The trio arrived on the surface hours later. Holly kept dozing off; Foaly hadn't been kidding, she had had a long week, and needed rest.
Holly fell into a deep sleep in the car, slumping, invisibly, onto the floor. When they reached Fowl Manor and Artemis couldn't find Holly, he almost panicked, but, being Artemis Fowl, composed himself and finally found a snoring Holly on the floor.
He had to carry her inside, completely invisible, which was quite a task, seeing how he couldn't tell where her head was. Halfway to the door, Holly flickered into the visible spectrum, her head lolling backwards. Artemis hurried inside, hugging Holly like a doll. She looked so innocent and vulnerable; like she had as an adolescent, nine years ago.
Artemis carefully placed his elfin friend on a couch, stroking her hair from her face. He stood there, looking at her, for quite some time. Suddenly, he heard a small, "ahem", from behind. Juliet stood there, a knowing smile on her lips.
"She's pretty, isn't she?" Juliet said sweetly. Artemis scowled at her.
"If Holly is alone, sleeping, she is an easy target. What did you expect me to do?" he shot at Juliet, who raised her hands in surrender, but left smirking.
Artemis set up various cameras around Holly, and walked briskly to the security booth, setting aside a few screens for the different angles of Holly and the room she was in. Shamefully, Artemis realized this gave him a very good reason to look at Holly, which for some reason was all he wanted to do. Hadn't they both agreed that the past was in the past? The kiss had meant nothing, and yet…
Artemis tapped a few passwords into a computer, activating filters and motion detectors in the video cameras. He had created a new device that could spot fairies when they were shielded. It was a lot easier than looking at individual frames, but had cost a fortune.
Juliet entered the booth half an hour later. "Artemis, Fowl Manor already has the bet security in Ireland, I don't think whoever wants Holly can get in," she said gently, gripping Artemis's tense shoulder.
"One can never be too safe," he said matter-of-factly. He heaved a sigh, and murmured, "Why her, Juliet? What about the twins? What about my parents? Why is Holly targeted?"
"I truly don't know, Artemis, but I have a theory," Juliet said, embarrassed. Artemis cocked an eyebrow.
"Let's hear it, then."
"Well, you love your family, but Holly is different," Juliet stated. "You've gone through so much together, gone through so much to keep each other alive… And it's a bit obvious you're in love with her."
Artemis toppled out of his leather swivel chair, shouting, "WHAT?" in an affronted tone. Juliet laughed at the sight of the young man on the floor, struggling to get up and tripping over his own feet.
"I most certainly am not in love with Captain Short," Artemis hissed. Juliet rolled her eyes.
"Oh, so now it's 'Captain Short'? Why so formal, Mud Boy?"
"Sorry. As I was saying, we are just friends, and that must be why she was targeted. I do not have a lot of close friends."
Juliet snorted. "Artemis, you two kissed, and Holly went through a small depression over the fact you lied to her. If you don't love her, it's a pity, because she sure loves you."
Artemis was growing red. "The only reason we kissed was because Holly's adolescent hormones were out of control"-
"And so she lost the ability to hide her feelings for you!" Juliet interrupted stubbornly. A sudden crash and a terrified scream cut the argument short.
"Holly!" Artemis whispered, scrambling to the security televisions. Holly was on the ground, wide awake. Her left arm was bloodied and a note lay on the table. A cloaked, invisible figure, who Artemis could see plainly thanks to the video filters, was making for the door, but took time to glance at one of the cameras, and give a false salute.
Artemis and Juliet hurried downstairs, Juliet's lip trembling. The two raced to Holly's side. The elf was panting slightly, blue sparks circling the wound as though wary to approach it.
"It won't heal," she said desperately. "That knife was magical."