The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5)

by Rick Riordan

Then he threw me another essential tool of demigod heroes—duct tape.

It’s hard to enjoy practical jokes when your whole life feels like one.

Hestia shook her head. “I am here because when all else fails, when all the other mighty gods have gone off to war, I am all that’s left. Home. Hearth. I am the last Olympian. You must remember me when you face your final decision.”

“Excuse me,” I broke in. “But if you’re going to kill me, could you just get on with it?”

“With great power…comes great need to take a nap. Wake me up later.”

love New York. You can pop out of the Underworld in Central Park, hail a taxi, head down Fifth Avenue with a giant hellhound loping along behind you, and nobody even looks at you funny.

“Last thing.” Hermes looked at me. “She said to tell Percy: ‘Remember the rivers.’ And, um, something about staying away from her daughter.” I’m not sure whose face was redder: Annabeth’s or mine.

“Percy Jackson,” he said, “because you have taken on the curse of Achilles, I must spare you. You are in the hands of the Fates now. But you will never speak to me like that again. You have no idea how much I have sacrificed, how much—” His voice broke, and he shrank back to human size. “My son, my greatest pride…my poor May…” He sounded so devastated I didn’t know what to say. One minute he was ready to vaporize us. Now he looked like he needed a hug.

“Don’t I get a kiss for luck? It’s kind of a tradition, right?” I figured she would punch me. Instead, she drew her knife and stared at the army marching toward us. “Come back alive, Seaweed Brain. Then we’ll see.”

“Get back!” I slashed the air in a wide arc, driving the rest of the demigods away from Annabeth. “No one touches her!” “Interesting,” Kronos said.

Her expression reminded me of glass—like she might break any minute. I swore to myself that if I ever found the spy who’d cost her boyfriend his life, I would give him to Mrs. O’Leary as a chew toy.

“You’re cute when you’re worried,” she muttered. “Your eyebrows get all scrunched together.” “You are not going to die while I owe you a favor,” I said. “Why did you take that knife?” “You would’ve done the same for me.” It was true. I guess we both knew it. Still, I felt like somebody was poking my heart with a cold metal rod. “How did you know?” “Know what?” I looked around to make sure we were alone. Then I leaned in close and whispered: “My Achilles spot. If you hadn’t taken that knife, I would’ve died.” She got a faraway look in her eyes. Her breath smelled of grapes, maybe from the nectar. “I don’t know, Percy. I just had this feeling you were in danger. Where…where is the spot?” I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone. But this was Annabeth. If I couldn’t trust her, I couldn’t trust anyone.

“Really, Peter Johnson, how long will it take for you to recognize me on sight?” “About as long as it’ll take for you to figure out my name,” I muttered.

“I pulled you into party time to deliver a warning. We are in danger.” “Gee,” I said. “Never would’ve figured that out. Thanks.”

“Yes, quite. I will deny I ever said this, of course, but the gods need heroes. They always have. Otherwise we would not keep you annoying little brats around.” “I feel so wanted. Thanks.”

The world will fall, the gods will die, and I will never achieve a perfect score on this stupid machine.”

“Well…sure good to be together again. Arguing. Almost dying. Abject terror. Oh, look. It’s our floor.”

“Hestia,” I said, “I give this to you as an offering.” The goddess tilted her head. “I am the least of the gods. Why would you trust me with this?” “You’re the last Olympian,” I said. “And the most important.” “And why is that, Percy Jackson?” “Because Hope survives best at the hearth,” I said. “Guard it for me, and I won’t be tempted to give up again.”

“So much for him.” Kronos picked up his sword. “And now for the rest of you.” My only thought was to keep him away from Annabeth.

“Family, Luke. You promised.”

She looked at me, like she was drinking in the fact that I was still here. And I realized I was doing the same thing. The world was collapsing, and the only thing that really mattered to me was that she was alive.

I thought about May Castellan, alone in her kitchen, baking cookies and making sandwiches for a son who would never come home.

“Yes. Um…three cheers for Tyson!” “YAAARRRRR!” the Cyclopes roared. “Please don’t eat me,” Grover muttered, but I don’t think anyone heard him.

“I approve as well,” Athena said, though she was looking at Annabeth. I glanced back. Annabeth was trying not to meet my eyes. Her face was pale. I flashed back to two years ago, when I’d thought she was going to take the pledge to Artemis and become a Hunter. I’d been on the edge of a panic attack, thinking that I’d lose her. She had looked pretty much the same way I did now.

“All hail, Perseus Jackson,” Tyson said. “Hero of Olympus…and my big brother!”

“I would know your reasons.” “I want to be a regular guy. I want to grow up. Have, you know, a regular high school experience.” “And my daughter?” “I couldn’t leave her,” I admitted, my throat dry. “Or Grover,” I added quickly. “Or—” “Spare me.”

“You’ll do great.” Annabeth hugged her. Funny, she seemed to get along fine with Rachel these days.

She took off down Half-Blood Hill and I sprinted after her. For once, I didn’t look back.