Chapter One

Flashing into her temple after a day on her chariot with her granddaughter Mia, Artemis sensed an overpowering presence radiating from the balcony of her temple. Reaching deep into her powers, Artemis sighed when she realized who it was. Part of her wanted to leave immediately but the stupid part of her wanted to advance toward him to see what it was that he wanted. She decided to go with the stupid part of her.

Taking careful steps toward the balcony, as to not disturb him from his thoughts, Artemis kept her hands pinned at her sides balled up into fists. She hated these meetings. Whenever he was here without her calling it was never for anything other than a fix and she hated that. For once she'd like if he'd come in unexpected with a bouquet full of roses and chocolates in his pocket. But who was she kidding? Their relationship would never be like that.

Stepping out onto the balcony, Artemis sucks in a deep breath taking in the sight of Nick's lean, muscular body leaning over the marble balcony staring at the humans below him. He must have heard her footsteps because his entire demeanor changed as he stood straight up and shoved his hands in his pockets. His body got noticeably tense as he turned around to stare at her.

He hung his head low enough that his bangs hung over his eyes and the way that the sun was shining on him highlighted the double bow and arrow mark on his cheek that Artemis gave him the night he killed himself and asked for vengeance. "I remember when life was that easy. Touch and go. Forget about everything important that needed to be done…" Nick's words trailed off as he realized who he was talking to. It wasn't as if Artemis was really going to care about his rant.

"Nick…"

Nick looked up at her and the only emotion she could see in his eyes was hatred and disgust. "Don't." Nick answered in a menacing tone, one that made Artemis shrink back inside of herself. "I don't need your fake sympathy."

Artemis pursed her lips knowing that this conversation wasn't going to go anywhere. She narrowed her gaze at him, but kept her distance. "Why is it that you are here, then, if you do not wish to talk to me?"

Nick advanced toward her with a predatory gait and she thought she saw a hint of lust in his hate-filled gaze but just as soon as she saw that haunting gleam it went away. "I haven't eaten in a few weeks."

Those words stung Artemis like a thousand needles to her heart. You are foolish to think he would ever want anything but to feed off of you. Taking a step back every time Nick took a step forward, Artemis tried to keep her composure. She didn't want to give in so easily. The faster she gave in, the faster he would be gone and she couldn't have that. She wanted his feed to last as long as possible.

"Where have you been?"

"As if you care?"

Artemis' hands balled into tighter fits as she clenched her gown in them. "You go missing for weeks and no one can ever get a hold of you. What is it that you do when you're gone? Who or what are you looking for?"

"Anyone or anything that will slaughter the demon inside of me." Nick said, every word laced with potent poison. "Does that answer your question?"

It did, but it also sent cold shivers down her spine. For a minute she forgot that Nick was now Ambrose, the only living creature that could her ex-lover and Atlanteon God, Acheron. Nick was the Malachai, inherited by the blood of his father. A killer in every way.

With a swift movement, Nick was toe to toe with Artemis and seizing her shoulders in his hands. Artemis' demeanor faltered and for a moment she let Nick's warm breath seize her senses. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the masculine sent of him: pure, raw passion mixed with the thick metallic smell of his blood. He was raw evil and she was drawn to it. Everything about him made her heart pound and fangs ache. It took all of her to not beg him to take her. It had been months since she last had him in her bed, but she knew now wasn't the time to ask him for that. Sooner or later he'd want it, too, and he'd come for it on his own.

Gathering up the courage to keep her thoughts at bay, Artemis opened her eyes and glowered at him. "You don't have to be so rough." She snapped. "What if Apollo were to come and see? How could you be so careless?"

Nick's eyes widened at the accusation? He was careless? She was the one who wanted him to come here! "I'm being careless? You were the one who bound our life forces together! It is because of you that I need to feed! And you're calling me careless? Maybe you should have thought about the pain it would cause me to have to be here with you, doing this with you instead of someone who has at least an ounce of kindness in their heart. You're just a coldhearted bitch. I wouldn't be here right now if I didn't need to fucking feed!"

Artemis bit back a slew of curses. This was not the Nick that she knew. Her Nick would have never fired at her for saying something so ruthless. He would've understood her concern. "What is wrong with you today?!" Artemis screamed against the part of her that just wanted to take Nick into her arms and love him properly.

"Nothing." Nick said, taking control of his tongue. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled."

"No, you shouldn't have. But clearly something is bothering you. Would you like to talk about it?"

Nick shot Artemis a gaze that could've killed anyone who looked into his gorgeous eyes. "No. I do not. I would just like to feed and get the hell out of here." Nick said between clenched teeth. "I just want to forget this world for a while."

Artemis lowered her head. She knew exactly how he felt. She wished that she could get away, too, and leave this place far behind her. However, she couldn't do that.

The red headed goddess brought her gaze up to the malachai standing in front of her, and cocked her head to the side. "Go on." She croaked. "You deserve it."

Nick wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her into him. His hot breath against her skin woke every part of her body and once upon a time she'd have given anything for a touch that loving. Only now, she knew that his touch wasn't a loving touch, nor would it ever be one. It was only a touch of—Nick sank his fangs deep into her next and against her will, she allowed her eyes to close and her breath to falter as how he devoured her. Thought it lasted for only a few minutes, she wished that it could have lasted a while longer. All she wanted was to be loved.

Regret gnawed at her every second.

Nick pulled away, pulling Artemis out of her self-loathing thoughts all too soon, and unbuttoned the first few buttons on his black shirt, cocking his neck to the side. "Well go on, have your fill."

Forcing her emotions to stay at bay, Artemis wrapped her arms around his shoulders and dug her nails painfully into his back as she seized control of the situation. She sunk her porcelain fangs into his neck tasting the rusted, copper taste of his thick, luxurious, powerful blood. She devoured him as his power mingled with hers and sent her head reeling with satisfaction. As she swallowed the silk-like, metallic taste of his blood, she pulled back and watched his face. The only thing written on it was disgust. Hatred. It took all of her to not push him away. "You've had your fill." She told him. "As you humans—" She winced as she said that, ever impatient to get her words out so that he could be on his way. "As you…always say." She took a deep breath, pausing, not wanting to say goodbye. "You can go now."

Artemis turned away from him as he used his powers to flash out of her temple. Her body felt cold and the air around her felt empty as he took the surge of his powers with him. While they radiated throughout her body, and she could still feel his lingering touch, it wasn't the same as having him in the same room with him. His lingering presence was more torturous than his actual presence.