["He\tspread\this\tarms\tas\tif\twaiting\tfor\tapplause. The\tsatyrs\tstopped\tfighting.\tHedge\tcontinued\tchewing\ton\tthe\tgrenade\tpack, though\teven\this\tsatyr\tteeth\twere\thaving\ttrouble\twith\tthe\tthick\tplastic. Grover\tbacked\taway,\tputting\tthe\ttrolley\tbetween\thimself\tand\tthe\tstore employees.\t\u2018G-Gaius\twho?\u2019\tHe\tglanced\tat\tme.\t\u2018Apollo,\twhat\tdoes\tthat\tmean?\u2019 I\tgulped.\t\u2018It\tmeans\twe\trun.\tNow!\u2019","8 We\tblow\tup\tsome\tthings\t You\tthought\tall\tthe\tthings\tblew\tup?\t No,\twe\tfound\tmore\tthings Most\tsatyrs\texcel\tat\trunning\taway. Gleeson\tHedge,\thowever,\twas\tnot\tmost\tsatyrs.\tHe\tgrabbed\ta\tbarrel\tbrush\tfrom his\tcart,\tyelled,\t\u2018DIE!\u2019\tand\tcharged\tthe\tthree-hundred-pound\tmanager. Even\tthe\tautomatons\twere\ttoo\tsurprised\tto\treact,\twhich\tprobably\tsaved Hedge\u2019s\tlife.\tI\tgrabbed\tthe\tsatyr\u2019s\tcollar\tand\tdragged\thim\tbackwards\tas\tthe employees\u2019\tfirst\tshots\twent\twild,\ta\tbarrage\tof\tbright\torange\tdiscount\tstickers flying\tover\tour\theads. I\tpulled\tHedge\tdown\tthe\taisle\tas\the\tlaunched\ta\tfierce\tkick,\toverturning\this shopping\ttrolley\tat\tour\tenemies\u2019\tfeet.\tAnother\tdiscount\tsticker\tgrazed\tmy\tarm with\tthe\tforce\tof\tan\tangry\tTitaness\u2019s\tslap. \u2018Careful!\u2019\tMacro\tyelled\tat\this\tmen.\t\u2018I\tneed\tApollo\tin\tone\tpiece,\tnot\thalf-off!\u2019 Gleeson\tclawed\tat\tthe\tshelves,\tgrabbed\ta\tdemo-model\tMacro\u2019s\tSelf-Lighting Molotov\tCocktail\u2122\t(BUY\tONE,\tGET\tTWO\tFREE!)\tand\ttossed\tit\tat\tthe\tstore employees\twith\tthe\tbattle\tcry\t\u2018Eat\tsurplus!\u2019 Macro\tshrieked\tas\tthe\tMolotov\tcocktail\tlanded\tamid\tHedge\u2019s\tscattered\tammo boxes\tand,\ttrue\tto\tits\tadvertising,\tburst\tinto\tflames. \u2018Up\tand\tover!\u2019\tHedge\ttackled\tme\taround\tthe\twaist.\tHe\tslung\tme\tover\this shoulder\tlike\ta\tsack\tof\tfootballs\tand\tscaled\tthe\tshelves\tin\tan\tepic\tdisplay\tof goat-climbing,\tleaping\tinto\tthe\tnext\taisle\tas\tcrates\tof\tammunition\texploded behind\tus. We\tlanded\tin\ta\tpile\tof\trolled-up\tsleeping\tbags.","\u2018Keep\tmoving!\u2019\tHedge\tyelled,\tas\tif\tthe\tthought\tmight\tnot\thave\toccurred\tto me. I\tscrambled\tafter\thim,\tmy\tears\tringing.\tFrom\tthe\taisle\twe\u2019d\tjust\tleft,\tI\theard bangs\tand\tscreams\tas\tif\tMacro\twere\trunning\tacross\ta\thot\tpan\tstrewn\twith popcorn\tkernels. I\tsaw\tno\tsign\tof\tGrover. When\twe\treached\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\taisle,\ta\tstore\tclerk\trounded\tthe\tcorner,\this label\tgun\traised. \u2018Hi-YA!\u2019\tHedge\texecuted\ta\troundhouse\tkick\ton\thim. This\twas\ta\tnotoriously\tdifficult\tmove.\tEven\tAres\tsometimes\tfell\tand\tbroke\this tailbone\twhen\tpractising\tit\tin\this\tdojo\t(witness\tthe\t\u2018Ares\tso\tlame\u2019\tvideo\tthat went\tviral\ton\tMount\tOlympus\tlast\tyear,\tand\twhich\tI\tabsolutely\twas\tnot responsible\tfor\tuploading). To\tmy\tsurprise,\tCoach\tHedge\texecuted\tit\tperfectly.\tHis\thoof\tconnected\twith the\tclerk\u2019s\tface,\tknocking\tthe\tautomaton\u2019s\thead\tclean\toff.\tThe\tbody\tdropped\tto its\tknees\tand\tfell\tforward,\twires\tsparking\tin\tits\tneck. \u2018Wow.\u2019\tGleeson\texamined\this\thoof.\t\u2018I\tguess\tthat\tIron\tGoat\tconditioning\twax really\tworks!\u2019 The\tclerk\u2019s\tdecapitated\tbody\tgave\tme\tflashbacks\tto\tthe\tIndianapolis blemmyae,\twho\tlost\ttheir\tfake\theads\twith\tgreat\tregularity,\tbut\tI\thad\tno\ttime\tto dwell\ton\tthe\tterrible\tpast\twhen\tI\thad\tsuch\ta\tterrible\tpresent\tto\tdeal\twith. Behind\tus,\tMacro\tcalled,\t\u2018Oh,\twhat\thave\tyou\tdone\tnow?\u2019 The\tmanager\tstood\tat\tthe\tfar\tend\tof\tthe\tlane,\this\tclothes\tsmeared\twith\tsoot, his\tyellow\tvest\tpeppered\twith\tso\tmany\tholes\tit\tlooked\tlike\ta\tsmoking\tpiece\tof Swiss\tcheese.\tYet\tsomehow\t\u2013\tjust\tmy\tluck\t\u2013\the\tappeared\tunharmed.\tThe\tsecond store\tassistant\tstood\tbehind\thim,\tapparently\tunconcerned\tthat\this\trobotic\thead was\ton\tfire. \u2018Apollo,\u2019\tMacro\tchided,\t\u2018there\u2019s\tno\tpoint\tin\tfighting\tmy\tautomatons.\tThis\tis\ta military-surplus\tstore.\tI\thave\tfifty\tmore\tjust\tlike\tthese\tin\tstorage.\u2019 I\tglanced\tat\tHedge.\t\u2018Let\u2019s\tget\tout\tof\there.\u2019 \u2018Yeah.\u2019\tHedge\tgrabbed\ta\tcroquet\tmallet\tfrom\ta\tnearby\track.\t\u2018Fifty\tmay\tbe\ttoo many\teven\tfor\tme.\u2019 We\tskirted\tthe\tcamping\ttents,\tthen\tzigzagged\tthrough\tHockey\tHeaven,\ttrying to\tmake\tour\tway\tback\tto\tthe\tstore\tentrance.\tA\tfew\taisles\taway,\tMacro\twas shouting\torders:\t\u2018Get\tthem!\tI\u2019m\tnot\tgoing\tto\tbe\tforced\tto\tcommit\tsuicide\tagain!\u2019 \u2018Again?\u2019\tHedge\tmuttered,\tducking\tunder\tthe\tarm\tof\ta\thockey\tmannequin. \u2018He\tworked\tfor\tthe\temperor.\u2019\tI\tpanted,\ttrying\tto\tkeep\tup.\t\u2018Old\tfriends.\tBut\t\u2013 wheeze\t\u2013\temperor\tdidn\u2019t\ttrust\thim.\tOrdered\this\tarrest\t\u2013\twheeze\t\u2013\texecution.\u2019","We\tstopped\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\taisle.\tGleeson\tpeeked\taround\tthe\tcorner\tfor\tsigns of\thostiles. \u2018So\tMacro\tcommitted\tsuicide\tinstead?\u2019\tHedge\tasked.\t\u2018What\ta\tmoron.\tWhy\u2019s he\tworking\tfor\tthis\temperor\tagain,\tif\tthe\tguy\twanted\thim\tkilled?\u2019 I\twiped\tthe\tsweat\tfrom\tmy\teyes.\tHonestly,\twhy\tdid\tmortal\tbodies\thave\tto sweat\tso\tmuch?\t\u2018I\timagine\tthe\temperor\tbrought\thim\tback\tto\tlife,\tgave\thim\ta second\tchance.\tRomans\thave\tstrange\tideas\tabout\tloyalty.\u2019 Hedge\tgrunted.\t\u2018Speaking\tof\twhich,\twhere\u2019s\tGrover?\u2019 \u2018Halfway\tback\tto\tthe\tCistern,\tif\the\u2019s\tsmart.\u2019 Hedge\tfrowned.\t\u2018Nah.\tCan\u2019t\tbelieve\the\u2019d\tdo\tthat.\tWell\t\u2026\u2019\tHe\tpointed\tahead, where\tsliding\tglass\tdoors\tled\tout\tto\tthe\tparking\tlot.\tThe\tcoach\u2019s\tyellow\tPinto was\tparked\ttantalizingly\tclose\t\u2013\twhich\tis\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tyellow,\tPintos\tand tantalizingly\thave\tever\tbeen\tused\ttogether\tin\ta\tsentence.\t\u2018You\tready?\u2019 We\tcharged\tthe\tdoors. The\tdoors\tdid\tnot\tcooperate.\tI\tslammed\tinto\tone\tand\tbounced\tright\toff. Gleeson\thammered\tat\tthe\tglass\twith\this\tcroquet\tmallet,\tthen\ttried\ta\tfew\tChuck Norris\tkicks,\tbut\teven\this\tIron-Goat-waxed\thooves\tdidn\u2019t\tleave\ta\tscratch. Behind\tus,\tMacro\tsaid,\t\u2018Oh,\tdear.\u2019 I\tturned,\ttrying\tto\tsuppress\ta\twhimper.\tThe\tmanager\tstood\ttwenty\tfeet\taway, under\ta\twhitewater\traft\tthat\twas\tsuspended\tfrom\tthe\tceiling\twith\ta\tsign\tacross\tits prow:\tBOATLOADS\tOF\tSAVINGS!\tI\twas\tbeginning\tto\tappreciate\twhy\tthe\temperor had\tordered\tMacro\tarrested\tand\texecuted.\tFor\tsuch\ta\tbig\tman,\the\twas\tmuch\ttoo good\tat\tsneaking\tup\ton\tpeople. \u2018Those\tglass\tdoors\tare\tbombproof,\u2019\tMacro\tsaid.\t\u2018We\thave\tsome\tfor\tsale\tthis week\tin\tour\tfallout\tshelter\timprovement\tdepartment,\tbut\tI\tsuppose\tthat\twouldn\u2019t do\tyou\tany\tgood.\u2019 From\tvarious\taisles,\tmore\tyellow-vested\temployees\tconverged\t\u2013\ta\tdozen identical\tautomatons,\tsome\tcovered\tin\tbubble\twrap\tas\tif\tthey\u2019d\tjust\tbroken\tout of\tstorage.\tThey\tformed\ta\trough\tsemicircle\tbehind\tMacro. I\tdrew\tmy\tbow.\tI\tfired\ta\tshot\tat\tMacro,\tbut\tmy\thands\tshook\tso\tbadly\tthe arrow\tmissed,\tembedding\titself\tin\tan\tautomaton\u2019s\tbubble-wrapped\tforehead\twith a\tcrisp\tpop!\tThe\trobot\tbarely\tseemed\tto\tnotice. \u2018Hmm.\u2019\tMacro\tgrimaced.\t\u2018You\treally\tare\tquite\tmortal,\taren\u2019t\tyou?\tI\tguess\tit\u2019s true\twhat\tpeople\tsay:\t\u201cNever\tmeet\tyour\tgods.\tThey\u2019ll\tonly\tdisappoint\tyou.\u201d\tI just\thope\tthere\u2019s\tenough\tof\tyou\tleft\tfor\tthe\temperor\u2019s\tmagical\tfriend\tto\twork with.\u2019 \u2018Enough\tof\tm-me?\u2019\tI\tstammered.\t\u2018M-magical\tfriend?\u2019 I\twaited\tfor\tGleeson\tHedge\tto\tdo\tsomething\tclever\tand\theroic.\tSurely\the\thad a\tportable\tbazooka\tin\tthe\tpocket\tof\this\tgym\tshorts.\tOr\tperhaps\this\tcoach\u2019s","whistle\twas\tmagic.\tBut\tHedge\tlooked\tas\tcornered\tand\tdesperate\tas\tI\tfelt,\twhich wasn\u2019t\tfair.\tCornered\tand\tdesperate\twas\tmy\tjob. Macro\tcracked\this\tknuckles.\t\u2018It\u2019s\ta\tshame,\treally.\tI\u2019m\tmuch\tmore\tloyal\tthan she\tis,\tbut\tI\tshouldn\u2019t\tcomplain.\tOnce\tI\tbring\tyou\tto\tthe\temperor,\tI\u2019ll\tbe rewarded!\tMy\tautomatons\twill\tbe\tgiven\ta\tsecond\tchance\tas\tthe\temperor\u2019s personal\tguard!\tAfter\tthat,\twhat\tdo\tI\tcare?\tThe\tsorceress\tcan\ttake\tyou\tinto\tthe maze\tand\tdo\ther\tmagic.\u2019 \u2018H-her\tmagic?\u2019 Hedge\thefted\this\tcroquet\tmallet.\t\u2018I\u2019ll\ttake\tout\tas\tmany\tas\tI\tcan,\u2019\the\tmuttered to\tme.\t\u2018You\tfind\tanother\texit.\u2019 I\tappreciated\tthe\tsentiment.\tUnfortunately,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tthe\tsatyr\twould\tbe able\tto\tbuy\tme\tmuch\tof\ta\thead\tstart.\tAlso,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\tthe\tidea\tof\treturning\tto that\tkind,\tsleep-deprived\tcloud\tnymph,\tMellie,\tand\tinforming\ther\tthat\ther husband\thad\tbeen\tkilled\tby\ta\tsquad\tof\tbubble-wrapped\trobots.\tOh,\tmy\tmortal sympathies\treally\twere\tgetting\tthe\tbetter\tof\tme! \u2018Who\tis\tthis\tsorceress?\u2019\tI\tdemanded.\t\u2018What\t\u2013\twhat\tdoes\tshe\tintend\tto\tdo\twith me?\u2019 Macro\u2019s\tsmile\twas\tcold\tand\tinsincere.\tI\thad\tused\tthat\tsmile\tmyself\tmany times\tin\tthe\told\tdays,\twhenever\tsome\tGreek\ttown\tprayed\tto\tme\tto\tsave\tthem from\ta\tplague\tand\tI\thad\tto\tbreak\tthe\tnews:\tGee,\tI\u2019m\tsorry,\tbut\tI\tcaused\tthat plague\tbecause\tI\tdon\u2019t\tlike\tyou.\tHave\ta\tnice\tday! \u2018You\u2019ll\tsee\tsoon\tenough,\u2019\tMacro\tpromised.\t\u2018I\tdidn\u2019t\tbelieve\ther\twhen\tshe\tsaid you\u2019d\twalk\tright\tinto\tour\ttrap,\tbut\there\tyou\tare.\tShe\tpredicted\tthat\tyou\twouldn\u2019t be\table\tto\tresist\tthe\tBurning\tMaze.\tAh,\twell.\tMilitary\tMadness\tteam\tmembers, kill\tthe\tsatyr\tand\tapprehend\tthe\tformer\tgod!\u2019 The\tautomatons\tshuffled\tforward. At\tthe\tsame\tmoment,\ta\tblur\tof\tgreen,\tred\tand\tbrown\tnear\tthe\tceiling\tcaught my\teye\t\u2013\ta\tsatyr-like\tshape\tleaping\tfrom\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tnearest\taisle,\tswinging off\ta\tfluorescent\tlight\tfixture\tand\tlanding\tin\tthe\twhitewater\traft\tabove\tMacro\u2019s head. Before\tI\tcould\tshout\tGrover\tUnderwood!\tthe\traft\tlanded\ton\ttop\tof\tMacro\tand his\tminions,\tburying\tthem\tunder\ta\tboatload\tof\tsavings.\tGrover\tleaped\tfree,\ta paddle\tin\this\thand,\tand\tyelled,\t\u2018Come\ton!\u2019 The\tconfusion\tallowed\tus\ta\tfew\tmoments\tto\tflee,\tbut\twith\tthe\texit\tdoors locked\twe\tcould\tonly\trun\tdeeper\tinto\tthe\tstore. \u2018Nice\tone!\u2019\tHedge\tslapped\tGrover\ton\tthe\tback\tas\twe\traced\tthrough\tthe camouflage\tdepartment.\t\u2018I\tknew\tyou\twouldn\u2019t\tleave\tus!\u2019 \u2018Yes,\tbut\tthere\u2019s\tno\tnature\tanywhere\tin\there,\u2019\tGrover\tcomplained.\t\u2018No\tplants. No\tsoil.\tNo\tnatural\tlight.\tHow\tare\twe\tsupposed\tto\tfight\tin\tthese\tconditions?\u2019","\u2018Guns!\u2019\tHedge\tsuggested. \u2018That\twhole\tpart\tof\tthe\tstore\tis\ton\tfire,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid,\t\u2018thanks\tto\ta\tMolotov cocktail\tand\tsome\tammo\tboxes.\u2019 \u2018Curses!\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tcoach. We\tpassed\ta\tdisplay\tof\tmartial\tarts\tweapons,\tand\tHedge\u2019s\teyes\tlit\tup.\tHe quickly\texchanged\this\tcroquet\tmallet\tfor\ta\tpair\tof\tnunchaku.\t\u2018Now\twe\u2019re talking!\tYou\tguys\twant\tsome\tshurikens\tor\ta\tkusarigama?\u2019 \u2018I\twant\tto\trun\taway,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid,\tshaking\this\tboat\tpaddle.\t\u2018Coach,\tyou\thave to\tstop\tthinking\tabout\tfull-frontal\tassaults!\tYou\thave\ta\tfamily!\u2019 \u2018Don\u2019t\tyou\tthink\tI\tknow\tthat?\u2019\tCoach\tgrowled.\t\u2018We\ttried\tsettling\tdown\twith the\tMcLeans\tin\tLA.\tLook\thow\twell\tthat\tturned\tout.\u2019 I\tguessed\tthere\twas\ta\tstory\tthere\t\u2013\twhy\tthey\thad\tcome\tfrom\tLA,\twhy\tHedge sounded\tso\tbitter\tabout\tit\t\u2013\tbut\twhile\tfleeing\tfrom\tenemies\tin\ta\tsurplus\tstore\twas perhaps\tnot\tthe\tbest\ttime\tto\ttalk\tabout\tit. \u2018I\tsuggest\twe\tfind\tanother\texit,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018We\tcan\trun\taway\tand\targue\tabout ninja\tweapons\tat\tthe\tsame\ttime.\u2019 This\tcompromise\tseemed\tto\tsatisfy\tthem\tboth. We\tsped\tpast\ta\tdisplay\tof\tinflatable\tswimming\tpools\t(How\twere\tthose military\tsurplus?),\tthen\tturned\ta\tcorner\tand\tsaw\tin\tfront\tof\tus,\tat\tthe\tfar\trear corner\tof\tthe\tbuilding,\ta\tset\tof\tdouble\tdoors\tlabelled\tEMPLOYEES\tONLY. Grover\tand\tHedge\tcharged\tahead,\tleaving\tme\tgasping\tin\ttheir\twake.\tFrom somewhere\tnearby,\tMacro\u2019s\tvoice\tcalled,\t\u2018You\tcan\u2019t\tescape,\tApollo!\tI\u2019ve already\tcalled\tthe\tHorse.\tHe\u2019ll\tbe\there\tany\tminute!\u2019 The\thorse? Why\tdid\tthat\tterm\tsend\ta\tB-major\tchord\tof\tterror\tvibrating\tthrough\tmy bones?\tI\tsearched\tmy\tjumbled\tmemories\tfor\ta\tclear\tanswer\tbut\tcame\tup\tempty. My\tfirst\tthought:\tmaybe\t\u2018the\tHorse\u2019\twas\ta\tnom\tde\tguerre.\tPerhaps\tthe emperor\temployed\tan\tevil\twrestler\twho\twore\ta\tblack\tsatin\tcape,\tshiny\tspandex shorts\tand\ta\thorse-head-shaped\thelmet. My\tsecond\tthought:\twhy\tdid\tMacro\tget\tto\tcall\tfor\tbackup\twhen\tI\tcould\tnot? Demigod\tcommunications\thad\tbeen\tmagically\tsabotaged\tfor\tmonths.\tPhones short-circuited.\tComputers\tmelted.\tIris-messages\tand\tmagical\tscrolls\tfailed\tto work.\tYet\tour\tenemies\tseemed\tto\thave\tno\ttrouble\ttexting\teach\tother\tmessages like\tApollo,\tmy\tplace.\tWhere\tU\t@?\tHelp\tme\tkill\thim! It\twasn\u2019t\tfair. Fair\twould\thave\tbeen\tme\tgetting\tmy\timmortal\tpowers\tback\tand\tblasting\tour enemies\tto\ttiny\tpieces. We\tburst\tthrough\tthe\tEMPLOYEES\tONLY\tdoors.\tInside\twas\ta\tstorage room\/loading\tbay\tfilled\twith\tmore\tbubble-wrapped\tautomatons,\tall\tstanding","silent\tand\tlifeless\tlike\tthe\tcrowd\tat\tone\tof\tHestia\u2019s\thousewarming\tparties.\t(She may\tbe\tthe\tgoddess\tof\tthe\tfamily\thearth,\tbut\tthe\tlady\thas\tno\tclue\tabout\thow\tto throw\ta\tparty.) Gleeson\tand\tGrover\tran\tpast\tthe\trobots\tand\tbegan\ttugging\tat\tthe\trolling\tmetal garage\tdoor\tthat\tsealed\toff\tthe\tloading\tdock. \u2018Locked.\u2019\tHedge\twhacked\tthe\tdoor\twith\this\tnunchaku. I\tpeered\tthrough\tthe\ttiny\tplastic\twindows\tof\tthe\temployee\tdoors.\tMacro\tand his\tminions\twere\tbarrelling\tin\tour\tdirection.\t\u2018Run\tor\tstay?\u2019\tI\tasked.\t\u2018We\u2019re\tabout to\tbe\tcornered\tagain.\u2019 \u2018Apollo,\twhat\thave\tyou\tgot?\u2019\tHedge\tdemanded. \u2018What\tdo\tyou\tmean?\u2019 \u2018What\u2019s\tthe\tace\tup\tyour\tsleeve?\tI\tdid\tthe\tMolotov\tcocktail.\tGrover\tdropped the\tboat.\tIt\u2019s\tyour\tturn.\tGodly\tfire,\tmaybe?\tWe\tcould\tuse\tsome\tgodly\tfire.\u2019 \u2018I\thave\tzero\tgodly\tfire\tup\tmy\tsleeves!\u2019 \u2018We\tstay,\u2019\tGrover\tdecided.\tHe\ttossed\tme\this\tboat\tpaddle.\t\u2018Apollo,\tblock\tthose doors.\u2019 \u2018But\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Just\tkeep\tMacro\tout!\u2019\tGrover\tmust\thave\tbeen\ttaking\tassertiveness\tlessons from\tMeg.\tI\tjumped\tto\tcomply. \u2018Coach,\u2019\tGrover\tcontinued,\t\u2018can\tyou\tplay\ta\tsong\tof\topening\tfor\tthe\tloading- dock\tdoor?\u2019 Hedge\tgrunted.\t\u2018Haven\u2019t\tdone\tone\tof\tthose\tin\tyears,\tbut\tI\u2019ll\ttry.\tWhat\u2019ll\tyou be\tdoing?\u2019 Grover\tstudied\tthe\tdormant\tautomatons.\t\u2018Something\tmy\tfriend\tAnnabeth taught\tme.\tHurry!\u2019 I\tslipped\tthe\tpaddle\tthrough\tthe\tdoor\thandles,\tthen\tlugged\tover\ta\ttetherball pole\tand\tbraced\tit\tagainst\tthe\tdoor.\tHedge\tbegan\tto\ttrill\ta\ttune\ton\this\tcoach\u2019s whistle\t\u2013\t\u2018The\tEntertainer\u2019\tby\tScott\tJoplin.\tI\u2019d\tnever\tthought\tof\tthe\twhistle\tas\ta musical\tinstrument.\tCoach\tHedge\u2019s\tperformance\tdid\tnothing\tto\tchange\tmy mind. Meanwhile\tGrover\tripped\tthe\tplastic\toff\tthe\tnearest\tautomaton.\tHe\trapped\this knuckles\tagainst\tits\tforehead,\twhich\tmade\ta\thollow\tclang. \u2018Celestial\tbronze,\tall\tright,\u2019\tGrover\tdecided.\t\u2018This\tmight\twork!\u2019 \u2018What\tare\tyou\tgoing\tto\tdo?\u2019\tI\tdemanded.\t\u2018Melt\tthem\tdown\tfor\tweapons?\u2019 \u2018No,\tactivate\tthem\tto\twork\tfor\tus.\u2019 \u2018They\twon\u2019t\thelp\tus!\tThey\tbelong\tto\tMacro!\u2019 Speak\tof\tthe\tpraetor:\tMacro\tpushed\tagainst\tthe\tdoors,\trattling\tthe\tpaddle\tand the\ttetherball-pole\tbrace.\t\u2018Oh,\tcome\ton,\tApollo!\tStop\tbeing\tdifficult!\u2019","Grover\tpulled\tthe\tbubble\twrap\toff\tanother\tautomaton.\t\u2018During\tthe\tBattle\tof Manhattan,\u2019\the\tsaid,\t\u2018when\twe\twere\tfighting\tKronos,\tAnnabeth\ttold\tus\tabout\tan override\tcommand\twritten\tinto\tthe\tfirmware\tof\tautomatons.\u2019 \u2018That\u2019s\tonly\tfor\tpublic\tstatuary\tin\tManhattan!\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Every\tgod\twho\u2019s\tany god\tknows\tthat!\tYou\tcan\u2019t\texpect\tthese\tthings\tto\trespond\tto\t\u201ccommand sequence:\tDaedalus\ttwenty-three\u201d!\u2019 Instantly,\tas\tin\ta\tscary\tepisode\tof\tDoctor\tWho,\tthe\tplastic-wrapped automatons\tsnapped\tto\tattention\tand\tturned\tto\tface\tme. \u2018Yes!\u2019\tGrover\tyelled\tgleefully. I\tdid\tnot\tfeel\tso\tgleeful.\tI\u2019d\tjust\tactivated\ta\troom\tfull\tof\tmetal\ttemp\tworkers who\twere\tmore\tlikely\tto\tkill\tme\tthan\tobey\tme.\tI\thad\tno\tidea\thow\tAnnabeth Chase\thad\tfigured\tout\tthat\tthe\tDaedalus\tcommand\tcould\tbe\tused\ton\tany automaton.\tThen\tagain,\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\table\tto\tredesign\tmy\tpalace\ton\tMount Olympus\twith\tperfect\tacoustics\tand\tsurround-sound\tspeakers\tin\tthe\tbathroom, so\ther\tcleverness\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\tsurprised\tme. Coach\tHedge\tkept\ttrilling\tScott\tJoplin.\tThe\tloading-bay\tdoor\tdidn\u2019t\tmove. Macro\tand\this\tmen\tbanged\tagainst\tmy\tmakeshift\tbarricade,\tnearly\tmaking\tme lose\tmy\tgrip\ton\tthe\ttetherball\tpole. \u2018Apollo,\ttalk\tto\tthe\tautomatons!\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018They\u2019re\twaiting\tfor\tyour\torders now.\tTell\tthem,\tBegin\tPlan\tThermopylae!\u2019 I\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\tbeing\treminded\tof\tThermopylae.\tSo\tmany\tbrave\tand\tattractive Spartans\thad\tdied\tin\tthat\tbattle\tdefending\tGreece\tfrom\tthe\tPersians.\tBut\tI\tdid\tas I\twas\ttold.\t\u2018Begin\tPlan\tThermopylae!\u2019 At\tthat\tmoment,\tMacro\tand\this\ttwelve\tservants\tbusted\tthrough\tthe\tdoors\t\u2013 snapping\tthe\tpaddle,\tknocking\taside\tthe\ttetherball\tpole\tand\tlaunching\tme\tinto the\tmidst\tof\tmy\tnew\tmetal\tacquaintances. Macro\tstumbled\tto\ta\thalt,\tsix\tminions\tfanning\tout\ton\teither\tside.\t\u2018What\u2019s\tthis? Apollo,\tyou\tcan\u2019t\tactivate\tmy\tautomatons!\tYou\thaven\u2019t\tpaid\tfor\tthem!\tMilitary Madness\tteam\tmembers,\tapprehend\tApollo!\tTear\tthe\tsatyrs\tapart!\tStop\tthat infernal\twhistling!\u2019 Two\tthings\tsaved\tus\tfrom\tinstant\tdeath.\tFirst,\tMacro\thad\tmade\tthe\tmistake\tof issuing\ttoo\tmany\torders\tat\tonce.\tAs\tany\tmaestro\tcan\ttell\tyou,\ta\tconductor\tshould never\tsimultaneously\torder\tthe\tviolins\tto\tspeed\tup,\tthe\ttimpani\tto\tsoften,\tand\tthe brass\tto\tcrescendo.\tYou\twill\tend\tup\twith\ta\tsymphonic\ttrain\twreck.\tMacro\u2019s\tpoor soldiers\twere\tleft\tto\tdecide\tfor\tthemselves\twhether\tthey\tshould\tfirst\tapprehend me,\tor\ttear\tapart\tthe\tsatyrs,\tor\tstop\tthe\twhistling.\t(Personally,\tI\twould\thave\tgone after\tthe\twhistler\twith\textreme\tprejudice.) The\tother\tthing\tthat\tsaved\tus?\tRather\tthan\tlistening\tto\tMacro,\tour\tnew\ttemp- worker\tfriends\tbegan\texecuting\tPlan\tThermopylae.\tThey\tshuffled\tforward,","linking\ttheir\tarms\tand\tsurrounding\tMacro\tand\this\tcompanions,\twho\tawkwardly tried\tto\tget\taround\ttheir\trobotic\tcolleagues\tand\tbumped\tinto\teach\tother\tin confusion.\t(The\tscene\twas\treminding\tme\tmore\tof\ta\tHestia\thousewarming\tby\tthe second.) \u2018Stop\tthis!\u2019\tMacro\tshrieked.\t\u2018I\torder\tyou\tto\tstop!\u2019 This\tonly\tadded\tto\tthe\tconfusion.\tMacro\u2019s\tfaithful\tminions\tfroze\tin\ttheir tracks,\tallowing\tour\tDaedalus-operated\tdudes\tto\tencircle\tMacro\u2019s\tgroup. \u2018No,\tnot\tyou!\u2019\tMacro\tyelled\tto\this\tminions.\t\u2018You\tall\tdon\u2019t\tstop!\tYou\tkeep fighting!\u2019\tWhich\tdid\tnothing\tto\tclarify\tthe\tsituation. The\tDaedalus\tdudes\tencircled\ttheir\tcomrades,\tsqueezing\tthem\tin\ta\tmassive group\thug.\tDespite\tMacro\u2019s\tsize\tand\tstrength,\the\twas\ttrapped\tin\tthe\tcentre, squirming\tand\tshoving\tuselessly. \u2018No!\tI\tcan\u2019t\t\u2013!\u2019\tHe\tspat\tbubble\twrap\tfrom\this\tmouth.\t\u2018Help!\tThe\tHorse\tcan\u2019t see\tme\tlike\tthis!\u2019 From\tdeep\tin\ttheir\tchests,\tthe\tDaedalus\tdudes\tbegan\tto\temit\ta\thum,\tlike engines\tstuck\tin\tthe\twrong\tgear.\tSteam\trose\tfrom\tthe\tseams\tof\ttheir\tnecks. I\tbacked\taway,\tas\tone\tdoes\twhen\ta\tgroup\tof\trobots\tstarts\tto\tsteam.\t\u2018Grover, what\texactly\tis\tPlan\tThermopylae?\u2019 The\tsatyr\tgulped.\t\u2018Er,\tthey\u2019re\tsupposed\tto\tstand\ttheir\tground\tso\twe\tcan retreat.\u2019 \u2018Then\twhy\tare\tthey\tsteaming?\u2019\tI\tasked.\t\u2018Also,\twhy\tare\tthey\tstarting\tto\tglow red?\u2019 \u2018Oh,\tdear.\u2019\tGrover\tchewed\this\tlower\tlip.\t\u2018They\tmay\thave\tconfused\tPlan Thermopylae\twith\tPlan\tPetersburg.\u2019 \u2018Which\tmeans\t\u2013?\u2019 \u2018They\tmay\tbe\tabout\tto\tsacrifice\tthemselves\tin\ta\tfiery\texplosion.\u2019 \u2018Coach!\u2019\tI\tyelled.\t\u2018Whistle\tbetter!\u2019 I\tthrew\tmyself\tat\tthe\tloading-bay\tdoor,\tworking\tmy\tfingers\tunder\tthe\tbottom and\tlifting\twith\tall\tmy\tpathetic\tmortal\tstrength.\tI\twhistled\talong\twith\tHedge\u2019s frantic\ttune.\tI\teven\ttap-danced\ta\tlittle,\tsince\tthat\tis\twell-known\tto\tspeed\tup musical\tspells. Behind\tus,\tMacro\tshrieked,\t\u2018Hot!\tHot!\u2019 My\tclothes\tfelt\tuncomfortably\twarm,\tas\tif\tI\twere\tsitting\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\ta bonfire.\tAfter\tour\texperience\twith\tthe\twall\tof\tflames\tin\tthe\tLabyrinth,\tI\tdid\tnot want\tto\ttake\tmy\tchances\twith\ta\tgroup\thug\/explosion\tin\tthis\tsmall\troom. \u2018Lift!\u2019\tI\tyelled.\t\u2018Whistle!\u2019 Grover\tjoined\tin\tour\tdesperate\tJoplin\tperformance.\tFinally,\tthe\tloading-bay door\tbegan\tto\tbudge,\tcreaking\tin\tprotest\tas\twe\traised\tit\ta\tfew\tinches\toff\tthe floor.","Macro\u2019s\tshrieking\tbecame\tunintelligible.\tThe\thumming\tand\theat\treminded\tme of\tthat\tmoment\tjust\tbefore\tmy\tsun\tchariot\twould\ttake\toff,\tblasting\tinto\tthe\tsky\tin a\ttriumph\tof\tsolar\tpower. \u2018Go!\u2019\tI\tyelled\tto\tthe\tsatyrs.\t\u2018Both\tof\tyou,\troll\tunder!\u2019 I\tthought\tthat\twas\tquite\theroic\tof\tme\t\u2013\tthough,\tto\tbe\thonest,\tI\thalf\texpected them\tto\tinsist,\tOh,\tno,\tplease!\tGods\tfirst! No\tsuch\tcourtesy.\tThe\tsatyrs\tshimmied\tunder\tthe\tdoor,\tthen\theld\tit\tfrom\tthe other\tside\twhile\tI\ttried\tto\twriggle\tthrough\tthe\tgap.\tAlas,\tI\tfound\tmyself\tstymied by\tmy\town\taccursed\tlove\thandles.\tIn\tshort,\tI\tgot\tstuck. \u2018Apollo,\tcome\ton!\u2019\tGrover\tyelled. \u2018I\u2019m\ttrying!\u2019 \u2018Suck\tit\tin,\tboy!\u2019\tscreamed\tthe\tcoach. I\u2019d\tnever\thad\ta\tpersonal\ttrainer\tbefore.\tGods\tsimply\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tsomeone yelling\tat\tthem,\tshaming\tthem\tinto\tworking\tharder.\tAnd,\thonestly,\twho\twould want\tthat\tjob,\tknowing\tyou\tcould\tget\tzapped\tby\tlightning\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tyou chided\tyour\tclient\tinto\tdoing\tan\textra\tfive\tpush-ups? This\ttime,\thowever,\tI\twas\tglad\tto\tbe\tyelled\tat.\tThe\tcoach\u2019s\texhortations\tgave me\tthe\textra\tburst\tof\tmotivation\tI\tneeded\tto\tsqueeze\tmy\tflabby\tmortal\tbody through\tthe\tgap. No\tsooner\thad\tI\tgot\tto\tmy\tfeet\tthan\tGrover\tyelled,\t\u2018Dive!\u2019 We\tleaped\toff\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tloading\tdock\tas\tthe\tsteel\tdoor\t\u2013\twhich\twas apparently\tnot\tbombproof\t\u2013\texploded\tbehind\tus.","9 Collect\tcall\tfrom\tHorse\t Do\tyou\taccept\tthe\tcharges?\t Nay-ay-ay-ay-ay Oh,\tvillainy! Please\texplain\tto\tme\twhy\tI\talways\tend\tup\tfalling\tinto\tdumpsters. I\tmust\tconfess,\thowever,\tthat\tthis\tdumpster\tsaved\tmy\tlife.\tMacro\u2019s\tMilitary Madness\twent\tup\tin\ta\tchain\tof\texplosions\tthat\tshook\tthe\tdesert,\trattling\tthe\tflaps of\tthe\tfoul-smelling\tmetal\tbox\tthat\tsheltered\tus.\tSweating\tand\tshivering,\tbarely able\tto\tbreathe,\tthe\ttwo\tsatyrs\tand\tI\thuddled\tamid\ttrash\tbags\tand\tlistened\tto\tthe pitter-patter\tof\tdebris\training\tfrom\tthe\tsky\t\u2013\tan\tunexpected\tdownpour\tof\twood, plaster,\tglass\tand\tsporting\tequipment. After\twhat\tseemed\tlike\tyears,\tI\twas\tabout\tto\trisk\tspeaking\t\u2013\tsomething\tlike Get\tme\tout\tof\there\tor\tI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tvomit\t\u2013\twhen\tGrover\tclamped\this\thand\tover my\tmouth.\tI\tcould\tbarely\tsee\thim\tin\tthe\tdark,\tbut\the\tshook\this\thead\turgently,\this eyes\twide\twith\talarm.\tCoach\tHedge\talso\tlooked\ttense.\tHis\tnose\tquivered\tas\tif\the smelled\tsomething\teven\tworse\tthan\tthe\tgarbage. Then\tI\theard\tthe\tclop,\tclop,\tclop\tof\thooves\ton\ttarmac\tas\tthey\tapproached\tour hiding\tplace. A\tdeep\tvoice\tgrumbled,\t\u2018Well,\tthis\tis\tjust\tperfect.\u2019 An\tanimal\u2019s\tmuzzle\tsnuffled\tthe\trim\tof\tour\tdumpster,\tperhaps\tsmelling\tfor survivors.\tFor\tus. I\ttried\tnot\tto\tweep\tor\twet\tmy\tpants.\tI\tsucceeded\tat\tone\tof\tthose.\tI\u2019ll\tlet\tyou decide\twhich. The\tflaps\tof\tthe\tdumpster\tremained\tclosed.\tPerhaps\tthe\tgarbage\tand\tthe burning\twarehouse\tmasked\tour\tscent.","\u2018Hey,\tBig\tC?\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tsame\tdeep\tvoice.\t\u2018Yeah.\tIt\u2019s\tme.\u2019 From\tthe\tlack\tof\taudible\tresponse,\tI\tguessed\tthe\tnewcomer\twas\ttalking\ton\tthe phone. \u2018Nah,\tthe\tplace\tis\tgone.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tMacro\tmust\thave\t\u2013\u2019\tHe\tpaused,\tas\tif\tthe person\ton\tthe\tother\tend\thad\tlaunched\tinto\ta\ttirade. \u2018I\tknow,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tnewcomer.\t\u2018Could\u2019ve\tbeen\ta\tfalse\talarm,\tbut\t\u2026\tAh,\tnuts. Human\tpolice\tare\ton\tthe\tway.\u2019 A\tmoment\tafter\the\tsaid\tthat,\tI\theard\tthe\tfaint\tsound\tof\tsirens\tin\tthe\tdistance. \u2018I\tcould\tsearch\tthe\tarea,\u2019\tthe\tnewcomer\tsuggested.\t\u2018Maybe\tcheck\tthose\truins up\tthe\thill.\u2019 Hedge\tand\tGrover\texchanged\ta\tworried\tlook.\tSurely\tthe\truins\tmeant\tour sanctuary,\tcurrently\thousing\tMellie,\tBaby\tHedge\tand\tMeg. \u2018I\tknow\tyou\tthink\tyou\ttook\tcare\tof\tit,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tnewcomer.\t\u2018But,\tlook,\tthat place\tis\tstill\tdangerous.\tI\u2019m\ttelling\tyou\t\u2013\u2019\tThis\ttime\tI\tcould\thear\ta\tfaint,\ttinny voice\traging\ton\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe\tline. \u2018Okay,\tC,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tnewcomer.\t\u2018Yes.\tJupiter\u2019s\tjumpers,\tcalm\tdown!\tI\u2019ll\tjust\t\u2013 Fine.\tFine.\tI\u2019m\ton\tmy\tway\tback.\u2019 His\texasperated\tsigh\ttold\tme\tthe\tcall\tmust\thave\tended. \u2018Kid\u2019s\tgonna\tgive\tme\tcolic,\u2019\tthe\tspeaker\tgrumbled\taloud\tto\thimself. Something\tslammed\tinto\tthe\tside\tof\tour\tdumpster,\tright\tnext\tto\tmy\tface.\tThen the\thooves\tgalloped\taway. Several\tminutes\tpassed\tbefore\tI\tfelt\tsafe\tenough\teven\tto\tlook\tat\tthe\ttwo satyrs.\tWe\tsilently\tagreed\tthat\twe\thad\tto\tget\tout\tof\tthe\tdumpster\tbefore\twe\tdied of\tsuffocation,\theatstroke\tor\tthe\tsmell\tof\tmy\tpants. Outside,\tthe\talley\twas\tlittered\twith\tsmoking\tchunks\tof\ttwisted\tmetal\tand plastic.\tThe\twarehouse\titself\twas\ta\tblackened\tshell,\tflames\tstill\tswirling\twithin, adding\tmore\tcolumns\tof\tsmoke\tto\tthe\tash-choked\tnight\tsky. \u2018Wh-who\twas\tthat?\u2019\tGrover\tasked.\t\u2018He\tsmelled\tlike\ta\tguy\ton\ta\thorse,\tbut\t\u2026\u2019 Coach\tHedge\u2019s\tnunchaku\tclattered\tin\this\thands.\t\u2018Maybe\ta\tcentaur?\u2019 \u2018No.\u2019\tI\tput\tmy\thand\ton\tthe\tdented\tmetal\tside\tof\tthe\tdumpster\t\u2013\twhich\tnow bore\tthe\tunmistakable\timpression\tof\ta\tshod\thoof.\t\u2018He\twas\ta\thorse.\tA\ttalking horse.\u2019 The\tsatyrs\tstared\tat\tme. \u2018All\thorses\ttalk,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018They\tjust\ttalk\tin\tHorse.\u2019 \u2018Wait.\u2019\tHedge\tfrowned\tat\tme.\t\u2018You\tmean\tyou\tunderstood\tthe\thorse?\u2019 \u2018Yes,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018That\thorse\tspoke\tin\tEnglish.\u2019 They\twaited\tfor\tme\tto\texplain,\tbut\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tmake\tmyself\tsay\tmore.\tNow\tthat we\twere\tout\tof\timmediate\tdanger,\tnow\tthat\tmy\tadrenalin\twas\tebbing,\tI\tfound myself\tgripped\tby\ta\tcold,\theavy\tdespair.\tIf\tI\u2019d\tharboured\tany\tlast\thopes\tthat\tI","might\tbe\twrong\tabout\tthe\tenemy\twe\twere\tfacing,\tthose\thopes\thad\tbeen torpedoed. Gaius\tJulius\tCaesar\tAugustus\tGermanicus\t\u2026\tstrangely\tenough,\tthat\tname could\thave\tapplied\tto\tseveral\tfamous\tAncient\tRomans.\tBut\tthe\tmaster\tof Naevius\tSutorius\tMacro?\tBig\tC?\tNeos\tHelios?\tThe\tonly\tRoman\temperor\tever\tto possess\ta\ttalking\thorse?\tThat\tcould\tmean\tonly\tone\tperson.\tOne\tterrible\tperson. The\tflashing\tlights\tof\temergency\tvehicles\tpulsed\tagainst\tthe\tfronds\tof\tthe nearest\tpalm\ttrees. \u2018We\tneed\tto\tget\tout\tof\there,\u2019\tI\tsaid. Gleeson\tstared\tat\tthe\twreckage\tof\tthe\tsurplus\tstore.\t\u2018Yeah.\tLet\u2019s\tgo\taround\tthe front,\tsee\tif\tmy\tcar\tsurvived.\tI\tjust\twish\tI\u2019d\tgot\tsome\tcamping\tsupplies\tout\tof this\tdeal.\u2019 \u2018We\tgot\tsomething\tmuch\tworse.\u2019\tI\ttook\ta\tshaky\tbreath.\t\u2018We\tgot\tthe\tidentity\tof the\tthird\temperor.\u2019 The\texplosion\thadn\u2019t\tscathed\tthe\tcoach\u2019s\tyellow\t1979\tFord\tPinto.\tOf\tcourse\tit hadn\u2019t.\tSuch\ta\thideous\tcar\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\tdestroyed\tby\tanything\tless\tthan\ta worldwide\tapocalypse.\tI\tsat\tin\tthe\tback,\twearing\ta\tnew\tpair\tof\thot-pink\tcamo pants\twe\u2019d\tsalvaged\tfrom\tthe\tarmy\tsurplus\twreckage.\tI\twas\tin\tsuch\ta\tstupor\tthat I\tbarely\tremember\tgoing\tthrough\tthe\tdrive-through\tlane\tof\tEnchiladas\tdel\tRey and\tpicking\tup\tenough\tcombo\tplates\tto\tfeed\tseveral\tdozen\tnature\tspirits. Back\tat\tthe\thilltop\truins,\twe\tconvened\ta\tcouncil\tof\tthe\tcacti. The\tCistern\twas\tpacked\twith\tdesert-plant\tdryads:\tJoshua\tTree,\tPrickly\tPear, Aloe\tVera\tand\tmany\tmore,\tall\tdressed\tin\tbristly\tclothes\tand\tdoing\ttheir\tbest\tnot to\tpoke\teach\tother. Mellie\tfussed\tover\tGleeson,\tone\tminute\tshowering\thim\twith\tkisses\tand\ttelling him\thow\tbrave\the\twas,\tthe\tnext\tminute\tpunching\thim\tand\taccusing\thim\tof wanting\ther\tto\traise\tBaby\tHedge\tby\therself\tas\ta\twidow.\tThe\tinfant\t\u2013\twhose name,\tI\tlearned,\twas\tChuck\t\u2013\twas\tawake\tand\tnone\ttoo\thappy,\tkicking\this\tlittle hooves\tinto\this\tfather\u2019s\tstomach\tas\tGleeson\ttried\tto\thold\thim,\ttugging\tHedge\u2019s goatee\twith\this\tchubby\tlittle\tfists. \u2018On\tthe\tbright\tside,\u2019\tHedge\ttold\tMellie,\t\u2018we\tgot\tenchiladas\tand\tI\tscored\tsome awesome\tnunchaku!\u2019 Mellie\tgazed\theavenward,\tperhaps\twishing\tshe\tcould\tgo\tback\tto\ther\tsimple life\tas\tan\tunmarried\tcloud. As\tfor\tMeg\tMcCaffrey,\tshe\thad\tregained\tconsciousness\tand\tlooked\tas\twell\tas she\tever\tlooked\t\u2013\tjust\tslightly\tgreasier\tthanks\tto\tthe\tfirst-aid\tministrations\tof Aloe\tVera.\tMeg\tsat\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tpool,\ttrailing\ther\tbare\tfeet\tin\tthe\twater\tand","stealing\tglances\tat\tJoshua\tTree,\twho\tstood\tnearby,\tbrooding\thandsomely\tin\this khakis. I\tasked\tMeg\thow\tshe\twas\tfeeling\t\u2013\tbecause\tI\tam\tnothing\tif\tnot\tthoughtful\t\u2013 but\tshe\twaved\tme\toff,\tinsisting\tshe\twas\tfine.\tI\tthink\tshe\twas\tjust\tembarrassed\tby my\tpresence\tas\tshe\ttried\tto\tdiscreetly\togle\tJoshua,\twhich\tmade\tme\troll\tmy\teyes. Girl,\tI\tsee\tyou,\tI\tfelt\tlike\tsaying.\tYou\tare\tnot\tsubtle,\tand\twe\treally\tneed\tto have\ta\ttalk\tabout\tcrushing\ton\tdryads. I\tdidn\u2019t\twant\ther\tto\torder\tme\tto\tslap\tmyself,\thowever,\tso\tI\tkept\tmy\tmouth shut. Grover\tdistributed\tenchilada\tplates\tto\teveryone.\tHe\tate\tnothing\thimself\t\u2013\ta sure\tsign\tof\thow\tnervous\the\tfelt\t\u2013\tbut\tpaced\tthe\tcircumference\tof\tthe\tpool, tapping\this\tfingers\tagainst\this\treed\tpipes. \u2018Guys,\u2019\the\tannounced,\t\u2018we\u2019ve\tgot\tproblems.\u2019 I\twould\tnot\thave\timagined\tGrover\tUnderwood\tas\ta\tleader.\tNevertheless,\tas\the spoke,\tall\tthe\tother\tnature\tspirits\tgave\thim\ttheir\tfull\tattention.\tEven\tBaby\tChuck quietened\tdown,\ttilting\this\thead\ttowards\tGrover\u2019s\tvoice\tas\tif\tit\twas\tsomething interesting\tand\tpossibly\tworth\tkicking. Grover\trelated\teverything\tthat\thad\thappened\tto\tus\tsince\twe\u2019d\tmet\tup\tin Indianapolis.\tHe\trecounted\tour\tdays\tin\tthe\tLabyrinth\t\u2013\tthe\tpits\tand\tpoison\tlakes, the\tsudden\twave\tof\tfire,\tthe\tflock\tof\tstrixes\tand\tthe\tspiral\tramp\tthat\thad\tled\tus up\tto\tthese\truins. The\tdryads\tlooked\taround\tnervously,\tas\tif\timagining\tthe\tCistern\tfilled\twith demonic\towls. \u2018You\tsure\twe\u2019re\tsafe?\u2019\tasked\ta\tshort\tplump\tgirl\twith\ta\tlilting\taccent\tand\tred flowers\tin\ther\thair\t(or\tperhaps\tsprouting\tfrom\ther\thair). \u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\tReba.\u2019\tGrover\tglanced\tat\tMeg\tand\tme.\t\u2018This\tis\tRebutia,\tguys. Reba,\tfor\tshort.\tShe\u2019s\ta\ttransplant\tfrom\tArgentina.\u2019 I\twaved\tpolitely.\tI\u2019d\tnever\tmet\tan\tArgentinian\tcactus\tbefore,\tbut\tI\thad\ta\tsoft spot\tfor\tBuenos\tAires.\tYou\thaven\u2019t\treally\ttangoed\tuntil\tyou\u2019ve\ttangoed\twith\ta Greek\tgod\tat\tLa\tVentana. Grover\tcontinued,\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tthat\texit\tfrom\tthe\tmaze\thas\tever\tbeen\tthere before.\tIt\u2019s\tsealed\tnow.\tI\tthink\tthe\tLabyrinth\twas\thelping\tus,\tbringing\tus\thome.\u2019 \u2018Helping\tus?\u2019\tPrickly\tPear\tlooked\tup\tfrom\ther\tcheese\tenchiladas.\t\u2018The\tsame Labyrinth\tharbouring\tfires\tthat\tare\tdestroying\tthe\twhole\tstate?\tThe\tsame Labyrinth\twe\u2019ve\tbeen\texploring\tfor\tmonths,\ttrying\tto\tfind\tthe\tsource\tof\tthose fires\twith\tno\tluck?\tThe\tsame\tLabyrinth\tthat\u2019s\tswallowed\ta\tdozen\tof\tour\tsearch parties?\tWhat\tdoes\tit\tlook\tlike\twhen\tthe\tLabyrinth\tisn\u2019t\thelping\tus?\u2019 The\tother\tdryads\tgrumbled\tin\tagreement.\tSome\tbristled,\tliterally.","Grover\traised\this\thands\tfor\tcalm.\t\u2018I\tknow\twe\u2019re\tall\tworried\tand\tfrustrated. But\tthe\tBurning\tMaze\tisn\u2019t\tthe\tentire\tLabyrinth.\tAnd\tat\tleast\tnow\twe\thave\tsome idea\twhy\tthe\temperor\tset\tit\tup\tthe\tway\the\tdid.\tIt\u2019s\tbecause\tof\tApollo.\u2019 Dozens\tof\tcactus\tspirits\tturned\tto\tstare\tat\tme. \u2018Just\tto\tclarify,\u2019\tI\tsaid\tin\ta\tsmall\tvoice,\t\u2018it\u2019s\tnot\tmy\tfault.\tTell\tthem,\tGrover. Tell\tyour\tvery\tnice\t\u2026\tvery\tspiny\tfriends\tit\tisn\u2019t\tmy\tfault.\u2019 Coach\tHedge\tgrunted.\t\u2018Well,\tit\tkind\tof\tis.\tMacro\tsaid\tthe\tmaze\twas\ta\ttrap\tfor you.\tProbably\tbecause\tof\tthe\tOracle\tthingy\tyou\u2019re\tlooking\tfor.\u2019 Mellie\u2019s\tgaze\tping-ponged\tbetween\ther\thusband\tand\tme.\t\u2018Macro?\tOracle thingy?\u2019 I\texplained\thow\tZeus\thad\tme\ttravelling\taround\tthe\tcountry,\tfreeing\tancient Oracles\tas\tpart\tof\tmy\tpenance,\tbecause\tthat\u2019s\tjust\tthe\tsort\tof\thorrible\tfather\the was. Hedge\tthen\trecounted\tour\tfun\tshopping\texpedition\tto\tMacro\u2019s\tMilitary Madness.\tWhen\the\tgot\tsidetracked\ttalking\tabout\tthe\tvarious\ttypes\tof\tland\tmines he\u2019d\tfound,\tGrover\tintervened. \u2018So\twe\texploded\tMacro,\u2019\tGrover\tsummed\tup,\t\u2018who\twas\ta\tRoman\tfollower\tof this\temperor.\tAnd\the\tmentioned\tsome\tkind\tof\tsorceress\twho\twants\tto\t\u2026\tI dunno,\tdo\tsome\tevil\tmagic\ton\tApollo,\tI\tguess.\tAnd\tshe\u2019s\thelping\tthe\temperor. And\twe\tthink\tthey\tput\tthe\tnext\tOracle\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018The\tSibyl\tof\tErythraea,\u2019\tI\tsaid. \u2018Right,\u2019\tGrover\tagreed.\t\u2018We\tthink\tthey\tput\ther\tat\tthe\tcentre\tof\tthe\tmaze\tas some\tsort\tof\tbait\tfor\tApollo.\tAlso,\tthere\u2019s\ta\ttalking\thorse.\u2019 Mellie\u2019s\tface\tclouded\tover,\twhich\twas\tunsurprising\tsince\tshe\twas\ta\tcloud. \u2018All\thorses\ttalk.\u2019 Grover\texplained\twhat\twe\u2019d\theard\tin\tthe\tdumpster.\tThen\the\tbacked\tup\tand explained\twhy\twe\u2019d\tbeen\tin\ta\tdumpster.\tThen\the\texplained\thow\tI\u2019d\twet\tmyself and\tthat\twas\twhy\tI\twas\twearing\thot-pink\tcamo\tpants. \u2018Ohhh.\u2019\tAll\tthe\tdryads\tnodded,\tas\tif\tthis\twas\tthe\treal\tquestion\tthat\thad\tbeen bothering\tthem. \u2018Can\twe\tget\tback\tto\tthe\tproblem\tat\thand?\u2019\tI\tpleaded.\t\u2018We\thave\ta\tcommon cause!\tYou\twant\tthe\tfires\tstopped.\tI\thave\ta\tquest\tto\tfree\tthe\tErythraean\tSibyl. Both\tthose\tthings\trequire\tus\tto\tfind\tthe\theart\tof\tthe\tmaze.\tThat\u2019s\twhere\twe\u2019ll find\tthe\tsource\tof\tthe\tflames\tand\tthe\tSibyl.\tI\tjust\t\u2013\tI\tknow\tit.\u2019 Meg\tstudied\tme\tintently,\tas\tif\ttrying\tto\tdecide\twhat\tembarrassing\torder\tshe should\tgive\tme:\tJump\tin\tthe\tpool?\tHug\tPrickly\tPear?\tFind\ta\tshirt\tthat\tmatches your\tcamo\tpants? \u2018Tell\tme\tabout\tthe\thorse,\u2019\tshe\tsaid. Order\treceived.\tI\thad\tno\tchoice.\t\u2018His\tname\tis\tIncitatus.\u2019","\u2018And\the\ttalks,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\t\u2018Like,\tin\ta\tway\thumans\tcan\tunderstand.\u2019 \u2018Yes,\tthough\tnormally\the\tonly\tspeaks\tto\tthe\temperor.\tDon\u2019t\task\tme\thow\the talks.\tOr\twhere\the\tcame\tfrom.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow.\tHe\u2019s\ta\tmagical\thorse.\tThe\temperor trusts\thim,\tprobably\tmore\tthan\the\ttrusts\tanyone.\tBack\twhen\tthe\temperor\truled Ancient\tRome,\the\tdressed\tIncitatus\tin\tsenatorial\tpurple,\teven\ttried\tto\tmake\thim a\tconsul.\tPeople\tthought\tthe\temperor\twas\tcrazy,\tbut\the\twas\tnever\tcrazy.\u2019 Meg\tleaned\tover\tthe\tpool,\thunching\ther\tshoulders\tas\tif\twithdrawing\tinto\ther mental\tshell.\tWith\tMeg,\temperors\twere\talways\ta\ttouchy\tsubject.\tRaised\tin Nero\u2019s\thousehold\t(though\tthe\tterms\tabused\tand\tgaslighted\twere\tmore\taccurate), she\u2019d\tbetrayed\tme\tto\tNero\tat\tCamp\tHalf-Blood\tbefore\treturning\tto\tme\tin Indianapolis\t\u2013\ta\tsubject\twe\u2019d\tskirted\twithout\treally\taddressing\tit\tfor\ta\twhile.\tI did\tnot\tblame\tthe\tpoor\tgirl.\tTruly.\tBut\tgetting\ther\tto\ttrust\tmy\tfriendship,\tto\ttrust anyone\tafter\ther\tstepfather,\tNero,\twas\tlike\ttraining\ta\twild\tsquirrel\tto\teat\tout\tof one\u2019s\thand.\tAny\tloud\tnoise\twas\tliable\tto\tcause\ther\tto\tflee,\tor\tbite,\tor\tboth. (I\trealize\tthat\u2019s\tnot\ta\tfair\tcomparison.\tMeg\tbites\tmuch\tharder\tthan\ta\twild squirrel.) Finally,\tshe\tsaid,\t\u2018That\tline\tfrom\tthe\tprophecy:\tThe\tmaster\tof\tthe\tswift\twhite horse.\u2019 I\tnodded.\t\u2018Incitatus\tbelongs\tto\tthe\temperor.\tOr\tperhaps\tbelong\tisn\u2019t\tthe\tright word.\tIncitatus\tis\tthe\tright-hand\thorse\tto\tthe\tman\twho\tnow\tclaims\tthe\twestern United\tStates\t\u2013\tGaius\tJulius\tCaesar\tGermanicus.\u2019 This\twas\tthe\tdryads\u2019\tcue\tfor\ta\tcollective\tgasp\tof\thorror,\tand\tperhaps\tsome ominous\tbackground\tmusic.\tInstead,\tblank\tfaces\tgreeted\tme.\tThe\tonly\tominous background\tsound\twas\tBaby\tChuck\tchewing\tthe\tstyrofoam\tlid\tof\this\tfather\u2019s\t#3 dinner\tespecial. \u2018This\tGaius\tperson,\u2019\tsaid\tMeg.\t\u2018Is\the\tfamous?\u2019 I\tstared\tat\tthe\tdark\twaters\tof\tthe\tpool.\tI\talmost\twished\tMeg\twould\torder\tme\tto jump\tin\tand\tdrown.\tOr\tforce\tme\tto\twear\ta\tshirt\tthat\tmatched\tmy\thot-pink\tcamo pants.\tEither\tpunishment\twould\thave\tbeen\teasier\tthan\tanswering\ther\tquestion. \u2018The\temperor\tis\tbetter\tknown\tby\this\tchildhood\tnickname,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Which\the despises,\tby\tthe\tway.\tHistory\tremembers\thim\tas\tCaligula.\u2019","10 Cute\tkid\tyou\tgot\tthere\t With\tthe\titty-bitty\tboots\t And\tmurderous\tgrin Do\tyou\tknow\tthe\tname\tCaligula,\tdear\treader? If\tnot,\tconsider\tyourself\tlucky. All\taround\tthe\tCistern,\tcactus\tdryads\tpuffed\tout\ttheir\tspikes.\tMellie\u2019s\tlower half\tdissolved\tinto\tmist.\tEven\tBaby\tChuck\tcoughed\tup\ta\tpiece\tof\tstyrofoam. \u2018Caligula?\u2019\tCoach\tHedge\u2019s\teye\ttwitched\tthe\tsame\tway\tit\thad\twhen\tMellie threatened\tto\ttake\taway\this\tninja\tweapons.\t\u2018Are\tyou\tsure?\u2019 I\twished\tI\twasn\u2019t.\tI\twished\tI\tcould\tannounce\tthat\tthe\tthird\temperor\twas\tkindly old\tMarcus\tAurelius\tor\tnoble\tHadrian,\tor\tbumbling\tClaudius. But\tCaligula\t\u2026 Even\tfor\tthose\twho\tknew\tlittle\tabout\thim,\tthe\tname\tCaligula\tconjured\tthe darkest,\tmost\tdepraved\timages.\tHis\treign\twas\tbloodier\tand\tmore\tinfamous\tthan Nero\u2019s,\twho\thad\tgrown\tup\tin\tawe\tof\this\twicked\tgreat-uncle\tGaius\tJulius\tCaesar Germanicus. Caligula:\ta\tbyword\tfor\tmurder,\ttorture,\tmadness,\texcess.\tCaligula:\tthe villainous\ttyrant\tagainst\twhom\tall\tother\tvillainous\ttyrants\twere\tmeasured. Caligula:\twho\thad\ta\tworse\tbranding\tproblem\tthan\tthe\tEdsel,\tthe\tHindenburg\tand the\tChicago\tBlack\tSox\tput\ttogether. Grover\tshuddered.\t\u2018I\u2019ve\talways\thated\tthat\tname.\tWhat\tdoes\tit\tmean,\tanyway? Satyr\tKiller?\tBlood\tDrinker?\u2019 \u2018Booties,\u2019\tI\tsaid. Joshua\u2019s\tshaggy\tolive\thair\tstood\tstraight\tup,\twhich\tMeg\tseemed\tto\tfind fascinating.","\u2018Booties?\u2019\tJoshua\tglanced\taround\tthe\tCistern,\tperhaps\twondering\tif\the\u2019d missed\tthe\tjoke.\tNo\tone\twas\tlaughing. \u2018Yes.\u2019\tI\tcould\tstill\tremember\thow\tcute\tlittle\tCaligula\thad\tlooked\tin\this miniature\tlegionnaire\u2019s\toutfit\twhen\the\taccompanied\this\tfather,\tGermanicus,\ton military\tcampaigns.\tWhy\twere\tsociopaths\talways\tso\tadorable\tas\tchildren? \u2018His\tfather\u2019s\tsoldiers\tgave\tCaligula\tthe\tnickname\twhen\the\twas\ta\tchild,\u2019\tI\tsaid. \u2018He\twore\tteeny-weeny\tlegionnaire\u2019s\tboots,\tcaligae,\tand\tthey\tthought\tthat\twas hysterical.\tSo\tthey\tcalled\thim\tCaligula\t\u2013\tLittle\tBoots,\tor\tBaby\tShoes,\tor\tBooties. Pick\tyour\ttranslation.\u2019 Prickly\tPear\tstabbed\ther\tfork\tinto\ther\tenchiladas.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tif\tthe\tguy\u2019s name\tis\tSnookums\tMcCuddleFace.\tHow\tdo\twe\tbeat\thim\tand\tget\tour\tlives\tback to\tnormal?\u2019 The\tother\tcacti\tgrumbled\tand\tnodded.\tI\twas\tstarting\tto\tsuspect\tthat\tprickly pears\twere\tthe\tnatural\tagitators\tof\tthe\tcactus\tworld.\tGet\tenough\tof\tthem together,\tand\tthey\twould\tstart\ta\trevolution\tand\toverthrow\tthe\tanimal\tkingdom. \u2018We\thave\tto\tbe\tcareful,\u2019\tI\twarned.\t\u2018Caligula\tis\ta\tmaster\tat\ttrapping\this enemies.\tThe\told\tsaying\tGive\tthem\tenough\trope\tto\thang\tthemselves?\tThat\twas made\tfor\tCaligula.\tHe\tdelights\tin\this\treputation\tas\ta\tmadman,\tbut\tit\u2019s\tjust\ta cover.\tHe\u2019s\tquite\tsane.\tHe\u2019s\talso\tcompletely\tamoral,\teven\tworse\tthan\t\u2013\u2019 I\tstopped\tmyself.\tI\u2019d\tbeen\tabout\tto\tsay\tworse\tthan\tNero,\tbut\thow\tcould\tI make\tsuch\ta\tclaim\tin\tfront\tof\tMeg,\twhose\tentire\tchildhood\thad\tbeen\tpoisoned by\tNero\tand\this\talter\tego,\tthe\tBeast? Careful,\tMeg,\tNero\twould\talways\tsay.\tDon\u2019t\tmisbehave\tor\tyou\u2019ll\twake\tthe Beast.\tI\tlove\tyou\tdearly,\tbut\tthe\tBeast\t\u2026\tWell,\tI\twould\thate\tto\tsee\tyou\tdo something\twrong\tand\tget\thurt. How\tcould\tI\tquantify\tsuch\tvillainy? \u2018Anyway,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018Caligula\tis\tsmart,\tpatient\tand\tparanoid.\tIf\tthis\tBurning Maze\tis\tsome\telaborate\ttrap,\tpart\tof\tsome\tbigger\tplan\tof\this,\tit\twon\u2019t\tbe\teasy\tto shut\tdown.\tAnd\tbeating\thim,\teven\tfinding\thim,\twill\tbe\ta\tchallenge.\u2019\tI\twas tempted\tto\tadd,\tPerhaps\twe\tdon\u2019t\twant\tto\tfind\thim.\tPerhaps\twe\tshould\trun\taway. That\twouldn\u2019t\twork\tfor\tthe\tdryads.\tThey\twere\trooted,\tquite\tliterally,\tto\tthe land\tin\twhich\tthey\tgrew.\tTransplants\tlike\tReba\twere\trare.\tFew\tnature\tspirits could\tsurvive\tbeing\tpotted\tand\ttransported\tto\ta\tnew\tenvironment.\tEven\tif\tevery dryad\there\tmanaged\tto\tflee\tthe\tfires\tof\tSouthern\tCalifornia,\tthousands\tmore would\tstay\tand\tburn. Grover\tshuddered.\t\u2018If\thalf\tthe\tstuff\tI\u2019ve\theard\tabout\tCaligula\tis\ttrue\t\u2026\u2019 He\tpaused,\tapparently\trealizing\tthat\teveryone\twas\twatching\thim,\tgauging how\tmuch\tthey\tshould\tpanic\tbased\ton\tGrover\u2019s\treactions.\tI,\tfor\tone,\tdid\tnot","want\tto\tbe\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\ta\troom\tfilled\twith\tcacti\tthat\twere\trunning\taround screaming. Fortunately,\tGrover\tkept\this\tcool. \u2018Nobody\tis\tunbeatable,\u2019\the\tdeclared.\t\u2018Not\tTitans,\tgiants\tor\tgods\t\u2013\tand definitely\tnot\tsome\tRoman\temperor\tnamed\tBooties.\tThis\tguy\tis\tcausing Southern\tCalifornia\tto\twither\tand\tdie.\tHe\u2019s\tbehind\tthe\tdroughts,\tthe\theat,\tthe fires.\tWe\thave\tto\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tstop\thim.\tApollo,\thow\tdid\tCaligula\tdie\tthe\tfirst time?\u2019 I\ttried\tto\tremember.\tAs\tusual,\tmy\tmortal\thard\tdrive\tof\ta\tbrain\twas\tshot\tfull\tof holes,\tbut\tI\tseemed\tto\trecall\ta\tdark\ttunnel\tpacked\twith\tpraetorian\tguards, crowding\taround\tthe\temperor,\ttheir\tknives\tflashing\tand\tglistening\twith\tblood. \u2018His\town\tguards\tkilled\thim,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018which\tI\u2019m\tsure\thas\tmade\thim\teven\tmore paranoid.\tMacro\tmentioned\tthat\tthe\temperor\tkept\tchanging\this\tpersonal\tguard. First\tautomatons\treplaced\tthe\tpraetors.\tThen\the\tchanged\tthem\tagain\tto mercenaries\tand\tstrixes\tand\t\u2026\tbig\tears?\tI\tdon\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tthat\tmeans.\u2019 One\tof\tthe\tdryads\thuffed\tindignantly.\tI\tguessed\tshe\twas\tCholla,\tsince\tshe looked\tlike\ta\tcholla\tplant\t\u2013\twispy\twhite\thair,\ta\tfuzzy\twhite\tbeard\tand\tlarge paddle-shaped\tears\tcovered\twith\tbristles.\t\u2018No\tdecent\tbig-eared\tperson\twould work\tfor\tsuch\ta\tvillain!\tWhat\tabout\tother\tweaknesses?\tThe\temperor\tmust\thave some!\u2019 \u2018Yeah!\u2019\tCoach\tHedge\tchimed\tin.\t\u2018Is\the\tscared\tof\tgoats?\u2019 \u2018Is\the\tallergic\tto\tcactus\tsap?\u2019\tAloe\tVera\tasked\thopefully. \u2018Not\tthat\tI\tknow\tof,\u2019\tI\tsaid. The\tassembled\tdryads\tlooked\tdisappointed. \u2018You\tsaid\tyou\tgot\ta\tprophecy\tin\tIndiana?\u2019\tJoshua\tasked.\t\u2018Any\tclues\tthere?\u2019 His\ttone\twas\tsceptical,\twhich\tI\tcould\tunderstand.\tA\tHoosier\tprophecy\tjust doesn\u2019t\thave\tthe\tsame\tring\tto\tit\tas\ta\tDelphic\tprophecy. \u2018I\thave\tto\tfind\tthe\twestward\tpalace,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Which\tmust\tmean\tCaligula\u2019s base.\u2019 \u2018No\tone\tknows\twhere\tthat\tis,\u2019\tgrumbled\tPear. Perhaps\tit\twas\tmy\timagination,\tbut\tMellie\tand\tGleeson\tseemed\tto\texchange an\tanxious\tlook.\tI\twaited\tfor\tthem\tto\tsay\tsomething\telse,\tbut\tthey\tdid\tnot. \u2018Also\tfrom\tthe\tprophecy\t\u2026\u2019\tI\tcontinued.\t\u2018I\thave\tto\twrest\tfrom\thim\tthe crossword\tspeaker\u2019s\tbreath.\tMeaning,\tI\tthink,\tthat\tI\thave\tto\tfree\tthe\tErythraean Sibyl\tfrom\this\tcontrol.\u2019 \u2018Does\tthis\tSibyl\tlike\tcrosswords?\u2019\tReba\tasked.\t\u2018I\tlike\tcrosswords.\u2019 \u2018The\tOracle\tgave\ther\tprophecies\tin\tthe\tform\tof\tword\tpuzzles,\u2019\tI\texplained. \u2018Like\tcrosswords.\tOr\tacrostics.\tThe\tprophecy\talso\ttalks\tabout\tGrover\tbringing","us\there,\tand\ta\tlot\tof\tterrible\tthings\tthat\twill\thappen\tat\tCamp\tJupiter\tin\tthe\tnext few\tdays\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018The\tnew\tmoon,\u2019\tMeg\tmuttered.\t\u2018Coming\tvery\tsoon.\u2019 \u2018Yes.\u2019\tI\ttried\tto\tcontain\tmy\tannoyance.\tMeg\tseemed\tto\twant\tme\tto\tbe\tin\ttwo places\tat\tonce,\twhich\twould\thave\tbeen\tno\tproblem\tfor\tApollo\tthe\tgod.\tFor Lester\tthe\thuman,\tI\tcould\tbarely\tmanage\tbeing\tin\tone\tplace\tat\tonce. \u2018There\u2019s\tanother\tline,\u2019\tGrover\tremembered.\t\u2018Walk\tthe\tpath\tin\tthine\town enemy\u2019s\tboots?\tCould\tthat\thave\tsomething\tto\tdo\twith\tCaligula\u2019s\tbooties?\u2019 I\timagined\tmy\tginormous\tsixteen-year-old\tfeet\tcrammed\tinto\ta\tRoman toddler\u2019s\tmilitary-issued\tleather\tbaby\tshoes.\tMy\ttoes\tbegan\tto\tthrob. \u2018I\thope\tnot,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018But\tif\twe\tcould\tfree\tthe\tSibyl\tfrom\tthe\tmaze\tI\u2019m\tsure\tshe would\thelp\tus.\tI\u2019d\tlike\tto\thave\tmore\tguidance\tbefore\tI\tcharge\toff\tto\tconfront Caligula\tin\tperson.\u2019 Other\tthings\tI\twould\thave\tliked:\tmy\tgodly\tpowers\tback,\tthe\tentire\tfirearms department\tof\tMacro\u2019s\tMilitary\tMadness\tlocked\tand\tloaded\tin\tthe\thands\tof\ta demigod\tarmy,\tan\tapology\tletter\tfrom\tmy\tfather,\tZeus,\tpromising\tnever\tagain\tto turn\tme\tinto\ta\thuman,\tand\ta\tbath.\tBut,\tas\tthey\tsay,\tLesters\tcan\u2019t\tbe\tchoosers. \u2018That\tbrings\tus\tback\tto\twhere\twe\tstarted,\u2019\tJoshua\tsaid.\t\u2018You\tneed\tthe\tOracle freed.\tWe\tneed\tthe\tfires\tshut\toff.\tTo\tdo\tthat,\twe\tneed\tto\tget\tthrough\tthe\tmaze, but\tnobody\tknows\thow.\u2019 Gleeson\tHedge\tcleared\this\tthroat.\t\u2018Maybe\tsomebody\tdoes.\u2019 Never\tbefore\thad\tso\tmany\tcacti\tstared\tat\ta\tsatyr. Cholla\tstroked\ther\twispy\twhite\tbeard.\t\u2018Who\tis\tthis\tsomebody?\u2019 Hedge\tturned\tto\this\twife,\tas\tif\tto\tsay,\tAll\tyours,\tsweetie. Mellie\tspent\ta\tfew\tmore\tmicroseconds\tpondering\tthe\tnight\tsky,\tand\tpossibly her\tformer\tlife\tas\ta\tnebulous\tbachelorette. \u2018Most\tof\tyou\tknow\twe\u2019ve\tbeen\tliving\twith\tthe\tMcLeans,\u2019\tshe\tsaid. \u2018As\tin\tPiper\tMcLean,\u2019\tI\texplained,\t\u2018daughter\tof\tAphrodite.\u2019 I\tremembered\ther\t\u2013\tone\tof\tthe\tseven\tdemigods\twho\thad\tsailed\taboard\tthe Argo\tII.\tIn\tfact,\tI\u2019d\tbeen\thoping\tto\tcall\ton\ther\tand\ther\tboyfriend,\tJason\tGrace, while\tI\twas\tin\tSouthern\tCalifornia,\tto\tsee\tif\tthey\twould\tdefeat\tthe\temperor\tand free\tthe\tOracle\tfor\tme. Wait.\tScratch\tthat.\tI\tmeant,\tof\tcourse,\tthat\tI\thoped\tthey\twould\thelp\tme\tdo those\tthings. Mellie\tnodded.\t\u2018I\twas\tMr\tMcLean\u2019s\tpersonal\tassistant.\tGleeson\twas\ta\tfull- time\tstay-at-home\tfather,\tdoing\ta\tgreat\tjob\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018I\twas,\twasn\u2019t\tI?\u2019\tGleeson\tagreed,\tgiving\tBaby\tChuck\tthe\tchain\tof\this nunchaku\tto\tteethe\ton. \u2018Until\teverything\twent\twrong,\u2019\tMellie\tsaid\twith\ta\tsigh.","Meg\tMcCaffrey\ttilted\ther\thead.\t\u2018What\tdo\tyou\tmean?\u2019 \u2018Long\tstory,\u2019\tsaid\tthe\tcloud\tnymph,\tin\ta\ttone\tthat\timplied,\tI\tcould\ttell\tyou,\tbut then\tI\u2019d\thave\tto\tturn\tinto\ta\tstorm\tcloud\tand\tcry\ta\tlot\tand\tzap\tyou\twith\tlightning and\tkill\tyou.\t\u2018The\tpoint\tis,\ta\tcouple\tof\tweeks\tago,\tPiper\thad\ta\tdream\tabout\tthe Burning\tMaze.\tShe\tthought\tshe\u2019d\tfound\ta\tway\tto\treach\tthe\tcentre.\tShe\twent exploring\twith\t\u2026\tthat\tboy,\tJason.\u2019 That\tboy.\tMy\tfinely\ttuned\tsenses\ttold\tme\tMellie\twas\tnot\thappy\twith\tJason Grace,\tson\tof\tJupiter. \u2018When\tthey\tcame\tback\t\u2026\u2019\tMellie\tpaused,\ther\tlower\thalf\tswirling\tin\ta corkscrew\tof\tcloud\tstuff.\t\u2018They\tsaid\tthey\thad\tfailed.\tBut\tI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tthat\u2019s\tthe whole\tstory.\tPiper\thinted\tthat\tthey\thad\tencountered\tsomething\tdown\tthere\tthat \u2026\trattled\tthem.\u2019 The\tstone\twalls\tof\tthe\tCistern\tseemed\tto\tcreak\tand\tshift\tin\tthe\tcooling\tnight air,\tas\tif\tsympathetically\tvibrating\twith\tthe\tword\trattled.\tI\tthought\tof\tmy\tdream about\tthe\tSibyl\tin\tfiery\tchains,\tapologizing\tto\tsomeone\tafter\tdelivering\tterrible news:\tI\tam\tsorry.\tI\twould\tspare\tyou\tif\tI\tcould.\tI\twould\tspare\ther. Had\tshe\tbeen\taddressing\tJason,\tor\tPiper,\tor\tboth\tof\tthem?\tIf\tso,\tand\tif\tthey had\tactually\tfound\tthe\tOracle\t\u2026 \u2018We\tneed\tto\ttalk\tto\tthose\tdemigods,\u2019\tI\tdecided. Mellie\tlowered\ther\thead.\t\u2018I\tcan\u2019t\ttake\tyou.\tGoing\tback\t\u2026\tit\twould\tbreak\tmy heart.\u2019 Hedge\tshifted\tBaby\tChuck\tto\this\tother\tarm.\t\u2018Maybe\tI\tcould\t\u2013\u2019 Mellie\tshot\thim\ta\twarning\tlook. \u2018Yeah,\tI\tcan\u2019t\tgo\teither,\u2019\tHedge\tmuttered. \u2018I\u2019ll\ttake\tyou,\u2019\tGrover\tvolunteered,\tthough\the\tlooked\tmore\texhausted\tthan ever.\t\u2018I\tknow\twhere\tthe\tMcLean\thouse\tis.\tJust,\tuh,\tmaybe\twe\tcan\twait\tuntil\tthe morning?\u2019 A\tsense\tof\trelief\twashed\tover\tthe\tassembled\tdryads.\tTheir\tspikes\trelaxed.\tThe chlorophyll\tcame\tback\tinto\ttheir\tcomplexions.\tGrover\tmay\tnot\thave\tsolved\ttheir problems,\tbut\the\thad\tgiven\tthem\thope\t\u2013\tat\tthe\tvery\tleast,\ta\tsense\tthat\twe\tcould do\tsomething. I\tgazed\tat\tthe\tcircle\tof\thazy\torange\tsky\tabove\tthe\tCistern.\tI\tthought\tabout\tthe fires\tblazing\tto\tthe\twest,\tand\twhat\tmight\tbe\tgoing\ton\tup\tnorth\tat\tCamp\tJupiter. Sitting\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\ta\tshaft\tin\tPalm\tSprings,\tunable\tto\thelp\tthe\tRoman demigods\tor\teven\tknow\twhat\twas\thappening\tto\tthem,\tI\tcould\tempathize\twith\tthe dryads\t\u2013\trooted\tin\tplace,\twatching\tin\tdespair\tas\tthe\twildfires\tgot\tcloser\tand closer. I\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tquash\tthe\tdryads\u2019\tnewfound\thopes,\tbut\tI\tfelt\tcompelled\tto\tsay, \u2018There\u2019s\tmore.\tYour\tsanctuary\tmight\tnot\tbe\tsafe\tfor\tmuch\tlonger.\u2019","I\ttold\tthem\twhat\tIncitatus\thad\tsaid\tto\tCaligula\ton\tthe\tphone.\tAnd,\tno,\tI\tnever thought\tI\twould\tbe\treporting\ton\tan\teavesdropped\tconversation\tbetween\ta\ttalking horse\tand\ta\tdead\tRoman\temperor. Aloe\tVera\ttrembled,\tshaking\tseveral\thighly\tmedicinal\ttriangle\tspikes\tfrom\ther hair.\t\u2018H-how\tcould\tthey\tknow\tabout\tAeithales?\tThey\u2019ve\tnever\tbothered\tus here!\u2019 Grover\twinced.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\tguys.\tBut\t\u2026\tthe\thorse\tdid\tseem\tto\timply\tthat Caligula\twas\tthe\tone\twho\thad\tdestroyed\tit\tyears\tago.\tHe\tsaid\tsomething\tlike\tI know\tyou\tthink\tyou\ttook\tcare\tof\tit.\tBut\tthat\tplace\tis\tstill\tdangerous.\u2019 Joshua\u2019s\tbark-brown\tface\tturned\teven\tdarker.\t\u2018Doesn\u2019t\tmake\tsense.\tEven\twe don\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tthis\tplace\twas.\u2019 \u2018A\thouse,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid.\t\u2018A\tbig\thouse\ton\tstilts.\tThese\tcisterns\t\u2026\tthey\twere support\tcolumns,\tgeothermal\tcooling,\twater\tsupply.\u2019 The\tdryads\tbristled\tall\tover\tagain.\tThey\tsaid\tnothing,\twaiting\tfor\tMeg\tto continue. She\tdrew\tin\ther\twet\tfeet,\tmaking\ther\tlook\teven\tmore\tlike\ta\tnervous\tsquirrel ready\tto\tspring\taway.\tI\tremembered\thow\tshe\u2019d\twanted\tto\tleave\there\tas\tsoon\tas we\tarrived,\thow\tshe\u2019d\twarned\tit\twasn\u2019t\tsafe.\tI\trecalled\tone\tline\tof\tthe\tprophecy we\thadn\u2019t\tyet\tdiscussed:\tDemeter\u2019s\tdaughter\tfinds\ther\tancient\troots. \u2018Meg,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\tas\tgently\tas\tI\tcould,\t\u2018how\tdo\tyou\tknow\tthis\tplace?\u2019 Her\texpression\tturned\ttense\tbut\tdefiant,\tas\tif\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhether\tto\tburst into\ttears\tor\tfight\tme. \u2018Because\tit\twas\tmy\thome,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018My\tdad\tbuilt\tAeithales.\u2019","11 No\ttouchy\tthe\tgod\t Unless\tyour\tvisions\tare\tgood\t And\tyou\twash\tyour\thands You\tdon\u2019t\tdo\tthat. You\tdon\u2019t\tjust\tannounce\tthat\tyour\tdad\tbuilt\ta\tmysterious\thouse\ton\ta\tsacred spot\tfor\tdryads,\tthen\tget\tup\tand\tleave\twithout\tan\texplanation. So,\tof\tcourse,\tthat\u2019s\twhat\tMeg\tdid. \u2018See\tyou\tin\tthe\tmorning,\u2019\tshe\tannounced\tto\tno\tone\tin\tparticular. She\ttrudged\tup\tthe\tramp,\tstill\tbarefoot\tdespite\ttraipsing\tpast\ttwenty\tdifferent species\tof\tcactus,\tand\tslipped\tinto\tthe\tdark. Grover\tlooked\taround\tat\this\tassembled\tcomrades.\t\u2018Um,\twell,\tgood\tmeeting, everybody.\u2019 He\tpromptly\tfell\tover,\tsnoring\tbefore\the\thit\tthe\tground. Aloe\tVera\tgave\tme\ta\tconcerned\tglance.\t\u2018Should\tI\tgo\tafter\tMeg?\tShe\tmight need\tmore\taloe\tgoo.\u2019 \u2018I\u2019ll\tcheck\ton\ther,\u2019\tI\tpromised. The\tnature\tspirits\tbegan\tcleaning\tup\ttheir\tdinner\ttrash\t(dryads\tare\tvery conscientious\tabout\tthat\tsort\tof\tthing),\twhile\tI\twent\tin\tsearch\tof\tMeg\tMcCaffrey. I\tfound\ther\tfive\tfeet\toff\tthe\tground,\tperched\ton\tthe\trim\tof\tthe\tfurthest\tbrick cylinder,\tfacing\tinward\tand\tstaring\tinto\tthe\tshaft\tbelow.\tJudging\tfrom\tthe\twarm strawberry\tfragrance\twafting\tfrom\tthe\tcracks\tin\tthe\tstone,\tI\tguessed\tthis\twas\tthe same\twell\twe\u2019d\tused\tto\texit\tthe\tLabyrinth. \u2018You\u2019re\tmaking\tme\tnervous,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Would\tyou\tcome\tdown?\u2019 \u2018No,\u2019\tshe\tsaid. \u2018Of\tcourse\tnot,\u2019\tI\tmuttered.","I\tclimbed\tup,\tdespite\tthe\tfact\tthat\tscaling\twalls\treally\twasn\u2019t\tin\tmy\tskill\tset. (Oh,\twho\tam\tI\tkidding?\tIn\tmy\tpresent\tstate,\tI\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ta\tskill\tset.) I\tjoined\tMeg\ton\tthe\tedge,\tdangling\tmy\tfeet\tover\tthe\tabyss\tfrom\twhich\twe\u2019d escaped\t\u2026\tHad\tit\treally\tbeen\tonly\tthis\tmorning?\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\tthe\tnet\tof strawberry\tplants\tbelow\tin\tthe\tshadows,\tbut\ttheir\tsmell\twas\tpowerful\tand\texotic in\tthe\tdesert\tsetting.\tStrange\thow\ta\tcommon\tthing\tcan\tbecome\tuncommon\tin\ta new\tenvironment.\tOr,\tin\tmy\tcase,\thow\tan\tuncommonly\tamazing\tgod\tcan become\tso\tvery\tcommon. The\tnight\tsapped\tthe\tcolour\tfrom\tMeg\u2019s\tclothes,\tmaking\ther\tlook\tlike\ta greyscale\ttraffic\tlight.\tHer\trunny\tnose\tglistened.\tBehind\tthe\tgrimy\tlenses\tof\ther glasses,\ther\teyes\twere\twet.\tShe\ttwisted\tone\tgold\tring,\tthen\tthe\tother,\tas\tif adjusting\tknobs\ton\tan\told-fashioned\tradio. We\u2019d\thad\ta\tlong\tday.\tThe\tsilence\tbetween\tus\tfelt\tcomfortable,\tand\tI\twasn\u2019t sure\tI\tcould\ttolerate\tany\tfurther\tscary\tinformation\tabout\tour\tHoosier\tprophecy. On\tthe\tother\thand,\tI\tneeded\texplanations.\tBefore\tI\twent\tto\tsleep\tin\tthis\tplace again,\tI\twanted\tto\tknow\thow\tsafe\tor\tunsafe\tit\twas,\tand\twhether\tI\tmight\twake\tup with\ta\ttalking\thorse\tin\tmy\tface. My\tnerves\twere\tshot.\tI\tconsidered\tthrottling\tmy\tyoung\tmaster\tand\tyelling, TELL\tME\tNOW!,\tbut\tI\tdecided\tthat\tmight\tnot\tbe\tsensitive\tto\ther\tfeelings. \u2018Would\tyou\tlike\tto\ttalk\tabout\tit?\u2019\tI\tasked\tgently. \u2018No.\u2019 Not\ta\thuge\tsurprise.\tEven\tunder\tthe\tbest\tof\tcircumstances,\tMeg\tand conversation\twere\tawkward\tacquaintances. \u2018If\tAeithales\tis\tthe\tplace\tmentioned\tin\tthe\tprophecy,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018your\tancient roots,\tthen\tit\tmight\tbe\timportant\tto\tknow\tabout\tit\tso\t\u2026\twe\tcan\tstay\talive?\u2019 Meg\tlooked\tover.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\torder\tme\tto\tleap\tinto\tthe\tstrawberry\tpit,\tor\teven to\tshut\tup.\tInstead,\tshe\tsaid,\t\u2018Here,\u2019\tand\tgrabbed\tmy\twrist. I\thad\tbecome\tused\tto\twaking\tvisions\t\u2013\tbeing\tyanked\tbackwards\tdown memory\tlane\twhenever\tgodly\texperiences\toverloaded\tmy\tmortal\tneurons.\tThis was\tdifferent.\tRather\tthan\tmy\town\tpast,\tI\tfound\tmyself\tplunged\tinto\tMeg McCaffrey\u2019s,\tseeing\ther\tmemories\tfrom\ther\tpoint\tof\tview. I\tstood\tin\tone\tof\tthe\tgreenhouses\tbefore\tthe\tplants\tgrew\twild.\tWell-ordered rows\tof\tnew\tcactus\tpups\tlined\tthe\tmetal\tshelves,\teach\tclay\tpot\tfitted\twith\ta digital\tthermometer\tand\tmoisture\tgauge.\tMisting\thoses\tand\tgrow\tlights\thovered overhead.\tThe\tair\twas\twarm,\tbut\tpleasantly\tso,\tand\tsmelled\tof\tfreshly\tturned earth. Wet\tgravel\tcrunched\tunder\tmy\tfeet\tas\tI\tfollowed\tmy\tfather\ton\this\trounds\t\u2013 Meg\u2019s\tfather,\tI\tmean.","From\tmy\tvantage\tpoint\tas\ta\ttiny\tgirl,\tI\tsaw\thim\tsmiling\tdown\tat\tme.\tAs Apollo\tI\u2019d\tmet\thim\tbefore\tin\tother\tvisions\t\u2013\ta\tmiddle-aged\tman\twith\tdark\tcurly hair\tand\ta\tbroad,\tfreckled\tnose.\tI\u2019d\twitnessed\thim\tin\tNew\tYork,\tgiving\tMeg\ta red\trose\tfrom\ther\tmother,\tDemeter.\tI\u2019d\talso\tseen\this\tdead\tbody\tsplayed\ton\tthe steps\tof\tGrand\tCentral\tStation,\this\tchest\ta\truin\tof\tknife\tor\tclaw\tmarks,\ton\tthe day\tNero\tbecame\tMeg\u2019s\tstepfather. In\tthis\tmemory\tof\tthe\tgreenhouse,\tMr\tMcCaffrey\tdidn\u2019t\tlook\tmuch\tyounger than\tin\tthose\tother\tvisions.\tThe\temotions\tI\tsensed\tfrom\tMeg\ttold\tme\tshe\twas about\tfive\tyears\told,\tthe\tsame\tage\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\twhen\tshe\tand\ther\tfather\twound\tup in\tNew\tYork.\tBut\tMr\tMcCaffrey\tlooked\tso\tmuch\thappier\tin\tthis\tscene,\tso\tmuch more\tat\tease.\tAs\tMeg\tgazed\tinto\ther\tfather\u2019s\tface,\tI\twas\toverwhelmed\tby\ther pure\tjoy\tand\tcontentment.\tShe\twas\twith\tDaddy.\tLife\twas\twonderful. Mr\tMcCaffrey\u2019s\tgreen\teyes\tsparkled.\tHe\tpicked\tup\ta\tpotted\tcactus\tpup\tand knelt\tto\tshow\tMeg.\t\u2018I\tcall\tthis\tone\tHercules,\u2019\the\tsaid,\t\u2018because\the\tcan\twithstand anything!\u2019 He\tflexed\this\tarm\tand\tsaid,\t\u2018GRRRR!\u2019\twhich\tsent\tlittle\tMeg\tinto\ta\tfit\tof giggles. \u2018Er-klees!\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018Show\tme\tmore\tplants!\u2019 Mr\tMcCaffrey\tset\tHercules\tback\ton\tthe\tshelf,\tthen\theld\tup\tone\tfinger\tlike\ta magician:\tWatch\tthis!\tHe\tdug\tinto\tthe\tpocket\tof\this\tdenim\tshirt\tand\tpresented his\tcupped\tfist\tto\tMeg. \u2018Try\tto\topen\tit,\u2019\the\tsaid. Meg\tpulled\tat\this\tfingers.\t\u2018I\tcan\u2019t!\u2019 \u2018You\tcan.\tYou\u2019re\tvery\tstrong.\tTry\treally\thard!\u2019 \u2018GRRR!\u2019\tsaid\tlittle\tMeg.\tThis\ttime\tshe\tmanaged\tto\topen\this\thand,\trevealing seven\thexagonal\tseeds,\teach\tthe\tsize\tof\ta\tnickel.\tInside\ttheir\tthick\tgreen\tskins, the\tseeds\tglowed\tfaintly,\tmaking\tthem\tlook\tlike\ta\tfleet\tof\ttiny\tUFOs. \u2018Ooh,\u2019\tsaid\tMeg.\t\u2018Can\tI\teat\tthem?\u2019 Her\tfather\tlaughed.\t\u2018No,\tsweetheart.\tThese\tare\tvery\tspecial\tseeds.\tOur\tfamily has\tbeen\ttrying\tto\tproduce\tseeds\tlike\tthis\tfor\t\u2013\u2019\the\twhistled\tsoftly\t\u2013\t\u2018a\tlong\ttime. And\twhen\twe\tplant\tthem\t\u2026\u2019 \u2018What?\u2019\tMeg\tasked\tbreathlessly. \u2018They\twill\tbe\tvery\tspecial,\u2019\ther\tdad\tpromised.\t\u2018Even\tstronger\tthan\tHercules!\u2019 \u2018Plant\tthem\tnow!\u2019 Her\tfather\truffled\ther\thair.\t\u2018Not\tyet,\tMeg.\tThey\u2019re\tnot\tready.\tBut\twhen\tit\u2019s time\tI\u2019ll\tneed\tyour\thelp.\tWe\u2019ll\tplant\tthem\ttogether.\tWill\tyou\tpromise\tto\thelp me?\u2019 \u2018I\tpromise,\u2019\tshe\tsaid,\twith\tall\tthe\tsolemnity\tof\ther\tfive-year-old\theart.","The\tscene\tshifted.\tMeg\tpadded\tbarefoot\tinto\tthe\tbeautiful\tliving\troom\tof Aeithales,\twhere\ther\tfather\tstood\tfacing\ta\twall\tof\tcurved\tglass,\toverlooking\tthe night-time\tcity\tlights\tof\tPalm\tSprings.\tHe\twas\ttalking\ton\tthe\tphone,\this\tback\tto Meg.\tShe\twas\tsupposed\tto\tbe\tasleep,\tbut\tsomething\thad\twoken\ther\t\u2013\tmaybe\ta bad\tdream,\tmaybe\tthe\tsense\tthat\tDaddy\twas\tupset. \u2018No,\tI\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand,\u2019\the\twas\tsaying\tinto\tthe\tphone.\t\u2018You\thave\tno\tright. This\tproperty\tisn\u2019t\t\u2026\tYes,\tbut\tmy\tresearch\tcan\u2019t\t\u2026\tThat\u2019s\timpossible!\u2019 Meg\tcrept\tforward.\tShe\tloved\tbeing\tin\tthe\tliving\troom.\tNot\tjust\tfor\tthe\tpretty view\tbut\tfor\tthe\tway\tthe\tpolished\thardwood\tfelt\tagainst\ther\tbare\tfeet\t\u2013\tsmooth and\tcool\tand\tsilky,\tlike\tshe\twas\tgliding\tacross\ta\tliving\tsheet\tof\tice.\tShe\tloved\tthe plants\tDaddy\tkept\ton\tthe\tshelves\tand\tin\tgiant\tpots\tall\taround\tthe\troom\t\u2013\tcacti blooming\tin\tdozens\tof\tcolours,\tJoshua\ttrees\tthat\tformed\tliving\tcolumns,\tholding up\tthe\troof,\tgrowing\tinto\tthe\tceiling\tand\tspreading\tacross\tit\tin\ta\tweb\tof\tfuzzy branches\tand\tgreen\tspiky\tclusters.\tMeg\twas\ttoo\tyoung\tto\tunderstand\tthat\tJoshua trees\tweren\u2019t\tsupposed\tto\tdo\tthat.\tIt\tseemed\tcompletely\treasonable\tto\ther\tthat vegetation\twould\tweave\ttogether\tto\thelp\tform\tthe\thouse. Meg\talso\tloved\tthe\tbig\tcircular\twell\tin\tthe\tcentre\tof\tthe\troom\t\u2013\tthe\tCistern, Daddy\tcalled\tit\t\u2013\trailed\toff\tfor\tsafety,\tbut\tso\twonderful\tfor\thow\tit\tcooled\tthe whole\thouse\tand\tmade\tthe\tplace\tfeel\tsafe\tand\tanchored.\tMeg\tloved\tto\trace\tdown the\tramp\tand\tdip\ther\tfeet\tin\tthe\tcool\twater\tof\tthe\tpool\tat\tthe\tbottom,\tthough Daddy\talways\tsaid,\tDon\u2019t\tsoak\ttoo\tlong!\tYou\tmight\tturn\tinto\ta\tplant! Most\tof\tall,\tshe\tloved\tthe\tbig\tdesk\twhere\tDaddy\tworked\t\u2013\tthe\ttrunk\tof\ta mesquite\ttree\tthat\tgrew\tstraight\tup\tthrough\tthe\tfloor\tand\tplunged\tback\tdown again,\tlike\tthe\tcoil\tof\ta\tsea\tserpent\tbreaching\tthe\twaves,\tleaving\tjust\tenough\tof an\tarc\tto\tform\tthe\tpiece\tof\tfurniture.\tThe\ttop\tof\tthe\ttrunk\twas\tsmooth\tand\tlevel, a\tperfect\twork\tsurface.\tTree\thollows\tprovided\tcubbyholes\tfor\tstorage.\tLeafy sprigs\tcurved\tup\tfrom\tthe\tdesktop,\tmaking\ta\tframe\tto\thold\tDaddy\u2019s\tcomputer monitor.\tMeg\thad\tonce\tasked\tif\the\u2019d\thurt\tthe\ttree\twhen\the\tcarved\tthe\tdesk\tout\tof it,\tbut\tDaddy\thad\tchuckled. \u2018No,\tsweetheart,\tI\twould\tnever\thurt\tthe\ttree.\tMesquite\toffered\tto\tshape\therself into\ta\tdesk\tfor\tme.\u2019 This,\ttoo,\tdid\tnot\tseem\tunusual\tto\tfive-year-old\tMeg\t\u2013\tcalling\ta\ttree\tshe, talking\tto\tit\tthe\tway\tyou\twould\tspeak\tto\ta\tperson. Tonight,\tthough,\tMeg\tdidn\u2019t\tfeel\tso\tcomfortable\tin\tthe\tliving\troom.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t like\tthe\tway\tDaddy\u2019s\tvoice\twas\tshaking.\tShe\treached\this\tdesk\tand\tfound, instead\tof\tthe\tusual\tseed\tpackets\tand\tdrawings\tand\tflowers,\ta\tstack\tof\tmail\t\u2013 typed\tletters,\tthick\tstapled\tdocuments,\tenvelopes\t\u2013\tall\tin\tdandelion\tyellow. Meg\tcouldn\u2019t\tread,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\tthose\tletters.\tThey\tlooked\timportant and\tbossy\tand\tangry.\tThe\tcolour\thurt\ther\teyes.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tas\tnice\tas\treal","dandelions. \u2018You\tdon\u2019t\tunderstand,\u2019\tDaddy\tsaid\tinto\tthe\tphone.\t\u2018This\tis\tmore\tthan\tmy life\u2019s\twork.\tIt\u2019s\tcenturies.\tThousands\tof\tyears\u2019\twork\t\u2026\tI\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tif\tthat sounds\tcrazy.\tYou\tcan\u2019t\tjust\t\u2013\u2019 He\tturned\tand\tfroze,\tseeing\tMeg\tat\this\tdesk.\tA\tspasm\tcrossed\this\tface\t\u2013\this expression\tshifting\tfrom\tanger\tto\tfear\tto\tconcern,\tthen\tsettling\tinto\ta\tforced cheerfulness.\tHe\tslipped\this\tphone\tinto\this\tpocket. \u2018Hey,\tsweetheart,\u2019\the\tsaid,\this\tvoice\tstretched\tthin.\t\u2018Couldn\u2019t\tsleep,\thuh? Yeah,\tme\tneither.\u2019 He\twalked\tto\tthe\tdesk,\tswept\tthe\tdandelion-yellow\tpapers\tinto\ta\ttree\thollow and\toffered\tMeg\this\thand.\t\u2018Want\tto\tcheck\tthe\tgreenhouses?\u2019 The\tscene\tchanged\tagain. A\tjumbled,\tfragmentary\tmemory:\tMeg\twas\twearing\ther\tfavourite\toutfit,\ta green\tdress\tand\tyellow\tleggings.\tShe\tliked\tit\tbecause\tDaddy\tsaid\tit\tmade\ther look\tlike\tone\tof\ttheir\tgreenhouse\tfriends\t\u2013\ta\tbeautiful,\tgrowing\tthing.\tShe stumbled\tdown\tthe\tdriveway\tin\tthe\tdark,\tfollowing\tDaddy,\ther\tbackpack\tstuffed with\ther\tfavourite\tblanket\tbecause\tDaddy\tsaid\tthey\thad\tto\thurry.\tThey\tcould only\ttake\twhat\tthey\tcould\tcarry. They\twere\thalfway\tto\tthe\tcar\twhen\tMeg\tstopped,\tnoticing\tthat\tthe\tlights\twere on\tin\tthe\tgreenhouses. \u2018Meg,\u2019\ther\tfather\tsaid,\this\tvoice\tas\tbroken\tas\tthe\tgravel\tunder\ttheir\tfeet. \u2018Come\ton,\tsweetheart.\u2019 \u2018But\tEr-klees,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018And\tthe\tothers.\u2019 \u2018We\tcan\u2019t\tbring\tthem,\u2019\tDaddy\tsaid,\tswallowing\tback\ta\tsob. Meg\thad\tnever\theard\ther\tfather\tcry\tbefore.\tIt\tmade\ther\tfeel\tlike\tthe\tearth\twas dropping\tout\tfrom\tunderneath\ther. \u2018The\tmagic\tseeds?\u2019\tshe\tasked.\t\u2018We\tcan\tplant\tthem\t\u2013\twhere\twe\u2019re\tgoing?\u2019 The\tidea\tof\tgoing\tsomewhere\telse\tseemed\timpossible,\tscary.\tShe\u2019d\tnever known\tany\thome\tbut\tAeithales. \u2018We\tcan\u2019t,\tMeg.\u2019\tDaddy\tsounded\tlike\the\tcould\tbarely\ttalk.\t\u2018They\thave\tto\tgrow here.\tAnd\tnow\t\u2026\u2019 He\tlooked\tback\tat\tthe\thouse,\tfloating\ton\tits\tmassive\tstone\tsupports,\tits windows\tablaze\twith\tgold\tlight.\tBut\tsomething\twas\twrong.\tDark\tshapes\tmoved across\tthe\thillside\t\u2013\tmen,\tor\tsomething\tlike\tmen,\tdressed\tin\tblack,\tencircling\tthe property.\tAnd\tmore\tdark\tshapes\tswirling\toverhead,\twings\tblotting\tout\tthe\tstars. Daddy\tgrabbed\ther\thand.\t\u2018No\ttime,\tsweetheart.\tWe\thave\tto\tleave.\tNow.\u2019 Meg\u2019s\tlast\tmemory\tof\tAeithales:\tshe\tsat\tin\tthe\tback\tof\ther\tfather\u2019s\tstation wagon,\ther\tface\tand\thands\tpressed\tagainst\tthe\trear\twindow,\ttrying\tto\tkeep\tthe","lights\tof\tthe\thouse\tin\tview\tfor\tas\tlong\tas\tpossible.\tThey\u2019d\tdriven\tonly\thalfway down\tthe\thill\twhen\ttheir\thome\terupted\tin\ta\tblossom\tof\tfire. I\tgasped,\tmy\tsenses\tsuddenly\tyanked\tback\tto\tthe\tpresent.\tMeg\tremoved\ther hand\tfrom\tmy\twrist. I\tstared\tat\ther\tin\tamazement,\tmy\tsense\tof\treality\twobbling\tso\tmuch\tI\twas afraid\tI\tmight\tfall\tinto\tthe\tstrawberry\tpit.\t\u2018Meg,\thow\tdid\tyou\t\u2026?\u2019 She\tpicked\tat\ta\tcallus\ton\ther\tpalm.\t\u2018Dunno.\tJust\tneeded\tto.\u2019 Such\ta\tvery\tMeg\tanswer.\tStill,\tthe\tmemories\thad\tbeen\tso\tpainful\tand\tvivid they\tmade\tmy\tchest\thurt,\tas\tif\tI\u2019d\tbeen\thit\twith\ta\tdefibrillator. How\thad\tMeg\tshared\ther\tpast\twith\tme?\tI\tknew\tsatyrs\tcould\tcreate\tan\tempathy link\twith\ttheir\tclosest\tfriends.\tGrover\tUnderwood\thad\tone\twith\tPercy\tJackson, which\the\tsaid\texplained\twhy\the\tsometimes\tgot\tan\tinexplicable\tcraving\tfor blueberry\tpancakes.\tDid\tMeg\thave\ta\tsimilar\ttalent,\tperhaps\tbecause\twe\twere linked\tas\tmaster\tand\tservant? I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow. I\tdid\tknow\tthat\tMeg\twas\thurting,\tmuch\tmore\tthan\tshe\texpressed.\tThe tragedies\tof\ther\tshort\tlife\thad\tstarted\tbefore\ther\tfather\u2019s\tdeath.\tThey\thad\tstarted here.\tThese\truins\twere\tall\tthat\tremained\tof\ta\tlife\tthat\tcould\thave\tbeen. I\twanted\tto\thug\ther.\tAnd,\tbelieve\tme,\tthat\twas\tnot\ta\tfeeling\tI\thad\toften.\tIt\twas liable\tto\tresult\tin\tan\telbow\tto\tmy\tribcage\tor\ta\tsword\thilt\tto\tmy\tnose. \u2018Did\tyou\t\u2026?\u2019\tI\tfaltered.\t\u2018Did\tyou\thave\tthese\tmemories\tall\talong?\tDo\tyou know\twhat\tyour\tfather\twas\ttrying\tto\tdo\there?\u2019 A\tlistless\tshrug.\tShe\tgrabbed\ta\thandful\tof\tdust\tand\ttrickled\tit\tinto\tthe\tpit\tas\tif sowing\tseeds. \u2018Phillip,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid,\tas\tif\tthe\tname\thad\tjust\toccurred\tto\ther.\t\u2018My\tdad\u2019s\tname was\tPhillip\tMcCaffrey.\u2019 The\tname\tmade\tme\tthink\tof\tthe\tMacedonian\tking,\tfather\tof\tAlexander.\tA good\tfighter,\tbut\tno\tfun\tat\tall.\tNever\tany\tinterest\tin\tmusic\tor\tpoetry\tor\teven archery.\tWith\tPhilip\tit\twas\tall\tphalanxes,\tall\tthe\ttime.\tBoring. \u2018Phillip\tMcCaffrey\twas\ta\tvery\tgood\tfather,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\ttrying\tto\tkeep\tthe\tbitterness out\tof\tmy\tvoice.\tI\tmyself\tdid\tnot\thave\tmuch\texperience\twith\tgood\tfathers. \u2018He\tsmelled\tlike\tmulch,\u2019\tMeg\tremembered.\t\u2018In\ta\tgood\tway.\u2019 I\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tthe\tdifference\tbetween\ta\tgood\tmulch\tsmell\tand\ta\tbad\tmulch smell,\tbut\tI\tnodded\trespectfully. I\tgazed\tat\tthe\trow\tof\tgreenhouses\t\u2013\ttheir\tsilhouettes\tbarely\tvisible\tagainst\tthe red-black\tnight\tsky.\tPhillip\tMcCaffrey\thad\tobviously\tbeen\ta\ttalented\tman. Perhaps\ta\tbotanist?\tDefinitely\ta\tmortal\tfavoured\tby\tthe\tgoddess\tDemeter.\tHow else\tcould\the\thave\tcreated\ta\thouse\tlike\tAeithales,\tin\ta\tplace\twith\tsuch\tnatural","power?\tWhat\thad\the\tbeen\tworking\ton,\tand\twhat\thad\the\tmeant\twhen\the\tsaid\this family\thad\tbeen\tdoing\tthe\tsame\tresearch\tfor\tthousands\tof\tyears?\tHumans\trarely thought\tin\tterms\tof\tmillennia.\tThey\twere\tlucky\tif\tthey\teven\tknew\tthe\tnames\tof their\tgreat-grandparents. Most\timportant,\twhat\thad\thappened\tto\tAeithales,\tand\twhy?\tWho\thad\tdriven the\tMcCaffreys\tfrom\ttheir\thome\tand\tforced\tthem\teast\tto\tNew\tYork?\tThat\tlast question,\tunfortunately,\twas\tthe\tonly\tone\tI\tfelt\tI\tcould\tanswer. \u2018Caligula\tdid\tthis,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\tgesturing\tat\tthe\truined\tcylinders\ton\tthe\thillside. \u2018That\u2019s\twhat\tIncitatus\tmeant\twhen\the\tsaid\tthe\temperor\ttook\tcare\tof\tthis\tplace.\u2019 Meg\tturned\ttowards\tme,\ther\tface\tlike\tstone.\t\u2018We\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tfind\tout. Tomorrow.\tYou,\tme,\tGrover.\tWe\u2019ll\tfind\tthese\tpeople,\tPiper\tand\tJason.\u2019 Arrows\trattled\tin\tmy\tquiver,\tbut\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\tsure\tif\tit\twas\tthe\tArrow\tof Dodona\tbuzzing\tfor\tattention,\tor\tmy\town\tbody\ttrembling.\t\u2018And\tif\tPiper\tand Jason\tdon\u2019t\tknow\tanything\thelpful?\u2019 Meg\tbrushed\tthe\tdust\tfrom\ther\thands.\t\u2018They\u2019re\tpart\tof\tthe\tseven,\tright?\tPercy Jackson\u2019s\tfriends?\u2019 \u2018Well\t\u2026\tyes.\u2019 \u2018Then\tthey\u2019ll\tknow.\tThey\u2019ll\thelp.\tWe\u2019ll\tfind\tCaligula.\tWe\u2019ll\texplore\tthis\tmazy place\tand\tfree\tthe\tSibyl\tand\tstop\tthe\tfires\tand\twhatever.\u2019 I\tadmired\ther\tability\tto\tsummarize\tour\tquest\tin\tsuch\teloquent\tterms. On\tthe\tother\thand,\tI\twas\tnot\texcited\tabout\texploring\tthe\tmazy\tplace,\teven\tif we\thad\tthe\thelp\tof\ttwo\tmore\tpowerful\tdemigods.\tAncient\tRome\thad\thad powerful\tdemigods\ttoo.\tMany\tof\tthem\ttried\tto\toverthrow\tCaligula.\tAll\tof\tthem had\tdied. I\tkept\tcoming\tback\tto\tmy\tvision\tof\tthe\tSibyl,\tapologizing\tfor\ther\tterrible news.\tSince\twhen\tdid\tan\tOracle\tapologize? I\twould\tspare\tyou\tif\tI\tcould.\tI\twould\tspare\ther. The\tSibyl\thad\tinsisted\tI\tcome\tto\ther\trescue.\tOnly\tI\tcould\tfree\ther,\tthough\tit was\ta\ttrap. I\tnever\tliked\ttraps.\tThey\treminded\tme\tof\tmy\told\tcrush\tBritomartis.\tUgh,\tthe number\tof\tBurmese\ttiger\tpits\tI\u2019d\tfallen\tinto\tfor\tthe\tsake\tof\tthat\tgoddess. Meg\tswung\ther\tlegs\tround.\t\u2018I\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tsleep.\tYou\tshould\ttoo.\u2019 She\thopped\toff\tthe\twall\tand\tpicked\ther\tway\tacross\tthe\thillside,\theading\tback towards\tthe\tCistern.\tSince\tshe\thad\tnot\tactually\tordered\tme\tto\tgo\tto\tsleep,\tI stayed\ton\tthe\tledge\tfor\ta\tlong\ttime,\tstaring\tdown\tinto\tthe\tstrawberry-clogged chasm\tbelow,\tlistening\tfor\tthe\tfluttering\twings\tof\till\tomen.","12 O,\tPinto,\tPinto!\t Wherefore\tart\tthou\tpuke\tyellow?\t I\u2019ll\thide\tin\tthe\tback Gods\tof\tOlympus,\thad\tI\tnot\tsuffered\tenough? Driving\tfrom\tPalm\tSprings\tto\tMalibu\twith\tMeg\tand\tGrover\twould\thave\tbeen bad\tenough.\tSkirting\twildfire\tevacuation\tzones\tand\tthe\tLA\tmorning\trush\thour made\tit\tworse.\tBut\tdid\twe\thave\tto\tmake\tthe\tjourney\tin\tGleeson\tHedge\u2019s mustard-coloured\t1979\tFord\tPinto\tcoup\u00e9? \u2018Are\tyou\tkidding?\u2019\tI\tasked\twhen\tI\tfound\tmy\tfriends\twaiting\twith\tGleeson\tat the\tcar.\t\u2018Don\u2019t\tany\tof\tthe\tcacti\town\ta\tbetter\t\u2013\tI\tmean,\tanother\tvehicle?\u2019 Coach\tHedge\tglowered.\t\u2018Hey,\tbuddy,\tyou\tshould\tbe\tgrateful.\tThis\tis\ta\tclassic! Belonged\tto\tmy\tgranddaddy\tgoat.\tI\u2019ve\tkept\tit\tin\tgreat\tshape,\tso\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tguys dare\twreck\tit.\u2019 I\tthought\tabout\tmy\tmost\trecent\texperiences\twith\tcars:\tthe\tsun\tchariot\tcrashing nose-first\tinto\tthe\tlake\tat\tCamp\tHalf-Blood;\tPercy\tJackson\u2019s\tPrius\tgetting wedged\tbetween\ttwo\tpeach\ttrees\tin\ta\tLong\tIsland\torchard;\ta\tstolen\tMercedes swerving\tthrough\tthe\tstreets\tof\tIndianapolis,\tdriven\tby\ta\ttrio\tof\tdemon\tfruit spirits. \u2018We\u2019ll\ttake\tgood\tcare\tof\tit,\u2019\tI\tpromised. Coach\tHedge\tconferred\twith\tGrover,\tmaking\tsure\the\tknew\thow\tto\tfind\tthe McLean\thouse\tin\tMalibu. \u2018The\tMcLeans\tshould\tstill\tbe\tthere,\u2019\tHedge\tmused.\t\u2018At\tleast,\tI\thope\tso.\u2019 \u2018What\tdo\tyou\tmean?\u2019\tGrover\tasked.\t\u2018Why\twould\tthey\tnot\tbe\tthere?\u2019 Hedge\tcoughed.\t\u2018Anyway,\tgood\tluck!\tGive\tPiper\tmy\tbest\tif\tyou\tsee\ther.\tPoor kid\t\u2026\u2019","He\tturned\tand\ttrotted\tback\tup\tthe\thill. The\tinside\tof\tthe\tPinto\tsmelled\tlike\thot\tpolyester\tand\tpatchouli,\twhich brought\tback\tbad\tmemories\tof\tdisco-dancing\twith\tTravolta.\t(Fun\tfact:\tin\tItalian, his\tsurname\tmeans\toverwhelmed,\twhich\tperfectly\tdescribes\twhat\this\tcologne does.) Grover\ttook\tthe\twheel,\tsince\tGleeson\ttrusted\tonly\thim\twith\tthe\tkeys.\t(Rude.) Meg\trode\tshotgun,\ther\tred\tsneakers\tpropped\ton\tthe\tdashboard\tas\tshe\tamused herself\tby\tgrowing\tbougainvillea\tvines\taround\ther\tankles.\tShe\tseemed\tin\tgood spirits,\tconsidering\tlast\tnight\u2019s\tshare\tsession\tof\tchildhood\ttragedy.\tThat\tmade one\tof\tus.\tI\tcould\tbarely\tthink\tabout\tthe\tlosses\tshe\u2019d\tsuffered\twithout\tblinking back\ttears. Luckily,\tI\thad\tlots\tof\troom\tto\tcry\tin\tprivacy,\tsince\tI\twas\tstuck\tin\tthe\tback\tseat. We\tstarted\twest\ton\tInterstate\t10.\tAs\twe\tpassed\tby\tMoreno\tValley,\tit\ttook\tme\ta while\tto\trealize\twhat\twas\twrong:\trather\tthan\tslowly\tchanging\tto\tgreen,\tthe landscape\tremained\tbrown,\tthe\ttemperature\toppressive,\tand\tthe\tair\tdry\tand\tsour, as\tif\tthe\tMojave\tDesert\thad\tforgotten\tits\tboundaries\tand\tspread\tall\tthe\tway\tto Riverside.\tTo\tthe\tnorth,\tthe\tsky\twas\ta\tsoupy\thaze,\tlike\tthe\tentire\tSan\tBernardino Forest\twas\ton\tfire. By\tthe\ttime\twe\treached\tPomona\tand\thit\tbumper-to-bumper\ttraffic,\tour\tPinto was\tshuddering\tand\twheezing\tlike\ta\twarthog\twith\theatstroke. Grover\tglanced\tin\tthe\trear-view\tmirror\tat\ta\tBMW\triding\tour\ttail. \u2018Don\u2019t\tPintos\texplode\tif\tthey\u2019re\thit\tfrom\tbehind?\u2019\the\tasked. \u2018Only\tsometimes,\u2019\tI\tsaid. Back\tin\tmy\tsun-chariot\tdays,\triding\ta\tvehicle\tthat\tburst\tinto\tflames\twas\tnever something\tthat\tbothered\tme,\tbut\tafter\tGrover\tbrought\tit\tup\tI\tkept\tlooking\tbehind me,\tmentally\twilling\tthe\tBMW\tto\tback\toff. I\twas\tin\tdesperate\tneed\tof\tbreakfast\t\u2013\tnot\tjust\tcold\tleftovers\tfrom\tlast\tnight\u2019s enchilada\trun.\tI\twould\u2019ve\tsmote\ta\tGreek\tcity\tfor\ta\tgood\tcup\tof\tcoffee\tand perhaps\ta\tnice\tlong\tdrive\tin\tthe\topposite\tdirection\tfrom\twhere\twe\twere\tgoing. My\tmind\tbegan\tto\tdrift.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tif\tI\twas\thaving\tactual\twaking\tdreams, shaken\tloose\tby\tmy\tvisions\tthe\tday\tbefore,\tor\tif\tmy\tconsciousness\twas\ttrying\tto escape\tthe\tback\tseat\tof\tthe\tPinto,\tbut\tI\tfound\tmyself\treliving\tmemories\tof\tthe Erythraean\tSibyl. I\tremembered\ther\tname\tnow:\tHerophile,\tfriend\tof\theroes. I\tsaw\ther\thomeland,\tthe\tBay\tof\tErythrae,\ton\tthe\tcoast\tof\twhat\twould\tsome day\tbe\tTurkey.\tA\tcrescent\tof\twindswept\tgolden\thills,\tstudded\twith\tconifers, undulated\tdown\tto\tthe\tcold\tblue\twaters\tof\tthe\tAegean.\tIn\ta\tsmall\tglen\tnear\tthe mouth\tof\ta\tcave,\ta\tshepherd\tin\thomespun\twool\tknelt\tbeside\this\twife,\tthe\tnaiad of\ta\tnearby\tspring,\tas\tshe\tgave\tbirth\tto\ttheir\tchild.\tI\twill\tspare\tyou\tthe\tdetails,","except\tfor\tthis:\tas\tthe\tmother\tscreamed\tin\ther\tfinal\tpush,\tthe\tchild\temerged\tfrom the\twomb\tnot\tcrying\tbut\tsinging\t\u2013\ther\tbeautiful\tvoice\tfilling\tthe\tair\twith\tthe sound\tof\tprophecies. As\tyou\tcan\timagine,\tthat\tgot\tmy\tattention.\tFrom\tthat\tmoment\ton,\tthe\tgirl\twas sacred\tto\tApollo.\tI\tblessed\ther\tas\tone\tof\tmy\tOracles. I\tremembered\tHerophile\tas\ta\tyoung\twoman\twandering\tthe\tMediterranean\tto share\ther\twisdom.\tShe\tsang\tto\tanyone\twho\twould\tlisten\t\u2013\tkings,\theroes,\tpriests of\tmy\ttemples.\tAll\tstruggled\tto\ttranscribe\ther\tprophetic\tlyrics.\tImagine\thaving\tto commit\tthe\tentire\tsongbook\tof\tHamilton\tto\tmemory\tin\ta\tsingle\tsitting,\twithout the\tability\tto\trewind,\tand\tyou\tcan\tappreciate\ttheir\tproblem. Herophile\tsimply\thad\ttoo\tmuch\tgood\tadvice\tto\tshare.\tHer\tvoice\twas\tso enchanting\tit\twas\timpossible\tfor\tlisteners\tto\tcatch\tevery\tdetail.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t control\twhat\tshe\tsang\tor\twhen.\tShe\tnever\trepeated\therself.\tYou\tjust\thad\tto\tbe there. She\tpredicted\tthe\tfall\tof\tTroy.\tShe\tforesaw\tthe\trise\tof\tAlexander\tthe\tGreat. She\tadvised\tAeneas\ton\twhere\the\tshould\testablish\tthe\tcolony\tthat\twould\tone\tday become\tRome.\tBut\tdid\tthe\tRomans\tlisten\tto\tall\ther\tadvice,\tlike\tWatch\tout\tfor emperors,\tDon\u2019t\tgo\tcrazy\twith\tthe\tgladiator\tstuff\tor\tTogas\tare\tnot\ta\tgood\tfashion statement?\tNo.\tNo,\tthey\tdidn\u2019t. For\tnine\thundred\tyears,\tHerophile\troamed\tthe\tearth.\tShe\tdid\ther\tbest\tto\thelp, but,\tdespite\tmy\tblessings\tand\toccasional\tdeliveries\tof\tpick-me-up\tflower arrangements,\tshe\tbecame\tdiscouraged.\tEveryone\tshe\u2019d\tknown\tin\ther\tyouth\twas dead.\tShe\u2019d\tseen\tcivilizations\trise\tand\tfall.\tShe\u2019d\theard\ttoo\tmany\tpriests\tand heroes\tsay,\tWait,\twhat?\tCould\tyou\trepeat\tthat?\tLet\tme\tget\ta\tpencil. She\treturned\thome\tto\ther\tmother\u2019s\thillside\tin\tErythrae.\tThe\tspring\thad\tdried up\tcenturies\tbefore,\tand\twith\tit\ther\tmother\u2019s\tspirit,\tbut\tHerophile\tsettled\tin\tthe nearby\tcave.\tShe\thelped\tsupplicants\twhenever\tthey\tcame\tto\tseek\ther\twisdom, but\ther\tvoice\twas\tnever\tthe\tsame. Gone\twas\ther\tbeautiful\tsinging.\tWhether\tshe\u2019d\tlost\ther\tconfidence,\tor whether\tthe\tgift\tof\tprophecy\thad\tsimply\tchanged\tinto\ta\tdifferent\tsort\tof\tcurse,\tI couldn\u2019t\tbe\tsure.\tHerophile\tspoke\thaltingly,\tleaving\tout\timportant\twords\tthat\tthe listener\twould\thave\tto\tguess.\tSometimes\ther\tvoice\tfailed\taltogether.\tIn frustration,\tshe\tscribbled\tlines\ton\tdried\tleaves,\tleaving\tthem\tfor\tthe\tsupplicant\tto arrange\tin\tthe\tproper\torder\tto\tfind\tmeaning. The\tlast\ttime\tI\tsaw\tHerophile\t\u2026\tyes,\tthe\tyear\twas\t1509\tCE.\tI\u2019d\tcoaxed\ther\tout of\ther\tcave\tfor\tone\tlast\tvisit\tto\tRome,\twhere\tMichelangelo\twas\tpainting\ther portrait\ton\tthe\tceiling\tof\tthe\tSistine\tChapel.\tApparently,\tshe\twas\tbeing celebrated\tfor\tsome\tobscure\tprophecy\tlong\tago,\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tpredicted\tthe\tbirth of\tJesus\tthe\tNazarene.","\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tknow,\tMichael,\u2019\tHerophile\tsaid,\tsitting\tnext\tto\thim\ton\this\tscaffold, watching\thim\tpaint.\t\u2018It\u2019s\tbeautiful,\tbut\tmy\tarms\tare\tnot\tthat\t\u2026\u2019\tHer\tvoice\tseized up.\t\u2018Eight\tletters,\tstarts\twith\tM.\u2019 Michelangelo\ttapped\this\tpaintbrush\tto\this\tlips.\t\u2018Muscular?\u2019 Herophile\tnodded\tvigorously. \u2018I\tcan\tfix\tthat,\u2019\tMichelangelo\tpromised. Afterwards,\tHerophile\treturned\tto\ther\tcave\tfor\tgood.\tI\u2019ll\tadmit\tI\tlost\ttrack\tof her.\tI\tassumed\tshe\thad\tfaded\taway,\tlike\tso\tmany\tother\tancient\tOracles.\tYet\tnow here\tshe\twas,\tin\tSouthern\tCalifornia,\tat\tthe\tmercy\tof\tCaligula. I\treally\tshould\thave\tkept\tsending\tthose\tfloral\tarrangements. Now,\tall\tI\tcould\tdo\twas\ttry\tto\tmake\tup\tfor\tmy\tnegligence.\tHerophile\twas\tstill my\tOracle,\tas\tmuch\tas\tRachel\tDare\tat\tCamp\tHalf-Blood,\tor\tthe\tghost\tof\tpoor Trophonius\tin\tIndianapolis.\tWhether\tit\twas\ta\ttrap\tor\tnot,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tleave\ther\tin\ta chamber\tof\tlava,\tshackled\twith\tmolten\tmanacles.\tI\tbegan\tto\twonder\tif\tmaybe, just\tmaybe,\tZeus\thad\tbeen\tright\tto\tsend\tme\tto\tearth,\tto\tcorrect\tthe\twrongs\tI\thad allowed\tto\thappen. I\tquickly\tshoved\tthat\tthought\taside.\tNo.\tThis\tpunishment\twas\tentirely\tunfair. Still,\tugh.\tIs\tanything\tworse\tthan\trealizing\tyou\tmight\tagree\twith\tyour\tfather? Grover\tnavigated\taround\tthe\tnorthern\tedge\tof\tLos\tAngeles,\tthrough\ttraffic that\tmoved\talmost\tas\tslowly\tas\tAthena\u2019s\tbrainstorming\tprocess. I\tdon\u2019t\twish\tto\tbe\tunfair\tto\tSouthern\tCalifornia.\tWhen\tthe\tplace\twas\tnot\ton fire,\tor\ttrapped\tin\ta\tbrown\thaze\tof\tsmog,\tor\trumbling\twith\tearthquakes,\tor sliding\tinto\tthe\tsea,\tor\tchoked\twith\ttraffic,\tthere\twere\tthings\tI\tliked\tabout\tit:\tthe music\tscene,\tthe\tpalm\ttrees,\tthe\tbeaches,\tthe\tnice\tdays,\tthe\tpretty\tpeople.\tYet\tI understood\twhy\tHades\thad\tlocated\tthe\tmain\tentrance\tto\tthe\tUnderworld\there. Los\tAngeles\twas\ta\tmagnet\tfor\thuman\taspirations\t\u2013\tthe\tperfect\tplace\tfor\tmortals to\tgather,\tstarry-eyed\twith\tdreams\tof\tfame,\tthen\tfail,\tdie\tand\tcircle\tdown\tthe drain,\tflushed\tinto\toblivion. There,\tyou\tsee?\tI\tcan\tbe\ta\tbalanced\tobserver! Every\tso\toften\tI\tlooked\tskyward,\thoping\tto\tsee\tLeo\tValdez\tflying\toverhead\ton his\tbronze\tdragon,\tFestus.\tI\twanted\thim\tto\tbe\tcarrying\ta\tlarge\tbanner\tthat\tsaid EVERYTHING\u2019S\tCOOL!\tThe\tnew\tmoon\twasn\u2019t\tfor\ttwo\tmore\tdays,\ttrue,\tbut\tmaybe Leo\thad\tfinished\this\trescue\tmission\tearly!\tHe\tcould\tland\ton\tthe\thighway,\ttell\tus that\tCamp\tJupiter\thad\tbeen\tsaved\tfrom\twhatever\tthreat\thad\tfaced\tthem.\tThen\the could\task\tFestus\tto\tblowtorch\tthe\tcars\tin\tfront\tof\tus\tto\tspeed\tup\tour\ttravels. Alas,\tno\tbronze\tdragon\tcircled\tabove,\tthough\tit\twould\u2019ve\tbeen\thard\tto\tspot. The\tentire\tsky\twas\tbronze\tcoloured. \u2018So,\tGrover,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\tafter\ta\tfew\tdecades\ton\tthe\tPacific\tCoast\tHighway,\t\u2018have you\tever\tmet\tPiper\tor\tJason?\u2019","Grover\tshook\this\thead.\t\u2018Seems\tstrange,\tI\tknow.\tWe\u2019ve\tall\tbeen\tin\tSoCal\tfor so\tlong.\tBut\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tbusy\twith\tthe\tfires.\tJason\tand\tPiper\thave\tbeen\tquesting and\tgoing\tto\tschool\tand\twhatever.\tI\tjust\tnever\tgot\tthe\tchance.\tCoach\tsays they\u2019re\t\u2026\tnice.\u2019 I\tgot\tthe\tfeeling\the\u2019d\tbeen\tabout\tto\tsay\tsomething\tother\tthan\tnice. \u2018Is\tthere\ta\tproblem\twe\tshould\tknow\tabout?\u2019\tI\tasked. Grover\tdrummed\this\tfingers\ton\tthe\tsteering\twheel.\t\u2018Well\t\u2026\tthey\u2019ve\tbeen under\ta\tlot\tof\tstress.\tFirst,\tthey\twere\tlooking\tfor\tLeo\tValdez.\tThen\tthey\tdid\tsome other\tquests.\tThen\tthings\tstarted\tto\tgo\tbad\tfor\tMr\tMcLean.\u2019 Meg\tglanced\tup\tfrom\tbraiding\ta\tbougainvillea.\t\u2018Piper\u2019s\tdad?\u2019 Grover\tnodded.\t\u2018He\u2019s\ta\tfamous\tactor,\tyou\tknow.\tTristan\tMcLean?\u2019 A\tfrisson\tof\tpleasure\twent\tup\tmy\tback.\tI\tloved\tTristan\tMcLean\tin\tKing\tof Sparta.\tAnd\tJake\tSteel\t2:\tThe\tReturn\tof\tSteel.\tFor\ta\tmortal,\tthat\tman\thad\tendless abs. \u2018How\tdid\tthings\tgo\tbadly?\u2019\tI\tasked. \u2018You\tdon\u2019t\tread\tcelebrity\tnews,\u2019\tGrover\tguessed. Sad\tbut\ttrue.\tWith\tall\tmy\trunning\taround\tas\ta\tmortal,\tfreeing\tancient\tOracles and\tfighting\tRoman\tmegalomaniacs,\tI\u2019d\thad\tzero\ttime\tto\tkeep\tup\twith\tjuicy Hollywood\tgossip. \u2018Messy\tbreak-up?\u2019\tI\tspeculated.\t\u2018Paternity\tsuit?\tDid\the\tsay\tsomething\thorrible on\tTwitter?\u2019 \u2018Not\texactly,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid.\t\u2018Let\u2019s\tjust\t\u2026\tsee\thow\tthings\tare\tgoing\twhen\twe get\tthere.\tIt\tmight\tnot\tbe\tso\tbad.\u2019 He\tsaid\tthat\tin\tthe\tway\tpeople\tdo\twhen\tthey\texpect\tit\tto\tbe\texactly\tthat\tbad. By\tthe\ttime\twe\tmade\tit\tto\tMalibu,\tit\twas\tnearly\tlunchtime.\tMy\tstomach\twas turning\titself\tinside\tout\tfrom\thunger\tand\tcar\tsickness.\tMe,\twho\tused\tto\tspend\tall day\tcruising\tin\tthe\tsun\tMaserati,\tcar\tsick.\tI\tblamed\tGrover.\tHe\tdrove\twith\ta heavy\thoof. On\tthe\tbright\tside,\tour\tPinto\thad\tnot\texploded,\tand\twe\tfound\tthe\tMcLean house\twithout\tincident. Set\tback\tfrom\tthe\twinding\troad,\tthe\tmansion\tat\t12\tOro\tdel\tMar\tclung\tto\trocky cliffs\toverlooking\tthe\tPacific.\tFrom\tstreet\tlevel,\tthe\tonly\tvisible\tparts\twere\tthe white\tstucco\tsecurity\twalls,\tthe\twrought-iron\tgates\tand\tan\texpanse\tof\tred-clay- tiled\troofs. The\tplace\twould\thave\tradiated\ta\tsense\tof\tprivacy\tand\tZen\ttranquility\thad\tit not\tbeen\tfor\tthe\tmoving\ttrucks\tparked\toutside.\tThe\tgates\tstood\twide\topen. Troops\tof\tburly\tmen\twere\tcarting\taway\tsofas,\ttables\tand\tlarge\tworks\tof\tart. Pacing\tback\tand\tforth\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tdriveway,\tlooking\tbedraggled\tand stunned,\tas\tif\the\u2019d\tjust\twalked\taway\tfrom\ta\tcar\twreck,\twas\tTristan\tMcLean.","His\thair\twas\tlonger\tthan\tI\u2019d\tseen\tit\tin\tthe\tfilms.\tSilky\tblack\tlocks\tswept across\this\tshoulders.\tHe\u2019d\tput\ton\tweight,\tso\the\tno\tlonger\tresembled\tthe\tsleek killing\tmachine\the\u2019d\tbeen\tin\tKing\tof\tSparta.\tHis\twhite\tjeans\twere\tsmeared\twith soot.\tHis\tblack\tT-shirt\twas\ttorn\tat\tthe\tcollar.\tHis\tloafers\tlooked\tlike\ta\tpair\tof overbaked\tpotatoes. It\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tright,\ta\tcelebrity\tof\this\tcalibre\tjust\tstanding\tin\tfront\tof\this Malibu\thouse\twithout\tany\tguards\tor\tpersonal\tassistants\tor\tadoring\tfans\t\u2013\tnot even\ta\tmob\tof\tpaparazzi\tto\tsnap\tembarrassing\tpictures. \u2018What\u2019s\twrong\twith\thim?\u2019\tI\twondered. Meg\tsquinted\tthrough\tthe\twindshield.\t\u2018He\tlooks\tokay.\u2019 \u2018No,\u2019\tI\tinsisted.\t\u2018He\tlooks\t\u2026\taverage.\u2019 Grover\tturned\toff\tthe\tengine.\t\u2018Let\u2019s\tgo\tsay\thi.\u2019 Mr\tMcLean\tstopped\tpacing\twhen\the\tsaw\tus.\tHis\tdark\tbrown\teyes\tseemed unfocused.\t\u2018Are\tyou\tPiper\u2019s\tfriends?\u2019 I\tcouldn\u2019t\tfind\tmy\twords.\tI\tmade\ta\tgurgling\tsound\tI\thadn\u2019t\tproduced\tsince\tI first\tmet\tGrace\tKelly. \u2018Yes,\tsir,\u2019\tsaid\tGrover.\t\u2018Is\tshe\thome?\u2019 \u2018Home\t\u2026\u2019\tTristan\tMcLean\ttasted\tthe\tword.\tHe\tseemed\tto\tfind\tit\tbitter\tand without\tmeaning.\t\u2018Go\ton\tinside.\u2019\tHe\twaved\tvaguely\tdown\tthe\tdriveway.\t\u2018I\tthink she\u2019s\t\u2026\u2019\tHis\tvoice\ttrailed\toff\tas\the\twatched\ttwo\tmovers\tcarting\taway\ta\tlarge marble\tstatue\tof\ta\tcatfish.\t\u2018Go\tahead.\tDoesn\u2019t\tmatter.\u2019 I\twasn\u2019t\tsure\tif\the\twas\ttalking\tto\tus\tor\tto\tthe\tmovers,\tbut\this\tdefeated\ttone alarmed\tme\teven\tmore\tthan\this\tappearance. We\tmade\tour\tway\tthrough\ta\tcourtyard\tof\tsculpted\tgardens\tand\tsparkling fountains,\tthrough\ta\tdouble-wide\tentrance\twith\tpolished\toak\tdoors\tand\tinto\tthe house. Red-Saltillo-tiled\tfloors\tgleamed.\tCream-white\twalls\tretained\tpaler impressions\twhere\tpaintings\thad\trecently\thung.\tTo\tour\tright\tstretched\ta\tgourmet kitchen\tthat\teven\tEdesia,\tthe\tRoman\tgoddess\tof\tbanquets,\twould\thave\tadored. Before\tus\tspread\ta\tgreat\troom\twith\ta\tthirty-foot-high\tcedar-beamed\tceiling,\ta massive\tfireplace\tand\ta\twall\tof\tsliding\tglass\tdoors\tleading\tto\ta\tterrace\twith views\tof\tthe\tocean. Sadly,\tthe\troom\twas\ta\thollowed-out\tshell:\tno\tfurniture,\tno\tcarpets,\tno\tartwork \u2013\tjust\ta\tfew\tcables\tcurling\tfrom\tthe\twall\tand\ta\tbroom\tand\tdustpan\tleaning\tin\tone corner. A\troom\tso\timpressive\tshould\tnot\thave\tbeen\tempty.\tIt\tfelt\tlike\ta\ttemple without\tstatues,\tmusic\tand\tgold\tofferings.\t(Oh,\twhy\tdid\tI\ttorture\tmyself\twith such\tanalogies?)","Sitting\ton\tthe\tfireplace\tsurround,\tgoing\tthrough\ta\tstack\tof\tpapers,\twas\ta young\twoman\twith\tcoppery\tskin\tand\tlayered\tdark\thair.\tHer\torange\tCamp\tHalf- Blood\tT-shirt\tled\tme\tto\tassume\tthat\tI\twas\tlooking\tat\tPiper,\tdaughter\tof Aphrodite\tand\tTristan\tMcLean. Our\tfootsteps\techoed\tin\tthe\tvast\tspace,\tbut\tPiper\tdid\tnot\tlook\tup\tas\twe approached.\tPerhaps\tshe\twas\ttoo\tengrossed\tin\ther\tpapers,\tor\tshe\tassumed\twe were\tmovers. \u2018You\twant\tme\tto\tget\tup\tagain?\u2019\tshe\tmuttered.\t\u2018Pretty\tsure\tthe\tfireplace\tis staying\there.\u2019 \u2018Ahem,\u2019\tI\tsaid. Piper\tglanced\tup.\tHer\tmulticoloured\tirises\tcaught\tthe\tlight\tlike\tsmoky\tprisms. She\tstudied\tme\tas\tif\tnot\tsure\twhat\tshe\twas\tlooking\tat\t(oh,\tboy,\tdid\tI\tknow\tthe feeling),\tthen\tgave\tMeg\tthe\tsame\tconfused\tonce-over. She\tfixed\ther\teyes\ton\tGrover\tand\ther\tjaw\tdropped.\t\u2018I\t\u2013\tI\tknow\tyou,\u2019\tshe\tsaid. \u2018From\tAnnabeth\u2019s\tphotos.\tYou\u2019re\tGrover!\u2019 She\tshot\tto\ther\tfeet,\ther\tforgotten\tpapers\tspilling\tacross\tthe\tSaltillo\ttiles. \u2018What\u2019s\thappened?\tAre\tAnnabeth\tand\tPercy\tall\tright?\u2019 Grover\tedged\tback,\twhich\twas\tunderstandable\tgiven\tPiper\u2019s\tintense expression. \u2018They\u2019re\tfine!\u2019\the\tsaid.\t\u2018At\tleast,\tI\tassume\tthey\u2019re\tfine.\tI\thaven\u2019t\tactually,\tum, seen\tthem\tin\ta\twhile,\tb-but\tI\thave\tan\tempathy\tlink\twith\tPercy,\tso\tif\the\twasn\u2019t fine\tI\tthink\tI\u2019d\tknow\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018Apollo.\u2019\tMeg\tknelt\tdown.\tShe\tpicked\tup\tone\tof\tthe\tfallen\tpapers,\ther\tfrown even\tmore\tsevere\tthan\tPiper\u2019s. My\tstomach\tcompleted\tits\tturn\tinside\tout.\tWhy\thad\tI\tnot\tnoticed\tthe\tcolour\tof the\tdocuments\tsooner?\tAll\tthe\tpapers\t\u2013\tenvelopes,\tcollated\treports,\tbusiness letters\t\u2013\twere\tdandelion\tyellow. \u2018\t\u201cN.H.\tFinancials\u201d,\u2019\tMeg\tread\tfrom\tthe\tletterhead.\t\u2018\t\u201cDivision\tof\tTriumvirate \u2013\u201d\t\u2019 \u2018Hey!\u2019\tPiper\tswiped\tthe\tpaper\tfrom\ther\thand.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tprivate!\u2019\tThen\tshe\tfaced me\tas\tif\tdoing\ta\tmental\trewind.\t\u2018Wait.\tDid\tshe\tjust\tcall\tyou\tApollo?\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m\tafraid\tso.\u2019\tI\tgave\ther\tan\tawkward\tbow.\t\u2018Apollo,\tgod\tof\tpoetry,\tmusic, archery\tand\tmany\tother\timportant\tthings,\tat\tyour\tservice,\tthough\tmy\tlearner\u2019s permit\treads\tLester\tPapadopoulos.\u2019 She\tblinked.\t\u2018What?\u2019 \u2018Also,\tthis\tis\tMeg\tMcCaffrey,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Daughter\tof\tDemeter.\tShe\tdoesn\u2019t mean\tto\tbe\tnosy.\tIt\u2019s\tjust\tthat\twe\u2019ve\tseen\tpapers\tlike\tthese\tbefore.\u2019 Piper\u2019s\tgaze\tbounced\tfrom\tme\tto\tMeg\tto\tGrover.\tThe\tsatyr\tshrugged\tas\tif\tto say,\tWelcome\tto\tmy\tnightmare.","\u2018You\u2019re\tgoing\tto\thave\tto\trewind,\u2019\tPiper\tdecided. I\tdid\tmy\tbest\tto\tgive\ther\tthe\televator-pitch\tsummary:\tmy\tfall\tto\tearth,\tmy servitude\tto\tMeg,\tmy\ttwo\tprevious\tquests\tto\tfree\tthe\tOracles\tof\tDodona\tand Trophonius,\tmy\ttravels\twith\tCalypso\tand\tLeo\tValdez\t\u2026 \u2018LEO?\u2019\tPiper\tgrabbed\tmy\tarms\tso\thard\tI\tfeared\tshe\twould\tleave\tbruises.\t\u2018He\u2019s alive?\u2019 \u2018Hurts,\u2019\tI\twhimpered. \u2018Sorry.\u2019\tShe\tlet\tgo.\t\u2018I\tneed\tto\tknow\teverything\tabout\tLeo.\tNow.\u2019 I\tdid\tmy\tbest\tto\tcomply,\tfearing\tthat\tshe\tmight\tphysically\tpull\tthe\tinformation from\tmy\tbrain\totherwise. \u2018That\tlittle\tfire-flicker,\u2019\tshe\tgrumbled.\t\u2018We\tsearch\tfor\tmonths,\tand\the\tjust shows\tup\tat\tcamp?\u2019 \u2018Yes,\u2019\tI\tagreed.\t\u2018There\tis\ta\twaiting\tlist\tof\tpeople\twho\twould\tlike\tto\thit\thim. We\tcan\tfit\tyou\tin\tsometime\tnext\tfall.\tBut\tright\tnow\twe\tneed\tyour\thelp.\tWe\thave to\tfree\ta\tSibyl\tfrom\tthe\temperor\tCaligula.\u2019 Piper\u2019s\texpression\treminded\tme\tof\ta\tjuggler\u2019s,\ttrying\tto\ttrack\tfifteen\tdifferent objects\tin\tthe\tair\tat\tonce. \u2018I\tknew\tit,\u2019\tshe\tmuttered.\t\u2018I\tknew\tJason\twasn\u2019t\ttelling\tme\t\u2013\u2019 Half\ta\tdozen\tmovers\tsuddenly\tlumbered\tthrough\tthe\tfront\tdoor,\tspeaking\tin Russian. Piper\tscowled.\t\u2018Let\u2019s\ttalk\ton\tthe\tterrace,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018We\tcan\texchange\tbad news.\u2019","13 Don\u2019t\tmove\tthe\tgas\tgrill\t Meg\tis\tstill\tplaying\twith\tit\t We\tare\tso\tKA-BOOM Oh,\tthe\tscenic\tocean\tvista!\tOh,\tthe\twaves\tcrashing\tagainst\tthe\tcliffs\tbelow,\tand the\tgulls\twhirling\toverhead!\tOh,\tthe\tlarge,\tsweaty\tmover\tin\ta\tlounge\tchair, checking\this\ttexts! The\tman\tlooked\tup\twhen\twe\tarrived\ton\tthe\tterrace.\tHe\tscowled,\tgrudgingly got\tto\this\tfeet\tand\tlumbered\tinside,\tleaving\ta\tmover-shaped\tperspiration\tstain\ton the\tfabric\tof\tthe\tchair. \u2018If\tI\tstill\thad\tmy\tcornucopia,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid,\t\u2018I\u2019d\tshoot\tthose\tguys\twith\tglazed hams.\u2019 My\tabdominal\tmuscles\ttwitched.\tI\u2019d\tonce\tbeen\thit\tin\tthe\tgut\tby\ta\troasted\tboar shot\tfrom\ta\tcornucopia\twhen\tDemeter\twas\tespecially\tangry\twith\tme\t\u2026\tbut that\u2019s\tanother\tstory. Piper\tclimbed\tthe\tterrace\tfence\tand\tsat\ton\ttop\tof\tit,\tfacing\tus,\ther\tfeet\thooked around\tthe\trails.\tI\tsupposed\tshe\u2019d\tperched\tthere\thundreds\tof\ttimes\tand\tno\tlonger thought\tabout\tthe\tlong\tdrop.\tFar\tbelow,\tat\tthe\tbottom\tof\ta\tzigzagging\twooden stairway,\ta\tnarrow\tstrip\tof\tbeach\tclung\tto\tthe\tbase\tof\tthe\tcliffs.\tWaves\tcrashed against\tjagged\trocks.\tI\tdecided\tnot\tto\tjoin\tPiper\ton\tthe\trailing.\tI\twasn\u2019t\tafraid\tof heights,\tbut\tI\twas\tdefinitely\tafraid\tof\tmy\town\tpoor\tsense\tof\tbalance. Grover\tpeered\tat\tthe\tsweaty\tlounge\tchair\t\u2013\tthe\tonly\tpiece\tof\tfurniture\tleft\ton the\tterrace\t\u2013\tand\topted\tto\tremain\tstanding.\tMeg\tstrolled\tover\tto\ta\tbuilt-in stainless-steel\tgas\tgrill\tand\tbegan\tplaying\twith\tthe\tknobs.\tI\testimated\twe\thad about\tfive\tminutes\tbefore\tshe\tblew\tus\tall\tto\tbits. \u2018So.\u2019\tI\tleaned\ton\tthe\trailing\tnext\tto\tPiper.\t\u2018You\tknow\tof\tCaligula.\u2019","Her\teyes\tshifted\tfrom\tgreen\tto\tbrown,\tlike\ttree\tbark\tageing.\t\u2018I\tknew\tsomeone was\tbehind\tour\tproblems\t\u2013\tthe\tmaze,\tthe\tfires,\tthis.\u2019\tShe\tgestured\tthrough\tthe glass\tdoors\tat\tthe\tempty\tmansion.\t\u2018When\twe\twere\tclosing\tthe\tDoors\tof\tDeath, we\tfought\ta\tlot\tof\tvillains\twho\u2019d\tcome\tback\tfrom\tthe\tUnderworld.\tMakes\tsense an\tevil\tRoman\temperor\twould\tbe\tbehind\tTriumvirate\tHoldings.\u2019 I\tguessed\tPiper\twas\tabout\tsixteen,\tthe\tsame\tage\tas\t\u2026\tno,\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\tsay\tthe same\tage\tas\tme.\tIf\tI\tthought\tin\tthose\tterms,\tI\twould\thave\tto\tcompare\ther\tperfect complexion\tto\tmy\town\tacne-scarred\tface,\ther\tfinely\tchiselled\tnose\tto\tmy bulbous\twad\tof\tcartilage,\ther\tsoftly\tcurved\tphysique\tto\tmine,\twhich\twas\talso softly\tcurved\tbut\tin\tall\tthe\twrong\tways.\tThen\tI\twould\thave\tto\tscream,\tI\tHATE YOU! So\tyoung,\tyet\tshe\thad\tseen\tso\tmany\tbattles.\tShe\tsaid\twhen\twe\twere\tclosing the\tDoors\tof\tDeath\tthe\tway\ther\thigh-school\tpeers\tmight\tsay\twhen\twe\twere swimming\tat\tKyle\u2019s\thouse. \u2018We\tknew\tthere\twas\ta\tburning\tmaze,\u2019\tshe\tcontinued.\t\u2018Gleeson\tand\tMellie\ttold us\tabout\tthat.\tThey\tsaid\tthe\tsatyrs\tand\tdryads\t\u2026\u2019\tShe\tgestured\tat\tGrover.\t\u2018Well, it\u2019s\tno\tsecret\tyou\tguys\thave\tbeen\thaving\ta\tbad\ttime\twith\tthe\tdrought\tand\tfires. Then\tI\thad\tsome\tdreams.\tYou\tknow.\u2019 Grover\tand\tI\tnodded.\tEven\tMeg\tlooked\tover\tfrom\ther\tdangerous\texperiments with\toutdoor\tcooking\tequipment\tand\tgrunted\tsympathetically.\tWe\tall\tknew\tthat demigods\tcouldn\u2019t\ttake\ta\tcatnap\twithout\tbeing\tplagued\tby\tomens\tand\tportents. \u2018Anyway,\u2019\tPiper\tcontinued,\t\u2018I\tthought\twe\tcould\tfind\tthe\theart\tof\tthis\tmaze.\tI figured\twhoever\twas\tresponsible\tfor\tmaking\tour\tlives\tmiserable\twould\tbe\tthere, and\twe\tcould\tsend\thim\tor\ther\tback\tto\tthe\tUnderworld.\u2019 \u2018When\tyou\tsay\twe,\u2019\tGrover\tasked,\t\u2018you\tmean\tyou\tand\t\u2013?\u2019 \u2018Jason.\tYes.\u2019 Her\tvoice\tdipped\twhen\tshe\tspoke\this\tname,\tthe\tsame\tway\tmine\tdid\twhen\tI was\tforced\tto\tspeak\tthe\tnames\tHyacinthus\tor\tDaphne. \u2018Something\thappened\tbetween\tyou,\u2019\tI\tdeduced. She\tpicked\tan\tinvisible\tspeck\tfrom\ther\tjeans.\t\u2018It\u2019s\tbeen\ta\ttough\tyear.\u2019 You\u2019re\ttelling\tme,\tI\tthought. Meg\tactivated\tone\tof\tthe\tbarbecue\tburners,\twhich\tflared\tblue\tlike\ta\tthruster engine.\t\u2018You\tguys\tbreak\tup\tor\twhat?\u2019 Leave\tit\tto\tMcCaffrey\tto\tbe\ttactless\tabout\tlove\twith\ta\tchild\tof\tAphrodite, while\tsimultaneously\tstarting\ta\tfire\tin\tfront\tof\ta\tsatyr. \u2018Please\tdon\u2019t\tplay\twith\tthat,\u2019\tPiper\tasked\tgently.\t\u2018And,\tyes,\twe\tbroke\tup.\u2019 Grover\tbleated,\t\u2018Really?\tBut\tI\theard\t\u2013\tI\tthought\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018You\tthought\twhat?\u2019\tPiper\u2019s\tvoice\tremained\tcalm\tand\teven.\t\u2018That\twe\u2019d\tbe together\tforever\tlike\tPercy\tand\tAnnabeth?\u2019\tShe\tstared\tinto\tthe\tempty\thouse,\tnot","exactly\tas\tif\tshe\tmissed\tthe\told\tfurniture,\tbut\tas\tif\tshe\twere\timagining\tthe\tspace completely\tredone.\t\u2018Things\tchange.\tPeople\tchange.\tJason\tand\tme\t\u2013\twe\tstarted out\toddly.\tHera\tkind\tof\tmessed\twith\tour\theads,\tmade\tus\tthink\twe\tshared\ta\tpast we\tdidn\u2019t\tshare.\u2019 \u2018Ah,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018That\tsounds\tlike\tHera.\u2019 \u2018We\tfought\tthe\twar\tagainst\tGaia.\tThen\twe\tspent\tmonths\tsearching\tfor\tLeo. Then\twe\ttried\tto\tsettle\tinto\tschool,\tand\tthe\tmoment\tI\tactually\thad\tsome\ttime\tto breathe\t\u2026\u2019\tShe\thesitated,\tsearching\teach\tof\tour\tfaces\tas\tif\trealizing\tshe\twas about\tto\tshare\tthe\treal\treasons,\tthe\tdeeper\treasons,\twith\tpeople\tshe\tbarely\tknew. I\tremembered\thow\tMellie\thad\tcalled\tPiper\tpoor\tgirl,\tand\tthe\tway\tthe\tcloud nymph\thad\tsaid\tJason\u2019s\tname\twith\tdistaste. \u2018Anyway,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid,\t\u2018things\tchange.\tBut\twe\u2019re\tfine.\tHe\u2019s\tfine.\tI\u2019m\tfine.\tAt least\t\u2026\tI\twas,\tuntil\tthis\tstarted.\u2019\tShe\tgestured\tat\tthe\tgreat\troom,\twhere\tthe movers\twere\tnow\tlugging\ta\tmattress\ttowards\tthe\tfront\tdoor. I\tdecided\tit\twas\ttime\tto\tconfront\tthe\telephant\tin\tthe\troom.\tOr\trather,\tthe elephant\ton\tthe\tterrace.\tOr\trather,\tthe\telephant\tthat\twould\thave\tbeen\ton\tthe terrace\thad\tthe\tmovers\tnot\thauled\thim\taway. \u2018What\thappened\texactly?\u2019\tI\tasked.\t\u2018What\u2019s\tin\tall\tthose\tdandelion-coloured documents?\u2019 \u2018Like\tthis\tone,\u2019\tMeg\tsaid,\tpulling\tfrom\ther\tgardening\tbelt\ta\tfolded\tletter\tshe must\thave\tfilched\tfrom\tthe\tgreat\troom.\tFor\ta\tchild\tof\tDemeter,\tshe\thad\tsticky fingers. \u2018Meg!\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018That\u2019s\tnot\tyours.\u2019 I\tmay\thave\tbeen\ta\tlittle\tsensitive\tabout\tstealing\tother\tpeople\u2019s\tmail.\tOnce Artemis\trifled\tthrough\tmy\tcorrespondence\tand\tfound\tsome\tjuicy\tletters\tfrom Lucrezia\tBorgia\tthat\tshe\tteased\tme\tabout\tfor\tdecades. \u2018N.H.\tFinancials,\u2019\tMeg\tpersisted.\t\u2018Neos\tHelios.\tCaligula,\tright?\u2019 Piper\tdug\ther\tfingernails\tinto\tthe\twooden\trail.\t\u2018Just\tget\trid\tof\tit.\tPlease.\u2019 Meg\tdropped\tthe\tletter\tinto\tthe\tflames. Grover\tsighed.\t\u2018I\tcould\thave\teaten\tthat\tfor\tyou.\tIt\u2019s\tbetter\tfor\tthe\tenvironment, and\tstationery\ttastes\tgreat.\u2019 That\tgot\ta\tthin\tsmile\tfrom\tPiper. \u2018The\trest\tis\tall\tyours,\u2019\tshe\tpromised.\t\u2018As\tfor\twhat\tthey\tsay,\tit\u2019s\tall\tlegal,\tlegal, blah-blah,\tfinancial,\tboring,\tlegal.\tBottom\tline,\tmy\tdad\tis\truined.\u2019\tShe\traised\tan eyebrow\tat\tme.\t\u2018You\treally\thaven\u2019t\tseen\tany\tof\tthe\tgossip\tcolumns?\tThe magazine\tcovers?\u2019 \u2018That\u2019s\twhat\tI\tasked,\u2019\tGrover\tsaid. I\tmade\ta\tmental\tnote\tto\tvisit\tthe\tnearest\tgrocery\tstore\tcheckout\tand\tstock\tup on\treading\tmaterial.\t\u2018I\tam\twoefully\tbehind,\u2019\tI\tadmitted.\t\u2018When\tdid\tthis\tall\tstart?\u2019","\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\teven\tknow,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Jane,\tmy\tdad\u2019s\tformer\tpersonal\tassistant\t\u2013 she\twas\tin\ton\tit.\tAlso\this\tfinancial\tmanager.\tHis\taccountant.\tHis\tfilm\tagent.\tThis company\tTriumvirate\tHoldings\t\u2026\u2019\tPiper\tspread\ther\thands,\tlike\tshe\twas describing\ta\tnatural\tdisaster\tthat\tcould\tnot\thave\tbeen\tforeseen.\t\u2018They\twent\tto\ta lot\tof\ttrouble.\tThey\tmust\thave\tspent\tyears\tand\ttens\tof\tmillions\tof\tdollars\tto destroy\teverything\tmy\tdad\tbuilt\t\u2013\this\tcredit,\this\tassets,\this\treputation\twith\tthe studios.\tAll\tgone.\tWhen\twe\thired\tMellie\t\u2026\twell,\tshe\twas\tgreat.\tShe\twas\tthe first\tperson\tto\tspot\tthe\ttrouble.\tShe\ttried\tto\thelp,\tbut\tit\twas\tmuch\ttoo\tlate.\tNow my\tdad\tis\tworse\tthan\tbroke.\tHe\u2019s\tdeeply\tin\tdebt.\tHe\towes\tmillions\tin\ttaxes\the didn\u2019t\teven\tknow\tabout.\tBest\twe\tcan\thope\tfor\tis\tthat\the\tavoids\tjail\ttime.\u2019 \u2018That\u2019s\thorrible,\u2019\tI\tsaid. And\tI\tmeant\tit.\tThe\tprospect\tof\tnever\tseeing\tTristan\tMcLean\u2019s\tabs\ton\tthe\tbig screen\tagain\twas\ta\tbitter\tdisappointment,\tthough\tI\twas\ttoo\ttactful\tto\tsay\tthis\tin front\tof\this\tdaughter. \u2018It\u2019s\tnot\tlike\tI\tcan\texpect\ta\tlot\tof\tsympathy,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018You\tshould\tsee\tthe kids\tat\tmy\tschool,\tsmirking\tand\ttalking\tabout\tme\tbehind\tmy\tback.\tI\tmean,\teven more\tthan\tusual.\tOh,\tboo-hoo.\tYou\tlost\tall\tthree\tof\tyour\thouses.\u2019 \u2018Three\thouses?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. I\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\twhy\tthat\twas\tsurprising.\tMost\tminor\tdeities\tand\tcelebrities\tI\tknew had\tat\tleast\ta\tdozen,\tbut\tPiper\u2019s\texpression\tturned\tsheepish. \u2018I\tknow\tit\u2019s\tridiculous,\u2019\tshe\tsaid.\t\u2018They\trepo-ed\tten\tcars.\tAnd\tthe\thelicopter. They\u2019re\tforeclosing\ton\tthis\tplace\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\tweek\tand\ttaking\tthe aeroplane.\u2019 \u2018You\thave\tan\taeroplane.\u2019\tMeg\tnodded\tas\tif\tthis\tat\tleast\tmade\tperfect\tsense. \u2018Cool.\u2019 Piper\tsighed.\t\u2018I\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tabout\tthe\tstuff,\tbut\tthe\tnice\tformer\tpark\tranger\twho was\tour\tpilot\tis\tgoing\tto\tbe\tout\tof\ta\tjob.\tAnd\tMellie\tand\tGleeson\thad\tto\tleave. So\tdid\tthe\thouse\tstaff.\tMost\tof\tall\t\u2026\tI\u2019m\tworried\tabout\tmy\tdad.\u2019 I\tfollowed\ther\tgaze.\tTristan\tMcLean\twas\tnow\twandering\tthrough\tthe\tgreat room,\tstaring\tat\tblank\twalls.\tI\tliked\thim\tbetter\tas\tan\taction\thero.\tThe\trole\tof broken\tman\tdidn\u2019t\tsuit\thim. \u2018He\u2019s\tbeen\thealing,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Last\tyear,\ta\tgiant\tkidnapped\thim.\u2019 I\tshuddered.\tBeing\tcaptured\tby\tgiants\tcould\ttruly\tscar\ta\tperson.\tAres\thad\tbeen kidnapped\tby\ttwo\tof\tthem,\tmillennia\tago,\tand\the\twas\tnever\tthe\tsame\tagain. Before,\the\thad\tbeen\tarrogant\tand\tannoying.\tAfterwards,\the\twas\tarrogant, annoying\tand\tbrittle. \u2018I\u2019m\tsurprised\tyour\tfather\u2019s\tmind\tis\tstill\tin\tone\tpiece,\u2019\tI\tsaid. The\tcorners\tof\tPiper\u2019s\teyes\ttightened.\t\u2018When\twe\trescued\thim\tfrom\tthe\tgiant, we\tused\ta\tpotion\tto\twipe\this\tmemory.\tAphrodite\tsaid\tit\twas\tthe\tonly\tthing\twe","could\tdo\tfor\thim.\tBut\tnow\t\u2026\tI\tmean,\thow\tmuch\ttrauma\tcan\tone\tperson\ttake?\u2019 Grover\tremoved\this\tcap\tand\tstared\tat\tit\tmournfully.\tPerhaps\the\twas\tthinking reverent\tthoughts,\tor\tperhaps\the\twas\tjust\thungry.\t\u2018What\twill\tyou\tdo\tnow?\u2019 \u2018Our\tfamily\tstill\thas\tproperty,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid,\t\u2018outside\tTahlequah,\tOklahoma\t\u2013\tthe original\tCherokee\tallotment.\tEnd\tof\tthe\tweek,\twe\u2019re\tusing\tour\tlast\tflight\tin\tthe aeroplane\tto\tgo\tback\thome.\tThis\tis\tone\tbattle\tI\tguess\tyour\tevil\temperors\twon.\u2019 I\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\tthe\temperors\tbeing\tcalled\tmine.\tI\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\tthe\tway\tPiper\tsaid home,\tas\tif\tshe\u2019d\talready\taccepted\tthat\tshe\twould\tlive\tthe\trest\tof\ther\tlife\tin Oklahoma.\tNothing\tagainst\tOklahoma,\tmind\tyou.\tMy\tpal\tWoody\tGuthrie\thailed from\tOkemah.\tBut\tmortals\tfrom\tMalibu\ttypically\tdidn\u2019t\tsee\tit\tas\tan\tupgrade. Also,\tthe\tidea\tof\tTristan\tand\tPiper\tbeing\tforced\tto\tmove\teast\treminded\tme\tof the\tvisions\tMeg\thad\tshown\tme\tlast\tnight:\tshe\tand\ther\tfather\tbeing\tpushed\tout\tof their\thome\tby\tthe\tsame\tboring\tdandelion-coloured\tlegal\tblah-blah,\tfleeing\ttheir burning\thouse\tand\twinding\tup\tin\tNew\tYork.\tOut\tof\tCaligula\u2019s\tfrying\tpan,\tinto Nero\u2019s\tfire. \u2018We\tcan\u2019t\tlet\tCaligula\twin,\u2019\tI\ttold\tPiper.\t\u2018You\u2019re\tnot\tthe\tonly\tdemigod\the\u2019s targeted.\u2019 She\tseemed\tto\tabsorb\tthose\twords.\tThen\tshe\tfaced\tMeg,\tas\tif\ttruly\tseeing\ther for\tthe\tfirst\ttime.\t\u2018You\ttoo?\u2019 Meg\tturned\toff\tthe\tgas\tburner.\t\u2018Yeah.\tMy\tdad.\u2019 \u2018What\thappened?\u2019 Meg\tshrugged.\t\u2018Long\ttime\tago.\u2019 We\twaited,\tbut\tMeg\thad\tdecided\tto\tbe\tMeg. \u2018My\tyoung\tfriend\tis\ta\tgirl\tof\tfew\twords,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018But\twith\ther\tpermission\t\u2026?\u2019 Meg\tdid\tnot\torder\tme\tto\tshut\tup\tor\tto\tjump\toff\tthe\tterrace,\tso\tI\trecounted\tfor Piper\twhat\tI\u2019d\tseen\tin\tMcCaffrey\u2019s\tmemories. When\tI\twas\tdone,\tPiper\thopped\tdown\tfrom\tthe\trailing.\tShe\tapproached\tMeg, and\tbefore\tI\tcould\tsay,\tWatch\tout,\tshe\tbites\tharder\tthan\ta\twild\tsquirrel!\tPiper wrapped\ther\tarms\taround\tthe\tyounger\tgirl. \u2018I\u2019m\tso\tsorry.\u2019\tPiper\tkissed\tthe\ttop\tof\ther\thead. I\twaited\tnervously\tfor\tMeg\u2019s\tgolden\tscimitars\tto\tflash\tinto\ther\thands.\tInstead, after\ta\tmoment\tof\tpetrified\tsurprise,\tMeg\tmelted\tinto\tPiper\u2019s\thug.\tThey\tstayed like\tthat\tfor\ta\tlong\ttime,\tMeg\tquivering,\tPiper\tholding\ther\tas\tif\tshe\twere\tthe demigod\tComforter-in-Chief,\ther\town\ttroubles\tirrelevant\tnext\tto\tMeg\u2019s. Finally,\twith\ta\tsniffle\/hiccup,\tMeg\tpulled\taway,\twiping\ther\tnose.\t\u2018Thanks.\u2019 Piper\tlooked\tat\tme.\t\u2018How\tlong\thas\tCaligula\tbeen\tmessing\twith\tdemigods\u2019 lives?\u2019 \u2018Several\tthousand\tyears,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018He\tand\tthe\tother\ttwo\temperors\tdid\tnot\tgo back\tthrough\tthe\tDoors\tof\tDeath.\tThey\tnever\treally\tleft\tthe\tworld\tof\tthe\tliving.","They\tare\tbasically\tminor\tgods.\tThey\u2019ve\thad\tmillennia\tto\tbuild\ttheir\tsecret empire,\tTriumvirate\tHoldings.\u2019 \u2018So\twhy\tus?\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Why\tnow?\u2019 \u2018In\tyour\tcase,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018I\tcan\tonly\tguess\tCaligula\twants\tyou\tout\tof\tthe\tway.\tIf you\tare\tdistracted\tby\tyour\tfather\u2019s\tproblems,\tyou\tare\tno\tthreat,\tespecially\tif you\u2019re\tin\tOklahoma,\tfar\tfrom\tCaligula\u2019s\tterritory.\tAs\tfor\tMeg\tand\ther\tdad\t\u2026\tI don\u2019t\tknow.\tHe\twas\tinvolved\tin\tsome\tsort\tof\twork\tCaligula\tfound\tthreatening.\u2019 \u2018Something\tthat\twould\u2019ve\thelped\tthe\tdryads,\u2019\tGrover\tadded.\t\u2018It\thad\tto\tbe, based\ton\twhere\the\twas\tworking,\tthose\tgreenhouses.\tCaligula\truined\ta\tman\tof nature.\u2019 Grover\tsounded\tas\tangry\tas\tI\u2019d\tever\theard\thim.\tI\tdoubted\tthere\twas\thigher praise\ta\tsatyr\tcould\tgive\ta\thuman\tthan\tcalling\thim\ta\tman\tof\tnature. Piper\tstudied\tthe\twaves\ton\tthe\thorizon.\t\u2018You\tthink\tit\u2019s\tall\tconnected.\tCaligula is\tworking\tup\tto\tsomething\t\u2013\tpushing\tout\tanyone\twho\tthreatens\thim,\tstarting this\tBurning\tMaze,\tdestroying\tthe\tnature\tspirits.\u2019 \u2018And\timprisoning\tthe\tOracle\tof\tErythraea,\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018As\ta\ttrap.\tFor\tme.\u2019 \u2018But\twhat\tdoes\the\twant?\u2019\tGrover\tdemanded.\t\u2018What\u2019s\this\tendgame?\u2019 Those\twere\texcellent\tquestions.\tWith\tCaligula,\thowever,\tyou\talmost\tnever wanted\tthe\tanswers.\tThey\twould\tmake\tyou\tcry. \u2018I\u2019d\tlike\tto\task\tthe\tSibyl,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018if\tanyone\there\tknows\thow\twe\tmight\tfind her.\u2019 Piper\tpressed\ther\tlips\ttogether.\t\u2018Ah.\tThat\u2019s\twhy\tyou\u2019re\there.\u2019 She\tlooked\tat\tMeg,\tthen\tat\tthe\tgas\tgrill,\tperhaps\ttrying\tto\tdecide\twhat\twould be\tmore\tdangerous\t\u2013\tgoing\ton\ta\tquest\twith\tus,\tor\tremaining\there\twith\ta\tbored child\tof\tDemeter. \u2018Let\tme\tget\tmy\tweapons,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018We\u2019ll\tgo\tfor\ta\tride.\u2019","14 Bedrossian\tMan\t Bedrossian\tMan,\truns\tas\t Fast\tas\t\u2026\tyoga\tpants \u2018Don\u2019t\tjudge,\u2019\tPiper\twarned\tas\tshe\tre-emerged\tfrom\ther\troom. I\twould\tnot\thave\tdreamed\tof\tit. Piper\tMcLean\tlooked\tfashionably\tready\tfor\tcombat\tin\ther\tbright\twhite Converses,\tdistressed\tskinny\tjeans,\tleather\tbelt\tand\torange\tcamp\ttee.\tBraided down\tone\tside\tof\ther\thair\twas\ta\tbright\tblue\tfeather\t\u2013\ta\tharpy\tfeather,\tif\tI\twasn\u2019t mistaken. Strapped\tto\ther\tbelt\twas\ta\ttriangular-bladed\tdagger\tlike\tthe\tkind\tGreek women\tused\tto\twear\t\u2013\ta\tparazonium.\tHecuba,\tfuture\tqueen\tof\tTroy,\tsported\tone back\twhen\twe\twere\tdating.\tIt\twas\tmostly\tceremonial,\tas\tI\trecalled,\tbut\tvery sharp.\t(Hecuba\thad\ta\tbit\tof\ta\ttemper.) Hanging\tfrom\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tPiper\u2019s\tbelt\t\u2026\tAh.\tI\tguessed\tthis\twas\tthe reason\tshe\tfelt\tself-conscious.\tHolstered\tto\ther\tthigh\twas\ta\tminiature\tquiver stocked\twith\tfoot-long\tprojectiles,\ttheir\tfletching\tmade\tfrom\tfluffy\tthistles. Slung\tacross\ther\tshoulder,\talong\twith\ta\tbackpack,\twas\ta\tfour-foot\ttube\tof\triver cane. \u2018A\tblowpipe!\u2019\tI\tcried.\t\u2018I\tlove\tblowpipes!\u2019 Not\tthat\tI\twas\tan\texpert,\tmind\tyou,\tbut\tthe\tblowpipe\twas\ta\tmissile\tweapon\t\u2013 elegant,\tdifficult\tto\tmaster\tand\tvery\tsneaky.\tHow\tcould\tI\tnot\tlove\tit? Meg\tscratched\ther\tneck.\t\u2018Are\tblowpipes\tGreeky?\u2019 Piper\tlaughed.\t\u2018No,\tthey\u2019re\tnot\tGreeky.\tBut\tthey\tare\tCherokee-y.\tMy\tGrandpa Tom\tmade\tthis\tone\tfor\tme\ta\tlong\ttime\tago.\tHe\twas\talways\ttrying\tto\tget\tme\tto practise.\u2019","Grover\u2019s\tgoatee\ttwitched\tas\tif\ttrying\tto\tfree\titself\tfrom\this\tchin,\tHoudini- style.\t\u2018Blowpipes\tare\treally\tdifficult\tto\tuse.\tMy\tUncle\tFerdinand\thad\tone.\tHow good\tare\tyou?\u2019 \u2018Not\tthe\tbest,\u2019\tPiper\tadmitted.\t\u2018Nowhere\tnear\tas\tgood\tas\tmy\tcousin\tin Tahlequah;\tshe\u2019s\ta\ttribal\tchampion.\tBut\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tpractising.\tLast\ttime\tJason\tand I\twere\tin\tthe\tmaze\t\u2013\u2019\tshe\tpatted\ther\tquiver\t\u2013\t\u2018these\tcame\tin\thandy.\tYou\u2019ll\tsee.\u2019 Grover\tmanaged\tto\tcontain\this\texcitement.\tI\tunderstood\this\tconcern.\tIn\ta novice\u2019s\thands,\ta\tblowpipe\twas\tmore\tdangerous\tto\tallies\tthan\tto\tenemies. \u2018And\tthe\tdagger?\u2019\tGrover\tasked.\t\u2018Is\tthat\treally\t\u2013?\u2019 \u2018Katoptris,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid\tproudly.\t\u2018Belonged\tto\tHelen\tof\tTroy.\u2019 I\tyelped.\t\u2018You\thave\tHelen\tof\tTroy\u2019s\tdagger?\tWhere\tdid\tyou\tfind\tit?\u2019 Piper\tshrugged.\t\u2018In\ta\tshed\tat\tcamp.\u2019 I\tfelt\tlike\tpulling\tout\tmy\thair.\tI\tremembered\tthe\tday\tHelen\thad\treceived\tthat dagger\tas\ta\twedding\tpresent.\tSuch\ta\tgorgeous\tblade,\theld\tby\tthe\tmost\tbeautiful woman\tever\tto\twalk\tthe\tearth.\t(No\toffence\tto\tthe\tbillions\tof\tother\twomen\tout there\twho\tare\talso\tquite\tenchanting;\tI\tlove\tyou\tall.)\tAnd\tPiper\thad\tfound\tthis historically\tsignificant,\twell-crafted,\tpowerful\tweapon\tin\ta\tshed? Alas,\ttime\tmakes\tbric-a-brac\tof\teverything,\tno\tmatter\thow\timportant.\tI wondered\tif\tsuch\ta\tfate\tawaited\tme.\tIn\ta\tthousand\tyears,\tsomebody\tmight\tfind me\tin\ta\ttoolshed\tand\tsay,\tOh,\tlook.\tApollo,\tgod\tof\tpoetry.\tMaybe\tI\tcan\tpolish him\tup\tand\tuse\thim. \u2018Does\tthe\tblade\tstill\tshow\tvisions?\u2019\tI\tasked. \u2018You\tknow\tabout\tthat,\thuh?\u2019\tPiper\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u2018The\tvisions\tstopped\tlast summer.\tThat\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tanything\tto\tdo\twith\tyou\tgetting\tkicked\tout\tof Olympus,\twould\tit,\tMr\tGod\tof\tProphecy?\u2019 Meg\tsniffed.\t\u2018Most\tthings\tare\this\tfault.\u2019 \u2018Hey!\u2019\tI\tsaid.\t\u2018Er,\tmoving\tright\talong,\tPiper,\twhere\texactly\tare\tyou\ttaking\tus? If\tall\tyour\tcars\thave\tbeen\trepossessed,\tI\u2019m\tafraid\twe\u2019re\tstuck\twith\tCoach Hedge\u2019s\tPinto.\u2019 Piper\tsmirked.\t\u2018I\tthink\twe\tcan\tdo\tbetter\tthan\tthat.\tFollow\tme.\u2019 She\tled\tus\tto\tthe\tdriveway,\twhere\tMr\tMcLean\thad\tresumed\this\tduties\tas\ta dazed\twanderer.\tHe\tmeandered\taround\tthe\tdrive,\thead\tbowed\tas\tif\the\twere looking\tfor\ta\tdropped\tcoin.\tHis\thair\tstuck\tup\tin\tragged\trows\twhere\this\tfingers had\traked\tthrough\tit. On\tthe\ttailgate\tof\ta\tnearby\ttruck,\tthe\tmovers\twere\ttaking\ttheir\tlunch\tbreak, casually\teating\toff\tchina\tplates\tthat\thad\tno\tdoubt\tbeen\tin\tthe\tMcLeans\u2019\tkitchen not\tlong\tbefore. Mr\tMcLean\tlooked\tup\tat\tPiper.\tHe\tseemed\tunconcerned\tby\ther\tknife\tand blowpipe.\t\u2018Going\tout?\u2019","\u2018Just\tfor\ta\twhile.\u2019\tPiper\tkissed\ther\tfather\ton\tthe\tcheek.\t\u2018I\u2019ll\tbe\tback\ttonight. Don\u2019t\tlet\tthem\ttake\tthe\tsleeping\tbags,\tokay?\tYou\tand\tI\tcan\tcamp\tout\ton\tthe terrace.\tIt\u2019ll\tbe\tfun.\u2019 \u2018All\tright.\u2019\tHe\tpatted\ther\tarm\tabsently.\t\u2018Good\tluck\t\u2026\tstudying?\u2019 \u2018Yep,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Studying.\u2019 You\thave\tto\tlove\tthe\tMist.\tYou\tcan\tstroll\tout\tof\tyour\thouse\theavily\tarmed,\tin the\tcompany\tof\ta\tsatyr,\ta\tdemigod\tand\ta\tflabby\tformer\tOlympian,\tand,\tthanks\tto the\tMist\u2019s\tperception-bending\tmagic,\tyour\tmortal\tfather\tassumes\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto a\tstudy\tgroup.\tThat\u2019s\tright,\tDad.\tWe\tneed\tto\tgo\tover\tsome\tmaths\tproblems\tthat involve\tthe\ttrajectory\tof\tblowpipe\tdarts\tagainst\tmoving\ttargets. Piper\tled\tus\tacross\tthe\tstreet\tto\tthe\tnearest\tneighbour\u2019s\thouse\t\u2013\ta Frankenstein\u2019s\tmansion\tof\tTuscan\ttiles,\tmodern\twindows\tand\tVictorian\tgables that\tscreamed,\tI\thave\ttoo\tmuch\tmoney\tand\tnot\tenough\ttaste!\tHELP! In\tthe\twraparound\tdriveway,\ta\theavy-set\tman\tin\tathleisure-wear\twas\tjust getting\tout\tof\this\twhite\tCadillac\tEscalade. \u2018Mr\tBedrossian!\u2019\tPiper\tcalled. The\tman\tjumped,\tfacing\tPiper\twith\ta\tlook\tof\tterror.\tDespite\this\tworkout\tshirt, his\till-advised\tyoga\tpants,\tand\this\tflashy\trunning\tshoes,\the\tlooked\tlike\the\u2019d\tbeen more\tleisurely\tthan\tathletic.\tHe\twas\tneither\tsweaty\tnor\tout\tof\tbreath.\tHis thinning\thair\tmade\ta\tperfect\tbrushstroke\tof\tblack\tgrease\tacross\this\tscalp.\tWhen he\tfrowned,\this\tfeatures\tgravitated\ttowards\tthe\tcentre\tof\this\tface\tas\tif\tcircling the\ttwin\tblack\tholes\tof\this\tnostrils. \u2018P-Piper,\u2019\the\tstammered.\t\u2018What\tdo\tyou\t\u2013?\u2019 \u2018I\twould\tlove\tto\tborrow\tthe\tEscalade,\tthank\tyou!\u2019\tPiper\tbeamed. \u2018Uh,\tactually,\tthis\tisn\u2019t\t\u2013\u2019 \u2018This\tisn\u2019t\ta\tproblem?\u2019\tPiper\tsupplied.\t\u2018And\tyou\u2019d\tbe\tdelighted\tto\tlend\tit\tto me\tfor\tthe\tday?\tFantastic!\u2019 Bedrossian\u2019s\tface\tconvulsed.\tHe\tforced\tout\tthe\twords,\t\u2018Yes.\tOf\tcourse.\u2019 \u2018Keys,\tplease?\u2019 Mr\tBedrossian\ttossed\ther\tthe\tfob,\tthen\tran\tinto\this\thouse\tas\tfast\tas\this\ttight- fitting\tyoga\tpants\twould\tallow. Meg\twhistled\tunder\ther\tbreath.\t\u2018That\twas\tcool.\u2019 \u2018What\twas\tthat?\u2019\tGrover\tasked. \u2018That,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018was\tcharmspeaking.\u2019\tI\treappraised\tPiper\tMcLean,\tnot\tsure\tif\tI should\tbe\timpressed\tor\tif\tI\tshould\trun\tafter\tMr\tBedrossian\tin\ta\tpanic.\t\u2018A\trare gift\tamong\tAphrodite\u2019s\tchildren.\tDo\tyou\tborrow\tMr\tBedrossian\u2019s\tcar\ta\tlot?\u2019 Piper\tshrugged.\t\u2018He\u2019s\tbeen\tan\tawful\tneighbour.\tHe\talso\thas\ta\tdozen\tother cars.\tBelieve\tme,\twe\u2019re\tnot\tcausing\thim\tany\thardship.\tBesides,\tI\tusually\tbring back\twhat\tI\tborrow.\tUsually.\tShall\twe\tgo?\tApollo,\tyou\tcan\tdrive.\u2019","\u2018But\t\u2013\u2019 She\tsmiled\tthat\tsweetly\tscary\tI-could-make-you-do-it\tsmile. \u2018I\u2019ll\tdrive,\u2019\tI\tsaid. We\ttook\tthe\tscenic\tcoastal\troad\tsouth\tin\tthe\tBedrossian-mobile.\tSince\tthe Escalade\twas\tonly\tslightly\tsmaller\tthan\tHephaestus\u2019s\tfire-breathing\thydra\ttank,\tI had\tto\tbe\tcareful\tto\tavoid\tsideswiping\tmotorcycles,\tmailboxes,\tsmall\tchildren\ton tricycles\tand\tother\tannoying\tobstacles. \u2018Are\twe\tgoing\tto\tpick\tup\tJason?\u2019\tI\tasked. Next\tto\tme\tin\tthe\tpassenger\u2019s\tseat,\tPiper\tloaded\ta\tdart\tinto\ther\tblowpipe.\t\u2018No need.\tBesides,\the\u2019s\tin\tschool.\u2019 \u2018You\u2019re\tnot.\u2019 \u2018I\u2019m\tmoving,\tremember?\tAs\tof\tnext\tMonday,\tI\u2019m\tenrolled\tat\tTahlequah High.\u2019\tShe\traised\ther\tblowpipe\tlike\ta\tchampagne\tglass.\t\u2018Go,\tTigers.\u2019 Her\twords\tsounded\tstrangely\tunironic.\tAgain,\tI\twondered\thow\tshe\tcould\tbe so\tresigned\tto\ther\tfate,\tso\tready\tto\tlet\tCaligula\texpel\ther\tand\ther\tfather\tfrom\tthe life\tthey\thad\tbuilt\there.\tBut,\tsince\tshe\thad\ta\tloaded\tweapon\tin\ther\thand,\tI\tdidn\u2019t challenge\ther. Meg\u2019s\thead\tpopped\tup\tbetween\tour\tseats.\t\u2018We\twon\u2019t\tneed\tyour\tex- boyfriend?\u2019 I\tswerved\tand\talmost\tran\tover\tsomeone\u2019s\tgrandmother. \u2018Meg!\u2019\tI\tchided.\t\u2018Sit\tback\tand\tbuckle\tup,\tplease.\tGrover\t\u2013\u2019\tI\tglanced\tin\tthe rear-view\tmirror\tand\tsaw\tthe\tsatyr\tchewing\ton\ta\tstrip\tof\tgrey\tfabric.\t\u2018Grover, stop\teating\tyour\tseat\tbelt.\tYou\u2019re\tsetting\ta\tbad\texample.\u2019 He\tspat\tout\tthe\tstrap.\t\u2018Sorry.\u2019 Piper\truffled\tMeg\u2019s\thair,\tthen\tplayfully\tpushed\ther\tinto\tthe\tback\tseat.\t\u2018To answer\tyour\tquestion,\tno.\tWe\u2019ll\tbe\tfine\twithout\tJason.\tI\tcan\tshow\tyou\tthe\tway into\tthe\tmaze.\tIt\twas\tmy\tdream,\tafter\tall.\tThis\tentrance\tis\tthe\tone\tthe\temperor uses,\tso\tit\tshould\tbe\tthe\tstraightest\tshot\tto\tthe\tcentre,\twhere\the\u2019s\tkeeping\tyour Sibyl.\u2019 \u2018And\twhen\tyou\twent\tinside\tbefore,\u2019\tI\tsaid,\t\u2018what\thappened?\u2019 Piper\tshrugged.\t\u2018The\tusual\tLabyrinth\tstuff\t\u2013\ttraps,\tchanging\tcorridors.\tAlso some\tstrange\tcreatures.\tGuards.\tHard\tto\tdescribe.\tAnd\tfire.\tLots\tof\tthat.\u2019 I\tremembered\tmy\tvision\tof\tHerophile,\traising\ther\tchained\tarms\tin\tthe\troom\tof lava,\tapologizing\tto\tsomeone\twho\twasn\u2019t\tme. \u2018You\tdidn\u2019t\tactually\tfind\tthe\tOracle?\u2019\tI\tasked. Piper\twas\tsilent\tfor\thalf\ta\tblock,\tgazing\tat\tflashes\tof\tocean\tvista\tbetween houses.\t\u2018I\tdidn\u2019t.\tBut\tthere\twas\ta\tshort\ttime\twhen\twe\tgot\tseparated,\tJason\tand","me.\tNow\t\u2026\tI\u2019m\twondering\tif\the\ttold\tme\teverything\tthat\thappened\tto\thim.\tI\u2019m pretty\tsure\the\tdidn\u2019t.\u2019 Grover\trefastened\this\tmangled\tseat\tbelt.\t\u2018Why\twould\the\tlie?\u2019 \u2018That,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid,\t\u2018is\ta\tvery\tgood\tquestion\tand\ta\tgood\treason\tto\tgo\tback\tthere without\thim.\tTo\tsee\tfor\tmyself.\u2019 I\thad\ta\tsense\tthat\tPiper\twas\tholding\tback\tquite\ta\tbit\therself\t\u2013\tdoubts,\tguesses, personal\tfeelings,\tmaybe\twhat\thad\thappened\tto\ther\tin\tthe\tLabyrinth. Hooray,\tI\tthought.\tNothing\tspices\tup\ta\tdangerous\tquest\tlike\tpersonal\tdrama between\tformerly\tromantically\tinvolved\theroes\twho\tmay\tor\tmay\tnot\tbe\ttelling each\tother\t(and\tme)\tthe\twhole\ttruth. Piper\tdirected\tme\tinto\tdowntown\tLos\tAngeles. I\tconsidered\tthis\ta\tbad\tsign.\t\u2018Downtown\tLos\tAngeles\u2019\thad\talways\tstruck\tme as\tan\toxymoron,\tlike\t\u2018hot\tice\tcream\u2019\tor\t\u2018military\tintelligence\u2019.\t(Yes,\tAres,\tthat was\tan\tinsult.) Los\tAngeles\twas\tall\tabout\tsprawl\tand\tsuburbs.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tmeant\tto\thave\ta downtown,\tany\tmore\tthan\tpizza\twas\tmeant\tto\thave\tmango\tchunks.\tOh,\tsure, here\tand\tthere\tamong\tthe\tdull\tgrey\tgovernment\tbuildings\tand\tclosed-up shopfronts,\tparts\tof\tdowntown\thad\tbeen\trevitalized.\tAs\twe\tzigzagged\tthrough the\tsurface\tstreets,\tI\tspotted\tplenty\tof\tnew\tcondos,\thip\tstores\tand\tswanky\thotels. But,\tto\tme,\tall\tthose\tefforts\tseemed\tabout\tas\teffective\tas\tputting\tmake-up\ton\ta Roman\tlegionnaire.\t(And,\tbelieve\tme,\tI\u2019d\ttried.) We\tpulled\tover\tnear\tGrand\tPark,\twhich\twas\tneither\tgrand\tnor\tmuch\tof\ta\tpark. Across\tthe\tstreet\trose\tan\teight-storey\thoneycomb\tof\tconcrete\tand\tglass.\tI\tseemed to\trecall\tgoing\tthere\tonce,\tdecades\tbefore,\tto\tregister\tmy\tdivorce\tfrom\tGreta Garbo.\tOr\twas\tit\tLiz\tTaylor?\tI\tcouldn\u2019t\trecall. \u2018The\tHall\tof\tRecords?\u2019\tI\tasked. \u2018Yeah,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018But\twe\u2019re\tnot\tgoing\tinside.\tJust\tpark\tin\tthe\tfifteen-minute loading\tzone\tover\tthere.\u2019 Grover\tleaned\tforward.\t\u2018What\tif\twe\u2019re\tnot\tback\tin\tfifteen\tminutes?\u2019 Piper\tsmiled.\t\u2018Then\tI\u2019m\tsure\tthe\ttowing\tcompany\twill\ttake\tgood\tcare\tof\tMr Bedrossian\u2019s\tEscalade.\u2019 Once\ton\tfoot,\twe\tfollowed\tPiper\tto\tthe\tside\tof\tthe\tgovernment\tcomplex, where\tshe\tput\ther\tfinger\tto\ther\tlips\tfor\tquiet,\tthen\tmotioned\tfor\tus\tto\tpeek around\tthe\tcorner. Running\tthe\tlength\tof\tthe\tblock\twas\ta\ttwenty-foot-high\tconcrete\twall, punctuated\tby\tunremarkable\tmetal\tdoors\tthat\tI\tassumed\twere\tservice\tentrances. In\tfront\tof\tone\tof\tthose\tdoors,\tabout\thalfway\tdown\tthe\tblock,\tstood\ta\tstrange- looking\tguard.","Despite\tthe\twarm\tday,\the\twore\ta\tblack\tsuit\tand\ttie.\tHe\twas\tsquat\tand\tburly, with\tunusually\tlarge\thands.\tWrapped\taround\this\thead\twas\tsomething\tI\tcouldn\u2019t quite\tfigure\tout,\tlike\tan\textra-large\tArabic\tkaffiyeh\tmade\tof\tfuzzy\twhite terrycloth,\twhich\tdraped\tacross\this\tshoulders\tand\thung\thalfway\tdown\this\tback. That\talone\tmight\tnot\thave\tbeen\tso\tstrange.\tHe\tcould\thave\tbeen\ta\tprivate\tsecurity guard\tworking\tfor\tsome\tSaudi\toil\ttycoon.\tBut\twhy\twas\the\tstanding\tin\tan\talley next\tto\ta\tnondescript\tmetal\tdoor?\tAnd\twhy\twas\this\tface\tentirely\tcovered\tin white\tfur\t\u2013\tfur\tthat\texactly\tmatched\this\theaddress? Grover\tsniffed\tthe\tair,\tthen\tpulled\tus\tback\taround\tthe\tcorner. \u2018That\tguy\tisn\u2019t\thuman,\u2019\the\twhispered. \u2018Give\tthe\tsatyr\ta\tprize,\u2019\tPiper\twhispered\tback,\tthough\tI\twasn\u2019t\tsure\twhy\twe were\tbeing\tso\tquiet.\tWe\twere\thalf\ta\tblock\taway,\tand\tthere\twas\tplenty\tof\tstreet noise. \u2018What\tis\the?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. Piper\tchecked\tthe\tdart\tin\ther\tblowpipe.\t\u2018That\u2019s\ta\tgood\tquestion.\tBut\tthey\tcan be\treal\ttrouble\tif\tyou\tdon\u2019t\ttake\tthem\tby\tsurprise.\u2019 \u2018They?\u2019\tI\tasked. \u2018Yeah.\u2019\tPiper\tfrowned.\t\u2018Last\ttime,\tthere\twere\ttwo.\tAnd\tthey\thad\tblack\tfur.\tNot sure\thow\tthis\tone\tis\tdifferent.\tBut\tthat\tdoor\tis\tthe\tentrance\tto\tthe\tmaze,\tso\twe need\tto\ttake\thim\tout.\u2019 \u2018Should\tI\tuse\tmy\tswords?\u2019\tMeg\tasked. \u2018Only\tif\tI\tmiss.\u2019\tPiper\ttook\ta\tfew\tdeep\tbreaths.\t\u2018Ready?\u2019 I\tdidn\u2019t\timagine\tshe\twould\taccept\tno\tas\tan\tanswer,\tso\tI\tnodded\talong\twith Grover\tand\tMeg. Piper\tstepped\tout,\traised\ther\tblowpipe\tand\tfired. It\twas\ta\tfifty-foot\tshot,\tat\tthe\tedge\tof\twhat\tI\tconsider\tpractical\tblowpipe range,\tbut\tPiper\thit\ther\ttarget.\tThe\tdart\tpierced\tthe\tman\u2019s\tleft\ttrouser\tleg. The\tguard\tlooked\tdown\tat\tthe\tstrange\tnew\taccoutrement\tprotruding\tfrom\this thigh.\tThe\tshaft\u2019s\tfletching\tmatched\this\twhite\tfur\tperfectly. Oh,\tgreat,\tI\tthought.\tWe\tjust\tmade\thim\tangry. Meg\tsummoned\ther\tgolden\tswords. Grover\tfumbled\tfor\this\treed\tpipes. I\tprepared\tto\trun\taway\tscreaming. \u2018Wait,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid. The\tguard\tlisted\tsideways,\tas\tif\tthe\twhole\tcity\twere\ttilting\tto\tstarboard,\tthen passed\tout\tcold\ton\tthe\tsidewalk. I\traised\tmy\teyebrows.\t\u2018Poison?\u2019 \u2018Grandpa\tTom\u2019s\tspecial\trecipe,\u2019\tPiper\tsaid.\t\u2018Now,\tcome\ton.\tI\u2019ll\tshow\tyou what\u2019s\treally\tweird\tabout\tFuzz\tFace.\u2019","15 Grover\tleaves\tearly\t Grover\tis\ta\tsmart\tsatyr\t Lester,\tnot\tso\tmuch \u2018What\tis\the?\u2019\tMeg\tasked\tagain.\t\u2018He\u2019s\tfun.\u2019 Fun\twould\tnot\thave\tbeen\tmy\tadjective\tof\tchoice. The\tguard\tlay\tsprawled\ton\this\tback,\this\tlips\tfoaming,\this\thalf-lidded\teyes twitching\tin\ta\tsemiconscious\tstate. Each\tof\this\thands\thad\teight\tfingers.\tThat\texplained\twhy\tthey\u2019d\tlooked\tso large\tfrom\ta\tdistance.\tJudging\tfrom\tthe\twidth\tof\this\tblack\tleather\tshoes,\tI guessed\the\thad\teight\ttoes\tas\twell.\tHe\tseemed\tyoung,\tno\tmore\tthan\ta\tteenager\tin human\tterms,\tbut,\texcept\tfor\this\tforehead\tand\tcheeks,\this\twhole\tface\twas covered\tin\tfine\twhite\tfur\tthat\tresembled\tthe\tchest\thair\tof\ta\tterrier. The\treal\tconversation\tpiece\twas\this\tears.\tWhat\tI\thad\tmistaken\tfor\ta\theaddress had\tcome\tunfurled,\trevealing\ttwo\tfloppy\tovals\tof\tcartilage,\tshaped\tlike\thuman ears\tbut\teach\tthe\tsize\tof\ta\tbeach\ttowel,\twhich\ttold\tme\timmediately\tthat\tthe\tpoor boy\u2019s\tmiddle-school\tnickname\twould\thave\tbeen\tDumbo.\tHis\tear\tcanals\twere wide\tenough\tto\tcatch\tbaseballs,\tand\tstuffed\twith\tso\tmuch\thair\tthat\tPiper\tcould have\tused\tit\tto\tfletch\tan\tentire\tquiverful\tof\tdarts. \u2018Big\tEars,\u2019\tI\tsaid. \u2018Duh,\u2019\tsaid\tMeg. \u2018No,\tI\tmean\tthis\tmust\tbe\tone\tof\tthe\tBig\tEars\tthat\tMacro\tspoke\tof.\u2019 Grover\ttook\ta\tstep\tback.\t\u2018The\tcreatures\tCaligula\tis\tusing\tfor\this\tpersonal guard?\tDo\tthey\thave\tto\tbe\tso\tscary-looking?\u2019 I\twalked\ta\tcircle\taround\tthe\tyoung\thumanoid.\t\u2018Think\thow\tkeen\this\thearing must\tbe!\tAnd\timagine\tall\tthe\tguitar\tchords\the\tcould\tplay\twith\tthose\thands.\tHow"]
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
