On a chair next to her sat a large oily man in a black pinstripe suit. With a

shock, I realized it was Hades. He was leaning toward the woman, using his hands

as he talked, like he was agitated.

 

"Please, my dear," he said. "You must come to the Underworld. I don't care what

Persephone thinks! 1 can keep you safe there."

 

"No, my love." She spoke with an Italian accent. "Raise our children in the land

of the dead? I will not do this."

 

"Maria, listen to me. The war in Europe has turned the other gods against me. A

prophecy has been made. My children are no longer safe. Poseidon and Zeus have

forced me into an agreement. None of us are to have demigod children ever

again."

 

"But you already have Nico and Bianca. Surely — "

 

"No! The prophecy warns of a child who turns sixteen. Zeus has decreed that the

children I currently have must be turned over to Camp Half-Blood for proper

training, but I know what he means. At best they'll be watched, imprisoned,

turned against their father. Even more likely, he will not take a chance. He

won't allow my demigod children to reach sixteen. He'll find a way to destroy

them, and I won't risk that!"

 

" Certamente ," Maria said. "We will stay together. Zeus is un imbecile."