AuroraRose, I tried to include more of Juliet in this chapter, with Holly gone now :-)
Aerin, I have changed the genre :-) And actually, Holly's invitation didn't really stick to the Artic incident, because she said that 'not many lawyers would take your case on that basis.' She didn't enter Fowl Manor in the second book, she waited outside it. Anyway, besides, otherwise I wouldn't have a story J And I wouldn't really mind you reviewing every single chapter, heh heh.
I think that's about all, so just enjoy the (relatively) long chapter :-)
RealizationArtemis paced worriedly. Holly was late. Granted, they hadn't set a specific return date from the Ritual, but Artemis was not bothered with linguistics, or logic at this moment.
"Where is she?" He growled irritably. Worry did not sit well with Artemis.
Butler was equally perturbed. He furrowed his brow. "She should be here any minute," he said pacifyingly to Artemis, though a note in his voice signified that the statement was a meaningless formula, something to assuage the knot of worry deep in the pits of their stomachs.
"You don't believe that, Dom," Juliet shot accusingly. She wasn't usually so pert, but the worry gnawed at her. She did not particularly enjoy the sensation either.
"Holly should be here by now," Mulch volunteered slowly. "Her wings would have given her enough speed to reach here by now. It has been two hours." He was greatly disconcerted as well. Very unlike him.
Artemis continued to pace, his mind mapping out possible scenarios and unexpected events that could have kept Holly from Fowl Manor.
The phone rang.
Artemis stared at it for a moment, and unreasoningly, he felt a surge of dark anticipation. Dread coursed through his heart.
It rang again.
Butler moved to pick it up, but Artemis cut him off and began to stride across the room to the phone.
It rang for a third time.
"Hello?" asked Artemis, his voice quavering slightly. He swore, that if this turned out to be a darned telemarketer Butler would be paying him an unpleasant visit shortly.
"Hello, Artemis." The voice sent chills down Artemis's spine. It was every bit as cold as Artemis's, but there was something more to it, a deep seated, almost innate even, cruelty.
"Who is this?" But he already knew.
"I'm sure you have figured it out by now, Artemis." Artemis tensed. He knew what was coming, even if a part of him was screaming that this could not be, no, this was an absurdity, it had to be false.
But he knew it was true nonetheless.
"Are you missing anyone in your party?" A cold chuckle.
Artemis's suspicions had been confirmed. His shoulders slumped. "What do you want?" he asked from behind clenched teeth.
Another cruel laugh. "I want you and all your fairy friends to come to my home base. You know where it is, I'm sure."
"And what if I don't?" Artemis replied defiantly, more to resist this demented being in any way than out of any ignorance.
"Your dear elvish friend here will develop a case of nascent illness. Something suitably debilitating and lingering. And painful, yes, don't forget painful." Artemis could sense the cruel amusement dripping from his words. The malice was frighteningly apparent, and Artemis experienced a medley of emotions.
Burning hatred coursed through his soul. Worry once again gnawed at his liver, apparently fortified by its brief abdication when it gave way to hatred.
But worst was the fear. Fear for Holly, fear of this demented freak, and just fear in general. You know it was bad when Artemis felt such powerful emotions. He felt his cool exterior fade away.
He struggled to retain his indifferent, calm façade and poise. "The elf is of no concern to me." His hand shook. A dangerous gambit.
"Then you won't mind if I just out her on the rack for a few hours, then, Artemis. Do not take me for a fool." The malicious amusement disappeared, only to be replaced by a note of steel in Felix's voice.
Artemis sighed, but he had expected that response anyway. "When do you want us to come?" he asked, momentarily defeated.
"Oh, anytime you prefer. It would make things more fair that way, no?" And with that, Felix terminated the link.
*
Foaly munched on a carrot. His twelfth, or maybe thirteenth, but hey! Who was keeping count? Root was buying, after all.
"You see, it all started with this Artemis Fowl fella. He kidnapped Holly and- you remember Holly right? The elf I was talking about minutes ago? Auburn hair, fiery disposition? Okay, good. Then-"
Foaly was interrupted in mid-reliving with the bewildered Root, who sat on the hospital bed, confusion apparent on his countenance, by a signal form his headset.
"Broadcasting on all frequencies, broadcasting on all frequencies, Foaly, can you hear me?" It rang through the static.
"Got you, hold on, I'm adjusting the signal… There, I hear you loud and clear. What is it, Artemis?"
Artemis took a deep breath. "Foaly, Holly has been abducted."
"What?" Foaly cried out incredulously.
"She has been kidnapped by Felix, Foaly. The stakes are higher now," he said, his voice devoid of any emotion, despite the turmoil raging inside.
Foaly recovered his composure. "How?" he asked with a shaking voice.
"She went to perform the Ritual. Felix had stakeouts on every Ritual site." Artemis continued in a dead tone.
"Why? What does he want?" Foaly asked, still stunned slightly by the incredibility of this most unwelcome news.
"My guess is that he wants to face us and eliminate our threat once and for all. Without Holly we have no magic, no equipment. We will be like lambs before a slaughter," Artemis replied, with a peculiar detached quality to his voice, his speech carrying no hint of inflections.
"Check out the Ritual site. We may have a hint, or a clue. It's worth a shot," he added.
"Very well," replied Artemis wearily, though his demeanour did not seem to harbour any hope whatsoever.
"Good luck, Artemis," said Foaly as he terminated the link. He turned to look at the still confused Root and begun to sob gently.
*
The door to Holly's cell opened quietly, almost soundlessly even.
She was huddled in a corner of the dank prison, and she looked up at the figure standing in the doorway.
"What do you want?" she asked harshly, asperity coating every syllable.
He chuckled coldly. The sound sent chills up Holly's spine.
"I merely wish to check upon my… guest." Felix replied lightly. "Are you enjoying your stay?"
Holly spat at him. However, since she was weak from the lingering effects of the tranquilliser and was huddled in a damp corner, it did not quite reach his face, but merely settled on his shirt.
He peered at the proof of her defiance and chuckled again. "Feisty, aren't we?"
He strode to her and cupped her face in his hand harshly. His eyes burned with a dreadful intensity. "I will break your will and spirit, fairy. Mark my words."
Since her first try had been somewhat off the mark, she decided that she was entitled to one more try. Second time lucky. This time her aim was much more true.
Felix calmly wiped the spittle out of his eye. "Your will is strong. This will make shattering it all the more enjoyable. Your precious Artemis and his cronies and lackeys are already on their way." He smiled, but there was no mirth in it. "I wonder how much you'd enjoy seeing them killed slowly in front of you?" And with that, he chuckled again and left her alone, all alone in the cold, dark, prison.
And softly, Holly began to weep.
*
Artemis and Butler scoured the area. Juliet and Mulch were waiting back in the manor.
"Nothing here, Artemis," Butler voiced.
Artemis's heart sank. Without anything, they hadn't a chance. "Look there," he said despairingly.
He began to search frantically. "There! There's something behind those bushes!" He went in for a closer look.
He lifted the object, a peculiar belt, triumphantly.
"What's that?" inquired Butler.
"A lifeline," Artemis said with a grin.
*
"Holly left her field equipment on the ground before beginning to perform the Ritual," Artemis informed Mulch and Juliet, his face flushed with hope.
"So… we have fairy technology?" Asked Juliet.
"Yes, we have fairy technology. Even if it isn't as sophisticated as Felix's, Foaly is on our side, and he knows how to utilize them." Artemis answered.
"Butler, I had not intended to bring you along, but now, with Holly out of the picture, I have to choice. The stakes have been raised," he said soberly.
Butler clasped his charge's hand wordlessly in comfort, but his eyes danced with the possibility of action. Someone like Butler could not just sit back while his charge ventured into mortal peril.
"Juliet, Mulch, get ready. We will leave shortly." Artemis nodded curtly at them
"No problem, Artemis," said Juliet, subdued for once, a vast change from her usual flighty self. The gravity of the situation had struck her. She had been close friends with Holly, she mused sadly. Still am, she reminded herself sternly. She couldn't give up on Holly. Not now. She should trust in Artemis and his brilliance, like she always did.
She ventured a glance at his face. It looked tired and haggard, all worn out. It was the face of an old man who had been through a lot, and didn't like it. She felt a surge of sympathy for Artemis. Some people thought he was lucky, being rich and intelligent. Few people knew better.
She clasped his hand in support, perhaps unconsciously echoing Butler's gesture.
*
Soon, everyone was assembled in the hall of Fowl Manor.
"Is everyone ready?" asked Artemis.
Nods greeted him.
"Then lets go. We have an appointment in Poland," he said grimly.