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PERCYJACKSONANDTHEOLYMPIANSTheLightningThiefTheSeaofMonstersTheTitan’sCurse
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TheLostHero:TheGraphicNovel
TheSonofNeptune:TheGraphicNovel
SHORTSTORIESBYRICKRIORDAN
TheSonofSobekACarterKane/PercyJacksonShortStory
TheStaffofSerapisAnAnnabethChase/SadieKaneAdventure
TheCrownofPtolemyWithPercyJackson,AnnabethChase,CarterKane,&SadieKane
Enjoythisnever-before-publishedshortstoryfeaturingPercy,Annabeth,Carter,andSadie!
Copyright©2015byRickRiordanExcerptfromMagnusChaseandtheGodsofAsgard,BookOne:TheSwordofSummercopyright©2015byRickRiordanAllrightsreserved.PublishedbyDisney•Hyperion,animprintofDisneyBookGroup.Nopartofthisbookmaybe
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Contents
TitlePageAlsobyRickRiordanCopyrightTheCrownofPtolemyPreviewofMagnusChaseandtheGodsofAsgard,BookOne:TheSwordofSummer
“CARTER!”ISHOUTED.Nothinghappened.Nexttome,pressedagainstthewalloftheoldfort,Annabethpeeredintotherain,waitingformagical
teenagerstofalloutofthesky.“Areyoudoingitright?”sheaskedme.“Gee,Idunno.I’mprettysurehisnameispronouncedCarter.”“Trytappingthehieroglyphmultipletimes.”“That’sstupid.”“Justtryit.”Istaredatmyhand.Therewasn’tevenatraceofthehieroglyphthatCarterKanehaddrawnonmy
palmalmosttwomonthsback.He’dassuredmethatthemagiccouldn’tbewashedaway,butwithmyluck,I’daccidentallywipeditoffonmypantsorsomething.
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,agrasscourtyardstretchedabouta
hundredyardssquare,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’sreadingfromistheBookofThoth.Whateverspell
he’scasting,wehavetostophim.”AtthispointIshouldprobablybackupandexplainwhattheheckwasgoingon.Onlyproblem:Iwasn’tsurewhattheheckwasgoingon.
Acoupleofmonthsago,IfoughtthisgiantcrocodileonLongIsland.AkidnamedCarterKaneshowedup,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?HowaboutIdistractSetnewhileyousneak
upbehindhim?Youcanknockthebookoutofhishands.”Annabethknithereyebrows.Evenwithherblondhairplasteredtothesideofherface,shelooked
cute.Hereyeswerethesamecolorasthestormclouds.“Setneissupposedlytheworld’sgreatestmagician,”shesaid.“Hemightbeabletoseethrough
invisibility.Plus,ifyourunoutthere,he’llprobablyzapyouwithaspell.Believeme,Egyptianmagicisnotsomethingyouwanttogetzappedwith.”
“Iknow.Carterwallopedmewithaglowingbluefistonce.Butunlessyouhaveabetteridea…?”Unfortunately,shedidn’tofferone.ShepulledherNewYorkYankeescapfromherbackpack.“Give
meaminuteheadstart.Trytotakeoutthoseflyingsnakesfirst.Theyshouldbesoftertargets.”“Gotit.”Iraisedmyballpointpen,whichdoesn’tsoundlikeanimpressiveweapon;butitturnsintoa
magicswordwhenIuncapit.No,seriously.“WillaCelestialbronzebladekillthem?”Annabethfrowned.“Itshould.Atleast…mybronzedaggerworkedonthestaffofSerapis.Ofcourse,
thatbronzedaggerwasmadefromanEgyptianwand,so…”“I’mgettingaheadache.UsuallywhenIgetaheadache,it’stimetostoptalkingandattacksomething.”“Fine.Justremember:ourmaingoalistogetthatscroll.AccordingtoSadie,Setnecanuseittoturn
himselfimmortal.”“Understood.Nobadguysturningimmortalonmywatch.”Ikissedher,because1)whenyou’rea
demigodgoingintobattle,everykissmightbeyourlast,and2)Ilikekissingher.“Becareful.”SheputonherYankeescapandvanished.I’dlovetotellyouthatIwalkedinandkilledthesnakes,AnnabethstabbedElvisinthebackandtook
hisscroll,andwewenthomehappy.You’dfigureonceinawhilethingswouldworkoutthewayweplanned.
Butnoooooo.IgaveAnnabethafewsecondstosneakintothecourtyard.ThenIuncappedmypen,andRiptidesprangtofulllength—threefeetofrazor-sharpCelestialbronze.
Istrolledintothecourtyardandslicedthenearestserpentoutoftheair.NothingsaysHi,neighbor!likekillingaguy’sflyingreptile.Thesnakedidn’tdisintegratelikemostmonstersI’dfought.Itstwohalvesjustlandedinthewetgrass.
Thehalfwithwingsfloppedaroundaimlessly.CrazyElvisdidn’tnotice.Hekeptpacingbackandforth,engrossedinhisscroll,soImovedfarther
intothecourtyardandslicedanothersnake.Thestormmadeithardtosee.NormallyIcanstaydrywhensubmersedinwater,butrainistrickier.It
needledmyskinandgotinmyeyes.Lightningflashed.Bythetimemyvisioncleared,twomoresnakesweredive-bombingmefromeither
side.Ijumpedbackwardjustastheyblewfire.FYI,jumpingbackwardishardwhenyou’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.Hesaunteredtowardme,therainpartingaroundhimlikeabeadcurtain.
Hiswingedsnakesfollowed,theirflamesmakingplumesofsteaminthestorm.“Hi,there!”Setnesoundedsocasualandfriendly,IknewIwasintrouble.“You’reademigod,I
suppose?”IwonderedhowSetneknewthat.Maybehecould“smell”ademigod’saurathewayGreekmonsters
could.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’vebeenusinginvisibilityspellssincethe
pyramidswereunderwarranty.LikeIsaid,thisisnothingpersonal,demigods.Ijustcan’tsparetheenergytokillyou…atleastnotuntilthesummonsisover.Ihopeyouunderstand.”
Myhearthammered.I’dseenEgyptianmagicbefore,whenCarterhelpedmefightthegiantcrocodileonLongIsland,butIhadnoideahowtostopit,andIcouldn’tstandtoseeitusedagainstAnnabeth.
IchargedatSetne.Hejustwavedhishandandmuttered,“Hu-Ai.”Morestupidhieroglyphsflashedinfrontofme.
Ifellonmyface.Myfacedidnotappreciatethat.Igotmudinmynostrilsandbloodinmymouthfrombitingmytongue.
WhenIblinked,theredhieroglyphsburnedontheinsidesofmyeyelids.Igroaned.“Whatwasthatspell?”“Fall,”Setnesaid.“Oneofmyfavorites.Really,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.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,protectorofLower
Egypt,eternalmistressof—”“Iknow!”Setneclappedhishands.“I’mahugefan!”IcrawledtowardAnnabeth.NotthatIcouldhelpmuchwiththefallspellkeepingmeoffmyfeet,butI
wantedtobeclosetoherifsomethingwentdownwiththiseternalcobraqueenofwhateverblah,blah,blah.MaybeIcouldatleastuseRiptidetocutthoseredcordsandgiveAnnabethafightingchance.
“Oh,thisissogreat,”Setnecontinued.Hefishedsomethingoutofhispantspocket…acellphone.Thegoddessbaredherfangs.ShesprayedSetnewithacloudofgreenmist—poison,Iguessed—but
herepelleditlikethenoseconeofarocketrepelledheat.IkeptcrawlingtowardAnnabeth,whowasstrugglinghelplesslyinherred-licoricecocoon.Hereyes
blazedwithfrustration.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?”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’slargeststrawfinishingtheworld’slargest
milkshake.Wadjetwassuckedintoherownredcrown,alongwithSetne’sfourwingedserpentsandafive-foot-widecircleoflawnwhereWadjethadbeencoiled.
Thecrowndroppedintothesmoking,muddycrater.Setnelaughedindelight.“PERFECT!”Ihadtoagree,ifbyperfecthemeantsohorrifyingIwanttovomitandIhavetogetAnnabethoutof
hererightnow.SetneclamberedintothepittoretrievethecrownasIfranticallystartedcuttingAnnabeth’sbonds.I’d
onlymanagedtoungaghermouthbeforethebindingsblaredlikeanairhorn.Myearspopped.Myvisionwentblack.Whenthesounddiedandmyvertigofaded,Setnewasstandingoverus,theredcrownnowatophis
pompadour.“Theropesscreamifyoucutthem,”headvised.“IguessIshould’vementionedthat.”Annabethwriggled,tryingtofreeherhands.“What—whatdidyoudotothecobragoddess?”“Hmm?Oh.”Setnetappedthecurlicueatthefrontofthecrown.“Idevouredheressence.NowIhave
thepowerofLowerEgypt.”“You…devouredagod,”Isaid.“Yep!”Fromhisjacket,hepulledtheBookofThothandwaggeditatus.“Amazingwhatkindof
knowledgeisinhere.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,myhandtremblingonthehilt.“Wow.”Setnelookeddownatthebloodonhispowder-blueshirt.“Nicejob.”“Thanks.”ItriedtoyankoutRiptide,butitseemedtobestuck.“So…youcandienow,ifit’snottoo
muchtrouble.”Setnesmiledapologetically.“Aboutthat…I’mbeyonddyingnow.Atthispoint—”Hetappedthe
blade.“Getit?Thispoint?I’mafraidallyoucandoismakemestronger!”Hisredcrownbegantoglow.Foronce,myinstinctssavedmylife.DespitetheklutzspellSetnehadhexedmewith,Isomehow
managedtogettomyfeet,grabAnnabeth,andhaulherasfarfromthemagicianaspossible.Idroppedtothegroundatthearchwayasamassiveroarshookthecourtyard.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’sjusthadhislunchmoneystolen.Thethingis,Riptide
wasmymostimportantpossession.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,youcanlearnalotaboutsomeonefromdevouringtheirprizedpossession.”Setnepattedhis
stomach.“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.ThenIrealizedAnnabethwaslooking
upintothestorm,wheretwofalconsspiraledabovethecourtyard.Thecamelbellowedandfarted,whichmademeappreciateitevenmore.Unfortunatelywedidn’thavetimetobecomefriends.Thecamelwideneditseyes,bleatedinalarm,
anddissolvedintosand.Setnerosefromthedustpile.Hiscrownwastilted.Hisblackjacketwascoveredincamelfuzz,but
helookedunhurt.“Thatwasrude.”Heglancedupatthetwofalconsnowdivingtowardhim.“Notimeforthis
nonsense.”Justasthebirdswereabouttoriphisfaceoff,Setnevanishedinaswirlofrain.
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.Thisstormwasmessingupourlocatormagic.”InoddedlikeIknewwhatlocatormagicwas.“Sothisfriendofyours,Setne…he’skindofadirt
wipe.”Sadiesnorted.“Youdon’tknowthehalfofit.Didhehappentogiveyouahelpfulvillainmonologue?
Revealhisevilplans,saywherehewasgoingnext,thatsortofthing?”“Well,heusedthatscroll,theBookofThoth,”Isaid.“Hesummonedacobragoddess,devouredher
essence,andstoleherredhat.”“Oh,dear.”SadieglancedatCarter.“ThecrownofUpperEgyptwillbenext.”Carternodded.“Andifhemanagestoputthetwocrownstogether—”“He’llbecomeimmortal,”Annabethguessed.“Anewlymadegod.Thenhe’llstartvacuumingupall
theGreekandEgyptianmagicintheworld.”“Alsohestolemysword,”Isaid.“Iwantitback.”Thethreeofthemstaredatme.“What?”Isaid.“Ilikemysword.”Carterhookedhiscurvy-bladedkhopeshandhiswandtohisbelt.“Telluseverythingthathappened.
Details.”Whilewetalked,Sadiemutteredsomesortofspell,andtherainbentarounduslikewewereundera
giantinvisibleumbrella.Neattrick.Annabethhadthebettermemory,soshedidmostoftheexplainingaboutourfightwithSetne…though
callingitafightwasgenerous.Whenshewasdone,Carterkneltandtracedsomehieroglyphsinthemud.“IfSetnegetsthehedjet,we’refinished,”hesaid.“He’llformthecrownofPtolemyand—”“Holdup,”Isaid.“Lowtoleranceforconfusingnames.Canyouexplainwhat’sgoingonin,like,
regularwords?”Carterfrowned.“ThepschentisthedoublecrownofEgypt,okay?Thebottomhalfistheredcrown,
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,butIsuppose
we’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.“Ourheadquartersare
inBrooklyn.AndI’mguessingManhattanislikeGreekgodcentral?Alongtimeago,ourUncleAmoshintedatthat.”
“Well,yeah,”Isaid.“MountOlympushoversovertheEmpireStateBuilding,so—”“MountOlympus”—Sadieblinked—“hoversoverthe…Ofcourseitdoes.Whynot?Ithinkwhatmy
brother’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.“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,butAnnabethwasgettingthatannoyedstormylookinhereyes,andsinceIdate
Annabeth,IfiguredI’dbettersuggestacompromise.“Howaboutweplanwhilewewalk?”Isaid.“Wecanchargesouth,like,reallyslowly.”“Deal,”saidCarter.Weheadeddowntheroadfromtheoldfort,pastsomefancybrickbuildingsthatmighthavebeen
officers’quartersbackintheday.Wemadeourwayacrossasoggyexpanseofsoccerfields.Therainkeptpouringdown,butSadie’smagicumbrellatraveledwithus,keepingtheworstofthestormaway.
AnnabethandCartercomparednotesfromtheresearchthey’ddone.TheytalkedaboutPtolemyandthemixingofGreekandEgyptianmagic.
AsforSadie,shedidn’tappearinterestedinstrategy.Sheleapedfrompuddletopuddleinhercombatboots.Shehummedtoherself,twirledlikealittlekid,andoccasionallypulledrandomthingsoutofherbackpack:waxanimalfigurines,somestring,apieceofchalk,abrightyellowbagofcandy.
Sheremindedmeofsomeone….Thenitoccurredtome.ShelookedlikeayoungerversionofAnnabeth,butherfidgetingand
hypernessremindedmeof…well,me.IfAnnabethandIeverhadadaughter,shemightbealotlikeSadie.Whoa.It’snotlikeI’dneverdreamedaboutkidsbefore.Imean,youdatesomeoneforoverayear,theideais
goingtobeinthebackofyourmindsomewhere,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’llhavetocombineourattacks.”“Combineourattacks…”Ipattedmypocket,butRiptidehadnotreappearedinpenform.Ididn’t
wanttoadmithownervousthatmademe.Sure,Ihadotherskills.Icouldmakewaves(literally)andoccasionallyevenwhipupanicefrothy
hurricane.ButmyswordwasabigpartofwhoIwas.Withoutit,Ifeltcrippled.“Howdowedocombineattacks?”Cartergotamischievousgleaminhiseyesthatmadehimlookmorelikehissister.“WeturnSetne’s
strategyagainsthim.He’susinghybridmagic—GreekandEgyptiantogether,right?Wedothesame.”Annabethnodded.“Greek-styleattackswon’twork.YousawwhatSetnedidwithyoursword.And
CarterisprettysureregularEgyptianspellswon’tbeenougheither.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.Spikesofpainshotupmyarm.Itriedtodropthewand,butIcouldn’t.Tearsfilledmyeyes.
“Bytheway,”Sadiesaid,“thismayhurtabit.”“Thanks.”Igrittedmyteeth.“Littlelateonthewarning.”Theivorybegantosmolder.Whenthesmokeclearedandtheagonysubsided,insteadofawandIwas
holdingaCelestialbronzeswordthatdefinitelywasn’tRiptide.“Whatisthis?”Iasked.“It’shuge.”Carterwhistledunderhisbreath.“I’veseenthoseinmuseums.That’sakopis.”Iheftedthesword.LikesomanyI’dtried,itdidn’tfeelrightinmyhands.Thehiltwastooheavyfor
mywrist.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,astylus,andabottleofink—Iguessbecausepenandpaperwouldbeun-Egyptian.Sheknelt,usingherbackpackasamakeshiftwritingdesk,andscrawledinnormalletters:HA-DI.
“That’sagoodspell,”Carteragreed.“Wecouldshowyouthehieroglyphforit,butunlessyouknowhowtospeakwordsofpower—”
“Noneed,”Annabethsaid.“Thephrasemeansexplode?”“Moreorless,”Sadiesaid.“Andyoucanwritethehieroglyphonascrollwithouttriggeringtheka-boom?”“Right.Thescrollwillstorethemagicforlater.Ifyoureadthewordfromthepapyrus…well,that’s
evenbetter.Moreka-boomwithlesseffort.”“Good,”Annabethsaid.“Doyouhaveanotherpieceofpapyrus?”“Annabeth,”Isaid,“whatareyoudoing?’Causeifyou’remessingaroundwithexplodingwords—”“Relax,”shesaid.“IknowwhatI’mdoing.Sortof.”ShekneltnexttoSadie,whogaveherafreshsheetofpapyrus.AnnabethtookthestylusandwrotesomethinginAncientGreek:
Κεραυνóω
Beingdyslexic,I’mluckyifIcanrecognizeEnglishwords,butbeingademigod,AncientGreekissortofhardwiredintomybrain.
“Ke-rau-noh,”Ipronounced.“Blast?”Annabethgavemeawickedlittlesmile.“ClosesttermIcouldthinkof.Literallyitmeansstrikewith
lightningbolts.”“Ooh,”Sadiesaid.“Ilovestrikingthingswithlightningbolts.”Carterstaredatthepapyrus.“You’rethinkingwecouldinvokeanAncientGreekwordthesameway
wedowithhieroglyphs?”“It’sworthatry,”Annabethsaid.“Whichofyouisbetterwiththatkindofmagic?”“Sadie,”Cartersaid.“I’mmoreacombatmagician.”“Giantchickenmode,”Iremembered.“Dude,myavatarisafalcon-headedwarrior.”“IstillthinkyoucouldgetasponsorshipdealwithKFC.Makesomebigbucks.”“Knockitoff,youtwo.”AnnabethhandedherscrolltoSadie.“Carter,let’strade.I’lltryyour
khopesh;youtrymyYankeescap.”Shetossedhimthehat.“I’musuallymoreofabasketballguy,but…”Carterputonthecapanddisappeared.“Wow,okay.I’m
invisible,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.“Theonlythingbetterthanagiantchickenmanisagiantinvisiblechickenman.”
Suddenlythegroundshookunderourfeet.Acrossthesoccerfields,towardthesouthendoftheisland,awhiteglowlitthehorizon.“Thatcan’tbegood,”Annabethsaid.“No,”Sadieagreed.“Perhapsweshouldchargeinalittlemorequickly.”
Thevultureswerehavingaparty.Pastalineoftrees,amuddyfieldstretchedtotheedgeoftheisland.Atthebaseofasmalllighthouse,
afewpicnictableshuddledasifforshelter.Acrosstheharbor,theStatueofLibertyglowedwhiteinthestorm,raincloudspushingaroundherlikewavesofftheprowofaship.
Inthemiddleofthepicnicgrounds,sixlargeblackbuzzardswhirledintherain,orbitingourbuddySetne.
Themagicianwasrockinganewoutfit.He’dchangedintoaredquiltedsmokingjacket—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,herstaffinonehandandherGreekscrollintheother.IglancedatAnnabeth.“Yournewfriendisawesome.”ThenIfollowedSadie.Myplanwasprettysimple:runatSetneandkillhim.Evenwithmyheavynewsword,Ioutpaced
Sadie.Twovulturesdivedatme.Islicedthemoutoftheair.IwasfivefeetfromSetneandimaginingthesatisfactionofslicinghiminhalfwhenheturnedand
noticedme.Themagicianvanished.Mybladecutthroughemptyair.Istumbled,off-balanceandangry.Tenfeettomyleft,Sadiesmackedavulturewithherstaff.Thebirdexplodedintowhitesand.
Annabethjoggedtowardus,givingmeoneofthoseannoyedexpressionslike,Ifyougetyourselfkilled,I’mgoingtomurderyou.Carter,beinginvisible,wasnowheretobeseen.
Withaboltofwhitefire,Sadieblastedanothervultureoutofthesky.Theremainingbirdsscatteredinthestorm.
SadiescannedthefieldforSetne.“Whereistheskinnyoldgit?”Theskinnyoldgitappearedrightbehindher.Hespokeasinglewordfromhisscrollofnasty
surprises,andthegroundexploded.WhenIregainedmysenses,Iwasstillstanding,whichwasaminormiracle.Theforceofthespell
hadpushedmeawayfromSetne,somyshoeshadmadetrenchesinthemud.Ilookedup,butIcouldn’tmakesenseofwhatIwasseeing.AroundSetne,theearthhadrupturedina
ten-foot-diameterring,splittingopenlikeaseedpod.Plumesofdirthadsprayedoutwardandwerefrozen
inmidair.Tendrilsofredsandcoiledaroundmylegsandbrushedagainstmyfaceastheysnakedinalldirections.Itlookedlikesomebodyhadstoppedtimewhileslingingredmudfromagiantsaladspinner.
Sadielayflatonthegroundtomyleft,herlegsburiedunderablanketofmud.Shestruggledbutcouldn’tseemtogetfree.Herstaffwasknockedoutofreach.Herscrollwasamuddyraginherhand.
Isteppedtowardher,butthecoilsofsandpushedmeback.Somewherebehindme,Annabethyelledmyname.Iturnedandsawherjustoutsidetheexplosion
zone.Shewastryingtochargein,buttheearthentendrilsmovedtoblockher,whippingaroundlikeoctopusarms.
TherewasnosignofCarter.Icouldonlyhopehehadn’tgottencaughtinthisstupidweboffloatingdirt.
“Setne!”Iyelled.Themagicianbrushedthelapelsofhissmokingjacket.“Youreallyshouldstopinterruptingme,
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.Thefloatinglinesofsandbegantostirandshift.Imanagedtostepforward,butitwaslikewadingthroughwetcement.Behindme,Annabethwasn’t
havingmuchmoreluck.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,butI
can’tkeepthesemortalspinneddownforever.We’llhavetomakethisbrief.Thehedjet,please.”Thevulturegoddessspreadherarms,whichgrewintohugeblackwings.Aroundher,theairturned
darkassmoke.“Idonotyieldtoupstartslikeyou.Iamtheprotectorofthecrown,theshieldofthepharaoh,the—”
“Yes,yes,”Setnesaid.“Butyou’veyieldedtoupstartsplentyoftimes.ThehistoryofEgyptisbasicallyalistofwhichupstartsyou’veyieldedto.Solet’shavethecrown.”
Ididn’tknowvulturescouldhiss,butNekhbetdid.Smokebillowedfromherwings.Allaroundtheclearing,Setne’searthmagicshattered.Thetendrilsofredsandfelltothegroundwith
aloudslosh,andsuddenlyIcouldmoveagain.Sadiestruggledtoherfeet.Annabethrantomyside.Setnedidn’tseemconcernedaboutus.HegaveNekhbetamockbow.“Veryimpressive.Butwatchthis!”Hedidn’tneedtoreadfromthescrollthistime.HeshoutedacombinationofGreekandEgyptian—
wordsIrecognizedfromthespellhe’dusedbackatthefort.
IlockedeyeswithAnnabeth.Icouldtellwewerethinkingthesamething.Wecouldn’tletSetneconsumethegoddess.
Sadieraisedhermuddypieceofpapyrus.“Annabeth,youandPercygetNekhbetoutofhere.GO!”Notimetoargue.AnnabethandIplowedintothegoddesslikelinebackersandpushedheracrossthe
field,awayfromSetne.Behindus,Sadieyelled,“Ke-rau-noh!”Ididn’tseetheexplosion,butitmusthavebeenimpressive.AnnabethandIwerethrownforward.WelandedontopofNekhbet,wholetoutanindignantsquawk.
(Bytheway,Iwouldnotrecommendstuffingyourpillowwithvulturefeathers.They’renotverycomfy.)Imanagedtogetup.WhereSetnehadbeenstandingwasasmokingcrater.Sadie’shairwassingedatthetips.Herscrollwasgone.Hereyeswerewidewithsurprise.“That
wasbrilliant.DidIgethim?”“Nope!”Setneappearedafewfeetaway,stumblingalittle.Hisclothesweresmoldering,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’tingiantchickenmode,butsincehe’djustsavedourlives,Iwasn’tgoingtocomplain.SetneglanceddownattheBookofThoth,stillinhisseveredhand,butIlungedforward,thrustingthe
pointofmynewswordunderhisnose.“Idon’tthinkso.”Themagiciansnarled.“Takethebook,then!Idon’tneeditanymore!”Hevanishedinawhirlofdarkness.Onthegroundbehindme,thevulturegoddessNekhbetthrashedandpushedAnnabethaside.“Getoff
me!”“Hey,lady,”—Annabethrose—“Iwastryingtokeepyoufrombeingdevoured.You’rewelcome.”Thevulturegoddessgottoherfeet.Shedidn’tlooknearlyasimpressivewithouthercrown.Herhairdowasamud-and-grasssalad.Her
blackdresshadturnedintoasmockofmoltingfeathers.Shelookedshriveledandhunchedover,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,thewhitecrownis
notaspowerfulasitwouldbe,true,butit’sstillenoughforSetne’spurposes.HeneedsonlytocompletethedeificationceremonywhilewearingthecrownofPtolemy.Thenhewillbecomeagod.Ihateitwhenmortalsbecomegods!Theyalwayswantthrones.TheybuildgarishMcPalaces.Theydon’trespecttherulesinthegods’lounge.”
“Thegods’lounge?”Iasked.“Wemuststophim!”Nekhbetyelled.Sadie,Carter,Annabeth,andIexchangeduneasylooks.NormallywhenagodsaysWemuststophim,
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’sterriblycutewatchingyoutwosnipeateachother,butwehave
business.”SheturnedtoNekhbet.“Now,yourScavengingHighness,isthereawaytostopSetne?”Nekhbetcurledhertalonfingernails.“Possibly.He’snotafullgodyet.Butwithoutmycrown,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,andanythingthatcouldscarethatgirl
Ididnotwanttoknowabout.“Nekhbet,youcan’tbeserious.Youwantademigodtohostyou?He’snotevenamagician.Hedoesn’thavethebloodofthepharaohs!”
Cartergrimaced.“That’sherpoint,Sadie.Percyisn’ttheusualkindofhost.Ifthepairingworked,hecouldbeverypowerful.”
“Oritcouldmelthisbrain!”Sadiesaid.“Holdit,”Annabethsaid.“Iprefermyboyfriendwithanun-meltedbrain.Whatexactlyarewetalking
abouthere?”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.I
couldn’tsteeryouaseasily.”“Steerme?”Iprotested.“Hey,lady,I’mnotaToyota.”“Myhostneedsacertainlevelofsimplicity,”thegoddesscontinued.“PercyJacksonisperfect.Heis
powerful,yethismindisnotoverlycrowdedwithplansandideas.”“Wow,”Isaid.“Reallyfeelingthelovehere.”Nekhbetroundedonme.“Thereisnotimetoargue!Withoutaphysicalanchor,Icannotremaininthe
mortalworldmuchlonger.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.Iglancedat
Annabethforsupport,butshelookedasalarmedasIfelt.“I—Idon’tknow,Percy,”sheconfessed.“Thisiswaybeyondme.”Suddenlytherainstormfizzledout.Intheeeriemuggyquiet,aredglowlitthemiddleoftheisland,as
ifsomebodyhadstartedabonfireonthesoccerfields.“ThatwouldbeSetne,”Nekhbetsaid.“Hehasbegunhisascensiontogodhood.Whatisyouranswer,
PercyJackson?Thiswillonlyworkproperlyifyouconsent.”
Itookadeepbreath.Itoldmyselfthathostingagoddesscouldn’tbeworsethanalltheotherweirdhorriblethingsI’dexperiencedinmydemigodcareer….Besides,myfriendsneededmyhelp.AndIdidnotwantthatskinnyElvisimpersonatortobecomeagodandbuildaMcPalaceinmyneighborhood.
“Allright,”Isaid.“Vulturemeup.”Nekhbetdissolvedintoblacksmoke.Sheswirledaroundme—fillingmynostrilswithasmelllike
boilingtar.
Whatwasitlikemergingwithagod?Ifyouwantthefulldetails,readmyYelpreview.Idon’tfeellikegoingintoitagain.Igavethe
experiencehalfastar.Fornow,let’sjustsaythatbeingpossessedbyavulturegoddesswasevenmoredisturbingthanI’d
imagined.Thousandsofyearsofmemoriesfloodedmymind.Isawpyramidsrisingfromthedesert,thesun
glitteringontheNileRiver.Iheardpriestschantinginthecoolshadowsofatemple,andsmelledmyrrhincenseontheair.IsoaredoverthecitiesofAncientEgypt,circlingthepalaceofthepharaoh.IwasthevulturegoddessNekhbet—protectoroftheking,shieldofthestrong,scourgeoftheweakanddying.
Ialsohadaburningdesiretofindanicewarmhyenacarcass,stickmyfacerightinthere,and—Okay,basicallyIwasn’tmyself.Itriedtofocusonthepresent.Istaredatmyshoes…thesameoldpairofBrooks,yellowshoelaceon
theleft,blackshoelaceontheright.IraisedmyswordarmtomakesureIcouldstillcontrolmymuscles.Relax,demigod.ThevoiceofNekhbetspokeinmymind.Letmetakecharge.“Idon’tthinkso,”Isaidaloud.Iwasrelievedthatmyvoicestillsoundedlikemyvoice.“Wedothis
togetherornotatall.”“Percy?”Annabethasked.“Areyouokay?”Lookingatherwasdisorienting.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.Thetasteofrottingjackalfilledmy
mouth.“Sorry,Sadie,”Imanaged.“ThatwasNekhbettalking,notme.”“Iknow.”Sadie’sexpressiontightened.“Iwishwehadmoretimeforyoutogetusedtohostinga
goddess.However—”Anotherredflashilluminatedthetreetops.“ThesoonerIgetthisgoddessoutofmyhead,thebetter,”Isaid.“Let’sgosmashSetne’sface.”
Setnereallycouldnotdecideonhiswardrobe.Hestruttedaroundthesoccerfieldinblackbell-bottomedslacks,afrillywhiteshirt,andaglittery
purpletrenchcoat—allofwhichclashedwithhisnewlycombinedredandwhitecrown.HelookedlikePrincefromoneofmymom’soldalbumcovers,andjudgingfromthemagiclightsswirlingaroundhim,
Setnewasgettingreadytopartylikeitwas1999B.C.E.Havingonlyonehanddidn’tseemtobotherhim.Hewavedhisstumpconductor-style,chantingin
GreekandEgyptianwhilefogroseathisfeet.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.Ikeepwaitingforthedaywhenthebadguyseesmeand
screams,Igiveup!Butithasn’thappenedyet.“Setne,dropthecrown.”Iraisedmykopis,whichdidn’tfeelheavywithNekhbet’spowerflowing
throughme.“Surrender,andyoumightgetoutofthisalive.Otherwise—”“Oh,verygood!Verythreatening!Andyourfriendshere…Letmeguess.Youkeepmeoccupiedwhile
theysetsomeamazingtraptocontainthenewlymadegod?”“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,notthathorriblehalf-lifehe’sgotintheUnderworld.Anythingispossible,onceI’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,rememberedthewaythecobragoddesshadbeendevoured,anddecidedIwasnottouchingthatcrownwithoutlatexglovesandmaybeahazmatsuit.
BeforeNekhbetandIcouldresolveourdifferences,theearthrumbled.SetnerosefromthegroundasifonanelevatorplatformandglaredatCarter.“Imakeyouaperfectly
fairoffer,andyouhitmewithagiantfist?Perhapsyourfatherwouldn’tbeproud,afterall.”Carter’sfacecontorted.Hiswholebodyglowedwithbluelight.Helevitatedoffthegroundasthe
avatarofHorustookshapearoundhim.Setnedidn’tlookworried.Hecurledhisnewlyregrownfingersinacomeheregesture,andCarter’s
avatarshattered.ThebluelightswirledtowardSetneandwasengulfedinhisgrowingaura.Cartercollapsed,motionless,onthewetground.
“SETNE!”Sadieshouted,raisingherstaff.“Overhere,youlittleweasel!”Sheblastedthemagicianwithajetofwhitefire.Setnecaughtitonhischestandabsorbedtheenergy.“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.Thevulturegoddessin
myheadwasflyingcirclesonautopilot.EvenAnnabethlookedlikeshewasstrugglingtoconcentrate.BeingsoclosetoSetnewaslikestandingnexttoawaterfall.Hiswhitenoisedrownedouteverything.
“Youknow,”Setnecontinued,asifwewereplanningapartytogether,“Ithinkthisislandwillbeperfect.Mypalacewillgorighthere,inthenewcenteroftheuniverse!”
“Amuddysoccerfield,”Annabethnoted.“Oh,comenow,childofAthena!Youcanseethepossibilities.ThatoldfoolSerapishadtheright
idea:gatherallthewisdomofGreeceandEgypttogetherinoneplace,andusethatpowertoruletheworld!ExceptSerapisdidn’thavemyvision.I’llconsumetheoldpantheons—Zeus,Osiris,allthosedustydeities.Whoneedsthem?I’lljusttakethebitsandpiecesIcanusefromallofthem.I’llbecometheheadofanewraceofgods.Humanswillcomeherefromallovertheworldtomakeofferingsandbuysouvenirs.”
“Souvenirs?”Isaid.“YouwantimmortalitysoyoucansellT-shirts?”
“Andsnowglobes!”Setnegotadreamylookinhiseyes.“Ilovesnowglobes.Anyway,there’sroomformorethanonenewgod.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.“Sadie,dear,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,werenowencasedinlargeghostlylegswiththreelongtoesandthetalonsofabird.
WhenIrealizedIwashoveringatthecenterofagiantglowingpurplevulture,myfirstthoughtwas:Carterwillneverstopteasingmeaboutthis.
Mysecondthoughtwas:Oh,gods.Carter.SadiemusthaveseenhimatthesametimeIdid.Shescreamed.Thefirehadblackenedtheentirefield,instantlyturningwetmudintocrackedclay.TheMistand
magiclightshadburnedaway.Mynewswordwasasteaminglineofbronzeslagontheground.Carterlayrightwherehe’ddropped,wreathedinsmoke,hishaircharred,hisfaceredwithblisters.
Ifearedtheworst.Thenhisfingerstwitched.Hecroakedoutasound,like“Gug,”andIcouldbreatheagain.
“Thankthegods,”Annabethsaid.Setnebrushedsomeashoffhispurpletrenchcoat.“Well,youcanthankthegodsifyouwant,butthey
won’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’treadOldEgyptian.”SadiegrippedAnnabeth’sforearm.“MissChase,”shesaidformally,“Ihaveonewordforyou.”She
leanedinandwhisperedsomethinginAnnabeth’sear.Annabeth’sfacetransformed.OnlyoncebeforehadIseenherwithsuchanexpressionofpure
wonder:whenshebeheldthegods’palacesonMountOlympus.Sadieturnedtome.“Percy…Annabethhasworktodo.Ineedtotendtomybrother.Whydon’tyou
keepourfriendSetneentertained?”Annabethopenedthescroll.ShebegantoreadaloudinAncientEgyptian.Glowinghieroglyphs
floatedoffthepapyrus.Theyswirledintheairaroundher,mixingwithGreekwordsasifAnnabethwasaddingherowncommentarytothespell.
SetnelookedevenmoresurprisedthanIwas.Hemadeastranglednoiseinthebackofhisthroat.“That’snot…Holdon,now.No!”
Heraisedhisarmstocastsomecounterspell.Hiscrownbegantoglow.Ineededtomove,butNekhbetwasn’thelping.ShewasalittletoofocusedonCarter,whosmelled
charbroiledandyummy.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.Ispiraledintothestorm,shakingSetne,tryingtoknockthecrownoffhishead,butthedudemusthave
fastenedittohispompadourwithsuperglue.Heblastedmewithfireandflashesoflight.Mybirdexoskeletondeflectedtheattacks,buteachtime,
thepurpleavatardimmed,andmywingsfeltheavier.“PercyJackson!”Setnewrithedinmyclaws.“Thisisawasteoftime!”Ididn’tbotherresponding.Thestrainofcombatwasquicklytakingitstoll.Duringourfirstencounter,Carterhadwarnedmethatmagiccouldliterallyburnupamagicianifhe
usedtoomuchatonce.Iguessedthatappliedtodemigods,too.EverytimeSetneblastedmeortriedtowriggleoutofmygripwithhisnear-godlystrength,myheadthrobbed.Myeyesightdimmed.SoonIwasdrenchedinsweat.
IhopedSadiewashelpingCarter.IhopedAnnabethwasfinishingwhateversuper-weirdspellshe’dbeenchantingsowecouldtrapSetne,becauseIcouldn’tstayairbornemuchlonger.
Webrokethroughthetopofthecloudlayer.Setnestoppedfighting,whichsurprisedmesomuch,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,cynicalpointofview:IstoodinthethroneroomofMountOlympusafterthewaragainsttheTitans.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?Didthegodshonortheirpromises?”Icouldn’tseparateNekhbet’sbitternessfrommyownfeelings.Sure,Igrumbledaboutthegodsallthe
time,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’tthinkofwhattodoaboutit.
“It’shardhavingapowerfuldad,”Setnecontinued.“Ramseswasthepharaoh,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.Becomeagod.”WeturnedintheairasNekhbet’sconsciousnessseparatedfrommine.She’dforgottenwhichofus
wastheenemy.Nekhbetfavoredthestrong.Setnewasstrong.Iwasweak.IrememberedthewaySetnehadbeenstrip-miningtheDuat—cuttingfissuresinreality,destroyingthe
entirecosmicordertomakehimselfimmortal.I’lljusttakethebitsandpiecesIcanuse,he’dtoldSadie.Mythoughtsfinallycleared.IunderstoodhowSetneoperated,howhe’dbeatenussobadlyuptill
now.“You’relookingforawayintomymind,”Isaid.“Somethingyoucanrelatetoanduseagainstme.But
I’mnotlikeyou.Idon’twantimmortality,especiallynotifitripstheworldapart.”Setnesmiled.“Well,itwasworthatry.EspeciallysinceImadeyoulosecontrolofyourvulture!”
Anexplosionofcoldshatteredmyavatar.SuddenlyIwasfalling.Myoneadvantage:I’dbeenholdingSetneinmyclaws,whichmeanthewasdirectlybelowme.I
slammedrightintohimandlockedmyarmsaroundhischest.Weplummetedtogetherthroughtheclouds.Ishiveredsobadly,IwassurprisedIcouldstayconscious.Frostcakedmyclothes.Windandice
stungmyeyes.IfeltlikeIwasdownhillskiingwithoutamask.I’mnotsurewhySetnedidn’tjustmagichimselfaway.Isupposeevenapowerfulmagiciancan
succumbtopanic.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.Saltwaterswirledaroundme,fillingme
withnewenergy.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.ImightbeabletokeepSetneoccupiedunderwaterforawhile,but
hewastoofardownthepathtoimmortalityformetodestroy.Ineededtoundohismagic,whichmeantIneededhelp.
IkeptmygriponhisthroatandletthecurrentspushmetoGovernorsIsland.Carterwaitedformeontheisland’sringroad.Hisheadwaswrappedinbandageslikeaturban.The
blistersonhisfacehadbeentreatedwithsomekindofpurplegoo.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.”Backattheburnedsoccerfields,SadieandAnnabethhadsketchedamagicalbull’s-eyeonthe
ground.Atleastthat’showitlookedtome.Thechalkcirclewasaboutfivefeetindiameter,andelaboratelyborderedwithwordsofpowerinGreekandhieroglyphics.IntheDuat,Icouldseethatthecircleradiatedwhitelight.ItwasdrawnovertheriftthatSetnehadmade,likeabandageoverawound.
Thegirlsstoodonoppositesidesofthecircle.Sadiecrossedherarmsandplantedhercombatbootsdefiantly.AnnabethwasstillholdingtheBookofThoth.
Whenshesawme,shekeptherbattlefaceon;butfromthegleaminhereyes,Icouldtellshewas
relieved.Imean…we’djustpassedourone-yeardatinganniversary.IfiguredIwasasortoflong-term
investmentforher.ShehopedIwouldpaydividendseventually;ifIdiednow,shewould’veputupwithallmyannoyingqualitiesfornothing.
“Youlived,”shenoted.“NothankstoElvis.”IliftedSetnebyhisneck.Heweighedalmostnothing.“Hewasprettytough
untilIfiguredouthissystem.”Ithrewhimintothecenterofthecircle.Thefourofussurroundedhim.ThehieroglyphsandGreek
lettersburnedandswirled,risinginafunnelcloudtocontainourprisoner.“Dudeisascavenger,”Isaid.“Nottoodifferentfromavulture.Hepicksthroughourminds,finds
whateverhecanrelateto,andheusesthattogetthroughourdefenses.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.Myfingersclosedaround
asmallpointyobjectinthebackofSetne’sthroat,andIyankeditfree:myballpointpen,Riptide.ItwaslikeI’dpulledtheplugoutofatire.MagicspewedfromSetne’smouth:amulticoloredstream
ofhieroglyphiclight.GETBACK!NekhbetscreamedinmymindasAnnabethyelledthesamethingaloud.Istumbledawayfromthecircle.Setnewrithedandspunasallthemagiche’dtriedtoabsorbnow
camegushingoutinadisgustingtorrent.I’dheardaboutpeople“pukingrainbows,”becausetheysawsomethingthatwasjusttoocute.
Letmetellyou:Ifyouactuallyseesomeonepukingrainbows…there’snothingcuteaboutit.AnnabethandSadieshoutedmagiccommandsinunison.Thefunnelcloudofmagicintensifiedaround
thecircle,hemminginSetne,whowasshrivelingrapidly.ThecrownofPtolemyrolledoffhishead.Cartersteppedforwardandthrewhisglowingrope.
AssoonastheropetouchedSetne,aflashoflightblindedme.Whenmyvisionreturned,Setneandtheropeweregone.Nomagiclightsswirled.Thevulture
goddesshadleftmymind.Mymouthnolongertastedlikedeadhyena.Annabeth,theKanes,andIstoodinaloosering,staringatthecrownofPtolemy,whichlaysideways
inthedirt.Nexttoitsataplasticbaublethesizeofagooseegg.Ipickeditup.Insidethesnowglobe,aminiaturemodelofGovernorsIslandwaspermanentlysubmerged.
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.Maybeitwasmyimagination,butIswearIcould
hearSetneshriekingunderwaterashewasgiventheblendertourofhistinyprison.“Iguessthesnowglobeideagotstuckinmyhead,”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.Youneversharethatinformationunlessyoureallyhaveto,andonlywithpeopleyouabsolutelytrust.Sadiefoundoutmysecretnamelastyear.Mylifehassuckedeversince.”
“Oh,please,”Sadiesaid.“Ionlyusemyknowledgeforgood.”Cartersuddenlyslappedhimselfintheface.“Hey!”hecomplained.“Oops,sorry,”Sadiesaid.“Atanyrate,IdotrustAnnabeth.Iknewitwouldtakebothofustocreate
thatcontainmentcircle.Besides,aGreekdemigodcastingEgyptianmagic—didyouseethelookonSetne’sface?Priceless.”
Mymouthwentdry.IimaginedAnnabethinvokinghieroglyphsatCampHalf-Blood,blowingupchariotsontheracetrack,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.WhenNekhbetlearnedthat
I’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’snotthekindofthingweshouldleaveat
theGovernorsIslandLostandFound.”“Hey,Carter,”Isaid,“afterwedefeatedthatcrocodilemonsteronLongIsland,yousaidyouhada
safeplacetokeepitsnecklace.Couldyoustorethecrown,too?”TheKaneshadasilentconversationwitheachother.“IsupposewecouldbringthecrowntotheFirstNomeinEgypt,”Cartersaid.“OurUncleAmosisin
chargethere.Hehasthemostsecuremagicvaultsintheworld.Butnothingisone-hundred-percentsafe.Setne’sexperimentswithGreekandEgyptianmagicsenttremorsthroughtheDuat.Godsandmagiciansfeltthem.I’msuredemigodsfeltthem,too.Thatkindofpoweristempting.EvenifwelockthecrownofPtolemyaway—”
“Othersmighttryhybridmagic,”Annabethsaid.“Andthemoreit’stried,”Sadiesaid,“themoredamagecouldbedonetotheDuat,andthemortal
world,andoursanity.”Wesatinsilenceasthatideasankin.IimaginedwhatwouldhappenifthekidsintheHecatecabin
backatcampheardaboutEgyptianmagiciansinBrooklyn,orifClarissefromtheArescabinlearnedhowtosummonagiantwildboarcombatavatar.
Ishuddered.“We’llhavetokeepourworldsseparateasmuchaspossible.Theinfoistoodangerous.”
Annabethnodded.“You’reright.Idon’tlikekeepingsecrets,butwe’llhavetobecarefulwhowetalk
to.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.SadiegavetheGovernorsIslandsnow
globeagoodshake,thenstuffeditinherpack.Thegirlshugged.IshookCarter’shand.Withatwingeofpain,IrealizedhowmuchIwasgoingtomissthesekids.Iwasgettingtiredof
makingnewfriendsonlytotellthemgood-bye,especiallysincesomeofthemnevercameback.“Takecareofyourself,Carter,”Isaid.“Nomoregettingroastedinexplosions.”Hesmirked.“Ican’tpromise.Butcallusifyouneedus,okay?And,uh,thanks.”“Hey,itwasateameffort.”“Iguess.But,Percy…itcamedowntoyoubeingagoodperson.Setnecouldn’tgetahandleonyou.
Honestly,ifI’dbeentemptedwithgodhoodthewayyouweretempted—”“Youwould’vedonethesamething,”Isaid.“Maybe.”Hesmiled,buthedidn’tlookconvinced.“Okay,Sadie.Timetofly.Theinitiatesat
BrooklynHousearegoingtobeworried.”“AndKhufuismakingJell-Ofruitsaladfordinner,”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.Akissinthesunsetandthepromiseofagoodbacon
cheeseburger—withthatkindofpayoff,whoneedsimmortality?
GOODMORNING!YOU’REGOINGTODIE.
YEAH,IKNOW.YouguysaregoingtoreadabouthowIdiedinagony,andyou’regoingbelike,“Wow!Thatsoundscool,Magnus!CanIdieinagonytoo?”
No.Justno.Don’tgojumpingoffanyrooftops.Don’trunintothehighwayorsetyourselfonfire.Itdoesn’twork
thatway.YouwillnotendupwhereIendedup.Besides, youwouldn’twant todealwithmy situation.Unlessyou’vegot somecrazydesire to see
undeadwarriorshackingoneanothertopieces,swordsflyingupgiants’noses,anddarkelvesinsnappyoutfits,youshouldn’teventhinkaboutfindingthewolf-headedgates.
MynameisMagnusChase.I’msixteenyearsold.ThisisthestoryofhowmylifewentdownhillafterIgotmyselfkilled.
Mydaystartedoutnormallyenough.IwassleepingonthesidewalkunderabridgeinthePublicGardenwhenaguykickedmeawakeandsaid,“They’reafteryou.”
Bytheway,I’vebeenhomelessforthepasttwoyears.Someofyoumaythink,Aw,howsad.Othersmaythink,Ha,ha,loser!Butifyousawmeonthestreet,
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’m definitely used to being
ignored.Let’smoveon.ThebumwhowokemewasaguycalledBlitz.Asusual,helookedlikehe’dbeenrunningthrougha
dirtyhurricane.Hiswiryblackhairwasfullofpaperscrapsandtwigs.Hisfacewasthecolorofsaddleleather, fleckedwith ice.Hisbeardcurled in all directions.Snowcaked thebottomofhis trenchcoatwhere it dragged around his feet—Blitz being about five feet five—and his eyeswere so dilated, theiriseswereallpupil.Hispermanentlyalarmedexpressionmadehimlooklikehemightstartscreaminganysecond.
I blinked the gunk out ofmy eyes.Mymouth tasted like day-old hamburger.My sleeping bagwaswarm,andIreallydidn’twanttogetoutofit.
“Who’safterme?”“Notsure.”Blitzrubbedhisnose,whichhadbeenbrokensomanytimesitzigzaggedlikealightning
bolt.“They’rehandingoutflyerswithyournameandpicture.”I cursed. Random police and park rangers I could deal with. Truant officers, community service
volunteers,drunkencollegekids,addictslookingtorollsomebodysmallandweak—allthosewould’vebeenaseasytowakeuptoaspancakesandorangejuice.
Butwhensomebodyknewmynameandmyface—thatwasbad.Thatmeant theyweretargetingmespecifically.Maybethefolksat theshelterweremadatmeforbreakingtheirstereo.(ThoseChristmascarolshadbeendrivingmecrazy.)MaybeasecuritycameracaughtthatlastbitofpickpocketingIdidintheTheaterDistrict.(Hey,Ineededmoneyforpizza.)Ormaybe,unlikelyasitseemed,thepolicewerestilllookingforme,wantingtoaskquestionsaboutmymom’smurder….
I packedmy stuff,which took about three seconds. The sleeping bag rolled up tight and fit inmybackpackwithmytoothbrushandachangeofsocksandunderwear.Exceptfortheclothesonmyback,that’sall Iowned.With thebackpackovermyshoulderand thehoodofmy jacketpulled low, I couldblend inwithpedestrian trafficprettywell.Bostonwas full of collegekids.Someof themwere evenmorescragglyandyounger-lookingthanme.
IturnedtoBlitz.“Where’dyouseethesepeoplewiththeflyers?”“BeaconStreet.They’re coming thisway.Middle-agedwhite guy and a teenage girl, probably his
daughter.”Ifrowned.“Thatmakesnosense.Who—”“Idon’t know, kid, but I gotta go.”Blitz squinted at the sunrise,whichwas turning the skyscraper
windows orange. For reasons I’d never quite understood, Blitz hated the daylight.Maybe hewas theworld’s shortest, stoutest homeless vampire. “You should go see Hearth. He’s hanging out in CopleySquare.”
Itriednottofeelirritated.ThelocalstreetpeoplejokinglycalledHearthandBlitzmymomanddadbecauseoneortheotheralwaysseemedtobehoveringaroundme.
“Iappreciateit,”Isaid.“I’llbefine.”Blitzchewedhisthumbnail.“Idunno,kid.Nottoday.Yougottabeextracareful.”“Why?”Heglancedovermyshoulder.“They’recoming.”Ididn’tseeanybody.WhenIturnedback,Blitzwasgone.Ihateditwhenhedidthat.Just—poof.Theguywaslikeaninja.Ahomelessvampireninja.NowIhadachoice:gotoCopleySquareandhangoutwithHearth,orheadtowardBeaconStreetand
trytospotthepeoplewhowerelookingforme.Blitz’sdescriptionof themmademecurious.Amiddle-agedwhiteguyandateenagegirlsearching
formeatsunriseonabitter-coldmorning.Why?Whowerethey?Icreptalongtheedgeofthepond.Almostnobodytookthelowertrailunderthebridge.Icouldhug
thesideofthehillandspotanyoneapproachingonthehigherpathwithoutthemseeingme.Snowcoatedtheground.Theskywaseye-achinglyblue.Thebaretreebrancheslookedlikethey’d
beendippedinglass.Thewindcutthroughmylayersofclothes,butIdidn’tmindthecold.MymomusedtojokethatIwashalfpolarbear.
Dammit,Magnus,Ichidedmyself.After twoyears,mymemoriesofherwere still aminefield. I stumbledoverone, and instantlymy
composurewasblowntobits.Itriedtofocus.Themanandthegirlwerecomingthisway.Theman’ssandyhairgrewoverhiscollar—notlikean
intentional style, but like he couldn’t be bothered to cut it. His baffled expression remindedme of a
substituteteacher’s:IknowIwashitbyaspitwad,butIhavenoideawhereitcamefrom.HisdressshoesweretotallywrongforaBostonwinter.Hissocksweredifferentshadesofbrown.Histielookedlikeithadbeentiedwhilehespunaroundintotaldarkness.
Thegirlwasdefinitelyhisdaughter.Herhairwasjustasthickandwavy,thoughlighterblond.Shewasdressedmoresensiblyinsnowboots, jeans,andaparka,withanorangeT-shirtpeekingoutat theneckline.Herexpressionwasmoredetermined,angry.Shegrippedasheafofflyersliketheywereessaysshe’dbeengradedonunfairly.
Ifshewaslookingforme,Ididnotwanttobefound.Shewasscary.Ididn’trecognizeherorherdad,butsomethingtuggedatthebackofmyskull…likeamagnettryingto
pulloutaveryoldmemory.Fatheranddaughterstoppedwherethepathforked.Theylookedaroundasifjustnowrealizingthey
werestandinginthemiddleofadesertedparkatno-thank-youo’clockinthedeadofwinter.“Unbelievable,”saidthegirl.“Iwanttostranglehim.”Assumingshemeantme,Ihunkereddownalittlemore.Herdadsighed.“Weshouldprobablyavoidkillinghim.Heisyouruncle.”“Buttwoyears?”thegirldemanded.“Dad,howcouldhenottellusfortwoyears?”“Ican’texplainRandolph’sactions.Inevercould,Annabeth.”Iinhaledsosharply,Iwasafraidtheywouldhearme.Ascabwasrippedoffmybrain,exposingraw
memoriesfromwhenIwassixyearsold.Annabeth.Whichmeantthesandy-hairedmanwas…UncleFrederick?IflashedbacktothelastfamilyThanksgivingwe’dshared:Annabethandmehidinginthelibraryat
UncleRandolph’stownhouse,playingwithdominoeswhiletheadultsyelledateachotherdownstairs.You’reluckyyoulivewithyourmomma.Annabethstackedanotherdominoonherminiaturebuilding.
Itwasamazinglygood,withcolumnsinfrontlikeatemple.I’mgoingtorunaway.Ihadnodoubtshemeantit.Iwasinaweofherconfidence.ThenUncleFrederickappearedinthedoorway.Hisfistswereclenched.Hisgrimexpressionwasat
oddswiththesmilingreindeeronhissweater.Annabeth,we’releaving.Annabethlookedatme.Hergrayeyeswerealittletoofierceforafirstgrader’s.Besafe,Magnus.Withaflickofherfinger,sheknockedoverherdominotemple.ThatwasthelasttimeI’dseenher.Afterward,mymomhadbeenadamant:We’restayingawayfromyouruncles.EspeciallyRandolph.
Iwon’tgivehimwhathewants.Ever.Shewouldn’t explainwhatRandolphwanted,orwhat sheandFrederickandRandolphhadargued
about.Youhavetotrustme,Magnus.Beingaroundthem…it’stoodangerous.Itrustedmymom.Evenafterherdeath,Ihadn’thadanycontactwithmyrelatives.Now,suddenly,theywerelookingforme.Randolphlivedintown,butasfarasIknew,FrederickandAnnabethstilllivedinVirginia.Yethere
theywere,passingoutflyerswithmynameandphotoonthem.Wherehadtheyevengottenaphotoofme?
Myheadbuzzedsobadly,Imissedsomeoftheirconversation.“—tofindMagnus,”UncleFrederickwassaying.Hecheckedhissmartphone.“Randolphisatthecity
shelterintheSouthEnd.Hesaysnoluck.Weshouldtrytheyouthshelteracrossthepark.”“HowdoweevenknowMagnusisalive?”Annabethaskedmiserably.“Missingfortwoyears?He
couldbefrozeninaditchsomewhere!”Partofmewastemptedtojumpoutofmyhidingplaceandshout,TA-DA!EventhoughithadbeentenyearssinceI’dseenAnnabeth,Ididn’tlikeseeingherdistressed.Butafter
so long on the streets, I’d learned the hardway: you neverwalk into a situation until you understandwhat’sgoingon.
“Randolphissure,”saidUncleFrederick.“Magnusisalive.He’ssomewhereinBoston.Ifhislifeistrulyindanger…”
TheysetofftowardCharlesStreet,theirvoicescarriedawaybythewind.Iwas shivering now, but itwasn’t from the cold. Iwanted to run after Frederick, tackle him, and
demandwhatwasgoingon.HowdidRandolphknowIwasstillintown?Whyweretheylookingforme?Howwasmylifeindangernowmorethanonanyotherday?
ButIdidn’tfollowthem.Irememberedthelastthingmymomevertoldme.I’dbeenreluctanttousethefireescape,reluctantto
leaveher,butshe’dgrippedmyarmsandmademelookather.Magnus,run.Hide.Don’ttrustanyone.I’llfindyou.Whateveryoudo,don’tgotoRandolphforhelp.
Then,beforeI’dmadeitoutthewindow,thedoorofourapartmenthadburstintosplinters.Twopairsofglowingblueeyeshademergedfromthedarkness….
IshookoffthememoryandwatchedUncleFrederickandAnnabethwalkaway,veeringeasttowardtheCommon.
Uncle Randolph…for some reason, he’d contacted Frederick and Annabeth. He’d gotten them toBoston.Allthistime,FrederickandAnnabethhadn’tknownthatmymomwasdeadandIwasmissing.Itseemedimpossible,butifitweretrue,whywouldRandolphtellthemaboutitnow?
Withoutconfrontinghimdirectly,Icouldthinkofonlyonewaytogetanswers.HistownhousewasinBackBay,aneasywalkfromhere.AccordingtoFrederick,Randolphwasn’thome.HewassomewhereintheSouthEnd,lookingforme.
Sincenothingstartedadaybetterthanalittlebreakingandentering,Idecidedtopayhisplaceavisit.
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