Chapter Eleven

"Rescue Mission"

"No. No. No," I whispered to myself.

The chariot had taken us to New York—in Central Park, near the gate of Orpheus. It was early dawn, yet New York, being the city that never sleeps, already buzzed with some vehicles and passers-by.

"Dear," Nana enveloped me in her arms. "It's gonna be alright. You can do it, yes you can, go back to the Underworld and save your best friend."

I sniffed. Then turned to Nico. "Did you know?"

"Know what?" He looked on his guard, and annoyed. I resisted the urge to punch him.

"You know," I said. "Now he's captured. By your father."

Nico glared. "I didn't know a freaking thing. Didn't do it on purpose, if that's what you mean. Look—"

"ENOUGH!" Kyle said. He sighed. "Mortal Boy is in the Underworld. We're getting him back, don't you worry, Lily Rose. We're all in this together. We're part of the quest."

"You know," Nico said. "You just unknowingly quoted High School Musical."

Kyle glared at him. "Shut up."

"Whatever. Later, guys." And he bounded into the shadows.

"Hey!" I cried, but the son of Hades was gone.

Keira kicked at a pebble. "That coward."

"Yep," Kyle agreed. "Just shadow travelled away." He turned to me. "Look, we have to get back to Camp first. I'm calling Argus." He fidgeted in his pocket for his phone.

"Are you kidding me?" I cried. "My best friend is trapped in the Underworld, and all you can say is 'We have to get back to Camp first'." I did a pretty good (in my opinion) imitation of Kyle's voice.

"Lily Rose," Nana said. "You have to report to Chiron."

"That old centaur," I muttered. "Can't even pass correct info. Told me you were taken by Titans—"

"Lily Rose," Nana said sternly. "I know it isn't my place to be firm with you, but for the sake of the gods, you're needed back at Camp Half-Blood. And you're going there. You understand?"

I glared at Nana. In the back of my mind, I realized that this was probably the first time I've been mad at Nana in a long time. "And you?" I spat. "How're you gonna get back?"

Argus' Camp van pulled over then.

Nana grinned. "Argus can give me a ride."

"Welcome back, Lily Rose," Chiron said. "And Kyle and Keira. How'd the quest go?"

Argus had dropped Nana off back at Westchester and brought us back to Camp Half-Blood, where Chiron had subsequently summoned us in his office.

"Not very well," I replied, my tone edged with malice.

Chiron frowned. "Lily Rose—"

"Did you know?" I said, struggling to get the words out. Because my life had just shattered into pieces. In the reflection of Chiron's polished wooden table, I caught a glimpse of Kyle and Keira shuffling nervously.

Chiron sat up, looking worried. He was faking it. I knew he was. "Know what?"

I stomped up to him and slammed my palms on the table. "THAT IT WAS HADES. HADES ALL ALONG. AND HE TRICKED US. NOT THE TITANS!"

Chiron's brow furrowed, and he turned pale. "What? Lily Rose—"

"Erm," I heard Keira say. "I'll…just be going."

That coward. She exited the room.

"Sir," Kyle said. I was surprised that he remained. "I think I can explain."

"Well," Chiron said, worriedly, "let's have it, then."

Once Kyle was done explaining, Chiron's brow had furrowed even more. He raked a hand through his unruly hair. Or mane. Whatever.

"Lily Rose," Chiron said, "I'm sorry for your loss—"

"I don't want your pity," I snapped. Behind me, I felt Kyle studying me, his eyes drilling into my back. I pretended not to notice.

Chiron continued. "It's just—well, Lily Rose. This…the very fact that Hades, well, has manipulated you…it means maybe, once more, the Lord of the Underworld is being a bit player once more. Haughty and self-serving, he seems to act, looking out only for his best interests. Maybe he struck a deal with the Titans—a very minor one, without choosing sides. And—"

"JUST SHUT UP," I shouted. I took a deep breath. "Look, I'm going after Mark. He's my best friend. Whether you like it or not. I'll even go alone if I have to—"

"No, Lily Rose."

"YES!" I protested. "You…you can't just expect me to sit here, doing nothing—"

Chiron sighed. "Lily Rose, I'm afraid that I'm not allowed to let you go on a quest on your own. Or on any quest, for that matter. It requires a few days. Also, Olympus is closed, meaning—"

"A Titan attack." Kyle nodded in understanding. "Of course."

Chiron sighed again. "Yes, Kyle. Now you see, Lily Rose, why…"

"I'm going," I said firmly. "Whether you like it or not."

The old centaur shook his head. "I'm afraid that's not going to happen, Lily Rose—"

"Yeah, Lily Rose," Kyle said. "You're supposed to stay." He didn't meet my eyes.

I felt more heat rush to my face. "Stay?" I croaked. "I can't stay." I shook my head. "For all I know, Mark is being tortured to death—"

"We will wait and see," Chiron said firmly, then waved his hand to dismiss us.

I stomped out the room in anger.

"Lily Rose!" I heard a voice call out from behind me.

I whirled around. Kyle?

He was approaching me with a grin on his face, and I immediately resisted the urge to kill him.

"What do you want?!" I demanded. "You basically told Chiron how much better it is to stay at Camp, and—"

Kyle frowned. "Lily Rose," he said, "that's not what I meant."

"Oh, really now?" I snapped. "Well, that's why you had to go and say—"

"LOOK," Kyle said firmly, raising his voice. "I only said that so that old centaur wouldn't investigate."

My mouth dropped open. "But—"

"We're in this together," Kyle said. "Keira, too. We just had to make it seem like—"

"Like we're not gonna sneak out?" I finished.

He grinned. "Exactly. Now here's our plan."

"I didn't know the Camp had a library," I said, as we walked into a huge room, filled with books and tables.

Keira had joined us by then. "Well, of course it does."

"Donated by Annabeth Chase," Kyle muttered.

Kyle had told me the plan. It was simple, really. We would stay at the library all day, lying low trying to research on anything that might help us.

Then, at night, with the help of a certain hellhound, we would sneak out of Camp.

I quickly rushed to the nearest shelf. "All about Hades," I whispered gleefully. Then I quickly sobered. "Now let's see what to do about those who ate food from the Underworld." I turned to Kyle. "Do they usually end happily? After, you know, eating hell food?"

Kyle wouldn't meet my eyes. So did Keira. "I don't know," he said, not managing to sound that convincing.

I felt my heart sinking. Again. I tried for a lighter tone. "Thanks, guys, by the way, for helping me. A lot."

"That's what friends are for," Keira muttered, then quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

"Ah-ha!" Kyle spun around to face his sister. "You actually said something nice. Something sentimental. Got you."

Keira rolled her eyes, but her cheeks, which were on fire, gave her away. "Whatever." I hid a smile in the big black volume I was holding.

Suddenly I heard footsteps from behind. The three of us quickly exchanged looks.

The library door opened.

"Oh, hello, guys," a voice—soft and slightly unsure—said. A throat was cleared. "Hey Kyle. Hey Keira. And—"

"Lily Rose," I said. "I'm new."

"I know." The guy at the door fidgeted. "I'm Donald."

Donald turned out to be pale, slightly plump, with a round face framed by red-gold corkscrew curls. His eyes were big, blue, and watery. He seemed to be covered from head to toe with freckles. Plus, he had thick Coke-bottle glasses.

Kyle coughed. "Donald is a son of Athena."

"And he's a nerd?" I whispered back softly.

"Yep," Kyle said, "not to mention he has a total crush on Keira."

Sure enough, Donald had approached Keira, who was busy looking for books that might help us. "Hey Keira," he said.

Keira quickly climbed atop a ladder and started searching the top shelves. "Hi, Donald."

Donald cleared his throat. "So I was thinking—"

"Um," Keira said icily, turning to look at the poor idiot, "I'm busy."

Donald looked crestfallen—but only for a second. "I can help."

Keira smiled her fake smile. Which made her still look like a supermodel, which was unfair. "No thanks. We're good."

"Okay." Donald stood his ground. I admired his persistence.

Keira sighed. "You know, as a matter of fact, I lost my bracelet. It's a gold one, gift from my dad. It's at the bottom of the canoe lake. The naiads wouldn't give it back." She flashed a grin at Donald. "Think you can get it back?"

Donald jumped excitedly. "Absolutely," he said, turning to leave. He opened the library door and let himself out.

Once he was gone, Keira exhaled. "Whew."

"Yeah," Kyle agreed.

I turned to face Keira. "Did you really lose your bracelet?"

"Nope." Keira grabbed two thick volumes. From here I could see the titles: A Beginner's Guide to Greek Mythology and Hades: God of the Underworld. "And it doesn't matter, as long as he doesn't bother me again."

"He's actually harmless," Kyle told me. "But—"

"Irritating?" I suggested. "Stupid?"

"Not in the academic sense, no. But yes."

I grinned.

"Focus," Keira demanded. "We have a long way to go."

Hours later, I gave up. "I can't find anything!" I said, frustrated. I had checked The Story of Persephone, The Big Three, an encyclopaedia-like volume called All About The God of Death filled with detailed descriptions about Hades, and a long, sprawling book called Underworld. I bang my head on the table. "It's hopeless."

Mark. Mark. I'm so sorry, Mark. How was I supposed to rescue him, now?

"Me neither," Kyle muttered. He was slumped in his seat. "None of this ends happily."

Keira opened her mouth to say something, but then the library doors opened. We braced ourselves, until I saw that it was Donald who rushed in.

His curly hair was wet and smashed to one side, and his thick glasses were askew. From afar, even I could see that it had a cracked lens. His skin was blotchy red and sunburned. His Camp Half-Blood shirt was ripped into shreds, and his stomach was covered by nail scratches. Soaking wet, he dripped onto the pristine library floor.

"Chiron," he wheezed, "told me to get you…for lunch…and Keira…I'm still looking for your bracelet…I cut pegasi riding class, but whatever…anything for you…"

Keira's smile was strained. "Sure, Donald. Really appreciate it."

Satisfied, Donald turned and left.

I turned to Keira. "You're leading him on, you know that?" I scolded.

She shrugged. "Hey, it's either that or he stalks us. And you want to rescue Mark, don't you?"

I sighed and shut my mouth. We made our way to the mess hall.

"Oh, my gods!" Christie squealed when she saw me. She rushed over to give me a hug. "I was so worried that you were dead, and that you got hurt in the quest." I could see the real concern in her eyes.

I hugged her back. "I'm fine," I replied, trying not to grimace. Wow, for someone so petite and pixie-like, Christie sure has a tight hug. Well, it's the thought that counts.

Christie seemed to sense my mood, because she stepped back and frowned. "Is there something wrong?"

I dropped my voice. "Shhh. Not here." I grabbed a plate and, like the other campers, began to pile it with pepperoni pizza and spaghetti. I read somewhere that stress either makes you eat more or eat less, and I must be one of those who eats more. I reached out for a tray and put my plate on it. I snatched a packet of French fries, a platter of chicken nuggets, and a slice of chocolate cake. I then added a small bowl of salad for good measure.

Christie, being a vegetarian and all, wrinkled her nose at my meat-filled meal. On her own tray was salad and a tiny piece of vegetarian lasagne. Her only dessert was a lone chocolate chip cookie. But she put up with my charade. "Okay," she whispered.

"If it isn't the newbie." Suddenly, Ivy was there, blocking the way to the brazier. Her hair was a darker shade of strawberry-blond now, but her snake-green eyes were as cold and calculating as ever. "I was starting to hope that you died on your little quest."

"Leave us alone, Ivy," I said, gritting my teeth.

"Oh, I'd rather not," Ivy drawled. "Because what are you going to do to me, anyway? You can't use your powers anymore." She took a step forward, hand on her hip.

I casually sidestepped her and scraped some of my food into the brazier. Dear Mom, Demeter, whatever you want to be called, I think, please guide me on my quest. And let me get Mark back.

When I turned back to Ivy, my voice was calm. She scowls, like she doesn't understand. I realized that she had been waiting for my answer to her taunt.

Well, she's not getting one.

"You know," I said, "you're pathetic." Ivy gasped and stepped back, but I continued, anyway. "Being on this quest matured me. I'm not gonna be pathetic and sink down to your level by acting like you."

Ivy's eyes widened. Behind me, I heard the rest of the Demeter cabin watching us in bated breath.

Meanwhile, Ivy's face had twisted into a horrifying glare. "You're just scared. Right, Ursul?" Ivy's eyes sought around for her 'friend'. But Ursula was at the other end of the mess hall, flirting with some guy from the Ares cabin.

I turned back to Ivy. "No, I'm not scared," I say firmly, and as calm as ever. "I'm just a girl who know her own mind."

"That was amazing!" Christie whispered to me once we were at the Demeter table. "You should've seen Ivy's face! Also, all the others saw it. That bitch is going down!" She lifted her hand for a high-five. I returned it only half-heartedly.

"What's wrong?" Christie asked. "I really mean what I said, you know. You should try for counsellor."

I took a deep breath. "It's…not that. But thanks, anyway. Though I don't think I can be counsellor, because…" I looked around, searching for a listening ear. But no one was taking notice of us.

I take a deep breath and relayed the plans to Christie.

Her eyes bulged. "You're kidding me."

"I'm not."

"You're really gonna sneak out?" Christie said worriedly. "You'll—"

"Kyle said it would work," I said. "Just…you can keep a secret, right?"

Christie nodded. "I swear on the Styx that I won't breathe a word you said to anyone."

"Good. Thanks." I sighed and relaxed.

"But…" Christie stabbed her fork into a piece of lettuce. "That doesn't mean I can't talk you out of it."

"What?!"

"Lily Rose, it's dangerous," Christie whispered. "You could die."

I shot her a sarcastic look. "Yeah, as if I hadn't weighed in that option yet."

"I'm not kidding." Christie shook her head. "I don't want to lose my best friend."

We were suddenly very quiet. "I know," I said. "I don't want to lose mine, too."

Even though she meant me and I meant Mark.

Christie sighed. "There's no use trying to stop you, is there?"

"Nope."

"Then good luck," Christie said resignedly, "for tonight. Chalázi kai antho. Hail and farewell."

The rest of the day passed by in a blur. We had pegasi riding lessons. Some lesson with Mr. Kostas. I was too worried to pay any attention.

Screw that. I wasn't worried. I was full-on terrified and paranoid.

Because what if Mark was dead? Nothing we'd searched for in the library said anything like, "Oh, by the way, if your best friend ate a pomegranate from Hades' garden, this is how you can get him back." Nothing at all.

I was beginning to lose hope.

Mark. My best friend. I couldn't imagine my life without him.

"What if Hades won't hand him back?" I asked Kyle.

Kyle looked plenty worried, too. "He will. He has to. He wants something from us, and he's using Mark to get it."

At that, my chest bubbled up with the unfairness of it all. "What if we can't do what he asks?"

Kyle didn't answer that.

It didn't help that midway through the afternoon Chiron, that centaur, summoned me to his office.

We were in the middle of Mr. Kostas' class. Well, the others were. My mind was wandering somewhere else.

Mr. Kostas paused mid-lecture to answer the knock on the door. He spoke awhile with a guy then turned to me. "Lily Rose," he said.

I was busy doodling onto my notebook. It was supposed to be a bunch of stuff about Mark, but looking back, I was so panicky that it could've just been meaningless scribbles.

I didn't even hear Mr. Kostas at first. He had to clear his throat and say my name two more times before I finally snapped to full-on attention.

"Lily Rose," he said, all disappointedly, "Chiron would like to see you in his office."

I felt Kyle and Keira tense up. Christie gasped. Nearby, Ivy snickered. "Looks like newbie's in trouble," she muttered gleefully.

I stood up. He's found out.

But how could he have found out? I told no one. Christie swore the oath, too. And I doubt she'd tell on me.

As I got up, I felt all eyes on me. The squeaky creak from my chair seemed to echo across the whole camp. "Yes, sir," I said numbly as I exited the room and made my way to Chiron's office.

I only had to knock once on his door. "Come in!" he called out.

I braced myself and opened the door. Be brave. Be brave. The worst he can do to you is make you put on fire-resistant gloves and wash the dishes after dinner.

Or was it?

"You wanted to see me, sir?" I said, hoping not to sound too guilty.

He nodded. His face was unreadable. "Ah, yes. Please, sit."

I sat on the chair. It was as hard as a cement wall.

"Lily Rose," Chiron said. He grasped the table—he was in his wheelchair again—and pulled himself nearer. "Well, well, well."

I took a deep breath.

He continued. "I wasn't expecting this."

I opened my mouth. "Chiron, I—"

Suddenly he smiled. "I must say, I'm impressed."

Huh?

"I…" My voice faltered. "Sir, what?!"

His grin grew wider. "Well, you do know Seraphina , right?"

"Erm, no."

"From the Aphrodite cabin," Chiron said. "Anyway, that's not the point. The point is, well, she likes to talk. A lot."

"Uh huh," I said numbly. I still wasn't sure where this conversation was going.

"And," Chiron clasped his hands together. "She told me about how Ivy taunted you. And how you refused to put up with a fight."

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?! I thought. "Well, yes!"

Chiron smiled. "Lily Rose," he said, "I am proud of you."

"What? Sir, I don't understand—"

He cut me off easily. "I'm glad you refused to give in to your temper and conduct yourself in a mature manner."

"Er, thank you?"

"I can also see," he continued, "that you've kept your promise not to show any one else your power in Camp."

"Oh," I said. Then I fake a smile. "Well, yes, sir! Thanks!"

He hasn't found out!

"As a reward, I am reconsidering the quest for you to rescue Mark," he said. "I will do what is it in my power to let you go on your quest. Though, I might warn you—" He shook his head. "I am not really sure when, though. A week at least. But, Lily Rose, I am impressed."

"Oh, okay. Thanks, sir!" I said overeagerly. Though inside, I felt guilty. Here he was, praising me, and I was gonna sneak out from under his nose.

"Well, Lily Rose," Chiron said. "That is all. You may go."

He looked pleased. "Thank you, sir," I said again. And I'm sorry for what I'm about to do.

But there was no turning back now.

Later that night, at around 10:30, I got up and checked the others at my cabin. All asleep. I grabbed my satchel, which Christie had packed for me, on account of the fact that I was too nervous to do it myself. I slipped out as quietly as possible and headed to the Apollo cabin.

At night, Camp was still beautiful. There was something about the silence and the way the stars twinkled over the lush grounds that was comforting, and…

Enough. I needed to focus. I tiptoed over to the Apollo cabin. Kyle and Keira were already outside.

"Come on," Keira whispered, and we made our way to a secluded clearing in the forest.

I take back what I said about Camp being beautiful. The trees looked forbidding in the darkness, like gnarled arms trying to grab us.

"Psst!"

We froze in our tracks.

"It's me, sillies," I heard a voice whisper.

I turned to Kyle and Keira, who had brought their flashlights out.

Kyle took a step forward. "Clover? Is that you?"

I heard a little high-pitched giggle. "Yup, it's me. What are you guys doing?"

Now I could see Clover. She was standing in front of a tree, practically camouflaged. She must be a dryad—she had soft blond curls, green eyes, and pale skin.

"None of your business," Keira muttered darkly.

Kyle shot Keira a look. "Look, Clover, we're going on a quest—"

"You are?" Clover looked awed. "How're you gonna get there?"

"Look, you have to promise not to tell anyone—"

"I won't. There's just one problem."

I gasped.

"What?" Kyle asked suspiciously.

"I've got an empathy link with a demigod."

My mouth dropped open. "I thought—"

"That only satyrs could have them? Any nature spirit can, Lily Rose," Clover said.

I didn't bother asking how she knew my name.

"Well," Keira said, "who'd you get an empathy link with?"

Clover pouted. "I didn't want an empathy link with her. She made me do it. She choked my tree."

"Oh, Clover—"

"Yeah. I finally gave in. It's just a temporary empathy link, though—we dryads aren't really into those kinds of stuff."

"So, who's the lucky demigod?" I asked.

Clover shrugged. "That mean girl from your cabin. Ivy Mercer."

"WHAT?!" I cried. "This…" I shook my head angrily. "Ugh! I bet she wanted to keep tabs on us and get us in trouble!"

"Exactly. Now we have to go." Kyle began rushing forward. "Thanks for the heads-up, Clover. Now we know what to expect. Bye!" He took off, Keira and I hot on his heels.

"Faster," Keira said, "they'll be after us—"

Suddenly I heard pounding footsteps from behind. I gasped and picked up my speed.

Keira cursed. "That bitch! I bet she already alerted the harpies!"

Kyle blew his whistle. And from the darkness, Mrs. O'Leary appeared.

"Hey, girl," he said quickly. "Underworld. Again. Okay?"

Mrs. O'Leary barked happily, and we threw ourselves on her back.

The footsteps grew louder and louder. Suddenly, the harpies emerged.

"Food!" one of them croaked happily. She was rail-thin and looked part-chicken.

The harpies were advancing now, surrounding us.

"Now!" Kyle said, and Mrs. O'Leary bounded for the wall.

Just before we hit it, though, one of the harpies threw itself on us, and dragged a screaming Keira away.

"NO!" Kyle and I shouted, but it was too late. We had already bounded into darkness.