This Dark Night ― Percy Jackson & Annabeth Chase¹

―x. naomi and co. set off on their killer quest (and blow up a bus... oops)

NAOMI WAS MORE THAN A LITTLE SHOCKED when Percy grabbed her from the arts and crafts building and asked her to go on a quest to retrieve a stolen lightning bolt from the Underworld with him, Grover, and Annabeth.

But it wasn't like she had any better plans, so she of course said yes.

Luke helped her pack. She didn't exactly have much to her name, but he acquired—legally or illegally, Naomi decided it was better not to ask—a backpack full of basic travel supplies (toothbrush, deodorant, etc.) and an extra change of clothes, plus a sheath for her sword (which she still wasn't all that confident wielding, but it wasn't like she could get in any more training before their afternoon departure for certain death).

Once she was all packed up, Luke patted her shoulder. "You're gonna do great, Naomi," he reassured her. "Just keep your eyes sharp—and remember who your friends are, okay?"

Naomi nodded, though it was impossible to quell the nerves that had taken root in her stomach. And then she was off to Half-Blood Hill with her quest-mates.

Chiron gave each of the half-bloods a flash of nectar and an airtight bag full of ambrosia squares, in case of serious injury. It was god food, Chiron reminded them. It could cure them of just about any injury, but it was lethal to mortals, and too much would be lethal for half-bloods, too.

The camp store had loaned Percy some mortal money, along with twenty golden drachmas the size of Girl Scout cookies. Annabeth was bringing her magic Yankees cap, which she said was a birthday present from her mother, Athena, along with a book of famous classical architecture (written in Ancient Greek, naturally) and her bronze knife, which she tucked into her shirt-sleeve. Grover wore his fake feet and trousers to pass as human, plus a green rasta-style cap to hide his horns. His bright orange backpack was full of scrap metal and apples to snack on, and in his pocket was a set of reed pipes.

The four questers waved goodbye to the other campers, took one last look at the strawberry fields, the ocean, and the Big House, then hiked up Half-Blood Hill to the tall pine tree that used to be a girl.

Yeah, Naomi hadn't gotten the full story on that, and she wasn't quite sure how much of it she actually wanted to know.

Chiron was waiting for them in his wheelchair. Next to him stood a stereotypical-looking surfer dude—if surfer dudes were known for having eyes all over their bodies.

According to Grover, he was the head of camp security, but today he was wearing a chauffeur's uniform.

"This is Argus," Chiron told them. "He will drive you into the city and, uh, well, keep an eye on things."

Footsteps sounded behind them.

Luke came running up the hill, carrying a pair of basketball shoes.

"Hey!" he panted. "Glad I caught you."

Annabeth blushed, though Naomi wasn't sure why.

"Just wanted to say good luck," Luke told Percy. "And I thought... um, maybe you could use these."

He handed him the sneakers, which didn't look like anything special.

Then Luke said, "Maia!"

White bird's wings sprouted out of the heels, startling Percy so much that he dropped them. The shoes flapped around on the ground until the wings folded up and disappeared.

"Awesome!" Grover said.

Luke smiled. "Those served me well when I was on my quest. Gift from Dad. Of course, I don't use them much these days..." His expression turned sad.