The Council of the Cloven Elders, a bunch of overweight satyrs, were sitting in a circle in the grass. Grover stood in the middle of them, facing three of the fattest satyrs, all three of whom sat on topiary thrones shaped out of rose bushes.

Grover was telling them the story of Pan and New Mexico, horribly, he never was a good storyteller; twisting the bottom of his T-shirt until it was wrinkled, shifting nervously on his goat hooves, and gnawing on his bottom lip.

Standing off to one side of the circle were Evangeline, Annabeth, Clarrise, and Juniper, Grover's girlfriend. The brunette heard the sound of galloping hooves and saw Chiron dropping Percy off next to Annabeth.

Clarisse was quick to glare at the son of Poseidon, muttering, "Punk." Her dirty blonde hair was tied back with a camouflage bandana. Annabeth had her arms around Juniper, who looked like she'd been crying.

Juniper was petite with wispy hair the colour of amber and a pretty, elfish face. She wore a green chiton and laced sandals. Her ears with slightly pointed, and instead of her eyes being tinged red from crying, they were green, the color of chlorophyll. She was a tree nymph- a dryad.

"It's going terribly," The tree nymph sniffled.

The blonde patted her shoulder. "He'll be fine, Juniper." The daughter of Athena promised.

Percy quickly went behind the three girls, he stood beside the brunette and elbowed her in the side. "Who?" he whispered to her.

"Grover's girlfriend." She grumbled.

"Master Underwood!" The council member on the right shouted, cutting off whatever Grover was trying to say. "Do you seriously expect us to believe this?"

"But-but, Silenus," The satyr stammered. "It's the truth!"

Silenus turned to his colleagues and muttered something. Chiron cantered up to the front and stood next to them, the elders didn't look very impressed with the honorary member.

Silenus tugged his yellow polo shirt over his belly and adjusted himself on his rosebush throne. "Master Underwood, for six months-six months- we have been hearing these scandalous claims that you heard the wild god Pan speak."

"But I did!" Grover insisted.

"impudence!" said the elder on the left.

"Naw, Maron," Chiron said. "Patience."

"Patience, indeed!" Maron said. "I've had it up to my horns with this nonsense. As if the wild god would speak to... to him."

Juniper looked like she wanted to charge the old satyr and beat him up, but Annabeth and Clarisse held her back. Evangeline wanted to see what that would look like but much to her dismay it didn't happen. "Wrong fight, girlie," Clarisse muttered. "Wait."

"For six months," Silenus continued, "We have indulged you, Master Underwood. We let you travel. We allowed you to keep your searcher's license. We waited for you to bring proof of your preposterous claim. And what have you found in six months of travel?"

"I just need more time," the younger satyr pleaded.

"Nothing!" The elder in the middle chimed in. "You have found nothing."

"But, Leneus-"

Silenus raised his hand. Chiron leaned in and said something to the satyrs. They didn't look happy. They muttered and argued among themselves, but the centaur said something else, and Silenus sighed. He nodded reluctantly.

"Master Underwood," Silenus announced. "We will give you one more chance."

The young protector brightened. "Thank you!"

"One more week."

Evangeline watched as Grover's hope burst right before her eyes. "What? But sir! That's impossible!"

"One more week, Master Underwood. And then, if you cannot prove your claims, it will be time for you to pursue another career. Something to suit your dramatic talents. puppet theatre, perhaps. Or tap dancing."

"But, sir, I-I can't lose my searcher's license. My whole life-"

"This meeting of the council is adjourned," Silenus said. "And now, let us enjoy our noonday meal!"

The old satyr clapped his hands and nymphs melted out of the trees with platters of vegetables, fruits, tin cans, and other goat delicacies. The circle of satyrs broke and changed for the food. Evangeline watched the satyrs push each other out of the way.

Grover walked over dejectedly. "Hi, Percy," he mumbled. "Hey, Evangeline." Grover wouldn't even look up from the ground. "That went well, huh?"

"Those old goats!" Juniper said. "Oh, Grover, they don't know how hard you've tried!"

"There is another option," Clarisse said darkly.

"No. No." The tree nymph shook her head. "Grover, I won't let you."

His face was ashen. "I-I'll have to think about it. But we don't even know where to look."

"What are you talking about?" The boy asked.

In the distance, the conch horn sounded.

The blonde pursed her lips. "We'll fill you in later, Percy. We'd better get back to our cabins. Inspecting is starting."

Evangeline was sitting by the canoe lake when all of a sudden she heard someone call. "Pretty girl!"

She turned around and saw Tyson making his way towards her when the Cyclops came in range he scooped her up and locked her in a bone-crushing hug. "I missed you!" He exclaimed.

"I missed you too." She managed as Tyson was slowly cutting off her blood circulation. Percy and Annabeth came running over. "Tyson put her down," Percy told him.

Tyson gently put her down as she caught her breath when she finally did she gave Tyson a small pat on his arm. Grover on the other hand was nowhere to be found. Evangeline wondered where he might have gone off to.

"What's this 'other way'?" Percy suddenly asked. "The thing Clarisse mentioned?"

Annabeth and Evangeline exchanged a look. The daughter of Athena picked up a stone and skipped it across the lake. "Something Clarisse scouted out. I helped her a little this spring, and I told Evangeline about it. But it would be dangerous. Especially for Grover."

"Goat boy scares me," Tyson murmured.

Percy stared at Tyson. "Why would you be scared of Grover?"

"Hooves and horns," Tyson answered nervously. "And goat fur makes my nose itchy."

"Well, everyone had to be scared of something."

That night after dinner, Evangeline dreamt about the dark shore of the River Styx and the Underworld. A young boy squatted at the riverbank, tending to a campfire. The flames burned an unnatural color blue. He was throwing pieces of paper into the fire-Mythomagic trading cards, part of the game he had been obsessed with.

Nico was eleven by now, he looked so much older than that. His hair was longer; shaggy and nearly touching his shoulder. His eyes were dark, and his olive skin had turned paler, like Evangeline's. He wore ripped black jeans and a battered aviator's jacket that was several sizes too big, unzipped over a black shirt. His face was grimy, his eyes wild. He looked too much like Hades.

"Useless," he muttered. "I can't believe I ever liked this stuff."

"A childish game, master." Another voice agreed. It seemed to come from near the fire, and Evangeline recognized the voice immediately.

Nico stared across the river. "I've failed," he muttered. "There's no way to get her back."

The other voice kept silent.

Nico turned toward it doubtfully. "Is there? Speak."

Something shimmered and formed a man, only a wisp of blue smoke, merely a shadow. Nico had learned how to talk to ghosts, Evangeline felt a little proud but still was heartbroken at the boy's state.

"It has never been done," said Minos. "But there may be a way."

"Tell me," Nico commanded. His eyes shined with a fierce light. He was starting to look a lot like Evangeline.

"An exchange," Minos said. "A soul for a soul."

"I've offered!" The son of Hades wailed.

"Not yours," Minos told him. "You cannot offer your father a soul he will eventually collect anyway. Nor will he be anxious for the death of his son. I mean a soul that should have died already, Someone who had cheated death."

"Evangeline ?"

"She is not who I am talking about, and your father won't be very pleased if his oldest dies, he'll have me tortured for eternity," Minos spoke. "I am talking about justice. Vengeance."

"Those are not the same thing," Nico said. "And-" he paused, his eyebrows furrowing. "Who are you talking about?"

"Justice and vengeance, master? You will learn differently as you get older."

The boy stared at the flames. "Why can't I at least summon her? I want to talk to her. She would... she would help me."

"I will help you," The spirit promised. "Have I not saved you many times? Did I not lead you through the maze and teach you to use your powers? Do you not want revenge for your sister or not?"

Nico turned away from the fire so that the ghost couldn't see him, but the brunette still could. A tear made its way down his face. "Very well. You have a plan?"

"Oh, yes," Minos said, sounding quite pleased. "We have many dark roads to travel. We must start-"

Evangeline woke up covered in sweat. She could see everyone else asleep and she quickly took a deep breath before she tried to sleep again.

The next morning Evangeline went to breakfast and after being informed of the near attack on camp and offering her food to her father, she was dragged by the arm by the daughter of Athena.

"What is your problem, blondie?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "I'll explain later," she leads her over to Cabin Three's table. Where Percy and Grover sat. Evangeline was shoved next to Percy, Annabeth sitting on her other side. Annabeth leaned over closer to Grover and Percy, whispering. "I'll tell you what it's about- the Labyrinth."

Percy couldn't concentrate on a word Annabeth was saying, because everybody in the dining pavilion was stealing glances at them and whispering. And Evangeline was right next to him, and he meant like right next to him. "You're not supposed to be here," he mumbled.

"We need to talk." Annabeth insisted.

"Can I leave?" Evangeline asked, Annabeth shot her a look in return.

"Look," the blonde spoke up. "Grover is in trouble. There's only one way we can figure out to help him. It's what I've been investigating, and Evangeline you helped out sometimes."

Evangeline sighed and put her head in her hands, she closed her eyes she hadn't slept and just wanted to go back into her cabin and try to sleep.

Percy shifted his weight. "You mean the maze where they kept the Minotaur, back in the old days?"

"Yeah, and it wasn't a solution, not a good one, at least."

"So... it's not under the king's palace in Crete anymore," The raven-haired boy guessed. "The labyrinth is under some building in America."

"No, the Labyrinth is spread all over America."

"So... the Labyrinth is part of the Underworld?"

"No," Evangeline shot a look towards the boy. "There may be entrances from the Labyrinth into the Underworld. I didn't find any. The Labyrinth is right under the surface of the mortal world. It's been growing for thousands of years, lacing its way under Western cities, connecting everything together underground. You can get anywhere through the Labyrinth."

"If you don't get lost," Annabeth pointed out.

"And die a horrible death," Grover added.

"There has to be a way," the blonde insisted. "Clarisse lived."

"Because it's Clarisse," Evangeline said. "She survived, barely. And that other guy... he barely got out. He practically next on Thanatos's list."

"Evangeline!" Annabeth snapped. "You're supposed to be helping!"

"I'm just stating the obvious," she said.

Annabeth narrowed her eyes. "He's not next on the list. He was just driven insane, he's not going to die."

Grover's lower lip quivered. "Oh, joy. That makes me feel so much better. Can you see a death aura around me?"

Evangeline arched a brow. "I only see a death aura— if that's what you call it, when someone is close to death, you're not."

"Whoa," Percy said. "Back up. What's this about Clarisse and a crazy guy?"

"Around the time we went to Westover, Clarisse also went on a mission for Chiron."

"I remember," said Percy. "It was a secret."

"Yes, it was. Because she found Chis Rodriguez."

"The guy from Hermes's cabin?" The son of Poseidon asked, looking at the brunette who was still right on top of him.

"He's one of Landon's brothers," she said. "He joined Kronos and sort of appeared in Phoenix, near Clarisse's mom's house."

"What do mean he just appeared?" Percy asked.

"Do you not know what appeared means?" She asked.

Percy shot her a look. "Shh, princess."

"He was wandering around the desert, in a hundred and twenty degrees, in full Greek armor, babbling about string."

"String," Percy repeated.

"He'd been driven insane. Clarisse brought him back to her mom's house so the mortals wouldn't institutionalize him. She tried to nurse him back to health. Chiron came and interviewed him, but it wasn't much good. The only thing they got out of him: Luke's men have been exploring the Labyrinth."

"Okay," Percy said. "Why were they exploring the Labyrinth?"

"We weren't sure," Annabeth admitted. "That's why Clarisse went on a scouting expedition. Chiron kept things hushed up because he didn't want anyone panicking. He got me involved because... the Labyrinth has always been one of my favorite subjects. The architecture involved-" her expression turned a little dreamy. "The builder, Daedalus, was a genius. But the point is, the Labyrinth has entrances everywhere. If Luke could figure out how to navigate it, he could move his army around with incredible speed."

"Except it's a maze, right?" Percy asked.

"Full of horrible traps," agreed Grover. "Dead ends. Illusions. Psychotic, goat-killing monsters."

"But not if you have Ariadne's string," Evangeline pointed out. "Ariadne's string was like a compass for Theseus, he used it and got out. I think it's also invented by Daedalus."

"So Luke is trying to find Ariadne's string," Percy said. "Why? What's he planning?"

Annabeth shook her head. "I don't know. I thought maybe he wanted to invade Camp through the maze, but that doesn't make any sense. The closest entrances Clarisse found were in Manhattan, which wouldn't help Luke get past our borders. Clarisse explored a little way into the tunnels, but... it was dangerous. She had some close calls. I researched everything I could find about Daedalus. I'm afraid it didn't help much. I don't understand exactly what Luke's planning is, but I do know this: the Labyrinth might be key to Grover's problem."

The raven-haired boy blinked. "You think Pan is underground?"

"It would explain why he's been impossible to find."

Grover shuddered. "Satyrs hate going underground. No searcher would ever try going in that place. No flowers. No sunshine. No coffee shops!"

"But," The blonde said. "The labyrinth can lead you almost anywhere. It reads your thoughts. It was designed to foll you, trick you, and kill you; but if you can make the Labyrinth work for you—"

"It could lead you to the Wild God," Percy said.

"I can't do it." The satyr hugged his stomach. "Just thinking about it makes me want to throw up my silverware."

"Grover, it may be your last chance," Annabeth said. "The council is serious. One week or you learn to tap dance!"

Over at the head table, Quintus the new sword instructor hired by Chiron cleared his throat. Evangeline and Annabeth were pushing their luck by staying at Poseison's table for so long.

Annabeth stood up glancing over her shoulder. "We'll talk later," she said. She looked at Evangeline. "You convince them." The blonde returned to the Athena table, ignoring all the people who were staring at her.

"I'm too tired for this," she mumbled, Evangeline stood up, started to turn when she froze. She saw a blue figure in the middle of the pavilion it looked like the figure of a young hunter she knew last winter; Bianca Di Angelo, her sister.

She blinked and Bianca was gone. Evangeline sat down at the Hermes table, taking a deep breath. She ignored the looks of everyone in the hall.

That night after dinner, Quintus had the campers suit up in combat armour for a game of Capture the Flag. However, the mood among the campers was a lot more serious.

"Right," Quintus said, standing on the head dining table. "Gather 'round."

He was dressed in black leather and bronze. In the torchlight, his grey hair made him look like a ghost. Mrs. O'Leary the hellhound bounded happily around him, foraging for dinner scraps.

"You will be in teams of two," he announced. When everybody started talking and trying to grab their friends, he yelled. "Which have already been chosen!"

Everybody complained and let out protests. "Your goal is simple: Collect the gold laurels without dying. The wreath is wrapped in a silk package, and tied to the back of one of the monsters. There are six monsters. Each has a silk package. Only one holds the laurels. You must find the wreath before the other teams. And, of course... you will have to kill the monster to get it, and stay alive." The campers started murmuring excitedly.

"I will now announce your partners," Quintus said. "There will be no trading. No switching. No complaining."

Mrs O'Leary barked loudly and buried her face in a plate of pizza. Quintus produced a big scroll and started reading off names. Beckendorf would be with Silena, which Beckendorf looked happy about. Travis and Conner would be together. Clarisse with Lee Fletcher. Malcolm Pace with Annabeth.

Quintus kept rattling off with the names and pairs until he said. "Percy Jackson with Landon Martin."

This made Evangeline laugh and she had to cover her mouth with her hand. Percy and Landon had never talked so she wanted to see how this would go. Landon scowled and walked next to Percy who had the same look on his face.

"Grover Underwood," the instructor said. "With Tyson."

The satyr looked ready to jump out of his goat fur. "What? But-"

"No, no," Tyson whimpered. "Must be a mistake. Goat boy-"

"No complaining!" Quintus ordered. "Get with your partner. You have two minutes to prepare!"

Evangeline was about to walk out of the hall when she was called back. "Evangeline Merlyn!" Quintus called. "Would you do me a favor?"

She furrowed her eyebrows as she walked back into the hall. "What is it?"

"Would you keep an eye on Mrs O'Leary during the game? I will not be able to watch her and the game." Quintus said.

She looked at the hellhound and said. "Uh, okay."

"Wonderful!" He untied the hound and the hellhound went straight to Evangeline sniffing her feet and licking her hand.

She sighed, running her hand over the dog' head before leaving the pavilion with Mrs O'Leary following after her.

Watching as she left, Percy sucked in a sharp breath before walking over to Landon.

"Guess we're teamed up." The son of Poseidon said.

"I guess we are."

The two boys were in the woods with their swords they had come up with a plan and were walking through the woods on high alert. It was quiet before Percy decided to break the silence.

"So," he started. "...How are you?"

Landon shot him a weird look. "I'm fine dude."

"Right," Percy mumbled. "Why wouldn't you be?"

For a while, all Landon did was look at him then he spoke, "What about you?"

"Oh, I'm great." Percy said quickly.

"This is very weird," Landon blurted.

He couldn't exactly disagree there. "Hey, I'm just trying to make small talk, we're stuck together remember?"

The son of Hermes stared bored at Percy. It was like Landon was judging him. "You want to ask something," he said. "Go on, ask."

"What? No, I don't." The son of Poseidon shook his head.

Landon arched a brow. "Ask."

Percy shifted on his feet. "Did Evangeline tell you what happened last year?"

"Some of it," he said as he put the tip of his sword into the ground. "Mostly Annabeth did."

"Did she tell you about Luke?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"I don't know," Percy shrugged. "Maybe because he was your brother."

"I have seventeen brothers," Landon said, his voice tight. "He's not special, I don't get what Hermes sees in him."

"You ever talk to him?" The raven haired boy wondered. "Hermes, I mean, he seems like a really nice guy."

Landon scowled. "No," the Martin boy shifted on his feet he dug the sword deeper. "But you obviously have, haven't you?"

"He paid me a visit before we went to get Grover and the Fleece." Percy told him.

The son of Hermes swallowed, his adam's apple bobbing up and down. He stared at the ground. "Cool." Landon stayed quiet for a while before saying, "What was he like?"

Percy's eyebrows furrowed. "You've never met him?"

Landon clenched his jaw. "He doesn't consider me as his son, not really a son to be proud of now am I?"

Percy pursed his lips. There was a lot of awkward silence, and it was making him feel weird. He'd never talked to Landon that much before.

"I'm sure that's not true," Percy joked, failing miserably at trying to light up the mood.

"No, it is."

"Oh."

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