CHAPTER 3
Zoe
Just immediately after both girls left the tent, Artemis form shimmered into that of an eighteen-year-old. An age that matched Zoe's.
Artemis instantly cupped Zoe's face and firmly pressed her lips against hers. Instantly reciprocating, Zoe wrapped her arms around the goddess waist, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss.
Zoe moaned as Artemis slipped her tongue into her mouth, instantly turning the girl into pudding. Zoe the placed her hands on Artemis chest, squeezing and feeling the goddess' breasts and taught body through the silver-hunting gear, something that instantly drew a moan out of Artemis.
Artemis let out a low growl as she cupped Zoe's rear, giving it a quick squeeze and slap, instantly eliciting more moans out of Zoe.
Artemis gave one last moan before she gently pushed Zoe away, nibbing on her ear as she did so.
As the goddess gazed at her lieutenant and partner, only love and compassion could be seen. Many believe Artemis was incapable of love by virtue of being a sworn maiden. Artemis was very capable of love…just not for the male population. She absolutely loathed males, with there being a few exceptions. A number she could count on one hand.
Despite the passionate kiss they just shared, Zoe could see the worry clouding Artemis beautiful silver orbs.
"What troubles you Arty?" Zoe asked softly, using her pet name for the goddess. Artemis sighed.
"Everything from the Manticore and his transformation to the General, Zo" Artemis replied, feeling warmth at her partners care. "Something large is at play. The allies the Manticore spoke of, that truly worries me. It seems this war keeps getting worse, and with Olympus doing nothing, I fear we gods will fall"
Zoe pulled Artemis into hug. The goddess only showed this kind of vulnerability with her, and her only.
"Everything is going to be alright, my love. Will face this problem like every other problem that has come our; together." Zoe whispered, as she pecked her goddess on her ruby lips.
Artemis chuckled. "I don't know if could manage this immortal life without you," Artemis said, brushing her nose against Zoe's.
"You certainly couldn't," Zoe half chuckled/whispered.
Artemis then pushed Zoe away.
"As much as I'd love to have my way with you, you have to make sure your sisters don't end those campers lives."
Zoe pouted, something Artemis found very cute. "Fine, but you all me one once you get back from your hunting trip." Zoe gave Artemis a seductive smirk.
"I'll keep that in mind. Oh, and Zoe, please make sure the girls are informed about their new arrangement."
"Will do milady," Zoe purred, swaying her hips as she left Artemis tent.
"Gods, I love you," Artemis whispered.
Cassandra and Bianca departed from each other the moment the left the tent. Bianca left for the Hunters while Cassandra went to find her idiot brother and friends.
She found them huddled together around the Hunters camp-fire, minus the Hunters of course. They couldn't stand being in the company of campers, much less male campers.
Despite the initial Manticore attack and so, they all seemed relaxed. Her green orbs moved from camper to camper till they settled on her brother. A smile graced his lips as he laughed at a joke Thalia said. She quietly made her way there and took a seat next to her brother, placing her head on his shoulder as she snuggled into his warmth. Unlike the rest of them, Percy had no winter wear on. Why? Let's just say being a son of a sun god has its perks.
"Had a good time with Moon," Percy asked.
"Better than I expected actually. She even offered to have me in her group of eternal maidens."
Percy didn't even bat an eye at her statement. He knew she'd never leave him for people she just recently met.
"You passed a chance of joining a group of lesbians. I thought it was your dream to be surrounded by a group of teenage girls?" Percy asked, already knowing her answer-drawing attention from the rest of the crew.
"It still is my dream, but I would never trade you for a group of hot girls…no matter the day," Cassandra replied, shoving him a little.
"The offered you to join the Hunt?" the question came from the frowning daughter of Zeus.
Cassandra shrugged. "They did, but I didn't accept. I not keen on abandoning my brother and mom," Cassandra explained. "But Bianca on the other hand joined the Hunters."
Thalia scowl deepened.
"S-she…joined the Hunters?" a timid voice laced with disbelief asked. Everyone turned towards Nico.
"She did." Cass said truthfully. "I won't pretend to understand why she left you, but I want you to know that will be there for you."
"Right guys?"
A chorus of 'yes' went around the campfire. Despite that, Nico still looked disturbed, shocked and confused, finding a way to portray all three on his face.
Deciding to change the topic of discussion, Annabeth spoke up.
"How come you get cuddle with sunbeam over there while the rest of us are freezing?" Annabeth asked.
"One, we're not cuddling and two, I'm making sure he performs his duty as my personal heater," Cassandra muttered.
"I'm not your personal heater," Percy grumbled, glaring at company for associating his birth power with an electronic gadget.
"You sure about that?" Cassandra asked, facing her brother.
Percy smirked and a reply came out of him. "Let she who wields and sucks a dildo testify," Percy said, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
Annabeth made a choked sound…
Thalia burst out laughing…
Nico just looked confused…
Cassandra was a whole different story; she was practically burning with rage.
"Why you little-" Cassandra twisted and lunged at a laughing Percy, grabbing his shoulders as they fell to the snow. The rolled in the snow for a few minutes, tugging and pulling at each other, until finally bursting into laughter.
"I thought that was between us?" Cassandra asked, pouting at her brother.
"Sorry about that Cass. I just couldn't resist the temptation of embarrassing you," Percy replied, helping his sister off the ground.
Cassandra just chuckled and turned to glare at him. "Revenge is sweet," she sang out, as she took her seat on the log. Percy took a step back and glanced at his sister. Shit was going to go down and he had no idea when it would happen.
"Cass," Percy called out almost nervously, "Mom said no more revenge schemes." Percy said taking his seat again.
"Mom won't find out," Cassandra calmly replied.
Percy gulped and faced the rest of them. "Well shit…" he grumbled out.
With that act over, the group fell into a comfortable story telling. Jokes were cracked, threats were made-the usual staff. Despite the up-lifting mood around the campfire, something still troubled Thalia.
"Hey, Cass" Thalia called out, drawing the younger teens attention. "While you were in the tent, did Lady Artemis mention anything about what happened to the Manticore?"
The conversation died down upon hearing Thalia's question.
Cass shrugged. "I asked the same thing and she told me she has no Idea," Cass replied, glaring at the fire. "T-that was terrifying. I've never seen or read anything at the camps library talking about a monster doing that," Annabeth added, looking around the campfire at her friends.
"I don't know. But it looks to me that Kronos is making sure that his plans play out right," Percy spoke out, deciding to voice his thoughts. "I remember the Manticore saying something about Kronos' allies. What if those allies are the reason for the Manticores transformation?"
"I was thinking the same thing," Cassandra said. "If those allies are the ones who did that-whatever it was to the Manticore, then this war just took a turn for worse."
A silence fell among them, as they contemplated about what they discussed. Different expressions could be seen on their faces, varying from anger-from Thalia-to observation from Annabeth. Though Nico didn't yet understand the situation he was now in, he new that whatever could make his new friends-probably his new family-this disturbed was bad.
Soft footsteps on the snow drew their attention.
Standing before them was Zoe Nightshade, with a scowl on her beautiful face.
Ever the one impulsive-other than Percy-Thalia called out. "Can we help you?" Zoe scowl deepened as she noticed the underlined bitterness in Thalia's voice-not like she could blame the girl; they were not on good terms after all.
"Milady has sleeping arrangements set for," Zoe said, pointing at a pair of silver tents furthest from the Hunters camp. Everyone seemed pleased at the sleeping arrangements…though Thalia wasn't having any of it, despite her feeling cold.
"You can-" Annabeth instantly clamped a hand over the older girls mouth, instantly receiving a glare. Unlike Thalia, she wanted somewhere to sleep and wouldn't let an argument that took place five years ago destroy that.
"Please inform Lady Artemis that we are thankful for the sleeping arrangements," Annabeth replied, giving the older girl fake smile.
"One more thing; girls in one tent boys in the other," Zoe said, before turning to walk away, giving Cassandra a tiny smile and wink. She liked the girl for no apparent reason and the girl liked her back too.
Cass on the other hand sent her a large smile. She found the older girl to be sexy as hell with that beautiful face and all. "Goodnight, Zoe."
"Goodnight to you too, daughter of Poseidon," Zoe replied, giving a little chuckle as she disappeared into one of the silver tents.
"Well, I'm beat. See you tomorrow morning guys. Come on Nico, I've got a lot of fun stories for you." Nico instantly grinned and followed the boy to one of the tents.
"Yo, sunbeam!" Thalia cried out, drawing both boys attention. "His still young for that kind of stuff. Nico, don't forget to fasten your belt before you sleep," Thalia said as she burst into laughter upon seeing the disbelieved expression he held. Annabeth and Cassandra laughed too, while Nico looked confused.
"I'm too tired to deal with this, Thunder thighs. Come on Nico, these guys are bad company." Both boys then disappeared into a tent.
"I guess we'll be going to bed too," Annabeth said, receiving a nod from both girls. They then got up and made way to their tent.
Cassandra grinned as an idea popped up in her mind. Staring at her objective, she made a ran for it.
"Gahh!" Annabeth cried out, as she felt smooth hands tightly squeeze her rear. "Cassandra!" Annabeth shrieked chasing after the black-haired girl, leaving a bemused Thalia behind.
"You should have squeezed harder!" Thalia shamelessly supplied, as she followed the screaming blonde into their tent.
Well readers, here's the third chapter for you.
Yes, Zoe and Artemis will be paired together for the entire duration of this fic. Thalia and Zoe's relationship is going to be portrayed differently. Like you all noticed, Zoe is permanently aged eighteen...due to this and topped with her millenniums of gained wisdom, Zoe approached Thalia differently during their first encounter. Thalia still left the encounter bitter, but it was for a totally different reason.
Changes are going to be seen in the hunt and the way the operate. Remember what i said about immortals...so don't expect Zoe to be a push over. Any camper, children of the big three included will find it extremely difficult to defeat her in battle...the only advantage them having being their abilities. Then again, Zoe is a child of Atlas and blessed by Artemis.
And Percys and Cass relationship will be explained more in later chapters.
Review if you enjoyed the chapter. Voice your ideas for ships you think would be great...just not Percabeth. The fandom is filled with it...plus, I don't dig the ship.
Hit me up in the Emerald Library under the same name.
