The Titans Curse: Apollo's Daughter

Lions on the Loose

Percy's POV

I tore across the Mall, not daring to look behind me. I burst into the Air and Space Museum and took off my invisibility cap once I was through the admissions area.

I had no idea if Skyler was still back there or if she had gotten away but right now I needed to find the others if I was going to help her.

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. I wanted to yell at them all to leave, but I figured that would only get me arrested. 

Any minute, the skeleton dudes were going to invade the museum, and I didn't think they would settle for an audio tour. I ran into Thalia, literally. I was barreling up the ramp to the top-floor balcony and slammed into her, knocking her into an Apollo space capsule.

Before I could regain my balance, Zoe and Bianca had arrows notched, aimed at my chest. Their bows had just appeared out of nowhere.

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

"Luke," I said, trying to catch my breath. "He's here."

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

I told them about the Natural History Museum, Dr. Thorn, Luke, Skyler, and the General. "The General is here?" Zoe looked stunned. "That is impossible! You lie."

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

"Where's Skye was she captured?" Thalia demanded.

"How many warriors?" Zoe asked.

"Twelve," I said still trying to catch my breath. "And I don't know if she got captured. But that's not all. That guy, the General, he said he was sending something, a 'playmate,' to distract you over here. A monster."

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

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

"Illusions don't crack marble floors," I told her.

Zoe took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. I didn't know why she was taking it so personally, or how she knew this General guy, but I figured now wasn't the time to ask. "Percy is 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, but not without Skye," I said.

"I was not including thee, boy," Zoe said. "You are not part of this quest."

"Hey, I'm trying to save your lives!"

"You shouldn't have come, Percy," Thalia said grimly. "But you're here now..."

"That is not thy decision!" Zoe snapped.

Skyler came barrelling up the ramp. She skidded to a halt in front of us a cut across the left side of her jaw and what looked like tear streaks down her cheeks. "We need to go. Now." She breathed out her voice shakey.

Thalia scowled at Zoe small blue sparks framed her fingertips. "You're not the boss here, Zoe. I don't care how old you are! You're still a conceited little brat!"