The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus, #4)

by Rick Riordan

Percy studied the statue uneasily. He’d never had the best relationship with Annabeth’s mom. He kept expecting Big Mama Statue to come alive and chew him out for getting her daughter into so much trouble—or maybe just step on him without a word.

“Well, you said the Labyrinth could take you anywhere. So maybe—” “No.” Percy and Annabeth spoke in unison.

Just let me go make a call—er, I mean, get my baseball bat.” He got up and shot Frank an unspoken message that Percy couldn’t quite read. Despite the fact that he’d just been volunteered for a likely suicide mission, the coach looked grateful. He jogged off toward the ship’s ladder, tapping his hooves together like an excited kid.

Annabeth took his hand. He drank in the sight of her now that they were back in the mortal world, without the Death Mist, her blond hair catching the sunlight—even if she was still thin and wan, like him, and her gray eyes were stormy with thought.

“You convinced Bob that I could be trusted, even though I never visited him. I never gave him a second thought. You probably saved our lives by being nice to him.” “Yeah, well,” Nico said, “not giving people a second thought…that can be dangerous.”

Annabeth pressed next to him at the rail, her warmth reassuring. “I know,” she murmured, reading his expression. “I can’t get that place out of my head, either.” “Damasen,” Percy said. “And Bob…” “I know.” Her voice was fragile. “We have to make their sacrifice worth it. We have to beat Gaea.”

“We’ve got a good crew,” Percy said. “If I have to sail to my death—” “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 Gaea.” He smiled, happy to have something to look forward to. “Whatever you say.”