Castellan's body, and return to the pits of Tartarus. Then maybe I won't have to

destroy him,"

 

The empousa snarled. Her hair erupted in fresh flames, but Prometheus just

sighed.

 

"If you change your mind," he said, "I have a gift for you."

 

A Greek vase appeared on the table. It was about three feet high and a foot

wide, glazed with black- and-white geometric designs. The ceramic lid was

fastened with a leather harness.

 

Grover whimpered when he saw it.

 

Thalia gasped. "That's not — "

 

"Yes," Prometheus said. "You recognize it."

 

Looking at the jar, I felt a strange sense of fear, but I had no idea why.

 

"This belonged to my sister-in-law," Prometheus explained. "Pandora."

 

A lump formed in my throat. "As in Pandora's box?"

 

Prometheus shook his head. "I don't know how this box business got started. It