The old satyr didn't look nearly so happy. "Will someone — what is this

underworld creature doing in my forest!" He waved his arms and trotted on his

hooves as if the grass were hot. "You there, Percy Jackson! Is this your beast?"

 

"Sorry, Leneus," I said. "That's your name, right?"

 

The satyr rolled his eyes. His fur was dust-bunny gray, and a spiderweb grew

between his horns. His belly would've made him an invincible bumper car. "Well,

of course I'm Leneus. Don't tell me you've forgotten a member of the Council so

quickly. Now, call off your beast!"

 

"WOOF!" Mrs. O'Leary said happily.

 

The old satyr gulped. "Make it go away! Juniper, I will not help you under these

circumstances!"

 

Juniper turned toward me. She was pretty in a dryad-y way, with her purple

gossamer dress and her elfish face, but her eyes were green-tinted with

chlorophyll from crying.

 

"Percy," she sniffled. "I was just asking about Grover. I know something's

happened. He wouldn't stay gone this long if he wasn't in trouble. I was hoping

that Leneus — "