Prologue

"Go!" Thalia's voice rang out clearly, despite the storm. "I'll be right behind you!"

I glared at her. "Thalia, I am not leaving you. We'll fight together or not at all."

"Besides," Grover interjected, fiddling nervously, "I'm supposed to bring you to Camp. The monsters are after you."

"Exactly." Thalia glared right back at me. "Make sure Annabeth makes it, you hear me, Luke? And before you start again, sometimes sacrifices have to be made."

I hated it when Thalia's words made sense. Part of me wanted to leave her. She could fend for herself. Aut Vincere aut Mori, Lupa's voice said in my head. Conquer or die. That had kept me alive for years. Then I thought about Jason. Could I really do that to him? Just... let his sister fend fight against a horde of monsters alone?

"Just go!" Thalia yelled.

"W-we should go." Grover tugged at my sleeve. "She'll be fine." It sounded like he was trying to reassure himself more than me.

Looking back on it, I should've dragged Thalia with us. It didn't matter if she would've hated me forever. It would've been worth it.

Because as Grover shepherded us towards the Big House, I heard a bloodcurdling scream, and a shiver ran down my spine. I didn't look back, but I knew she was dead.

It's your fault, a voice that sounded suspiciously like Jason's said. You left her to fend for herself. You left her to die.