“Okay, that one’s pretty good,” Fred acknowledged, after she’d told him a particularly filthy joke. “But have you heard the one about the baker’s wife?””No,” Kyra said.”Rumor has it, she married him for his buns.” Fred burst out laughing.Kyra groaned. “Okay, that was just bad.”

“I’m glad you escaped, Kyra,” Fred said, looking serious again. “And that I found you.””Me too,” Kyra said, glancing up at him. “It wouldn’t have been much of a life trying to live in the dumbwaiter.”Fred leaned down and kissed Kyra full on the lips.Kyra pulled away. “How do you know I’m interested in you? Just because you’ve decided I’m worth hanging around for doesn’t mean I feel the same way.”Fred cocked his head at her. “Really?””Oh, okay,” Kyra said.Then she kissed him back.”

“No – no – no!” someone was shouting. “No! Fred! No!”And Percy was shaking his brother, and Ron was kneeling beside them, and Fred’s eyes stared without seeing, the ghost of his last laugh still etched upon his face.”

“Dreams like a podcast,Downloading truth in my ears.They tell me cool stuff.””Apollo?” I guess, because I figured nobody else could make a haiku that bad.He put his finger to his lips. “I’m incognito. Call me Fred.””A god named Fred?”