Book excerpt: After the murder of a friend, teen gods and demigods join forces to face a common threat: vampire pirates swarming the Mediterranean Sea. But unforeseen conflicts cause the young gods and demigods to question the nature of their mission, their purpose, and their relationships with one another. In the face of impossible choices, how important are love, loyalty, and friendship? Moreover, how far should one go to defend those who can't defend themselves? Should one sacrifice everything?