ONE LAST TIME . . . heroes of olympus

58

THEY DIDN'T MAKE it to the ship.

Halfway across the dock, three giant eagles descended in front of them. Each deposited a Roman commando in purple and denim with glittering gold armor, sword, and shield. The eagles flew away, and the Roman in the middle, who was scrawnier than the others, raised his visor.

"Surrender to Rome!" shrieked Octavian.

Hazel drew her cavalry sword and grumbled, "Fat chance, Octavian."

Kat wanted to snicker at him. Unfortunately, the situation didn't look great. By himself, the skinny augur wouldn't have bothered her, but the two other guys looked like seasoned warriors — a lot bigger and stronger than Kat wanted to deal with. Why couldn't life be easy? Can't the bad guys be more like Octavian: scrawny and easy to beat?

Of course, she had the three things that could beat any warrior: speed, stamina, and the best sword in the world. And probably spite and determination as well, but those were an added bonus.

Piper raised her hands in a placating gesture. "Octavian, what happened at camp was a setup. We can explain."

"Can't hear you!" yelled Octavian. "Wax in our ears — standard procedure when battling evil sirens. Now, throw down your weapons and turn around slowly so I can bind your hands."

"Let me skewer him," muttered Hazel. "Please."

"When we eventually beat up this guy, I'm inducting you into the family," promised Kat. "Cake and everything."

"Kat." Piper said firmly.

"You're telling me you don't want to beat this guy up?" Kat snorted. "Come on, let me at him. I'll use him as a surfboard and make a dramatic escape from here if I have to."

"Surfboard . . ." Annabeth muttered under her breath.

"Well?" Octavian demanded. His two friends brandished their swords.

"See, Annabeth's coming around!" Kat pointed out to Piper. "Hazel's probably down. What about you, malyshka?"

Piper rolled her eyes. "Kat—"

Very slowly, using only two fingers, Annabeth drew her dagger. Instead of dropping it, she tossed it as far as she could into the water.

Octavian made a squeaking sound. "What was that for? I didn't say toss it! That could've been evidence. Or spoils of war!"

Annabeth smiled a dumb-blonde smile, like: Oh, silly me. Kat's eyebrows raised. Okay, maybe she could see the appeal in befriending Annabeth. Octavian seemed to buy it. He huffed in exasperation.

"You other three . . ." He pointed his blade at Hazel, Piper, and Kat. "Put your weapons on the dock. No funny bus—"

All around the Romans, Charleston Harbor erupted like someone had just exploded the pipes under a fountain. When the wall of seawater subsided, the three Romans were in the bay, spluttering and frantically trying to stay afloat in their armor. Percy stood on the dock, holding Annabeth's dagger.

"You dropped this," he said, totally poker-faced.

Annabeth threw her arms around him. "I love you!"

Kat looked at Piper and stuck a finger down her throat. Piper rolled her eyes at her.

"Guys," Hazel interrupted. She had a little smile on her face. "We need to hurry."

Down in the water, Octavian yelled, "Get me out of here! I'll kill you!"

"Tempting," Percy called down.

"What?" Octavian shouted. He was holding on to one of his guards, who was having trouble keeping them both afloat. Loser. Imagine not being able to swim.