Chapter III

Jon Spiro typed quickly on his computer. He had just sent a holographic message to Haven, and they would receive it within the half hour, thought Jon. He smiled in satisfaction. Everything was going as planned.

Artemis nodded in expectation when Foaly received the message sent by Jon Spiro. He listened attentively as he let it all sink in. So Spiro wanted to meet. The instructions were that only he himself and one other were to meet him at his mansion the next day at noon.

It was soon decided that Julius was to accompany him. Artemis and Julius had had their disagreements in the past, but Artemis felt better knowing the Commander was coming with him.

Even though Spiro's mansion had been covered with an invisible shield, Artemis was aware of its location. Foaly had recently invented ingenious x-ray contacts that would reveal the layout of the mansion and any traps that happened to be hidden. Spiro hadn't bothered giving Artemis directions; he was a genius, after all, and would be able to figure it out. There, he had said, he would trade Holly and Mulch for Haven.

Artemis glanced at his watch, noting it had just turned ten, then started typing on his laptop. He hacked into Spiro's security cameras, with little trouble, and located Holly and Mulch. He noted their state, and reminded himself he would need to either break off the handcuffs or locate the keys.

"Hmm." He set up one of Foaly's recent inventions to his laptop. The invention was made to see through objects. Unlike the contacts, it lit up certain areas where motion sensors, bombs, etc were hidden. Foaly had proudly stated that the invention was called the Ex-ray Vison Camera, another wonderful design that Artemis couldn't help but admire. He smiled with satisfaction when he saw the keys hanging in Jon Spiro's master bedroom inside a box on a stand, surrounded by red lasers. Butler could easily manage that procedure, thought Artemis.

A half hour later, Julius, Butler, and Artemis were flying in his private jet, heading towards the criminal's mansion. They landed in due time.

They had only minutes to set up, but that would be sufficient. Foaly had given them all small microphones and ear devices that melted into their skin and took on the same color as their skin tone.

Butler was surprised at how well it coordinated with their skin color. Julius noticed and told them, "Foaly had them made for you."

The bodyguard nodded.

"Are you ready?" Artemis asked, patiently. They nodded a second time. "Now Butler, you're not supposed to be here, so I want you to sneak in and grab those keys I told you about. Be careful of any other traps you might find along the way. When you have them, I'll sneak away, meet up with you, and we'll both get Holly and Mulch. Understood?"

Butler nodded again.

"I already disabled the security cameras, so you should be safe." Artemis finished.

Butler disappeared a minute later. Julius and Artemis placed the contacts on their eyes and proceeded towards the mansion. A servant opened the door before they reached it. The mansion was impressive, even to Artemis. The carpet was a rich red and tapestries decorated the walls. So he likes feeling like royalty. Interesting, thought Artemis. The servant escorted them to a room. Jon Spiro rose from his chair when he saw them.

"Right on time, as always, Artemis." Spiro smiled pleasantly at them. His eyes were cold as he surveyed them. Artemis' face remained impassive as he took a seat across from him. The room they were sitting in was the living room on the third floor. The curtains were an expensive red fabric, and they matched the floors, much like the rest of the house. Artemis noticed the five cameras just in that room and was glad he had disabled them, though it didn't show on his face.

The servant looked nervous as she brought a tray of tea cups into them. Jon Spiro dismissed her with a wave of his hand. Julius had never had tea before, and when he took a sip, more like a gulp, a disgusted look passed over his face. Artemis hid a smile.

"Gentlemen, I would like to propose a proposition. You give me Haven peacefully, and I'll give you the elf and the dwarf. I assure you they have not been harmed, but that could change very soon." Spiro's eyes showed the truth of the warning. Artemis pretended that he was in deep thought, and didn't hear the man sitting opposite him when he spoke. Only when Spiro repeated himself, did Artemis look up.

"Well?" The man asked again impatiently.

Artemis sighed and his shoulders slumped. His dark blue eyes showed defeat. "We have no choice, then. But please, don't hurt her." He pleaded.

A smile of satisfaction showed on his enemy's face. "Of course not." Jon Spiro tried to look offended and a little hurt.

Artemis laughed inwardly, his plan was working. He set his cup down on the table. "Will you excuse me? I need to use the restroom."

Spiro nodded, his eyes narrowed to little slits. "Third hallway, second door on your right." His eyes followed Artemis out of the room until he disappeared from sight.

Artemis hurried to the nearest elevator. Butler was there waiting for him, covered in camfoil. He handed Artemis the keys and descended with him. Artemis counted the doors along the hallway until he came to the fifth one with a number code on it. He took out a fingerprint kit from his pocket and dusted for prints on the numbers. Pushing the darkest prints first, he was able to type in the password.

"I'm in." He whispered, knowing Foaly's invention would be able to pick up the sound of his voice.

Foaly's voice came over the wire. "Great! But please hurry, Spiro will suspect something if you're gone long."

Artemis nodded even though the centaur couldn't see him.

The door slid open a moment later to reveal a fighting Mulch and Holly.

"Ouch! That hurt!"

Mulch continued cutting through the bonds, despite her protests. "It wouldn't hurt if you would hold still!"

"I am holding still!" Holly argued.

"Are not!"

"Are to!" Holly stopped when she saw Artemis. Her words died on her lips, but she covered a minute later with a, "It's about time you got here! I've been tied to this chair for a week now!"

Artemis smiled her.

" Come on, we need to hurry, Julius is distracting Jon." A voice said beside him.

"Butler?" Mulch asked.

"Yes, the plane isn't far, but we need to hurry." Artemis said, coming up behind Holly.

"What are you doing?" She asked in surprise, and tried to turn around so she could look at him. He held up a pair of keys for her to see.

"Hold still." He commanded her gently. This time Holly didn't protest. She rubbed her wrists when they were free while Artemis untied the bonds on her ankles.

"What about me?" Mulch demanded when Artemis helped Holly sit up. She had been so tightly bond that she was had not been sitting up properly.

She smiled at him, and their eyes locked. It had been so long since she'd seen him. He'd grown more handsome and his sapphire-colored eyes were warm as he looked at her. They continued staring at each other in some kind of daze that only they were in. Butler cleared his throat and Mulch looked from Artemis to Holly in confusion. Artemis shook his head and turned away. Mulch was soon free and they all hurried down the hall to the nearest exit. Holly and Mulch were slow from being held captive for so long. Artemis caught Holly by the elbow when she stumbled.

"Thanks." She said and they exchanged smiles. His blue eyes were no longer cold and icy, but warm and sympathetic. Caring. Holly had only seen this side once before. Artemis' smile disappeared when he realized what had happened. His eyes returned to normal, and he released her elbow. He scolded himself silently. Why did this keep happening? Why couldn't he just stay composed as always?

"Come on." His voice was like freezing water, and to Holly it felt like a big blow. As if he had slapped her. She was disappointed and she gritted her teeth. Why did she care so much?

Artemis was about to say something else- it hurt him to see her so hurt, though he didn't understand why-when his jet lifted up into the air. He was too confused to think straight. Then his thoughts hit him like a thunderbolt. Jon Spiro had known what he was planning the whole time. Artemis clinched his teeth.

A goblin from the pilot's seat smiled smugly at the genius before the jet sped away. Holly turned to Artemis frantically. "Artemis, what are we going to do?"

He had no time to answer her. He didn't have a plan. For once in his life, he didn't have a back-up plan. It had all seemed so fool-proof.

Jon Spiro waved and sneered from the dining room window. Artemis returned the look. He grabbed Holly and Mulch by the hands and pulled them along as he hurried back toward the building. Holly shot him a, 'Are you insane?' look. He started running, almost dragging them along.

The door opened automatically and they followed him to a room filled with shuttles. Holly stumbled and fell, and before Artemis could help her up, Jon Spiro and three of his guards appeared through the doorway. Spiro picked up the elf from her auburn curly hair and placed his knife at her throat. The LEP officer's fear showed in her hazel eyes, though her face remained calm.

Julius looked enraged and ready to blow. His face turned various shades of purple as he looked on the scene.

Artemis started towards her slowly. "I suggest you let her go." He warned coolly. If Holly hadn't known him so well, she wouldn't have seen the fear in his eyes. Even then, his expression was almost unreadable.

Jon Spiro chuckled evilly. His eyes flashed. "Why, Arty? What will you do to save your little girlfriend?"

Artemis heard Foaly laugh loudly over the microphone. "Oh, shut up." He murmured. Foaly started laughing even harder, that is until he realized that Holly had a knife at her throat. Jon Spiro's face seemed to be in graven with scorn as he moved the knife closer against her skin.

Holly suddenly thought of something. She motioned to Artemis with her eyes. He nodded slightly in understanding.

Butler clenched his fists at the man but he only smirked at the body guard's frustration. Artemis nodded slightly at Mulch, and he grinned. The dwarf unbuttoned the flap on his rear-end and let out a burst of gas in the direction of the criminal. He looked clearly surprised and disgusted. Artemis, Holly, Julius and Butler had all held their breath. They knew better. Spiro's hold on Holly had lessened and she was able to escape his grasp. Artemis jumped towards Spiro, tackling him.