The Titan's Curse Read Free Page B

Percysicle.
    “There is a clearing ahead,” Thorn said. “We will summon your ride.”
    “What ride?” Bianca demanded. “Where are you taking us?”
    “Silence, you insufferable girl!”
    “Don’t talk to my sister that way!” Nico said. His voice quivered, but I was impressed that he had the guts to say anything at all.
    Dr. Thorn made a growling sound that definitely wasn’t human. It made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck, but I forced myself to keep walking and pretend I was being a good little captive. Meanwhile, I projected my thoughts like crazy—anything to get Grover’s attention: Grover! Apples! Tin cans! Get your furry goat behind out here and bring some heavily armed friends!
    “Halt,” Thorn said.
    The woods had opened up. We’d reached a cliff overlooking the sea. At least, I sensed the sea was down there, hundreds of feet below. I could hear the waves churning and I could smell the cold salty froth. But all I could see was mist and darkness.
    Dr. Thorn pushed us toward the edge. I stumbled, and Bianca caught me.
    “Thanks,” I murmured.
    “What is he?” she whispered. “How do we fight him?”
    “I . . . I’m working on it.”
    “I’m scared,” Nico mumbled. He was fiddling with something—a little metal toy soldier of some kind.
    “Stop talking!” Dr. Thorn said. “Face me!”
    We turned.
    Thorn’s two-tone eyes glittered hungrily. He pulled something from under his coat. At first I thought it was a switchblade, but it was only a phone. He pressed the side button and said, “The package—it is ready to deliver.”
    There was a garbled reply, and I realized Thorn was in walkie-talkie mode. This seemed way too modern and creepy—a monster using a mobile phone.
    I glanced behind me, wondering how far the drop was.
    Dr. Thorn laughed. “By all means, Son of Poseidon. Jump! There is the sea. Save yourself.”
    “What did he call you?” Bianca muttered.
    “I’ll explain later,” I said.
    “You do have a plan, right?”
    Grover! I thought desperately. Come to me!
    Maybe I could get both the di Angelos to jump with me into the ocean. If we survived the fall, I could use the water to protect us. I’d done things like that before. If my dad was in a good mood, and listening, he might help. Maybe.
    “I would kill you before you ever reached the water,” Dr. Thorn said, as if reading my thoughts. “You do not realize who I am, do you?”
    A flicker of movement behind him, and another missile whistled so close to me that it nicked my ear. Something had sprung up behind Dr. Thorn—like a catapult, but more flexible . . . almost like a tail.
    “Unfortunately,” Thorn said, “you are wanted alive, if possible. Otherwise you would already be dead.”
    “Who wants us?” Bianca demanded. “Because if you think you’ll get a ransom, you’re wrong. We don’t have any family. Nico and I . . .” Her voice broke a little. “We’ve got no one but each other.”
    “Aww,” Dr. Thorn said. “Do not worry, little brats. You will be meeting my employer soon enough. Then you will have a brand-new family.”
    “Luke,” I said. “You work for Luke.”
    Dr. Thorn’s mouth twisted with distaste when I said the name of my old enemy—a former friend who’d tried to kill me several times. “You have no idea what is happening, Perseus Jackson. I will let the General enlighten you. You are going to do him a great service tonight. He is looking forward to meeting you.”
    “The General?” I asked. Then I realized I’d said it with a French accent. “I mean . . . who’s the General?”
    Thorn looked toward the horizon. “Ah, here we are. Your transportation.”
    I turned and saw a light in the distance, a searchlight over the sea. Then I heard the chopping of helicopter blades getting louder and closer.
    “Where are you taking us?” Nico said.
    “You should be honored, my boy. You will have the opportunity to join a great army! Just like that silly game you play with