𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐄

𝐗𝐈𝐗

I can run, but I can't hide
From my family line

𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆, conan gray

"We will never make it," Zoe said. "We are moving too slow. But we cannot leave the Ophiotaurus."

"Mooo," Bessie said. He swam next to Percy and Selene as they jogged along the waterfront. They'd left the shopping center pier far behind. They were heading toward the Golden Gate Bridge, but it was a lot farther than they'd realized. The sun was already dipping in the west.

"I don't get it," Percy said. "Why do we have to get there at sunset?"

"The Hesperides are the nymphs of the sunset," Zoe replied. "We can only enter their garden as day changes to night."

"What happens if we miss it?"

"Tomorrow is winter solstice. If we miss sunset tonight, we would have to wait until tomorrow evening. And by then, the Olympian Council will be over. We must free Lady Artemis tonight."

"We need a car," Thalia said.

"But what about Bessie?" Selene asked.

Grover stopped in his tracks. "I've got an idea! The Ophiotaurus can appear in different bodies of water, right?"

"Well, yeah," Percy replied. "I mean, he was in Long Island Sound. Then he just popped into the water at Hoover Dam. And now he's here."

"So maybe we could coax him back to Long Island Sound," Grover said. "Then Chiron could help us get him to Olympus."

"But he was following me," Percy said. "If I'm not there, would he know where he's going?"

"I can go," Selene interjected. "In case you haven't noticed, he also followed me."

"Moo," Bessie said forlornly.

"He confirmed I'm right, Poseidon Junior."

"I... I can show him," Grover said. "I'll go with him." I'm the only that can talk to him, so it makes sense." Before Selene could say anything else, he concluded, "Lady Selene, you should stay. They will need you around."

He bent down and said something in Bessie's ear. Bessie shivered, then made a contented, lowing sound.

"The blessing of the Wild," Grover said. "That should help with safe passage. Percy, pray to your dad, too. See if he will grant us safe passage through the seas."

"Dad," Percy's voice sounded like a plea. It was the first time Selene saw him talking (or attempting) to his father.. "Help us. Get the Ophiotaurus and Grover safely to camp. Protect them at sea."

"A prayer like that needs a sacrifice," Thalia said. "Something big."

Percy seemed to think for a second. Then he took off his coat.