caught Luke. I remembered the first time I'd met Luke at Camp Half-Blood. I'd

asked him if he'd ever met his father, and he'd looked at me bitterly and said.

Once. But I could tell from Hermes's expression that this was not the time to

ask.

 

I bowed awkwardly. "Lord Hermes."

 

Oh, sure, one of the snakes said in my mind. Don't say hi to us. We're just

reptiles.

 

George, the other snake scolded. Be polite.

 

"Hello, George," I said. "Hey, Martha."

 

Did you bring us a rat? George asked.

 

George, stop it, Martha said. He's busy!

 

Too busy for rats? George said. That's just sad.

 

I decided it was better not to get into it with George. "Um, Hermes," I said.

"We need to talk to Zeus.

 

It's important."