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SHORTSTORIESBYRICKRIORDAN

TheSonofSobekACarterKane/PercyJacksonShortStory

TheStaffofSerapisAnAnnabethChase/SadieKaneAdventure

TheCrownofPtolemyWithPercyJackson,AnnabethChase,CarterKane,&SadieKane

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

Copyright©2015byRickRiordanExcerptfromMagnusChaseandtheGodsofAsgard,BookOne:TheSwordofSummercopyright©2015byRickRiordanAllrightsreserved.PublishedbyDisney•Hyperion,animprintofDisneyBookGroup.Nopartofthisbookmaybe

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ISBN978-1-4847-0988-7

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Contents

TitlePageAlsobyRickRiordanCopyrightTheCrownofPtolemyPreviewofMagnusChaseandtheGodsofAsgard,BookOne:TheSwordofSummer

“CARTER!”ISHOUTED.Nothinghappened.Nexttome,pressedagainstthewalloftheoldfort,Annabethpeeredintotherain,waitingformagical

teenagerstofalloutofthesky.“Areyoudoingitright?”sheaskedme.“Gee,Idunno.I’mprettysurehisnameispronouncedCarter.”“Trytappingthehieroglyphmultipletimes.”“That’sstupid.”“Justtryit.”Istaredatmyhand.Therewasn’tevenatraceofthehieroglyphthatCarterKanehaddrawnonmy

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

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

Stillnothing.UsuallyIwouldn’tpanicifthecavalryfailedtoshow.AnnabethandIhadbeeninalotofbad

situationswithoutanybackup.Butusuallyweweren’tstrandedonGovernorsIslandinthemiddleofahurricane,surroundedbyfire-breathingdeathsnakes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ifthatwasn’tcreepyenough,flyingaroundhimwerehalfadozenwingedserpents,blowingflamesintherain.

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

he’scasting,wehavetostophim.”AtthispointIshouldprobablybackupandexplainwhattheheckwasgoingon.Onlyproblem:Iwasn’tsurewhattheheckwasgoingon.

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

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

Today,fourweekslater,Annabethshowedupatmyapartmentatteninthemorningandannouncedthatshe’dhadabaddream—avisionfromhermom.

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

Annabethdecidedthatinsteadofgoingtothemovies,weshouldspendourSaturdaysloggingdowntothebottomofManhattanandtakingtheferrytoGovernorsIsland,whereAthenahadtoldherthattroublewasbrewing.

Assoonaswegotthere,afreakhurricaneslammedintoNewYorkHarbor.AllthemortalsevacuatedGovernorsIsland,leavingAnnabethandmestrandedatanoldfortwithCrazyElvisandtheFlyingDeathSnakes.

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

upbehindhim?Youcanknockthebookoutofhishands.”Annabethknithereyebrows.Evenwithherblondhairplasteredtothesideofherface,shelooked

cute.Hereyeswerethesamecolorasthestormclouds.“Setneissupposedlytheworld’sgreatestmagician,”shesaid.“Hemightbeabletoseethrough

invisibility.Plus,ifyourunoutthere,he’llprobablyzapyouwithaspell.Believeme,Egyptianmagicisnotsomethingyouwanttogetzappedwith.”

“Iknow.Carterwallopedmewithaglowingbluefistonce.Butunlessyouhaveabetteridea…?”Unfortunately,shedidn’tofferone.ShepulledherNewYorkYankeescapfromherbackpack.“Give

meaminuteheadstart.Trytotakeoutthoseflyingsnakesfirst.Theyshouldbesoftertargets.”“Gotit.”Iraisedmyballpointpen,whichdoesn’tsoundlikeanimpressiveweapon;butitturnsintoa

magicswordwhenIuncapit.No,seriously.“WillaCelestialbronzebladekillthem?”Annabethfrowned.“Itshould.Atleast…mybronzedaggerworkedonthestaffofSerapis.Ofcourse,

thatbronzedaggerwasmadefromanEgyptianwand,so…”“I’mgettingaheadache.UsuallywhenIgetaheadache,it’stimetostoptalkingandattacksomething.”“Fine.Justremember:ourmaingoalistogetthatscroll.AccordingtoSadie,Setnecanuseittoturn

himselfimmortal.”“Understood.Nobadguysturningimmortalonmywatch.”Ikissedher,because1)whenyou’rea

demigodgoingintobattle,everykissmightbeyourlast,and2)Ilikekissingher.“Becareful.”SheputonherYankeescapandvanished.I’dlovetotellyouthatIwalkedinandkilledthesnakes,AnnabethstabbedElvisinthebackandtook

hisscroll,andwewenthomehappy.You’dfigureonceinawhilethingswouldworkoutthewayweplanned.

Butnoooooo.IgaveAnnabethafewsecondstosneakintothecourtyard.ThenIuncappedmypen,andRiptidesprangtofulllength—threefeetofrazor-sharpCelestialbronze.

Istrolledintothecourtyardandslicedthenearestserpentoutoftheair.NothingsaysHi,neighbor!likekillingaguy’sflyingreptile.Thesnakedidn’tdisintegratelikemostmonstersI’dfought.Itstwohalvesjustlandedinthewetgrass.

Thehalfwithwingsfloppedaroundaimlessly.CrazyElvisdidn’tnotice.Hekeptpacingbackandforth,engrossedinhisscroll,soImovedfarther

intothecourtyardandslicedanothersnake.Thestormmadeithardtosee.NormallyIcanstaydrywhensubmersedinwater,butrainistrickier.It

needledmyskinandgotinmyeyes.Lightningflashed.Bythetimemyvisioncleared,twomoresnakesweredive-bombingmefromeither

side.Ijumpedbackwardjustastheyblewfire.FYI,jumpingbackwardishardwhenyou’reholdingasword.It’sevenharderwhenthegroundis

muddy.Longstoryshort:Islippedandlandedonmybutt.Flamesshotovermyhead.Thetwosnakescircledabovemeliketheyweretoosurprisedtoattack

again.Probablytheywerewondering,Didthatguyjustfallonhisbuttonpurpose?Shouldwelaughbeforewekillhim?Wouldthatbemean?

Beforetheycoulddecidewhattodo,CrazyElviscalledout,“Leavehim!”Thesnakesdartedofftojointheirbrethren,whowereorbitingtenfeetabovethemagician.IwantedtogetupandfaceSetne,butmyrearendhadotherideas.Itwantedtostaywhereitwasand

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

Hiswingedsnakesfollowed,theirflamesmakingplumesofsteaminthestorm.“Hi,there!”Setnesoundedsocasualandfriendly,IknewIwasintrouble.“You’reademigod,I

suppose?”IwonderedhowSetneknewthat.Maybehecould“smell”ademigod’saurathewayGreekmonsters

could.OrmaybemypranksterfriendstheStollbrothershadwrittenI’MADEMIGODonmyforeheadinpermanentmarker,andAnnabethhaddecidednottotellme.Thathappenedoccasionally.

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

“YoumustbeSetne.”Imanagedtogettomyfeetwithoutkillingmyself.“DidyougetthatoutfitattheHalloweenStore?”

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

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

“It’sdeshret.”Setnepattedhispompadour.“TheredcrownofLowerEgypt.Asforyourgirlfriend…”Hewheeledandpointedbehindhim,shoutingsomethinglike“Sun-AH!”RedhieroglyphsburnedintheairwhereSetnepointed:

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

Beforeshecouldreact,theredglowinghieroglyphsturnedintoropeslikelicoricewhipsandlashedout,wrappingaroundher,pinningherarmsandlegswithsuchforcethatshetoppledover.

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

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

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

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

Ifellonmyface.Myfacedidnotappreciatethat.Igotmudinmynostrilsandbloodinmymouthfrombitingmytongue.

WhenIblinked,theredhieroglyphsburnedontheinsidesofmyeyelids.Igroaned.“Whatwasthatspell?”“Fall,”Setnesaid.“Oneofmyfavorites.Really,don’tgetup.You’lljusthurtyourselfmore.”“Setne!”Annabethshoutedthroughthestorm.“Listentome.Youcan’tmakeyourselfintoagod.It

won’twork.You’lljustdestroy—”Thecoilofmagicalredropesexpanded,coveringAnnabeth’smouth.“Iappreciateyourconcern,”saidthemagician.“Really,Ido.ButI’vegotthisfiguredout.That

businesswithSerapis…whenyoudestroyedmyhybridgod?Ilearnedquiteabitfromthat.Itookexcellentnotes.”

Annabethstruggleduselessly.Iwantedtoruntoher,butIhadafeelingI’djustendupwithmyfaceinthemudagain.I’dhaveto

playthissmart…whichwasnotmyusualstyle.Itriedtosteadymybreathing.Iscootedsideways,justtoseeifIcould.“SoyouwerewatchinginRockawayBeach?”IaskedSetne.“WhenAnnabethandSadietookdown

Serapis,thatwasallanexperimenttoyou?”“Ofcourse!”Setnelookedverypleasedwithhimself.“IjotteddowntheincantationsSerapisused

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

Heopenedhisscrollandstartedchantingagain.Hiswingedserpentsspiraledthroughtherain.Lightningflashed.Thegroundrumbled.

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

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

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

ButSetnejustrolleduphisscroll,slippeditinhisjacketpocket,andgrinned.“Awesome!”Thecobraladyhissed.“Whodaressummonme?IamWadjet,queenofcobras,protectorofLower

Egypt,eternalmistressof—”“Iknow!”Setneclappedhishands.“I’mahugefan!”IcrawledtowardAnnabeth.NotthatIcouldhelpmuchwiththefallspellkeepingmeoffmyfeet,butI

wantedtobeclosetoherifsomethingwentdownwiththiseternalcobraqueenofwhateverblah,blah,blah.MaybeIcouldatleastuseRiptidetocutthoseredcordsandgiveAnnabethafightingchance.

“Oh,thisissogreat,”Setnecontinued.Hefishedsomethingoutofhispantspocket…acellphone.Thegoddessbaredherfangs.ShesprayedSetnewithacloudofgreenmist—poison,Iguessed—but

herepelleditlikethenoseconeofarocketrepelledheat.IkeptcrawlingtowardAnnabeth,whowasstrugglinghelplesslyinherred-licoricecocoon.Hereyes

blazedwithfrustration.Shehatedbeingsidelinedworsethanjustaboutanything.“Okay,where’sthecameraicon?”Setnefumbledwithhisphone.“Wehavetogetapicturetogether

beforeIdestroyyou.”“Destroyme?”demandedthecobragoddess.ShelashedoutatSetne,butasuddengustofrainand

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

okay.No.Darnit.Wheredidthescreengo?Ah!Right!Sowhatdomodernfolkscallthis…asnappie?”Heleanedintowardthecobragoddess,heldouthisphoneatarm’slength,andtookapicture.“Gotit!”

“WHATISTHEMEANINGOFTHIS?”Wadjetroared.“YOUDARETAKEASELFIEWITHTHECOBRAGODDESS?”

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

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

IreachedAnnabethjustasSetnefinishedhisspell.Thecobragoddessimploded,withanoiseliketheworld’slargeststrawfinishingtheworld’slargest

milkshake.Wadjetwassuckedintoherownredcrown,alongwithSetne’sfourwingedserpentsandafive-foot-widecircleoflawnwhereWadjethadbeencoiled.

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

hererightnow.SetneclamberedintothepittoretrievethecrownasIfranticallystartedcuttingAnnabeth’sbonds.I’d

onlymanagedtoungaghermouthbeforethebindingsblaredlikeanairhorn.Myearspopped.Myvisionwentblack.Whenthesounddiedandmyvertigofaded,Setnewasstandingoverus,theredcrownnowatophis

pompadour.“Theropesscreamifyoucutthem,”headvised.“IguessIshould’vementionedthat.”Annabethwriggled,tryingtofreeherhands.“What—whatdidyoudotothecobragoddess?”“Hmm?Oh.”Setnetappedthecurlicueatthefrontofthecrown.“Idevouredheressence.NowIhave

thepowerofLowerEgypt.”“You…devouredagod,”Isaid.“Yep!”Fromhisjacket,hepulledtheBookofThothandwaggeditatus.“Amazingwhatkindof

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

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

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

Ilungedforwardandjabbedhimwithmysword.Amazingly,Riptidewentstraightintohisgut.IsorarelysucceedthatIjustcrouchedthere,stunned,myhandtremblingonthehilt.“Wow.”Setnelookeddownatthebloodonhispowder-blueshirt.“Nicejob.”“Thanks.”ItriedtoyankoutRiptide,butitseemedtobestuck.“So…youcandienow,ifit’snottoo

muchtrouble.”Setnesmiledapologetically.“Aboutthat…I’mbeyonddyingnow.Atthispoint—”Hetappedthe

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

managedtogettomyfeet,grabAnnabeth,andhaulherasfarfromthemagicianaspossible.Idroppedtothegroundatthearchwayasamassiveroarshookthecourtyard.Treeswereuprooted.

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

Cloudsofdebrisspunaroundthemagician.Wood,stone,andglassvaporizedastheywereabsorbedintoSetne’sbody.

Oncegravityreturnedtonormal,IrealizedI’dleftsomethingimportantbehind.Riptidewasgone.ThewoundinSetne’sguthadclosed.“HEY!”Igotup,mylegsshaking.“Youatemysword!”Myvoicesoundedshrill—likealittlekidwho’sjusthadhislunchmoneystolen.Thethingis,Riptide

wasmymostimportantpossession.I’dhaditalongtime.Ithadseenmethroughalotofscrapes.I’dlostmyswordbeforeonafewoccasions,butitalwaysreappearedinpenformbackinmypocket.

Ihadafeelingthatwasn’tgoingtohappenthistime.Riptidehadbeenconsumed—suckedintoSetne’sbodyalongwiththebricks,thebrokenglass,andseveralcubicfeetofsod.

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

Annabethstruggledtoherfeet.“Howdoyouknowournames?”“Oh,youcanlearnalotaboutsomeonefromdevouringtheirprizedpossession.”Setnepattedhis

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

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

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

BeforeIcoulddecide,somethingcompletelyrandomchangedtheequation.Afull-sizedcameldroppedoutoftheskyandcrushedSetneflat.“Sadie!”Annabethcried.Forasplit-second,IthoughtshewascallingthecamelSadie.ThenIrealizedAnnabethwaslooking

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

anddissolvedintosand.Setnerosefromthedustpile.Hiscrownwastilted.Hisblackjacketwascoveredincamelfuzz,but

helookedunhurt.“Thatwasrude.”Heglancedupatthetwofalconsnowdivingtowardhim.“Notimeforthis

nonsense.”Justasthebirdswereabouttoriphisfaceoff,Setnevanishedinaswirlofrain.

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

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

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

Annabethexhaledwithrelief.“Iamsogladtoseeyou.”ShegaveSadieabighug.CarterandIlookedateachother.“Hey,man,”Isaid.“I’mnotgoingtohugyou.”“That’sokay,”Cartersaid.“Sorrywe’relate.Thisstormwasmessingupourlocatormagic.”InoddedlikeIknewwhatlocatormagicwas.“Sothisfriendofyours,Setne…he’skindofadirt

wipe.”Sadiesnorted.“Youdon’tknowthehalfofit.Didhehappentogiveyouahelpfulvillainmonologue?

Revealhisevilplans,saywherehewasgoingnext,thatsortofthing?”“Well,heusedthatscroll,theBookofThoth,”Isaid.“Hesummonedacobragoddess,devouredher

essence,andstoleherredhat.”“Oh,dear.”SadieglancedatCarter.“ThecrownofUpperEgyptwillbenext.”Carternodded.“Andifhemanagestoputthetwocrownstogether—”“He’llbecomeimmortal,”Annabethguessed.“Anewlymadegod.Thenhe’llstartvacuumingupall

theGreekandEgyptianmagicintheworld.”“Alsohestolemysword,”Isaid.“Iwantitback.”Thethreeofthemstaredatme.“What?”Isaid.“Ilikemysword.”Carterhookedhiscurvy-bladedkhopeshandhiswandtohisbelt.“Telluseverythingthathappened.

Details.”Whilewetalked,Sadiemutteredsomesortofspell,andtherainbentarounduslikewewereundera

giantinvisibleumbrella.Neattrick.Annabethhadthebettermemory,soshedidmostoftheexplainingaboutourfightwithSetne…though

callingitafightwasgenerous.Whenshewasdone,Carterkneltandtracedsomehieroglyphsinthemud.“IfSetnegetsthehedjet,we’refinished,”hesaid.“He’llformthecrownofPtolemyand—”“Holdup,”Isaid.“Lowtoleranceforconfusingnames.Canyouexplainwhat’sgoingonin,like,

regularwords?”Carterfrowned.“ThepschentisthedoublecrownofEgypt,okay?Thebottomhalfistheredcrown,

thedeshret.ItrepresentstheLowerKingdom.Thetophalfisthehedjet,thewhitecrownoftheUpperKingdom.”

“Youwearthemtogether,”Annabethadded,“andthatmeansyou’rethepharaohofallEgypt.”“Exceptinthiscase,”Sadiesaid,“ouruglyfriendSetneiscreatingaveryspecialpschent—the

crownofPtolemy.”“Okay…”Istilldidn’tgetit,butfeltlikeIshouldatleastpretendtofollowalong.“Butwasn’t

PtolemyaGreekdude?”“Yes,”Cartersaid.“AlexandertheGreatconqueredEgypt.Thenhedied.HisgeneralPtolemytook

overandtriedtomixGreekandEgyptianreligion.Heproclaimedhimselfagod-king,liketheoldpharaohs,butPtolemywentastepfurther.HeusedacombinationofGreekandEgyptmagictotrymakinghimselfimmortal.Itdidn’tworkout,but—”

“Setnehasperfectedtheformula,”Iguessed.“ThatBookofThothgiveshimsomeprimomagic.”Sadieclappedforme.“Ithinkyou’vegotit.SetnewillrecreatethecrownofPtolemy,butthistime

he’lldoitproperly,andhe’llbecomeagod.”“Whichisbad,”Isaid.Annabethtuggedthoughtfullyatherear.“So…whowasthatcobragoddess?”“Wadjet,”Cartersaid.“Theguardianoftheredcrown.”“Andthere’saguardianofthewhitecrown?”sheasked.“Nekhbet.”Carter’sexpressionturnedsour.“Thevulturegoddess.Idon’tlikehermuch,butIsuppose

we’llhavetostopherfromgettingdevoured.SinceSetneneedstheUpperKingdomcrown,he’llprobablygosouthforthenextritual.It’slikeasymbolicthing.”

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

thesouthtothenorth.”

“Great,”Isaid.“Sohowfarsoutharewetalkingabout—Brooklyn?Antarctica?”“Idon’tthinkhe’llgothatfar.”Carterrosetohisfeetandscannedthehorizon.“Ourheadquartersare

inBrooklyn.AndI’mguessingManhattanislikeGreekgodcentral?Alongtimeago,ourUncleAmoshintedatthat.”

“Well,yeah,”Isaid.“MountOlympushoversovertheEmpireStateBuilding,so—”“MountOlympus”—Sadieblinked—“hoversoverthe…Ofcourseitdoes.Whynot?Ithinkwhatmy

brother’stryingtosayisthatifSetnewantstoestablishanewseatofpower,blendingGreekandEgyptian—”

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

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

“Andwe’regladyou’renot,”Isaid.“—IwouldstayonGovernorsIsland.We’reatthenorthendnow,so…”Igazedsouth.“Anyoneknowwhat’sattheotherend?”“I’veneverbeenhere,”Annabethsaid.“ButIthinkthere’sapicnicarea.”“Lovely.”Sadieraisedherstaff.Thetipflaredwithwhitefire.“Anyonefancyapicnicintherain?”“Setne’sdangerous,”Annabethsaid.“Wecan’tjustgochargingin.Weneedaplan.”“She’sright,”Cartersaid.“Ikindoflikechargingin,”Isaid.“Speedisoftheessence,right?”“Thankyou,”Sadiemuttered.“Beingsmartisalsooftheessence,”Annabethsaid.“Exactly,”Cartersaid.“Wehavetofigureouthowtoattack.”Sadierolledhereyesatme.“JustasIfeared.Thesetwotogether…they’lloverthinkustodeath.”Ifeltthesameway,butAnnabethwasgettingthatannoyedstormylookinhereyes,andsinceIdate

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

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

AnnabethandCartercomparednotesfromtheresearchthey’ddone.TheytalkedaboutPtolemyandthemixingofGreekandEgyptianmagic.

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

Sheremindedmeofsomeone….Thenitoccurredtome.ShelookedlikeayoungerversionofAnnabeth,butherfidgetingand

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

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

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

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

wanttoadmithownervousthatmademe.Sure,Ihadotherskills.Icouldmakewaves(literally)andoccasionallyevenwhipupanicefrothy

hurricane.ButmyswordwasabigpartofwhoIwas.Withoutit,Ifeltcrippled.“Howdowedocombineattacks?”Cartergotamischievousgleaminhiseyesthatmadehimlookmorelikehissister.“WeturnSetne’s

strategyagainsthim.He’susinghybridmagic—GreekandEgyptiantogether,right?Wedothesame.”Annabethnodded.“Greek-styleattackswon’twork.YousawwhatSetnedidwithyoursword.And

CarterisprettysureregularEgyptianspellswon’tbeenougheither.Butifwecanfindawaytomixourpowers—”

“Doyouknowhowtomixourpowers?”Iasked.Carter’sshoessquishedinthemud.“Well…notexactly.”“Oh,please,”Sadiesaid.“That’seasy.Carter,giveyourwandtoPercy.”“Why?”“Justdoit,brotherdear.Annabeth,doyourememberwhenwefoughtSerapis?”“Right!”Annabeth’seyeslitup.“IgrabbedSadie’swandanditturnedintoaCelestialbronzedagger,

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

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

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

“Bytheway,”Sadiesaid,“thismayhurtabit.”“Thanks.”Igrittedmyteeth.“Littlelateonthewarning.”Theivorybegantosmolder.Whenthesmokeclearedandtheagonysubsided,insteadofawandIwas

holdingaCelestialbronzeswordthatdefinitelywasn’tRiptide.“Whatisthis?”Iasked.“It’shuge.”Carterwhistledunderhisbreath.“I’veseenthoseinmuseums.That’sakopis.”Iheftedthesword.LikesomanyI’dtried,itdidn’tfeelrightinmyhands.Thehiltwastooheavyfor

mywrist.Thesingle-edgedbladewascurvedawkwardly,likeagianthookknife.Itriedajabandnearlylostmybalance.

“Thisonedoesn’tlooklikeyours,”ItoldCarter.“Isn’tyourscalledakopis?”“Mineisakhopesh,”Cartersaid.“TheoriginalEgyptianversion.Whatyou’reholdingisakopis—a

GreekdesignadaptedfromtheEgyptianoriginal.It’sthekindofswordPtolemy’swarriorswould’veused.”

IlookedatSadie.“Ishetryingtoconfuseme?”“No,”shesaidbrightly.“He’sconfusingwithouttrying.”Cartersmackedhispalmagainsthisforehead.“Thatwasn’tevenconfusing.Howwasthat—?Never

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

Whataboutweaponsforyouguys?”Annabethrubbedtheclaybeadsonhernecklace,thewayshedoeswhenshe’sthinking.Shelooked

beautiful.ButIdigress.“Sadie,”shesaid,“thosehieroglyphicspellsyouusedonRockawayBeach…whichonemadethe

explosion?”“It’scalled—well,Ican’tactuallysaythewordwithoutmakingyoublowup.Holdon.”Sadie

rummagedthroughherbackpack.Shebroughtoutasheetofyellowpapyrus,astylus,andabottleofink—Iguessbecausepenandpaperwouldbeun-Egyptian.Sheknelt,usingherbackpackasamakeshiftwritingdesk,andscrawledinnormalletters:HA-DI.

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

“Noneed,”Annabethsaid.“Thephrasemeansexplode?”“Moreorless,”Sadiesaid.“Andyoucanwritethehieroglyphonascrollwithouttriggeringtheka-boom?”“Right.Thescrollwillstorethemagicforlater.Ifyoureadthewordfromthepapyrus…well,that’s

evenbetter.Moreka-boomwithlesseffort.”“Good,”Annabethsaid.“Doyouhaveanotherpieceofpapyrus?”“Annabeth,”Isaid,“whatareyoudoing?’Causeifyou’remessingaroundwithexplodingwords—”“Relax,”shesaid.“IknowwhatI’mdoing.Sortof.”ShekneltnexttoSadie,whogaveherafreshsheetofpapyrus.AnnabethtookthestylusandwrotesomethinginAncientGreek:

Κεραυνóω

Beingdyslexic,I’mluckyifIcanrecognizeEnglishwords,butbeingademigod,AncientGreekissortofhardwiredintomybrain.

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

lightningbolts.”“Ooh,”Sadiesaid.“Ilovestrikingthingswithlightningbolts.”Carterstaredatthepapyrus.“You’rethinkingwecouldinvokeanAncientGreekwordthesameway

wedowithhieroglyphs?”“It’sworthatry,”Annabethsaid.“Whichofyouisbetterwiththatkindofmagic?”“Sadie,”Cartersaid.“I’mmoreacombatmagician.”“Giantchickenmode,”Iremembered.“Dude,myavatarisafalcon-headedwarrior.”“IstillthinkyoucouldgetasponsorshipdealwithKFC.Makesomebigbucks.”“Knockitoff,youtwo.”AnnabethhandedherscrolltoSadie.“Carter,let’strade.I’lltryyour

khopesh;youtrymyYankeescap.”Shetossedhimthehat.“I’musuallymoreofabasketballguy,but…”Carterputonthecapanddisappeared.“Wow,okay.I’m

invisible,aren’tI?”Sadieapplauded.“You’veneverlookedbetter,brotherdear.”“Veryfunny.”“IfyoucansneakuponSetne,”Annabethsuggested,“youmightbeabletotakehimbysurprise,get

thecrownawayfromhim.”“ButyoutoldusSetnesawrightthroughyourinvisibility,”Cartersaid.

“Thatwasme,”Annabethsaid,“aGreekusingaGreekmagicitem.Foryou,maybeit’llworkbetter—ordifferently,atleast.”

“Carter,giveitashot,”Isaid.“Theonlythingbetterthanagiantchickenmanisagiantinvisiblechickenman.”

Suddenlythegroundshookunderourfeet.Acrossthesoccerfields,towardthesouthendoftheisland,awhiteglowlitthehorizon.“Thatcan’tbegood,”Annabethsaid.“No,”Sadieagreed.“Perhapsweshouldchargeinalittlemorequickly.”

Thevultureswerehavingaparty.Pastalineoftrees,amuddyfieldstretchedtotheedgeoftheisland.Atthebaseofasmalllighthouse,

afewpicnictableshuddledasifforshelter.Acrosstheharbor,theStatueofLibertyglowedwhiteinthestorm,raincloudspushingaroundherlikewavesofftheprowofaship.

Inthemiddleofthepicnicgrounds,sixlargeblackbuzzardswhirledintherain,orbitingourbuddySetne.

Themagicianwasrockinganewoutfit.He’dchangedintoaredquiltedsmokingjacket—Iguesstomatchhisredcrown.Hissilkpantsshimmeredinredandblackpaisley.Justtomakesurehislookwasn’ttoounderstated,hisloaferswereentirelycoveredinrhinestones.

HestruttedaroundwiththeBookofThoth,chantingsomespell,thesamewayhe’ddonebackatthefort.

“He’ssummoningNekhbet,”Sadiemurmured.“I’dreallyrathernotseeheragain.”“WhatkindofnameisNeckButt,anyway?”Iasked.Sadiesnickered.“That’swhatIcalledherthefirsttimeIsawher.Butreally,she’snotverynice.

Possessedmygran,chasedmeacrossLondon…”“Sowhat’stheplan?”Carterasked.“Maybeaflankingmaneuver?”“Or,”Annabethsaid,“wecouldtryadiversionary—”“Charge!”Sadiebarreledintotheclearing,herstaffinonehandandherGreekscrollintheother.IglancedatAnnabeth.“Yournewfriendisawesome.”ThenIfollowedSadie.Myplanwasprettysimple:runatSetneandkillhim.Evenwithmyheavynewsword,Ioutpaced

Sadie.Twovulturesdivedatme.Islicedthemoutoftheair.IwasfivefeetfromSetneandimaginingthesatisfactionofslicinghiminhalfwhenheturnedand

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

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

Withaboltofwhitefire,Sadieblastedanothervultureoutofthesky.Theremainingbirdsscatteredinthestorm.

SadiescannedthefieldforSetne.“Whereistheskinnyoldgit?”Theskinnyoldgitappearedrightbehindher.Hespokeasinglewordfromhisscrollofnasty

surprises,andthegroundexploded.WhenIregainedmysenses,Iwasstillstanding,whichwasaminormiracle.Theforceofthespell

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

ten-foot-diameterring,splittingopenlikeaseedpod.Plumesofdirthadsprayedoutwardandwerefrozen

inmidair.Tendrilsofredsandcoiledaroundmylegsandbrushedagainstmyfaceastheysnakedinalldirections.Itlookedlikesomebodyhadstoppedtimewhileslingingredmudfromagiantsaladspinner.

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

Isteppedtowardher,butthecoilsofsandpushedmeback.Somewherebehindme,Annabethyelledmyname.Iturnedandsawherjustoutsidetheexplosion

zone.Shewastryingtochargein,buttheearthentendrilsmovedtoblockher,whippingaroundlikeoctopusarms.

TherewasnosignofCarter.Icouldonlyhopehehadn’tgottencaughtinthisstupidweboffloatingdirt.

“Setne!”Iyelled.Themagicianbrushedthelapelsofhissmokingjacket.“Youreallyshouldstopinterruptingme,

demigod.ThedeshretcrownwasoriginallyagifttothepharaohsfromtheearthgodGeb,youknow.Itcandefenditselfwithsomecoolearthmagic!”

Igrittedmyteeth.AnnabethandIhadrecentlydonebattlewithGaeatheEarthMother.MoredirtsorcerywasthelastthingIneeded.

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

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

Heturnedhisbackonusandresumedchanting.Thewindpickedup.Rainwhippedaroundhim.Thefloatinglinesofsandbegantostirandshift.Imanagedtostepforward,butitwaslikewadingthroughwetcement.Behindme,Annabethwasn’t

havingmuchmoreluck.Sadiemanagedtopulloneofherlegsfree,minushercombatboot.ShecursedworsethanmyimmortalhorsefriendArion(whichisprettybad)assheretrievedtheboot.

Setne’sweirdearthspellwasloosening,butnotfastenough.I’donlymanagedtwomorestepswhenSetnefinishedhisincantation.

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

“You!”shesnarledatSetne.“Me!”heagreed.“Wonderfultoseeyouagain,Nekhbet.Sorrywedon’thavelongertochat,butI

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

darkassmoke.“Idonotyieldtoupstartslikeyou.Iamtheprotectorofthecrown,theshieldofthepharaoh,the—”

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

Ididn’tknowvulturescouldhiss,butNekhbetdid.Smokebillowedfromherwings.Allaroundtheclearing,Setne’searthmagicshattered.Thetendrilsofredsandfelltothegroundwith

aloudslosh,andsuddenlyIcouldmoveagain.Sadiestruggledtoherfeet.Annabethrantomyside.Setnedidn’tseemconcernedaboutus.HegaveNekhbetamockbow.“Veryimpressive.Butwatchthis!”Hedidn’tneedtoreadfromthescrollthistime.HeshoutedacombinationofGreekandEgyptian—

wordsIrecognizedfromthespellhe’dusedbackatthefort.

IlockedeyeswithAnnabeth.Icouldtellwewerethinkingthesamething.Wecouldn’tletSetneconsumethegoddess.

Sadieraisedhermuddypieceofpapyrus.“Annabeth,youandPercygetNekhbetoutofhere.GO!”Notimetoargue.AnnabethandIplowedintothegoddesslikelinebackersandpushedheracrossthe

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

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

wasbrilliant.DidIgethim?”“Nope!”Setneappearedafewfeetaway,stumblingalittle.Hisclothesweresmoldering,buthe

lookedmoredazedthanhurt.Hekneltandpickedupsomethingconicalandwhite…Nekhbet’scrown,whichmust’verolledoff

whenwetackledher.“Thanksforthis.”Setnespreadhisarmstriumphantly—thewhitecrowninonehand,theBookof

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

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

wasn’tingiantchickenmode,butsincehe’djustsavedourlives,Iwasn’tgoingtocomplain.SetneglanceddownattheBookofThoth,stillinhisseveredhand,butIlungedforward,thrustingthe

pointofmynewswordunderhisnose.“Idon’tthinkso.”Themagiciansnarled.“Takethebook,then!Idon’tneeditanymore!”Hevanishedinawhirlofdarkness.Onthegroundbehindme,thevulturegoddessNekhbetthrashedandpushedAnnabethaside.“Getoff

me!”“Hey,lady,”—Annabethrose—“Iwastryingtokeepyoufrombeingdevoured.You’rewelcome.”Thevulturegoddessgottoherfeet.Shedidn’tlooknearlyasimpressivewithouthercrown.Herhairdowasamud-and-grasssalad.Her

blackdresshadturnedintoasmockofmoltingfeathers.Shelookedshriveledandhunchedover,withherneckstickingoutlike…well,avulture.Allsheneededwasacardboardsignsaying:HOMELESS,ANYTHINGHELPS,andItotallywouldhavegivenhermysparechange.

“Youmiserablechildren,”shegrumbled.“Icouldhavedestroyedthatmagician!”“Notsomuch,”Isaid.“Afewminutesago,wewatchedSetneinhaleacobragoddess.Shewasalot

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

symbolsofunityinAncientEgypt.WewerereveredastheTwoLadies!ThatupstartSetnehasstolenmyotherLady!”

“Well,hedidn’tgetyou,”Sadiesaid.“WhichIsupposeisagoodthing.”Nekhbetbaredherteeth,whichwerepointyandredlikearowoflittlevulturebeaks.“YouKanes.I

should’veknownyou’dbeinvolved.Alwaysmuckingaboutingodlyaffairs.”“Oh,sonowit’sourfault?”Sadieheftedherstaff.“Listenhere,buzzardbreath—”“Let’sstayfocused,”Cartersaid.“AtleastwegottheBookofThoth.WestoppedSetnefrom

devouringNekhbet.Sowhat’sSetne’snextmove,andhowdowestophim?”“Hehasbothpartsofthepschent!”saidthevulturegoddess.“Withoutmyessence,thewhitecrownis

notaspowerfulasitwouldbe,true,butit’sstillenoughforSetne’spurposes.HeneedsonlytocompletethedeificationceremonywhilewearingthecrownofPtolemy.Thenhewillbecomeagod.Ihateitwhenmortalsbecomegods!Theyalwayswantthrones.TheybuildgarishMcPalaces.Theydon’trespecttherulesinthegods’lounge.”

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

itmeansYoumuststophimwhileIsitbackandenjoyacoldbeverage.ButNekhbetseemedseriousaboutjoiningthegang.

Thatdidn’tmakemeanylessnervous.Itrytoavoidteamingupwithgoddesseswhoeatroadkill.It’soneofmypersonalboundaries.

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

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

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

Annabethlookedhorrified.“Areyoucrazy?Youthrowawayyournotesafteratest?”“Doesn’teverybody,MissBrainiac?”“Guys!”Sadieinterrupted.“It’sterriblycutewatchingyoutwosnipeateachother,butwehave

business.”SheturnedtoNekhbet.“Now,yourScavengingHighness,isthereawaytostopSetne?”Nekhbetcurledhertalonfingernails.“Possibly.He’snotafullgodyet.Butwithoutmycrown,my

ownpowersaregreatlydiminished.”“WhatabouttheBookofThoth?”Sadieasked.“ItmaybenofurtherusetoSetne,butitdidhelpus

defeatApophis.”Atthementionofthatname,Nekhbet’sfaceblanched.Threefeathersfellfromherdress.“Please

don’tremindmeofthatbattle.Butyou’recorrect.TheBookofThothcontainsaspellforimprisoninggods.Itwouldtakeagreatdealofconcentrationandpreparation….”

Cartercoughed.“I’mguessingSetnewon’tstandaroundquietlywhilewegetready.”“No,”Nekhbetagreed.“Atleastthreeofyouwouldberequiredtosetapropertrap.Acirclemustbe

drawn.Aropemustbeenchanted.Theearthmustbeconsecrated.Otherpartsofthespellwouldhavetobeimprovised.IhatePtolemaicmagic.MixingGreekandEgyptianpowerisanabomination.However—”

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

leastdazedSetne.”“Butwe’llneedmore,”Sadiesaid.“Yes…”ThevulturegoddessfixedhereyesonmelikeIwasatastydeadpossumonthesideofthe

highway.“OneofyouwillhavetofightSetneandkeephimunbalancedwhiletheotherspreparethetrap.Weneedaverypotenthybridattack,anabominationevenPtolemywouldapproveof.”

“Whyareyoulookingatme?”Iasked.“I’mnotabominable.”“YouareasonofPoseidon,”thegoddessnoted.“Thatwouldbeamostunexpectedcombination.”“Combination?What—”“Oh,no,no,no.”Sadieraisedherhands.Shelookedhorrified,andanythingthatcouldscarethatgirl

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

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

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

abouthere?”CarterwaggedtheYankeescapatme.“NekhbetwantsPercytobeherhost.That’sonewaythe

Egyptiangodsmaintainapresenceinthemortalworld.Theycaninhabitmortals’bodies.”Mystomachjackknifed.“Youwanther”—Ipointedatthefrazzledoldvulturegoddess—“toinhabit

me?Thatsounds…”Itriedtothinkofawordthatwouldconveymycompletedisgustwithoutoffendingthegoddess.I

failed.“Nekhbet”—Annabethsteppedforward—“joinwithmeinstead.I’machildofAthena.Imightbe

better—”“Ridiculous!”Thegoddesssneered.“Yourmindistoowily,girl—toostubbornandintelligent.I

couldn’tsteeryouaseasily.”“Steerme?”Iprotested.“Hey,lady,I’mnotaToyota.”“Myhostneedsacertainlevelofsimplicity,”thegoddesscontinued.“PercyJacksonisperfect.Heis

powerful,yethismindisnotoverlycrowdedwithplansandideas.”“Wow,”Isaid.“Reallyfeelingthelovehere.”Nekhbetroundedonme.“Thereisnotimetoargue!Withoutaphysicalanchor,Icannotremaininthe

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

Iswallowed.“I’mactuallytryingtocutbackoncarcassfeasting.”Cartergavemeasympatheticlookthatonlymademefeelworse.“Unfortunately,Nekhbetisright.

Percy,you’reourbestshot.SadieandIcouldn’thostNekhbetevenifshewantedusto.Wealreadyhavepatrongods.”

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

Nekhbetfixedherglitteryblackeyesonme.“Doyouconsenttohostingme,demigod?”Icouldthinkofamillionwaystosayno.Thewordyessimplywouldn’tpassmylips.Iglancedat

Annabethforsupport,butshelookedasalarmedasIfelt.“I—Idon’tknow,Percy,”sheconfessed.“Thisiswaybeyondme.”Suddenlytherainstormfizzledout.Intheeeriemuggyquiet,aredglowlitthemiddleoftheisland,as

ifsomebodyhadstartedabonfireonthesoccerfields.“ThatwouldbeSetne,”Nekhbetsaid.“Hehasbegunhisascensiontogodhood.Whatisyouranswer,

PercyJackson?Thiswillonlyworkproperlyifyouconsent.”

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

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

boilingtar.

Whatwasitlikemergingwithagod?Ifyouwantthefulldetails,readmyYelpreview.Idon’tfeellikegoingintoitagain.Igavethe

experiencehalfastar.Fornow,let’sjustsaythatbeingpossessedbyavulturegoddesswasevenmoredisturbingthanI’d

imagined.Thousandsofyearsofmemoriesfloodedmymind.Isawpyramidsrisingfromthedesert,thesun

glitteringontheNileRiver.Iheardpriestschantinginthecoolshadowsofatemple,andsmelledmyrrhincenseontheair.IsoaredoverthecitiesofAncientEgypt,circlingthepalaceofthepharaoh.IwasthevulturegoddessNekhbet—protectoroftheking,shieldofthestrong,scourgeoftheweakanddying.

Ialsohadaburningdesiretofindanicewarmhyenacarcass,stickmyfacerightinthere,and—Okay,basicallyIwasn’tmyself.Itriedtofocusonthepresent.Istaredatmyshoes…thesameoldpairofBrooks,yellowshoelaceon

theleft,blackshoelaceontheright.IraisedmyswordarmtomakesureIcouldstillcontrolmymuscles.Relax,demigod.ThevoiceofNekhbetspokeinmymind.Letmetakecharge.“Idon’tthinkso,”Isaidaloud.Iwasrelievedthatmyvoicestillsoundedlikemyvoice.“Wedothis

togetherornotatall.”“Percy?”Annabethasked.“Areyouokay?”Lookingatherwasdisorienting.The“Percy”partofmesawmyusualawesomegirlfriend.The

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

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

balance.Don’tlethertakeover,butdon’tfighther,either.It’skindoflikerunningathree-leggedrace.Youhavetogetinarhythmwithyourpartner.”

“Butifyouhavetochoose,”Sadiesaid,“smackherdownandstayincontrol.”Isnarled.“Stupidgirl!Donottellme—”Iforcedmylipsclosed.Thetasteofrottingjackalfilledmy

mouth.“Sorry,Sadie,”Imanaged.“ThatwasNekhbettalking,notme.”“Iknow.”Sadie’sexpressiontightened.“Iwishwehadmoretimeforyoutogetusedtohostinga

goddess.However—”Anotherredflashilluminatedthetreetops.“ThesoonerIgetthisgoddessoutofmyhead,thebetter,”Isaid.“Let’sgosmashSetne’sface.”

Setnereallycouldnotdecideonhiswardrobe.Hestruttedaroundthesoccerfieldinblackbell-bottomedslacks,afrillywhiteshirt,andaglittery

purpletrenchcoat—allofwhichclashedwithhisnewlycombinedredandwhitecrown.HelookedlikePrincefromoneofmymom’soldalbumcovers,andjudgingfromthemagiclightsswirlingaroundhim,

Setnewasgettingreadytopartylikeitwas1999B.C.E.Havingonlyonehanddidn’tseemtobotherhim.Hewavedhisstumpconductor-style,chantingin

GreekandEgyptianwhilefogroseathisfeet.Burstsoflightdancedandbobbedaroundhim,asifathousandkidswerewritingtheirnameswithsparklers.

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

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

WithNekhbetinmymind,Iknewtheanswer.OfcoursetheMistwasrelated.TheMistwassimplyaGreeknamefortheuppermostlayerbetweentheworlds—thelayerthatSetnewasnowshredding.

Ishouldhavebeenterrified.Seeingtheworldinallitsinfinitelevelswasenoughtogiveanybodyvertigo.

ButI’dbeendroppedintooceansbefore.Iwasusedtofloatinginthedepthswithendlessthermallayersaroundme.

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

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

Hismagicpulledatus—Nekhbetandme—urgingustogiveupandbeabsorbedintohisnewgloriousform.

Ididn’twanttobeabsorbed.Neitherdidthevulturegoddess.Ourcommonpurposehelpedusworktogether.

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

MaybeifIkeptSetnebusy,CarterwouldbeabletocutoffSetne’sotherhand.Orhislegs.Bonuspointsforhishead.

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

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

throughme.“Surrender,andyoumightgetoutofthisalive.Otherwise—”“Oh,verygood!Verythreatening!Andyourfriendshere…Letmeguess.Youkeepmeoccupiedwhile

theysetsomeamazingtraptocontainthenewlymadegod?”“You’renotagodyet.”Hewavedoffthecomment.“IsupposeCarterislurkingaroundheretoo,allstealthyandinvisible?

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

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

AroundSetne’swrist,theMistcurled,solidifyingintoanewhand.“Whatdoyousay,Carter?”Abovethemagician,theairshimmered.Agiantbluefistthesizeofarefrigeratorappearedover

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

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

BeforeNekhbetandIcouldresolveourdifferences,theearthrumbled.SetnerosefromthegroundasifonanelevatorplatformandglaredatCarter.“Imakeyouaperfectly

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

avatarofHorustookshapearoundhim.Setnedidn’tlookworried.Hecurledhisnewlyregrownfingersinacomeheregesture,andCarter’s

avatarshattered.ThebluelightswirledtowardSetneandwasengulfedinhisgrowingaura.Cartercollapsed,motionless,onthewetground.

“SETNE!”Sadieshouted,raisingherstaff.“Overhere,youlittleweasel!”Sheblastedthemagicianwithajetofwhitefire.Setnecaughtitonhischestandabsorbedtheenergy.“Sadie,hon,”hechided.“Don’tbemad.Carterhasalwaysbeentheboringone.Ididn’treallywant

togranthimeternallife.Butyou—whydon’tyouworkwithme,eh?Wecanhavetonsoffun!Tearinguptheuniverse,destroyingthingsasweseefit!”

“That’s—that’snotfair,”Sadiesaid,hervoicetrembling.“Temptingmewithdestruction.”Shetriedforherusualsassytone,buthereyesstayedfixedonCarter,whostillwasn’tmoving.IknewIshoulddosomething.We’dhadaplan…ButIcouldn’trememberit.Thevulturegoddessin

myheadwasflyingcirclesonautopilot.EvenAnnabethlookedlikeshewasstrugglingtoconcentrate.BeingsoclosetoSetnewaslikestandingnexttoawaterfall.Hiswhitenoisedrownedouteverything.

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

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

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

“Souvenirs?”Isaid.“YouwantimmortalitysoyoucansellT-shirts?”

“Andsnowglobes!”Setnegotadreamylookinhiseyes.“Ilovesnowglobes.Anyway,there’sroomformorethanonenewgod.SadieKane—you’dbeperfect.Iknowyoulovebreakingrules.Let’sbreakallofthem!Yourfriendscancomealongtoo!”

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

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

beforeitdid,whichsavedourlives.CarterwasjuststrugglingtohisfeetwhenIshouted,“GETDOWN!”Hedroppedlikeasackofrocks.AringoffireexplodedoutwardfromSetne.Idiscardedmyswordandlungedinfrontofthegirls,spreadingmyarmsgoalie-style.Ashellof

purplelightsurroundedme,andtheflamesrolledharmlesslyovertranslucentwingsthatnowextendedoneithersideofme.WithmynewaccessoriesIwasabletoshieldSadieandAnnabethfromtheworstoftheblast.

Iloweredmyarms.Thegiantwingsretracted.Myfeet,floatingjustofftheground,werenowencasedinlargeghostlylegswiththreelongtoesandthetalonsofabird.

WhenIrealizedIwashoveringatthecenterofagiantglowingpurplevulture,myfirstthoughtwas:Carterwillneverstopteasingmeaboutthis.

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

magiclightshadburnedaway.Mynewswordwasasteaminglineofbronzeslagontheground.Carterlayrightwherehe’ddropped,wreathedinsmoke,hishaircharred,hisfaceredwithblisters.

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

“Thankthegods,”Annabethsaid.Setnebrushedsomeashoffhispurpletrenchcoat.“Well,youcanthankthegodsifyouwant,butthey

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

Sadiesteppedforward.Herorange-highlightedhairwhippedaroundherface.Hereyesturnedsteely,makingherlookevenmorelikeayoungAnnabeth.

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

leanedinandwhisperedsomethinginAnnabeth’sear.Annabeth’sfacetransformed.OnlyoncebeforehadIseenherwithsuchanexpressionofpure

wonder:whenshebeheldthegods’palacesonMountOlympus.Sadieturnedtome.“Percy…Annabethhasworktodo.Ineedtotendtomybrother.Whydon’tyou

keepourfriendSetneentertained?”Annabethopenedthescroll.ShebegantoreadaloudinAncientEgyptian.Glowinghieroglyphs

floatedoffthepapyrus.Theyswirledintheairaroundher,mixingwithGreekwordsasifAnnabethwasaddingherowncommentarytothespell.

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

Heraisedhisarmstocastsomecounterspell.Hiscrownbegantoglow.Ineededtomove,butNekhbetwasn’thelping.ShewasalittletoofocusedonCarter,whosmelled

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

died.Move,ItoldNekhbet.AndItookcontrolofthevultureavatar.BeforeSetnecouldfinishcastinghisspell,Igrabbedhiminmyspectralclawsandcarriedhiminto

thesky.

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

Thathatwasnotcomingoff,either.Ispiraledintothestorm,shakingSetne,tryingtoknockthecrownoffhishead,butthedudemusthave

fastenedittohispompadourwithsuperglue.Heblastedmewithfireandflashesoflight.Mybirdexoskeletondeflectedtheattacks,buteachtime,

thepurpleavatardimmed,andmywingsfeltheavier.“PercyJackson!”Setnewrithedinmyclaws.“Thisisawasteoftime!”Ididn’tbotherresponding.Thestrainofcombatwasquicklytakingitstoll.Duringourfirstencounter,Carterhadwarnedmethatmagiccouldliterallyburnupamagicianifhe

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

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

Webrokethroughthetopofthecloudlayer.Setnestoppedfighting,whichsurprisedmesomuch,Ialmostdroppedhim.Thencoldnessbegantoseepthroughmyvultureavatar,chillingmywetclothes,soakingintomybones.Itwasasubtlerkindofattack—probingforweakness—andIknewIcouldn’tallowit.IcurledmyvulturefeettighteraroundSetne’schest,hopingtocrushhim.

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

Myavatarflickeredandblinkedlikeabadfluorescenttube.Nekhbet,mybrainbuddy,turnedherattentioninward.

Youturneddownimmortality?Hervoicewasincredulous,offended.

Shescannedmymemories.Isawmyownpastfromherdry,cynicalpointofview:IstoodinthethroneroomofMountOlympusafterthewaragainsttheTitans.Zeusofferedmeareward:godhood.Iturnedhimdownflat.Iwantedjusticeforotherdemigodsinstead.Iwantedthegodstostopbeingjerksandtopayattentiontotheirkids.

Astupidrequest.Anaivethingtowishfor.Igaveuppower.Younevergiveuppower.IstruggledtokeepmygriponSetne.“Nekhbet,thoseareyourthoughts,notmine.Imadetheright

choice.”Thenyouareafool,thevulturegoddesshissed.“Yeah,pal,”Setnesaid,whoapparentlycouldhearher.“IgottaagreewithNekhbetonthisone.You

didthenoblething.Howdidthatworkout?Didthegodshonortheirpromises?”Icouldn’tseparateNekhbet’sbitternessfrommyownfeelings.Sure,Igrumbledaboutthegodsallthe

time,butI’dneverregrettedmydecisiontostaymortal.Ihadagirlfriend.Ihadafamily.Ihadmywholelifeaheadofme—assumingIcouldstayalive.

Now…maybeitwasjustNekhbetinmymind,orSetnetoyingwithme,butIstartedtowonderifI’dmadeahugeblunder.

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

Iwasglidinginalazycirclenow,myleftwingcarvingthetopsofthestormclouds.Setne’scrownglowedmorebrightly.Hisauragrewcolder,numbingmylimbsandturningmythoughtssluggish.IknewIwasintrouble,butIcouldn’tthinkofwhattodoaboutit.

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

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

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

Strengthisgood,Nekhbetagreed.Immortalityisgood.“I’mgivingyouasecondchance,”Setnesaid.“Helpmeout,Percy.Becomeagod.”WeturnedintheairasNekhbet’sconsciousnessseparatedfrommine.She’dforgottenwhichofus

wastheenemy.Nekhbetfavoredthestrong.Setnewasstrong.Iwasweak.IrememberedthewaySetnehadbeenstrip-miningtheDuat—cuttingfissuresinreality,destroyingthe

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

now.“You’relookingforawayintomymind,”Isaid.“Somethingyoucanrelatetoanduseagainstme.But

I’mnotlikeyou.Idon’twantimmortality,especiallynotifitripstheworldapart.”Setnesmiled.“Well,itwasworthatry.EspeciallysinceImadeyoulosecontrolofyourvulture!”

Anexplosionofcoldshatteredmyavatar.SuddenlyIwasfalling.Myoneadvantage:I’dbeenholdingSetneinmyclaws,whichmeanthewasdirectlybelowme.I

slammedrightintohimandlockedmyarmsaroundhischest.Weplummetedtogetherthroughtheclouds.Ishiveredsobadly,IwassurprisedIcouldstayconscious.Frostcakedmyclothes.Windandice

stungmyeyes.IfeltlikeIwasdownhillskiingwithoutamask.I’mnotsurewhySetnedidn’tjustmagichimselfaway.Isupposeevenapowerfulmagiciancan

succumbtopanic.Whenyou’refree–falling,youforgettothinkrationally:Gee,Ihavespellsandstuff.Insteadyouranimalbraintakesoverandyouthink:OHMYGODTHISKIDISHOLDINGONTOMEANDI’MTRAPPEDANDFALLINGANDI’MGOINGTODIE!

EventhoughIwassecondsawayfrombecomingvulturehorsd’oeuvres,Setne’ssquawkingandflappingbroughtmesomesatisfaction.

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

withnewenergy.Seawateralwaysdidgoodthingsforme,butnormallynotthisfast.MaybethepresenceofNekhbetrampedupmyhealing.MaybemydadPoseidonwastryingtodomeafavor.

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

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

hewastoofardownthepathtoimmortalityformetodestroy.Ineededtoundohismagic,whichmeantIneededhelp.

IkeptmygriponhisthroatandletthecurrentspushmetoGovernorsIsland.Carterwaitedformeontheisland’sringroad.Hisheadwaswrappedinbandageslikeaturban.The

blistersonhisfacehadbeentreatedwithsomekindofpurplegoo.Hislinenninjajammieslookedlikethey’dbeenlaunderedinaburningwoodchipper.Buthewasalive,andangry.Inonehandheheldaglowingwhiteropelikeacowboy’slasso.

“Welcomeback,Percy.”HeglaredatSetne.“Thisguygiveyouanytrouble?”SetneflailedandshotfireinCarter’sdirection.Carterlashedtheflamesasidewithhisrope.“I’vegothimundercontrolfornow,”Isaid.Ifeltconfidentthatwastrue.Theseawaterhadbroughtmebacktofullstrength.Nekhbetwas

cooperatingagain,readytoshieldmefromanythingSetnemighttry.Themagicianhimselfseemeddazedanddeflated.GettingstrangledatthebottomofNewYorkHarborwilldothattoyou.

“Let’sgo,then,”Cartersaid.“Wehaveanicereceptionplanned.”Backattheburnedsoccerfields,SadieandAnnabethhadsketchedamagicalbull’s-eyeonthe

ground.Atleastthat’showitlookedtome.Thechalkcirclewasaboutfivefeetindiameter,andelaboratelyborderedwithwordsofpowerinGreekandhieroglyphics.IntheDuat,Icouldseethatthecircleradiatedwhitelight.ItwasdrawnovertheriftthatSetnehadmade,likeabandageoverawound.

Thegirlsstoodonoppositesidesofthecircle.Sadiecrossedherarmsandplantedhercombatbootsdefiantly.AnnabethwasstillholdingtheBookofThoth.

Whenshesawme,shekeptherbattlefaceon;butfromthegleaminhereyes,Icouldtellshewas

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

investmentforher.ShehopedIwouldpaydividendseventually;ifIdiednow,shewould’veputupwithallmyannoyingqualitiesfornothing.

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

untilIfiguredouthissystem.”Ithrewhimintothecenterofthecircle.Thefourofussurroundedhim.ThehieroglyphsandGreek

lettersburnedandswirled,risinginafunnelcloudtocontainourprisoner.“Dudeisascavenger,”Isaid.“Nottoodifferentfromavulture.Hepicksthroughourminds,finds

whateverhecanrelateto,andheusesthattogetthroughourdefenses.Annabeth’sloveofwisdom.Carter’sdesiretomakehisdadproud.Sadie’s—”

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

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

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

head,thecrownofPtolemytiltedsidewayslikeanobservatorytelescope.“Youwererightaboutonething,”Itoldhim.“There’salotofpowerinmixingGreekandEgyptian.

I’mgladyouintroducedmetomynewfriends.We’regoingtokeepmixingitup.”“PercyJackson,listen—”“Butthere’sadifferencebetweensharingandstealing,”Isaid.“Youhavesomethingthatbelongsto

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

asmallpointyobjectinthebackofSetne’sthroat,andIyankeditfree:myballpointpen,Riptide.ItwaslikeI’dpulledtheplugoutofatire.MagicspewedfromSetne’smouth:amulticoloredstream

ofhieroglyphiclight.GETBACK!NekhbetscreamedinmymindasAnnabethyelledthesamethingaloud.Istumbledawayfromthecircle.Setnewrithedandspunasallthemagiche’dtriedtoabsorbnow

camegushingoutinadisgustingtorrent.I’dheardaboutpeople“pukingrainbows,”becausetheysawsomethingthatwasjusttoocute.

Letmetellyou:Ifyouactuallyseesomeonepukingrainbows…there’snothingcuteaboutit.AnnabethandSadieshoutedmagiccommandsinunison.Thefunnelcloudofmagicintensifiedaround

thecircle,hemminginSetne,whowasshrivelingrapidly.ThecrownofPtolemyrolledoffhishead.Cartersteppedforwardandthrewhisglowingrope.

AssoonastheropetouchedSetne,aflashoflightblindedme.Whenmyvisionreturned,Setneandtheropeweregone.Nomagiclightsswirled.Thevulture

goddesshadleftmymind.Mymouthnolongertastedlikedeadhyena.Annabeth,theKanes,andIstoodinaloosering,staringatthecrownofPtolemy,whichlaysideways

inthedirt.Nexttoitsataplasticbaublethesizeofagooseegg.Ipickeditup.Insidethesnowglobe,aminiaturemodelofGovernorsIslandwaspermanentlysubmerged.

Alternatelyrunningandswimmingaroundthelandscape,tryingtoavoidflurriesoffakesnow,wasatermite-sizemaninapurpletrenchcoat.

SetnehadmadeGovernorsIslandhiseternalheadquarters,afterall.He’dbeenimprisonedinacheapplasticsouvenir.

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

“Wouldsomeoneexplainwhathappenedbackthere?”Iasked.Annabethslippedherhandintomine.“Wewon,SeaweedBrain.”“Yeah,but…”Igesturedatthesnowglobe,whichCarterwasnowadmiring.“How?”Cartershooktheglobe.Fakesnowswirledinside.Maybeitwasmyimagination,butIswearIcould

hearSetneshriekingunderwaterashewasgiventheblendertourofhistinyprison.“Iguessthesnowglobeideagotstuckinmyhead,”Cartersaid.“WhenIthrewtheropeandsprung

thetrap,themagicconformedtowhatIwasthinking.Anyway,Setnewillmakeagreatpaperweight.”Sadiesnorted,almostnostril-spewingherRibena.“PoorlittleSetne—stuckonCarter’sdeskfor

eternity,forcedtowatchhimdohoursandhoursofboringresearch.Itwould’vebeenkindertoletAmmitdevourhissoul.”

Ididn’tknowwhoAmmitwas,butIdidn’tneedanymoresoul-devouringmonstersinmylife.“Sothetrapworked,”Isaid,whichIguesswaskindofobvious.“Idon’tneedtounderstandallthe

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

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

well,thedefinitionofwhoyouare.OnceIsharedit,Annabethhadaccesstomyexperiences,myabilities,allmygeneralamazingness.”

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

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

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

Mymouthwentdry.IimaginedAnnabethinvokinghieroglyphsatCampHalf-Blood,blowingupchariotsontheracetrack,hurlinggiantbluefistsduringcapturetheflag.

“Somygirlfriendisamagiciannow,like,permanently?Becauseshewasscaryenoughbefore.”Annabethlaughed.“Don’tworry,SeaweedBrain.TheeffectoflearningSadie’srenisalready

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

Halloweencostume,notthesortofheadgearthatcouldviolentlyriptheworldapart.“Whatdowedowiththat?”

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

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

Nekhbetwentbackto…wherevergoddessesgowhenthey’renotannoyingmortals.”Carterscratchedhisbandagedhead.“So…theyjustforgottheircrowns?”TracesofNekhbet’spersonalitylingeredinthecornersofmymind—justenoughtomakeme

uncomfortablysurethatthecrownofPtolemyhadbeenlefthereonpurpose.“It’satest,”Isaid.“TheTwoLadieswanttoseewhatwe’lldowithit.WhenNekhbetlearnedthat

I’dturneddownimmortalityoncebefore,shewaskindofoffended.Ithinkshe’scurioustofindoutifanyofuswillgoforit.”

Annabethblinked.“Nekhbetwoulddothatoutofcuriosity?Evenifitcausedaworld-destroyingevent?”

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

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

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

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

theGovernorsIslandLostandFound.”“Hey,Carter,”Isaid,“afterwedefeatedthatcrocodilemonsteronLongIsland,yousaidyouhada

safeplacetokeepitsnecklace.Couldyoustorethecrown,too?”TheKaneshadasilentconversationwitheachother.“IsupposewecouldbringthecrowntotheFirstNomeinEgypt,”Cartersaid.“OurUncleAmosisin

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

“Othersmighttryhybridmagic,”Annabethsaid.“Andthemoreit’stried,”Sadiesaid,“themoredamagecouldbedonetotheDuat,andthemortal

world,andoursanity.”Wesatinsilenceasthatideasankin.IimaginedwhatwouldhappenifthekidsintheHecatecabin

backatcampheardaboutEgyptianmagiciansinBrooklyn,orifClarissefromtheArescabinlearnedhowtosummonagiantwildboarcombatavatar.

Ishuddered.“We’llhavetokeepourworldsseparateasmuchaspossible.Theinfoistoodangerous.”

Annabethnodded.“You’reright.Idon’tlikekeepingsecrets,butwe’llhavetobecarefulwhowetalk

to.MaybewecantellChiron,but—”“IbetChironalreadyknowsabouttheEgyptians,”Isaid.“He’sawilyoldcentaur.But,yeah.We’ll

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

We’llhavetostandreadyincasesomethinglikethishappensagain.”“Annabethhasmynumber,”Sadiesaid.“Which,honestly,brother,isamucheasiersolutionthan

writinginvisiblehieroglyphsonyourfriend’shand.Whatwereyouthinking?”“Itmadesenseatthetime,”Carterprotested.Wecleanedupourpicnicstuffandgotreadytogoourseparateways.CartercarefullywrappedthecrownofPtolemyinlinencloth.SadiegavetheGovernorsIslandsnow

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

makingnewfriendsonlytotellthemgood-bye,especiallysincesomeofthemnevercameback.“Takecareofyourself,Carter,”Isaid.“Nomoregettingroastedinexplosions.”Hesmirked.“Ican’tpromise.Butcallusifyouneedus,okay?And,uh,thanks.”“Hey,itwasateameffort.”“Iguess.But,Percy…itcamedowntoyoubeingagoodperson.Setnecouldn’tgetahandleonyou.

Honestly,ifI’dbeentemptedwithgodhoodthewayyouweretempted—”“Youwould’vedonethesamething,”Isaid.“Maybe.”Hesmiled,buthedidn’tlookconvinced.“Okay,Sadie.Timetofly.Theinitiatesat

BrooklynHousearegoingtobeworried.”“AndKhufuismakingJell-Ofruitsaladfordinner,”shesaid.“Shouldbedelicious.Toodle-oo,

demigods!”TheKanesturnedintobirdsofpreyandlaunchedthemselvesintothesunset.“Thishasbeenaweirdday,”ItoldAnnabeth.Sheslippedherhandintomine.“I’mthinkingcheeseburgersfordinneratP.J.Clarke’s.”“Withbacon,”Isaid.“We’veearnedit.”“Ilovethewayyouthink,”shesaid.“AndI’mgladyou’renotagod.”Shekissedme,andIdecidedthatIwasgladtoo.Akissinthesunsetandthepromiseofagoodbacon

cheeseburger—withthatkindofpayoff,whoneedsimmortality?

GOODMORNING!YOU’REGOINGTODIE.

YEAH,IKNOW.YouguysaregoingtoreadabouthowIdiedinagony,andyou’regoingbelike,“Wow!Thatsoundscool,Magnus!CanIdieinagonytoo?”

No.Justno.Don’tgojumpingoffanyrooftops.Don’trunintothehighwayorsetyourselfonfire.Itdoesn’twork

thatway.YouwillnotendupwhereIendedup.Besides, youwouldn’twant todealwithmy situation.Unlessyou’vegot somecrazydesire to see

undeadwarriorshackingoneanothertopieces,swordsflyingupgiants’noses,anddarkelvesinsnappyoutfits,youshouldn’teventhinkaboutfindingthewolf-headedgates.

MynameisMagnusChase.I’msixteenyearsold.ThisisthestoryofhowmylifewentdownhillafterIgotmyselfkilled.

Mydaystartedoutnormallyenough.IwassleepingonthesidewalkunderabridgeinthePublicGardenwhenaguykickedmeawakeandsaid,“They’reafteryou.”

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

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

Thenyou’dkeepwalking.Whatever. I don’t need your sympathy. I’m used to being laughed at. I’m definitely used to being

ignored.Let’smoveon.ThebumwhowokemewasaguycalledBlitz.Asusual,helookedlikehe’dbeenrunningthrougha

dirtyhurricane.Hiswiryblackhairwasfullofpaperscrapsandtwigs.Hisfacewasthecolorofsaddleleather, fleckedwith ice.Hisbeardcurled in all directions.Snowcaked thebottomofhis trenchcoatwhere it dragged around his feet—Blitz being about five feet five—and his eyeswere so dilated, theiriseswereallpupil.Hispermanentlyalarmedexpressionmadehimlooklikehemightstartscreaminganysecond.

I blinked the gunk out ofmy eyes.Mymouth tasted like day-old hamburger.My sleeping bagwaswarm,andIreallydidn’twanttogetoutofit.

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

bolt.“They’rehandingoutflyerswithyournameandpicture.”I cursed. Random police and park rangers I could deal with. Truant officers, community service

volunteers,drunkencollegekids,addictslookingtorollsomebodysmallandweak—allthosewould’vebeenaseasytowakeuptoaspancakesandorangejuice.

Butwhensomebodyknewmynameandmyface—thatwasbad.Thatmeant theyweretargetingmespecifically.Maybethefolksat theshelterweremadatmeforbreakingtheirstereo.(ThoseChristmascarolshadbeendrivingmecrazy.)MaybeasecuritycameracaughtthatlastbitofpickpocketingIdidintheTheaterDistrict.(Hey,Ineededmoneyforpizza.)Ormaybe,unlikelyasitseemed,thepolicewerestilllookingforme,wantingtoaskquestionsaboutmymom’smurder….

I packedmy stuff,which took about three seconds. The sleeping bag rolled up tight and fit inmybackpackwithmytoothbrushandachangeofsocksandunderwear.Exceptfortheclothesonmyback,that’sall Iowned.With thebackpackovermyshoulderand thehoodofmy jacketpulled low, I couldblend inwithpedestrian trafficprettywell.Bostonwas full of collegekids.Someof themwere evenmorescragglyandyounger-lookingthanme.

IturnedtoBlitz.“Where’dyouseethesepeoplewiththeflyers?”“BeaconStreet.They’re coming thisway.Middle-agedwhite guy and a teenage girl, probably his

daughter.”Ifrowned.“Thatmakesnosense.Who—”“Idon’t know, kid, but I gotta go.”Blitz squinted at the sunrise,whichwas turning the skyscraper

windows orange. For reasons I’d never quite understood, Blitz hated the daylight.Maybe hewas theworld’s shortest, stoutest homeless vampire. “You should go see Hearth. He’s hanging out in CopleySquare.”

Itriednottofeelirritated.ThelocalstreetpeoplejokinglycalledHearthandBlitzmymomanddadbecauseoneortheotheralwaysseemedtobehoveringaroundme.

“Iappreciateit,”Isaid.“I’llbefine.”Blitzchewedhisthumbnail.“Idunno,kid.Nottoday.Yougottabeextracareful.”“Why?”Heglancedovermyshoulder.“They’recoming.”Ididn’tseeanybody.WhenIturnedback,Blitzwasgone.Ihateditwhenhedidthat.Just—poof.Theguywaslikeaninja.Ahomelessvampireninja.NowIhadachoice:gotoCopleySquareandhangoutwithHearth,orheadtowardBeaconStreetand

trytospotthepeoplewhowerelookingforme.Blitz’sdescriptionof themmademecurious.Amiddle-agedwhiteguyandateenagegirlsearching

formeatsunriseonabitter-coldmorning.Why?Whowerethey?Icreptalongtheedgeofthepond.Almostnobodytookthelowertrailunderthebridge.Icouldhug

thesideofthehillandspotanyoneapproachingonthehigherpathwithoutthemseeingme.Snowcoatedtheground.Theskywaseye-achinglyblue.Thebaretreebrancheslookedlikethey’d

beendippedinglass.Thewindcutthroughmylayersofclothes,butIdidn’tmindthecold.MymomusedtojokethatIwashalfpolarbear.

Dammit,Magnus,Ichidedmyself.After twoyears,mymemoriesofherwere still aminefield. I stumbledoverone, and instantlymy

composurewasblowntobits.Itriedtofocus.Themanandthegirlwerecomingthisway.Theman’ssandyhairgrewoverhiscollar—notlikean

intentional style, but like he couldn’t be bothered to cut it. His baffled expression remindedme of a

substituteteacher’s:IknowIwashitbyaspitwad,butIhavenoideawhereitcamefrom.HisdressshoesweretotallywrongforaBostonwinter.Hissocksweredifferentshadesofbrown.Histielookedlikeithadbeentiedwhilehespunaroundintotaldarkness.

Thegirlwasdefinitelyhisdaughter.Herhairwasjustasthickandwavy,thoughlighterblond.Shewasdressedmoresensiblyinsnowboots, jeans,andaparka,withanorangeT-shirtpeekingoutat theneckline.Herexpressionwasmoredetermined,angry.Shegrippedasheafofflyersliketheywereessaysshe’dbeengradedonunfairly.

Ifshewaslookingforme,Ididnotwanttobefound.Shewasscary.Ididn’trecognizeherorherdad,butsomethingtuggedatthebackofmyskull…likeamagnettryingto

pulloutaveryoldmemory.Fatheranddaughterstoppedwherethepathforked.Theylookedaroundasifjustnowrealizingthey

werestandinginthemiddleofadesertedparkatno-thank-youo’clockinthedeadofwinter.“Unbelievable,”saidthegirl.“Iwanttostranglehim.”Assumingshemeantme,Ihunkereddownalittlemore.Herdadsighed.“Weshouldprobablyavoidkillinghim.Heisyouruncle.”“Buttwoyears?”thegirldemanded.“Dad,howcouldhenottellusfortwoyears?”“Ican’texplainRandolph’sactions.Inevercould,Annabeth.”Iinhaledsosharply,Iwasafraidtheywouldhearme.Ascabwasrippedoffmybrain,exposingraw

memoriesfromwhenIwassixyearsold.Annabeth.Whichmeantthesandy-hairedmanwas…UncleFrederick?IflashedbacktothelastfamilyThanksgivingwe’dshared:Annabethandmehidinginthelibraryat

UncleRandolph’stownhouse,playingwithdominoeswhiletheadultsyelledateachotherdownstairs.You’reluckyyoulivewithyourmomma.Annabethstackedanotherdominoonherminiaturebuilding.

Itwasamazinglygood,withcolumnsinfrontlikeatemple.I’mgoingtorunaway.Ihadnodoubtshemeantit.Iwasinaweofherconfidence.ThenUncleFrederickappearedinthedoorway.Hisfistswereclenched.Hisgrimexpressionwasat

oddswiththesmilingreindeeronhissweater.Annabeth,we’releaving.Annabethlookedatme.Hergrayeyeswerealittletoofierceforafirstgrader’s.Besafe,Magnus.Withaflickofherfinger,sheknockedoverherdominotemple.ThatwasthelasttimeI’dseenher.Afterward,mymomhadbeenadamant:We’restayingawayfromyouruncles.EspeciallyRandolph.

Iwon’tgivehimwhathewants.Ever.Shewouldn’t explainwhatRandolphwanted,orwhat sheandFrederickandRandolphhadargued

about.Youhavetotrustme,Magnus.Beingaroundthem…it’stoodangerous.Itrustedmymom.Evenafterherdeath,Ihadn’thadanycontactwithmyrelatives.Now,suddenly,theywerelookingforme.Randolphlivedintown,butasfarasIknew,FrederickandAnnabethstilllivedinVirginia.Yethere

theywere,passingoutflyerswithmynameandphotoonthem.Wherehadtheyevengottenaphotoofme?

Myheadbuzzedsobadly,Imissedsomeoftheirconversation.“—tofindMagnus,”UncleFrederickwassaying.Hecheckedhissmartphone.“Randolphisatthecity

shelterintheSouthEnd.Hesaysnoluck.Weshouldtrytheyouthshelteracrossthepark.”“HowdoweevenknowMagnusisalive?”Annabethaskedmiserably.“Missingfortwoyears?He

couldbefrozeninaditchsomewhere!”Partofmewastemptedtojumpoutofmyhidingplaceandshout,TA-DA!EventhoughithadbeentenyearssinceI’dseenAnnabeth,Ididn’tlikeseeingherdistressed.Butafter

so long on the streets, I’d learned the hardway: you neverwalk into a situation until you understandwhat’sgoingon.

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

TheysetofftowardCharlesStreet,theirvoicescarriedawaybythewind.Iwas shivering now, but itwasn’t from the cold. Iwanted to run after Frederick, tackle him, and

demandwhatwasgoingon.HowdidRandolphknowIwasstillintown?Whyweretheylookingforme?Howwasmylifeindangernowmorethanonanyotherday?

ButIdidn’tfollowthem.Irememberedthelastthingmymomevertoldme.I’dbeenreluctanttousethefireescape,reluctantto

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

Then,beforeI’dmadeitoutthewindow,thedoorofourapartmenthadburstintosplinters.Twopairsofglowingblueeyeshademergedfromthedarkness….

IshookoffthememoryandwatchedUncleFrederickandAnnabethwalkaway,veeringeasttowardtheCommon.

Uncle Randolph…for some reason, he’d contacted Frederick and Annabeth. He’d gotten them toBoston.Allthistime,FrederickandAnnabethhadn’tknownthatmymomwasdeadandIwasmissing.Itseemedimpossible,butifitweretrue,whywouldRandolphtellthemaboutitnow?

Withoutconfrontinghimdirectly,Icouldthinkofonlyonewaytogetanswers.HistownhousewasinBackBay,aneasywalkfromhere.AccordingtoFrederick,Randolphwasn’thome.HewassomewhereintheSouthEnd,lookingforme.

Sincenothingstartedadaybetterthanalittlebreakingandentering,Idecidedtopayhisplaceavisit.