Jewel of Death

Exploring the Night

Chapter 15

Nightfall could not arrive fast enough. While Nico worked on documents from his father, I played with Spot.

In this form, he was able to run around easily inside the cabin.

When the sun went down, the atmosphere completely changed. So did my mood.

"I don't mean to rush you, but hurry up; I want to see the camp!" I pestered.

He sighed and pushed himself off his bed. "Alright." He said, grabbing his jacket. "But the hound stays here."

I pouted, and reluctantly told Spot to stay put. He whined, but hopped onto the bed and laid his head down.

"Good boy." I pulled my hood up. "We'll be back soon." I nodded to Nico and we slipped out of the door into the night,

It was chilly, and the night air nipped at my nose. I had to stop and enjoy it.

"What's wrong?" Nico asked.

"Nothing." I smiled. "I haven't felt the wind, the cold, the peace, in eleven years."

He held out his arm. "You think this is nice; come back in the fall." I hooked my arm through his and allowed him to lead me to a large building. We slowed as we approached two doors with a lock hanging between the handles.

"What is this place?" I asked while Nico revealed a key and began unlocking the doors.

He grinned in the moonlight. "Just wait."

He pushed the doors open and we stepped into a large, spacious area. Nico flopped a switch on the wall, lighting up the room. When my eyes adjusted, I could see practice dummies lining the wall, weapons hanging from racks and on tables, and a set of doors on the other side.

I slid my hood off. "What is this place?" I repeated.

Nico kept waking as he spoke. "This is the Arena; It's where we teach self defense. The weapons that are already out are used for classes. But these," he stopped at the set of doors, "are for keeping."

We stepped through the doorway and entered a new room, where everything but the floor and ceiling was lined with weapons.

"Why are we here?" I whispered, planting myself in the doorway.

"I think it would be best if you had a weapon to defend yourself. If the people that attacked the Underworld come back, and I, nor Cerberus, am not with you, I need to know that you protect yourself." He explained softly.

"Nico... I don't know about this." I shook my head. "You know my father strongly dislikes the use of weapons with the intent to kill. And frankly, I agree with him." I wrapped my arms protectively around myself.

Nico gently placed a hand on my bicep. "Look, I know that you have had some awful experiences with them in the past, but you have no powers, no special abilities. You must have something to protect yourself with."

I looked into his eyes. "But... Does it have to be a weapon?" I pleaded.

He sighed. "Will you at least take a look at the stock? Just to appease me?"

I scanned the room. "Alright. But I'm only looking."

He nodded, so I broke from his gaze and began grazing the weapons. I passed the swords and daggers, barely giving them a glance. Spears, staffs, bows and arrows; I ignored them all. Nothing looked right. The pit in my stomach was too great to ignore.

After ten minutes, I turned back to Nico and shook my head.

"Nothing?" He asked.

"I'm sorry." I gripped my arm, ashamed. It had been years since the incident, but I'm still not over it.

"It's okay. We can talk to Leo; He may be able to customize something for you." Nico motioned for me to follow him.

"Won't that be rude? He's already done so much for me." I said, pulling my hood back up as Nico turned off the lights.

"Nah, Leo likes having projects to get out of doing his counselor duties."

I didn't respond to that.

Nico locked up the Arena behind him and turned to see my grim expression. "Hey," he cooed, "what's wrong?"

I blinked and put on a smile. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

He held his stare.

"Really. I'm just a bit tired, is all. Let's head back to the cabin." I pleaded.

He studied my expression, my body language, but decided against pressuring me. "Okay."

Thankfully, I fell in step behind Nico. We walked in silence through the cabins. As we passed the Demeter cabin, though, I saw a curtain move. I took a second look, but saw nothing more, so I assumed I was imagining things.

I returned my eyes to the front and stepped through the door of the Hades cabin. Without another word being spoken, I changed into a pair of Nico's sweat pants and t-shirts and climbed into my bed. Sensing my uneasy heart, Spot wiggled up next to me, snuggling up underneath my arm.

I heard Nico's voice wish me a good night, but I did not respond. I stroked Spot's back until I fell asleep. But even he could not save me from my nightmares.