BOOKSBYRICKRIORDAN
PERCYJACKSONANDTHEOLYMPIANSTheLightningThiefTheSeaofMonstersTheTitan’sCurse
TheBattleoftheLabyrinthTheLastOlympian
TheDemigodFiles
PercyJackson’sGreekGods,illustratedbyJohnRocco
TheLightningThief:TheGraphicNovel
TheSeaofMonsters:TheGraphicNovel
TheTitan’sCurse:TheGraphicNovel
THEKANECHRONICLESTheRedPyramidTheThroneofFireTheSerpent’sShadow
TheKaneChroniclesSurvivalGuide
TheKaneChroniclesSurvivalGuide(InteractiveVersion)
TheRedPyramid:TheGraphicNovel
TheThroneofFire:TheGraphicNovel(comingOctober2015!)
THEHEROESOFOLYMPUSTheLostHero
TheSonofNeptuneTheMarkofAthenaTheHouseofHadesTheBloodofOlympus
TheDemigodDiaries
TheLostHero:TheGraphicNovel
TheSonofNeptune:TheGraphicNovel
SHORTSTORIESBYRICKRIORDAN
TheSonofSobekACarterKane/PercyJacksonShortStory
TheStaffofSerapisAnAnnabethChase/SadieKaneAdventure
TheCrownofPtolemyWithPercyJackson,AnnabethChase,CarterKane,&SadieKane
Enjoythisnever-before-publishedshortstoryfeaturingPercy,Annabeth,Carter,andSadie!
Copyright©2015byRickRiordan
ExcerptfromMagnusChaseandtheGodsofAsgard,BookOne:TheSwordofSummercopyright©2015byRickRiordan
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Contents
TitlePageAlsobyRickRiordanCopyrightTheCrownofPtolemyPreviewofMagnusChaseandtheGodsofAsgard,BookOne:TheSwordofSummer
“CARTER!”ISHOUTED.Nothinghappened.Nexttome,pressedagainstthewalloftheoldfort,Annabethpeeredintothe
rain,waitingformagicalteenagerstofalloutofthesky.“Areyoudoingitright?”sheaskedme.“Gee,Idunno.I’mprettysurehisnameispronouncedCarter.”“Trytappingthehieroglyphmultipletimes.”“That’sstupid.”“Justtryit.”Istaredatmyhand.Therewasn’tevenatraceofthehieroglyphthatCarter
Kanehaddrawnonmypalmalmosttwomonthsback.He’dassuredmethatthemagiccouldn’tbewashedaway,butwithmyluck,I’daccidentallywipeditoffonmypantsorsomething.
Itappedmypalm.“Carter.Hello,Carter.PercytoCarter.PagingCarterKane.Testing,one,two,three.Isthisthingon?”
Stillnothing.UsuallyIwouldn’tpanicifthecavalryfailedtoshow.AnnabethandIhad
beeninalotofbadsituationswithoutanybackup.Butusuallyweweren’tstrandedonGovernorsIslandinthemiddleofahurricane,surroundedbyfire-breathingdeathsnakes.
(Actually,Ihavebeensurroundedbyfire-breathingdeathsnakesbefore,butnotoneswithwings.Everythingisworsewhenithaswings.)
“Allright.”Annabethwipedtherainoutofhereyes,whichdidn’thelp,sinceitwaspouringbuckets.“Sadie’snotansweringherphone.Carter’shieroglyphisn’tworking.Iguesswehavetodothisourselves.”
“Sure,”Isaid.“Butwhatdowedo?”Ipeekedaroundthecorner.Atthefarendofanarchedentryway,agrass
courtyardstretchedaboutahundredyardssquare,surroundedbyredbrickbuildings.AnnabethhadtoldmethisplacewasafortorsomethingfromtheRevolutionaryWar,butIhadn’tlistenedtothedetails.Ourmainproblemwastheguystandinginthemiddleofthelawndoingamagicritual.
HelookedlikearuntyElvisPresley,struttingbackandforthinskinnyblackjeans,apowder-bluedressshirt,andablackleatherjacket.Hisgreasypompadourhairdoseemedimpervioustotherainandthewind.
Inhishandsheheldanoldscroll,likeatreasuremap.Ashepaced,hereadaloudfromit,occasionallythrowingbackhisheadandlaughing.Basicallythedudewasinfull-oncrazymode.
Ifthatwasn’tcreepyenough,flyingaroundhimwerehalfadozenwingedserpents,blowingflamesintherain.
Overhead,lightningflashed.Thundershookmymolars.Annabethpulledmeback.“That’sgottobeSetne,”shesaid.“Thescrollhe’sreadingfromistheBook
ofThoth.Whateverspellhe’scasting,wehavetostophim.”AtthispointIshouldprobablybackupandexplainwhattheheckwasgoing
on.Onlyproblem:Iwasn’tsurewhattheheckwasgoingon.Acoupleofmonthsago,IfoughtthisgiantcrocodileonLongIsland.Akid
namedCarterKaneshowedup,saidhewasamagician,andproceededtohelpmebyblowingupstuffwithhieroglyphsandturningintoagiantglowingchicken-headedwarrior.Togetherwedefeatedthecrocodile,whichCarterexplainedwasasonofSobek,theEgyptiancrocodilegod.CarterpostulatedthatsomestrangeEgyptian-Greekhybridstuffwashappening.(Gee,Ineverwould’veguessed.)HewroteamagicalhieroglyphonmyhandandtoldmetocallhisnameifIeverneededhelp.
Fast-forwardtolastmonth:AnnabethranintoCarter’ssister,SadieKane,ontheAtraintoRockaway.TheyfoughtsomegodlydudenamedSerapis,whohadathree-headedstaff,andacerealbowlforahat.Afterward,SadietoldAnnabeththatanancientmagiciannamedSetnemightbebehindalltheweirdness.ApparentlythisSetnehadcomebackfromthedead,snaggedanultrapowerfulsorcerycheatsheetcalledtheBookofThoth,andwasplayingaroundwithEgyptianandGreekmagic,hopingtofindawaytobecomeagodhimself.SadieandAnnabethhadexchangednumbersandagreedtokeepintouch.
Today,fourweekslater,Annabethshowedupatmyapartmentatteninthemorningandannouncedthatshe’dhadabaddream—avisionfromhermom.
(Bytheway:hermomisAthena,thegoddessofwisdom.MydadisPoseidon.We’reGreekdemigods.JustthoughtIshouldmentionthat,youknow,inpassing.)
Annabethdecidedthatinsteadofgoingtothemovies,weshouldspendourSaturdaysloggingdowntothebottomofManhattanandtakingtheferrytoGovernorsIsland,whereAthenahadtoldherthattroublewasbrewing.
Assoonaswegotthere,afreakhurricaneslammedintoNewYorkHarbor.AllthemortalsevacuatedGovernorsIsland,leavingAnnabethandmestrandedatanoldfortwithCrazyElvisandtheFlyingDeathSnakes.
Makesensetoyou?Meneither.“Yourinvisibilitycap,”Isaid.“It’sworkingagain,right?HowaboutI
distractSetnewhileyousneakupbehindhim?Youcanknockthebookoutofhishands.”
Annabethknithereyebrows.Evenwithherblondhairplasteredtothesideofherface,shelookedcute.Hereyeswerethesamecolorasthestormclouds.
“Setneissupposedlytheworld’sgreatestmagician,”shesaid.“Hemightbeabletoseethroughinvisibility.Plus,ifyourunoutthere,he’llprobablyzapyouwithaspell.Believeme,Egyptianmagicisnotsomethingyouwanttogetzappedwith.”
“Iknow.Carterwallopedmewithaglowingbluefistonce.Butunlessyouhaveabetteridea…?”
Unfortunately,shedidn’tofferone.ShepulledherNewYorkYankeescapfromherbackpack.“Givemeaminuteheadstart.Trytotakeoutthoseflyingsnakesfirst.Theyshouldbesoftertargets.”
“Gotit.”Iraisedmyballpointpen,whichdoesn’tsoundlikeanimpressiveweapon;butitturnsintoamagicswordwhenIuncapit.No,seriously.“WillaCelestialbronzebladekillthem?”
Annabethfrowned.“Itshould.Atleast…mybronzedaggerworkedonthestaffofSerapis.Ofcourse,thatbronzedaggerwasmadefromanEgyptianwand,so…”
“I’mgettingaheadache.UsuallywhenIgetaheadache,it’stimetostoptalkingandattacksomething.”
“Fine.Justremember:ourmaingoalistogetthatscroll.AccordingtoSadie,Setnecanuseittoturnhimselfimmortal.”
“Understood.Nobadguysturningimmortalonmywatch.”Ikissedher,because1)whenyou’reademigodgoingintobattle,everykissmightbeyourlast,and2)Ilikekissingher.“Becareful.”
SheputonherYankeescapandvanished.I’dlovetotellyouthatIwalkedinandkilledthesnakes,Annabethstabbed
Elvisinthebackandtookhisscroll,andwewenthomehappy.You’dfigureonceinawhilethingswouldworkoutthewayweplanned.Butnoooooo.IgaveAnnabethafewsecondstosneakintothecourtyard.ThenIuncappedmypen,andRiptidesprangtofulllength—threefeetof
razor-sharpCelestialbronze.Istrolledintothecourtyardandslicedthenearestserpentoutoftheair.
NothingsaysHi,neighbor!likekillingaguy’sflyingreptile.
Thesnakedidn’tdisintegratelikemostmonstersI’dfought.Itstwohalvesjustlandedinthewetgrass.Thehalfwithwingsfloppedaroundaimlessly.
CrazyElvisdidn’tnotice.Hekeptpacingbackandforth,engrossedinhisscroll,soImovedfartherintothecourtyardandslicedanothersnake.
Thestormmadeithardtosee.NormallyIcanstaydrywhensubmersedinwater,butrainistrickier.Itneedledmyskinandgotinmyeyes.
Lightningflashed.Bythetimemyvisioncleared,twomoresnakesweredive-bombingmefromeitherside.Ijumpedbackwardjustastheyblewfire.
FYI,jumpingbackwardishardwhenyou’reholdingasword.It’sevenharderwhenthegroundismuddy.
Longstoryshort:Islippedandlandedonmybutt.Flamesshotovermyhead.Thetwosnakescircledabovemeliketheywere
toosurprisedtoattackagain.Probablytheywerewondering,Didthatguyjustfallonhisbuttonpurpose?Shouldwelaughbeforewekillhim?Wouldthatbemean?
Beforetheycoulddecidewhattodo,CrazyElviscalledout,“Leavehim!”Thesnakesdartedofftojointheirbrethren,whowereorbitingtenfeetabove
themagician.IwantedtogetupandfaceSetne,butmyrearendhadotherideas.Itwanted
tostaywhereitwasandbeinextremepain.Buttsarelikethatsometimes.Theycanbe,well,butts.
Setnerolleduphisscroll.Hesaunteredtowardme,therainpartingaroundhimlikeabeadcurtain.Hiswingedsnakesfollowed,theirflamesmakingplumesofsteaminthestorm.
“Hi,there!”Setnesoundedsocasualandfriendly,IknewIwasintrouble.“You’reademigod,Isuppose?”
IwonderedhowSetneknewthat.Maybehecould“smell”ademigod’saurathewayGreekmonsterscould.OrmaybemypranksterfriendstheStollbrothershadwrittenI’MADEMIGODonmyforeheadinpermanentmarker,andAnnabethhaddecidednottotellme.Thathappenedoccasionally.
Setne’ssmilemadehisfacelookevengaunter.Darkeyelinerrimmedhiseyes,givinghimahungry,feralstare.Aroundhisneckglitteredagoldenchainofinterlockingankhs,andfromhislefteardangledanornamentthatlookedlikeahumanfingerbone.
“YoumustbeSetne.”Imanagedtogettomyfeetwithoutkillingmyself.“DidyougetthatoutfitattheHalloweenStore?”
Setnechuckled.“Look,nothingpersonal,butI’malittlebusyatthemoment.I’mgoingtoaskyouandyourgirlfriendtowaitwhileIfinishmyincantation,okay?OnceI’vesummonedthedeshret,wecanchat.”
Itriedtolookconfused,whichisoneofmymostconvincingexpressions.“Whatgirlfriend?I’malone.Also,whyareyousummoningadishrag?”
“It’sdeshret.”Setnepattedhispompadour.“TheredcrownofLowerEgypt.Asforyourgirlfriend…”
Hewheeledandpointedbehindhim,shoutingsomethinglike“Sun-AH!”RedhieroglyphsburnedintheairwhereSetnepointed:
Annabethturnedvisible.I’dneveractuallyseenherwearingherYankeescapbefore,sinceshevanishedeverytimesheputiton,butthereshewas—wide-eyedwithsurprise,caughtintheactofsneakinguponSetne.
Beforeshecouldreact,theredglowinghieroglyphsturnedintoropeslikelicoricewhipsandlashedout,wrappingaroundher,pinningherarmsandlegswithsuchforcethatshetoppledover.
“Hey!”Iyelled.“Lethergo!”Themagiciangrinned.“Invisibilitymagic.Please.I’vebeenusing
invisibilityspellssincethepyramidswereunderwarranty.LikeIsaid,thisisnothingpersonal,demigods.Ijustcan’tsparetheenergytokillyou…atleastnotuntilthesummonsisover.Ihopeyouunderstand.”
Myhearthammered.I’dseenEgyptianmagicbefore,whenCarterhelpedmefightthegiantcrocodileonLongIsland,butIhadnoideahowtostopit,andIcouldn’tstandtoseeitusedagainstAnnabeth.
IchargedatSetne.Hejustwavedhishandandmuttered,“Hu-Ai.”Morestupidhieroglyphsflashedinfrontofme.
Ifellonmyface.Myfacedidnotappreciatethat.Igotmudinmynostrilsandbloodinmy
mouthfrombitingmytongue.WhenIblinked,theredhieroglyphsburnedon
theinsidesofmyeyelids.Igroaned.“Whatwasthatspell?”“Fall,”Setnesaid.“Oneofmyfavorites.Really,don’tgetup.You’lljust
hurtyourselfmore.”“Setne!”Annabethshoutedthroughthestorm.“Listentome.Youcan’tmake
yourselfintoagod.Itwon’twork.You’lljustdestroy—”Thecoilofmagicalredropesexpanded,coveringAnnabeth’smouth.“Iappreciateyourconcern,”saidthemagician.“Really,Ido.ButI’vegot
thisfiguredout.ThatbusinesswithSerapis…whenyoudestroyedmyhybridgod?Ilearnedquiteabitfromthat.Itookexcellentnotes.”
Annabethstruggleduselessly.Iwantedtoruntoher,butIhadafeelingI’djustendupwithmyfaceinthe
mudagain.I’dhavetoplaythissmart…whichwasnotmyusualstyle.Itriedtosteadymybreathing.Iscootedsideways,justtoseeifIcould.“SoyouwerewatchinginRockawayBeach?”IaskedSetne.“When
AnnabethandSadietookdownSerapis,thatwasallanexperimenttoyou?”“Ofcourse!”Setnelookedverypleasedwithhimself.“Ijotteddownthe
incantationsSerapisusedwhilehetriedtoraisehisnewAlexandrianlighthouse.Thenitwasjustamatterofcross-referencingthosewiththeoldermagicintheBookofThoth,andvoilà!IfoundexactlythespellcomboIneedtomakemyselfintoagod.It’sgoingtobegreat.Watchandsee!”
Heopenedhisscrollandstartedchantingagain.Hiswingedserpentsspiraledthroughtherain.Lightningflashed.Thegroundrumbled.
OnSetne’sleft,aboutfifteenfeetawayfromme,thegrasssplitopen.Ageyserofflamesspewedupward,andthewingedserpentsflewstraightintoit.Earth,fire,rain,andserpentsswirledintoatornadoofelements,mergingandsolidifyingintoonehugeshape:acoiledcobrawithafemalehumanhead.
Herreptilianhoodwaseasilysixfeetacross.Hereyesglitteredlikerubies.Aforkedtongueflickeredbetweenherlips,andherdarkhairwasplaitedwithgold.Restingonherheadwasasortofcrown—aredpillbox-lookingthingwithacurlicueornamentonthefront.
Now,personally,I’mnotfondofhugesnakes,especiallyoneswithhumanheadsandstupidhats.IfI’dsummonedthisthing,Iwould’vecastaspelltosenditback,superquick.
ButSetnejustrolleduphisscroll,slippeditinhisjacketpocket,andgrinned.“Awesome!”
Thecobraladyhissed.“Whodaressummonme?IamWadjet,queenofcobras,protectorofLowerEgypt,eternalmistressof—”
“Iknow!”Setneclappedhishands.“I’mahugefan!”
IcrawledtowardAnnabeth.NotthatIcouldhelpmuchwiththefallspellkeepingmeoffmyfeet,butIwantedtobeclosetoherifsomethingwentdownwiththiseternalcobraqueenofwhateverblah,blah,blah.MaybeIcouldatleastuseRiptidetocutthoseredcordsandgiveAnnabethafightingchance.
“Oh,thisissogreat,”Setnecontinued.Hefishedsomethingoutofhispantspocket…acellphone.
Thegoddessbaredherfangs.ShesprayedSetnewithacloudofgreenmist—poison,Iguessed—butherepelleditlikethenoseconeofarocketrepelledheat.
IkeptcrawlingtowardAnnabeth,whowasstrugglinghelplesslyinherred-licoricecocoon.Hereyesblazedwithfrustration.Shehatedbeingsidelinedworsethanjustaboutanything.
“Okay,where’sthecameraicon?”Setnefumbledwithhisphone.“WehavetogetapicturetogetherbeforeIdestroyyou.”
“Destroyme?”demandedthecobragoddess.ShelashedoutatSetne,butasuddengustofrainandwindpushedherback.
IwastenfeetawayfromAnnabeth.Riptide’sbladeglowedasIdraggeditthroughthemud.
“Let’ssee.”Setnetappedhisphone.“Sorry,thisisnewtome.I’mfromtheNineteenthDynasty.Ah,okay.No.Darnit.Wheredidthescreengo?Ah!Right!Sowhatdomodernfolkscallthis…asnappie?”Heleanedintowardthecobragoddess,heldouthisphoneatarm’slength,andtookapicture.“Gotit!”
“WHATISTHEMEANINGOFTHIS?”Wadjetroared.“YOUDARETAKEASELFIEWITHTHECOBRAGODDESS?”
“Selfie!”saidthemagician.“That’sright!Thanks.AndnowI’lltakeyourcrownandconsumeyouressence.Hopeyoudon’tmind.”
“WHAT?”Thecobragoddessrearedandbaredherfangsagain,buttherainandwindrestrainedherlikeaseatbelt.SetneshoutedsomethinginamixtureofEgyptianandAncientGreek.AfewoftheGreekwordsIunderstood:soulandbindandpossiblybutter(thoughIcouldbewrongaboutthelastone).Thecobragoddessbegantowrithe.
IreachedAnnabethjustasSetnefinishedhisspell.Thecobragoddessimploded,withanoiseliketheworld’slargeststraw
finishingtheworld’slargestmilkshake.Wadjetwassuckedintoherownredcrown,alongwithSetne’sfourwingedserpentsandafive-foot-widecircleoflawnwhereWadjethadbeencoiled.
Thecrowndroppedintothesmoking,muddycrater.Setnelaughedindelight.“PERFECT!”Ihadtoagree,ifbyperfecthemeantsohorrifyingIwanttovomitandIhave
togetAnnabethoutofhererightnow.
SetneclamberedintothepittoretrievethecrownasIfranticallystartedcuttingAnnabeth’sbonds.I’donlymanagedtoungaghermouthbeforethebindingsblaredlikeanairhorn.
Myearspopped.Myvisionwentblack.Whenthesounddiedandmyvertigofaded,Setnewasstandingoverus,the
redcrownnowatophispompadour.“Theropesscreamifyoucutthem,”headvised.“IguessIshould’ve
mentionedthat.”Annabethwriggled,tryingtofreeherhands.“What—whatdidyoudotothe
cobragoddess?”“Hmm?Oh.”Setnetappedthecurlicueatthefrontofthecrown.“Idevoured
heressence.NowIhavethepowerofLowerEgypt.”“You…devouredagod,”Isaid.“Yep!”Fromhisjacket,hepulledtheBookofThothandwaggeditatus.
“Amazingwhatkindofknowledgeisinhere.PtolemytheFirsthadtherightidea,makinghimselfagod,butbythetimehebecamekingofAlexandria,Egyptianmagicwasdilutedandweak.Hedefinitelydidn’thaveaccesstoprimesourcematerialliketheBookofThoth.Withthisbaby,I’mcookingwithspice!NowthatI’vegotthecrownofLowerEgypt—”
“Letmeguess,”Annabethsaid.“You’llgoforthecrownofUpperEgypt.Thenyou’llputthemtogetherandruletheworld.”
Hegrinned.“Smartgirl.ButfirstIhavetodestroyyoutwo.Nothingpersonal.It’sjustthatwhenyou’redoinghybridGreek-Egyptianmagic,I’vefoundthatalittledemigodbloodisagreatcatalyst.Now,ifyou’lljustholdstill—”
Ilungedforwardandjabbedhimwithmysword.Amazingly,Riptidewentstraightintohisgut.IsorarelysucceedthatIjustcrouchedthere,stunned,myhandtremblingon
thehilt.“Wow.”Setnelookeddownatthebloodonhispowder-blueshirt.“Nice
job.”“Thanks.”ItriedtoyankoutRiptide,butitseemedtobestuck.“So…you
candienow,ifit’snottoomuchtrouble.”Setnesmiledapologetically.“Aboutthat…I’mbeyonddyingnow.Atthis
point—”Hetappedtheblade.“Getit?Thispoint?I’mafraidallyoucandoismakemestronger!”
Hisredcrownbegantoglow.Foronce,myinstinctssavedmylife.DespitetheklutzspellSetnehadhexed
mewith,Isomehowmanagedtogettomyfeet,grabAnnabeth,andhaulheras
farfromthemagicianaspossible.Idroppedtothegroundatthearchwayasamassiveroarshookthe
courtyard.Treeswereuprooted.Windowsshattered.Brickspeeledoffthewall,andeverythinginsighthurtledtowardSetneasifhe’dbecomethenewcenterofgravity.EvenAnnabeth’smagicalbondswerestrippedaway.Ittookallmystrengthtoholdherwithonearmwhilegrippingthecornerofthebuildingwithmyotherhand.
Cloudsofdebrisspunaroundthemagician.Wood,stone,andglassvaporizedastheywereabsorbedintoSetne’sbody.
Oncegravityreturnedtonormal,IrealizedI’dleftsomethingimportantbehind.
Riptidewasgone.ThewoundinSetne’sguthadclosed.“HEY!”Igotup,mylegsshaking.“Youatemysword!”Myvoicesoundedshrill—likealittlekidwho’sjusthadhislunchmoney
stolen.Thethingis,Riptidewasmymostimportantpossession.I’dhaditalongtime.Ithadseenmethroughalotofscrapes.
I’dlostmyswordbeforeonafewoccasions,butitalwaysreappearedinpenformbackinmypocket.Ihadafeelingthatwasn’tgoingtohappenthistime.Riptidehadbeenconsumed—suckedintoSetne’sbodyalongwiththebricks,thebrokenglass,andseveralcubicfeetofsod.
Setneturneduphispalms.“Sorryaboutthat.I’magrowingdeity.Ineedmynutrition….”Hetiltedhisheadasiflisteningtosomethinginthestorm.“PercyJackson.Interesting.Andyourfriend,AnnabethChase.Youtwohavehadsomeinterestingadventures.You’llgivemelotsofnourishment!”
Annabethstruggledtoherfeet.“Howdoyouknowournames?”“Oh,youcanlearnalotaboutsomeonefromdevouringtheirprized
possession.”Setnepattedhisstomach.“Now,ifyoudon’tmind,Ireallyneedtoconsumeyouboth.Nottoworry,though!Youressencewillliveforeverrighthere…nexttomy,uh,pancreas,Ithink.”
IslippedmyhandintoAnnabeth’s.Afterallwe’dbeenthrough,Iwasnotgoingtoletourlivesendthisway—devouredbyawannabeElvisgodwithapillboxhat.
Iweighedmyoptions:directattackorstrategicretreat.IwantedtopunchSetneinhisheavilymascaraedeyes,butifIcouldgetAnnabethtotheshore,wecouldjumpintotheharbor.BeingthesonofPoseidon,I’dhavetheupperhandunderwater.Wecouldregroup,maybecomebackwithafewdozendemigodfriendsandsomeheavyartillery.
BeforeIcoulddecide,somethingcompletelyrandomchangedtheequation.Afull-sizedcameldroppedoutoftheskyandcrushedSetneflat.
“Sadie!”Annabethcried.Forasplit-second,IthoughtshewascallingthecamelSadie.ThenIrealized
Annabethwaslookingupintothestorm,wheretwofalconsspiraledabovethecourtyard.
Thecamelbellowedandfarted,whichmademeappreciateitevenmore.Unfortunatelywedidn’thavetimetobecomefriends.Thecamelwidenedits
eyes,bleatedinalarm,anddissolvedintosand.Setnerosefromthedustpile.Hiscrownwastilted.Hisblackjacketwas
coveredincamelfuzz,buthelookedunhurt.“Thatwasrude.”Heglancedupatthetwofalconsnowdivingtowardhim.
“Notimeforthisnonsense.”Justasthebirdswereabouttoriphisfaceoff,Setnevanishedinaswirlof
rain.
Thefalconslandedandmorphedintotwohumanteens.OntherightstoodmybuddyCarterKane,lookingcasualinhisbeigelinencombatjammies,withacurvedivorywandinonehandandacrescent-bladedswordintheother.Ontheleftstoodaslightlyyoungerblondgirl,whoIassumedwashissister,Sadie.Shehadblacklinenjammies,orangehighlightsinherhair,awhitewoodenstaff,andmud-spatteredcombatboots.
Physically,thetwosiblingslookednothingalike.Carter’scomplexionwascoppery,hishairblackandcurly.Histhoughtfulscowlradiatedseriousness.Bycontrast,Sadiewasfair-skinnedwithblueeyesandalopsidedsmilesofullofmischief,Iwould’vefiguredherforaHermeskidbackatCampHalf-Blood.
Thenagain,IhaveCyclopesandtwo-tailedmermenassiblings.Iwasn’tabouttocommentontheKanekids’lackofresemblance.
Annabethexhaledwithrelief.“Iamsogladtoseeyou.”ShegaveSadieabighug.CarterandIlookedateachother.“Hey,man,”Isaid.“I’mnotgoingtohugyou.”“That’sokay,”Cartersaid.“Sorrywe’relate.Thisstormwasmessingupour
locatormagic.”InoddedlikeIknewwhatlocatormagicwas.“Sothisfriendofyours,
Setne…he’skindofadirtwipe.”Sadiesnorted.“Youdon’tknowthehalfofit.Didhehappentogiveyoua
helpfulvillainmonologue?Revealhisevilplans,saywherehewasgoingnext,thatsortofthing?”
“Well,heusedthatscroll,theBookofThoth,”Isaid.“Hesummonedacobra
goddess,devouredheressence,andstoleherredhat.”“Oh,dear.”SadieglancedatCarter.“ThecrownofUpperEgyptwillbe
next.”Carternodded.“Andifhemanagestoputthetwocrownstogether—”“He’llbecomeimmortal,”Annabethguessed.“Anewlymadegod.Then
he’llstartvacuumingupalltheGreekandEgyptianmagicintheworld.”“Alsohestolemysword,”Isaid.“Iwantitback.”Thethreeofthemstaredatme.“What?”Isaid.“Ilikemysword.”Carterhookedhiscurvy-bladedkhopeshandhiswandtohisbelt.“Tellus
everythingthathappened.Details.”Whilewetalked,Sadiemutteredsomesortofspell,andtherainbentaround
uslikewewereunderagiantinvisibleumbrella.Neattrick.Annabethhadthebettermemory,soshedidmostoftheexplainingaboutour
fightwithSetne…thoughcallingitafightwasgenerous.Whenshewasdone,Carterkneltandtracedsomehieroglyphsinthemud.“IfSetnegetsthehedjet,we’refinished,”hesaid.“He’llformthecrownof
Ptolemyand—”“Holdup,”Isaid.“Lowtoleranceforconfusingnames.Canyouexplain
what’sgoingonin,like,regularwords?”Carterfrowned.“ThepschentisthedoublecrownofEgypt,okay?The
bottomhalfistheredcrown,thedeshret.ItrepresentstheLowerKingdom.Thetophalfisthehedjet,thewhitecrownoftheUpperKingdom.”
“Youwearthemtogether,”Annabethadded,“andthatmeansyou’rethepharaohofallEgypt.”
“Exceptinthiscase,”Sadiesaid,“ouruglyfriendSetneiscreatingaveryspecialpschent—thecrownofPtolemy.”
“Okay…”Istilldidn’tgetit,butfeltlikeIshouldatleastpretendtofollowalong.“Butwasn’tPtolemyaGreekdude?”
“Yes,”Cartersaid.“AlexandertheGreatconqueredEgypt.Thenhedied.HisgeneralPtolemytookoverandtriedtomixGreekandEgyptianreligion.Heproclaimedhimselfagod-king,liketheoldpharaohs,butPtolemywentastepfurther.HeusedacombinationofGreekandEgyptmagictotrymakinghimselfimmortal.Itdidn’tworkout,but—”
“Setnehasperfectedtheformula,”Iguessed.“ThatBookofThothgiveshimsomeprimomagic.”
Sadieclappedforme.“Ithinkyou’vegotit.SetnewillrecreatethecrownofPtolemy,butthistimehe’lldoitproperly,andhe’llbecomeagod.”
“Whichisbad,”Isaid.
Annabethtuggedthoughtfullyatherear.“So…whowasthatcobragoddess?”
“Wadjet,”Cartersaid.“Theguardianoftheredcrown.”“Andthere’saguardianofthewhitecrown?”sheasked.“Nekhbet.”Carter’sexpressionturnedsour.“Thevulturegoddess.Idon’t
likehermuch,butIsupposewe’llhavetostopherfromgettingdevoured.SinceSetneneedstheUpperKingdomcrown,he’llprobablygosouthforthenextritual.It’slikeasymbolicthing.”
“Isn’tupusuallynorth?”Iasked.Sadiesmirked.“Oh,thatwouldbemuchtooeasy.InEgypt,upissouth,
becausetheNilerunsfromthesouthtothenorth.”“Great,”Isaid.“Sohowfarsoutharewetalkingabout—Brooklyn?
Antarctica?”“Idon’tthinkhe’llgothatfar.”Carterrosetohisfeetandscannedthe
horizon.“OurheadquartersareinBrooklyn.AndI’mguessingManhattanislikeGreekgodcentral?Alongtimeago,ourUncleAmoshintedatthat.”
“Well,yeah,”Isaid.“MountOlympushoversovertheEmpireStateBuilding,so—”
“MountOlympus”—Sadieblinked—“hoversoverthe…Ofcourseitdoes.Whynot?Ithinkwhatmybrother’stryingtosayisthatifSetnewantstoestablishanewseatofpower,blendingGreekandEgyptian—”
“He’dfindaplaceinbetweenBrooklynandManhattan,”Annabethsaid.“Likerighthere,GovernorsIsland.”
“Exactly,”Cartersaid.“He’llneedtoconducttheritualforthesecondcrownsouthofthispoint,butitdoesn’thavetobefarsouth.IfIwerehim—”
“Andwe’regladyou’renot,”Isaid.“—IwouldstayonGovernorsIsland.We’reatthenorthendnow,so…”Igazedsouth.“Anyoneknowwhat’sattheotherend?”“I’veneverbeenhere,”Annabethsaid.“ButIthinkthere’sapicnicarea.”“Lovely.”Sadieraisedherstaff.Thetipflaredwithwhitefire.“Anyone
fancyapicnicintherain?”“Setne’sdangerous,”Annabethsaid.“Wecan’tjustgochargingin.Weneed
aplan.”“She’sright,”Cartersaid.“Ikindoflikechargingin,”Isaid.“Speedisoftheessence,right?”“Thankyou,”Sadiemuttered.“Beingsmartisalsooftheessence,”Annabethsaid.“Exactly,”Cartersaid.“Wehavetofigureouthowtoattack.”Sadierolledhereyesatme.“JustasIfeared.Thesetwotogether…they’ll
overthinkustodeath.”Ifeltthesameway,butAnnabethwasgettingthatannoyedstormylookin
hereyes,andsinceIdateAnnabeth,IfiguredI’dbettersuggestacompromise.“Howaboutweplanwhilewewalk?”Isaid.“Wecanchargesouth,like,
reallyslowly.”“Deal,”saidCarter.Weheadeddowntheroadfromtheoldfort,pastsomefancybrickbuildings
thatmighthavebeenofficers’quartersbackintheday.Wemadeourwayacrossasoggyexpanseofsoccerfields.Therainkeptpouringdown,butSadie’smagicumbrellatraveledwithus,keepingtheworstofthestormaway.
AnnabethandCartercomparednotesfromtheresearchthey’ddone.TheytalkedaboutPtolemyandthemixingofGreekandEgyptianmagic.
AsforSadie,shedidn’tappearinterestedinstrategy.Sheleapedfrompuddletopuddleinhercombatboots.Shehummedtoherself,twirledlikealittlekid,andoccasionallypulledrandomthingsoutofherbackpack:waxanimalfigurines,somestring,apieceofchalk,abrightyellowbagofcandy.
Sheremindedmeofsomeone….Thenitoccurredtome.ShelookedlikeayoungerversionofAnnabeth,but
herfidgetingandhypernessremindedmeof…well,me.IfAnnabethandIeverhadadaughter,shemightbealotlikeSadie.
Whoa.It’snotlikeI’dneverdreamedaboutkidsbefore.Imean,youdatesomeone
foroverayear,theideaisgoingtobeinthebackofyourmindsomewhere,right?Butstill—I’mbarelyseventeen.I’mnotreadytothinktooseriouslyaboutstufflikethat.Also,I’mademigod.Onaday-to-daybasis,I’mbusyjusttryingtostayalive.
Yet,lookingatSadie,IcouldimaginethatsomedaymaybeI’dhavealittlegirlwholookedlikeAnnabethandactedlikeme—acutelittlehellionofademigod,stompingthroughpuddlesandflatteningmonsterswithmagiccamels.
Imusthavebeenstaring,becauseSadiefrownedatme.“What?”“Nothing,”Isaidquickly.Carternudgedme.“Wereyoulistening?”“Yes.No.What?”Annabethsighed.“Percy,explainingthingstoyouislikelecturingagerbil.”“Hey,WiseGirl,don’tstartwithme.”“Whatever,SeaweedBrain.Wewerejustsayingthatwe’llhavetocombine
ourattacks.”“Combineourattacks…”Ipattedmypocket,butRiptidehadnotreappeared
inpenform.Ididn’twanttoadmithownervousthatmademe.
Sure,Ihadotherskills.Icouldmakewaves(literally)andoccasionallyevenwhipupanicefrothyhurricane.ButmyswordwasabigpartofwhoIwas.Withoutit,Ifeltcrippled.
“Howdowedocombineattacks?”Cartergotamischievousgleaminhiseyesthatmadehimlookmorelikehis
sister.“WeturnSetne’sstrategyagainsthim.He’susinghybridmagic—GreekandEgyptiantogether,right?Wedothesame.”
Annabethnodded.“Greek-styleattackswon’twork.YousawwhatSetnedidwithyoursword.AndCarterisprettysureregularEgyptianspellswon’tbeenougheither.Butifwecanfindawaytomixourpowers—”
“Doyouknowhowtomixourpowers?”Iasked.Carter’sshoessquishedinthemud.“Well…notexactly.”“Oh,please,”Sadiesaid.“That’seasy.Carter,giveyourwandtoPercy.”“Why?”“Justdoit,brotherdear.Annabeth,doyourememberwhenwefought
Serapis?”“Right!”Annabeth’seyeslitup.“IgrabbedSadie’swandanditturnedintoa
Celestialbronzedagger,justlikemyoldone.ItwasabletodestroySerapis’sstaff.MaybewecancreateanotherGreekweaponfromanEgyptianwand.Goodidea,Sadie.”
“Cheers.Yousee,Idon’tneedtospendhoursplanningandresearchingtobebrilliant.Now,Carter,ifyouplease.”
AssoonasItookthewand,myhandclenchedlikeI’dgrabbedanelectricalcable.Spikesofpainshotupmyarm.Itriedtodropthewand,butIcouldn’t.Tearsfilledmyeyes.
“Bytheway,”Sadiesaid,“thismayhurtabit.”“Thanks.”Igrittedmyteeth.“Littlelateonthewarning.”Theivorybegantosmolder.Whenthesmokeclearedandtheagony
subsided,insteadofawandIwasholdingaCelestialbronzeswordthatdefinitelywasn’tRiptide.
“Whatisthis?”Iasked.“It’shuge.”Carterwhistledunderhisbreath.“I’veseenthoseinmuseums.That’sa
kopis.”Iheftedthesword.LikesomanyI’dtried,itdidn’tfeelrightinmyhands.
Thehiltwastooheavyformywrist.Thesingle-edgedbladewascurvedawkwardly,likeagianthookknife.Itriedajabandnearlylostmybalance.
“Thisonedoesn’tlooklikeyours,”ItoldCarter.“Isn’tyourscalledakopis?”“Mineisakhopesh,”Cartersaid.“TheoriginalEgyptianversion.What
you’reholdingisakopis—aGreekdesignadaptedfromtheEgyptianoriginal.
It’sthekindofswordPtolemy’swarriorswould’veused.”IlookedatSadie.“Ishetryingtoconfuseme?”“No,”shesaidbrightly.“He’sconfusingwithouttrying.”Cartersmackedhispalmagainsthisforehead.“Thatwasn’tevenconfusing.
Howwasthat—?Nevermind.Percy,themainthingis,canyoufightwiththatsword?”
Islicedthekopisthroughtheair.“IfeellikeI’mfencingwithameatcleaver,butit’llhavetodo.Whataboutweaponsforyouguys?”
Annabethrubbedtheclaybeadsonhernecklace,thewayshedoeswhenshe’sthinking.Shelookedbeautiful.ButIdigress.
“Sadie,”shesaid,“thosehieroglyphicspellsyouusedonRockawayBeach…whichonemadetheexplosion?”
“It’scalled—well,Ican’tactuallysaythewordwithoutmakingyoublowup.Holdon.”Sadierummagedthroughherbackpack.Shebroughtoutasheetofyellowpapyrus,astylus,andabottleofink—Iguessbecausepenandpaperwouldbeun-Egyptian.Sheknelt,usingherbackpackasamakeshiftwritingdesk,andscrawledinnormalletters:HA-DI.
“That’sagoodspell,”Carteragreed.“Wecouldshowyouthehieroglyphforit,butunlessyouknowhowtospeakwordsofpower—”
“Noneed,”Annabethsaid.“Thephrasemeansexplode?”“Moreorless,”Sadiesaid.“Andyoucanwritethehieroglyphonascrollwithouttriggeringtheka-
boom?”“Right.Thescrollwillstorethemagicforlater.Ifyoureadthewordfrom
thepapyrus…well,that’sevenbetter.Moreka-boomwithlesseffort.”“Good,”Annabethsaid.“Doyouhaveanotherpieceofpapyrus?”“Annabeth,”Isaid,“whatareyoudoing?’Causeifyou’remessingaround
withexplodingwords—”“Relax,”shesaid.“IknowwhatI’mdoing.Sortof.”ShekneltnexttoSadie,whogaveherafreshsheetofpapyrus.AnnabethtookthestylusandwrotesomethinginAncientGreek:
Κεραυνóω
Beingdyslexic,I’mluckyifIcanrecognizeEnglishwords,butbeingademigod,AncientGreekissortofhardwiredintomybrain.
“Ke-rau-noh,”Ipronounced.“Blast?”Annabethgavemeawickedlittlesmile.“ClosesttermIcouldthinkof.
Literallyitmeansstrikewithlightningbolts.”
“Ooh,”Sadiesaid.“Ilovestrikingthingswithlightningbolts.”Carterstaredatthepapyrus.“You’rethinkingwecouldinvokeanAncient
Greekwordthesamewaywedowithhieroglyphs?”“It’sworthatry,”Annabethsaid.“Whichofyouisbetterwiththatkindof
magic?”“Sadie,”Cartersaid.“I’mmoreacombatmagician.”“Giantchickenmode,”Iremembered.“Dude,myavatarisafalcon-headedwarrior.”“IstillthinkyoucouldgetasponsorshipdealwithKFC.Makesomebig
bucks.”“Knockitoff,youtwo.”AnnabethhandedherscrolltoSadie.“Carter,let’s
trade.I’lltryyourkhopesh;youtrymyYankeescap.”Shetossedhimthehat.“I’musuallymoreofabasketballguy,but…”Carterputonthecapand
disappeared.“Wow,okay.I’minvisible,aren’tI?”Sadieapplauded.“You’veneverlookedbetter,brotherdear.”“Veryfunny.”“IfyoucansneakuponSetne,”Annabethsuggested,“youmightbeableto
takehimbysurprise,getthecrownawayfromhim.”“ButyoutoldusSetnesawrightthroughyourinvisibility,”Cartersaid.“Thatwasme,”Annabethsaid,“aGreekusingaGreekmagicitem.Foryou,
maybeit’llworkbetter—ordifferently,atleast.”“Carter,giveitashot,”Isaid.“Theonlythingbetterthanagiantchicken
manisagiantinvisiblechickenman.”Suddenlythegroundshookunderourfeet.Acrossthesoccerfields,towardthesouthendoftheisland,awhiteglowlit
thehorizon.“Thatcan’tbegood,”Annabethsaid.“No,”Sadieagreed.“Perhapsweshouldchargeinalittlemorequickly.”
Thevultureswerehavingaparty.Pastalineoftrees,amuddyfieldstretchedtotheedgeoftheisland.Atthe
baseofasmalllighthouse,afewpicnictableshuddledasifforshelter.Acrosstheharbor,theStatueofLibertyglowedwhiteinthestorm,raincloudspushingaroundherlikewavesofftheprowofaship.
Inthemiddleofthepicnicgrounds,sixlargeblackbuzzardswhirledintherain,orbitingourbuddySetne.
Themagicianwasrockinganewoutfit.He’dchangedintoaredquilted
smokingjacket—Iguesstomatchhisredcrown.Hissilkpantsshimmeredinredandblackpaisley.Justtomakesurehislookwasn’ttoounderstated,hisloaferswereentirelycoveredinrhinestones.
HestruttedaroundwiththeBookofThoth,chantingsomespell,thesamewayhe’ddonebackatthefort.
“He’ssummoningNekhbet,”Sadiemurmured.“I’dreallyrathernotseeheragain.”
“WhatkindofnameisNeckButt,anyway?”Iasked.Sadiesnickered.“That’swhatIcalledherthefirsttimeIsawher.Butreally,
she’snotverynice.Possessedmygran,chasedmeacrossLondon…”“Sowhat’stheplan?”Carterasked.“Maybeaflankingmaneuver?”“Or,”Annabethsaid,“wecouldtryadiversionary—”“Charge!”Sadiebarreledintotheclearing,herstaffinonehandandher
Greekscrollintheother.IglancedatAnnabeth.“Yournewfriendisawesome.”ThenIfollowedSadie.Myplanwasprettysimple:runatSetneandkillhim.Evenwithmyheavy
newsword,IoutpacedSadie.Twovulturesdivedatme.Islicedthemoutoftheair.
IwasfivefeetfromSetneandimaginingthesatisfactionofslicinghiminhalfwhenheturnedandnoticedme.Themagicianvanished.Mybladecutthroughemptyair.
Istumbled,off-balanceandangry.Tenfeettomyleft,Sadiesmackedavulturewithherstaff.Thebird
explodedintowhitesand.Annabethjoggedtowardus,givingmeoneofthoseannoyedexpressionslike,Ifyougetyourselfkilled,I’mgoingtomurderyou.Carter,beinginvisible,wasnowheretobeseen.
Withaboltofwhitefire,Sadieblastedanothervultureoutofthesky.Theremainingbirdsscatteredinthestorm.
SadiescannedthefieldforSetne.“Whereistheskinnyoldgit?”Theskinnyoldgitappearedrightbehindher.Hespokeasinglewordfrom
hisscrollofnastysurprises,andthegroundexploded.WhenIregainedmysenses,Iwasstillstanding,whichwasaminormiracle.
TheforceofthespellhadpushedmeawayfromSetne,somyshoeshadmadetrenchesinthemud.
Ilookedup,butIcouldn’tmakesenseofwhatIwasseeing.AroundSetne,theearthhadrupturedinaten-foot-diameterring,splittingopenlikeaseedpod.Plumesofdirthadsprayedoutwardandwerefrozeninmidair.Tendrilsofredsandcoiledaroundmylegsandbrushedagainstmyfaceastheysnakedinall
directions.Itlookedlikesomebodyhadstoppedtimewhileslingingredmudfromagiantsaladspinner.
Sadielayflatonthegroundtomyleft,herlegsburiedunderablanketofmud.Shestruggledbutcouldn’tseemtogetfree.Herstaffwasknockedoutofreach.Herscrollwasamuddyraginherhand.
Isteppedtowardher,butthecoilsofsandpushedmeback.Somewherebehindme,Annabethyelledmyname.Iturnedandsawherjust
outsidetheexplosionzone.Shewastryingtochargein,buttheearthentendrilsmovedtoblockher,whippingaroundlikeoctopusarms.
TherewasnosignofCarter.Icouldonlyhopehehadn’tgottencaughtinthisstupidweboffloatingdirt.
“Setne!”Iyelled.Themagicianbrushedthelapelsofhissmokingjacket.“Youreallyshould
stopinterruptingme,demigod.ThedeshretcrownwasoriginallyagifttothepharaohsfromtheearthgodGeb,youknow.Itcandefenditselfwithsomecoolearthmagic!”
Igrittedmyteeth.AnnabethandIhadrecentlydonebattlewithGaeatheEarthMother.MoredirtsorcerywasthelastthingIneeded.
Sadiestruggled,herlegsstillencasedinmud.“Cleanupallthisdirtrightnow,youngman.Thengiveusthatcrownandgotoyourroom.”
Themagician’seyesglittered.“Ah,Sadie.Delightfulasalways.Where’syourbrother?DidIaccidentallyblowhimup?Youcanthankmeforthatlater.Rightnow,Imustgetonwithbusiness.”
Heturnedhisbackonusandresumedchanting.Thewindpickedup.Rainwhippedaroundhim.Thefloatinglinesofsand
begantostirandshift.Imanagedtostepforward,butitwaslikewadingthroughwetcement.
Behindme,Annabethwasn’thavingmuchmoreluck.Sadiemanagedtopulloneofherlegsfree,minushercombatboot.ShecursedworsethanmyimmortalhorsefriendArion(whichisprettybad)assheretrievedtheboot.
Setne’sweirdearthspellwasloosening,butnotfastenough.I’donlymanagedtwomorestepswhenSetnefinishedhisincantation.
Infrontofhim,awispofdarknessgrewintotheformofaqueenlywoman.Rubiesembroideredthecollarofherblackdress.Goldbandscircledherupperarms.Herfacehadanimperious,timelessqualitythatI’dlearnedtorecognize.ItmeantI’magoddess;dealwithit.Perchedatopherbraidedblackhairwasawhiteconicalcrown,andIcouldn’thelpwonderingwhyapowerfulimmortalbeingwouldchoosetowearaheadpieceshapedlikeabowlingpin.
“You!”shesnarledatSetne.
“Me!”heagreed.“Wonderfultoseeyouagain,Nekhbet.Sorrywedon’thavelongertochat,butIcan’tkeepthesemortalspinneddownforever.We’llhavetomakethisbrief.Thehedjet,please.”
Thevulturegoddessspreadherarms,whichgrewintohugeblackwings.Aroundher,theairturneddarkassmoke.“Idonotyieldtoupstartslikeyou.Iamtheprotectorofthecrown,theshieldofthepharaoh,the—”
“Yes,yes,”Setnesaid.“Butyou’veyieldedtoupstartsplentyoftimes.ThehistoryofEgyptisbasicallyalistofwhichupstartsyou’veyieldedto.Solet’shavethecrown.”
Ididn’tknowvulturescouldhiss,butNekhbetdid.Smokebillowedfromherwings.
Allaroundtheclearing,Setne’searthmagicshattered.Thetendrilsofredsandfelltothegroundwithaloudslosh,andsuddenlyIcouldmoveagain.Sadiestruggledtoherfeet.Annabethrantomyside.
Setnedidn’tseemconcernedaboutus.HegaveNekhbetamockbow.“Veryimpressive.Butwatchthis!”Hedidn’tneedtoreadfromthescrollthistime.Heshoutedacombinationof
GreekandEgyptian—wordsIrecognizedfromthespellhe’dusedbackatthefort.
IlockedeyeswithAnnabeth.Icouldtellwewerethinkingthesamething.Wecouldn’tletSetneconsumethegoddess.
Sadieraisedhermuddypieceofpapyrus.“Annabeth,youandPercygetNekhbetoutofhere.GO!”
Notimetoargue.AnnabethandIplowedintothegoddesslikelinebackersandpushedheracrossthefield,awayfromSetne.
Behindus,Sadieyelled,“Ke-rau-noh!”Ididn’tseetheexplosion,butitmusthavebeenimpressive.AnnabethandIwerethrownforward.WelandedontopofNekhbet,wholet
outanindignantsquawk.(Bytheway,Iwouldnotrecommendstuffingyourpillowwithvulturefeathers.They’renotverycomfy.)
Imanagedtogetup.WhereSetnehadbeenstandingwasasmokingcrater.Sadie’shairwassingedatthetips.Herscrollwasgone.Hereyeswerewide
withsurprise.“Thatwasbrilliant.DidIgethim?”“Nope!”Setneappearedafewfeetaway,stumblingalittle.Hisclotheswere
smoldering,buthelookedmoredazedthanhurt.Hekneltandpickedupsomethingconicalandwhite…Nekhbet’scrown,
whichmust’verolledoffwhenwetackledher.“Thanksforthis.”Setnespreadhisarmstriumphantly—thewhitecrownin
onehand,theBookofThothintheother.“Now,wherewasI?Oh,right!
Consumingallofyou!”Acrossthefield,Carter’svoiceyelled:“STAHP!”IguessstahpisactuallyawordinAncientEgyptian.Whoknew?Abrightbluehieroglyphscythedthroughtheair,cuttingoffSetne’sright
handatthewrist.
Setneshriekedinpain.TheBookofThothdroppedintothegrass.Twentyfeetawayfromme,Carterappearedoutofthinair,holding
Annabeth’sYankeescap.Hewasn’tingiantchickenmode,butsincehe’djustsavedourlives,Iwasn’tgoingtocomplain.
SetneglanceddownattheBookofThoth,stillinhisseveredhand,butIlungedforward,thrustingthepointofmynewswordunderhisnose.“Idon’tthinkso.”
Themagiciansnarled.“Takethebook,then!Idon’tneeditanymore!”Hevanishedinawhirlofdarkness.Onthegroundbehindme,thevulturegoddessNekhbetthrashedandpushed
Annabethaside.“Getoffme!”“Hey,lady,”—Annabethrose—“Iwastryingtokeepyoufrombeing
devoured.You’rewelcome.”Thevulturegoddessgottoherfeet.Shedidn’tlooknearlyasimpressivewithouthercrown.Herhairdowasa
mud-and-grasssalad.Herblackdresshadturnedintoasmockofmoltingfeathers.Shelookedshriveledandhunchedover,withherneckstickingoutlike…well,avulture.Allsheneededwasacardboardsignsaying:HOMELESS,ANYTHINGHELPS,andItotallywouldhavegivenhermysparechange.
“Youmiserablechildren,”shegrumbled.“Icouldhavedestroyedthatmagician!”
“Notsomuch,”Isaid.“Afewminutesago,wewatchedSetneinhaleacobragoddess.Shewasalotmoreimpressivethanyou.”
Nekhbet’seyesnarrowed.“Wadjet?HeinhaledWadjet?Tellmeeverything.”CarterandSadiejoinedusaswebriefedthegoddessonwhathadhappened
sofar.Whenweweredone,Nekhbetwailedinoutrage.“Thisisunacceptable!
WadjetandIwerethesymbolsofunityinAncientEgypt.WewerereveredastheTwoLadies!ThatupstartSetnehasstolenmyotherLady!”
“Well,hedidn’tgetyou,”Sadiesaid.“WhichIsupposeisagoodthing.”Nekhbetbaredherteeth,whichwerepointyandredlikearowoflittle
vulturebeaks.“YouKanes.Ishould’veknownyou’dbeinvolved.Alwaysmuckingaboutingodlyaffairs.”
“Oh,sonowit’sourfault?”Sadieheftedherstaff.“Listenhere,buzzardbreath—”
“Let’sstayfocused,”Cartersaid.“AtleastwegottheBookofThoth.WestoppedSetnefromdevouringNekhbet.Sowhat’sSetne’snextmove,andhowdowestophim?”
“Hehasbothpartsofthepschent!”saidthevulturegoddess.“Withoutmyessence,thewhitecrownisnotaspowerfulasitwouldbe,true,butit’sstillenoughforSetne’spurposes.HeneedsonlytocompletethedeificationceremonywhilewearingthecrownofPtolemy.Thenhewillbecomeagod.Ihateitwhenmortalsbecomegods!Theyalwayswantthrones.TheybuildgarishMcPalaces.Theydon’trespecttherulesinthegods’lounge.”
“Thegods’lounge?”Iasked.“Wemuststophim!”Nekhbetyelled.Sadie,Carter,Annabeth,andIexchangeduneasylooks.Normallywhena
godsaysWemuststophim,itmeansYoumuststophimwhileIsitbackandenjoyacoldbeverage.ButNekhbetseemedseriousaboutjoiningthegang.
Thatdidn’tmakemeanylessnervous.Itrytoavoidteamingupwithgoddesseswhoeatroadkill.It’soneofmypersonalboundaries.
Carterknelt.HepulledtheBookofThothfromSetne’sseveredhand.“Canweusethescroll?Ithaspowerfulmagic.”
“Ifthat’strue,”Annabethsaid,“whywouldSetneleaveitbehind?Ithoughtitwasthekeytohisimmortality.”
“Hesaidhewasdonewithit,”Irecalled.“Iguesshe,like,passedthetest,sohethrewawayhisnotes.”
Annabethlookedhorrified.“Areyoucrazy?Youthrowawayyournotesafteratest?”
“Doesn’teverybody,MissBrainiac?”“Guys!”Sadieinterrupted.“It’sterriblycutewatchingyoutwosnipeateach
other,butwehavebusiness.”SheturnedtoNekhbet.“Now,yourScavengingHighness,isthereawaytostopSetne?”
Nekhbetcurledhertalonfingernails.“Possibly.He’snotafullgodyet.Butwithoutmycrown,myownpowersaregreatlydiminished.”
“WhatabouttheBookofThoth?”Sadieasked.“Itmaybenofurtheruseto
Setne,butitdidhelpusdefeatApophis.”Atthementionofthatname,Nekhbet’sfaceblanched.Threefeathersfell
fromherdress.“Pleasedon’tremindmeofthatbattle.Butyou’recorrect.TheBookofThothcontainsaspellforimprisoninggods.Itwouldtakeagreatdealofconcentrationandpreparation….”
Cartercoughed.“I’mguessingSetnewon’tstandaroundquietlywhilewegetready.”
“No,”Nekhbetagreed.“Atleastthreeofyouwouldberequiredtosetapropertrap.Acirclemustbedrawn.Aropemustbeenchanted.Theearthmustbeconsecrated.Otherpartsofthespellwouldhavetobeimprovised.IhatePtolemaicmagic.MixingGreekandEgyptianpowerisanabomination.However—”
“Itworks,”Annabethsaid.“Carterwasabletogoinvisibleusingmyhat.Sadie’sexplosionscrollatleastdazedSetne.”
“Butwe’llneedmore,”Sadiesaid.“Yes…”ThevulturegoddessfixedhereyesonmelikeIwasatastydead
possumonthesideofthehighway.“OneofyouwillhavetofightSetneandkeephimunbalancedwhiletheotherspreparethetrap.Weneedaverypotenthybridattack,anabominationevenPtolemywouldapproveof.”
“Whyareyoulookingatme?”Iasked.“I’mnotabominable.”“YouareasonofPoseidon,”thegoddessnoted.“Thatwouldbeamost
unexpectedcombination.”“Combination?What—”“Oh,no,no,no.”Sadieraisedherhands.Shelookedhorrified,andanything
thatcouldscarethatgirlIdidnotwanttoknowabout.“Nekhbet,youcan’tbeserious.Youwantademigodtohostyou?He’snotevenamagician.Hedoesn’thavethebloodofthepharaohs!”
Cartergrimaced.“That’sherpoint,Sadie.Percyisn’ttheusualkindofhost.Ifthepairingworked,hecouldbeverypowerful.”
“Oritcouldmelthisbrain!”Sadiesaid.“Holdit,”Annabethsaid.“Iprefermyboyfriendwithanun-meltedbrain.
Whatexactlyarewetalkingabouthere?”CarterwaggedtheYankeescapatme.“NekhbetwantsPercytobeherhost.
That’sonewaytheEgyptiangodsmaintainapresenceinthemortalworld.Theycaninhabitmortals’bodies.”
Mystomachjackknifed.“Youwanther”—Ipointedatthefrazzledoldvulturegoddess—“toinhabitme?Thatsounds…”
Itriedtothinkofawordthatwouldconveymycompletedisgustwithoutoffendingthegoddess.Ifailed.
“Nekhbet”—Annabethsteppedforward—“joinwithmeinstead.I’machildofAthena.Imightbebetter—”
“Ridiculous!”Thegoddesssneered.“Yourmindistoowily,girl—toostubbornandintelligent.Icouldn’tsteeryouaseasily.”
“Steerme?”Iprotested.“Hey,lady,I’mnotaToyota.”“Myhostneedsacertainlevelofsimplicity,”thegoddesscontinued.“Percy
Jacksonisperfect.Heispowerful,yethismindisnotoverlycrowdedwithplansandideas.”
“Wow,”Isaid.“Reallyfeelingthelovehere.”Nekhbetroundedonme.“Thereisnotimetoargue!Withoutaphysical
anchor,Icannotremaininthemortalworldmuchlonger.IfyouwanttostopSetnefrombecomingimmortal,youneedthepowerofagod.Wemustactnow.Together,wewilltriumph!Wewillfeastuponthatupstartmagician’scarcass!”
Iswallowed.“I’mactuallytryingtocutbackoncarcassfeasting.”Cartergavemeasympatheticlookthatonlymademefeelworse.
“Unfortunately,Nekhbetisright.Percy,you’reourbestshot.SadieandIcouldn’thostNekhbetevenifshewantedusto.Wealreadyhavepatrongods.”
“Who,conveniently,havegonesilent,”Sadienoted.“Scaredofgettingtheiressencessuckedup,Isuppose.”
Nekhbetfixedherglitteryblackeyesonme.“Doyouconsenttohostingme,demigod?”
Icouldthinkofamillionwaystosayno.Thewordyessimplywouldn’tpassmylips.IglancedatAnnabethforsupport,butshelookedasalarmedasIfelt.
“I—Idon’tknow,Percy,”sheconfessed.“Thisiswaybeyondme.”Suddenlytherainstormfizzledout.Intheeeriemuggyquiet,aredglowlit
themiddleoftheisland,asifsomebodyhadstartedabonfireonthesoccerfields.
“ThatwouldbeSetne,”Nekhbetsaid.“Hehasbegunhisascensiontogodhood.Whatisyouranswer,PercyJackson?Thiswillonlyworkproperlyifyouconsent.”
Itookadeepbreath.Itoldmyselfthathostingagoddesscouldn’tbeworsethanalltheotherweirdhorriblethingsI’dexperiencedinmydemigodcareer….Besides,myfriendsneededmyhelp.AndIdidnotwantthatskinnyElvisimpersonatortobecomeagodandbuildaMcPalaceinmyneighborhood.
“Allright,”Isaid.“Vulturemeup.”Nekhbetdissolvedintoblacksmoke.Sheswirledaroundme—fillingmy
nostrilswithasmelllikeboilingtar.
Whatwasitlikemergingwithagod?Ifyouwantthefulldetails,readmyYelpreview.Idon’tfeellikegoinginto
itagain.Igavetheexperiencehalfastar.Fornow,let’sjustsaythatbeingpossessedbyavulturegoddesswaseven
moredisturbingthanI’dimagined.Thousandsofyearsofmemoriesfloodedmymind.Isawpyramidsrising
fromthedesert,thesunglitteringontheNileRiver.Iheardpriestschantinginthecoolshadowsofatemple,andsmelledmyrrhincenseontheair.IsoaredoverthecitiesofAncientEgypt,circlingthepalaceofthepharaoh.IwasthevulturegoddessNekhbet—protectoroftheking,shieldofthestrong,scourgeoftheweakanddying.
Ialsohadaburningdesiretofindanicewarmhyenacarcass,stickmyfacerightinthere,and—
Okay,basicallyIwasn’tmyself.Itriedtofocusonthepresent.Istaredatmyshoes…thesameoldpairof
Brooks,yellowshoelaceontheleft,blackshoelaceontheright.IraisedmyswordarmtomakesureIcouldstillcontrolmymuscles.
Relax,demigod.ThevoiceofNekhbetspokeinmymind.Letmetakecharge.
“Idon’tthinkso,”Isaidaloud.Iwasrelievedthatmyvoicestillsoundedlikemyvoice.“Wedothistogetherornotatall.”
“Percy?”Annabethasked.“Areyouokay?”Lookingatherwasdisorienting.The“Percy”partofmesawmyusual
awesomegirlfriend.The“Nekhbet”partofmesawayoungwomansurroundedbyapowerfulultravioletaura—themarkofaGreekdemigod.Thesightfilledmewithdisdainandfear.(Fortherecord:IhavemyownhealthyfearofAnnabeth.Shehaskickedmybuttonmorethanoneoccasion.Butdisdain?Notsomuch.ThatwasallNekhbet.)
“I’mfine,”Isaid.“Iwastalkingtothevultureinmyhead.”Carterwalkedacirclearoundme,frowninglikeIwasanabstractsculpture.
“Percy,trytostrikeabalance.Don’tlethertakeover,butdon’tfighther,either.It’skindoflikerunningathree-leggedrace.Youhavetogetinarhythmwithyourpartner.”
“Butifyouhavetochoose,”Sadiesaid,“smackherdownandstayincontrol.”
Isnarled.“Stupidgirl!Donottellme—”Iforcedmylipsclosed.Thetasteofrottingjackalfilledmymouth.“Sorry,Sadie,”Imanaged.“ThatwasNekhbettalking,notme.”
“Iknow.”Sadie’sexpressiontightened.“Iwishwehadmoretimeforyouto
getusedtohostingagoddess.However—”Anotherredflashilluminatedthetreetops.“ThesoonerIgetthisgoddessoutofmyhead,thebetter,”Isaid.“Let’sgo
smashSetne’sface.”
Setnereallycouldnotdecideonhiswardrobe.Hestruttedaroundthesoccerfieldinblackbell-bottomedslacks,afrilly
whiteshirt,andaglitterypurpletrenchcoat—allofwhichclashedwithhisnewlycombinedredandwhitecrown.HelookedlikePrincefromoneofmymom’soldalbumcovers,andjudgingfromthemagiclightsswirlingaroundhim,Setnewasgettingreadytopartylikeitwas1999B.C.E.
Havingonlyonehanddidn’tseemtobotherhim.Hewavedhisstumpconductor-style,chantinginGreekandEgyptianwhilefogroseathisfeet.Burstsoflightdancedandbobbedaroundhim,asifathousandkidswerewritingtheirnameswithsparklers.
Ididn’tunderstandwhatIwaslookingat,butNekhbetdid.Havinghersight,IrecognizedtheDuat—themagicaldimensionthatexistedbeneaththemortalrealm.Isawlayersofreality,likestrataofglowingmulticoloredjelly,plungingdownintoinfinity.Onthesurface,wherethemortalandimmortalworldsmet,SetnewaswhippingtheDuatintoastorm—churningwavesofcolorandfrothywhiteplumesofsmoke.
AfterAnnabeth’sadventureonRockawayBeach,she’dtoldmehowfrighteningitwastoseetheDuat.ShewonderedwhethertheEgyptianDuatwassomehowrelatedtotheGreekconceptofMist—themagicalveilthatkeptmortalsfromrecognizinggodsandmonsters.
WithNekhbetinmymind,Iknewtheanswer.OfcoursetheMistwasrelated.TheMistwassimplyaGreeknamefortheuppermostlayerbetweentheworlds—thelayerthatSetnewasnowshredding.
Ishouldhavebeenterrified.Seeingtheworldinallitsinfinitelevelswasenoughtogiveanybodyvertigo.
ButI’dbeendroppedintooceansbefore.Iwasusedtofloatinginthedepthswithendlessthermallayersaroundme.
Also,Nekhbetwasn’teasilyimpressed.She’dseenjustabouteverythingoverthemillennia.Hermindwasascoldanddryasthedesertnightwind.Toher,themortalworldwasaconstantlychangingwasteland,dottedwiththecarcassesofmenandtheircivilizations.Nothinglasted.Itwasallroadkillwaitingtohappen.AsfortheDuat,itwasalwayschurning,sendingupplumesofmagiclikesunflaresintothemortalworld.
Still,wewerebothdisturbedbythewaySetne’sspelltorethroughtheMist.Hewasn’tjustmanipulatingit.Magiciansdidthatallthetime.Setnewasstrip-miningtheDuat.Whereverhestepped,fracturesradiatedoutward,cleavingthroughthelayersofthemagicrealm.Hisbodysuckedinenergyfromeverydirection,destroyingtheboundariesbetweentheDuatandthemortalworld,betweenGreekmagicandEgyptianmagic—slowlytransforminghimintoanimmortal.Intheprocess,hewasrippingaholeinthecosmicorderthatmightneverclose.
Hismagicpulledatus—Nekhbetandme—urgingustogiveupandbeabsorbedintohisnewgloriousform.
Ididn’twanttobeabsorbed.Neitherdidthevulturegoddess.Ourcommonpurposehelpedusworktogether.
Imarchedacrossthefield.SadieandAnnabethfannedoutonmyright.IassumedCarterwassomewhereonmyleft,buthe’dgoneinvisibleagain,soIcouldn’tbesure.ThefactthatIcouldn’tdetecthim,evenwithNekhbet’ssupervulturesenses,gavemehopethatSetnewouldn’tseehimeither.
MaybeifIkeptSetnebusy,CarterwouldbeabletocutoffSetne’sotherhand.Orhislegs.Bonuspointsforhishead.
Setnestoppedchantingwhenhesawme.“Awesome!”Hegrinned.“Youbroughtthevulturewithyou.Thanks!”NotthereactionI’dbeenhopingfor.Ikeepwaitingforthedaywhenthebad
guyseesmeandscreams,Igiveup!Butithasn’thappenedyet.“Setne,dropthecrown.”Iraisedmykopis,whichdidn’tfeelheavywith
Nekhbet’spowerflowingthroughme.“Surrender,andyoumightgetoutofthisalive.Otherwise—”
“Oh,verygood!Verythreatening!Andyourfriendshere…Letmeguess.Youkeepmeoccupiedwhiletheysetsomeamazingtraptocontainthenewlymadegod?”
“You’renotagodyet.”Hewavedoffthecomment.“IsupposeCarterislurkingaroundheretoo,all
stealthyandinvisible?Hi,Carter!”IfCarterwasnearby,hedidn’trespond.Smartguy.Setneraisedhisstumpofawrist.“Whereveryouare,Carter,Iwasimpressed
withthehand-cutting-offspell.Yourfatherwouldbeproud.That’swhatmatterstoyou,isn’tit?Makingyourfatherproud?Butthinkwhatwouldbepossibleifyoujoinedme.Iintendtochangetherulesofthegame.Wecouldbringyourfatherbacktolife—Imeanreallife,notthathorriblehalf-lifehe’sgotintheUnderworld.Anythingispossible,onceI’magod!”
AroundSetne’swrist,theMistcurled,solidifyingintoanewhand.“Whatdo
yousay,Carter?”Abovethemagician,theairshimmered.Agiantbluefistthesizeofa
refrigeratorappearedoverSetne’sheadandpoundedhimintothegroundlikeanailintosoftwood.
“Isayno.”Carterappearedacrossthefield,Annabeth’sYankeescapinhishand.
IstaredatthecrownofPtolemy—theonlypartofSetnestillvisibleaboveground.
“Youweresupposedtowait,”ItoldCarter.“Setthetrap.LetmedealwithSetne.”
Cartershrugged.“Heshouldn’thavebroughtupmyfather.”“Nevermindthat!”Annabethsaid.“Getthecrown!”Irealizedshewasright.Iwould’vesprungintoaction,exceptNekhbetandI
hadamomentofparalysis.Thegoddesswantedherhatback.ButItookonelookatthecrown’seerieglow,rememberedthewaythecobragoddesshadbeendevoured,anddecidedIwasnottouchingthatcrownwithoutlatexglovesandmaybeahazmatsuit.
BeforeNekhbetandIcouldresolveourdifferences,theearthrumbled.SetnerosefromthegroundasifonanelevatorplatformandglaredatCarter.
“Imakeyouaperfectlyfairoffer,andyouhitmewithagiantfist?Perhapsyourfatherwouldn’tbeproud,afterall.”
Carter’sfacecontorted.Hiswholebodyglowedwithbluelight.HelevitatedoffthegroundastheavatarofHorustookshapearoundhim.
Setnedidn’tlookworried.Hecurledhisnewlyregrownfingersinacomeheregesture,andCarter’savatarshattered.ThebluelightswirledtowardSetneandwasengulfedinhisgrowingaura.Cartercollapsed,motionless,onthewetground.
“SETNE!”Sadieshouted,raisingherstaff.“Overhere,youlittleweasel!”Sheblastedthemagicianwithajetofwhitefire.Setnecaughtitonhischest
andabsorbedtheenergy.“Sadie,hon,”hechided.“Don’tbemad.Carterhasalwaysbeentheboring
one.Ididn’treallywanttogranthimeternallife.Butyou—whydon’tyouworkwithme,eh?Wecanhavetonsoffun!Tearinguptheuniverse,destroyingthingsasweseefit!”
“That’s—that’snotfair,”Sadiesaid,hervoicetrembling.“Temptingmewithdestruction.”
Shetriedforherusualsassytone,buthereyesstayedfixedonCarter,whostillwasn’tmoving.
IknewIshoulddosomething.We’dhadaplan…ButIcouldn’trememberit.
Thevulturegoddessinmyheadwasflyingcirclesonautopilot.EvenAnnabethlookedlikeshewasstrugglingtoconcentrate.BeingsoclosetoSetnewaslikestandingnexttoawaterfall.Hiswhitenoisedrownedouteverything.
“Youknow,”Setnecontinued,asifwewereplanningapartytogether,“Ithinkthisislandwillbeperfect.Mypalacewillgorighthere,inthenewcenteroftheuniverse!”
“Amuddysoccerfield,”Annabethnoted.“Oh,comenow,childofAthena!Youcanseethepossibilities.Thatoldfool
Serapishadtherightidea:gatherallthewisdomofGreeceandEgypttogetherinoneplace,andusethatpowertoruletheworld!ExceptSerapisdidn’thavemyvision.I’llconsumetheoldpantheons—Zeus,Osiris,allthosedustydeities.Whoneedsthem?I’lljusttakethebitsandpiecesIcanusefromallofthem.I’llbecometheheadofanewraceofgods.Humanswillcomeherefromallovertheworldtomakeofferingsandbuysouvenirs.”
“Souvenirs?”Isaid.“YouwantimmortalitysoyoucansellT-shirts?”“Andsnowglobes!”Setnegotadreamylookinhiseyes.“Ilovesnow
globes.Anyway,there’sroomformorethanonenewgod.SadieKane—you’dbeperfect.Iknowyoulovebreakingrules.Let’sbreakallofthem!Yourfriendscancomealongtoo!”
Behindthemagician,Cartergroanedandbegantostir.Setneglancedbackwithdistaste.“Notdeadyet?Toughkid.Well…Isuppose
wecanincludehiminourplans.Although,ifyou’dprefer,Sadie,Icancertainlyfinishhimoff.”
Sadieletlooseagutturalcry.Sheadvanced,butAnnabethcaughtherarm.“Fightsmart,”Annabethsaid.“Notangry.”“Pointtaken,”Sadiesaid,thoughherarmsstilltrembledwithrage.“ButI’ll
doboth.”SheunfurledtheBookofThoth.Setnejustlaughed.“Sadie,dear,Iknowhowtodefeateveryspellinthat
book.”“Youwon’twin,”Sadieinsisted.“Youwon’ttakeanythingelsefrom
anyone!”Shebegantochant.Annabethraisedherborrowedkhopesh,readytodefend
her.“Ah,well.”Setnesighed.“Isupposeyou’llwantthisback,then.”Setne’sbodybegantoglow.ThankstoNekhbet,Irealizedwhatwasgoingto
happenasplitsecondbeforeitdid,whichsavedourlives.CarterwasjuststrugglingtohisfeetwhenIshouted,“GETDOWN!”Hedroppedlikeasackofrocks.
AringoffireexplodedoutwardfromSetne.Idiscardedmyswordandlungedinfrontofthegirls,spreadingmyarms
goalie-style.Ashellofpurplelightsurroundedme,andtheflamesrolledharmlesslyovertranslucentwingsthatnowextendedoneithersideofme.WithmynewaccessoriesIwasabletoshieldSadieandAnnabethfromtheworstoftheblast.
Iloweredmyarms.Thegiantwingsretracted.Myfeet,floatingjustofftheground,werenowencasedinlargeghostlylegswiththreelongtoesandthetalonsofabird.
WhenIrealizedIwashoveringatthecenterofagiantglowingpurplevulture,myfirstthoughtwas:Carterwillneverstopteasingmeaboutthis.
Mysecondthoughtwas:Oh,gods.Carter.SadiemusthaveseenhimatthesametimeIdid.Shescreamed.Thefirehadblackenedtheentirefield,instantlyturningwetmudinto
crackedclay.TheMistandmagiclightshadburnedaway.Mynewswordwasasteaminglineofbronzeslagontheground.Carterlayrightwherehe’ddropped,wreathedinsmoke,hishaircharred,hisfaceredwithblisters.
Ifearedtheworst.Thenhisfingerstwitched.Hecroakedoutasound,like“Gug,”andIcouldbreatheagain.
“Thankthegods,”Annabethsaid.Setnebrushedsomeashoffhispurpletrenchcoat.“Well,youcanthankthe
godsifyouwant,buttheywon’tbearoundmuchlonger.Anotherfewminutes,andthemagicI’vestartedwillbeirreversible.Now,Percy,pleasedropthatsillyavatarbeforeItakeitawayfromyou.AndSadie,IsuggestyougivemetheBookofThothbeforeyouhurtyourself.There’snospellyoucouldreadthatwouldharmme.”
Sadiesteppedforward.Herorange-highlightedhairwhippedaroundherface.Hereyesturnedsteely,makingherlookevenmorelikeayoungAnnabeth.
“NospellIcouldread,”Sadieagreed.“ButIhavefriends.”ShehandedtheBookofThothtoAnnabeth,whoblinkedinsurprise.“Um…
Sadie?”Setnechuckled.“What’sshegoingtodo?Shemaybesmart,butshecan’t
readOldEgyptian.”SadiegrippedAnnabeth’sforearm.“MissChase,”shesaidformally,“Ihave
onewordforyou.”SheleanedinandwhisperedsomethinginAnnabeth’sear.Annabeth’sfacetransformed.OnlyoncebeforehadIseenherwithsuchan
expressionofpurewonder:whenshebeheldthegods’palacesonMountOlympus.
Sadieturnedtome.“Percy…Annabethhasworktodo.Ineedtotendtomy
brother.Whydon’tyoukeepourfriendSetneentertained?”Annabethopenedthescroll.ShebegantoreadaloudinAncientEgyptian.
Glowinghieroglyphsfloatedoffthepapyrus.Theyswirledintheairaroundher,mixingwithGreekwordsasifAnnabethwasaddingherowncommentarytothespell.
SetnelookedevenmoresurprisedthanIwas.Hemadeastranglednoiseinthebackofhisthroat.“That’snot…Holdon,now.No!”
Heraisedhisarmstocastsomecounterspell.Hiscrownbegantoglow.Ineededtomove,butNekhbetwasn’thelping.Shewasalittletoofocused
onCarter,whosmelledcharbroiledandyummy.Thatoneisweak,shemurmuredinmymind.Deadsoon.Theweakmustdie.Angergavemetheupperhand.CarterKanewasmyfriend.Iwouldnotsit
aroundwhilemyfrienddied.Move,ItoldNekhbet.AndItookcontrolofthevultureavatar.BeforeSetnecouldfinishcastinghisspell,Igrabbedhiminmyspectral
clawsandcarriedhimintothesky.
Now…Iliveandbreatheweirdness.Itgoeswiththeterritorywhenyou’reademigod.ButtherearestillmomentswhenIdoamentaldoubletake:likewhenI’mflyingupwardinsideagiantglowingvulture,flappingmyarmstocontrolmake-believewings,holdinganalmost-immortalmagicianinmytalons…allsoIcanstealhishat.
Thathatwasnotcomingoff,either.Ispiraledintothestorm,shakingSetne,tryingtoknockthecrownoffhis
head,butthedudemusthavefastenedittohispompadourwithsuperglue.Heblastedmewithfireandflashesoflight.Mybirdexoskeletondeflected
theattacks,buteachtime,thepurpleavatardimmed,andmywingsfeltheavier.“PercyJackson!”Setnewrithedinmyclaws.“Thisisawasteoftime!”Ididn’tbotherresponding.Thestrainofcombatwasquicklytakingitstoll.Duringourfirstencounter,Carterhadwarnedmethatmagiccouldliterally
burnupamagicianifheusedtoomuchatonce.Iguessedthatappliedtodemigods,too.EverytimeSetneblastedmeortriedtowriggleoutofmygripwithhisnear-godlystrength,myheadthrobbed.Myeyesightdimmed.SoonIwasdrenchedinsweat.
IhopedSadiewashelpingCarter.IhopedAnnabethwasfinishingwhateversuper-weirdspellshe’dbeenchantingsowecouldtrapSetne,becauseIcouldn’tstayairbornemuchlonger.
Webrokethroughthetopofthecloudlayer.Setnestoppedfighting,which
surprisedmesomuch,Ialmostdroppedhim.Thencoldnessbegantoseepthroughmyvultureavatar,chillingmywetclothes,soakingintomybones.Itwasasubtlerkindofattack—probingforweakness—andIknewIcouldn’tallowit.IcurledmyvulturefeettighteraroundSetne’schest,hopingtocrushhim.
“Percy,Percy.”Histonemadeitsoundlikewewereacoupleofbrosonanightout.“Don’tyouseewhatanincredibleopportunitythisis?Aperfectdo-over.Youofallpeopleshouldappreciatethat.TheOlympiansonceofferedyoutheirmostvaluablegift.Theyofferedtomakeyouagod,didn’tthey?Andyou—youlovableidiot—youturnedthemdown!Thisisyourchancetocorrectthatmistake.”
Myavatarflickeredandblinkedlikeabadfluorescenttube.Nekhbet,mybrainbuddy,turnedherattentioninward.
Youturneddownimmortality?Hervoicewasincredulous,offended.Shescannedmymemories.Isawmyownpastfromherdry,cynicalpointof
view:IstoodinthethroneroomofMountOlympusafterthewaragainsttheTitans.Zeusofferedmeareward:godhood.Iturnedhimdownflat.Iwantedjusticeforotherdemigodsinstead.Iwantedthegodstostopbeingjerksandtopayattentiontotheirkids.
Astupidrequest.Anaivethingtowishfor.Igaveuppower.Younevergiveuppower.
IstruggledtokeepmygriponSetne.“Nekhbet,thoseareyourthoughts,notmine.Imadetherightchoice.”
Thenyouareafool,thevulturegoddesshissed.“Yeah,pal,”Setnesaid,whoapparentlycouldhearher.“Igottaagreewith
Nekhbetonthisone.Youdidthenoblething.Howdidthatworkout?Didthegodshonortheirpromises?”
Icouldn’tseparateNekhbet’sbitternessfrommyownfeelings.Sure,Igrumbledaboutthegodsallthetime,butI’dneverregrettedmydecisiontostaymortal.Ihadagirlfriend.Ihadafamily.Ihadmywholelifeaheadofme—assumingIcouldstayalive.
Now…maybeitwasjustNekhbetinmymind,orSetnetoyingwithme,butIstartedtowonderifI’dmadeahugeblunder.
“Igetit,kid.”Setne’svoicewasfullofpity.“Thegodsareyourfamily.Youwanttothinkthey’regood.Youwanttomakethemproud.Iwantedthatwithmyfamily.MydadwasRamsestheGreat,youknow.”
Iwasglidinginalazycirclenow,myleftwingcarvingthetopsofthestormclouds.Setne’scrownglowedmorebrightly.Hisauragrewcolder,numbingmylimbsandturningmythoughtssluggish.IknewIwasintrouble,butIcouldn’t
thinkofwhattodoaboutit.“It’shardhavingapowerfuldad,”Setnecontinued.“Ramseswasthe
pharaoh,ofcourse,somostofthetimehewashostingthegodHorus.Thatmadehimdistant,tosaytheleast.Ikeptthinking,IfIjustmaketherightchoicesandproveI’magoodkid,he’lleventuallynoticeme.He’lltreatmeright.Butthethingis,thegodsdon’tcareaboutmortals,eventheirchildren.Lookintothevulture’smindifyoudon’tbelieveme.Behavelikeagoodlittleboy,actallnoble—thatjustmakesiteasierforthegodstoignoreyou.Theonlywaytogettheirrespectistoactup,bebad,andtakewhatyouwant!”
Nekhbetdidn’ttrytoconvincemeotherwise.Shewastheprotectorgoddessofthepharaohs,butshedidn’tcareaboutthemasindividualhumans.ShecaredaboutmaintainingthepowerofEgypt,whichinturnkepttheworshipofthegodsalive.Shecertainlydidn’tcareaboutnobleactsorfairness.Onlytheweakdemandedfairness.Theweakwerecarcasseswaitingtodie—appetizersinthelongdinnerofNekhbet’seternallife.
“You’reagoodkid,”Setnetoldme.“Alotnicerthanthegoddessyou’retryingtohost.Butyou’vegottoseethetruth.Youshould’vetakenZeus’soffer.Youwouldbeagodnow.You’dbestrongenoughtomakethosechangesyouaskedfor!”
Strengthisgood,Nekhbetagreed.Immortalityisgood.“I’mgivingyouasecondchance,”Setnesaid.“Helpmeout,Percy.Become
agod.”WeturnedintheairasNekhbet’sconsciousnessseparatedfrommine.She’d
forgottenwhichofuswastheenemy.Nekhbetfavoredthestrong.Setnewasstrong.Iwasweak.
IrememberedthewaySetnehadbeenstrip-miningtheDuat—cuttingfissuresinreality,destroyingtheentirecosmicordertomakehimselfimmortal.
I’lljusttakethebitsandpiecesIcanuse,he’dtoldSadie.Mythoughtsfinallycleared.IunderstoodhowSetneoperated,howhe’d
beatenussobadlyuptillnow.“You’relookingforawayintomymind,”Isaid.“Somethingyoucanrelate
toanduseagainstme.ButI’mnotlikeyou.Idon’twantimmortality,especiallynotifitripstheworldapart.”
Setnesmiled.“Well,itwasworthatry.EspeciallysinceImadeyoulosecontrolofyourvulture!”
Anexplosionofcoldshatteredmyavatar.SuddenlyIwasfalling.Myoneadvantage:I’dbeenholdingSetneinmyclaws,whichmeanthewas
directlybelowme.Islammedrightintohimandlockedmyarmsaroundhischest.Weplummetedtogetherthroughtheclouds.
Ishiveredsobadly,IwassurprisedIcouldstayconscious.Frostcakedmyclothes.Windandicestungmyeyes.IfeltlikeIwasdownhillskiingwithoutamask.
I’mnotsurewhySetnedidn’tjustmagichimselfaway.Isupposeevenapowerfulmagiciancansuccumbtopanic.Whenyou’refree–falling,youforgettothinkrationally:Gee,Ihavespellsandstuff.Insteadyouranimalbraintakesoverandyouthink:OHMYGODTHISKIDISHOLDINGONTOMEANDI’MTRAPPEDANDFALLINGANDI’MGOINGTODIE!
EventhoughIwassecondsawayfrombecomingvulturehorsd’oeuvres,Setne’ssquawkingandflappingbroughtmesomesatisfaction.
Ifwe’dfallenstraightdown,Iwould’vehitsolidgroundanddied.Noquestion.
Fortunately,thewindswerestrong,andGovernorsIslandwasasmalltargetinaverybigharbor.
WehitthewaterwithawonderfullyfamiliarKA-FLOOM!Mypaindisappeared.Warmthsurgedbackintomylimbs.Saltwaterswirled
aroundme,fillingmewithnewenergy.Seawateralwaysdidgoodthingsforme,butnormallynotthisfast.MaybethepresenceofNekhbetrampedupmyhealing.MaybemydadPoseidonwastryingtodomeafavor.
Whateverthecase,Ifeltgreat.IgrabbedSetnebythethroatwithonehandandbegantosqueeze.Hefoughtlikeademon.(Believeme,Iknow.I’vefoughtafew.)ThecrownofPtolemyglowedinthewater,steaminglikeavolcanicvent.Setneclawedatmyarmandexhaledstreamsofbubbles—maybetryingtocastspells,ormaybetryingtosweettalkmeoutofstranglinghim.Icouldn’thearhim,andIdidn’twantto.Underwater,Iwasincharge.
Bringhimtoshore,saidNekhbet’svoice.Areyoucrazy?Ithoughtback.Thisismyhomecourt.Hecannotbedefeatedhere.Yourfriendsarewaiting.Ididn’twantto,butIunderstood.ImightbeabletokeepSetneoccupied
underwaterforawhile,buthewastoofardownthepathtoimmortalityformetodestroy.Ineededtoundohismagic,whichmeantIneededhelp.
IkeptmygriponhisthroatandletthecurrentspushmetoGovernorsIsland.Carterwaitedformeontheisland’sringroad.Hisheadwaswrappedin
bandageslikeaturban.Theblistersonhisfacehadbeentreatedwithsomekindofpurplegoo.Hislinenninjajammieslookedlikethey’dbeenlaunderedinaburningwoodchipper.Buthewasalive,andangry.Inonehandheheldaglowingwhiteropelikeacowboy’slasso.
“Welcomeback,Percy.”HeglaredatSetne.“Thisguygiveyouanytrouble?”
SetneflailedandshotfireinCarter’sdirection.Carterlashedtheflamesasidewithhisrope.
“I’vegothimundercontrolfornow,”Isaid.Ifeltconfidentthatwastrue.Theseawaterhadbroughtmebacktofull
strength.Nekhbetwascooperatingagain,readytoshieldmefromanythingSetnemighttry.Themagicianhimselfseemeddazedanddeflated.GettingstrangledatthebottomofNewYorkHarborwilldothattoyou.
“Let’sgo,then,”Cartersaid.“Wehaveanicereceptionplanned.”Backattheburnedsoccerfields,SadieandAnnabethhadsketchedamagical
bull’s-eyeontheground.Atleastthat’showitlookedtome.Thechalkcirclewasaboutfivefeetindiameter,andelaboratelyborderedwithwordsofpowerinGreekandhieroglyphics.IntheDuat,Icouldseethatthecircleradiatedwhitelight.ItwasdrawnovertheriftthatSetnehadmade,likeabandageoverawound.
Thegirlsstoodonoppositesidesofthecircle.Sadiecrossedherarmsandplantedhercombatbootsdefiantly.AnnabethwasstillholdingtheBookofThoth.
Whenshesawme,shekeptherbattlefaceon;butfromthegleaminhereyes,Icouldtellshewasrelieved.
Imean…we’djustpassedourone-yeardatinganniversary.IfiguredIwasasortoflong-terminvestmentforher.ShehopedIwouldpaydividendseventually;ifIdiednow,shewould’veputupwithallmyannoyingqualitiesfornothing.
“Youlived,”shenoted.“NothankstoElvis.”IliftedSetnebyhisneck.Heweighedalmostnothing.
“HewasprettytoughuntilIfiguredouthissystem.”Ithrewhimintothecenterofthecircle.Thefourofussurroundedhim.The
hieroglyphsandGreeklettersburnedandswirled,risinginafunnelcloudtocontainourprisoner.
“Dudeisascavenger,”Isaid.“Nottoodifferentfromavulture.Hepicksthroughourminds,findswhateverhecanrelateto,andheusesthattogetthroughourdefenses.Annabeth’sloveofwisdom.Carter’sdesiretomakehisdadproud.Sadie’s—”
“Myincrediblemodesty,”Sadieguessed.“Andobviousgoodlooks.”Cartersnorted.“Anyway,”Isaid,“Setnetriedtooffermeimmortality.Hetriedtogeta
handleonmymotivesforturningitdownoncebefore,but—”“Pardon,”Sadieinterrupted.“Didyousayyou’veturneddownimmortality
before?”
“Youcanstillbeagod!”Setnecroaked.“Allofyou!Togetherwecan—”“Idon’twanttobeagod,”Isaid.“Youdon’tgetthat,doyou?Youcouldn’t
findanythingaboutmeyoucouldrelateto,whichItakeasabigcompliment.”Insidemymind,Nekhbethissed:Killhim.Destroyhimutterly.No,Isaid.Becausethat’snotme,either.Isteppedtotheedgeofthecircle.“Annabeth,Carter,Sadie…youreadyto
putthisguyaway?”“Anytime.”Carterheftedhisrope.IcroucheduntilIwasface-to-facewithSetne.Hiskohl-linedeyeswerewide
andunfocused.Onhishead,thecrownofPtolemytiltedsidewayslikeanobservatorytelescope.
“Youwererightaboutonething,”Itoldhim.“There’salotofpowerinmixingGreekandEgyptian.I’mgladyouintroducedmetomynewfriends.We’regoingtokeepmixingitup.”
“PercyJackson,listen—”“Butthere’sadifferencebetweensharingandstealing,”Isaid.“Youhave
somethingthatbelongstome.”Hestartedtospeak.Ishovedmyhandrightinhismouth.Soundgross?Wait,itgetsworse.Somethingguidedme—maybeNekhbet’sintuition,maybemyowninstincts.
MyfingersclosedaroundasmallpointyobjectinthebackofSetne’sthroat,andIyankeditfree:myballpointpen,Riptide.
ItwaslikeI’dpulledtheplugoutofatire.MagicspewedfromSetne’smouth:amulticoloredstreamofhieroglyphiclight.
GETBACK!NekhbetscreamedinmymindasAnnabethyelledthesamethingaloud.
Istumbledawayfromthecircle.Setnewrithedandspunasallthemagiche’dtriedtoabsorbnowcamegushingoutinadisgustingtorrent.I’dheardaboutpeople“pukingrainbows,”becausetheysawsomethingthatwasjusttoocute.
Letmetellyou:Ifyouactuallyseesomeonepukingrainbows…there’snothingcuteaboutit.
AnnabethandSadieshoutedmagiccommandsinunison.Thefunnelcloudofmagicintensifiedaroundthecircle,hemminginSetne,whowasshrivelingrapidly.ThecrownofPtolemyrolledoffhishead.Cartersteppedforwardandthrewhisglowingrope.
AssoonastheropetouchedSetne,aflashoflightblindedme.Whenmyvisionreturned,Setneandtheropeweregone.Nomagiclights
swirled.Thevulturegoddesshadleftmymind.Mymouthnolongertastedlike
deadhyena.Annabeth,theKanes,andIstoodinaloosering,staringatthecrownof
Ptolemy,whichlaysidewaysinthedirt.Nexttoitsataplasticbaublethesizeofagooseegg.
Ipickeditup.Insidethesnowglobe,aminiaturemodelofGovernorsIslandwas
permanentlysubmerged.Alternatelyrunningandswimmingaroundthelandscape,tryingtoavoidflurriesoffakesnow,wasatermite-sizemaninapurpletrenchcoat.
SetnehadmadeGovernorsIslandhiseternalheadquarters,afterall.He’dbeenimprisonedinacheapplasticsouvenir.
Anhourlater,wesatontheparapetsoftheoldfort,watchingthesungodownovertheNewJerseycoastline.I’dhadacheesesandwichandanice-coldRibenafromSadie’sextra-dimensionalstashofjunkfood(alongwithtwoextra-strengthAdvil),soIwasfeelingbraveenoughtohearexplanations.
“Wouldsomeoneexplainwhathappenedbackthere?”Iasked.Annabethslippedherhandintomine.“Wewon,SeaweedBrain.”“Yeah,but…”Igesturedatthesnowglobe,whichCarterwasnowadmiring.
“How?”Cartershooktheglobe.Fakesnowswirledinside.Maybeitwasmy
imagination,butIswearIcouldhearSetneshriekingunderwaterashewasgiventheblendertourofhistinyprison.
“Iguessthesnowglobeideagotstuckinmyhead,”Cartersaid.“WhenIthrewtheropeandsprungthetrap,themagicconformedtowhatIwasthinking.Anyway,Setnewillmakeagreatpaperweight.”
Sadiesnorted,almostnostril-spewingherRibena.“PoorlittleSetne—stuckonCarter’sdeskforeternity,forcedtowatchhimdohoursandhoursofboringresearch.Itwould’vebeenkindertoletAmmitdevourhissoul.”
Ididn’tknowwhoAmmitwas,butIdidn’tneedanymoresoul-devouringmonstersinmylife.
“Sothetrapworked,”Isaid,whichIguesswaskindofobvious.“Idon’tneedtounderstandallthedetails—”
“That’sgood,”Annabethsaid.“SinceIdon’tthinkanyofusdo.”“—butonethingI’vegottaknow.”IpointedatSadie.“Whatdidyou
whispertoAnnabeththatturnedherintoamagician?”Thegirlsexchangedasmile.“ItoldAnnabethmysecretname,”Sadiesaid.
“Yourwhat,now?”Iasked.“It’scalledtheren,”Sadieexplained.“Everyonehasone,evenifyoudon’t
knowit.Therenis…well,thedefinitionofwhoyouare.OnceIsharedit,Annabethhadaccesstomyexperiences,myabilities,allmygeneralamazingness.”
“Thatwasrisky.”Cartergavemeagrimlook.“Anyonewhoknowsyourrencancontrolyou.Youneversharethatinformationunlessyoureallyhaveto,andonlywithpeopleyouabsolutelytrust.Sadiefoundoutmysecretnamelastyear.Mylifehassuckedeversince.”
“Oh,please,”Sadiesaid.“Ionlyusemyknowledgeforgood.”Cartersuddenlyslappedhimselfintheface.“Hey!”hecomplained.“Oops,sorry,”Sadiesaid.“Atanyrate,IdotrustAnnabeth.Iknewitwould
takebothofustocreatethatcontainmentcircle.Besides,aGreekdemigodcastingEgyptianmagic—didyouseethelookonSetne’sface?Priceless.”
Mymouthwentdry.IimaginedAnnabethinvokinghieroglyphsatCampHalf-Blood,blowingupchariotsontheracetrack,hurlinggiantbluefistsduringcapturetheflag.
“Somygirlfriendisamagiciannow,like,permanently?Becauseshewasscaryenoughbefore.”
Annabethlaughed.“Don’tworry,SeaweedBrain.TheeffectoflearningSadie’srenisalreadywearingoff.I’llneverbeabletodoanymagiconmyown.”
Ibreathedasighofrelief.“Okay.So,um…lastquestion.”InoddedtothecrownofPtolemy,whichsatontheparapetnexttoSadie.It
lookedlikepartofaHalloweencostume,notthesortofheadgearthatcouldviolentlyriptheworldapart.“Whatdowedowiththat?”
“Well,”Sadiesaid,“Icouldputitonandseewhathappens.”“NO!”CarterandAnnabethyelled.“Kidding,”Sadiesaid.“Honestly,youtwo,calmdown.Imustadmit,though,
Idon’tseewhyWadjetandNekhbetdidn’treclaimtheircrowns.Thegoddesseswerefreed,weren’tthey?”
“Yeah,”Isaid.“IsensedthatcobraladyWadjetgetexpelledwhenSetnewaspukingrainbows.ThenNekhbetwentbackto…wherevergoddessesgowhenthey’renotannoyingmortals.”
Carterscratchedhisbandagedhead.“So…theyjustforgottheircrowns?”TracesofNekhbet’spersonalitylingeredinthecornersofmymind—just
enoughtomakemeuncomfortablysurethatthecrownofPtolemyhadbeenlefthereonpurpose.
“It’satest,”Isaid.“TheTwoLadieswanttoseewhatwe’lldowithit.WhenNekhbetlearnedthatI’dturneddownimmortalityoncebefore,shewaskindofoffended.Ithinkshe’scurioustofindoutifanyofuswillgoforit.”
Annabethblinked.“Nekhbetwoulddothatoutofcuriosity?Evenifitcausedaworld-destroyingevent?”
“SoundslikeNekhbet,”Sadiesaid.“She’samaliciousoldbird.Lovestowatchusmortalssquabbleandkilleachother.”
Carterstaredatthecrown.“But…weknowbetterthantousethatthing.Don’twe?”Hisvoicesoundedalittlewistful.
“Foronceyou’reright,brother,dear,”Sadiesaid.“AsmuchasI’dlovetobealiteralgoddess,IsupposeI’llhavetoremainafigurativeone.”
“I’mgoingtopukerainbowsnow,”Cartersaid.“Sowhatdowedowiththecrown?”Annabethasked.“It’snotthekindof
thingweshouldleaveattheGovernorsIslandLostandFound.”“Hey,Carter,”Isaid,“afterwedefeatedthatcrocodilemonsteronLong
Island,yousaidyouhadasafeplacetokeepitsnecklace.Couldyoustorethecrown,too?”
TheKaneshadasilentconversationwitheachother.“IsupposewecouldbringthecrowntotheFirstNomeinEgypt,”Carter
said.“OurUncleAmosisinchargethere.Hehasthemostsecuremagicvaultsintheworld.Butnothingisone-hundred-percentsafe.Setne’sexperimentswithGreekandEgyptianmagicsenttremorsthroughtheDuat.Godsandmagiciansfeltthem.I’msuredemigodsfeltthem,too.Thatkindofpoweristempting.EvenifwelockthecrownofPtolemyaway—”
“Othersmighttryhybridmagic,”Annabethsaid.“Andthemoreit’stried,”Sadiesaid,“themoredamagecouldbedonetothe
Duat,andthemortalworld,andoursanity.”Wesatinsilenceasthatideasankin.Iimaginedwhatwouldhappenifthe
kidsintheHecatecabinbackatcampheardaboutEgyptianmagiciansinBrooklyn,orifClarissefromtheArescabinlearnedhowtosummonagiantwildboarcombatavatar.
Ishuddered.“We’llhavetokeepourworldsseparateasmuchaspossible.Theinfoistoodangerous.”
Annabethnodded.“You’reright.Idon’tlikekeepingsecrets,butwe’llhavetobecarefulwhowetalkto.MaybewecantellChiron,but—”
“IbetChironalreadyknowsabouttheEgyptians,”Isaid.“He’sawilyoldcentaur.But,yeah.We’llhavetokeepourlittletaskforcehereonthedown-low.”
“‘Ourlittletaskforce.’”Cartergrinned.“Ilikethesoundofthat.Thefourof
uscankeepintouch.We’llhavetostandreadyincasesomethinglikethishappensagain.”
“Annabethhasmynumber,”Sadiesaid.“Which,honestly,brother,isamucheasiersolutionthanwritinginvisiblehieroglyphsonyourfriend’shand.Whatwereyouthinking?”
“Itmadesenseatthetime,”Carterprotested.Wecleanedupourpicnicstuffandgotreadytogoourseparateways.CartercarefullywrappedthecrownofPtolemyinlinencloth.Sadiegavethe
GovernorsIslandsnowglobeagoodshake,thenstuffeditinherpack.Thegirlshugged.IshookCarter’shand.Withatwingeofpain,IrealizedhowmuchIwasgoingtomissthesekids.I
wasgettingtiredofmakingnewfriendsonlytotellthemgood-bye,especiallysincesomeofthemnevercameback.
“Takecareofyourself,Carter,”Isaid.“Nomoregettingroastedinexplosions.”
Hesmirked.“Ican’tpromise.Butcallusifyouneedus,okay?And,uh,thanks.”
“Hey,itwasateameffort.”“Iguess.But,Percy…itcamedowntoyoubeingagoodperson.Setne
couldn’tgetahandleonyou.Honestly,ifI’dbeentemptedwithgodhoodthewayyouweretempted—”
“Youwould’vedonethesamething,”Isaid.“Maybe.”Hesmiled,buthedidn’tlookconvinced.“Okay,Sadie.Timeto
fly.TheinitiatesatBrooklynHousearegoingtobeworried.”“AndKhufuismakingJell-Ofruitsaladfordinner,”shesaid.“Shouldbe
delicious.Toodle-oo,demigods!”TheKanesturnedintobirdsofpreyandlaunchedthemselvesintothesunset.“Thishasbeenaweirdday,”ItoldAnnabeth.Sheslippedherhandintomine.“I’mthinkingcheeseburgersfordinneratP.
J.Clarke’s.”“Withbacon,”Isaid.“We’veearnedit.”“Ilovethewayyouthink,”shesaid.“AndI’mgladyou’renotagod.”Shekissedme,andIdecidedthatIwasgladtoo.Akissinthesunsetandthe
promiseofagoodbaconcheeseburger—withthatkindofpayoff,whoneedsimmortality?
GOODMORNING!YOU’REGOINGTODIE.
YEAH, IKNOW.Youguysaregoing to readabouthow Idied in agony, andyou’re going be like, “Wow! That sounds cool,Magnus! Can I die in agonytoo?”
No.Justno.Don’t go jumping off any rooftops. Don’t run into the highway or set
yourselfonfire.Itdoesn’tworkthatway.YouwillnotendupwhereIendedup.Besides, you wouldn’t want to deal with my situation. Unless you’ve got
somecrazydesiretoseeundeadwarriorshackingoneanothertopieces,swordsflying up giants’ noses, and dark elves in snappy outfits, you shouldn’t eventhinkaboutfindingthewolf-headedgates.
MynameisMagnusChase.I’msixteenyearsold.ThisisthestoryofhowmylifewentdownhillafterIgotmyselfkilled.
My day started out normally enough. Iwas sleeping on the sidewalk under abridge in thePublicGardenwhen a guy kickedme awake and said, “They’reafteryou.”
Bytheway,I’vebeenhomelessforthepasttwoyears.Someofyoumaythink,Aw,howsad.Othersmaythink,Ha,ha,loser!Butif
yousawmeonthestreet,ninety-ninepercentofyouwouldwalkrightpastlikeI’minvisible.You’dpray,Don’tlethimaskmeformoney.You’dwonderifI’molderthanIlook,becausesurelyateenagerwouldn’tbewrappedinastinkyoldsleepingbag,stuckoutsideinthemiddleofaBostonwinter.Somebodyshouldhelpthatpoorboy!
Thenyou’dkeepwalking.
Whatever. I don’t need your sympathy. I’m used to being laughed at. I’mdefinitelyusedtobeingignored.Let’smoveon.
ThebumwhowokemewasaguycalledBlitz.Asusual,helookedlikehe’dbeen running through a dirty hurricane.Hiswiry black hairwas full of paperscrapsandtwigs.Hisfacewasthecolorofsaddleleather,fleckedwithice.Hisbeardcurledinalldirections.Snowcakedthebottomofhistrenchcoatwhereitdraggedaroundhisfeet—Blitzbeingaboutfivefeetfive—andhiseyesweresodilated,theiriseswereallpupil.Hispermanentlyalarmedexpressionmadehimlooklikehemightstartscreaminganysecond.
Iblinkedthegunkoutofmyeyes.Mymouthtastedlikeday-oldhamburger.Mysleepingbagwaswarm,andIreallydidn’twanttogetoutofit.
“Who’safterme?”“Notsure.”Blitzrubbedhisnose,whichhadbeenbrokensomanytimesit
zigzaggedlikealightningbolt.“They’rehandingoutflyerswithyournameandpicture.”
Icursed.RandompoliceandparkrangersIcoulddealwith.Truantofficers,community service volunteers, drunken college kids, addicts looking to rollsomebody small andweak—all thosewould’vebeenas easy towakeup toaspancakesandorangejuice.
Butwhensomebodyknewmynameandmyface—thatwasbad.Thatmeanttheyweretargetingmespecifically.Maybethefolksattheshelterweremadatme for breaking their stereo. (Those Christmas carols had been driving mecrazy.)MaybeasecuritycameracaughtthatlastbitofpickpocketingIdidintheTheater District. (Hey, I needed money for pizza.) Or maybe, unlikely as itseemed,thepolicewerestilllookingforme,wantingtoaskquestionsaboutmymom’smurder….
Ipackedmystuff,whichtookaboutthreeseconds.Thesleepingbagrolleduptightandfitinmybackpackwithmytoothbrushandachangeofsocksandunderwear. Except for the clothes on my back, that’s all I owned. With thebackpackovermyshoulderandthehoodofmyjacketpulledlow,Icouldblendinwithpedestrian trafficprettywell.Bostonwasfullofcollegekids.Someofthemwereevenmorescragglyandyounger-lookingthanme.
IturnedtoBlitz.“Where’dyouseethesepeoplewiththeflyers?”“Beacon Street. They’re coming this way. Middle-aged white guy and a
teenagegirl,probablyhisdaughter.”Ifrowned.“Thatmakesnosense.Who—”“Idon’tknow,kid,butIgottago.”Blitzsquintedatthesunrise,whichwas
turningtheskyscraperwindowsorange.ForreasonsI’dneverquiteunderstood,
Blitzhated thedaylight.Maybehewas theworld’s shortest, stoutesthomelessvampire.“YoushouldgoseeHearth.He’shangingoutinCopleySquare.”
Itriednottofeelirritated.ThelocalstreetpeoplejokinglycalledHearthandBlitzmymomanddadbecauseoneortheotheralwaysseemedtobehoveringaroundme.
“Iappreciateit,”Isaid.“I’llbefine.”Blitz chewed his thumbnail. “I dunno, kid. Not today. You gotta be extra
careful.”“Why?”Heglancedovermyshoulder.“They’recoming.”Ididn’tseeanybody.WhenIturnedback,Blitzwasgone.Ihateditwhenhedidthat.Just—poof.Theguywaslikeaninja.Ahomeless
vampireninja.NowIhadachoice:gotoCopleySquareandhangoutwithHearth,orhead
towardBeaconStreetandtrytospotthepeoplewhowerelookingforme.Blitz’sdescriptionofthemmademecurious.Amiddle-agedwhiteguyanda
teenage girl searching forme at sunrise on a bitter-coldmorning.Why?Whowerethey?
Icreptalongtheedgeofthepond.Almostnobodytookthelowertrailunderthebridge.Icouldhugthesideofthehillandspotanyoneapproachingonthehigherpathwithoutthemseeingme.
Snow coated the ground. The sky was eye-achingly blue. The bare treebranches looked like they’d been dipped in glass. The wind cut through mylayersofclothes,butIdidn’tmindthecold.MymomusedtojokethatIwashalfpolarbear.
Dammit,Magnus,Ichidedmyself.Aftertwoyears,mymemoriesofherwerestillaminefield.Istumbledover
one,andinstantlymycomposurewasblowntobits.Itriedtofocus.Themanandthegirlwerecomingthisway.Theman’ssandyhairgrewover
hiscollar—notlikeanintentionalstyle,butlikehecouldn’tbebotheredtocutit.Hisbaffledexpressionremindedmeofasubstituteteacher’s:IknowIwashitbyaspitwad,butIhavenoideawhereitcamefrom.Hisdressshoesweretotallywrong for aBostonwinter.His sockswere different shades of brown.His tielookedlikeithadbeentiedwhilehespunaroundintotaldarkness.
The girlwas definitely his daughter.Her hairwas just as thick andwavy,thoughlighterblond.Shewasdressedmoresensiblyinsnowboots,jeans,andaparka,with an orangeT-shirt peeking out at the neckline.Her expressionwas
more determined, angry. She gripped a sheaf of flyers like they were essaysshe’dbeengradedonunfairly.
Ifshewaslookingforme,Ididnotwanttobefound.Shewasscary.I didn’t recognizeheror herdad, but something tugged at thebackofmy
skull…likeamagnettryingtopulloutaveryoldmemory.Fatheranddaughterstoppedwherethepathforked.Theylookedaroundasif
just now realizing theywere standing in themiddle of a deserted park at no-thank-youo’clockinthedeadofwinter.
“Unbelievable,”saidthegirl.“Iwanttostranglehim.”Assumingshemeantme,Ihunkereddownalittlemore.Herdadsighed.“Weshouldprobablyavoidkillinghim.Heisyouruncle.”“Buttwoyears?”thegirldemanded.“Dad,howcouldhenottellusfortwo
years?”“Ican’texplainRandolph’sactions.Inevercould,Annabeth.”Iinhaledsosharply,Iwasafraidtheywouldhearme.Ascabwasrippedoff
mybrain,exposingrawmemoriesfromwhenIwassixyearsold.Annabeth.Whichmeantthesandy-hairedmanwas…UncleFrederick?I flashedback to the last familyThanksgivingwe’d shared:Annabeth a