Running with a drowsy child of Hades was more like doing a 3 -legged race with a life size rag doll.

I imagined loading the God of the Sea into a taxi and taking him to the Upper East Side.

I sailed on the cold air currents above the rooftops of Paris. I could see the river, the Louvre Museum, the gardens and palaces. And a mouse-yum. Hang on, Carter, I thought. not hunting mice.

Mr. D," Grover asked timidly, "if you're not going to eat it, could I have your Diet Coke can?

Charlie …" Silena’s eyes were a million miles away. "See Charlie.

Mussolini?” Leo frowned. “Wasn’t he like BFFs with Hitler?

"Anybody have money?" Frank checked his pockets. "Three denarii from Camp Jupiter. Five dollars Canadian." Hedge patted his gym shorts and pulled out what he found. "Three quarters, two dimes, a rubber band and - score! A piece of celery." He started munching on the celery, eyeing the change and the rubber band like they might be next.