The Forbidden Daughter | PJO Book One

eighteen

PROTECTING CAMP

Distance was shorter in the Labyrinth. Still, by the time Rachel got them back to Times Square, Ariana felt like they'd pretty much run all the way from New Mexico.

They climbed out of the Marriott basement and stood on the sidewalk in the bright summer daylight, squinting at the traffic and crowds.

She couldn't decide which seemed less real - New York or the crystal cave where she had watched a god die.

Percy led the way into an alley, where they could get a nice echo. Then he whistled as loud as he could, five times.

A minute later, Rachel gasped. "They're beautiful!"

A flock of pegasi descended from the sky, swooping between the skyscrapers. Blackjack was in the lead, followed by four of his white friends.

Yo, boss! He spoke in her mind. You lived!

"Yeah," Percy told him, "I'm lucky that way. Listen, we need a ride to camp quick."

That's my specialty! Oh man, you got that Cyclops with you? Yo, Guido! How's your back holding up?

The Pegasus Guido groaned and complained, but eventually he agreed to carry Tyson. Everybody started saddling up except Rachel.

"Well," she told Percy, "I guess this is it."

Percy nodded uncomfortably. They both knew she couldn't go to camp. Percy glanced at Annabeth, who was pretending to be very busy with her Pegasus.

"Thanks, Rachel," Ariana said, "we couldn't have done it without you and your brilliant hair brush throwing skills."

"I wouldn't have missed it. I mean, except for almost dying, and Pan.." Her voice faltered.

"He said something about your father," Percy remembered, "what did he mean?"

Rachel twisted the strap on her backpack. "My dad...My dad's job. He's kind of a famous businessman."

"You mean...you're rich?" Percy asked.

"Well, yeah."

"So that's how you got the chauffeur to help us? You just said your dad's name and-"

"Yes," Rachel cut him off, "Percy.. my dad's a land developer. He flies all over the world, looking for tracts of undeveloped land." She took a shaky breath. "The wild. He he buys it up. I hate it, but he plows it down and builds ugly subdivisions and shopping centers. And now that I've seen Pan...Pan's death-"

"Hey, you can't blame yourself for that."

"You don't know the worst of it. I I don't like to talk about my family. I didn't want you to know. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

"No," Percy said. "It's cool. Look, Rachel, you did awesome. You led us through the maze. You were so brave. That's the only thing I'm going to judge you on. I don't care what your dad does."

Rachel looked at him gratefully. "Well...if you ever feel like hanging out with a mortal again... you could call me or something."

"Uh, yeah. Sure. I mean...I'd like that," he said.

"My number's not in the book," she said.
"I've got it."

"Still on your hand? No way."

"No. I kinda. memorized it." Her smile came back slowly, but a lot happier. "See you later, Percy Jackson. Go save the world for me, okay?"

"Bye Rachel." Ariana smiled, waving her goodbye.

"Goodbye Ariana."

She walked off down Seventh Avenue and disappeared into the crowds.