LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE . . . hoo

XXIV.

THERE WAS NO way in hell that Mia would be joining any legion of Alcyoneus's — dead or alive.

Or even just any legion in general. Amelia Starfury isn't bound down by any camp. Not now, anyway. Not when she had a million promises to fulfill and a world to save.

"Hazel," Frank's voice shook as he addressed her. "That package you're keeping for me? I need it."

Hazel glanced at him in dismay. "Frank, no. There has to be another way."

"Please. I — I know what I'm doing."

Thanatos smiled and lifted his manacled wrists. "You're right, Frank Zhang. Sacrifices must be made."

The giant Alcyoneus stepped forward, his reptilian feet shaking the ground. "What package do you speak of, Frank Zhang? Have you brought me a present?"

"Nothing for you, Golden Boy," Frank said. "Except a whole lot of pain."

The giant roared with laughter. "Spoken like a child of Mars! Too bad I have to kill you. And you . . . the enigma, the daughter of Proserpina." His eyes glinted with something vicious as he looked at her. "I can sense it in you. The gardens of your mother, the aura of death, the depths of the Underworld . . ."

"You'll be there soon enough," Mia narrowed her eyes. "Maybe further down would be better, though. I'd hate to see your red, scaly legs decorated in the palace. Ruins the ambiance, you know?"

"Oh, I bet you won't be saying those things once you're on my side," he said, and her nose scrunched up in disgust. "And this one . . . my, my, I've been waiting to meet the famous Percy Jackson."

The giant grinned. His silver teeth made his mouth look like a car grille.

"I've followed your progress, son of Neptune," said Alcyoneus. "Your fight with Kronos? Well done. Gaea hates you above all others . . . except perhaps for that upstart Jason Grace. I'm sorry I can't kill you right away, but my brother Polybotes wishes to keep you as a pet. He thinks it will be amusing when he destroys Neptune to have the god's favorite son on a leash. After that, of course, Gaea has plans for you."

"Yeah, flattering." Percy raised Riptide. "But actually I'm the son of Poseidon. I'm from Camp Half-Blood."

The ghosts stirred. Some drew swords and lifted shields. Alcyoneus raised his hand, gesturing for them to wait.

"Greek, Roman, it doesn't matter," the giant said easily. "We will crush both camps underfoot. You see, the Titans didn't think big enough. They planned to destroy the godsin their new home of America. We giants know better! To kill a weed, you must pull up its roots. Even now, while my forces destroy your little Roman camp, my brother Porphyrion is preparing for the real battle in the ancient lands! We will destroy the gods at their source."

The ghosts pounded their swords against their shields. The sound echoed across the mountains.

"The source?" Frank asked. "You mean Greece?"

Alcyoneus chuckled. "No need to worry about that, son of Mars. You won't live long enough to see our ultimate victory. I will replace Pluto as lord of the Underworld. I already have Death in my custody. With Hazel Levesque in my service, I will have all the riches under the earth as well! And with Amelia Starfury by my side, I will have complete control of the Underworld!"

Mia snorted. "Dude, I will never be on your side. Unless I'm stabbing my sword into your side."

"I agree with Amelia," Hazel said. "I will never be in your service."

"Oh, but you gave me life!" Alcyoneus said. "True, we hoped to awaken Gaea during World War II. That would've been glorious. But really, the world is in almost as bad a shape now. Soon, your civilization will be wiped out. The Doors of Death will stand open. Those who serve us will never perish. Alive or dead, you three will join my army."