Children of the underworld

Chapter 8

After Hazel went into some sort of trance, with one hand pressed against Nico's heart scarab, they waited in awkward silence.

Percy watched Leo carefully, knowing that there was absolutely no way that Leo was really alright right now. Not after baring his soul to Hazel only to realize he'd unintentionally spilled his life story and darkest secrets to four other demigods who he wasn't even friends with. Now he looked like a tiger in too small a cage, as they waited for something to happen. Despite the cool temperature, Percy could see that Leo was sweating from nervousness.

"Leo, about what you were saying earlier," Thalia started to say after several minutes, but Leo cut her off.

"What I said earlier is none of your business."

"But –"

"I'm not talking about it anymore," said Leo coldly.

"I was just going to say –"

"I don't care."

"I'm sorry for what happened to you," said Thalia determinedly. When Leo didn't cut her off again, she determinedly continued. "You didn't deserve that. And . . . it wasn't your fault."

Leo turned his face toward the ground so that his bangs shadowed his eyes, probably to try and hide tears.

"She's right," said Annabeth when Leo didn't speak. "It wasn't your fault."

"What are you trying to do?" demanded Leo, his voice cracking. "Make me break down again here? We're in the middle of a quest. We can't afford to do this now!"

"Okay. Sorry," said Annabeth quickly. "It's just . . . Sorry."

Several seconds passed in silence.

"But I appreciate what you're saying," said Leo gruffly, all of a sudden. "Thank . . . you."

"We appreciate you coming to begin with," said Percy. "We never would have made it this far without you."

"Yes, yes. It's great being part of the team. When we get out of hell, let's all go out for ice cream," said Leo, hitting the sarcasm switch back on, but Percy thought that he looked a little pleased.

"I second that," said Percy. "And the Egyptians can treat."

"Thirded, as long as we go somewhere with milkshakes too," put in Jason.

"Then it's settled," decided Annabeth.

Leo looked up and a little bit of his old humor had returned to his eyes. "Are you guys actually serious?"

"Yes," said Percy. "Annabeth's the leader and she said that it's settled. So take it as an extension of our plan. When we get out of here, we're all going out for ice cream."

More would have been said, except at that moment Hazel gasped and opened her eyes, and the eerie light glowing around her disappeared.

"Hazel!" Leo had never left her side, but now had both hands on her shoulders. "Are you alright? Did it work? You didn't hurt yourself?"

Hazel blinked then looked from Leo to Nico, who still lay in Percy's arms. "I think . . . I think . . ."

Percy felt his stomach start to sink when Nico didn't move. If this had all been for nothing, then it was going to be his turn to cry. Crushing disappointment had just started weighing down on him. Then Nico opened his eyes.

Nico groaned as he came to. He felt like that time he'd accidentally gotten drunk in China, then was hung over the entire next day. His muscles were all sore too, and his head was fuzzy. For a second he was confused. He had no idea where he was, or what had happened, but had a sneaking suspicion that he'd been injured somehow. Then everything came rushing back to him at once: his mission to infiltrate the Heart of Liberty School, meeting Jason, beating up their principal, and that power sapping machine suddenly exploding. Then . . . the abyss. The End of Days.