²𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐃𝐘✸ percy jackson

VI.

MΛЯK ӨF ΛƬΉΣПΛ

"WHO IS ETHAN?" Hazel asked

Lucia avoided eye contact. Nemesis's words were still buzzing in her ears.

"Long story," She said. "We dated, but I wasn't exactly fit to be in a relationship at the time... He passed away last August..."

"And now you're with Percy?" Leo blurted out. The tone in his voice held a hint of what she thought was judgment.

Her face fell,  "It wasn't that simple. But I don't have to explain myself to you."

The subject was dropped then and there.

Lucia cleared her throat and tried to regulate her anxious heartbeat, she didn't want to focus on her memories. "Hazel, how'd you find out Nico was your brother?."

She blinked like she'd gotten salt in her eyes. "Nico...he found me in the Underworld. He brought me back to the mortal world and convinced the Romans at Camp Jupiter to accept me. I owe him for my second chance at life. If Nemesis is right, and Nico's in danger...I need to help him."

"Nico is important to me." Lucia's voice drooped, "He's like family. Don't worry, We will help him."

Lucia doubted the revenge goddess ever advised out of the goodness of her heart. But there was no way in hell that she was going to let those six days pass without any attempt. She promised Bianca Di Angelo once that she would take care of Nico. And to this day, Lucia swears to.

"Sure," Leo said, though he sounded uneasy."And what Nemesis said about your brother having six days to live, and Rome getting destroyed...any idea what she meant?"

"None," Hazel admitted. "But I'm afraid..."

Whatever she was thinking, she decided not to share it. She climbed one of the largest boulders to get a better view. Leo tried to follow and lost his balance. Hazel caught his hand. She pulled him up and they found themselves atop the rock, holding hands, face-to-face.

Lucia watched awkwardly. seriously? should I leave?

"Um, thanks." He let go of her hand, but they were still standing so close.

"When we were talking to Nemesis," Hazel said uneasily, "your hands...I saw flames."

"Yeah," he said. "It's a Hephaestus power. Usually, I can keep it under control."

"Oh." She put one hand protectively on her denim shirt like she was about to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Lucia got the feeling she wanted to back away from him.

Hazel then realized she was still waiting, apologized, and made space for Lucia to stand next to them.

She disregarded it and helped herself on, gazing across the island. The opposite shore was only a few hundred yards away. Between here and there were dunes and clumps of boulders, but nothing that looked like a reflecting pool.

She then looked beside her and got a glimpse of the usual upbeat fire boy looking down in the dumps.

"Leo?" Hazel asked gently. "You can't take what Nemesis said to heart."

He frowned. "What if it's true?"

"She's the goddess of revenge," Lucia reminded them all. "Maybe she's on our side, maybe not; but she exists to stir up resentment."

"We should keep going," He nodded, though he didn't seem completely convinced. "I wonder what Nemesis meant about finishing before dark."

Lucia gazed at the sun, which was just touching the horizon. She wondered if her dad was driving the chariot. If he wasn't, where was he? Was he struggling with his own identity as well? Did he know anything about these new prophecies? could he help her in any way?