"I didn't want to die or anything," Nico said quietly. "I wasn't really depressed either, I don't think. I just...everyone always says that teenagers think they're immortal. I never did."

She realized she was wringing her sewing project in her hands and quickly spread it out, smoothing it down over her lap. She wished she'd thought to bring the Staff of One with her when she'd left her room to investigate the sound of drums -- it wouldn't warp or tear under her fingers.