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ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
RickRiordanisthecreatoroftheaward-winning,bestsellingPercyJacksonseriesandthethrillingKaneChroniclesandHeroesofOlympusseries.
AccordingtoRick,theideaforthePercyJacksonstorieswasinspiredbyhissonHaley.ButrumourhasitthatCampHalf-Bloodactuallyexists,andRickspendshissummersthererecordingtheadventuresofyoungdemigods.Somebelievethat,toavoidamasspanicamongthemortalpopulation,hewasforcedtoswearontheRiverStyxtopresentPercyJackson’sstoryasfiction.RicklivesinBoston,Massachussetts,(apartfromhissummersonHalf-BloodHill)withhiswifeandtwosons.
TolearnmoreaboutRickandthePercyJacksonandKaneChroniclesseries,visit:www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk
BOOKSBYRICKRIORDAN
ACarterKane/PercyJacksonAdventureebook:
THESONOFSOBEK
ThePercyJacksonseries:
PERCYJACKSONANDTHELIGHTNINGTHIEF
PERCYJACKSONANDTHESEAOFMONSTERS
PERCYJACKSONANDTHETITAN’SCURSE
PERCYJACKSONANDTHEBATTLEOFTHELABYRINTH
PERCYJACKSONANDTHELASTOLYMPIAN
PERCYJACKSON:THEDEMIGODFILES
FormoreaboutPercyJackson,try:
PERCYJACKSON:THEULTIMATEGUIDE
TheHeroesofOlympusseries:
THELOSTHERO
THESONOFNEPTUNE
THEMARKOFATHENA
THEHOUSEOFHADES
HEROESOFOLYMPUS:THEDEMIGODDIARIES
Don’tmiss:
THEBLOODOFOLYMPUS
TheKaneChroniclesseries:
THEREDPYRAMID
THETHRONEOFFIRE
THESERPENT’SSHADOW
FormoreabouttheKaneChronicles,try:
THEKANECHRONICLES:SURVIVALGUIDE
www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk
TheStaffofSerapis
UNTILSHESPOTTEDthetwo-headedmonster,Annabethdidn’tthinkherdaycouldgetanyworse.
She’dspentallmorningdoingcatch-upworkforschool.(SkippingclassesonaregularbasistosavetheworldfrommonstersandrogueGreekgodswasseriouslymessingupherGPA.)Thenshe’dturneddownamoviewithherboyfriend,Percy,andsomeoftheirfriendssoshecouldtryoutforasummerinternshipatalocalarchitecturefirm.Unfortunately,herbrainhadbeenmush.Shewasprettysureshe’dflubbedtheinterview.
Finally,aroundfourintheafternoon,she’dtrudgedthroughWashingtonSquareParkonherwaytothesubwaystationandsteppedinafreshpileofcowmanure.
Sheglaredatthesky.‘Hera!’
Theotherpedestriansgaveherfunnylooks,butAnnabethdidn’tcare.Shewastiredofthegoddess’spracticaljokes.AnnabethhaddonesomanyquestsforHera,butstilltheQueenofHeavenleftpresentsfromhersacredanimalrightwhereAnnabethcouldstepinthem.ThegoddessmusthavehadaherdofstealthcowspatrollingManhattan.
BythetimeAnnabethmadeittotheWestFourthStreetstation,shewascrankyandexhaustedandjustwantedtocatchtheFtrainuptowntoPercy’splace.Itwastoolateforthemovie,butmaybetheycouldgetdinnerorsomething.
Thenshespottedthemonster.
Annabethhadseensomecrazystuffbefore,butthisbeastiedefinitelymadeher‘WhatWeretheGodsThinking?’list.Itlookedlikealionandawolflashedtogether,wedgedbutt-firstintoahermit-crabshell.
Theshellitselfwasaroughbrownspiral,likeawafflecone–aboutsixfeetlongwithajaggedseamdownthemiddle,asifithadbeencrackedinhalf,thengluedbacktogether.Sproutingfromthetopweretheforelegsandheadofagreywolfontheleft,agolden-manedlionontheright.
Thetwoanimalsdidn’tlookhappyaboutsharingashell.Theydraggeditbehindthemdowntheplatform,weavingleftandrightastheytriedtopullindifferentdirections.Theysnarledatoneanotherinirritation.Thenbothofthemfrozeandsniffedtheair.
Commutersstreamedpast.Mostmanoeuvredroundthemonsterandignoredit.Othersjustfrownedorlookedannoyed.
AnnabethhadseentheMistinactionmanytimesbefore,butshewasalwaysamazedbyhowthemagicalveilcoulddistortmortalvision,makingeventhefiercestmonsterlooklikesomethingexplainable–astraydog,ormaybeahomelesspersonwrappedinasleepingbag.
Themonster’snostrilsflared.BeforeAnnabethcoulddecidewhattodo,bothheadsturnedandglareddirectlyather.
Annabeth’shandwentforherknife.Thensherememberedshedidn’thaveone.Atthemoment,hermostdeadlyweaponwasherbackpack,whichwasloadedwithheavyarchitecturebooksfromthepubliclibrary.
Shesteadiedherbreathing.Themonsterstoodaboutthirtyfeetaway.
Takingonalion-wolf-crabinthemiddleofacrowdedsubwaystationwasn’therfirstchoice,but,ifshehadto,shewould.ShewasachildofAthena.
Shestareddownthebeast,lettingitknowshemeantbusiness.
‘Bringiton,Crabby,’shesaid.‘Ihopeyou’vegotahightoleranceforpain.’
Thelionandwolfheadsbaredtheirfangs.Thenthefloorrumbled.Airrushedthroughthetunnelasatrainarrived.
ThemonstersnarledatAnnabeth.Shecould’veswornithadalookofregretinitseyes,asifthinking,Iwouldlovetoripyoutotinypieces,butIhavebusinesselsewhere.
ThenCrabbyturnedandboundedoff,draggingitshugeshellbehind.Itdisappearedupthestairs,headingfortheAtrain.
Foramoment,Annabethwastoostunnedtomove.She’drarelyseenamonsterleaveademigodalonelikethat.Giventhechance,monstersalmostalwaysattacked.
Ifthistwo-headedhermitcrabhadsomethingmoreimportanttodothankillher,Annabethwantedtoknowwhatitwas.Shecouldn’tjustletthemonstergo,pursuingitsnefariousplansandridingpublictransportationforfree.
SheglancedwistfullyattheFtrainthatwould’vetakenheruptowntoPercy’splace.Thensheranupthestairsafterthemonster.
Annabethjumpedonboardjustasthedoorswereclosing.Thetrainpulledawayfromtheplatformandplungedintodarkness.Overheadlightsflickered.Commutersrockedbackandforth.Everyseatwasfilled.Adozenmorepassengersstood,swayingastheyclungtothehandrailsandpoles.
Annabethcouldn’tseeCrabbyuntilsomebodyatthefrontyelled,‘Watchit,freak!’
Thewolf-lion-crabwaspushingitswayforward,snarlingatthemortals,butthecommutersjustactedregular-New-York-subwayannoyed.Maybetheysawthemonsterasarandomdrunkguy.
Annabethfollowed.
AsCrabbyprisedopenthedoorstothenextcarandclamberedthrough,Annabethnoticeditsshellwasglowingfaintly.
Haditbeendoingthatbefore?Aroundthemonsterswirledredneonsymbols–Greekletters,astrologicalsignsandpicturewriting.Egyptianhieroglyphs.
AchillspreadbetweenAnnabeth’sshoulderblades.SherememberedsomethingPercyhadtoldherafewweeksago–aboutanencounterhe’dhadthatseemedsoimpossibleshe’dassumedhewasjoking.
Butnow…
Shepushedthroughthecrowd,followingCrabbyintothenextcar.
Thecreature’sshellwasdefinitelyglowingbrighternow.AsAnnabethgotcloser,shestartedtogetnauseous.Shefeltawarmtuggingsensationinhergut,asifshehadafishhookinherbellybutton,pullinghertowardsthemonster.
Annabethtriedtosteadyhernerves.ShehaddevotedherlifetostudyingAncientGreekspirits,beastsanddaimons.Knowledgewashermostimportantweapon.Butthistwo-headedcrabthing–shehadnoframeofreferenceforit.Herinternalcompasswasspinninguselessly.
Shewishedshehadbackup.Shehadhercellphone,but,evenifshecouldgetreceptioninthetunnel,whomwouldshecall?Mostotherdemigodsdidn’tcarryphones.Thesignalsattractedmonsters.Percywaswayuptown.ThemajorityofherfriendswerebackatCampHalf-BloodonthenorthshoreofLongIsland.
Crabbykeptshovingitswaytowardsthefrontofthetrain.
BythetimeAnnabethcaughtupwithitinthenextcar,themonster’saurawassostrongthateventhemortalshadstartedtonotice.Manygaggedandhunchedoverintheirseats,asifsomeonehadopenedalockerfullofspoiledlunches.Othersfaintedontothefloor.
Annabethfeltsoqueasyshewantedtoretreat,butthefishhooksensationkepttuggingathernavel,reelinghertowardsthemonster.
ThetrainrattledintotheFultonStreetstation.Assoonasthedoorsopened,everycommuterwhowasstillconsciousstumbledout.Crabby’swolfheadsnappedatonelady,catchingherbaginitsteethasshetriedtoflee.
‘Hey!’Annabethyelled.
Themonsterletthewomango.
BothsetsofeyesfixedonAnnabethasifthinking,Doyouhaveadeathwish?
Thenitthrewbackitsheadsandroaredinharmony.ThesoundhitAnnabethlikeanicepickbetweentheeyes.Thewindowsofthetrainshattered.Mortalswhohadpassedoutwerestartledbacktoconsciousness.Somemanagedtocrawloutofthedoors.Otherstumbledthroughbrokenwindows.
Throughblurredvision,Annabethsawthemonstercrouchedonitsmismatchedforearms,readytopounce.
Timeslowed.Shewasdimlyawareoftheshattereddoorsclosing,thenow-emptytrainpullingoutofthestation.Hadtheconductornotrealizedwhatwashappening?Wasthetrainrunningonautopilot?
Onlytenfeetawayfromitnow,Annabethnoticednewdetailsaboutthemonster.Itsredauraseemedbrightestalongtheseaminitsshell.GlowingGreeklettersandEgyptianhieroglyphsspewedoutlikevolcanicgasfromadeep-seafissure.Thelion’sleftforearmwasshavedatthewrist,tattooedwithaseriesofsmallblackstripes.Stuckinsidethewolf’sleftearwasanorangepricetagthatread$99.99.
Annabethgrippedthestrapofherbackpack.Shewasreadytoswingitatthemonster,butitwouldn’tmakemuchofaweapon.Instead,shereliedonherusualtacticwhenfacingastrongerenemy.Shestartedtalking.
‘You’remadeoftwodifferentparts,’shesaid.‘You’relike…piecesofastatuethatcametolife.You’vebeenfusedtogether?’
Itwastotalconjecture,butthelion’sgrowlmadeAnnabeththinkshe’dhitthemark.Thewolfnippedatthelion’scheekasiftellingittoshutup.
‘You’renotusedtoworkingtogether,’Annabethguessed.‘MrLion,you’vegotanIDcodeonyourleg.Youwereanartefactinamuseum.MaybetheMet?’
ThelionroaredsoloudlyAnnabeth’skneeswobbled.
‘Iguessthat’sayes.Andyou,MrWolf…thatstickeronyourear…youwereforsaleinsomeantiquesshop?’
Thewolfsnarledandtookasteptowardsher.
Meanwhile,thetrainkepttunnellingundertheEastRiver.ColdwindswirledthroughthebrokenwindowsandmadeAnnabeth’steethchatter.
Allherinstinctstoldhertorun,butherjointsfeltasiftheyweredissolving.Themonster’saurakeptgettingbrighter,fillingtheairwithmistysymbolsandbloodylight.
‘You…you’regettingstronger,’Annabethnoted.‘You’reheadingsomewhere,aren’tyou?Andthecloseryouget–’
Themonster’sheadsroaredagaininharmony.Awaveofredenergyrippledthroughthecar.Annabethhadtofighttostayconscious.
Crabbysteppedcloser.Itsshellexpanded,thefissuredownthecentreburninglikemolteniron.
‘Holdup,’Annabethcroaked.‘I–Igetitnow.You’renotfinishedyet.You’relookingforanotherpiece.Athirdhead?’
Themonsterhalted.Itseyesglintedwarily,asiftosay,Haveyoubeenreadingmydiary?
Annabeth’scouragerose.Finallyshewasgettingthemeasureofherenemy.She’dmetlotsofthree-headedcreaturesbefore.Whenitcametomythicalbeings,threewassortofamagicnumber.Itmadesensethatthismonsterwouldhaveanotherhead.
Crabbyhadbeensomekindofstatue,dividedintopieces.Nowsomethinghadawakenedit.Itwastryingtoputitselfbacktogether.
Annabethdecidedshecouldn’tletthathappen.ThoseglowingredhieroglyphsandGreeklettersfloatedarounditliketheburningcordofafuse,radiatingmagicthatfeltfundamentallywrong,asthoughitwereslowlydissolvingAnnabeth’scellstructure.
‘You’renotexactlyaGreekmonster,areyou?’sheventured.‘AreyoufromEgypt?’
Crabbydidn’tlikethatcomment.Itbareditsfangsandpreparedtospring.
‘Whoa,boy,’shesaid.‘You’renotatfullstrengthyet,areyou?Attackmenow,andyou’lllose.Afterall,youtwodon’ttrusteachother.’
Theliontilteditsheadandgrowled.
Annabethfeignedalookofshock.‘MrLion!HowcanyousaythataboutMrWolf?’
Thelionblinked.
Thewolfglancedatthelionandsnarledsuspiciously.
‘And,MrWolf!’Annabethgasped.‘Youshouldn’tusethatkindoflanguageaboutyourfriend!’
Thetwoheadsturnedoneachother,snappingandhowling.Themonsterstaggeredasitsforearmswentindifferentdirections.
Annabethknewshe’donlyboughtherselfafewseconds.Sherackedherbrain,tryingtofigureoutwhatthiscreaturewasandhowshecoulddefeatit,butitdidn’tmatchanythingshecouldrememberfromherlessonsatCampHalf-Blood.
Sheconsideredgettingbehindit,maybetryingtobreakitsshell,butbeforeshecouldthetrainslowed.TheypulledintotheHighStreetstation,thefirstBrooklynstop.
Theplatformwasstrangelyempty,butaflashoflightbytheexitstairwellcaughtAnnabeth’seye.Ayoungblondegirlinwhiteclotheswasswingingawoodenstaff,tryingtohitastrangeanimalthatweavedaroundherlegs,barkingangrily.Fromtheshouldersup,thecreaturelookedlikeablackLabradorretriever,butitsbackendwasnothingbutaroughtaperedpoint,likeacalcifiedtadpoletail.
Annabethhadtimetothink:Thethirdpiece.
Thentheblondegirlwhackedthedogacrossitssnout.Herstaffflaredwithgoldenlight,andthedoghurtledbackwards–straightthroughabrokenwindowintothefarendofAnnabeth’ssubwaycar.
Theblondegirlfollowedit.Sheleapedinthroughtheclosingdoorsjustasthetrainpulledoutofthestation.
Foramomenttheyalljuststoodthere–twogirlsandtwomonsters.
Annabethstudiedtheothergirlattheoppositeendofthecar,tryingtoassessherthreatlevel.
Thenewcomerworewhitelinentrousersandamatchingblouse,kindoflikeakarateuniform.Hersteel-tippedcombatbootslookedliketheycouldinflictdamageinafight.Slungoverherleftshoulderwasabluenylonbackpackwithacurvedivorystick–aboomerang?–hangingfromthestrap.Butthegirl’smostintimidatingweaponwasherwhitewoodenstaff–aboutfivefeetlong,carvedwiththeheadofaneagle,thewholelengthglowinglikeCelestialbronze.
Annabethmetthegirl’seyes,andafeelingofdéjàvurockedher.
KarateGirlcouldn’thavebeenolderthanthirteen.Hereyeswerebrilliantblue,likeachildofZeus’s.Herlongblondehairwasstreakedwithpurplehighlights.ShelookedverymuchlikeachildofAthena–readyforcombat,quickandalertandfearless.Annabethfeltasifshewereseeingherselffromfouryearsago,aroundthetimeshefirstmetPercyJackson.
ThenKarateGirlspokeandshatteredtheillusion.
‘Right.’Sheblewastrandofpurplehairoutofherface.‘Becausemydaywasn’tbarmyenoughalready.’
British,Annabeththought.Butshedidn’thavetimetoponderthat.
Thedog-tadpoleandCrabbyhadbeenstandinginthecentreofthecar,aboutfifteenfeetapart,staringateachotherinamazement.Nowtheyovercametheirshock.Thedoghowled–atriumphantcry,likeIfoundyou!Andthelion-wolf-crablungedtomeetit.
‘Stopthem!’Annabethyelled.
SheleapedontoCrabby’sback,anditsfrontpawscollapsedfromtheextraweight.
Theothergirlyelledsomethinglike:‘Mar!’
Aseriesofgoldenhieroglyphsblazedintheair:
Thedogcreaturestaggeredbackwards,retchingasifithadswallowedabilliardball.
AnnabethstruggledtokeepCrabbydown,butthebeastwastwiceherweight.Itpusheduponitsforelegs,tryingtothrowher.Bothheadsturnedtosnapatherface.
Fortunatelyshe’dharnessedplentyofwildpegasiatCampHalf-Blood.Shemanagedtokeepherbalancewhileslippingoffherbackpack.Shesmackedtwentypoundsofarchitecturebooksintothelion’shead,thenloopedhershoulderstrapthroughthewolf’smawandyankeditlikeabit.
Meanwhile,thetrainburstintothesunlight.TheyrattledalongtheelevatedrailsofQueens,freshairblowingthroughthebrokenwindowsandglitteringbitsofglassdancingacrosstheseats.
Outofthecornerofhereye,Annabethsawtheblackdogshakeoffitsfitofretching.ItlungedatKarateGirl,whowhippedoutherivoryboomerangandblastedthemonsterwithanothergoldenflash.
Annabethwishedshecouldsummongoldenflashes.Allshehadwasastupidbackpack.ShedidherbesttosubdueCrabby,butthemonsterseemedtogetstrongerbythesecondwhilethething’sredauraweakenedAnnabeth.Herheadfeltstuffedwithcotton.Herstomachtwisted.
Shelosttrackoftimeasshewrestledthecreature.Sheonlyknewshecouldn’tletitcombinewiththatdog-headedthing.Ifthemonsterturnedintoacompletethree-headedwhatever-it-was,itmightbeimpossibletostop.
ThedoglungedagainatKarateGirl.Thistimeitknockedherdown.Annabeth,distracted,losthergriponthecrabmonster,anditthrewheroff–slammingherheadintotheedgeofaseat.
Herearsrangasthecreatureroaredintriumph.Awaveofred-hotenergyrippledthroughthecar.Thetrainpitchedsideways,andAnnabethwentweightless.
‘Upyoucome,’saidagirl’svoice.‘Wehavetomove.’
Annabethopenedhereyes.Theworldwasspinning.Emergencysirenswailedinthedistance.
Shewaslyingflatonherbackinsomepricklyweeds.Theblondegirlfromthetrainleanedoverher,tuggingonherarm.
Annabethmanagedtositup.Shefeltasifsomeonewashammeringhotnailsintoherribcage.Ashervisioncleared,sherealizedshewasluckytobealive.Aboutfiftyyardsaway,thesubwaytrainhadtoppledoffthetrack.Thecarslaysidewaysinabroken,steamingzigzagofwreckagethatremindedAnnabethofadrakoncarcass(unfortunately,she’dseenseveralofthose).
Shespottednowoundedmortals.Hopefullythey’dallfledthetrainattheFultonStreetstation.Butstill–whatadisaster.
Annabethrecognizedwhereshewas:RockawayBeach.Afewhundredfeettotheleft,vacantplotsandbentchain-linkfencesgavewaytoayellowsandbeachdottedwithtarandtrash.Theseachurnedunderacloudysky.ToAnnabeth’sright,pastthetraintracks,stoodarowofapartmenttowerssodilapidatedtheymight’vebeenmake-believebuildingsfashionedfromoldrefrigeratorboxes.
‘Yoo-hoo.’KarateGirlshookhershoulder.‘Iknowyou’reprobablyinshock,butweneedtogo.Idon’tfancybeingquestionedbythepolicewiththisthingintow.’
Thegirlscootedtoherleft.Behindheronthebrokentarmac,theblackLabradormonsterfloppedlikeafishoutofwater,itsmuzzleandpawsboundinglowinggoldenrope.
Annabethstaredattheyoungergirl.Roundherneckglintedachainwithasilveramulet–asymbollikeanEgyptianankhcrossedwithagingerbreadman.
Athersidelayherstaffandherivoryboomerang–bothcarvedwithhieroglyphsandpicturesofstrange,veryun-Greekmonsters.
‘Whoareyou?’Annabethdemanded.
Asmiletuggedatthecornerofthegirl’smouth.‘UsuallyIdon’tgivemynametostrangers.Magicalvulnerabilitiesandallthat.ButIhavetorespectsomeonewhofightsatwo-headedmonsterwithnothingbutarucksack.’Sheofferedherhand.‘SadieKane.’
‘AnnabethChase.’
Theyshook.
‘Lovelytomeetyou,Annabeth,’Sadiesaid.‘Now,let’stakeourdogforawalk,shallwe?’
Theyleftjustintime.
Withinminutes,emergencyvehicleshadsurroundedthetrainwreck,andacrowdofspectatorsgatheredfromthenearbyapartmentbuildings.
Annabethfeltmorenauseousthanever.Redspotsdancedbeforehereyes,butshehelpedSadiedragthedogcreaturebackwardsbyitstailintothesanddunes.Sadieseemedtotakepleasureinpullingthemonsteroverasmanyrocksandbrokenbottlesasshecouldfind.
Thebeastsnarledandwriggled.Itsredauraglowedmorebrightly,whilethegoldenropedimmed.
NormallyAnnabethlikedwalkingonthebeach.TheoceanremindedherofPercy.Buttodayshewashungryandexhausted.Herbackpackfeltheavierbythemoment,andthedogcreature’smagicmadeherwanttohurl.
Also,RockawayBeachwasadismalplace.Amassivehurricanehadblownthroughmorethanayearago,andthedamagewasstillobvious.Someoftheapartmentbuildingsinthedistancehadbeenreducedtoshells,theirboarded-upwindowsandbreeze-blockwallscoveredingraffiti.Rottedtimber,chunksoftarmacandtwistedmetallitteredthebeach.Thepylonsofadestroyedpierjuttedupoutofthewater.Theseaitselfgnawedresentfullyattheshoreasiftosay,Don’tignoreme.Icanalwayscomebackandfinishthejob.
Finallytheyreachedaderelictice-creamtruckhalfsunkeninthedunes.Paintedontheside,fadedpicturesoflong-losttastytreatsmadeAnnabeth’sstomachhowlinprotest.
‘Gottastop,’shemuttered.
Shedroppedthedogmonsterandstaggeredovertothetruck,thensliddownwithherbackagainstthepassenger’sdoor.
Sadiesatcross-legged,facingher.Sherummagedaroundinherownbackpackandbroughtoutacork-stopperedceramicvial.
‘Here.’ShehandedittoAnnabeth.‘It’syummy.Drink.’
Annabethstudiedthevialwarily.Itfeltheavyandwarm,asifitwerefullofhotcoffee.‘Uh…thiswon’tunleashanygoldenflashesofka-baminmyface?’
Sadiesnorted.‘It’sjustahealingpotion,silly.Afriendofmine,Jaz,brewsthebestintheworld.’
Annabethstillhesitated.She’dsampledpotionsbefore,brewedbythechildrenofHecate.Usuallytheytastedlikepond-scumsoup,butatleasttheyweremadetoworkon
demigods.Whateverwasinthisvial,itdefinitelywasn’t.
‘I’mnotsureIshouldtry,’shesaid.‘I’m…notlikeyou.’
‘Nooneislikeme,’Sadieagreed.‘Myamazingnessisunique.Butifyoumeanyou’renotamagician,well,Icanseethat.Usuallywefightwithstaffandwand.’Shepattedthecarvedwhitepoleandtheivoryboomeranglyingnexttoher.‘Still,Ithinkmypotionsshouldworkonyou.Youwrestledamonster.Yousurvivedthattrainwreck.Youcan’tbenormal.’
Annabethlaughedweakly.Shefoundtheothergirl’sbrashnesssortofrefreshing.‘No,I’mdefinitelynotnormal.I’mademigod.’
‘Ah.’Sadietappedherfingersonhercurvedwand.‘Sorry,that’sanewoneonme.Ademongod?’
‘Demigod,’Annabethcorrected.‘Halfgod,halfmortal.’
‘Oh,right.’Sadieexhaled,clearlyrelieved.‘I’vehostedIsisinmyheadquiteafewtimes.Who’syourspecialfriend?’
‘My–no.Idon’thostanybody.MymotherisaGreekgoddess,Athena.’
‘Yourmother.’
‘Yeah.’
‘Agoddess.AGreekgoddess.’
‘Yeah.’Annabethnoticedthathernewfriendhadgonepale.‘Iguessyoudon’thavethatkindofthing,um,whereyoucomefrom.’
‘Brooklyn?’Sadiemused.‘No.Idon’tthinkso.OrLondon.OrLosAngeles.Idon’trecallmeetingGreekdemigodsinanyofthoseplaces.Still,whenonehasdealtwithmagicalbaboons,goddesscatsanddwarfsinSpeedos,onecan’tbesurprisedveryeasily.’
Annabethwasn’tsureshe’dheardright.‘DwarfsinSpeedos?’
‘Mmm.’Sadieglancedatthedogmonster,stillwrithinginitsgoldenbonds.‘Buthere’stherub.Afewmonthsagomymumgavemeawarning.Shetoldmetobewareofothergodsandothertypesofmagic.’
ThevialinAnnabeth’shandsseemedtogrowwarmer.‘Othergods.YoumentionedIsis.She’stheEgyptiangoddessofmagic.But…she’snotyourmom?’
‘No,’Sadiesaid.‘Imean,yes.IsisisthegoddessofEgyptianmagic.Butshe’snotmymum.Mymum’saghost.Well…shewasamagicianintheHouseofLife,likeme,butthenshedied,so–’
‘Justasec.’Annabeth’sheadthrobbedsobadlyshefigurednothingcouldmakeitworse.Sheuncorkedthepotionanddrankitdown.
She’dbeenexpectingpond-scumconsommé,butitactuallytastedlikewarmapplejuice.Instantly,hervisioncleared.Herstomachsettled.
‘Wow,’shesaid.
‘Toldyou.’Sadiesmirked.‘Jazisquitetheapothecary.’
‘Soyouweresaying…HouseofLife.Egyptianmagic.You’relikethekidmyboyfriendmet.’
Sadie’ssmileeroded.‘Yourboyfriend…metsomeonelikeme?Anothermagician?’
Afewfeetaway,thedogcreaturesnarledandstruggled.Sadiedidn’tappearconcerned,butAnnabethwasworriedabouthowdimlythemagicropewasglowingnow.
‘Thiswasafewweeksago,’Annabethsaid.‘PercytoldmeacrazystoryaboutmeetingaboyoutnearMorichesBay.Apparentlythiskidusedhieroglyphstocastspells.HehelpedPercybattleabigcrocodilemonster.’
‘TheSonofSobek!’Sadieblurted.‘Butmybrotherbattledthatmonster.Hedidn’tsayanythingabout–’
‘Isyourbrother’snameCarter?’Annabethasked.
AnangrygoldenauraflickeredaroundSadie’shead–ahaloofhieroglyphsthatresembledfrowns,fistsanddeadstickmen.
‘Asofthismoment,’Sadiegrowled,‘mybrother’snameisPunchingBag.Seemshehasn’tbeentellingmeeverything.’
‘Ah.’Annabethhadtofighttheurgetoscootawayfromhernewfriend.Shefearedthoseglowingangryhieroglyphsmightexplode.‘Awkward.Sorry.’
‘Don’tbe,’Sadiesaid.‘I’llratherenjoybashingmybrother’sfacein.Butfirsttellmeeverything–aboutyourself,demigods,Greeksandwhateveritmighthavetodowithourevilcaninefriendhere.’
Annabethtoldherwhatshecould.
Usuallyshewasn’tsoquicktotrust,butshe’dhadalotofexperiencereadingpeople.ShelikedSadieimmediately:thecombatboots,thepurplehighlights,theattitude…InAnnabeth’sexperience,untrustworthypeopleweren’tsoup-frontaboutwantingtobashsomeone’sfacein.Theycertainlydidn’thelpanunconsciousstrangerandofferahealingpotion.
AnnabethdescribedCampHalf-Blood.SherecountedsomeofheradventuresbattlinggodsandgiantsandTitans.Sheexplainedhowshe’dspottedthetwo-headedlion-wolf-crabattheWestFourthStreetstationanddecidedtofollowit.
‘SohereIam,’Annabethsummedup.
Sadie’smouthquivered.Shelookedasifshemightstartyellingorcrying.Instead,shebrokedowninafitofthegiggles.
Annabethfrowned.‘DidIsaysomethingfunny?’
‘No,no…’Sadiesnorted.‘Well…itisabitfunny.Imean,we’resittingonthebeachtalkingaboutGreekgods.Andacampfordemigods,and–’
‘It’salltrue!’
‘Oh,Ibelieveyou.It’stooridiculousnottobetrue.It’sjustthateachtimemyworldgetsstranger,Ithink:Right.We’reatmaximumoddnessnow.AtleastIknowthefullextentofit.First,IfindoutmybrotherandIaredescendedfromthepharaohsandhavemagicpowers.Allright.Noproblem.ThenIfindoutmydeadfatherhasmergedhissoulwithOsirisandbecomethelordofthedead.Brilliant!Whynot?ThenmyuncletakesovertheHouseofLifeandoverseeshundredsofmagiciansaroundtheworld.Thenmyboyfriendturnsouttobeahybridmagicianboy/immortalgodoffunerals.AndallthewhileI’mthinking,Ofcourse!Keepcalmandcarryon!I’veadjusted!AndthenyoucomealongonarandomThursday,la-di-da,andsay,Oh,bytheway,Egyptiangodsarejustonesmallpartofthecosmicabsurdity.We’vealsogottheGreekstoworryabout!Hooray!’
Annabethcouldn’tfolloweverythingSadiehadsaid–afuneralgodboyfriend?–butshehadtoadmitthatgigglingaboutitwashealthierthancurlingintoaballandsobbing.
‘Okay,’sheadmitted.‘Itallsoundsalittlecrazy,butIguessitmakessense.MyteacherChiron…foryearshe’sbeentellingmethatancientgodsareimmortalbecausethey’repartofthefabricofcivilization.IfGreekgodscanstickaroundallthesemillennia,whynottheEgyptians?’
‘Themorethemerrier,’Sadieagreed.‘But,erm,whataboutthislittledoggie?’ShepickedupatinyseashellandbounceditofftheheadoftheLabradormonster,whichsnarledinirritation.‘Oneminuteit’ssittingonthetableinourlibrary–aharmlessartefact,astonefragmentfromsomestatue,wethink.ThenextminuteitcomestolifeandbreaksoutofBrooklynHouse.Itshredsourmagicalwards,ploughsthroughFelix’spenguinsandshrugsoffmyspellslikethey’renothing.’
‘Penguins?’Annabethshookherhead.‘No.ForgetIasked.’
Shestudiedthedogcreatureasitstrainedagainstitsbonds.RedGreeklettersandhieroglyphsswirledarounditasiftryingtoformnewsymbols–amessageAnnabethcouldalmostread.
‘Willthoseropeshold?’sheasked.‘Theylooklikethey’reweakening.’
‘Noworries,’Sadieassuredher.‘Thoseropeshaveheldgodsbefore.Andnotsmallgods,mindyou.Extra-largeones.’
‘Um,okay.Soyousaidthedogwaspartofastatue.Anyideawhatstatue?’
‘None.’Sadieshrugged.‘Cleo,ourlibrarian,wasjustresearchingthatquestionwhenFidoherewokeup.’
‘Butithastobeconnectedtotheothermonster–thewolfandthelionheads.Igottheimpressionthey’djustcometolife,too.They’dfusedtogetherandweren’tusedtoworkingasateam.Theygotonthattrainsearchingforsomething–probablythisdog.’
Sadiefiddledwithhersilverpendant.‘Amonsterwiththreeheads:alion,awolfandadog.Allstickingoutof…whatwasthatconicalthing?Ashell?Atorch?’
Annabeth’sheadstartedtospinagain.Atorch.
Sheflashedonadistantmemory–maybeapictureshe’dseeninabook.Shehadn’tconsideredthatthemonster’sconemightbesomethingyoucouldhold,somethingthatbelongedinamassivehand.Butatorchwasn’tright…
‘It’sasceptre,’sherealized.‘Idon’trememberwhichgodheldit,butthethree-headedstaffwashissymbol.Hewas…Greek,Ithink,buthewasalsofromsomewhereinEgypt–’
‘Alexandria,’Sadieguessed.
Annabethstaredather.‘Howdoyouknow?’
‘Well,granted,I’mnotahistorynutlikemybrother,butIhavebeentoAlexandria.IrecallsomethingaboutitbeingthecapitalwhentheGreeksruledEgypt.AlexandertheGreat,wasn’tit?’
Annabethnodded.‘That’sright.AlexanderconqueredEgyptand,afterhedied,hisgeneralPtolemytookover.HewantedtheEgyptianstoaccepthimastheirpharaoh,sohemashedtheEgyptiangodsandGreekgodstogetherandmadeupnewones.’
‘Soundsmessy,’Sadiesaid.‘Iprefermygodsunmashed.’
‘Buttherewasonegodinparticular…Ican’trememberhisname.Thethree-headedcreaturewasatthetopofhissceptre…’
‘Ratherlargesceptre,’Sadienoted.‘Idon’tfancymeetingtheblokewhocouldcarryitaround.’
‘Oh,gods.’Annabethsatup.‘That’sit!Thestaffisn’tjusttryingtoreassembleitself–it’stryingtofinditsmaster.’
Sadiescowled.‘I’mnotinfavourofthatatall.Weneedtomakesure–’
Thedogmonsterhowled.Themagicalropesexplodedlikeagrenade,sprayingthebeachwithgoldenshrapnel.
TheblastknockedSadieacrossthedunesliketumbleweed.
Annabethslammedintotheice-creamtruck.Herlimbsturnedtolead.Alltheairwasforcedoutofherlungs.
Ifthedogcreaturehadwantedtokillher,itcouldhave,easily.
Instead,itboundedinland,disappearingintheweeds.
Annabethinstinctivelygrabbedforaweapon.HerfingersclosedroundSadie’scurvedwand.Painmadehergasp.Theivoryburnedlikedryice.Annabethtriedtoletgo,butherhandwouldn’tobey.Asshewatched,thewandsteamed,changingformuntiltheburnsubsidedandAnnabethheldaCelestialbronzedagger–justliketheoneshe’dcarriedforyears.
Shestaredattheblade.Thensheheardgroaningfromthenearbydunes.
‘Sadie!’Annabethstaggeredtoherfeet.
Bythetimeshereachedthemagician,Sadiewassittingup,spittingsandoutofhermouth.Shehadbitsofseaweedinherhair,andherbackpackwaswrappedroundoneofhercombatboots,butshelookedmoreoutragedthaninjured.
‘StupidFido!’shesnarled.‘Nodogbiscuitsforhim!’ShefrownedatAnnabeth’sknife.‘Wheredidyougetthat?’
‘Um…it’syourwand,’Annabethsaid.‘Ipickeditupand…Idon’tknow.ItjustchangedintothekindofdaggerIusuallyuse.’
‘Huh.Well,magicitemsdohaveamindoftheirown.Keepit.I’vegotmoreathome.Now,whichwaydidFidogo?’
‘Overthere.’Annabethpointedwithhernewblade.
Sadiepeeredinland.Hereyeswidened.‘Oh…right.Towardsthestorm.That’snew.’
Annabethfollowedhergaze.Pastthesubwaytracks,shesawnothingexceptanabandonedapartmenttower,fencedoffandforlornagainstthelateafternoonsky.‘Whatstorm?’
‘Youdon’tseeit?’Sadieasked.‘Holdon.’Shedisentangledherbackpackfromherbootandrummagedthroughhersupplies.Shebroughtoutanotherceramicvial,thisonestubbyandwidelikeaface-creamjar.Shepulledoffthelidandscoopedoutsomepinkgoo.‘Letmesmearthisonyoureyelids.’
‘Wow,thatsoundslikeanautomaticno.’
‘Don’tbesqueamish.It’sperfectlyharmless…well,formagicians.Probablyfordemigods,too.’
Annabethwasn’treassured,butsheclosedhereyes.Sadiesmearedonthegloop,whichtingledandwarmedlikementholrub.
‘Right,’Sadiesaid.‘Youcanlooknow.’
Annabethopenedhereyesandgasped.
Theworldwasawashincolour.Thegroundhadturnedtranslucent–gelatinouslayersdescendingintodarknessbelow.Theairrippledwithshimmeringveils,eachonevibrantbutslightlyoutofsync,asifmultiplehigh-definitionvideoshadbeensuperimposedontopofoneanother.HieroglyphsandGreeklettersswirledaroundher,fusingandburstingastheycollided.Annabethfeltasifshewereseeingtheworldontheatomiclevel.Everythinginvisiblehadbeenrevealed,paintedwithmagiclight.
‘Do–doyouseelikethisallthetime?’
Sadiesnorted.‘GodsofEgypt,no!Itwoulddrivemebonkers.IhavetoconcentratetoseetheDuat.That’swhatyou’redoing–peeringintothemagicalsideoftheworld.’
‘I…’Annabethfaltered.
Annabethwasusuallyaconfidentperson.Whenevershedealtwithregularmortals,shecarriedasmugcertaintythatshepossessedsecretknowledge.Sheunderstoodtheworldofgodsandmonsters.Mortalsdidn’thaveaclue.Evenwithotherdemigods,Annabethwasalmostalwaysthemostseasonedveteran.She’ddonemorethanmostheroeshadeverdreamedof,andshe’dsurvived.
Now,lookingattheshiftingcurtainsofcolours,Annabethfeltlikeasix-year-oldkidagain,justlearninghowterribleanddangerousherworldreallywas.
Shesatdownhardinthesand.‘Idon’tknowwhattothink.’
‘Don’tthink,’Sadieadvised.‘Breathe.Youreyeswilladjust.It’sratherlikeswimming.Ifyouletyourbodytakeover,you’llknowwhattodoinstinctively.Panic,andyou’lldrown.’
Annabethtriedtorelax.
Shebegantodiscernpatternsintheair:currentsflowingbetweenthelayersofreality,vapourtrailsofmagicstreamingoffcarsandbuildings.Thesiteofthetrainwreckglowedgreen.Sadiehadagoldenaurawithmistyplumesspreadingbehindherlikewings.
Wherethedogmonsteroncelay,thegroundsmoulderedlikelivecoals.Crimsontendrilssnakedawayfromthesite,followingthedirectioninwhichthemonsterhadfled.
Annabethfocusedonthederelictapartmentbuildinginthedistance,andherheartbeatdoubled.Thetowerglowedredfromtheinside–lightseepingthroughtheboarded-upwindows,shootingthroughcracksinthecrumblingwalls.Darkcloudsswirledoverhead,andmoretendrilsofredenergyflowedtowardsthebuildingfromalloverthelandscape,asifbeingdrawnintothevortex.
ThesceneremindedAnnabethofCharybdis,thewhirlpool-inhalingmonstershe’donceencounteredintheSeaofMonsters.Itwasn’tahappymemory.
‘Thatapartmentbuilding,’shesaid.‘It’sattractingredlightfromallovertheplace.’
‘Exactly,’Sadiesaid.‘InEgyptianmagic,redisbad.Itmeansevilandchaos.’
‘Sothat’swherethedogmonsterisheading,’Annabethguessed.‘Tomergewiththeotherpieceofthesceptre–’
‘Andtofinditsmaster,I’dwager.’
Annabethknewsheshouldgetup.Theyhadtohurry.But,lookingattheswirlinglayersofmagic,shewasafraidtomove.
She’dspentherwholelifelearningabouttheMist–themagicalboundarythatseparatedthemortalworldfromtheworldofGreekmonstersandgods.Butshe’dneverthoughtoftheMistasanactualcurtain.
WhathadSadiecalledit–theDuat?
AnnabethwonderediftheMistandtheDuatwererelated,ormaybeeventhesamething.Thenumberofveilsshecouldseewasoverwhelming–likeatapestryfoldedinonitselfahundredtimes.
Shedidn’ttrustherselftostand.Panic,andyou’lldrown.
Sadieofferedherhand.Hereyeswerefullofsympathy.‘Look,Iknowit’salot,butnothinghaschanged.You’restillthesametough-skinned,rucksack-wieldingdemigodyou’vealwaysbeen.Andnowyouhavealovelydaggeraswell.’
Annabethfeltthebloodrisetoherface.Normallyshewould’vebeentheonegivingthepeptalk.
‘Yeah.Yeah,ofcourse.’SheacceptedSadie’shand.‘Let’sgofindagod.’
Achain-linkfenceringedthebuilding,buttheysqueezedthroughagapandpickedtheirwayacrossafieldofspeargrassandbrokenconcrete.
TheenchantedglooponAnnabeth’seyesseemedtobewearingoff.Theworldnolongerlookedsomultilayeredandkaleidoscopic,butthatwasfinewithher.Shedidn’tneedspecialvisiontoknowthetowerwasfullofbadmagic.
Upclose,theredglowinthewindowswasevenmoreradiant.Theplywoodrattled.Thebrickwallsgroaned.Hieroglyphicbirdsandstickfiguresformedintheairandfloatedinside.Eventhegraffitiseemedtovibrateonthewalls,asifthesymbolsweretryingtocomealive.
Whateverwasinsidethebuilding,itspowertuggedatAnnabethtoo,thesamewayCrabbyhadonthetrain.
Shegrippedhernewbronzedagger,realizingitwastoosmallandtooshorttoprovidemuchoffensivepower.Butthat’swhyAnnabethlikeddaggers:theykeptherfocused.AchildofAthenashouldneverrelyonabladeifshecoulduseherwitsinstead.Intelligencewonwars,notbruteforce.
Unfortunately,Annabeth’switsweren’tworkingverywellatthemoment.
‘WishIknewwhatweweredealingwith,’shemutteredastheycrepttowardsthebuilding.‘Iliketodoresearchfirst–armmyselfwithknowledge.’
Sadiegrunted.‘Yousoundlikemybrother.Tellme,howoftendomonstersgiveyoutheluxuryofGooglingthembeforetheyattack?’
‘Never,’Annabethadmitted.
‘Well,thereyouare.Carter–hewouldlovetospendhoursinthelibrary,readinguponeveryhostiledemonwemightface,highlightingtheimportantbitsandmakingflashcardsformetostudy.Sadly,whendemonsattack,theydon’tgiveusanywarning,andtheyrarelybothertoidentifythemselves.’
‘Sowhat’syourstandardoperatingprocedure?’
‘Forgeahead,’Sadiesaid.‘Thinkonmyfeet.Whennecessary,blastenemiesintoteeny-tinybits.’
‘Great.You’dfitrightinwithmyfriends.’
‘I’lltakethatasacompliment.Thatdoor,youthink?’
Asetofstepsledtoabasemententrance.Asingletwo-by-fourwasnailedacrossthedoorwayinahalf-heartedattempttokeepouttrespassers,butthedooritselfwasslightlyajar.
Annabethwasabouttosuggestscoutingtheperimeter.Shedidn’ttrustsuchaneasywayin,butSadiedidn’twait.Theyoungmagiciantrotteddownthestepsandslippedinside.
Annabeth’sonlychoicewastofollow.
Asitturnedout,ifthey’dcomethroughanyotherdoor,theywouldhavedied.
Thewholeinteriorofthebuildingwasacavernousshell,thirtystoreystall,swirlingwithamaelstromofbricks,pipes,boardsandotherdebris,alongwithglowingGreeksymbols,hieroglyphsandredneontuftsofenergy.Thescenewasbothterrifyingandbeautiful–asifatornadohadbeencaught,illuminatedfromwithinandputonpermanentdisplay.
Becausethey’denteredonthebasementlevel,SadieandAnnabethwereprotectedinashallowstairwell–akindoftrenchintheconcrete.Ifthey’dwalkedintothestormongroundlevel,theywould’vebeenrippedtoshreds.
AsAnnabethwatched,atwistedsteelgirderflewoverheadatrace-carspeed.Dozensofbricksspedbylikeaschooloffish.Afieryredhieroglyphslammedintoaflyingsheetofplywood,andthewoodignitedliketissuepaper.
‘Upthere,’Sadiewhispered.
Shepointedtothetopofthebuilding,wherepartofthethirtiethfloorwasstillintact–acrumblingledgejuttingoutintothevoid.Itwashardtoseethroughtheswirlingrubbleandredhaze,butAnnabethcoulddiscernabulkyhumanoidshapestandingattheprecipice,hisarmsspreadasifwelcomingthestorm.
‘What’shedoing?’Sadiemurmured.
Annabethflinchedasahelixofcopperpipesspunafewinchesoverherhead.ShestaredintothedebrisandbegannoticingpatternslikeshehadwiththeDuat:aswirlofboardsandnailscomingtogethertoformaplatformframe,aclusterofbricksassemblinglikeLegotomakeanarch.
‘He’sbuildingsomething,’sherealized.
‘Buildingwhat,adisaster?’Sadieasked.‘ThisplaceremindsmeoftheRealmofChaos.And,believeme,thatwasnotmyfavouriteholidayspot.’
Annabethglancedover.ShewonderedifChaosmeantthesamethingforEgyptiansasitdidforGreeks.AnnabethhadhadherownclosecallwithChaos,andifSadiehadbeenthere,too…well,themagicianmustbeeventougherthansheseemed.
‘Thestormisn’tcompletelyrandom,’Annabethsaid.‘Seethere?Andthere?Bitsofmaterialarecomingtogether,formingsomekindofstructureinsidethebuilding.’
Sadiefrowned.‘Lookslikebricksinablendertome.’
Annabethwasn’tsurehowtoexplainit,butshe’dstudiedarchitectureandengineeringlongenoughtorecognizethedetails.Copperpipingwasreconnectinglikearteriesandveinsinacirculatorysystem.Sectionsofoldwallswerepiecingthemselvestogethertoformanewjigsawpuzzle.Everysooften,morebricksorgirderspeeledofftheouterwallstojointhetornado.
‘He’scannibalizingthebuilding,’shesaid.‘Idon’tknowhowlongtheouterwallswilllast.’
Sadiesworeunderherbreath.‘Pleasetellmehe’snotbuildingapyramid.Anythingbutthat.’
AnnabethwonderedwhyanEgyptianmagicianwouldhatepyramids,butsheshookherhead.‘I’dguessit’ssomekindofconicaltower.There’sonlyonewaytoknowforsure.’
‘Askthebuilder.’Sadiegazedupattheremnantofthethirtiethfloor.
Themanontheledgehadn’tmoved,butAnnabethcouldswearhe’dgrownlarger.Redlightswirledaroundhim.Insilhouette,helookedlikehewaswearingatallangulartophatàlaAbeLincoln.
Sadieshoulderedherbackpack.‘So,ifthat’sourmysterygod,where’sthe–’
Rightoncue,athree-parthowlcutthroughthedin.Attheoppositeendofthebuilding,asetofmetaldoorsburstopenandthecrabmonsterlopedinside.
Unfortunately,thebeastnowhadallthreeheads–wolf,lionanddog.ItslongspiralshellglowedwithGreekandhieroglyphicinscriptions.Completelyignoringtheflyingdebris,themonsterclamberedinsideonitssixforelegs,thenleapedintotheair.Thestormcarrieditupward,spirallingthroughthechaos.
‘It’sheadingforitsmaster,’Annabethsaid.‘Wehavetostopit.’
‘Lovely,’Sadiegrumbled.‘Thisisgoingtodrainme.’
‘Whatwill?’
Sadieraisedherstaff.‘N’dah.’
Agoldenhieroglyphblazedintheairabovethem:
Andsuddenlytheyweresurroundedinasphereoflight.
Annabeth’sspinetingled.She’dbeenencasedinaprotectivebubblelikethisoncebefore,whenshe,PercyandGroverhadusedmagicpearlstoescapetheUnderworld.Theexperiencehadbeen…claustrophobic.
‘Thiswillshieldusfromthestorm?’sheasked.
‘Hopefully.’Sadie’sfacewasnowbeadedwithsweat.‘Comeon.’
Sheledthewayupthesteps.
Immediately,theirshieldwasputtothetest.Aflyingkitchencounterwouldhavedecapitatedthem,butitshatteredagainstSadie’sforcefield.Chunksofmarbleswirledharmlesslyaroundthem.
‘Brilliant,’Sadiesaid.‘Now,holdthestaffwhileIturnintoabird.’
‘Wait.What?’
Sadierolledhereyes.‘We’rethinkingonourfeet,remember?I’llflyupthereandstopthestaffmonster.Youtrytodistractthatgod…whoeverheis.Gethisattention.’
‘Fine,butI’mnomagician.Ican’tmaintainaspell.’
‘Theshieldwillholdforafewminutes,aslongasyouusethestaff.’
‘Butwhataboutyou?Ifyou’renotinsidetheshield–’
‘Ihaveanidea.Itmightevenwork.’
Sadiefishedsomethingoutofherpack–asmallanimalfigurine.Shecurledherfingersroundit,thenbegantochangeform.
Annabethhadseenpeopleturnintoanimalsbefore,butitnevergoteasiertowatch.Sadieshranktoatenthofhersize.Hernoseelongatedintoabeak.Herhairandclothesandbackpackmeltedintoasleekcoatoffeathers.Shebecameasmallbirdofprey–akite,maybe–herblueeyesnowbrilliantgold.Withthelittlefigurinestillclutchedinhertalons,Sadiespreadherwingsandlaunchedherselfintothestorm.
Annabethwincedasaclusterofbricksploughedintoherfriend–butsomehowthedebriswentstraightthroughwithoutturningSadieintofeatherpuree.Sadie’sformjustshimmeredasifsheweretravellingunderadeeplayerofwater.
SadiewasintheDuat,Annabethrealized–flyingonadifferentlevelofreality.
TheideamadeAnnabeth’smindheatupwithpossibilities.Ifademigodcouldlearntopassthroughwallslikethat,runstraightthroughmonsters…
Butthatwasaconversationforanothertime.Rightnowsheneededtomove.Shechargedupthestepsandintothemaelstrom.Metalbarsandcopperpipesclangedagainstherforcefield.Thegoldensphereflashedalittlemoredimlyeachtimeitdeflecteddebris.
SheraisedSadie’sstaffinonehandandhernewdaggerintheother.Inthemagicaltorrent,theCelestialbronzebladegutteredlikeadyingtorch.
‘Hey!’sheyelledatledgefarabove.‘MrGodPerson!’
Noresponse.Hervoiceprobablycouldn’tcarryoverthestorm.
Theshellofthebuildingstartedtogroan.Mortartrickledfromthewallsandswirledintothemixlikecandy-flosstufts.
Sadiethehawkwasstillalive,flyingtowardsthethree-headedmonsterasitspiralledupward.Thebeastwasabouthalfwaytothetopnow,flailingitslegsandglowingevermorebrightly,asifsoakingupthepowerofthetornado.
Annabethwasrunningoutoftime.
Shereachedintohermemory,siftingthrougholdmyths,themostobscuretalesChironhadevertoldheratcamp.Whenshewasyounger,she’dbeenlikeasponge,soakingupeveryfactandname.
Thethree-headedstaff.ThegodofAlexandria,Egypt.
Thegod’snamecametoher.Atleast,shehopedshewasright.
Oneofthefirstlessonsshe’dlearnedasademigod:Nameshavepower.Youneversaidthenameofagodormonsterunlessyouwerepreparedtodrawitsattention.
Annabethtookadeepbreath.Sheshoutedatthetopofherlungs:‘SERAPIS!’
Thestormslowed.Hugesectionsofpipehoveredinmidair.Cloudsofbricksandtimberfrozeandhungsuspended.
Becalmedinthemiddleofthetornado,thethree-headedmonstertriedtostand.Sadieswoopedoverhead,openedhertalonsanddroppedherfigurine,whichinstantlygrewintoafull-sizedcamel.
Theshaggydromedaryslammedintothemonster’sback.Bothcreaturestumbledoutoftheairandcrashedtothefloorinatangleoflimbsandheads.Thestaffmonstercontinuedtostruggle,butthecamellayontopofitwithitslegssplayed,bleatingandspittingandbasicallygoinglimplikeathousand-poundtoddlerthrowingatantrum.
Fromthethirtieth-floorledge,aman’svoiceboomed:‘WHODARESINTERRUPTMYTRIUMPHALRISE?’
‘Ido!’yelledAnnabeth.‘Comedownandfaceme!’
Shedidn’tliketakingcreditforotherpeople’scamels,butshewantedtokeepthegodfocusedonhersoSadiecoulddo…whateverSadiedecidedtodo.Theyoungmagicianclearlyhadsomegoodtricksuphersleeve.
ThegodSerapisleapedfromhisledge.Heplummetedthirtystoreysandlandedonhisfeetinthemiddleofthegroundfloor,aneasydaggerthrowawayfromAnnabeth.
Notthatshewastemptedtoattack.
Serapisstoodfifteenfeettall.HeworeonlyapairofswimmingtrunksinaHawaiianfloralpattern.Hisbodyrippledwithmuscles.Hisbronzeskinwascoveredinshimmeringtattoosofhieroglyphs,GreeklettersandotherlanguagesAnnabethdidn’trecognize.
Hisfacewasframedwithlong,nappyhairlikeRastafariandreadlocks.AcurlyGreekbeardgrewdowntohiscollarbone.Hiseyeswereseagreen–somuchlikePercy’sthatAnnabethgotgoosebumps.
Normallyshedidn’tlikehairybeardeddudes,butshehadtoadmitthisgodwasattractiveinanolder,wild-surferkindofway.
Hisheadgear,however,ruinedthelook.WhatAnnabethhadtakenforastovepipehatwasactuallyacylindricalwickerbasketembroideredwithimagesofpansies.
‘Excuseme,’shesaid.‘Isthataflowerpotonyourhead?’
Serapisraisedhisbushybrowneyebrows.Hepattedhisheadasifhe’dforgottenaboutthebasket.Afewwheatseedsspilledfromthetop.‘That’samodius,sillygirl.It’soneof
myholysymbols!ThegrainbasketrepresentstheUnderworld,whichIcontrol.’
‘Uh,youdo?’
‘Ofcourse!’Serapisglowered.‘OrIdid,andsoonIwillagain.Butwhoareyoutocriticizemyfashionchoices?AGreekdemigod,bythesmellofyou,carryingaCelestialbronzeweaponandanEgyptianstafffromtheHouseofLife.Whichareyou–heroormagician?’
Annabeth’shandstrembled.Flowerpothatorno,Serapisradiatedpower.Standingsonearhim,Annabethfeltwateryinside,asifherheart,herstomachandhercouragewereallmelting.
Getaholdofyourself,shethought.You’vemetplentyofgodsbefore.
ButSerapiswasdifferent.Hispresencefeltfundamentallywrong–asifsimplybybeingherehewaspullingAnnabeth’sworldinsideout.
Twentyfeetbehindthegod,Sadiethebirdlandedandchangedbacktohumanform.ShegesturedtoAnnabeth:fingertolips(shh),thenrolledherhand(keephimtalking).Shebeganrootingquietlythroughherbag.
Annabethhadnoideawhatherfriendwasplanning,butsheforcedherselftomeetSerapis’seyes.‘WhosaysI’mnotboth–magiciananddemigod?Now,explainwhyyou’rehere!’
Serapis’sfacedarkened.Then,toAnnabeth’ssurprise,hethrewbackhisheadandlaughed,spillingmoregrainfromhismodius.‘Isee!Tryingtoimpressme,eh?Youthinkyourselfworthyofbeingmyhighpriestess?’
Annabethgulped.Therewasonlyoneanswertoaquestionlikethat.‘OfcourseI’mworthy!Why,IwasoncethemagnamaterofAthena’scult!Butareyouworthyofmyservice?’
‘HA!’Serapisgrinned.‘AbigmotherofAthena’scult,eh?Let’sseehowtoughyouare.’
Heflickedhishand.Abathtubflewoutoftheair,straightatAnnabeth’sforcefield.Theporcelainburstintoshrapnelagainstthegoldensphere,butSadie’sstaffbecamesohotthatAnnabethhadtodropit.Thewhitewoodburnedtoashes.
Great,shethought.Twominutes,andI’vealreadyruinedSadie’sstaff.
Herprotectiveshieldwasgone.Shefacedafifteen-foot-tallgodwithonlyherusualweapons–atinydaggerandalotofattitude.
ToAnnabeth’sleft,thethree-headedmonsterwasstillstrugglingtogetoutfromunderthecamel,butthecamelwasheavy,stubbornandfabulouslyuncoordinated.Everytime
themonstertriedtopushitoff,thecamelfartedwithgustoandsplayeditslegsevenfurther.
Meanwhile,Sadiehadtakenapieceofchalkfromherbag.ShescribbledfuriouslyontheconcretefloorbehindSerapis,perhapswritinganiceepitaphtocommemoratetheirimminentdeath.
AnnabethrecalledaquoteherfriendFrankhadoncesharedwithher–somethingfromSunTzu’sTheArtofWar.
Whenweak,actstrong.
AnnabethstoodstraightandlaughedinSerapis’sface.‘Throwthingsatmeallyouwant,LordSerapis.Idon’tevenneedastafftodefendmyself.Mypowersaretoogreat!OrperhapsyouwanttostopwastingmytimeandtellmehowImayserveyou,assumingIagreetobecomeyournewhighpriestess.’
Thegod’sfaceglowedwithoutrage.
Annabethwassurehewoulddroptheentirewhirlwindofdebrisonher,andtherewasnowayshe’dbeabletostopit.Sheconsideredthrowingherdaggeratthegod’seye,thewayherfriendRachelhadoncedistractedtheTitanKronos,butAnnabethdidn’ttrustheraim.
FinallySerapisgaveheratwistedsmile.‘Youhavecourage,girl.I’llgrantyouthat.Andyoudidmakehastetofindme.Perhapsyoucanserve.Youwillbethefirstofmanytogivemeyourpower,yourlife,yourverysoul!’
‘Soundsfun.’AnnabethglancedatSadie,wishingshewouldhurryupwiththatchalkart.
‘Butfirst,’Serapissaid,‘Imusthavemystaff!’
Hegesturedtowardsthecamel.Aredhieroglyphburnedonthecreature’shide,and,withonefinalfart,thepoordromedarydissolvedintoapileofsand.
Thethree-headedmonstergottoitsforepaws,shakingoffthesand.
‘Holdit!’Annabethyelled.
Themonster’sthreeheadssnarledather.
Serapisscowled.‘Whatnow,girl?’
‘Well,Ishould…youknow,presentthestafftoyou,asyourhighpriestess!Weshoulddothingsproperly!’
Annabethlungedforthemonster.Itwasmuchtooheavyforhertopickup,butshestuckherdaggerinherbeltandusedbothhandstograbtheendofthecreature’sconicalshell,draggingitbackwards,awayfromthegod.
Meanwhile,Sadiehaddrawnabigcircleaboutthesizeofahula-hoopontheconcrete.Shewasnowdecoratingitwithhieroglyphs,usingseveraldifferentcoloursofchalk.
Byallmeans,Annabeththoughtwithfrustration.Takeyourtimeandmakeitpretty!
ShemanagedtosmileatSerapiswhileholdingbackthestaffmonsterthatwasstilltryingtoclawitswayforward.
‘Now,mylord,’Annabethsaid,‘tellmeyourgloriousplan!Somethingaboutsoulsandlives?’
Thestaffmonsterhowledinprotest,probablybecauseitcouldseeSadiehidingbehindthegod,doinghertop-secretpavementart.Serapisdidn’tseemtonotice.
‘Behold!’Hespreadhismusculararms.‘Thenewcentreofmypower!’
Redsparksblazedthroughthefrozenwhirlwind.AweboflightconnectedthedotsuntilAnnabethsawtheglowingoutlineofthestructureSerapiswasbuilding:amassivetowerthreehundredfeettall,designedinthreetaperingtiers–asquarebottom,anoctagonalmiddleandacirculartop.AtthezenithblazedafireasbrightasaCyclops’sforge.
‘Alighthouse,’Annabethsaid.‘TheLighthouseofAlexandria.’
‘Indeed,myyoungpriestess.’Serapispacedbackandforthlikeateachergivingalecture,thoughhisfloral-printshortswereprettydistracting.Hiswicker-baskethatkepttiltingtoonesideortheother,spillinggrain.SomehowhestillfailedtonoticeSadiesquattingbehindhim,scribblingprettypictureswithherchalk.
‘Alexandria!’thegodcried.‘Oncethegreatestcityintheworld,theultimatefusionofGreekandEgyptianpower!Iwasitssupremegod,andnowIhaverisenagain.Iwillcreatemynewcapitalhere!’
‘Uh…inRockawayBeach?’
Serapisstoppedandscratchedhisbeard.‘Youhaveapoint.Thatnamewon’tdo.Wewillcallit…Rockandria?Serapaway?Well,we’llfigurethatoutlater!Ourfirststepistocompletemynewlighthouse.Itwillbeabeacontotheworld–drawingthedeitiesofAncientGreeceandEgyptheretomejustasitdidintheolddays.Ishallfeedontheiressenceandbecomethemostpowerfulgodofall!’
Annabethfeltasifshe’dswallowedatablespoonofsalt.‘Feedontheiressence.Youmean,destroythem?’
Serapiswaveddismissively.‘Destroyissuchanuglyword.Ipreferincorporate.Youknowmyhistory,Ihope?WhenAlexandertheGreatconqueredEgypt–’
‘HetriedtomergetheGreekandEgyptianreligions,’Annabethsaid.
‘Triedandfailed.’Serapischuckled.‘AlexanderchoseanEgyptiansungod,Amun,tobehismaindeity.Thatdidn’tworktoowell.TheGreeksdidn’tlikeAmun.Neitherdidthe
EgyptiansoftheNileDelta.TheysawAmunasanuprivergod.ButwhenAlexanderdiedhisgeneraltookoverEgypt.’
‘PtolemytheFirst,’Annabethsaid.
Serapisbeamed,obviouslypleased.‘Yes…Ptolemy.Now,therewasamortalwithvision!’
IttookallofAnnabeth’swillnottostareatSadie,whohadnowcompletedhermagiccircleandwastappingthehieroglyphswithherfinger,mutteringsomethingunderherbreathasiftoactivatethem.
Thethree-headedstaffmonstersnarledindisapproval.Ittriedtolungeforward,andAnnabethbarelymanagedtoholdhimback.Herfingerswereweakening.Thecreature’saurawasasnauseatingasever.
‘Ptolemycreatedanewgod,’shesaid,strainingwitheffort.‘Hecreatedyou.’
Serapisshrugged.‘Well,notfromscratch.Iwasonceaminorvillagegod.Nobodyhadevenheardofme!ButPtolemydiscoveredmystatueandbroughtittoAlexandria.HehadtheGreekandEgyptianpriestsdoauguriesandincantationsandwhatnot.TheyallagreedthatIwasthegreatgodSerapis,andIshouldbeworshippedaboveallothergods.Iwasaninstanthit!’
Sadierosewithinhermagiccircle.Sheunlatchedhersilvernecklaceandbeganswingingitlikealasso.
Thethree-headedmonsterroaredwhatwasprobablyawarningtoitsmaster:Lookout!
ButSerapiswasonaroll.Ashespoke,thehieroglyphicandGreektattoosonhisskinglowedmorebrightly.
‘IbecamethemostimportantgodoftheGreeksandEgyptians!’hesaid.‘Asmorepeopleworshippedme,Idrainedthepoweroftheoldergods.Slowlybutsurely,Itooktheirplace.TheUnderworld?Ibecameitsmaster,replacingbothHadesandOsiris.TheguarddogCerberustransformedintomystaff,whichyounowhold.Histhreeheadsrepresentthepast,presentandfuture–allofwhichIwillcontrolwhenthestaffisreturnedtomygrasp.’
Thegodheldouthishand.Themonsterstrainedtoreachhim.Annabeth’sarmmusclesburned.Herfingersbegantoslip.
Sadiewasstillswingingherpendant,mutteringanincantation.
HolyHecate,Annabeththought,howlongdoesittaketocastastupidspell?
ShecaughtSadie’sgazeandsawthemessageinhereyes:Holdon.Justanotherfewseconds.
Annabethwasn’tsureshehadafewmoreseconds.
‘ThePtolemaicdynasty…’Shegrittedherteeth.‘Itfellcenturiesago.Yourcultwasforgotten.Howisitthatyou’rebacknow?’
Serapissniffed.‘That’snotimportant.Theonewhoawakenedme…well,hehasdelusionsofgrandeur.HethinkshecancontrolmejustbecausehefoundsomeoldspellsintheBookofThoth.’
Behindthegod,Sadieflinchedasifshe’dbeensmackedbetweentheeyes.Apparently,this‘BookofThoth’struckachordwithher.
‘Yousee,’Serapiscontinued,‘backintheday,KingPtolemydecideditwasn’tenoughtomakemeamajorgod.Hewantedtobecomeimmortal,too.Hedeclaredhimselfagod,buthismagicbackfired.Afterhisdeath,hisfamilywascursedforgenerations.ThePtolemaiclinegrewweakerandweakeruntilthatsillygirlCleopatracommittedsuicideandgaveeverythingtotheRomans.’
Thegodsneered.‘Mortals…alwayssogreedy.ThemagicianwhoawakenedmethistimethinkshecandobetterthanPtolemy.RaisingmewasonlyoneofhisexperimentswithhybridGreek-Egyptianmagic.Hewishestomakehimselfagod,buthehasoversteppedhimself.Iamawakenow.Iwillcontroltheuniverse.’
SerapisfixedAnnabethwithhisbrilliantgreeneyes.Hisfeaturesseemedtoshift,remindingAnnabethofmanydifferentOlympians:Zeus,Poseidon,Hades.SomethingabouthissmileevenremindedAnnabethofhermother,Athena.
‘Justthink,littledemigod,’Serapissaid,‘thislighthousewilldrawthegodstomelikemothstoacandle.OnceIhaveconsumedtheirpower,Iwillraiseagreatcity.IwillbuildanewAlexandrianlibrarywithalltheknowledgeoftheancientworld,bothGreekandEgyptian.AsachildofAthena,youshouldappreciatethis.Asmyhighpriestess,thinkofallthepoweryouwillhave!’
AnewAlexandrianlibrary.
Annabethcouldn’tpretendthattheideadidn’tthrillher.Somuchknowledgeoftheancientworldhadbeendestroyedwhenthatlibraryhadburned.
Serapismusthaveseenthehungerinhereyes.
‘Yes.’Heextendedhishand.‘Enoughtalk,girl.Givememystaff!’
‘You’reright,’Annabethcroaked.‘Enoughtalk.’
Shedrewherdaggerandplungeditintothemonster’sshell.
Somanythingscouldhavegonewrong.Mostofthemdid.
Annabethwashopingtheknifewouldsplittheshell,maybeevendestroythemonster.Instead,itopenedatinyfissurethatspewedredmagicashotasalineofmagma.Annabethstumbledback,hereyesstinging.
Serapisbellowed,‘TREACHERY!’Thestaffcreaturehowledandthrashed,itsthreeheadstryinginvaintoreachtheknifestuckinitsback.
Atthesamemoment,Sadiecastherspell.Shethrewhersilvernecklaceandyelled,‘Tyet!’
Thependantexploded.Agiantsilveryhieroglyphenvelopedthegodlikeasee-throughcoffin:
Serapisroaredashisarmswerepinnedtohisside.
Sadieshouted,‘InameyouSerapis,godofAlexandria!Godof…uh,funnyhatsandthree-headedstaffs!IbindyouwiththepowerofIsis!’
Debrisbeganfallingoutoftheair,crashingaroundAnnabeth.Shedodgedabrickwallandafusebox.ThenshenoticedthewoundedstaffmonstercrawlingtowardsSerapis.
Shelungedinthatdirection,onlytogetsmackedintheheadbyafallingpieceoftimber.Shehitthefloorhard,herskullthrobbing,andwasimmediatelyburiedinmoredebris.
Shetookashakybreath.‘Ow,ow,ow.’
Atleastshehadn’tbeenburiedinbricks.Shekickedherwayoutofapileofplywoodandpluckedasix-inchsplinteroutofhershirt.
ThemonsterhadmadeittoSerapis’sfeet.Annabethknewsheshouldhavestabbedoneofthemonster’sheads,butshejustcouldn’tmakeherselfdoit.Shewasalwaysasoftiewhenitcametoanimals,eveniftheywerepartofamagicalevilcreaturetryingtokillher.Nowitwastoolate.
Thegodflexedhisconsiderablemuscles.Thesilveryprisonshatteredaroundhim.Thethree-headedstaffflewintohishand,andSerapisturnedonSadieKane.
Herprotectivecircleevaporatedinacloudofredsteam.
‘Youwouldbindme?’Serapiscried.‘Youwouldnameme?Youdonotevenhavetheproperlanguagetonameme,littlemagician!’
Annabethstaggeredforward,butherbreathingwasshallow.NowthatSerapisheldthestaff,hisaurafelttentimesmorepowerful.Annabeth’searsbuzzed.Heranklesturnedto
mush.Shecouldfeelherlifeforcebeingdrainedaway–vacuumedintotheredhaloofthegod.
Somehow,Sadiestoodherground,herexpressiondefiant.‘Right,LordCerealBowl.Youwantproperlanguage?HA-DI!’
AnewhieroglyphblazedinSerapis’sface:
Butthegodswipeditoutoftheairwithhisfreehand.Heclosedhisfistandsmokeshotbetweenhisfingers,asifhe’djustcrushedaminiaturesteamengine.
Sadiegulped.‘That’simpossible.How–’
‘Expectinganexplosion?’Serapislaughed.‘Sorrytodisappointyou,child,butmypowerisbothGreekandEgyptian.Itcombinesboth,consumesboth,replacesboth.YouarefavouredofIsis,Isee?Excellent.Shewasoncemywife.’
‘What?’Sadiecried.‘No.No,no,no.’
‘Oh,yes!WhenIdeposedbothOsirisandZeus,Isiswasforcedtoserveme.NowIwilluseyouasagatewaytosummonherhereandbindher.Isiswillonceagainbemyqueen!’
Serapisthrustouthisstaff.Fromeachofthethreemonstrousmouths,redtendrilsoflightshotforth,encirclingSadielikethornybranches.
Sadiescreamed,andAnnabethfinallyovercamehershock.
Shegrabbedthenearestsheetofplywood–awobblysquareaboutthesizeofashield–andtriedtorememberherUltimateFrisbeelessonsfromCampHalf-Blood.
‘Hey,GrainHead!’sheyelled.
Shetwistedfromthewaist,usingtheforceofherentirebody.TheplywoodsailedthroughtheairjustasSerapisturnedtolookather,andtheedgesmackedhimbetweentheeyes.
‘GAH!’
AnnabethdivedtoonesideasSerapisblindlythrusthisstaffinherdirection.Thethreemonsterheadsblastedsuper-heatedplumesofvapour,meltingaholeintheconcretewhereAnnabethhadjustbeenstanding.
Shekeptmoving,pickingherwaythroughmoundsofdebristhatnowlitteredthefloor.Shedivedbehindapileofbrokentoiletsasthegod’sstaffblastedanothertriplecolumnofsteaminherdirection,comingsoclosethatshefeltblistersriseonthebackofherneck.
AnnabethspottedSadieaboutthirtyyardsaway,onherfeetandstaggeringawayfromSerapis.Atleastshewasstillalive.ButAnnabethknewshewouldneedtimetorecover.
‘Hey,Serapis!’Annabethcalledfrombehindthemountainofcommodes.‘Howdidthatplywoodtaste?’
‘ChildofAthena!’thegodbellowed.‘Iwilldevouryourlifeforce!Iwilluseyoutodestroyyourwretchedmother!Youthinkyouarewise?Youarenothingcomparedtotheonewhoawakenedme,andevenhedoesnotunderstandthepowerhehasunleashed.Noneofyoushallgainthecrownofimmortality.Icontrolthepast,presentandfuture.Ialonewillrulethegods!’
Andthankyouforthelongspeech,Annabeththought.
BythetimeSerapisblastedherposition,turningthetoiletsintoaporcelainslagheap,Annabethhadcrepthalfwayacrosstheroom.
ShewassearchingforSadiewhenthemagicianpoppedupfromherhidingplace,onlytenfeetaway,andshouted:‘Suh-FAH!’
Annabethturnedasanewhieroglyph,twentyfeettall,blazedonthewallbehindSerapis:
Mortardisintegrated.Thesideofthebuildinggroaned,andasSerapisscreamed,‘NO!’theentirewallcollapsedontopofhiminabricktidalwave,buryinghimunderathousandtonsofwreckage.
Annabethchokedonacloudofdust.Hereyesstung.Shefeltasifshe’dbeenparboiledinaricecooker,butshestumbledtoSadie’sside.
Theyoungmagicianwascoveredinlimepowderasifshe’dbeenrolledinsugar.Shestaredatthegapingholeshe’dmadeinthesideofthebuilding.
‘Thatworked,’shemuttered.
‘Itwasgenius.’Annabethsqueezedhershoulders.‘Whatspellwasthat?’
‘Loosen,’Sadiesaid.‘Ireckoned…well,makingthingsfallapartisusuallyeasierthanputtingthemtogether.’
Asifinagreement,theremainingshellofthebuildingcreakedandrumbled.
‘Comeon.’AnnabethtookSadie’shand.‘Weneedtogetoutofhere.Thesewalls–’
Thefoundationsshook.Frombeneaththerubblecameamuffledroar.Shaftsofredlightshotfromgapsinthedebris.
‘Oh,please!’Sadieprotested.‘He’sstillalive?’
Annabeth’sheartsank,butshewasn’tsurprised.‘He’sagod.He’simmortal.’
‘Well,thenhow–?’
Serapis’shand,stillclutchinghisstaff,thrustthroughthebricksandboards.Themonster’sthreeheadsblastedshaftsofsteaminalldirections.Annabeth’skniferemainedhilt-deepinthemonster’sshell,thescarrounditventingred-hothieroglyphs,GreeklettersandEnglishcursewords–thousandsofyearsofbadlanguagespillingfree.
Likeatimeline,Annabeththought.
Suddenlyanideaclickedinhermind.‘Past,presentandfuture.Hecontrolsthemall.’
‘What?’Sadieasked.
‘Thestaffisthekey,’Annabethsaid.‘Wehavetodestroyit.’
‘Yes,but–’
Annabethsprintedtowardsthepileofrubble.Hereyeswerefixedonthehiltofherdagger,butshewastoolate.
Serapis’sotherarmbrokefree,thenhishead,hisflower-baskethatcrushedandleakinggrain.Annabeth’splywoodFrisbeehadbrokenhisnoseandblackenedhiseyes,leavingamasklikearaccoon’s.
‘Killyou!’hebellowed,justasSadieyelledanencore:‘Suh-FAH!’
Annabethbeatahastyretreat,andSerapisscreamed,‘NO!’asanotherthirty-storeysectionofwallcollapsedontopofhim.
ThemagicmusthavebeentoomuchforSadie.Shecrumpledlikearagdoll,andAnnabethcaughtherjustbeforeherheadhittheground.Astheremainingsectionsofwallshudderedandleanedinward,Annabethscoopeduptheyoungergirlandcarriedheroutside.
Somehowsheclearedthebuildingbeforetherestofitcollapsed.Annabethheardthetremendousroar,butshewasn’tsureifitwasthedevastationbehindherorthesoundofherownskullsplittingfrompainandexhaustion.
Shestaggeredonuntilshereachedthesubwaytracks.ShesetSadiedowngentlyintheweeds.
Sadie’seyesrolledbackinherhead.Shemutteredincoherently.HerskinfeltsofeverishthatAnnabethhadtofightdownasenseofpanic.Steamrosefromthemagician’ssleeves.
Overbythetrainwreck,themortalshadnoticedthenewdisaster.Emergencyvehicleswerepeelingaway,headingforthecollapsedapartmentbuilding.Anewshelicoptercircledoverhead.
Annabethwastemptedtoyellformedicalhelp,but,beforeshecould,Sadieinhaledsharply.Hereyelidsfluttered.
Shespatachipofconcreteoutofhermouth,satupweaklyandstaredatthecolumnofdustchurningintotheskyfromtheirlittleadventure.
‘Right,’Sadiemuttered.‘Whatshouldwedestroynext?’
Annabethsobbedwithrelief.‘Thankthegodsyou’reokay.Youwereliterallysteaming.’
‘Hazardofthetrade.’Sadiebrushedsomedustoffherface.‘ToomuchmagicandIcanliterallyburnup.That’saboutasclosetoself-immolationasI’dliketocometoday.’
Annabethnodded.She’dbeenjealousofallthosecoolspellsSadiecouldcast,butnowshewasgladtobejustademigod.‘Nomoremagicforyou.’
‘Notforawhile.’Sadiegrimaced.‘Idon’tsupposeSerapisisdefeated?’
Annabethgazedtowardsthesiteofthewould-belighthouse.Shewantedtothinkthegodwasgone,butsheknewbetter.Shecouldstillfeelhisauradisruptingtheworld,pullingathersoulanddrainingherenergy.
‘We’vegotafewminutesatbest,’sheguessed.‘He’llworkhiswayfree.Thenhe’llcomeafterus.’
Sadiegroaned.‘Weneedreinforcements.Sadly,Idon’thaveenoughenergytoopenaportal,evenifIcouldfindone.Isisisn’trespondingtome,either.SheknowsbetterthantoshowupandhaveheressenceabsorbedbyLordCerealBowl.’Shesighed.‘Idon’tsupposeyouhaveanyotherdemigodsonspeeddial?’
‘Ifonly…’Annabethfaltered.
Sherealizedherownbackpackwasstillonhershoulder.Howhaditnotslippedoffduringthefight?Andwhydiditfeelsolight?
Sheunslungthepackandopenedthetop.Thearchitecturebooksweregone.Instead,nestledatthebottomwasabrownie-sizedsquareofambrosiawrappedincellophane,andunderthat…
Annabeth’slowerliptrembled.Shepulledoutsomethingshehadn’tcarriedwithherinalongtime:herbatteredblueNewYorkYankeescap.
Sheglancedupatthedarkeningsky.‘Mom?’
Noreply,butAnnabethcouldn’tthinkofanyotherexplanation.Hermotherhadsentherhelp.Therealizationbothencouragedandterrifiedher.IfAthenawastakingapersonalinterestinthissituation,Serapistrulywasamonumentalthreat–notjusttoAnnabethbuttothegods.
‘It’sabaseballcap,’Sadienoted.‘Isthatgood?’
‘I–Ithinkso,’Annabethsaid.‘ThelasttimeIworeit,themagicdidn’twork.Butifitdoes…Imighthaveaplan.It’llbeyourturntokeepSerapisdistracted.’
Sadiefrowned.‘DidImentionI’moutofmagic?’
‘That’sokay,’Annabethsaid.‘Howareyouatbluffing,lyingandtrash-talking?’
Sadieraisedaneyebrow.‘I’vebeentoldthosearemymostattractivequalities.’
‘Excellent,’Annabethsaid.‘Thenit’stimeItaughtyousomeGreek.’
Theydidn’thavelong.
AnnabethhadbarelyfinishedcoachingSadiewhentheruinedbuildingshook,debrisexplodedoutward,andSerapisemerged,roaringandcursing.
Startledemergencyworkersscatteredfromthescene,buttheydidn’tseemtonoticethefifteen-foot-tallgodmarchingawayfromthewreckage,histhree-headedstaffspewingsteamandredbeamsofmagicintothesky.
SerapisheadedstraightinSadieandAnnabeth’sdirection.
‘Ready?’Annabethasked.
Sadieexhaled.‘DoIhaveachoice?’
‘Here.’Annabethgaveherthesquareofambrosia.‘Demigodfood.Itmightrestoreyourstrength.’
‘Might,eh?’
‘IfIcanuseyourhealingpotion,youshouldbeabletoeatambrosia.’
‘Cheers,then.’Sadietookabite.Colourreturnedtohercheeks.Hereyesbrightened.‘Tasteslikemygran’sscones.’
Annabethsmiled.‘Ambrosiaalwaystasteslikeyourfavouritecomfortfood.’
‘That’sashame.’Sadietookanotherbiteandswallowed.‘Gran’ssconesarealwaysburntandratherhorrid.Ah–herecomesourfriend.’
Serapiskickedafireengineoutofhiswayandlumberedtowardsthetraintracks.Hedidn’tseemtohavespottedSadieandAnnabethyet,butAnnabethguessedhecouldsensethem.Hescannedthehorizon,hisexpressionfullofmurderousrage.
‘Herewego.’AnnabethdonnedherYankeescap.
Sadie’seyeswidened.‘Welldone.You’requiteinvisible.Youwon’tstartshootingsparks,willyou?’
‘WhywouldIdothat?’
‘Oh…mybrothercastaninvisibilityspellonce.Didn’tworkoutsowell.Anyway,goodluck.’
‘You,too.’
AnnabethdashedtoonesideasSadiewavedherarmsandyelled,‘Oi,Serapis!’
‘DEATHTOYOU!’thegodbellowed.
Hebarrelledforward,hismassivefeetmakingcratersinthetarmac.
Asthey’dplanned,Sadiebackedtowardsthebeach.AnnabethcrouchedbehindanabandonedcarandwaitedforSerapistopass.Invisibleornot,shewasn’tgoingtotakeanychances.
‘Comeon!’Sadietauntedthegod.‘Isthatthefastestyoucanrun,youovergrownvillageidiot?’
‘RAR!’ThegodchargedpastAnnabeth’sposition.
SheranafterSerapis,whocaughtupwithSadieattheedgeofthesurf.
Thegodraisedhisglowingstaff,allthreemonstrousheadsbelchingsteam.‘Anylastwords,magician?’
‘Foryou?Yes!’Sadiewhirledherarmsinmovementsthatcould’vebeenmagic–orpossiblykungfu.
‘Meanaaedeithea!’ShechantedthelinesAnnabethhadtaughther.‘En…pontepathenalgae!’
Annabethwinced.Sadie’spronunciationwasprettybad.She’dgotthefirstlineright,moreorless:Singofrage,Ogoddess.Butthesecondlineshould’vebeen:Inthesea,suffermisery.Instead,Sadiehadsaidsomethinglike:Inthesea,suffermoss!
Fortunately,thesoundofAncientGreekwasenoughtoshockSerapis.Thegodwavered,histhree-headedstaffstillraised.‘Whatareyou–’
‘Isis,hearme!’Sadiecontinued.‘Athena,tomyaid!’Sherattledoffsomemorephrases–someGreek,someAncientEgyptian.
Meanwhile,Annabethsneakedupbehindthegod,hereyesonthedaggerstillimpaledinthemonster’sshell.IfSerapiswouldjustlowerhisstaff…
‘Alpha,beta,gamma!’Sadiecried.‘Gyros,spanakopita.Presto!’Shebeamedintriumph.‘There.You’redonefor!’
Serapisstaredather,clearlybaffled.Theredtattoosonhisskindimmed.Afewofthesymbolsturnedintoquestionmarksandsadfaces.Annabethcreptcloser…twentyfeetfromhimnow.
‘Donefor?’Serapisasked.‘Whatonearthareyoutalkingabout,girl?I’mabouttodestroyyou.’
‘Andifyoudo,’Sadiewarned,‘youwillactivatethedeathlinkthatsendsyoutooblivion!’
‘Deathlink?Thereisnosuchthing!’Serapisloweredhisstaff.ThethreeanimalheadswerelevelwithAnnabeth’seyes.
Herheartpounded.Tenfeettogo.Then,ifshejumped,shemightbeabletoreachthedagger.She’donlyhaveonechancetopullitout.
Theheadsofthestaffdidn’tseemtonoticeher.Theysnarledandsnapped,spittingsteaminrandomdirections.Wolf,lion,dog–past,presentandfuture.
Todomaximumdamage,sheknewwhichheadshehadtostrike.
Butwhydidthefuturehavetobeadog?ThatblackLabradorwastheleastthreateningofthemonsterheads.Withitsbiggoldeyesandfloppyears,itremindedAnnabethoftoomanyfriendlypetsshe’dknown.
It’snotarealanimal,shetoldherself.It’spartofamagicalstaff.
But,asshegotwithinstrikingdistance,herarmsgrewheavy.Shecouldn’tlookatthedogwithoutfeelingguilty.
Thefutureisagoodthing,thedogseemedtosay.It’scuteandfuzzy!
IfAnnabethstruckattheLabrador’shead,whatifshekilledherownfuture–theplansshehadforcollege,theplansshe’dmadewithPercy…?
Sadiewasstilltalking.Hertonehadtakenonaharderedge.
‘Mymother,RubyKane,’SadietoldSerapis,‘shegaveherlifetosealApophisintheDuat.Apophis,mindyou–whoisthousandsofyearsolderthanyouandmuchmorepowerful.SoifyouthinkI’mgoingtoletasecond-rategodtakeovertheworld,thinkagain!’
Theangerinhervoicewasnomerebluff,andsuddenlyAnnabethwasgladshe’dgivenSadiethejoboffacingdownSerapis.Themagicianwassurprisinglyterrifyingwhenshewantedtobe.
Serapisshiftedhisweightuneasily.‘Iwilldestroyyou!’
‘Goodluck,’Sadiesaid.‘I’veboundyouwithGreekandEgyptianspellssopowerfultheywillscatteryouratomstothestars.’
‘Youlie!’Serapisyelled.‘Ifeelnospelluponme.Eventheonewhosummonedmehadnosuchmagic.’
Annabethwasfacetofacewiththeblackdog.Thedaggerwasjustoverhead,buteverymoleculeinherbodyrebelledattheideaofkillingtheanimal…killingthefuture.
Meanwhile,Sadiemanagedabravelaugh.‘Theonewhosummonedyou?YoumeanthatoldconartistSetne?’
Annabethdidn’tknowthename,butSerapisobviouslydid.Theairaroundhimrippledwithheat.Thelionsnarled.Thewolfbareditsteeth.
‘Oh,yes,’Sadiecontinued.‘I’mveryfamiliarwithSetne.Isupposehedidn’ttellyouwholethimbackintotheworld.He’sonlyalivebecauseIsparedhim.Youthinkhismagicispowerful?Tryme.DoitNOW.’
Annabethstirred.SherealizedSadiewastalkingtoher,notthegod.Thebluffwasgettingold.Shewasoutoftime.
Serapissneered.‘Nicetry,magician.’
Asheraisedhisstafftostrike,Annabethjumped.Herhandclosedroundthehiltofthedagger,andshepulleditfree.
‘What?’Serapiscried.
Annabethletlooseagutturalsobandplungedherdaggerintothedog’sneck.
Sheexpectedanexplosion.
Instead,thedaggerwassuckedintothedog’snecklikeapaperclipintoavacuumcleaner.Annabethbarelyhadtimetoletgo.
Sherolledfreeasthedoghowled,shrinkingandshrivellinguntilitimplodedintothemonster’sshell.Serapisroared.Heshookhissceptrebuthecouldn’tseemtoletgoofit.
‘Whathaveyoudone?’hecried.
‘Takenyourfuture,’Annabethsaid.‘Withoutthat,you’renothing.’
Thestaffcrackedopen.ItgrewsohotthatAnnabethfeltthehairsonherarmsstarttoburn.Shecrawledbackwardsthroughthesandasthelionandwolfheadsweresuckedintotheshell.Theentirestaffcollapsedintoaredfireballinthegod’spalm.
Serapistriedtoshakeitoff.Itonlyglowedbrighter.Hisfingerscurledinward.Hishandwasconsumed.Hisentirearmcontractedandvaporizedasitwasdrawnintothefierysphere.
‘Icannotbedestroyed!’Serapisyelled.‘Iamthepinnacleofyourworldscombined!Withoutmyguidance,youwillneverattainthecrown!Youallshallperish!Youshall–’
Thefireballflaredandsuckedthegodintoitsvortex.Thenitwinkedoutasifithadneverexisted.
‘Ugh,’Sadiesaid.
Theysatonthebeachatsunset,watchingthetideandlisteningtothewailofemergencyvehiclesbehindthem.
PoorRockaway.Firstahurricane.Thenatrainwreck,abuildingcollapseandarampaginggodallinoneday.Somecommunitiesnevercatchabreak.
AnnabethsippedherRibena–aBritishdrinkthatSadiehadsummonedfromher‘personalstoragearea’intheDuat.
‘Don’tworry,’Sadieassuredher.‘Summoningsnacksisn’thardmagic.’
AsthirstyasAnnabethwas,theRibenatastedevenbetterthannectar.
Sadieseemedtobeonthemend.Theambrosiahaddoneitswork.Now,ratherthanlookingasifshewasatdeath’sdoor,shemerelylookedasifshe’dbeenrunoverbyapackofmules.
ThewaveslappedatAnnabeth’sfeet,helpingherrelax,butstillshefeltaresidualdisquietfromherencounterwithSerapis–ahumminginherbody,asifallherboneshadbecometuningforks.
‘Youmentionedaname,’sherecalled.‘Setne?’
Sadiewrinkledhernose.‘Longstory.Evilmagician,backfromthedead.’
‘Oh,Ihateitwhenevilpeoplecomebackfromthedead.Yousaid…youallowedhimtogofree?’
‘Well,mybrotherandIneededhishelp.Atthetime,wedidn’thavemuchchoice.Atanyrate,SetneescapedwiththeBookofThoth,themostdangerouscollectionofspellsintheworld.’
‘AndSetneusedthatmagictoawakenSerapis.’
‘Standstoreason.’Sadieshrugged.‘Thecrocodilemonstermybrotherandyourboyfriendfoughtawhileago,theSonofSobek…Iwouldn’tbesurprisedifthatwasanotherofSetne’sexperiments.He’stryingtocombineGreekandEgyptianmagic.’
Afterthedayshe’djusthad,Annabethwantedtoputherinvisibilitycapbackon,crawlintoaholeandsleepforever.She’dsavedtheworldenoughtimesalready.Shedidn’twanttothinkaboutanotherpotentialthreat.Yetshecouldn’tignoreit.ShefingeredthebrimofherYankeescapandthoughtaboutwhyhermotherhadgivenitbacktohertoday–itsmagicrestored.
Athenaseemedtobesendingamessage:Therewillalwaysbethreatstoopowerfultofacehead-on.Youarenotdonewithstealth.Youmusttreadcarefullyhere.
‘Setnewantstobeagod,’Annabethsaid.
Thewindoffthewatersuddenlyturnedcold.Itsmelledlesslikefreshseaair,morelikeburningruins.
‘Agod…’Sadieshuddered.‘ThatscrawnyoldcodgerwiththeloinclothandElvishair.Whatahorriblethought.’
AnnabethtriedtopicturetheguySadiewasdescribing.Thenshedecidedshedidn’twantto.
‘IfSetne’sgoalisimmortality,’Annabethsaid,‘wakingSerapiswon’tbehislasttrick.’
Sadielaughedwithouthumour.‘Oh,no.He’sonlyplayingwithusnow.TheSonofSobek…Serapis.I’dwagerthatSetneplannedbotheventsjusttoseewhatwouldhappen,howthedemigodsandmagicianswouldreact.He’stestinghisnewmagic,andourcapabilities,beforehemakeshisrealbidforpower.’
‘Hecan’tsucceed,’Annabethsaidhopefully.‘Noonecanmakethemselvesagodjustbycastingaspell.’
Sadie’sexpressionwasn’treassuring.‘Ihopeyou’reright.BecauseagodwhoknowsbothGreekandEgyptianmagic,whocancontrolbothworlds…Ican’tevenimagine.’
Annabeth’sstomachtwistedasifitwerelearninganewyogaposition.Inanywar,goodplanningwasmoreimportantthansheerpower.IfthisSetnehadorchestratedPercyandCarter’sbattlewiththatcrocodile,ifhe’dengineeredSerapis’srisesoSadieandAnnabethwouldbedrawntoconfronthim…Anenemywhoplannedsowellwouldbeveryhardtostop.
Shedughertoesintothesand.‘Serapissaidsomethingelsebeforehedisappeared–youwillneverattainthecrown.Ithoughthemeantitlikeametaphor.ThenIrememberedwhathesaidaboutPtolemyI,thekingwhotriedtobecomeagod–’
‘Thecrownofimmortality,’Sadierecalled.‘Maybeapschent.’
Annabethfrowned.‘Idon’tknowthatword.Ashent?’
Sadiespelledit.‘AnEgyptiancrown,looksratherlikeabowlingpin.Notalovelyfashionstatement,butthepschentinvestedthepharaohwithhisdivinepower.IfSetneistryingtore-createtheoldking’sgod-makingmagic,IbetfivequidandaplateofGran’sburntsconesthathe’stryingtofindthecrownofPtolemy.’
Annabethdecidednottotakethatbet.‘Wehavetostophim.’
‘Right.’SadiesippedherRibena.‘I’llgobacktoBrooklynHouse.AfterIsmackmybrotherfornotconfidinginmeaboutyoudemigodtypes,I’llputourresearcherstowork
andseewhatwecanlearnaboutPtolemy.Perhapshiscrownissittinginamuseumsomewhere.’Sadiecurledherlip.‘ThoughIdohatemuseums.’
Annabethtracedherfingerthroughthesand.Withoutreallythinkingaboutit,shedrewthehieroglyphicsymbolforIsis:thetyet.‘I’lldosomeresearch,too.MyfriendsintheHecatecabinmayknowsomethingaboutPtolemy’smagic.MaybeIcangetmymomtoadviseme.’
Thinkingabouthermothermadeheruneasy.
Today,SerapishadbeenonthevergeofdestroyingbothAnnabethandSadie.He’dthreatenedtousethemasgatewaystodrawAthenaandIsistotheirdoom.
Sadie’seyeswerestormy,asifshewerethinkingthesamethoughts.‘Wecan’tletSetnekeepexperimenting.He’llripourworldsapart.Wehavetofindthiscrown,or–’
Sheglancedintotheskyandhervoicefaltered.‘Ah,myrideishere.’
Annabethturned.ForamomentshethoughttheArgoIIwasdescendingfromtheclouds,butthiswasadifferentkindofflyingboat–asmallerEgyptianreedbarquewithpaintedeyesontheprowandasinglewhitesailemblazonedwiththetyetsymbol.
Itsettledgentlyattheedgeofthesurf.
Sadieroseandbrushedthesandoffhertrousers.‘Giveyoualifthome?’
AnnabethtriedtoimagineaboatlikethissailingintoCampHalf-Blood.‘Um,it’sokay.Icanmakeitback.’
‘Suityourself.’Sadieshoulderedherpack,thenhelpedAnnabethup.‘YousayCarterdrewahieroglyphonyourboyfriend’shand.Allwellandgood,butI’dratherstayintouchwithyoudirectly.’
Annabethsmirked.‘You’reright.Can’ttrustboystocommunicate.’
Theyexchangedcell-phonenumbers.
‘Justdon’tcallunlessit’surgent,’Annabethwarned.‘Cell-phoneactivityattractsmonsters.’
Sadielookedsurprised.‘Really?Nevernoticed.IsupposeIshouldn’tsendyouanyfunny-faceselfiesonInstagram,then.’
‘Probablynot.’
‘Well,untilnexttime.’SadiethrewherarmsroundAnnabeth.
Annabethwasalittleshockedtobegettingahugfromagirlshe’djustmet–agirlwhocouldjustaseasilyhaveseenAnnabethasanenemy.Butthegesturemadeherfeelgood.Inlife-and-deathsituations,Annabethhadlearned,youcouldmakefriendsprettyquickly.
ShepattedSadie’sshoulder.‘Staysafe.’
‘Hardlyever.’Sadieclimbedinherboat,anditpushedouttosea.Fogroseoutofnowhere,thickeningaroundthevessel.Whenthemistcleared,theshipandSadieKaneweregone.
Annabethstaredattheemptyocean.ShethoughtabouttheMistandtheDuatandhowtheywereconnected.
MostlyshethoughtaboutthestaffofSerapis,andthehowltheblackdoghadmadewhenshe’dstabbeditwithherdagger.
‘Thatwasn’tmyfutureIdestroyed,’sheassuredherself.‘Imakemyownfuture.’
ButsomewhereoutthereamagiciannamedSetnehadotherideas.IfAnnabethwasgoingtostophim,shehadplanningtodo.
Sheturnedandsetoutacrossthebeach,headingeastonthelongjourneybacktoCampHalf-Blood.
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FirstpublishedintheUSAbyDisneyoHyperionBooks,animprintofDisneyBookGroup,2014PublishedsimultaneouslyinGreatBritainasanelectroniceditionbyPuffinBooks2014
Textcopyright©RickRiordan,2014HieroglyphartbyMichelleGengaro-KokmenAllrightsreserved
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ISBN:978-0-14-135543-6