will solace

Nico kissed the top of Will’s head. ‘Be right back.’

Will wrinkled his nose. ‘Fine.’ He set down his pack and stripped off his linen overshirt, leaving just his tank top. I still had no idea what he was doing, though the girls didn’t seem to mind letting him do his thing.

Love didn’t find people like him. But then came ... Will.

He glanced down and saw that Will was trying to hold his hand. He opened his fingers and let Will slip his in between. Nico’s heart sank. Will’s grip was very weak.

Will frowned. ‘Oh, great. So we’re dealing with Gaia two-point-oh?’ ‘Well, no...’ said Nico. A spark of hope kindled in Will’s eyes, which was why Nico hated what he had to say next. ‘I think Nyx may be worse,’

Menoetes snorted. ‘That is appropriate. Being inside one is rather like drowning in a boiling whitehead.’ Will clutched his stomach. ‘Thanks for that.’

Will developed a sudden interest in his bran muffin’s wrapper. Nico seemed to realize, at the same time I did, that Will hadn’t shared all the lines of the prophecy with him. ‘William Andrew Solace,’ Nico said, ‘do you have something to confess?’

Will poked at his bran muffin. ‘Just so I’m clear ... You got the first stanza from a Cyclops’s armpit, the second from a two-headed snake and the third from three old ladies who drive a taxi?’

‘Maybe you could collect fewer hats?’ Will suggested. Screech-Bling stared at him. ‘Or not!’ Will said, adjusting the block of cheese on his head. ‘More hats for everyone!’

‘No one hits my boyfriend,’ Will thundered. ‘And no one kills my dad!’

He wasn’t sure how much time passed before Will removed the sling and wrapped his arms around him. ‘Gorgyra, what are you doing?’ Will’s voice was full of fear and confusion. ‘Stop it!’

Will Solace stood in the doorway of the Apollo cabin, a stern look on his face. He pointed to the ground at his feet, like You. Here. Now.

‘Oh, I am not doing anything,’ said Nico proudly. ‘I need you to sing.’ Will looked around him. ‘Is this a prank? Did you and Mr D come up with this? Are there hidden cameras?’

‘I remember that! And even when you were at camp it was so hard to pin you down. You wouldn’t stay put. You were ... afraid. Afraid of getting close to anyone.’

‘Fine. A very cute little satyr boy.’ Will shuddered. ‘But I delivered it. Have you ever delivered a baby?’

Will laughed under his breath. ‘I’m terrified. But one thing you learn as head counselor: you have to keep it together for everyone else. Let’s get you on your feet.’

‘What’s going on?’ Will shuffled up to them, his limp much more pronounced. The sun globe glowed in the crook of his arm. Given the terrible chill in the air, Nico worried about Will in his cargo shorts. Couldn’t that boy have just worn a pair of jeans for once?

Love didn’t find people like him. But then came ... Will.

Will smiled and squeezed his hand. ‘Nyx hates what you represent — change.’

he would’ve fallen on his face if Will hadn’t caught him. ‘You idiot.’ Will put an arm around him. ‘I told you no more of that Underworld magic.’