{BOOK 3} Percy Jackson's Sister

The Maze of Death Can't Be THAT Scary, Right?

      Breakfast was buzzing with excitement.

     From what I could gather, around three in the morning an Aethiopian drakon had been spotted at the borders of camp. Percy and I were so exhausted we slept right through the noise.  

     The magical boundaries had kept the monster out, but it prowled the hills, looking for weak spots in our defenses, and it didn't seem anxious to go away until, according to gossip, Lee Fletcher from Apollo's cabin led a couple of his siblings in pursuit.     

     After a few dozen arrows lodged in the chinks of the drakon's armor, it got the message and withdrew.

    "It's still out there," Lee said as if he were telling a scary story. "Twenty arrows in its hide, and we just made it mad. The thing was thirty feet long and bright green. It's eyes—" he shuddered.

    "You did well, Lee," Chiron patted him on the shoulder. "Everyone stay alert, but stay calm. This has happened before."

    "Aye," Quintus said from the head table. "And it will happen again. More and more frequently."

     Scattered murmurs erupted from every table.

    Rumors spread fast at camp, especially this one: Luke and his army of monsters were planning an invasion of the camp. We expected it to happen this summer, but none of us had any idea how or when. Some of us had developed serious trust issues, somehow Luke was up to date on everything happening at camp, meaning someone has to be filling him in. No one knew who to trust, considering a lot of our campers had joined Luke's army, sharing the rage for their godly parents.

    "This is a good reason for new war games, Quintus continued, a glint in his eyes. "We'll see how you all do with that tonight."

    "Yes..." Chiron agreed. "Well, enough announcements. Let us bless this meal and eat." He raised his goblet. "To the gods."

     We all raised our glasses and repeated the blessing.

    Tyson, Percy, and I got up from our table to sacrifice a portion of our food to Poseidon. I leg them go first because I didn't know what to say. Percy whispered a prayer, Tyson threw his food into the fire with a grin, I stepped up with an empty mind to the fire.

    I scraped a portion of my french toast into the fire. "If you're even listening, or watching."

    I stood in front of the blaze for awhile longer, waiting for something to come to mind. No words of gratitude, not for an absent father like him. No plead for help, not from someone who's never given it to me. I decided sacrificing part of my breakfast was enough went to sit down.
   
    Thinking of being ignored reminded me of Jess. She was a possible parent that was trying really hard to reach out, and I was treating her just as Poseidon treated me. What makes me any better than him? I thought if I survived this summer, I'd consider giving her a chance. Just maybe.

   Once everyone was eating, Chiron and Grover came over to visit. Grover looked like he had a rough night, and not in the good sense. His bleary-eyed expression was matched by his inside out shirt. He miserably slid his plate next to mine and took a seat.

   Tyson shifted uncomfortably. "I will go...um...polish my fish ponies." He lumbered off, leaving his breakfast half-eaten.

    Chiron forced a smile on his face. I could tell it was fake, and not very reassuring considering he was in centaur form so he towered over us. "Well, Percy, Cassidy, how did you sleep?"

    "Uh, fine." Percy answered for both of us. He side glanced me and I knew what he was thinking. I shook my head no. I hadn't told anyone about the Iris message.