Pandora's jar, isn't it?"

 

Her eyes were brighter than usual, and I had a bad flashback of moldy sandwiches

and burned cookies.

 

"Please put down the jar," I said.

 

"I can see Hope inside it." Rachel ran her fingers over the ceramic designs. "So

fragile."

 

"Rachel. "

 

My voice seemed to bring her back to reality. She held out the jar, and I took

it. The clay felt as cold as ice.

 

"Grover," Annabeth mumbled. "Let's scout around the palace. Maybe we can find

some extra Greek fire or Hephaestus traps."

 

"But—"

 

Annabeth elbowed him.

 

"Right!" he yelped. "I love traps!"

 

She dragged him out of the throne room.