ENTRAPPED ₂

41

MADELEINE WAS NOT SCARED OF ALCYONEUS AND HIS TALK. She was not scared of the chattering shades that surrounded him, because she had befriended them a long time ago. She was not scared of losing anyone this time.

Here was what sickened her: her past.

"Hazel," Frank said. He extended his hand toward her. "That package you're keeping for me? I need it."

Hazel glanced at him in dismay. Sitting on Arion, she looked regal, powerful and beautiful, her brown hair swept over her shoulders and a wreath of icy mist around her head. She looked much older than fifteen. "Frank, no. There has to be another way."

"Please. I―I know what I'm doing."

Thanatos smiled and lifted his manacled wrists. "You're right, Frank Zhang. Sacrifices must be made. My only question is, will Madeleine Aetos possess the same qualities?"

Alcyoneus stepped forward, his reptilian feet shaking the ground. "What package do you speak of, Frank Zhang? Have you brought me a present?"

"Nothing for you, Golden Boy," Frank snarled. "Except a whole lot of pain."

The giant roared with laughter. "Spoken like a child of Mars! Too bad I have to kill you. And this one... my, my, I've been waiting to meet the famous Percy Jackson. And his lovely sidekick, Madeleine Aetos."

The giant grinned. His silver teeth made his mouth look like a car grille.

"I've followed your progress, son of Neptune, daughter of Hermes," said Alcyoneus. "Your fight with Kronos? Well done. Gaea hates you both above all others... except perhaps for that upstart Jason Grace. I'm sorry I can't kill you right away, but my brothers wish to keep you as pets. They think it will be amusing when they destroy Neptune and Mercury to have the gods' favorite children on leashes. After that, of course, Gaea has plans for you."

"Yeah, flattering." Percy raised Riptide. "But actually I'm the son of Poseidon, and Madeleine is the daughter of Hermes. We're from Camp Half-Blood."

The ghosts stirred. Some drew swords and lifted shields. Alcyoneus raised his hand, gesturing for them to wait.

"Greek, Roman, it doesn't matter," the giant said easily. "We will crush both camps underfoot. You see, the Titans didn't think big enough. They planned to destroy the gods in their new home of America. We giants know better! To kill a weed, you must pull up its roots. Even now, while my forces destroy your little Roman camp, my brother Porphyrion is preparing for the real battle in the ancient lands! We will destroy the gods at their source."

The ghosts pounded their swords against their shields. The sound echoed across the mountains.

"The source?" Frank asked. "You mean Greece?"

Alcyoneus chuckled. "No need to worry about that, son of Mars. You won't live long enough to see our ultimate victory. I will replace Pluto as lord of the Underworld. I already have Death in my custody. With Hazel Levesque in my service, I will have all the riches under the earth as well!"

Hazel gripped her spatha. "I don't do service."

"Oh, but you gave me life!" Alconeyus said. "True, we hoped to awaken Gaea during World War II. That would've been glorious. But really, the world is in almost as bad a shape now. Soon, your civilization will be wiped out. The Doors of Death will stand open. Those who serve us will never perish. Alive or dead, you four will join my army."

Percy shook his head. "Fat chance, Golden Boy. You're going down."

"Wait." Hazel spurred her horse toward the giant. "I raised this monster from the earth. I'm the daughter of Pluto. It's my place to kill him."