Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5)(67)
Author: Jennifer Estep

I hugged Grandma and pulled her away from the others. "How is Nickamedes?"

She smiled, but it was a tight, weary expression. "The poison progressed faster than Metis thought it would and faster than her healing magic could handle. She’s been using her magic on Nickamedes pretty much nonstop for the last six hours now, and all she’s been able to do is keep him alive. It’s a good thing you got back when you did, pumpkin. Now, we’ll just have to wait and see."

I let out a breath. We sat down at the far end of the infirmary, away from the others, and I told Grandma Frost everything that had happened – including what I’d found out about my dad and Rory’s parents.

"Why didn’t you tell me anything about my dad? And Rory and her family?"

Grandma shifted in her chair, and her violet eyes took on a distant look, almost as if she was peering back into the past. "After your father was killed by Reapers, Tyson finally managed to track down me, you, and your mom. Tyson told Grace he was sorry for what had happened, and he also told her to keep you as far away from him and the mythological world as possible. He said that he had a daughter too, and that he was trying to figure out some way to keep her safe from the Reapers. I guess he never did."

We fell silent for several minutes.

Finally, I looked at her again. "So is this it? Or are there any more deep, dark, horrible skeletons in our family closet that I need to know about?"

Grandma shook her head. "As far as I know, this is it, pumpkin. No more secrets."

I grimaced. "Well, I wouldn’t say that. Because I have one to share with you."

I turned to the side so my friends wouldn’t see what I was doing and showed her the silver laurel and mistletoe bracelet that Eir had given me. I also told Grandma what the goddess had said about how the laurels could be used to heal – or destroy.

"What do you think I’m supposed to do with them?" I asked. "Do you think – do you really think that I can kill Loki with the laurels?"

Grandma reached out and ran her finger across one of the silver leaves. "I don’t know, pumpkin. But Eir and Nike wanted you to have them for a reason. You’ll figure out what it is when it’s time. I know you will. You always do."

I wanted to tell her that I was sick of mysteries and riddles and having the fate of the world resting on my shoulders, but I kept my mouth shut. It wouldn’t help. This was my life, for better or worse, good or bad, and all I could do was make the best of it – and try to do the right thing in the end.

Even if I was starting to think I didn’t have a clue as to what that right thing might be.

The hours slipped by. We all stayed in the waiting room, although one by one, we drifted off to sleep. Daphne. Carson. Oliver. Alexei. Logan. Vic. Grandma Frost. Even I went to sleep eventually, despite the fact that I couldn’t quite get comfortable in my chair. One second, I was shifting in my seat for the hundredth time. The next, I felt someone gently shaking me awake. I opened my eyes.

Metis was standing over me, her hand on my shoulder. "Nickamedes is awake," she said in a soft voice. "He’s asking for you."

I blinked away the last of my sleep, sat up, and got to my feet. I tiptoed past the others, being careful not to wake them, and followed Metis into the back of the infirmary. Nickamedes was in a room by himself. The librarian looked thin and pale, and his blue eyes were duller than I remembered, but his face was soft and relaxed as he turned his head in my direction.

Metis went over and pulled his blanket up. "Are you comfortable? Do you have everything you need?"

"Of course," he said, reaching out and grabbing her hand. "You’ve taken excellent care of me, Aurora. Just as you always do."

She smiled, but her expression was a little sad, and she quickly pulled her hand away from his. "Yes. Just like always."

Nickamedes frowned at her. Apparently, he had no idea how she felt about him. Maybe I’d have to do something about that, when he was well.

Metis touched my shoulder again. "I’ll give you two a minute," she said, pulling the door shut behind her.

I went over to his bed and stood there, not quite looking at the librarian. What did you say to the person who’d been poisoned because of you? Who’d suffered so much pain? Who’d almost died because of you? I’m so sorry just didn’t seem like enough.

"Thank you," Nickamedes finally said. "Metis told me what you did for me. How you went to the Eir Ruins and all the dangers you faced along the way."

I shrugged and picked at one of the silver laurels on my bracelet just to have something to do. "It wasn’t just me. We all went – together. Daphne. Carson. Oliver. Alexei. Ajax. And Logan was there too."

He nodded. "I know, but if you hadn’t figured out what the poison was, I wouldn’t be here right now. So thank you for that, Gwendolyn."

I shifted on my feet, uncomfortable with his gratitude.

"I’m sorry," I said, finally raising my eyes to his. "I’m so, so sorry that I wasn’t able to stop you from drinking the poison. That you got sick instead of me. If I could go back and change things, I would. I’m so sorry the Reapers hurt you."

I swallowed, trying to dislodge the hard lump in my throat. Because now came the hard part – telling him something that had been on my mind ever since that horrible night in the library when he’d first collapsed.

"Maybe – maybe I shouldn’t work at the library anymore," I said in a low voice. "The Reapers could always try it again, you know. They probably will try it again, and I don’t want you or anyone else getting hurt because you’re in between them and me."

Nickamedes stared at me in disbelief. Then, his blue eyes blazed, and his features fixed into that firm glare I knew so well.

"Absolutely not," he snapped. "I will not hear of any such thing."

I blinked. I’d expected him to accept my resignation with no questions asked. In fact, I thought he’d be rather glad to get rid of me. "But – "

"But nothing," Nickamedes interrupted, his voice as fierce as I’d ever heard it. "I won’t hear of you quitting your duties simply because of one measly Reaper attack. You’re my best worker."

I blinked again. "I am?"

"Yes." He paused. "Despite your perpetual tardiness."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help smiling. His snippy words and the huffy tone to his voice told me Nickamedes was going to be okay. I started to excuse myself to let him get some rest when he frowned and nodded at my hands.

"What’s that you’re fiddling with?" he asked.

I looked down and realized I was toying with one of the laurel leaves. I started to pull my hoodie sleeve down and tell him it was nothing when another idea occurred to me.