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made sure <strong>the</strong> gods kept <strong>the</strong>ir promise. Anyway, I’m glad you found her. You promised to find a way<br />

back to her, and I just wanted to say, if we do survive all this, I’ll do anything I can to help you.<br />

That’s a promise I will keep.’<br />

Leo was speechless. Here <strong>the</strong>y were, hiding behind a wall in <strong>the</strong> middle <strong>of</strong> a magical war zone,<br />

with grenades and grizzly bears and Bronze Butt Nikettes to worry about, and Percy pulls this on him.<br />

‘Man, what is your problem?’ Leo grumbled.<br />

Percy blinked. ‘So … I guess we’re not cool?’<br />

‘Of course we’re not cool! You’re as bad as Jason! I’m trying to resent you for being all perfect<br />

and hero-y and whatnot. Then you go and act like a standup guy. How am I supposed to hate you if<br />

you apologize and promise to help and stuff?’<br />

A smile tugged at <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> Percy’s mouth. ‘Sorry about that.’<br />

The ground rumbled as ano<strong>the</strong>r grenade exploded, sending spirals <strong>of</strong> whipped cream into <strong>the</strong> sky.<br />

‘That’s Hazel’s signal,’ Leo said. ‘They’ve taken down ano<strong>the</strong>r Nikette.’<br />

Percy peeked around <strong>the</strong> corner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wall.<br />

Until this moment, Leo hadn’t realized how much he’d resented Percy. The dude had always<br />

intimidated him. Knowing Calypso had had a crush on Percy had made <strong>the</strong> feeling ten times worse.<br />

But now <strong>the</strong> knot <strong>of</strong> anger in his gut started to unravel. Leo just couldn’t dislike <strong>the</strong> guy. Percy seemed<br />

sincere about being sorry and wanting to help.<br />

Besides, Leo finally had confirmation that Percy Jackson was out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> picture with Calypso. The<br />

air was cleared. All Leo had to do was to find his way back to Ogygia. And he would, assuming he<br />

survived <strong>the</strong> next ten days.<br />

‘One Nikette left,’ Percy said. ‘I wonder –’<br />

Somewhere close by, Hazel cried out in pain.<br />

Instantly, Leo was on his feet.<br />

‘Dude, wait!’ Percy called, but Leo plunged through <strong>the</strong> maze, his heart pounding.<br />

The walls fell away on ei<strong>the</strong>r side. Leo found himself in an open stretch <strong>of</strong> field. Frank stood at <strong>the</strong><br />

far end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> stadium, shooting flaming arrows at Nike’s chariot as <strong>the</strong> goddess bellowed insults and<br />

tried to find a path to him across <strong>the</strong> shifting network <strong>of</strong> trenches.<br />

Hazel was closer – maybe sixty feet away. The fourth Nikette had obviously sneaked up on her.<br />

Hazel was limping away from her attacker, her jeans ripped, her left leg bleeding. She parried <strong>the</strong><br />

metal lady’s spear with her huge cavalry sword, but she was about to be overpowered. All around<br />

her, <strong>the</strong> Mist flickered like a dying strobe light. She was losing control <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> magic maze.<br />

‘I’ll help her,’ Percy said. ‘You stick to <strong>the</strong> plan. Get Nike’s chariot.’<br />

‘But <strong>the</strong> plan was to eliminate all four Nikettes first!’<br />

‘So change <strong>the</strong> plan and <strong>the</strong>n stick to it!’<br />

‘That doesn’t even make sense, but go! Help her!’<br />

Percy rushed to Hazel’s defence. Leo darted towards Nike, yelling, ‘Hey! I want a participation<br />

award!’<br />

‘Gah!’ The goddess pulled <strong>the</strong> reins and turned her chariot in his direction. ‘I will destroy you!’<br />

‘Good!’ Leo yelled. ‘Losing is way better than winning!’

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