I have a great deal of sympathy for reluctant readers because I was one. I would do anything to avoid reading. In my case, it wasn't until I was 13 and discovered the 'Lord of the Rings' that I learned to love reading.

Delaying death is one of my favorite hobbies

Nico leaned over and plucked a grape. Probably that was the guy’s entire diet for the day.

And if I was humming "Happy Birthday" and smiling stupidly as I fled for my life—well, that was nobody's business, was it?

Now fight me! For today thee House of Hades will be called the saviors of Olympus.

Something inside me clicked, like an engine shifting into higher gear. My thinking suddenly became faster and clearer. The anger and fear didn't go away, but I realized they weren't important. They weren't going to help me.

Well," I said. "If you need me, I'll be outside, playing with sharp objects.