"Don't encourage her," Hermes grumbled. "May, you can't do this."

 

With a shock, I realized I was seeing May Castellan. She looked nothing like the

old woman I'd met.

 

She seemed full of life — the kind of person who could smile and make everyone

around her feel good.

 

"Oh, don't worry so much," May said, rocking the baby. "You need an Oracle,

don't you? The old one's been dead for, what, twenty years?"

 

"Longer," Chiron said gravely.

 

Hermes raised his arms in exasperation. "I didn't tell you that story so you

could apply. It's dangerous.

 

Chiron, tell her."

 

"It is," Chiron warned. "For many years, I have forbidden anyone from trying. We

don't know exactly what's happened. Humanity seems to have lost the ability to

host the Oracle."

 

"We've been through that," May said. "And I know I can do it. Hermes, this is my

chance to do something good. I've been given the gift of sight for a reason."