"We found him amidships," one of the giants said, "trying to sneak to the engine

room. Can we eat him now?"

 

"Soon." Kronos scowled at Ethan. "Are you sure he didn't set the explosives?"

 

"He was going toward the engine room, my lord."

 

"How do you know that?"

 

"Er . . ." Ethan shifted uncomfortably. "He was heading in that direction. And

he told us. His bag is still full of explosives."

 

Slowly, I began to understand. Beckendorf had fooled them. When he'd realized he

was going to be captured, he turned to make it look like he was going the other

way. He'd convinced them he hadn't made it to the engine room yet. The Greek

fire might still be primed! But that didn't do us any good unless we could get

off the ship and detonate it.

 

Kronos hesitated.

 

Buy the story, 1 prayed. The pain in my arm was so bad now I could barely stand.

 

"Open his bag," Kronos ordered.