore$
0I(ll !a+e %t p to "o& ?ad10

He s!%led& )t h%s e*press%on was #h%ll"$ He std%ed her l%+e he wasn(t see%ng
h%s daghter2/st the "ong lad" he wanted her to )e& on#e Clar%on -#ade!"
got throgh w%th her$
0<es& Ra#hel&0 he agreed$ 0<o !ost #erta%nl" w%ll$0
The s#ene faded$ I !!)led %n !" sleepK 0Ra#hel& no10
I was st%ll toss%ng and trn%ng when Thal%a shoo+ !e awa+e$
0Per#"&0 she sa%d$ 0Co!e on$ It(s late afternoon$ We('e got '%s%tors$0
I sat p& d%sor%ented$ The )ed was too #o!forta)le& and I hated sleep%ng %n the
!%ddle of the da"$
0V%s%tors70 I sa%d$
Thal%a nodded gr%!l"$ 0- T%tan wants to see "o& nder a >ag of tr#e$ He has
a !essage fro! 9ronos$0
THIRTEEN
- TIT-N 6RINGS 3E
- PRESENT
We #old see the wh%te >ag fro! half a !%le awa"$ It was as )%g as a so##er
,eld& #arr%ed )" a th%rt".foot.tall g%ant w%th )r%ght )le s+%n and %#" gra" ha%r$
0- H"per)orean&0 Thal%a sa%d$ 0The g%ants of the north$ It(s a )ad s%gn that the"
s%ded w%th 9ronos$ The"(re sall" pea#efl$0
0<o('e !et the!70 I sa%d$
03!!$ There(s a )%g #olon" %n -l)erta$ <o do not want to get %nto a snow)all
,ght w%th those g"s$0
-s the g%ant got #loser& I #old see three h!an.s%5e en'o"s w%th h%!K a half.
)lood %n ar!or& an e!posa de!on w%th a )la#+ dress and >a!%ng ha%r& and a tall
!an %n a t*edo$ The e!posa held the t* dde(s ar!& so the" loo+ed l%+e a
#ople on the%r wa" to a 6roadwa" show or so!eth%ng2
e*#ept for her >a!%ng ha%r and fangs$
The grop wal+ed le%srel" toward the He#+s#her Pla"grond$ The sw%ngs and
)all #orts were e!pt"$ The onl" sond was the fonta%n on U!p%re Ro#+$
I loo+ed at Gro'er$ 0The t* dde %s the T%tan70
He nodded ner'osl"$ 0He loo+s l%+e a !ag%#%an$ I hate !ag%#%ans$ The" sall"
ha'e ra))%ts$0
I stared at h%!$ 0<o(re s#ared of )nn%es70
06lah.hah.hah1 The"(re )%g )ll%es$ -lwa"s steal%ng #eler" fro! defenseless
sat"rs10
Thal%a #oghed$
0What70 Gro'er de!anded$
0We(ll ha'e to wor+ on "or )nn" pho)%a later&0 I sa%d$ 0Here the" #o!e$0
The !an %n the t* stepped forward$ He was taller than an a'erage h!an2
a)ot se'en feet$ H%s )la#+ ha%r was t%ed %n a pon"ta%l$ ?ar+ rond glasses
#o'ered h%s e"es& )t what reall" #aght !" attent%on was the s+%n on h%s fa#e$ It
was #o'ered %n s#rat#hes& l%+e he(d )een atta#+ed )" a s!all an%!al2a reall"&
reall" !ad ha!ster& !a")e$
0Per#" ;a#+son&0 he sa%d %n a s%l+" 'o%#e$ 0It(s a great honor$0
H%s lad" fr%end the e!posa h%ssed at !e$ She(d pro)a)l" heard how I(d
destro"ed two of her s%sters last s!!er$
03" dear&0 T* ?de sa%d to her$ 0Wh" don(t "o !a+e "orself #o!forta)le
o'er there& eh70
She released h%s ar! and dr%fted o'er to a par+ )en#h$
I glan#ed at the ar!ed de!%god )eh%nd T* ?de$ D hadn(t re#ogn%5ed h%! %n
h%s new hel!et& )t %t was !" old )a#+sta))%ng )dd" Ethan Na+a!ra$ H%s nose
loo+ed l%+e a sAashed to!ato fro! or ,ght on the W%ll%a!s)rg 6r%dge$ That
!ade !e feel )etter$
0He"& Ethan&0 I sa%d$ 0<o(re loo+%ng good$0
Ethan glared at !e$
0To )s%ness$0 T* ?de e*tended h%s hand$ 0I a! Pro!ethes$0
I was too srpr%sed to sha+e$ 0The ,re.stealer g"7 The #ha%ned.to.the.ro#+.
w%th.the.'ltres g"70
Pro!ethes w%n#ed$ He to#hed the s#rat#hes on h%s fa#e$ 0Please& don(t
!ent%on the 'ltres$ 6t "es& I stole ,re fro! the gods and ga'e %t to "or
an#estors$ In retrn& the e'er !er#%fl Les had !e #ha%ned to a ro#+ and
tortred for all etern%t"$0
06t20
0How d%d I get free7 Her#les d%d that& eons ago$ So "o see& I ha'e a soft spot
for heroes$ So!e of "o #an )e A%te #%'%l%5ed$0
0Unl%+e the #o!pan" "o +eep&0 I not%#ed$
I was loo+%ng at Ethan& )t Pro!ethes apparentl" thoght I !eant the
e!posa$
0Oh& de!ons aren(t so )ad&0 he sa%d$ 0<o /st ha'e to +eep the! well fed$
Now& Per#" ;a#+son& let s parle"$0
He wa'ed !e toward a p%#n%# ta)le and we sat down$ Thal%a and Gro'er stood
)eh%nd !e$
The )le g%ant propped h%s wh%te >ag aga%nst a tree and )egan a)sentl"
pla"%ng on the pla"grond$ He stepped on the !on+e" )ars and #rshed the!&
)t he d%dn(t see! angr"$ He /st frowned and sa%d& 0Uh.oh$0 Then he stepped %n
the fonta%n and )ro+e the #on#rete )owl %n half$ 0Uh.oh$0 The water fro5e where
h%s foot to#hed %t$ - )n#h of st4ed an%!als hng fro! h%s )elt2the hge +%nd
"o get for grand pr%5es at an ar#ade$ He re!%nded !e of T"son& and the %dea of
,ght%ng h%! !ade !e sad$
Pro!ethes sat forward and la#ed h%s ,ngers$ He loo+ed earnest& +%ndl"& and
w%se$ 0Per#"& "or pos%t%on %s wea+$ <o +now "o #an(t stop another assalt$0
0We(ll see$0
Pro!ethes loo+ed pa%ned& l%+e he reall" #ared what happened to !e$ 0Per#"&
I(! the T%tan of forethoght$ I +now what(s go%ng to happen$0
0-lso the T%tan of #raft" #onsel&0 Gro'er pt %n$ 0E!phas%s on #raft"$0
Pro!ethes shrgged$ 0Tre enogh& sat"r$ 6t I spported the gods %n the
last war$ I told 9ronosK (<o don(t ha'e the strength$ <o(ll lose$( -nd I was r%ght$
So "o see& I +now how to p%#+ the w%nn%ng s%de$ Th%s t%!e& I(! )a#+%ng 9ronos$0
06e#ase Les #ha%ned "o to a ro#+&0 I gessed$
0Partl"& "es$ I won(t den" I want re'enge$ 6t that(s not the onl" reason I(!
spport%ng 9ronos$ It(s the w%sest #ho%#e$ I(! here )e#ase I thoght "o !%ght
l%sten to reason$0
He drew a !ap on the ta)le w%th h%s ,nger$ Where'er he to#hed& golden l%nes
appeared& glow%ng on the #on#rete$ 0Th%s %s 3anhattan$ We ha'e ar!%es here&
here& here& and here$ We +now "or n!)ers$ We otn!)er "o twent" to one$0
0<or sp" has )een +eep%ng "o posted&0 I gessed$
Pro!ethes s!%led apologet%#all"$ 0-t an" rate& or for#es are grow%ng da%l"$
Ton%ght& 9ronos w%ll atta#+$ <o w%ll )e o'erwhel!ed$ <o('e foght )ra'el"& )t
there(s /st no wa" "o #an hold all of 3anhattan$ <o(ll )e for#ed to retreat to
the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$ There "o(ll )e destro"ed$ I ha'e seen th%s$ It w%ll
happen$0
I thoght a)ot the p%#tre Ra#hel had drawn %n !" drea!s2an ar!" at the
)ase of the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$ I re!e!)ered the words of the "ong g%rl
Ora#le %n !" drea!K I foresee the ftre$ I #annot #hange %t$ Pro!ethes spo+e
w%th s#h #erta%nt" %t was hard not to )el%e'e h%!$
0I won(t let %t happen&0 I sa%d$
Pro!ethes )rshed a spe#+ o4 h%s t* lapel$ 0Understand& Per#"$ <o are
re,ght%ng the Tro/an War here$ Patterns repeat the!sel'es %n h%stor"$ The"
reappear /st as !onsters do$ - great s%ege$ Two ar!%es$ The onl" d%4eren#e %s&
th%s t%!e "o are defend%ng$ <o are Tro"$ -nd "o +now what happened to the
Tro/ans& don(t "o70
0So "o(re go%ng to #ra! a wooden horse %nto the ele'ator at the E!p%re State
6%ld%ng70 I as+ed$ 0Good l#+$0
Pro!ethes s!%led$ 0Tro" was #o!pletel" destro"ed& Per#"$ <o don(t want
that to happen here$ Stand down& and New <or+ w%ll )e spared$ <or for#es w%ll )e
granted a!nest"$ I w%ll personall" assre "or safet"$ Let 9ronos ta+e Ol"!ps$
Who #ares7 T"phon w%ll destro" the gods $!" wa"$0
0R%ght&0 I sa%d$ 0-nd I(! spposed to )el%e'e 9ronos wold spare the #%t"$0
0-ll he wants %s Ol"!ps&0 Pro!ethes pro!%sed$ 0The !%ght of the gods %s
t%ed to the%r seats of power$ <o saw what happened to Pose%don on#e h%s
ndersea pala#e was atta#+ed$0
I w%n#ed& re!e!)er%ng how old and de#rep%t !" father loo+ed$
0<es&0 Pro!ethes sa%d sadl"$ 0I +now that was hard for "o$ When 9ronos
destro"s Ol"!ps& the gods w%ll fade$ The" w%ll )e#o!e so wea+ the" w%ll )e
eas%l" defeated$ 9ronos wold rather do th%s wh%le T"phon has the Ol"!p%ans
d%stra#ted %n the west$ 3#h eas%er$ @ewer l%'es lost$ 6t !a+e no !%sta+e& the
)est "o #an do %s slow s down$ The da" after to!orrow& T"phon arr%'es %n New
<or+& and "o w%ll ha'e no #han#e at all$ The gods and 3ont Ol"!ps w%ll st%ll )e
destro"ed& )t %t w%ll )e !#h !ess%er$ 3#h& !#h worse for "o and "or #%t"$
E%ther wa"& the T%tans w%ll rle$0
Thal%a ponded her ,st on the ta)le$ 0I ser'e -rte!%s$ The Hnters w%ll ,ght to
or last )reath$ Per#"& "o(re not ser%osl" go%ng to l%sten to th%s sl%!e)all& are
"o70
I ,gred Pro!ethes was go%ng to )last her& )t he /st s!%led$ 0<or #orage
does "o #red%t& Thal%a Gra#e$0
Thal%a st%4ened$ 0That(s !" !other(s srna!e$ I don(t se %t$0
0-s "o w%sh&0 Pro!ethes sa%d #asall"& )t I #old tell he(d gotten nder her
s+%n$ I(d ne'er e'en heard Thal%a(s last na!e )efore$ So!ehow %t !ade her see!
al!ost nor!al$ Less !"ster%os and powerfl$
0-t an" rate&0 the T%tan sa%d& 0"o need not )e !" ene!"$ I ha'e alwa"s )een
a helper of !an+%nd$0
0That(s a load of 3%notar dng&0 Thal%a sa%d$ 0When !an+%nd ,rst sa#r%,#ed to
the gods& "o tr%#+ed the! %nto g%'%ng "o the )est port%on$ <o ga'e s ,re to
anno" the gods& not )e#ase "o #ared a)ot s$0
Pro!ethes shoo+ h%s head$ 0<o don(t nderstand$ I helped shape "or
natre$0
- w%ggl%ng l!p of #la" appeared %n h%s hands$ He fash%oned %t %nto a l%ttle doll
w%th legs and ar!s$ The l!p !an d%dn(t ha'e an" e"es& )t %t groped arond the
ta)le& st!)l%ng o'er Pro!ethes(s ,ngers$ 0I ha'e )een wh%sper%ng %n !an(s ear
s%n#e the )eg%nn%ng of "or e*%sten#e$ I represent "or #r%os%t"& "or sense of
e*plorat%on& "or %n'ent%'eness$ Help !e sa'e "o& Per#"$ ?o th%s& and I w%ll g%'e
!an+%nd a new g%ft2a new re'elat%on that w%ll !o'e "o as far forward as ,re
d%d$ <o #an(t !a+e that +%nd of ad'an#e nder the gods$ The" wold ne'er allow
%t$ 6t th%s #old )e a new golden age for "o$ Or $ $ $0 He !ade a ,st and
s!ashed the #la" !an %nto a pan#a+e$
The )le g%ant r!)led& 0Uh.oh$0 O'er at the par+ )en#h& the e!posa )ared
her fangs %n a s!%le$
0Per#"& "o +now the T%tans and the%r o4spr%ng are not all )ad&0 Pro!ethes
sa%d$ 0<o('e !et Cal"pso$0
3" fa#e felt hot$ 0That(s d%4erent$0
0How7 3#h l%+e !e& she d%d noth%ng wrong& and "et she was e*%led fore'er
s%!pl" )e#ase she was -tlas(s daghter$ We are not "or ene!%es$ ?on(t let the
worst happen&0 he pleaded$ 0We o4er "o pea#e$0
I loo+ed at Ethan Na+a!ra$ 0<o !st hate th%s$0
0I don(t +now what "o !ean$0
0If we too+ th%s deal& "o woldn(t get re'enge$ <o woldn(t get to +%ll s all$
Isn(t that what "o want70
H%s good e"e >ared$ 0-ll I want %s respe#t& ;a#+son$ The gods ne'er ga'e !e
that$ <o wanted !e to go to "or stp%d #a!p& spend !" t%!e #ra!!ed %nto the
Her!es #a)%n )e#ase I(! not %!portant7 Not e'en re#ogn%5ed70
He sonded /st l%+e L+e when he(d tr%ed to +%ll !e %n the woods at #a!p for
"ears ago$ The !e!or" !ade !" hand a#he where the p%t s#orp%on had stng
!e$
0<or !o!(s the goddess of re'enge&0 I told Ethan$ 0We shold respe#t that70
0Ne!es%s stands for )alan#e1 When people ha'e too !#h good l#+& she
tears the! down$0
0Wh%#h %s wh" she too+ "or e"e70
0It was pa"!ent&0 he growled$ 0In e*#hange& she swore to !e that one da" I
wold t%p the )alan#e of power$ I wold )r%ng the !%nor gods respe#t$ -n e"e was
a s!all pr%#e to pa"$0
0Great !o!$0
0-t least she +eeps her word& nl%+e the Ol"!p%ans$ She alwa"s pa"s her de)ts
2good or e'%l$0
0<eah&0 I sa%d$ 0So I sa'ed "or l%fe& and "o repa%d !e )" ra%s%ng 9ronos$
That(s fa%r$0
Ethan gra))ed the h%lt of h%s sword& )t Pro!ethes stopped h%!$
0Now& now&0 the T%tan sa%d$ 0We(re on a d%plo!at%# !%ss%on$0
Pro!ethes std%ed !e as %f tr"%ng to nderstand !" anger$ Then he nodded
l%+e he(d /st p%#+ed a thoght fro! !" )ra%n$
0It )others "o what happened to L+e&0 he de#%ded$ 0Hest%a d%dn(t show "o
the fll stor"$ Perhaps %f "o nderstood $ $ $0
The T%tan rea#hed ot$
Thal%a #r%ed a warn%ng& )t )efore I #old rea#t& Pro!ethes(s %nde* ,nger
to#hed !" forehead$
O O O
Sddenl" I was )a#+ %n 3a" Castellan(s l%'%ng roo!$ Candles >%#+ered on the
,repla#e !antel& re>e#ted %n the !%rrors along the walls$ Throgh the +%t#hen
doorwa" I #old see Thal%a s%tt%ng at the ta)le wh%le 3s$ Castellan )andaged her
wonded leg$ Se'en."ear.old -nna)eth sat ne*t to her& pla"%ng w%th a 3edsa
)ean)ag to"$

Her!es and L+e stood apart %n the l%'%ng roo!$
The god(s fa#e loo+ed l%A%d %n the #andlel%ght& l%+e he #oldn(t de#%de what
shape to adopt$ He was dressed %n a na'" )le /ogg%ng ot,t w%th w%nged
Ree)o+s$
0Wh" show "orself now70 L+e de!anded$ H%s sholders were tense& as %f he
e*pe#ted a ,ght$ 0-ll these "ears I('e )een #all%ng to "o& pra"%ng "o(d show p&
and noth%ng$ <o left !e w%th her$0 He po%nted toward the +%t#hen l%+e he #oldn(t
)ear to loo+ at h%s !other& !#h less sa" her na!e$
0L+e& do not d%shonor her&0 Her!es warned$ 0<or !other d%d the )est she
#old$ -s for !e& I #old not %nterfere w%th "or path$ The #h%ldren of the gods
!st ,nd the%r own wa"$0
0So %t was for !" own good$ Grow%ng p on the streets& fend%ng for !"self&
,ght%ng !onsters$0
0<o(re !" son&0 Her!es sa%d$ 0I +new "o had the a)%l%t"$ When I was onl" a
)a)"& I #rawled fro! !" #radle and set ot for20
0I(! not a god1 ;st on#e& "o #old('e sa%d so!eth%ng$ <o #old('e helped
when02he too+ an nstead" )reath& lower%ng h%s 'o%#e so no one %n the +%t#hen
#old o'erhear20when she was ha'%ng one of her ,ts& sha+%ng !e and sa"%ng
#ra5" th%ngs a)ot !" fate$ When I sed to h%de %n the #loset so she woldn(t ,nd
!e w%th those $ $ $ those glow%ng e"es$ ?%d "o e'en #are that I was s#ared7 ?%d
"o e'en +now when I ,nall" ran awa"70
In the +%t#hen& 3s$ Castellan #hattered a%!lessl"& por%ng 9ool.-%d for Thal%a
and -nna)eth as she told the! stor%es a)ot L+e as a )a)"$ Thal%a r))ed her
)andaged leg ner'osl"$ -nna)eth glan#ed %nto the l%'%ng roo! and held p a
)rned #oo+%e for L+e to see$ She !othed& Can we go now7
0L+e& I #are 'er" !#h&0 Her!es sa%d slowl"& 0)t gods !st not %nterfere
d%re#tl" %n !ortal a4a%rs$ It %s one of or -n#%ent Laws$ Espe#%all" when "or
dest%n" $ $ $0 H%s 'o%#e tra%led o4$ He stared at the #andles as %f re!e!)er%ng
so!eth%ng npleasant$
0What70 L+e as+ed$ 0What a)ot !" dest%n"70
0<o shold not ha'e #o!e )a#+&0 Her!es !ttered$ 0It onl" psets "o )oth$
Howe'er& I see now that "o are gett%ng too old to )e on the rn w%thot help$ I(ll
spea+ w%th Ch%ron at Ca!p Half.6lood and as+ h%! to send a sat"r to #olle#t "o$0
0We(re do%ng ,ne w%thot "or help&0 L+e growled$ 0Now& what were "o
sa"%ng a)ot !" dest%n"70
The w%ngs on Her!es(s Ree)o+s >ttered restlessl"$ He std%ed h%s son l%+e he
was tr"%ng to !e!or%5e h%s fa#e& and sddenl" a #old feel%ng washed throgh !e$
I real%5ed Her!es +new what 3a" Castellan(s !tter%ngs !eant$ I wasn(t sre
how& )t loo+%ng at h%s fa#e I was a)soltel" #erta%n$ Her!es nderstood what
wold happen to L+e so!eda"& how he wold trn e'%l$
03" son&0 he sa%d& 0I(! the god of tra'elers& the god of loads$ If I +now
an"th%ng& I +now that "o !st wal+ "or own path& e'en thogh %t tears !"
heart$0
0<o don(t lo'e !e$0
0I pro!%se I $ $ $ I do lo'e "o$ Go to #a!p$ I w%ll see that "o get a Aest soon$
Perhaps "o #an defeat the H"dra& or steal the apples of Hesper%des$ <o w%ll get
a #han#e to )e a great hero )efore $ $ $0
06efore what70 L+e(s 'o%#e was tre!)l%ng now$ 0What d%d !" !o! see that
!ade her l%+e th%s7 What(s go%ng to happen to !e7 If "o lo'e !e& tell !e$0
Her!es(s e*press%on t%ghtened$ 0I #annot$0
0Then "o don(t #are10 L+e "elled$
In the +%t#hen& the tal+%ng d%ed a)rptl"$
0L+e70 3a" Castellan #alled$ 0Is that "o7 Is !" )o" all r%ght70
L+e trned to h%de h%s fa#e& )t I #old see the tears %n h%s e"es$ 0I(! ,ne$ I
ha'e a new fa!%l"$ I don(t need e%ther of "o$0
0I(! "or father&0 Her!es %ns%sted$
0- father %s spposed to )e arond$ I('e ne'er e'en !et "o$ Thal%a&
-nna)eth& #o!e on1 We(re lea'%ng10
03" )o"& don(t go10 3a" Castellan #alled after h%!$ 0I ha'e "or ln#h read"10
L+e stor!ed ot the door& Thal%a and -nna)eth s#ra!)l%ng after h%!$ 3a"
Castellan tr%ed to follow& )t Her!es held her )a#+$
-s the s#reen door sla!!ed& 3a" #ollapsed %n Her!es(s ar!s and )egan to
sha+e$ Her e"es opened2glow%ng green2and she #lt#hed desperatel" at
Her!es(s sholders$
03" son&0 she h%ssed %n a dr" 'o%#e$ 0?anger$ Terr%)le fate10
0I +now& !" lo'e&0 Her!es sa%d sadl"$ 06el%e'e !e& I +now$0
The %!age faded$ Pro!ethes plled h%s hand awa" fro! !" forehead$
0Per#"70 Thal%a as+ed$ 0What $ $ $ what was that70
I real%5ed I was #la!!" w%th sweat$
Pro!ethes nodded s"!pathet%#all"$ 0-ppall%ng& %sn(t %t7 The gods +now what
%s to #o!e& and "et the" do noth%ng& e'en for the%r #h%ldren$ How long d%d %t ta+e
for the! to tell "o "or prophe#"& Per#" ;a#+son7 ?on(t "o th%n+ "or father
+nows what w%ll happen to "o70
I was too stnned to answer$
0Perrr#"&0 Gro'er warned& 0he(s pla"%ng w%th "or !%nd$ Tr"%ng to !a+e "o
angr"$0
Gro'er #old read e!ot%ons& so he pro)a)l" +new Pro!ethes was
s##eed%ng$
0?o "o reall" )la!e "or fr%end L+e70 the T%tan as+ed !e$ 0-nd what a)ot
"o& Per#"7 W%ll "o )e #ontrolled )" "or fate7 9ronos o4ers "o a !#h )etter
deal$0
I #len#hed !" ,sts$ -s !#h as I hated what Pro!ethes had shown !e& I
hated 9ronos a lot !ore$ 0I(ll g%'e "o a deal$ Tell 9ronos to #all o4 h%s atta#+&
lea'e L+e Castellan(s )od"& and retrn to the p%ts of Tartars$ Then !a")e I
won(t ha'e to destro" h%!&0
The e!posa snarled$ Her ha%r erpted %n fresh >a!es& )t Pro!ethes /st
s%ghed$
0If "o #hange "or !%nd&0 he sa%d& 0I ha'e a g%ft for "o$0
- Gree+ 'ase appeared on the ta)le$ It was a)ot three feet h%gh and a foot
w%de& gla5ed w%th )la#+.and.wh%te geo!etr%# des%gns$ The #era!%# l%d was
fastened w%th a leather harness$
Gro'er wh%!pered when he saw %t$
Thal%a gasped$ 0That(s not20
0<es&0 Pro!ethes sa%d$ 0<o re#ogn%5e %t$0
Loo+%ng at the /ar& I felt a strange sense of fear& )t I had no %dea wh"$
0Th%s )elonged to !" s%ster.%n.law&0 Pro!ethes e*pla%ned$ 0Pandora$0
- l!p for!ed %n !" throat$ 0-s %n Pandora(s )o*70
Pro!ethes shoo+ h%s head$ 0I don(t +now how th%s )o* )s%ness got started$ It
was ne'er a )o*$ It was a p%thos& a storage /ar$ I sppose Pandora(s p%thos doesn(t
ha'e the sa!e r%ng to %t& )t ne'er !%nd that$ <es& she d%d open th%s /ar& wh%#h
#onta%ned !ost of the de!ons that now hant !an+%nd2fear& death& hnger&
s%#+ness$0
0?on(t forget !e&0 the e!posa prred$
0Indeed&0 Pro!ethes #on#eded$ 0The ,rst e!posa was also trapped %n th%s
/ar& released )" Pandora$ 6t what I ,nd #r%os a)ot the stor"2Pandora alwa"s
gets the )la!e$ She %s pn%shed for )e%ng #r%os$ The gods wold ha'e "o
)el%e'e that th%s %s the lessonK !an+%nd shold not e*plore$ The" shold not as+
Aest%ons$ The" shold do what the" are told$ In trth& Per#"& th%s /ar was a trap
des%gned )" Les and the other gods$ It was re'enge on !e and !" ent%re fa!%l"
2!" poor s%!ple )rother Ep%!ethes and h%s w%fe Pandora$ The gods +new she
wold open the /ar$ The" were w%ll%ng to pn%sh the ent%re ra#e of h!an%t" along
w%th s$0
I thoght a)ot !" drea! of Hades and 3ar%a d% -ngelo$ Les had destro"ed
an ent%re hotel to el%!%nate two de!%god #h%ldren2/st to sa'e h%s own s+%n&
)e#ase he was s#ared of a prophe#"$ He(d +%lled an %nno#ent wo!an and
pro)a)l" hadn(t lost an" sleep o'er %t$ Hades was no )etter$ He wasn(t powerfl
enogh to ta+e h%s re'enge on Les& so he #rsed the Ora#le& doo!%ng a "ong
g%rl to a horr%)le fate$ -nd Her!es $ $ $ wh" had he a)andoned L+e7 Wh" hadn(t
he at least warned L+e& or tr%ed to ra%se h%! )etter so he woldn(t trn e'%l7
3a")e Pro!ethes was to"%ng w%th !" !%nd$
6t what %f he(s r%ght7 part of !e wondered$ How are the gods an" )etter than
the T%tans7
Pro!ethes tapped the l%d of Pandora(s /ar$ 0Onl" one sp%r%t re!a%ned %ns%de
when Pandora opened %t$0
0Hope&0 I sa%d$
Pro!ethes loo+ed pleased$ 0Ver" good& Per#"$ Elp%s& the Sp%r%t of Hope& wold
not a)andon h!an%t"$ Hope does not lea'e w%thot )e%ng g%'en per!%ss%on$ She
#an onl" )e released )" a #h%ld of !an$0
The T%tan sl%d the /ar a#ross the ta)le$
0I g%'e "o th%s as a re!%nder of what the gods are l%+e&0 he sa%d$ 09eep Elp%s& %f
"o w%sh$ 6t %f "o de#%de that "o ha'e seen enogh destr#t%on& enogh ft%le
s4er%ng& then open the /ar$ Let Elp%s go$ G%'e p Hope& and I w%ll +now that "o
are srrender%ng$ I pro!%se 9ronos w%ll )e len%ent$ He w%ll spare the sr'%'ors$0
I stared at the /ar and got a 'er" )ad feel%ng$ I ,gred Pandora had )een
#o!pletel" -?H?& l%+e !e$ I #old ne'er lea'e th%ngs alone$ I d%dn(t l%+e
te!ptat%on$ What %f th%s was !" #ho%#e7 3a")e the prophe#" all #a!e down to
!" +eep%ng th%s /ar #losed or open%ng %t$
0I don(t want the th%ng&0 I growled$
0Too late&0 Pro!ethes sa%d$ 0The g%ft %s g%'en$ It #annot )e ta+en )a#+$0
He stood$ The e!posa #a!e forward and sl%pped her ar! throgh h%s$
03orra%n10 Pro!ethes #alled to the )le g%ant$ 0We are lea'%ng$ Get "or
>ag$0
0Uh.oh&0 the g%ant sa%d$
0We w%ll see "o soon& Per#" ;a#+son&0 Pro!ethes pro!%sed$ 0One wa" or
another$0
Ethan Na+a!ra ga'e !e one last hatefl loo+$ Then the tr#e part" trned
and strolled p the lane throgh Central Par+& l%+e %t was /st a reglar snn"
Snda" afternoon$
@OURTEEN
PIGS @L<
6a#+ at the Pla5a& Thal%a plled !e as%de$ 0What d%d Pro!ethes show "o70
Rel#tantl"& I told her a)ot the '%s%on of 3a" Castellan(s hose$ Thal%a r))ed
her th%gh l%+e she was re!e!)er%ng the old wond$
0That was a )ad n%ght&0 she ad!%tted$ 0-nna)eth was so l%ttle& I don(t th%n+ she
reall" nderstood what she saw$ She /st +new L+e was pset$0
I loo+ed ot the hotel w%ndows at Central Par+$ S!all ,res were st%ll )rn%ng %n
the north& )t otherw%se the #%t" see!ed nnatrall" pea#efl$ 0?o "o +now
what happened to 3a" Castellan7 I !ean20
0I +now what "o !ean&0 Thal%a sa%d$ 0I ne'er saw her ha'e an& !& ep%sode&
)t L+e told !e a)ot the glow%ng e"es& the strange th%ngs she wold sa"$ He
!ade !e pro!%se ne'er to tell$ What #ased %t& I ha'e no %dea$ If L+e +new& he
ne'er told !e$0
0Her!es +new&0 I sa%d$ 0So!eth%ng #ased 3a" to see parts of L+e(s ftre&
and Her!es nderstood what wold happen2how L+e wold trn %nto 9ronos$0
Thal%a frowned$ 0<o #an(t )e sre of that$ Re!e!)er Pro!ethes was
!an%plat%ng what "o saw& Per#"& show%ng "o what happened %n the worst
poss%)le l%ght$ Her!es d%d lo'e L+e$ I #old tell /st )" loo+%ng at h%s fa#e$ -nd
Her!es was there that n%ght )e#ase he was #he#+%ng p on 3a"& ta+%ng #are of
her$ He wasn(t all )ad$0
0It(s st%ll not r%ght&0 I %ns%sted$ 0L+e was /st a l%ttle +%d$ Her!es ne'er helped
h%!& ne'er stopped h%! fro! rnn%ng awa"$0
Thal%a sholdered her )ow$ -ga%n %t str#+ !e how !#h stronger she loo+ed
now that she(d stopped ag%ng$ <o #old al!ost see a s%l'er" glow arond her2
the )less%ng of -rte!%s$
0Per#"&0 she sa%d& 0"o #an(t start feel%ng sorr" for L+e$ We all ha'e togh
th%ngs to deal w%th$ -ll de!%gods do$ Or parents are hardl" e'er arond$ 6t
L+e !ade )ad #ho%#es$ No)od" for#ed h%! to do that$ In fa#t20

She glan#ed down the hall to !a+e sre we were alone$ 0I(! worr%ed a)ot
-nna)eth$ If she has to fa#e L+e %n )attle& I don(t +now %f she #an do %t$ She(s
alwa"s had a soft spot for h%!$0
6lood rose to !" fa#e$ 0She(ll do ,ne$0
0I don(t +now$ -fter that n%ght& after we left h%s !o!(s hose7 L+e was ne'er
the sa!e$ He got re#+less and !ood"& l%+e he had so!eth%ng to pro'e$ 6" the
t%!e Gro'er fond s and tr%ed to get s to #a!p $ $ $ well& part of the reason we
had so !#h tro)le was )e#ase L+e woldn(t )e #arefl$ He wanted to p%#+ a
,ght w%th e'er" !onster we #rossed$ -nna)eth d%dn(t see that as a pro)le!$ L+e
was her hero$ She onl" nderstood that h%s parents had !ade h%! sad& and she
got 'er" defens%'e of h%!$ She st%ll %s defens%'e$ -ll I(! sa"%ng $ $ $ don(t "o fall
%nto the sa!e trap$ L+e has g%'en h%!self to 9ronos now$ We #an(t a4ord to )e
soft on h%!$0
I loo+ed ot at the ,res %n Harle!& wonder%ng how !an" sleep%ng !ortals were
%n danger r%ght now )e#ase of L+e(s )ad #ho%#es$
0<o(re r%ght&0 I sa%d$
Thal%a patted !" sholder$ 0I(! go%ng to #he#+ on the Hnters& then get so!e
!ore sleep )efore n%ghtfall$ <o shold #rash too$0
0The last th%ng I need %s !ore drea!s$0
0I +now& )el%e'e !e$0 Her dar+ e*press%on !ade !e wonder what she(d )een
drea!%ng a)ot$ It was a #o!!on de!%god pro)le!K the !ore dangeros or
s%tat%on )e#a!e& the worse and !ore freAent or drea!s got$ 06t Per#"&
there(s no tell%ng when "o(ll get another #han#e for rest$ It(s go%ng to )e a long
n%ght2!a")e or last n%ght$0
I d%dn(t l%+e %t& )t I +new she was r%ght$ I nodded wear%l" and ga'e her
Pandora(s /ar$ 0?o !e a fa'or$ Lo#+ th%s %n the hotel 'alt& w%ll "o7 I th%n+ I(!
allerg%# to p%thos$0
Thal%a s!%led$ 0<o got %t$0
I fond the nearest )ed and passed ot$ 6t of #orse sleep onl" )roght !ore
n%ght!ares$
I saw the ndersea pala#e of !" father$ The ene!" ar!" was #loser now&
entren#hed onl" a few hndred "ards ots%de the pala#e$ The fortress walls were
#o!pletel" destro"ed$ The te!ple !" dad had sed as h%s headAarters was
)rn%ng w%th Gree+ ,re$
I 5oo!ed %n on the ar!or"& where !" )rother and so!e other C"#lopes were
on ln#h )rea+& eat%ng fro! hge /ars of S+%pp" e*tra.#hn+" peant )tter Hand
don(t as+ !e how %t tasted nderwater& )e#ase I don(t want to +nowI$ -s I
wat#hed& the oter wall of the ar!or" e*ploded$ - C"#lops warr%or st!)led
%ns%de& #ollaps%ng on the ln#h ta)le$ T"son +nelt down to help& )t %t was too
late$ The C"#lops d%ssol'ed %nto sea s%lt$
Ene!" g%ants !o'ed toward the )rea#h& and T"son p%#+ed p the fallen
warr%or(s #l)$ He "elled so!eth%ng to h%s fellow )la#+s!%ths2pro)a)l" 0@or
Pose%don102)t w%th h%s !oth fll of peant )tter %t sonded l%+e 0PUH PTEH
6UN10 H%s )rethren all gra))ed ha!!ers and #h%sels& "elled& 0PE-NUT 6UTTER10
and #harged )eh%nd T"son %nto )attle$
Then the s#ene sh%fted$ I was w%th Ethan Na+a!ra at the ene!" #a!p$ What
I saw !ade !e sh%'er& partl" )e#ase the ar!" was so hge& partl" )e#ase I
re#ogn%5ed the pla#e$
We were %n the )a#+woods of New ;erse"& on a #r!)l%ng road l%ned w%th rn.
down )s%nesses and tattered )%ll)oard s%gns$ - tra!pled fen#e r%nged a )%g "ard
fll of #e!ent statar"$ The s%gn a)o'e the warehose was hard to read )e#ase
%t was %n red #rs%'e& )t I +new what %t sa%dK -UNT< E3(S G-R?EN GNO3E
E3PORIU3$
I hadn(t thoght a)ot the pla#e %n "ears$ It was #learl" a)andoned$ The
states were )ro+en and spra".pa%nted w%th gra:t%$ - #e!ent sat"r2Gro'er(s
Un#le @erd%nand2had lost h%s ar!$ Part of the warehose roof had #a'ed %n$ - )%g
"ellow s%gn pasted on the door readK CON?E3NE?$
Hndreds of tents and ,res srronded the propert"$ 3ostl" I saw !onsters&
)t there were so!e h!an !er#enar%es %n #o!)at fat%ges and de!%gods %n
ar!or& too$ - prple.and.)la#+ )anner hng ots%de the e!por%!& garded )"
two hge )le H"per)oreans$
Ethan was #ro#hed at the nearest #a!p,re$ - #ople of other de!%gods sat
w%th h%!& sharpen%ng the%r swords$ The doors of the warehose opened& and
Pro!ethes stepped ot$
0Na+a!ra&0 he #alled$ 0The !aster wold l%+e to spea+ to "o$0
Ethan stood p war%l"$ 0So!eth%ng wrong70
Pro!ethes s!%led$ 0<o(ll ha'e to as+ h%!$0
One of the other de!%gods sn%#+ered$ 0N%#e +now%ng "o$0
Ethan read/sted h%s sword )elt and headed %nto the warehose$
E*#ept for the hole %n the roof& the pla#e was /st as D re!e!)ered$ States of
terr%,ed people stood fro5en %n !%ds#rea!$ In the sna#+ )ar area& the p%#n%#
ta)les had )een !o'ed as%de$ R%ght )etween the soda d%spenser and pret5el
war!er stood a golden throne$ 9ronos longed on %t& h%s s#"the a#ross h%s lap$ He
wore /eans and a T.sh%rt& and w%th h%s )rood%ng e*press%on he loo+ed al!ost
h!an2l%+e the "onger 'ers%on of L+e I(d seen %n the '%s%on& plead%ng w%th
Her!es to tell h%! h%s fate$ Then L+e saw Ethan& and h%s fa#e #ontorted %nto a
'er" %nh!an s!%le$ H%s golden e"es glowed$
0Well& Na+a!ra$ What d%d "o th%n+ of the d%plo!at%# !%ss%on70
Ethan hes%tated$ 0I(! sre Lord Pro!ethes %s )etter s%ted to spea+20
06t I as+ed "o$0
Ethan(s good e"e darted )a#+ and forth& not%ng the gards that stood arond
9ronos$ 0I $ $ $ I don(t th%n+ ;a#+son w%ll srrender$ E'er$0
9ronos nodded$ 0-n"th%ng else "o wanted to tell !e70
0N.no& s%r$
0<o loo+ ner'os& Ethan$0
0No& s%r$ It(s /st $ $ $ I heard th%s was the la%r of 20
03edsa7 <es& A%te tre$ Lo'el" pla#e& eh7 Unfortnatel"& 3edsa hasn(t re.
for!ed s%n#e ;a#+son +%lled her& so "o needn(t worr" a)ot /o%n%ng her #olle#t%on$
6es%des& there are !#h !ore dangeros for#es %n th%s roo!$0
9ronos loo+ed o'er at a La%str"gon%an g%ant who was !n#h%ng no%s%l" on
so!e fren#h fr%es$ 9ronos wa'ed h%s hand and the g%ant fro5e$ - fren#h fr" hng
sspended %n !%da%r halfwa" )etween h%s hand and h%s !oth$
0Wh" trn the! to stone&0 9ronos as+ed& 0when "o #an free5e t%!e %tself70
H%s golden e"es )ored %nto Ethan(s fa#e$ 0Now& tell !e one !ore th%ng$ What
happened last n%ght on the W%ll%a!s)rg 6r%dge70
Ethan tre!)led$ 6eads of persp%rat%on were popp%ng p on h%s forehead$ 0I $ $ $
I don(t +now& s%r$0
0<es& "o do$0 9ronos rose fro! h%s seat$ 0When "o atta#+ed ;a#+son&
so!eth%ng happened$ So!eth%ng was not A%te r%ght$ The g%rl& -nna)eth& /!ped
%n "or wa"$0
0She wanted to sa'e h%!$0
06t he %s %n'lnera)le&0 9ronos sa%d A%etl"$ 0<o saw that "orself$0
0I #an(t e*pla%n %t$ 3a")e she forgot$0
0She forgot&0 9ronos sa%d$ 0<es& that !st('e )een %t$ Oh dear& I forgot !"
fr%end %s %n'lnera)le and too+ a +n%fe for h%!$ Oops$ Tell !e& Ethan& where were
"o a%!%ng when "o sta))ed at ;a#+son70
Ethan frowned$ He #lasped h%s hand as %f he were hold%ng a )lade& and !%!ed
a thrst$ 0I(! not sre& s%r$ It all happened so fast$ I wasn(t a%!%ng for an" spot %n
part%#lar$(
9ronos(s ,ngers tapped the )lade of h%s s#"the$ 0I see&0 he sa%d %n a #h%ll" tone$
0If "or !e!or" %!pro'es& I w%ll e*pe#t20
Sddenl" the T%tan lord w%n#ed$ The g%ant %n the #orner nfro5e and the fren#h
fr" fell %nto h%s !oth$ 9ronos st!)led )a#+ward and san+ %nto h%s throne$
03" lord70 Ethan started forward$
0I20 The 'o%#e was wea+& )t /st for a !o!ent %t was L+e(s$ Then 9ronos(s
e*press%on hardened$ He ra%sed h%s hand and >e*ed h%s ,ngers slowl" as %f for#%ng
the! to o)e"$
0It %s noth%ng&0 he sa%d& h%s 'o%#e steel" and #old aga%n$ 0- !%nor d%s#o!fort$0
Ethan !o%stened h%s l%ps$ 0He(s st%ll ,ght%ng "o& %sn(t he7 L+e20
0Nonsense&0 9ronos spat$ 0Repeat that l%e& and I w%ll #t ot "or tonge$ The
)o"(s sol has )een #rshed$ I a! s%!pl" ad/st%ng to the l%!%ts of th%s for!$ It
reA%res rest$ It %s anno"%ng& )t no !ore than a te!porar" %n#on'en%en#e$0
0-s $ $ $ as "o sa"& !" lord$0
0<o10 9ronos po%nted h%s s#"the at a dra#aena w%th green ar!or and a green
#rown$ 0Meen Sess& %s %t70
0<esssss& !" lord$0
0Is or l%ttle srpr%se read" to )e nleashed70
The dra#aena Aeen )ared her fangs$ 0Oh& "essss& !" lord$ M%te a lo'el"
sssssrpr%ssse$0
0E*#ellent&0 9ronos sa%d$ 0Tell !" )rother H"per%on to !o'e or !a%n for#e
soth %nto Central Par+$ The half.)loods w%ll )e %n s#h d%sarra" the" w%ll not )e
a)le to defend the!sel'es$ Go now& Ethan$ Wor+ on %!pro'%ng "or !e!or"$ We
w%ll tal+ aga%n when we ha'e ta+en 3anhattan$0
Ethan )owed& and !" drea!s sh%fted one last t%!e$ I saw the 6%g Hose at
#a!p& )t %t was a d%4erent era$ The hose was pa%nted red %nstead of )le$ The
#a!pers down at the 'olle")all p%t had earl" (ECs ha%rst"les& wh%#h were pro)a)l"
good for +eep%ng !onsters awa"$
Ch%ron stood )" the por#h& tal+%ng to Her!es and a wo!an hold%ng a )a)"$
Ch%ron(s ha%r was shorter and dar+er$ Her!es wore h%s sal /ogg%ng s%t w%th h%s
w%nged h%gh.tops$ The wo!an was tall and prett"$ She had )lond ha%r& sh%n%ng
e"es and a fr%endl" s!%le$ The )a)" %n her ar!s sA%r!ed %n h%s )le )lan+et l%+e
Ca!p Half.6lood was the last pla#e he wanted to )e$
0It(s an honor to ha'e "o here&0 Ch%ron told the wo!an& thogh he sonded
ner'os$ 0It(s )een a long t%!e s%n#e a !ortal was allowed at #a!p$0
0?on(t en#orage her&0 Her!es gr!)led$ 03a"& "o #an(t do th%s$0
W%th a sho#+& I real%5ed I was see%ng 3a" Castellan$ She loo+ed noth%ng l%+e
the old wo!an I(d !et$ She see!ed fll of l%fe2the +%nd of person who #old
s!%le and !a+e e'er"one arond her feel good$
0Oh& don(t worr" so !#h&0 3a" sa%d& ro#+%ng the )a)"$ 0<o need an Ora#le&
don(t "o7 The old one(s )een dead for& what& twent" "ears70
0Longer&0 Ch%ron sa%d gra'el"$
Her!es ra%sed h%s ar!s %n e*asperat%on$ 0I d%dn(t tell "o that stor" so "o
#old appl"$ It(s dangeros$ Ch%ron& tell her$0
0It %s&0 Ch%ron warned$ 0@or !an" "ears& I ha'e for)%dden an"one fro! tr"%ng$
We don(t +now e*a#tl" what(s happened$ H!an%t" see!s to ha'e lost the a)%l%t"
to host the Ora#le$0
0We('e )een throgh that&0 3a" sa%d$ 0-nd I +now I #an do %t$ Her!es& th%s %s
!" #han#e to do so!eth%ng good$ I('e )een g%'en the g%ft of s%ght for a reason$0
I wanted to "ell at 3a" Castellan to stop$ I +new what was a)ot to happen$ I
,nall" nderstood how her l%fe had )een destro"ed$ 6t I #oldn(t !o'e or spea+$
Her!es loo+ed !ore hrt than worr%ed$ 0<o #oldn(t !arr" %f "o )e#a!e the
Ora#le&0 he #o!pla%ned$ 0<o #oldn(t see !e an"!ore$0
3a" pt her hand on h%s ar!$ 0I #an(t ha'e "o fore'er& #an I7 <o(ll !o'e on
soon$ <o(re %!!ortal$0
He started to protest& )t she pt her hand on h%s #hest$ 0<o +now %t(s tre1
?on(t tr" to spare !" feel%ngs$ 6es%des& we ha'e a wonderfl #h%ld$ I #an st%ll ra%se
L+e %f I(! the Ora#le& r%ght70
Ch%ron #oghed$ 0<es& )t %n all fa%rness& I don(t +now how that w%ll a4e#t the
sp%r%t of the Ora#le$ - wo!an who has alread" )orne a #h%ld2as far as I +now&
th%s has ne'er )een done )efore$ If the sp%r%t does not ta+e20
0It w%ll&0 3a" %ns%sted$
No& I wanted to shot$ It won(t$
3a" Castellan +%ssed her )a)" and handed the )ndle to Her!es$ 0I(ll )e r%ght
)a#+$0
She ga'e the! one last #on,dent s!%le and #l%!)ed the steps$
Ch%ron and Her!es pa#ed %n s%len#e$ The )a)" sA%r!ed$
- green glow l%t the w%ndows of the hose$ The #a!pers stopped pla"%ng
'olle")all and stared p at the att%#$ - #old w%nd rshed throgh the straw)err"
,elds$
Her!es !st('e felt %t too$ He #r%ed& 0No1 NO10
He sho'ed the )a)" %nto Ch%ron(s ar!s and ran for the por#h$ 6efore he
rea#hed the door& the snn" afternoon was shattered )" 3a" Castellan(s terr%,ed
s#rea!$
I got p so fast I )anged !" head on so!e)od"(s sh%eld$

0Ow10
0Sorr"& Per#"$0 -nna)eth was stand%ng o'er !e$ 0I was /st a)ot to wa+e
"o$0
I r))ed !" head& tr"%ng to #lear the d%str)%ng '%s%ons$ Sddenl" a lot of
th%ngs !ade sense to !eK 3a" Castellan had tr%ed to )e#o!e the Ora#le$ She
hadn(t +nown a)ot Hades(s #rse pre'ent%ng the sp%r%t of ?elph% fro! ta+%ng
another host$ Ne%ther had Ch%ron or Her!es$ The" hadn(t real%5ed that )" tr"%ng
to ta+e the /o)& 3a" wold )e dr%'en !ad& plaged w%th ,ts %n wh%#h her e"es
wold glow green and she wold ha'e shattered gl%!pses of her #h%ld(s ftre$
0Per#"70 -nna)eth as+ed$ 0What(s wrong70
0Noth%ng&0 I l%ed$ 0What $ $ $ what are "o do%ng %n ar!or7 <o shold )e
rest%ng$0
0Oh& I(! ,ne&0 she sa%d& thogh she st%ll loo+ed pale$ She was )arel" !o'%ng
her r%ght ar!$ 0That ne#tar and a!)ros%a ,*ed !e p$0
0Uh.hh$ <o #an(t ser%osl" go ot and ,ght$0
She o4ered !e her good hand and helped !e p$ 3" head was pond%ng$
Ots%de& the s+" was prple and red$
0<o(re go%ng to need e'er" person "o ha'e&0 she sa%d$ 0I /st loo+ed %n !"
sh%eld$ There(s an ar!"20
0Head%ng soth %nto Central Par+&0 I sa%d$ 0<eah& I +now$0
I told her part of !" drea!s$ I left ot the '%s%on of 3a" Castellan& )e#ase %t
was too d%str)%ng to tal+ a)ot$ I also left ot Ethan(s spe#lat%on a)ot L+e
,ght%ng 9ronos %ns%de h%s )od"$ I d%dn(t want to get -nna)eth(s hopes p$
0?o "o th%n+ Ethan sspe#ts a)ot "or wea+ spot70 she as+ed$
0I don(t +now&0 I ad!%tted$ 0He d%dn(t tell 9ronos an"th%ng& )t %f he ,gres %t
ot20
0We #an(t let h%!$0
0I(ll )on+ h%! on the head harder ne*t t%!e&0 I sggested$ 0-n" %dea what
srpr%se 9ronos was tal+%ng a)ot70
She shoo+ her head$ 0I d%dn(t see an"th%ng %n the sh%eld& )t I don(t l%+e
srpr%ses$0
0-greed$0
0So&0 she sa%d& 0are "o go%ng to arge a)ot !e #o!%ng along70
0Nah$ <o(d /st )eat !e p$0
She !anaged a lagh& wh%#h was good to hear$ I gra))ed !" sword& and we
went to rall" the troops$
Thal%a and the head #onselors were wa%t%ng for s at the Reser'o%r$ The l%ghts
of the #%t" were )l%n+%ng on at tw%l%ght$ I gess a lot of the! were on ato!at%#
t%!ers$ Streetla!ps glowed arond the shore of the la+e& !a+%ng the water and
trees loo+ e'en spoo+%er$
0The"(re #o!%ng&0 Thal%a #on,r!ed& po%nt%ng north w%th a s%l'er arrow$ 0One of
!" s#ots /st reported the"('e #rossed the Harle! R%'er$ There was no wa" to
hold the! )a#+$ The ar!" $ $ $0 She shrgged$ 0It(s hge$0
0We(ll hold the! at the par+&0 I sa%d$ 0Gro'er& "o read"70
He nodded$ 0-s read" as we(ll e'er )e$ If !" natre sp%r%ts #an stop the!
an"where& th%s %s the pla#e$0
0<es& we w%ll10 sa%d another 'o%#e$ - 'er" old& fat sat"r pshed throgh the
#rowd& st!)l%ng o'er h%s own spear$ He was dressed %n wood.)ar+ ar!or that
onl" #o'ered half of h%s )ell"$
0Lenes70 I sa%d$
0?on(t a#t so srpr%sed&0 he h4ed$ 0I a! a leader of the Con#%l& and "o d%d
tell !e to ,nd Gro'er$ Well& I fond h%!& and I(! not go%ng to let a !ere ot#ast
lead the sat"rs w%thot !" help10
6eh%nd Lenes(s )a#+& Gro'er !ade gagg%ng !ot%ons& )t the old sat"r
gr%nned l%+e he was the sa'%or of the da"$ 0Ne'er fear1 We(ll show those T%tans10
I d%dn(t +now whether to lagh or )e angr"& )t I !anaged to +eep a stra%ght
fa#e$ 0U! $ $ $ "eah$ Well& Gro'er& "o won(t )e alone$ -nna)eth and the -thena
#a)%n w%ll !a+e the%r stand here$ -nd !e& and $ $ $ Thal%a70
She patted !e on the sholder$ 0Sa" no !ore$ The Hnters are read"$0
I loo+ed at the other #onselors$ 0That lea'es the rest of "o w%th a /o) /st as
%!portant$ <o ha'e to gard the other entran#es to 3anhattan$ <o +now how
tr%#+" 9ronos %s$ He(ll hope to d%stra#t s w%th th%s )%g ar!" and snea+ another
for#e %n so!ewhere else$ It(s p to "o to !a+e sre that doesn(t happen$ Has
ea#h #a)%n #hosen a )r%dge or tnnel70
The #onselors nodded gr%!l"$
0Then let(s do %t&0 I sa%d$ 0Good hnt%ng& e'er")od"10
We heard the ar!" )efore we saw %t$
The no%se was l%+e a #annon )arrage #o!)%ned w%th a foot)all stad%! #rowd2
l%+e e'er" Patr%ots fan %n New England was #harg%ng s w%th )a5oo+as$
-t the north end of the reser'o%r& the ene!" 'angard )ro+e throgh the
woods2a warr%or %n golden ar!or lead%ng a )attal%on of La%str"gon%an g%ants w%th
hge )ron5e a*es$ Hndreds of other !onsters pored ot )eh%nd the!$
0Pos%t%ons10 -nna)eth "elled$
Her #a)%n!ates s#ra!)led$ The %dea was to !a+e the ene!" ar!" )rea+
arond the reser'o%r$ To get to s& the"(d ha'e to follow the tra%ls& wh%#h !eant
the"(d )e !ar#h%ng %n narrow #ol!ns on e%ther s%de of the water$
-t ,rst& the plan see!ed to wor+$ The ene!" d%'%ded and strea!ed toward s
along the shore$ When the" were halfwa" a#ross& or defenses +%#+ed %n$ The
/ogg%ng tra%l erpted %n Gree+ ,re& %n#%nerat%ng !an" of the !onsters %nstantl"$
Others >a%led arond& englfed %n green >a!es$ -thena #a!pers threw grappl%ng
hoo+s arond the largest g%ants and plled the! to the grond$
In the woods on the r%ght& the Hnters sent a 'olle" of s%l'er arrows %nto the
ene!" l%ne& destro"%ng twent" or th%rt" dra#aenae& )t !ore !ar#hed )eh%nd
the!$ - )olt of l%ghtn%ng #ra#+led ot of the s+" and fr%ed a La%str"gon%an g%ant to
ashes& and I +new Thal%a !st )e do%ng her daghter of Les th%ng$
Gro'er ra%sed h%s p%pes and pla"ed a A%#+ tne$ - roar went p fro! the
woods on )oth s%des as e'er" tree& ro#+& and )sh see!ed to sprot a sp%r%t$
?r"ads and sat"rs ra%sed the%r #l)s and #harged$ The trees wrapped arond the
!onsters& strangl%ng the!$ Grass grew arond the feet of the ene!" ar#hers$
Stones >ew p and h%t dra#aenae %n the fa#es$
The ene!" slogged forward$ G%ants s!ashed throgh the trees& and na%ads
faded as the%r l%fe sor#es were destro"ed$ Hellhonds lnged at the t%!)er
wol'es& +no#+%ng the! as%de$ Ene!" ar#hers retrned ,re& and a Hnter fell fro!
a h%gh )ran#h$
0Per#"10 -nna)eth gra))ed !" ar! and po%nted at the reser'o%r$ The T%tan %n
the gold ar!or wasn(t wa%t%ng for h%s for#es to ad'an#e arond the s%des$ He was
#harg%ng toward s& wal+%ng stra%ght o'er the top of the la+e$
- Gree+ ,re)o!) e*ploded r%ght on top of h%!& )t he ra%sed h%s pal! and
s#+ed the >a!es ot of the a%r$
0H"per%on&0 -nna)eth sa%d %n awe$ 0The lord of l%ght$ T%tan of the east$0
06ad70 I gessed$
0Ne*t to -tlas& he(s the greatest T%tan warr%or$ In the old da"s& for T%tans
#ontrolled the for #orners of the world$ H"per%on was the east2the !ost
powerfl$ He was the father of Hel%os& the ,rst sn god$0
0I(ll +eep h%! )s"&0 I pro!%sed$
0Per#"& e'en "o #an(t20
0;st +eep or for#es together$0
We(d set p at the reser'o%r for good reason$ I #on#entrated on the water and
felt %ts power srg%ng throgh !e$
I ad'an#ed toward H"per%on& rnn%ng o'er the top of the water$ <eah& )dd"$
Two #an pla" that ga!e$
Twent" feet awa"& H"per%on ra%sed h%s sword$ H%s e"es were /st l%+e I(d seen %n
!" drea!2as gold as 9ronos(s )t )r%ghter& l%+e !%n%atre sns$
0The sea god(s )rat&0 he !sed$ 0<o(re the one who trapped -tlas )eneath
the s+" aga%n70
0It wasn(t hard&0 I sa%d$ 0<o T%tans are a)ot as )r%ght as !" g"! so#+s$0
H"per%on snarled$ 0<o want )r%ght70
H%s )od" %gn%ted %n a #ol!n of l%ght and heat$ I loo+ed awa"& )t I was st%ll
)l%nded$
Inst%n#t%'el" I ra%sed R%pt%de2/st %n t%!e$ H"per%on(s )lade sla!!ed aga%nst
!%ne$ The sho#+ wa'e sent a ten.foot r%ng of water a#ross the srfa#e of the la+e$
3" e"es st%ll )rned$ I had to sht o4 h%s l%ght$
I #on#entrated on the t%dal wa'e and for#ed %t to re'erse$ ;st )efore %!pa#t& I
/!ped pward on a /et of water$
0-HHHHH10 The wa'es s!ashed %nto H"per%on and he went nder& h%s l%ght
e*t%ng%shed$
I landed on the la+e(s srfa#e /st as H"per%on strggled to h%s feet$ H%s golden
ar!or was dr%pp%ng wet$ H%s e"es no longer )la5ed& )t the" st%ll loo+ed
!rderos$
0<o w%ll )rn& ;a#+son10 he roared$
Or swords !et aga%n and the a%r #harged w%th o5one$
The )attle st%ll raged arond s$ On the r%ght >an+& -nna)eth was lead%ng an
assalt w%th her s%)l%ngs$ On the left >an+& Gro'er and h%s natre sp%r%ts were
regrop%ng& entangl%ng the ene!%es w%th )shes and weeds$
0Enogh ga!es&0 H"per%on told !e$ 0We ,ght on land$0
I was a)ot to !a+e so!e #le'er #o!!ent& l%+e 0No&0 when the T%tan "elled$ -
wall of for#e sla!!ed !e throgh the a%r2/st l%+e the tr%#+ 9ronos had plled on
the )r%dge$ I sa%led )a#+ward a)ot three hndred "ards and s!ashed %nto the
grond$ If %t hadn(t )een for !" new %n'lnera)%l%t"& I wold('e )ro+en e'er" )one
%n !" )od"$
I got to !" feet& groan%ng$ 0I reall" hate %t when "o T%tans do that$0
H"per%on #losed on !e w%th )l%nd%ng speed$
I #on#entrated on the water& draw%ng strength fro! %t$
H"per%on atta#+ed$ He was powerfl and fast& )t he #oldn(t see! to land a
)low$ The grond arond h%s feet +ept erpt%ng %n >a!es& )t I +ept dos%ng %t
/st as A%#+l"$
0Stop %t10 the T%tan roared$ 0Stop that w%nd10
I wasn(t sre what he !eant$ I was too )s" ,ght%ng$
H"per%on st!)led l%+e he was )e%ng pshed awa"$ Water spra"ed h%s fa#e&
st%ng%ng h%s e"es$ The w%nd p%#+ed p& and H"per%on staggered )a#+ward$
0Per#"10 Gro'er #alled %n a!a5e!ent$ 0How are "o do%ng that70
?o%ng what7 I thoght$
Then I loo+ed down& and I real%5ed I was stand%ng %n the !%ddle of !" own
personal hrr%#ane$ Clods of water 'apor sw%rled arond !e& w%nds so powerfl
the" )4eted H"per%on and >attened the grass %n a twent"."ard rad%s$ Ene!"
warr%ors threw /a'el%ns at !e& )t the stor! +no#+ed the! as%de$
0Sweet&0 I !ttered$ 06t a l%ttle !ore10
L%ghtn%ng >%#+ered arond !e$ The #lods dar+ened and the ra%n sw%rled
faster$ I #losed %n on H"per%on and )lew h%! o4 h%s feet$
0Per#"10 Gro'er #alled aga%n$ 06r%ng h%! o'er here10
I slashed and /a))ed& lett%ng !" re>e*es ta+e o'er& H"per%on #old )arel"
defend h%!self$ H%s e"es +ept tr"%ng to %gn%te& )t the hrr%#ane Aen#hed h%s
>a!es$
I #oldn(t +eep p a stor! l%+e th%s fore'er& thogh$ I #old feel !" powers
wea+en%ng$ W%th one last e4ort& I propelled H"per%on a#ross the ,eld& stra%ght to
where Gro'er was wa%t%ng$
0I w%ll not )e to"ed w%th10 H"per%on )ellowed$
He !anaged to get to h%s feet aga%n& )t Gro'er pt h%s reed p%pes to h%s l%ps
and )egan to pla"$ Lenes /o%ned h%!$ -rond the gro'e& e'er" sat"r too+ p the
song2an eer%e !elod"& l%+e a #ree+ >ow%ng o'er stones$ The grond erpted at
H"per%on(s feet$ Gnarled roots wrapped arond h%s legs$
0What(s th%s70 he protested$ He tr%ed to sha+e o4 the roots& )t he was st%ll
wea+$ The roots th%#+ened nt%l he loo+ed l%+e he was wear%ng wooden )oots$
0Stop th%s10 he shoted$ 0<or woodland !ag%# %s no !at#h for a T%tan10
6t the !ore he strggled& the faster the roots grew$ The" #rled a)ot h%s
)od"& th%#+en%ng and harden%ng %nto )ar+$ H%s golden ar!or !elted %nto the
wood& )e#o!%ng part of a large trn+$
The !s%# #ont%ned$ H"per%on(s for#es )a#+ed p %n aston%sh!ent as the%r
leader was a)sor)ed$ He stret#hed ot h%s ar!s and the" )e#a!e )ran#hes& fro!
wh%#h s!aller )ran#hes shot ot and grew lea'es$ The tree grew taller and
th%#+er& nt%l onl" the T%tan(s fa#e was '%s%)le %n the !%ddle of the trn+$
0<o #annot %!pr%son !e10 he )ellowed$ 0I a! H"per%on1 I a!20
The )ar+ #losed o'er h%s fa#e$

Gro'er too+ h%s p%pes fro! h%s !oth$ 0<o are a 'er" n%#e !aple tree$0
Se'eral of the other sat"rs passed ot fro! e*hast%on& )t the"(d done the%r
/o) well$ The T%tan lord was #o!pletel" en#ased %n an enor!os !aple$ The trn+
was at least twent" feet %n d%a!eter& w%th )ran#hes as tall as an" %n the par+$ The
tree !%ght('e stood there for #entr%es$
The T%tan(s ar!" started to retreat$ - #heer went p fro! the -thena #a)%n&
)t or '%#tor" was short.l%'ed$
6e#ase /st then 9ronos nleashed h%s srpr%se$
0REEEEET10
The sAeal e#hoed throgh pper 3anhattan$ ?e!%gods and !onsters al%+e
fro5e %n terror$
Gro'er shot !e a pan%#+ed loo+$ 0Wh" does that sond l%+e $ $ $ It #an(t )e10
I +new what he was th%n+%ng$ Two "ears ago we(d gotten a 0g%ft0 fro! Pan2a
hge )oar that #arr%ed s a#ross the Sothwest Hafter %t tr%ed to +%ll sI$ The )oar
had a s%!%lar sAeal& )t what we were hear%ng now see!ed h%gher p%t#hed&
shr%ller& al!ost l%+e $ $ $ l%+e %f the )oar had an angr" g%rlfr%end$
0REEEEEET10 - hge p%n+ #reatre soared o'er the reser'o%r2a 3a#"(s
Than+sg%'%ng ?a" Parade n%ght!are )l%!p w%th w%ngs$
0- sow10 -nna)eth #r%ed$ 0Ta+e #o'er10
The de!%gods s#attered as the w%nged lad" p%g swooped down$ Her w%ngs
were p%n+ l%+e a >a!%ngo(s& wh%#h !at#hed her s+%n )eat%fll"& )t %t was hard to
th%n+ of her as #te when her hoo'es sla!!ed %nto the grond& )arel" !%ss%ng
one of -nna)eth(s s%)l%ngs$ The p%g sto!ped arond and tore down half an a#re
of trees& )el#h%ng a #lod of no*%os gas$ Then %t too+ o4 aga%n& #%r#l%ng arond
for another str%+e$
0?on(t tell !e that th%ng %s fro! Gree+ !"tholog"&0 I #o!pla%ned$
0-fra%d so&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0The Cla5!on%an Sow$ It terror%5ed Gree+ towns
)a#+ %n the da"$0
0Let !e gess&0 I sa%d$ 0Her#les )eat %t$0
0Nope&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0-s far as I +now& no hero has e'er )eaten %t$0
0Perfe#t&0 I !ttered$
The T%tan(s ar!" was re#o'er%ng fro! %ts sho#+$ I gess the" real%5ed the p%g
wasn(t after the!$
We onl" had se#onds )efore the" were read" to ,ght& and or for#es were st%ll
%n a pan%#$ E'er" t%!e the sow )el#hed& Gro'er(s natre sp%r%ts "elped and faded
)a#+ %nto the%r trees$
0That p%g has to go$0 I gra))ed a grappl%ng hoo+ fro! one of -nna)eth(s
s%)l%ngs$ 0I(ll ta+e #are of %t$ <o g"s hold the rest of the ene!"$ Psh the!
)a#+10
06t& Per#"&0 Gro'er sa%d& 0what %f we #an(t70
I saw how t%red he was$ The !ag%# had reall" dra%ned h%!$ -nna)eth d%dn(t
loo+ !#h )etter fro! ,ght%ng w%th a )ad sholder wond$ I d%dn(t +now how the
Hnters were do%ng& )t the r%ght >an+ of the ene!" ar!" was now )etween
the! and s$
I d%dn(t want to lea'e !" fr%ends %n s#h )ad shape& )t that sow was the
)%ggest threat$ It wold destro" e'er"th%ngK )%ld%ngs& trees& sleep%ng !ortals$ It
had to )e stopped$
0Retreat %f "o need to&0 I sa%d$ 0;st slow the! down$ I(ll )e )a#+ as soon as I
#an$0
6efore I #old #hange !" !%nd& I swng the grappl%ng hoo+ l%+e a lasso$ When
the sow #a!e down for %ts ne*t pass& I threw w%th all !" strength$ The hoo+
wrapped arond the )ase of the p%g(s w%ng$ It sAealed %n rage and 'eered o4&
"an+%ng the rope and !e %nto the s+"$
If "o(re head%ng downtown fro! Central Par+& !" ad'%#e %s to ta+e the
s)wa"$ @l"%ng p%gs are faster& )t wa" !ore dangeros$
The sow soared past the Pla5a Hotel& stra%ght %nto the #an"on of @%fth -'ene$
3" )r%ll%ant plan was to #l%!) the rope and get on the p%g(s )a#+$ Unfortnatel" I
was too )s" sw%ng%ng arond dodg%ng streetla!ps and the s%des of )%ld%ngs$
-nother th%ng I learnedK %t(s one th%ng to #l%!) a rope %n g"! #lass$ It(s a
#o!pletel" d%4erent th%ng to #l%!) a rope atta#hed to a !o'%ng p%g(s w%ng wh%le
"o(re >"%ng at a hndred !%les an hor$
We 5%g5agged along se'eral )lo#+s and #ont%ned soth on Par+ -'ene$
6oss1 He"& )oss1 Ot of the #orner of !" e"e& I saw 6la#+/a#+ speed%ng along
ne*t to s& dart%ng )a#+ and forth to a'o%d the p%g(s w%ngs$
0Wat#h ot10 I told h%!$
Hop on1 6la#+/a#+ wh%nn%ed$ I #an #at#h "o $ $ $ pro)a)l"$
That wasn(t 'er" reassr%ng$ Grand Central la" dead ahead$ -)o'e the !a%n
entran#e stood the g%ant state of Her!es& wh%#h I gess hadn(t )een a#t%'ated
)e#ase %t was so h%gh p$ I was >"%ng r%ght toward h%! at the speed of de!%god.
s!ash%ng$
0Sta" alert10 I told 6la#+/a#+$ 0I('e got an %dea$0
Oh& I hate "or %deas$
I swng otward w%th all !" !%ght$ Instead of s!ash%ng %nto the Her!es
state& I wh%pped arond %t& #%r#l%ng the rope nder %ts ar!s$ I thoght th%s wold
tether the p%g& )t I(d nderest%!ated the !o!ent! of a th%rt".ton sow %n >%ght$
;st as the p%g wren#hed the state loose fro! %ts pedestal& I let go$ Her!es went
for a r%de& ta+%ng !" pla#e as the p%g(s passenger& and I free.fell toward the
street$
In that spl%t se#ond I thoght a)ot the da"s when !" !o! sed to wor+ at
the Grand Central #and" shop$ I thoght how )ad %t wold )e %f I ended p as a
grease spot on the pa'e!ent$
Then a shadow swooped nder !e& and th!p2I was on 6la#+/a#+(s )a#+$ It
wasn(t the !ost #o!forta)le land%ng$ In fa#t& when I "elled 0OW10 !" 'o%#e was
an o#ta'e h%gher than sal$
Sorr"& )oss& 6la#+/a#+ !r!red$
0No pro)le!&0 I sAea+ed$ 0@ollow that p%g10
The por+er had ta+en a r%ght at East Bdnd and was >"%ng )a#+ toward @%fth
-'ene$ When %t >ew a)o'e the rooftops& I #old see ,res here and there arond
the #%t"$ It loo+ed l%+e !" fr%ends were ha'%ng a rogh t%!e$ 9ronos was atta#+%ng
on se'eral fronts$ 6t at the !o!ent& I had !" own pro)le!s$
The Her!es state was st%ll on %ts leash$ It +ept )on+%ng %nto )%ld%ngs and
sp%nn%ng arond$ The p%g swooped o'er an o:#e )%ld%ng& and Her!es plowed
%nto a water tower on the roof& )last%ng water and wood e'er"where$
Then so!eth%ng o##rred to !e$
0Get #loser&0 I told 6la#+/a#+$
He wh%nn%ed %n protest$
0;st w%th%n shot%ng d%stan#e&0 I sa%d$ 0I need to tal+ to the state$0
Now I(! sre "o('e lost %t& )oss& 6la#+/a#+ sa%d& )t he d%d what I as+ed$
When I was #lose enogh to see the state(s fa#e #learl"& I "elled& 0Hello&
Her!es1 Co!!and seAen#eK ?aedals Twent".three$ 9%ll @l"%ng P%gs1 6eg%n
-#t%'at%on10
I!!ed%atel" the state !o'ed %ts legs$ It see!ed #onfsed to ,nd that %t was
no longer on top of Grand Central Ter!%nal$ It was& %nstead& )e%ng g%'en a s+".r%de
on the end of a rope )" a large w%nged sow$ It s!ashed throgh the s%de of a
)r%#+ )%ld%ng& wh%#h I th%n+ !ade %t a l%ttle !ad$ It shoo+ %ts head and )egan to
#l%!) the rope$
I glan#ed down at the street$ We were #o!%ng p on the !a%n p)l%# l%)rar"&
w%th the )%g !ar)le l%ons >an+%ng the steps$ Sddenl" I had a we%rd thoghtK
Cold stone states )e ato!atons too7 It see!ed l%+e a long shot& )t $ $ $
0@aster10 I told 6la#+/a#+$ 0Get %n front of the p%g& Tant h%!10
U!& )oss2
0Trst !e&0 I sa%d$ 0I #an do th%s $ $ $ pro)a)l"$0
Oh& sre$ 3o#+ the horse$
6la#+/a#+ )rst throgh the a%r$ He #old >" prett" darned fast when he
wanted to$ He got %n front of the p%g& wh%#h now had a !etal Her!es on %ts )a#+$
6la#+/a#+ wh%nn%ed& <o s!ell l%+e ha!1 He +%#+ed the p%g %n the snot w%th h%s
)a#+ hoo'es and went %nto a steep d%'e$ The p%g s#rea!ed %n rage and followed$
We )arreled stra%ght for the front steps of the l%)rar"$ 6la#+/a#+ slowed down
/st enogh for !e to hop o4& then he +ept >"%ng toward the !a%n doors$
I "elled ot& 0L%ons1 Co!!and seAen#eK ?aedals Twent".three$ 9%ll @l"%ng
P%gs1 6eg%n -#t%'at%on10
The l%ons stood p and loo+ed at !e$ The" pro)a)l" thoght I was teas%ng
the!$ 6t /st thenK 0REEEEEET10
The !ass%'e p%n+ por+ !onster landed w%th a thd& #ra#+%ng the s%dewal+$ The
l%ons stared at %t& not )el%e'%ng the%r l#+& and pon#ed$ -t the sa!e t%!e& a 'er"
)eat.p Her!es state leaped onto the p%g(s head and started )ang%ng %t
!er#%lessl" w%th a #ad#es$ Those l%ons had so!e nast" #laws$
I drew R%pt%de& )t there wasn(t !#h for !e to do$ The p%g d%s%ntegrated
)efore !" e"es$ I al!ost felt sorr" for %t$ I hoped %t got to !eet the )oar of %ts
drea!s down %n Tartars$
When the !onster had #o!pletel" trned to dst& the l%ons and the Her!es
state loo+ed arond %n #onfs%on$
0<o #an defend 3anhattan now&0 I told the!& )t the" d%dn(t see! to hear$
The" went #harg%ng down Par+ -'ene& and I %!ag%ned the" wold +eep loo+%ng
for >"%ng p%gs nt%l so!eone dea#t%'ated the!$
He"& )oss& sa%d 6la#+/a#+$ Can we ta+e a dont )rea+7
I w%ped the sweat o4 !" )row$ 0I w%sh& )%g g"& )t the ,ght(s st%ll go%ng on$0
In fa#t& I #old hear %t gett%ng #loser$ 3" fr%ends needed help$ I /!ped on
6la#+/a#+& and we >ew north toward the sond of e*plos%ons$
@I@TEEN
CHIRON THROWS -
P-RT<
3%dtown was a war 5one$ We >ew o'er l%ttle s+%r!%shes e'er"where$ - g%ant
was r%pp%ng p trees %n 6r"ant Par+ wh%le dr"ads pelted h%! w%th nts$ Ots%de
the Waldorf -stor%a& a )ron5e state of 6en/a!%n @ran+l%n was wha#+%ng a
hellhond w%th a rolled.p newspaper$ - tr%o of Hephaests #a!pers foght a
sAad of dra#aenae %n the !%ddle of Ro#+efeller Center$
I was te!pted to stop and help& )t I #old tell fro! the s!o+e and no%se that
the real a#t%on had !o'ed farther soth$ Or defenses were #ollaps%ng$ The
ene!" was #los%ng %n on the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$
We d%d a A%#+ sweep of the srrond%ng area$ The Hnters had set p a
defens%'e l%ne on eGth& /st three )lo#+s north of Ol"!ps$ To the east on Par+
-'ene& ;a+e 3ason and so!e other Hephaests #a!pers were lead%ng an ar!"
of states aga%nst the ene!"$ To the west& the ?e!eter #a)%n and Gro'er(s
natre sp%r%ts had trned S%*th -'ene %nto a /ngle that was ha!per%ng a
sAadron of 9ronos(s de!%gods$ The soth was #lear for now& )t the >an+s of
the ene!" ar!" were sw%ng%ng arond$ - few !ore !%ntes and we(d )e totall"
srronded$
0We ha'e to land where the" need s !ost&0 I !ttered$
That(s e'er"where& )oss$
I spotted a fa!%l%ar s%l'er owl )anner %n the sotheast #orner of the ,ght& eerd
at the Par+ -'ene tnnel$ -nna)eth and two of her s%)l%ngs were hold%ng )a#+ a
H"per)orean g%ant$
0There10 I told 6la#+/a#+$ He plnged toward the )attle$
I leaped o4 h%s )a#+ and landed on the g%ant(s head$ When the g%ant loo+ed
p& I sl%d o4 h%s fa#e& sh%eld.)ash%ng h%s nose on the wa" down$
0R-WWWR1( The g%ant staggered )a#+ward& )le )lood tr%#+l%ng fro! h%s
nostr%ls$
I h%t the pa'e!ent rnn%ng$ The H"per)orean )reathed a #lod of wh%te !%st&
and the te!peratre dropped$ The spot where I(d landed was now #oated w%th
%#e& and I was #o'ered %n frost l%+e a sgar dont$
0He"& gl"10 -nna)eth "elled$ I hoped she was tal+%ng to the g%ant& not !e$
6le 6o" )ellowed and trned toward her& e*pos%ng the nprote#ted )a#+ of
h%s legs$ I #harged and sta))ed h%! )eh%nd the +nee$
0W----H10 The H"per)orean )#+led$ I wa%ted for h%! to trn& )t he fro5e$ I
!ean he l%terall" trned to sol%d %#e$ @ro! the po%nt where I(d sta))ed h%!& #ra#+s
appeared %n h%s )od"$ The" got larger and w%der nt%l the g%ant #r!)led %n a
!onta%n of )le shards$
0Than+s$0 -nna)eth w%n#ed& tr"%ng to #at#h her )reath$ 0The p%g70
0Por+ #hops&0 I sa%d$
0Good$0 She >e*ed her sholder$ O)'%osl"& the wond was st%ll )other%ng her&
)t she saw !" e*press%on and rolled her e"es$ 0I(! ,ne& Per#"$ Co!e on1 We('e
got plent" of ene!%es left$0
She was r%ght$ The ne*t hor was a )lr$ I foght l%+e I(d ne'er foght )efore2
wad%ng %nto leg%ons of dra#aenae& ta+%ng ot do5ens of tel+h%nes w%th e'er"
str%+e& destro"%ng e!posa% and +no#+%ng ot ene!" de!%gods$ No !atter how
!an" I defeated& !ore too+ the%r pla#e$
-nna)eth and I ra#ed fro! )lo#+ to )lo#+& tr"%ng to shore p or defenses$ Too
!an" of or fr%ends la" wonded %n the streets$ Too !an" were !%ss%ng$
-s the n%ght wore on and the !oon got h%gher& we were )a#+ed p foot )" foot
nt%l we were onl" a )lo#+ fro! the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng %n an" d%re#t%on$ -t one
po%nt Gro'er was ne*t to !e& )on+%ng sna+e wo!en o'er the head w%th h%s
#dgel$ Then he d%sappeared %n the #rowd& and %t was Thal%a at !" s%de& dr%'%ng
the !onsters )a#+ w%th the power of her !ag%# sh%eld$ 3rs$ O(Lear" )onded ot
of nowhere& p%#+ed p a La%str"gon%an g%ant %n her !oth& and >ng h%! %nto the
a%r l%+e a @r%s)ee$ -nna)eth sed her %n'%s%)%l%t" #ap to snea+ )eh%nd the ene!"
l%nes$ Whene'er a !onster d%s%ntegrated for no apparent reason w%th a srpr%sed
loo+ on h%s fa#e& I +new -nna)eth had )een there$
6t %t st%ll wasn(t enogh$
0Hold "or l%nes10 9at%e Gardner shoted& so!ewhere o4 to !" left$
The pro)le! was there were too few of s to hold an"th%ng$ The entran#e to
Ol"!ps was twent" feet )eh%nd !e$ - r%ng of )ra'e de!%gods& Hnters& and
natre sp%r%ts garded the doors$ I slashed and ha#+ed& destro"%ng e'er"th%ng %n
!" path& )t e'en I was gett%ng t%red& and I #oldn(t )e e'er"where at on#e$

6eh%nd the ene!" troops& a few )lo#+s to the east& a )r%ght l%ght )egan to
sh%ne$ I thoght %t was the snr%se$ Then I real%5ed 9ronos was r%d%ng toward s on
a golden #har%ot$ - do5en La%str"gon%an g%ants )ore tor#hes )efore h%!$ Two
H"per)oreans #arr%ed h%s )la#+.and.prple )anners$ The T%tan lord loo+ed fresh
and rested& h%s powers at fll strength$ He was ta+%ng h%s t%!e ad'an#%ng& lett%ng
!e wear !"self down$
-nna)eth appeared ne*t to !e$ 0We ha'e to fall )a#+ to the doorwa"$ Hold %t
at all #osts10
She was r%ght$ I was a)ot to order a retreat when I heard the hnt%ng horn$
It #t throgh the no%se of the )attle l%+e a ,re alar!$ - #hors of horns
answered fro! all arond s& e#ho%ng o4 the )%ld%ngs of 3anhattan$
I glan#ed at Thal%a& )t she /st frowned$
0Not the Hnters&0 she assred !e$ 0We(re all here$0
0Then who70
The horns got loder$ I #oldn(t tell where the" were #o!%ng fro! )e#ase of
the e#ho& )t %t sonded l%+e an ent%re ar!" was approa#h%ng$
I was afra%d %t !%ght )e !ore ene!%es& )t 9ronos(s for#es loo+ed as #onfsed
as we were$ G%ants lowered the%r #l)s$ ?ra#aenae h%ssed$ E'en 9ronos(s honor
gard loo+ed neas"$
Then& to or left& a hndred !onsters #r%ed ot at on#e$ 9ronos(s ent%re
northern >an+ srged forward$ I thoght we were doo!ed& )t the" d%dn(t atta#+$
The" ran stra%ght past s and #rashed %nto the%r sothern all%es$
- new )last of horns shattered the n%ght$ The a%r sh%!!ered$ In a )lr of
!o'e!ent& an ent%re #a'alr" appeared as %f dropp%ng ot of l%ght speed$
0<eah& )a)"10 a 'o%#e wa%led$ 0P-RT<10
- shower of arrows ar#ed o'er or heads and sla!!ed %nto the ene!"&
'apor%5%ng hndreds of de!ons$ 6t these weren(t reglar arrows$ The" !ade
wh%55" sonds as the" >ew& l%+e WHEEEEEE1 So!e had p%nwheels atta#hed to
the!$ Others had )o*%ng glo'es rather than po%nts$
0Centars10 -nna)eth "elled$
The Part" Pon" ar!" e*ploded %nto or !%dst %n a r%ot of #olorsK t%e.d"ed sh%rts&
ra%n)ow -fro w%gs& o'ers%5e snglasses& and war.pa%nted fa#es$ So!e had slogans
s#rawled a#ross the%r >an+s l%+e HORSEL PWN or 9RONOS SUX$
Hndreds of the! ,lled the ent%re )lo#+$ 3" )ra%n #oldn(t pro#ess e'er"th%ng
I saw& )t I +new %f I were the ene!"& I(d )e rnn%ng$
0Per#"10 Ch%ron shoted a#ross the sea of w%ld #entars$ He was dressed %n
ar!or fro! the wa%st p& h%s )ow %n h%s hand& and he was gr%nn%ng %n sat%sfa#t%on$
0Sorr" we(re late10
0?U?E10 -nother #entar "elled$ 0Tal+ later$ W-STE 3ONSTERS NOW10
He lo#+ed and loaded a do)le.)arrel pa%nt gn and )lasted an ene!"
hellhond )r%ght p%n+$ The pa%nt !st('e )een !%*ed w%th Celest%al )ron5e dst
or so!eth%ng& )e#ase as soon as %t splattered the hellhond& the !onster "elped
and d%ssol'ed %nto a p%n+.and.)la#+ pddle$
0P-RT< PONIES$(0 a #entar "elled$ 0SOUTH @LORI?-10
So!ewhere a#ross the )attle,eld& a twang" 'o%#e "elled )a#+& 0HE-RT O@
TEX-S CH-PTER10
0H-W-II OWNS <OUR @-CES10 a th%rd one shoted$
It was the !ost )eat%fl th%ng I(d e'er seen$ The ent%re T%tan ar!" trned and
>ed& pshed )a#+ )" a >ood of pa%nt)alls& arrows& swords& and NER@ )ase)all
)ats$ The #entars tra!pled e'er"th%ng %n the%r path$
0Stop rnn%ng& "o fools10 9ronos "elled$ 0Stand and -C9910
That last part was )e#ase a pan%#+ed H"per)orean g%ant st!)led )a#+ward
and sat on top of h%!$ The lord of t%!e d%sappeared nder a g%ant )le )tt$
We pshed the! for se'eral )lo#+s nt%l Ch%ron "elled& 0HOL?1 On "or
pro!%se& HOL?10
It wasn(t eas"& )t e'entall" the order got rela"ed p and down the ran+s of
#entars& and the" started to pll )a#+& lett%ng the ene!" >ee$
0Ch%ron(s s!art&0 -nna)eth sa%d& w%p%ng the sweat o4 her fa#e$ 0If we prse&
we(ll get too spread ot$ We need to regrop$0
06t the ene!"20
0The"(re not defeated&0 she agreed$ 06t the dawn %s #o!%ng$ -t least we('e
)oght so!e t%!e$0
I d%dn(t l%+e pll%ng )a#+& )t I +new she was r%ght$ I wat#hed as the last of the
tel+h%nes s#ttled toward the East R%'er$ Then rel#tantl" I trned and headed
)a#+ toward the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$
We set p a two.)lo#+ per%!eter& w%th a #o!!and tent at the E!p%re State
6%ld%ng$ Ch%ron %nfor!ed s that the Part" Pon%es had sent #hapters fro! al!ost
e'er" state %n the Un%onK fort" fro! Cal%forn%a& two fro! Rhode Island& th%rt" fro!
Ill%no%s $ $ $ Roghl" ,'e hndred total had answered h%s #all& )t e'en w%th that
!an"& we #oldn(t defend !ore than a few )lo#+s$
0?de&0 sa%d a #entar na!ed Larr"$ H%s T.sh%rt %dent%,ed h%! as 6IG CHIE@
U6ER GU<& NEW 3EXICO CH-PTER$ 0That was !ore fn than or last #on'ent%on
%n Vegas10
0<eah&0 sa%d Owen fro! Soth ?a+ota$ He wore a )la#+ leather /a#+et and an
old WWII ar!" hel!et$ 0We totall" wasted the!10
Ch%ron patted Owen on the )a#+$ 0<o d%d well& !" fr%ends& )t don(t get
#areless$ 9ronos shold ne'er )e nderest%!ated$ Now wh" don(t "o '%s%t the
d%ner on West eerd and get so!e )rea+fast7 I hear the ?elaware #hapter fond a
stash of root )eer$0
0Root )eer10 The" al!ost tra!pled ea#h other as the" galloped o4$
Ch%ron s!%led$ -nna)eth ga'e h%! a )%g hg& and 3rs$ O(Lear" l%#+ed h%s fa#e$
0-#+&0 he gr!)led$ 0Enogh of that& dog$ <es& I(! glad to see "o too$0
0Ch%ron& than+s&0 I sa%d$ 0Tal+ a)ot sa'%ng the da"$0
He shrgged$ 0I(! sorr" %t too+ so long$ Centars tra'el fast& as "o +now$ We
#an )end d%stan#e as we r%de$ E'en so& gett%ng all the #entars together was no
eas" tas+$ The Part" Pon%es are not e*a#tl" organ%5ed$0
0How(d "o get throgh the !ag%# defenses arond the #%t"70 -nna)eth as+ed$
0The" slowed s down a )%t&0 Ch%ron ad!%tted& 0)t I th%n+ the"(re %ntended
!ostl" to +eep !ortals ot$ 9ronos doesn(t want pn" h!ans gett%ng %n the wa"
of h%s great '%#tor"$0
0So !a")e other re%nfor#e!ents #an get throgh&0 I sa%d hopefll"$
Ch%ron stro+ed h%s )eard$ 0Perhaps& thogh t%!e %s short$ -s soon as 9ronos
regrops& he w%ll atta#+ aga%n$ W%thot the ele!ent of srpr%se on or s%de $ $ $0
I nderstood what he !eant$ 9ronos wasn(t )eaten$ Not )" a long shot$ I half
hoped 9ronos had )een sAashed nder that H"per)orean g%ant(s )tt& )t I
+new )etter$ He(d )e )a#+& ton%ght at the latest$
0-nd T"phon70 I as+ed$
Ch%ron(s fa#e dar+ened$ 0The gods are t%r%ng$ ?%on"ss was %n#apa#%tated
"esterda"$ T"phon s!ashed h%s #har%ot& and the w%ne god went down so!ewhere
%n the -ppala#h%ans$ No one has seen h%! s%n#e$ Hephaests %s ot of a#t%on as
well$ He was thrown fro! the )attle so hard he #reated a new la+e %n West
V%rg%n%a$ He w%ll heal& )t not soon enogh to help$ The others st%ll ,ght$ The"('e
!anaged to slow T"phon(s approa#h$ 6t the !onster #an not )e stopped$ He w%ll
arr%'e %n New <or+ )" th%s t%!e to!orrow$ On#e he and 9ronos #o!)%ne for#es20
0Then what #han#e do we ha'e70 I sa%d$ 0We #an(t hold ot another da"$0
0We(ll ha'e to&0 Thal%a sa%d$ 0I(ll see a)ot sett%ng so!e new traps arond the
per%!eter$0
She loo+ed e*hasted$ Her /a#+et was s!eared %n gr%!e and !onster dst& )t
she !anaged to get to her feet and stagger o4$
0I w%ll help her&0 Ch%ron de#%ded$ 0I shold !a+e sre !" )rethren don(t go too
o'er)oard w%th the root )eer$0
I thoght 0too o'er)oard0 prett" !#h s!!ed p the Part" Pon%es& )t
Ch%ron #antered o4& lea'%ng -nna)eth and !e alone$
She #leaned the !onster sl%!e o4 her +n%fe$ I(d seen her do that hndreds of
t%!es& )t I(d ne'er thoght a)ot wh" she #ared so !#h a)ot the )lade$
0-t least "or !o! %s o+a"&0 I o4ered$
0If "o #all ,ght%ng T"phon o+a"$0 She lo#+ed e"es w%th !e$ 0Per#"& e'en w%th
the #entars( help& I(! start%ng to th%n+20
0I +now$0 I had a )ad feel%ng th%s !%ght )e or last #han#e to tal+& and I felt l%+e
there were a !%ll%on th%ngs I hadn(t told her$ 0L%sten& there were so!e $ $ $ so!e
'%s%ons Hest%a showed !e$0
0<o !ean a)ot L+e70
3a")e %t was /st a safe gess& )t I got the feel%ng -nna)eth +new what I(d
)een hold%ng )a#+$ 3a")e she(d )een ha'%ng drea!s of her own$
0<eah&0 I sa%d$ 0<o and Thal%a and L+e$ The ,rst t%!e "o !et$ -nd the t%!e
"o !et Her!es$0
-nna)eth sl%pped her +n%fe )a#+ %nto %ts sheath$ 0L+e pro!%sed he(d ne'er let
!e get hrt$ He sa%d $ $ $ he sa%d we(d )e a new fa!%l"& and %t wold trn ot
)etter than h%s$0
Her e"es re!%nded !e of that se'en."ear.old g%rl(s %n the alle"2angr"& s#ared&
desperate for a fr%end$
0Thal%a tal+ed to !e earl%er&0 I sa%d$ 0She(s afra%d20
0That I #an(t fa#e L+e&0 she sa%d !%sera)l"$
I nodded$ 06t there(s so!eth%ng else "o shold +now$ Ethan Na+a!ra
see!ed to th%n+ L+e was st%ll al%'e %ns%de h%s )od"& !a")e e'en ,ght%ng 9ronos
for #ontrol$0
-nna)eth tr%ed to h%de %t& )t I #old al!ost see her !%nd wor+%ng on the
poss%)%l%t%es& !a")e start%ng to hope$
0I d%dn(t want to tell "o&0 I ad!%tted$
She loo+ed p at the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$ 0Per#"& for so !#h of !" l%fe& I
felt l%+e e'er"th%ng was #hang%ng& all the t%!e$ I d%dn(t ha'e an"one I #old rel"
on$0
I nodded$ That was so!eth%ng !ost de!%gods #old nderstand$
0I ran awa" when I was se'en&0 she sa%d$ 0Then w%th L+e and Thal%a& I thoght
I(d fond a fa!%l"& )t %t fell apart al!ost %!!ed%atel"$ What I(! sa"%ng $ $ $ I hate
%t when people let !e down& when th%ngs are te!porar"$ I th%n+ that(s wh" I want
to )e an ar#h%te#t$0
0To )%ld so!eth%ng per!anent&0 I sa%d$ 0- !on!ent to last a thosand
"ears$0
She held !" e"es$ 0I gess that sonds l%+e !" fatal >aw aga%n$0
<ears ago %n the Sea of 3onsters& -nna)eth had told !e her )%ggest >aw was
pr%de2th%n+%ng she #old ,* an"th%ng$ I(d e'en seen a gl%!pse of her deepest
des%re& shown to her )" the S%rens( !ag%#$ -nna)eth had %!ag%ned her !other
and father together& stand%ng %n front of a newl" re)%lt 3anhattan& des%gned )"
-nna)eth$ -nd L+e had )een there too2good aga%n& wel#o!%ng her ho!e$
0I gess I nderstand how "o feel&0 I sa%d$ 06t Thal%a(s r%ght$ L+e has
alread" )etra"ed "o so !an" t%!es$ He was e'%l e'en )efore 9ronos$ I don(t
want h%! to hrt "o an"!ore$0
-nna)eth prsed her l%ps$ I #old tell she was tr"%ng not to get !ad$ 0-nd
"o(ll nderstand %f I +eep hop%ng there(s a #han#e "o(re wrong$0
I loo+ed awa"$ I felt l%+e I(d done !" )est& )t that d%dn(t !a+e !e feel an"
)etter$
-#ross the street& the -pollo #a!pers had set p a ,eld hosp%tal to tend the
wonded2do5ens of #a!pers and al!ost as !an" Hnters$ I was wat#h%ng the
!ed%#s wor+& and th%n+%ng a)ot or sl%! #han#es for hold%ng 3ont
Ol"!ps$ $ $ $
-nd sddenl"K I wasn(t there an"!ore$
I was stand%ng %n a long d%ng" )ar w%th )la#+ walls& neon s%gns& and a )n#h of
part"%ng adlts$ - )anner a#ross the )ar read H-PP< 6IRTH?-<& 6O66< E-RL$
Contr" !s%# pla"ed on the spea+ers$ 6%g g"s %n /eans and wor+ sh%rts #rowded
the )ar$ Wa%tresses #arr%ed tra"s of dr%n+s and shoted at ea#h other$ It was
prett" !#h e*a#tl" the +%nd of pla#e !" !o! wold ne'er let !e go$
I was st#+ %n the 'er" )a#+ of the roo!& ne*t to the )athroo!s Hwh%#h d%dn(t
s!ell so greatI and a #ople of ant%Ae ar#ade ga!es$
0Oh good& "o(re here&0 sa%d the !an at the Pa#.3an !a#h%ne$ 0I(ll ha'e a ?%et
Co+e$0
He was a pdg" g" %n a leopard.s+%n Hawa%%an sh%rt& prple shorts& red
rnn%ng shoes& and )la#+ so#+s& wh%#h d%dn(t e*a#tl" !a+e h%! )lend %n w%th the
#rowd$ H%s nose was )r%ght red$ - )andage was wrapped arond h%s #rl" )la#+
ha%r l%+e he was re#o'er%ng fro! a #on#ss%on$
I )l%n+ed$ 03r$ ?70
He s%ghed& not ta+%ng h%s e"es fro! the ga!e$ 0Reall"& Peter ;ohnson& how long
w%ll %t ta+e for "o to re#ogn%5e !e on s%ght70
0-)ot as long as %t(ll ta+e for "o to ,gre ot !" na!e&0 I !ttered$ 0Where
are we70
0Wh"& 6o))" Earl(s )%rthda" part"&0 ?%on"ss sa%d$ 0So!ewhere %n lo'el" rral
-!er%#a$0
0I thoght T"phon swatted "o ot of the s+"$ The" sa%d "o #rash.landed$0
0<or #on#ern %s to#h%ng$ I d%d #rash.land$ Ver" pa%nfll"$ In fa#t& part of !e %s
st%ll )r%ed nder a hndred feet of r))le %n an a)andoned #oal !%ne$ It w%ll )e
se'eral !ore hors )efore I ha'e enogh strength to !end$ 6t %n the !eant%!e&
part of !" #ons#%osness %s here$0
0-t a )ar& pla"%ng Pa#.3an$0
0Part" t%!e&0 ?%on"ss sa%d$ 0Srel" "o('e heard of %t$ Where'er there %s a
part"& !" presen#e %s %n'o+ed$ 6e#ase of th%s& I #an e*%st %n !an" d%4erent
pla#es at on#e$ The onl" pro)le! was ,nd%ng a part"$ I don(t +now %f "o(re aware
how ser%os th%ngs are ots%de "or safe l%ttle )))le of New <or+20

0Safe l%ttle )))le70
02)t )el%e'e !e& the !ortals ot here %n the heartland are pan%#+%ng$ T"phon
has terr%,ed the!$ Ver" few are throw%ng part%es$ -pparentl" 6o))" Earl and h%s
fr%ends& )less the!& are a l%ttle slow$ The" ha'en(t "et ,gred ot that the world
%s end%ng$0
0So $ $ $ I(! not reall" here70
0No$ In a !o!ent I(ll send "o )a#+ to "or nor!al %ns%gn%,#ant l%fe& and %t w%ll
)e as %f noth%ng had happened$0
0-nd wh" d%d "o )r%ng !e here70
?%on"ss snorted$ 0Oh& I d%dn(t want "o part%#larl"$ -n" of "o s%ll" heroes
wold do$ That -nn%e g%rl20
0-nna)eth$0
0The po%nt %s&0 he sa%d& 0I plled "o %nto part" t%!e to del%'er a warn%ng$ We
are %n danger$0
0Gee&0 I sa%d$ 0Ne'er wold('e ,gred that ot$ Than+s$0
He glared at !e and !o!entar%l" forgot h%s ga!e$ Pa#.3an got eaten )" the
red ghost dde$
0Erre es +ora+as& 6l%n+"10 ?%on"ss #rsed$ 0I w%ll ha'e "or sol10
0U!& he(s a '%deo ga!e #hara#ter&0 I sa%d$
0That(s no e*#se1 -nd "o(re r%n%ng !" ga!e& ;orgenson10
0;a#+son$0
0Wh%#he'er1 Now l%sten& the s%tat%on %s gra'er than "o %!ag%ne$ If Ol"!ps
falls& not onl" w%ll the gods fade& )t e'er"th%ng that %s #onne#ted to or lega#"
w%ll also )eg%n to nra'el$ The 'er" fa)r%# of "or pn" l%ttle #%'%l%5at%on20
The ga!e pla"ed a song and 3r$ ? progressed to le'el dcB$
0Ha10 he shoted$ 0Ta+e that& "o p%*elated ,ends10
0U!& fa)r%# of #%'%l%5at%on&0 I pro!pted$
0<es& "es$ <or ent%re so#%et" w%ll d%ssol'e$ Perhaps not r%ght awa"& )t !ar+
!" words& the #haos of the T%tans w%ll !ean the end of Western #%'%l%5at%on$ -rt&
law& w%ne tast%ngs& !s%#& '%deo ga!es& s%l+ sh%rts& )la#+ 'el'et pa%nt%ngs2all the
th%ngs that !a+e l%fe worth l%'%ng w%ll d%sappear10
0So wh" aren(t the gods rsh%ng )a#+ to help s70 I sa%d$ 0We shold #o!)%ne
for#es at Ol"!ps$ @orget T"phon$0
He snapped h%s ,ngers %!pat%entl"$ 0<o forgot !" ?%et Co+e$0
0Gods& "o(re anno"%ng$0 I got the attent%on of a wa%tress and ordered the
stp%d soda$ I pt %t on 6o))" Earl(s ta)$
3r$ ? too+ a good long dr%n+$ H%s e"es ne'er left the '%deo ga!e$ 0The trth %s&
P%erre20
0Per#"$0
02the other gods wold ne'er ad!%t th%s& )t we a#tall" need "o !ortals to
res#e Ol"!ps$ <o see& we are !an%festat%ons of "or #ltre$ If "o don(t #are
enogh to sa'e Ol"!ps "orsel'es20
0L%+e Pan&0 I sa%d& 0depend%ng on the sat"rs to sa'e the W%ld$0
0<es& A%te$ I w%ll den" I e'er sa%d th%s& of #orse& )t the gods need heroes$
The" alwa"s ha'e$ Otherw%se we wold not +eep "o anno"%ng l%ttle )rats
arond$0
0I feel so wanted$ Than+s$0
0Use the tra%n%ng I ha'e g%'en "o at #a!p$0
0What tra%n%ng70
0<o +now$ -ll those hero te#hn%Aes and $ $ $ No10 3r$ ? slapped the ga!e
#onsole$ 0Na par% % e"#h%1 The last le'el10
He loo+ed at !e& and prple ,re >%#+ered %n h%s e"es$ 0-s D re#all& I on#e
pred%#ted "o wold trn ot to )e as sel,sh as all the other h!an heroes$ Well&
here %s "or #han#e to pro'e !e wrong$0
0<eah& !a+%ng "o prod %s real h%gh on !" l%st$0
0<o !st sa'e Ol"!ps& Pedro1 Lea'e T"phon to the Ol"!p%ans and sa'e or
own seats of power$ It !st )e done10
0Great$ N%#e l%ttle #hat$ Now& %f "o don(t !%nd& !" fr%ends w%ll )e wonder%ng20
0There %s !ore&0 3r$ ? warned$ 09ronos has not "et atta%ned fll power$ The
)od" of the !ortal was onl" a te!porar" !easre$0
0We +%nd of gessed that$0
0-nd d%d "o also gess that w%th%n a da" at !ost& 9ronos w%ll )rn awa" that
!ortal )od" and ta+e on the tre for! of a T%tan +%ng70
0-nd that wold !ean $ $ $0
?%on"ss %nserted another Aarter$ 0<o +now a)ot the tre for!s of the
gods$0
0<eah$ <o #an(t loo+ at the! w%thot )rn%ng p$0
09ronos wold )e ten t%!es !ore powerfl$ H%s 'er" presen#e wold %n#%nerate
"o$ -nd on#e he a#h%e'es th%s& he w%ll e!power the other T%tans$ The" are wea+
now& #o!pared to what the" w%ll soon )e#o!e& nless "o #an stop the!$ The
world w%ll fall& the gods w%ll d%e& and I w%ll ne'er a#h%e'e a perfe#t s#ore on th%s
stp%d !a#h%ne$0
3a")e I shold('e )een terr%,ed& )t honestl"& I was alread" a)ot as s#ared
as I #old get$
0Can I go now70 I as+ed$
0One last th%ng$ 3" son Poll*$ Is he al%'e70
I )l%n+ed$ 0<eah& last I saw h%!$0
0I wold 'er" !#h appre#%ate %t %f "o #old +eep h%! that wa"$ I lost h%s
)rother Castor last "ear20
0I re!e!)er$0 I stared at h%!& tr"%ng to wrap !" !%nd arond the %dea that
?%on"ss #old )e a #ar%ng father$ I wondered how !an" other Ol"!p%ans were
th%n+%ng a)ot the%r de!%god #h%ldren r%ght now$ 0I(ll do !" )est$0
0<or )est&0 ?%on"ss !ttered$ 0Well& %sn(t that reassr%ng$ Go now$ <o ha'e
so!e nast" srpr%ses to deal w%th& and I !st defeat 6l%n+"10
0Nast" srpr%ses70
He wa'ed h%s hand& and the )ar d%sappeared$
I was )a#+ on @%fth -'ene$ -nna)eth hadn(t !o'ed$ She d%dn(t g%'e an" s%gn
that I(d )een gone or an"th%ng$
She #aght !e star%ng and frowned$ 0What70
0U! $ $ $ noth%ng& I gess$0
I ga5ed down the a'ene& wonder%ng what 3r$ ? had !eant )" nast"
srpr%ses$ How !#h worse #old %t get7
3" e"es rested on a )eat.p )le #ar$ The hood was )adl" dented& l%+e
so!e)od" had tr%ed to ha!!er ot so!e hge #raters$ 3" s+%n t%ngled$ Wh" d%d
that #ar loo+ so fa!%l%ar7 Then I real%5ed %t was a Pr%s$
Pal(s Pr%s$
I )olted down the street$
0Per#"10 -nna)eth #alled$ 0Where are "o go%ng70
Pal was passed ot %n the dr%'er(s seat$ 3" !o! was snor%ng )es%de h%!$ 3"
!%nd felt l%+e !sh$ How had I not seen the! )efore7 The"(d )een s%tt%ng here %n
tra:# for o'er a da"& the )attle rag%ng arond the!& and I hadn(t e'en not%#ed$
0The" $ $ $ the" !st('e seen those )le l%ghts %n the s+"$0 I rattled the doors
)t the" were lo#+ed$ 0I need to get the! ot$0
0Per#"&0 -nna)eth sa%d gentl"$
0I #an(t lea'e the! here10 I sonded a l%ttle #ra5"$ I ponded on the w%ndsh%eld$
0I ha'e to !o'e the!$ I ha'e to20
0Per#"& /st $ $ $ /st hold on$0 -nna)eth wa'ed to Ch%ron& who was tal+%ng to
so!e #entars down the )lo#+$ 0We #an psh the #ar to a s%de street& all r%ght7
The"(re go%ng to )e ,ne$0
3" hands tre!)led$ -fter all I(d )een throgh o'er the last few da"s& I felt so
stp%d and wea+& )t the s%ght of !" parents !ade !e want to )rea+ down$
Ch%ron galloped o'er$ 0What(s $ $ $ Oh dear$ I see$0
0The" were #o!%ng to ,nd !e&0 I sa%d$ 03" !o! !st('e sensed so!eth%ng
was wrong$0
03ost l%+el"&0 Ch%ron sa%d$ 06t& Per#"& the" w%ll )e ,ne$ The )est th%ng we #an
do for the! %s sta" fo#sed on or /o)$0
Then I not%#ed so!eth%ng %n the )a#+seat of the Pr%s& and !" heart s+%pped a
)eat$ Seat.)elted )eh%nd !" !other was a )la#+.and.wh%te Gree+ /ar a)ot three
feet tall$ Its l%d was wrapped %n a leather harness$
0No wa"&0 I !ttered$
-nna)eth pressed her hand to the w%ndow$ 0That(s %!poss%)le1 I thoght "o
left that at the Pla5a$0
0Lo#+ed %n a 'alt&0 I agreed$
Ch%ron saw the /ar and h%s e"es w%dened$ 0That %sn(t2 0
0Pandora(s /ar$0 I told h%! a)ot !" !eet%ng w%th Pro!ethes$
0Then the /ar %s "ors&0 Ch%ron sa%d gr%!l"$ 0It w%ll follow "o and te!pt "o to
open %t& no !atter where "o lea'e %t$ It w%ll appear when "o are wea+est$0
L%+e now& I thoght$ Loo+%ng at !" helpless parents$
I %!ag%ned Pro!ethes s!%l%ng& so an*%os to help ot s poor !ortals$ G%'e
p Hope& and I w%ll +now that "o are srrender%ng$ I pro!%se 9ronos w%ll )e
len%ent$
-nger srged throgh !e$ I drew R%pt%de and #t throgh the dr%'er(s s%de
w%ndow l%+e %t was !ade of plast%# wrap$
0We(ll pt the #ar %n netral&0 I sa%d$ 0Psh the! ot of the wa"$ -nd ta+e that
stp%d /ar to Ol"!ps$0
Ch%ron nodded$ 0- good plan$ 6t& Per#" $ $ $0
Whate'er he was go%ng to sa"& he faltered$ - !e#han%#al dr!)eat grew lod
%n the d%stan#e2the #hop.#hop.#hop of a hel%#opter$
On a nor!al 3onda" !orn%ng %n New <or+& th%s wold('e )een no )%g deal& )t
after two da"s of s%len#e& a !ortal hel%#opter was the oddest th%ng I(d e'er heard$
- few )lo#+s east& the !onster ar!" shoted and /eered as the hel%#opter #a!e
%nto '%ew$ It was a #%'%l%an !odel pa%nted dar+ red& w%th a )r%ght green 0?E0 logo
on the s%de$ The words nder the logo were too s!all to read& )t I +new what
the" sa%dK ?-RE ENTERPRISES$
3" throat #losed p$ I loo+ed at -nna)eth and #old tell she re#ogn%5ed the
logo too$ Her fa#e was as red as the hel%#opter$
0What %s she do%ng here70 -nna)eth de!anded$ 0How d%d she get throgh the
)arr%er70
0Who70 Ch%ron loo+ed #onfsed$ 0What !ortal wold )e %nsane enogh20
Sddenl" the hel%#opter p%t#hed forward$
0The 3orphes en#hant!ent10 Ch%ron sa%d$ 0The fool%sh !ortal p%lot %s asleep$0
I wat#hed %n horror as the hel%#opter #areened s%dewa"s& fall%ng toward a row
of o:#e )%ld%ngs$ E'en %f %t d%dn(t #rash& the gods of the a%r wold pro)a)l" swat
%t ot of the s+" for #o!%ng near the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$
I was too paral"5ed to !o'e& )t -nna)eth wh%stled and G%do the pegass
swooped ot of nowhere$
<o rang for a handso!e horse7 he as+ed$
0Co!e on& Per#"&0 -nna)eth growled$ 0We ha'e to sa'e "or fr%end$0
SIXTEEN
WE GET HELP @RO3
- THIE@
Here(s !" de,n%t%on of not fn$ @l" a pegass toward an ot.of.#ontrol
hel%#opter$ If G%do had )een an" less of a fan#" >%er& we wold('e )een #hopped
to #onfett%$
I #old hear Ra#hel s#rea!%ng %ns%de$ @or so!e reason& she hadn(t fallen
asleep& )t I #old see the p%lot sl!ped o'er the #ontrols& p%t#h%ng )a#+ and
forth as the hel%#opter wo))led toward the s%de of an o:#e )%ld%ng$
0Ideas70 I as+ed -nna)eth$
0<o(re go%ng to ha'e to ta+e G%do and get ot&0 she sa%d$

0What are "o go%ng to do70
In response& she sa%d& 0H"ah10 and G%do went %nto a nosed%'e$
0?#+10 -nna)eth "elled$
We passed so #lose to the rotors I felt the for#e of the )lades r%pp%ng at !"
ha%r$ We 5%pped along the s%de of the hel%#opter& and -nna)eth gra))ed the door$
That(s when th%ngs went wrong$
G%do(s w%ng sla!!ed aga%nst the hel%#opter$ He pl!!eted stra%ght down
w%th !e on h%s )a#+& lea'%ng -nna)eth dangl%ng fro! the s%de of the a%r#raft$ I
was so terr%,ed I #old )arel" th%n+& )t as G%do sp%raled I #aght a gl%!pse of
Ra#hel pll%ng -nna)eth %ns%de the #opter$
0Hang %n there10 I "elled at G%do$
3" w%ng& he !oaned$ It(s )sted$
0<o #an do %t10 I desperatel" tr%ed to re!e!)er what S%lena sed to tell s %n
pegass.r%d%ng lessons$ 0;st rela* the w%ng$ E*tend %t and gl%de$0
We fell l%+e a ro#+2stra%ght toward the pa'e!ent three hndred feet )elow$ -t
the last !o!ent G%do e*tended h%s w%ngs$ I saw the fa#es of #entars gap%ng p
at s$ Then we plled ot of or d%'e& sa%led ,ft" feet& and t!)led onto the
pa'e!ent2pegass o'er de!%god$
Ow1 G%do !oaned$ 3" legs$ 3" head$ 3" w%ngs$
Ch%ron galloped o'er w%th h%s !ed%#al po#h and )egan wor+%ng on the
pegass$
I got to !" feet$ When I loo+ed p& !" heart #rawled %nto !" throat$ The
hel%#opter was onl" a few se#onds awa" fro! sla!!%ng %nto the s%de of the
)%ld%ng$
Then !%ra#losl" the hel%#opter r%ghted %tself$ It spn %n a #%r#le and ho'ered$
Ver" slowl"& %t )egan to des#end$
It see!ed to ta+e fore'er& )t ,nall" the hel%#opter thdded to a land%ng %n the
!%ddle of @%fth -'ene$ I loo+ed throgh the w%ndsh%eld and #oldn(t )el%e'e what
I was see%ng$ -nna)eth was at the #ontrols$
I ran forward as the rotors spn to a stop$ Ra#hel opened the s%de door and
dragged ot the p%lot$
Ra#hel was st%ll dressed l%+e she was on 'a#at%on& %n )ea#h shorts& a T.sh%rt&
and sandals$ Her ha%r was tangled and her fa#e was green fro! the hel%#opter
r%de$
-nna)eth #l%!)ed ot last$
I stared at her %n awe$ 0I d%dn(t +now "o #old >" a hel%#opter$0
0Ne%ther d%d I&0 she sa%d$ 03" dad(s #ra5" %nto a'%at%on$ Pls& ?aedals had
so!e notes on >"%ng !a#h%nes$ I /st too+ !" )est gess on the #ontrols$0
0<o sa'ed !" l%fe&0 Ra#hel sa%d$
-nna)eth >e*ed her )ad sholder$ 0<eah& well $ $ $ let(s not !a+e a ha)%t of %t$
What are "o do%ng here& ?are7 ?on(t "o +now )etter than to >" %nto a war
5one70
0I20 Ra#hel glan#ed at !e$ 0I had to )e here$ I +new Per#" was %n tro)le$0
0Got that r%ght&0 -nna)eth gr!)led$ 0Well& %f "o(ll e*#se !e& I ha'e so!e
%n/red fr%ends I('e got to tend to$ Glad "o #old stop )"& Ra#hel$0
(-nna)eth20 I #alled$
She stor!ed o4$
Ra#hel plopped down on the #r) and pt her head %n her hands$ 0I(! sorr"&
Per#"$ I d%dn(t !ean to $ $ $ I alwa"s !ess th%ngs p$0
It was +%nd of hard to arge w%th her& thogh I was glad she was safe$ I loo+ed
%n the d%re#t%on -nna)eth had gone& )t she(d d%sappeared %nto the #rowd$ I
#oldn(t )el%e'e what she(d /st done2sa'ed Ra#hel(s l%fe& landed a hel%#opter&
and wal+ed awa" l%+e %t was no )%g deal$
0It(s o+a"&0 I told Ra#hel& thogh !" words sonded hollow$ 0So what(s the
!essage "o wanted to del%'er70
She frowned$ 0How d%d "o +now a)ot that70
0- drea!$0
Ra#hel d%dn(t loo+ srpr%sed$ She tgged at her )ea#h shorts$ The" were
#o'ered %n draw%ngs& wh%#h wasn(t nsal for her& )t these s"!)ols I
re#ogn%5edK Gree+ letters& p%#tres fro! #a!p )eads& s+et#hes of !onsters and
fa#es of gods$ I d%dn(t nderstand how Ra#hel #old ha'e +nown a)ot so!e of
that$ She(d ne'er )een to Ol"!ps or Ca!p Half.6lood$
0I('e )een see%ng th%ngs too&0 she !ttered$ 0I !ean& not /st throgh the 3%st$
Th%s %s d%4erent$ I('e )een draw%ng p%#tres& wr%t%ng l%nes20
0In -n#%ent Gree+&0 I sa%d$ 0?o "o +now what the" sa"70
0That(s what I wanted to tal+ to "o a)ot$ I was hop%ng $ $ $ well& %f "o had
gone w%th s on 'a#at%on& I was hop%ng "o #old ha'e helped !e ,gre ot
what(s happen%ng to !e$0
She loo+ed at !e plead%ngl"$ Her fa#e was sn)rned fro! the )ea#h$ Her
nose was peel%ng$ I #oldn(t get o'er the sho#+ that she was here %n person$
She(d for#ed her fa!%l" to #t short the%r 'a#at%on& agreed to go to a horr%)le
s#hool& and >own a hel%#opter %nto a !onster )attle /st to see !e$ In her own
wa"& she was as )ra'e as -nna)eth$
6t what was happen%ng to her w%th these '%s%ons reall" frea+ed !e ot$
3a")e %t was so!eth%ng that happened to all !ortals who #old see throgh the
3%st$ 6t !" !o! had ne'er tal+ed a)ot an"th%ng l%+e that$ -nd Hest%a(s words
a)ot L+e(s !o! +ept #o!%ng )a#+ to !eK 3a" Castellan went too far$ She tr%ed
to see too !#h$
0Ra#hel&0 I sa%d& 0I w%sh I +new$ 3a")e we shold as+ Ch%ron20
She >%n#hed l%+e she(d gotten an ele#tr%# sho#+$ 0Per#"& so!eth%ng %s a)ot to
happen$ - tr%#+ that ends %n death$0
0What do "o !ean7 Whose death70
0I don(t +now$0 She loo+ed arond ner'osl"$ 0?on(t "o feel %t70
0Is that the !essage "o wanted to tell !e70
0No$0 She hes%tated$ 0I(! sorr"$ I(! not !a+%ng sense& )t that thoght /st
#a!e to !e$ The !essage I wrote on the )ea#h was d%4erent$ It had "or na!e
%n %t$0
0Perses&0 I re!e!)ered$ 0In -n#%ent Gree+$0
Ra#hel nodded$ 0I don(t +now %ts !ean%ng$ 6t I +now %t(s %!portant$ <o ha'e
to hear %t$ It sa%d& Perses& "o are not the hero$0
I stared at her l%+e she(d /st slapped !e$ 0<o #a!e thosands of !%les to tell
!e I(! not the hero70
0It(s %!portant&0 she %ns%sted$ 0It w%ll a4e#t what "o do$0
0Not the hero of the prophe#"70 I as+ed$ 0Not the hero who defeats 9ronos7
What do "o !ean70
0I(! $ $ $ I(! sorr"& Per#"$ That(s all I +now$ I had to tell "o )e#ase20
0Well10 Ch%ron #antered o'er$ 0Th%s !st )e 3%ss ?are$0
I wanted to "ell at h%! to go awa"& )t of #orse I #oldn(t$ I tr%ed to get !"
e!ot%ons nder #ontrol$ I felt l%+e I had another personal hrr%#ane sw%rl%ng
arond !e$ 0Ch%ron& Ra#hel ?are&0 I sa%d$ 0Ra#hel& th%s %s !" tea#her Ch%ron$0
0Hello&0 Ra#hel sa%d gl!l"$ She d%dn(t loo+ at all srpr%sed that Ch%ron was a
#entar$
0<o are not asleep& 3%ss ?are&0 he not%#ed$ 0-nd "et "o are !ortal70
0I(! !ortal&0 she agreed& l%+e %t was a depress%ng thoght$ 0The p%lot fell
asleep as soon as we passed the r%'er$ I don(t +now wh" I d%dn(t$ I /st +new I had
to )e here& to warn Per#"$0
0Warn Per#"70
0She(s )een see%ng th%ngs&0 I sa%d$ 0Wr%t%ng l%nes and !a+%ng draw%ngs$0
Ch%ron ra%sed an e"e)row$ 0Indeed7 Tell !e$0
She told h%! the sa!e th%ngs she(d told !e$
Ch%ron stro+ed h%s )eard$ 03%ss ?are $ $ $ perhaps we shold tal+$0
0Ch%ron&0 I )lrted$ I had a sdden terr%)le %!age of Ca!p Half.6lood %n the
DEECs& and 3a" Castellan(s s#rea! #o!%ng fro! that att%#$ 0<o $ $ $ "o(ll help
Ra#hel& r%ght7 I !ean& "o(ll warn her that she(s got to )e #arefl w%th th%s st4$
Not go too far$0
H%s ta%l >%#+ed l%+e %t does when he(s an*%os$ 0<es& Per#"$ I w%ll do !" )est to
nderstand what %s happen%ng and ad'%se 3%ss ?are& )t th%s !a" ta+e so!e
t%!e$ 3eanwh%le& "o shold rest$ We('e !o'ed "or parents( #ar to safet"$ The
ene!" see!s to )e sta"%ng pt for now$ We('e set p )n+s %n the E!p%re State
6%ld%ng$ Get so!e sleep$0
0E'er")od" +eeps tell%ng !e to sleep&0 I gr!)led$ 0I don(t need sleep$0
Ch%ron !anaged a s!%le$ 0Ha'e "o loo+ed at "orself re#entl"& Per#"70
I glan#ed down at !" #lothes& wh%#h were s#or#hed& )rned& sl%#ed& and
tattered fro! !" n%ght of #onstant )attles$ 0I loo+ l%+e death&0 I ad!%tted$ 06t
"o th%n+ I #an sleep after what /st happened70
0<o !a" )e %n'lnera)le %n #o!)at&0 Ch%ron #h%ded& 0)t that onl" !a+es
"or )od" t%re faster$ I re!e!)er -#h%lles$ Whene'er that lad wasn(t ,ght%ng& he
was sleep%ng$ He !stP'e ta+en twent" naps a da"$ <o& Per#"& need "or rest$
<o !a" )e or onl" hope$0
I wanted to #o!pla%n that I wasn(t the%r onl" hope& -##ord%ng to Ra#hel& I
wasn(t e'en the hero$ 6t the loo+ %n Ch%ron(s e"es !ade %t #lear he wasn(t go%ng
to ta+e no for an answer$
0Sre&0 I gr!)led$ 0Tal+$0
I trdged toward the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$ When I glan#ed )a#+& Ra#hel and
Ch%ron were wal+%ng together %n earnest #on'ersat%on& l%+e the" were d%s#ss%ng
fneral arrange!ents$
Ins%de the lo))"& I fond an e!pt" )n+ and #ollapsed& sre that I wold ne'er
)e a)le to sleep$ - se#ond later& !" e"es #losed$
In !" drea!s& I was )a#+ %n Hades(s garden$ The lord of the dead pa#ed p
and down& hold%ng h%s ears wh%le N%#o followed h%!& wa'%ng h%s ar!s$
0<o ha'e to10 N%#o %ns%sted$
?e!eter and Persephone sat )eh%nd the! at the )rea+fast ta)le$ 6oth of the
goddesses loo+ed )ored$ ?e!eter pored shredded wheat %nto for hge )owls$
Persephone was !ag%#all" #hang%ng the >ower arrange!ent on the ta)le& trn%ng
the )losso!s fro! red to "ellow to pol+a.dotted$
0I don(t ha'e to do an"th%ng10 Hades s e"es )la5ed$ 0I(! a god10
0@ather&0 N%#o sa%d& 0%f Ol"!ps falls& "or own pala#e(s safet" doesn(t !atter$
<o(ll fade too$0
0I a! not an Ol"!p%an10 he growled$ 03" fa!%l" has !ade that A%te #lear$0
0<o are&(( N%#o sa%d$ 0Whether "o l%+e %t or not$0
0<o saw what the" d%d to "or !other&0 Hades sa%d$ 0Les +%lled her$ -nd "o
wold ha'e !e help the!7 The" deser'e what the" get10
Persephone s%ghed$ She wal+ed her ,ngers a#ross the ta)le& a)sentl" trn%ng
the s%l'erware %nto roses$ 0Cold we please not tal+ a)ot that wo!an70
0<o +now what wold help th%s )o"70 ?e!eter !sed$ 0@ar!%ng$0
Persephone rolled her e"es$ 03other20
0S%* !onths )eh%nd a plow$ E*#ellent #hara#ter )%ld%ng$0
N%#o stepped %n front of h%s father& for#%ng Hades to fa#e h%!$ 03" !other
nderstood a)ot fa!%l"$ That(s wh" she d%dn(t want to lea'e s$ <o #an(t /st
a)andon "or fa!%l" )e#ase the" d%d so!eth%ng horr%)le$ <o('e done horr%)le
th%ngs to the! too$0
03ar%a d%ed10 Hades re!%nded h%!$
0<o #an(t /st #t "orself o4 fro! the other gods10
0I('e done 'er" well at %t for thosands of "ears$0
0-nd has that !ade "o feel an" )etter70 N%#o de!anded$ 0Has that #rse on
the Ora#le helped "o at all7 Hold%ng grdges %s a fatal >aw$ 6%an#a warned !e
a)ot that& and she was r%ght$0
0@or de!%gods1 I a! %!!ortal& all.powerfl1 I wold not help the other gods %f
the" )egged !e& %f Per#" ;a#+son h%!self pleaded20
0<o(re /st as !#h of an ot#ast as I a!10 N%#o "elled$ 0Stop )e%ng angr"
a)ot %t and do so!eth%ng helpfl for on#e$ That(s the onl" wa" the"(ll respe#t
"o10
Hades(s pal! ,lled w%th )la#+ ,re$
0Go ahead&0 N%#o sa%d$ 06last !e$ That(s /st what the other gods wold e*pe#t
fro! "o$ Pro'e the! r%ght$0
0<es& please&0 ?e!eter #o!pla%ned$ 0Sht h%! p$0
Persephone s%ghed$ 0Oh& I don(t +now$ I wold rather ,ght %n the war than eat
another )owl of #ereal$ Th%s %s )or%ng$0
Hades roared %n anger$ H%s ,re)all h%t a s%l'er tree r%ght ne*t to N%#o& !elt%ng %t
%nto a pool of l%A%d !etal$
-nd !" drea! #hanged$
I was stand%ng ots%de the Un%ted Nat%ons& a)ot a !%le northeast of the
E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$ The T%tan ar!" had set p #a!p all arond the UN
#o!ple*$ The >agpoles were hng w%th horr%)le troph%es2hel!ets and ar!or
p%e#es fro! defeated #a!pers$ -ll along @%rst -'ene& g%ants sharpened the%r
a*es$ Tel+h%nes repa%red ar!or at !a+esh%ft forges$
9ronos h%!self pa#ed at the top of the pla5a& sw%ng%ng h%s s#"the so h%s
dra#aenae )od"gards sta"ed wa" )a#+$ Ethan Na+a!ra and Pro!ethes stood
near)"& ot of sl%#%ng range$ Ethan was ,dget%ng w%th h%s sh%eld straps& )t
Pro!ethes loo+ed as #al! and #olle#ted as e'er %n h%s t*edo$
0I hate th%s pla#e&0 9ronos growled$ 0Un%ted Nat%ons$ -s %f !an+%nd #old e'er
n%te$ Re!%nd !e to tear down th%s )%ld%ng after we destro" Ol"!ps$0
0<es& lord$0 Pro!ethes s!%led as %f h%s !aster(s anger a!sed h%!$ 0Shall we
tear down the sta)les %n Central Par+ too7 I +now how !#h horses #an anno"
"o$0
0?on(t !o#+ !e& Pro!ethes1 Those #rsed #entars w%ll )e sorr" the"
%nterfered$ I w%ll feed the! to the hellhonds& start%ng w%th that son of !%ne2that
wea+l%ng Ch%ron$0
Pro!ethes shrgged$ 0That wea+l%ng destro"ed an ent%re leg%on of tel+h%nes
w%th h%s arrows$0

9ronos swng h%s s#"the and #t a >agpole %n half$ The nat%onal #olors of 6ra5%l
toppled %nto the ar!"& sAash%ng a dra#aena$
0We w%ll destro" the!10 9ronos roared$ 0It %s t%!e to nleash the dra+on$
Na+a!ra& "o w%ll do th%s$0
0<."es& lord$ -t snset70
0No&0 9ronos sa%d$ 0I!!ed%atel"$ The defenders of Ol"!ps are )adl"
wonded$ The" w%ll not e*pe#t a A%#+ atta#+$ 6es%des& we +now th%s dra+on the"
#annot )eat$0
Ethan loo+ed #onfsed$ 03" lord70
0Ne'er "o !%nd& Na+a!ra$ ;st do !" )%dd%ng$ I want Ol"!ps %n r%ns )"
the t%!e T"phon rea#hes New <or+$ We w%ll )rea+ the gods tterl"10
06t& !" lord&0 Ethan sa%d$ 0<or regenerat%on$0
9ronos po%nted at Ethan& and the de!%god fro5e$
0?oes %t see!&0 9ronos h%ssed& 0that I need to regenerate70
Ethan d%dn(t respond$ 9%nd of hard to do when "o(re %!!o)%l%5ed %n t%!e$
9ronos snapped h%s ,ngers and Ethan #ollapsed$
0Soon&0 the T%tan growled& 0th%s for! w%ll )e nne#essar"$ I w%ll not rest w%th
'%#tor" so #lose$ Now& go10
Ethan s#ra!)led awa"$
0Th%s %s dangeros& !" lord&0 Pro!ethes warned$ 0?o not )e hast"$0
0Hast"7 -fter fester%ng for three thosand "ears %n the depths of Tartars& "o
#all !e hast"7 I w%ll sl%#e Per#" ;a#+son %nto a thosand p%e#es$0
0Thr%#e "o('e foght h%!&0 Pro!ethes po%nted ot$ 0-nd "et "o('e alwa"s
sa%d %t %s )eneath the d%gn%t" of a T%tan to ,ght a !ere !ortal$ I wonder %f "or
!ortal host %s %n>en#%ng "o& wea+en%ng "or /dg!ent$0
9ronos trned h%s golden e"es on the other T%tan$ 0<o #all !e wea+70
0No& !" lord$ I onl" !eant20
0-re "or lo"alt%es d%'%ded70 9ronos as+ed$ 0Perhaps "o !%ss "or old fr%ends&
the gods$ Wold "o l%+e to /o%n the!70
Pro!ethes paled$ 0I !%sspo+e& !" lord$ <or orders w%ll )e #arr%ed ot$0 He
trned to the ar!%es and shoted& 0PREP-RE @OR 6-TTLE10
The troops )egan to st%r$
@ro! so!ewhere )eh%nd the UN #o!pond& an angr" roar shoo+ the #%t"2the
sond of a dra+on wa+%ng$ The no%se was so horr%)le %t wo+e !e& and I real%5ed I
#old st%ll hear %t fro! a !%le awa"$
Gro'er stood ne*t to !e& loo+%ng ner'os$ 0What was that70
0The"(re #o!%ng&0 I told h%!$ 0-nd we(re %n tro)le$0
The Hephaests #a)%n was ot of Gree+ ,re$ The -pollo #a)%n and the Hnters
were s#rong%ng for arrows$ 3ost of s had alread" %ngested so !#h a!)ros%a
and ne#tar we d%dn(t dare ta+e an" !ore$
We had s%*teen #a!pers& ,fteen Hnters& and half a do5en sat"rs left %n
,ght%ng shape$ The rest had ta+en refge on Ol"!ps$ The Part" Pon%es tr%ed to
for! ran+s& )t the" staggered and g%ggled and the" all s!elled l%+e root )eer$
The Te*ans were head.)tt%ng the Coloradoans$ The 3%ssor% )ran#h was arg%ng
w%th Ill%no%s$ The #han#es were prett" good the whole ar!" wold end p ,ght%ng
ea#h other rather than the ene!"$
Ch%ron trotted p w%th Ra#hel on h%s )a#+$ I felt a tw%nge of anno"an#e
)e#ase Ch%ron rarel" ga'e an"one a r%de& and ne'er a !ortal$
0<or fr%end here has so!e sefl %ns%ghts& Per#"&0 he sa%d$
Ra#hel )lshed$ 0;st so!e th%ngs I saw %n !" head$0
0- dra+on&0 Ch%ron sa%d$ 0- L"d%an dra+on& to )e e*a#t$ The oldest and !ost
dangeros +%nd$0
I stared at her$ 0How d%d "o +now that70
0I(! not sre&0 Ra#hel ad!%tted$ 06t th%s dra+on has a part%#lar fate$ It w%ll
)e +%lled )" a #h%ld of -res$0
-nna)eth #rossed her ar!s$ 0How #an "o poss%)l" +now that70
0I /st saw %t$ I #an(t e*pla%n$0
0Well& let(s hope "o(re wrong&0 I sa%d$ 06e#ase we(re a l%ttle short on #h%ldren
of -res$ $ $ $0 - horr%)le thoght o##rred to !e& and I #rsed %n -n#%ent Gree+$
0What70 -nna)eth as+ed$
0The sp"&0 I told her$ 09ronos sa%d& We +now the" #annot )eat th%s dra+on$ The
sp" has )een +eep%ng h%! pdated$ 9ronos +nows the -res #a)%n %sn(t w%th s$ He
%ntent%onall" p%#+ed a !onster we #an(t +%ll$0
Thal%a s#owled$ 0If I e'er #at#h "or sp"& he(s go%ng to )e 'er" sorr"$ 3a")e we
#old send another !essenger to #a!p20
0I('e alread" done %t&0 Ch%ron sa%d$ 06la#+/a#+ %s on h%s wa"$ 6t %f S%lena wasn(t
a)le to #on'%n#e Clar%sse& I do)t 6la#+/a#+ w%ll )e a)le20
- roar shoo+ the grond$ It sonded 'er" #lose$
0Ra#hel&0 I sa%d& 0get %ns%de the )%ld%ng$0
0I want to sta"$0
- shadow )lotted ot the sn$ -#ross the street& the dra+on sl%thered down the
s%de of a s+"s#raper$ It roared& and a thosand w%ndows shattered$
0On se#ond thoght&0 Ra#hel sa%d %n a s!all 'o%#e& 0I(ll )e %ns%de$0
O O O
Let !e e*pla%nK there are dragons& and then there are dra+ons$
?ra+ons are se'eral !%llenn%a older than dragons& and !#h larger$ The" loo+
l%+e g%ant serpents$ 3ost don(t ha'e w%ngs$ 3ost don(t )reathe ,re Hthogh so!e
doI$ -ll are po%sonos$ -ll are %!!ensel" strong& w%th s#ales harder than
t%tan%!$ The%r e"es #an paral"5e "o= not the trn."oSto.stone 3edsa.t"pe
paral"s%s& )t the ohS!"Sgods.thatS)%gSsna+eS%sSgo%ngStoSeatS!e t"pe of
paral"s%s& wh%#h %s /st as )ad$
We ha'e dra+on.,ght%ng #lasses at #a!p& )t there %s no wa" to prepare
"orself for a two.hndred.foot.long serpent as th%#+ as a s#hool )s sl%ther%ng
down the s%de of a )%ld%ng& %ts "ellow e"es l%+e sear#hl%ghts and %ts !oth fll of
ra5or.sharp teeth )%g enogh to #hew elephants$
It al!ost !ade !e long for the >"%ng p%g$
3eanwh%le& the ene!" ar!" ad'an#ed down @%fth -'ene$ We(d done or )est
to psh #ars ot of the wa" to +eep the !ortals safe& )t that /st !ade %t eas%er
for or ene!%es to approa#h$ The Part" Pon%es sw%shed the%r ta%ls ner'osl"$
Ch%ron galloped p and down the%r ran+s& shot%ng en#orage!ent to stand
togh and th%n+ a)ot '%#tor" and root )eer& )t I ,gred an" se#ond the" wold
pan%# and rn$
0I(ll ta+e the dra+on$0 3" 'o%#e #a!e ot as a t%!%d sAea+$ Then I "elled
loderK 0I(LL T-9E THE ?R-9ON1 E'er"one else& hold the l%ne aga%nst the ar!"10
-nna)eth stood ne*t to !e$ She had plled her owl hel!et low o'er her fa#e&
)t I #old tell her e"es were red$
0W%ll "o help !e70 I as+ed$
0That(s what I do&0 she sa%d !%sera)l"$ 0I help !" fr%ends$0
I felt l%+e a #o!plete /er+$ I wanted to pll her as%de and e*pla%n that I d%dn(t
!ean for Ra#hel to )e here& that %t wasn(t !" %dea& )t we had no t%!e$
0Go %n'%s%)le&0 I sa%d$ 0Loo+ for wea+ l%n+s %n %ts ar!or wh%le I +eep %t )s"$ ;st
)e #arefl$0
I wh%stled$ 03rs$ O(Lear"& heel10
0ROOO@10 3" hellhond leaped o'er a l%ne of #entars and ga'e !e a +%ss that
s!elled ssp%#%osl" of pepperon% p%55a$
I drew !" sword and we #harged the !onster$
The dra+on was three stor%es a)o'e s& sl%ther%ng s%dewa"s along the )%ld%ng
as %t s%5ed p or for#es$ Where'er %t loo+ed& #entars fro5e %n fear$
@ro! the north& the ene!" ar!" #rashed %nto the Part" Pon%es& and or l%nes
)ro+e$ The dra+on lashed ot& swallow%ng three Cal%forn%an #entars %n one glp
)efore I #old e'en get #lose$
3rs$ O(Lear" lan#hed herself throgh the a%r2a deadl" )la#+ shadow w%th
teeth and #laws$ Nor!all"& a pon#%ng hellhond %s a terr%f"%ng s%ght& )t ne*t to
the dra+on& 3rs$ O(Lear" loo+ed l%+e a #h%ld(s n%ght.n%ght doll$
Her #laws ra+ed har!lessl" o4 the dra+on(s s#ales$ She )%t the !onster(s
throat )t #oldn(t !a+e a dent$ Her we%ght& howe'er& was enogh to +no#+ the
dra+on o4 the s%de of the )%ld%ng$ It >a%led aw+wardl" and #rashed to the
s%dewal+& hellhond and serpent tw%st%ng and thrash%ng$ The dra+on tr%ed to )%te
3rs$ O(Lear"& )t she was too #lose to the serpent(s !oth$ Po%son spewed
e'er"where& !elt%ng #entars %nto dst along w%th A%te a few !onsters& )t 3rs$
O(Lear" wea'ed arond the serpent(s head&s#rat#h%ng and )%t%ng$
0<---H10 I plnged R%pt%de deep %nto the !onster(s left e"e$ The spotl%ght
went dar+$ The dra+on h%ssed and reared )a#+ to str%+e& )t I rolled as%de$
It )%t a sw%!!%ng.pool.s%5e #hn+ ot of the pa'e!ent$ It trned toward !e
w%th %ts good e"e& and I fo#sed on %ts teeth so I woldn(t get paral"5ed$ 3rs$
O(Lear" d%d her )est to #ase a d%stra#t%on$ She leaped onto the serpent(s head
and s#rat#hed and growled l%+e a reall" angr" )la#+ w%g$
The rest of the )attle wasn(t go%ng well$ The #entars had pan%#+ed nder the
onslaght of g%ants and de!ons$ -n o##as%onal orange #a!p T.sh%rt appeared %n
the sea of ,ght%ng& )t A%#+l" d%sappeared$ -rrows s#rea!ed$ @%re e*ploded %n
wa'es a#ross )oth ar!%es& )t the a#t%on was !o'%ng a#ross the street to the
entran#e of the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$ We were los%ng grond$
Sddenl" -nna)eth !ater%al%5ed on the dra+on(s )a#+$ Her %n'%s%)%l%t" #ap
rolled o4 her head as she dro'e her )ron5e +n%fe )etween a #h%n+ %n the serpent(s
s#ales$
The dra+on roared$ It #o%led arond& +no#+%ng -nna)eth o4 %ts )a#+$
I rea#hed her /st as she h%t the grond$ I dragged her ot of the wa" as the
serpent rolled& #rsh%ng a la!ppost r%ght where she(d )een$
0Than+s&0 she sa%d$
0I told "o to )e #arefl10
0<eah& well& ?UC910
It was her trn to sa'e !e$ She ta#+led !e as the !onster(s teeth snapped
a)o'e !" head$ 3rs$ O(Lear" )od".sla!!ed the dra+on(s fa#e to get %ts
attent%on& and we rolled ot of the wa"$
3eanwh%le or all%es had retreated to the doors of the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$
The ent%re ene!" ar!" was srrond%ng the!$
We were ot of opt%ons$ No !ore help was #o!%ng$ -nna)eth and I wold ha'e
to retreat )efore we were #t o4 fro! 3ont Ol"!ps$
Then I heard a r!)l%ng %n the soth$ It wasn(t a sond "o hear !#h %n New
<or+& )t I re#ogn%5ed %t %!!ed%atel"K #har%ot wheels$
- g%rl(s 'o%#e "elled& 0-RES10
-nd a do5en war #har%ots #harged %nto )attle$ Ea#h >ew a red )anner w%th the
s"!)ol of the w%ld )oar(s head$ Ea#h was plled )" a tea! of s+eletal horses w%th
!anes of ,re$ - total of th%rt" fresh warr%ors& ar!or glea!%ng and e"es fll of
hate& lowered the%r lan#es as one2!a+%ng a )r%stl%ng wall of death$
0The #h%ldren of -res10 -nna)eth sa%d %n a!a5e!ent$ 0How d%d Ra#hel +now70
I d%dn(t ha'e an answer$ 6t lead%ng the #harge was a g%rl %n fa!%l%ar red
ar!or& her fa#e #o'ered )" a )oar(s.head hel!$ She held aloft a spear that
#ra#+led w%th ele#tr%#%t"$ Clar%sse herself had #o!e to the res#e$ Wh%le half her
#har%ots #harged the !onster ar!"& Clar%sse led the other s%* stra%ght for the
dra+on$
The serpent reared )a#+ and !anaged to throw o4 3rs$ O(Lear"$ 3" poor pet
h%t the s%de of the )%ld%ng w%th a "elp$ I ran to help her& )t the serpent had
alread" 5eroed %n on the new threat$ E'en w%th onl" one e"e& %ts glare was
enogh to paral"5e two #har%ot dr%'ers$ The" 'eered %nto a l%ne of #ars$ The other
for #har%ots +ept #harg%ng$ The !onster )ared %ts fangs to str%+e and got a
!othfl of Celest%al )ron5e /a'el%ns$
0EEESSSSS111110 %t s#rea!ed& wh%#h %s pro)a)l" dra+on for OWWWW1
0-res& to !e10 Clar%sse s#rea!ed$ Her 'o%#e sonded shr%ller than sal& )t I
gess that wasn(t srpr%s%ng g%'en what she was ,ght%ng$
-#ross the street& the arr%'al of s%* #har%ots ga'e the Part" Pon%es new hope$
The" rall%ed at the doors of the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng& and the ene!" ar!" was
!o!entar%l" thrown %nto #onfs%on$
3eanwh%le& Clar%sse(s #har%ots #%r#led the dra+on$ Lan#es )ro+e aga%nst the
!onster(s s+%n$ S+eletal horses )reathed ,re and wh%nn%ed$ Two !ore #har%ots
o'ertrned& )t the warr%ors s%!pl" leaped to the%r feet& drew the%r swords& and
went to wor+$ The" ha#+ed at #h%n+s %n the #reatre(s s#ales$ The" dodged po%son
spra" l%+e the"(d )een tra%n%ng for th%s all the%r l%'es& wh%#h of #orse the" had$
No one #old sa" the -res #a!pers weren(t )ra'e$ Clar%sse was r%ght there %n
front& sta))%ng her spear at the dra+on(s fa#e& tr"%ng to pt ot %ts other e"e$ 6t
as I wat#hed& th%ngs started to go wrong$ The dra+on snapped p one -res
#a!per %n a glp$ It +no#+ed as%de another and spra"ed po%son on a th%rd& who
retreated %n a pan%#& h%s ar!or !elt%ng$
0We ha'e to help&0 -nna)eth sa%d$
She was r%ght$ I(d /st )een stand%ng there fro5en %n a!a5e!ent$ 3rs$ O(Lear"
tr%ed to get p )t "elped aga%n$ One of her paws was )leed%ng$
0Sta" )a#+& g%rl&0 I told her$ 0<o('e done enogh alread"$0

-nna)eth and I /!ped onto the !onster(s )a#+ and ran toward %ts head&
tr"%ng to draw %ts attent%on awa" fro! Clar%sse$
Her #a)%n!ates threw /a'el%ns& !ost of wh%#h )ro+e& )t so!e lodged %n the
!onster(s teeth$ It snapped %ts /aws together nt%l %ts !oth was a !ess of green
)lood& "ellow foa!" po%son& and spl%ntered weapons$
0<o #an do %t10 I s#rea!ed at Clar%sse$ 0- #h%ld of -res %s dest%ned to +%ll %t10
Throgh her war hel!et& I #old onl" see her e"es2)t I #old tell so!eth%ng
was wrong$ Her )le e"es shone w%th fear$ Clar%sse ne'er loo+ed l%+e that$ -nd
she d%dn(t ha'e )le e"es$
0-RES10 she shoted& %n that strangel" shr%ll 'o%#e$ She le'eled her spear and
#harged the dra+on$
0No&0 I !ttered$ 0W-IT10
6t the !onster loo+ed down at her2al!ost %n #onte!pt2and sp%t po%son
d%re#tl" %n her fa#e$
She s#rea!ed and fell$
0Clar%sse10 -nna)eth /!ped o4 the !onster(s )a#+ and ran to help& wh%le the
other -res #a!pers tr%ed to defend the%r fallen #onselor$ I dro'e R%pt%de )etween
two of the #reatre(s s#ales and !anaged to trn %ts attent%on on !e$
I got thrown )t I landed on !" feet$ 0C(3ON& "o stp%d wor!1 Loo+ at !e10
@or the ne*t se'eral !%ntes& all I saw were teeth$ I retreated and dodged
po%son& )t I #oldn(t hrt the th%ng$
-t the edge of !" '%s%on& I saw a >"%ng #har%ot land on @%fth -'ene$
Then so!eone ran toward s$ - g%rl(s 'o%#e& sha+en w%th gr%ef& #r%ed& 0NO1
Crse "o& WH<70
I dared to glan#e o'er& )t what I saw !ade no sense$ Clar%sse was l"%ng on
the grond where she(d fallen$ Her ar!or s!o+ed w%th po%son$ -nna)eth and the
-res #a!pers were tr"%ng to nfasten her hel!et$ -nd +neel%ng ne*t to the!& her
fa#e )lot#h" w%th tears& was a g%rl %n #a!p #lothes$ It was $ $ $ Clar%sse$
3" head spn$ Wh" hadn(t I not%#ed )efore7 The g%rl %n Clar%sse(s ar!or was
!#h th%nner& not as tall$ 6t wh" wold so!eone pretend to )e Clar%sse7
I was so stnned& the dra+on al!ost snapped !e %n half$ I dodged and the
)east )r%ed %ts head %n a )r%#+ wall$
0WH<70 The real Clar%sse de!anded& hold%ng the other g%rl %n her ar!s wh%le
the #a!pers strggled to re!o'e the po%son.#orroded hel!et$
Chr%s Rodr%ge5 ran o'er fro! the >"%ng #har%ot$ He and Clar%sse !st('e
r%dden %t here fro! #a!p& #has%ng the -res #a!pers& who(d !%sta+enl" )een
follow%ng the other g%rl& th%n+%ng she was Clar%sse$ 6t %t st%ll !ade no sense$
The dra+on tgged %ts head fro! the )r%#+ wall and s#rea!ed %n rage$
0Loo+ ot10 Chr%s warned$
Instead of trn%ng toward !e& the dra+on wh%rled toward the sond of Chr%s(s
'o%#e$ It )ared %ts fangs at the grop of de!%gods$
The real Clar%sse loo+ed p at the dra+on& her fa#e ,lled w%th a)solte hate$ I(d
seen a loo+ that %ntense onl" on#e )efore$ Her father& -res& had worn the sa!e
e*press%on when I(d foght h%! %n s%ngle #o!)at$
0<OU W-NT ?E-TH70 Clar%sse s#rea!ed at the dra+on$ 0WELL& CO3E ON10
She gra))ed her spear fro! the fallen g%rl$ W%th no ar!or or sh%eld& she
#harged the dra+on$
I tr%ed to #lose the d%stan#e to help& )t Clar%sse was faster$ She leaped as%de
as the !onster str#+& pl'er%5%ng the grond %n front of her$ Then she /!ped
onto the #reatre(s head$ -s %t reared p& she dro'e her ele#tr%# spear %nto %ts
good e"e w%th so !#h for#e %t shattered the shaft& releas%ng all of the !ag%#
weapon(s power$
Ele#tr%#%t" ar#ed a#ross the #reatre(s head& #as%ng %ts whole )od" to
shdder$ Clar%sse /!ped free& roll%ng safel" to the s%dewal+ as s!o+e )o%led fro!
the dra+on(s !oth$ The dra+on(s >esh d%ssol'ed& and %t #ollapsed %nto a hollow
s#al" tnnel of ar!or$
The rest of s stared at Clar%sse %n awe$ I had ne'er seen an"one ta+e down
s#h a hge !onster s%ngle.handedl"$ 6t Clar%sse d%dn(t see! to #are$ She ran
)a#+ to the wonded g%rl who(d stolen her ar!or$
@%nall" -nna)eth !anaged to re!o'e the g%rl(s hel!et$ We all gathered
arondK the -res #a!pers& Chr%s& Clar%sse& -nna)eth& and !e$ The )attle st%ll
raged along @%fth -'ene& )t for that !o!ent noth%ng e*%sted e*#ept or s!all
#%r#le and the fallen g%rl$
Her featres& on#e )eat%fl& were )adl" )rned fro! po%son$ I #old tell that
no a!ont of ne#tar or a!)ros%a wold sa'e her$
So!eth%ng %s a)ot to happen$ Ra#hel(s words rang %n !" ears$ - tr%#+ that
ends %n death$
Now I +new what she !eant& and I +new who had led the -res #a)%n %nto
)attle$
I loo+ed down at the d"%ng fa#e of S%lena 6earegard$
SEVENTEEN
I SIT ON THE
HOT SE-T
0What were "o th%n+%ng70 Clar%sse #radled S%lena(s head %n her lap$
S%lena tr%ed to swallow& )t her l%ps were dr" and #ra#+ed$ 0Woldn(t $ $ $ l%sten$
Ca)%n wold $ $ $ onl" follow "o$0
0So "o stole !" ar!or&0 Clar%sse sa%d %n d%s)el%ef$ 0<o wa%ted nt%l Chr%s and I
went ot on patrol= "o stole !" ar!or and pretended to )e !e$0 She glared at
her s%)l%ngs$ 0-nd NONE of "o not%#ed70
The -res #a!pers de'eloped a sdden %nterest %n the%r #o!)at )oots$
0?on(t )la!e the!&0 S%lena sa%d$ 0The" wanted to $ $ $ to )el%e'e I was "o$0
0<o stp%d -phrod%te g%rl&0 Clar%sse so))ed$ 0<o #harged a dra+on7 Wh"70
0-ll !" falt&0 S%lena sa%d& a tear strea+%ng the s%de of her fa#e$ 0The dra+on&
Charl%e(s death $ $ $ #a!p endangered20
0Stop %t10 Clar%sse sa%d$ 0That(s not tre$0
S%lena opened her hand$ In her pal! was a s%l'er )ra#elet w%th a s#"the
#har!& the !ar+ of 9ronos$
- #old ,st #losed arond !" heart$ 0<o were the sp"$0
S%lena tr%ed to nod$ 06efore $ $ $ )efore I l%+ed Charl%e& L+e was n%#e to !e$ He
was so $ $ $ #har!%ng$ Handso!e$ Later& I wanted to stop help%ng h%!& )t he
threatened to tell$ He pro!%sed $ $ $ he pro!%sed I was sa'%ng l%'es$ @ewer people
wold get hrt$ He told !e he woldn(t hrt $ $ $ Charl%e$ He l%ed to !e$0
I !et -nna)eth(s e"es$ Her fa#e was #hal+"$ She loo+ed l%+e so!e)od" had
/st "an+ed the world ot fro! nder her feet$
6eh%nd s& the )attle raged$
Clar%sse s#owled at her #a)%n!ates$ 0Go& help the #entars$ Prote#t the doors$
GO10
The" s#ra!)led o4 to /o%n the ,ght$
S%lena too+ a hea'"& pa%nfl )reath$ 0@org%'e !e$0
0<o(re not d"%ng&0 Clar%sse %ns%sted$
0Charl%e $ $ $0 S%lena(s e"es were a !%ll%on !%les awa"$ 0See Charl%e $ $ $0
She d%dn(t spea+ aga%n$
Clar%sse held her and wept$ Chr%s pt a hand on her sholder$
@%nall" -nna)eth #losed S%lena(s e"es$
0We ha'e to ,ght$0 -nna)eth(s 'o%#e was )r%ttle$ 0She ga'e her l%fe to help s$
We ha'e to honor her$0
Clar%sse sn%Ned and w%ped her nose$ 0She was a hero& nderstand7 - hero$0
I nodded$ 0Co!e on& Clar%sse$0
She p%#+ed p a sword fro! one of her fallen s%)l%ngs$ 09ronos %s go%ng to pa"$0
O O O
I(d l%+e to sa" I dro'e the ene!" awa" fro! the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$ The
trth was Clar%sse d%d all the wor+$ E'en w%thot her ar!or or spear& she was a
de!on$ She rode her #har%ot stra%ght %nto the T%tan(s ar!" and #rshed
e'er"th%ng %n her path$
She was so %nsp%r%ng& e'en the pan%#+ed #entars started to rall"$ The Hnters
s#ronged arrows fro! the fallen and lan#hed 'olle" after 'olle" %nto the ene!"$
The -res #a)%n slashed and ha#+ed& wh%#h was the%r fa'or%te th%ng$ The !onsters
retreated toward ecth Street$
Clar%sse dro'e to the dra+on(s #ar#ass and looped a grappl%ng l%ne throgh %ts
e"e so#+ets$ She lashed her horses and too+ o4& dragg%ng the dra+on )eh%nd the
#har%ot l%+e a Ch%nese New <ear dragon$ She #harged after the ene!"& "ell%ng
%nslts and dar%ng the! to #ross her$ -s she rode& I real%5ed she was l%terall"
glow%ng$ -n ara of red ,re >%#+ered arond her$
0The )less%ng of -res&0 Thal%a sa%d$ 0I('e ne'er seen %t %n person )efore$0
@or the !o!ent& Clar%sse was as %n'%n#%)le as I was$ The ene!" threw spears
and arrows& )t noth%ng h%t her$
0I -3 CL-RISSE& ?R-9ON.SL-<ER10 she "elled$ 0I w%ll +%ll "o -LL1 Where %s
9ronos7 6r%ng h%! ot1 Is he a #oward70
0Clar%sse10 I "elled$ 0Stop %t$ W%thdraw10
0What(s the !atter& T%tan lord70 she "elled$ 06RING IT ON10
There was no answer fro! the ene!"$ Slowl"& the" )egan to fall )a#+ )eh%nd a
dra#aenae sh%eld wall& wh%le Clar%sse dro'e %n #%r#les arond @%fth -'ene& dar%ng
an"one to #ross her path$ The two.hndred.foot.long dra+on #ar#ass !ade a
hollow s#rap%ng no%se aga%nst the pa'e!ent& l%+e a thosand +n%'es$
3eanwh%le& we tended or wonded& )r%ng%ng the! %ns%de the lo))"$ Long
after the ene!" had retreated fro! s%ght& Clar%sse +ept r%d%ng p and down the
a'ene w%th her horr%)le troph"& de!and%ng that 9ronos !eet her )attle$
Chr%s sa%d& 0I(ll wat#h her$ She(ll get t%red e'entall"$ I(ll !a+e sre she #o!es
%ns%de$0
0What a)ot the #a!p70 I as+ed$ 0Is an")od" left there70
Chr%s shoo+ h%s head$ 0Onl" -rgs and the natre sp%r%ts$ Peles the dragon %s
st%ll gard%ng the tree$0
0The" won(t last long&0 I sa%d$ 06t I(! glad "o #a!e$0
Chr%s nodded sadl"$ 0I(! sorr" %t too+ so long$ I tr%ed to reason w%th Clar%sse$ I
sa%d there(s no po%nt %n defend%ng #a!p %f "o g"s d%e$ -ll or fr%ends are here$
I(! sorr" %t too+ S%lena $ $ $0
03" Hnters w%ll help "o stand gard&0 Thal%a sa%d$ 0-nna)eth and Per#"& "o
shold go to Ol"!ps$ I ha'e a feel%ng the"(ll need "o p there2to set p the
,nal defense$0
The door!an had d%sappeared fro! the lo))"$ H%s )oo+ was fa#edown on the
des+ and h%s #ha%r was e!pt"$ The rest of the lo))"& howe'er& was /a!.pa#+ed
w%th wonded #a!pers& Hnters& and sat"rs$
Connor and Tra'%s Stoll !et s )" the ele'ators$
0Is %t tre70 Connor as+ed$ 0-)ot S%lena70
I nodded$ 0She d%ed a hero$0
Tra'%s sh%fted n#o!forta)l"$ 0U!& I also heard20
0That(s %t&0 I %ns%sted$ 0End of stor"$0
0R%ght&0 Tra'%s !!)led$ 0L%sten& we ,gre the T%tan(s ar!" w%ll ha'e tro)le
gett%ng p the ele'ator$ The"(ll ha'e to go p a few at a t%!e$ -nd the g%ants
won(t )e a)le to ,t at all$0
0That(s or )%ggest ad'antage&0 I sa%d$ 0-n" wa" to d%sa)le the ele'ator70
0It(s !ag%#&0 Tra'%s sa%d$ 0Usall" "o need a +e" #ard& )t the door!an
'an%shed$ That !eans the defenses are #r!)l%ng$ -n"one #an wal+ %nto the
ele'ator now and head stra%ght p$0
0Then we ha'e to +eep the! awa" fro! the doors&0 I sa%d$ 0We(ll )ottle the!
p %n the lo))"$0
0We need re%nfor#e!ents&0 Tra'%s sa%d$ 0The"(ll /st +eep #o!%ng$ E'entall"
the"(ll o'erwhel! s$0
0There are no re%nfor#e!ents&0 Connor #o!pla%ned$
I loo+ed ots%de at 3rs$ O(Lear"& who was )reath%ng aga%nst the glass doors
and s!ear%ng the! w%th hellhond drool$
03a")e that(s not tre&0 I sa%d$
I went ots%de and pt a hand on 3rs$ O(Lear" s !55le$ Ch%ron had )andaged
her paw& )t she was st%ll l%!p%ng$ Her fr was !atted w%th !d& lea'es& p%55a
sl%#es& and dr%ed !onster )lood$
0He"& g%rl$0 I tr%ed to sond p)eat$ 0I +now "o(re t%red& )t I('e got one !ore
)%g fa'or to as+ "o$0 I leaned ne*t to her and wh%spered %n her ear$

-fter 3rs$ O(Lear" shadow.tra'eled awa"& I re/o%ned -nna)eth %n the lo))"$ On
the wa" to the ele'ator& we spotted Gro'er +neel%ng o'er a fat wonded sat"r$
0Lenes10 I sa%d$
The old sat"r loo+ed terr%)le$ H%s l%ps were )le$ There was a )ro+en spear %n
h%s )ell"& and h%s frr" goat legs were tw%sted at a pa%nfl angle$
He tr%ed to fo#s on s& )t I don(t th%n+ he saw s$
0Gro'er70 he !r!red$
0I(! here& Lenes$0 Gro'er was )l%n+%ng )a#+ tears& desp%te all the horr%)le
th%ngs Lenes had sa%d a)ot h%!$
0?%d $ $ $ d%d we w%n70
0U! $ $ $ "es&0 Gro'er l%ed$ 0Than+s to "o& Lenes$ We dro'e the ene!"
awa"$0
0Told "o&0 the old sat"r !!)led$ 0Tre leader$ Tre $ $ $0
He #losed h%s e"es for the last t%!e$
Gro'er glped$ He pt h%s hand on Lenes(s forehead and spo+e an an#%ent
)less%ng$ The old sat"r(s )od" !elted& nt%l all that was left was a t%n" sapl%ng %n a
p%le of fresh so%l$
0- larel&0 Gro'er sa%d %n awe$ 0Oh& that l#+" old goat$0
He gathered p the sapl%ng %n h%s hands$ 0I $ $ $ I shold plant h%!$ In Ol"!ps&
%n the gardens$0
0We(re go%ng that wa"&0 I sa%d$ 0Co!e on$0
Eas".l%sten%ng !s%# pla"ed as the ele'ator rose$ I thoght a)ot the ,rst t%!e
I(d '%s%ted 3ont Ol"!ps& )a#+ when I was twel'e$ -nna)eth and Gro'er hadn(t
)een w%th !e then$ I was glad the" were w%th !e now$ I had a feel%ng %t !%ght )e
or last ad'entre together$
0Per#"&0 -nna)eth sa%d A%etl"$ 0<o were r%ght a)ot L+e$0 It was the ,rst
t%!e she(d spo+en s%n#e S%lena 6earegard(s death$ She +ept her e"es ,*ed on
the ele'ator >oors as the" )l%n+ed %nto the !ag%#al n!)ersK BCC& BcC& cCC$
Gro'er and I e*#hanged glan#es$
0-nna)eth&0 I sa%d$ 0I(! sorr"20
0<o tr%ed to tell !e$0 Her 'o%#e was sha+"$ 0L+e %s no good$ I d%dn(t )el%e'e
"o nt%l $ $ $ nt%l I heard how he(d sed S%lena$ Now I +now$ I hope "o(re happ"$0
0That doesn(t !a+e !e happ"$0
She pt her head aga%nst the ele'ator wall and woldn(t loo+ at !e$
Gro'er #radled h%s larel sapl%ng %n h%s hands$ 0Well $ $ $ sre good to )e
together aga%n$ -rg%ng$ -l!ost d"%ng$ -)/e#t terror$ Oh& loo+$ It(s or >oor$0
The doors d%nged and we stepped onto the aer%al wal+wa"$
?epress%ng %s not a word that sall" des#r%)es 3ont Ol"!ps& )t %t loo+ed
that wa" now$ No ,res l%t the )ra5%ers$ The w%ndows were dar+$ The streets were
deserted and the doors were )arred$ The onl" !o'e!ent was %n the par+s& wh%#h
had )een set p as ,eld hosp%tals$ W%ll Sola#e and the other -pollo #a!pers
s#ra!)led arond& #ar%ng for the wonded$ Na%ads and dr"ads tr%ed to help& s%ng
natre !ag%# songs to heal )rns and po%son$
-s Gro'er planted the larel sapl%ng& -nna)eth and I went arond tr"%ng to
#heer p the wonded$ I passed a sat"r w%th a )ro+en leg& a de!%god who was
)andaged fro! head to toe& and a )od" #o'ered %n the golden )r%al shrod of
-pollo(s #a)%n$ I d%dn(t +now who was nderneath$ I d%dn(t want to ,nd ot$
3" heart felt l%+e lead& )t we tr%ed to ,nd pos%t%'e th%ngs to sa"$
0<o(ll )e p and ,ght%ng T%tans %n no t%!e10 I told one #a!per$
0<o loo+ great&0 -nna)eth told another #a!per$
0Lenes trned %nto a shr)10 Gro'er told a groan%ng sat"r$
I fond ?%on"ss(s son Poll* propped p aga%nst a tree$ He had a )ro+en ar!&
)t otherw%se he was o+a"$
0I #an st%ll ,ght w%th the other hand&0 he sa%d& gr%tt%ng h%s teeth$
0No&0 I sa%d$ 0<o('e done enogh$ I want "o to sta" here and help w%th the
wonded$0
06t20
0Pro!%se !e to sta" safe&0 I sa%d$ 0O+a"7 Personal fa'or$0
He frowned n#erta%nl"$ It wasn(t l%+e we were good fr%ends or an"th%ng& )t I
wasn(t go%ng to tell h%! %t was a reAest fro! h%s dad$ That wold /st e!)arrass
h%!$ @%nall" he pro!%sed& and when he sat )a#+ down& I #old tell he was +%nd of
rel%e'ed$
-nna)eth& Gro'er& and I +ept wal+%ng toward the pala#e$ That(s where 9ronos
wold head$ -s soon as he !ade %t p the ele'ator2and I had no do)t he
wold& one wa" or another2he wold destro" the throne roo!& the #enter of the
gods( power$
The )ron5e doors #rea+ed open$ Or footsteps e#hoed on the !ar)le >oor$ The
#onstellat%ons tw%n+led #oldl" on the #e%l%ng of the great hall$ The hearth was
down to a dll red glow$ Hest%a& %n the for! of a l%ttle g%rl %n )rown ro)es& hn#hed
at %ts edge& sh%'er%ng$ The Oph%otars swa! sadl" %n h%s sphere of water$ He let
ot a half.hearted !oo when he saw !e$
In the ,rel%ght& the thrones #ast e'%l.loo+%ng shadows& l%+e grasp%ng hands$
Stand%ng at the foot of Les(s throne& loo+%ng p at the stars& was Ra#hel
El%5a)eth ?are$ She was hold%ng a Gree+ #era!%# 'ase$
0Ra#hel70 I sa%d$ 0U!& what are "o do%ng w%th that70
She fo#sed on !e as %f she were #o!%ng ot of a drea!$ 0I fond %t$ It(s
Pandora(s /ar& %sn(t %t70
Her e"es were )r%ghter than sal& and I had a )ad >ash)a#+ of !old"
sandw%#hes and )rned #oo+%es$
0Please pt down the /ar&0 I sa%d$
0I #an see Hope %ns%de %t$0 Ra#hel ran her ,ngers o'er the #era!%# des%gns$ 0So
frag%le$0
0Ra#hel$0
3" 'o%#e see!ed to )r%ng her )a#+ to real%t"$ She held ot the /ar& and I too+
%t$ The #la" felt as #old as %#e$
0Gro'er&0 -nna)eth !!)led$ 0Let(s s#ot arond the pala#e$ 3a")e we #an
,nd so!e e*tra Gree+ ,re or Hephaests traps$0
06t20
-nna)eth el)owed h%!$
0R%ght10 he "elped$ 0I lo'e traps10
She dragged h%! ot of the throne roo!$
O'er )" the ,re& Hest%a was hddled %n her ro)es& ro#+%ng )a#+ and forth$
0Co!e on&0 I told Ra#hel$ 0I want "o to !eet so!eone$0
We sat ne*t to the goddess$
0Lad" Hest%a&0 I sa%d$
0Hello& Per#" ;a#+son&0 the goddess !r!red$ 0Gett%ng #older$ Harder to +eep
the ,re go%ng$0
0I +now&0 I sa%d$ 0The T%tans are near$0
Hest%a fo#sed on Ra#hel$ 0Hello& !" dear$ <o('e #o!e to or hearth at last$0
Ra#hel )l%n+ed$ 0<o('e )een e*pe#t%ng !e70
Hest%a held ot her hands& and the #oals glowed$ I saw %!ages %n the ,reK 3"
!other& Pal& and I eat%ng Than+sg%'%ng d%nner at the +%t#hen ta)le= !" fr%ends
and !e arond the #a!p,re at Ca!p Half.6lood& s%ng%ng songs and roast%ng
!arsh!allows= Ra#hel and !e dr%'%ng along the )ea#h %n Pal(s Pr%s$
I d%dn(t +now %f Ra#hel saw the sa!e %!ages& )t the tens%on went ot of her
sholders$ The war!th of the ,re see!ed to spread a#ross her$
0To #la%! "or pla#e at the hearth&0 Hest%a told her& 0"o !st let go of "or
d%stra#t%ons$ It %s the onl" wa" "o w%ll sr'%'e$0
Ra#hel nodded$ 0I $ $ $ I nderstand$0
0Wa%t&0 I sa%d$ 0What %s she tal+%ng a)ot70
Ra#hel too+ a sha+" )reath$ 0Per#"& when I #a!e here $ $ $ I thoght I was
#o!%ng for "o$ 6t I wasn(t$ <o and !e $ $ $0 She shoo+ her head$
0Wa%t$ Now I(! a d%stra#t%on7 Is th%s )e#ase I(! (not the hero( or whate'er70
0I(! not sre I #an pt %t %nto words&0 she sa%d$ 0I was drawn to "o
)e#ase $ $ $ )e#ase "o opened the door to all of th%s$0 She gestred at the
throne roo!$ 0I needed to nderstand !" tre s%ght$ 6t "o and !e& that wasn(t
part of %t$ Or fates aren(t %ntertw%ned$ I th%n+ "o('e alwa"s +nown that& deep
down$0
I stared at her$ 3a")e I wasn(t the )r%ghtest g" %n the world when %t #a!e to
g%rls& )t I was prett" sre Ra#hel had /st d!ped !e& wh%#h was la!e
#ons%der%ng we(d ne'er e'en )een together$
0So $ $ $ what&0 I sa%d$ (0Than+s for )r%ng%ng !e to Ol"!ps$ See "a$( Is that
what "o(re sa"%ng70
Ra#hel stared at the ,re$
0Per#" ;a#+son&0 Hest%a sa%d$ 0Ra#hel has told "o all she #an$ Her !o!ent %s
#o!%ng& )t "or de#%s%on approa#hes e'en !ore rap%dl"$ -re "o prepared70
I wanted to #o!pla%n that no& I wasn(t e'en #lose to prepared$
I loo+ed at Pandora(s /ar& and for the ,rst t%!e I had an rge to open %t$ Hope
see!ed prett" seless to !e r%ght now$ So !an" of !" fr%ends were dead$ Ra#hel
was #tt%ng !e o4$ -nna)eth was angr" w%th !e$ 3" parents were asleep down
%n the streets so!ewhere wh%le a !onster ar!"
srronded the )%ld%ng$ Ol"!ps was on the 'erge of fa%l%ng& and I(d seen so
!an" #rel th%ngs the gods had doneK Les destro"%ng 3ar%a d% -ngelo& Hades
#rs%ng the last Ora#le& Her!es trn%ng h%s )a#+ on L+e e'en when he +new h%s
son wold )e#o!e e'%l$
Srrender& Pro!ethes(s 'o%#e wh%spered %n !" ear$ Otherw%se "or ho!e w%ll
)e destro"ed$ <or pre#%os #a!p w%ll )rn$
Then I loo+ed at Hest%a$ Her red e"es glowed war!l"$ I re!e!)ered the
%!ages I(d seen %n her hearth2fr%ends and fa!%l"& e'er"one I #ared a)ot$
I re!e!)ered so!eth%ng Chr%s Rodr%ge5 had sa%dK There(s no po%nt %n
defend%ng #a!p %f "o g"s d%e$ -ll or fr%ends are here$ -nd N%#o& stand%ng p to
h%s father& HadesK If Ol"!ps falls& he sa%d& "or own pala#e(s safet" doesn(t
!atter$
I heard footsteps$ -nna)eth and Gro'er #a!e )a#+ %nto the throne roo! and
stopped when the" saw s$ I pro)a)l" had a prett" strange loo+ on !" fa#e$
0Per#"70 -nna)eth d%dn(t sond angr" an"!ore2/st #on#erned$ 0Shold we&
!& lea'e aga%n70
Sddenl" I felt l%+e so!eone had %n/e#ted !e w%th steel$ I nderstood what to
do$
I loo+ed at Ra#hel$ 0<o(re not go%ng to do an"th%ng stp%d& are "o7 I
!ean $ $ $ "o tal+ed to Ch%ron& r%ght70
She !anaged a fa%nt s!%le$ 0<o(re worr%ed a)ot !e do%ng so!eth%ng
stp%d70
06t I !ean $ $ $ w%ll "o )e o+a"70
0I don(t +now&0 she ad!%tted$ 0That +%nd of depends on whether "o sa'e the
world& hero$0
I p%#+ed p Pandora(s /ar$ The sp%r%t of Hope >ttered %ns%de& tr"%ng to war! the
#old #onta%ner$
0Hest%a&0 I sa%d& 0I g%'e th%s to "o as an o4er%ng$0
The goddess t%lted her head$ 0I a! the least of the gods$ Wh" wold "o trst
!e w%th th%s70
0<o(re the last Ol"!p%an&0 I sa%d$ 0-nd the !ost %!portant$0
0-nd wh" %s that& Per#" ;a#+son70
06e#ase Hope sr'%'es )est at the hearth&0 I sa%d$ 0Gard %t for !e& and I
won(t )e te!pted to g%'e p aga%n$0
The goddess s!%led$ She too+ the /ar %n her hands and %t )egan to glow$ The
hearth ,re )rned a l%ttle )r%ghter$
0Well done& Per#" ;a#+son&0 she sa%d$ 03a" the gods )less "o$0
0We(re a)ot to ,nd ot$0 I loo+ed at -nna)eth and Gro'er$ 0Co!e on& g"s$0
I !ar#hed toward !" father(s throne$
The seat of Pose%don stood /st to the r%ght of Les(s& )t %t wasn(t nearl" as
grand$ The !olded )la#+ leather seat was atta#hed to a sw%'el pedestal& w%th a
#ople of %ron r%ngs on the s%de for fasten%ng a ,sh%ng pole Hor a tr%dentI$ 6as%#all"
%t loo+ed l%+e a #ha%r on a deep.sea )oat& that "o wold s%t %n %f "o wanted to
hnt shar+ or !arl%n or sea !onsters$
Gods %n the%r natral state are a)ot twent" feet tall& so I #old /st rea#h the
edge of the seat %f I stret#hed !" ar!s$
0Help !e p&0 I told -nna)eth and Gro'er$
0(-re "o #ra5"70 -nna)eth as+ed$
0Pro)a)l"&0 I ad!%tted$
0Per#"&0 Gro'er sa%d& 0the gods reall" don(t appre#%ate people s%tt%ng %n the%r
thrones$ I !ean l%+e trn."o.%nto.a.p%le.of.ashes don(t appre#%ate %t$0
0I need to get h%s attent%on&0 I sa%d$ 0It(s the onl" wa"$0
The" e*#hanged neas" loo+s$
0Well&0 -nna)eth sa%d& 0th%s(ll get h%s attent%on$0
The" l%n+ed the%r ar!s to !a+e a step& then )oosted !e onto the throne$ I felt
l%+e a )a)" w%th !" feet so h%gh o4 the grond$ I loo+ed arond at the other
gloo!"& e!pt" thrones& and I #old %!ag%ne what %t wold )e l%+e s%tt%ng on the
Ol"!p%an Con#%l2so !#h power )t so !#h arg%ng& alwa"s ele'en other
gods tr"%ng to get the%r wa"$ It wold )e eas" to get parano%d& to loo+ ot onl" for
!" own %nterest& espe#%all" %f I were Pose%don$ S%tt%ng %n h%s throne& I felt l%+e I had
the ent%re sea at !" #o!!and2'ast #)%# !%les of o#ean #hrn%ng w%th power
and !"ster"$ Wh" shold Pose%don l%sten to an"one7 Wh" sholdn(t he )e the
greatest of the twel'e7
Then I shoo+ !" head$ Con#entrate$
The throne r!)led$ - wa'e of gale.for#e anger sla!!ed %nto !" !%ndK

WHO ?-RES2
The 'o%#e stopped a)rptl"$ The anger retreated& wh%#h was a good th%ng&
)e#ase /st those two words had al!ost )lasted !" !%nd to shreds$
Per#"$ 3" father(s 'o%#e was st%ll angr" )t !ore #ontrolled$ What2e*a#tl"2
are "o do%ng on !" throne7
0I(! sorr"& @ather&0 I sa%d$ 0I needed to get "or attent%on$0
Th%s was a 'er" dangeros th%ng to do$ E'en for "o$ If I hadn(t loo+ed )efore I
)lasted& "o wold now )e a pddle of seawater$
0I(! sorr"&0 I sa%d aga%n$ 0L%sten& th%ngs are rogh p here$0
I told h%! what was happen%ng$ Then I told h%! !" plan$
H%s 'o%#e was s%lent for a long t%!e$
Per#"& what "o as+ %s %!poss%)le$ 3" pala#e2
0?ad& 9ronos sent an ar!" aga%nst "o on prpose$ He wants to d%'%de "o
fro! the other gods )e#ase he +nows "o #old t%p the s#ales$0
6e that as %t !a"& he atta#+s !" ho!e$
0I(! at "or ho!e&0 I sa%d$ 0Ol"!ps$0
The >oor shoo+$ - wa'e of anger washed o'er !" !%nd$ I thoght I(d gone too
far& )t then the tre!)l%ng eased$ In the )a#+grond of !" !ental l%n+& I heard
nderwater e*plos%ons and the sond of )attle #r%esK C"#lopes )ellow%ng&
!er!en shot%ng$
0Is T"son o+a"70 I as+ed$
The Aest%on see!ed to ta+e !" dad )" srpr%se$ He(s ,ne$ ?o%ng !#h )etter
than I e*pe#ted$ Thogh 0peant )tter0 %s a strange )attle #r"$
0<o let h%! ,ght70
Stop #hang%ng the s)/e#t1 <o real%5e what "o are as+%ng !e to do7 3"
pala#e w%ll )e destro"ed$
0-nd Ol"!ps !%ght )e sa'ed$0
?o "o ha'e an" %dea how long I('e wor+ed on re!odel%ng th%s pala#e7 The
ga!e roo! alone too+ s%* hndred "ears$
0?ad20
Ver" well1 It shall )e as "o sa"$ 6t !" son& pra" th%s wor+s$
0I a! pra"%ng$ I(! tal+%ng to "o& r%ght70
Oh $ $ $ "es$ Good po%nt$ -!ph%tr%te2%n#o!%ng1
The sond of a large e*plos%on shattered or #onne#t%on$
I sl%pped down fro! the throne$
Gro'er std%ed !e ner'osl"$ 0-re "o o+a"7 <o trned pale and $ $ $ "o
started s!o+%ng$0
0I d%d not10 Then I loo+ed at !" ar!s$ Stea! was #rl%ng o4 !" sh%rtslee'es$
The ha%r on !" ar!s was s%nged$
0If "o(d sat there an" longer&0 -nna)eth sa%d& 0"o wold('e spontaneosl"
#o!)sted$ I hope the #on'ersat%on was worth %t70
3oo& sa%d the Oph%otars %n h%s sphere of water$
0We(ll ,nd ot soon&0 I sa%d$
;st then the doors of the throne roo! swng open$ Thal%a !ar#hed %n$ Her
)ow was snapped %n half and her A%'er was e!pt"$
0<o('e got to get down there&0 she told s$ 0The ene!" %s ad'an#%ng$ -nd
9ronos %s lead%ng the!$0
EIGHTEEN
3< P-RENTS GO
CO33-N?O
6" the t%!e we got to the street& %t was too late$
Ca!pers and Hnters la" wonded on the grond$ Clar%sse !st('e lost a ,ght
w%th a H"per)orean g%ant& )e#ase she and her #har%ot were fro5en %n a )lo#+ of
%#e$ The #entars were nowhere to )e seen$ E%ther the"(d pan%#+ed and ran or
the"(d )een d%s%ntegrated$
The T%tan ar!" r%nged the )%ld%ng& stand%ng !a")e twent" feet fro! the
doors$ 9ronos(s 'angard was %n the leadK Ethan Na+a!ra& the dra#aena Aeen
%n her green ar!or& and two H"per)oreans$ I d%dn(t see Pro!ethes$ The sl%!"
weasel was pro)a)l" h%d%ng )a#+ at the%r headAarters$ 6t 9ronos h%!self stood
r%ght %n front w%th h%s s#"the %n hand$
The onl" th%ng stand%ng %n h%s wa" was $ $ $
0Ch%ron&0 -nna)eth sa%d& her 'o%#e tre!)l%ng$
If Ch%ron heard s& he d%dn(t answer$ He had an arrow not#hed& a%!ed stra%ght
at 9ronos(s fa#e$
-s soon as 9ronos saw !e& h%s gold e"es >ared$ E'er" !s#le %n !" )od"
fro5e$ Then the T%tan lord trned h%s attent%on )a#+ to Ch%ron$ 0Step as%de& l%ttle
son$0
Hear%ng L+e #all Ch%ron h%s son was we%rd enogh& )t 9ronos pt #onte!pt
%n h%s 'o%#e& l%+e son was the worst word he #old th%n+ of$
0I(! afra%d not$0 Ch%ron(s tone was steel" #al!& the wa" he gets when he(s
reall" angr"$
I tr%ed to !o'e& )t !" feet felt l%+e #on#rete$ -nna)eth& Gro'er& and Thal%a
were stra%n%ng too& l%+e the" were /st as st#+$
0Ch%ron10 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0Loo+ ot10
The dra#aena Aeen )e#a!e %!pat%ent and #harged$ Ch%ron(s arrow >ew
stra%ght )etween her e"es and she 'apor%5ed on the spot& her e!pt" ar!or
#latter%ng to the asphalt$
Ch%ron rea#hed for another arrow& )t h%s A%'er was e!pt"$ He dropped the
)ow and drew h%s sword$ I +new he hated ,ght%ng w%th a sword$ It was ne'er h%s
fa'or%te weapon$
9ronos #h#+led$ He ad'an#ed a step& and Ch%ron(s horse.half s+%ttered
ner'osl"$ H%s ta%l >%#+ed )a#+ and forth$
0<o(re a tea#her&0 9ronos sneered$ 0Not a hero$0
0L+e was a hero&0 Ch%ron sa%d$ 0He was a good one& nt%l "o #orrpted h%!$0
0@OOL10 9ronos(s 'o%#e shoo+ the #%t"$ 0<o ,lled h%s head w%th e!pt"
pro!%ses$ <o sa%d the gods #ared a)ot !e10
03e&0 Ch%ron not%#ed$ 0<o sa%d !e$0
9ronos loo+ed #onfsed& and %n that !o!ent& Ch%ron str#+$ It was a good
!ane'er2a fe%nt followed )" a str%+e to the fa#e$ I #oldn(t ha'e done )etter
!"self& )t 9ronos was A%#+$ He had all of L+e(s ,ght%ng s+%ll& wh%#h was a lot$
He +no#+ed as%de Ch%ron(s )lade and "elled& 06-C910
- )l%nd%ng wh%te l%ght e*ploded )etween the T%tan and the #entar$ Ch%ron >ew
%nto the s%de of the )%ld%ng w%th s#h for#e the wall #r!)led and #ollapsed on
top of h%!$
0No10 -nna)eth wa%led$ The free5%ng spell )ro+e$ We ran toward or tea#her&
)t there was no s%gn of h%!$ Thal%a and I plled helplessl" at the )r%#+s wh%le a
r%pple of gl" laghter ran throgh the T%tan(s ar!"$
0<OU10 -nna)eth trned on L+e$ 0To th%n+ that I $ $ $ that I thoght20
She drew her +n%fe$
0-nna)eth& don(t$0 I tr%ed to ta+e her ar!& )t she shoo+ !e o4$
She atta#+ed 9ronos& and h%s s!g s!%le faded$ Perhaps so!e part of L+e
re!e!)ered that he sed to l%+e th%s g%rl& sed to ta+e #are of her when she was
l%ttle$ She plnged her +n%fe )etween the straps of h%s ar!or& r%ght at h%s #ollar
)one$ The )lade shold('e sn+ %nto h%s #hest$ Instead %t )on#ed o4$ -nna)eth
do)led o'er& #lt#h%ng her ar! to her sto!a#h$ The /olt !%ght('e )een enogh
to d%slo#ate her )ad sholder$
I "an+ed her )a#+ as 9ronos swng h%s s#"the& sl%#%ng the a%r where she(d )een
stand%ng$
She foght !e and s#rea!ed& 0I H-TE "o10 I wasn(t sre who she was tal+%ng
to2!e or L+e or 9ronos$ Tears strea+ed the dst on her fa#e$
0I ha'e to ,ght h%!&0 I told her$
0It(s !" ,ght too& Per#"10
9ronos laghed$ 0So !#h sp%r%t$ I #an see wh" L+e wanted to spare "o$
Unfortnatel"& that won(t )e poss%)le$0
He ra%sed h%s s#"the$ I got read" to defend& )t )efore 9ronos #old str%+e& a
dog(s howl p%er#ed the a%r so!ewhere )eh%nd the T%tan(s ar!"$ 0-rroooooooo10
It was too !#h to hope& )t I #alled& 03rs$ O(Lear"70
The ene!" for#es st%rred neas%l"$ Then the strangest th%ng happened$ The"
)egan to part& #lear%ng a path throgh the street l%+e so!eth%ng )eh%nd the! was
for#%ng the! to$
Soon there was a free a%sle down the #enter of @%fth -'ene$ Stand%ng at the
end of the )lo#+ was !" g%ant dog& and a s!all ,gre %n )la#+ ar!or$
0N%#o70 I #alled$
0ROWW@10 3rs$ O(Lear" )onded toward !e& %gnor%ng the growl%ng !onsters
on e%ther s%de$ N%#o strode forward$ The ene!" ar!" fell )a#+ )efore h%! l%+e he
rad%ated death& wh%#h of #orse he d%d$
Throgh the fa#e gard of h%s s+ll.shaped hel!et& he s!%led$ 0Got "or
!essage$ Is %t too late to /o%n the part"70
0Son of Hades$0 9ronos sp%t on the grond$ 0?o "o lo'e death so !#h "o
w%sh to e*per%en#e %t70
0<or death&0 N%#o sa%d& 0wold )e great for !e$0
0I(! %!!ortal& "o fool1 I ha'e es#aped Tartars$ <o ha'e no )s%ness here&
and no #han#e to l%'e$0
N%#o drew h%s sword2three feet of w%#+ed sharp St"g%an %ron& )la#+ as a
n%ght!are$ 0I don(t agree$0
The grond r!)led$ Cra#+s appeared %n the road& the s%dewal+s& the s%des of
the )%ld%ngs$ S+eletal hands grasped the a%r as the dead #lawed the%r wa" %nto
the world of the l%'%ng$ There were thosands of the!& and as the" e!erged& the
T%tan(s !onsters got /!p" and started to )a#+ p$
0HOL? <OUR GROUN?10 9ronos de!anded$ 0The dead are no !at#h for s$0
The s+" trned dar+ and #old$ Shadows th%#+ened$ - harsh war horn sonded&
and as the dead sold%ers for!ed p ran+s w%th the%r gns and swords and spears&
an enor!os #har%ot roared down @%fth -'ene$ It #a!e to a stop ne*t to N%#o$
The horses were l%'%ng shadows& fash%oned fro! dar+ness$ The #har%ot was %nla%d
w%th o)s%d%an and gold& de#orated w%th s#enes of pa%nfl death$ Hold%ng the re%ns
was Hades h%!self& Lord of the ?ead& w%th ?e!eter and Persephone r%d%ng
)eh%nd h%!$
Hades wore )la#+ ar!or and a #loa+ the #olor of fresh )lood$ On top of h%s pale
head was the hel! of dar+nessK a #rown that rad%ated pre terror$ It #hanged
shape as I wat#hed2fro! a dragon(s head to a #%r#le of )la#+ >a!es to a wreath
of h!an )ones$ 6t that wasn(t the s#ar" part$ The hel! rea#hed %nto !" !%nd
and %gn%ted !" worst n%ght!ares& !" !ost se#ret fears$ I wanted to #rawl %nto a
hole and h%de& and I #old tell the ene!" ar!" felt the sa!e wa"$ Onl" 9ronos(s
power and athor%t" +ept h%s ran+s fro! >ee%ng$
Hades s!%led #oldl"$ 0Hello& @ather$ <o(re loo+%ng $ $ $ "ong$0
0Hades&0 9ronos growled$ 0I hope "o and the lad%es ha'e #o!e to pledge "or
alleg%an#e$0
0I(! afra%d not$0 Hades s%ghed$ 03" son here #on'%n#ed !e that perhaps I
shold pr%or%t%5e !" l%st of ene!%es$0 He glan#ed at !e w%th d%staste$ 0-s !#h
as I d%sl%+e #erta%n pstart de!%gods& %t wold not do for Ol"!ps to fall$ I wold
!%ss )%#+er%ng w%th !" s%)l%ngs$ -nd %f there %s one th%ng we agree on2%t %s that
"o were a TERRI6LE father$0
0Tre&0 !ttered ?e!eter$ 0No appre#%at%on of agr%#ltre$0
03other10 Persephone #o!pla%ned$
Hades drew h%s sword& a do)le.edged St"g%an )lade et#hed w%th s%l'er$ 0Now
,ght !e1 @or toda" the Hose of Hades w%ll )e #alled the sa'%ors of Ol"!ps$0
0I don(t ha'e t%!e for th%s&0 9ronos snarled$
He str#+ the grond w%th h%s s#"the$ - #ra#+ spread %n )oth d%re#t%ons&
#%r#l%ng the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng$ - wall of for#e sh%!!ered along the ,ssre
l%ne& separat%ng 9ronos(s 'angard& !" fr%ends& and !e fro! the )l+ of the two
ar!%es$
0What(s he do%ng70 I !ttered$
0Seal%ng s %n&0 Thal%a sa%d$ 0He(s #ollaps%ng the !ag%# )arr%ers arond
3anhattan2#tt%ng o4 /st the )%ld%ng& and s$0
Sre enogh& ots%de the )arr%er& #ar eng%nes re''ed to l%fe$ Pedestr%ans wo+e
p and stared n#o!prehend%ngl" at the !onsters and 5o!)%es all arond the!$
No tell%ng what the" saw throgh the 3%st& )t I(! sre %t was plent" s#ar"$ Car
doors opened$ -nd at the end of the )lo#+& Pal 6lo,s and !" !o! got ot of
the%r Pr%s$
0No&0 I sa%d$ 0?on(t $ $ $0
3" !other #old see throgh the 3%st$ I #old tell fro! her e*press%on that she
nderstood how ser%os th%ngs were$ I hoped she wold ha'e the sense to rn$
6t she lo#+ed e"es w%th !e& sa%d so!eth%ng to Pal& and the" ran stra%ght
toward s$
I #oldn(t #all ot$ The last th%ng I wanted to do was )r%ng her to 9ronos(s
attent%on$
@ortnatel"& Hades #ased a d%stra#t%on$ He #harged at the wall of for#e& )t
h%s #har%ot #rashed aga%nst %t and o'ertrned$ He got to h%s feet& #rs%ng& and
)lasted the wall w%th )la#+ energ"$ The )arr%er held$
0-TT-C910 he roared$
The ar!%es of the dead #lashed w%th the T%tan(s !onsters$ @%fth -'ene
e*ploded %nto a)solte #haos$ 3ortals s#rea!ed and ran for #o'er$ ?e!eter
wa'ed her hand and an ent%re #ol!n of g%ants trned %nto a wheat ,eld$
Persephone #hanged the dra#aenae(s spears %nto sn>owers$ N%#o slashed and
ha#+ed h%s wa" throgh the ene!"& tr"%ng to prote#t the pedestr%ans as )est he
#old$ 3" parents ran toward !e& dodg%ng !onsters and 5o!)%es& )t there was
noth%ng I #old do to help the!$
0Na+a!ra&0 9ronos sa%d$ 0-ttend !e$ G%ants2deal w%th the!$0
He po%nted at !" fr%ends and !e$ Then he d#+ed %nto the lo))"$
@or a se#ond I was stnned$ I(d )een e*pe#t%ng a ,ght& )t 9ronos #o!pletel"
%gnored !e l%+e I wasn(t worth the tro)le$ That !ade !e !ad$
The ,rst H"per)orean g%ant s!ashed at !e w%th h%s #l)$ I rolled )etween h%s
legs and sta))ed R%pt%de %nto h%s )a#+s%de$ He shattered %nto a p%le of %#e shards$
The se#ond g%ant )reathed frost at -nna)eth& who was )arel" a)le to stand& )t
Gro'er plled her ot of the wa" wh%le Thal%a went to wor+$ She spr%nted p the
g%ant(s )a#+ l%+e a ga5elle& sl%#ed her hnt%ng +n%'es a#ross h%s !onstros )le
ne#+& and #reated the world(s largest headless %#e s#lptre$
I glan#ed ots%de the !ag%# )arr%er$ N%#o was ,ght%ng h%s wa" toward !" !o!
and Pal& )t the" weren(t wa%t%ng for help$ Pal gra))ed a sword fro! a fallen
hero and d%d a prett" ,ne /o) +eep%ng a dra#aena )s"$ He sta))ed her %n the
gt& and she d%s%ntegrated$
0Pal70 I sa%d %n a!a5e!ent$
He trned toward !e and gr%nned$ 0I hope that was a !onster I /st +%lled$ I
was a Sha+espear%an a#tor %n #ollege1 P%#+ed p a l%ttle swordpla"10
I l%+ed h%! e'en )etter for that& )t then a La%str"gon%an g%ant #harged toward
!" !o!$ She was r!!ag%ng arond %n an a)andoned pol%#e #ar2!a")e
loo+%ng for the e!ergen#" rad%o2and her )a#+ was trned$
03o!10 I "elled$
She wh%rled when the !onster was al!ost on top of her$ I thoght the th%ng %n
her hands was an !)rella nt%l she #ran+ed the p!p and the shotgn )last
)lew the g%ant twent" feet )a#+ward& r%ght %nto N%#o(s sword$
0N%#e one&0 Pal sa%d$
0When d%d "o learn to ,re a shotgn70 I de!anded$
3" !o! )lew the ha%r ot of her fa#e$ 0-)ot two se#onds ago$ Per#"& we(ll )e
,ne$ Go10
0<es&0 N%#o agreed& 0we(ll handle the ar!"$ <o ha'e to get 9ronos10
0Co!e on& Seaweed 6ra%n10 -nna)eth sa%d$ I nodded$ Then I loo+ed at the
r))le p%le on the s%de of the )%ld%ng$ 3" heart tw%sted$ I(d forgotten a)ot
Ch%ron$ How #old I do that7
03rs$ O(Lear"&0 I sa%d$ 0Please& Ch%ron(s nder there$ If an"one #an d%g h%! ot&
"o #an$ @%nd h%!1 Help h%!10
I(! not sre how !#h she nderstood& )t she )onded to the p%le and
started to d%g$ -nna)eth& Thal%a& Gro'er& and I ra#ed for the ele'ators$
NINETEEN
WE TR-SH THE
ETERN-L CIT<
The )r%dge to Ol"!ps was d%ssol'%ng$ We stepped ot of the ele'ator onto
the wh%te !ar)le wal+wa"& and %!!ed%atel" #ra#+s appeared at or feet$
0;!p10 Gro'er sa%d& wh%#h was eas" for h%! s%n#e he(s part !onta%n goat$
He sprang to the ne*t sla) of stone wh%le ors t%lted s%#+en%ngl"$
0Gods& I hate he%ghts10 Thal%a "elled as she and I leaped$ 6t -nna)eth was %n
no shape for /!p%ng$ She st!)led and "elled& 0Per#"10
I #aght her hand as the pa'e!ent fell& #r!)l%ng %nto dst$ @or a se#ond I
thoght she was go%ng to pll s )oth o'er$ Her feet dangled %n the open a%r$ Her
hand started to sl%p nt%l I was hold%ng her onl" )" her ,ngers$ Then Gro'er and
Thal%a gra))ed !" legs& and I fond e*tra strength$ -nna)eth was not go%ng to
fall$
I plled her p and we la" tre!)l%ng on the pa'e!ent$ I d%dn(t real%5e we had
or ar!s arond ea#h other nt%l she sddenl" tensed$
0U!& than+s&0 she !ttered$
I tr%ed to sa" ?on(t !ent%on %t& )t %t #a!e ot as& 0Uh dh$0
09eep !o'%ng10 Gro'er tgged !" sholder$ We ntangled orsel'es and
spr%nted a#ross the s+" )r%dge as !ore stones d%s%ntegrated and fell %nto o)l%'%on$
We !ade %t to the edge of the !onta%n /st as the ,nal se#t%on #ollapsed$
-nna)eth loo+ed )a#+ at the ele'ator& wh%#h was now #o!pletel" ot of rea#h
2a pol%shed set of !etal doors hang%ng %n spa#e& atta#hed to noth%ng& s%*
hndred stor%es a)o'e 3anhattan$
0We(re !arooned&0 she sa%d$ 0On or own$0
06lah.ha.ha10 Gro'er sa%d$ 0The #onne#t%on )etween Ol"!ps and -!er%#a %s
d%ssol'%ng$ If %t fa%ls20
0The gods won(t !o'e on to another #ontr" th%s t%!e&0 Thal%a sa%d$ 0Th%s w%ll
)e the end of Ol"!ps$ The ,nal end$0
We ran throgh streets$ 3ans%ons were )rn%ng$ States had )een ha#+ed
down$ Trees %n the par+s were )lasted to spl%nters$ It loo+ed l%+e so!eone had
atta#+ed the #%t" w%th a g%ant Weedwa#+er$
09ronos(s s#"the&0 I sa%d$
We followed the w%nd%ng path toward the pala#e of the gods$ I d%dn(t
re!e!)er the road )e%ng so long$ 3a")e 9ronos was !a+%ng t%!e go slower& or
!a")e %t was /st dread slow%ng !e down$ The whole !onta%ntop was %n r%ns2
so !an" )eat%fl )%ld%ngs and gardens gone$
- few !%nor gods and natre sp%r%ts had tr%ed to stop 9ronos$ What re!a%ned
of the! was strewn a)ot the roadK shattered ar!or& r%pped #loth%ng& swords and
spears )ro+en %n half$
So!ewhere ahead of s& 9ronos(s 'o%#e roaredK 06r%#+ )" )r%#+1 That was !"
pro!%se$ Tear %t down 6RIC9 6< 6RIC910
- wh%te !ar)le te!ple w%th a gold do!e sddenl" e*ploded$ The do!e shot
p l%+e the l%d of a teapot and shattered %nto a )%ll%on p%e#es& ra%n%ng r))le o'er
the #%t"$
0That was a shr%ne to -rte!%s&0 Thal%a gr!)led$ 0He(ll pa" for that$0
We were rnn%ng nder the !ar)le ar#hwa" w%th the hge states of Les and
Hera when the ent%re !onta%n groaned& ro#+%ng s%dewa"s l%+e a )oat %n a stor!$
0Loo+ ot10 Gro'er "elped$ The ar#hwa" #r!)led$ I loo+ed p %n t%!e to see a
twent".ton s#owl%ng Hera topple o'er on s$ -nna)eth and I wold('e )een
>attened& )t Thal%a sho'ed s fro! )eh%nd and we landed /st ot of danger$
0Thal%a10 Gro'er #r%ed$
When the dst #leared and the !onta%n stopped ro#+%ng& we fond her st%ll
al%'e& )t her legs were p%nned nder the state$
We tr%ed desperatel" to !o'e %t& )t %t wold('e ta+en se'eral C"#lopes$ When
we tr%ed to pll Thal%a ot fro! nder %t& she "elled %n pa%n$
0I sr'%'e all those )attles&0 she growled& 0and I get defeated )" a stp%d
#hn+ of ro#+10
0It(s Hera&0 -nna)eth sa%d %n otrage$ 0She(s had %t %n for !e all "ear$ Her
state wold('e +%lled !e %f "o hadn(t pshed s awa"$0
Thal%a gr%!a#ed$ 0Well& don(t /st stand there1 I(ll )e ,ne$ Go10
We d%dn(t want to lea'e her& )t I #old hear 9ronos lagh%ng as he
approa#hed the hall of the gods$ 3ore )%ld%ngs e*ploded$
0We(ll )e )a#+&0 I pro!%sed$
0I(! not go%ng an"where&0 Thal%a groaned$
- ,re)all erpted on the s%de of the !onta%n& r%ght near the gates of the
pala#e$
0We('e got to rn&0 I sa%d$
0I don(t sppose "o !ean awa"&0 Gro'er !r!red hopefll"$
I spr%nted toward the pala#e& -nna)eth r%ght )eh%nd !e$
0I was afra%d of that&0 Gro'er s%ghed& and #l%p.#lopped after s$
The doors of the pala#e were )%g enogh to steer a #r%se sh%p throgh& )t
the"(d )een r%pped o4 the%r h%nges and s!ashed l%+e the" we%ghed noth%ng$ We
had to #l%!) o'er a hge p%le of )ro+en stone and tw%sted !etal to get %ns%de$
9ronos stood %n the !%ddle of the throne roo!& h%s ar!s w%de& star%ng at the
starr" #e%l%ng as %f ta+%ng %t all %n$ H%s laghter e#hoed e'en loder than %t had
fro! the p%t of Tartars$
0@%nall"10 he )ellowed$ 0The Ol"!p%an Con#%l2so prod and !%ght"$ Wh%#h
seat of power shall I destro" ,rst70
Ethan Na+a!ra stood to one s%de& tr"%ng to sta" ot of the wa" of h%s
!aster(s s#"the$ The hearth was al!ost dead& /st a few #oals glow%ng deep %n
the ashes$ Hest%a was nowhere to )e seen$ Ne%ther was Ra#hel$ I hoped she was
o+a"& )t I(d seen so !#h destr#t%on I was afra%d to th%n+ a)ot %t$ The
Oph%otars swa! %n h%s water sphere %n the far #orner of the roo!& w%sel" not
!a+%ng a sond& )t %t woldn(t )e long )efore 9ronos not%#ed h%!$
-nna)eth& Gro'er& and I stepped forward %nto the tor#hl%ght$ Ethan saw s ,rst$
03" lord&0 he warned$
9ronos trned and s!%led throgh L+e(s fa#e$ E*#ept for the golden e"es& he
loo+ed /st the sa!e as he had for "ears ago when he(d wel#o!ed !e %nto the
Her!es #a)%n$ -nna)eth !ade a pa%nfl sond %n the )a#+ of her throat& l%+e
so!eone had /st s#+er pn#hed her$
0Shall I destro" "o ,rst& ;a#+son70 9ronos as+ed$ 0Is that the #ho%#e "o w%ll
!a+e2to ,ght !e and d%e %nstead of )ow%ng down7 Prophe#%es ne'er end well&
"o +now$0
0L+e wold ,ght w%th a sword&0 I sa%d$ 06t I sppose "o don(t ha'e h%s s+%ll$0
9ronos sneered$ H%s s#"the )egan to #hange& nt%l he held L+e(s old weapon&
6a#+)%ter& w%th %ts half.steel& half.Celest%al )ron5e )lade$
Ne*t to !e& -nna)eth gasped l%+e she(d sddenl" had an %dea$ 0Per#"& the
)lade10 She nsheathed her +n%fe$ 0The hero(s sol& #rsed )lade shall reap$0
I d%dn(t nderstand wh" she was re!%nd%ng !e of that prophe#" l%ne r%ght now$
It wasn(t e*a#tl" a !orale )ooster& )t )efore I #old sa" an"th%ng& 9ronos ra%sed
h%s sword$
0Wa%t10 -nna)eth "elled$
9ronos #a!e at !e l%+e a wh%rlw%nd$
3" %nst%n#ts too+ o'er$ I dodged and slashed and rolled& )t I felt l%+e I was
,ght%ng a hndred swords!en$ Ethan d#+ed to one s%de& tr"%ng to get )eh%nd
!e nt%l -nna)eth %nter#epted h%!$ The" started to ,ght& )t I #oldn(t fo#s on
how she was do%ng$ I was 'agel" aware of Gro'er pla"%ng h%s reed p%pes$ The
sond ,lled !e w%th war!th and #orage2thoghts of snl%ght and a )le s+"
and a #al! !eadow& so!ewhere far awa" fro! the war$
9ronos )a#+ed !e p aga%nst the throne of Hephaests2a hge !e#han%#al
La.L.6o" t"pe th%ng #o'ered w%th )ron5e and s%l'er gears$ 9ronos slashed& and I
!anaged to /!p stra%ght p onto the seat$ The throne wh%rred and h!!ed
w%th se#ret !e#han%s!s$ ?efense !ode& %t warned$ ?efense !ode$
That #oldn(t )e good$ I /!ped stra%ght o'er 9ronos(s head as the throne shot
tendr%ls of ele#tr%#%t" %n all d%re#t%ons$ One h%t 9ronos %n the fa#e& ar#%ng down h%s
)od" and p h%s sword$
0-RG10 He #r!pled to h%s +nees and dropped 6a#+)%ter$
-nna)eth saw her #han#e$ She +%#+ed Ethan ot of the wa" and #harged
9ronos$ 0L+e& l%sten10
I wanted to shot at her& to tell her she was #ra5" for tr"%ng to reason w%th
9ronos& )t there was no t%!e$ 9ronos >%#+ed h%s hand$ -nna)eth >ew )a#+ward&
sla!!%ng %nto the throne of her !other and #r!pl%ng to the >oor$
0-nna)eth10 I s#rea!ed$
Ethan Na+a!ra got to h%s feet$ He now stood )etween -nna)eth and !e$ I
#oldn(t ,ght h%! w%thot trn%ng !" )a#+ on 9ronos$
Gro'er(s !s%# too+ on a !ore rgent tne$ He !o'ed toward -nna)eth& )t
he #oldn(t go an" faster and +eep p the song$ Grass grew on the >oor of the
throne roo!$ T%n" roots #rept p )etween the #ra#+s of the !ar)le stones$
9ronos rose to one +nee$ H%s ha%r s!oldered$ H%s fa#e was #o'ered w%th
ele#tr%#al )rns$ He rea#hed for h%s sword& )t th%s t%!e %t d%dn(t >" %nto h%s
hands$
0Na+a!ra10 he groaned$ 0T%!e to pro'e "orself$ <o +now ;a#+son(s se#ret
wea+ness$ 9%ll h%!& and "o w%ll ha'e rewards )e"ond !easre$0
Ethan(s e"es dropped to !" !%dse#t%on& and I was sre that he +new$ E'en %f
he #oldn(t +%ll !e h%!self& all he had to do was tell 9ronos$ There was no wa" I
#old defend !"self fore'er$
0Loo+ arond "o& Ethan&0 I sa%d$ 0The end of the world$ Is th%s the reward "o
want7 ?o "o reall" want e'er"th%ng destro"ed2the good w%th the )ad7
E'er"th%ng70
Gro'er was al!ost to -nna)eth now$ The grass th%#+ened on the >oor$ The
roots were al!ost a foot long& l%+e a st))le of wh%s+ers$
0There %s no throne to Ne!es%s&0 Ethan !ttered$ 0No throne to !" !other$0
0That(s r%ght10 9ronos tr%ed to get p& )t st!)led$ -)o'e h%s left ear& a pat#h
of )lond ha%r st%ll s!oldered$ 0Str%+e the! down1 The" deser'e to s4er$0
0<o sa%d "or !o! %s the goddess of )alan#e&0 I re!%nded h%!$ 0The !%nor
gods deser'e )etter& Ethan& )t total destr#t%on %sn(t )alan#e$ 9ronos doesn(t
)%ld$ He onl" destro"s$0
Ethan loo+ed at the s%55l%ng throne of Hephaests$ Gro'er(s !s%# +ept
pla"%ng& and Ethan swa"ed to %t& as %f the song were ,ll%ng h%! w%th nostalg%a2a
w%sh to see a )eat%fl da"& to )e an"where )t here$ H%s good e"e )l%n+ed$
Then he #harged $ $ $ )t not at !e$
Wh%le 9ronos was st%ll on h%s +nees& Ethan )roght down h%s sword on the T%tan
lord(s ne#+$ It shold ha'e +%lled h%! %nstantl"& )t the )lade shattered$ Ethan fell
)a#+& grasp%ng h%s sto!a#h$ - shard of h%s own )lade had r%#o#heted and p%er#ed
h%s ar!or$
9ronos rose nstead%l"& tower%ng o'er h%s ser'ant$ 0Treason&0 he snarled$
Gro'er(s !s%# +ept pla"%ng& and grass grew arond Ethan(s )od"$ Ethan
stared at !e& h%s fa#e t%ght w%th pa%n$
0?eser'e )etter&0 he gasped$ 0If the" /st $ $ $ had thrones20
9ronos sto!ped h%s foot& and the >oor rptred arond Ethan Na+a!ra$ The
son of Ne!es%s fell throgh a ,ssre that went stra%ght throgh the heart of the
!onta%n2stra%ght %nto open a%r$
0So !#h for h%!$0 9ronos p%#+ed p h%s sword$ 0-nd now for the rest of "o$0
3" onl" thoght was to +eep h%! awa" fro! -nna)eth$
Gro'er was at her s%de now$ He(d stopped pla"%ng and was feed%ng her
a!)ros%a$
E'er"where 9ronos stepped& the roots wrapped arond h%s feet& )t Gro'er
had stopped h%s !ag%# too earl"$ The roots weren(t th%#+ or strong enogh to do
!#h !ore than anno" the T%tan$
We foght throgh the hearth& +%#+%ng p #oals and spar+s$ 9ronos slashed an
ar!rest o4 the throne of -res& wh%#h was o+a" )" !e& )t then he )a#+ed !e p
to !" dad(s throne$
0Oh& "es&0 9ronos sa%d$ 0Th%s one w%ll !a+e ,ne +%ndl%ng for !" new hearth10
Or )lades #lashed %n a shower of spar+s$ He was stronger than !e& )t for
the !o!ent I felt the power of the o#ean %n !" ar!s$ I pshed h%! )a#+ and
str#+ aga%n2slash%ng R%pt%de a#ross h%s )reastplate so hard I #t a gash %n the
Celest%al )ron5e$
He sta!ped h%s foot aga%n and t%!e slowed$ I tr%ed to atta#+ )t I was !o'%ng
at the speed of a gla#%er$ 9ronos )a#+ed p le%srel"& #at#h%ng h%s )reath$ He
e*a!%ned the gash %n h%s ar!or wh%le I strggled forward& s%lentl" #rs%ng h%!$ He
#old ta+e all the t%!e.ots he wanted$ He #old free5e !e %n pla#e at w%ll$ 3"
onl" hope was that the e4ort was dra%n%ng h%!$ If I #old wear h%! down $ $ $
0It(s too late& Per#" ;a#+son&0 he sa%d$ 06ehold$0
He po%nted to the hearth& and the #oals glowed$ - sheet of wh%te s!o+e
pored fro! the ,re& for!%ng %!ages l%+e an Ir%s.!essage$ I saw N%#o and !"
parents down on @%fth -'ene& ,ght%ng a hopeless )attle& r%nged %n ene!%es$ In
the )a#+grond Hades foght fro! h%s )la#+ #har%ot& s!!on%ng wa'e after
wa'e of 5o!)%es ot of the grond& )t the for#es of the T%tan(s ar!" see!ed
/st as endless$ 3eanwh%le& 3anhattan was )e%ng destro"ed$ 3ortals& now fll"
awa+e& were rnn%ng %n terror$ Cars swer'ed and #rashed$
The s#ene sh%fted& and I saw so!eth%ng e'en !ore terr%f"%ng$
- #ol!n of stor! was approa#h%ng the Hdson R%'er& !o'%ng rap%dl" o'er the
;erse" shore$ Char%ots #%r#led %t& lo#+ed %n #o!)at w%th the #reatre %n the #lod$
The gods atta#+ed$ L%ghtn%ng >ashed$ -rrows of gold and s%l'er strea+ed %nto
the #lod l%+e ro#+et tra#ers and e*ploded$ Slowl"& the #lod r%pped apart& and I
saw T"phon #learl" for the ,rst t%!e$
I +new as long as I l%'ed Hwh%#h !%ght not )e that longI I wold ne'er )e a)le
to get the %!age ot of !" !%nd$ T"phon(s head sh%fted #onstantl"$ E'er"
!o!ent he was a d%4erent !onster& ea#h !ore horr%)le than the last$ Loo+%ng at
h%s fa#e wold('e dr%'en !e %nsane& so I fo#sed on h%s )od"& wh%#h wasn(t !#h
)etter$ He was h!ano%d& )t h%s s+%n re!%nded !e of a !eat loaf sandw%#h that
had )een %n so!eone(s lo#+er all "ear$ He was !ottled green& w%th )l%sters the
s%5e of )%ld%ngs& and )la#+ened pat#hes fro! eons of )e%ng st#+ nder a
'ol#ano$ H%s hands were h!an& )t w%th talons l%+e an eagle(s$ H%s legs were
s#al" and rept%l%an$
0The Ol"!p%ans are g%'%ng the%r ,nal e4ort$0 9ronos laghed$ 0How pathet%#$0
Les threw a thnder)olt fro! h%s #har%ot$ The )last l%t p the world$ I #old
feel the sho#+ e'en here on Ol"!ps& )t when the dst #leared& T"phon was st%ll
stand%ng$ He staggered a )%t& w%th a s!o+%ng #rater on top of h%s !%sshapen
head& )t he roared %n anger and +ept ad'an#%ng$
3" l%!)s )egan to loosen p$ 9ronos d%dn(t see! to not%#e$ H%s attent%on was
fo#sed on the ,ght and h%s ,nal '%#tor"$ If I #old hold ot a few !ore se#onds&
and %f !" dad +ept h%s word $ $ $
T"phon stepped %nto the Hdson R%'er and )arel" san+ to !%d#alf$
Now& I thoght& %!plor%ng the %!age %n the s!o+e$ Please& %t has to happen
now$
L%+e a !%ra#le& a #on#h horn sonded fro! the s!o+" p%#tre$ The #all of the
o#ean$ The #all of Pose%don$
-ll arond T"phon& the Hdson R%'er erpted& #hrn%ng w%th fort".foot wa'es$
Ot of the water )rst a new #har%ot2th%s one plled )" !ass%'e h%ppo#a!p%&
who swa! %n a%r as eas%l" as %n water$ 3" father& glow%ng w%th a )le ara of
power& rode a de,ant #%r#le arond the g%ant(s legs$ Pose%don was no longer an
old !an$ He loo+ed l%+e h%!self aga%n2tan and strong w%th a )la#+ )eard$ -s he
swng h%s tr%dent& the r%'er responded& !a+%ng a fnnel #lod arond the
!onster$
0No10 9ronos )ellowed after a !o!ent of stnned s%len#e$ 0NO10
0NOW& 3< 6RETHREN10 Pose%don(s 'o%#e was so lod I wasn(t sre %f I was
hear%ng %t fro! the s!o+e %!age or fro! all the wa" a#ross town$ 0STRI9E @OR
OL<3PUS10
Warr%ors )rst ot of the r%'er& r%d%ng the wa'es on hge shar+s and dragons
and sea horses$ It was a leg%on of C"#lopes& and lead%ng the! %nto )attle was $ $ $
0T"son10 I "elled$
I +new he #oldn(t hear !e& )t I stared at h%! %n a!a5e!ent$ He(d !ag%#all"
grown %n s%5e$ He had to )e th%rt" feet tall& as )%g as an" of h%s older #os%ns& and
for the ,rst t%!e he was wear%ng fll )attle ar!or$ R%d%ng )eh%nd h%! was 6r%ares&
the Hndred.Handed One$
-ll the C"#lopes held hge lengths of )la#+ %ron #ha%ns2)%g enogh to an#hor
a )attlesh%p2w%th grappl%ng hoo+s at the ends$ The" swng the! l%+e lassos and
)egan to ensnare T"phon& throw%ng l%nes arond the #reatre(s legs and ar!s&
s%ng the t%de to +eep #%r#l%ng& slowl" tangl%ng h%!$ T"phon shoo+ and roared and
"an+ed at the #ha%ns& pll%ng so!e of the C"#lopes o4 the%r !onts= )t there
were too !an" #ha%ns$ The sheer we%ght of the C"#lops )attal%on )egan to we%gh
T"phon down$ Pose%don threw h%s tr%dent and %!paled the !onster %n the throat$
Golden )lood& %!!ortal %#hor& spewed fro! the wond& !a+%ng a waterfall taller
than a s+"s#raper$ The tr%dent >ew )a#+ to Pose%don(s hand$
The other gods str#+ w%th renewed for#e$ -res rode %n and sta))ed T"phon %n
the nose$ -rte!%s shot the !onster %n the e"e w%th a do5en s%l'er arrows$ -pollo
shot a )la5%ng 'olle" of arrows and set the !onster(s lo%n#loth on ,re$ -nd Les
+ept pond%ng the g%ant w%th l%ghtn%ng& nt%l ,nall"& slowl"& the water rose&
wrapp%ng T"phon l%+e a #o#oon& and he )egan to s%n+ nder the we%ght of the
#ha%ns$ T"phon )ellowed %n agon"& thrash%ng w%th s#h for#e that wa'es sloshed
the ;erse" shore& soa+%ng ,'e.stor" )%ld%ngs and splash%ng o'er the George
Wash%ngton 6r%dge2)t down he went as !" dad opened a spe#%al tnnel for
h%! at the )otto! of the r%'er2an endless watersl%de that wold ta+e h%!
stra%ght to Tartars$ The g%ant(s head went nder %n a seeth%ng wh%rlpool& and he
was gone$
06-H10 9ronos s#rea!ed$ He slashed h%s sword throgh the s!o+e& tear%ng the
%!age to shreds$
0The"(re on the%r wa"&0 I sa%d$ 0<o('e lost$0
0I ha'en(t e'en started$0
He ad'an#ed w%th )l%nd%ng speed$ Gro'er2)ra'e& stp%d sat"r that he was2
tr%ed to prote#t !e& )t 9ronos tossed h%! as%de l%+e a rag doll$
I s%destepped and /a))ed nder 9ronos(s gard$ It was a good tr%#+$
Unfortnatel"& L+e +new %t$ He #ontered the str%+e and d%sar!ed !e s%ng one
of the ,rst !o'es he(d e'er taght !e$ 3" sword s+%ttered a#ross the grond and
fell stra%ght %nto the open ,ssre$
0STOP10 -nna)eth #a!e fro! nowhere$
9ronos wh%rled to fa#e her and slashed w%th 6a#+)%ter& )t so!ehow -nna)eth
#aght the str%+e on her dagger h%lt$ It was a !o'e onl" the A%#+est and !ost
s+%lled +n%fe ,ghter #old('e !anaged$ ?on(t as+ !e where she fond the
strength& )t she stepped %n #loser for le'erage& the%r )lades #rossed& and for a
!o!ent she stood fa#e.to.fa#e w%th the T%tan lord& hold%ng h%! at a standst%ll$
0L+e&0 she sa%d& gr%tt%ng her teeth& 0I nderstand now$ <o ha'e to trst !e$0
9ronos roared %n otrage$ 0L+e Castellan %s dead1 H%s )od" w%ll )rn awa" as I
ass!e !" tre for!10
I tr%ed to !o'e& )t !" )od" was fro5en aga%n$ How #old -nna)eth& )attered
and half dead w%th e*hast%on& ha'e the strength to ,ght a T%tan l%+e 9ronos7
9ronos pshed aga%nst her& tr"%ng to d%slodge h%s )lade& )t she held h%! %n
#he#+& her ar!s tre!)l%ng as he for#ed h%s sword down toward her ne#+$
0<or !other&0 -nna)eth grnted$ 0She saw "or fate$0
0Ser'%#e to 9ronos10 the T%tan roared$ 0Th%s %s !" fate$0
0No10 -nna)eth %ns%sted$ Her e"es were tear%ng p& )t I d%dn(t +now %f %t was
fro! sadness or pa%n$ 0That(s not the end& L+e$ The prophe#"K she saw what "o
wold do$ It appl%es to "o10
0I w%ll #rsh "o& #h%ld10 9ronos )ellowed$
0<o won(t&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0<o pro!%sed$ <o(re hold%ng 9ronos )a#+ e'en
now$0
0LIES10 9ronos pshed aga%n& and th%s t%!e -nna)eth lost her )alan#e$ W%th h%s
free hand& 9ronos str#+ her fa#e& and she sl%d )a#+ward$
I s!!oned all !" w%ll$ I !anaged to r%se& )t %t was l%+e hold%ng the we%ght of
the s+" aga%n$
9ronos loo!ed o'er -nna)eth& h%s sword ra%sed$
6lood tr%#+led fro! the #orner of her !oth$ She #roa+ed& 0@a!%l"& L+e$ <o
pro!%sed$0
I too+ a pa%nfl step forward$ Gro'er was )a#+ on h%s feet& o'er )" the throne
of Hera& )t he see!ed to )e strggl%ng to !o'e as well$ 6efore e%ther of s
#old get an"where #lose to -nna)eth& 9ronos staggered$
He stared at the +n%fe %n -nna)eth(s hand& the )lood on her fa#e$ 0Pro!%se$0
Then he gasped l%+e he #oldn(t get a%r$ 0-nna)eth $ $ $0 6t %t wasn(t the
T%tan(s 'o%#e$ It was L+e(s$ He st!)led forward l%+e he #oldn(t #ontrol h%s own
)od"$ 0<o(re )leed%ng$ $ $ $0
03" +n%fe$0 -nna)eth tr%ed to ra%se her dagger& )t %t #lattered ot of her hand$
Her ar! was )ent at a fnn" angle$ She loo+ed at !e& %!plor%ng& 0Per#"&
please $ $ $0
I #old !o'e aga%n$
I srged forward and s#ooped p her +n%fe$ I +no#+ed 6a#+)%ter ot of L+e(s
hand& and %t spn %nto the hearth$ L+e hardl" pa%d !e an" attent%on$ He stepped
toward -nna)eth& )t I pt !"self )etween h%! and her$
0?on(t to#h her&0 I sa%d$
-nger r%ppled a#ross h%s fa#e$ 9ronos(s 'o%#e growledK 0;a#+son $ $ $0 Was %t !"
%!ag%nat%on& or was h%s whole )od" glow%ng& trn%ng gold7
He gasped aga%n$ L+e(s 'o%#eK 0He(s #hang%ng$ Help$ He(s $ $ $ he(s al!ost
read"$ He won(t need !" )od" an"!ore$ Please20
0NO10 9ronos )ellowed$ He loo+ed arond for h%s sword& )t %t was %n the
hearth& glow%ng a!ong the #oals$
He st!)led toward %t$ I tr%ed to stop h%!& )t he pshed !e ot of the wa"
w%th s#h for#e I landed ne*t to -nna)eth and #ra#+ed !" head on the )ase of
-thena(s throne$
0The +n%fe& Per#"&0 -nna)eth !ttered$ Her )reath was shallow$ 0Hero $ $ $
#rsed )lade $ $ $0
When !" '%s%on #a!e )a#+ %nto fo#s& I saw 9ronos grasp%ng h%s sword$ Then
he )ellowed %n pa%n and dropped %t$ H%s hands were s!o+%ng and seared$ The
hearth ,re had grown red.hot& l%+e the s#"the wasn(t #o!pat%)le w%th %t$ I saw an
%!age of Hest%a >%#+er%ng %n the ashes& frown%ng at 9ronos w%th d%sappro'al$
L+e trned and #ollapsed& #lt#h%ng h%s r%ned hands$ 0Please& Per#" $ $ $0
I strggled to !" feet$ I !o'ed toward h%! w%th the +n%fe$ I shold +%ll h%!$
That was the plan$
L+e see!ed to +now what I was th%n+%ng$ He !o%stened h%s l%ps$ 0<o
#an(t $ $ $ #an(t do %t "orself$ He(ll )rea+ !" #ontrol$ He(ll defend h%!self$ Onl" !"
hand$ I +now where$ I #an $ $ $ #an +eep h%! #ontrolled$0
He was de,n%tel" glow%ng now& h%s s+%n start%ng to s!o+e$
I ra%sed the +n%fe to str%+e$ Then I loo+ed at -nna)eth& at Gro'er #radl%ng her %n
h%s ar!s& tr"%ng to sh%eld her$ -nd I ,nall" nderstood what she(d )een tr"%ng to
tell !e$
<o are not the hero& Ra#hel had sa%d$ It w%ll a4e#t what "o do$
0Please&0 L+e groaned$ 0No t%!e$0

If 9ronos e'ol'ed %nto h%s tre for!& there wold )e no stopp%ng h%!$ He wold
!a+e T"phon loo+ l%+e a pla"grond )ll"$
The l%ne fro! the great prophe#" e#hoed %n !" headK - hero(s sol& #rsed
)lade shall reap$ 3" whole world t%pped ps%de down& and I ga'e the +n%fe to
L+e$
Gro'er "elped$ 0Per#"7 -re "o $ $ $ ! $ $ $0
Cra5"$ Insane$ O4 !" ro#+er$ Pro)a)l"$
6t I wat#hed as L+e grasped the h%lt$
I stood )efore h%!2defenseless$
He nlat#hed the s%de straps of h%s ar!or& e*pos%ng a s!all )%t of h%s s+%n /st
nder h%s left ar!& a pla#e that wold )e 'er" hard to h%t$ W%th d%:#lt"& he
sta))ed h%!self$
It wasn(t a deep #t& )t L+e howled$ H%s e"es glowed l%+e la'a$ The throne
roo! shoo+& throw%ng !e o4 !" feet$ -n ara of energ" srronded L+e&
grow%ng )r%ghter and )r%ghter$ I sht !" e"es and felt a for#e l%+e a n#lear
e*plos%on )l%ster !" s+%n and #ra#+ !" l%ps$
It was s%lent for a long t%!e$
When I opened !" e"es& I saw L+e sprawled at the hearth$ On the >oor
arond h%! was a )la#+ened #%r#le of ash$ 9ronos(s s#"the had l%Ae,ed %nto
!olten !etal and was tr%#+l%ng %nto the #oals of the hearth& wh%#h now glowed
l%+e a )la#+s!%th(s frna#e$
L+e(s left s%de was )lood"$ H%s e"es were open2)le e"es& the wa" the" sed
to )e$ H%s )reath was a deep rattle$
0Good $ $ $ )lade&0 he #roa+ed$
I +nelt ne*t to h%!$ -nna)eth l%!ped o'er w%th Gro'er(s spport$ The" )oth
had tears %n the%r e"es$
L+e ga5ed at -nna)eth$ 0<o +new$ I al!ost +%lled "o& )t "o +new $ $ $0
0Shhh$0 Her 'o%#e tre!)led$ 0<o were a hero at the end& L+e$ <o(ll go to
El"s%!$0
He shoo+ h%s head wea+l"$ 0Th%n+ $ $ $ re)%rth$ Tr" for three t%!es$ Isles of the
6lest$0
-nna)eth sn%Ned$ 0<o alwa"s pshed "orself too hard$0
He held p h%s #harred hand$ -nna)eth to#hed h%s ,ngert%ps$
0?%d "o $ $ $0 L+e #oghed and h%s l%ps gl%stened red$ 0?%d "o lo'e !e70
-nna)eth w%ped her tears awa"$ 0There was a t%!e I thoght $ $ $ well& I
thoght $ $ $0 She loo+ed at !e& l%+e she was dr%n+%ng %n the fa#t that I was st%ll
here$ -nd I real%5ed I was do%ng the sa!e th%ng$ The world was #ollaps%ng& and
the onl" th%ng that reall" !attered to !e was that she was al%'e$
0<o were l%+e a )rother to !e& L+e&0 she sa%d softl"$ 06t I d%dn(t lo'e "o$0
He nodded& as %f he(d e*pe#ted %t$ He w%n#ed %n pa%n$
0We #an get a!)ros%a&0 Gro'er sa%d$ 0We #an20
0Gro'er&0 L+e glped$ 0<o(re the )ra'est sat"r I e'er +new$ 6t no$ There(s
no heal%ng$ $ $ $0 -nother #ogh$
He gr%pped !" slee'e& and I #old feel the heat of h%s s+%n l%+e a ,re$ 0Ethan$
3e$ -ll the n#la%!ed$ ?on(t let %t $ $ $ ?on(t let %t happen aga%n$0
H%s e"es were angr"& )t plead%ng too$
0I won(t&0 I sa%d$ 0I pro!%se$0
L+e nodded& and h%s hand went sla#+$
The gods arr%'ed a few !%ntes later %n the%r fll war regal%a& thnder%ng %nto
the throne roo! and e*pe#t%ng a )attle$
What the" fond were -nna)eth& Gro'er& and !e stand%ng o'er the )od" of a
)ro+en half.)lood& %n the d%! war! l%ght of the hearth$
0Per#"&0 !" father #alled& awe %n h%s 'o%#e$ 0What $ $ $ what %s th%s70
I trned and fa#ed the Ol"!p%ans$
0We need a shrod&0 I annon#ed& !" 'o%#e #ra#+%ng$ 0- shrod for the son of
Her!es$0
TWENT<
WE WIN @-6ULOUS
PRILES
The Three @ates the!sel'es too+ L+e(s )od"$
I hadn(t seen the old lad%es %n "ears& s%n#e I(d w%tnessed the! sn%p a l%fe thread
at a roads%de fr%t stand when I was twel'e$ The"(d s#ared !e then& and the"
s#ared !e now2three ghol%sh grand!others w%th )ags of +n%tt%ng needles and
"arn$
One of the! loo+ed at !e& and e'en thogh she d%dn(t sa" an"th%ng& !" l%fe
l%terall" >ashed )efore !" e"es$ Sddenl" I was twent"$ Then I was a !%ddle.aged
!an$ Then I trned old and w%thered$ -ll the strength left !" )od"& and I saw !"
own to!)stone and an open gra'e& a #o:n )e%ng lowered %nto the grond$ -ll
th%s happened %n less than a se#ond$
It %s done& she sa%d$
The @ate held p the sn%ppet of )le "arn2and I +new %t was the sa!e one I(d
seen for "ears ago& the l%fel%ne I(d wat#hed the! sn%p$ I had thoght %t was !"
l%fe$ Now I real%5ed %t was L+e(s$ The"(d )een show%ng !e the l%fe that wold
ha'e to )e sa#r%,#ed to set th%ngs r%ght$
The" gathered p L+e(s )od"& now wrapped %n a wh%te.and.green shrod& and
)egan #arr"%ng %t ot of the throne roo!$
0Wa%t&0 Her!es sa%d$
The !essenger god was dressed %n h%s #lass%# ot,t of wh%te Gree+ ro)es&
sandals& and hel!et$ The w%ngs of h%s hel! >ttered as he wal+ed$ The sna+es
George and 3artha #rled arond h%s #ad#es& !r!r%ng& L+e& poor L+e$
I thoght a)ot 3a" Castellan& alone %n her +%t#hen& )a+%ng #oo+%es and
!a+%ng sandw%#hes for a son who wold ne'er #o!e ho!e$
Her!es nwrapped L+e(s fa#e and +%ssed h%s forehead$ He !r!red so!e
words %n -n#%ent Gree+2a ,nal )less%ng$
0@arewell&0 he wh%spered$ Then he nodded and allowed the @ates to #arr" awa"
h%s son(s )od"$
-s the" left& I thoght a)ot the Great Prophe#"$ The l%nes now !ade sense to
!e$ The hero(s sol& #rsed )lade shall reap$ The hero was L+e$ The #rsed
)lade was the +n%fe he(d g%'en -nna)eth long ago2#rsed )e#ase L+e had
)ro+en h%s pro!%se and )etra"ed h%s fr%ends$ - s%ngle #ho%#e shall end h%s da"s$
3" #ho%#e& to g%'e h%! the +n%fe& and to )el%e'e& as -nna)eth had& that he was
st%ll #apa)le of sett%ng th%ngs r%ght$ Ol"!ps to preser'e or ra5e$ 6" sa#r%,#%ng
h%!self& he had sa'ed Ol"!ps$ Ra#hel was r%ght$ In the end& I wasn(t reall" the
hero$ L+e was$
-nd I nderstood so!eth%ng elseK When L+e had des#ended %nto the R%'er
St"*& he wold('e had to fo#s on so!eth%ng %!portant that wold hold h%! to
h%s !ortal l%fe$ Otherw%se he wold('e d%ssol'ed$ I had seen -nna)eth& and I had
a feel%ng he had too$ He had p%#tred that s#ene Hest%a showed !e2of h%!self %n
the good old da"s w%th Thal%a and -nna)eth& when he pro!%sed the" wold )e a
fa!%l"$ Hrt%ng -nna)eth %n )attle had sho#+ed h%! %nto re!e!)er%ng that
pro!%se$ It had allowed h%s !ortal #ons#%en#e to ta+e o'er aga%n& and defeat
9ronos$ H%s wea+ spot2h%s -#h%lles heel2had sa'ed s all$
Ne*t to !e& -nna)eth(s +nees )#+led$ I #aght her& )t she #r%ed ot %n pa%n&
and I real%5ed I(d gra))ed her )ro+en ar!$
0Oh gods&0 I sa%d$ 0-nna)eth& I(! sorr"$0
0It(s all r%ght&0 she sa%d as she passed ot %n !" ar!s$
0She needs help10 I "elled$
0I('e got th%s$0 -pollo stepped forward$ H%s ,er" ar!or was so )r%ght %t was
hard to loo+ at& and h%s !at#h%ng Ra".6ans and perfe#t s!%le !ade h%! loo+ l%+e
a !ale !odel for )attle gear$ 0God of !ed%#%ne& at "or ser'%#e$0
He passed h%s hand o'er -nna)eth(s fa#e and spo+e an %n#antat%on$
I!!ed%atel" the )r%ses faded$ Her #ts and s#ars d%sappeared$ Her ar!
stra%ghtened& and she s%ghed %n her sleep$
-pollo gr%nned$ 0She(ll )e ,ne %n a few !%ntes$ ;st enogh t%!e for !e to
#o!pose a poe! a)ot or '%#tor"K (-pollo and h%s fr%ends sa'e Ol"!ps$( Good&
eh70
0Than+s& -pollo&0 I sa%d$ 0I(ll& !& let "o handle the poetr"$0
The ne*t few hors were a )lr$ I re!e!)ered !" pro!%se to !" !other$ Les
d%dn(t e'en )l%n+ an e"e when I told h%! !" strange reAest$ He snapped h%s
,ngers and %nfor!ed !e that the top of the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng was now l%t p
)le$ 3ost !ortals wold /st ha'e to wonder what %t !eant& )t !" !o! wold
+nowK I had sr'%'ed& Ol"!ps was sa'ed$
The gods set a)ot repa%r%ng the throne roo!& wh%#h went srpr%s%ngl" fast
w%th twel'e sperpowerfl )e%ngs at wor+$ Gro'er and I #ared for the wonded&
and on#e the s+" )r%dge re.for!ed& we greeted or fr%ends who had sr'%'ed$ The
C"#lopes had sa'ed Thal%a fro! the fallen state$ She was on #rt#hes& )t
otherw%se she was o+a"$ Connor and Tra'%s Stoll had !ade %t throgh w%th onl"
!%nor %n/r%es$ The" pro!%sed !e the" hadn(t e'en looted the #%t" !#h$ The"
told !e !" parents were ,ne& thogh the" weren(t allowed %nto 3ont Ol"!ps$
3rs$ O(Lear" had dg Ch%ron ot of the r))le and rshed h%! o4 to #a!p$ The
Stolls loo+ed +%nd of worr%ed a)ot the old #entar& )t at least he was al%'e$
9at%e Gardner reported that she(d seen Ra#hel El%5a)eth ?are rn ot of the
E!p%re State 6%ld%ng at the end of the )attle$ Ra#hel had loo+ed nhar!ed& )t
no)od" +new where she(d gone& wh%#h also tro)led !e$
N%#o d% -ngelo #a!e %nto Ol"!ps to a hero(s wel#o!e& h%s father r%ght )eh%nd
h%!& desp%te the fa#t that Hades was onl" spposed to '%s%t Ol"!ps on w%nter
solst%#e$ The god of the dead loo+ed stnned when h%s relat%'es #lapped h%! on
the )a#+$ I do)t he(d e'er gotten s#h an enths%ast%# wel#o!e )efore$
Clar%sse !ar#hed %n& st%ll sh%'er%ng fro! her t%!e %n the %#e )lo#+& and -res
)ellowed& 0There(s !" g%rl10
The god of war rNed her ha%r and ponded her on the )a#+& #all%ng her the
)est warr%or he(d e'er seen$ 0That dra+on.sla"%ng7 TH-T(S what I(! tal+%ng
a)ot10
She loo+ed prett" o'erwhel!ed$ -ll she #old do was nod and )l%n+& l%+e she
was afra%d he(d start h%tt%ng her& )t e'entall" she )egan to s!%le$
Hera and Hephaests passed !e& and wh%le Hephaests was a l%ttle gr!p"
a)ot !" /!p%ng on h%s throne& he thoght I(d done 0a prett" )ang.p /o)&
!ostl"$0
Hera sn%4ed %n d%sda%n$ 0I sppose I won(t destro" "o and that l%ttle g%rl now$0
0-nna)eth sa'ed Ol"!ps&0 I told her$ 0She #on'%n#ed L+e to stop 9ronos$0
0H!!&0 Hera wh%rled awa" %n a h4& )t I ,gred or l%'es wold )e safe& at
least for a l%ttle wh%le$
?%on"ss(s head was st%ll wrapped %n a )andage$ He loo+ed !e p and down
and sa%d& 0Well& Per#" ;a#+son$ I see Poll* !ade %t throgh& so I sppose "o
aren(t #o!pletel" %nept$ It(s all than+s to !" tra%n%ng& I sppose$0
0Urn& "es& s%r&0 I sa%d$
3r$ ? nodded$ 0-s than+s for !" )ra'er"& Les has #t !" pro)at%on at that
!%sera)le #a!p %n half$ I now ha'e onl" ,ft" "ears left %nstead of one hndred$0
0@%ft" "ears& hh70 I tr%ed to %!ag%ne ptt%ng p w%th ?%on"ss nt%l I was an
old !an& ass!%ng I l%'ed that long$
0?on(t get so e*#%ted& ;a#+son&0 he sa%d& and I real%5ed he was sa"%ng !" na!e
#orre#tl"$ 0I st%ll plan on !a+%ng "or l%fe !%sera)le$0
I #oldn(t help s!%l%ng$ 0Natrall"$0
0;st so we nderstand ea#h other$0 He trned and )egan repa%r%ng h%s
grape'%ne throne& wh%#h had )een s%nged )" ,re$
Gro'er sta"ed at !" s%de$ @ro! t%!e to t%!e he wold )rea+ down %n tears$
0So !an" natre sp%r%ts dead& Per#"$ So !an"$0
I pt !" ar! arond h%s sholders and ga'e h%! a rag to )low h%s nose$ 0<o
d%d a great /o)& G.!an$ We w%ll #o!e )a#+ fro! th%s$ We(ll plant new trees$ We(ll
#lean p the par+s$ <or fr%ends w%ll )e re%n#arnated %nto a )etter world$0
He sn%Ned de/e#tedl"$ 0I $ $ $ I sppose$ 6t %t was hard enogh to rall" the!
)efore$ I(! st%ll an ot#ast$ I #old )arel" get an"one to l%sten to !e a)ot Pan$
Now w%ll the" e'er l%sten to !e aga%n7 I led the! %nto a slaghter$0
0The" w%ll l%sten&0 I pro!%sed$ 06e#ase "o #are a)ot the!$ <o #are a)ot
the W%ld !ore than an"one$0
He tr%ed for a s!%le$ 0Than+s& Per#"$ I hope $ $ $ I hope "o +now I(! reall"
prod to )e "or fr%end$0
I patted h%s ar!$ 0L+e was r%ght a)ot one th%ng& G.!an$ <o(re the )ra'est
sat"r I e'er !et$0
He )lshed& )t )efore he #old sa" an"th%ng& #on#h horns )lew$ The ar!" of
Pose%don !ar#hed %nto the throne roo!$
0Per#"10 T"son "elled$ He #harged toward !e w%th h%s ar!s open$ @ortnatel"
he(d shrn+ )a#+ to nor!al s%5e& so h%s hg was l%+e gett%ng h%t )" a tra#tor& not
the ent%re far!$
0<o are not dead10 he sa%d$
0<eah10 I agreed$ 0-!a5%ng& hh70
He #lapped h%s hands and laghed happ%l"$ 0I a! not dead e%ther$ <a"1 We
#ha%ned T"phon$ It was fn10
6eh%nd h%!& ,ft" other ar!ored C"#lopes laghed and nodded and ga'e ea#h
other h%gh ,'es$
0T"son led s&0 one r!)led$ 0He %s )ra'e10
06ra'est of the C"#lopes10 another )ellowed$

T"son )lshed$ 0Was noth%ng$0
0I saw "o10 I sa%d$ 0<o were %n#red%)le10
I thoght poor Gro'er wold pass ot$ He(s deathl" afra%d of C"#lopes$ 6t he
steeled h%s ner'es and sa%d& 0<es$ U! $ $ $ three #heers for T"son10
0<---RRRRR10 the C"#lopes roared$
0Please don(t eat !e&0 Gro'er !ttered& )t I don(t th%n+ an"one heard h%!$
The #on#h horns )lasted aga%n$ The C"#lopes parted& and !" father strode
%nto the throne roo! %n h%s )attle ar!or& h%s tr%dent glow%ng %n h%s hands$
0T"son10 he roared$ 0Well done& !" son$ -nd Per#"20 H%s fa#e trned stern$ He
wagged h%s ,nger at !e& and for a se#ond I was afra%d he was go%ng to 5ap !e$ 0I
e'en forg%'e "o for s%tt%ng on !" throne$ <o ha'e sa'ed Ol"!ps10
He held ot h%s ar!s and ga'e !e a hg$ I real%5ed& a l%ttle e!)arrassed& that
I(d ne'er a#tall" hgged !" dad )efore$ He was war!2l%+e a reglar h!an2
and he s!elled of a salt" )ea#h and fresh sea a%r$
When he plled awa"& he s!%led +%ndl" at !e$ I felt so good& I(ll ad!%t I teared
p a l%ttle$ I gess nt%l that !o!ent I hadn(t allowed !"self to real%5e /st how
terr%,ed I had )een the last few da"s$
0?ad20
0Shhh&0 he sa%d$ 0No hero %s a)o'e fear& Per#"$ -nd "o ha'e r%sen a)o'e e'er"
hero$ Not e'en Her#les20
0POSEI?ON10 a 'o%#e roared$
Les had ta+en h%s throne$ He glared a#ross the roo! at !" dad wh%le all the
other gods ,led %n and too+ the%r seats$ E'en Hades was present& s%tt%ng on a
s%!ple stone gest #ha%r at the foot of the hearth$ N%#o sat #ross.legged on the
grond at h%s dad(s feet$
0Well& Pose%don70 Les gr!ped$ 0-re "o too prod to /o%n s %n #on#%l& !"
)rother70
I thoght Pose%don was go%ng to get !ad& )t he /st loo+ed at !e and
w%n+ed$ 0I wold )e honored& Lord Les$0
I gess !%ra#les do happen$ Pose%don strode o'er to h%s ,sh%ng seat& and the
Ol"!p%an Con#%l #on'ened$
Wh%le Les was tal+%ng2so!e long spee#h a)ot the )ra'er" of the gods& et#$
2-nna)eth wal+ed %n and stood ne*t to !e$ She loo+ed good for so!eone who(d
re#entl" passed ot$
03%ss !#h70 she wh%spered$
0No)od"(s plann%ng to +%ll s& so far&0 I wh%spered )a#+$
0@%rst t%!e toda"$0
I #ra#+ed p& )t Gro'er ndged !e )e#ase Hera was g%'%ng s a d%rt" loo+$
0-s for !" )rothers&0 Les sa%d& 0we are than+fl02he #leared h%s throat l%+e
the words were hard to get ot20er!& than+fl for the a%d of Hades$0
The lord of the dead nodded$ He had a s!g loo+ on h%s fa#e& )t I ,gre he(d
earned the r%ght$ He patted h%s son N%#o on the sholders& and N%#o loo+ed
happ%er than I(d e'er seen h%!$
0-nd& of #orse&0 Les #ont%ned& thogh he loo+ed l%+e h%s pants were
s!older%ng& 0we !st $ $ $ ! $ $ $ than+ Pose%don$0
0I(! sorr"& )rother&0 Pose%don sa%d$ 0What was that70
0We !st than+ Pose%don&0 Les growled$ 0W%thot who! $ $ $ %t wold('e )een
d%:#lt20
0?%:#lt70 Pose%don as+ed %nno#entl"$
0I!poss%)le&0 Les sa%d$ 0I!poss%)le to defeat T"phon$0
The gods !r!red agree!ent and ponded the%r weapons %n appro'al$
0Wh%#h lea'es s&0 Les sa%d& 0onl" the !atter of than+%ng or "ong de!%god
heroes& who defended Ol"!ps so well2e'en %f there are a few dents %n !"
throne$0
He #alled Thal%a forward ,rst& s%n#e she was h%s daghter& and pro!%sed her
help %n ,ll%ng the Hnters( ran+s$
-rte!%s s!%led$ 0<o ha'e done well& !" l%etenant$ <o ha'e !ade !e prod&
and all those Hnters who per%shed %n !" ser'%#e w%ll ne'er )e forgotten$ The"
w%ll a#h%e'e El"s%!& I a! sre$0
She glared po%ntedl" at Hades$
He shrgged$ 0Pro)a)l"$0
-rte!%s glared at h%! so!e !ore$
0O+a"&0 Hades gr!)led$ 0I(ll strea!l%ne the%r appl%#at%on pro#ess$0
Thal%a )ea!ed w%th pr%de$ 0Than+ "o& !" lad"$0 She )owed to the gods& e'en
Hades& and then l%!ped o'er to stand )" -rte!%s(s s%de$
0T"son& son of Pose%don10 Les #alled$ T"son loo+ed ner'os& )t he went to
stand %n the !%ddle of the Con#%l& and Les grnted$
0?oesn(t !%ss !an" !eals& does he70 Les !ttered$ 0T"son& for "or )ra'er"
%n the war& and for lead%ng the C"#lopes& "o are appo%nted a general %n the
ar!%es of Ol"!ps$ <o shall hen#eforth lead "or )rethren %nto war whene'er
reA%red )" the gods$ -nd "o shall ha'e a new $ $ $ ! $ $ $ what +%nd of weapon
wold "o l%+e7 - sword7 -n a*e70
0St%#+10 T"son sa%d& show%ng h%s )ro+en #l)$
0Ver" well&0 Les sa%d$ 0We w%ll grant "o a new& er& st%#+$ The )est st%#+ that
!a" )e fond$0
0Hoora"10 T"son #r%ed& and all the C"#lopes #heered and ponded h%! on the
)a#+ as he re/o%ned the!$
0Gro'er Underwood of the sat"rs10 ?%on"ss #alled$
Gro'er #a!e forward ner'osl"$
0Oh& stop #hew%ng "or sh%rt&0 ?%on"ss #h%ded$ 0Honestl"& I(! not go%ng to
)last "o$ @or "or )ra'er" and sa#r%,#e& )lah& )lah& )lah& and s%n#e we ha'e an
nfortnate 'a#an#"& the gods ha'e seen ,t to na!e "o a !e!)er of the
Con#%l of Clo'en Elders$0
Gro'er #ollapsed on the spot$
0Oh& wonderfl&0 ?%on"ss s%ghed& as se'eral na%ads #a!e forward to help
Gro'er$ 0Well& when he wa+es p& so!eone tell h%! that he w%ll no longer )e an
ot#ast& and that all sat"rs& na%ads& and other sp%r%ts of natre w%ll hen#eforth
treat h%! as a lord of the W%ld& w%th all r%ghts& pr%'%leges& and honors& )lah& )lah&
)lah$ Now please& drag h%! o4 )efore he wa+es p and starts gro'el%ng$0
0@OOOOO?&0 Gro'er !oaned& as the natre sp%r%ts #arr%ed h%! awa"$
I ,gred he(d )e o+a"$ He wold wa+e p as a lord of the W%ld w%th a )n#h of
)eat%fl na%ads ta+%ng #are of h%!$ L%fe #old )e worse$
-thena #alled& 0-nna)eth Chase& !" own daghter$0
-nna)eth sAee5ed !" ar!& then wal+ed forward and +nelt at her !other(s
feet$
-thena s!%led$ 0<o& !" daghter& ha'e e*#eeded all e*pe#tat%ons$ <o ha'e
sed "or w%ts& "or strength& and "or #orage to defend th%s #%t"& and or seat
of power$ It has #o!e to or attent%on that Ol"!ps %s $ $ $ well& trashed$ The T%tan
lord d%d !#h da!age that w%ll ha'e to )e repa%red$ We #old re)%ld %t )" !ag%#&
of #orse& and !a+e %t /st as %t was$ 6t the gods feel that the #%t" #old )e
%!pro'ed$ We w%ll ta+e th%s as an opportn%t"$ -nd "o& !" daghter& w%ll des%gn
these %!pro'e!ents$0
-nna)eth loo+ed p& stnned$ 03" $ $ $ !" lad"70
-thena s!%led wr"l"$ 0<o are an ar#h%te#t& are "o not7 <o ha'e std%ed the
te#hn%Aes of ?aedals h%!self$ Who )etter to redes%gn Ol"!ps and !a+e %t a
!on!ent that w%ll last for another eon70
0<o !ean $ $ $ I #an des%gn whate'er I want70
0-s "or heart des%res&0 the goddess sa%d$ 03a+e s a #%t" for the ages$0
0-s long as "o ha'e plent" of states of !e&0 -pollo added$
0-nd !e&0 -phrod%te agreed$
0He"& and !e10 -res sa%d$ 06%g states w%th hge w%#+ed swords and20
0-ll r%ght10 -thena %nterrpted$ 0She gets the po%nt$ R%se& !" daghter& o:#%al
ar#h%te#t of Ol"!ps$0
-nna)eth rose %n a tran#e and wal+ed )a#+ toward !e$
0Wa" to go&0 I told her& gr%nn%ng$
@or on#e she was at a loss for words$ 0I(ll $ $ $ I(ll ha'e to start plann%ng $ $ $
?raft%ng paper& and& !& pen#%ls20
0PERC< ;-C9SON10 Pose%don annon#ed$ 3" na!e e#hoed arond the
#ha!)er$
-ll tal+%ng d%ed down$ The roo! was s%lent e*#ept for the #ra#+le of the hearth
,re$ E'er"one(s e"es were on !e2all the gods& the de!%gods& the C"#lopes& the
sp%r%ts$ I wal+ed %nto the !%ddle of the throne roo!$ Hest%a s!%led at !e
reassr%ngl"$ She was %n the for! of a g%rl now& and she see!ed happ" and
#ontent to )e s%tt%ng )" her ,re aga%n$ Her s!%le ga'e !e #orage to +eep
wal+%ng$
@%rst I )owed to Les$ Then I +nelt at !" father(s feet$
0R%se& !" son&0 Pose%don sa%d$
I stood neas%l"$
0- great hero !st )e rewarded&0 Pose%don sa%d$ 0Is there an"one here who
wold den" that !" son %s deser'%ng70
I wa%ted for so!eone to p%pe p$ The gods ne'er agreed on an"th%ng& and
!an" of the! st%ll d%dn(t l%+e !e& )t not a s%ngle one protested$
0The Con#%l agrees&0 Les sa%d$ 0Per#" ;a#+son& "o w%ll ha'e one g%ft fro!
the gods$0
I hes%tated$ 0-n" g%ft70
Les nodded gr%!l"$ 0I +now what "o w%ll as+$ The greatest g%ft of all$ <es& %f
"o want %t& %t shall )e "ors$ The gods ha'e not )estowed th%s g%ft on a !ortal
hero %n !an" #entr%es& )t& Perses ;a#+son2%f "o w%sh %t2"o shall )e !ade a
god$ I!!ortal$ Und"%ng$ <o shall ser'e as "or father(s l%etenant for all t%!e$0
I stared at h%!& stnned$ 0U! $ $ $ a god70
Les rolled h%s e"es$ 0- d%!w%tted god& apparentl"$ 6t "es$ W%th the
#onsenss of the ent%re Con#%l& I #an !a+e "o %!!ortal$ Then I w%ll ha'e to pt
p w%th "o fore'er$0
0H!!&0 -res !sed$ 0That !eans I #an s!ash h%! to a plp as often as I
want& and he(ll /st +eep #o!%ng )a#+ for !ore$ I l%+e th%s %dea$0
0I appro'e as well&0 -thena sa%d& thogh she was loo+%ng at -nna)eth$
I glan#ed )a#+$ -nna)eth was tr"%ng not to !eet !" e"es$ Her fa#e was pale$ I
>ashed )a#+ to two "ears ago& when I(d thoght she was go%ng to ta+e the pledge
to -rte!%s and )e#o!e a Hnter$ I(d )een on the edge of a pan%# atta#+& th%n+%ng
that I(d lose her$ Now& she loo+ed prett" !#h the sa!e wa"$
I thoght a)ot the Three @ates& and the wa" I(d seen !" l%fe >ash )"$ I #old
a'o%d all that$ No ag%ng& no death& no )od" %n the gra'e$ I #old )e a teenager
fore'er& %n top #ond%t%on& powerfl& and %!!ortal& ser'%ng !" father$ I #old ha'e
power and eternal l%fe$
Who #old refse that7
Then I loo+ed at -nna)eth aga%n$ I thoght a)ot !" fr%ends fro! #a!pK
Charles 6e#+endorf& 3%#hael <ew& S%lena 6earegard& so !an" others who were
now dead$ I thoght a)ot Ethan Na+a!ra and L+e$
-nd I +new what to do$
0No&0 I sa%d$
The Con#%l was s%lent$ The gods frowned at ea#h other l%+e the" !st ha'e
!%sheard$
0No70 Les sa%d$ 0<o are $ $ $ trn%ng down or generos g%ft70
There was a dangeros edge to h%s 'o%#e& l%+e a thnderstor! a)ot to erpt$
0I(! honored and e'er"th%ng&0 I sa%d$ 0?on(t get !e wrong$ It(s /st $ $ $ I('e got
a lot of l%fe left to l%'e$ I(d hate to pea+ %n !" sopho!ore "ear$0
The gods were glar%ng at !e& )t -nna)eth had her hands o'er her !oth$
Her e"es were sh%n%ng$ -nd that +%nd of !ade p for %t$
0I do want a g%ft& thogh&0 I sa%d$ 0?o "o pro!%se to grant !" w%sh70

Les thoght a)ot th%s$ 0If %t %s w%th%n or power$0
0It %s&0 I sa%d$ 0-nd %t(s not e'en d%:#lt$ 6t I need "or pro!%se on the R%'er
St"*$0
0What70 ?%on"ss #r%ed$ 0<o don(t trst s70
0So!eone on#e told !e&0 I sa%d& loo+%ng at Hades& 0"o shold alwa"s get a
sole!n oath$0
Hades shrgged$ 0G%lt"$0
0Ver" well10 Les growled$ 0In the na!e of the Con#%l& we swear )" the R%'er
St"* to grant "or reasona)le reAest as long as %t %s w%th%n or power$0
The other gods !ttered assent$ Thnder )oo!ed& sha+%ng the throne roo!$
The deal was !ade$
0@ro! now on& I want to "o properl" re#ogn%5e the #h%ldren of the gods&0 I
sa%d$ 0-ll the #h%ldren $ $ $ of all the gods$0
The Ol"!p%ans sh%fted n#o!forta)l"$
0Per#"&0 !" father sa%d& 0what e*a#tl" do "o !ean70
09ronos #oldn(t ha'e r%sen %f %t hadn(t )een for a lot of de!%gods who felt
a)andoned )" the%r parents&0 I sa%d$ 0The" felt angr"& resentfl& and nlo'ed& and
the" had a good reason$0
Les(s ro"al nostr%ls >ared$ 0<o dare a##se20
0No !ore ndeter!%ned #h%ldren&0 I sa%d$ 0I want "o to pro!%se to #la%! "or
#h%ldren2all "or de!%god #h%ldren2)" the t%!e the" trn th%rteen$ The" won(t
)e left ot %n the world on the%r own at the !er#" of !onsters$ I want the!
#la%!ed and )roght to #a!p so the" #an )e tra%ned r%ght& and sr'%'e$0
0Now& wa%t /st a !o!ent&0 -pollo sa%d& )t I was on a roll$
0-nd the !%nor gods&0 I sa%d$ 0Ne!es%s& He#ate& 3orphes& ;ans& He)e.2the"
all deser'e a general a!nest" and a pla#e at Ca!p Half.6lood$ The%r #h%ldren
sholdn(t )e %gnored$ Cal"pso and the other pea#efl T%tan.+%nd shold )e
pardoned too$ -nd Hades20
0-re "o #all%ng !e a !%nor god70 Hades )ellowed$
0No& !" lord&0 I sa%d A%#+l"$ 06t "or #h%ldren shold not )e left ot$ The"
shold ha'e a #a)%n at #a!p$ N%#o has pro'en that$ No n#la%!ed de!%gods w%ll
)e #ra!!ed %nto the Her!es #a)%n an"!ore& wonder%ng who the%r parents are$
The"(ll ha'e the%r own #a)%ns& for all the gods$ -nd no !ore pa#t of the 6%g Three$
That d%dn(t wor+ an"wa"$ <o('e got to stop tr"%ng to get r%d of powerfl
de!%gods$ We(re go%ng to tra%n the! and a##ept the! %nstead$ -ll #h%ldren of the
gods w%ll )e wel#o!e and treated w%th respe#t$ That %s !" w%sh$0
Les snorted$ 0Is that all70
0Per#"&0 Pose%don sa%d& 0"o as+ !#h$ <o pres!e !#h$0
0I hold "o to "or oath&0 I sa%d$ 0-ll of "o$0
I got a lot of steel" loo+s$ Strangel"& %t was -thena who spo+e pK 0The )o" %s
#orre#t$ We ha'e )een nw%se to %gnore or #h%ldren$ It pro'ed a strateg%#
wea+ness %n th%s war and al!ost #ased or destr#t%on$ Per#" ;a#+son& I ha'e
had !" do)ts a)ot "o& )t perhaps02she glan#ed at -nna)eth& and then
spo+e as %f the words had a sor taste20perhaps I was !%sta+en$ I !o'e that we
a##ept the )o"(s plan$0
0H!ph&0 Les sa%d$ 06e%ng told what to do )" a !ere #h%ld$ 6t I
sppose $ $ $0
0-ll %n fa'or&0 Her!es sa%d$
-ll the gods ra%sed the%r hands$
0U!& than+s&0 I sa%d$
I trned& )t )efore I #old lea'e& Pose%don #alled& 0Honor gard10
I!!ed%atel" the C"#lopes #a!e forward and !ade two l%nes fro! the thrones
to the door2an a%sle for !e to wal+ throgh$ The" #a!e to attent%on$
0-ll ha%l& Perses ;a#+son&0 T"son sa%d$ 0Hero of Ol"!ps $ $ $ and !" )%g
)rother10
TWENT<.ONE
6L-C9;-C9 GETS
;-C9E?
-nna)eth and I were on or wa" ot when I spotted Her!es %n a s%de
#ort"ard of the pala#e$ He was star%ng at an Ir%s.!essage %n the !%st of a
fonta%n$
I glan#ed at -nna)eth$ 0I(ll !eet "o at the ele'ator$0
0<o sre70 Then she std%ed !" fa#e$ 0<eah& "o(re sre$0
Her!es d%dn(t see! to not%#e !e approa#h$ The Ir%s.!essage %!ages were
go%ng so fast I #old hardl" nderstand the!$ 3ortal news#asts fro! all o'er the
#ontr" >ashed )"K s#enes of T"phon(s destr#t%on& the wre#+age or )attle had
left a#ross 3anhattan& the pres%dent do%ng a news #onferen#e& the !a"or of New
<or+& so!e ar!" 'eh%#les r%d%ng down the -'ene of the -!er%#as$
0-!a5%ng&0 Her!es !r!red$ He trned toward !e$ 0Three thosand "ears&
and I w%ll ne'er get o'er the power of the 3%st $ $ $ and !ortal %gnoran#e$0
0Than+s& I gess$0
0Oh& not "o$ -lthogh& I sppose I shold wonder& trn%ng down %!!ortal%t"$0
0It was the r%ght #ho%#e$0
Her!es loo+ed at !e #r%osl"& then retrned h%s attent%on to the Ir%s.
!essage$ 0Loo+ at the!$ The"('e alread" de#%ded T"phon was a frea+ ser%es of
stor!s$ ?on(t I w%sh$ The" ha'en(t ,gred ot how all the states %n Lower
3anhattan got re!o'ed fro! the%r pedestals and ha#+ed to p%e#es$ The" +eep
show%ng a shot of Ssan 6$ -nthon" strangl%ng @reder%#+ ?oglass$ 6t I %!ag%ne
the"(ll e'en #o!e p w%th a log%#al e*planat%on for that$0
0How )ad %s the #%t"70
Her!es shrgged$ 0Srpr%s%ngl"& not too )ad$ The !ortals are sha+en& of
#orse$ 6t th%s %s New <or+$ I('e ne'er seen s#h a res%l%ent )n#h of h!ans$ I
%!ag%ne the"(ll )e )a#+ to nor!al %n a few wee+s= and of #orse I(ll )e help%ng$0
0<o70
0I(! the !essenger of the gods$ It(s !" /o) to !on%tor what the !ortals are
sa"%ng& and %f ne#essar"& help the! !a+e sense of what(s happened$ I(ll reassre
the!$ Trst !e& the"(ll pt th%s down to a frea+ earthAa+e or a solar >are$
-n"th%ng )t the trth$0
He sonded )%tter$ George and 3artha #rled arond h%s #ad#es& )t the"
were s%lent& wh%#h !ade !e th%n+ that Her!es was reall" reall" angr"$ I pro)a)l"
shold('e +ept A%et& )t I sa%d& 0I owe "o an apolog"$0
Her!es ga'e !e a #at%os loo+$ 0-nd wh" %s that70
0I thoght "o were a )ad father&0 I ad!%tted$ 0I thoght "o a)andoned L+e
)e#ase "o +new h%s ftre and d%dn(t do an"th%ng to stop %t$0
0I d%d +now h%s ftre&0 Her!es sa%d !%sera)l"$
06t "o +new !ore than /st the )ad st42that he(d trn e'%l$ <o
nderstood what he wold do %n the end$ <o +new he(d !a+e the r%ght #ho%#e$
6t "o #oldn(t tell h%!& #old "o70
Her!es stared at the fonta%n$ 0No one #an ta!per w%th fate& Per#"& not e'en
a god$ If I had warned h%! what was to #o!e& or tr%ed to %n>en#e h%s #ho%#es& I
wold('e !ade th%ngs e'en worse$ Sta"%ng s%lent& sta"%ng awa" fro! h%! $ $ $ that
was the hardest th%ng I('e e'er done$0
0<o had to let h%! ,nd h%s own path&0 I sa%d& 0and pla" h%s part %n sa'%ng
Ol"!ps$0
Her!es s%ghed$ 0I shold not ha'e gotten !ad at -nna)eth$ When L+e '%s%ted
her %n San @ran#%s#o $ $ $ well& I +new she wold ha'e a part to pla" %n h%s fate$ I
foresaw that !#h$ I thoght perhaps she #old do what I #old not and sa'e
h%!$ When she refsed to go w%th h%!& I #old )arel" #onta%n !" rage$ I shold
ha'e +nown )etter$ I was reall" angr" w%th !"self$0
0-nna)eth d%d sa'e h%!&0 I sa%d$ 0L+e d%ed a hero$ He sa#r%,#ed h%!self to +%ll
9ronos$0
0I appre#%ate "or words& Per#"$ 6t 9ronos %sn(t dead$ <o #an(t +%ll a T%tan$0
0Then20
0I don(t +now&0 Her!es gr!)led$ 0None of s do$ 6lown to dst$ S#attered to
the w%nd$ W%th l#+& he(s spread so th%n that he(ll ne'er )e a)le to for! a
#ons#%osness aga%n& !#h less a )od"$ 6t don(t !%sta+e h%! for dead& Per#"$0
3" sto!a#h d%d a Aeas" so!ersalt$ 0What a)ot the other T%tans70
0In h%d%ng&0 Her!es sa%d$ 0Pro!ethes sent Les a !essage w%th a )n#h of
e*#ses for spport%ng 9ronos$ (I was /st tr"%ng to !%n%!%5e the da!age&( )lah&
)lah$ He(ll +eep h%s head low for a few #entr%es %f he(s s!art$ 9r%os has >ed& and
3ont Othr"s has #r!)led %nto r%ns$ O#eans sl%pped )a#+ %nto the deep o#ean
when %t was #lear 9ronos had lost$ 3eanwh%le& !" son L+e %s dead$ He d%ed
)el%e'%ng I d%dn(t #are a)ot h%!$ I w%ll ne'er forg%'e !"self$0
Her!es slashed h%s #ad#es throgh the !%st$ The Ir%s.p%#tre d%sappeared$
0- long t%!e ago&0 I sa%d& 0"o told !e the hardest th%ng a)ot )e%ng a god
was not )e%ng a)le to help "or #h%ldren$ <o also told !e that "o #oldn(t g%'e
p on "or fa!%l"& no !atter how te!pt%ng the" !ade %t$0
0-nd now "o +now I(! a h"po#r%te70
0No& "o were r%ght& L+e lo'ed "o$ -t the end& he real%5ed h%s fate$ I th%n+ he
real%5ed wh" "o #oldn(t help h%!$ He re!e!)ered what was %!portant$0
0Too late for h%! and !e$0
0<o ha'e other #h%ldren$ Honor L+e )" re#ogn%5%ng the!$ -ll the gods #an do
that$0
Her!es(s sholders sagged$ 0The"(ll tr"& Per#"$ Oh& we(ll all tr" to +eep or
pro!%se$ -nd !a")e for a wh%le th%ngs w%ll get )etter$ 6t we gods ha'e ne'er
)een good at +eep%ng oaths$ <o were )orn )e#ase of a )ro+en pro!%se& eh7
E'entall" we(ll )e#o!e forgetfl$ We alwa"s do$0
0<o #an #hange$0
Her!es laghed$ 0-fter three thosand "ears& "o th%n+ the gods #an #hange
the%r natre70
0<eah&0 I sa%d$ 0I do$0
Her!es see!ed srpr%sed )" that$ 0<o th%n+ $ $ $ L+e a#tall" lo'ed !e7
-fter all that happened70
0I(! sre of %t$0
Her!es stared at the fonta%n$ 0I(ll g%'e "o a l%st of !" #h%ldren$ There(s a )o"
%n W%s#ons%n$ Two g%rls %n Los -ngeles$ - few others$ W%ll "o see that the" get to
#a!p70
0I pro!%se&0 I sa%d$ 0-nd I won(t forget$0
George and 3artha tw%rled arond the #ad#es$ I +now sna+es #an(t s!%le&
)t the" see!ed to )e tr"%ng$
0Per#" ;a#+son&0 Her!es sa%d& 0"o !%ght /st tea#h s a th%ng or two$0
-nother god was wa%t%ng for !e on the wa" ot of Ol"!ps$ -thena stood %n
the !%ddle of the road w%th her ar!s #rossed and a loo+ on her fa#e that !ade
!e th%n+ Uh.oh$ She(d #hanged ot of her ar!or& %nto /eans and a wh%te )lose&
)t she d%dn(t loo+ an" less warl%+e$ Her gra" e"es )la5ed$
0Well& Per#"&0 she sa%d$ 0<o w%ll sta" !ortal$0
0U!& "es& !a(a!$0
0I wold +now "or reasons$0
0I want to )e a reglar g"$ I want to grow p$ Ha'e& "o +now& a reglar h%gh
s#hool e*per%en#e$0
0-nd !" daghter70
0I #oldn(t lea'e her&0 I ad!%tted& !" throat dr"$ 0Or Gro'er&0 I added A%#+l"$
0Or20
0Spare !e$0 -thena stepped #lose to !e& and I #old feel her ara of power
!a+%ng !" s+%n %t#h$ 0I on#e warned "o& Per#" ;a#+son& that to sa'e a fr%end "o
wold destro" the world$ Perhaps I was !%sta+en$ <o see! to ha'e sa'ed )oth
"or fr%ends and the world$ 6t th%n+ 'er" #arefll" a)ot how "o pro#eed fro!
here$ I ha'e g%'en "o the )ene,t of the do)t$ ?on(t !ess p$0
;st to pro'e her po%nt& she erpted %n a #ol!n of >a!e& #harr%ng the front of
!" sh%rt$
-nna)eth was wa%t%ng for !e at the ele'ator$ 0Wh" do "o s!ell l%+e s!o+e70
0Long stor"&0 I sa%d$ Together we !ade or wa" down to the street le'el$
Ne%ther of s sa%d a word$ The !s%# was awfl2Ne%l ?%a!ond or so!eth%ng$ I
shold('e !ade that part of !" g%ft fro! the godsK )etter ele'ator tnes$
When we got %nto the lo))"& I fond !" !other and Pal arg%ng w%th the )ald
se#r%t" g"& who(d retrned to h%s post$
0I(! tell%ng "o&0 !" !o! "elled& 0we ha'e to go p1 3" son20 Then she saw
!e and her e"es w%dened$ 0Per#"10
She hgged the )reath r%ght ot of !e$
0We saw the )%ld%ng l%t p )le&0 she sa%d$ 06t then "o d%dn(t #o!e down$
<o went p hors ago10
0She was gett%ng a )%t an*%os&0 Pal sa%d dr%l"$
0I(! all r%ght&0 I pro!%sed as !" !o! hgged -nna)eth$ 0E'er"th%ng(s o+a"
now$0
03r$ 6lo,s&0 -nna)eth sa%d& 0that was w%#+ed sword wor+$0
Pal shrgged$ 0It see!ed l%+e the th%ng to do$ 6t Per#"& %s th%s reall" $ $ $ I
!ean& th%s stor" a)ot the s%* hndredth >oor70
0Ol"!ps&0 I sa%d$ 0<eah$0
Pal loo+ed at the #e%l%ng w%th a drea!" e*press%on$ 0I(d l%+e to see that$0
0Pal&0 !" !o! #h%ded$ 0It(s not for !ortals$ -n"wa"& the %!portant th%ng %s
we(re safe$ -ll of s$0

I was a)ot to rela*$ E'er"th%ng felt perfe#t$ -nna)eth and I were o+a"$ 3"
!o! and Pal had sr'%'ed$ Ol"!ps was sa'ed$
6t the l%fe of a de!%god %s ne'er so eas"$ ;st then N%#o ran %n fro! the street&
and h%s fa#e told !e so!eth%ng was wrong$
0It(s Ra#hel&0 he sa%d$ 0I /st ran %nto her down on ednd Street$0
-nna)eth frowned$ 0What(s she done th%s t%!e70
0It(s where she(s gone&0 N%#o sa%d$ 0I told her she wold d%e %f she tr%ed& )t she
%ns%sted$ She /st too+ 6la#+/a#+ and20
0She too+ !" pegass70 I de!anded$
N%#o nodded$ 0She(s head%ng to Half.6lood H%ll$ She sa%d she had to get to
#a!p$0
TWENT<.TWO
I -3 ?U3PE?
No)od" steals !" pegass$ Not e'en Ra#hel$ I wasn(t sre %f I was !ore angr"
or a!a5ed or worr%ed$
0What was she th%n+%ng70 -nna)eth sa%d as we ran for the r%'er$ Unfortnatel"&
I had a prett" good %dea& and %t ,lled !e w%th dread$
The tra:# was horr%)le$ E'er")od" was ot on the streets gaw+%ng at the war
5one da!age$ Pol%#e s%rens wa%led on e'er" )lo#+$ There was no poss%)%l%t" of
#at#h%ng a #a)& and the pegas% had >own awa"$ I wold('e settled for so!e Part"
Pon%es& )t the" had d%sappeared along w%th !ost of the root )eer %n 3%dtown$ So
we ran& psh%ng throgh !o)s of da5ed !ortals that #logged the s%dewal+s$
0She(ll ne'er get throgh the defenses&0 -nna)eth sa%d$ 0Peles w%ll eat her$0
I hadn(t #ons%dered that$ The 3%st woldn(t fool Ra#hel l%+e %t wold !ost
people$ She(d )e a)le to ,nd the #a!p no pro)le!& )t I(d )een hop%ng the
!ag%#al )ondar%es wold /st +eep her ot l%+e a for#e ,eld$ It hadn(t o##rred to
!e that Peles !%ght atta#+$
0We('e got to hrr"$0 I glan#ed at N%#o$ 0I don(t sppose "o #old #on/re p
so!e s+eleton horses$0
He whee5ed as he ran$ 0So t%red $ $ $ #oldn(t s!!on a dog )one$0
@%nall" we s#ra!)led o'er the e!)an+!ent to the shore& and I let ot a lod
wh%stle$ I hated do%ng %t$ E'en w%th the sand dollar I(d g%'en the East R%'er for a
!ag%# #lean%ng& the water here was prett" pollted$ I d%dn(t want to !a+e an" sea
an%!als s%#+& )t the" #a!e to !" #all$
Three wa+e l%nes appeared %n the gra" water& and a pod of h%ppo#a!p% )ro+e
the srfa#e$ The" wh%nn%ed nhapp%l"& sha+%ng the r%'er !#+ fro! the%r !anes$
The" were )eat%fl #reatres& w%th !lt%#olored ,sh ta%ls& and the heads and
forelegs of wh%te stall%ons$ The h%ppo#a!ps %n front was !#h )%gger than the
others2a r%de ,t for a C"#lops$
0Ra%n)ow10 I #alled$ 0How(s %t go%ng& )dd"70
He ne%ghed a #o!pla%nt$
0<eah& I(! sorr"&0 I sa%d$ 06t %t(s an e!ergen#"$ We need to get to #a!p$0
He snorted$
0T"son70 I sa%d$ 0T"son %s ,ne1 I(! sorr" he(s not here$ He(s a )%g general now
%n the C"#lops ar!"$0
0NEEEEIGGGGH10
0<eah& I(! sre he(ll st%ll )r%ng "o apples$ Now& a)ot that r%de $ $ $0
In no t%!e& -nna)eth& N%#o& and I were 5%pp%ng p the East R%'er faster than ;et
S+%s$ We sped nder the Throgs Ne#+ 6r%dge and headed for Long Island Sond$
It see!ed l%+e fore'er nt%l we saw the )ea#h at #a!p$ We than+ed the
h%ppo#a!p% and waded ashore& onl" to ,nd -rgs wa%t%ng for s$ He stood %n the
sand w%th h%s ar!s #rossed& h%s hndred e"es glar%ng at s$
0Is she here70 I as+ed$
He nodded gr%!l"$
0Is e'er"th%ng o+a"70 -nna)eth sa%d$
-rgs shoo+ h%s head$
We followed h%! p the tra%l$ It was srreal )e%ng )a#+ at #a!p& )e#ase
e'er"th%ng loo+ed so pea#eflK no )rn%ng )%ld%ngs& no wonded ,ghters$ The
#a)%ns were )r%ght %n the snsh%ne& and the ,elds gl%ttered w%th dew$ 6t the
pla#e was !ostl" e!pt"$
Up at the 6%g Hose& so!eth%ng was de,n%tel" wrong$ Green l%ght was
shoot%ng ot all the w%ndows& /st l%+e I(d seen %n !" drea! a)ot 3a" Castellan$
3%st2the !ag%#al +%nd2sw%rled arond the "ard$ Ch%ron la" on a horse.s%5e
stret#her )" the 'olle")all p%t& a )n#h of sat"rs stand%ng arond h%!$ 6la#+/a#+
#antered ner'osl" %n the grass$
?on(t )la!e !e& )oss1 he pleaded when he saw !e$ The we%rd g%rl !ade !e
do %t1
Ra#hel El%5a)eth ?are stood at the )otto! of the por#h steps$ Her ar!s were
ra%sed l%+e she was wa%t%ng for so!eone %ns%de the hose to throw her a )all$
0What(s she do%ng70 -nna)eth de!anded$ 0How d%d she get past the
)arr%ers70
0She >ew&0 one of the sat"rs sa%d& loo+%ng a##s%ngl" at 6la#+/a#+$ 0R%ght past
the dragon& r%ght throgh the !ag%# )ondar%es$0
0Ra#hel10 I #alled& )t the sat"rs stopped !e when I tr%ed to go an" #loser$
0Per#"& don(t&0 Ch%ron warned$ He w%n#ed as he tr%ed to !o'e$ H%s left ar! was
%n a sl%ng& h%s two )a#+ legs were %n spl%nts& and h%s head was wrapped %n
)andages$ 0<o #an(t %nterrpt$0
0I thoght "o e*pla%ned th%ngs to her10
0I d%d$ -nd I %n'%ted her here$0
I stared at h%! %n d%s)el%ef$ 0<o sa%d "o(d ne'er let an"one tr" aga%n1 <o sa%d
20
0I +now what I sa%d& Per#"$ 6t I was wrong$ Ra#hel had a '%s%on a)ot the
#rse of Hades$ She )el%e'es %t !a" )e l%fted now$ She #on'%n#ed !e she
deser'es a #han#e$0
0-nd %f the #rse %sn(t l%fted7 If Hades hasn(t gotten to that "et& she(ll go
#ra5"10
The 3%st sw%rled arond Ra#hel$ She sh%'ered l%+e she was go%ng %nto sho#+$
0He"10 I shoted$ 0Stop10
I ran toward her& %gnor%ng the sat"rs$ I got w%th%n ten feet and h%t so!eth%ng
l%+e an %n'%s%)le )ea#h )all$ I )on#ed )a#+ and landed %n the grass$
Ra#hel opened her e"es and trned$ She loo+ed l%+e she was sleepwal+%ng2
l%+e she #old see !e& )t onl" %n a drea!$
0It(s all r%ght$0 Her 'o%#e sonded far awa"$ 0Th%s %s wh" I('e #o!e$0
0<o(ll )e destro"ed10
She shoo+ her head$ 0Th%s %s where I )elong& Per#"$ I ,nall" nderstand wh"$0
It sonded too !#h l%+e what 3a" Castellan had sa%d$ I had to stop her& )t I
#oldn(t e'en get to !" feet$
The hose r!)led$ The door >ew open and green l%ght pored ot$ I
re#ogn%5ed the war! !st" s!ell of sna+es$
3%st #rled %nto a hndred s!o+" serpents& sl%ther%ng p the por#h #ol!ns&
#rl%ng arond the hose$ Then the Ora#le appeared %n the doorwa"$
The w%thered !!!" shNed forward %n her ra%n)ow dress$ She loo+ed e'en
worse than sal& wh%#h %s sa"%ng a lot$ Her ha%r was fall%ng ot %n #l!ps$ Her
leather" s+%n was #ra#+%ng l%+e the seat of a worn.ot )s$ Her glass" e"es stared
)lan+l" %nto spa#e& )t I got the #reep%est feel%ng she was )e%ng drawn stra%ght
toward Ra#hel$
Ra#hel held ot her ar!s$ She d%dn(t loo+ s#ared$
0<o('e wa%ted too long&0 Ra#hel sa%d$ 06t I(! here now$0
The sn )la5ed !ore )r%ghtl"$ - !an appeared a)o'e the por#h& >oat%ng %n the
a%r2a )lond dde %n a wh%te toga& w%th snglasses and a #o#+" s!%le$
0-pollo&0 I sa%d$
He w%n+ed at !e )t held p h%s ,nger to h%s l%ps$
0Ra#hel El%5a)eth ?are&0 he sa%d$ 0<o ha'e the g%ft of prophe#"$ 6t %t %s also a
#rse$ -re "o sre "o want th%s70
Ra#hel nodded$ 0It(s !" dest%n"$0
0?o "o a##ept the r%s+s70
0I do$0
0Then pro#eed&0 the god sa%d$
Ra#hel #losed her e"es$ 0I a##ept th%s role$ I pledge !"self to -pollo& God of
Ora#les$ I open !" e"es to the ftre and e!)ra#e the past$ I a##ept the sp%r%t of
?elph%& Vo%#e of the Gods& Spea+er of R%ddles& Seer of @ate$0
I d%dn(t +now where she was gett%ng the words& )t the" >owed ot of her as
the 3%st th%#+ened$ - green #ol!n of s!o+e& l%+e a hge p"thon& n#o%led fro!
the !!!"(s !oth and sl%thered down the sta%rs& #rl%ng a4e#t%onatel" arond
Ra#hel(s feet$ The Ora#le(s !!!" #r!)led& fall%ng awa" nt%l %t was noth%ng
)t a p%le of dst %n an old t%e.d"ed dress$ 3%st en'eloped Ra#hel %n a #ol!n$
@or a !o!ent I #oldn(t see her at all$ Then the s!o+e #leared$
Ra#hel #ollapsed and #rled %nto the fetal pos%t%on$ -nna)eth& N%#o& and I
rshed forward& )t -pollo sa%d& 0Stop1 Th%s %s the !ost del%#ate part$0
0What(s go%ng on70 I de!anded$ 0What do "o !ean70
-pollo std%ed Ra#hel w%th #on#ern$ 0E%ther the sp%r%t ta+es hold& or %t doesn(t$0
0-nd %f %t doesn(t70 -nna)eth as+ed$
0@%'e s"lla)les&0 -pollo sa%d& #ont%ng the! on h%s ,ngers$ 0That wold )e real
)ad$0
?esp%te -pollo(s warn%ng& I ran forward and +nelt o'er Ra#hel$ The s!ell of the
att%# was gone$ The 3%st san+ %nto the grond and the green l%ght faded$ 6t
Ra#hel was st%ll pale$ She was )arel" )reath%ng$
Then her e"es >ttered open$ She fo#sed on !e w%th d%:#lt"$ 0Per#"$0
0-re "o o+a"70
She tr%ed to s%t p$ 0Ow$0 She pressed her hands to her te!ples$
0Ra#hel&0 N%#o sa%d& 0"or l%fe ara al!ost faded #o!pletel"$ I #old see "o
d"%ng$0
0I(! all r%ght&0 she !r!red$ 0Please& help !e p$ The '%s%ons2the"(re a l%ttle
d%sor%ent%ng$0
0-re "o sre "o(re o+a"70 I as+ed$
-pollo dr%fted down fro! the por#h$ 0Lad%es and gentle!en& !a" I %ntrod#e
the new Ora#le of ?elph%$0
0<o(re +%dd%ng&0 -nna)eth sa%d$
Ra#hel !anaged a wea+ s!%le$ 0It(s a l%ttle srpr%s%ng to !e too& )t th%s %s !"
fate$ I saw %t when I was %n New <or+$ I +now wh" I was )orn w%th tre s%ght$ I was
!eant to )e#o!e the Ora#le$0
I )l%n+ed$ 0<o !ean "o #an tell the ftre now70
0Not all the t%!e&0 she sa%d$ 06t there are '%s%ons& %!ages& words %n !" !%nd$
When so!eone as+s !e a Aest%on& I $ $ $ Oh no20
0It(s start%ng&0 -pollo annon#ed$
Ra#hel do)led o'er l%+e so!eone had pn#hed her$ Then she stood p
stra%ght and her e"es glowed serpent green$
When she spo+e& her 'o%#e sonded tr%pled2l%+e three Ra#hels were tal+%ng at
on#eK
0Se'en half.)loods shall answer the #all$
To stor! or ,re& the world !st fall$
-n oath to +eep w%th a ,nal )reath&
-nd foes )ear ar!s to the ?oors of ?eath$0
-t the last word& Ra#hel #ollapsed$ N%#o and I #aght her and helped her to the
por#h$ Her s+%n was fe'er%sh$
0I(! all r%ght&0 she sa%d& her 'o%#e retrn%ng to nor!al$
0What was that70 I as+ed$
She shoo+ her head& #onfsed$ 0What was what70
0I )el%e'e&0 -pollo sa%d& 0that we /st heard the ne*t Great Prophe#"$0
0What does %t !ean70 I de!anded$
Ra#hel frowned$ 0I don(t e'en re!e!)er what I sa%d$0
0No&0 -pollo !sed$ 0The sp%r%t w%ll onl" spea+ throgh "o o##as%onall"$ The
rest of the t%!e& or Ra#hel w%ll )e !#h as she(s alwa"s )een$ There(s no po%nt
%n gr%ll%ng her& e'en %f she has /st %ssed the ne*t )%g pred%#t%on for the ftre of
the world$0
0What70 I sa%d$ 06t20
0Per#"&0 -pollo sa%d& 0I woldn(t worr" too !#h$ The last Great Prophe#"
a)ot "o too+ al!ost se'ent" "ears to #o!plete$ Th%s one !a" not e'en happen
%n "or l%fet%!e$0
I thoght a)ot the l%nes Ra#hel had spo+en %n that #reep" 'o%#eK a)ot stor!
and ,re and the ?oors of ?eath$ 03a")e&0 I sa%d& 0)t %t d%dn(t sond so good$0
0No&0 sa%d -pollo #heerfll"$ 0It #erta%nl" d%dn(t$ She(s go%ng to !a+e a
wonderfl Ora#le10

It was hard to drop the s)/e#t& )t -pollo %ns%sted that Ra#hel needed to rest&
and she d%d loo+ prett" d%sor%ented$
0I(! sorr"& Per#"&0 she sa%d$ 06a#+ on Ol"!ps& I d%dn(t e*pla%n e'er"th%ng to
"o& )t the #all%ng fr%ghtened !e$ I d%dn(t th%n+ "o(d nderstand$0
0I st%ll don(t&0 I ad!%tted$ 06t I gess I(! happ" for "o$0
Ra#hel s!%led$ 0Happ" pro)a)l" %sn(t the r%ght word$ See%ng the ftre %sn(t
go%ng to )e eas"& )t %t(s !" dest%n"$ I onl" hope !" fa!%l" $ $ $0
She d%dn(t ,n%sh her thoght$
0W%ll "o st%ll go to Clar%on -#ade!"70 I as+ed$
0I !ade a pro!%se to !" father$ I gess I(ll tr" to )e a nor!al +%d dr%ng the
s#hool "ear& )t20
06t r%ght now "o need sleep&0 -pollo s#olded$ 0Ch%ron& I don(t th%n+ the att%#
%s the proper pla#e for or new Ora#le& do "o70
0No& %ndeed$0 Ch%ron loo+ed a lot )etter now that -pollo had wor+ed so!e
!ed%#al !ag%# on h%!$ 0Ra#hel !a" se a gest roo! %n the 6%g Hose for now&
nt%l we g%'e the !atter !ore thoght$0
0I(! th%n+%ng a #a'e %n the h%lls&0 -pollo !sed$ 0W%th tor#hes and a )%g prple
#rta%n o'er the entran#e $ $ $ reall" !"ster%os$ 6t %ns%de& a totall" de#+ed.ot
pad w%th a ga!e roo! and one of those ho!e theater s"ste!s$0
Ch%ron #leared h%s throat lodl"$
0What70 -pollo de!anded$
Ra#hel +%ssed !e on the #hee+$ 0Good.)"e& Per#"&0 she wh%spered$ 0-nd I don(t
ha'e to see the ftre to tell "o what to do now& do I70
Her e"es see!ed !ore p%er#%ng than )efore$
I )lshed$ 0No$0
0Good&0 she sa%d$ Then she trned and followed -pollo %nto the 6%g Hose$
The rest of the da" was as strange as the )eg%nn%ng$ Ca!pers tr%#+led %n fro!
New <or+ )" #ar& pegass& and #har%ot$ The wonded were #ared for$ The dead
were g%'en proper fneral r%tes at the #a!p,re$
S%lena(s shrod was hot p%n+& )t e!)ro%dered w%th an ele#tr%# spear$ The -res
and -phrod%te #a)%ns )oth #la%!ed her as a hero& and l%t the shrod together$ No
one !ent%oned the word sp"$ That se#ret )rned to ashes as the des%gner
perf!e s!o+e dr%fted %nto the s+"$
E'en Ethan Na+a!ra was g%'en a shrod2)la#+ s%l+ w%th a logo of swords
#rossed nder a set of s#ales$ -s h%s shrod went p %n >a!es& I hoped Ethan
+new he had !ade a d%4eren#e %n the end$ He(d pa%d a lot !ore than an e"e& )t
the !%nor gods wold ,nall" get the respe#t the" deser'ed$
?%nner at the pa'%l%on was low.+e"$ The onl" h%ghl%ght was ;n%per the tree
n"!ph& who s#rea!ed& 0Gro'er10 and ga'e her )o"fr%end a >"%ng ta#+le hg&
!a+%ng e'er")od" #heer$ The" went down to the )ea#h to ta+e a !oonl%t wal+&
and I was happ" for the!& thogh the s#ene re!%nded !e of S%lena and
6e#+endorf& wh%#h !ade !e sad$
3rs$ O(Lear" ro!ped arond happ%l"& eat%ng e'er")od"(s ta)le s#raps$ N%#o sat
at the !a%n ta)le w%th Ch%ron and 3r$ ?& and no)od" see!ed to th%n+ th%s was ot
of pla#e$ E'er")od" was patt%ng N%#o on the )a#+& #o!pl%!ent%ng h%! on h%s
,ght%ng$ E'en the -res +%ds see!ed to th%n+ he was prett" #ool$ He"& show p
w%th an ar!" of ndead warr%ors to sa'e the da"& and sddenl" "o(re
e'er")od"(s )est fr%end$
Slowl"& the d%nner #rowd tr%#+led awa"$ So!e went to the #a!p,re for a s%ng.
along$ Others went to )ed$ I sat at the Pose%don ta)le )" !"self and wat#hed the
!oonl%ght on Long Island Sond$ I #old see Gro'er and ;n%per at the )ea#h&
hold%ng hands and tal+%ng$ It was pea#efl$
0He"$0 -nna)eth sl%d ne*t to !e on the )en#h$ 0Happ" )%rthda"$0
She was hold%ng a hge !%sshapen #p#a+e w%th )le %#%ng$
I stared at her$ 0What70
0It(s -gst DQth&0 she sa%d$ 0<or )%rthda"& r%ght70
I was stnned$ It hadn(t e'en o##rred to !e& )t she was r%ght$ I had trned
s%*teen th%s !orn%ng2the sa!e !orn%ng I(d !ade the #ho%#e to g%'e L+e the
+n%fe$ The prophe#" had #o!e tre r%ght on s#hedle& and I hadn(t e'en thoght
a)ot the fa#t that %t was !" )%rthda"$
03a+e a w%sh&0 she sa%d$
0?%d "o )a+e th%s "orself70 I as+ed$
0T"son helped$0
0That e*pla%ns wh" %t loo+s l%+e a #ho#olate )r%#+&0 I sa%d$ 0W%th e*tra )le
#e!ent$0
-nna)eth laghed$
I thoght for a se#ond& then )lew ot the #andle$
We #t %t %n half and shared& eat%ng w%th or ,ngers$ -nna)eth sat ne*t to !e&
and we wat#hed the o#ean$ Cr%#+ets and !onsters were !a+%ng no%se %n the
woods& )t otherw%se %t was A%et$
0<o sa'ed the world&0 she sa%d$
0We sa'ed the world$0
0-nd Ra#hel %s the new Ora#le& wh%#h !eans she won(t )e dat%ng an")od"$0
0<o don(t sond d%sappo%nted&0 I not%#ed$
-nna)eth shrgged$ 0Oh& I don(t #are$0
0Uh.hh$0
She ra%sed an e"e)row$ 0<o got so!eth%ng to sa" to !e& Seaweed 6ra%n70
0<o(d pro)a)l" +%#+ !" )tt$0
0<o +now I(d +%#+ "or )tt$0
I )rshed the #a+e o4 !" hands$ 0When I was at the R%'er St"*& trn%ng
%n'lnera)le $ $ $ N%#o sa%d I had to #on#entrate on one th%ng that +ept !e
an#hored to the world& that !ade !e want to sta" !ortal$0
-nna)eth +ept her e"es on the hor%5on$ 0<eah70
0Then p on Ol"!ps&0 I sa%d& 0when the" wanted to !a+e !e a god and st4&
I +ept th%n+%ng20
0Oh& "o so wanted to$0
0Well& !a")e a l%ttle$ 6t I d%dn(t& )e#ase I thoght2I d%dn(t want th%ngs to
sta" the sa!e for etern%t"& )e#ase th%ngs #old alwa"s get )etter$ -nd I was
th%n+%ng $ $ $0 3" throat felt reall" dr"$
0-n"one %n part%#lar70 -nna)eth as+ed& her 'o%#e soft$
I loo+ed o'er and saw that she was tr"%ng not to s!%le$
0<o(re lagh%ng at !e&0 I #o!pla%ned$
0I a! not10
0<o are so not !a+%ng th%s eas"$0
Then she laghed for real& and she pt her hands arond !" ne#+$ 0I a!
ne'er& e'er go%ng to !a+e th%ngs eas" for "o& Seaweed 6ra%n$ Get sed to %t$0
When she +%ssed !e& I had the feel%ng !" )ra%n was !elt%ng r%ght throgh !"
)od"$
I #old('e sta"ed that wa" fore'er& e*#ept a 'o%#e )eh%nd s growled& 0Well&
%t(s a)ot t%!e10
Sddenl" the pa'%l%on was ,lled w%th tor#hl%ght and #a!pers$ Clar%sse led the
wa" as the ea'esdroppers #harged and ho%sted s )oth onto the%r sholders$
0Oh& #o!e on10 I #o!pla%ned$ 0Is there no pr%'a#"70
0The lo'e)%rds need to #ool o410 Clar%sse sa%d w%th glee$
0The #anoe la+e10 Connor Stoll shoted$
W%th a hge #heer& the" #arr%ed s down the h%ll& )t the" +ept s #lose
enogh to hold hands$ -nna)eth was lagh%ng& and I #oldn(t help lagh%ng too&
e'en thogh !" fa#e was #o!pletel" red$
We held hands r%ght p to the !o!ent the" d!ped s %n the water$
-fterward& I had the last lagh$ I !ade an a%r )))le at the )otto! of the la+e$
Or fr%ends +ept wa%t%ng for s to #o!e p& )t he"2when "o(re the son of
Pose%don& "o don(t ha'e to hrr"$
-nd %t was prett" !#h the )est nderwater +%ss of all t%!e$
TWENT<.THREE
WE S-< GOO?.6<E&
SORT O@
Ca!p went late that s!!er$ It lasted two !ore wee+s& r%ght p to the start of
a new s#hool "ear& and I ha'e to ad!%t the" were the )est two wee+s of !" l%fe$
Of #orse& -nna)eth wold +%ll !e %f I sa%d an"th%ng d%4erent& )t there was a
lot of other great st4 go%ng on too$ Gro'er had ta+en o'er the sat"r see+ers and
was send%ng the! ot a#ross the world to ,nd n#la%!ed half.)loods$ So far& the
gods had +ept the%r pro!%se$ New de!%gods were popp%ng p all o'er the pla#e2
not /st %n -!er%#a& )t %n a lot of other #ontr%es as well$
0We #an hardl" +eep p&0 Gro'er ad!%tted one afternoon as we were ta+%ng a
)rea+ at the #anoe la+e$ 0We(re go%ng to need a )%gger tra'el )dget& and I #old
se a hndred !ore sat"rs$0
0<eah& )t the sat"rs "o ha'e are wor+%ng sper hard&0 I sa%d$ 0I th%n+ the"(re
s#ared of "o$0
Gro'er )lshed$ 0That(s s%ll"$ I(! not s#ar"$0
0<o(re a lord of the W%ld& dde$ The #hosen one of Pan$ - !e!)er of the
Con#%l of20
0Stop %t10 Gro'er protested$ 0<o(re as )ad as ;n%per$ I th%n+ she wants !e to
rn for pres%dent ne*t$0
He #hewed on a t%n #an as we stared a#ross the pond at the l%ne of new #a)%ns
nder #onstr#t%on$ The U.shape wold soon )e a #o!plete re#tangle& and the
de!%gods had reall" ta+en to the new tas+ w%th gsto$
N%#o had so!e ndead )%lders wor+%ng on the Hades #a)%n$ E'en thogh he
was st%ll the onl" +%d %n %t& %t was go%ng to loo+ prett" #oolK sol%d o)s%d%an walls
w%th a s+ll o'er the door and tor#hes that )rned w%th green ,re twent".for
hors a da"$ Ne*t to that were the #a)%ns of Ir%s& Ne!es%s& He#ate& and se'eral
others I d%dn(t re#ogn%5e$ The" +ept add%ng new ones to the )lepr%nts e'er" da"$
It was go%ng so well& -nna)eth and Ch%ron were tal+%ng a)ot add%ng an ent%rel"
new w%ng of #a)%ns /st so the" #old ha'e enogh roo!$
The Her!es #a)%n was a lot less #rowded now& )e#ase !ost of the n#la%!ed
+%ds had re#e%'ed s%gns fro! the%r godl" parents$ It happened al!ost e'er" n%ght&
and e'er" n%ght !ore de!%gods straggled o'er the propert" l%ne w%th the sat"r
g%des& sall" w%th so!e nast" !onsters prs%ng the!& )t al!ost all of the!
!ade %t throgh$
0It(s go%ng to )e a lot d%4erent ne*t s!!er&0 I sa%d$ 0Ch%ron(s e*pe#t%ng we(ll
ha'e tw%#e as !an" #a!pers$0
0<eah&0 Gro'er agreed& 0)t %t(ll )e the sa!e old pla#e$0
He s%ghed #ontentedl"$
I wat#hed as T"son led a grop of C"#lops )%lders$ The" were ho%st%ng hge
stones %n pla#e for the He#ate #a)%n& and I +new %t was a del%#ate /o)$ Ea#h stone
was engra'ed w%th !ag%#al wr%t%ng& and %f the" dropped one& %t wold e%ther
e*plode or trn e'er"one w%th%n half a !%le %nto a tree$ I ,gred no)od" )t
Gro'er wold l%+e that$
0I(ll )e tra'el%ng a lot&0 Gro'er warned& 0)etween prote#t%ng natre and ,nd%ng
half.)loods$ I !a" not see "o as !#h$0
0Won(t #hange an"th%ng&0 I sa%d$ 0<o(re st%ll !" )est fr%end$0
He gr%nned$ 0E*#ept for -nna)eth$0
0That(s d%4erent$0
0<eah&0 he agreed$ 0It sre %s$0
In the late afternoon& I was ta+%ng one last wal+ along the )ea#h when a
fa!%l%ar 'o%#e sa%d& 0Good da" for ,sh%ng$0
3" dad& Pose%don& was stand%ng +nee.deep %n the srf& wear%ng h%s t"p%#al
6er!da shorts& )eat.p #ap& and a real s)tle p%n+.and.green To!!" 6aha!a
sh%rt$ He had a deep.sea ,sh%ng rod %n h%s hands& and when he #ast %t the l%ne
went wa" ot2l%+e halfwa" a#ross Long Island Sond$
0He"& ?ad&0 I sa%d$ 0What )r%ngs "o here70
He w%n+ed$ 0Ne'er reall" got to tal+ %n pr%'ate on Ol"!ps$ I wanted to than+
"o$0
0Than+ !e7 <o #a!e to the res#e$0
0<es& and I got !" pala#e destro"ed %n the pro#ess& )t "o +now2pala#es #an
)e re)%lt$ I('e gotten so !an" than+."o #ards fro! the other gods$ E'en -res
wrote one& thogh I th%n+ Hera for#ed h%! to$ It(s rather grat%f"%ng$ So& than+ "o$
I sppose e'en the gods #an learn new tr%#+s$0

The Sond )egan to )o%l$ -t the end of !" dad(s l%ne& a hge green sea
serpent erpted fro! the water$ It thrashed and foght& )t Pose%don /st s%ghed$
Hold%ng h%s ,sh%ng pole w%th one hand& he wh%pped ot h%s +n%fe and #t the l%ne$
The !onster san+ )elow the srfa#e$
0Not eat%ng s%5e&0 he #o!pla%ned$ 0I ha'e to release the l%ttle ones or the ga!e
wardens w%ll )e all o'er !e$0
0L%ttle ones70
He gr%nned$ 0<o(re do%ng well w%th those new #a)%ns& )" the wa"$ I sppose
th%s !eans I #an #la%! all those other sons and daghters of !%ne and send "o
so!e s%)l%ngs ne*t s!!er$0
0Ha.ha$0
Pose%don reeled %n h%s e!pt" l%ne$
I sh%fted !" feet$ 0U!& "o were +%dd%ng& r%ght70
Pose%don ga'e !e one of h%s %ns%de./o+e w%n+s& and I st%ll d%dn(t +now whether
he was ser%os or not$ 0I(ll see "o soon& Per#"$ -nd re!e!)er& +now wh%#h ,sh
are )%g enogh to land& eh70
W%th that he d%ssol'ed %n the sea )ree5e& lea'%ng a ,sh%ng pole l"%ng %n the
sand$
That e'en%ng was the last n%ght of #a!p2the )ead #ere!on"$ The Hephaests
#a)%n had des%gned the )ead th%s "ear$ It showed the E!p%re State 6%ld%ng& and
et#hed %n t%n" Gree+ letters& sp%ral%ng arond the %!age& were the na!es of all
the heroes who had d%ed defend%ng Ol"!ps$ There were too !an" na!es& )t I
was prod to wear the )ead$ I pt %t on !" #a!p ne#+la#e2for )eads now$ I felt
l%+e an old.t%!er$ I thoght a)ot the ,rst #a!p,re I(d e'er attended& )a#+ when I
was twel'e& and how I(d felt so at ho!e$ That at least hadn(t #hanged$
0Ne'er forget th%s s!!er10 Ch%ron told s$ He had healed re!ar+a)l" well&
)t he st%ll trotted %n front of the ,re w%th a sl%ght l%!p$ 0We ha'e d%s#o'ered
)ra'er" and fr%endsh%p and #orage th%s s!!er$ We ha'e pheld the honor of
the #a!p$0
He s!%led at !e& and e'er")od" #heered$ -s I loo+ed at the ,re& I saw a l%ttle
g%rl %n a )rown dress tend%ng the >a!es$ She w%n+ed at !e w%th red glow%ng e"es$
No one else see!ed to not%#e her& )t I real%5ed !a")e she preferred %t that wa"$
0-nd now&0 Ch%ron sa%d& 0earl" to )ed1 Re!e!)er& "o !st 'a#ate "or
#a)%ns )" noon to!orrow nless "o('e !ade arrange!ents to sta" the "ear w%th
s$ The #lean%ng harp%es w%ll eat an" stragglers& and I(d hate to end the s!!er
on a sor note10
The ne*t !orn%ng& -nna)eth and I stood at the top of Half.6lood H%ll$ We
wat#hed the )ses and 'ans pll awa"& ta+%ng !ost of the #a!pers )a#+ to the
real world$ - few old.t%!ers wold )e sta"%ng )eh%nd& and a few of the
new#o!ers& )t I was head%ng )a#+ to Goode H%gh S#hool for !" sopho!ore
"ear2the ,rst t%!e %n !" l%fe I(d e'er done two "ears at the sa!e s#hool$
0Good.)"e&0 Ra#hel sa%d to s as she sholdered her )ag$ She loo+ed prett"
ner'os& )t she was +eep%ng a pro!%se to her father and attend%ng Clar%on
-#ade!" %n New Ha!psh%re$ It wold )e ne*t s!!er )efore we got or Ora#le
)a#+$
0<o(ll do great$0 -nna)eth hgged her$ @nn"& she see!ed to get along ,ne
w%th Ra#hel these da"s$
Ra#hel )%t her l%p$ 0I hope "o(re r%ght$ I(! a l%ttle worr%ed$ What %f so!e)od"
as+s what(s on the ne*t !ath test and I start spot%ng a prophe#" %n the !%ddle
of geo!etr" #lass7 The P"thagorean theore! shall )e pro)le! two$ $ $ $ Gods&
that wold )e e!)arrass%ng$0
-nna)eth laghed& and to !" rel%ef& %t !ade Ra#hel s!%le$
0Well&0 she sa%d& 0"o two )e good to ea#h other$0 Go ,gre& )t she loo+ed at
!e l%+e I was so!e +%nd of tro)le!a+er$ 6efore I #old protest& Ra#hel w%shed s
well and ran down the h%ll to #at#h her r%de$
-nna)eth& than+ goodness& wold )e sta"%ng %n New <or+$ She(d gotten
per!%ss%on fro! her parents to attend a )oard%ng s#hool %n the #%t" so she #old
)e #lose to Ol"!ps and o'ersee the re)%ld%ng e4orts$
0-nd #lose to !e70 I as+ed$
0Well& so!eone(s got a )%g sense of h%s own %!portan#e$0 6t she la#ed her
,ngers throgh !%ne$ I re!e!)ered what she(d told !e %n New <or+& a)ot
)%ld%ng so!eth%ng per!anent& and I thoght2/st !a")e2we were o4 to a
good start$
The gard dragon Peles #rled #ontentedl" arond the p%ne tree nderneath
the Golden @lee#e and )egan to snore& )low%ng stea! w%th e'er" )reath$
0<o('e )een th%n+%ng a)ot Ra#hel(s prophe#"70 I as+ed -nna)eth$
She frowned$ 0How d%d "o +now70
06e#ase I +now "o$0
She )!ped !e w%th her sholder$ 0O+a"& so I ha'e$ Se'en half.)loods shall
answer the #all$ I wonder who the"(ll )e$ We(re go%ng to ha'e so !an" new fa#es
ne*t s!!er$0
0<ep&0 I agreed$ 0-nd all that st4 a)ot the world fall%ng %n stor! or ,re$0
She prsed her l%ps$ 0-nd foes at the ?oors of ?eath$ I don(t +now& Per#"& )t I
don(t l%+e %t$ I thoght $ $ $ well& !a")e we(d get so!e pea#e for a #hange$0
0Woldn(t )e Ca!p Half.6lood %f %t was pea#efl&0 I sa%d$
0I gess "o(re r%ght $ $ $ Or !a")e the prophe#" won(t happen for "ears$0
0Cold )e a pro)le! for another generat%on of de!%gods&0 I agreed$ 0Then we
#an +%#+ )a#+ and en/o"$0
She nodded& thogh she st%ll see!ed neas"$ I d%dn(t )la!e her& )t %t was
hard to feel too pset on a n%#e da"& w%th her ne*t to !e& +now%ng that I wasn(t
reall" sa"%ng good.)"e$ We had lots of t%!e$
0Ra#e "o to the road70 I sa%d$
0<o are so go%ng to lose$0 She too+ o4 down Half.6lood H%ll and I spr%nted
after her$
@or on#e& I d%dn(t loo+ )a#+$