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chapter twenty-seven. ( battle of the labyrinth ) ❝ annabeth's hubris! ❞
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Percy's no longer surprised when I'm around and all of our friends are untied. I think he's come to understand that I always find a way out; I'm resourceful. You have to be if you're a demigod. Cain explained he had gotten Eurytion on our side with a small little chat from uncle to nephew (oh, yeah, he also explained how he's the son of the minor-god of fear. No one was really surprised. In fact, it made sense. Annabeth had her theories, she had said, which was why she brought him along. Either way, she looked very proud that Cain had managed to talk Eurytion into standing up for himself. He blushed when she said that it had been very smart of him to do).
We had a lovely chat with Eurytion━he wasn't that bad. He's grown on me. Annabeth rubbed her bruised wrists. She was still looking at him suspiciously, however. "Your boss said that someone paid for our safe passage. Who?"
The cowherd shrugged. "Maybe he was just saying that to fool you."
"No, he wasn't," I said. We all knew he had paid for our safe passage, deep down, we just didn't want to say it.
"What about the Titans?" then asked Percy. "Did you Iris-message them about Nico yet?"
"Nope," the son of Ares shook his head. "Geryon was waiting until after the barbecue. They don't know anything about him."
Nico was glaring at Percy. I wanted him to come with us, but I don't think he would agree to that with Percy with us. I pursed my lips. I wasn't going to break Hades's promise a second time. I met Percy's gaze, and he knew exactly what I was thinking. He turned to Nico, "You could stay here until we're done with our quest," he told him. "It would be safe."
"Safe," Nico said. "What do you care if I'm safe? You got my sister killed!"
"Nico," I tried, my words gentle, "that wasn't Percy's fault. And Geryon was't lying about Kronos wanting to capture you. If he knew who you were, he'd do anything to get you on his side."
"I'm not on anyone's side. And I'm not afraid!"
"I never said you were," I said. "But we're all afraid, Nico. It's smart to be afraid. Your sister wouldn't want━"
"If you cared for my sister, you'd help me bring her back!"
"A soul for a soul?" Percy frowned.
"Yes!"
"But if you didn't want my soul━"
"I'm not explaining anything to you!" Nico blinked away tears. "And I will bring her back!"
