BLOOD OF OLYMPUS

so long?’
Michael flinched. ‘Octavian?’
‘Of course it’s me!’ yelled the voice from the dark. ‘I got tired of waiting for you to carry out my
orders! I’m coming aboard. Everyone on both sides, drop your weapons!’
Michael frowned. ‘Uh … sir? Everyone? Even us?’
‘You don’t solve every problem with a sword or a fist, you big dolt! I can handle these Graecus
scum!’
Michael looked unsure about that, but he motioned to Leila and Dakota, who set their swords on the
deck.
Reyna glanced at Nico. Obviously, something was wrong. She couldn’t think of any reason
Octavian would be here, putting himself in harm’s way. He definitely wouldn’t order his own officers
to get rid of their weapons. But Reyna’s instincts told her to play along. She dropped her blade. Nico
did the same.
‘Everyone is disarmed, sir,’ Michael called.
‘Good!’ yelled Octavian.
A dark silhouette appeared at the top of the ladder, but he was much too big to be Octavian. A
smaller shape with wings fluttered up behind him – a harpy? By the time Reyna realized what was
happening, the Cyclops had crossed the deck in two large strides. He bopped Michael Kahale on the
head. The centurion fell like a sack of rocks. Dakota and Leila backed away in alarm.
The harpy fluttered to the deckhouse roof. In the moonlight, her feathers were the colour of dried
blood.
‘Strong,’ said Ella, preening her wings. ‘Ella’s boyfriend is stronger than Romans.’
‘Friends!’ boomed Tyson the Cyclops. He scooped up Reyna in one arm and Hedge and Nico in the
other. ‘We have come to save you. Hooray for us!’