The Silver Archer 2️⃣ (Percy Jackson)

40. Thalia's Leadership

Adira

Zeus had taken his throne. He glared across the room at Poseidon while all the other gods filed in and took their seats. Even Hades was present, sitting on a simple stone guest chair at the foot of the hearth. Nico sat cross-legged on the ground at his dad's feet. Like a child his age should be.

"Well, Poseidon?" Zeus grumped. "Are you too proud to join us in council, my brother?"

I thought Poseidon was going to get mad, but he just looked at Percy and I and winked. "I would be honored, Lord Zeus."

I guess miracles do happen. Poseidon strode over to his fishing seat, and the Olympian Council
convened.

My entire family came and stood behind me. While Zeus was talking—some long speech about the bravery of the gods, etc.—Annabeth and Brett walked in and stood next to me. She looked good for someone who'd recently passed out. I maybe or did realize that they both were blushing, and holding hands.

"Miss much?" she whispered.

"Nobody's planning to kill us, so far," I whispered back.

"First time today."

"Hooray!" Brett whimpered. Percy and I cracked up, but Grover nudged him because Hera was giving us a dirty look.

"As for my brothers," Zeus said, "we are thankful"—he cleared his throat like the words were hard to get out—"erm, thankful for the aid of Hades."

The lord of the dead nodded. He had a smug look on his face, but I figure he'd earned the right. He
patted his son Nico on the shoulders, and Nico looked happier than I'd ever seen him.

"And, of course," Zeus continued, though he looked like his pants were smoldering, "we must... um... thank Poseidon."

"I'm sorry, brother," Poseidon said. "What was that?"

Dang, Percy really was his father.

"We must thank Poseidon," Zeus growled. "Without whom . . . it would've been difficult—"

"Difficult?" Poseidon asked innocently.

"Impossible," Zeus said. "Impossible to defeat Typhon."

The gods murmured agreement and pounded their weapons in approval.

"Which leaves us," Zeus said, "only the matter of thanking our young demigod heroes, who defended Olympus so well—even if there are a few dents in my throne."

He called Thalia forward first, since she was his daughter, and promised her help in filling the Hunters' ranks.

Artemis smiled. "You have done well, my lieutenant. You have made me proud, and all those Hunters who perished in my service will never be forgotten. They will achieve Elysium, I am sure."

She glared pointedly at Hades.

He shrugged. "Probably."

Artemis glared at him some more.

"Okay," Hades grumbled. "I'll streamline their application process."

Thalia beamed with pride. "Thank you, my lady." She bowed to the gods, even Hades, and then
limped over to stand by Artemis's side.

Then my body fully froze. "The Lancaster children!" my mother called out.

I looked down the line of my siblings. Our faces turned pale, and I'm pretty sure Mariana almost fainted. Percy squeezed my palm. I let go, even though I didn't want to.

I led the way, followed by the rest. We stood in the middle of the council, kneeling in front of the gods.