Page 55 of The Court of the Dead (The Nico di Angelo Adventures #2)

N ico had seen a lot of strange things in his life, but a minivan full of demigods and mythics wearing Cocoa Puffs as chest accessories was certainly at the top of his list.

Despite their day of training, each member of the team was struggling in their own way with their ride-along emotion.

Savannah’s eyes were bloodshot from crying with Grief.

Deion kept kicking the floorboards in frustration as Anger grinned toothily in his pouch.

Even Orcus squirmed as Jealousy poked its tusks into his back.

Semele was the only one without a cacodemon, so it was hard to tell how she was feeling. However, Nico was just glad she was a wisp of smoke. There wouldn’t have been a seat for her in the crowded Chevy otherwise.

Meanwhile, Naomi hummed cheerfully as she drove them over the Bay Bridge. Nico imagined she was coming up with lyrics for a new hit song, “Vanload of Emotions.”

Orcus whimpered. “I don’t like this feeling. Can I have someone else’s feeling?”

“That’s just Jealousy making you feel jealous,” Nico said. “It’ll be worth it, I promise.”

He opened his bomber jacket to check on Defiance, who puffed up and glared at him like, Yeah, I’m still here. What are you gonna do about it?

“Wow,” said Yazan. “Your Puff has so much personality. I’m kind of ashamed of mine.”

“That’s because you’re holding Shame,” Will pointed out.

From Yazan’s pouch, Shame hissed in reprimand.

Meanwhile, in the backseat, Lavinia wept as she held Sadness. Lucius Silver apologized profusely, since he was holding Guilt. And Frank just stared out the window, sighing. “I miss Hazel,” he said as he cradled Longing.

“There is a great deal of drama in this van,” Semele observed. “I don’t know how you get used to these Cocoa Puffs of yours.”

“They’re my babies!” Nico said. “Everyone will adjust—you’ll see.”

Naomi put a hand over her mouth. “Will and Nico have a family of tiny babies. Oh, it’s so adorable I can’t stand it!”

“Thanks, Mom,” Will muttered, though he didn’t really sound upset.

In Will’s pouch, Loneliness let out a plaintive sigh, as if he didn’t see how anyone could expect him to do his job of making Will lonely when there were so many other people in the van.

In the shotgun seat, Johan turned toward Will. “By the way, I brought a thermos of tea and some extra snacks. The wind spirits in the mess hall packed some delicious baked goods. Though I have to say, those spirits were terrifying….”

Nico didn’t understand the comment until he remembered that Johan’s Puff was Fear. He frowned. “You know, Johan, maybe I didn’t give you the best Puff for going into a battle. If you want to stay back, there’s no shame.”

Shame hissed, making it clear there was actually a lot of shame, in its humble opinion.

“I—I appreciate that,” Johan said. “I am not usually one for fighting, but I want to be there for our friends. Perhaps it will not be so scary. Perhaps our enemies will be cute and cuddly.”

“Hmph,” said Orcus. “I’m jealous of your optimism.”

Jealousy whined and shook its tusks.

The ride went on like that for another half hour, and Nico eventually leaned back and stared up at the van’s ceiling.

He would’ve probably gotten nervous about their chances for survival, given everyone’s literal emotional baggage, but he had wisely chosen Defiance as his companion.

He refused to give in to his doubts. He would make sure he and his friends prevailed.

He was so lost in his defiant thoughts that he didn’t realize where they were until Naomi cleared her throat. “Well, gang,” she said, “we’re here.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” said Will.

Nico looked out the window. After hearing Naomi describe what she’d seen in the park in great detail, he thought he was prepared.

He was not. Before them stretched the densest concentration of mythic beings he’d ever seen in his life, including during the Battle of Manhattan and in the depths of Tartarus.

Between the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences, a massive tree-lined plaza was filled with Cyclopes, empousai, telkhines, harpies, giants, and even…

was that a drakon ? More mythics formed a circle around the perimeter as if to keep the crowd contained.

The whole scene looked like Monsterpalooza, except no one was having fun.

Most of the crowd had pushed up against the de Young side of the plaza, where some sort of standoff seemed to be happening.

For safety’s sake, Naomi had parked the van about a hundred meters from the de Young.

That meant Nico couldn’t see everything clearly, but he was pretty sure he could make out three figures in black robes standing at the edge of the park’s steps, flanked by much taller red-robed humanoids holding spears.

The Court of the Dead had arrived. He couldn’t see the invisible barrier, obviously, but the judges seemed to be talking to a group on the other side.

That large horned creature must be Asterion.

Nico couldn’t distinguish Hazel in the mob, but he hoped she was nearby.

Naomi whistled softly. “There’s a lot more of them now. I can’t lie—this is way more interesting than if I’d stayed at my hotel. Are you sure I shouldn’t stick around?”

“Please, no,” said Will. Then he frowned. “Not that I don’t love seeing you, but I want you to stay safe. I hope you’re not mad at me.”

“Never, dear!” his mom said. “I get it.”

Will’s shoulders relaxed a little. “I just never expected my world and your world to collide a second time. Not after that day in Washington Square Park…I didn’t want you to go through anything like that again.”

She reached back and patted his knee. “I’m glad we did collide, my love.”

Will blushed once more, and Nico decided he would never get enough of it.

“However,” she added, “I don’t want to revisit the Washington Square incident, either. Though I do love visiting New York City! Do you remember what we found in that empty subway car?”

Nico groaned. “Oh my gods, Will. You absolutely take after your mother!”

Will laughed. “I’ve told that story already, Mom.”

“Well, in any case…I’m glad I could help even a little bit. It’s been a delight getting to spend time with all of you! Be safe out there, okay? If that’s possible, given…” She looked out the front windshield and frowned. “Oh, wow. That’s new. Are you all seeing this?”

Nico followed her gaze.

At first, he thought a fog bank was moving in.

White wisps of vapor had started to drift across the plaza, brushing against the magical barrier and parting like waves against the prow of a ship.

But this stuff wasn’t fog. It moved in multiple directions at once.

It shimmered as it swirled, coiling around the monsters guarding the plaza.

Some of the white tendrils snaked across the barrier, branching and zigzagging as if following a path of unseen cracks.

Nico thought the stuff almost looked angry.

It seemed to be exploring this massive crowd of mythics, the barrier, the whole scene, and it didn’t like what it saw.

“It’s the Mist,” Semele said.

Naomi tugged nervously on her earring. “Is it supposed to be acting so…active?”

“Definitely not,” said Johan. “We shouldn’t even be able to see it. I’m afraid—”

“Pirithous’s plan is starting to work,” Nico realized. “The Mist is breaking.”

Frank shouldered his quiver. “Hazel needs our help. Let’s go!”

They piled out of the van. Naomi came around from the driver’s side and wrapped Will in a hug. “Take care of yourself, and each other.”

Will nodded. “I’ll make sure to touch base once we’re safe, okay?”

“I trust you, Will,” she said. “You’ve kept yourself alive and thriving all this time. I’m proud of you.”

Then she turned to Nico. “You get one of these, too.”

As Naomi Solace embraced him, Nico was a jumble of emotions.

On the one hand, his anxiety waned. He felt protected and grateful.

On the other hand, Nico felt a spike of jealousy and sadness, even though he wasn’t holding those Puffs.

He wished his own mother were here, comforting him before a big mission and/or battle.

But she was not.

He reminded himself that his mother’s spirit was at peace. Like Bianca, she had moved beyond the world of mortals. They were both okay. And they were proud of him too.

He did his best to embrace that knowledge and enjoy this moment for what it was: his boyfriend’s mother showing him love.

“Thank you,” Nico told her.

Then, before he could start crying, he faced the rest of his group. It was time to step up. Time to lead, like Mr. D had been telling him.

“All right, team,” he said.

“We’re ready,” said Will, and he grabbed an arrow from his quiver.

Nico smiled at him. “Let’s go help our friends.”