“Tell her thisAnd more,—That the king of the seasWeeps too, old, helpless man.The bustling fatesHeap his hands with corpsesUntil he stands like a childWith surplus of toys.”

“Rough palms cradled my face while my fingers gripped the pillow on either side of his. Lips, teeth, tongue, mingled together. I ate him up and didn’t let go until I had to come up for air.”

“I noticed him right away. No, it wasn’t his lean, rugged face. Or the dark waves of shiny hair that hung just a little too long on his forehead. It wasn’t the slim, collarless biker jacket he wore, hugging his lean shoulders. It was the way he stood. The confident way he waited in the cafeteria line to get a slice of pizza. He didn’t saunter. He didn’t amble. He stood at the center, and let the other people buzz around him. His stance was straight and sure.”

“I caught his hand. “What do you want me to do?”Leaning down, he kissed the pulse beating on my neck just above the damaged skin. “Tomorrow, I need you to die.”

“Percy was getting tired of water.If he said that aloud, he would probably get kicked out of Poseidon’s Junior Sea Scouts, but he didn’t care.”

“As I got closer to the fence, I held my shirt over my nose to block the smell. One stallion waded through the muck and whinnied angrily at me. He bared his teeth, which were pointed like a bear’s.I tried to talk to him in my mind. I can do that with most horses.Hi, I told him. I’m going to clean your stables. Won’t that be great?Yes! The horse said. Come inside! Eat you! Tasty half-blood!But I’m Poseidon’s son, I protested. He created horses.Usually this gets me VIP treatment in the equestrian world, not this time.Yes! The horse agreed enthusiastically. Poseidon can come in, too! We will eat you both! Seafood!Seafood! The other horses chimed in as they waded through the field.”

“Basically, everyone thinks–knows–how sweet I am.Emma, you threw my sister through hurricane-proof glass.”

“The Council agrees,” Zeus said. “Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods.”I hesitated. “Any gift?”Zeus nodded grimly. “I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson-if you wish it-you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father’s lieutenant for all time.”I stared at him, stunned. “Um…a god?”Zeus rolled his eyes. “A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with you forever.””Hmm,” Ares mused. “That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and he’ll just keep coming back for more. I like this idea.”

“My mother made a squeaking sound that might of been either “yes” or “help”.Poseidon took it as a yes and came in.Paul was looking back and forth between us, trying to read our expressions.Finally he stepped forward.”Hi, I’m Paul Blofis.”Poseidon raised an eyebrow and then shook his hand.”Blowfish, did you say?””Ah, no. Blofis, actually.””Oh, I see,” Poseidon said. “A shame. I quite like blowfish. I am Poseidon.””Poseidon? That’s an interesting name.””Yes, I like it. I’ve gone by other names, but I do prefer Poseidon.””Like the god of the sea.””Very much like that, yes””Well!” My mother interrupted. “Um, were so glad you could drop by. Paul, this is Percy’s father.””Ah.” Paul nodded, though he didn’t look real pleased. “I see.”Poseidon smiled at me. “There you are, my boy. And Tyson, hello, son!””Daddy!” Tyson [shouted]…Paul’s jaw dropped. He stared at my mother. “Tyson is…””Not mine,” she promised. “It’s a long story.”