BOOKSBYRICKRIORDAN

PERCYJACKSONANDTHEOLYMPIANSTheLightningThiefTheSeaofMonstersTheTitan’sCurse

TheBattleoftheLabyrinthTheLastOlympian

TheDemigodFiles

PercyJackson’sGreekGods,illustratedbyJohnRocco

TheLightningThief:TheGraphicNovel

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TheTitan’sCurse:TheGraphicNovel

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TheSonofNeptuneTheMarkofAthenaTheHouseofHadesTheBloodofOlympus

TheDemigodDiaries

TheLostHero:TheGraphicNovel

TheSonofNeptune:TheGraphicNovel

SHORTSTORIESBYRICKRIORDAN

TheSonofSobekACarterKane/PercyJacksonShortStory

TheStaffofSerapisAnAnnabethChase/SadieKaneAdventure

TheCrownofPtolemyWithPercyJackson,AnnabethChase,CarterKane,&SadieKane

Enjoythisnever-before-publishedshortstoryfeaturingPercy,Annabeth,Carter,andSadie!

Copyright©2015byRickRiordan

ExcerptfromMagnusChaseandtheGodsofAsgard,BookOne:TheSwordofSummercopyright©2015byRickRiordan

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ISBN978-1-4847-0988-7

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Contents

TitlePageAlsobyRickRiordanCopyrightTheCrownofPtolemyPreviewofMagnusChaseandtheGodsofAsgard,BookOne:TheSwordofSummer

“CARTER!”ISHOUTED.Nothinghappened.Nexttome,pressedagainstthewalloftheoldfort,Annabethpeeredintothe

rain,waitingformagicalteenagerstofalloutofthesky.“Areyoudoingitright?”sheaskedme.“Gee,Idunno.I’mprettysurehisnameispronouncedCarter.”“Trytappingthehieroglyphmultipletimes.”“That’sstupid.”“Justtryit.”Istaredatmyhand.Therewasn’tevenatraceofthehieroglyphthatCarter

Kanehaddrawnonmypalmalmosttwomonthsback.He’dassuredmethatthemagiccouldn’tbewashedaway,butwithmyluck,I’daccidentallywipeditoffonmypantsorsomething.

Itappedmypalm.“Carter.Hello,Carter.PercytoCarter.PagingCarterKane.Testing,one,two,three.Isthisthingon?”

Stillnothing.UsuallyIwouldn’tpanicifthecavalryfailedtoshow.AnnabethandIhad

beeninalotofbadsituationswithoutanybackup.Butusuallyweweren’tstrandedonGovernorsIslandinthemiddleofahurricane,surroundedbyfire-breathingdeathsnakes.

(Actually,Ihavebeensurroundedbyfire-breathingdeathsnakesbefore,butnotoneswithwings.Everythingisworsewhenithaswings.)

“Allright.”Annabethwipedtherainoutofhereyes,whichdidn’thelp,sinceitwaspouringbuckets.“Sadie’snotansweringherphone.Carter’shieroglyphisn’tworking.Iguesswehavetodothisourselves.”

“Sure,”Isaid.“Butwhatdowedo?”Ipeekedaroundthecorner.Atthefarendofanarchedentryway,agrass

courtyardstretchedaboutahundredyardssquare,surroundedbyredbrickbuildings.AnnabethhadtoldmethisplacewasafortorsomethingfromtheRevolutionaryWar,butIhadn’tlistenedtothedetails.Ourmainproblemwastheguystandinginthemiddleofthelawndoingamagicritual.

HelookedlikearuntyElvisPresley,struttingbackandforthinskinnyblackjeans,apowder-bluedressshirt,andablackleatherjacket.Hisgreasypompadourhairdoseemedimpervioustotherainandthewind.

Inhishandsheheldanoldscroll,likeatreasuremap.Ashepaced,hereadaloudfromit,occasionallythrowingbackhisheadandlaughing.Basicallythedudewasinfull-oncrazymode.

Ifthatwasn’tcreepyenough,flyingaroundhimwerehalfadozenwingedserpents,blowingflamesintherain.

Overhead,lightningflashed.Thundershookmymolars.Annabethpulledmeback.“That’sgottobeSetne,”shesaid.“Thescrollhe’sreadingfromistheBook

ofThoth.Whateverspellhe’scasting,wehavetostophim.”AtthispointIshouldprobablybackupandexplainwhattheheckwasgoing

on.Onlyproblem:Iwasn’tsurewhattheheckwasgoingon.Acoupleofmonthsago,IfoughtthisgiantcrocodileonLongIsland.Akid

namedCarterKaneshowedup,saidhewasamagician,andproceededtohelpmebyblowingupstuffwithhieroglyphsandturningintoagiantglowingchicken-headedwarrior.Togetherwedefeatedthecrocodile,whichCarterexplainedwasasonofSobek,theEgyptiancrocodilegod.CarterpostulatedthatsomestrangeEgyptian-Greekhybridstuffwashappening.(Gee,Ineverwould’veguessed.)HewroteamagicalhieroglyphonmyhandandtoldmetocallhisnameifIeverneededhelp.

Fast-forwardtolastmonth:AnnabethranintoCarter’ssister,SadieKane,ontheAtraintoRockaway.TheyfoughtsomegodlydudenamedSerapis,whohadathree-headedstaff,andacerealbowlforahat.Afterward,SadietoldAnnabeththatanancientmagiciannamedSetnemightbebehindalltheweirdness.ApparentlythisSetnehadcomebackfromthedead,snaggedanultrapowerfulsorcerycheatsheetcalledtheBookofThoth,andwasplayingaroundwithEgyptianandGreekmagic,hopingtofindawaytobecomeagodhimself.SadieandAnnabethhadexchangednumbersandagreedtokeepintouch.

Today,fourweekslater,Annabethshowedupatmyapartmentatteninthemorningandannouncedthatshe’dhadabaddream—avisionfromhermom.

(Bytheway:hermomisAthena,thegoddessofwisdom.MydadisPoseidon.We’reGreekdemigods.JustthoughtIshouldmentionthat,youknow,inpassing.)

Annabethdecidedthatinsteadofgoingtothemovies,weshouldspendourSaturdaysloggingdowntothebottomofManhattanandtakingtheferrytoGovernorsIsland,whereAthenahadtoldherthattroublewasbrewing.

Assoonaswegotthere,afreakhurricaneslammedintoNewYorkHarbor.AllthemortalsevacuatedGovernorsIsland,leavingAnnabethandmestrandedatanoldfortwithCrazyElvisandtheFlyingDeathSnakes.

Makesensetoyou?Meneither.“Yourinvisibilitycap,”Isaid.“It’sworkingagain,right?HowaboutI

distractSetnewhileyousneakupbehindhim?Youcanknockthebookoutofhishands.”

Annabethknithereyebrows.Evenwithherblondhairplasteredtothesideofherface,shelookedcute.Hereyeswerethesamecolorasthestormclouds.

“Setneissupposedlytheworld’sgreatestmagician,”shesaid.“Hemightbeabletoseethroughinvisibility.Plus,ifyourunoutthere,he’llprobablyzapyouwithaspell.Believeme,Egyptianmagicisnotsomethingyouwanttogetzappedwith.”

“Iknow.Carterwallopedmewithaglowingbluefistonce.Butunlessyouhaveabetteridea…?”

Unfortunately,shedidn’tofferone.ShepulledherNewYorkYankeescapfromherbackpack.“Givemeaminuteheadstart.Trytotakeoutthoseflyingsnakesfirst.Theyshouldbesoftertargets.”

“Gotit.”Iraisedmyballpointpen,whichdoesn’tsoundlikeanimpressiveweapon;butitturnsintoamagicswordwhenIuncapit.No,seriously.“WillaCelestialbronzebladekillthem?”

Annabethfrowned.“Itshould.Atleast…mybronzedaggerworkedonthestaffofSerapis.Ofcourse,thatbronzedaggerwasmadefromanEgyptianwand,so…”

“I’mgettingaheadache.UsuallywhenIgetaheadache,it’stimetostoptalkingandattacksomething.”

“Fine.Justremember:ourmaingoalistogetthatscroll.AccordingtoSadie,Setnecanuseittoturnhimselfimmortal.”

“Understood.Nobadguysturningimmortalonmywatch.”Ikissedher,because1)whenyou’reademigodgoingintobattle,everykissmightbeyourlast,and2)Ilikekissingher.“Becareful.”

SheputonherYankeescapandvanished.I’dlovetotellyouthatIwalkedinandkilledthesnakes,Annabethstabbed

Elvisinthebackandtookhisscroll,andwewenthomehappy.You’dfigureonceinawhilethingswouldworkoutthewayweplanned.Butnoooooo.IgaveAnnabethafewsecondstosneakintothecourtyard.ThenIuncappedmypen,andRiptidesprangtofulllength—threefeetof

razor-sharpCelestialbronze.Istrolledintothecourtyardandslicedthenearestserpentoutoftheair.

NothingsaysHi,neighbor!likekillingaguy’sflyingreptile.

Thesnakedidn’tdisintegratelikemostmonstersI’dfought.Itstwohalvesjustlandedinthewetgrass.Thehalfwithwingsfloppedaroundaimlessly.

CrazyElvisdidn’tnotice.Hekeptpacingbackandforth,engrossedinhisscroll,soImovedfartherintothecourtyardandslicedanothersnake.

Thestormmadeithardtosee.NormallyIcanstaydrywhensubmersedinwater,butrainistrickier.Itneedledmyskinandgotinmyeyes.

Lightningflashed.Bythetimemyvisioncleared,twomoresnakesweredive-bombingmefromeitherside.Ijumpedbackwardjustastheyblewfire.

FYI,jumpingbackwardishardwhenyou’reholdingasword.It’sevenharderwhenthegroundismuddy.

Longstoryshort:Islippedandlandedonmybutt.Flamesshotovermyhead.Thetwosnakescircledabovemeliketheywere

toosurprisedtoattackagain.Probablytheywerewondering,Didthatguyjustfallonhisbuttonpurpose?Shouldwelaughbeforewekillhim?Wouldthatbemean?

Beforetheycoulddecidewhattodo,CrazyElviscalledout,“Leavehim!”Thesnakesdartedofftojointheirbrethren,whowereorbitingtenfeetabove

themagician.IwantedtogetupandfaceSetne,butmyrearendhadotherideas.Itwanted

tostaywhereitwasandbeinextremepain.Buttsarelikethatsometimes.Theycanbe,well,butts.

Setnerolleduphisscroll.Hesaunteredtowardme,therainpartingaroundhimlikeabeadcurtain.Hiswingedsnakesfollowed,theirflamesmakingplumesofsteaminthestorm.

“Hi,there!”Setnesoundedsocasualandfriendly,IknewIwasintrouble.“You’reademigod,Isuppose?”

IwonderedhowSetneknewthat.Maybehecould“smell”ademigod’saurathewayGreekmonsterscould.OrmaybemypranksterfriendstheStollbrothershadwrittenI’MADEMIGODonmyforeheadinpermanentmarker,andAnnabethhaddecidednottotellme.Thathappenedoccasionally.

Setne’ssmilemadehisfacelookevengaunter.Darkeyelinerrimmedhiseyes,givinghimahungry,feralstare.Aroundhisneckglitteredagoldenchainofinterlockingankhs,andfromhislefteardangledanornamentthatlookedlikeahumanfingerbone.

“YoumustbeSetne.”Imanagedtogettomyfeetwithoutkillingmyself.“DidyougetthatoutfitattheHalloweenStore?”

Setnechuckled.“Look,nothingpersonal,butI’malittlebusyatthemoment.I’mgoingtoaskyouandyourgirlfriendtowaitwhileIfinishmyincantation,okay?OnceI’vesummonedthedeshret,wecanchat.”

Itriedtolookconfused,whichisoneofmymostconvincingexpressions.“Whatgirlfriend?I’malone.Also,whyareyousummoningadishrag?”

“It’sdeshret.”Setnepattedhispompadour.“TheredcrownofLowerEgypt.Asforyourgirlfriend…”

Hewheeledandpointedbehindhim,shoutingsomethinglike“Sun-AH!”RedhieroglyphsburnedintheairwhereSetnepointed:

Annabethturnedvisible.I’dneveractuallyseenherwearingherYankeescapbefore,sinceshevanishedeverytimesheputiton,butthereshewas—wide-eyedwithsurprise,caughtintheactofsneakinguponSetne.

Beforeshecouldreact,theredglowinghieroglyphsturnedintoropeslikelicoricewhipsandlashedout,wrappingaroundher,pinningherarmsandlegswithsuchforcethatshetoppledover.

“Hey!”Iyelled.“Lethergo!”Themagiciangrinned.“Invisibilitymagic.Please.I’vebeenusing

invisibilityspellssincethepyramidswereunderwarranty.LikeIsaid,thisisnothingpersonal,demigods.Ijustcan’tsparetheenergytokillyou…atleastnotuntilthesummonsisover.Ihopeyouunderstand.”

Myhearthammered.I’dseenEgyptianmagicbefore,whenCarterhelpedmefightthegiantcrocodileonLongIsland,butIhadnoideahowtostopit,andIcouldn’tstandtoseeitusedagainstAnnabeth.

IchargedatSetne.Hejustwavedhishandandmuttered,“Hu-Ai.”Morestupidhieroglyphsflashedinfrontofme.

Ifellonmyface.Myfacedidnotappreciatethat.Igotmudinmynostrilsandbloodinmy

mouthfrombitingmytongue.WhenIblinked,theredhieroglyphsburnedon

theinsidesofmyeyelids.Igroaned.“Whatwasthatspell?”“Fall,”Setnesaid.“Oneofmyfavorites.Really,don’tgetup.You’lljust

hurtyourselfmore.”“Setne!”Annabethshoutedthroughthestorm.“Listentome.Youcan’tmake

yourselfintoagod.Itwon’twork.You’lljustdestroy—”Thecoilofmagicalredropesexpanded,coveringAnnabeth’smouth.“Iappreciateyourconcern,”saidthemagician.“Really,Ido.ButI’vegot

thisfiguredout.ThatbusinesswithSerapis…whenyoudestroyedmyhybridgod?Ilearnedquiteabitfromthat.Itookexcellentnotes.”

Annabethstruggleduselessly.Iwantedtoruntoher,butIhadafeelingI’djustendupwithmyfaceinthe

mudagain.I’dhavetoplaythissmart…whichwasnotmyusualstyle.Itriedtosteadymybreathing.Iscootedsideways,justtoseeifIcould.“SoyouwerewatchinginRockawayBeach?”IaskedSetne.“When

AnnabethandSadietookdownSerapis,thatwasallanexperimenttoyou?”“Ofcourse!”Setnelookedverypleasedwithhimself.“Ijotteddownthe

incantationsSerapisusedwhilehetriedtoraisehisnewAlexandrianlighthouse.Thenitwasjustamatterofcross-referencingthosewiththeoldermagicintheBookofThoth,andvoilà!IfoundexactlythespellcomboIneedtomakemyselfintoagod.It’sgoingtobegreat.Watchandsee!”

Heopenedhisscrollandstartedchantingagain.Hiswingedserpentsspiraledthroughtherain.Lightningflashed.Thegroundrumbled.

OnSetne’sleft,aboutfifteenfeetawayfromme,thegrasssplitopen.Ageyserofflamesspewedupward,andthewingedserpentsflewstraightintoit.Earth,fire,rain,andserpentsswirledintoatornadoofelements,mergingandsolidifyingintoonehugeshape:acoiledcobrawithafemalehumanhead.

Herreptilianhoodwaseasilysixfeetacross.Hereyesglitteredlikerubies.Aforkedtongueflickeredbetweenherlips,andherdarkhairwasplaitedwithgold.Restingonherheadwasasortofcrown—aredpillbox-lookingthingwithacurlicueornamentonthefront.

Now,personally,I’mnotfondofhugesnakes,especiallyoneswithhumanheadsandstupidhats.IfI’dsummonedthisthing,Iwould’vecastaspelltosenditback,superquick.

ButSetnejustrolleduphisscroll,slippeditinhisjacketpocket,andgrinned.“Awesome!”

Thecobraladyhissed.“Whodaressummonme?IamWadjet,queenofcobras,protectorofLowerEgypt,eternalmistressof—”

“Iknow!”Setneclappedhishands.“I’mahugefan!”

IcrawledtowardAnnabeth.NotthatIcouldhelpmuchwiththefallspellkeepingmeoffmyfeet,butIwantedtobeclosetoherifsomethingwentdownwiththiseternalcobraqueenofwhateverblah,blah,blah.MaybeIcouldatleastuseRiptidetocutthoseredcordsandgiveAnnabethafightingchance.

“Oh,thisissogreat,”Setnecontinued.Hefishedsomethingoutofhispantspocket…acellphone.

Thegoddessbaredherfangs.ShesprayedSetnewithacloudofgreenmist—poison,Iguessed—butherepelleditlikethenoseconeofarocketrepelledheat.

IkeptcrawlingtowardAnnabeth,whowasstrugglinghelplesslyinherred-licoricecocoon.Hereyesblazedwithfrustration.Shehatedbeingsidelinedworsethanjustaboutanything.

“Okay,where’sthecameraicon?”Setnefumbledwithhisphone.“WehavetogetapicturetogetherbeforeIdestroyyou.”

“Destroyme?”demandedthecobragoddess.ShelashedoutatSetne,butasuddengustofrainandwindpushedherback.

IwastenfeetawayfromAnnabeth.Riptide’sbladeglowedasIdraggeditthroughthemud.

“Let’ssee.”Setnetappedhisphone.“Sorry,thisisnewtome.I’mfromtheNineteenthDynasty.Ah,okay.No.Darnit.Wheredidthescreengo?Ah!Right!Sowhatdomodernfolkscallthis…asnappie?”Heleanedintowardthecobragoddess,heldouthisphoneatarm’slength,andtookapicture.“Gotit!”

“WHATISTHEMEANINGOFTHIS?”Wadjetroared.“YOUDARETAKEASELFIEWITHTHECOBRAGODDESS?”

“Selfie!”saidthemagician.“That’sright!Thanks.AndnowI’lltakeyourcrownandconsumeyouressence.Hopeyoudon’tmind.”

“WHAT?”Thecobragoddessrearedandbaredherfangsagain,buttherainandwindrestrainedherlikeaseatbelt.SetneshoutedsomethinginamixtureofEgyptianandAncientGreek.AfewoftheGreekwordsIunderstood:soulandbindandpossiblybutter(thoughIcouldbewrongaboutthelastone).Thecobragoddessbegantowrithe.

IreachedAnnabethjustasSetnefinishedhisspell.Thecobragoddessimploded,withanoiseliketheworld’slargeststraw

finishingtheworld’slargestmilkshake.Wadjetwassuckedintoherownredcrown,alongwithSetne’sfourwingedserpentsandafive-foot-widecircleoflawnwhereWadjethadbeencoiled.

Thecrowndroppedintothesmoking,muddycrater.Setnelaughedindelight.“PERFECT!”Ihadtoagree,ifbyperfecthemeantsohorrifyingIwanttovomitandIhave

togetAnnabethoutofhererightnow.

SetneclamberedintothepittoretrievethecrownasIfranticallystartedcuttingAnnabeth’sbonds.I’donlymanagedtoungaghermouthbeforethebindingsblaredlikeanairhorn.

Myearspopped.Myvisionwentblack.Whenthesounddiedandmyvertigofaded,Setnewasstandingoverus,the

redcrownnowatophispompadour.“Theropesscreamifyoucutthem,”headvised.“IguessIshould’ve

mentionedthat.”Annabethwriggled,tryingtofreeherhands.“What—whatdidyoudotothe

cobragoddess?”“Hmm?Oh.”Setnetappedthecurlicueatthefrontofthecrown.“Idevoured

heressence.NowIhavethepowerofLowerEgypt.”“You…devouredagod,”Isaid.“Yep!”Fromhisjacket,hepulledtheBookofThothandwaggeditatus.

“Amazingwhatkindofknowledgeisinhere.PtolemytheFirsthadtherightidea,makinghimselfagod,butbythetimehebecamekingofAlexandria,Egyptianmagicwasdilutedandweak.Hedefinitelydidn’thaveaccesstoprimesourcematerialliketheBookofThoth.Withthisbaby,I’mcookingwithspice!NowthatI’vegotthecrownofLowerEgypt—”

“Letmeguess,”Annabethsaid.“You’llgoforthecrownofUpperEgypt.Thenyou’llputthemtogetherandruletheworld.”

Hegrinned.“Smartgirl.ButfirstIhavetodestroyyoutwo.Nothingpersonal.It’sjustthatwhenyou’redoinghybridGreek-Egyptianmagic,I’vefoundthatalittledemigodbloodisagreatcatalyst.Now,ifyou’lljustholdstill—”

Ilungedforwardandjabbedhimwithmysword.Amazingly,Riptidewentstraightintohisgut.IsorarelysucceedthatIjustcrouchedthere,stunned,myhandtremblingon

thehilt.“Wow.”Setnelookeddownatthebloodonhispowder-blueshirt.“Nice

job.”“Thanks.”ItriedtoyankoutRiptide,butitseemedtobestuck.“So…you

candienow,ifit’snottoomuchtrouble.”Setnesmiledapologetically.“Aboutthat…I’mbeyonddyingnow.Atthis

point—”Hetappedtheblade.“Getit?Thispoint?I’mafraidallyoucandoismakemestronger!”

Hisredcrownbegantoglow.Foronce,myinstinctssavedmylife.DespitetheklutzspellSetnehadhexed

mewith,Isomehowmanagedtogettomyfeet,grabAnnabeth,andhaulheras

farfromthemagicianaspossible.Idroppedtothegroundatthearchwayasamassiveroarshookthe

courtyard.Treeswereuprooted.Windowsshattered.Brickspeeledoffthewall,andeverythinginsighthurtledtowardSetneasifhe’dbecomethenewcenterofgravity.EvenAnnabeth’smagicalbondswerestrippedaway.Ittookallmystrengthtoholdherwithonearmwhilegrippingthecornerofthebuildingwithmyotherhand.

Cloudsofdebrisspunaroundthemagician.Wood,stone,andglassvaporizedastheywereabsorbedintoSetne’sbody.

Oncegravityreturnedtonormal,IrealizedI’dleftsomethingimportantbehind.

Riptidewasgone.ThewoundinSetne’sguthadclosed.“HEY!”Igotup,mylegsshaking.“Youatemysword!”Myvoicesoundedshrill—likealittlekidwho’sjusthadhislunchmoney

stolen.Thethingis,Riptidewasmymostimportantpossession.I’dhaditalongtime.Ithadseenmethroughalotofscrapes.

I’dlostmyswordbeforeonafewoccasions,butitalwaysreappearedinpenformbackinmypocket.Ihadafeelingthatwasn’tgoingtohappenthistime.Riptidehadbeenconsumed—suckedintoSetne’sbodyalongwiththebricks,thebrokenglass,andseveralcubicfeetofsod.

Setneturneduphispalms.“Sorryaboutthat.I’magrowingdeity.Ineedmynutrition….”Hetiltedhisheadasiflisteningtosomethinginthestorm.“PercyJackson.Interesting.Andyourfriend,AnnabethChase.Youtwohavehadsomeinterestingadventures.You’llgivemelotsofnourishment!”

Annabethstruggledtoherfeet.“Howdoyouknowournames?”“Oh,youcanlearnalotaboutsomeonefromdevouringtheirprized

possession.”Setnepattedhisstomach.“Now,ifyoudon’tmind,Ireallyneedtoconsumeyouboth.Nottoworry,though!Youressencewillliveforeverrighthere…nexttomy,uh,pancreas,Ithink.”

IslippedmyhandintoAnnabeth’s.Afterallwe’dbeenthrough,Iwasnotgoingtoletourlivesendthisway—devouredbyawannabeElvisgodwithapillboxhat.

Iweighedmyoptions:directattackorstrategicretreat.IwantedtopunchSetneinhisheavilymascaraedeyes,butifIcouldgetAnnabethtotheshore,wecouldjumpintotheharbor.BeingthesonofPoseidon,I’dhavetheupperhandunderwater.Wecouldregroup,maybecomebackwithafewdozendemigodfriendsandsomeheavyartillery.

BeforeIcoulddecide,somethingcompletelyrandomchangedtheequation.Afull-sizedcameldroppedoutoftheskyandcrushedSetneflat.

“Sadie!”Annabethcried.Forasplit-second,IthoughtshewascallingthecamelSadie.ThenIrealized

Annabethwaslookingupintothestorm,wheretwofalconsspiraledabovethecourtyard.

Thecamelbellowedandfarted,whichmademeappreciateitevenmore.Unfortunatelywedidn’thavetimetobecomefriends.Thecamelwidenedits

eyes,bleatedinalarm,anddissolvedintosand.Setnerosefromthedustpile.Hiscrownwastilted.Hisblackjacketwas

coveredincamelfuzz,buthelookedunhurt.“Thatwasrude.”Heglancedupatthetwofalconsnowdivingtowardhim.

“Notimeforthisnonsense.”Justasthebirdswereabouttoriphisfaceoff,Setnevanishedinaswirlof

rain.

Thefalconslandedandmorphedintotwohumanteens.OntherightstoodmybuddyCarterKane,lookingcasualinhisbeigelinencombatjammies,withacurvedivorywandinonehandandacrescent-bladedswordintheother.Ontheleftstoodaslightlyyoungerblondgirl,whoIassumedwashissister,Sadie.Shehadblacklinenjammies,orangehighlightsinherhair,awhitewoodenstaff,andmud-spatteredcombatboots.

Physically,thetwosiblingslookednothingalike.Carter’scomplexionwascoppery,hishairblackandcurly.Histhoughtfulscowlradiatedseriousness.Bycontrast,Sadiewasfair-skinnedwithblueeyesandalopsidedsmilesofullofmischief,Iwould’vefiguredherforaHermeskidbackatCampHalf-Blood.

Thenagain,IhaveCyclopesandtwo-tailedmermenassiblings.Iwasn’tabouttocommentontheKanekids’lackofresemblance.

Annabethexhaledwithrelief.“Iamsogladtoseeyou.”ShegaveSadieabighug.CarterandIlookedateachother.“Hey,man,”Isaid.“I’mnotgoingtohugyou.”“That’sokay,”Cartersaid.“Sorrywe’relate.Thisstormwasmessingupour

locatormagic.”InoddedlikeIknewwhatlocatormagicwas.“Sothisfriendofyours,

Setne…he’skindofadirtwipe.”Sadiesnorted.“Youdon’tknowthehalfofit.Didhehappentogiveyoua

helpfulvillainmonologue?Revealhisevilplans,saywherehewasgoingnext,thatsortofthing?”

“Well,heusedthatscroll,theBookofThoth,”Isaid.“Hesummonedacobra

goddess,devouredheressence,andstoleherredhat.”“Oh,dear.”SadieglancedatCarter.“ThecrownofUpperEgyptwillbe

next.”Carternodded.“Andifhemanagestoputthetwocrownstogether—”“He’llbecomeimmortal,”Annabethguessed.“Anewlymadegod.Then

he’llstartvacuumingupalltheGreekandEgyptianmagicintheworld.”“Alsohestolemysword,”Isaid.“Iwantitback.”Thethreeofthemstaredatme.“What?”Isaid.“Ilikemysword.”Carterhookedhiscurvy-bladedkhopeshandhiswandtohisbelt.“Tellus

everythingthathappened.Details.”Whilewetalked,Sadiemutteredsomesortofspell,andtherainbentaround

uslikewewereunderagiantinvisibleumbrella.Neattrick.Annabethhadthebettermemory,soshedidmostoftheexplainingaboutour

fightwithSetne…thoughcallingitafightwasgenerous.Whenshewasdone,Carterkneltandtracedsomehieroglyphsinthemud.“IfSetnegetsthehedjet,we’refinished,”hesaid.“He’llformthecrownof

Ptolemyand—”“Holdup,”Isaid.“Lowtoleranceforconfusingnames.Canyouexplain

what’sgoingonin,like,regularwords?”Carterfrowned.“ThepschentisthedoublecrownofEgypt,okay?The

bottomhalfistheredcrown,thedeshret.ItrepresentstheLowerKingdom.Thetophalfisthehedjet,thewhitecrownoftheUpperKingdom.”

“Youwearthemtogether,”Annabethadded,“andthatmeansyou’rethepharaohofallEgypt.”

“Exceptinthiscase,”Sadiesaid,“ouruglyfriendSetneiscreatingaveryspecialpschent—thecrownofPtolemy.”

“Okay…”Istilldidn’tgetit,butfeltlikeIshouldatleastpretendtofollowalong.“Butwasn’tPtolemyaGreekdude?”

“Yes,”Cartersaid.“AlexandertheGreatconqueredEgypt.Thenhedied.HisgeneralPtolemytookoverandtriedtomixGreekandEgyptianreligion.Heproclaimedhimselfagod-king,liketheoldpharaohs,butPtolemywentastepfurther.HeusedacombinationofGreekandEgyptmagictotrymakinghimselfimmortal.Itdidn’tworkout,but—”

“Setnehasperfectedtheformula,”Iguessed.“ThatBookofThothgiveshimsomeprimomagic.”

Sadieclappedforme.“Ithinkyou’vegotit.SetnewillrecreatethecrownofPtolemy,butthistimehe’lldoitproperly,andhe’llbecomeagod.”

“Whichisbad,”Isaid.

Annabethtuggedthoughtfullyatherear.“So…whowasthatcobragoddess?”

“Wadjet,”Cartersaid.“Theguardianoftheredcrown.”“Andthere’saguardianofthewhitecrown?”sheasked.“Nekhbet.”Carter’sexpressionturnedsour.“Thevulturegoddess.Idon’t

likehermuch,butIsupposewe’llhavetostopherfromgettingdevoured.SinceSetneneedstheUpperKingdomcrown,he’llprobablygosouthforthenextritual.It’slikeasymbolicthing.”

“Isn’tupusuallynorth?”Iasked.Sadiesmirked.“Oh,thatwouldbemuchtooeasy.InEgypt,upissouth,

becausetheNilerunsfromthesouthtothenorth.”“Great,”Isaid.“Sohowfarsoutharewetalkingabout—Brooklyn?

Antarctica?”“Idon’tthinkhe’llgothatfar.”Carterrosetohisfeetandscannedthe

horizon.“OurheadquartersareinBrooklyn.AndI’mguessingManhattanislikeGreekgodcentral?Alongtimeago,ourUncleAmoshintedatthat.”

“Well,yeah,”Isaid.“MountOlympushoversovertheEmpireStateBuilding,so—”

“MountOlympus”—Sadieblinked—“hoversoverthe…Ofcourseitdoes.Whynot?Ithinkwhatmybrother’stryingtosayisthatifSetnewantstoestablishanewseatofpower,blendingGreekandEgyptian—”

“He’dfindaplaceinbetweenBrooklynandManhattan,”Annabethsaid.“Likerighthere,GovernorsIsland.”

“Exactly,”Cartersaid.“He’llneedtoconducttheritualforthesecondcrownsouthofthispoint,butitdoesn’thavetobefarsouth.IfIwerehim—”

“Andwe’regladyou’renot,”Isaid.“—IwouldstayonGovernorsIsland.We’reatthenorthendnow,so…”Igazedsouth.“Anyoneknowwhat’sattheotherend?”“I’veneverbeenhere,”Annabethsaid.“ButIthinkthere’sapicnicarea.”“Lovely.”Sadieraisedherstaff.Thetipflaredwithwhitefire.“Anyone

fancyapicnicintherain?”“Setne’sdangerous,”Annabethsaid.“Wecan’tjustgochargingin.Weneed

aplan.”“She’sright,”Cartersaid.“Ikindoflikechargingin,”Isaid.“Speedisoftheessence,right?”“Thankyou,”Sadiemuttered.“Beingsmartisalsooftheessence,”Annabethsaid.“Exactly,”Cartersaid.“Wehavetofigureouthowtoattack.”Sadierolledhereyesatme.“JustasIfeared.Thesetwotogether…they’ll

overthinkustodeath.”Ifeltthesameway,butAnnabethwasgettingthatannoyedstormylookin

hereyes,andsinceIdateAnnabeth,IfiguredI’dbettersuggestacompromise.“Howaboutweplanwhilewewalk?”Isaid.“Wecanchargesouth,like,

reallyslowly.”“Deal,”saidCarter.Weheadeddowntheroadfromtheoldfort,pastsomefancybrickbuildings

thatmighthavebeenofficers’quartersbackintheday.Wemadeourwayacrossasoggyexpanseofsoccerfields.Therainkeptpouringdown,butSadie’smagicumbrellatraveledwithus,keepingtheworstofthestormaway.

AnnabethandCartercomparednotesfromtheresearchthey’ddone.TheytalkedaboutPtolemyandthemixingofGreekandEgyptianmagic.

AsforSadie,shedidn’tappearinterestedinstrategy.Sheleapedfrompuddletopuddleinhercombatboots.Shehummedtoherself,twirledlikealittlekid,andoccasionallypulledrandomthingsoutofherbackpack:waxanimalfigurines,somestring,apieceofchalk,abrightyellowbagofcandy.

Sheremindedmeofsomeone….Thenitoccurredtome.ShelookedlikeayoungerversionofAnnabeth,but

herfidgetingandhypernessremindedmeof…well,me.IfAnnabethandIeverhadadaughter,shemightbealotlikeSadie.

Whoa.It’snotlikeI’dneverdreamedaboutkidsbefore.Imean,youdatesomeone

foroverayear,theideaisgoingtobeinthebackofyourmindsomewhere,right?Butstill—I’mbarelyseventeen.I’mnotreadytothinktooseriouslyaboutstufflikethat.Also,I’mademigod.Onaday-to-daybasis,I’mbusyjusttryingtostayalive.

Yet,lookingatSadie,IcouldimaginethatsomedaymaybeI’dhavealittlegirlwholookedlikeAnnabethandactedlikeme—acutelittlehellionofademigod,stompingthroughpuddlesandflatteningmonsterswithmagiccamels.

Imusthavebeenstaring,becauseSadiefrownedatme.“What?”“Nothing,”Isaidquickly.Carternudgedme.“Wereyoulistening?”“Yes.No.What?”Annabethsighed.“Percy,explainingthingstoyouislikelecturingagerbil.”“Hey,WiseGirl,don’tstartwithme.”“Whatever,SeaweedBrain.Wewerejustsayingthatwe’llhavetocombine

ourattacks.”“Combineourattacks…”Ipattedmypocket,butRiptidehadnotreappeared

inpenform.Ididn’twanttoadmithownervousthatmademe.

Sure,Ihadotherskills.Icouldmakewaves(literally)andoccasionallyevenwhipupanicefrothyhurricane.ButmyswordwasabigpartofwhoIwas.Withoutit,Ifeltcrippled.

“Howdowedocombineattacks?”Cartergotamischievousgleaminhiseyesthatmadehimlookmorelikehis

sister.“WeturnSetne’sstrategyagainsthim.He’susinghybridmagic—GreekandEgyptiantogether,right?Wedothesame.”

Annabethnodded.“Greek-styleattackswon’twork.YousawwhatSetnedidwithyoursword.AndCarterisprettysureregularEgyptianspellswon’tbeenougheither.Butifwecanfindawaytomixourpowers—”

“Doyouknowhowtomixourpowers?”Iasked.Carter’sshoessquishedinthemud.“Well…notexactly.”“Oh,please,”Sadiesaid.“That’seasy.Carter,giveyourwandtoPercy.”“Why?”“Justdoit,brotherdear.Annabeth,doyourememberwhenwefought

Serapis?”“Right!”Annabeth’seyeslitup.“IgrabbedSadie’swandanditturnedintoa

Celestialbronzedagger,justlikemyoldone.ItwasabletodestroySerapis’sstaff.MaybewecancreateanotherGreekweaponfromanEgyptianwand.Goodidea,Sadie.”

“Cheers.Yousee,Idon’tneedtospendhoursplanningandresearchingtobebrilliant.Now,Carter,ifyouplease.”

AssoonasItookthewand,myhandclenchedlikeI’dgrabbedanelectricalcable.Spikesofpainshotupmyarm.Itriedtodropthewand,butIcouldn’t.Tearsfilledmyeyes.

“Bytheway,”Sadiesaid,“thismayhurtabit.”“Thanks.”Igrittedmyteeth.“Littlelateonthewarning.”Theivorybegantosmolder.Whenthesmokeclearedandtheagony

subsided,insteadofawandIwasholdingaCelestialbronzeswordthatdefinitelywasn’tRiptide.

“Whatisthis?”Iasked.“It’shuge.”Carterwhistledunderhisbreath.“I’veseenthoseinmuseums.That’sa

kopis.”Iheftedthesword.LikesomanyI’dtried,itdidn’tfeelrightinmyhands.

Thehiltwastooheavyformywrist.Thesingle-edgedbladewascurvedawkwardly,likeagianthookknife.Itriedajabandnearlylostmybalance.

“Thisonedoesn’tlooklikeyours,”ItoldCarter.“Isn’tyourscalledakopis?”“Mineisakhopesh,”Cartersaid.“TheoriginalEgyptianversion.What

you’reholdingisakopis—aGreekdesignadaptedfromtheEgyptianoriginal.

It’sthekindofswordPtolemy’swarriorswould’veused.”IlookedatSadie.“Ishetryingtoconfuseme?”“No,”shesaidbrightly.“He’sconfusingwithouttrying.”Cartersmackedhispalmagainsthisforehead.“Thatwasn’tevenconfusing.

Howwasthat—?Nevermind.Percy,themainthingis,canyoufightwiththatsword?”

Islicedthekopisthroughtheair.“IfeellikeI’mfencingwithameatcleaver,butit’llhavetodo.Whataboutweaponsforyouguys?”

Annabethrubbedtheclaybeadsonhernecklace,thewayshedoeswhenshe’sthinking.Shelookedbeautiful.ButIdigress.

“Sadie,”shesaid,“thosehieroglyphicspellsyouusedonRockawayBeach…whichonemadetheexplosion?”

“It’scalled—well,Ican’tactuallysaythewordwithoutmakingyoublowup.Holdon.”Sadierummagedthroughherbackpack.Shebroughtoutasheetofyellowpapyrus,astylus,andabottleofink—Iguessbecausepenandpaperwouldbeun-Egyptian.Sheknelt,usingherbackpackasamakeshiftwritingdesk,andscrawledinnormalletters:HA-DI.

“That’sagoodspell,”Carteragreed.“Wecouldshowyouthehieroglyphforit,butunlessyouknowhowtospeakwordsofpower—”

“Noneed,”Annabethsaid.“Thephrasemeansexplode?”“Moreorless,”Sadiesaid.“Andyoucanwritethehieroglyphonascrollwithouttriggeringtheka-

boom?”“Right.Thescrollwillstorethemagicforlater.Ifyoureadthewordfrom

thepapyrus…well,that’sevenbetter.Moreka-boomwithlesseffort.”“Good,”Annabethsaid.“Doyouhaveanotherpieceofpapyrus?”“Annabeth,”Isaid,“whatareyoudoing?’Causeifyou’remessingaround

withexplodingwords—”“Relax,”shesaid.“IknowwhatI’mdoing.Sortof.”ShekneltnexttoSadie,whogaveherafreshsheetofpapyrus.AnnabethtookthestylusandwrotesomethinginAncientGreek:

Κεραυνóω

Beingdyslexic,I’mluckyifIcanrecognizeEnglishwords,butbeingademigod,AncientGreekissortofhardwiredintomybrain.

“Ke-rau-noh,”Ipronounced.“Blast?”Annabethgavemeawickedlittlesmile.“ClosesttermIcouldthinkof.

Literallyitmeansstrikewithlightningbolts.”

“Ooh,”Sadiesaid.“Ilovestrikingthingswithlightningbolts.”Carterstaredatthepapyrus.“You’rethinkingwecouldinvokeanAncient

Greekwordthesamewaywedowithhieroglyphs?”“It’sworthatry,”Annabethsaid.“Whichofyouisbetterwiththatkindof

magic?”“Sadie,”Cartersaid.“I’mmoreacombatmagician.”“Giantchickenmode,”Iremembered.“Dude,myavatarisafalcon-headedwarrior.”“IstillthinkyoucouldgetasponsorshipdealwithKFC.Makesomebig

bucks.”“Knockitoff,youtwo.”AnnabethhandedherscrolltoSadie.“Carter,let’s

trade.I’lltryyourkhopesh;youtrymyYankeescap.”Shetossedhimthehat.“I’musuallymoreofabasketballguy,but…”Carterputonthecapand

disappeared.“Wow,okay.I’minvisible,aren’tI?”Sadieapplauded.“You’veneverlookedbetter,brotherdear.”“Veryfunny.”“IfyoucansneakuponSetne,”Annabethsuggested,“youmightbeableto

takehimbysurprise,getthecrownawayfromhim.”“ButyoutoldusSetnesawrightthroughyourinvisibility,”Cartersaid.“Thatwasme,”Annabethsaid,“aGreekusingaGreekmagicitem.Foryou,

maybeit’llworkbetter—ordifferently,atleast.”“Carter,giveitashot,”Isaid.“Theonlythingbetterthanagiantchicken

manisagiantinvisiblechickenman.”Suddenlythegroundshookunderourfeet.Acrossthesoccerfields,towardthesouthendoftheisland,awhiteglowlit

thehorizon.“Thatcan’tbegood,”Annabethsaid.“No,”Sadieagreed.“Perhapsweshouldchargeinalittlemorequickly.”

Thevultureswerehavingaparty.Pastalineoftrees,amuddyfieldstretchedtotheedgeoftheisland.Atthe

baseofasmalllighthouse,afewpicnictableshuddledasifforshelter.Acrosstheharbor,theStatueofLibertyglowedwhiteinthestorm,raincloudspushingaroundherlikewavesofftheprowofaship.

Inthemiddleofthepicnicgrounds,sixlargeblackbuzzardswhirledintherain,orbitingourbuddySetne.

Themagicianwasrockinganewoutfit.He’dchangedintoaredquilted

smokingjacket—Iguesstomatchhisredcrown.Hissilkpantsshimmeredinredandblackpaisley.Justtomakesurehislookwasn’ttoounderstated,hisloaferswereentirelycoveredinrhinestones.

HestruttedaroundwiththeBookofThoth,chantingsomespell,thesamewayhe’ddonebackatthefort.

“He’ssummoningNekhbet,”Sadiemurmured.“I’dreallyrathernotseeheragain.”

“WhatkindofnameisNeckButt,anyway?”Iasked.Sadiesnickered.“That’swhatIcalledherthefirsttimeIsawher.Butreally,

she’snotverynice.Possessedmygran,chasedmeacrossLondon…”“Sowhat’stheplan?”Carterasked.“Maybeaflankingmaneuver?”“Or,”Annabethsaid,“wecouldtryadiversionary—”“Charge!”Sadiebarreledintotheclearing,herstaffinonehandandher

Greekscrollintheother.IglancedatAnnabeth.“Yournewfriendisawesome.”ThenIfollowedSadie.Myplanwasprettysimple:runatSetneandkillhim.Evenwithmyheavy

newsword,IoutpacedSadie.Twovulturesdivedatme.Islicedthemoutoftheair.

IwasfivefeetfromSetneandimaginingthesatisfactionofslicinghiminhalfwhenheturnedandnoticedme.Themagicianvanished.Mybladecutthroughemptyair.

Istumbled,off-balanceandangry.Tenfeettomyleft,Sadiesmackedavulturewithherstaff.Thebird

explodedintowhitesand.Annabethjoggedtowardus,givingmeoneofthoseannoyedexpressionslike,Ifyougetyourselfkilled,I’mgoingtomurderyou.Carter,beinginvisible,wasnowheretobeseen.

Withaboltofwhitefire,Sadieblastedanothervultureoutofthesky.Theremainingbirdsscatteredinthestorm.

SadiescannedthefieldforSetne.“Whereistheskinnyoldgit?”Theskinnyoldgitappearedrightbehindher.Hespokeasinglewordfrom

hisscrollofnastysurprises,andthegroundexploded.WhenIregainedmysenses,Iwasstillstanding,whichwasaminormiracle.

TheforceofthespellhadpushedmeawayfromSetne,somyshoeshadmadetrenchesinthemud.

Ilookedup,butIcouldn’tmakesenseofwhatIwasseeing.AroundSetne,theearthhadrupturedinaten-foot-diameterring,splittingopenlikeaseedpod.Plumesofdirthadsprayedoutwardandwerefrozeninmidair.Tendrilsofredsandcoiledaroundmylegsandbrushedagainstmyfaceastheysnakedinall

directions.Itlookedlikesomebodyhadstoppedtimewhileslingingredmudfromagiantsaladspinner.

Sadielayflatonthegroundtomyleft,herlegsburiedunderablanketofmud.Shestruggledbutcouldn’tseemtogetfree.Herstaffwasknockedoutofreach.Herscrollwasamuddyraginherhand.

Isteppedtowardher,butthecoilsofsandpushedmeback.Somewherebehindme,Annabethyelledmyname.Iturnedandsawherjust

outsidetheexplosionzone.Shewastryingtochargein,buttheearthentendrilsmovedtoblockher,whippingaroundlikeoctopusarms.

TherewasnosignofCarter.Icouldonlyhopehehadn’tgottencaughtinthisstupidweboffloatingdirt.

“Setne!”Iyelled.Themagicianbrushedthelapelsofhissmokingjacket.“Youreallyshould

stopinterruptingme,demigod.ThedeshretcrownwasoriginallyagifttothepharaohsfromtheearthgodGeb,youknow.Itcandefenditselfwithsomecoolearthmagic!”

Igrittedmyteeth.AnnabethandIhadrecentlydonebattlewithGaeatheEarthMother.MoredirtsorcerywasthelastthingIneeded.

Sadiestruggled,herlegsstillencasedinmud.“Cleanupallthisdirtrightnow,youngman.Thengiveusthatcrownandgotoyourroom.”

Themagician’seyesglittered.“Ah,Sadie.Delightfulasalways.Where’syourbrother?DidIaccidentallyblowhimup?Youcanthankmeforthatlater.Rightnow,Imustgetonwithbusiness.”

Heturnedhisbackonusandresumedchanting.Thewindpickedup.Rainwhippedaroundhim.Thefloatinglinesofsand

begantostirandshift.Imanagedtostepforward,butitwaslikewadingthroughwetcement.

Behindme,Annabethwasn’thavingmuchmoreluck.Sadiemanagedtopulloneofherlegsfree,minushercombatboot.ShecursedworsethanmyimmortalhorsefriendArion(whichisprettybad)assheretrievedtheboot.

Setne’sweirdearthspellwasloosening,butnotfastenough.I’donlymanagedtwomorestepswhenSetnefinishedhisincantation.

Infrontofhim,awispofdarknessgrewintotheformofaqueenlywoman.Rubiesembroideredthecollarofherblackdress.Goldbandscircledherupperarms.Herfacehadanimperious,timelessqualitythatI’dlearnedtorecognize.ItmeantI’magoddess;dealwithit.Perchedatopherbraidedblackhairwasawhiteconicalcrown,andIcouldn’thelpwonderingwhyapowerfulimmortalbeingwouldchoosetowearaheadpieceshapedlikeabowlingpin.

“You!”shesnarledatSetne.

“Me!”heagreed.“Wonderfultoseeyouagain,Nekhbet.Sorrywedon’thavelongertochat,butIcan’tkeepthesemortalspinneddownforever.We’llhavetomakethisbrief.Thehedjet,please.”

Thevulturegoddessspreadherarms,whichgrewintohugeblackwings.Aroundher,theairturneddarkassmoke.“Idonotyieldtoupstartslikeyou.Iamtheprotectorofthecrown,theshieldofthepharaoh,the—”

“Yes,yes,”Setnesaid.“Butyou’veyieldedtoupstartsplentyoftimes.ThehistoryofEgyptisbasicallyalistofwhichupstartsyou’veyieldedto.Solet’shavethecrown.”

Ididn’tknowvulturescouldhiss,butNekhbetdid.Smokebillowedfromherwings.

Allaroundtheclearing,Setne’searthmagicshattered.Thetendrilsofredsandfelltothegroundwithaloudslosh,andsuddenlyIcouldmoveagain.Sadiestruggledtoherfeet.Annabethrantomyside.

Setnedidn’tseemconcernedaboutus.HegaveNekhbetamockbow.“Veryimpressive.Butwatchthis!”Hedidn’tneedtoreadfromthescrollthistime.Heshoutedacombinationof

GreekandEgyptian—wordsIrecognizedfromthespellhe’dusedbackatthefort.

IlockedeyeswithAnnabeth.Icouldtellwewerethinkingthesamething.Wecouldn’tletSetneconsumethegoddess.

Sadieraisedhermuddypieceofpapyrus.“Annabeth,youandPercygetNekhbetoutofhere.GO!”

Notimetoargue.AnnabethandIplowedintothegoddesslikelinebackersandpushedheracrossthefield,awayfromSetne.

Behindus,Sadieyelled,“Ke-rau-noh!”Ididn’tseetheexplosion,butitmusthavebeenimpressive.AnnabethandIwerethrownforward.WelandedontopofNekhbet,wholet

outanindignantsquawk.(Bytheway,Iwouldnotrecommendstuffingyourpillowwithvulturefeathers.They’renotverycomfy.)

Imanagedtogetup.WhereSetnehadbeenstandingwasasmokingcrater.Sadie’shairwassingedatthetips.Herscrollwasgone.Hereyeswerewide

withsurprise.“Thatwasbrilliant.DidIgethim?”“Nope!”Setneappearedafewfeetaway,stumblingalittle.Hisclotheswere

smoldering,buthelookedmoredazedthanhurt.Hekneltandpickedupsomethingconicalandwhite…Nekhbet’scrown,

whichmust’verolledoffwhenwetackledher.“Thanksforthis.”Setnespreadhisarmstriumphantly—thewhitecrownin

onehand,theBookofThothintheother.“Now,wherewasI?Oh,right!

Consumingallofyou!”Acrossthefield,Carter’svoiceyelled:“STAHP!”IguessstahpisactuallyawordinAncientEgyptian.Whoknew?Abrightbluehieroglyphscythedthroughtheair,cuttingoffSetne’sright

handatthewrist.

Setneshriekedinpain.TheBookofThothdroppedintothegrass.Twentyfeetawayfromme,Carterappearedoutofthinair,holding

Annabeth’sYankeescap.Hewasn’tingiantchickenmode,butsincehe’djustsavedourlives,Iwasn’tgoingtocomplain.

SetneglanceddownattheBookofThoth,stillinhisseveredhand,butIlungedforward,thrustingthepointofmynewswordunderhisnose.“Idon’tthinkso.”

Themagiciansnarled.“Takethebook,then!Idon’tneeditanymore!”Hevanishedinawhirlofdarkness.Onthegroundbehindme,thevulturegoddessNekhbetthrashedandpushed

Annabethaside.“Getoffme!”“Hey,lady,”—Annabethrose—“Iwastryingtokeepyoufrombeing

devoured.You’rewelcome.”Thevulturegoddessgottoherfeet.Shedidn’tlooknearlyasimpressivewithouthercrown.Herhairdowasa

mud-and-grasssalad.Herblackdresshadturnedintoasmockofmoltingfeathers.Shelookedshriveledandhunchedover,withherneckstickingoutlike…well,avulture.Allsheneededwasacardboardsignsaying:HOMELESS,ANYTHINGHELPS,andItotallywouldhavegivenhermysparechange.

“Youmiserablechildren,”shegrumbled.“Icouldhavedestroyedthatmagician!”

“Notsomuch,”Isaid.“Afewminutesago,wewatchedSetneinhaleacobragoddess.Shewasalotmoreimpressivethanyou.”

Nekhbet’seyesnarrowed.“Wadjet?HeinhaledWadjet?Tellmeeverything.”CarterandSadiejoinedusaswebriefedthegoddessonwhathadhappened

sofar.Whenweweredone,Nekhbetwailedinoutrage.“Thisisunacceptable!

WadjetandIwerethesymbolsofunityinAncientEgypt.WewerereveredastheTwoLadies!ThatupstartSetnehasstolenmyotherLady!”

“Well,hedidn’tgetyou,”Sadiesaid.“WhichIsupposeisagoodthing.”Nekhbetbaredherteeth,whichwerepointyandredlikearowoflittle

vulturebeaks.“YouKanes.Ishould’veknownyou’dbeinvolved.Alwaysmuckingaboutingodlyaffairs.”

“Oh,sonowit’sourfault?”Sadieheftedherstaff.“Listenhere,buzzardbreath—”

“Let’sstayfocused,”Cartersaid.“AtleastwegottheBookofThoth.WestoppedSetnefromdevouringNekhbet.Sowhat’sSetne’snextmove,andhowdowestophim?”

“Hehasbothpartsofthepschent!”saidthevulturegoddess.“Withoutmyessence,thewhitecrownisnotaspowerfulasitwouldbe,true,butit’sstillenoughforSetne’spurposes.HeneedsonlytocompletethedeificationceremonywhilewearingthecrownofPtolemy.Thenhewillbecomeagod.Ihateitwhenmortalsbecomegods!Theyalwayswantthrones.TheybuildgarishMcPalaces.Theydon’trespecttherulesinthegods’lounge.”

“Thegods’lounge?”Iasked.“Wemuststophim!”Nekhbetyelled.Sadie,Carter,Annabeth,andIexchangeduneasylooks.Normallywhena

godsaysWemuststophim,itmeansYoumuststophimwhileIsitbackandenjoyacoldbeverage.ButNekhbetseemedseriousaboutjoiningthegang.

Thatdidn’tmakemeanylessnervous.Itrytoavoidteamingupwithgoddesseswhoeatroadkill.It’soneofmypersonalboundaries.

Carterknelt.HepulledtheBookofThothfromSetne’sseveredhand.“Canweusethescroll?Ithaspowerfulmagic.”

“Ifthat’strue,”Annabethsaid,“whywouldSetneleaveitbehind?Ithoughtitwasthekeytohisimmortality.”

“Hesaidhewasdonewithit,”Irecalled.“Iguesshe,like,passedthetest,sohethrewawayhisnotes.”

Annabethlookedhorrified.“Areyoucrazy?Youthrowawayyournotesafteratest?”

“Doesn’teverybody,MissBrainiac?”“Guys!”Sadieinterrupted.“It’sterriblycutewatchingyoutwosnipeateach

other,butwehavebusiness.”SheturnedtoNekhbet.“Now,yourScavengingHighness,isthereawaytostopSetne?”

Nekhbetcurledhertalonfingernails.“Possibly.He’snotafullgodyet.Butwithoutmycrown,myownpowersaregreatlydiminished.”

“WhatabouttheBookofThoth?”Sadieasked.“Itmaybenofurtheruseto

Setne,butitdidhelpusdefeatApophis.”Atthementionofthatname,Nekhbet’sfaceblanched.Threefeathersfell

fromherdress.“Pleasedon’tremindmeofthatbattle.Butyou’recorrect.TheBookofThothcontainsaspellforimprisoninggods.Itwouldtakeagreatdealofconcentrationandpreparation….”

Cartercoughed.“I’mguessingSetnewon’tstandaroundquietlywhilewegetready.”

“No,”Nekhbetagreed.“Atleastthreeofyouwouldberequiredtosetapropertrap.Acirclemustbedrawn.Aropemustbeenchanted.Theearthmustbeconsecrated.Otherpartsofthespellwouldhavetobeimprovised.IhatePtolemaicmagic.MixingGreekandEgyptianpowerisanabomination.However—”

“Itworks,”Annabethsaid.“Carterwasabletogoinvisibleusingmyhat.Sadie’sexplosionscrollatleastdazedSetne.”

“Butwe’llneedmore,”Sadiesaid.“Yes…”ThevulturegoddessfixedhereyesonmelikeIwasatastydead

possumonthesideofthehighway.“OneofyouwillhavetofightSetneandkeephimunbalancedwhiletheotherspreparethetrap.Weneedaverypotenthybridattack,anabominationevenPtolemywouldapproveof.”

“Whyareyoulookingatme?”Iasked.“I’mnotabominable.”“YouareasonofPoseidon,”thegoddessnoted.“Thatwouldbeamost

unexpectedcombination.”“Combination?What—”“Oh,no,no,no.”Sadieraisedherhands.Shelookedhorrified,andanything

thatcouldscarethatgirlIdidnotwanttoknowabout.“Nekhbet,youcan’tbeserious.Youwantademigodtohostyou?He’snotevenamagician.Hedoesn’thavethebloodofthepharaohs!”

Cartergrimaced.“That’sherpoint,Sadie.Percyisn’ttheusualkindofhost.Ifthepairingworked,hecouldbeverypowerful.”

“Oritcouldmelthisbrain!”Sadiesaid.“Holdit,”Annabethsaid.“Iprefermyboyfriendwithanun-meltedbrain.

Whatexactlyarewetalkingabouthere?”CarterwaggedtheYankeescapatme.“NekhbetwantsPercytobeherhost.

That’sonewaytheEgyptiangodsmaintainapresenceinthemortalworld.Theycaninhabitmortals’bodies.”

Mystomachjackknifed.“Youwanther”—Ipointedatthefrazzledoldvulturegoddess—“toinhabitme?Thatsounds…”

Itriedtothinkofawordthatwouldconveymycompletedisgustwithoutoffendingthegoddess.Ifailed.

“Nekhbet”—Annabethsteppedforward—“joinwithmeinstead.I’machildofAthena.Imightbebetter—”

“Ridiculous!”Thegoddesssneered.“Yourmindistoowily,girl—toostubbornandintelligent.Icouldn’tsteeryouaseasily.”

“Steerme?”Iprotested.“Hey,lady,I’mnotaToyota.”“Myhostneedsacertainlevelofsimplicity,”thegoddesscontinued.“Percy

Jacksonisperfect.Heispowerful,yethismindisnotoverlycrowdedwithplansandideas.”

“Wow,”Isaid.“Reallyfeelingthelovehere.”Nekhbetroundedonme.“Thereisnotimetoargue!Withoutaphysical

anchor,Icannotremaininthemortalworldmuchlonger.IfyouwanttostopSetnefrombecomingimmortal,youneedthepowerofagod.Wemustactnow.Together,wewilltriumph!Wewillfeastuponthatupstartmagician’scarcass!”

Iswallowed.“I’mactuallytryingtocutbackoncarcassfeasting.”Cartergavemeasympatheticlookthatonlymademefeelworse.

“Unfortunately,Nekhbetisright.Percy,you’reourbestshot.SadieandIcouldn’thostNekhbetevenifshewantedusto.Wealreadyhavepatrongods.”

“Who,conveniently,havegonesilent,”Sadienoted.“Scaredofgettingtheiressencessuckedup,Isuppose.”

Nekhbetfixedherglitteryblackeyesonme.“Doyouconsenttohostingme,demigod?”

Icouldthinkofamillionwaystosayno.Thewordyessimplywouldn’tpassmylips.IglancedatAnnabethforsupport,butshelookedasalarmedasIfelt.

“I—Idon’tknow,Percy,”sheconfessed.“Thisiswaybeyondme.”Suddenlytherainstormfizzledout.Intheeeriemuggyquiet,aredglowlit

themiddleoftheisland,asifsomebodyhadstartedabonfireonthesoccerfields.

“ThatwouldbeSetne,”Nekhbetsaid.“Hehasbegunhisascensiontogodhood.Whatisyouranswer,PercyJackson?Thiswillonlyworkproperlyifyouconsent.”

Itookadeepbreath.Itoldmyselfthathostingagoddesscouldn’tbeworsethanalltheotherweirdhorriblethingsI’dexperiencedinmydemigodcareer….Besides,myfriendsneededmyhelp.AndIdidnotwantthatskinnyElvisimpersonatortobecomeagodandbuildaMcPalaceinmyneighborhood.

“Allright,”Isaid.“Vulturemeup.”Nekhbetdissolvedintoblacksmoke.Sheswirledaroundme—fillingmy

nostrilswithasmelllikeboilingtar.

Whatwasitlikemergingwithagod?Ifyouwantthefulldetails,readmyYelpreview.Idon’tfeellikegoinginto

itagain.Igavetheexperiencehalfastar.Fornow,let’sjustsaythatbeingpossessedbyavulturegoddesswaseven

moredisturbingthanI’dimagined.Thousandsofyearsofmemoriesfloodedmymind.Isawpyramidsrising

fromthedesert,thesunglitteringontheNileRiver.Iheardpriestschantinginthecoolshadowsofatemple,andsmelledmyrrhincenseontheair.IsoaredoverthecitiesofAncientEgypt,circlingthepalaceofthepharaoh.IwasthevulturegoddessNekhbet—protectoroftheking,shieldofthestrong,scourgeoftheweakanddying.

Ialsohadaburningdesiretofindanicewarmhyenacarcass,stickmyfacerightinthere,and—

Okay,basicallyIwasn’tmyself.Itriedtofocusonthepresent.Istaredatmyshoes…thesameoldpairof

Brooks,yellowshoelaceontheleft,blackshoelaceontheright.IraisedmyswordarmtomakesureIcouldstillcontrolmymuscles.

Relax,demigod.ThevoiceofNekhbetspokeinmymind.Letmetakecharge.

“Idon’tthinkso,”Isaidaloud.Iwasrelievedthatmyvoicestillsoundedlikemyvoice.“Wedothistogetherornotatall.”

“Percy?”Annabethasked.“Areyouokay?”Lookingatherwasdisorienting.The“Percy”partofmesawmyusual

awesomegirlfriend.The“Nekhbet”partofmesawayoungwomansurroundedbyapowerfulultravioletaura—themarkofaGreekdemigod.Thesightfilledmewithdisdainandfear.(Fortherecord:IhavemyownhealthyfearofAnnabeth.Shehaskickedmybuttonmorethanoneoccasion.Butdisdain?Notsomuch.ThatwasallNekhbet.)

“I’mfine,”Isaid.“Iwastalkingtothevultureinmyhead.”Carterwalkedacirclearoundme,frowninglikeIwasanabstractsculpture.

“Percy,trytostrikeabalance.Don’tlethertakeover,butdon’tfighther,either.It’skindoflikerunningathree-leggedrace.Youhavetogetinarhythmwithyourpartner.”

“Butifyouhavetochoose,”Sadiesaid,“smackherdownandstayincontrol.”

Isnarled.“Stupidgirl!Donottellme—”Iforcedmylipsclosed.Thetasteofrottingjackalfilledmymouth.“Sorry,Sadie,”Imanaged.“ThatwasNekhbettalking,notme.”

“Iknow.”Sadie’sexpressiontightened.“Iwishwehadmoretimeforyouto

getusedtohostingagoddess.However—”Anotherredflashilluminatedthetreetops.“ThesoonerIgetthisgoddessoutofmyhead,thebetter,”Isaid.“Let’sgo

smashSetne’sface.”

Setnereallycouldnotdecideonhiswardrobe.Hestruttedaroundthesoccerfieldinblackbell-bottomedslacks,afrilly

whiteshirt,andaglitterypurpletrenchcoat—allofwhichclashedwithhisnewlycombinedredandwhitecrown.HelookedlikePrincefromoneofmymom’soldalbumcovers,andjudgingfromthemagiclightsswirlingaroundhim,Setnewasgettingreadytopartylikeitwas1999B.C.E.

Havingonlyonehanddidn’tseemtobotherhim.Hewavedhisstumpconductor-style,chantinginGreekandEgyptianwhilefogroseathisfeet.Burstsoflightdancedandbobbedaroundhim,asifathousandkidswerewritingtheirnameswithsparklers.

Ididn’tunderstandwhatIwaslookingat,butNekhbetdid.Havinghersight,IrecognizedtheDuat—themagicaldimensionthatexistedbeneaththemortalrealm.Isawlayersofreality,likestrataofglowingmulticoloredjelly,plungingdownintoinfinity.Onthesurface,wherethemortalandimmortalworldsmet,SetnewaswhippingtheDuatintoastorm—churningwavesofcolorandfrothywhiteplumesofsmoke.

AfterAnnabeth’sadventureonRockawayBeach,she’dtoldmehowfrighteningitwastoseetheDuat.ShewonderedwhethertheEgyptianDuatwassomehowrelatedtotheGreekconceptofMist—themagicalveilthatkeptmortalsfromrecognizinggodsandmonsters.

WithNekhbetinmymind,Iknewtheanswer.OfcoursetheMistwasrelated.TheMistwassimplyaGreeknamefortheuppermostlayerbetweentheworlds—thelayerthatSetnewasnowshredding.

Ishouldhavebeenterrified.Seeingtheworldinallitsinfinitelevelswasenoughtogiveanybodyvertigo.

ButI’dbeendroppedintooceansbefore.Iwasusedtofloatinginthedepthswithendlessthermallayersaroundme.

Also,Nekhbetwasn’teasilyimpressed.She’dseenjustabouteverythingoverthemillennia.Hermindwasascoldanddryasthedesertnightwind.Toher,themortalworldwasaconstantlychangingwasteland,dottedwiththecarcassesofmenandtheircivilizations.Nothinglasted.Itwasallroadkillwaitingtohappen.AsfortheDuat,itwasalwayschurning,sendingupplumesofmagiclikesunflaresintothemortalworld.

Still,wewerebothdisturbedbythewaySetne’sspelltorethroughtheMist.Hewasn’tjustmanipulatingit.Magiciansdidthatallthetime.Setnewasstrip-miningtheDuat.Whereverhestepped,fracturesradiatedoutward,cleavingthroughthelayersofthemagicrealm.Hisbodysuckedinenergyfromeverydirection,destroyingtheboundariesbetweentheDuatandthemortalworld,betweenGreekmagicandEgyptianmagic—slowlytransforminghimintoanimmortal.Intheprocess,hewasrippingaholeinthecosmicorderthatmightneverclose.

Hismagicpulledatus—Nekhbetandme—urgingustogiveupandbeabsorbedintohisnewgloriousform.

Ididn’twanttobeabsorbed.Neitherdidthevulturegoddess.Ourcommonpurposehelpedusworktogether.

Imarchedacrossthefield.SadieandAnnabethfannedoutonmyright.IassumedCarterwassomewhereonmyleft,buthe’dgoneinvisibleagain,soIcouldn’tbesure.ThefactthatIcouldn’tdetecthim,evenwithNekhbet’ssupervulturesenses,gavemehopethatSetnewouldn’tseehimeither.

MaybeifIkeptSetnebusy,CarterwouldbeabletocutoffSetne’sotherhand.Orhislegs.Bonuspointsforhishead.

Setnestoppedchantingwhenhesawme.“Awesome!”Hegrinned.“Youbroughtthevulturewithyou.Thanks!”NotthereactionI’dbeenhopingfor.Ikeepwaitingforthedaywhenthebad

guyseesmeandscreams,Igiveup!Butithasn’thappenedyet.“Setne,dropthecrown.”Iraisedmykopis,whichdidn’tfeelheavywith

Nekhbet’spowerflowingthroughme.“Surrender,andyoumightgetoutofthisalive.Otherwise—”

“Oh,verygood!Verythreatening!Andyourfriendshere…Letmeguess.Youkeepmeoccupiedwhiletheysetsomeamazingtraptocontainthenewlymadegod?”

“You’renotagodyet.”Hewavedoffthecomment.“IsupposeCarterislurkingaroundheretoo,all

stealthyandinvisible?Hi,Carter!”IfCarterwasnearby,hedidn’trespond.Smartguy.Setneraisedhisstumpofawrist.“Whereveryouare,Carter,Iwasimpressed

withthehand-cutting-offspell.Yourfatherwouldbeproud.That’swhatmatterstoyou,isn’tit?Makingyourfatherproud?Butthinkwhatwouldbepossibleifyoujoinedme.Iintendtochangetherulesofthegame.Wecouldbringyourfatherbacktolife—Imeanreallife,notthathorriblehalf-lifehe’sgotintheUnderworld.Anythingispossible,onceI’magod!”

AroundSetne’swrist,theMistcurled,solidifyingintoanewhand.“Whatdo

yousay,Carter?”Abovethemagician,theairshimmered.Agiantbluefistthesizeofa

refrigeratorappearedoverSetne’sheadandpoundedhimintothegroundlikeanailintosoftwood.

“Isayno.”Carterappearedacrossthefield,Annabeth’sYankeescapinhishand.

IstaredatthecrownofPtolemy—theonlypartofSetnestillvisibleaboveground.

“Youweresupposedtowait,”ItoldCarter.“Setthetrap.LetmedealwithSetne.”

Cartershrugged.“Heshouldn’thavebroughtupmyfather.”“Nevermindthat!”Annabethsaid.“Getthecrown!”Irealizedshewasright.Iwould’vesprungintoaction,exceptNekhbetandI

hadamomentofparalysis.Thegoddesswantedherhatback.ButItookonelookatthecrown’seerieglow,rememberedthewaythecobragoddesshadbeendevoured,anddecidedIwasnottouchingthatcrownwithoutlatexglovesandmaybeahazmatsuit.

BeforeNekhbetandIcouldresolveourdifferences,theearthrumbled.SetnerosefromthegroundasifonanelevatorplatformandglaredatCarter.

“Imakeyouaperfectlyfairoffer,andyouhitmewithagiantfist?Perhapsyourfatherwouldn’tbeproud,afterall.”

Carter’sfacecontorted.Hiswholebodyglowedwithbluelight.HelevitatedoffthegroundastheavatarofHorustookshapearoundhim.

Setnedidn’tlookworried.Hecurledhisnewlyregrownfingersinacomeheregesture,andCarter’savatarshattered.ThebluelightswirledtowardSetneandwasengulfedinhisgrowingaura.Cartercollapsed,motionless,onthewetground.

“SETNE!”Sadieshouted,raisingherstaff.“Overhere,youlittleweasel!”Sheblastedthemagicianwithajetofwhitefire.Setnecaughtitonhischest

andabsorbedtheenergy.“Sadie,hon,”hechided.“Don’tbemad.Carterhasalwaysbeentheboring

one.Ididn’treallywanttogranthimeternallife.Butyou—whydon’tyouworkwithme,eh?Wecanhavetonsoffun!Tearinguptheuniverse,destroyingthingsasweseefit!”

“That’s—that’snotfair,”Sadiesaid,hervoicetrembling.“Temptingmewithdestruction.”

Shetriedforherusualsassytone,buthereyesstayedfixedonCarter,whostillwasn’tmoving.

IknewIshoulddosomething.We’dhadaplan…ButIcouldn’trememberit.

Thevulturegoddessinmyheadwasflyingcirclesonautopilot.EvenAnnabethlookedlikeshewasstrugglingtoconcentrate.BeingsoclosetoSetnewaslikestandingnexttoawaterfall.Hiswhitenoisedrownedouteverything.

“Youknow,”Setnecontinued,asifwewereplanningapartytogether,“Ithinkthisislandwillbeperfect.Mypalacewillgorighthere,inthenewcenteroftheuniverse!”

“Amuddysoccerfield,”Annabethnoted.“Oh,comenow,childofAthena!Youcanseethepossibilities.Thatoldfool

Serapishadtherightidea:gatherallthewisdomofGreeceandEgypttogetherinoneplace,andusethatpowertoruletheworld!ExceptSerapisdidn’thavemyvision.I’llconsumetheoldpantheons—Zeus,Osiris,allthosedustydeities.Whoneedsthem?I’lljusttakethebitsandpiecesIcanusefromallofthem.I’llbecometheheadofanewraceofgods.Humanswillcomeherefromallovertheworldtomakeofferingsandbuysouvenirs.”

“Souvenirs?”Isaid.“YouwantimmortalitysoyoucansellT-shirts?”“Andsnowglobes!”Setnegotadreamylookinhiseyes.“Ilovesnow

globes.Anyway,there’sroomformorethanonenewgod.SadieKane—you’dbeperfect.Iknowyoulovebreakingrules.Let’sbreakallofthem!Yourfriendscancomealongtoo!”

Behindthemagician,Cartergroanedandbegantostir.Setneglancedbackwithdistaste.“Notdeadyet?Toughkid.Well…Isuppose

wecanincludehiminourplans.Although,ifyou’dprefer,Sadie,Icancertainlyfinishhimoff.”

Sadieletlooseagutturalcry.Sheadvanced,butAnnabethcaughtherarm.“Fightsmart,”Annabethsaid.“Notangry.”“Pointtaken,”Sadiesaid,thoughherarmsstilltrembledwithrage.“ButI’ll

doboth.”SheunfurledtheBookofThoth.Setnejustlaughed.“Sadie,dear,Iknowhowtodefeateveryspellinthat

book.”“Youwon’twin,”Sadieinsisted.“Youwon’ttakeanythingelsefrom

anyone!”Shebegantochant.Annabethraisedherborrowedkhopesh,readytodefend

her.“Ah,well.”Setnesighed.“Isupposeyou’llwantthisback,then.”Setne’sbodybegantoglow.ThankstoNekhbet,Irealizedwhatwasgoingto

happenasplitsecondbeforeitdid,whichsavedourlives.CarterwasjuststrugglingtohisfeetwhenIshouted,“GETDOWN!”Hedroppedlikeasackofrocks.

AringoffireexplodedoutwardfromSetne.Idiscardedmyswordandlungedinfrontofthegirls,spreadingmyarms

goalie-style.Ashellofpurplelightsurroundedme,andtheflamesrolledharmlesslyovertranslucentwingsthatnowextendedoneithersideofme.WithmynewaccessoriesIwasabletoshieldSadieandAnnabethfromtheworstoftheblast.

Iloweredmyarms.Thegiantwingsretracted.Myfeet,floatingjustofftheground,werenowencasedinlargeghostlylegswiththreelongtoesandthetalonsofabird.

WhenIrealizedIwashoveringatthecenterofagiantglowingpurplevulture,myfirstthoughtwas:Carterwillneverstopteasingmeaboutthis.

Mysecondthoughtwas:Oh,gods.Carter.SadiemusthaveseenhimatthesametimeIdid.Shescreamed.Thefirehadblackenedtheentirefield,instantlyturningwetmudinto

crackedclay.TheMistandmagiclightshadburnedaway.Mynewswordwasasteaminglineofbronzeslagontheground.Carterlayrightwherehe’ddropped,wreathedinsmoke,hishaircharred,hisfaceredwithblisters.

Ifearedtheworst.Thenhisfingerstwitched.Hecroakedoutasound,like“Gug,”andIcouldbreatheagain.

“Thankthegods,”Annabethsaid.Setnebrushedsomeashoffhispurpletrenchcoat.“Well,youcanthankthe

godsifyouwant,buttheywon’tbearoundmuchlonger.Anotherfewminutes,andthemagicI’vestartedwillbeirreversible.Now,Percy,pleasedropthatsillyavatarbeforeItakeitawayfromyou.AndSadie,IsuggestyougivemetheBookofThothbeforeyouhurtyourself.There’snospellyoucouldreadthatwouldharmme.”

Sadiesteppedforward.Herorange-highlightedhairwhippedaroundherface.Hereyesturnedsteely,makingherlookevenmorelikeayoungAnnabeth.

“NospellIcouldread,”Sadieagreed.“ButIhavefriends.”ShehandedtheBookofThothtoAnnabeth,whoblinkedinsurprise.“Um…

Sadie?”Setnechuckled.“What’sshegoingtodo?Shemaybesmart,butshecan’t

readOldEgyptian.”SadiegrippedAnnabeth’sforearm.“MissChase,”shesaidformally,“Ihave

onewordforyou.”SheleanedinandwhisperedsomethinginAnnabeth’sear.Annabeth’sfacetransformed.OnlyoncebeforehadIseenherwithsuchan

expressionofpurewonder:whenshebeheldthegods’palacesonMountOlympus.

Sadieturnedtome.“Percy…Annabethhasworktodo.Ineedtotendtomy

brother.Whydon’tyoukeepourfriendSetneentertained?”Annabethopenedthescroll.ShebegantoreadaloudinAncientEgyptian.

Glowinghieroglyphsfloatedoffthepapyrus.Theyswirledintheairaroundher,mixingwithGreekwordsasifAnnabethwasaddingherowncommentarytothespell.

SetnelookedevenmoresurprisedthanIwas.Hemadeastranglednoiseinthebackofhisthroat.“That’snot…Holdon,now.No!”

Heraisedhisarmstocastsomecounterspell.Hiscrownbegantoglow.Ineededtomove,butNekhbetwasn’thelping.Shewasalittletoofocused

onCarter,whosmelledcharbroiledandyummy.Thatoneisweak,shemurmuredinmymind.Deadsoon.Theweakmustdie.Angergavemetheupperhand.CarterKanewasmyfriend.Iwouldnotsit

aroundwhilemyfrienddied.Move,ItoldNekhbet.AndItookcontrolofthevultureavatar.BeforeSetnecouldfinishcastinghisspell,Igrabbedhiminmyspectral

clawsandcarriedhimintothesky.

Now…Iliveandbreatheweirdness.Itgoeswiththeterritorywhenyou’reademigod.ButtherearestillmomentswhenIdoamentaldoubletake:likewhenI’mflyingupwardinsideagiantglowingvulture,flappingmyarmstocontrolmake-believewings,holdinganalmost-immortalmagicianinmytalons…allsoIcanstealhishat.

Thathatwasnotcomingoff,either.Ispiraledintothestorm,shakingSetne,tryingtoknockthecrownoffhis

head,butthedudemusthavefastenedittohispompadourwithsuperglue.Heblastedmewithfireandflashesoflight.Mybirdexoskeletondeflected

theattacks,buteachtime,thepurpleavatardimmed,andmywingsfeltheavier.“PercyJackson!”Setnewrithedinmyclaws.“Thisisawasteoftime!”Ididn’tbotherresponding.Thestrainofcombatwasquicklytakingitstoll.Duringourfirstencounter,Carterhadwarnedmethatmagiccouldliterally

burnupamagicianifheusedtoomuchatonce.Iguessedthatappliedtodemigods,too.EverytimeSetneblastedmeortriedtowriggleoutofmygripwithhisnear-godlystrength,myheadthrobbed.Myeyesightdimmed.SoonIwasdrenchedinsweat.

IhopedSadiewashelpingCarter.IhopedAnnabethwasfinishingwhateversuper-weirdspellshe’dbeenchantingsowecouldtrapSetne,becauseIcouldn’tstayairbornemuchlonger.

Webrokethroughthetopofthecloudlayer.Setnestoppedfighting,which

surprisedmesomuch,Ialmostdroppedhim.Thencoldnessbegantoseepthroughmyvultureavatar,chillingmywetclothes,soakingintomybones.Itwasasubtlerkindofattack—probingforweakness—andIknewIcouldn’tallowit.IcurledmyvulturefeettighteraroundSetne’schest,hopingtocrushhim.

“Percy,Percy.”Histonemadeitsoundlikewewereacoupleofbrosonanightout.“Don’tyouseewhatanincredibleopportunitythisis?Aperfectdo-over.Youofallpeopleshouldappreciatethat.TheOlympiansonceofferedyoutheirmostvaluablegift.Theyofferedtomakeyouagod,didn’tthey?Andyou—youlovableidiot—youturnedthemdown!Thisisyourchancetocorrectthatmistake.”

Myavatarflickeredandblinkedlikeabadfluorescenttube.Nekhbet,mybrainbuddy,turnedherattentioninward.

Youturneddownimmortality?Hervoicewasincredulous,offended.Shescannedmymemories.Isawmyownpastfromherdry,cynicalpointof

view:IstoodinthethroneroomofMountOlympusafterthewaragainsttheTitans.Zeusofferedmeareward:godhood.Iturnedhimdownflat.Iwantedjusticeforotherdemigodsinstead.Iwantedthegodstostopbeingjerksandtopayattentiontotheirkids.

Astupidrequest.Anaivethingtowishfor.Igaveuppower.Younevergiveuppower.

IstruggledtokeepmygriponSetne.“Nekhbet,thoseareyourthoughts,notmine.Imadetherightchoice.”

Thenyouareafool,thevulturegoddesshissed.“Yeah,pal,”Setnesaid,whoapparentlycouldhearher.“Igottaagreewith

Nekhbetonthisone.Youdidthenoblething.Howdidthatworkout?Didthegodshonortheirpromises?”

Icouldn’tseparateNekhbet’sbitternessfrommyownfeelings.Sure,Igrumbledaboutthegodsallthetime,butI’dneverregrettedmydecisiontostaymortal.Ihadagirlfriend.Ihadafamily.Ihadmywholelifeaheadofme—assumingIcouldstayalive.

Now…maybeitwasjustNekhbetinmymind,orSetnetoyingwithme,butIstartedtowonderifI’dmadeahugeblunder.

“Igetit,kid.”Setne’svoicewasfullofpity.“Thegodsareyourfamily.Youwanttothinkthey’regood.Youwanttomakethemproud.Iwantedthatwithmyfamily.MydadwasRamsestheGreat,youknow.”

Iwasglidinginalazycirclenow,myleftwingcarvingthetopsofthestormclouds.Setne’scrownglowedmorebrightly.Hisauragrewcolder,numbingmylimbsandturningmythoughtssluggish.IknewIwasintrouble,butIcouldn’t

thinkofwhattodoaboutit.“It’shardhavingapowerfuldad,”Setnecontinued.“Ramseswasthe

pharaoh,ofcourse,somostofthetimehewashostingthegodHorus.Thatmadehimdistant,tosaytheleast.Ikeptthinking,IfIjustmaketherightchoicesandproveI’magoodkid,he’lleventuallynoticeme.He’lltreatmeright.Butthethingis,thegodsdon’tcareaboutmortals,eventheirchildren.Lookintothevulture’smindifyoudon’tbelieveme.Behavelikeagoodlittleboy,actallnoble—thatjustmakesiteasierforthegodstoignoreyou.Theonlywaytogettheirrespectistoactup,bebad,andtakewhatyouwant!”

Nekhbetdidn’ttrytoconvincemeotherwise.Shewastheprotectorgoddessofthepharaohs,butshedidn’tcareaboutthemasindividualhumans.ShecaredaboutmaintainingthepowerofEgypt,whichinturnkepttheworshipofthegodsalive.Shecertainlydidn’tcareaboutnobleactsorfairness.Onlytheweakdemandedfairness.Theweakwerecarcasseswaitingtodie—appetizersinthelongdinnerofNekhbet’seternallife.

“You’reagoodkid,”Setnetoldme.“Alotnicerthanthegoddessyou’retryingtohost.Butyou’vegottoseethetruth.Youshould’vetakenZeus’soffer.Youwouldbeagodnow.You’dbestrongenoughtomakethosechangesyouaskedfor!”

Strengthisgood,Nekhbetagreed.Immortalityisgood.“I’mgivingyouasecondchance,”Setnesaid.“Helpmeout,Percy.Become

agod.”WeturnedintheairasNekhbet’sconsciousnessseparatedfrommine.She’d

forgottenwhichofuswastheenemy.Nekhbetfavoredthestrong.Setnewasstrong.Iwasweak.

IrememberedthewaySetnehadbeenstrip-miningtheDuat—cuttingfissuresinreality,destroyingtheentirecosmicordertomakehimselfimmortal.

I’lljusttakethebitsandpiecesIcanuse,he’dtoldSadie.Mythoughtsfinallycleared.IunderstoodhowSetneoperated,howhe’d

beatenussobadlyuptillnow.“You’relookingforawayintomymind,”Isaid.“Somethingyoucanrelate

toanduseagainstme.ButI’mnotlikeyou.Idon’twantimmortality,especiallynotifitripstheworldapart.”

Setnesmiled.“Well,itwasworthatry.EspeciallysinceImadeyoulosecontrolofyourvulture!”

Anexplosionofcoldshatteredmyavatar.SuddenlyIwasfalling.Myoneadvantage:I’dbeenholdingSetneinmyclaws,whichmeanthewas

directlybelowme.Islammedrightintohimandlockedmyarmsaroundhischest.Weplummetedtogetherthroughtheclouds.

Ishiveredsobadly,IwassurprisedIcouldstayconscious.Frostcakedmyclothes.Windandicestungmyeyes.IfeltlikeIwasdownhillskiingwithoutamask.

I’mnotsurewhySetnedidn’tjustmagichimselfaway.Isupposeevenapowerfulmagiciancansuccumbtopanic.Whenyou’refree–falling,youforgettothinkrationally:Gee,Ihavespellsandstuff.Insteadyouranimalbraintakesoverandyouthink:OHMYGODTHISKIDISHOLDINGONTOMEANDI’MTRAPPEDANDFALLINGANDI’MGOINGTODIE!

EventhoughIwassecondsawayfrombecomingvulturehorsd’oeuvres,Setne’ssquawkingandflappingbroughtmesomesatisfaction.

Ifwe’dfallenstraightdown,Iwould’vehitsolidgroundanddied.Noquestion.

Fortunately,thewindswerestrong,andGovernorsIslandwasasmalltargetinaverybigharbor.

WehitthewaterwithawonderfullyfamiliarKA-FLOOM!Mypaindisappeared.Warmthsurgedbackintomylimbs.Saltwaterswirled

aroundme,fillingmewithnewenergy.Seawateralwaysdidgoodthingsforme,butnormallynotthisfast.MaybethepresenceofNekhbetrampedupmyhealing.MaybemydadPoseidonwastryingtodomeafavor.

Whateverthecase,Ifeltgreat.IgrabbedSetnebythethroatwithonehandandbegantosqueeze.Hefoughtlikeademon.(Believeme,Iknow.I’vefoughtafew.)ThecrownofPtolemyglowedinthewater,steaminglikeavolcanicvent.Setneclawedatmyarmandexhaledstreamsofbubbles—maybetryingtocastspells,ormaybetryingtosweettalkmeoutofstranglinghim.Icouldn’thearhim,andIdidn’twantto.Underwater,Iwasincharge.

Bringhimtoshore,saidNekhbet’svoice.Areyoucrazy?Ithoughtback.Thisismyhomecourt.Hecannotbedefeatedhere.Yourfriendsarewaiting.Ididn’twantto,butIunderstood.ImightbeabletokeepSetneoccupied

underwaterforawhile,buthewastoofardownthepathtoimmortalityformetodestroy.Ineededtoundohismagic,whichmeantIneededhelp.

IkeptmygriponhisthroatandletthecurrentspushmetoGovernorsIsland.Carterwaitedformeontheisland’sringroad.Hisheadwaswrappedin

bandageslikeaturban.Theblistersonhisfacehadbeentreatedwithsomekindofpurplegoo.Hislinenninjajammieslookedlikethey’dbeenlaunderedinaburningwoodchipper.Buthewasalive,andangry.Inonehandheheldaglowingwhiteropelikeacowboy’slasso.

“Welcomeback,Percy.”HeglaredatSetne.“Thisguygiveyouanytrouble?”

SetneflailedandshotfireinCarter’sdirection.Carterlashedtheflamesasidewithhisrope.

“I’vegothimundercontrolfornow,”Isaid.Ifeltconfidentthatwastrue.Theseawaterhadbroughtmebacktofull

strength.Nekhbetwascooperatingagain,readytoshieldmefromanythingSetnemighttry.Themagicianhimselfseemeddazedanddeflated.GettingstrangledatthebottomofNewYorkHarborwilldothattoyou.

“Let’sgo,then,”Cartersaid.“Wehaveanicereceptionplanned.”Backattheburnedsoccerfields,SadieandAnnabethhadsketchedamagical

bull’s-eyeontheground.Atleastthat’showitlookedtome.Thechalkcirclewasaboutfivefeetindiameter,andelaboratelyborderedwithwordsofpowerinGreekandhieroglyphics.IntheDuat,Icouldseethatthecircleradiatedwhitelight.ItwasdrawnovertheriftthatSetnehadmade,likeabandageoverawound.

Thegirlsstoodonoppositesidesofthecircle.Sadiecrossedherarmsandplantedhercombatbootsdefiantly.AnnabethwasstillholdingtheBookofThoth.

Whenshesawme,shekeptherbattlefaceon;butfromthegleaminhereyes,Icouldtellshewasrelieved.

Imean…we’djustpassedourone-yeardatinganniversary.IfiguredIwasasortoflong-terminvestmentforher.ShehopedIwouldpaydividendseventually;ifIdiednow,shewould’veputupwithallmyannoyingqualitiesfornothing.

“Youlived,”shenoted.“NothankstoElvis.”IliftedSetnebyhisneck.Heweighedalmostnothing.

“HewasprettytoughuntilIfiguredouthissystem.”Ithrewhimintothecenterofthecircle.Thefourofussurroundedhim.The

hieroglyphsandGreeklettersburnedandswirled,risinginafunnelcloudtocontainourprisoner.

“Dudeisascavenger,”Isaid.“Nottoodifferentfromavulture.Hepicksthroughourminds,findswhateverhecanrelateto,andheusesthattogetthroughourdefenses.Annabeth’sloveofwisdom.Carter’sdesiretomakehisdadproud.Sadie’s—”

“Myincrediblemodesty,”Sadieguessed.“Andobviousgoodlooks.”Cartersnorted.“Anyway,”Isaid,“Setnetriedtooffermeimmortality.Hetriedtogeta

handleonmymotivesforturningitdownoncebefore,but—”“Pardon,”Sadieinterrupted.“Didyousayyou’veturneddownimmortality

before?”

“Youcanstillbeagod!”Setnecroaked.“Allofyou!Togetherwecan—”“Idon’twanttobeagod,”Isaid.“Youdon’tgetthat,doyou?Youcouldn’t

findanythingaboutmeyoucouldrelateto,whichItakeasabigcompliment.”Insidemymind,Nekhbethissed:Killhim.Destroyhimutterly.No,Isaid.Becausethat’snotme,either.Isteppedtotheedgeofthecircle.“Annabeth,Carter,Sadie…youreadyto

putthisguyaway?”“Anytime.”Carterheftedhisrope.IcroucheduntilIwasface-to-facewithSetne.Hiskohl-linedeyeswerewide

andunfocused.Onhishead,thecrownofPtolemytiltedsidewayslikeanobservatorytelescope.

“Youwererightaboutonething,”Itoldhim.“There’salotofpowerinmixingGreekandEgyptian.I’mgladyouintroducedmetomynewfriends.We’regoingtokeepmixingitup.”

“PercyJackson,listen—”“Butthere’sadifferencebetweensharingandstealing,”Isaid.“Youhave

somethingthatbelongstome.”Hestartedtospeak.Ishovedmyhandrightinhismouth.Soundgross?Wait,itgetsworse.Somethingguidedme—maybeNekhbet’sintuition,maybemyowninstincts.

MyfingersclosedaroundasmallpointyobjectinthebackofSetne’sthroat,andIyankeditfree:myballpointpen,Riptide.

ItwaslikeI’dpulledtheplugoutofatire.MagicspewedfromSetne’smouth:amulticoloredstreamofhieroglyphiclight.

GETBACK!NekhbetscreamedinmymindasAnnabethyelledthesamethingaloud.

Istumbledawayfromthecircle.Setnewrithedandspunasallthemagiche’dtriedtoabsorbnowcamegushingoutinadisgustingtorrent.I’dheardaboutpeople“pukingrainbows,”becausetheysawsomethingthatwasjusttoocute.

Letmetellyou:Ifyouactuallyseesomeonepukingrainbows…there’snothingcuteaboutit.

AnnabethandSadieshoutedmagiccommandsinunison.Thefunnelcloudofmagicintensifiedaroundthecircle,hemminginSetne,whowasshrivelingrapidly.ThecrownofPtolemyrolledoffhishead.Cartersteppedforwardandthrewhisglowingrope.

AssoonastheropetouchedSetne,aflashoflightblindedme.Whenmyvisionreturned,Setneandtheropeweregone.Nomagiclights

swirled.Thevulturegoddesshadleftmymind.Mymouthnolongertastedlike

deadhyena.Annabeth,theKanes,andIstoodinaloosering,staringatthecrownof

Ptolemy,whichlaysidewaysinthedirt.Nexttoitsataplasticbaublethesizeofagooseegg.

Ipickeditup.Insidethesnowglobe,aminiaturemodelofGovernorsIslandwas

permanentlysubmerged.Alternatelyrunningandswimmingaroundthelandscape,tryingtoavoidflurriesoffakesnow,wasatermite-sizemaninapurpletrenchcoat.

SetnehadmadeGovernorsIslandhiseternalheadquarters,afterall.He’dbeenimprisonedinacheapplasticsouvenir.

Anhourlater,wesatontheparapetsoftheoldfort,watchingthesungodownovertheNewJerseycoastline.I’dhadacheesesandwichandanice-coldRibenafromSadie’sextra-dimensionalstashofjunkfood(alongwithtwoextra-strengthAdvil),soIwasfeelingbraveenoughtohearexplanations.

“Wouldsomeoneexplainwhathappenedbackthere?”Iasked.Annabethslippedherhandintomine.“Wewon,SeaweedBrain.”“Yeah,but…”Igesturedatthesnowglobe,whichCarterwasnowadmiring.

“How?”Cartershooktheglobe.Fakesnowswirledinside.Maybeitwasmy

imagination,butIswearIcouldhearSetneshriekingunderwaterashewasgiventheblendertourofhistinyprison.

“Iguessthesnowglobeideagotstuckinmyhead,”Cartersaid.“WhenIthrewtheropeandsprungthetrap,themagicconformedtowhatIwasthinking.Anyway,Setnewillmakeagreatpaperweight.”

Sadiesnorted,almostnostril-spewingherRibena.“PoorlittleSetne—stuckonCarter’sdeskforeternity,forcedtowatchhimdohoursandhoursofboringresearch.Itwould’vebeenkindertoletAmmitdevourhissoul.”

Ididn’tknowwhoAmmitwas,butIdidn’tneedanymoresoul-devouringmonstersinmylife.

“Sothetrapworked,”Isaid,whichIguesswaskindofobvious.“Idon’tneedtounderstandallthedetails—”

“That’sgood,”Annabethsaid.“SinceIdon’tthinkanyofusdo.”“—butonethingI’vegottaknow.”IpointedatSadie.“Whatdidyou

whispertoAnnabeththatturnedherintoamagician?”Thegirlsexchangedasmile.“ItoldAnnabethmysecretname,”Sadiesaid.

“Yourwhat,now?”Iasked.“It’scalledtheren,”Sadieexplained.“Everyonehasone,evenifyoudon’t

knowit.Therenis…well,thedefinitionofwhoyouare.OnceIsharedit,Annabethhadaccesstomyexperiences,myabilities,allmygeneralamazingness.”

“Thatwasrisky.”Cartergavemeagrimlook.“Anyonewhoknowsyourrencancontrolyou.Youneversharethatinformationunlessyoureallyhaveto,andonlywithpeopleyouabsolutelytrust.Sadiefoundoutmysecretnamelastyear.Mylifehassuckedeversince.”

“Oh,please,”Sadiesaid.“Ionlyusemyknowledgeforgood.”Cartersuddenlyslappedhimselfintheface.“Hey!”hecomplained.“Oops,sorry,”Sadiesaid.“Atanyrate,IdotrustAnnabeth.Iknewitwould

takebothofustocreatethatcontainmentcircle.Besides,aGreekdemigodcastingEgyptianmagic—didyouseethelookonSetne’sface?Priceless.”

Mymouthwentdry.IimaginedAnnabethinvokinghieroglyphsatCampHalf-Blood,blowingupchariotsontheracetrack,hurlinggiantbluefistsduringcapturetheflag.

“Somygirlfriendisamagiciannow,like,permanently?Becauseshewasscaryenoughbefore.”

Annabethlaughed.“Don’tworry,SeaweedBrain.TheeffectoflearningSadie’srenisalreadywearingoff.I’llneverbeabletodoanymagiconmyown.”

Ibreathedasighofrelief.“Okay.So,um…lastquestion.”InoddedtothecrownofPtolemy,whichsatontheparapetnexttoSadie.It

lookedlikepartofaHalloweencostume,notthesortofheadgearthatcouldviolentlyriptheworldapart.“Whatdowedowiththat?”

“Well,”Sadiesaid,“Icouldputitonandseewhathappens.”“NO!”CarterandAnnabethyelled.“Kidding,”Sadiesaid.“Honestly,youtwo,calmdown.Imustadmit,though,

Idon’tseewhyWadjetandNekhbetdidn’treclaimtheircrowns.Thegoddesseswerefreed,weren’tthey?”

“Yeah,”Isaid.“IsensedthatcobraladyWadjetgetexpelledwhenSetnewaspukingrainbows.ThenNekhbetwentbackto…wherevergoddessesgowhenthey’renotannoyingmortals.”

Carterscratchedhisbandagedhead.“So…theyjustforgottheircrowns?”TracesofNekhbet’spersonalitylingeredinthecornersofmymind—just

enoughtomakemeuncomfortablysurethatthecrownofPtolemyhadbeenlefthereonpurpose.

“It’satest,”Isaid.“TheTwoLadieswanttoseewhatwe’lldowithit.WhenNekhbetlearnedthatI’dturneddownimmortalityoncebefore,shewaskindofoffended.Ithinkshe’scurioustofindoutifanyofuswillgoforit.”

Annabethblinked.“Nekhbetwoulddothatoutofcuriosity?Evenifitcausedaworld-destroyingevent?”

“SoundslikeNekhbet,”Sadiesaid.“She’samaliciousoldbird.Lovestowatchusmortalssquabbleandkilleachother.”

Carterstaredatthecrown.“But…weknowbetterthantousethatthing.Don’twe?”Hisvoicesoundedalittlewistful.

“Foronceyou’reright,brother,dear,”Sadiesaid.“AsmuchasI’dlovetobealiteralgoddess,IsupposeI’llhavetoremainafigurativeone.”

“I’mgoingtopukerainbowsnow,”Cartersaid.“Sowhatdowedowiththecrown?”Annabethasked.“It’snotthekindof

thingweshouldleaveattheGovernorsIslandLostandFound.”“Hey,Carter,”Isaid,“afterwedefeatedthatcrocodilemonsteronLong

Island,yousaidyouhadasafeplacetokeepitsnecklace.Couldyoustorethecrown,too?”

TheKaneshadasilentconversationwitheachother.“IsupposewecouldbringthecrowntotheFirstNomeinEgypt,”Carter

said.“OurUncleAmosisinchargethere.Hehasthemostsecuremagicvaultsintheworld.Butnothingisone-hundred-percentsafe.Setne’sexperimentswithGreekandEgyptianmagicsenttremorsthroughtheDuat.Godsandmagiciansfeltthem.I’msuredemigodsfeltthem,too.Thatkindofpoweristempting.EvenifwelockthecrownofPtolemyaway—”

“Othersmighttryhybridmagic,”Annabethsaid.“Andthemoreit’stried,”Sadiesaid,“themoredamagecouldbedonetothe

Duat,andthemortalworld,andoursanity.”Wesatinsilenceasthatideasankin.Iimaginedwhatwouldhappenifthe

kidsintheHecatecabinbackatcampheardaboutEgyptianmagiciansinBrooklyn,orifClarissefromtheArescabinlearnedhowtosummonagiantwildboarcombatavatar.

Ishuddered.“We’llhavetokeepourworldsseparateasmuchaspossible.Theinfoistoodangerous.”

Annabethnodded.“You’reright.Idon’tlikekeepingsecrets,butwe’llhavetobecarefulwhowetalkto.MaybewecantellChiron,but—”

“IbetChironalreadyknowsabouttheEgyptians,”Isaid.“He’sawilyoldcentaur.But,yeah.We’llhavetokeepourlittletaskforcehereonthedown-low.”

“‘Ourlittletaskforce.’”Cartergrinned.“Ilikethesoundofthat.Thefourof

uscankeepintouch.We’llhavetostandreadyincasesomethinglikethishappensagain.”

“Annabethhasmynumber,”Sadiesaid.“Which,honestly,brother,isamucheasiersolutionthanwritinginvisiblehieroglyphsonyourfriend’shand.Whatwereyouthinking?”

“Itmadesenseatthetime,”Carterprotested.Wecleanedupourpicnicstuffandgotreadytogoourseparateways.CartercarefullywrappedthecrownofPtolemyinlinencloth.Sadiegavethe

GovernorsIslandsnowglobeagoodshake,thenstuffeditinherpack.Thegirlshugged.IshookCarter’shand.Withatwingeofpain,IrealizedhowmuchIwasgoingtomissthesekids.I

wasgettingtiredofmakingnewfriendsonlytotellthemgood-bye,especiallysincesomeofthemnevercameback.

“Takecareofyourself,Carter,”Isaid.“Nomoregettingroastedinexplosions.”

Hesmirked.“Ican’tpromise.Butcallusifyouneedus,okay?And,uh,thanks.”

“Hey,itwasateameffort.”“Iguess.But,Percy…itcamedowntoyoubeingagoodperson.Setne

couldn’tgetahandleonyou.Honestly,ifI’dbeentemptedwithgodhoodthewayyouweretempted—”

“Youwould’vedonethesamething,”Isaid.“Maybe.”Hesmiled,buthedidn’tlookconvinced.“Okay,Sadie.Timeto

fly.TheinitiatesatBrooklynHousearegoingtobeworried.”“AndKhufuismakingJell-Ofruitsaladfordinner,”shesaid.“Shouldbe

delicious.Toodle-oo,demigods!”TheKanesturnedintobirdsofpreyandlaunchedthemselvesintothesunset.“Thishasbeenaweirdday,”ItoldAnnabeth.Sheslippedherhandintomine.“I’mthinkingcheeseburgersfordinneratP.

J.Clarke’s.”“Withbacon,”Isaid.“We’veearnedit.”“Ilovethewayyouthink,”shesaid.“AndI’mgladyou’renotagod.”Shekissedme,andIdecidedthatIwasgladtoo.Akissinthesunsetandthe

promiseofagoodbaconcheeseburger—withthatkindofpayoff,whoneedsimmortality?

GOODMORNING!YOU’REGOINGTODIE.

YEAH, IKNOW.Youguysaregoing to readabouthow Idied in agony, andyou’re going be like, “Wow! That sounds cool,Magnus! Can I die in agonytoo?”

No.Justno.Don’t go jumping off any rooftops. Don’t run into the highway or set

yourselfonfire.Itdoesn’tworkthatway.YouwillnotendupwhereIendedup.Besides, you wouldn’t want to deal with my situation. Unless you’ve got

somecrazydesiretoseeundeadwarriorshackingoneanothertopieces,swordsflying up giants’ noses, and dark elves in snappy outfits, you shouldn’t eventhinkaboutfindingthewolf-headedgates.

MynameisMagnusChase.I’msixteenyearsold.ThisisthestoryofhowmylifewentdownhillafterIgotmyselfkilled.

My day started out normally enough. Iwas sleeping on the sidewalk under abridge in thePublicGardenwhen a guy kickedme awake and said, “They’reafteryou.”

Bytheway,I’vebeenhomelessforthepasttwoyears.Someofyoumaythink,Aw,howsad.Othersmaythink,Ha,ha,loser!Butif

yousawmeonthestreet,ninety-ninepercentofyouwouldwalkrightpastlikeI’minvisible.You’dpray,Don’tlethimaskmeformoney.You’dwonderifI’molderthanIlook,becausesurelyateenagerwouldn’tbewrappedinastinkyoldsleepingbag,stuckoutsideinthemiddleofaBostonwinter.Somebodyshouldhelpthatpoorboy!

Thenyou’dkeepwalking.

Whatever. I don’t need your sympathy. I’m used to being laughed at. I’mdefinitelyusedtobeingignored.Let’smoveon.

ThebumwhowokemewasaguycalledBlitz.Asusual,helookedlikehe’dbeen running through a dirty hurricane.Hiswiry black hairwas full of paperscrapsandtwigs.Hisfacewasthecolorofsaddleleather,fleckedwithice.Hisbeardcurledinalldirections.Snowcakedthebottomofhistrenchcoatwhereitdraggedaroundhisfeet—Blitzbeingaboutfivefeetfive—andhiseyesweresodilated,theiriseswereallpupil.Hispermanentlyalarmedexpressionmadehimlooklikehemightstartscreaminganysecond.

Iblinkedthegunkoutofmyeyes.Mymouthtastedlikeday-oldhamburger.Mysleepingbagwaswarm,andIreallydidn’twanttogetoutofit.

“Who’safterme?”“Notsure.”Blitzrubbedhisnose,whichhadbeenbrokensomanytimesit

zigzaggedlikealightningbolt.“They’rehandingoutflyerswithyournameandpicture.”

Icursed.RandompoliceandparkrangersIcoulddealwith.Truantofficers,community service volunteers, drunken college kids, addicts looking to rollsomebody small andweak—all thosewould’vebeenas easy towakeup toaspancakesandorangejuice.

Butwhensomebodyknewmynameandmyface—thatwasbad.Thatmeanttheyweretargetingmespecifically.Maybethefolksattheshelterweremadatme for breaking their stereo. (Those Christmas carols had been driving mecrazy.)MaybeasecuritycameracaughtthatlastbitofpickpocketingIdidintheTheater District. (Hey, I needed money for pizza.) Or maybe, unlikely as itseemed,thepolicewerestilllookingforme,wantingtoaskquestionsaboutmymom’smurder….

Ipackedmystuff,whichtookaboutthreeseconds.Thesleepingbagrolleduptightandfitinmybackpackwithmytoothbrushandachangeofsocksandunderwear. Except for the clothes on my back, that’s all I owned. With thebackpackovermyshoulderandthehoodofmyjacketpulledlow,Icouldblendinwithpedestrian trafficprettywell.Bostonwasfullofcollegekids.Someofthemwereevenmorescragglyandyounger-lookingthanme.

IturnedtoBlitz.“Where’dyouseethesepeoplewiththeflyers?”“Beacon Street. They’re coming this way. Middle-aged white guy and a

teenagegirl,probablyhisdaughter.”Ifrowned.“Thatmakesnosense.Who—”“Idon’tknow,kid,butIgottago.”Blitzsquintedatthesunrise,whichwas

turningtheskyscraperwindowsorange.ForreasonsI’dneverquiteunderstood,

Blitzhated thedaylight.Maybehewas theworld’s shortest, stoutesthomelessvampire.“YoushouldgoseeHearth.He’shangingoutinCopleySquare.”

Itriednottofeelirritated.ThelocalstreetpeoplejokinglycalledHearthandBlitzmymomanddadbecauseoneortheotheralwaysseemedtobehoveringaroundme.

“Iappreciateit,”Isaid.“I’llbefine.”Blitz chewed his thumbnail. “I dunno, kid. Not today. You gotta be extra

careful.”“Why?”Heglancedovermyshoulder.“They’recoming.”Ididn’tseeanybody.WhenIturnedback,Blitzwasgone.Ihateditwhenhedidthat.Just—poof.Theguywaslikeaninja.Ahomeless

vampireninja.NowIhadachoice:gotoCopleySquareandhangoutwithHearth,orhead

towardBeaconStreetandtrytospotthepeoplewhowerelookingforme.Blitz’sdescriptionofthemmademecurious.Amiddle-agedwhiteguyanda

teenage girl searching forme at sunrise on a bitter-coldmorning.Why?Whowerethey?

Icreptalongtheedgeofthepond.Almostnobodytookthelowertrailunderthebridge.Icouldhugthesideofthehillandspotanyoneapproachingonthehigherpathwithoutthemseeingme.

Snow coated the ground. The sky was eye-achingly blue. The bare treebranches looked like they’d been dipped in glass. The wind cut through mylayersofclothes,butIdidn’tmindthecold.MymomusedtojokethatIwashalfpolarbear.

Dammit,Magnus,Ichidedmyself.Aftertwoyears,mymemoriesofherwerestillaminefield.Istumbledover

one,andinstantlymycomposurewasblowntobits.Itriedtofocus.Themanandthegirlwerecomingthisway.Theman’ssandyhairgrewover

hiscollar—notlikeanintentionalstyle,butlikehecouldn’tbebotheredtocutit.Hisbaffledexpressionremindedmeofasubstituteteacher’s:IknowIwashitbyaspitwad,butIhavenoideawhereitcamefrom.Hisdressshoesweretotallywrong for aBostonwinter.His sockswere different shades of brown.His tielookedlikeithadbeentiedwhilehespunaroundintotaldarkness.

The girlwas definitely his daughter.Her hairwas just as thick andwavy,thoughlighterblond.Shewasdressedmoresensiblyinsnowboots,jeans,andaparka,with an orangeT-shirt peeking out at the neckline.Her expressionwas

more determined, angry. She gripped a sheaf of flyers like they were essaysshe’dbeengradedonunfairly.

Ifshewaslookingforme,Ididnotwanttobefound.Shewasscary.I didn’t recognizeheror herdad, but something tugged at thebackofmy

skull…likeamagnettryingtopulloutaveryoldmemory.Fatheranddaughterstoppedwherethepathforked.Theylookedaroundasif

just now realizing theywere standing in themiddle of a deserted park at no-thank-youo’clockinthedeadofwinter.

“Unbelievable,”saidthegirl.“Iwanttostranglehim.”Assumingshemeantme,Ihunkereddownalittlemore.Herdadsighed.“Weshouldprobablyavoidkillinghim.Heisyouruncle.”“Buttwoyears?”thegirldemanded.“Dad,howcouldhenottellusfortwo

years?”“Ican’texplainRandolph’sactions.Inevercould,Annabeth.”Iinhaledsosharply,Iwasafraidtheywouldhearme.Ascabwasrippedoff

mybrain,exposingrawmemoriesfromwhenIwassixyearsold.Annabeth.Whichmeantthesandy-hairedmanwas…UncleFrederick?I flashedback to the last familyThanksgivingwe’d shared:Annabeth and

mehidinginthelibraryatUncleRandolph’stownhouse,playingwithdominoeswhiletheadultsyelledateachotherdownstairs.

You’re luckyyou livewithyourmomma.Annabethstackedanotherdominoonherminiaturebuilding.Itwasamazinglygood,withcolumnsinfront likeatemple.I’mgoingtorunaway.

Ihadnodoubtshemeantit.Iwasinaweofherconfidence.ThenUncleFrederickappearedinthedoorway.Hisfistswereclenched.His

grimexpressionwasatoddswiththesmilingreindeeronhissweater.Annabeth,we’releaving.

Annabeth looked at me. Her gray eyes were a little too fierce for a firstgrader’s.Besafe,Magnus.

Withaflickofherfinger,sheknockedoverherdominotemple.ThatwasthelasttimeI’dseenher.Afterward, my mom had been adamant: We’re staying away from your

uncles.EspeciallyRandolph.Iwon’tgivehimwhathewants.Ever.Shewouldn’texplainwhatRandolphwanted,orwhatsheandFrederickand

Randolphhadarguedabout.Youhavetotrustme,Magnus.Beingaroundthem…it’stoodangerous.I trustedmymom.Evenafterherdeath, Ihadn’thadanycontactwithmy

relatives.Now,suddenly,theywerelookingforme.

Randolph lived in town,butas faras Iknew,FrederickandAnnabethstilllivedinVirginia.Yetheretheywere,passingoutflyerswithmynameandphotoonthem.Wherehadtheyevengottenaphotoofme?

Myheadbuzzedsobadly,Imissedsomeoftheirconversation.“—to find Magnus,” Uncle Frederick was saying. He checked his

smartphone.“RandolphisatthecityshelterintheSouthEnd.Hesaysnoluck.Weshouldtrytheyouthshelteracrossthepark.”

“How do we even know Magnus is alive?” Annabeth asked miserably.“Missingfortwoyears?Hecouldbefrozeninaditchsomewhere!”

Partofmewastemptedtojumpoutofmyhidingplaceandshout,TA-DA!Even though it had been ten years since I’d seen Annabeth, I didn’t like

seeingherdistressed.Butaftersolongonthestreets,I’dlearnedthehardway:youneverwalkintoasituationuntilyouunderstandwhat’sgoingon.

“Randolphissure,”saidUncleFrederick.“Magnusisalive.He’ssomewhereinBoston.Ifhislifeistrulyindanger…”

TheysetofftowardCharlesStreet,theirvoicescarriedawaybythewind.I was shivering now, but it wasn’t from the cold. I wanted to run after

Frederick,tacklehim,anddemandwhatwasgoingon.HowdidRandolphknowIwasstillintown?Whyweretheylookingforme?Howwasmylifeindangernowmorethanonanyotherday?

ButIdidn’tfollowthem.Irememberedthelastthingmymomevertoldme.I’dbeenreluctanttouse

thefireescape,reluctanttoleaveher,butshe’dgrippedmyarmsandmademelookather.Magnus,run.Hide.Don’ttrustanyone.I’llfindyou.Whateveryoudo,don’tgotoRandolphforhelp.

Then,beforeI’dmadeitoutthewindow,thedoorofourapartmenthadburstintosplinters.Twopairsofglowingblueeyeshademergedfromthedarkness….

I shook off thememory andwatchedUncle Frederick andAnnabethwalkaway,veeringeasttowardtheCommon.

UncleRandolph…forsomereason,he’dcontactedFrederickandAnnabeth.He’d gotten them to Boston. All this time, Frederick and Annabeth hadn’tknownthatmymomwasdeadandIwasmissing.Itseemedimpossible,butifitweretrue,whywouldRandolphtellthemaboutitnow?

Without confronting him directly, I could think of only one way to getanswers.HistownhousewasinBackBay,aneasywalkfromhere.AccordingtoFrederick,Randolphwasn’thome.HewassomewhereintheSouthEnd,lookingforme.

Since nothing started a day better than a little breaking and entering, Idecidedtopayhisplaceavisit.