window.

 

Annabeth gripped the hilt.

 

"Knives are only for the bravest and quickest fighters," Luke explained. "They

don't have the reach or power of a sword, but they're easy to conceal and they

can find weak spots in your enemy's armor. It takes a clever warrior to use a

knife. I have a feeling you're pretty clever."

 

Annabeth stared at him with adoration. "I am!"

 

Thalia grinned. "We'd better get going, Annabeth. We have a safe house on the

James River. We'll get you some clothes and food."

 

"You're . . . you're not going to take me back to my family?" she said.

"Promise?"

 

Luke put his hand on her shoulder. " Y ou're part of our family now. And I

promise I won't let anything hurt you. I'm not going to fail you like our

families did us. Deal?"

 

"Deal!" Annabeth said happily.

 

"Now, come on," Thalia said. "We can't stay put for long!"