"Mom, I know. I could die. Nico explained that. But if we don't try — "

 

"We'll all die," Nico said. He hadn't touched his lemonade. "Ms. Jackson, we

don't stand a chance against an invasion. And there will be an invasion."

 

"An invasion of New York?" Paul said. "Is that even possible? How could we not

see the . . . the monsters?"

 

He said the word like he still couldn't believe this was real.

 

"I don't know," I admitted. "I don't see how Kronos could just march into

Manhattan, but the Mist is strong. Typhon is trampling across the country right

now, and mortals think he's a storm system."

 

"Ms. Jackson," Nico said, "Percy needs your blessing. The process has to start

that way. I wasn't sure until we met Luke's mom, but now I'm positive. This has

only been done successfully twice before. Both times, the mother had to give her

blessing. She had to be willing to let her son take the risk."

 

"You want me to bless this?" She shook her head. "It's crazy. Percy, please — "

 

"Mom, I can't do it without you."

 

"And if you survive this . . . this process?"