“My mom is having a baby,” I told Hecuba. I’m not sure why that bubbled up in my mind, but it got Hecuba’s attention. She turned toward me, her eyes bearing down like heat lamps. “I grew up an only child,” I continued. “I was a lot of work for my mom. You know how it is. Demigods.” Those hellhound eyes were giving me a sunburn. “I can’t imagine how much courage it took for her to have another kid,” I said. “I’m worried for the baby. I mean, this kid won’t be a demigod, but still…I’ve seen how dangerous the world is. I’ve lost friends. One time I lost my mom—thought she was gone forever. That
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