A web of fates | Percy Jackson and the Olympians

X| A lion tries eating Daphne

The main part of the museum was one huge room with rockets and airplanes hanging from the ceiling.

Three levels of balconies curled around, so you could look at the exhibits from all different heights.

The place wasn't crowded, just a few families and a couple of tour groups of kids, probably doing one of those holiday school trips.

Daphne soon found Percy. "Come on, idiot we have to find the others."

They ran into Thalia-literally. They were barreling up the ramp to the top-floor balcony and slammed into her, knocking her into an Apollo space capsule.

Grover yelped in surprise.

Before Percy could regain his balance, Zoë and Bianca had arrows notched, aimed at their chests. Their bows had just appeared out of nowhere.

"Put your bows down."

When Zoë realized who they were, she didn't seem anxious to lower her bow. "You!" How dare you show thy face here?"

Zoë was staring at Percy, not even sparing Daphne a glance.

"Percy!" Grover said. "Thank goodness."

Zoë glared at him, and he blushed. "I mean, um, gosh. You're not supposed to be here!"

"Luke," Percy said, trying to catch his breath. "He's here."

Theo stepped forward in Daphne's direction, the girl gave him a smile as though she hadn't just given Luke information on them and their quest.

"Hey Golden Girl." Theo greeted, his smile warm and friendly.

"Theo!" She grinned.

The anger in Thalia's eyes immediately melted. She put her hand on her silver bracelet. "Where?"

Percy told them about the Natural History Museum, Dr. Thorn, Luke, and the General.

"The General is here?" Zoë looked stunned. "That is impossible! You lie."

"Why would I lie? Look, there's no time. Skeleton warriors-"

"What?" Thalia demanded. "How many?"

"Twelve." Daphne said, though she wasn't looking at the daughter or Zeus - more interested in Theo.

"And that's not all. That guy, the General, he said he was sending something, a 'playmate,' to distract you over here. A monster." Percy added.

Theo, Thalia and Grover exchanged looks.

"We were following Artemis's trail," Grover said. "I was pretty sure it led here. Some powerful monster scent... She must've stopped here looking for the mystery monster. But we haven't found anything yet."

"Zoë," Bianca said nervously, "if it is the General-"

"It cannot be!" Zoë snapped. "Percy and Daphne must have seen an Iris-message or some other illusion."

"Illusions don't crack marble floors." Daphne told her calmly as Theo absentmindedly played with the ends of her hair.

Zoë took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Daphne didn't know why she was taking it so personally, or how she knew this General guy, but she figured now wasn't the time to ask.

"If they are telling the truth about the skeleton warriors," she said, "we have no time to argue. They are the worst, the most horrible ... We must leave now."

"Good idea." Percy said.

"I was not including thee, boy," Zoë said. "You are not part of this quest. Daphne can come as she was originally meant to be on this quest."