𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬'𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 • 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺 𝘫𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘰𝘯

I Break A Few Rocket Ships

Percy's Pov:

Grayson and I tore across the Mall, not daring to look behind us. We burst into the Air and SpaceMuseum, I let go of Grayson's hand and he took off Annabeth's invisibility cap once we were through the admissions area. 

The main part of the museum was one huge room with rockets and airplanes hanging from the ceiling. Three levels of balconies curled around, so you could look at the exhibits from all different heights. The place wasn't crowded, just a few families and a couple of tour groups of kids, probably doing one of those holiday school trips. I wanted to yell at them all to leave, but I figured that would only get me arrested. We had to find Thalia and Grover and the Hunters. Any minute, the skeleton dudes were going to invade the museum, and I didn't think they would settle for an audio tour. 

I ran into Thalia—literally. I was barreling up the ramp to the top-floor balcony and slammed into her, knocking her into an Apollo space capsule. 

Grover yelped in surprise. 

Before I could regain my balance, Zoë and Bianca had arrows notched, aimed at my chest. Their bows had just appeared out of nowhere. I fiddled with Y/n's ring.

When Zoë realized who I was, she didn't seem anxious to lower her bow. "You! How dare you show thy face here?" 

"Percy! Grayson!" Grover said. "Thank goodness." 

Zoë glared at him, and he blushed. "I mean, um, gosh. You're not supposed to be here!" 

"Luke," Grayson said. "He's here." 

The anger in Thalia's eyes immediately melted. She put her hand on her silver bracelet."Where?" 

Grayson and I told them about the Natural History Museum, Dr. Thorn, Luke, and the General. 

"The General is here?" Zoë looked stunned. "That is impossible! You lie." 

"Why would I lie? Look, there's no time. Skeleton warriors—" 

"What?" Thalia demanded. "How many?" 

"Twelve," I said. "And that's not all. That guy, the General, he said he was sending something, a 'playmate,' to distract you over here. A monster." 

Thalia and Grover exchanged looks. 

"We were following Artemis's trail," Grover said. "I was pretty sure it led here. Some powerful monster scent... She must've stopped here looking for the mystery monster. But we haven't found anything yet." 

"Zoë," Bianca said nervously, "if it is the General—" 

"It cannot be!" Zoë snapped. "Percy must have seen an Iris message or some other illusion." 

"Illusions don't crack marble floors," I told her. 

Zoë took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. I didn't know why she was taking it so personally, or how she knew this General guy, but I figured now wasn't the time to ask. "If Percy is telling the truth about the skeleton warriors," she said, "we have no time to argue. They are the worst, the most horrible... We must leave now." 

"Good idea," Grayson said. 

"I was not including thee, boys," Zoë said. "You are not part of this quest." 

"Hey, we're trying to save your lives!" 

"You shouldn't have come, Percy," Thalia said grimly. "But you're here now. Come on. Let's get back to the van." 

"That is not thy decision!" Zoë snapped. 

Thalia scowled at her. "You're not the boss here, Zoë. I don't care how old you are! You're still a conceited little brat!"