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Annabeth was the first to feel the mysterious force gathering around them. It happened just seconds after they decided to make a run for the Lotus Hotel exit. Soon she saw Grover and Percy feel it too, as it gently pushed them backwards to stand back to back in a triangle. If she squinted she could see it, shimmering like a golden lasso of magnetic force. But it wasn’t a harsh light at all. It almost reminded her of the merry golden wrappers on the chocolate gelt her cousin Magnus always mailed her for Chanukah. Or the first handful of drachmas Luke had ever lent her to buy extra candy at the camp mess hall.
She startled as she realized the magnetic circle was the same golden color as ichor.
She felt a tug as all three were suddenly yanked forward, shouting in confusion. Their sneakers (and hooves) all dragged across the carpets. They whizzed past the minibars and slot machines and DJ booth (which for some reason loved playing “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga on loop). The automatic entry doors zoomed closer and Annabeth braced for impact -- but somehow they all still sailed through alright.
Streets and sidewalks flew by, until suddenly they approached the base of Las Vegas’s Trevi Fountain replica. The lasso finally let go, and the three kids all tumbled inside the fountain. All three surfaced, looking around and gasping for air, as marble statues of Greek ocean spirits stared down at them. Annabeth jumped out and onto solid ground nearby, and the guys followed suit.
“I’m glad we all made it out alive, ” Grover started, “At first I thought that was an evil stream of lights, but then it turned…friendly looking? Not as bright as my dad’s usual Diwali candles, but still…” He looked around. “Why did we have to land here?”
“Maybe the lotus magic can only be removed in sacred waters?” Annabeth guessed.
“She’s right,” answered a mysterious male voice.
All three heads jerked around to look at the older man who saved them. Percy was the first to react -- the man had the same blue eyes as him. Almost like they could be half-brothers.
