Percy
_
After some ambrosia and nectar, I was feeling much better. I'd still need to sleep a bit, but for now, I could at least hold a conversation.
The Demeter cabin had whipped up a whole buffet in the hotel kitchens—everything from pizza to pineapple ice cream. Unfortunately, Grover, who I honestly hadn't seen since I went back in time, was eating the furniture. He'd already chewed the stuffing off a fancy chair and was now gnawing the armrest.
"Dude," I said, "we're only borrowing this place."
"Blah-ha-ha!" He had stuffing all over his face. "Sorry, Percy. It's just . . . Louis the Sixteenth furniture. Delicious. Plus I always eat furniture when I get—"
"When you get nervous," I said. "Yeah, I know. So what's up?"
He clopped on his hooves. "I heard about Katie. Is she . . .?"
"She's going to be fine," Lee said, walking up. "She's resting."
Grover took a deep breath. "That's good. I've mobilized most of the nature spirits in the city—well, the ones that will listen to me, anyway." He rubbed his forehead. "I had no idea acorns could hurt so much. Anyway, we're helping out as much as we can."
He told me about the skirmishes they'd seen. Mostly they'd been covering uptown, where we didn't have enough demigods. Hellhounds had appeared in all sorts of places, shadow-traveling inside our lines, and the dryads and satyrs had been fighting them off. A young dragon had appeared in Harlem, and a dozen wood nymphs died before the monster was finally defeated.
As Grover talked, Zoe entered the room with Thalia and another Hunter. She nodded to me grimly, went outside to check on Katie, and came back in with Bianca. She listened while Grover completed his report— the details getting worse and worse.
"We lost twenty satyrs against some giants at Fort Washington," he said, his voice trembling. "Almost half my kinsmen. River spirits drowned the giants in the end, but . . ."
Thalia shouldered her bow. "Percy, Kronos's forces are still gathering at every bridge and tunnel. And Kronos isn't the only Titan. One of my Hunters spotted a huge man in golden armor mustering an army on the Jersey shore. I'm not sure who he is, but he radiates power like only a Titan or god."
I remembered the golden Titan from my dream—the one on Mount Othrys who erupted into flames.
"Great," I said. "Any good news?"
Thalia shrugged. "We've sealed off the subway tunnels into Manhattan. My best trappers took care of it. Also, it seems like the enemy is waiting for tonight to attack. I think Kronos needs time to regenerate after each fight. He's still not comfortable with his new form. It's taking a lot of his power to slow time around the city."
Grover nodded. "Most of his forces are more powerful at night, too. But they'll be back after sundown."
I tried to think clearly. "Okay. Any word from the gods?"
Zoe shook her head. "I know Lady Artemis would be here if she could. Athena, too. But Zeus has ordered them to stay at his side. The last I heard, Typhon was destroying the Ohio River valley. He should reach the Appalachian Mountains by midday."
"So at best," I said, "we've got another two days before he arrives."
Jake Mason cleared his throat. He'd been standing there so silently I'd almost forgotten he was in the room.
"Percy, something else," he said. "The way Kronos showed up at the Williamsburg Bridge, like he knew Bianca was going there. And he shifted his forces to our weakest points. As soon as we deployed, he changed tactics. He barely touched the Queensboro, where the Hunters were strong. He went for our weakest spots, like he knew."
"Like he had inside information," Killian said. "The spy."
"What spy?" Zoe demanded.
He told her about the silver charm Kronos had shown him, the communication device.
"That's bad," she said. "Very bad."
"It could be anyone," Jake said. "We were all standing there when Percy gave the orders."
"But what can we do?" Grover asked. "Frisk every demigod until we find a scythe charm?"
They all looked at me, waiting for a decision. I couldn't afford to show how panicked I felt, even if things seemed hopeless.
"We keep fighting," I said. "We can't obsess about this spy. If we're suspicious of each other, we'll just tear ourselves apart. You guys were awesome last night. I couldn't ask for a braver army. Let's set up a rotation for the watches. Rest up while you can. We've got a long night ahead of us."
The demigods mumbled agreement. They went their separate ways to sleep or eat or repair their weapons.
"Percy, you too," Thalia said. "We'll keep an eye on things. Go lie down. We need you in good shape for tonight."
I didn't argue too hard. I found the nearest bedroom and crashed on the canopied bed. I thought I was too wired to sleep, but my eyes closed almost immediately.
Zoe woke me up later. She and Michael both looked rather worried as I propped myself up.
"Huh?" I mumbled. I rubbed my eyes. "What's going on?"
"We've got visitors," Zoe said.
"Visitors?" I said.
Zoe nodded grimly. "A Titan wants to see Bianca, under a flag of truce. He has a message from Kronos."
We could see the white flag from half a mile away. It was as big as a soccer field, carried by a thirty-foot tall giant with bright blue skin and icy gray hair.
"A Hyperborean," Zoe said. "The giants of the north. It's a bad sign that they sided with Kronos. They're usually peaceful."
"You've met them?" I said.
"Mhm. There's a big colony in Alberta. You do not want to get into a snowball fight with those guys."
As the giant got closer, I could see three human-size envoys with him: a half-blood in armor, an empousa demon with a black dress and flaming hair, and a tall man in a tuxedo. The empousa held the tux dude's arm, so they looked like a couple on their way to a Broadway show or something—except for her flaming hair and fangs.
The group walked leisurely toward the Heckscher Playground. The swings and ball courts were empty. The only sound was the fountain on Umpire Rock.
Michael looked at me. "The tux dude is the Titan?"
I nodded. "He's a second generation Titan, like Selene. Elder Titans radiate more energy."
"He has less power than Atlas, I'll say that much."
"Hush," Zoe said. "Here they come."
The man in the tux stepped forward. He was taller than an average human—about seven feet. His black hair was tied in a ponytail. Dark round glasses covered his eyes, but what really caught my attention was the skin on his face. It was covered in scratches, like he'd been attacked by a small animal— a really, really mad hamster, maybe.
"Bianca Gardner," he said in a silky voice. "It's a great honor."
His lady friend the empousa hissed at us.
"My dear," Tux Dude said to her. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable over there, eh?"
She released his arm and drifted over to a park bench.
I glanced at the armed demigod behind Tux Dude. I hadn't recognized him in his new helmet, but it was my old backstabbing buddy Ethan Nakamura. His nose looked like a squashed tomato. That made me feel better.
"Hey, Ethan," Bianca said. "You're looking good."
Ethan glared at her.
"To business." Tux Dude extended his hand. "I am Prometheus."
She was too surprised to shake. "The fire-stealer guy? The chained-to-the-rock-with-the-vultures guy?"
Prometheus winced. He touched the scratches on his face. "Please, don't mention the vultures. But yes, I stole fire from the gods and gave it to your ancestors. In return, the ever merciful Zeus had me chained to a rock and tortured for all eternity."
"But—"
"How did I get free? Heracles did that, eons ago. So you see, I have a soft spot for heroes. Some of you can be quite civilized."
"Unlike the company you keep," I noticed.
I was looking at Ethan, but Prometheus apparently thought I meant the empousa.
"Oh, demons aren't so bad," he said. "You just have to keep them well fed. Now, Bianca Gardner, let us parley."
He waved her toward a picnic table and we sat down. Zoe, Michael, and I stood behind her.
The blue giant propped his white flag against a tree and began absently playing on the playground. He stepped on the monkey bars and crushed them, but he didn't seem angry. He just frowned and said, "Uhoh." Then he stepped in the fountain and broke the concrete bowl in half. "Uh-oh." The water froze where his foot touched it. A bunch of stuffed animals hung from his belt—the huge kind you get for grand prizes at an arcade. He reminded me of Tyson, and the idea of fighting him made me sad.
Prometheus sat forward and laced his fingers. He looked earnest, kindly, and wise. "Bianca, your position is weak. You know you can't stop another assault."
"We'll see."
Prometheus looked pained, like he really cared what happened to us. "Bianca, I'm the Titan of forethought. I know what's going to happen."
"Also the Titan of crafty counsel," Michael put in. "Emphasis on crafty."
Prometheus shrugged. "True enough, Titan-born. But I supported the gods in the last war. I told Kronos: 'You don't have the strength. You'll lose.' And I was right. So you see, I know how to pick the winning side. This time, I'm backing Kronos."
"Because Zeus chained you to a rock," I guessed.
"Partly, yes. I won't deny I want revenge. But that's not the only reason I'm supporting Kronos. It's the wisest choice. I'm here because I thought you might listen to reason."
He drew a map on the table with his finger. Wherever he touched, golden lines appeared, glowing on the concrete. "This is Manhattan. We have armies here, here, here, and here. We know your numbers. We outnumber you twenty to one."
"Your spy has been keeping you posted," Bianca guessed.
Prometheus smiled apologetically. "At any rate, our forces are growing daily. Tonight, Kronos will attack. You will be overwhelmed. You've fought bravely, but there's just no way you can hold all of Manhattan. You'll be forced to retreat to the Empire State Building. There you'll be destroyed. I have seen this. It will happen."
"I won't let it happen," Bianca said.
Prometheus brushed a speck off his tux lapel. "Understand, Bianca. You are refighting the Trojan War here. Patterns repeat themselves in history. They reappear just as monsters do. A great siege. Two armies. The only difference is, this time you are defending. You are Troy. And you know what happened to the Trojans, don't you?"
"So you're going to cram a wooden horse into the elevator at the Empire State Building?" Michael asked. "Good luck."
Prometheus smiled. "Troy was completely destroyed. You don't want that to happen here. Stand down, and New York will be spared. Your forces will be granted amnesty. I will personally assure your safety. Let Kronos take Olympus. Who cares? Typhon will destroy the gods anyway."
"Right," Bianca said. "And I'm supposed to believe Kronos would spare the city."
"All he wants is Olympus," Prometheus promised. "The might of the gods is tied to their seats of power. When Kronos destroys Olympus, the gods will fade. They will become so weak they will be easily defeated. Kronos would rather do this while Typhon has the Olympians distracted in the west. Much easier. Fewer lives lost. But make no mistake, the best you can do is slow us down. The day after tomorrow, Typhon arrives in New York, and you will have no chance at all. The gods and Mount Olympus will still be destroyed, but it will be much messier. Much, much worse for you and your city. Either way, the Titans will rule."
Zoe pounded her fist on the table. "I serve Artemis. The Hunters will fight to our last breath. Bianca, you're not seriously going to listen to this slimeball, are you?"
I figured Prometheus was going to blast her, but he just smiled. "Your courage does you credit, dear niece."
Zoe stiffened. "I refuse to be related to someone as spineless as you."
"As you wish," Prometheus said casually, but I could tell he'd gotten under her skin.
"At any rate," the Titan said, "you need not be my enemy. I have always been a helper of mankind."
"That's a load of Minotaur dung," Zoe said. "When mankind first sacrificed to the gods, you tricked them into giving you the best portion. You gave us fire to annoy the gods, not because you cared about us."
Prometheus shook his head. "You don't understand. I helped shape your nature."
A wiggling lump of clay appeared in his hands. He fashioned it into a little doll with legs and arms. The lump man didn't have any eyes, but it groped around the table, stumbling over Prometheus's fingers. "I have been whispering in man's ear since the beginning of your existence. I represent your curiosity, your sense of exploration, your inventiveness. Help me save you, Bianca. Do this, and I will give mankind a new gift—a new revelation that will move you as far forward as fire did. You can't make that kind of advance under the gods. They would never allow it. But this could be a new golden age for you. Or . . ." He made a fist and smashed the clay man into a pancake.
The blue giant rumbled, "Uh-oh." Over at the park bench, the empousa bared her fangs in a smile.
"Bianca, you know the Titans and their offspring are not all bad," Prometheus said. "You've heard of Calypso."
My face felt hot. I did my best not to look at Zoe.
"That's different," I heard Bianca say.
"How? Much like me, she did nothing wrong, and yet she was exiled forever simply because she was Atlas's daughter. We are not your enemies. Don't let the worst happen," he pleaded. "We offer you peace."
I looked at Ethan Nakamura. "You must hate this."
"I don't know what you mean."
"If we took this deal, you wouldn't get revenge. You wouldn't get to kill us all. Isn't that what you want?"
His good eye flared. "All I want is respect, Jackson. The gods never gave me that. You wanted me to go to your stupid camp, spend my time crammed into the Hermes cabin because I'm not important? Not even recognized?"
He sounded just like Luke when he'd tried to kill me in the woods at camp four years ago. The memory made my hand ache where the pit scorpion had stung me.
"Your mom's the goddess of revenge," I told Ethan. "We should respect that?"
"Nemesis stands for balance! When people have too much good luck, she tears them down."
"Which is why she took your eye?" Bianca asked rhetorically.
"It was payment," he growled. "In exchange, she swore to me that one day I would tip the balance of power. I would bring the minor gods respect. An eye was a small price to pay."
"Great mom."
"At least she keeps her word, unlike the Olympians. She always pays her debts—good or evil."
"Yeah," Bianca said. "So Killian saved your life, and you repaid him by raising Kronos. That's fair."
Ethan grabbed the hilt of his sword, but Prometheus stopped him.
"Now, now," the Titan said. "We're on a diplomatic mission." Prometheus studied me as if trying to understand my anger. Then he nodded like he'd just picked a thought from her brain.
"It bothers you what happened to Alex," he decided. "Perhaps if you understood . . ."
The Titan reached out. Michael cried a warning, but before she could react, Prometheus's index finger touched Bianca's forehead.
He only held it there for a second before removing it. Bianca's neck was covered in sweat.
"Bianca?" Zoe asked. "What . . . what was that?"
Prometheus nodded sympathetically. "Appalling, isn't it? The gods know what is to come, and yet they do nothing, even for their children. How long did it take for them to tell you your prophecy, Bianca Gardner? Don't you think your father knows what will happen to you?" I was too stunned to answer.
"B," Michael warned, "he's playing with your mind. Trying to make you angry."
"Do you really blame Alex?" the Titan asked her. "And what about you, Bianca? Will you be controlled by your fate? Kronos offers you a much better deal."
She clenched her fists.
"I'll give you a deal. Tell Kronos to call off his attack, leave Alex Mare's body, and return to the pits of Tartarus. Then maybe I won't have to destroy him."
The empousa snarled. Her hair erupted in fresh flames, but Prometheus just sighed.
"If you change your mind," he said, "I have a gift for you."
A Greek vase appeared on the table. It was about three feet high and a foot wide, glazed with blackand-white geometric designs. The ceramic lid was fastened with a leather harness.
Zoe gasped. "That's not—"
"Yes," Prometheus said. "You recognize it."
Looking at the jar, I felt a strange sense of fear, but I had no idea why.
"This belonged to my sister-in-law," Prometheus explained. "Pandora."
A lump formed in my throat. "As in Pandora's box?"
Prometheus shook his head. "I don't know how this box business got started. It was never a box. It was a pithos, a storage jar. I suppose Pandora's pithos doesn't have the same ring to it, but never mind that. Yes, she did open this jar, which contained most of the demons that now haunt mankind—fear, death, hunger, sickness."
"Don't forget me," the empousa purred.
"Indeed," Prometheus conceded. "The first empousa was also trapped in this jar, released by Pandora. But what I find curious about the story—Pandora always gets the blame. She is punished for being curious. The gods would have you believe that this is the lesson: mankind should not explore. They should not ask questions. They should do what they are told. In truth, Bianca, this jar was a trap designed by Zeus and the other gods. It was revenge on me and my entire family—my poor simple brother Epimetheus and his wife Pandora. The gods knew she would open the jar. They were willing to punish the entire race of humanity along with us."
Bianca stared at him for a minute. Then she said, "I understand the gods misplaced the blame. They do that often. My own mother was killed by Zeus because my father loved her. But that is something I plan to rectify in the future."
Prometheus stared curiously. "You? Rectify the gods' mistakes? It sounds like you are planning your own takeover, Miss Gardner."
"Maybe I am," Bianca said.
Dark tendrils suddenly wrapped themselves around Prometheus, Ethan, the empousa, and the hyperborean. Ethan tried to unsheathe his sword but his arms were constricted against his body as the coils of darkness bound him still. The empousa hissed and struggled, but was no match for Bianca's power. Not even the hyperborean could move.
Bianca stood, watching with dark glee as Prometheus struggled against his bonds. "Perhaps next time, Prometheus, you will bet on humanity, and not an immortal."
The coils dragged the hyperborean into the ground, where he disappeared.
"Before you go, I need one thing from you."
The coils tightened around the empousa and she exploded into dust.
Bianca bent over Prometheus, whose eyes were wide with fear. "Swear on the Styx that you will not reveal what I just told you. To anyone."
There was a crack and Ethan cried out.
"I-I swear!"
Another crack. Ethan screamed.
"Swear on the Styx," Bianca ordered.
"I swear on the Styx!" Prometheus exclaimed. "I swear on the Stx not to tell anyone what you told me!"
"Hmph." Bianca turned away and the dark coils released the Titan. "Go back to your master. We'll be keeping this one."
Prometheus looked like he wanted to argue, but a drop in temperature caused us all to look at Michael. He had an evil grin as he stared at Prometheus, his hair frosted with white.
"Well? Are you going? Or do you need a bit of incentive?" Michael lifted his hand, which had grown long claws of ice.
Prometheus paled and turned tail.
As he disappeared, I turned to Bianca in shock.
"What was that?" I asked.
"That," Bianca said, forming a leash on Ethan as the coils slunk away, "was turning the tables. Prometheus will return to Kronos with nothing but information he cannot share. Not only that, but we have now captured an enemy soldier, who can and will share all Kronos's dirty dark secrets."
"Like hell," Ethan spat.
Bianca merely tilted her head at him. "I was going to cushion that broken leg of yours, but it appears the traitor wishes to walk on it all the way to the hotel."
"What have you become, Bianca?" Zoe demanded. Her face was white with fear and disgust. "Where is my friend?"
"I'm still here, Zoe," Bianca assured her. "But you must understand–Ethan here is a part of the army that almost killed my wife. He stabbed Lilly on the Williamsburg bridge."
"He stabbed Lilly?" I exclaimed, turning to glare at the enemy demigod. "Did Will extract the poison?"
It was Ethan's turn to look shocked. "How did you-"
"Poison doesn't affect her," Bianca interrupted. "Even so, he very nearly missed her heart with that dagger. If Lee hadn't closed the wound...Well, Ethan here would be a very dead demigod."
She turned to Zoe. The daughter of Atlas had been staring at her in shock at how dark she had become. "You need to trust me, Zoe. I'm still in control. But my family is being hurt. I show no mercy to people who threaten my family."
Zoe stared at her, digesting her words. Then, slowly, she nodded.
"I trust you, Bianca," she said. "But please, do not lose yourself to this hate and darkness."
"Don't worry, I won't. I'm just becoming what my father wants me to be. His little demon."
