A feeling of panic seized me. “Annabeth,” I said under my breath. “Don’t.” She frowned at me. “What?” “Look, I need to tell you something,” I continued. The words came stumbling out of me. “I couldn’t stand it if…I don’t want you to—” “Percy?” she said. “You look like you’re going to be sick.” And that’s how I felt. I wanted to say more, but my tongue betrayed me. It wouldn’t move because of the fear in my stomach. And then Artemis turned.
