It didn't really surprise me that Nico was gone when I awoke, given that it was all a dream—well, minus the cum all over my sheets, but that was my own fault—still, depression settled on me, which ruined my mood for the day. Strangely enough, it must also have made me more powerful, because I dominated the tests Carter and Sadie gave me.
I had found a note on my desk when I got up, which meant that Nico must have visited in person at some point. The thought both cheered me and scared me; had he shadow-traveled? Despite my healing, I didn't think his ka would be able to stand much more of it.
As for the note, I didn't read it; I didn't want to. Instead, I tucked it into the pocket of the hoodie I chose to wear, donned it and a pair of jeans, and went downstairs for breakfast. Amos was gone, back to the First Nome and House of Life HQ, according to Sadie. And Zia had gone with him.
After the meal, Carter took me outside to work on combat magic. The mansion—which stood on top of an old, abandoned warehouse by the river—was huge from the outside, but only if you could see it; I looked away and it was gone from my peripheral. It took focus to see it. But I didn't care about that; I didn't care about anything. Nico was gone now; why should I?
"I'm going to attack you," Carter said. "I'll go easy, so try not to kill me." He stepped away from me and took a breath, focusing. A gold glow surrounded him and expanded, lifting him off the ground and encasing him in a huge avatar. I stared, awed, but amazingly not surprised. He stepped forward and the falcon-headed man did the same. He drew his sword and pointed it at me. The avatar mimicked him, its blade—a khopesh, I remembered—came within inches of me. I glared up the blade at Carter, wondering if I could imagine him as the reason Nico had left without saying goodbye.
"Begin," Carter said. I whirled to the side, just as the khopesh slammed into the ground where I'd been standing, leaving a good sized-ditch. Even the flat of the blade could be deadly. Carter grimaced and stepped back, saying, "Sorry; still getting used to the power this thing has."
I tilted my head to the left, and his sun-like gold life force came into view. It was contained in a shimmering fiery yellow life force that I instinctively knew was Horus'. I prodded at Carter's, trying to connect, and found that the other ka blocked me, like television interference. I smiled harshly, eager to accept this challenge.
Be careful not to let your emotions get away from you, Heka warned as I dodged another swipe.
What emotions? I asked, as though I didn't know.
Your anger, frustration, he said while I ducked under Carter's avatar. Your loss and pain, and your confusion. I grimaced. It was very difficult to keep anything from a god, especially when he was in your head.
But Heka's caution was echoed by my own conscience, so I took a deep breath to calm myself. Carter swung again, and this time, I let out all my emotions with the first word that came to mind, setting it free in a single cry, the word for 'back.'
"I'at!" I caught the blade in my hand, and it instantly flew upward, wrenching loose of Carter's hand. For a moment, he faltered, shocked, and I used that moment to say another word, which meant 'arrow': sesir. A burst of emerald light shot from my still-extended palm and slammed into his chest, throwing him backward. He crashed into the wall, the avatar flickering and vanishing. Amazed that I had so much power, I stood there for a moment, blinking.
"You pass," Carter called from the rubble, his voice muffled and slurred, as though he'd been drinking. "Go find Sadie..." I hurried over and moved a few large pieces of cement to pry Carter out of it.
"Are you ok?" I asked worriedly. "I didn't mean to... I mean, I didn't know I had so much power!" He shook his head, as though to reset his brain, and looked up at me.
"Nah, it's cool," he grinned. "I'm fine; just a bit winded. My avatar took most of the hit. Go tell Sadie it's her turn to get beat up on." I sighed in relief and nodded.
§§§
Sadie was in on the basketball court, playing with Khufu and some of the younger kids, helping them learn hand-eye coordination and multi-tasking. When she saw me in the door, she told the kids to get a drink of water, saying Carter would be in shortly. They left, laughing and chatting, with Khufu following to supervise them. Somehow, that didn't strike me as the best idea.
Sadie came over, panting slightly and grinning.
"Tell me he's exhausted," she said in greeting. I shrugged.
"More like shocked." I almost wanted to laugh at the 'drat...' look on her face. I guess my mood was improving.
"Well, it takes a lot to shock me," she said. "Come on." She led me up to the roof, where Freak dozed in his shelter. We went to the opposite end and faced off. She summoned her staff and used it to draw a circle around herself before sending it away again, saying, "Knock me out of the circle, if you can."
I studied her, and the circle, which seemed to be nothing more than a glowing drawing in the dirt of the roof. I picked up a pebble, imagined it charged with Greek magic, and flicked it at the circle. A gentle gray aura surrounded the pebble as it left my hand. Then it shot off in another direction with a sharp, electric snap and sparks. The pebble was a charred grain of sand now, and I shivered. What if I touched the barrier?
Stepping back, I inspected Sadie head to toe, ignoring the obvious things like her clothes. I noted her edgy posture, her flicking eyes, her annoyed expression, even her twitching fingers, which had to be a nervous tick. I tilted my head to the left and inspected her sapphire blue ka. It was swifter than anyone else's I'd seen, but also thinner, like the same amount of water poured through a tighter space. Around her, similar to the yellow ka of Horus, was a pale, sky blue ka, likely that of Isis. I suspected that if I tried to connect to Sadie's ka at this time, it would be irritatingly unfruitful. Instead, I decided to try a more direct approach.
Zia was right—not everything can be solved with physical prowess. But some things could.
Scooping up a handful of pebbles, I charged them with Greek magic, flung them at her protective circle, and dived forward. The gray-covered pebbles were reflected again, two of them pinging me in the face, but my hunch paid off; as soon as the circle hissed and spat like an angry cat, I thrust my hand forward, slipping through the momentary lapse of protection, and shoved a very surprised Sadie Kane backward. She stumbled out of the circle, which flickered and disappeared. Sitting down hard, she looked up at me.
"I..." she squeaked. "You..." Pausing for a moment to get her bearings, she began again. "You actually shocked me... You didn't even use any magic!" I grinned and held out my hand to help her up. She stood, also grinning, and her usual mischief and annoyingness returned. "Let's go have lunch. I think Walt wanted to talk to us afterward." I nodded my agreement, and we headed downstairs for some food.
§§§
After the meal, Walt gathered us on the terrace while the older kids herded the young ones inside—'us' being me, Sadie, Carter, and Jaz, the last for some unknown reason.
"So," Sadie started as soon as we were settled. "Walt keeps getting interrupted every time he tries to explain something; let's actually let him finish this time." Carter rolled his eyes but didn't say anything.
"Well, we all know Erasmus is different from the rest of us," Walt said. "He has background in two different cult-"
"Three," I cut in.
"What?"
"Three different cultures; I'm still a Christian," I explained, "even if I don't quite understand how it works..."
"Alright, three different cultures," he amended. "That means he has power from three different sources. Not only does he have magic reserves of his own, he has those of Heka. And, though I'm not sure how Greek magic works, he has access to that as well. I would assume it works on the same principles of being related to different gods' specialties. Only the... Christian side of it confuses me; what abilities do you have?" I shrugged.
"I don't think I have any special abilities," I said slowly. "As a Christian, I believe that the Lord protects me and leads me on the path He chose for me." I frowned. "Though why He would choose this..." I shook my head. "Beyond me."
"Mm-hmm. Anyway, Erasmus is the most powerful magician I've ever seen," Walt said. "Even more powerful than Amos."
"More powerful than Amos?" Carter repeated, stunned.
"Much more," Walt nodded. "He has a stronger, brighter soul than Osiris, and more life in it than Ra." I sat back, shocked. My soul had more life in it than the sun god's?
"You're kidding!" Sadie blurted. "He's only half Egyptian, if he has anything to do with Greek gods. Make that a third, since he's Christian!" I winced. Persecution from everywhere.
"Sadie, being a Christian is a life choice," Carter corrected. "Christianity isn't something gained through blood, like magic is. Erasmus is half Egyptian, half Greek, and happens to be a Christian as well."
"Hey guys," Jaz cut in, raising her hand for attention, like a kid in school. "I don't mean to be rude, but, well, Erasmus can hear you, you know." I shot her a grateful look. It's tough being the center of attention and yet nobody pays attention to you.
"Sorry, Ras," Sadie muttered.
I like her, Heka noted. I scowled.
"Shut up," I hissed. Sadie looked up in surprise and I realized I'd spoken aloud. I hastily amended myself: "No, not you... Heka's being annoying again..." She frowned, but thankfully didn't say anything.
"As I was saying," Walt began again. Before he could get any further, a shadow coalesced into a humanoid form near the door, in the shade of an awning. I jumped to my feet, cutting Walt off, as Nico stumbled forward with several arrows sticking out of his left shoulder like trees on a hill. A few had pierced all the way through and I could see the blood-stained arrowheads peering out from the front of his shoulder. A red stain spread across his chest, clashing morbidly with the bright, happy colors of his shirt.
"What in the name of Ra...?" Jaz exclaimed softly, wide-eyed.
"Good heavens!" Sadie shouted. She shoved her chair back and stood, nearly tripping over the chair in her hurry to assist him. I was already there, followed closely by Walt. Carter stood slowly, his face grim.
"Nico, what happened?" I demanded, taking his chin in an effort to meet his gaze. He slumped against me, panting. Walt grabbed his other arm and together we helped him into a chair next to Jaz, whose fingers instantly started flying across him, searching for other wounds and cleaning them.
"Tell us what happened," Carter bid softly, crouching beside Nico.
"E- Eras- Erasmus," Nico managed, ignoring everyone else, including Jaz, and leaning heavily on the arm of his chair. His hand snaked out and gripped my wrist, painting it in blood. "They're... they're after you... empousai, telkhines, demons, monsters... all kinds... after you..."
"W-what are you talking about?" I asked, dreading the answer I already knew was coming.
"A price... on your head... Gaea... she wants you dead..." he wheezed. Jaz's hands froze, Sadie gasped, and Walt and Carter exchanged worried glances. "...she sent... a message... let me go... to tell you..." He dropped his hand and his gaze, but I continued staring at him. Gaea, Mother Earth, wanted me dead. It was just like Hecate had said; I was the greatest enemy of someone very powerful. I don't think she realized just how powerful. And Gaea was taunting me; she let Nico get away to...
I ran over the phrase again in my head. ...let me go... No. No, no, no, no, no!
"Nico," I breathed. "Where are Coach and Reyna?" He cringed, drawing in on himself. I crouched beside him and grabbed his shoulders, barely avoiding the arrows, shaking him slightly. "Where are Coach Hedge and Reyna?" Walt touched my arm lightly, starting to say something, but I slapped him away and repeated myself, managing to constrain my fear but not my anger.
Nico slowly raised his eyes to mine. They were filled with pain and sorrow, and self-loathing, the last of which increased as he replied softly: "Gaea... has them captive... You have... two hours to... to show up... or..." He couldn't finish, but I knew what he'd say. I had two hours to give myself up, or Gaea would kill both satyr and praetor. Rage filled me and I stood, grabbed the corner of the table, and hurled it across the veranda. It sailed over the pool, over Philip of Macedonia and Ganymede, and crashed into the railing on the other side. But long before it shattered, I kicked a brazier into the railing on the near side, and then snatched a potted plant and hurled it at the wall.
Someone grabbed my shoulder and I whirled, gripping their wrist and spinning them around so they faced away from me on their knees. I planted my knee in their back and forced them to the floor. My sword appeared in my hand and flashed as it arced toward my attacker's neck.
"ERASMUS!" Two familiar voices snapped at me simultaneously, and I faltered, my blade stabbing into the ground less than an inch away from my captive's neck. I blinked, registering the blonde hair, the petite build, the wide blue eyes staring in terror, the tiny wrist in my colossal hand.
"...Jaz," I whispered hoarsely. Realizing how close I'd come to killing her, I threw myself back, scrambling off her. The others stood stone still, utterly astonished. Sadie broke first and hurried over to help Jaz stand. I stepped back until I hit the railing, staring in horror. Beyond everyone, I could see the older magicians hustling away the younger ones with worried glances out the windowed doors. Sliding to the ground, I dropped my head into my hands.
"What have I done?" I breathed in anguish. A light touch on my shoulder made me jump, and Nico instantly moved back, holding up his hands.
"It's alright, Erasmus," he assured, trying for a reassuring smile. Pain cut through it, though; arrows still blossomed in his shoulder. Even so, he knelt beside me, ready to help despite needed it himself.
"...Go away, Nico," I said, my voice cracking. "I don't want to hurt anyone... but I almost killed Jaz."
"You're angry, and frustrated," he countered. "You've been threatened, and you're friends are being used to hurt you. It's understandable that you lost it." I stared at my hands, wondering if they'd ever be clean of other peoples' blood again.
"...You stopped me, didn't you?" I murmured, not daring to look up and see the pain—emotional and physical—in his eyes. "You called my name..."
"...Yes," he answered softly. "I called your name." I leaned over, subtly, and kissed his cheek, hoping I did so in a way that no one else could see.
"Thank you," I whispered. He blushed deep red.
Hey, I called your name, too! Heka complained. Don't I get thanks? I chuckled wryly inside.
Thank you as well, Heka, I told him. He humphed, like he didn't care anymore.
"Erasmus?" Carter said, stepping toward us. I was beginning to hate my own name.
"What?" I snapped, glaring at him. He stepped back and swallowed.
"Look, er, if you need help..." He swallowed again and struggled to meet my fierce gaze. "I mean, we aren't much..."
"Oh, brother dear," Sadie snorted, planting her feet and cocking her hip with a bravado that I could see was only skin deep. "Erasmus, you can't go into battle with a goddess like Gaea on your own and even hope to survive. Heck, Nico and two others couldn't stand up to her, three-on-one, and you think you can win one-on-one?" As she spoke, the bravado spread deeper. "Fat chance! Carter and I will help you."
"So will Anubis and I," Walt said, a corner of his mouth tugging upward. He crouched next to Jaz, who was doing something to her wrist. Without taking her eyes off whatever it was, she raised her free hand, saying, "Same here." Sadie nodded and cast half a glance at the doors before turning back to me.
"There you have it, Erasmus," she said, crossing her arms. "You have five people willing to help, if you count Walt and Anubis separately." Her posture dared me to challenge her. I did; I stood and faced her, clenching jaw and fists, and glaring.
"This is my fight," I growled. "You have no part in this; you're not Greek, you're Egyptian. Gaea didn't threaten you, she threatened me, and I am damn well going to make her eat her words on my own." Sadie paled slightly and Jaz froze. Walt sighed and stood.
"Erasmus, you're just not getting it, are you?" he said, his voice firm and sharp. "This isn't just your fight either. If Gaea wins, she's overthrown Geb, which means Ma'at will be unbalanced, and Apophis will rise again." The hairs on the back of my neck prickled at the name. Carter winced, but Walt was focused on me. His gaze turned feral and I knew Anubis backed him in this. He stepped right up to me, our eyes level. "You are half Egyptian, one of us, and you have the gall to say this has nothing to do with us?" His hand went to my shirt front, but before he could do more than touch, he went stumbling back.
Nico stood, battle-ready, between us, his Stygian sword extended to press against Walt's neck. A drop of blood trickled down, staining his shirt collar red. I stared, absolutely stunned.
"Touch him again, dog," Nico hissed. "I dare you." I could hear the pain in his voice, could see the blood soaking his shirt, but he stood perfectly still, unfazed by his wounds or Walt's severe stare. The tall black kid stood, focusing as his body shimmered. I got the sense he was holding Anubis back, with difficulty. But in moments, Anubis won, standing and facing Nico in full battle gear, complete with jackal head.
"You dare defy the god of death?" he snarled. Nico snorted in amusement.
"I defy my father all the time," he said. "You're nothing compared to him. Even Thanatos is worse than you, and I have yet to see him not back down from me. Like I said, nothing." The deliberateness in his voice made me wince; it was an all but outright challenge. Anubis' eyes flared bloodthirsty. Baring his fangs, he crouched, as though ready to pounce.
"I'll show you 'nothing,'" he barked. Despite his threat, I heard something like admiration in his voice. As he moved to lunge, I decided I was fed up with the arguing; I slipped between him and Nico, who was raising his sword, and gestured at each of them.
"Tas hirup!" I cried. They both froze, partly out of surprise, but mostly because of the spell. I turned to Anubis, feeling somewhat ashamed of myself. "You've made your point; I shouldn't have assumed none of you were affected. But arguing about it doesn't help anyone, least of all Coach or Reyna." After a slight hesitation, I continued. "I accept your offer of help. With thanks." Then I turned to Nico. "Your news is distressing, but your support welcomed. Thank you for standing by me." Moving to the side, I released them both, and Anubis immediately shifted back to Walt, who grimaced.
"I'm sorry," he said to Nico. "I tried to hold him back, but he isn't exactly the easiest person to get along with, even for a god." Nico shrugged, and instantly winced, reaching up to touch his wounded shoulder.
"I'm not either," he said, carefully lowering himself to sit against the railing, then cast a glance at me. "Though some people manage it."
"So, about your plans..." Walt said after a moment, looking at me. I thought for a moment, but nothing came to mind.
"I'm not really sure. Cart-" I turned to the Kanes, but they and Jaz were frozen. Even Philip and Ganymede were stone still in ice-like water. I blinked. "Did I do that?"
No, that was my fault, Heka said, completely unashamed. I ramped up the power of your binding spell to encompass pretty much the entire house. I slapped my hand to my face, groaning. Walt laughed and I scowled half-heartedly at him. He waved at me, trying to smother his laughter with his free hand.
"N-no, not you," he gasped. "Anubis... Anubis said Heka was being an ass again!"
"Alright, Heka," I muttered, just loud enough for Walt and Nico to hear, "stop being an ass and release everyone." Walt grabbed his sides and doubled over with laughter, and Nico glanced to the side, snickering. Heka spluttered in my head.
B-b-b-b-but...!
Are you a motorboat or a god? I cut in. Let them go. He sighed and I felt a slight snap. Philip and Ganymede resumed splashing. Carter, Sadie, and Jaz jumped slightly at hearing Walt's mirth, and they all looked at me, confused. I shook my head.
"Heka froze everyone," I explained.
"Well that's stupid!" Sadie exclaimed, planting her hands on her hips. "We're on a time limit and he goes wasting time by freezing everybody? Idiot."
Beat her up, Heka pleaded. Oh please, oh please beat her up. Well, that was quick switch from admiration to denial.
No. He huffed in disappointment while I turned and crouched next to Nico, saying, "Carter, how soon can Freak be ready to go?"
"I'll hook him up now," he replied, moving toward the door. "He'll be ready when you are."
"Any plans?" Jaz asked as Carter disappeared into the house.
"First, I'm taking care of Nico," I answered, and tilted my head to the left to inspect Nico's ka. The arrows pulsed bright red next to his deep purple and I frowned. Did the arrows have their own life force?
They're marked as foreign objects to the ka, Heka said. Anything that doesn't belong to a given ka will be colored red like that.
What if the person has a red ka? I asked him. I sensed him give a kind of shrug.
Then they are a creature of chaos and everything does not belong, he said. Well that answered everything. Not.
"Grab onto something, Nico," I warned, reaching up to take hold of the arrows. "This is going to hurt." One hand flew to the bars of the railing, fogging slightly so that his hand went through the bars at first, the other gripped my knee. I ignored it, though my body didn't, and I snapped one arrow in half, sliding the imbedded end through quickly. He hissed, his knuckles turning white on both hands. I was glad they were firm again.
"Three more." I snapped the next one and slid it out, following immediately with the second to last. Nico turned his head into his uninjured shoulder and groaned, his fingernails clawing my knee. "Last one."
But the last one refused to come out; I broke the shaft easily, but the arrowhead was stuck. I tugged gently and he writhed, his mouth opening in a soundless scream.
"Let me," Jaz said, stepping up next to us. I glanced between her and Nico, whose face shone with perspiration. With a curt nod, I shifted to let her take my place. She knelt as I took his hand off my knee and let him squeeze mine as Jaz prodded at the arrow. I remembered how we'd been in the same situation not too long ago, our positions swapped.
"Last one, Nico, and then it's over with," I whispered soothingly. He gripped my hand so tightly I couldn't feel my fingertips anymore. Jaz glanced at me, and I could tell she was going to have to yank it out. I nodded and she wrapped her fingers around the exposed portion of the arrow, clenching her jaw. In one swift motion, she jerked it free, whispering something in Egyptian as she did. Nico arched his back, instinctively pulling away from the pain, and I supported him as he fell forward. His fingernails dug into my back and tears trickled from his firmly shut eyes to soak my neck and shirt. The tiniest of whimpers escaped his throat and I gently hugged him, saying, "That's it; it's done."
After a moment, Jaz stepped back; his hold on me loosened and he pulled away. I kept one hand on his uninjured shoulder and looked over at Walt, who watched with an interested smile tugging at his lips. I frowned at him, but otherwise ignored the fact that he knew what was simmering just beneath the surface.
"Get Sadie and Jaz up to the roof," I told him. "Nico and I will be there shortly." He nodded and turned to the girls.
"Alright, ladies," he said. "Time to go." Sadie took his proffered hand and Jaz followed them into the house. I waited until they were out of sight before returning my attention to Nico. I helped him lay down and tilted my head to the left. His ka pulsed at the shoulder and I focused on the rips, connecting to it and willing them to mend. This time the fear was present, but I sensed it was directed elsewhere.
When I finished, I disconnected quickly. It made me feel like a telephone; Hello, operator? We have a breach in the shoulder aisle; could you send someone in to fix it?
"I wonder what would happen if you tried to do that to a god," Nico said softly, cutting into my rabbit-trail thoughts. I leaned over him, placing one hand on the railing for balance. He looked at me thoughtfully, pain absent from his gaze. I smiled ruefully.
"He or she would likely overpower me and use the link in reverse," I answered grimly.
"Yeah, probably," he admitted. He reached up with his once injured hand and tugged at a strand of my hair. "You know, the more I look at you, the more I wonder how I ever thought you looked like Percy."
"I don't?" I asked, blinking.
"Well, you resemble him, vaguely," he allowed, "but... at the same time... you're different. You're much calmer and quieter than he is, and you're more intimidating. Especially when you're angry. And you're stronger, but gentler." My face heated at the compliments and my gaze shunted to the left, away from his hand. But now I saw that his other hand still gripped mine. I started to pull it away, blushing, but he tightened his hold, bringing it up and lightly brushing his lips across my knuckles. My face burned, and I tugged gently.
He let go.
The fingers of his left hand played along my collarbone, which was left uncovered by the low-cut, long-sleeve gray shirt I'd donned that morning under the hoodie, which was now hanging on the back of the chair I'd been sitting in. Chills ran up my spine and the feel of his cool touch on my skin prompted a response from my body. I grabbed his hand before I could embarrass myself and stood, praying silently that God would give me self-control.
"We should go before they send someone after us," I said softly, keeping a hold on his hand to help him stand. He sighed and pulled himself up.
"Then let's not keep them waiting," he said, moving away and drawing into himself. I grabbed my hoodie and sword, and followed him up to the roof, where Sadie and Jaz were just hopping into the boat.
"Ah, perfect timing," Carter said as we climbed in. "I had to feed Freak, but..." He shrugged and took up the reins, looking at Nico. "Where to?"
"The same place you found us," the son of Hades replied. "That's the rendezvous point."
"Let's go," Sadie urged impatiently, glancing at her watch. "We only have... just over an hour."
"Should we take the Duat Express?" Carter asked.
"There are advantages and disadvantages to that," Walt answered. "We could get there faster, and possibly catch them unawares, but we'd have no time to plan. On the other hand, we would have plenty of time to come up with an adequate plan, but we would lose any element of surprise."
"No, we wouldn't," I said after a slight pause, and idea popping into my head. Everyone looked at me, confused. I took a deep breath and explained the idea to them.
"I like it," Jaz offered in the following silence. "It's dangerous, but I think it might work."
"Agreed," Sadie concurred. "And I'll feed you magic if you need it." I nodded my thanks as Carter grinned weakly.
"Well, we have a plan, now," he said. "I guess we're off."