18: A FRIEND SAYS GOOD-BYE

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Nico took the book with a pinched throat. If the pattern had continued, it would have been Rachel's turn. Some part of him still waited for Percy to turn and blame him for that, his actual friend missing while he was still hanging around in here.

He didn't though, of course, he was never on Percy's mind long enough to even get his anger. Somehow the nothing of it always bothered him more than if Percy would just flat reject his dark wish. Clearing his throat sharply to scram away such feelings, it worked rather in his favor as his voice came out appropriately uneasy to read the chapter title.

Nobody had any quips for that. There was still one line of the prophecy unanswered for.

..."Dad that was the most amazing thing I've ever seen!"

"And I didn't even get to see it!" Alex groaned, falling back into her seat as if shot herself.

"I bet if you ask nicely Artemis will beam the image into your head," Thalia grinned, though Percy winced with unease if gods could really do that.

Alex looked ready to drool at the prospects and he was very grateful when Nico kept going before Thalia could expand on the idea.

She asked where the celestial bullets came from, and he reminded she'd left a few weapons in her room when she, left. 

Magnus still squirmed uneasily in his seat, never having gotten the story for that. Uncle Fredrick had come to the rescue, but Magnus still didn't even know his own aunt's name. His cousin never talked about them, and love didn't solve every problem of choosing.

Not to mention the ominous question if the wolves would find him if he did dare to haunt any other families doorstep. Even Uncle Randolph didn't deserve that.

...very careful not to say ran away.

Percy had never considered running away, leaving his mom to deal with Gabe alone. He wished Annabeth would talk about what she'd be running from when she was at Camp. Was going into the arms of the Hunters her answer?

...melted some down to make bullet casings, just a little experiment."

"I imagine a sentence exactly like that is what made Annabeth exist," Jason said, clearly his fascination with Annabeth existing at all still a touch new if he thought about it to long.

... taken a liking to him. He was an excellent mad scientist at heart.

Percy hadn't often imagined a 'dad' replacement for Gabe when he was younger, he spent to much time wishing the waste dead to hope his mom found anyone better, or possibly worst.

This probably would have been a cool contender though. His mom was kind and patient and had the most loving heart. All he'd needed really was someone to help him with his homework.

He couldn't forget the fact Annabeth had run away from this guy, but he hoped if they managed to make peace they could at least build an exploding volcano together or something. It would go a long way towards Percy starting to forgive this guy for making Annabeth feel so unloved.

...Thalia and Artemis were binding Zoe's wounds.

Will leaned forward in his seat, his hands fidgeting in place. To assess the damage, to know what tool would be best, or to ascertain if it was beyond mortal help and get her nectar.

He already knew it was to late. The prophecy would not allow otherwise.

... the faint glow that usually hung around her was fading.

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