Lykos of the Shadows 𖦹PJO

𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑑 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠

They were crossing the Potomac when they spotted the helicopter. It was a sleek, black military model just like the one they'd seen at Westover. And it was coming straight toward them.

"They know the van," Percy said. "We have to ditch it."

Zoe swerved into the fast lane, and Penny's seatbelt didn't tighten fast enough so her hand hit her side door hard. She winced in pain and peeked out the window. The helicopter was gaining.

"Maybe the military will shoot it down," Grover said hopefully.

"The military probably thinks it's one of theirs," Percy said. "How can the General use mortals, anyway?"

"Mercenaries," Zoe said bitterly. "It is distasteful, but many mortals will fight for any cause as long as they are paid."

"But don't these mortals see who they're working for?" Percy asked. "Don't they notice all the monsters around them?"

Zoe shook her head. "I do not know how much they see through the Mist. I doubt it would matter to them if they knew the truth. Sometimes mortals can be more horrible than monsters."

The helicopter kept coming, making a lot better time than they were through D.C. traffic.

Thalia closed her eyes and prayed hard. "Hey, Dad. A lightning bolt would be nice about now. Please?"

But the sky stayed gray and snowy—no sign of a helpful thunderstorm.

"There!" Bianca said. "That parking lot!"

"We'll be trapped," Zoë said.

"Trust me," Bianca said.

Zoë shot across two lanes of traffic and into a mall parking lot on the south bank of the river. The moment she pulled the van to a stop, everyone scrambled out. They left it behind and followed Bianca down some steps.

The cold air hit Penelope's lungs with a sharp sting. The snow crunched under their feet as they all ran.

"Subway entrance," Bianca said. "Let's go south. Alexandria."

"Anything," Thalia agreed.

They bought tickets and got through the turnstiles, looking behind them for any signs of pursuit. A few minutes later they were safely aboard a southbound train, riding away from D.C. As their train came above ground, they could see the helicopter circling the parking lot, but it didn't go after them.

Penelope slumped on her seat, relief clouding her as she tried to catch her breath.

Grover let out a sigh. "Nice job, Bianca, thinking of the subway."

Bianca looked pleased. "Yeah, well. I saw that station when Nico and I came through last summer. I remember being really surprised to see it because it wasn't here when we used to live in D.C."

Grover frowned. "New? But that station looked really old."

And it had looked old. Too old for her to be surprised by its existence.

"I guess," Bianca said. "But trust me, when we lived here as little kids, there was no subway."

Thalia sat forward. "Wait a minute. No subway at all?"

"Are you sure?" Penelope chimed.

Bianca nodded.

Penelope furrowed her brows, studying the side of Bianca's face. The D.C. subway system was clearly years old, at least twelve. And from the confused looks from everyone else, they were thinking the same thing.