Daughter of Medusa

6

Avery was pacing

Alec: Calm down Ave. You're making me nervous

Avery: It's been a few days. Dryden hasn't come back yet, and that guy.. I've been watching him. He's been nothing but charming to everyone. They're lulled by him

Alec: Are you sure he's not OK?

Avery: Even you?

Alec shook her firmly: Avery, relax! I won't trust him if you don't, but as long as he doesn't give me a reason to be suspicious of him I'll treat him normally. Who knows, he might slip up if he thinks I trust him

She calmed down a bit

Alec: Besides, why are you so suspicious of him?

Avery: He still hasn't come out and declared what he is

Alec: It might make him uncomfortable, like it does you

Avery grimaced: He's hiding something

He was going to speak but she cut him off: No, I don't have proof, but something inside is warning me about him. His story isn't clicking. There's no way no one has noticed him around here before, not the way he looks, and just as he reaches here those ditzes find him and bring him here. The timing is too convenient

Alec gave her a sly look: So you've noticed huh

She deadpanned: I'm not blind, and I'll bet everyone noticed

She sighed: Those nymphs are nothing but trouble. I wish Dryden was here

Alec sobered: She's probably just taking extra care with her mission. You know how she is

She smiled, but it was brittle: Yeah..

When he was about to leave she stopped him: Hey, Alec..

Alec: Hmm?

Avery: Is everything alright between you and Natalie?

He grimaced a bit

Avery: Please don't let me get in the way of your happiness. I know you really like her

Alec smiled sadly: Anyone who can't get along with my family is not worth it, and in case you're wondering, you are my family Ave

She teared up and squeezed his hand: Just give her a chance

Alec ruffled her hair: You really are too nice, well, occasionally

Avery: If you ever told that to anyone I'd have to kill you. I have a reputation to uphold you know

He left, chuckling
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Avery entered the common hall to see everyone congregated around Archer. It was becoming the norm. He still oozed charm, the guy's charisma was unmistakable, maybe this what was making her uncomfortable, that and his unaffected attitude towards her glares and jabs. Because of what she was, her glare was extremely hard to return

He only blinked at her lazily when she glared, he even seemed to enjoy it at times, but she couldn't be sure, no half blood or hybrid would react like this unless they we're extremely powerful or had a death wish

He was the first to notice her entrance, and came out of his way to greet her

He played well..

He even bowed, if she didn't know better, she might've broke his aristocratic nose for it

At this she only tried to school her features into her most impressive poker face, unfortunately for her, it didn't seem to work on him

Everyone watched in anticipation, so she just nodded at him in recognition

She would be perceived haughty, as usual, but any friendlier come back wouldn't have been convincing

She muttered under her breath while she passed him: I still don't trust you

He replied in a calmer manner: You don't need to

She couldn't help it, she stood shell shocked till Alec touched her shoulder

They left the hall together. They didn't know it, but Archer was watching