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"Well" Reyna set down her uneaten apple "Octavian is right about one thing We ionnaires go on a quest--especially one as dangerous as you’re suggesting"

"This whole thing srumbled "That trireme is not a ship of peace!"

"Coive you a tour You can steer the boat, and if you’re really good I’ll give you a little paper captain’s hat to wear"

Octavian’s nostrils flared "How dare you--"

"It’s a good idea," Reyna said "Octavian, go with hi in one hour"

"But…" Octavian stopped Apparently he could tell froood for his health "Fine"

Leo got up He turned to Annabeth, and his sht she’d iined it; but just for ain Leo’s place, sht in his eyes Then Annabeth blinked, and Leo was just regular old Leo again, with his usual ionna be epic"

A horrible chill settled over her As Leo and Octavian headed for the rope ladder, she thought about calling them back--but how could she explain that? Tell everyone she was going crazy, seeing things and feeling cold?

The wind spirits began clearing the plates

"Uh, Reyna," Jason said, "if you don’tShe’s never seen New Rome"

Reyna’s expression hardened

Annabeth wondered how Jason could be so dense Was it possible he really didn’t understand how h to Annabeth Asking to show his new girlfriend around Reyna’s city was rubbing salt in a wound

"Of course," Reyna said coldly

Percy took Annabeth’s hand "Yeah, me, too I’d like to show Annabeth--"

"No," Reyna snapped

Percy knit his eyebrows "Sorry?"

"I’d like a feords with Annabeth," Reyna said "Alone If you don’t mind, my fellow praetor"

Her tonepermission

The chill spread down Annabeth’s back She wondered what Reyna was up to Maybe the praetor didn’t like the idea of two guys who had rejected her giving their girlfriends tours of her city Orshe wanted to say in private Either way, Annabeth was reluctant to be alone and unarhter of Athena" Reyna rose from her couch "Walk with me"

Chapter 4

Annabeth wanted to hate New Ro architect, she couldn’t help adardens, the fountains and te white villas After the Titan War last su the palaces of Mount Olyh this , I should have made a dome like that I love the way those coluned New Rome had clearly poured a lot of time and love into the project

"We have the best architects and builders in the world," Reyna said, as if reading her thoughts "Roods stay on to live here after their tio to our university They settle down to raise families Percy seemed interested in this fact"

Annabeth wondered what that meant She must have scowled hed

"You’re a warrior, all right," the praetor said "You’ve got fire in your eyes"

"Sorry" Annabeth tried to tone down the glare

"Don’t be I’oddess of war?"

Reyna nodded She turned and whistled like she was hailing a cab A reyhounds, one silver and one gold They brushed against Reyna’s legs and regarded Annabeth with glistening ruby eyes

"My pets," Reyna explained "Auruentuain, Annabeth got the feeling it wasn’t really a request She noted that the greyhounds had teeth like steel arrowheads Maybe weapons weren’t allowed inside the city, but Reyna’s pets could still tear her to pieces if they chose

Reyna led her to an outdoor café, where the waiter clearly knew her He so cup, then offered one to Annabeth

"Would you like some?" Reyna asked "They make wonderful hot chocolate Not really a Roman drink--"

"But chocolate is universal," Annabeth said

"Exactly"

It was a warm June afternoon, but Annabeth accepted the cup with thanks The two of the nearby

"In our camp," Reyna said, "Athena is Minerva Are you familiar with how her Roman form is different?"

Annabeth hadn’t really considered it before She reoddess, as if she were scandalous Octavian had acted like Annabeth’s very existence was an insult