the vultures. But yes, I stole fire from the gods and gave it to your ancestors.

In return, the ever merciful Zeus had me chained to a rock and tortured for all

eternity."

 

"But—"

 

"How did I get free? Hercules did that, eons ago. So you see, I have a soft spot

for heroes. Some of you can be quite civilized."

 

"Unlike the company you keep," I noticed.

 

I was looking at Ethan, but Prometheus apparently thought I meant the empousa.

 

"Oh, demons aren't so bad," he said. "You just have to keep them well fed. Now,

Percy Jackson, let us parley."

 

He waved me toward a picnic table and we sat down. Thalia and Grover stood

behind me.

 

The blue giant propped his white flag against a tree and began absently playing

on the playground. He stepped on the monkey bars and crushed them, but he didn't

seem angry. He just frowned and said, "Uh- oh." Then he stepped in the fountain

and broke the concrete bowl in half. "Uh-oh." The water froze where his foot

touched it. A bunch of stuffed animals hung from his belt — the huge kind you

get for grand prizes at an arcade. He reminded me of Tyson, and the idea of