"Please," Silena said. "I can take a pegasus. I know I can make it back to camp.

Let me try."

 

I exchanged looks with Annabeth. She nodded slightly.

 

I didn't like the idea. I didn't think Silena stood a chance of convincing

Clarisse to fight. On the other hand, Silena was so distracted right now that

she would just get herself hurt in battle. Maybe sending her back to camp would

give her something else to focus on.

 

"All right," I told her. "I can't think of anybody better to try."

 

Silena threw her arms around me. Then she pushed back awkwardly, glancing at

Annabeth. "Um, sorry. Tha nk you, Percy! I won't let you down!"

 

Once she was gone, I knelt next to Annabeth and felt her forehead. She was still

burning up.

 

"You're cute when you're worried," she muttered. "Your eyebrows get all

scrunched together."

 

"You are not going to die while I owe you a favor," I said. "Why did you take

that knife?"