The Tyrant's Tomb

The god Apollo, cast down from Olympus and living as a mortal teenager named Lester Papadopoulos, is bound in service to a 12-year-old demigod and daughter of Demeter, Meg McCaffrey. To regain his godhood, Apollo must restore five ancient Oracles controlled by the Triumvirate—a trio of resurrected Roman emperors. His final goal will eventually be to defeat his archenemy, Python, who has taken the Oracle at Delphi. Having just barely escaped from a deadly labyrinth during their last trial, Apollo and Meg now travel to Camp Jupiter, a Roman demigod camp, escorting the body of their friend Jason Grace, who was recently killed by the emperor Caligula.

When their plane lands in Oakland with Jason’s coffin, Apollo and Meg find that their friend Piper McLean has arranged for a hearse. They load the coffin into the hearse, along with Jason’s belongings, which include a diorama of his plans for the future design of New Rome. Apollo drives toward Camp Jupiter, and as the vehicle nears the Caldecott Tunnel that hides the camp’s secret entrance, he senses a new, malevolent presence nearby. A ghoulish creature drops onto the hearse and rips open the roof. Compulsively obeying Meg’s order to swerve, Apollo mistakenly sends the car plunging into a canyon.