The Sun in the Shadow

Chapter 22

Even after what happened at the wedding, Will and Nico didn't come together at camp. Nico went back early from the wedding and Will came back much later. They didn't cross paths that night or that morning. But Will wasn't giving up.

Clangs filled the arena as Nico fended off the multiple attackers. He slashed and parried and thruster with so much force that the other campers were too scared of benign skewered to do more than feebly attack. Finally, when they all dropped from exhaustion, he moved on to attacking the dummies.

His black shirt was coated with sweat and his feet blistered from all the quick turns in the high tops. Nico didn't stop, though. He hacked and chopped and gutted every dummy he laid his tired eyes on.

Will Solace saying his name in the moonlight.

Another dummy lost its head.

Being told that he was wanted. He was loved.

Straw flew into the air as the second dummy was given a new belly chasm.

Being kissed for the first time by someone claiming they had feelings for him. Claiming they only needed him.

The last dummy was slashed and hacked so much it looked more like metal scares and an exploded hay pile than anything more.

"Nico."

The blade flipped up and stopped at the edge of the newly approached throat. Nico watched him with eyes dark and haunting, but the boy didn't even flinch.

"I love you, Nico di Angelo."

Nico pressed the blade harder against his throat, but didn't draw blood.

"Why are you here, Will?" Nico asked demandingly, his tone icy. Will watched him, no smile, no frown, no scowl or hint of fear in his eyes.

"I thought maybe you needed a reminder. I think you need to be told everyday that you are loved, by me, and many more."

Nico adjusted his blade against Will's throat again and replied, "I could kill you right now and you wouldn't be able to stop me."

Will watched Nico as if inspecting him and then turned up his palms. A warm ray of light twisted around Nico's blade, yanked it out of his grip, and proceeded to tie Nico's wrists until he couldn't even move a finger.

Will stepped forward, lifted Nico's chin with one finger and whispered, "I could kiss you right now and you wouldn't be able to stop me." But he didn't. He let his magic drop and Nico rubbed his arms. He didn't drop Will's gaze though, he stared with the same calculating glare until finally Will broke and said, "I love you, and I'm going to say that for the rest of time until you believe me."

Then he left and Nico picked up his sword and hacked down every dummy until they were all as destroyed as the last was.  He sheathed his sword, calmly walked outside, and whistled for Mrs. O' Leary. The huge hell hound bounded forward, stretched forward as if asking to play, and barked so loud it echoed for a second or so.

"Hey girl, how are you?" Nico spoke quietly and climbed onto her back, whispering into her ear. "Take me away from here."

And that's exactly what she did. The huge dog bounded into the forest and then kept going. She didn't stop at streets, she went over most obstacles, and she ran all the way to a huge forest far from any people.

Nico clung to her back the whole way, getting use to the ripple of movement and the pattern of thuds her huge paws made. The wind was brilliant after all the heat, and he couldn't help but smile at the thought of going away, like he always wanted to.