The Second Jackson- Piper McLean book 1

Now That Was A Lot Of Damage

Lani

"Like Hades I'd ever lead your legion!" I shouted before turning to the others. "Please tell me there's a plan"

"Hazel" Frank said at last. "That package you're keeping for me? I need it"

Hazel glanced down at him from her horse in dismay. A wreath of icy mist swirled around her head and her brown hair tumbled down her shoulders. "Frank no. There has to be another way"

"Please. I- I know what I'm doing."

Thanatos smiled and lifted his shackled wrists. "You're right Frank Zhang. Sacrifices must be made."

The giant Alcyoneus stepped forward, his reptilian feet shaking the ground. "What package do you speak of, Frank Zhang? Have you brought me a present?"

"Nothing for you Golden Boy" Frank said. "Except a whole lot of pain"

The giant roared with laughter. "Spoken like a child of Mars! Too bad I have to kill you. And this one... my, my, I've been waiting to meet the famous Percy Jackson. I must say it's a shame the fates have chosen you instead of your sister, perhaps there would have been fewer casualties."

The giant grinned. His silver teeth made his mouth look like a car grille.

"I've followed your progress children of Neptune," said Alcyoneus. "Your fight with Kronos? Well done. Gaea hates you Percy Jackson above all others... except perhaps for that upstart Jason Grace. I'm sorry I can't kill you right away, but my brother Polybotes wishes to keep you as a pet. He thinks it will be amusing when he destroys Neptune to have the god's favorite child on a leash. After that, of course, Gaea has plans for you."

I flinched at the giant's words, it hurt to hear someone say my brother was the favorite because it was true. I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders.

Alcyoneus noticed my movement and smiled. "Don't worry Lani Jackson, when we're through you will be praised, the destroyer of worlds"

"Yeah flattering" My brother raised Riptide and stepped in front of me. "But actually, we're the children of Poseidon. We're from Camp Half-Blood"

The ghosts stirred. Some drew swords and lifted shields. Alcyoneus raised his hand, gesturing for them to wait.

"Greek, Roman, it doesn't matter," the giant said easily. "We will crush both camps underfoot. You see, the Titans didn't think big enough. They planned to destroy the gods in their new home of America. We giants know better! To kill a weed you must pull up its roots. Even now, while my forces destroy your little Roman camp, my brother Porphyrion is preparing for the real battle in the ancient lands! We will destroy the gods at their source."

The ghosts pounded their swords against their shields. The sound echoed across the mountains. I tightened my grip on Hurricane.

"The source?" Frank asked. "You mean Greece?"

Alcyoneus chuckled. "No need to worry about that, son of Mars. You won't live long enough to see our ultimate victory. I will replace Pluto as lord of the Underworld. I already have Death in my custody. With Hazel Levesque in my service, I will have all the riches under the earth as well!"

Hazel gripped her Spatha. "I don't do service."

"Oh, but you gave me life!" Alcyoneus. "True, we hoped to awaken Gaea during World War II. That would've been glorious. But really, the world is in almost as bad a shape now. Soon, your civilization will be wiped out. The Doors of Death will stand open. Those who serve us will never perish. Alive or dead, you three will join my army, and you Lani Jackson will realize the true extent of what the future holds."

I shook my head. "Fat chance, Golden Boy. You're going down"

"Wait" Hazel spurred her horse toward the giant. "I raised this monster from the earth. I'm the daughter of Pluto. It's my place to kill him"

"Ah, little Hazel." Alcyoneus planted his staff on the ice. His hair glittered with millions of dollars' worth of gems. "Are you sure you will not join us of your own free will? You could be quite... precious to us. Why die again?"

Hazel's eyes flashed with anger. She looked down at Frank and pulled the wrapped-up piece of firewood from her coat. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah" Frank said.

She pursed her lips. "You're my best friend too Frank. I should have told you that" She tossed him the stick. "Do what you have to. And Percy, Lani... can you protect him?"

My brother and I gazed at the ranks of ghostly Romans. "Against a small army? Sure, no problem"

"Then I've got Golden Boy" Hazel said.

She charged the giant.