"Percy, the bridge!" he called. "It's already weak!"

 

At first I didn't understand. Then I looked down and saw fissures in the

pavement. Patches of the road were half melted from Greek fire. The bridge had

taken a beating from Kronos's blast and the exploding arrows.

 

"Break it!" Michael yelled. "Use your powers!"

 

It was a desperate thought — no way it would work — but I stabbed Riptide into

the bridge. The magic blade sa nk to its hilt m asphalt. Salt water shot from

the crack like I'd hit a geyser. I pulled out my blade and the fissure grew. The

bridge shook and began to crumble. Chunks the size of houses fell into the East

River. Kronos's demigods cried out in alarm and scrambled backward. Some were

knocked off their feet.

 

Within a few seconds, a fifty-foot chasm opened in the Williamsburg Bridge

between Kronos and me.

 

The vibrations died. Kronos's men crept to the edge and looked at the

hundred-and-thirty-foot drop into the river.

 

I didn't feel safe, though. The suspension cables were still attached. The men

could get across that way if they were brave enough. Or maybe Kronos had a magic

way to span the gap.