incompetent help, Percy Jackson. But it doesn't matter. We have you now. We've

known you were coming for weeks."

 

He held out his hand and dangled a little silver bracelet with a scythe charm —

the Titan lord's symbol.

 

The wound in my arm was sapping my ability to think, but I muttered,

"Communication device . . . spy at camp."

 

Kronos chuckled. "You can't count on friends. They will always let you down.

Luke learned that lesson the hard way. Now drop your sword and surrender to me,

or your friend dies."

 

I swallowed. One of the giants had his hand around Beckendorfs neck. I was in no

shape to rescue him, and even if I tried, he would die before I got there. We

both would.

 

Beckendorf mouthed one word: Go.

 

I shook my head. I couldn't just leave him.

 

The second giant was still rummaging through the peach cans, which meant

Beckendorfs left arm was free. He raised it slowly — toward the watch on his

right wrist.