𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 | 𝐩. 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧

Rudolf the red nose reindeer sues demigod for identity theft

Evangeline could see the white flag from half a mile away. It was as big as a soccer field, carried by a thirty-foot-tall giant with bright blue skin and icy gray hair.

"A Hyperborean," Evangeline noted.

Thalia nodded. "The giants of the north. It's a bad sign that they sided with Kronos. They're usually peaceful."

"You've met them?" Percy asked.

"Mmm. There's a big colony in Alberta. You do not want to get into a snowball fight with those guys."

As the giant got closer, she could see three human-size envoys with him: a half-blood in armor, an empousa demon with a black dress and flaming hair, and a tall man in a tuxedo. The empousa held the man in the tux's arm, so they looked like a couple on their way to a Broadway show or something—except for her flaming hair and fangs.

The group walked leisurely toward the Heckscher Playground. The swings and ball courts were empty. The only sound was the fountain on Umpire Rock.

Percy looked at Grover. "The tux dude is a Titan?"

He nodded nervously. "He looks like a magician. I hate magicians. They usually have rabbits."

The brunette stared at him. "You're scared of bunnies?"

"Blah-hah-hah! They're big bullies. Always stealing celery from defenseless satyrs!"

Thalia coughed.

"What?" Grover demanded.

"We'll work on your bunny phobia later," Evangeline said. "They're here."

The man in the tux stepped forward. He was taller than an average human—about seven feet. His black hair was tied in a ponytail. Dark round glasses covered his eyes, but what really caught her attention was the skin on his face. It was covered in scratches and then she recognized the Titan: Prometheus.

"Percy Jackson, Evangeline Merlyn," he said in a silky voice. "It's a great honor."

The empousa hissed at the duo. "My dear," The Titan said to her. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable over there, eh?"

She released his arm and drifted over to a park bench.

Evangeline felt a shiver run down her spine as she felt like she was being stared at. The brunette glanced at the armed demigod behind the Titan and glared.

She hadn't recognized him in his new helmet, but it was her old shoulder-stabbing, first kiss, and enemy Ethan Nakamura. His nose looked like a squashed tomato from what she guessed was when Percy slammed his sword into him on the Williamsburg Bridge.

Seeing Ethan like that made Percy feel better. So much better. The son of Poseidon's hand instinctively found Evangeline's, interlocking his fingers with hers.

"Hobbit," Evangeline called. "Rudolf the red-nose reindeer called, he said he's suing you for identity theft."

The son of Nemesis scowled. "You're still alive?"

"You sound disappointed," she noted.

"I am." He grumbled.

"To business." The Titan interrupted and extended his hand. "I am Prometheus."

Percy looked almost too surprised to shake his hand. "The fire-stealer guy? The chained to the rock with the vultures guy?"

Prometheus winced. He touched the scratches on his face. "Please, don't mention the vultures. But yes, I stole fire from the gods and gave it to your ancestors. In return, the ever-merciful Zeus had me chained to a rock and tortured for all eternity."