she could see me, but only in a dream.

 

"It's all right." Her voice sounded far away. "This is why I've come."

 

"You'll be destroyed!"

 

She shook her head. "This is where I belong, Percy. I finally understand why."

 

It sounded too much like what May Castellan had said. I had to stop her, but I

couldn't even get to my feet.

 

The house rumbled. The door flew open and green light poured out. I recognized

the warm musty smell of snakes.

 

Mist curled into a hundred smoky serpents, slithering up the porch columns,

curling around the house.

 

Then the Oracle appeared in the doorway.

 

The withered mummy shuffled forward in her rainbow dress. She looked even worse

than usual, which is saying a lot. Her hair was falling out in clumps. Her

leathery skin was cracking like the seat of a worn-out bus. Her glassy eyes

stared blankly into space, but I got the creepiest feeling she was being drawn

straight toward Rachel.