the_blood_of_olympus_-_rick_riordan

important. You’re the only one who can help us.’
Her charmspeak was so potent even Spike the snake relaxed. He curled around his staff and went
to sleep. Asclepius’s expression softened, like he was easing himself into a hot bath.
‘Of course,’ the god said. ‘I forgot. But you must be careful. Hades hates it when I raise people
from the dead. The last time I gave someone this potion, the Lord of the Underworld complained to
Zeus, and I was killed by a lightning bolt. BOOM!’
Leo flinched. ‘You look pretty good for a dead guy.’
‘Oh, I got better. That was part of the compromise. You see, when Zeus killed me, my father
Apollo got very upset. He couldn’t take out his anger on Zeus directly; the king of the gods was much
too powerful. So Apollo took revenge on the makers of lightning bolts instead. He killed some of the
Elder Cyclopes. For that, Zeus punished Apollo … quite severely. Finally, to make peace, Zeus
agreed to make me a god of medicine, with the understanding that I wouldn’t bring anyone else back
to life.’ Asclepius’s eyes filled with uncertainty. ‘And yet here I am … giving you the cure.’
‘Because you realize how important this is,’ Piper said, ‘you’re willing to make an exception.’
‘Yes …’ Reluctantly, Asclepius handed Piper the vial. ‘At any rate, the potion must be
administered as soon as possible after death. It can be injected or poured into the mouth. And there is
only enough for one person. Do you understand me?’ He looked directly at Leo.
‘We understand,’ Piper promised. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to come with us, Asclepius? Your
guardian is out of commission. You’d be really helpful aboard the Argo II.’
Asclepius smiled wistfully. ‘The Argo … back when I was a demigod, I sailed on the original ship,
you know. Ah, to be a carefree adventurer again!’
‘Yeah …’ Jason muttered. ‘Carefree.’
‘But, alas, I cannot. Zeus will already be quite angry with me for helping you. Besides, the
guardian will reprogram itself soon. You should leave.’ Asclepius rose. ‘Best wishes, demigods.
And, if you see my father again, please … give him my regrets.’
Leo wasn’t sure what that meant, but they took their leave.
As they passed through the waiting room, the statue of Hygeia was sitting on a bench, pouring acid
on her face and singing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’, while her golden snake gnawed at her foot.
The peaceful scene was almost enough to lift Leo’s spirits.
Back on the Argo II, they gathered in the mess hall and filled in the rest of the crew.
‘I don’t like it,’ Jason said. ‘The way Asclepius looked at Leo –’
‘Aw, he just sensed my heartsickness.’ Leo tried for a smile. ‘You know, I’m dying to see
Calypso.’
‘That is so sweet,’ Piper said. ‘But I’m not sure that’s it.’
Percy frowned at the glowing red vial that sat in the middle of the table. ‘Any of us might die,
right? So we just need to keep the potion handy.’
‘Assuming only one of us dies,’ Jason pointed out. ‘There’s only one dose.’
Hazel and Frank stared at Leo.
He gave them a look, like Knock it off.