I sighed.
It was good to see my friends, sure, but the sight of Zoe had hit me like a sucker punch to the gut.
Why did she have to be there?
Her presence felt like an intrusion, stirring up old wounds I thought had healed over the last six months when I focused solely on finding and protecting my brother.
Nico had an uncanny ability to navigate the dark realms easily, slipping through its depths like a spectre, always out of my grasp. It had been a relentless chase, a test of endurance as I trailed him through labyrinthine passages and ghostly landscapes.
Months spent in the depths had left me weary, craving the touch of sunlight and the open sky.
Despite being a child of Hades, I liked being above ground, where I could feel the sun's warmth and gaze upon the stars.
But there she was, Zoe Nightshade, standing tall and graceful as ever, a reminder of a past I was trying to leave behind. Her presence in the midst of my friends felt like a cruel twist of fate, dredging up memories and emotions I had worked so hard to bury.
It was as if the universe was mocking me, taunting me with the one person I had hoped to avoid.
Zoe, with those strikingly beautiful, serious brown eyes that seemed to pierce through the facade intensely, I tried to maintain. Like a river of silk, her dark hair cascaded down her back in a neat plait. Her attire spoke of a rugged elegance, a perfectly balanced blend of function and style. Clad in fitted jeans, sturdy boots and a silver ski coat that hugged her frame.
As my eyes flicked toward her, I couldn't help but be captivated by the beauty and mystery surrounding her. Something in her presence drew me in despite my best efforts to resist.
Thalia's presence was a relief, a familiar comfort. But Zoe Nightshade... The last time we crossed paths, I had attempted to reconcile with her. But she had shut me out completely, refusing to acknowledge that I had spoken.
How could someone be so cold?
After everything we had been through together, how did she choose to part ways that way?
I had attempted to mend bridges, but if she was unwilling to reciprocate, so be it. I wouldn't waste any more energy on someone who didn't value it.
Even as I grappled with my conflicted feelings, all it took was a glance in Zoe's direction for my resolve to crumble. Despite my frustrations and resentments, I still cared for her deeply, and it grated me to admit it. I couldn't endure another quest with her, not with her stubbornness and anger constantly rubbing me the wrong way.
Yet, as I looked at Annabeth, desperation etched into her features, I found myself unable to refuse. They needed me, and Thalia's words echoed in my mind. We would likely encounter Nico in the depths of the labyrinth, and I couldn't ignore the urgency of finding him and protecting him from whatever evil intentions Luke harboured.
"Fine," I muttered.
Tyson pulled me in for another bone-crushing hug; I wheezed, "Alright, Ty, okay."
Percy's hearty clap on my back nearly knocked the wind out of me, his grin infectious as it spread across his face.
Unable to contain her enthusiasm, Annabeth practically lunged forward to engulf me in a tight embrace as soon as Tyson let me go. Her excitement was contagious, sparking a warmth in my chest as I returned the embrace. But then, in a moment that caught us all off guard, myself included, her embrace came with a resounding kiss planted firmly on my cheek.
I knew it had been a gesture of friendship, but my blush deepened as I saw Thalia smirk at me. Percy's angry look added to the awkward tension in the air. Tyson and Grover exchanged uncertain glances, unsure how to react to the sudden display of affection.
"Uh, sorry," Annabeth's voice broke through the silence, her cheeks tinted with a faint blush as she stepped back, her expression apologetic.
I chuckled lightly, attempting to ease the tension. "Quite alright," I managed, my voice slightly strained as I tried to regain my composure. "Now, shall we get going and find this Daedalus fellow?"
Annabeth nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm undiminished despite the awkward moment. Without missing a beat, she made her way down the passage, her determination evident in every step. Percy shot me one last angry glance before begrudgingly following after her, the tension between us palpable.
As I glanced over at Zoe, walking closely with Thalia, I couldn't help but notice the tightness in her eyes and the anger etched into her usually serene and determined features. Thalia, ever perceptive, cast a concerned glance in Zoe's direction, a silent question lingering between them. But Zoe's response was guarded, her walls firmly in place as she continued to march forward with determined resolve.
***
We finally came upon a chamber engulfed by cascading waterfalls. The floor descended into a gaping pit encircled by a slippery stone pathway. From colossal pipes on all sides, torrents of water poured, obscuring the pit's depths even when illuminated.
Briares slouched against the wall, running water over his face with multiple hands. "This pit leads straight to Tartarus," he muttered. "I should just jump in and spare you the trouble."
"Don't speak like that," Annabeth urged. "You can return to camp with us. Your expertise in battling Titans is invaluable."
"I have nothing left to offer," Briares lamented. "I have lost everything."
"What about your brothers?" Tyson interjected. "The other two must still stand strong! We can guide you to them."
Briares's expression darkened further. "They are gone. Faded away."
Tyson gazed into the pit as the waterfalls roared, tears welling in his eyes.
"What does it mean, they faded?" Percy inquired. "I thought monsters were immortal, like the gods."
"Percy," Grover spoke softly, "even immortality has limits. Sometimes... they just fade away when forgotten, losing their will to endure."
Glancing at Grover, I wondered if he thought of Pan. Recollections surfaced of Medusa recounting how her sisters had passed on, leaving her alone. Apollo mentioned Helios's disappearance last year, burdening him with the sun god's responsibilities. The idea of enduring millennia alone struck me profoundly.
Turning back to Zoe, I noticed the intensity in her eyes. I couldn't help but wonder about Zoe's perspective on her own immortality. She had traversed two millennia, finding purpose in the Hunt; she must have witnessed and experienced so much over the centuries. As I observed her thoughtful eyes, I pondered whether she had ever felt a sense of loneliness amidst her eternal existence.
Despite having her sisters and the Hunt, what about love?
I mulled over her past encounter with Hercules. He had been callous and disrespectful, a stain on her experiences with men.
Hercules had been a shit.
But how could one encounter taint her view of all men?
Yes, Hercules was despicable, but to extend that sentiment to encompass all men—every single one—seemed unfair and unjust.
As frustration simmered within me, I admonished myself to stop entertaining thoughts of changing her mind on the fact the male species wasn't as bad as she thought.
Zoe was fiercely loyal to Artemis and committed to the oath of the Hunt.
"I must depart," Briares declared suddenly.
Tyson pleaded, "Kronos's forces will soon attack the camp. We need your aid."
Briares bowed his head. "I cannot, Cyclops."
"You are formidable," Tyson insisted.
"No longer," Briares replied, rising to leave.
Percy pulled him aside, the water's tumult veiling their conversation, but my keen ears heard. "We need you. Tyson believes in you and risked his life to save you."
Percy divulged everything: Luke's invasion plan, the entrance to the labyrinth, Daedalus's workshop, and Kronos's golden coffin. But Briares remained resolute.
"I lack the means to triumph in this battle," he said, forming a hundred finger guns to emphasize his point.
"Maybe that's why monsters fade," Percy suggested. "Perhaps it's not solely about mortal beliefs but also about losing faith in oneself."
His gaze met Percy's, reflecting shame, before he departed into the shadows.
Tyson wept openly.
"It's alright," Grover awkwardly comforted him, his hand trembling.
"It's not," Tyson protested. "He was my hero."
I wanted to console him, but words failed me.
Annabeth rose, shouldering her backpack. "Let's move on, guys. This pit unsettles me. We need to find a safer spot to camp for the night."
***
We settled into a corridor crafted from towering marble blocks, reminiscent of a Greek tomb adorned with bronze torch holders affixed to the walls. This maze section appeared ancient, and Annabeth considered it a promising indication.
"We must be nearing Daedalus's workshop," she remarked. "Let's rest for now. We'll continue in the morning."
"How will we know when it's morning?" Grover inquired.
"Just rest," Thalia shot out.
Grover wasted no time, pulling out a pile of straw from his pack, fashioning a makeshift pillow, and soon succumbing to sleep. Thalia and Zoe slept a little distance from us, unpacking their sleeping bags from their bags and settling in. Tyson, however, struggled to find rest. He fiddled with metal scraps from his building kit, clearly discontent with his creations.
"He was scared," I reasoned. "He'll come around."
"He's weak," Tyson lamented. "No longer significant."
With a heavy sigh, he drifted off to sleep, the unassembled metal pieces slipping from his grasp.
"You guys sleep," I said to Percy and Annabeth. "I'll take the first watch."
Percy hesitated, his expression conveying concern, but ultimately nodded. "Wake us up if anything happens, okay?"
I offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I've got it covered."
With that, they settled into their bedrolls, and I positioned myself at the entrance of our makeshift campsite, keeping a vigilant eye on our surroundings. The corridor seemed to hum with an eerie energy, the ancient stones whispering tales of forgotten mysteries.
Time passed slowly as I watched, the occasional sound echoing through the corridor. Each rustle or creak sent a shiver down my spine, but I remained steadfast, my senses attuned to any potential danger.
Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me, a subtle shift in the air that sent a wave of unease coursing through me. Reacting instinctually, I spun around with lightning speed, my body moving before my mind fully comprehended the threat.
Before I realized who it was, my hands had already seized their shoulders, propelling them forcefully against the wall. I grasped onto their lapels, ready to confront them.
As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I recognized the figure before me—Zoe. The tension that had gripped me instantly dissipated, replaced by a rush of relief. Despite the initial shock, I didn't release my hold on her; our bodies pressed closely together.
Heat radiated between us, an electric energy pulsating in the air. At that moment, surrounded by the labyrinth's ancient walls, I felt a connection that transcended words. I could smell the clean, soapy scent on her. Then something else... Jasmine. And it sent a prickle of awareness straight through me.
In the dim light, shadows danced across Zoe's features, casting her in an ethereal glow. Her dark eyes bore into mine, reflecting a myriad of emotions—defiance, resentment, and perhaps even a hint of vulnerability hidden beneath her steely exterior.
My heart pounded in my chest as I struggled to maintain eye contact, but inevitably, my gaze wandered down to her lips, my nerves betraying me. They were parted ever so slightly, and I was captivated by their fullness, aching to lean in closer.
They were eminently kissable.
Kissable?
I shuddered involuntarily.
The idea of kissing Zoe Nightshade was utterly terrifying. The mere fact that such a thought had crossed my mind felt like grounds for immediate institutionalization, with the key promptly discarded into the abyss.
I was in the process of loosening my grip on Zoe's lapels, intending to give her some space, when suddenly, her knee shot up with alarming force, striking its mark resoundingly between my legs. Pain exploded through my body like a shockwave, and I saw stars as I cried out in agony.
Clutching myself, I crumpled to the floor, the impact leaving me breathless and disoriented. My cry jolted the others awake, and they reacted swiftly. Percy drew Riptide, Thalia readied her bow, and Annabeth brandished her dagger, their eyes darting around the corridor in search of the perceived threat.
Panicked, Grover's voice cut through, "What happened?"
Zoe, her expression filled with disdain, stepped away from the wall, looking down at me with a mixture of defiance and accusation. "He attacked me," she stated bluntly, her voice tinged with indignation.
Zoe showed no signs of remorse, stepping over me as if I were little more than an inconvenience in her path.
Gasping for breath and struggling, I retorted, "You snuck up on me! I didn't realize it was you, and you kneed me in my fucking balls!"
"Ouchy." Tyson muttered.
Percy, Grover, and Tyson winced in sympathy, their expressions mirroring the pain I was experiencing. I stumbled around, gasping for air and attempting to breathe through the searing agony that radiated from my groin.
Even my vitakinesis was useless in alleviating the intense discomfort.
Thalia muttered something under her breath, her eyes flickering with concern.
With her arms crossed defensively, Zoe retorted, "I was protecting myself."
Fueled by frustration and pain, I couldn't hold back my anger. "You could see it was me!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the corridor. "You were being a fucking bitch!"
Zoe bristled, her hand instinctively reaching for her dagger, but Thalia quickly stepped between us. "Okay, no stabbing him," she declared firmly.
Unfazed by the tension, Zoe declared, "I got up to take over watch."
I couldn't hold back my frustration. "Well, use your words, and don't sneak up on people!" I snapped, my voice sharp with irritation.
Annabeth, ever the voice of reason, intervened once more. "Let's calm down, Oskar," she suggested gently. "Why don't you get some rest? Zoe, take over. Wake me up next."
Percy struggled to stifle his laughter; I glared at him. "Something funny?" I demanded, feeling a mix of annoyance and pain.
Holding up his hands placatingly, Percy replied, "Hey, I understand the pain."
Groaning, I settled against the wall, the cold surface providing some relief. I closed my eyes, not wanting to look at any of their stupid faces.
Zoe, with her volatile temper, was going to be the death of me.
***
Mornings were nonexistent in the maze. We resumed our journey after Thalia woke us and had an unsatisfying breakfast of granola bars and juice boxes. Zoe and I maintained a pointed silence, each choosing to ignore the other.
The familiar stone tunnels transitioned into earth passages supported by cedar beams, reminiscent of a mine.
Annabeth grew uneasy. "This isn't right," she remarked. "It should still be stone."
We stumbled upon a cavern with low-hanging stalactites and a rectangular pit in the centre, resembling a grave.
Grover trembled. "It smells like the Underworld in here."
I shot him a sideways glance, slightly insulted, "We're close."
Then, a glint caught my eye at the pit's edge—a foil wrapper. Peering into the hole with my flashlight, I spotted a half-eaten cheeseburger floating in murky liquid.
"Nico," I concluded. "He was dabbling with summoning the dead again."
Tyson whimpered. "Ghosts were here. I don't like ghosts."
"We need to find him," I declared, feeling an inexplicable urgency.
Nico was nearby; I could sense it. I couldn't let him roam alone in this place, surrounded only by the deceased.
I sprinted forward.
"Oskar!" Thalia's voice echoed.
Dashing into a tunnel, I glimpsed light ahead. When the others caught up, I faced daylight filtering through the bars above. Beneath us lay a steel grate from metal pipes, revealing trees and blue skies beyond.
"Where are we?" Percy pondered aloud.
A shadow loomed over the grate, and I saw a peculiar sight—a cow, but not any ordinary one. Its coat was a striking red, resembling a cherry. I hadn't known cows came in such hues.
The cow mooed, tentatively testing the bars with a hoof before retreating.
I turned to Annabeth. "Didn't Hera mention something about a ranch? We should investigate. Nico might be there."
Tyson resolved the issue by striking the cattle guard with both hands. This caused it to pop off and disappear into the distance with a resounding CLANG! and a startled moo.
Blushing, Tyson called out, "Sorry, cow!" before lending us a hand to climb out of the tunnel.
Emerging onto the ranch, the landscape unfolded before us: rolling hills stretching to the horizon, adorned with oak trees, cacti, and scattered boulders.
A barbed wire fence extended from the gate in either direction, enclosing the area where cherry-coloured cows grazed on patches of grass.
"Red cattle," remarked Annabeth. "The cattle of the sun."
"What?" Percy inquired.
"They're sacred to Apollo," Zoe said.
"Holy cows?"
"Exactly. But why are they—" Grover interrupted.
"Wait," he said, holding up a hand. "Listen."
Initially, all was quiet, but soon, we discerned the distant baying of dogs growing louder. Then, bursting through the underbrush, came two dogs—or rather, one dog with two heads.
Resembling a greyhound with sleek brown fur, its neck bifurcated into two heads, both snarling and snapping at us.
"Bad Janus dog!" Tyson exclaimed.
"Arf!" Grover attempted a friendly gesture, raising his hand.
The two-headed dog remained unfazed by Grover's attempt at communication, baring its teeth.
But it soon became apparent that the dog was the least of our worries as its master emerged from the woods.
He was a towering figure with stark white hair, a straw cowboy hat atop his head, and a braided white beard—reminiscent of Father Time if Father Time adopted a redneck persona and hit the gym regularly. Clad in jeans, a "DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS" T-shirt, and a denim jacket with ripped-off sleeves showcasing his muscles, he wielded a massive wooden club bristling with spikes.
"Heel, Orthus," he commanded the dog.
With a final growl, the two-headed dog obeyed, returning to its master's side. The man eyed us warily, his grip tight on the club.
"What've we got here?" he inquired. "Cattle rustlers?"
"Just travellers," Annabeth explained. "We're on a quest."
The man's eye twitched. "Half-bloods, eh?"
Percy began to inquire, "How did you know—"
But Annabeth intervened, placing her hand on my arm. "I'm Annabeth, daughter of Athena. This is Oskar, son of Hades. Percy, son of Poseidon. Thalia and Zoe, Hunters of Artemis. Grover, the satyr. Tyson, the—"
"Cyclops," the man finished. "Yes, I can see that." He glared at Percy. "And I know half-bloods because I am one, sonny. I'm Eurytion, the cowherd for this ranch. Son of Ares. You came through the Labyrinth like the other one, I reckon."
"The other one?" I questioned. "You mean Nico di Angelo? Have you seen him? Where?"
"We get plenty of visitors from the Labyrinth," Eurytion stated grimly. "But not many ever leave."
"Great," Percy muttered. "Feeling the hospitality."
Eurytion glanced around as if sensing someone watching, then lowered his voice. "I'm only going to say this once, demigods. Get back in the maze now. Before it's too late."
"We're not leaving," I asserted. "Not until we find Nico.."
Eurytion grunted. "Then you leave me no choice, mister. I've got to take you to the boss."
Zoe whispered to Thalia, "I don't think this is a good idea." Thalia's expression mirrored her uncertainty.
"I don't think we have much choice," I interjected.
Zoe turned her icy gaze towards me, the first time she acknowledged my presence since last night.
Annabeth intervened before she could voice her disagreement, "He's right. Let's follow him."
Reluctantly, Zoe acquiesced, her icy gaze shifting from me to Eurytion.
Silently, we followed Eurytion.
I didn't feel like we were being held captive or anything. Eurytion strolled beside us with his club slung over his shoulder. Orthus, the two-headed dog, growled intermittently, sniffing at Grover's legs and darting into the bushes occasionally to chase after animals. Still, Eurytion managed to keep him more or less under control.
We trekked down a dirt path that seemed endless. The temperature must have been close to a hundred degrees, starkly contrasting to San Francisco. Heat waves shimmered off the ground, and insects buzzed incessantly in the trees. Before long, I was sweating profusely, swatting at the flies around us. Occasionally, we passed pens filled with red cows or even stranger creatures. Once, we came across a corral where the fence was coated in asbestos. Inside, a herd of fire-breathing horses grazed, the hay in their feeding trough ablaze. Despite their fiery appearance, the horses seemed relatively tame. One particularly large stallion glanced at me and let out a fiery whiny, flames billowing from its nostrils.
"What are they for?" Percy asked.
Eurytion scowled. "We raise animals for various clients. Apollo, Diomedes, and... others."
"Like who?"
"No more questions."
I agreed with him; Percy's curiosity was slightly grating sometimes.
Finally, we emerged from the woods. Perched atop a hill was a sprawling ranch house, its white stone and wood construction punctuated by large windows.
"It looks like a Frank Lloyd Wright!" Annabeth remarked.
I assumed she was referring to some architectural style. It seemed like a place where a few demigods could find themselves in serious trouble. We ascended the hill.
"Don't break the rules," Eurytion cautioned as we approached the front porch. "No fighting. No drawing weapons. And don't make any comments about the boss's appearance."
"Why?" Percy asked. "What does he look like?"
Before Eurytion could reply, a new voice greeted us. "Welcome to the Triple G Ranch."
The man on the porch had a regular head, a relief. His face was weathered and tanned from years in the sun, with slick black hair and a black pencil moustache reminiscent of old movie villains. He smiled at us, though his smile held more amusement than friendliness as if he were thinking, "Oh boy, more people to torment!"
However, my attention quickly shifted from his face to his bodies—or his three bodies. You'd think I would have grown accustomed to peculiar anatomy after encountering Briares, but this man was entirely different. His neck connected to the middle chest as usual, but he had two additional chests, one on each side, with a few inches of space between them. His left arm emerged from the left chest and on the right, giving him two arms but four armpits, if that makes any sense. The chests melded into one enormous torso, supported by two robust legs clad in oversized Levis. Each chest wore a different-coloured Western shirt—green, yellow, red, like a traffic light. I couldn't help but wonder how he dressed the middle chest, lacking arms as it did.
Eurytion nudged me. "Say hello to Mr. Geryon."
"Hi," Percy managed. "Nice chests—uh, ranch! You have a nice ranch."
"And we have some ladies," Mr. Geryon said, his eyes drifting to Annabeth, Zoe, and Thalia with a lascivious gleam. Thalia bristled with anger, her hand twitching towards her weapon, while Zoe's expression grew even colder if that were possible.
Instinctively, I positioned myself before them, hand resting on my dagger, ready to defend them. He regarded me with a sinister smile, his eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, their protector, are you, boy? Which one is yours?"
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his gaze.
My eyes flicked towards Zoe, but I quickly looked away before she could catch me, though she seemed preoccupied, glaring angrily at Mr. Geryon.
Zoe's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "I do not need anyone to protect me. And keep looking like that; I'll cut your eyes out." Her threat was delivered with such venom.
Before the three-bodied man could respond, Nico di Angelo emerged from the glass doors onto the porch. "Geryon, I won't wait for—"
His words caught in his throat as he looked at us, drawing his sword.
Geryon growled at the sight. "Put that away, Mr. di Angelo. I ain't gonna have my guests killing each other."
"But that's—"
"Percy Jackson," Geryon said with a knowing smirk. "Annabeth Chase, Oskar Vitale, Zoe Nightshade, Thalia Grace, And a couple of their monster friends. Yes, I know."
"Monster friends?" Grover interjected indignantly.
"That man is wearing three shirts," Tyson observed as if just realizing it.
"They let my sister die!" Nico's voice quivered with rage. "They're here to kill me!"
"Nico, we're not here to kill you," I interjected, raising my hands in a placating gesture.
"What happened to Bianca was—" Percy began.
"Don't speak her name! You're not worthy to even talk about her!"
Annabeth, pointing at Geryon, demanded, "How do you know our names?"
The three-bodied man winked. "I make it my business to keep informed, darlin'. Everybody pops into the ranch from time to time. Everyone needs something from ole Geryon. Now, Mr. di Angelo, put that ugly sword away before I have Eurytion take it from you."
Eurytion sighed but readied his spiked club while Orthus growled at Nico's hesitation.
Nico looked thinner and paler than he had during our previous encounters. I wondered if he'd eaten in the last week. His dusty black clothes spoke of his travels through the Labyrinth, and his dark eyes were brimming with hatred. He seemed too young to carry such a burden of anger. I remembered him as the cheerful kid who used to play with Mythomagic cards.
Reluctantly, Nico sheathed his sword. "If you come near me, Percy, I'll summon help. You don't want to meet my helpers, I promise."
"I believe you," Percy assured him.
"Yes, well, little brother, I'm here, and I doubt your little helpers can best me," I said blandly.
Nico stared at me, his gaze a mixture of surprise and scepticism. It seemed like my calm demeanour caught him off guard, perhaps even unsettling him. But beneath the disbelief, I sensed a flicker of something else—uncertainty, maybe even a trace of fear. It was as if he hadn't expected me to stand my ground so confidently.
Before he could respond, Mr. Geryon interrupted with a jovial tone: "Ah, sibling rivalry! It's always a delight, isn't it? Now, onward with the tour, my friends!"
Geryon had a trolley reminiscent of those kiddie trains found in zoos, painted in a black-and-white cowhide pattern. Longhorns adorned the front of the driver's car, and the horn emitted a sound akin to a cowbell.
Nico positioned himself at the very back, likely to keep a watchful eye on us. Eurytion settled beside him, spiked club in hand, and pulled his cowboy hat over his eyes as if preparing for a nap. Orthus bounded into the front seat next to Geryon, barking happily in two-part harmony.
We occupied the middle two cars.
"We have a vast operation!" Geryon boasted as the moo-mobile lurched forward. "We primarily breed horses and cattle, but we also breed all sorts of exotic varieties."
As we crested a hill, Annabeth gasped. "Hippalektryons? I thought they were extinct!"
At the bottom of the hill lay a fenced pasture with a dozen of the strangest creatures I'd ever seen. They sported the front half of a horse and the back half of a rooster, with enormous yellow claws for rear feet, feathery tails, and red wings. Two of them scuffled over a pile of seed, rearing up on their wings until one retreated, its bird legs adding a hop to its step.
"Rooster ponies," Tyson marvelled. "Do they lay eggs?"
"Once a year!" Geryon exclaimed, grinning in the rearview mirror. "Highly sought after for omelettes!"
"That's appalling!" Zoe protested. "They are an endangered species!"
Geryon waved off her concern. "Gold is gold, darling. And you haven't tasted the omelettes."
"Don't call me darling," Zoe shot out angrily.
"Touchy, touchy," Geryon muttered.
"That's not right," Grover muttered, but Geryon continued the tour.
"Now, over here," he continued, "we have our fire-breathing horses, bred for war, naturally."
"What war?" Percy inquired.
Geryon's grin turned sly. "Oh, whichever one happens to come along. And over there, of course, are our prized red cows."
Indeed, hundreds of cherry-coloured cattle dotted the hillside.
"So many," Grover remarked.
"Yes, well, Apollo is too busy to tend to them himself," Geryon explained, "so he contracts with us. We breed them vigorously due to high demand."
"For what?" Percy pressed.
Geryon raised an eyebrow. "Meat, naturally! Armies need to eat."
"You slaughter the sacred cows of the sun god for hamburger meat?" Zoe exclaimed. "That goes against ancient laws!"
"Don't get so worked up. They're just animals."
"Just animals!"
"Yes, and if Apollo cared, I'm sure he would inform us."
"If he knew," I muttered under my breath.
Nico leaned forward, his voice laced with impatience. "I don't care about any of this, Geryon. We had business to discuss, and this wasn't it!"
"It's all good, Mr. di Angelo. Look over here; some of my exotic game." Geryon redirected our attention to the next field, enclosed by barbed wire and teeming with giant scorpions.
"Triple G Ranch," Percy said suddenly. "Your mark was on the crates at camp. Quintus got his scorpions from you."
"Quintus..." Geryon mused. "Short grey hair, muscular, swordsman?"
"Yeah."
"Never heard of him," Geryon replied dismissively. "Now, over here are my prize stables! You must see them."
I didn't need to see them because the stench hit me long before we reached them. Near the banks of a green river lay a horse corral the size of a football field, surrounded by stables. About a hundred horses milled around in the muck—when I say muck, I mean horse shit. It was the foulest sight I'd ever encountered like a shit blizzard had swept through overnight. The horses were coated in filth, and the stables were no better.
The smell was unbearable—worse than the garbage boats on the East River.
Even Nico recoiled. "What is that?"
"My stables!" Geryon declared proudly. "Well, technically, they belong to Aegas, but we oversee them for a small fee. Aren't they lovely?"
"They're disgusting!" Thalia exclaimed.
"Lots of poop," Tyson observed.
"How can you subject animals to such conditions?" Grover protested.
"You're all getting on my nerves," Geryon snapped. "These are flesh-eating horses, you see? They thrive in these conditions."
"Plus, you're too cheap to have them cleaned," Eurytion muttered from under his hat.
"Quiet!" Geryon barked. "All right, perhaps the stables are a bit challenging to maintain. Perhaps they do make me nauseous when the wind blows the wrong way. But so what? My clients still pay me well."
"What clients?" Zoe demanded.
"Oh, you'd be surprised how many people will pay for a flesh-eating horse. They make excellent garbage disposals, perfect for intimidating your enemies, and a hit at birthday parties! We rent them out all the time."
"You're a monster," Annabeth declared unequivocally.
Geryon halted the moo-mobile and turned to face Annabeth. "What gave it away? Were the three bodies involved?"
"You have to release these animals," Grover urged. "It's not right!"
"And the clients you keep mentioning," Annabeth pressed. "You're working for Kronos, aren't you? Providing his army with horses, food, whatever they need."
Geryon shrugged, an odd sight with his multiple sets of shoulders. It looked as though he was doing the wave all by himself. "I work for anyone with gold, young lady. I'm a businessman. And I sell whatever I have to offer."
He climbed out of the moo-mobile and strolled towards the stables, seemingly relishing the fresh air. It would have been a picturesque scene, with the river and the trees, if not for the quagmire of horse shit.
Nico stepped out of the back car and confronted Geryon. The cowherd Eurytion, far from sleepy, lifted his club and followed after Nico.
"I came here for business, Geryon," Nico insisted. "And you haven't addressed my request."
"Mmm." Geryon examined a cactus, scratching his middle chest with his left arm. "Yes, you'll get your deal, all right."
"My ghost told me you could help. He said you could guide us to the soul we need."
"Wait a second," Percy interjected. "I thought I was the soul you wanted."
Nico regarded Percy as delusional. "You? Why would I want you? Bianca's soul is worth a thousand of yours! Now, can you help me, Geryon, or not?"
"Oh, I suppose I could," the rancher replied. "Your ghost friend, by the way, where is he?"
Nico appeared uneasy. "He can't manifest in broad daylight. It's difficult for him. But he's around somewhere."
Geryon smiled knowingly. "I'm sure. Minos tends to vanish when things get...tricky."
"Minos?" I recalled the figure with the golden crown. "You mean that malevolent king? That's the ghost who's been advising you?"
"It's none of your concern, Oskar!" Nico snapped. "And what do you mean by things getting tricky?"
The three-bodied man sighed. "Well, you see, Nico—can I call you Nico?"
"No."
"Well, Nico, Luke Castellan is offering a handsome sum for demigods. Especially powerful ones. And I'm certain that he'll pay handsomely once he learns your little secret, who you truly are."
Nico drew his sword, but Eurytion knocked it from his grasp.
I stepped forward, my hand instinctively reached for my dagger, ready to protect my brother. But before I could even blink, Orthus, the two-headed dog, leapt onto my chest, growling menacingly with his face inches from mine. I could feel the heat of his breath on my face, and it wasn't the most pleasant smell either.
Thalia and Zoe swiftly nocked their bows, their eyes fixed on Orthus. Annabeth and Percy had their weapons drawn, poised for action, and all ready to jump out of the car.
"I suggest you all remain in the car," Geryon warned. "Or Orthus will rip Mr Vitale's lovely, tasty throat out. Now, Eurytion, if you would, secure Nico."
The cowherd spat into the grass. "Must I?"
"Yes, you fool!"
Though Eurytion appeared bored, he wrapped his massive arm around Nico and hoisted him like a wrestler.
"Pick up the sword as well," Geryon added with distaste. "There's nothing I detest more than Stygian Iron."
Eurytion retrieved the sword, being careful not to touch the blade.
"Now," Geryon said cheerfully, "we've had our tour. Let's return to the lodge, have lunch, and send an Iris message to our friends in the Titan army."
"You villain!" Annabeth cried out.
Geryon smiled at her. "Don't fret, my dear. Once I've delivered Mr. di Angelo, you and your companions can depart. I don't meddle in quests. Besides, I've been compensated generously to ensure your safe passage, which, I'm afraid, excludes Mr. di Angelo."
"By whom?" Thalia demanded. "What do you mean?"
"None of your concern, darling. Shall we be off?"
"Wait!" Percy interjected. "Geryon, you claim to be a businessman. Strike me a deal."
I remained motionless as Orthus growled on top of me.
Geryon narrowed his eyes. "What kind of deal? Do you possess gold?"
"I offer something better. A trade."
"But, Mr. Jackson, you have nothing to offer."
"You could have him clean the stables," Eurytion suggested innocently.
"I'll do it!" Percy volunteered. "If I fail, you can have all of us. You can trade us to Luke for gold."
"Assuming the horses don't devour you," Geryon remarked dryly.
"I understand," Percy replied firmly. "But if I succeed, you must release all of us, including Nico."
"No!" Nico protested vehemently. "Don't do me any favours, Percy. I don't want your help!"
Geryon chuckled. "Percy Jackson, those stables haven't been cleaned in a millennium... though I suppose I could rent out more space if all that mess were cleared away."
"So, what do you have to lose?" I muttered, pressed under Orthus, turning my head to the rancher as Orthus nashed his teeth at me.
The rancher hesitated. "I'll accept your offer, but you must finish by sunset. If you fail, your friends will be sold, and I'll profit handsomely."
"It's a deal," Percy agreed.
He nodded. "I'll take your friends back to the lodge, and we'll wait for you there."
Eurytion whistled, and Orthus leapt off me and onto Annabeth's lap. She let out a startled cry. I knew the others wouldn't attempt anything as long as Annabeth was held captive.
I stood up, stepped back into the car, and locked eyes with Percy, "I hope you know what you're doing."
"I hope so, too," Percy whispered back.
Geryon took the driver's seat, and Eurytion dragged Nico into the back.
"Remember, sunset," Geryon reminded Percy. "No later."
With one final laugh, he sounded the cowbell horn, and the moo-mobile rumbled off down the trail.