THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH Percy Jackson ... - No one's invited.

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“No indeed,” Kelli said. “But we already have what we want from you, and we have other agreements
to honor. Minos required something else from us, in order to turn over this fine young demigod.” She ran
a finger underNico’s chin. “He’ll be quite useful. And all Minos asked in return was your head, old man.”
Daedalus paled.“Treachery.”
“Get used to it,” Kelli said.
“Nico,” I said. “Are you okay?”
He nodded morosely. “I—I’m sorry, Percy. Minos told me you were in danger. He convinced me to go
back into the maze.”
“You were trying tohelp us?”
“I was tricked,” he said. “He tricked all of us.”
I glared at Kelli. “Where’s Luke? Why isn’t he here?”
The she-demon smiled like we were sharing a private joke. “Luke is…busy. He is preparing for the
assault. But don’t worry. We have more friends on the way. And in the meantime, I think I’ll have a
wonderful snack!” Her hands changed into claws. Her hair burst into flame and her legs turned to their
true form—one donkey leg, one bronze.
“Percy,” Rachel whispered, “the wings. Do you think—”
“Get them,” I said. “I’ll try to buy you some time.”
And with that, all Hades broke loose. Annabeth and I charged at Kelli. The giants came right at
Daedalus, but Mrs. O’Leary leaped to his defense.
Nico got pushed to the ground and struggled with his chains while the spirit of Minos wailed, “Kill the
inventor! Kill him!”
Rachel grabbed the wings off the wall. Nobody paid her any attention. Kelli slashed at Annabeth. I tried
to get to her, but the demon was quick and deadly. She turned over tables, smashed inventions, and
wouldn’t let us get close. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mrs. O’Leary chomp her fangs into a
giant’s arm. He wailed in pain and flung her around, trying to shake her. Daedalus grabbed for his sword,
but the second giant smashed the workbench with his fist, and the sword went flying. A clay jar of Greek
fire broke on the floor and began to burn, green flames spreading quickly.
“To me!”Minos cried.“Spirits of the dead!” He raised his ghostly hands and the air began to hum.
“No!” Nico cried. He was on his feet now. He’d somehow managed to remove his shackles.
“You do not control me, young fool,” Minos sneered. “All this time, I have been controlling you!A soul
for a soul, yes. But it is not your sister who will return from the dead. It is I, as soon as I slay the
inventor!”
Spirits began to appear around Minos—shimmering forms that slowly multiplied, solidifying into Cretan