Act III — The Sky Meets The Sea

Part III — See the line where the sky meets the sea, it calls me, and no one knows how far it goes.

Piper gazed at her bronze blade. She saw a crowd of Roman demigods gathered in the forum. Octavian, was speaking to the mob, shaking his fist. Reyna, the praetor, stood to one side, her face tight with suppressed emotion. Piper had admired the way Reyna kept her feelings in check when she saw Lena. It was obvious she knew about Piper and her, yet Reyna had stayed polite and in control. She'd put her camp's needs ahead of her emotions. She'd almost made Piper feel guilty about being with Lena.

The scene in her blade shifted. There was a rapid series of images—Lena riding into battle on horseback, her eyes gold instead of blue; Piper saw herself with Lena and Andy, drowning in a dark circular chamber.

She shut her eyes. She didn't want to see this.

Then she heard her. "Hey," Lena croaked.

Piper was so startled she dropped the knife. "You're awake!"

"Don't sound so surprised." Lena touched her bandaged head and frowned. "What—what happened? I remember the explosions, and—"

"You remember who I am?"

Lena tried to laugh, but it turned into a painful wince. "Last I checked, you were my awesome girlfriend Piper. Unless something has changed since I was out?"

Piper was so relieved she almost sobbed. She helped Lena sit up and gave her some nectar to sip while she brought her up to speed. Moments later, Leo and Hazel stumbled in the doorway, carrying a large sheet of hammered bronze between them.

"Gods of Olympus." Piper stared at Leo. "What happened to you?"

"Long story," he said. "Others back?"

"Not yet," Piper said.

Leo cursed. Then he noticed Lena sitting up, and his face brightened. "Hey, girl! Glad you're better. I'll be in the engine room." He ran off with the sheet of bronze, leaving Hazel in the doorway.

"We met Narcissus," Hazel explained. "Also Nemesis, the revenge goddess."

Lena sighed. "I miss all the fun."

On the deck above, something went THUMP, as if a heavy creature had landed. Anthony and Andy came running down the hall. They were covered in a patch of black sticky stuff. Frank stumbled up behind them.

"Ran into some tar monsters," Anthony said. "Hey, Lena, glad you're awake. Hazel, where's Leo?"

Hazel pointed down. "Engine room."

Suddenly the entire ship listed to port. The demigods stumbled.

"Uh, what was that?" Andy demanded.

"Oh..." Hazel looked embarrassed. "We may have angered the nymphs who live in this lake. Like… all of them."

"Great." Andy mumbled. "Oh, I'll show these water spirits."

Everyone went about their business, except Hazel who locked herself in the bathroom to puke freely. Lena and Piper stayed below as the ship rocked back and forth. Waves crashed against the hull as Andy's shouts came from above deck. After what seemed like hours, the engine began to hum. The oars creaked and the ship lift into the air.

The rocking and shaking stopped. The ship became quiet except for the drone of machinery. After everyone had cleaned up, they gathered below for dinner. It was the first time they'd all sat down together—just the seven of them.

The tension was like an electrical storm brewing. In an awkward moment, Lena and Andy tried to sit in the same chair at the head of the table. Sparks literally flew from Lena's hands. After a brief silent standoff, Anthony pushed them both aside and took the chair for himself.

"So where to now?" Leo asked with a mouthful of pizza. "I did a quick repair job to get us out of the lake, but there's still a lot of damage. We should really put down again and fix things right before we head across the Atlantic."

"We need to put some distance between us and Camp Jupiter," Andy said. "Frank spotted some eagles over Salt Lake City. We figure the Romans aren't far behind us."

"I don't suppose we should go back and try to reason with them?" said Piper. "Maybe—maybe I didn't try hard enough with the charmspeak."

Lena took her hand. "It wasn't your fault, Pipes. Or Leo's," she added quickly. "Whatever happened, it was Gaea's doing, to drive the two camps apart."

"Maybe if we could explain that—"

"With no proof?" Anthony asked. "And no idea what really happened? I appreciate what you're saying, Piper. I don't want the Romans on our bad side, but until we understand what Gaea's up to, going back is suicide."

"He's right," Hazel said. "Reyna might listen, but Octavian won't. The Romans have honor to think about. They've been attacked. They'll shoot first and ask questions post hac."

"You're right," Piper decided. "We have to keep going. Not just because of the Romans. We have to hurry."

Hazel nodded. "Nemesis said we have only six days until Nico dies and Rome is destroyed."

Lena frowned. "You mean Rome Rome, not New Rome?"

"I think. But if so, that's not much time."

"Why six days?" Andy wondered. "And how are they going to destroy Rome?"

No one answered.

"There's more," Piper said. "I've been seeing some things in my knife."

Frank froze with a forkful of spaghetti halfway to his mouth. "Things such as...?"

"They don't really make sense," Piper said, "just garbled images, but I saw two giants, dressed alike. Maybe twins."

"Twins, like in Ella's prophecy," Anthony said. "If we could figure out those lines, it might help."

"'Wisdom's child walks alone,'" Andy said. "'The Mark of Athena burns through Rome.' That's got to mean you," she told Anthony. "Juno told me... well, she said you had a hard task ahead of you in Rome. She said she doubted you could do it. But I know she's wrong. She's just mean. Evil. And annoying. And—"

Anthony took a long breath. "Reyna was about to tell me something right before the ship fired on us. She said there was an old legend among the Roman praetors—something that had to do with Athena. She said it might be the reason Greeks and Romans could never get along."

Leo and Hazel exchanged nervous looks. "Nemesis mentioned something similar," Leo said. "She talked about an old score that had to be settled—"

"The one thing that might bring the gods' two natures into harmony," Hazel recalled. "'An old wrong finally avenged.'"

"You ever hear a legend like that?" Andy asked Lena.

"I... uh, I'm not sure," she said. "I'll give it some thought."

Andy narrowed her eyes. "You're not sure?"

Lena didn't respond.

Hazel broke the silence. "What about the other lines? 'Twins snuff out the angel's breath, who holds the key to endless death.'"

"'Giants' bane stands gold and pale,'" Frank added, "'Won through pain from a woven jail.'"

"Giants' bane," Leo said. "Anything that's a giants' bane is good for us, right? That's probably what we need to find. If it can help the gods get their schizophrenic act together, that's good."

Andy nodded. "We can't kill the giants without the help of the gods."

Lena turned to Frank and Hazel. "I thought you guys killed that one giant in Alaska without a god's help, just the two of you."

"Alcyoneus was a special case," Frank said. "He was only immortal in the territory where he was reborn—Alaska. But not in Canada. I wish I could kill all the giants by dragging them across the border from Alaska into Canada, but..." he shrugged. "Andy's right, we'll need the gods."

"So..." Leo pushed his chair away from the table. "First things first, I guess. We'll have to put down in the morning to finish repairs."

"Someplace close to a city," Anthony suggested, "in case we need supplies. But somewhere out of the way, so the Romans will have trouble finding us. Any ideas?"

No one spoke.

"Well," Piper ventured, "how do you guys feel about Kansas?"

Again, silence was the answer.

Piper had trouble falling asleep. She stared at the bronze beams on the ceiling and rested her head on Lena's chest. Finally her eyelids got heavy, and she drifted off. It seemed like only a few seconds had passed before she woke to the breakfast bell.

"Yo, Piper, Lena!" Leo knocked on their door. "We're landing!"

"Landing?" She sat up groggily.

Leo opened her door and poked his head in. "You guys decent? Not doing anything... compromising?"

"Leo!" she scolded.

"Kidding." He grinned. "Anyway, we're setting down a few miles outside Topeka, as requested."

The morning air smelled of irrigation, warm plants, and fertilized earth.

Andy was the first to notice her. She smiled in greeting, which for some reason surprised Piper. Piper was happy to see Anthony with a sparkle in his eyes. For months, he had been tormenting himself, his every waking moment consumed with the search for Andy. Now, despite the dangerous quest they were facing, at least they were together.

"So!" Anthony said. "Here we are. What's the plan?"

"I want to check out the highway," Piper said. "Find the sign that says Topeka 32."

"We shouldn't be far," Leo said. "Festus and I calculated the landing as best we could. What do you expect to find at the mile marker?"

"I saw a man in purple with a goblet," she said. "He had vines in his hat. I think we need to find him."

"Purple?" Lena asked. "Sounds like Bacchus."

"Dionysus," Andy muttered. "If we came all the way to Kansas to see Mr. D, I swear—"

"Bacchus isn't so bad," Lena said. "I don't like his followers much... But the god himself is okay. I did him a favor once up in the wine country."

Andy looked appalled. "Whatever, dude. Maybe he's better on the Roman side. But why would he be hanging around in Kansas? Didn't Zeus order the gods to cease all contact with mortals?"

Frank grunted. "The gods haven't been very good at following that order," he noted. "Besides, if the gods have gone schizophrenic like Hazel said—"

"And Leo said," added Leo.

Frank scowled at him. "Then who knows what's going on with the Olympians? Could be some pretty bad stuff out there."

"Sounds dangerous!" Leo agreed cheerfully. "Well, you guys have fun. I've got to finish repairs on the hull. And, uh, Anthony—I could really use your help. You're the only other person who even sort of understands engineering."

Anthony looked apologetically at Andy. "He's right. I should stay and help."

"I'll come back," she told him. "Fish's honor."

Anthony smiled. "Clown fish, you mean."

They were so easy together, it made Piper's heart ache.

Lena was sometimes so distant, Piper wondered if she would ever be able to break through the barrier. Seeing Reyna in person, hadn't helped. Neither did the fact that Lena had chosen to wear a purple shirt today.

Frank slid his bow off his shoulder and propped it against the rail. "I think I should turn into a crow or something and fly around, keep an eye out for Roman eagles."

"Why a crow?" Leo asked. "Man, if you can turn into a dragon, why don't you just turn into a dragon every time? That's the coolest."

"That's like asking why you don't bench-press your maximum weight every time you lift. Because it's hard, and you'd hurt yourself. Turning into a dragon isn't easy."

"Oh." Leo nodded. "I wouldn't know. I don't lift weights."

"Yeah. Well, maybe you should consider it, Mr.—"

Hazel stepped between them. "I'll help you, Frank," she said, shooting Leo an evil look. "I can summon Arion and scout around below."

"Sure," Frank said, still glaring at Leo. "Yeah, thanks."

Hazel turned to Andy. "Just be careful when you go out there. Lots of fields, lots of crops. Could be karpoi on the loose."

"Karpoi?" Piper asked.

"Grain spirits," Hazel said. "You don't want to meet them."

"Okay. That leaves three of us to check on the mile marker," Andy said. "Me, Lena and Piper. I'm not psyched about seeing Mr. D again. That guy is a pain. But, Lena, if you're on better terms with him—"

"Yeah," Lena said. "If we find him, I'll talk to him. Piper, it's your vision. You should take the lead."

Piper shivered. "Of course," she said, trying to sound upbeat. "Let's find the highway."

After trudging half a mile through hot fields, getting bitten by mosquitoes and whacked in the face with scratchy sunflowers, they finally reached the road. However, they were still forty miles from the first Topeka exit.

"Correct my math," Andy said, "but doesn't that mean we have eight miles to walk?"

"Hmm..." Lena snapped her fingers. "I can call a friend for a ride."

Andy raised her eyebrows. "Oh, yeah? Me too. Let's see whose friend gets here first."

Lena whistled. She'd succeeded in summoning Tempest only three times since they'd met the storm spirit at the Wolf House last winter. Andy simply closed her eyes and concentrated.

Piper hadn't studied her up close before. Andy was slender and small—tomboy and definitely a troublemaker. Piper could see why Anthony liked her, and why Andy needed Anthony in her life. Someone needed to keep her grounded.

Thunder crackled in the clear sky. Lena smiled. "Soon."

"Too late." Andy pointed east, where a black winged shape was spiraling toward them.

"A black pegasus?" Piper said. "Never seen one like that."

The winged stallion trotted over to Andy and turned his head inquisitively toward Piper and Lena.

"Blackjack," Andy said, "this is Piper and Lena. They're friends." The horse nickered. "Uh, maybe later," Andy told him.

"You can speak horse," Piper nodded. "What does Blackjack want?"

"Donuts," Andy said. "Always donuts. He can carry all three of us if—"

Suddenly the air turned cold. About fifty yards away, a miniature cyclone touched down on the road next to Lena and took the form of a horse.

"Tempest," she said, grinning broadly. "Long time, my friend." The storm spirit reared and whinnied. Blackjack backed up skittishly.

"Easy, boy," Andy said. "He's a friend too." She gave Lena an impressed look. "Nice ride, Grace."

Lena shrugged. "He's a free spirit, literally, but once in a while he agrees to help me."

Andy and Lena climbed on their respective horses. Piper accepted Lena's hand and climbed along.

Tempest raced down the road with Blackjack soaring overhead. In no time, they arrived at the thirty-two-mile marker. Blackjack landed and whinnied.

"You're right," Andy said. "No sign of the wine dude."

"I beg your pardon?" said a voice from the fields. Tempest turned so quickly, Piper almost fell off. "Did someone just call me the wine dude?" he asked in a lazy drawl. "It's Bacchus, please. Or Mr. Bacchus. Or Lord Bacchus. Or, sometimes, Oh-My-Gods-Please-Don't-Kill-Me, Lord Bacchus."

Andy urged Blackjack forward. "You look different," she told the god. "Skinnier. Your hair is longer. And your shirt isn't so loud."

The wine god squinted up at her. "What in blazes are you talking about? Who are you, and where is Ceres?"

"What series?"

"I think he means Ceres," Lena said. "The goddess of agriculture. You'd call her Demeter." She nodded respectfully to the god. "Lord Bacchus, do you remember me? I helped you with that missing leopard in Sonoma."

Bacchus scratched his stubbly chin. "Ah, yes. Lena Dunham."

"Grace."

"Whatever," the god said. "Did Ceres send you, then?"

"No, Lord Bacchus. Were you expecting to meet her here?"

The god snorted. "Well, I didn't come to Kansas to party, did I? Ceres asked me here for a council of war. What with Gaea rising, the crops are withering. Droughts are spreading. The karpoi are in revolt. Even my grapes aren't safe. Ceres wanted a united front in the plant war."

"The plant war," Andy said. "You're going to arm all the little grapes with tiny assault rifles?"

The god narrowed his eyes. "Have we met?"

"At Camp Half-Blood. I know you as Mr. D."

"Agh!" Bacchus winced and pressed his hands to his temples. For a moment, his image flickered. "Stop that! Stop thinking about me in Greek!"

Andy blinked. "Uh, but—"

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to stay focused? Splitting headaches all the time! I never know what I'm doing or where I'm going! Constantly grumpy!"

"That's just who you are," Andy said.

The god's nostrils flared. "If we know each other from that other camp, it's a wonder I haven't already turned you into a dolphin."

"It was discussed. I think you were just too lazy to do it."

Piper had been watching with horrified fascination. Andy was not making things better, and Anthony wasn't around to rein her in.

"Lord Bacchus!" she interrupted. "Sorry to trouble you, my lord, but actually we came here to get your advice. Please, we need your wisdom."

The god frowned. "You're well-spoken, girl. Advice, eh? Very well. I would avoid karaoke. Really, theme parties in general are—"

"Not about parties," Piper interrupted. "Although that's incredibly useful advice, Lord Bacchus. We were hoping you'd help us on our quest." She described the vision reflected in her knife, where Bacchus offered her a silver goblet.

"Silver goblet?" The god didn't sound very excited. "I have nothing for you to drink. Jupiter has put me under strict orders to avoid giving wine to minors. Bothersome, but there you have it. As for the giants, I know them well. I fought in the first Giant War, you know."

"You can fight?" Andy asked.

The god snarled. "Indeed. I was a demigod myself in the first Giant War, you know. The son of Jupiter! Of course that was long before I invented wine and became an immortal. I fought side by side with the gods and some other demigod—Harry Cleese, I think."

"Heracles?" Piper suggested politely.

"Whatever. Anyway, I killed the giant Ephialtes and his brother Otis. Horrible boors, those two. Pinecone in the face for both of them!"

Piper held her breath. "Lord Bacchus," she said, trying to control the nervousness in her voice. "Those two giants, Ephialtes and Otis—would they happen to be twins?"

"Yes, twins. That's right."

"That's why we're here. You're part of our quest!"

Bacchus frowned. "I'm sorry, my girl. I'm not a demigod anymore. I don't do quests."

"But giants can only be killed by heroes and gods working together," she insisted. "You're a god now, and the two giants we have to fight are Ephialtes and Otis. I think—I think they're waiting for us in Rome. They're going to destroy the city somehow. The silver goblet I saw in my vision—maybe it's meant as a symbol for your help. You have to help us kill the giants!"

Bacchus glared at her, and Piper realized she'd chosen her words poorly.

"My girl," he said coldly, "I don't have to do anything. Besides, I only help those who give me proper tribute, which no one has managed to do in many, many centuries."

Blackjack whinnied uneasily.

"What kind of tribute?" Andy translated.

Bacchus waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing you could handle, insolent Greek. But I will give you some free advice, since this girl does have some manners. Seek out Gaea's son, Phorcys. He always hated his mother, not that I can blame him. He didn't have much use for his siblings the twins, either. You'll find him in the city they named after that heroine—Atalanta."

Piper hesitated. "You mean Atlanta?"

"That's the one."

"But this Phorcys," Lena said. "Is he a giant? A Titan?"

Bacchus laughed. "Neither. Seek out the salt water."

"Salt water..." Andy said. "In Atlanta?"

"Yes," Bacchus said. "Are you hard of hearing? If anyone can give you insight on Gaea and the twins, it's Phorcys. Just watch out for him."

"What do you mean?" Lena asked.

The god glanced at the sun, which had climbed almost to high noon. "It's unlike Ceres to be late, unless she sensed something dangerous in this area. Or..." The god's face suddenly went slack. "Or a trap. Well, I must be going! And if I were you, I'd do the same!"

"Lord Bacchus, wait!" Lena protested.

The god shimmered and disappeared.

"Maybe he is right," Piper said. "We should leave—"

Too late, said a sleepy voice. Andy and Lena drew their swords. Piper stood on the road between them, frozen with fear. The power of Gaea was suddenly everywhere. Welcome to my party, Gaea murmured. I'm glad you're here. I need the blood of two demigods.

"Gaea!" Lena yelled. "Stop hiding in the wheat. Show yourself!"

Suddenly Lena gasped. She sat up straight in her saddle.

"Lena?" Piper said. "What's wrong—?"

Lena looked down at her, her expression deadly calm. Her eyes were no longer blue. They glowed solid gold.

"Andy, help!" Piper stumbled back from Tempest.

But Andy raised her sword and pointed the tip toward Lena. "Both will die," Andy said, but the voice wasn't hers.

"No!" Piper yelled.

Andy and Lena charged at each other, their weapons ready. They crossed swords, gold against bronze. Sparks flew. Their blades blurred—strike and parry—and the pavement trembled. The horses pulled away from each other—Tempest thundering in protest, Blackjack flapping his wings.

"Stop it!" Piper yelled.

For a moment, Lena heeded her voice. Her golden eyes turned toward her, and Andy charged, slamming into her. The impact was enough to knock Lena off her mount. The spirit horse dissipated into vapor.

"Andy!" Piper yelled. "Lena's your friend. Drop your weapon!"

Andy's sword arm dipped. Lena got to her feet and roared. A bolt of lightning arced out of the clear blue sky. It ricocheted off her gladius and blasted Andy off her horse. Lena charged at Andy, who was now on her back.

"No!" Piper screamed. "Lena, stop!"

She froze, her sword six inches from Andy's face. Lena turned, "I cannot stop. We are the eidolons. We will live again."

"Eidolons...?" Piper's mind raced. "You're—you're some sort of ghost?"

"She must die." Lena turned her attention back to Andy, but Andy had recovered more than either of them realized. She swept out her leg and knocked Lena off her feet. Lena's head hit the asphalt with a nauseating conk.

Andy rose.

"Stop it!" Piper screamed again, but there was no charmspeak in her voice. She was shouting in sheer desperation.

Andy raised Riptide over Lena's chest. Whatever was controlling her had all of Andy's skill.

"Eidolon, stop," said Piper. Andy froze. "Face me," Piper ordered.

The daughter of the sea god turned. "This one will die," she said.

"You're a spirit from the Underworld," Piper guessed. "You're possessing Andy Jackson. Is that it?"

Andy sneered. "I will live again in this body. The Earth Mother has promised. I will go where I please, control whom I wish."

A wave of cold washed over Piper. "Leo—that's what happened to Leo. He was being controlled by an eidolon."

"Too late you realize. You can trust no one. You cannot stop me. I will kill Lena Grace." Behind her, Blackjack reared and brought his hoof down on Andy's head. Andy crumpled to the pavement next to Lena.

"Oh, gods!" Piper ran to them. "Blackjack, you didn't kill her, did you?"

The pegasus snorted. Piper checked on Lena. She was breathing steadily, but two knocks on the skull in two days couldn't have been good for her. Then she examined Andy's head.

"We have to get them both back to the ship," she told Blackjack.

The pegasus bobbed his head in agreement. He knelt to the ground, so that Piper could drape Andy and Lena over his back.

The others were a little surprised when Piper came back on a pegasus with two unconscious demigods. While Frank and Hazel tended to Blackjack, Anthony and Leo helped get Piper and Lena and Andy to the sickbay.

"Leo," Piper said, "are we ready to sail?"

"Yeah, but—"

"Set course for Atlanta. I'll explain later."

"But—okay." He hurried off.

Anthony didn't argue with Piper; he was too busy examining the horseshoe-shaped dent on the back of Andy's head. "What hit her?" he demanded.

"Blackjack," Piper said.

"What?"

Piper tried to explain. A while later, they both groaned and opened their eyes. Within a few minutes, Lena and Andy were sitting up in their berths and able to talk in complete sentences. Both had fuzzy memories of what had happened. When Piper described their duel on the highway, Lena winced.

"Knocked out twice in two days," she muttered. "Some demigod." She glanced sheepishly at Andy. "Sorry. I didn't mean to blast you."

Andy's shirt was peppered with burn holes. "Thalia used to do that. Still not cool."

"Yeah, I could have killed you."

"Or I could have killed you," Andy argued.

Lena shrugged. "If there'd been an ocean in Kansas, maybe."

"I don't need an ocean—"

"Enough," Anthony interrupted, "I'm sure you both would've been wonderful at killing each other. But right now, you need some rest."

"Food first," Andy said. "Please? And we really need to talk. Bacchus said some things that don't—"

"Bacchus?" Anthony raised his hand. "Okay, fine. We need to talk. Mess hall. Ten minutes. I'll tell the others. And Andy," he gave her the once-over. "You should change. You're looking inadequate."

Piper stiffened a laugh.

"I'll show you what's adequate," Andy muttered. "Find me a shirt then, will you."

They gathered around the dining table, and Piper explained what had happened.

"Of course!" Hazel slapped the table, which startled Frank so much, he dropped his burrito. "That's what happened to Leo, too."

"So it wasn't my fault." Leo exhaled. "I didn't start World War III. I just got possessed by an evil spirit. That's a relief!"

"But the Romans don't know that," Anthony said. "And why would they take our word for it?"

"You're right." Lena leaned forward. "We should just keep going. Once we're over the Atlantic, we'll be safe—at least from the legion. The ancient lands are much too dangerous. Roman demigods have been forbidden to go there for generations. Even Octavian couldn't get around that rule. After we get there, we'll be outlaws as well as traitors. If we get across the Atlantic, they'll give up on chasing us. They'll assume that we'll die in the Mediterranean—the Mare Nostrum."

Andy pointed her pizza slice at Lena. "You, girl, are a ray of sunshine."

Lena didn't argue. The other demigods stared at their plates, except for Andy, who continued to enjoy her pizza. Where she put all that food, Piper didn't know.

"So let's plan ahead," Andy suggested, "and make sure we don't die. Mr. D—Bacchus—do I have to call him Mr. B now? Anyway, he mentioned the twins in Ella's prophecy. Two giants. Otis and, uh, something with an F?"

"Ephialtes," Lena said.

"Not with an F, then."

"Twin giants, like Piper saw in her blade..." Anthony mumbled. "I remember a story about twin giants. They tried to reach Mount Olympus by piling up a bunch of mountains."

"I don't think we should count on Bacchus help this time," said Andy. "He wanted a tribute, and he made it pretty clear it would be a tribute we couldn't handle."

Silence fell around the table.

"She wants two of us," Piper murmured. Everyone turned to look at her. "Today on the highway, I think she needed you two to kill each other—the blood of two demigods."

Leo whistled softly. "Yeah... remember Khione? She talked about spilling Lena's blood, how it would taint the place for generations. Maybe demigod blood has some kind of power."

"Oh—" Andy set down her third pizza slice. She looked across the table at Frank and Hazel. "You guys remember Polybotes?"

"The giant who invaded Camp Jupiter," Hazel said. "The anti-Poseidon you whacked in the head with a Terminus statue. Yes, I think I remember."

"I had a dream," Andy said, "when we were flying to Alaska. Polybotes was talking to the gorgons, and he said—he said my blood would water the stones of Mount Olympus and wake Earth Mother."

"You think the giants would use our blood," Piper said, "the blood of two of us—"

"I don't know," Andy said.

"But how do we figure it out?" Hazel asked.

Anthony pressed his hands against the edge of the table. "Piper, you told Leo to set our course for Atlanta."

"Right," Piper said. "Bacchus told us we should seek out—what was his name?"

"Phorcys," Andy said.

Anthony looked surprised. "You remembered a name."

"I remember names. I know stuff," she looked around daring them to argue.

Anthony smiled. "Okay. You know him?"

Andy shrugged. "Phorcys is an old sea god from before my dad's time. Never met him, but supposedly he's a son of Gaea. See? I'm not stupid. I can drown you all in my smartnesses."

"That's not a word," said Anthony.

"Whatever."

"Well, it's getting late," said Anthony. "We should all get some sleep."

"Wait," Piper said. Once more, everyone looked at her. "The eidolons—the possessing spirits. They're still here, in this room." She had a gut sense they were still present, simply because no one had told them to go away.

Hazel exhaled. "Piper is right."

"How can you be sure?" Anthony asked.

"I've met eidolons," Hazel said. "In the Underworld, when I was, you know, dead."

"So..." Frank said. "You think these things are lurking on the ship, or—"

"Possibly lurking inside some of us," Piper said. "We don't know."

Lena clenched her fist. "If that's true—"

"We have to take steps," Piper said. "I think I can do this."

"Do what?" Andy asked.

"Just listen, okay?" Piper took a deep breath. "Everybody listen." Piper met their eyes, one person at a time. "Eidolons," she said, using her charmspeak, "raise your hands."

There was tense silence.

Leo laughed nervously. "Did you really think that was going to—?" His voice died. His face went slack. He raised his hand.

Lena and Andy did the same. Their eyes had turned glassy and gold. Hazel caught her breath. Next to Leo, Frank scrambled out of his chair and put his back against the wall.

"Oh, gods." Anthony looked at Piper. "Can you cure them?"

Piper focused on Leo because he was the least intimidating. "Are there more of you on this ship?" she asked.

"No," Leo said in a hollow voice. "The Earth Mother sent three. The strongest, the best. We will live again."

"Not here, you won't," Piper growled. "All three of you, listen carefully."

Lena and Andy turned toward her.

"You will leave those bodies," she commanded.

"No," Andy said.

Leo let out a soft hiss. "We must live."

Frank fumbled for his bow. "Mars Almighty, that's creepy! Get out of here, spirits! Leave our friends alone!"

Leo turned toward him. "You cannot command us, child of justice and war. Your own life is fragile. Your soul could burn at any moment."

Frank staggered like he'd been punched in the gut. Lena drew her sword.

"Stop!" Piper ordered, but her voice quavered.

"Listen to Piper." Hazel pointed at Lena's sword. The gold blade seemed to grow heavy in her hand. It clunked to the table and Lena sank back into her chair.

Andy growled. "Daughter of Pluto, you may control gems and metals. You do not control the dead."

Anthony reached toward her as if to restrain her, but Hazel waved him off. "Listen, eidolons," Hazel said sternly, "you do not belong here. I may not command you, but Piper does. Obey her."

Piper mustered all her courage. "You will leave those bodies," she repeated, even more forcefully.

Lena's face tightened. Her forehead beaded with sweat. "We—we will leave these bodies."

"You will vow on the River Styx never to return to this ship," Piper continued, "and never to possess any member of this crew." Leo and Andy both hissed in protest. "You will promise on the River Styx," Piper insisted.

A moment of tension—then all three eidolons spoke in unison: "We promise on the River Styx."

"You are dead," Piper said.

"We are dead," they agreed.

"Now, leave."

All three slumped forward. Anthony caught Andy, Piper and Hazel caught Lena. Leo fell toward Frank, who made no attempt to intercept him. Leo hit the floor. "Ow!" he groaned.

"Are you alright?" Hazel asked.

Leo pulled himself up. "Did it work?"

"It worked," Piper said, feeling pretty sure she was right. "I don't think they'll be back."

Lena blinked. "Does that mean I can stop getting head injuries now?"

Piper laughed, exhaling all her nervousness. "Come on, Lightning Girl. Let's get you some fresh air."

Piper and Lena walked back and forth along the deck. Leo stood at the helm, conferring with Festus through the intercom. The other demigods were settling in for the night.

"Thanks, Pipes," Lena said. "You saved me again." She put her arm around her waist. Piper wanted to kiss her, but something held her back.

"I don't know if Andy will trust me anymore," Piper said. "Not after I let her horse knock her out."

Lena laughed. "Don't worry about that. Andy's nice and all, but I get the feeling she needs a knock on the head every once in a while. Don't be so hard on yourself. You saved us both."

"But if two of our crew really have to die—"

"I don't accept that. We're going to stop Gaea. All seven of us are going to come back alive. I promise you."

"The legend that Anthony mentioned," Piper said, "about the Mark of Athena—why didn't you want to talk about it?"

Lena lowered her head like she'd been expecting the question. "Pipes, I don't know what's true and what's not. The story goes that the Romans stole something important from the Greeks, back in ancient times, when the Romans conquered the Greeks' cities."

"What did they steal?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure anyone in the legion has ever known. But according to the story, this thing was taken away to Rome and hidden there. The children of Athena, Greek demigods, have hated us ever since. They've always stirred up their brethren against the Romans. Like I said, I don't know how much of that is true—"

"But why not just tell Anthony?" Piper asked. "He's not going to suddenly hate you."

"I hope not. But the legend says that the children of Athena have been searching for this thing for millennia. Every generation, a few are chosen by the goddess to find it. Apparently, they're led to Rome by some sign—the Mark of Athena."

"If Anthony is one of those searchers, we should help him."

Lena hesitated. "Maybe. When we get closer to Rome, I'll tell him what little I know. Honest. But the story, at least the way I heard it—it claims that if the Greeks ever found what was stolen, they'd never forgive us. They'd destroy the legion and Rome, once and for all. After what Nemesis told Leo, about Rome's being destroyed five days from now..."

Piper couldn't imagine anything that would make Anthony suddenly turn vengeful. Then she remembered what had been bothering her. "I was so afraid you'd go back to Camp Jupiter."

Lena looked surprised. "That would never happen. Not unless you came with me. I promise."

And she sealed that promise with a kiss.