It should have been obvious really. No story can exist without conflict. Now that I was part of a story, what did I expect?
But at that point, I was too delirious with the joy of being brought out of my mundane.
I woke Artemis by pulling up the shade in my room. "Good morning."
My cheery voice was met with groans. "How old exactly is this mattress?"
I sighed. "You don't have your money here, Artemis. Actually, I've been thinking about that. Since you don't exist, you don't have credit. So here." I handed him a VISA Black. "Since you don't exist, you never have to pay it back."
Artemis squinted at me, perhaps to tell me exactly what was wrong with my plan, when there was a thump outside.
The two of us went to the window.
"It seems someone's moving in?" Artemis said softly.
I laughed. "You."
"You didn't."
I just laughed again. "Don't worry, I got the best of everything…but I'll leave the decorations and such to you."
Artemis squinted at the card for the first time. "Artur Orne Fole II. Who is "Orne"?"
I chuckled. "Orion."
"My name is not Orion!" Artemis snapped.
I was too busy laughing to see the enemy park her convertible and click her sharp nails for her assistants to help her with her voluminous luggage.
I also didn't see her vicious gaze touch us for a brief second, glaring, calculating.
Opal Koboi.