The jogger sighed. He pulled out his phone and my eyes got big, because it glowed with a bluish light. When he extended the antenna, two creatures began writhing around it-green snakes, no bigger than earthworms. The jogger didn't seem to notice. He checked his LCD display and cursed. "I've got to take this. Just a sec ..." Then into the phone: "Hello?" He listened. The mini-snakes writhed up and down the antenna right next to his ear. Yeah," the jogger said. "Listen-I know, but... I don't care if he is chained to a rock with vultures pecking at his liver, if he doesn't have a tracking number, we can't locate his package....A gift to humankind, great... You know how many of those we deliver-Oh, never mind. Listen, just refer him to Eris in customer service. I gotta go.
Rick Riordan
Related Do you have a favorite constalation, Percy?' I was still kind of wondering about the little gre... RICK RIORDAN You know I love you," I whispered in his ear. "I know," he whispered back, turned, I pulled my ... KRISTEN ASHLEY When Pidge wakes up, let me know, okay?” he said in a soft voice. “I got spaghetti, and pan... JAMIE MCGUIRE Two hundred Romans, and no one’s got a pen? Never mind!" He slung his M16 onto his bac... RICK RIORDAN I dialed the number slowly, wanting to get it right. Two rings, and he picked up. "Yes," I sai... SARAH DESSEN «Hazel Grace,” he said, my name new and better in his voice. “It has been a real pleasure to ma... JOHN GREEN Interesting how fashion is cyclical,” Jaccob said when she came out of the store with two black pl... ERIK SCOTT DE BIE Ah, yeah. Yeah, tis awful all right. Well, your Mam wanted me to talk to you about it, but…’ CIARáN WEST I saw a picture of you and Vincent in a 1968 newspaper that said you died in a fire," I said, turnin... AMY PLUM What's the deal? Why can't he look into my eyes when I have words of appreciation lined u... TANYA GAMBHIR You adopted him," I said when Romeo sat on the coffee table in front of me. "You love him," he ... CAMBRIA HEBERT Two of us in this room, Ace, two keycards," he said and my eyes went to him. When they did, he jerke... KRISTEN ASHLEY Hello, ma’am. How are you today?” he asked one day with a grin on his face the size of Kansas. I... HAZEL CARTWRIGHT Wait!" he yelled. I didn't turn around, I walked faster. Then I heard him slam his fist on the ... JENNY HAN I can text in complete sentences. Oh, yeah, it’s a skill.” He smiled, proud of his accomplishmen... KIERA CASS His noise is getting quieter, but I can still see it there still- See how he feels the skin of ... PATRICK NESS Hunter woke suddenly. A noise. It was a noise unlike anything he’d ever heard before. Close! ... MICHAEL GRANT May I see you again?" he asked. There was an endearing nervousness in his voice. I smile... JOHN GREEN He pulls out the pipe I stole and sticks it between his teeth. “What do you think?” he asks... JESSICA KHOURY Well, hell yeah! I’m gonna kick your ass, too!” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Not this time... JAMIE MCGUIRE Once on a yellow piece of paper with green lines he wrote a poem And he called it "Chops"... STEPHEN CHBOSKY You cold or something?' he said. She strained against him; she wanted to pass clear through him: 'It... TRUMAN CAPOTE You’re stuck,” I blurted, his grin died and he blinked. “Come again?” I swallowed,... KRISTEN ASHLEY If he'd hit a jogger or a child or something like that, there's no way he could have walked into the... KATE HARPER Save yourselves!” Percy warned. “It is too late for us!” Then he gasped and pointed to th... RICK RIORDAN No. No!” he says. “I . . .” He looks wildly around the room. For inspiration? For divine ... E.L. JAMES You are real," she said to herself. "Aye." His voice was deep and resonant, a caress in h... J.R. WARD Give me a minute to get dressed." "You're not dressed?" I smiled in spite of m... RACHEL VINCENT Someone else out there?” Luke squints in Hallelujah’s direction. He stands. He steps over his lo... KATHRYN HOLMES You went back in time,” he repeated, “and you expect his cell phone to work?” “Well, no... C.E. MURPHY Angel clicked on a few more pictures on the screen, and Alex made small talk about the place. Then h... ELIZABETH REYES You look different." His words, normally crisp,are now sluggish. "So do you," I say.And he does... VERONICA ROTH I lied," I said. ... "I know it," he said. "Then do something about it. Do anything, just ... WILLIAM FAULKNER Not fair,” I muttered. “Your sword was bigger than mine.” “My sword is bigger than ever... KODY KEPLINGER What if I promise to make you a batch of brownies tomorrow?" she asked, deciding to use his lov... R.L. MATHEWSON What do you want to show me?" "Nothing, really. I just want to be alone with you for a mi... RAINBOW ROWELL Vasudeva listened with great attention. Listening carefully, he let everything enter his mind, ... HERMANN HESSE He is deaf, and keen to accept, any economical operation, that will correct his situation.... JASLEEN KAUR GUMBER I knew I sounded hysterical, and Adrian’s calmness only drove that home. “I think I have an idea... RICHELLE MEAD If they’d caused you pain, I’d never have been able to live with myself,” he said as he backed... DEBRA ANASTASIA So are you going to tell me why Ronowski pulled you into the break room when we got back today?” G... A.E. VIA That last night,” she said quietly. “Why did you say you hoped you'd never see me again?” ANGELA B. WADE He gave a hard smile and the oxygen in my lungs evaporated. “We both know I’m not a gentlem... CATE TIERNAN I read your poem," I croaked. "'Fall.'" Then something I never thought would happen, happened: ... MEGAN MCCAFFERTY You have heard about the reindeer that pull old Santa's sled. But mostly I hate Rudolph and wi... MARK W. BOYER He turned to leave when arms suddenly wrapped around him from behind, stalling him. Sighing, he clos... J.M. DARHOWER After a while Mary said, “Zsadist?” “Yeah?” “What are those markings... J.R. WARD Okay." I bounced down the stairs. "I'm decent." He was waiting at the foot of the stairs, close... STEPHENIE MEYER It's asking us our names," Falkor reported. "I'm Atreyu!" Atreyu cried. "I'm F... MICHAEL ENDE I looked at him and the other two people whose names I’d just learned. “So . . . so this is home... KIERA CASS While this is all very amusing, the kiss that will free the girl is the kiss that she most desires,�... CASSANDRA CLARE Izzi: Remember Moses Morales? Tom Verde: Who? Izzi: The Mayan guide I told you about. DARREN ARONOFSKY I let my head fall forward into his shoulder, breathing in his scent. "Now what do we do?" JESSICA SORENSEN You understand why you must go through with this marriage.” “You say you couldn’t live wi... JESSICA KHOURY She picked up the phone and dialed Blake's number. His silky hello made her smile. "You'... DEBRA ANASTASIA You're a Shadowhunter," he said. "You know how to deal with injuries." He slid his stele across the ... CASSANDRA CLARE Augustus Waters was a self-aggrandizing bastard. But we forgive him. We forgive him not because he h... JOHN GREEN He swapped the fistful of my shirt for one in my hair, and ground his mouth against mine. I ex... KAREN MARIE MONING Peter," she began. He looked up at her, and she could see the pain in his eyes. "I love you," she sa... SARAH BLAKLEY-CARTWRIGHT I love you," he said. She looked up at him, her eyes shiny and black, then looked away. "... RAINBOW ROWELL When I burst into the terminal, my eyes swept around, bouncing from person to person in the crowded,... CAMBRIA HEBERT Something hit the floor with a crack. Nate turned and looked down to see his cell phone on the floor... KELLEY ARMSTRONG The Janus Guard will also be out that night,” he said, one hand reaching out to squeeze her should... LESLEY LIVINGSTON Admit it," He insists. "I was right." "No." I sniff. "You were wrong." sniff. "I'm just crying... TERA LYNN CHILDS I love a man who tickles me awake with reality, and kisses me goodnight with fiction Braids my ... YESENIA BARKLEY This is what it's all been about with you," he said in an even tone. "All the fear, all the run... KRESLEY COLE He stared at me. "She liked you, boy." The intensity of his voice and eyes made me blink. "Yes,... JERRY SPINELLI It Couldn't Be Done Somebody said that it couldn't be done, But he with a chuckle repli... EDGAR A. GUEST Demon pox, oh demon pox Just how is it acquired? One must go down to the bad part of town<... CASSANDRA CLARE The killer awoke before dawn, he put his boots on. He took a face from the ancient gallery THE DOORS He slipped his hands around my waist and pulled me against him, tossing the ice cream cone over his ... STEPHIE DAVIS Mr. Bradford," she said. "I'm not going to propose to you." The twinkle in Mr. Bradford's... HEATHER DIXON Astrid found the hem of his T-shirt and pulled it up over his head. She unbuckled his belt and shove... MICHAEL GRANT Gus is the Cat at the Theatre Door. His name, as I ought to have told you before, Is reall... T.S. ELIOT Then come here," he said, a bit redundantly, as he had already pulled her with him into an armchair ... KRISTIN CASHORE So… what? You want me to sign my name in blood or something?” “Hmmm,” he said, tapping ... L.J. KENTOWSKI I love you, Jonathan," she whispered. A long arm snaked around her, and he pulled her against h... TAMORA PIERCE Look. I don’t want to push you into anything, but do you maybe want to —” “Call Magnus? Look... CASSANDRA CLARE It's classical mythology, Cohen," said the minstrel. "I thought everyone knew. He was chained to a r... TERRY PRATCHETT Had he and I but met By some old ancient inn, We should have sat us down to wet Right many ... THOMAS HARDY You know those afternoons," he asks, drawing a shaking breath, "where you’re just going along, doi... MARYA HORNBACHER You think my first instinct is to protect you. Because you're small, or a girl, or a Stiff. But you'... VERONICA ROTH Ara?" She jerked her face up. "Huh? Where were we?" But his expression had grown serious, ... KRESLEY COLE Why?" I asked softly. The word was carried away on the wind, but he heard. "Because I want you.... RICHELLE MEAD My faceless neighbor spoke up: “Don’t be deluded. Hitler has made it clear that he wi... ELIE WIESEL Thank you,” I said, turning around a little so I could talk to him. “You’re a good friend.”<... MONICA ALEXANDER According to the conventions of the genre, Augustus Waters kept his sense of humor till the end, did... JOHN GREEN You should go order a sweet roll. Those are to die for. And a carne adovada burrito." DARYNDA JONES I want to know how long we have before he rises. If I cut off his head, will he stay down longer?”... MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN He wanted you to be the small, quiet girl from Abnegation," Four says softly. "He hurt you because y... VERONICA ROTH Perplext in faith, but pure in deeds, At last he beat his music out. There lives more fait... ALFRED TENNYSON Syn paid the bill and they headed to the door with lust so thick around them, Syn couldn’t help bu... A.E. VIA Bubba then grabbed a hold of my leg and his eyes got all cloudy and that terrible pink sky seem to d... WINSTON GROOM If it weren't for dreams," he said. "I wouldn't know half the things I know about the future. They'r... RICK RIORDAN Name one hero who was happy." I considered. Heracles went mad and killed his family; Theseus lo... MADELINE MILLER THE OLD MAN IN THE CORNER The man in the corner Is dying with words He's crying... SUZY KASSEM I want to take care of it. I need to do something to make up for…” He breathed out shakily. His ... BONNIE DEE I like to open for a band as it brings on sort of a challenge and it makes things more interesting. ... KELLY JONES I was astonished to see Adrian watching me, a look of contentment on his face. His eyes seemed to st... RICHELLE MEAD Megan, I love you,. I will always love you." I swallowed hard. "Scared?" He asked. "Y... ELIZABETH CHANDLER
More Rick Riordan
It's not easy. I got lots of rejections when I first started out. If you want to write, you have... RICK RIORDAN All of my characters tend to be montages of different people I've met: little bits and pieces of... RICK RIORDAN I don't recommend shadow travel if you're scared of: a) The dark b) Cold shivers up your s... RICK RIORDAN Technically, even on inspection, it was against camp rules for two campers of the opposite sex to be... RICK RIORDAN Annabeth:My fatal flaw. That's what the Sirens showed me. My fatal flaw is hubris. Percy: the ... RICK RIORDAN Correct." Kekrops sounded bitter, like he regretted his decision. "My people were the original Athen... RICK RIORDAN Gods of Olympus.” Piper stared at Leo. “What happened to you ?” His hair was grease... RICK RIORDAN He turned to Frank who was trying to pull his fingers out of the Chinese handcuffs… “Okay,�... RICK RIORDAN Save yourselves!” Percy warned. “It is too late for us!” Then he gasped and pointed to th... RICK RIORDAN Survive first. Figure out crayon drawing of destiny later. RICK RIORDAN I'm the Super-sized McShizzle, man!" Leo said. "I'm Leo Valdez, bad boy supreme. And the ladies l... RICK RIORDAN Delaying death is one of my favorite hobbies RICK RIORDAN Leo: "So...giants who can throw mountains. Friendly wolves that will eat us if we show weakness. Evi... RICK RIORDAN I have lightning and wind powers," Jason reminded him. "Piper can turn beautiful and charm people in... RICK RIORDAN Can we just call them storm spirits?” Leo asked. “Venti makes them sound like evil espresso drin... RICK RIORDAN On the bright side," Percy said, "both Jason and I outrank you, Octavian. So we can both tell you to... RICK RIORDAN Behold!" Percy shouted. "The god's chosen beverage. Tremble before the horror of Diet Coke! RICK RIORDAN Hercules,huh? Percy frowned. "That guy was like the Starbucks of Ancient Greece. Everywhere you turn... RICK RIORDAN I try not to think. It interferes with being nuts -Leo Valdez RICK RIORDAN Um," Grover said. "Percy?" "Yeah?" "I thought you'd want to know." "Yeah?" "Cerb... RICK RIORDAN Oh, come on!’ Percy complained. ‘I get a little nosebleed and I wake up the entire earth? That�... RICK RIORDAN You can keep watch, in case – you know, the lake decides to attack us or something." - Leo Valdez RICK RIORDAN He hated being filled with terror. It was embarrassing. RICK RIORDAN Have you ever noticed how parents can go from the most wonderful people in the world to totally emba... RICK RIORDAN I’ve met plenty of embarrassing parents, but Kronos, the evil Titan Lord who wanted to destroy Wes... RICK RIORDAN Wow," Thalia muttered. "Apollo is hot." "He's the sun god," I said. "That's not what I me... RICK RIORDAN I wanted to argue but I found I couldn't. Athena was pretty darn smart. RICK RIORDAN There is always a way for those clever enough to find it. RICK RIORDAN When Athena falls in love, it's purely intellectual. It's a meeting of minds. The purest kind of lov... RICK RIORDAN Headache!" Zeus bellowed. "Bad. bad headache!" As if to prove his point, the lord of the univer... RICK RIORDAN your loved ones have been used to lure you into Kronos's traps. Your fatal flaw is personal loyalty ... RICK RIORDAN Wisdom's daughter walks alone. That didn't just mean without other people, Annabeth realized. I... RICK RIORDAN The most dangerous flaws are those which are good in moderation," she said. "Evil is easy to fight. ... RICK RIORDAN People usually asked her if she had a belly button. Of course she had a belly button. She couldn't e... RICK RIORDAN Athena stood in the middle of the road with her arms crossed and a look on her face that made me thi... RICK RIORDAN Athena called, "Annabeth Chase, my own daughter." Annabeth squeezed my arm, then walked forward... RICK RIORDAN I've been waiting a long time for a quest, seaweed brain," she said. "Athena is no fan of Poseidon, ... RICK RIORDAN She studied me with concern. She touched the new streak of gray in my hair that matched hers exactly... RICK RIORDAN There is always a way out for those clever enough to find it. RICK RIORDAN The first lesson every child of Athena learned: Mom was the best at everything, and you should never... RICK RIORDAN Not knowing is half the fun," Aphrodite said, "Exquisitely painful isn't it? Not being sure who you ... RICK RIORDAN Annabeth gripped the hilt of her dagger. “A bounty on our heads . . . as if we didn’t attract en... RICK RIORDAN The cord, a familiar voice said. Remember your lifeline, dummy! Suddenly there was a tug in my ... RICK RIORDAN You sneaked into my cabin?” Annabeth rolled her eyes. “Percy, you’ll be seventeen in two ... RICK RIORDAN I learned a long time ago: Never bet against Annabeth. RICK RIORDAN Hoover Dam," Thalia said. "It's huge." We stood at the river's edge, looking up at a curve of c... RICK RIORDAN And,” Annabeth continued, “it reminds me how long we’ve known each other. We were twelve RICK RIORDAN He had no idea where the stereotype of dumb giggly blondes came from. Ever since he'd met Annabeth a... RICK RIORDAN I could have killed you.” “Or I could have killed you,” Percy said. Jason shrugged.... RICK RIORDAN I'm Dylan. I'm so cool. I want to date myself, but I don't know how! You want to date me instead? Yo... RICK RIORDAN Argh!" Thalia pushed me, and a shock went through my body that blew me backward ten feet into the wa... RICK RIORDAN This is Annabeth,” Jason said. “Uh, normally she doesn't judo-flip people. RICK RIORDAN You drool when you sleep. RICK RIORDAN Hey, can I see that sword you were using?" I showed him Riptide, and explained how it turned fr... RICK RIORDAN I'm calm," Rachel insisted. "Every time I'm around you, some monsters attack us. What's to be nervou... RICK RIORDAN Remind me again-why do you hate me so much?" I don't hate you." Could've foole... RICK RIORDAN Leo: Rainbows. Very macho. Annabeth: Butch is our best equestrian, he gets along great with the... RICK RIORDAN It's okay,” he said. “We're together.” He didn't say you're okay , or we're alive ... RICK RIORDAN Monkey bar," Annabeth said. "I'm great at these." She leaped onto to the first rung and start swingi... RICK RIORDAN She raised an eyebrow. "You got something to say to me, Seaweed Brain?" You'd probably ki... RICK RIORDAN Once she was gone, I knelt next to Annabeth and felt her forehead. She was still burning up. "Y... RICK RIORDAN Why can't you place a blessing like that on us?" I asked. "It only works on wild animals.... RICK RIORDAN Percy: Don't I get a kiss for luck? It's kind of a tradition, right? Annabeth: Come back alive,... RICK RIORDAN You are okay?" he asked. "Not eaten by monsters?" "Not even a little bit." I showed him that I ... RICK RIORDAN What if it lines up like it did in the Trojan War ... Athena versus Poseidon?" "I don't know. B... RICK RIORDAN The real story of the Fleece: there were these two children of Zeus, Cadmus and Europa, okay? They w... RICK RIORDAN A telkhine was hunched over a console, but he was so involved with his work, he didn't notice us. He... RICK RIORDAN Percy (to Annabeth): If I was going to pick one person in the world to reattach my head, I'd pick yo... RICK RIORDAN Dreams like a podcast, Downloading truth in my ears. They tell me cool stuff." "Apoll... RICK RIORDAN Young people don't always do what they're told, but if they can pull it off and do something wonderf... RICK RIORDAN It's hard to enjoy practical jokes when your whole life feels like one. RICK RIORDAN Rachel: You're a half-blood, too? Annabeth: Shhh! Just announce it to the world, how about? RICK RIORDAN I turned to Dionysus. "You cured him?" "Madness is my specialty. It was quite simple." "Bu... RICK RIORDAN My name is Percy Jackson. I'm twelve years old. Until a few months ago, I was a boarding stude... RICK RIORDAN Hermes gazed up at the stars. "My dear young cousin, if there's one thing I've learned over the eons... RICK RIORDAN Hermes smiled. "I knew a boy once ... oh, younger than you by far. A mere baby, really."Her... RICK RIORDAN It doesn't matter if they hate you, or embarrass you, or simply don't appreciate your genius for inv... RICK RIORDAN Like water leaking through a dam," said Piper. "Yeah," smiled Percy. "We've got a dam hole." RICK RIORDAN I'd love to tell you I had some deep revelation on my way down, that I came to terms with my own mor... RICK RIORDAN A hero can go anywhere, challenge anyone, as long as he has the nerve. RICK RIORDAN Very slowly using two fingers, Annabeth drew her dagger. Instead of dropping it, she tossed it as fa... RICK RIORDAN I said hello to the poodle. RICK RIORDAN Nico, you can do this," Jason said. "It might be embarrassing, but it's for the scepter." RICK RIORDAN Love is on every side, Cupid said. And no one's side. Don't ask what Love can do for you.<... RICK RIORDAN Is this guy Love or Death?" Jason growled.Ask your friends, Cupid said. Frank,... RICK RIORDAN Images flashed through his mind. He saw Nico and his sister on a snowy cliff in Maine, Percy Jackson... RICK RIORDAN You might as well ask an artist to explain his art, or ask a poet to explain his poem. It defeats th... RICK RIORDAN Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing. RICK RIORDAN The real world is where the monsters are. RICK RIORDAN It's funny how humans can wrap their mind around things and fit them into their version of reality. RICK RIORDAN I felt like one of Apollo's sacred cows- slow, dumb, and bright red. RICK RIORDAN We're staying together," he promised. "You're not getting away from me. Never again. RICK RIORDAN Hades raised an eyebrow. When he sat forward in his throne, shadowy faces appeared in the folds of h... RICK RIORDAN The main courtyard was filled with warriors - mermen with fish tails from the waist down and human b... RICK RIORDAN She whirled when the monster was almost on top of her. I thought the thing in her hands was an umbre... RICK RIORDAN Leo,” Hazel gasped, “I can’t—my arms—” “Hazel,” he said. “Do you trust me?”... RICK RIORDAN Yours in demigodishness, and all that. Peace out! RICK RIORDAN She held up her calloused, grimy fingers. Leo couldn't help thinking there was nothing hotter than a... RICK RIORDAN Tantalus made a wild grab, but the marshmallow committed suicide, diving into the flames. RICK RIORDAN Everyone thinks you've been kidnapped," he said. "We've been scouring the ship. When Coach Hedge fin... RICK RIORDAN Huh," Leo said. "Well, if you ever get off this island and want a job, let me know. You're not a tot... RICK RIORDAN Um...is that thing tame ?" Frank said. The horse whinnied angrily. "I don't think so... RICK RIORDAN Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tyson pounding the Earthborn into the ground like a game of wha... RICK RIORDAN Frank imitated the voice of Vitellius: 'They're wimps! Back in my day, we died all the time, and we ... RICK RIORDAN He [Death] pulled a pure-black iPad from thin air. Death tapped the screen a few times and all Frank... RICK RIORDAN Just his luck he was related to this grubby old dude. He hoped all sons of Neptune didn't share the ... RICK RIORDAN Look," Percy continued, "I know I'm new here. I know you guys don't like to mention the massacre in ... RICK RIORDAN Part of their problem was Percy. He fought like a demon, whirling through the defender's ranks in a ... RICK RIORDAN Juno: "All roads lead there child. You should know that." Percy: "Detention? RICK RIORDAN They all ordered massive plates of eggs, pancakes, and reindeer sausage, though Frank looked a littl... RICK RIORDAN Percy tried to remember. He really did. For some reason, Annabeth and he had visited a spa and decid... RICK RIORDAN That's because we keep weapons in the attic, silly boy. Do you think this is the first time m... RICK RIORDAN Tyson, Frank is a descendant of Poseidon." "Brother!" Tyson crushed Frank in a hug. Percy ... RICK RIORDAN Elections only happen in two ways," Reyna said. "Either the legion raises someone on a shield after ... RICK RIORDAN You speak horse?" Hazel asked. "Speaking to horses is a Poseidon thing," Percy said. "Uh, I mea... RICK RIORDAN Frank stared at him. "Unfair? You can breathe underwater and blow up glaciers and summon freaking hu... RICK RIORDAN They're Lares. House gods." "House gods," Percy said. "Like...smaller than real gods, but large... RICK RIORDAN I'm fine!" Percy yelled out as he ran by, followed by a giant screaming bloody murder. RICK RIORDAN This is Leo. I'm the... What's my title? Am I like, admiral, or captain, or..." "Repair boy." RICK RIORDAN Reyna sent me to get Percy," Frank said. "Did Octavian accept you?" "Yeah," Percy said. "He sla... RICK RIORDAN Percy scowled. "I-I know you." Nico raised his eyebrows. "Do you? RICK RIORDAN Annabeth's face, her blond hair and gray eyes, the way she laughed, threw her arms around him, and g... RICK RIORDAN Two hundred Romans, and no one’s got a pen? Never mind!" He slung his M16 onto his bac... RICK RIORDAN There!" Mars finished writing and threw the scroll at Octavian. "A prophecy. You can add it to your ... RICK RIORDAN Jeez, Hazel," Percy said, "tell your horse to watch his language." Hazel tried not to laugh. "W... RICK RIORDAN Hey!" said the guy in the video. "Greetings from your friends at Camp Half-Blood, et cetera. This is... RICK RIORDAN Life is only precious because it ends, kid. RICK RIORDAN Now, come over here so I can pat you down." "But you don't have-" Percy stopped. "Uh, sure." RICK RIORDAN Can you surf really well, then?" I looked at Grover, who was trying hard not to laugh. "Je... RICK RIORDAN Hera, do not dare take credit! You have caused at least as many problems as you fixed! RICK RIORDAN He wondered if...his dad, Zeus, would write him a note: “Please excuse Jason from eternal damnatio... RICK RIORDAN Usually I give demigods something simple like a shopping trip, singing a funny song, that sort of th... RICK RIORDAN Nico danced around like he needed to use the restroom. "Does Zeus really have lightning bolts t... RICK RIORDAN If you look at it from any other side, it looks like a pile of enormous deer droppings, but Chiron w... RICK RIORDAN Thalia blushed. "Hi, Lord Apollo." Zeus's girl, yes? Makes you my half sister. Used to be... RICK RIORDAN The god of wine looked around at the assembled crowd. “Miss me?” The satyrs fell over... RICK RIORDAN My faithful companion, Zoe Nightshade, has passed into the stars. I must have a new lieutenant. And ... RICK RIORDAN Wait just a minute," Ares growled. He pointed at Thalia and me. "These two are dangerous. It'd be mu... RICK RIORDAN But I've never even been to Olympus! Zeus is crazy!" Chiron and Grover glanced nervously ... RICK RIORDAN Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their paren... RICK RIORDAN Your uncle," Poseidon sighed, "has always had a flair for dramatic exits. I think he would've done w... RICK RIORDAN I looked at Thalia. "You're afraid of heights." Now that we were safely down the mountain... RICK RIORDAN Doesn't miss many meals, does he?" Zeus muttered. "Tyson, for your bravery in the war, and for leadi... RICK RIORDAN The Council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods." I hesita... RICK RIORDAN As for my brothers," Zeus said, "we are thankful"-he cleared his throat like the words were hard to ... RICK RIORDAN It's just Annabeth mom jeez! RICK RIORDAN Хей! - извика Гроувър. - Тя май припадна! - Гррр! - обади... RICK RIORDAN Той ме погледна тъжно, сякаш мислеше какви цветя да изб... RICK RIORDAN Синдром на Дефицит на Вниманието (СДВ) RICK RIORDAN You're cute when you're worried, your eyebrows get all scrunched together. RICK RIORDAN then things got even stranger. Mr. Brunner, who'd been out in front of the museum a minute befo... RICK RIORDAN There are parties and then there are huge major blowout parties. And then there are Olympian parties... RICK RIORDAN Apollo?” I guessed… He put a finger to his lips. “I’m incognito. Call me Fred.” ... RICK RIORDAN Percy smiled. He knew the stakes were high. He knew this day could go horribly wrong. But he also kn... RICK RIORDAN Hazel squinted. "How far?" "Just over the river and through the woods." Percy raised an ey... RICK RIORDAN Can’t this thing go any faster?” Thalia demanded. Zoe glared at her. “I cannot control tr... RICK RIORDAN Erre es korakas, Blinky!" Dionysus cursed. "I will have your soul! RICK RIORDAN In a way, it's nice to know that there are Greek gods out there, because you have somebody to blame ... RICK RIORDAN THAT'S IT!" Terminus cried. "That's AGAINST THE RULES!" Polybotes frowned, obviously confused t... RICK RIORDAN Even strength must bow to wisdom sometimes. RICK RIORDAN Go on with what your heart tells you, or you will lose all. RICK RIORDAN If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself. RICK RIORDAN She'd also called me brave...unless she was talking to the catfish. RICK RIORDAN A big sacrifice is coming, and you won't have the courage to make it. That will cost you dearly. It ... RICK RIORDAN Gaea?” Leo shook his head. “Isn’t that Mother Nature? She’s supposed to have, like, flowers ... RICK RIORDAN Humans see what they want to see. RICK RIORDAN Remake the world, a little at a time, each in your own corner of the world. RICK RIORDAN Then she did something so unexpected Nico would later think he dreamed it. She walked up to Nico, wh... RICK RIORDAN You will suffer, son of Hades!’ What else is new? Nico thought. RICK RIORDAN This is so cool!" Nico said, jumping up and down in the driver's seat. "Is this really the sun? I th... RICK RIORDAN Christmas in the Underworld was NOT my idea. If I'd known what was coming, I would've called i... RICK RIORDAN I had a crush on Percy," Nico spat. "That's the truth. That's the big secret. RICK RIORDAN For a long time,’ Nico said, ‘I had a crush on you. I just wanted you to know.’ Percy looked a... RICK RIORDAN He turned, registering a face with blond hair, and for a split second he thought it was Will Solace.... RICK RIORDAN Good. So you may be dense, but you’re not an idiot.’ ‘How can you even talk to me like t... RICK RIORDAN Nico," I said at last, "shouldn't you be sitting at the Hades table?" He shrugged. "Techn... RICK RIORDAN Oh, did you expect me to play fair?" Cupid laughed. "I am the god of love. I am never fair. RICK RIORDAN With great power... comes great need to take a nap. Wake me up later. RICK RIORDAN Let us find the dam snack bar," Zoe said. "We should eat while we can." Grover cracked a smile.... RICK RIORDAN Because I know you, Percy Jackson. In many ways, you are impulsive, but when it comes to your friend... RICK RIORDAN Be careful of love. It'll twist your brain around and leave you thinking up is down and right is wro... RICK RIORDAN What about a compromise? I’ll kill them first, and if it turns out they were friendly, I’ll apol... RICK RIORDAN Families are messy. Immortal families are eternally messy. Sometimes the best we can do is to remind... RICK RIORDAN Don't feel bad, I'm usually about to die. RICK RIORDAN I nodded, looking at Rachel with respect. "You hit the Lord of the Titans in the eye with a blue pla... RICK RIORDAN Grover was sniffing the wind, looking nervous. He fished out his acorns and threw them into the sand... RICK RIORDAN Don't you ever feel like, what if the world really IS messed up? What if we COULD Do it all over aga... RICK RIORDAN She looked at me, like she was drinking in the fact that I was still here. And I realized I was doin... RICK RIORDAN The world was collapsing, and the only thing that really mattered to me was that she was alive. RICK RIORDAN How did you die?" "We er....drowned in a bathtub." "All three of you?" "It was a big ... RICK RIORDAN Love conquers all," Aphrodite promised. "Look at Helen and Paris. Did they let anything come between... RICK RIORDAN Ever had a flying burrito hit you? Well, it's a deadly projectile, right up there with cannonballs a... RICK RIORDAN Deadlines just aren't real to me until I'm staring one in the face. RICK RIORDAN I will call him Small Bob," said Bob. "He is a good monster." End of discussion.The Tita... RICK RIORDAN We’ve arrived,” Leo announced. “Time to Split.” Frank groaned. “Can we leave Valdez i... RICK RIORDAN Wow. When he started looking back on the war with Kronos as the good old days--that was sad. RICK RIORDAN Images flashed through his mind. He saw Nico and his sister on a snowy mountain cliff in Maine, Perc... RICK RIORDAN You promised, Seaweed brain. We would not get separated! Ever again! RICK RIORDAN Nico, I've seen a lot of brave things. But what you just did? That was maybe the bravest. RICK RIORDAN Annabeth?” Percy said again. “You’re planning something. You’ve got that I’m-planning-s... RICK RIORDAN