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“Oh, wow,” said Nico.

“Yes, yes, yes.” The griffin’s childlike voice upped his cute quotient several more notches. “I am Orcus. I know I’m small. Please do not comment on my size! It makes me gaseous.”

Will made a tiny squeal of delight. He crouched down to be on Orcus’s level. “I would never criticize you,” he said. “You areperfect.”

“Tell that to his family,” grumbled Quinoa, still in Arielle’s arms. “They didn’t want a runt in their nest.”

Unfortunately, the comment was enough to trigger Orcus’s self-esteem farts. Nico heard nothing, but the air filled with the smell of rotten eggs. Nico buried his face in the lapel of his jacket.

“Quinoa!” Orcus screeched. “I just said don’t comment on my size!”

“Yes, that’s not polite,” Johan agreed, sipping his Earl Grey. Nico got the feeling he sipped his tea a lot while watching his comrades insult one another. “Please, continue.”

Arielle sucked in air. “You are all impossible.”

“Anyway,” Hazel said with forced cheerfulness, “that’s everyone except Semele.” She looked toward the doorway. “Semele, are you in there?”

A voice at Nico’s shoulder said, “I’m right here.”

“Gah!” He lurched back, goose bumps rippling down his arms. He looked for the source of the voice but saw no one. “Are you…invisible?” Nico asked.

“I’m an eidolon,” said the voice.

Her tone was soft and calming. Older. Like someone’s grandmother telling a bedtime story. Nevertheless, panic squeezed Nico’s chest.

“Aneidolon?” he asked. “As in the spirits who canpossessanyone?”

“That’s correct.” The voice sounded sad. “But fear not, son of Hades. I have no desire to possess you or anyone else anymore. In fact, that’s why I’m here. I refused to take over others against their will.”

Nico stilled. If he concentrated, he could see something there. His mind latched onto a memory: Hades with a cigar, the smoke wafting slowly upward.

Semele wasn’t totally invisible. She was a wisp ofsmoke.

Will came to Nico’s side. “Can you see her?”

Nico extended a finger toward the smoke.

“Hello, Will,” said Semele.

“Wow.” Will shivered. “I remember Annabeth telling me what it was like when the eidolons taunted her, but…”

The smoke dissipated.

“Is she gone?” Will frowned at Hazel. “Did I offend her?”

“I wouldn’t worry,” Hazel said. “Semele comes and goes. Most of our guests…well, they’ve been rejected for being different.”

“Life has not been easy for us,” said Arielle, bouncing Quinoa against her side. “Our families don’t want us, and there’s nothing for us in Tartarus.”

Quinoa growled. “And I refuse to be used by horrible gods again! Gaea got most of my brothers and sisters killed!”

“Yes,” Johan said, stirring his teacup. “That was very rude.”

The little griffin Orcus farted in sympathy.

Hazel gave Nico a pained smile. “So now you’ve met everyone. What do you think?”

Will and Nico exchanged a look.