From somewhere behind the UN compound, an angry roar shook the city — the sound

of a drakon waking. The noise was so horrible it woke me, and I realized I could

still hear it from a mile away.

 

Grover stood next to me, looking nervous. "What was that?"

 

"They're coming," I told him. "And we're in trouble."

 

The Hephaestus cabin was out of Greek fire. The Apollo cabin and the Hunters

were scrounging for arrows. Most of us had already ingested so much ambrosia and

nectar we didn't dare take any more.

 

We had sixteen campers, fifteen Hunters, and half a dozen satyrs left in

fighting shape. The rest had taken refuge on Olympus. The Party Ponies tried to

form ranks, but they staggered and giggled and they all smelled like root beer.

The Texans were head-butting the Coloradoans. The Missouri branch was arguing

with Illinois. The chances were pretty good the whole army would end up fighting

each other rather than the enemy.

 

Chiron trotted up with Rachel on his back. 1 felt a twinge of annoyance because

Chiron rarely gave anyone a ride, and never a mortal.

 

"Your friend here has some useful insights, Percy," he said.

 

Rachel blushed. "Just some things I saw in my head."