“Hestia shook her head. "I am here because when all else fails, when all the other mighty gods have gone off to war, I am all that's left. Home. Hearth. I am the last Olympian”

“I picked up Pandora's jar. The spirit of Hope fluttered inside, trying to warm the cold container."Hestia," I said, "I give this to you as an offering."The goddess tilted her head. "I am the least of the gods. Why wouldyou trust me with this?""You're the last Olympian," I said. "And the most important.""And why is that, Percy Jackson?""Because Hope survives best at the hearth," I said. "Guard it for me,and I won't be tempted to give up again.”

“You're the last Olympian,' I said. 'And the most important.'And why is that, Percy Jackson?'Because Hope survives best at the hearth,' I said.”

“Zia," I said, "that's a goddess. She defeated Bast. What chance do you have?"Zia held up her staff and the carved lion's head burst into flames - a small red fireball so bright, it lit the entire room. "I am a scribe in the House of Life, Sadie Kane. I am trained to fight gods.”

“Poseidon raised his eyebrows as they shook hands. “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.”

“Oh, I see,” Poseidon said. “A shame. I quite like blow-fish. 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.”

“And when demigods use cell phones, the signals agitate every monster within a hundred miles. It's like sending up a flare: Here I am! Please rearrange my face!”