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WHEN LAURIE WOKE next, the world was shaking. Like, actually shaking.
Annabeth shouted her name and something about an earthquake and before anyone could really even process it, they were running down tunnel after tunnel, the walls transforming from stone to marble to stainless steel.
"This way," Rachel said, directing them. "We're almost there."
"This is so wrong!" Annabeth protested. "The workshop should be in the oldest section of the maze, this is—"
Her words stuttered to a stop, because they'd arrived at a set of metal double doors. Inscribed in the steel, right in front of their eyes, was a blue Greek delta.
Annabeth reached up with a slight tremble in her hand and pressed the symbol. The hissing of the door opening quickly followed.
"So much for ancient architecture," Percy remarked.
Annabeth scowled at him. Laurie glared. Together, the four walked inside.
The first thing that hit them about the room was the sunlight steaming in, bright and blinding. It spilled in through giant windows, the kind you don't expect to find in the heart of an underground structure.
Laurie had never been so happy to see that bastard Apollo in her life.
The workshop was full of everything you'd expect to find in one and more. It was like Hephaestus's on steroids.
Contraptions and open laptops scattered across workbenches, diagrams that made no sense pinned to the walls, and machines that made even less sense all around. From the ceiling hung several pairs of bronze wings. At the back wall sat a golden throne with electrical wires spewing out the side.
"Di Immortales," Annabeth gasped, looking at a sketch on a nearby easel. "He's a genius. Look at the curves on this building!"
"And an artist," Rachel added, eyes wide in amazement. "These wings are amazing!"
Should Laurie gasp and say something dorky too?
"Oh wow!" She gaped dramatically, head turning to get a full sweep of the room. "And so not here! Where the hell is this guy?"
Halfway through the mockery, they could hear the amazement in her voice turn into irritation. The awestruck gasp on her face twisted into a scowl.
"Impatient as always," chuckled a voice behind them.
