Then Rachel Elizabeth Dare, still covered in monster dust, came charging out of the alley, yelling, “Percy, wait up!” Annabeth’s smile melted. She stared at Rachel, then at the school. For the first time, she seemed to notice the black smoke and the ringing fire alarms. She frowned at me. “What did you do this time? And who is this?” “Oh, Rachel—Annabeth. Annabeth—Rachel. Um, she’s a friend. I guess.”
