"Percy," Chiron urged. "Read the rest."

 

My mouth felt like it was full of sand, but I spoke the last two lines.

 

"A single choice shall. . . shall end his days.

 

Olympus to per — pursue — "

 

"Preserve, " Annabeth said gently. "It means to save . "

 

"I know what it means," I grumbled. "Olympus to preserve or raze. "

 

The room was silent. Finally Connor Stoll said, "Raise is good, isn't it?"

 

"Not raise," Silena said. Her voice was hollow, but I was startled to hear her

speak at all. "R-a-z-e means destroy . "

 

"Obliterate," Annabeth said. "Annihilate. Turn to rubble."

 

"Got it." My heart felt like lead. "Thanks."

 

Everybody was looking at me — with concern, or pity, or maybe a little fear.

 

Chiron closed his eyes as if he were saying a prayer. In horse form, his head

almost brushed the lights in the rec room. " Y ou see now, Percy, why we thought