Death and Shadows

Ch.7 Geryon and Percy

A/N. Excuse the chapter title, I really didn't know what else to call it. The chapter name I had it before sucked so I tried to simplify it. Also just a little note, when I get to where I stopped writing my story before, the writing style of this story will probably change to hopefully something better. That's all. Enjoy, guys! -Anna

~Lia's POV~

Comforting warmth surrounded me when I woke up, which was strange since I've never felt that before when sleeping in the streets. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see a mop of black hair, and I pulled my head back to see the hair belonging to Nico. My knees were pulled into my chest as Nico held me close to him with an arm wrapped securely around my waist. I always seemed to wake up before him, and for some reason we'd end up in close positions.

This time I didn't freak out, but I blushed and gently shook Nico's arm. He just continued to snore softly. I rolled my eyes. This kid was not a morning person.

"Nico," I said. I shook his arm again this time harder.

The said boy's eyes fluttered open, and then widened when he saw the arrangement we were in.

"Um, do you think you can let me go?" I asked. My face burned still, and I hoped the cave was dark enough so he couldn't see.

"Uh, y-yeah," Nico said. His arm unwrapped from my waist and I sat up.

"Thanks," I muttered, looking down shyly. My skin tingled from being so close to another person.

"Yeah, of course." Nico looked at me with furrowed brows. "Are you okay? You know, from last night...?"

I froze. My mind flashing back to my mother's words. I closed my eyes to force myself not to cry again. I did not need to breakdown again so soon.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said. "I finally got to talk to her, right?"

Nico looked like he didn't believe me, but he didn't push the matter any more.

"So, what's next?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Let me ask Minos," Nico said.

He pulled out a cheeseburger and Coke from my bag, and put them in the pit we made earlier. As he began to chant, I stood behind him and frowned. Relying on Minos's advice was about as helpful as making a satyr cook hot dogs. Ghosts have their own desires they want to accomplish and they are never good. Minos was no different, especially with his past. Now I just needed to figure out what he wanted from Nico.

Minos appeared by the pit, and drank the concoction. When he stood, I could almost see him clearly but he still flickered like an old movie.

"Minos, where can we find the soul for the exchange?" Nico asked the ghost.

"There is a man by the name of Geryon who can guide you to the soul you need, Daedalus's," Minos explained. "His ranch is just through this tunnel." He gestured his hand toward a tunnel at the back of the cave with a light at the end of it, which I hadn't noticed it before. It must've appeared while we were sleeping.

I raised a confused eyebrow. "Isn't Daedalus dead, though? He would be by now."

"Daedalus has been keeping himself alive for thousands of years," Minos said, his voice filled with malice, "escaping death each time. Which makes him the perfect soul for the exchange."

"You won't be able to come with us in the daylight, will you?" I asked, though it sounded like more like a statement.

"No. You two will be on your own. I won't be visible, but I will be around watching," Minos said.