be made a god. Immortal. Undying. Y ou shall serve as your father's lieutenant

for all time."

 

I stared at him, stunned. "Um ... a god?’

 

Zeus rolled his eyes. "A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus

of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with

you forever."

 

"Hmm," Ares mused. "That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and

he'll just keep coming back for more. 1 like this idea."

 

"I approve as well," Athena said, though she was looking at Annabeth.

 

I glanced back. Annabeth was trying not to meet my eyes. Her face was pale. I

flashed back to two years ago, when I'd thought she was going to take the pledge

to Artemis and become a Hunter. I'd been on the edge of a panic attack, thinking

that I'd lose her. Now, she looked pretty much the same way.

 

I thought about the Three Fates, and the way I'd seen my life flash by. I could

avoid all that. No aging, no death, no body in the grave. I could be a teenager

forever, in top condition, powerful, and immortal, serving my father. I could

have power and eternal life.

 

Who could refuse that?