The Iris message shimmers before me, Triton's face appearing in the misty water. His expression is unreadable—Atlantis royalty through and through—but something flickers in his eyes that I haven't seen before. Not quite fear, but close to it.

"Chase," he says, his voice formal but strained. "What has my brother done now?"

My hands tremble as I grip the edge of the table. The words catch in my throat for a moment before I force them out.

"I was hoping he was with you in Atlantis. Training... or a quest... anywhere the messages don't reach."

Triton's expression sharpens, the casual dismissal vanishing instantly. "I was under the impression he was at your camp."

"He was supposed to arrive yesterday morning," I say, the words tumbling out faster now. "He messaged me he was leaving New York, that he'd be here soon, but he never came. We've searched everywhere, but..."

The silence stretches between us, heavier than the ocean depths Triton calls home. When he speaks again, his voice has dropped to a dangerous whisper.

"He has not come to the city."

I can see the moment realization hits him—the same cold dread that's been consuming me since yesterday morning. Triton straightens, all royal composure returning but with an undercurrent of barely contained fury.

"I must inform my family of this. Are you searching the land?"

"Yes," I say, finding my resolve. "We've found nothing so far, but we won't leave any stones unturned."

He nods once, sharply, and the connection wavers. "Attacking a Prince of Atlantis is attacking Atlantis itself. We will find him."

The message cuts off, leaving me staring at empty air. Behind me, campers are gathering, sensing the crisis. Percy's necklace—the one with his camp beads and the tiny jellyfish pendant Kym gave him—feels suddenly heavy around my neck. I close my hand around it, gripping it until my knuckles turn white.

The search for Percy begins now, in earnest. And I won't stop until I find him.