TERRIFIED . . . annabeth chase

twenty eight.

SURPRISINGLY, PIPER WAS right.

It was such a surprise to Val, she'd mostly zoned out and listened as Hedge sang something that sounded like "In the Navy" while Blackjack stomped his hooves, whinnying in protest.

But it was true. Val could sense death, and it wasn't coming from Hazel.

Hazel exhaled. "Piper is right."

"How can you be sure?" Annabeth asked.

"I've met eidolons," Hazel said. "In the Underworld, when I was . . . you know."

Dead.

Val had forgotten that Hazel was a second-timer. In her own way, Hazel too was a ghost reborn.

"Also, I can sense their presences," Val commented, taking more chocolate from Annabeth's plate. "Feels like there's some undead beings in this room."

"So . . ." Frank rubbed his hand across his buzz-cut hair as if some ghosts might have invaded his scalp. "You think these things are lurking on the ship, or—"

"Possibly lurking inside some of us," Piper said. "We don't know."

Ha. Inside. Val stifled a laugh with her hand.

Jason clenched his fist. "If that's true—"

"We have to take steps," Piper said. "I think I can do this."

"Do what?" Percy asked.

"Just listen, okay?" Piper took a deep breath. "And, Val, could you help me if I can't do it?"

Val looked up from where she was basically just taking Annabeth's plate. "What?"

"Just . . . help me if I need it. Please."

Piper met their eyes, one person at a time.

"Eidolons," she said, using her charmspeak, "raise your hands."

There was tense silence.

Leo laughed nervously. "Did you really think that was going to—?"

His voice died. His face went slack. He raised his hand.

Jason and Percy did the same. Their eyes had turned glassy and gold. Hazel caught her breath. Next to Leo, Frank scrambled out of his chair and put his back against the wall.

"Oh, gods." Annabeth looked at Piper imploringly. "Can you cure them?"

"Are there more of you on this ship?" Piper asked.

"No," Leo said in a hollow voice. "The Earth Mother sent three. The strongest, the best. We will live again."

"Not here, you won't," Piper growled. "All three of you, listen carefully."

Jason and Percy turned toward her.

"You will leave those bodies," she commanded.

"No," Percy said. Well, that worked out well.

Leo let out a soft hiss. "We must live."

Frank fumbled for his bow. "Mars Almighty, that's creepy! Get out of here, spirits! Leave our friends alone!"

Leo turned toward him. "You cannot command us, child of war. Your own life is fragile. Your soul could burn at any moment."

Val wasn't sure what that meant, but Frank staggered like he'd been punched in the gut. He drew an arrow, his hands shaking. "I — I've faced down worse things than you. If you want a fight—"

"Frank, don't." Hazel rose.

Next to her, Jason drew his sword.

"Stop!" Piper ordered, but her voice quavered.