The Forbidden Daughter | PJO Book One

nineteen

OLYMPUS

Flying was bad enough for a daughter of Hades and son of Poseidon, but flying straight up to Zeus's palace, with thunder and lightning swirling around it, was even worse.

They circled over midtown Manhattan, making one complete orbit around Mount Olympus. She had only been there once before, traveling by elevator up to the secret six hundredth floor of the Empire State Building.

This time, if it was possible, Olympus amazed her even more. In the early-morning darkness, torches and fires made the mountainside palaces glow twenty different colors, from blooded to indigo.

Apparently no one ever slept on Olympus. The twisting streets were full of demigods and nature spirits and minor godlings bustling about, riding chariots or sedan chairs carried by Cyclopes.

Winter didn't seem to exist here. Ariana caught the scent of the gardens in full bloom, jasmine and roses and even sweeter things she couldn't name. Music drifted up from many windows, the soft sounds of lyres and reed pipes.

Towering at the peak of the mountain was the greatest palace of all, the glowing white hall of the gods.

Their pegasi set them down in the outer courtyard, in front of huge silver gates. Before Percy could even think to knock, the gates opened by themselves.

Good luck, boss, Blackjack said.

"Yeah."

Ariana didn't know why, but she had a sense of doom. She has never seen all the gods together. She knew any one of them could blast her to dust, and a few of them probably would like to.

Hey, if ya don't come back, can I have vour cabin for my stable?

Percy looked at the pegasus.

Just a thought, he said. Sorry.

Blackjack and his friends flew off, leaving Thalia, Annabeth, Percy and Ariana alone.

For a minute they stood there regarding the palace, the way they hae stood together in front of Westover Hall, what seemed like a million years ago.

"Don't make any gods mad Perseus." Ariana warned.

Percy laughed. "I should be saying that to you."

Annabeth sighed. "I'll say it to both of you. No sly comments."

And then, side by side, they walked into the throne room.

Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at camp.

The ceiling above glittered with constellations even the newest one, Zoë the Huntress, making her way across the heavens with her bow drawn.

All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess was about fifteen feet tall, and suddenly, facing monsters seemed like a picnic.

"Welcome, heroes." Artemis said.

"Mooo!"

That's when Ariana noticed Bessie and Grover.
A sphere of water was hovering in the center of the room, next to the hearth fire.

Bessie was swimming happily around, swishing his serpent tail and poking his head out the sides and bottom of the sphere.

He seemed to be enjoying the novelty of swimming in a magic bubble.

Grover was kneeling at Zeus's throne, as if he'd just been giving a report, but when he saw them, he cried, "You made it!"

He started to run towards Percy, then remembered he was turning his back on Zeus, and looked for permission.