Anthízo, Percy Jackson

XXVII. the sacrifice of freeing death

THE GHOSTS FORMED ranks and encircled the crossroads. there were about a hundred in all— not an entire legion, but more than a cohort. some carried the tattered lightning bolt banners of the twelfth legion, fifth cohort— micheal varus's doomed expedition from the 1980's. others carried standards and insignia karina didn't recognize, as if they'd died at different times, on different quests— maybe not even from camp jupiter.

most were armed with imperial gold weapons— more imperial gold than the entire twelfth legion possessed.

"thanatos!" hazel turned to the robbed figure. "we're here to rescue you. if you control these shades, tell them— "

her voice faltered. the god's hood fell away and his robes dropped off as he spread his wings, leaving him in only a sleeveless black tunic belted at the waist. he was the most beautiful man karina had ever seen.

sorry, percy.

his skin was the color of teakwood, dark and glistening. his eyes were as honey gold as hazel's. he was lean and muscular, with a regal face and black hair flowing down his shoulders. his wings glimmered in shades of blue, black, and purple.

karina reminded herself to breathe.

beautiful was the right word for thanatos— not handsome, or hot, or anything like that. he was beautiful the way an angel is beautiful— timeless, perfect, remote.

"oh," karina said in a small voice.

the god's wrists were shackled in icy manacles, with chains that ran straight into the glacier floor. his feet were bare, shackled around the ankles and also chained.

"it's cupid," frank said.

"a really buff cupid," percy agreed, but had also noticed karina staring at thanatos, and tightened his grip on her waist, his fingers squeezing slightly into her skin, as if showing thanatos that she was his.

"you compliment me," thanatos said. his voice was as gorgeous as he was— deep and melodious. "i am frequently mistaken for the god of love. death has more in common with love than you might imagine. but i am death. i assure you."

karina didn't doubt it. she felt as if she were made of ashes, and she knew hazel felt the same. any second, she might crumble and be sucked into the vacuum. she doubted thanatos even needed to touch them to her them. he could simply tell her to use. she would keel over on the spot, her soul obeying that beautiful voice and those kind eyes.

"we're— we're here to save you," hazel managed. "where's alcyoneus?"

"save me . . . " thanatos narrowed his eyes. "do you understand what you are saying, hazel levesque? do you understand what that will mean?"

percy stepped forward. "we're wasting time."

he swung his sword at the god's chains. celestial bronze rang against the ice, but riptide stuck to the chain like glue. frost began creeping up the blade. percy pulled frantically. frank ran to help. together, they just managed to yank riptide free before the first reached their hands.

"that won't work," thanatos said simply. "as for the giants, he is close. these shades are not mine. they are his."

thanatos's eyes scanned the ghost soldiers. they shifted uncomfortably, as if an arctic wind were rattling through their ranks.

"so how do we get you out?" hazel demanded.

thanatos turned his attention back to her. "daughter of pluto, child of my master, you of all people should not wish me released," he turned to karina. "she knows it too."