Page 151 of The Sun and the Star

Nico’s skin tingled all over. He knew that more dead were about to rise. He hoped they’d be enough to at least distract the goddess.

But nothing happened. Nyx threw back her head in a laugh. ‘Oh, Nico, you really should have read my brochure,’ she said, then cackled more. ‘I mean, itliterallyspells out that there is no greater force of darkness in the world than me. Did you think your paltrytrauma and your brooding gothic sensibilities were any match forthis?’ On the last word, her wings extended.

A chariot appeared out of the shadows around Nyx, and her two vampire horses whinnied and reared. From the void that was her body the goddess pulled a whip made of fiercely burning stars. She snapped it towards Bob, and the end of it wrapped around one of his legs. When she yanked it, he flipped over, slamming into the ground.

‘Iamthe darkness,’ she boomed, and Nico felt like he was being screamed at by a black hole. ‘And you willneverreturn to a world you don’t belong in.’

Nyx squeezed.

Darkness bloomed in Nico’s vision, but only for a moment. There was a loud cry somewhere near him, and then he went tumbling through the air. He slammed into the ground and saw bright flashes, but he knew this might be his only chance to escape Nyx. He scrabbled against the earth while gasping for breath, then went straight for Will, who now sat upright, rocking back and forth.

‘Will!’ he called out, and his boyfriend looked up at him.

‘I can hear it,’ Will said.

There was another crash, and Nico turned back to see an enraged Bob tackling Nyx.

A broom handle was sticking out of her torso.

She yanked it out and tossed Bob aside. ‘You think you can hurt me, you useless Titan?’

Bob smiled.

And Small Bob leaped from behind and began to claw Nyx’s head. The goddess shrieked as she tried to pull off the tiger, and her horses flipped out, bucking and jumping as they, too, screamed.

Nico reached Will and cupped his boyfriend’s face in his hands. ‘Are you okay?’

‘I can hear it,’ he said again, and tears poured down his cheeks as he pointed behind Nico.

Nico spun around, and he cursed himself.

He had forgotten.

There, beyond the monsters, beyond Nyx, beyond Nemesis and Hypnos, was the house.

The Mansion of Night.

Even at this distance, Nico could still sense it. It was alive. It spoke to a part of his mind, deep and buried and afraid.

And unfortunately Will was transfixed by the ever-moving mansion. ‘It’s alive, isn’t it?’

Nico quickly clamped his hand over Will’s eyes. ‘Don’t look at it.’

But Will pushed him away. ‘It wants me.’

Nico removed his hand and stared deeply into Will’s eyes. ‘Don’t let this place get to you,’ he said. ‘That’s what Nyx wants. She wants me to give myself up, but I made you a promise, Will.’

‘I can’t,’ said Will, and his body went limp in Nico’s arms. ‘Tartarus has drained me, just like you said it would.’

‘Then we’ll get you out of here. We’ll feed you some ambrosia –’

‘Only one piece left, remember? Save it for yourself,’ said Will weakly. He coughed, clutching his chest. ‘I think this is how the prophecy is fulfilled.’

Nico tried to lift Will, but he was like an enormous rag doll.

‘No, this is how it has to happen,’ said Will.

‘It’s not! Neither one of us is staying here!’ Nico reached into his pocket and produced the coin. ‘This isn’t you speaking. It isn’t the Will Solace I know. You’re a child of Apollo! You wouldnevergive up this easily!’

---