standstill.

 

"Luke," she said, gritting her teeth, "I understand now. You have to trust me."

 

Kronos roared in outrage. "Luke Castellan is dead! His body will bum away as I

assume my true form!"

 

I tried to move, but my body was frozen again. How could Annabeth, battered and

half dead with exhaustion, have the strength to fight a Titan like Kronos?

 

Kronos pushed against her, trying to dislodge his blade, but she held him in

check, her arms trembling as he forced his sword down toward her neck.

 

"Your mother," Annabeth grunted. "She saw your fate."

 

"Service to Kronos!" the Titan roared. "This is my fate."

 

"No!" Annabeth insisted. Her eyes were tearing up, but I didn't know if it was

from sadness or pain. "That's not the end, Luke. The prophecy: she saw what you

would do. It applies to you!"

 

"I will crush you, child!" Kronos bellowed.

 

"You won't," Annabeth said. "You promised. You're holding Kronos back even now."