JAWBREAKER

𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙫𝙚

"Yes, but—but Hades hates all heroes," Grover protested. "Especially if he's found out Percy is a son of Poseidon...."

"A hellhound got into the forest," Warren said. "Those can only be summoned from the Fields of Punishment, and it had to be summoned by someone inside the camp."

"Hades must have a spy here," Chiron nodded. "He must suspect Poseidon will try to use Percy to clear his name. Hades would love nothing more than to kill him before he had the chance."

"Great," Percy muttered. "That's two major gods who want to kill me."

"But a quest to..." Grover swallowed. "I mean, couldn't the master bolt be in some place like Maine? Maine's very nice this time of year."

Warren rolled her eyes.

"Hades sent a minion to steal the master bolt," Chiron insisted. "He hid it in the Underworld, knowing full well that Zeus would blame Poseidon. I don't pretend to understand the Lord of the Dead's motives perfectly, or why he chose this time to start a war, but one thing is certain. Percy must go to the Underworld, find the master bolt, and reveal the truth."

"Hell yeah," Warren said, "let's crack some Underworld skulls."

Percy grinned at her and nodded. There was a strange new fire in his eyes that she'd never seen before. He looked the way she usually did: ready for a fight. But the fire flickered, then faltered, and the boy turned to Chiron with a worried expression.

"But wait, if we know that it's Hades who took the bolt why can't we just tell the other gods? Zeus or Poseidon could go down to the Underworld and take care of it."

"Suspecting and knowing are not the same thing," he told the boy with a wry smile and a look at Warren, who scoffed.

"Besides, even if the other gods suspect Hades—and I imagine Poseidon does— they couldn't retrieve the bolt themselves. Gods cannot cross each other's territories except by invitation. That is another ancient rule. Heroes, on the other hand, have certain privileges. They can go anywhere, challenge anyone, as long as they're bold enough and strong enough to do it. No god can be held responsible for a hero's actions. Why do you think the gods always operate through humans?"

"You're saying I'm being used."

"I'm saying it's no accident Poseidon has claimed you now. It's a very risky gamble, but he's in a desperate situation. He needs you."

Percy looked conflicted as he mulled over Chiron's words.

"I had my suspicions. As I said...I've spoken to the Oracle, too."

Warren got the feeling that there was a lot Chiron wasn't sharing with them.

"So let me get this straight," Percy said. "I'm supposed to go to the Underworld and confront the Lord of the Dead."

"Check," Chiron said.

"Find the most powerful weapon in the universe."

"Check."

"And get it back to Olympus before the summer solstice, in ten days."

"That's about right."

Percy looked at Grover, who gulped down the ace of hearts.

"Did I mention that Maine is very nice this time of year?" he asked weakly.

"You don't have to go," Percy told him. "I can't ask that of you."

"Oh..." Grover shifted his hooves. "No...it's just that satyrs and underground places...well..." He took a deep breath, then stood, brushing the shredded cards and aluminum bits off his T-shirt. "You saved my life, Percy. If...if you're serious about wanting me along, I won't let you down."