Chapter 19: The Gods Vote How to Kill Us
"WHAT?" Poseidon yelled. Zeus clenched his fists. He knew why this would happen, of course he did. The question was, would he have to vote to kill his daughter before she became a Hunter, or was he spared that duty. Because, currently, he could not imagine voting to kill her but in the future...he probably would have done without this interference.
"Why are they voting to kill you?" Athena asked sharply, watching her daughter. She had done nothing wrong. However, she could see why a discussion about killing Percy and Thalia would be needed. Especially with how tempted Thalia was by the Ophiotaurus. That did not mean her daughter had to be in the middle of it.
"You just saved my sister." Apollo scowled angrily.
"Clearly they didn't kill us." Percy pointed out.
Flying was bad enough for a son of Poseidon, but flying straight up to Zeus's palace, with thunder and lightning swirling around it, was even worse.
Percy and Triton both grimaced. Given that he had been born underwater and had lived there his whole life, Triton hated flying even more than Percy did. In fact, he was likely more on par with Thalia.
We circled over midtown Manhattan, making one complete orbit around Mount Olympus. I'd only been there once before, traveling by elevator up to the secret six hundredth floor of the Empire State Building. This time, if it was possible, Olympus amazed me even more. In the early-morning darkness, torches and fires made the mountainside palaces glow twenty different colors, from bloodred to indigo. Apparently no one ever slept on Olympus. The twisting streets were full of demigods
"Why would any demigods be up there?" Chris asked.
"Winter Solstice field trip." Annabeth told him.
"We didn't ban that after the Hermes kid stole the bolt and the helm?" Ares frowned. Hermes winced. Normally he would be proud of his child pulling off such a daring steal but all this brought him was shame. Ares would have thought his father would have closed off Olympus to all demigods unless they were summoned directly, after being stolen from by one.
"You did the year after it happened. But this year you decided to let some demigods visit, but only a small amount and they couldn't go anywhere near the throne room." Annabeth explained. Zeus looked quite unhappy about this. Ares was right. He should have banned them altogether.
and nature spirits and minor godlings bustling about, riding chariots or sedan chairs carried by Cyclopes. Winter didn't seem to exist here. I caught the scent of the gardens in full bloom, jasmine and roses and even sweeter things I couldn't name. Music drifted up from many windows, the soft sounds of lyres and reed pipes. Towering at the peak of the mountain was the greatest palace of all, the glowing white hall of the gods.
Zeus smiled proudly at the description. Of course this palace would be the best.
Our pegasi set us down in the outer courtyard, in front of huge silver gates. Before I could even think to knock, the gates opened by themselves. Good luck, boss, Blackjack said. "Yeah." I didn't know why, but I had a sense of doom. I'd never seen all the gods together. I knew any one of them could blast me to dust, and a few of them would like to.
Poseidon and Apollo tensed. They knew the Gods obviously didn't kill Percy but they both wondered exactly who would vote in favour of killing him. Apollo was nervously wondering if he would be one of them. He didn't think so, given that Percy had just helped to rescue his sister, but he still couldn't shake the small ball of anxiety that had settled in his gut. Plus, he was hoping that during the after-meeting party he would get some time to speak to Percy. He wanted to see how his future self and Percy interacted.
Hey, if ya don't come back, can I have your cabin for my stable?
"Priorities." Leo chuckled. A few other people laughed too while Percy sighed.
I looked at the pegasus. Just a thought, he said. Sorry.
"It's not like you would be using it." Thalia snickered.
Blackjack and his friends flew off, leaving Thalia, Annabeth, and me alone. For a minute we stood there regarding the palace, the way we'd stood together in front of Westover Hall, what seemed like a million years ago. And then, side by side, we walked into the throne room. Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at camp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations—even the newest one, Zoe the Huntress, making her way across the heavens with her bow drawn.
Artemis smiled sadly before glancing up at the current sky which did not have such a constellation. She hoped it never would, that they would be able to change enough in the future that the prophecy for that quest never occurred.
All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess was about fifteen feet tall, and I'm telling you, if you've ever had a dozen all-powerful super-huge beings turn their eyes on you at once… Well, suddenly, facing monsters seemed like a picnic. "Welcome, heroes," Artemis said. "Mooo!" That's when I noticed Bessie and Grover. A sphere of water was hovering in the center of the room, next to the hearth fire. Bessie was swimming happily around, swishing his serpent tail and poking his head out the sides and bottom of the sphere. He seemed to be enjoying the novelty of swimming in a magic bubble.
Poseidon smiled at the image. It was a shame the Ophiotaurus was so potentially dangerous. He knew his brother would order its death and would not be persuaded otherwise. He hated it when a sea creature had to die but he doubted there would be any way around this.
Grover was kneeling at Zeus's throne, as if he'd just been giving a report, but when he saw us, he cried, "You made it!" He started to run toward me, then remembered he was turning his back on Zeus, and looked for permission.
"Good catch." Rachel muttered to Grover.
"Yeah. Didn't want to get fried." Grover muttered back.
"Go on," Zeus said. But he wasn't really paying attention to Grover. The lord of the sky was staring intently at Thalia.
Hera scowled darkly while Zeus nodded to himself. Of course little else would hold his interest.
Grover trotted over. None of the gods spoke. Every clop of Grover's hooves echoed on the marble floor. Bessie splashed in his bubble of water. The hearth fire crackled. I looked nervously at my father, Poseidon. He was dressed similar to the last time I'd seen him: beach shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and sandals.
"I really wish you would…" Aphrodite began.
"No." Poseidon told her in exasperation. Percy suspected they had had this conversation many times.
"But it…"
"I said no." The sea God's tone put an end to the conversation. Aphrodite pouted and went back to plotting how to mess with Percy's love life.
He had a weathered, suntanned face with a dark beard and deep green eyes. I wasn't sure how he would feel about seeing me again, but the corners of his eyes crinkled with smile lines. He nodded as if to say It's okay.
"Thanks for that, dad." Percy said. It really had made him feel better. Poseidon smiled and ruffled Percy's hair. He was glad that he had gotten at least one interaction with his son correct.
Grover gave Annabeth and Thalia big hugs. Then he grasped my arms. "Percy, Bessie and I made it! But you have to convince them! They can't do it!" "Do what?" I asked. "Heroes," Artemis called. The goddess slid down from her throne and turned to human size, a young auburn haired girl, perfectly at ease in the midst of the giant Olympians. She walked toward us, her silver robes shimmering. There was no emotion in her face. She seemed to walk in a column of moonlight. "The Council has been informed of your deeds," Artemis told us. "They know that Mount Othrys is rising in the West. They know of Atlas's attempt for freedom, and the gathering armies of Kronos. We have voted to act."
"About damn time." Hades grunted.
"Even Zeus couldn't ignore this." Poseidon told him.
"He probably gave it a damn good try."
"Of course. We expect nothing less. Admitting there is a problem is too close to admitting he was wrong."
"I can hear you both." Zeus glared at his brothers. They both smiled innocently.
There was some mumbling and shuffling among the gods, as if they weren't all happy with this plan, but nobody protested.
"Some of us weren't happy about acting?" Ares asked incredulously.
"Well, clearly some of you inherited your father's ability to shove your heads in the sand in the hopes it would solve the problem." Poseidon raised an eyebrow and glanced around the room. He highly suspected Dionysus didn't want to act. Aphrodite too possibly. Something about fighting, ruining her hair or some such nonsense.
"At my Lord Zeus's command," Artemis said, "my brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerful monsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titans' cause.
Apollo and Artemis grinned at each other.
"No more hunting dangerous monsters on your own." Apollo told her.
"It would seem not." Artemis sighed. "But if you mess with my Hunters..." She left the threat unsaid.
"I wouldn't dream of it." He smirked.
Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons. Lord Poseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea.
"Don't we know that won't work?" Triton frowned. "Tyson told Percy the ship was protected."
"Not to mention, dad was fighting a war undersea already." Percy pointed out.
"I'm sure my brother ignored that part." Poseidon said grimly.
"Or you just didn't tell him because you knew he wouldn't care." Hades suggested. Zeus spluttered but had no real answer to this.
And as for you, my heroes…" She turned to face the other immortals. "These half-bloods have done Olympus a great service. Would any here deny that?"
"They've done Olympus a great service, so we vote whether or not to kill them?" Poseidon frowned. "If this is how we reward them for rescuing one of our own and putting Atlas back where he belongs...no wonder they join our enemy." Many of the other Gods shifted uncomfortably. There was a bit too much truth in the sea God's words.
She looked around at the assembled gods, meeting their faces individually. Zeus in his dark pin-striped suit, his black beard neatly trimmed, and his eyes sparking with energy. Next to him sat a beautiful woman with silver hair braided over one shoulder and a dress that shimmered colors like peacock feathers. The Lady Hera. On Zeus's right, my father Poseidon. Next to him, a huge lump of a man with a leg in a steel brace, a misshapen head, and a wild brown beard, fire flickering through his whiskers. The Lord of the Forges, Hephaestus. Hermes winked at me. He was wearing a business suit today, checking messages on his caduceus mobile phone.
"Good to know you're paying attention to such an important meeting." Hera glowered at Hermes.
"I'm busy." Hermes shrugged. "You heard how many emails and messages I had to deal with after a five minuted conversation with Percy. I don't want to even imagine how many I would have after an entire Council meeting."
Apollo leaned back in his golden throne with his shades on. He had iPod headphones on, so I wasn't sure he was even listening,
Zeus glared at his son. Apollo simply shrugged.
"Why were you not listening?" Zeus demanded.
"I don't know. It's the future." Apollo grinned. "But I'd hazard a guess I am listening while listening to music. I can do both."
but he gave me a thumbs-up.
Apollo grinned at Percy who smiled back.
Dionysus looked bored, twirling a grape vine between his fingers. And Ares, well, he sat on his chrome-and-leather throne, glowering at me while he sharpened a knife. On the ladies' side of the throne room, a dark-haired goddess in green robes sat next to Hera on a throne woven of apple-tree branches. Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest. Next to her sat a beautiful gray-eyed woman in an elegant white dress. She could only be Annabeth's mother, Athena. Then there was Aphrodite, who smiled at me knowingly and made me blush in spite of myself.
Aphrodite grinned wickedly while Percy and Annabeth both blushed this time. Apollo scowled at the love Goddess who gave him an innocent look in return. He gulped. She knew. And if she knew, she might tell Percy. Or at least hint to Percy. He wasn't ready yet. Hephaestus had said the guitar would not be ready until tomorrow. One more day was all he needed to wait until he could put his plan into action.
All the Olympians in one place. So much power in this room it was a miracle the whole palace didn't blow apart. "I gotta say"—Apollo broke the silence—"these kids did okay."
"See? I'm paying attention." Apollo said.
"What do you mean okay? We did pretty damn good." Percy protested.
"Yeah. You did." Apollo nodded.
He cleared his throat and began to recite: "Heroes win laurels—" "Um, yes, first class," Hermes interrupted, like he was anxious to avoid Apollo's poetry.
"What?" Apollo shot a betrayed look towards his best friend. Hermes shifted uncomfortably, cursing Percy's observation skills.
"I'm sure I just wanted to get the meeting over with." Hermes offered weakly. Apollo continued glaring at him. "Oh alright. I agree with your son and the other demigods. Your poetry lately has not been your best. You need to go back a few centuries." Apollo pouted at his, folding his arms across his chest.
He looked kind of adorable and Percy wanted to cheer him up but there was no way he was going to tell the God his poetry was alright. Firstly, he was the God of truth so would probably know Percy was lying. And if he did believe him, it meant he would be subjected to more poetry.
"All in favor of not disintegrating them?" A few tentative hands went up—Demeter, Aphrodite.
Poseidon smiled gratefully at both of them. Zeus nodded, making sure to take a note of names of Gods who wanted to kill his daughter.
"Wait just a minute," Ares growled. He pointed at Thalia and me. "These two are dangerous. It'd be much safer, while we've got them here—"
Poseidon and Zeus both scowled angrily at the war God.
"Hey. I'm just pointed out what we all know." Ares shrugged.
"No. We don't all know that. You're just holding a grudge against Percy." Apollo told him.
"They are dangerous. You saw the girl get tempted by Thorn." Ares argued.
"We've already decided that we will not kill the children." Hestia put in. "And even if you wanted to, we cannot kill anyone during this reading."
"Ares," Poseidon interrupted, "they are worthy heroes. We will not blast my son to bits."
Poseidon nodded, still glaring at Ares.
"Thanks, dad." Percy grinned.
"You are welcome." Poseidon told him. "You are a worthy hero."
"Nor my daughter," Zeus grumbled. "She has done well."
"Err, thank you, father." Thalia said awkwardly. Zeus simply nodded, but there was a slight smile on his face.
Thalia blushed. She studied the floor. I knew how she felt. I'd hardly ever talked to my father, much less gotten a compliment.
Poseidon opened his mouth but Percy cut him off.
"Don't worry. We've chatted tons here. If you don't lay off the compliments, I might start to think I'm your favourite." He shot a smirk towards Triton who simply raised an eyebrow in return and shook his head. But there was amusement in his expression. Poseidon coughed awkwardly.
"I don't have favourites." He muttered.
"Liar." Triton said, disguising it as a cough. He could already tell that Percy was indeed, his father's favourite child. A few days ago this would have enraged him beyond belief but now...there was something special about Percy. Triton wouldn't say he was happy about the situation but he didn't blame Percy either. Poseidon looked at his eldest child and understanding passed between them.
The goddess Athena cleared her throat and sat forward. "I am proud of my daughter as well. But there is a security risk here with the other two."
"Someone has to fulfil the prophecy sometime." Apollo told her with an eye roll. "You of all people should know it is not wise to attempt to change Fate or to avoid prophecies."
"One had already shown they could not be trusted. If not for her friends, Thalia might well have chosen differently. And the boy...well, at the time I believe that his fatal flaw is loyalty and that is one of the most dangerous." Athena explained. "I would not trust him to choose saving Olympus over saving his friends."
"Saving Olympus would save his friends." Aphrodite pointed out.
"Not if one of them had to be sacrificed in order to save Olympus." Athena argued.
"But we now think his flaw is recklessness so it doesn't matter." Apollo snapped. "He has already proven, several times, that he can make the hard choices when required."
"Mother!" Annabeth said. "How can you—" Athena cut her off with a calm but firm look. "It is unfortunate that my father, Zeus, and my uncle, Poseidon, chose to break their oath not to have more children. Only Hades kept his word, a fact that I find ironic.
"You're not the only one." Hades grumbled. Poseidon glanced at his brother but Hades waved away his concern. They had already spoken on the matter. No need to bring it up again.
As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods… such as Thalia and Percy… are dangerous. As thickheaded as he is, Ares has a point."
"Who are you calling thickheaded?" Ares glared at Athena.
"If you need to ask then I rest my case." The wisdom Goddess told him evenly. His glare intensified and he made to stand up but Aphrodite put a hand on his arm.
"Right!" Ares said. "Hey, wait a minute. Who you callin'—"
"I could have sworn we just heard this argument." Hermes chuckled.
"It seems we do not change much." Demeter frowned. She was not sure that was a good thing anymore.
He started to get up, but a grape vine grew around his waist like a seat belt and pulled him back down. "Oh, please, Ares," Dionysus sighed. "Save the fighting for later." Ares cursed and ripped away the vine. "You're one to talk, you old drunk. You seriously want to protect these brats?"
"They are my charges, so I suppose I should." Dionysus sighed. Everyone looked at him in complete shock. "What?" He snapped defensively. "I do take my duties seriously."
"Really?" Hermes asked.
"He does. He has an appalling way of showing it but he does try and protect as many demigods as he can." Percy said. The wine God looked over at him and some form of truce passed between them. Dionysus had to admit, if only in his own mind, that he might have been wrong about the boy. And Percy acknowledged his behaviour towards the God had been unacceptable.
Dakota smiled towards Percy. He had noticed the son of Neptune's recent change in attitude towards his father and he appreciated it.
Dionysus gazed down at us wearily. "I have no love for them. Athena, do you truly think it safest to destroy them?"
"I do not want them destroyed." Dionysus spoke up before anyone else could speak about the difference in his choice in the future. "But if Athena believes they truly pose a risk to Olympus then I would choose my home over a couple of demigods." A few of the others nodded.
"Why is Athena's judgement the one you trust the most?" Poseidon asked.
"Wisdom Goddess." Athena snapped.
"That does not mean you know everything. Nor does it mean you are always correct. Apollo is the God of both prophecy and logic. His judgement should also be taken into account." Poseidon pointed out. Although, he was a little biased because he knew Apollo wouldn't vote to kill his son.
"Well, Apollo does not seem to be offering his judgement in this Council." Athena said unhappily.
"No but I have made my view here clear. And we've already made judgement. Stop arguing." Apollo rolled his eyes.
"I do not pass judgment," Athena said. "I only point out the risk. What we do, the Council must decide." "I will not have them punished," Artemis said. "I will have them rewarded. If we destroy heroes who do us a great favor, then we are no better than the Titans.
"That is true." Hermes nodded.
If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it." "Calm down, sis," Apollo said. "Jeez, you need to lighten up."
Apollo frowned. That sounded like he wasn't taking this seriously at all. Considering his sister had just been rescued by these demigods, he should be far more involved in this conversation. He also agreed with Artemis' point that he wanted no part in that kind of Olympian justice.
"See, you can never take anything seriously." Artemis snapped at him.
"Yeah." He agreed. "But I'm taking it seriously now." "Only because…" Artemis lowered her voice. "Only because you have taken a liking to the boy." Apollo had to fight not to blush.
"Well yes, Percy might be part of the reason but I agree with you about not punishing people who have done Olympus a great favour. They did me a great favour by helping to rescue you. I have no idea why I'm so lax about this." He whispered back. Artemis considered this. It was true. The safety of those he loved was one of the only things that got her brother riled up. He should have been fighting for those heroes to be rewarded, not just Percy but Thalia as well.
"Don't call me sis! I will reward them." "Well," Zeus grumbled. "Perhaps. But the monster at least must be destroyed. We have agreement on that?"
Pretty much all the Gods nodded, except Poseidon who grimaced.
A lot of nodding heads. It took me a second to realize what they were saying. Then my heart turned to lead. "Bessie? You want to destroy Bessie?"
"I still can't believe you called the Ophiotaurus, Bessie." Triton shook his head at his half-brother.
"Mooooooo!" Bessie protested. My father frowned. "You have named the Ophiotaurus Bessie?"
Poseidon shook his head and laughed. Percy certainly was strange but it was nice to have the humor to help break up the darker parts of this tale.
"Dad," I said, "he's just a sea creature. A really nice sea creature. You can't destroy him." Poseidon shifted uncomfortably.
"You don't want to destroy it?" Zeus turned to his brother accusingly. "You want to use it for yourself!"
"Don't be ridiculous. The Ophiotaurus is a sea creature. It belongs in my realm and I do not like having to destroy creatures of my domain." Poseidon told his brother, rolling his eyes. "Stop being a paranoid, old, drama queen." Hades and Demeter let out quiet chuckles.
"Percy, the monster's power is considerable. If the Titans were to steal it, or—" "You can't," I insisted. I looked at Zeus. I probably should have been afraid of him, but I stared him right in the eye. "Controlling the prophecies never works. Isn't that true? Besides, Bess—the Ophiotaurus is innocent. Killing something like that is wrong. It's just as wrong as… as Kronos eating his children, just because of something they might do. It's wrong!"
Poseidon smiled at his son. If anyone could persuade Zeus not to destroy the creature, it would be his son. He was beginning to think Thalia might be correct. His son certainly had some strange effects on people. He seemed to always get his way but without manipulating people. Whether that be his friends confessing their secrets to him, or being allowed to sneak out of camp or even possibly saving the Ophiotaurus. Maybe this was Fate's way of making up for his appalling luck in other areas.
Zeus seemed to consider this. His eyes drifted to his daughter Thalia. "And what of the risk? Kronos knows full well, if one of you were to sacrifice the beast's entrails, you would have the power to destroy us. Do you think we can let that possibility remain? You, my daughter, will turn sixteen on the morrow, just as the prophecy says." "You have to trust them," Annabeth spoke up. "Sir, you have to trust them." Zeus scowled. "Trust a hero?"
"Yes." Will nodded.
"Why should we trust you when so many of your fellows have joined the enemy?" Ares asked.
"Because your poor treatment of your own children is why most of them joined the enemy." Chris said angrily.
"Annabeth is right," Artemis said. "Which is why I must first make a reward. My faithful companion, Zoe Nightshade, has passed into the stars. I must have a new lieutenant. And I intend to choose one. But first, Father Zeus, I must speak to you privately."
Everyone looked over to Thalia.
"Yes." Was all she said, rolling her eyes for good measure. Artemis smiled. She was certain she had made a good choice.
Zeus beckoned Artemis forward. He leaned down and listened as she spoke in his ear. A feeling of panic seized me. "Annabeth," I said under my breath. "Don't."
"Oh, you thought I was joining?" Annabeth realised. She remembered how flustered and anxious Percy had been and smiled to herself. Now she understood what he was going on about it was quite cute in hindsight.
"Yeah." Percy nodded.
"I won't say I wasn't tempted but I couldn't do it." She said. Connor let out a sigh of relief that he couldn't fully explain at those words while Apollo scowled. It would certainly make his life easier if the daughter of Athena joined the Hunters.
She frowned at me. "What?" "Look, I need to tell you something," I continued. The words came stumbling out of me. "I couldn't stand it if… I don't want you to—" "Percy?" she said. "You look like you're going to be sick."
Aphrodite smiled widely. Percy just groaned and let his head flop back on the couch.
And that's how I felt. I wanted to say more, but my tongue betrayed me. It wouldn't move because of the fear in my stomach.
Now Annabeth couldn't help the smile spreading across her face.
And then Artemis turned. "I shall have a new lieutenant," she announced. "If she will accept it." "No," I murmured. "Thalia," Artemis said. "Daughter of Zeus. Will you join the Hunt?"
Zeus looked slightly pained at this but somehow he knew it was for the best. His daughter would make a wonderful Huntress.
Stunned silence filled the room. I stared at Thalia, unable to believe what I was hearing. Annabeth smiled. She squeezed Thalia's hand and let it go, as if she'd been expecting this all along. "I will," Thalia said firmly. Zeus rose, his eyes full of concern. "My daughter, consider well—"
Hera hid her scowl. Why couldn't her husband just let the brat join the Hunt. Given that they would be out hunting very dangerous monsters, there was a reasonable chance the brat would die soon enough.
"Father," she said. "I will not turn sixteen tomorrow. I will never turn sixteen. I won't let this prophecy be mine.
"Sorry, Percy. But I think you'd be much better as the child of the prophecy than me. You don't care for power. You just want to save your friends and family." Thalia smiled at him. "If there was anyone I would trust the fate of Olympus to, it would be you." Percy blushed under the praise.
"Thanks, Thalia. For what it's worth, I think you would have made the right choice in the end anyway." He told her honestly. She smiled gratefully but there was still a shadow of doubt on her face.
I stand with my sister Artemis. Kronos will never tempt me again." She knelt before the goddess and began the words I remembered from Bianca's oath, what seemed like so long ago.
Nico grimaced. He wished his sister had never made that stupid oath.
"I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men…" Afterward, Thalia did something that surprised me almost as much as the pledge. She came over to me, smiled, and in front of the whole assembly, she gave me a big hug. I blushed. When she pulled away and gripped my shoulders, I said, "Um… aren't you supposed to not do that anymore? Hug boys, I mean?"
"Not romantically. I'm allowed to hug my family." Thalia smiled once more. Percy grinned.
"Yes. The sister I never wanted."
"Hey now. I don't think I got the good end of the stick either." She stuck her tongue out. They both dissolved in to laughter.
"I'm honoring a friend," she corrected. "I must join the Hunt, Percy. I haven't known peace since… since Half-Blood Hill. I finally feel like I have a home.
Zeus sighed.
But you're a hero. You will be the one of the prophecy."
"Gee thanks." Percy muttered. It was one thing to state that the prophecy wouldn't be hers. It was quite another to place that on him...even if they thought he had been the only other option at the time.
"Great," I muttered. "I'm proud to be your friend."
"Obviously." Percy told her.
"Getting less proud." She replied. He smirked.
She hugged Annabeth, who was trying hard not to cry. Then she even hugged Grover, who looked ready to pass out, like somebody had just given him an all-you-can-eat enchilada coupon.
Grover blushed while Thalia laughed and then stopped, frowning suddenly.
"Don't tell me you suddenly developed a weird crush on me just because I became a Hunter?" She asked Grover.
"N... no." He replied a little too quickly. Thalia groaned and put her face in her hands.
Then Thalia went to stand by Artemis's side. "Now for the Ophiotaurus," Artemis said. "This boy is still dangerous," Dionysus warned. "The beast is a temptation to great power. Even if we spare the boy—"
"I don't really care. Great power isn't really my thing." Percy shrugged. "I wouldn't sacrifice Bess...the Ophiotaurus."
"True. Percy wasn't tempted even once." Poseidon pointed out. His son had to be one of the very few demigods who would almost prefer to have less power than more. The only reason he would want to be more powerful would be to protect someone. And even then...he'd probably try to give it back afterwards.
"No." I looked around at all the gods. "Please. Keep the Ophiotaurus safe. My dad can hide him under the sea somewhere, or keep him in an aquarium here in Olympus.
"That's not a bad idea." Poseidon nodded.
"You're not taking him under the sea." Zeus shot back immediately.
"I meant the aquarium on Olympus." Poseidon rolled his eyes.
"Yes. Not a bad solution." Apollo nodded.
"Olympus has been stolen from before." Ares stated, glancing at Hermes who glared at him.
"And one would hope we have improved our security since. Especially if we were to put the Ophiotaurus there." Poseidon said.
But you have to protect him." "And why should we trust you?" rumbled Hephaestus. "I'm only fourteen," I said. "If this prophecy is about me, that's two more years." "Two years for Kronos to deceive you," Athena said. "Much can change in two years, my young hero."
"That's true." Athena agreed with herself.
"Mother!" Annabeth said, exasperated. "It is only the truth, child. It is bad strategy to keep the animal alive. Or the boy." My father stood. "I will not have a sea creature destroyed, if I can help it. And I can help it."
Poseidon nodded. It was about time he said something.
He held out his hand, and a trident appeared in it: a twenty-foot-long bronze shaft with three spear tips that shimmered with blue, watery light. "I will vouch for the boy and the safety of the Ophiotaurus."
All of the Gods stared at Poseidon in surprise. While they knew he would defend Percy, to officially vouch for him in front of all the Gods was no small thing. Poseidon simply smiled. He knew that move was a good idea. Not only would it protect Percy from whatever trouble his mouth got him into, it would show Percy just how much he trusted him.
"You won't take it under the sea!" Zeus stood suddenly. "I won't have that kind of bargaining chip in your possession."
"Really, brother?" Poseidon rolled his eyes.
"I agree with Zeus on this one." Hades muttered. Poseidon raised an eyebrow while Zeus looked taken aback. "He might be an idiot, but it is not a good idea for anyone to have such a powerful creature in their realm. Olympus is neutral territory."
Zeus glared at Hades for calling him an idiot but Poseidon nodded. Hades did make sense.
"Brother, please," Poseidon sighed. Zeus's lightning bolt appeared in his hand, a shaft of electricity that filled the whole room with the smell of ozone.
"Really?" Demeter looked over at Zeus in exasperation. "You couldn't have just said it has to stay on Olympus? Nooo, you just had to add the theatrics."
"Fine," Poseidon said. "I will build an aquarium for the creature here. Hephaestus can help me. The creature will be safe. We shall protect it with all our powers. The boy will not betray us. I vouch for this on my honor."
"Thank you, father." Percy said formally. He knew his father had taken a great risk in vouching for him in such a way.
"Always." Poseidon nodded. All the other demigods exchanged looks. They wondered if their parents would vouch for them in a similar way. Most of them didn't think so. The Gods might back their children generally but not many would stake their honor on it. Some of them were a little jealous but the others figured the Gods had a reasonable reason not to do so. Many of their children had already betrayed them. Given that they spent so little time with their kids they would not be able to safely say which would betray them and which wouldn't. Of course, not spending time with their kids was the God's fault but in the current state of things, they couldn't blame them for not staking their honor on them staying loyal.
Zeus thought about this. "All in favor?" To my surprise, a lot of hands went up. Dionysus abstained.
Poseidon glared.
"Is my word not good enough for you, nephew?" He asked. HIs voice was calm but Dionysus gulped anyway.
"I'm sure I was protesting more about the creature than the boy. It simply makes no sense to keep it alive." Dionysus muttered. Poseidon pursed his lips but figured there was nothing he could do about Dionysus' choice now. He had not technically made it yet. Well, this Dionysus hadn't anyway.
So did Ares and Athena.
Annabeth sighed while Poseidon's glare turned to Ares. He knew Athena's reasoning. Ares, while he probably agreed with that, mostly wanted to kill his son because he held a pretty grudge.
But everybody else… "We have a majority," Zeus decreed. "And so, since we will not be destroying these heroes… I imagine we should honor them. Let the triumph celebration begin!"
"You got to attend a celebration on Olympus?" Reyna asked, feeling incredibly jealous of the Greeks now.
"Yeah. Olympian parties are awesome." Percy grinned.
"Of course they are." Dionysus scoffed.
"I can't believe we missed a party." Connor groaned.
"Why weren't you there. You guys are year rounders aren't you?" Jason asked.
"We decided to stay behind." Travis said with a grimace. "What with Luke and all." Jason nodded, feeling bad for the brothers. It wasn't their fault Luke was a giant prat.
Hermes frowned.
"Nobody said you couldn't come, did they?" He asked. If anybody had banned his children simply because one turned to Kronos' side, two, he reminded himself, then there would be hell to pay.
"No. Chiron made sure we knew we would be welcome but we just figured we should stay behind." Connor explained. "We helped look after the younger Campers who couldn't go on the trip." Hermes nodded, not happy but at least it had been their choice.
There are parties, and then there are huge, major, blowout parties. And then there are Olympian parties. If you ever get a choice, go for the Olympian. The Nine Muses cranked up the tunes, and I realized the music was whatever you wanted it to be: the gods could listen to classical and the younger demigods heard hip-hop or whatever, and it was all the same sound track. No arguments. No fights to change the radio station. Just requests to crank it up.
"That's really useful." Will said.
"Yeah. One less thing for the Gods to fight about." Nico chuckled.
"I've just realised," Will frowned. "Percy never mentioned your dad being there. The winter solstice is the one-time Hades should be around." Nico frowned.
"Yeah. It's not like Percy would have missed him. Maybe he didn't want to attend." Nico said.
"Why wouldn't he?" Hazel wondered. Nico shrugged. He wondered if his father had been mourning Bianca. Or if he simply didn't bother attending meetings these days, especially after his helm had been stolen.
Dionysus went around growing refreshment stands out of the ground, and a beautiful woman walked with him arm in arm—his wife, Ariadne. Dionysus looked happy for the first time.
The Greek campers who hadn't been there tried to imagine Mr. D being happy. It was a weird thought.
Dakota looked up at his father. It made him sad that this was the first time in like two years that Percy had seen his dad looking happy.
Nectar and ambrosia overflowed from golden fountains, and platters of mortal snack food crowded the banquet tables. Golden goblets filled with whatever drink you wanted. Grover trotted around with a full plate of tin cans and enchiladas, and his goblet was full of double-espresso latte, which he kept muttering over like an incantation: "Pan! Pan!"
Grover blushed as a few people chuckled good naturedly. It seemed stupid looking back but back then it had been the only lead he had.
Gods kept coming over to congratulate me. Thankfully, they had reduced themselves to human size, so they didn't accidentally trample partygoers under their feet. Hermes started chatting with me,
Hermes grinned at Percy.
and he was so cheerful I hated to tell him what had happened to his least favorite son, Luke, but before I could even get up the courage, Hermes got a call on his caduceus and walked away.
Now the God let out a sigh. He was glad he had gotten that call. Especially as Percy had probably been planning to tell him Luke was dead which he now knew wasn't true.
The other Hermes kids all grimaced at Luke being their dad's favourite despite everything he had done.
Apollo told me I could drive his sun chariot any time,
"Apollo!" Zeus said warningly.
"Hey, Percy isn't afraid of heights. He'll be fine." Apollo said excitedly.
"Look at you, flirting with Percy." Artemis teased her brother, giving him a smirk. Apollo went bright red. All the other Gods took this in stride, they were quite used to Apollo's flirtatious nature and thought nothing of it. Poseidon gave Apollo a knowing look while Will looked like he might be ill. He still couldn't get his head around that idea.
Percy however stared at Apollo in shock. His reaction and lack of denial suggested he had been flirting, even in the future. But did that mean...had Apollo been actively trying to flirt with him in this time? Did that mean the sun God might actually feel the way Percy did. His heart skipped a beat at that idea while his stomach seemed to twist itself in knots. Half of him desperately wanted it to be true and the other half kept bringing up all the reasons why dating a God would be a terrible idea. Mostly that he didn't really want to be immortal...or did he? Was that even an option? Plus the Gods were pretty fickle. Apollo might be flirting with him now for a few days but it was probably just a passing thing. Percy shook his head. This was definitely an awful idea. But then...weren't awful ideas that should never work basically his thing?
He noticed that Apollo was definitely avoiding looking in his direction and he grinned to himself. That seemed like further confirmation. He couldn't stop a pleased smile crossing his face.
and if I ever wanted archery lessons—
"Or even if I don't want them." Percy grinned.
"You know you wanted them really." Apollo said, still not quite meeting Percy's eye. He cursed his sister for her stupid comment. He didn't want Percy to know yet. Although, it was good to know his future self had also taken a liking to Percy.
"Thanks," I told him. "But seriously, I'm no good at archery."
"Hey, you're getting pretty good now." Apollo told him with a smile.
"It was hard to be worse than he already was." Beckendorf laughed.
"Ah, nonsense," he said. "Target practice from the chariot as we fly over the U.S.? Best fun there is!"
Apollo made a mental note to try that with Percy some time.
I made some excuses and wove through the crowds that were dancing in the palace courtyards. I was looking for Annabeth. Last I saw her, she'd been dancing with some minor godling. Then a man's voice behind me said, "You won't let me down, I hope." I turned and found Poseidon smiling at me. "Dad… hi." "Hello, Percy. You've done well."
Percy's grin grew even wider.
His praise made me uneasy.
Poseidon frowned. Why would praising Percy make him uneasy. Maybe his son felt he hadn't really done much? That would be about right.
I mean, it felt good, but I knew just how much he'd put himself on the line, vouching for me. It would've been a lot easier to let the others disintegrate me.
Ahh, Poseidon realised that Percy now felt under even more pressure than he already had done. He felt a little guilty for that but it had needed to be done.
"Never." He promised.
"I know that." Percy smiled.
"I won't let you down," I promised. He nodded. I had trouble reading gods' emotions, but I wondered if he had some doubts.
"None at all."
"You don't know that. Your future self might have had doubts." Percy pointed out.
"If my future self had doubts he would not have done it." Poseidon told him firmly. "I have complete faith in you and I always will." Percy nodded. That did make him feel better.
"Your friend Luke—" "He's not my friend," I blurted out. Then I realized it was probably rude to interrupt. "Sorry."
Poseidon chuckled.
"Your former friend Luke," Poseidon corrected. "He once promised things like that.
Annabeth frowned? She hadn't known Luke to ever tell his father he wouldn't let him down. Maybe Poseidon meant her and Thalia? He must have done.
He was Hermes's pride and joy. Just bear that in mind, Percy. Even the bravest can fall."
The Gods were nodding, looking grave. Hermes sighed heavily.
"Luke fell pretty hard," I agreed. "He's dead." Poseidon shook his head. "No, Percy. He is not." I stared at him. "What?" "I believe Annabeth told you this. Luke still lives. I have seen it. His boat sails from San Francisco with the remains of Kronos even now. He will retreat and regroup before assaulting you again. I will do my best to destroy his boat with storms, but he is making alliances with my enemies, the older spirits of the ocean. They will fight to protect him."
"That's not good." Triton said worriedly. There were quite a few old spirits that could help. If even half of them agreed to aid the Titans there would be trouble.
"No. It is not." Poseidon said heavily.
"How can he be alive?" I said. "That fall should've killed him!" Poseidon looked troubled. "I don't know, Percy, but beware of him. He is more dangerous than ever.
Percy thought about what Nico wanted him to do. Maybe that was what Luke had done.
And the golden coffin is still with him, still growing in strength." "What about Atlas?" I said. "What's to prevent him from escaping again? Couldn't he just force some giant or something to take the sky for him?" My father snorted in derision. "If it were so easy, he would have escaped long ago. No, my son. The curse of the sky can only be forced upon a Titan, one of the children of Gaia and Ouranos. Anyone else must choose to take the burden of their own free will. Only a hero, someone with strength, a true heart, and great courage, would do such a thing. No one in Kronos's army would dare try to bear that weight, even upon pain of death." "Luke did it," I said. "He let Atlas go. Then he tricked Annabeth into saving him and used her to convince Artemis to take the sky." "Yes," Poseidon said. "Luke is… an interesting case."
"But it would have helped him to know he wouldn't be holding it long." Will pointed out.
"He couldn't have been positive Annabeth would agree to take it for him." Connor disagreed.
"He pretty much could." Travis told his brother gently. "It is fairly obvious how Annabeth feels about him and Luke knows her well enough to know how to manipulate her."
I think he wanted to say more, but just then, Bessie started mooing from across the courtyard. Some demigods were playing with his water sphere, joyously pushing it back and forth over the top of the crowd,
Triton and Poseidon both looked disdainful at the treatment of the Ophiotaurus.
"I'd better take care of that," Poseidon grumbled. "We can't have the Ophiotaurus tossed around like a beach ball. Be good, my son. We may not speak again for some time." And just like that he was gone. I was about to keep searching the crowd when another voice spoke. "Your father takes a great risk, you know."
"I'm well aware." Percy noted sharply.
I found myself face-to-face with a gray-eyed woman who looked so much like Annabeth I almost called her that. "Athena." I tried not to sound resentful, after the way she'd written me off in the council, but I guess I didn't hide it very well.
"Probably not." Annabeth laughed.
She smiled dryly. "Do not judge me too harshly, half-blood. Wise counsel is not always popular, but I spoke the truth. You are dangerous." "You never take risks?" She nodded. "I concede the point.
"Wow. You do have magic powers." Thalia snickered. Athena glared at her.
"Oh shut up." Percy rolled his eyes.
You may perhaps be useful. And yet… your fatal flaw may destroy us as well as yourself." My heart crept into my throat. A year ago, Annabeth and I had had a talk about fatal flaws. Every hero had one. Hers, she said, was pride. She believed she could do anything… like holding up the world, for instance. Or saving Luke. But I didn't really know what mine was. Athena looked almost sorry for me. "Kronos knows your flaw, even if you do not. He knows how to study his enemies. Think, Percy. How has he manipulated you? First, your mother was taken from you. Then your best friend, Grover. Now my daughter, Annabeth." She paused, disapproving. "In each case, your loved ones have been used to lure you into Kronos's traps.
"Annabeth's kidnapping wasn't deliberate, he wanted Bianca and Nico. And when his mother was taken Percy made the correct choice." Poseidon pointed out.
Your fatal flaw is personal loyalty, Percy. You do not know when it is time to cut your losses. To save a friend, you would sacrifice the world.
"No. He wouldn't." Triton disagreed, studying his brother. Percy did understand when sacrifice was necessary. He didn't like it but nobody really did.
"No. He usually does both." Thalia smiled at Percy.
"That will not always be the case." Athena warned.
In a hero of the prophecy, that is very, very dangerous." I balled my fists. "That's not a flaw. Just because I want to help my friends—" "The most dangerous flaws are those which are good in moderation," she said. "Evil is easy to fight. Lack of wisdom… that is very hard indeed."
A few people nodded while most of the Gods rolled their eyes at Athena.
I wanted to argue, but I found I couldn't. Athena was pretty darn smart.
Annabeth laughed while Athena looked smug.
"I hope the Council's decisions prove wise," Athena said. "But I will be watching, Percy Jackson. I do not approve of your friendship with my daughter. I do not think it wise for either of you. And should you begin to waver in your loyalties…" She fixed me with her cold gray stare, and I realized what a terrible enemy Athena would make, ten times worse than Ares or Dionysus or maybe even my father.
Poseidon looked offended by this while Athena nodded.
"Do not underestimate your father." Hestia warned quietly. "He may have mellowed with age but when his anger does rise, there is no force on this earth that could stop him."
Ares and Dionysus now looked offended that Hestia would defend Poseidon as an enemy but not them. Poseidon, Triton and Percy all nodded.
Athena would never give up. She would never do something rash or stupid just because she hated you, and if she made a plan to destroy you, it would not fail.
"I wouldn't be so sure about the not doing something just because she hated you. You have heard some of the old stories, yes?" Apollo asked.
"Yeah." Percy nodded. None of those stories made the Gods look good to be honest. It was mostly them cursing mortals for things that weren't actually the mortals' fault. Or the mortal did do something so the Gods punished them way beyond what normal people would deem appropriate. Plus the punishment usually created monsters that then attacked the God's children...like Arachne.
"Percy!" Annabeth said, running through the crowd. She stopped short when she saw who I was talking to. "Oh… Mom." "I will leave you," Athena said. "For now." She turned and strode through the crowds, which parted before her as if she were carrying Aegis. "Was she giving you a hard time?" Annabeth asked. "No," I said. "It's… fine." She studied me with concern. She touched the new streak of gray in my hair that matched hers exactly—our painful souvenir from holding Atlas's burden. There was a lot I'd wanted to say to Annabeth, but Athena had taken the confidence out of me. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.
Annabeth let out a quiet groan and felt a brief spark of annoyance toward her mother. Just when Percy might finally have said something, her mother had to persuade him not to.
Apollo cheered inwardly, thanking Athena inside his head. Aphrodite pouted and she wanted to yell at Athena. Still, no confession meant more awkward tension and more chances to mess with Percy. Maybe this wasn't all bad news.
I do not approve of your friendship with my daughter. "So," Annabeth said. "What did you want to tell me earlier?" The music was playing. People were dancing in the streets. I said, "I, uh, was thinking we got interrupted at Westover Hall. And… I think I owe you a dance."
"Better than nothing." Thalia whispered to Annabeth.
"Yeah." She sighed.
She smiled slowly. "All right, Seaweed Brain." So I took her hand, and I don't know what everybody else heard, but to me it sounded like a slow dance: a little sad, but maybe a little hopeful, too.
Aphrodite let out a quiet squeal of happiness.
"Chapter's done." Demeter announced.
"Me next then." Hades said.
"Err...maybe someone else should read next." Percy said. He knew the only other thing that had happened that winter was telling Nico that Bianca had died.
"Why is that?" Hades asked.
"I still have to tell Nico…" Percy replied awkwardly. Hades nodded. He did not particularly want to read about that topic.
"I will read." Hestia offered. She took the book from Demeter.