A 1

“Great!” Percy said. “We’ll Iris-message you guys when we’re done and catch up with you later.”
The Romans looked at Reyna, waiting for her ruling. Annabeth held her breath.
Reyna had an excellent poker face. She studied Ella, but Annabeth couldn’t guess what she was
thinking.
“Fine,” the praetor said at last. “Go.”
“Yay!” Tyson went around the couches and gave everyone a big hug—even Octavian, who didn’t
look happy about it. Then he climbed on Mrs. O’Leary’s back with Ella, and the hellhound bounded
out of the forum. They dove straight into a shadow on the Senate House wall and disappeared.
“Well.” Reyna set down her uneaten apple. “Octavian is right about one thing. We must gain the
senate’s approval before we let any of our legionnaires go on a quest—especially one as dangerous as
you’re suggesting.”
“This whole thing smells of treachery,” Octavian grumbled. “That trireme is not a ship of peace!”
“Come aboard, man,” Leo offered. “I’ll give you a tour. You can steer the boat, and if you’re really
good I’ll give you a little paper captain’s hat to wear.”
Octavian’s nostrils flared. “How dare you—”
“It’s a good idea,” Reyna said. “Octavian, go with him. See the ship. We’ll convene a senate
meeting in one hour.”
“But…” Octavian stopped. Apparently he could tell from Reyna’s expression that further arguing
would not be good for his health. “Fine.”
Leo got up. He turned to Annabeth, and his smile changed. It happened so quickly, Annabeth
thought she’d imagined it; but just for a moment someone else seemed to be standing in Leo’s place,
smiling coldly with a cruel light in his eyes. Then Annabeth blinked, and Leo was just regular old Leo
again, with his usual impish grin.