["32 Don\u2019t\tmake\tme\tdo\tit\t I\u2019m\tcrazy,\tI\u2019ll\tdo\tit,\tI\u2019ll\t\u2013\t Ow,\tthat\treally\thurt Oh,\tno,\tthou\tshalt\tnot,\tbuzzed\ta\tvoice\tin\tmy\thead. My\tnoble\tgesture\twas\truined\twhen\tI\trealized\tI\thad,\tonce\tagain,\tdrawn\tthe Arrow\tof\tDodona\tby\tmistake.\tIt\tshook\tviolently\tin\tmy\thand,\tno\tdoubt\tmaking me\tlook\teven\tmore\tterrified\tthan\tI\twas.\tNevertheless,\tI\theld\tit\tfast. Caligula\tnarrowed\this\teyes.\t\u2018You\twould\tnever.\tYou\tdon\u2019t\thave\ta\tself- sacrificing\tinstinct\tin\tyour\tbody!\u2019 \u2018Let\tthem\tgo.\u2019\tI\tpressed\tthe\tarrow\tagainst\tmy\tskin,\thard\tenough\tto\tdraw blood.\t\u2018Or\tyou\u2019ll\tnever\tbe\tthe\tsun\tgod.\u2019 The\tarrow\thummed\tangrily,\tKILLETH\tTHYSELF\tWITH\tSOME\tOTHER PROJECTILE,\tKNAVE.\tOF\tCOMMON\tMURDER\tWEAPONS,\tI\tAM\tNONE! \u2018Oh,\tMedea,\u2019\tCaligula\tcalled\tover\this\tshoulder,\t\u2018if\the\tkills\thimself\tin\tthis fashion,\tcan\tyou\tstill\tdo\tyour\tmagic?\u2019 \u2018You\tknow\tI\tcan\u2019t,\u2019\tshe\tcomplained.\t\u2018It\u2019s\ta\tcomplicated\tritual!\tWe\tcan\u2019t\thave him\tmurdering\thimself\tin\tsome\tsloppy\tway\tbefore\tI\u2019m\tprepared.\u2019 \u2018Well,\tthat\u2019s\tmildly\tannoying.\u2019\tCaligula\tsighed.\t\u2018Look,\tApollo,\tyou\tcan\u2019t expect\tthis\twill\thave\ta\thappy\tending.\tI\tam\tnot\tCommodus.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tplaying\ta game.\tBe\ta\tnice\tboy\tand\tlet\tMedea\tkill\tyou\tin\tthe\tcorrect\tway.\tThen\tI\u2019ll\tgive these\tothers\ta\tpainless\tdeath.\tThat\u2019s\tmy\tbest\toffer.\u2019 I\tdecided\tCaligula\twould\tmake\ta\tterrible\tcar\tsalesman. Next\tto\tme,\tPiper\tshivered\ton\tthe\tfloor,\ther\tneural\tpathways\tprobably overloaded\tby\ttrauma.\tCrest\thad\twrapped\thimself\tin\this\town\tears.\tJason","continued\tto\tmeditate\tin\this\tcone\tof\tswirling\tshrapnel,\tthough\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\timagine he\twould\tachieve\tnirvana\tunder\tthose\tcircumstances. Meg\tyelled\tand\tgesticulated\tat\tme,\tperhaps\ttelling\tme\tnot\tto\tbe\ta\tfool\tand\tput down\tthe\tarrow.\tI\ttook\tno\tpleasure\tin\tthe\tfact\tthat,\tfor\tonce,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\thear\ther orders. The\temperor\u2019s\tguards\tstayed\twhere\tthey\twere,\tgripping\ttheir\tspears.\tIncitatus munched\this\toats\tlike\the\twas\tat\tthe\tmovies. \u2018Last\tchance,\u2019\tCaligula\tsaid. Somewhere\tbehind\tme,\tat\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tramp,\ta\tvoice\tcalled,\t\u2018My\tlord!\u2019 Caligula\tlooked\tover.\t\u2018What\tis\tit,\tFlange?\tI\u2019m\ta\tlittle\tbusy\there.\u2019 \u2018N-news,\tmy\tlord.\u2019 \u2018Later.\u2019 \u2018Sire,\tit\u2019s\tabout\tthe\tnorthern\tattack.\u2019 I\tfelt\ta\tsurge\tof\thope.\tThe\tassault\ton\tNew\tRome\twas\thappening\ttonight.\tI didn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tgood\thearing\tof\ta\tpandos,\tbut\tthe\thysterical\turgency\tin\tFlange\u2019s tone\twas\tunmistakable.\tHe\twas\tnot\tbringing\tthe\temperor\tgood\tnews. Caligula\u2019s\texpression\tsoured.\t\u2018Come\there,\tthen.\tAnd\tdon\u2019t\ttouch\tthe\tidiot with\tthe\tarrow.\u2019 The\tpandos\tFlange\tshuffled\tpast\tme\tand\twhispered\tsomething\tin\tthe emperor\u2019s\tear.\tCaligula\tmay\thave\tconsidered\thimself\ta\tconsummate\tactor,\tbut\the didn\u2019t\tdo\ta\tgood\tjob\tof\thiding\this\tdisgust. \u2018How\tdisappointing.\u2019\tHe\ttossed\tMeg\u2019s\tgolden\trings\taside\tlike\tthey\twere worthless\tpebbles.\t\u2018Your\tsword,\tplease,\tFlange.\u2019 \u2018I\t\u2013\u2019\tFlange\tfumbled\tfor\this\tkhanda.\t\u2018Y-yes,\tlord.\u2019 Caligula\texamined\tthe\tblunt\tserrated\tblade,\tthen\treturned\tit\tto\tits\towner\twith vicious\tforce,\tplunging\tit\tinto\tthe\tpoor\tpandos\u2019s\tgut.\tFlange\thowled\tas\the crumbled\tto\tdust. Caligula\tfaced\tme.\t\u2018Now,\twhere\twere\twe?\u2019 \u2018Your\tnorthern\tattack,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Didn\u2019t\tgo\tso\twell?\u2019 It\twas\tfoolish\tof\tme\tto\tgoad\thim,\tbut\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\thelp\tit.\tAt\tthat\tmoment,\tI wasn\u2019t\tany\tmore\trational\tthan\tMeg\tMcCaffrey\t\u2013\tI\tjust\twanted\tto\thurt\tCaligula, to\tsmash\teverything\the\towned\tto\tdust. He\twaved\taside\tmy\tquestion.\t\u2018Some\tjobs\tI\thave\tto\tdo\tmyself.\tThat\u2019s\tfine. You\u2019d\tthink\ta\tRoman\tdemigod\tcamp\twould\tobey\torders\tfrom\ta\tRoman\temperor, but\talas.\u2019 \u2018The\tTwelfth\tLegion\thas\ta\tlong\thistory\tof\tsupporting\tgood\temperors,\u2019\tI\tsaid. \u2018And\tof\tdeposing\tbad\tones.\u2019 Caligula\u2019s\tleft\teye\ttwitched.\t\u2018Oh,\tBoost,\twhere\tare\tyou?\u2019","On\tthe\tport\tside,\tone\tof\tthe\thorse-groomer\tpandai\tdropped\this\tbrush\tin\talarm. \u2018Yes,\tlord?\u2019 \u2018Take\tyour\tmen,\u2019\tCaligula\tsaid.\t\u2018Spread\tthe\tword.\tWe\tbreak\tformation immediately\tand\tsail\tnorth.\tWe\thave\tunfinished\tbusiness\tin\tthe\tBay\tArea.\u2019 \u2018But,\tsire\t\u2026\u2019\tBoost\tlooked\tat\tme,\tas\tif\tdeciding\twhether\tI\twas\tenough\tof\ta threat\tto\twarrant\tleaving\tthe\temperor\twithout\this\tremaining\tguards.\t\u2018Yes,\tsire.\u2019 The\trest\tof\tthe\tpandai\tshuffled\toff,\tleaving\tIncitatus\twithout\tanyone\tto\thold his\tgolden\toat\tbucket. \u2018Hey,\tC,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tstallion.\t\u2018Aren\u2019t\tyou\tputting\tthe\tcart\tbefore\tthe\thorse? Before\twe\thead\toff\tto\twar,\tyou\u2019ve\tgot\tto\tfinish\tyour\tbusiness\twith\tLester.\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tI\twill,\u2019\tCaligula\tpromised.\t\u2018Now,\tLester,\twe\tboth\tknow\tyou\u2019re\tnot\tgoing to\t\u2013\u2019 He\tlunged\twith\tblinding\tspeed,\tmaking\ta\tgrab\tfor\tthe\tarrow.\tI\u2019d\tbeen anticipating\tthat.\tBefore\the\tcould\tstop\tme,\tI\tcleverly\tplunged\tthe\tarrow\tinto\tmy chest.\tHa!\tThat\twould\tteach\tCaligula\tto\tunderestimate\tme! Dear\treader,\tit\ttakes\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tof\twillpower\tto\tintentionally\tharm\tyourself. And\tnot\tthe\tgood\tkind\tof\twillpower\t\u2013\tthe\tstupid,\treckless\tkind\tyou\tshould\tnever try\tto\tsummon,\teven\tin\tan\teffort\tto\tsave\tyour\tfriends. As\tI\tstabbed\tmyself,\tI\twas\tshocked\tby\tthe\tsheer\tamount\tof\tpain\tI\texperienced. Why\tdid\tkilling\tyourself\thave\tto\thurt\tso\tmuch? My\tbone\tmarrow\tturned\tto\tlava.\tMy\tlungs\tfilled\twith\thot\twet\tsand.\tBlood soaked\tmy\tshirt\tand\tI\tfell\tto\tmy\tknees,\tgasping\tand\tdizzy.\tThe\tworld\tspun around\tme\tas\tif\tthe\tentire\tthrone\troom\thad\tbecome\ta\tgiant\tventus\tprison. VILLAINY!\tThe\tArrow\tof\tDodona\u2019s\tvoice\tbuzzed\tin\tmy\tmind\t(and\tnow\talso in\tmy\tchest).\tTHOU\tDIDST\tNOT\tJUST\tIMPALE\tME\tHEREIN!\tO,\tVILE, MONSTROUS\tFLESH! A\tdistant\tpart\tof\tmy\tbrain\tthought\tit\twas\tunfair\tfor\thim\tto\tcomplain,\tsince\tI was\tthe\tone\tdying,\tbut\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\thave\tspoken\teven\tif\tI\u2019d\twanted\tto. Caligula\trushed\tforward.\tHe\tgrabbed\tthe\tshaft\tof\tthe\tarrow,\tbut\tMedea\tyelled, \u2018Stop!\u2019 She\tran\tacross\tthe\tthrone\troom\tand\tknelt\tat\tmy\tside. \u2018Pulling\tout\tthe\tarrow\tcould\tmake\tmatters\tworse!\u2019\tshe\thissed. \u2018He\tstabbed\thimself\tin\tthe\tchest,\u2019\tCaligula\tsaid.\t\u2018How\tcan\tit\tbe\tworse?\u2019 \u2018Fool,\u2019\tshe\tmuttered.\tI\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhether\tthe\tcomment\twas\tdirected\tat\tme\tor Caligula.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\twant\thim\tto\tbleed\tout.\u2019\tShe\tremoved\ta\tblack\tsilk\tbag\tfrom\ther belt,\tpulled\tout\ta\tstoppered\tglass\tvial\tand\tshoved\tthe\tbag\tat\tCaligula.\t\u2018Hold this.\u2019 She\tuncorked\tthe\tvial\tand\tpoured\tits\tcontents\tover\tthe\tentry\twound. COLD!\tcomplained\tthe\tArrow\tof\tDodona.\tCOLD!\tCOLD!","Personally,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tfeel\ta\tthing.\tThe\tsearing\tpain\thad\tbecome\ta\tdull,\tthrobbing ache\tthroughout\tmy\twhole\tbody.\tI\twas\tpretty\tsure\tthat\twas\ta\tbad\tsign. Incitatus\ttrotted\tover.\t\u2018Whoa,\the\treally\tdid\tit.\tThat\u2019s\ta\thorse\tof\ta\tdifferent colour.\u2019 Medea\texamined\tthe\twound.\tShe\tcursed\tin\tancient\tColchian,\tcalling\tinto question\tmy\tmother\u2019s\tpast\tromantic\trelationships. \u2018This\tidiot\tcan\u2019t\teven\tkill\thimself\tright,\u2019\tgrumbled\tthe\tsorceress.\t\u2018It\tappears that,\tsomehow,\the\tmissed\this\theart.\u2019 \u2019TWAS\tME,\tWITCH!\tthe\tarrow\tintoned\tfrom\twithin\tmy\tribcage.\tDOST\tTHOU THINK\tI\tWOULD\tFAIN\tALLOW\tMYSELF\tTO\tBE\tEMBEDDED\tIN\tTHE DISGUSTING\tHEART\tOF\tLESTER?\tI\tDODGED\tAND\tWEAVED! I\tmade\ta\tmental\tnote\tto\teither\tthank\tor\tbreak\tthe\tArrow\tof\tDodona\tlater, whichever\tmade\tthe\tmost\tsense\tat\tthe\ttime. Medea\tsnapped\ther\tfingers\tat\tthe\temperor.\t\u2018Hand\tme\tthe\tred\tvial.\u2019 Caligula\tscowled,\tclearly\tnot\tused\tto\tplaying\tsurgical\tnurse.\t\u2018I\tnever\trummage through\ta\twoman\u2019s\tpurse.\tEspecially\ta\tsorceress\u2019s.\u2019 I\tthought\tthis\twas\tthe\tsurest\tsign\tyet\tthat\the\twas\tperfectly\tsane. \u2018If\tyou\twant\tto\tbe\tthe\tsun\tgod,\u2019\tMedea\tsnarled,\t\u2018do\tit!\u2019 Caligula\tfound\tthe\tred\tvial. Medea\tcoated\ther\tright\thand\twith\tthe\tgooey\tcontents.\tWith\ther\tleft,\tshe grabbed\tthe\tArrow\tof\tDodona\tand\tyanked\tit\tfrom\tmy\tchest. I\tscreamed.\tMy\tvision\twent\tdark.\tMy\tleft\tpectorals\tfelt\tlike\tthey\twere\tbeing excavated\twith\ta\tdrill\tbit.\tWhen\tI\tregained\tmy\tsight,\tI\tfound\tthe\tarrow\twound plugged\twith\ta\tthick\tred\tsubstance\tlike\tthe\twax\tof\ta\tletter\tseal.\tThe\tpain\twas horrible,\tunbearable,\tbut\tI\tcould\tbreathe\tagain. If\tI\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tso\tmiserable,\tI\tmight\thave\tsmiled\tin\ttriumph.\tI\thad\tbeen counting\ton\tMedea\u2019s\thealing\tpowers.\tShe\twas\talmost\tas\tskilled\tas\tmy\tson Asclepius,\tthough\ther\tbedside\tmanner\twas\tnot\tas\tgood,\tand\ther\tcures\ttended\tto involve\tdark\tmagic,\tvile\tingredients\tand\tthe\ttears\tof\tsmall\tchildren. I\thad\tnot,\tof\tcourse,\texpected\tCaligula\tto\tlet\tmy\tfriends\tgo.\tBut\tI\thad\thoped, with\tMedea\tdistracted,\tshe\tmight\tlose\tcontrol\tof\ther\tventi.\tAnd\tso\tshe\tdid. That\tmoment\tis\tfixed\tin\tmy\tmind:\tIncitatus\tpeering\tdown\tat\tme,\this\tmuzzle flecked\twith\toats;\tthe\tsorceress\tMedea\texamining\tmy\twound,\ther\thands\tsticky with\tblood\tand\tmagic\tpaste;\tCaligula\tstanding\tover\tme,\this\tsplendid\twhite trousers\tand\tshoes\tfreckled\twith\tmy\tblood;\tand\tPiper\tand\tCrest\ton\tthe\tfloor nearby,\ttheir\tpresence\tmomentarily\tforgotten\tby\tour\tcaptors.\tEven\tMeg\tseemed frozen\twithin\ther\tchurning\tprison,\thorrified\tby\twhat\tI\thad\tdone. That\twas\tthe\tlast\tmoment\tbefore\teverything\twent\twrong,\tbefore\tour\tgreat tragedy\tunspooled\t\u2013\twhen\tJason\tGrace\tthrust\tout\this\tarms,\tand\tthe\tcages\tof","wind\texploded.","33 No\tgood\tnews\tawaits\t I\twarned\tyou\tright\tat\tthe\tstart\t Turn\taway,\treader One\ttornado\tcan\truin\tyour\twhole\tday. I\u2019d\tseen\tthe\tsort\tof\tdevastation\tZeus\tcould\twreak\twhen\the\tgot\tangry\tat Kansas.\tSo\tI\twas\tnot\tsurprised\twhen\tthe\ttwo\tshrapnel-filled\twind\tspirits\tripped through\tthe\tJulia\tDrusilla\tXII\tlike\tchain\tsaws. We\tall\tshould\thave\tdied\tin\tthe\tblast.\tOf\tthat\tI\u2019m\tcertain.\tBut\tJason\tchannelled the\texplosion\tup,\tdown\tand\tsideways\tin\ta\ttwo-dimensional\twave\t\u2013\tblasting through\tthe\tport\tand\tstarboard\twalls;\tbursting\tthrough\tthe\tblack\tceiling\tthat showered\tus\twith\tgolden\tcandelabras\tand\tswords;\tjackhammering\tthrough\tthe mosaic\tfloor\tinto\tthe\tbowels\tof\tthe\tship.\tThe\tyacht\tgroaned\tand\tshook\t\u2013\tmetal, wood\tand\tfibreglass\tsnapping\tlike\tbones\tin\tthe\tmouth\tof\ta\tmonster. Incitatus\tand\tCaligula\tstumbled\tin\tone\tdirection,\tMedea\tin\tthe\tother.\tNone\tof them\tsuffered\tso\tmuch\tas\ta\tscratch.\tMeg\tMcCaffrey,\tunfortunately,\twas\ton Jason\u2019s\tleft.\tWhen\tthe\tventi\texploded,\tshe\tflew\tsideways\tthrough\ta\tnewly\tmade rent\tin\tthe\twall\tand\tdisappeared\tinto\tthe\tdark. I\ttried\tto\tscream.\tI\tthink\tit\tcame\tout\tas\tmore\tof\ta\tdeath\trattle,\tthough.\tWith\tthe explosion\tringing\tin\tmy\tears,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\tsure. I\tcould\tbarely\tmove.\tThere\twas\tno\tchance\tI\tcould\tgo\tafter\tmy\tyoung\tfriend.\tI cast\taround\tdesperately\tand\tfixed\tmy\tgaze\ton\tCrest. The\tyoung\tpandos\u2019s\teyes\twere\tso\twide\tthey\talmost\tmatched\this\tears.\tA golden\tsword\thad\tfallen\tfrom\tthe\tceiling\tand\timpaled\titself\tin\tthe\ttile\tfloor between\this\tlegs.","\u2018Rescue\tMeg,\u2019\tI\tcroaked,\t\u2018and\tI\twill\tteach\tyou\thow\tto\tplay\tany\tinstrument you\twish.\u2019 I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\teven\ta\tpandos\tcould\thear\tme,\tbut\tCrest\tseemed\tto.\tHis expression\tchanged\tfrom\tshock\tto\treckless\tdetermination.\tHe\tscrambled\tacross the\ttilting\tfloor,\tspread\this\tears\tand\tleaped\tinto\tthe\trift. The\tbreak\tin\tthe\tfloor\tbegan\tto\twiden,\tcutting\tus\toff\tfrom\tJason.\tTen-foot-tall waterfalls\tpoured\tin\tfrom\tthe\tdamaged\thull\tto\tport\tand\tstarboard\t\u2013\twashing\tthe mosaic\tfloors\tin\tdark\twater\tand\tflotsam,\tspilling\tinto\tthe\twidening\tchasm\tin\tthe centre\tof\tthe\troom.\tBelow,\tbroken\tmachinery\tsteamed.\tFlames\tguttered\tas seawater\tfilled\tthe\thold.\tAbove,\tlining\tthe\tedges\tof\tthe\tshattered\tceiling,\tpandai appeared,\tscreaming\tand\tdrawing\tweapons\t\u2013\tuntil\tthe\tsky\tlit\tup\tand\ttendrils\tof lightning\tblasted\tthe\tguards\tinto\tdust. Jason\tstepped\tout\tof\tthe\tsmoke\ton\tthe\topposite\tside\tof\tthe\tthrone\troom,\this gladius\tin\this\thand. Caligula\tsnarled.\t\u2018You\u2019re\tone\tof\tthose\tCamp\tJupiter\tbrats,\taren\u2019t\tyou?\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m\tJason\tGrace,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018Former\tpraetor\tof\tthe\tTwelfth\tLegion.\tSon\tof Jupiter.\tChild\tof\tRome.\tBut\tI\tbelong\tto\tboth\tcamps.\u2019 \u2018Good\tenough,\u2019\tCaligula\tsaid.\t\u2018I\u2019ll\thold\tyou\tresponsible\tfor\tCamp\tJupiter\u2019s treason\ttonight.\tIncitatus!\u2019 The\temperor\tsnatched\tup\ta\tgolden\tspear\tthat\twas\trolling\tacross\tthe\tfloor.\tHe vaulted\tonto\this\tstallion\u2019s\tback,\tcharged\tthe\tchasm\tand\tleaped\tit\tin\ta\tsingle bound.\tJason\tthrew\thimself\taside\tto\tavoid\tgetting\ttrampled. From\tsomewhere\tto\tmy\tleft\tcame\ta\thowl\tof\tanger.\tPiper\tMcLean\thad\trisen. Her\tlower\tface\twas\ta\tnightmare\t\u2013\ther\tswollen\tupper\tlip\tsplit\tacross\ther\tteeth,\ther jaw\taskew,\ta\ttrickle\tof\tblood\tcoming\tfrom\tthe\tedge\tof\ther\tmouth. She\tcharged\tMedea,\twho\tturned\tjust\tin\ttime\tto\tcatch\tPiper\u2019s\tfist\tin\ther\tnose. The\tsorceress\tstumbled,\tpinwheeling\ther\tarms\tas\tPiper\tpushed\ther\tover\tthe\tedge of\tthe\tchasm.\tThe\tsorceress\tdisappeared\tinto\tthe\tchurning\tsoup\tof\tburning\tfuel and\tseawater. Piper\tshouted\tat\tJason.\tShe\tmight\thave\tbeen\tsaying\tCOME\tON!\tBut\tall\tthat came\tout\twas\ta\tguttural\tcry. Jason\twas\ta\tlittle\tbusy.\tHe\tdodged\tIncitatus\u2019s\tcharge,\tparrying\tCaligula\u2019s spear\twith\this\tsword,\tbut\the\twas\tmoving\tslowly.\tI\tcould\tonly\tguess\thow\tmuch energy\the\u2019d\texpended\tcontrolling\tthe\twinds\tand\tthe\tlightning. \u2018Get\tout\tof\there!\u2019\the\tcalled\tto\tus.\t\u2018Go!\u2019 An\tarrow\tsprouted\tfrom\this\tleft\tthigh.\tJason\tgrunted\tand\tstumbled.\tAbove\tus, more\tpandai\thad\tgathered,\tdespite\tthe\tthreat\tof\tsevere\tthunderstorms. Piper\tyelled\tin\twarning\tas\tCaligula\tcharged\tagain.\tJason\tjust\tmanaged\tto\troll aside.\tHe\tmade\ta\tgrabbing\tgesture\tat\tthe\tair,\tand\ta\tgust\tof\twind\tyanked\thim","aloft.\tSuddenly\the\tsat\tastride\ta\tminiature\tstorm\tcloud\twith\tfour\tfunnel\tclouds\tfor legs\tand\ta\tmane\tthat\tcrackled\twith\tlightning\t\u2013\tTempest,\this\tventus\tsteed. He\trode\tagainst\tCaligula,\tjousting\tsword\tversus\tspear.\tAnother\tarrow\ttook Jason\tin\tthe\tupper\tarm. \u2018I\ttold\tyou\tthis\tisn\u2019t\ta\tgame!\u2019\tyelled\tCaligula.\t\u2018You\tdon\u2019t\twalk\taway\tfrom\tme alive!\u2019 Below,\tan\texplosion\trocked\tthe\tship.\tThe\troom\tsplit\tfurther\tapart.\tPiper staggered,\twhich\tprobably\tsaved\ther\tlife;\tthree\tarrows\thit\tthe\tspot\twhere\tshe\u2019d been\tstanding. Somehow,\tshe\tpulled\tme\tto\tmy\tfeet.\tI\twas\tclutching\tthe\tArrow\tof\tDodona, though\tI\thad\tno\tmemory\tof\tpicking\tit\tup.\tI\tsaw\tno\tsign\tof\tCrest,\tor\tMeg,\tor\teven Medea.\tAn\tarrow\tsprouted\tfrom\tthe\ttoe\tof\tmy\tshoe.\tI\twas\tin\tso\tmuch\tpain already\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\tif\tit\thad\tpierced\tmy\tfoot\tor\tnot. Piper\ttugged\tat\tmy\tarm.\tShe\tpointed\tto\tJason,\ther\twords\turgent\tbut unintelligible.\tI\twanted\tto\thelp\thim,\tbut\twhat\tcould\tI\tdo?\tI\u2019d\tjust\tstabbed\tmyself in\tthe\tchest.\tI\twas\tpretty\tsure\tthat\tif\tI\tsneezed\ttoo\thard\tI\twould\tdisplace\tthe\tred plug\tin\tmy\twound\tand\tbleed\tto\tdeath.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tdraw\ta\tbow\tor\teven\tstrum\ta ukulele.\tMeanwhile,\ton\tthe\tbroken\troof\tline\tabove\tus,\tmore\tand\tmore\tpandai appeared,\teager\tto\thelp\tme\tcommit\tarrowcide. Piper\twas\tno\tbetter\toff.\tThe\tfact\tthat\tshe\twas\ton\ther\tfeet\tat\tall\twas\ta\tmiracle\t\u2013 the\tsort\tof\tmiracle\tthat\tcomes\tback\tto\tkill\tyou\tlater\twhen\tthe\tadrenalin\twears\toff. Nevertheless,\thow\tcould\twe\tleave? I\twatched\tin\thorror\tas\tJason\tand\tCaligula\tfought,\tJason\tbleeding\tfrom\tarrows in\teach\tlimb\tnow,\tyet\tsomehow\tstill\table\tto\traise\this\tsword.\tThe\tspace\twas\ttoo small\tfor\ttwo\tmen\ton\thorses,\tyet\tthey\tcircled\tone\tanother,\ttrading\tblows. Incitatus\tkicked\tat\tTempest\twith\this\tgolden-shod\tfront\thooves.\tThe\tventus responded\twith\tbursts\tof\telectricity\tthat\tscorched\tthe\tstallion\u2019s\twhite\tflanks. As\tthe\tformer\tpraetor\tand\tthe\temperor\tcharged\tpast\teach\tother,\tJason\tmet\tmy eyes\tacross\tthe\truined\tthrone\troom.\tHis\texpression\ttold\tme\this\tplan\twith\tperfect clarity.\tLike\tme,\the\thad\tdecided\tthat\tPiper\tMcLean\twould\tnot\tdie\ttonight.\tFor some\treason,\the\thad\tdecided\tthat\tI\tmust\tlive\ttoo. He\tyelled\tagain,\t\u2018GO!\tRemember!\u2019 I\twas\tslow,\tdumbstruck.\tJason\theld\tmy\tgaze\ta\tfraction\tof\ta\tsecond\ttoo\tlong, perhaps\tto\tmake\tsure\tthat\tlast\tword\tsank\tin:\tremember\t\u2013\tthe\tpromise\the\thad extracted\tfrom\tme\ta\tmillion\tyears\tago\tthis\tmorning,\tin\this\tPasadena\tdorm\troom. While\tJason\u2019s\tback\twas\tturned,\tCaligula\twheeled\tabout.\tHe\tthrew\this\tspear, driving\tits\tpoint\tbetween\tJason\u2019s\tshoulder\tblades.\tPiper\tscreamed.\tJason stiffened,\this\tblue\teyes\twide\tin\tshock.","He\tslumped\tforward,\twrapping\this\tarms\taround\tTempest\u2019s\tneck.\tHis\tlips moved,\tas\tif\the\twas\twhispering\tsomething\tto\this\tsteed. Carry\thim\taway!\tI\tprayed,\tknowing\tthat\tno\tgod\twould\tlisten.\tPlease,\tjust\tlet Tempest\tget\thim\tto\tsafety! Jason\ttoppled\tfrom\this\tsteed.\tHe\thit\tthe\tdeck\tfacedown,\tthe\tspear\tstill\tin\this back,\this\tgladius\tclattering\tfrom\this\thand. Incitatus\ttrotted\tup\tto\tthe\tfallen\tdemigod.\tArrows\tcontinued\tto\train\taround\tus. Caligula\tstared\tat\tme\tacross\tthe\tchasm\t\u2013\tgiving\tme\tthe\tsame\tdispleased\tscowl my\tfather\tused\tto\tbefore\tinflicting\tone\tof\this\tpunishments:\tNow\tlook\twhat you\u2019ve\tmade\tme\tdo. \u2018I\twarned\tyou,\u2019\tCaligula\tsaid.\tThen\the\tglanced\tat\tthe\tpandai\tabove.\t\u2018Leave Apollo\talive.\tHe\u2019s\tno\tthreat.\tBut\tkill\tthe\tgirl.\u2019 Piper\thowled,\tshaking\twith\timpotent\trage.\tI\tstepped\tin\tfront\tof\ther\tand\twaited for\tdeath,\twondering\twith\tcold\tdetachment\twhere\tthe\tfirst\tarrow\tmight\tstrike.\tI watched\tas\tCaligula\tplucked\tout\this\tspear,\tthen\tdrove\tit\tagain\tinto\tJason\u2019s\tback, removing\tany\tlast\thope\tthat\tour\tfriend\tmight\tstill\tbe\talive. As\tthe\tpandai\tdrew\ttheir\tbows\tand\ttook\taim,\tthe\tair\tcrackled\twith\tcharged ozone.\tThe\twinds\tswirled\taround\tus.\tSuddenly\tPiper\tand\tI\twere\twhisked\tfrom the\tburning\tshell\tof\tthe\tJulia\tDrusilla\tXII\ton\tthe\tback\tof\tTempest\t\u2013\tthe\tventus carrying\tout\tJason\u2019s\tlast\torders\tto\tget\tus\tsafely\taway,\twhether\twe\twanted\tit\tor not. I\tsobbed\tin\tdespair\tas\twe\tshot\tacross\tthe\tsurface\tof\tSanta\tBarbara\tHarbor,\tthe sounds\tof\texplosions\tstill\trumbling\tbehind\tus.","34 Surfing\taccident\t My\tnew\teuphemism\tfor\t Worst\tevening\tever For\tthe\tnext\tfew\thours,\tmy\tmind\tdeserted\tme. I\tdo\tnot\tremember\tTempest\tdropping\tus\ton\tthe\tbeach,\tthough\the\tmust\thave done\tso.\tI\trecall\tmoments\tof\tPiper\tyelling\tat\tme,\tor\tsitting\tin\tthe\tsurf\tshuddering with\tdry\tsobs,\tor\tuselessly\tclawing\tgobs\tof\twet\tsand\tand\tthrowing\tthem\tat\tthe waves.\tA\tfew\ttimes,\tshe\tslapped\taway\tthe\tambrosia\tand\tnectar\tI\ttried\tto\tgive\ther. I\tremember\tslowly\tpacing\tthe\tthin\tstretch\tof\tbeach,\tmy\tfeet\tbare,\tmy\tshirt cold\tfrom\tthe\tseawater.\tThe\tplug\tof\thealing\tgoo\tthrobbed\tin\tmy\tchest,\tleaking\ta little\tblood\tfrom\ttime\tto\ttime. We\twere\tno\tlonger\tin\tSanta\tBarbara.\tThere\twas\tno\tharbour,\tno\tstring\tof super-yachts,\tjust\tthe\tdark\tPacific\tstretching\tbefore\tus.\tBehind\tus\tloomed\ta\tdark cliff.\tA\tzigzag\tof\twooden\tstairs\tled\tup\ttowards\tthe\tlights\tof\ta\thouse\tat\tthe\ttop. Meg\tMcCaffrey\twas\tthere\ttoo.\tWait.\tWhen\tdid\tMeg\tarrive?\tShe\twas thoroughly\tdrenched,\ther\tclothes\tshredded,\ther\tface\tand\tarms\ta\twar\tzone\tof bruises\tand\tcuts.\tShe\tsat\tnext\tto\tPiper,\tsharing\tambrosia.\tI\tsuppose\tmy\tambrosia wasn\u2019t\tgood\tenough.\tThe\tpandos\tCrest\tsquatted\tsome\tdistance\taway\tat\tthe\tbase of\tthe\tcliff,\teyeing\tme\thungrily\tas\tif\twaiting\tfor\this\tfirst\tmusic\tlesson\tto\tbegin. The\tpandos\tmust\thave\tdone\twhat\tI\u2019d\tasked.\tSomehow,\the\u2019d\tfound\tMeg,\tpulled her\tfrom\tthe\tsea\tand\tflown\ther\there\t\u2026\twherever\there\twas. The\tthing\tI\tremember\tmost\tclearly\tis\tPiper\tsaying,\tHe\u2019s\tnot\tdead. She\tsaid\tthis\tover\tand\tover,\tas\tsoon\tas\tshe\tcould\tmanage\tthe\twords,\tonce\tthe nectar\tand\tambrosia\ttamed\tthe\tswelling\taround\ther\tmouth.\tShe\tstill\tlooked awful.\tHer\tupper\tlip\tneeded\tstitches.\tShe\twould\tdefinitely\thave\ta\tscar.\tHer\tjaw,","chin\tand\tlower\tlip\twere\tone\tgigantic\taubergine-coloured\tbruise.\tI\tsuspected\ther dentist\tbill\twould\tbe\thefty.\tStill,\tshe\tforced\tout\tthe\twords\twith\tsteady determination.\t\u2018He\u2019s\tnot\tdead.\u2019 Meg\theld\ther\tshoulder.\t\u2018Maybe.\tWe\u2019ll\tfind\tout.\tYou\tneed\tto\trest\tand\theal.\u2019 I\tstared\tincredulously\tat\tmy\tyoung\tmaster.\t\u2018Maybe?\tMeg,\tyou\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\twhat happened!\tHe\t\u2026\tJason\t\u2026\tthe\tspear\t\u2013\u2019 Meg\tglared\tat\tme.\tShe\tdid\tnot\tsay\tShut\tup,\tbut\tI\theard\tthe\torder\tloud\tand clear.\tOn\ther\thands,\ther\tgold\trings\tglinted,\tthough\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tshe\tcould have\tretrieved\tthem.\tPerhaps,\tlike\tso\tmany\tmagic\tweapons,\tthey\tautomatically returned\tto\ttheir\towner\tif\tlost.\tIt\twould\tbe\tlike\tNero\tto\tgive\this\tstepdaughter such\tclingy\tgifts. \u2018Tempest\twill\tfind\tJason,\u2019\tMeg\tinsisted.\t\u2018We\tjust\thave\tto\twait.\u2019 Tempest\t\u2026\tright.\tAfter\tthe\tventus\thad\tbrought\tPiper\tand\tme\there,\tI\tvaguely remembered\tPiper\tharassing\tthe\tspirit,\tusing\tgarbled\twords\tand\tgestures\tto\torder him\tback\tto\tthe\tyachts\tto\tfind\tJason.\tTempest\thad\traced\toff\tacross\tthe\tsurface\tof the\tsea\tlike\tan\telectrified\twaterspout. Now,\tstaring\tat\tthe\thorizon,\tI\twondered\tif\tI\tcould\tdare\thope\tfor\tgood\tnews. My\tmemories\tfrom\tthe\tship\twere\tcoming\tback,\tpiecing\tthemselves\ttogether into\ta\tfresco\tmore\thorrible\tthan\tanything\tpainted\ton\tCaligula\u2019s\twalls. The\temperor\thad\twarned\tme:\tThis\tis\tnot\ta\tgame.\tHe\twas\tindeed\tnot Commodus.\tAs\tmuch\tas\tCaligula\tloved\ttheatrics,\the\twould\tnever\tmess\tup\tan execution\tby\tadding\tglitzy\tspecial\teffects,\tostriches,\tbasketballs,\trace\tcars\tand loud\tmusic.\tCaligula\tdid\tnot\tpretend\tto\tkill.\tHe\tkilled. \u2018He\u2019s\tnot\tdead.\u2019\tPiper\trepeated\ther\tmantra,\tas\tif\ttrying\tto\tcharmspeak\therself as\twell\tas\tus.\t\u2018He\u2019s\tgone\tthrough\ttoo\tmuch\tto\tdie\tnow,\tlike\tthat.\u2019 I\twanted\tto\tbelieve\ther. Sadly,\tI\thad\twitnessed\ttens\tof\tthousands\tof\tmortal\tdeaths.\tFew\tof\tthem\thad any\tmeaning.\tMost\twere\tuntimely,\tunexpected,\tundignified,\tand\tat\tleast\tslightly embarrassing.\tThe\tpeople\twho\tdeserved\tto\tdie\ttook\tforever\tto\tdo\tso.\tThose\twho deserved\tto\tlive\talways\twent\ttoo\tsoon. Falling\tin\tcombat\tagainst\tan\tevil\temperor\tin\torder\tto\tsave\tone\u2019s\tfriends\t\u2026\tthat seemed\tall\ttoo\tplausible\ta\tdeath\tfor\ta\thero\tlike\tJason\tGrace.\tHe\u2019d\ttold\tme\twhat the\tErythraean\tSibyl\tsaid.\tIf\tI\thadn\u2019t\tasked\thim\tto\tcome\twith\tus\t\u2013 Don\u2019t\tblame\tyourself,\tsaid\tSelfish\tApollo.\tIt\twas\this\tchoice. It\twas\tmy\tquest!\tsaid\tGuilty\tApollo.\tIf\tnot\tfor\tme,\tJason\twould\tbe\tsafe\tin\this dorm\troom,\tsketching\tnew\tshrines\tfor\tobscure\tminor\tdeities!\tPiper\tMcLean would\tbe\tunharmed,\tspending\ttime\twith\ther\tfather,\tpreparing\tfor\ta\tnew\tlife\tin Oklahoma. Selfish\tApollo\thad\tnothing\tto\tsay\tto\tthis,\tor\the\tkept\tit\tselfishly\tto\thimself.","I\tcould\tonly\twatch\tthe\tsea\tand\twait,\thoping\tthat\tJason\tGrace\twould\tcome riding\tout\tof\tthe\tdarkness\talive\tand\twell. At\tlast,\tthe\tsmell\tof\tozone\tlaced\tthe\tair.\tLightning\tflashed\tacross\tthe\tsurface of\tthe\twater.\tTempest\tcharged\tashore,\ta\tdark\tform\tlaid\tacross\this\tback\tlike\ta saddlebag. The\twind\thorse\tknelt.\tHe\tgently\tspilled\tJason\tonto\tthe\tsand.\tPiper\tshouted and\tran\tto\this\tside.\tMeg\tfollowed.\tThe\tmost\thorrible\tthing\twas\tthe\tmomentary look\tof\trelief\ton\ttheir\tfaces,\tbefore\tit\twas\tcrushed. Jason\u2019s\tskin\twas\tthe\tcolour\tof\tblank\tparchment,\tspeckled\twith\tslime,\tsand\tand foam.\tThe\tsea\thad\twashed\taway\tthe\tblood,\tbut\this\tschool\tshirt\twas\tstained\tas purple\tas\ta\tsenatorial\tsash.\tArrows\tprotruded\tfrom\this\tarms\tand\tlegs.\tHis\tright hand\twas\tfixed\tin\ta\tpointing\tgesture,\tas\tif\the\twere\tstill\ttelling\tus\tto\tgo.\tHis expression\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\ttortured\tor\tscared.\tHe\tlooked\tat\tpeace,\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tjust managed\tto\tfall\tasleep\tafter\ta\thard\tday.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\twake\thim. Piper\tshook\thim\tand\tsobbed,\t\u2018JASON!\u2019\tHer\tvoice\techoed\tfrom\tthe\tcliffs. Meg\u2019s\tface\tsettled\tinto\ta\thard\tscowl.\tShe\tsat\tback\ton\ther\thaunches\tand\tlooked up\tat\tme.\t\u2018Fix\thim.\u2019 The\tforce\tof\tthe\tcommand\tpulled\tme\tforward,\tmade\tme\tkneel\tat\tJason\u2019s\tside. I\tput\tmy\thand\ton\tJason\u2019s\tcold\tforehead,\twhich\tonly\tconfirmed\tthe\tobvious. \u2018Meg,\tI\tcannot\tfix\tdeath.\tI\twish\tI\tcould.\u2019 \u2018There\u2019s\talways\ta\tway,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018The\tphysician\u2019s\tcure!\tLeo\ttook\tit!\u2019 I\tshook\tmy\thead.\t\u2018Leo\thad\tthe\tcure\tready\tat\tthe\tmoment\the\tdied,\u2019\tI\tsaid gently.\t\u2018He\twent\tthrough\tmany\thardships\tin\tadvance\tto\tget\tthe\tingredients.\tEven then,\the\tneeded\tAsclepius\tto\tmake\tit.\tThat\twouldn\u2019t\twork\there,\tnot\tfor\tJason. I\u2019m\tso\tsorry,\tPiper.\tIt\u2019s\ttoo\tlate.\u2019 \u2018No,\u2019\tshe\tinsisted.\t\u2018No,\tthe\tCherokee\talways\ttaught\t\u2026\u2019\tShe\ttook\ta\tshaky breath,\tas\tif\tsteeling\therself\tfor\tthe\tpain\tof\tspeaking\tso\tmany\twords.\t\u2018One\tof\tthe most\timportant\tstories.\tBack\twhen\tman\tfirst\tstarted\tdestroying\tnature,\tthe animals\tdecided\the\twas\ta\tthreat.\tThey\tall\tvowed\tto\tfight\tback.\tEach\tanimal\thad a\tdifferent\tway\tto\tkill\thumans.\tBut\tthe\tplants\t\u2026\tthey\twere\tkind\tand compassionate.\tThey\tvowed\tthe\topposite\t\u2013\tthat\tthey\u2019d\teach\tfind\ttheir\town\tway to\tprotect\tpeople.\tSo,\tthere\u2019s\ta\tplant\tcure\tfor\teverything,\twhatever\tdisease\tor poison\tor\twound.\tSome\tplant\thas\tthe\tcure.\tYou\tjust\thave\tto\tknow\twhich\tone!\u2019 I\tgrimaced.\t\u2018Piper,\tthat\tstory\tholds\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tof\twisdom.\tBut,\teven\tif\tI\twere still\ta\tgod,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\toffer\tyou\ta\tremedy\tto\tbring\tback\tthe\tdead.\tIf\tsuch\ta\tthing existed,\tHades\twould\tnever\tallow\tits\tuse.\u2019 \u2018The\tDoors\tof\tDeath,\tthen!\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018Medea\tcame\tback\tthat\tway!\tWhy\tnot Jason?\tThere\u2019s\talways\ta\tway\tto\tcheat\tthe\tsystem.\tHelp\tme!\u2019","Her\tcharmspeak\twashed\tover\tme,\tas\tpowerful\tas\tMeg\u2019s\torder.\tThen\tI\tlooked at\tJason\u2019s\tpeaceful\texpression. \u2018Piper,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018you\tand\tJason\tfought\tto\tclose\tthe\tDoors\tof\tDeath.\tBecause you\tknew\tit\twas\tnot\tright\tto\tlet\tthe\tdead\tback\tinto\tthe\tworld\tof\tthe\tliving.\tJason Grace\tstruck\tme\tas\tmany\tthings,\tbut\the\twasn\u2019t\ta\tcheater.\tWould\the\twant\tyou\tto rend\tthe\theavens\tand\tthe\tearth\tand\tthe\tUnderworld\tto\tbring\thim\tback?\u2019 Her\teyes\tflashed\tangrily.\t\u2018You\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tbecause\tyou\u2019re\ta\tgod.\tYou\u2019ll\tgo back\tto\tOlympus\tafter\tyou\tfree\tthe\tOracles,\tso\twhat\tdoes\tit\tmatter?\tYou\u2019re\tusing us\tto\tget\twhat\tyou\twant,\tlike\tall\tthe\tother\tgods.\u2019 \u2018Hey,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid,\tgently\tbut\tfirmly.\t\u2018That\twon\u2019t\thelp.\u2019 Piper\tpressed\ta\thand\ton\tJason\u2019s\tchest.\t\u2018What\tdid\the\tdie\tfor,\tApollo?\tA\tpair\tof shoes?\u2019 A\tjolt\tof\tpanic\talmost\tblew\tout\tmy\tchest\tplug.\tI\u2019d\tentirely\tforgotten\tabout\tthe shoes.\tI\ttugged\tthe\tquiver\tfrom\tmy\tback\tand\tturned\tit\tupside\tdown,\tshaking\tout the\tarrows. The\trolled-up\tsandals\tof\tCaligula\ttumbled\tonto\tthe\tbeach. \u2018They\u2019re\there.\u2019\tI\tscooped\tthem\tup,\tmy\thands\ttrembling.\t\u2018At\tleast\t\u2013\tat\tleast\twe have\tthem.\u2019 Piper\tlet\tout\ta\tbroken\tsob.\tShe\tstroked\tJason\u2019s\thair.\t\u2018Yeah,\tyeah,\tthat\u2019s\tgreat. You\tcan\tgo\tsee\tyour\tOracle\tnow.\tThe\tOracle\tthat\tgot\thim\tKILLED!\u2019 Somewhere\tbehind\tme,\tpartway\tup\tthe\tcliff,\ta\tman\u2019s\tvoice\tcried\tout,\t\u2018Piper?\u2019 Tempest\tfled,\tbursting\tinto\twind\tand\traindrops. Hurrying\tdown\tthe\tcliffside\tstairs,\tin\tplaid\tpyjama\tpants\tand\ta\twhite\tT-shirt, came\tTristan\tMcLean. Of\tcourse,\tI\trealized.\tTempest\thad\tbrought\tus\tto\tthe\tMcLean\thouse\tin\tMalibu. Somehow,\the\thad\tknown\tto\tcome\there.\tPiper\u2019s\tfather\tmust\thave\theard\ther\tcries all\tthe\tway\tfrom\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tcliff. He\tran\ttowards\tus,\this\tflip-flops\tslapping\tagainst\this\tsoles,\tsand\tspraying around\tthe\tcuffs\tof\this\tpants,\this\tshirt\trippling\tin\tthe\twind.\tHis\tdark\tdishevelled hair\tblew\tin\this\teyes,\tbut\tit\tdid\tnot\thide\this\tlook\tof\talarm. \u2018Piper,\tI\twas\twaiting\tfor\tyou!\u2019\the\tcalled.\t\u2018I\twas\ton\tthe\tterrace\tand\t\u2013\u2019 He\tfroze,\tfirst\tseeing\this\tdaughter\u2019s\tbrutalized\tface,\tthen\tthe\tbody\tlying\ton\tthe sand. \u2018Oh,\tno,\tno.\u2019\tHe\trushed\tto\tPiper.\t\u2018What\t\u2013\twhat\tis\t\u2013?\tWho\t\u2013?\u2019 Having\tassured\thimself\tthat\tPiper\twas\tnot\tin\timminent\tdanger\tof\tdying,\the knelt\tnext\tto\tJason\tand\tput\this\thand\tagainst\tthe\tboy\u2019s\tneck,\tchecking\tfor\ta\tpulse. He\tput\this\tear\tto\tJason\u2019s\tmouth,\tchecking\tfor\tbreath.\tOf\tcourse,\the\tfound\tnone. He\tlooked\tat\tus\tin\tdismay.\tHe\tdid\ta\tdouble\ttake\twhen\the\tnoticed\tCrest crouched\tnearby,\this\tmassive\twhite\tears\tspread\taround\thim.","I\tcould\talmost\tfeel\tthe\tMist\tswirling\taround\tTristan\tMcLean\tas\the\tattempted to\tdecipher\twhat\the\twas\tseeing,\ttrying\tto\tput\tit\tinto\ta\tcontext\this\tmortal\tbrain could\tunderstand. \u2018Surfing\taccident?\u2019\the\tventured.\t\u2018Oh,\tPiper,\tyou\tknow\tthose\trocks\tare dangerous.\tWhy\tdidn\u2019t\tyou\ttell\tme\t\u2013?\tHow\tdid\t\u2013?\tNever\tmind.\tNever\tmind.\u2019 With\tshaking\thands,\the\tdug\this\tphone\tfrom\tthe\tpocket\tof\this\tpyjama\tpants\tand dialed\t9-1-1. The\tphone\tsquealed\tand\thissed. \u2018My\tphone\tisn\u2019t\t\u2013\tI\t\u2013\tI\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand.\u2019 Piper\tbroke\tdown\tin\tsobs,\tpressing\therself\tto\ther\tfather\u2019s\tchest. At\tthat\tmoment,\tTristan\tMcLean\tshould\thave\tbroken\tonce\tand\tfor\tall.\tHis\tlife had\tfallen\tapart.\tHe\u2019d\tlost\teverything\the\u2019d\tworked\tfor\this\tentire\tcareer.\tNow, finding\this\tdaughter\tinjured\tand\ther\tformer\tboyfriend\tdead\ton\tthe\tbeach\tof\this foreclosed\tproperty\t\u2013\tsurely,\tthat\twas\tenough\tto\tmake\tanyone\u2019s\tsanity\tcrumble. Caligula\twould\thave\tanother\treason\tto\tcelebrate\ta\tgood\tnight\tof\tsadistic\twork. Instead,\thuman\tresilience\tsurprised\tme\tonce\tagain.\tTristan\tMcLean\u2019s expression\tturned\tsteely.\tHis\tfocus\tcleared.\tHe\tmust\thave\trealized\this\tdaughter needed\thim\tand\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tafford\tto\tindulge\tin\tself-pity.\tHe\thad\tone\timportant role\tleft\tto\tplay:\tthe\trole\tof\ther\tfather. \u2018Okay,\tbaby,\u2019\the\tsaid,\tcradling\ther\thead.\t\u2018Okay,\twe\u2019ll\t\u2013\twe\u2019ll\tfigure\tthis\tout. We\u2019ll\tget\tthrough\tit.\u2019 He\tturned\tand\tpointed\tat\tCrest,\tstill\tlurking\tnear\tthe\tcliff.\t\u2018You.\u2019 Crest\thissed\tat\thim\tlike\ta\tcat. Mr\tMcLean\tblinked,\this\tmind\tdoing\ta\thard\treset. He\tpointed\tat\tme.\t\u2018You.\tTake\tthe\tothers\tup\tto\tthe\thouse.\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tstay with\tPiper.\tUse\tthe\tlandline\tin\tthe\tkitchen.\tCall\tnine-one-one.\tTell\tthem\t\u2026\u2019\tHe looked\tat\tJason\u2019s\tbroken\tbody.\t\u2018Tell\tthem\tto\tget\there\tright\taway.\u2019 Piper\tlooked\tup,\ther\teyes\tswollen\tand\tred.\t\u2018And,\tApollo?\tDon\u2019t\tcome\tback. You\thear\tme?\tJust\t\u2013\tjust\tgo.\u2019 \u2018Pipes,\u2019\ther\tfather\tsaid.\t\u2018It\u2019s\tnot\ttheir\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018GO!\u2019\tshe\tscreamed. As\twe\tmade\tour\tway\tup\tthe\trickety\tstairs,\tI\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhich\tfelt\theavier:\tmy exhausted\tbody,\tor\tthe\tcannonball\tof\tgrief\tand\tguilt\tthat\thad\tsettled\tin\tmy\tchest. All\tthe\tway\tto\tthe\thouse,\tI\theard\tPiper\u2019s\tsobs\techoing\toff\tthe\tdark\tcliffs.","35 If\tyou\tgive\ta\tpan- dos\ta\tukulele,\the\t Will\twant\tlessons.\tDON\u2019T. The\tnews\tsimply\twent\tfrom\tbad\tto\tworse. Neither\tMeg\tnor\tI\tcould\tmake\tthe\tlandline\tfunction.\tWhatever\tcurse\tafflicted demigod\tuse\tof\tcommunications,\tit\tprevented\tus\tfrom\tgetting\ta\tdial\ttone. In\tdesperation,\tI\tasked\tCrest\tto\ttry.\tFor\thim,\tthe\tphone\tworked\tfine.\tI\ttook that\tas\ta\tpersonal\taffront. I\ttold\thim\tto\tdial\t9-1-1.\tAfter\the\tfailed\trepeatedly,\tit\tdawned\ton\tme\tthat\the was\ttrying\tto\tpunch\tin\tIX-I-I.\tI\tshowed\thim\thow\tto\tdo\tit\tcorrectly. \u2018Yes,\u2019\the\tsaid\tto\tthe\toperator.\t\u2018There\tis\ta\tdead\thuman\ton\tthe\tbeach.\tHe requires\thelp\t\u2026\tThe\taddress?\u2019 \u2018Twelve\tOro\tdel\tMar,\u2019\tI\tsaid. Crest\trepeated\tthis.\t\u2018That\tis\tcorrect\t\u2026\tWho\tam\tI?\u2019\tHe\thissed\tand\thung\tup. That\tseemed\tlike\tour\tcue\tto\tleave. Misery\tupon\tmisery:\tGleeson\tHedge\u2019s\t1979\tFord\tPinto\twas\tstill\tparked\tin front\tof\tthe\tMcLean\thouse.\tLacking\ta\tbetter\toption,\tI\twas\tforced\tto\tdrive\tit\tback to\tPalm\tSprings.\tI\tstill\tfelt\tterrible,\tbut\tthe\tmagic\tsealant\tMedea\thad\tused\ton\tmy chest\tseemed\tto\tbe\tmending\tme,\tslowly\tand\tpainfully,\tlike\tan\tarmy\tof\tlittle demons\twith\tstaple\tguns\trunning\taround\tin\tmy\tribcage. Meg\trode\tshotgun,\tfilling\tthe\tcar\twith\ta\tsmell\tlike\tsmoky\tsweat,\tdamp clothes,\tand\tburning\tapples.\tCrest\tsat\tin\tthe\tback\tseat\twith\tmy\tcombat\tukulele, picking\tand\tstrumming,\tthough\tI\thad\tyet\tto\tteach\thim\tany\tchords.\tAs\tI\u2019d anticipated,\tthe\tfret\tboard\twas\tmuch\ttoo\tsmall\tfor\this\teight-fingered\thand.\tEvery","time\the\tplayed\ta\tbad\tcombination\tof\tnotes\t(which\twas\tevery\ttime\the\tplayed)\the hissed\tat\tthe\tinstrument,\tas\tif\the\tmight\tbe\table\tto\tintimidate\tit\tinto\tcooperating. I\tdrove\tin\ta\tdaze.\tThe\tfurther\twe\tgot\tfrom\tMalibu,\tthe\tmore\tI\tfound\tmyself thinking,\tNo.\tSurely\tthat\tdidn\u2019t\thappen.\tToday\tmust\thave\tbeen\ta\tbad\tdream.\tI\tdid not\tjust\twatch\tJason\tGrace\tdie.\tI\tdid\tnot\tjust\tleave\tPiper\tMcLean\tsobbing\ton that\tbeach.\tI\twould\tnever\tallow\tsomething\tlike\tthat\tto\thappen.\tI\u2019m\ta\tgood person! I\tdid\tnot\tbelieve\tmyself. Rather,\tI\twas\tthe\tsort\tof\tperson\twho\tdeserved\tto\tbe\tdriving\ta\tyellow\tPinto\tin the\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tnight\twith\ta\tgrumpy,\traggedy\tgirl\tand\ta\thissing,\tukulele- obsessed\tpandos\tfor\tcompany. I\twasn\u2019t\teven\tsure\twhy\twe\twere\treturning\tto\tPalm\tSprings.\tWhat\tgood\twould it\tdo?\tYes,\tGrover\tand\tour\tother\tfriends\twere\texpecting\tus,\tbut\tall\twe\thad\tto offer\tthem\twas\ttragic\tnews\tand\tan\told\tpair\tof\tsandals.\tOur\tgoal\twas\tin downtown\tLos\tAngeles:\tthe\tentrance\tto\tthe\tBurning\tMaze.\tTo\tmake\tsure\tJason\u2019s death\twas\tnot\tin\tvain,\twe\tshould\thave\tbeen\tdriving\tstraight\tthere\tto\tfind\tthe Sibyl\tand\tfree\ther\tfrom\ther\tprison. Ah,\tbut\twho\twas\tI\tkidding?\tI\twas\tin\tno\tshape\tto\tdo\tanything.\tMeg\twasn\u2019t much\tbetter\toff.\tThe\tbest\tI\tcould\thope\tfor\twas\tto\tmake\tit\tto\tPalm\tSprings without\tdozing\tat\tthe\twheel.\tThen\tI\tcould\tcurl\tup\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tCistern and\tcry\tmyself\tto\tsleep. Meg\tpropped\ther\tfeet\ton\tthe\tdashboard.\tHer\tglasses\thad\tsnapped\tin\thalf,\tbut she\tcontinued\tto\twear\tthem\tlike\tskewed\taviator\tgoggles. \u2018Give\ther\ttime,\u2019\tshe\ttold\tme.\t\u2018She\u2019s\tangry.\u2019 For\ta\tmoment,\tI\twondered\tif\tMeg\twas\tspeaking\tof\therself\tin\tthe\tthird\tperson. That\u2019s\tall\tI\tneeded.\tThen\tI\trealized\tshe\tmeant\tPiper\tMcLean.\tIn\ther\town\tway, Meg\twas\ttrying\tto\tcomfort\tme.\tThe\tterrifying\tmarvels\tof\tthe\tday\twould\tnever cease. \u2018I\tknow,\u2019\tI\tsaid. \u2018You\ttried\tto\tkill\tyourself,\u2019\tshe\tnoted. \u2018I\t\u2013\tI\tthought\tit\twould\t\u2026\tdistract\tMedea.\tIt\twas\ta\tmistake.\tIt\u2019s\tall\tmy\tfault.\u2019 \u2018Nah.\tI\tget\tit.\u2019 Was\tMeg\tMcCaffrey\tforgiving\tme?\tI\tswallowed\tback\ta\tsob. \u2018Jason\tmade\ta\tchoice,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018Same\tas\tyou.\tHeroes\thave\tto\tbe\tready\tto sacrifice\tthemselves.\u2019 I\tfelt\tunsettled\t\u2026\tand\tnot\tjust\tbecause\tMeg\thad\tused\tsuch\ta\tlong\tsentence.\tI didn\u2019t\tlike\ther\tdefinition\tof\theroism.\tI\u2019d\talways\tthought\tof\ta\thero\tas\tsomeone who\tstood\ton\ta\tparade\tfloat,\twaved\tat\tthe\tcrowd,\ttossed\tcandy\tand\tbasked\tin\tthe","adulation\tof\tthe\tcommoners.\tBut\tsacrificing\tyourself?\tNo.\tThat\twould\tnot\tbe one\tof\tmy\tbullet\tpoints\tfor\ta\thero-recruitment\tbrochure. Also,\tMeg\tseemed\tto\tbe\tcalling\tme\ta\thero,\tputting\tme\tin\tthe\tsame\tcategory\tas Jason\tGrace.\tThat\tdidn\u2019t\tfeel\tright.\tI\tmade\ta\tmuch\tbetter\tgod\tthan\ta\thero.\tWhat I\u2019d\ttold\tPiper\twas\ttrue\tabout\tthe\tfinality\tof\tdeath.\tJason\twould\tnot\tbe\tcoming back.\tIf\tI\tperished\there\ton\tearth,\tI\twould\tnot\tbe\tgetting\ta\tdo-over\teither.\tI\tcould never\tface\tthat\tidea\tas\tcalmly\tas\tJason\thad.\tI\thad\tstabbed\tmyself\tin\tthe\tchest fully\texpecting\tthat\tMedea\twould\theal\tme,\tif\tonly\tso\tshe\tcould\tflay\tme\talive\ta few\tminutes\tlater.\tI\twas\ta\tcoward\tthat\tway. Meg\tpicked\tat\ta\tcallus\ton\ther\tpalm.\t\u2018You\twere\tright.\tAbout\tCaligula.\tNero. Why\tI\twas\tso\tangry.\u2019 I\tglanced\tover.\tHer\tface\twas\ttaut\twith\tconcentration.\tShe\u2019d\tsaid\tthe\temperors\u2019 names\twith\ta\tstrange\tdetachment,\tas\tif\tshe\twere\texamining\tdeadly\tvirus\tsamples on\tthe\tother\tside\tof\ta\tglass\twall. \u2018And\thow\tdo\tyou\tfeel\tnow?\u2019\tI\tasked. Meg\tshrugged.\t\u2018The\tsame.\tDifferent.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tWhen\tyou\tcut\tthe\troots\toff a\tplant?\tThat\u2019s\thow\tI\tfeel.\tIt\u2019s\thard.\u2019 Meg\u2019s\tjumbled\tcomments\tmade\tsense\tto\tme,\twhich\twasn\u2019t\ta\tgood\tsign\tfor\tmy sanity.\tI\tthought\tabout\tDelos,\tthe\tisland\tof\tmy\tbirth,\twhich\thad\tfloated\ton\tthe sea\twithout\troots\tuntil\tmy\tmother,\tLeto,\tsettled\ton\tit\tto\tgive\tbirth\tto\tmy\tsister and\tme. It\twas\tdifficult\tfor\tme\tto\timagine\tthe\tworld\tbefore\tI\twas\tborn,\tto\timagine Delos\tas\ta\tplace\tadrift.\tMy\thome\thad\tliterally\tgrown\troots\tbecause\tof\tmy existence.\tI\thad\tnever\tbeen\tunsure\tof\twho\tI\twas,\tor\twho\tmy\tparents\twere,\tor where\tI\twas\tfrom. Meg\u2019s\tDelos\thad\tnever\tstopped\tdrifting.\tCould\tI\tblame\ther\tfor\tbeing\tangry? \u2018Your\tfamily\tis\tancient,\u2019\tI\tnoted.\t\u2018The\tline\tof\tPlemnaeus\tgives\tyou\ta\tproud heritage.\tYour\tfather\twas\tdoing\timportant\twork\tat\tAeithales.\tThe\tblood-born,\tthe silver\twives\t\u2026\twhatever\tthose\tseeds\tare\tthat\tyou\tplanted,\tthey\tterrified Caligula.\u2019 Meg\thad\tso\tmany\tnew\tcuts\ton\ther\tface\tit\twas\tdifficult\tto\ttell\twhether\tor\tnot she\twas\tfrowning.\t\u2018And\tif\tI\tcan\u2019t\tget\tthose\tseeds\tto\tgrow?\u2019 I\tdidn\u2019t\thazard\tan\tanswer.\tI\tcould\tnot\thandle\tany\tmore\tthoughts\tof\tfailure tonight. Crest\tpoked\this\thead\tbetween\tthe\tseats.\t\u2018Can\tyou\tshow\tme\tthe\tC\tminor\tsix tri-chord\tnow?\u2019 Our\treunion\tin\tPalm\tSprings\twas\tnot\ta\thappy\tone.","Just\tfrom\tour\tcondition,\tthe\tdryads\ton\tduty\tcould\ttell\twe\tbrought\tbad\tnews.\tIt was\ttwo\tin\tthe\tmorning,\tbut\tthey\tgathered\tthe\tentire\tpopulation\tof\tthe greenhouses\tin\tthe\tCistern,\talong\twith\tGrover,\tCoach\tHedge,\tMellie\tand\tBaby Chuck. When\tJoshua\tTree\tsaw\tCrest,\tthe\tdryad\tscowled.\t\u2018Why\thave\tyou\tbrought\tthis creature\tinto\tour\tmidst?\u2019 \u2018More\timportantly,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid,\t\u2018where\tare\tPiper\tand\tJason?\u2019 He\tmet\tmy\tgaze,\tand\this\tcomposure\tcollapsed\tlike\ta\ttower\tof\tcards.\t\u2018Oh,\tno. No.\u2019 We\ttold\tthem\tour\tstory.\tOr\trather,\tI\tdid.\tMeg\tsat\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tpond\tand stared\tdesolately\tinto\tthe\twater.\tCrest\tcrawled\tinto\tone\tof\tthe\tniches\tand wrapped\this\tears\taround\thimself\tlike\ta\tblanket,\tcradling\tmy\tukulele\tthe\tsame way\tMellie\tcradled\tBaby\tChuck. My\tvoice\tbroke\tseveral\ttimes\tas\tI\tdescribed\tJason\u2019s\tfinal\tbattle.\tHis\tdeath finally\tbecame\treal\tto\tme.\tI\tgave\tup\tany\thope\tthat\tI\twould\twake\tfrom\tthis nightmare. I\texpected\tGleeson\tHedge\tto\texplode,\tto\tstart\tswinging\this\tbat\tat\teverything and\teveryone.\tBut,\tlike\tTristan\tMcLean,\the\tsurprised\tme.\tThe\tsatyr\tbecame\tstill and\tcalm,\this\tvoice\tunnervingly\teven. \u2018I\twas\tthe\tkid\u2019s\tprotector,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018I\tshould\u2019ve\tbeen\tthere.\u2019 Grover\ttried\tto\tconsole\thim,\tbut\tHedge\traised\ta\thand.\t\u2018Don\u2019t.\tJust\tdon\u2019t.\u2019\tHe faced\tMellie.\t\u2018Piper\u2019s\tgonna\tneed\tus.\u2019 The\tcloud\tnymph\tbrushed\taway\ta\ttear.\t\u2018Yes.\tOf\tcourse.\u2019 Aloe\tVera\twrung\ther\thands.\t\u2018Should\tI\tgo,\ttoo?\tMaybe\tthere\u2019s\tsomething\tI\tcan do.\u2019\tShe\tlooked\tat\tme\tsuspiciously.\t\u2018Did\tyou\ttry\taloe\tvera\ton\tthis\tGrace\tboy?\u2019 \u2018I\tfear\the\tis\ttruly\tdead,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018beyond\teven\tthe\tpowers\tof\taloe.\u2019 She\tlooked\tunconvinced,\tbut\tMellie\tsqueezed\ther\tshoulder.\t\u2018You\u2019re\tneeded here,\tAloe.\tHeal\tApollo\tand\tMeg.\tGleeson,\tget\tthe\tdiaper\tbag.\tI\u2019ll\tmeet\tyou\tat the\tcar.\u2019 With\tBaby\tChuck\tin\ther\tarms,\tshe\tfloated\tup\tand\tout\tof\tthe\tCistern. Hedge\tsnapped\this\tfingers\tat\tme.\t\u2018Pinto\tkeys.\u2019 I\ttossed\tthem.\t\u2018Please\tdon\u2019t\tdo\tanything\trash.\tCaligula\tis\t\u2026\tYou\tcan\u2019t\t\u2013\u2019 Hedge\tstopped\tme\twith\ta\tcold\tstare.\t\u2018I\u2019ve\tgot\tPiper\tto\ttake\tcare\tof.\tThat\u2019s\tmy priority.\tI\u2019ll\tleave\tthe\trash\tstuff\tto\tother\tpeople.\u2019 I\theard\tthe\tbitter\taccusation\tin\this\tvoice.\tComing\tfrom\tCoach\tHedge,\tthat seemed\tdeeply\tunfair,\tbut\tI\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\theart\tto\tprotest. Once\tthe\tHedge\tfamily\twas\tgone,\tAloe\tVera\tfussed\tover\tMeg\tand\tme, smearing\tgoo\ton\tour\tinjuries.\tShe\ttutted\tat\tthe\tred\tplug\tin\tmy\tchest\tand\treplaced it\twith\ta\tlovely\tgreen\tspike\tfrom\ther\thair.","The\tother\tdryads\tseemed\tat\ta\tloss\tfor\twhat\tto\tdo\tor\tsay.\tThey\tstood\taround\tthe pond,\twaiting\tand\tthinking.\tI\tsupposed,\tas\tplants,\tthey\twere\tcomfortable\twith long\tsilences. Grover\tUnderwood\tsat\tdown\theavily\tnext\tto\tMeg.\tHe\tmoved\this\tfingers\tover the\tholes\tof\this\treed\tpipes. \u2018Losing\ta\tdemigod\t\u2026\u2019\tHe\tshook\this\thead.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tthe\tworst\tthing\tthat\tcan happen\tto\ta\tprotector.\tYears\tago,\twhen\tI\tthought\tI\u2019d\tlost\tThalia\tGrace\t\u2026\u2019\tHe stopped\thimself,\tthen\tslumped\tunder\tthe\tweight\tof\tdespair.\t\u2018Oh,\tThalia.\tWhen she\thears\tabout\tthis\t\u2026\u2019 I\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tI\tcould\tfeel\tany\tworse,\tbut\tthis\tidea\tsent\ta\tfew\tmore\trazor\tblades circulating\tthrough\tmy\tchest.\tThalia\tGrace\thad\tsaved\tmy\tlife\tin\tIndianapolis. Her\tfury\tin\tcombat\thad\tbeen\trivalled\tonly\tby\tthe\ttenderness\twith\twhich\tshe spoke\tof\ther\tbrother.\tI\tfelt\tthat\tI\tshould\tbe\tthe\tone\tto\tbreak\tthe\tnews\tto\ther.\tOn the\tother\thand,\tI\tdid\tnot\twant\tto\tbe\tin\tthe\tsame\tstate\twhen\tshe\theard\tit. I\tlooked\taround\tat\tmy\tdejected\tcomrades.\tI\tremembered\tthe\tSibyl\u2019s\twords\tin my\tdream:\tIt\twon\u2019t\tseem\tworth\tit\tto\tyou.\tI\u2019m\tnot\tsure\tit\tis\tmyself.\tBut\tyou\tmust come.\tYou\tmust\thold\tthem\ttogether\tin\ttheir\tgrief.\tNow\tI\tunderstood.\tI\twished\tI didn\u2019t.\tHow\tcould\tI\thold\ttogether\ta\twhole\tCistern\tfull\tof\tprickly\tdryads\twhen\tI couldn\u2019t\teven\thold\tmyself\ttogether? Nevertheless,\tI\tlifted\tthe\tancient\tpair\tof\tcaligae\twe\u2019d\tretrieved\tfrom\tthe yachts.\t\u2018At\tleast\twe\thave\tthese.\tJason\tgave\this\tlife\tfor\tus\tto\thave\ta\tchance\tat stopping\tCaligula\u2019s\tplans.\tTomorrow,\tI\u2019ll\twear\tthese\tinto\tthe\tBurning\tMaze.\tI\u2019ll find\ta\tway\tto\tfree\tthe\tOracle\tand\tstop\tthe\tfires\tof\tHelios.\u2019 I\tthought\tthat\twas\ta\tpretty\tgood\tpep\ttalk\t\u2013\tdesigned\tto\trestore\tconfidence\tand reassure\tmy\tfriends.\tI\tleft\tout\tthe\tpart\tabout\tnot\thaving\ta\tclue\thow\tto\taccomplish any\tof\tit. Prickly\tPear\tbristled,\twhich\tshe\tdid\twith\tconsummate\tskill.\t\u2018You\u2019re\tin\tno shape\tto\tdo\tanything.\tBesides,\tCaligula\twill\tknow\twhat\tyou\u2019re\tplanning.\tHe\u2019ll be\twaiting\tand\tready\tthis\ttime.\u2019 \u2018She\u2019s\tright,\u2019\tCrest\tsaid\tfrom\this\tniche. The\tdryads\tfrowned\tat\thim. \u2018Why\tis\the\teven\there?\u2019\tCholla\tdemanded. \u2018Music\tlessons,\u2019\tI\tsaid. That\tearned\tme\tseveral\tdozen\tconfused\tlooks. \u2018Long\tstory,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018But\tCrest\trisked\this\tlife\tfor\tus\ton\tthe\tyachts.\tHe\tsaved Meg.\tWe\tcan\ttrust\thim.\u2019\tI\tlooked\tat\tthe\tyoung\tpandos\tand\thoped\tmy\tassessment was\tcorrect.\t\u2018Crest,\tis\tthere\tanything\tyou\tcan\ttell\tus\tthat\tmight\thelp?\u2019 Crest\twrinkled\this\tfuzzy\twhite\tnose\t(which\tdid\tnot\tat\tall\tmake\thim\tlook\tcute or\tmake\tme\twant\tto\tcuddle\thim).\t\u2018You\tcannot\tuse\tthe\tmain\tentrance\tdowntown.","They\twill\tbe\twaiting.\u2019 \u2018We\tgot\tpast\tyou,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid. Crest\u2019s\tgiant\tears\tturned\tpink\taround\tthe\tedges.\t\u2018That\twas\tdifferent,\u2019\the muttered.\t\u2018My\tuncle\twas\tpunishing\tme.\tIt\twas\tthe\tlunch\tshift.\tNo\tone\tever attacks\tduring\tthe\tlunch\tshift.\u2019 He\tglared\tat\tme\tlike\tI\tshould\u2019ve\tknown\tthis.\t\u2018They\twill\thave\tmore\tfighters now.\tAnd\ttraps.\tThe\thorse\tmight\teven\tbe\tthere.\tHe\tcan\tmove\tvery\tfast.\tJust\tone phone\tcall\tand\the\tcan\tarrive.\u2019 I\tremembered\thow\tquickly\tIncitatus\thad\tshown\tup\tat\tMacro\u2019s\tMilitary Madness,\tand\thow\tviciously\the\u2019d\tfought\taboard\tthe\tshoe\tship.\tI\twas\tnot\tanxious to\tface\thim\tagain. \u2018Is\tthere\tanother\tway\tin?\u2019\tI\tasked.\t\u2018Something,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\tless\tdangerous and\tconveniently\tclose\tto\tthe\tOracle\u2019s\troom?\u2019 Crest\thugged\this\tukulele\t(my\tukulele)\ttighter.\t\u2018There\tis\tone.\tI\tknow\tit.\tOthers don\u2019t.\u2019 Grover\ttilted\this\thead.\t\u2018I\thave\tto\tsay,\tthat\tsounds\ta\tlittle\ttoo\tconvenient.\u2019 Crest\tmade\ta\tsour\tface.\t\u2018I\tlike\texploring.\tNobody\telse\tdoes.\tUncle\tAmax\t\u2013\the always\tsaid\tI\twas\ta\tdaydreamer.\tBut\twhen\tyou\texplore\tyou\tfind\tthings.\u2019 I\tcouldn\u2019t\targue\twith\tthat.\tWhen\tI\texplored,\tI\ttended\tto\tfind\tdangerous\tthings that\twanted\tto\tkill\tme.\tI\tdoubted\ttomorrow\twould\tbe\tany\tdifferent. \u2018Could\tyou\tlead\tus\tto\tthis\tsecret\tentrance?\u2019\tI\tasked. Crest\tnodded.\t\u2018Then\tyou\twill\thave\ta\tchance.\tYou\tcan\tsneak\tin,\tget\tto\tthe Oracle\tbefore\tthe\tguards\tfind\tyou.\tThen\tyou\tcan\tcome\tout\tand\tgive\tme\tmusic lessons.\u2019 The\tdryads\tstared\tat\tme,\ttheir\texpressions\tunhelpfully\tblank,\tas\tif\tthinking, Hey,\twe\tcan\u2019t\ttell\tyou\thow\tto\tdie.\tThat\u2019s\tyour\tchoice. \u2018We\u2019ll\tdo\tit,\u2019\tMeg\tdecided\tfor\tme.\t\u2018Grover,\tyou\tin?\u2019 Grover\tsighed.\t\u2018Of\tcourse.\tBut\tfirst\tyou\ttwo\tneed\tsleep.\u2019 \u2018And\thealing,\u2019\tAloe\tadded. \u2018And\tenchiladas?\u2019\tI\trequested.\t\u2018For\tbreakfast?\u2019 On\tthat\tpoint,\twe\treached\tconsensus. So,\thaving\tenchiladas\tto\tlook\tforward\tto\t\u2013\tand\talso\ta\tlikely\tfatal\ttrip\tthrough the\tBurning\tMaze\t\u2013\tI\tcurled\tup\tin\tmy\tsleeping\tbag\tand\tpassed\tout.","36 A\tsuspended\tfourth The\tkind\tof\tchord\tyou\tplay\tjust Before\tsuddenly\t\u2013 I\twoke\tcovered\tin\tgoo\tand\twith\taloe\tspikes\t(yet\tagain)\tin\tmy\tnostrils. On\tthe\tbright\tside,\tmy\tribs\tno\tlonger\tfelt\tlike\tthey\twere\tfilled\twith\tlava.\tMy chest\thad\thealed,\tleaving\tonly\ta\tpuckered\tscar\twhere\tI\u2019d\timpaled\tmyself.\tI\u2019d never\thad\ta\tscar\tbefore.\tI\twished\tI\tcould\tsee\tit\tas\ta\tbadge\tof\thonour.\tInstead,\tI feared\tthat\tnow,\twhenever\tI\tlooked\tdown,\tI\twould\tremember\tthe\tworst\tnight\tof my\tlife. At\tleast\tI\thad\tslept\tdeeply\twith\tno\tdreams.\tThat\taloe\tvera\twas\tgood\tstuff. The\tsun\tblazed\tdirectly\tabove.\tThe\tCistern\twas\tempty\texcept\tfor\tme\tand Crest,\twho\tsnored\tin\this\tniche,\tclutching\this\tukulele\tteddy\tbear.\tSomeone, probably\thours\tago,\thad\tleft\ta\tbreakfast\tenchilada\tplate\twith\ta\tBig\tHombre\tsoda next\tto\tmy\tsleeping\tbag.\tThe\tfood\thad\tcooled\tto\tlukewarm.\tThe\tice\tin\tthe\tsoda had\tmelted.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tcare.\tI\tate\tand\tdrank\travenously.\tI\twas\tgrateful\tfor\tthe\thot salsa\tthat\tcleared\tthe\tsmell\tof\tburning\tyachts\tout\tof\tmy\tsinuses. Once\tI\tde-slimed\tmyself\tand\twashed\tin\tthe\tpond,\tI\tdressed\tin\ta\tfresh\tset\tof Macro\u2019s\tcamouflage\t\u2013\tarctic\twhite,\tbecause\tthere\twas\tsuch\ta\tdemand\tfor\tthat\tin the\tMojave\tDesert. I\tshouldered\tmy\tquiver\tand\tbow.\tI\ttied\tCaligula\u2019s\tshoes\tto\tmy\tbelt.\tI considered\ttrying\tto\ttake\tthe\tukulele\tfrom\tCrest\tbut\tdecided\tto\tlet\thim\tkeep\tit\tfor now,\tsince\tI\tdid\tnot\twant\tto\tget\tmy\thands\tbitten\toff. Finally,\tI\tclimbed\tinto\tthe\toppressive\tPalm\tSprings\theat. Judging\tfrom\tthe\tangle\tof\tthe\tsun,\tit\tmust\thave\tbeen\tabout\tthree\tin\tthe afternoon.\tI\twondered\twhy\tMeg\thad\tlet\tme\tsleep\tso\tlate.\tI\tscanned\tthe\thillside","and\tsaw\tno\tone.\tFor\ta\tguilty\tmoment,\tI\timagined\tthat\tMeg\tand\tGrover\thad\tbeen unable\tto\twake\tme\tand\thad\tgone\tby\tthemselves\tto\ttake\tcare\tof\tthe\tmaze. Darn\tit!\tI\tcould\tsay\twhen\tthey\treturned.\tSorry,\tguys!\tAnd\tI\twas\tall\tready\ttoo! But\tno.\tCaligula\u2019s\tsandals\tdangled\tfrom\tmy\tbelt.\tThey\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tleft without\tthose.\tI\talso\tdoubted\tthey\u2019d\thave\tforgotten\tCrest,\tsince\the\twas\tthe\tonly one\twho\tknew\tthe\tsuper-secret\tentrance\tto\tthe\tmaze. I\tcaught\ta\tflicker\tof\tmovement\t\u2013\ttwo\tshadows\tmoving\tbehind\tthe\tnearest greenhouse.\tI\tapproached\tand\theard\tvoices\tin\tearnest\tconversation:\tMeg\tand Joshua. I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhether\tto\tlet\tthem\tbe\tor\tto\tmarch\tover\tand\tshout,\tMeg,\tthis\tis no\ttime\tto\tflirt\twith\tyour\tyucca\tboyfriend! Then\tI\trealized\tthey\twere\ttalking\tabout\tclimates\tand\tgrowing\tseasons.\tUgh.\tI stepped\tinto\tview\tand\tfound\tthem\tstudying\ta\tline\tof\tseven\tyoung\tsaplings\tthat had\tsprouted\tfrom\tthe\trocky\tsoil\t\u2026\tin\tthe\texact\tspots\twhere\tMeg\thad\tplanted her\tseeds\tonly\tyesterday. Joshua\tspied\tme\timmediately,\ta\tsure\tsign\tthat\tmy\tarctic\tcamouflage\twas working. \u2018Well.\tHe\u2019s\talive.\u2019\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tsound\tparticularly\tthrilled\tabout\tthis.\t\u2018We\twere just\tdiscussing\tthe\tnew\tarrivals.\u2019 Each\tsapling\trose\tabout\tthree\tfeet\thigh,\tits\tbranches\twhite,\tits\tleaves\tpale- green\tdiamonds\tthat\tlooked\tmuch\ttoo\tdelicate\tfor\tthe\tdesert\theat. \u2018Those\tare\tash\ttrees,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\tdumbfounded. I\tknew\ta\tlot\tabout\tash\ttrees\t\u2026\tWell,\tmore\tthan\tI\tknew\tabout\tmost\ttrees, anyway.\tLong\tago,\tI\thad\tbeen\tcalled\tApollo\tMeliai,\tApollo\tof\tthe\tAsh\tTrees, because\tof\ta\tsacred\tgrove\tI\towned\tin\t\u2026\toh,\twhere\twas\tit?\tBack\tthen\tI\thad\tso many\tvacation\tproperties\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tkeep\tthem\tall\tstraight. My\tmind\tbegan\tto\twhirl.\tThe\tword\tmeliai\tmeant\tsomething\tbesides\tjust\tash trees.\tIt\thad\tspecial\tsignificance.\tDespite\tbeing\tplanted\tin\ta\tcompletely\thostile climate,\tthese\tyoung\tplants\tradiated\tstrength\tand\tenergy\teven\tI\tcould\tsense. They\u2019d\tgrown\tovernight\tinto\thealthy\tsaplings.\tI\twondered\twhat\tthey\tmight\tlook like\ttomorrow. Meliai\t\u2026\tI\tturned\tthe\tword\tover\tin\tmy\tmind.\tWhat\thad\tCaligula\tsaid?\tBlood- born.\tSilver\twives. Meg\tfrowned.\tShe\tlooked\tmuch\tbetter\tthis\tmorning\t\u2013\tback\tin\ther\ttraffic-light- coloured\tclothes\tthat\thad\tbeen\tmiraculously\tpatched\tand\tlaundered.\t(I\tsuspected the\tdryads,\twho\tare\tgreat\twith\tfabrics.)\tHer\tcat-eye\tglasses\thad\tbeen\trepaired with\tblue\telectrical\ttape.\tThe\tscars\ton\ther\tarms\tand\tface\thad\tfaded\tinto\tfaint white\tstreaks\tlike\tmeteor\ttrails\tacross\tthe\tsky.","\u2018I\tstill\tdon\u2019t\tget\tit,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018Ash\ttrees\tdon\u2019t\tgrow\tin\tthe\tdesert.\tWhy\twas\tmy dad\texperimenting\twith\tash?\u2019 \u2018The\tMeliai,\u2019\tI\tsaid. Joshua\u2019s\teyes\tglittered.\t\u2018That\twas\tmy\tthought,\ttoo.\u2019 \u2018The\twho?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. \u2018I\tbelieve,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018that\tyour\tfather\twas\tdoing\tmore\tthan\tsimply\tresearching\ta new,\thardy\tplant\tstrain.\tHe\twas\ttrying\tto\tre-create\t\u2026\tor\trather\treincarnate\tan ancient\tspecies\tof\tdryad.\u2019 Was\tit\tmy\timagination,\tor\tdid\tthe\tyoung\ttrees\trustle?\tI\trestrained\tthe\turge\tto step\tback\tand\trun\taway.\tThey\twere\tonly\tsaplings,\tI\treminded\tmyself.\tNice, harmless\tbaby\tplants\tthat\tdid\tnot\thave\tany\tintention\tof\tmurdering\tme. Joshua\tknelt.\tIn\this\tkhaki\tsafari\tclothes,\twith\this\ttousled\tgrey-green\thair,\the looked\tlike\ta\twild-animal\texpert\twho\twas\tabout\tto\tpoint\tout\tsome\tdeadly species\tof\tscorpion\tfor\tthe\tTV\taudience.\tInstead\the\ttouched\tthe\tbranches\tof\tthe nearest\tsapling,\tthen\tquickly\tremoved\this\thand. \u2018Could\tit\tbe?\u2019\the\tmused.\t\u2018They\u2019re\tnot\tconscious\tyet,\tbut\tthe\tpower\tI\tsense\t\u2026\u2019 Meg\tcrossed\ther\tarms\tand\tpouted.\t\u2018Well,\tI\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tplanted\tthem\there\tif I\u2019d\tknown\tthey\twere\timportant\tash\ttrees\tor\twhatever.\tNobody\ttold\tme.\u2019 Joshua\tgave\ther\ta\tdry\tsmile.\t\u2018Meg\tMcCaffrey,\tif\tthese\tare\tthe\tMeliai,\tthey will\tsurvive\teven\tin\tthis\tharsh\tclimate.\tThey\twere\tthe\tvery\tfirst\tdryads\t\u2013\tseven sisters\tborn\twhen\tthe\tblood\tof\tmurdered\tOuranos\tfell\tupon\tthe\tsoil\tof\tGaia. They\twere\tcreated\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime\tas\tthe\tFuries,\tand\twith\tthe\tsame\tgreat strength.\u2019 I\tshuddered.\tI\tdid\tnot\tlike\tthe\tFuries.\tThey\twere\tugly,\till-tempered,\tand\thad bad\ttaste\tin\tmusic.\t\u2018The\tblood-born,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018That\u2019s\twhat\tCaligula\tcalled\tthem. And\tthe\tsilver\twives.\u2019 \u2018Mmm.\u2019\tJoshua\tnodded.\t\u2018According\tto\tlegend,\tthe\tMeliai\tmarried\thumans who\tlived\tduring\tthe\tSilver\tAge,\tand\tgave\tbirth\tto\tthe\trace\tof\tthe\tBronze\tAge. But\twe\tall\tmake\tmistakes.\u2019 I\tstudied\tthe\tsaplings.\tThey\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tmuch\tlike\tthe\tmothers\tof\tBronze\tAge humanity.\tThey\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tlike\tthe\tFuries,\teither. \u2018Even\tfor\ta\tskilled\tbotanist\tlike\tDr.\tMcCaffrey,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018even\twith\tthe\tblessing of\tDemeter\t\u2026\tis\treincarnating\tsuch\tpowerful\tbeings\tpossible?\u2019 Joshua\tswayed\tpensively.\t\u2018Who\tcan\tsay?\tIt\tseems\tthe\tfamily\tof\tPlemnaeus was\tpursuing\tthis\tgoal\tfor\tmillennia.\tNo\tone\twould\tbe\tbetter\tsuited.\tDr McCaffrey\tperfected\tthe\tseeds.\tHis\tdaughter\tplanted\tthem.\u2019 Meg\tblushed.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tWhatever.\tSeems\tweird.\u2019 Joshua\tregarded\tthe\tyoung\tash\ttrees.\t\u2018We\twill\thave\tto\twait\tand\tsee.\tBut imagine\tseven\tprimordial\tdryads,\tbeings\tof\tgreat\tpower,\tbent\ton\tthe\tpreservation","of\tnature\tand\tthe\tdestruction\tof\tany\twho\twould\tthreaten\tit.\u2019\tHis\texpression turned\tunusually\twarlike\tfor\ta\tflowering\tplant.\t\u2018Surely\tCaligula\twould\tsee\tthat as\ta\tmajor\tthreat.\u2019 I\tcouldn\u2019t\targue.\tEnough\tof\ta\tthreat\tto\tburn\tdown\ta\tbotanist\u2019s\thouse\tand\tsend him\tand\this\tdaughter\tstraight\tinto\tthe\tarms\tof\tNero?\tProbably. Joshua\trose.\t\u2018Well,\tI\tmust\tgo\tdormant.\tEven\tfor\tme,\tthe\tdaylight\thours\tare taxing.\tWe\twill\tkeep\tan\teye\ton\tour\tseven\tnew\tfriends.\tGood\tluck\ton\tyour\tquest!\u2019 He\tburst\tinto\ta\tcloud\tof\tyucca\tfibre. Meg\tlooked\tdisgruntled,\tprobably\tbecause\tI\thad\tinterrupted\ttheir\tflirty\ttalk about\tclimate\tzones. \u2018Ash\ttrees,\u2019\tshe\tgrumbled.\t\u2018And\tI\tplanted\tthem\tin\tthe\tdesert.\u2019 \u2018You\tplanted\tthem\twhere\tthey\tneeded\tto\tbe,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018If\tthese\ttruly\tare\tthe Meliai\t\u2013\u2019\tI\tshook\tmy\thead\tin\tamazement\t\u2013\t\u2018they\tresponded\tto\tyou,\tMeg.\tYou brought\tback\ta\tlife\tforce\tthat\thas\tbeen\tabsent\tfor\tmillennia.\tThat\tis\tawe- inspiring.\u2019 She\tlooked\tover.\t\u2018Are\tyou\tmaking\tfun\tof\tme?\u2019 \u2018No,\u2019\tI\tassured\ther.\t\u2018You\tare\tyour\tmother\u2019s\tchild,\tMeg\tMcCaffrey.\tYou\tare quite\timpressive.\u2019 \u2018Hmph.\u2019 I\tunderstood\ther\tscepticism. Demeter\twas\trarely\tdescribed\tas\timpressive.\tToo\toften,\tthe\tgoddess\tgot ridiculed\tfor\tnot\tbeing\tinteresting\tor\tpowerful\tenough.\tLike\tplants,\tDemeter worked\tslowly\tand\tquietly.\tHer\tdesigns\tgrew\tover\tthe\tcourse\tof\tcenturies.\tBut when\tthose\tdesigns\tcame\tto\tfruition\t(bad\tfruit\tpun,\tsorry),\tthey\tcould\tbe extraordinary.\tLike\tMeg\tMcCaffrey. \u2018Go\twake\tup\tCrest,\u2019\tMeg\ttold\tme.\t\u2018I\u2019ll\tmeet\tyou\tdown\tat\tthe\troad.\tGrover\u2019s getting\tus\ta\tcar.\u2019 Grover\twas\talmost\tas\tgood\tas\tPiper\tMcLean\tat\tprocuring\tluxury\tvehicles.\tHe had\tfound\tus\ta\tred\tMercedes\tXLS,\twhich\tI\tnormally\twould\tnot\thave\tcomplained about\t\u2013\texcept\tit\twas\tthe\texact\tsame\tmake\tand\tmodel\tthat\tMeg\tand\tI\thad\tdriven from\tIndianapolis\tto\tthe\tCave\tof\tTrophonius. I\u2019d\tlike\tto\ttell\tyou\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tbelieve\tin\tbad\tomens.\tBut\tsince\tI\twas\tthe\tgod\tof omens\t\u2026 At\tleast\tGrover\tagreed\tto\tdrive.\tThe\twinds\thad\tshifted\tsouth,\tfilling\tthe Morongo\tValley\twith\twildfire\tsmoke\tand\tclogging\ttraffic\teven\tmore\tthan\tusual. The\tafternoon\tsun\tfiltered\tthrough\tthe\tred\tsky\tlike\ta\tbaleful\teye. I\tfeared\tthe\tsun\tmight\tlook\tthat\thostile\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\teternity\tif\tCaligula became\tthe\tnew\tsolar\tgod\t\u2026\tbut\tno,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tthink\tlike\tthat.","If\tCaligula\tcame\tinto\tpossession\tof\tthe\tsun\tchariot,\tthere\twas\tno\ttelling\twhat horrible\tthings\the\twould\tdo\tto\ttrick\tout\this\tnew\tride:\tsequencers,\tunder-carriage lighting,\ta\thorn\tthat\tplayed\tthe\triff\tfrom\t\u2018Low\tRider\u2019\t\u2026\tSome\tthings\tcould\tnot be\ttolerated. I\tsat\tin\tthe\tback\tseat\twith\tCrest\tand\tdid\tmy\tbest\tto\tteach\thim\tbasic\tukulele chords.\tHe\twas\ta\tquick\tlearner,\tdespite\tthe\tsize\tof\this\thands,\tbut\the\tgrew impatient\twith\tthe\tmajor\tchords\tand\twanted\tto\tlearn\tmore\texotic\tcombinations. \u2018Show\tme\tthe\tsuspended\tfourth\tagain,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018I\tlike\tthat.\u2019 Of\tcourse\the\twould\tlike\tthe\tmost\tunresolved\tchords. \u2018We\tshould\tbuy\tyou\ta\tlarge\tguitar,\u2019\tI\turged\tonce\tmore.\t\u2018Or\teven\ta\tlute.\u2019 \u2018You\tplay\tukulele,\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018I\twill\tplay\tukulele.\u2019 Why\tdid\tI\talways\tattract\tsuch\tstubborn\tcompanions?\tWas\tit\tmy\twinning, easygoing\tpersonality?\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow. When\tCrest\tconcentrated,\this\texpression\treminded\tme\tstrangely\tof\tMeg\u2019s\t\u2013 such\ta\tyoung\tface,\tyet\tso\tintent\tand\tserious,\tas\tif\tthe\tfate\tof\tthe\tworld\tdepended on\tthis\tchord\tbeing\tplayed\tcorrectly,\tthis\tpacket\tof\tseeds\tbeing\tplanted,\tthis\tbag of\trotten\tproduce\tbeing\tthrown\tinto\tthe\tface\tof\tthis\tparticular\tstreet\tthug. Why\tthat\tsimilarity\tshould\tmake\tme\tfond\tof\tCrest,\tI\twasn\u2019t\tsure,\tbut\tit\tstruck me\thow\tmuch\the\thad\tlost\tsince\tyesterday\t\u2013\this\tjob,\this\tuncle,\talmost\this\tlife\t\u2013 and\thow\tmuch\the\thad\trisked\tcoming\twith\tus. \u2018I\tnever\tsaid\thow\tsorry\tI\twas,\u2019\tI\tventured,\t\u2018about\tyour\tUncle\tAmax.\u2019 Crest\tsniffed\tthe\tukulele\tfret\tboard.\t\u2018Why\twould\tyou\tbe\tsorry?\tWhy\twould\tI?\u2019 \u2018Uh\t\u2026\tIt\u2019s\tjust,\tyou\tknow,\tan\texpression\tof\tcourtesy\t\u2026\twhen\tyou\tkill someone\u2019s\trelatives.\u2019 \u2018I\tnever\tliked\thim,\u2019\tCrest\tsaid.\t\u2018My\tmother\tsent\tme\tto\thim,\tsaid\the\twould make\tme\ta\treal\tpandos\twarrior.\u2019\tHe\tstrummed\this\tchord\tbut\tgot\ta\tdiminished seventh\tby\tmistake.\tHe\tlooked\tpleased\twith\thimself.\t\u2018I\tdo\tnot\twant\tto\tbe\ta warrior.\tWhat\tis\tyour\tjob?\u2019 \u2018Er,\twell,\tI\u2019m\tthe\tgod\tof\tmusic.\u2019 \u2018Then\tthat\tis\twhat\tI\tshall\tbe.\tA\tgod\tof\tmusic.\u2019 Meg\tglanced\tback\tand\tsmirked. I\ttried\tto\tgive\tCrest\tan\tencouraging\tsmile,\tbut\tI\thoped\the\twould\tnot\task\tto flay\tme\talive\tand\tconsume\tmy\tessence.\tI\talready\thad\ta\twaiting\tlist\tfor\tthat. \u2018Well,\tlet\u2019s\tmaster\tthese\tchords\tfirst,\tshall\twe?\u2019 We\ttraced\tour\tway\tnorth\tof\tLA,\tthrough\tSan\tBernardino,\tthen\tPasadena.\tI found\tmyself\tgazing\tup\tat\tthe\thills\twhere\twe\u2019d\tvisited\tthe\tEdgarton\tSchool.\tI wondered\twhat\tthe\tfaculty\twould\tdo\twhen\tthey\tfound\tJason\tGrace\tmissing,\tand when\tthey\tdiscovered\tthat\ttheir\tschool\tvan\thad\tbeen\tcommandeered\tand abandoned\tat\tthe\tSanta\tBarbara\twaterfront.\tI\tthought\tof\tJason\u2019s\tdiorama\tof","Temple\tHill\ton\this\tdesk,\tthe\tsketchbooks\tthat\twaited\ton\this\tshelf.\tIt\tseemed unlikely\tI\twould\tlive\tlong\tenough\tto\tkeep\tmy\tpromise\tto\thim,\tto\tbring\this\tplans safely\tto\tthe\ttwo\tcamps.\tThe\tthought\tof\tfailing\thim\tyet\tagain\thurt\tmy\theart\teven worse\tthan\tCrest\u2019s\tattempt\tat\ta\tG-flat\tminor\t6. Finally,\tCrest\tdirected\tus\tsouth\ton\tInterstate\t5,\ttowards\tthe\tcity.\tWe\ttook\tthe Crystal\tSprings\tDrive\texit\tand\tplunged\tinto\tGriffith\tPark\twith\tits\twinding\troads, rolling\tgolf\tcourses\tand\tthick\tgroves\tof\teucalyptus. \u2018Further,\u2019\tCrest\tsaid.\t\u2018The\tsecond\tright.\tUp\tthat\thill.\u2019 He\tguided\tus\tonto\ta\tgravel\tservice\troad\tnot\tdesigned\tfor\ta\tMercedes\tXLS. \u2018It\u2019s\tup\tthere.\u2019\tCrest\tpointed\tinto\tthe\twoods.\t\u2018We\tmust\twalk.\u2019 Grover\tpulled\tover\tnext\tto\ta\tstand\tof\tyuccas,\twho\tfor\tall\tI\tknew\twere\tfriends of\this.\tHe\tchecked\tout\tthe\ttrailhead,\twhere\ta\tsmall\tsign\tread\tOLD\tLOS\tANGELES ZOO. \u2018I\tknow\tthis\tplace.\u2019\tGrover\u2019s\tgoatee\tquivered.\t\u2018I\thate\tthis\tplace.\tWhy\twould you\tbring\tus\there?\u2019 \u2018Told\tyou,\u2019\tCrest\tsaid.\t\u2018Maze\tentrance.\u2019 \u2018But\t\u2026\u2019\tGrover\tgulped,\tno\tdoubt\tweighing\this\tnatural\taversion\tto\tplaces\tthat caged\tanimals\tagainst\this\tdesire\tto\tdestroy\tthe\tBurning\tMaze.\t\u2018All\tright.\u2019 Meg\tseemed\thappy\tenough,\tall\tthings\tconsidered.\tShe\tbreathed\tin\tthe\twhat- passed-in-LA-for-fresh\tair\tand\teven\tdid\ta\tfew\ttentative\tcartwheels\tas\twe\tmade our\tway\tup\tthe\ttrail. We\tclimbed\tto\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tridge.\tBelow\tus\tspread\tthe\truins\tof\ta\tzoo\t\u2013 overgrown\tsidewalks,\tcrumbling\tcement\twalls,\trusty\tcages\tand\tman-made\tcaves filled\twith\tdebris. Grover\thugged\thimself,\tshivering\tdespite\tthe\theat.\t\u2018The\thumans\tabandoned this\tplace\tdecades\tago\twhen\tthey\tbuilt\ttheir\tnew\tzoo.\tI\tcan\tstill\tfeel\tthe\temotions of\tthe\tanimals\tthat\twere\tkept\there\t\u2013\ttheir\tsadness.\tIt\u2019s\thorrible.\u2019 \u2018Down\there!\u2019\tCrest\tspread\this\tears\tand\tsailed\tover\tthe\truins,\tlanding\tin\ta\tdeep grotto. Not\thaving\tflight-worthy\tears,\tthe\trest\tof\tus\thad\tto\tpick\tand\tclimb\tour\tway through\tthe\ttangled\tterrain.\tAt\tlast\twe\tjoined\tCrest\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\ta\tgrimy cement\tbowl\tcovered\twith\tdried\tleaves\tand\tlitter. \u2018A\tbear\tpit?\u2019\tGrover\tturned\tpale.\t\u2018Ugh.\tPoor\tbears.\u2019 Crest\tpressed\this\teight-fingered\thands\tagainst\tthe\tback\twall\tof\tthe\tenclosure. He\tscowled.\t\u2018This\tis\tnot\tright.\tIt\tshould\tbe\there.\u2019 My\tspirits\tsank\tto\ta\tnew\tlow.\t\u2018You\tmean\tyour\tsecret\tentrance\tis\tgone?\u2019 Crest\thissed\tin\tfrustration.\t\u2018I\tshould\tnot\thave\tmentioned\tthis\tplace\tto Screamer.\tAmax\tmust\thave\theard\tus\ttalking.\tHe\tsealed\tit\tsomehow.\u2019","I\twas\ttempted\tto\tpoint\tout\tthat\tit\twas\tnever\ta\tgood\tidea\tto\tshare\tyour\tsecrets with\tsomeone\tnamed\tScreamer,\tbut\tCrest\tlooked\tlike\the\tfelt\tbad\tenough\talready. \u2018What\tnow?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.\t\u2018Use\tthe\tdowntown\texit?\u2019 \u2018Too\tdangerous,\u2019\tCrest\tsaid.\t\u2018There\tmust\tbe\ta\tway\tto\topen\tthis!\u2019 Grover\twas\tso\ttwitchy\tI\twondered\tif\the\thad\ta\tsquirrel\tin\this\tpants.\tHe\tlooked like\the\twanted\tvery\tmuch\tto\tgive\tup\tand\trun\tfrom\tthis\tzoo\tas\tfast\tas\tpossible. Instead,\the\tsighed.\t\u2018What\tdid\tthe\tprophecy\tsay\tabout\tyour\tcloven\tguide?\u2019 \u2018That\tyou\talone\tknew\tthe\tway,\u2019\tI\trecalled.\t\u2018But\tyou\talready\tserved\tthat purpose\tgetting\tus\tto\tPalm\tSprings.\u2019 Reluctantly,\tGrover\tpulled\tout\this\tpipes.\t\u2018I\tguess\tI\u2019m\tnot\tdone\tyet.\u2019 \u2018A\tsong\tof\topening?\u2019\tI\tasked.\t\u2018Like\tHedge\tused\tin\tMacro\u2019s\tstore?\u2019 Grover\tnodded.\t\u2018I\thaven\u2019t\ttried\tthis\tin\ta\twhile.\tLast\ttime,\tI\topened\ta\tpath\tfrom Central\tPark\tinto\tthe\tUnderworld.\u2019 \u2018Just\tget\tus\tinto\tthe\tmaze,\tplease,\u2019\tI\tadvised.\t\u2018Not\tthe\tUnderworld.\u2019 He\traised\this\tpipes\tand\ttrilled\tRush\u2019s\t\u2018Tom\tSawyer\u2019.\tCrest\tlooked\tentranced. Meg\tcovered\ther\tears. The\tcement\twall\tshook.\tIt\tcracked\tdown\tthe\tmiddle,\trevealing\ta\tsteep\tset\tof rough-hewn\tstairs\tleading\tdown\tinto\tthe\tdark. \u2018Perfect,\u2019\tGrover\tgrumbled.\t\u2018I\thate\tthe\tunderground\talmost\tas\tmuch\tas\tI\thate zoos.\u2019 Meg\tsummoned\ther\tblades.\tShe\tmarched\tinside.\tAfter\ta\tdeep\tbreath,\tGrover followed. I\tturned\tto\tCrest.\t\u2018Are\tyou\tcoming\twith\tus?\u2019 He\tshook\this\thead.\t\u2018I\ttold\tyou.\tI\u2019m\tno\tfighter.\tI\twill\twatch\tthe\texit\tand practise\tmy\tchords.\u2019 \u2018But\tI\tmight\tneed\tthe\tuku\u2013\u2019 \u2018I\twill\tpractise\tmy\tchords,\u2019\the\tinsisted,\tand\tbegan\tstrumming\ta\tsuspended fourth. I\tfollowed\tmy\tfriends\tinto\tthe\tdark,\tthat\tchord\tstill\tplaying\tbehind\tme\t\u2013 exactly\tthe\tsort\tof\ttense\tbackground\tmusic\tone\tmight\texpect\tjust\tbefore\ta dramatic,\tbloodcurdling\tfight. Sometimes\tI\treally\thated\tsuspended\tfourths.","37 Want\tto\tplay\ta\tgame?\t It\u2019s\teasy.\tYou\ttake\ta\tguess. Then\tyou\tburn\tto\tdeath. This\tpart\tof\tthe\tmaze\thad\tno\televators,\twandering\tgovernment\temployees,\tor signs\treminding\tus\tto\thonk\tbefore\tturning\tcorners. We\treached\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tstairs\tand\tfound\ta\tvertical\tshaft\tin\tthe\tfloor. Grover,\tbeing\tpart\tgoat,\thad\tno\tdifficulty\tclimbing\tdown.\tAfter\the\tcalled\tup\tthat no\tmonsters\tor\tfallen\tbears\twere\twaiting\tfor\tus,\tMeg\tgrew\ta\tthick\tswathe\tof wisteria\tdown\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tpit,\twhich\tallowed\tus\tsome\thandholds\tand\talso smelled\tlovely. We\tdropped\tinto\ta\tsmall\tsquare\tchamber\twith\tfour\ttunnels\tradiating\toutward, one\tfrom\teach\twall.\tThe\tair\twas\thot\tand\tdry\tas\tif\tthe\tfires\tof\tHelios\thad\trecently swept\tthrough.\tSweat\tbeaded\ton\tmy\tskin.\tIn\tmy\tquiver,\tarrow\tshafts\tcreaked\tand fletching\thissed. Grover\tpeered\tforlornly\tat\tthe\ttiny\tbit\tof\tsunlight\tseeping\tdown\tfrom\tabove. \u2018We\u2019ll\tget\tback\tto\tthe\tupper\tworld,\u2019\tI\tpromised\thim. \u2018I\twas\tjust\twondering\tif\tPiper\tgot\tmy\tmessage.\u2019 Meg\tlooked\tat\thim\tover\ther\tblue-taped\tglasses.\t\u2018What\tmessage?\u2019 \u2018I\tran\tinto\ta\tcloud\tnymph\twhen\tI\twas\tpicking\tup\tthe\tMercedes,\u2019\the\tsaid,\tas\tif running\tinto\tcloud\tnymphs\toften\thappened\twhen\the\twas\tborrowing\tautomobiles. \u2018I\tasked\ther\tto\ttake\ta\tmessage\tto\tMellie,\ttell\ther\twhat\twe\twere\tup\tto\t\u2013\tassuming, you\tknow,\tthe\tnymph\tmakes\tit\tthere\tsafely.\u2019 I\tconsidered\tthis,\twondering\twhy\tGrover\thadn\u2019t\tmentioned\tit\tearlier.\t\u2018Were you\thoping\tPiper\tmight\tmeet\tus\there?\u2019","\u2018Not\treally\t\u2026\u2019\tHis\texpression\tsaid,\tYes,\tplease,\tgods,\twe\tcould\tuse\tthe\thelp.\t\u2018I just\tthought\tshe\tshould\tknow\twhat\twe\twere\tdoing\tin\tcase\t\u2026\u2019\tHis\texpression said,\tin\tcase\twe\tcombust\tinto\tflames\tand\tare\tnever\theard\tfrom\tagain. I\tdisliked\tGrover\u2019s\texpressions. \u2018Time\tfor\tthe\tshoes,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid. I\trealized\tshe\twas\tlooking\tat\tme.\t\u2018What?\u2019 \u2018The\tshoes.\u2019\tShe\tpointed\tat\tthe\tsandals\thanging\tfrom\tmy\tbelt. \u2018Oh,\tright.\u2019\tI\ttugged\tthem\tfrom\tmy\tbelt.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tsuppose,\ter,\teither\tof\tyou want\tto\ttry\tthem\ton?\u2019 \u2018Nuh-uh,\u2019\tsaid\tMeg. Grover\tshuddered.\t\u2018I\u2019ve\thad\tbad\texperiences\twith\tenchanted\tfootwear.\u2019 I\twas\tnot\texcited\tto\twear\tan\tevil\temperor\u2019s\tsandals.\tI\tfeared\tthey\tmight\tturn me\tinto\ta\tpower-hungry\tmaniac.\tAlso,\tthey\tdidn\u2019t\tgo\twith\tmy\tarctic\tcamouflage. Nevertheless,\tI\tsat\ton\tthe\tfloor\tand\tlaced\tup\tthe\tcaligae.\tIt\tmade\tme\tappreciate just\thow\tmuch\tmore\tof\tthe\tworld\tthe\tRoman\tEmpire\tmight\thave\tconquered\tif they\u2019d\thad\taccess\tto\tVelcro\tstraps. I\tstood\tup\tand\ttried\ta\tfew\tsteps.\tThe\tsandals\tdug\tinto\tmy\tankles\tand\tpinched at\tthe\tsides.\tIn\tthe\tplus\tcolumn,\tI\tfelt\tno\tmore\tsociopathic\tthan\tusual.\tHopefully I\thad\tnot\tbeen\tinfected\twith\tCaligulitis. \u2018Okay,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Shoes,\tlead\tus\tto\tthe\tErythraean\tSibyl!\u2019 The\tshoes\tdid\tnothing.\tI\tthrust\ta\ttoe\tin\tone\tdirection,\tthen\tanother,\twondering if\tthey\tneeded\ta\tkick\tstart.\tI\tchecked\tthe\tsoles\tfor\tbuttons\tor\tbattery compartments.\tNothing. \u2018What\tdo\twe\tdo\tnow?\u2019\tI\tasked\tno\tone\tin\tparticular. The\tchamber\tbrightened\twith\ta\tfaint\tgold\tlight,\tas\tif\tsomeone\thad\tturned\tup\ta dimmer\tswitch. \u2018Guys.\u2019\tGrover\tpointed\tat\tour\tfeet.\tOn\tthe\trough\tcement\tfloor,\tthe\tfaint\tgold outline\tof\ta\tfive-foot\tsquare\thad\tappeared.\tIf\tit\thad\tbeen\ta\ttrapdoor,\twe\twould\u2019ve all\tdropped\tstraight\tthrough.\tIdentical\tconnected\tsquares\tbranched\toff\tdown each\tof\tthe\tcorridors\tlike\tthe\tspaces\tof\ta\tboard\tgame.\tThe\ttrails\twere\tnot\tof equal\tlength.\tOne\textended\tonly\tthree\tspaces\tinto\tthe\thallway.\tAnother\twas\tfive spaces\tlong.\tAnother\twas\tseven.\tAnother\tsix. Against\tthe\tchamber\twall\ton\tmy\tright,\ta\tglowing\tgolden\tinscription\tappeared in\tAncient\tGreek:\tPython-slayer,\tgolden-lyred,\tarmed\twith\tarrows\tof\tdread. \u2018What\u2019s\tgoing\ton?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.\t\u2018What\u2019s\tthat\tsay?\u2019 \u2018You\tcan\u2019t\tread\tAncient\tGreek?\u2019\tI\tasked. \u2018And\tyou\tcan\u2019t\ttell\ta\tstrawberry\tfrom\ta\tyam,\u2019\tshe\tretorted.\t\u2018What\u2019s\tit\tsay?\u2019 I\tgave\ther\tthe\ttranslation.","Grover\tstroked\this\tgoatee.\t\u2018That\tsounds\tlike\tApollo.\tI\tmean,\tyou.\tWhen\tyou used\tto\tbe\t\u2026\tgood.\u2019 I\tswallowed\tmy\thurt\tfeelings.\t\u2018Of\tcourse\tit\u2019s\tApollo.\tI\tmean,\tme.\u2019 \u2018So,\tis\tthe\tmaze,\tlike\t\u2026\twelcoming\tyou?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. That\twould\thave\tbeen\tnice.\tI\u2019d\talways\twanted\ta\tvoice-activated\tvirtual assistant\tfor\tmy\tpalace\ton\tOlympus,\tbut\tHephaestus\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\table\tto\tget\tthe technology\tquite\tright.\tThe\tone\ttime\the\ttried,\tthe\tassistant\thad\tbeen\tnamed Alexasiriastrophona.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tvery\tpicky\tabout\thaving\ther\tname\tpronounced perfectly,\tand\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime\thad\tan\tannoying\thabit\tof\tgetting\tmy\trequests wrong.\tI\u2019d\tsay,\tAlexasiriastrophona,\tsend\ta\tplague\tarrow\tto\tdestroy\tCorinth, please.\tAnd\tshe\twould\treply,\tI\tthink\tyou\tsaid:\tMen\tblame\trows\tof\tsoy\tand\tcorn fleas. Here\tin\tthe\tBurning\tMaze,\tI\tdoubted\ta\tvirtual\tassistant\thad\tbeen\tinstalled.\tIf\tit had\tbeen,\tit\twould\tprobably\tonly\task\tat\twhich\ttemperature\tI\tpreferred\tto\tbe cooked. \u2018This\tis\ta\tword\tpuzzle,\u2019\tI\tdecided.\t\u2018Like\tan\tacrostic\tor\ta\tcrossword.\tThe\tSibyl is\ttrying\tto\tguide\tus\tto\ther.\u2019 Meg\tfrowned\tat\tthe\tdifferent\thallways.\t\u2018If\tshe\u2019s\ttrying\tto\thelp,\twhy\tcan\u2019t\tshe just\tmake\tit\teasy\tand\tgive\tus\ta\tsingle\tdirection?\u2019 \u2018This\tis\thow\tHerophile\toperates,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018It\u2019s\tthe\tonly\tway\tshe\tcan\thelp\tus.\tI believe\twe\thave\tto,\ter,\tfill\tin\tthe\tcorrect\tanswer\tin\tthe\tcorrect\tnumber\tof\tspaces.\u2019 Grover\tscratched\this\thead.\t\u2018Does\tanyone\thave\ta\tgiant\tgolden\tpen?\tI\twish Percy\twere\there.\u2019 \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tthink\twe\tneed\tthat,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018We\tjust\tneed\tto\twalk\tin\tthe\tright\tdirection to\tspell\tout\tmy\tname.\tApollo,\tsix\tletters.\tOnly\tone\tof\tthese\tcorridors\thas\tsix spaces.\u2019 \u2018Are\tyou\tcounting\tthe\tspace\twe\u2019re\tstanding\tin?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. \u2018Uh,\tno,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Let\u2019s\tassume\tthis\tis\tthe\tstart\tspace.\u2019\tHer\tquestion\tmade\tme doubt\tmyself,\tthough. \u2018What\tif\tthe\tanswer\tis\tLester?\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018That\thas\tsix\tspaces,\ttoo.\u2019 The\tidea\tmade\tmy\tthroat\titch.\t\u2018Will\tyou\tplease\tstop\tasking\tgood\tquestions?\tI had\tthis\tall\tfigured\tout!\u2019 \u2018Or\twhat\tif\tthe\tanswer\tis\tin\tGreek?\u2019\tGrover\tadded.\t\u2018The\tquestion\tis\tin\tGreek. How\tmany\tspaces\twould\tyour\tname\tbe\tthen?\u2019 Another\tannoyingly\tlogical\tpoint.\tMy\tname\tin\tGreek\twas\t\u0391\u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03bb\u03c9\u03bd. \u2018That\twould\tbe\tseven\tspaces,\u2019\tI\tadmitted.\t\u2018Even\tif\ttranscribed\tin\tEnglish, Apollon.\u2019 \u2018Ask\tthe\tArrow\tof\tDodona?\u2019\tGrover\tsuggested.","The\tscar\tin\tmy\tchest\ttingled\tlike\ta\tfaulty\telectric\toutlet.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tprobably against\tthe\trules.\u2019 Meg\tsnorted.\t\u2018You\tjust\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\ttalk\tto\tthe\tarrow.\tWhy\tnot\ttry?\u2019 If\tI\tresisted,\tI\timagined\tshe\twould\tphrase\tit\tas\tan\torder,\tso\tI\tpulled\tforth\tthe Arrow\tof\tDodona. BACKETH\tOFF,\tKNAVE!\tit\tbuzzed\tin\talarm.\tNE\u2019ER\tAGAIN\tSHALT\tTHOU STICKEST\tME\tIN\tTHY\tLOATHSOME\tCHEST!\tNOR\tIN\tTHE\tEYES\tOF\tTHY ENEMIES! \u2018Relax,\u2019\tI\ttold\tit.\t\u2018I\tjust\twant\tsome\tadvice.\u2019 SO\tTHOU\tSAYEST\tNOW,\tBUT\tI\tWARN\tTHEE\t\u2013\tThe\tarrow\twent\tdeathly\tstill. BUT\tSOOTH.\tIS\tTHIS\tA\tCROSSWORD\tI\tSEE\tBEFORE\tME?\tVERILY,\tI\tDOTH LOVE\tCROSSWORDS. \u2018Oh,\tjoy.\tOh,\thappiness.\u2019\tI\tturned\tto\tmy\tfriends.\t\u2018The\tarrow\tloves crosswords.\u2019 I\texplained\tour\tpredicament\tto\tthe\tarrow,\twho\tinsisted\ton\tgetting\ta\tcloser\tlook at\tthe\tfloor\tsquares\tand\tthe\thint\twritten\ton\tthe\twall.\tA\tcloser\tlook\t\u2026\twith\twhat eyes?\tI\tdid\tnot\tknow. The\tarrow\thummed\tthoughtfully.\tMETHINKS\tTHE\tANSWER\tSHALT\tBEEST IN\tTHE\tCOMMON\tTONGUE\tOF\tENGLISH.\t\u2019TWOULD\tBEEST\tTHE\tNAME BY\tWHICH\tTHOU\tART\tMOST\tFAMILIAR\tIN\tTHE\tPRESENT\tDAY. \u2018He\tsayeth\t\u2013\u2019\tI\tsighed.\t\u2018He\tsays\tthe\tanswer\twill\tbe\tin\tEnglish.\tI\thope\the means\tmodern\tEnglish\tand\tnot\tthe\tstrange\tShakespearean\tlingo\the\tspeaks\t\u2013\u2019 \u2019TIS\tNOT\tSTRANGE!\tthe\tarrow\tobjected. \u2018Because\twe\tdon\u2019t\thave\tenough\tspaces\tto\tspell\tApollonius\tbeest\tthy answereth.\u2019 OH,\tHA-HA.\tA\tJEST\tAS\tWEAK\tAS\tTHY\tMUSCLES. \u2018Thanks\tfor\tplaying.\u2019\tI\tsheathed\tthe\tarrow.\t\u2018So,\tfriends,\tthe\ttunnel\twith\tsix squares.\tApollo.\tShall\twe?\u2019 \u2018What\tif\twe\tchoose\twrong?\u2019\tGrover\tasked. \u2018Well,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018perhaps\tthe\tmagic\tsandals\twill\thelp.\tOr\tperhaps\tthe\tsandals only\tallow\tus\tto\tplay\tthis\tgame\tin\tthe\tfirst\tplace,\tand\tif\twe\tstray\tfrom\tthe\tright path,\tdespite\tthe\tSibyl\u2019s\tefforts\tto\tassist\tus,\twe\twill\topen\tourselves\tup\tto\tthe\tfury of\tthe\tmaze\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018And\twe\tburn\tto\tdeath,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid. \u2018I\tlove\tgames,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018Lead\ton.\u2019 \u2018The\tanswer\tis\tApollo!\u2019\tI\tsaid,\tjust\tfor\tthe\trecord. As\tsoon\tas\tI\tstepped\tto\tthe\tnext\tsquare,\ta\tlarge\tcapital\tA\tappeared\tat\tmy\tfeet. I\ttook\tthis\tas\ta\tgood\tsign.\tI\tstepped\tagain,\tand\ta\tP\tappeared.\tMy\ttwo\tfriends followed\tclose\tbehind.","At\tlast\twe\tstepped\toff\tthe\tsixth\tsquare,\tinto\ta\tsmall\tchamber\tidentical\tto\tthe last.\tLooking\tback,\tthe\tentire\tword\tAPOLLO\tblazed\tin\tour\twake.\tBefore\tus, three\tmore\tcorridors\twith\tgolden\trows\tof\tsquares\tled\tonward\t\u2013\tleft,\tright\tand forward. \u2018There\u2019s\tanother\tclue.\u2019\tMeg\tpointed\tto\tthe\twall.\t\u2018Why\tis\tthis\tone\tin\tEnglish?\u2019 \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\tThen\tI\tread\taloud\tthe\tglowing\twords:\t\u2018Herald\tof\tnew entrances,\topener\tof\tthe\tsoftly\tgliding\tyear,\tJanus,\tof\tthe\tdouble.\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tthat\tguy.\tRoman\tgod\tof\tdoorways.\u2019\tGrover\tshuddered.\t\u2018I\tmet\thim\tonce.\u2019 He\tlooked\taround\tsuspiciously.\t\u2018I\thope\the\tdoesn\u2019t\tpop\tup.\tHe\twould\tlove\tthis place.\u2019 Meg\ttraced\ther\tfingers\tacross\tthe\tgolden\tlines.\t\u2018Kinda\teasy,\tisn\u2019t\tit?\tHis name\u2019s\tright\tthere\tin\tthe\tclue.\tFive\tletters,\tJ-A-N-U-S,\tso\tit\u2019s\tgot\tto\tbe\tthat\tway.\u2019 She\tpointed\tdown\tthe\thallway\ton\tthe\tright,\twhich\twas\tthe\tonly\tone\twith\tfive spaces. I\tstared\tat\tthe\tclue,\tthen\tthe\tsquares.\tI\twas\tbeginning\tto\tsense\tsomething\teven more\tunsettling\tthan\tthe\theat,\tbut\tI\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhat\tit\twas. \u2018Janus\tisn\u2019t\tthe\tanswer,\u2019\tI\tdecided.\t\u2018This\tis\tmore\tof\ta\tfill-in-the-blanks situation,\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tthink?\tJanus\tof\tthe\tdouble\twhat?\u2019 \u2018Faces,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018He\thad\ttwo\tfaces,\tneither\tof\twhich\tI\tneed\tto\tsee\tagain.\u2019 I\tannounced\taloud\tto\tthe\tempty\tcorridor:\t\u2018The\tcorrect\tanswer\tis\tfaces!\u2019 I\treceived\tno\tresponse,\tbut\tas\twe\tproceeded\tdown\tthe\tright-hand\tcorridor\tthe word\tFACES\tappeared.\tReassuringly,\twe\twere\tnot\troasted\talive\tby\tTitan\tfire. In\tthe\tnext\tchamber,\tnew\tcorridors\tonce\tagain\tled\tin\tthree\tdirections.\tThis time,\tthe\tglowing\tclue\ton\tthe\twall\twas\tagain\tin\tAncient\tGreek. A\tthrill\twent\tthrough\tme\tas\tI\tread\tthe\tlines.\t\u2018I\tknow\tthis!\tIt\u2019s\tfrom\ta\tpoem\tby Bacchylides.\u2019\tI\ttranslated\tfor\tmy\tfriends:\t\u2018But\tthe\thighest\tgod,\tmighty\twith\this thunderbolt,\tsent\tHypnos\tand\this\ttwin\tfrom\tsnowy\tOlympus\tto\tthe\tfearless fighter\tSarpedon.\u2019 Meg\tand\tGrover\tstared\tat\tme\tblankly.\tHonestly,\tjust\tbecause\tI\twas\twearing the\tCaligula\tshoes,\tdid\tI\thave\tto\tdo\teverything? \u2018Something\tis\taltered\tin\tthis\tline,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018I\tremember\tthe\tscene.\tSarpedon dies.\tZeus\thas\this\tbody\tcarried\taway\tfrom\tthe\tbattlefield.\tBut\tthe\twording\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Hypnos\tis\tthe\tgod\tof\tsleep,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018That\tcabin\tmakes\texcellent\tmilk and\tcookies.\tBut\twho\u2019s\this\ttwin?\u2019 My\theart\tka-thumped.\t\u2018That\u2019s\twhat\u2019s\tdifferent.\tIn\tthe\tactual\tline,\tit\tdoesn\u2019t say\this\ttwin.\tIt\tnames\tthe\ttwin:\tThanatos.\tOr\tDeath,\tin\tEnglish.\u2019 I\tlooked\tat\tthe\tthree\ttunnels.\tNo\tcorridor\thad\teight\tsquares\tfor\tThanatos.\tOne had\tten\tspaces,\tone\thad\tfour,\tand\tone\thad\tfive\t\u2013\tjust\tenough\tto\tfit\tDEATH.","\u2018Oh,\tno\t\u2026\u2019\tI\tleaned\tagainst\tthe\tnearest\twall.\tI\tfelt\tlike\tone\tof\tAloe\tVera\u2019s spikes\twas\tmaking\tits\tslimy\tway\tdown\tmy\tback. \u2018Why\tdo\tyou\tlook\tso\tscared?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.\t\u2018You\u2019re\tdoing\tgreat\tso\tfar.\u2019 \u2018Because,\tMeg,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018we\tare\tnot\tjust\tsolving\trandom\tpuzzles.\tWe\tare putting\ttogether\ta\tword-puzzle\tprophecy.\tAnd\tso\tfar\tit\tsays\tAPOLLO\tFACES DEATH.\u2019","38 I\tsing\tto\tmyself! Though\tApollo\tis\tcooler Like,\tway,\tway\tcooler I\thated\tbeing\tright. When\twe\tgot\tto\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\ttunnel,\tthe\tword\tDEATH\tblazed\ton\tthe\tfloor behind\tus.\tWe\tfound\tourselves\tin\ta\tlarger\tcircular\tchamber,\tfive\tnew\ttunnels branching\tout\tbefore\tus\tlike\tthe\tfingers\tand\tthumb\tof\ta\tgiant\tautomaton\thand. I\twaited\tfor\ta\tnew\tclue\tto\tappear\ton\tthe\twall.\tWhatever\tit\twas,\tI\tdesperately wanted\tthe\tanswer\tto\tbe\tNOT\tREALLY.\tOr\tperhaps\tAND\tDEFEATS\tIT\tEASILY! \u2018Why\tis\tnothing\thappening?\u2019\tGrover\tasked. Meg\ttilted\ther\thead.\t\u2018Listen.\u2019 Blood\troared\tin\tmy\tears,\tbut\tat\tlast\tI\theard\twhat\tMeg\twas\ttalking\tabout:\ta distant\tcry\tof\tpain\t\u2013\tdeep\tand\tguttural,\tmore\tbeast\tthan\thuman\t\u2013\talong\twith\tthe dull\tcrackle\tof\tfire,\tas\tif\t\u2026\toh,\tgods.\tAs\tif\tsomeone\tor\tsomething\thad\tbeen grazed\tby\tTitan\theat\tand\tnow\tlay\tdying\ta\tslow\tdeath. \u2018Sounds\tlike\ta\tmonster,\u2019\tGrover\tdecided.\t\u2018Should\twe\thelp\tit?\u2019 \u2018How?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. She\thad\ta\tpoint.\tThe\tnoise\techoed,\tso\tdiffuse\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\twhich\tcorridor\tit came\tfrom,\teven\tif\twe\twere\tfree\tto\tpick\tour\tpath\twithout\tanswering\triddles. \u2018We\u2019ll\thave\tto\tkeep\tgoing,\u2019\tI\tdecided.\t\u2018I\timagine\tMedea\thas\tmonsters\ton guard\tdown\there.\tThat\tmust\tbe\tone\tof\tthem.\tI\tdoubt\tshe\u2019s\ttoo\tconcerned\tabout them\toccasionally\tgetting\tcaught\tin\tthe\tfires.\u2019 Grover\twinced.\t\u2018Doesn\u2019t\tseem\tright,\tletting\tit\tsuffer.\u2019 \u2018Also,\u2019\tMeg\tadded,\t\u2018what\tif\tone\tof\tthose\tmonsters\ttriggers\ta\tflash\tfire\tand\tit comes\tour\tway?\u2019","I\tstared\tat\tmy\tyoung\tmaster.\t\u2018You\tare\ta\tfountain\tof\tdark\tquestions\ttoday.\tWe have\tto\thave\tfaith.\u2019 \u2018In\tthe\tSibyl?\u2019\tshe\tasked.\t\u2018In\tthose\tevil\tshoes?\u2019 I\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tan\tanswer\tfor\ther.\tFortunately,\tI\twas\tsaved\tby\tthe\tbelated appearance\tof\tthe\tnext\tclue\t\u2013\tthree\tgolden\tlines\tin\tLatin. \u2018Oh,\tLatin!\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018Hold\ton.\tI\tcan\tdo\tthis.\u2019\tHe\tsquinted\tat\tthe\twords, then\tsighed.\t\u2018No.\tI\tcan\u2019t.\u2019 \u2018Honestly,\tno\tGreek\tor\tLatin?\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018What\tdo\tthey\tteach\tyou\tin\tsatyr school?\u2019 \u2018Mostly,\tyou\tknow,\timportant\tstuff.\tLike\tplants.\u2019 \u2018Thank\tyou,\u2019\tMeg\tmuttered. I\ttranslated\tthe\tclue\tfor\tmy\tless\teducated\tfriends: \u2018Now\tmust\tI\ttell\tof\tthe\tflight\tof\tthe\tking. The\tlast\tto\treign\tover\tthe\tRoman\tpeople Was\ta\tman\tunjust\tyet\tpuissant\tin\tarms.\u2019 I\tnodded.\t\u2018I\tbelieve\tthat\u2019s\ta\tquote\tfrom\tOvid.\u2019 Neither\tof\tmy\tcomrades\tlooked\timpressed. \u2018So\twhat\u2019s\tthe\tanswer?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.\t\u2018The\tlast\tRoman\temperor?\u2019 \u2018No,\tnot\tan\temperor,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018In\tthe\tvery\tfirst\tdays\tof\tRome,\tthe\tcity\twas\truled by\tkings.\tThe\tlast\tone,\tthe\tseventh,\twas\toverthrown,\tand\tRome\tbecame\ta republic.\u2019 I\ttried\tto\tcast\tmy\tthoughts\tback\tto\tthe\tKingdom\tof\tRome.\tThat\twhole\ttime period\twas\ta\tlittle\thazy\tto\tme.\tWe\tgods\twere\tstill\tbased\tin\tGreece\tthen.\tRome was\tsomething\tof\ta\tbackwater.\tThe\tlast\tking,\tthough\t\u2026\the\tbrought\tback\tsome bad\tmemories. Meg\tbroke\tmy\treverie.\t\u2018What\tis\tpuissant?\u2019 \u2018It\tmeans\tpowerful,\u2019\tI\tsaid. \u2018Doesn\u2019t\tsound\tlike\tthat.\tIf\tsomebody\tcalled\tme\tpuissant,\tI\twould\thit\tthem.\u2019 \u2018But\tyou\tare,\tin\tfact,\tpuissant\tin\tarms.\u2019 She\thit\tme. \u2018Ow.\u2019 \u2018Guys,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018What\u2019s\tthe\tname\tof\tthe\tlast\tRoman\tking?\u2019 I\tthought.\t\u2018Ta\t\u2026\thmm.\tI\tjust\thad\tit,\tand\tnow\tit\u2019s\tgone.\tTa-something.\u2019 \u2018Taco?\u2019\tGrover\tsaid\thelpfully. \u2018Why\twould\ta\tRoman\tking\tbe\tnamed\tTaco?\u2019 \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\u2019\tGrover\trubbed\this\tstomach.\t\u2018Because\tI\u2019m\thungry?\u2019 Curse\tthe\tsatyr.\tNow\tall\tI\tcould\tthink\tof\twas\ttacos.\tThen\tthe\tanswer\tcame back\tto\tme.\t\u2018Tarquin!\tOr\tTarquinius,\tin\tthe\toriginal\tLatin.\u2019 \u2018Well,\twhich\tis\tit?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.","I\tstudied\tthe\tcorridors.\tThe\ttunnel\ton\tthe\tfar\tleft,\tthe\tthumb,\thad\tten\tspaces, enough\tfor\tTarquinius.\tThe\ttunnel\tin\tthe\tmiddle\thad\tseven,\tenough\tfor\tTarquin. \u2018It\u2019s\tthat\tone,\u2019\tI\tdecided,\tpointing\tto\tthe\tcentre\ttunnel. \u2018How\tcan\tyou\tbe\tsure?\u2019\tGrover\tasked.\t\u2018Because\tthe\tarrow\ttold\tus\tthe\tanswers would\tbe\tin\tEnglish?\u2019 \u2018That,\u2019\tI\tconceded,\t\u2018and\talso\tbecause\tthese\ttunnels\tlook\tlike\tfive\tfingers.\tIt makes\tsense\tthe\tmaze\twould\tgive\tme\tthe\tmiddle\tfinger.\u2019\tI\traised\tmy\tvoice.\t\u2018Isn\u2019t that\tright?\tThe\tanswer\tis\tTarquin,\tthe\tmiddle\tfinger?\tI\tlove\tyou,\ttoo,\tmaze.\u2019 We\twalked\tthe\tpath,\tthe\tname\tTARQUIN\tblazing\tin\tgold\tbehind\tus. The\tcorridor\topened\tinto\ta\tsquare\tchamber,\tthe\tlargest\tspace\twe\u2019d\tseen\tyet. The\twalls\tand\tfloor\twere\ttiled\tin\tfaded\tRoman\tmosaics\tthat\tlooked\toriginal, though\tI\twas\tfairly\tsure\tthe\tRomans\thad\tnever\tcolonized\tany\tpart\tof\tthe\tLos Angeles\tmetropolitan\tarea. The\tair\tfelt\teven\twarmer\tand\tdrier.\tThe\tfloor\twas\thot\tenough\tthat\tI\tcould\tfeel it\tthrough\tthe\tsoles\tof\tmy\tsandals.\tOne\tpositive\tthing\tabout\tthe\troom:\tit\toffered us\tonly\tthree\tnew\ttunnels\tto\tchoose\tfrom,\trather\tthan\tfive. Grover\tsniffed\tthe\tair.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tthis\troom.\tI\tsmell\tsomething\t\u2026\tmonstery.\u2019 Meg\tgripped\ther\tscimitars.\t\u2018From\twhich\tdirection?\u2019 \u2018Uh\t\u2026\tall\tof\tthem?\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tlook,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\ttrying\tto\tsound\tcheerful,\t\u2018another\tclue.\u2019 We\tapproached\tthe\tnearest\tmosaic\twall,\twhere\ttwo\tgolden\tlines\tof\tEnglish glowed\tacross\tthe\ttiles: Leaves,\tbody-leaves,\tgrowing\tup\tabove\tme,\tabove\tdeath, Perennial\troots,\ttall\tleaves\t\u2013\tO\tthe\twinter\tshall\tnot\tfreeze\tyou,\tdelicate\tleaves Perhaps\tmy\tbrain\twas\tstill\tstuck\tin\tLatin\tand\tGreek,\tbecause\tthose\tlines meant\tnothing\tto\tme,\teven\tin\tplain\tEnglish. \u2018I\tlike\tthis\tone,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\t\u2018It\u2019s\tabout\tleaves.\u2019 \u2018Yes,\tlots\tof\tleaves,\u2019\tI\tagreed.\t\u2018But\tit\u2019s\tnonsense.\u2019 Grover\tchoked.\t\u2018Nonsense?\tDon\u2019t\tyou\trecognize\tit?\u2019 \u2018Er,\tshould\tI?\u2019 \u2018You\u2019re\tthe\tgod\tof\tpoetry!\u2019 I\tfelt\tmy\tface\tbegin\tto\tburn.\t\u2018I\tused\tto\tbe\tthe\tgod\tof\tpoetry,\twhich\tdoes\tnot mean\tI\tam\ta\twalking\tencyclopedia\tof\tevery\tobscure\tline\tever\twritten\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Obscure?\u2019\tGrover\u2019s\tshrill\tvoice\techoed\tunnervingly\tdown\tthe\tcorridors. \u2018That\u2019s\tWalt\tWhitman!\tFrom\tLeaves\tof\tGrass!\tI\tdon\u2019t\tremember\texactly\twhich poem\tit\u2019s\tfrom,\tbut\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018You\tread\tpoetry?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.","Grover\tlicked\this\tlips.\t\u2018You\tknow\t\u2026\tmostly\tnature\tpoetry.\tWhitman,\tfor\ta human,\thad\tsome\tbeautiful\tthings\tto\tsay\tabout\ttrees.\u2019 \u2018And\tleaves,\u2019\tMeg\tnoted.\t\u2018And\troots.\u2019 \u2018Exactly.\u2019 I\twanted\tto\tlecture\tthem\tabout\thow\toverrated\tWalt\tWhitman\twas.\tThe\tman was\talways\tsinging\tsongs\tto\thimself\tinstead\tof\tpraising\tothers,\tlike\tme,\tfor instance.\tBut\tI\tdecided\tthe\tcritique\twould\thave\tto\twait. \u2018Do\tyou\tknow\tthe\tanswer,\tthen?\u2019\tI\tasked\tGrover.\t\u2018Is\tthis\ta\tfill-in-the-blanks question?\tMultiple\tchoice?\tTrue-False?\u2019 Grover\tstudied\tthe\tlines.\t\u2018I\tthink\t\u2026\tyeah.\tThere\u2019s\ta\tword\tmissing\tat\tthe beginning.\tIt\u2019s\tsupposed\tto\tread\tTomb-leaves,\tbody-leaves,\tet\tcetera.\u2019 \u2018Tomb-leaves?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.\t\u2018That\tdoesn\u2019t\tmake\tsense.\tBut\tneither\tdoes\tbody- leaves.\tUnless\the\u2019s\ttalking\tabout\ta\tdryad.\u2019 \u2018It\u2019s\timagery,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Clearly,\the\tis\tdescribing\ta\tplace\tof\tdeath,\tovergrown\tby nature\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tnow\tyou\u2019re\tan\texpert\ton\tWalt\tWhitman,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid. \u2018Satyr,\tdon\u2019t\ttest\tme.\tWhen\tI\tbecome\ta\tgod\tagain\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Both\tof\tyou,\tstop,\u2019\tMeg\tordered.\t\u2018Apollo,\tsay\tthe\tanswer.\u2019 \u2018Fine.\u2019\tI\tsighed.\t\u2018Maze,\tthe\tanswer\tis\ttomb.\u2019 We\ttook\tanother\tsuccessful\ttrip\tdown\tthe\tmiddle\tfinger\t\u2026\tI\tmean,\tcentral hall.\tThe\tword\tTOMB\tblazed\tin\tthe\tfour\tsquares\tbehind\tus. At\tthe\tend,\twe\tarrived\tin\ta\tcircular\troom,\teven\tlarger\tand\tmore\tornate.\tAcross the\tdomed\tceiling\tspread\ta\tsilver-on-blue\tmosaic\tof\tzodiac\tsigns.\tSix\tnew tunnels\tradiated\toutward.\tIn\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tfloor\tstood\tan\told\tfountain, unfortunately\tdry.\t(A\tdrink\twould\thave\tbeen\tmuch\tappreciated.\tInterpreting poetry\tand\tsolving\tpuzzles\tis\tthirsty\twork.) \u2018The\trooms\tare\tgetting\tbigger,\u2019\tGrover\tnoted.\t\u2018And\tmore\telaborate.\u2019 \u2018Maybe\tthat\u2019s\tgood,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018It\tmight\tmean\twe\u2019re\tgetting\tcloser.\u2019 Meg\teyed\tthe\tzodiac\timages.\t\u2018You\tsure\twe\tdidn\u2019t\ttake\ta\twrong\tturn?\tThe prophecy\tdoesn\u2019t\teven\tmake\tsense\tso\tfar.\tApollo\tfaces\tdeath\tTarquin\ttomb.\u2019 \u2018You\thave\tto\tassume\tthe\tsmall\twords,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018I\tbelieve\tthe\tmessage\tis\tApollo faces\tdeath\tin\tTarquin\u2019s\ttomb.\u2019\tI\tgulped.\t\u2018Actually,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tthat\tmessage. Perhaps\tthe\tlittle\twords\twe\u2019re\tmissing\tare\tApollo\tfaces\tNO\tdeath;\tTarquin\u2019s tomb\t\u2026\tsomething,\tsomething.\tMaybe\tthe\tnext\twords\tare\tgrants\thim\tfabulous prizes.\u2019 \u2018Uh-huh.\u2019\tMeg\tpointed\tat\tthe\trim\tof\tthe\tcentral\tfountain,\twhere\tthe\tnext\tclue had\tappeared.\tThree\tlines\tin\tEnglish\tread: Named\tfor\tApollo\u2019s\tfallen\tlove,\tthis\tflower\tshould\tbe\tplanted\tin\tautumn. Set\tthe\tbulb\tin\tthe\tsoil\twith\tthe\tpointy\tend\tup.\tCover\twith\tsoil","And\twater\tthoroughly\t\u2026\tyou\tare\ttransplanting. I\tstifled\ta\tsob. First\tthe\tmaze\tforced\tme\tto\tread\tWalt\tWhitman.\tNow\tit\ttaunted\tme\twith\tmy own\tpast.\tTo\tmention\tmy\tdead\tlove,\tHyacinthus,\tand\this\ttragic\tdeath,\tto\treduce him\tto\ta\tbit\tof\tOracle\ttrivia\t\u2026\tNo.\tThis\twas\ttoo\tmuch. I\tsat\tdown\ton\tthe\trim\tof\tthe\tfountain\tand\tcupped\tmy\tface\tin\tmy\thands. \u2018What\u2019s\twrong?\u2019\tGrover\tasked\tnervously. Meg\tanswered.\t\u2018Those\tlines\tare\ttalking\tabout\this\told\tboyfriend.\tHyacinth.\u2019 \u2018Hyacinthus,\u2019\tI\tcorrected. I\tsurged\tto\tmy\tfeet,\tmy\tsadness\tconverting\tto\tanger.\tMy\tfriends\tedged\taway.\tI supposed\tI\tmust\thave\tlooked\tlike\ta\tcrazy\tman,\tand\tthat\u2019s\tindeed\thow\tI\tfelt. \u2018Herophile!\u2019\tI\tyelled\tinto\tthe\tdarkness.\t\u2018I\tthought\twe\twere\tfriends!\u2019 \u2018Uh,\tApollo?\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tshe\u2019s\ttaunting\tyou\ton\tpurpose.\tAlso, the\tanswer\tis\tabout\tthe\tflower,\thyacinth.\tI\u2019m\tpretty\tsure\tthose\tlines\tare\tfrom\tthe Farmer\u2019s\tAlmanac.\u2019 \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tif\tthey\u2019re\tfrom\tthe\ttelephone\tdirectory!\u2019\tI\tbellowed.\t\u2018Enough\tis enough.\tHYACINTH!\u2019\tI\tyelled\tinto\tthe\tcorridors.\t\u2018The\tanswer\tis\tHYACINTH! Are\tyou\thappy?\u2019 Meg\tyelled,\t\u2018NO!\u2019 In\tretrospect,\tshe\treally\tshould\thave\tyelled\tApollo,\tstop!\tThen\tI\twould\u2019ve\thad no\tchoice\tbut\tto\tobey\ther\tcommand.\tTherefore,\twhat\thappened\tnext\tis\tMeg\u2019s fault. I\tmarched\tdown\tthe\tonly\tcorridor\twith\teight\tsquares. Grover\tand\tMeg\tran\tafter\tme,\tbut\tby\tthe\ttime\tthey\tcaught\tme\tit\twas\ttoo\tlate. I\tlooked\tbehind,\texpecting\tto\tsee\tthe\tword\tHYACINTH\tspelled\tout\ton\tthe floor.\tInstead,\tonly\tsix\tof\tthe\tsquares\twere\tlit\tup\tin\tglaring\tcorrection-pen\tred: U N L E S S Under\tour\tfeet,\tthe\ttunnel\tfloor\tdisappeared,\tand\twe\tdropped\tinto\ta\tpit\tof\tfire.","39 Noble\tsacrifice\t I\u2019ll\tprotect\tyou\tfrom\tthe\tflames\t Wow,\tI\u2019m\ta\tgood\tguy Under\tdifferent\tcircumstances,\thow\tdelighted\tI\twould\thave\tbeen\tto\tsee\tthat UNLESS. Apollo\tfaces\tdeath\tin\tTarquin\u2019s\ttomb\tunless\t\u2026 Oh,\thappy\tconjunction!\tIt\tmeant\tthere\twas\ta\tway\tto\tavoid\tpotential\tdeath,\tand I\twas\tall\tabout\tavoiding\tpotential\tdeath. Unfortunately,\tfalling\tinto\ta\tpit\tof\tfire\tdampened\tmy\tnew-found\thope. In\tmid-air,\tbefore\tI\tcould\teven\tprocess\twhat\twas\thappening,\tI\tlurched\tto\ta halt,\tmy\tquiver\tstrap\tyanked\ttight\tacross\tmy\tchest,\tmy\tleft\tfoot\tnearly\tpopping free\tfrom\tmy\tankle. I\tfound\tmyself\tdangling\tnext\tto\tthe\twall\tof\tthe\tpit.\tAbout\ttwenty\tfeet\tbelow, the\tshaft\topened\tinto\ta\tlake\tof\tfire.\tMeg\twas\tclinging\tdesperately\tto\tmy\tfoot. Above\tme,\tGrover\theld\tme\tby\tthe\tquiver\twith\tone\thand,\this\tother\tgripping\ta\ttiny ledge\tof\trock.\tHe\tkicked\toff\this\tshoes\tand\ttried\tto\tfind\tpurchase\twith\this\thooves on\tthe\twall. \u2018Well\tdone,\tbrave\tsatyr!\u2019\tI\tcried.\t\u2018Pull\tus\tup!\u2019 Grover\u2019s\teyes\tbugged.\tHis\tface\tdripped\twith\tsweat.\tHe\tmade\ta\twhimpering sound\tthat\tseemed\tto\tindicate\the\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tstrength\tto\tpull\tall\tthree\tof\tus out\tof\tthe\tpit. If\tI\tsurvived\tand\tbecame\ta\tgod\tagain,\tI\twould\thave\tto\ttalk\tto\tthe\tCouncil\tof Cloven\tElders\tabout\tadding\tmore\tphysical\teducation\tclasses\tto\tsatyr\tschool. I\tclawed\tat\tthe\twall,\thoping\tto\tfind\ta\tconvenient\trail\tor\temergency\texit.\tThere was\tnothing.","Below\tme,\tMeg\tyelled,\t\u2018REALLY,\tApollo?\tYou\twater\thyacinths\tthoroughly UNLESS\tyou\tare\ttransplanting\tthem!\u2019 \u2018How\twas\tI\tsupposed\tto\tknow\tthat?\u2019\tI\tprotested. \u2018You\tCREATED\thyacinths!\u2019 Ugh.\tMortal\tlogic.\tJust\tbecause\ta\tgod\tcreates\tsomething\tdoesn\u2019t\tmean\the understands\tit.\tOtherwise,\tPrometheus\twould\tknow\teverything\tabout\thumans, and\tI\tassure\tyou,\the\tdoes\tnot.\tI\tcreated\thyacinths,\tso\tI\u2019m\tsupposed\tto\tknow\thow to\tplant\tand\twater\tthem? \u2018Help!\u2019\tGrover\tsqueaked. His\thooves\tshifted\ton\tthe\ttiny\tcrevices.\tHis\tfingers\ttrembled,\this\tarms\tshaking as\tif\the\twere\tholding\tthe\tweight\tof\ttwo\textra\tpeople,\twhich\t\u2026\toh,\tactually,\the was. The\theat\tfrom\tbelow\tmade\tit\tdifficult\tto\tthink.\tIf\tyou\u2019ve\tever\tstood\tnear\ta barbecue\tfire,\tor\thad\tyour\tface\ttoo\tclose\tto\tan\topen\toven,\tyou\tcan\timagine\tthat feeling\tincreased\ta\thundredfold.\tMy\teyes\tdried\tup.\tMy\tmouth\tbecame\tparched. A\tfew\tmore\tbreaths\tof\tscalding\tair\tand\tI\twould\tprobably\tlose\tconsciousness. The\tfires\tbelow\tseemed\tto\tbe\tsweeping\tacross\ta\tstone\tfloor.\tThe\tdrop\titself would\tnot\tbe\tfatal.\tIf\tonly\tthere\twere\ta\tway\tto\tturn\toff\tthe\tfires\t\u2026 An\tidea\tcame\tto\tme\t\u2013\ta\tvery\tbad\tidea,\twhich\tI\tblamed\ton\tmy\tboiling\tbrain. Those\tflames\twere\tfuelled\tby\tthe\tessence\tof\tHelios.\tIf\tsome\tsmall\tbit\tof\this consciousness\tremained\t\u2026\tit\twas\ttheoretically\tpossible\tthat\tI\tcould communicate\twith\thim.\tPerhaps,\tif\tI\ttouched\tthe\tfires\tdirectly,\tI\tcould\tconvince him\tthat\twe\twere\tnot\tthe\tenemy\tand\the\tshould\tlet\tus\tlive.\tI\twould\tprobably\thave a\tluxurious\tthree\tnanoseconds\tto\taccomplish\tthis\tbefore\tdying\tin\tagony.\tBesides, if\tI\tfell,\tmy\tfriends\tmight\tstand\ta\tchance\tof\tclimbing\tout.\tAfter\tall,\tI\twas\tthe heaviest\tperson\tin\tour\tparty,\tthanks\tto\tZeus\u2019s\tcruel\tcurse\tof\tflab. Terrible,\tterrible\tidea.\tI\twould\tnever\thave\thad\tthe\tcourage\tto\ttry\tit\thad\tI\tnot thought\tof\tJason\tGrace,\tand\twhat\the\thad\tdone\tto\tsave\tme. \u2018Meg,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018can\tyou\tattach\tyourself\tto\tthe\twall?\u2019 \u2018Do\tI\tlook\tlike\tSpider-Man?\u2019\tshe\tyelled\tback. Very\tfew\tpeople\tlook\tas\tgood\tin\ttights\tas\tSpider-Man.\tMeg\twas\tcertainly\tnot one\tof\tthem. \u2018Use\tyour\tswords!\u2019\tI\tcalled. Holding\tmy\tankle\twith\tjust\tone\thand,\tshe\tsummoned\ta\tscimitar.\tShe\tstabbed at\tthe\twall\t\u2013\tonce,\ttwice.\tThe\tcurve\tof\tthe\tblade\tdid\tnot\tmake\ther\tjob\teasy.\tOn the\tthird\tstrike,\thowever,\tthe\tpoint\tsank\tdeep\tinto\tthe\trock.\tShe\tgripped\tthe\thilt and\tlet\tgo\tof\tmy\tankle,\tholding\therself\tabove\tthe\tflames\twith\tonly\ther\tsword. \u2018What\tnow?\u2019 \u2018Stay\tput!\u2019","\u2018I\tcan\tdo\tthat!\u2019 \u2018Grover!\u2019\tI\tyelled\tup.\t\u2018You\tcan\tdrop\tme\tnow,\tbut\tdon\u2019t\tworry.\tI\thave\ta\t\u2013\u2019 Grover\tdropped\tme. Honestly,\twhat\tsort\tof\tprotector\tjust\tdrops\tyou\tinto\ta\tfire\twhen\tyou\ttell\thim it\u2019s\tokay\tto\tdrop\tyou\tinto\ta\tfire?\tI\texpected\ta\tlong\targument,\tduring\twhich\tI would\tassure\thim\tthat\tI\thad\ta\tplan\tto\tsave\tmyself\tand\tthem.\tI\texpected\tprotests from\tGrover\tand\tMeg\t(well,\tmaybe\tnot\tfrom\tMeg)\tabout\thow\tI\tshouldn\u2019t sacrifice\tmyself\tfor\ttheir\tsake,\thow\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tpossibly\tsurvive\tthe\tflames,\tand\tso on.\tBut\tnope.\tHe\tdumped\tme\twithout\ta\tthought. At\tleast\tit\tgave\tme\tno\ttime\tfor\tsecond-guessing. I\tcouldn\u2019t\ttorture\tmyself\twith\tdoubts\tlike\tWhat\tif\tthis\tdoesn\u2019t\twork?\tWhat\tif\tI cannot\tsurvive\tthe\tsolar\tfires\tthat\tused\tto\tbe\tsecond\tnature\tto\tme?\tWhat\tif\tthis lovely\tprophecy\twe\tare\tpiecing\ttogether,\tabout\tme\tdying\tin\tthe\ttomb\tof\tTarquin, does\tNOT\tautomatically\tmean\tthat\tI\twill\tnot\tdie\ttoday,\tin\tthis\thorrible\tBurning Maze? I\tdon\u2019t\tremember\thitting\tthe\tfloor. My\tsoul\tseemed\tto\tdetach\tfrom\tmy\tbody.\tI\tfound\tmyself\tthousands\tof\tyears back\tin\ttime,\ton\tthe\tvery\tfirst\tmorning\tI\tbecame\tthe\tgod\tof\tthe\tsun. Overnight,\tHelios\thad\tvanished.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tfinal\tprayer\tto\tme\tas\tthe god\tof\tthe\tsun\thad\tfinally\ttipped\tthe\tbalance\t\u2013\tbanishing\tthe\told\tTitan\tto oblivion\twhile\tpromoting\tme\tto\this\tspot\t\u2013\tbut\there\tI\twas\tat\tthe\tPalace\tof\tthe Sun. Terrified\tand\tnervous,\tI\tpushed\topen\tthe\tdoors\tof\tthe\tthrone\troom.\tThe\tair burned.\tThe\tlight\tblinded\tme. Helios\u2019s\toversize\tgolden\tthrone\tstood\tempty,\this\tcloak\tdraped\tover\tthe armrest.\tHis\thelm,\twhip\tand\tgilded\tshoes\tsat\ton\tthe\tdais,\tready\tfor\ttheir\tmaster. But\tthe\tTitan\thimself\twas\tsimply\tgone. I\tam\ta\tgod,\tI\ttold\tmyself.\tI\tcan\tdo\tthis. I\tstrode\ttowards\tthe\tthrone,\twilling\tmyself\tnot\tto\tcombust.\tIf\tI\tran\tout\tof\tthe palace\tscreaming\twith\tmy\ttoga\ton\tfire\tthe\tvery\tfirst\tday\ton\tthe\tjob,\tI\twould never\thear\tthe\tend\tof\tit. Slowly,\tthe\tfires\treceded\tbefore\tme.\tBy\tforce\tof\twill,\tI\tgrew\tin\tsize\tuntil\tI could\tcomfortably\twear\tthe\thelm\tand\tcloak\tof\tmy\tpredecessor. I\tdidn\u2019t\ttry\tout\tthe\tthrone,\tthough.\tI\thad\ta\tjob\tto\tdo,\tand\tvery\tlittle\ttime. I\tglanced\tat\tthe\twhip.\tSome\ttrainers\tsay\tyou\tshould\tnever\tshow\tkindness\twith a\tnew\tteam\tof\thorses.\tThey\twill\tsee\tyou\tas\tweak.\tBut\tI\tdecided\tto\tleave\tthe whip.\tI\twould\tnot\tstart\tmy\tnew\tposition\tas\ta\tharsh\ttaskmaster. I\tstrode\tinto\tthe\tstable.\tThe\tsun\tchariot\u2019s\tbeauty\tbrought\ttears\tto\tmy\teyes.\tThe four\tsun\thorses\tstood\talready\tharnessed,\ttheir\thooves\tpolished\tgold,\ttheir\tmanes","rippling\tfire,\ttheir\teyes\tmolten\tingots. They\tregarded\tme\twarily.\tWho\tare\tyou? \u2018I\tam\tApollo,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\tforcing\tmyself\tto\tsound\tconfident.\t\u2018We\u2019re\tgoing\tto\thave a\tgreat\tday!\u2019 I\tleaped\tinto\tthe\tchariot,\tand\toff\twe\twent. I\u2019ll\tadmit\tit\twas\ta\tsteep\tlearning\tcurve.\tAbout\ta\tforty-five-degree\tarc,\tto\tbe precise.\tI\tmay\thave\tdone\ta\tfew\tinadvertent\tloops\tin\tthe\tsky.\tI\tmay\thave\tcaused\ta few\tnew\tglaciers\tand\tdeserts\tuntil\tI\tfound\tthe\tproper\tcruising\taltitude.\tBut\tby\tthe end\tof\tthe\tday\tthe\tchariot\twas\tmine.\tThe\thorses\thad\tshaped\tthemselves\tto\tmy will,\tmy\tpersonality.\tI\twas\tApollo,\tgod\tof\tthe\tsun. I\ttried\tto\thold\ton\tto\tthat\tfeeling\tof\tconfidence,\tthe\telation\tof\tthat\tsuccessful first\tday. I\tcame\tback\tto\tmy\tsenses\tand\tfound\tmyself\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\tpit,\tcrouching in\tthe\tflames. \u2018Helios,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018It\u2019s\tme.\u2019 The\tblaze\tswirled\taround\tme,\ttrying\tto\tincinerate\tmy\tflesh\tand\tdissolve\tmy soul.\tI\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tpresence\tof\tthe\tTitan\t\u2013\tbitter,\thazy,\tangry.\tHis\twhip\tseemed to\tbe\tlashing\tme\ta\tthousand\ttimes\ta\tsecond. \u2018I\twill\tnot\tbe\tburned,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018I\tam\tApollo.\tI\tam\tyour\trightful\their.\u2019 The\tfires\traged\thotter.\tHelios\tresented\tme\t\u2026\tbut\twait.\tThat\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tfull story.\tHe\thated\tbeing\there.\tHe\thated\tthis\tmaze,\tthis\thalf-life\tprison. \u2018I\twill\tfree\tyou,\u2019\tI\tpromised. Noise\tcrackled\tand\thissed\tin\tmy\tears.\tPerhaps\tit\twas\tonly\tthe\tsound\tof\tmy head\tcatching\tfire,\tbut\tI\tthought\tI\theard\ta\tvoice\tin\tthe\tflames:\tKILL.\tHER. Her\t\u2026 Medea. Helios\u2019s\temotions\tburned\ttheir\tway\tinto\tmy\tmind.\tI\tfelt\this\tloathing\tfor\this sorceress\tgranddaughter.\tAll\tthat\tMedea\thad\ttold\tme\tearlier\tabout\tholding\tback Helios\u2019s\twrath\t\u2013\tthat\tmight\thave\tbeen\ttrue.\tBut,\tabove\tall,\tshe\twas\tholding Helios\tback\tfrom\tkilling\ther.\tShe\thad\tchained\thim,\tbound\this\twill\tto\thers, wrapped\therself\tin\tpowerful\tprotections\tagainst\this\tgodly\tfire.\tHelios\tdid\tnot like\tme,\tno.\tBut\the\thated\tMedea\u2019s\tpresumptuous\tmagic.\tTo\tbe\treleased\tfrom\this torment,\the\tneeded\this\tgranddaughter\tdead. I\twondered,\tnot\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime,\twhy\twe\tGreek\tdeities\thad\tnever\tcreated\ta god\tof\tfamily\ttherapy.\tWe\tcertainly\tcould\thave\tused\tone.\tOr\tperhaps\twe\thad\tone before\tI\twas\tborn,\tand\tshe\tquit.\tOr\tKronos\tswallowed\ther\twhole. Whatever\tthe\tcase,\tI\ttold\tthe\tflames,\t\u2018I\twill\tdo\tthis.\tI\twill\tfree\tyou.\tBut\tyou must\tlet\tus\tpass.\u2019 Instantly,\tthe\tfires\traced\taway\tas\tif\ta\ttear\thad\topened\tin\tthe\tuniverse.","I\tgasped.\tMy\tskin\tsteamed.\tMy\tarctic\tcamouflage\twas\tnow\ta\tlightly\ttoasted grey.\tBut\tI\twas\talive.\tThe\troom\taround\tme\tcooled\trapidly.\tThe\tflames,\tI realized,\thad\tretreated\tdown\ta\tsingle\ttunnel\tthat\tled\tfrom\tthe\tchamber. \u2018Meg!\tGrover!\u2019\tI\tcalled.\t\u2018You\tcan\tcome\tdown\t\u2013\u2019 Meg\tdropped\ton\ttop\tof\tme,\tsquashing\tme\tflat. \u2018Ow!\u2019\tI\tscreamed.\t\u2018Not\tlike\tthat!\u2019 Grover\twas\tmore\tcourteous.\tHe\tclimbed\tdown\tthe\twall\tand\tdropped\tto\tthe floor\twith\tgoat-worthy\tdexterity.\tHe\tsmelled\tlike\ta\tburnt\twool\tblanket.\tHis\tface was\tbadly\tsunburned.\tHis\tcap\thad\tfallen\tinto\tthe\tfire,\trevealing\tthe\ttips\tof\this horns,\twhich\tsteamed\tlike\tminiature\tvolcanoes.\tMeg\thad\tsomehow\tcome through\tjust\tfine.\tShe\u2019d\teven\tmanaged\tto\tretract\ther\tsword\tfrom\tthe\twall\tbefore falling.\tShe\tpulled\ther\tflask\tfrom\ther\tsupply\tbelt,\tdrank\tmost\tof\tthe\twater\tand handed\tthe\trest\tto\tGrover. \u2018Thanks,\u2019\tI\tgrumbled. \u2018You\tbeat\tthe\theat,\u2019\tshe\tnoted.\t\u2018Good\tjob.\tFinally\thad\ta\tgodly\tburst\tof power?\u2019 \u2018Er\t\u2026\tI\tthink\tit\twas\tmore\tabout\tHelios\tdeciding\tto\tgive\tus\ta\tpass.\tHe\twants out\tof\tthis\tmaze\tas\tmuch\tas\twe\twant\thim\tout.\tHe\twants\tus\tto\tkill\tMedea.\u2019 Grover\tgulped.\t\u2018So\t\u2026\tshe\u2019s\tdown\there?\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tdie\ton\tthat\tyacht?\u2019 \u2018Figures.\u2019\tMeg\tsquinted\tdown\tthe\tsteaming\tcorridor.\t\u2018Did\tHelios\tpromise\tnot to\tburn\tus\tif\tyou\tmess\tup\tany\tmore\tanswers?\u2019 \u2018I\t\u2013\tThat\twasn\u2019t\tmy\tfault!\u2019 \u2018Yeah,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid. \u2018Kinda\twas,\u2019\tGrover\tagreed. Honestly.\tI\tfall\tinto\ta\tblazing\tpit,\tnegotiate\ta\ttruce\twith\ta\tTitan\tand\tflush\ta firestorm\tout\tof\tthe\troom\tto\tsave\tmy\tfriends,\tand\tthey\tstill\twant\tto\ttalk\tabout how\tI\tcan\u2019t\trecall\tinstructions\tfrom\tthe\tFarmer\u2019s\tAlmanac. \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tthink\twe\tcan\tcount\ton\tHelios\tnever\tto\tburn\tus,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018any\tmore\tthan we\tcan\texpect\tHerophile\tnot\tto\tuse\tword\tpuzzles.\tIt\u2019s\tjust\ttheir\tnature.\tThis\twas a\tone-time\tget-out-of-the-flames-free\tcard.\u2019 Grover\tsmothered\tthe\ttips\tof\this\thorns.\t\u2018Well,\tthen,\tlet\u2019s\tnot\twaste\tit.\u2019 \u2018Right.\u2019\tI\thitched\tup\tmy\tslightly\ttoasted\tcamouflage\tpants\tand\ttried\tto recapture\tthat\tconfident\ttone\tI\u2019d\thad\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tI\taddressed\tmy\tsun\thorses. \u2018Follow\tme.\tI\u2019m\tsure\tit\u2019ll\tbe\tfine!\u2019","40 Congratulations\t You\tfinished\tthe\tword\tpuzzle\t You\twin\t\u2026\tenemies Fine,\tin\tthis\tcase,\tmeant\tfine\tif\tyou\tenjoy\tlava,\tchains\tand\tevil\tmagic. The\tcorridor\tled\tstraight\tto\tthe\tchamber\tof\tthe\tOracle,\twhich\ton\tthe\tone\thand \u2026\thooray!\tOn\tthe\tother\thand,\tnot\tso\twonderful.\tThe\troom\twas\ta\trectangle\tthe size\tof\ta\tbasketball\tcourt.\tLining\tthe\twalls\twere\thalf\ta\tdozen\tentrances\t\u2013\teach\ta simple\tstone\tdoorway\twith\ta\tsmall\tlanding\tthat\toverhung\tthe\tpool\tof\tlava\tI\u2019d seen\tin\tmy\tvisions.\tNow,\tthough,\tI\trealized\tthe\tbubbling\tand\tshimmering substance\twas\tnot\tlava.\tIt\twas\tthe\tdivine\tichor\tof\tHelios\t\u2013\thotter\tthan\tlava,\tmore powerful\tthan\trocket\tfuel,\timpossible\tto\tget\tout\tif\tyou\tspilled\tit\ton\tyour\tclothes (I\tcould\ttell\tyou\tfrom\tpersonal\texperience).\tWe\thad\treached\tthe\tvery\tcentre\tof the\tmaze\t\u2013\tthe\tholding\ttank\tfor\tHelios\u2019s\tpower. Floating\ton\tthe\tsurface\tof\tthe\tichor\twere\tlarge\tstone\ttiles,\teach\tabout\tfive\tfeet square,\tmaking\tcolumns\tand\trows\tthat\thad\tno\tlogical\tpatterns. \u2018It\u2019s\ta\tcrossword,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid. Of\tcourse\the\twas\tright.\tUnfortunately,\tnone\tof\tthe\tstone\tbridges\tconnected with\tour\tlittle\tbalcony.\tNor\tdid\tany\tof\tthem\tlead\tto\tthe\topposite\tside\tof\tthe\troom, where\tthe\tSibyl\tof\tErythraea\tsat\tforlornly\ton\ther\tstone\tplatform.\tHer\thome wasn\u2019t\tany\tbetter\tthan\ta\tsolitary-confinement\tcell.\tShe\u2019d\tbeen\tprovided\twith\ta bed,\ta\ttable\tand\ta\ttoilet.\t(And,\tyes,\teven\timmortal\tSibyls\tneed\tto\tuse\tthe\ttoilet. Some\tof\ttheir\tbest\tprophecies\tcome\tto\tthem\t\u2026\tNever\tmind.) My\theart\tached\tto\tsee\tHerophile\tin\tsuch\tconditions.\tShe\tlooked\texactly\tas\tI remembered\ther:\ta\tyoung\twoman\twith\tbraided\tauburn\thair\tand\tpale\tskin,\ther solid\tathletic\tbuild\ta\ttribute\tto\ther\thardy\tnaiad\tmother\tand\ther\tstout\tshepherd","father.\tThe\tSibyl\u2019s\twhite\trobes\twere\tstained\twith\tsmoke\tand\tspotted\twith\tcinder burns.\tShe\twas\tintently\twatching\tan\tentrance\ton\tthe\twall\tto\ther\tleft,\tso\tshe\tdidn\u2019t seem\tto\tnotice\tus. \u2018That\u2019s\ther?\u2019\tMeg\twhispered. \u2018Unless\tyou\tsee\tanother\tOracle,\u2019\tI\tsaid. \u2018Well,\tthen\ttalk\tto\ther.\u2019 I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhy\tI\thad\tto\tdo\tall\tthe\twork,\tbut\tI\tcleared\tmy\tthroat\tand\tyelled across\tthe\tboiling\tlake\tof\tichor,\t\u2018Herophile!\u2019 The\tSibyl\tjumped\tto\ther\tfeet.\tOnly\tthen\tdid\tI\tnotice\tthe\tchains\t\u2013\tmolten\tlinks, just\tas\tI\u2019d\tseen\tin\tmy\tvisions,\tshackled\tto\ther\twrists\tand\tankles,\tanchoring\ther\tto the\tplatform\tand\tallowing\ther\tjust\tenough\troom\tto\tmove\tfrom\tone\tside\tto\tthe other.\tOh,\tthe\tindignity! \u2018Apollo!\u2019 I\u2019d\tbeen\thoping\ther\tface\tmight\tlight\tup\twith\tjoy\twhen\tshe\tsaw\tme.\tInstead, she\tlooked\tmostly\tshocked. \u2018I\tthought\tyou\twould\tcome\tthrough\tthe\tother\t\u2026\u2019\tHer\tvoice\tseized\tup.\tShe grimaced\twith\tconcentration,\tthen\tblurted\tout,\t\u2018Seven\tletters,\tends\tin\tY.\u2019 \u2018Doorway?\u2019\tGrover\tguessed. Across\tthe\tsurface\tof\tthe\tlake,\tstone\ttiles\tground\tand\tshifted\tformation.\tOne block\twedged\titself\tagainst\tour\tlittle\tplatform.\tHalf\ta\tdozen\tmore\tstacked\tup beyond\tit,\tmaking\ta\tseven-tile\tbridge\textending\tinto\tthe\troom.\tGlowing\tgolden letters\tappeared\talong\tthe\ttiles,\tstarting\twith\ta\tY\tat\tour\tfeet:\tDOORWAY. Herophile\tclapped\texcitedly,\tjangling\ther\tmolten\tchains.\t\u2018Well\tdone!\tHurry!\u2019 I\twas\tnot\tanxious\tto\ttest\tmy\tweight\ton\ta\tstone\traft\tfloating\tover\ta\tburning\tlake of\tichor,\tbut\tMeg\tstrode\tright\tout,\tso\tGrover\tand\tI\tfollowed. \u2018No\toffence,\tMiss\tLady,\u2019\tMeg\tcalled\tto\tthe\tSibyl,\t\u2018but\twe\talready\talmost\tfell into\tone\tlava\tfire\tthingie.\tCould\tyou\tjust\tmake\ta\tbridge\tfrom\there\tto\tthere without\tmore\tpuzzles?\u2019 \u2018I\twish\tI\tcould!\u2019\tsaid\tHerophile.\t\u2018This\tis\tmy\tcurse!\tIt\u2019s\teither\ttalk\tlike\tthis\tor stay\tcompletely\t\u2013\u2019\tShe\tgagged.\t\u2018Nine\tletters.\tFifth\tletter\tis\tD.\u2019 \u2018Quiet!\u2019\tGrover\tyelled. Our\traft\trumbled\tand\trocked.\tGrover\twindmilled\this\tarms\tand\tmight\thave fallen\toff\thad\tMeg\tnot\tcaught\thim.\tThank\tgoodness\tfor\tshort\tpeople.\tThey\thave low\tcentres\tof\tgravity. \u2018Not\tquiet!\u2019\tI\tyelped.\t\u2018That\tis\tnot\tour\tfinal\tanswer!\tThat\twould\tbe\tidiotic, since\tquiet\tis\tonly\tfive\tletters\tand\tdoesn\u2019t\teven\thave\ta\tD.\u2019\tI\tglared\tat\tthe\tsatyr. \u2018Sorry,\u2019\the\tmuttered.\t\u2018I\tgot\texcited.\u2019 Meg\tstudied\tthe\ttiles.\tIn\tthe\tframes\tof\ther\tglasses,\ther\trhinestones\tglinted\tred. \u2018Quietude?\u2019\tshe\tsuggested.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tnine\tletters.\u2019","\u2018First\tof\tall,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018I\u2019m\timpressed\tyou\tknow\tthat\tword.\tSecond,\tcontext. \u201cStay\tcompletely\tquietude\u201d\tdoesn\u2019t\tmake\tsense.\tAlso,\tthe\tD\twould\tbe\tin\tthe wrong\tplace.\u2019 \u2018Then\twhat\u2019s\tthe\tanswer,\tsmarty-god?\u2019\tshe\tdemanded.\t\u2018And\tdon\u2019t\tget\tit\twrong this\ttime.\u2019 Such\tunfairness!\tI\ttried\tto\tcome\tup\twith\tsynonyms\tfor\tquiet.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tthink of\tmany.\tI\tliked\tmusic\tand\tpoetry.\tSilence\treally\twasn\u2019t\tmy\tthing. \u2018Soundless,\u2019\tI\tsaid\tat\tlast.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tgot\tto\tbe\tit.\u2019 The\ttiles\trewarded\tus\tby\tforming\ta\tsecond\tbridge\t\u2013\tnine\tacross, SOUNDLESS,\tconnecting\tto\tthe\tfirst\tbridge\tby\tthe\tD.\tUnfortunately,\tsince\tthe new\tbridge\tled\tsideways,\tit\tgot\tus\tno\tcloser\tto\tthe\tOracle\u2019s\tplatform. \u2018Herophile,\u2019\tI\tcalled,\t\u2018I\tappreciate\tyour\tpredicament.\tBut\tis\tthere\tany\tway\tyou can\tmanipulate\tthe\tlength\tof\tthe\tanswers?\tPerhaps\tthe\tnext\tone\tcan\tbe\ta\treally long,\treally\teasy\tword\tthat\tleads\tto\tyour\tplatform?\u2019 \u2018You\tknow\tI\tcannot,\tApollo.\u2019\tShe\tclasped\ther\thands.\t\u2018But,\tplease,\tyou\tmust hurry\tif\tyou\twish\tto\tstop\tCaligula\tfrom\tbecoming\ta\t\u2026\u2019\tShe\tgagged.\t\u2018Three letters,\tmiddle\tletter\tis\tO.\u2019 \u2018God,\u2019\tI\tsaid\tunhappily. A\tthird\tbridge\tformed\t\u2013\tthree\ttiles,\tconnecting\tto\tthe\tO\tin\tsoundless,\twhich brought\tus\tonly\tone\ttile\tcloser\tto\tour\tgoal.\tMeg,\tGrover\tand\tI\tcrowded\ttogether on\tthe\tG\ttile.\tThe\troom\tfelt\teven\thotter,\tas\tif\tHelios\u2019s\tichor\twas\tworking\titself into\ta\tfury\tthe\tcloser\twe\tgot\tto\tHerophile.\tGrover\tand\tMeg\tsweated\tprofusely. My\town\tarctic\tcamouflage\twas\tsopping\twet.\tI\thad\tnot\tbeen\tso\tuncomfortable\tin a\tgroup\thug\tsince\tthe\tRolling\tStones\u2019\tfirst\t1969\tshow\tat\tMadison\tSquare Garden.\t(Tip:\tas\ttempting\tas\tit\tmight\tbe,\tdon\u2019t\tthrow\tyour\tarms\taround\tMick Jagger\tand\tKeith\tRichards\tduring\ttheir\tencore\tset.\tThose\tmen\tcan\tsweat.) Herophile\tsighed.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tsorry,\tmy\tfriends.\tI\u2019ll\ttry\tagain.\tSome\tdays,\tI\twish prophecy\twas\ta\tpresent\tI\thad\tnever\t\u2013\u2019\tShe\twinced\tin\tpain.\t\u2018Six\tletters.\tLast\tletter is\ta\tD.\u2019 Grover\tshuffled\taround.\t\u2018Wait.\tWhat?\tThe\tD\tis\tback\tthere.\u2019 The\theat\tmade\tmy\teyes\tfeel\tlike\tshish-kebab\tonions,\tbut\tI\ttried\tto\tsurvey\tthe rows\tand\tcolumns\tso\tfar. \u2018Perhaps,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018this\tnew\tclue\tis\tanother\tvertical\tword,\tbranching\toff\tthe\tD in\tsoundless?\u2019 Herophile\u2019s\teyes\tgleamed\twith\tencouragement. Meg\twiped\ther\tsweaty\tforehead.\t\u2018Well,\tthen\twhy\tdid\twe\tbother\twith\tgod?\tIt doesn\u2019t\tlead\tanywhere.\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tno,\u2019\tGrover\tmoaned.\t\u2018We\u2019re\tstill\tforming\tthe\tprophecy,\taren\u2019t\twe? Doorway,\tsoundless,\tgod?\tWhat\tdoes\tthat\tmean?\u2019","\u2018I\t\u2013\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\u2019\tI\tadmitted,\tmy\tbrain\tcells\tsimmering\tin\tmy\tskull\tlike chicken\tsoup\tnoodles.\t\u2018Let\u2019s\tget\tsome\tmore\twords.\tHerophile\tsaid\tshe\twishes prophecy\twas\ta\tpresent\tshe\u2019d\tnever\t\u2026\twhat?\u2019 \u2018Gotten\tdoesn\u2019t\twork,\u2019\tMeg\tmuttered. \u2018Received?\u2019\tGrover\toffered.\t\u2018No.\tToo\tmany\tletters.\u2019 \u2018Perhaps\ta\tmetaphor,\u2019\tI\tsuggested.\t\u2018A\tpresent\tshe\u2019d\tnever\t\u2026\topened?\u2019 Grover\tgulped.\t\u2018Is\tthat\tour\tfinal\tanswer?\u2019 He\tand\tMeg\tboth\tlooked\tdown\tat\tthe\tburning\tichor,\tthen\tback\tat\tme.\tTheir faith\tin\tmy\tabilities\twas\tnot\theartwarming. \u2018Yes,\u2019\tI\tdecided.\t\u2018Herophile,\tthe\tanswer\tis\topened.\u2019 The\tSibyl\tsighed\twith\trelief\tas\ta\tnew\tbridge\textended\tfrom\tthe\tD\tin soundless,\tleading\tus\tacross\tthe\tlake.\tCrowded\ttogether\ton\tthe\tO\ttile,\twe\twere now\tonly\tabout\tfive\tfeet\tfrom\tthe\tSibyl\u2019s\tplatform. \u2018Should\twe\tjump?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. Herophile\tshrieked,\tthen\tclamped\ther\thands\tover\ther\tmouth. \u2018I\u2019m\tguessing\ta\tjump\twould\tbe\tunwise,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018We\thave\tto\tcomplete\tthe puzzle.\tHerophile,\tperhaps\tone\tmore\tvery\tsmall\tword\tgoing\tforward?\u2019 The\tSibyl\tcurled\ther\tfingers,\tthen\tsaid\tslowly\tand\tcarefully,\t\u2018Small\tword, across.\tStarts\twith\tY.\tSmall\tword\tdown.\tNear\tor\tnext\tto.\u2019 \u2018A\tdouble\tplay!\u2019\tI\tlooked\tat\tmy\tfriends.\t\u2018I\tbelieve\twe\tare\tlooking\tfor\tyo across,\tand\tby\tdown.\tThat\tshould\tallow\tus\tto\treach\tthe\tplatform.\u2019 Grover\tpeered\tover\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\ttile,\twhere\tthe\tlake\tof\tichor\twas\tnow bubbling\twhite\thot.\t\u2018I\u2019d\thate\tto\tfail\tnow.\tIs\tyo\tan\tacceptable\tword?\u2019 \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\thave\tthe\tScrabble\trule\tbook\tin\tfront\tof\tme,\u2019\tI\tadmitted,\t\u2018but\tI\tthink so.\u2019 I\twas\tglad\tthis\twasn\u2019t\tScrabble.\tAthena\twon\tevery\ttime\twith\ther\tinsufferable vocabulary.\tOne\ttime\tshe\tplayed\tabaxial\ton\ta\ttriple\tand\tZeus\tlightning-bolted the\ttop\toff\tMount\tParnassus\tin\this\trage. \u2018That\u2019s\tour\tanswer,\tSibyl,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Yo\tand\tby.\u2019 Another\ttwo\ttiles\tclicked\tinto\tplace,\tconnecting\tour\tbridge\tto\tHerophile\u2019s platform.\tWe\tran\tacross,\tand\tHerophile\tclapped\tand\twept\tfor\tjoy.\tShe\theld\tout her\tarms\tto\thug\tme,\tthen\tseemed\tto\tremember\tshe\twas\tshackled\twith\tblazing-hot chains. Meg\tlooked\tback\tat\tthe\tpath\tof\tanswers\tin\tour\twake.\t\u2018Okay,\tso\tif\tthat\u2019s\tthe end\tof\tthe\tprophecy,\twhat\tdoes\tit\tmean?\tDoorway\tsoundless\tgod\topened\tyo\tby?\u2019 Herophile\tstarted\tto\tsay\tsomething,\tthen\tthought\tbetter\tof\tit.\tShe\tlooked\tat\tme hopefully. \u2018Let\u2019s\tassume\tsome\tsmall\twords\tagain,\u2019\tI\tventured.\t\u2018If\twe\tcombine\tthe\tfirst part\tof\tthe\tmaze,\twe\thave\tApollo\tfaces\tdeath\tin\tTarquin\u2019s\ttomb\tunless\t\u2026\tuh,\tthe","doorway\t\u2026\tto?\u2019\tI\tglanced\tat\tHerophile,\twho\tnodded\tencouragement.\t\u2018The doorway\tto\tthe\tsoundless\tgod\t\u2026\tHmm.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twho\tthat\tis.\tUnless\tthe doorway\tto\tthe\tsoundless\tgod\tis\topened\tby\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018You\tforgot\tthe\tyo,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid. \u2018I\tthink\twe\tcan\tbypass\tthe\tyo\tsince\tit\twas\ta\tdouble\tplay.\u2019 Grover\ttugged\this\tsinged\tgoatee.\t\u2018This\tis\twhy\tI\tdon\u2019t\tplay\tScrabble.\tAlso,\tI tend\tto\teat\tthe\ttiles.\u2019 I\tconsulted\tHerophile.\t\u2018So\tApollo\t\u2013\tme\t\u2013\tI\tface\tdeath\tin\tthe\ttomb\tof\tTarquin, unless\tthe\tdoorway\tto\tthe\tsoundless\tgod\tis\topened\tby\t\u2026\twhat?\tMeg\u2019s\tright. There\u2019s\tgot\tto\tbe\tmore\tto\tthe\tprophecy.\u2019 Somewhere\toff\tto\tmy\tleft,\ta\tfamiliar\tvoice\tcalled,\t\u2018Not\tnecessarily.\u2019 On\ta\tledge\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tleft-hand\twall\tstood\tthe\tsorceress\tMedea, looking\tvery\tmuch\talive\tand\tdelighted\tto\tsee\tus.\tBehind\ther,\ttwo\tpandos\tguards held\ta\tchained\tand\tbeaten\tprisoner\t\u2013\tour\tfriend\tCrest. \u2018Hello,\tmy\tdears.\u2019\tMedea\tsmiled.\t\u2018You\tsee,\tthere\tdoesn\u2019t\thave\tto\tbe\tan\tend\tto the\tprophecy,\tbecause\tyou\u2019re\tall\tgoing\tto\tdie\tnow\tanyway!\u2019","41 Meg\tsings.\tIt\u2019s\tover.\t Everybody\tjust\tgo\thome\t We\tare\tso\troasted Meg\tstruck\tfirst. With\tquick,\tsure\tmoves,\tshe\tsevered\tthe\tchains\tthat\tbound\tthe\tSibyl,\tthen glared\tat\tMedea\tas\tif\tto\tsay,\tHa-ha!\tI\thave\tunleashed\tmy\tattack\tOracle! The\tshackles\tfell\tfrom\tHerophile\u2019s\twrists\tand\tankles,\trevealing\tugly\tred\tburn rings.\tHerophile\tstumbled\tback,\tclutching\ther\thands\tto\ther\tchest.\tShe\tlooked more\thorror-struck\tthan\tgrateful.\t\u2018Meg\tMcCaffrey,\tno!\tYou\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\t\u2013\u2019 Whatever\tclue\tshe\twas\tgoing\tto\tgive,\tacross\tor\tdown,\tit\tdidn\u2019t\tmatter.\tThe chains\tand\tshackles\tsnapped\tback\ttogether,\tfully\tmended.\tThen\tthey\tleaped\tlike striking\trattlesnakes\t\u2013\tat\tme,\tnot\tHerophile.\tThey\tlashed\tthemselves\taround\tmy wrists\tand\tankles.\tThe\tpain\twas\tso\tintense\tit\tfelt\tcool\tand\tpleasant\tat\tfirst.\tThen\tI screamed. Meg\thacked\tat\tthe\tmolten\tlinks\tonce\tagain,\tbut\tnow\tthey\trepelled\ther\tblades. With\teach\tblow,\tthe\tchains\ttightened,\tpulling\tme\tdown\tuntil\tI\twas\tforced\tto crouch.\tWith\tall\tmy\tinsignificant\tstrength,\tI\tstruggled\tagainst\tthe\tbonds,\tbut\tI quickly\tlearned\tthis\twas\ta\tbad\tidea.\tTugging\tagainst\tthe\tmanacles\twas\tlike pressing\tmy\twrists\tagainst\tred-hot\tgriddles.\tThe\tagony\talmost\tmade\tme\tpass\tout, and\tthe\tsmell\t\u2026\toh,\tgods,\tI\tdid\tnot\tenjoy\tthe\tsmell\tof\tdeep-fried\tLester.\tOnly\tby staying\tperfectly\tneutral,\tallowing\tthe\tmanacles\tto\ttake\tme\twhere\tthey\twished, could\tI\tkeep\tthe\tpain\tat\ta\tlevel\tthat\twas\tmerely\texcruciating. Medea\tlaughed,\tclearly\tenjoying\tmy\tcontortions.\t\u2018Well\tdone,\tMeg McCaffrey!\tI\twas\tgoing\tto\tchain\tup\tApollo\tmyself,\tbut\tyou\tsaved\tme\ta\tspell.\u2019 I\tfell\tto\tmy\tknees.\t\u2018Meg,\tGrover\t\u2013\tget\tthe\tSibyl\tout\tof\there.\tLeave\tme!\u2019","Another\tbrave,\tself-sacrificing\tgesture.\tI\thope\tyou\u2019re\tkeeping\tcount. Alas,\tmy\tsuggestion\twas\tfutile.\tMedea\tsnapped\ther\tfingers.\tThe\tstone\ttiles shifted\tacross\tthe\tsurface\tof\tthe\tichor,\tleaving\tthe\tSibyl\u2019s\tplatform\tcut\toff\tfrom any\texit. Behind\tthe\tsorceress,\ther\ttwo\tguards\tshoved\tCrest\tto\tthe\tfloor.\tHe\tslid\tdown, his\tback\tto\tthe\twall,\this\thands\tshackled\tbut\tstill\tstubbornly\tholding\tmy\tcombat ukulele.\tThe\tpandos\u2019s\tleft\teye\twas\tswollen\tshut.\tHis\tlips\twere\tsplit.\tTwo\tfingers on\this\tright\thand\twere\tbent\tat\ta\tfunny\tangle.\tHe\tmet\tmy\teyes,\this\texpression\tfull of\tshame.\tI\twanted\tto\treassure\thim\tthat\the\thad\tnot\tfailed.\tWe\tshould\tnever\thave left\thim\talone\ton\tguard\tduty.\tHe\twould\tstill\tbe\table\tto\tdo\tamazing\tfingerpicking, even\twith\ttwo\tbroken\tfingers! But\tI\tcould\tbarely\tthink\tstraight,\tmuch\tless\tconsole\tmy\tyoung\tmusic\tstudent. The\ttwo\tguards\tspread\ttheir\tgiant\tears.\tThey\tsailed\tacross\tthe\troom,\tletting hot\tupdraughts\tcarry\tthem\tto\tseparate\ttiles\tnear\tthe\tcorners\tof\tour\tplatform. They\tdrew\ttheir\tkhanda\tblades\tand\twaited,\tjust\tin\tcase\twe\twere\tfoolish\tenough to\ttry\tleaping\tacross. \u2018You\tkilled\tTimbre,\u2019\tone\thissed. \u2018You\tkilled\tPeak,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tother. On\ther\tlanding,\tMedea\tchuckled.\t\u2018You\tsee,\tApollo,\tI\tpicked\ta\tcouple\tof highly\tmotivated\tvolunteers!\tThe\trest\twere\tclamouring\tto\taccompany\tme\tdown here,\tbut\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018There\u2019s\tmore\toutside?\u2019\tMeg\tasked.\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\tif\tshe\tfound\tthis\tidea helpful\t(Hooray,\tfewer\tto\tkill\tnow!)\tor\tdepressing\t(Boo,\tmore\tto\tkill\tlater!). \u2018Absolutely,\tmy\tdear,\u2019\tMedea\tsaid.\t\u2018Even\tif\tyou\thad\tsome\tfoolish\tidea\tabout getting\tpast\tus,\tit\twouldn\u2019t\tmatter.\tNot\tthat\tFlutter\tand\tDecibel\twill\tlet\tthat happen.\tEh,\tboys?\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m\tFlutter,\u2019\tsaid\tFlutter. \u2018I\u2019m\tDecibel,\u2019\tsaid\tDecibel.\t\u2018May\twe\tkill\tthem\tnow?\u2019 \u2018Not\tjust\tyet,\u2019\tMedea\tsaid.\t\u2018Apollo\tis\tright\twhere\tI\tneed\thim,\tready\tto\tbe dissolved.\tAs\tfor\tthe\trest\tof\tyou,\tjust\trelax.\tIf\tyou\ttry\tto\tinterfere,\tI\twill\thave Flutter\tand\tDecibel\tkill\tyou.\tThen\tyour\tblood\tmight\tspill\tinto\tthe\tichor,\twhich would\tmess\tup\tthe\tpurity\tof\tthe\tmixture.\u2019\tShe\tspread\ther\thands.\t\u2018You understand.\tWe\tcan\u2019t\thave\ttainted\tichor.\tI\tonly\tneed\tApollo\u2019s\tessence\tfor\tthis recipe.\u2019 I\tdid\tnot\tlike\tthe\tway\tshe\ttalked\tabout\tme\tas\tif\tI\twere\talready\tdead\t\u2013\tjust\tone more\tingredient,\tno\tmore\timportant\tthan\ttoad\u2019s\teye\tor\tsassafras. \u2018I\twill\tnot\tbe\tdissolved,\u2019\tI\tgrowled. \u2018Oh,\tLester,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018You\tkind\tof\twill.\u2019"]
Search
Read the Text Version
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- 130
- 131
- 132
- 133
- 134
- 135
- 136
- 137
- 138
- 139
- 140
- 141
- 142
- 143
- 144
- 145
- 146
- 147
- 148
- 149
- 150
- 151
- 152
- 153
- 154
- 155
- 156
- 157
- 158
- 159
- 160
- 161
- 162
- 163
- 164
- 165
- 166
- 167
- 168
- 169
- 170
- 171
- 172
- 173
- 174
- 175
- 176
- 177
- 178
- 179
- 180
- 181
- 182
- 183
- 184
- 185
- 186
- 187
- 188
- 189
- 190
- 191
- 192
- 193
- 194
- 195
- 196
- 197
- 198
- 199
- 200
- 201
- 202
- 203
- 204
- 205
- 206
- 207
- 208
- 209
- 210
- 211
- 212
- 213
- 214
- 215
- 216
- 217
- 218
- 219
- 220
- 221
- 222
- 223
- 224
- 225
- 226
- 227
- 228
- 229
- 230
- 231
- 232
- 233
- 234
- 235
- 236
- 237
- 238
- 239
- 240
- 241
- 242
- 243
- 244
- 245
- 246
- 247
- 248
- 249
- 250
- 251
- 252
- 253
- 254
- 255
- 256
- 257
- 258
- 259
- 260
- 261
- 262
- 263
- 264
- 265
- 266
- 267
- 268
- 269
- 270
- 271
- 272
- 273
- 274
- 275
- 276
- 277
- 278
- 279
- 280
- 281
- 282
- 283
- 284
- 285
- 286
- 287
- 288
- 289
- 290
- 291
- 292
- 293
- 294
- 295
- 296
- 297
- 298
- 299
- 300
- 301
- 302
- 303
