Skeletal warriors guarded the only exit. They wore tattered U.S. Army desert

combat fatigues and carried Ml 6s.

 

The third Fury deposited Nico next to me. Then all three of them settled on the

top of the skeletal throne. I resisted the urge to strangle Nico. They'd only

stop me. I'd have to wait for my revenge.

 

I stared at the empty thrones, waiting for something to happen. Then the air

shimmered. Three figures appeared — Hades and Persephone on their thrones, and

an older woman standing between them. They seemed to be in the middle of an

argument. " — told you he was a bum!" the older woman said.

 

"Mother!" Persephone replied.

 

"We have visitors!" Hades barked. "Please!"

 

Hades, one of my least favorite gods, smoothed his black robes, which were

covered with the terrified faces of the damned. He had pale skin and the intense

eyes of a madman.

 

"Percy Jackson," he said with satisfaction. "At last."

 

Queen Persephone studied me curiously. I'd seen her once before in the winter,

but now in the su mm er she looked like a totally different goddess. She had