The Battle of the Labyrinth

The voice of Kronos didn’t so much speak as pierce my mind like a dagger. It was freezing with cruelty. Once we have the means to navigate, I will lead the vanguard through myself.
    Luke closed his eyes as if collecting his thoughts. “My lord, perhaps it is too soon. Perhaps Krios or Hyperion should lead—”
    No. The voice was quiet but absolutely firm. I will lead. One more heart shall join our cause, and that will be sufficient. At last I shall rise fully from Tartarus.
    “But the form, my lord . . .” Luke’s voice started shaking.
    Show me your sword, Luke Castellan.
    A jolt went through me. I realized I’d never heard Luke’s last name before. It had never even occurred to me.
    Luke drew his sword. Backbiter’s double edge glowed wickedly—half steel, half celestial bronze. I’d almost been killed several times by that sword. It was an evil weapon, able to kill both mortals and monsters. It was the only blade I really feared.
    You pledged yourself to me , Kronos reminded him. You took this sword as proof of your oath.
    “Yes, my lord. It’s just—”
    You wanted power. I gave you that. You are now beyond harm. Soon you will rule the world of gods and mortals. Do you not wish to avenge yourself? To see Olympus destroyed?
    A shiver ran through Luke’s body. “Yes.”
    The coffin glowed, golden light filling the room. Then make ready the strike force. As soon as the bargain is done, we shall move forward. First, Camp Half-Blood will be reduced to ashes. Once those bothersome heroes are eliminated, we will march on Olympus.
    There was a knock on the stateroom doors. The light of the coffin faded. Luke rose. He sheathed his sword, adjusted his white clothes, and took a deep breath.
    “Come in.”
    The doors opened. Two dracaenae slithered in—snake women with double serpent trunks instead of legs. Between them walked Kelli, the empousa cheerleader from my freshman orientation.
    “Hello, Luke.” Kelli smiled. She was wearing a red dress and she looked awesome, but I’d seen her real form. I knew what she was hiding: mismatched legs, red eyes, fangs, and flaming hair.
    “What is it, demon?” Luke’s voice was cold. “I told you not to disturb me.”
    Kelli pouted. “That’s not very nice. You look tense. How about a nice shoulder massage?”
    Luke stepped back. “If you have something to report, say it. Otherwise leave!”
    “I don’t know why you’re so huffy these days. You used to be fun to hang around.”
    “That was before I saw what you did to that boy in Seattle.”
    “Oh, he meant nothing to me,” Kelli said. “Just a snack, really. You know my heart belongs to you, Luke.”
    “Thanks, but no thanks. Now report or get out.”
    Kelli shrugged. “Fine. The advance team is ready, as you requested. We can leave—” She frowned.
    “What is it?” Luke asked.
    “A presence,” Kelli said. “Your senses are getting dull, Luke. We’re being watched.”
    She scanned the stateroom. Her eyes focused right on me. Her face withered into a hag’s. She bared her fangs and lunged.
    * * *
    I woke with a start, my heart pounding. I could’ve sworn the empousa ’s fangs were an inch from my throat.
    Tyson was snoring in the next bunk. The sound calmed me down a little.
    I didn’t know how Kelli could sense me in a dream, but I’d heard more than I wanted to know. An army was ready. Kronos would lead it personally. All they needed was a way to navigate the Labyrinth so they could invade and destroy Camp Half-Blood, and Luke apparently thought that was going to happen very soon.
    I was tempted to go wake up Annabeth and tell her, middle of the night or not. Then I realized the room was lighter than it should have been. A blue-and-green glow was coming from the saltwater fountain, brighter and more urgent than the night before. It was almost like the water was humming.
    I got out of bed and approached.
    No voice spoke out of the water this time, asking for a deposit. I got the feeling the fountain was waiting for me to make the first move.
    I probably should’ve gone back to bed. Instead I thought about what I’d seen last night—the weird image of Nico at the banks of the River Styx.
    “You’re trying to tell me something,” I said.
    No response from the fountain.
    “All right,” I said. “Show me Nico di Angelo.”
    I didn’t even throw a coin in, but this time it didn’t matter. It was like some other force had control of the water besides Iris the messenger goddess.