“Annabeth hesitated. "Then we'll all go."
"No," I said. "It's too dangerous. If they got hold of Nico, or Rachel for that matter, Kronos could use them.You stay here and guard them."
What I didn't say: I was also worried about Annabeth. I didn't trust what she would do if she saw Luke again. He had fooled her and manipulated her too many times before.
"Percy, don't," Rachel said. "Don't go up there alone."
"I'll be quick," I promised. "I won't do anything stupid."
Annabeth took her Yankees cap out of her pocket. "At least take this. And be carful."
"Thanks." I remembered the last time Annabeth and I had parted ways, when she'd given me a kiss for luck in Mount St. Helens. This time, all I got was the hat.”