Read The Titan's Curse for Free Online Page A

I must hunt this monster.” Zoë looked like she was trying very hard not to be afraid, but she nodded. “We will leave right away, my lady.”
    â€œNo, Zoë. I must do this alone.”
    â€œBut, Artemis—”
    â€œThis task is too dangerous even for the Hunters. You know where I must start my search. You cannot go there with me.”
    â€œAs . . . as you wish, my lady.”
    â€œI will find this creature,” Artemis vowed. “And I shall bring it back to Olympus by winter solstice. It will be all the proof I need to convince the Council of the Gods of how much danger we are in.”
    â€œYou know what the monster is?” I asked.
    Artemis gripped her bow. “Let us pray I am wrong.”
    â€œCan goddesses pray?” I asked, because I’d never really thought about that.
    A flicker of a smile played across Artemis’s lips. “Before I go, Percy Jackson, I have a small task for you.”
    â€œDoes it involve getting turned into a jackalope?”
    â€œSadly, no. I want you to escort the Hunters back to Camp Half-Blood. They can stay there in safety until I return.”
    â€œWhat?” Zoë blurted out. “But, Artemis, we hate that place. The last time we stayed there—”
    â€œYes, I know,” Artemis said. “But I’m sure Dionysus will not hold a grudge just because of a little, ah, misunderstanding. It’s your right to use Cabin Eight whenever you are in need. Besides, I hear they rebuilt the cabins you burned down.”
    Zoë muttered something about foolish campers.
    â€œAnd now there is one last decision to make.” Artemis turned to Bianca. “Have you made up your mind, my girl?”
    Bianca hesitated. “I’m still thinking about it.”
    â€œWait,” I said. “Thinking about what?”
    â€œThey . . . they’ve invited me to join the Hunt.”
    â€œWhat? But you can’t! You have to come to Camp Half-Blood so Chiron can train you. It’s the only way you can learn to survive.”
    â€œIt is not the only way for a girl,” Zoë said.
    I couldn’t believe I was hearing this. “Bianca, camp is cool! It’s got a pegasus stable and a sword-fighting arena and . . . I mean, what do you get by joining the Hunters?”
    â€œTo begin with,” Zoë said, “immortality.”
    I stared at her, then at Artemis. “She’s kidding, right?”
    â€œZoë rarely kids about anything,” Artemis said. “My Hunters follow me on my adventures. They are my maidservants, my companions, my sisters-in-arms. Once they swear loyalty to me, they are indeed immortal . . . unless they fall in battle, which is unlikely. Or break their oath.”
    â€œWhat oath?” I said.
    â€œTo foreswear romantic love forever,” Artemis said. “To never grow up, never get married. To be a maiden eternally.”
    â€œLike you?”
    The goddess nodded.
    I tried to imagine what she was saying. Being immortal. Hanging out with only middle-school girls forever. I couldn’t get my mind around it. “So you just go around the country recruiting half-bloods—”
    â€œNot just half-bloods,” Zoë interrupted. “Lady Artemis does not discriminate by birth. All who honor the goddess may join. Half-bloods, nymphs, mortals—”
    â€œWhich are you, then?”
    Anger flashed in Zoë’s eyes. “That is not thy concern, boy. The point is Bianca may join if she wishes. It is her choice.”
    â€œBianca, this is crazy,” I said. “What about your brother? Nico can’t be a Hunter.”
    â€œCertainly not,” Artemis agreed. “He will go to camp. Unfortunately, that’s the best boys can do.”
    â€œHey!” I protested.
    â€œYou can see him from time to time,” Artemis assured Bianca. “But you will be free of responsibility. He will have the camp counselors to take care of