Acheron's POV
I felt my powers being used to create another Dark-Hunter. Damn it Artie, can't you listen to me for once. I looked at Tory. "I have to go to Olympus. Artemis created another Dark-Hunter."
I saw the worry on Tory's face flash then disappear quickly with a brave face. "Hurry back." I pulled up my sleeve and touched Simi lightly. She moved slightly then stayed still. I sighed. Simi hated to be woken up. "Simi, come on. You have to stay with Tori."
Simi manifested in the form of an eighteen or nineteen year old girl but she was much older than that even though she had a mind of about a 10 or 11 year old. She had on Bad Kitty pajama pants that said 'I leave Teeth Marks'. Her tank top matched it with her black hair falling to about her waist.
"Akri, the Simi just wanted to sleep. Can't you go whenever you are going and take the Simi with you. Where are you going anyway akri?"
"I have to go see Artemis Sim. She made another Dark-Hunter."
Simi's eyes lit up. "Does this mean the Simi get's to the bitch-goddess. The Simi just bought a new type of barbeque sauce…,"Simi said licking her lips.
"No Sim, you can not eat Artemis."
"Aww. Akri never lets the Simi have any fun," Simi said pouting and sitting down into a chair. I laughed and kissed Tory on the lips and Simi on the head, careful to avoid Simi's horns.
I manifested myself into Artemis's temple. Her handmaidens were there. "Where is Artemis?" I asked.
"Over here," I heard. I turned and Artemis was standing in the doorway. She motioned for her handmaidens to leave. They bowed their heads to Artemis first then me and left.
"Why another one Artie? Didn't I tell you not to make another?"
"You'll agree with me when you see who it is," she said.
"Where is he?" I asked irritated. This meant I would have to train another one when I didn't have the time.
"I had to put her asleep." She motion for me to follow her to her private chambers. I hesitated. I had had some bad memories here. I then followed her.
"Why did you have to.." I stopped when we arrived and saw who it was. There, laying on the bed was a girl with long black hair with blunt bangs. She was a tiny little thing only 5'5.…she was a book worm and enjoyed many a fine video game and horror flick. I knew all this because it was a person I had known since she was born, Risska Blaze.
How could this happen? Nick was good about walking Risska home since his mother's own death and Risska had more weapons in her house than Bubba and Mark, the local crazies who owned a computer and gun shop and taught zombie killing lessons on the side. Nick was not going to take this well.
"I hate to admit you were right on this on Artie, but you were right. Why did you have to put her asleep?"
"She knows the rules of the Dark-Hunter well. She wanted her act of vengeance and I wouldn't allow her to kill that person because she would come to regret it."
"This is very out of character for you Artie. Why did you do this?"
She smiled. "Risska was a beloved person all around Acheron. This one was personal."
I looked at Artie and deemed she was telling the truth…for now. "So who killed her?"
She waved her hand and Risska stirred. "Ask her and trust me, you will be surprised."
Risska sat up and realized that I was there and ran to me. I enveloped her in my arms while she cried. I looked down and saw Artie's double bow and arrow mark on the right of Risska's neck. She didn't deserve this. I tilted Risska's head up to look at me. "Risska, who did this to you?"
She sobbed some before she whispered who her attacker was. I felt fury build up in me. "It's ok, Risk. I'm going to send you to Tory. I want you to stay there until I come to get you. Understand?" She nodded and I used my powers to send a warning to Tory before I sent Risska. I stood to my full height and used my powers to locate Risska's killer. He was outside of her bookstore, FangWorm Books.
I manifested myself outside of the store and picked her killer up by his throat and slammed him into the door. Risska knew better than to get a normal glass window and she went with the bullet proof one, so the window didn't break as I slammed him into the window. When he recognized who I was, fury replaced shock.
"Why the hell did you do it Nick?"
He struggled to breath. "Why did I do what? I'm just waiting for Risska to walk her home." I set him down on the ground. "So you haven't heard?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Know what?" he asked.
I took a breath before I answered. He was not going to take this well. "Risska was murder and she said you did it."
"Risska was murder?" he asked, trying not to cry although I saw his eyes water. I nodded. "Artemis brought her back though. I just talked to her and she said you did it."
He shook his head. "I had my Malachai lessons and Dark-Hunter duties. I barley got here in time."
"She said it was Beau and we all know that's what she calls you," I told him.
"Can I talk to her? I swear I didn't do it." I nodded. "She's at my house with Tory. She's pissed, so prepare for a storm," I told him. He nodded and I manifested us to the house I shared with Simi and Tory. Tory, Risska, and Simi were sitting at the table drinking coco for Risska and coffee for Tory. Risska was talking to Tory, but she looked up when we walked in. I saw the fury build up as she got up and walked over to Nick. She looked at him and punched him in the nose. I heard Nick's nose break as he recoiled from her hit. I grabbed Risska from behind and held her back from doing more damage to Nick.
"You asshole! How dare you! We had been friends for how long and you killed me! I stood by you after you offed yourself! How could you do that!" Risska screamed at him.
Tory had an ice pack on Nick's nose. "I didn't kill you Risky. I was at Malachai lessons."
She was still fighting against me. "Bullcrap. A person who looked like you down to the Dark-Hunter mark stabbed me, then slit my throat. When I woke up, I was at Artemis's temple!"
He straightened the broken bones in his nose. "I was with Menyara training. If you don't believe me, then listen to her." He pulled out his cell phone and dialed what I assumed was Menyara's number. "Menyara, can you come to Acheron's house?" He closed his phone and I felt someone trying to manifest into our house and I took down the barriers know in was Menyara. She manifested and I felt Risska stop fighting against me.
"Meenie," she whispered. I let Risska go and she went over to Menyara. Menyara hugged Risska and stroked her hair. "Is it true?" she asked Menyara. Menyara nodded.
"Nick was training with me Risska." Risska wiped the tear from her eyes and walked over to Nick. They looked at each other for a moment and she hugged Nick. "I'm sorry I broke your nose," she said muffled against his chest. "I'm sorry I not killed you," he said. She giggled at that.
Menyara said she couldn't stay long so she said goodbye to Nick and Risska and disappeared. After she left, we all sat down to drink some coffee and coco. Simi went back asleep on my arm. We all sat there in silence until Nick said, "Well, now what do we do?" Risska scoffed. "I'm going to track down the son of a gun who offed me and kill him." I laughed. "You need to be trained first before you do any killing."
"I'll do it," Nick said quickly. "Are you sure? You have a lot on your plate as it is." He nodded. "As do you. We'll be fine. Right Risky?" She sighed and rolled her eyes at him and I knew the argument that was coming. "It's Risska and he's right Acheron. You do have a lot on your plate. Beau can train me." I nodded. I looked at my watch. It read 5:00 AM. "Nick, you better get Risska home before the sun comes up.
They got up and Risska gave me and Tory each a hug. "Thanks for everything." She looked at Nick and just like that, they were gone. It was no secret on how much Nick loved Risska and she him, but that love could endanger them both.