I screamed. "YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T KILL US!" I ran to Percy. Melinoe let out a soft hiss. "Did I now? Must have...slipped my mind."

I stared at Percy's eyes, looking for some spark of life. But they were cold and empty. There was nothing behind them. He was pale, he was cold...

He was dead.

Mist swirled around Melinoe and I. Melinoe began to change forms. Her eyes turned sea green, she grew shaggy black hair...she became Percy.

"Why didn't you save me, Erica?" The Percy ghost whispered. "No..." I whispered, backing away. The ghost Percy glided toward me, his hand outstretched. "Why Erica?"

I screamed and tripped over the real Percy. My head hit the ground and lights popped before my eyes. Darkness pressed in on the edge of my vision.

"I could help you forget." The ghost Percy told me, grabbing my wrist. "Just come with me."

I was dragged to the edge of a frothy white river. "The Lethe?" I asked through a daze. "You can forget everything!"

On the word 'everything' I felt myself go weightless. I plunged into the water, with only one thought in my head. I couldn't forget Percy.

I wouldn't.

Then everything went white.

~*~

I felt the current surging around me. I looked up and saw Melinoes wicked form laughing above the surface. She was now back to normal. More figures appeared at the edge. I heard distant voices.

For a moment, as I scanned the people above me, I dared to hope that Percy was there too. Maybe it had all been a mistake?

But there was no Percy. For a moment, I was tempted to break concentration and let myself get completely drenched. I could forget the pain of losing my brother. The gaping cavity in my heart would be gone.

Instead, I used the currents to direct me to the surface. I breached the water like a whale. "HOLY CRAB!" Leo yelped.

I swam to the edge of the river and hopped onto the bank, careful not to spray my friends.

"Okay, ghost lady," I began heatedly. "Professor Chase is going to teach you two things right now." I pulled out my dagger and started slashing at Melinoe. "One," I said, cutting her arm, "never hurt someone I love. Two," I cut her face this time, "never, ever throw a fricking child of Poseidon into a river. Because," I tripped Melinoe and held my dagger at her throat, "it won't end well for you."

"Child," Melinoe rasped, "you cannot kill me. I am Immortal." I smirked. "Got me there, ugly. But, I can chop you into so many pieces that they'll never be able to put you back together."

Melinoe showed her first signs of fear. She gulped and scooted away nervously. "Now, daughter of Poseidon. Let's not be hasty."

I laughed. "My patience is gone."

"Child!" Melinoe gasped as I pressed the blade closer to her throat. "Do you not understand? I swore on the Styx that I wouldn't kill him. I'd be gone right now if-"

"Erica?" A feeble voice whispered from behind me. I spun around. Melinoe grunted as I scratched her with my blade.

Percy was standing in front of me. He was pale, and still dripping blood, but he was standing. "I told you child." Melinoe hissed in my ear. "The amulets protect from celestial bronze, even though...there may be some side effects."

I turned back around to look at her. "I did you a favor, demigod." She told me. "Now that we're all done here...I think I'll be going."

Melinoe dissolved into mist. I stood there for a moment, staring at the place where she had disappeared and trying to process what had just happened.

"Please...help..." Percy's fading voice made me spin around. Percy was staring at me, clutching his chest. He swayed dangerously. "Percy!" I screamed as his eyes closed and her fell to the ground.

"We need to get him to the ship." Annabeth yelled. "Erica, help me!" I shook my head and grabbed Percy by his other arm. Jason and Frank grabbed his legs. "We'll guard you." Asha whispered, nodding to the other Amazons and pulling out her dagger. Leo, Piper, and Hazel helped support Percy.

With that, we started trudging back to the ship.

~*~

Four hours later, we sat at the table in the mess hall, eating and discussing what we would do next. Percy was with us, though he looked horrible.

"How long has it been?" I asked quietly. Leo looked down at the watch on his wrist. "About a day." He replied. I stared at him. "Do we have time to get to Nico?"

Leo tapped his fingers on the table. "Well...that depends. Are you guys willing to stay below deck until we get there?" He asked. Hazel tilted her head. "Why?"

Leo grinned. "Leave that to me, cupcake." Frank moved closer to Hazel. "What did you just call my girlfriend?" He asked protectively. Leo smirked. "I called her cupcake. Picked up a thing or two from Coach Hedge."

Frank scowled, but he didn't accuse further.

Leo put his hands together. "I can get us there in a day. Meals will come down with Buford. You guys ready for this?"

Percy sighed. "As long as I won't feel any effects."

Leo winced. "Can't guarantee that, Water Boy."

Percy groaned and leaned his head back. "Great." I bit my lip. "Are you sure it's safe, Leo?" Leo put his hands behind his head and winked at me. "Leo Valdez may be dangerous, but he's also safe." Everyone fell silent for a moment.

"That doesn't even make sense." Piper said. The rest of us nodded and murmured in agreement. "Of course it does!" Leo exclaimed. When we all continued to stare at him, completely confused, he said: "Honeys and Muscley Dudes, let me explain something. Leo Valdez does not need to make sense. He just is."

"Still don't get it."
"Seriously, Leo?"
"Muscley Dudes?"

Leo laughed. "Alright, people. Be prepared to go so fast your faces might peal off."