“One more night,” Nico blurted out. “Please, Semele.”
“Why should we?”
“Because we’re close to cracking what’s happening,” Nico said. “I know what to do now.”
“Bah!” the eidolon scoffed.
“I would like to hear the boy out,” said Johan. “Beforewe make a decision.”
“Johan,” Semele said, “I know you have a fondness for these demigods, but—”
“Why can’t we justlisten?” pleaded the blemmyae.
Semele’s smoke turned pale. It dawned on Nico that Johan had actuallyinterruptedsomeone…which seemed impolite. Nico was so proud.
“You forget thatIam your elder,” Semele said, her voice taut. “I existed hundreds upon hundreds of years before you were even a thought in the universe. If Asterion really is gone, then his authority as leader of this little group passes to me.”
Johan dropped his gaze. “Yes, of course. I apologize…but could wepleasejust listen to him? Thank you.”
Orcus flapped his wings. “I agree with my big-faced friend!”
Semele muttered something in a language Nico didn’t recognize. Ancient Minoan? Phoenician? Dead languages could be useful when you wanted to insult someone.
“Very well, Nico di Angelo,” said the eidolon. “Tell us what you know, and we will decide if it is worth the risk of staying here another night.”
Nico glanced at Will, who nodded at him encouragingly.
“My cacodemons,” Nico said. “Just before Asterion’s disappearance, they began to panic. They kept trying to get my attention.”
“I saw it,” confirmed Will. “They’dneveracted like that before.”
“A moment later,” Nico went on, “I sensed a presence—like something cold and unfriendly, washing over me.”
“Yes, we’re aware an invisible force infiltrated your camp,” Semele said bitterly. “That is not comforting to us.”
“Hold on.” Hazel looked at Nico with newfound interest. “How long was it between when the Puffs sensed the intrusion and whenyousensed it?”
“Only a few seconds,” Nico admitted. “Still…”
“They could serve as an early warning system,” Hazel said.
“Awhat?” Semele asked.
“That’s kind of brilliant,” Will said. “If this god-level thing comes back tonight, and if we keep the Puffs with us…”
Frank nodded slowly. “Then we’ll know when it’s about to strike. We can be ready this time.”
Semele muttered another curse in ancient whatever-it-was. “I’ll remind you thathere, where the abductor actually struck, we felt nothing.”
“But you didn’t have the Cocoa Puffs,” Nico said.
“Even so, this force was powerful enough to put all of us to sleep, includingme! None of your lookouts knew what hit them. Why would next time be different?”
Hazel winced, clearly hurt. She’d been working with Asterion since the mythics first arrived. They’d become good friends. Nico imagined the bull-man’s disappearance, and her inability to stop it, was tearing her apart inside.
“Speak, Praetor,” Semele urged her. “Do you have a solution?”
Hazel took a deep breath. “Maybe so…Nico, you felt that cold presence before the other demigods did?”
