Page 80 of The Court of the Dead
“Well, I’m impressed,” Nico said, admiring Hazel’s illusionary earrings. “What was that breakthrough you mentioned, about how to control the Mist?”
She tilted her head. “Hard to explain. I realized the Mist has…currents, I guess? It wants to move in a certain direction. Like I was paddling upstream, trying to make the Mist do what I wanted. That’s exhausting. I needed to pay attention to where the Mist wanted to go and flow with it. Much easier.”
“So the Mist wanted me to wear baby-blue seersucker today?”
Hazel beamed. “Yes, let’s blame the Mist for that. Now, come on, you two. And don’t go wandering off.”
Once inside the courthouse, the three of them stood waiting at the security checkpoint. Sounds echoed through the lobby rotunda—conversations, high heels on tile, the beeping of metal detectors. The noise was overwhelming to Nico. He worried that the security officers would ask them for IDs. Or his Stygian iron sword would set off alarms. Or Will’s cargo pants pockets would—gods only knew what Will had in those.
The only awkward moment was when the guard reminded Nico to retrieve his personal effects from the X-ray machine tray and Nico had to pantomime picking up his nonexistent briefcase.
After they’d passed through the metal detectors, the demigods stepped to one side of the lobby, next to a café cart.
“What now?” Nico whispered.
Hazel frowned. “I was hoping to see somewhere to use Laverna’s ID. I thought that’s how we’d gain access—”
“Excuse me.” Someone brushed against Nico’s shoulder.
It was a bike courier with a bag slung over his shoulder and a large box in his arms. He squeezed past the demigods, navigated around a gaggle of business suits, and headed deeper into the lobby. Something about the courier’s gait caught Nico’s attention. He loped along, almost jumping with each step, as if he were used to having much longer legs.
“Hazel,” Nico said. “That courier…”
“I see him,” she said. “He’s flickering in and out of the Mist. I don’t think he’s human.”
Will spotted the courier, just turning down a side corridor. “He looks normal to me. What didyoutwo see?”
“I’m not sure,” Hazel said. “But let’s follow him.”
The three of them tried their best to blend in with the crowd. They allowed a few other people to get between them and the courier as they trailed him down the hallway.
Nico’s pulse thumped in his ears. He felt itchy all over. He knew the clothes he was wearing were just an illusion. But somehow he could sense them even though he couldn’t see them. Suits and Nico di Angelo didnotmix.
The courier began walking faster. For a brief instant, Nico could see him through the Mist—some sort of muscular creature covered in dark fur. Then he ducked down another side corridor on the left.
When they reached the intersection, the courier was nowhere to be seen.
“Which way now?” asked Will.
Hazel pointed to a set of double doors halfway down the hall on the right. “I think…maybe that way.”
They stopped in front of the doors—frosted glass in frames of polished oak. There was no sign, no indication of what was inside. Nico tried the brass door handle, but it was locked.
“Look.” Hazel pointed to a small black card reader on the wall. She lifted Laverna’s laminated ID. “You think?”
“Worth a try,” Nico agreed.
Hazel held the ID up to the card reader by the door. A green light illuminated on the panel, and then there was aclick.
“Yes!” hissed Will.
Nico pushed down on the door handle again. The door swung inward, but he didn’t open it all the way.
“Are we ready?” he asked.
“Wehaveto be,” whispered Hazel. “Whatever is through here, it must be where Laverna took our friends.”
“Well, we’ve got each other’s backs,” said Will. “Let’s find out together.”
