Chapter 4
Thalia's POV
I remember when my mother used to come home late at night, smelling of alcohol and other substances I couldn't place. She would walk, or rather wobble over to my bed, and lean down beside me.
"Darling," She would whisper. "You are the most amazing thing I have ever known; you know that, don't you?"
She would sit next to my bed for a while, probably waiting for me to get up and hug her, telling her that she was the best mum in the whole world. But I never did. I always pretended to be asleep.
The words she whispered weren't true. It was the alcohol speaking, not her. When she was sober (which she almost never was) she saw me as nothing more than a broken promise. My father, Zeus, had promised her everything. Eternal beauty, immortality, all of those things. But he never did that. He broke his promise. And because of that, my mother would always see me as a disappointment.
I don't know why I remember this right now. Perhaps it is because, just like I was many years ago, I am a disappointment. My lady Artemis's broken body rests at my feet, as does the body of her brother, Apollo. All of her hunters are either killed or taken prisoner. I do not deserve the honor of being lieutenant. Kneeling at my lady's side, I take the circlet from my head, and gingerly place it on her chest.
Suddenly her hand grips my arm. I cry out in surprise as she opens her eyes. I can see the great strain it requires for her to open her mouth, but she does it anyway.
"Thalia…" Her voice is hoarse. "My finest lieutenant…"
She pauses, coughing. Blood splatters the ground.
"My lady," I begin, but her grip on my arm tightens. She looks me straight in the eyes.
"You could have been great, Thalia."
If someone had stabbed me now, I doubt it would hurt more than her words.
"Please stop," I whisper, tears streaming down my cheeks. But she doesn't.
"Why did you do it Thalia?" Her eyes are filled with great sadness. "Why?"
Then her grip on me loosens, and her body goes still.
"I'm sorry." I say out loud, even though I know nobody can hear me. Everyone is dead. And it's all because of me.
I gently close Lady Artemis's eyes. I feel like it might be a small redemption, but nothing I can ever do will make up for the crime I committed. Ever.
