I wake up to screaming. Confused, I sit up, trying to shake the grogginess from my body. My eyes adjust to the darkness. I check the clock: 1:37am. Great.
Another scream. Alert, I grab my sword and dash outside. Other people are emerging from their tents, also wondering what's happening.
I see Nico among the crowd and beckon him to join me. He does and I ask, "What's going on?"
"No idea," Nico answers with a shrug.
With nothing else to do, I wait with everyone else. Finally Reyna comes along.
"Everything's okay," she says. She doesn't say anything else.
Curious, I follow Reyna to her tent. "What really happened?"
Reyna turns on me, eyes glaring. "Nothing that concerns you."
I back away from her murderous look and walk back to my tent, mind spinning. I collapse my cot and fall asleep instantly from exhaustion.
****
After eating breakfast the next morning, I pursue Reyna in hopes of finding the truth. I don't like to be kept from the truth.
It takes a lot of walking around and asking people, but I finally find her in one of the gardens.
Reyna spots me and asks, "Leanna, why are you here?"
"I want to know what really happened last night," I say, cutting right to the point.
Reyna sighs. At least she doesn't look so mad anymore.
"That is none of your business."
"I know, but I want to make sure everything's okay and that nobody was hurt."
"Nobody was hurt." Reyna walks away, leaving me standing awkwardly by myself.
As I stroll around camp, I realize Reyna is probably never going to tell me and that if I want answers, I'm going to have to find them.
I bump into Nico while formulating my plan. A light bulb flicks on in my head. Nico is exactly what I need to find answers.
"Hey," I say casually, "did you find out anything about last night?"
"No, Leanna, I did not," Nico replies in a very bored tone.
"Would you like to know?"
"I don't really care."
"Please just help me. I'm so bored, and I need something to do."
"Fine." Nico sighs. "But this is the last time."
"Thanks." I skip away, feeling very satisfied.
The rest of the day I spend practicing with my sword, attempting to learn some of the roman's different techniques. The hours blend together until finally the sun sets and I go to bed. Except, I plan to sneak into the Praetor tent with Nico at midnight. Just a few more hours until my curiosity is indulged.
