WINGED ₁

73

WHEN THE DEMIGODS RETURNED TO EARTH, THEY FOUND MRS. O'LEARY GORGING ON THE OVERTURNED HOT DOG STAND WHILE THE OWNER WAS CURLED UP ASLEEP ON THE SIDEWALK. Argus was waiting for them with his hundreds of eyes wide. He didn't speak, because he never did, but his body language made it clear that he was unsettled.

Percy told him what they had learned in Olympus, then finished with, "You'd better get back to camp. Guard it as best you can."

He pointed at Percy and raised his eyebrows quizzically.

"I'm staying," Percy said.

Argus nodded, like this answer satisfied him. He looked at Annabeth and drew a circle in the air with his finger.

"Yes," Annabeth agreed. "I think it's time."

"For what?" Percy asked.

Argus rummaged around in the back of his van. He withdrew a bronze shield and passed it to Annabeth. It was standard issue, the same type that new campers got when playing capture the flag, but as soon as Annabeth set it on the ground, the reflection on the polished metal changed. It was no longer full of sky and buildings. It was the Statue of Liberty, which wasn't anywhere near their location.

"Woah," Percy said. "A video shield."

"One of Daedalus's ideas," Annabeth said. "I had Beckendorf make this before―" she glanced at Silena. "Um, anyway, the shield bends sunlight or moonlight from anywhere in the world to create a reflection. You can literally see any target under the sun or moon, as long as natural light is touching it. Look."

The demigods crowded around the shield. The image on it zoomed and spun, giving them a tour of various places in New York, all empty and barren.

"Woah," Connor said. "Back up. Zoom in right there."

"What?" Annabeth asked nervously. "You see invaders?"

"No, right there―Dylan's Candy Bar." Connor grinned at Travis. "Dude, it's open. And everyone is asleep. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Connor!" Katie scolded. She sounded like her mother, Demeter. "This is serious. You are not going to loot a candy store in the middle of a war!"

"Sorry," Connor muttered, though he didn't sound very apologetic. Madeleine figured he was still pissed at Katie―she knew she was.

Annabeth passed her hand in front of the shield, and the scene changed again. 

"This will let us see what's going on across the city," she said. "Thank you, Argus. Hopefully we'll see you back at camp... someday."

Argus grunted. He pointed at Madeleine and waved his hand, indicating she should join him. She did, crossing to the van.

Argus pulled out a pair of wings. They were the wings Daedalus had given Madeleine, the silver-and-bronze design that Beckendorf had been working on for her. A lump formed in her throat.

Argus pushed a small clasp on the wings, and they melted into a hairclip. He handed it off to Madeleine. He didn't speak, but the message was clear: she would need these. Beckendorf would want her to have them.

She lowered her head in thanks and pushed the hairclip into her hair. Argus nodded at her, just once, then climbed into his van. He and the two harpy drivers swerved away, weaving around clusters of idle cars that littered the road.

Percy whistled for Mrs. O'Leary, and she bounded over to him. "Hey, girl," he said. "You remember Grover? The satyr we met in the park?" She barked, and Percy nodded. "I need you to find him. Make sure he's still awake. We're going to need his help. You got that? Find Grover!"