the_blood_of_olympus_-_rick_riordan

‘No,’ Piper agreed. ‘Stop thinking about it. Just feel.’
‘I hate that.’
‘I know. You can’t plan for feelings. Like with Percy, and your future – you can’t control every
contingency. You have to accept that. Let it scare you. Trust that it’ll be okay anyway.’
Annabeth shook her head. ‘I don’t know if I can.’
‘Then for right now concentrate on revenge for Damasen. Revenge for Bob.’
A moment of silence. ‘I’m good now.’
‘Great, because I need your help. We’re going to run out there together.’
‘Then what?’
‘I have no idea.’
‘Gods, I hate it when you lead.’
Piper laughed, which surprised even her. Fear and love really were related. At that moment she
clung to the love she had for her friend. ‘Come on!’
They ran in no particular direction and found themselves back in the shrine room, right behind the
giant Mimas. They each slashed one of his legs and brought him to his knees.
The giant howled. More chunks of stone tumbled from the ceiling.
‘Weak mortals!’ Mimas struggled to stand. ‘No plan of yours can defeat me!’
‘That’s good,’ Piper said. ‘Because I don’t have a plan.’
She ran towards the statue of Ares. ‘Annabeth, keep our friend occupied!’
‘Oh, he’s occupied!’
‘GAHHHHH!’
Piper stared at the cruel bronze face of the war god. The statue thrummed with a low metallic
pulse.
The spirits of battle, she thought. They’re inside, waiting to be freed.
But they weren’t hers to unleash – not until she’d proven herself.
The chamber shook again. More cracks appeared in the walls. Piper glanced at the stone carvings
above the doorways: the scowling twin faces of Fear and Panic.
‘My brothers,’ Piper said, ‘sons of Aphrodite … I give you a sacrifice.’
At the feet of Ares, she set her cornucopia. The magic horn had become so attuned to her emotions
it could amplify her anger, love or grief and spew forth its bounty accordingly. She hoped that would
appeal to the gods of fear. Or maybe they would just appreciate some fresh fruits and vegetables in
their diets.
‘I’m terrified,’ she confessed. ‘I hate doing this. But I accept that it’s necessary.’
She swung her blade and took off the bronze statue’s head.
‘No!’ Mimas yelled.
Flames roared up from the statue’s severed neck. They swirled around Piper, filling the room with
a firestorm of emotions: hatred, bloodlust and fear, but also love – because no one could face battle
without caring for something: comrades, family, home.
Piper held out her arms and the makhai made her the centre of their whirlwind.
We will answer your call, they whispered in her mind. Once only, when you need us, destruction,