Chapter 2

Demmi sighed happily as she flashed herself into her temple. The meeting with Zeus had gone well, he'd barely hit her at all. Arte was pissed and Ash was somewhere safe. A good day, all in all. Ash had gone to inform the Dark Hunters of the change in was good, we couldn't have one call out to Artemis for help could we? But of course, her phone rang insensately.

"Hello, Kyrian.'

"First I find out Ash is a God and now, only a week later, you take over the Dark Hunters?"

"Sorry Kyrian, it had to be done. Artemis is just not fit to runt he Dark Hunters until she realizes they aren't pets for her amusement. Besides, I told you years ago that the Dark Hunters technically fall into my anyway, have you seen Ash?"

"Yeah, he's playing with my daughter." Kyrian grumbled. "Demmi, how many times have I told you to be careful? This isn't careful."

"Tell Ash that he definitely wants to stay down there for a few days. Artemis is pissed." she replied, ignoring his comment, "And also, tell Marisa I said Hi."

She laughed at his silence, since they'd only started talking a week ago, he hadn't told her Marisa's name. But she'd done her homework.

"...It's damn creepy when you do that you know?"

"Thats the point. I'll see you soon, I want to meet your new wife and kid. Kyrian of Thrace in a Mini van. I love it."

"Shut. up. It's practical."

Demmi took the phone away from her ear to look at it, then replaced it. " You said practical. Can't wait to see this. Bye."

However, she couldn't see him tonight. It was the Peltiers anaversery. She'd promised Mama and Papa Bear that she'd sing them a song was a family deal, but they'd sent Ash an invite too. She wondered if he would be there. It had been eleven thousand years since she talked to him. She had no idea. So all she could do was wing it. Now, a big problem...what to wear.

She stuck to a simple off the shoulder 'little black dress', and diamond earrings and necklace. And she was about as comfortable as if she was sitting on an anthill.

'I feel like Valerious when he wears jeans.'

At Sanctuary, she was greeted warmly from all directions and she smiled. They would never know how much all the attention made her uncomfortable. No one but Irenus and Ash had ever seen through the facade. She was gently 'noogied' by Dev, bear hugged by Remy, and Fang gave her a tentative smile as he sat with Vane, Bride, and Aimee. Mama and Papa bear were waiting on stage.

"Now, ladies and gentleman, our very own Demmi Wyvern!" Papa joked.

Demmi climbed on stage and started to sing. It was not, generally, something she enjoyed. But she was doing it for a friend so it didn't matter. What made her cheeks color was when Ash entered the room as she started.

"In your arms, I can still feel the way you want me when you hold me. I still hear the words you whispered when you told me 'I could stay right here forever in your there ain't no way, I'm lettin' you go now, and there ain't no way--and there ain't no how, I'll never see that day....'Cause I'm keepin' you forever and for always, we will be together all of our days. Wanna wake up every mornin' to your sweet face--always...

As she finished the song there were tears on Mama's face and in Papa's eyes. They both hugged her as she stepped down.

"That was beautiful," Mama whispered. "Apollo must've blessed you."

Demmi forced her smile to stay in place and said her thank you. Apollo bless her? No. Apollo was a Sadist who either wanted her dead, or on a rare good day, in vast amounts of pain. He liked her less than he liked Acheron, and that was saying , she was strong enough now that not one of those gods had dared cross her. Not for millennia. But with the upcoming tension with Artemis, Demmi expected to see a bit more of Apollo.

Why hadn't she thought of that?

Ash approached her and she pushed away all thoughts of one of her worst enemies.

"Apollo huh?"

She looked away. Damn it.

"Hell no. Bastard--- you don't want to know. You really don't." she sighed, forcing the memories, and anger, away. "So are you gunna be staying with Artemis or me?"

"I... Haven't quite figured it out yet, mostly because I know nothing about you."

Demmi looked at him understandingly. "Like I said, I have no expectations. But do remember, you don't have much time to choose. And another thing. I doubt Artemis will ever let you have anything to do with the Dark Hunters if you stay with her."

"I thought of that. Obviously my choice is made for me. Shall we go?"

Demmi's heart broke at his cold tone, but she understood it. With a shimmer, they where in her temple. She pointed to the left. "Through that door are my rooms, straight ahead is the rooms for Ireneus and his family, and to the right..."

She waved her hand, 'manifesting' a door. "Those are your rooms."

She smiled at his puzzled look.

"Your giving me my own rooms?"

"Well, yeah, what did-" her eyes widened as she realized why he was so shocked. "WHOA, wait a minute buster! If you think for a minute I'm going to treat you anything like that brat I'm forced to call my cousin did, you've got another thing coming!"

"It's not like I know anything else." he replied quietly, flinching.

Demmi panicked. He thought she was angry! Whoops.

She quickly pulled the magic from her arm so he could see the scars. Like she had 11,000 years ago, she held out her arm.

"Acheron," she whispered quietly, "I kept these scars to remind me who I was, to keep me human, and to remind me what I am. I'm no better than you, so please don't feel obligated to me for anything. Now, I have to go thank my idiot of a brother for saving Ireneus."

As she turned to go, he grabbed her hand. When she looked back at him, he wasn't looking at her. "You know, since I'm not with Artemis, I'll have to feed from you."

"I know, Acheron. You owe me nothing. It's the least I can do since---...Its the least I can do Ash."

With that, she flashed herself to Eros's temple. She'd had enough of dabbling in the past for one day. For a lifetime or two, actually. Eros was there, laughing with Psyche. When they turned to look at her, she sighed. "I wanted to thank you for saving Ireneus. And ask what you want in return."

"I want nothing from you, Agape. I did what was right."

She flinched at the name, "You did me a favor. One day, you'll need something and you'll bring it up. I promise you. Things like this are never free."

"Look, Agape. We did wrong by you way back whe-"

She laughed bitterly, "You didn't do anything to me. It was Ash you did wrong by. And until you realize what a great guy he is, I don't want anything to do with you. Thank you for saving Ireneus, I owe you one. Goodbye."

She flashed herself to her rooms, tired of hearing other people trying to get her to forget the past. Apparently she wasn't alone. An astral bolt hit her shoulder, but she barely flinched. "You're losing your touch, Apollo."

"And you've lost your mind if you think your taking Acheron away from Artemis. She won't leave me alone about it." The god of sun and music replied, slamming her to the wall. "Now you're going to tell him to go back to Artemis."

"I will not. He is free to make his own choices and I plan on supporting him." She argued. "In case you haven't notice I'm not one for modern day slavery."

He threw her thin frame across the room, but still she didn't cry out. Before Apollo could do anything more, Ash stepped into the room. He froze for an instant, then placed himself between the two gods.

"Get out of the way, Acheron."

"No. You won't lay your hands on her. Ever."

"And so suddenly you're giving me orders?"

The silence was telling and Apollo backed off reluctantly. In reality, he knew he was no match for the former slave. He may have killed him once, but back then, he was human. "One of these days, I will kill you Damatra. I promise you that."

Acheron helped Demmi up, the words she'd spoken echoing in his head.

"He is free to make his own choices..."

What the hell? Why did she treat him so differently? Like he was something? Like he wasn't a slave.

Like he was human.

"Demmi, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Ash." she assured him, "I've had much worse."

But that didn't mean she was okay, he wanted to object. It had to hurt. She was going to be covered in bruises and that burn on her shoulder wouldn't heal as quickly. So, without asking, he manifested a first aid kit, and made her sit on the bed so he could treat it. As he gently rubbed the ointment in, she closed her eyes and she began to relax. It was right about then that he realized that she had never been quite at ease. She'd either felt akward, angry, or like at sanctuary, hurt. The mention of Apollo had completely destroyed the small smile shed had on her face for a moment. A fleeting moment, but it was gone, nonetheless.

"What happened between you and Apollo?" he ventured, wincing as he realized how bold he was being.

But she didn't seem angry. "I refused to sleep with him roughly 10,000 years ago. He's hated me ever since."

"Ahh."

The thought of Apollo putting his hands on Demmi upset him. It was strange, he didn't know--remember-- her, but just the mere thought of it, made him want to track him back down and tear him limb from limb. And he would, someday.

"Please be careful, Demmi. I don't want you hurt." he murmured.

Demmi turned to him and put her hand gently on his cheek. "You don't need to worry about me, Ash, I'm a big girl now."

They were very close to each other, their noses almost brushing. All Ash wanted to do was lean forward and kiss her, or burry his face in her hair, something to taste or smell her more, and he leaned forward to do just that. And it didn't look like she was going to stop him.