Rick Riordan
The Battle of the Labyrinth - 04
She studied me carefully. “You did that at Hoover Dam. You called me a mortal. Like you’re
not.”
I felt like punching a bongo. What was I thinking? I could never explain. I shouldn’t even try.
“Tell me,” she begged. “You know what it means. All these horrible things I see?”
“Look, this is going to sound weird. Do you know anything about Greek myths?”
“Like…the Minotaur and the Hydra?”
“Yeah, just try not to say those names when I’m around, okay?”
“And the Furies,” she said, warming up. “And the Sirens, and—”
“Okay!” I looked around the band hall, sure that Rachel was going to make a bunch of
bloodthirsty nasties pop out of the walls; but we were still alone. Down the hallway, I heard a mob of
kids coming out of the gymnasium. They were starting the group tours. We didn’t have long to talk.
“All those monsters,” I said, “all the Greek gods—they’re real.”
“I knew it!”
I would’ve been more comfortable if she’d called me a liar, but Rachel looked like I’d just
confirmed her worst suspicion.
“You don’t know how hard it’s been,” she said. “For years I thought I was going crazy. I
couldn’t tell anybody. I couldn’t—” Her eyes narrowed. “Wait. Who are you? I mean really?”
“I’m not a monster.”
“Well, I know that. I could see if you were. You look like…you. But you’re not human, are
you?”
I swallowed. Even though I’d had three years to get used to who I was, I’d never talked about
it with a regular mortal before—I mean, except for my mom, but she already knew. I don’t know why,
but I took the plunge.
“I’m a half-blood,” I said. “I’m half human.”
“And half what?”
Just then Tammi and Kelli stepped into the band room. The doors slammed shut behind
them.
“There you are, Percy Jackson,” Tammi said. “It’s time for your orientation.”
***
“They’re horrible!” Rachel gasped.
Tammi and Kelli were still wearing their purple-and-white cheerleader costumes, holding
pom-poms from the rally.
“What do they really look like?” I asked, but Rachel seemed too stunned to answer.
“Oh, forget her.” Tammi gave me a brilliant smile and started walking toward us. Kelli stayed