NICO
I had stayed by Sarah's bedside almost the entire time she was unconscious. Her face was so pale she looked like she'd never seen the sun, and she barely moved at all. Most people would have thought she was dead, but I could sense that she was alive. Her life aura was extremely faint, but it was there, and it got stronger every day. When she woke up, I was so relieved I almost fell over. She sounded awful, but at least she was alive. Thank the gods.
When I told her about the scorpion, her eyes got real big. Her pale skin brought out the blue tint in her eyes, and they sparkled like the ocean. I had a hard time not staring into them. I told her about how I killed the scorpion, and her expression changed. I wasn't quite sure what it was, but it sure looked good. When I was done telling the story, I think she teared up(her eyes were even more sparkly). She looked at me and her face just near broke my heart. She laid her head on my shoulder, and a little jolt went through me, like static electricity. When she fell asleep, I laid my head on top of hers and stared out the window. I didn't know what pure happiness felt like, but I was pretty sure this was it.
After about a half hour or so, Chiron clopped in. He looked at me and her, smiled, and gestured for me to come outside. I nodded, and gently laid Sarah on the bed. I had this random urge to kiss her on the forehead, but I restrained myself and followed Chiron outside.
"Nico," the centaur began. "I am afraid Sarah is in danger."
I felt like a wet towel was thrown over me, suffocating my happiness.
"You said Gaea appeared to you, taunted you, then showed you Sarah and the scorpion?" asked Chiron, as calm and patient as ever.
"Yes, sir." I answered
"Hmm." Chiron grunted. "You see Nico, you are one of the most powerful demigods in this world. Gaea sees you as a very potent threat, and wishes to either kill you, or bring you to her side. Preferably bring you to her side. If she had the proper leverage, she could manage that quite easily."
"You mean the scorpion—
"Was a test, yes. She wanted to see how you would react, and if she could use Miss Valdez as leverage not only for Percy, but for you. She could kill two birds with one stone. The birds being you and Percy, the stone being Sarah Valdez."
Shock and horror overwhelmed me. I had put Sarah in danger, and played directly into Gaea's plan. How could I be such a stupid fool?
"Do not blame yourself, Nico." said the centaur. I swear he can read minds. "There was nothing you could do. Do not dwell on the past."
I nodded. Press forward, I told myself, but my heart wasn't into it. There were so many unanswerable questions, so many fears.
Chiron put his hand on my shoulder. "Do not worry, son. Sarah will be safe."
I nodded again, but kept staring into space. Chiron sighed and cantered away. I lingered on the porch a moment, trying to cope with all the feelings. Eventually I went back inside and sank down on the foot of Sarah's bed. She looked so pretty asleep, her blonde hair spread all over the pillow. Looking down at her, realizing I had put her in dire peril, I finally broke down. A few tears slipped down my face.
Suck it up, I told myself. Sons of Hades don't cry. It didn't help. More tears came. I just sat there, crying, for a long time. I felt so lost and guilty. I had put this girl in danger, and there was no way to get her out.
Finally I got up and took Sarah's hand. I gave it a little squeeze, and she smiled in her sleep. I don't know if she felt that squeeze, or it was just coincidence. I assumed it was coincidence. I turned to leave, and I got that irrational urge to kiss her again. I shoved it aside and strode out into the night.