Something Forbidden

Chapter 27: Tia

TIA

I made my way through the thick crowd of fangirls. Unfortunately, a new team or ship --as they called it in movies and such-- has been made.

As i got through, i gagged. Nico wrapped his arms around Lourdes while she acted like she didnt like it. As of the obvious, there was something wrong with Nico. I needed to know who caused this, how he or she did this and how to fix it.

Of course, it was obvious Lourdes, herself, did it. But what she used, i had to find out. It could be anything. From charmspeak to some godly power or some potion.

I observed Nico carefully, checking to see if anything was out of the ordinary. Hair was the same, so were his features, clothes... eyes. The eyes. I saw something sparkle in them, a purplish color to his eyes. I put my hand on my forehead, trying to remember what i read in one of Dianne's books.

A potion, a rare potion used by desperate lovers. And now Lourdes used the same exact potion, in a form of a shake, as how it always looked.

"Callison!" someone shouted.

I turned around and saw Raili, Danika and some guy i could tell was a Hermes kid at the very back of the screaming crowd. Nico had given Lourdes a quick peck on the cheek. Why was he holding back?

I would have to think of it later, for i needed to get to them, help them. I bent down and pushed the crowd out of the way.

"Tia," Danika greeted,

"Whats happened?" Raili asked, urgently.

"Not much, not yet though. You guys need to hurry, Raili, do you have any  idea how to cure this guy?"

She nodded, but she looked quite nervous. She looked at the growing crowd of atleast 50, which was enough for Raili to send her running home.

"What do you do?" i ask,

"Memory. Convince. Cure." she said.

"Hey, are you okay?" the guy asked.

Raili nodded, clearly lying.

"Who are you?" i asked harshly.

"Im Justin," he said, "Im from the Hermes cabin. I helped Raili find Nico,"

I stared at him, then looked back at Raili. She was sweating. Shifting her feet, starting to pace around us.

"Gods, Raili, you'll be fine!" i said, encouragingly.

"Yeah, now, come on. I dont want to stay long enough to see the big blast in this horror film." Danika said, grabbing Raili by the arm and dragging her back into the crowd.

Justin and I followed, making sure not to loose them. The crowd grew to atleast 60 demigods by now. When we got to the middle, Raili and Danika were already there, with Marielle and Margaret behind them.

I mouthed for Raili to go now, before Nico looses full control over his heart. She turned around but Margaret stopped her and pushed her into view. Everyone gasped, and even Nico and Lourdes stopped there little concert.

Lourdes growled, and whispered something in Nico's ear. Maybe trying to charmspeak him into not falling for Raili. Sedurinna was smart, she knew how the potion worked, one wrong move and Nico would be Raili's. Thats why Nico was holding back, he still had control of his feelings, atleast enough to remember he shouldnt be seen with Lourdes.

"Nico," Raili started, "Its- its me Raili."

Nico was tempted, i see it in his eyes, he was tempted to walk over to Raili and hug her. Lourdes, though, was quick, and grabbed his wrist softly. Nico shook his head, and smiled when seeing the barbie doll.

"What do you want?" Nico said, his voice cold.

Raili eyes were glassy, a bit shiny, like she was about to cry.

"Hold it in," i said, as if she could hear me.

"You remember me, i know you do." Raili continued, "You know in your heart that you know me, or well, atleast... used to. You are under a spell  Nico, dont you realize that? You dont love her! Think about it. You dont even know  her. I bet you just had a dream and decided to look for this so called true love."

Nico's purplish glow faded in his eyes, Lourdes was loosing power. I nodded Raili to go on, the crowd watching her every move and holding on to every word as if it were a prophecy.

"You dont know anything about true love, Raili!" Lourdes shouted.

Nico's hope in his eyes vanished, replaced with a frown.

"Youre- youre lying," said Nico.

"Im not! Lourde- i mean, Sedurinna is! Thats all she's ever done, lie to you. Lie about your love for her. I know this because... because..." she started to freeze.

Gods, finish it!

"Because youre my true love! And im yours! Dont you remember, Nico? Dont you remember anything? Not even Capture the Flag? You saved my life Nico. You helped me escape. But no, we both escaped, we escaped together. We crossed the boundary line together!  "