starry ceiling as if taking it all in. His laughter echoed even louder than it

had from the pit of Tartarus.

 

"Finally!" he bellowed. "The Olympian Council — so proud and mighty. Which seat

of power shall I destroy first?"

 

Ethan Nakamura stood to one side, trying to stay out of the way of his master's

scythe. The hearth was almost dead, just a few coals glowing deep in the ashes.

Hestia was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Rachel. I hoped she was okay, but I'd

seen so much destruction I was afraid to think about it. The Ophiotaurus swam in

his water sphere in the far comer of the room, wisely not making a sound, but it

wouldn't be long before Kronos noticed him.

 

Annabeth, Grover, and I stepped forward into the torchlight. Ethan saw us first.

 

"My lord," he warned.

 

Kronos turned and smiled through Luke's face. Except for the golden eyes, he

looked just the same as he had four years ago when he'd welcomed me into the

Hermes cabin. Annabeth made a painful sound in the back of her throat, like

someone had just sucker punched her.

 

"Shall I destroy you first, Jackson?" Kronos asked. "Is that the choice you will

make — to fight me and die instead of bowing down? Prophecies never end well,

you know."