(Percy POV) Chapter 12
I can't believe this. I mean, I can deal with being kidnapped by giants, by the gods, even by evil Roman emperors, but two inept teenage wizards? I'm insulted. And also a bit betrayed. I had thought we were cordial friends, but no. Now, I'd love to tell you I only complied because I felt sorry for their efforts, but the truth is, the actual kidnapping was executed perfectly. Even Annabeth couldn't escape the trap. It was only afterwards that they couldn't figure out what to do with us.
Finally they decided to stash us in an underground dungeon. And then leave us alone.
When they came back, the girl – Hermione – began asking questions.
Of course, she started with the hard one, "What are you?"
"Wizards," Annabeth replied acidly. "What, did you think we were Dementors?"
Hermione wasn't squashed. "Are you demigods?"
The question was like a bombshell. I gaped and Annabeth sputtered at them, "Wha- um no- We ah- what are-"
It was the first (and last) time I'd seen her at a loss for words.
Fortunately, we were saved from answering by probably the last person I wanted to see right then. A cold voice snarled from the dark, "What do you think you're doing? One of those people is my friend. And I don't like my friends being kidnapped."
"Why thank you Nico," I said reluctantly. At least he still considered me a friend.
Of course, that hope was squashed when he replied scathingly, "I was talking about Annabeth, Seaweed Brain. Gods, you're denser then ever. Maybe these boneheads did something to you." Ouch.
Will cut in, "Enough of that. Guys, you have one chance to let them go."
"Fine," Hermione said, disenchanting the ropes that bound us. "Go. We have what we came for."
Surprised, I stood up from my seat as they left the room. I went over to my – I mean our – rescue party, focusing on Nico. "I'm sorry about what I said earlier," I admitted.
He shrugged. "Whatever. It's just still weird. Now can we get out of here? We'll miss curfew."
I started to try to insist on talking, but Annabeth grabbed my arm and dragged me out the door. Nico stepped back into a shadow, leaving me with a hollow feeling of having missed an opportunity.
