["have\tI\tnever\tseen\tthis\tspecies\tbefore?\tThey\twould\tmake\tthe\tworld\u2019s\tbest musicians!\u2019 \u2018Hmm,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tabout\tmusic,\tbut\tthey\tfight\tlike\tyou wouldn\u2019t\tbelieve.\tTwo\tof\tthem\talmost\tkilled\tJason\tand\tme,\tand\twe\u2019ve\tfought\ta lot\tof\tdifferent\tmonsters.\u2019 I\tsaw\tno\tweapons\ton\tthe\tguard,\tbut\tI\tcould\tbelieve\the\twas\ta\ttough\tfighter. Those\teight-fingered\tfists\tcould\thave\tdone\tsome\tdamage.\tStill,\tit\tseemed\ta\twaste to\ttrain\tthese\tcreatures\tfor\twar\t\u2026 \u2018Unbelievable,\u2019\tI\tmurmured.\t\u2018After\tfour\tthousand\tyears,\tI\tam\tstill\tdiscovering new\tthings.\u2019 \u2018Like\thow\tdumb\tyou\tare,\u2019\tMeg\tvolunteered. \u2018No.\u2019 \u2018So\tyou\talready\tknew\tthat?\u2019 \u2018Guys,\u2019\tGrover\tinterrupted.\t\u2018What\tdo\twe\tdo\twith\tBig\tEars?\u2019 \u2018Kill\thim,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid. I\tfrowned\tat\ther.\t\u2018What\thappened\tto\tHe\u2019s\tfun?\tWhat\thappened\tto\tEverything alive\tdeserves\ta\tchance\tto\tgrow?\u2019 \u2018He\tworks\tfor\tthe\temperors,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018He\u2019s\ta\tmonster.\tHe\u2019ll\tjust\tdust\tback\tto Tartarus,\tright?\u2019 Meg\tlooked\tat\tPiper\tfor\tconfirmation,\tbut\tshe\twas\tbusy\tscanning\tthe\tstreet. \u2018Still\tseems\todd\tthere\u2019s\tonly\tone\tguard,\u2019\tPiper\tmused.\t\u2018And\twhy\tis\the\tso young?\tAfter\twe\tbroke\tin\tonce\talready,\tyou\u2019d\tthink\tthey\u2019d\tput\tmore\tguards\ton duty.\tUnless\t\u2026\u2019 She\tdidn\u2019t\tfinish\tthe\tthought,\tbut\tI\theard\tit\tloud\tand\tclear:\tUnless\tthey\twant\tus to\tcome\tin. I\tstudied\tthe\tguard\u2019s\tface,\twhich\twas\tstill\ttwitching\tfrom\tthe\teffects\tof\tthe poison.\tWhy\tdid\tI\thave\tto\tthink\tof\this\tface\tas\tthe\tfuzzy\tunderside\tof\ta\tdog?\tIt made\tkilling\thim\tdifficult. \u2018Piper,\twhat\tdoes\tyour\tpoison\tdo,\texactly?\u2019 She\tknelt\tand\tpulled\tout\tthe\tdart.\t\u2018Judging\tfrom\thow\tit\tworked\ton\tthe\tother Big\tEars,\tit\twill\tparalyse\thim\tfor\ta\tlong\twhile\tbut\twon\u2019t\tkill\thim.\tIt\u2019s\tdiluted coral-snake\tvenom\twith\ta\tfew\tspecial\therbal\tingredients.\u2019 \u2018Remind\tme\tnever\tto\tdrink\tyour\therbal\ttea,\u2019\tGrover\tmuttered. Piper\tsmirked.\t\u2018We\tcan\tjust\tleave\tBig\tEars.\tDoesn\u2019t\tseem\tright\tto\tdust\thim\tto Tartarus.\u2019 \u2018Hmph.\u2019\tMeg\tlooked\tunconvinced,\tbut\tshe\tflicked\ther\ttwin\tblades,\tinstantly snapping\tthem\tback\tinto\tgolden\trings. Piper\twalked\tto\tthe\tmetal\tdoor.\tShe\tpulled\tit\topen,\trevealing\ta\trusty\tfreight elevator\twith\ta\tsingle\tcontrol\tlever\tand\tno\tgate.","\u2018Okay,\tjust\tso\twe\u2019re\tclear,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid,\t\u2018I\u2019ll\tshow\tyou\twhere\tJason\tand\tI entered\tthe\tmaze,\tbut\tI\u2019m\tnot\tdoing\tthe\tstereotypical\tNative\tAmerican\ttracker thing.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\ttracking.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tyour\tguide.\u2019 We\tall\treadily\tagreed,\tas\tone\tdoes\twhen\tdelivered\tan\tultimatum\tby\ta\tfriend with\tstrong\topinions\tand\tpoison\tdarts. \u2018Also,\u2019\tshe\tcontinued,\t\u2018if\tany\tof\tyou\tfind\tthe\tneed\tfor\tspiritual\tguidance\ton this\tquest,\tI\tam\tnot\there\tto\tprovide\tthat\tservice.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\tdispense\tbits\tof ancient\tCherokee\twisdom.\u2019 \u2018Very\twell,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Though\tas\ta\tformer\tprophecy\tgod,\tI\tenjoy\tbits\tof\tspiritual wisdom.\u2019 \u2018Then\tyou\u2019ll\thave\tto\task\tthe\tsatyr,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid. Grover\tcleared\this\tthroat.\t\u2018Um,\trecycling\tis\tgood\tkarma?\u2019 \u2018There\tyou\tgo,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Everybody\tgood?\tAll\taboard.\u2019 The\tinterior\tof\tthe\televator\twas\tpoorly\tlit\tand\tsmelled\tof\tsulphur.\tI\trecalled that\tHades\thad\tan\televator\tin\tLos\tAngeles\tthat\tled\tto\tthe\tUnderworld.\tI\thoped Piper\thadn\u2019t\tgot\ther\tquests\tmixed\tup. \u2018Are\tyou\tsure\tthis\tthing\tgoes\tto\tthe\tBurning\tMaze?\u2019\tI\tasked.\t\u2018Because\tI\tdidn\u2019t bring\tany\trawhide\tchews\tfor\tCerberus.\u2019 Grover\twhimpered.\t\u2018You\thad\tto\tmention\tCerberus.\tThat\u2019s\tbad\tkarma.\u2019 Piper\tthrew\tthe\tswitch.\tThe\televator\trattled\tand\tbegan\tto\tsink\tat\tthe\tsame speed\tas\tmy\tspirits. \u2018This\tfirst\tpart\tis\tall\tmortal,\u2019\tPiper\tassured\tus.\t\u2018Downtown\tLos\tAngeles\tis riddled\twith\tabandoned\tsubway\ttunnels,\tair-raid\tshelters,\tsewer\tlines\t\u2026\u2019 \u2018All\tmy\tfavourite\tthings,\u2019\tGrover\tmurmured. \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\treally\tknow\tthe\thistory,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid,\t\u2018but\tJason\ttold\tme\tsome\tof\tthe tunnels\twere\tused\tby\tsmugglers\tand\tpartyers\tduring\tProhibition.\tNow\tyou\tget taggers,\trunaways,\thomeless\tfolks,\tmonsters,\tgovernment\temployees.\u2019 Meg\u2019s\tmouth\ttwitched.\t\u2018Government\temployees?\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\ttrue,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Some\tof\tthe\tcity\tworkers\tuse\tthe\ttunnels\tto\tgo\tfrom building\tto\tbuilding.\u2019 Grover\tshuddered.\t\u2018When\tthey\tcould\tjust\twalk\tin\tthe\tsunlight\twith\tnature? Repulsive.\u2019 Our\trusty\tmetal\tbox\trattled\tand\tcreaked.\tWhatever\twas\tbelow\twould definitely\thear\tus\tcoming,\tespecially\tif\tthey\thad\tears\tthe\tsize\tof\tbeach\ttowels. After\tperhaps\tfifty\tfeet,\tthe\televator\tshuddered\tto\ta\tstop.\tBefore\tus\tstretched\ta cement\tcorridor,\tperfectly\tsquare\tand\tboring,\tlit\tby\tweak\tblue\tfluorescents. \u2018Doesn\u2019t\tseem\tso\tscary,\u2019\tsaid\tMeg. \u2018Just\twait,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018The\tfun\tstuff\tis\tup\tahead.\u2019 Grover\tfluttered\this\thands\thalf-heartedly.\t\u2018Yay.\u2019","The\tsquare\tcorridor\topened\tinto\ta\tlarger\tround\ttunnel,\tits\tceiling\tlined\twith ducts\tand\tpipes.\tThe\twalls\twere\tso\theavily\ttagged\tthey\tmight\thave\tbeen\tan undiscovered\tJackson\tPollock\tmasterpiece.\tEmpty\tcans,\tdirty\tclothes\tand mildewed\tsleeping\tbags\tlittered\tthe\tfloor,\tfilling\tthe\tair\twith\tthe\tunmistakable odour\tof\ta\thomeless\tcamp:\tsweat,\turine\tand\tutter\tdespair. None\tof\tus\tspoke.\tI\ttried\tto\tbreathe\tas\tlittle\tas\tpossible\tuntil\twe\temerged\tinto an\teven\tlarger\ttunnel,\tthis\tone\tlined\twith\trusty\ttrain\ttracks.\tAlong\tthe\twalls, pitted\tmetal\tsigns\tread\tHIGH\tVOLTAGE,\tNO\tENTRY\tand\tTHIS\tWAY\tOUT. Gravel\tcrunched\tunder\tour\tfeet.\tRats\tscurried\talong\tthe\ttracks,\tchittering\tat Grover\tas\tthey\tpassed. \u2018Rats,\u2019\the\twhispered,\t\u2018are\tso\trude.\u2019 After\ta\thundred\tyards,\tPiper\tled\tus\tinto\ta\tside\thallway,\tthis\tone\ttiled\tin linoleum.\tHalf-burned-out\tbanks\tof\tfluorescents\tflickered\toverhead.\tIn\tthe distance,\tbarely\tvisible\tin\tthe\tdim\tlight,\ttwo\tfigures\twere\tslumped\ttogether\ton the\tfloor.\tI\tassumed\tthey\twere\thomeless\tpeople\tuntil\tMeg\tfroze.\t\u2018Are\tthose dryads?\u2019 Grover\tyelped\tin\talarm.\t\u2018Agave?\tMoney\tMaker?\u2019\tHe\tsprinted\tforward,\tthe rest\tof\tus\tfollowing\tat\this\theels. Agave\twas\tan\tenormous\tnature\tspirit,\tworthy\tof\ther\tplant.\tStanding,\tshe would\thave\tbeen\tat\tleast\tseven\tfeet\ttall,\twith\tblue-grey\tskin,\tlong\tlimbs\tand serrated\thair\tthat\tmust\u2019ve\tbeen\tliterally\tmurder\tto\tshampoo.\tAround\ther\tneck, her\twrists\tand\ther\tankles,\tshe\twore\tspiked\tbands,\tjust\tin\tcase\tanyone\ttried\tto intrude\ton\ther\tpersonal\tspace.\tKneeling\tnext\tto\ther\tfriend,\tAgave\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\ttoo bad\tuntil\tshe\tturned,\trevealing\ther\tburns.\tThe\tleft\tside\tof\ther\tface\twas\ta\tmass\tof charred\ttissue\tand\tglistening\tsap.\tHer\tleft\tarm\twas\tnothing\tbut\ta\tdesiccated brown\tcurl. \u2018Grover!\u2019\tshe\trasped.\t\u2018Help\tMoney\tMaker.\tPlease!\u2019 He\tknelt\tnext\tto\tthe\tstricken\tdryad. I\u2019d\tnever\theard\tof\ta\tmoney-maker\tplant\tbefore,\tbut\tI\tcould\tsee\thow\tshe\tgot her\tname.\tHer\thair\twas\ta\tthick\tcluster\tof\tplaited\tdiscs\tlike\tgreen\tquarters.\tHer dress\twas\tmade\tof\tthe\tsame\tstuff,\tso\tshe\tappeared\tto\tbe\tclad\tin\ta\tshower\tof chlorophyll\tcoinage.\tHer\tface\tmight\thave\tonce\tbeen\tbeautiful,\tbut\tnow\tit\twas shrivelled\tlike\ta\tweek-old\tparty\tballoon.\tFrom\tthe\tknees\tdown,\ther\tlegs\twere gone\t\u2013\tburned\taway.\tShe\ttried\tto\tfocus\ton\tus,\tbut\ther\teyes\twere\topaque\tgreen. When\tshe\tmoved,\tjade\tcoins\tdropped\tfrom\ther\thair\tand\tdress. \u2018Grover\u2019s\there?\u2019\tShe\tsounded\tlike\tshe\twas\tbreathing\ta\tmixture\tof\tcyanide\tgas and\tmetal\tfilings.\t\u2018Grover\t\u2026\twe\tgot\tso\tclose.\u2019 The\tsatyr\u2019s\tlower\tlip\ttrembled.\tHis\teyes\trimmed\twith\ttears.\t\u2018What\thappened? How\t\u2013?\u2019","\u2018Down\tthere,\u2019\tsaid\tAgave.\t\u2018Flames.\tShe\tjust\tcame\tout\tof\tnowhere.\tMagic\t\u2013\u2019 She\tbegan\tcoughing\tup\tsap. Piper\tpeered\twarily\tdown\tthe\tcorridor.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tscout\tahead.\tBe\tright back.\tI\tdo\tnot\twant\tto\tbe\tcaught\tby\tsurprise.\u2019 She\tdashed\toff\tdown\tthe\thall. Agave\ttried\tto\tspeak\tagain\tbut\tfell\tover\tsideways.\tSomehow,\tMeg\tcaught\ther and\tpropped\ther\tup\twithout\tgetting\timpaled.\tShe\ttouched\tthe\tdryad\u2019s\tshoulder, muttering\tunder\ther\tbreath,\tGrow,\tgrow,\tgrow.\tCracks\tbegan\tto\tmend\tin\tAgave\u2019s charred\tface.\tHer\tbreathing\teased.\tThen\tMeg\tturned\tto\tMoney\tMaker.\tShe placed\ther\thand\ton\tthe\tdryad\u2019s\tchest,\tthen\trecoiled\tas\tmore\tjade\tpetals\tshook loose. \u2018I\tcan\u2019t\tdo\tmuch\tfor\ther\tdown\there,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\t\u2018They\tboth\tneed\twater\tand sunlight.\tRight\tnow.\u2019 \u2018I\u2019ll\tget\tthem\tto\tthe\tsurface,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid. \u2018I\u2019ll\thelp,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid. \u2018No.\u2019 \u2018Grover\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018No!\u2019\tHis\tvoice\tcracked.\t\u2018Once\tI\u2019m\toutside,\tI\tcan\theal\tthem\tas\twell\tas\tyou can.\tThis\tis\tmy\tsearch\tparty,\there\ton\tmy\torders.\tIt\u2019s\tmy\tresponsibility\tto\thelp them.\tBesides,\tyour\tquest\tis\tdown\there\twith\tApollo.\tYou\treally\twant\thim\tgoing on\twithout\tyou?\u2019 I\tthought\tthis\twas\tan\texcellent\tpoint.\tI\twould\tneed\tMeg\u2019s\thelp. Then\tI\tnoticed\tthe\tway\tthey\twere\tboth\tlooking\tat\tme,\tas\tif\tthey\tdoubted\tmy abilities,\tmy\tcourage,\tmy\tcapacity\tto\tfinish\tthis\tquest\twithout\ta\ttwelve-year-old girl\tholding\tmy\thand. They\twere\tright,\tof\tcourse,\tbut\tthat\tmade\tit\tno\tless\tembarrassing. I\tcleared\tmy\tthroat.\t\u2018Well,\tI\u2019m\tsure\tif\tI\thad\tto\t\u2026\u2019 Meg\tand\tGrover\thad\talready\tlost\tinterest\tin\tme,\tas\tif\tmy\tfeelings\twere\tnot their\tprimary\tconcern.\t(I\tknow.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tbelieve\tit\teither.)\tTogether\tthey\thelped Agave\tto\ther\tfeet. \u2018I\u2019m\tfine,\u2019\tAgave\tinsisted,\ttottering\tdangerously.\t\u2018I\tcan\twalk.\tJust\tget\tMoney Maker.\u2019 Gently,\tGrover\tpicked\ther\tup. \u2018Careful,\u2019\tMeg\twarned.\t\u2018Don\u2019t\tshake\ther\tor\tshe\u2019ll\tlose\tall\ther\tpetals.\u2019 \u2018Don\u2019t\tshake\tMoney\tMaker,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018Got\tit.\tGood\tluck!\u2019 Grover\thurried\tinto\tthe\tdarkness\twith\tthe\ttwo\tdryads\tjust\tas\tPiper\treturned. \u2018Where\tare\tthey\tgoing?\u2019\tshe\tasked. Meg\texplained.","Piper\u2019s\tfrown\tdeepened.\t\u2018I\thope\tthey\tget\tout\tokay.\tIf\tthat\tguard\twakes\tup\t\u2026\u2019 She\tlet\tthe\tthought\texpire.\t\u2018Anyway,\twe\u2019d\tbetter\tkeep\tgoing.\tStay\talert.\tHeads on\ta\tswivel.\u2019 Short\tof\tinjecting\tmyself\twith\tpure\tcaffeine\tand\telectrifying\tmy\tunderwear,\tI wasn\u2019t\tsure\thow\tI\tcould\tpossibly\tbe\tmore\talert\tor\tswivel-headed,\tbut\tMeg\tand\tI followed\tPiper\tdown\tthe\tgrim\tfluorescent\thall. Another\tthirty\tyards,\tand\tthe\tcorridor\topened\tinto\ta\tvast\tspace\tthat\tlooked\tlike \u2026 \u2018Wait,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Is\tthis\tan\tunderground\tparking\tgarage?\u2019 It\tcertainly\tseemed\tso,\texcept\tfor\tthe\tcomplete\tabsence\tof\tcars.\tStretching\tinto the\tdarkness,\tthe\tpolished\tcement\tfloor\twas\tpainted\twith\tyellow\tdirectional arrows\tand\trows\tof\tempty\tgrid\tspaces.\tLines\tof\tsquare\tpillars\tsupported\tthe ceiling\ttwenty\tfeet\tabove.\tPosted\ton\tsome\tof\tthem\twere\tsigns\tlike:\tHONK.\tEXIT. YIELD\tTO\tLEFT. In\ta\tcar-crazy\ttown\tlike\tLA,\tit\tseemed\todd\tthat\tanyone\twould\tabandon\ta usable\tparking\tgarage.\tThen\tagain,\tI\tsupposed\tstreet\tmeters\tsounded\tpretty\tgood when\tyour\tother\toption\twas\ta\tcreepy\tmaze\tfrequented\tby\ttaggers,\tdryad\tsearch parties\tand\tgovernment\tworkers. \u2018This\tis\tthe\tplace,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Where\tJason\tand\tI\tgot\tseparated.\u2019 The\tsmell\tof\tsulphur\twas\tstronger\there,\tmixed\twith\ta\tsweeter\tfragrance\t\u2026 like\tcloves\tand\thoney.\tIt\tmade\tme\tedgy,\treminding\tme\tof\tsomething\tI\tcouldn\u2019t quite\tplace\t\u2013\tsomething\tdangerous.\tI\tresisted\tthe\turge\tto\trun. Meg\twrinkled\ther\tnose.\t\u2018Pee-yoo.\u2019 \u2018Yeah,\u2019\tPiper\tagreed.\t\u2018That\tsmell\twas\there\tlast\ttime.\tI\tthought\tit\tmeant\t\u2026\u2019 She\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u2018Anyway,\tright\tabout\there,\ta\twall\tof\tflames\tcame\troaring out\tof\tnowhere.\tJason\tran\tright.\tI\tran\tleft.\tI\u2019m\ttelling\tyou\t\u2013\tthat\theat\tseemed malevolent.\tIt\twas\tthe\tmost\tintense\tfire\tI\u2019ve\tever\tfelt,\tand\tI\u2019ve\tfought Enceladus.\u2019 I\tshivered,\tremembering\tthat\tgiant\u2019s\tfiery\tbreath.\tWe\tused\tto\tsend\thim\tboxes of\tchewable\tantacids\tfor\tSaturnalia,\tjust\tto\tmake\thim\tmad. \u2018And\tafter\tyou\tand\tJason\tgot\tseparated?\u2019\tI\tasked. Piper\tmoved\tto\tthe\tnearest\tpillar.\tShe\tran\ther\thand\talong\tthe\tletters\tof\ta\tYIELD sign.\t\u2018I\ttried\tto\tfind\thim,\tof\tcourse.\tBut\the\tjust\tdisappeared.\tI\tsearched\tfor\ta\tlong time.\tI\twas\tpretty\tfreaked\tout.\tI\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tlose\tanother\t\u2026\u2019 She\thesitated,\tbut\tI\tunderstood.\tShe\thad\talready\tsuffered\tthe\tloss\tof\tLeo Valdez,\twho\tuntil\trecently\tshe\thad\tassumed\tdead.\tShe\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tlose another\tfriend. \u2018Anyway,\u2019\tshe\tsaid,\t\u2018I\tstarted\tsmelling\tthat\tfragrance.\tThat\tkind\tof\tclove scent?\u2019","\u2018It\u2019s\tdistinctive,\u2019\tI\tagreed. \u2018Yucky,\u2019\tMeg\tcorrected. \u2018It\tstarted\tto\tget\treally\tstrong,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018I\u2019ll\tbe\thonest,\tI\tgot\tscared.\tAlone, in\tthe\tdark,\tI\tpanicked.\tI\tleft.\u2019\tShe\tgrimaced.\t\u2018Not\tvery\theroic,\tI\tknow.\u2019 I\twasn\u2019t\tgoing\tto\tcriticize,\tgiven\tthe\tfact\tthat\tmy\tknees\twere\tpresently knocking\ttogether\tthe\tMorse\tcode\tmessage\tRUN\tAWAY! \u2018Jason\tshowed\tup\tlater,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Simply\twalked\tout\tof\tthe\texit.\tHe wouldn\u2019t\ttalk\tabout\twhat\thad\thappened.\tHe\tjust\tsaid\tgoing\tback\tin\tthe\tmaze wouldn\u2019t\taccomplish\tanything.\tThe\tanswers\twere\telsewhere.\tHe\tsaid\the\twanted to\tlook\tinto\tsome\tideas\tand\tget\tback\tto\tme.\u2019\tShe\tshrugged.\t\u2018That\twas\ttwo\tweeks ago.\tI\u2019m\tstill\twaiting.\u2019 \u2018He\tfound\tthe\tOracle,\u2019\tI\tguessed. \u2018That\u2019s\twhat\tI\u2019m\twondering.\tMaybe\tif\twe\tgo\tthat\tway\t\u2013\u2019\tPiper\tpointed\tto\tthe right\t\u2013\t\u2018we\u2019ll\tfind\tout.\u2019 None\tof\tus\tmoved.\tNone\tof\tus\tyelled\tHooray!\tand\tskipped\tmerrily\tinto\tthe sulphur-infused\tdarkness. My\tthoughts\tspun\tso\trapidly\tI\twondered\tif\tmy\thead\tactually\twas\ton\ta\tswivel. Malevolent\theat,\tas\tif\tit\thad\ta\tpersonality.\tThe\tnickname\tof\tthe\temperor:\tNeos Helios,\tthe\tNew\tSun,\tCaligula\u2019s\tbid\tto\tbrand\thimself\tas\ta\tliving\tgod.\tSomething Naevius\tMacro\thad\tsaid:\tI\tjust\thope\tthere\u2019s\tenough\tof\tyou\tleft\tfor\tthe\temperor\u2019s magical\tfriend\tto\twork\twith. And\tthat\tfragrance,\tclove\tand\thoney\t\u2026\tlike\tan\tancient\tperfume,\tcombined with\tsulphur. \u2018Agave\tsaid\t\u201cshe\tjust\tcame\tout\tof\tnowhere\u201d,\u2019\tI\trecalled. Piper\u2019s\thand\ttightened\ton\tthe\thilt\tof\ther\tdagger.\t\u2018I\twas\thoping\tI\tmisheard\tthat. Or\tmaybe\tby\tshe,\tshe\tmeant\tMoney\tMaker.\u2019 \u2018Hey,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\t\u2018Listen.\u2019 It\twas\tdifficult\tover\tthe\tloud\tswivelling\tof\tmy\thead\tand\tthe\telectricity crackling\tin\tmy\tunderwear,\tbut\tfinally\tI\theard\tit:\tthe\tclatter\tof\twood\tand\tmetal echoing\tin\tthe\tdarkness,\tand\tthe\thiss\tand\tscrape\tof\tlarge\tcreatures\tmoving\tat\ta fast\tpace. \u2018Piper,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018what\tdid\tthat\tperfume\tremind\tyou\tof?\tWhy\tdid\tit\tscare\tyou?\u2019 Her\teyes\tnow\tlooked\tas\telectric\tblue\tas\ther\tharpy\tfeather.\t\u2018An\t\u2013\tan\told\tenemy, somebody\tmy\tmom\twarned\tme\tI\twould\tsee\tagain\tsome\tday.\tBut\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t possibly\tbe\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018A\tsorceress,\u2019\tI\tguessed. \u2018Guys,\u2019\tMeg\tinterrupted. \u2018Yeah.\u2019\tPiper\u2019s\tvoice\tturned\tcold\tand\theavy,\tas\tif\tshe\twas\tjust\trealizing\thow much\ttrouble\twe\twere\tactually\tin.","\u2018A\tsorceress\tfrom\tColchis,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018A\tgrandchild\tof\tHelios,\twho\tdrove\ta chariot.\u2019 \u2018Pulled\tby\tdragons,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid. \u2018Guys,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid,\tmore\turgently,\t\u2018we\tneed\tto\thide.\u2019 Too\tlate,\tof\tcourse. The\tchariot\trattled\taround\tthe\tcorner,\tpulled\tby\ttwin\tgolden\tdragons\tthat spewed\tyellow\tfumes\tfrom\ttheir\tnostrils\tlike\tsulphur-fuelled\tlocomotives.\tThe driver\thad\tnot\tchanged\tsince\tI\u2019d\tlast\tseen\ther,\ta\tfew\tthousand\tyears\tago.\tShe\twas still\tdark-haired\tand\tregal,\ther\tblack\tsilk\tdress\trippling\taround\ther. Piper\tpulled\ther\tknife.\tShe\tstepped\tinto\tview.\tMeg\tfollowed\ther\tlead, summoning\ther\tswords\tand\tstanding\tshoulder\tto\tshoulder\twith\tthe\tdaughter\tof Aphrodite.\tI,\tfoolishly,\tstood\tat\ttheir\tside. \u2018Medea.\u2019\tPiper\tspat\tout\tthe\tword\twith\tas\tmuch\tvenom\tand\tforce\tas\tshe\twould a\tdart\tfrom\ther\tblowpipe. The\tsorceress\tpulled\tthe\treins,\tbringing\ther\tchariot\tto\ta\thalt.\tUnder\tdifferent circumstances,\tI\tmight\thave\tenjoyed\tthe\tsurprised\tlook\ton\ther\tface,\tbut\tit\tdidn\u2019t last\tlong. Medea\tlaughed\twith\tgenuine\tpleasure.\t\u2018Piper\tMcLean,\tyou\tdarling\tgirl.\u2019\tShe turned\ther\tdark\trapacious\tgaze\ton\tme.\t\u2018This\tis\tApollo,\tI\ttake\tit?\tOh,\tyou\u2019ve saved\tme\tso\tmuch\ttime\tand\ttrouble.\tAnd\tafter\twe\u2019re\tdone,\tPiper,\tyou\u2019ll\tmake\ta lovely\tsnack\tfor\tmy\tdragons!\u2019","16 Let\u2019s\tcharmspeak\tbattle\t You\tare\tugly\tand\tyou\tsuck\t The\tend.\tDo\tI\twin? Sun\tdragons\t\u2026\tI\thate\tthem.\tAnd\tI\twas\ta\tsun\tgod. As\tdragons\tgo,\tthey\taren\u2019t\tparticularly\tlarge.\tWith\ta\tlittle\tlubrication\tand muscle,\tyou\tcan\tstuff\tone\tinside\ta\tmortal\trecreational\tvehicle.\t(And\tI\thave\tdone so.\tYou\tshould\thave\tseen\tthe\tlook\ton\tHephaestus\u2019s\tface\twhen\tI\tasked\thim\tto\tgo inside\tthe\tWinnebago\tto\tcheck\tthe\tbrake\tpedal.) But\twhat\tthey\tlack\tin\tsize,\tsun\tdragons\tmake\tup\tfor\tin\tviciousness. Medea\u2019s\ttwin\tpets\tsnarled\tand\tsnapped,\ttheir\tfangs\tlike\tporcelain\tin\tthe\tfiery kilns\tof\ttheir\tmouths.\tHeat\trippled\toff\ttheir\tgolden\tscales.\tTheir\twings,\tfolded against\ttheir\tbacks,\tflashed\tlike\tsolar\tpanels.\tWorst\tof\tall\twere\ttheir\tglowing orange\teyes\t\u2026 Piper\tshoved\tme,\tbreaking\tmy\tgaze.\t\u2018Don\u2019t\tstare,\u2019\tshe\twarned.\t\u2018They\u2019ll paralyse\tyou.\u2019 \u2018I\tknow\tthat,\u2019\tI\tmuttered,\tthough\tmy\tlegs\thad\tbeen\tin\tthe\tprocess\tof\tturning\tto rock.\tI\u2019d\tforgotten\tI\twasn\u2019t\ta\tgod\tany\tmore.\tI\twas\tno\tlonger\timmune\tto\tlittle things\tlike\tsun\tdragons\u2019\teyes\tand,\tyou\tknow,\tgetting\tkilled. Piper\telbowed\tMeg.\t\u2018Hey.\tYou\ttoo.\u2019 Meg\tblinked,\tcoming\tout\tof\ther\tstupor.\t\u2018What?\tThey\u2019re\tpretty.\u2019 \u2018Thank\tyou,\tmy\tdear!\u2019\tMedea\u2019s\tvoice\tturned\tgentle\tand\tsoothing.\t\u2018We\thaven\u2019t formerly\tmet.\tI\u2019m\tMedea.\tAnd\tyou\u2019re\tobviously\tMeg\tMcCaffrey.\tI\u2019ve\theard\tso much\tabout\tyou.\u2019\tShe\tpatted\tthe\tchariot\trail\tnext\tto\ther.\t\u2018Come\tup,\tdarling.\tYou needn\u2019t\tfear\tme.\tI\u2019m\tfriends\twith\tyour\tstepfather.\tI\u2019ll\ttake\tyou\tto\thim.\u2019 Meg\tfrowned,\tconfused.\tThe\tpoints\tof\ther\tswords\tdipped.\t\u2018What?\u2019","\u2018She\u2019s\tcharmspeaking.\u2019\tPiper\u2019s\tvoice\thit\tme\tlike\ta\tglass\tof\tice\twater\tin\tthe face.\t\u2018Meg,\tdon\u2019t\tlisten\tto\ther.\tApollo,\tyou\tneither.\u2019 Medea\tsighed.\t\u2018Really,\tPiper\tMcLean?\tAre\twe\tgoing\tto\thave\tanother charmspeak\tbattle?\u2019 \u2018No\tneed,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018I\u2019d\tjust\twin\tagain.\u2019 Medea\tcurled\ther\tlip\tin\ta\tgood\timitation\tof\ther\tsun\tdragons\u2019\tsnarls.\t\u2018Meg belongs\twith\ther\tstepfather.\u2019\tShe\tswept\ta\thand\ttowards\tme\tas\tif\tpushing\taway some\ttrash.\t\u2018Not\twith\tthis\tsorry\texcuse\tfor\ta\tgod.\u2019 \u2018Hey!\u2019\tI\tprotested.\t\u2018If\tI\thad\tmy\tpowers\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018But\tyou\tdon\u2019t,\u2019\tMedea\tsaid.\t\u2018Look\tat\tyourself,\tApollo.\tLook\twhat\tyour\tfather has\tdone\tto\tyou!\tNot\tto\tworry,\tthough.\tYour\tmisery\tis\tat\tan\tend.\tI\u2019ll\tsqueeze\tout whatever\tpower\tis\tleft\tand\tput\tit\tto\tgood\tuse!\u2019 Meg\u2019s\tknuckles\tturned\twhite\ton\tthe\tgrips\tof\ther\tswords.\t\u2018What\tdoes\tshe mean?\u2019\tshe\tmuttered.\t\u2018Hey,\tMagic\tLady,\twhat\tdo\tyou\tmean?\u2019 The\tsorceress\tsmiled.\tShe\tno\tlonger\twore\tthe\tcrown\tof\ther\tbirthright\tas princess\tof\tColchis,\tbut\tat\ther\tthroat\ta\tgolden\tpendant\tstill\tgleamed\t\u2013\tthe\tcrossed torches\tof\tHecate.\t\u2018Shall\tI\ttell\ther,\tApollo,\tor\tshould\tyou?\tSurely\tyou\tknow\twhy I\u2019ve\tbrought\tyou\there.\u2019 Why\tshe\thad\tbrought\tme\there. As\tif\teach\tstep\tI\u2019d\ttaken\tsince\tclimbing\tout\tof\tthat\tdumpster\tin\tManhattan\thad been\tpreordained,\torchestrated\tby\ther\t\u2026\tThe\tproblem\twas:\tI\tfound\tthat\tentirely plausible.\tThis\tsorceress\thad\tdestroyed\tkingdoms.\tShe\thad\tbetrayed\ther\town father\tby\thelping\tthe\toriginal\tJason\tsteal\tthe\tGolden\tFleece.\tShe\thad\tkilled\ther own\tbrother\tand\tchopped\thim\tinto\tbits.\tShe\thad\tmurdered\ther\town\tchildren.\tShe was\tthe\tmost\tbrutal\tand\tpower-hungry\tof\tHecate\u2019s\tfollowers,\tand\talso\tthe\tmost formidable.\tNot\tonly\tthat\tbut\tshe\twas\ta\tdemigod\tof\tancient\tblood,\tthe granddaughter\tof\tHelios\thimself,\tformer\tTitan\tof\tthe\tsun. Which\tmeant\t\u2026 It\tall\tcame\tto\tme\tat\tonce,\ta\trealization\tso\thorrible\tmy\tknees\tbuckled. \u2018Apollo!\u2019\tPiper\tbarked.\t\u2018Get\tup!\u2019 I\ttried.\tI\treally\tdid.\tMy\tlimbs\twould\tnot\tcooperate.\tI\thunched\tover\ton\tall\tfours and\texhaled\tan\tundignified\tmoan\tof\tpain\tand\tterror.\tI\theard\ta\tclap-clap-clap\tand wondered\tif\tthe\tmoorings\tthat\tanchored\tmy\tmind\tto\tmy\tmortal\tskull\thad\tfinally snapped. Then\tI\trealized\tMedea\twas\tgiving\tme\ta\tpolite\tround\tof\tapplause. \u2018There\tit\tis.\u2019\tShe\tchuckled.\t\u2018It\ttook\tyou\ta\twhile,\tbut\teven\tyour\tslow\tbrain\tgot there\teventually.\u2019 Meg\tgrabbed\tmy\tarm.\t\u2018You\u2019re\tnot\tgiving\tin,\tApollo,\u2019\tshe\tordered.\t\u2018Tell\tme what\u2019s\tgoing\ton.\u2019","She\thauled\tme\tto\tmy\tfeet. I\ttried\tto\tform\twords,\tto\tcomply\twith\ther\tdemand\tfor\tan\texplanation.\tI\tmade the\tmistake\tof\tlooking\tat\tMedea,\twhose\teyes\twere\tas\ttransfixing\tas\ther\tdragons\u2019. In\ther\tface,\tI\tsaw\tthe\tvicious\tglee\tand\tbright\tviolence\tof\tHelios,\ther\tgrandfather, as\the\thad\tbeen\tin\this\tglory\tdays\t\u2013\tbefore\the\tfaded\tinto\toblivion,\tbefore\tI\ttook\this place\tas\tmaster\tof\tthe\tsun\tchariot. I\tremembered\thow\tthe\temperor\tCaligula\thad\tdied.\tHe\u2019d\tbeen\ton\tthe\tverge\tof leaving\tRome,\tplanning\tto\tsail\tto\tEgypt\tand\tmake\ta\tnew\tcapital\tthere,\tin\ta\tland where\tpeople\tunderstood\tabout\tliving\tgods.\tHe\thad\tmeant\tto\tmake\thimself\ta living\tgod:\tNeos\tHelios,\tthe\tNew\tSun\t\u2013\tnot\tjust\tin\tname,\tbut\tliterally.\tThat\u2019s why\this\tpraetors\twere\tso\tanxious\tto\tkill\thim\ton\tthe\tevening\tbefore\the\tleft\tthe city. What\u2019s\this\tendgame?\tGrover\thad\tasked. My\tsatyr\tspiritual\tadviser\thad\tbeen\ton\tthe\tright\ttrack. \u2018Caligula\u2019s\talways\thad\tthe\tsame\tgoal,\u2019\tI\tcroaked.\t\u2018He\twants\tto\tbe\tthe\tcentre\tof creation,\tthe\tnew\tgod\tof\tthe\tsun.\tHe\twants\tto\tsupplant\tme,\tthe\tway\tI\tsupplanted Helios.\u2019 Medea\tsmiled.\t\u2018And\tit\treally\tcouldn\u2019t\thappen\tto\ta\tnicer\tgod.\u2019 Piper\tshifted.\t\u2018What\tdo\tyou\tmean\t\u2026\tsupplant?\u2019 \u2018Replace!\u2019\tMedea\tsaid,\tthen\tbegan\tcounting\ton\ther\tfingers\tas\tif\tgiving cooking\ttips\ton\tdaytime\ttelevision.\t\u2018First,\tI\textract\tevery\tbit\tof\tApollo\u2019s immortal\tessence\t\u2013\twhich\tisn\u2019t\tmuch\tat\tthe\tmoment,\tso\tthat\twon\u2019t\ttake\tlong. Then\tI\u2019ll\tadd\this\tessence\tto\twhat\tI\talready\thave\tcooking,\tthe\tleftover\tpower\tof my\tdearly\tdeparted\tgrandfather.\u2019 \u2018Helios,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018The\tflames\tin\tthe\tmaze.\tI\t\u2013\tI\trecognized\this\tanger.\u2019 \u2018Well,\tGrandpa\u2019s\ta\tbit\tcranky.\u2019\tMedea\tshrugged.\t\u2018That\thappens\twhen\tyour\tlife force\tfades\tto\tpractically\tnothing,\tthen\tyour\tgranddaughter\tsummons\tyou\tback\ta little\tat\ta\ttime,\tuntil\tyou\u2019re\ta\tlovely\traging\tfirestorm.\tI\twish\tyou\tcould\tsuffer\tas Helios\thas\tsuffered\t\u2013\thowling\tfor\tmillennia\tin\ta\tstate\tof\tsemiconsciousness,\tjust aware\tenough\tof\twhat\tyou\u2019ve\tlost\tto\tfeel\tthe\tpain\tand\tresentment.\tBut,\talas,\twe don\u2019t\thave\tthat\tmuch\ttime.\tCaligula\tis\tanxious.\tI\u2019ll\ttake\twhat\u2019s\tleft\tof\tyou\tand Helios,\tinvest\tthat\tpower\tin\tmy\tfriend\tthe\temperor,\tand\tvoil\u00e0!\tA\tnew\tgod\tof\tthe sun!\u2019 Meg\tgrunted.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tdumb,\u2019\tshe\tsaid,\tas\tif\tMedea\thad\tsuggested\ta\tnew\trule for\thide-and-seek.\t\u2018You\tcan\u2019t\tdo\tthat.\tYou\tcan\u2019t\tjust\tdestroy\ta\tgod\tand\tmake\ta new\tone!\u2019 Medea\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tanswering. I\tknew\tthat\twhat\tshe\tdescribed\twas\tentirely\tpossible.\tThe\temperors\tof\tRome had\tmade\tthemselves\tsemi-divine\tsimply\tby\tinstituting\tworship\tamong\tthe","populace.\tOver\tthe\tcenturies,\tseveral\tmortals\thad\tmade\tthemselves\tgods,\tor\twere promoted\tto\tgodhood\tby\tthe\tOlympians.\tMy\tfather,\tZeus,\thad\tmade\tGanymede an\timmortal\tsimply\tbecause\the\twas\tcute\tand\tknew\thow\tto\tserve\twine! As\tfor\tdestroying\tgods\t\u2026\tmost\tof\tthe\tTitans\thad\tbeen\tslain\tor\tbanished thousands\tof\tyears\tago.\tAnd\tI\twas\tstanding\there\tnow,\ta\tmere\tmortal,\tstripped\tof all\tgodliness\tfor\tthe\tthird\ttime,\tsimply\tbecause\tDaddy\twanted\tto\tteach\tme\ta lesson. For\ta\tsorceress\tof\tMedea\u2019s\tpower,\tsuch\tmagic\twas\twithin\treach,\tprovided\ther victims\twere\tweak\tenough\tto\tbe\tovercome\t\u2013\tsuch\tas\tthe\tremnants\tof\ta\tlong- faded\tTitan,\tor\ta\tsixteen-year-old\tfool\tnamed\tLester\twho\thad\tstrolled\tright\tinto her\ttrap. \u2018You\twould\tdestroy\tyour\town\tgrandfather?\u2019\tI\tasked. Medea\tshrugged.\t\u2018Why\tnot?\tYou\tgods\tare\tall\tfamily,\tbut\tyou\u2019re\tconstantly trying\tto\tkill\teach\tother.\u2019 I\thate\tit\twhen\tevil\tsorceresses\thave\ta\tpoint. Medea\textended\ther\thand\ttowards\tMeg.\t\u2018Now,\tmy\tdear,\thop\tup\there\twith\tme. Your\tplace\tis\twith\tNero.\tAll\twill\tbe\tforgiven,\tI\tpromise.\u2019 Charmspeak\tflowed\tthrough\ther\twords\tlike\tAloe\tVera\u2019s\tgel\t\u2013\tslimy\tand\tcold but\tsomehow\tsoothing.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\thow\tMeg\tcould\tpossibly\tresist.\tHer\tpast,\ther stepfather,\tespecially\tthe\tBeast\t\u2013\tthey\twere\tnever\tfar\tfrom\ther\tmind. \u2018Meg,\u2019\tPiper\tcountered,\t\u2018don\u2019t\tlet\teither\tof\tus\ttell\tyou\twhat\tto\tdo.\tMake\tup your\town\tmind.\u2019 Bless\tPiper\u2019s\tintuition,\tappealing\tto\tMeg\u2019s\tstubborn\tstreak.\tAnd\tbless\tMeg\u2019s wilful,\tweed-covered\tlittle\theart.\tShe\tinterposed\therself\tbetween\tme\tand\tMedea. \u2018Apollo\u2019s\tmy\tdumb\tservant.\tYou\tcan\u2019t\thave\thim.\u2019 The\tsorceress\tsighed.\t\u2018I\tappreciate\tyour\tcourage,\tdear.\tNero\ttold\tme\tyou\twere special.\tBut\tmy\tpatience\thas\tlimits.\tShall\tI\tgive\tyou\ta\ttaste\tof\twhat\tyou\tare dealing\twith?\u2019 Medea\tlashed\ther\treins,\tand\tthe\tdragons\tcharged.","17 Phil\tand\tDon\tare\tdead\t Bye-bye,\tlove\tand\thappiness\t Hello,\theadlessness I\tenjoy\trunning\tpeople\tover\tin\ta\tchariot\tas\tmuch\tas\tthe\tnext\tdeity,\tbut\tI\tdid\tnot like\tthe\tidea\tof\tbeing\tthe\tguy\trun\tover. As\tthe\tdragons\tbarrelled\ttowards\tus,\tMeg\tstood\ther\tground,\twhich\twas\teither admirable\tor\tsuicidal.\tI\ttried\tto\tdecide\twhether\tto\tcower\tbehind\ther\tor\tleap\tout of\tthe\tway\t\u2013\tboth\toptions\tless\tadmirable\tbut\talso\tless\tsuicidal\t\u2013\twhen\tthe\tchoice became\tirrelevant.\tPiper\tthrew\ther\tdagger,\timpaling\tthe\tleft\tdragon\u2019s\teye. Left\tDragon\tshrieked\tin\tpain,\tpushed\tagainst\tRight\tDragon,\tand\tsent\tthe chariot\tveering\toff\tcourse.\tMedea\tbarrelled\tpast\tus,\tjust\tout\tof\treach\tof\tMeg\u2019s swords,\tand\tdisappeared\tinto\tthe\tdarkness\twhile\tscreaming\tinsults\tat\ther\tpets\tin ancient\tColchian\t\u2013\ta\tlanguage\tno\tlonger\tspoken,\tbut\twhich\tfeatured\ttwenty- seven\tdifferent\twords\tfor\tkill\tand\tnot\ta\tsingle\tway\tto\tsay\tApollo\trocks.\tI\thated the\tColchians. \u2018You\tguys\tokay?\u2019\tPiper\tasked.\tThe\ttip\tof\ther\tnose\twas\tsunburn\tred.\tThe\tharpy feather\tsmouldered\tin\ther\thair.\tSuch\tthings\thappened\tduring\tclose\tencounters with\tsuperheated\tlizards. \u2018Fine,\u2019\tMeg\tgrumbled.\t\u2018I\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tget\tto\tstab\tanything.\u2019 I\tgestured\tat\tPiper\u2019s\tempty\tknife\tsheath.\t\u2018Nice\tshot.\u2019 \u2018Yeah,\tnow\tif\tI\tonly\thad\tmore\tdaggers.\tGuess\tI\u2019m\tback\tto\tusing\tblowpipe darts.\u2019 Meg\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u2018Against\tthose\tdragons?\tDid\tyou\tsee\ttheir\tarmoured hides?\tI\u2019ll\ttake\tthem\twith\tmy\tswords.\u2019","In\tthe\tdistance,\tMedea\tcontinued\tyelling,\ttrying\tto\tget\ther\tbeasts\tunder control.\tThe\tharsh\tcreak\tof\twheels\ttold\tme\tthe\tchariot\twas\tturning\tfor\tanother pass. \u2018Meg,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018it\u2019ll\tonly\ttake\tMedea\tone\tcharmspoken\tword\tto\tdefeat\tyou.\tIf she\tsays\tstumble\tat\tthe\tright\tmoment\t\u2026\u2019 Meg\tglowered\tat\tme,\tas\tif\tit\twere\tmy\tfault\tthe\tsorceress\tcould\tcharmspeak. \u2018Can\twe\tshut\tup\tMagic\tLady\tsomehow?\u2019 \u2018It\twould\tbe\teasier\tto\tcover\tyour\tears,\u2019\tI\tsuggested. Meg\tretracted\ther\tblades.\tShe\trummaged\tthrough\ther\tsupplies\twhile\tthe rumble\tof\tthe\tchariot\u2019s\twheels\tgot\tfaster\tand\tcloser. \u2018Hurry,\u2019\tI\tsaid. Meg\tripped\topen\ta\tpack\tof\tseeds.\tShe\tsprinkled\tsome\tin\teach\tof\ther\tear canals,\tthen\tpinched\ther\tnose\tand\texhaled.\tTufts\tof\tbluebonnet\tflowers\tsprouted from\ther\tears. \u2018That\u2019s\tinteresting,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid. \u2018WHAT?\u2019\tMeg\tshouted. Piper\tshook\ther\thead.\tNever\tmind. Meg\toffered\tus\tbluebonnet\tseeds.\tWe\tboth\tdeclined.\tPiper,\tI\tguessed,\twas naturally\tresistant\tto\tother\tcharmspeakers.\tAs\tfor\tme,\tI\tdid\tnot\tintend\tto\tget close\tenough\tto\tbe\tMedea\u2019s\tprimary\ttarget.\tNor\tdid\tI\thave\tMeg\u2019s\tweakness\t\u2013\ta conflicted\tdesire,\tmisguided\tbut\tpowerful,\tto\tplease\ther\tstepfather\tand\treclaim some\tsemblance\tof\thome\tand\tfamily\t\u2013\twhich\tMedea\tcould\tand\twould\texploit. Besides,\tthe\tidea\tof\twalking\taround\twith\tflowers\tsticking\tout\tof\tmy\tears\tmade me\tqueasy. \u2018Get\tready,\u2019\tI\twarned. \u2018WHAT?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. I\tpointed\tat\tMedea\u2019s\tchariot,\tnow\tcharging\ttowards\tus\tout\tof\tthe\tgloom.\tI traced\tmy\tfinger\tacross\tmy\tthroat,\tthe\tuniversal\tsign\tfor\tkill\tthat\tsorceress\tand her\tdragons. Meg\tsummoned\ther\tswords. She\tcharged\tthe\tsun\tdragons\tas\tif\tthey\twere\tnot\tten\ttimes\ther\tsize. Medea\tyelled\twith\twhat\tsounded\tlike\treal\tconcern,\t\u2018Move,\tMeg!\u2019 Meg\tcharged\ton,\ther\tfestive\tear\tprotection\tbouncing\tup\tand\tdown\tlike\tgiant blue\tdragonfly\twings.\tJust\tbefore\ta\thead-on\tcollision,\tPiper\tshouted, \u2018DRAGONS,\tHALT!\u2019 Medea\tcountered,\t\u2018DRAGONS,\tGO!\u2019 The\tresult:\tchaos\tnot\tseen\tsince\tPlan\tThermopylae. The\tbeasts\tlurched\tin\ttheir\tharnesses,\tRight\tDragon\tcharging\tforward,\tLeft Dragon\tstopping\tcompletely.\tRight\tstumbled,\tpulling\tLeft\tforward\tso\tthe\ttwo","dragons\tcrashed\ttogether.\tThe\tyoke\ttwisted\tand\tthe\tchariot\ttoppled\tsideways, throwing\tMedea\tacross\tthe\tpavement\tlike\ta\tcow\tfrom\ta\tcatapult. Before\tthe\tdragons\tcould\trecover,\tMeg\tplunged\tin\twith\ther\tdouble\tblades.\tShe beheaded\tLeft\tand\tRight,\treleasing\tfrom\ttheir\tbodies\ta\tblast\tof\theat\tso\tintense my\tsinuses\tsizzled. Piper\tran\tforward\tand\tyanked\ther\tdagger\tfrom\tthe\tdead\tdragon\u2019s\teye. \u2018Good\tjob,\u2019\tshe\ttold\tMeg. \u2018WHAT?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. I\temerged\tfrom\tbehind\ta\tcement\tcolumn,\twhere\tI\thad\tcourageously\ttaken cover,\twaiting\tin\tcase\tmy\tfriends\trequired\tbackup. Pools\tof\tdragon\tblood\tsteamed\tat\tMeg\u2019s\tfeet.\tHer\tflower\tear\taccessories smoked,\tand\ther\tcheeks\twere\tburned,\tbut\totherwise\tshe\tlooked\tunharmed.\tThe heat\tradiating\tfrom\tthe\tsun\tdragon\tbodies\thad\talready\tstarted\tto\tcool. Thirty\tfeet\taway,\tin\ta\tCOMPACT\tCAR\tONLY\tspot,\tMedea\tstruggled\tto\ther\tfeet. Her\tdark\tbraided\thairdo\thad\tcome\tundone,\tspilling\tdown\tone\tside\tof\ther\tface like\toil\tfrom\ta\tpunctured\ttanker.\tShe\tstaggered\tforward,\tbaring\ther\tteeth. I\tslung\tmy\tbow\tfrom\tmy\tshoulder\tand\tfired\ta\tshot.\tMy\taim\twas\tdecent,\tbut even\tfor\ta\tmortal,\tmy\tstrength\twas\tfeeble.\tMedea\tflicked\ther\tfingers.\tA\tgust\tof wind\tsent\tmy\tarrow\tspinning\tinto\tthe\tdark. \u2018You\tkilled\tPhil\tand\tDon!\u2019\tsnarled\tthe\tsorceress.\t\u2018They\u2019ve\tbeen\twith\tme\tfor millennia!\u2019 \u2018WHAT?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. With\ta\twave\tof\ther\thand,\tMedea\tsummoned\ta\tstronger\tblast\tof\tair.\tMeg\tflew across\tthe\tparking\tgarage,\tcrashed\tinto\tthe\tpillar,\tand\tcrumpled,\ther\tswords clattering\tagainst\tthe\ttarmac. \u2018Meg!\u2019\tI\ttried\tto\trun\tto\ther,\tbut\tmore\twind\tswirled\taround\tme,\tcaging\tme\tin\ta vortex. Medea\tlaughed.\t\u2018Stay\tright\tthere,\tApollo.\tI\u2019ll\tget\tto\tyou\tin\ta\tmoment.\tDon\u2019t worry\tabout\tMeg.\tThe\tdescendants\tof\tPlemnaeus\tare\tof\thardy\tstock.\tI\twon\u2019t\tkill her\tunless\tI\thave\tto.\tNero\twants\ther\talive.\u2019 The\tdescendants\tof\tPlemnaeus?\tI\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhat\tthat\tmeant,\tor\thow\tit applied\tto\tMeg,\tbut\tthe\tthought\tof\ther\tbeing\treturned\tto\tNero\tmade\tme\tstruggle harder. I\tthrew\tmyself\tagainst\tthe\tminiature\tcyclone.\tThe\twind\tshoved\tme\tback.\tIf you\u2019ve\tever\theld\tyour\thand\tout\tof\tthe\twindow\tof\tthe\tsun\tMaserati\tas\tit\tspeeds across\tthe\tsky,\tand\tfelt\tthe\tforce\tof\ta\tthousand-mile-an-hour\twind\tshear threatening\tto\trip\tyour\timmortal\tfingers\toff,\tI\u2019m\tsure\tyou\tcan\trelate. \u2018As\tfor\tyou,\tPiper\t\u2026\u2019\tMedea\u2019s\teyes\tglittered\tlike\tblack\tice.\t\u2018You\tremember my\taerial\tservants,\tthe\tventi?\tI\tcould\tsimply\thave\tone\tthrow\tyou\tagainst\ta\twall","and\tbreak\tevery\tbone\tin\tyour\tbody,\tbut\twhat\tfun\twould\tthat\tbe?\u2019\tShe\tpaused\tand seemed\tto\tconsider\ther\twords.\t\u2018Actually,\tthat\twould\tbe\ta\tlot\tof\tfun!\u2019 \u2018Too\tscared?\u2019\tPiper\tblurted\tout.\t\u2018Of\tfacing\tme\tyourself,\twoman\tto\twoman?\u2019 Medea\tsneered.\t\u2018Why\tdo\theroes\talways\tdo\tthat?\tWhy\tdo\tthey\ttry\tto\ttaunt\tme into\tdoing\tsomething\tfoolish?\u2019 \u2018Because\tit\tusually\tworks,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid\tsweetly.\tShe\tcrouched\twith\ther blowpipe\tin\tone\thand\tand\ther\tknife\tin\tthe\tother,\tready\tto\tlunge\tor\tdodge\tas needed.\t\u2018You\tkeep\tsaying\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tkill\tme.\tYou\tkeep\ttelling\tme\thow powerful\tyou\tare.\tBut\tI\tkeep\tbeating\tyou.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\ta\tpowerful\tsorceress.\tI\tsee a\tlady\twith\ttwo\tdead\tdragons\tand\ta\tbad\thairdo.\u2019 I\tunderstood\twhat\tPiper\twas\tdoing,\tof\tcourse.\tShe\twas\tgiving\tus\ttime\t\u2013\tfor Meg\tto\tregain\tconsciousness,\tand\tfor\tme\tto\tfind\ta\tway\tout\tof\tmy\tpersonal tornado\tprison.\tNeither\tevent\tseemed\tlikely.\tMeg\tlay\tmotionless\twhere\tshe\thad fallen.\tTry\tas\tI\tmight,\tI\tcould\tnot\tbody-slam\tmy\tway\tthrough\tthe\tswirling ventus. Medea\ttouched\ther\tcrumbling\thairdo,\tthen\tpulled\ther\thand\taway. \u2018You\u2019ve\tnever\tbeaten\tme,\tPiper\tMcLean,\u2019\tshe\tgrowled.\t\u2018In\tfact,\tyou\tdid\tme\ta favour\tby\tdestroying\tmy\thome\tin\tChicago\tlast\tyear.\tHad\tit\tnot\tbeen\tfor\tthat,\tI wouldn\u2019t\thave\tfound\tmy\tnew\tfriend\there\tin\tLos\tAngeles.\tOur\tgoals\talign\tvery well\tindeed.\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tI\tbet,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018You\tand\tCaligula,\tthe\tmost\ttwisted\tRoman\temperor\tin history?\tA\tmatch\tmade\tin\tTartarus.\tIn\tfact,\tthat\u2019s\twhere\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tsend\tyou.\u2019 On\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tchariot\twreckage,\tMeg\tMcCaffrey\u2019s\tfingers\ttwitched. Her\tbluebonnet\tearplugs\tshivered\tas\tshe\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath.\tI\thad\tnever\tbeen\tso glad\tto\tsee\twild\tflowers\ttremble\tin\tsomeone\u2019s\tears! I\tpushed\tmy\tshoulder\tagainst\tthe\twind.\tI\tstill\tcouldn\u2019t\tbreak\tthrough,\tbut\tthe barrier\tseemed\tto\tbe\tsoftening,\tas\tif\tMedea\twas\tlosing\tfocus\ton\ther\tminion. Venti\twere\tfickle\tspirits.\tWithout\tMedea\tkeeping\tit\ton\ttask,\tthe\tair\tservant\twas likely\tto\tlose\tinterest\tand\tfly\toff\tto\tfind\tsome\tnice\tpigeons\tor\taeroplane\tpilots\tto harass. \u2018Brave\twords,\tPiper,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tsorceress.\t\u2018Caligula\twanted\tto\tkill\tyou\tand Jason\tGrace,\tyou\tknow.\tIt\twould\thave\tbeen\tsimpler.\tBut\tI\tconvinced\thim\tit would\tbe\tbetter\tto\tlet\tyou\tsuffer\tin\texile.\tI\tliked\tthe\tidea\tof\tyou\tand\tyour formerly\tfamous\tfather\tstuck\ton\ta\tdirt\tfarm\tin\tOklahoma,\tboth\tof\tyou\tslowly going\tmad\twith\tboredom\tand\thopelessness.\u2019 Piper\u2019s\tjaw\tmuscles\ttensed.\tSuddenly\tshe\treminded\tme\tof\ther\tmother, Aphrodite,\twhenever\tsomeone\ton\tearth\tcompared\ttheir\town\tbeauty\tto\thers. \u2018You\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tregret\tletting\tme\tlive.\u2019","\u2018Probably.\u2019\tMedea\tshrugged.\t\u2018But\tit\thas\tbeen\tfun\twatching\tyour\tworld\tfall apart.\tAs\tfor\tJason,\tthat\tlovely\tboy\twith\tthe\tname\tof\tmy\tformer\thusband\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018What\tabout\thim?\u2019\tPiper\tdemanded.\t\u2018If\tyou\u2019ve\thurt\thim\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Hurt\thim?\tNot\tat\tall!\tI\timagine\the\u2019s\tin\tschool\tright\tnow,\tlistening\tto\tsome boring\tlecture,\tor\twriting\tan\tessay,\tor\twhatever\tdreary\twork\tmortal\tteenagers\tdo. The\tlast\ttime\tyou\ttwo\twere\tin\tthe\tmaze\t\u2026\u2019\tShe\tsmiled.\t\u2018Yes,\tof\tcourse\tI\tknow about\tthat.\tWe\tgranted\thim\taccess\tto\tthe\tSibyl.\tThat\u2019s\tthe\tonly\tway\tto\tfind\ther, you\tknow.\tI\thave\tto\tallow\tyou\tto\treach\tthe\tcentre\tof\tthe\tmaze\t\u2013\tunless\tyou\u2019re wearing\tthe\temperor\u2019s\tshoes,\tof\tcourse.\u2019\tMedea\tlaughed,\tas\tif\tthe\tidea\tamused her.\t\u2018And,\treally,\tthey\twouldn\u2019t\tgo\twith\tyour\toutfit.\u2019 Meg\ttried\tto\tsit\tup.\tHer\tglasses\thad\tslipped\tsideways\tand\twere\thanging\tfrom the\ttip\tof\ther\tnose. I\telbowed\tmy\tcyclone\tcage.\tThe\twind\twas\tdefinitely\tswirling\tmore\tslowly now. Piper\tgripped\ther\tknife.\t\u2018What\tdid\tyou\tdo\tto\tJason?\tWhat\tdid\tthe\tSibyl\tsay?\u2019 \u2018She\tonly\ttold\thim\tthe\ttruth,\u2019\tMedea\tsaid\twith\tsatisfaction.\t\u2018He\twanted\tto know\thow\tto\tfind\tthe\temperor.\tThe\tSibyl\ttold\thim.\tBut\tshe\ttold\thim\ta\tbit\tmore than\tthat,\tas\tOracles\toften\tdo.\tThe\ttruth\twas\tenough\tto\tbreak\tJason\tGrace.\tHe won\u2019t\tbe\ta\tthreat\tto\tanyone\tnow.\tNeither\twill\tyou.\u2019 \u2018You\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tpay,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid. \u2018Lovely!\u2019\tMedea\trubbed\ther\thands.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tfeeling\tgenerous,\tso\tI\u2019ll\tgrant\tyour request.\tA\tduel\tjust\tbetween\tus,\twoman\tto\twoman.\tChoose\tyour\tweapon.\tI\u2019ll choose\tmine.\u2019 Piper\thesitated,\tno\tdoubt\tremembering\thow\tthe\twind\thad\tknocked\tmy\tarrow aside.\tShe\tshouldered\ther\tblowpipe,\tleaving\therself\tarmed\twith\tjust\ther\tdagger. \u2018A\tpretty\tweapon,\u2019\tMedea\tsaid.\t\u2018Pretty\tlike\tHelen\tof\tTroy.\tPretty\tlike\tyou. But,\twoman\tto\twoman,\tlet\tme\tgive\tyou\tsome\tadvice.\tPretty\tcan\tbe\tuseful. Powerful\tis\tbetter.\tFor\tmy\tweapon,\tI\tchoose\tHelios,\tthe\tTitan\tof\tthe\tsun!\u2019 She\tlifted\ther\tarms,\tand\tfire\terupted\taround\ther.","18 Whoa,\tthere,\tMedea\t Don\u2019t\tbe\tall\tup\tin\tmy\tface\t With\tyour\thot\tgranddad Rule\tof\tduelling\tetiquette:\twhen\tchoosing\ta\tweapon\tfor\tsingle\tcombat,\tyou should\tabsolutely\tnot\tchoose\tto\twield\tyour\tgrandfather. I\twas\tno\tstranger\tto\tfire. I\thad\tfed\tnuggets\tof\tmolten\tgold\tto\tthe\tsun\thorses\twith\tmy\tbare\thands.\tI\u2019d gone\tswimming\tin\tthe\tcalderas\tof\tactive\tvolcanoes.\t(Hephaestus\tdoes\tthrow\ta great\tpool\tparty.)\tI\thad\twithstood\tthe\tfiery\tbreath\tof\tgiants,\tdragons\tand\teven\tmy sister\tbefore\tshe\u2019d\tbrushed\ther\tteeth\tin\tthe\tmorning.\tBut\tnone\tof\tthose\thorrors could\tcompare\tto\tthe\tpure\tessence\tof\tHelios,\tformer\tTitan\tof\tthe\tsun. He\thad\tnot\talways\tbeen\thostile.\tOh,\the\twas\tfine\tin\this\tglory\tdays!\tI remembered\this\tbeardless\tface,\teternally\tyoung\tand\thandsome,\this\tcurly\tdark hair\tcrowned\twith\ta\tgolden\tdiadem\tof\tfire\tthat\tmade\thim\ttoo\tbright\tto\tlook\tupon for\tmore\tthan\tan\tinstant.\tIn\this\tflowing\tgolden\trobes,\this\tburning\tsceptre\tin hand,\the\twould\tstroll\tthrough\tthe\thalls\tof\tOlympus,\tchatting\tand\tjoking\tand flirting\tshamelessly. Yes,\the\twas\ta\tTitan,\tbut\tHelios\thad\tsupported\tthe\tgods\tduring\tour\tfirst\twar with\tKronos.\tHe\thad\tfought\tat\tour\tsides\tagainst\tthe\tgiants.\tHe\tpossessed\ta\tkind and\tgenerous\taspect\t\u2013\twarm,\tas\tone\twould\texpect\tfrom\tthe\tsun. But\tgradually,\tas\tthe\tOlympians\tgained\tpower\tand\tfame\tamong\thuman worshippers,\tthe\tmemory\tof\tthe\tTitans\tfaded.\tHelios\tappeared\tless\tand\tless\toften in\tthe\thalls\tof\tMount\tOlympus.\tHe\tbecame\tdistant,\tangry,\tfierce,\twithering\t\u2013\tall those\tless\tdesirable\tsolar\tqualities.","Humans\tbegan\tto\tlook\tat\tme\t\u2013\tbrilliant,\tgolden\tand\tshining\t\u2013\tand\tassociate me\twith\tthe\tsun.\tCan\tyou\tblame\tthem? I\tnever\tasked\tfor\tthe\thonour.\tOne\tmorning\tI\tsimply\twoke\tup\tand\tfound myself\tthe\tmaster\tof\tthe\tsun\tchariot,\talong\twith\tall\tmy\tother\tduties.\tHelios\tfaded to\ta\tdim\techo,\ta\twhisper\tfrom\tthe\tdepths\tof\tTartarus. Now,\tthanks\tto\this\tevil\tsorceress\tgranddaughter,\the\twas\tback.\tSort\tof. A\twhite-hot\tmaelstrom\troared\taround\tMedea.\tI\tfelt\tHelios\u2019s\tanger,\this scorching\ttemper\tthat\tused\tto\tscare\tthe\tdaylights\tout\tof\tme.\t(Ew,\tbad\tpun. Sorry.) Helios\thad\tnever\tbeen\ta\tgod\tof\tall\ttrades.\tHe\twas\tnot\tlike\tme,\twith\tmany talents\tand\tinterests.\tHe\tdid\tone\tthing\twith\tdedication\tand\tpiercing\tfocus:\the drove\tthe\tsun.\tNow,\tI\tcould\tfeel\thow\tbitter\the\twas,\tknowing\tthat\this\trole\thad been\tassumed\tby\tme,\ta\tmere\tdabbler\tin\tsolar\tmatters,\ta\tweekend\tsun-chariot driver.\tFor\tMedea,\tgathering\this\tpower\tfrom\tTartarus\thad\tnot\tbeen\tdifficult.\tShe had\tsimply\tcalled\ton\this\tresentment,\this\tdesire\tfor\trevenge.\tHelios\twas\tburning to\tdestroy\tme,\tthe\tgod\twho\thad\teclipsed\thim.\t(Ew,\tthere\u2019s\tanother\tone.) Piper\tMcLean\tran.\tThis\twas\tnot\ta\tmatter\tof\tbravery\tor\tcowardice.\tA demigod\u2019s\tbody\tsimply\twasn\u2019t\tdesigned\tto\tendure\tsuch\theat.\tHad\tshe\tstayed\tin Medea\u2019s\tproximity,\tPiper\twould\thave\tburst\tinto\tflames. The\tonly\tpositive\tdevelopment:\tmy\tventus\tjailer\tvanished,\tmost\tlikely because\tMedea\tcouldn\u2019t\tfocus\ton\tboth\thim\tand\tHelios.\tI\tstumbled\ttowards\tMeg, yanked\ther\tto\ther\tfeet\tand\tdragged\ther\taway\tfrom\tthe\tgrowing\tfirestorm. \u2018Oh,\tno,\tApollo,\u2019\tMedea\tcalled\tout.\t\u2018No\trunning\taway!\u2019 I\tpulled\tMeg\tbehind\tthe\tnearest\tcement\tcolumn\tand\tcovered\ther\tas\ta\tcurtain of\tflame\tsliced\tacross\tthe\tgarage\t\u2013\tsharp\tand\tfast\tand\tdeadly,\tsucking\tthe\tair from\tmy\tlungs\tand\tsetting\tmy\tclothes\ton\tfire.\tI\trolled\tinstinctively,\tdesperately, and\tcrawled\tbehind\tthe\tnext\tcolumn\tover,\tsmoking\tand\tdizzy. Meg\tstaggered\tto\tmy\tside.\tShe\twas\tsteaming\tand\tred\tbut\tstill\talive,\ther toasted\tflowers\tstubbornly\trooted\tin\ther\tears.\tI\thad\tshielded\ther\tfrom\tthe\tworst of\tthe\theat. From\tsomewhere\tacross\tthe\tparking\tgarage,\tPiper\u2019s\tvoice\techoed,\t\u2018Hey, Medea!\tYour\taim\tsucks!\u2019 I\tpeeked\taround\tthe\tcolumn\tas\tMedea\tturned\ttowards\tthe\tsound.\tThe sorceress\tstood\tfixed\tin\tplace,\tencircled\tin\tfire,\treleasing\tslices\tof\twhite\theat\tin every\tdirection\tlike\tspokes\tfrom\tthe\tcentre\tof\ta\twheel.\tOne\twave\tblasted\tin\tthe direction\tof\tPiper\u2019s\tvoice. A\tmoment\tlater,\tPiper\tcalled,\t\u2018Nope!\tGetting\tcolder!\u2019 Meg\tshook\tmy\tarm.\t\u2018WHAT\tDO\tWE\tDO?\u2019","My\tskin\tfelt\tlike\ta\tcooked\tsausage\tcasing.\tBlood\tsang\tin\tmy\tveins,\tthe\tlyrics being\tHOT,\tHOT,\tHOT! I\tknew\tI\twould\tdie\tif\tI\tsuffered\teven\tanother\tglancing\tblast\tfrom\tthat\tfire.\tBut Meg\twas\tright.\tWe\thad\tto\tdo\tsomething.\tWe\tcouldn\u2019t\tlet\tPiper\ttake\tall\tthe\t(quite literal)\theat. \u2018Come\tout,\tApollo!\u2019\tMedea\ttaunted.\t\u2018Say\thello\tto\tyour\told\tfriend!\tTogether you\twill\tfuel\tthe\tNew\tSun!\u2019 Another\tcurtain\tof\theat\tflashed\tpast,\ta\tfew\tcolumns\taway.\tThe\tessence\tof Helios\tdid\tnot\troar\tor\tdazzle\twith\tmany\tcolours.\tIt\twas\tghostly\twhite,\talmost transparent,\tbut\tit\twould\tkill\tus\tas\tfast\tas\texposure\tto\ta\tnuclear\tcore.\t(Public safety\tannouncement:\treader,\tdo\tnot\tgo\tto\tyour\tlocal\tnuclear\tpower\tplant\tand stand\tin\tthe\treactor\tchamber.) I\thad\tno\tstrategy\tto\tdefeat\tMedea.\tI\thad\tno\tgodly\tpowers,\tno\tgodly\twisdom, nothing\tbut\ta\tterrified\tfeeling\tthat,\tif\tI\tsurvived\tthis,\tI\twould\tneed\tanother\tset\tof pink\tcamo\tpants. Meg\tmust\thave\tseen\tthe\thopelessness\tin\tmy\tface. \u2018ASK\tTHE\tARROW!\u2019\tshe\tyelled.\t\u2018I\tWILL\tKEEP\tMAGIC\tLADY DISTRACTED!\u2019 I\thated\tthat\tidea.\tI\twas\ttempted\tto\tyell\tback,\tWHAT? Before\tI\tcould,\tMeg\tdarted\toff. I\tfumbled\tfor\tmy\tquiver\tand\tpulled\tforth\tthe\tArrow\tof\tDodona.\t\u2018O\tWise Projectile,\twe\tneed\thelp!\u2019 IS\u2019T\tHOT\tIN\tHITHER?\tthe\tarrow\tasked.\tOR\tIS\u2019T\tJUST\tME? \u2018We\thave\ta\tsorceress\tthrowing\tTitan\theat\taround!\u2019\tI\tyelled.\t\u2018Look!\u2019 I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\tif\tthe\tarrow\thad\tmagical\teyes,\tor\tradar,\tor\tsome\tother\tway\tto sense\tits\tenvironment,\tbut\tI\tstuck\tits\tpoint\taround\tthe\tcorner\tof\tthe\tpillar,\twhere Piper\tand\tMeg\twere\tnow\tplaying\ta\tdeadly\tgame\tof\tchicken\t\u2013\tfried\tchicken\t\u2013 with\tMedea\u2019s\tblasts\tof\tgrandfather\tfire. HAST\tYON\tWENCH\tA\tBLOWPIPE?\tthe\tarrow\tdemanded. \u2018Yes.\u2019 FIE!\tA\tBOW\tAND\tARROWS\tART\tFAR\tSUPERIOR! \u2018She\u2019s\thalf\tCherokee,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018It\u2019s\ta\ttraditional\tCherokee\tweapon.\tNow\tcan you\tplease\ttell\tme\thow\tto\tdefeat\tMedea?\u2019 HMM,\tthe\tarrow\tmused.\tTHOU\tMUST\tUSE\tTHE\tBLOWPIPE. \u2018But\tyou\tjust\tsaid\t\u2013\u2019 REMIND\tME\tNOT!\t\u2019TIS\tBITTER\tTO\tSPEAK\tOF!\tTHOU\tHAST\tTHY ANSWER! The\tarrow\twent\tsilent.\tThe\tone\ttime\tI\twanted\tit\tto\telaborate,\tthe\tarrow\tshut up.\tNaturally.","I\tshoved\tit\tback\tin\tmy\tquiver\tand\tran\tto\tthe\tnext\tcolumn,\ttaking\tcover\tunder\ta sign\tthat\tread\tHONK! \u2018Piper!\u2019\tI\tyelled. She\tglanced\tover\tfrom\tfive\tpillars\taway.\tHer\tface\twas\tpulled\tin\ta\ttight grimace.\tHer\tarms\tlooked\tlike\tcooked\tlobster\tshells.\tMy\tmedical\tmind\ttold\tme she\thad\ta\tfew\thours\tat\tbest\tbefore\theatstroke\tset\tin\t\u2013\tnausea,\tdizziness, unconsciousness,\tprobably\tdeath.\tBut\tI\tfocused\ton\tthe\tfew\thours\tpart.\tI\tneeded to\tbelieve\twe\twould\tlive\tlong\tenough\tto\tdie\tfrom\tsuch\tcauses. I\tmimed\tshooting\ta\tblowpipe,\tthen\tpointed\tin\tMedea\u2019s\tdirection. Piper\tstared\tat\tme\tlike\tI\twas\tcrazy.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tblame\ther.\tEven\tif\tMedea\tdidn\u2019t bat\taway\tthe\tdart\twith\ta\tgust\tof\twind,\tthe\tmissile\twould\tnever\tmake\tit\tthrough that\tswirling\twall\tof\theat.\tI\tcould\tonly\tshrug\tand\tmouth\tthe\twords\tTrust\tme.\tI asked\tmy\tarrow. What\tPiper\tthought\tof\tthat,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell,\tbut\tshe\tunslung\ther\tblowpipe. Meanwhile,\tacross\tthe\tparking\tgarage,\tMeg\ttaunted\tMedea\tin\ttypical\tMeg fashion. \u2018DUMMY!\u2019\tshe\tyelled. Medea\tsent\tout\ta\tvertical\tblade\tof\theat,\tthough,\tjudging\tfrom\ther\taim,\tshe\twas trying\tto\tscare\tMeg\trather\tthan\tkill\ther. \u2018Come\tout\tand\tstop\tthis\tfoolishness,\tdear!\u2019\tshe\tcalled,\tfilling\ther\twords\twith concern.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\thurt\tyou,\tbut\tthe\tTitan\tis\thard\tto\tcontrol!\u2019 I\tground\tmy\tteeth.\tHer\twords\twere\ta\tlittle\ttoo\tclose\tto\tNero\u2019s\tmind\tgames, holding\tMeg\tin\tcheck\twith\tthe\tthreat\tof\this\talter\tego,\tthe\tBeast.\tI\tjust\thoped\tMeg couldn\u2019t\thear\ta\tword\tthrough\ther\tsmouldering\twild-flower\tearbuds. While\tMedea\thad\ther\tback\tturned,\tlooking\tfor\tMeg,\tPiper\tstepped\tinto\tthe open. She\ttook\ther\tshot. The\tdart\tflew\tstraight\tthrough\tthe\twall\tof\tfire\tand\tspeared\tMedea\tbetween\tthe shoulder\tblades.\tHow?\tI\tcan\tonly\tspeculate.\tPerhaps,\tbeing\ta\tCherokee\tweapon, it\twas\tnot\tsubject\tto\tthe\trules\tof\tGreek\tmagic.\tPerhaps,\tjust\tas\tCelestial\tbronze will\tpass\tstraight\tthrough\tregular\tmortals,\tnot\trecognizing\tthem\tas\tlegitimate targets,\tthe\tfires\tof\tHelios\tcould\tnot\tbe\tbothered\tto\tdisintegrate\ta\tpuny\tblowpipe dart. Whatever\tthe\tcase,\tthe\tsorceress\tarched\ther\tback\tand\tscreamed.\tShe\tturned, glowering,\tthen\treached\tbehind\ther\tand\tpulled\tout\tthe\tmissile.\tShe\tstared\tat\tit incredulously.\t\u2018A\tblowpipe\tdart?\tAre\tyou\tkidding\tme?\u2019 The\tfires\tcontinued\tto\tswirl\taround\ther,\tbut\tnone\tshot\ttowards\tPiper.\tMedea staggered.\tHer\teyes\tcrossed.","\u2018And\tit\u2019s\tpoisoned?\u2019\tThe\tsorceress\tlaughed,\ther\tvoice\ttinged\twith\thysteria. \u2018You\twould\ttry\tto\tpoison\tme,\tthe\tworld\u2019s\tforemost\texpert\ton\tpoisons?\tThere\tis no\tpoison\tI\tcan\u2019t\tcure!\tYou\tcannot\t\u2013\u2019 She\tdropped\tto\ther\tknees.\tGreen\tspittle\tflew\tfrom\ther\tmouth.\t\u2018Wh-what\tis\tthis concoction?\u2019 \u2018Compliments\tof\tmy\tGrandpa\tTom,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Old\tfamily\trecipe.\u2019 Medea\u2019s\tcomplexion\tturned\tas\tpale\tas\tthe\tfire.\tShe\tforced\tout\ta\tfew\twords, interspersed\twith\tgagging.\t\u2018You\tthink\t\u2026\tchanges\tanything?\tMy\tpower\t\u2026 doesn\u2019t\tsummon\tHelios\t\u2026\tI\thold\thim\tback!\u2019 She\tfell\tover\tsideways.\tRather\tthan\tdissipating,\tthe\tcone\tof\tfire\tswirled\teven more\tfuriously\taround\ther. \u2018Run,\u2019\tI\tcroaked.\tThen\tI\tyelled\tfor\tall\tI\twas\tworth,\t\u2018RUN\tNOW!\u2019 We\twere\thalfway\tback\tto\tthe\tcorridor\twhen\tthe\tparking\tlot\tbehind\tus\twent supernova.","19 In\tmy\tunderclothes\t Slathered\twith\tgrease.\tReally\tnot\t As\tfun\tas\tit\tsounds I\tam\tnot\tsure\thow\twe\tgot\tout\tof\tthe\tmaze. Lacking\tany\tevidence\tto\tthe\tcontrary,\tI\twill\tcredit\tmy\town\tcourage\tand fortitude.\tYes,\tthat\tmust\thave\tbeen\tit.\tHaving\tescaped\tthe\tworst\tof\tthe\tTitan\u2019s heat,\tI\tbravely\tsupported\tPiper\tand\tMeg\tand\texhorted\tthem\tto\tkeep\tgoing. Smoking\tand\thalf\tconscious\tbut\tstill\talive,\twe\tstumbled\tthrough\tthe\tcorridors, retracing\tour\tsteps\tuntil\twe\tarrived\tat\tthe\tfreight\televator.\tWith\tone\tlast\theroic burst\tof\tstrength,\tI\tflipped\tthe\tlever\tand\twe\tascended. We\tspilled\tinto\tthe\tsunlight\t\u2013\tregular\tsunlight,\tnot\tthe\tvicious\tzombie\tsunlight of\ta\tquasi-dead\tTitan\t\u2013\tand\tcollapsed\ton\tthe\tsidewalk.\tGrover\u2019s\tshocked\tface hovered\tover\tme. \u2018Hot,\u2019\tI\twhimpered. Grover\tpulled\tout\this\tpanpipes.\tHe\tbegan\tto\tplay,\tand\tI\tlost\tconsciousness. In\tmy\tdreams,\tI\tfound\tmyself\tat\ta\tparty\tin\tAncient\tRome.\tCaligula\thad\tjust opened\this\tnewest\tpalace\tat\tthe\tbase\tof\tthe\tPalatine\tHill,\tmaking\ta\tdaring architectural\tstatement\tby\tknocking\tout\tthe\tback\twall\tof\tthe\tTemple\tof\tCastor and\tPollux\tand\tusing\tit\tas\this\tfront\tentrance.\tSince\tCaligula\tconsidered\thimself\ta god,\the\tsaw\tno\tproblem\twith\tthis,\tbut\tthe\tRoman\telites\twere\thorrified.\tThis\twas sacrilege\takin\tto\tsetting\tup\ta\tbig-screen\tTV\ton\ta\tchurch\taltar\tand\thaving\ta\tSuper Bowl\tparty\twith\tcommunion\twine. That\tdidn\u2019t\tstop\tthe\tcrowd\tfrom\tattending\tthe\tfestivities.\tSome\tgods\thad\teven shown\tup\t(in\tdisguise).\tHow\tcould\twe\tresist\tsuch\tan\taudacious,\tblasphemous party\twith\tfree\tappetizers?\tThrongs\tof\tcostumed\trevellers\tmoved\tthrough\tvast","torchlit\thalls.\tIn\tevery\tcorner,\tmusicians\tplayed\tsongs\tfrom\tacross\tthe\tempire: Gaul,\tHispania,\tGreece,\tEgypt. I\tmyself\twas\tdressed\tas\ta\tgladiator.\t(Back\tthen,\twith\tmy\tgodly\tphysique,\tI could\ttotally\tpull\tthat\toff.)\tI\tmingled\twith\tsenators\twho\twere\tdisguised\tas\tslave girls,\tslave\tgirls\twho\twere\tdisguised\tas\tsenators,\ta\tfew\tunimaginative\ttoga ghosts\tand\ta\tcouple\tof\tenterprising\tpatricians\twho\thad\tcrafted\tthe\tworld\u2019s\tfirst two-man\tdonkey\tcostume. Personally,\tI\tdid\tnot\tmind\tthe\tsacrilegious\ttemple\/palace.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tmy\ttemple, after\tall.\tAnd\tin\tthose\tfirst\tyears\tof\tthe\tRoman\tEmpire\tI\tfound\tthe\tCaesars refreshingly\trisqu\u00e9.\tBesides,\twhy\tshould\twe\tgods\tpunish\tour\tbiggest benefactors? When\tthe\temperors\texpanded\ttheir\tpower,\tthey\texpanded\tour\tpower.\tRome had\tspread\tour\tinfluence\tacross\ta\thuge\tpart\tof\tthe\tworld.\tNow\twe\tOlympians were\tthe\tgods\tof\tthe\tempire!\tMove\tover,\tHorus.\tForget\tabout\tit,\tMarduk.\tThe Olympians\twere\tin\tthe\tascendant! We\tweren\u2019t\tabout\tto\tmess\twith\tsuccess\tjust\tbecause\tthe\temperors\tgot\tbig- headed,\tespecially\twhen\tthey\tmodelled\ttheir\tarrogance\ton\tours. I\twandered\tthe\tparty\tincognito,\tenjoying\tbeing\tamong\tall\tthe\tpretty\tpeople, when\the\tfinally\tappeared:\tthe\tyoung\temperor\thimself,\tin\ta\tgolden\tchariot\tpulled by\this\tfavourite\twhite\tstallion,\tIncitatus. Flanked\tby\tpraetorian\tguards\t\u2013\tthe\tonly\tpeople\tnot\tin\tcostume\t\u2013\tGaius\tJulius Caesar\tGermanicus\twas\tbuck\tnaked,\tpainted\tin\tgold\tfrom\thead\tto\tfoot,\twith\ta spiky\tcrown\tof\tsun\trays\tacross\this\tbrow.\tHe\twas\tpretending\tto\tbe\tme,\tobviously. But\twhen\tI\tsaw\thim\tmy\tfirst\tfeeling\twasn\u2019t\tanger.\tIt\twas\tadmiration.\tThis beautiful,\tshameless\tmortal\tpulled\toff\tthe\trole\tperfectly. \u2018I\tam\tthe\tNew\tSun!\u2019\the\tannounced,\tbeaming\tat\tthe\tcrowd\tas\tif\this\tsmile\twere responsible\tfor\tall\tthe\twarmth\tin\tthe\tworld.\t\u2018I\tam\tHelios.\tI\tam\tApollo.\tI\tam Caesar.\tYou\tmay\tnow\tbask\tin\tmy\tlight!\u2019 Nervous\tapplause\tfrom\tthe\tcrowd.\tShould\tthey\tgrovel?\tShould\tthey\tlaugh?\tIt was\talways\thard\tto\ttell\twith\tCaligula,\tand\tif\tyou\tgot\tit\twrong\tyou\tusually\tdied. The\temperor\tclimbed\tdown\tfrom\this\tchariot.\tHis\thorse\twas\tled\tto\tthe\thors d\u2019oeuvres\ttable\twhile\tCaligula\tand\this\tguards\tmade\ttheir\tway\tthrough\tthe crowd. Caligula\tstopped\tand\tshook\thands\twith\ta\tsenator\tdressed\tas\ta\tslave.\t\u2018You\tlook lovely,\tCassius\tAgrippa!\tWill\tyou\tbe\tmy\tslave,\tthen?\u2019 The\tsenator\tbowed.\t\u2018I\tam\tyour\tloyal\tservant,\tCaesar.\u2019 \u2018Excellent!\u2019\tCaligula\tturned\tto\this\tguards.\t\u2018You\theard\tthe\tman.\tHe\tis\tnow\tmy slave.\tTake\thim\tto\tmy\tslave\tmaster.\tConfiscate\tall\this\tproperty\tand\tmoney.\tLet his\tfamily\tgo\tfree,\tthough.\tI\u2019m\tfeeling\tgenerous.\u2019","The\tsenator\tspluttered,\tbut\the\tcould\tnot\tform\tthe\twords\tto\tprotest.\tTwo\tguards hustled\thim\taway\tas\tCaligula\tcalled\tafter\thim,\t\u2018Thank\tyou\tfor\tyour\tloyalty!\u2019 The\tcrowd\tshifted\tlike\ta\therd\tof\tcattle\tin\ta\tthunderstorm.\tThose\twho\thad\tbeen surging\tforward,\tanxious\tto\tcatch\tthe\temperor\u2019s\teye\tand\tperhaps\twin\this\tfavour, now\ttried\ttheir\tbest\tto\tmelt\tinto\tthe\tpack. \u2018It\u2019s\ta\tbad\tnight,\u2019\tsome\twhispered\tin\twarning\tto\ttheir\tcolleagues.\t\u2018He\u2019s\thaving a\tbad\tnight.\u2019 \u2018Marcus\tPhilo!\u2019\tcried\tthe\temperor,\tcornering\ta\tpoor\tyoung\tman\twho\thad\tbeen attempting\tto\thide\tbehind\tthe\ttwo-man\tdonkey.\t\u2018Come\tout\there,\tyou\tscoundrel!\u2019 \u2018Pr-Princeps,\u2019\tthe\tman\tstuttered. \u2018I\tloved\tthe\tsatire\tyou\twrote\tabout\tme,\u2019\tCaligula\tsaid.\t\u2018My\tguards\tfound\ta copy\tof\tit\tin\tthe\tForum\tand\tbrought\tit\tto\tmy\tattention.\u2019 \u2018S-sire,\u2019\tsaid\tPhilo.\t\u2018It\twas\tonly\ta\tweak\tjest.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Nonsense!\u2019\tCaligula\tsmiled\tat\tthe\tcrowd.\t\u2018Isn\u2019t\tPhilo\tgreat,\teverybody? Didn\u2019t\tyou\tlike\this\twork?\tThe\tway\the\tdescribed\tme\tas\ta\trabid\tdog?\u2019 The\tcrowd\twas\ton\tthe\tverge\tof\tfull\tpanic.\tThe\tair\twas\tso\tfull\tof\telectricity\tthat I\twondered\tif\tmy\tfather\twas\tthere\tin\tdisguise. \u2018I\tpromised\tthat\tpoets\twould\tbe\tfree\tto\texpress\tthemselves!\u2019\tCaligula announced.\t\u2018No\tmore\tparanoia\tlike\tin\told\tTiberius\u2019s\treign.\tI\tadmire\tyour\tsilver tongue,\tPhilo.\tI\tthink\teveryone\tshould\thave\ta\tchance\tto\tadmire\tit.\tI\twill\treward you!\u2019 Philo\tgulped.\t\u2018Thank\tyou,\tlord.\u2019 \u2018Guards,\u2019\tsaid\tCaligula,\t\u2018take\thim\taway.\tPull\this\ttongue\tout,\tdip\tit\tin\tmolten silver\tand\tdisplay\tit\tin\tthe\tForum\twhere\teveryone\tcan\tadmire\tit.\tReally,\tPhilo\t\u2013 wonderful\twork!\u2019 Two\tpraetorians\thauled\taway\tthe\tscreaming\tpoet. \u2018And\tyou\tthere!\u2019\tCaligula\tcalled. Only\tthen\tdid\tI\trealize\tthe\tcrowd\thad\tebbed\taround\tme,\tleaving\tme\texposed. Suddenly,\tCaligula\twas\tin\tmy\tface.\tHis\tbeautiful\teyes\tnarrowed\tas\the\tstudied my\tcostume,\tmy\tgodly\tphysique. \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\trecognize\tyou,\u2019\the\tsaid. I\twanted\tto\tspeak.\tI\tknew\tthat\tI\thad\tnothing\tto\tfear\tfrom\tCaesar.\tIf\tit\tcame\tto the\tworst,\tI\tcould\tsimply\tsay,\tBye!\tand\tvanish\tin\ta\tcloud\tof\tglitter.\tBut,\tI\thave\tto admit,\tin\tCaligula\u2019s\tpresence,\tI\twas\tawestruck.\tThe\tyoung\tman\twas\twild, powerful,\tunpredictable.\tHis\taudacity\ttook\tmy\tbreath\taway. At\tlast,\tI\tmanaged\ta\tbow.\t\u2018I\tam\ta\tmere\tactor,\tCaesar.\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tindeed!\u2019\tCaligula\tbrightened.\t\u2018And\tyou\tplay\tthe\tgladiator.\tWould\tyou fight\tto\tthe\tdeath\tin\tmy\thonour?\u2019","I\tsilently\treminded\tmyself\tthat\tI\twas\timmortal.\tIt\ttook\ta\tlittle\tconvincing.\tI drew\tmy\tgladiator\u2019s\tsword,\twhich\twas\tnothing\tbut\ta\tcostume\tblade\tof\tsoft\ttin. \u2018Point\tme\tto\tmy\topponent,\tCaesar!\u2019\tI\tscanned\tthe\taudience\tand\tbellowed,\t\u2018I\twill destroy\tanyone\twho\tthreatens\tmy\tlord!\u2019 To\tdemonstrate,\tI\tlunged\tand\tpoked\tthe\tnearest\tpraetorian\tguard\tin\tthe\tchest. My\tsword\tbent\tagainst\this\tbreastplate.\tI\theld\taloft\tmy\tridiculous\tweapon,\twhich now\tresembled\tthe\tletter\tZ. A\tdangerous\tsilence\tfollowed.\tAll\teyes\tfixed\ton\tCaesar. Finally,\tCaligula\tlaughed.\t\u2018Well\tdone!\u2019\tHe\tpatted\tmy\tshoulder,\tthen\tsnapped his\tfingers.\tOne\tof\this\tservants\tshuffled\tforward\tand\thanded\tme\ta\theavy\tpouch of\tgold\tcoins. Caligula\twhispered\tin\tmy\tear,\t\u2018I\tfeel\tsafer\talready.\u2019 The\temperor\tmoved\ton,\tleaving\tonlookers\tlaughing\twith\trelief,\tsome\tcasting envious\tglances\tat\tme\tas\tif\tto\task,\tWhat\tis\tyour\tsecret? After\tthat,\tI\tstayed\taway\tfrom\tRome\tfor\tdecades.\tIt\twas\ta\trare\tman\twho\tcould make\ta\tgod\tnervous,\tbut\tCaligula\tunsettled\tme.\tHe\talmost\tmade\ta\tbetter\tApollo than\tI\tdid. My\tdream\tchanged.\tI\tsaw\tHerophile\tagain,\tthe\tSibyl\tof\tErythraea,\treaching out\ther\tshackled\tarms,\ther\tface\tlit\tred\tby\tthe\troiling\tlava\tbelow. \u2018Apollo,\u2019\tshe\tsaid,\t\u2018it\twon\u2019t\tseem\tworth\tit\tto\tyou.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsure\tit\tis\tmyself. But\tyou\tmust\tcome.\tYou\tmust\thold\tthem\ttogether\tin\ttheir\tgrief.\u2019 I\tsank\tinto\tthe\tlava,\tHerophile\tstill\tcalling\tmy\tname\tas\tmy\tbody\tbroke\tand crumbled\tinto\tash. I\twoke\tup\tscreaming,\tlying\ton\ttop\tof\ta\tsleeping\tbag\tin\tthe\tCistern. Aloe\tVera\thovered\tover\tme,\ther\tprickly\ttriangles\tof\thair\tmostly\tsnapped\toff, leaving\ther\twith\ta\tglistening\tbuzz\tcut. \u2018You\u2019re\tokay,\u2019\tshe\tassured\tme,\tputting\ther\tcool\thand\tagainst\tmy\tfevered forehead.\t\u2018You\u2019ve\tbeen\tthrough\ta\tlot,\tthough.\u2019 I\trealized\tI\twas\twearing\tonly\tmy\tunderwear.\tMy\tentire\tbody\twas\tbeet maroon,\tslathered\tin\taloe.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tbreathe\tthrough\tmy\tnose.\tI\ttouched\tmy nostrils\tand\tdiscovered\tI\thad\tbeen\tfitted\twith\tsmall\tgreen\taloe\tnose\tplugs. I\tsneezed\tthem\tout. \u2018My\tfriends?\u2019\tI\tasked. Aloe\tmoved\taside.\tBehind\ther,\tGrover\tUnderwood\tsat\tcross-legged\tbetween Piper\u2019s\tand\tMeg\u2019s\tsleeping\tbags,\tboth\tgirls\tfast\tasleep.\tLike\tme,\tthey\thad\tbeen slathered\twith\tgoo.\tIt\twas\ta\tperfect\topportunity\tto\ttake\ta\tpicture\tof\tMeg\twith green\tplugs\tsticking\tout\tof\ther\tnostrils,\tfor\tblackmail\tpurposes,\tbut\tI\twas\ttoo relieved\tthat\tshe\twas\talive.\tAlso,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ta\tphone. \u2018Will\tthey\tbe\tall\tright?\u2019\tI\tasked.","\u2018They\twere\tin\tworse\tshape\tthan\tyou,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018It\twas\ttouch\tand\tgo\tfor\ta while,\tbut\tthey\u2019ll\tpull\tthrough.\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tfeeding\tthem\tnectar\tand\tambrosia.\u2019 Aloe\tsmiled.\t\u2018Also,\tmy\thealing\tproperties\tare\tlegendary.\tJust\twait.\tThey\u2019ll\tbe up\tand\twalking\taround\tby\tdinner.\u2019 Dinner\t\u2026\tI\tlooked\tat\tthe\tdark\torange\tcircle\tof\tsky\tabove.\tEither\tit\twas\tlate afternoon,\tor\tthe\twildfires\twere\tcloser,\tor\tboth. \u2018Medea?\u2019\tI\tasked. Grover\tfrowned.\t\u2018Meg\ttold\tme\tabout\tthe\tbattle\tbefore\tshe\tpassed\tout,\tbut\tI don\u2019t\tknow\twhat\thappened\tto\tthe\tsorceress.\tI\tnever\tsaw\ther.\u2019 I\tshivered\tin\tmy\taloe\tgel.\tI\twanted\tto\tbelieve\tMedea\thad\tdied\tin\tthe\tfiery explosion,\tbut\tI\tdoubted\twe\tcould\tbe\tso\tlucky.\tHelios\u2019s\tfire\thadn\u2019t\tseemed\tto bother\ther.\tMaybe\tshe\twas\tnaturally\timmune.\tOr\tmaybe\tshe\thad\tworked\tsome protective\tmagic\ton\therself. \u2018Your\tdryad\tfriends?\u2019\tI\tasked.\t\u2018Agave\tand\tMoney\tMaker?\u2019 Aloe\tand\tGrover\texchanged\ta\tsorrowful\tlook. \u2018Agave\tmight\tpull\tthrough,\u2019\tsaid\tGrover.\t\u2018She\twent\tdormant\tas\tsoon\tas\twe\tgot her\tback\tto\ther\tplant.\tBut\tMoney\tMaker\t\u2026\u2019\tHe\tshook\this\thead. I\thad\tbarely\tmet\tthe\tdryad.\tStill,\tthe\tnews\tof\ther\tdeath\thit\tme\thard.\tI\tfelt\tas\tif\tI were\tdropping\tgreen\tleaf-coins\tfrom\tmy\tbody,\tshedding\tessential\tpieces\tof myself. I\tthought\tabout\tHerophile\u2019s\twords\tin\tmy\tdream:\tIt\twon\u2019t\tseem\tworth\tit\tto\tyou. I\u2019m\tnot\tsure\tit\tis\tmyself.\tBut\tyou\tmust\tcome.\tYou\tmust\thold\tthem\ttogether\tin their\tgrief. I\tfeared\tthat\tMoney\tMaker\u2019s\tdeath\twas\tonly\tone\tsmall\tpart\tof\tthe\tgrief\tthat awaited\tus. \u2018I\u2019m\tsorry,\u2019\tI\tsaid. Aloe\tpatted\tmy\tgreasy\tshoulder.\t\u2018It\tisn\u2019t\tyour\tfault,\tApollo.\tBy\tthe\ttime\tyou found\ther,\tshe\twas\ttoo\tfar\tgone.\tUnless\tyou\u2019d\thad\t\u2026\u2019 She\tstopped\therself,\tbut\tI\tknew\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tintended\tto\tsay:\tUnless\tyou\u2019d\thad your\tgodly\thealing\tpowers.\tA\tlot\twould\thave\tbeen\tdifferent\tif\tI\u2019d\tbeen\ta\tgod,\tnot a\tpretender\tin\tthis\tpathetic\tLester\tPapadopoulos\tdisguise. Grover\ttouched\tthe\tblowpipe\tat\tPiper\u2019s\tside.\tThe\triver-cane\ttube\thad\tbeen badly\tcharred,\tpitted\twith\tburn\tholes\tthat\twould\tprobably\tmake\tit\tunusable. \u2018Something\telse\tyou\tshould\tknow,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018When\tAgave\tand\tI\tcarried Money\tMaker\tout\tof\tthe\tmaze?\tThat\tbig-eared\tguard,\tthe\tguy\twith\tthe\twhite fur?\tHe\twas\tgone.\u2019 I\tconsidered\tthis.\t\u2018You\tmean\the\tdied\tand\tdisintegrated?\tOr\the\tgot\tup\tand walked\taway?\u2019 \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018Does\teither\tseem\tlikely?\u2019","Neither\tdid,\tbut\tI\tdecided\twe\thad\tbigger\tproblems\tto\tthink\tabout. \u2018Tonight,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018when\tPiper\tand\tMeg\twake\tup,\twe\tneed\tto\thave\tanother meeting\twith\tyour\tdryad\tfriends.\tWe\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tput\tthis\tBurning\tMaze\tout\tof business,\tonce\tand\tfor\tall.\u2019","20 O\tMuse,\tlet\tus\tnow\t Sing\tin\tpraise\tof\tbotanists!\t They\tdo\tplant\tstuff.\tYay. Our\tcouncil\tof\twar\twas\tmore\tlike\ta\tcouncil\tof\twincing. Thanks\tto\tGrover\u2019s\tmagic\tand\tAloe\tVera\u2019s\tconstant\tsliming\t(I\tmean attention),\tPiper\tand\tMeg\tregained\tconsciousness.\tBy\tdinnertime,\tthe\tthree\tof\tus could\twash,\tget\tdressed\tand\teven\twalk\taround\twithout\tscreaming\ttoo\tmuch,\tbut we\tstill\thurt\ta\tgreat\tdeal.\tEvery\ttime\tI\tstood\tup\ttoo\tfast,\ttiny\tgolden\tCaligulas danced\tbefore\tmy\teyes. Piper\u2019s\tblowpipe\tand\tquiver\t\u2013\tboth\theirlooms\tfrom\ther\tgrandfather\t\u2013\twere ruined.\tHer\thair\twas\tsinged.\tHer\tburned\tarms,\tglistening\twith\taloe,\tlooked\tlike newly\tglazed\tbrick.\tShe\tcalled\ther\tfather\tto\twarn\thim\tshe\twould\tbe\tspending\tthe night\twith\ther\tstudy\tgroup,\tthen\tsettled\tinto\tone\tof\tthe\tCistern\u2019s\tbrickwork alcoves\twith\tMellie\tand\tHedge,\twho\tkept\turging\ther\tto\tdrink\tmore\twater.\tBaby Chuck\tsat\ton\tPiper\u2019s\tlap,\tstaring\tenraptured\tat\ther\tface\tas\tif\tit\twere\tthe\tmost amazing\tthing\tin\tthe\tworld. As\tfor\tMeg,\tshe\tsat\tglumly\tby\tthe\tpool,\ther\tfeet\tin\tthe\twater,\ta\tplate\tof\tcheese enchiladas\ton\ther\tlap.\tShe\twore\ta\tbaby\tblue\tT-shirt\tfrom\tMacro\u2019s\tMilitary Madness\tfeaturing\ta\tsmiling\tcartoon\tAK-47\twith\tthe\tcaption:\tSHOOTIE\u2019S\tJUNIOR MARKSMAN\tCLUB!\tNext\tto\ther\tsat\tAgave,\tlooking\tdejected,\tthough\ta\tnew\tgreen spike\thad\tstarted\tto\tgrow\twhere\ther\twithered\tarm\thad\tfallen\toff.\tHer\tdryad friends\tkept\tcoming\tby,\toffering\ther\tfertilizer\tand\twater\tand\tenchiladas,\tbut Agave\tshook\ther\thead\tglumly,\tstaring\tat\tthe\tcollection\tof\tfallen\tmoney-maker petals\tin\ther\thand.","Money\tMaker,\tI\twas\ttold,\thad\tbeen\tplanted\ton\tthe\thillside\twith\tfull\tdryad honours.\tHopefully,\tshe\twould\tbe\treincarnated\tas\ta\tbeautiful\tnew\tsucculent,\tor perhaps\ta\twhite-tailed\tantelope\tsquirrel.\tMoney\tMaker\thad\talways\tloved\tthose. Grover\tlooked\texhausted.\tPlaying\tall\tthe\thealing\tmusic\thad\ttaken\tits\ttoll,\tnot to\tmention\tthe\tstress\tof\tdriving\tback\tto\tPalm\tSprings\tat\tunsafe\tspeeds\tin\tthe borrowed\/slightly\tstolen\tBedrossian-mobile\twith\tfive\tcritical\tburn\tvictims. Once\twe\thad\tall\tgathered\t\u2013\tcondolences\texchanged,\tenchiladas\teaten,\taloe slimed\t\u2013\tI\tbegan\tthe\tmeeting. \u2018All\tof\tthis,\u2019\tI\tannounced,\t\u2018is\tmy\tfault.\u2019 You\tcan\timagine\thow\tdifficult\tthis\twas\tfor\tme\tto\tsay.\tThe\twords\tsimply\thad not\tbeen\tin\tthe\tvocabulary\tof\tApollo.\tI\thalf\thoped\tthe\tcollected\tdryads,\tsatyrs and\tdemigods\twould\trush\tto\treassure\tme\tthat\tI\twas\tblameless.\tThey\tdid\tnot. I\tforged\ton.\t\u2018Caligula\u2019s\tgoal\thas\talways\tbeen\tthe\tsame:\tto\tmake\thimself\ta\tgod. He\tsaw\this\tancestors\timmortalized\tafter\ttheir\tdeaths:\tJulius,\tAugustus,\teven disgusting\told\tTiberius.\tBut\tCaligula\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\twait\tfor\tdeath.\tHe\twas\tthe first\tRoman\temperor\twho\twanted\tto\tbe\ta\tliving\tgod.\u2019 Piper\tlooked\tup\tfrom\tplaying\twith\tthe\tbaby\tsatyr.\t\u2018Caligula\tkind\tof\tis\ta\tminor god\tnow,\tright?\tYou\tsaid\the\tand\tthe\ttwo\tother\temperors\thave\tbeen\taround\tfor thousands\tof\tyears.\tSo\the\tgot\twhat\the\twanted.\u2019 \u2018Partly,\u2019\tI\tagreed.\t\u2018But\tbeing\ta\tminor\tanything\tisn\u2019t\tenough\tfor\tCaligula.\tHe always\tdreamed\tof\treplacing\tone\tof\tthe\tOlympians.\tHe\ttoyed\twith\tthe\tidea\tof becoming\tthe\tnew\tJupiter\tor\tMars.\tIn\tthe\tend,\the\tset\this\tsights\ton\tbeing\t\u2013\u2019\tI swallowed\tthe\tsour\ttaste\tfrom\tmy\tmouth\t\u2013\t\u2018the\tnew\tme.\u2019 Coach\tHedge\tscratched\this\tgoatee.\t(Hmm.\tIf\ta\tgoat\twears\ta\tgoatee,\tis\tit\ta man-tee?)\t\u2018So,\twhat?\tCaligula\tkills\tyou,\tputs\ton\ta\tHi,\tI\u2019m\tApollo!\tname\ttag,\tand walks\tinto\tOlympus\thoping\tnobody\tnotices?\u2019 \u2018It\twould\tbe\tworse\tthan\tkilling\tme,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018He\twould\tconsume\tmy\tessence, along\twith\tthe\tessence\tof\tHelios,\tto\tmake\thimself\tthe\tnew\tsun\tgod.\u2019 Prickly\tPear\tbristled.\t\u2018The\tother\tOlympians\twould\tjust\tallow\tthis?\u2019 \u2018The\tOlympians,\u2019\tI\tsaid\tbitterly,\t\u2018allowed\tZeus\tto\tstrip\tme\tof\tmy\tpowers\tand toss\tme\tto\tearth.\tThey\u2019ve\tdone\thalf\tof\tCaligula\u2019s\tjob\tfor\thim.\tThey\twon\u2019t interfere.\tAs\tusual,\tthey\u2019ll\texpect\theroes\tto\tset\tthings\tright.\tIf\tCaligula\tdoes become\tthe\tnew\tsun\tgod,\tI\twill\tbe\tgone.\tPermanently\tgone.\tThat\u2019s\twhat\tMedea has\tbeen\tpreparing\tfor\twith\tthe\tBurning\tMaze.\tIt\u2019s\ta\tgiant\tcooking\tpot\tfor\tsun- god\tsoup.\u2019 Meg\twrinkled\ther\tnose.\t\u2018Gross.\u2019 For\tonce,\tI\twas\tin\ttotal\tagreement\twith\ther. Standing\tin\tthe\tshadows,\tJoshua\tTree\tcrossed\this\tarms.\t\u2018So\tthe\tfires\tof\tHelios \u2013\tthat\u2019s\twhat\u2019s\tkilling\tour\tland?\u2019","I\tspread\tmy\thands.\t\u2018Well,\thumans\taren\u2019t\thelping.\tBut\ton\ttop\tof\tthe\tusual pollution\tand\tclimate\tchange,\tyes,\tthe\tBurning\tMaze\twas\tthe\ttipping\tpoint. Everything\tthat\u2019s\tleft\tof\tthe\tTitan\tHelios\tis\tnow\tcoursing\tthrough\tthis\tsection\tof the\tLabyrinth\tunder\tSouthern\tCalifornia,\tslowly\tturning\tthe\ttop\tside\tinto\ta\tfiery wasteland.\u2019 Agave\ttouched\tthe\tside\tof\ther\tscarred\tface.\tWhen\tshe\tlooked\tup\tat\tme,\ther stare\twas\tas\tpointed\tas\ther\tcollar.\t\u2018If\tMedea\tsucceeds,\twill\tall\tthe\tpower\tgo\tinto Caligula?\tWill\tthe\tmaze\tstop\tburning\tand\tkilling\tus?\u2019 I\thad\tnever\tconsidered\tcacti\ta\tparticularly\tvicious\tlife-form,\tbut,\tas\tthe\tother dryads\tstudied\tme,\tI\tcould\timagine\tthem\ttying\tme\tup\twith\ta\tribbon\tand\ta\tlarge card\tthat\tsaid\tFOR\tCALIGULA,\tFROM\tNATURE\tand\tdropping\tme\ton\tthe\temperor\u2019s doorstep. \u2018Guys,\tthat\twon\u2019t\thelp,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018Caligula\u2019s\tresponsible\tfor\twhat\u2019s happening\tto\tus\tright\tnow.\tHe\tdoesn\u2019t\tcare\tabout\tnature\tspirits.\tYou\treally\twant to\tgive\thim\tthe\tfull\tpower\tof\ta\tsun\tgod?\u2019 The\tdryads\tmuttered\tin\treluctant\tagreement.\tI\tmade\ta\tmental\tnote\tto\tsend Grover\ta\tnice\tcard\ton\tGoat\tAppreciation\tDay. \u2018So\twhat\tdo\twe\tdo?\u2019\tasked\tMellie.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\twant\tmy\tson\tgrowing\tup\tin\ta burning\twasteland.\u2019 Meg\ttook\toff\ther\tglasses.\t\u2018We\tkill\tCaligula.\u2019 It\twas\tjarring,\thearing\ta\ttwelve-year-old\tgirl\tspeak\tso\tmatter-of-factly\tabout assassination.\tEven\tmore\tjarring,\tI\twas\ttempted\tto\tagree\twith\ther. \u2018Meg,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018that\tmay\tnot\tbe\tpossible.\tYou\tremember\tCommodus.\tHe\twas the\tweakest\tof\tthe\tthree\temperors,\tand\tthe\tbest\twe\tcould\tdo\twas\tforce\thim\tout\tof Indianapolis.\tCaligula\twill\tbe\tmuch\tmore\tpowerful,\tmore\tdeeply\tentrenched.\u2019 \u2018Don\u2019t\tcare,\u2019\tshe\tmuttered.\t\u2018He\thurt\tmy\tdad.\tHe\tdid\t\u2026\tall\tthis.\u2019\tShe\tgestured around\tat\tthe\told\tcistern. \u2018What\tdo\tyou\tmean\tall\tthis?\u2019\tJoshua\tasked. Meg\tshot\ta\tlook\tat\tme\tas\tif\tto\tsay,\tYour\tturn. Once\tagain,\tI\texplained\twhat\tI\thad\tseen\tin\tMeg\u2019s\tmemories\t\u2013\tAeithales\tas\tit had\tonce\tbeen,\tthe\tlegal\tand\tfinancial\tpressure\tCaligula\tmust\thave\tused\tto\tshut down\tPhillip\tMcCaffrey\u2019s\twork,\tthe\tway\tMeg\tand\ther\tfather\thad\tbeen\tforced\tto flee\tjust\tbefore\tthe\thouse\twas\tfirebombed. Joshua\tfrowned.\t\u2018I\tremember\ta\tsaguaro\tnamed\tHercules\tfrom\tthe\tfirst greenhouse.\tOne\tof\tthe\tfew\twho\tsurvived\tthe\thouse\tfire.\tOld,\ttough\tdryad, always\tin\tpain\tfrom\this\tburns,\tbut\the\tkept\tclinging\tto\tlife.\tHe\tused\tto\ttalk\tabout a\tlittle\tgirl\twho\tlived\tin\tthe\thouse.\tHe\tsaid\the\twas\twaiting\tfor\ther\tto\treturn.\u2019 Joshua\tturned\tto\tMeg\tin\tamazement.\t\u2018That\twas\tyou?\u2019 Meg\tbrushed\ta\ttear\tfrom\ther\tcheek.\t\u2018He\tdidn\u2019t\tmake\tit?\u2019","Josh\tshook\this\thead.\t\u2018He\tdied\ta\tfew\tyears\tago.\tI\u2019m\tsorry.\u2019 Agave\ttook\tMeg\u2019s\thand.\t\u2018Your\tfather\twas\ta\tgreat\thero,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018Clearly,\the was\tdoing\this\tbest\tto\thelp\tplants.\u2019 \u2018He\twas\ta\t\u2026\tbotanist,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid,\tpronouncing\tthe\tword\tas\tif\tshe\u2019d\tjust remembered\tit. The\tdryads\tlowered\ttheir\theads.\tHedge\tand\tGrover\tremoved\ttheir\thats. \u2018I\twonder\twhat\tyour\tdad\u2019s\tbig\tproject\twas,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid,\t\u2018with\tthose\tglowing seeds.\tWhat\tdid\tMedea\tcall\tyou\t\u2026\ta\tdescendant\tof\tPlemnaeus?\u2019 The\tdryads\tlet\tout\ta\tcollective\tgasp. \u2018Plemnaeus?\u2019\tasked\tReba.\t\u2018The\tPlemnaeus?\tEven\tin\tArgentina,\twe\tknow\tof him!\u2019 I\tstared\tat\ther.\t\u2018You\tdo?\u2019 Prickly\tPear\tsnorted.\t\u2018Oh,\tcome\ton,\tApollo!\tYou\u2019re\ta\tgod.\tSurely\tyou\tknow of\tthe\tgreat\thero\tPlemnaeus!\u2019 \u2018Um\t\u2026\u2019\tI\twas\ttempted\tto\tblame\tmy\tfaulty\tmortal\tmemory,\tbut\tI\twas\tpretty sure\tI\thad\tnever\theard\tthe\tname,\teven\twhen\tI\twas\ta\tgod.\t\u2018What\tmonster\tdid\the slay?\u2019 Aloe\tedged\taway\tfrom\tme,\tas\tif\tshe\tdid\tnot\twant\tto\tbe\tin\tthe\tline\tof\tfire\twhen the\tother\tdryads\tshot\ttheir\tspines\tat\tme. \u2018Apollo,\u2019\tReba\tchided,\t\u2018a\thealer\tgod\tshould\tknow\tbetter.\u2019 \u2018Er,\tof\tcourse,\u2019\tI\tagreed.\t\u2018But,\tum,\twho\texactly\t\u2013?\u2019 \u2018Typical,\u2019\tPear\tmuttered.\t\u2018The\tkillers\tare\tremembered\tas\theroes.\tThe\tgrowers are\tforgotten.\tExcept\tby\tus\tnature\tspirits.\u2019 \u2018Plemnaeus\twas\ta\tGreek\tking,\u2019\tAgave\texplained.\t\u2018A\tnoble\tman,\tbut\this children\twere\tborn\tunder\ta\tcurse.\tIf\tany\tof\tthem\tcried\teven\tonce\tduring\ttheir infancy,\tthey\twould\tdie\tinstantly.\u2019 I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\thow\tthat\tmade\tPlemnaeus\tnoble,\tbut\tI\tnodded\tpolitely.\t\u2018What happened?\u2019 \u2018He\tappealed\tto\tDemeter,\u2019\tsaid\tJoshua.\t\u2018The\tgoddess\therself\traised\this\tnext son,\tOrthopolis,\tso\tthat\the\twould\tlive.\tIn\tgratitude,\tPlemnaeus\tbuilt\ta\ttemple\tto Demeter.\tEver\tsince,\this\toffspring\thave\tdedicated\tthemselves\tto\tDemeter\u2019s work.\tThey\thave\talways\tbeen\tgreat\tagriculturalists\tand\tbotanists.\u2019 Agave\tsqueezed\tMeg\u2019s\thand.\t\u2018I\tunderstand\tnow\twhy\tyour\tfather\twas\table\tto build\tAeithales.\tHis\twork\tmust\thave\tbeen\tspecial\tindeed.\tNot\tonly\tdid\the\tcome from\ta\tlong\tline\tof\tDemeter\u2019s\theroes,\the\tattracted\tthe\tpersonal\tattention\tof\tthe goddess,\tyour\tmother.\tWe\tare\thonoured\tthat\tyou\u2019ve\tcome\thome.\u2019 \u2018Home,\u2019\tagreed\tPrickly\tPear. \u2018Home,\u2019\tJoshua\techoed. Meg\tblinked\tback\ttears.","This\tseemed\tlike\tan\texcellent\ttime\tfor\ta\tsong\tcircle.\tI\timagined\tthe\tdryads putting\ttheir\tspiky\tarms\taround\tone\tanother\tand\tswaying\tas\tthey\tsang\t\u2018In\tthe Garden\u2019.\tI\twas\teven\twilling\tto\tprovide\tukulele\tmusic. Coach\tHedge\tbrought\tus\tback\tto\tharsh\treality. \u2018That\u2019s\tgreat.\u2019\tHe\tgave\tMeg\ta\trespectful\tnod.\t\u2018Kid,\tyour\tdad\tmust\thave\tbeen something.\tBut,\tunless\the\twas\tgrowing\tsome\tkind\tof\tsecret\tweapon,\tI\tdon\u2019t know\thow\tit\thelps\tus.\tWe\u2019ve\tstill\tgot\tan\temperor\tto\tkill\tand\ta\tmaze\tto\tdestroy.\u2019 \u2018Gleeson\t\u2026\u2019\tMellie\tchided. \u2018Hey,\tam\tI\twrong?\u2019 No\tone\tchallenged\thim. Grover\tstared\tdisconsolately\tat\this\thooves.\t\u2018What\tdo\twe\tdo,\tthen?\u2019 \u2018We\tstick\tto\tthe\tplan,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\tThe\tcertainty\tin\tmy\tvoice\tseemed\tto\tsurprise everyone.\tIt\tdefinitely\tsurprised\tme.\t\u2018We\tfind\tthe\tSibyl\tof\tErythraea.\tShe\u2019s\tmore than\tjust\tbait.\tShe\u2019s\tthe\tkey\tto\teverything.\tI\u2019m\tsure\tof\tit.\u2019 Piper\tcradled\tBaby\tChuck\tas\the\tgrabbed\tfor\ther\tharpy\tfeather.\t\u2018Apollo,\twe tried\tnavigating\tthe\tmaze.\tYou\tsaw\twhat\thappened.\u2019 \u2018Jason\tGrace\tmade\tit\tthrough,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018He\tfound\tthe\tOracle.\u2019 Piper\u2019s\texpression\tdarkened.\t\u2018Maybe.\tBut,\teven\tif\tyou\tbelieve\tMedea,\tJason only\tfound\tthe\tOracle\tbecause\tMedea\twanted\thim\tto.\u2019 \u2018She\tmentioned\tthere\twas\tanother\tway\tto\tnavigate\tthe\tmaze,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018The emperor\u2019s\tshoes.\tApparently,\tthey\tlet\tCaligula\twalk\tthrough\tsafely.\tWe\tneed those\tshoes.\tThat\u2019s\twhat\tthe\tprophecy\tmeant:\twalk\tthe\tpath\tin\tthine\town\tenemy\u2019s boots.\u2019 Meg\twiped\ther\tnose.\t\u2018So\tyou\u2019re\tsaying\twe\tneed\tto\tfind\tCaligula\u2019s\tplace\tand steal\this\tshoes.\tWhile\twe\u2019re\tthere,\tcan\u2019t\twe\tjust\tkill\thim?\u2019 She\tasked\tthis\tcasually,\tlike\tCan\twe\tstop\tby\tTarget\ton\tthe\tway\thome? Hedge\twagged\this\tfinger\tat\tMcCaffrey.\t\u2018See,\tnow\tthat\u2019s\ta\tplan.\tI\tlike\tthis girl.\u2019 \u2018Friends,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\twishing\tI\thad\tsome\tof\tPiper\u2019s\tcharmspeaking\tskills, \u2018Caligula\u2019s\tbeen\talive\tfor\tthousands\tof\tyears.\tHe\u2019s\ta\tminor\tgod.\tWe\tdon\u2019t\tknow how\tto\tkill\thim\tso\the\tstays\tdead.\tWe\talso\tdon\u2019t\tknow\thow\tto\tdestroy\tthe\tmaze, and\twe\tcertainly\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tmake\tthings\tworse\tby\tunleashing\tall\tthat\tgodly heat\tinto\tthe\tupper\tworld.\tOur\tpriority\thas\tto\tbe\tthe\tSibyl.\u2019 \u2018Because\tit\u2019s\tyour\tpriority?\u2019\tPear\tgrumbled. I\tresisted\tthe\turge\tto\tyell,\tDuh! \u2018Either\tway,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018to\tlearn\tthe\temperor\u2019s\tlocation,\twe\tneed\tto\tconsult\tJason Grace.\tMedea\ttold\tus\tthe\tOracle\tgave\thim\tinformation\ton\thow\tto\tfind\tCaligula. Piper,\twill\tyou\ttake\tus\tto\tJason?\u2019","Piper\tfrowned.\tBaby\tChuck\thad\ther\tfinger\tin\this\ttiny\tfist\tand\twas\tmoving\tit dangerously\tclose\tto\this\tmouth. \u2018Jason\u2019s\tliving\tat\ta\tboarding\tschool\tin\tPasadena,\u2019\tshe\tsaid\tat\tlast.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t know\tif\the\u2019ll\tlisten\tto\tme.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tif\the\u2019ll\thelp.\tBut\twe\tcan\ttry.\tMy\tfriend Annabeth\talways\tsays\tinformation\tis\tthe\tmost\tpowerful\tweapon.\u2019 Grover\tnodded.\t\u2018I\tnever\targue\twith\tAnnabeth.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\tsettled,\tthen,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Tomorrow\twe\tcontinue\tour\tquest\tby\tbusting\tJason Grace\tout\tof\tschool.\u2019","21 When\tlife\tgives\tyou\tseeds\t Plant\tthem\tin\tdry\trocky\tsoil\t I\u2019m\tan\toptimist I\tslept\tpoorly. Are\tyou\tshocked?\tI\twas\tshocked. I\tdreamed\tof\tmy\tmost\tfamous\tOracle,\tDelphi,\tthough,\talas,\tit\twas\tnot\tduring the\tgood\told\tdays\twhen\tI\twould\thave\tbeen\twelcomed\twith\tflowers,\tkisses, candy\tand\tmy\tusual\tVIP\ttable\tat\tChez\tOracle. Instead,\tit\twas\tmodern\tDelphi\t\u2013\tdevoid\tof\tpriests\tand\tworshippers,\tfilled instead\twith\tthe\thideous\tstench\tof\tPython,\tmy\told\tenemy,\twho\thad\treclaimed\this ancient\tlair.\tHis\trotten-egg\/rancid-meat\tsmell\twas\timpossible\tto\tforget. I\tstood\tdeep\tin\tthe\tcaverns,\twhere\tno\tmortal\tever\ttrod.\tIn\tthe\tdistance,\ttwo voices\tconversed,\ttheir\tbodies\tlost\tin\tthe\tswirling\tvolcanic\tvapours. \u2018It\u2019s\tunder\tcontrol,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tfirst,\tin\tthe\thigh\tnasal\ttones\tof\tEmperor\tNero. The\tsecond\tspeaker\tgrowled,\ta\tsound\tlike\ta\tchain\tpulling\tan\tancient\troller coaster\tuphill. \u2018Very\tlittle\thas\tbeen\tunder\tcontrol\tsince\tApollo\tfell\tto\tearth,\u2019\tsaid\tPython. His\tcold\tvoice\tsent\tripples\tof\trevulsion\tthrough\tmy\tbody.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\thim, but\tI\tcould\timagine\this\tbaleful\tamber\teyes\tflecked\twith\tgold,\this\tenormous dragon\tform,\this\twicked\tclaws. \u2018You\thave\ta\tgreat\topportunity,\u2019\tPython\tcontinued.\t\u2018Apollo\tis\tweak.\tHe\tis mortal.\tHe\tis\taccompanied\tby\tyour\town\tstepdaughter.\tHow\tis\tit\tthat\the\tis\tnot\tyet dead?\u2019 Nero\u2019s\tvoice\ttightened.\t\u2018We\thad\ta\tdifference\tof\topinion,\tmy\tcolleagues\tand\tI. Commodus\t\u2013\u2019","\u2018Is\ta\tfool,\u2019\tPython\thissed,\t\u2018who\tonly\tcares\tabout\tspectacle.\tWe\tboth\tknow that.\tAnd\tyour\tgreat-uncle,\tCaligula?\u2019 Nero\thesitated.\t\u2018He\tinsisted\t\u2026\tHe\thas\tneed\tof\tApollo\u2019s\tpower.\tHe\twants\tthe former\tgod\tto\tmeet\this\tfate\tin\ta\tvery,\tah,\tparticular\tway.\u2019 Python\u2019s\tmassive\tbulk\tshifted\tin\tthe\tdarkness\t\u2013\tI\theard\this\tscales\trubbing against\tthe\tstone.\t\u2018I\tknow\tCaligula\u2019s\tplan.\tI\twonder\twho\tis\tcontrolling\twhom? You\thave\tassured\tme\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Yes,\u2019\tNero\tsnapped.\t\u2018Meg\tMcCaffrey\twill\tcome\tback\tto\tme.\tShe\twill\tserve me\tyet.\tApollo\twill\tdie,\tas\tI\tpromised.\u2019 \u2018If\tCaligula\tsucceeds,\u2019\tPython\tmused,\t\u2018then\tthe\tbalance\tof\tpower\twill\tchange. I\twould\tprefer\tto\tback\tyou,\tof\tcourse,\tbut\tif\ta\tnew\tsun\tgod\trises\tin\tthe\twest\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018You\tand\tI\thave\ta\tdeal,\u2019\tNero\tsnarled.\t\u2018You\tsupport\tme\tonce\tthe\tTriumvirate controls\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018\u2013\tall\tmeans\tof\tprophecy,\u2019\tPython\tagreed.\t\u2018But\tit\tdoes\tnot\tas\tyet.\tYou\tlost Dodona\tto\tthe\tGreek\tdemigods.\tThe\tCave\tof\tTrophonius\thas\tbeen\tdestroyed.\tI understand\tthe\tRomans\thave\tbeen\talerted\tto\tCaligula\u2019s\tplans\tfor\tCamp\tJupiter.\tI have\tno\twish\tto\trule\tthe\tworld\talone.\tBut\tif\tyou\tfail\tme,\tif\tI\thave\tto\tkill\tApollo myself\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018I\twill\thold\tup\tmy\tside\tof\tthe\tbargain,\u2019\tNero\tsaid.\t\u2018You\thold\tup\tyours.\u2019 Python\trasped\tin\tan\tevil\tapproximation\tof\ta\tlaugh.\t\u2018We\twill\tsee.\tThe\tnext\tfew days\tshould\tbe\tvery\tinstructive.\u2019 I\twoke\twith\ta\tgasp. I\tfound\tmyself\talone\tand\tshivering\tin\tthe\tCistern.\tPiper\u2019s\tand\tMeg\u2019s\tsleeping bags\twere\tempty.\tAbove,\tthe\tsky\tshone\ta\tbrilliant\tblue.\tI\twanted\tto\tbelieve\tthis meant\tthe\twildfires\thad\tbeen\tbrought\tunder\tcontrol.\tMore\tlikely\tit\tmeant\tthe winds\thad\tsimply\tshifted. My\tskin\thad\thealed\tovernight,\tthough\tI\tstill\tfelt\tlike\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tdipped\tin\tliquid aluminum.\tWith\ta\tminimum\tof\tgrimacing\tand\tyelping,\tI\tmanaged\tto\tget\tdressed, get\tmy\tbow,\tquiver\tand\tukulele,\tand\tclimb\tthe\tramp\tto\tthe\thillside. I\tspotted\tPiper\tat\tthe\tbase\tof\tthe\thill,\ttalking\twith\tGrover\tat\tthe\tBedrossian- mobile.\tI\tscanned\tthe\truins\tand\tsaw\tMeg\tcrouching\tby\tthe\tfirst\tcollapsed greenhouse. Thinking\tof\tmy\tdream,\tI\tburned\twith\tanger.\tHad\tI\tstill\tbeen\ta\tgod,\tI\twould have\troared\tmy\tdispleasure\tand\tcracked\ta\tnew\tGrand\tCanyon\tacross\tthe\tdesert. As\tit\twas,\tI\tcould\tonly\tclench\tmy\tfists\tuntil\tmy\tnails\tcut\tmy\tpalms. It\twas\tbad\tenough\tthat\ta\ttrio\tof\tevil\temperors\twanted\tmy\tOracles,\tmy\tlife,\tmy very\tessence.\tIt\twas\tbad\tenough\tthat\tmy\tancient\tenemy\tPython\thad\tretaken Delphi\tand\twas\twaiting\tfor\tmy\tdeath.\tBut\tthe\tidea\tof\tNero\tusing\tMeg\tas\ta\tpawn","in\tthis\tgame\t\u2026\tNo.\tI\ttold\tmyself\tI\twould\tnever\tlet\tNero\tget\tMeg\tinto\this clutches\tagain.\tMy\tyoung\tfriend\twas\tstrong.\tShe\twas\tstriving\tto\tbreak\tfree\tof her\tstepfather\u2019s\tvile\tinfluence.\tShe\tand\tI\thad\tbeen\tthrough\ttoo\tmuch\ttogether\tfor her\tto\tgo\tback. Still,\tNero\u2019s\twords\tunsettled\tme:\tMeg\tMcCaffrey\twill\tcome\tback\tto\tme.\tShe will\tserve\tme\tyet. I\twondered\t\u2026\tif\tmy\town\tfather,\tZeus,\tappeared\tto\tme\tjust\tthen\tand\toffered me\ta\tway\tback\tto\tOlympus,\twhat\tprice\twould\tI\tbe\twilling\tto\tpay?\tWould\tI\tleave Meg\tto\ther\tfate?\tWould\tI\tabandon\tthe\tdemigods\tand\tsatyrs\tand\tdryads\twho\thad become\tmy\tcomrades?\tWould\tI\tforget\tabout\tall\tthe\tterrible\tthings\tZeus\thad\tdone to\tme\tover\tthe\tcenturies\tand\tswallow\tmy\tpride,\tjust\tso\tI\tcould\tregain\tmy\tplace in\tOlympus,\tknowing\tfull\twell\tI\twould\tstill\tbe\tunder\tZeus\u2019s\tthumb? I\ttamped\tdown\tthose\tquestions.\tI\twasn\u2019t\tsure\tI\twanted\tto\tknow\tthe\tanswers. I\tjoined\tMeg\tat\tthe\tcollapsed\tgreenhouse.\t\u2018Good\tmorning.\u2019 She\tdid\tnot\tlook\tup.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tdigging\tthrough\tthe\twreckage.\tHalf-melted polycarbonate\twalls\thad\tbeen\tturned\tover\tand\ttossed\taside.\tHer\thands\twere\tdirty from\tclawing\tat\tthe\tsoil.\tNear\ther\tsat\ta\tgrimy\tglass\tpeanut-butter\tjar,\tthe\trusty lid\tremoved\tand\tlying\tnext\tto\tit.\tCupped\tin\ther\tpalm\twere\tsome\tgreenish pebbles. I\tsucked\tin\tmy\tbreath. No,\tthey\tweren\u2019t\tpebbles.\tIn\tMeg\u2019s\thand\tlay\tseven\tcoin-size\thexagons\t\u2013\tgreen seeds\texactly\tlike\tthe\tones\tin\tthe\tmemories\tshe\u2019d\tshared. \u2018How?\u2019\tI\tasked. She\tglanced\tup.\tShe\twore\tteal\tcamouflage\ttoday,\twhich\tmade\ther\tlook\tlike\tan entirely\tdifferent\tdangerous\tand\tscary\tlittle\tgirl.\tSomeone\thad\tcleaned\ther glasses\t(Meg\tnever\tdid),\tso\tI\tcould\tsee\ther\teyes.\tThey\tglinted\tas\thard\tand\tclear as\tthe\trhinestones\tin\ther\tframes. \u2018The\tseeds\twere\tburied,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018I\t\u2026\thad\ta\tdream\tabout\tthem.\tThe\tsaguaro Hercules\tdid\tit\t\u2013\tput\tthem\tin\tthat\tjar\tright\tbefore\the\tdied.\tHe\twas\tsaving\tthe seeds\t\u2026\tfor\tme,\tfor\twhen\tit\twas\ttime.\u2019 I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhat\tto\tsay.\tCongratulations.\tWhat\tnice\tseeds.\tHonestly,\tI\tdidn\u2019t know\tmuch\tabout\thow\tplants\tgrew.\tI\tdid\tnotice,\thowever,\tthat\tthe\tseeds\tweren\u2019t glowing\tas\tthey\thad\tin\tMeg\u2019s\tmemories. \u2018Do\tyou\tthink\tthey\u2019re\tstill,\tuh,\tgood?\u2019\tI\tasked. \u2018Going\tto\tfind\tout,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018Going\tto\tplant\tthem.\u2019 I\tlooked\taround\tat\tthe\tdesert\thillside.\t\u2018You\tmean\there?\tNow?\u2019 \u2018Yep.\tIt\u2019s\ttime.\u2019 How\tcould\tshe\tknow\tthat?\tI\talso\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\thow\tplanting\ta\tfew\tseeds\twould make\ta\tdifference\twhen\tCaligula\u2019s\tmaze\twas\tcausing\thalf\tof\tCalifornia\tto\tburn.","On\tthe\tother\thand,\twe\twere\toff\ton\tanother\tquest\ttoday,\thoping\tto\tfind Caligula\u2019s\tpalace,\twith\tno\tguarantee\twe\twould\tcome\tback\talive.\tI\tsupposed\tthere was\tno\ttime\tlike\tthe\tpresent.\tAnd\tif\tit\tmade\tMeg\tfeel\tbetter,\twhy\tnot? \u2018How\tcan\tI\thelp?\u2019\tI\tasked. \u2018Poke\tholes.\u2019\tThen\tshe\tadded,\tas\tif\tI\tmight\tneed\textra\tguidance,\t\u2018In\tthe\tearth.\u2019 I\taccomplished\tthis\twith\tan\tarrow\ttip,\tmaking\tseven\tsmall\timpressions\tin\tthe barren,\trocky\tsoil.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\tthinking\tthat\tthese\tseed\tholes\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tlike very\tcomfortable\tplaces\tto\tgrow. While\tMeg\tplaced\ther\tgreen\thexagons\tin\ttheir\tnew\thomes,\tshe\tdirected\tme\tto get\twater\tfrom\tthe\tCistern\u2019s\twell. \u2018It\thas\tto\tbe\tfrom\tthere,\u2019\tshe\twarned.\t\u2018A\tbig\tcupful.\u2019 A\tfew\tminutes\tlater\tI\treturned\twith\ta\tBig-Hombre-size\tplastic\tcup\tfrom Enchiladas\tdel\tRey.\tMeg\tdrizzled\tthe\twater\tover\ther\tnewly\tplanted\tfriends. I\twaited\tfor\tsomething\tdramatic\tto\thappen.\tIn\tMeg\u2019s\tpresence,\tI\u2019d\tgot\tused\tto chia-seed\texplosions,\tdemon\tpeach\tbabies\tand\tinstant\twalls\tof\tstrawberries. The\tsoil\tdid\tnot\tmove. \u2018Guess\twe\twait,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid. She\thugged\ther\tknees\tand\tscanned\tthe\thorizon. The\tmorning\tsun\tblazed\tin\tthe\teast.\tIt\thad\trisen\ttoday,\tas\talways,\tbut\tno thanks\tto\tme.\tIt\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\tif\tI\twas\tdriving\tthe\tsun\tchariot,\tor\tif\tHelios\twas raging\tin\tthe\ttunnels\tunder\tLos\tAngeles.\tNo\tmatter\twhat\thumans\tbelieved,\tthe cosmos\tkept\tturning,\tand\tthe\tsun\tstayed\ton\tcourse.\tUnder\tdifferent circumstances,\tI\twould\thave\tfound\tthat\treassuring.\tNow\tI\tfound\tthe\tsun\u2019s indifference\tboth\tcruel\tand\tinsulting.\tIn\tonly\ta\tfew\tdays,\tCaligula\tmight\tbecome a\tsolar\tdeity.\tUnder\tsuch\tvillainous\tleadership,\tyou\tmight\tthink\tthe\tsun\twould refuse\tto\trise\tor\tset.\tBut\tshockingly,\tdisgustingly,\tday\tand\tnight\twould\tcontinue as\tthey\talways\thad. \u2018Where\tis\tshe?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. I\tblinked.\t\u2018Who?\u2019 \u2018If\tmy\tfamily\tis\tso\timportant\tto\ther,\tthousands\tof\tyears\tof\tblessings,\tor whatever,\twhy\thasn\u2019t\tshe\tever\t\u2026?\u2019 She\twaved\tat\tthe\tvast\tdesert,\tas\tif\tto\tsay,\tSo\tmuch\treal\testate,\tso\tlittle Demeter. She\twas\tasking\twhy\ther\tmother\thad\tnever\tappeared\tto\ther,\twhy\tDemeter\thad allowed\tCaligula\tto\tdestroy\ther\tfather\u2019s\twork,\twhy\tshe\u2019d\tlet\tNero\traise\ther\tin\this poisonous\timperial\thousehold\tin\tNew\tYork. I\tcouldn\u2019t\tanswer\tMeg\u2019s\tquestions.\tOr\trather,\tas\ta\tformer\tgod,\tI\tcould\tthink\tof several\tpossible\tanswers,\tbut\tnone\tthat\twould\tmake\tMeg\tfeel\tbetter:\tDemeter","was\ttoo\tbusy\twatching\tthe\tcrop\tsituation\tin\tTanzania.\tDemeter\tgot\tdistracted inventing\tnew\tbreakfast\tcereals.\tDemeter\tforgot\tyou\texisted. \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\tMeg,\u2019\tI\tadmitted.\t\u2018But\tthis\t\u2026\u2019\tI\tpointed\tat\tthe\tseven\ttiny\twet circles\tin\tthe\tearth.\t\u2018This\tis\tthe\tsort\tof\tthing\tyour\tmother\twould\tbe\tproud\tof. Growing\tplants\tin\tan\timpossible\tplace.\tStubbornly\tinsisting\ton\tcreating\tlife.\tIt\u2019s ridiculously\toptimistic.\tDemeter\twould\tapprove.\u2019 Meg\tstudied\tme\tas\tif\ttrying\tto\tdecide\twhether\tto\tthank\tme\tor\thit\tme.\tI\u2019d\tgot used\tto\tthat\tlook. \u2018Let\u2019s\tgo,\u2019\tshe\tdecided.\t\u2018Maybe\tthe\tseeds\twill\tsprout\twhile\twe\u2019re\tgone.\u2019 The\tthree\tof\tus\tpiled\tinto\tthe\tBedrossian-mobile:\tMeg,\tPiper\tand\tme. Grover\thad\tdecided\tto\tstay\tbehind\t\u2013\tsupposedly\tto\trally\tthe\tdemoralized dryads,\tbut\tI\tthink\the\twas\tsimply\texhausted\tfrom\this\tseries\tof\tnear-death excursions\twith\tMeg\tand\tme.\tCoach\tHedge\tvolunteered\tto\taccompany\tus,\tbut Mellie\tquickly\tun-volunteered\thim.\tAs\tfor\tthe\tdryads,\tnone\tseemed\tanxious\tto be\tour\tplant\tshields\tafter\twhat\thad\thappened\tto\tMoney\tMaker\tand\tAgave.\tI couldn\u2019t\tblame\tthem. At\tleast\tPiper\tagreed\tto\tdrive.\tIf\twe\tgot\tpulled\tover\tfor\tpossession\tof\ta\tstolen vehicle,\tshe\tcould\tcharmspeak\ther\tway\tout\tof\tbeing\tarrested.\tWith\tmy\tluck,\tI would\tspend\tall\tday\tin\tjail,\tand\tLester\u2019s\tface\twould\tnot\tlook\tgood\tin\ta\tmug\tshot. We\tretraced\tour\troute\tfrom\tyesterday\t\u2013\tthe\tsame\theat-blasted\tterrain,\tthe\tsame smoke-stained\tskies,\tthe\tsame\tclogged\ttraffic.\tLiving\tthe\tCalifornia\tdream. None\tof\tus\tfelt\tmuch\tlike\ttalking.\tPiper\tkept\ther\teyes\tfixed\ton\tthe\troad, probably\tthinking\tabout\ta\treunion\tshe\tdid\tnot\twant\twith\tan\tex-boyfriend\tshe\thad left\ton\tawkward\tterms.\t(Oh,\tboy,\tI\tcould\trelate.) Meg\ttraced\tthe\tswirls\ton\ther\tteal\tcamo\tpants.\tI\timagined\tshe\twas\treflecting\ton her\tfather\u2019s\tfinal\tbotany\tproject\tand\twhy\tCaligula\thad\tfound\tit\tso\tthreatening.\tIt seemed\tunbelievable\tthat\tMeg\u2019s\tentire\tlife\thad\tbeen\taltered\tby\tseven\tgreen seeds.\tThen\tagain,\tshe\twas\ta\tchild\tof\tDemeter.\tWith\tthe\tgoddess\tof\tplants, insignificant-looking\tthings\tcould\tbe\tvery\tsignificant. The\tsmallest\tseedlings,\tDemeter\toften\ttold\tme,\tgrow\tinto\tcentury\toaks. As\tfor\tme,\tI\thad\tno\tshortage\tof\tproblems\tto\tthink\tabout. Python\tawaited.\tI\tknew\tinstinctively\tthat\tI\twould\thave\tto\tface\thim\tone\tday.\tIf by\tsome\tmiracle\tI\tsurvived\tthe\temperors\u2019\tvarious\tplots\ton\tmy\tlife,\tif\tI\tdefeated the\tTriumvirate\tand\tfreed\tthe\tfour\tother\tOracles\tand\tsingle-handedly\tset everything\tright\tin\tthe\tmortal\tworld,\tI\twould\tstill\thave\tto\tfind\ta\tway\tto\twrest control\tof\tDelphi\tfrom\tmy\tmost\tancient\tenemy.\tOnly\tthen\tmight\tZeus\tlet\tme become\ta\tgod\tagain.\tBecause\tZeus\twas\tjust\tthat\tawesome.\tThanks,\tDad.","In\tthe\tmeantime,\tI\thad\tto\tdeal\twith\tCaligula.\tI\twould\thave\tto\tfoil\this\tplan\tto make\tme\tthe\tsecret\tingredient\tin\this\tsun-god\tsoup.\tAnd\tI\twould\thave\tto\tdo\tthis while\thaving\tno\tgodly\tpowers\tat\tmy\tdisposal.\tMy\tarchery\tskills\thad deteriorated.\tMy\tsinging\tand\tplaying\tweren\u2019t\tworth\tolive\tstones.\tDivine strength?\tCharisma?\tLight?\tFire\tpower?\tAll\tgauges\tread\tEMPTY. My\tmost\thumiliating\tthought:\tMedea\twould\tcapture\tme,\ttry\tto\tstrip\taway\tmy divine\tpower\tand\tfind\tI\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tany\tleft. What\tis\tthis?\tshe\twould\tscream.\tThere\u2019s\tnothing\there\tbut\tLester! Then\tshe\twould\tkill\tme\tanyway. As\tI\tcontemplated\tthese\thappy\tpossibilities,\twe\twound\tour\tway\tthrough\tthe Pasadena\tValley. \u2018I\u2019ve\tnever\tliked\tthis\tcity,\u2019\tI\tmurmured.\t\u2018It\tmakes\tme\tthink\tof\tgame\tshows, tawdry\tparades\tand\tdrunk\twashed-up\tstarlets\twith\tspray-on\ttans.\u2019 Piper\tcoughed.\t\u2018FYI,\tJason\u2019s\tmom\twas\tfrom\there.\tShe\tdied\there,\tin\ta\tcar accident.\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m\tsorry.\tWhat\tdid\tshe\tdo?\u2019 \u2018She\twas\ta\tdrunk\twashed-up\tstarlet\twith\ta\tspray-on\ttan.\u2019 \u2018Ah.\u2019\tI\twaited\tfor\tthe\tsting\tof\tembarrassment\tto\tfade.\tIt\ttook\tseveral\tmiles. \u2018So\twhy\twould\tJason\twant\tto\tgo\tto\tschool\there?\u2019 Piper\tgripped\tthe\twheel.\t\u2018After\twe\tbroke\tup,\the\ttransferred\tto\tan\tall-boys boarding\tschool\tup\tin\tthe\thills.\tYou\u2019ll\tsee.\tI\tguess\the\twanted\tsomething different,\tsomething\tquiet\tand\tout-of-the-way.\tNo\tdrama.\u2019 \u2018He\u2019ll\tbe\thappy\tto\tsee\tus,\tthen,\u2019\tMeg\tmuttered,\tstaring\tout\tof\tthe\twindow. We\tmade\tour\tway\tinto\tthe\thills\tabove\ttown,\tthe\thouses\tgetting\tmore\tand\tmore impressive\tas\twe\tgained\taltitude.\tEven\tin\tMansion\tLand,\tthough,\ttrees\thad started\tto\tdie.\tManicured\tlawns\twere\tturning\tbrown\taround\tthe\tedges.\tWhen water\tshortages\tand\tabove-average\ttemperatures\taffected\tthe\tupmarket neighbourhoods,\tyou\tknew\tthings\twere\tserious.\tThe\trich\tand\tthe\tgods\twere always\tthe\tlast\tto\tsuffer. At\tthe\tcrest\tof\ta\thill\tstood\tJason\u2019s\tschool\t\u2013\ta\tsprawling\tcampus\tof\tblond-brick buildings\tinterlaced\twith\tgarden\tcourtyards\tand\twalkways\tshaded\tby\tacacia trees.\tThe\tsign\tin\tfront,\tdone\tin\tsubtle\tbronze\tletters\ton\ta\tlow\tbrick\twall,\tread: EDGARTON\tDAY\tAND\tBOARDING\tSCHOOL. We\tparked\tthe\tEscalade\ton\ta\tnearby\tresidential\tstreet,\tusing\tthe\tPiper\tMcLean if-it\u2019s-towed-we\u2019ll-just-borrow-another-car\tstrategy. A\tsecurity\tguard\tstood\tat\tthe\tfront\tgates\tof\tthe\tschool,\tbut\tPiper\ttold\thim\tthat we\twere\tallowed\tto\tgo\tinside,\tand\tthe\tguard,\twith\ta\tlook\tof\tgreat\tconfusion, agreed\tthat\twe\twere\tallowed\tto\tgo\tinside.","The\tclassrooms\tall\topened\tonto\tthe\tcourtyards.\tStudent\tlockers\tlined\tthe\topen walkways.\tIt\twas\tnot\ta\tschool\tdesign\tthat\twould\thave\tworked\tin,\tsay, Milwaukee\tduring\tblizzard\tseason,\tbut\tin\tSouthern\tCalifornia\tit\tspoke\tto\tjust how\tmuch\tthe\tlocals\ttook\ttheir\tmild,\tconsistent\tweather\tfor\tgranted.\tI\tdoubted the\tbuildings\teven\thad\tair-conditioning.\tIf\tCaligula\tcontinued\tcooking\tgods\tin his\tBurning\tMaze,\tthe\tEdgarton\tschool\tboard\tmight\thave\tto\trethink\tthat. Despite\tPiper\u2019s\tinsistence\tthat\tshe\thad\tdistanced\therself\tfrom\tJason\u2019s\tlife,\tshe had\this\tschedule\tmemorized.\tShe\tled\tus\tright\tto\this\tfourth-period\tclassroom. Peering\tthrough\tthe\twindows,\tI\tsaw\ta\tdozen\tstudents\t\u2013\tall\tyoung\tmen\tin\tblue blazers,\twhite\tshirts,\tred\tties,\tgrey\ttrousers\tand\tshiny\tshoes,\tlike\tjunior\tbusiness executives.\tAt\tthe\tfront\tof\tthe\tclass,\tin\ta\tdirector\u2019s\tchair,\ta\tbearded\tteacher\tin\ta tweed\tsuit\twas\treading\tfrom\ta\tpaperback\tcopy\tof\tJulius\tCaesar. Ugh.\tBill\tShakespeare.\tI\tmean,\tyes,\the\twas\tgood.\tBut\teven\the\twould\u2019ve\tbeen horrified\tat\tthe\tnumber\tof\thours\tmortals\tspent\tdrilling\this\tplays\tinto\tthe\theads\tof bored\tteenagers,\tand\tthe\tsheer\tnumber\tof\tpipes,\ttweed\tjackets,\tmarble\tbusts\tand bad\tdissertations\teven\this\tleast\tfavourite\tplays\thad\tinspired.\tMeanwhile, Christopher\tMarlowe\tgot\tthe\tshort\tend\tof\tthe\tElizabethan\tstick.\tKit\thad\tbeen much\tmore\tgorgeous. But\tI\tdigress. Piper\tknocked\ton\tthe\tdoor\tand\tpoked\ther\thead\tin.\tSuddenly\tthe\tyoung\tmen\tno longer\tlooked\tbored.\tPiper\tsaid\tsomething\tto\tthe\tteacher,\twho\tblinked\ta\tfew times,\tthen\twaved\tgo\tahead\tto\ta\tyoung\tman\tin\tthe\tmiddle\trow. A\tmoment\tlater,\tJason\tGrace\tjoined\tus\tin\tthe\twalkway. I\thad\tonly\tseen\thim\ta\tfew\ttimes\tbefore\t\u2013\tonce\twhen\the\twas\ta\tpraetor\tat\tCamp Jupiter;\tonce\twhen\the\thad\tvisited\tDelos;\tthen\tshortly\tafterwards,\twhen\twe\thad fought\tside\tby\tside\tagainst\tthe\tgiants\tat\tthe\tParthenon. He\u2019d\tfought\twell\tenough,\tbut\tI\tcan\u2019t\tsay\tI\u2019d\tpaid\thim\tany\tspecial\tattention.\tIn those\tdays,\tI\twas\tstill\ta\tgod.\tJason\twas\tjust\tanother\thero\tin\tthe\tArgo\tII\u2019s demigod\tcrew. Now,\tin\this\tschool\tuniform,\the\tlooked\tquite\timpressive.\tHis\tblond\thair\twas cropped\tshort.\tHis\tblue\teyes\tflashed\tbehind\ta\tpair\tof\tblack-rimmed\tglasses. Jason\tclosed\tthe\tclassroom\tdoor\tbehind\thim,\ttucked\this\tbooks\tunder\this\tarm\tand forced\ta\tsmile,\ta\tlittle\twhite\tscar\ttwitching\tat\tthe\tcorner\tof\this\tlip.\t\u2018Piper.\tHey.\u2019 I\twondered\thow\tPiper\tmanaged\tto\tlook\tso\tcalm.\tI\u2019d\tgone\tthrough\tmany complicated\tbreak-ups.\tThey\tnever\tgot\teasier,\tand\tPiper\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe advantage\tof\tbeing\table\tto\tturn\ther\tex\tinto\ta\ttree\tor\tsimply\twait\tuntil\this\tshort mortal\tlife\twas\tover\tbefore\treturning\tto\tearth. \u2018Hey,\tyourself,\u2019\tshe\tsaid,\tjust\ta\thint\tof\tstrain\tin\ther\tvoice.\t\u2018This\tis\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Meg\tMcCaffrey,\u2019\tJason\tsaid.\t\u2018And\tApollo.\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\tyou\tguys.\u2019","He\tdidn\u2019t\tsound\tterribly\texcited\tabout\tit.\tHe\tsaid\tit\tthe\tway\tsomeone\tmight say,\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\tthe\tresults\tfrom\tmy\temergency\tbrain\tscan. Meg\tsized\tup\tJason\tas\tif\tshe\tfound\this\tglasses\tfar\tinferior\tto\ther\town.\t\u2018Yeah?\u2019 \u2018Yeah.\u2019\tJason\tpeered\tdown\tthe\twalkway\tin\teach\tdirection.\t\u2018Let\u2019s\tgo\tback\tto my\tdorm\troom.\tWe\u2019re\tnot\tsafe\tout\there.\u2019","22 For\tmy\tschool\tproject\t I\tmade\tthis\tpagan\ttemple\t Monopoly\tboard We\thad\tto\tget\tpast\ta\tteacher\tand\ttwo\thall\tmonitors,\tbut,\tthanks\tto\tPiper\u2019s charmspeak,\tthey\tall\tagreed\tthat\tit\twas\tperfectly\tnormal\tfor\tthe\tfour\tof\tus (including\ttwo\tfemales)\tto\tstroll\tinto\tthe\tdormitory\tduring\tclassroom\thours. Once\twe\treached\tJason\u2019s\troom,\tPiper\tstopped\tat\tthe\tdoor.\t\u2018Define\tnot\tsafe.\u2019 Jason\tpeered\tover\ther\tshoulder.\t\u2018Monsters\thave\tinfiltrated\tthe\tfaculty.\tI\u2019m keeping\tan\teye\ton\tthe\thumanities\tteacher.\tPretty\tsure\tshe\u2019s\tan\tempousa.\tI already\thad\tto\tslay\tmy\tAP\tCalculus\tteacher,\tbecause\the\twas\ta\tblemmyae.\u2019 Coming\tfrom\ta\tmortal,\tsuch\ttalk\twould\thave\tbeen\tlabelled\thomicidally paranoid.\tComing\tfrom\ta\tdemigod,\tit\twas\ta\tdescription\tof\tan\taverage\tweek. \u2018Blemmyae,\thuh?\u2019\tMeg\treappraised\tJason,\tas\tif\tdeciding\tthat\this\tglasses\tmight not\tbe\tso\tbad.\t\u2018I\thate\tblemmyae.\u2019 Jason\tsmirked.\t\u2018Come\ton\tin.\u2019 I\twould\u2019ve\tcalled\this\troom\tspartan,\tbut\tI\thad\tseen\tthe\tbedrooms\tof\tactual Spartans.\tThey\twould\thave\tfound\tJason\u2019s\tdorm\tridiculously\tcomfortable. The\tfifty-foot-square\tspace\thad\ta\tbookcase,\ta\tbed,\ta\tdesk\tand\ta\twardrobe.\tThe only\tluxury\twas\tan\topen\twindow\tthat\tlooked\tout\tacross\tthe\tcanyons,\tfilling\tthe room\twith\tthe\twarm\tscent\tof\thyacinth.\t(Did\tit\thave\tto\tbe\thyacinth?\tMy\theart always\tbreaks\twhen\tI\tsmell\tthat\tfragrance,\teven\tafter\tthousands\tof\tyears.) On\tJason\u2019s\twall\thung\ta\tframed\tpicture\tof\this\tsister\tThalia\tsmiling\tat\tthe camera,\ta\tbow\tslung\tacross\ther\tback,\ther\tshort\tdark\thair\tblown\tsideways\tby\tthe wind.\tExcept\tfor\ther\tdazzling\tblue\teyes,\tshe\tlooked\tnothing\tlike\ther\tbrother.","Then\tagain,\tneither\tof\tthem\tlooked\tanything\tlike\tme\tand,\tas\tthe\tson\tof\tZeus,\tI was\ttechnically\ttheir\tbrother.\tAnd\tI\thad\tflirted\twith\tThalia,\twhich\t\u2026\tEww. Curse\tyou,\tFather,\tfor\thaving\tso\tmany\tchildren!\tIt\tmade\tdating\ta\ttrue\tminefield over\tthe\tmillennia. \u2018Your\tsister\tsays\thello,\tby\tthe\tway,\u2019\tI\tsaid. Jason\u2019s\teyes\tbrightened.\t\u2018You\tsaw\ther?\u2019 I\tlaunched\tinto\tan\texplanation\tof\tour\ttime\tin\tIndianapolis:\tthe\tWaystation,\tthe emperor\tCommodus,\tthe\tHunters\tof\tArtemis\trappelling\tinto\tthe\tfootball\tstadium to\trescue\tus.\tThen\tI\tbacked\tup\tand\texplained\tthe\tTriumvirate,\tand\tall\tthe miserable\tthings\tthat\thad\thappened\tto\tme\tsince\temerging\tfrom\tthat\tManhattan dumpster. Meanwhile,\tPiper\tsat\tcross-legged\ton\tthe\tfloor,\ther\tback\tagainst\tthe\twall,\tas far\tas\tpossible\tfrom\tthe\tmore\tcomfortable\tsitting\toption\tof\tthe\tbed.\tMeg\tstood\tat Jason\u2019s\tdesk,\texamining\tsome\tsort\tof\tschool\tproject\t\u2013\tfoam\tcore\tstudded\twith little\tplastic\tboxes,\tperhaps\tto\trepresent\tbuildings. When\tI\tcasually\tmentioned\tthat\tLeo\twas\talive\tand\twell\tand\tpresently\ton\ta mission\tto\tCamp\tJupiter,\tall\tthe\telectrical\toutlets\tin\tthe\troom\tsparked.\tJason looked\tat\tPiper,\tstunned. \u2018I\tknow,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018After\tall\twe\twent\tthrough.\u2019 \u2018I\tcan\u2019t\teven\t\u2026\u2019\tJason\tsat\theavily\ton\this\tbed.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhether\tto\tlaugh or\tyell.\u2019 \u2018Don\u2019t\tlimit\tyourself,\u2019\tgrumbled\tPiper.\t\u2018Do\tboth.\u2019 Meg\tcalled\tfrom\tthe\tdesk,\t\u2018Hey,\twhat\tis\tthis?\u2019 Jason\tflushed.\t\u2018A\tpersonal\tproject.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\tTemple\tHill,\u2019\tPiper\toffered,\ther\ttone\tcarefully\tneutral.\t\u2018At\tCamp\tJupiter.\u2019 I\ttook\ta\tcloser\tlook.\tPiper\twas\tright.\tI\trecognized\tthe\tlayout\tof\tthe\ttemples and\tshrines\twhere\tCamp\tJupiter\tdemigods\thonoured\tthe\tancient\tdeities.\tEach building\twas\trepresented\tby\ta\tsmall\tplastic\tbox\tglued\tto\tthe\tboard,\tthe\tnames\tof the\tshrines\thand-labelled\ton\tthe\tfoam\tcore.\tJason\thad\teven\tmarked\tlines\tof elevation,\tshowing\tthe\thill\u2019s\ttopographical\tlevels. I\tfound\tmy\ttemple:\tAPOLLO,\tsymbolized\tby\ta\tred\tplastic\tbuilding.\tIt\twas\tnot nearly\tas\tnice\tas\tthe\treal\tthing,\twith\tits\tgolden\troof\tand\tplatinum\tfiligree designs,\tbut\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe\tcritical. \u2018Are\tthese\tMonopoly\thouses?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. Jason\tshrugged.\t\u2018I\tkinda\tused\twhatever\tI\thad\t\u2013\tthe\tgreen\thouses\tand\tred hotels.\u2019 I\tsquinted\tat\tthe\tboard.\tI\thadn\u2019t\tdescended\tin\tglory\tto\tTemple\tHill\tfor\tquite some\ttime,\tbut\tthe\tdisplay\tseemed\tmore\tcrowded\tthan\tthe\tactual\thill.\tThere\twere at\tleast\ttwenty\tsmall\ttokens\tI\tdidn\u2019t\trecognize.","I\tleaned\tin\tand\tread\tsome\tof\tthe\thandwritten\tlabels.\t\u2018Kymopoleia?\tMy goodness,\tI\thaven\u2019t\tthought\tabout\ther\tin\tcenturies!\tWhy\tdid\tthe\tRomans\tbuild her\ta\tshrine?\u2019 \u2018They\thaven\u2019t\tyet,\u2019\tJason\tsaid.\t\u2018But\tI\tmade\ther\ta\tpromise.\tShe\t\u2026\thelped\tus out\ton\tour\tvoyage\tto\tAthens.\u2019 The\tway\the\tsaid\tthat,\tI\tdecided\the\tmeant\tshe\tagreed\tnot\tto\tkill\tus,\twhich\twas much\tmore\tin\tkeeping\twith\tKymopoleia\u2019s\tcharacter. \u2018I\ttold\ther\tI\u2019d\tmake\tsure\tnone\tof\tthe\tgods\tand\tgoddesses\twere\tforgotten,\u2019 Jason\tcontinued,\t\u2018either\tat\tCamp\tJupiter\tor\tCamp\tHalf-Blood.\tI\u2019d\tsee\tto\tit\tthey all\thad\tsome\tsort\tof\tshrine\tat\tboth\tcamps.\u2019 Piper\tglanced\tat\tme.\t\u2018He\u2019s\tdone\ta\tton\tof\twork\ton\this\tdesigns.\tYou\tshould\tsee his\tsketchbook.\u2019 Jason\tfrowned,\tclearly\tunsure\twhether\tPiper\twas\tpraising\thim\tor\tcriticizing him.\tThe\tsmell\tof\tburning\telectricity\tthickened\tin\tthe\tair. \u2018Well,\u2019\the\tsaid\tat\tlast,\t\u2018the\tdesigns\twon\u2019t\twin\tany\tawards.\tI\u2019ll\tneed\tAnnabeth to\thelp\twith\tthe\tactual\tblueprints.\u2019 \u2018Honouring\tthe\tgods\tis\ta\tnoble\tendeavour,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018You\tshould\tbe\tproud.\u2019 Jason\tdid\tnot\tlook\tproud.\tHe\tlooked\tworried.\tI\tremembered\twhat\tMedea\thad said\tabout\tthe\tOracle\u2019s\tnews:\tThe\ttruth\twas\tenough\tto\tbreak\tJason\tGrace.\tHe did\tnot\tappear\tto\tbe\tbroken.\tThen\tagain,\tI\tdid\tnot\tappear\tto\tbe\tApollo. Meg\tleaned\tcloser\tto\tthe\tdisplay.\t\u2018How\tcome\tPotina\tgets\ta\thouse\tbut\tQuirinus gets\ta\thotel?\u2019 \u2018There\u2019s\tnot\treally\tany\tlogic\tto\tit,\u2019\tJason\tadmitted.\t\u2018I\tjust\tused\tthe\ttokens\tto mark\tpositions.\u2019 I\tfrowned.\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tfairly\tsure\tI\u2019d\tgot\ta\thotel,\tas\topposed\tto\tAres\u2019s\thouse, because\tI\twas\tmore\timportant. Meg\ttapped\ther\tmother\u2019s\ttoken.\t\u2018Demeter\tis\tcool.\tYou\tshould\tput\tthe\tcool gods\tnext\tto\ther.\u2019 \u2018Meg,\u2019\tI\tchided,\t\u2018we\tcan\u2019t\tarrange\tthe\tgods\tby\tcoolness.\tThat\twould\tlead\tto too\tmany\tfights.\u2019 Besides,\tI\tthought,\teveryone\twould\twant\tto\tbe\tnext\tto\tme.\tThen\tI\twondered bitterly\tif\tthat\twould\tstill\tbe\ttrue\twhen\tand\tif\tI\tmade\tit\tback\tto\tOlympus.\tWould my\ttime\tas\tLester\tmark\tme\tforever\tas\tan\timmortal\tdweeb? \u2018Anyway,\u2019\tPiper\tinterrupted.\t\u2018The\treason\twe\tcame:\tthe\tBurning\tMaze.\u2019 She\tdidn\u2019t\taccuse\tJason\tof\tholding\tback\tinformation.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\ttell\thim\twhat Medea\thad\tsaid.\tShe\tsimply\tstudied\this\tface,\twaiting\tto\tsee\thow\the\twould respond. Jason\tlaced\this\tfingers.\tHe\tstared\tat\tthe\tsheathed\tgladius\tpropped\tagainst\tthe wall\tnext\tto\ta\tlacrosse\tstick\tand\ta\ttennis\tracket.\t(These\tfancy\tboarding\tschools","really\toffered\tthe\tfull\trange\tof\textracurricular\toptions.) \u2018I\tdidn\u2019t\ttell\tyou\teverything,\u2019\the\tadmitted. Piper\u2019s\tsilence\tfelt\tmore\tpowerful\tthan\ther\tcharmspeaking. \u2018I\t\u2013\tI\treached\tthe\tSibyl,\u2019\tJason\tcontinued.\t\u2018I\tcan\u2019t\teven\texplain\thow.\tI\tjust stumbled\tinto\tthis\tbig\troom\twith\ta\tpool\tof\tfire.\tThe\tSibyl\twas\t\u2026\tstanding\tacross from\tme,\ton\tthis\tstone\tplatform,\ther\tarms\tchained\twith\tsome\tfiery\tshackles.\u2019 \u2018Herophile,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Her\tname\tis\tHerophile.\u2019 Jason\tblinked,\tas\tif\the\tcould\tstill\tfeel\tthe\theat\tand\tcinders\tof\tthe\troom. \u2018I\twanted\tto\tfree\ther,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018Obviously.\tBut\tshe\ttold\tme\tit\twasn\u2019t\tpossible. It\thad\tto\tbe\t\u2026\u2019\tHe\tgestured\tat\tme.\t\u2018She\ttold\tme\tit\twas\ta\ttrap.\tThe\twhole\tmaze. For\tApollo.\tShe\ttold\tme\tyou\u2019d\teventually\tcome\tfind\tme.\tYou\tand\ther\t\u2013\tMeg. Herophile\tsaid\tthere\twas\tnothing\tI\tcould\tdo\texcept\tgive\tyou\thelp\tif\tyou\tasked for\tit.\tShe\tsaid\tto\ttell\tyou,\tApollo\t\u2013\tyou\thave\tto\trescue\ther.\u2019 I\tknew\tall\tthis,\tof\tcourse.\tI\thad\tseen\tand\theard\tas\tmuch\tin\tmy\tdreams.\tBut hearing\tit\tfrom\tJason,\tin\tthe\twaking\tworld,\tmade\tit\tworse. Piper\trested\ther\thead\tagainst\tthe\twall.\tShe\tstared\tat\ta\twater\tstain\ton\tthe ceiling.\t\u2018What\telse\tdid\tHerophile\tsay?\u2019 Jason\u2019s\tface\ttightened.\t\u2018Pipes\t\u2013\tPiper,\tlook,\tI\u2019m\tsorry\tI\tdidn\u2019t\ttell\tyou.\tIt\u2019s\tjust \u2013\u2019 \u2018What\telse\tdid\tshe\tsay?\u2019\tPiper\trepeated. Jason\tlooked\tat\tMeg,\tthen\tat\tme,\tmaybe\tfor\tmoral\tsupport. \u2018The\tSibyl\ttold\tme\twhere\tI\tcould\tfind\tthe\temperor,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018Well,\tmore\tor less.\tShe\tsaid\tApollo\twould\tneed\tthe\tinformation.\tHe\twould\tneed\t\u2026\ta\tpair\tof shoes.\tI\tknow\tthat\tdoesn\u2019t\tmake\tmuch\tsense.\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m\tafraid\tit\tdoes,\u2019\tI\tsaid. Meg\tran\ther\tfingers\talong\tthe\tplastic\trooftops\tof\tthe\tmap.\t\u2018Can\twe\tkill\tthe emperor\twhile\twe\u2019re\tstealing\this\tshoes?\tDid\tthe\tSibyl\tsay\tanything\tabout\tthat?\u2019 Jason\tshook\this\thead.\t\u2018She\tjust\tsaid\tthat\tPiper\tand\tI\t\u2026\twe\tcouldn\u2019t\tdo anything\tmore\tby\tourselves.\tIt\thad\tto\tbe\tApollo.\tIf\twe\ttried\t\u2026\tit\twould\tbe\ttoo dangerous.\u2019 Piper\tlaughed\tdrily.\tShe\traised\ther\thands\tas\tif\tmaking\tan\toffering\tto\tthe\twater stain. \u2018Jason,\twe\u2019ve\tbeen\tthrough\tliterally\teverything\ttogether.\tI\tcan\u2019t\teven\tcount how\tmany\tdangers\twe\u2019ve\tfaced,\thow\tmany\ttimes\twe\u2019ve\talmost\tdied.\tNow you\u2019re\ttelling\tme\tyou\tlied\tto\tme\tto,\twhat,\tprotect\tme?\tTo\tkeep\tme\tfrom\tgoing after\tCaligula?\u2019 \u2018I\tknew\tyou\twould\thave\tdone\tit,\u2019\the\tmurmured.\t\u2018No\tmatter\twhat\tthe\tSibyl said.\u2019 \u2018Then\tthat\twould\u2019ve\tbeen\tmy\tchoice,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Not\tyours.\u2019","He\tnodded\tmiserably.\t\u2018And\tI\twould\u2019ve\tinsisted\ton\tgoing\twith\tyou,\tno\tmatter the\trisk.\tBut\tthe\tway\tthings\thave\tbeen\tbetween\tus\t\u2026\u2019\tHe\tshrugged.\t\u2018Working\tas a\tteam\thas\tbeen\thard.\tI\tthought\t\u2013\tI\tdecided\tto\twait\tuntil\tApollo\tfound\tme.\tI messed\tup,\tnot\ttelling\tyou.\tI\u2019m\tsorry.\u2019 He\tstared\tat\this\tTemple\tHill\tdisplay,\tas\tif\ttrying\tto\tfigure\tout\twhere\tto\tplace\ta shrine\tto\tthe\tgod\tof\tfeeling\thorrible\tabout\tfailed\trelationships.\t(Oh,\twait.\tHe already\thad\tone.\tIt\twas\tfor\tAphrodite,\tPiper\u2019s\tmom.) Piper\ttook\ta\tdeep\tbreath.\t\u2018This\tisn\u2019t\tabout\tyou\tand\tme,\tJason.\tSatyrs\tand dryads\tare\tdying.\tCaligula\u2019s\tplanning\tto\tturn\thimself\tinto\ta\tnew\tsun\tgod. Tonight\u2019s\tthe\tnew\tmoon,\tand\tCamp\tJupiter\tis\tfacing\tsome\tkind\tof\thuge\tthreat. Meanwhile,\tMedea\tis\tin\tthat\tmaze,\tthrowing\taround\tTitan\tfire\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Medea?\u2019\tJason\tsat\tup\tstraight.\tThe\tlightbulb\tin\this\tdesk\tlamp\tburst,\training glass\tacross\this\tdiorama.\t\u2018Back\tup.\tWhat\u2019s\tMedea\tgot\tto\tdo\twith\tthis?\tWhat\tdo you\tmean\tabout\tthe\tnew\tmoon\tand\tCamp\tJupiter?\u2019 I\tthought\tPiper\tmight\trefuse\tto\tshare\tthe\tinformation,\tjust\tfor\tspite,\tbut\tshe didn\u2019t.\tShe\tgave\tJason\tthe\tlowdown\tabout\tthe\tIndiana\tprophecy\tthat\tpredicted bodies\tfilling\tthe\tTiber.\tThen\tshe\texplained\tMedea\u2019s\tcooking\tproject\twith\ther grandfather. Jason\tlooked\tlike\tour\tfather\thad\tjust\thit\thim\twith\ta\tthunderbolt.\t\u2018I\thad\tno idea.\u2019 Meg\tcrossed\ther\tarms.\t\u2018So,\tyou\tgoing\tto\thelp\tus\tor\twhat?\u2019 Jason\tstudied\ther,\tno\tdoubt\tunsure\twhat\tto\tmake\tof\tthis\tscary\tlittle\tgirl\tin\tteal camouflage. \u2018Of\t\u2013\tof\tcourse,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018We\u2019ll\tneed\ta\tcar.\tAnd\tI\u2019ll\tneed\tan\texcuse\tto\tleave campus.\u2019\tHe\tlooked\thopefully\tat\tPiper. She\tgot\tto\ther\tfeet.\t\u2018Fine.\tI\u2019ll\tgo\ttalk\tto\tthe\toffice.\tMeg,\tcome\twith\tme,\tjust\tin case\twe\trun\tinto\tthat\tempousa.\tWe\u2019ll\tmeet\tyou\tboys\tat\tthe\tfront\tgate.\tAnd,\tJason \u2013?\u2019 \u2018Yeah?\u2019 \u2018If\tyou\u2019re\tholding\tanything\telse\tback\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Right.\tI\t\u2013\tI\tget\tit.\u2019 Piper\tturned\tand\tmarched\tout\tof\tthe\troom.\tMeg\tgave\tme\ta\tlook\tlike\tYou\tsure about\tthis? \u2018Go\ton,\u2019\tI\ttold\ther.\t\u2018I\u2019ll\thelp\tJason\tget\tready.\u2019 Once\tthe\tgirls\thad\tleft,\tI\tturned\tto\tconfront\tJason\tGrace,\tone\tson\tof Zeus\/Jupiter\tto\tanother. \u2018All\tright,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018What\tdid\tthe\tSibyl\treally\ttell\tyou?\u2019","23 It\u2019s\ta\tbeautiful\t Day\tin\tthe\tneighbourhood\t\u2013\tWait\t Actually,\tit\u2019s\tnot Jason\ttook\this\ttime\tresponding. He\tremoved\this\tjacket,\thung\tit\tin\tthe\twardrobe.\tHe\tundid\this\ttie\tand\tfolded\tit over\tthe\tcoat\thook.\tI\thad\ta\tflashback\tto\tmy\told\tfriend\tFred\tRogers,\tthe children\u2019s\ttelevision\thost,\twho\tradiated\tthe\tsame\tcalm\tcentredness\twhen\thanging up\this\twork\tclothes.\tFred\tused\tto\tlet\tme\tcrash\ton\this\tsofa\twhenever\tI\u2019d\thad\ta hard\tday\tof\tpoetry-godding.\tHe\u2019d\toffer\tme\ta\tplate\tof\tcookies\tand\ta\tglass\tof\tmilk, then\tserenade\tme\twith\this\tsongs\tuntil\tI\tfelt\tbetter.\tI\twas\tespecially\tfond\tof\t\u2018It\u2019s You\tI\tLike\u2019.\tOh,\tI\tmissed\tthat\tmortal! Finally,\tJason\tstrapped\ton\this\tgladius.\tWith\this\tglasses,\tshirt,\ttrousers,\tloafers and\tsword,\the\tlooked\tless\tlike\tMister\tRogers\tand\tmore\tlike\ta\twell-armed paralegal. \u2018What\tmakes\tyou\tthink\tI\u2019m\tholding\tback?\u2019\the\tasked. \u2018Please,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Don\u2019t\ttry\tto\tbe\tevasively\tprophetic\twith\tthe\tgod\tof\tevasive prophecies.\u2019 Jason\tsighed.\tHe\trolled\tup\this\tshirtsleeves,\trevealing\tthe\tRoman\ttattoo\ton\tthe inside\tof\this\tforearm\t\u2013\tthe\tlightning\tbolt\temblem\tof\tour\tfather.\t\u2018First\tof\tall,\tit wasn\u2019t\texactly\ta\tprophecy.\tIt\twas\tmore\tlike\ta\tseries\tof\tquiz-show\tquestions.\u2019 \u2018Yes.\tHerophile\tdelivers\tinformation\tthat\tway.\u2019 \u2018And\tyou\tknow\thow\tprophecies\tare.\tEven\twhen\tthe\tOracle\tis\tfriendly,\tthey can\tbe\thard\tto\tinterpret.\u2019 \u2018Jason\t\u2026\u2019","\u2018Fine,\u2019\the\trelented.\t\u2018The\tSibyl\tsaid\t\u2026\tShe\ttold\tme\tif\tPiper\tand\tI\twent\tafter\tthe emperor,\tone\tof\tus\twould\tdie.\u2019 Die.\tThe\tword\tlanded\tbetween\tus\twith\ta\tthud,\tlike\ta\tlarge,\tgutted\tfish. I\twaited\tfor\tan\texplanation.\tJason\tstared\tat\this\tfoam\tcore\tTemple\tHill\tas\tif trying\tto\tbring\tit\tto\tlife\tby\tsheer\tforce\tof\twill. \u2018Die,\u2019\tI\trepeated. \u2018Yeah.\u2019 \u2018Not\tdisappear,\tnot\twouldn\u2019t\tcome\tback,\tnot\tsuffer\tdefeat.\u2019 \u2018Nope.\tDie.\tOr\tmore\taccurately,\tthree\tletters,\tstarts\twith\tD.\u2019 \u2018Not\tdad,\tthen,\u2019\tI\tsuggested.\t\u2018Or\tdog.\u2019 One\tfine\tblond\teyebrow\tcrept\tabove\tthe\trim\tof\this\tglasses.\t\u2018If\tyou\tseek\tout\tthe emperor,\tone\tof\tyou\twill\tdog?\tNo,\tApollo,\tthe\tword\twas\tdie.\u2019 \u2018Still,\tthat\tcould\tmean\tmany\tthings.\tIt\tcould\tmean\ta\ttrip\tto\tthe\tUnderworld.\tIt could\tmean\ta\tdeath\tsuch\tas\tLeo\tsuffered,\twhere\tyou\tpop\tright\tback\tto\tlife.\tIt could\tmean\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Now\tyou\u2019re\tbeing\tevasive,\u2019\tJason\tsaid.\t\u2018The\tSibyl\tmeant\tdeath.\tFinal.\tReal. No\treplays.\tYou\thad\tto\tbe\tthere.\tThe\tway\tshe\tsaid\tit.\tUnless\tyou\thappen\tto\thave an\textra\tvial\tof\tthe\tphysician\u2019s\tcure\tin\tyour\tpockets\t\u2026\u2019 He\tknew\tvery\twell\tI\tdid\tnot.\tThe\tphysician\u2019s\tcure,\twhich\thad\tbrought\tLeo Valdez\tback\tto\tlife,\twas\tonly\tavailable\tfrom\tmy\tson\tAsclepius,\tgod\tof\tmedicine. And,\tsince\tAsclepius\twanted\tto\tavoid\tan\tall-out\twar\twith\tHades,\the\trarely\tgave out\tfree\tsamples.\tAs\tin\tnever.\tLeo\thad\tbeen\tthe\tfirst\tlucky\trecipient\tin\tfour thousand\tyears.\tHe\twould\tlikely\tbe\tthe\tlast. \u2018Still\t\u2026\u2019\tI\tfumbled\tfor\talternate\ttheories\tand\tloopholes.\tI\thated\tthinking\tof permanent\tdeath.\tAs\tan\timmortal,\tI\twas\ta\tconscientious\tobjector.\tAs\tgood\tas your\tafterlife\texperience\tmight\tbe\t(and\tmost\tof\tthem\twere\tnot\tgood),\tlife\twas better.\tThe\twarmth\tof\tthe\tactual\tsun,\tthe\tvibrant\tcolours\tof\tthe\tupper\tworld,\tthe cuisine\t\u2026\treally,\teven\tElysium\thad\tnothing\tto\tcompare. Jason\u2019s\tstare\twas\tunrelenting.\tI\tsuspected\tthat\tin\tthe\tweeks\tsince\this\ttalk\twith Herophile\the\thad\trun\tevery\tscenario.\tHe\twas\twell\tpast\tthe\tbargaining\tstage\tin dealing\twith\tthis\tprophecy.\tHe\thad\taccepted\tthat\tdeath\tmeant\tdeath,\tthe\tway Piper\tMcLean\thad\taccepted\tthat\tOklahoma\tmeant\tOklahoma. I\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\tthat.\tJason\u2019s\tcalmness\tagain\treminded\tme\tof\tFred\tRogers,\tbut\tin an\texasperating\tway.\tHow\tcould\tanyone\tbe\tso\taccepting\tand\tlevel-headed\tall\tthe time?\tSometimes\tI\tjust\twanted\thim\tto\tget\tmad,\tto\tscream\tand\tthrow\this\tloafers across\tthe\troom. \u2018Let\u2019s\tassume\tyou\u2019re\tcorrect,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018You\tdidn\u2019t\ttell\tPiper\tthe\ttruth\tbecause \u2013?\u2019","\u2018You\tknow\twhat\thappened\tto\ther\tdad.\u2019\tJason\tstudied\tthe\tcalluses\ton\this\thands, proof\the\thad\tnot\tlet\this\tsword\tskills\tatrophy.\t\u2018Last\tyear\twhen\twe\tsaved\thim\tfrom the\tfire\tgiant\ton\tMount\tDiablo\t\u2026\tMr\tMcLean\u2019s\tmind\twasn\u2019t\tin\tgood\tshape. Now,\twith\tall\tthe\tstress\tof\tthe\tbankruptcy\tand\teverything\telse,\tcan\tyou\timagine what\twould\thappen\tif\the\tlost\this\tdaughter\ttoo?\u2019 I\trecalled\tthe\tdishevelled\tmovie\tstar\twandering\this\tdriveway,\tsearching\tfor imaginary\tcoins.\t\u2018Yes,\tbut\tyou\tcan\u2019t\tknow\thow\tthe\tprophecy\twill\tunfold.\u2019 \u2018I\tcan\u2019t\tlet\tit\tunfold\twith\tPiper\tdying.\tShe\tand\ther\tdad\tare\tscheduled\tto\tleave town\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tweek.\tShe\u2019s\tactually\t\u2026\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tif\texcited\tis\tthe\tright word,\tbut\tshe\u2019s\trelieved\tto\tget\tout\tof\tLA.\tEver\tsince\tI\u2019ve\tknown\ther,\tthe\tthing she\u2019s\twanted\tmost\tis\tmore\ttime\twith\ther\tdad.\tNow\tthey\thave\ta\tchance\tto\tstart over.\tShe\tcan\thelp\ther\tdad\tfind\tsome\tpeace.\tMaybe\tfind\tsome\tpeace\therself.\u2019 His\tvoice\tcaught\t\u2013\tperhaps\twith\tguilt,\tor\tregret,\tor\tfear. \u2018You\twanted\tto\tget\ther\tsafely\tout\tof\ttown,\u2019\tI\tdeduced.\t\u2018Then\tyou\tplanned\tto find\tthe\temperor\tyourself.\u2019 Jason\tshrugged.\t\u2018Well,\twith\tyou\tand\tMeg.\tI\tknew\tyou\u2019d\tbe\tcoming\tto\tfind me.\tHerophile\tsaid\tso.\tIf\tyou\u2019d\tjust\twaited\tanother\tweek\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Then\twhat?\u2019\tI\tdemanded.\t\u2018You\twould\u2019ve\tlet\tus\tlead\tyou\tcheerily\toff\tto\tyour death?\tHow\twould\tthat\thave\taffected\tPiper\u2019s\tpeace\tof\tmind,\tonce\tshe\tfound out?\u2019 Jason\u2019s\tears\treddened.\tIt\tstruck\tme\tjust\thow\tyoung\the\twas\t\u2013\tno\tmore\tthan seventeen.\tOlder\tthan\tmy\tmortal\tform,\tyes,\tbut\tnot\tby\tmuch.\tThis\tyoung\tman had\tlost\this\tmother.\tHe\thad\tsurvived\tthe\tharsh\ttraining\tof\tLupa\tthe\twolf goddess.\tHe\u2019d\tgrown\tup\twith\tthe\tdiscipline\tof\tthe\tTwelfth\tLegion\tat\tCamp Jupiter.\tHe\u2019d\tfought\tTitans\tand\tgiants.\tHe\u2019d\thelped\tsave\tthe\tworld\tat\tleast\ttwice. But\tby\tmortal\tstandards\the\twas\tbarely\tan\tadult.\tHe\twasn\u2019t\told\tenough\tto\tvote\tor drink. Despite\tall\this\texperiences,\twas\tit\tfair\tof\tme\tto\texpect\thim\tto\tthink\tlogically, and\tconsider\teveryone\telse\u2019s\tfeelings\twith\tperfect\tclarity,\twhile\tpondering\this own\tdeath? I\ttried\tto\tsoften\tmy\ttone.\t\u2018You\tdon\u2019t\twant\tPiper\tto\tdie.\tI\tunderstand\tthat.\tShe wouldn\u2019t\twant\tyou\tto\tdie.\tBut\tavoiding\tprophecies\tnever\tworks.\tAnd\tkeeping secrets\tfrom\tfriends,\tespecially\tdeadly\tsecrets\t\u2026\tthat\treally\tnever\tworks.\tIt\u2019ll\tbe our\tjob\tto\tface\tCaligula\ttogether,\tsteal\tthat\thomicidal\tmaniac\u2019s\tshoes\tand\tget away\twithout\tany\tfive-letter\twords\tthat\tstart\twith\tD.\u2019 The\tscar\tticked\tat\tthe\tcorner\tof\tJason\u2019s\tmouth.\t\u2018Drama?\u2019 \u2018You\u2019re\thorrible,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\tbut\tsome\tof\tthe\ttension\tdissolved\tbetween\tmy shoulder\tblades.\t\u2018Are\tyou\tready?\u2019","He\tglanced\tat\tthe\tphoto\tof\this\tsister\tThalia,\tthen\tat\tthe\tmodel\tof\tTemple\tHill. \u2018If\tanything\thappens\tto\tme\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Stop.\u2019 \u2018If\tit\tdoes,\tif\tI\tcan\u2019t\tkeep\tmy\tpromise\tto\tKymopoleia,\twould\tyou\ttake\tmy mock-up\tdesign\tto\tCamp\tJupiter?\tThe\tsketchbooks\tfor\tnew\ttemples\tat\tboth camps\t\u2013\tthey\u2019re\tright\tthere\ton\tthe\tshelf.\u2019 \u2018You\u2019ll\ttake\tthem\tyourself,\u2019\tI\tinsisted.\t\u2018Your\tnew\tshrines\twill\thonour\tthe\tgods. It\u2019s\ttoo\tworthy\ta\tproject\tnot\tto\tsucceed.\u2019 He\tpicked\ta\tshard\tof\tlightbulb\tglass\toff\tthe\troof\tof\tthe\tZeus\thotel\ttoken. \u2018Worthy\tdoesn\u2019t\talways\tmatter.\tLike\twhat\thappened\tto\tyou.\tHave\tyou\ttalked\tto Dad\tsince\t\u2026?\u2019 He\thad\tthe\tdecency\tnot\tto\telaborate:\tSince\tyou\tlanded\tin\tthe\tgarbage\tas\ta flabby\tsixteen-year-old\twith\tno\tredeeming\tqualities. I\tswallowed\tback\tthe\ttaste\tof\tcopper.\tFrom\tthe\tdepths\tof\tmy\tsmall\tmortal mind,\tmy\tfather\u2019s\twords\trumbled:\tYOUR\tFAULT.\tYOUR\tPUNISHMENT. \u2018Zeus\thasn\u2019t\tspoken\tto\tme\tsince\tI\tbecame\tmortal,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Before\tthat,\tmy memory\tis\tfuzzy.\tI\tremember\tthe\tbattle\tlast\tsummer\tat\tthe\tParthenon.\tI remember\tZeus\tzapping\tme.\tAfter\tthat,\tuntil\tthe\tmoment\tI\twoke\tup\tplummeting through\tthe\tsky\tin\tJanuary\t\u2013\tit\u2019s\ta\tblank.\u2019 \u2018I\tknow\tthat\tfeeling,\thaving\tsix\tmonths\tof\tyour\tlife\ttaken\taway.\u2019\tHe\tgave\tme\ta pained\tlook.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tsorry\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tdo\tmore.\u2019 \u2018What\tcould\tyou\thave\tdone?\u2019 \u2018I\tmean\tat\tthe\tParthenon.\tI\ttried\tto\ttalk\tsense\tinto\tZeus.\tI\ttold\thim\the\twas wrong\tto\tpunish\tyou.\tHe\twouldn\u2019t\tlisten.\u2019 I\tstared\tat\thim\tblankly,\twhatever\tremained\tof\tmy\tnatural\teloquence\tclogged\tin my\tthroat.\tJason\tGrace\thad\tdone\twhat? Zeus\thad\tmany\tchildren,\twhich\tmeant\tI\thad\tmany\thalf\tbrothers\tand\thalf sisters.\tExcept\tfor\tmy\ttwin,\tArtemis,\tI\u2019d\tnever\tfelt\tclose\tto\tany\tof\tthem. Certainly,\tI\u2019d\tnever\thad\ta\tbrother\tdefend\tme\tin\tfront\tof\tFather.\tMy\tOlympian brethren\twere\tmore\tlikely\tto\tdeflect\tZeus\u2019s\tfury\tby\tyelling,\tApollo\tdid\tit! This\tyoung\tdemigod\thad\tstood\tup\tfor\tme.\tHe\u2019d\thad\tno\treason\tto\tdo\tso.\tHe barely\tknew\tme.\tYet\the\u2019d\trisked\this\town\tlife\tand\tfaced\tthe\twrath\tof\tZeus. My\tfirst\tthought\twas\tto\tscream,\tARE\tYOU\tINSANE? Then\tmore\tappropriate\twords\tcame\tto\tme.\t\u2018Thank\tyou.\u2019 Jason\ttook\tme\tby\tthe\tshoulders\t\u2013\tnot\tout\tof\tanger,\tor\tin\ta\tclinging\tway,\tbut\tas a\tbrother.\t\u2018Promise\tme\tone\tthing.\tWhatever\thappens,\twhen\tyou\tget\tback\tto Olympus,\twhen\tyou\u2019re\ta\tgod\tagain,\tremember.\tRemember\twhat\tit\u2019s\tlike\tto\tbe human.\u2019"]
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