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Hazel looked stunned "Oh, no That would terrify him"

Her hand went to her deni in the inside pocket She alore that jacket, or some sort of overshirt, even when it was hot outside Leo had assumed that she did it out of , like a an to wonder

His brain shifted into high gear He remembered what Frank had said about his weakness…a piece of firewood He thought about why this kid would have a fear of fire, and why Hazel would be so attuned to those feelings Leo thought about some of the stories he’d heard at Camp Half-Blood For obvious reasons, he tended to pay attention to legends about fire Now he reht about in end about a hero," he recalled "His lifeline was tied to a stick in a fireplace, and when that piece of wood burned up…"

Hazel’s expression turned dark Leo knew he’d struck on the truth

"Frank has that probleuessed "And the piece of firewood…" He pointed at Hazel’s jacket "He gave it to you for safekeeping?"

"Leo, please don’t…I can’t talk about it"

Leo’s instincts as aabout the properties of wood and the corrosiveness of salt water "Is the firewood okay in the ocean like this? Does the layer of air around you protect it?"

"It’s fine," Hazel said "The wood didn’t even get wet Besides, it’s wrapped up in several layers of cloth and plastic and--" She bit her lip in frustration "And I’m not supposed to talk about it! Leo, the point is if Frank seeot to understand…"

Leo was glad he was floating, because he probably would’ve been too dizzy to stand He iile, it literally could burn up at any tiive his lifeline--his entire fate--to another person

Frank had chosen Hazel, obviously So when he had seen Leo--a guy who could suirl…

Leo shuddered No wonder Frank didn’t like him And suddenly Frank’s ability to turn into a bunch of different ani catch like that

Leo thought about his least favorite line in the Prophecy of Seven: To storured that Jason or Percy stood for storuy Nobody said that, but it was pretty clear Leo was one of the wild cards If he did the wrong thing, the world could fall No…it must fall Leo wondered if Frank and his firewood had so to do with that line Leo had already made some epic mistakes It would be so easy for hi up in flames

"There you are!" Bythos’s voice made Leo flinch

Bythos and Aphros floated over with Frank between the pale but okay Frank studied Hazel and Leo carefully, as if trying to read what they’d been talking about

"You are free to go," Bythos said He opened his saddlebags and returned their confiscated supplies Leo had never been so glad to fit his tool belt around his waist

"Tell Percy Jackson not to worry," Aphros said "We have understood your story about the imprisoned sea creatures in Atlanta Keto and Phorcys must be stopped We will send a quest of mer-heroes to defeat them and free their captives Perhaps Cyrus?"

"Or Bill," Bythos offered

"Yes! Bill would be perfect," Aphros agreed "At any rate, we are grateful that Percy brought this to our attention"

"You should talk to hiested "I mean, son of Poseidon, and all"

Both fish-centaurs shook their heads solemnly "Sometimes it is best not to interact with Poseidon’s brood," Aphros said "We are friendly with the sea god, of course; but the politics of undersea deities is…complicated And we value our independence Nevertheless, tell Percy thank you We will do e can to speed you safely across the Atlantic without further interference from Keto’s monsters, but be warned: in the ancient sea, the Mare Nostruhed "Naturally"

Bythos clapped the big guy on the shoulder "You will be fine, Frank Zhang Keep practicing those sea life transforuese man-of-war Re"

Frank looked mortally embarrassed Leo bit his lip, determined not to smile

"And you, Hazel," Aphros said, "co that horse of yours! I know you are concerned about the tiht in our realm You are worried about your brother, Nico…"

Hazel gripped her cavalry sword "Is he--do you knohere he is?"

Aphros shook his head "Not exactly But when you get closer, you should be able to sense his presence Never fear! You must reach Rome the day after tomorrow if you are to save him, but there is still tireed "He will be essential for your journey I am not sure how, but I sense it is true"

Aphros planted his hand on Leo’s shoulder "As for you, Leo Valdez, stay close to Hazel and Frank when you reach Rome I sense they will face…ah, mechanical difficulties that only you can overcome"

"Mechanical difficulties?" Leo asked

Aphros sifts for you, the brave navigator of the Argo II!"