I am Persephone” she said, her voice thin and papery. “Welcome, demigods.Nico squashed a pomegranate under his boot. “Welcome? After last time, you’ve got the nerve to welcome me?”I shifted uneasily, because talking that way...

Then she did something so unexpected Nico would later think he dreamed it. She walked up to Nico, who was standing to one side in the shadows, as usual. She grabbed his hand and pulled...

I had a crush on Percy,” Nico spat. “That’s the truth. That’s the big secret.

Nico started to crawl away, groaning. Percy wanted him to move faster and groan less. He considered throwing his wonder bread at him.

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.

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...

The Underworld had no mercy. It only had justice

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...

No,’ Nico said. ‘Getting a second life is one thing. Making it a better life, that’s the trick.’ As soon as he said it, Nico realized he could’ve been talking about himself. He decided not...

For a long time,’ Nico said, ‘I had a crush on you. I just wanted you to know.’ Percy looked at Nico. Then at Annabeth, as if to check that he’d heard correctly. Then back...

Nico was devastatingly alone. He’d lost his big sister Bianca. He’d pushed away all other demigods who’d tried to get close to him. His experiences at Camp Half-Blood, in the Labyrinth and in Tartarus had...

She’d felt more pain from Nico in their brief connection than she had from her entire legion during the battle against the giant Polybotes.

Nico clenched his sword. Sharing his secret crush hadn’t been the worst of it. Eventually he might have done that, in his own time, in his own way. But being forced to talk about Percy,...

I am the son of Hades. I go where I wish. The darkness is my birthright.

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...

You will suffer, son of Hades!’ What else is new? Nico thought.

Nico strode forward. The enemy army fell back before him like he radiated death, which of course he did.Through the face guard of his skull-shaped helmet, he smiled. “Got your message. Is it too late...

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.

Nico’s anger turned as cold and dark as his blade. He’d been morphed into a few plants himself, and he didn’t appreciate it. He hated people like Bryce Lawrence, who inflicted pain just for fun.

The way to beat Luke,” he said. “If I’m right, it’s the only way you’ll stand a chance.”I took a deep breath. “Okay. I’m listening.”Nico glanced inside my room. His eyebrows furrowed.”Is that…is that blue...

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...

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,”...

He remembered how nice the kids at Camp Half-Blood had been to him after the war with Kronos. Great job, Nico! Thanks for bringing the armies of the Underworld to save us! Everybody smiled. They...

I looked down at my clothes. They were slashed to pieces and full of bullet holes, but I was fine. Not a mark on me.Nico’s mouth hung open. “You just . . . with a...

Nico di Angelo came into Olympus to a hero’s welcome, his father right behind him, despite the fact that Hades was only supposed to visit Olympus in winter solstice. The God of the dead looked...

The two of them looked so comfortable together it made Nico glad. But it also it caused an ache in his heart – a ghostly pain, like an old war wound throbbing in bad weather.

You promised you would protect her Nico said. He might as well have stabbed me with a rusty dagger.It would’ve hurt less than reminding me of my promise.

Whoa,” said Nico as he climbed off the bus. “Is that a climbing wall?””Yeah,” I (Percy) said.”Why is there lava pouring down it?””Little extra challenge…” – Percy

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.

The wind god Favonius had warned him in Croatia: If you let your anger rule you … your fate will be even sadder than mine. But how could his fate be anything but sad? Even...

Percy is the most powerful demigod I’ve ever met. No offense to you guys but it’s true.

She’d expected some backlash; it happened every time she shared her strength. But she hadn’t anticipated so much raw anguish from Nico di Angelo… If this was only a portion of Nico’s pain… how could...

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

Nico wasn’t sure whether to kick himself or Will Solace. If he hadn’t been so distracted bickering with the son of Apollo, he would never have allowed the enemy to get so close.

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...

So,’ Nico said, ‘since we’re going to be spending at least a year seeing each other at camp, I think I should clear the air.’ Percy’s smile wavered. ‘What do you mean?

Christmas in the Underworld was NOT my idea. If I’d known what was coming, I would’ve called in sick. I could’ve avoided an army of demons, a fight with a Titan, and a trick that...

I will see you again,’ Hades promised. ‘I will prepare a room for you at the palace in case you do not survive. Perhaps your chambers would look good decorated with the skulls of monks.’...

Grover and Nico came back from their walk, and Grover helped me fix up my wounded arm.”It’s green!” Nico said with delight.

As for my brothers,’ Zeus said, ‘we are thankful -‘ he cleared his throat, like the words were hard to get out – ‘erm, thankful for the aid of Hades.’ The Lord of the Dead...

Nico di Angelo ran up to me with a big grin on his face.”Percy, this is awesome!” His blue-feathered bronze helmet was falling in his eyes, and his breastplate was about six sizes too big....

Nico didn’t like to be touched, but somehow this brief contact with his father felt reassuring – the same way the Chapel of Bones was reassuring. Like death, his father’s presence was cold and often...

not giving people a second thought…that can be dangerous.

Hades allowed himself the faintest smile, but there was nothing cruel in his eyes. ‘I can entertain the possibility that you acted for multiple reasons. My point is this: you and I rose to the...

I still don’t get it” Coach Hedge muttered as they roamed the centre aisle. “They named a whole town after Leo’s table?””I think the town was here first, Coach” Nico said.

Hey, can I see that sword you were using?”I showed him Riptide, and explained how it turned from a pen into a sword just by uncapping it.”Cool! Does it ever run out of ink?””Um, well,...

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.

Nico scowled. ‘It’s none of your business, but I don’t belong. That’s obvious. No one wants me. I’m a child of –’ ‘Oh, please.’ Will sounded unusually angry. ‘Nobody at Camp Half-Blood ever pushed you...

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...

He looked at the silver pocketknife in his hand. An idea came to him – possibly the stupidest, craziest idea he’d had since he thought, Hey, I’ll get Percy to swim in the River Styx!...