Chiron managed a smile. "Have you looked at yourself recently, Percy?"

 

I glanced down at my clothes, which were scorched, burned, sliced, and tattered

from my night of constant battles. "I look like death," I admitted. "But you

think I can sleep after what just happened?"

 

"You may be invulnerable in combat," Chiron chided, "but that only makes your

body tire faster. I remember Achilles. Whenever that lad wasn't fighting, he was

sleeping. He must’ve taken twenty naps a day. You, Percy, need your rest. You

may be our only hope."

 

I wanted to complain that I wasn't their only hope. According to Rachel, I

wasn't even the hero. But the look in Chiron's eyes made it clear he wasn't

going to take no for an answer.

 

"Sure," I grumbled. "Talk."

 

I trudged toward the Empire State Building. When I glanced back, Rachel and

Chiron were walking together in earnest conversation, like they were discussing

funeral arrangements.

 

Inside the lobby, I found an empty bunk and collapsed, sure that I would never

be able to sleep. A second later, my eyes closed.

 

In my dreams, I was back in Hades's garden. The lord of the dead paced up and