Heroes of Olympus 04 – The House of Hades

They knew the greatest heroes didn’t get happy endings.

The scene disappeared in the fog, but when the mountain god bellowed again other numina answered in the distance, their voices echoing through the valleys.

‘Stupid rock gods!’ Leo yelled from the helm. ‘That’s the third time I’ve had to replac

Black smoke billowed out, and two bodies spilled face-first onto the floor – Percy and Annabeth, limp as corpses

‘Bob says hello,’ he told the stars.

‘You’re not dying on me, Seaweed Brain,’ Annabeth said. ‘Remember? Never separated again. And after we get home …’

‘What?’ Percy asked.

She kissed him. ‘Ask me again, once we defeat Gaia.’

He smiled, happy to have something to look forward to. ‘Whatever you say.’

As they sailed further from the coast, the sky darkened and more stars came out.

‘Says the demigod who fell into Tartarus and found his way back.’

‘He had help,’ Annabeth said.

‘Oh, obviously,’ Reyna said. ‘Without you, I doubt Percy could find his way out of a paper bag.’

‘True,’ Annabeth agreed.

‘Hey!’ Percy complained.

You, Clytius growled. You worthless –

‘Worthless?’ Hecate asked quietly. ‘I’d say Hazel Levesque knows a few tricks even I could not teach her.’

‘You’re right, Clytius. Hazel Levesque is not Hercules or Dionysus, but I think you will her find just as formidable.’

Through the smoky shroud,

She imagined them behind her, the same way she’d imagined new tunnels appearing in Pasiphaë’s Labyrinth. Leo dissolved. He reappeared at Hazel’s feet, along with Percy and Annabeth. The Mist whirled around her, spilling over the stones and enveloping her friends. Where the white Mist met the dark smoke of Clytius, it steamed and sizzled, like lava rolling into the sea.

You forget, goddess. When we last met, you had the help of Hercules and Dionysus – the most powerful heroes in the world, both of them destined to become gods. Now you bring … these?’