SUNSPEAKER, percy jackson.

0𝟏𝟗. a masterclass on monstering

nineteen
a masterclass on monstering

THE NEXT MORNING THEY were leaving. Lennon ended up having the same dream last night. They were standing on the porch, ready to walk back down to the cattle guard and say their goodbyes.

"You okay?" She glanced over to see Percy studying her face.

Lennon shrugged. "Just a dream,"

He frowned, which reminded her of sad puppy dog eyes. "But, you look anxious too,"

"Really?" She didn't know it was noticeable. Her dream was still running through her said, as she tried to decipher what it could all mean.

Tyson stepped out of the house and onto the porch, grinning proudly. "Ready,"

Grover sighed warily, "Back to the maze,"

Annabeth waved them ahead as she stepped off the porch. They all followed, eventually reaching the Cattle guard.

"Nico, you could come with us," Percy blurted out.

He shook his head. He seemed to have just as bad as a sleep Lennon did. His eyes were red and his face chalky. He was wrapped in a black robe that must've belonged to Geryon because it was three sizes too big even for a grown man.

"I need time to think." His eyes wouldn't meet Percy's.

"Nico," Lennon said. "Bianca just wants you to be okay."

She put her hand on his shoulder, but he pulled away and trudged up the road toward the ranch house. Lennon frowned as she watched him leave, the morning mist seeming to cling to him as he walked.

"I'm worried about him," Annabeth said. "If he starts talking to Minos's ghost again—"

"He'll be all right," Eurytion promised. The cowherd had cleaned up nicely. He was wearing new jeans and a clean flannel shirt and he'd even trimmed his beard. He'd put on Geryon's boots. "The boy can stay here and gather his thoughts as long as he wants. He'll be safe, I promise."

"What about you?" Percy asked.

Eurytion scratched Orthus behind one chin, then the other. "Things are going to be run a little differently on this ranch from now on. No more sacred cattle meat. I'm thinking about soybean patties. And I'm going to befriend those flesh-eating horses. Might just sign up for the next rodeo."

Percy seemed to shudder at the idea. "Well, good luck."

"Yep." Eurytion spits into the grass. "I reckon you'll be looking for Daedalus's workshop now?"

Annabeth's eyes lit up. "Can you help us?"

Eurytion studied the cattle guard, the subject making him uncomfortable. "Don't know where it is. But Hephaestus probably would."

"That's what Hera said," Annabeth agreed. "But how do we find Hephaestus?"

Eurytion pulled something from under the collar of his shirt. It was a necklace—a smooth silver disk on a silver chain. The disk had a depression in the middle, like a thumbprint. He handed it to Annabeth. "Hephaestus comes here from time to time," Eurytion said. "Studies the animals and such so he can make bronze automaton copies. Last time, I— uh—did him a favor. A little trick he wanted to play on my dad, Ares, and Aphrodite. He gave me that chain in gratitude. Said if I ever needed to find him, the disk would lead me to his forges. But only once."

"And you're giving it to me?" Annabeth asked.

Eurytion blushed. "I don't need to see the forges, miss. Got enough to do here. Just press the button and you'll be on your way."