Everything Andromeda does isn't for the sake of the mission, it's to punch someone.

Two hours later, we were climbing a steep hill and Jason was going seriously slow. I was asking him constantly if he wanted me to carry him, but I kept being shut down. Mostly by Piper. I wasn't sure why though. She has mostly been civil to me. A bit of hidden hatred, but always civil. Now suddenly when it comes to Jason, she becomes easily angered and tight-lipped.

But seriously, Jason is going so slow. He went like a kilometre every thirty minutes. Okay, maybe a bit faster, but I couldn't tell the difference. He even smelt. I think Hazel was more focused on the smell rather than his looks. He is the first old man I've ever seen though. His skin was gnarled and bones poked out. I could see his vivid blue veins. With every step, he looked ready to collapse as his legs shook. I was almost concerned but he waved me away each time. "I'm fine." He insisted. "I can do this." I had turned away each time but if I see him trip over and bruise himself one more time…

"Almost there." Piper smiled at him. "You're doing great." Oh sure. She was nice to him but not to me. I would like to file a complaint, please!

I wasn't doing any better. Hazel disguised us as Greek serving maidens. Maidens! Who even uses that term anymore?

The ground was similar to Tartarus, except there was much more light. I bet I could navigate through this with my eyes closed. If only I could get rid of these stupid laced sandals!

Piper and Annabeth had spent the last ten minutes teaching me everything that might happen. For example, we were wearing white sleeveless gowns called a chiton. Piper's hair is styled in a braided spiral. And the thingys around her arms were called bracelets. I don't really understand those.

Jason groaned one more time. I felt my eye tick as he leaned against a cedar tree and wiped his forehead. "Worst idea ever." He announced in an old man's voice. "Hazel's magic is too good. If I have to fight, I'll be useless." I completely agree but kept my mouth shut.

"It won't come to that," Annabeth promised. She looked uncomfortable in her serving-maiden outfit. She kept hunching her shoulders to keep the dress from slipping. Her pinned-up blonde bun had come undone in the back and her hair dangled like Arachne's long legs. She looked worse than me. At least I have experience walking in uncomfortable clothing and how to use the Mist.

"The plan is simple enough, Jason." I patted his shoulder, being extra careful to be mindful of the strength used. I was the only one wearing a long-sleeved chiton because I absolutely refuse to wear those bracelets and any kind of… what's that word? Jewellery. "We infiltrate the palace, we get the information, we get out. Hopefully without fighting." I was itching for a fight, but I'd prefer if no one got hurt. As Jason said, he would be useless. If worst comes, he would be the first to fall.

Piper set down her amphora, the tall ceramic wine jar in which her sword was hidden. "We can rest for a second. Catch your breath, Jason."

From her waist cord hung her cornucopia—the magic horn of plenty. Tucked somewhere in the folds of her dress was her knife, Katoptris. The knife that showed visions. Piper didn't look dangerous, but if the need arose she could dual-wield Celestial bronze blades or shoot her enemies in the face with ripe mangoes.

To be honest, I didn't find that very dangerous, but the mangoes were tasty. I've tasted them.

I unceremoniously dumped my amphora and Annabeth did so too. Her dagger was concealed as usual, but no one would want to go close to her anyways. She looked like those ninjas I remember in bedtime stories. Her stormy grey eyes scanned the surroundings, alert for any threat. She looked like those people who would stab your heart and still kiss you as you die. If any foolish man asked for her hand, she would rather choke him without any weapons. I love that about her. So violent! Much better than Percy in this case. He only gets angry when his friends are endangered.

"Stupid Ithaca," Jason muttered, staring down. Below us was the Afales Bay, as Annabeth so kindly informed me. The water looked so blue, it was like Oceanus's stupid skin colour multiplied a hundred times. Argo II looked no bigger than postage stamps, its ninety oars like itty bitty bones. So tiny.

The island was pretty by my standards, but my standards were very low, especially compared to what I have seen and experienced. A spine of forested hills twisted down its centre. Chalky white slopes plunged into the sea, beyond my gaze. Inlets formed rocky beaches and harbours where red-roofed houses and white stucco churches nestled against the shoreline.

The hills were dotted with poppies, crocuses and wild cherry trees. The breeze smelled of blooming myrtle. All very nice except the temperature was about a hundred and five degrees. The air was as steamy as a geyser in Tartarus brought up here.

"You sure this is the right hill?" Jason was asking. "Seems kind of—I don't know—quiet."

"What do you expect? A big-ass banner saying Big Gathering of Ghosts?" I rolled my eyes as Piper said, "the ruins are up there. I saw them in Katoptris's blade. And you heard what Hazel said. 'The biggest—'"

"The biggest gathering of evil spirits I've ever sensed," Jason recalled. "Yeah, sounds awesome."

I made a face. Another guy I need to compete against for the most pessimistic position.

Annabeth re-adjusted her golden belt. "I hope our disguises hold up. The suitors were nasty customers when they were alive. If they find out we're demigods—"

"Hazel's magic will work," Piper said.

Jason looked like he drank a mouthful of Phlegethon water. Which, truth be told, changed nothing about him in appearance.

The suitors: a hundred of the greediest, evilest cut-throats who'd ever lived. When Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, went missing after the Trojan War, this mob of B-list princes invaded his palace and refused to leave, each one hoping to marry Queen Penelope and take over the kingdom. Odysseus managed to return in secret and slaughter them all – your basic happy homecoming. But, if Piper's visions were right, the suitors were now back, haunting the place where they'd died.

Fun. Can I tie their hair together and burn them alive?

Jason finally hobbled to his feet. "Well… if I look as old as I feel, my disguise must be perfect. Let's get going." A smile blossomed reluctantly. Okay, I will admit that I love their sarcasm.

This was the most leisurely walk I ever had. For once, I wasn't sweating. I could see everything from miles away, not just in front of me, and the wind. Oh Gods, don't get me started on the wind. It is heavenly. The cool fresh wind wasn't painful to breathe in. The sun wasn't too bad either. I had finally come to understand that it wasn't as bad as I assumed. After all, it just took a bit of time and adjusting to finally get used to it.

But then, I couldn't say the same about Jason who was sweating bullets and swearing so colourfully, there were terms I don't understand. Cute.

"Almost there," Annabeth said, almost sounding as tired as Jason looked. "Let's—"

BOOM! The hillside rumbled. Somewhere over the ridge, a crowd roared in approval, like spectators in a coliseum. I saw Jason flinched involuntarily. I understood. I saw how he and my brother fought in that stupid Roman Colosseum just to survive. Where my hellhounds were held captive… don't, Andy, don't go down that path.

For a moment… yeah never mind. Don't go down that path either, Andy. You're not here for that.

"What was that explosion? Jason wondered.

"Don't know," Piper said. "But it sounds like they're having fun. Let's go make some dead friends."

"I wish to join the party," I mumbled.

Annabeth laughed, slinging her arm around me. "You really don't want that, Romy."

"You're getting used to calling me that." I scrunched up my face. "I like that, Ann."

"You're lucky I need you alive to get more juicy news on Percy." Annabeth declared, but no anger was in her voice. For once, she didn't ask me to stop. I call that progress.

The situation was chaotic. Best word to describe it. Wouldn't be any fun otherwise. I would love to join the party despite what Annabeth said.

Crouching behind an olive bush at the top of the rise, the only way I could describe the place was a ghoul party and the only person holding the room in order just momentarily left.

I kind of like the ruins, prettiest I've ever seen, not that I've seen many ruins. A few stone walls, a weed-choked central courtyard, a dead-end stairwell chiselled into the rock. Some plywood sheets covered a pit and a metal scaffold supported a cracked archway. Don't ask me how. But doesn't it look pretty? Perfect for target practising. No one would be missing anything here.

I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. Over those ruins, invisible to the naked eye, was another layer of reality, so cleverly woven that it took me about three seconds to realise something was amiss and another ten seconds to realise what it was.

Whitewashed stucco walls lined with balconies rose about 40 feet high. Columned porticoes faced the central atrium, which had a huge fountain and bronze braziers. At a dozen banquet tables, ghouls laughed and ate and pushed one another around. No one would miss them… can I kill them?

We had expected about a hundred spirits, but twice that many were milling about, chasing spectral serving girls, smashing plates and cups, and basically making a nuisance of themselves. Stupid really. And we were called to clear the Gods mess. As always. Well, not so much for me, but I've heard enough from the bedtime stories Annabeth would tell me. What? Some habits die hard after they resurface. Mum could never make me sleep without telling a bedtime story…

Anyways, back to the spirits. They all look like, well, dead. They had transparent purple wraiths in tunics and sandals. A few revellers had decayed bodies with grey flesh, matted clumps of hair and nasty wounds. Others seemed to be regular living mortals—some in togas, some in modern business suits or army fatigues. I even spotted one guy in a purple T-shirt and Roman legionnaire armour. That wouldn't have meant anything, but I saw that shirt in Jason's room. Please don't ask why I was in there. What happened in his room stays in his room. It had something to do with their camps. I focused on the wording. They were hard to read, but they eventually came to me. Camp Jupiter. After Jupiter. Of course. How foolish of me to doubt how narcissistic Zeus was.

In the centre of the atrium, a grey-skinned ghoul in a tattered Greek tunic paraded through the crowd, holding a marble bust over his head like a sports trophy. The other ghosts cheered and slapped him on the back. As the ghoul got closer, I noticed that he had an arrow in his throat, the feathered shaft sprouting from his Adam's apple. Wow. Even more disturbing: the bust he was holding… was that Zeus?

Oh! I know this guy. My memory hasn't failed me. Ithaca. Ever since I learned of our destination, I went to abduct Annabeth's computer. Took me, say, three hours to figure out everything, but I got the hang of it, and I read up as much as I could about Odysseus. If only Chaos had given me a better knowledge of my history. Still, I wasn't complaining. The satisfaction of learning something new was thrilling. The guy was Antinous though, to those who were waiting impatiently for me to say it. When Odysseus shot them all, he especially shot Antinous through the throat. Don't ask me why, I don't know, I don't want to know.

"Our next offering!" Antinous shouted gleefully, his voice buzzing from the arrow in his throat. "Let us feed the Earth Mother!"

The partiers yelled and pounded their cups. The ghoul made his way to the central fountain. The crowd parted, and I saw that the water from the fountain wasn't water at all. From the three-foot-tall pedestal, a geyser of sand spewed upward, arcing into an umbrella-shaped curtain of white particles before spilling into the circular basin. Of course. That was what was holding them together. I was about to tell the others, but then Antinous did something so shocking, even I was stunned.

He heaved the marble bust into the fountain. As soon as Zeus's head passed through the shower of sand, the marble disintegrated like it was going through a wood chipper. The sand glittered gold, the colour of ichor—godly blood. Then the entire mountain rumbled with a muffled BOOM as if belching after a meal.

The dead partygoers roared with approval.

"Any more statues?" He yelled to the crowd. "No? Then I guess we'll have to wait for some real gods to sacrifice!"

His comrades laughed and applauded as the ghoul plopped himself down at the nearest feast table.

Jason clenched his walking stick. "That guy just disintegrated my dad. Who does he think he is?"

"He didn't just disintegrate your dad." I breathed. "He sacrificed that in the name of Gaia. Do you know what that means? It means the power is transferred. Zeus grows weaker due to the loss of his statues, and Gaia grows stronger from the offering." I paused. "Usually I wouldn't be so worried about Zeus, but if they continue, who knows what they find?"

"I'm guessing that's Antinous," said Annabeth, "one of the suitors' leaders. If I remember correctly, it was Odysseus who shot him through the neck with that arrow."

Piper winced. "You'd think that would keep a guy down. What about all the others? Why are there so many?"

'I don't know,' Annabeth said. 'Newer recruits for Gaia, I guess. Some must've come back to life before we closed the Doors of Death. Some are just spirits.'

"Some are ghouls," Jason said. "The ones with the gaping wounds and the grey skin, like Antinous… I've fought their kind before."

Piper tugged at her blue harpy feather. 'Can they be killed?'

'Not easily. They're strong, fast and intelligent." He counted them with his fingers. "Also, they eat human flesh.'

"Fantastic," Annabeth muttered. "I don't see any option except to stick to the plan. Split up, infiltrate, and find out why they're here. If things go bad—"

"We use the backup plan," Piper said.

I hate the backup plan. Why must there be a backup plan? Why does the word plan even exist? Just use my favourite; charge in and improvise and take care of yourself. All injuries you can deal with later. If you die, then you are weak.

Before we left, Leo had given each of us an emergency flare the size of a birthday candle. Supposedly, if we tossed one in the air, it would shoot upward in a streak of white phosphorus, alerting the Argo II that the team was in trouble. At that point, we would have a few seconds to take cover before the ship's catapults fired on their position, engulfing the palace in Greek fire and bursts of Celestial bronze shrapnel.

Okay, that wasn't too bad. I'm just unhappy about the plan part.

"Be careful down there," Jason told us. He gave me an extra look. I pouted at him but he didn't falter. "I'm serious, Andy. Don't do anything stupid."

"Have you met me?" He ignored me. Dammit.

Piper crept around the left side of the ridge. Annabeth went right. Jason pulled himself up with his walking stick and hobbled towards the ruins.

As for me? I followed the weak link. Aka, Jason. I know that should we ever get into a fight, he would probably be the one of the few tending ones at the end but right now, a simple breeze could knock him over. If he needs to fight, I will overpower Hazel's Mist to unravel him. I will be more powerful here, seeing the distance. I should be able to do so. For that to happen though, I need to be by Jason's side.

Jason passed through the palace's ghostly gateway. He seemed to realise just in time that a section of mosaic floor in front of him was an illusion covering a ten-foot-deep excavation pit. He sidestepped it and continued into the courtyard. I sighed, levitating myself slightly off the ground to not bother having to trip and fall.

Forty feet ahead of us, Piper moved through the crowd, smiling and filling wine glasses for the ghostly revellers. If she was afraid, she didn't show it. So far the ghosts weren't paying her any special attention. Hazel's magic must have been working.

Over on the right, Annabeth collected empty plates and goblets. She wasn't smiling.

I recalled the look Percy had when we left. The slightly hopeless but desperate look. I knew he talked to Jason about looking out for us. I wasn't dumb, I knew he was worried. But that's the thing. I relented when he said I couldn't go with Reyna, Nico and Coach Hedge. But he should know both paths will have dangers beyond imagination.

I wasn't worried about myself, I never am. But Percy and I were similar in wanting Annabeth to be safe. I remember the time when she talked about how I wasn't the only one hurting. How courageous she looked as she offered me back the Void Key. I liked her way before Percy. Percy was wrong though. I warmed up to him faster. I just warmed up to Annabeth first. If it doesn't make sense, I will understand. It's not supposed to.

As I was stuck in my mulling, Jason reached the edge of the crowd.

Antinous yelled out, "IROS!" Which successfully pulled me out of my thoughts. I quickly ducked my head, acting the shy maiden, keeping an eye on Jason. His looks changed subtly to the man Antinous expected to see, and so far, was being convincing enough.

I waited patiently, absent-mindedly collecting drinks from the ghouls while listening in.

I saw Jason reluctantly sitting across from Antinous and sighed rather loudly. His acting skills were so bad. I paused the first ghoul that came by. "Hold this." I dumped the empty glasses in his waiting hands, ignored his shouts, and made my way to them, eyes lowered and hands behind my back.

Antinous was saying, "Tell me, Iros, what do you have to offer? We don't need you to run messages for us like in the old days. Certainly, you aren't a fighter. As I recall, Odysseus crushed your jaw and tossed you into the pigsty."

I saw Jason's eyes flash in rage, before quickly stepping in. Acting like I wasn't paying attention, I stepped on Antinous's foot that was sticking out. Hard.

He howled as I changed my appearance subtly. My cheeks flushed red and my words came out stuttering. "I- I'm s- sorry."

"You should be." Antinous snapped before his eyes finally settled on me. I could see Jason glaring at me. I gave him a sly look and slowly mouthed, "Rules are for suckers."

However, Antinous was a completely different story. His eyes turned big, and his smile turned feral. "I'm so sorry, my lord," I whispered in a low voice, fighting my smile. "Can I pour you a glass of wine as an apology?"

"Where did Gaia get you from?" He murmured before straightening up. "Never mind that, girl. Come, join my table. You can consider that as your apology."

Never had I felt so disgusted, but I still sat down meekly on his lap. His breath… I refrained from gagging.

"My lord… may I know what you were talking about?" I willingly leaned closer to him as he tightened his hold on my waist. Never have I been so glad Percy isn't here.

Antinous grabbed my hand. I refrained from pulling away. "Why, girly, that is an excellent question. We were just deciding on Iros's fate. "

"He's just a beggar, my lord. They are little cockroaches at our feet." I laughed mockingly, glaring at Jason like I was disgusted. Jason glared back, his eyes promising me that he will get even. "Pests like him… why bother wasting your strength on him?"

"True, girl." Antinous shrugged, not really caring about Jason. I could feel their gaze on me as I focused on Jason and him alone. He looked… almost stunned that I helped him. That hurts.

"When this war is over, I tell you, we're going to share our spoils. Tell me, girl, what do you want? Anything you could ever want, I can get you." Antinous was bragging.

I turned my attention back to him, a hand over my mouth. "Spoils? My lord, may I know what they are?"

He puffed out his chest and I rolled my eyes discreetly, bored. "The entire world, my dear. The first time we met here, we were only after Odysseus's land, his money and his wife."

"Especially his wife!" A bald ghost in ragged clothes elbowed Jason in the ribs."'That Penelope was a hot little honey cake!"

I sighed, snatching away my hand to trace a finger down the arrow, imagining all sorts of ways I could make his second death so much more painful. "My lord, I find these arguments very tedious. Why fight over her, when you have me?"

Antinous nodded. "Oh, I'm not interested in her anymore. Why should I? As you said, I have you." He then turned to Eurymachus and sneered. "Eurymachus, you whining coward. You never stood a chance with Penelope. I remember you blubbering and pleading for your life with Odysseus, then blaming everything on me!"

"Lots of good it did me." Eurymachus lifted his tattered shirt, revealing an inch-wide hole in the middle of his spectral chest. "Odysseus shot me in the heart, just because I wanted to marry his wife!"

"At any rate…" Antinous turned to Jason with a stupid smirk. "We have gathered now for a much bigger prize. Once Gaia destroys the gods, we will divide up the remnants of the mortal world!"

"Dibs on London!" yelled a ghoul at the next table.

"Montreal!" shouted another.

"Duluth!" yelled a third, which momentarily stopped the conversation as the other ghosts gave him confused looks. I was already confused. I couldn't tell what they were. Although London sounded familiar…

Jason frowned, not satisfied with the answers we were getting. "And what about the rest of these… guests? I count at least two hundred. Half of them are new to me."

Antinous's yellow eyes gleamed. "All of them are suitors for Gaia's favour. All have claims and grievances against the gods or their pet heroes. That scoundrel over there is Hippias, a former tyrant of Athens. He got deposed and sided with the Persians to attack his own countrymen. No morals whatsoever. He'd do anything for power."

"Thank you!" called Hippias.

"That rogue with the turkey leg in his mouth," Antinous continued, "that's Hasdrubal of Carthage. He has a grudge to settle with Rome."

"Mhhmm," said the Carthaginian.

"And Michael Varus—"

Jason made a choking sound and I growled under my breath. At least he could try after how much I'm trying to help him. "Who?"

Over the sand fountain, the dark-haired guy in the purple T-shirt and legionnaire armour turned to face us. His outline was blurred, smoky and distinct, and I really wasn't that interested. Jason however, looked like he just saw a dead guy. Oh wait, he did.

Antinous waved his hand dismissively. "He's a Roman demigod. Lost his legion's eagle in… Alaska, was it? Doesn't matter. Gaia lets him hang around. He insists he has some insight into defeating Camp Jupiter. But you, Iros—you still haven't answered my question. Why should you be welcome among us?"

Gah, this is stupid. I was about to make up an excuse when Annabeth appeared at Antinous's shoulder. Her cold eyes met mine, telling me she wasn't happy at all. "More wine, my lord? Oops!"

She spilt the contents of a silver pitcher down the back of Antinous's neck. I caught the smirk she tried to hide. Atta girl.

"Gahh!" The ghoul arched his spine. "Foolish girl! Who let you back from Tartarus?"

"A Titan, my lord." Annabeth dipped her head apologetically. Clever. But she should've said a Giant. Both were true. "May I bring you some moist towelettes? Your arrow is dripping."

"Begone!"

Annabeth caught my eye, warning me to be cautious, before disappearing into the crowd.

The ghastly ghoul wiped himself off, giving me a chance to start mentally cursing him and imagining the many ways I'll kill him. I got a lot to choose from after all.

Suddenly, Jason stabbed a steak knife into the table, causing me to jump and glare at him. It seems that he also decided to use this opportunity to think things through.

"Why should you welcome me?" He growled. "Because I'm still running messages, you stupid wretches! I've just come from the House of Hades to see what you're up to!"

Antinous paused behind me, shifting to be more comfortable. I slouched down. "You expect me to believe Gaia sent you—a beggar—to check up on us?"

Jason laughed spitefully, falling into the act. "I was among the last to leave Epirus before the Doors of Death were closed! I saw the chamber where Clytius stood guard under a domed ceiling tiled with tombstones. I walked the jewel-and-bone floors of the Necromanteion!"

Um… TMI?

Around the table, ghosts shifted and muttered.

"So, Antinous…" Jason jabbed a finger at the ghoul. "Maybe you should explain to me why you're worthy of Gaia's favour. All I see is a crowd of lazy, dawdling dead folk enjoying themselves and not helping the war effort. What should I tell the Earth Mother?"

Now that was brilliant. I almost clapped, only to remember where I was.

Antinous wrapped his hand around the steak knife Jason had impaled on the table. He pulled it free and studied the blade. "If you come from Gaia, you must know we are here under orders. Porphyrion decreed it." Antinous ran the knife blade across his palm. Instead of blood, dry dirt spilt from the cut. Gross. "You do know Porphyrion…?"

Jason turned green, and I decided to cut in. "My lord, who wouldn't? I have also met Jupiter's bane. The giant king—"

"Yeah yeah." Jason snorted. "Green skin, forty feet tall, white eyes, hair braided with weapons. Of course, I know him. He's a lot more impressive than you."

I narrowed my eyes on him. He gave me a fake grin.

Eurmachus pasted on a false smile, putting an arm around Jason's shoulders. "Now, now, friend! I'm sure we didn't mean to question your credentials! It's just, well, if you've spoken with Porphyrion in Athens, you know why we're here. I assure you, we're doing exactly as he ordered!"

Jason did a poor job of hiding his shock although he quickly schooled his expression. "The Acropolis. The most ancient temples to the gods, in the middle of Athens. That's where Gaia chose to wake."

"Of course!" Eurymachus laughed. The wound in his chest made a popping sound, like a porpoise's blowhole. "And, to get there, those meddlesome demigods will have to travel by sea, eh? They know it's too dangerous to fly over land."

"Which means they'll have to pass this island," Jason said.

Eurymachus nodded eagerly. He removed his arm from Jason's shoulders and dipped his finger in his wine glass. "At that point, they'll have to make a choice, eh?"

On the tabletop, he traced a coastline, red wine glowing unnaturally against the wood. He drew Greece like a misshapen hourglass—a large dangly blob for the northern mainland, then another blob below it, almost as large—the big chunk of land known as the Peloponnese. Cutting between them was a narrow line of sea—the Straits of Corinth.

How gullible. My eyes scanned the drawing before settling back, satisfied. They never expected us to be able to read then.

"The most direct route," Eurymachus said, "would be due east from here, across the Straits of Corinth. But if they try to go that way—"

"Enough," Antinous snapped. "You have a loose tongue, Eurymachus."

"He does, my lord," I whispered, sounding intrigued. "But I would like to hear more. It sounds fascinating."

Eurymachus looked offended. "Listen to your girl! Besides, I wasn't going to tell him everything. Just about the Cyclopes' armies massed on either shore. And the raging storm spirits in the air. And those vicious sea monsters Keto sent to infest the waters. And of course if the ship got as far as Delphi–"

"Idiot." Antinous lunged across the table and grabbed the ghost's wrist. A thin crust of dirt spread from the ghoul's hand, straight up Eurymachus's spectral arm.

"No!" He yelped. "Please! I- I only meant—"

The ghost screamed as the dirt covered his body like a shell, then cracked apart, leaving nothing but a pile of dust. Eurymachus was gone.

Antinous sat back and brushed off his hands. The other suitors at the table watched him in wary silence.

I broke out into polite applause. It is kinda nice when you think about it.

"Apologies, Iros." Antinous smiled coldly. "All you need to know is this—the ways to Athens are well guarded, just as we promised. The demigods would either have to risk the straits, which are impossible, or sail around the entire Peloponnese, which is hardly much safer. In any event, it's unlikely they will survive long enough to make that choice. Once they reach Ithaca, we will know. We will stop them here and Gaia will see how valuable we are. You can take that message back to Athens."

"My lord, you miss one." I murmur. Was I an idiot? Yes. "There is the girl. The twin of Perseus Jackson."

All froze at his name. Some wailed. Antinous gripped my wrist tightly. "We do not speak of his name, nor his presence. Forever, he foils Gaia's plans. He will be a tasty offering for her, indeed!" He smiled in what he assumed to be charmingly. Disgusting. "Do not worry, dear. As for that girl, well, we can rely on her inner demons to destroy herself. She knows too much, but so little at the same time." I tensed. Jason turned to stare at me in only what I could imagine as horror. I bit my lip. Don't let Annabeth hear. Don't let Annabeth hear. Dear Chaos, please, don't let her hear. "I do wonder what they will think when they realise what we all know? No deity can save her, because none know her. Chaos's blessing, although having saved her before, will be the sole reason she dies. There is no need to care for she will destroy herself!"

All roar in approval. I didn't move, frozen in my spot. I didn't dare glance in Jason's direction. My hands fisted to prevent fire from catching. Don't lose control, Andy. Don't lose control.

I sighed, hurriedly recovering. "Must be a pity then. I know the Giants would love to tear her apart."

"They do." Antinous acknowledged. "Alas, Gaia does not care. If that girl cannot be an ally, she is a liability. She knows most of our secrets, our weaknesses, and she cannot live with them. I reckon she would also be able to end Gaia even, seeing as she knows how to."

"But with such a feat, comes great sacrifice. Would that little demigod really do such a thing?" I smiled prettily.

"Bah! That is the appalling thing about the modern days. Those demigods would do anything for their 'loved ones'. She will do anything for her twin." Antinous spat disgustedly.

Jason finally found his tongue again. "Sounds like everything is under control. For your sake, Antinous, I hope so. These demigods are resourceful. They closed the Doors of Death. We wouldn't want them sneaking past you, perhaps getting help from Delphi."

Antinous's attention was drawn back to him. "No risk of that. Delphi is no longer in Apollo's control."

"I – I see. And if the demigods sail the long way around the Peloponnese?" He shot me an alarmed look as I calmly weaved my fingers together.

"Bah. You worry too much. That journey is never safe for demigods, and it's much too far. Besides, Victory runs rampant in Olympia. As long as that's the case, there is no way the demigods can win this war."

Jason finally nodded, half-rising. "Very well. I will report as much to King Porphyrion. Thank you for the, um, meal."

Over at the fountain, Michael Varus called, "Wait."

He and I both tensed up. So close yet so far.

"You must stay," he continued.

Antinous shot the ghost an irritated look. "What's the problem, legionnaire? If Iros wants to leave, let him. He smells bad!"

"My lord, Lady Gaia would be most displeased." I whispered, acting nervous. "She wouldn't want her messenger to be delayed. Please, get him to leave before we're all punished!"

"Iros, leave." Antinous said, successfully worried. "My girl is right, you need to leave right now."

"How odd you call Gaia 'lady' only when you need something." Varus said before fully ignoring us and turning to Jason. I scoffed, offended.

He rested his hand on the pommel of his sword. Despite the heat, his breastplate was glazed with ice. I could probably melt it. "I lost my cohort twice in Alaska—once in life, once in death to a Graecus named Percy Jackson. Still I have come here to answer Gaia's call. Do you know why?"

Jason swallowed. "Stubbornness?" This wasn't good. I unclenched my fists and clenched them again.

"This is a place of longing," Varus said. "All of us are drawn here, sustained not only by Gaia's power but also by our strongest desires. Eurymachus's greed. Antinous's cruelty.'

"You flatter me," the ghoul muttered.

"Hasdrubal's hatred," Varus continued. "Hippias's bitterness. My ambition. And you, Iros. What has drawn you here? What does a beggar most desire? Perhaps a home?"

Michael Varus drew his sword. Prodido hummed at my side, its steel yearning to be stabbed through Antinous. "My father is Janus, the god of two faces. I am used to seeing through masks and deceptions. Do you know, Iros, why we are so sure the demigods will not pass our island undetected?"

Jason turned to me helplessly, before turning to Antinous. "Look, are you in charge here or not? Maybe you should muzzle your Roman."

"My lord, Varus is directly disobeying you." I gasped when truly I was itching to punch him. "With everyone around as well. Get rid of him like you got rid of Eurymachus. Show them you are the one in charge. Give them an example."

Antinous gave me a lazy smile. "Ah, but I am interested in this. Let Varus talk, and I'll decide that later."

I pouted. He didn't react. I rolled my eyes, glaring at anyone but him. I can't wait for this.

The dead praetor raised his sword. "Our desires reveal us. They show us for who we really are. Someone has come for you, Jason Grace."

Behind Varus, the crowd parted. The shimmering ghost of a woman drifted forward. I raised my eyebrow, unimpressed. Jason, however, looked like he just saw his girlfriend and worst enemy mixed together.

"My dearest," said the ghost. "You have come home."

Oh, the mother. I completely understand now. I'll get my mother to adopt you, Jason. That might make up for this hag.