𝑴𝒀𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑺 • 𝑃𝐸𝑅𝐶𝑌 𝐽𝐴𝐶𝐾𝑆𝑂𝑁

V

"Whoa," Nico said as he climbed off the bus. "Is that a climbing wall?"

"Yeah," Percy said.

"Why is there lava pouring down it?" Elaine asked as she watched the hot liquid bubble over the top. She had her backpack slung over her shoulder and her duffel bag gripped in her right hand.

"Little extra challenge. Come on. I'll introduce you to Chiron. Zoe, have you met—"

"I know Chiron," Zoe said stiffly. "Tell him we will be in Cabin Eight. Hunters, follow me."

"I'll show you the way," Grover offered.

"We know the way."

"Oh, really, it's no trouble. It's easy to get lost here, if you don't"—he tripped over a canoe and came up still talking—"like my old daddy goat used to say! Come on!"

Zoe rolled her eyes, but perhaps she figured there was no getting rid of Grover.

The Hunters shouldered their packs and their bows and headed off toward the cabins. As Bianca di Angelo was leaving, she leaned over and whispered something in her brothers ear. She looked at him for an answer, but Nico just scowled and turned away.

"Take care, sweethearts!" Apollo called after the Hunters. He winked at Percy. "Watch out for those prophecies, Percy. I'll see you soon."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

Instead of answering, he hopped back in the bus. "See you later, Elaine," he called. "And, uh, be good!"

Elaine scoffed. "Anything for you, dad." She said sarcastically.

He gave her a wicked smile, as if he knew something she didn't. Then he closed the doors and revved the engine. Everyone turned aside as the sun chariot took off in a blast of heat, leaving the lake steaming in its wake. A red Maserati soared over the woods, glowing brighter and climbing higher until it disappeared in a ray of sunlight.

Nico was still looking upset, and Elaine wondered what his sister had told him.

"Who's Chiron?" he asked. "I don't have his figurine."

"Our activities director," Percy said. "He's ... well, you'll see."

One thing that surprised Elaine about the camp was how empty it was. After Percy gave her a whole speech about it being the safest place for people like her to live and train, she'd figured the place would be teeming with campers.

Percy seemed to notice Elaine's confused look as she studied their surroundings. "We have a few year-rounders, but for the most part everyone visits over the summer." He explained. But even he seemed troubled by the lack of occupants.

"Why would anyone stay all year?" She asked.

"Some don't have a home to go to. Mostly, it's too dangerous for some of us in the real world. Like Annabeth. She's been here since she was seven—always attracting monsters." He said.