I am Persephone" she said, her voice thin and papery. "Welcome, demigods. Nico squashed a pomegranate under his boot. "Welcome? After last time, you've got the nerve to welcome me?" I shifted uneasily, because talking that way to a god can get you blasted into dust bunnies. "Um, Nico-" "It's all right," Persephone said coldly. "We had a little family spat." "Family spat?" Nico cried. "You turned me into a dandelion!

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

The world was collapsing, and the only thing that really mattered to me was that she was alive.

No," I said. "I choose the prophecy. It will be about me." "Why are you saying that?" she cried. "You want to be responsible for the whole world?" It was the last thing I wanted, but I didn't say that. I knew I had to step up and claim it. "I can't let Nico be in any more danger," I said. "I owe that much to his sister. I…let them both down. I'm not going to let that poor kid suffer any more.

I don’t leave her speechless very often. I have to enjoy those rare moments.

It doesn't matter! From waist down, my best friend is a donkey.

Piper patted his shoulder. “Trust me, Valdez. Beautiful people never lie.