Nik's POV

At the end of the day, Magic McGee tied Leo to his ex-lamppost.

'You— better— apologize— to me— this— instant.' Magic McGee said, slapping Leo with every pause.

'I've said I'm sorry twenty times already.' Leo complained.

'Thanks for inviting me.' Thalia said.

I felt my face burn up. 'No prob. But you should've come sooner. Jason—'

'Ahem.' Jason said. 'Please don't talk about that.'

'Fine.' I said. Then I coughed, 'Lot Hitler.'

'What kind of name is that?' Thalia asked.

'A very ironic one considering he flirted and half made out with your baby brother.' I said.

'Eww.' Thalia retched. 'Wait; his name's Lot?'

'It was kind of your fault, by the way.' Jason muttered.

'There.' Magic McGee said, seeming satisfied with beating up her boyfriend. 'What game do you say you are playing again?'

'Truth or death wish.' Piper said.

'Which reminds me,' Leo said. 'Cal; I dare you to untie me.'

'I don't know how that game works.' Magic McGee said. 'What does it mean; to dare?'

'Have you been living under a rock?' I asked.

Magic McGee frowned at me. 'No. I lived in a very nice island. I could send you there, if you'd like.'

'Burn.' Jason said.

'Listen here—'

'Nik, chill.' Thalia said.

On her saying it, it felt like my anger literally turned to ice.

'Okay.' I nodded.

'What my friend means,' Thalia said. 'is that Truth Or Death Wish is a pretty old game. Well, not older than you; but you get my drift.'

'I do not.' Magic McGee said.

'If you can untie me,' Leo yelled. 'then I'll explain.'

Magic McGee rolled her eyes, snapped her fingers and my fellow demon was free.

'Truth or dare— or truth or death wish; as Maleficent calls it— is a game for brave, tough, hot señores and señoritas like us.' Leo said. 'Most especially me.'

'So this game is an opportunity to be more arrogant?' Magic McGee asked.

'You start by asking anyone playing Truth or death wish.' Leo said, ignoring her. 'If you or the person you pick chooses truth, answer a question honestly. If you or a very unlucky idiot chooses death; they do whatever you want.'

'Okay then.' Magic McGee said. 'I dare you to set your clothes on fire and not wear another pair until the end of the game.'

'Excluding underwear?' Leo asked.

'What is that expression you taught me again?' McGee asked. '"Duh"?'

I didn't know what to laugh at; Leo in his ducky underwear or the fact he taught anyone anything.

I just laughed at both. For a long time.

I looked around and saw no one around me.

I shrugged. 'Rude.'

I went into Casa de Fish and saw Leo standing on Frank's back while the poor thing did push ups.

'In conclusion, o ignorant and argumentative people,' Leo said. 'chicken nuggets are much better than gold nuggets.'

Leo took a bow. 'You can clap now.'

His audience clapped politely.

Leo hopped off Shang. 'Humbled now?'

'You weren't that heavy.' Shang said. Then he finally noticed I existed. 'Look who's back.'

'You just missed the most important debate in human history.' Leo said. 'I think we should do it again.'

'No!' The ignorant, debating people said.

'But since she's here,' Frank said. 'Death wish or death wish?'

'Seriously?' I asked.

'Perfect.' Frank said, settling into his chair. 'I dare you to spell... osseocarnisanguineoviscericartilaginonervomedullary.'

'Whawhawhashitasswhawhawhatnow?' I asked.

'Winning word of my fifth grade spelling bee.' Frank said with a flick of his wrist. 'Not to brag, but I won.'

I turned to Annabeth. 'Wikitonary; can you spell that?'

'It's your dare.' Annabeth said.

'So you can't.' I said.

'You know what; let's all do it.' Percy said. 'Contestant number one; Wise Girl.'

Annabeth glared at him. Then at me. Then gave everyone else her camp famous Grey Side Eye. 'O-S-S-E-O-C-A-R-N-I-S-A-N-G— what was the rest of the word again?'

'Osseocarnisanguineoviscericartilaginonervomedullary.' Frank said.

'Percy; you're next.' Annabeth pushed her boyfriend up.

'Um,' Percy looked around to see who to cheat from. 'O-S-E-O— what the heck?'

'Leo; your turn.' Magic McGee said.

'Sorry, mamacita.' Leo said. 'That's way too big for Professor Leo.'

'So Jason should go.' Thalia said.

Jason sighed. 'Can I have the origin, please?'

'It's a nonce word that strings together words for the human body.' Frank said. 'Said by Thomas Love Peacock in the book Headlong Hall.'

Jason thought for a moment. 'O-S-S-E-O-C-A-R— what other parts of the body?'

'Pipey!' I said. 'Strength of the Superman. Ace of Jase. You help him out.'

Piper sighed. 'First repeat that.'

'Osseocarnisanguineoviscericartilaginonervomedullary.'

'I plead the fifth.' Piper said.

'Come on, Cinderella.' I said. 'If you spell it— um— I'll admit you're stronger than me!'

'Can you spell it?' Princess asked.

'No.'

'Then we're equal.'

'Nico.' Jason said. 'You haven't said anything.'

Nico stood. 'Nik, I'll take those brownies. I'll need to raise Thomas Peacock.'

'No you won't.' Will Solace said. 'Just try.'

Nico frowned. 'O-S-S-E-O-C-A-R-N-I-S-A-N-G-U-I-N-E-O-V-I-S-C-E-R-I-C—'

'When did Akeelah get here?' Thalia muttered.

'Shut up.' Nico said. 'A-R-I-T-L-A-G-I-N-O— I've forgotten the rest.'

'All hail the king.' Will said.

'Hail Nico, full of Solace.' We cheered. 'Hail Nico. Hail Nico. Hail Nico.'

For the first time in never, I caught this guy blushing. 'Stop it. I didn't even spell all of it.'

'You spelt more than an Athena camper.' Percy said. 'You deserve it.'

I tried not to laugh when this dude's face turned completely red.

'Frank.' Will called, subtly jealous of Percy. 'I know Nik can't do this. You go.'

Frank smiled. 'O-S-S-E-O-C-A-R-N-IS-A-N-G-U-I-N-E-O-V-I-S-C-E-R-I-C-A-R-I-T-L-A-G-I-N-O-N-E-R-V-O-M-E-D-U-L-L-A-R-Y; Osseocarnisanguineoviscericartilaginonervomedullary.'

'Spirit!' I yelled. 'Watch the heavens open!'

'Can you hear it calling?' Thalia sang.

She had the most amazing voice I'd never heard.

I quickly recovered from my daze. 'Speaking of singing; Liam, truth or death wish?'