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Summoning began after dark, at a twenty foot long pit in front of the septic tank. The tank was bright yellow, with a smiley face and red words painted on the side: Happy Flush Disposal Co. It didn't quite go with the mood of summoning the dead.
The moon was full. Silver clouds drifted across the sky.
"Minos should be here by now," Nico said, frowning. "It's full dark."
"Maybe he got lost," Percy said hopefully.
Nico poured root beer and tossed barbecue into the pit, then began chanting in Ancient Greek. Immediately the bugs in the woods stopped chirping. On Rory's finger, Spectre grew colder, freezing against her skin.
"Make him stop," Tyson whispered.
Rory didn't want Nico to stop. She was fascinated — she had never actually seen the dead raised before. It was unnatural. The night air felt cold and menacing. But it drew her in. Then the first spirits appeared. Sulfurous mist seeped out of the ground. Shadows thickened into human forms. One blue shade drifted to the edge of the pit and knelt to drink.
"Stop him!" Nico said, momentarily breaking his chant. "Only Bianca may drink!"
Percy drew Riptide. The ghosts retreated with a collective hiss at the sight of his Celestial bronze blade. But it was too late to stop the first spirit. He had already solidified into the shape of a bearded man in white robes. A circlet of gold wreathed his head, and even in death his eyes were alive with malice.
"Minos!" Nico said. "What are you doing?"
"My apologies, master," the ghost said, though he didn't sound very sorry. "The sacrifice smelled so good, I couldn't resist." He examined his own hands and smiled. "It is good to see myself again. Almost in solid form—"
"You are disrupting the ritual!" Nico protested. "Get—"
The spirits of the dead began shimmering dangerously bright, and Nico had to take up the chant again to keep them at bay.
"Yes, quite right, master," Minos said with amusement. "You keep chanting. I've only come to protect you from these liars who would deceive you."
He turned to Percy as if he were some kind of cockroach. "Perseus Jackson... my, my. The sons of Poseidon haven't improved over the centuries, have they?"
Percy scowled. "We're looking for Bianca di Angelo," he said. "Get lost."
The ghost chuckled. "I understand you once killed my Minotaur with your bare hands. But worse things await you in the maze. Do you really believe Daedalus will help you?"
The other spirits stirred in agitation. Annabeth drew her knife and helped keep them away from the pit. There was nothing Rory could do — spirits were terrified of Stygian iron, but they may also be drawn to it. Grover got so nervous he clung to Tyson's shoulder.
