Darkness and Duty

Tandem

Reyna went to find Nico.

Her boots dug unto the grass as she went her way up to the Little Tiber river. That's where the two of them usually spent their time together, whenever Nico decided to visit.

Sure enough, Reyna found Nico sitting and leaning against their tree. It was dark under the leafy shade, but there seemed to be a thin aura of even darker shadow around Nico. Reyna kept noticing that. It kept bothering her.

He didn't look up as she approached him, but he did mutter an apology under his breath.

She slid down next to him, just letting both of them breathe in tandem for a few minutes. The river flowed smoothly, with a happy little gurgling sound. Reyna almost wished it was rushing, in a torrent, because that would mirror her emotions better.

"Nico," she said, forcefully reminding herself that he wouldn't hurt her, "Don't lie to me. What happened?"

"Father offered me something." His voice was bitter.

"What? What did he offer you?"

"A place to belong," he said. He glanced at her sideways, and when she didn't respond he continued, "I mean, he offered me to do a job for him." His lip curled. "There are monsters--greater monsters--that are still resisting being thrown into Tartarus. I'm supposed to... How did he put it? Reap their souls."

Gods, that's morbid, Reyna thought. He isn't kidding.

Nico looked at her, still angry. "I'm not a demigod anymore."

Reyna swore her heart stopped beating. At least for a couple seconds.

"I don't know what I am," Nico continued, oblivious to the tidal wave  of emotions cresting through her. "I guess I'm nothing. Absolutely nothing."

"Nico..." It was a wonder she could still speak. "It's okay. We'll help you. We're here for you." Gods, no wonder he was so dark and different. No freaking wonder.

"Why?" he burst out. "Why would you care?" Now he was sullen.

And suddenly Reyna was irrationally angry, at herself, at Aphrodite, at Nico. "Because believe it or not Nico, some of us--your friends--actually care about you and want you to be happy!"

Nico stood, his ring flashing as he pointed at her. "That's what Will said."

And then he was gone.

[A/N: Sorry this was a bit short. There are longer chapters ahead!]