Suddenly I was back in May Castellan's living room. I could feel Percy's spirit beside me. Candles flickered on the fireplace mantel, reflected in the mirrors along the walls. Through the kitchen doorway I could see Thalia sitting at the table while Ms. Castellan bandaged her wounded leg. Seven-year-old Annabeth sat next to her, playing with a Medusa beanbag toy.

Hermes and Luke stood apart in the living room.

The god's face looked liquid in the candlelight, like he couldn't decide what shape to adopt. He was dressed in a navy blue jogging outfit with winged Reeboks.

"Why show yourself now?" Luke demanded. His shoulders were tense, as if he expected a fight. "All these years I've been calling to you, praying you'd show up, and nothing. You left me with her." He pointed toward the kitchen like he couldn't bear to look at his mother, much less say her name.

"Luke, do not dishonor her," Hermes warned. "Your mother did the best she could. As for me, I could not interfere with your path. The children of the gods must find their own way."

"So it was for my own good. Growing up on the streets, fending for myself, fighting monsters."

"You're my son," Hermes said. "I knew you had the ability. When I was only a baby, I crawled from my cradle and set out for-"

"I'm not a god! Just once, you could've said something. You could've helped when"—he took an unsteady breath, lowering his voice so no one in the kitchen could overhear—"when she was having one of her fits, shaking me and saying crazy things about my fate. When I used to hide in the closet so she wouldn't find me with those . . . those glowing eyes. Did you even care that I was scared? Did you even know when I finally ran away?"

In the kitchen, Ms. Castellan chattered aimlessly, pouring Kool-Aid for Thalia and Annabeth as she told them stories about Luke as a baby. Thalia rubbed her bandaged leg nervously. Annabeth glanced into the living room and held up a burned cookie for Luke to see. She mouthed, "Can we go now?"

"Luke, I care very much," Hermes said slowly, "but gods must not interfere directly in mortal affairs. It is one of our Ancient Laws. Especially when your destiny..." His voice trailed off. He stared at the candles as if remembering something unpleasant.

"What?" Luke asked. "What about my destiny?"

"You should not have come back," Hermes muttered. "It only upsets you both. However, I see now that you are getting too old to be on the run without help. I'll speak with Chiron at Camp Half-Blood and ask him to send a satyr to collect you."

"We're doing fine without your help," Luke growled. "Now, what were you saying about my destiny?"

The wings on Hermes's Reeboks fluttered restlessly. He studied his son like he was trying to memorize his face, and suddenly a cold feeling washed through me. I realized Hermes knew what May Castellan's mutterings meant. I wasn't sure how, but looking at his face I was absolutely certain. Hermes understood what would happen to Luke someday, how he would turn evil.

"My son," he said, "I'm the god of travelers, the god of loads. If I know anything, I know that you must walk your own path, even though it tears my heart."

"You don't love me."

"I promise I...I do love you. Go to camp. I will see that you get a quest soon. Perhaps you can defeat the Hydra, or steal the apples of Hesperides. You will get a chance to be a great hero before . . ."

"Before what?" Luke's voice was trembling now. "What did my mom see that made her like this? What's going to happen to me? If you love me, tell me."

Hermes's expression tightened. "I cannot."

"Then you don't care!" Luke yelled.

In the kitchen, the talking died abruptly.

"Luke?" May Castellan called. "Is that you? Is my boy all right?"

Luke turned to hide his face, but I could see the tears in his eyes. "I'm fine. I have a new family. I don't need either of you."

"I'm your father," Hermes insisted.

"A father is supposed to be around. I've never even met you. Thalia, Annabeth, come on! We're leaving!"

"My boy, don't go!" May Castellan called after him. "I have your lunch ready!"

Luke stormed out the door, Thalia and Annabeth scrambling after him. May Castellan tried to follow, but Hermes held her back.

As the screen door slammed, May collapsed in Hermes's arms and began to shake. Her eyes opened- glowing green- and she clutched desperately at Hermes's shoulders.

"My son," she hissed in a dry voice. "Danger. Terrible fate! The girl with the fire is his doom! The girl with the fire will be his doom."

"I know, my love," Hermes said sadly. "Believe me, I know."

The image faded. Prometheus pulled his hand away from my forehead.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. Thalia was holding my shoulder, I looked around and saw Thalia looking at us worried. "Nora? Percy?" Thalia asked. "What...what was that?"

I realized I was clammy with sweat, I had burnt two hand prints into the picknick table. I felt dizzy, and sick to my stomach. The acid sour hot sauce taste of the mist rose in my stomach again. Prometheus nodded sympathetically. "Appalling, isn't it? The gods know what is to come, and yet they do nothing, even for their children. How long did it take for them to tell you your prophecy, Percy Jackson? What about your sister? Hmm? The gods knew what happened to her moth, and yet... Don't you think your fathers knows what will happen to you?"

I was too stunned to answer or yell at him to get out of my head. I sat frozen feeling the cold sweat run down my back. Percy sat beside me shaking slightly. I reached out and gripped his hand tightly in my hand

"Guys!" Grover warned, "he's playing with your mind. Trying to make you angry."

I forgot Grover could read emotions, so he probably knew Prometheus was succeeding. But I was already angry. I was always angry lately. It didn't take a lot to get me angry. 

"Do you really blame your friend Luke? What about your...friend Raphael he chose not to be involved with the fight between the gods and titans, after what they did to him? Do you blame him for sitting out? " the Titan asked me. "And what about you, Percy? Will you be controlled by your fate? Kronos offers you a much better deal."

"Shut up!" I screamed. "I Luke made his choice. I was never his friend. And I know what Kronos has planned for me. Your deal is for everyone but me."

Prometheus looked at me hard, and then just nodded slowly. 

I clenched my fists. As much as I hated what Prometheus had shown me, I hated Kronos a lot more. I had gripped Percy's hand even tighter, my knuckles were white.  Percy slowly sat up straighter, I could feel his anger stealing himself. His back stiffened and his shoulders became tense. He lifted his chin. He pulled his hand free and signed as he spoke.

"I'll give you a deal. Tell Kronos to call off his attack, leave Luke Castellan's body, leave my sister alone and return to the pits of Tartarus. Then maybe we won't have to destroy him."

"This will make your fait even harder Eleanora. You know you can't outrun fait." 

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" I screamed, and slammed my hands onto the table, they were already flickering with fire. I slowly stood up glaring at the stupid magician in a tux, "I may have titan blood, but Apollo is my father, and I will stand with him until I'm dead. Tell Kronos, titan to titan, I will end him. In Luke's body or not!" My hands were flying as I signed and screamed at the titan in my head. I could feel Percy, Grover and Thalia's eyes on me, I could feel their unspoken questions.

The empousa snarled. Her hair erupted in fresh flames, but Prometheus just sighed.

"If you change your mind," he said, "I have a gift for you, two."

A Greek vase appeared on the table. It was about three feet high and a foot wide, glazed with black-and-white geometric designs. The ceramic lid was fastened with a leather harness. Grover whimpered when he saw it.

Thalia gasped, she looked almost terrified. "That's not-"

"Yes," Prometheus said. "You recognize it."

Looking at the jar, I felt a strange sense of fear, but I had no idea why. Percy glanced at me from the corner of his eye we shared the same anxious facial expression.

"This belonged to my sister-in-law," Prometheus explained. "Pandora."

A lump formed in my throat. 

"As in Pandora's box?" Percy signed with a frown.

"It's not a box...its a jar." I corrected. "That's disappointing." I frowned. 

Prometheus shook his head. "He doesn't know how this box business got started. It was never a box. It was a pithos, a storage jar. He says he supposes Pandora's pithos doesn't have the same ring to it." Thalia signed for me, her hands shook ever so slightly. I rolled my eyes at the stupid name. "He says now, yes, she open this jar, which contained most of the demons that now haunt mankind; fear, death, hunger, sickness."

"All my favorite ones" I signed, "Wonderful." 

"Don't forget me," the empousa purred.

"Can we put her back?" I signed. Thalia snorted, and bit her lip to keep from laughing. 

Prometheus nodded, not fully understanding that we were laughing at them. "The first empousa was also trapped in this jar, released by Pandora. What he finds curious about the story- Pandora always gets the blame. She is punished for being curious. The gods would have you believe that this is the lesson: mankind should not explore. They should not ask questions. They should do what they are told. He says in truth, this jar was a trap designed by Zeus and the other gods. It was revenge on me and my entire family- my poor simple brother Epimetheus and his wife Pandora. The gods knew she would open the jar. They were willing to punish the entire race of humanity along with us."

"You brought that on yourself. You're not innocent." I signed. "You messed with Zeus first." 

"Maybe." He nodded honestly, "But his retaliation was sever. You have witnessed this." 

I thought about my dream of Hades and Maria di Angelo. Zeus had destroyed an entire hotel to eliminate two demigod children- just to save his own skin, because he was scared of a prophecy. He'd killed an innocent woman and probably hadn't lost any sleep over it. Hades was no better. He wasn't powerful enough to take his revenge on Zeus, so he cursed the Oracle, dooming a young girl to a horrible fate. And Hermes... why had he abandoned Luke? Why hadn't he at least warned Luke, or tried to raise him better so he wouldn't turn evil? I thought of Hera killing my mother because she had a gift of seeing through the mist. And how Aphrodite messed with Raph and I....  Maybe Prometheus was toying with my mind. I shook my head, trying to ride myself the thoughts. But... what if he's right? Part of me wondered. How are the gods any better than the Titans? 

Prometheus tapped the lid of Pandora's jar, bringing me out of those thoughts. "Only one spirit remained inside when Pandora opened it."

"Hope," I signed. As Percy spoke at the same time.

Prometheus looked pleased. "Very good, you two. Elpis, the Spirit of Hope, would not abandon humanity. Hope does not leave without being given permission. She can only be released by a child of man."

The Titan slid the jar across the table.

"I give you two this as a reminder of what the gods are like," he said. "Keep Elpis, if you wish. But if you decide that you have seen enough destruction, enough futile suffering, then open the jar. Let Elpis go. Give up Hope, and I will know that you are surrendering. I promise Kronos will be lenient. He will spare the survivors."

"Except me." I spoke willing in my head and only to Prometheus. 

"Yes. However if you give yourself up, you can come willing... Kronos will make things easier for those you hold dear." 

Percy stared at the jar. I got a very bad feeling. I figured Pandora had been completely ADHD, like us. I could never leave things alone. I didn't like temptation.

"I don't want the thing," Percy growled, his hands shook while he signed.

"Too late," Prometheus said. "The gift is given. It cannot be taken back."

He stood. The empousa came forward and slipped her arm through his.

Prometheus called to the blue giant. "We are leaving. Get your flag. We will see you soon, Percy Jackson," Prometheus promised. "One way or another. You have a choice Eleanora Blofis."

Ethan Nakamura gave Percy and I one last hateful look. Then the truce party turned and strolled up the lane through Central Park, like it was just a regular sunny Sunday afternoon.

We walked back to the Plaza. Percy tried to grab my attention, but I ignored them, mulling over what Prometheus had showed me and what he told me. Just before we got to the front door, Thalia grabbed me and Percy, pulling us aside. 

"What did Prometheus show you?"

Reluctantly, Percy told her about the vision of May Castellan's house. Thalia rubbed her thigh like she was remembering the old wound.

"That was a bad night," she admitted. "Annabeth was so little, I don't think she really understood what she saw. She just knew Luke was upset."

I looked out the hotel windows at Central Park. Small fires were still burning in the north, but otherwise the city seemed unnaturally peaceful. 

"Do you know what happened to May Castellan?" Percy asked, "I mean—"

"I know what you mean," Thalia said. "I never saw her have an, um, episode, but Luke told me about the glowing eyes, the strange things she would say. He made me promise never to tell. What caused it, I have no idea. If Luke knew, he never told me."

"I do." I signed. 

Both of them looked at me with wide eyes. 

"What?" Percy asked, "how do you know?" 

"It has to do with the Oracle. You know the Hippy boho grandma mummy at camp?" 

They both nodded. Silently watching me as I explained. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Long story short, the Spirit of Delphi was cursed, stuck inside of the body. There are a few lines of an old prophecy: The despairing seeks vengeance. The broken will be cursed. The seeing shall die but live endless days, until she who sees brings peace to it all." 

I took another deep breath, and closed my eyes for a second. "Luke's mom tried to take on the spirit of Delphi. But because it was cursed...it messed with her head. And she's now...well broken." I said slowly, 

"So the cursed Oracle caused May to see parts of Luke's future, and Hermes understood what would happen- how Luke would turn into Kronos." Percy said, I could see the disgust on his face, the frustration with the gods. 

"Maybe." I signed, "He may have known parts, but not to the extent; like how cursed or what would happen, but they did try warn her. Even Apollo said it was risky, she had already had Luke, and no Oracle ever had been with child before. So we can't give them all the blame, Percy- they did warn her. She still chose to do it herself."

"How do you know?" 

"I saw it all. I've been having dreams and Sight visions, I've also talked to Apollo about it all." 

Thalia frowned at Percy too. "Remember Prometheus was manipulating what you two saw, Percy, showing you what happened in the worst possible light. Hermes did love Luke. I could tell just by looking at his face. And Hermes was there that night because he was checking up on May, taking care of her. He wasn't all bad."

"It's still not right," Percy insisted. "Luke was just a little kid. Hermes never helped him, never stopped him from running away."

Thalia shouldered her bow, looking hard at him "Percy," she said while signing, "you can't start feeling sorry for Luke. We all have tough things to deal with. All demigods do. Our parents are hardly ever around. But Luke made bad choices. Nobody forced him to do that. In fact-"

She glanced down the hall to make sure we were alone. "I'm worried about Annabeth. If she has to face Luke in battle, I don't know if she can do it. She's always had a soft spot for him."

I could see the blood rise to Percy's face, his cheeks and ears went pink, "She'll do fine."

"I don't know." Thalia shrugged, her hands flying as she spoke. "After that night, after we left his mom's house? Luke was never the same. He got reckless and moody, like he had something to prove. By the time Grover found us and tried to get us to camp... well, part of the reason we had so much trouble was because Luke wouldn't be careful. He wanted to pick a fight with every monster we crossed. Annabeth didn't see that as a problem, she was so young still. Luke was her hero. She only understood that his parents had made him sad, and she got very defensive of him. She still is defensive. All I'm saying... don't you fall into the same trap. Luke has given himself to Kronos now. We can't afford to be soft on him." 

I looked out at the fires in Harlem, wondering how many sleeping mortals were in danger right now because of Luke's bad choices.

"You're right," Percy said. I could see him shrink. 

Thalia patted his shoulder. And then turned to me as well, "I'm going to check on the Hunters, then get some more sleep before nightfall. You two should crash too."

"The last thing I need is more dreams." I signed wearily. 

I was glad they had forgotten, at least for now, the decision I had. I could turn myself over and let Kronos use me as a puppet to over turn Olympus, because of my Titan blood- it would probably counter Percy's prophecy of razing Olympus by 16. Or maybe I fit into the prophecy, with my own dark one, and Annabeth had an actual reason to fear me and distrust me. My blood could end the gods and spare everyone around me.  I could take the Percy's prophecy on my shoulders and destroy it completely, letting him off the hook. But that would mean the Titans would rule...Kronos would rule.

"Ya, same." Percy signed, catching my attention back to the conversation. 

"I know, believe me." Her dark expression made me wonder what she'd been dreaming about. It was a common demigod problem: the more dangerous our situation became, the worse and more frequent our dreams got. "But, Percy, Nora... there's no telling when you'll get another chance for rest. It's going to be a long night- maybe our last night."

I didn't like it, but I knew she was right. I nodded wearily. Percy gave her Pandora's jar. "Do me a favor. Lock this in the hotel vault, will you? I think I'm allergic to pithos. Nora? You agree?" 

"Ya, lock it up and throw the key away." I signed.

Thalia smiled. "You got it."

I found the nearest bed and passed out. But of course sleep only brought more nightmares.