My name is Zia Rashid.โ She tilted her head as if listening. Right on cue, the entire building rumbled. Dust sprinkled from the ceiling, and the slithering sounds of scorpion doubled in volume behind us. โAnd right now,โ Zia continued, sounding a bit disappointed, โI must save your miserable lives.
Rick RiordanIndeed, "Hera said. โPorphyrion, the strongest of his kind. Gaea needed a great deal of power to raise him again โmy power. For weeks Iโve grown weaker as my essence was used to grow him a new form." โSo youโre like a heat lamp,"Leo guessed. โOr fertilizer.
Rick RiordanYoung people don't always do what they're told, but if they can pull it off and do something wonderful, sometimes they escape punishment.
Rick RiordanFacinating." He broke into a wide grin. "I've discovered something, Khufu. This is not Memphis, Egypt." Khufu gave me a sideways look, and I could swear his expression meant, Duh. "I've also discovered a new form of magic called blues music," the man continued. "And barbecue. Yes, you must try barbecue.
Rick RiordanThe other thing that troubled me: Dad was clutching his workbag. Usually when he does that, it means we're in danger. Like the time gunmen stormed into our hotel in Cairo. I heard shots coming from the lobby and ran downstairs to check on my dad. By the time I got there, he was just calmly zipping up his workbag while three unconscious gunmen hung by their feet from the chandelier, their robes falling over their heads so you could see their boxer shorts. Dad claimed not to have witnessed anything, and in the end the police blamed a freak chandelier malfunction.
Rick Riordan