Changing the Future

Chapter 89

We had lunch on that same hill, the Athena Parthenos keeping watch in the meantime. I welcomed the warmth of the sun with open arms and drank in the sight of the azure sky. The breeze lightly rustled my hair. The grass was soft and supple under my touch.

Reyna warily eyed Damasen upon seeing him for the first time. However, she dropped her guarded expression when the big guy stooped to look at a patch of wildflowers. He'd been so enamored with their scents and colorations that he'd taken a seat a little ways away, plucking flowers to braid into his fiery locks.

As for me, I didn't contribute to the conversation. My friends' words fell on deaf ears. It was like my head was stuck in a bubble of static, unable to make sense of anything else.

My instincts, however, were as sharp as ever.

Someone's fingertips had barely grazed my arm when I grabbed the offending limb and twisted, drawing one of my hunting knives with my free hand. The blade rested flush against Nico's throat. His eyes went wide as he fully registered what happened.

I withdrew my knife and released a shaky breath.

"Sorry," I said, fiddling with my bracelet.

"Don't apologize," Nico said, rubbing his throat. "Sometimes, my brain thinks I'm still there."

"Did you...did you need something?"

"You know, we don't always need something from you. If you keep giving away pieces of yourself, there will come a time when there's nothing left for you."

"When did you get so wise?"

"I'm told it has something to do with age."

I managed a dry laugh at that.

"So," Nico continued, "your band of misfits continues to grow."

"Yeah. I guess it does." Small Bob had taken to hiding in my lap after the Seven took turns petting him. Poor thing's social battery had been drained.

Damasen, Leo, and Piper were wrapped up in what must've been a thrilling conversation. Leo's arms flailed about as he spoke, nearly catching Piper across the face. A few moments later, Damasen threw his head back and properly laughed.

Music to my ears.

"Do you think your father would kill me if I asked him to house Damasen until this war is over? I don't want to give the Earth Mother the chance to send him back to his father."

Nico shrugged. "You know Dad better than I do. What do you think?"

"That it's better to ask for forgiveness than for permission."

"Glad to see he taught that lesson to someone other than his children."

I inhaled sharply. "Nico, Bianca knows you're alive, right? I didn't have a chance to tell her because of what happened in Rome, and I told her that I would update her, but then...well, you know. Oh gods of Olympus, she's going to-"

"Andy, breathe," Nico said. This time when he took my hands, I didn't threaten to decapitate him. "Deep breath in, then deep breath out. Good. Just like that."

After a few more moments of intentional breathing, I felt better. Okay, so maybe I'd be moving up that visit to Psyche sooner rather than later. I needed her help to fulfill my plan, yes, but there was a reason she was known as the goddess of the mind and soul. Those diplomas she had hidden away in her study weren't just for decoration.

"Bianca knows I'm alright. I try to call her at least once a week." Nico's expression softened a fraction. "The Hunters are doing well, too."

"And Thalia?"