The truth hit him. Jason wasn’t quite Roman anymore. His time at Camp Half-Blood had changed him. Reyna had recognized that. Apparently, so did the undead legionnaires. If Jason no longer gave off the right...

Jason’s fingers itched to draw his sword. He’d met plenty of scary demigods, but he was starting to realize that Nico di Angelo–as pale and gaunt as he looked–might be more than he could handle.

Nico drew his sword. His smile was even more unsettling than his scowl.”Underground,” he said. “My favorite place.”Underground was not Jason’s favorite place.

Nico knelt and picked it up. He regarded Jason, as if waiting for an attack. “If the others found out-” “If the others found out,” Jason said, “you’d have that many more people to back...

So now I get the scepter?” Jason asked.Cupid laughed. Unfortunately, you could not wield it. Only a child of the Underworld can summon the dead legions. And only an officer of Rome can lead them.

Is this guy Love or Death?” Jason growled.Ask your friends, Cupid said. Frank, Hazel, and Percy met my counterpart, Thanatos. We are not so different. Except Death is sometimes kinder.

Poor Nico di Angelo. The god’s voice was tinged with disappointment. Do you know what you want, much less what I want? My beloved Psyche risked everything in the name of Love. It was the...

But in his heart, he wanted to be at Camp Half-Blood. The months he’d spent there with Piper and Leo had felt more satisfying, more right than all his years at Camp Jupiter. Besides, at...

Ask me again, once we defeat Gaea.

Nico, you can do this,” Jason said. “It might be embarrassing, but it’s for the scepter.”Nico didn’t look convinced. In fact he looked like he was going to be sick. But he squared his shoulders...

Nico’s voice was like broken glass. “I- I wasn’t in love with Annabeth.””You were jealous of her,” Jason said. “That’s why you didn’t want to be around her. Especially why you don’t want to be...

Frank heard a laugh behind him. He glanced back and couldn’t believe what he saw. Nico di Angelo was actually smiling.”That’s more like it,” Nico said. “Let’s turn this tide!

Hazel frowned. “Why that one?””You don’t see the ghost?” Frank asked.”Ghost?” Nico asked.Okay… if Frank was seeing a ghost that the Underworld kids couldn’t see, something was definitely wrong.

He scowled at Jason. “And please, I don’t like being touched. Don’t ever grab me again.

About five meters ahead, Nico was swinging his black sword with one hand, holding the scepter of Diocletian aloft with the other. He kept shouting orders at the legionnaires, but they paid him no attention.Of...

Your destiny grows clearer, Jason Grace. When the choice comes again- storm or fire- remember me. And do not despair.

Love is on every side, Cupid said. And no one’s side. Don’t ask what Love can do for you.”Great,” Jason said. “Now he’s spouting greeting card messages.

Still hiding, Cupid said, smashing another skeleton to pieces. You do not have the strength.”Nico,” Jason managed to say, “it’s okay. I get it.”Nico glanced over, pain and misery washing across his face.”No you don’t,”...

Bob says hello.

He was making a brave attempt, but Jason could see the sadness lingering in his eyes. Something had happened to him… something to do with Calypso.

Nothing?” Favonius cried. “The one you care for most… plunged into Tartarus, and you still will not allow the truth?”Suddenly Jason felt like he was eavedropping. The one you care for most.

Very good, Jason Grace,” Notus said. “You are a son of Jupiter, yet you have chosen your own path- as all the greatest demigods have done before you. You cannot control your parentage, but you...

Jason always tried to build a good relationship with his team. He’d learned the hard way that if somebody was going to have your back in a fight, it was better if you found some...

Their goal was in sight. They had a Titan with a very loud kitten on their side. That had to count for something.

Yes, Jason Grace.” Favonius arched an eyebrow. “I fell in love with a dude. Does that shock you?

Images flashed through his mind. He saw Nico and his sister on a snowy cliff in Maine, Percy Jackson protecting them from a manticore. Percy’s sword gleamed in the dark. He’d been the first demigod...

Oh, he’s not like that,” said Favonius.Jason flinched. “You can read my mind?””I don’t need to.” Favonius tossed his bronze hoop in the air. “Everyone has the wrong impression of Cupid… until they meet him.

No,” Frank said. “I’m only a centurion.”Jason cursed in Latin. “He means he can’t control a whole legion. He’s not of high enough rank.”Nico swung back his black sword at another gryphon. “Well, then, promote...

You guys are so… dark. Even if I used flash, I’m not sure it would come out.””Y-yeah,” Percy managed. “You guys aren’t photogenic.

I don’t feel that way anymore,” Nico muttered. “I mean… I gave up on Percy. I was young and impressionable, and I- I don’t…”His voice cracked, and Jason could tell the guy was about to...

The story of Psyche finally made sense to him- why a mortal girl would be so afraid. Why would she risk breaking the rules to look the god of love in the face, because she...

Lots of death, huh? Personally, I’m trying to avoid lots of death, but you guys have fun!

Whenever he felt like giving up, plopping himself down, and dying (which was, like, every ten minutes), he reached over and took her hand, just to remember there was warmth in the world.

Nico drank from the chalice, then offered it to Jason. “You asked me about trust, and taking a risk? Well, here you go, son of Jupiter. How much do you trust me?”Frank wasn’t sure what...

Please tell me your master isn’t Aeolus.””That airhead?” Favonius snorted. “No, of course not.””He means Eros.” Nico’s voice turned edgy. “Cupid, in Latin.”Favonius smiled. “Very good, Nico di Angelo. I’m glad to see you again,...

Really? That would be a first. I’m the son of Hades, Jason. I might as well be covered in blood or sewage, the way people treat me. I don’t belong anywhere. I’m not even from...

Think long and hard about how you proceed, Nico di Angelo. You cannot lie to Cupid. If you let your anger rule you… well, your fate will be even sadder then mine.

Yeah, okay. But, Nico, you do choose how to live your life. You want to trust somebody? Maybe take a risk that I’m really your friend and I’ll accept you. It’s better than hiding.

Frank, how did you do that?” Jason yelled.Frank’s head swam with pain. He forced himself not to pass out. “I’m the ranking Roman officer,” he said. “They- uh, they don’t recognize you. Sorry.”Jason grimaced, but...