He closed the terrace doors behind him, leaving Silena, Annabeth, and me alone.

 

Silena pressed a cool cloth to Annabeth's forehead. "This is all my fault."

 

"No," Annabeth said weakly. "Silena, how is it your fault?"

 

"I've never been any good at camp," she murmured. "Not like you or Percy. If I

was a better fighter . . ."

 

Her mouth trembled. Ever since Beckendorf died she'd been getting worse, and

every time I looked at her, it made me angry about his death all over again. Her

expression reminded me of glass — like she might break any minute. I swore to

myself that if I ever found the spy who'd cost her boyfriend his life, I would

give him to Mrs. O'Leary as a chew toy.

 

"You're a great camper," I told Silena. "You're the best pegasus rider we have.

And you get along with people. Believe me, anyone who can make friends with

Clarisse has talent."

 

She stared at me like I'd just given her an idea. "That's it! We need the Ares

cabin. I can talk to Clarisse. I know I can convince her to help us."

 

"Whoa, Silena. Even if you could get off the island, Clarisse is pretty

stubborn. Once she gets angry — "