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