Artemis must be present at the solstice," Zoe said. "She has been one of the most vocal on the council arguing for action against Kronos's minions. If she is absent, the gods will decide nothing. We will lose another year of war preparations."

"Are you suggesting that the gods have trouble acting together, young lady?" Dionysus asked.

"Yes, Lord Dionysus."

Mr. D nodded. "Just checking. You're right, of course. Carry on."

"I must agree with Zoe," said Chiron. "Artemis's presence at the winter council is critical. We have only a week to find her. And possibly even more important: to locate the monster she was hunting. Now, we must decide who goes on this quest."

"Three and two," Theseus said.

Everybody looked towards him, Thalia even forgot to ignore him.

"We're supposed to have five," He said, feeling self-conscious. "Three Hunters, two from Camp Half-Blood. That's more than fair."

Thalia and Zoe exchanged looks.

"Well," Thalia said. "It does make sense."

Zoe grunted. "I would prefer to take all the Hunters. We will need strength of numbers."

You'll be retracing the goddess's path," Chiron reminded her. "Moving quickly. No doubt Artemis tracked the scent of this rare monster, whatever it is, as she moved west. You will have to do the same. The prophecy was clear: The globe's daughter shows the trail. Too many chefs spoil the brew. Or as your mistress would say? 'Too many Hunters spoil the scent.' A small group is best."

Zoe picked up a Ping-Pong paddle and studied it like she was deciding who she wanted to whack first. "This man—Perseus. I have hunted at Lady Artemis's side for many years, yet I have no idea whom this might be."

Everybody looked at Dionysus, The man though they did this because he was the only god present and gods are supposed to know things. He was flipping through a wine magazine, but when everyone got silent he glanced up, "Well, don't look at me. I'm a young god, remember? I don't keep track of all those ancient gods and dusty titans. They make for terrible party conversation."

"Chiron," Someone said, "you don't have any ideas about him?"

Chiron pursed his lips. "I have several ideas, none of them good. And none of them quite make sense. Perses, for instance, could fit this description. He was truly a bane of Olympus. Or some ancient sea god. But if either of these were stirring, we would know it. They powerful being with an aura the size of skyscrapers. The gods would already have sounded the alarm. I fear this man may be more elusive. Perhaps even more powerful. However if it is who I'm thinking of we are in serious trouble after all the last true Titan will be a trouble. With the part about night's hand it makes me even more certain and even more wary. If you see this Perseus pray to an Olympian and hope they come in time to save you and manage to beat him off because otherwise you have no chance."

"That's some serious danger you're facing," Connor Stoll said. "It sounds like at least one of the five are going to die and if all this stigma surrounding Perseus is true; probably more"