"I've told you all you need to know," Hades said. "As for our agreement, I spoke

with Jackson. I did not harm him. Y ou got your information. If you had wanted a

better deal, you should've made me swear on the Styx. Now, go to your room!" He

waved his hand, and Nico vanished.

 

"That boy needs to eat more," Demeter grumbled. "He's too skinny. He needs more

cereal."

 

Persephone rolled her eyes. "Mother, enough with the cereal. My lord Hades, are

you sure we can't let this little hero go? He's awfully brave."

 

"No, my dear. I've spared his life. That's enough."

 

I was sure she was going to stand up for me. The brave, beautiful Persephone was

going to get me out of this.

 

She shrugged indifferently. "Fine. What's for breakfast? I'm starving."

 

"Cereal," Demeter said.

 

"Mother!" The two women disappeared in a swirl of flowers and wheat.

 

"Don't feel too bad, Percy Jackson," Hades said. "My ghosts keep me well

informed of Kronos's plans. I can assure you that you had no chance to stop him