σɾɳιƚԋαʂ (ρʝσ x ɱαʅҽ σƈ)

We Finally Reach the Workshop

Percy's POV

Rachel: This way!

Annabeth: Why should we follow you? You led us straight into that death trap!

Rachel: It was the way you needed to go. And so is this. Come on!

Annabeth and Zoe didn't look happy about it, but they ran along with the rest of us. Rachel seemed to know exactly where she was going. She whipped around corners and didn't even hesitate at crossroads.

Rachel: Duck!

We all crouched as a huge axe swung over our heads. Then we kept going as if nothing had happened.

I lost track of how many turns we made. We didn't stop to rest until we came to a room the size of a gymnasium with old marble columns holding up the roof. I stood at the doorway, listening for sounds of pursuit, but I heard nothing. Apparently, we'd lost Luke and his minions in the maze.

Then I realized something else: Mrs. O'Leary was gone. I didn't know when she'd disappeared. I didn't know of she'd gotten lost or been overrun by monsters or what. My heart turned to lead. She'd saved our lives, and I hadn't even waited to make sure she was following us.

Both Ethan and Maryam collapsed on the ground, while Theo had his hands on his knees.

Ethan: You people are crazy.

The two pulled off their helmets. Their faces gleamed in sweat.

Annabeth: (gasps) I remember you two! You were two of the undetermined kids in the Hermes cabin, years ago.

Maryam: Yeah. And you're Annabeth, right?

Annabeth: What—what happened to your fingers? (turns to Ethan) And your eye?

Ethan looked away, while Maryam lowered her head. I got the feeling that was one subject they would not discuss.

Percy: You must be the half-bloods from my dream. The ones that Luke's people cornered. It wasn't Nico after all.

Maryam: Who the hell is Nico?

Annabeth: Never mind. Why were you trying to join up with the wrong side?

Ethan: There's no right side. The gods never cared about us. Why shouldn't I—

Theo: Sign up with an army that makes you fight to the death for entertainment? Well, shit, I fucking wonder.

Maryam got up and pulled Ethan up to his feet.

Maryam: I'm not going to argue with you. Thanks for the help, but we're gone.

Theo: We're going after Daedalus. Come with us. Once we get through, you'd be welcome back at camp.

Maryam: You must be a lunatic if you think Daedalus will actually help you.

Annabeth: He has to. We'll make him listen.

Ethan and Maryam snorted.

Ethan: Yeah, well. Good luck with that.

I grabbed his arm.

Percy: You're just going to head off alone into the maze? That's suicide.

Ethan looked at me with barely controlled anger. His eye patch was frayed around the edges and the black cloth was faded like he'd been wearing it a long, long time.

Ethan: You shouldn't have spared me, Jackson. (turns to Theo) And you should've killed my sister when you had the chance, Theodorus. Mercy has no place in this war.