𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐗𝐈𝐑, 𝐏𝐉

𝟎𝟎𝟕.𝟑

𝟎𝟎𝟕.𝟑

Flying was bad enough for a son of Poseidon, but flying straight up to Zeus's palace, with thunder and lightning swirling around it, was even worse.

They circled over midtown Manhattan, making one complete orbit around Mount Olympus.

In the early-morning darkness, torches and fires made the mountainside palaces glow twenty different colors, from bloodred to indigo.

Apparently no one ever slept on Olympus. The twisting streets were full of demigods and nature spirits and minor godlings bustling about, riding chariots or sedan chairs carried by Cyclopes. Winter didn't seem to exist here. Percy caught the scent of the gardens in full bloom, jasmine and roses and even sweeter things he couldn't name. Music drifted up from many windows, the soft sounds of lyres and reed pipes.

Towering at the peak of the mountain was the greatest palace of all, the glowing white hall of the gods.

Their pegasi set them down in the outer courtyard, in front of huge silver gates. Before they could even think to knock, the gates opened by themselves.

Good luck, boss, Blackjack said.

"Yeah." Percy didn't know why, but he had a sense of doom. He'd never seen all the gods together. He knew any one of them could blast him to dust, and a few of them would like to. On the other hand Juliet looked immensely relieved as if she had just got back home, "I hope we get to meet dad firstly,"

Yeah about that, Percy wanted to tell Juliet that her dad wasn't really keen on him and had been giving him sunburns nearly everyday. Apollo for whatever reason did not like Percy, at all.

Hey, if ya don't come back, can I have your cabin for my stable?

Percy looked at the pegasus.

Just a thought, he said. Sorry.

Blackjack and his friends flew off, leaving them alone. For a minute they stood there regarding the palace, the way they'd stood together in front of Westover Hall, what seemed like a million years ago. Juliet couldn't even stand now, she was leaning on Annabeth and Percy with her arms around their shoulders.

And then, side by side, they walked into the throne room.

Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at camp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations—even the newest one, Zoe the Huntress, making her way across the heavens with her bow drawn.

All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess was about fifteen feet tall. Percy saw Apollo, sitting by his golden throne his eyes covered by shades same as Juliet's but it was pretty clear with his expression that he was staring at Juliet and he wasn't happy as if noticing he wasn't okay Juliet held up a thumbs up to her dad making his face soften.

"Welcome, heroes," Artemis said.

"Mooo!"

That's when Percy noticed Bessie and Grover.

A sphere of water was hovering in the center of the room, next to the hearth fire. Bessie was swimming happily around, swishing his serpent tail and poking his head out the sides and bottom of the sphere. He seemed to be enjoying the novelty of swimming in a magic bubble. Grover was kneeling at Zeus's throne, as if he'd just been giving a report, but when he saw them, he cried, "You made it!"

"Omg what is that?" Juliet mumbled as she lightly pointed at bessie, her eyes wide in confusion.

"Uh, long story." Percy answered awkwardly.

Grover started to run toward them, then remembered he was turning his back on Zeus, and looked for permission.

"Go on," Zeus said. But he wasn't really paying attention to Grover. The lord of the sky was staring intently at Thalia, Just as Apollo was probably staring at the hunched over Juliet.

Grover trotted over. None of the gods spoke. Every clop of Grover's hooves echoed on the marble floor. Bessie splashed in his bubble of water. The hearth fire crackled.

Percy looked nervously at his father, Poseidon.

He was dressed similar to the last time Percy had seen him: beach shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and sandals. He had a weathered, suntanned face with a dark beard and deep green eyes. Percy wasn't sure how he would feel about seeing him again, Unlike Juliet, Percy couldn't say that he had a really good relationship with his dad. But the corners of his eyes crinkled with smile lines. He nodded as if to say It's okay.

Grover gave Annabeth and Thalia big hugs, tried to hug Juliet who wasn't able to hug. As soon as she lost Percy and Annabeth's support she fell nearly on top of Grover, "It's going down, I'm yelling timber."

Percy wondered how Juliet could come up with Kesha and Pitbull when she was nearly dead and in the presence of gods. He hauled her up again, embarrassedly as all the gods stared at her in mild confusion and amusement. Hermes and Apollo were grinning and Poseidon had a fond smile.

Then Grover grasped Percy's arms. "Percy, Bessie and I made it! But you have to convince them! They can't do it!"

"Do what?" He asked.

"Heroes," Artemis called.

The goddess slid down from her throne and turned to human size, a young auburn- haired girl, perfectly at ease in the midst of the giant Olympians. She walked toward them, her silver robes shimmering. There was no emotion in her face. She seemed to walk in a column of moonlight.

"The Council has been informed of your deeds," Artemis told them. "They know that Mount Othrys is rising in the West. They know of Atlas's attempt for freedom, and the gathering armies of Kronos. We have voted to act."

There was some mumbling and shuffling among the gods, as if they weren't all happy with this plan, but nobody protested.

"At my Lord Zeus's command," Artemis said, "my brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerful monsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titans' cause. Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons. Lord Poseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea. And as for you, my heroes..."

She turned to face the other immortals. "These half-bloods have done Olympus a great service. Would any here deny that?"

She looked around at the assembled gods, meeting their faces individually. Zeus in his dark pin-striped suit, his black beard neatly trimmed, and his eyes sparking with energy. Next to him sat a beautiful woman with silver hair braided over one shoulder and a dress that shimmered colors like peacock feathers. The Lady Hera.

On Zeus's right, Percy's father Poseidon. Next to him, a huge lump of a man with a leg in a steel brace, a misshapen head, and a wild brown beard, fire flickering through his whiskers. The Lord of the Forges, Hephaestus.

Hermes winked at them. He was wearing a business suit today, checking messages on his caduceus mobile phone. Apollo leaned back in his golden throne with his shades on. He had iPod headphones on, so Percy wasn't sure he was even listening, but he gave Percy a begrudging thumbs-up and then looked at Juliet with a sunshine smile.

Dionysus looked bored, twirling a grape vine between his fingers. And Ares, well, he sat on his chrome-and-leather throne, glowering at Percy while he sharpened a knife.

On the ladies' side of the throne room, a dark-haired goddess in green robes sat next to Hera on a throne woven of apple-tree branches. Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest. Next to her sat a beautiful gray-eyed woman in an elegant white dress. She could only be Annabeth's mother, Athena. Then there was Aphrodite, who smiled at Percy knowingly and made him blush in spite of himself.

All the Olympians in one place. So much power in this room it was a miracle the whole palace didn't blow apart.

"I gotta say"—Apollo broke the silence—"these kids did okay. Especially my Juli, she was the best, obviously. She's a brave child, again obviously because she's mine."

"Thanks, dad. I feel so brave right now," Juliet stumbled forward, nearly face planting herself as she gave her dad a thumbs up and he grinned back, He cleared his throat and began to recite: "Heroes win laurel-"

"Um, yes, first class," Hermes interrupted, like he was anxious to avoid Apollo's poetry. "All in favor of not disintegrating them?"

A few tentative hands went up—Demeter, Aphrodite.

"Wait just a minute," Ares growled. He pointed at Thalia and Percy. "These two are dangerous. It'd be much safer, while we've got them here—"

"Ares," Poseidon interrupted, "they are worthy heroes. We will not blast my son to bits."

"Nor my daughter," Zeus grumbled. "She has done well."

Thalia blushed. She studied the floor. Percy knew how she felt. They'd hardly ever talked to their father, much less gotten a compliment. Juliet was blessed in that department.

The goddess Athena cleared her throat and sat forward. "I am proud of my daughter as well. But there is a security risk here with the other two."

"Mother!" Annabeth said. "How can you—"

Athena cut her off with a calm but firm look. "It is unfortunate that my father, Zeus, and my uncle, Poseidon, chose to break their oath not to have more children. Only Hades kept his word, a fact that I find ironic. As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods... such as Thalia and Percy... are dangerous. As thickheaded as he is, Ares has a point."

"Right!" Ares said. "Hey, wait a minute. Who you callin'—"

He started to get up, but a grape vine grew around his waist like a seat belt and pulled him back down.

"Oh, please, Ares," Dionysus sighed. "Save the fighting for later."

Ares cursed and ripped away the vine. "You're one to talk, you old drunk. You seriously want to protect these brats?"

Dionysus gazed down at them wearily. "I have no love for them. Athena, do you truly think it safest to destroy them?"

"I do not pass judgment," Athena said. "I only point out the risk. What we do, the Council must decide."

"I will not have them punished," Artemis said. "I will have them rewarded. If we destroy heroes who do us a great favor, then we are no better than the Titans. If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it."

"Calm down, sis," Apollo said. "Jeez, you need to lighten up. I don't like Percy he's too handsy with my girl."

"Damn bro," Juliet lightly whistled giving her dad a seriously?' Look, "you gotta chill,"

"Juli!" Apollo whined, Juliet just shook her head and Zeus decided to step in.

"Well," Zeus grumbled. "Perhaps. But the monster at least must be destroyed. We have agreement on that?"

A lot of nodding heads.

It took Percy a second to realize what they were saying. Then my heart turned to lead. "Bessie? You want to destroy Bessie?"

"Mooooooo!" Bessie protested.

His father frowned. "You have named the Ophiotaurus Bessie?"

"Dad,"  Percy said, "he's just a sea creature. A really nice sea creature. You can't destroy him. He's not a monster!"

"He's not looking like an angel either, dude." Juliet mumbled out, Percy wondered how dazed she was from the pain to be muttering such shit, Aphrodite seemed to agree with her though.

Poseidon shifted uncomfortably. "Percy, the monster's power is considerable. If the Titans were to steal it, or—"

"You can't," Percy insisted. He looked at Zeus. He probably should have been afraid of him, but he stared him right in the eye. "Controlling the prophecies never works. Isn't that true? Besides, Bess—the Ophiotaurus is innocent. Killing something like that is wrong. It's just as wrong as... as Kronos eating his children, just because of something they might do. It's wrong!"

Zeus seemed to consider this. His eyes drifted to his daughter Thalia. "And what of the risk? Kronos knows full well, if one of you were to sacrifice the beast's entrails, you would have the power to destroy us. Do you think we can let that possibility remain? You, my daughter, will turn sixteen on the morrow, just as the prophecy says."

"You have to trust them," Annabeth spoke up. "Sir, you have to trust them."

Zeus scowled. "Trust a hero?"

"Annabeth is right," Artemis said. "Which is why I must first make a reward. My faithful companion, Zoe Nightshade, has passed into the stars. I must have a new lieutenant. And I intend to choose one. But first, Father Zeus, I must speak to you privately."

Zeus beckoned Artemis forward. He leaned down and listened as she spoke in his ear.

A feeling of panic seized Percy, he remembered what Artemis had said about Juliet holding up the sky. The spirit of a true huntress. It was a safe option too one that could rid Juliet from her prophecy and let her live happily.

"Jules,"  Percy said under his breath. "Don't."

She frowned at him. "What'chu talking about, man?"

"Look, I need to tell you something," he continued. The words came stumbling out of him. "I couldn't stand it if... I don't want you to—"

"Perce?" she said. "You look like you're going to be sick."

And that's how he felt. He wanted to say more, but his tongue betrayed him. It wouldn't move because of the fear in his stomach. And then Artemis turned.

"I shall have a new lieutenant," she announced. "If they will accept it."

"No," Percy murmured.

"Thalia," Artemis said. "Daughter of Zeus. Juliet, daughter of Apollo, Will you join the Hunt?"

Stunned silence filled the room. Percy stared at Thalia and Juliet, unable to believe what he was hearing. Annabeth smiled. She squeezed Thalia's hand and let it go, as if she'd been expecting this all along. Apollo sat up in his throne as well, as if wondering what decision his daughter would make.

"I will," Thalia said firmly.

Zeus rose, his eyes full of concern. "My daughter, consider well—"

"Father," she said. "I will not turn sixteen tomorrow. I will never turn sixteen. I won't let this prophecy be mine. I stand with my sister Artemis. Kronos will never tempt me again."

She knelt before the goddess and began the words Percy remembered from Bianca's oath, what seemed like so long ago. "I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men..."

Afterward, Thalia did something that surprised Percy almost as much as the pledge. She came over to him, smiled, and in front of the whole assembly, she gave him a big hug.

He tried to seem joyful for her but his eyes were focused on Juliet leaning on Annabeth, he couldn't look away, his eyes didn't want to leave her face.

When she pulled away and gripped his shoulders, Percy finally met her eyes and said, "Um... aren't you supposed to not do that anymore? Hug boys, I mean?"

"I'm honoring a friend," she corrected. "I must join the Hunt, Percy. I haven't known peace since... since Half-Blood Hill. I finally feel like I have a home. But you're a hero. You will be the one of the prophecy."

"Great," he muttered, eyes straying back to Juliet.

"I'm proud to be your friend. And," She leaned forward as if sharing a secret, "Shoot your shot, honestly."

Percy looked away embarrassed, making her grin.

She hugged Annabeth, who was trying hard not to cry. She tried to hug, Juliet but it was just them standing together a jumble of limps, "I give the best hugs I swear," Juliet complained, "My feet are just fuc- messed up right now."

Thalia laughed and then she even hugged Grover, who looked ready to pass out, like somebody had just given him an all-you-can-eat enchilada coupon.

Then Thalia went to stand by Artemis's side.

"Juliet?" Artemis questioned waiting for her reply, Percy had to clench his fist at his side to stop himself from smashing something.

"I'm sorry, I'm good. I kinda like boys," She winked at Percy, he blushed, Hermes tried to conceal his laugh by coughing, Aphrodite was grinning as if she'd just discovered a gem. Percy thought back to the conversation he had, had with the goddess of love in the car.

The relief that settled into him was so huge, he breathed out a sigh.

"No boys for you! My god! Stop! Percy get away!" Apollo was outright screeching, he looked like he would jump down his throne then and there and end him, but Percy for some reason was ready to fight too.

"Now for the Ophiotaurus," Artemis said, interrupting Apollo as he glared at Percy.

"This boy is still dangerous," Dionysus warned. "The beast is a temptation to great power. Even if we spare the boy—"

"No." Percy looked around at all the gods. "Please. Keep the Ophiotaurus safe. My dad can hide him under the sea somewhere, or keep him in an aquarium here in Olympus. But you have to protect him."

"And why should we trust you?" rumbled Hephaestus.

"I'm only fourteen," he said. "If this prophecy is about me, that's two more years."

"Two years for Kronos to deceive you," Athena said. "Much can change in two years, my young hero."

"Mother!" Annabeth said, exasperated.

"It is only the truth, child. It is bad strategy to keep the animal alive. Or the boy."

Percy's father stood. "I will not have a sea creature destroyed, if I can help it. And I can help it."

He held out his hand, and a trident appeared in it: a twenty foot long bronze shaft with three spear tips that shimmered with blue, watery light. "I will vouch for the boy and the safety of the Ophiotaurus."

"You won't take it under the sea!" Zeus stood suddenly. "I won't have that kind of bargaining chip in your possession."

"Brother, please," Poseidon sighed.

Zeus's lightning bolt appeared in his hand, a shaft of electricity that filled the whole room with the smell of ozone.

"Keeping up with the Olympians" Juliet snorted next to him while whispering and despite the situation Percy found his lips tipping up.

"Fine," Poseidon said. "I will build an aquarium for the creature here. Hephaestus can help me. The creature will be safe. We shall protect it with all our powers. The boy will not betray us. I vouch for this on my honor."

Zeus thought about this. "All in favor?"

To their surprise, a lot of hands went up. Dionysus abstained. So did Ares and Athena. But everybody else...even Apollo begrudgingly held up his hand giving him an irritated look.

"We have a majority," Zeus decreed. "And so, since we will not be destroying these heroes... I imagine we should honor them. Let the triumph celebration begin!"

There are parties, and then there are huge, major, blowout parties. And then there are Olympian parties. If you ever get a choice, go for the Olympian.

The Nine Muses cranked up the tunes, and Percy realized the music was whatever you wanted it to be: the gods could listen to classical and the younger demigods heard hip-hop or whatever, Jules told Percy she could hear the Soulja boy being cranked up in the house and it was all the same sound track. No arguments. No fights to change the radio station. Just requests to crank it up.

Dionysus went around growing refreshment stands out of the ground, and a beautiful woman walked with him arm in arm—his wife, Ariadne. Dionysus looked happy for the first time. Nectar and ambrosia overflowed from golden fountains, and platters of mortal snack food crowded the banquet tables. Golden goblets filled with whatever drink you wanted. Grover trotted around with a full plate of tin cans and enchiladas, and his goblet was full of double-espresso latte, which he kept muttering over like an incantation: "Pan! Pan!"

Apollo rushed towards them, his arms coming around Juliet in a tight hug which seemed to make them glow. They watched in awe from the sidelines as Juliet shimmered with golden light before her feet were steadily back on the ground and her usual summery glow was back.

Apollo sighed, breaking away the hug and brushing Juliet's hair with a sad smile, "You've been so brave sunshine."

"Let's not get emotional," Juliet spoke before offering a small smile, "but Thanks."

Apollo grinned back in reply and Percy had to do a double take at just how similar he looked to Juliet. "Are you tired? Let's get you something to eat!"

He steered her away from them by his arm on her shoulder, Juliet told him to wait as she went to talk to Annabeth, leaving Percy alone with Apollo. The god's radiant smile now gone as he stared at the boy, "Stay as far away from my daughter as possible."

"Respectfully, sir," Percy stared him straight in the eyes, and he wondered where the courage came from, "She's my best friend."

Apollo's eyes glowed as if he was ready to blow him up into dusty small pieces, "That's what you've always said, it didn't stop you previously from-"

"Dad?" Juliet came back to their side, her eyes connecting with Percy's making sure he was okay, the boy offered her a smile in return, his mind elsewhere as he tried to make sense of Apollo's statement.

"Ah, sweetheart, let's go eat now." Apollo steered her away, turning back once to give him a 'I'm watching you gesture.'

Gods kept coming over to congratulate Percy. Thankfully, they had reduced themselves to human size, so they didn't accidentally trample partygoers under their feet. Hermes started chatting with him, and he was so cheerful Percy hated to tell him what had happened to his least- favorite son, Luke, but before he could even get up the courage, Hermes got a call on his caduceus and walked away.

Then a man's voice behind him said, "You won't let me down, I hope."

Percy turned and found Poseidon smiling at him. "Dad... hi."

"Hello, Percy. You've done well."

His praise made Percy uneasy. It felt good, but he knew just how much he'd put himself on the line, vouching for him. It would've been a lot easier to let the others disintegrate him.

"I won't let you down," Percy promised.

He nodded. "Your friend Luke—"

"He's not my friend," he blurted out. Then realized it was probably rude to interrupt. "Sorry."

"Your former friend Luke," Poseidon corrected. "He once promised things like that. He was Hermes's pride and joy. Just bear that in mind, Percy. Even the bravest can fall."

"Luke fell pretty hard," Percy agreed. "He's dead."

Poseidon shook his head. "No, Percy. He is not."

Percy stared at him. "What?"

"I believe Annabeth told you this. Luke still lives. I have seen it. His boat sails from San Francisco with the remains of Kronos even now. He will retreat and regroup before assaulting you again. I will do my best to destroy his boat with storms, but he is making alliances with my enemies, the older spirits of the ocean. They will fight to protect him."

"How can he be alive?" he said. "That fall should've killed him!"

Poseidon looked troubled. "I don't know, Percy, but beware of him. He is more dangerous than ever. And the golden coffin is still with him, still growing in strength."

"What about Atlas?" he said. "What's to prevent him from escaping again? Couldn't he just force some giant or something to take the sky for him?"

Poseidon snorted in derision. "If it were so easy, he would have escaped long ago. No, my son. The curse of the sky can only be forced upon a Titan, one of the children of Gaia and Ouranous. Anyone else must choose to take the burden of their own free will. Only a hero, someone with strength, a true heart, and great courage, would do such a thing. No one in Kronos's army would dare try to bear that weight, even upon pain of death."

"Luke did it," Percy said. "At least once before he made Jules carry the sky and used her to convince Artemis to take the sky."

"Yes," Poseidon said. "Luke is... an interesting case."

Right then, Percy heard his name being called, he turned his gaze falling on Juliet as she waved at him with a blue muffin in her hand, her eyes were wide and the smile on her face was so radiant it caused Percy's breath to fall short before a headache slammed in. Juliet rushed towards him, bumping into a minor godling and nearly face planting on his feet.

"Look what I found for you!....the floor, on my face, woah!" Percy's reflexes were extremely sharp his hand reaching out in lighting speed but his father was faster, helping Juliet stabilise.

"Hello, Juliet," Poseidon greeted with an amused smile as Juliet turned to his wide eyed before greeting back, "Uhhh Hello, my lord,"

Poseidon didn't say anything else for a moment his gaze assessing as he looked her over before saying, "You...look like Achilles."

"What?" She asked, her mouth falling open as she stared at his father, Poseidon just smiled sadly before continuing, "I don't know if you remember, but I taught you horse riding, in the past."

Juliet nodded her eyes conflicted, "I remember everything now,"

"It's a burden to bear, one that holds bitter memories,"

"What did you mean? about Achilles?" Her question rattled out, Percy had to stop himself from yelling 'fuck Achilles!' as if hearing his thoughts his father passed him an amused gaze, "It's as if you and Achilles, exchanged your looks. He looks just like how you did."

"You know where he is?" Juliet questioned cautiously, Poseidon just shook his head, "I believe you've already met him. The calling comes from within."

Ice settled in Percy's bones.

Percy thought he wanted to say more, but just then, Bessie started mooing from across the courtyard. Some demigods were playing with his water sphere, joyously pushing it back and forth over the top of the crowd.

"I'd better take care of that," Poseidon grumbled. "We can't have the Ophiotaurus tossed around like a beach ball. Be good, my son. We may not speak again for some time. Juliet, I hope you find what you need."

And just like that he was gone.

"Who do you think it is?" He gritted the question out through his teeth ready to smash something or better yet kill something.

"Let's not worry about that right now," Juliet offered him a slightly strained smile before she held up the muffin she had been clutching, "Here! Look I found this blue coco chip muffin it's literally the best! You've gotta try it!"

Percy leaned down taking a bite, his gaze lingered on Juliet's, and Juliet looked back as if daring him, he chewed and was about to take another bite when another voice spoke. "Your father takes a great risk, you know."

They found themselves face-to-face with a gray-eyed woman who looked so much like Annabeth he almost called her that. Athena's eyes alternated between them as if she'd seen a ghost.

"Athena." Percy tried not to sound resentful, after the way she'd written him off in the council and now how she was interrupting them, but he guessed he didn't hide it very well.

She smiled dryly. "Do not judge me too harshly, half-blood. Wise counsel is not always popular, but I spoke the truth. You are dangerous."

"You never take risks?"

She nodded. "I concede the point. You may perhaps be useful. And yet... your fatal flaw may destroy us as well as yourself."

His heart crept into his throat. A year ago, Annabeth and Percy had had a talk about fatal flaws. Every hero had one. Hers, she said, was pride. She believed she could do anything... like saving Luke. Juliet's was longing, she longed for companionship and love. After being separated from Achilles all she wanted was to rest with the people she loved. But Percy didn't really know what his was.

Athena looked almost sorry for him. "Kronos knows your flaw, even if you do not. He knows how to study his enemies. Think, Percy. How has he manipulated you? First, your mother was taken from you. Then your best friend, Grover. Now my daughter, Annabeth and Juliet here," She paused, disapproving. "In each case, your loved ones have been used to lure you into Kronos's traps. Your fatal flaw is personal loyalty, Percy. You do not know when it is time to cut your losses. To save a friend, you would sacrifice the world. In a hero of the prophecy, that is very, very dangerous."

Percy balled his fists. "That's not a flaw. Just because I want to help my friends—"

"The most dangerous flaws are those which are good in moderation," she said. "Evil is easy to fight. Lack of wisdom... that is very hard indeed."

Percy wanted to argue, but he found he couldn't. Athena was pretty darn smart. Juliet's hand circled his fist, soothing him down as he let his hand uncurl.

"I hope the Council's decisions prove wise," Athena said, her gaze falling to their hands once and her expression going grave. "But I will be watching, Percy Jackson. I do not approve of your friendship with my daughter. I do not think it wise for either of you. And should you begin to waver in your loyalties..."

She fixed him with her cold gray stare, and he realized what a terrible enemy Athena would make, ten times worse than Ares or Dionysus or maybe even his father. Athena would never give up. She would never do something rash or stupid just because she hated you, and if she made a plan to destroy you, it would not fail.

"Percy! Juli!" Annabeth said, running through the crowd. She stopped short when she saw who he was talking to. "Oh... Mom."

"I will leave you," Athena said. "For now."

She turned and strode through the crowds, which parted before her as if she were carrying Aegis.

"Was she giving you guys a hard time?" Annabeth asked.

"No," Percy said. "It's... fine."

She studied him with concern. Then she glanced at Juliet who was now staring at the golden dance floor with a smile. She met Percy's gaze and tilted her head in Juliet's direction with an indigent look. Percy rubbed the back of his neck nervously as Annabeth patted his back and slowly retreated.

"Jules," Percy whispered, his gaze stuck to her, he'd found that it had been stuck to her ever since they had been separated.

Juliet turned towards him with a smile, he didn't say anything, she didn't ask either. They stood there for a moment before Juliet reached forward touched the new streak of gray inches hair on his head that matched her greyish ones— theirpainful souvenir from holding Atlas's burden. There was a lot he'd wanted to say to Juliet, but his dad mentioning Achilles had taken the confidence out of him. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut.

I believe you have already met him.

"So," Juliet said. "What did you want to tell me earlier?"

The music was playing. People were dancing in the streets.

Percy said, "I, uh, was thinking we got never really got a chance at Westover Hall. And... I think I owe you a dance."

She smiled beautifully, Percy had to remind himself to breathe. "All right, Blue."

So he took her hand, and he didn't know what everybody else heard, but to him it sounded like a slow dance: a little sad, but maybe a little hopeful, too.