The Heroes of Olympus, #5
The Blood of Olympus
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XV
Overview
Nico, Reyna, and Coach Hedge regroup in Évora as Nico recounts Hades’s warning about Orion and looming “wolves.” They plan a risky, long shadow-jump across the Atlantic with Reyna’s support. Doubts about Lupa and silent allies unsettle them. The threat arrives: a pack of wolves encircles them, led by a sinister shapeshifter.
Summary
At their makeshift camp in Évora, Nico updates Reyna and Coach Hedge over dinner about his dreams and Hades’s warning from the Chapel of Bones: Orion is hunting them and “wolves” are coming. Reyna, newly rested, notes wolves are usually friendly to Romans and questions the message, while Nico urges departure at nightfall.
They assess logistics: the Athena Parthenos still lies atop the Roman temple, complicating transport. Nico plans the longest shadow-travel yet—across the Atlantic—with Reyna lending strength. Hedge worries about Mellie and nature spirits as Gaea whispers to them; Nico relays that Clarisse is protecting Mellie.
Reyna voices broader concerns: silence from Lupa’s wolves and from her sister Hylla’s Amazons, hinting at trouble on the West Coast. She stresses their mission’s urgency and the weight on Nico. Nico privately wrestles with isolation, his lingering loyalty to Percy, and Annabeth’s kindness, steeling himself for a future away from both camps if he survives.
They finalize plans, expecting fewer monsters in the U.S., though Hedge warns about Octavian’s influence. Before they can move, howls erupt and massive black wolves flood the square, surrounding the camp.
The alpha transforms into a gaunt, red-eyed man cloaked in animal pelts, crowned with finger bones. He taunts them that Hedge’s wish to stay in Évora is granted: the “figurative wolves” are literally wolves, and the trio is trapped.
Who Appears
- Nico di AngeloPlans a transatlantic shadow-jump; shares Hades’s warning; struggles with isolation and conflicted loyalty.
- Reyna Avila Ramírez-ArellanoRested and resolute; pledges strength to Nico; worries about silent wolves and Amazons.
- Coach Gleeson HedgeProvides comic relief and caution; frets about Mellie and nature spirits; is present when wolves attack.
- Shapeshifting alpha (unknown)Leads the wolf pack; transforms into a red-eyed, bone-crowned man to threaten the trio.