"To claim your place at the hearth," Hestia told her, "you must let go of your

distractions. It is the only way you will survive."

 

Rachel nodded. "I ... I understand."

 

"Wait," I said. "What is she talking about?"

 

Rachel took a shaky breath. "Percy, when I came here ... I thought I was coming

for you. But I wasn't. You and me ..." She shook her head.

 

"Wait. Now I'm a distraction ? Is this because I'm 'not the hero' or whatever?"

 

"I'm not sure I can put it into words," she said. "I was drawn to you because .

. . because you opened the door to all of this." She gestured at the throne

room. "I needed to understand my true sight. But you and me, that wasn't part of

it. Our fates aren't intertwined. I think you've always known that, deep down."

 

I stared at her. Maybe I wasn't the brightest guy in the world when it came to

girls, but I was pretty sure Rachel had just dumped me, which was lame

considering we'd never even been together.

 

"So . . . what," I said. "’Tha nk s for bringing me to Olympus. See ya.' Is that

what you're saying?"