Eurytion marched the group forward with his club resting across his shoulder. The two-headed dog, who was named Orthus, followed them, occasionally growling at the demigods. Sometimes, the dog bounded off to chase some other animals, but Eurytion had him under control.

The air was practically sweltering as heat shimmered off the ground. Insects buzzed around in the trees and the demigods were sweating profusely. Along the way, they passed a number of pens containing red cows or other livestock.

At one point, the motley group passed a pen that was different from the others. The fence was coated in asbestos, though that was largely because the occupants was a herd of fire-breathing horses. The hay in their feeding trough was on fire. The ground smoked around their feet, but the horses seemed tame enough.

Eurytion grunted, "We raise animals for lots of clients. Apollo, Diomedes, and many others."

Percy asked, "Who else?"

"No more questions!"

At last, they exited the woods and headed towards a ranch house perched on top of a hill. The house was made of white stone and wood with big windows. Annabeth mumbled something about Frank Lloyd Wright.

As they reached the porch, Eurytion turned to them again. He warned, "Alright listen up. Here are the rules: No fighting. No drawing weapons. And don't make comments about the boss' appearance."

Percy was about to ask why, but was interrupted by a new voice. It enthusiastically said, "Welcome to Triple G Ranch!"

Everyone turned to see a fairly bizarre sight. The man on the porch had a normal head with slick black hair and a black pencil moustache. However, he had three torsos, with his neck connected to the middle torso and a body sticking out on either side. His left arm grew out of his left chest, and the same on the right.

The chests all connected into one enormous torso, with two regular but very beefy legs. Finally, he had an oversized pair of jeans and three different coloured shirts.

Percy awkwardly waved, "Hello Mr…"

The man jovially replied, "The name's Geryon, and this is my ranch. Welcome Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase and Harry Potter, and your two friends Grover and Tyson."

A moment later, the door of the building opened again to reveal Nico. His eyes lit up a little when he saw the five, "Hey guys, what are you all doing here?"

Harry ruffled his hair, "Long story, mate. Tell you later."

Annabeth addressed Geryon suspiciously, "Wait… How did you know our names? We haven't been introduced and Eurytion hasn't told you, either."

Geryon winked, "I make it my business to keep informed, darling. Everybody pops into the ranch from time to time. Everyone needs something from old Geryon."

As they talked, Harry got a good look at Nico. He looked thinner and paler than he had, back at Camp. It also seemed like he had not had a decent meal in a while. His black clothes were dusty from travelling in the Labyrinth, and his dark eyes were full of determination.

Geryon led everyone to a life-size toy train ride. It was painted black and white in a cowhide pattern. The driver's car had a set of longhorns stuck to the hood, and the horn sounded like a cowbell. Everyone reluctantly piled in, and Harry murmured to Percy, "We'll take this shame to our graves."

The three-bodied man started the 'moo-mobile', as Percy called it. As he drove, he boasted, "We have a huge operation! Horses and cattle mostly, but all sorts of exotic varieties, too."

Just over a hill, Annabeth suddenly sat up and gasped, "Are those what I think they are?"

Harry also breathed, "Blimey! Those are Hippalektryons! I thought that they were extinct!"

Sure enough, at the bottom of the hill was a fenced-in pasture with a bunch of hybrid animals. Each had the front half of a horse and the back half of a rooster. Their rear feet sported huge yellow claws. They also had feathery tails and red wings.

Geryon boasted, "In case you're wondering, they do lay eggs. Very much in demand for omelettes! Trust me, they are simply divine!"

Annabeth protested, "That's horrible! They must be endangered!"

Harry thought to himself, 'Mum would be fuming if she found out.'

Geryon ignored her and continued the tour, "Now, over here,' he said, 'we have our fire-breathing horses, which you may have seen on your way in. And over yonder, of course, are our prize red cows."

Harry spoke up, "I thought that they were sacred to Apollo."

Geryon waved a dismissive hand, "Apollo is too busy to see to them so he subcontracts to us. We breed them vigorously because there's such a demand."

With a horrible thought forming in his mind, Harry repeated blandly, "Demand?..."

Geryon grinned, "Meat, of course! Armies have to eat."

Grover was understandably outraged. He and Harry had to be restrained by Annabeth and Tyson. The satyr bleated angrily, "You kill the sacred cows of the sun god for hamburger meat? That's against the ancient laws!"

Geryon was still blasé about it, "Oh, don't get so worked up, satyr. They're just animals. If Apollo cared, I'm sure he would tell us."

Harry was sorely tempted to kill Geryon on the spot. The rancher was only saved from Harry's wrath when Nico irritably piped up, "Geryon, we have business to discuss."

The cattle rancher grinned at him, "All in good time. Now, look over there! This is where I stock my more exotic game."

They group turned their gaze to see a familiar group of giant scorpions wandering around in a pen surrounded by barbed wire.

Percy mused, "Huh… So this is where Quintus got those scorpions."

Geryon acted as if he hadn't heard, "Right… Now, over here are my prize stables! You must see them!"

Turns out, they didn't need to see the stables. The group could definitely smell them. Near the banks of a green river was a horse corral the size of a football field. Stables lined one side of it. About a hundred horses were milling around the pen, knee deep in steaming piles of horse manure.

Everyone's faces turned green and Nico gagged, "What on earth is that!"

Geryon nonchalantly said, "My stables. Technically they belong to Aegeas, but I tend to it for a tiny monthly fee. Aren't they lovely?"

Harry gagged, "Bloody hell! How can the animals stand to live in such conditions."

Geryon frowned, "Now wait just a minute! These are flesh-eating horses! They like these conditions."

Behind the group, Eurytion finally spoke up. He had been so quiet that they forgot that he even existed. The man snarked, "Plus, you're too much of a cheapskate to have them cleaned."

Geryon scowled, "Shut it, you! Fine… I guess cleaning the stables are a bit challenging. Also it does make me nauseous when the wind blows my way, but as long as the clients pay, I'm good."

Percy demanded, "What clients?"

Geryon grinned, "Oh, you'd be surprised how many people will pay for a flesh-eating horse. They make great garbage disposals. Wonderful way to terrify your enemies. Great at birthday parties! We rent them out all the time."

Grover cried, "You have to let these animals go!"

Harry agreed, "He's right! This is bloody inhumane!"

Annabeth bluntly said, "And the clients you keep talking about. You work for Kronos, don't you? You're supplying his army with horses, food, whatever they need."

The man shrugged without a care in the world, "I work for anyone with gold, young lady. I'm a businessman. And I sell them anything I have to offer."

Nico finally lost his patience, "Geryon, you're stalling. We had a deal!"

Geryon casually scratched his middle chest, "Yes, you'll get a deal, all right."

Nico irritable snapped, "My ghost told me you could help. He said you could guide us to the soul we need. The one who would make me stronger. Can you help me, Geryon, or not?"

The rancher chuckled, "Oh, I imagine I could. Your ghost friend, by the way, where is he?"

Nico replied, "He can't form in broad daylight. It's hard for him. But he's around somewhere."

Geryon smiled. "I'm sure. Minos likes to disappear when things get… difficult."

At this point, Harry and the others were glancing at Nico with concern etched on their faces. Harry slowly asked, "Wait… Minos? The same Minos who was the king of Crete, back in the day?"

Annabeth continued in the same tone, "The same Minos who trapped Daedalus in the Labyrinth…"

Percy finished, "The same Minos, who sacrificed seven men and seven women to his Minotaur every seven years, THAT Minos?!"

Nico ignored them, "He promised that he would make me stronger. What do you mean about things getting difficult?"

Geryon grinned evilly, "You see, Nico, Luke Castellan is offering very good money for half-bloods. Especially powerful half-bloods. And I'm sure when he learns your little secret, who you really are, he'll pay very, very well indeed."

Nico drew his sword, but Eurytion intervened and knocked it out of his hand. Meanwhile, Orthus advanced towards Percy and the group, growling ferociously. Geryon warned, "I would stay in the car, all of you. Or Orthus will tear Mr Jackson's throat out. Now, Eurytion, if you would be so kind, secure Nico.'

The cowherd spat into the grass and moaned petulantly, "Do I have to?"

Geryon snapped, "Yes, you fool!"

Eurytion rolled his eyes, but complied. The rancher sniffed disdainfully, "Pick up the sword, too. There's nothing I hate worse than Stygian iron."

Eurytion carefully picked up the sword by the hilt. His master then clapped cheerily, "Now, we've had the tour. Let's go back to the lodge, have some lunch, and send an Iris-message to our friends in the Titan army."

Annabeth yelled in outrage, "You fiend!"

Harry was more colourful in his language. He ranted, Δειλέ! Όταν απελευθερωθώ, θα σου κόψω τη σπονδυλική στήλη και θα σε χτυπήσω με αυτήν!"

Geryon tutted, "My, my! Such language! Don't worry children. Once I've delivered Mr. di Angelo, you and your party can go. I don't interfere with quests. Besides, I've been paid well to give you safe passage, which does not, I'm afraid, include Mr di Angelo."

Percy suddenly yelled out, "Wait! Geryon, you said you're a businessman. Make me a deal."

The rancher paused and raised an eyebrow, "What sort of deal? Do you have gold?"

Percy continued speaking, "I've got something better. Barter."

Geryon emitted a belly laugh, "But, Mr Jackson, you've got nothing."

Eurytion innocently suggested, "You could have him clean the stables."

Percy latched onto that idea, "I'll do it! If I fail, you get all of us. You can trade us all to Luke for gold."

Geryon observed, "Assuming the horses don't eat you."

Percy stood firm, "Either way, you get my friends. But, if I succeed, you've got to let all of us go, including Nico."

Geryon chuckled. "Percy Jackson, those stables haven't been cleaned in a thousand years… though it's true I might be able to sell more stable space if all that poop was cleared away."

Percy goaded, "So what have you got to lose?"

The rancher hesitated and finally relented, "All right, I'll accept your offer, but you have to get it done by sunset. If you fail, your friends get sold, and I get rich. Also, just to prove that I'm a nice guy, I'll allow you to take one of your friends to help you."

Percy's eyes flicked towards Annabeth, Harry, Grover and Tyson. He was about to select Annabeth, but she motioned towards Harry with her grey eyes. They held a silent conversation before Percy said, "I choose Harry."

Eurytion motioned with his club and Harry slowly stood up and joined Percy. He whispered, "You sure of this, mate?"

Percy nodded, "Annabeth and I have a plan."

As Geryon and Eurytion frog-marched the others, the former called out to the boys, "Remember! Sunset! No later!"

The two approached the filthy stables, gagging away. Then, Harry pulled out his wand and cast a spell on Percy and then himself. On cue, a bubble seemed to form around both of their heads. Instantly, Percy found that he could breathe easier and the pong had disappeared.

He grinned, "Man! I love magic!"

Harry grinned back, "One of my seniors, Cedric Diggory, taught me this spell."

As they approached, one stallion waded through the muck and whinnied angrily. Percy tried to telepathically communicate with the horse, 'Hi, I'm going to clean your stables. Won't that be great?'

The horse's demeanour changed and it gleefully said, 'Yes! Come inside! Eat you! Tasty half-blood!'

Percy protested, 'But I'm Poseidon's son. He created horses.'

Unfortunately, the horse's reply was not very favourable. It whinnied, 'Yes! Poseidon can come in, too! We will eat you both! Seafood!'

The other horses also neighed enthusiastically. Percy glanced around for help and spotted a river nearby. Unfortunately, it was downhill and nearly a kilometre away. Sighing, he and Harry began trudging towards the river.

Upon reaching, they saw a girl waiting for them with her arms crossed. She was wearing a green T-shirt and jeans, while her long brown hair was braided with river grass.

She snapped, "Oh no you don't! I know who you are. And I know what you want. And the answer is no! I'm not going to have my river used again to clean that filthy stable. You ocean-god types always think you're so much more important than some little river, don't you? Well let me tell you this naiad is not going to be pushed around just because your daddy is Poseidon. This is freshwater territory, mister. The last guy who asked me this favour – oh, he was way better-looking than you, by the way – he convinced me, and that was the worst mistake I've ever made! Do you have any idea what all that horse manure does to my ecosystem? Do I look like a sewage-treatment plant to you? My fish will die. I'll never get the muck out of my plants. I'll be sick for years. NO THANK YOU!"

Harry raised his arms placatingly, "Whoa! We're so sorry mate. We wouldn't come if we weren't desperate. Our friends are in trouble."

She turned to Harry, "Well, that's too bad! But it's not my problem. And you two are not going to ruin my river."

The naiad raised her balled up fists, as if she were preparing for a fight. Both boys looked at her trembling slightly, despite her defiant expression. Then they looked at each other and came to a consensus. Backing away, Percy said, "Okay, you win."

That caught her by surprise, "Wait… Really?"

Percy nodded, "It's your river. We're not going to fight you."

Harry picked up where his friend left off, "Plus, we'd look like massive twats if we took advantage of you like that. Do you have any other ideas? We need to get those filthy stables clean by sunset."

The naiad glanced at him, "You're a wizard, right? Don't you have any water spells? Also, son of the sea god, scoop up some dirt."

They were confused for a minute before shrugging and complying. The soil was dry and black and dotted with tiny clumps of white rock, or what looked like white rock.

She explained, "Those are shells. Petrified seashells. Millions of years ago, even before the time of the gods, when only Gaia and Ouranos reigned, this land was under water. It was part of the sea."

The drachma dropped for Percy and a grin slowly formed on his face. She smiled, "I think you're finally getting it. You're not so different from me, demigod. Even when I'm out of the water, the water is within me. It is my life source. I hope you find a way to rescue your friends."

With that, she stepped back into the river and melted into it. The boys hurried back towards the stables, where the man-eating horses were ripping into some kind of meat. Percy chucked a calcified seashell into the nearest mound of horse dung.

Nothing happened for a few seconds. Then they heard some gurgling sound and spotted a tiny spout of water shooting out from the manure. Percy stepped closer and willed the waterspout to get bigger. On cue, the waterspout increased in intensity, shooting a strong jet into the air.

A few curious horses cantered over and one hesitantly stuck out a tongue. Suddenly it recoiled and complained about it being salty. Percy bolted around the fence perimeter and chucked more calcified seashells with wild abandon. Meanwhile, Harry brought out his sword and turned it into its wand form. He raised it and yelled, "Aguamenti!"

A strong jet of water burst from his wand and he began to spray the horses. Then, Percy noticed something. The water was not overflowing or running downhill. Instead, it was practically dissolving the horse poop and leaving regular wet soil.

As the horses began galloping helter-skelter, Percy willed the jets of water to get even stronger. Meanwhile, Harry poured more of his magic into the spell. At this point, the horses were practically begging for them to stop.

After sometime, there was not a speck of manure anywhere on the ground. However, it did take Percy considerable effort to stop the geyser of salt water. After Harry shut off his own spell and turned his wand back into a sword, the horses were practically falling over themselves to appease the boys.

"We won't eat you!" The horses wailed. "Please, lord! No more salty baths!"

Percy threatened, "On one condition. You only eat the food your handlers give you from now on. Not people. Or I'll be back with more seashells!"

There were still a few areas caked with dung, especially on the fences. However, Harry dealt with that with a few well-placed Vanishing Spells. With their task done, the boys sprinted back towards the ranch house. Not a moment too soon, as the sun was just beginning to dip into the horizon. As they ran, they caught a whiff of a barbecue cooking. Harry growled, "That had better not come from Apollo's cows, or I am killing Geryon with my bare hands."

Just outside the house, Geryon was expertly flipping burger patties on a huge barbecue grill. Eurytion lounged at a picnic table, picking his fingernails with a knife. The two-headed dog sniffed the ribs and burgers that were frying on the grill. Meanwhile, Tyson, Grover, Annabeth and Nico were all tossed in a corner, tied up like rodeo animals, with their ankles and wrists roped together and their mouths gagged.

Percy yelled, "Hey! Let them go! We cleaned up the stables!"

Geryon turned and raised an eyebrow, 'Did you, now? How'd you manage it?"

Harry and Percy held a silent conversation between them. Percy then began explaining how he cleaned the stables. Though he and Harry mentally agreed on leaving out Harry's magic.

He nodded appreciatively, "Very ingenious. It would've been better if you'd poisoned that pesky naiad, but no matter."

Percy looked at him expectantly, "Now, let our friends go! We had a deal!"

Geryon pretended to think about it. He grinned slyly, "Ah, I've been thinking about that. The problem is, if I let them go, I don't get paid."

Harry snapped, "Oi! Are you going back on our deal? Do your clients know that you actively alter the terms of agreement behind their backs, you plonker!"

The triple-bodied man tutted condescendingly, " But did you make me swear on the River Styx? No you didn't. So it's not binding. When you're conducting business, sonny, you should always get a binding oath."

The boys drew their swords and raised them threateningly. Geryon ordered, "Eurytion, these two are starting to annoy me. Kill them.'

Eurytion studied the two defiant boys. Percy was internally glad that Harry was with him because he didn't fancy his chances alone against Eurytion and his huge club.

Eurytion propped his legs up on the picnic table and put his hat over his eyes. He drawled, "Kill them yourself."

Geryon raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"

The son of Ares grumbled, "You heard me. You keep sending me out to do your dirty work. You pick fights for no good reason, and I'm tired of dying for you. You want to fight the kids, do it yourself."

Percy was a bit taken aback because he never thought he'd see the day a child of Ares backed out from a fight. Geryon snarled, "You dare defy me! I should fire you right now!"

The reply came from under the hat, "And who'd take care of your cattle? Orthus, heel!"

The two-headed dog stopped growling at the others and bounded over to Eurytion. Geryon snarled, "Fine! I'll deal with you later, after the boys are dead!"

He picked up two carving knives and threw them at the two younger boys. Raising their swords, they deflected them away. Percy attacked first, but Geryon parried his first strike with a pair of red-hot tongs. He lunged at Percy's face with a barbecue fork, but the son of Poseidon dodged. He ducked another thrust and stabbed Geryon right through the middle chest.

The man crumpled to his knees with a pained cry. Unfortunately, instead of disintegrating, he just grimaced and began to stand up. The bleeding slice through his chef's apron started to heal.

He smirked, "Nice try, sonny. Thing is, I have three hearts. The perfect backup system."

Geryon overturned the barbecue and some of the burning hot coals came dangerously close to where the others were tied up. Annabeth's terrified scream was muffled through her gag.

Percy jabbed Geryon in the left chest, but he only laughed. Then Harry stuck him in the right stomach, leading to the same result. Then it clicked for Percy… stabbing one heart at a time was no good.

He locked eyes with Harry and they had another silent conversation. Harry sprinted away while sheathing his sword, leaving Percy to face him alone. The battle continued to rage, with Percy getting a few hits in. However, Geryon kept healing.

Sword and poker clashed again and Geryon grinned, "I'm going to have your head, Percy Jackson. It's going to be mounted right next to my grizzly bear!"

Suddenly, there was a twang, followed by three *THUMP* sounds one after another. Geryon froze and stared down dumbly at his chests. An arrow had pierced through the side of his right chest, clean through the middle and out of his left chest. The arrow then embedded itself into the wall of the house.

Geryon dropped his swords and stared at Harry. He stammered, "You… You-"

His face turned a sickly shade of green. He collapsed to his knees and began crumbling into sand until all that was left were three cooking aprons and an oversized pair of cowboy boots.

Percy rushed over to Harry and high-fived him, "Great shot dude! I'm glad you were there, because I'm a lousy archer!"

Harry shrugged nonchalantly as they went over to untie the others. Eurytion made no move to stop them at all.

Percy asked, "How long will it take Geryon to re-form?"

Eurytion shrugged. "Hundred years? He's not one of those fast re-formers, thank the gods. You've done me a favour."

Annabeth pressed, "You said you'd died for him before. How?"

He growled, "I've worked for that creep for thousands of years. Started as a regular half-blood, but I chose immortality when my dad offered it. Worst mistake I ever made. Now I'm stuck here at this ranch. I can't leave. I can't quit. I just tend the cows and fight Geryon's fights. We're kind of tied together."

Percy decided to offer him a carrot, "Maybe you can change things.'

Eurytion narrowed his eyes. "How?"

Harry replied, "Be nice to the animals. Take care of them. Stop selling them for food. You know the Ancient Law about the red cattle. It is forbidden to sacrifice them, or you would incur his wrath. The other animals like the Hippalektryons are also endangered."

Eurytion nodded, 'Aye… I will take care of them to the best of my ability."

Percy pressed on, "Get the animals on your side, and they'll help you. Once Geryon gets back, maybe he'll be working for you this time."

Eurytion grinned. "Now that I could live with."

Annabeth suspiciously said, "You won't try to stop us leaving?"

He shook his head, "Shoot, no. Also, the Titans don't know about the Nico kid yet. Geryon was waiting until after the barbecue."

Then Harry turned to Nico, "Hey Nico, we're going to be leaving now. We'd invite you too, but I'm not sure if that would be a good idea. Are you sure that you can trust this Minos?"

Nico shrugged, "He hasn't given me a reason to doubt him yet. He said that he knew someone who could help me get stronger."

Annabeth carefully said, "Nico. Geryon wasn't lying about Kronos wanting to capture you. If the Titan Lord knew who you were, he'd do anything to get you on his side."

Then Harry stood up, "I want to meet this Minos. I don't know, something feels off about this whole situation."

Percy said, "We're going to need a big pit, along with plenty of food and drinks."

Eurytion grunted, "Head out back. There's a hole dug that was supposed to be for a septic tank. You! Cyclops boy! There's an ice chest in the kitchen. I hope the dead like root beer and Coke."

That night, the group gathered around a seven-metre long, two feet deep pit. Nico poured root beer and tossed in a few pieces of barbecue in the pit while the others stood a short distance away. Then he began chanting in Ancient Greek and the atmosphere changed. The surrounding woods grew dead silent, and in Percy's pocket, the Stygian ice dog whistle grew colder.

Tyson fearfully clutched Harry's left hand and squeezed it tight, all the while whimpering. The night air felt cold and menacing. But before long, the first spirits appeared. Sulphurous mist seeped out of the ground. Shadows thickened into human forms. One blue shade drifted to the edge of the pit and knelt to drink.

After a small drink, the figure solidified into the shape of a bearded man in white robes. A circlet of gold wreathed his head, and even in death his eyes were alive with malice.

Nico flatly said, "Minos..."

The ghost made no attempt to look contrite, "Master! I do apologise, but the sacrifice smelled so good, I couldn't resist. It is good to see myself again. Almost in solid form."

The dead king scrutineered the group. Stopping at Percy's face, he sneered a little, "Percy Jackson… my, my. The sons of Poseidon haven't improved over the centuries, have they? I understand you once killed my Minotaur with your bare hands. But worse things await you in the maze. Do you really believe Daedalus will help you? Daedalus cares nothing for you, half-bloods. You can't trust him. He is old beyond counting, and crafty. He is bitter from the guilt of murder and is cursed by the gods."

He turned to Nico, "Master, I've only come to protect you from these liars who would deceive you. These are your enemies. You must not listen to them! Let me protect you. I will turn their minds to madness, as I did the others."

Something clicked for Annabeth, "The others? You mean Chris Rodriguez? That was you?!"

He pompously said, "The maze is my property, not Daedalus'! Those who intrude deserve madness."

Nico interrupted, "Minos! You said that you know of someone who could help me get stronger. Are they with you?"

Minos grinned, "As you wish, master. But I warn you. You cannot trust these heroes."

He floated back and gestured to the gathered spirits. One of them approached and bent down to drink from the pit. When the spirit solidified, it revealed the form of a tall, black-haired boy in his late teens. For some reason, Harry couldn't help thinking that he looked familiar.

The boy spoke in a high, cold voice, "You must be Nico di Angelo. My new friend Minos has told me all about you and your desire for power. I can help you there."

Then it struck Harry and his wand slowly crept into his left hand. Nico asked, "What must I do?"

The voice coolly said, "I was once a powerful man, in my prime. I had my own followers and others feared me for my power. Sadly, my own arrogance led to a lucky shot that ended my life prematurely. But that's all past history. All that you need to do is allow me to possess your body and I shall share my unimaginable power with you."

At that moment, Harry had heard enough and stepped in to intervene. He stalked forward into the spirit's field of vision and snarled, "Oh hell no, Tom! I know your game well and you will not terrorize my friends and my world ever again! How did you escape, though?"

The now-identified Tom Riddle turned and sneered at Harry, "Well, well, Harry James Potter… Fancy seeing you here. I must admit, the knowledge that you are a demigod… I certainly did not see that coming. So it seems the prophecy was true after all. 'He will have a power The Dark Lord knows not' indeed."

Harry sent a spell towards the spirit of Voldemort, but it did nothing. The deranged Dark Lord cackled gleefully, "Oh Potter… You should know by now, that your spells are useless against me. Once I possess this naïve little whelp, who is a child of the eldest gods, no less… I will be Unstoppable!"

Suddenly, a corner of the forest darkened and a human figure leaped out from the shadows. It was none other, than Bianca di Angelo. She stood side-by-side with Harry and snapped, "Over my dead body! I should have known something was up when Father contacted me in my dreams, and he was in a towering rage. This time, you will not escape, and you are NOT going to manipulate and use MY brother as a toy for your sick schemes! You are coming straight back with us to Tartarus, even if Nico and I have to drag you back, kicking and screaming."

She then turned to Minos, but he was nowhere to be seen. Pulling out the wand she won from Dumbledore, she yelled out in Ancient Greek. Voldemort's spirit froze up and then he was banished away with a blood-curdling scream. Bianca almost collapsed from the effort, and Harry rushed up to catch her. She panted, "Phew! That took a lot out of me. Don't worry… He won't bother us anymore. I suspect Minos was the one who let him escape. When I get my hands on him…"

That night, Bianca elected to stay the night at the ranch, but she and Nico would leave for Camp Half-Blood in the morning. She did give him a scolding for going behind her back. Though when he gave her his reasons, she sighed, "Nico… You're my little brother. Of course it is my job to protect you, because I love you. I get why you wanted this, but you should have come to me or Harry. Don't worry, when we get back to camp, I will personally train you. When Harry comes back from this quest, I'm sure he will help too. None of this cloak and dagger business, please?"

His defiant look held for a few seconds before it wavered and he threw his arms around her. Together, they bid farewell to the questors and Shadow-Travelled away.

Translation:

You coward! When I get free, I will fucking rip out your spine and beat you with it!