Annabeth was waiting for me at the elevator. "Why do you smell like smoke?"

 

"Long story," I said. Together we made our way down to the street level. Neither

of us said a word.

 

The music was awful — Neil Diamond or something. I should've made that part of

my gift from the gods: better elevator tunes.

 

When we got into the lobby, I found my mother and Paul arguing with the bald

security guy, who'd returned to his post.

 

"I'm telling you," my mom yelled, "we have to go up! My son — " Then she saw me

and her eyes widened. "Percy!"

 

She hugged the breath right out of me.

 

"We saw the building lit up blue," she said. "But then you didn't come down. You

went up hours ago!"

 

"She was getting a bit anxious," Paul said drily.

 

"I'm all right," 1 promised as my mom hugged Annabeth. "Everything's okay now."

 

"Mr. Blofis," Annabeth said, "that was wicked sword work."