His ears turned red. "Percy, I told you I was sorry. Please ... let me come with

you. I want to fight."

 

"You'll be more help down here."

 

"You mean you don't trust me anymore," he said miserably.

 

I didn't answer. I didn't know what I meant. I was too stunned by what I'd just

done in battle to think clearly.

 

"Just go back to your father," I said, trying not to sound too harsh. "Work on

him. You're the only person who might be able to get him to listen."

 

"That's a depressing thought." Nico sighed. "All right. I'll do my best.

Besides, he's still hiding something from me about my mom. Maybe I can find out

what."

 

"Good luck. Now Mrs. O'Leary and I have to go."

 

"Where?" Nico said.

 

I looked at the cave entrance and thought about the long climb back to the world

of the living. "To get this war started. It's time I found Luke."