Breaking the Gods

Chapter 12

WHAT IN RA'S NAME WERE YOU THINKING?

Nico took a break from trying to wiggle his toes to wince at Anubis's scream. Hey, welcome back. Everything alright with Sadie?

Don't you change the subject! Why didn't you scream for me? demanded Anubis.

Because I didn't need your help. I was able to take care of it on my own, said Nico patiently. Is Sadie okay?

Nearly getting your melanin carved out with lasers is not an acceptable way of dealing with the situation, Nico!

Oh, do we know what melanin is now? Nico wanted to know. He figured Sadie and the others must be okay, or else Anubis wouldn't be wasting so much time yelling at him.

No, we don't, and that's not the point! You could have died, Nico! You could have been driven crazy!

The notes we found said it takes repeated treatments to steal all a demigod's melanin, Nico reminded him. I really wish I knew what that was.

Nico?

Anubis?

When we get out of here, you're grounded.

Nico scoffed. Yeah. Sure.

I'm serious.

Dude, you're not my dad! You can't ground me.

Maybe not, but Percy can.

What? No, he can't!

We'll see about that.

Alright, whatever. Is Sadie okay?

Thankfully, Anubis seemed to have calmed down now that the initial shock of learning how close Nico had come to disaster had worn off. She and the others are fine.

Good. I was worried.

You were worried?

I'm allowed to be worried.

Worry about yourself.

Dude, I already told you, I took care of it. I had everything under control.

Anubis telepathed his disbelief of that remark.

My plan was awesome, said Nico adamantly. You're just jealous you didn't come up with it.

He felt Anubis going through his recent memories, taking more care to absorb the details this time, and felt the god's grudging respect about the way he'd handled the situation. Nico knew that what upset Anubis was mainly that Nico had been in that situation to begin with. And that he hadn't called for Anubis's help. Anubis had to admit, even if it was only to himself, that Nico had handled the situation well. And of course, admitting something to himself meant admitting it to Nico too, since their souls were still fused.

So what happened with Sadie and Carter? asked Nico. And the rest of them?

Anubis quickly filled Nico in on what had happened in Dallas. More than anything, Nico wished he could have been there. He couldn't change the past, he knew, but he could do better for the future. It seemed like the prize fight was right about to start. Ergo, it was time to get out of here.

Time to go, he said to Anubis.

Past time, agreed the god.

These drugs are still messing me up. Can you do anything about them?

Anubis gave a telepathic nod and Nico felt a rushing sensation course through him. Like the time he and Julian had a Red Bull drinking contest. The sluggish feeling that had been plaguing him evaporated.