𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗, 𝚔𝚒𝚍 - percy jackson x oc

026

XXVI - INTO THE LABYRINTH

VALERIA STARED AT herself in the reflection of the lake.

She tilted her head to the side and assessed the scar from the drakon. It ran from just above her temple to the bottom of her jaw. It looked like it had been there forever due to the ambrosia, but that was not the case.

Valeria felt hideous.

She knew that was completely irrational thinking — the scar did save the camp after all — but it made her feel like...Luke. Luke received a scar on his face from a dragon on his quest.

Valeria's breath began to quicken at the comparison. She scooped her hand in the water and hastily began to splash it against her scar, stupidly thinking she could wash it off.

"Hey, hey!" She felt a pair of hands grab her wrists and lower them. Through blurry vision, she saw blonde hair.

"Annabeth?" Valeria mumbled, rubbing at her eyes.

"You're fine," Annabeth whispered, pulling her in for a hug. "Breathe."

Valeria matched her breathing with Annabeth's and slowly felt her mind clear. The two sat in silence for a moment before Annabeth said, "Are you okay?"

Valeria pulled back and quickly said, "Sorry, I did not mean—"

"Don't play that game, Valeria," Annabeth said, giving her a pointed look. "I asked if you're okay."

"I..." Valeria looked back at the water and frowned. I am just thinking about..." She pointed at her face.

"You saved the camp," Annabeth said confidently. "No one else would have faced the Aethiopian drakon that boldly."

"You mean stupidly," Valeria said with a chuckle.

"Maybe," Annabeth said, nudging her shoulder. "Whatever the case may be, it makes you look pretty badass."

"Really?" Valeria asked in shock. "It does not make me look...you know, too I-am-Kronos'-right-hand-man?"

Annabeth gave her a flat look and Valeria raised her hands in surrender. "Just saying."

Annabeth rolled her eyes with a small smile and said, "Come on, let's go to bed before we're eaten by a harpy. And we have a quest tomorrow."

Valeria nodded. She heard the blonde whisper, "My first quest..." as they walked to their separate cabins.

【☆】★【☆】

Valeria dreamed about Nico again that night.

He was standing in a graveyard under a starry sky. Giant willow trees loomed all around him. He was watching some gravediggers at work.

Valeria could see dozens of ghosts shoveling dirt from a hole. Nico was dressed in a black cloak. The night was foggy. It was warm and humid, and frogs were croaking. A large Wal-Mart bag sat next to Nico's feet.

"Is it deep enough yet?" Nico asked. He sounded irritated.

"Nearly, my lord," the ghost from before said. "But, my lord, I tell you, this is unnecessary. You already have me for advice."