Hey, I'm very disappointed in you guys. (How many of you have heard that more than once today?) Only one person reviewed. Frowns with great emphasis.
Make up for it, and review when you're done reading this.
Disclaimer: Not mine. It's Eoin Colfer's
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Artemis heard a creak on the stairs. Not a fairy for sure. A fairy was too light to make a creak like that.
He considered the options. There was probably someone else on the island. Either after him, or the fairies that he had stored away in his basement. Whoever it was, they had managed to disarm, and disable Juliet. An almost impossible task if there was one.
Probably dangerous.
Artemis Fowl was on his own. The trick, would be to get out without being hurt.
He wished this house had cameras.
Another creak. Artemis made up his mind, and reached over, pressing a few commands on his computer keyboard.
The LEP officers in the basement were now free to go. He just hoped they were smart enough to realize that. The computerized locks were deactivated. He only hoped, they would be kind enough to save his life, if only by accident really.
Turnball lifted Holly, setting her down just outside the door, and wiping off her mouth. He was feeling particularly cheerful, and felt that he could afford to be even more generous.
"You needn't lose all of your magic," he said, as he lashed her ankles together. "Not yet at least. I can take care of that later, once the others are all dead. In the meantime, why be uncomfortable? You'll feel better out here. I don't suggest you try leaving though. Not without me. The results could be very unpleasant. I'm sure you understand."
Holly scowled, struggling to sit up.
Turnball pushed her back down, allowing his hands to rest on her chest for a moment. "No, no. Lie down, and lie still. I do have a healthy respect for you. You have proved quite resourceful in the past. If you don't behave, I shall be forced to bring you back inside."
Holly complied with a slightly childish pout, that disguised her anger. "So you're going to marry me then, you bastard?"
Turnball smiled indulgently. "No, not marry you. Why should I do something so legal? You will merely be obliged to carry out marital duties. To put it in more tasteful terms. You'll get used to it after a while, I'm sure. I can be pleasing when I want to be."
Holly shuddered, as he reached down, playing with the top bottom of her halter-top.
Turnball straightened with a smile. "Now about the others…"
Julius sat still, waiting patiently for Vinyáya to let go of him. He didn't want to tell her to let go, but it was rather embarrassing to have a woman hanging on you. Especially when you didn't know what you were doing, or what was going on. Very embarrassing.
A soft click from the door startled him, and he tensed, covering Vinyáya's mouth and face with a hand, and shielding her with his body. Vinyáya was instantly quiet, forcing down sobs.
Nothing happened. For a moment.
There was a sudden crash from somewhere above.
Artemis Fowl sat still, watching Arno calmly. Arno Blunt. Alive and kicking. He should have known.
He would have a slight advantage though. Arno seemed thoroughly spooked. If he played it just right, he could no doubt manipulate Arno into doing exactly what he wanted him to do.
"Hello Arno, I've been expecting you." He turned slowly, living his lie. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
Arno hesitated in the door he had almost knocked in. He had been expected. That was not good.
Turnball's voice buzzed loudly in his ear. "Hey Arno? Bring Fowl in alive, if you haven't already killed him. I think I might want to cut him some kind of deal. And hurry up. Another two hours, and they'll be swarming all over this island. We'd better be gone."
Arno turned his attention to Artemis with a relieved look. "My employer wants to talk with you, Mister Fowl," he faltered. "Preferably now… if… if you don't mind."
Artemis stood with a gracious nod. "Certainly. The pleasure is mine. I had been hoping to meet with him."
Arno swallowed, holding the door open for Artemis with respect, as he moved across the room.
Julius rose after a moment, feeling the door. Once again, he tried to open it. To his utter astonishment, it swung open on silent hinges, revealing a darkened hallway, with a tiny window on the far end.
There was no one there.
Finally, Julius stepped out, motioning for Vinyáya to follow him. The unlocked door did wonders for Vinyáya. She was herself again— Right-Wing Commander, and an honored member of the Council. The tears disappeared with her fear, and she pushed past impatiently, trying another door with an open lock on it.A noise came from inside. "Who's that?"
"Trouble?"
A sigh of relief. Trouble emerged from the darkness, worry on his face. "I wasn't sure for a moment… Coral needs a lot of magic. Now. He's been fading in and out the last hour. His leg's hurting him pretty badly. If either of you can afford a little magic, he needs it."
Vinyáya nodded, stepping into the room. "I'll take care of him. Julius, take Trouble, and unlock the others. Make sure we're all here, and check to see if anyone's hurt. Look for Short. They might have caught her after all. Then come back here."
Julius moved off with a nod, motioning to Trouble to follow him.
Turnball was waiting for them, when Artemis and Arno appeared on the pa
th down the hill. He had tucked Holly out of sight around the corner, and stuffed Juliet all the way back into the body bag.
He shook Artemis's hand vigorously, smiling away, and then opened the door, motioning him inside. "Artemis, Artemis Fowl. I've heard plenty about you, believe me. I too, delight in the more objectable things in life. I believe you know where my brother is. Julius? I have an old score to settle with him. For a certain sum…?"
Artemis hid his repulsion with a slight smile. Killing someone who got in the way was one thing. Killing a family member for the sake of revenge was another. "How much is this sum?"
Turnball nodded cheerfully. "A bit… a bit. Care to sit down while we talk? Have a drink."
He handed Artemis a glass of water, motioning him carelessly towards a seat.
Artemis barely tasted the water, and then laughed. "Come now. Surely you don't think me stupid. Even an amateur could taste the drugs in this."
Turnball nodded leaning against the table, and locking eyes with Artemis. "I know Fowl. That was not it's purpose. It's purpose was to distract you. Which it has."
Artemis barely had time to process this, before Turnball produce the heavily used tranquilizer gun, and shot him in the shoulder.
Arno fidgeted, feeling the need to make the sign of a cross, but rather afraid of making Turnball angry.
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