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I nodded like I knew what she was talking about. I’d seen how easily she could decapitate ghouls with her jewelry, and I didn’t want to make her angry.

Later, I wandered upstairs and found Annabeth on a third-story terrace that looked out over Gramercy Park. I didn’t even know the househada terrace, but since the place was magic, I didn’t question it.

“Want some company?” I asked.

She patted the empty space next to her.

We sat in silence. It was nice to be able to do that with Annabeth. We never felt the need to be witty or cool with each other. We could just be ourselves. That was enough.

“I almost got us killed tonight,” she said.

That was neither witty nor cool, and I could tell it had been bothering her.

“You’re being too hard on yourself,” I said.

She shook her head. “I heard Stuyvesant’s voice. Thinking I could summon a spirit like him on Halloween. Thinking I could handle those torches by myself…That was a mistake, like he said.”

I had a feeling she wasn’t such a fan of Peter Stuyvesant anymore. And honestly…same.

“It worked out,” I said. “The house got fixed.”

“Yes, but…” She shuddered. “My fatal flaw got in the way again. If I’d lost you because of my own pride…”

I took her hand. Her fingers were cold. “You’re not getting rid of me that easy. We’ve all got our fatal flaws, right? If yours is hummus…”

She laughed weakly. “Hubris.”

“That’s what I said. I am fine with it. It balances out my flaw of being too modest about my incredible dance moves.”

“Um, nice try.”

“Besides, I gotta believe we’re a good team because we make each other’s fatal flaws into slightly less fatal flaws. Like, maybe even fatal strengths.”

She squeezed my hand. “That doesn’t even make sense, Seaweed Brain. But I appreciate the thought. So you’re saying I shouldn’t feel guilty?”

“None of us should. Grover’s fatal flaw is apparently strawberry milkshakes, right? But sometimes life gives you strawberry milkshakes. Then you gotta count on your friends to look out for you. We’re a team. How many times have you propped me up?”

“I’ve lost count.”

“Exactly.”

She studied my face. You’d think she would’ve known it pretty well by now, but she seemed surprised, like she saw something on it she’d never noticed before.

“What?” I asked. “Queso on my chin?”

“No,” she said. “Well, actually, yes. But I was thinking you’re a pretty smart guy.”

“Could you say that again? I must’ve misheard you.”

She pushed me playfully. “I mean it. And I can tell you’re planning something. All that history about Hecate and her school, all the ghosts and regrets hanging around this place. We repaired the house, but we’re not done yet, are we?”

“No,” I agreed.

I told her what I was planning to say to Hecate when she got home in the morning.

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. “Risky.”

“Yeah. I think you and Grover should clear out first. I don’t want this to blow up in your faces if she doesn’t take it well.”