Chapter Twenty-Three

Marcus

The rain relents it's pounding assault on the car, as I slowly maneuver over the slippery road. I'm not concerned about losing my way on the winding path. I've driven this route so many times, I could probably manage it blindfolded, let alone in just a little storm. I am missing a small little detail; I can make out the lights on the main road when it finally occurs to me I don't have a clue where I'm going.

"Should I be taking you somewhere?" I ask uncertainly, and she just stiffens and stares blankly outside her window. Peeking over her shoulder, I spot the bright full moon, surrounded in dark masses of storm clouds. I clear my throat and try again. "Where do you need to be?" I ask her, and something switches in her as she turns back to me with hazy eyes.

"Umm... Anna and I were meeting at the Diner, you know um… Angela's, near the park." She doesn't sound quite sure of it herself, but I just shrug, choosing not to question it. One big thing tonight taught me is that I can't push her. If she wants to open up, she will, but no amount of prodding is going to get her to open up before she's ready.

Eventually, I pull up to the "Angela's Old Fashioned Diner", a homey little restaurant, which looks like it hasn't changed since the 50's. As far as I know, it hasn't. Jane gets out a little nervously and runs her hands along the front of her jeans.

"So… I'll see you Monday?" She asks timidly. I smile at her reassuringly; I guess even people like Jane still need to feel supported sometimes.

"Yup, and try not to tick off Trevens, you need to pass math to graduate." I advise, looking up at her with a smirk. She rolls her eyes at me, but smiles all the same and walks into the diner. I watch her sit down and look at something on the booth seat. I quickly pull out of the parking lot, and pull over around the corner. Picking up my phone, I glance down at my phone, and quickly text Anna.

I left Jane at the diner. Why do I get the feeling you had nothing to do with that plan?- M

Jane

The grass of our little clearing withers and shrivels under my feet, much to the shock of my good old tent mate, Michaela. The color drains from her cheeks and she backs away from me, without a word, as if I'm carrying the plague or something. I nervously step farther forward into the clearing, and watch as a dark cloud slithers over the moon. My muscle tense, and for a split second, I panic, until I lose all capacity to think. Howls shred through my mind, coupled with the hissing shrieks of arrows piercing the air. My hands fly up to my ears to try to stop the sound, but I can't block it out, it only gets louder.

My legs give out in seconds of being under the onslaught of sound. As I hit the ground, I'm faintly aware of the smell of sulfur rising from the charred grass. Ice slides into me from every point that touches the dirt, slowly creeping into my hands, along my arms and legs. My body aches and screams, combining with the searing pain slashing my mind to pieces. My bones start shaking, grinding against one another and sending jolts along the already labored joints.

A sob rips its way out of my chest, and my throat feels raw, the first sign that I had screamed. I feel the tears slipping down my cheeks but they too burn, as if they were acid.

"Please! Please make it stop!" I shriek, thrashing, trying to break the invisible bond that's causing so much torture. To my shock, the pain ceases, the voices stop, and the burning cold retreats. My arms collapse, and my body flattens to the ground. Out of the corner of my eye, I see that the grass is still dead, but thankfully, it's no longer sizzling and smoking.

"I care very much for you Jane, and I admire your strength: those are the only reasons why you are not dead or a bear right now… you have exactly five minutes to explain."Artemis's voice breaks through my shallow breathing, and I slowly pull myself into a sitting position, my aching limbs protesting all the way.

"I don't understand, my lady, how did I offend you?" I ask, my voice shaking as much as my hands. I keep my head bowed but peek up at her. I shudder when I see the throbbing silver aura around her form. Unlike her favorite appearance, she is not a twelve-year-old girl; if I had to guess this is her largest form. She towers over my crumbled figure, and if I had to guess, she's on the verge of exploding in a rush of godly power. If that were to happen it would no doubt be very deadly to me and any onlookers. I don't know if that counts as dying in combat, but if I had to guess Artemis's protection defends against everyone except the goddess herself.

"You took your vow less than six months ago, have you forgotten it already?" She challenges. Her cold voice ripples through me, and I barely stay upright. My mind races to process her words in disbelief.

"My lady, I have not formed any romantic attachments to any male while under your care." I swear, my voice shaking and cracking at random intervals.

"You are aware that my presence lingers with all of my hunters, correct?"

I nod frantically, desperate to earn her favor.

"That is how I keep my girls honest. After the betrayal of Callisto, I have made that a top priority."

I nod uncertainly, unsure of how this ties in.

"I can sense that you have fostered a bond with this boy… Marcus."

"Lady Artemis! I swear he s nothing more than an acquaintance. I was just getting close to him because he's one of the suspects, I swear!" I plead, begging as the chill returns to my palms and feet. So cold, I feel as if I'm burning, they slink up and around my calves and forearms.

"Then why did you feel the need to divulge so much of your own past?"The goddess challenges as she idly runs her fingernails along the silver engraving in her bow. My muscles shake and then give out, till I collapse back down onto the ground in a heap at the goddess feet. I try to find my voice, so I can continue begging, but the pain coursing through me leaves me incoherent. Tears stream down my face, once again burning along my skin. For just a moment the pain ends, long enough to catch my breath and continue.

"My lady, I was only trying to follow through on your orders. He revealed a little of his past so I did likewise, trying to foster the trust he places in me. THAT'S ALL!" I shout, the roaring in my ears slowly returning. The sensations stop abruptly, and all I can hear is my own panting. Artemis shrinks before my eyes and her scorching aura retreats, until she stands before me as a twelve-year-old girl. She crouches gracefully at my level, and meets my eyes with her icy silver ones.

"There have been a few occasions when I have allowed my Hunter's to spend time in the company of men, even fewer where I have allowed them to form even the most platonic attachments to them. You are one of those rare cases, and I suggest you be very careful with these boys." All traces of pain ebb away from my body, and the shaking subsides slowly as Artemis rises. The grass around me slowly returns to its original health and Artemis smiles mischievously to herself. "I highly recommend discussing your situation with Thalia; she might have some valuable advice. After that, I need you in my tent in hour; I would like a full report on the developments in your assignment."

With that, Artemis glides into the woods while slowly drawing her bow. Hesitantly, I rise to my feet, watching as Hunters reemerge from tents, and slip out of the trees. Thalia is one of the last to come out of the wood work, and she slowly makes her way over to me. Unlike the other hunters, Thalia has no problem meeting my eyes.

"Jane!" She calls, and motions for me to go over to her. Hesitantly, I walk forward, afraid to put any weight on my legs. To my surprise, the pain is almost entirely gone, the only exception is the splitting headache left over from the shrieking. Uncertainly, I stop in front of Thalia, feeling my hands shaking at my sides."We clearly have some things to talk about, right?" I nod in agreement, as she leads me away from the prying eyes of the other hunters. She opens the door to her tent and glides into the warmth inside. Tentatively, I follow her in, chilled in the aftermath of my experience with Artemis.

As lieutenant Thalia has always received some special privileges, including being exempt from sharing a tent. The larger area is already toasty warm when I enter, but Thalia still stokes the fire until the flames leap and twirl in bright patterns. I have never been in Thalia's tent before today, and it's strange to think of her as so...normal. Since the day I arrived, Thalia has always seemed like a, for lack of a better word, god. She's the daughter of Zeus, has more accurate aim than I have ever seen, is rumored to have spent a significant amount of time in a tree, and was automatically chosen to be Artemis's right hand. My eyes travel to a small portrait, lightly taped on the tent's thin lining. A picture of a girl, no older than Thalia, stares back at me, her long hair is adorned with a silver band. I realize this has to be Thalia predecessor, Zoe Nightshade.

Thalia plops down on her soft carpet, and I slowly lower myself down across from her. I watch as Thalia drums her fingers on her knees and bites her lip, clearly unsure how to start this conversation. Sighing, she rolls her shoulders, as if she's preparing for a fight, and then locks eyes with me.

"Jane, have you ever heard of Percy Jackson?"

A/N: I'm so sorry for the lateness of this post, unforseen circumstances held me back this week. So, what do you all think about my little cliffhanger? I can't wait to hear from you!