["A\tfew\tweeks\tago,\tI\twould\thave\tscoffed.\tWhy\twould\tI\twant\tto\tremember\tany of\tthis? At\tbest,\tif\tI\twere\tlucky\tenough\tto\treclaim\tmy\tdivine\tthrone,\tI\twould\trecall this\twretched\texperience\tlike\ta\tscary\tB-movie\tthat\thad\tfinally\tended.\tI\twould walk\tout\tof\tthe\tcinema\tinto\tthe\tsunlight,\tthinking,\tPhew!\tGlad\tthat\u2019s\tover. Now,\thowever,\tI\thad\tsome\tinkling\tof\twhat\tJason\tmeant.\tI\thad\tlearned\ta\tlot about\thuman\tfrailty\tand\thuman\tstrength.\tI\tfelt\t\u2026\tdifferent\ttowards\tmortals, having\tbeen\tone\tof\tthem.\tIf\tnothing\telse,\tit\twould\tprovide\tme\twith\tsome excellent\tinspiration\tfor\tnew\tsong\tlyrics! I\twas\treluctant\tto\tpromise\tanything,\tthough.\tI\twas\talready\tliving\tunder\tthe curse\tof\tone\tbroken\toath.\tAt\tCamp\tHalf-Blood,\tI\thad\trashly\tsworn\ton\tthe\tRiver Styx\tnot\tto\tuse\tmy\tarchery\tor\tmusic\tskills\tuntil\tI\twas\ta\tgod\tagain.\tThen\tI\thad quickly\treneged.\tEver\tsince,\tmy\tskills\thad\tdeteriorated. I\twas\tsure\tthe\tvengeful\tspirit\tof\tthe\tRiver\tStyx\twasn\u2019t\tdone\twith\tme.\tI\tcould almost\tfeel\ther\tscowling\tat\tme\tfrom\tthe\tUnderworld:\tWhat\tright\tdo\tyou\thave\tto promise\tanything\tto\tanyone,\toath-breaker? But\thow\tcould\tI\tnot\ttry?\tIt\twas\tthe\tleast\tI\tcould\tdo\tfor\tthis\tbrave\tmortal\twho had\tstood\tup\tfor\tme\twhen\tno\tone\telse\twould. \u2018I\tpromise,\u2019\tI\ttold\tJason.\t\u2018I\twill\ttry\tmy\tutmost\tto\tremember\tmy\thuman experience,\tas\tlong\tas\tyou\tpromise\tto\ttell\tPiper\tthe\ttruth\tabout\tthe\tprophecy.\u2019 Jason\tpatted\tmy\tshoulders.\t\u2018Deal.\tSpeaking\tof\twhich,\tthe\tgirls\tare\tprobably waiting.\u2019 \u2018One\tmore\tthing,\u2019\tI\tblurted\tout.\t\u2018About\tPiper.\tIt\u2019s\tjust\t\u2026\tyou\tseem\tlike\tsuch\ta good\tpower\tcouple.\tDid\tyou\treally\t\u2013\tdid\tyou\tbreak\tup\twith\ther\tto\tmake\tit\teasier for\ther\tto\tleave\tLA?\u2019 Jason\tstared\tat\tme\twith\tthose\tazure\teyes.\t\u2018Did\tshe\ttell\tyou\tthat?\u2019 \u2018No,\u2019\tI\tadmitted.\t\u2018But\tMellie\tseemed,\tah,\tupset\twith\tyou.\u2019 Jason\tconsidered.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tokay\twith\tMellie\tblaming\tme.\tIt\u2019s\tprobably\tbetter.\u2019 \u2018Do\tyou\tmean\tit\u2019s\tnot\ttrue?\u2019 In\tJason\u2019s\teyes,\tI\tsaw\tjust\ta\thint\tof\tdesolation\t\u2013\tlike\twildfire\tsmoke momentarily\tobliterating\ta\tblue\tsky.\tI\tremembered\tMedea\u2019s\twords:\tThe\ttruth was\tenough\tto\tbreak\tJason\tGrace. \u2018Piper\tended\tit,\u2019\the\tsaid\tquietly.\t\u2018That\twas\tmonths\tago,\tway\tbefore\tthe Burning\tMaze.\tNow,\tcome\ton.\tLet\u2019s\tgo\tfind\tCaligula.\u2019","24 Ah,\tSanta\tBarbara!\t Famed\tfor\tsurfing!\tFish\ttacos!\t And\tcrazy\tRomans! Alas\tfor\tus\tand\tMr\tBedrossian,\tthere\twas\tno\tsign\tof\tthe\tCadillac\tEscalade\ton\tthe street\twhere\twe\u2019d\tparked. \u2018We\u2019ve\tbeen\ttowed,\u2019\tPiper\tannounced\tcasually,\tas\tif\tthis\twas\ta\tregular occurrence\tfor\ther. She\treturned\tto\tthe\tschool\u2019s\tfront\toffice.\tA\tfew\tminutes\tlater,\tshe\temerged from\tthe\tfront\tgates\tdriving\tEdgarton\u2019s\tgreen-and-gold\tvan. She\trolled\tdown\tthe\twindow.\t\u2018Hey,\tkids.\tWant\tto\tgo\ton\ta\tfield\ttrip?\u2019 As\twe\tpulled\taway,\tJason\tglanced\tnervously\tin\tthe\tpassenger-side\trear-view mirror,\tperhaps\tworried\tthe\tsecurity\tguard\twould\tgive\tchase\tand\tdemand\twe\tget signed\tpermission\tslips\tbefore\tleaving\tcampus\tto\tkill\ta\tRoman\temperor.\tBut\tno one\tfollowed\tus. \u2018Where\tto?\u2019\tPiper\tasked\twhen\twe\treached\tthe\thighway. \u2018Santa\tBarbara,\u2019\tJason\tsaid. Piper\tfrowned,\tas\tif\tthis\tanswer\twas\tonly\tslightly\tmore\tsurprising\tthan Uzbekistan.\t\u2018Okay.\u2019 She\tfollowed\tthe\tsigns\tfor\tHighway\t101\tWest. For\tonce,\tI\thoped\ttraffic\twould\tbe\tjammed.\tI\twas\tnot\tin\ta\thurry\tto\tsee Caligula.\tInstead,\tthe\troads\twere\tnearly\tempty.\tIt\twas\tlike\tthe\tSouthern California\tfreeway\tsystem\thad\theard\tme\tcomplaining\tand\twas\tnow\tout\tfor revenge. Oh,\tgo\tright\tahead,\tApollo!\tHighway\t101\tseemed\tto\tsay.\tWe\testimate\tan\teasy commute\tto\tyour\thumiliating\tdeath!","Next\tto\tme\tin\tthe\tback\tseat,\tMeg\tdrummed\ther\tfingers\ton\ther\tknees.\t\u2018How much\tfurther?\u2019 I\twas\tonly\tvaguely\tfamiliar\twith\tSanta\tBarbara.\tI\thoped\tJason\twould\ttell\tus\tit was\tfar\taway\t\u2013\tjust\tpast\tthe\tNorth\tPole,\tmaybe.\tNot\tthat\tI\twanted\tto\tbe\tstuck\tin a\tvan\twith\tMeg\tthat\tlong,\tbut\tat\tleast\tthen\twe\tcould\tstop\tby\tCamp\tJupiter\tand pick\tup\ta\tsquadron\tof\theavily\tarmed\tdemigods. \u2018About\ttwo\thours,\u2019\tJason\tsaid,\tdashing\tmy\thopes.\t\u2018Northwest,\talong\tthe\tcoast. We\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tStearns\tWharf.\u2019 Piper\tturned\tto\thim.\t\u2018You\u2019ve\tbeen\tthere?\u2019 \u2018I\t\u2026\tYeah.\tJust\tscouting\tthe\tplace\twith\tTempest.\u2019 \u2018Tempest?\u2019\tI\tasked. \u2018His\thorse,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid,\tthen\tto\tJason:\t\u2018You\twent\tscouting\tthere\talone?\u2019 \u2018Well,\tTempest\tis\ta\tventus,\u2019\tJason\tsaid,\tignoring\tPiper\u2019s\tquestion. Meg\tstopped\tdrumming\ther\tknees.\t\u2018Like\tthose\twindy\tthings\tMedea\thad?\u2019 \u2018Except\tTempest\tis\tfriendly,\u2019\tJason\tsaid.\t\u2018I\tkind\tof\t\u2026\tnot\ttamed\thim,\texactly, but\twe\tmade\tfriends.\tHe\u2019ll\tshow\tup\twhen\tI\tcall,\tusually,\tand\tlet\tme\tride\thim.\u2019 \u2018A\twind\thorse.\u2019\tMeg\tpondered\tthe\tidea,\tno\tdoubt\tweighing\tits\tmerits\tagainst her\town\tdemonic\tdiaper-wearing\tpeach\tbaby.\t\u2018I\tguess\tthat\u2019s\tcool.\u2019 \u2018Back\tto\tthe\tquestion,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Why\tdid\tyou\tdecide\tto\tscout\tStearns Wharf?\u2019 Jason\tlooked\tso\tuncomfortable\tI\tfeared\the\tmight\tblow\tout\tthe\tvan\u2019s\telectrical systems. \u2018The\tSibyl,\u2019\the\tsaid\tat\tlast.\t\u2018She\ttold\tme\tI\twould\tfind\tCaligula\tthere.\tIt\u2019s\tone of\tthe\tplaces\twhere\the\tstops.\u2019 Piper\ttilted\ther\thead.\t\u2018Where\the\tstops?\u2019 \u2018His\tpalace\tisn\u2019t\ta\tpalace,\texactly,\u2019\tJason\tsaid.\t\u2018We\u2019re\tlooking\tfor\ta\tboat.\u2019 My\tstomach\tdropped\tout\tand\ttook\tthe\tnearest\texit\tback\ttowards\tPalm\tSprings. \u2018Ah,\u2019\tI\tsaid. \u2018Ah?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.\t\u2018Ah,\twhat?\u2019 \u2018Ah,\tthat\tmakes\tsense,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018In\tancient\ttimes,\tCaligula\twas\tnotorious\tfor\this pleasure\tbarges\t\u2013\thuge\tfloating\tpalaces\twith\tbathhouses,\ttheatres,\trotating statues,\tracetracks,\tthousands\tof\tslaves\t\u2026\u2019 I\tremembered\thow\tdisgusted\tPoseidon\thad\tbeen,\twatching\tCaligula\ttootle around\tthe\tBay\tof\tBaiae,\tthough\tI\tthink\tPoseidon\twas\tjust\tjealous\this\tpalace didn\u2019t\thave\trotating\tstatues. \u2018Anyway,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018that\texplains\twhy\tyou\u2019ve\thad\ttrouble\tlocating\thim.\tHe\tcan move\tfrom\tharbour\tto\tharbour\tat\twill.\u2019 \u2018Yeah,\u2019\tJason\tagreed.\t\u2018When\tI\tscouted,\the\twasn\u2019t\tthere.\tI\tguess\tthe\tSibyl meant\tI\u2019d\tfind\thim\tat\tStearns\tWharf\twhen\tI\twas\tsupposed\tto\tfind\thim.\tWhich,\tI","guess,\tis\ttoday.\u2019\tHe\tshifted\tin\this\tseat,\tleaning\tas\tfar\taway\tas\tpossible\tfrom Piper.\t\u2018Speaking\tof\tthe\tSibyl\t\u2026\tthere\u2019s\tanother\tdetail\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tshare\twith\tyou about\tthe\tprophecy.\u2019 He\ttold\tPiper\tthe\ttruth\tabout\tthe\tthree-letter\tword\tthat\tbegan\twith\tD\tand\twas not\tdog. She\ttook\tthe\tnews\tsurprisingly\twell.\tShe\tdid\tnot\thit\thim.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\traise\ther voice.\tShe\tmerely\tlistened,\tthen\tremained\tsilent\tfor\tanother\tmile\tor\tso. At\tlast,\tshe\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tquite\ta\tdetail.\u2019 \u2018I\tshould\u2019ve\ttold\tyou,\u2019\tJason\tsaid. \u2018Um,\tyeah.\u2019\tShe\ttwisted\tthe\tsteering\twheel\texactly\tthe\tway\tone\twould\tbreak the\tneck\tof\ta\tchicken.\t\u2018Still\t\u2026\tif\tI\u2019m\tbeing\thonest?\tIn\tyour\tposition,\tI\tmight\u2019ve done\tthe\tsame\tthing.\tI\twouldn\u2019t\twant\tyou\tto\tdie\teither.\u2019 Jason\tblinked.\t\u2018Does\tthat\tmean\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tmad?\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m\tfurious.\u2019 \u2018Oh.\u2019 \u2018Furious,\tbut\talso\tempathetic.\u2019 \u2018Right.\u2019 It\tstruck\tme\thow\teasily\tthey\ttalked\ttogether,\teven\tabout\tdifficult\tthings,\tand how\twell\tthey\tseemed\tto\tunderstand\teach\tother.\tI\tremembered\tPiper\tsaying\thow frantic\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\twhen\tshe\tgot\tseparated\tfrom\tJason\tin\tthe\tBurning\tMaze\t\u2013 how\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\tbear\tto\tlose\tanother\tfriend. I\twondered\tagain\twhat\twas\tbehind\ttheir\tbreak-up. People\tchange,\tPiper\thad\tsaid. Full\tpoints\tfor\tvagueness,\tgirl,\tbut\tI\twanted\tthe\tdirt. \u2018So,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018Any\tother\tsurprises?\tAny\tmore\ttiny\tdetails\tyou\tforgot?\u2019 Jason\tshook\this\thead.\t\u2018I\tthink\tthat\u2019s\tit.\u2019 \u2018Okay,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Then\twe\tgo\tto\tthe\twharf.\tWe\tfind\tthis\tboat.\tWe\tfind Caligula\u2019s\tmagic\tbooties,\tand\twe\tkill\thim\tif\twe\tget\tthe\tchance.\tBut\twe\tdon\u2019t\tlet each\tother\tdie.\u2019 \u2018Or\tlet\tme\tdie,\u2019\tMeg\tadded.\t\u2018Or\teven\tApollo.\u2019 \u2018Thank\tyou,\tMeg,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018My\theart\tis\tas\twarm\tas\ta\tpartially\tthawed\tburrito.\u2019 \u2018No\tproblem.\u2019\tShe\tpicked\ther\tnose,\tjust\tin\tcase\tshe\tdied\tand\tnever\tgot\tanother chance.\t\u2018How\tdo\twe\tknow\twhich\tis\tthe\tright\tboat?\u2019 \u2018I\thave\ta\tfeeling\twe\u2019ll\tknow,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Caligula\twas\tnever\tsubtle.\u2019 \u2018Assuming\tthe\tboat\tis\tthere\tthis\ttime,\u2019\tJason\tsaid. \u2018It\u2019d\tbetter\tbe,\u2019\tsaid\tPiper.\t\u2018Otherwise\tI\tstole\tthis\tvan\tand\tgot\tyou\tout\tof\tyour afternoon\tphysics\tlecture\tfor\tnothing.\u2019 \u2018Darn,\u2019\tJason\tsaid.","They\tshared\ta\tguarded\tsmile,\ta\tsort\tof\tYes,\tthings\tare\tstill\tweird\tbetween\tus, but\tI\tdon\u2019t\tintend\ton\tletting\tyou\tdie\ttoday\tlook. I\thoped\tour\texpedition\twould\tgo\tas\tsmoothly\tas\tPiper\thad\tdescribed.\tI suspected\tour\todds\twere\tbetter\tof\twinning\tthe\tMount\tOlympus\tMega-God Lottery.\t(The\tmost\tI\tever\tgot\twas\tfive\tdrachmas\ton\ta\tscratch\tcard\tonce.) We\tdrove\tin\tsilence\talong\tthe\tseaside\thighway. To\tour\tleft,\tthe\tPacific\tglittered.\tSurfers\tplied\tthe\twaves.\tPalm\ttrees\tbent\tin the\tbreeze.\tTo\tour\tleft,\tthe\thills\twere\tdry\tand\tbrown,\tlittered\twith\tthe\tred\tflowers of\theat-distressed\tazaleas.\tTry\tas\tI\tmight,\tI\tcould\tnot\thelp\tthinking\tof\tthose crimson\tswathes\tas\tthe\tspilled\tblood\tof\tdryads,\tfallen\tin\tbattle.\tI\tremembered our\tcactus\tfriends\tback\tat\tthe\tCistern,\tbravely\tand\tstubbornly\tclinging\tto\tlife.\tI remembered\tMoney\tMaker,\tbroken\tand\tburned\tin\tthe\tmaze\tunder\tLos\tAngeles. For\ttheir\tsake,\tI\thad\tto\tstop\tCaligula.\tOtherwise\t\u2026\tNo.\tThere\tcould\tbe\tno otherwise. Finally,\twe\treached\tSanta\tBarbara,\tand\tI\tsaw\twhy\tCaligula\tmight\tlike\tthe place. If\tI\tsquinted,\tI\tcould\timagine\tI\twas\tback\tin\tthe\tRoman\tresort\ttown\tof\tBaiae. The\tcurve\tof\tthe\tcoastline\twas\talmost\tthe\tsame\t\u2013\tas\twell\tas\tthe\tgolden\tbeaches, the\thills\tdotted\twith\tupscale\tstucco\tand\tred-tiled\thomes,\tthe\tpleasure\tcraft moored\tin\tthe\tharbour.\tThe\tlocals\teven\thad\tthe\tsame\tsunbaked,\tpleasantly\tdazed expressions,\tas\tif\tthey\twere\tbiding\ttheir\ttime\tbetween\tmorning\tsurf\tsessions\tand afternoon\tgolf. The\tbiggest\tdifference:\tMount\tVesuvius\tdid\tnot\trise\tin\tthe\tdistance.\tBut\tI\thad a\tfeeling\tanother\tpresence\tloomed\tover\tthis\tlovely\tlittle\ttown\t\u2013\tjust\tas\tdangerous and\tvolcanic. \u2018He\u2019ll\tbe\there,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\tas\twe\tparked\tthe\tvan\ton\tCabrillo\tBoulevard. Piper\tarched\ther\teyebrows.\t\u2018Are\tyou\tsensing\ta\tdisturbance\tin\tthe\tForce?\u2019 \u2018Please,\u2019\tI\tmuttered.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tsensing\tmy\tusual\tbad\tluck.\tIn\ta\tplace\tthis\tharmless- looking,\tthere\u2019s\tno\tway\twe\twill\tnot\tfind\ttrouble.\u2019 We\tspent\tthe\tafternoon\tcanvassing\tthe\tSanta\tBarbara\twaterfront,\tfrom\tthe East\tBeach\tto\tthe\tbreakwater\tjetties.\tWe\tdisrupted\ta\tflock\tof\tpelicans\tin\tthe saltwater\tmarsh.\tWe\twoke\tsome\tnapping\tsea\tlions\ton\tthe\tfishing\tdock.\tWe jostled\tthrough\troving\thordes\tof\ttourists\ton\tStearns\tWharf.\tIn\tthe\tharbour,\twe found\ta\tvirtual\tforest\tof\tsingle-mast\tboats,\talong\twith\tsome\tluxury\tyachts,\tbut none\tseemed\tlarge\tor\tgaudy\tenough\tfor\ta\tRoman\temperor. Jason\teven\tflew\tover\tthe\twater\tfor\taerial\treconnaissance.\tWhen\the\tcame\tback, he\treported\tno\tsuspicious\tvessels\ton\tthe\thorizon. \u2018Were\tyou\ton\tyour\thorse,\tTempest,\tjust\tthen?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.\t\u2018I\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell.\u2019","Jason\tsmiled.\t\u2018Nah,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tcall\tTempest\tunless\tit\u2019s\tan\temergency.\tI\twas\tjust flying\taround\ton\tmy\town,\tmanipulating\tthe\twind.\u2019 Meg\tpouted,\tconsidering\tthe\tpockets\tof\ther\tgardening\tbelt.\t\u2018I\tcan\tsummon yams.\u2019 At\tlast\twe\tgave\tup\tsearching\tand\tgrabbed\ta\ttable\tat\ta\tbeachside\tcaf\u00e9.\tThe grilled\tfish\ttacos\twere\tworthy\tof\tan\tode\tby\tthe\tMuse\tEuterpe\therself. \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tmind\tgiving\tup,\u2019\tI\tadmitted,\tspooning\tsome\tspicy\tseviche\tinto\tmy mouth,\t\u2018if\tit\tcomes\twith\tdinner.\u2019 \u2018This\tis\tjust\ta\tbreak,\u2019\tMeg\twarned.\t\u2018Don\u2019t\tget\tcomfortable.\u2019 I\twished\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tphrased\tthat\tas\tan\torder.\tIt\tmade\tit\tdifficult\tfor\tme\tto\tsit still\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\tmy\tmeal. We\tsat\tat\tthe\tcaf\u00e9,\tenjoying\tthe\tbreeze,\tthe\tfood\tand\tthe\ticed\ttea\tuntil\tthe\tsun dipped\tto\tthe\thorizon,\tturning\tthe\tsky\tCamp\tHalf-Blood\torange.\tI\tallowed myself\tto\thope\tthat\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tmistaken\tabout\tCaligula\u2019s\tpresence.\tWe\u2019d\tcome here\tin\tvain.\tHooray!\tI\twas\tabout\tto\tsuggest\theading\tback\tto\tthe\tvan,\tperhaps finding\ta\thotel\tso\tI\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tto\tcrash\tin\ta\tsleeping\tbag\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\ta desert\twell\tagain,\twhen\tJason\trose\tfrom\tour\tpicnic-table\tbench. \u2018There.\u2019\tHe\tpointed\tout\tto\tsea. The\tship\tseemed\tto\tmaterialize\tfrom\tthe\tsun\u2019s\tglare,\tthe\tway\tmy\tsun\tchariot used\tto\twhenever\tI\tpulled\tinto\tthe\tStables\tof\tSunset\tat\tthe\tend\tof\ta\tlong\tday\u2019s ride.\tThe\tyacht\twas\ta\tgleaming\twhite\tmonstrosity\twith\tfive\tdecks\tabove\tthe waterline,\tits\ttinted\tblack\twindows\tlike\telongated\tinsect\teyes.\tAs\twith\tall\tbig ships,\tit\twas\tdifficult\tto\tjudge\tits\tsize\tfrom\ta\tdistance,\tbut\tthe\tfact\tthat\tit\thad\ttwo onboard\thelicopters,\tone\taft\tand\tone\tforward,\tplus\ta\tsmall\tsubmarine\tlocked\tin\ta crane\ton\tthe\tstarboard\tside,\ttold\tme\tthis\twas\tnot\tan\taverage\tpleasure\tcraft. Perhaps\tthere\twere\tbigger\tyachts\tin\tthe\tmortal\tworld,\tbut\tI\tguessed\tnot\tmany. \u2018That\thas\tto\tbe\tit,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018What\tnow?\tYou\tthink\tit\twill\tdock?\u2019 \u2018Hold\ton,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\t\u2018Look.\u2019 Another\tyacht,\tidentical\tto\tthe\tfirst,\tresolved\tout\tof\tthe\tsunlight\tabout\ta\tmile to\tthe\tsouth. \u2018That\tmust\tbe\ta\tmirage,\tright?\u2019\tJason\tasked\tuneasily.\t\u2018Or\ta\tdecoy?\u2019 Meg\tgrunted\tin\tdismay,\tpointing\tout\tto\tsea\tyet\tagain. A\tthird\tyacht\tshimmered\tinto\texistence,\thalfway\tbetween\tthe\tfirst\ttwo. \u2018This\tis\tcrazy,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Each\tone\tof\tthose\tboats\thas\tto\tcost\tmillions.\u2019 \u2018Half\ta\tbillion,\u2019\tI\tcorrected.\t\u2018Or\tmore.\tCaligula\twas\tnever\tshy\tabout\tspending money.\tHe\tis\tpart\tof\tthe\tTriumvirate.\tThey\u2019ve\tbeen\taccumulating\twealth\tfor centuries.\u2019 Another\tyacht\tpopped\tonto\tthe\thorizon\tas\tif\tcoming\tout\tof\tsunshine\twarp, then\tanother.\tSoon\tthere\twere\tdozens\t\u2013\ta\tloose\tarmada\tstrung\tacross\tthe\tmouth","of\tthe\tharbour\tlike\ta\tstring\tbeing\tfitted\ton\ta\tbow. \u2018No\tway.\u2019\tPiper\trubbed\ther\teyes.\t\u2018This\thas\tto\tbe\tan\tillusion.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\tnot.\u2019\tMy\theart\tsank.\tI\u2019d\tseen\tthis\tsort\tof\tdisplay\tbefore. As\twe\twatched,\tthe\tline\tof\tsuper-yachts\tmanoeuvred\tcloser\ttogether, anchoring\tthemselves\tstern\tto\tbow,\tforming\ta\tglittering,\tfloating\tblockade\tfrom Sycamore\tCreek\tall\tthe\tway\tto\tthe\tmarina\t\u2013\ta\tmile\tlong\tat\tleast. \u2018The\tBridge\tof\tBoats,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018He\u2019s\tdone\tit\tagain.\u2019 \u2018Again?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. \u2018Caligula\t\u2013\tback\tin\tancient\ttimes.\u2019\tI\ttried\tto\tcontrol\tthe\tquavering\tin\tmy\tvoice. \u2018When\the\twas\ta\tboy,\the\treceived\ta\tprophecy.\tA\tRoman\tastrologer\ttold\thim\the had\tas\tmuch\tchance\tof\tbecoming\temperor\tas\the\tdid\tof\triding\ta\thorse\tacross\tthe Bay\tof\tBaiae.\tIn\tother\twords,\tit\twas\timpossible.\tBut\tCaligula\tdid\tbecome emperor.\tSo\the\tordered\tthe\tconstruction\tof\ta\tfleet\tof\tsuper-yachts\t\u2013\u2019\tI\tgestured feebly\tat\tthe\tarmada\tin\tfront\tof\tus\t\u2013\t\u2018like\tthis.\tHe\tlined\tthe\tboats\tup\tacross\tthe Bay\tof\tBaiae,\tforming\ta\tmassive\tbridge.\tThen\the\trode\tacross\tit\ton\this\thorse.\tIt was\tthe\tbiggest\tfloating\tconstruction\tproject\tever\tattempted.\tCaligula\tcouldn\u2019t even\tswim.\tThat\tdidn\u2019t\tfaze\thim.\tHe\twas\tdetermined\tto\tthumb\this\tnose\tat\tfate.\u2019 Piper\tsteepled\ther\thands\tover\ther\tmouth.\t\u2018The\tmortals\thave\tto\tsee\tthis,\tright? He\tcan\u2019t\tjust\tcut\toff\tall\tboat\ttraffic\tin\tand\tout\tof\tthe\tharbour.\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tthe\tmortals\tnotice,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Look.\u2019 Smaller\tboats\tbegan\tto\tgather\taround\tthe\tyachts,\tlike\tflies\tdrawn\tto\ta sumptuous\tfeast.\tI\tspotted\ttwo\tCoast\tGuard\tvessels,\tseveral\tlocal\tpolice\tboats and\tdozens\tof\tinflatable\tdinghies\twith\toutboard\tmotors,\tmanned\tby\tdark-clad men\twith\tguns\t\u2013\tthe\temperor\u2019s\tprivate\tsecurity,\tI\tguessed. \u2018They\u2019re\thelping,\u2019\tMeg\tmurmured,\ta\thard\tedge\tto\ther\tvoice.\t\u2018Even\tNero\tnever \u2026\tHe\tpaid\toff\tthe\tpolice,\thad\tlots\tof\tmercenaries,\tbut\the\tnever\tshowed\toff\tthis much.\u2019 Jason\tgripped\tthe\thilt\tof\this\tgladius.\t\u2018Where\tdo\twe\teven\tstart?\tHow\tdo\twe find\tCaligula\tin\tall\tof\tthat?\u2019 I\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tfind\tCaligula\tat\tall.\tI\twanted\tto\trun.\tThe\tidea\tof\tdeath, permanent\tdeath\twith\tfive\twhole\tletters\tand\ta\td\tat\tthe\tbeginning,\tsuddenly seemed\tvery\tclose.\tBut\tI\tcould\tfeel\tmy\tfriends\u2019\tconfidence\twavering.\tThey needed\ta\tplan,\tnot\ta\tscreaming,\tpanicking\tLester. I\tpointed\ttowards\tthe\tcentre\tof\tthe\tfloating\tbridge.\t\u2018We\tstart\tin\tthe\tmiddle\t\u2013 the\tweakest\tpoint\tof\ta\tchain.\u2019","25 All\tin\tthe\tsame\tboat\t Wait.\tTwo\tof\tus\tdisappeared.\t Half\tin\tthe\tsame\tboat Jason\tGrace\truined\tthat\tperfectly\tgood\tline. As\twe\tmarched\ttowards\tthe\tsurf,\the\tsidled\tup\tnext\tto\tme\tand\tmurmured,\t\u2018It\u2019s not\ttrue,\tyou\tknow.\tThe\tmiddle\tof\ta\tchain\thas\tthe\tsame\ttensile\tstrength\tas everywhere\telse,\tassuming\tforce\tis\tapplied\tequally\talong\tthe\tlinks.\u2019 I\tsighed.\t\u2018Are\tyou\tmaking\tup\tfor\tmissing\tyour\tphysics\tlecture?\tYou\tknow what\tI\tmeant!\u2019 \u2018I\tactually\tdon\u2019t,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018Why\tattack\tin\tthe\tmiddle?\u2019 \u2018Because\t\u2026\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow!\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018They\twon\u2019t\tbe\texpecting\tit?\u2019 Meg\tstopped\tat\tthe\twater\u2019s\tedge.\t\u2018Looks\tlike\tthey\u2019re\texpecting\tanything.\u2019 She\twas\tright.\tAs\tthe\tsunset\tfaded\tto\tpurple,\tthe\tyachts\tlit\tup\tlike\tgiant Faberg\u00e9\teggs.\tSpotlights\tswept\tthe\tsky\tand\tsea\tas\tif\tadvertising\tthe\tbiggest waterbed-mattress\tsale\tin\thistory.\tDozens\tof\tsmall\tpatrol\tboats\tcrisscrossed\tthe harbour,\tjust\tin\tcase\tany\tSanta\tBarbara\tlocals\t(Santa\tBarbarians?)\thad\tthe\tnerve to\ttry\tusing\ttheir\town\tcoast. I\twondered\tif\tCaligula\talways\thad\tthis\tmuch\tsecurity,\tor\tif\the\twas\texpecting us.\tBy\tnow\the\tcertainly\tknew\twe\u2019d\tblown\tup\tMacro\u2019s\tMilitary\tMadness.\tHe\u2019d also\tprobably\theard\tabout\tour\tfight\twith\tMedea\tin\tthe\tmaze,\tassuming\tthe sorceress\thad\tsurvived. Caligula\talso\thad\tthe\tSibyl\tof\tErythraea,\twhich\tmeant\the\thad\taccess\tto\tthe same\tinformation\tHerophile\thad\tgiven\tJason.\tThe\tSibyl\tmight\tnot\twant\tto\thelp an\tevil\temperor\twho\tkept\ther\tin\tmolten\tshackles,\tbut\tshe\tcouldn\u2019t\trefuse\tany earnest\tpetitioner\tposing\tdirect\tquestions.\tSuch\twas\tthe\tnature\tof\toracular\tmagic.","I\timagined\tthe\tbest\tshe\tcould\tdo\twas\tgive\ther\tanswers\tin\tthe\tform\tof\treally difficult\tcrossword-puzzle\tclues. Jason\tstudied\tthe\tsweep\tof\tthe\tsearchlights.\t\u2018I\tcould\tfly\tyou\tguys\tover,\tone\tat a\ttime.\tMaybe\tthey\twon\u2019t\tsee\tus.\u2019 \u2018I\tthink\twe\tshould\tavoid\tflying,\tif\tpossible,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018And\twe\tshould\tfind\ta\tway over\tthere\tbefore\tit\tgets\tmuch\tdarker.\u2019 Piper\tpushed\ther\twindblown\thair\tfrom\ther\tface.\t\u2018Why?\tDarkness\tgives\tus better\tcover.\u2019 \u2018Strixes,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018They\tbecome\tactive\tabout\tan\thour\tafter\tsundown.\u2019 \u2018Strixes?\u2019\tPiper\tasked. I\trecounted\tour\texperience\twith\tthe\tbirds\tof\tdoom\tin\tthe\tLabyrinth.\tMeg offered\thelpful\teditorial\tcomments\tlike\tyuck,\tuh-huh\tand\tApollo\u2019s\tfault. Piper\tshuddered.\t\u2018In\tCherokee\tstories,\towls\tare\tbad\tnews.\tThey\ttend\tto\tbe\tevil spirits\tor\tspying\tmedicine\tmen.\tIf\tthese\tstrixes\tare\tlike\tgiant\tbloodsucking\towls \u2026\tyeah,\tlet\u2019s\tnot\tmeet\tthem.\u2019 \u2018Agreed,\u2019\tJason\tsaid.\t\u2018But\thow\tdo\twe\tget\tto\tthe\tships?\u2019 Piper\tstepped\tinto\tthe\twaves.\t\u2018Maybe\twe\task\tfor\ta\tlift.\u2019 She\traised\ther\tarms\tand\twaved\tat\tthe\tnearest\tdinghy,\tabout\tfifty\tyards\tout,\tas it\tswept\tits\tlight\tacross\tthe\tbeach. \u2018Uh,\tPiper?\u2019\tJason\tasked. Meg\tsummoned\ther\tswords.\t\u2018It\u2019s\tfine.\tWhen\tthey\tget\tclose,\tI\u2019ll\ttake\tthem out.\u2019 I\tstared\tat\tmy\tyoung\tmaster.\t\u2018Meg,\tthose\tare\tmortals.\tFirst\tof\tall,\tyour\tswords will\tnot\twork\ton\tthem.\tSecond,\tthey\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand\twhom\tthey\u2019re\tworking for.\tWe\tcan\u2019t\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018They\u2019re\tworking\tfor\tthe\tB\u2013\tthe\tbad\tman,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018Caligula.\u2019 I\tnoticed\ther\tslip\tof\tthe\ttongue.\tI\thad\ta\tfeeling\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tabout\tto\tsay: working\tfor\tthe\tBeast. She\tput\taway\ther\tblades,\tbut\ther\tvoice\tremained\tcold\tand\tdetermined.\tI\thad\ta sudden\thorrible\timage\tof\tMcCaffrey\tthe\tAvenger\tassaulting\tthe\tboat\twith nothing\tbut\ther\tfists\tand\tpackets\tof\tgardening\tseeds. Jason\tlooked\tat\tme\tas\tif\tto\task,\tDo\tyou\tneed\tto\ttie\ther\tdown,\tor\tshould\tI? The\tdinghy\tveered\ttowards\tus.\tAboard\tsat\tthree\tmen\tin\tdark\tfatigues,\tKevlar vests,\tand\triot\thelmets.\tOne\tin\tthe\tback\toperated\tthe\toutboard\tmotor.\tOne\tin\tthe front\tmanned\tthe\tsearchlight.\tThe\tone\tin\tthe\tmiddle,\tno\tdoubt\tthe\tfriendliest,\thad an\tassault\trifle\tpropped\ton\this\tknee. Piper\twaved\tand\tsmiled\tat\tthem.\t\u2018Meg,\tdon\u2019t\tattack.\tI\u2019ve\tgot\tthis.\tAll\tof\tyou, give\tme\tsome\tspace\tto\twork,\tplease.\tI\tcan\tcharm\tthese\tguys\tbetter\tif\tyou\u2019re\tnot glowering\tbehind\tme.\u2019","This\twas\tnot\ta\tdifficult\trequest.\tThe\tthree\tof\tus\tbacked\taway,\tthough\tJason and\tI\thad\tto\tdrag\tMeg. \u2018Hello!\u2019\tPiper\tcalled\tas\tthe\tboat\tcame\tcloser.\t\u2018Don\u2019t\tshoot!\tWe\u2019re\tfriendly!\u2019 The\tboat\tran\taground\twith\tsuch\tspeed\tI\tthought\tit\tmight\tkeep\tdriving\tright onto\tCabrillo\tBoulevard.\tMr\tSearchlight\tjumped\tout\tfirst,\tsurprisingly\tagile\tfor\ta guy\tin\tbody\tarmour.\tMr\tAssault\tRifle\tfollowed,\tproviding\tcover\twhile\tMr Engine\tcut\tthe\toutboard\tmotor. Searchlight\tsized\tus\tup,\this\thand\ton\this\tsidearm.\t\u2018Who\tare\tyou?\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m\tPiper!\u2019\tsaid\tPiper.\t\u2018You\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tto\tcall\tthis\tin.\tAnd\tyou\tdefinitely don\u2019t\tneed\tto\ttrain\tthat\trifle\ton\tus!\u2019 Searchlight\u2019s\tface\tcontorted.\tHe\tstarted\tto\tmatch\tPiper\u2019s\tsmile,\tthen\tseemed\tto remember\tthat\this\tjob\trequired\thim\tto\tglower.\tAssault\tRifle\tdid\tnot\tlower\this gun.\tEngine\treached\tfor\this\twalkie-talkie. \u2018IDs,\u2019\tbarked\tSearchlight.\t\u2018All\tof\tyou.\u2019 Next\tto\tme,\tMeg\ttensed,\tready\tto\tbecome\tMcCaffrey\tthe\tAvenger.\tJason\ttried to\tlook\tinconspicuous,\tbut\this\tshirt\tcrackled\twith\tstatic\telectricity. \u2018Sure!\u2019\tPiper\tagreed.\t\u2018Although\tI\thave\ta\tmuch\tbetter\tidea.\tI\u2019m\tjust\tgoing\tto reach\tin\tmy\tpocket,\tokay?\tDon\u2019t\tget\texcited.\u2019 She\tpulled\tout\ta\twad\tof\tcash\t\u2013\tmaybe\ta\thundred\tdollars\ttotal.\tFor\tall\tI\tknew,\tit represented\tthe\tlast\tof\tthe\tMcLean\tfortune. \u2018My\tfriends\tand\tI\twere\ttalking,\u2019\tPiper\tcontinued,\t\u2018about\thow\thard\tyou\tguys work,\thow\tdifficult\tit\tmust\tbe\tpatrolling\tthe\tharbour!\tWe\twere\tsitting\tover\tthere at\tthat\tcaf\u00e9,\teating\tthese\tincredible\tfish\ttacos,\tand\twe\tthought,\tHey,\tthose\tguys deserve\ta\tbreak.\tWe\tshould\tbuy\tthem\tdinner!\u2019 Searchlight\u2019s\teyes\tseemed\tto\tbecome\tunmoored\tfrom\this\tbrain.\t\u2018Dinner\tbreak \u2026?\u2019 \u2018Absolutely!\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018You\tcan\tput\tdown\tthat\theavy\tgun,\ttoss\tthat\twalkie- talkie\taway.\tHeck,\tyou\tcan\tjust\tleave\teverything\twith\tus.\tWe\u2019ll\twatch\tit\twhile you\teat.\tGrilled\tsnapper,\thomemade\tcorn\ttortillas,\tseviche\tsalsa.\u2019\tShe\tglanced back\tat\tus.\t\u2018Amazing\tfood,\tright,\tguys?\u2019 We\tmumbled\tour\tassent. \u2018Yum,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\tShe\texcelled\tat\tone-syllable\tanswers. Assault\tRifle\tlowered\this\tgun.\t\u2018I\tcould\tuse\tsome\tfish\ttacos.\u2019 \u2018We\u2019ve\tbeen\tworking\thard,\u2019\tEngine\tagreed.\t\u2018We\tdeserve\ta\tdinner\tbreak.\u2019 \u2018Exactly!\u2019\tPiper\tpressed\tthe\tmoney\tinto\tSearchlight\u2019s\thand.\t\u2018Our\ttreat.\tThank you\tfor\tyour\tservice!\u2019 Searchlight\tstared\tat\tthe\twad\tof\tcash.\t\u2018But\twe\u2019re\treally\tnot\tsupposed\tto\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Eat\twith\tall\tthat\tgear\ton?\u2019\tPiper\tsuggested.\t\u2018You\u2019re\tabsolutely\tright.\tJust throw\tit\tall\tin\tthe\tboat\t\u2013\tthe\tKevlar,\tthe\tguns,\tyour\tphones.\tThat\u2019s\tright.\tGet","comfortable!\u2019 It\ttook\tseveral\tmore\tminutes\tof\tcajoling\tand\tlight-hearted\tbanter,\tbut\tfinally the\tthree\tmercenaries\thad\tstripped\tdown\tto\tjust\ttheir\tcommando\tpyjamas.\tThey thanked\tPiper,\tgave\ther\ta\thug\tfor\tgood\tmeasure,\tthen\tjogged\toff\tto\tassault\tthe beachside\tcaf\u00e9. As\tsoon\tas\tthey\twere\tgone,\tPiper\tstumbled\tinto\tJason\u2019s\tarms. \u2018Whoa,\tyou\tokay?\u2019\the\tasked. \u2018F-fine.\u2019\tShe\tpushed\taway\tawkwardly.\t\u2018Just\tharder\tcharming\ta\twhole\tgroup. I\u2019ll\tbe\tokay.\u2019 \u2018That\twas\timpressive,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Aphrodite\therself\tcould\tnot\thave\tdone\tbetter.\u2019 Piper\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tpleased\tby\tmy\tcomparison.\t\u2018We\tshould\thurry.\tThe\tcharm won\u2019t\tlast.\u2019 Meg\tgrunted.\t\u2018Still\twould\u2019ve\tbeen\teasier\tto\tkill\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Meg,\u2019\tI\tchided. \u2018\u2013\tto\tbeat\tthem\tunconscious,\u2019\tshe\tamended. \u2018Right.\u2019\tJason\tcleared\this\tthroat.\t\u2018Everybody\tin\tthe\tboat!\u2019 We\twere\tthirty\tyards\toffshore\twhen\twe\theard\tthe\tmercenaries\tshouting,\t\u2018Hey! Stop!\u2019\tThey\tran\tinto\tthe\tsurf,\tholding\thalf-eaten\tfish\ttacos\tand\tlooking\tconfused. Fortunately,\tPiper\thad\ttaken\tall\ttheir\tweapons\tand\tcommunications\tdevices. She\tgave\tthem\ta\tfriendly\twave\tand\tJason\tgunned\tthe\toutboard\tmotor. Jason,\tMeg\tand\tI\trushed\tto\tput\ton\tthe\tguards\u2019\tKevlar\tvests\tand\thelmets.\tThis left\tPiper\tin\tcivilian\tclothes,\tbut,\tsince\tshe\twas\tthe\tonly\tone\tcapable\tof\tbluffing her\tway\tthrough\ta\tconfrontation,\tshe\tlet\tus\thave\tall\tthe\tfun\tplaying\tdress-up. Jason\tmade\ta\tperfect\tmercenary.\tMeg\tlooked\tridiculous\t\u2013\ta\tlittle\tgirl swimming\tin\ther\tfather\u2019s\tKevlar.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tmuch\tbetter.\tThe\tbody\tarmour chafed\taround\tmy\tmiddle.\t(Curse\tyou,\tun-combat-worthy\tlove\thandles!)\tThe\triot helmet\twas\tas\thot\tas\tan\tEasy-Bake\toven,\tand\tthe\tvisor\tkept\tfalling\tdown, perhaps\tanxious\tto\thide\tmy\tacne-riddled\tface. We\ttossed\tthe\tguns\toverboard.\tThat\tmay\tsound\tfoolish,\tbut,\tas\tI\u2019ve\tsaid, firearms\tare\tfickle\tweapons\tin\tthe\thands\tof\tdemigods.\tThey\twould\twork\ton mortals,\tbut,\tno\tmatter\twhat\tMeg\tsaid,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tgo\taround\tmowing\tdown regular\thumans. I\thad\tto\tbelieve\tthat\tif\tthese\tmercenaries\ttruly\tunderstood\twhom\tthey\twere serving\tthey\ttoo\twould\tthrow\tdown\ttheir\tarms.\tSurely\thumans\twould\tnot\tblindly follow\tsuch\tan\tevil\tman\tof\ttheir\town\tfree\twill\t\u2013\tI\tmean,\texcept\tfor\tthe\tfew hundred\texceptions\tI\tcould\tthink\tof\tfrom\thuman\thistory\t\u2026\tBut\tnot\tCaligula! As\twe\tapproached\tthe\tyachts,\tJason\tslowed,\tmatching\tour\tspeed\tto\tthat\tof\tthe other\tpatrol\tvessels.","He\tangled\ttowards\tthe\tnearest\tyacht.\tUp\tclose,\tit\ttowered\tabove\tus\tlike\ta white\tsteel\tfortress.\tPurple\tand\tgold\trunning\tlights\tglowed\tjust\tbelow\tthe\twater\u2019s surface\tso\tthe\tvessel\tseemed\tto\tfloat\ton\tan\tethereal\tcloud\tof\tImperial\tRoman power.\tPainted\talong\tthe\tprow\tof\tthe\tship,\tin\tblack\tletters\ttaller\tthan\tme,\twas\tthe name\tIVLIA\tDRVSILLA\tXXVI. \u2018Julia\tDrusilla\tthe\tTwenty-Sixth,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Was\tshe\tan\tempress?\u2019 \u2018No,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018the\temperor\u2019s\tfavourite\tsister.\u2019 My\tchest\ttightened\tas\tI\tremembered\tthat\tpoor\tgirl\t\u2013\tso\tpretty,\tso\tagreeable,\tso incredibly\tout\tof\ther\tdepth.\tHer\tbrother\tCaligula\thad\tdoted\ton\ther,\tidolized\ther. When\the\tbecame\temperor,\the\tinsisted\tshe\tshare\this\tevery\tmeal,\twitness\this every\tdepraved\tspectacle,\tpartake\tin\tall\this\tviolent\trevels.\tShe\thad\tdied\tat twenty-two\t\u2013\tcrushed\tby\tthe\tsuffocating\tlove\tof\ta\tsociopath. \u2018She\twas\tprobably\tthe\tonly\tperson\tCaligula\tever\tcared\tabout,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018But why\tthis\tboat\tis\tnumbered\ttwenty-six,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u2019 \u2018Because\tthat\tone\tis\ttwenty-five.\u2019\tMeg\tpointed\tto\tthe\tnext\tship\tin\tline,\tits stern\tresting\ta\tfew\tfeet\tfrom\tour\tprow.\tSure\tenough,\tpainted\tacross\tthe\tback\twas IVLIA\tDRVSILLA\tXXV. \u2018I\tbet\tthe\tone\tbehind\tus\tis\tnumber\ttwenty-seven.\u2019 \u2018Fifty\tsuper-yachts,\u2019\tI\tmused,\t\u2018all\tnamed\tfor\tJulia\tDrusilla.\tYes,\tthat\tsounds like\tCaligula.\u2019 Jason\tscanned\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\thull.\tThere\twere\tno\tladders,\tno\thatches,\tno conveniently\tlabelled\tred\tbuttons:\tPRESS\tHERE\tFOR\tCALIGULA\u2019S\tSHOES! We\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tmuch\ttime.\tWe\thad\tmade\tit\tinside\tthe\tperimeter\tof\tpatrol vessels\tand\tsearchlights,\tbut\teach\tyacht\tsurely\thad\tsecurity\tcameras.\tIt\twouldn\u2019t be\tlong\tbefore\tsomeone\twondered\twhy\tour\tlittle\tdinghy\twas\tfloating\tbeside XXVI.\tAlso,\tthe\tmercenaries\twe\u2019d\tleft\ton\tthe\tbeach\twould\tbe\tdoing\ttheir\tbest\tto attract\ttheir\tcomrades\u2019\tattention.\tThen\tthere\twere\tthe\tflocks\tof\tstrixes\tthat\tI imagined\twould\tbe\twaking\tup\tany\tminute,\thungry\tand\talert\tfor\tany\tsign\tof disembowelable\tintruders. \u2018I\u2019ll\tfly\tyou\tguys\tup,\u2019\tJason\tdecided.\t\u2018One\tat\ta\ttime.\u2019 \u2018Me\tfirst,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018In\tcase\tsomeone\tneeds\tcharming.\u2019 Jason\tturned\tand\tlet\tPiper\tlock\ther\tarms\taround\this\tneck,\tas\tif\tthey\u2019d\tdone\tthis countless\ttimes\tbefore.\tThe\twinds\tkicked\tup\taround\tthe\tdinghy,\truffling\tmy\thair, and\tJason\tand\tPiper\tfloated\tup\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tyacht. Oh,\thow\tI\tenvied\tJason\tGrace!\tSuch\ta\tsimple\tthing\tit\twas\tto\tride\tthe\twinds. As\ta\tgod,\tI\tcould\thave\tdone\tit\twith\thalf\tmy\tmanifestations\ttied\tbehind\tmy\tback. Now,\tstuck\tin\tmy\tpathetic\tbody\tcomplete\twith\tlove\thandles,\tI\tcould\tonly\tdream of\tsuch\tfreedom. \u2018Hey.\u2019\tMeg\tnudged\tme.\t\u2018Focus.\u2019","I\tgave\ther\tan\tindignant\tharrumph.\t\u2018I\tam\tpure\tfocus.\tI\tmight,\thowever,\task where\tyour\thead\tis.\u2019 She\tscowled.\t\u2018What\tdo\tyou\tmean?\u2019 \u2018Your\trage,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018The\tnumber\tof\ttimes\tyou\u2019ve\ttalked\tabout\tkilling\tCaligula. Your\twillingness\tto\t\u2026\tbeat\this\tmercenaries\tunconscious.\u2019 \u2018They\u2019re\tthe\tenemy.\u2019 Her\ttone\twas\tas\tsharp\tas\tscimitars,\tgiving\tme\tfair\twarning\tthat\tif\tI\tcontinued with\tthis\ttopic,\tshe\tmight\tadd\tmy\tname\tto\ther\tBeat\tUnconscious\tlist. I\tdecided\tto\ttake\ta\tlesson\tfrom\tJason\t\u2013\tto\tnavigate\ttowards\tmy\ttarget\tat\ta slower,\tless\tdirect\tangle. \u2018Meg,\thave\tI\tever\ttold\tyou\tabout\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tI\tbecame\tmortal?\u2019 She\tpeered\tfrom\tunder\tthe\trim\tof\ther\tridiculously\tlarge\thelmet.\t\u2018You\tmessed up\tor\tsomething?\u2019 \u2018I\t\u2026\tYes.\tI\tmessed\tup.\tMy\tfather,\tZeus,\tkilled\tone\tof\tmy\tfavourite\tsons, Asclepius,\tfor\tbringing\tpeople\tback\tfrom\tthe\tdead\twithout\tpermission.\tLong story.\tThe\tpoint\tis\t\u2026\tI\twas\tfurious\twith\tZeus,\tbut\the\twas\ttoo\tpowerful\tand\tscary for\tme\tto\tfight.\tHe\twould\u2019ve\tvaporized\tme.\tSo\tI\ttook\tmy\trevenge\tout\tin\tanother way.\u2019 I\tpeered\tat\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\thull.\tI\tsaw\tno\tsign\tof\tJason\tor\tPiper.\tHopefully\tthat meant\tthey\thad\tfound\tCaligula\u2019s\tshoes\tand\twere\tjust\twaiting\tfor\ta\tclerk\tto\tbring them\ta\tpair\tin\tthe\tright\tsize. \u2018Anyway,\u2019\tI\tcontinued,\t\u2018I\tcouldn\u2019t\tkill\tZeus.\tSo\tI\tfound\tthe\tguys\twho\thad made\this\tlightning\tbolts,\tthe\tCyclopes.\tI\tkilled\tthem\tin\trevenge\tfor\tAsclepius. As\tpunishment,\tZeus\tmade\tme\tmortal.\u2019 Meg\tkicked\tme\tin\tthe\tshin. \u2018Ow!\u2019\tI\tyelped.\t\u2018What\twas\tthat\tfor?\u2019 \u2018For\tbeing\tdumb,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018Killing\tthe\tCyclopes\twas\tdumb.\u2019 I\twanted\tto\tprotest\tthat\tthis\thad\thappened\tthousands\tof\tyears\tago,\tbut\tI\tfeared it\tmight\tjust\tearn\tme\tanother\tkick. \u2018Yes,\u2019\tI\tagreed.\t\u2018It\twas\tdumb.\tBut\tmy\tpoint\tis\t\u2026\tI\twas\tprojecting\tmy\tanger onto\tsomeone\telse,\tsomeone\tsafer.\tI\tthink\tyou\tmight\tbe\tdoing\tthe\tsame\tthing now,\tMeg.\tYou\u2019re\traging\tat\tCaligula\tbecause\tit\u2019s\tsafer\tthan\traging\tat\tyour stepfather.\u2019 I\tbraced\tmy\tshins\tfor\tmore\tpain. Meg\tstared\tdown\tat\ther\tKevlar-coated\tchest.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tnot\twhat\tI\u2019m\tdoing.\u2019 \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tblame\tyou,\u2019\tI\thastened\tto\tadd.\t\u2018Anger\tis\tgood.\tIt\tmeans\tyou\u2019re making\tprogress.\tBut\tbe\taware\tthat\tyou\tmight\tbe\tangry\tright\tnow\tat\tthe\twrong person.\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\tyou\tcharging\tblindly\tinto\tbattle\tagainst\tthis\tparticular","emperor.\tAs\thard\tas\tit\tis\tto\tbelieve,\the\tis\teven\tmore\tdevious\tand\tdeadly\tthan Ne\u2013\tthe\tBeast.\u2019 She\tclenched\ther\tfists.\t\u2018I\ttold\tyou,\tI\u2019m\tnot\tdoing\tthat.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tYou don\u2019t\tget\tit.\u2019 \u2018You\u2019re\tright,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018What\tyou\thad\tto\tendure\tin\tNero\u2019s\thouse\t\u2026\tI\tcan\u2019t imagine.\tNo\tone\tshould\tsuffer\tlike\tthat,\tbut\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Shut\tup,\u2019\tshe\tsnapped. So,\tof\tcourse,\tI\tdid.\tThe\twords\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tplanning\tto\tsay\tavalanched\tback down\tmy\tthroat. \u2018You\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\u2019\tshe\tsaid\tagain.\t\u2018This\tCaligula\tguy\tdid\tplenty\tto\tmy\tdad\tand me.\tI\tcan\tbe\tmad\tat\thim\tif\tI\twant.\tI\u2019ll\tkill\thim\tif\tI\tcan.\tI\u2019ll\t\u2026\u2019\tShe\tfaltered,\tas\tif struck\tby\ta\tsudden\tthought.\t\u2018Where\u2019s\tJason?\tHe\tshould\tbe\tback\tby\tnow.\u2019 I\tglanced\tup.\tI\twould\thave\tscreamed\tif\tmy\tvoice\twere\tworking.\tTwo\tlarge dark\tfigures\tdropped\ttowards\tus\tin\ta\tcontrolled,\tsilent\tdescent\ton\twhat\tappeared to\tbe\tparasails.\tThen\tI\trealized\tthose\twere\tnot\tparasails\t\u2013\tthey\twere\tgiant\tears. In\tan\tinstant,\tthe\tcreatures\twere\tupon\tus.\tThey\tlanded\tgracefully\ton\teither\tend\tof our\tdinghy,\ttheir\tears\tfolding\taround\tthem,\ttheir\tswords\tat\tour\tthroats. The\tcreatures\tlooked\tvery\tmuch\tlike\tthe\tBig\tEar\tguard\tPiper\thad\thit\twith\ther dart\tat\tthe\tentrance\tto\tthe\tBurning\tMaze,\texcept\tthese\twere\tolder\tand\thad\tblack fur.\tTheir\tblades\twere\tblunt-tipped\twith\tserrated\tdouble\tedges,\tequally\tsuited\tfor bashing\tor\thacking.\tWith\ta\tjolt,\tI\trecognized\tthe\tweapons\tas\tkhandas,\tfrom\tthe Indian\tsubcontinent.\tI\twould\thave\tbeen\tpleased\twith\tmyself\tfor\tremembering such\tan\tobscure\tfact,\thad\tI\tnot\tat\tthat\tmoment\thad\ta\tkhanda\u2019s\tserrated\tedge across\tmy\tjugular\tvein. Then\tI\thad\tanother\tflash\tof\trecollection.\tI\tremembered\tone\tof\tDionysus\u2019s many\tdrunken\tstories\tabout\this\tmilitary\tcampaigns\tin\tIndia\t\u2013\thow\the\thad\tcome across\ta\tvicious\ttribe\tof\tdemi-humans\twith\teight\tfingers,\thuge\tears\tand\tfurry faces.\tWhy\tcouldn\u2019t\tI\thave\tthought\tof\tthat\tsooner?\tWhat\thad\tDionysus\ttold\tme about\tthem\t\u2026?\tAh,\tyes.\tHis\texact\twords\twere:\tNever,\tever\ttry\tto\tfight\tthem. \u2018You\u2019re\tpandai,\u2019\tI\tmanaged\tto\tcroak.\t\u2018That\u2019s\twhat\tyour\trace\tis\tcalled.\u2019 The\tone\tnext\tto\tme\tbared\this\tbeautiful\twhite\tteeth.\t\u2018Indeed!\tNow\tbe\tnice\tlittle prisoners\tand\tcome\talong.\tOtherwise\tyour\tfriends\tare\tdead.\u2019","26 Oh,\tFlorence\tand\tGrunk\t La-di-da,\tsomething,\tsomething\t I\u2019ll\tget\tback\tto\tyou Perhaps\tJason,\tthe\tphysics\texpert,\tcould\texplain\tto\tme\thow\tpandai\tflew.\tI\tdidn\u2019t get\tit.\tSomehow,\teven\twhile\tcarrying\tus,\tour\tcaptors\tmanaged\tto\tlaunch themselves\tskyward\twith\tnothing\tbut\tthe\tflapping\tof\ttheir\ttremendous\tlobes.\tI wished\tHermes\tcould\tsee\tthem.\tHe\twould\tnever\tagain\tbrag\tabout\tbeing\table\tto wiggle\this\tears. The\tpandai\tdropped\tus\tunceremoniously\ton\tthe\tstarboard\tdeck,\twhere\ttwo more\tof\ttheir\tkind\theld\tJason\tand\tPiper\tat\tarrow-point.\tOne\tof\tthose\tguards appeared\tsmaller\tand\tyounger\tthan\tthe\tothers,\twith\twhite\tfur\tinstead\tof\tblack. Judging\tfrom\tthe\tsour\tlook\ton\this\tface,\tI\tguessed\the\twas\tthe\tsame\tguy\tPiper\thad shot\tdown\twith\tGrandpa\tTom\u2019s\tspecial\trecipe\tin\tdowntown\tLos\tAngeles. Our\tfriends\twere\ton\ttheir\tknees,\ttheir\thands\tzip-tied\tbehind\ttheir\tbacks,\ttheir weapons\tconfiscated.\tJason\thad\ta\tblack\teye.\tThe\tside\tof\tPiper\u2019s\thead\twas\tmatted with\tblood. I\trushed\tto\ther\taid\t(being\tthe\tgood\tperson\tI\twas)\tand\tpoked\tat\ther\tcranium, trying\tto\tdetermine\tthe\textent\tof\ther\tinjury. \u2018Ow,\u2019\tshe\tmuttered,\tpulling\taway.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tfine.\u2019 \u2018You\tcould\thave\ta\tconcussion,\u2019\tI\tsaid. Jason\tsighed\tmiserably.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tsupposed\tto\tbe\tmy\tjob.\tI\u2019m\talways\tthe\tone who\tgets\tknocked\tin\tthe\thead.\tSorry,\tguys.\tThings\tdidn\u2019t\texactly\tgo\tas\tplanned.\u2019 The\tlargest\tguard,\twho\thad\tcarried\tme\taboard,\tcackled\twith\tglee.\t\u2018The\tgirl tried\tto\tcharmspeak\tus!\tPandai,\twho\thear\tevery\tnuance\tof\tspeech!\tThe\tboy\ttried","to\tfight\tus!\tPandai,\twho\ttrain\tfrom\tbirth\tto\tmaster\tevery\tweapon!\tNow\tyou\twill all\tdie!\u2019 \u2018Die!\tDie!\u2019\tbarked\tthe\tother\tpandai,\tthough\tI\tnoticed\tthe\twhite-furred youngster\tdid\tnot\tjoin\tin.\tHe\tmoved\tstiffly,\tas\tif\this\tpoison-darted\tleg\tstill bothered\thim. Meg\tglanced\tfrom\tenemy\tto\tenemy,\tprobably\tgauging\thow\tfast\tshe\tcould\ttake them\tall\tdown.\tThe\tarrows\tpointed\tat\tJason\tand\tPiper\u2019s\tchests\tmade\tfor\ttricky calculations. \u2018Meg,\tdon\u2019t,\u2019\tJason\twarned.\t\u2018These\tguys\t\u2013\tthey\u2019re\tridiculously\tgood.\tAnd fast.\u2019 \u2018Fast!\tFast!\u2019\tthe\tpandai\tbarked\tin\tagreement. I\tscanned\tthe\tdeck.\tNo\tadditional\tguards\twere\trunning\ttowards\tus,\tno searchlights\twere\ttrained\ton\tour\tposition.\tNo\thorns\tblared.\tSomewhere\tinside the\tboat,\tgentle\tmusic\tplayed\t\u2013\tnot\tthe\tsort\tof\tsoundtrack\tone\tmight\texpect during\tan\tincursion. The\tpandai\thad\tnot\traised\ta\tgeneral\talarm.\tDespite\ttheir\tthreats,\tthey\thad\tnot yet\tkilled\tus.\tThey\u2019d\teven\tgone\tto\tthe\ttrouble\tof\tzip-tying\tPiper\u2019s\tand\tJason\u2019s hands.\tWhy? I\tturned\tto\tthe\tlargest\tguard.\t\u2018Good\tsir,\tare\tyou\tthe\tpanda\tin\tcharge?\u2019 He\thissed.\t\u2018The\tsingular\tform\tis\tpandos.\tI\thate\tbeing\tcalled\ta\tpanda.\tDo\tI look\tlike\ta\tpanda?\u2019 I\tdecided\tnot\tto\tanswer\tthat.\t\u2018Well,\tMr\tPandos\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018My\tname\tis\tAmax,\u2019\the\tsnapped. \u2018Of\tcourse.\tAmax.\u2019\tI\tstudied\this\tmajestic\tears,\tthen\thazarded\tan\teducated guess.\t\u2018I\timagine\tyou\thate\tpeople\teavesdropping\ton\tyou.\u2019 Amax\u2019s\tfurry\tblack\tnose\ttwitched.\t\u2018Why\tdo\tyou\tsay\tthis?\tWhat\tdid\tyou overhear?\u2019 \u2018Nothing!\u2019\tI\tassured\thim.\t\u2018But\tI\tbet\tyou\thave\tto\tbe\tcareful.\tAlways\tother people,\tother\tpandai\tsnooping\tinto\tyour\tbusiness.\tThat\u2019s\t\u2013\tthat\u2019s\twhy\tyou haven\u2019t\traised\tan\talarm\tyet.\tYou\tknow\twe\u2019re\timportant\tprisoners.\tYou\twant\tto keep\tcontrol\tof\tthe\tsituation,\twithout\tanyone\telse\ttaking\tthe\tcredit\tfor\tyour\tgood work.\u2019 The\tother\tpandai\tgrumbled. \u2018Vector,\ton\tboat\ttwenty-five,\tis\talways\tspying,\u2019\tthe\tdark-furred\tarcher muttered. \u2018Taking\tcredit\tfor\tour\tideas,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tsecond\tarcher.\t\u2018Like\tKevlar\tear\tarmour.\u2019 \u2018Exactly!\u2019\tI\tsaid,\ttrying\tto\tignore\tPiper,\twho\twas\tincredulously\tmouthing\tthe words\tKevlar\tear\tarmour?\t\u2018Which\tis\twhy,\tuh,\tbefore\tyou\tdo\tanything\trash, you\u2019re\tgoing\tto\twant\tto\thear\twhat\tI\thave\tto\tsay.\tIn\tprivate.\u2019","Amax\tsnorted.\t\u2018Ha!\u2019 His\tcomrades\techoed\thim:\t\u2018HA-HA!\u2019 \u2018You\tjust\tlied,\u2019\tAmax\tsaid.\t\u2018I\tcould\thear\tit\tin\tyour\tvoice.\tYou\u2019re\tafraid.\tYou\u2019re bluffing.\tYou\thave\tnothing\tto\tsay.\u2019 \u2018I\tdo,\u2019\tMeg\tcountered.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tNero\u2019s\tstepdaughter.\u2019 Blood\trushed\tinto\tAmax\u2019s\tears\tso\trapidly\tI\twas\tsurprised\the\tdidn\u2019t\tfaint. The\tshocked\tarchers\tlowered\ttheir\tweapons. \u2018Timbre!\tCrest!\u2019\tAmax\tsnapped.\t\u2018Keep\tthose\tarrows\tsteady!\u2019\tHe\tglowered\tat Meg.\t\u2018You\tseem\tto\tbe\ttelling\tthe\ttruth.\tWhat\tis\tNero\u2019s\tstepdaughter\tdoing\there?\u2019 \u2018Looking\tfor\tCaligula,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\t\u2018So\tI\tcan\tkill\thim.\u2019 The\tpandai\u2019s\tears\trippled\tin\talarm.\tJason\tand\tPiper\tlooked\tat\teach\tother\tas\tif thinking\tWelp.\tNow\twe\tdie. Amax\tnarrowed\this\teyes.\t\u2018You\tsay\tyou\tare\tfrom\tNero.\tYet\tyou\twant\tto\tkill our\tmaster.\tThis\tdoes\tnot\tmake\tsense.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\ta\tjuicy\tstory,\u2019\tI\tpromised.\t\u2018With\tlots\tof\tsecrets,\ttwists,\tand\tturns.\tBut\tif you\tkill\tus\tyou\u2019ll\tnever\thear\tit.\tIf\tyou\ttake\tus\tto\tthe\temperor,\tsomeone\telse\twill torture\tit\tout\tof\tus.\tWe\twould\tgladly\ttell\tyou\teverything.\tYou\tcaptured\tus,\tafter all.\tBut\tisn\u2019t\tthere\tsomewhere\tmore\tprivate\twe\tcan\ttalk,\tso\tno\tone\twill overhear?\u2019 Amax\tglanced\ttowards\tthe\tship\u2019s\tbow,\tas\tif\tVector\tmight\talready\tbe\tlistening in.\t\u2018You\tseem\tto\tbe\ttelling\tthe\ttruth,\tbut\tthere\u2019s\tso\tmuch\tweakness\tand\tfear\tin your\tvoice\tthat\tit\u2019s\thard\tto\tbe\tsure.\u2019 \u2018Uncle\tAmax.\u2019\tThe\twhite-haired\tpandos\tspoke\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime.\t\u2018Perhaps\tthe pimply\tboy\thas\ta\tpoint.\tIf\tit\u2019s\tvaluable\tinformation\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Silence,\tCrest!\u2019\tsnapped\tAmax.\t\u2018You\u2019ve\talready\tdisgraced\tyourself\tonce\tthis week.\u2019 The\tpandos\tleader\tpulled\tmore\tzip\tties\tfrom\this\tbelt.\t\u2018Timbre,\tPeak,\tbind\tthe pimply\tboy\tand\tthe\tstepdaughter\tof\tNero.\tWe\twill\ttake\tthem\tall\tbelow, interrogate\tthem\tourselves\tand\tthen\thand\tthem\tover\tto\tthe\temperor!\u2019 \u2018Yes!\tYes!\u2019\tbarked\tTimbre\tand\tPeak. So\tit\twas\tthat\tthree\tpowerful\tdemigods\tand\tone\tformer\tmajor\tOlympian\tgod were\tled\tas\tprisoners\tinto\ta\tsuper-yacht\tby\tfour\tfuzzy\tcreatures\twith\tears\tthe\tsize of\tsatellite\tdishes.\tNot\tmy\tfinest\thour. Since\tI\thad\treached\tpeak\thumiliation,\tI\tassumed\tZeus\twould\tpick\tthat moment\tto\trecall\tme\tto\tthe\theavens\tand\tthe\tother\tgods\twould\tspend\tthe\tnext hundred\tyears\tlaughing\tat\tme. But\tno.\tI\tremained\tfully\tand\tpathetically\tLester. The\tguards\thustled\tus\tto\tthe\taft\tdeck,\twhich\tfeatured\tsix\thot\ttubs,\ta multicoloured\tfountain\tand\ta\tflashing\tgold\tand\tpurple\tdance\tfloor\tjust\twaiting","for\tparty-goers\tto\tarrive. Affixed\tto\tthe\tstern,\ta\tred-carpeted\tramp\tjutted\tacross\tthe\twater,\tconnecting our\tboat\tto\tthe\tprow\tof\tthe\tnext\tyacht.\tI\tguessed\tall\tthe\tboats\twere\tlinked\tthis way,\tmaking\ta\troad\tacross\tSanta\tBarbara\tHarbor,\tjust\tin\tcase\tCaligula\tdecided\tto do\ta\tgolf-cart\tdrive-through. Rising\tamidships,\tthe\tupper\tdecks\tgleamed\twith\tdark-tinted\twindows\tand white\twalls.\tFar\tabove,\tthe\tconning\ttower\tsprouted\tradar\tdishes,\tsatellite antennae\tand\ttwo\tbillowing\tpennants:\tone\twith\tthe\timperial\teagle\tof\tRome,\tthe other\twith\ta\tgolden\ttriangle\ton\ta\tfield\tof\tpurple,\twhich\tI\tsupposed\twas\tthe\tlogo for\tTriumvirate\tHoldings. Two\tmore\tguards\tflanked\tthe\theavy\toak\tdoors\tthat\tled\tinside.\tThe\tguy\ton\tthe left\tlooked\tlike\ta\tmortal\tmercenary,\twith\tthe\tsame\tblack\tpyjamas\tand\tbody armour\tas\tthe\tgentlemen\twe\u2019d\tsent\ton\tthe\twild\tfish-taco\tchase.\tThe\tguy\ton\tthe right\twas\ta\tCyclops\t(the\thuge\tsingle\teye\tgave\thim\taway).\tHe\talso\tsmelled\tlike\ta Cyclops\t(wet\twool\tsocks)\tand\tdressed\tlike\ta\tCyclops\t(denim\tcut-offs,\ttorn\tblack T-shirt\tand\ta\tlarge\twooden\tclub). The\thuman\tmercenary\tfrowned\tat\tour\tmerry\tband\tof\tcaptors\tand\tprisoners. \u2018What\u2019s\tall\tthis?\u2019\the\tasked. \u2018Not\tyour\tconcern,\tFlorence,\u2019\tAmax\tgrowled.\t\u2018Let\tus\tthrough!\u2019 Florence?\tI\tmight\thave\tsnickered,\texcept\tFlorence\tweighed\tthree\thundred pounds,\thad\tknife\tscars\tacross\this\tface\tand\tstill\thad\ta\tbetter\tname\tthan\tLester Papadopoulos. \u2018Regulations,\u2019\tFlorence\tsaid.\t\u2018You\tgot\tprisoners,\tI\thave\tto\tcall\tit\tin.\u2019 \u2018Not\tyet,\tyou\twon\u2019t.\u2019\tAmax\tspread\this\tears\tlike\tthe\thood\tof\ta\tcobra.\t\u2018This\tis my\tship.\tI\u2019ll\ttell\tyou\twhen\tto\tcall\tit\tin\t\u2013\tafter\twe\tinterrogate\tthese\tintruders.\u2019 Florence\tfrowned\tat\this\tCyclops\tpartner.\t\u2018What\tdo\tyou\tthink,\tGrunk?\u2019 Now,\tGrunk\t\u2013\tthat\twas\ta\tgood\tCyclops\tname.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tif\tFlorence realized\the\twas\tworking\twith\ta\tCyclops.\tThe\tMist\tcould\tbe\tunpredictable.\tBut\tI immediately\tformulated\tthe\tpremise\tfor\tan\taction-adventure\tbuddy-comedy series,\tFlorence\tand\tGrunk.\tIf\tI\tsurvived\tcaptivity,\tI\u2019d\thave\tto\tmention\tit\tto Piper\u2019s\tfather.\tPerhaps\the\tcould\thelp\tme\tschedule\tsome\tlunches\tand\tpitch\tthe idea.\tOh,\tgods\t\u2026\tI\thad\tbeen\tin\tSouthern\tCalifornia\ttoo\tlong. Grunk\tshrugged.\t\u2018It\u2019s\tAmax\u2019s\tears\ton\tthe\tline\tif\tthe\tboss\tgets\tmad.\u2019 \u2018Okay.\u2019\tFlorence\twaved\tus\tthrough.\t\u2018You\tall\thave\tfun.\u2019 I\thad\tlittle\ttime\tto\tappreciate\tthe\topulent\tinterior\t\u2013\tthe\tsolid-gold\tfixtures,\tthe luxurious\tPersian\tcarpets,\tthe\tmillion-dollar\tworks\tof\tart,\tthe\tplush\tpurple furniture\tI\twas\tpretty\tsure\thad\tcome\tfrom\tPrince\u2019s\testate\tsale. We\tsaw\tno\tother\tguards\tor\tcrew,\twhich\tseemed\tstrange.\tThen\tagain,\tI supposed\tthat,\teven\twith\tCaligula\u2019s\tresources,\tfinding\tenough\tpersonnel\tto\tman","fifty\tsuper-yachts\tat\tonce\tmight\tbe\tdifficult. As\twe\twalked\tthrough\ta\twalnut-panelled\tlibrary\thung\twith\tmasterpiece paintings,\tPiper\tcaught\ther\tbreath.\tShe\tpointed\ther\tchin\ttowards\ta\tJoan\tMir\u00f3 abstraction. \u2018That\tcame\tfrom\tmy\tdad\u2019s\thouse,\u2019\tshe\tsaid. \u2018When\twe\tget\tout\tof\there,\u2019\tJason\tmuttered,\t\u2018we\u2019ll\ttake\tit\twith\tus.\u2019 \u2018I\theard\tthat.\u2019\tPeak\tjabbed\this\tsword\thilt\tinto\tJason\u2019s\tribs. Jason\tstumbled\tagainst\tPiper,\twho\tstumbled\tinto\ta\tPicasso.\tSeeing\tan opportunity,\tMeg\tsurged\tforward,\tapparently\tmeaning\tto\ttackle\tAmax\twith\tall one\thundred\tpounds\tof\ther\tweight.\tBefore\tshe\ttook\ttwo\tsteps,\tan\tarrow\tsprouted from\tthe\tcarpet\tat\ther\tfeet. \u2018Don\u2019t,\u2019\tsaid\tTimbre.\tHis\tvibrating\tbowstring\twas\tthe\tonly\tevidence\the\u2019d made\tthe\tshot.\tHe\thad\tdrawn\tand\tfired\tso\tfast\teven\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tbelieve\tit. Meg\tbacked\taway.\t\u2018Fine.\tJeez.\u2019 The\tpandai\therded\tus\tinto\ta\tforward\tlounge.\tAlong\tthe\tfront\twrapped\ta\tone- hundred-and-eighty-degree\tglass\twall\toverlooking\tthe\tprow.\tOff\tto\tstarboard,\tthe lights\tof\tSanta\tBarbara\ttwinkled.\tIn\tfront\tof\tus,\tyachts\ttwenty-five\tto\tone\tmade\ta glittering\tnecklace\tof\tamethyst,\tgold\tand\tplatinum\tacross\tthe\tdark\twater. The\tsheer\textravagance\tof\tit\tall\thurt\tmy\tbrain,\tand\tnormally\tI\twas\tall\tabout extravagance. The\tpandai\tarranged\tfour\tplush\tchairs\tin\ta\trow\tand\tshoved\tus\tinto\tthem.\tAs interrogation\trooms\twent,\tit\twasn\u2019t\tbad.\tPeak\tpaced\tbehind\tus,\tsword\tat\tthe ready\tin\tcase\tanyone\trequired\tdecapitation.\tTimbre\tand\tCrest\tlurked\ton\teither flank,\ttheir\tbows\tdown,\tbut\tarrows\tnocked.\tAmax\tpulled\tup\ta\tchair\tand\tsat facing\tus,\tspreading\this\tears\taround\thim\tlike\ta\tking\u2019s\trobe. \u2018This\tplace\tis\tprivate,\u2019\the\tannounced.\t\u2018Talk.\u2019 \u2018First,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018I\tmust\tknow\twhy\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tfollowers\tof\tApollo.\tSuch\tgreat archers?\tThe\tfinest\thearing\tin\tthe\tworld?\tEight\tfingers\ton\teach\thand?\tYou\twould be\tnatural\tmusicians!\tWe\tseem\tmade\tfor\teach\tother!\u2019 Amax\tstudied\tme.\t\u2018You\tare\tthe\tformer\tgod,\teh?\tThey\ttold\tus\tabout\tyou.\u2019 \u2018I\tam\tApollo,\u2019\tI\tconfirmed.\t\u2018It\u2019s\tnot\ttoo\tlate\tto\tpledge\tme\tyour\tloyalty.\u2019 Amax\u2019s\tmouth\tquivered.\tI\thoped\the\twas\ton\tthe\tverge\tof\tcrying,\tperhaps throwing\thimself\tat\tmy\tfeet\tand\tbegging\tmy\tforgiveness. Instead,\the\thowled\twith\tlaughter.\t\u2018What\tdo\twe\tneed\twith\tOlympian\tgods? Especially\tgods\twho\tare\tpimply\tboys\twith\tno\tpower?\u2019 \u2018But\tthere\u2019s\tso\tmuch\tI\tcould\tteach\tyou!\u2019\tI\tinsisted.\t\u2018Music!\tPoetry!\tI\tcould teach\tyou\thow\tto\twrite\thaikus!\u2019 Jason\tlooked\tat\tme\tand\tshook\this\thead\tvigorously,\tthough\tI\thad\tno\tidea\twhy.","\u2018Music\tand\tpoetry\thurt\tour\tears,\u2019\tAmax\tcomplained.\t\u2018We\thave\tno\tneed\tof them!\u2019 \u2018I\tlike\tmusic,\u2019\tCrest\tmurmured,\tflexing\this\tfingers.\t\u2018I\tcan\tplay\ta\tlittle\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Silence!\u2019\tAmax\tyelled.\t\u2018You\tcan\tplay\tsilence\tfor\tonce,\tworthless\tnephew!\u2019 Aha,\tI\tthought.\tEven\tamong\tthe\tpandai\tthere\twere\tfrustrated\tmusicians.\tAmax suddenly\treminded\tme\tof\tmy\tfather,\tZeus,\twhen\the\tcame\tstorming\tdown\tthe hallway\ton\tMount\tOlympus\t(literally\tstorming,\twith\tthunder,\tlightning\tand torrential\train)\tand\tordered\tme\tto\tstop\tplaying\tmy\tinfernal\tzither\tmusic.\tA\ttotally unfair\tdemand.\tEveryone\tknows\t2:00\ta.m.\tis\tthe\toptimal\ttime\tto\tpractise\tthe zither. I\tmight\thave\tbeen\table\tto\tsway\tCrest\tto\tour\tside\t\u2026\tif\tonly\tI\u2019d\thad\tmore\ttime. And\tif\the\tweren\u2019t\tin\tthe\tcompany\tof\tthree\tolder\tand\tlarger\tpandai.\tAnd\tif\twe hadn\u2019t\tstarted\tour\tacquaintance\twith\tPiper\tshooting\thim\tin\tthe\tleg\twith\ta poisoned\tdart. Amax\treclined\tin\this\tcushy\tpurple\tthrone.\t\u2018We\tpandai\tare\tmercenaries.\tWe choose\tour\tmasters.\tWhy\twould\twe\tpick\ta\twashed-up\tgod\tlike\tyou?\tOnce,\twe served\tthe\tkings\tof\tIndia!\tNow\twe\tserve\tCaligula!\u2019 \u2018Caligula!\tCaligula!\u2019\tTimbre\tand\tPeak\tcried.\tAgain,\tCrest\twas\tconspicuously quiet,\tfrowning\tat\this\tbow. \u2018The\temperor\ttrusts\tonly\tus!\u2019\tTimbre\tbragged. \u2018Yes,\u2019\tPeak\tagreed.\t\u2018Unlike\tthose\tGermani,\twe\tnever\tstabbed\thim\tto\tdeath!\u2019 I\twanted\tto\tpoint\tout\tthat\tthis\twas\ta\tfairly\tlow\tbar\tfor\tloyalty,\tbut\tMeg interrupted. \u2018The\tnight\tis\tyoung,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018We\tcould\tall\tstab\thim\ttogether.\u2019 Amax\tsneered.\t\u2018I\tam\tstill\twaiting,\tdaughter\tof\tNero,\tto\thear\tyour\tjuicy\tstory about\twhy\tyou\twish\tto\tkill\tour\tmaster.\tYou\u2019d\tbetter\thave\tgood\tinformation.\tAnd lots\tof\ttwists\tand\tturns!\tConvince\tme\tyou\tare\tworth\tbringing\tto\tCaesar\talive, rather\tthan\tas\tdead\tbodies,\tand\tperhaps\tI\u2019ll\tget\ta\tpromotion\ttonight!\tI\twill\tnot\tbe passed\tover\tagain\tfor\tsome\tidiot\tlike\tOverdrive\ton\tboat\tthree,\tor\tWah-Wah\ton boat\tforty-three.\u2019 \u2018Wah-Wah?\u2019\tPiper\tmade\ta\tsound\tbetween\ta\thiccup\tand\ta\tgiggle,\twhich\tmay have\tbeen\tthe\teffect\tof\ther\tbashed\thead.\t\u2018Are\tyou\tguys\tall\tnamed\tafter\tguitar pedals?\tMy\tdad\thas\ta\tcollection\tof\tthose.\tWell\t\u2026\the\thad\ta\tcollection.\u2019 Amax\tscowled.\t\u2018Guitar\tpedals?\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tthat\tmeans!\tIf\tyou\tare making\tfun\tof\tour\tculture\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Hey,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\t\u2018You\twanna\thear\tmy\tstory\tor\tnot?\u2019 We\tall\tturned\tto\ther. \u2018Um,\tMeg\t\u2026?\u2019\tI\tasked.\t\u2018Are\tyou\tsure?\u2019","The\tpandai\tno\tdoubt\tpicked\tup\ton\tmy\tnervous\ttone,\tbut\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\tit. First\tof\tall,\tI\thad\tno\tidea\twhat\tMeg\tcould\tpossibly\tsay\tthat\twould\tincrease\tour chances\tof\tsurvival.\tSecond,\tknowing\tMeg,\tshe\twould\tsay\tit\tin\tten\twords\tor\tless. Then\twe\u2019d\tall\tbe\tdead. \u2018I\tgot\ttwists\tand\tturns.\u2019\tShe\tnarrowed\ther\teyes.\t\u2018But\tare\tyou\tsure\twe\u2019re\talone, Mr\tAmax?\tNo\tone\telse\tis\tlistening?\u2019 \u2018Of\tcourse\tnot!\u2019\tsaid\tAmax.\t\u2018This\tship\tis\tmy\tbase.\tThat\tglass\tis\tfully soundproofed.\u2019\tHe\tgestured\tdismissively\tat\tthe\tship\tin\tfront\tof\tus.\t\u2018Vector\twon\u2019t hear\ta\tword!\u2019 \u2018What\tabout\tWah-Wah?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.\t\u2018I\tknow\the\u2019s\ton\tboat\tforty-three\twith\tthe emperor,\tbut\tif\this\tspies\tare\tnearby\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Ridiculous!\u2019\tAmax\tsaid.\t\u2018The\temperor\tisn\u2019t\ton\tboat\tforty-three!\u2019 Timbre\tand\tPeak\tsnickered. \u2018Boat\tforty-three\tis\tthe\temperor\u2019s\tfootwear\tboat,\tsilly\tgirl,\u2019\tsaid\tPeak.\t\u2018An important\tassignment,\tyes,\tbut\tnot\tthe\tthrone-room\tboat.\u2019 \u2018Right,\u2019\tTimbre\tsaid.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tReverb\u2019s\tboat,\tnumber\ttwelve\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Silence!\u2019\tAmax\tsnapped.\t\u2018Enough\tdelays,\tgirl.\tTell\tme\twhat\tyou\tknow,\tor die.\u2019 \u2018Okay,\u2019\tMeg\tleaned\tforward\tas\tif\tto\timpart\ta\tsecret.\t\u2018Twists\tand\tturns.\u2019 Her\thands\tshot\tforward,\tsuddenly\tand\tinexplicably\tfree\tof\tthe\tzip\ttie.\tHer rings\tflashed\tas\tshe\tthrew\tthem,\tturning\tinto\tscimitars\tas\tthey\thurtled\ttowards Amax\tand\tPeak.","27 I\tcan\tkill\tyou\tall\t Or\tI\tcan\tsing\tyou\tJoe\tWalsh\t Really,\tit\u2019s\tyour\tchoice The\tchildren\tof\tDemeter\tare\tall\tabout\tflowers.\tAmber\twaves\tof\tgrain.\tFeeding the\tworld\tand\tnurturing\tlife. They\talso\texcel\tat\tplanting\tscimitars\tin\tthe\tchests\tof\ttheir\tenemies. Meg\u2019s\tImperial\tgold\tblades\tfound\ttheir\ttargets.\tOne\thit\tAmax\twith\tsuch\tforce he\texploded\tin\ta\tcloud\tof\tyellow\tdust.\tThe\tother\tcut\tthrough\tPeak\u2019s\tbow, embedding\titself\tin\this\tsternum\tand\tcausing\thim\tto\tdisintegrate\tinward\tlike\tsand through\tan\thourglass. Crest\tfired\this\tbow.\tFortunately\tfor\tme,\this\taim\twas\toff.\tThe\tarrow\tbuzzed past\tmy\tface,\tthe\tfletching\tscraping\tmy\tchin,\tand\timpaled\titself\tin\tmy\tchair. Piper\tkicked\tback\tin\ther\tseat,\tknocking\tinto\tTimbre\tso\this\tsword\tswing\twent wild.\tBefore\the\tcould\trecover\tand\tdecapitate\ther,\tJason\tgot\toverexcited. I\tsay\tthat\tbecause\tof\tthe\tlightning.\tThe\tsky\toutside\tflashed,\tthe\tcurved\twall\tof glass\tshattered,\tand\ttendrils\tof\telectricity\twrapped\taround\tTimbre,\tfrying\thim into\tan\tash\tpile. Effective,\tyes,\tbut\tnot\tthe\tsort\tof\tstealth\twe\u2019d\tbeen\thoping\tfor. \u2018Oops,\u2019\tsaid\tJason. With\ta\thorrified\twhimper,\tCrest\tdropped\this\tbow.\tHe\tstaggered\tbackwards, struggling\tto\tdraw\this\tsword.\tMeg\tyanked\ther\tfirst\tscimitar\tfrom\tAmax\u2019s\tdust- covered\tchair\tand\tmarched\ttowards\thim. \u2018Meg,\twait!\u2019\tI\tsaid. She\tglared\tat\tme.\t\u2018What?\u2019","I\ttried\tto\traise\tmy\thands\tin\ta\tplacating\tgesture,\tthen\tremembered\tthey\twere tied\tbehind\tmy\tback. \u2018Crest,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018there\u2019s\tno\tshame\tin\tsurrender.\tYou\tare\tnot\ta\tfighter.\u2019 He\tgulped.\t\u2018Y-you\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tme.\u2019 \u2018You\u2019re\tholding\tyour\tsword\tbackwards,\u2019\tI\tpointed\tout.\t\u2018So\tunless\tyou\tintend to\tstab\tyourself\t\u2026\u2019 He\tfumbled\tto\tcorrect\tthe\tsituation. \u2018Fly!\u2019\tI\tpleaded.\t\u2018This\tdoesn\u2019t\thave\tto\tbe\tyour\tfight.\tGet\tout\tof\there!\tBecome the\tmusician\tyou\twant\tto\tsee\tin\tthe\tworld!\u2019 He\tmust\thave\theard\tthe\tearnestness\tin\tmy\tvoice.\tHe\tdropped\this\tsword\tand jumped\tthrough\tthe\tgaping\thole\tin\tthe\tglass,\tear-sailing\tinto\tthe\tdarkness. \u2018Why\u2019d\tyou\tlet\thim\tgo?\u2019\tMeg\tdemanded.\t\u2018He\u2019ll\twarn\teverybody.\u2019 \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tso,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Also,\tit\tdoesn\u2019t\tmatter.\tWe\tjust\tannounced\tourselves with\ta\tliteral\tthunderbolt.\u2019 \u2018Yeah,\tsorry,\u2019\tJason\tsaid.\t\u2018Sometimes\tthat\tjust\thappens.\u2019 Lightning\tstrikes\tseemed\tlike\tthe\tsort\tof\tpower\the\treally\tneeded\tto\tget\tunder control,\tbut\twe\thad\tno\ttime\tto\targue\tabout\tit.\tAs\tMeg\tcut\tour\tzip\tties,\tFlorence and\tGrunk\tcharged\tinto\tthe\troom. Piper\tyelled,\t\u2018Stop!\u2019 Florence\ttripped\tand\tface-planted\ton\tthe\tcarpet,\this\trifle\tspraying\ta\tfull\tclip sideways,\tshooting\toff\tthe\tlegs\tof\ta\tnearby\tsofa. Grunk\traised\this\tclub\tand\tcharged.\tI\tinstinctively\tpulled\tmy\tbow,\tnocked\tan arrow\tand\tlet\tit\tfly\t\u2013\tstraight\tinto\tthe\tCyclops\u2019s\teye. I\twas\tstunned.\tI\u2019d\tactually\thit\tmy\ttarget! Grunk\tfell\tto\this\tknees,\tkeeled\tover\tsideways\tand\tbegan\tto\tdisintegrate, putting\tan\tend\tto\tmy\tplans\tfor\ta\tcross-species\tbuddy\tcomedy. Piper\twalked\tup\tto\tFlorence,\twho\twas\tgroaning\twith\ta\tbroken\tnose. \u2018Thanks\tfor\tstopping,\u2019\tshe\tsaid,\tthen\tgagged\thim\tand\ttrussed\this\twrists\tand ankles\twith\this\town\tzip\tties. \u2018Well,\tthat\twas\tinteresting.\u2019\tJason\tturned\tto\tMeg.\t\u2018And\twhat\tyou\tdid? Incredible.\tThose\tpandai\t\u2013\twhen\tI\ttried\tto\tfight\tthem,\tthey\tdisarmed\tme\tlike\tit was\tchild\u2019s\tplay,\tbut\tyou,\twith\tthose\tswords\t\u2026\u2019 Meg\u2019s\tcheeks\treddened.\t\u2018It\twas\tno\tbig\tdeal.\u2019 \u2018It\twas\ta\tvery\tbig\tdeal.\u2019\tJason\tfaced\tme.\t\u2018So\twhat\tnow?\u2019 A\tmuted\tvoice\tbuzzed\tin\tmy\thead.\tNOW,\tTHE\tVILE\tROGUE\tAPOLLO SHALT\tREMOVE\tME\tFROM\tTHIS\tMONSTER\u2019S\tEYE\tPOST-HASTE! \u2018Oh,\tdear.\u2019\tI\thad\tdone\twhat\tI\u2019d\talways\tfeared,\tand\tsometimes\tdreamed\tof.\tI had\tmistakenly\tused\tthe\tArrow\tof\tDodona\tin\tcombat.\tIts\tsacred\tpoint\tnow","quivered\tin\tthe\teye\tsocket\tof\tGrunk,\twho\thad\tbeen\treduced\tto\tnothing\tbut\this skull\t\u2013\ta\tspoil\tof\twar,\tI\tsupposed. \u2018Very\tsorry,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\tpulling\tthe\tarrow\tfree. Meg\tsnorted.\t\u2018Is\tthat\t\u2013?\u2019 \u2018The\tArrow\tof\tDodona,\u2019\tI\tsaid. AND\tMINE\tFURY\tIS\tBOUNDLESS!\tthe\tarrow\tintoned.\tTHOU\tSHOOTEST ME\tFORTH\tTO\tSLAY\tTHY\tFOES\tAS\tIF\tI\tWAST\tA\tMERE\tARROW! \u2018Yes,\tyes,\tI\tapologize.\tNow\thush,\tplease.\u2019\tI\tturned\tto\tmy\tcomrades.\t\u2018We\tneed to\tmove\tquickly.\tThe\tsecurity\tforces\twill\tbe\tcoming.\u2019 \u2018Emperor\tStupid\tis\ton\tboat\ttwelve,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\t\u2018That\u2019s\twhere\twe\tgo.\u2019 \u2018But\tthe\tshoe\tboat,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018is\tforty-three,\twhich\tis\tin\tthe\topposite\tdirection.\u2019 \u2018What\tif\tEmperor\tStupid\tis\twearing\this\tshoes?\u2019\tshe\tasked. \u2018Hey.\u2019\tJason\tpointed\tat\tthe\tArrow\tof\tDodona.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tthe\tmobile\tsource\tof prophecy\tyou\twere\ttelling\tus\tabout,\tright?\tMaybe\tyou\tshould\task\tit.\u2019 I\tfound\tthat\tan\tannoyingly\treasonable\tsuggestion.\tI\traised\tthe\tarrow.\t\u2018You heard\tthem,\tO\tWise\tArrow.\tWhich\tway\tdo\twe\tgo?\u2019 THOU\tTELLEST\tME\tTO\tHUSH,\tTHEN\tTHOU\tASKETH\tME\tFOR WISDOM?\tOH,\tFIE!\tOH,\tVILLAINY!\tBOTH\tDIRECTIONS\tMUST\tTHOU PURSUE,\tIF\tTHOU\tWOULDST\tSEE\tSUCCESS.\tBUT\tBEWARE.\tI\tSEE\tGREAT PAIN,\tGREAT\tSUFFERING.\tSACRIFICE\tMOST\tBLOODY! \u2018What\tdid\the\tsay?\u2019\tPiper\tdemanded. Oh,\treader,\tI\twas\tso\ttempted\tto\tlie!\tI\twanted\tto\ttell\tmy\tfriends\tthat\tthe\tarrow was\tin\tfavour\tof\treturning\tto\tLos\tAngeles\tand\tbooking\trooms\tat\ta\tfive-star\thotel. I\tcaught\tJason\u2019s\teyes.\tI\tremembered\thow\tI\thad\texhorted\thim\tto\ttell\tPiper\tthe truth\tabout\tthe\tSibyl\u2019s\tprophecy.\tI\tdecided\tI\tcould\tdo\tno\tless. I\trelated\twhat\tthe\tarrow\thad\tsaid. \u2018So\twe\tsplit\tup?\u2019\tPiper\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u2018I\thate\tthis\tplan.\u2019 \u2018Me\ttoo,\u2019\tJason\tsaid.\t\u2018Which\tmeans\tit\u2019s\tprobably\tthe\tright\tmove.\u2019 He\tknelt\tand\tretrieved\this\tgladius\tfrom\tthe\tdust-pile\tremains\tof\tTimbre.\tThen he\ttossed\tthe\tdagger\tKatoptris\tto\tPiper. \u2018I\u2019m\tgoing\tafter\tCaligula,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018Even\tif\tthe\tshoes\taren\u2019t\tthere,\tmaybe\tI\tcan buy\tyou\tguys\tsome\ttime,\tdistract\tthe\tsecurity\tforces.\u2019 Meg\tpicked\tup\ther\tother\tscimitar.\t\u2018I\u2019ll\tcome\twith\tyou.\u2019 Before\tI\tcould\targue,\tshe\ttook\ta\tflying\tleap\tout\tof\tthe\tbroken\twindow\t\u2013\twhich was\ta\tpretty\tgood\tmetaphor\tfor\ther\tgeneral\tapproach\tto\tlife. Jason\tgave\tPiper\tand\tme\tone\tlast\tworried\tlook.\t\u2018You\ttwo\tbe\tcareful.\u2019 He\tjumped\tafter\tMeg.\tAlmost\timmediately,\tgunfire\terupted\ton\tthe\tforedeck below.","I\tgrimaced\tat\tPiper.\t\u2018Those\ttwo\twere\tour\tfighters.\tWe\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\tlet\tthem go\ttogether.\u2019 \u2018Don\u2019t\tunderestimate\tmy\tfighting\tskill,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Now\tlet\u2019s\tgo\tshoe- shopping.\u2019 She\twaited\tonly\tlong\tenough\tfor\tme\tto\tclean\tand\tbandage\ther\twounded\thead\tin the\tnearest\trestroom.\tThen\tshe\tdonned\tFlorence\u2019s\tcombat\thelmet\tand\toff\twe went. I\tsoon\trealized\tPiper\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\tto\trely\ton\tcharmspeak\tto\tpersuade\tpeople. She\tcarried\therself\twith\tconfidence,\tstriding\tfrom\tship\tto\tship\tlike\tshe\twas supposed\tto\tbe\tthere.\tThe\tyachts\twere\tlightly\tguarded\t\u2013\tperhaps\tbecause\tmost\tof the\tpandai\tand\tstrixes\thad\talready\tflown\tover\tto\tcheck\tout\tthe\tlightning\tstrike\ton ship\ttwenty-six.\tThe\tfew\tmortal\tmercenaries\twe\tpassed\tgave\tPiper\tno\tmore\tthan a\tbrief\tglance.\tSince\tI\tfollowed\tin\ther\twake,\tthey\tignored\tme\ttoo.\tI\tsupposed\tif they\twere\tused\tto\tworking\tside\tby\tside\twith\tCyclopes\tand\tBig\tEars,\tthey\tcould overlook\ta\tcouple\tof\tteenagers\tin\triot\tgear. Boat\ttwenty-eight\twas\ta\tfloating\twater\tpark,\twith\tmultilevel\tswimming\tpools connected\tby\twaterfalls,\tslides\tand\ttransparent\ttubes.\tA\tlonely\tlifeguard\toffered us\ta\ttowel\tas\twe\twalked\tby.\tHe\tlooked\tsad\twhen\twe\tdidn\u2019t\ttake\tone. Boat\ttwenty-nine:\ta\tfull-service\tspa.\tSteam\tpoured\tfrom\tevery\topen\tporthole. On\tthe\taft\tdeck,\tan\tarmy\tof\tbored-looking\tmasseuses\tand\tcosmeticians\tstood ready,\tjust\tin\tcase\tCaligula\tdecided\tto\tdrop\tby\twith\tfifty\tfriends\tfor\ta\tshiatsu\tand mani-pedi\tparty.\tI\twas\ttempted\tto\tstop,\tjust\tfor\ta\tquick\tshoulder\tmassage,\tbut since\tPiper,\tdaughter\tof\tAphrodite,\tmarched\tright\tpast\twithout\ta\tglance\tat\tthe offerings\tI\tdecided\tnot\tto\tembarrass\tmyself. Boat\tthirty\twas\ta\tliteral\tmoveable\tfeast.\tThe\tentire\tship\tseemed\tdesigned\tto provide\tan\tall-you-can-eat\ttwenty-four-hour\tbuffet,\twhich\tno\tone\twas\tpartaking in.\tChefs\tstood\tby.\tWaiters\twaited.\tNew\tdishes\twere\tbrought\tout\tand\told\tones removed.\tI\tsuspected\tthe\tuneaten\tfood,\tenough\tto\tfeed\tthe\tgreater\tLos\tAngeles area,\twould\tbe\tdumped\toverboard.\tTypical\tCaligula\textravagance.\tYour\tham sandwich\ttastes\tso\tmuch\tbetter\twhen\tyou\tknow\thundreds\tof\tidentical sandwiches\thave\tbeen\tthrown\taway\tas\tyour\tchefs\twaited\tfor\tyou\tto\tget\thungry. Our\tgood\tluck\tfailed\ton\tboat\tthirty-one.\tAs\tsoon\tas\twe\tcrossed\tthe\tred- carpeted\tramp\tonto\tthe\tbow,\tI\tknew\twe\twere\tin\ttrouble.\tGroups\tof\toff-duty mercenaries\tlounged\there\tand\tthere,\ttalking,\teating,\tchecking\ttheir\tphones.\tWe got\tmore\tfrowns,\tmore\tquestioning\tlooks. From\tthe\ttension\tin\tPiper\u2019s\tposture,\tI\tcould\ttell\tshe\tsensed\tthe\tproblem\ttoo. But,\tbefore\tI\tcould\tsay,\tGosh,\tPiper,\tI\tthink\twe\u2019ve\tstumbled\tinto\tCaligula\u2019s","floating\tbarracks\tand\twe\u2019re\tabout\tto\tdie,\tshe\tforged\tahead,\tdoubtless\tdeciding\tit would\tbe\tas\tdangerous\tto\tbacktrack\tas\tto\tbluff\tour\tway\tthrough. She\twas\twrong. On\tthe\taft\tdeck,\twe\tfound\tourselves\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\ta\tCyclops\/mortal volleyball\tgame.\tIn\ta\tsand-filled\tpit,\thalf\ta\tdozen\thairy\tCyclopes\tin\tswimming trunks\tbattled\tit\tout\twith\thalf\ta\tdozen\tequally\thairy\tmortals\tin\tcombat\tpants. Around\tthe\tedges\tof\tthe\tgame,\tmore\toff-duty\tmercenaries\twere\tbarbecuing steaks\ton\ta\tgrill,\tlaughing,\tsharpening\tknives\tand\tcomparing\ttattoos. At\tthe\tgrill,\ta\tdouble-wide\tdude\twith\ta\tflat-top\thaircut\tand\ta\tchest\ttattoo\tthat read\tMOTHER\tspotted\tus\tand\tfroze.\t\u2018Hey!\u2019 The\tvolleyball\tgame\tstopped.\tEveryone\ton\tdeck\tturned\tand\tglowered\tat\tus. Piper\tpulled\toff\ther\thelmet.\t\u2018Apollo,\tback\tme\tup!\u2019 I\tfeared\tshe\tmight\tpull\ta\tMeg\tand\tcharge\tinto\tbattle.\tIn\tthat\tcase,\tbacking\ther up\twould\tmean\tgetting\tripped\tlimb\tfrom\tlimb\tby\tsweaty\tex-military\ttypes, which\twas\tnot\ton\tmy\tbucket\tlist. Instead,\tPiper\tbegan\tto\tsing. I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhat\tsurprised\tme\tmore:\tPiper\u2019s\tbeautiful\tvoice,\tor\tthe\ttune\tshe chose. I\trecognized\tit\timmediately:\t\u2018Life\tof\tIllusion\u2019\tby\tJoe\tWalsh.\tThe\t1980s\twere something\tof\ta\tblur\tto\tme,\tbut\tthat\tsong\tI\tremembered\t\u2013\t1981,\tthe\tvery beginning\tof\tMTV.\tOh,\tthe\tlovely\tvideos\tI\u2019d\tproduced\tfor\tBlondie\tand\tthe\tGo- Gos!\tThe\tamount\tof\thairspray\tand\tleopard-print\tSpandex\twe\thad\tused! The\tcrowd\tof\tmercenaries\tlistened\tin\tconfused\tsilence.\tShould\tthey\tkill\tus now?\tShould\tthey\twait\tfor\tus\tto\tfinish?\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tevery\tday\tsomeone\tserenaded you\twith\tJoe\tWalsh\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\ta\tvolleyball\tgame.\tI\u2019m\tsure\tthe\tmercenaries were\ta\tlittle\tfuzzy\ton\tthe\tproper\tetiquette. After\ta\tcouple\tof\tlines,\tPiper\tgave\tme\ta\tsharp\tglance\tlike\tA\tlittle\thelp? Ah,\tshe\twanted\tme\tto\tback\ther\tup\twith\tmusic! With\tgreat\trelief,\tI\twhipped\tout\tmy\tukulele\tand\tplayed\talong.\tIn\ttruth,\tPiper\u2019s voice\tneeded\tno\thelp.\tShe\tbelted\tout\tthe\tlyrics\twith\tpassion\tand\tclarity\t\u2013\ta\tshock wave\tof\temotion\tthat\twas\tmore\tthan\ta\theartfelt\tperformance,\tmore\tthan charmspeak. She\tmoved\tthrough\tthe\tcrowd,\tsinging\tof\ther\town\tillusionary\tlife.\tShe inhabited\tthe\tsong.\tShe\tinvested\tthe\twords\twith\tpain\tand\tsorrow,\tturning Walsh\u2019s\tpeppy\ttune\tinto\ta\tmelancholy\tconfessional.\tShe\tspoke\tof\tbreaking through\twalls\tof\tconfusion,\tof\tenduring\tthe\tlittle\tsurprises\tnature\thad\tthrown\tat her,\tof\tjumping\tto\tconclusions\tabout\twho\tshe\twas. She\tdidn\u2019t\tchange\tthe\tlyrics.\tNevertheless,\tI\tfelt\ther\tstory\tin\tevery\tline:\ther struggle\tas\tthe\tneglected\tchild\tof\ta\tfamous\tmovie\tstar;\ther\tmixed\tfeelings\tabout","discovering\tshe\twas\ta\tdaughter\tof\tAphrodite;\tmost\thurtful\tof\tall,\ther\trealization that\tthe\tsupposed\tlove\tof\ther\tlife,\tJason\tGrace,\twas\tnot\tsomeone\tshe\twanted\tto be\twith\tromantically.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tunderstand\tit\tall,\tbut\tthe\tpower\tof\ther\tvoice\twas undeniable.\tMy\tukulele\tresponded.\tMy\tchords\tturned\tmore\tresonant,\tmy\triffs more\tsoulful.\tEvery\tnote\tI\tplayed\twas\ta\tcry\tof\tsympathy\tfor\tPiper\tMcLean,\tmy own\tmusical\tskill\tamplifying\thers. The\tguards\tbecame\tunfocused.\tSome\tsat\tdown,\tcradling\ttheir\theads\tin\ttheir hands.\tSome\tstared\tinto\tspace\tand\tlet\ttheir\tsteaks\tburn\ton\tthe\tgrill. None\tof\tthem\tstopped\tus\tas\twe\tcrossed\tthe\taft\tdeck.\tNone\tfollowed\tus\tacross the\tbridge\tto\tboat\tthirty-two.\tWe\twere\thalfway\tacross\tthat\tyacht\tbefore\tPiper finished\ther\tsong\tand\tleaned\theavily\tagainst\tthe\tnearest\twall.\tHer\teyes\twere\tred, her\tface\thollowed\tout\twith\temotion. \u2018Piper?\u2019\tI\tstared\tat\ther\tin\tamazement.\t\u2018How\tdid\tyou\t\u2013?\u2019 \u2018Shoes\tnow,\u2019\tshe\tcroaked.\t\u2018Talk\tlater.\u2019 She\tstumbled\ton.","28 Apollo,\tdisguised\t As\tApollo,\tdisguised\tas\t\u2026\t Nah.\tToo\tdepressing. We\tsaw\tno\tsign\tthat\tthe\tmercenaries\twere\tpursuing\tus.\tHow\tcould\tthey?\tEven hardened\twarriors\tcould\tnot\tbe\texpected\tto\tgive\tchase\tafter\tsuch\ta\tperformance. I\timagined\tthey\twere\tsobbing\tin\teach\tother\u2019s\tarms,\tor\trifling\tthrough\tthe\tyacht for\textra\tboxes\tof\ttissues. We\tmade\tour\tway\tthrough\tthe\tthirties\tof\tCaligula\u2019s\tsuper-yacht\tchain,\tusing stealth\twhen\tnecessary,\tmostly\trelying\ton\tthe\tapathy\tof\tthe\tcrew\tmembers\twe encountered.\tCaligula\thad\talways\tinspired\tfear\tin\this\tservants,\tbut\tthat\tdidn\u2019t equate\tto\tloyalty.\tNo\tone\tasked\tus\tany\tquestions. On\tboat\tforty,\tPiper\tcollapsed.\tI\trushed\tto\thelp,\tbut\tshe\tpushed\tme\taway. \u2018I\u2019m\tokay,\u2019\tshe\tmuttered. \u2018You\tare\tnot\tokay,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018You\tprobably\thave\ta\tconcussion.\tYou\tjust\tworked a\tpowerful\tbit\tof\tmusical\tcharm.\tYou\tneed\ta\tminute\tto\trest.\u2019 \u2018We\tdon\u2019t\thave\ta\tminute.\u2019 I\twas\tfully\taware\tof\tthat.\tSporadic\tbursts\tof\tgunfire\tstill\tcrackled\tover\tthe harbour\tfrom\tthe\tdirection\twe\thad\tcome.\tThe\tharsh\tscree\tof\tstrixes\tpierced\tthe night\tsky.\tOur\tfriends\twere\tbuying\tus\ttime,\tand\twe\thad\tnone\tto\twaste. This\twas\talso\tthe\tnight\tof\tthe\tnew\tmoon.\tWhatever\tplans\tCaligula\thad\tfor Camp\tJupiter,\tfar\tto\tthe\tnorth,\tthey\twere\thappening\tnow.\tI\tcould\tonly\thope\tLeo had\treached\tthe\tRoman\tdemigods,\tand\tthat\tthey\tcould\tfend\toff\twhatever\tevil came\ttheir\tway.\tBeing\tpowerless\tto\thelp\tthem\twas\ta\tterrible\tfeeling.\tIt\tmade\tme anxious\tnot\tto\twaste\ta\tmoment.","\u2018Nevertheless,\u2019\tI\ttold\tPiper,\t\u2018I\treally\tdon\u2019t\thave\ttime\tfor\tyou\tto\tdie\ton\tme,\tor go\tinto\ta\tcoma.\tSo\tyou\twill\ttake\ta\tmoment\tto\tsit.\tLet\u2019s\tget\tout\tof\tthe\topen.\u2019 Piper\twas\ttoo\tweak\tto\tprotest\tmuch.\tIn\ther\tpresent\tcondition,\tI\tdoubted\tshe could\thave\tcharmspoken\ther\tway\tout\tof\ta\tparking\tticket.\tI\tcarried\ther\tinside yacht\tforty,\twhich\tturned\tout\tto\tbe\tdedicated\tto\tCaligula\u2019s\twardrobe. We\tpassed\troom\tafter\troom\tfilled\twith\tclothes\t\u2013\tsuits,\ttogas,\tarmour,\tdresses (why\tnot?)\tand\ta\tvariety\tof\tcostumes\tfrom\tpirate\tto\tApollo\tto\tpanda\tbear. (Again,\twhy\tnot?) I\twas\ttempted\tto\tdress\tup\tas\tApollo,\tjust\tto\tfeel\tsorry\tfor\tmyself,\tbut\tI\tdidn\u2019t want\tto\ttake\tthe\ttime\tto\tapply\tthe\tgold\tpaint.\tWhy\tdid\tmortals\talways\tthink\tI was\tgold?\tI\tmean,\tI\tcould\tbe\tgold,\tbut\tthe\tshininess\tdetracted\tfrom\tmy\tnaturally amazing\tlooks.\tCorrection:\tmy\tformer\tnaturally\tamazing\tlooks. Finally,\twe\tfound\ta\tdressing\troom\twith\ta\tcouch.\tI\tmoved\ta\tpile\tof\tevening dresses,\tthen\tordered\tPiper\tto\tsit.\tI\tpulled\tout\ta\tcrushed\tsquare\tof\tambrosia\tand ordered\ther\tto\teat\tit.\t(My\tgoodness,\tI\tcould\tbe\tbossy\twhen\tI\thad\tto\tbe.\tAt\tleast that\twas\tone\tgodly\tpower\tI\thadn\u2019t\tlost.) While\tPiper\tnibbled\ther\tdivine\tenergy\tbar,\tI\tstared\tglumly\tat\tthe\tracks\tof bespoke\tfinery.\t\u2018Why\tcan\u2019t\tthe\tshoes\tbe\there?\tThis\tis\this\twardrobe\tboat,\tafter all.\u2019 \u2018Come\ton,\tApollo.\u2019\tPiper\twinced\tas\tshe\tshifted\ton\tthe\tcushions.\t\u2018Everybody knows\tyou\tneed\ta\tseparate\tsuper-yacht\tjust\tfor\tshoes.\u2019 \u2018I\tcan\u2019t\ttell\tif\tyou\u2019re\tjoking.\u2019 She\tpicked\tup\ta\tStella\tMcCartney\tdress\t\u2013\ta\tlovely\tlow-cut\tnumber\tin\tscarlet silk.\t\u2018Nice.\u2019\tThen\tshe\tpulled\tout\ther\tknife,\tgritting\ther\tteeth\tfrom\tthe\teffort,\tand slit\tthe\tgown\tright\tdown\tthe\tfront. \u2018That\tfelt\tgood,\u2019\tshe\tdecided. It\tseemed\tpointless\tto\tme.\tYou\tcouldn\u2019t\thurt\tCaligula\tby\truining\this\tthings. He\thad\tall\tthe\tthings.\tNor\tdid\tit\tseem\tto\tmake\tPiper\tany\thappier.\tThanks\tto\tthe ambrosia,\ther\tcolour\twas\tbetter.\tHer\teyes\twere\tnot\tas\tdulled\twith\tpain.\tBut\ther expression\tremained\tstormy,\tlike\ther\tmother\u2019s\twhenever\tshe\theard\tsomeone praise\tScarlett\tJohansson\u2019s\tgood\tlooks.\t(Tip:\tnever\tmention\tScarlett\tJohansson around\tAphrodite.) \u2018The\tsong\tyou\tsang\tto\tthe\tmercenaries,\u2019\tI\tventured,\t\u2018\t\u201cLife\tof\tIllusion\u201d.\u2019 The\tcorners\tof\tPiper\u2019s\teyes\ttightened,\tas\tif\tshe\u2019d\tknown\tthis\tconversation\twas coming\tbut\twas\ttoo\ttired\tto\tdeflect\tit.\t\u2018It\u2019s\tan\tearly\tmemory.\tRight\tafter\tmy\tdad got\this\tfirst\tbig\tacting\tbreak,\the\twas\tblasting\tthat\tsong\tin\tthe\tcar.\tWe\twere driving\tto\tour\tnew\thouse,\tthe\tplace\tin\tMalibu.\tHe\twas\tsinging\tto\tme.\tWe\twere both\tso\thappy.\tI\tmust\thave\tbeen\t\u2026\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\tin\tkindergarten?\u2019","\u2018But\tthe\tway\tyou\tsang\tit.\tYou\tseemed\tto\tbe\ttalking\tabout\tyourself,\twhy\tyou broke\tup\twith\tJason?\u2019 She\tstudied\ther\tknife.\tThe\tblade\tremained\tblank,\tdevoid\tof\tvisions. \u2018I\ttried,\u2019\tshe\tmurmured.\t\u2018After\tthe\twar\twith\tGaia,\tI\tconvinced\tmyself everything\twould\tbe\tperfect.\tFor\ta\twhile,\ta\tfew\tmonths\tmaybe,\tI\tthought\tit\twas. Jason\u2019s\tgreat.\tHe\u2019s\tmy\tclosest\tfriend,\teven\tmore\tthan\tAnnabeth.\tBut\t\u2013\u2019\tshe spread\ther\thands\t\u2013\t\u2018whatever\tI\tthought\twas\tthere,\tmy\thappily-ever-after\t\u2026\tit just\twasn\u2019t.\u2019 I\tnodded.\t\u2018Your\trelationship\twas\tborn\tin\tcrisis.\tSuch\tromances\tare\tdifficult\tto sustain\tonce\tthe\tcrisis\tis\tover.\u2019 \u2018It\twasn\u2019t\tjust\tthat.\u2019 \u2018A\tcentury\tago,\tI\tdated\tGrand\tDuchess\tTatiana\tRomanov,\u2019\tI\trecalled.\t\u2018Things were\tgreat\tbetween\tus\tduring\tthe\tRussian\tRevolution.\tShe\twas\tso\tstressed,\tso scared,\tshe\treally\tneeded\tme.\tThen\tthe\tcrisis\tpassed,\tand\tthe\tmagic\tjust\twasn\u2019t there\tany\tmore.\tWait,\tactually,\tthat\tcould\u2019ve\tbeen\tbecause\tshe\twas\tshot\tto\tdeath along\twith\tthe\trest\tof\ther\tfamily,\tbut\tstill\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018It\twas\tme.\u2019 My\tthoughts\thad\tbeen\tdrifting\tthrough\tthe\tWinter\tPalace,\tthrough\tthe\tacrid gun\tsmoke\tand\tbitter\tcold\tof\t1917.\tNow\tI\tsnapped\tback\tto\tthe\tpresent.\t\u2018What\tdo you\tmean\tit\twas\tyou?\tYou\tmean\tyou\trealized\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\tlove\tJason?\tThat\u2019s\tno one\u2019s\tfault.\u2019 She\tgrimaced,\tas\tif\tI\tstill\thadn\u2019t\tgrasped\twhat\tshe\tmeant\t\u2026\tor\tperhaps\tshe wasn\u2019t\tsure\therself. \u2018I\tknow\tit\u2019s\tnobody\u2019s\tfault,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018I\tdo\tlove\thim.\tBut\t\u2026\tlike\tI\ttold\tyou, Hera\tforced\tus\ttogether\t\u2013\tthe\tmarriage\tgoddess,\tarranging\ta\thappy\tcouple.\tMy memories\tof\tstarting\tto\tdate\tJason,\tour\tfirst\tfew\tmonths\ttogether,\twere\ta\ttotal illusion.\tThen,\tas\tsoon\tas\tI\tfound\tthat\tout,\tbefore\tI\tcould\teven\tprocess\twhat\tit meant,\tAphrodite\tclaimed\tme.\tMy\tmom,\tthe\tgoddess\tof\tlove.\u2019 She\tshook\ther\thead\tin\tdismay.\t\u2018Aphrodite\tpushed\tme\tinto\tthinking\tI\twas\t\u2026 that\tI\tneeded\tto\t\u2026\u2019\tShe\tsighed.\t\u2018Look\tat\tme,\tthe\tgreat\tcharmspeaker.\tI\tdon\u2019t even\thave\twords.\tAphrodite\texpects\ther\tdaughters\tto\twrap\tmen\taround\tour\tlittle fingers,\tbreak\ttheir\thearts,\tet\tcetera.\u2019 I\tremembered\tthe\tmany\ttimes\tAphrodite\tand\tI\thad\tfallen\tout.\tI\twas\ta\tsucker for\tromance.\tAphrodite\talways\thad\tfun\tsending\ttragic\tlovers\tmy\tway.\t\u2018Yes.\tYour mother\thas\tdefinite\tideas\tabout\thow\tromance\tshould\tbe.\u2019 \u2018So\tif\tyou\ttake\tthat\taway,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid,\t\u2018the\tgoddess\tof\tmarriage\tpushing\tme\tto settle\tdown\twith\ta\tnice\tboy,\tthe\tgoddess\tof\tlove\tpushing\tme\tto\tbe\tthe\tperfect romantic\tlady\tor\twhatever\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018You\u2019re\twondering\twho\tyou\tare\twithout\tall\tthat\tpressure.\u2019","She\tstared\tat\tthe\tremains\tof\tthe\tscarlet\tevening\tdress.\t\u2018For\tthe\tCherokee,\tlike traditionally\tspeaking?\tYour\theritage\tcomes\tfrom\tyour\tmom\u2019s\tside.\tThe\tclan\tshe comes\tfrom\tis\tthe\tclan\tyou\tcome\tfrom.\tThe\tdad\u2019s\tside\tdoesn\u2019t\treally\tcount.\u2019\tShe let\tout\ta\tbrittle\tlaugh.\t\u2018Which\tmeans,\ttechnically,\tI\u2019m\tnot\tCherokee.\tI\tdon\u2019t belong\tto\tany\tof\tthe\tseven\tmain\tclans,\tbecause\tmy\tmom\tis\ta\tGreek\tgoddess.\u2019 \u2018Ah.\u2019 \u2018So,\tI\tmean,\tdo\tI\teven\thave\tthat\tto\tdefine\tmyself?\tThe\tlast\tfew\tmonths\tI\u2019ve been\ttrying\tto\tlearn\tmore\tabout\tmy\theritage.\tPicking\tup\tmy\tgranddad\u2019s blowpipe,\ttalking\tto\tmy\tdad\tabout\tfamily\thistory\tto\ttake\this\tmind\toff\tstuff.\tBut what\tif\tI\u2019m\tnot\tany\tof\tthe\tthings\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\ttold\tI\tam?\tI\thave\tto\tfigure\tout\twho\tI am.\u2019 \u2018Have\tyou\tcome\tto\tany\tconclusions?\u2019 She\tbrushed\ther\thair\tbehind\ther\tear.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tin\tprocess.\u2019 I\tcould\tappreciate\tthat.\tI,\ttoo,\twas\tin\tprocess.\tIt\twas\tpainful. A\tline\tfrom\tthe\tJoe\tWalsh\tsong\treverberated\tin\tmy\thead.\t\u2018\t\u201cNature\tloves\ther little\tsurprises,\u201d\t\u2019\tI\tsaid. Piper\tsnorted.\t\u2018She\tsure\tdoes.\u2019 I\tstared\tat\tthe\trows\tof\tCaligula\u2019s\toutfits\t\u2013\teverything\tfrom\twedding\tgowns\tto Armani\tsuits\tto\tgladiator\tarmour. \u2018It\u2019s\tbeen\tmy\tobservation,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018that\tyou\thumans\tare\tmore\tthan\tthe\tsum\tof your\thistory.\tYou\tcan\tchoose\thow\tmuch\tof\tyour\tancestry\tto\tembrace.\tYou\tcan overcome\tthe\texpectations\tof\tyour\tfamily\tand\tyour\tsociety.\tWhat\tyou\tcannot\tdo, and\tshould\tnever\tdo,\tis\ttry\tto\tbe\tsomeone\tother\tthan\tyourself\t\u2013\tPiper\tMcLean.\u2019 She\tgave\tme\ta\twry\tsmile.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tnice.\tI\tlike\tthat.\tYou\u2019re\tsure\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tthe god\tof\twisdom?\u2019 \u2018I\tapplied\tfor\tthe\tjob,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018but\tthey\tgave\tit\tto\tsomeone\telse.\tSomething about\tinventing\tolives.\u2019\tI\trolled\tmy\teyes. Piper\tburst\tout\tlaughing,\twhich\tmade\tme\tfeel\tas\tif\ta\tgood\tstrong\twind\thad finally\tblown\tall\tthe\twildfire\tsmoke\tout\tof\tCalifornia.\tI\tgrinned\tin\tresponse. When\twas\tthe\tlast\ttime\tI\u2019d\thad\tsuch\ta\tpositive\texchange\twith\tan\tequal,\ta\tfriend, a\tkindred\tsoul?\tI\tcould\tnot\trecall. \u2018All\tright,\tO\tWise\tOne.\u2019\tPiper\tstruggled\tto\ther\tfeet.\t\u2018We\u2019d\tbetter\tgo.\tWe\u2019ve got\ta\tlot\tmore\tboats\tto\ttrespass\ton.\u2019 Boat\tforty-one:\tlingerie\tdepartment.\tI\twill\tspare\tyou\tthe\tfrilly\tdetails. Boat\tforty-two:\ta\tregular\tsuper-yacht,\twith\ta\tfew\tcrew\tmembers\twho\tignored us,\ttwo\tmercenaries\twhom\tPiper\tcharmed\tinto\tjumping\toverboard,\tand\ta\ttwo- headed\tman\twhom\tI\tshot\tin\tthe\tgroin\t(by\tpure\tluck)\tand\tmade\tdisintegrate.","\u2018Why\twould\tyou\tput\ta\tregular\tboat\tbetween\tyour\tclothes\tboats\tand\tyour\tshoe boat?\u2019\tPiper\twondered.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tjust\tbad\torganization.\u2019 She\tsounded\tremarkably\tcalm.\tMy\town\tnerves\twere\tstarting\tto\tfray.\tI\tfelt\tlike I\twas\tsplitting\tinto\tpieces,\tthe\tway\tI\tused\tto\twhen\tseveral\tdozen\tGreek\tcities\tall prayed\tfor\tme\tto\tmanifest\tmy\tglorious\tself\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime\tin\tdifferent\tplaces. It\u2019s\tso\tannoying\twhen\tcities\tdon\u2019t\tcoordinate\ttheir\tholy\tdays. We\tcrossed\tthe\tport\tside,\tand\tI\tcaught\ta\tglimpse\tof\tmovement\tin\tthe\tsky above\tus\t\u2013\ta\tpale\tgliding\tshape\tmuch\ttoo\tbig\tto\tbe\ta\tseagull.\tWhen\tI\tlooked again,\tit\twas\tgone. \u2018I\tthink\twe\u2019re\tbeing\tfollowed,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Our\tfriend\tCrest.\u2019 Piper\tscanned\tthe\tnight\tsky.\t\u2018What\tdo\twe\tdo\tabout\tit?\u2019 \u2018I\u2019d\trecommend\tnothing,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018If\the\twanted\tto\tattack\tus\tor\traise\tthe\talarm, he\tcould\u2019ve\talready\tdone\tit.\u2019 Piper\tdid\tnot\tlook\thappy\tabout\tour\tbig-eared\tstalker,\tbut\twe\tkept\tmoving. At\tlast\twe\treached\tJulia\tDrusilla\tXLIII,\tthe\tfabled\tship\tof\tshoes. This\ttime,\tthanks\tto\tthe\ttip-off\tfrom\tAmax\tand\this\tmen,\twe\texpected\tpandai guards,\tled\tby\tthe\tfearsome\tWah-Wah.\tWe\twere\tbetter\tprepared\tto\tdeal\twith them. As\tsoon\tas\twe\tstepped\tonto\tthe\tforedeck,\tI\treadied\tmy\tukulele.\tPiper\tsaid very\tquietly,\t\u2018Wow,\tI\thope\tnobody\toverhears\tour\tsecrets!\u2019 Instantly,\tfour\tpandai\tcame\trunning\t\u2013\ttwo\tfrom\tthe\tport\tside\tand\ttwo\tfrom starboard,\tall\tstumbling\tover\teach\tother\tto\tget\tto\tus\tfirst. As\tsoon\tas\tI\tcould\tsee\tthe\twhites\tof\ttheir\ttragi,\tI\tstrummed\ta\tC\tminor\t6\ttritone chord\tat\ttop\tvolume,\twhich\tto\tcreatures\twith\tsuch\texquisite\thearing\tmust\thave felt\tlike\tgetting\tQ-tipped\twith\tlive\telectric\twires. The\tpandai\tscreeched\tand\tfell\tto\ttheir\tknees,\tgiving\tPiper\ttime\tto\tdisarm\tthem and\tzip-tie\tthem\tthoroughly.\tOnce\tthey\twere\tproperly\thog-tied,\tI\tstopped\tmy torturous\tukulele\tassault. \u2018Which\tof\tyou\tis\tWah-Wah?\u2019\tI\tdemanded. The\tpandos\ton\tthe\tfar\tleft\tsnarled,\t\u2018Who\twants\tto\tknow?\u2019 \u2018Hello,\tWah-Wah,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018We\u2019re\tlooking\tfor\tthe\temperor\u2019s\tmagical\tshoes\t\u2013 you\tknow,\tthe\tones\tthat\tlet\thim\tnavigate\tthe\tBurning\tMaze.\tYou\tcould\tsave\tus\ta lot\tof\ttime\tby\ttelling\tus\twhere\tthey\tare\ton\tboard.\u2019 He\tthrashed\tand\tcursed.\t\u2018Never!\u2019 \u2018Or,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018I\u2019ll\tlet\tmy\tfriend\tPiper\tdo\tthe\tsearching,\twhile\tI\tstay\there\tand serenade\tyou\twith\tmy\tout-of-tune\tukulele.\tAre\tyou\tfamiliar\twith\t\u201cTiptoe through\tthe\tTulips\u201d\tby\tTiny\tTim?\u2019 Wah-Wah\tspasmed\twith\tterror.\t\u2018Deck\ttwo,\tport\tside,\tthird\tdoor!\u2019\the\tspluttered. \u2018Please,\tno\tTiny\tTim!\tNo\tTiny\tTim!\u2019","\u2018Enjoy\tyour\tevening,\u2019\tI\tsaid. We\tleft\tthem\tin\tpeace\tand\twent\tto\tfind\tsome\tfootwear.","29 A\thorse\tis\ta\thorse\t Of\tcourse,\tof\tcourse,\tand\tno\tone\t Can\t\u2013\tRUN!\tHE\u2019LL\tKILL\tYOU! A\tfloating\tmansion\tfull\tof\tshoes.\tHermes\twould\thave\tbeen\tin\tparadise. Not\tthat\the\twas\tthe\tofficial\tgod\tof\tshoes,\tmind\tyou,\tbut\tas\tpatron\tdeity\tof travellers\the\twas\tthe\tclosest\tthing\twe\tOlympians\thad.\tHermes\u2019s\tcollection\tof\tAir Jordans\twas\tunrivalled.\tHe\thad\tclosets\tfull\tof\twinged\tsandals,\trows\tof\tpatent leather,\tracks\tof\tblue\tsuede,\tand\tdon\u2019t\tget\tme\tstarted\ton\this\troller\tskates.\tI\tstill have\tnightmares\tabout\thim\tskating\tthrough\tOlympus\twith\this\tbig\thair\tand\tgym shorts\tand\thigh\tstriped\tsocks,\tlistening\tto\tDonna\tSummer\ton\this\tWalkman. As\tPiper\tand\tI\tmade\tour\tway\tto\tdeck\ttwo,\tport\tside,\twe\tpassed\tilluminated podiums\tdisplaying\tdesigner\tpumps,\ta\thallway\tlined\tfloor-to-ceiling\twith shelves\tof\tred\tleather\tboots,\tand\tone\troom\twith\tnothing\tbut\tstudded\tfootball boots,\tfor\treasons\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tfathom. The\troom\tWah-Wah\thad\tdirected\tus\tto\tseemed\tto\tbe\tmore\tabout\tquality\tthan quantity. It\twas\tthe\tsize\tof\ta\tgoodly\tapartment,\twith\twindows\tthat\toverlooked\tthe\tsea so\tthe\temperor\u2019s\tprize\tshoes\tcould\thave\ta\tnice\tview.\tIn\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\troom,\ta comfortable\tpair\tof\tcouches\tfaced\ta\tcoffee\ttable\twith\ta\tcollection\tof\texotic bottled\twaters,\tjust\tin\tcase\tyou\tgot\tthirsty\tand\tneeded\tto\trehydrate\tbetween putting\ton\tthe\tleft\tshoe\tand\tthe\tright. As\tfor\tthe\tshoes\tthemselves,\talong\tthe\tfore\tand\taft\twalls\twere\trows\tof\t\u2026 \u2018Whoa,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid. I\tthought\tthat\tsummed\tit\tup\trather\twell:\trows\tof\twhoa.","On\tone\tpedestal\tsat\ta\tpair\tof\tHephaestus\u2019s\tbattle\tboots\t\u2013\thuge\tcontraptions with\tspiked\theels\tand\ttoes,\tbuilt-in\tchain-mail\tsocks\tand\tlaces\tthat\twere\ttiny bronze\tautomaton\tserpents\tto\tprevent\tunauthorized\twearers. On\tanother\tpedestal,\tin\ta\tclear\tacrylic\tbox,\ta\tpair\tof\twinged\tsandals\tfluttered around,\ttrying\tto\tescape. \u2018Could\tthose\tbe\tthe\tones\twe\tneed?\u2019\tPiper\tasked.\t\u2018We\tcould\tfly\tright\tthrough the\tmaze.\u2019 The\tidea\twas\tappealing,\tbut\tI\tshook\tmy\thead.\t\u2018Winged\tshoes\tare\ttricky.\tIf\twe put\tthem\ton\tand\tthey\u2019re\tenchanted\tto\ttake\tus\tto\tthe\twrong\tplace\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tright,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Percy\ttold\tme\tabout\ta\tpair\tthat\talmost\t\u2026\tuh,\tnever mind.\u2019 We\texamined\tthe\tother\tpedestals.\tSome\theld\tshoes\tthat\twere\tmerely\tone-of-a- kind:\tplatform\tboots\tstudded\twith\tdiamonds,\tsmart\tshoes\tmade\tfrom\tthe\tskin\tof the\tnow-extinct\tDodo\t(rude!),\tor\ta\tpair\tof\tAdidas\tsigned\tby\tall\tthe\tplayers\tof\tthe 1987\tLA\tLakers. Other\tshoes\twere\tmagical,\tand\tlabelled\tas\tsuch:\ta\tpair\tof\tslippers\twoven\tby Hypnos\tto\tgive\tpleasant\tdreams\tand\tdeep\tsleep;\ta\tpair\tof\tdancing\tshoes fashioned\tby\tmy\told\tfriend\tTerpsichore,\tthe\tMuse\tof\tdance.\tI\u2019d\tonly\tseen\ta\tfew of\tthose\tover\tthe\tyears.\tAstaire\tand\tRogers\tboth\thad\ta\tpair.\tSo\tdid\tBaryshnikov. Then\tthere\twas\ta\tpair\tof\tPoseidon\u2019s\told\tloafers,\twhich\twould\tensure\tperfect beach\tweather,\tgood\tfishing,\tgnarly\twaves,\tand\texcellent\ttanning.\tThose\tloafers sounded\tpretty\tgood\tto\tme. \u2018There.\u2019\tPiper\tpointed\tto\tan\told\tpair\tof\tleather\tsandals\tcasually\ttossed\tin\tthe corner\tof\tthe\troom.\t\u2018Can\twe\tassume\tthe\tleast\tlikely\tshoes\tare\tactually\tthe\tmost likely?\u2019 I\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\tthat\tassumption.\tI\tpreferred\tit\twhen\tthe\tmost\tlikely\tto\tbe\tpopular or\twonderful\tor\ttalented\tturned\tout\tto\tbe\tthe\tone\twho\twas\tthe\tmost\tpopular, wonderful\tor\ttalented,\tbecause\tthat\twas\tnormally\tme.\tStill,\tin\tthis\tcase,\tI\tthought Piper\tmight\tbe\tright. I\tknelt\tnext\tto\tthe\tsandals.\t\u2018These\tare\tcaligae.\tLegionnaire\u2019s\tshoes.\u2019 I\thooked\tone\tfinger\tand\tlifted\tthe\tshoes\tby\tthe\tstraps.\tThere\twasn\u2019t\tmuch\tto them\t\u2013\tjust\tleather\tsoles\tand\tlaces,\tworn\tsoft\tand\tdarkened\twith\tage.\tThey looked\tlike\tthey\u2019d\tseen\tmany\tmarches,\tbut\tthey\u2019d\tbeen\tkept\twell-oiled\tand lovingly\tmaintained\tthrough\tthe\tcenturies. \u2018Caligae,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Like\tCaligula.\u2019 \u2018Exactly,\u2019\tI\tagreed.\t\u2018These\tare\tthe\tadult\tversion\tof\tthe\tlittle\tbooties\tthat\tgave Gaius\tJulius\tCaesar\tGermanicus\this\tchildhood\tnickname.\u2019 Piper\twrinkled\ther\tnose.\t\u2018Can\tyou\tsense\tany\tmagic?\u2019","\u2018Well,\tthey\u2019re\tnot\tbuzzing\twith\tenergy,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Or\tgiving\tme\tflashbacks\tof stinky\tfeet,\tor\tcompelling\tme\tto\tput\tthem\ton.\tBut\tI\tthink\tthey\u2019re\tthe\tright\tshoes. These\tare\this\tnamesake.\tThey\tcarry\this\tpower.\u2019 \u2018Hmm.\tI\tsuppose\tif\tyou\tcan\ttalk\tto\tan\tarrow\tyou\tcan\tread\ta\tpair\tof\tsandals.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\ta\tgift,\u2019\tI\tagreed. She\tknelt\tnext\tto\tme\tand\ttook\tone\tof\tthe\tsandals.\t\u2018This\twon\u2019t\tfit\tme.\tWay\ttoo big.\tThey\tlook\tabout\tyour\tsize.\u2019 \u2018Are\tyou\timplying\tI\thave\tbig\tfeet?\u2019 Her\tsmile\tflickered.\t\u2018These\tlook\talmost\tas\tuncomfortable\tas\tthe\tshoes\tof shame\t\u2013\tthis\thorrible\twhite\tpair\tof\tnurse\u2019s\tshoes\twe\thad\tback\tin\tthe\tAphrodite cabin.\tYou\u2019d\thave\tto\twear\tthem\tas\tpunishment\tif\tyou\tdid\tsomething\tbad.\u2019 \u2018That\tsounds\tlike\tAphrodite.\u2019 \u2018I\tgot\trid\tof\tthem,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018But\tthese\t\u2026\tI\tsuppose\tas\tlong\tas\tyou\tdon\u2019t\tmind putting\tyour\tfeet\twhere\tCaligula\u2019s\tfeet\thave\tbeen\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018DANGER!\u2019\tcried\ta\tvoice\tbehind\tus. Sneaking\tup\tbehind\tsomeone\tand\tyelling\tdanger\tis\tan\texcellent\tway\tto\tmake them\tsimultaneously\tleap,\tspin\tand\tfall\ton\ttheir\tbutts,\twhich\tis\twhat\tPiper\tand\tI did. In\tthe\tdoorway\tstood\tCrest,\this\twhite\tfur\tmatted\tand\tdripping\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tflown through\tCaligula\u2019s\tswimming\tpool.\tHis\teight-fingered\thands\twrapped\taround\tthe door\tframe\ton\teither\tside.\tHis\tchest\theaved.\tHis\tblack\tsuit\twas\ttorn\tto\tpieces. \u2018Strixes,\u2019\the\tpanted. My\theart\tleaped\tinto\tmy\tnasal\tcavity.\t\u2018Are\tthey\tfollowing\tyou?\u2019 He\tshook\this\thead,\this\tears\trippling\tlike\tstartled\tsquids.\t\u2018I\tthink\tI\tevaded them,\tbut\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Why\tare\tyou\there?\u2019\tPiper\tdemanded,\ther\thand\tgoing\tto\ther\tdagger. The\tlook\tin\tCrest\u2019s\teyes\twas\ta\tmixture\tof\tpanic\tand\thunger.\tHe\tpointed\tto\tmy ukulele.\t\u2018You\tcan\tshow\tme\thow\tto\tplay?\u2019 \u2018I\t\u2026\tyes,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Though\ta\tguitar\tmight\tbe\tbetter,\tgiven\tthe\tsize\tof\tyour hands.\u2019 \u2018That\tchord,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018The\tone\tthat\tmade\tWah-Wah\tscreech.\tI\twant\tit.\u2019 I\trose\tslowly,\tso\tas\tnot\tto\tstartle\thim\tfurther.\t\u2018Knowledge\tof\tthe\tC\tminor\tsix tri-chord\tis\tan\tawesome\tresponsibility.\tBut,\tyes,\tI\tcould\tshow\tyou.\u2019 \u2018And\tyou.\u2019\tHe\tlooked\tat\tPiper.\t\u2018The\tway\tyou\tsing.\tCan\tyou\tteach\tme?\u2019 Piper\u2019s\thand\tdropped\tfrom\ther\thilt.\t\u2018I\t\u2013\tI\tguess\tI\tcould\ttry,\tbut\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Then\twe\tmust\tleave\tnow!\u2019\tCrest\tsaid.\t\u2018They\thave\talready\tcaptured\tyour friends!\u2019 \u2018What?\u2019\tPiper\tgot\tto\ther\tfeet.\t\u2018Are\tyou\tsure?\u2019 \u2018The\tscary\tgirl.\tThe\tlightning\tboy.\tYes.\u2019","I\tswallowed\tback\tmy\tdespair.\tCrest\thad\tgiven\ta\tflawless\tdescription\tof\tMeg and\tJason.\t\u2018Where?\u2019\tI\tasked.\t\u2018Who\thas\tthem?\u2019 \u2018Him,\u2019\tCrest\tsaid.\t\u2018The\temperor.\tHis\tpeople\twill\tbe\there\tsoon.\tWe\tmust\tfly! Be\tthe\tmusicians\tin\tthe\tworld!\u2019 Under\tdifferent\tcircumstances,\tI\twould\thave\tconsidered\tthis\texcellent\tadvice, but\tnot\twith\tour\tfriends\tcaptured.\tI\twrapped\tup\tthe\temperor\u2019s\tsandals\tand stuffed\tthem\tinto\tthe\tbottom\tof\tmy\tquiver.\t\u2018Can\tyou\ttake\tus\tto\tour\tfriends?\u2019 \u2018No!\u2019\tCrest\twailed.\t\u2018You\twill\tdie!\tThe\tsorceress\t\u2013\u2019 Why\tdid\tCrest\tnot\thear\tthe\tenemies\tsneaking\tup\tbehind\thim?\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow. Perhaps\tJason\u2019s\tlightning\thad\tleft\ta\tringing\tin\this\tears.\tPerhaps\the\twas\ttoo distressed,\ttoo\tfocused\ton\tus\tto\tguard\this\town\tback. Whatever\tthe\tcase,\tCrest\thurtled\tforward,\tcrashing\tface-first\tinto\tthe\tbox\twith the\twinged\tsandals.\tHe\tcollapsed\ton\tthe\tcarpet,\tthe\tfreed\tflying\tshoes\tkicking him\trepeatedly\tabout\tthe\thead.\tOn\this\tback\tglistened\ttwo\tdeep\timpressions\tin the\tshape\tof\thorse\thooves. In\tthe\tdoorway\tstood\ta\tmajestic\twhite\tstallion,\this\thead\tjust\tclearing\tthe\ttop\tof the\tframe.\tIn\ta\tflash,\tI\trealized\twhy\tthe\temperor\u2019s\tyachts\thad\tsuch\ttall\tceilings, wide\thallways\tand\tdoorways:\tthey\twere\tdesigned\tto\taccommodate\tthis\thorse. \u2018Incitatus,\u2019\tI\tsaid. He\tlocked\teyes\twith\tme\tas\tno\thorse\tshould\tbe\table\tto\tdo\t\u2013\this\thuge\tbrown pupils\tglinting\twith\tmalicious\tawareness.\t\u2018Apollo.\u2019 Piper\tlooked\tstunned,\tas\tone\tdoes\twhen\tencountering\ta\ttalking\thorse\ton\ta shoe\tyacht. She\tbegan\tto\tsay,\t\u2018What\tthe\t\u2013?\u2019 Incitatus\tcharged.\tHe\ttrampled\tstraight\tover\tthe\tcoffee\ttable\tand\thead-butted Piper\tagainst\tthe\twall\twith\ta\tsickening\tcrunch.\tPiper\tdropped\tto\tthe\tcarpet. I\trushed\ttowards\ther,\tbut\tthe\thorse\tslammed\tme\taway.\tI\tlanded\ton\tthe\tnearest sofa. \u2018Well,\tnow.\u2019\tIncitatus\tsurveyed\tthe\tdamage\t\u2013\tthe\toverturned\tpedestals\tand destroyed\tcoffee\ttable;\tbroken\tbottles\tof\texotic\tspring\twater\tseeping\tinto\tthe carpet;\tCrest\tgroaning\ton\tthe\tfloor,\tthe\tflying\tshoes\tstill\tkicking\thim;\tPiper unmoving,\tblood\ttrickling\tfrom\ther\tnose;\tand\tme\ton\tthe\tsofa,\tcradling\tmy bruised\tribs. \u2018Sorry\tto\tintrude\ton\tyour\tintrusion,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018I\thad\tto\tknock\tthe\tgirl\tout quickly,\tyou\tunderstand.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tcharmspeak.\u2019 His\tvoice\twas\tthe\tsame\tas\tI\u2019d\theard\twhile\thiding\tin\tthe\tdumpster\tbehind Macro\u2019s\tMilitary\tMadness\t\u2013\tdeep\tand\tworld-weary,\ttinged\twith\tannoyance,\tas\tif he\u2019d\tseen\tevery\tpossible\tstupid\tthing\tbipeds\tcould\tdo.","I\tstared\tin\thorror\tat\tPiper\tMcLean.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tappear\tto\tbe\tbreathing.\tI remembered\tthe\twords\tof\tthe\tSibyl\t\u2026\tespecially\tthat\tterrible\tword\tthat\tbegan with\tD. \u2018You\t\u2013\tyou\tkilled\ther,\u2019\tI\tstammered. \u2018Did\tI?\u2019\tIncitatus\tnuzzled\tPiper\u2019s\tchest.\t\u2018Nah.\tNot\tyet,\tbut\tsoon\tenough.\tNow come\talong.\tThe\temperor\twants\tto\tsee\tyou.\u2019","30 I\u2019ll\tnever\tleave\tyou\t Love\twill\tkeep\tus\ttogether\t Or\tglue.\tGlue\tworks\ttoo Some\tof\tmy\tbest\tfriends\tare\tmagic\thorses. Arion,\tthe\tswiftest\tsteed\tin\tthe\tworld,\tis\tmy\tcousin,\tthough\the\trarely\tcomes\tto family\tdinners.\tThe\tfamous\twinged\tPegasus\tis\talso\ta\tcousin\t\u2013\tonce\tremoved,\tI think,\tsince\this\tmother\twas\ta\tgorgon.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsure\thow\tthat\tworks.\tAnd,\tof course,\tthe\tsun\thorses\twere\tmy\tfavourite\tsteeds\t\u2013\tthough,\tthankfully,\tnone\tof them\ttalked. Incitatus,\thowever? I\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\thim\tmuch. He\twas\ta\tbeautiful\tanimal\t\u2013\ttall\tand\tmuscular,\this\tcoat\tgleaming\tlike\ta\tsunlit cloud.\tHis\tsilky\twhite\ttail\tswished\tbehind\thim\tas\tif\tdaring\tany\tflies,\tdemigods\tor other\tpests\tto\tapproach\this\thindquarters.\tHe\twore\tneither\ttack\tnor\tsaddle,\tthough golden\thorseshoes\tgleamed\ton\this\thooves. His\tvery\tmajesty\tgrated\ton\tme.\tHis\tjaded\tvoice\tmade\tme\tfeel\tsmall\tand unimportant.\tBut\twhat\tI\treally\thated\twere\this\teyes.\tHorse\teyes\tshould\tnot\tbe\tso cold\tand\tintelligent. \u2018Climb\ton,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018My\tboy\tis\twaiting.\u2019 \u2018Your\tboy?\u2019 He\tbared\this\tmarble-white\tteeth.\t\u2018You\tknow\twho\tI\tmean.\tBig\tC.\tCaligula. The\tNew\tSun\twho\u2019s\tgonna\teat\tyou\tfor\tbreakfast.\u2019 I\tsank\tdeeper\tinto\tthe\tsofa\tcushions.\tMy\theart\tpounded.\tI\thad\tseen\thow\tfast Incitatus\tcould\tmove.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\tmy\tchances\tagainst\thim\talone.\tI\twould\tnever be\table\tto\tfire\tan\tarrow\tor\tstrum\ta\ttune\tbefore\the\tkicked\tmy\tface\tin.","This\twould\thave\tbeen\tan\texcellent\ttime\tfor\ta\tsurge\tof\tgodly\tstrength,\tso\tI could\tthrow\tthe\thorse\tout\tof\tthe\twindow.\tAlas,\tI\tfelt\tno\tsuch\tenergy\twithin\tme. Nor\tcould\tI\texpect\tany\tbackup.\tPiper\tgroaned,\ttwitching\ther\tfingers.\tShe looked\thalf-conscious\tat\tbest.\tCrest\twhimpered\tand\ttried\tto\tcurl\tinto\ta\tball\tto escape\tthe\tbullying\tof\tthe\twinged\tshoes. I\trose\tfrom\tthe\tcouch,\tclenched\tmy\thands\tinto\tfists\tand\tforced\tmyself\tto\tlook Incitatus\tin\tthe\teye. \u2018I\u2019m\tstill\tthe\tgod\tApollo,\u2019\tI\twarned.\t\u2018I\u2019ve\tfaced\ttwo\temperors\talready.\tI\tbeat them\tboth.\tDon\u2019t\ttest\tme,\thorse.\u2019 Incitatus\tsnorted.\t\u2018Whatever,\tLester.\tYou\u2019re\tgetting\tweaker.\tWe\u2019ve\tbeen keeping\tan\teye\ton\tyou.\tYou\u2019ve\tgot\thardly\tanything\tleft.\tNow\tquit\tstalling.\u2019 \u2018And\thow\twill\tyou\tforce\tme\tto\tcome\twith\tyou?\u2019\tI\tdemanded.\t\u2018You\tcan\u2019t\tpick me\tup\tand\tthrow\tme\ton\tyour\tback.\tYou\thave\tno\thands!\tNo\topposable\tthumbs! That\twas\tyour\tfatal\tmistake!\u2019 \u2018Yeah,\twell,\tI\tcould\tjust\tkick\tyou\tin\tthe\tface.\tOr\t\u2026\u2019\tIncitatus\tnickered\t\u2013\ta sound\tlike\tsomeone\tcalling\ttheir\tdog. Wah-Wah\tand\ttwo\tof\this\tguards\tslunk\tinto\tthe\troom.\t\u2018You\tcalled,\tLord Stallion?\u2019 The\thorse\tgrinned\tat\tme.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tneed\topposable\tthumbs\twhen\tI\u2019ve\tgot servants.\tGranted,\tthey\u2019re\tlame\tservants\tthat\tI\thad\tto\tchew\tfree\tfrom\ttheir\town zip\tties\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Lord\tStallion,\u2019\tWah-Wah\tprotested.\t\u2018It\twas\tthe\tukulele!\tWe\tcouldn\u2019t\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Load\t\u2019em\tup,\u2019\tIncitatus\tordered,\t\u2018before\tyou\tput\tme\tin\ta\tbad\tmood.\u2019 Wah-Wah\tand\this\thelpers\tthrew\tPiper\tacross\tthe\thorse\u2019s\tback.\tThey\tforced\tme to\tclimb\tup\tbehind\ther,\tthen\tthey\tbound\tmy\thands\tonce\tagain\t\u2013\tthis\ttime\tin front,\tat\tleast,\tso\tI\tcould\tbetter\tkeep\tmy\tbalance. Finally,\tthey\tpulled\tCrest\tto\this\tfeet.\tThey\twrangled\tthe\tphysically\tabusive winged\tshoes\tback\tinto\ttheir\tbox,\tzip-tied\tCrest\u2019s\thands\tand\tforce-marched\thim in\tfront\tof\tour\tgrim\tlittle\tparade.\tWe\tmade\tour\tway\tup\tto\tthe\tdeck,\tme\tducking under\tevery\tlintel,\tand\tretraced\tour\tpath\tacross\tthe\tfloating\tbridge\tof\tsuper- yachts. Incitatus\ttrotted\talong\tat\tan\teasy\tpace.\tWhenever\twe\tpassed\tmercenaries\tor crew\tmembers,\tthey\tknelt\tand\tlowered\ttheir\theads.\tI\twanted\tto\tbelieve\tthey\twere honouring\tme,\tbut\tI\tsuspected\tthey\twere\thonouring\tthe\thorse\u2019s\tability\tto\tbash their\theads\tin\tif\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tshow\tproper\trespect. Crest\tstumbled.\tThe\tother\tpandai\thauled\thim\tto\this\tfeet\tand\tprodded\thim along.\tPiper\tkept\tslipping\toff\tthe\tstallion\u2019s\tback,\tbut\tI\tdid\tmy\tbest\tto\tkeep\ther\tin place. Once\tshe\tmuttered,\t\u2018Uhn-fu.\u2019","Which\tmight\thave\tmeant\tThank\tyou\tor\tUntie\tme\tor\tWhy\tdoes\tmy\tmouth\ttaste like\ta\thorseshoe? Her\tdagger,\tKatoptris,\twas\tin\teasy\treach.\tI\tstared\tat\tthe\thilt,\twondering\tif\tI could\tdraw\tit\tquickly\tenough\tto\tcut\tmyself\tfree,\tor\tplunge\tit\tinto\tthe\thorse\u2019s neck. \u2018I\twouldn\u2019t,\u2019\tIncitatus\tsaid. I\tstiffened.\t\u2018What?\u2019 \u2018Use\tthe\tknife.\tThat\u2019d\tbe\ta\tbad\tmove.\u2019 \u2018Are\t\u2013\tare\tyou\ta\tmind-reader?\u2019 The\thorse\tscoffed.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tto\tread\tminds.\tYou\tknow\thow\tmuch\tyou\tcan tell\tfrom\tsomebody\u2019s\tbody\tlanguage\twhen\tthey\u2019re\triding\tyour\tback?\u2019 \u2018I\t\u2013\tI\tcan\u2019t\tsay\tthat\tI\u2019ve\thad\tthe\texperience.\u2019 \u2018Well,\tI\tcould\ttell\twhat\tyou\twere\tplanning.\tSo\tdon\u2019t.\tI\u2019d\thave\tto\tthrow\tyou off.\tThen\tyou\tand\tyour\tgirlfriend\twould\tprobably\tcrack\tyour\theads\tand\tdie\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018She\u2019s\tnot\tmy\tgirlfriend!\u2019 \u2018\u2013\tand\tBig\tC\twould\tbe\tannoyed.\tHe\twants\tyou\tto\tdie\tin\ta\tcertain\tway.\u2019 \u2018Ah.\u2019\tMy\tstomach\tfelt\tas\tbruised\tas\tmy\tribs.\tI\twondered\tif\tthere\twas\ta\tspecial term\tfor\tmotion\tsickness\twhile\triding\ta\thorse\ton\ta\tboat.\t\u2018So,\twhen\tyou\tsaid Caligula\twould\teat\tme\tfor\tbreakfast\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tthat\tliterally.\u2019 \u2018Thank\tthe\tgods.\u2019 \u2018I\tmeant\tthe\tsorceress\tMedea\twill\tput\tyou\tin\tchains\tand\tflay\tyour\thuman\tform to\textract\twhatever\tremains\tof\tyour\tgodly\tessence.\tThen\tCaligula\twill\tconsume your\tessence\t\u2013\tyours\tand\tHelios\u2019s\tboth\t\u2013\tand\tmake\thimself\tthe\tnew\tgod\tof\tthe sun.\u2019 \u2018Oh.\u2019\tI\tfelt\tfaint.\tI\tassumed\tI\tstill\thad\tsome\tgodly\tessence\tinside\tme\t\u2013\tsome tiny\tspark\tof\tmy\tformer\tawesomeness\tthat\tallowed\tme\tto\tremember\twho\tI\twas and\twhat\tI\thad\tonce\tbeen\tcapable\tof.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tthose\tlast\tvestiges\tof\tdivinity taken\taway,\tespecially\tif\tthe\tprocess\tinvolved\tflaying.\tThe\tidea\tmade\tmy stomach\tchurn.\tI\thoped\tPiper\twouldn\u2019t\tmind\tterribly\tif\tI\tthrew\tup\ton\ther.\t\u2018You\t\u2013 you\tseem\tlike\ta\treasonable\thorse,\tIncitatus.\tWhy\tare\tyou\thelping\tsomeone\tas volatile\tand\ttreacherous\tas\tCaligula?\u2019 Incitatus\twhinnied.\t\u2018Volatile,\tschmolatile.\tThe\tboy\tlistens\tto\tme.\tHe\tneeds\tme. Doesn\u2019t\tmatter\thow\tviolent\tor\tunpredictable\the\tmay\tseem\tto\tothers.\tI\tcan\tkeep him\tunder\tcontrol,\tuse\thim\tto\tpush\tthrough\tmy\tagenda.\tI\u2019m\tbacking\tthe\tright horse.\u2019 He\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\trecognize\tthe\tirony\tof\ta\thorse\tbacking\tthe\tright\thorse.\tAlso, I\twas\tsurprised\tto\thear\tthat\tIncitatus\thad\tan\tagenda.\tMost\tequine\tagendas\twere","fairly\tstraight-forward:\tfood,\trunning,\tmore\tfood,\ta\tgood\tbrushing.\tRepeat\tas desired. \u2018Does\tCaligula\tknow\tthat\tyou\u2019re,\tah,\tusing\thim?\u2019 \u2018Of\tcourse!\u2019\tsaid\tthe\thorse.\t\u2018Kid\u2019s\tnot\tstupid.\tOnce\the\tgets\twhat\the\twants, well\t\u2026\tthen\twe\tpart\tways.\tI\tintend\tto\toverthrow\tthe\thuman\trace\tand\tinstitute\ta government\tby\tthe\thorses,\tfor\tthe\thorses.\u2019 \u2018You\t\u2026\twhat?\u2019 \u2018You\tthink\tequine\tself-governance\tis\tany\tcrazier\tthan\ta\tworld\truled\tby\tthe Olympian\tgods?\u2019 \u2018I\tnever\tthought\tabout\tit.\u2019 \u2018You\twouldn\u2019t,\twould\tyou?\tYou,\twith\tyour\tbipedal\tarrogance!\tYou\tdon\u2019t spend\tyour\tlife\twith\thumans\tconstantly\texpecting\tto\tride\tyou\tor\thave\tyou\tpull their\tcarts.\tAh,\tI\u2019m\twasting\tmy\tbreath.\tYou\twon\u2019t\tbe\taround\tlong\tenough\tto\tsee the\trevolution.\u2019 Oh,\treader,\tI\tcan\u2019t\texpress\tto\tyou\tmy\tterror\t\u2013\tnot\tat\tthe\tidea\tof\ta\thorse revolution,\tbut\tat\tthe\tthought\tthat\tmy\tlife\twas\tabout\tto\tend!\tYes,\tI\tknow\tmortals face\tdeath,\ttoo,\tbut\tit\u2019s\tworse\tfor\ta\tgod,\tI\ttell\tyou!\tI\u2019d\tspent\tmillennia\tknowing\tI was\timmune\tto\tthe\tgreat\tcycle\tof\tlife\tand\tdeath.\tThen\tsuddenly\tI\tfind\tout\t\u2013\tLOL, not\tso\tmuch!\tI\twas\tgoing\tto\tbe\tflayed\tand\tconsumed\tby\ta\tman\twho\ttook\this\tcues from\ta\tmilitant\ttalking\thorse! As\twe\tprogressed\tdown\tthe\tchain\tof\tsuper-yachts,\twe\tsaw\tmore\tand\tmore signs\tof\trecent\tbattle.\tBoat\ttwenty\tlooked\tlike\tit\thad\tbeen\tstruck\trepeatedly\twith lightning.\tIts\tsuperstructure\twas\ta\tcharred,\tsmoking\truin,\tthe\tblackened\tupper decks\tspackled\twith\tfire-extinguisher\tfoam. Boat\teighteen\thad\tbeen\tconverted\tinto\ta\ttriage\tcentre.\tThe\twounded\twere sprawled\teverywhere,\tgroaning\tfrom\tbashed\theads,\tbroken\tlimbs,\tbleeding\tnoses and\tbruised\tgroins.\tMany\tof\ttheir\tinjuries\twere\tat\tknee\tlevel\tor\tbelow\t\u2013\tjust where\tMeg\tMcCaffrey\tliked\tto\tkick.\tA\tflock\tof\tstrixes\twheeled\toverhead, screeching\thungrily.\tPerhaps\tthey\twere\tjust\ton\tguard\tduty,\tbut\tI\tgot\tthe\tfeeling they\twere\twaiting\tto\tsee\twhich\tof\tthe\twounded\tdid\tnot\tpull\tthrough. Boat\tfourteen\twas\tMeg\tMcCaffrey\u2019s\tcoup\tde\tgr\u00e2ce.\tBoston\tivy\thad\tengulfed the\tentire\tyacht,\tincluding\tmost\tof\tthe\tcrew,\twho\twere\tstitched\tto\tthe\twalls\tby\ta thick\tweb\tof\tcrawlers.\tA\tcadre\tof\thorticulturists\t\u2013\tno\tdoubt\tcalled\tup\tfrom\tthe botanical\tgardens\ton\tboat\tsixteen\t\u2013\twere\tnow\ttrying\tto\tfree\ttheir\tcomrades\tusing clippers\tand\tweed-whackers. I\twas\theartened\tto\tsee\tthat\tour\tfriends\thad\tmade\tit\tthis\tfar\tand\tcaused\tso\tmuch damage.\tPerhaps\tCrest\thad\tbeen\tmistaken\tabout\tthem\tbeing\tcaptured.\tSurely two\tcapable\tdemigods\tlike\tJason\tand\tMeg\twould\thave\tmanaged\tto\tescape\tif\tthey got\tcornered.\tI\twas\tcounting\ton\tit,\tsince\tI\tnow\tneeded\tthem\tto\trescue\tme.","But\twhat\tif\tthey\tcould\tnot?\tI\tracked\tmy\tbrain\tfor\tclever\tideas\tand\tdevious schemes.\tRather\tthan\tracing,\tmy\tmind\tmoved\tat\ta\twheezing\tjog. I\tmanaged\tto\tcome\tup\twith\tphase\tone\tof\tmy\tmaster\tplan:\tI\twould\tescape without\tgetting\tmyself\tkilled,\tthen\tfree\tmy\tfriends.\tI\twas\thard\tat\twork\ton\tphase two\t\u2013\thow\tdo\tI\tdo\tthat?\t\u2013\twhen\tI\tran\tout\tof\ttime.\tIncitatus\tcrossed\tto\tthe\tdeck\tof Julia\tDrusilla\tXII,\tcantered\tthrough\ta\tset\tof\tdouble\tgolden\tdoors\tand\tcarried\tus down\ta\tramp\tinto\tthe\tship\u2019s\tinterior,\twhich\tcontained\ta\tsingle\tmassive\troom\t\u2013 the\taudience\tchamber\tof\tCaligula. Entering\tthis\tspace\twas\tlike\tplunging\tdown\tthe\tthroat\tof\ta\tsea\tmonster.\tI\u2019m sure\tthe\teffect\twas\tintentional.\tThe\temperor\twanted\tyou\tto\tfeel\ta\tsense\tof\tpanic and\thelplessness. You\thave\tbeen\tswallowed,\tthe\troom\tseemed\tto\tsay.\tNow\tyou\twill\tbe\tdigested. No\twindows\there.\tThe\tfifty-foot-high\twalls\tscreamed\twith\tgarishly\tpainted frescoes\tof\tbattles,\tvolcanoes,\tstorms,\twild\tparties\t\u2013\tall\timages\tof\tpower\tgone amok,\tboundaries\terased,\tnature\toverturned. The\ttiled\tfloor\twas\ta\tsimilar\tstudy\tin\tchaos\t\u2013\tintricate,\tnightmarish\tmosaics\tof the\tgods\tbeing\tdevoured\tby\tvarious\tmonsters.\tFar\tabove,\tthe\tceiling\twas\tpainted black,\tand\tdangling\tfrom\tit\twere\tgolden\tcandelabras,\tskeletons\tin\tcages\tand\tbare swords\tthat\thung\tby\tthe\tthinnest\tof\tcords\tand\tlooked\tready\tto\timpale\tanyone below. I\tfound\tmyself\ttilting\tsideways\ton\tIncitatus\u2019s\tback,\ttrying\tto\tfind\tmy equilibrium,\tbut\tit\twas\timpossible.\tThe\tchamber\toffered\tno\tsafe\tplace\tto\trest\tmy gaze.\tThe\trocking\tof\tthe\tyacht\tdidn\u2019t\thelp. Standing\tguard\talong\tthe\tlength\tof\tthe\tthrone\troom\twere\ta\tdozen\tpandai\t\u2013\tsix to\tport\tand\tsix\tto\tstarboard.\tThey\theld\tgold-tipped\tspears\tand\twore\tgolden\tchain mail\tfrom\thead\tto\tfoot,\tincluding\tgiant\tmetal\tflaps\tover\ttheir\tears\tthat,\twhen struck,\tmust\thave\tgiven\tthem\tterrible\ttinnitus. At\tthe\tfar\tend\tof\tthe\troom,\twhere\tthe\tboat\u2019s\thull\tnarrowed\tto\ta\tpoint,\tthe emperor\thad\tset\this\tdais\t\u2013\tputting\this\tback\tto\tthe\tcorner\tlike\tany\tgood\tparanoid ruler.\tBefore\thim\tswirled\ttwo\tcolumns\tof\twind\tand\tdebris\tthat\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tquite make\tsense\tof\t\u2013\tsome\tsort\tof\tventus\tperformance\tart? At\tthe\temperor\u2019s\tright\thand\tstood\tanother\tpandos\tdressed\tin\tthe\tfull\tregalia\tof a\tpraetorian\tcommander\t\u2013\tReverb,\tI\tguessed,\tcaptain\tof\tthe\tguard.\tTo\tthe emperor\u2019s\tleft\tstood\tMedea,\ther\teyes\tgleaming\twith\ttriumph. The\temperor\thimself\twas\tmuch\tas\tI\tremembered\t\u2013\tyoung\tand\tlithe,\thandsome enough,\tthough\this\teyes\twere\ttoo\tfar\tapart,\this\tears\ttoo\tprominent\t(but\tnot\tin comparison\tto\tthe\tpandai),\this\tsmile\ttoo\tthin. He\twas\tdressed\tin\twhite\ttrousers,\twhite\tboat\tshoes,\ta\tstriped\tblue-and-white shirt,\ta\tblue\tblazer\tand\ta\tcaptain\u2019s\that.\tI\thad\ta\thorrible\tflashback\tto\t1975,\twhen","I\u2019d\tmade\tthe\tmistake\tof\tblessing\tCaptain\tand\tTennille\twith\ttheir\thit\tsingle\t\u2018Love Will\tKeep\tUs\tTogether\u2019.\tIf\tCaligula\twas\tthe\tCaptain,\tthat\tmade\tMedea\tTennille, which\tfelt\twrong\ton\tso\tmany\tlevels.\tI\ttried\tto\tpush\tthe\tthought\tfrom\tmy\tmind. As\tour\tprocession\tapproached\tthe\tthrone,\tCaligula\tleaned\tforward\tand\trubbed his\thands,\tas\tif\tthe\tnext\tcourse\tof\this\tdinner\thad\tjust\tarrived. \u2018Perfect\ttiming!\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018I\u2019ve\tbeen\thaving\tthe\tmost\tfascinating\tconversation with\tyour\tfriends.\u2019 My\tfriends? Only\tthen\tdid\tmy\tbrain\tallow\tme\tto\tprocess\twhat\twas\tinside\tthe\tswirling columns\tof\twind. In\tone\thovered\tJason\tGrace.\tIn\tthe\tother,\tMeg\tMcCaffrey.\tBoth\tstruggled helplessly.\tBoth\tscreamed\twithout\tmaking\ta\tsound.\tTheir\ttornado\tprisons whirled\twith\tglittering\tshrapnel\t\u2013\ttiny\tpieces\tof\tCelestial\tbronze\tand\tImperial gold\tthat\tsliced\tat\ttheir\tclothes\tand\tskin,\tslowly\tcutting\tthem\tto\tpieces. Caligula\trose,\this\tplacid\tbrown\teyes\tfixed\ton\tme.\t\u2018Incitatus,\tthis\tcan\u2019t\tactually be\thim,\tcan\tit?\u2019 \u2018Afraid\tso,\tpal,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\thorse.\t\u2018May\tI\tpresent\tthe\tpathetic\texcuse\tfor\ta\tgod, Apollo,\talso\tknown\tas\tLester\tPapadopoulos.\u2019 The\tstallion\tknelt\ton\this\tforelegs,\tspilling\tPiper\tand\tme\tonto\tthe\tfloor.","31 I\tgive\tyou\tmy\theart\t I\tmean\tmetaphorically\t Put\taway\tthat\tknife I\tcould\tthink\tof\tmany\tnames\tto\tcall\tCaligula.\tPal\twas\tnot\tone\tof\tthem. Nevertheless,\tIncitatus\tseemed\tperfectly\tat\thome\tin\tthe\temperor\u2019s\tpresence. He\ttrotted\tto\tstarboard,\twhere\ttwo\tpandai\tbegan\tbrushing\this\tcoat\twhile\ta\tthird knelt\tto\toffer\thim\toats\tfrom\ta\tgolden\tbucket. Jason\tGrace\tlashed\tout\tin\this\twind\ttunnel\tof\tshrapnel,\ttrying\tto\tbreak\tfree.\tHe cast\ta\tdistressed\tlook\tat\tPiper\tand\tyelled\tsomething\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\thear.\tIn\tthe\tother wind\tcolumn,\tMeg\tfloated\twith\ther\tarms\tand\tlegs\tcrossed,\tscowling\tlike\tan angry\tgenie,\tignoring\tthe\tbits\tof\tmetal\tcutting\ther\tface. Caligula\tstepped\tdown\tfrom\this\tdais.\tHe\tstrolled\tbetween\tthe\twind\tcolumns with\ta\tjaunty\tlilt\tin\this\tstep,\tno\tdoubt\tthe\teffect\tof\twearing\ta\tyacht-captain\toutfit. He\tstopped\ta\tfew\tfeet\tin\tfront\tof\tme.\tIn\this\topen\tpalm,\the\tbounced\ttwo\tsmall bits\tof\tgold\t\u2013\tMeg\tMcCaffrey\u2019s\trings. \u2018This\tmust\tbe\tthe\tlovely\tPiper\tMcLean.\u2019\tHe\tfrowned\tdown\tat\ther,\tas\tif\tjust realizing\tshe\twas\tbarely\tconscious.\t\u2018Why\tis\tshe\tlike\tthis?\tI\tcan\u2019t\ttaunt\ther\tin\tthis condition.\tReverb!\u2019 The\tpraetor\tcommander\tsnapped\this\tfingers.\tTwo\tguards\tshuffled\tforward\tand dragged\tPiper\tto\ther\tfeet.\tOne\twaved\ta\tsmall\tbottle\tunder\ther\tnose\t\u2013\tsmelling salts,\tperhaps,\tor\tsome\tvile\tmagical\tequivalent\tof\tMedea\u2019s. Piper\u2019s\thead\tsnapped\tback.\tA\tshudder\tran\tthrough\ther\tbody,\tthen\tshe\tpushed the\tpandai\taway. \u2018I\u2019m\tfine.\u2019\tShe\tblinked\tat\ther\tsurroundings,\tsaw\tJason\tand\tMeg\tin\ttheir\twind columns,\tthen\tglared\tat\tCaligula.\tShe\tstruggled\tto\tpull\ther\tknife,\tbut\ther\tfingers","didn\u2019t\tseem\tto\twork.\t\u2018I\u2019ll\tkill\tyou.\u2019 Caligula\tchuckled.\t\u2018That\twould\tbe\tamusing,\tmy\tlove.\tBut\tlet\u2019s\tnot\tkill\teach other\tquite\tyet,\teh?\tTonight,\tI\thave\tother\tpriorities.\u2019 He\tbeamed\tat\tme.\t\u2018Oh,\tLester.\tWhat\ta\tgift\tJupiter\thas\tgiven\tme!\u2019\tHe\twalked\ta circuit\taround\tme,\trunning\this\tfingertips\talong\tmy\tshoulders\tas\tif\tchecking\tfor dust.\tI\tsuppose\tI\tshould\thave\tattacked\thim,\tbut\tCaligula\tradiated\tsuch\tcool confidence,\tsuch\ta\tpowerful\taura\tthat\tit\tbefuddled\tmy\tmind. \u2018Not\tmuch\tleft\tof\tyour\tgodliness,\tis\tthere?\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018Don\u2019t\tworry.\tMedea\twill coax\tit\tout\tof\tyou.\tThen\tI\u2019ll\ttake\trevenge\ton\tZeus\tfor\tyou.\tHave\tsome\tcomfort\tin that.\u2019 \u2018I\t\u2013\tI\tdon\u2019t\twant\trevenge.\u2019 \u2018Of\tcourse\tyou\tdo!\tIt\twill\tbe\twonderful,\tjust\twait\tand\tsee\t\u2026\tWell,\tactually, you\u2019ll\tbe\tdead,\tbut\tyou\u2019ll\thave\tto\ttrust\tme.\tI\u2019ll\tmake\tyou\tproud.\u2019 \u2018Caesar,\u2019\tMedea\tcalled\tfrom\ther\tside\tof\tthe\tdais,\t\u2018perhaps\twe\tcould\tbegin soon?\u2019 She\tdid\ther\tbest\tto\thide\tit,\tbut\tI\theard\tthe\tstrain\tin\ther\tvoice.\tAs\tI\u2019d\tseen\tin the\tparking\tgarage\tof\tdeath,\teven\tMedea\thad\ther\tlimits.\tKeeping\tMeg\tand\tJason in\ttwin\ttornadoes\tmust\thave\trequired\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tof\ther\tstrength.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t possibly\tmaintain\ther\tventus\tprisons\tand\tdo\twhatever\tmagic\tshe\tneeded\tto\tde- god\tme.\tIf\tonly\tI\tcould\tfigure\tout\thow\tto\texploit\tthat\tweakness\t\u2026 Annoyance\tflickered\tacross\tCaligula\u2019s\tface.\t\u2018Yes,\tyes,\tMedea.\tIn\ta\tmoment. First,\tI\tmust\tgreet\tmy\tloyal\tservants\t\u2026\u2019\tHe\tturned\tto\tthe\tpandai\twho\u2019d accompanied\tus\tfrom\tthe\tship\tof\tshoes.\t\u2018Which\tof\tyou\tis\tWah-Wah?\u2019 Wah-Wah\tbowed,\this\tears\tspreading\tacross\tthe\tmosaic\tfloor.\t\u2018H-here,\tsire.\u2019 \u2018Served\tme\twell,\thave\tyou?\u2019 \u2018Yes,\tsire!\u2019 \u2018Until\ttoday.\u2019 The\tpandos\tlooked\tlike\the\twas\ttrying\tto\tswallow\tTiny\tTim\u2019s\tukulele.\t\u2018They\t\u2013 they\ttricked\tus,\tlord!\tWith\thorrible\tmusic!\u2019 \u2018I\tsee,\u2019\tCaligula\tsaid.\t\u2018And\thow\tdo\tyou\tintend\tto\tmake\tthis\tright?\tHow\tcan\tI be\tsure\tof\tyour\tloyalty?\u2019 \u2018I\t\u2013\tI\tpledge\tyou\tmy\theart,\tsire!\tNow\tand\talways!\tMy\tmen\tand\tI\t\u2013\u2019\tHe clamped\this\thuge\thands\tover\this\tmouth. Caligula\tsmiled\tblandly.\t\u2018Oh,\tReverb?\u2019 His\tpraetor\tcommander\tstepped\tforward.\t\u2018Lord?\u2019 \u2018You\theard\tWah-Wah?\u2019 \u2018Yes,\tlord,\u2019\tReverb\tagreed.\t\u2018His\theart\tis\tyours.\tAnd\talso\this\tmen\u2019s\thearts.\u2019 \u2018Well,\tthen.\u2019\tCaligula\tflicked\this\tfingers\tin\ta\tvague\tgo\taway\tgesture.\t\u2018Take them\toutside\tand\tcollect\twhat\tis\tmine.\u2019","The\tthrone-room\tguards\tfrom\tthe\tport\tside\tmarched\tforward\tand\tseized\tWah- Wah\tand\this\ttwo\tlieutenants\tby\tthe\tarms. \u2018No!\u2019\tWah-Wah\tscreamed.\t\u2018No,\tI\t\u2013\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\t\u2013!\u2019 He\tand\this\tmen\tthrashed\tand\tsobbed,\tbut\tit\twas\tno\tuse.\tThe\tgolden-armoured pandai\tdragged\tthem\taway. Reverb\tgestured\tat\tCrest,\twho\tstood\ttrembling\tand\twhimpering\tnext\tto\tPiper. \u2018What\tabout\tthis\tone,\tsire?\u2019 Caligula\tnarrowed\this\teyes.\t\u2018Remind\tme\twhy\tthis\tone\thas\twhite\tfur?\u2019 \u2018He\u2019s\tyoung,\tsire,\u2019\tReverb\tsaid,\tnot\ta\ttrace\tof\tsympathy\tin\this\tvoice.\t\u2018Our people\u2019s\tfur\tdarkens\twith\tage.\u2019 \u2018I\tsee.\u2019\tCaligula\tstroked\tCrest\u2019s\tface\twith\tthe\tback\tof\this\thand,\tcausing\tthe young\tpandos\tto\twhimper\teven\tlouder.\t\u2018Leave\thim.\tHe\u2019s\tamusing,\tand\the\tseems harmless\tenough.\tNow\tshoo,\tCommander.\tBring\tme\tthose\thearts.\u2019 Reverb\tbowed\tand\thurried\tafter\this\tmen. My\tpulse\thammered\tin\tmy\ttemples.\tI\twanted\tto\tconvince\tmyself\tthings\twere not\tso\tbad.\tHalf\tthe\temperor\u2019s\tguards\tand\ttheir\tcommander\thad\tjust\tleft.\tMedea was\tunder\tthe\tstrain\tof\tcontrolling\ttwo\tventi.\tThat\tmeant\tonly\tsix\telite\tpandai,\ta killer\thorse\tand\tan\timmortal\temperor\tto\tdeal\twith.\tNow\twas\tthe\toptimal\ttime\tfor me\tto\texecute\tmy\tclever\tplan\t\u2026\tif\tonly\tI\thad\tone. Caligula\tstepped\tto\tmy\tside.\tHe\tthrew\this\tarm\taround\tme\tlike\tan\told\tfriend. \u2018You\tsee,\tApollo?\tI\u2019m\tnot\tcrazy.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tcruel.\tI\tjust\ttake\tpeople\tat\ttheir\tword.\tIf you\tpromise\tme\tyour\tlife,\tor\tyour\theart,\tor\tyour\twealth\t\u2026\tthen\tyou\tshould\tmean it,\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tthink?\u2019 My\teyes\twatered.\tI\twas\ttoo\tafraid\tto\tblink. \u2018Your\tfriend\tPiper,\tfor\tinstance,\u2019\tCaligula\tsaid.\t\u2018She\twanted\tto\tspend\ttime with\ther\tdad.\tShe\tresented\this\tcareer.\tSo,\tguess\twhat?\tI\ttook\tthat\tcareer\taway!\tIf she\u2019d\tjust\tgone\tto\tOklahoma\twith\thim,\tlike\tthey\u2019d\tplanned,\tshe\tcould\u2019ve\tgot what\tshe\twanted!\tBut\tdoes\tshe\tthank\tme?\tNo.\tShe\tcomes\there\tto\tkill\tme.\u2019 \u2018I\twill,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid,\ther\tvoice\ta\tbit\tsteadier.\t\u2018Take\tmy\tword\ton\tthat.\u2019 \u2018Exactly\tmy\tpoint,\u2019\tCaligula\tsaid.\t\u2018No\tgratitude.\u2019 He\tpatted\tme\ton\tthe\tchest,\tsending\tstarbursts\tof\tpain\tacross\tmy\tbruised\tribs. \u2018And\tJason\tGrace?\tHe\twants\tto\tbe\ta\tpriest\tor\tsomething,\tbuild\tshrines\tto\tthe gods.\tFine!\tI\tam\ta\tgod.\tI\thave\tno\tproblem\twith\tthat!\tThen\the\tcomes\there\tto wreck\tmy\tyachts\twith\tlightning.\tIs\tthat\tpriestlike\tbehaviour?\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tso.\u2019 He\tstrolled\ttowards\tthe\tswirling\tcolumns\tof\twind.\tThis\tleft\this\tback\texposed, but\tneither\tPiper\tnor\tI\tmoved\tto\tattack\thim.\tEven\tnow,\trecalling\tit,\tI\tcannot\ttell you\twhy.\tI\tfelt\tso\tpowerless,\tas\tif\tI\twere\tcaught\tin\ta\tvision\tthat\thad\thappened centuries\tbefore.\tFor\tthe\tfirst\ttime,\tI\tsensed\twhat\tit\twould\tbe\tlike\tif\tthe","Triumvirate\tcontrolled\tevery\tOracle.\tThey\twould\tnot\tjust\tforesee\tthe\tfuture\t\u2013 they\twould\tshape\tit.\tTheir\tevery\tword\twould\tbecome\tinexorable\tdestiny. \u2018And\tthis\tone.\u2019\tCaligula\tstudied\tMeg\tMcCaffrey.\t\u2018Her\tfather\tonce\tswore\the wouldn\u2019t\trest\tuntil\the\treincarnated\tthe\tblood-born,\tthe\tsilver\twives!\tCan\tyou believe\tit?\u2019 Blood-born.\tSilver\twives.\tThose\twords\tsent\ta\tjolt\tthrough\tmy\tnervous\tsystem. I\tfelt\tI\tshould\tknow\twhat\tthey\tmeant,\thow\tthey\trelated\tto\tthe\tseven\tgreen\tseeds Meg\thad\tplanted\ton\tthe\thillside.\tAs\tusual,\tmy\thuman\tbrain\tscreamed\tin\tprotest as\tI\tattempted\tto\tdredge\tthe\tinformation\tfrom\tits\tdepths.\tI\tcould\talmost\tsee\tthe annoying\tFILE\tNOT\tFOUND\tmessage\tflashing\tbehind\tmy\teyes. Caligula\tgrinned.\t\u2018Well,\tof\tcourse\tI\ttook\tDr\tMcCaffrey\tat\this\tword!\tI\tburned his\tstronghold\tto\tthe\tground.\tBut,\thonestly,\tI\tthought\tI\twas\tquite\tgenerous\tto\tlet him\tand\this\tdaughter\tlive.\tLittle\tMeg\thad\ta\twonderful\tlife\twith\tmy\tnephew Nero.\tIf\tshe\u2019d\tjust\tkept\ther\tpromises\tto\thim\t\u2026\u2019\tHe\twagged\this\tfinger disapprovingly\tat\ther. On\tthe\tstarboard\tside\tof\tthe\troom,\tIncitatus\tlooked\tup\tfrom\this\tgolden\toat bucket\tand\tbelched.\t\u2018Hey,\tBig\tC?\tGreat\tspeech\tand\tall.\tBut\tshouldn\u2019t\twe\tkill\tthe two\tin\tthe\twhirlwinds\tso\tMedea\tcan\tturn\ther\tattention\tto\tflaying\tLester\talive?\tI really\twant\tto\tsee\tthat.\u2019 \u2018Yes,\tplease,\u2019\tMedea\tagreed,\ther\tteeth\tclenched. \u2018NO!\u2019\tPiper\tshouted.\t\u2018Caligula,\tlet\tmy\tfriends\tgo.\u2019 Unfortunately,\tshe\tcould\tbarely\tstand\tup\tstraight.\tHer\tvoice\tshook. Caligula\tchuckled.\t\u2018My\tlove,\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\ttrained\tto\tresist\tcharmspeak\tby\tMedea herself.\tYou\u2019ll\thave\tto\tdo\tbetter\tthan\tthat\tif\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Incitatus,\u2019\tPiper\tcalled,\ther\tvoice\ta\tlittle\tstronger,\t\u2018kick\tMedea\tin\tthe\thead.\u2019 Incitatus\tflared\this\tnostrils.\t\u2018I\tthink\tI\u2019ll\tkick\tMedea\tin\tthe\thead.\u2019 \u2018No,\tyou\twon\u2019t!\u2019\tMedea\tshrieked\tin\ta\tsharp\tburst\tof\tcharmspeak.\t\u2018Caligula, silence\tthe\tgirl!\u2019 Caligula\tstrode\tover\tto\tPiper.\t\u2018Sorry,\tlove.\u2019 He\tbackhanded\ther\tacross\tthe\tmouth\tso\thard\tshe\tturned\ta\tfull\tcircle\tbefore collapsing. \u2018OHHH!\u2019\tIncitatus\twhinnied\twith\tpleasure.\t\u2018Good\tone!\u2019 I\tbroke. Never\thad\tI\tfelt\tsuch\trage.\tNot\twhen\tI\tdestroyed\tthe\tentire\tfamily\tof\tNiobids for\ttheir\tinsults.\tNot\twhen\tI\tfought\tHeracles\tin\tthe\tchamber\tof\tDelphi.\tNot\teven when\tI\tstruck\tdown\tthe\tCyclopes\twho\thad\tmade\tmy\tfather\u2019s\tmurderous lightning. I\tdecided\tat\tthat\tmoment\tPiper\tMcLean\twould\tnot\tdie\ttonight.\tI\tcharged Caligula,\tintent\ton\twrapping\tmy\thands\taround\this\tneck.\tI\twanted\tto\tstrangle\thim","to\tdeath,\tif\tonly\tto\twipe\tthat\tsmug\tsmile\toff\this\tface. I\tfelt\tsure\tmy\tgodly\tpower\twould\treturn.\tI\twould\trip\tthe\temperor\tapart\tin\tmy righteous\tfury. Instead,\tCaligula\tpushed\tme\tto\tthe\tfloor\twith\thardly\ta\tglance. \u2018Please,\tLester,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018You\u2019re\tembarrassing\tyourself.\u2019 Piper\tlay\tshivering\tas\tif\tshe\twere\tcold. Crest\tcrouched\tnearby,\ttrying\tin\tvain\tto\tcover\this\tmassive\tears.\tNo\tdoubt\the was\tregretting\this\tdecision\tto\tfollow\this\tdream\tof\ttaking\tmusic\tlessons. I\tfixed\tmy\teyes\ton\tthe\ttwin\tcyclones,\thoping\tthat\tJason\tand\tMeg\thad somehow\tescaped.\tThey\thad\tnot,\tbut\tstrangely,\tas\tif\tby\tsilent\tagreement,\tthey seemed\tto\thave\tswitched\troles. Rather\tthan\traging\tin\tresponse\tto\tPiper\tbeing\tstruck,\tJason\tnow\tfloated deathly\tstill,\this\teyes\tclosed,\this\tface\tlike\tstone.\tMeg,\ton\tthe\tother\thand,\tclawed at\ther\tventus\tcage,\tscreaming\twords\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\thear.\tHer\tclothes\twere\tin\ttatters. Her\tface\twas\tcrosshatched\twith\ta\tdozen\tbleeding\tcuts,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto care.\tShe\tkicked\tand\tpunched\tand\tthrew\tpackets\tof\tseeds\tinto\tthe\tmaelstrom, causing\tfestive\tbursts\tof\tpansies\tand\tdaffodils\tamong\tthe\tshrapnel. By\tthe\timperial\tdais,\tMedea\thad\tturned\tpale\tand\tsweaty.\tCountering\tPiper\u2019s charmspeak\tmust\thave\ttaxed\ther,\tbut\tthat\tgave\tme\tno\tcomfort. Reverb\tand\this\tguards\twould\tsoon\tbe\tback,\tbearing\tthe\thearts\tof\tthe emperor\u2019s\tenemies. A\tcold\tthought\tflooded\tthrough\tme.\tThe\thearts\tof\this\tenemies. I\tfelt\tas\tif\tI\thad\tbeen\tbackhanded.\tThe\temperor\tneeded\tme\talive,\tat\tleast\tfor the\tmoment.\tWhich\tmeant\tmy\tonly\tleverage\t\u2026 My\texpression\tmust\thave\tbeen\tpriceless.\tCaligula\tburst\tout\tlaughing. \u2018Apollo,\tyou\tlook\tlike\tsomeone\tstepped\ton\tyour\tfavourite\tlyre!\u2019\tHe\ttutted. \u2018You\tthink\tyou\u2019ve\thad\tit\tbad?\tI\tgrew\tup\tas\ta\thostage\tin\tmy\tUncle\tTiberius\u2019s palace.\tDo\tyou\thave\tany\tidea\thow\tevil\tthat\tman\twas?\tI\twoke\tup\tevery\tday expecting\tto\tbe\tassassinated,\tjust\tlike\tthe\trest\tof\tmy\tfamily.\tI\tbecame\ta consummate\tactor.\tWhatever\tTiberius\tneeded\tme\tto\tbe,\tI\twas.\tAnd\tI\tsurvived. But\tyou?\tYour\tlife\thas\tbeen\tgolden\tfrom\tstart\tto\tfinish.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\thave\tthe stamina\tto\tbe\tmortal.\u2019 He\tturned\tto\tMedea.\t\u2018Very\twell,\tsorceress!\tYou\tmay\tturn\tyour\tlittle\tblenders up\tto\tpuree\tand\tkill\tthe\ttwo\tprisoners.\tThen\twe\twill\tdeal\twith\tApollo.\u2019 Medea\tsmiled.\t\u2018Gladly.\u2019 \u2018Wait!\u2019\tI\tscreamed,\tpulling\tan\tarrow\tfrom\tmy\tquiver. The\temperor\u2019s\tremaining\tguards\tlevelled\ttheir\tspears,\tbut\tthe\temperor shouted,\t\u2018HOLD!\u2019","I\tdidn\u2019t\ttry\tto\tdraw\tmy\tbow.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tattack\tCaligula.\tInstead,\tI\tturned\tthe arrow\tinward\tand\tpressed\tthe\tpoint\tagainst\tmy\tchest. Caligula\u2019s\tsmile\tevaporated.\tHe\texamined\tme\twith\tthinly\tveiled\tcontempt. \u2018Lester\t\u2026\twhat\tare\tyou\tdoing?\u2019 \u2018Let\tmy\tfriends\tgo,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018All\tof\tthem.\tThen\tyou\tcan\thave\tme.\u2019 The\temperor\u2019s\teyes\tgleamed\tlike\ta\tstrix\u2019s.\t\u2018And\tif\tI\tdon\u2019t?\u2019 I\tsummoned\tmy\tcourage,\tand\tissued\ta\tthreat\tI\tnever\tcould\thave\timagined\tin my\tprevious\tfour\tthousand\tyears\tof\tlife.\t\u2018I\u2019ll\tkill\tmyself.\u2019"]
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