Nico's eyes snapped open. He felt like something was wrong. It took him a moment to sit up. His hand moved to his sword, and he slowly looked around. Nico was in one of the huts that looked like it was used as a workshop for Leo.
The others were sleeping in the same hut as Leo. It wasn't that Nico didn't want to be crammed into a small space with them. He just knew that they would talk about the disagreement between Reyna and Calypso. As long as he could avoid it, Nico wasn't going to pick a side. They all just needed sleep and time to think it over.
Something was still wrong though. Nico just couldn't figure out what it was. He slowly sat up and looked around the hut. His heart jumped to his chest as he saw a shotgun aimed at his face. Behind the shotgun stood Marcus. There was dried blood on the man's hands and face.
"Stay real quiet and do not make a move," Marcus ordered. Nico glared at him. "We have three minutes to get back to my ship. Otherwise, Reyna's guts will be spilled across my ship, and it's a rental. I really don't want to pay a cleanup fee."
"What do you want?" Nico asked softly. He glared at Marcus. The mercenary grinned at him and made a motion for him to get up. Nico slowly did.
"I want you kid," Marcus whispered. "See, I have a business opportunity with Reyna, but I see another in you as well. Now, come along. Or, I'll kill that little shit you call a friend."
"I'm coming," Nico muttered. He held his hands up, and Marcus kept the shotgun aimed at him. Nico slowly walked forward and out of the hut. Marcus followed behind him and kept the shotgun aimed at Nico's back.
"Don't feel too bad, kid. You're just collateral damage," Marcus said softly. "Although, I may have another use for you."
"Not if I kill you first," Nico threatened. He heard Marcus stifle a laugh. Nico clenched his fist, but he had to remain calm. If Reyna was in danger, he would find her before he handled this mercenary.
"Such bravado from children," Marcus said. "First, it was Reyna. Now you. Why do the two of you think that you can do anything about a damn shotgun pointed against your back?"
"You'll see," Nico muttered under his breath. He didn't know how the lookouts on the pirate ship didn't see them unless that was where the blood came from. The invisible servants didn't seem like they were rushing to help him or wake anyone. This was not good.
The two of them made it towards the edge of the beach. Nico's gaze focused on a small raft that was hidden by shadows. Marcus shoved him towards it. Nico stepped onto the raft and looked at the two oars. Marcus motioned towards them.
Nico sat down and grabbed the two oars. Marcus pushed the raft into the water and climbed aboard in one swift movement. Nico just studied the man and thought about just stabbing one of the oars through his neck. He wanted to keep Reyna alive though.
In the distance, Nico saw a ship that was almost hidden by the shadows. Nico spoke, "How did you find the island?"
"Arke showed up," Marcus whispered. "She has the loyalty of Benedict Arnold."
"What?" Nico asked in confusion. He looked at Marcus who only gave him a look. "Who is that?"
"God, you demigods are stupid. She's a traitor is my point," Marcus said. "You can't trust her. Got it? That is why I made a deal with her. Just worry about your part."
"What is my part?" Nico questioned. Marcus looked at him and grinned. Then, he slammed his shotgun directly into Nico's face.
Nico groaned softly and opened his eyes. Both hands moved to his face, and he winced as he felt the dried blood that covered him. His nose was broken, and his lip felt like it was split. Nico made it into a sitting position and looked at his surroundings.
Nico was laying in some kind of cell. The wall to his back was wooden, and there were three sets of bars on each side. There was another occupant in his cell. Nico spoke, "Reyna?"
The pirate did not indicate that she had heard. She was laying face-first on the ground. Her eyes were open, but her gaze looked unfocused. Nico moved to her side and gently placed a hand on her back. It took a moment for Reyna to look at him.
"Nico?" Reyna slowly asked. She moved one hand to her jaw and winced in pain. Reyna closed her eyes. "What happened?"
"We were taken captive," Nico said. He focused on Reyna. It was just like the last time they confronted Marcus. "How bad are you hurt?"
"Fine," Reyna muttered, but her voice was slurred. She blindly reached out for the bars of the cell and pulled herself into a sitting position. Reyna spat blood out and rested her head against the bars. "Was anyone hurt?"
"I don't think so," Nico answered. He slowly made it to his feet. Other than his face, he didn't think that he was too hurt. "You need to rest."
Reyna said something that made no sense and tried to make it to her feet. She collapsed back against the bars. Nico steadied her. Reyna spoke again, and her hands slipped from the bar. She collapsed back on the ground and curled up. Her head rested in her hands.
Nico reached into his pockets and pulled out two squares of ambrosia. He ate one for himself and then helped Reyna eat the other. She didn't fight him. Her eyes closed, and she seemed to relax. Nico heard the sounds of footsteps and slowly looked up.
Marcus appeared at the cell and stared down at them. His gaze was solely focused on Reyna. It took a moment for Reyna to look up. Marcus grinned. He raised his shotgun and cocked it.
"If you two do not listen to me, I will blow your brains out, quartermaster," Marcus said. Reyna let out a bitter laugh and slowly made it to her feet. She leaned heavily on the bars. When Marcus pressed the shotgun into her head, she laughed again.
"Your reports are behind," Reyna spat. "My sister is dead. I'm the captain now, and I am going to burn your damn empire to the ground. Is that understood?"
"Or, I can just splatter your brains everywhere and save you the trouble," Marcus countered.
"You would have killed me already," Reyna muttered. Nico could see that her knees were shaking. "You need me alive for your stupid agreement."
"We are going to have fun," Marcus commented. He reached through the bars and grabbed Reyna by her shirt. "You really should protect your head more."
Marcus shoved Reyna backward, and she fell to the ground. A groan escaped Reyna, and Nico hurried to her side. Marcus spoke, "Now, I know all about you, son of Hades. There is not going to be a sliver of shadow for you to travel with. You two are going to be handed over to the Mistveil, and I am going to collect my rod and my new island."
Reyna let out another bitter laugh. She slowly rolled onto her stomach and made it to her hands and knees. Nico spoke, "You need to rest. You're hurt."
"I'm fine," Reyna muttered. She stumbled to her feet and leaned against the bars of the cell again. Her gaze focused on Marcus. "I'm going to kill you next, Marcus. Do you think you can stop me? Death couldn't even stop me."
Marcus narrowed his eyes and didn't say a word. He just tapped his finger against his shotgun. Nico stared at Reyna. There was a smirk on her face, despite the fact that she couldn't stand under her own power.
Nico studied Reyna. What did she mean by death couldn't stop her? Was that why Nico sensed something odd from her? Marcus looked in between the two of them and then aimed his shotgun at Nico.
"I can just kill this one then," Marcus commented. "I only brought him here to keep you under control. An old merc like me knows how to tell the relationship between two people."
"If you think there is anything between us, you are more of a fool than you look," Reyna snapped. Marcus lowered the shotgun and studied her.
"Sorry," Marcus said. Reyna opened her mouth to say something, and Marcus slammed the shotgun into her face. Reyna collapsed to the ground and groaned softly. "I know you want me to stop with the shots to the head, but you just make it too easy."
Reyna placed both hands on her face and groaned in pain. Nico quickly knelt by her Marcus continued, "Do me a favor and keep your mouth shut. I'm tired of hearing you run your mouth."
"Reyna, can you hear me?" Nico asked softly. Reyna blinked a few times and slowly looked at him. "Just rest your head, okay? Everything is going to be fine."
The words that came out of Reyna's mouth were slurred. Nico cradled her head and tried to wipe the blood from her nose. Whistling caught his attention, and he glanced up. Marcus leaned on the cell and looked down at them.
"Try to behave you two. I don't want to have to clean up any more blood," Marcus said. He grinned and pushed himself away from the cell. "Try to enjoy your last few hours of freedom. I'm sure those pirates have some evil plans for you."
