What I've Become (a Nico Di AngeloxReader love story)

Chapter 4 - KJ

Waking up in the infirmity was the last thing I wanted. People surrounded my bed, probably wondering who I was. I didn't blame them. I doubt they'd ever seen me before, thought I'd been here for three years so far: just long enough to battle against the Romans while Octavian (ugh, glad he's gone) was in power.

I felt claustrophobic. Hovering faces made me feel like an ant under a microscope. When I opened my eyes, somebody, a voice that was vaguely male, said something like, "She's awake, Chiron."

Horses hooves clipped against the floor until a middle aged man with a neatly trimmed brown bead in a tweed jacket was standing right next to me, shooing the other kids away. "Give her some room, students. Go on. Head to your next activities." Glowering at the floor in shame, the 'students' exited the room. All but one.

A boy about a year older than me still stuck next to my bedside. It was Seth, a boy with brilliant green eyes and black hair, who happened to be one of the more friendly sons of Hecate. He just happened to be my only friend here.

"What am I doing here...?" I muttered, trying to rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, while fixing my bangs back over my right eye.

"You used too much magic during capture the flag, I would say," Chiron the centaur said. "An interesting gift. A young man by the name of Nico di Angelo found you while he was evading Clarrise la Rue."

"That's right. I was in a tree, and he came very close to letting those Ares kids know where I was." My voice was chipped with annoyance. "But I, being the nice person I am, knocked them out so this 'Nico' kid could escape."

Seth smiled. "Well, a least you're back to your usual sarcastic self."

I glared, dangerously shifting my bangs. "Watch it, Seth."

He paled, but he was still smiling. "Whatever."

"Anyway," Chiron cut in. "The point is, this young lady--KJ, was it? KJ has not yet been claimed by her godly parent."

I fiddled with my necklace; a pure black sword charm etched with silver hung from a thin silver charm. "My father always said my mother left this necklace for me. Think it means anything?"

He didn't answer right away. "I do not know, child. Maybe your mother will claim you, perhaps at tonight's campfire."

Doubtful, I thought. I never go to the campfire.

"Ah, you'll be ok," Seth said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I didn't push him away. Right now, in was far too worried for what would happen at the campfire.