Prologue

1 WEEK AFTER "THE LAST OLYMPIAN" AND "THE DEATHLY HALLOWS".

A man cloaked in midnight black robes stepped out of the light and into the shadowed interior of the circular room. He did not speak. He did not move. He waited, still as a statue, unfazed by the passing time. Eventually, a door on the opposite end of the room opened, and another figure stepped in.

This thing was neither man nor woman. In fact, it was not human at all. When it spoke, its voice sounded like knives scraping against stone. "So you did come. How interesting. Mr...?"

"Names are not important," the other man snapped. Or rather, hissed. Each word came out like a snake's whisper, yet a lot more powerful.

"Fine," the thing with the rasping voice answered. "But why should I trust you with this? You are a mere mortal. Nothing more."

The one cloaked in robes spat. "You have no idea. I am stronger than you, Kronos." He said the name with contempt.

There was a strange grating sound. Kronos was laughing. "I don't think so. But peace, we have come to plan, not fight."

A thin smile spread across the other's face.

"Then let us begin."