The Forbidden Daughter | PJO Book One

sixteen

"But you just did."

"That was low flying," Ariana said, "and even that's risky. Flying up really high -that's Zeus's territory. We can't do it. Besides, we don't even have time for a flight. The labyrinth is the quickest way back."

"So we need a car to take us into the city," Annabeth said.

Rachel looked down into the parking lot. She grimaced, as if she were about to do something she regretted. "I'll take care of it."

"How?" Annabeth asked.

"Just trust me."

Annabeth looked uneasy, but she nodded. "Okay, I'm going to buy a prism in the gift shop, try to make a rainbow, and send an Iris-message to camp."

"I'll go with you," Nico said, "I'm hungry."

"I'll stick with Rachel, then," Percy said. "Meet you guys in the parking lot."

"I'm coming!" Ariana said, racing towards them. "Oi! Don't leave me."

She headed toward a big black car parked at the edge of the lot. It was a chauffeured Lexus, like the kind she always saw driving around Manhattan.

The driver was out front, reading a newspaper. He wore a dark suit and tie.

"What are you going to do?" Percy asked Rachel.

"Just wait here," she said miserable, "please."
Rachel marched straight up to the driver and talked to him.

He frowned.

Rachel said something else. He turned pale and hastily folded up his magazine. He nodded and fumbled for his cell phone.

After a brief call, he opened the back door of the car for Rachel to get in. She pointed back in their direction, and the driver bobbed his head some more, like Yes, ma'am. Whatever you want.

Ariana couldn't figure out why he was acting so flustered. Rachel came back to get them just as Nico and Annabeth appeared from the gift shop.

"I talked to Chiron." Annabeth said. "They're doing their best to prepare for battle, but he still wants us back. They're going to need every hero they can get. Did we find a ride?"

"The driver's ready when we are." Rachel said.

The chauffeur was now talking to another guy in khakis and a polo shirt, probably his client who'd rented the car.

The client was complaining, but she could hear the driver saying, "I'm sorry, sir. Emergency. I've ordered another car for you."

"Come on," Rachel said.

She led them to the car and got in without even looking at the flustered guy who'd rented it. A minute later they were cruising down the road. The seats were leather.

There was plenty of legroom. The backseat had flat-panel TVs built into the headrests and a mini-fridge stocked with bottled water, sodas, and snacks.

They started pigging out.

"Where to, Miss Dare?" the driver asked.

"I'm not sure yet, Robert," she said, "we just need to drive through town and, uh, look around."

"Whatever you say, miss."

Ariana looked at Rachel. "Do you know this guy?"

"No."

"But he dropped everything to help you. Why?"

"Just keep your eyes peeled," she said, "help me look."