Chapter Three
A/N: I know you probably all hate my guts for taking so long to update, and there isn't going to be much updation later either, because with summer almost being over I've got so much to do. Really sorry. I'll try to make this chapter worth it.
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"Artemis?" Holly's voice drifted down the thickly carpeted hallway. "You're taking forever. Are you okay?"
Artemis started awake. "What? Oh – sorry. I guess I fell asleep."
"In the bathroom?" Holly's voice stopped outside the front of the bathroom. "Artemis, are you sure everything's okay? Are you sure?" Artemis frowned to himself. That elf was too perceptive by far. He felt vaguely guilty at making her worry like this.
"I'm fine," he said briskly. "I'll be right out." He turned on the faucet and rinsed cold water over his hands and face. He turned it off and sighed a little. Then he gave himself a brisk shake and opened the door with a bright smile on his face.
Holly wasn't buying it. The auburn-haired captain of the LEP stood there with her arms crossed, glaring at him. Her pretty features were twisted in worry and frustration. "Mud Boy, something is up, and you are going to tell me now." Artemis looked at her, stricken.
"I can't," he mumbled. "It – it would make you..." the rest trailed off into silence.
"I'm sorry," Holly said sarcastically. "I didn't hear that last part." Artemis frowned at her, and rubbed his temples.
"I don't want to tell you," he muttered. "I don't want anyone to worry." Holly's expression vanished, softened up, and her arms uncrossed.
"Why? What's going on? I want to help you. I'm your friend." Artemis looked at her. Blue eyes met hazel.
"I really can't," he started. Holly cut in.
"Yes you can, Mud Boy."
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Cantata scowled. "That elf could ruin everything." She swished her tail. "We have to get rid of her, John."
Her fellow centaur nodded. "Alright. We'll kill them both." A smile spread slowly across his face. "I'll see to it myself." Cantata saw a sadistic light shine in his eyes. An identical smile spread across her face.
"I couldn't ask for more," she said happily. "We'll send you to the surface right away."
"Illegally, of course," John said.
"Illegal is always faster," Cantata said, remembering when Butler had said it. "And always more fun."
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"Artemis?" Butler lumbered through the mansion, finding Artemis and Holly in the bathroom hallway. "There's a centaur at the gate. Not shielded. It just popped out of nowhere."
"Is it Foaly?" Artemis asked curiously. Holly frowned. Foaly wouldn't come here.
"No. I've never seen them before," Butler said. Artemis looked curious and seemed on the verge of saying something, then checked himself. Butler might have been imagining it, but it seemed his young charge was depressed.
"Invite our guest in, Butler," Artemis said.
Butler nodded briefly and went to do so.