9780141335766

I

A nn a be t h

Until she met the exploding statue, Annabeth thought she was prepared for anything.

She’d paced the deck of their flying warship, the Argo II, checking and double-checking the ballistae to make sure they were locked down. She’d confirmed that the white ‘We come in peace’ flag was flying from the mast. She’d reviewed the plan with the rest of the crew – and the backup plan, and the backup plan for the backup plan.

Most importantly, she’d pulled aside their war-crazed chaperone, Coach Gleeson Hedge, and encouraged him to take the morning off in his cabin and watch reruns of mixed martial arts championships. The last thing they needed as they flew a magical Greek trireme into a potentially hostile Roman camp was a middle-aged satyr in gym clothes waving a club and yelling, ‘Die!’ Everything seemed to be in order. Even that mysterious

617BB_TXT.indd 1

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 2/ 2

chill chillshe’ she’ ddbeen beenfeeling feelingsince sincethe theship shiplaunched launchedhad haddissipated, dissipated, atatleast leastfor fornow. now.

The Thewarship warshipdescended descendedthrough throughthe theclouds, clouds,but butAnnabeth Annabeth couldn’t couldn’tstop stopsecond-guessing second-guessingherself. herself.What Whatififthis thiswas wasa abad bad idea? idea?What Whatififthe theRomans Romanspanicked panickedand andattacked attackedthem themon on sight? sight?

The TheArgo ArgoIIIIdefinitely definitelydid didnot notlook lookfriendly. friendly.Two Twohundred hundred feet feetlong, long,with witha abronze-plated bronze-platedhull, hull,mounted mountedrepeating repeating crossbows crossbowsfore foreand andaft, aft,a aflaming flamingmetal metaldragon dragonfor fora afigurehead figurehead and andtwo tworotating rotatingballistae ballistaeamidships amidshipsthat thatcould couldfire fireexplosive explosive bolts boltspowerful powerfulenough enoughtotoblast blastthrough throughconcrete . . . concrete . . .well, well,itit wasn’t wasn’tthe themost mostappropriate appropriateride ridefor fora ameet-and-greet meet-and-greetwith with the theneighbours. neighbours.

Annabeth Annabethhad hadtried triedtotogive givethe theRomans Romansa aheads-up. heads-up.She’d She’d asked askedLeo Leototosend sendone oneofofhis hisspecial specialinventions inventions––a aholographic holographic scroll scroll––totoalert alerttheir theirfriends friendsinside insidethe thecamp. camp.Hopefully Hopefullythe the message messagehad hadgot gotthrough. through.Leo Leohad hadwanted wantedtotopaint painta agiant giant message messageon onthe thebottom bottomofofthe thehull hull––WASSUP? WASSUP?with witha asmiley smiley face face––but butAnnabeth Annabethvetoed vetoedthe theidea. idea.She Shewasn’t wasn’tsure surethe the Romans Romanshad hada asense senseofofhumour. humour.

Too Toolate latetototurn turnback backnow. now.

The Theclouds cloudsbroke brokearound aroundtheir theirhull, hull,revealing revealingthe thegoldgoldand-green and-greencarpet carpetofofthe theOakland OaklandHills Hillsbelow belowthem. them.Annabeth Annabeth gripped grippedone oneofofthe thebronze bronzeshields shieldsthat thatlined linedthe thestarboard starboardrail. rail.

Her Herthree threecrewmates crewmatestook tooktheir theirplaces. places.

On Onthe thestern sternquarterdeck, quarterdeck,Leo Leorushed rushedaround aroundlike likea a madman, madman,checking checkinghis hisgauges gaugesand andwrestling wrestlinglevers. levers.Most Most helmsmen helmsmenwould’ve would’vebeen beensatisfied satisfiedwith witha apilot’s pilot’swheel wheelorora a

617BB_TXT.indd 2

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

3 3/ Annabeth / Annabeth

tiller. tiller.Leo Leohad hadalso alsoinstalled installeda akeyboard, keyboard,monitor, monitor,aviation aviation controls controlsfrom froma aLearjet, Learjet,a adubstep dubstepsoundboard soundboardand andmotionmotioncontrol controlsensors sensorsfrom froma aNintendo NintendoWii. Wii.He Hecould couldturn turnthe theship ship bybypulling pullingononthe thethrottle, throttle,fire fireweapons weaponsbybysampling samplingananalbum album ororraise raisesails sailsbybyshaking shakinghis hisWii Wiicontrollers controllersreally reallyfast. fast.Even Even bybydemigod demigodstandards, standards,Leo Leowas wasseriously seriouslyADHD. ADHD. Piper Piperpaced pacedback backand andforth forthbetween betweenthe themainmast mainmastand andthe the ballistae, ballistae,practising practisingher herlines. lines.

‘Lower ‘Loweryour yourweapons,’ weapons,’she shemurmured. murmured.‘We ‘Wejust justwant wanttoto talk.’ talk.’

Her Hercharmspeak charmspeakwas wassosopowerful powerfulthat thatthe thewords wordsflowed flowed over overAnnabeth, Annabeth,filling fillingher herwith withthe thedesire desiretotodrop dropher herdagger dagger and andhave havea anice nicelong longchat. chat.

For Fora achild childofofAphrodite, Aphrodite,Piper Pipertried triedhard hardtotoplay playdown down her herbeauty. beauty.Today Todayshe shewas wasdressed dressedinintattered tatteredjeans, jeans,worn-out worn-out trainers trainersand anda awhite whitetank tanktop topwith withpink pinkHello HelloKitty Kittydesigns. designs.

(Maybe (Maybeasasa ajoke, joke,though thoughAnnabeth Annabethcould couldnever neverbebesure surewith with Piper.)

Piper.)Her Herchoppy choppybrown brownhair hairwas wasbraided braideddown downthe theright right side sidewith withananeagle’s eagle’sfeather. feather.

Then Thenthere therewas wasPiper’s Piper’sboyfriend boyfriend––Jason.

Jason.He Hestood stoodatat the thebow bowon onthe theraised raisedcrossbow crossbowplatform, platform,where wherethe theRomans Romans could couldeasily easilyspot spothim. him.His Hisknuckles knuckleswere werewhite whiteon onthe thehilt hilt ofofhis hisgolden goldensword. sword.Otherwise Otherwisehehelooked lookedcalm calmfor fora aguy guy who whowas wasmaking makinghimself himselfa atarget. target.Over Overhis hisjeans jeansand andorange orange Camp CampHalf-Blood Half-BloodT-shirt, T-shirt,he’d he’ddonned donneda atoga togaand anda apurple purple cloak cloak––symbols symbolsofofhis hisold oldrank rankasaspraetor. praetor.With Withhis hiswindwindruffled ruffledblond blondhair hairand andhis hisicy icyblue blueeyes, eyes,hehelooked lookedruggedly ruggedly handsome handsomeand andinincontrol control––just justlike likea ason sonofofJupiter Jupitershould. should.

617BB_TXT.indd 3

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 4/ 4

He’d He’dgrown grownup upatatCamp CampJupiter, Jupiter,sosohopefully hopefullyhis hisfamiliar familiar face facewould wouldmake makethe theRomans Romanshesitant hesitanttotoblow blowthe theship shipout out ofofthe thesky. sky.

Annabeth Annabethtried triedtotohide hideit,it,but butshe shestill stilldidn’t didn’tcompletely completely trust trustthe theguy. guy.He Heacted actedtoo tooperfectly perfectly––always alwaysfollowing followingthe the rules, rules,always alwaysdoing doingthe thehonourable honourablething. thing.He Heeven evenlooked lookedtoo too perfect. perfect.InInthe theback backofofher hermind, mind,she shehad hada anagging naggingthought: thought: What Whatififthis thisisisa atrick trickand andhehebetrays betraysus? us?What Whatififwe wesail sail into intoCamp CampJupiter, Jupiter,and andhehesays, says,Hey, Hey,Romans!

Romans!Check Checkout outthese these prisoners prisonersand andthis thiscool coolship shipI Ibrought broughtyou! you!

Annabeth Annabethdoubted doubtedthat thatwould wouldhappen. happen.Still, Still,she shecouldn’t couldn’t look lookatathim himwithout withoutgetting gettinga abitter bittertaste tasteininher hermouth. mouth.He’d He’d been beenpart partofofHera’s Hera’sforced forced‘exchange ‘exchangeprogramme’ programme’totointroduce introduce the thetwo twocamps. camps.Her HerMost MostAnnoying AnnoyingMajesty, Majesty,Queen Queenofof Olympus, Olympus,had hadconvinced convincedthe theother othergods godsthat thattheir theirtwo twosets setsofof children children––Roman Romanand andGreek Greek––had hadtotocombine combineforces forcestotosave save the theworld worldfrom fromthe theevil evilgoddess goddessGaia, Gaia,who whowas wasawakening awakening from fromthe theearth, earth,and andher herhorrible horriblechildren, children,the thegiants. giants.

Without Withoutwarning, warning,Hera Herahad hadplucked pluckedup upPercy PercyJackson, Jackson, Annabeth’s Annabeth’sboyfriend, boyfriend,wiped wipedhis hismemory memoryand andsent senthim himtotothe the Roman Romancamp. camp.InInexchange, exchange,the theGreeks Greekshad hadgot gotJason.

Jason.None None ofofthat thatwas wasJason’s Jason’sfault, fault,but butevery everytime timeAnnabeth Annabethsaw sawhim him she sheremembered rememberedhow howmuch muchshe shemissed missedPercy.

Percy.

Percy . . .

Percy . . .who whowas wassomewhere somewherebelow belowthem themright rightnow. now.

Oh, Oh,gods. gods.Panic Panicwelled welledupupinside insideher. her.She Sheforced forcedititdown. down.

She Shecouldn’t couldn’tafford affordtotoget getoverwhelmed. overwhelmed.

I’m I’ma achild childofofAthena, Athena,she shetold toldherself. herself.I Ihave havetotostick sticktotomy my plan planand andnot notget getdistracted. distracted.

She Shefelt feltititagain again––that thatfamiliar familiarshiver, shiver,asasififa apsychotic psychotic

617BB_TXT.indd 4

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

5 5/ Annabeth / Annabeth

snowman snowmanhad hadcrept creptupupbehind behindher herand andwas wasbreathing breathingdown down her herneck. neck.She Sheturned, turned,but butno noone onewas wasthere. there.

Must Mustbebeher hernerves. nerves.Even Eveninina aworld worldofofgods godsand andmonsters, monsters, Annabeth Annabethcouldn’t couldn’tbelieve believea anew newwarship warshipwould wouldbebehaunted. haunted.

The TheArgo ArgoIIIIwas waswell wellprotected. protected.The TheCelestial Celestialbronze bronzeshields shields along alongthe therail railwere wereenchanted enchantedtotoward wardoff offmonsters, monsters,and andtheir their onboard onboardsatyr, satyr,Coach CoachHedge, Hedge,would wouldhave havesniffed sniffedout outany any intruders. intruders.

Annabeth Annabethwished wishedshe shecould couldpray praytotoher hermother motherfor for guidance, guidance,but butthat thatwasn’t wasn’tpossible possiblenow. now.Not Notafter afterlast lastmonth, month, when whenshe’ she’ ddhad hadthat thathorrible horribleencounter encounterwith withher hermom momand andgot got the theworst worstpresent presentofofher herlife . . . life . . .

The Thecold coldpressed pressedcloser. closer.She Shethought thoughtshe sheheard hearda afaint faint voice voiceininthe thewind, wind,laughing. laughing.Every Everymuscle muscleininher herbody bodytensed. tensed.

Something Somethingwas wasabout abouttotogogoterribly terriblywrong. wrong.

She Shealmost almostordered orderedLeo Leototoreverse. reverse.Then, Then,ininthe thevalley valley below, below,horns hornssounded. sounded.The TheRomans Romanshad hadspotted spottedthem. them.

Annabeth Annabeththought thoughtshe sheknew knewwhat whattotoexpect. expect.Jason Jasonhad had described describedCamp CampJupiter Jupitertotoher heriningreat greatdetail. detail.Still, Still,she shehad had trouble troublebelieving believingher hereyes. eyes.Ringed Ringedbybythe theOakland OaklandHills, Hills,the the valley valleywas wasatatleast leasttwice twicethe thesize sizeofofCamp CampHalf-Blood.

Half-Blood.AAsmall small river riversnaked snakedaround aroundone oneside sideand andcurled curledtowards towardsthe thecentre centre like likea acapital capitalletter letterG,G,emptying emptyinginto intoa asparkling sparklingblue bluelake. lake.

Directly Directlybelow belowthe theship, ship,nestled nestledatatthe theedge edgeofofthe thelake, lake,the the city cityofofNew NewRome Romegleamed gleamedininthe thesunlight. sunlight.She Sherecognized recognized landmarks landmarksJason Jasonhad hadtold toldher herabout about––the thehippodrome, hippodrome,the the coliseum, coliseum,the thetemples templesand andparks, parks,the theneighbourhood neighbourhoodofofSeven Seven Hills Hillswith withitsitswinding windingstreets, streets,colourful colourfulvillas villasand andflowering flowering gardens. gardens.

617BB_TXT.indd 5

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 6/ 6

She Shesaw sawevidence evidenceofofthe theRomans’ Romans’recent recentbattle battlewith withanan army armyofofmonsters. monsters.The Thedome domewas wascracked crackedopen openon ona abuilding building she sheguessed guessedwas wasthe theSenate SenateHouse.

House.The Theforum’s forum’sbroad broadplaza plaza was waspitted pittedwith withcraters. craters.Some Somefountains fountainsand andstatues statueswere wereinin ruins. ruins.

Dozens Dozensofofkids kidsinintogas togaswere werestreaming streamingout outofofthe theSenate Senate House Housetotoget geta abetter betterview viewofofthe theArgo ArgoII.II.More MoreRomans Romans emerged emergedfrom fromthe theshops shopsand andcafés, cafés,gawking gawkingand andpointing pointingasas the theship shipdescended. descended.

About Abouthalf halfa amile miletotothe thewest, west,where wherethe thehorns hornswere were blowing, blowing,a aRoman Romanfort fortstood stoodon ona ahill. hill.ItItlooked lookedjust justlike likethe the illustrations illustrationsAnnabeth Annabethhad hadseen seenininmilitary militaryhistory historybooks books–– with witha adefensive defensivetrench trenchlined linedwith withspikes, spikes,high highwalls wallsand and watchtowers watchtowersarmed armedwith withscorpion scorpionballistae. ballistae.Inside, Inside,perfect perfect rows rowsofofwhite whitebarracks barrackslined linedthe themain mainroad road––the theVia ViaPrincipalis.

Principalis.

AAcolumn columnofofdemigods demigodsemerged emergedfrom fromthe thegates, gates,their their armour armourand andspears spearsglinting glintingasasthey theyhurried hurriedtowards towardsthe thecity. city.

InInthe themidst midstofoftheir theirranks rankswas wasananactual actualwar warelephant. elephant.

Annabeth Annabethwanted wantedtotoland landthe theArgo ArgoIIIIbefore beforethose those troops troopsarrived, arrived,but butthe theground groundwas wasstill stillseveral severalhundred hundredfeet feet below. below.She Shescanned scannedthe thecrowd, crowd,hoping hopingtotocatch catcha aglimpse glimpseofof Percy.

Percy.

Then Thensomething somethingbehind behindher herwent wentBOOM! BOOM! The Theexplosion explosionalmost almostknocked knockedher heroverboard. overboard.She Shewhirled whirled and andfound foundherself herselfeye eyetotoeye eyewith withananangry angrystatue. statue.

‘Unacceptable!’

‘Unacceptable!’heheshrieked. shrieked.

Apparently Apparentlyhehehad hadexploded explodedinto intoexistence, existence,right rightthere thereon on the thedeck. deck.Sulphurous Sulphurousyellow yellowsmoke smokerolled rolledoff offhis hisshoulders. shoulders.

617BB_TXT.indd 6

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

7 7/ Annabeth / Annabeth

Cinders Cinderspopped poppedaround aroundhis hiscurly curlyhair. hair.From Fromthe thewaist waistdown, down, hehewas wasnothing nothingbut buta asquare squaremarble marblepedestal. pedestal.From Fromthe thewaist waist up, up,hehewas wasa amuscular muscularhuman humanfigure figureinina acarved carvedtoga. toga.

‘I‘Iwill willnot nothave haveweapons weaponsinside insidethe thePomerian PomerianLine!’

Line!’hehe announced announcedinina afussy fussyteacher teachervoice. voice.‘I‘Icertainly certainlywill willnot nothave have Greeks!’

Greeks!’

Jason Jasonshot shotAnnabeth Annabetha alook lookthat thatsaid, said,I’ve I’vegot gotthis. this.

‘Terminus,’ ‘Terminus,’hehesaid. said.‘It’s ‘It’sme. me.Jason JasonGrace.’

Grace.’

‘Oh, ‘Oh,I Iremember rememberyou, you,Jason!’

Jason!’Terminus Terminusgrumbled. grumbled.‘I‘I thought thoughtyou youhad hadbetter bettersense sensethan thantotoconsort consortwith withthe theenemies enemies ofofRome!’

Rome!’

‘But ‘Butthey’re they’renot notenemies enemies–’–’ ‘That’s ‘That’sright,’ right,’Piper Piperjumped jumpedin. in.‘We ‘Wejust justwant wanttototalk. talk.IfIf we wecould could–’–’ ‘Ha!’ ‘Ha!’snapped snappedthe thestatue. statue.‘Don’t ‘Don’ttry trythat thatcharmspeak charmspeakon on me, me,young younglady. lady.And Andput putdown downthat thatdagger daggerbefore beforeI Islap slapititout out ofofyour yourhands!’ hands!’

Piper Piperglanced glancedatather herbronze bronzedagger, dagger,which whichshe’ she’ ddapparently apparently forgotten forgottenshe shewas washolding. holding.‘Um . . .

‘Um . . .okay. okay.But Buthow howwould wouldyou you slap slapit?it?You Youdon’t don’thave haveany anyarms.’ arms.’

‘Impertinence!’

‘Impertinence!’There Therewas wasa asharp sharpPOP POPand anda aflash flashofof yellow. yellow.Piper Piperyelped yelpedand anddropped droppedthe thedagger, dagger,which whichwas wasnow now smoking smokingand andsparking. sparking.

‘Lucky ‘Luckyfor foryou youI’ve I’vejust justbeen beenthrough througha abattle,’ battle,’Terminus Terminus announced. announced.‘If‘IfI Iwere wereatatfull fullstrength, strength,I Iwould’ve would’veblasted blastedthis this flying flyingmonstrosity monstrosityout outofofthe thesky skyalready!’ already!’

‘Hold ‘Holdup.’ up.’Leo Leostepped steppedforward, forward,wagging wagginghis hisWii Wiicontroller. controller.

‘Did ‘Didyou youjust justcall callmy myship shipa amonstrosity? monstrosity?I Iknow knowyou youdidn’t didn’t dodothat.’ that.’

617BB_TXT.indd 7

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 8/ 8

The Theidea ideathat thatLeo Leomight mightattack attackthe thestatue statuewith withhis hisgaming gaming device devicewas wasenough enoughtotosnap snapAnnabeth Annabethout outofofher hershock. shock.

‘Let’s ‘Let’sallallcalm calmdown.’ down.’She Sheraised raisedher herhands handstotoshow showshe shehad had nonoweapons. weapons.‘I‘Itake takeitityou’re you’reTerminus, Terminus,the thegod godofofboundaries. boundaries.

Jason Jasontold toldme meyou youprotect protectthe thecity cityofofNew NewRome, Rome,right? right?I’m I’m Annabeth AnnabethChase, Chase,daughter daughterofof–’–’ ‘Oh, ‘Oh,I Iknow knowwho whoyou youare!’ are!’The Thestatue statueglared glaredatather herwith with itsitsblank blankwhite whiteeyes. eyes.‘A‘Achild childofofAthena, Athena,Minerva’s Minerva’sGreek Greek form. form.Scandalous!

Scandalous!You YouGreeks Greekshave haveno nosense senseofofdecency. decency.We We Romans Romansknow knowthe theproper properplace placefor forthat thatgoddess.’ goddess.’

Annabeth Annabethclenched clenchedher herjaw. jaw.This Thisstatue statuewasn’t wasn’tmaking making ititeasy easytotobebediplomatic. diplomatic.‘What ‘Whatexactly exactlydo doyou youmean, mean,that that goddess? goddess?And Andwhat’s what’ssososcandalous scandalousabout about–’–’ ‘Right!’

‘Right!’Jason Jasoninterrupted. interrupted.‘Anyway, ‘Anyway,Terminus, Terminus,we’re we’rehere here on ona amission missionofofpeace. peace.We’d We’dlove lovepermission permissiontotoland landsosowe we can can–’–’ ‘Impossible!’

‘Impossible!’the thegod godsqueaked. squeaked.‘Lay ‘Laydown downyour yourweapons weapons and andsurrender! surrender!Leave Leavemy mycity cityimmediately!’ immediately!’

‘Which ‘Whichisisit?’ it?’Leo Leoasked. asked.‘Surrender ‘Surrenderororleave?’ leave?’

‘Both!’

‘Both!’Terminus Terminussaid. said.‘Surrender, ‘Surrender,then thenleave. leave.I Iam amslapping slapping your yourface facefor forasking askingsuch sucha astupid stupidquestion, question,you youridiculous ridiculousboy! boy!

Do Doyou youfeel feelthat?’ that?’

‘Wow.’ ‘Wow.’Leo Leostudied studiedTerminus Terminuswith withprofessional professionalinterest. interest.

‘You’re ‘You’rewound woundupuppretty prettytight. tight.You Yougot gotany anygears gearsininthere therethat that need needloosening? loosening?I Icould couldtake takea alook.’ look.’

He Heexchanged exchangedthe theWii Wiicontroller controllerfor fora ascrewdriver screwdriverfrom from his hismagic magictool toolbelt beltand andtapped tappedthe thestatue’s statue’spedestal. pedestal.

‘Stop ‘Stopthat!’ that!’Terminus Terminusinsisted. insisted.Another Anothersmall smallexplosion explosion

617BB_TXT.indd 8

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

9 9/ Annabeth / Annabeth

made madeLeo Leodrop drophis hisscrewdriver. screwdriver.‘Weapons ‘Weaponsare arenot notallowed allowedon on Roman Romansoil soilinside insidethe thePomerian PomerianLine.’

Line.’

‘The ‘Thewhat?’ what?’Piper Piperasked. asked.

‘City ‘Citylimits,’ limits,’Jason Jasontranslated. translated.

‘And ‘Andthis thisentire entireship shipisisa aweapon!’ weapon!’Terminus Terminussaid. said.‘You ‘You cannot cannotland!’ land!’

Down Downininthe thevalley, valley,the thelegion legionreinforcements reinforcementswere werehalfway halfway totothe thecity. city.The Thecrowd crowdininthe theforum forumwas wasover overa ahundred hundredstrong strong now. now.Annabeth Annabethscanned scannedthe thefaces facesand . . . and . . .oh, oh,gods. gods.She Shesaw saw him. him.He Hewas waswalking walkingtowards towardsthe theship shipwith withhis hisarms armsaround around two twoother otherkids kidslike likethey theywere werebest bestbuddies buddies––a astout stoutboy boywith with a ablack blackbuzz buzzcut cutand anda agirl girlwearing wearinga aRoman Romancavalry cavalryhelmet. helmet.

Percy Percylooked lookedsosoatatease, ease,sosohappy. happy.He Hewore worea apurple purplecape capejust just like likeJason’s Jason’s––the themark markofofa apraetor. praetor.

Annabeth’s Annabeth’sheart heartdid dida agymnastics gymnasticsroutine. routine.

‘Leo, ‘Leo,stop stopthe theship,’ ship,’she sheordered. ordered.

‘What?’

‘What?’

‘You ‘Youheard heardme. me.Keep Keepususright rightwhere wherewe weare.’ are.’

Leo Leopulled pulledout outhis hiscontroller controllerand andyanked yankedititupward. upward.All All ninety ninetyoars oarsfroze frozeininplace. place.The Theship shipstopped stoppedsinking. sinking.

‘Terminus,’ ‘Terminus,’Annabeth Annabethsaid, said,‘there’s ‘there’snonorule ruleagainst againsthovering hovering over overNew NewRome, Rome,isisthere?’ there?’

The Thestatue statuefrowned. frowned.‘Well, ‘Well,no . . .’ no . . .’

‘We ‘Wecan cankeep keepthe theship shipaloft,’ aloft,’Annabeth Annabethsaid. said.‘We’ll ‘We’lluse usea a rope ropeladder laddertotoreach reachthe theforum. forum.That Thatway, way,the theship shipwon’t won’tbebe on onRoman Romansoil. soil.Not Nottechnically.’ technically.’

The Thestatue statueseemed seemedtotoponder ponderthis. this.Annabeth Annabethwondered wonderedifif hehewas wasscratching scratchinghis hischin chinwith withimaginary imaginaryhands. hands.

617BB_TXT.indd 9

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 10 / 10

‘I‘Ilike liketechnicalities,’ technicalities,’heheadmitted. admitted.‘Still . . .’

‘Still . . .’

‘All ‘Allour ourweapons weaponswill willstay stayaboard aboardthe theship,’ ship,’Annabeth Annabeth promised. promised.‘I‘Iassume assumethe theRomans Romans––even eventhose thosereinforcements reinforcements marching marchingtowards towardsusus––will willalso alsohave havetotohonour honouryour yourrules rules inside insidethe thePomerian PomerianLine Lineififyou youtell tellthem themto?’ to?’

‘Of ‘Ofcourse!’ course!’Terminus Terminussaid. said.‘Do ‘DoI Ilook looklike likeI Itolerate toleraterule rule breakers?’ breakers?’

‘Uh, ‘Uh,Annabeth . . .’

Annabeth . . .’Leo Leosaid. said.‘You ‘Yousure surethis thisisisa agood goodidea?’ idea?’

She Sheclosed closedher herfists fiststotokeep keepthem themfrom fromshaking. shaking.That Thatcold cold feeling feelingwas wasstill stillthere. there.ItItfloated floatedjust justbehind behindher herand, and,now nowthat that Terminus Terminuswas wasno nolonger longershouting shoutingand andcausing causingexplosions, explosions,she she thought thoughtshe shecould couldhear hearthe thepresence presencelaughing, laughing,asasififititwere were delighted delightedbybythe thebad badchoices choicesshe shewas wasmaking. making.

But ButPercy Percywas wasdown downthere . . . there . . .He Hewas wassosoclose. close.She Shehad had totoreach reachhim. him.

‘It’ll ‘It’llbebefine,’ fine,’she shesaid. said.‘No ‘Noone onewill willbebearmed. armed.We Wecan cantalk talk ininpeace. peace.Terminus Terminuswill willmake makesure sureeach eachside sideobeys obeysthe therules.’ rules.’

She Shelooked lookedatatthe themarble marblestatue. statue.‘Do ‘Dowe wehave haveananagreement?’ agreement?’

Terminus Terminussniffed. sniffed.‘I‘Isuppose. suppose.For Fornow. now.You Youmay mayclimb climb down downyour yourladder laddertotoNew NewRome, Rome,daughter daughterofofAthena.

Athena.Please Please try trynot nottotodestroy destroymy mytown.’ town.’

617BB_TXT.indd 10

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

I II I

A An nn na ab beet th h

AAsea seaof ofhastily hastilyassembled assembleddemigods demigods parted parted for for Annabeth Annabethasasshe shewalked walkedthrough throughthe theforum. forum.Some Somelooked looked tense, tense,some somenervous. nervous.Some Somewere werebandaged bandagedfrom fromtheir theirrecent recent battle battlewith withthe thegiants, giants,but butnonoone onewas wasarmed. armed.No Noone oneattacked. attacked.

Entire Entirefamilies familieshad hadgathered gatheredtotosee seethe thenewcomers. newcomers.

Annabeth Annabethsaw sawcouples coupleswith withbabies, babies,toddlers toddlersclinging clingingtoto their theirparents’ parents’legs, legs,even evensome someelderly elderlyfolks folksinina acombination combination ofofRoman Romanrobes robesand andmodern modernclothes. clothes.Were Wereall allofofthem them demigods? demigods?Annabeth Annabethsuspected suspectedso, so,though thoughshe’d she’dnever neverseen seen a aplace placelike likethis. this.At AtCamp CampHalf-Blood, Half-Blood,most mostdemigods demigodswere were teens. teens.IfIfthey theysurvived survivedlong longenough enoughtotograduate graduatefrom fromhigh high school, school,they theyeither eitherstayed stayedononasascounsellors counsellorsororleft lefttotostart startlives lives asasbest bestthey theycould couldininthe themortal mortalworld. world.Here, Here,ititwas wasananentire entire multigenerational multigenerationalcommunity. community.

At Atthe thefar farend endofofthe thecrowd, crowd,Annabeth Annabethspotted spottedTyson Tyson the theCyclops Cyclopsand andPercy’s Percy’shellhound, hellhound,Mrs MrsO’Leary O’Leary––who whohad had been beenthe thefirst firstscouting scoutingparty partyfrom fromCamp CampHalf-Blood Half-Bloodtotoreach reach

617BB_TXT.indd 11

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 12 / 12

Camp CampJupiter.

Jupiter.They Theylooked lookedtotobebeiningood goodspirits. spirits.Tyson Tysonwaved waved and andgrinned. grinned.He Hewas waswearing wearingananspqr spqrbanner bannerlike likea agiant giantbib. bib.

Some Somepart partofofAnnabeth’s Annabeth’smind mindregistered registeredhow howbeautiful beautiful the thecity citywas was––the thesmells smellsfrom fromthe thebakeries, bakeries,the thegurgling gurgling fountains, fountains,the theflowers flowersblooming bloomingininthe thegardens. gardens.And Andthe the architecture architecture . . . . . .gods, gods,the thearchitecture architecture––gilded gildedmarble marble columns, columns,dazzling dazzlingmosaics, mosaics,monumental monumentalarches archesand andterraced terraced villas. villas.

InInfront frontofofher, her,the thedemigods demigodsmade madeway wayfor fora agirl girlininfull full Roman Romanarmour armourand anda apurple purplecape. cape.Dark Darkhair hairtumbled tumbledacross across her hershoulders. shoulders.Her Hereyes eyeswere wereasasblack blackasasobsidian. obsidian.

Reyna.

Reyna.

Jason Jasonhad haddescribed describedher herwell. well.Even Evenwithout withoutthat, that,Annabeth Annabeth would wouldhave havesingled singledher herout outasasthe theleader. leader.Medals Medalsdecorated decoratedher her armour. armour.She Shecarried carriedherself herselfwith withsuch suchconfidence confidencethe theother other demigods demigodsbacked backedaway awayand andaverted avertedtheir theirgaze. gaze.

Annabeth Annabethrecognized recognizedsomething somethingelse elseininher herface, face,too too––inin the thehard hardset setofofher hermouth mouthand andthe thedeliberate deliberateway wayshe sheraised raised her herchin chinlike likeshe shewas wasready readytotoaccept acceptany anychallenge. challenge.Reyna Reyna was wasforcing forcinga alook lookofofcourage, courage,while whileholding holdingback backa amixture mixture ofofhopefulness hopefulnessand andworry worryand andfear fearthat thatshe shecouldn’t couldn’tshow showinin public. public.

Annabeth Annabethknew knewthat thatexpression. expression.She Shesaw sawititevery everytime timeshe she looked lookedinina amirror. mirror.

The Thetwo twogirls girlsconsidered consideredeach eachother. other.Annabeth’s Annabeth’sfriends friends fanned fannedout outon oneither eitherside. side.The TheRomans Romansmurmured murmuredJason’s Jason’s name, name,staring staringatathim himininawe. awe.

Then Then someone someone else else appeared appeared from from the the crowd, crowd, and and Annabeth’s Annabeth’svision visiontunnelled. tunnelled.

617BB_TXT.indd 12

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

1313/ Annabeth / Annabeth

Percy Percysmiled smiledatather her––that thatsarcastic, sarcastic,troublemaker troublemakersmile smilethat that had hadannoyed annoyedher herfor foryears yearsbut buteventually eventuallyhad hadbecome becomeendearing. endearing.

His Hissea-green sea-greeneyes eyeswere wereasasgorgeous gorgeousasasshe sheremembered. remembered.His His dark darkhair hairwas wasswept swepttotoone oneside, side,like likehe’ he’ ddjust justcome comefrom froma awalk walk on onthe thebeach. beach.He Helooked lookedeven evenbetter betterthan thanhehehad hadsix sixmonths months ago ago––more moretanned tannedand andtaller, taller,leaner leanerand andmore moremuscular. muscular.

Annabeth Annabethwas wastoo toostunned stunnedtotomove. move.She Shefelt feltthat thatififshe she got gotany anycloser closertotohim himallallthe themolecules moleculesininher herbody bodymight might combust. combust.She’d She’dsecretly secretlyhad hada acrush crushon onhim himsince sincethey theywere were twelve twelveyears yearsold. old.Last Lastsummer, summer,she’d she’dfallen fallenfor forhim himhard. hard.

They’ They’ ddbeen beena ahappy happycouple couplefor forfour fourmonths months––and andthen thenhe’d he’d disappeared. disappeared.

During Duringtheir theirseparation, separation,something somethinghad hadhappened happenedtoto Annabeth’s Annabeth’sfeelings. feelings.They’d They’dgrown grownpainfully painfullyintense intense––like like she’d she’dbeen beenforced forcedtotowithdraw withdrawfrom froma alife-saving life-savingmedication. medication.

Now Nowshe shewasn’t wasn’tsure surewhich whichwas wasmore moreexcruciating excruciating––living living with withthat thathorrible horribleabsence, absence,ororbeing beingwith withhim himagain. again.

The Thepraetor praetorReyna Reynastraightened. straightened.With Withapparent apparentreluctance, reluctance, she sheturned turnedtowards towardsJason.

Jason.

‘Jason ‘JasonGrace, Grace,my myformer formercolleague . . .’ colleague . . .’She Shespoke spokethe theword word colleague colleaguelike likeititwas wasa adangerous dangerousthing. thing.‘I‘Iwelcome welcomeyou youhome. home.

And Andthese, these,your yourfriends friends–’–’ Annabeth Annabethdidn’t didn’tmean meanto, to,but butshe shesurged surgedforward. forward.Percy Percy rushed rushedtowards towardsher heratatthe thesame sametime. time.The Thecrowd crowdtensed. tensed.Some Some reached reachedfor forswords swordsthat thatweren’t weren’tthere. there.

Percy Percythrew threwhis hisarms armsaround aroundher. her.They Theykissed, kissed,and andfor fora a moment momentnothing nothingelse elsemattered. mattered.An Anasteroid asteroidcould couldhave havehit hit the theplanet planetand andwiped wipedout outallalllife, life,and andAnnabeth Annabethwouldn’t wouldn’t have havecared. cared.

617BB_TXT.indd 13

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 14 / 14

Percy Percysmelled smelledofofocean oceanair. air.His Hislips lipswere weresalty. salty.

Seaweed SeaweedBrain, Brain,she shethought thoughtgiddily. giddily.

Percy Percypulled pulledaway awayand andstudied studiedher herface. face.‘Gods, ‘Gods,I Inever never thought thought–’–’ Annabeth Annabethgrabbed grabbedhis hiswrist wristand andflipped flippedhim himover overher her shoulder. shoulder.He Heslammed slammedinto intothe thepaving pavingstones. stones.Romans Romanscried cried out. out.Some Somesurged surgedforward, forward,but butReyna Reynashouted, shouted,‘Hold!

‘Hold!Stand Stand down!’ down!’

Annabeth Annabethput puther herknee kneeononPercy’s Percy’schest. chest.She Shepushed pushedher her forearm forearmagainst againsthis histhroat. throat.She Shedidn’t didn’tcare carewhat whatthe theRomans Romans thought. thought.AAwhite-hot white-hotlump lumpofofanger angerexpanded expandedininher herchest chest––a a tumour tumourofofworry worryand andbitterness bitternessthat thatshe’ she’ ddbeen beencarrying carryingaround around since sincelast lastautumn. autumn.

‘If‘Ifyou youever everleave leaveme meagain,’ again,’she shesaid, said,her hereyes eyesstinging, stinging,‘I‘I swear sweartotoallallthe thegods gods–’–’ Percy Percyhad hadthe thenerve nervetotolaugh. laugh.Suddenly Suddenlythe thelump lumpofofheated heated emotions emotionsmelted meltedinside insideAnnabeth.

Annabeth.

‘Consider ‘Considerme mewarned,’ warned,’Percy Percysaid. said.‘I‘Imissed missedyou, you,too.’ too.’

Annabeth Annabethrose roseand andhelped helpedhim himtotohis hisfeet. feet.She Shewanted wantedtoto kiss kisshim himagain againsosobadly, badly,but butshe shemanaged managedtotorestrain restrainherself. herself.

Jason Jasoncleared clearedhis histhroat. throat.‘So, ‘So,yeah . . . yeah . . .It’s It’sgood goodtotobebeback.’ back.’

He Heintroduced introducedReyna ReynatotoPiper, Piper,who wholooked lookeda alittle littlemiffed miffed that thatshe shehadn’t hadn’tgot gottotosay saythe thelines linesshe’d she’dbeen beenpractising, practising,then then totoLeo, Leo,who whogrinned grinnedand andflashed flasheda apeace peacesign. sign.

‘And ‘Andthis thisisisAnnabeth,’ Annabeth,’Jason Jasonsaid. said.‘Uh, ‘Uh,normally normallyshe she doesn’t doesn’tjudo-flip judo-flippeople.’ people.’

Reyna’s Reyna’seyes eyessparkled. sparkled.‘You ‘Yousure sureyou’re you’renot nota aRoman, Roman, Annabeth?

Annabeth?Or OrananAmazon?’

Amazon?’

Annabeth Annabethdidn’t didn’tknow knowififthat thatwas wasa acompliment, compliment,but butshe she

617BB_TXT.indd 14

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

1515/ Annabeth / Annabeth

held heldout outher herhand. hand.‘I‘Ionly onlyattack attackmy myboyfriend boyfriendlike likethat,’ that,’she she promised. promised.‘Pleased ‘Pleasedtotomeet meetyou.’ you.’

Reyna Reynaclasped claspedher herhand handfirmly. firmly.‘It‘Itseems seemswe wehave havea alot lottoto discuss. discuss.Centurions!’

Centurions!’

AAfew fewofofthe theRoman Romancampers campershustled hustledforward forward––apparently apparently the thesenior seniorofficers. officers.Two Twokids kidsappeared appearedatatPercy’s Percy’sside, side,the thesame same ones onesAnnabeth Annabethhad hadseen seenhim himchumming chummingaround aroundwith withearlier. earlier.

The Theburly burlyAsian Asianguy guywith withthe thebuzz buzzcut cutwas wasabout aboutfifteen. fifteen.

He Hewas wascute cuteinina asort sortofofoversized-cuddly-panda-bear oversized-cuddly-panda-bearway. way.

The Thegirl girlwas wasyounger, younger,maybe maybethirteen, thirteen,with withamber ambereyes eyesand and chocolate chocolateskin skinand andlong longcurly curlyhair. hair.Her Hercavalry cavalryhelmet helmetwas was tucked tuckedunder underher herarm. arm.

Annabeth Annabethcould couldtell tellfrom fromtheir theirbody bodylanguage languagethat thatthey they felt feltclose closetotoPercy.

Percy.They Theystood stoodnext nexttotohim himprotectively, protectively,like like they’d they’dalready alreadyshared sharedmany manyadventures. adventures.She Shefought foughtdown downa a twinge twingeofofjealousy. jealousy.Was Wasititpossible possiblePercy Percyand andthis thisgirl . . . girl . . .no. no.

The Thechemistry chemistrybetween betweenthe thethree threeofofthem themwasn’t wasn’tlike likethat. that.

Annabeth Annabethhad hadspent spenther herwhole wholelife lifelearning learningtotoread readpeople. people.

ItItwas wasa asurvival survivalskill. skill.IfIfshe shehad hadtotoguess, guess,she’d she’dsay saythe thebig big Asian Asianguy guywas wasthe thegirl’s girl’sboyfriend, boyfriend,though thoughshe shesuspected suspectedthey they hadn’t hadn’tbeen beentogether togetherlong. long.

There Therewas wasone onething thingshe shedidn’t didn’tunderstand: understand:what whatwas wasthe the girl girlstaring staringat? at?She Shekept keptfrowning frowningininPiper Piperand andLeo’s Leo’sdirection, direction, like likeshe sherecognized recognizedone oneofofthem themand andthe thememory memorywas waspainful. painful.

Meanwhile, Meanwhile,Reyna Reynawas wasgiving givingorders orderstotoher herofficers. officers. ‘. . . ‘. . .tell tellthe thelegion legiontotostand standdown. down.Dakota, Dakota,alert alertthe thespirits spirits ininthe thekitchen. kitchen.Tell Tellthem themtotoprepare preparea awelcome welcomefeast. feast.And, And, Octavian Octavian–’–’ ‘You’re ‘You’reletting lettingthese theseintruders intrudersinto intothe thecamp?’ camp?’AAtall tallguy guy

617BB_TXT.indd 15

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 16 / 16

with withstringy stringyblond blondhair hairelbowed elbowedhis hisway wayforward. forward.‘Reyna, ‘Reyna,the the security securityrisks risks–’–’ ‘We’re ‘We’renot nottaking takingthem themtotothe thecamp, camp,Octavian.’

Octavian.’Reyna Reyna flashed flashedhim hima astern sternlook. look.‘We’ll ‘We’lleat eathere, here,ininthe theforum.’ forum.’

‘Oh, ‘Oh,much muchbetter,’ better,’Octavian Octaviangrumbled. grumbled.He Heseemed seemedtotobebe the theonly onlyone onewho whodidn’t didn’tdefer defertotoReyna Reynaasashis hissuperior, superior,despite despite the thefact factthat thathehewas wasscrawny scrawnyand andpale paleand andfor forsome somereason reason had hadthree threeteddy teddybears bearshanging hangingfrom fromhis hisbelt. belt.‘You ‘Youwant wantusustoto relax relaxininthe theshadow shadowofoftheir theirwarship.’ warship.’

‘These ‘Theseare areour ourguests.’ guests.’Reyna Reynaclipped clippedoff offevery everyword. word.‘We ‘We will willwelcome welcomethem, them,and andwe wewill willtalk talktotothem. them.As Asaugur, augur,you you should shouldburn burnananoffering offeringtotothank thankthe thegods godsfor forbringing bringingJason Jason back backtotousussafely.’ safely.’

‘Good ‘Goodidea,’ idea,’Percy Percyput putin. in.‘Go ‘Goburn burnyour yourbears, bears,Octavian.’

Octavian.’

Reyna Reynalooked lookedlike likeshe shewas wastrying tryingnot nottotosmile. smile.‘You ‘Youhave have my myorders. orders.Go.’ Go.’ The Theofficers officersdispersed. dispersed.Octavian Octavianshot shotPercy Percya alook lookofof absolute absoluteloathing. loathing.Then Thenhehegave gaveAnnabeth Annabetha asuspicious suspiciousonceonceover overand andstalked stalkedaway. away.

Percy Percyslipped slippedhis hishand handinto intoAnnabeth’s.

Annabeth’s.‘Don’t ‘Don’tworry worryabout about Octavian,’ Octavian,’hehesaid. said.‘Most ‘Mostofofthe theRomans Romansare aregood goodpeople people–– like likeFrank Frankand andHazel Hazelhere, here,and andReyna.

Reyna.We’ll We’llbebefine.’ fine.’

Annabeth Annabethfelt feltasasififsomeone someonehad haddraped drapeda acold coldwashcloth washcloth across acrossher herneck. neck.She Sheheard heardthat thatwhispering whisperinglaughter laughteragain, again,asas ififthe thepresence presencehad hadfollowed followedher herfrom fromthe theship. ship.

She Shelooked lookedup upatatthe theArgo ArgoII.II.Its Itsmassive massivebronze bronzehull hull glittered glitteredininthe thesunlight. sunlight.Part Partofofher herwanted wantedtotokidnap kidnapPercy Percy right rightnow, now,climb climbon onboard boardand andget getout outofofhere herewhile whilethey theystill still could. could.

617BB_TXT.indd 16

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

1717/ Annabeth / Annabeth

She Shecouldn’t couldn’tshake shakethe thefeeling feelingthat thatsomething somethingwas wasabout about totogogoterribly terriblywrong. wrong.And Andthere therewas wasno noway wayshe shewould wouldever ever risk risklosing losingPercy Percyagain. again.

‘We’ll ‘We’llbebefine,’ fine,’she sherepeated, repeated,trying tryingtotobelieve believeit.it.

‘Excellent,’ ‘Excellent,’Reyna Reynasaid. said.She Sheturned turnedtotoJason, Jason,and andAnnabeth Annabeth thought thoughtthere therewas wasa ahungry hungrysort sortofofgleam gleamininher hereyes. eyes.‘Let’s ‘Let’s talk, talk,and andwe wecan canhave havea aproper properreunion.’ reunion.’

617BB_TXT.indd 17

10/08/2012 09:33

I II II I

A An nn na ab beet th h

Annabeth Annabethwished wishedshe shehad hadan anappetite, appetite, because becausethe the Romans Romansknew knewhow howtotoeat. eat.

Sets Setsofofcouches couchesand andlow lowtables tableswere werecarted cartedinto intothe theforum forum until untilititresembled resembleda afurniture furnitureshowroom. showroom.Romans Romanslounged lounged iningroups groupsofoften tenorortwenty, twenty,talking talkingand andlaughing laughingwhile while wind windspirits spirits––aurae aurae––swirled swirledoverhead, overhead,bringing bringingananendless endless assortment assortmentofofpizzas, pizzas,sandwiches, sandwiches,chips, chips,cold colddrinks drinksand and fresh-baked fresh-bakedcookies. cookies.Drifting Driftingthrough throughthe thecrowd crowdwere werepurple purple ghosts ghosts––Lares Lares––inintogas togasand andlegionnaire legionnairearmour. armour.Around Around the theedges edgesofofthe thefeast, feast,satyrs satyrs(no, (no,fauns, fauns,Annabeth Annabeththought) thought) trotted trottedfrom fromtable tabletototable, table,panhandling panhandlingfor forfood foodand andspare spare change. change.InInthe thenearby nearbyfields, fields,the thewar warelephant elephantfrolicked frolickedwith with Mrs MrsO’Leary, O’Leary,and andchildren childrenplayed playedtag tagaround aroundthe thestatues statuesofof Terminus Terminusthat thatlined linedthe thecity citylimits. limits.

The Thewhole wholescene scenewas wassosofamiliar familiaryet yetsosocompletely completelyalien alien that thatititgave gaveAnnabeth Annabethvertigo. vertigo.

617BB_TXT.indd 18

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

1919/ Annabeth / Annabeth

All Allshe shewanted wantedtotododowas wasbebewith withPercy Percy––preferably preferablyalone. alone.

She Sheknew knewshe shewould wouldhave havetotowait. wait.IfIftheir theirquest questwas wasgoing goingtoto succeed, succeed,they theyneeded neededthese theseRomans, Romans,which whichmeant meantgetting gettingtoto know knowthem themand andbuilding buildingsome somegoodwill. goodwill.

Reyna Reynaand anda afew fewofofher herofficers officers(including (includingthe theblond blondkid kid Octavian, Octavian,freshly freshlyback backfrom fromburning burninga ateddy teddybear bearfor forthe thegods) gods) sat satwith withAnnabeth Annabethand andher hercrew. crew.Percy Percyjoined joinedthem themwith withhis his two twonew newfriends, friends,Frank Frankand andHazel.

Hazel.

As Asa atornado tornadoofoffood foodplatters platterssettled settledonto ontothe thetable, table,Percy Percy leaned leanedover overand andwhispered, whispered,‘I‘Iwant wanttotoshow showyou youaround aroundNew New Rome.

Rome.Just Justyou youand andme. me.The Theplace placeisisincredible.’ incredible.’

Annabeth Annabethshould’ve should’vefelt feltthrilled. thrilled.Just Justyou youand andme mewas was exactly exactlywhat whatshe shewanted. wanted.Instead, Instead,resentment resentmentswelled swelledininher her throat. throat.How Howcould couldPercy Percytalk talksosoenthusiastically enthusiasticallyabout aboutthis this place? place?What Whatabout aboutCamp CampHalf-Blood Half-Blood––their theircamp, camp,their their home? home?

She Shetried triednot nottotostare stareatatthe thenew newmarks markson onPercy’s Percy’s forearm forearm––ananspqr spqrtattoo tattoolike likeJason’s.

Jason’s.At AtCamp CampHalf-Blood, Half-Blood, demigods demigodsgot gotbead beadnecklaces necklacestotocommemorate commemorateyears yearsofof training. training.Here, Here,the theRomans Romansburned burneda atattoo tattoointo intoyour yourflesh, flesh, asasififtotosay: say:You Youbelong belongtotous. us.Permanently.

Permanently.

She Sheswallowed swallowedback backsome somebiting bitingcomments. comments.‘Okay.

‘Okay.Sure.’

Sure.’

‘I’ve ‘I’vebeen beenthinking,’ thinking,’hehesaid saidnervously. nervously.‘I‘Ihad hadthis thisidea idea–’–’ He Hestopped stoppedasasReyna Reynacalled calleda atoast toasttotofriendship. friendship.

After Afterintroductions introductionsallallaround, around,the theRomans Romansand andAnnabeth’s Annabeth’s crew crewbegan beganexchanging exchangingstories. stories.Jason Jasonexplained explainedhow howhe’d he’d arrived arrivedatatCamp CampHalf-Blood Half-Bloodwithout withouthis hismemory, memory,and andhow how he’ he’ ddgone goneonona aquest questwith withPiper Piperand andLeo Leototorescue rescuethe thegoddess goddess

617BB_TXT.indd 19

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 20 / 20

Hera Hera(or (orJuno, Juno,take takeyour yourpick pick––she shewas wasequally equallyannoying annoyinginin Greek GreekororRoman) Roman)from fromimprisonment imprisonmentatatthe theWolf WolfHouse Houseinin northern northernCalifornia.

California.

‘Impossible!’

‘Impossible!’Octavian Octavianbroke brokein. in.‘That’s ‘That’sour ourmost mostsacred sacred place. place.IfIfthe thegiants giantshad hadimprisoned imprisoneda agoddess goddessthere there–’–’ ‘They ‘Theywould’ve would’vedestroyed destroyedher,’ her,’Piper Pipersaid. said.‘And ‘Andblamed blameditit on onthe theGreeks, Greeks,and andstarted starteda awar warbetween betweenthe thecamps. camps.Now, Now, bebequiet quietand andletletJason Jasonfinish.’ finish.’

Octavian Octavianopened openedhis hismouth, mouth,but butno nosound soundcame cameout. out.

Annabeth Annabethreally reallyloved lovedPiper’s Piper’scharmspeak. charmspeak.She Shenoticed noticed Reyna Reynalooking lookingback backand andforth forthbetween betweenJason Jasonand andPiper, Piper,her her brow browcreased, creased,asasififjust justbeginning beginningtotorealize realizethe thetwo twoofofthem them were werea acouple. couple.

‘So,’ ‘So,’Jason Jasoncontinued, continued,‘that’s ‘that’show howwe wefound foundout outabout aboutthe the earth earthgoddess goddessGaia.

Gaia.She’s She’sstill stillhalf halfasleep, asleep,but butshe’s she’sthe theone one freeing freeingthe themonsters monstersfrom fromTartarus Tartarusand andraising raisingthe thegiants. giants.

Porphyrion, Porphyrion,the thebig bigleader leaderdude dudewe wefought foughtatatthe theWolf WolfHouse: House: hehesaid saidhehewas wasretreating retreatingtotothe theancient ancientlands lands––Greece Greeceitself. itself.

He Heplans planson onawakening awakeningGaia Gaiaand anddestroying destroyingthe thegods godsby . . . by . . . what whatdid didhehecall callit?it?Pulling Pullingupuptheir theirroots.’ roots.’

Percy Percynodded noddedthoughtfully. thoughtfully.‘Gaia’s ‘Gaia’sbeen beenbusy busyover overhere, here, too. too.We Wehad hadour ourown ownencounter encounterwith withQueen QueenDirt DirtFace.’

Face.’

Percy Percyrecounted recountedhis hisside sideofofthe thestory. story.He Hetalked talkedabout about waking wakingupupatatthe theWolf WolfHouse Housewith withno nomemories memoriesexcept exceptfor for one onename name––Annabeth.

Annabeth.

When Whenshe sheheard heardthat, that,Annabeth Annabethhad hadtototry tryhard hardnot nottoto cry. cry.Percy Percytold toldthem themhow howhe’d he’dtravelled travelledtotoAlaska Alaskawith withFrank Frank and andHazel Hazel––how howthey’d they’ddefeated defeatedthe thegiant giantAlcyoneus, Alcyoneus,freed freed the thedeath deathgod godThanatos Thanatosand andreturned returnedwith withthe thelost lostgolden golden

617BB_TXT.indd 20

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

2121/ Annabeth / Annabeth

eagle eaglestandard standardofofthe theRoman Romancamp camptotorepel repelananattack attackbybythe the giants’ giants’army. army.

When WhenPercy Percyhad hadfinished, finished,Jason Jasonwhistled whistledappreciatively. appreciatively.

‘No ‘Nowonder wonderthey theymade madeyou youpraetor.’ praetor.’

Octavian Octaviansnorted. snorted.‘Which ‘Whichmeans meanswe wenow nowhave havethree three praetors! praetors!The Therules rulesclearly clearlystate statewe wecan canonly onlyhave havetwo!’ two!’

‘On ‘Onthe thebright brightside,’ side,’Percy Percysaid, said,‘both ‘bothJason Jasonand andI Iout out rank rank you, you,Octavian.

Octavian.So Sowe wecan canboth bothtell tellyou youtotoshut shutup.’ up.’

Octavian Octavianturned turnedasaspurple purpleasasa aRoman RomanT-shirt.

T-shirt.Jason Jasongave gave Percy Percya afist fistbump. bump.

Even EvenReyna Reynamanaged manageda asmile, smile,though thoughher hereyes eyeswere were stormy. stormy.

‘We’ll ‘We’llhave havetotofigure figureout outthe theextra extrapraetor praetorproblem problemlater,’ later,’ she shesaid. said.‘Right ‘Rightnow nowwe wehave havemore moreserious seriousissues issuestotodeal dealwith.’ with.’

‘I’ll ‘I’llstep stepaside asidefor forJason,’ Jason,’Percy Percysaid saideasily. easily.‘It’s ‘It’sno nobiggie.’ biggie.’

‘No ‘Nobiggie?’ biggie?’Octavian Octavianchoked. choked.‘The ‘Thepraetorship praetorshipofofRome Rome isisnonobiggie?’ biggie?’

Percy Percyignored ignoredhim himand andturned turnedtotoJason.

Jason.‘You’re ‘You’reThalia Thalia Grace’s Grace’sbrother, brother,huh? huh?Wow. Wow.You Youguys guyslook looknothing nothingalike.’ alike.’

‘Yeah, ‘Yeah,I Inoticed,’ noticed,’Jason Jasonsaid. said.‘Anyway, ‘Anyway,thanks thanksfor forhelping helping my mycamp campwhile whileI Iwas wasgone. gone.You Youdid didananawesome awesomejob.’ job.’

‘Back ‘Backatatyou,’ you,’Percy Percysaid. said.

Annabeth Annabethkicked kickedhis hisshin. shin.She Shehated hatedtotointerrupt interrupta abudding budding bromance, bromance,but butReyna Reynawas wasright: right:they theyhad hadserious seriousthings thingstoto discuss. discuss.‘We ‘Weshould shouldtalk talkabout aboutthe theGreat GreatProphecy.

Prophecy.ItItsounds sounds like likethe theRomans Romansare areaware awareofofit,it,too?’ too?’

Reyna Reynanodded. nodded.‘We ‘Wecall callititthe theProphecy ProphecyofofSeven.

Seven.Octavian, Octavian, you youhave haveititcommitted committedtotomemory?’ memory?’

‘Of ‘Ofcourse,’ course,’hehesaid. said.‘But, ‘But,Reyna Reyna–’–’

617BB_TXT.indd 21

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 22 / 22

‘Recite ‘Reciteit,it,please. please.InInEnglish, English,not notLatin.’

Latin.’

Octavian Octaviansighed. sighed.‘Seven ‘Sevenhalf-bloods half-bloodsshall shallanswer answerthe thecall. call.ToTo storm stormororfire firethe theworld worldmust mustfall fall–’–’ ‘A‘A nnoath oathtotokeep keepwith witha afinal finalbreath,’ breath,’Annabeth Annabethcontinued. continued.

‘A‘A ndndfoes foesbear beararms armstotothe theDoors DoorsofofDeath.’

Death.’

Everyone Everyonestared staredatather her––except exceptfor forLeo, Leo,who whohad had constructed constructeda apinwheel pinwheelout outofofaluminum aluminumfoil foiltaco tacowrappers wrappers and andwas wassticking stickingititinto intopassing passingwind windspirits. spirits.

Annabeth Annabethwasn’t wasn’tsure surewhy whyshe shehad hadblurted blurtedout outthe thelines linesofof the theprophecy. prophecy.She’d She’djust justfelt feltcompelled. compelled.

The The big big kid, kid, Frank, Frank, sat sat forward, forward, staring staring atat her her inin fascination, fascination,asasififshe’d she’dgrown growna athird thirdeye. eye.‘Is‘Isitittrue trueyou’re you’rea a child childofofMin– Min–I Imean, mean,Athena?’

Athena?’

‘Yes,’ ‘Yes,’she shesaid, said,suddenly suddenlyfeeling feelingdefensive. defensive.‘Why ‘Whyisisthat that such sucha asurprise?’ surprise?’

Octavian Octavianscoffed. scoffed.‘If‘Ifyou’re you’retruly trulya achild childofofthe thewisdom wisdom goddess goddess–’–’ ‘Enough,’ ‘Enough,’Reyna Reynasnapped. snapped.‘Annabeth ‘Annabethisiswhat whatshe shesays. says.

She’s She’shere hereininpeace. peace.Besides . . .’

Besides . . .’She Shegave gaveAnnabeth Annabetha alook lookofof grudging grudgingrespect. respect.‘Percy ‘Percyhas hasspoken spokenhighly highlyofofyou.’ you.’

The Theundertones undertonesininReyna’s Reyna’svoice voicetook tookAnnabeth Annabetha amoment moment totodecipher. decipher.Percy Percylooked lookeddown, down,suddenly suddenlyinterested interestedininhis his cheeseburger. cheeseburger.

Annabeth’s Annabeth’sface facefelt felthot. hot.Oh, Oh,gods . . . gods . . .Reyna Reynahad hadtried triedtoto make makea amove moveononPercy.

Percy.That Thatexplained explainedthe thetinge tingeofofbitterness, bitterness, maybe maybeeven evenenvy envyininher herwords. words.Percy Percyhad hadturned turnedher herdown down for forAnnabeth.

Annabeth.

At At that that moment, moment, Annabeth Annabeth forgave forgave her her ridiculous ridiculous boyfriend boyfriendfor foreverything everythinghe’d he’dever everdone donewrong. wrong.She Shewanted wanted

617BB_TXT.indd 22

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

2323/ Annabeth / Annabeth

totothrow throwher herarms armsaround aroundhim, him,but butshe shecommanded commandedherself herself totostay staycool. cool.

‘Uh, ‘Uh,thanks,’ thanks,’she shetold toldReyna.

Reyna.‘At ‘Atany anyrate, rate,some someofofthe the prophecy prophecyisisbecoming becomingclear. clear.Foes Foesbearing bearingarms armstotothe theDoors Doors ofofDeath . . .

Death . . .that thatmeans meansRomans Romansand andGreeks.

Greeks.We Wehave havetoto combine combineforces forcestotofind findthose thosedoors.’ doors.’

Hazel, Hazel,the thegirl girlwith withthe thecavalry cavalryhelmet helmetand andthe thelong longcurly curly hair, hair,picked pickedupupsomething somethingnext nexttotoher herplate. plate.ItItlooked lookedlike likea a large largeruby, ruby,but, but,before beforeAnnabeth Annabethcould couldbebesure, sure,Hazel Hazelslipped slipped ititinto intothe thepocket pocketofofher herdenim denimshirt. shirt.

‘My ‘Mybrother, brother,Nico, Nico,went wentlooking lookingfor forthe thedoors,’ doors,’she shesaid. said.

‘Wait,’ ‘Wait,’Annabeth Annabethsaid. said.‘Nico ‘NicodidiAngelo?

Angelo?He’s He’syour your brother?’ brother?’

Hazel Hazelnodded noddedasasififthis thiswere wereobvious. obvious.AAdozen dozenmore more questions questionscrowded crowdedinto intoAnnabeth’s Annabeth’shead, head,but butititwas wasalready already spinning spinninglike likeLeo’s Leo’spinwheel. pinwheel.She Shedecided decidedtotoletletthe thematter matter go. go.‘Okay.

‘Okay.You Youwere weresaying?’ saying?’

‘He ‘Hedisappeared.’ disappeared.’Hazel Hazelmoistened moistenedher herlips. lips.‘I’m ‘I’mafraid . . . afraid . . .

I’m I’mnot notsure, sure,but butI Ithink thinksomething’s something’shappened happenedtotohim.’ him.’

‘We’ll ‘We’lllook lookfor forhim,’ him,’Percy Percypromised. promised.‘We ‘Wehave havetotofind find the theDoors DoorsofofDeath Deathanyway. anyway.Thanatos Thanatostold toldususwe’d we’dfind findboth both answers answersininRome Rome––like, like,the theoriginal originalRome.

Rome.That’s That’son onthe theway way totoGreece, Greece,right?’ right?’

‘Thanatos ‘Thanatostold toldyou youthis?’ this?’Annabeth Annabethtried triedtotowrap wrapher hermind mind around aroundthat thatidea. idea.‘The ‘Thedeath deathgod?’ god?’

She’ She’ ddmet metmany manygods. gods.She’ She’ ddeven evenbeen beentotothe theUnderworld, Underworld, but butPercy’s Percy’sstory storyabout aboutfreeing freeingthe theincarnation incarnationofofdeath deathitself itself really reallycreeped creepedher herout. out.

Percy Percytook tooka abite biteofofhis hisburger. burger.‘Now ‘Nowthat thatDeath Deathisisfree, free,

617BB_TXT.indd 23

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 24 / 24

monsters monsterswill willdisintegrate disintegrateand andreturn returntotoTartarus Tartarusagain againlike like they theyused usedto. to.But Butasaslong longasasthe theDoors DoorsofofDeath Deathare areopen open they’ll they’lljust justkeep keepcoming comingback.’ back.’

Piper Pipertwisted twistedthe thefeather featherininher herhair. hair.‘Like ‘Likewater waterleaking leaking through througha adam,’ dam,’she shesuggested. suggested.

‘Yeah.’

‘Yeah.’Percy Percysmiled. smiled.‘We’ve ‘We’vegot gota adam damhole.’ hole.’

‘What?’

‘What?’Piper Piperasked. asked.

‘Nothing,’ ‘Nothing,’hehesaid. said.‘Inside ‘Insidejoke. joke.The Thepoint pointisiswe’ll we’llhave havetoto find findthe thedoors doorsand andclose closethem thembefore beforewe wecan canhead headtotoGreece.

Greece.

It’s It’sthe theonly onlyway waywe’ll we’llstand standa achance chanceofofdefeating defeatingthe thegiants giants and andmaking makingsure surethey theystay staydefeated.’ defeated.’

Reyna Reynaplucked pluckedananapple applefrom froma apassing passingfruit fruittray. tray.She She turned turnedititininher herfingers, fingers,studying studyingthe thedark darkred redsurface. surface.‘You ‘You propose proposeananexpedition expeditiontotoGreece Greeceininyour yourwarship. warship.You Youdo do realize realizethat thatthe theancient ancientlands lands––and andthe theMare MareNostrum Nostrum––are are dangerous?’ dangerous?’

‘Mary ‘Marywho?’ who?’Leo Leoasked. asked.

‘Mare ‘MareNostrum,’ Nostrum,’Jason Jasonexplained. explained.‘Our ‘OurSea. Sea.It’s It’swhat whatthe the Ancient AncientRomans Romanscalled calledthe theMediterranean.’

Mediterranean.’

Reyna Reynanodded. nodded.‘The ‘Theterritory territorythat thatwas wasonce oncethe theRoman Roman Empire Empireisisnot notonly onlythe thebirthplace birthplaceofofthe thegods. gods.It’s It’salso alsothe the ancestral ancestralhome homeofofthe themonsters, monsters,Titans Titansand andgiants . . . giants . . .and and worse worsethings. things.As Asdangerous dangerousasastravel travelisisfor fordemigods demigodshere hereinin America, America,there thereititwould wouldbebeten tentimes timesworse.’ worse.’

‘You ‘Yousaid saidAlaska Alaskawould wouldbebebad,’ bad,’Percy Percyreminded remindedher. her.‘We ‘We survived survivedthat.’ that.’

Reyna Reynashook shookher herhead. head.Her Herfingernails fingernailscut cutlittle littlecrescents crescents into intothe theapple appleasasshe sheturned turnedit.it.‘Percy, ‘Percy,travelling travellingininthe the Mediterranean Mediterraneanisisa adifferent differentlevel levelofofdanger dangeraltogether. altogether.It’s It’s

617BB_TXT.indd 24

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

2525/ Annabeth / Annabeth

been beenoff offlimits limitstotoRoman Romandemigods demigodsfor forcenturies. centuries.No Nohero heroinin his hisright rightmind mindwould wouldgogothere.’ there.’

‘Then ‘Thenwe’re we’regood!’ good!’Leo Leogrinned grinnedover overthe thetop topofofhis his pinwheel. pinwheel.‘Because ‘Becausewe’re we’reallallcrazy, crazy,right? right?Besides, Besides,the theArgo ArgoIIII isisa atop-of-the-line top-of-the-linewarship. warship.She’ll She’llget getususthrough.’ through.’

‘We’ll ‘We’llhave havetotohurry,’ hurry,’Jason Jasonadded. added.‘I‘Idon’t don’tknow knowexactly exactly what whatthe thegiants giantsare areplanning, planning,but butGaia Gaiaisisgrowing growingmore more conscious consciousallallthe thetime. time.She’s She’sinvading invadingdreams, dreams,appearing appearinginin weird weirdplaces, places,summoning summoningmore moreand andmore morepowerful powerfulmonsters. monsters.

We Wehave havetotostop stopthe thegiants giantsbefore beforethey theycan canwake wakeher herupupfully.’ fully.’

Annabeth Annabeth shuddered. shuddered. She’d She’d had had her her own own share share ofof nightmares nightmareslately. lately.

‘Seven ‘Sevenhalf-bloods half-bloodsmust mustanswer answerthe thecall,’ call,’she shesaid. said.‘It‘Itneeds needs totobebea amix mixfrom fromboth bothour ourcamps. camps.Jason, Jason,Piper, Piper,Leo Leoand andme. me.

That’s That’sfour.’ four.’

‘And ‘Andme,’ me,’Percy Percysaid. said.‘Along ‘Alongwith withHazel Hazeland andFrank.

Frank.That’s That’s seven.’ seven.’

‘What?’

‘What?’Octavian Octavianshot shottotohis hisfeet. feet.‘We’re ‘We’rejust justsupposed supposedtoto accept acceptthat? that?Without Withouta avote voteininthe thesenate? senate?Without Withouta aproper proper debate? debate?Without Without–’–’ ‘Percy!’

‘Percy!’Tyson Tysonthe theCyclops Cyclopsbounded boundedtowards towardsthem themwith with Mrs MrsO’Leary O’Learyatathis hisheels. heels.On Onthe thehellhound’s hellhound’sback backsat satthe the skinniest skinniestharpy harpyAnnabeth Annabethhad hadever everseen seen––a asickly sicklylooking looking girl girlwith withstringy stringyred redhair, hair,a asackcloth sackclothdress dressand andred-feathered red-feathered wings. wings.

Annabeth Annabethdidn’t didn’tknow knowwhere wherethe theharpy harpyhad hadcome comefrom, from, but buther herheart heartwarmed warmedtotosee seeTyson Tysonininhis histattered tatteredflannel flannel and anddenim denimwith withthe thebackwards backwardsspqr spqrbanner banneracross acrosshis hischest. chest.

She’d She’dhad hadsome somepretty prettybad badexperiences experienceswith withCyclopes, Cyclopes,but but

617BB_TXT.indd 25

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 26 / 26

Tyson Tysonwas wasa asweetheart. sweetheart.He Hewas wasalso alsoPercy’s Percy’shalf halfbrother brother (long (longstory), story),which whichmade madehim himalmost almostlike likefamily. family.

Tyson Tysonstopped stoppedbybytheir theircouch couchand andwrung wrunghis hismeaty meatyhands. hands.

His Hisbig bigbrown browneye eyewas wasfull fullofofconcern. concern.‘Ella ‘Ellaisisscared,’ scared,’hehesaid. said.

‘N-n-no ‘N-n-nomore moreboats,’ boats,’the theharpy harpymuttered mutteredtotoherself, herself,picking picking furiously furiouslyatather herfeathers. feathers.‘Titanic, ‘Titanic,Lusitania, Lusitania,Pax . . .

Pax . . .boats boatsare are not notfor forharpies.’ harpies.’

Leo Leosquinted. squinted.He Helooked lookedatatHazel, Hazel,who whowas wasseated seatednext next totohim. him.‘Did ‘Didthat thatchicken chickengirl girljust justcompare comparemy myship shiptotothe the Titanic?’

Titanic?’

‘She’s ‘She’snot nota achicken.’ chicken.’Hazel Hazelaverted avertedher hereyes, eyes,asasififLeo Leomade made her hernervous. nervous.‘Ella’s ‘Ella’sa aharpy. harpy.She’s She’sjust justa alittle . . . little . . .high-strung.’ high-strung.’

‘Ella ‘Ellaisispretty,’ pretty,’Tyson Tysonsaid. said.‘And ‘Andscared. scared.We Weneed needtototake take her heraway, away,but butshe shewill willnot notgogoon onthe theship.’ ship.’

‘No ‘Noships,’ ships,’Ella Ellarepeated. repeated.She Shelooked lookedstraight straightatatAnnabeth.

Annabeth.

‘Bad ‘Badluck. luck.There Thereshe sheis.is.Wisdom’s Wisdom’sdaughter daughterwalks walksalone alone–’–’ ‘Ella!’

‘Ella!’Frank Frankstood stoodsuddenly. suddenly.‘Maybe ‘Maybeit’s it’snot notthe thebest best time time–’–’ ‘The ‘TheMark MarkofofAthena Athenaburns burnsthrough throughRome,’ Rome,’Ella Ellacontinued, continued, cupping cuppingher herhands handsover overher herears earsand andraising raisingher hervoice. voice.‘Twins ‘Twins snuff snuffout outthe theangel’s angel’sbreath, breath,Who Whoholds holdsthe thekey keytotoendless endlessdeath. death.

Giants’ Giants’bane banestands standsgold goldand andpale, pale,Won Wonthrough throughpain painfrom froma a woven wovenjail.’ jail.’

The Theeffect effectwas waslike likesomeone someonedropping droppinga aflash flashgrenade grenade on onthe thetable. table.Everyone Everyonestared staredatatthe theharpy. harpy.No Noone onespoke. spoke.

Annabeth’s Annabeth’sheart heartwas waspounding. pounding.The TheMark MarkofofAthena . . .

Athena . . .She She resisted resistedthe theurge urgetotocheck checkher herpocket, pocket,but butshe shecould couldfeel feelthe the silver silvercoin coingrowing growingwarmer warmer––the thecursed cursedgift giftfrom fromher hermother. mother.

Follow Followthe theMark MarkofofAthena.

Athena.Avenge Avengeme. me.

617BB_TXT.indd 26

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

2727/ Annabeth / Annabeth

Around Aroundthem, them,the thesounds soundsofofthe thefeast feastcontinued, continued,but butmuted muted and anddistant, distant,asasififtheir theirlittle littlecluster clusterofofcouches coucheshad hadslipped slippedinto into a aquieter quieterdimension. dimension.

Percy Percywas wasthe thefirst firsttotorecover. recover.He Hestood stoodand andtook tookTyson’s Tyson’s arm. arm.

‘I‘Iknow!’ know!’hehesaid saidwith withfeigned feignedenthusiasm. enthusiasm.‘How ‘Howabout about you youtake takeElla Ellatotoget getsome somefresh freshair? air?You Youand andMrs MrsO’Leary O’Leary–’–’ ‘Hold ‘Holdon.’ on.’Octavian Octaviangripped grippedone oneofofhis histeddy teddybears, bears, strangling stranglingititwith withshaking shakinghands. hands.His Hiseyes eyesfixed fixedon onElla.

Ella.

‘What ‘Whatwas wasthat thatshe shesaid? said?ItItsounded soundedlike like–’–’ ‘Ella ‘Ellareads readsa alot,’ lot,’Frank Frankblurted blurtedout. out.‘We ‘Wefound foundher heratata a library.’ library.’

‘Yes!’ ‘Yes!’Hazel Hazelsaid. said.‘Probably ‘Probablyjust justsomething somethingshe sheread readinina a book.’ book.’

‘Books,’ ‘Books,’Ella Ellamuttered mutteredhelpfully. helpfully.‘Ella ‘Ellalikes likesbooks.’ books.’

Now Nowthat thatshe’d she’dsaid saidher herpiece, piece,the theharpy harpyseemed seemedmore more relaxed. relaxed.She Shesat satcross-legged cross-leggedononMrs MrsO’Leary’s O’Leary’sback, back,preening preening her herwings. wings.

Annabeth Annabethgave gavePercy Percya acurious curiousglance. glance.Obviously, Obviously,heheand and Frank Frankand andHazel Hazelwere werehiding hidingsomething. something.Just Justasasobviously, obviously, Ella Ellahad hadrecited reciteda aprophecy prophecy––a aprophecy prophecythat thatconcerned concernedher. her.

Percy’s Percy’sexpression expressionsaid, said,Help.

Help.

‘That ‘Thatwas wasa aprophecy,’ prophecy,’Octavian Octavianinsisted. insisted.‘It‘Itsounded soundedlike like a aprophecy.’ prophecy.’

No Noone oneanswered. answered.

Annabeth Annabethwasn’t wasn’texactly exactlysure surewhat whatwas wasgoing goingon, on,but butshe she understood understoodthat thatPercy Percywas wason onthe theverge vergeofofbig bigtrouble. trouble.

She Sheforced forceda alaugh. laugh.‘Really, ‘Really,Octavian?

Octavian?Maybe Maybeharpies harpiesare are different differenthere, here,on onthe theRoman Romanside. side.Ours Ourshave havejust justenough enough

617BB_TXT.indd 27

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 28 / 28

intelligence intelligencetotoclean cleancabins cabinsand andcook cooklunches. lunches.Do Doyours yours usually usuallyforetell foretellthe thefuture? future?Do Doyou youconsult consultthem themfor foryour your auguries?’ auguries?’

Her Herwords wordshad hadthe theintended intendedeffect. effect.The TheRoman Romanofficers officers laughed laughednervously. nervously.Some Somesized sizedup upElla, Ella,then thenlooked lookedatat Octavian Octavianand andsnorted. snorted.The Theidea ideaofofa achicken chickenlady ladyissuing issuing prophecies prophecieswas wasapparently apparentlyjust justasasridiculous ridiculoustotoRomans Romansasasitit was wastotoGreeks.

Greeks.

‘I,‘I,uh . . .’ uh . . .’Octavian Octaviandropped droppedhis histeddy teddybear. bear.‘No, ‘No,but but–’–’ ‘She’s ‘She’sjust justspouting spoutinglines linesfrom fromsome somebook,’ book,’Annabeth Annabeth said, said,‘like ‘likeHazel Hazelsuggested. suggested.Besides, Besides,we wealready alreadyhave havea areal real prophecy prophecytotoworry worryabout.’ about.’

She Sheturned turnedtotoTyson.

Tyson.‘Percy’s ‘Percy’sright. right.Why Whydon’t don’tyou youtake take Ella Ellaand andMrs MrsO’Leary O’Learyand andshadow-travel shadow-travelsomewhere somewherefor fora a while. while.IsIsElla Ellaokay okaywith withthat?’ that?’ ‘ “Large ‘ “Largedogs dogsare aregood,” good,”’ ’Ella Ellasaid. said.‘Old ‘OldYeller, Yeller,1957, 1957, screenplay screenplaybybyFred FredGipson Gipsonand andWilliam WilliamTunberg.’

Tunberg.’

Annabeth Annabethwasn’t wasn’tsure surehow howtototake takethat thatanswer, answer,but butPercy Percy smiled smiledlike likethe theproblem problemwas wassolved. solved.

‘Great!’

‘Great!’Percy Percysaid. said.‘We’ll ‘We’llIris-message Iris-messageyou youguys guyswhen when we’re we’redone doneand andcatch catchupupwith withyou youlater.’ later.’

The TheRomans Romanslooked lookedatatReyna, Reyna,waiting waitingfor forher herruling. ruling.

Annabeth Annabethheld heldher herbreath. breath.

Reyna Reynahad hadananexcellent excellentpoker pokerface. face.She Shestudied studiedElla, Ella,but but Annabeth Annabethcouldn’t couldn’tguess guesswhat whatshe shewas wasthinking. thinking.

‘Fine,’ ‘Fine,’the thepraetor praetorsaid saidatatlast. last.‘Go.’ ‘Go.’ ‘Yay!’ ‘Yay!’Tyson Tysonwent wentaround aroundthe thecouches couchesand andgave gaveeveryone everyone a abig bighug hug––even evenOctavian, Octavian,who whodidn’t didn’tlook lookhappy happyabout aboutit.it.

Then Thenheheclimbed climbedon onMrs MrsO’Leary’s O’Leary’sback backwith withElla, Ella,and andthe the

617BB_TXT.indd 28

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

2929/ Annabeth / Annabeth

hellhound hellhoundbounded boundedout outofofthe theforum. forum.They Theydived divedstraight straightinto into a ashadow shadowon onthe theSenate SenateHouse Housewall walland anddisappeared. disappeared.

‘Well.’

‘Well.’Reyna Reynaset setdown downher heruneaten uneatenapple. apple.‘Octavian ‘Octavianisis right rightabout aboutone onething. thing.We Wemust mustgain gainthe thesenate’s senate’sapproval approval before beforewe weletletany anyofofour ourlegionnaires legionnairesgogoonona aquest quest––especially especially one oneasasdangerous dangerousasasyou’re you’resuggesting.’ suggesting.’

‘This ‘Thiswhole wholething thingsmells smellsofoftreachery,’ treachery,’Octavian Octaviangrumbled. grumbled.

‘That ‘Thattrireme triremeisisnot nota aship shipofofpeace!’ peace!’

‘Come ‘Comeaboard, aboard,man,’ man,’Leo Leooffered. offered.‘I’ll ‘I’llgive giveyou youa atour. tour.You You can cansteer steerthe theboat, boat,and andififyou’re you’rereally reallygood goodI’ll I’llgive giveyou youa alittle little paper papercaptain’s captain’shat hattotowear.’ wear.’

Octavian’s Octavian’snostrils nostrilsflared. flared.‘How ‘Howdare dareyou you–’–’ ‘It’s ‘It’sa agood goodidea,’ idea,’Reyna Reynasaid. said.‘Octavian, ‘Octavian,gogowith withhim. him.See See the theship. ship.We’ll We’llconvene convenea asenate senatemeeting meetingininone onehour.’ hour.’

‘But . . .’

‘But . . .’Octavian Octavianstopped. stopped.Apparently Apparentlyhehecould couldtell tellfrom from Reyna’s Reyna’sexpression expressionthat thatfurther furtherarguing arguingwould wouldnot notbebegood good for forhis hishealth. health.‘Fine.’

‘Fine.’

Leo Leogot gotup. up.He Heturned turnedtotoAnnabeth, Annabeth,and andhis hissmile smilechanged. changed.

ItIthappened happenedsosoquickly quicklyAnnabeth Annabeththought thoughtshe’d she’dimagined imaginedit,it, but butjust justfor fora amoment momentsomeone someoneelse elseseemed seemedtotobebestanding standinginin Leo’s Leo’splace, place,smiling smilingcoldly coldlywith witha acruel cruellight lightininhis hiseyes. eyes.Then Then Annabeth Annabethblinked, blinked,and andLeo Leowas wasjust justregular regularold oldLeo Leoagain, again, with withhis hisusual usualimpish impishgrin. grin.

‘Back ‘Backsoon,’ soon,’hehepromised. promised.‘This ‘Thisisisgonna gonnabebeepic.’ epic.’

AAhorrible horriblechill chillsettled settledover overher. her.As AsLeo Leoand andOctavian Octavian headed headedfor forthe therope ropeladder, ladder,she shethought thoughtabout aboutcalling callingthem them back back––but buthow howcould couldshe sheexplain explainthat? that?Tell Telleveryone everyoneshe shewas was going goingcrazy, crazy,seeing seeingthings thingsand andfeeling feelingcold? cold?

The Thewind windspirits spiritsbegan beganclearing clearingthe theplates. plates.

617BB_TXT.indd 29

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 30 / 30

‘Uh, ‘Uh,Reyna,’ Reyna,’Jason Jasonsaid, said,‘if‘ifyou youdon’t don’tmind, mind,I’dI’dlike liketotoshow show Piper Piperaround aroundbefore beforethe thesenate senatemeeting. meeting.She’s She’snever neverseen seenNew New Rome.’

Rome.’

Reyna’s Reyna’sexpression expressionhardened. hardened.

Annabeth Annabethwondered wonderedhow howJason Jasoncould couldbebesosodense. dense.Was Wasitit possible possiblehehereally reallydidn’t didn’tunderstand understandhow howmuch muchReyna Reynaliked liked him? him?ItItwas wasobvious obviousenough enoughtotoAnnabeth.

Annabeth.Asking Askingtotoshow show his hisnew newgirlfriend girlfriendaround aroundReyna’s Reyna’scity citywas wasrubbing rubbingsalt saltinina a wound. wound.

‘Of ‘Ofcourse,’ course,’Reyna Reynasaid saidcoldly. coldly.

Percy Percytook tookAnnabeth’s Annabeth’shand. hand.‘Yeah, ‘Yeah,me, me,too. too.I’dI’dlike liketoto show showAnnabeth Annabeth–’–’ ‘No,’ ‘No,’Reyna Reynasnapped. snapped.

Percy Percyknitted knittedhis hiseyebrows. eyebrows.‘Sorry?’

‘Sorry?’

‘I’d ‘I’dlike likea afew fewwords wordswith withAnnabeth,’ Annabeth,’Reyna Reynasaid. said.‘Alone.

‘Alone.

IfIfyou youdon’t don’tmind, mind,my myfellow fellowpraetor.’ praetor.’

Her Hertone tonemade madeititclear clearshe shewasn’t wasn’treally reallyasking askingpermission. permission.

The Thechill chillspread spreaddown downAnnabeth’s Annabeth’sback. back.She Shewondered wondered what whatReyna Reynawas wasupupto. to.Maybe Maybethe thepraetor praetordidn’t didn’tlike likethe theidea idea ofoftwo twoguys guyswho whohad hadrejected rejectedher hergiving givingtheir theirgirlfriends girlfriendstours tours ofofher hercity. city.Or Ormaybe maybethere therewas wassomething somethingshe shewanted wantedtotosay say ininprivate. private.Either Eitherway, way,Annabeth Annabethwas wasreluctant reluctanttotobebealone alone and andunarmed unarmedwith withthe theRoman Romanleader. leader.

‘Come, ‘Come,daughter daughterofofAthena.’

Athena.’Reyna Reynarose rosefrom fromher hercouch. couch.

‘Walk ‘Walkwith withme.’ me.’

617BB_TXT.indd 30

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

I IVV

A An nn na ab beet th h

Annabeth Annabethwanted wantedto tohate hateNew NewRome.

Rome. But Butasasanan aspiring aspiringarchitect architectshe shecouldn’t couldn’thelp helpadmiring admiringthe theterraced terraced gardens, gardens,the thefountains fountainsand andtemples, temples,the thewinding windingcobblestone cobblestone streets streetsand andgleaming gleamingwhite whitevillas. villas.After Afterthe theTitan TitanWar Warlast last summer, summer,she’d she’dgot gother herdream dreamjob jobofofredesigning redesigningthe thepalaces palaces ofofMount MountOlympus.

Olympus.Now, Now,walking walkingthrough throughthis thisminiature miniature city, city,she shekept keptthinking, thinking,I Ishould shouldhave havemade madea adome domelike likethat. that.

I Ilove lovethe theway waythose thosecolumns columnslead leadinto intothat thatcourtyard. courtyard.Whoever Whoever designed designedNew NewRome Romehad hadclearly clearlypoured poureda alot lotofoftime timeand andlove love into intothe theproject. project.

‘We ‘Wehave havethe thebest bestarchitects architectsand andbuilders buildersininthe theworld,’ world,’ Reyna Reynasaid, said,asasififreading readingher herthoughts. thoughts.‘Rome ‘Romealways alwaysdid, did,inin the theancient ancienttimes. times.Many Manydemigods demigodsstay stayon ontotolive livehere hereafter after their theirtime timeininthe thelegion. legion.They Theygogototoour ouruniversity. university.They Theysettle settle down downtotoraise raisefamilies. families.Percy Percyseemed seemedinterested interestedininthis thisfact.’ fact.’

Annabeth Annabethwondered wonderedwhat whatthat thatmeant. meant.She Shemust musthave have

617BB_TXT.indd 31

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 32 / 32

scowled scowledmore morefiercely fiercelythan thanshe sherealized, realized,because becauseReyna Reyna laughed. laughed.

‘You’re ‘You’rea awarrior, warrior,allallright,’ right,’the thepraetor praetorsaid. said.‘You’ve ‘You’vegot got fire fireininyour youreyes.’ eyes.’

‘Sorry.’

‘Sorry.’Annabeth Annabethtried triedtototone tonedown downthe theglare. glare.

‘Don’t ‘Don’tbe. be.I’m I’mthe thedaughter daughterofofBellona.’

Bellona.’

‘Roman ‘Romangoddess goddessofofwar?’ war?’

Reyna Reynanodded. nodded.She Sheturned turnedand andwhistled whistledlike likeshe shewas was hailing hailinga acab. cab.AAmoment momentlater, later,two twometal metaldogs dogsraced racedtowards towards them them––automaton automatongreyhounds, greyhounds,one onesilver silverand andone onegold. gold.They They brushed brushedagainst againstReyna’s Reyna’slegs legsand andregarded regardedAnnabeth Annabethwith with glistening glisteningruby rubyeyes. eyes.

‘My ‘Mypets,’ pets,’Reyna Reynaexplained. explained.‘Aurum ‘Aurumand andArgentum.

Argentum.You You don’t don’tmind mindififthey theywalk walkwith withus?’ us?’

Again, Again,Annabeth Annabethgot gotthe thefeeling feelingititwasn’t wasn’treally reallya arequest. request.

She Shenoted notedthat thatthe thegreyhounds greyhoundshad hadteeth teethlike likesteel steelarrowheads. arrowheads.

Maybe Maybeweapons weaponsweren’t weren’tallowed allowedinside insidethe thecity, city,but butReyna’s Reyna’s pets petscould couldstill stilltear tearAnnabeth Annabethtotopieces piecesififthey theychose. chose.

Reyna Reynaled ledher hertotoananoutdoor outdoorcafé, café,where wherethe thewaiter waiterclearly clearly knew knewher. her.He Hesmiled smiledand andhanded handedher hera atakeaway takeawaycup, cup,then then offered offeredone onetotoAnnabeth.

Annabeth.

‘Would ‘Would you you like like some?’ some?’ Reyna Reyna asked. asked. ‘They ‘They make make wonderful wonderfulhot hotchocolate. chocolate.Not Notreally reallya aRoman Romandrink drink–’–’ ‘But ‘Butchocolate chocolateisisuniversal,’ universal,’Annabeth Annabethsaid. said.

‘Exactly.’

‘Exactly.’

ItItwas wasa awarm warmJune Juneafternoon, afternoon,but butAnnabeth Annabethaccepted acceptedthe the cup cupwith withthanks. thanks.The Thetwo twoofofthem themwalked walkedon, on,Reyna’s Reyna’sgold gold and andsilver silverdogs dogsroaming roamingnearby. nearby.

617BB_TXT.indd 32

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

3333/ Annabeth / Annabeth

‘In ‘Inour ourcamp,’ camp,’Reyna Reynasaid, said,‘Athena ‘AthenaisisMinerva.

Minerva.Are Areyou you familiar familiarwith withhow howher herRoman Romanform formisisdifferent?’ different?’

Annabeth Annabethhadn’t hadn’treally reallyconsidered consideredititbefore. before.She Sheremembered remembered the theway wayTerminus Terminushad hadcalled calledAthena Athenathat thatgoddess, goddess,asasififshe she were werescandalous. scandalous.Octavian Octavianhad hadacted actedlike likeAnnabeth’s Annabeth’svery very existence existencewas wasananinsult. insult.

‘I‘Itake takeititMinerva Minervaisn’t . . . isn’t . . .uh, uh,quite quiteasasrespected respectedhere?’ here?’

Reyna Reynablew blewsteam steamfrom fromher hercup. cup.‘We ‘Werespect respectMinerva.

Minerva.She’s She’s the thegoddess goddessofofcrafts craftsand andwisdom . . . wisdom . . .but butshe sheisn’t isn’treally reallya a goddess goddessofofwar. war.Not Notfor forRomans.

Romans.She’s She’salso alsoa amaiden maidengoddess, goddess, like likeDiana . . .

Diana . . .the theone oneyou youcall callArtemis.

Artemis.You Youwon’t won’tfind findany any children childrenofofMinerva Minervahere. here.The Theidea ideathat thatMinerva Minervawould wouldhave have children children––frankly, frankly,it’s it’sa alittle littleshocking shockingtotous.’ us.’

‘Oh.’ ‘Oh.’Annabeth Annabethfelt felther herface faceflush. flush.She Shedidn’t didn’twant wanttotoget get into intothe thedetails detailsofofAthena’s Athena’schildren children––how howthey theywere wereborn born straight straightfrom fromthe themind mindofofthe thegoddess, goddess,just justasasAthena Athenaherself herself had hadsprung sprungfrom fromthe thehead headofofZeus.

Zeus.Talking Talkingabout aboutthat thatalways always made madeAnnabeth Annabethfeel feelself-conscious, self-conscious,like likeshe shewas wassome somesort sortofof freak. freak.People Peopleusually usuallyasked askedher herwhether whetherorornot notshe shehad hada abelly belly button, button,since sinceshe shehad hadbeen beenborn bornmagically. magically.OfOfcourse courseshe shehad had a abelly bellybutton. button.She Shecouldn’t couldn’texplain explainhow. how.She Shedidn’t didn’treally really want wanttotoknow. know.

‘I‘Iunderstand understandthat thatyou youGreeks Greeksdon’t don’tsee seethings thingsthe thesame same way,’ way,’Reyna Reynacontinued. continued.‘But ‘ButRomans Romanstake takevows vowsofofmaidenhood maidenhood very veryseriously. seriously.The TheVestal VestalVirgins, Virgins,for forinstance . . . instance . . .ififthey they broke broketheir theirvows vowsand andfell fellininlove lovewith withanyone, anyone,they theywould wouldbebe buried buriedalive. alive.So Sothe theidea ideathat thata amaiden maidengoddess goddesswould wouldhave have children children–’–’

617BB_TXT.indd 33

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 34 / 34

‘Got ‘Gotit.’it.’Annabeth’s Annabeth’shot hotchocolate chocolatesuddenly suddenlytasted tastedlike like dust. dust.No Nowonder wonderthe theRomans Romanshad hadbeen beengiving givingher herstrange strange looks. looks.‘I’m ‘I’mnot notsupposed supposedtotoexist. exist.And Andeven evenififyour yourcamp camphad had children childrenofofMinerva Minerva–’–’ ‘They ‘Theywouldn’t wouldn’tbebelike likeyou,’ you,’Reyna Reynasaid. said.‘They ‘Theymight mightbebe craftsmen, craftsmen,artists, artists,maybe maybeadvisers, advisers,but butnot notwarriors. warriors.Not Not leaders leadersofofdangerous dangerousquests.’ quests.’

Annabeth Annabethstarted startedtotoobject objectthat thatshe shewasn’t wasn’tthe theleader leaderofof the thequest. quest.Not Notofficially. officially.But Butshe shewondered wonderedififher herfriends friendson on the theArgo ArgoIIIIwould wouldagree. agree.The Thepast pastfew fewdays, days,they theyhad hadbeen been looking lookingtotoher herfor fororders orders––even evenJason, Jason,who whocould couldhave havepulled pulled rank rankasasthe theson sonofofJupiter, Jupiter,and andCoach CoachHedge, Hedge,who whodidn’t didn’ttake take orders ordersfrom fromanyone. anyone.

‘There’s ‘There’smore.’ more.’Reyna Reynasnapped snappedher herfingers, fingers,and andher hergolden golden dog, dog,Aurum, Aurum,trotted trottedover. over.The Thepraetor praetorstroked strokedhis hisears. ears.‘The ‘The harpy harpyElla . . .

Ella . . .ititwas wasa aprophecy prophecyshe shespoke. spoke.We Weboth bothknow know that, that,don’t don’twe?’ we?’

Annabeth Annabethswallowed. swallowed.Something Somethingabout aboutAurum’s Aurum’sruby rubyeyes eyes made madeher heruneasy. uneasy.She Shehad hadheard heardthat thatdogs dogscould couldsmell smellfear, fear, even evendetect detectchanges changesinina ahuman’s human’sbreathing breathingand andheartbeat. heartbeat.

She Shedidn’t didn’tknow knowififthat thatapplied appliedtotomagical magicalmetal metaldogs, dogs,but but she shedecided decidedititwould wouldbebebetter bettertototell tellthe thetruth. truth.

‘It‘Itsounded soundedlike likea aprophecy,’ prophecy,’she sheadmitted. admitted.‘But ‘ButI’ve I’venever never met metElla Ellabefore beforetoday, today,and andI’ve I’venever neverheard heardthose thoselines linesexactly.’ exactly.’

‘I‘Ihave,’ have,’Reyna Reynamurmured. murmured.‘At ‘Atleast leastsome someofofthem them–’–’ AAfew fewyards yardsaway, away,the thesilver silverdog dogbarked. barked.AAgroup groupofof children childrenspilled spilledout outofofa anearby nearbyalleyway alleywayand andgathered gatheredaround around Argentum, Argentum,petting pettingthe thedog dogand andlaughing, laughing,unfazed unfazedbybyitsits razor-sharp razor-sharpteeth. teeth.

617BB_TXT.indd 34

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

3535/ Annabeth / Annabeth

‘We ‘Weshould shouldmove moveon,’ on,’Reyna Reynasaid. said.

They Theywound woundtheir theirway wayup upthe thehill. hill.The Thegreyhounds greyhounds followed, followed,leaving leavingthe thechildren childrenbehind. behind.Annabeth Annabethkept kept glancing glancingatatReyna’s Reyna’sface. face.AAvague vaguememory memorystarted startedtugging tugging atather her––the theway wayReyna Reynabrushed brushedher herhair hairbehind behindher herear, ear,the the silver silverring ringshe shewore worewith withthe thetorch torchand andsword sworddesign. design.

‘We’ve ‘We’vemet metbefore,’ before,’Annabeth Annabethventured. ventured.‘You ‘Youwere wereyounger, younger, I Ithink.’ think.’

Reyna Reynagave gaveher hera adry drysmile. smile.‘Very ‘Verygood. good.Percy Percydidn’t didn’t remember rememberme. me.Of Ofcourse courseyou youspoke spokemostly mostlywith withmy myolder older sister sisterHylla, Hylla,who whoisisnow nowqueen queenofofthe theAmazons.

Amazons.She Sheleft leftjust just this thismorning, morning,before beforeyou youarrived. arrived.At Atany anyrate, rate,when whenwe welast last met, met,I Iwas wasa amere merehandmaiden handmaidenininthe thehouse houseofofCirce.’

Circe.’

‘Circe . . .’

‘Circe . . .’Annabeth Annabethremembered rememberedher hertrip triptotothe theisland islandofof the thesorceress. sorceress.She’d She’dbeen beenthirteen. thirteen.Percy Percyand andshe shehad hadwashed washed ashore ashorefrom fromthe theSea SeaofofMonsters.

Monsters.Hylla Hyllahad hadwelcomed welcomedthem. them.

She Shehad hadhelped helpedAnnabeth Annabethget getcleaned cleanedup upand andgiven givenher hera a beautiful beautifulnew newdress dressand anda acomplete completemakeover. makeover.Then ThenCirce Circehad had made madeher hersales salespitch: pitch:ififAnnabeth Annabethstayed stayedon onthe theisland, island,she she could couldhave havemagical magicaltraining trainingand andincredible incrediblepower. power.Annabeth Annabeth had hadbeen beentempted, tempted,maybe maybejust justa alittle, little,until untilshe sherealized realizedthe the place placewas wasa atrap, trap,and andPercy Percyhad hadbeen beenturned turnedinto intoa arodent. rodent.

(That (Thatlast lastpart partseemed seemedfunny funnyafterwards, afterwards,but butatatthe thetime timeitit had hadbeen beenterrifying.) terrifying.)As Asfor forReyna . . .

Reyna . . .she’d she’dbeen beenone oneofofthe the servants servantswho whohad hadcombed combedAnnabeth’s Annabeth’shair. hair.

‘You . . .’

‘You . . .’Annabeth Annabethsaid saidininamazement. amazement.‘And ‘AndHylla Hyllaisis queen queenofofthe theAmazons?

Amazons?How Howdid didyou youtwo two––?’?’

‘Long ‘Longstory,’ story,’Reyna Reynasaid. said.‘But ‘ButI Iremember rememberyou youwell. well.You You were werebrave. brave.I’dI’dnever neverseen seenanyone anyonerefuse refuseCirce’s Circe’shospitality, hospitality,

617BB_TXT.indd 35

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 36 / 36

much muchless lessoutwit outwither. her.It’s It’sno nowonder wonderPercy Percycares caresfor foryou.’ you.’

Her Hervoice voicewas waswistful. wistful.Annabeth Annabeththought thoughtititmight mightbebesafer safer not nottotorespond. respond.

They Theyreached reachedthe thetop topofofthe thehill, hill,where wherea aterrace terraceoverlooked overlooked the theentire entirevalley. valley.

‘This ‘Thisisismy myfavourite favouritespot,’ spot,’Reyna Reynasaid. said.‘The ‘TheGarden Gardenofof Bacchus.’

Bacchus.’

Grapevine Grapevinetrellises trellisesmade madea acanopy canopyoverhead. overhead.Bees Beesbuzzed buzzed through throughhoneysuckle honeysuckleand andjasmine, jasmine,which whichfilled filledthe theafternoon afternoon air airwith witha adizzying dizzyingmix mixofofperfumes. perfumes.InInthe themiddle middleofofthe the terrace terracestood stooda astatue statueofofBacchus Bacchusinina asort sortofofballet balletposition, position, wearing wearingnothing nothingbut buta aloincloth, loincloth,his hischeeks cheekspuffed puffedout outand and lips lipspursed, pursed,spouting spoutingwater waterinto intoa afountain. fountain.

Despite Despiteher herworries, worries,Annabeth Annabethalmost almostlaughed. laughed.She Sheknew knew the thegod godininhis hisGreek Greekform, form,Dionysus Dionysus––ororMr MrD, D,asasthey theycalled called him himback backatatCamp CampHalf-Blood.

Half-Blood.Seeing Seeingtheir theircranky crankyold oldcamp camp director directorimmortalized immortalizedininstone, stone,wearing wearinga anappy nappyand andspewing spewing water waterfrom fromhis hismouth, mouth,made madeher herfeel feela alittle littlebetter. better.

Reyna Reynastopped stoppedatatthe theedge edgeofofthe theterrace. terrace.The Theview viewwas was worth worththe theclimb. climb.The Thewhole wholecity cityspread spreadout outbelow belowthem themlike like a a3-D 3-Dmosaic. mosaic.To Tothe thesouth, south,beyond beyondthe thelake, lake,a acluster clusterofof temples templesperched perchedonona ahill. hill.To Tothe thenorth, north,ananaqueduct aqueductmarched marched towards towardsthe theBerkeley BerkeleyHills.

Hills.Work Workcrews crewswere wererepairing repairinga a broken brokensection, section,probably probablydamaged damagedininthe therecent recentbattle. battle.

‘I‘Iwanted wantedtotohear hearititfrom fromyou,’ you,’Reyna Reynasaid. said.

Annabeth Annabethturned. turned.‘Hear ‘Hearwhat whatfrom fromme?’ me?’

‘The ‘Thetruth,’ truth,’Reyna Reynasaid. said.‘Convince ‘Convinceme methat thatI’m I’mnot notmaking making a amistake mistakebybytrusting trustingyou. you.Tell Tellme meabout aboutyourself. yourself.Tell Tellme me

617BB_TXT.indd 36

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

3737/ Annabeth / Annabeth

about aboutCamp CampHalf-Blood.

Half-Blood.Your Yourfriend friendPiper Piperhas hassorcery sorceryininher her words. words.I Ispent spentenough enoughtime timewith withCirce Circetotoknow knowcharmspeak charmspeak when whenI Ihear hearit.it.I Ican’t can’ttrust trustwhat whatshe shesays. says.And AndJason . . .

Jason . . . well, well,hehehas haschanged. changed.He Heseems seemsdistant, distant,no nolonger longerquite quite Roman.’

Roman.’

The Thehurt hurtininher hervoice voicewas wasasassharp sharpasasbroken brokenglass. glass.

Annabeth Annabethwondered wonderedififshe shehad hadsounded soundedthat thatway, way,all allthe the months monthsshe’d she’dspent spentsearching searchingfor forPercy.

Percy.At Atleast leastshe’d she’dfound found her herboyfriend. boyfriend.Reyna Reynahad hadno noone. one.She Shewas wasresponsible responsiblefor for running runningananentire entirecamp campallallbybyherself. herself.Annabeth Annabethcould couldsense sense that thatReyna Reynawanted wantedJason Jasontotolove loveher. her.But Buthehehad haddisappeared, disappeared, only onlytotocome comeback backwith witha anew newgirlfriend. girlfriend.Meanwhile, Meanwhile,Percy Percy had hadrisen risentotopraetor, praetor,but buthehehad hadrebuffed rebuffedReyna, Reyna,too. too.Now Now Annabeth Annabethhad hadcome cometototake takehim himaway. away.Reyna Reynawould wouldbebeleft left alone aloneagain, again,shouldering shoulderinga ajob jobmeant meantfor fortwo twopeople. people.

When WhenAnnabeth Annabethhad hadarrived arrivedatatCamp CampJupiter, Jupiter,she’d she’dbeen been prepared preparedtotonegotiate negotiatewith withReyna Reynaororeven evenfight fighther herififneeded. needed.

She Shehadn’t hadn’tbeen beenprepared preparedtotofeel feelsorry sorryfor forher. her.

She Shekept keptthat thatfeeling feelinghidden. hidden.Reyna Reynadidn’t didn’tstrike strikeher herasas someone someonewho whowould wouldappreciate appreciatepity. pity.

Instead, Instead,she shetold toldReyna Reynaabout abouther herown ownlife. life.She Shetalked talked about abouther herdad dadand andstepmom stepmomand andher hertwo twostepbrothers stepbrothersininSan San Francisco, Francisco,and andhow howshe shehad hadfelt feltlike likeananoutsider outsiderininher herown own family. family.She Shetalked talkedabout abouthow howshe shehad hadrun runaway awaywhen whenshe shewas was only onlyseven, seven,finding findingher herfriends friendsLuke Lukeand andThalia Thaliaand andmaking making her herway waytotoCamp CampHalf-Blood Half-Bloodon onLong LongIsland.

Island.She Shedescribed described the thecamp campand andher heryears yearsgrowing growingupupthere. there.She Shetalked talkedabout about meeting meetingPercy Percyand andthe theadventures adventuresthey’d they’dhad hadtogether. together.

617BB_TXT.indd 37

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth/ /38 38 Annabeth

Reynawas wasaagood goodlistener. listener.

Reyna Annabeth was was tempted tempted toto tell tell her her about about more more recent recent annabeth problems:her herfight fightwith withher hermom, mom,the thegift giftofofthe thesilver silvercoin coin problems: andthe thenightmares nightmaresshe’ she’ddbeen beenhaving having––about aboutan anold oldfear fearsoso and paralyzingshe’ she’ almostdecided decidedthat thatshe shecouldn’t couldn’tgo goon onthis this paralysing ddalmost quest.But Butshe shecouldn’t couldn’tbring bringherself herselftotoopen openup upquite quitethat thatmuch. much. quest.

Whenannabeth Annabethwas wasdone donetalking, talking,Reyna Reynagazed gazedover over when NewRome.

Rome.Her Hermetal metalgreyhounds greyhoundssniffed sniffedaround aroundthe thegarden, garden, new snappingatatbees beesininthe thehoneysuckle. honeysuckle.Finally FinallyReyna Reynapointed pointed snapping thecluster clusterofoftemples templeson onthe thedistant distanthill. hill. totothe ‘Thesmall smallred redbuilding,’ building,’she shesaid, said,‘there ‘thereon onthe thenorthern northern ‘the side?that’s That’sthe thetemple templeofofmy mymother, mother,Bellona.’

Bellona.’Reyna Reynaturned turned side? towardsannabeth.

Annabeth.‘Unlike ‘Unlikeyour yourmother, mother,Bellona Bellonahas hasno no towards Greekequivalent. equivalent.she Sheisisfully, fully,truly trulyRoman.

Roman.she’s She’sthe thegoddess goddess greek protectingthe thehomeland.’ homeland.’ ofofprotecting Annabethsaid saidnothing. nothing.she Sheknew knewvery verylittle littleabout aboutthe the annabeth Romangoddess. goddess.she Shewished wishedshe shehad hadstudied studiedup, up,but butlatin Latin Roman never came as easily to her as Greek.

Down below, the hull never came as easily to her as greek. down below, the hull theArgo ArgoIIIIgleamed gleamedasasititfloated floatedover overthe theforum, forum,like likesome some ofofthe massivebronze bronzeparty partyballoon. balloon. massive ‘Whenthe theRomans Romansgo gototowar,’ war,’Reyna Reynacontinued, continued,‘we ‘wefirst first ‘when visitthe thetemple TempleofofBellona.

Bellona.Inside Insideisisaasymbolic symbolicpatch patchofof visit groundthat thatrepresents representsenemy enemysoil. soil.we Wethrow throwaaspear spearinto into ground thatground, ground,indicating indicatingthat thatwe weare arenow nowatatwar. war.You Yousee, see, that Romanshave havealways alwaysbelieved believedthat thatoffence offenceisisthe thebest bestdefence. defence.

Romans Inancient ancienttimes, times,whenever wheneverour ourancestors ancestorsfelt feltthreatened threatenedby by In theirneighbours, neighbours,they theywould wouldinvade invadetotoprotect protectthemselves.’ themselves.’ their ‘Theyconquered conqueredeveryone everyonearound aroundthem,’ them,’annabeth Annabethsaid. said. ‘they ‘Carthage,the thegauls Gauls–’–’ ‘carthage,

61

39 / Annabeth

‘And the Greeks.’ Reyna let that comment hang. ‘My point, Annabeth, is that it isn’t Rome’s nature to cooperate with other powers. Every time Greek and Roman demigods have met, we’ve fought. Conflicts between our two sides have started some of the most horrible wars in human history – especially civil wars.’

‘It doesn’t have to be that way,’ Annabeth said. ‘We’ve got to work together, or Gaia will destroy us both.’

‘I agree,’ Reyna said. ‘But is cooperation possible? What if Juno’s plan is flawed? Even goddesses can make mistakes.’

Annabeth waited for Reyna to get struck by lightning or turned into a peacock. Nothing happened.

Unfortunately, Annabeth shared Reyna’s doubts. Hera did make mistakes. Annabeth had had nothing but trouble from that overbearing goddess, and she’d never forgive Hera for taking Percy away, even if it was for a noble cause.

‘I don’t trust the goddess,’ Annabeth admitted. ‘But I do trust my friends. This isn’t a trick, Reyna. We can work together.’

Reyna finished her cup of chocolate. She set the cup on the terrace railing and gazed over the valley as if imagining battle lines.

‘I believe you mean it,’ she said. ‘But if you go to the ancient lands, especially Rome itself, there is something you should know about your mother.’

Annabeth’s shoulders tensed. ‘My – my mother?’

‘When I lived on Circe’s island,’ Reyna said, ‘we had many visitors. Once, perhaps a year before you and Percy arrived, a young man washed ashore. He was half mad from

617BB_TXT.indd 39

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 40 / 40

thirst thirstand andheat. heat.He’d He’dbeen beendrifting driftingatatsea seafor fordays. days.His Hiswords words didn’t didn’tmake makemuch muchsense, sense,but buthehesaid saidhehewas wasa ason sonofofAthena.’

Athena.’

Reyna Reynapaused pausedasasififwaiting waitingfor fora areaction. reaction.Annabeth Annabethhad had no noidea ideawho whothe theboy boymight mighthave havebeen. been.She Shewasn’t wasn’taware awareofof any anyother otherAthena Athenakids kidswho’d who’dgone goneon ona aquest questininthe theSea Seaofof Monsters, Monsters,but butstill stillshe shefelt felta asense senseofofdread. dread.The Thelight lightfiltering filtering through throughthe thegrapevines grapevinesmade madeshadows shadowswrithe writheacross acrossthe the ground groundlike likea aswarm swarmofofbugs. bugs.

‘What ‘Whathappened happenedtotothis thisdemigod?’ demigod?’she sheasked. asked.

Reyna Reynawaved wavedher herhand handasasififthe thequestion questionwas wastrivial. trivial.‘Circe ‘Circe turned turnedhim himinto intoa aguinea guineapig, pig,ofofcourse. course.He Hemade madequite quitea a crazy crazylittle littlerodent. rodent.But Butbefore beforethat thathehekept keptraving ravingabout abouthis his failed failedquest. quest.He Heclaimed claimedthat thathe’d he’dgone gonetotoRome, Rome,following following the theMark MarkofofAthena.’

Athena.’

Annabeth Annabethgrabbed grabbedthe therailing railingtotokeep keepher herbalance. balance.

‘Yes,’ ‘Yes,’ Reyna Reyna said, said, seeing seeing her her discomfort. discomfort. ‘He ‘He kept kept muttering mutteringabout aboutwisdom’s wisdom’schild, child,the theMark MarkofofAthena Athenaand and the thegiants’ giants’bane banestanding standingpale paleand andgold. gold.The Thesame samelines linesElla Ella was wasjust justreciting. reciting.But Butyou yousay saythat thatyou’ve you’venever neverheard heardthem them before beforetoday?’ today?’

‘Not ‘Not––not notthe theway wayElla Ellasaid saidthem.’ them.’Annabeth’s Annabeth’svoice voicewas was weak. weak.She Shewasn’t wasn’tlying. lying.She’d She’dnever neverheard heardthat thatprophecy, prophecy, but buther hermother motherhad hadcharged chargedher herwith withfollowing followingthe theMark Mark ofofAthena Athenaand, and,asasshe shethought thoughtabout aboutthe thecoin coinininher herpocket, pocket, a ahorrible horriblesuspicion suspicionbegan begantaking takingroot rootininher hermind. mind.She She remembered rememberedher hermother’s mother’sscathing scathingwords. words.She Shethought thoughtabout about the thestrange strangenightmares nightmaresshe’d she’dbeen beenhaving havinglately. lately.‘Did ‘Didthis this demigod demigod––did didheheexplain explainhis hisquest?’ quest?’

Reyna Reynashook shookher herhead. head.‘At ‘Atthe thetime, time,I Ihad hadno noidea ideawhat what

617BB_TXT.indd 40

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

4141/ Annabeth / Annabeth

hehewas wastalking talkingabout. about.Much Muchlater, later,when whenI Ibecame becamepraetor praetorofof Camp CampJupiter, Jupiter,I Ibegan begantotosuspect.’ suspect.’

‘Suspect . . .

‘Suspect . . .what?’ what?’

‘There ‘Thereisisananold oldlegend legendthat thatthe thepraetors praetorsofofCamp CampJupiter Jupiter have havepassed passeddown downthrough throughthe thecenturies. centuries.IfIfit’s it’strue, true,ititmay may explain explainwhy whyour ourtwo twogroups groupsofofdemigods demigodshave havenever neverbeen beenable able totowork worktogether. together.ItItmay maybebethe thecause causeofofour ouranimosity. animosity.Until Until this thisold oldscore scoreisisfinally finallysettled, settled,sosothe thelegend legendgoes, goes,Romans Romans and andGreeks Greekswill willnever neverbebeatatpeace. peace.And Andthe thelegend legendcentres centres on onAthena Athena–’–’ AAshrill shrillsound soundpierced piercedthe theair. air.Light Lightflashed flashedininthe thecorner corner ofofAnnabeth’s Annabeth’seye. eye.

She Sheturned turnedinintime timetotosee seeananexplosion explosionblast blasta anew newcrater crater ininthe theforum. forum.AAburning burningcouch couchtumbled tumbledthrough throughthe theair. air.

Demigods Demigodsscattered scatteredininpanic. panic.

‘Giants?’

‘Giants?’Annabeth Annabethreached reachedfor forher herdagger, dagger,which whichofofcourse course wasn’t wasn’tthere. there.‘I‘Ithought thoughttheir theirarmy armywas wasdefeated!’ defeated!’

‘It‘Itisn’t isn’tthe thegiants.’ giants.’Reyna’s Reyna’seyes eyesseethed seethedwith withrage. rage.‘You’ve ‘You’ve betrayed betrayedour ourtrust.’ trust.’

‘What?

‘What?No!’ No!’ As Assoon soonasasshe shesaid saidit,it,the theArgo ArgoIIIIlaunched launcheda asecond secondvolley. volley.

Its Itsport portballista ballistafired fireda amassive massivespear spearwreathed wreathedininGreek Greekfire, fire, which whichsailed sailedstraight straightthrough throughthe thebroken brokendome domeofofthe theSenate Senate House Houseand andexploded explodedinside, inside,lighting lightingupupthe thebuilding buildinglike likea a jack-o’-lantern. jack-o’-lantern.IfIfanyone anyonehad hadbeen beenininthere . . . there . . .

‘Gods, ‘Gods,no.’ no.’AAwave waveofofnausea nauseaalmost almostmade madeAnnabeth’s Annabeth’s knees kneesbuckle. buckle.‘Reyna, ‘Reyna,ititisn’t isn’tpossible. possible.We’d We’dnever neverdodothis!’ this!’

The Themetal metaldogs dogsran rantototheir theirmistress’s mistress’sside. side.They Theysnarled snarled atatAnnabeth Annabethbut butpaced paceduncertainly, uncertainly,asasififreluctant reluctanttotoattack. attack.

617BB_TXT.indd 41

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth Annabeth/ 42 / 42

‘You’re ‘You’retelling tellingthe thetruth,’ truth,’Reyna Reynajudged. judged.‘Perhaps ‘Perhapsyou youwere were not notaware awareofofthis thistreachery, treachery,but butsomeone someonemust mustpay.’ pay.’

Down Downininthe theforum, forum,chaos chaoswas wasspreading. spreading.Crowds Crowdswere were pushing pushingand andshoving. shoving.Fistfights Fistfightswere werebreaking breakingout. out.

‘Bloodshed,’ ‘Bloodshed,’Reyna Reynasaid. said.

‘We ‘Wehave havetotostop stopit!’ it!’

Annabeth Annabethhad hada ahorrible horriblefeeling feelingthis thismight mightbebethe thelast lasttime time Reyna Reynaand andshe sheever everacted actedininagreement, agreement,but buttogether togetherthey theyran ran down downthe thehill. hill.

IfIfweapons weaponshad hadbeen beenallowed allowedininthe thecity, city,Annabeth’s Annabeth’sfriends friends would wouldhave havealready alreadybeen beendead. dead.The TheRoman Romandemigods demigodsininthe the forum forumhad hadcoalesced coalescedinto intoananangry angrymob. mob.Some Somethrew threwplates, plates, food foodand androcks rocksatatthe theArgo ArgoII,II,which whichwas waspointless, pointless,asasmost most ofofthe thestuff stufffell fellback backinto intothe thecrowd. crowd.

Several Severaldozen dozenRomans Romanshad hadsurrounded surroundedPiper Piperand andJason, Jason, who whowere weretrying tryingtotocalm calmthem themwithout withoutmuch muchluck. luck.Piper’s Piper’s charmspeak charmspeakwas wasuseless uselessagainst againstsosomany manyscreaming, screaming,angry angry demigods. demigods.Jason’s Jason’sforehead foreheadwas wasbleeding. bleeding.His Hispurple purplecloak cloakhad had been beenripped rippedtotoshreds. shreds.He Hekept keptpleading, pleading,‘I’m ‘I’mon onyour yourside!’ side!’ but buthis hisorange orangeCamp CampHalf-Blood Half-BloodT-shirt T-shirtdidn’t didn’thelp helpmatters matters–– nor nordid didthe thewarship warshipoverhead, overhead,firing firingflaming flamingspears spearsinto intoNew New Rome.

Rome.One Onelanded landednearby nearbyand andblasted blasteda atoga togashop shoptotorubble. rubble.

‘Pluto’s ‘Pluto’spauldrons,’ pauldrons,’Reyna Reynacursed. cursed.‘Look.’

‘Look.’

Armed Armedlegionnaires legionnaireswere werehurrying hurryingtowards towardsthe theforum. forum.

Two Twoartillery artillerycrews crewshad hadset setup upcatapults catapultsjust justoutside outsidethe the Pomerian PomerianLine Lineand andwere werepreparing preparingtotofire fireatatthe theArgo ArgoII.II. ‘That’ll ‘That’lljust justmake makethings thingsworse,’ worse,’Annabeth Annabethsaid. said.

617BB_TXT.indd 42

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

4343/ Annabeth / Annabeth

‘I‘Ihate hatemy myjob,’ job,’Reyna Reynagrowled. growled.She Sherushed rushedoff offtowards towardsthe the legionnaires, legionnaires,her herdogs dogsatather herside. side.

Percy, Percy,Annabeth Annabeththought, thought,scanning scanningthe theforum forumdesperately. desperately.

Where Whereare areyou? you?

Two TwoRomans Romanstried triedtotograb grabher. her.She Sheducked duckedpast pastthem, them, plunging plunginginto intothe thecrowd. crowd.As Asififthe theangry angryRomans, Romans,burning burning couches couchesand andexploding explodingbuildings buildingsweren’t weren’tconfusing confusingenough, enough, hundreds hundredsofofpurple purpleghosts ghostsdrifted driftedthrough throughthe theforum, forum, passing passingstraight straightthrough throughthe thedemigods’ demigods’bodies bodiesand andwailing wailing incoherently. incoherently.The Thefauns faunshad hadalso alsotaken takenadvantage advantageofofthe thechaos. chaos.

They Theyswarmed swarmedthe thedining diningtables, tables,grabbing grabbingfood, food,plates platesand and cups. cups.One Onetrotted trottedbybyAnnabeth Annabethwith withhis hisarms armsfull fullofoftacos tacos and andananentire entirepineapple pineapplebetween betweenhis histeeth. teeth.

AAstatue statueofofTerminus Terminusexploded explodedinto intobeing, being,right rightininfront front ofofAnnabeth.

Annabeth.He Heyelled yelledatather herininLatin, Latin,no nodoubt doubtcalling callingher her a aliar liarand anda arule rulebreaker, breaker,but butshe shepushed pushedthe thestatue statueover overand and kept keptrunning. running.

Finally Finallyshe shespotted spottedPercy.

Percy.He Heand andhis hisfriends, friends,Hazel Hazeland and Frank, Frank,were werestanding standingininthe themiddle middleofofa afountain fountainasasPercy Percy repelled repelledthe theangry angryRomans Romanswith withblasts blastsofofwater. water.Percy’s Percy’stoga toga was wasinintatters, tatters,but buthehelooked lookedunhurt. unhurt.

Annabeth Annabethcalled calledtotohim himasasanother anotherexplosion explosionrocked rockedthe the forum. forum.This Thistime timethe theflash flashofoflight lightwas wasdirectly directlyoverhead. overhead.One One ofofthe theRoman Romancatapults catapultshad hadfired, fired,and andthe theArgo ArgoIIIIgroaned groanedand and tilted tiltedsideways, sideways,flames flamesbubbling bubblingover overitsitsbronze-plated bronze-platedhull. hull.

Annabeth Annabethnoticed noticeda afigure figureclinging clingingdesperately desperatelytotothe the rope ropeladder, ladder,trying tryingtotoclimb climbdown. down.ItItwas wasOctavian, Octavian,his hisrobes robes steaming steamingand andhis hisface faceblack blackwith withsoot. soot.

Over Overbybythe thefountain, fountain,Percy Percyblasted blastedthe theRoman Romanmob mobwith with

617BB_TXT.indd 43

10/08/2012 09:33

Annabeth / 44

more water. Annabeth ran towards him, ducking a Roman fist and a flying plate of sandwiches.

‘Annabeth!’ Percy called. ‘What – ?’

‘I don’t know!’ she yelled.

‘I’ll tell you what!’ cried a voice from above. Octavian had reached the bottom of the ladder. ‘The Greeks have fired on us! Your boy Leo has trained his weapons on Rome!’

Annabeth’s chest filled with liquid hydrogen. She felt like she might shatter into a million frozen pieces.

‘You’re lying,’ she said. ‘Leo would never –’ ‘I was just there!’ Octavian shrieked. ‘I saw it with my own eyes!’

The Argo II returned fire. Legionnaires in the field scattered as one of their catapults was blasted to splinters.

‘You see?’ Octavian screamed. ‘Romans, kill the invaders!’

Annabeth growled in frustration. There was no time for anyone to figure out the truth. The crew from Camp Half-Blood was outnumbered a hundred to one, and even if Octavian had managed to stage some sort of trick (which she thought likely) they’d never be able to convince the Romans before they were overrun and killed.

‘We have to leave,’ she told Percy. ‘Now.’ He nodded grimly. ‘Hazel, Frank, you’ve got to make a choice. Are you coming?’

Hazel looked terrified, but she donned her cavalry helmet.

‘Of course we are. But you’ll never make it to the ship unless we buy you some time.’

‘How?’ Annabeth asked.

Hazel whistled. Instantly a blur of beige shot across the

617BB_tXt.indd 44

10/08/2012 09:33

9:33

4545/ Annabeth / Annabeth

forum. forum.Aamajestic majestichorse horsematerialized materializednext nexttotothe thefountain. fountain.He He reared, reared,whinnying whinnyingand andscattering scatteringthe themob. mob.Hazel Hazelclimbed climbedon on his hisback backlike likeshe’d she’dbeen beenborn borntotoride. ride.Strapped strappedtotothe thehorse’s horse’s saddle saddlewas wasa aRoman Romancavalry cavalrysword. sword.

Hazel Hazelunsheathed unsheathedher hergolden goldenblade. blade.‘Send ‘sendme meananIrisIrismessage messagewhen whenyou’re you’resafely safelyaway, away,and andwe’ll we’llrendezvous,’ rendezvous,’she she said. said.‘Arion, ‘arion,ride!’ ride!’

The thehorse horsezipped zippedthrough throughthe thecrowd crowdwith withincredible incrediblespeed, speed, pushing pushingback backRomans Romansand andcausing causingmass masspanic. panic.

Annabeth annabethfelt felta aglimmer glimmerofofhope. hope.Maybe maybethey theycould couldmake make ititout outofofhere herealive. alive.Then, then,from fromhalfway halfwayacross acrossthe theforum, forum,she she heard heardJason Jasonshouting. shouting.

‘Romans!’

‘Romans!’hehecried. cried.‘Please!’

‘Please!’

He and Piper were being He and Piper were beingpelted peltedwith withplates platesand andstones. stones.

Jason tried to shield Piper, but a brick caught him above Jason tried to shield Piper, but a brick caught him abovethe the eye.

He crumpled, and the crowd surged forward. eye. He crumpled, and the crowd surged forward.

‘Get ‘getback!’ back!’Piper Piperscreamed. screamed.Her Hercharmspeak charmspeakrolled rolledover over the mob, making them hesitate, but Annabeth knew the effect the mob, making them hesitate, but annabeth knew the wouldn’t last. Percy sheand couldn’t them in effect wouldn’t last.and she Percy possibly couldn’treach possibly reach time toin help. them time to help.

‘Frank,’ ‘Frank,’Percy Percysaid, said,‘it’s ‘it’sup uptotoyou. you.Can canyou youhelp helpthem?’ them?’

Annabeth annabethdidn’t didn’tunderstand understandhow howFrank Frankcould coulddo dothat thatallall bybyhimself, himself,but butheheswallowed swallowednervously. nervously.

‘Oh, ‘oh,gods,’ gods,’hehemurmured. murmured.‘Okay, ‘okay,sure. sure.Just Justget getup upthe the ropes. ropes.Now.’ now.’

Percy Percyand andAnnabeth annabethlunged lungedfor forthe theladder. ladder.Octavian octavianwas was still stillclinging clingingtotothe thebottom, bottom,but butPercy Percyyanked yankedhim himoff offand and threw threwhim himinto intothe themob. mob.

They theybegan begantotoclimb climbasasarmed armedlegionnaires legionnairesflooded floodedinto intothe the

Annabeth Annabeth/ 46 / 46

forum. forum.Arrows Arrowswhistled whistledpast pastAnnabeth’s Annabeth’shead. head.An Anexplosion explosion almost almostknocked knockedher heroff offthe theladder. ladder.Halfway Halfwayup, up,she sheheard hearda a roar roarbelow belowand andglanced glanceddown. down.

Romans Romansscreamed screamedand andscattered scatteredasasa afull-sized full-sizeddragon dragon charged chargedthrough throughthe theforum forum––a abeast beasteven evenscarier scarierthan thanthe the bronze bronzedragon dragonfigurehead figureheadon onthe theArgo ArgoII.II.ItIthad hadrough roughgrey grey skin skinlike likea aKomodo Komodolizard’s lizard’sand andleathery leatherybat batwings. wings.Arrows Arrows and androcks rocksbounced bouncedharmlessly harmlesslyoff offitsitshide hideasasititlumbered lumbered towards towardsPiper Piperand andJason, Jason,grabbed grabbedthem themwith withitsitsfront frontclaws claws and andvaulted vaultedinto intothe theair. air.

‘Is‘Isthat . . .?’ that . . .?’Annabeth Annabethcouldn’t couldn’teven evenput putthe thethought thoughtinto into words. words.

‘Frank,’ ‘Frank,’Percy Percyconfirmed, confirmed,a afew fewfeet feetabove aboveher. her.‘He ‘Hehas hasa a few fewspecial specialtalents.’ talents.’

‘Understatement,’ ‘Understatement,’Annabeth Annabethmuttered. muttered.‘Keep ‘Keepclimbing!’ climbing!’

Without Withoutthe thedragon dragonand andHazel’s Hazel’shorse horsetotodistract distractthe the archers, archers,they theynever neverwould wouldhave havemade madeititup upthe theladder, ladder,but but finally finallythey theyclimbed climbedpast pasta arow rowofofbroken brokenaerial aerialoars oarsand andonto onto the thedeck. deck.The Therigging riggingwas wason onfire. fire.The Theforesail foresailwas wasripped ripped down downthe themiddle, middle,and andthe theship shiplisted listedbadly badlytotostarboard. starboard.

There Therewas wasno nosign signofofCoach CoachHedge, Hedge,but butLeo Leostood stood amidships, amidships,calmly calmlyreloading reloadingthe theballistae. ballistae.Annabeth’s Annabeth’sgut gut twisted twistedwith withhorror. horror.

‘Leo!’ ‘Leo!’she shescreamed. screamed.‘What ‘Whatare areyou youdoing?’ doing?’

‘Destroy ‘Destroythem . . .’ them . . .’He Hefaced facedAnnabeth.

Annabeth.His Hiseyes eyeswere were glazed. glazed.His Hismovements movementswere werelike likea arobot’s. robot’s.‘Destroy ‘Destroythem themall.’ all.’

He Heturned turnedback backtotothe theballistae, ballistae,but butPercy Percytackled tackledhim. him.

Leo’s Leo’shead headhit hitthe thedeck deckhard, hard,and andhis hiseyes eyesrolled rolledupupsosothat that only onlythe thewhites whitesshowed. showed.

617BB_TXT.indd 46

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

4747/ Annabeth / Annabeth

The Thegrey greydragon dragonsoared soaredinto intoview. view.ItItcircled circledthe theship shiponce once and andlanded landedatatthe thebow, bow,depositing depositingJason Jasonand andPiper, Piper,who whoboth both collapsed. collapsed.

‘Go!’ ‘Go!’Percy Percyyelled. yelled.‘Get ‘Getususout outofofhere!’ here!’

With Witha ashock, shock,Annabeth Annabethrealized realizedhehewas wastalking talkingtotoher. her.

She Sheran ranfor forthe thehelm. helm.She Shemade madethe themistake mistakeofofglancing glancing over overthe therail railand andsaw sawarmed armedlegionnaires legionnairesclosing closingranks ranksininthe the forum, forum,preparing preparingflaming flamingarrows. arrows.Hazel Hazelspurred spurredArion, Arion,and and they theyraced racedout outofofthe thecity citywith witha amob mobchasing chasingafter afterthem. them.

More Morecatapults catapultswere werebeing beingwheeled wheeledinto intorange. range.All Allalong alongthe the Pomerian PomerianLine, Line,the thestatues statuesofofTerminus Terminuswere wereglowing glowingpurple, purple, asasififbuilding buildingupupenergy energyfor forsome somekind kindofofattack. attack.

Annabeth Annabethlooked lookedover overthe thecontrols. controls.She Shecursed cursedLeo Leofor for making makingthem themsosocomplicated. complicated.No Notime timefor forfancy fancymanoeuvres, manoeuvres, but butshe shedid didknow knowone onebasic basiccommand: command:Up. Up. She Shegrabbed grabbedthe theaviation aviationthrottle throttleand andyanked yankedititstraight straight back. back.The Theship shipgroaned. groaned.The Thebow bowtilted tiltedupupatata ahorrifying horrifying angle. angle.The Themooring mooringlines linessnapped, snapped,and andthe theArgo ArgoIIIIshot shotinto into the theclouds. clouds.

617BB_TXT.indd 47

10/08/2012 09:33

VV

LLeeo o

Leo Leowished wishedhe hecould couldinvent inventa atime timemachine. machine.He’d He’dgogo back backtwo twohours hoursand andundo undowhat whathad hadhappened. happened.Either Eitherthat thatoror hehecould couldinvent inventa aSlap-Leo-in-the-Face Slap-Leo-in-the-Facemachine machinetotopunish punish himself, himself,though thoughhehedoubted doubtedititwould wouldhurt hurtasasbadly badlyasasthe thelook look Annabeth Annabethwas wasgiving givinghim. him.

‘One ‘Onemore moretime,’ time,’she shesaid. said.‘Exactly ‘Exactlywhat whathappened?’ happened?’

Leo Leoslumped slumpedagainst againstthe themast. mast.His Hishead headstill stillthrobbed throbbed from fromhitting hittingthe thedeck. deck.All Allaround aroundhim, him,his hisbeautiful beautifulnew newship ship was wasininshambles. shambles.The Theaft aftcrossbows crossbowswere werepiles pilesofofkindling. kindling.

The Theforesail foresailwas wastattered. tattered.The Thesatellite satellitearray arraythat thatpowered poweredthe the onboard onboardInternet Internetand andTV TVwas wasblown blowntotobits, bits,which whichhad hadreally really made madeCoach CoachHedge Hedgemad. mad.Their Theirbronze bronzedragon dragonfigurehead, figurehead, Festus, Festus,was wascoughing coughingupupsmoke smokelike likehehehad hada ahairball, hairball,and and Leo Leocould couldtell tellfrom fromthe thegroaning groaningsounds soundson onthe theport portside sidethat that some someofofthe theaerial aerialoars oarshad hadbeen beenknocked knockedout outofofalignment alignment ororbroken brokenoff offcompletely, completely,which whichexplained explainedwhy whythe theship shipwas was

617BB_TXT.indd 48

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

4949/ Leo / Leo

listing listingand andshuddering shudderingasasititflew, flew,the theengine enginewheezing wheezinglike likeanan asthmatic asthmaticsteam steamtrain. train.

He Hechoked chokedback backa asob. sob.‘I‘Idon’t don’tknow. know.It’s It’sfuzzy.’ fuzzy.’

Too Toomany manypeople peoplewere werelooking lookingatathim: him:Annabeth Annabeth(Leo (Leo hated hatedtotomake makeher herangry; angry;that thatgirl girlscared scaredhim), him),Coach CoachHedge Hedge with withhis hisfurry furrygoat goatlegs, legs,his hisorange orangepolo poloshirt shirtand andhis hisbaseball baseball bat bat(did (didhehehave havetotocarry carrythat thateverywhere?) everywhere?)and andthe thenewcomer, newcomer, Frank.

Frank.

Leo Leowasn’t wasn’tsure surewhat whattotomake makeofofFrank.

Frank.He Helooked lookedlike likea a baby babysumo sumowrestler, wrestler,though thoughLeo Leowasn’t wasn’tstupid stupidenough enoughtotosay say that thataloud. aloud.Leo’s Leo’smemory memorywas washazy, hazy,but butwhile whilehe’d he’dbeen beenhalf half conscious, conscious,hehewas waspretty prettysure surehe’d he’dseen seena adragon dragonland landon onthe the ship ship––a adragon dragonthat thathad hadturned turnedinto intoFrank.

Frank.

Annabeth Annabeth crossed crossed her her arms. arms. ‘You ‘You mean mean you you don’t don’t remember?’ remember?’

‘I . . .’

‘I . . .’Leo Leofelt feltasasififhehewas wastrying tryingtotoswallow swallowa amarble. marble.

‘I‘Iremember, remember,but butit’s it’slike likeI Iwas waswatching watchingmyself myselfdodothings. things.I I couldn’t couldn’tcontrol controlit.’it.’

Coach CoachHedge Hedgetapped tappedhis hisbat batagainst againstthe thedeck. deck.InInhis hisgym gym clothes, clothes,with withhis hiscap cappulled pulledover overhis hishorns, horns,hehelooked lookedjust justlike like heheused usedtotoatatthe theWilderness WildernessSchool, School,where wherehe’d he’dspent spenta ayear year undercover undercoverasasJason, Jason,Piper Piperand andLeo’s Leo’sPE PEteacher. teacher.The Theway waythe the old oldsatyr satyrwas wasglowering, glowering,Leo Leoalmost almostwondered wonderedififthe thecoach coach was wasgoing goingtotoorder orderhim himtotododopush-ups. push-ups.

‘Look, ‘Look,kid,’ kid,’Hedge Hedgesaid, said,‘you ‘youblew blewup upsome somestuff. stuff.You You attacked attackedsome someRomans.

Romans.Awesome!

Awesome!Excellent!

Excellent!But Butdid didyou you have havetotoknock knockout outthe thesatellite satellitechannels? channels?I Iwas wasright rightininthe the middle middleofofwatching watchinga acage cagematch.’ match.’

617BB_TXT.indd 49

10/08/2012 09:33

Leo Leo/ 50 / 50

‘Coach,’ ‘Coach,’Annabeth Annabethsaid, said,‘why ‘whydon’t don’tyou youmake makesure sureallallthe the fires firesare areout?’ out?’

‘But ‘ButI Ialready alreadydid didthat.’ that.’

‘Do ‘Doititagain.’ again.’

The Thesatyr satyrtrudged trudgedoff, off,muttering mutteringunder underhis hisbreath. breath.Even Even Hedge Hedgewasn’t wasn’tcrazy crazyenough enoughtotodefy defyAnnabeth.

Annabeth.

She Sheknelt kneltnext nexttotoLeo. Leo.Her Hergrey greyeyes eyeswere wereasassteely steelyasasball ball bearings. bearings.Her Herblonde blondehair hairfell fellloose loosearound aroundher hershoulders, shoulders, but butLeo Leodidn’t didn’tfind findthat thatattractive. attractive.He Hehad hadno noidea ideawhere wherethe the stereotype stereotypeofofdumb dumbgiggly gigglyblondes blondescame camefrom. from.Ever Eversince sincehe’ he’ dd met metAnnabeth Annabethatatthe theGrand GrandCanyon Canyonlast lastwinter, winter,when whenshe’d she’d marched marchedtowards towardshim himwith withthat thatGive Giveme mePercy PercyJackson JacksonororI’ll I’ll kill killyou youexpression, expression,Leo Leothought thoughtofofblondes blondesasasmuch muchtoo toosmart smart and andmuch muchtoo toodangerous. dangerous.

‘Leo,’ ‘Leo,’she shesaid saidcalmly, calmly,‘did ‘didOctavian Octaviantrick trickyou yousomehow? somehow?

Did Didheheframe frameyou, you,oror–’–’ ‘No.’ ‘No.’Leo Leocould couldhave havelied liedand andblamed blamedthat thatstupid stupidRoman, Roman, but buthehedidn’t didn’twant wanttotomake makea abad badsituation situationworse. worse.‘The ‘Theguy guy was wasa ajerk, jerk,but buthehedidn’t didn’tfire fireon onthe thecamp. camp.I Idid.’ did.’

The Thenew newkid, kid,Frank, Frank,scowled. scowled.‘On ‘Onpurpose?’ purpose?’

‘No!’ ‘No!’Leo Leosqueezed squeezedhis hiseyes eyesshut. shut.‘Well, ‘Well,yes . . . yes . . .I Imean, mean, I Ididn’t didn’twant wantto. to.But Butatatthe thesame sametime timeI Ifelt feltlike likeI Iwanted wantedto. to.

Something Somethingwas wasmaking makingme medodoit.it.There Therewas wasthis thiscold coldfeeling feeling inside insideme me–’–’ ‘A‘Acold coldfeeling.’ feeling.’Annabeth’s Annabeth’stone tonechanged. changed.She Shesounded sounded almost . . . almost . . .scared. scared.

‘Yeah,’ ‘Yeah,’Leo Leosaid. said.‘Why?’ ‘Why?’ From Frombelowdecks, belowdecks,Percy Percycalled calledup, up,‘A‘A nnabeth, nnabeth,we weneed needyou.’ you.’

Oh, Oh,gods, gods,Leo Leothought. thought.Please PleaseletletJason Jasonbebeokay. okay.

617BB_TXT.indd 50

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

5151/ Leo / Leo

As Assoon soonasasthey theywere wereon onboard, board,Piper Piperhad hadtaken takenJason Jason below. below.The Thecut cuton onhis hishead headhad hadlooked lookedpretty prettybad. bad.Leo Leohad had known knownJason Jasonlonger longerthan thananyone anyoneatatCamp CampHalf-Blood.

Half-Blood.They They were werebest bestfriends. friends.IfIfJason Jasondidn’t didn’tmake makeit . . . it . . .

‘He’ll ‘He’llbebefine.’ fine.’Annabeth’s Annabeth’sexpression expressionsoftened. softened.‘Frank, ‘Frank,I’ll I’ll bebeback. back.Just . . .

Just . . .watch watchLeo. Leo.Please.’

Please.’

Frank Franknodded. nodded.

IfIfititwas waspossible possiblefor forLeo Leototofeel feelworse, worse,hehedid. did.Annabeth Annabeth now nowtrusted trusteda aRoman Romandemigod demigodshe’d she’dknown knownfor, for,like, like,three three seconds, seconds,more morethan thanshe shetrusted trustedLeo. Leo. Once Onceshe shewas wasgone, gone,Leo Leoand andFrank Frankstared staredatateach eachother. other.

The Thebig bigdude dudelooked lookedpretty prettyodd oddininhis hisbedsheet bedsheettoga, toga,with withhis his grey greypullover pulloverhoodie hoodieand andjeans, jeans,and anda abow bowand andquiver quiverfrom from the theship’s ship’sarmoury armouryslung slungover overhis hisshoulder. shoulder.Leo Leoremembered remembered the thetime timehehehad hadmet metthe theHunters HuntersofofArtemis Artemis––a abunch bunchofof cute cutelithe lithegirls girlsininsilvery silveryclothes, clothes,allallarmed armedwith withbows. bows.He He imagined imaginedFrank Frankfrolicking frolickingalong alongwith withthem. them.The Theidea ideawas wassoso ridiculous ridiculousititalmost almostmade madehim himfeel feelbetter. better.

‘So,’ ‘So,’Frank Franksaid. said.‘Your ‘Yourname nameisn’t isn’tSammy?’

Sammy?’

Leo Leoscowled. scowled.‘What ‘Whatkind kindofofquestion questionisisthat?’ that?’

‘Nothing,’ ‘Nothing,’Frank Franksaid saidquickly. quickly.‘I‘Ijust just––Nothing.

Nothing.About About the thefiring firingon onthe thecamp . . . camp . . .Octavian Octaviancould couldbebebehind behindit,it,like like magically magicallyororsomething. something.He Hedidn’t didn’twant wantthe theRomans Romansgetting getting along alongwith withyou youguys.’ guys.’

Leo Leowanted wantedtotobelieve believethat. that.He Hewas wasgrateful gratefultotothis thiskid kid for fornot nothating hatinghim. him.But Butheheknew knewitithadn’t hadn’tbeen beenOctavian.

Octavian.Leo Leo had hadwalked walkedtotoa aballista ballistaand andstarted startedfiring. firing.Part Partofofhim himhad had known knownititwas waswrong. wrong.He’d He’dasked askedhimself: himself:What Whatthe theheck heckam amI I doing? doing?But Buthe’d he’ddone doneititanyway. anyway.

617BB_TXT.indd 51

10/08/2012 09:33

Leo Leo/ 52 / 52

Maybe Maybehehewas wasgoing goingcrazy. crazy.The Thestress stressofofallallthose thosemonths months working workingon onthe theArgo ArgoIIIImight’ve might’vefinally finallymade madehim himcrack. crack.

But Buthehecouldn’t couldn’tthink thinkabout aboutthat. that.He Heneeded neededtotodo do something somethingproductive. productive.His Hishands handsneeded neededtotobebebusy. busy.

‘Look,’ ‘Look,’hehesaid, said,‘I‘Ishould shouldtalk talktotoFestus Festusand andget geta adamage damage report. report.You Youmind . . .?’ mind . . .?’

Frank Frankhelped helpedhim himup. up.‘Who ‘WhoisisFestus?’

Festus?’

‘My ‘Myfriend,’ friend,’Leo Leosaid. said.‘His ‘Hisname nameisn’t isn’tSammy Sammyeither, either,inin case caseyou’re you’rewondering. wondering.Come Comeon. on.I’ll I’llintroduce introduceyou.’ you.’

Fortunately Fortunatelythe thebronze bronzedragon dragonwasn’t wasn’tdamaged. damaged.Well, Well,aside aside from fromthe thefact factthat thatlast lastwinter winterhe’d he’dlost losteverything everythingexcept excepthis his head head––but butLeo Leodidn’t didn’tcount countthat. that.

When Whenthey theyreached reachedthe thebow bowofofthe theship, ship,the thefigurehead figurehead turned turneda ahundred hundredand andeighty eightydegrees degreestotolook lookatatthem. them.Frank Frank yelped yelpedand andbacked backedaway. away.

‘It’s ‘It’salive!’ alive!’hehesaid. said.

Leo Leowould wouldhave havelaughed laughedififhehehadn’t hadn’tfelt feltsosobad. bad.‘Yeah.

‘Yeah.

Frank, Frank,this thisisisFestus.

Festus.He Heused usedtotobebea afull fullbronze bronzedragon, dragon,but but we wehad hadananaccident.’ accident.’

‘You ‘Youhave havea alot lotofofaccidents,’ accidents,’Frank Franknoted. noted.

‘Well, ‘Well,some someofofususcan’t can’tturn turninto intodragons, dragons,sosowe wehave havetoto build buildour ourown.’ own.’Leo Leoarched archedhis hiseyebrows eyebrowsatatFrank.

Frank.‘Anyway, ‘Anyway, I Irevived revivedhim himasasa afigurehead. figurehead.He’s He’skind kindofofthe theship’s ship’smain main interface interfacenow. now.How Howare arethings thingslooking, looking,Festus?’

Festus?’

Festus Festussnorted snortedsmoke smokeand andmade madea aseries seriesofofsqueaking, squeaking, whirring whirringsounds. sounds.Over Overthe thelast lastfew fewmonths, months,Leo Leohad hadlearned learned totointerpret interpretthis thismachine machinelanguage. language.Other Otherdemigods demigodscould could

617BB_TXT.indd 52

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

5353/ Leo / Leo

understand understandLatin Latinand andGreek.

Greek.Leo Leocould couldspeak speakCreak Creakand and Squeak.

Squeak.

‘Ugh,’ ‘Ugh,’ Leo Leo said. said. ‘Could ‘Could bebe worse, worse, but but the the hull hull isis compromised compromisedininseveral severalplaces. places.The Theport portaerial aerialoars oarshave havetoto bebefixed fixedbefore beforewe wecan cangogofull fullspeed speedagain. again.We’ll We’llneed needsome some repair repairmaterials: materials:Celestial Celestialbronze, bronze,tar, tar,lime lime–’–’ ‘What ‘Whatdodoyou youneed needlimes limesfor?’ for?’

‘Dude, ‘Dude,lime. lime.Calcium Calciumcarbonate, carbonate,used usedinincement cementand anda a bunch bunchofofother other––Ah, Ah,never nevermind. mind.The Thepoint pointisisthis thisship shipisn’t isn’t going goingfar farunless unlesswe wecan canfix fixit.’it.’

Festus Festusmade madeanother anotherclick-creak click-creaknoise noisethat thatLeo Leodidn’t didn’t recognize. recognize.ItItsounded soundedlike likeAY-zuhl.

AY-zuhl.

‘Oh . . .

‘Oh . . .Hazel,’ Hazel,’hehedeciphered. deciphered.‘That’s ‘That’sthe thegirl girlwith withthe the curly curlyhair, hair,right?’ right?’

Frank Frankgulped. gulped.‘Is‘Isshe sheokay?’ okay?’

‘Yeah, ‘Yeah,she’s she’sfine,’ fine,’Leo Leosaid. said.‘According ‘AccordingtotoFestus, Festus,her herhorse horse isisracing racingalong alongbelow. below.She’s She’sfollowing followingus.’ us.’

‘We’ve ‘We’vegot gottotoland, land,then,’ then,’Frank Franksaid. said.

Leo Leostudied studiedhim. him.‘She’s ‘She’syour yourgirlfriend?’ girlfriend?’

Frank Frankchewed chewedhis hislip. lip.‘Yes.’ ‘Yes.’ ‘You ‘Youdon’t don’tsound soundsure.’ sure.’

‘Yes. ‘Yes.Yes, Yes,definitely. definitely.I’m I’msure.’ sure.’

Leo Leoraised raisedhis hishands. hands.‘Okay, ‘Okay,fine. fine.The Theproblem problemisiswe wecan can only onlymanage manageone onelanding. landing.The Theway waythe thehull hulland andthe theoars oarsare, are, we wewon’t won’tbebeable abletotolift liftoff offagain againuntil untilwe werepair, repair,sosowe’ll we’llhave have totomake makesure surewe weland landsomewhere somewherewith withallallthe theright rightsupplies.’ supplies.’

Frank Frankscratched scratchedhis hishead. head.‘Where ‘Wheredo doyou youget getCelestial Celestial bronze? bronze?You Youcan’t can’tjust juststock stockupupatatHome HomeDepot.’

Depot.’

617BB_TXT.indd 53

10/08/2012 09:33

Leo Leo/ 54 / 54

‘Festus, ‘Festus,dodoa ascan.’ scan.’

‘He ‘Hecan canscan scanfor formagic magicbronze?’ bronze?’Frank Frankmarvelled. marvelled.‘Is‘Isthere there anything anythinghehecan’t can’tdo?’ do?’

Leo Leothought: thought:You Youshould’ve should’veseen seenhim himwhen whenhehehad hada abody. body.

But Buthehedidn’t didn’tsay saythat. that.ItItwas wastoo toopainful, painful,remembering rememberingthe the way wayFestus Festusused usedtotobe. be.

Leo Leopeered peeredover overthe theship’s ship’sbow. bow.The TheCentral CentralCalifornia California valley valleywas waspassing passingbelow. below.Leo Leodidn’t didn’thold holdout outmuch muchhope hopethat that they theycould couldfind findwhat whatthey theyneeded neededallallininone oneplace, place,but butthey theyhad had tototry. try.Leo Leoalso alsowanted wantedtotoput putasasmuch muchdistance distanceasaspossible possible between betweenhimself himselfand andNew NewRome.

Rome.The TheArgo ArgoIIIIcould couldcover covervast vast distances distancespretty prettyquickly, quickly,thanks thankstotoitsitsmagical magicalengine, engine,but butLeo Leo figured figuredthe theRomans Romanshad hadmagic magictravel travelmethods methodsofoftheir theirown. own.

Behind Behindhim, him,the thestairs stairscreaked. creaked.Percy Percyand andAnnabeth Annabeth climbed climbedup, up,their theirfaces facesgrim. grim.

Leo’s Leo’sheart heartstumbled. stumbled.‘Is‘IsJason Jason––?’?’

‘He’s ‘He’sresting,’ resting,’Annabeth Annabethsaid. said.‘Piper’s ‘Piper’skeeping keepingananeye eyeon on him, him,but butheheshould shouldbebefine.’ fine.’

Percy Percygave gavehim hima ahard hardlook. look.‘Annabeth ‘Annabethsays saysyou youdid didfire fire that thatballista?’ ballista?’

‘Man, ‘Man,I I––I Idon’t don’tunderstand understandhow howitithappened. happened.I’m I’msoso sorry sorry–’–’ ‘Sorry?’

‘Sorry?’Percy Percygrowled. growled.

Annabeth Annabethput puta ahand handon onher herboyfriend’s boyfriend’schest. chest.‘We’ll ‘We’ll figure figureititout outlater. later.Right Rightnow, now,we wehave havetotoregroup regroupand andmake makea a plan. plan.What’s What’sthe thesituation situationwith withthe theship?’ ship?’

Leo’s Leo’slegs legstrembled. trembled.The Theway wayPercy Percyhad hadlooked lookedatathim him made madehim himfeel feelthe thesame sameasaswhen whenJason Jasonsummoned summonedlightning. lightning.

617BB_TXT.indd 54

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

5555/ Leo / Leo

Leo’s Leo’sskin skintingled, tingled,and andevery everyinstinct instinctininhis hisbody bodyscreamed, screamed, Duck!

Duck!

He Hetold toldAnnabeth Annabethabout aboutthe thedamage damageand andthe thesupplies suppliesthey they needed. needed.At Atleast leasthehefelt feltbetter bettertalking talkingabout aboutsomething somethingfixable. fixable.

He Hewas wasbemoaning bemoaningthe theshortage shortageofofCelestial Celestialbronze bronzewhen when Festus Festusbegan begantotowhir whirand andsqueak. squeak.

‘Perfect.’

‘Perfect.’Leo Leosighed sighedwith withrelief. relief.

‘What’s ‘What’sperfect?’ perfect?’Annabeth Annabethsaid. said.‘I‘Icould coulduse usesome someperfect perfect about aboutnow.’ now.’

Leo Leomanaged manageda asmile. smile.‘Everything ‘Everythingwe weneed needininone oneplace. place.

Frank, Frank,why whydon’t don’tyou youturn turninto intoa abird birdororsomething? something?Fly Flydown down and andtell tellyour yourgirlfriend girlfriendtotomeet meetususatatthe theGreat GreatSalt SaltLake Lakeinin Utah.’

Utah.’

Once Oncethey theygot gotthere, there,ititwasn’t wasn’ta apretty prettylanding. landing.With Withthe the oars oarsdamaged damagedand andthe theforesail foresailtorn, torn,Leo Leocould couldbarely barelymanage manage a acontrolled controlleddescent. descent.The Theothers othersstrapped strappedthemselves themselvesinin below below––except exceptfor forCoach CoachHedge, Hedge,who whoinsisted insistedon onclinging clinging totothe theforward forwardrail, rail,yelling, yelling,‘YEAH! ‘YEAH!Bring Bringititon, on,lake!’ lake!’Leo Leo stood stoodastern, astern,alone aloneatatthe thehelm, helm,and andaimed aimedasasbest besthehecould. could.

Festus Festuscreaked creakedand andwhirred whirredwarning warningsignals, signals,which whichwere were relayed relayedthrough throughthe theintercom intercomtotothe thequarterdeck. quarterdeck.

‘I‘Iknow, know,I Iknow,’ know,’Leo Leosaid, said,gritting grittinghis histeeth. teeth.

He Hedidn’t didn’thave havemuch muchtime timetototake takeininthe thescenery. scenery.To Tothe the southeast, southeast,a acity citywas wasnestled nestledininthe thefoothills foothillsofofa amountain mountain range, range,blue blueand andpurple purpleininthe theafternoon afternoonshadows. shadows.AAflat flatdesert desert landscape landscapespread spreadtotothe thesouth. south.Directly Directlybeneath beneaththem themthe the Great GreatSalt SaltLake Lakeglittered glitteredlike likealuminum aluminumfoil, foil,the theshoreline shoreline

617BB_TXT.indd 55

10/08/2012 09:33

Leo Leo/ 56 / 56

etched etchedwith withwhite whitesalt saltmarshes marshesthat thatreminded remindedLeo Leoofofaerial aerial photos photosofofMars.

Mars.

‘Hang ‘Hangon, on,Coach!’

Coach!’heheshouted. shouted.‘This ‘Thisisisgoing goingtotohurt.’ hurt.’

‘I‘Iwas wasborn bornfor forhurt!’ hurt!’

WHOOM! WHOOM!AAswell swellofofsalt saltwater waterwashed washedover overthe thebow, bow, dousing dousingCoach CoachHedge.

Hedge.The TheArgo ArgoIIIIlisted listeddangerously dangerouslytoto starboard, starboard,then thenrighted righteditself itselfand androcked rockedon onthe thesurface surfaceofof the thelake. lake.Machinery Machineryhummed hummedasasthe theaerial aerialblades bladesthat thatwere were still stillworking workingchanged changedtotonautical nauticalform. form.

Three Threebanks banksofofrobotic roboticoars oarsdipped dippedinto intothe thewater waterand and began beganmoving movingthem themforward. forward.

‘Good ‘Goodjob, job,Festus,’ Festus,’Leo Leosaid. said.‘Take ‘Takeusustowards towardsthe thesouth south shore.’ shore.’

‘Yeah!’

‘Yeah!’Coach CoachHedge Hedgepumped pumpedhis hisfists fistsininthe theair. air.He Hewas was drenched drenchedfrom fromhis hishorns hornstotohooves, hooves,but butgrinning grinninglike likea acrazy crazy goat. goat.‘Do ‘Doititagain!’ again!’

‘Uh . . .

‘Uh . . .maybe maybelater,’ later,’Leo Leosaid. said.‘Just ‘Juststay stayabove abovedeck, deck,okay? okay?

You Youcan cankeep keepwatch, watch,inincase case––you youknow, know,the thelake lakedecides decidestoto attack attackususororsomething.’ something.’

‘On ‘Onit,’it,’Hedge Hedgepromised. promised.

Leo Leorang rangthe theAll Allclear clearbell belland andheaded headedfor forthe thestairs. stairs.Before Before hehegot gotthere, there,a aloud loudclump-clump-clump clump-clump-clumpshook shookthe thehull. hull.AAtan tan stallion stallionappeared appearedon ondeck deckwith withHazel HazelLevesque Levesqueon onhis hisback. back.

‘How ‘How––?’?’Leo’s Leo’squestion questiondied diedininhis histhroat. throat.‘We’re ‘We’reininthe the middle middleofofa alake! lake!Can Canthat thatthing thingfly?’ fly?’

The Thehorse horsewhinnied whinniedangrily. angrily.

‘Arion ‘Arioncan’t can’tfly,’ fly,’Hazel Hazelsaid. said.‘But ‘Buthehecan canrun runacross acrossjust just about aboutanything. anything.Water, Water,vertical verticalsurfaces, surfaces,small smallmountains mountains–– none noneofofthat thatbothers bothershim.’ him.’

617BB_TXT.indd 56

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

5757/ Leo / Leo

‘Oh.’ ‘Oh.’ Hazel Hazelwas waslooking lookingatathim himstrangely, strangely,the theway wayshe shehad hadduring during the thefeast feastininthe theforum forum––like likeshe shewas wassearching searchingfor forsomething something ininhis hisface. face.He Hewas wastempted temptedtotoask askififthey theyhad hadmet metbefore, before, but buthehewas wassure surethey theyhadn’t. hadn’t.He Hewould wouldremember remembera apretty prettygirl girl paying payingsuch suchclose closeattention attentiontotohim. him.That Thatdidn’t didn’thappen happena alot. lot.

She’s She’sFrank’s Frank’sgirlfriend, girlfriend,hehereminded remindedhimself. himself.

Frank Frankwas wasstill stillbelow, below,but butLeo Leoalmost almostwished wishedthe thebig bigguy guy would wouldcome comeupupthe thestairs. stairs.The Theway wayHazel Hazelwas wasstudying studyingLeo Leo made madehim himfeel feeluneasy uneasyand andself-conscious. self-conscious.

Coach CoachHedge Hedgecrept creptforward forwardwith withhis hisbaseball baseballbat, bat,eyeing eyeing the themagic magichorse horsesuspiciously. suspiciously.‘Valdez, ‘Valdez,does doesthis thiscount countasasanan invasion?’ invasion?’

‘No!’ ‘No!’Leo Leosaid. said.‘Um, ‘Um,Hazel, Hazel,you’d you’dbetter bettercome comewith withme. me.I I built builta astable stablebelowdecks, belowdecks,ififArion Arionwants wantstoto–’–’ ‘He’s ‘He’smore moreofofa afree freespirit.’ spirit.’Hazel Hazelslipped slippedout outofofthe thesaddle. saddle.

‘He’ll ‘He’llgraze grazearound aroundthe thelake lakeuntil untilI Icall callhim. him.But ButI Iwant wanttoto see seethe theship. ship.Lead Leadthe theway.’ way.’

The TheArgo ArgoIIIIwas wasdesigned designedlike likeananancient ancienttrireme, trireme,only only twice twiceasasbig. big.The Thefirst firstdeck deckhad hadone onecentral centralcorridor corridorwith with crew crewcabins cabinson oneither eitherside. side.On Ona anormal normaltrireme, trireme,most mostofofthe the space spacewould’ve would’vebeen beentaken takenup upwith withthree threerows rowsofofbenches benches for fora afew fewhundred hundredsweaty sweatyguys guystotododothe themanual manuallabour, labour,but but Leo’s Leo’soars oarswere wereautomated automatedand andretractable, retractable,sosothey theytook tookupup very verylittle littleroom roominside insidethe thehull. hull.The Theship’s ship’spower powercame camefrom from the theengine engineroom roomon onthe thesecond secondand andlowest lowestdeck, deck,which whichalso also housed housedsickbay, sickbay,storage storageand andthe thestables. stables.

Leo Leoled ledthe theway waydown downthe thehall. hall.He’d He’dbuilt builtthe theship shipwith with eight eightcabins cabins––seven sevenfor forthe thedemigods demigodsofofthe theprophecy, prophecy,and anda a

617BB_TXT.indd 57

10/08/2012 09:33

Leo Leo/ 58 / 58

room roomfor forCoach CoachHedge Hedge(seriously (seriously––Chiron Chironconsidered consideredhim hima a responsible responsibleadult adultchaperone?). chaperone?).At Atthe thestern sternwas wasa alarge largemess mess hall/lounge, hall/lounge,which whichwas waswhere whereLeo Leoheaded. headed.

On Onthe theway, way,they theypassed passedJason’s Jason’sroom. room.The Thedoor doorwas wasopen. open.

Piper Pipersat satatatthe theside sideofofhis hisberth, berth,holding holdingJason’s Jason’shand handwhile while hehesnored snoredwith withananice icepack packon onhis hishead. head.

Piper Piperglanced glancedatatLeo. Leo.She Sheheld helda afinger fingertotoher herlips lipsfor for quiet, quiet,but butshe shedidn’t didn’tlook lookangry. angry.That Thatwas wassomething. something.Leo Leo tried triedtotoforce forcedown downhis hisguilt, guilt,and andthey theykept keptwalking. walking.When When they theyreached reachedthe themess messhall, hall,they theyfound foundthe theothers others––Percy, Percy, Annabeth Annabethand andFrank Frank––sitting sittingdejectedly dejectedlyaround aroundthe thedining dining table. table.

Leo Leohad hadmade madethe thelounge loungeasasnice niceasaspossible, possible,since sincehehe figured figuredthey’d they’dbebespending spendinga alot lotofoftime timethere. there.The Thecupboard cupboard was waslined linedwith withmagic magiccups cupsand andplates platesfrom fromCamp CampHalf-Blood, Half-Blood, which whichwould wouldfill fillupupwith withwhatever whateverfood foodorordrink drinkyou youwanted wanted on oncommand. command.There Therewas wasalso alsoa amagical magicalice icechest chestwith withcanned canned drinks, drinks,perfect perfectfor forpicnics picnicsashore. ashore.The Thechairs chairswere werecushy cushy recliners reclinerswith withthousand-finger thousand-fingermassage, massage,built-in built-inheadphones, headphones, and andsword swordand anddrink drinkholders holdersfor forallallyour yourdemigod demigodkickingkickingback backneeds. needs.There Therewere wereno nowindows, windows,but butthe thewalls wallswere were enchanted enchantedtotoshow showreal-time real-timefootage footagefrom fromCamp CampHalf-Blood Half-Blood ––the thebeach, beach,the theforest, forest,the thestrawberry strawberryfields fields––although althoughnow now Leo Leowas waswondering wonderingififthis thismade madepeople peoplehomesick homesickrather ratherthan than happy. happy.

Percy Percywas wasstaring staringlongingly longinglyatata asunset sunsetview viewofofHalf-Blood Half-Blood Hill, Hill,where wherethe theGolden GoldenFleece Fleeceglittered glitteredininthe thebranches branchesofof the thetall tallpine pinetree. tree.

617BB_TXT.indd 58

10/08/2012 09:33

61

9:33

5959/ Leo / Leo

‘So ‘Sowe’ve we’velanded,’ landed,’Percy Percysaid. said.‘What ‘Whatnow?’ now?’

Frank Frankplucked pluckedononhis hisbowstring. bowstring.‘Figure ‘Figureout outthe theprophecy? prophecy?

I Imean . . . mean . . .that thatwas wasa aprophecy prophecyElla Ellaspoke, spoke,right? right?From Fromthe the Sibylline SibyllineBooks?’

Books?’

‘The ‘Thewhat?’ what?’Leo Leoasked. asked.

Frank Frankexplained explainedhow howtheir theirharpy harpyfriend friendwas wasfreakishly freakishly good goodatatmemorizing memorizingbooks. books.At Atsome somepoint pointininthe thepast, past,she’d she’d inhaled inhaleda acollection collectionofofancient ancientprophecies propheciesthat thathad hadsupposedly supposedly been beendestroyed destroyedaround aroundthe thefall fallofofRome.

Rome.

‘That’s ‘That’swhy whyyou youdidn’t didn’ttell tellthe theRomans,’ Romans,’Leo Leoguessed. guessed.‘You ‘You didn’t didn’twant wantthem themtotoget gethold holdofofher.’ her.’

Percy Percykept keptstaring staringatatthe theimage imageofofHalf-Blood Half-BloodHill.

Hill.‘Ella’s ‘Ella’s sensitive. sensitive.She Shewas wasa acaptive captivewhen whenwe wefound foundher. her.I Ijust justdidn’t didn’t want . . .’ want . . .’He Hemade madea afist. fist.‘It‘Itdoesn’t doesn’tmatter matternow. now.I Isent sentTyson Tyson ananIris-message, Iris-message,told toldhim himtototake takeElla EllatotoCamp CampHalf-Blood.

Half-Blood.

They’ll They’llbebesafe safethere.’ there.’

Leo Leodoubted doubtedthat thatany anyofofthem themwould wouldbebesafe, safe,now nowthat that hehehad hadstirred stirredup upa acamp campofofangry angryRomans Romanson ontop topofofthe the problems problemsthey theyalready alreadyhad hadwith withGaia Gaiaand andthe thegiants, giants,but buthehe kept keptquiet. quiet.

Annabeth Annabethlaced lacedher herfingers. fingers.‘Let ‘Letme methink thinkabout aboutthe the prophecy prophecy––but butright rightnow nowwe wehave havemore moreimmediate immediateproblems. problems.

We Wehave havetotoget getthis thisship shipfixed. fixed.Leo, Leo,what whatdodowe weneed?’ need?’

‘The ‘Theeasiest easiestthing thingisistar.’ tar.’Leo Leowas wasglad gladtotochange changethe the subject. subject.‘We ‘Wecan canget getthat thatininthe thecity, city,atata aroofing-supply roofing-supply store storeororsomeplace someplacelike likethat. that.Also, Also,Celestial Celestialbronze bronzeand andlime. lime.

According AccordingtotoFestus, Festus,we wecan canfind findboth bothofofthose thoseon onananisland island ininthe thelake, lake,just justwest westofofhere.’ here.’

617BB_TXT.indd 59

10/08/2012 09:33