Page 77 of The Court of the Dead
“I think I can do it,” she said. “Last night…It’s hard to explain, but I think I had kind of a breakthrough—I learned an easier way to manipulate the Mist. I want to try, anyway.”
Nico remembered just a few days ago, when making some illusionary traffic barriers had almost made Hazel pass out.
“Uhhh…okay,” he said. “Do you think we’ll need it?”
“The court is averypublic space,” she explained. “Right in the middle of downtown San Francisco. Plus, we don’t know what we’re walking into. I’d prefer more disguise to less disguise.”
“Good point,” said Will. “Well, I’m down for a little Mist adventure. Can you make Nico look like Sweeney Todd? Maybe give him a handlebar mustache? I’d love to see that.”
“Or you could make Will look like a service dog,” Nico suggested. “I’m thinking a golden retriever.”
Hazel crossed her arms. “I could just leave you two here. Maybe pop over to New Rome and ask Percy and Annabeth if they want to join me instead.”
Nico groaned. “Please leave that boyalone.”
Will laughed. “Can youimagine? I think he would stab you with that pen-sword of his.”
“Bold of you to assume Annabeth wouldn’t stab her first,” said Nico.
Hazel sighed. “Well then, I suppose I’m stuck with you. We should get going.” She hesitated. “You know…I’m actually nervous.”
“Me, too,” admitted Will.
Nico zipped up his bomber jacket. “Now I feel better about being nervous as well. Let’s go find our friends.”
When the three demigods emerged from the Caldecott Tunnel entrance, they found Yazan and Deion standing guard.
The sentries stood a little straighter when they saw Hazel.
“Take care of camp, all right?” she told them.
“Of course, Praetor,” said Deion.
Yazan winced. “Yeah, I won’t fall asleep this time.”
Hazel patted his shoulder. “That happened to both of us, Yazan. No judgment. Besides, I don’t think Laverna will be showing her face around here anytime soon.”
“Kinda hope she does.” Deion gave them a conspiratorial grin. “We built her a shrine last night on Temple Hill.”
Nico raised an eyebrow. “You did?”
“The whole Second Cohort,” Deion said. “Remember what Jason Grace wanted—a shrine for every god, right?”
“Except we designed Laverna’s like a holding cell,” Yazan said. “It’s got a gate with iron bars on the front, wide open. Inside, there’s a metal bunk bed, a toilet, and a little altar with a basket of gold coins and a sign that says ‘Please Steal.’ ”
Will looked impressed. “You made her shrine a trap?”
“Orisit a trap?” Deion said. “We figure the mystery will drive her bonkers. Her first real shrine in millennia, and she won’t be sure if it’s safe to take the offerings.”
“That is next-level passive-aggressive,” Will said. “You guys are terrible.”
“Thank you!” Yazan said. “Good hunting, you three. Bring back our mythic friends!”
Deion actually saluted as the travelers made their way down the hillside.
“I’m starting to understand why your minor gods are so salty,” Nico said. “You Romans do not mess around.”
Hazel threw an arm around his shoulders. “Never forget it, brother.”
