Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or The Kane Chronicles.

Author's Note: Well, I'm back! I'm writing this in the airport and I'm so tired because I went horse riding yesterday. It was really fun and my horse, Freddie, was really good. The guy leading my horse, I don't remember his name, knew a lot of English, thank the gods. He was really nice and made sure to tell me when to duck and so on. Also, if you ever go to Benidorm, that's where I was, there's an awesome Olly Murs tribute act there. His name is John-Paul and he sang a song to me and kissed me on the cheek! So, John-Paul, if you ever read this, thanks for being so awesome! :D

Anyway, on with the chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter Twelve: Salsa Salvation

They had to run for about ten minutes before reaching a road. As they reached it, Nico turned to the others.

"I can get us a ride," he said. "Give me a minute."

He raised his arms and the ground beneath him rumbled. "Jules-Albert!" he yelled, "It's time to drive!"

Immediately, a sleek black Mercedes appeared in front of him and a zombie got out. Sadie gasped.

"What on Earth is that!?" She demanded. "Is that a zombie?"

"Yep," Nico said, popping the p. "Get in."

As Nico spoke, Jules-Albert opened the door for him.

"You're brilliant!" said Sadie, and kissed Nico on the cheek.

Nico froze for a moment. His face, normally so pale, flushed a bright red.

"Um, guys?" Percy said, clearly a little uncomfortable, "We better go."

Nico snapped into action and gestured for Sadie to get into the Mercedes first. As they piled in, they heard the roar of the lion goddess behind them.

"Drive!" Nico yelled slamming the door.

Jules-Albert drove with speeds which would've gotten them arrested, if it hadn't been for the Mist.

"Stop!" screamed Zia, after about fifteen minutes, "Look to your left!"

Everyone glanced over. "A salsa factory?" Nico asked, "Why would we stop there?"

Zia gave him a weird look, like he should know this, and then explained how some villagers who had been terrorized by Sekhmet, tricked her into drinking barrels of beer, which they had coloured red to look like blood, and made her drowsy. When she'd finally fallen asleep, she'd become Hathor, the gentle cow goddess.

"S..." Percy said, "You want to make her think that the salsa is blood?"

"It is the only way I know to defeat her." Zia replied simply. Percy nodded.

"Ok, but are you sure I can't just vaporize her with Riptide?"

Zia smiled very slightly. "I'm afraid not." she said.

Soon, they reached the salsa factory and Percy, Nico and Carter broke through the gates using their swords.

"Where's Amos?" Nico asked suddenly, "I thought that he was with us."

"He's ... I don't actually know where he is." Sadie answered worriedly. She and Nico were holding hands as they looked for a vat of salsa.

Then, without warning, a warehouse beside them burst into flames sending burning dried chili peppers everywhere.

"Sekhmet!" screamed Zia as the fiery goddess emerged from the inferno.

"There's the vats," said Nico urgently, "Percy, slash them open!"

Percy did so and the goddess, seeing the bright red liquid, bellowed with glee.

"BLOOD!" Sekhmet roared triumphantly, "I WILL DRINK BLOOD!"

She charged and the heroes moved back, hastily. Sekhmet took no notice of them as she continued lapping up the bright crimson salsa greedily.

"It's working," Carter whispered, "What do we do now?"

"Run?" suggested Sadie, "She hasn't noticed us."

"We can't make any sudden movements," Nico told her, "Then she will notice us."

"You're right," Zia agreed, "We should wait until..."

Her words trailed off. That was because Sekhmet had turned to face them.

"Horus!" she snarled, "Have you come to share my feast?"

"No," said Carter, "I, um was just passing through."

"What kind of blood is this?" she asked him, curiously.

"Um, Roman?" he suggested. The goddess shrieked with satisfaction.

"I will drain this place of its tangy Roman blood!" she declared "Now leave, and let me destroy these Romans!"

"Ok, we'll go then." Carter said and with that Sekhmet went back to drinking her "Roman blood".

The group hurried towards the Mercedes but the car was gone.

Nico cursed in Accent Greek. "Great," He muttered, "Father must be having the Mercedes used for some form of torture in the Fields of Punishment. It'll take a few hours before Jules-Albert to get a new one."

"Well, how can we get to Phoenix then?" Sadie asked.

"We'll just have to fly." said Percy and let out a piercing whistle.

Author's Note: So, what did you think? I got three reviews for the last chapter and I'd like to thank those who reviewed. Also, it's going to be my birthday on the 14th of August. I'm turning fourteen and as a birthday present, please review! Thank you. hunterofartemis126 (Nicolaclair)