The Lost Hero

―Silver!‖ Piper cried. ―Aren‘t werewolves hurt by silver?‖
―We don‘t have any silver!‖ Jason said.
Wolves leaped into the firelight. Hedge charged forward with an elated ―Woot!‖
But Leo struck first. He threw his glass bottle and it shattered on the ground, splattering liquid all over the
wolves—the unmistakable smell of gasoline. He shot a burst of fire at the puddle, and a wall of flames erupted.
Wolves yelped and retreated. Several caught fire and had to run back into the snow. Even Lycaon looked
uneasily at the barrier of flames now separating his wolves from the demigods.
―Aw, c‘mon,‖ Coach Hedge complained. ―I can‘t hit them if they‘re way over there.‖
Every time a wolf came closer, Leo shot a new wave of fire from his hands, but each effort seemed to
make him a little more tired, and the gasoline was already dying down. ―I can‘t summon any more gas!‖ Leo
warned. Then his face turned red. ―Wow, that came out wrong. I mean the burningkind. Gonna take the tool belt
a while to recharge. What you got, man?‖
―Nothing,‖ Jason said. ―Not even a weapon that works.‖
―Lightning?‖ Piper asked.
Jason concentrated, but nothing happened. ―I think the snowstorm is interfering, or something.‖
―Unleash the venti!‖ Piper said.
―Then we‘ll have nothing to give Aeolus,‖ Jason said. ―We‘ll have come all this way for nothing.‖
Lycaon laughed. ―I can smell your fear. A few more minutes of life, heroes. Pray to whatever gods you
wish. Zeus did not grant me mercy, and you will have none from me.‖
The flames began to sputter out. Jason cursed and dropped his sword. He crouched like he was ready to
go hand-to-hand. Leo pulled his hammer out of his pack. Piper raised her dagger—not much, but it was all she
had. Coach Hedge hefted his club, and he was the only one who looked excited about dying.
Then a ripping sound cut through the wind—like a piece of tearing cardboard. A long stick sprouted from
the neck of the nearest wolf—the shaft of a silver arrow. The wolf writhed and fell, melting into a puddle of
shadow.
More arrows. More wolves fell. The pack broke in confusion. An arrow flashed toward Lycaon, but the wolf
king caught it in midair. Then he yelled in pain. When he dropped the arrow, it left a charred, smoking gash
across his palm. Another arrow caught him in the shoulder, and the wolf king staggered.
―Curse them!‖ Lycaon yelled. He growled at his pack, and the wolves turned and ran. Lycaon fixed Jason
with those glowing red eyes. ―This isn‘t over, boy.‖
The wolf king disappeared into the night.
Seconds later, Piper heard more wolves baying, but the sound was different—less threatening, more like
hunting dogs on the scent. A smaller white wolf burst into the cave, followed by two more.
Hedge said, ―Kill it?‖
―No!‖ Piper said. ―Wait.‖
The wolves tilted their heads and studied the campers with huge golden eyes.
A heartbeat later, their masters appeared: a troop of hunters in white-and-gray winter camouflage, at least
half a dozen. All of them carried bows, with quivers of glowing silver arrows on their backs.
Their faces were covered with parka hoods, but clearly they were all girls. One, a little taller than the rest,
crouched in the firelight and snatched up the arrow that had wounded Lycaon‘s hand.
―So close.‖ She turned to her companions. ―Phoebe, stay with me. Watch the entrance. The rest of you,
follow Lycaon. We can‘t lose him now. I‘ll catch up with you.‖
The other hunters mumbled agreement and disappeared, heading after Lycaon‘s pack.
The girl in white turned toward them, her face still hidden in her parka hood. ―We‘ve been following that
demon‘s trail for over a week. Is everyone all right? No one got bit?‖
Jason stood frozen, staring at the girl. Piper realized something about her voice sounded familiar. It was
hard to pin down, but the way she spoke, the way she formed her words, reminded her of Jason.
―You‘re her,‖ Piper guessed. ―You‘re Thalia.‖
The girl tensed. Piper was afraid she might draw her bow, but instead she pulled down her parka hood.
Her hair was spiky black, with a silver tiara across her brow. Her face had a super-healthy glow to it, as if she
were a little more than human, and her eyes were brilliant blue. She was the girl from Jason‘s photograph.
―Do I know you?‖ Thalia asked.
Piper took a breath. ―This might be a shock, but—‖
―Thalia.‖ Jason stepped forward, his voice trembling. ―I‘m Jason, your brother.‖