straight to Tartarus. The giant's head went under in a seething whirlpool, and

he was gone.

 

"BAH!" Kronos screamed. He slashed his sword through the smoke, tearing the

image to shreds.

 

"They're on their way," I said. "You've lost."

 

"I haven't even started."

 

He advanced with blinding speed. Grover — brave, stupid satyr that he was —

tried to protect me, but Kronos tossed him aside like a rag doll.

 

I sidestepped and jabbed under Kronos's guard. It was a good trick.

Unfortunately, Luke knew it. He countered the strike and disarmed me using one

of the first moves he'd ever taught me. My sword skittered across the ground and

fell straight into the open fissure.

 

"STOP!" Annabeth came from nowhere.

 

Kronos whirled to face her and slashed with Backbiter, but somehow Annabeth

caught the strike on her dagger hilt. It was a move only the quickest and most

skilled knife fighter could've managed. Don't ask me where she found the

strength, but she stepped in closer for leverage, their blades crossed, and for

a moment she stood face-to-face with the Titan lord, holding him at a