Chapter 3

Annabeth was starting to get over her worry of being found out when Percy touched her arm. "Annabeth, look." She turned away from the mosaic she was admiring and looked over to where he was pointing. Her heart splashed into my stomach. Help, the tiny rational part of her demigod brain thought. Heimdall was talking to Odin and pointing towards her and Percy. Annabeth squeezed Percy's arm so tight that he winced. Odin nodded and spoke to some guards who began coming towards them. "Percy…" Annabeth hissed.

"It's ok," he whispered. "They can't hurt me…right?" Annabeth hesitated. Percy still had his curse of Achilles, but she wasn't sure whether that would still work here. The guards approached and gestured for them to come with them. Annabeth slipped her hand into Percy's for comfort. He smiled at her, although it looked rather forced. The two demigods approached Odin and bowed. As they stood, Odin spoke.

"Heimdall senses that you, Percy, and all of your friends have great powers. Is this so?" Percy glanced at Annabeth who blinked several times at him. He blinked back. This blinking was a form of communication that Percy, Annabeth, Nico, Thalia, Grover, Michelle, and several others had made to communicate after the Titan War. Annabeth's message said, Go on, I'll tell Nico. Percy's reply was,

Ok, but be ready to run for it. Annabeth gave an almost imperceptible nod and looked around for Nico. When she saw him, she caught his eye and blinked out,

Find Michelle and Thalia and blink to them that Heimdall senses our powers, but I don't think that he knows that we're HB. Nico replied,

What about Clarisse?

Yeah, tell her to. Nico nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

…Michelle's P.O.V.

I walked towards the god that I had seen standing at the edge of the square. He looked vaguely familiar and everyone else was giving him a wide berth. As I neared him, he looked up and I saw his eyes. His green eyes looked like he was close to the edge of insanity. I stood next him and he watched me. Finally he said, "I've never seen you before. Who are you?" I eyed him warily before answering.

"My name is Michelle and I should hope that you've never seen me before because I'm from Earth." The man shrugged and I suddenly realized who he was. "And you're Loki, aren't you? The guy who terrorized New York last summer?" He nodded. I felt a shiver run down my spine. This guy was serious news. I may be a Greek demigod, but I've read about Egyptian gods, Roman gods, and every other mythology that there is. I especially liked the Norse legends. Ironically, Loki had attacked on the summer solstice and I had been in Olympus at the time of the attack, but all I said was, "Oh. You were super close to my summer camp." I neglected to mention that when Thor had used the Empire State Building to shoot lightning at the portal, Zeus was furious. Loki looked at the party.

"The only reason I'm here is because Frigga…"

"Odin's wife," I interrupted. Loki glared at me. "Sorry," I muttered and he continued.

"Anyways, mortal, Frigga knew how much I loved this festival and talked Odin into letting me out of my cell tonight. Not that anyone wants me to be here," he finished bitterly. I nodded.

"I know how that feels. My adopted siblings hated me because I was adopted and my adopted father hated me. I ran away about three years ago and found my summer camp. I've lived there ever since." Loki looked about to say something when I saw Nico waving at me. I waved back and started to turn away, but he frantically gestured to his eyes. I stared at him for a couple seconds and then it clicked. I watched the patterns he blinked out and blanched. I swiftly blinked back and headed towards him. I took a couple steps forward then turned. "See ya Loki," I said and ran towards Nico. Nico gestured for me to follow him.

"I told Thalia that they were asking about our powers and she went to warn Clarisse. We're supposed to meet up near…" The words died in his mouth when he saw the Asgardian guards advancing and I gripped his hand tightly.

"We have come to take you to the Allfather," one of the guards said. Nico nodded mutely and I followed suit. As we walked back into the palace we were joined by Thor. We came into a small gold room that was bare except for a couch and some chairs. Percy and Annabeth were there, sitting on two chairs while Odin and Thor sat on the couch. Loki was also there, but now he was flanked by two guards, had visible handcuffs and had a peculiar metal gag. Clarisse was sitting cross-legged on the floor and Thalia was pacing. I sat on a stool and Nico leaned against the wall. A figure in gold armor stood by the doors. They closed with an ominous BOOM. Percy's eyes darted around and I could tell that he was thinking about what to do if there was a fight. Finally, Odin spoke.

"Percy, Heimdall says that he senses great power around you and your friends. You have said that you have power and that you would be willing to show us in a secluded place." Percy nodded.

"Yes Allfather. I will need a basin of water to show you my powers," Percy said.

"I'll need a bowl of dirt from one of your planters," I said.

"I'll need an open area, but I doubt you could give me one unless Thor takes me somewhere." Thalia couldn't suppress a small wince at that prospect. I felt kind of sorry for her. Nico said he was good for his power and Clarisse merely asked who wanted a fight. Annabeth held up her hands.

"I have no power other than keeping Percy out of trouble,"

"Hey!" At that Thor laughed.

"And redesigning a city and being pretty smart," Annabeth finished. By that time the materials that Percy and I needed had come and we were ready to show our powers.

"You first, Percy," I said.

Sorry these chapters aren't that long! Review please!