Chapter 7. Nico's POV

Everyone was talking over each other. The same questions were raging inside each of our minds.

Who's the mortal? How will they go into the future? What's lost?

So many questions but no answers. As always.

"Silence!" The wine dude-Muahahahahaha!- bellowed.

The sudden quiet was unnerving.

"Chiron, what is this?"

Said person looked straight at me.

"I have-", I was cut short by Charlotte, who was looking really guilty. She gave me an apologetic glance and proceeded to stand next to Chiron.

"Well, I guess the secret's out." She cleared her throat. "I am the mortal." she said, her gaze travelling around the room.

Everyone's jaws dropped to the ground.

"This is not funny, Charlie.", I said in a warning tone.

"I'm not joking, Nico." she said, looking dead serious.

"But-but...how did you get across the property line? And why didn't you tell us?" Percy asked her, looking agitated.

And he has every right to.

"You lied. You lied to all of us." I stated.

"Yes, I know, and I'm sorry, Nico. I really am, but I- we thought it would be best if-"

"If no one knew? Oh, that's great. And what great task did you hope to accomplish by lying to us?" I asked her through my teeth.

"I didn't want to freak you out." She mumbled, looking down at her feet.

"Didn't want to freak us out! Charlotte, this not normal!" I snapped.

I balled my hand into fists. Why didn't she tell me?

"I thought we were friends."

"We are! Nico, guys. I'm sorry, okay? But Chiron and Mr.D thought I may have a purpose here...and that it would be better if no one knew."

She sounded sincere but it didn't help my anger.

"Anyways moving on to the prophecy...", Annabeth said. I noticed she didn't seem a bit unfazed by the news.

"So Charlotte's the mortal...and the Rich One is Hades, so that's Nico...the Chariot...", Annabeth mused.

"I think that's you and Percy," Charlotte spoke up, "But it can also be Apollo. The first one's more likely, though."

Everyone nodded reluctantly, still staring at her.

"And the Lord Of The Wild is obviously Grover.", she continued.

Grover gulped. Seriously, you would think that after he released the Panic during the Battle of the Labyrinth and drove all the monsters away,he would be all fearless, but no, he's still scared as hell. Go figure. "What about 'And leave thier lives to luck and chance.' ? Hermes?" she said, looking at the Stolls.

Chiron said,"It could also be Tykhe, child, or the Fates."

Connor and Travis were too shocked to complain. What a relief.

"So how do we go into the future?", I asked, shrugging off my annoyance. Later, Charlotte.

That same instant, there was a blinding flash of light and a woman appeared.

"Hecate.", Chiron said, in a solemn voice.