Page 15 of The Sun and the Star

Nico nodded, his heart thumping.

Chiron clopped into the cabin, lowering his head to fit. ‘I know these prophecies can be hard to understand when you first hear them,’ he said. ‘Take all the time you need. We don’t have to discuss and dissect it now.’

Nico caught the sharp, chastising look that Will cast his way.

‘Well, this is awkward,’ Nico muttered.

Chiron tilted his head. ‘Why? Do you know what this prophecy is about?’

Nico exhaled, trying to purge the last remnants of his dreams. He wondered if he could still be trapped in a nightmare.

‘Chiron, I wanted to tell you and Mr D at some point, but … well, I just never found the right time.’

‘It’s not a new prophecy,’ Will explained. ‘We’ve already heard it.’

Chiron glanced at Rachel, who was now breathing more steadily in Will’s arms.

‘I’m sorry,’ the centaur said. ‘Are you telling me that Miss Dare just rushed here in the middle of the night to give you arerunprophecy?’

‘They’re telling the truth,’ said Rachel, sounding miserable. ‘This prophecy …it keeps coming back. Again and again.’

Nico’s heartbeat stumbled. ‘Keepscoming back … You mean this isn’t just the second time?’

Rachel winced, then started to cough.

Will helped her sit up. ‘I’ll get you some water.’

He dashed to the bathroom and came back a moment later with a cup that Nico reallyhopedwas clean.

Rachel took it gratefully. ‘I guess someonereallyneeds your attention, Nico.’ Her expression was strained but sympathetic. ‘The previous times, I thought maybe I was just caught in a feedback loop or something. Maybe a glitch left over from Apollo’s fight withPython. I didn’t want to worry you. But this time … the urge overwhelmed me. I had to come find you.’

Will placed his hand on her shoulder. ‘How many times has the prophecy repeated?’

Rachel’s cheeks flushed. She took a sip of water. ‘Twelve.’

‘Twelve times?’ said Nico. ‘Are you serious?’

Chiron scowled. ‘This is an alarming situation. In all my years, I’ve never heard of something like this.’

Rachel nodded and took another sip. ‘It’s like a constant reminder that the quest needs to be fulfilled – that it hasn’t been undertaken yet.’

Nico frowned. ‘So, you’ve basically become like one of those annoying notifications in a video game reminding me to complete a side mission.’

She glared at him.

Nico silently cursed himself. ‘That came out wrong. I’m sorry. You’re not annoying, Rachel. You know what I meant.’

Rachel mustered a weary smile. She nodded her thanks to Will as he helped her to her feet. ‘This prophecy is definitely annoying. Whatever you need to do, Nico, it would be great if you could get started. Then maybe I can turn off my notifications.’

Nico glanced at Will. ‘It’s him. There’s no way it’s not.’

‘Who are you talking about?’ said a new voice.

Mr D stood in the doorway. He had on a leopard-print tank top, bright yellow board shorts and pink flip-flops. Basically a typical outfit for the god of partying. In one arm, he was cradling a large metal mixing bowl.

Nico sniffed the air. ‘Is thatpopcorn?’

‘I figured there might be a show happening out here.’ Mr D tossed a kernel into his open mouth. ‘What’s a good show without popcorn?’

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