RICK RIORDAN - Reading Studios · Rick Riordan is the creator of the award-winning ... PERCY JACKSON AND THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH PERCY JACKSON AND THE LAST OLYMPIAN PERCY JACKSON:

RICKRIORDAN

THESTAFFofSERAPIS

AnAnnabethChase/SadieKaneAdventure

PUFFIN

Contents

TheStaffofSerapis

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

RickRiordanisthecreatoroftheaward-winning,bestsellingPercyJacksonseriesandthethrillingKaneChroniclesandHeroesofOlympusseries.

AccordingtoRick,theideaforthePercyJacksonstorieswasinspiredbyhissonHaley.ButrumourhasitthatCampHalf-Bloodactuallyexists,andRickspendshissummersthererecordingtheadventuresofyoungdemigods.Somebelievethat,toavoidamasspanicamongthemortalpopulation,hewasforcedtoswearontheRiverStyxtopresentPercyJackson’sstoryasfiction.RicklivesinBoston,Massachussetts,(apartfromhissummersonHalf-BloodHill)withhiswifeandtwosons.

TolearnmoreaboutRickandthePercyJacksonandKaneChroniclesseries,visit:www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk

BOOKSBYRICKRIORDAN

ACarterKane/PercyJacksonAdventureebook:

THESONOFSOBEK

ThePercyJacksonseries:

PERCYJACKSONANDTHELIGHTNINGTHIEF

PERCYJACKSONANDTHESEAOFMONSTERS

PERCYJACKSONANDTHETITAN’SCURSE

PERCYJACKSONANDTHEBATTLEOFTHELABYRINTH

PERCYJACKSONANDTHELASTOLYMPIAN

PERCYJACKSON:THEDEMIGODFILES

FormoreaboutPercyJackson,try:

PERCYJACKSON:THEULTIMATEGUIDE

TheHeroesofOlympusseries:

THELOSTHERO

THESONOFNEPTUNE

THEMARKOFATHENA

THEHOUSEOFHADES

HEROESOFOLYMPUS:THEDEMIGODDIARIES

Don’tmiss:

THEBLOODOFOLYMPUS

TheKaneChroniclesseries:

THEREDPYRAMID

THETHRONEOFFIRE

THESERPENT’SSHADOW

FormoreabouttheKaneChronicles,try:

THEKANECHRONICLES:SURVIVALGUIDE

www.rickriordanmythmaster.co.uk

TheStaffofSerapis

UNTILSHESPOTTEDthetwo-headedmonster,Annabethdidn’tthinkherdaycouldgetanyworse.

She’dspentallmorningdoingcatch-upworkforschool.(SkippingclassesonaregularbasistosavetheworldfrommonstersandrogueGreekgodswasseriouslymessingupherGPA.)Thenshe’dturneddownamoviewithherboyfriend,Percy,andsomeoftheirfriendssoshecouldtryoutforasummerinternshipatalocalarchitecturefirm.Unfortunately,herbrainhadbeenmush.Shewasprettysureshe’dflubbedtheinterview.

Finally,aroundfourintheafternoon,she’dtrudgedthroughWashingtonSquareParkonherwaytothesubwaystationandsteppedinafreshpileofcowmanure.

Sheglaredatthesky.‘Hera!’

Theotherpedestriansgaveherfunnylooks,butAnnabethdidn’tcare.Shewastiredofthegoddess’spracticaljokes.AnnabethhaddonesomanyquestsforHera,butstilltheQueenofHeavenleftpresentsfromhersacredanimalrightwhereAnnabethcouldstepinthem.ThegoddessmusthavehadaherdofstealthcowspatrollingManhattan.

BythetimeAnnabethmadeittotheWestFourthStreetstation,shewascrankyandexhaustedandjustwantedtocatchtheFtrainuptowntoPercy’splace.Itwastoolateforthemovie,butmaybetheycouldgetdinnerorsomething.

Thenshespottedthemonster.

Annabethhadseensomecrazystuffbefore,butthisbeastiedefinitelymadeher‘WhatWeretheGodsThinking?’list.Itlookedlikealionandawolflashedtogether,wedgedbutt-firstintoahermit-crabshell.

Theshellitselfwasaroughbrownspiral,likeawafflecone–aboutsixfeetlongwithajaggedseamdownthemiddle,asifithadbeencrackedinhalf,thengluedbacktogether.Sproutingfromthetopweretheforelegsandheadofagreywolfontheleft,agolden-manedlionontheright.

Thetwoanimalsdidn’tlookhappyaboutsharingashell.Theydraggeditbehindthemdowntheplatform,weavingleftandrightastheytriedtopullindifferentdirections.Theysnarledatoneanotherinirritation.Thenbothofthemfrozeandsniffedtheair.

Commutersstreamedpast.Mostmanoeuvredroundthemonsterandignoredit.Othersjustfrownedorlookedannoyed.

AnnabethhadseentheMistinactionmanytimesbefore,butshewasalwaysamazedbyhowthemagicalveilcoulddistortmortalvision,makingeventhefiercestmonsterlooklikesomethingexplainable–astraydog,ormaybeahomelesspersonwrappedinasleepingbag.

Themonster’snostrilsflared.BeforeAnnabethcoulddecidewhattodo,bothheadsturnedandglareddirectlyather.

Annabeth’shandwentforherknife.Thensherememberedshedidn’thaveone.Atthemoment,hermostdeadlyweaponwasherbackpack,whichwasloadedwithheavyarchitecturebooksfromthepubliclibrary.

Shesteadiedherbreathing.Themonsterstoodaboutthirtyfeetaway.

Takingonalion-wolf-crabinthemiddleofacrowdedsubwaystationwasn’therfirstchoice,but,ifshehadto,shewould.ShewasachildofAthena.

Shestareddownthebeast,lettingitknowshemeantbusiness.

‘Bringiton,Crabby,’shesaid.‘Ihopeyou’vegotahightoleranceforpain.’

Thelionandwolfheadsbaredtheirfangs.Thenthefloorrumbled.Airrushedthroughthetunnelasatrainarrived.

ThemonstersnarledatAnnabeth.Shecould’veswornithadalookofregretinitseyes,asifthinking,Iwouldlovetoripyoutotinypieces,butIhavebusinesselsewhere.

ThenCrabbyturnedandboundedoff,draggingitshugeshellbehind.Itdisappearedupthestairs,headingfortheAtrain.

Foramoment,Annabethwastoostunnedtomove.She’drarelyseenamonsterleaveademigodalonelikethat.Giventhechance,monstersalmostalwaysattacked.

Ifthistwo-headedhermitcrabhadsomethingmoreimportanttodothankillher,Annabethwantedtoknowwhatitwas.Shecouldn’tjustletthemonstergo,pursuingitsnefariousplansandridingpublictransportationforfree.

SheglancedwistfullyattheFtrainthatwould’vetakenheruptowntoPercy’splace.Thensheranupthestairsafterthemonster.

Annabethjumpedonboardjustasthedoorswereclosing.Thetrainpulledawayfromtheplatformandplungedintodarkness.Overheadlightsflickered.Commutersrockedbackandforth.Everyseatwasfilled.Adozenmorepassengersstood,swayingastheyclungtothehandrailsandpoles.

Annabethcouldn’tseeCrabbyuntilsomebodyatthefrontyelled,‘Watchit,freak!’

Thewolf-lion-crabwaspushingitswayforward,snarlingatthemortals,butthecommutersjustactedregular-New-York-subwayannoyed.Maybetheysawthemonsterasarandomdrunkguy.

Annabethfollowed.

AsCrabbyprisedopenthedoorstothenextcarandclamberedthrough,Annabethnoticeditsshellwasglowingfaintly.

Haditbeendoingthatbefore?Aroundthemonsterswirledredneonsymbols–Greekletters,astrologicalsignsandpicturewriting.Egyptianhieroglyphs.

AchillspreadbetweenAnnabeth’sshoulderblades.SherememberedsomethingPercyhadtoldherafewweeksago–aboutanencounterhe’dhadthatseemedsoimpossibleshe’dassumedhewasjoking.

Butnow…

Shepushedthroughthecrowd,followingCrabbyintothenextcar.

Thecreature’sshellwasdefinitelyglowingbrighternow.AsAnnabethgotcloser,shestartedtogetnauseous.Shefeltawarmtuggingsensationinhergut,asifshehadafishhookinherbellybutton,pullinghertowardsthemonster.

Annabethtriedtosteadyhernerves.ShehaddevotedherlifetostudyingAncientGreekspirits,beastsanddaimons.Knowledgewashermostimportantweapon.Butthistwo-headedcrabthing–shehadnoframeofreferenceforit.Herinternalcompasswasspinninguselessly.

Shewishedshehadbackup.Shehadhercellphone,but,evenifshecouldgetreceptioninthetunnel,whomwouldshecall?Mostotherdemigodsdidn’tcarryphones.Thesignalsattractedmonsters.Percywaswayuptown.ThemajorityofherfriendswerebackatCampHalf-BloodonthenorthshoreofLongIsland.

Crabbykeptshovingitswaytowardsthefrontofthetrain.

BythetimeAnnabethcaughtupwithitinthenextcar,themonster’saurawassostrongthateventhemortalshadstartedtonotice.Manygaggedandhunchedoverintheirseats,asifsomeonehadopenedalockerfullofspoiledlunches.Othersfaintedontothefloor.

Annabethfeltsoqueasyshewantedtoretreat,butthefishhooksensationkepttuggingathernavel,reelinghertowardsthemonster.

ThetrainrattledintotheFultonStreetstation.Assoonasthedoorsopened,everycommuterwhowasstillconsciousstumbledout.Crabby’swolfheadsnappedatonelady,catchingherbaginitsteethasshetriedtoflee.

‘Hey!’Annabethyelled.

Themonsterletthewomango.

BothsetsofeyesfixedonAnnabethasifthinking,Doyouhaveadeathwish?

Thenitthrewbackitsheadsandroaredinharmony.ThesoundhitAnnabethlikeanicepickbetweentheeyes.Thewindowsofthetrainshattered.Mortalswhohadpassedoutwerestartledbacktoconsciousness.Somemanagedtocrawloutofthedoors.Otherstumbledthroughbrokenwindows.

Throughblurredvision,Annabethsawthemonstercrouchedonitsmismatchedforearms,readytopounce.

Timeslowed.Shewasdimlyawareoftheshattereddoorsclosing,thenow-emptytrainpullingoutofthestation.Hadtheconductornotrealizedwhatwashappening?Wasthetrainrunningonautopilot?

Onlytenfeetawayfromitnow,Annabethnoticednewdetailsaboutthemonster.Itsredauraseemedbrightestalongtheseaminitsshell.GlowingGreeklettersandEgyptianhieroglyphsspewedoutlikevolcanicgasfromadeep-seafissure.Thelion’sleftforearmwasshavedatthewrist,tattooedwithaseriesofsmallblackstripes.Stuckinsidethewolf’sleftearwasanorangepricetagthatread$99.99.

Annabethgrippedthestrapofherbackpack.Shewasreadytoswingitatthemonster,butitwouldn’tmakemuchofaweapon.Instead,shereliedonherusualtacticwhenfacingastrongerenemy.Shestartedtalking.

‘You’remadeoftwodifferentparts,’shesaid.‘You’relike…piecesofastatuethatcametolife.You’vebeenfusedtogether?’

Itwastotalconjecture,butthelion’sgrowlmadeAnnabeththinkshe’dhitthemark.Thewolfnippedatthelion’scheekasiftellingittoshutup.

‘You’renotusedtoworkingtogether,’Annabethguessed.‘MrLion,you’vegotanIDcodeonyourleg.Youwereanartefactinamuseum.MaybetheMet?’

ThelionroaredsoloudlyAnnabeth’skneeswobbled.

‘Iguessthat’sayes.Andyou,MrWolf…thatstickeronyourear…youwereforsaleinsomeantiquesshop?’

Thewolfsnarledandtookasteptowardsher.

Meanwhile,thetrainkepttunnellingundertheEastRiver.ColdwindswirledthroughthebrokenwindowsandmadeAnnabeth’steethchatter.

Allherinstinctstoldhertorun,butherjointsfeltasiftheyweredissolving.Themonster’saurakeptgettingbrighter,fillingtheairwithmistysymbolsandbloodylight.

‘You…you’regettingstronger,’Annabethnoted.‘You’reheadingsomewhere,aren’tyou?Andthecloseryouget–’

Themonster’sheadsroaredagaininharmony.Awaveofredenergyrippledthroughthecar.Annabethhadtofighttostayconscious.

Crabbysteppedcloser.Itsshellexpanded,thefissuredownthecentreburninglikemolteniron.

‘Holdup,’Annabethcroaked.‘I–Igetitnow.You’renotfinishedyet.You’relookingforanotherpiece.Athirdhead?’

Themonsterhalted.Itseyesglintedwarily,asiftosay,Haveyoubeenreadingmydiary?

Annabeth’scouragerose.Finallyshewasgettingthemeasureofherenemy.She’dmetlotsofthree-headedcreaturesbefore.Whenitcametomythicalbeings,threewassortofamagicnumber.Itmadesensethatthismonsterwouldhaveanotherhead.

Crabbyhadbeensomekindofstatue,dividedintopieces.Nowsomethinghadawakenedit.Itwastryingtoputitselfbacktogether.

Annabethdecidedshecouldn’tletthathappen.ThoseglowingredhieroglyphsandGreeklettersfloatedarounditliketheburningcordofafuse,radiatingmagicthatfeltfundamentallywrong,asthoughitwereslowlydissolvingAnnabeth’scellstructure.

‘You’renotexactlyaGreekmonster,areyou?’sheventured.‘AreyoufromEgypt?’

Crabbydidn’tlikethatcomment.Itbareditsfangsandpreparedtospring.

‘Whoa,boy,’shesaid.‘You’renotatfullstrengthyet,areyou?Attackmenow,andyou’lllose.Afterall,youtwodon’ttrusteachother.’

Theliontilteditsheadandgrowled.

Annabethfeignedalookofshock.‘MrLion!HowcanyousaythataboutMrWolf?’

Thelionblinked.

Thewolfglancedatthelionandsnarledsuspiciously.

‘And,MrWolf!’Annabethgasped.‘Youshouldn’tusethatkindoflanguageaboutyourfriend!’

Thetwoheadsturnedoneachother,snappingandhowling.Themonsterstaggeredasitsforearmswentindifferentdirections.

Annabethknewshe’donlyboughtherselfafewseconds.Sherackedherbrain,tryingtofigureoutwhatthiscreaturewasandhowshecoulddefeatit,butitdidn’tmatchanythingshecouldrememberfromherlessonsatCampHalf-Blood.

Sheconsideredgettingbehindit,maybetryingtobreakitsshell,butbeforeshecouldthetrainslowed.TheypulledintotheHighStreetstation,thefirstBrooklynstop.

Theplatformwasstrangelyempty,butaflashoflightbytheexitstairwellcaughtAnnabeth’seye.Ayoungblondegirlinwhiteclotheswasswingingawoodenstaff,tryingtohitastrangeanimalthatweavedaroundherlegs,barkingangrily.Fromtheshouldersup,thecreaturelookedlikeablackLabradorretriever,butitsbackendwasnothingbutaroughtaperedpoint,likeacalcifiedtadpoletail.

Annabethhadtimetothink:Thethirdpiece.

Thentheblondegirlwhackedthedogacrossitssnout.Herstaffflaredwithgoldenlight,andthedoghurtledbackwards–straightthroughabrokenwindowintothefarendofAnnabeth’ssubwaycar.

Theblondegirlfollowedit.Sheleapedinthroughtheclosingdoorsjustasthetrainpulledoutofthestation.

Foramomenttheyalljuststoodthere–twogirlsandtwomonsters.

Annabethstudiedtheothergirlattheoppositeendofthecar,tryingtoassessherthreatlevel.

Thenewcomerworewhitelinentrousersandamatchingblouse,kindoflikeakarateuniform.Hersteel-tippedcombatbootslookedliketheycouldinflictdamageinafight.Slungoverherleftshoulderwasabluenylonbackpackwithacurvedivorystick–aboomerang?–hangingfromthestrap.Butthegirl’smostintimidatingweaponwasherwhitewoodenstaff–aboutfivefeetlong,carvedwiththeheadofaneagle,thewholelengthglowinglikeCelestialbronze.

Annabethmetthegirl’seyes,andafeelingofdéjàvurockedher.

KarateGirlcouldn’thavebeenolderthanthirteen.Hereyeswerebrilliantblue,likeachildofZeus’s.Herlongblondehairwasstreakedwithpurplehighlights.ShelookedverymuchlikeachildofAthena–readyforcombat,quickandalertandfearless.Annabethfeltasifshewereseeingherselffromfouryearsago,aroundthetimeshefirstmetPercyJackson.

ThenKarateGirlspokeandshatteredtheillusion.

‘Right.’Sheblewastrandofpurplehairoutofherface.‘Becausemydaywasn’tbarmyenoughalready.’

British,Annabeththought.Butshedidn’thavetimetoponderthat.

Thedog-tadpoleandCrabbyhadbeenstandinginthecentreofthecar,aboutfifteenfeetapart,staringateachotherinamazement.Nowtheyovercametheirshock.Thedoghowled–atriumphantcry,likeIfoundyou!Andthelion-wolf-crablungedtomeetit.

‘Stopthem!’Annabethyelled.

SheleapedontoCrabby’sback,anditsfrontpawscollapsedfromtheextraweight.

Theothergirlyelledsomethinglike:‘Mar!’

Aseriesofgoldenhieroglyphsblazedintheair:

Thedogcreaturestaggeredbackwards,retchingasifithadswallowedabilliardball.

AnnabethstruggledtokeepCrabbydown,butthebeastwastwiceherweight.Itpusheduponitsforelegs,tryingtothrowher.Bothheadsturnedtosnapatherface.

Fortunatelyshe’dharnessedplentyofwildpegasiatCampHalf-Blood.Shemanagedtokeepherbalancewhileslippingoffherbackpack.Shesmackedtwentypoundsofarchitecturebooksintothelion’shead,thenloopedhershoulderstrapthroughthewolf’smawandyankeditlikeabit.

Meanwhile,thetrainburstintothesunlight.TheyrattledalongtheelevatedrailsofQueens,freshairblowingthroughthebrokenwindowsandglitteringbitsofglassdancingacrosstheseats.

Outofthecornerofhereye,Annabethsawtheblackdogshakeoffitsfitofretching.ItlungedatKarateGirl,whowhippedoutherivoryboomerangandblastedthemonsterwithanothergoldenflash.

Annabethwishedshecouldsummongoldenflashes.Allshehadwasastupidbackpack.ShedidherbesttosubdueCrabby,butthemonsterseemedtogetstrongerbythesecondwhilethething’sredauraweakenedAnnabeth.Herheadfeltstuffedwithcotton.Herstomachtwisted.

Shelosttrackoftimeasshewrestledthecreature.Sheonlyknewshecouldn’tletitcombinewiththatdog-headedthing.Ifthemonsterturnedintoacompletethree-headedwhatever-it-was,itmightbeimpossibletostop.

ThedoglungedagainatKarateGirl.Thistimeitknockedherdown.Annabeth,distracted,losthergriponthecrabmonster,anditthrewheroff–slammingherheadintotheedgeofaseat.

Herearsrangasthecreatureroaredintriumph.Awaveofred-hotenergyrippledthroughthecar.Thetrainpitchedsideways,andAnnabethwentweightless.

‘Upyoucome,’saidagirl’svoice.‘Wehavetomove.’

Annabethopenedhereyes.Theworldwasspinning.Emergencysirenswailedinthedistance.

Shewaslyingflatonherbackinsomepricklyweeds.Theblondegirlfromthetrainleanedoverher,tuggingonherarm.

Annabethmanagedtositup.Shefeltasifsomeonewashammeringhotnailsintoherribcage.Ashervisioncleared,sherealizedshewasluckytobealive.Aboutfiftyyardsaway,thesubwaytrainhadtoppledoffthetrack.Thecarslaysidewaysinabroken,steamingzigzagofwreckagethatremindedAnnabethofadrakoncarcass(unfortunately,she’dseenseveralofthose).

Shespottednowoundedmortals.Hopefullythey’dallfledthetrainattheFultonStreetstation.Butstill–whatadisaster.

Annabethrecognizedwhereshewas:RockawayBeach.Afewhundredfeettotheleft,vacantplotsandbentchain-linkfencesgavewaytoayellowsandbeachdottedwithtarandtrash.Theseachurnedunderacloudysky.ToAnnabeth’sright,pastthetraintracks,stoodarowofapartmenttowerssodilapidatedtheymight’vebeenmake-believebuildingsfashionedfromoldrefrigeratorboxes.

‘Yoo-hoo.’KarateGirlshookhershoulder.‘Iknowyou’reprobablyinshock,butweneedtogo.Idon’tfancybeingquestionedbythepolicewiththisthingintow.’

Thegirlscootedtoherleft.Behindheronthebrokentarmac,theblackLabradormonsterfloppedlikeafishoutofwater,itsmuzzleandpawsboundinglowinggoldenrope.

Annabethstaredattheyoungergirl.Roundherneckglintedachainwithasilveramulet–asymbollikeanEgyptianankhcrossedwithagingerbreadman.

Athersidelayherstaffandherivoryboomerang–bothcarvedwithhieroglyphsandpicturesofstrange,veryun-Greekmonsters.

‘Whoareyou?’Annabethdemanded.

Asmiletuggedatthecornerofthegirl’smouth.‘UsuallyIdon’tgivemynametostrangers.Magicalvulnerabilitiesandallthat.ButIhavetorespectsomeonewhofightsatwo-headedmonsterwithnothingbutarucksack.’Sheofferedherhand.‘SadieKane.’

‘AnnabethChase.’

Theyshook.

‘Lovelytomeetyou,Annabeth,’Sadiesaid.‘Now,let’stakeourdogforawalk,shallwe?’

Theyleftjustintime.

Withinminutes,emergencyvehicleshadsurroundedthetrainwreck,andacrowdofspectatorsgatheredfromthenearbyapartmentbuildings.

Annabethfeltmorenauseousthanever.Redspotsdancedbeforehereyes,butshehelpedSadiedragthedogcreaturebackwardsbyitstailintothesanddunes.Sadieseemedtotakepleasureinpullingthemonsteroverasmanyrocksandbrokenbottlesasshecouldfind.

Thebeastsnarledandwriggled.Itsredauraglowedmorebrightly,whilethegoldenropedimmed.

NormallyAnnabethlikedwalkingonthebeach.TheoceanremindedherofPercy.Buttodayshewashungryandexhausted.Herbackpackfeltheavierbythemoment,andthedogcreature’smagicmadeherwanttohurl.

Also,RockawayBeachwasadismalplace.Amassivehurricanehadblownthroughmorethanayearago,andthedamagewasstillobvious.Someoftheapartmentbuildingsinthedistancehadbeenreducedtoshells,theirboarded-upwindowsandbreeze-blockwallscoveredingraffiti.Rottedtimber,chunksoftarmacandtwistedmetallitteredthebeach.Thepylonsofadestroyedpierjuttedupoutofthewater.Theseaitselfgnawedresentfullyattheshoreasiftosay,Don’tignoreme.Icanalwayscomebackandfinishthejob.

Finallytheyreachedaderelictice-creamtruckhalfsunkeninthedunes.Paintedontheside,fadedpicturesoflong-losttastytreatsmadeAnnabeth’sstomachhowlinprotest.

‘Gottastop,’shemuttered.

Shedroppedthedogmonsterandstaggeredovertothetruck,thensliddownwithherbackagainstthepassenger’sdoor.

Sadiesatcross-legged,facingher.Sherummagedaroundinherownbackpackandbroughtoutacork-stopperedceramicvial.

‘Here.’ShehandedittoAnnabeth.‘It’syummy.Drink.’

Annabethstudiedthevialwarily.Itfeltheavyandwarm,asifitwerefullofhotcoffee.‘Uh…thiswon’tunleashanygoldenflashesofka-baminmyface?’

Sadiesnorted.‘It’sjustahealingpotion,silly.Afriendofmine,Jaz,brewsthebestintheworld.’

Annabethstillhesitated.She’dsampledpotionsbefore,brewedbythechildrenofHecate.Usuallytheytastedlikepond-scumsoup,butatleasttheyweremadetoworkon

demigods.Whateverwasinthisvial,itdefinitelywasn’t.

‘I’mnotsureIshouldtry,’shesaid.‘I’m…notlikeyou.’

‘Nooneislikeme,’Sadieagreed.‘Myamazingnessisunique.Butifyoumeanyou’renotamagician,well,Icanseethat.Usuallywefightwithstaffandwand.’Shepattedthecarvedwhitepoleandtheivoryboomeranglyingnexttoher.‘Still,Ithinkmypotionsshouldworkonyou.Youwrestledamonster.Yousurvivedthattrainwreck.Youcan’tbenormal.’

Annabethlaughedweakly.Shefoundtheothergirl’sbrashnesssortofrefreshing.‘No,I’mdefinitelynotnormal.I’mademigod.’

‘Ah.’Sadietappedherfingersonhercurvedwand.‘Sorry,that’sanewoneonme.Ademongod?’

‘Demigod,’Annabethcorrected.‘Halfgod,halfmortal.’

‘Oh,right.’Sadieexhaled,clearlyrelieved.‘I’vehostedIsisinmyheadquiteafewtimes.Who’syourspecialfriend?’

‘My–no.Idon’thostanybody.MymotherisaGreekgoddess,Athena.’

‘Yourmother.’

‘Yeah.’

‘Agoddess.AGreekgoddess.’

‘Yeah.’Annabethnoticedthathernewfriendhadgonepale.‘Iguessyoudon’thavethatkindofthing,um,whereyoucomefrom.’

‘Brooklyn?’Sadiemused.‘No.Idon’tthinkso.OrLondon.OrLosAngeles.Idon’trecallmeetingGreekdemigodsinanyofthoseplaces.Still,whenonehasdealtwithmagicalbaboons,goddesscatsanddwarfsinSpeedos,onecan’tbesurprisedveryeasily.’

Annabethwasn’tsureshe’dheardright.‘DwarfsinSpeedos?’

‘Mmm.’Sadieglancedatthedogmonster,stillwrithinginitsgoldenbonds.‘Buthere’stherub.Afewmonthsagomymumgavemeawarning.Shetoldmetobewareofothergodsandothertypesofmagic.’

ThevialinAnnabeth’shandsseemedtogrowwarmer.‘Othergods.YoumentionedIsis.She’stheEgyptiangoddessofmagic.But…she’snotyourmom?’

‘No,’Sadiesaid.‘Imean,yes.IsisisthegoddessofEgyptianmagic.Butshe’snotmymum.Mymum’saghost.Well…shewasamagicianintheHouseofLife,likeme,butthenshedied,so–’

‘Justasec.’Annabeth’sheadthrobbedsobadlyshefigurednothingcouldmakeitworse.Sheuncorkedthepotionanddrankitdown.

She’dbeenexpectingpond-scumconsommé,butitactuallytastedlikewarmapplejuice.Instantly,hervisioncleared.Herstomachsettled.

‘Wow,’shesaid.

‘Toldyou.’Sadiesmirked.‘Jazisquitetheapothecary.’

‘Soyouweresaying…HouseofLife.Egyptianmagic.You’relikethekidmyboyfriendmet.’

Sadie’ssmileeroded.‘Yourboyfriend…metsomeonelikeme?Anothermagician?’

Afewfeetaway,thedogcreaturesnarledandstruggled.Sadiedidn’tappearconcerned,butAnnabethwasworriedabouthowdimlythemagicropewasglowingnow.

‘Thiswasafewweeksago,’Annabethsaid.‘PercytoldmeacrazystoryaboutmeetingaboyoutnearMorichesBay.Apparentlythiskidusedhieroglyphstocastspells.HehelpedPercybattleabigcrocodilemonster.’

‘TheSonofSobek!’Sadieblurted.‘Butmybrotherbattledthatmonster.Hedidn’tsayanythingabout–’

‘Isyourbrother’snameCarter?’Annabethasked.

AnangrygoldenauraflickeredaroundSadie’shead–ahaloofhieroglyphsthatresembledfrowns,fistsanddeadstickmen.

‘Asofthismoment,’Sadiegrowled,‘mybrother’snameisPunchingBag.Seemshehasn’tbeentellingmeeverything.’

‘Ah.’Annabethhadtofighttheurgetoscootawayfromhernewfriend.Shefearedthoseglowingangryhieroglyphsmightexplode.‘Awkward.Sorry.’

‘Don’tbe,’Sadiesaid.‘I’llratherenjoybashingmybrother’sfacein.Butfirsttellmeeverything–aboutyourself,demigods,Greeksandwhateveritmighthavetodowithourevilcaninefriendhere.’

Annabethtoldherwhatshecould.

Usuallyshewasn’tsoquicktotrust,butshe’dhadalotofexperiencereadingpeople.ShelikedSadieimmediately:thecombatboots,thepurplehighlights,theattitude…InAnnabeth’sexperience,untrustworthypeopleweren’tsoup-frontaboutwantingtobashsomeone’sfacein.Theycertainlydidn’thelpanunconsciousstrangerandofferahealingpotion.

AnnabethdescribedCampHalf-Blood.SherecountedsomeofheradventuresbattlinggodsandgiantsandTitans.Sheexplainedhowshe’dspottedthetwo-headedlion-wolf-crabattheWestFourthStreetstationanddecidedtofollowit.

‘SohereIam,’Annabethsummedup.

Sadie’smouthquivered.Shelookedasifshemightstartyellingorcrying.Instead,shebrokedowninafitofthegiggles.

Annabethfrowned.‘DidIsaysomethingfunny?’

‘No,no…’Sadiesnorted.‘Well…itisabitfunny.Imean,we’resittingonthebeachtalkingaboutGreekgods.Andacampfordemigods,and–’

‘It’salltrue!’

‘Oh,Ibelieveyou.It’stooridiculousnottobetrue.It’sjustthateachtimemyworldgetsstranger,Ithink:Right.We’reatmaximumoddnessnow.AtleastIknowthefullextentofit.First,IfindoutmybrotherandIaredescendedfromthepharaohsandhavemagicpowers.Allright.Noproblem.ThenIfindoutmydeadfatherhasmergedhissoulwithOsirisandbecomethelordofthedead.Brilliant!Whynot?ThenmyuncletakesovertheHouseofLifeandoverseeshundredsofmagiciansaroundtheworld.Thenmyboyfriendturnsouttobeahybridmagicianboy/immortalgodoffunerals.AndallthewhileI’mthinking,Ofcourse!Keepcalmandcarryon!I’veadjusted!AndthenyoucomealongonarandomThursday,la-di-da,andsay,Oh,bytheway,Egyptiangodsarejustonesmallpartofthecosmicabsurdity.We’vealsogottheGreekstoworryabout!Hooray!’

Annabethcouldn’tfolloweverythingSadiehadsaid–afuneralgodboyfriend?–butshehadtoadmitthatgigglingaboutitwashealthierthancurlingintoaballandsobbing.

‘Okay,’sheadmitted.‘Itallsoundsalittlecrazy,butIguessitmakessense.MyteacherChiron…foryearshe’sbeentellingmethatancientgodsareimmortalbecausethey’repartofthefabricofcivilization.IfGreekgodscanstickaroundallthesemillennia,whynottheEgyptians?’

‘Themorethemerrier,’Sadieagreed.‘But,erm,whataboutthislittledoggie?’ShepickedupatinyseashellandbounceditofftheheadoftheLabradormonster,whichsnarledinirritation.‘Oneminuteit’ssittingonthetableinourlibrary–aharmlessartefact,astonefragmentfromsomestatue,wethink.ThenextminuteitcomestolifeandbreaksoutofBrooklynHouse.Itshredsourmagicalwards,ploughsthroughFelix’spenguinsandshrugsoffmyspellslikethey’renothing.’

‘Penguins?’Annabethshookherhead.‘No.ForgetIasked.’

Shestudiedthedogcreatureasitstrainedagainstitsbonds.RedGreeklettersandhieroglyphsswirledarounditasiftryingtoformnewsymbols–amessageAnnabethcouldalmostread.

‘Willthoseropeshold?’sheasked.‘Theylooklikethey’reweakening.’

‘Noworries,’Sadieassuredher.‘Thoseropeshaveheldgodsbefore.Andnotsmallgods,mindyou.Extra-largeones.’

‘Um,okay.Soyousaidthedogwaspartofastatue.Anyideawhatstatue?’

‘None.’Sadieshrugged.‘Cleo,ourlibrarian,wasjustresearchingthatquestionwhenFidoherewokeup.’

‘Butithastobeconnectedtotheothermonster–thewolfandthelionheads.Igottheimpressionthey’djustcometolife,too.They’dfusedtogetherandweren’tusedtoworkingasateam.Theygotonthattrainsearchingforsomething–probablythisdog.’

Sadiefiddledwithhersilverpendant.‘Amonsterwiththreeheads:alion,awolfandadog.Allstickingoutof…whatwasthatconicalthing?Ashell?Atorch?’

Annabeth’sheadstartedtospinagain.Atorch.

Sheflashedonadistantmemory–maybeapictureshe’dseeninabook.Shehadn’tconsideredthatthemonster’sconemightbesomethingyoucouldhold,somethingthatbelongedinamassivehand.Butatorchwasn’tright…

‘It’sasceptre,’sherealized.‘Idon’trememberwhichgodheldit,butthethree-headedstaffwashissymbol.Hewas…Greek,Ithink,buthewasalsofromsomewhereinEgypt–’

‘Alexandria,’Sadieguessed.

Annabethstaredather.‘Howdoyouknow?’

‘Well,granted,I’mnotahistorynutlikemybrother,butIhavebeentoAlexandria.IrecallsomethingaboutitbeingthecapitalwhentheGreeksruledEgypt.AlexandertheGreat,wasn’tit?’

Annabethnodded.‘That’sright.AlexanderconqueredEgyptand,afterhedied,hisgeneralPtolemytookover.HewantedtheEgyptianstoaccepthimastheirpharaoh,sohemashedtheEgyptiangodsandGreekgodstogetherandmadeupnewones.’

‘Soundsmessy,’Sadiesaid.‘Iprefermygodsunmashed.’

‘Buttherewasonegodinparticular…Ican’trememberhisname.Thethree-headedcreaturewasatthetopofhissceptre…’

‘Ratherlargesceptre,’Sadienoted.‘Idon’tfancymeetingtheblokewhocouldcarryitaround.’

‘Oh,gods.’Annabethsatup.‘That’sit!Thestaffisn’tjusttryingtoreassembleitself–it’stryingtofinditsmaster.’

Sadiescowled.‘I’mnotinfavourofthatatall.Weneedtomakesure–’

Thedogmonsterhowled.Themagicalropesexplodedlikeagrenade,sprayingthebeachwithgoldenshrapnel.

TheblastknockedSadieacrossthedunesliketumbleweed.

Annabethslammedintotheice-creamtruck.Herlimbsturnedtolead.Alltheairwasforcedoutofherlungs.

Ifthedogcreaturehadwantedtokillher,itcouldhave,easily.

Instead,itboundedinland,disappearingintheweeds.

Annabethinstinctivelygrabbedforaweapon.HerfingersclosedroundSadie’scurvedwand.Painmadehergasp.Theivoryburnedlikedryice.Annabethtriedtoletgo,butherhandwouldn’tobey.Asshewatched,thewandsteamed,changingformuntiltheburnsubsidedandAnnabethheldaCelestialbronzedagger–justliketheoneshe’dcarriedforyears.

Shestaredattheblade.Thensheheardgroaningfromthenearbydunes.

‘Sadie!’Annabethstaggeredtoherfeet.

Bythetimeshereachedthemagician,Sadiewassittingup,spittingsandoutofhermouth.Shehadbitsofseaweedinherhair,andherbackpackwaswrappedroundoneofhercombatboots,butshelookedmoreoutragedthaninjured.

‘StupidFido!’shesnarled.‘Nodogbiscuitsforhim!’ShefrownedatAnnabeth’sknife.‘Wheredidyougetthat?’

‘Um…it’syourwand,’Annabethsaid.‘Ipickeditupand…Idon’tknow.ItjustchangedintothekindofdaggerIusuallyuse.’

‘Huh.Well,magicitemsdohaveamindoftheirown.Keepit.I’vegotmoreathome.Now,whichwaydidFidogo?’

‘Overthere.’Annabethpointedwithhernewblade.

Sadiepeeredinland.Hereyeswidened.‘Oh…right.Towardsthestorm.That’snew.’

Annabethfollowedhergaze.Pastthesubwaytracks,shesawnothingexceptanabandonedapartmenttower,fencedoffandforlornagainstthelateafternoonsky.‘Whatstorm?’

‘Youdon’tseeit?’Sadieasked.‘Holdon.’Shedisentangledherbackpackfromherbootandrummagedthroughhersupplies.Shebroughtoutanotherceramicvial,thisonestubbyandwidelikeaface-creamjar.Shepulledoffthelidandscoopedoutsomepinkgoo.‘Letmesmearthisonyoureyelids.’

‘Wow,thatsoundslikeanautomaticno.’

‘Don’tbesqueamish.It’sperfectlyharmless…well,formagicians.Probablyfordemigods,too.’

Annabethwasn’treassured,butsheclosedhereyes.Sadiesmearedonthegloop,whichtingledandwarmedlikementholrub.

‘Right,’Sadiesaid.‘Youcanlooknow.’

Annabethopenedhereyesandgasped.

Theworldwasawashincolour.Thegroundhadturnedtranslucent–gelatinouslayersdescendingintodarknessbelow.Theairrippledwithshimmeringveils,eachonevibrantbutslightlyoutofsync,asifmultiplehigh-definitionvideoshadbeensuperimposedontopofoneanother.HieroglyphsandGreeklettersswirledaroundher,fusingandburstingastheycollided.Annabethfeltasifshewereseeingtheworldontheatomiclevel.Everythinginvisiblehadbeenrevealed,paintedwithmagiclight.

‘Do–doyouseelikethisallthetime?’

Sadiesnorted.‘GodsofEgypt,no!Itwoulddrivemebonkers.IhavetoconcentratetoseetheDuat.That’swhatyou’redoing–peeringintothemagicalsideoftheworld.’

‘I…’Annabethfaltered.

Annabethwasusuallyaconfidentperson.Whenevershedealtwithregularmortals,shecarriedasmugcertaintythatshepossessedsecretknowledge.Sheunderstoodtheworldofgodsandmonsters.Mortalsdidn’thaveaclue.Evenwithotherdemigods,Annabethwasalmostalwaysthemostseasonedveteran.She’ddonemorethanmostheroeshadeverdreamedof,andshe’dsurvived.

Now,lookingattheshiftingcurtainsofcolours,Annabethfeltlikeasix-year-oldkidagain,justlearninghowterribleanddangerousherworldreallywas.

Shesatdownhardinthesand.‘Idon’tknowwhattothink.’

‘Don’tthink,’Sadieadvised.‘Breathe.Youreyeswilladjust.It’sratherlikeswimming.Ifyouletyourbodytakeover,you’llknowwhattodoinstinctively.Panic,andyou’lldrown.’

Annabethtriedtorelax.

Shebegantodiscernpatternsintheair:currentsflowingbetweenthelayersofreality,vapourtrailsofmagicstreamingoffcarsandbuildings.Thesiteofthetrainwreckglowedgreen.Sadiehadagoldenaurawithmistyplumesspreadingbehindherlikewings.

Wherethedogmonsteroncelay,thegroundsmoulderedlikelivecoals.Crimsontendrilssnakedawayfromthesite,followingthedirectioninwhichthemonsterhadfled.

Annabethfocusedonthederelictapartmentbuildinginthedistance,andherheartbeatdoubled.Thetowerglowedredfromtheinside–lightseepingthroughtheboarded-upwindows,shootingthroughcracksinthecrumblingwalls.Darkcloudsswirledoverhead,andmoretendrilsofredenergyflowedtowardsthebuildingfromalloverthelandscape,asifbeingdrawnintothevortex.

ThesceneremindedAnnabethofCharybdis,thewhirlpool-inhalingmonstershe’donceencounteredintheSeaofMonsters.Itwasn’tahappymemory.

‘Thatapartmentbuilding,’shesaid.‘It’sattractingredlightfromallovertheplace.’

‘Exactly,’Sadiesaid.‘InEgyptianmagic,redisbad.Itmeansevilandchaos.’

‘Sothat’swherethedogmonsterisheading,’Annabethguessed.‘Tomergewiththeotherpieceofthesceptre–’

‘Andtofinditsmaster,I’dwager.’

Annabethknewsheshouldgetup.Theyhadtohurry.But,lookingattheswirlinglayersofmagic,shewasafraidtomove.

She’dspentherwholelifelearningabouttheMist–themagicalboundarythatseparatedthemortalworldfromtheworldofGreekmonstersandgods.Butshe’dneverthoughtoftheMistasanactualcurtain.

WhathadSadiecalledit–theDuat?

AnnabethwonderediftheMistandtheDuatwererelated,ormaybeeventhesamething.Thenumberofveilsshecouldseewasoverwhelming–likeatapestryfoldedinonitselfahundredtimes.

Shedidn’ttrustherselftostand.Panic,andyou’lldrown.

Sadieofferedherhand.Hereyeswerefullofsympathy.‘Look,Iknowit’salot,butnothinghaschanged.You’restillthesametough-skinned,rucksack-wieldingdemigodyou’vealwaysbeen.Andnowyouhavealovelydaggeraswell.’

Annabethfeltthebloodrisetoherface.Normallyshewould’vebeentheonegivingthepeptalk.

‘Yeah.Yeah,ofcourse.’SheacceptedSadie’shand.‘Let’sgofindagod.’

Achain-linkfenceringedthebuilding,buttheysqueezedthroughagapandpickedtheirwayacrossafieldofspeargrassandbrokenconcrete.

TheenchantedglooponAnnabeth’seyesseemedtobewearingoff.Theworldnolongerlookedsomultilayeredandkaleidoscopic,butthatwasfinewithher.Shedidn’tneedspecialvisiontoknowthetowerwasfullofbadmagic.

Upclose,theredglowinthewindowswasevenmoreradiant.Theplywoodrattled.Thebrickwallsgroaned.Hieroglyphicbirdsandstickfiguresformedintheairandfloatedinside.Eventhegraffitiseemedtovibrateonthewalls,asifthesymbolsweretryingtocomealive.

Whateverwasinsidethebuilding,itspowertuggedatAnnabethtoo,thesamewayCrabbyhadonthetrain.

Shegrippedhernewbronzedagger,realizingitwastoosmallandtooshorttoprovidemuchoffensivepower.Butthat’swhyAnnabethlikeddaggers:theykeptherfocused.AchildofAthenashouldneverrelyonabladeifshecoulduseherwitsinstead.Intelligencewonwars,notbruteforce.

Unfortunately,Annabeth’switsweren’tworkingverywellatthemoment.

‘WishIknewwhatweweredealingwith,’shemutteredastheycrepttowardsthebuilding.‘Iliketodoresearchfirst–armmyselfwithknowledge.’

Sadiegrunted.‘Yousoundlikemybrother.Tellme,howoftendomonstersgiveyoutheluxuryofGooglingthembeforetheyattack?’

‘Never,’Annabethadmitted.

‘Well,thereyouare.Carter–hewouldlovetospendhoursinthelibrary,readinguponeveryhostiledemonwemightface,highlightingtheimportantbitsandmakingflashcardsformetostudy.Sadly,whendemonsattack,theydon’tgiveusanywarning,andtheyrarelybothertoidentifythemselves.’

‘Sowhat’syourstandardoperatingprocedure?’

‘Forgeahead,’Sadiesaid.‘Thinkonmyfeet.Whennecessary,blastenemiesintoteeny-tinybits.’

‘Great.You’dfitrightinwithmyfriends.’

‘I’lltakethatasacompliment.Thatdoor,youthink?’

Asetofstepsledtoabasemententrance.Asingletwo-by-fourwasnailedacrossthedoorwayinahalf-heartedattempttokeepouttrespassers,butthedooritselfwasslightlyajar.

Annabethwasabouttosuggestscoutingtheperimeter.Shedidn’ttrustsuchaneasywayin,butSadiedidn’twait.Theyoungmagiciantrotteddownthestepsandslippedinside.

Annabeth’sonlychoicewastofollow.

Asitturnedout,ifthey’dcomethroughanyotherdoor,theywouldhavedied.

Thewholeinteriorofthebuildingwasacavernousshell,thirtystoreystall,swirlingwithamaelstromofbricks,pipes,boardsandotherdebris,alongwithglowingGreeksymbols,hieroglyphsandredneontuftsofenergy.Thescenewasbothterrifyingandbeautiful–asifatornadohadbeencaught,illuminatedfromwithinandputonpermanentdisplay.

Becausethey’denteredonthebasementlevel,SadieandAnnabethwereprotectedinashallowstairwell–akindoftrenchintheconcrete.Ifthey’dwalkedintothestormongroundlevel,theywould’vebeenrippedtoshreds.

AsAnnabethwatched,atwistedsteelgirderflewoverheadatrace-carspeed.Dozensofbricksspedbylikeaschooloffish.Afieryredhieroglyphslammedintoaflyingsheetofplywood,andthewoodignitedliketissuepaper.

‘Upthere,’Sadiewhispered.

Shepointedtothetopofthebuilding,wherepartofthethirtiethfloorwasstillintact–acrumblingledgejuttingoutintothevoid.Itwashardtoseethroughtheswirlingrubbleandredhaze,butAnnabethcoulddiscernabulkyhumanoidshapestandingattheprecipice,hisarmsspreadasifwelcomingthestorm.

‘What’shedoing?’Sadiemurmured.

Annabethflinchedasahelixofcopperpipesspunafewinchesoverherhead.ShestaredintothedebrisandbegannoticingpatternslikeshehadwiththeDuat:aswirlofboardsandnailscomingtogethertoformaplatformframe,aclusterofbricksassemblinglikeLegotomakeanarch.

‘He’sbuildingsomething,’sherealized.

‘Buildingwhat,adisaster?’Sadieasked.‘ThisplaceremindsmeoftheRealmofChaos.And,believeme,thatwasnotmyfavouriteholidayspot.’

Annabethglancedover.ShewonderedifChaosmeantthesamethingforEgyptiansasitdidforGreeks.AnnabethhadhadherownclosecallwithChaos,andifSadiehadbeenthere,too…well,themagicianmustbeeventougherthansheseemed.

‘Thestormisn’tcompletelyrandom,’Annabethsaid.‘Seethere?Andthere?Bitsofmaterialarecomingtogether,formingsomekindofstructureinsidethebuilding.’

Sadiefrowned.‘Lookslikebricksinablendertome.’

Annabethwasn’tsurehowtoexplainit,butshe’dstudiedarchitectureandengineeringlongenoughtorecognizethedetails.Copperpipingwasreconnectinglikearteriesandveinsinacirculatorysystem.Sectionsofoldwallswerepiecingthemselvestogethertoformanewjigsawpuzzle.Everysooften,morebricksorgirderspeeledofftheouterwallstojointhetornado.

‘He’scannibalizingthebuilding,’shesaid.‘Idon’tknowhowlongtheouterwallswilllast.’

Sadiesworeunderherbreath.‘Pleasetellmehe’snotbuildingapyramid.Anythingbutthat.’

AnnabethwonderedwhyanEgyptianmagicianwouldhatepyramids,butsheshookherhead.‘I’dguessit’ssomekindofconicaltower.There’sonlyonewaytoknowforsure.’

‘Askthebuilder.’Sadiegazedupattheremnantofthethirtiethfloor.

Themanontheledgehadn’tmoved,butAnnabethcouldswearhe’dgrownlarger.Redlightswirledaroundhim.Insilhouette,helookedlikehewaswearingatallangulartophatàlaAbeLincoln.

Sadieshoulderedherbackpack.‘So,ifthat’sourmysterygod,where’sthe–’

Rightoncue,athree-parthowlcutthroughthedin.Attheoppositeendofthebuilding,asetofmetaldoorsburstopenandthecrabmonsterlopedinside.

Unfortunately,thebeastnowhadallthreeheads–wolf,lionanddog.ItslongspiralshellglowedwithGreekandhieroglyphicinscriptions.Completelyignoringtheflyingdebris,themonsterclamberedinsideonitssixforelegs,thenleapedintotheair.Thestormcarrieditupward,spirallingthroughthechaos.

‘It’sheadingforitsmaster,’Annabethsaid.‘Wehavetostopit.’

‘Lovely,’Sadiegrumbled.‘Thisisgoingtodrainme.’

‘Whatwill?’

Sadieraisedherstaff.‘N’dah.’

Agoldenhieroglyphblazedintheairabovethem:

Andsuddenlytheyweresurroundedinasphereoflight.

Annabeth’sspinetingled.She’dbeenencasedinaprotectivebubblelikethisoncebefore,whenshe,PercyandGroverhadusedmagicpearlstoescapetheUnderworld.Theexperiencehadbeen…claustrophobic.

‘Thiswillshieldusfromthestorm?’sheasked.

‘Hopefully.’Sadie’sfacewasnowbeadedwithsweat.‘Comeon.’

Sheledthewayupthesteps.

Immediately,theirshieldwasputtothetest.Aflyingkitchencounterwouldhavedecapitatedthem,butitshatteredagainstSadie’sforcefield.Chunksofmarbleswirledharmlesslyaroundthem.

‘Brilliant,’Sadiesaid.‘Now,holdthestaffwhileIturnintoabird.’

‘Wait.What?’

Sadierolledhereyes.‘We’rethinkingonourfeet,remember?I’llflyupthereandstopthestaffmonster.Youtrytodistractthatgod…whoeverheis.Gethisattention.’

‘Fine,butI’mnomagician.Ican’tmaintainaspell.’

‘Theshieldwillholdforafewminutes,aslongasyouusethestaff.’

‘Butwhataboutyou?Ifyou’renotinsidetheshield–’

‘Ihaveanidea.Itmightevenwork.’

Sadiefishedsomethingoutofherpack–asmallanimalfigurine.Shecurledherfingersroundit,thenbegantochangeform.

Annabethhadseenpeopleturnintoanimalsbefore,butitnevergoteasiertowatch.Sadieshranktoatenthofhersize.Hernoseelongatedintoabeak.Herhairandclothesandbackpackmeltedintoasleekcoatoffeathers.Shebecameasmallbirdofprey–akite,maybe–herblueeyesnowbrilliantgold.Withthelittlefigurinestillclutchedinhertalons,Sadiespreadherwingsandlaunchedherselfintothestorm.

Annabethwincedasaclusterofbricksploughedintoherfriend–butsomehowthedebriswentstraightthroughwithoutturningSadieintofeatherpuree.Sadie’sformjustshimmeredasifsheweretravellingunderadeeplayerofwater.

SadiewasintheDuat,Annabethrealized–flyingonadifferentlevelofreality.

TheideamadeAnnabeth’smindheatupwithpossibilities.Ifademigodcouldlearntopassthroughwallslikethat,runstraightthroughmonsters…

Butthatwasaconversationforanothertime.Rightnowsheneededtomove.Shechargedupthestepsandintothemaelstrom.Metalbarsandcopperpipesclangedagainstherforcefield.Thegoldensphereflashedalittlemoredimlyeachtimeitdeflecteddebris.

SheraisedSadie’sstaffinonehandandhernewdaggerintheother.Inthemagicaltorrent,theCelestialbronzebladegutteredlikeadyingtorch.

‘Hey!’sheyelledatledgefarabove.‘MrGodPerson!’

Noresponse.Hervoiceprobablycouldn’tcarryoverthestorm.

Theshellofthebuildingstartedtogroan.Mortartrickledfromthewallsandswirledintothemixlikecandy-flosstufts.

Sadiethehawkwasstillalive,flyingtowardsthethree-headedmonsterasitspiralledupward.Thebeastwasabouthalfwaytothetopnow,flailingitslegsandglowingevermorebrightly,asifsoakingupthepowerofthetornado.

Annabethwasrunningoutoftime.

Shereachedintohermemory,siftingthrougholdmyths,themostobscuretalesChironhadevertoldheratcamp.Whenshewasyounger,she’dbeenlikeasponge,soakingupeveryfactandname.

Thethree-headedstaff.ThegodofAlexandria,Egypt.

Thegod’snamecametoher.Atleast,shehopedshewasright.

Oneofthefirstlessonsshe’dlearnedasademigod:Nameshavepower.Youneversaidthenameofagodormonsterunlessyouwerepreparedtodrawitsattention.

Annabethtookadeepbreath.Sheshoutedatthetopofherlungs:‘SERAPIS!’

Thestormslowed.Hugesectionsofpipehoveredinmidair.Cloudsofbricksandtimberfrozeandhungsuspended.

Becalmedinthemiddleofthetornado,thethree-headedmonstertriedtostand.Sadieswoopedoverhead,openedhertalonsanddroppedherfigurine,whichinstantlygrewintoafull-sizedcamel.

Theshaggydromedaryslammedintothemonster’sback.Bothcreaturestumbledoutoftheairandcrashedtothefloorinatangleoflimbsandheads.Thestaffmonstercontinuedtostruggle,butthecamellayontopofitwithitslegssplayed,bleatingandspittingandbasicallygoinglimplikeathousand-poundtoddlerthrowingatantrum.

Fromthethirtieth-floorledge,aman’svoiceboomed:‘WHODARESINTERRUPTMYTRIUMPHALRISE?’

‘Ido!’yelledAnnabeth.‘Comedownandfaceme!’

Shedidn’tliketakingcreditforotherpeople’scamels,butshewantedtokeepthegodfocusedonhersoSadiecoulddo…whateverSadiedecidedtodo.Theyoungmagicianclearlyhadsomegoodtricksuphersleeve.

ThegodSerapisleapedfromhisledge.Heplummetedthirtystoreysandlandedonhisfeetinthemiddleofthegroundfloor,aneasydaggerthrowawayfromAnnabeth.

Notthatshewastemptedtoattack.

Serapisstoodfifteenfeettall.HeworeonlyapairofswimmingtrunksinaHawaiianfloralpattern.Hisbodyrippledwithmuscles.Hisbronzeskinwascoveredinshimmeringtattoosofhieroglyphs,GreeklettersandotherlanguagesAnnabethdidn’trecognize.

Hisfacewasframedwithlong,nappyhairlikeRastafariandreadlocks.AcurlyGreekbeardgrewdowntohiscollarbone.Hiseyeswereseagreen–somuchlikePercy’sthatAnnabethgotgoosebumps.

Normallyshedidn’tlikehairybeardeddudes,butshehadtoadmitthisgodwasattractiveinanolder,wild-surferkindofway.

Hisheadgear,however,ruinedthelook.WhatAnnabethhadtakenforastovepipehatwasactuallyacylindricalwickerbasketembroideredwithimagesofpansies.

‘Excuseme,’shesaid.‘Isthataflowerpotonyourhead?’

Serapisraisedhisbushybrowneyebrows.Hepattedhisheadasifhe’dforgottenaboutthebasket.Afewwheatseedsspilledfromthetop.‘That’samodius,sillygirl.It’soneof

myholysymbols!ThegrainbasketrepresentstheUnderworld,whichIcontrol.’

‘Uh,youdo?’

‘Ofcourse!’Serapisglowered.‘OrIdid,andsoonIwillagain.Butwhoareyoutocriticizemyfashionchoices?AGreekdemigod,bythesmellofyou,carryingaCelestialbronzeweaponandanEgyptianstafffromtheHouseofLife.Whichareyou–heroormagician?’

Annabeth’shandstrembled.Flowerpothatorno,Serapisradiatedpower.Standingsonearhim,Annabethfeltwateryinside,asifherheart,herstomachandhercouragewereallmelting.

Getaholdofyourself,shethought.You’vemetplentyofgodsbefore.

ButSerapiswasdifferent.Hispresencefeltfundamentallywrong–asifsimplybybeingherehewaspullingAnnabeth’sworldinsideout.

Twentyfeetbehindthegod,Sadiethebirdlandedandchangedbacktohumanform.ShegesturedtoAnnabeth:fingertolips(shh),thenrolledherhand(keephimtalking).Shebeganrootingquietlythroughherbag.

Annabethhadnoideawhatherfriendwasplanning,butsheforcedherselftomeetSerapis’seyes.‘WhosaysI’mnotboth–magiciananddemigod?Now,explainwhyyou’rehere!’

Serapis’sfacedarkened.Then,toAnnabeth’ssurprise,hethrewbackhisheadandlaughed,spillingmoregrainfromhismodius.‘Isee!Tryingtoimpressme,eh?Youthinkyourselfworthyofbeingmyhighpriestess?’

Annabethgulped.Therewasonlyoneanswertoaquestionlikethat.‘OfcourseI’mworthy!Why,IwasoncethemagnamaterofAthena’scult!Butareyouworthyofmyservice?’

‘HA!’Serapisgrinned.‘AbigmotherofAthena’scult,eh?Let’sseehowtoughyouare.’

Heflickedhishand.Abathtubflewoutoftheair,straightatAnnabeth’sforcefield.Theporcelainburstintoshrapnelagainstthegoldensphere,butSadie’sstaffbecamesohotthatAnnabethhadtodropit.Thewhitewoodburnedtoashes.

Great,shethought.Twominutes,andI’vealreadyruinedSadie’sstaff.

Herprotectiveshieldwasgone.Shefacedafifteen-foot-tallgodwithonlyherusualweapons–atinydaggerandalotofattitude.

ToAnnabeth’sleft,thethree-headedmonsterwasstillstrugglingtogetoutfromunderthecamel,butthecamelwasheavy,stubbornandfabulouslyuncoordinated.Everytime

themonstertriedtopushitoff,thecamelfartedwithgustoandsplayeditslegsevenfurther.

Meanwhile,Sadiehadtakenapieceofchalkfromherbag.ShescribbledfuriouslyontheconcretefloorbehindSerapis,perhapswritinganiceepitaphtocommemoratetheirimminentdeath.

AnnabethrecalledaquoteherfriendFrankhadoncesharedwithher–somethingfromSunTzu’sTheArtofWar.

Whenweak,actstrong.

AnnabethstoodstraightandlaughedinSerapis’sface.‘Throwthingsatmeallyouwant,LordSerapis.Idon’tevenneedastafftodefendmyself.Mypowersaretoogreat!OrperhapsyouwanttostopwastingmytimeandtellmehowImayserveyou,assumingIagreetobecomeyournewhighpriestess.’

Thegod’sfaceglowedwithoutrage.

Annabethwassurehewoulddroptheentirewhirlwindofdebrisonher,andtherewasnowayshe’dbeabletostopit.Sheconsideredthrowingherdaggeratthegod’seye,thewayherfriendRachelhadoncedistractedtheTitanKronos,butAnnabethdidn’ttrustheraim.

FinallySerapisgaveheratwistedsmile.‘Youhavecourage,girl.I’llgrantyouthat.Andyoudidmakehastetofindme.Perhapsyoucanserve.Youwillbethefirstofmanytogivemeyourpower,yourlife,yourverysoul!’

‘Soundsfun.’AnnabethglancedatSadie,wishingshewouldhurryupwiththatchalkart.

‘Butfirst,’Serapissaid,‘Imusthavemystaff!’

Hegesturedtowardsthecamel.Aredhieroglyphburnedonthecreature’shide,and,withonefinalfart,thepoordromedarydissolvedintoapileofsand.

Thethree-headedmonstergottoitsforepaws,shakingoffthesand.

‘Holdit!’Annabethyelled.

Themonster’sthreeheadssnarledather.

Serapisscowled.‘Whatnow,girl?’

‘Well,Ishould…youknow,presentthestafftoyou,asyourhighpriestess!Weshoulddothingsproperly!’

Annabethlungedforthemonster.Itwasmuchtooheavyforhertopickup,butshestuckherdaggerinherbeltandusedbothhandstograbtheendofthecreature’sconicalshell,draggingitbackwards,awayfromthegod.

Meanwhile,Sadiehaddrawnabigcircleaboutthesizeofahula-hoopontheconcrete.Shewasnowdecoratingitwithhieroglyphs,usingseveraldifferentcoloursofchalk.

Byallmeans,Annabeththoughtwithfrustration.Takeyourtimeandmakeitpretty!

ShemanagedtosmileatSerapiswhileholdingbackthestaffmonsterthatwasstilltryingtoclawitswayforward.

‘Now,mylord,’Annabethsaid,‘tellmeyourgloriousplan!Somethingaboutsoulsandlives?’

Thestaffmonsterhowledinprotest,probablybecauseitcouldseeSadiehidingbehindthegod,doinghertop-secretpavementart.Serapisdidn’tseemtonotice.

‘Behold!’Hespreadhismusculararms.‘Thenewcentreofmypower!’

Redsparksblazedthroughthefrozenwhirlwind.AweboflightconnectedthedotsuntilAnnabethsawtheglowingoutlineofthestructureSerapiswasbuilding:amassivetowerthreehundredfeettall,designedinthreetaperingtiers–asquarebottom,anoctagonalmiddleandacirculartop.AtthezenithblazedafireasbrightasaCyclops’sforge.

‘Alighthouse,’Annabethsaid.‘TheLighthouseofAlexandria.’

‘Indeed,myyoungpriestess.’Serapispacedbackandforthlikeateachergivingalecture,thoughhisfloral-printshortswereprettydistracting.Hiswicker-baskethatkepttiltingtoonesideortheother,spillinggrain.SomehowhestillfailedtonoticeSadiesquattingbehindhim,scribblingprettypictureswithherchalk.

‘Alexandria!’thegodcried.‘Oncethegreatestcityintheworld,theultimatefusionofGreekandEgyptianpower!Iwasitssupremegod,andnowIhaverisenagain.Iwillcreatemynewcapitalhere!’

‘Uh…inRockawayBeach?’

Serapisstoppedandscratchedhisbeard.‘Youhaveapoint.Thatnamewon’tdo.Wewillcallit…Rockandria?Serapaway?Well,we’llfigurethatoutlater!Ourfirststepistocompletemynewlighthouse.Itwillbeabeacontotheworld–drawingthedeitiesofAncientGreeceandEgyptheretomejustasitdidintheolddays.Ishallfeedontheiressenceandbecomethemostpowerfulgodofall!’

Annabethfeltasifshe’dswallowedatablespoonofsalt.‘Feedontheiressence.Youmean,destroythem?’

Serapiswaveddismissively.‘Destroyissuchanuglyword.Ipreferincorporate.Youknowmyhistory,Ihope?WhenAlexandertheGreatconqueredEgypt–’

‘HetriedtomergetheGreekandEgyptianreligions,’Annabethsaid.

‘Triedandfailed.’Serapischuckled.‘AlexanderchoseanEgyptiansungod,Amun,tobehismaindeity.Thatdidn’tworktoowell.TheGreeksdidn’tlikeAmun.Neitherdidthe

EgyptiansoftheNileDelta.TheysawAmunasanuprivergod.ButwhenAlexanderdiedhisgeneraltookoverEgypt.’

‘PtolemytheFirst,’Annabethsaid.

Serapisbeamed,obviouslypleased.‘Yes…Ptolemy.Now,therewasamortalwithvision!’

IttookallofAnnabeth’swillnottostareatSadie,whohadnowcompletedhermagiccircleandwastappingthehieroglyphswithherfinger,mutteringsomethingunderherbreathasiftoactivatethem.

Thethree-headedstaffmonstersnarledindisapproval.Ittriedtolungeforward,andAnnabethbarelymanagedtoholdhimback.Herfingerswereweakening.Thecreature’saurawasasnauseatingasever.

‘Ptolemycreatedanewgod,’shesaid,strainingwitheffort.‘Hecreatedyou.’

Serapisshrugged.‘Well,notfromscratch.Iwasonceaminorvillagegod.Nobodyhadevenheardofme!ButPtolemydiscoveredmystatueandbroughtittoAlexandria.HehadtheGreekandEgyptianpriestsdoauguriesandincantationsandwhatnot.TheyallagreedthatIwasthegreatgodSerapis,andIshouldbeworshippedaboveallothergods.Iwasaninstanthit!’

Sadierosewithinhermagiccircle.Sheunlatchedhersilvernecklaceandbeganswingingitlikealasso.

Thethree-headedmonsterroaredwhatwasprobablyawarningtoitsmaster:Lookout!

ButSerapiswasonaroll.Ashespoke,thehieroglyphicandGreektattoosonhisskinglowedmorebrightly.

‘IbecamethemostimportantgodoftheGreeksandEgyptians!’hesaid.‘Asmorepeopleworshippedme,Idrainedthepoweroftheoldergods.Slowlybutsurely,Itooktheirplace.TheUnderworld?Ibecameitsmaster,replacingbothHadesandOsiris.TheguarddogCerberustransformedintomystaff,whichyounowhold.Histhreeheadsrepresentthepast,presentandfuture–allofwhichIwillcontrolwhenthestaffisreturnedtomygrasp.’

Thegodheldouthishand.Themonsterstrainedtoreachhim.Annabeth’sarmmusclesburned.Herfingersbegantoslip.

Sadiewasstillswingingherpendant,mutteringanincantation.

HolyHecate,Annabeththought,howlongdoesittaketocastastupidspell?

ShecaughtSadie’sgazeandsawthemessageinhereyes:Holdon.Justanotherfewseconds.

Annabethwasn’tsureshehadafewmoreseconds.

‘ThePtolemaicdynasty…’Shegrittedherteeth.‘Itfellcenturiesago.Yourcultwasforgotten.Howisitthatyou’rebacknow?’

Serapissniffed.‘That’snotimportant.Theonewhoawakenedme…well,hehasdelusionsofgrandeur.HethinkshecancontrolmejustbecausehefoundsomeoldspellsintheBookofThoth.’

Behindthegod,Sadieflinchedasifshe’dbeensmackedbetweentheeyes.Apparently,this‘BookofThoth’struckachordwithher.

‘Yousee,’Serapiscontinued,‘backintheday,KingPtolemydecideditwasn’tenoughtomakemeamajorgod.Hewantedtobecomeimmortal,too.Hedeclaredhimselfagod,buthismagicbackfired.Afterhisdeath,hisfamilywascursedforgenerations.ThePtolemaiclinegrewweakerandweakeruntilthatsillygirlCleopatracommittedsuicideandgaveeverythingtotheRomans.’

Thegodsneered.‘Mortals…alwayssogreedy.ThemagicianwhoawakenedmethistimethinkshecandobetterthanPtolemy.RaisingmewasonlyoneofhisexperimentswithhybridGreek-Egyptianmagic.Hewishestomakehimselfagod,buthehasoversteppedhimself.Iamawakenow.Iwillcontroltheuniverse.’

SerapisfixedAnnabethwithhisbrilliantgreeneyes.Hisfeaturesseemedtoshift,remindingAnnabethofmanydifferentOlympians:Zeus,Poseidon,Hades.SomethingabouthissmileevenremindedAnnabethofhermother,Athena.

‘Justthink,littledemigod,’Serapissaid,‘thislighthousewilldrawthegodstomelikemothstoacandle.OnceIhaveconsumedtheirpower,Iwillraiseagreatcity.IwillbuildanewAlexandrianlibrarywithalltheknowledgeoftheancientworld,bothGreekandEgyptian.AsachildofAthena,youshouldappreciatethis.Asmyhighpriestess,thinkofallthepoweryouwillhave!’

AnewAlexandrianlibrary.

Annabethcouldn’tpretendthattheideadidn’tthrillher.Somuchknowledgeoftheancientworldhadbeendestroyedwhenthatlibraryhadburned.

Serapismusthaveseenthehungerinhereyes.

‘Yes.’Heextendedhishand.‘Enoughtalk,girl.Givememystaff!’

‘You’reright,’Annabethcroaked.‘Enoughtalk.’

Shedrewherdaggerandplungeditintothemonster’sshell.

Somanythingscouldhavegonewrong.Mostofthemdid.

Annabethwashopingtheknifewouldsplittheshell,maybeevendestroythemonster.Instead,itopenedatinyfissurethatspewedredmagicashotasalineofmagma.Annabethstumbledback,hereyesstinging.

Serapisbellowed,‘TREACHERY!’Thestaffcreaturehowledandthrashed,itsthreeheadstryinginvaintoreachtheknifestuckinitsback.

Atthesamemoment,Sadiecastherspell.Shethrewhersilvernecklaceandyelled,‘Tyet!’

Thependantexploded.Agiantsilveryhieroglyphenvelopedthegodlikeasee-throughcoffin:

Serapisroaredashisarmswerepinnedtohisside.

Sadieshouted,‘InameyouSerapis,godofAlexandria!Godof…uh,funnyhatsandthree-headedstaffs!IbindyouwiththepowerofIsis!’

Debrisbeganfallingoutoftheair,crashingaroundAnnabeth.Shedodgedabrickwallandafusebox.ThenshenoticedthewoundedstaffmonstercrawlingtowardsSerapis.

Shelungedinthatdirection,onlytogetsmackedintheheadbyafallingpieceoftimber.Shehitthefloorhard,herskullthrobbing,andwasimmediatelyburiedinmoredebris.

Shetookashakybreath.‘Ow,ow,ow.’

Atleastshehadn’tbeenburiedinbricks.Shekickedherwayoutofapileofplywoodandpluckedasix-inchsplinteroutofhershirt.

ThemonsterhadmadeittoSerapis’sfeet.Annabethknewsheshouldhavestabbedoneofthemonster’sheads,butshejustcouldn’tmakeherselfdoit.Shewasalwaysasoftiewhenitcametoanimals,eveniftheywerepartofamagicalevilcreaturetryingtokillher.Nowitwastoolate.

Thegodflexedhisconsiderablemuscles.Thesilveryprisonshatteredaroundhim.Thethree-headedstaffflewintohishand,andSerapisturnedonSadieKane.

Herprotectivecircleevaporatedinacloudofredsteam.

‘Youwouldbindme?’Serapiscried.‘Youwouldnameme?Youdonotevenhavetheproperlanguagetonameme,littlemagician!’

Annabethstaggeredforward,butherbreathingwasshallow.NowthatSerapisheldthestaff,hisaurafelttentimesmorepowerful.Annabeth’searsbuzzed.Heranklesturnedto

mush.Shecouldfeelherlifeforcebeingdrainedaway–vacuumedintotheredhaloofthegod.

Somehow,Sadiestoodherground,herexpressiondefiant.‘Right,LordCerealBowl.Youwantproperlanguage?HA-DI!’

AnewhieroglyphblazedinSerapis’sface:

Butthegodswipeditoutoftheairwithhisfreehand.Heclosedhisfistandsmokeshotbetweenhisfingers,asifhe’djustcrushedaminiaturesteamengine.

Sadiegulped.‘That’simpossible.How–’

‘Expectinganexplosion?’Serapislaughed.‘Sorrytodisappointyou,child,butmypowerisbothGreekandEgyptian.Itcombinesboth,consumesboth,replacesboth.YouarefavouredofIsis,Isee?Excellent.Shewasoncemywife.’

‘What?’Sadiecried.‘No.No,no,no.’

‘Oh,yes!WhenIdeposedbothOsirisandZeus,Isiswasforcedtoserveme.NowIwilluseyouasagatewaytosummonherhereandbindher.Isiswillonceagainbemyqueen!’

Serapisthrustouthisstaff.Fromeachofthethreemonstrousmouths,redtendrilsoflightshotforth,encirclingSadielikethornybranches.

Sadiescreamed,andAnnabethfinallyovercamehershock.

Shegrabbedthenearestsheetofplywood–awobblysquareaboutthesizeofashield–andtriedtorememberherUltimateFrisbeelessonsfromCampHalf-Blood.

‘Hey,GrainHead!’sheyelled.

Shetwistedfromthewaist,usingtheforceofherentirebody.TheplywoodsailedthroughtheairjustasSerapisturnedtolookather,andtheedgesmackedhimbetweentheeyes.

‘GAH!’

AnnabethdivedtoonesideasSerapisblindlythrusthisstaffinherdirection.Thethreemonsterheadsblastedsuper-heatedplumesofvapour,meltingaholeintheconcretewhereAnnabethhadjustbeenstanding.

Shekeptmoving,pickingherwaythroughmoundsofdebristhatnowlitteredthefloor.Shedivedbehindapileofbrokentoiletsasthegod’sstaffblastedanothertriplecolumnofsteaminherdirection,comingsoclosethatshefeltblistersriseonthebackofherneck.

AnnabethspottedSadieaboutthirtyyardsaway,onherfeetandstaggeringawayfromSerapis.Atleastshewasstillalive.ButAnnabethknewshewouldneedtimetorecover.

‘Hey,Serapis!’Annabethcalledfrombehindthemountainofcommodes.‘Howdidthatplywoodtaste?’

‘ChildofAthena!’thegodbellowed.‘Iwilldevouryourlifeforce!Iwilluseyoutodestroyyourwretchedmother!Youthinkyouarewise?Youarenothingcomparedtotheonewhoawakenedme,andevenhedoesnotunderstandthepowerhehasunleashed.Noneofyoushallgainthecrownofimmortality.Icontrolthepast,presentandfuture.Ialonewillrulethegods!’

Andthankyouforthelongspeech,Annabeththought.

BythetimeSerapisblastedherposition,turningthetoiletsintoaporcelainslagheap,Annabethhadcrepthalfwayacrosstheroom.

ShewassearchingforSadiewhenthemagicianpoppedupfromherhidingplace,onlytenfeetaway,andshouted:‘Suh-FAH!’

Annabethturnedasanewhieroglyph,twentyfeettall,blazedonthewallbehindSerapis:

Mortardisintegrated.Thesideofthebuildinggroaned,andasSerapisscreamed,‘NO!’theentirewallcollapsedontopofhiminabricktidalwave,buryinghimunderathousandtonsofwreckage.

Annabethchokedonacloudofdust.Hereyesstung.Shefeltasifshe’dbeenparboiledinaricecooker,butshestumbledtoSadie’sside.

Theyoungmagicianwascoveredinlimepowderasifshe’dbeenrolledinsugar.Shestaredatthegapingholeshe’dmadeinthesideofthebuilding.

‘Thatworked,’shemuttered.

‘Itwasgenius.’Annabethsqueezedhershoulders.‘Whatspellwasthat?’

‘Loosen,’Sadiesaid.‘Ireckoned…well,makingthingsfallapartisusuallyeasierthanputtingthemtogether.’

Asifinagreement,theremainingshellofthebuildingcreakedandrumbled.

‘Comeon.’AnnabethtookSadie’shand.‘Weneedtogetoutofhere.Thesewalls–’

Thefoundationsshook.Frombeneaththerubblecameamuffledroar.Shaftsofredlightshotfromgapsinthedebris.

‘Oh,please!’Sadieprotested.‘He’sstillalive?’

Annabeth’sheartsank,butshewasn’tsurprised.‘He’sagod.He’simmortal.’

‘Well,thenhow–?’

Serapis’shand,stillclutchinghisstaff,thrustthroughthebricksandboards.Themonster’sthreeheadsblastedshaftsofsteaminalldirections.Annabeth’skniferemainedhilt-deepinthemonster’sshell,thescarrounditventingred-hothieroglyphs,GreeklettersandEnglishcursewords–thousandsofyearsofbadlanguagespillingfree.

Likeatimeline,Annabeththought.

Suddenlyanideaclickedinhermind.‘Past,presentandfuture.Hecontrolsthemall.’

‘What?’Sadieasked.

‘Thestaffisthekey,’Annabethsaid.‘Wehavetodestroyit.’

‘Yes,but–’

Annabethsprintedtowardsthepileofrubble.Hereyeswerefixedonthehiltofherdagger,butshewastoolate.

Serapis’sotherarmbrokefree,thenhishead,hisflower-baskethatcrushedandleakinggrain.Annabeth’splywoodFrisbeehadbrokenhisnoseandblackenedhiseyes,leavingamasklikearaccoon’s.

‘Killyou!’hebellowed,justasSadieyelledanencore:‘Suh-FAH!’

Annabethbeatahastyretreat,andSerapisscreamed,‘NO!’asanotherthirty-storeysectionofwallcollapsedontopofhim.

ThemagicmusthavebeentoomuchforSadie.Shecrumpledlikearagdoll,andAnnabethcaughtherjustbeforeherheadhittheground.Astheremainingsectionsofwallshudderedandleanedinward,Annabethscoopeduptheyoungergirlandcarriedheroutside.

Somehowsheclearedthebuildingbeforetherestofitcollapsed.Annabethheardthetremendousroar,butshewasn’tsureifitwasthedevastationbehindherorthesoundofherownskullsplittingfrompainandexhaustion.

Shestaggeredonuntilshereachedthesubwaytracks.ShesetSadiedowngentlyintheweeds.

Sadie’seyesrolledbackinherhead.Shemutteredincoherently.HerskinfeltsofeverishthatAnnabethhadtofightdownasenseofpanic.Steamrosefromthemagician’ssleeves.

Overbythetrainwreck,themortalshadnoticedthenewdisaster.Emergencyvehicleswerepeelingaway,headingforthecollapsedapartmentbuilding.Anewshelicoptercircledoverhead.

Annabethwastemptedtoyellformedicalhelp,but,beforeshecould,Sadieinhaledsharply.Hereyelidsfluttered.

Shespatachipofconcreteoutofhermouth,satupweaklyandstaredatthecolumnofdustchurningintotheskyfromtheirlittleadventure.

‘Right,’Sadiemuttered.‘Whatshouldwedestroynext?’

Annabethsobbedwithrelief.‘Thankthegodsyou’reokay.Youwereliterallysteaming.’

‘Hazardofthetrade.’Sadiebrushedsomedustoffherface.‘ToomuchmagicandIcanliterallyburnup.That’saboutasclosetoself-immolationasI’dliketocometoday.’

Annabethnodded.She’dbeenjealousofallthosecoolspellsSadiecouldcast,butnowshewasgladtobejustademigod.‘Nomoremagicforyou.’

‘Notforawhile.’Sadiegrimaced.‘Idon’tsupposeSerapisisdefeated?’

Annabethgazedtowardsthesiteofthewould-belighthouse.Shewantedtothinkthegodwasgone,butsheknewbetter.Shecouldstillfeelhisauradisruptingtheworld,pullingathersoulanddrainingherenergy.

‘We’vegotafewminutesatbest,’sheguessed.‘He’llworkhiswayfree.Thenhe’llcomeafterus.’

Sadiegroaned.‘Weneedreinforcements.Sadly,Idon’thaveenoughenergytoopenaportal,evenifIcouldfindone.Isisisn’trespondingtome,either.SheknowsbetterthantoshowupandhaveheressenceabsorbedbyLordCerealBowl.’Shesighed.‘Idon’tsupposeyouhaveanyotherdemigodsonspeeddial?’

‘Ifonly…’Annabethfaltered.

Sherealizedherownbackpackwasstillonhershoulder.Howhaditnotslippedoffduringthefight?Andwhydiditfeelsolight?

Sheunslungthepackandopenedthetop.Thearchitecturebooksweregone.Instead,nestledatthebottomwasabrownie-sizedsquareofambrosiawrappedincellophane,andunderthat…

Annabeth’slowerliptrembled.Shepulledoutsomethingshehadn’tcarriedwithherinalongtime:herbatteredblueNewYorkYankeescap.

Sheglancedupatthedarkeningsky.‘Mom?’

Noreply,butAnnabethcouldn’tthinkofanyotherexplanation.Hermotherhadsentherhelp.Therealizationbothencouragedandterrifiedher.IfAthenawastakingapersonalinterestinthissituation,Serapistrulywasamonumentalthreat–notjusttoAnnabethbuttothegods.

‘It’sabaseballcap,’Sadienoted.‘Isthatgood?’

‘I–Ithinkso,’Annabethsaid.‘ThelasttimeIworeit,themagicdidn’twork.Butifitdoes…Imighthaveaplan.It’llbeyourturntokeepSerapisdistracted.’

Sadiefrowned.‘DidImentionI’moutofmagic?’

‘That’sokay,’Annabethsaid.‘Howareyouatbluffing,lyingandtrash-talking?’

Sadieraisedaneyebrow.‘I’vebeentoldthosearemymostattractivequalities.’

‘Excellent,’Annabethsaid.‘Thenit’stimeItaughtyousomeGreek.’

Theydidn’thavelong.

AnnabethhadbarelyfinishedcoachingSadiewhentheruinedbuildingshook,debrisexplodedoutward,andSerapisemerged,roaringandcursing.

Startledemergencyworkersscatteredfromthescene,buttheydidn’tseemtonoticethefifteen-foot-tallgodmarchingawayfromthewreckage,histhree-headedstaffspewingsteamandredbeamsofmagicintothesky.

SerapisheadedstraightinSadieandAnnabeth’sdirection.

‘Ready?’Annabethasked.

Sadieexhaled.‘DoIhaveachoice?’

‘Here.’Annabethgaveherthesquareofambrosia.‘Demigodfood.Itmightrestoreyourstrength.’

‘Might,eh?’

‘IfIcanuseyourhealingpotion,youshouldbeabletoeatambrosia.’

‘Cheers,then.’Sadietookabite.Colourreturnedtohercheeks.Hereyesbrightened.‘Tasteslikemygran’sscones.’

Annabethsmiled.‘Ambrosiaalwaystasteslikeyourfavouritecomfortfood.’

‘That’sashame.’Sadietookanotherbiteandswallowed.‘Gran’ssconesarealwaysburntandratherhorrid.Ah–herecomesourfriend.’

Serapiskickedafireengineoutofhiswayandlumberedtowardsthetraintracks.Hedidn’tseemtohavespottedSadieandAnnabethyet,butAnnabethguessedhecouldsensethem.Hescannedthehorizon,hisexpressionfullofmurderousrage.

‘Herewego.’AnnabethdonnedherYankeescap.

Sadie’seyeswidened.‘Welldone.You’requiteinvisible.Youwon’tstartshootingsparks,willyou?’

‘WhywouldIdothat?’

‘Oh…mybrothercastaninvisibilityspellonce.Didn’tworkoutsowell.Anyway,goodluck.’

‘You,too.’

AnnabethdashedtoonesideasSadiewavedherarmsandyelled,‘Oi,Serapis!’

‘DEATHTOYOU!’thegodbellowed.

Hebarrelledforward,hismassivefeetmakingcratersinthetarmac.

Asthey’dplanned,Sadiebackedtowardsthebeach.AnnabethcrouchedbehindanabandonedcarandwaitedforSerapistopass.Invisibleornot,shewasn’tgoingtotakeanychances.

‘Comeon!’Sadietauntedthegod.‘Isthatthefastestyoucanrun,youovergrownvillageidiot?’

‘RAR!’ThegodchargedpastAnnabeth’sposition.

SheranafterSerapis,whocaughtupwithSadieattheedgeofthesurf.

Thegodraisedhisglowingstaff,allthreemonstrousheadsbelchingsteam.‘Anylastwords,magician?’

‘Foryou?Yes!’Sadiewhirledherarmsinmovementsthatcould’vebeenmagic–orpossiblykungfu.

‘Meanaaedeithea!’ShechantedthelinesAnnabethhadtaughther.‘En…pontepathenalgae!’

Annabethwinced.Sadie’spronunciationwasprettybad.She’dgotthefirstlineright,moreorless:Singofrage,Ogoddess.Butthesecondlineshould’vebeen:Inthesea,suffermisery.Instead,Sadiehadsaidsomethinglike:Inthesea,suffermoss!

Fortunately,thesoundofAncientGreekwasenoughtoshockSerapis.Thegodwavered,histhree-headedstaffstillraised.‘Whatareyou–’

‘Isis,hearme!’Sadiecontinued.‘Athena,tomyaid!’Sherattledoffsomemorephrases–someGreek,someAncientEgyptian.

Meanwhile,Annabethsneakedupbehindthegod,hereyesonthedaggerstillimpaledinthemonster’sshell.IfSerapiswouldjustlowerhisstaff…

‘Alpha,beta,gamma!’Sadiecried.‘Gyros,spanakopita.Presto!’Shebeamedintriumph.‘There.You’redonefor!’

Serapisstaredather,clearlybaffled.Theredtattoosonhisskindimmed.Afewofthesymbolsturnedintoquestionmarksandsadfaces.Annabethcreptcloser…twentyfeetfromhimnow.

‘Donefor?’Serapisasked.‘Whatonearthareyoutalkingabout,girl?I’mabouttodestroyyou.’

‘Andifyoudo,’Sadiewarned,‘youwillactivatethedeathlinkthatsendsyoutooblivion!’

‘Deathlink?Thereisnosuchthing!’Serapisloweredhisstaff.ThethreeanimalheadswerelevelwithAnnabeth’seyes.

Herheartpounded.Tenfeettogo.Then,ifshejumped,shemightbeabletoreachthedagger.She’donlyhaveonechancetopullitout.

Theheadsofthestaffdidn’tseemtonoticeher.Theysnarledandsnapped,spittingsteaminrandomdirections.Wolf,lion,dog–past,presentandfuture.

Todomaximumdamage,sheknewwhichheadshehadtostrike.

Butwhydidthefuturehavetobeadog?ThatblackLabradorwastheleastthreateningofthemonsterheads.Withitsbiggoldeyesandfloppyears,itremindedAnnabethoftoomanyfriendlypetsshe’dknown.

It’snotarealanimal,shetoldherself.It’spartofamagicalstaff.

But,asshegotwithinstrikingdistance,herarmsgrewheavy.Shecouldn’tlookatthedogwithoutfeelingguilty.

Thefutureisagoodthing,thedogseemedtosay.It’scuteandfuzzy!

IfAnnabethstruckattheLabrador’shead,whatifshekilledherownfuture–theplansshehadforcollege,theplansshe’dmadewithPercy…?

Sadiewasstilltalking.Hertonehadtakenonaharderedge.

‘Mymother,RubyKane,’SadietoldSerapis,‘shegaveherlifetosealApophisintheDuat.Apophis,mindyou–whoisthousandsofyearsolderthanyouandmuchmorepowerful.SoifyouthinkI’mgoingtoletasecond-rategodtakeovertheworld,thinkagain!’

Theangerinhervoicewasnomerebluff,andsuddenlyAnnabethwasgladshe’dgivenSadiethejoboffacingdownSerapis.Themagicianwassurprisinglyterrifyingwhenshewantedtobe.

Serapisshiftedhisweightuneasily.‘Iwilldestroyyou!’

‘Goodluck,’Sadiesaid.‘I’veboundyouwithGreekandEgyptianspellssopowerfultheywillscatteryouratomstothestars.’

‘Youlie!’Serapisyelled.‘Ifeelnospelluponme.Eventheonewhosummonedmehadnosuchmagic.’

Annabethwasfacetofacewiththeblackdog.Thedaggerwasjustoverhead,buteverymoleculeinherbodyrebelledattheideaofkillingtheanimal…killingthefuture.

Meanwhile,Sadiemanagedabravelaugh.‘Theonewhosummonedyou?YoumeanthatoldconartistSetne?’

Annabethdidn’tknowthename,butSerapisobviouslydid.Theairaroundhimrippledwithheat.Thelionsnarled.Thewolfbareditsteeth.

‘Oh,yes,’Sadiecontinued.‘I’mveryfamiliarwithSetne.Isupposehedidn’ttellyouwholethimbackintotheworld.He’sonlyalivebecauseIsparedhim.Youthinkhismagicispowerful?Tryme.DoitNOW.’

Annabethstirred.SherealizedSadiewastalkingtoher,notthegod.Thebluffwasgettingold.Shewasoutoftime.

Serapissneered.‘Nicetry,magician.’

Asheraisedhisstafftostrike,Annabethjumped.Herhandclosedroundthehiltofthedagger,andshepulleditfree.

‘What?’Serapiscried.

Annabethletlooseagutturalsobandplungedherdaggerintothedog’sneck.

Sheexpectedanexplosion.

Instead,thedaggerwassuckedintothedog’snecklikeapaperclipintoavacuumcleaner.Annabethbarelyhadtimetoletgo.

Sherolledfreeasthedoghowled,shrinkingandshrivellinguntilitimplodedintothemonster’sshell.Serapisroared.Heshookhissceptrebuthecouldn’tseemtoletgoofit.

‘Whathaveyoudone?’hecried.

‘Takenyourfuture,’Annabethsaid.‘Withoutthat,you’renothing.’

Thestaffcrackedopen.ItgrewsohotthatAnnabethfeltthehairsonherarmsstarttoburn.Shecrawledbackwardsthroughthesandasthelionandwolfheadsweresuckedintotheshell.Theentirestaffcollapsedintoaredfireballinthegod’spalm.

Serapistriedtoshakeitoff.Itonlyglowedbrighter.Hisfingerscurledinward.Hishandwasconsumed.Hisentirearmcontractedandvaporizedasitwasdrawnintothefierysphere.

‘Icannotbedestroyed!’Serapisyelled.‘Iamthepinnacleofyourworldscombined!Withoutmyguidance,youwillneverattainthecrown!Youallshallperish!Youshall–’

Thefireballflaredandsuckedthegodintoitsvortex.Thenitwinkedoutasifithadneverexisted.

‘Ugh,’Sadiesaid.

Theysatonthebeachatsunset,watchingthetideandlisteningtothewailofemergencyvehiclesbehindthem.

PoorRockaway.Firstahurricane.Thenatrainwreck,abuildingcollapseandarampaginggodallinoneday.Somecommunitiesnevercatchabreak.

AnnabethsippedherRibena–aBritishdrinkthatSadiehadsummonedfromher‘personalstoragearea’intheDuat.

‘Don’tworry,’Sadieassuredher.‘Summoningsnacksisn’thardmagic.’

AsthirstyasAnnabethwas,theRibenatastedevenbetterthannectar.

Sadieseemedtobeonthemend.Theambrosiahaddoneitswork.Now,ratherthanlookingasifshewasatdeath’sdoor,shemerelylookedasifshe’dbeenrunoverbyapackofmules.

ThewaveslappedatAnnabeth’sfeet,helpingherrelax,butstillshefeltaresidualdisquietfromherencounterwithSerapis–ahumminginherbody,asifallherboneshadbecometuningforks.

‘Youmentionedaname,’sherecalled.‘Setne?’

Sadiewrinkledhernose.‘Longstory.Evilmagician,backfromthedead.’

‘Oh,Ihateitwhenevilpeoplecomebackfromthedead.Yousaid…youallowedhimtogofree?’

‘Well,mybrotherandIneededhishelp.Atthetime,wedidn’thavemuchchoice.Atanyrate,SetneescapedwiththeBookofThoth,themostdangerouscollectionofspellsintheworld.’

‘AndSetneusedthatmagictoawakenSerapis.’

‘Standstoreason.’Sadieshrugged.‘Thecrocodilemonstermybrotherandyourboyfriendfoughtawhileago,theSonofSobek…Iwouldn’tbesurprisedifthatwasanotherofSetne’sexperiments.He’stryingtocombineGreekandEgyptianmagic.’

Afterthedayshe’djusthad,Annabethwantedtoputherinvisibilitycapbackon,crawlintoaholeandsleepforever.She’dsavedtheworldenoughtimesalready.Shedidn’twanttothinkaboutanotherpotentialthreat.Yetshecouldn’tignoreit.ShefingeredthebrimofherYankeescapandthoughtaboutwhyhermotherhadgivenitbacktohertoday–itsmagicrestored.

Athenaseemedtobesendingamessage:Therewillalwaysbethreatstoopowerfultofacehead-on.Youarenotdonewithstealth.Youmusttreadcarefullyhere.

‘Setnewantstobeagod,’Annabethsaid.

Thewindoffthewatersuddenlyturnedcold.Itsmelledlesslikefreshseaair,morelikeburningruins.

‘Agod…’Sadieshuddered.‘ThatscrawnyoldcodgerwiththeloinclothandElvishair.Whatahorriblethought.’

AnnabethtriedtopicturetheguySadiewasdescribing.Thenshedecidedshedidn’twantto.

‘IfSetne’sgoalisimmortality,’Annabethsaid,‘wakingSerapiswon’tbehislasttrick.’

Sadielaughedwithouthumour.‘Oh,no.He’sonlyplayingwithusnow.TheSonofSobek…Serapis.I’dwagerthatSetneplannedbotheventsjusttoseewhatwouldhappen,howthedemigodsandmagicianswouldreact.He’stestinghisnewmagic,andourcapabilities,beforehemakeshisrealbidforpower.’

‘Hecan’tsucceed,’Annabethsaidhopefully.‘Noonecanmakethemselvesagodjustbycastingaspell.’

Sadie’sexpressionwasn’treassuring.‘Ihopeyou’reright.BecauseagodwhoknowsbothGreekandEgyptianmagic,whocancontrolbothworlds…Ican’tevenimagine.’

Annabeth’sstomachtwistedasifitwerelearninganewyogaposition.Inanywar,goodplanningwasmoreimportantthansheerpower.IfthisSetnehadorchestratedPercyandCarter’sbattlewiththatcrocodile,ifhe’dengineeredSerapis’srisesoSadieandAnnabethwouldbedrawntoconfronthim…Anenemywhoplannedsowellwouldbeveryhardtostop.

Shedughertoesintothesand.‘Serapissaidsomethingelsebeforehedisappeared–youwillneverattainthecrown.Ithoughthemeantitlikeametaphor.ThenIrememberedwhathesaidaboutPtolemyI,thekingwhotriedtobecomeagod–’

‘Thecrownofimmortality,’Sadierecalled.‘Maybeapschent.’

Annabethfrowned.‘Idon’tknowthatword.Ashent?’

Sadiespelledit.‘AnEgyptiancrown,looksratherlikeabowlingpin.Notalovelyfashionstatement,butthepschentinvestedthepharaohwithhisdivinepower.IfSetneistryingtore-createtheoldking’sgod-makingmagic,IbetfivequidandaplateofGran’sburntsconesthathe’stryingtofindthecrownofPtolemy.’

Annabethdecidednottotakethatbet.‘Wehavetostophim.’

‘Right.’SadiesippedherRibena.‘I’llgobacktoBrooklynHouse.AfterIsmackmybrotherfornotconfidinginmeaboutyoudemigodtypes,I’llputourresearcherstowork

andseewhatwecanlearnaboutPtolemy.Perhapshiscrownissittinginamuseumsomewhere.’Sadiecurledherlip.‘ThoughIdohatemuseums.’

Annabethtracedherfingerthroughthesand.Withoutreallythinkingaboutit,shedrewthehieroglyphicsymbolforIsis:thetyet.‘I’lldosomeresearch,too.MyfriendsintheHecatecabinmayknowsomethingaboutPtolemy’smagic.MaybeIcangetmymomtoadviseme.’

Thinkingabouthermothermadeheruneasy.

Today,SerapishadbeenonthevergeofdestroyingbothAnnabethandSadie.He’dthreatenedtousethemasgatewaystodrawAthenaandIsistotheirdoom.

Sadie’seyeswerestormy,asifshewerethinkingthesamethoughts.‘Wecan’tletSetnekeepexperimenting.He’llripourworldsapart.Wehavetofindthiscrown,or–’

Sheglancedintotheskyandhervoicefaltered.‘Ah,myrideishere.’

Annabethturned.ForamomentshethoughttheArgoIIwasdescendingfromtheclouds,butthiswasadifferentkindofflyingboat–asmallerEgyptianreedbarquewithpaintedeyesontheprowandasinglewhitesailemblazonedwiththetyetsymbol.

Itsettledgentlyattheedgeofthesurf.

Sadieroseandbrushedthesandoffhertrousers.‘Giveyoualifthome?’

AnnabethtriedtoimagineaboatlikethissailingintoCampHalf-Blood.‘Um,it’sokay.Icanmakeitback.’

‘Suityourself.’Sadieshoulderedherpack,thenhelpedAnnabethup.‘YousayCarterdrewahieroglyphonyourboyfriend’shand.Allwellandgood,butI’dratherstayintouchwithyoudirectly.’

Annabethsmirked.‘You’reright.Can’ttrustboystocommunicate.’

Theyexchangedcell-phonenumbers.

‘Justdon’tcallunlessit’surgent,’Annabethwarned.‘Cell-phoneactivityattractsmonsters.’

Sadielookedsurprised.‘Really?Nevernoticed.IsupposeIshouldn’tsendyouanyfunny-faceselfiesonInstagram,then.’

‘Probablynot.’

‘Well,untilnexttime.’SadiethrewherarmsroundAnnabeth.

Annabethwasalittleshockedtobegettingahugfromagirlshe’djustmet–agirlwhocouldjustaseasilyhaveseenAnnabethasanenemy.Butthegesturemadeherfeelgood.Inlife-and-deathsituations,Annabethhadlearned,youcouldmakefriendsprettyquickly.

ShepattedSadie’sshoulder.‘Staysafe.’

‘Hardlyever.’Sadieclimbedinherboat,anditpushedouttosea.Fogroseoutofnowhere,thickeningaroundthevessel.Whenthemistcleared,theshipandSadieKaneweregone.

Annabethstaredattheemptyocean.ShethoughtabouttheMistandtheDuatandhowtheywereconnected.

MostlyshethoughtaboutthestaffofSerapis,andthehowltheblackdoghadmadewhenshe’dstabbeditwithherdagger.

‘Thatwasn’tmyfutureIdestroyed,’sheassuredherself.‘Imakemyownfuture.’

ButsomewhereoutthereamagiciannamedSetnehadotherideas.IfAnnabethwasgoingtostophim,shehadplanningtodo.

Sheturnedandsetoutacrossthebeach,headingeastonthelongjourneybacktoCampHalf-Blood.

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PublishedbythePenguinGroupPenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,EnglandPenguinGroup(USA)LLC,375HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014,USAPenguinGroup(Canada),90EglintonAvenueEast,Suite700,Toronto,Ontario,CanadaM4P2Y3(adivisionofPearsonPenguinCanadaInc.)PenguinIreland,25StStephen’sGreen,Dublin2,Ireland(adivisionofPenguinBooksLtd)PenguinGroup(Australia),707CollinsStreet,Melbourne,Victoria3008,Australia(adivisionofPearsonAustraliaGroupPtyLtd)PenguinBooksIndiaPvtLtd,11CommunityCentre,PanchsheelPark,NewDelhi–110017,IndiaPenguinGroup(NZ),67ApolloDrive,Rosedale,Auckland0632,NewZealand(adivisionofPearsonNewZealandLtd)PenguinBooks(SouthAfrica)(Pty)Ltd,BlockD,RosebankOfficePark,181JanSmutsAvenue,ParktownNorth,Gauteng2193,SouthAfrica

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FirstpublishedintheUSAbyDisneyoHyperionBooks,animprintofDisneyBookGroup,2014PublishedsimultaneouslyinGreatBritainasanelectroniceditionbyPuffinBooks2014

Textcopyright©RickRiordan,2014HieroglyphartbyMichelleGengaro-KokmenAllrightsreserved

Themoralrightoftheauthorandillustratorhasbeenasserted

ISBN:978-0-14-135543-6