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<strong>The</strong> enemy was beautiful. Khione smiled, her dark eyes glittering, as a dagger of ice grew in her hand.<br />
―What‘ve you done?‖ Jason demanded.<br />
―Oh, so many things,‖ the snow goddess purred. ―Your sister‘s not dead, if that‘s what you mean. She and<br />
her Hunters will make fine toys for our wolves. I thought we‘d defrost them one at a time and hunt them down<br />
for amusement. Let them be the prey for once.‖<br />
<strong>The</strong> wolves snarled appreciatively.<br />
―Yes, my dears.‖ Khione kept her eyes on Jason. ―Your sister almost killed their king, you know. Lycaon‘s<br />
off in a cave somewhere, no doubt licking his wounds, but his minions have joined us to take revenge for their<br />
master. And soon Porphyrion will arise, and we shall rule the world.‖<br />
―Traitor!‖ Hera shouted. ―You meddlesome, D-list goddess! You aren‘t worthy to pour my wine, much less<br />
rule the world.‖<br />
Khione sighed. ―Tiresome as ever, Queen Hera. I‘ve been wanting to shut you up for millennia.‖<br />
Khione waved her hand, and ice encased the prison, sealing in the spaces between the earthen tendrils.<br />
―That‘s better,‖ the snow goddess said. ―Now, demigods, about your death—‖<br />
―You‘re the one who tricked Hera into coming here,‖ Jason said. ―You gave Zeus the idea of closing<br />
Olympus.‖<br />
<strong>The</strong> wolves snarled, and the storm spirits whinnied, ready to attack, but Khione held up her hand.<br />
―Patience, my loves. If he wants to talk, what matter? <strong>The</strong> sun is setting, and time is on our side. Of course,<br />
Jason Grace. Like snow, my voice is quiet and gentle, and very cold. It‘s easy for me to whisper to the other<br />
gods, especially when I am only confirming their own deepest fears. I also whispered in Aeolus‘s ear that he<br />
should issue an order to kill demigods. It is a small service for Gaea, but I‘m sure I will be well rewarded when<br />
her sons the giants come to power.‖<br />
―You could‘ve killed us in Quebec,‖ Jason said. ―Why let us live?‖<br />
Khione wrinkled her nose. ―Messy business, killing you in my father‘s house, especially when he insists on<br />
meeting all visitors. I did try, you remember. It would‘ve been lovely if he‘d agreed to turn you to ice. But once<br />
he‘d given you guarantee of safe passage, I couldn‘t openly disobey him. My father is an old fool. He lives in<br />
fear of Zeus and Aeolus, but he‘s still powerful. Soon enough, when my new masters have awakened, I will<br />
depose Boreas and take the throne of the North Wind, but not just yet. Besides, my father did have a point.<br />
Your quest was suicidal. I fully expected you to fail.‖<br />
―And to help us with that,‖ Leo said, ―you knocked our dragon out of the sky over Detroit. Those frozen<br />
wires in his head—that was your fault. You‘re gonna pay for that.‖<br />
―You‘re also the one who kept Enceladus informed about us,‖ Piper added. ―We‘ve been plagued by<br />
snowstorms the whole trip.‖<br />
―Yes, I feel so close to all of you now!‖ Khione said. ―Once you made it past Omaha, I decided to asked<br />
Lycaon to track you down so Jason could die here, at the Wolf House.‖ Khione smiled at him. ―You see, Jason,<br />
your blood spilled on this sacred ground will taint it for generations. Your demigod brethren will be outraged,<br />
especially when they find the bodies of these two from Camp Half-Blood. <strong>The</strong>y‘ll believe the Greeks have<br />
conspired with giants. It will be … delicious.‖<br />
Piper and Leo didn‘t seem to understand what she was saying. But Jason knew. His memories were<br />
returning enough for him to realize how dangerously effective Khione‘s plan could be.<br />
―You‘ll set demigods against demigods,‖ he said.<br />
―It‘s so easy!‖ said Khione. ―As I told you, I only encourage what you would do anyway.‖<br />
―But why?‖ Piper spread her hands. ―Khione, you‘ll tear the world apart. <strong>The</strong> giants will destroy everything.<br />
You don‘t want that. Call off your monsters.‖<br />
Khione hesitated, then laughed. ―Your persuasive powers are improving, girl. But I am a goddess. You<br />
can‘t charm-speak me. We wind gods are creatures of chaos! I‘ll overthrow Aeolus and let the storms run free. If<br />
we destroy the mortal world, all the better! <strong>The</strong>y never honored me, even in Greek times. Humans and their talk<br />
of global warming. Pah! I‘ll cool them down quickly enough. When we retake the ancient places, I will cover the<br />
Acropolis in snow.‖<br />
―<strong>The</strong> ancient places.‖ Leo‘s eyes widened. ―That‘s what Enceladus meant about destroy the roots of the<br />
gods. He meant Greece.‖<br />
―You could join me, son of Hephaestus,‖ Khione said. ―I know you find me beautiful. It would be enough<br />
for my plan if these other two were to die. Reject that ridiculous destiny the Fates have given you. Live and be<br />
my champion, instead. Your skills would be quite useful.‖<br />
Leo looked stunned. He glanced behind him, like Khione might be talking to somebody else. For a second<br />
Jason was worried. He figured Leo didn‘t have beautiful goddesses make him offers like this every day.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n Leo laughed so hard, he doubled over. ―Yeah, join you. Right. Until you get bored of me and turn me<br />
into a Leosicle? Lady, nobody messes with my dragon and gets away with it. I can‘t believe I thought you were<br />
hot.‖<br />
Khione‘s face turned red. ―Hot? You dare insult me? I am cold, Leo Valdez. Very, very cold.‖
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