"Thanks for coming," I told him. "Hey, why do pegasi gallop as they fly,

anyway?"

 

Blackjack whinnied. Why do humans swing their arms as they walk? I dunno, boss.

It just feels right.

 

Where to?

 

"We need to get to the Williamsburg Bridge," I said.

 

Blackjack lowered his neck. You're darn right, boss. We flew over it on the way

here, and it don't look good. Hop on!

 

On the way to the bridge, a knot formed in the pit of my stomach. The Minotaur

was one of the first monsters I'd ever defeated. Four years ago he'd nearly

killed my mother on Half-Blood Hill. I still had nightmares about that.

 

I'd been hoping he would stay dead for a few centuries, but I should've known my

luck wouldn't hold.

 

We saw the battle before we were close enough to make out individual fighters.

It was well after midnight now, but the bridge blazed with light. Cars were

burning. Arcs of fire streamed in both directions as flaming arrows and spears

sailed through the air.