I'm scared, Nico mumbled. He was fiddling with something-a little metal toy soldier of some kind.Stop talking! Dr. Thorn said. Face me!

Bianca di Angelo shivered. That explains Nico, you remember last summer, those guyswho tried to attack us in the alley in DC?And that bus driver, Nico said. The one with the ram's horns. I *told* you...

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.

Where are you taking us? Nico said.You should be honored, my boy. You will have the opportunity to join a great army! Just like that silly game you play with cards and dolls.They're not dolls! They're...

It doesn't seem right? Another part of him wondered, Since when do I worry about what's right?

Who wants us? Bianca demanded. Because if you think you'll get a ransom, you're wrong. We don't have any family. Nico and I- Her voice broke a little. We've got no one but each other.

You are a half-blood, Zoe Nightshade said. Her accent was hard to place. It sounded old-fashioned, like she was reading from a really old book. One of thy parents was mortal. The other was an...

It's not mind-reading,' she said. 'Not even an empathy link. Just … a temporary wave of exhaustion. Primal emotions. Your pain washes over me. I take on some of your burden.'...

Clovis,' Nico growled, 'for the gods' sake, stop dreaming so powerfully!

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

Child of Hades, what more could I do to you? You are perfect! So much sorrow and pain!' Nico gasped. His eyes flew open.

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.

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 had proven himself in other ways. He'd kept the camps' secrets for the best of reasons, because he feared a war. He had plunged into Tartarus alone, voluntarily, to find the Doors of Death. He'd...

My son, what you are attempting – shadow-travel across the world, carrying the statue of Athena – it may well destroy you.' 'Thanks for the encouragement.

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.

At Camp Half-Blood. The Hades cabin needs a head counsellor. Have you seen the decor? It's disgusting. I'll have to renovate. And someone needs to do the burial rites properly, since demigods insist...