Chapter 7: All Is Revealed...

HAZEL'S P.O.V

"Let...me...GO!"

Child prodigy, girl genius, Minerva Paradizo turns to face and laughs.

"What are you going to do about it?

"I'll...I'll..." I struggle to think of something. "Artemis is coming for me."

At the mention of Artemis, her mouth tightens, and her eyes turn a stony grey.

"You mention him again and you won't live to tell the tail."

I can feel the cold metal of a knife pressed against my neck, and I'm terrified, but taunting her makes my fear fade away slightly. After all, this is my area of work. I know how they operate, being one of them.

"What happened to him, Minerva? Did he dump you? It's not good to hold grudges." I stick out my bottom lip, imitating a child's voice. This infuriates her.

"SHUT UP!" She shrieks. "You aggravating, irritating girl. As soon as Artemis arrives, you'll be dead. All you are is bait."

At the thought of Artemis being here, my heart pounds and my cheeks flush. The thought of his ice blue eyes meeting mine, the thought of his raven black hair...

I shouldn't have thought about Artemis, because Minerva notices the colour in my cheeks.

"Ah... It all makes sense now. You have a little crush on Artemis?" She teases, pouting. "I know what it's like to be you. Once, I had fallen for that... boy," Her lip curls. "I waited years for him to return, and he never did. Catch me for being so trusting! I won't make the same mistake."

I want to point out she doesn't seem the kind of trusting person I'd come across, but I bite my cheek. The words I say have to be chosen very carefully. I'll have to act like the stupid victim, pretending to know nothing.

"What are you going to do with Artemis when he gets here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" She grins. "I'm going to kill him."

The words hit me like hard blocks of ice. I'm going to kill him, I'm going to kill him... I'm going to kill him... Get a grip, girl! Just keep her talking.

"And how are you planning on killing him?"

"The old fashioned way," She says, getting out a knife. "I'll slit his throat. Then, I'll taste his blood."

For a second, I look at her pityingly. Love is a beautiful thing, but it can drive people to insanity, or worse. Murder. Then I snap back to reality, and try to think of a way to escape. My eyes scan the room desperately. Nothing. I'm stumped. For one in my life, the captor becomes the captee. If that makes sense.

HOLLY'S P.O.V

"So. You're back." I drum my fingers ferociously.

"What do you mean, back? I was always here, Holly. No-one seemed to notice me." She pouts, pulling a baby face.

"Notice you!? Your face was everywhere. EVERYWHERE," I lean forward, wishing I could wipe that smug smile off her face. "In fact, it was a little scary. Your face up close, on screens? Not a pretty sight."

Opal purses her lips, choosing not to rise to it.

"Say what you want, Holly. In a few minutes, you'll be dead. Fortunately for me, dead people can't talk. No matter how much they want."

I take this opportunity to look at Artemis. He seems bemused, resting one arm on the glass table. Opal's not happy with his facial expression.

"What are you smirking at, Mud boy?" She snaps.

"Opal, you seem to be a bit on edge. I suggest you try my masseuse. He's highly trained. He could take out the stress on your face."

"Stress? What stress?" In her moment of glory, Opal forgets her gloating. Being a vain pixie as she is, she reaches up and touches her face worriedly. Realisation dawns as her, as her face shifts from worry to a deep scowl.

"Very funny, mud boy."

"I try. Now, if you don't mind..." He offers his bound hands to Opal.

Strangely enough, she agrees.

"Artemis.. I've never noticed how," She leans down by his ear. "Strangely attractive you were." She breaths.

Artemis goes red. I watch him carefully. It's interesting to see how he reacts to situations like this.

For the first time in his life, Artemis Fowl is speechless. Opal nibbles his ear, stands up and cackles.

"Farewell! I hope you enjoy the last few minutes of your life!"

I watch her leave, and spring into action.

"Right, we need to get out of here. Got anything useful hidden up your sleeve, Artemis?"

No answer.

"Artemis?"

I take a glimpse over. He's sitting motionless, overcome with shock.

"I'm sorry Artemis, but this is no time to be frozen. Wake up!"

He stays still. The only time I need him, he's unable to help. Only he could do that. Think, think. My hand brushes over a penknife. Crude, but efficient. I picked it up from a mind wiped human. Thought it might come useful in situations. The rope rubs hard over my skin, I feel the burning sensation, and my skin turns a shade of red, but I continue. I flick open the knife, twist my hand back, and begin sawing into the rope. My wrist hurts like hell.

"D'Arvit!"

Eventually, the rope gives way and snaps. I jump up, feeling like I can take Opal right here, right now. Then I remember Artemis.

"Stay still, and there won't be any problems." I mutter.

No trouble there, then.

"Come on, mud boy. If you don't come willingly I'll have to drag you along."

That's enough to get his attention. He stands up, and brushes off the dust from his Armani suit.

"We have a pixie to catch, I presume?"

"Yep." I grimace.

Oh well. I've been in worse situations.