The Olympians Read The Books

A Friend Says Goodbye (Paul)

[We landed... little experiment."]

"A little experiment?!?" Leo asked, sounding astounded. "What does he consider big?"

Annabeht shook her head with amusement "No idea."

"I'd like to meet this guy," Leo said.

"Maybe someday," Annabeth told him.

[He said... was fading]

Artemis fell silent and bowed her head.

"Would you like to take a minute, Lady Artemis?" Paul asked

"What? Oh, no, it's alright Paul Blofis. Just continue reading," Artemis said, distractedly.

"If you're sure," he said.

["Can't you... Zoe whispered]

"Always, my dear one," Artemis said softly.

"Are you sure you don't need a moment," Apollo asked gently.

"I'm fine," she told him.

"If you say so," Apollo said.

["With great... been sisters."]

"We are sisters," Thalia whispered.

"Are you OK, Thals?" Annabeth asked her.

"Yeah, I'm good," she said, before turning her attention back to the book.

["It's my...this sword."]

'I hope I've made her proud' I thought.

[A shudder... move again]

A single tear fell from Artemis's cheek. 

"Do you-" Apollo started.

"I'm fine, Apollo," Artemis said, cutting him off.

[Thalia lowered... the stars."]

"Is that the constellation you were talking about?" Mom asked.

"Yes. It's my favorite because it honors a fallen warrior and a brave friend," I told her.

"Can you teach me how to find it? It sounds beautiful."

"Sure."

[It wasn't... is right."]

"And from what I can tell, you have," Artemis told Annabeth.

"Thank you, Lady Artemis," Annabeth said.

I noticed Athena started to look me up and down with a calculating look in her eyes. After what felt like an eternity of this, I started to feel really uncomfortable and squirmy. Fortunately, Paul continued reading at this point, and Athena looked away.

[Then she... a boy]

"Now that is high praise," Leo said, and most of the men in the room nodded in agreement.

[She mounted... prefer Athena."]

Athena blushed deeply and some of the more immature gods whistled.

[Annabeth turned... my mind]

'How you doin'', I thought, cursing my mind for the millionth time.

[Blackjack looked... I wonder?"]

"I too would like to know the physics behind a pegasus' ability to fly," Leo said with a look of curiosity in his eyes.

"Maybe we could work it out together, son," Hephaestus offered.

"I'd like that," Leo said with a smile.

[Blackjack cocked... you safe."]

"He truly does care," Hestia said with a warm smile.

"He does. Our relationship still needs work, but it has improved greatly," Annabeth said with a smile of her own.

"I'm glad to hear it," Hestia said as the fire glowed brighter and warmer.

[Annabeth didn't... his back]

"Percy, will you thank Porkpie for me when we get back?" Thalia asked. "I didn't realize he did that."

"Sure. Porkpie and Guido are pretty loyal pegasi, but no horse will beat Blackjack," I said with a smile.

"I beg to differ," Jason said.

"You mean Tempest?" I asked.

"Of course," he said.

"You've got to be kidding."

"I'm not."

Hazel cleared her throat. "I too disagree."

"Same," Reyna said.

"How about this; we let the others decide at the end of these books who has the better horse," I suggested.

The others considered this.

"I'm okay with this," Jason said.

Hazel nodded. "Sounds good to me."

"Very well. May the best horse win," Reyna said.

"Can I continue reading now?" Paul asked, amusement coloring his voice.

[Annabeth and... of herself]

"Of course not," I told her.

"I know," she said.

["I didn't... rescuing me."]

"I will always find you," I whispered to her.

"I know, and I you," she whispered back.

["Hey, no... about me."]

"I don't think he wanted to hear that, dear," Mom told Annabeth.

"Not really," I muttered, doing my best to not be overheard by anyone.

[That comparison... be fair]

"Oh," Annabeth said softly.

"Once again, life isn't fair and neither is death. Sometimes the innocent die first," Hades said.

"Tell me about it," I muttered, thinking about those we lost in the Titan War.

["There it... the Gods."]

"Ooh, this should be interesting," Leo said.

"That is certainly one word for it," I told him.

"That's the end of the chapter. Who wants to read next?" Paul asked. "Or do we want to take a small break?"

"How many chapters are left?" Hestia asked.

"Uh.. two, Lady Hestia," he said.

"First of all, once again, you don't need to use my title. I am not like my brother. Second, if there's only two chapters left, it makes more sense to finish and then stop," Hestia said. "Who would like to read?"

"I'll go," Leo said.

[The Gods Vote How To Kill Us]

"What?" Mom asked, her voice deadly calm.

"Um," Zeus cleared his throat. "Surely the title is a little dramatic."

"He would know, wouldn't he?" I whispered to those around me.

A/N: Here's the next chapter! Sorry it's been a bit