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honor the goddess may join. Half-bloods, nymphs, mortals—”
    “Which 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.”
    “Bianca, this is crazy,” I said. “What about your brother? Nico can’t be a Hunter.”
    “Certainly not,” Artemis agreed. “He will go to camp. Unfortunately, that’s the best boys can do.”
    “Hey!” I protested.
    “You 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 him. And you will have a new family. Us.”
    “A new family,” Bianca repeated dreamily. “Free of responsibility.”
    “Bianca, you can’t do this,” I said. “It’s nuts.”
    She looked at Zoë. “Is it worth it?”
    Zoë nodded. “It is.”
    “What do I have to do?”
    “Say this,” Zoë told her, “‘I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis.’”
    “I . . . I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis.”
    “‘I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt.’”
    Bianca repeated the lines. “That’s it?”
    Zoë nodded. “If Lady Artemis accepts thy pledge, then it is binding.”
    “I accept it,” Artemis said.
    The flames in the brazier brightened, casting a silver glow over the room. Bianca looked no different, but she took a deep breath and opened her eyes wide. “I feel . . . stronger.”
    “Welcome, sister,” Zoë said.
    “Remember your pledge,” Artemis said. “It is now your life.”
    I couldn’t speak. I felt like a trespasser. And a complete failure. I couldn’t believe I’d come all this way and suffered so much only to lose Bianca to some eternal girls’ club.
    “Do not despair, Percy Jackson,” Artemis said. “You will still get to show the di Angelos your camp. And if Nico so chooses, he can stay there.”
    “Great,” I said, trying not to sound surly. “How are we supposed to get there?”
    Artemis closed her eyes. “Dawn is approaching. Zoë, break camp. You must get to Long Island quickly and safely. I shall summon a ride from my brother.”
    Zoë didn’t look real happy about this idea, but she nodded and told Bianca to follow her. As she was leaving, Bianca paused in front of me. “I’m sorry, Percy. But I want this. I really, really do.”
    Then she was gone, and I was left alone with the twelve-year-old goddess.
    “So,” I said glumly. “We’re going to get a ride from your brother, huh?”
    Artemis’s silver eyes gleamed. “Yes, boy. You see, Bianca di Angelo is not the only one with an annoying brother. It’s time for you to meet my irresponsible twin, Apollo.”

FOUR

THALIA TORCHES NEW ENGLAND
    Artemis assured us that dawn was coming, but you could’ve fooled me. It was colder and darker and snowier than ever. Up on the hill, Westover Hall’s windows were completely lightless. I wondered if the teachers had even noticed the di Angelos and Dr. Thorn were missing yet. I didn’t want to be around when they did. With my luck, the only name Mrs. Gottschalk would remember was “Percy Jackson,” and then I’d be the subject of a nationwide manhunt . . . again.
    The Hunters broke camp as quickly as they’d set it up. I stood shivering in the snow (unlike the Hunters, who didn’t seem to feel at all uncomfortable), and Artemis stared into the east like she was expecting something. Bianca sat off to one side, talking with Nico. I could tell from his gloomy face that she was explaining her decision to join the Hunt. I couldn’t help thinking how selfish it was of her, abandoning her brother like that.
    Thalia and Grover came up and huddled around me, anxious to hear what had happened in my audience with the goddess.
    When I told them, Grover turned pale. “The last time the Hunters visited camp, it didn’t go well.”
    “How’d they even show up here?” I wondered. “I mean, they just appeared out of