SAFE . . . reyna ramirez-arellano

58 - many tendrils

HONESTLY, THE ENTIRE fight felt like a fever dream, but Briar remembered small details about it. She remembered calling out with her charmspeak to stop the demigods from attacking. She remembered Jason and Percy basically raging war with their powers, combining them in a very deadly way. She remembered getting Annabeth on the ship, and somehow leaving Fort Sumter unharmed.

But now, two hours later, Briar was multitasking. She was trying to get Jason to drink some water, talking and cuddling with Reyna, and also doting on Aurum and Argentum, who had somehow sensed Reyna in the battle and came to the ship. Briar really needed this. She loved dogs with her entire life.

Everyone gathered at the mast as soon as Leo stepped away from the wheel.

Frank scowled like he was trying hard to turn into a bulldog. "No sign of pursuit," he said.

"Or land," Hazel added. She looked a little green, though Briar wasn't sure if that was from the rocking of the boat or from arguing with Frank. What they were arguing about, she didn't know.

Leo turned to Annabeth. "Did you find the map you wanted?"

She nodded, though she looked pale. Briar wondered what she'd seen at Fort Sumter that could have shaken her up so badly.

"I'll have to study it," Annabeth said, as if that was the end of the subject. "How far are we from those coordinates?"

"At top rowing speed, about an hour," Leo said. "Any idea what we're looking for?"

"No," she admitted. "Percy?"

Percy raised his head. His green eyes were bloodshot and droopy. "The Nereid said Chiron's brothers were there, and they'd want to hear about that aquarium in Atlanta. I don't know what she meant, but . . ." He paused, like he'd used up all his energy saying that much. "She also warned me to be careful. Keto, the goddess at the aquarium: she's the mother of sea monsters. She might be stuck in Atlanta, but she can still send her children after us. The Nereid said we should expect an attack."

"Wonderful," Frank muttered.

Jason tried to stand, which wasn't a good idea. Leo grabbed him to keep him from falling over, and he slid back down the mast.

"Can we get the ship aloft?" Jason asked. "If we could fly—"

"That'd be great," Leo said. "Except Festus tells me the port aerial stabilizer got pulverized when the ship raked against the dock at Fort Sumter."

"We were in a hurry," Reyna said, running her hand along Argentum's metal plating. "Trying to save you."

"And saving me is a very noble cause," Leo agreed. "I'm just saying, it'll take some time to fix. Until then, we're not flying anywhere."

Percy flexed his shoulders and winced. "Fine with me. The sea is good."

"Speak for yourself." Hazel glanced at the evening sun, which was almost to the horizon. "We need to go fast. We've burned another day, and Nico only has three more left."

"We can do it," Leo promised. "We can make it to Rome in three days — assuming, you know, nothing unexpected happens."

Frank grunted. He looked like he was still working on that bulldog transformation. "Is there any good news?"

"Actually, yes," Leo said. "According to Festus, our flying table, Buford, made it back safely while we were in Charleston, so those eagles didn't get him. Unfortunately, he lost the laundry bag with your pants."

"Dang it!" Frank barked, which Briar figured was probably severe profanity for him.

No doubt Frank would've cursed some more — busting out the golly gees and the gosh darns — but Percy interrupted by doubling over and groaning.