The Sun and Sky (Volume 2)

Charlotte | Songbirds

"There it is!" Charlotte yelled, pointing to the Caladrius, which took a while to catch up with. The daughter and Jupiter and son of Hades maneuvered through the traffic.

Charlotte spotted Liam up ahead, still holding the birdcage. "Where have you been?" he shouted over the car horns. "And who is that?"

"Nico! You're up!" she called, unable to answer Liam. She flew into the air to get a better view.

The son of Hades raised his hand and a fleet of undead soldiers rose from the earth. They charged the Caladrius, herding it towards Liam, who's eyes widened at the zombies.

The bird shrieked and barreled towards Charlotte.

She raised her hands and a bolt of lightning shot in front of it, turning it around. Charlotte then summoned a gust of wind, pushing the creature to Liam.

The son of Mercury opened the cage and quickly enclosed it around the bird.

Charlotte landed and doubled over next to Nico, who was breathing heavily himself from the sprint.

"We...got it," he managed.

Liam looked at Nico. "Who are you again?"

"Nico di Angelo, son of Hades."

Charlotte noticed Liam slowly inch away from him. She smirked. "Come on. We need to get it to Char and Mason."

* * *

"Ah, wonderful!" Telesphorus exclaimed. "They were just about to die!"
"Yeah. This better work," Charlotte grumbled, still nervous around the 'doctor'. She did not like being a pine tree.

Liam took a deep breath and opened the cage containing the Caladrius.

The bird shrieked and propelled out of it, flying around the room.

The son of Mercury frowned and looked at Tels. "Are you sure that we did not just catch a dove or something?"

Nico, who tagged along with them, eyed the bird. "No. That's the Caladrius alright. I remember reading about it years ago." He looked around the room. "We need a window."

"What?" Charlotte asked.

"A window," he repeated. "It needs to be able to take the sickness out of the house."

"Dude, that's how it escapes," Liam told him.

Nico glared at him. "No, it's how it works."

"How do you know?" he challenged.

The son of Hades paused. "I, uh, used to play some stupid game when I was younger."

Liam shook his head. "This isn't a game."

Charlotte quickly walked over to one and pushed it wide open.

"Charlotte!" Liam protested, but before he could say anything else, the Caladrius shrieked once again and landed next to Char and Mason.

It spread its wings, leaned into each of their faces, and breathed on them.

Char and Mason shifted, still unconscious, and their faces instantly started regaining their color.

The silver bird sang and shot out of the window.

"Dude," Liam stared at Nico in awe. "Sorry about that. I should have listened to you."

He shrugged.

Charlotte's unconscious friends breathed heavily, their eyes fluttering open.

They sat up slowly.

"What...happened?" Char asked, stretching as if she just woke up from a nap.

Charlotte, Nico, and Liam exchanged looks.

"It's a long story," Charlotte said. "We're just glad you two are alright."

Char looked from Nico, to Tels, to Charlotte. "And you have a lot of explaining to do."

Tels sighed, wistfully. "I just love illness recovery."

"Yeah, you did a great job," Liam muttered sarcastically.

"Well," the dwarf said, helping Char and Mason stand. "It was nice having patients again, but you are past your stay time."

"Huh?" Liam tilted his head.

Tels herded the five of them out of his house. "Thank you for the action, good-bye!" He slammed the door behind them.

Nico scoffed. "Right then."

Charlotte turned and met the son of Hades' cold eyes. "Thank you, Nico di Angelo."

He nodded.

"If you would like, you can come with us?" Char suggested.

Nico sighed. "As much as it pains me to say it, I may need some rest before I shadow travel again."

Mason grinned and tried to clap Nico on the back, but he managed to dodge it. "Well, Welcome aboard the Navis Vulcani!"