WINGED ₁

62

DISTANCE WAS SHORTER IN THE LABYRINTH, BUT NOT SHORT ENOUGH. After what felt like hours, they finally climbed out of the Marriott basement and stood on the sidewalk in the bright summer daylight, squinting at the traffic and the crowds. It seemed unreal, like a different world.

Percy led them into an alley, then whistled loudly. A minute later, Rachel gasped. "They're beautiful!"

A flock of pegasi descended from the sky, swooping between the skyscrapers. Percy's black pegasus led the way, following by six of his white friends and a seventh brown one that Madeleine recognized as the one she had ridden last winter.

"Yeah," Percy said to Blackjack. "I'm lucky that way. Listen, we need a ride to camp quick." Percy paused to listen to the animal's reply, then gave them the okay to saddle up. Everyone went to a pegasus and Madeleine let her own nuzzle her, then paused and turned back to Rachel.

Rachel looked a little forlorn watching them go, so Madeleine held out her hand. "You were really great. Thanks for everything." She paused. "I don't really have any mortal friends, but I think you're a good start."

Rachel batted Madeleine's hand away and hugged her fiercely. "Thank you." She drew a shimmery gold sharpie from her pocket and drew her number on Madeleine's arm. "Call me."

Madeleine smiled at her and retreated back to her pegasus, to let Ethan and Percy say their goodbyes. She noticed Nico having trouble with his animal and approached him.

"Go without me!" Nico finally snapped. "I don't want to go back to that camp anyway."

Percy approached. "Nico," he said gently, "we need your help."

The small boy folded his arms and scowled. Then Annabeth put her hand on his shoulder and said, "Nico. Please."

He softened. "Alright. For you, and Madeleine, and Ethan. But I'm not staying."

Percy raised his eyebrows at Annabeth. She stuck her tongue out at him. 

Finally, they were off, shooting up into the air. Madeleine noticed Ethan gripping his pegasus for dear life, face pale. She smiled to herself and closed her eyes, let the wind grip her hair and take her away.

⎯⎯ ୨ winged ୧ ⎯⎯

They landed in the middle of the cabin area and were immediately met by Chiron; the old satyr Silenus; and a pair of archers from Apollo, one of them being Lee. Madeleine flew into his arms fiercely, her relief so great that she felt tears prick her eyes. She hadn't realized how worried she was until she was in his arms and his heart was still beating.

Chiron raised an eyebrow when he saw Nico and Ethan, but Madeleine gave him a fierce look, and he didn't say anything. She gave Grover a quick hug and wished him luck, then let Lee escort her, Ethan, and Nico away. Percy could tell the story. She didn't care what Chiron thought of her. She had friends to save.

It was the biggest military operation Madeleine had ever seen at camp. All of the attending demigods were in the clearing, dressed in full battle armor. The Hephaestus Cabin had set up traps around the entrance to the Labyrinth. There were razor wires, pits filled with pots of Greek fire, and rows of sharpened sticks to deflect a charge. Beckendorf was manning two catapults, already primed and aimed at Zeus's Fist. The Ares Cabin was on the front line, drilling in phalanx formation with Clarisse shouting orders. Apollo's and Hermes's Cabins were scattered in the woods with bows ready. Many had taken up positions in the trees. Even the dryads were armed with bows, and the satyrs trotted around with wooden cudgels and shields made of rough tree bark.

Annabeth went to join her brethren from the Athena Cabin, who had set up a command tent and were directing operations. A gray banner with an owl fluttered outside of the tent. Argus stood guard at the door. The Aphrodite Cabin were arming themselves with weapons and scattering behind Ares as reinforcements. Drew herself stood by Lee, axe resting on her shoulder. She smiled fondly as Madeleine approached and said, "Thanks for the coin."