“The cafe windows wrapped all the way around the observation floor, which gave us a beautiful panoramic view of the skeleton army that had come to kill us.”

“But she wondered why beautiful things had to be wrapped up with evil history. Or was it the other way around? Maybe the evil history made it necessary to build beautiful things, to mask the darker aspects.”

“Do yourself a favor,' I said. "Forget it. Forget you ever saw me.""Forget that you tried to kill me too?""Yeah. That, too.""But who are you?""Percy-" I started to say. Then the skeletons turned around. "Gotta go!""What kind of name is Percy Gotta-go?"I bolted for the exit.”

“But who are you?"Percy—" I started to say. Then the skeletons turned around. "Gotta go!"What kind of name is Percy Gotta-go?”

“Weapons are allowed. Dirty tricks are expected. But try not to kill anybody!” Tantalus smiled at us like we were all naughty children. “Any killing will result in harsh punishment. No s’mores at the campfire for a week! Now ready your chariots!”

“Two U.S. Marine skeletons guarded the doors. They grinned down at us, rocket-propelled grenade launchers held across their chests."You know," Grover mumbled, "I bet Hades doesn't have trouble with door-to-door salesman.”

“Before I could lose my courage, I said, "Don't I get a kiss for luck? It's kind of a tradition, right?"I figured she would punch me. Instead, she drew her knife and stared at the army marching toward us. "Come back alive, Seaweed Brain. Then, we'll see.”