Silver Tears - Ethan Nakamura

Fifty-two: The battle of the Labyrinth

I NEVER THOUGHT I'D SAY THIS BUT I WISH DIONYSUS WAS HERE.

Distance was shorter in the Labyrinth. Still, by the time Rachel got us back to Times Square, I felt like we'd pretty much run all the way from New Mexico.

We climbed out of the Marriott basement and stood on the sidewalk in the bright summer daylight, squinting at the traffic and crowds. I couldn't decide which seemed less real—New York or the crystal cave where I'd watched a god die. Percy led the way into an alley, where he could get a nice echo.

Then Percy whistled as loud as he could, five times. A minute later, Rachel gasped. "They're beautiful!"

A flock of pegasi descended from the sky, swooping between the skyscrapers. Blackjack was in the lead, followed by five of his white friends, a brown spotted one followed behind them. I grinned as I recognized him.

It was Celeris, and his name suited him because out of all the pegasus I've met he has been the fastest. Celeris came up to me and I scratched his neck. Ethan stood next to me, "pet him. He won't bite."

Ethan reached out and Celeris got closer to Ethan and rubbed his head against Ethan's chest. My lips twitched, "someone likes you."

I looked over and saw Blackjack in front of Percy, I assume he said something because Percy said, "yeah, I'm lucky that way. Listen, we need a ride to camp quick."

Blackjack neighed, and turned to one of the horses who I knew as Guido. Clearly Guido wasn't happy about what Blackjack said, because he groaned and it seemed like he was complaining.

Everybody started saddling up—except Rachel.

"Well," she told Percy, "I guess this is it." I tuned out Percy and Rachel, and went up to Ethan helping him get on Celeris. I decided Ethan could take Celeris, as Celeris clearly liked Ethan.

"You know Lee, paid Connor drachmas for him to keep our room, upstairs." I told Ethan, he looked down at me. "Really?"

I nodded my head, "did Luke tell you want had happened? What Atlas revealed?" I asked leaning against Celeris.

"No, what happened?"

"Atlas revealed about us knowing about Luke's plans. Annabeth and Percy told all the counselors. Connor being upset by it, started telling people how I was a traitor. Drew found out, and she still... I don't know, hates me?"

Ethan rolled his eye, "Drew will get over it. You know how she is."

I shrugged my shoulders, "I guess so."

I looked over and I saw Percy coming back, and I saw Nico have trouble with Porkpie. His Pegasus kept shying away from him, reluctant to let him mount.

"Go without me!" Nico said. "I don't want to go back to that camp anyway."

"Nico," Percy said, "we need your help." He folded his arms and scowled. I put my hand on his shoulder. He relaxed under my touch.