Devour

Chapter 9

“I know. It's gone. Stolen.” Nico spoke with a mouthful of meat, the awkward sounds of the two of them eating filling the air as they sat side by side.

“So you do know, don't you?” Luke hesitated, taking a bite of the meat in his hand. His fingers twitched, his body tense, and his mind desperately hoped they wouldn’t have to fight.

“I do, Luke.” Nico hummed as he shifted to face him, patting his shoulder with a bloody hand. Luke cringed but remained silent.

“I guess that means you'll have to die,” Luke murmured half-heartedly, clearly not looking forward to the prospect of having to kill the younger demigod. Beside him, Nico stared at him incredulously, displaying signs of annoyance and clearly not interested in fighting Luke.

“We're sitting here eating, in a truce, and we're both covered in blood. Do you really think I care about what you're planning to do?”

Luke was quiet, staring at Nico. Nico stared back, and after a few minutes, he laughed, finding Luke's lack of proper words amusing.

“So you're not planning to take it back? Not going to fix everything while on the little golden boy's quest?” Luke's question was biting and sarcastic. Nico could hear the anger in his voice and rolled his eyes.

Everyone at this camp is such a drama queen.

“Luke, I understand why you did it. Besides, it's not my job to stop you. But do you really think your master would let us live? You remember what he did last time when he thought he would be dethroned.” Nico was doing his best to avoid invoking names, given that he knew when a name was spoken, you often brought their attention to you. 

Luke was still silent, picking at his skin as he finished the organ in his hand, blood soaked through his clothes, and he licked it from his fingers, using it as a distraction to avoid Nico's eyes. 

“I understand that you want things to change, that you're hurt. But he's using you, and you have to realize that he plans to dispose of you when he doesn't need you anymore. Don't you?” 

“Of course, I know that.” Luke grits his teeth, glaring half-heartedly at Nico.

“I just thought he was my only option, the only way I'd be free. He helps, he makes me feel normal. Like I'm not boiling alive in my own skin. Like I'm not pretending all the time. I know what he'll do with me, what his plans are. But our parents won't ever give any of us the recognition we deserve, no matter how hard we try. No more sacrifices. No more for an empty cause. ” Luke hummed, looking at Nico. The younger kid was leaning slightly against him, looking down at Luke's hands, which picked at his fingernails, 

“Agreed, but this isn't the way to do what you want. If anything, I know a better way.” Nico smiled at Luke, doing his best to reassure the older demi-god. 

“If you want to, come home with me after the summer. Meet my family, my patron. Devote yourself to something other than revenge Luke.” 

“And your Patron, who is it?” Luke asked, raising an eyebrow. 

Nico hummed, considering what to say. 

“It's someone outside of our pantheon, someone that keeps the balance of the mortal and supernatural worlds. I help with that, like the rest of my family does.” 

“If you don't give me a straight answer, I'm pushing you off.” Luke frowned, annoyed. Beside him, Nico snickered and grinned at him. 

“They call him the Operator, and he's a much better alternative than your plan," Nico answered, gently pushing Luke's side. Beside him, the older boy laughed quietly and playfully shoved him back. 

“And what would be done if I do go with you?”

“We keep you safe."

“And before that?” Luke asked in return, finding Nico's answer to be lacking tact.

“Well, of course, if you want to meet my patron now. We could leave camp, just for a while. Maybe an hour at the most.” 

“Like, right now?” Luke looked hesitant, not fully believing Nico. 

“Yes, right now! Or are you scared?” Nico teased, only to be pushed from the boulder's top by Luke. 

“Oh fuck, hey!” Nico tried to grab onto the rocks but he was falling face first off of the boulders and into the dirt below. Luke snickered and grabbed the cooler, hopping off of the boulders and landing beside Nico in a crouch. He grinned at the smaller boy, amused by his complaints. 

“Okay, lead the way, Runt.” 

“Dick.” Nico groaned as he staggered up, Luke winced slightly, watching Nico start moving into the forest. The older demi-god grabbed his weapon and followed, confused by what he was doing. 

“Are you hurt?” Luke asked after a moment, walking beside Nico and noticing his bloody nose. The blood was mostly red, but there was something black in it, which seemed to contrast with the blood; it was something viscous and almost oil-like, flowing from Nico's broken nose like a river. 

“I'll be fine,” Nico grunted, wiping his hand across his face in an attempt to gather the blood, he stopped, kneeling down to the leaves and dirt before he let the blood drip freely, using his index finger to draw some weird rune Luke wasn't familiar with. He knew the shapes: an intersecting circle and an X crossing through it. He sat down beside Nico, his head feeling heavy and uncomfortable like he had a headache. 

“Now what?” Luke asked; his head felt like it was stuffed with cotton like his tongue was too large for his mouth. 

“Close your eyes, it'll make this easier.” Nico smiled an almost imp-like and genuinely amused grin. 

Luke frowned, dropping the cooler and setting his weapon on the ground. But he did close his eyes, hands gripping onto Nico's coat. 

Then, it felt like everything was moving, twisting, and popping into another part of the woods, where the dryads couldn't see them and the satyrs couldn't track them. His ears rang, a heavy uncomfortable static crashing into his ears. Luke tightened his hold on Nico's coat, clenching his teeth in a desperate attempt to avoid puking back up what he'd just recently eaten. 

He felt Nico's hand on his back, and he risked a chance of opening his eyes.

They were somewhere else. 

The sun burned his eyes, making his head pound even more. He felt dizzy, feeling the urge to heave the contents of his stomach, he took a slow breath in and looked at Nico, then back at the surrounding trees. They were in a grove, surrounded by trees and sitting by a trail of stepping stones, which led further away to a large building, a giant mansion of dark oak and mahogany, beautiful and imposing. 

“Where are we?” he gasped, shooting up to stand on uncoordinated feet. Nico was beside him immediately, holding his arms to keep him steady. 

The younger boy looked so much happier, Luke could see how he relaxed, clearly familiar with this place. He seemed almost peaceful here, smiling and in a state of calm the counselor hadn't seen before.

“Welcome to The Ark, Luke. Home for wayward murderers and misfits.” 

Oh gods, what did Luke get himself into?