Death's Reason

Chapter 11

Nico couldn't look anyone in the eyes on the trip back to New York. Pan had managed to make him cry, he still couldn't believe it. But he gave him hope that even the Fates hadn't.

He would die and rest where Gaea would never reach him. He could only hope Pan knew what he was talking about.

Are you guys alright? he finally asked. What did that blessing do to you?

Made me think I was alive, Cecilia admitted. It was that feeling of life.

But of the good life, not what we had in Tartarus, Lance continued. It was warm.

So warm! Poppy agreed. And I can move things easier!

Made me want to pick up my gun and hunt again, like the good old days, Clayton inputted. I could almost feel grass beneath my feet. Allen hummed in agreement.

And you heard him, Nico comforted. We'll all be able to rest one day where Gaea can never touch us.

Rest. He longed for it just as Pan did. But he'd never be able to truly rest until he was what Pan described, dead and out of Gaea's reach.

Their group finally exited the Labyrinth somewhere in New York City. Percy whistled five times, and in a few minutes, a group of pegasi landed in front of them.

Nico hopped on one of them without a complaint. Poppy was jabbering about being able to fly again, Clayton was mumbling a prayer.

Who the fuck are you praying to? Nico asked. I'm like the only thing you have reason to pray to.

If you want prayers, you won't be making me fly.

But flying is so fun! Poppy cheered.

Nico sighed and looked over to where Percy was talking to Rachel. Nico had forgotten she wasn't the oracle yet. She couldn't come to camp with them.

"Thanks, Rachel," Percy was saying. "We couldn't have done it without you."

"I wouldn't have missed it. I mean, except for almost dying, and Pan..." Rachel's voice faltered.

"He said something about your father," Percy remembered. "What did he mean?"

Rachel twisted the strap on her backpack. "My dad...My dad's job. He's kind of a famous businessman."

"You mean...you're rich?"

"Well, yeah."

"So that's how you got the chauffeur to help us? You just said your dad's name and—"

"Yes," Rachel cut him off. "Percy...my dad's a land developer. He flies all over the world, looking for tracts of undeveloped land." She took a shaky breath. "The wild. He—he buys it up. I hate it, but he plows it down and builds ugly subdivisions and shopping centers. And now that I've seen Pan...Pan's death—"

"Hey, you can't blame yourself for that."

"You don't know the worst of it. I—I don't like to talk about my family. I didn't want you to know. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."

"No," Percy said. "It's cool. Look, Rachel, you did awesome. You led us through the maze. You were so brave. That's the only thing I'm going to judge you on. I don't care what your dad does."

Rachel looked at him gratefully. "Well...if you ever feel like hanging out with a mortal again...you could call me or something."

"Uh, yeah. Sure."