about my destiny?"

 

The wings on Hermes's Reeboks fluttered restlessly. He studied his son like he

was trying to memorize his face, and suddenly a cold feeling washed through me.

I realized Hermes knew what May Castellan's mutterings meant. I wasn't sure how,

but looking at his face I was absolutely certain. Hermes understood what would

happen to Luke someday, how he would turn evil.

 

"My son," he said, "I'm the god of travelers, the god of loads. If I know

anything, I know that you must walk your own path, even though it tears my

heart."

 

"You don't love me."

 

"I promise I ... I do love you. Go to camp. I will see that you get a quest

soon. Perhaps you can defeat the Hydra, or steal the apples of Hesperides. You

will get a chance to be a great hero before ..."

 

"Before what?" Luke's voice was trembling now. "What did my mom see that made

her like this?

 

What's going to happen to me? If you love me, tell me."

 

Hermes's expression tightened. "I cannot"