The Titan's Curse

acted normal, but I decided not to say that.
    We climbed out of the cab. I got our luggage while Dad paid the driver with a big wad of cash. Then he did something strange. He threw a handful of small objects into the backseat—they looked like stones, but it was too dark for me to be sure. “Keep driving,” he told the cabbie. “Take us to Chelsea.”
    That made no sense since we were already out of the cab, but the driver sped off. I glanced at Dad, then back at the cab, and before it turned the corner and disappeared in the dark, I caught a weird glimpse of three passengers in the backseat: a man and two kids.
    I blinked. There was no way the cab could’ve picked up another fare so fast. “Dad—”
    “London cabs don’t stay empty very long,” he said matter-of-factly. “Come along, kids.”
    He marched off through the wrought iron gates. For a second, Sadie and I hesitated.
    “Carter, what is going on?”
    I shook my head. “I’m not sure I want to know.”
    “Well, stay out here in the cold if you want, but I’m not leaving without an explanation.” She turned and marched after our dad.
    Looking back on it, I should’ve run. I should’ve dragged Sadie out of there and gotten as far away as possible. Instead I followed her through the gates.