"If only he knew," East agreed. They both laughed, dissolving into the water.

 

Back on the shore, Annabeth was talking on her cell phone, but she hung up as

soon as she saw me. She looked pretty shaken.

 

"It worked," I told her. "The rivers are safe."

 

"Good," she said. "Because we've got other problems. Michael Yew just called.

Another army is marching over the Williamsburg Bridge. The Apollo cabin needs

help. And Percy, the monster leading the enemy . . . it's the Minotaur."

 

ELEVEN

 

WE BREAK A BRIDGE

 

Fortunately, Blackjack was on duty.

 

I did my best taxicab whistle, and within a few minutes two dark shapes circled

out of the sky. They looked like hawks at first, but as they descended I could

make out the long galloping legs of pegasi.

 

Yo, boss. Blackjack landed at a trot, his friend Porkpie right behind him. Man,

I thought those wind gods were gonna knock us to Pennsylvania until we said we

were with you!