absquatulate━━HEROES OF OLYMPUS

: ̗̀➛ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟕

—PERCY didn't know how to feel about kissing Duska.

For some reason, it had appeared familiar, soft lips pressed against his. He'd tasted of something sweet, and a hint of toothpaste. And when his hands had covered Percy's...he hadn't meant to shudder, but even the thought sent a jolt down his spine.

And the flash of hurt that passed Duska's brown eyes when he mentioned Rachel had kissed him; why would he be upset about that?

All those thoughts circled through his head as he talked to a nearby Nereid. He was faintly aware of how distracted he seemed, but he didn't care. She didn't either, apparently, because the information she offered was useful enough. 

Everything seemed to go splendidly until a dagger fell on his head.

He muttered an 'ow!' and rubbed the sore spot, looking at the bronze knife. Wait, was that Annabeth's knife?

He told the Nereid goodbye and shot up in the water. Sure enough, three Romans—ugh, not Octavian again?—had circled Annabeth, Piper and Hazel. Anger bubbled up in Percy's stomach.

All around the Romans, Charleston Harbor erupted like a Las Vegas fountain putting on a show. 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!"

Just kiss her, Duska's advice rang in his mind. But he only wound his arms around Annabeth before she pulled away.

"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.

"Nothing!" Percy shouted back. "Let's go, guys."

Hazel frowned. "We can't let them drown, can we?"

"They won't," Percy promised. "I've got the water circulating around their feet. As soon as we're out of range, I'll spit them ashore."

Piper grinned. "Nice."

They climbed aboard the Argo II, and Annabeth ran to the helm. "Piper, get below. Use the sink in the galley for an Iris-message. Warn Jason to get

back here!"

Piper nodded and raced off.

"Hazel, go find Duska and Coach Hedge and tell him to get their asses on deck!"

"Right!"

"And Percy—you and I need to get this ship to Fort Sumter."

Percy nodded and ran to the mast. Annabeth took the helm. Her hands flew across the controls.

Percy had controlled full-sized sailing ships before with only his willpower. This time, he didn't disappoint. Ropes flew on their own—releasing the dock ties, weighing the anchor. The sails unfurled and caught the wind. Meanwhile Annabeth fired the engine. The oars extended with a sound like machine-gun fire, and the Argo II turned from the dock, heading for the island in the distance.

The three eagles still circled overhead, but they made no attempt to land on the ship, probably because Festus the figurehead blew fire whenever they got close. More eagles were flying in formation toward Fort Sumter—at least a dozen. If each of them carried a Roman demigod...that was a lot of enemies. Coach Hedge and Duska came pounding up the stairs with Hazel at his hooves.