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CHAPTER TWELVE xii. beyond the help of the gods _______
Sebastian hated planes almost as much as Percy. He was closing his eyes and muttering prayers for the first part of the flight. He tried to focus on what the other three were talking about but found their words hazy.
Fear was a peculiar feeling for him, but being high in the sky certainly brought it out. Jupiter unapologetically hated him without good reason, meaning he'd be quite willing to bring the plane crashing down just to bring Sebastian a bit of pain - and killing Percy would just be an added bonus. Sebastian just hoped the god had enough sense not to kill three important demigods because of whatever petty feud he had with the vampire.
Meanwhile, Frank was telling them about his conversation with Mars the night before. He explained the prophecy Juno had issued when he was a baby - about his life being tied to a piece of firewood, and how he had asked Hazel to keep it for him.
Some of that, Percy had already figured out and, of course, Sebastian already knew.
"Frank," Percy said, "I'm proud to be related to you."
Frank's ears turned red. With his head lowered, his military haircut made a sharp black arrow pointing down. "Juno has some sort of plan for us, about the Prophecy of Seven."
"Yeah," Percy grumbled. "I didn't like her as Hera. I don't like her any better as Juno."
"Careful what you say Perseus," Sebastian warned. Percy didn't seem bothered.
Hazel tucked her feet underneath her. Sebastian admired her. They were flying to Alaska, where she had died once before. They would try to free Thanatos, who might take her back to the Underworld. Yet she didn't show any fear. It made Sebastian feel idiotic for being scared of airplane turbulence.
"You're a son of Poseidon, aren't you?" Hazel asked Percy. "You are a Greek demigod."
Percy gripped his leather necklace. "I started to remember in Portland, after the gorgon's blood. It's been coming back to me slowly since then. There's another camp - Camp Half-Blood."
Percy smiled as he said the name. Sebastian had never been to the camp but he had spoken with the camp leader, Chiron, before. It seemed much more relaxed and homey than Camp Jupiter. Sebastian had made the camp, yes, but he'd made it in Rome's image, not his own. He'd always felt like he'd prefer the down-to-earth atmosphere of Camp Half-Blood.
Hazel and Frank stared at Percy as though he'd slipped into another language.
"Another camp," Hazel repeated. "A Greek camp? Gods, if Octavian found out-"
"He'd declare war," Sebastian said. "He's always been sure the Greeks were out there, plotting against us. He thought Percy was a spy."
"That's why Juno sent me," Percy said. "Uh, I mean, not to spy. I think it was some kind of exchange. Your friend Jason-"
