Chapter 9—Wings and Weirdoes
Max
Be prepared, Max. I heard the Voice say in my head for the fourth time.
For what? I thought testily. With no reply, as usual.
Down on the ground, I saw Percy, Annabeth, and Sam waving up at us. And they weren't alone: four others were also on the beach, staring up. The other Virals, I guessed. Cooper the wolfdog was also there.
"Okay, guys. Act natural." Whatever the heck natural meant for six kids with wings.
We landed, trying to ignore the stares the Virals were giving us. "I see you're looking better," I said to Percy.
He was: Ari had left Percy looking like he'd been thrown in a blender, yet here he was without a single scratch on him.
Percy shrugged. "Just needed some time. What about you?" He stabbed a finger at me. "Why did you follow us?"
I shrugged. "Didn't have anywhere to go."
"Max, you liar." Sam rolled his eyes. "We all know you wanted to admire my amazingness."
I gaped at him. Was he trying to make a joke out of this? I didn't know what to do, so I punched him on the shoulder. Hard.
Somehow, he knew the punch was coming. Sam tried to dodge, but I clipped him on the shoulder. Sam spun around and fell face first in the sand.
"Why?" Sam got up and glared at Tory, then at me. "Just… why? What in Hades did I do to annoy you?"
"You're annoying."
Annabeth snorted. "Please. You don't know annoying until you've met Leo."
"So, I'm not annoying?" Sam looked crestfallen.
"No." Annabeth looked appalled. "And don't even think for a second that you'll be that annoying."
"Yet."
This must've irked Annabeth. She advanced on Sam, who backed up nervously. I couldn't blame him: Annabeth's stormy grey eyes were fierce with anger.
One of her hands rested on her dagger. One of the Virals noticed, because his eyes practically bugged out of his head.
Sam noticed the movement too. "So, can we can actually fight now? 'Cause I haven't gotten a chance yet."
"Why not?" Annabeth smiled coldly. Uh oh.
Is this it? I thought. Is this what you've been warning me about, Voice? Of course, I got no reply.
Annabeth drew her dagger. Sam held out his hand, and a sword appeared out of nowhere.
"Am I dreaming," one of the Virals asked, "or did that actually happen?"
Before anyone had a chance to answer, Annabeth attacked.