If my mom told one more story about how cute I looked in the bathtub when I was three years old I was going to burrow into the snow and freeze myself to death.

Percy pushed on his side furiously and the crack closed. His eyes blazed with anger. She hoped he wasn’t mad at her, but if he was she couldn’t blame him. If it keeps him going, she thought, then let him be angry.

The Friday before winter break, my mom packed me an overnight bag and a few deadly weapons and took me to a new boarding school.

"Something was wrong with Luke," Annabeth muttered, poking at the fire with her knife. "Did you notice the way he was acting?" "He looked pretty pleased to me," I said. "Like he'd spent a nice day torturing heroes." "That's not true! There was something wrong with him. He looked... nervous. He told his monsters to spare me. He wanted to tell me something." "Probably, 'Hi, Annabeth! Sit here with me and watch while I tear your friends apart. It'll be fun!"

It wasn’t easy looking dignified wearing a bed sheet and a purple cape.

Great victory requires great risk. -Hera

Oh you two look delicious," Bast said, licking her lips. "No, no-er, I mean wonderful. Now, off you go!