It’s Hard To Look In Charge When

Are You Kidding?" She Looked At Me As If I'd Just Dropped From The Moon. Her Cheeks Were Bright Red. "what's The Problem Now?" I Demanded. "me, Go With You To The...the 'thrill Ride Of Love'? How Embarrassing Is That? What If Somebody Saw Me?" "who's Going To See You?" But My Face Was Burning Now, Too. Leave It To A Girl To Make Everything Complicated. "fine," I Told Her. "i'll Do It Myself." But When I Started Down The Side Of The Pool, She Followed Me, Muttering About How Boys Always Messed Things Up.

I Touched The Combination Lock. I Concentrated So Hard I Felt Like I Was Dead-lifting Five Hundred Pounds. My Pulse Quickening. A Line Of Sweat Trickled Down My Nose. Finally I Felt Gears Turning. Metal Groaned, Tumblers Clicked, And The Bolts Popped Back. Carefully Avoiding The Handle, I Pried Open The Door With My Fingertips And Extracted An Unbroken Vial Of Green Liquid. Hal Exhaled. Thalia Kissed Me On The Cheek, Which She Probably Shouldn't Haven't Done While I Was Holding A Tube Of Deadly Poison. "you Are So Good," She Said. Did That Make The Risk Worth? Yeah, Pretty Much.

Now-what’s Our Game Plan?” Coach Hedge Belched. He’d Already Had Three Espressos And A Plate Of Doughnuts, Along With Two Napkins And Another Flower From The Vase On The Table. He Would’ve Eaten The Silverware, Except Piper Had Slapped His Hand. “climb The Mountain,” Hedge Said. “kill Everything Except Piper’s Dad. Leave.” “thank You General Eisenhower,” Jason Grumbles.

When He Pulled Away, He Smiled Kindly At Me. I Felt So Good, I'll Admit I Teared Up A Little. I Guess Until That Moment I Hadn't Allowed Myself To Realize Just How Terrified I Had Been The Last Few Days. "dad-" "shhh," He Said. "no Hero Is Above Fear, Percy. And You Have Risen Above Every Hero. Not Even Hercules-

Artemis Grit Her Teeth. "i Need A Favor. I Have Some Hunting To Do, Alone. I Need You To Take My Companions To Camp Half-blood." "sure Sis!" Then He Raised His Hands In A "stop Everything" Gesture. "i Feel A Haiku Coming On." The Hunters All Groaned. Apparently They'd Met Apollo Before. He Cleared His Throat And Held Up One Hand Dramatically. "green Grass Breaks Through Snow. Artemis Pleads For My Help. I Am So Awesome.