This Cold Year ― Percy Jackson & Annabeth Chase²

―xxv. naomi puts octavian in his place

THE NEXT MORNING, Naomi met Percy, Hazel, and Frank for an early breakfast before they headed into the city to wait for the senate to convene. Since Naomi was a praetor now, she could go just about anywhere she wanted, whenever she pleased.

On the way, they passed the stables, where Tyson, Mrs. O'Leary, and Skia were sleeping in. Tyson snored on a bed of hay next to the unicorns, a blissful look on his face like he was dreaming of ponies. Mrs. O'Leary and Skia were side by side, sleeping peacefully. On the stable roof, Ella roosted in a pile of old Roman scrolls, her head tucked under her wings.

When they got to the forum, they sat by the fountains and watched the sun come up. The citizens were already busy sweeping up cupcake simulations, confetti, and party hats from last night's celebration. The engineer corps was working on a new arch that would commemorate the victory over Polybotes.

Hazel said she'd even heard talk of a formal triumph for the four of them—a parade around the city followed by a week of games and celebrations—but Naomi had a sinking feeling they wouldn't get the chance.

Percy told them about his dream of Juno.

Naomi scowled at the mention of her bovine majesty, then sighed. "I saw my mom, too. And Gaea was trying to get me onto her side. And there was that weird voice again..."

Hazel frowned. "The gods were busy last night. Show them, Frank."

Frank reached into his coat pocket. Naomi thought he might bring out his piece of firewood, but instead he produced a thin paperback book and a note on red stationery.

"These were on my pillow this morning." He passed them to Percy. "Like the Tooth Fairy visited."

The book was The Art of War by Sun Tzu. The note read: Good job, kid. A real man's best weapon is his mind. This was your mom's favorite book. Give it a read. P.S.—I hope your friend Percy Jackson has learned some respect for me.

"Wow." Percy handed back the book. "Maybe Mars is different than Ares. I don't think Ares can read."

Naomi stifled a laugh with her hand.

Frank flipped through the pages. "There's a lot in here about sacrifice, knowing the cost of war. Back in Vancouver, Mars told me I'd have to put my duty ahead of my life or the entire war would go sideways. I thought he meant freeing Thanatos, but now... I don't know. I'm still alive, so maybe the worst is yet to come."

He glanced nervously at Percy, and Naomi wondered if that was all Mars had told Frank.

"You risked your life," Percy said. "You were willing to burn up to save the quest. Mars can't expect more than that."

"Maybe," Frank said doubtfully.

Hazel squeezed his hand.

"Hazel, what about you?" Naomi asked. "Any word from your father?"

She looked down. Several diamonds popped out of the ground at her feet. "No," she admitted. "In a way, I think he sent me a message through Thanatos. My name wasn't on that list of escaped souls. It should have been."

"You think your dad is giving you a pass?" Percy asked.

Hazel shrugged. "Pluto can't visit me or even talk to me without acknowledging I'm alive. Then he'd have to enforce the laws of death and have Thanatos bring me back to the Underworld. I think my dad is turning a blind eye. I think—I think he wants me to find Nico."

Naomi reached over and squeezed her hand. "We will. As soon as the ship gets here, we'll sail for Rome. We'll find him."

"Naomi..." Frank said. "If you want us to come along, we're in. But are you sure? I mean... we know you guys have got a ton of friends at the other camp. And you could pick anyone at Camp Jupiter now. If we're not part of the Eight, we'd understand—"