probably hiding back at their headquarters. But Kronos him s elf stood right in

front with his scythe in hand.

 

The only thing standing in his way was . . .

 

"Chiron," Annabeth said, her voice trembling.

 

If Chiron heard us, he didn't answer. He had an arrow notched, aimed straight at

Kronos's face.

 

As soon as Kronos saw me, his gold eyes flared. Every muscle in my body froze.

Then the Titan lord turned his attention back to Chiron. "Step aside, little

son."

 

Hearing Luke call Chiron his son was weird enough, but Kronos put contempt in

his voice, like son was the worst word he could think of.

 

"I'm afraid not." Chiron's tone was steely calm, the way he gets when he's

really angry.

 

I tried to move, but my feet felt like concrete. Annabeth, Grover, and Thalia

were straining too, like they were just as stuck.

 

"Chiron!" Annabeth said. "Look out!"