Heir of a Titan - Book 2 PJO

Chapter 16: Nico is a Bad Influence

Nico and I walked back through the cool forest. Nico whistled for Miss O'Leary, who came bounding through the shadows of the trees. She trotted beside us as we made our way back to see if Percy was done.

We were almost there when the fat old satyr came trotting from as fast as his legs would carry his large body. The look of terror on his face made me laugh. Nico also chucked. We continued into the grove of trees. Percy was still talking to Juniper, I had to really concentrate on Juniper's mouth. Most nature spirits were harder to lip read.

"I'm sorry, Percy. I didn't mean to get you involved. Leneus is still a lord of the Wild. You don't want to make an enemy of him." Juniper was say, as she wiped her eyes.

"No problem," Percy said. "I've got worse enemies than overweight satyrs."

Nico and I walked back over. "Good job, Percy. Judging from the trail of goat pellets, I'd say you shook him up pretty well."

"Doubt he'll be back. You literally scared the shit out of him!" I signed howling with silent laughter.

Percy pursed his lips, trying not to laugh at us. But I could see him eyeing Nico. He looked at me, and then back at Nico. I could tell Percy had an idea of why Nico was here, but was also trying hard not to smile.

"Welcome back." He said and signed for my benefit. "Did you come by just to see Juniper?"

Nico blushed. "Um, no. That was an accident. I kind of ...dropped into the middle of their conversation."

"He scared us to death!" Juniper said. "Right out of the shadows. But, Nico, you are the son of Hades and all. Are you sure you haven't heard anything about Grover?"

Nico shifted his weight, I could feel his unease, it radiated off of him like cartoon stink lines. "Juniper, like I tried to tell you... even if Grover died, he would reincarnate into something else in nature. I can't sense things like that, only mortal souls."

"But if you do hear anything?" she pleaded, putting her hand on his arm. "Anything at all?"

Nico's cheeks got even brighter red, he glanced at me for help. "Uh, you bet. I'll keep my ears open."

"We'll find him, Juniper," Percy was promised. "Grover's alive, I'm sure. There must be a simple reason why he hasn't contacted us."

She nodded glumly. "I hate not being able to leave the forest. He could be anywhere, and I'm stuck here waiting. Oh, if that silly goat has gotten himself hurt-"

Mrs. O'Leary bounded back over and took an interest in Juniper's dress.

Juniper yelped. "Oh, no you don't! I know about dogs and trees. I'm gone!"

She went poof into green mist. Mrs. O'Leary looked disappointed, but she lumbered off to find another target, leaving Nico, me and Percy alone.

Nico tapped his sword on the ground. A tiny mound of animal bones erupted from the dirt. They knit themselves together into a skeletal field mouse and scampered off. "I was sorry to hear about Beckendorf."

A lump formed in my throat. "How did you-"

"I talked to his ghost. Also, Nora told me what happened."

"What?" I sighed, my jaw dropped, "you didn't tell me about his ghost!"

"Sorry...you needed to uhh...take care of that problem first."

I narrowed my eyes, but wasn't too mad. The fact Nico talked to Beckendorf's ghost made me feel a bit better. Percy looked slightly uncomfortable. I was used to Nico spending more time with the dead then with the living. I guess I just spent more time with him, I understood him more then most.