craving |PERCY JACKSON| [book 1] UNDER EDITING

XX

THE WAR GOD WAS WAITING FOR THEM in the diner parking lot. "Well, well," he said. "You didn't get yourself killed."

"You knew it was a trap," Percy glared, and Selena was worried Percy was gonna say or do something stupid,

She was mad, too, but knew better to attack a god. Especially the god of war.

Ares gave him a wicked grin, "Bet that crippled black-smith was surprised when he netted a couple of stupid kids. You looked good on TV."

Percy shoved his shield at him. "You're a jerk."

The other three caught their breath. Ares grabbed the shield and spun it in the air like pizza dough. It changed form, melting into a bulletproof vest. He slung it over his back, "See that truck over there?" He pointed to an eighteen-wheeler parked across the street from the diner. "That's your ride. Take you straight to L. A., with one stop in Vegas."

The eighteen-wheeler had a sign on the back, which read, KINDNESS INTERNATIONAL: HUMANE ZOO TRANSPORT. WARNING: LIVE WILD ANIMALS.

"You're kidding." Percy huffed,

Ares snapped his fingers. The back door of the truck unlatched. "Free ride west, punk. Stop complaining. And here's a little something for doing the job." He slung a blue nylon backpack off his handlebars and tossed it to Percy.

Inside were fresh clothes for all of them, twenty bucks in cash, a pouch full of golden drachmas, and a bag of Double Stuffed Oreos.

"I don't want your lousy-"

"Thank you, Lord Ares," Selena interrupted with a large smiled, giving Percy an elbow to the ribs, "Thanks a lot. "

Reluctantly, Percy slung the backpack over his shoulder. He knew that his anger was being caused by the war god's presence, but he was still itching to punch the god in the nose. He reminded Percy of every bully he had ever faced: Nancy Bobofit, Clarisse, Smelly Gabe, sarcastic teachers, every jerk who'd called him stupid in school or laughed at him when he had gotten expelled.

Percy looked back at the diner, which had only a couple of customers now. The waitress who'd served them dinner was watching nervously out the window, like she was afraid Ares might hurt them. She dragged the fry cookout from the kitchen to see. She said something to him. He nodded, held up a little disposable camera and snapped a picture of the kids.

"You owe me one more thing," Percy told Ares, trying to keep his voice level. "You promised me information about my mother."

"You sure you can handle the news?" He kick-started his motorcycle. "She's not dead."