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ALL TOO WELL

THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH
[ G E R Y O N ' S   R A N C H ]

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ONE THING WAS for certain: Natalia Flynn fucking hated the Labyrinth. It wasn't just the monsters and the twisting paths, oh no, it was the not knowing where she was. She could be underneath a volcano in Yellowstone National Park for all she knew. At the rate this quest was going, she just wanted to go home.

Sighing, Natalia urged herself forwards and followed Percy into a tunnel. She saw light in the distance. When she caught up to him, they were standing under a steel gate that was made out of metal pipes. Trees and a blue sky were visible. Was this still a part of the Labyrinth, or was it actually above ground?

"Where are we?" Percy wondered.

Suddenly, a shadow fell across the grate. Natalia looked up to see a bright red cow, almost the color of a cherry, staring down at them. The cow mooed, placed one hoof tentatively on the bars, then backed away. She blinked. That looked a lot like one of Apollo's cows.

"It's a cattle grid," Grover announced.

"A what?" Percy asked.

"They put them at the gates of ranches so cows can't get out. They can't walk on them."

"How do you know that?"

Grover let out a huff. "Believe me, if you had hooves, you'd know about cattle grids. They're annoying!"

Natalia placed her hands on her hips and looked upwards. "Well, Hera did say we had to pass through a ranch. And if Nico is up there, I'm not just gonna leave him."

Annabeth hesitated. "All right. But how do we get out?"

Tyson quickly solved that problem by hitting the cattle grid with both of his giant hands. It popped off and flew out of sight, and there was a CLANG! and a startled Moo!

"Sorry, cow!" Tyson called up, blushing as red as the cow.

He then gave them each a boost out of the tunnel. Natalia glanced around at the ranch. Rolling hills stretched all the way to the horizon and was dotted with oak trees, cacti, and boulders. A barbed wire fence ran from the gate in both directions. The cherry colored cows roamed around and grazed on clumps of grass.

"Those are Apollo's cows," Natalia stated.

Percy looked at her in confusion. "What?"

"They're the cattle of the sun, sacred to Apollo. I'm just confused as to why they're here."

"Wait," Grover interrupted. "Listen."

It was silent for a moment until they heard the distant baying of dogs. The sound got louder and louder until the underbrush rustled. A dog with two heads broke through, snapping and snarling at them. Natalia took a step back. It didn't seem very friendly.

"Bad Janus dog!" Tyson cried.

"Arf!" Grover told it, raising his hand in greeting.

The dog bared its teeth. Natalia guessed it wasn't too impressed that Grover could speak animal. Then its master joined the dog, and Natalia realized they had bigger problems to deal with than a two-headed dog.

He was huge. His hair was stark white, he wore a straw cowboy hat, and his white beard was braided. He wore tattered jeans, a Don't Mess With Texas t-shirt, and a denim jacket that had the sleeves ripped off so his muscles were visible. A tattoo of crossed swords was inked onto his right bicep. He held a gigantic wooden club that had spikes coming out of it.

"Heel, Orthus," he told the dog.

The dog named Orthus growled at them once more before circling back to his master's feet.

He looked at them up and down. "What've we got here? Cattle rustlers?"

"Just travellers," Annabeth answered. "We're on a quest."

The man's eye twitched. "Half-Bloods, eh?"

When Percy began to ask how he knew that, Annabeth put her hand on his arm. "I'm Annabeth, daughter of Athena. This is Percy, son of Poseidon. That's Natalia, daughter of Artemis. Grover the Satyr. Tyson the—"

"Cyclops. Yes, I can see that." He glowered at Percy. "And I know Half-Bloods because I am one, sonny. I'm Eurytion, the cowherd for this here ranch. Son of Ares. You came through the Labyrinth like the other one, I reckon."

Natalia felt electricity spark inside of her. "The other one? Are you talking about Nico di Angelo?"

"We get a load of visitors from the Labyrinth. Not many ever leave."

"Wow," Percy muttered. "I feel welcome."

Eurytion glanced behind him, almost as if someone was watching, and then lowered his voice. "I'm only going to say this once, Demigods. Get back in the maze now. Before it's too late."

"We're not leaving," Annabeth protested. "Not until we see this other Demigod. Please."

Eurytion grunted. "Then you leave me no choice, missy. I've got to take you to see the boss."

Natalia didn't know who the boss was, but she followed Eurytion. He had his club slung over his shoulder casually. Orthus the dog growled and sniffed Grover's leg, occasionally shooting into the bushes to chase animals. They continued to walk down a dirt path that seemed to go on forever. It was so hot that Natalia forced herself to tie her hair back into a ponytail. Flies swarmed them at every moment.

Once in a while they'd see another pen of red cows (Natalia couldn't help but have an uneasy feeling about this place.) They also passed a corral with its fence coated in asbestos. Inside of it, fire-breathing horses milled around. The hay was on fire inside their feeding trough. They were making the ground smoke at their feet and flames billowed out of their nostrils.

"What are they for?" Percy questioned.

Eurytion scowled. "We raise animals for lots of clients. Apollo, Diomedes, and . . . others."

"Like who?"

"No more questions."

They finally came out of the woods. On top of the hill above them was a big ranch house, decorated with all white stone and wood and huge windows.

"It looks like a Frank Lloyd Wright!" Annabeth exclaimed.

Natalia didn't know what that meant. It was probably one of her architectural things. To her, it looked like a place where a group of three Demigods, a Satyr, and a Cyclops could get into trouble. Nevertheless, they hiked up the hill.

"Don't break the rules," Eurytion warned as they walked up the steps to the front porch. "No fighting. No drawing weapons. And don't make any comments about the boss' appearance."

"Uh . . ." Natalia trailed off. "Okay."

"Welcome to the Triple G Ranch," a new voice greeted.

Natalia looked up. A new man, with a normal head, was sitting there. His face looked weathered and brown, probably from his years in the sun. He had slick black hair and a black pencil mustache that made him look like a villain from the old movies. The man smiled at them, but it held no friendliness.

However, the most surprising thing about him was that he had three bodies. His neck connected to the middle chest like a normal person's would. Two more chests on either side were connected at the shoulders with a small space in between. His left arm grew out of his left chest while his right arm grew out of his right chest. All of the chests connected into one enormous torso. His legs were regular, but they were very beefy. Each of his chests wore a different color shirt.

Eurytion nudged Percy. "Say hello to Mr. Geryon."

"Hi," Percy voiced. "Nice chests - uh, ranch! Nice ranch you have."

Before Geryon could respond, Nico di Angelo came out onto the porch from the glass doors. "Geryon, I won't wait for-"

He froze when he saw them there. Natalia offered a tentative smile, but it was no use. Nico only drew his Stygian Iron sword.

Geryon snarled when he saw it. "Put that away, Mr. di Angelo. I ain't gonna have my guests killin' each other."

"But that's-"

"Percy Jackson. Annabeth Chase. Natalia Flynn. And a couple of their monster friends. Yes, I know."

"Monster friends?" Grover inquired incredulously.

"That man is wearing three shirts," Tyson voiced.

"They let my sister die!" Nico's voice was trembling with anger. 'They're here to kill me!"

Natalia shook her head. "Nico, listen. We didn't come here to kill you. And what happened to Bianca-"

"Don't speak her name!" Nico yelled, yet his gaze softened when he looked at her. "You're not worthy to even talk about her!"

"Wait a minute." Annabeth pointed at Geryon. "How do you know our names?"

He winked. "I make it my business to keep informed, darlin'. Everybody pops into the ranch from time to time. Everyone needs something from ole Geryon. Now, Mr. di Angelo, put that ugly sword away before I have Eurytion take it from you."

Eurytion sighed while hefting his spiked club. Orthus growled at his feet.

Nico hesitated. Natalia frowned at how thin and pale he looked. His black clothes were littered with dust from traveling in the Labyrinth. The most heartbreaking thing of all was how much hatred laid behind his dark eyes. He was much too young to look so angry. Natalia still couldn't help but think of him as the cheerful little kid with a deep love for his sister and a fascination with Mythomagic.

Reluctantly, he sheathed his sword. "If you come near me, Percy, I'll summon help. You don't want to meet my helpers, I promise."

Natalia noticed he didn't say her name.

"I believe you," Percy promised.

Geryon patted Nico on the shoulder. "There, we've all made nice. Now come along, folks. I want to give you a tour of the ranch."

He had a sort of trolley machine that looked like a kiddie train zoos had. It was painted in a cowhide pattern — black and white. The driver's car had a set of longhorns on the hood and the horn sounded like a ridiculous cowbell.

While Geryon got in the front car with Orthus the dog and Nico stayed in the back with Eurytion, Natalia, Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Tyson took the middle two cars.

"We have a huge operation!" Geryon bragged as the cart moved forwards. "Horses and cattle mostly, but all sorts of exotic varieties, too."

When they went over a hill, Annabeth gasped. "Hippalektryons? I thought they were extinct!"

Natalia's eyes widened. Annabeth was right. At the bottom of the hill, Hippalektryons stayed in a fenced-in pasture. They had the front half of a horse and the back half of a rooster. Their rear feet were huge yellow claws, and they had feathery tails and red wings. Two of them got into a fight over a pile of seed, and both reared up on their back legs and flapped their wings for dominance. Finally, the smaller one galloped away, leaving the other Hippalektryon happy with its pile of seed.

"Rooster ponies," Tyson said in amazement. "Do they lay eggs?"

Geryon grinned at him in the rearview mirror. "Once a year! Very much in demand for omelettes!"

"That's horrible!" Annabeth argued. "They must be an endangered species!"

Geryon waved it off. "Gold is gold, darling. And you haven't tasted the omelettes."

"That's not right," Grover murmured.

Natalia chewed her bottom lip nervously. "I know. Something about this seems . . . wrong."

Geryon kept narrating the tour. "Now, over here, we have our fire breathing horses, which you may have seen on your way in. They're bred for war, naturally."

"What war?" Percy inquired.

He gave them a sly grin. "Oh, whichever one comes along. And over yonder, of course, are our prize red cows."

Natalia looked to see hundreds upon hundreds of the red cows grazing on the side of the hill.

"So many," Grover commented.

"Yes, well, Apollo is too busy to see to them, so he subcontracts to us," Geryon explained. "We breed them vigorously because there's such a demand."

Natalia's eyebrows knit in thought. "Such a demand for what?"

"Meat, of course! Armies have to eat."

She froze.

"You kill the sacred cows of the sun God for hamburger meat?" Grover asked. "That's against the ancient laws!"

"Oh, don't get so worked up, Satyr. They're just animals."

"Just animals!"

Natalia raised her hand. "Um, as a niece of the sun God, can I just say, not cool?"

"Well, if Apollo cared, I'm sure he would tell us," Geryon assured her.

"If he knew," Percy muttered.

Nico sat forward. "I don't care about any of this, Geryon. We had business to discuss, and this wasn't it!"

"All in good time, Mr. di Angelo. Look over here: some of my exotic game."

The next field was ringed in barbed wire, crawling with giant scorpions. Natalia's eyes widened in realization. She looked at Percy urgently.

"Triple G Ranch," Percy announced. "Your mark was on the crates at Camp. Quintus got his scorpions from you."

"Quintus . . ." Geryon trailed off. "Short gray hair, muscular, swordsman?"

"Yeah."

"Never heard of him. Now, over here are my prize stables! You must see them."

Natalia didn't need to see them because she could smell them. A horse corral, the size of a football field, rested near the banks of a green river. Stables lined one side of them. Probably a hundred horses were milling around in their own poop. The horses were disgusting from wading through it and the stables were just as bad. Natalia covered her mouth with her hand in effort to stop herself from throwing up.

Nico gagged. "What is that?"

"My stables!" Geryon said delightfully. "Well, actually they belong to Aegeas, but we watch over them for a small monthly fee. Aren't they lovely?"

"I don't think lovely is the right word to describe them," Natalia told him.

"Lots of poop," Tyson observed.

"How can you keep animals like that?" Grover cried in exasperation.

"Y'all gettin' on my nerves," Geryon stated.

Natalia gave him a sarcastic smile. "Yeah, well, I can assure you the feeling is mutual."

He ignored her. "These are flesh eating horses, see? They like these conditions."

"Plus, you're too cheap to have them cleaned," Eurytion mumbled.

"Quiet!" Geryon snapped. "All right, perhaps the stables are a bit challenging to clean. Perhaps they do make me nauseous when the wind blows the wrong way. But so what? My clients still pay me well."

"What clients?" Percy demanded.

"Oh, you'd be surprised how many people will pay for a flesh eating horse. They make great garbage disposals. Wonderful way to terrify your enemies. Great at birthday parties! We rent them out all the time."

"You're a monster," Annabeth decided.

Geryon stopped the trolly and turned to look at her. "What gave it away? Was it the three bodies?"

"You have to let these animals go," Grover insisted. "It's not right!"

Natalia's eyes began to glow silver. "And I assume one of those clients you talk about is Kronos? You're supplying his army with whatever they need."

He shrugged, which looked very weird with three sets of shoulders. "I work for anyone with gold, young lady. I'm a businessman. And I sell them anything I have to offer."

Geryon climbed out of the trolley and strolled towards the stables. Nico got out of the back car and stormed towards him. Eurytion hefted his club and walked after the son of Hades.

"I came here for business, Geryon," Nico growled. "And you haven't answered me.''

"Mmm," Geryon hummed, examining a cactus. "Yes, you'll get a deal, all right."

"My ghost told me you could help. He said you could guide us to the soul we need."

"Wait a second," Percy cut in. "I thought I was the soul you wanted."

Nico looked at him like he suddenly sprouted three bodies too. "You? Why would I want you? Bianca's soul is worth a thousand of yours! Now, can you help me, Geryon, or not?"

"Oh, I imagine I could," Geryon replied. "Your ghost friend, by the way, where is he?"

Nico looked uneasy. "He can't form in broad daylight. It's hard for him. But he's around somewhere."

Geryon smiled. "I'm sure. Minos likes to disappear when things get . . . difficult."

"Minos?" Percy questioned. "You mean that evil king? That's the ghost who's been giving you advice?"

"It's none of your business, Percy!" Nico turned back to face Geryon. "And what do you mean about things getting difficult?"

He sighed. "Well, you see, Nico — can I call you Nico?"

"No."

"You see, Nico, Luke Castellan is offering very good money for Half-Bloods. Especially powerful Half-Bloods. And I'm sure when he learns your little secret, who you really are, he'll pay very, very well indeed."

Nico drew his black sword, but Eurytion knocked it out of his hand. Before Natalia, Percy, or Annabeth could move, Orthus pounced in front of Percy, its faces barely centimeters from his.

"I would stay in the car, all of you," Geryon warned. "Or Orthus will tear Mr. Jackson's throat out. Now, Eurytion, if you would be so kind, secure Nico."

Eurytion spit into the grass. "Do I have to?"

"Yes, you fool!"

He looked awfully bored, but he wrapped one of his huge arms around Nico and lifted him up.

"Pick up the sword, too," Geryon ordered, his voice filled with distaste. "There's nothing I hate worse than Stygian Iron."

Eurytion picked up the sword, being very careful not to touch the black blade.

"Now, we've had the tour," Geryon continued. "Let's go back to the lodge, have some lunch, and send an Iris-message to our friends in the Titan army."

"You fiend!" Annabeth shouted.

Geryon smiled at her. "Don't worry, my dear. Once I've delivered Mr. di Angelo, you and your party can go. I don't interfere with quests. Besides, I've been paid well to give you safe passage, which does not, I'm afraid, include Mr. di Angelo."

Natalia put her head in her hands. "I'm so confused."

"Never you mind, darlin'. Let's be off, shall we?"

"Wait!" Percy interrupted. "Geryon, you said you're a businessman. Make me a deal."

Geryon's eyes narrowed. "What sort of deal? Do you have gold?"

"I've got something better. Barter."

"But, Mr. Jackson, you've got nothing."

"You could have him clean the stables," Eurytion suggested.

"I'll do it!" Percy agreed. "If I fail, you get all of us. You can trade us all to Luke for gold."

"Assuming the horses don't eat you," Geryon countered.

"Either way, you get my friends. But, if I succeed, you've got to let all of us go, including Nico."

"No!" Nico yelled. "Don't do me any favors, Percy. I don't want your help!"

Geryon let out a chuckle. "Percy Jackson, those stables haven't been cleaned in a thousand years . . . though it's true I might be able to sell more stable space if all that poop was cleared away."

"So what have you got to lose?" Percy inquired.

He hesitated. "All right, I'll accept your offer, but you have to get it done by sunset. If you fail, your friends get sold, and I get rich."

"Deal."

Geryon nodded approvingly. "I'm going to take your friends with me, back to the lodge. We'll wait for you there."

Eurytion whistled. Orthus the dog jumped off Percy's lap and sprawled across Annabeth and Natalia. Annabeth yelped. Natalia merely rubbed her forehead with her hand. She was getting a massive headache. Percy then got out of the car and glanced between the two of them.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Annabeth said quietly.

Percy sighed. "I hope so, too."

"Be careful, Fish-Boy," Natalia told him.

"I'll try, Tals."

Geryon got back in the driver's seat. Eurytion hauled Nico into the back cart.

"Sunset," Geryon reminded Percy. "No later."

With that, he laughed, sounded his cowbell horn, and the trolley tumbled off down the trail, leaving Percy at the poop-infested stables.

»»---------------------►

IF NATALIA WROTE down every time she wasn't enjoying herself, she would have a whole goddamn novel and this moment would be at the top of her list. While Geryon cooked hamburgers on the barbecue, Natalia, Annabeth, Nico, Tyson, and Grover were all in the corner with tied ankles and wrists and gags in their mouths. Natalia's silver bracelet was still in reach, but if she managed to tap it, she doubted she could do anything with her bow and arrow. Streamers and balloons decorated the railing of the porch like it was some kind of party.

"Let them go!" Percy suddenly yelled. Natalia perked up to see him standing on the porch out of breath. "I cleaned the stables!"

Geryon turned, wearing three different aprons with the words KISS — THE — CHEF. "Did you, now? How'd you manage it?"

Percy seemed pretty impatient, but he told him what had happened with using water from seashells that a Naiad told him about.

He nodded appreciatively. "Very ingenious. It would've been better if you'd poisoned that pesky Naiad, but no matter."

"Let my friends go," Percy demanded. "We had a deal."

"Ah, I've been thinking about that. The problem is, if I let them go, I don't get paid."

"You promised!"

Geryon made a tsk tsk noise. "But did you make me swear on the River Styx? No you didn't. So it's not binding. When you're conducting business, sonny, you should always get binding oath."

Percy drew Riptide. Orthus growled, and one head bared its teeth next to Grover's head.

"Eurytion, the boy is starting to annoy me. Kill him," Geryon ordered.

He studied Percy for a moment. "Kill him yourself."

Geryon raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Eurytion shot back. "You keep sending me out to do your dirty work. You pick fights for no good reason, and I'm tired of dying for you. You want to fight the kid, do it yourself."

That was probably the most un-son-of-Ares thing Natalia had ever heard, but she respected it.

Geryon threw down the spatula he was using to flip the hamburgers. "You dare defy me? I should fire you right now!"

"And who'd take care of your cattle? Orthus, heel."

The dog stopped growling at Grover. Orthus came to sit by Eurytion's feet.

"Fine!" Geryon snarled. "I'll deal with you later, after the boy is dead!"

He picked up two carving knives and threw them at Percy. Percy deflected one with Riptide while the other impaled itself in the table dangerously close to Eurytion's hand. He continued to attack. Geryon parried his first strike with a pair of red-hot tongs and lunged at Percy's face with a barbecue fork. Percy was able to get inside his next thrust and stab Geryon through his middle chest.

"Aghhh!" he bellowed, crumpling to his knees.

Natalia watched in annoyance as Geryon stood up with a only a grimace. The bleeding cut in his middle chest was beginning to heal.

"Nice try, sonny," Geryon said. "Thing is, I have three hearts. The perfect backup system."

He tipped over his barbecue, making hot coals spill everywhere. Annabeth let out a muffled scream. One landed extremely close to Natalia's ankle, but she didn't dare move. Tyson was trying to free himself from his bonds, but even his strength couldn't break them.

Suddenly, Percy ran up to Natalia and slipped the silver bracelet off of her wrist. Natalia stared at him with wide eyes and tried to yell what the fuck do you think you're doing as he put it on his own wrist, but it was kind of hard to do with a gag in her mouth.

"Your weapon is blessed by Artemis, right?" Percy asked. "She gave it to you as a gift."

Natalia nodded, her eyebrows scrunched in confusion. Suddenly, she understood what Percy was trying to do. It was stupid and utterly heroic, but it could work if he had a good enough shot. Which he didn't, but hopefully the power of Artemis would help him.

"I'll give it back, I promise."

With that, he ran into the house.

"Coward!" Geryon cried. "Come back and die right!"

Natalia craned her neck to see inside the house. The living room walls were decorated with stuffed deer (so not cool) and dragon heads, a gun case, a sword display, and a bow with a quiver. Percy could've used those, but Natalia knew her own would probably be better off. Geryon threw his barbecue fork and it thudded into the wall next to Percy's head.

Geryon drew two swords from the wall. "Your head's gonna go right there, Jackson! Next to the grizzly bear!"

Percy dropped Riptide. He tapped Natalia's silver bracelet and held the silver bow in his hand tightly. He reached over his shoulder and drew a Celestial Bronze arrow from the quiver. Natalia couldn't help but notice it looked very unnatural in his hands. Percy was literally the worst shot ever. Natalia had tried to train him but it was literally hopeless. However, all he needed was this one shot.

He notched the arrow.

Geryon laughed. "You fool! One arrow is no better than one sword."

He raised his swords and charged at Percy. Percy dived sideways, and before Geryon could turn, he shot the arrow into the side of his right chest. Natalia heard a THUMP, THUMP, THUMP as the arrow passed through each of his chests. It finally flew out his left side, embedding into the forehead of the grizzly bear.

Natalia's jaw dropped.

Geryon dropped his swords, turning to stare at Percy. "You can't shoot. They told me you couldn't . . ."

His face turned a sickly green color. He collapsed to his knees and crumbled into sand until all was left were three cooking aprons and a pair of cowboy boots.

Percy ran out of the house. He went to Natalia first, untying her bonds. Natalia let out a breath of relief as Percy tapped her bow, handing her the silver bracelet once it concealed itself.

She nodded in approval while putting it back on her wrist. "That was one hell of a shot, Percy. Couldn't have done it better myself."

Percy smiled at her and continued to untie the rest of them. Then he stoked the barbecue and threw the hamburgers into the flames, probably as an offering to Artemis and Apollo, the archery twins.

"Thanks, guys," he said. "I owe you one."

The sky thundered in the distance, making Natalia smile.

"Yay for Percy!" Tyson exclaimed.

"Can we tie up this cowherd now?" Nico asked.

"Yeah!" Grover agreed. "And that dog almost killed me!"

Percy looked at Eurytion who still sat relaxed at the picnic table with Orthus' heads on his knees. "How long will it take Geryon to reform?"

Eurytion shrugged. "Hundred years? He's not one of those fast reformers, thank the Gods. You've done me a favor."

"You said you'd died for him before. How?"

"I've worked for that creep for thousands of years. Started as a regular Half-Blood, but I chose immortality when my dad offered it. Worst mistake I ever made. Now I'm stuck here at this ranch. I can't leave. I can't quit. I just tend the cows and fight Geryon's fights. We're kinda tied together."

"Maybe you can change things," Percy suggested.

Eurytion's eyes narrowed. "How?"

"Be nice to the animals. Take care of them. Stop selling them for food. And stop dealing with the Titans."

He thought about it for a moment. "That'd be all right."

"Get the animals on your side, and they'll help you. Once Geryon gets back, maybe he'll be working for you this time."

Eurytion grinned widely. "Now that I could live with."

"You won't try to stop us leaving?"

"Shoot, no."

Annabeth rubbed her bruised wrists, still staring at Eurytion suspiciously. "Your boss said that somebody paid for our safe passage. Who?"

Eurytion shrugged again. "Maybe he was just saying that to fool you."

"And the Titans?" Natalia questioned. "Do they know about Nico?"

"Nope. Geryon was waiting to Iris-message them until after the barbecue. They don't know anything about him."

Nico was glaring harshly at Percy, but it slightly softened when he looked at Natalia. Natalia wanted him to come with them, but she knew he wouldn't agree. However, she couldn't let him wander the Labyrinth by himself.

"You could stay here until we're done with our quest," Percy told Nico. "It would be safe."

"Safe?" Nico inquired. "What do you care if I'm safe? You got my sister killed!"

Natalia felt her heart shatter.

"Nico," Annabeth said. "That wasn't Percy or Natalia's faults. And Geryon wasn'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!"

"You should be. Your sister wouldn't want—"

"If you cared for my sister, you'd help me bring her back!"

"A soul for a soul?" Percy asked.

"Yes!"

"But if you didn't want my soul—"

Nico blinked tears out of his eyes. "I'm not explaining anything to you! And I will bring her back."

"Nico," Natalia said softly. "Bianca wouldn't want to be brought back. Especially not like that."

"You didn't know her! How do you know what she'd want, Natalia?"

"I did know her," Natalia argued calmly. "She was a Hunter. I'm a daughter of Artemis. We're honorary sisters and we understand each other extremely well."

Nico went silent.

"Let's ask Bianca," Percy suggested out of the blue.

The sky suddenly grew darker.

"I've tried," Nico said miserably. "She won't answer."

"Try again. I've got a feeling she'll answer, with me and Natalia here."

"Why would she?"

"Because she's been sending me Iris-messages."

Natalia blinked. "I'm sorry, what the fuck did you just say?"

Percy ignored her. "She's been trying to warn me what you're up to, so I can protect you."

Nico shook his head. "That's impossible."

"One way to find out. You said you're not afraid." Percy turned to Eurytion. "We're going to need a pit, like a grave. And food and drinks."

"Percy," Annabeth began. "I don't think this is a good—"

"All right," Nico decoded. "I'll try."

Eurytion scratched his beard momentarily. "There's a hole dug out back for a septic tank. We could use that. Cyclops boy, fetch my ice chest from the kitchen. I hope the dead like root beer."

After dark, they began their summons in a twenty-foot-long pit in front of the septic tank, which was bright yellow and red letters that spelled HAPPY FLUSH DISPOSAL CO. Natalia felt as if it didn't quite match the mood.

A full moon glittered high in the sky where silver clouds drifted in the wind. Natalia felt herself grow more powerful underneath it.

Nico frowned. "Minos should be here by now. It's full dark."

"Maybe he got lost," Percy said hopefully.

The son of Hades poured some root beer and tossed barbecue into the pit. He then began to chant in Ancient Greek. Almost immediately, the bugs in the woods went silent.

Percy leaned closer to Natalia. "You ever see something like this before?"

She shook her head. "Nope, this is definitely a new one."

"Make him stop," Tyson whimpered.

Natalia agreed. It seemed unnatural. The night air turned cold and menacing, unlike it normally would feel like on a summer night. Before any of them could say anything, the first spirits appeared. Sulfurous mist rose from out of the ground. Shadows thickened into human form, and one blue shade drifted to the edge of the pit and knelt to indulge in the offering.

"Stop him!" Nico ordered, stopping his chant for a moment. "Only Bianca may drink!"

Natalia tapped her bracelet and notched an arrow while Percy drew Riptide. All of the ghosts retreated with a hiss at the sight of the Celestial Bronze except for one. He had already solidified into the shape of a bearded man in white robes and a circlet of gold atop his head. His eyes were alive with malice, making Natalia unnerved.

"Minos!" Nico protested. "What are you doing?"

"My apologies, master," Minos replied, not sounding very sorry about it. "The sacrifice smelled so good, I couldn't resist." He examined his hands while smiling. "It is good to see myself again. Almost in solid form-"

"You are disrupting the ritual! Get—"

The other spirits began shimmering dangerously bright. Nico began chanting again to keep them at bay.

"Yes, quite right, master. You keep chanting. I've only come to protect you from these liars who would deceive you." Minos turned to Percy in disgust. "Percy Jackson . . . my, my. The sons of Poseidon haven't improved over the centuries, have they?"

"We're looking for Bianca di Angelo," Percy told him. "Get lost."

Minos chuckled. "I understand you once killed my Minotaur with your bare hands. But worse things await you in the maze. Do you really believe Daedalus will help you?"

The other spirits stirred agitatedly. Annabeth drew her Celestial Bronze knife and helped Natalia and Percy keep them away from the pit. Grover was so nervous that he clung to Tyson's shoulder.

"Daedalus cares nothing for you, Half-Bloods," Minos warned. "You can't trust him. He is old beyond counting, and crafty. He is bitter from the guilt of murder and is cursed by the Gods."

Percy looked confused. "The guilt of murder? Who did he kill?"

"Do not change the subject! You are hindering Nico. You try to persuade him to give up his goal. I would make him a Lord!"

"Enough, Minos," Nico commanded.

Minos sneered. "Master, these are your enemies. You must not listen to them! Let me protect you. I will turn their minds to madness, as I did the others."

Natalia almost let her arrow fly. "You turned Chris Rodriguez mad, didn't you?"

"The maze is my property, not Daedalus'! Those who intrude deserve madness."

"Begone, Minos!" Nico ordered. "I want to see my sister!"

"As you wish, master. But I warn you. You cannot trust these heroes."

With that, he faded back into mist. Other spirits rushed toward, but Natalia, Annabeth, and Percy kept them back.

"Bianca, appear!" Nico demanded.

He chanted faster. The spirits shifted restlessly.

"Any time now," Grover muttered.

A silvery light — a spirit that was brighter and stronger than the others — flickered in the trees. Something told Natalia to let it pass, so she did. The spirit knelt and drank from the pit. When it rose, it was the ghostly form of Bianca di Angelo.

Nico's chanting faltered to a halt. The other spirits began to crowd forward, but Bianca raised her arms and they retreated back into the woods. Natalia, her mouth slightly agape and her eyes wide, lowered her bow and arrow.

"Hello, Percy," she greeted. "Hello, Natalia."

Bianca looked the same as Natalia remembered. A green cap rested sideways on her thick black hair, her dark eyes shone, and her olive skin glowed elegantly. She wore the outfit of a Hunter of Artemis, which was a pair of jeans and a silver parka. A bow was slung over her shoulder casually. When she smiled, her whole form flickered.

Natalia let out a shaky breath. "Oh, Gods, Bianca."

She'd felt guilty about her death since it had happened. But seeing her again reopened the wound that was slowly closing. Natalia recalled searching through the giant bronze warrior she'd sacrificed her life to defeat, only to find no sign of the girl.

"We're so sorry," Percy spoke for the two of them.

"Natalia, Percy, you have nothing to apologize for, Percy. I made my own choice. I don't regret it."

Nico stumbled forwards, now out of his daze. "Bianca!"

She turned toward her brother, a sad expression painted across her face. "Hello, Nico. You've got so tall."

"Why didn't you answer me sooner?" he cried. "I've been trying for months!"

"I was hoping you would give up."

Nico looked absolutely heartbroken. "Give up? How can you say that? I'm trying to save you!"

"You can't, Nico. Don't do this. Percy and Natalia are right."

"No! They let you die! They're not your friends."

Bianca stretched a hand out to touch her brother's face, but it evaporated when it got close to his living skin since she was made of mist. "You must listen to me. Holding grudges is dangerous for a child of Hades. It is our fatal flaw. You have to forgive. You have to promise me this."

"I can't. Never."

"Percy and Natalia have been worried about you, Nico. They can help. I let Percy see what you were up to, hoping he would find you."

"So it was you," Percy realized. "You sent those Iris-messages."

Bianca nodded.

"Why are you helping him and not me?" Nico screamed. "It's not fair!"

"You are close to the truth now," Bianca told him. "It's not Percy or Natalia you're mad at, Nico. It's me."

"No."

"You're mad because I left you to become a Hunter of Artemis. You're mad because I died and left you alone. I'm sorry for that, Nico. I truly am. But you must overcome the anger. And stop blaming Percy and Natalia for my choices. It will be your doom."

"She's right," Annabeth cut in. "Kronos is rising, Nico. He'll twist anyone he can to his cause."

"I don't care about Kronos," Nico argued. "I just want my sister back."

"You can't have that, Nico," Bianca said gently.

"I'm the son of Hades! I can."

"Don't try. If you love me, don't . . ."

Bianca's voice trailed off. More agitated spirits started to gather around them again. Their voices whispered, Danger!

"Tartarus stirs," Bianca continued. "Your power draws the attention of Kronos. The dead must return to the Underworld. It is not safe for us to remain."

"Wait," Nico pleaded. "Please—"

"Goodbye, Nico. I love you. Remember what I said."

Bianca di Angelo and the ghosts disappeared.

They decided to wait until morning to travel, and that next morning, they walked down to the cattle grid to say goodbye.

"Nico, you could come with us," Percy blurted out.

Nico shook his head. None of them had slept well in the ranch house (even Natalia, who was so fucking tired of everything), but Nico looked the worst. His red eyes stuck out even more against his chalky-white skin. A large black robe was wrapped around him.

"I need time to think."

He didn't look them in the eyes. However, his tone was still angry, probably because his sister had come out from the Underworld to see Natalia and Percy and not him.

Natalia gave him a sad smile and put a hand on his shoulder. Surprisingly, he didn't pull away. "Just . . . take care of yourself, okay?"

Nico looked up at her. He gave her a small nod. Natalia squeezed his shoulder, and Nico trudged back up the road to the ranch house. The morning mist seemed to cling to him as he did so.

Natalia sighed. "I'm really worried about him. What if he starts talking to Minos' ghost again?"

"He'll be all right," Eurytion promised. He had cleaned up nicely. He had trimmed his beard and was wearing a pair of new jeans, a clean Western shirt, and Geryon's boots. "The boy can stay here and gather his thoughts as long as he wants. He'll be safe, I promise."

"What about you?" Percy asked.

He scratched Orthus behind both of his chins. "Things are going to be run a little different on this ranch from now on. No more sacred cattle meat. I'm thinking about soybean patties. And I'm going to befriend those flesh eating horses. Might just sign up for the next rodeo."

Percy shuddered for a moment. "Well, good luck."

"Yep." Eurytion spat into the grass. "I reckon you'll be looking for Daedalus' workshop now?"

Annabeth's gray eyes lit up. "Can you help us?"

Eurytion studied the cattle grid like the subject of Daedalus' workshop made him uncomfortable. "Don't know where it is. But Hephaestus probably would."

"That's what Hera said," Annabeth agreed, and Natalia rolled her eyes at the mention of the Goddess' name. "But how do we find Hephaestus?"

He pulled a necklace - a smooth silver disc with a depression like a thumbprint in the middle on a silver chain - out from under the collar of his shirt and handed it to Annabeth. "Hephaestus comes here from time to time. Studies the animals and such so he can make bronze automaton copies. Last time, I - uh - did him a favor. A little trick he wanted to play on my dad, Ares, and Aphrodite. He gave me that chain in gratitude. Said if I ever needed to find him, the disc would lead me to his forges. But only once."

"And you're giving it to me?" Annabeth questioned.

Eurytion's face blushed a light shade of pink. "I don't need to see the forges, miss. Got enough to do here. Just press the button and you'll be on your way."

Annabeth pressed the button. The disc sprang to life, growing eight metallic legs. Annabeth shrieked and dropped it. Eurytion looked hopefully confused.

"Spider!" she screamed.

"She's, um, a little scared of spiders," Grover explained. "That old grudge between Athena and Arachne."

Eurytion looked embarrassed. "Oh. Sorry, miss."

The spider scrambled to the cattle grid and disappeared between the metal bars.

"Hurry," Percy urged. "That thing's not going to wait for us."

Annabeth didn't seem anxious to follow the spider, but this was their only chance. After saying their goodbyes to Eurytion, Tyson pulled the cattle grid off the hole, and they dropped back into Natalia's least favorite place, the Labyrinth.

She really was not looking forward to it.

★彡

crying over conan gray? not me, wrong bitch