𝒊𝒗. 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐘𝐎𝐔

𝒙.

They did their summons after dark, at a twenty-foot-long pit in front of the septic tank. The tank was bright yellow, with a smiley face and red words painted on the side: HAPPY FLUSH DISPOSAL CO. It didn't quite go with the mood of summoning the dead. 

The moon was full, making Noelle feel a little better. Silver clouds drifted across the sky. 

"Minos should be here by now," Nico said, frowning. "It's full dark." 

"Maybe he got lost," Noelle said hopefully. 

Nico poured root beer and tossed barbecue into the pit, then began chanting in Ancient Greek. Immediately the bugs in the woods stopped chirping. In my pocket, the Stygian ice dog whistle started to grow colder, freezing against the side of Percy's leg. 

"Make him stop," Tyson whispered to Percy. 

Part of him agreed. This was unnatural. The night air felt cold and menacing. But before he could say anything, the first spirits appeared. Sulfurous mist seeped out of the ground. Shadows thickened into human forms. One blue shade drifted to the edge of the pit and knelt to drink. 

"Stop him!" Nico said, momentarily breaking his chant. "Only Bianca may drink!" 

Noelle drew her throwing knife. The ghosts retreated with a collective hiss at the sight of her silver blade that glowed in the moonlight. But it was too late to stop the first spirit. He had already solidified into the shape of a bearded man in white robes. A circlet of gold wreathed his head, and even in death his eyes were alive with malice.

"Minos!" Nico said. "What are you doing?" 

"My apologies, master," the ghost said, though he didn't sound very sorry. "The sacrifice smelled so good, I couldn't resist." He examined his own hands and smiled. "It is good to see myself again. Almost in solid form—" 

"You are disrupting the ritual!" Nico protested. "Get—" 

The spirits of the dead began shimmering dangerously bright, and Nico had to take up the chant again to keep them at bay. 

"Yes, quite right, master," Minos said with amusement. "You keep chanting. I've only come to protect you from these liars who would deceive you."

He turned to Percy as if he were some kind of cockroach. "Percy Jackson . . .my, my. The sons of Poseidon haven't improved over the centuries, have they?" 

Percy wanted to punch him, but he figured his fist would go right through his face. 

"We're looking for Bianca di Angelo." Noelle scowled. "Get lost."

The ghost chuckled. "I understand your boyfriend once killed my Minotaur with his bare hands. But worse things await you in the maze. Do you really believe Daedalus will help you?" 

The other spirits stirred in agitation. Annabeth drew her knife and helped Noelle keep them away from the pit. Grover got so nervous he clung to Tyson's shoulder. 

"Daedalus cares nothing for you, half-bloods," Minos warned. "You can't trust him. He is old beyond counting, and crafty. He is bitter from the guilt of murder and is cursed by the gods." 

"The guilt of murder?" Percy asked. "Who did he kill?" 

"Do not change the subject!" the ghost growled. "You are hindering Nico. You try to persuade him to give up his goal. I would make him a lord!" 

"Enough, Minos," Nico commanded. 

The ghost sneered. "Master, these are your enemies. You must not listen to them! Let me protect you. I will turn their minds to madness, as I did the others."