RICKRIORDAN

THECROWNofPTOLEMY

APercyJackson/KaneChroniclesAdventure

PUFFIN

Contents

TheCrownofPtolemy

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

RickRiordanisthecreatoroftheaward-winning,bestsellingPercyJacksonseriesandthethrillingKaneChroniclesandHeroesofOlympusseries.Don’tmisshisnewseries:MagnusChaseandtheGodsofAsgard.

AccordingtoRick,theideaforthePercyJacksonstorieswasinspiredbyhissonHaley.ButrumourhasitthatCampHalf-Bloodactuallyexists,andRickspendshissummersthererecordingtheadventuresofyoungdemigods.Somebelievethat,toavoidamasspanicamongthemortalpopulation,hewasforcedtoswearontheRiverStyxtopresentPercyJackson’sstoryasfiction.RicklivesinBoston,Massachussetts,(apartfromhissummersonHalf-BloodHill)withhiswifeandtwosons.

TolearnmoreaboutRickandthePercyJacksonandKaneChroniclesseries,visit:www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk

TheCrownofPtolemy

‘CARTER!’ISHOUTED.Nothinghappened.Nexttome,pressedagainstthewalloftheoldfort,Annabethpeeredintotherain,waitingfor

magicalteenagerstofalloutofthesky.‘Areyoudoingitright?’sheaskedme.‘Gee¸Idunno.I’mprettysurehisnameispronouncedCarter.’‘Trytappingthehieroglyphmultipletimes.’‘That’sstupid.’‘Justtryit.’Istaredatmyhand.Therewasn’tevenatraceofthehieroglyphthatCarterKanehaddrawnonmy

palmalmosttwomonthsback.He’dassuredmethatthemagiccouldn’tbewashedaway,but,withmyluck,I’daccidentallywipeditoffonmyjeansorsomething.Itappedmypalm.‘Carter.Hello,Carter.PercytoCarter.PagingCarterKane.Testing,one,two,

three.Isthisthingon?’Stillnothing.UsuallyIwouldn’tpanicifthecavalryfailedtoshow.AnnabethandIhadbeeninalotofbad

situationswithoutanybackup.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,agrasscourtyardstretchedabout

ahundredyardssquare,surroundedbyredbrickbuildings.AnnabethhadtoldmethisplacewasafortorsomethingfromtheRevolutionaryWar,butIhadn’tlistenedtothedetails.Ourmainproblemwastheguystandinginthemiddleofthelawndoingamagicritual.HelookedlikearuntyElvisPresley,struttingbackandforthinskinnyblackjeans,apowder-blue

dressshirtandablackleatherjacket.Hisgreasypompadourhairdoseemedimpervioustotherainandthewind.Inhishandsheheldanoldscroll,likeatreasuremap.Ashepaced,hereadaloudfromit,

occasionallythrowingbackhisheadandlaughing.Basicallythedudewasinfull-oncrazymode.Ifthatwasn’tcreepyenough,flyingaroundhimwerehalfadozenwingedserpents,blowingflames

intherain.

Overhead,lightningflashed.Thundershookmymolars.Annabethpulledmeback.‘That’sgottobeSetne,’shesaid.‘Thescrollhe’sreadingfromistheBookofThoth.Whatever

spellhe’scasting,wehavetostophim.’AtthispointIshouldprobablybackupandexplainwhattheheckwasgoingon.Onlyproblem:Iwasn’tsurewhattheheckwasgoingon.Acoupleofmonthsago,IfoughtthisgiantcrocodileonLongIsland.AkidnamedCarterKane

showedup,saidhewasamagicianandproceededtohelpmebyblowingupstuffwithhieroglyphsandturningintoagiantglowingchicken-headedwarrior.Togetherwedefeatedthecrocodile,whichCarterexplainedwasasonofSobek,theEgyptiancrocodilegod.CarterpostulatedthatsomestrangeEgyptian–Greekhybridstuffwashappening.(Gee,Ineverwould’veguessed.)HewroteamagicalhieroglyphonmyhandandtoldmetocallhisnameifIeverneededhelp.Fast-forwardtolastmonth:AnnabethranintoCarter ’ssister,SadieKane,ontheAtrainto

Rockaway.TheyfoughtsomegodlydudenamedSerapis,whohadathree-headedstaff,andacerealbowlforahat.Afterwards,SadietoldAnnabeththatanancientmagiciannamedSetnemightbebehindalltheweirdness.ApparentlythisSetnehadcomebackfromthedead,snaggedanultra-powerfulsorcerycheatsheetcalledtheBookofThothandwasplayingaroundwithEgyptianandGreekmagic,hopingtofindawaytobecomeagodhimself.SadieandAnnabethhadexchangednumbersandagreedtokeepintouch.Today,fourweekslater,Annabethshowedupatmyapartmentatteninthemorningandannounced

thatshe’dhadabaddream–avisionfromhermom.(Bytheway:hermomisAthena,thegoddessofwisdom.MydadisPoseidon.We’reGreek

demigods.JustthoughtIshouldmentionthat,youknow,inpassing.)Annabethdecidedthat,insteadofgoingtothemovies,weshouldspendourSaturdayslogging

downtothebottomofManhattanandtakingtheferrytoGovernorsIsland,whereAthenahadtoldherthattroublewasbrewing.Assoonaswegotthere,afreakhurricaneslammedintoNewYorkHarbor.Allthemortals

evacuatedGovernorsIsland,leavingAnnabethandmestrandedatanoldfortwithCrazyElvisandtheFlyingDeathSnakes.Makesensetoyou?Meneither.‘Yourinvisibilitycap,’Isaid.‘It’sworkingagain,right?HowaboutIdistractSetnewhileyousneak

upbehindhim?Youcanknockthebookoutofhishands.’Annabethknittedhereyebrows.Evenwithherblondehairplasteredtothesideofherface,she

lookedcute.Hereyeswerethesamecolourasthestormclouds.‘Setneissupposedlytheworld’sgreatestmagician,’shesaid.‘Hemightbeabletoseethrough

invisibility.Plus,ifyourunoutthere,he’llprobablyzapyouwithaspell.Believeme,Egyptianmagicisnotsomethingyouwanttogetzappedwith.’‘Iknow.Carterwallopedmewithaglowingbluefistonce.Butunlessyouhaveabetteridea…’Unfortunately,shedidn’tofferone.ShepulledherNewYorkYankeescapfromherbackpack.

‘Givemeaminute’sheadstart.Trytotakeoutthoseflyingsnakesfirst.Theyshouldbesofter

targets.’‘Gotit.’Iraisedmyballpointpen,whichdoesn’tsoundlikeanimpressiveweapon,butitturnsinto

amagicswordwhenIuncapit.No,seriously.‘WillaCelestialbronzebladekillthem?’Annabethfrowned.‘Itshould.Atleast…mybronzedaggerworkedonthestaffofSerapis.Of

course,thatbronzedaggerwasmadefromanEgyptianwand,so…’‘I’mgettingaheadache.UsuallywhenIgetaheadacheit’stimetostoptalkingandattack

something.’‘Fine.Justremember:ourmaingoalistogetthatscroll.AccordingtoSadie,Setnecanuseitto

turnhimselfimmortal.’‘Understood.Nobadguysturningimmortalonmywatch.’Ikissedher,because1)whenyou’rea

demigodgoingintobattle,everykissmightbeyourlast,and2)Ilikekissingher.‘Becareful.’SheputonherYankeescapandvanished.I’dlovetotellyouthatIwalkedinandkilledthesnakes,AnnabethstabbedElvisinthebackand

tookhisscroll,andwewenthomehappy.You’dfigureonceinawhilethingswouldworkoutthewayweplanned.Butnoooooo.IgaveAnnabethafewsecondstosneakintothecourtyard.ThenIuncappedmypen,andRiptidesprangtofulllength–threefeetofrazor-sharpCelestial

bronze.Istrolledintothecourtyardandslicedthenearestserpentoutoftheair.NothingsaysHi,neighbour!likekillingaguy’sflyingreptile.Thesnakedidn’tdisintegratelikemostmonstersI’dfought.Itstwohalvesjustlandedinthewet

grass.Thehalfwithwingsfloppedaroundaimlessly.CrazyElvisdidn’tnotice.Hekeptpacingbackandforth,engrossedinhisscroll,soImoved

furtherintothecourtyardandslicedanothersnake.Thestormmadeithardtosee.NormallyIcanstaydrywhensubmersedinwater,butrainis

trickier.Itneedledmyskinandgotinmyeyes.Lightningflashed.Bythetimemyvisioncleared,twomoresnakesweredive-bombingmefrom

eitherside.Ijumpedbackwardsjustastheyblewfire.FYI,jumpingbackwardsishardwhenyou’reholdingasword.It’sevenharderwhenthegroundis

muddy.Longstoryshort:Islippedandlandedonmybutt.Flamesshotovermyhead.Thetwosnakescircledabovemeliketheyweretoosurprisedtoattack

again.Probablytheywerewondering,Didthatguyjustfallonhisbuttonpurpose?Shouldwelaughbeforewekillhim?Wouldthatbemean?Beforetheycoulddecidewhattodo,CrazyElviscalledout,‘Leavehim!’Thesnakesdartedofftojointheirbrethren,whowereorbitingtenfeetabovethemagician.IwantedtogetupandfaceSetne,butmyrearendhadotherideas.Itwantedtostaywhereitwasand

beinextremepain.Buttsarelikethatsometimes.Theycanbe,well,butts.Setnerolleduphisscroll.Hesaunteredtowardsme,therainpartingaroundhimlikeabeadcurtain.

Hiswingedsnakesfollowed,theirflamesmakingplumesofsteaminthestorm.

‘Hi,there!’SetnesoundedsocasualandfriendlyIknewIwasintrouble.‘You’reademigod,Isuppose?’IwonderedhowSetneknewthat.Maybehecould‘smell’ademigod’saurathewayGreekmonsters

could.OrmaybemypranksterfriendstheStollbrothershadwrittenI’MADEMIGODonmyforeheadinpermanentmarkerandAnnabethhaddecidednottotellme.Thathappenedoccasionally.Setne’ssmilemadehisfacelookevengaunter.Darkeyelinerrimmedhiseyes,givinghima

hungry,feralstare.Aroundhisneckglitteredagoldenchainofinterlockingankhs,andfromhislefteardangledanornamentthatlookedlikeahumanfingerbone.‘YoumustbeSetne.’Imanagedtogettomyfeetwithoutkillingmyself.‘Didyougetthatoutfitat

theHalloweenStore?’Setnechuckled.‘Look,nothingpersonal,butI’malittlebusyatthemoment.I’mgoingtoaskyou

andyourgirlfriendtowaitwhileIfinishmyincantation,okay?OnceI’vesummonedthedeshret,wecanchat.’Itriedtolookconfused,whichisoneofmymostconvincingexpressions.‘Whatgirlfriend?I’m

alone.Also,whyareyousummoningadishrag?’‘It’sdeshret.’Setnepattedhispompadour.‘TheredcrownofLowerEgypt.Asforyourgirlfriend

…’Hewheeledandpointedbehindhim,shoutingsomethinglike‘Sun-AH!’RedhieroglyphsburnedintheairwhereSetnepointed:

Annabethturnedvisible.I’dneveractuallyseenherwearingherYankeescapbefore,sinceshevanishedeverytimesheputiton,butthereshewas–wide-eyedwithsurprise,caughtintheactofsneakinguponSetne.Beforeshecouldreact,theredglowinghieroglyphsturnedintoropeslikeliquoricewhipsand

lashedout,wrappingaroundher,pinningherarmsandlegswithsuchforcethatshetoppledover.‘Hey!’Iyelled.‘Lethergo!’Themagiciangrinned.‘Invisibilitymagic.Please.I’vebeenusinginvisibilityspellssincethe

pyramidswereunderwarranty.LikeIsaid,thisisnothingpersonal,demigods.Ijustcan’tsparetheenergytokillyou…atleastnotuntilthesummonsisover.Ihopeyouunderstand.’Myhearthammered.I’dseenEgyptianmagicbefore,whenCarterhelpedmefightthegiant

crocodileonLongIsland,butIhadnoideahowtostopit,andIcouldn’tstandtoseeitusedagainstAnnabeth.IchargedatSetne.Hejustwavedhishandandmuttered,‘Hu-Ai.’Morestupidhieroglyphsflashedinfrontofme.

Ifellonmyface.Myfacedidnotappreciatethat.Igotmudinmynostrilsandbloodinmymouthfrombitingmy

tongue.WhenIblinked,theredhieroglyphsburnedontheinsidesofmyeyelids.Igroaned.‘Whatwasthatspell?’‘Fall,’Setnesaid.‘Oneofmyfavourites.Don’tgetup.You’lljusthurtyourselfmore.’‘Setne!’Annabethshoutedthroughthestorm.‘Listentome.Youcan’tmakeyourselfintoagod.It

won’twork.You’lljustdestroy–’Thecoilofmagicalredropesexpanded,coveringAnnabeth’smouth.‘Iappreciateyourconcern,’saidthemagician.‘Really,Ido.ButI’vegotthisfiguredout.That

businesswithSerapis…whenyoudestroyedmyhybridgod?Ilearnedquiteabitfromthat.Itookexcellentnotes.’Annabethstruggleduselessly.Iwantedtoruntoher,butIhadafeelingI’djustendupwithmyfaceinthemudagain.I’dhaveto

playthissmart…whichwasnotmyusualstyle.Itriedtosteadymybreathing.Iscootedsideways,justtoseeifIcould.‘SoyouwerewatchinginRockawayBeach?’IaskedSetne.‘WhenAnnabethandSadietookdown

Serapis,thatwasallanexperimenttoyou?’‘Ofcourse!’Setnelookedverypleasedwithhimself.‘IjotteddowntheincantationsSerapisused

whilehetriedtoraisehisnewAlexandrianlighthouse.Thenitwasjustamatterofcross-referencingthosewiththeoldermagicintheBookofThoth,andvoilà!IfoundexactlythespellcomboIneedtomakemyselfintoagod.It’sgoingtobegreat.Watchandsee!’Heopenedhisscrollandstartedchantingagain.Hiswingedserpentsspiralledthroughtherain.

Lightningflashed.Thegroundrumbled.OnSetne’sleft,aboutfifteenfeetawayfromme,thegrasssplitopen.Ageyserofflamesspewed

upward,andthewingedserpentsflewstraightintoit.Earth,fire,rainandserpentsswirledintoatornadoofelements,mergingandsolidifyingintoonehugeshape:acoiledcobrawithafemalehumanhead.Herreptilianhoodwaseasilysixfeetacross.Hereyesglitteredlikerubies.Aforkedtongue

flickeredbetweenherlips,andherdarkhairwasplaitedwithgold.Restingonherheadwasasortofcrown–aredpillbox-lookingthingwithacurlicueornamentonthefront.Now,personally,I’mnotfondofhugesnakes,especiallyoneswithhumanheadsandstupidhats.If

I’dsummonedthisthing,Iwould’vecastaspelltosenditback,superquick.ButSetnejustrolleduphisscroll,slippeditinhisjacketpocketandgrinned.‘Awesome!’Thecobraladyhissed.‘Whodaressummonme?IamWadjet,queenofcobras,protectorofLower

Egypt,eternalmistressof–’

‘Iknow!’Setneclappedhishands.‘I’mahugefan!’IcrawledtowardsAnnabeth.NotthatIcouldhelpmuchwiththefallspellkeepingmeoffmyfeet,

butIwantedtobeclosetoherifsomethingwentdownwiththiseternalcobraqueenofwhatever,blah,blah,blah.MaybeIcouldatleastuseRiptidetocutthoseredcordsandgiveAnnabethafightingchance.‘Oh,thisissogreat,’Setnecontinued.Hefishedsomethingoutofhisjeans…acellphone.Thegoddessbaredherfangs.ShesprayedSetnewithacloudofgreenmist–poison,Iguessed–

butherepelleditlikethenoseconeofarocketrepelledheat.IkeptcrawlingtowardsAnnabeth,whowasstrugglinghelplesslyinherred-liquoricecocoon.Her

eyesblazedwithfrustration.Shehatedbeingsidelinedworsethanjustaboutanything.‘Okay,where’sthecameraicon?’Setnefumbledwithhisphone.‘Wehavetogetapicturetogether

beforeIdestroyyou.’‘Destroyme?’demandedthecobragoddess.ShelashedoutatSetne,butasuddengustofrainand

windpushedherback.IwastenfeetawayfromAnnabeth.Riptide’sbladeglowedasIdraggeditthroughthemud.‘Let’ssee.’Setnetappedhisphone.‘Sorry,thisisnewtome.I’mfromtheNineteenthDynasty.Ah,

okay.No.Darnit.Wheredidthescreengo?Ah!Right!Sowhatdomodernfolkscallthis…asnappie?’Heleanedintowardsthecobragoddess,heldouthisphoneatarm’slengthandtookapicture.‘Gotit!’‘WHATISTHEMEANINGOFTHIS?’Wadjetroared.‘YOUDARETAKEASELFIEWITHTHE

COBRAGODDESS?’‘Selfie!’saidthemagician.‘That’sright!Thanks.AndnowI’lltakeyourcrownandconsumeyour

essence.Hopeyoudon’tmind.’‘WHAT?’Thecobragoddessrearedandbaredherfangsagain,buttherainandwindrestrainedher

likeaseatbelt.SetneshoutedsomethinginamixtureofEgyptianandAncientGreek.AfewoftheGreekwordsIunderstood:soulandbindandpossiblybutter(thoughIcouldbewrongaboutthelastone).Thecobragoddessbegantowrithe.IreachedAnnabethjustasSetnefinishedhisspell.Thecobragoddessimploded,withanoiseliketheworld’slargeststrawfinishingtheworld’s

largestmilkshake.Wadjetwassuckedintoherownredcrown,alongwithSetne’sfourwingedserpentsandafive-foot-widecircleoflawnwhereWadjethadbeencoiled.Thecrowndroppedintothesmoking,muddycrater.Setnelaughedindelight.‘PERFECT!’Ihadtoagree,ifbyperfecthemeantsohorrifyingIwanttovomitandIhavetogetAnnabethoutof

hererightnow.SetneclamberedintothepittoretrievethecrownasIfranticallystartedcuttingAnnabeth’sbonds.

I’donlymanagedtoungaghermouthbeforethebindingsblaredlikeanairhorn.Myearspopped.Myvisionwentblack.Whenthesounddiedandmyvertigofaded,Setnewasstandingoverus,theredcrownnowatophis

pompadour.‘Theropesscreamifyoucutthem,’headvised.‘IguessIshould’vementionedthat.’

Annabethwriggled,tryingtofreeherhands.‘What–whatdidyoudotothecobragoddess?’‘Hmm?Oh.’Setnetappedthecurlicueatthefrontofthecrown.‘Idevouredheressence.NowI

havethepowerofLowerEgypt.’‘You…devouredagod,’Isaid.‘Yep!’Fromhisjacket,hepulledtheBookofThothandwaggeditatus.‘Amazingwhatkindof

knowledgeisinhere.PtolemytheFirsthadtherightidea,makinghimselfagod,butbythetimehebecamekingofAlexandriaEgyptianmagicwasdilutedandweak.Hedefinitelydidn’thaveaccesstoprimesourcematerialliketheBookofThoth.Withthisbaby,I’mcookingwithspice!NowthatI’vegotthecrownofLowerEgypt–’‘Letmeguess,’Annabethsaid.‘You’llgoforthecrownofUpperEgypt.Thenyou’llputthem

togetherandruletheworld.’Hegrinned.‘Smartgirl.ButfirstIhavetodestroyyoutwo.Nothingpersonal.It’sjustthatwhen

you’redoinghybridGreek–Egyptianmagic,I’vefoundthatalittledemigodbloodisagreatcatalyst.Now,ifyou’lljustholdstill–’Ilungedforwardandjabbedhimwithmysword.Amazingly,Riptidewentstraightintohisgut.IsorarelysucceedthatIjustcrouchedthere,stunned,myhandtremblingonthehilt.‘Wow.’Setnelookeddownatthebloodonhispowder-blueshirt.‘Nicejob.’‘Thanks.’ItriedtoyankoutRiptide,butitseemedtobestuck.‘So…youcandienow,ifit’snot

toomuchtrouble.’Setnesmiledapologetically.‘Aboutthat…I’mbeyonddyingnow.Atthispoint–’Hetappedthe

blade.‘Getit?Thispoint?I’mafraidallyoucandoismakemestronger!’Hisredcrownbegantoglow.Foronce,myinstinctssavedmylife.DespitetheklutzspellSetnehadhexedmewith,Isomehow

managedtogettomyfeet,grabAnnabethandhaulherasfarfromthemagicianaspossible.Idroppedtothegroundatthearchwayasamassiveroarshookthecourtyard.Treeswereuprooted.

Windowsshattered.Brickspeeledoffthewall,andeverythinginsighthurtledtowardsSetneasifhe’dbecomethenewcentreofgravity.EvenAnnabeth’smagicalbondswerestrippedaway.Ittookallmystrengthtoholdherwithonearmwhilegrippingthecornerofthebuildingwithmyotherhand.Cloudsofdebrisspunaroundthemagician.Wood,stoneandglassvaporizedastheywere

absorbedintoSetne’sbody.Oncegravityreturnedtonormal,IrealizedI’dleftsomethingimportantbehind.Riptidewasgone.ThewoundinSetne’sguthadclosed.‘HEY!’Igotup,mylegsshaking.‘Youatemysword!’Myvoicesoundedshrill–likealittlekidwho’sjusthadhislunchmoneystolen.Thethingis,

Riptidewasmymostimportantpossession.I’dhaditalongtime.Ithadseenmethroughalotofscrapes.I’dlostmyswordbeforeonafewoccasions,butitalwaysreappearedinpenformbackinmy

pocket.Ihadafeelingthatwasn’tgoingtohappenthistime.Riptidehadbeenconsumed–suckedintoSetne’sbodyalongwiththebricks,thebrokenglassandseveralcubicfeetofsod.

Setneturneduphispalms.‘Sorryaboutthat.I’magrowingdeity.Ineedmynutrition…’Hetiltedhisheadasiflisteningtosomethinginthestorm.‘PercyJackson.Interesting.Andyourfriend,AnnabethChase.Youtwohavehadsomeinterestingadventures.You’llgivemelotsofnourishment!’Annabethstruggledtoherfeet.‘Howdoyouknowournames?’‘Oh,youcanlearnalotaboutsomeonefromdevouringtheirprizedpossession.’Setnepattedhis

stomach.‘Now,ifyoudon’tmind,Ireallyneedtoconsumeyouboth.Nottoworry,though!Youressencewillliveforeverrighthere…nexttomy,uh,pancreas,Ithink.’IslippedmyhandintoAnnabeth’s.Afterallwe’dbeenthrough,Iwasnotgoingtoletourlivesend

thisway–devouredbyawannabeElvisgodwithapillboxhat.Iweighedmyoptions:directattackorstrategicretreat.IwantedtopunchSetneinhisheavily

mascaraedeyes,butifIcouldgetAnnabethtotheshorewecouldjumpintotheharbour.BeingthesonofPoseidon,I’dhavetheupperhandunderwater.Wecouldregroup,maybecomebackwithafewdozendemigodfriendsandsomeheavyartillery.BeforeIcoulddecide,somethingcompletelyrandomchangedtheequation.Afull-sizedcameldroppedoutoftheskyandcrushedSetneflat.‘Sadie!’Annabethcried.Forasplitsecond,IthoughtshewascallingthecamelSadie.ThenIrealizedAnnabethwaslooking

upintothestorm,wheretwofalconsspiralledabovethecourtyard.Thecamelbellowedandfarted,whichmademeappreciateitevenmore.Unfortunatelywedidn’thavetimetobecomefriends.Thecamelwideneditseyes,bleatedinalarm

anddissolvedintosand.Setnerosefromthedustpile.Hiscrownwastilted.Hisblackjacketwascoveredincamelfuzz,but

helookedunhurt.‘Thatwasrude.’Heglancedupatthetwofalconsnowdivingtowardshim.‘Notimeforthis

nonsense.’Justasthebirdswereabouttoriphisfaceoff,Setnevanishedinaswirlofrain.

Thefalconslandedandmorphedintotwohumanteens.OntherightstoodmybuddyCarterKane,lookingcasualinhisbeigelinencombatjammies,withacurvedivorywandinonehandandacrescent-bladedswordintheother.Ontheleftstoodaslightlyyoungerblondegirl,whoIassumedwashissister,Sadie.Shehadblacklinenjammies,orangehighlightsinherhair,awhitewoodenstaffandmud-spatteredcombatboots.Physically,thetwosiblingslookednothingalike.Carter ’scomplexionwascoppery,hishairblack

andcurly.Histhoughtfulscowlradiatedseriousness.Bycontrast,Sadiewasfair-skinnedwithblueeyesandalopsidedsmilesofullofmischiefIwould’vefiguredherforaHermeskidbackatCampHalf-Blood.Thenagain,IhaveCyclopesandtwo-tailedmermenassiblings.Iwasn’tabouttocommentonthe

Kanekids’lackofresemblance.Annabethexhaledwithrelief.‘Iamsogladtoseeyou.’ShegaveSadieabighug.CarterandIlookedateachother.‘Hey,man,’Isaid.‘I’mnotgoingtohugyou.’

‘That’sokay,’Cartersaid.‘Sorrywe’relate.Thisstormwasmessingupourlocatormagic.’InoddedlikeIknewwhatlocatormagicwas.‘Sothisfriendofyours,Setne…he’skindofadirt

wipe.’Sadiesnorted.‘Youdon’tknowthehalfofit.Didhehappentogiveyouahelpfulvillain

monologue?Revealhisevilplans,saywherehewasgoingnext,thatsortofthing?’‘Well,heusedthatscroll,theBookofThoth,’Isaid.‘Hesummonedacobragoddess,devouredher

essenceandstoleherredhat.’‘Ohdear.’SadieglancedatCarter.‘ThecrownofUpperEgyptwillbenext.’Carternodded.‘Andifhemanagestoputthetwocrownstogether–’‘He’llbecomeimmortal,’Annabethguessed.‘Anewlymadegod.Thenhe’llstartvacuumingupall

theGreekandEgyptianmagicintheworld.’‘Alsohestolemysword,’Isaid.‘Iwantitback.’Thethreeofthemstaredatme.‘What?’Isaid.‘Ilikemysword.’Carterhookedhiscurvy-bladedkhopeshandhiswandtohisbelt.‘Telluseverythingthathappened.

Details.’Whilewetalked,Sadiemutteredsomesortofspell,andtherainbentarounduslikewewereunder

agiantinvisibleumbrella.Neattrick.Annabethhadthebettermemory,soshedidmostoftheexplainingaboutourfightwithSetne…

thoughcallingitafightwasgenerous.Whenshewasdone,Carterkneltandtracedsomehieroglyphsinthemud.‘IfSetnegetsthehedjet,we’refinished,’hesaid.‘He’llformthecrownofPtolemyand–’‘Holdup,’Isaid.‘Lowtoleranceforconfusingnames.Canyouexplainwhat’sgoingonin,like,

regularwords?’Carterfrowned.‘ThepschentisthedoublecrownofEgypt,okay?Thebottomhalfisthered

crown,thedeshret.ItrepresentstheLowerKingdom.Thetophalfisthehedjet,thewhitecrownoftheUpperKingdom.’‘Youwearthemtogether,’Annabethadded,‘andthatmeansyou’rethepharaohofallEgypt.’‘Exceptinthiscase,’Sadiesaid,‘ouruglyfriendSetneiscreatingaveryspecialpschent–the

crownofPtolemy.’‘Okay…’Istilldidn’tgetit,butfeltlikeIshouldatleastpretendtofollowalong.‘Butwasn’t

PtolemyaGreekdude?’‘Yes,’Cartersaid.‘AlexandertheGreatconqueredEgypt.Thenhedied.HisgeneralPtolemytook

overandtriedtomixGreekandEgyptianreligion.Heproclaimedhimselfagod-king,liketheoldpharaohs,butPtolemywentastepfurther.HeusedacombinationofGreekandEgyptmagictotrymakinghimselfimmortal.Itdidn’tworkout,but–’‘Setnehasperfectedtheformula,’Iguessed.‘ThatBookofThothgiveshimsomeprimomagic.’Sadieclappedforme.‘Ithinkyou’vegotit.SetnewillrecreatethecrownofPtolemy,butthistime

he’lldoitproperly,andhe’llbecomeagod.’‘Whichisbad,’Isaid.Annabethtuggedthoughtfullyatherear.‘So…whowasthatcobragoddess?’

‘Wadjet,’Cartersaid.‘Theguardianoftheredcrown.’‘Andthere’saguardianofthewhitecrown?’sheasked.‘Nekhbet.’Carter ’sexpressionturnedsour.‘Thevulturegoddess.Idon’tlikehermuch,butI

supposewe’llhavetostopherfromgettingdevoured.SinceSetneneedstheUpperKingdomcrown,he’llprobablygosouthforthenextritual.It’slikeasymbolicthing.’‘Isn’tupusuallynorth?’Iasked.Sadiesmirked.‘Oh,thatwouldbemuchtooeasy.InEgypt,upissouth,becausetheNilerunsfrom

thesouthtothenorth.’‘Great,’Isaid.‘Sohowfarsoutharewetalkingabout–Brooklyn?Antarctica?’‘Idon’tthinkhe’llgothatfar.’Carterrosetohisfeetandscannedthehorizon.‘Ourheadquarters

areinBrooklyn.AndI’mguessingManhattanislikeGreekgodcentral?Alongtimeago,ourUncleAmoshintedatthat.’‘Well,yeah,’Isaid.‘MountOlympushoversovertheEmpireStateBuilding,so–’‘MountOlympus–’Sadieblinked–‘hoversoverthe…Ofcourseitdoes.Whynot?Ithinkwhat

mybrother ’stryingtosayisthatifSetnewantstoestablishanewseatofpower,blendingGreekandEgyptian–’‘He’dfindaplaceinbetweenBrooklynandManhattan,’Annabethsaid.‘Likerighthere,Governors

Island.’‘Exactly,’Cartersaid.‘He’llneedtoconducttheritualforthesecondcrownsouthofthispoint,but

itdoesn’thavetobefarsouth.IfIwerehim–’‘Andwe’regladyou’renot,’Isaid.‘–IwouldstayonGovernorsIsland.We’reatthenorthendnow,so…’Igazedsouth.‘Anyoneknowwhat’sattheotherend?’‘I’veneverbeenhere,’Annabethsaid.‘ButIthinkthere’sapicnicarea.’‘Lovely.’Sadieraisedherstaff.Thetipflaredwithwhitefire.‘Anyonefancyapicnicintherain?’‘Setne’sdangerous,’Annabethsaid.‘Wecan’tjustgochargingin.Weneedaplan.’‘She’sright,’Cartersaid.‘Ikindoflikechargingin,’Isaid.‘Speedisoftheessence,right?’‘Thankyou,’Sadiemuttered.‘Beingsmartisalsooftheessence,’Annabethsaid.‘Exactly,’Cartersaid.‘Wehavetofigureouthowtoattack.’Sadierolledhereyesatme.‘JustasIfeared.Thesetwotogether…they’lloverthinkustodeath.’Ifeltthesameway,butAnnabethwasgettingthatannoyedstormylookinhereyesand,sinceIdate

Annabeth,IfiguredI’dbettersuggestacompromise.‘Howaboutweplanwhilewewalk?’Isaid.‘Wecanchargesouth,like,reallyslowly.’‘Deal,’saidCarter.Weheadeddowntheroadfromtheoldfort,pastsomefancybrickbuildingsthatmighthavebeen

officers’quartersbackintheday.Wemadeourwayacrossasoggyexpanseofsoccerfields.Therainkeptpouringdown,butSadie’smagicumbrellatravelledwithus,keepingtheworstofthestormaway.

AnnabethandCartercomparednotesfromtheresearchthey’ddone.TheytalkedaboutPtolemyandthemixingofGreekandEgyptianmagic.AsforSadie,shedidn’tappearinterestedinstrategy.Sheleapedfrompuddletopuddleinher

combatboots.Shehummedtoherself,twirledlikealittlekidandoccasionallypulledrandomthingsoutofherbackpack:waxanimalfigurines,somestring,apieceofchalk,abrightyellowbagofcandy.Sheremindedmeofsomeone…Thenitoccurredtome.ShelookedlikeayoungerversionofAnnabeth,butherfidgetingand

hypernessremindedmeof…well,me.IfAnnabethandIeverhadadaughter,shemightbealotlikeSadie.Whoa.It’snotlikeI’dneverdreamedaboutkidsbefore.Imean,youdatesomeoneforoverayear,the

ideaisgoingtobeinthebackofyourmindsomewhere,right?Butstill–I’mbarelyseventeen.I’mnotreadytothinktooseriouslyaboutstufflikethat.Also,I’mademigod.Onaday-to-daybasis,I’mbusyjusttryingtostayalive.Yet,lookingatSadie,IcouldimaginethatsomedaymaybeI’dhavealittlegirlwholookedlike

Annabethandactedlikeme–acutelittlehellionofademigod,stompingthroughpuddlesandflatteningmonsterswithmagiccamels.Imusthavebeenstaring,becauseSadiefrownedatme.‘What?’‘Nothing,’Isaidquickly.Carternudgedme.‘Wereyoulistening?’‘Yes.No.What?’Annabethsighed.‘Percy,explainingthingstoyouislikelecturingagerbil.’‘Hey,WiseGirl,don’tstartwithme.’‘Whatever,SeaweedBrain.Wewerejustsayingthatwe’llhavetocombineourattacks.’‘Combineourattacks…’Ipattedmypocket,butRiptidehadnotreappearedinpenform.Ididn’t

wanttoadmithownervousthatmademe.Sure,Ihadotherskills.Icouldmakewaves(literally)andoccasionallyevenwhipupanicefrothy

hurricane.ButmyswordwasabigpartofwhoIwas.Withoutit,Ifeltcrippled.‘Howdowedocombinedattacks?’Cartergotamischievousgleaminhiseyesthatmadehimlookmorelikehissister.‘Weturn

Setne’sstrategyagainsthim.He’susinghybridmagic–GreekandEgyptiantogether,right?Wedothesame.’Annabethnodded.‘Greek-styleattackswon’twork.YousawwhatSetnedidwithyoursword.And

CarterisprettysureregularEgyptianspellswon’tbeenough,either.Butifwecanfindawaytomixourpowers–’‘Doyouknowhowtomixourpowers?’Iasked.Carter ’sshoessquishedinthemud.‘Well…notexactly.’‘Oh,please,’Sadiesaid.‘That’seasy.Carter,giveyourwandtoPercy.’‘Why?’‘Justdoit,brotherdear.Annabeth,doyourememberwhenwefoughtSerapis?’

‘Right!’Annabeth’seyeslitup.‘IgrabbedSadie’swandanditturnedintoaCelestialbronzedagger,justlikemyoldone.ItwasabletodestroySerapis’sstaff.MaybewecancreateanotherGreekweaponfromanEgyptianwand.Goodidea,Sadie.’‘Cheers.Yousee,Idon’tneedtospendhoursplanningandresearchingtobebrilliant.Now,Carter,

ifyouplease.’AssoonasItookthewand,myhandclenchedlikeI’dgrabbedanelectricalcable.Spikesofpain

shotupmyarm.Itriedtodropthewand,butIcouldn’t.Tearsfilledmyeyes.‘Bytheway,’Sadiesaid,‘thismayhurtabit.’‘Thanks.’Igrittedmyteeth.‘Littlelateonthewarning.’Theivorybegantosmoulder.Whenthesmokeclearedandtheagonysubsided,insteadofawandI

washoldingaCelestialbronzeswordthatdefinitelywasn’tRiptide.‘Whatisthis?’Iasked.‘It’shuge.’Carterwhistledunderhisbreath.‘I’veseenthoseinmuseums.That’sakopis.’Iheftedthesword.LikesomanyI’dtried,itdidn’tfeelrightinmyhands.Thehiltwastooheavy

formywrist.Thesingle-edgedbladewascurvedawkwardly,likeagianthookknife.Itriedajabandnearlylostmybalance.‘Thisonedoesn’tlooklikeyours,’ItoldCarter.‘Isn’tyourscalledakopis?’‘Mineisakhopesh,’Cartersaid.‘TheoriginalEgyptianversion.Whatyou’reholdingisakopis–a

GreekdesignadaptedfromtheEgyptianoriginal.It’sthekindofswordPtolemy’swarriorswould’veused.’IlookedatSadie.‘Ishetryingtoconfuseme?’‘No,’shesaidbrightly.‘He’sconfusingwithouttrying.’Cartersmackedhispalmagainsthisforehead.‘Thatwasn’tevenconfusing.Howwasthat–?Never

mind.Percy,themainthingis,canyoufightwiththatsword?’Islicedthekopisthroughtheair.‘IfeellikeI’mfencingwithameatcleaver,butit’llhavetodo.

Whataboutweaponsforyouguys?’Annabethrubbedtheclaybeadsonhernecklace,thewayshedoeswhenshe’sthinking.Shelooked

beautiful.ButIdigress.‘Sadie,’shesaid,‘thosehieroglyphicspellsyouusedonRockawayBeach…whichonemadethe

explosion?’‘It’scalled–well,Ican’tactuallysaythewordwithoutmakingyoublowup.Holdon.’Sadie

rummagedthroughherbackpack.Shebroughtoutasheetofyellowpapyrus,astylusandabottleofink–Iguessbecausepenandpaperwouldbeun-Egyptian.Sheknelt,usingherbackpackasamakeshiftwritingdesk,andscrawledinnormalletters:HA-DI.‘That’sagoodspell,’Carteragreed.‘Wecouldshowyouthehieroglyphforit,butunlessyou

knowhowtospeakwordsofpower–’‘Noneed,’Annabethsaid.‘Thephrasemeansexplode?’‘Moreorless,’Sadiesaid.‘Andyoucanwritethehieroglyphonascrollwithouttriggeringtheka-boom?’‘Right.Thescrollwillstorethemagicforlater.Ifyoureadthewordfromthepapyrus…well,

that’sevenbetter.Moreka-boomwithlesseffort.’

‘Good,’Annabethsaid.‘Doyouhaveanotherpieceofpapyrus?’‘Annabeth,’Isaid,‘whatareyoudoing?’Causeifyou’remessingaroundwithexplodingwords–’‘Relax,’shesaid.‘IknowwhatI’mdoing.Sortof.’ShekneltnexttoSadie,whogaveherafreshsheetofpapyrus.AnnabethtookthestylusandwrotesomethinginAncientGreek:

Κεραυνóω

Beingdyslexic,I’mluckyifIcanrecognizeEnglishwords,but,beingademigod,AncientGreekissortofhardwiredintomybrain.‘Ke-rau-noh,’Ipronounced.‘Blast?’Annabethgavemeawickedlittlesmile.‘ClosesttermIcouldthinkof.Literallyitmeansstrikewith

lightningbolts.’‘Ooh,’Sadiesaid.‘Ilovestrikingthingswithlightningbolts.’Carterstaredatthepapyrus.‘You’rethinkingwecouldinvokeanAncientGreekwordthesame

waywedowithhieroglyphs?’‘It’sworthatry,’Annabethsaid.‘Whichofyouisbetterwiththatkindofmagic?’‘Sadie,’Cartersaid.‘I’mmoreacombatmagician.’‘Giant-chickenmode,’Iremembered.‘Dude,myavatarisafalcon-headedwarrior.’‘IstillthinkyoucouldgetasponsorshipdealwithKFC.Makesomebigbucks.’‘Knockitoff,youtwo.’AnnabethhandedherscrolltoSadie.‘Carter,let’strade.I’lltryyour

khopesh;youtrymyYankeescap.’Shetossedhimthehat.‘I’musuallymoreofabasketballguy,but…’Carterputonthecapanddisappeared.‘Wow,okay.

I’minvisible,aren’tI?’Sadieapplauded.‘You’veneverlookedbetter,brotherdear.’‘Veryfunny.’‘IfyoucansneakuponSetne,’Annabethsuggested,‘youmightbeabletotakehimbysurprise,get

thecrownawayfromhim.’‘ButyoutoldusSetnesawrightthroughyourinvisibility,’Cartersaid.‘Thatwasme,’Annabethsaid,‘aGreekusingaGreekmagicitem.Foryou,maybeit’llworkbetter

–ordifferently,atleast.’‘Carter,giveitashot,’Isaid.‘Theonlythingbetterthanagiantchickenmanisagiantinvisible

chickenman.’Suddenlythegroundshookunderourfeet.Acrossthesoccerfields,towardsthesouthendoftheisland,awhiteglowlitthehorizon.‘Thatcan’tbegood,’Annabethsaid.‘No,’Sadieagreed.‘Perhapsweshouldchargeinalittlemorequickly.’

Thevultureswerehavingaparty.

Pastalineoftrees,amuddyfieldstretchedtotheedgeoftheisland.Atthebaseofasmalllighthouse,afewpicnictableshuddledasifforshelter.Acrosstheharbour,theStatueofLibertyglowedwhiteinthestorm,raincloudspushingaroundherlikewavesofftheprowofaship.Inthemiddleofthepicnicgrounds,sixlargeblackbuzzardswhirledintherain,orbitingour

buddySetne.Themagicianwasrockinganewoutfit.He’dchangedintoaredquiltedsmokingjacket–Iguessto

matchhisredcrown.Hissilktrousersshimmeredinredandblackpaisley.Justtomakesurehislookwasn’ttoounderstated,hisloaferswereentirelycoveredinrhinestones.HestruttedaroundwiththeBookofThoth,chantingsomespell,thesamewayhe’ddonebackatthe

fort.‘He’ssummoningNekhbet,’Sadiemurmured.‘I’dreallyrathernotseeheragain.’‘WhatkindofnameisNeckButt,anyway?’Iasked.Sadiesnickered.‘That’swhatIcalledherthefirsttimeIsawher.But,really,she’snotverynice.

Possessedmygran,chasedmeacrossLondon…’‘Sowhat’stheplan?’Carterasked.‘Maybeaflankingmanoeuvre?’‘Or,’Annabethsaid,‘wecouldtryadiversionary–’‘Charge!’Sadiebarrelledintotheclearing,herstaffinonehandandherGreekscrollintheother.IglancedatAnnabeth.‘Yournewfriendisawesome.’ThenIfollowedSadie.Myplanwasprettysimple:runatSetneandkillhim.Evenwithmyheavynewsword,Ioutpaced

Sadie.Twovulturesdivedatme.Islicedthemoutoftheair.IwasfivefeetfromSetneandimaginingthesatisfactionofslicinghiminhalfwhenheturnedand

noticedme.Themagicianvanished.Mybladecutthroughemptyair.Istumbled,off-balanceandangry.Tenfeettomyleft,Sadiesmackedavulturewithherstaff.Thebirdexplodedintowhitesand.

Annabethjoggedtowardsus,givingmeoneofthoseannoyedexpressionslike,Ifyougetyourselfkilled,I’mgoingtomurderyou.Carter,beinginvisible,wasnowheretobeseen.Withaboltofwhitefire,Sadieblastedanothervultureoutofthesky.Theremainingbirdsscattered

inthestorm.SadiescannedthefieldforSetne.‘Whereistheskinnyoldgit?’Theskinnyoldgitappearedrightbehindher.Hespokeasinglewordfromhisscrollofnasty

surprises,andthegroundexploded.WhenIregainedmysenses,Iwasstillstanding,whichwasaminormiracle.Theforceofthespell

hadpushedmeawayfromSetne,somyshoeshadmadetrenchesinthemud.Ilookedup,butIcouldn’tmakesenseofwhatIwasseeing.AroundSetne,theearthhadrupturedin

aten-foot-diameterring,splittingopenlikeaseedpod.Plumesofdirthadsprayedoutwardandwerefrozeninmidair.Tendrilsofredsandcoiledaroundmylegsandbrushedagainstmyfaceastheysnakedinalldirections.Itlookedlikesomebodyhadstoppedtimewhileslingingredmudfromagiantsaladspinner.Sadielayflatonthegroundtomyleft,herlegsburiedunderablanketofmud.Shestruggledbut

couldn’tseemtogetfree.Herstaffwasknockedoutofreach.Herscrollwasamuddyraginher

hand.Isteppedtowardsher,butthecoilsofsandpushedmeback.Somewherebehindme,Annabethyelledmyname.Iturnedandsawherjustoutsidetheexplosion

zone.Shewastryingtochargein,buttheearthentendrilsmovedtoblockher,whippingaroundlikeoctopusarms.TherewasnosignofCarter.Icouldonlyhopehehadn’tgotcaughtinthisstupidweboffloating

dirt.‘Setne!’Iyelled.Themagicianbrushedthelapelsofhissmokingjacket.‘Youreallyshouldstopinterruptingme,

demigod.ThedeshretcrownwasoriginallyagifttothepharaohsfromtheearthgodGeb,youknow.Itcandefenditselfwithsomecoolearthmagic!’Igrittedmyteeth.AnnabethandIhadrecentlydonebattlewithGaiatheEarthMother.Moredirt

sorcerywasthelastthingIneeded.Sadiestruggled,herlegsstillencasedinmud.‘Cleanupallthisdirtrightnow,youngman.Then

giveusthatcrownandgotoyourroom.’Themagician’seyesglittered.‘Ah,Sadie.Delightfulasalways.Where’syourbrother?DidI

accidentallyblowhimup?Youcanthankmeforthatlater.Rightnow,Imustgetonwithbusiness.’Heturnedhisbackonusandresumedchanting.Thewindpickedup.Rainwhippedaroundhim.Thefloatinglinesofsandbegantostirandshift.Imanagedtostepforward,butitwaslikewadingthroughwetcement.Behindme,Annabethwasn’t

havingmuchmoreluck.Sadiemanagedtopulloneofherlegsfree,minushercombatboot.ShecursedworsethanmyimmortalhorsefriendArion(whichisprettybad)assheretrievedtheboot.Setne’sweirdearthspellwasloosening,butnotfastenough.I’donlymanagedtwomoresteps

whenSetnefinishedhisincantation.Infrontofhim,awispofdarknessgrewintotheformofaqueenlywoman.Rubiesembroidered

thecollarofherblackdress.Goldbandscircledherupperarms.Herfacehadanimperious,timelessqualitythatI’dlearnedtorecognize.ItmeantI’magoddess;dealwithit.Perchedatopherbraidedblackhairwasawhiteconicalcrown,andIcouldn’thelpwonderingwhyapowerfulimmortalbeingwouldchoosetowearaheadpieceshapedlikeabowlingpin.‘You!’shesnarledatSetne.‘Me!’heagreed.‘Wonderfultoseeyouagain,Nekhbet.Sorrywedon’thavelongertochat,butI

can’tkeepthesemortalspinneddownforever.We’llhavetomakethisbrief.Thehedjet,please.’Thevulturegoddessspreadherarms,whichgrewintohugeblackwings.Aroundher,theair

turneddarkassmoke.‘Idonotyieldtoupstartslikeyou.Iamtheprotectorofthecrown,theshieldofthepharaoh,the–’‘Yes,yes,’Setnesaid.‘Butyou’veyieldedtoupstartsplentyoftimes.ThehistoryofEgyptis

basicallyalistofwhichupstartsyou’veyieldedto.Solet’shavethecrown.’Ididn’tknowvulturescouldhiss,butNekhbetdid.Smokebillowedfromherwings.Allaroundtheclearing,Setne’searthmagicshattered.Thetendrilsofredsandfelltotheground

withaloudslosh,andsuddenlyIcouldmoveagain.Sadiestruggledtoherfeet.Annabethrantomyside.

Setnedidn’tseemconcernedaboutus.HegaveNekhbetamockbow.‘Veryimpressive.Butwatchthis!’Hedidn’tneedtoreadfromthescrollthistime.HeshoutedacombinationofGreekandEgyptian–

wordsIrecognizedfromthespellhe’dusedbackatthefort.IlockedeyeswithAnnabeth.Icouldtellwewerethinkingthesamething.Wecouldn’tletSetne

consumethegoddess.Sadieraisedhermuddypieceofpapyrus.‘Annabeth,youandPercygetNekhbetoutofhere.GO!’Notimetoargue.AnnabethandIploughedintothegoddesslikelinebackersandpushedheracross

thefield,awayfromSetne.Behindus,Sadieyelled,‘Ke-rau-noh!’Ididn’tseetheexplosion,butitmusthavebeenimpressive.AnnabethandIwerethrownforward.WelandedontopofNekhbet,wholetoutanindignant

squawk.(Bytheway,Iwouldnotrecommendstuffingyourpillowwithvulturefeathers.They’renotverycomfy.)Imanagedtogetup.WhereSetnehadbeenstandingwasasmokingcrater.Sadie’shairwassingedatthetips.Herscrollwasgone.Hereyeswerewidewithsurprise.‘That

wasbrilliant.DidIgethim?’‘Nope!’Setneappearedafewfeetaway,stumblingalittle.Hisclothesweresmouldering,buthe

lookedmoredazedthanhurt.Hekneltandpickedupsomethingconicalandwhite…Nekhbet’scrown,whichmust’verolledoff

whenwetackledher.‘Thanksforthis.’Setnespreadhisarmstriumphantly–thewhitecrowninonehand,theBookof

Thothintheother.‘Now,wherewasI?Oh,right!Consumingallofyou!’Acrossthefield,Carter ’svoiceyelled:‘STAHP!’IguessstahpisactuallyawordinAncientEgyptian.Whoknew?Abrightbluehieroglyphscythedthroughtheair,cuttingoffSetne’srighthandatthewrist.

Setneshriekedinpain.TheBookofThothdroppedintothegrass.Twentyfeetawayfromme,Carterappearedoutofthinair,holdingAnnabeth’sYankeescap.He

wasn’tingiant-chickenmode,but,sincehe’djustsavedourlives,Iwasn’tgoingtocomplain.SetneglanceddownattheBookofThoth,stillinhisseveredhand,butIlungedforward,thrusting

thepointofmynewswordunderhisnose.‘Idon’tthinkso.’Themagiciansnarled.‘Takethebook,then!Idon’tneeditanymore!’Hevanishedinawhirlofdarkness.

Onthegroundbehindme,thevulturegoddessNekhbetthrashedandpushedAnnabethaside.‘Getoffme!’‘Hey,lady–’Annabethrose–‘Iwastryingtokeepyoufrombeingdevoured.You’rewelcome.’Thevulturegoddessgottoherfeet.Shedidn’tlooknearlyasimpressivewithouthercrown.Herhairdowasamud-and-grasssalad.

Herblackdresshadturnedintoasmockofmoultingfeathers.Shelookedshrivelledandhunchedover,withherneckstickingoutlike…well,avulture.Allsheneededwasacardboardsignsaying,HOMELESS,ANYTHINGHELPS,andItotallywouldhavegivenhermysparechange.‘Youmiserablechildren,’shegrumbled.‘Icouldhavedestroyedthatmagician!’‘Notsomuch,’Isaid.‘Afewminutesago,wewatchedSetneinhaleacobragoddess.Shewasalot

moreimpressivethanyou.’Nekhbet’seyesnarrowed.‘Wadjet?HeinhaledWadjet?Tellmeeverything.’CarterandSadiejoinedusaswebriefedthegoddessonwhathadhappenedsofar.Whenweweredone,Nekhbetwailedinoutrage.‘Thisisunacceptable!WadjetandIwerethe

symbolsofunityinAncientEgypt.WewerereveredastheTwoLadies!ThatupstartSetnehasstolenmyotherLady!’‘Well,hedidn’tgetyou,’Sadiesaid.‘WhichIsupposeisagoodthing.’Nekhbetbaredherteeth,whichwerepointyandredlikearowoflittlevulturebeaks.‘YouKanes.I

should’veknownyou’dbeinvolved.Alwaysmuckingaboutingodlyaffairs.’‘Oh,sonowit’sourfault?’Sadieheftedherstaff.‘Listenhere,buzzardbreath–’‘Let’sstayfocused,’Cartersaid.‘AtleastwegottheBookofThoth.WestoppedSetnefrom

devouringNekhbet.Sowhat’sSetne’snextmove,andhowdowestophim?’‘Hehasbothpartsofthepschent!’saidthevulturegoddess.‘Withoutmyessence,thewhitecrown

isnotaspowerfulasitwouldbe,true,butit’sstillenoughforSetne’spurposes.HeneedsonlytocompletethedeificationceremonywhilewearingthecrownofPtolemy.Thenhewillbecomeagod.Ihateitwhenmortalsbecomegods!Theyalwayswantthrones.TheybuildgarishMcPalaces.Theydon’trespecttherulesinthegods’lounge.’‘Thegods’lounge?’Iasked.‘Wemuststophim!’Nekhbetyelled.Sadie,Carter,AnnabethandIexchangeduneasylooks.Normallywhenagodsays,Wemuststop

him,itmeans,YoumuststophimwhileIsitbackandenjoyacoldbeverage.ButNekhbetseemedseriousaboutjoiningthegang.Thatdidn’tmakemeanylessnervous.Itrytoavoidteamingupwithgoddesseswhoeatroadkill.

It’soneofmypersonalboundaries.Carterknelt.HepulledtheBookofThothfromSetne’sseveredhand.‘Canweusethescroll?Ithas

powerfulmagic.’‘Ifthat’strue,’Annabethsaid,‘whywouldSetneleaveitbehind?Ithoughtitwasthekeytohis

immortality.’‘Hesaidhewasdonewithit,’Irecalled.‘Iguesshe,like,passedthetest,sohethrewawayhis

notes.’Annabethlookedhorrified.‘Areyoucrazy?Youthrowawayyournotesafteratest?’

‘Doesn’teverybody,MissBrainiac?’‘Guys!’Sadieinterrupted.‘It’sterriblycutewatchingyoutwosnipeateachother,butwehave

business.’SheturnedtoNekhbet.‘Now,yourScavengingHighness,isthereawaytostopSetne?’Nekhbetcurledhertalonfingernails.‘Possibly.He’snotafullgodyet.But,withoutmycrown,my

ownpowersaregreatlydiminished.’‘WhatabouttheBookofThoth?’Sadieasked.‘ItmaybenofurtherusetoSetne,butitdidhelpus

defeatApophis.’Atthementionofthatname,Nekhbet’sfaceblanched.Threefeathersfellfromherdress.‘Please

don’tremindmeofthatbattle.Butyou’recorrect.TheBookofThothcontainsaspellforimprisoninggods.Itwouldtakeagreatdealofconcentrationandpreparation…’Cartercoughed.‘I’mguessingSetnewon’tstandaroundquietlywhilewegetready.’‘No,’Nekhbetagreed.‘Atleastthreeofyouwouldberequiredtosetapropertrap.Acirclemustbe

drawn.Aropemustbeenchanted.Theearthmustbeconsecrated.Otherpartsofthespellwouldhavetobeimprovised.IhatePtolemaicmagic.MixingGreekandEgyptianpowerisanabomination.However–’‘Itworks,’Annabethsaid.‘Carterwasabletogoinvisibleusingmyhat.Sadie’sexplosionscrollat

leastdazedSetne.’‘Butwe’llneedmore,’Sadiesaid.‘Yes…’ThevulturegoddessfixedhereyesonmelikeIwasatastydeadpossumonthesideofthe

highway.‘OneofyouwillhavetofightSetneandkeephimunbalancedwhiletheotherspreparethetrap.Weneedaverypotenthybridattack,anabominationevenPtolemywouldapproveof.’‘Whyareyoulookingatme?’Iasked.‘I’mnotabominable.’‘YouareasonofPoseidon,’thegoddessnoted.‘Thatwouldbeamostunexpectedcombination.’‘Combination?What–’‘Oh,no,no,no.’Sadieraisedherhands.Shelookedhorrified,andanythingthatcouldscarethat

girlIdidnotwanttoknowabout.‘Nekhbet,youcan’tbeserious.Youwantademigodtohostyou?He’snotevenamagician.Hedoesn’thavethebloodofthepharaohs!’Cartergrimaced.‘That’sherpoint,Sadie.Percyisn’ttheusualkindofhost.Ifthepairingworked,

hecouldbeverypowerful.’‘Oritcouldmelthisbrain!’Sadiesaid.‘Holdit,’Annabethsaid.‘Iprefermyboyfriendwithanunmeltedbrain.Whatexactlyarewe

talkingabouthere?’CarterwaggedtheYankeescapatme.‘NekhbetwantsPercytobeherhost.That’sonewaythe

Egyptiangodsmaintainapresenceinthemortalworld.Theycaninhabitmortals’bodies.’Mystomachjackknifed.‘Youwanther–’Ipointedatthefrazzledoldvulturegoddess–‘toinhabit

me?Thatsounds…’Itriedtothinkofawordthatwouldconveymycompletedisgustwithoutoffendingthegoddess.I

failed.‘Nekhbet–’Annabethsteppedforward–‘joinwithmeinstead.I’machildofAthena.Imightbe

better–’

‘Ridiculous!’Thegoddesssneered.‘Yourmindistoowily,girl–toostubbornandintelligent.Icouldn’tsteeryouaseasily.’‘Steerme?’Iprotested.‘Hey,lady,I’mnotaToyota.’‘Myhostneedsacertainlevelofsimplicity,’thegoddesscontinued.‘PercyJacksonisperfect.Heis

powerful,yethismindisnotoverlycrowdedwithplansandideas.’‘Wow,’Isaid.‘Reallyfeelingthelovehere.’Nekhbetroundedonme.‘Thereisnotimetoargue!Withoutaphysicalanchor,Icannotremainin

themortalworldmuchlonger.IfyouwanttostopSetnefrombecomingimmortal,youneedthepowerofagod.Wemustactnow.Together,wewilltriumph!Wewillfeastuponthatupstartmagician’scarcass!’Iswallowed.‘I’mactuallytryingtocutbackoncarcassfeasting.’Cartergavemeasympatheticlookthatonlymademefeelworse.‘Unfortunately,Nekhbetisright.

Percy,you’reourbestshot.SadieandIcouldn’thostNekhbetevenifshewantedusto.Wealreadyhavepatrongods.’‘Who,conveniently,havegonesilent,’Sadienoted.‘Scaredofgettingtheiressencessuckedup,I

suppose.’Nekhbetfixedherglitteryblackeyesonme.‘Doyouconsenttohostingme,demigod?’Icouldthinkofamillionwaystosayno.Thewordyessimplywouldn’tpassmylips.Iglancedat

Annabethforsupport,butshelookedasalarmedasIfelt.‘I–Idon’tknow,Percy,’sheconfessed.‘Thisiswaybeyondme.’Suddenlytherainstormfizzledout.Intheeeriemuggyquiet,aredglowlitthemiddleoftheisland,

asifsomebodyhadstartedabonfireonthesoccerfields.‘ThatwouldbeSetne,’Nekhbetsaid.‘Hehasbegunhisascensiontogodhood.Whatisyouranswer,

PercyJackson?Thiswillonlyworkproperlyifyouconsent.’Itookadeepbreath.Itoldmyselfthathostingagoddesscouldn’tbeworsethanalltheotherweird

horriblethingsI’dexperiencedinmydemigodcareer…Besides,myfriendsneededmyhelp.AndIdidnotwantthatskinnyElvisimpersonatortobecomeagodandbuildaMcPalaceinmyneighbourhood.‘Allright,’Isaid.‘Vulturemeup.’Nekhbetdissolvedintoblacksmoke.Sheswirledaroundme–fillingmynostrilswithasmelllike

boilingtar.

Whatwasitlikemergingwithagod?Ifyouwantthefulldetails,readmyYelpreview.Idon’tfeellikegoingintoitagain.Igavethe

experiencehalfastar.Fornow,let’sjustsaythatbeingpossessedbyavulturegoddesswasevenmoredisturbingthanI’d

imagined.Thousandsofyearsofmemoriesfloodedmymind.Isawpyramidsrisingfromthedesert,thesun

glitteringontheRiverNile.Iheardpriestschantinginthecoolshadowsofatempleandsmelledmyrrhincenseontheair.IsoaredoverthecitiesofAncientEgypt,circlingthepalaceofthepharaoh.IwasthevulturegoddessNekhbet–protectoroftheking,shieldofthestrong,scourgeoftheweakanddying.

Ialsohadaburningdesiretofindanicewarmhyenacarcass,stickmyfacerightinthereand–Okay,basicallyIwasn’tmyself.Itriedtofocusonthepresent.Istaredatmyshoes…thesameoldpairofBrooks,yellowshoelace

ontheleft,blackshoelaceontheright.IraisedmyswordarmtomakesureIcouldstillcontrolmymuscles.Relax,demigod.ThevoiceofNekhbetspokeinmymind.Letmetakecharge.‘Idon’tthinkso,’Isaidaloud.Iwasrelievedthatmyvoicestillsoundedlikemyvoice.‘Wedothis

togetherornotatall.’‘Percy?’Annabethasked.‘Areyouokay?’Lookingatherwasdisorientating.The‘Percy’partofmesawmyusualawesomegirlfriend.The

‘Nekhbet’partofmesawayoungwomansurroundedbyapowerfulultravioletaura–themarkofaGreekdemigod.Thesightfilledmewithdisdainandfear.(Fortherecord:IhavemyownhealthyfearofAnnabeth.Shehaskickedmybuttonmorethanoneoccasion.Butdisdain?Notsomuch.ThatwasallNekhbet.)‘I’mfine,’Isaid.‘Iwastalkingtothevultureinmyhead.’Carterwalkedacirclearoundme,frowninglikeIwasanabstractsculpture.‘Percy,trytostrikea

balance.Don’tlethertakeover,butdon’tfighther,either.It’skindoflikerunningathree-leggedrace.Youhavetogetinarhythmwithyourpartner.’‘Butifyouhavetochoose,’Sadiesaid,‘smackherdownandstayincontrol.’Isnarled.‘Stupidgirl!Donottellme–’Iforcedmylipsclosed.Thetasteofrottingjackalfilled

mymouth.‘Sorry,Sadie,’Imanaged.‘ThatwasNekhbettalking,notme.’‘Iknow.’Sadie’sexpressiontightened.‘Iwishwehadmoretimeforyoutogetusedtohostinga

goddess.However–’Anotherredflashilluminatedthetreetops.‘ThesoonerIgetthisgoddessoutofmyhead,thebetter,’Isaid.‘Let’sgosmashSetne’sface.’

Setnereallycouldnotdecideonhiswardrobe.Hestruttedaroundthesoccerfieldinblackbell-bottomedslacks,afrillywhiteshirtandaglittery

purpletrenchcoat–allofwhichclashedwithhisnewlycombinedredandwhitecrown.HelookedlikePrincefromoneofmymom’soldalbumcovers,and,judgingfromthemagiclightsswirlingaroundhim,Setnewasgettingreadytopartylikeitwas1999B.C.E.Havingonlyonehanddidn’tseemtobotherhim.Hewavedhisstumpconductor-style,chantingin

GreekandEgyptianwhilefogroseathisfeet.Burstsoflightdancedandbobbedaroundhim,asifathousandkidswerewritingtheirnameswithsparklers.Ididn’tunderstandwhatIwaslookingat,butNekhbetdid.Havinghersight,IrecognizedtheDuat–

themagicaldimensionthatexistedbeneaththemortalrealm.Isawlayersofreality,likestrataofglowingmulticolouredjelly,plungingdownintoinfinity.Onthesurface,wherethemortalandimmortalworldsmet,SetnewaswhippingtheDuatintoastorm–churningwavesofcolourandfrothywhiteplumesofsmoke.AfterAnnabeth’sadventureonRockawayBeach,she’dtoldmehowfrighteningitwastoseethe

Duat.ShewonderedwhethertheEgyptianDuatwassomehowrelatedtotheGreekconceptofMist–themagicalveilthatkeptmortalsfromrecognizinggodsandmonsters.

WithNekhbetinmymind,Iknewtheanswer.OfcoursetheMistwasrelated.TheMistwassimplyaGreeknamefortheuppermostlayerbetweentheworlds–thelayerthatSetnewasnowshredding.Ishouldhavebeenterrified.Seeingtheworldinallitsinfinitelevelswasenoughtogiveanybody

vertigo.ButI’dbeendroppedintooceansbefore.Iwasusedtofloatinginthedepthswithendlessthermal

layersaroundme.Also,Nekhbetwasn’teasilyimpressed.She’dseenjustabouteverythingoverthemillennia.Her

mindwasascoldanddryasthedesertnightwind.Toher,themortalworldwasaconstantlychangingwasteland,dottedwiththecarcassesofmenandtheircivilizations.Nothinglasted.Itwasallroadkillwaitingtohappen.AsfortheDuat,itwasalwayschurning,sendingupplumesofmagiclikesunflaresintothemortalworld.Still,wewerebothdisturbedbythewaySetne’sspelltorethroughtheMist.Hewasn’tjust

manipulatingit.Magiciansdidthatallthetime.Setnewasstrip-miningtheDuat.Whereverhestepped,fracturesradiatedoutward,cleavingthroughthelayersofthemagicrealm.Hisbodysuckedinenergyfromeverydirection,destroyingtheboundariesbetweentheDuatandthemortalworld,betweenGreekmagicandEgyptianmagic–slowlytransforminghimintoanimmortal.Intheprocess,hewasrippingaholeinthecosmicorderthatmightneverclose.Hismagicpulledatus–Nekhbetandme–urgingustogiveupandbeabsorbedintohisnew

gloriousform.Ididn’twanttobeabsorbed.Neitherdidthevulturegoddess.Ourcommonpurposehelpeduswork

together.Imarchedacrossthefield.SadieandAnnabethfannedoutonmyright.IassumedCarterwas

somewhereonmyleft,buthe’dgoneinvisibleagain,soIcouldn’tbesure.ThefactthatIcouldn’tdetecthim,evenwithNekhbet’ssupervulturesenses,gavemehopethatSetnewouldn’tseehim,either.MaybeifIkeptSetnebusy,CarterwouldbeabletocutoffSetne’sotherhand.Orhislegs.Bonus

pointsforhishead.Setnestoppedchantingwhenhesawme.‘Awesome!’Hegrinned.‘Youbroughtthevulturewithyou.Thanks!’NotthereactionI’dbeenhopingfor.Ikeepwaitingforthedaywhenthebadguyseesmeand

screams,Igiveup!Butithasn’thappenedyet.‘Setne,dropthecrown.’Iraisedmykopis,whichdidn’tfeelheavywithNekhbet’spowerflowing

throughme.‘Surrender,andyoumightgetoutofthisalive.Otherwise–’‘Oh,verygood!Verythreatening!Andyourfriendshere…Letmeguess.Youkeepmeoccupied

whiletheysetsomeamazingtraptocontainthenewlymadegod?’‘You’renotagodyet.’Hewavedoffthecomment.‘IsupposeCarterislurkingaroundheretoo,allstealthyandinvisible?

Hi,Carter!’IfCarterwasnearby,hedidn’trespond.Smartguy.Setneraisedhisstumpofawrist.‘Whereveryouare,Carter,Iwasimpressedwiththehand-cutting-

offspell.Yourfatherwouldbeproud.That’swhatmatterstoyou,isn’tit?Makingyourfatherproud?

Butthinkwhatwouldbepossibleifyoujoinedme.Iintendtochangetherulesofthegame.Wecouldbringyourfatherbacktolife–Imeanreallife,notthathorriblehalflifehe’sgotintheUnderworld.AnythingispossibleonceI’magod!’AroundSetne’swrist,theMistcurled,solidifyingintoanewhand.‘Whatdoyousay,Carter?’Abovethemagician,theairshimmered.Agiantbluefistthesizeofarefrigeratorappearedover

Setne’sheadandpoundedhimintothegroundlikeanailintosoftwood.‘Isayno.’Carterappearedacrossthefield,Annabeth’sYankeescapinhishand.IstaredatthecrownofPtolemy–theonlypartofSetnestillvisibleaboveground.‘Youweresupposedtowait,’ItoldCarter.‘Setthetrap.LetmedealwithSetne.’Cartershrugged.‘Heshouldn’thavebroughtupmyfather.’‘Nevermindthat!’Annabethsaid.‘Getthecrown!’Irealizedshewasright.Iwould’vesprungintoaction,exceptNekhbetandIhadamomentof

paralysis.Thegoddesswantedherhatback.ButItookonelookatthecrown’seerieglow,rememberedthewaythecobragoddesshadbeendevouredanddecidedIwasnottouchingthatcrownwithoutlatexglovesandmaybeahazmatsuit.BeforeNekhbetandIcouldresolveourdifferences,theearthrumbled.SetnerosefromthegroundasifonanelevatorplatformandglaredatCarter.‘Imakeyoua

perfectlyfairoffer,andyouhitmewithagiantfist?Perhapsyourfatherwouldn’tbeproud,afterall.’Carter ’sfacecontorted.Hiswholebodyglowedwithbluelight.Helevitatedoffthegroundasthe

avatarofHorustookshapearoundhim.Setnedidn’tlookworried.Hecurledhisnewlyregrownfingersinacomeheregesture,and

Carter ’savatarshattered.ThebluelightswirledtowardsSetneandwasengulfedinhisgrowingaura.Cartercollapsed,motionless,onthewetground.‘SETNE!’Sadieshouted,raisingherstaff.‘Overhere,youlittleweasel!’Sheblastedthemagicianwithajetofwhitefire.Setnecaughtitonhischestandabsorbedthe

energy.‘Sadie,hon,’hechided.‘Don’tbemad.Carterhasalwaysbeentheboringone.Ididn’treallywant

togranthimeternallife.Butyou–whydon’tyouworkwithme,eh?Wecanhavetonsoffun!Tearinguptheuniverse,destroyingthingsasweseefit!’‘That’s–that’snotfair,’Sadiesaid,hervoicetrembling.‘Temptingmewithdestruction.’Shetriedforherusualsassytone,buthereyesstayedfixedonCarter,whostillwasn’tmoving.IknewIshoulddosomething.We’dhadaplan…ButIcouldn’trememberit.Thevulturegoddess

inmyheadwasflyingcirclesonautopilot.EvenAnnabethlookedlikeshewasstrugglingtoconcentrate.BeingsoclosetoSetnewaslikestandingnexttoawaterfall.Hiswhitenoisedrownedouteverything.‘Youknow,’Setnecontinued,asifwewereplanningapartytogether,‘Ithinkthisislandwillbe

perfect.Mypalacewillgorighthere,inthenewcentreoftheuniverse!’‘Amuddysoccerfield,’Annabethnoted.‘Oh,comenow,childofAthena!Youcanseethepossibilities.ThatoldfoolSerapishadtheright

idea:gatherallthewisdomofGreeceandEgypttogetherinoneplaceandusethatpowertoruletheworld!ExceptSerapisdidn’thavemyvision.I’llconsumetheoldpantheons–Zeus,Osiris,allthose

dustydeities.Whoneedsthem?I’lljusttakethebitsandpiecesIcanusefromallofthem.I’llbecometheheadofanewraceofgods.Humanswillcomeherefromallovertheworldtomakeofferingsandbuysouvenirs.’‘Souvenirs?’Isaid.‘YouwantimmortalitysoyoucansellT-shirts?’‘Andsnowglobes!’Setnegotadreamylookinhiseyes.‘Ilovesnowglobes.Anyway,there’s

roomformorethanonenewgod.SadieKane–you’dbeperfect.Iknowyoulovebreakingrules.Let’sbreakallofthem!Yourfriendscancomealongtoo!’Behindthemagician,Cartergroanedandbegantostir.Setneglancedbackwithdistaste.‘Notdeadyet?Toughkid.Well…Isupposewecanincludehimin

ourplans.Although,ifyou’dprefer,Sadie,Icancertainlyfinishhimoff.’Sadieletlooseagutturalcry.Sheadvanced,butAnnabethcaughtherarm.‘Fightsmart,’Annabethsaid.‘Notangry.’‘Pointtaken,’Sadiesaid,thoughherarmsstilltrembledwithrage.‘ButI’lldoboth.’SheunfurledtheBookofThoth.Setnejustlaughed.‘Sadiedear,Iknowhowtodefeateveryspellinthatbook.’‘Youwon’twin,’Sadieinsisted.‘Youwon’ttakeanythingelsefromanyone!’Shebegantochant.Annabethraisedherborrowedkhopesh,readytodefendher.‘Ah,well.’Setnesighed.‘Isupposeyou’llwantthisback,then.’Setne’sbodybegantoglow.ThankstoNekhbet,Irealizedwhatwasgoingtohappenasplitsecond

beforeitdid,whichsavedourlives.CarterwasjuststrugglingtohisfeetwhenIshouted,‘GETDOWN!’Hedroppedlikeasackofrocks.AringoffireexplodedoutwardfromSetne.Idiscardedmyswordandlungedinfrontofthegirls,spreadingmyarmsgoalie-style.Ashellof

purplelightsurroundedme,andtheflamesrolledharmlesslyovertranslucentwingsthatnowextendedoneithersideofme.WithmynewaccessoriesIwasabletoshieldSadieandAnnabethfromtheworstoftheblast.Iloweredmyarms.Thegiantwingsretracted.Myfeet,floatingjustofftheground,werenow

encasedinlargeghostlylegswiththreelongtoesandthetalonsofabird.WhenIrealizedIwashoveringatthecentreofagiantglowingpurplevulture,myfirstthought

was:Carterwillneverstopteasingmeaboutthis.Mysecondthoughtwas:Oh,gods.Carter.SadiemusthaveseenhimatthesametimeIdid.Shescreamed.Thefirehadblackenedtheentirefield,instantlyturningwetmudintocrackedclay.TheMistand

magiclightshadburnedaway.Mynewswordwasasteaminglineofbronzeslagontheground.Carterlayrightwherehe’ddropped,wreathedinsmoke,hishaircharred,hisfaceredwithblisters.Ifearedtheworst.Thenhisfingerstwitched.Hecroakedoutasound,like‘Gug’,andIcould

breatheagain.‘Thankthegods,’Annabethsaid.Setnebrushedsomeashoffhispurpletrenchcoat.‘Well,youcanthankthegodsifyouwant,but

theywon’tbearoundmuchlonger.AnotherfewminutesandthemagicI’vestartedwillbe

irreversible.Now,Percy,pleasedropthatsillyavatarbeforeItakeitawayfromyou.And,Sadie,IsuggestyougivemetheBookofThothbeforeyouhurtyourself.There’snospellyoucouldreadthatwouldharmme.’Sadiesteppedforward.Herorange-highlightedhairwhippedaroundherface.Hereyesturned

steely,makingherlookevenmorelikeayoungAnnabeth.‘NospellIcouldread,’Sadieagreed.‘ButIhavefriends.’ShehandedtheBookofThothtoAnnabeth,whoblinkedinsurprise.‘Um…Sadie?’Setnechuckled.‘What’sshegoingtodo?Shemaybesmart,butshecan’treadOldEgyptian.’SadiegrippedAnnabeth’sforearm.‘MissChase,’shesaidformally,‘Ihaveonewordforyou.’She

leanedinandwhisperedsomethinginAnnabeth’sear.Annabeth’sfacetransformed.OnlyoncebeforehadIseenherwithsuchanexpressionofpure

wonder:whenshebeheldthegods’palacesonMountOlympus.Sadieturnedtome.‘Percy…Annabethhasworktodo.Ineedtotendtomybrother.Whydon’t

youkeepourfriendSetneentertained?’Annabethopenedthescroll.ShebegantoreadaloudinAncientEgyptian.Glowinghieroglyphs

floatedoffthepapyrus.Theyswirledintheairaroundher,mixingwithGreekwordsasifAnnabethwasaddingherowncommentarytothespell.SetnelookedevenmoresurprisedthanIwas.Hemadeastranglednoiseinthebackofhisthroat.

‘That’snot…Holdonnow.No!’Heraisedhisarmstocastsomecounterspell.Hiscrownbegantoglow.Ineededtomove,butNekhbetwasn’thelping.ShewasalittletoofocusedonCarter,whosmelled

chargrilledandyummy.Thatoneisweak,shemurmuredinmymind.Deadsoon.Theweakmustdie.Angergavemetheupperhand.CarterKanewasmyfriend.Iwouldnotsitaroundwhilemyfriend

died.Move,ItoldNekhbet.AndItookcontrolofthevultureavatar.BeforeSetnecouldfinishcastinghisspell,Igrabbedhiminmyspectralclawsandcarriedhiminto

thesky.

Now…Iliveandbreatheweirdness.Itgoeswiththeterritorywhenyou’reademigod.ButtherearestillmomentswhenIdoamentaldoubletake:likewhenI’mflyingupwardinsideagiantglowingvulture,flappingmyarmstocontrolmake-believewings,holdinganalmost-immortalmagicianinmytalons…allsoIcanstealhishat.Thathatwasnotcomingoff,either.Ispiralledintothestorm,shakingSetne,tryingtoknockthecrownoffhishead,butthedudemust

havefastenedittohispompadourwithsuperglue.Heblastedmewithfireandflashesoflight.Mybirdexoskeletondeflectedtheattacks,but,each

time,thepurpleavatardimmed,andmywingsfeltheavier.‘PercyJackson!’Setnewrithedinmyclaws.‘Thisisawasteoftime!’Ididn’tbotherresponding.Thestrainofcombatwasquicklytakingitstoll.Duringourfirstencounter,Carterhadwarnedmethatmagiccouldliterallyburnupamagicianif

heusedtoomuchatonce.Iguessedthatappliedtodemigods,too.EverytimeSetneblastedmeor

triedtowriggleoutofmygripwithhisnear-godlystrength,myheadthrobbed.Myeyesightdimmed.SoonIwasdrenchedinsweat.IhopedSadiewashelpingCarter.IhopedAnnabethwasfinishingwhateversuper-weirdspellshe’d

beenchantingsowecouldtrapSetne,becauseIcouldn’tstayairbornemuchlonger.Webrokethroughthetopofthecloudlayer.Setnestoppedfighting,whichsurprisedmesomuchI

almostdroppedhim.Thencoldnessbegantoseepthroughmyvultureavatar,chillingmywetclothes,soakingintomybones.Itwasasubtlerkindofattack–probingforweakness–andIknewIcouldn’tallowit.IcurledmyvulturefeettighteraroundSetne’schest,hopingtocrushhim.‘Percy,Percy.’Histonemadeitsoundlikewewereacoupleofbrosonanightout.‘Don’tyousee

whatanincredibleopportunitythisis?Aperfectdo-over.Youofallpeopleshouldappreciatethat.TheOlympiansonceofferedyoutheirmostvaluablegift.Theyofferedtomakeyouagod,didn’tthey?Andyou–youlovableidiot–youturnedthemdown!Thisisyourchancetocorrectthatmistake.’Myavatarflickeredandblinkedlikeabadfluorescenttube.Nekhbet,mybrainbuddy,turnedher

attentioninward.Youturneddownimmortality?Hervoicewasincredulous,offended.Shescannedmymemories.Isawmyownpastfromherdry,cynicalpointofview:Istoodinthe

throneroomofMountOlympusafterthewaragainsttheTitans.Zeusofferedmeareward:godhood.Iturnedhimdownflat.Iwantedjusticeforotherdemigodsinstead.Iwantedthegodstostopbeingjerksandtopayattentiontotheirkids.Astupidrequest.Anaivethingtowishfor.Igaveuppower.Younevergiveuppower.IstruggledtokeepmygriponSetne.‘Nekhbet,thoseareyourthoughts,notmine.Imadetheright

choice.’Thenyouareafool,thevulturegoddesshissed.‘Yeah,pal,’Setnesaid,whoapparentlycouldhearher.‘IgottaagreewithNekhbetonthisone.You

didthenoblething.Howdidthatworkout?Didthegodshonourtheirpromises?’Icouldn’tseparateNekhbet’sbitternessfrommyownfeelings.Sure,Igrumbledaboutthegodsall

thetime,butI’dneverregrettedmydecisiontostaymortal.Ihadagirlfriend.Ihadafamily.Ihadmywholelifeaheadofme–assumingIcouldstayalive.Now…maybeitwasjustNekhbetinmymind,orSetnetoyingwithme,butIstartedtowonderif

I’dmadeahugeblunder.‘Igetit,kid.’Setne’svoicewasfullofpity.‘Thegodsareyourfamily.Youwanttothinkthey’re

good.Youwanttomakethemproud.Iwantedthatwithmyfamily.MydadwasRamsestheGreat,youknow.’Iwasglidinginalazycirclenow,myleftwingcarvingthetopsofthestormclouds.Setne’scrown

glowedmorebrightly.Hisauragrewcolder,numbingmylimbsandturningmythoughtssluggish.IknewIwasintrouble,butIcouldn’tthinkofwhattodoaboutit.‘It’shardhavingapowerfuldad,’Setnecontinued.‘Ramseswasthepharaoh,ofcourse,somostof

thetimehewashostingthegodHorus.Thatmadehimdistant,tosaytheleast.Ikeptthinking,IfIjustmaketherightchoicesandproveI’magoodkid,he’lleventuallynoticeme.He’lltreatmeright.But,thethingis,thegodsdon’tcareaboutmortals,eventheirchildren.Lookintothevulture’smindifyou

don’tbelieveme.Behavelikeagoodlittleboy,actallnoble–thatjustmakesiteasierforthegodstoignoreyou.Theonlywaytogettheirrespectistoactup,bebadandtakewhatyouwant!’Nekhbetdidn’ttrytoconvincemeotherwise.Shewastheprotectorgoddessofthepharaohs,but

shedidn’tcareaboutthemasindividualhumans.ShecaredaboutmaintainingthepowerofEgypt,whichinturnkepttheworshipofthegodsalive.Shecertainlydidn’tcareaboutnobleactsorfairness.Onlytheweakdemandedfairness.Theweakwerecarcasseswaitingtodie–appetizersinthelongdinnerofNekhbet’seternallife.‘You’reagoodkid,’Setnetoldme.‘Alotnicerthanthegoddessyou’retryingtohost.Butyou’ve

gottoseethetruth.Youshould’vetakenZeus’soffer.Youwouldbeagodnow.You’dbestrongenoughtomakethosechangesyouaskedfor!’Strengthisgood,Nekhbetagreed.Immortalityisgood.‘I’mgivingyouasecondchance,’Setnesaid.‘Helpmeout,Percy.Becomeagod.’WeturnedintheairasNekhbet’sconsciousnessseparatedfrommine.She’dforgottenwhichofus

wastheenemy.Nekhbetfavouredthestrong.Setnewasstrong.Iwasweak.IrememberedthewaySetnehadbeenstrip-miningtheDuat–cuttingfissuresinreality,destroying

theentirecosmicordertomakehimselfimmortal.I’lljusttakethebitsandpiecesIcanuse,he’dtoldSadie.Mythoughtsfinallycleared.IunderstoodhowSetneoperated,howhe’dbeatenussobadlyuptill

now.‘You’relookingforawayintomymind,’Isaid.‘Somethingyoucanrelatetoanduseagainstme.

ButI’mnotlikeyou.Idon’twantimmortality,especiallynotifitripstheworldapart.’Setnesmiled.‘Well,itwasworthatry.EspeciallysinceImadeyoulosecontrolofyourvulture!’Anexplosionofcoldshatteredmyavatar.SuddenlyIwasfalling.Myoneadvantage:I’dbeenholdingSetneinmyclaws,whichmeanthewasdirectlybelowme.I

slammedrightintohimandlockedmyarmsaroundhischest.Weplummetedtogetherthroughtheclouds.IshiveredsobadlythatIwassurprisedIcouldstayconscious.Frostcakedmyclothes.Windand

icestungmyeyes.IfeltlikeIwasdownhillskiingwithoutamask.I’mnotsurewhySetnedidn’tjustmagichimselfaway.Isupposeevenapowerfulmagiciancan

succumbtopanic.Whenyou’refree-falling,youforgettothinkrationally:Gee,Ihavespellsandstuff.Insteadyouranimalbraintakesoverandyouthink:OHMYGODTHISKIDISHOLDINGONTOMEANDI’MTRAPPEDANDFALLINGANDI’MGOINGTODIE!EventhoughIwassecondsawayfrombecomingvulturehorsd’oeuvres,Setne’ssquawkingand

flappingbroughtmesomesatisfaction.Ifwe’dfallenstraightdown,Iwould’vehitsolidgroundanddied.Noquestion.Fortunately,thewindswerestrongandGovernorsIslandwasasmalltargetinaverybigharbour.WehitthewaterwithawonderfullyfamiliarKA-FLOOM!Mypaindisappeared.Warmthsurgedbackintomylimbs.Saltwaterswirledaroundme,fillingme

withnewenergy.Seawateralwaysdidgoodthingsforme,butnormallynotthisfast.MaybethepresenceofNekhbetrampedupmyhealing.MaybemydadPoseidonwastryingtodomeafavour.

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.ImightbeabletokeepSetneoccupiedunderwaterforawhile,but

hewastoofardownthepathtoimmortalityformetodestroy.Ineededtoundohismagic,whichmeantIneededhelp.IkeptmygriponhisthroatandletthecurrentspushmetoGovernorsIsland.Carterwaitedformeontheisland’sringroad.Hisheadwaswrappedinbandageslikeaturban.

Theblistersonhisfacehadbeentreatedwithsomekindofpurplegoo.Hislinenninjajammieslookedlikethey’dbeenlaunderedinaburningwoodchipper.Buthewasalive,andangry.Inonehandheheldaglowingwhiteropelikeacowboy’slasso.‘Welcomeback,Percy.’HeglaredatSetne.‘Thisguygiveyouanytrouble?’SetneflailedandshotfireinCarter ’sdirection.Carterlashedtheflamesasidewithhisrope.‘I’vegothimundercontrolfornow,’Isaid.Ifeltconfidentthatwastrue.Theseawaterhadbroughtmebacktofullstrength.Nekhbetwas

cooperatingagain,readytoshieldmefromanythingSetnemighttry.Themagicianhimselfseemeddazedanddeflated.GettingstrangledatthebottomofNewYorkHarborwilldothattoyou.‘Let’sgo,then,’Cartersaid.‘Wehaveanicereceptionplanned.’Backattheburntsoccerfields,SadieandAnnabethhadsketchedamagicalbull’s-eyeonthe

ground.Atleastthat’showitlookedtome.ThechalkcirclewasaboutfivefeetindiameterandelaboratelyborderedwithwordsofpowerinGreekandhieroglyphics.IntheDuat,Icouldseethatthecircleradiatedwhitelight.ItwasdrawnovertheriftthatSetnehadmade,likeabandageoverawound.Thegirlsstoodonoppositesidesofthecircle.Sadiecrossedherarmsandplantedhercombat

bootsdefiantly.AnnabethwasstillholdingtheBookofThoth.Whenshesawme,shekeptherbattlefaceon,butfromthegleaminhereyesIcouldtellshewas

relieved.Imean…we’djustpassedourone-yeardatinganniversary.IfiguredIwasasortoflong-term

investmentforher.ShehopedIwouldpaydividendseventually;ifIdiednow,shewould’veputupwithallmyannoyingqualitiesfornothing.‘Youlived,’shenoted.‘NothankstoElvis.’IliftedSetnebyhisneck.Heweighedalmostnothing.‘Hewasprettytough

untilIfiguredouthissystem.’Ithrewhimintothecentreofthecircle.Thefourofussurroundedhim.Thehieroglyphsand

Greeklettersburnedandswirled,risinginafunnelcloudtocontainourprisoner.

‘Dudeisascavenger,’Isaid.‘Nottoodifferentfromavulture.Hepicksthroughourminds,findswhateverhecanrelateto,andheusesthattogetthroughourdefences.Annabeth’sloveofwisdom.Carter ’sdesiretomakehisdadproud.Sadie’s–’‘Myincrediblemodesty,’Sadieguessed.‘Andobviousgoodlooks.’Cartersnorted.‘Anyway,’Isaid,‘Setnetriedtooffermeimmortality.Hetriedtogetahandleonmymotivesfor

turningitdownoncebefore,but–’‘Pardon,’Sadieinterrupted.‘Didyousayyou’veturneddownimmortalitybefore?’‘Youcanstillbeagod!’Setnecroaked.‘Allofyou!Togetherwecan–’‘Idon’twanttobeagod,’Isaid.‘Youdon’tgetthat,doyou?Youcouldn’tfindanythingaboutme

youcouldrelateto,whichItakeasabigcompliment.’Insidemymind,Nekhbethissed:Killhim.Destroyhimutterly.No,Isaid.Becausethat’snotme,either.Isteppedtotheedgeofthecircle.‘Annabeth,Carter,Sadie…youreadytoputthisguyaway?’‘Anytime.’Carterheftedhisrope.IcroucheduntilIwasface-to-facewithSetne.Hiskohl-linedeyeswerewideandunfocused.Onhis

head,thecrownofPtolemytiltedsidewayslikeanobservatorytelescope.‘Youwererightaboutonething,’Itoldhim.‘There’salotofpowerinmixingGreekandEgyptian.

I’mgladyouintroducedmetomynewfriends.We’regoingtokeepmixingitup.’‘PercyJackson,listen–’‘Butthere’sadifferencebetweensharingandstealing,’Isaid.‘Youhavesomethingthatbelongsto

me.’Hestartedtospeak.Ishovedmyhandrightinhismouth.Soundgross?Wait,itgetsworse.Somethingguidedme–maybeNekhbet’sintuition,maybemyowninstincts.Myfingersclosed

aroundasmallpointyobjectinthebackofSetne’sthroat,andIyankeditfree:myballpointpen,Riptide.ItwaslikeI’dpulledtheplugoutofatyre.MagicspewedfromSetne’smouth:amulticoloured

streamofhieroglyphiclight.GETBACK!NekhbetscreamedinmymindasAnnabethyelledthesamethingaloud.Istumbledawayfromthecircle.Setnewrithedandspunasallthemagiche’dtriedtoabsorbnow

camegushingoutinadisgustingtorrent.I’dheardaboutpeople‘pukingrainbows’,becausetheysawsomethingthatwasjusttoocute.Letmetellyou:ifyouactuallyseesomeonepukingrainbows…there’snothingcuteaboutit.AnnabethandSadieshoutedmagiccommandsinunison.Thefunnelcloudofmagicintensified

aroundthecircle,hemminginSetne,whowasshrivellingrapidly.ThecrownofPtolemyrolledoffhishead.Cartersteppedforwardandthrewhisglowingrope.AssoonastheropetouchedSetne,aflashoflightblindedme.Whenmyvisionreturned,Setneandtheropeweregone.Nomagiclightsswirled.Thevulture

goddesshadleftmymind.Mymouthnolongertastedlikedeadhyena.

Annabeth,theKanesandIstoodinaloosering,staringatthecrownofPtolemy,whichlaysidewaysinthedirt.Nexttoitsataplasticbaublethesizeofagooseegg.Ipickeditup.Insidethesnowglobe,aminiaturemodelofGovernorsIslandwaspermanentlysubmerged.

Alternatelyrunningandswimmingaroundthelandscape,tryingtoavoidflurriesoffakesnow,wasatermite-sizemaninapurpletrenchcoat.SetnehadmadeGovernorsIslandhiseternalheadquarters,afterall.He’dbeenimprisonedinacheapplasticsouvenir.

Anhourlater,wesatontheparapetsoftheoldfort,watchingthesungodownovertheNewJerseycoastline.I’dhadacheesesandwichandanice-coldRibenafromSadie’sextra-dimensionalstashofjunkfood(alongwithtwoextra-strengthpainkillers),soIwasfeelingbraveenoughtohearexplanations.‘Wouldsomeoneexplainwhathappenedbackthere?’Iasked.Annabethslippedherhandintomine.‘Wewon,SeaweedBrain.’‘Yeah,but…’Igesturedatthesnowglobe,whichCarterwasnowadmiring.‘How?’Cartershooktheglobe.Fakesnowswirledinside.Maybeitwasmyimagination,butIswearIcould

hearSetneshriekingunderwaterashewasgiventheblendertourofhistinyprison.‘Iguessthesnow-globeideagotstuckinmyhead,’Cartersaid.‘WhenIthrewtheropeandsprung

thetrap,themagicconformedtowhatIwasthinking.Anyway,Setnewillmakeagreatpaperweight.’Sadiesnorted,almostnostril-spewingherRibena.‘PoorlittleSetne–stuckonCarter ’sdeskfor

eternity,forcedtowatchhimdohoursandhoursofboringresearch.Itwould’vebeenkindertoletAmmitdevourhissoul.’Ididn’tknowwhoAmmitwas,butIdidn’tneedanymoresoul-devouringmonstersinmylife.‘Sothetrapworked,’Isaid,whichIguesswaskindofobvious.‘Idon’tneedtounderstandallthe

details–’‘That’sgood,’Annabethsaid.‘SinceIdon’tthinkanyofusdo.’‘–butonethingI’vegottaknow.’IpointedatSadie.‘WhatdidyouwhispertoAnnabeththatturned

herintoamagician?’Thegirlsexchangedasmile.‘ItoldAnnabethmysecretname,’Sadiesaid.‘Yourwhat,now?’Iasked.‘It’scalledtheren,’Sadieexplained.‘Everyonehasone,evenifyoudon’tknowit.Therenis…

well,thedefinitionofwhoyouare.OnceIsharedit,Annabethhadaccesstomyexperiences,myabilities,allmygeneralamazingness.’‘Thatwasrisky.’Cartergavemeagrimlook.‘Anyonewhoknowsyourrencancontrolyou.You

neversharethatinformationunlessyoureallyhaveto,andonlywithpeopleyouabsolutelytrust.Sadiefoundoutmysecretnamelastyear.Mylifehassuckedeversince.’‘Oh,please,’Sadiesaid.‘Ionlyusemyknowledgeforgood.’Cartersuddenlyslappedhimselfintheface.‘Hey!’hecomplained.

‘Oops,sorry,’Sadiesaid.‘Atanyrate,IdotrustAnnabeth.Iknewitwouldtakebothofustocreatethatcontainmentcircle.Besides,aGreekdemigodcastingEgyptianmagic–didyouseethelookonSetne’sface?Priceless.’Mymouthwentdry.IimaginedAnnabethinvokinghieroglyphsatCampHalf-Blood,blowingup

chariotsontheracetrack,hurlinggiantbluefistsduringcapturetheflag.‘Somygirlfriendisamagiciannow,like,permanently?Becauseshewasscaryenoughbefore.’Annabethlaughed.‘Don’tworry,SeaweedBrain.TheeffectoflearningSadie’srenisalready

wearingoff.I’llneverbeabletodoanymagiconmyown.’Ibreathedasighofrelief.‘Okay.So,um…lastquestion.’InoddedtothecrownofPtolemy,whichsatontheparapetnexttoSadie.Itlookedlikepartofa

Halloweencostume,notthesortofheadgearthatcouldviolentlyriptheworldapart.‘Whatdowedowiththat?’‘Well,’Sadiesaid,‘Icouldputitonandseewhathappens.’‘NO!’CarterandAnnabethyelled.‘Kidding,’Sadiesaid.‘Honestly,youtwo,calmdown.Imustadmit,though,Idon’tseewhyWadjet

andNekhbetdidn’treclaimtheircrowns.Thegoddesseswerefreed,weren’tthey?’‘Yeah,’Isaid.‘IsensedthatcobraladyWadjetgetexpelledwhenSetnewaspukingrainbows.Then

Nekhbetwentbackto…wherevergoddessesgowhenthey’renotannoyingmortals.’Carterscratchedhisbandagedhead.‘So…theyjustforgottheircrowns?’TracesofNekhbet’spersonalitylingeredinthecornersofmymind–justenoughtomakeme

uncomfortablysurethatthecrownofPtolemyhadbeenlefthereonpurpose.‘It’satest,’Isaid.‘TheTwoLadieswanttoseewhatwe’lldowithit.WhenNekhbetlearnedthatI’d

turneddownimmortalityoncebefore,shewaskindofoffended.Ithinkshe’scurioustofindoutifanyofuswillgoforit.’Annabethblinked.‘Nekhbetwoulddothatoutofcuriosity?Evenifitcausedaworld-destroying

event?’‘SoundslikeNekhbet,’Sadiesaid.‘She’samaliciousoldbird.Lovestowatchusmortalssquabble

andkilleachother.’Carterstaredatthecrown.‘But…weknowbetterthantousethatthing.Don’twe?’Hisvoice

soundedalittlewistful.‘Foronceyou’reright,brotherdear,’Sadiesaid.‘AsmuchasI’dlovetobealiteralgoddess,I

supposeI’llhavetoremainafigurativeone.’‘I’mgoingtopukerainbowsnow,’Cartersaid.‘Sowhatdowedowiththecrown?’Annabethasked.‘It’snotthekindofthingweshouldleaveat

theGovernorsIslandLostandFound.’‘Hey,Carter,’Isaid,‘afterwedefeatedthatcrocodilemonsteronLongIsland,yousaidyouhada

safeplacetokeepitsnecklace.Couldyoustorethecrown,too?’TheKaneshadasilentconversationwitheachother.‘IsupposewecouldbringthecrowntotheFirstNomeinEgypt,’Cartersaid.‘OurUncleAmosis

inchargethere.Hehasthemostsecuremagicvaultsintheworld.Butnothingisonehundredpercentsafe.Setne’sexperimentswithGreekandEgyptianmagicsenttremorsthroughtheDuat.Godsand

magiciansfeltthem.I’msuredemigodsfeltthem,too.Thatkindofpoweristempting.EvenifwelockthecrownofPtolemyaway–’‘Othersmighttryhybridmagic,’Annabethsaid.‘Andthemoreit’stried,’Sadiesaid,‘themoredamagecouldbedonetotheDuat,andthemortal

world,andoursanity.’Wesatinsilenceasthatideasankin.IimaginedwhatwouldhappenifthekidsintheHecatecabin

backatcampheardaboutEgyptianmagiciansinBrooklyn,orifClarissefromtheArescabinlearnedhowtosummonagiantwild-boarcombatavatar.Ishuddered.‘We’llhavetokeepourworldsseparateasmuchaspossible.Theinfoistoo

dangerous.’Annabethnodded.‘You’reright.Idon’tlikekeepingsecrets,butwe’llhavetobecarefulwhowe

talkto.MaybewecantellChiron,but–’‘IbetChironalreadyknowsabouttheEgyptians,’Isaid.‘He’sawilyoldcentaur.But,yeah.We’ll

havetokeepourlittletaskforcehereonthedown-low.’‘“Ourlittletaskforce”.’Cartergrinned.‘Ilikethesoundofthat.Thefourofuscankeepintouch.

We’llhavetostandreadyincasesomethinglikethishappensagain.’‘Annabethhasmynumber,’Sadiesaid.‘Which,honestly,brother,isamucheasiersolutionthan

writinginvisiblehieroglyphsonyourfriend’shand.Whatwereyouthinking?’‘Itmadesenseatthetime,’Carterprotested.Wecleanedupourpicnicstuffandgotreadytogoourseparateways.CartercarefullywrappedthecrownofPtolemyinlinencloth.SadiegavetheGovernorsIsland

snowglobeagoodshake,thenstuffeditinherpack.Thegirlshugged.IshookCarter ’shand.Withatwingeofpain,IrealizedhowmuchIwasgoingtomissthesekids.Iwasgettingtiredof

makingnewfriendsonlytotellthemgoodbye,especiallysincesomeofthemnevercameback.‘Takecareofyourself,Carter,’Isaid.‘Nomoregettingroastedinexplosions.’Hesmirked.‘Ican’tpromise.Butcallusifyouneedus,okay?And,uh,thanks.’‘Hey,itwasateameffort.’‘Iguess.But,Percy…itcamedowntoyoubeingagoodperson.Setnecouldn’tgetahandleon

you.Honestly,ifI’dbeentemptedwithgodhoodthewayyouweretempted–’‘Youwould’vedonethesamething,’Isaid.‘Maybe.’Hesmiled,buthedidn’tlookconvinced.‘Okay,Sadie.Timetofly.Theinitiatesat

BrooklynHousearegoingtobeworried.’‘AndKhufuismakingjellyfruitsaladfordinner,’shesaid.‘Shouldbedelicious.Toodle-oo,

demigods!’TheKanesturnedintobirdsofpreyandlaunchedthemselvesintothesunset.‘Thishasbeenaweirdday,’ItoldAnnabeth.Sheslippedherhandintomine.‘I’mthinkingcheeseburgersfordinneratP.J.Clarke’s.’‘Withbacon,’Isaid.‘We’veearnedit.’‘Ilovethewayyouthink,’shesaid.‘AndI’mgladyou’renotagod.’

Shekissedme,andIdecidedthatIwasgladtoo.Akissinthesunsetandthepromiseofagoodbaconcheeseburger–withthatkindofpayoff,whoneedsimmortality?

BooksbyRickRiordan

ACarterKane/PercyJacksonAdventureebook:THESONOFSOBEK

AnAnnabethChase/SadieKaneAdventureebook:THESTAFFOFSERAPIS

ThePercyJacksonseries:PERCYJACKSONANDTHELIGHTNINGTHIEF*

PERCYJACKSONANDTHESEAOFMONSTERS*

PERCYJACKSONANDTHETITAN’SCURSE*

PERCYJACKSONANDTHEBATTLEOFTHELABYRINTH

PERCYJACKSONANDTHELASTOLYMPIAN

THEDEMIGODFILES

PERCYJACKSONANDTHEGREEKGODS

FormoreaboutPercyJackson,try:PERCYJACKSON:THEULTIMATEGUIDE

TheHeroesofOlympusseries:THELOSTHERO*

THESONOFNEPTUNE

THEMARKOFATHENA

THEHOUSEOFHADES

THEBLOODOFOLYMPUS

THEDEMIGODDIARIES

TheKaneChroniclesseries:THEREDPYRAMID*

THETHRONEOFFIRE

THESERPENT’SSHADOW

FormoreabouttheKaneChronicles,try:THEKANECHRONICLES:SURVIVALGUIDE

*Alsoavailableasagraphicnovel

www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk

http://www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk

http://www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk

http://www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk

http://www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk

http://www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk

http://www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk

http://www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk

puffin.co.uk

WEBFUNUNIQUEandexclusivedigitalcontent!

Podcasts,photos,Q&A,DayintheLifeof,interviewsandmuchmore,fromEoinColfer,CathyCassidy,AllanAhlbergandMegRosofftoLynleyDodd!

WEBNEWSThePuffinBlogispackedwithpostsandphotosfromPuffinHQandspecialguestbloggers.You

canalsosignuptoourmonthlynewsletterPuffinBeakSpeak.

WEBCHATDiscoversomethingnewEVERYmonth–books,competitionsandtreatsgalore.

WEBBEDFEET(Puffinshavefunnylittlefeetandbrightlycolouredbeaks.)

Pointyourmouseourwaytoday!

Puffinisoverseventyyearsold.Soundsancient,doesn’tit?ButPuffinhasneverbeensolively.We’realwaysonthelookoutforthenextbigidea,whichishowitbeganallthoseyearsago.

PenguinBookswasabigideafromthemindofamancalledAllenLane,whoin1935inventedthequalitypaperbackandchangedtheworld.AndfromgreatPenguins,greatPuffinsgrew,changing

thefaceofchildren’sbooksforever.

ThefirstfourPuffinPictureBookswerehatchedin1940andthefirstPuffinstorybookfeaturedamanwithbroomstickarmscalledWorzelGummidge.In1967KayeWebb,PuffinEditor,startedthePuffinClub,promisingto‘makechildrenintoreaders’.Shekeptthatpromiseandover200,000

childrenbecamedevotedPuffineersthroughtheirquarterlyinstalmentsofPuffinPost.

Manyyearsfromnow,wehopeyou’lllookbackandrememberPuffinwithasmile.Nomatterwhatyourageorwhatyou’reinto,there’saPuffinforeveryone.Thepossibilitiesareendless,butonethingisforsure:whetherit’sapicturebookorapaperback,astickerbookorahardback,ifit’s

gotthatlittlePuffinonit–it’sboundtobegood.

www.puffin.co.uk

PUFFINBOOKSUK|USA|Canada|Ireland|Australia|India|NewZealand|SouthAfrica

PuffinBooksispartofthePenguinRandomHousegroupofcompanieswhoseaddressescanbefoundatglobal.penguinrandomhouse.com.

www.puffinbooks.com

FirstpublishedintheUSAbyDisneyHyperionBooksforChildren,animprintofDisneyBookGroup,2015ThisdigitaleditionpublishedinGreatBritainbyPuffinBooks2015

Textcopyright©RickRiordan,2015HieroglyphartbyMichelleGengaro-KokmenAllrightsreserved

Themoralrightoftheauthorandillustratorhasbeenasserted

ThisdigitaleditioncreatedbyJouveIndia(UK)

ISBN:978-0-141-35544-3