The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan Read Free Book Online

get that she’ll never love you back?”
    â€œBut she’s so . . . into nature,” Grover swooned.
    â€œYou’re nuts,” said Thalia.
    â€œNuts and berries,” Grover said dreamily. “Yeah.”
    Finally the sky began to lighten. Artemis muttered, “About time. He’s so-o-o lazy during the winter.”
    â€œYou’re, um, waiting for sunrise?” I asked.
    â€œFor my brother. Yes.”
    I didn’t want to be rude. I mean, I knew the legends about Apollo—or sometimes Helios—driving a big sun chariot across the sky. But I also knew that the sun was really a star about a zillion miles away. I’d gotten used to some of the Greek myths being true, but still . . . I didn’t see how Apollo could drive the sun.
    â€œIt’s not exactly as you think,” Artemis said, like she was reading my mind.
    â€œOh, okay.” I started to relax. “So, it’s not like he’ll be pulling up in a—”
    There was a sudden burst of light on the horizon. A blast of warmth.
    â€œDon’t look,” Artemis advised. “Not until he parks.”
    Parks?
    I averted my eyes, and saw that the other kids were doing the same. The light and warmth intensified until my winter coat felt like it was melting off of me. Then suddenly the light died.
    I looked. And I couldn’t believe it. It was my car. Well, the car I wanted, anyway. A red convertible Maserati Spyder. It was so awesome it glowed. Then I realized it was glowing because the metal was hot. The snow had melted around the Maserati in a perfect circle, which explained why I was now standing on green grass and my shoes were wet.
    The driver got out, smiling. He looked about seventeen or eighteen, and for a second, I had the uneasy feeling it was Luke, my old enemy. This guy had the same sandy hair and outdoorsy good looks. But it wasn’t Luke. This guy was taller, with no scar on his face like Luke’s. His smile was brighter and more playful. (Luke didn’t do much more than scowl and sneer these days.) The Maserati driver wore jeans and loafers and a sleeveless T-shirt.
    â€œWow,” Thalia muttered. “Apollo is hot.”
    â€œHe’s the sun god,” I said.
    â€œThat’s not what I meant.”
    â€œLittle sister!” Apollo called. If his teeth were any whiter he could’ve blinded us without the sun car. “What’s up? You never call. You never write. I was getting worried!”
    Artemis sighed. “I’m fine, Apollo. And I am not your little sister.”
    â€œHey, I was born first.”
    â€œWe’re twins! How many millennia do we have to argue—”
    â€œSo what’s up?” he interrupted. “Got the girls with you, I see. You all need some tips on archery?”
    Artemis grit her teeth. “I need a favor. I have some hunting to do, alone . I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-Blood.”
    â€œSure, sis!” Then he raised his hands in a stop everything gesture. “I feel a haiku coming on.”
    The Hunters all groaned. Apparently they’d met Apollo before.
    He cleared his throat and held up one hand dramatically.
    â€œGreen grass breaks through snow.
    Artemis pleads for my help.
    I am so cool.”
    He grinned at us, waiting for applause.
    â€œThat last line was only four syllables,” Artemis said.
    Apollo frowned. “Was it?”
    â€œYes. What about I am so big-headed ?”
    â€œNo, no, that’s six syllables. Hmm.” He started muttering to himself.
    Zoë Nightshade turned to us. “Lord Apollo has been going through this haiku phase ever since he visited Japan. ’Tis not as bad as the time he visited Limerick. If I’d had to hear one more poem that started with, There once was a goddess from Sparta— ”
    â€œI’ve got it!” Apollo announced. “ I am so awesome. That’s five syllables!” He bowed, looking very