So I took her hand, and I don't know what everybody else heard, but to me it sounded like a slow dance: a little sad, but maybe a little hopeful, too.

Frank Zhang! I, Jason Grace, praetor of the Twelfth Legion Fulminata, give you my final order: I resign my post and give you emergency field promotion to praetor, with the full powers of that rank. Take command of this legion!

Five syllables," Apollo said, counting them on his fingers. "That would be real bad.

That sounded about as likely as Apophis and Ra becoming Facebook buddies, but I decided not to say anything.

Why did adults have to be so thick? They always say “tell the truth,” and when you do, they don’t believe you. What’s the point?

My name is Carter Kane. I'm fourteen and my home is a suitcase.

God alert!" Blackjack yelled. "It's the wine dude! Mr. D sighed in exasperation. "The next person, or horse, who calls me the 'wine dude' will end up in a bottle of Merlot!