SUNSPEAKER, percy jackson.

0𝟐𝟒. rapunzel's scratch

twenty-four
rapunzel's scratch

LENNON HADN'T SLEPT, BUT WHEN the ground started rumbling, she and Annabeth snapped into action. Lennon put out the fire and started gathering their things.

Annabeth shook Percy's shoulder. "Percy, wake up!"

"Tyson—Tyson's in trouble!" He said. "We have to help him!"

"First things first," she said. "Earthquake!"

"Rachel!" Lennon yelled.

Her eyes opened instantly. The redhead yelled a few curses as she grabbed her pack, and the four ran. They were almost to the far tunnel when a column next to them groaned and buckled. They kept going as a hundred tons of marble crashed down behind them. They made it to the corridor and turned just in time to see the other columns toppling. A cloud of white dust billowed over them, and they kept running.

"You know what?" Annabeth said. "I like this way after all."

"Ditto!" Lennon agreed.

It wasn't long before they saw light up ahead—like regular electric lighting.

"There," Rachel said.

They followed her into a stainless steel hallway. Fluorescent lights glowed from the ceiling and the floor was a metal grate. They squinted in the change of light.

"This way," Rachel said, beginning to run. "We're close!"

"This is so wrong!" Annabeth said. "The workshop should be in the oldest section of the maze. This can't—"

She faltered because they'd arrived at a set of metal double doors. Inscribed in the steel, at eye level, was a large blue Greek ∆.

"We're here," Rachel announced. "Daedalus's workshop."

Annabeth pressed the symbol on the doors and they hissed open.

"So much for ancient architecture," Percy commented.

Annabeth sent him a heated glare and together they walked inside.

The room was illuminated by the blazing sun coming through the giant windows. Seeing the sun made Lennon feel at home. It was also surprising, to see sunlight when they were supposed to be deep underground.

The workshop was a studio, with thirty-foot ceilings and industrial lighting, polished stone floors, and workbenches along with windows. There was a spiral staircase that led up to a second-story loft. Half a dozen easels displayed hand-drawn diagrams of buildings and machines that looked a lot like Leonardo da Vinci's sketches. Several laptop computers were scattered around on the tables. Glass jars of green oil—Greek fire—lined one shelf. There were inventions too, but they made no sense to Lennon.

One was a bronze chair with many electrical wires attached to it. Lennon hoped it wasn't some kind of torture device. In another corner stood a giant metal egg about the size of a man. There was a grandfather clock that appeared to be made entirely of glass, so you could see all the gears turning. And hanging on the wall were several sets of bronze and silver wings.

"Di immortals," Annabeth muttered. She ran to the nearest easel and looked at the sketch. "He's a genius. Look at the curves on this building!"

"And an artist," Rachel said in amazement. "These wings are amazing!"

There was a small smile on her face as she watched them look around in awe. The feathers of the wings were tightly interwoven. Self-adhesive strips ran down the sides.

Percy and Lennon glanced at each other, locking eyes. They still needed to be cautious. The workshop looked like it had been recently used. The laptops were running their screen savers. A half-eaten blueberry muffin and a coffee cup sat on a workbench.