WHEN AVES COME KNOCKING

7

7

"Alright Amara! You ready to figure out what is going on with that curse of yours?" Will asked, a bright smile laying across his face.

Amara leaned away from him, a frown tugging at her lips as her eyebrows scrunched at his happy energy that slapped her in the face. Glancing behind the blonde son of Apollo, she met the eye of Nico. Who stood right behind the blond with his arms crossed over his chest as he silently watched. Leaning back against the wall with a frown pulling at his lips. The quiet man shot her a look that didnt require a verbal translation.

Be nice or pay the price.

Forcing a small smile, Amara nodded to Will and sat down in the chair across from his set up tray. Nervousness littering her chest as the older man moved closer to examine the mark of her curse. His fingers cold against her skin, she shivered as pain raced down her spine. The dark coloration of the handprints on her upper chest rippling with deep purple where Will touched.

"Let try making a paste with ambrosia and get the Hecate kids will you Nico? They may be able to cast a spell that will help." Will smiled to the man behind them as he stepped away from Amara and washed his hands. Watching Nico leave before sighing and leaning on the sink. His head hanging from his shoulders, blond strands of hair reached for the faucet.

Amara stood and stepped away from him. Biting the inside of her lip hard as her eyes filled with tears, "You can't fix it can you," She asked quietly, forcing her voice to stay strong. Pulling her shirt further up her shoulders, she covered the curse and rubbed her arms.

"No," Will breathed, "Nyx's magic is strong, no demigod would be able to break it. I can't think of anything that would be able to mend it without you going back to her. Or into the Underworld to speak with the Furies. I thought that maybe if I looked at it, I could find a loophole and it would be somewhat of a easier fix but." His voice drifted off

Amara shuddered and looked away, "I can't go back."

"I know. Maybe another god will be willing to help."

Sinking back into her chair, Amara ran a hand through her thick hair and bit her lip. Thoughts raced through her mind as she looked out the window. Watching people enjoying the sun and talking with friends.

"I don't really care if I get my powers back." She breathed, "If it is the price I had to pay to escape and be here it was worth it." Amara looked over at Will and smiled slightly.

Will watched her for a moment before standing and giving her a hug before leaving. Closing the door gently behind him, he left her to her thoughts. A small smile pulling at his lips.

Leaving the infirmary, I lean on the wooden railing that lined the porch and watched campers hurry to their daily duties and activities. My mind racing with thought as I lean away from the wood and start towards the stairs. The wooden planks squeeking under me, I stop when my eyes land on a dark bird that stood on the railing just next to me.

In silence, the bird stood on the wood. Ruffling it's feathers, the raven tilted its narrow head and looked up at me. Spreading its wings, it shook a foot and cawed at me before hopping closer to where I stood. It's mouth open and eyes fixed on me. Still shaking it's foot, I notice a piece of paper rolled up and tied around the birds leg.

"Okay okay I get it," I hold out my hands and smile slightly as I watch the messenger. Reaching forwards, I slowly untie the paper and let it fall from the birds leg. Receiving another caw and more flapping of its dark wings. Rolling my eyes at the feathered rat, I unroll the paper to see the message.

A gift.
Use him to see and hear things out of your reach.
Enjoy the mortal world, little one, you will never be alone again.

Epiales