All right, I'm going to continue this. Finally;p I have some inspiration, so yeah. I don't own the Wardstone Chronicles or Percy Jackson& the Olypmians. Joseph Delaney and Rick Riordan do.
Lamia looked at the other gods, not really paying a lot of attention to Athena's speech. She saw Artemis and Apollo, the twins. She remembered vagualy they had been fightning a lot. Not that she had often seen them. Only once actually. But Zeus had told her stories about his family when she had known his real identity. She knew a lot about all of the gods.
Artemis was , just like Athena, a maiden. She was worse than Athena, because she didn't tolerate men at all while Athena was just not interested in a physique relationship. The only one she was interested in was a relationship based on intelligence. So more a friendship really. Artemis didn't like men at all. She was convinced they were all the same; mean, arrogant, selfish, stupid and useless. Lamia remembered all the stories Zeus had told her about Artemis. How she had been as a young girl and the pranks she and Apollo had pulled. She had always been the serious one, but she did have a sense of humor. She just didn't show it often.
Lamia had a vague feeling Artemis wouldn't be so nice to her though. Lamia thought they could have been friends, weren't it for the fact she had slept with Zeus. Lamia hesitated. She could try to talk with Artemis, she needed allies. And maybe she could convince Artemis she had changed. Which she had. She would love it to have some friends.
She saw Artemis looked at her and frown. Hesitantly, she raised her hand as greeting. Artemis kept frowning. She didn't look mad or anything, but she didn't look glad or friendly either. She looked at Lamia like she didn't know what to think. Lamia was actually glad, because that meant she still had a chance to convince Artemis she had changed. Well, not that she suddenly hated men or anything, but she did have enough of them. She had loved John and now he was dead, she didn't need any other man. No one would even come close. Not even Zeus Lamia thought. I hadn't expected that Lamia, you suprise me Lamia suddenly heard.
She sighed. Artemis, I reckon? Yes, it's me. Are you serious? You're really not interested in my father anymore? Are you serious? How could I be. Not to offend you or anything, but after all he did to me, if I have any feelings for him left, it's hate. Mmm. None taken. But I have to admit, I hadn't expected that. Let me guess, you expected me to offer myself to your father as soon as I would find out he was still alive and interested? Well, you can't blame me. It happened before. Yeah well, that was a mistake. I'm ashamed to confess, but I was lonely and sad and your father.. well he was just really charming.
She heard Artemis snicker. He can be like that if he wants to. I have seen it before. But why did you fall for that? I don't really know. I was just young and foolish I guess. I mistook lust for love. Still, you shouldn't have trusted him. Men only get in the way. They are pigs. You think that about your father too? He isn't much different. I suppose if he wasn't my father, I wouldn't like him.
Hmm. Smart. It could make the difference between happiness and your life ruined. Well, you shouldn't have said yes to him. I couldn't really say no either and I don't really feel comfortable discussing this. I'm just trying to decide what to think of you. And if I should be on your side or not. I would be really glad if you were on my side, but I understand if you aren't. I have made a lot of mistake. That's right, but everyone makes mistakes and you seem nice enough. It would be good if I had you as a friend. It's just after what happened between you and my father and the men you undoubtly had after him, I am unsure if it is a good choice to take your side.
I understand, I really do. If it helps, I only had two.. lovers after your father. And one of them didn't really count, considering he wasn't exactly.. well.. just leave it there. And the second, I married him and loved him. Why would that help? At least you now know I haven't had that many men in my long life. I'm not addicted or anything. Mmm. So you could do without them? I think so. I actually already planned to, because I just am done with it. My husband just died and the only man I would want is him.
All right then. I have an idea. If you just keeps away from men, I will forget your past and we could be friends. That sounds great, but could you be more specific? If you say I should keep away from men, you mean I can't talk to them or see them or- I mean you can't start a relationship or something else than friendship. I have no problems with that.
Great. That means we have a deal. And we really should stop this conversation, because Athena is giving us the evil eye. She really hates it when people don't listen to her. All right. Will we talk later? Sure. One more thing though. Watch out for my brothers, uncle and Zeus. I will. Thank you.
Lamia felt Artemis leave her head, which was sort of a relief. She didn't like someone being able to read her thoughts and see all her memories. She didn't like her memories. Well most of it. Some of them were good, like the ones with John it.
Lamia smiled when she thought about him. About his kindness, about his courage. He had believed in her when she didn't in herself anymore. He had saved her. She closed her eyes for a second, memories flowing back to her.
{ Flashback}
Lamia struggled against the silver chains that kept her to the rock, but it didn't help. She was trapped and she knew it. She could eventually get free, but that would be to late. The dreaded sun would be there to destroy her with his rays. She didn't pay a lot of attention to the pain the silver caused her. Soon, there would be a lot more pain.
Lamia struggled again, trying deperately to get free. She cursed herself for being so foolish. Her enemies had seized her and she had been stupid enough to give them the opportunity to do so. No use cursing myself. First, I have to get free. So I can kill them all and have them beg for mercy and forgiveness, which they will never get. Lamia thought to herself.
She struggled again and ignored the pain her movements caused her. She sighed. I will never get free by myself. I will need help, eventhough I hate the idea. And who is near anyway?
She knew there was a creat chance it was futile, but she couldn;t help it. She screamed for help, scared of those rays that would soon destroy her. It was one of the only things she feared and dawn came closer with each passing minute, she just knew. So she screamed and screamed, desperate.
After a long time, she gave up, hanging her head in defeat. She knew it would be too late. She could almost feel the sun rising. Soon, it would be all over.
Lamia grunted. She knew it was futile, but she had never been one to choose defeat. She started screaming again, even if it hurt her throat badly. Just when she thought it was too late, she could hear someone coming. " Hello? Who is there? Anyone here?". She didn't understand the words, it was certainly not Greek, but that didn't matter anymore. If that person would come closer, she could be saved. " Help!" she screamed again.
To her relief, she heard the footsteps coming closer. It sounded like the person was now running instead of just walking, still sometimes yelling something. She still couldn't understand the words of the foreign language, but she could understand the message behind it. Help was finally approaching.
A few minutes later, she saw the head and shoulders of a man appear. He had broad shoulders, brown hair and beautiful green eyes. His brown hair was quite long and he had stubble. He looked sort of tough, but Lamia didn't feel any fear or even uneasiness. She saw he was still young, especially if you compared him to her, and judging from the way he looked, he was a sailor.
" Help!" she yelled again. When he saw her, his eyes widened. She saw his eyes go over her body for a second and a look of admiration and lust was in his eyes for a moment. Then he seemed to notice she was bound and ran towards her. " What happened?" he asked.
Lamia didn't know what he was saying. She tried to explain they had to get away from here, but he didn't understand. He just tried talking to her, but all she wanted was to get free. She knew the sun could rise any moment now. When he had arrived, it had been just on time.
Just when he , finally, started to try to get her free, the sun rose. Lamia screamed in terror and pain when the rays touched her naked skin and she could feel herself burn. The sun was always dangerous to her, especially here, where it was so strong.
She saw the man's eyes widen and he said something. She suspected it was a curse, but didn't say anything, too occupied with the pain. She did notice , however, when the man started to undress.
If Lamia hadn't been in so much pain, she would probably have been really mad. In her current state, she suspected the man wanted something. She was naked, after all. And didn't all men take opportuneties when they saw them? She was too hurt and desperate to react to the man, but she soon found out he wasn't trying anything funny. He used his shirt to cover her and when he noticed it wasn't enough, he took off his pants and used them too. His last measurement was shielding her from the sun with his body.
Lamia was suprised; she hadn't expected him to be so nice. Especially since she was bound with silver. And everyone knew they used silver to bind witches.
If she had to be honest, she had expected him to use her instead of help her. Especially because she was already naked. But he didn't. He just stood there, stubbornly protecting her against the sun.
After hours, the sun finally started to sink and Lamia let out a sigh of relief. She was safe again. Thanks to this strange man. He turned around and she was mortified when she saw what the sun had done to him. He was burnt, not as badly as she would have been, but it must hurt a lot. But he didn't say anything about it.
He just kneeled down and spoke softly. She understood he was trying to assure her everything was going to be fine. She almost laughed at loud at that; her life would never be anything but terror. She was the Lamia after all. But she didn't bother telling him, knowing he wouldn't understand anyway.
She looked at him, studied him, for the first time in those past hours. She noticed he was handsome, muscular and tall with good features. He wasn't the most handsome man she had ever seen, but he did look good.
She frowned when she saw his skin, which was red and looked very painful. He hesitated a minute, then took away his clothes, blushing. She almost smiled at this. He had just seen her almost dissolve because of the sun and had spent the next hours shielding her in his underwear, but he was still shy. She assumed he only had experience with a certain type of women and that he had drunk a lot by the time he shifted from alcohol to women. But she didn't say anything.
He looked at his clothes, unsure what to do. Probably because it would hurt even more if he put his clothes back on. With a sigh, he put the clothes on the ground and looked at the chain. He started unbounding her, wasting no time with questions she wouldn't even understand. She didn't know his language and he didn't know hers, so they couldn't really talk.
He worked fast, but it still took a long time. The chain wasn't easy to break, but he managed. He did look a few times at her during his attempts at freeing her, but she noticed he tried to avoid it. Huh. I wonder why. Does he had a wife or something? Lamia couldn't imagine people just being polite. To be honest, she couldn't imagine a man being faithful anymore. She had lost faith in men.
But when she saw the expression in his eyes when he saw the pin in her hand, she understood she was wrong about this man. He was different, in a good way. He was kind and caring. She saw the blind rage in his eyes when he noticed the pin through her hand. He touched it, but his expression told her he didn't dare to remove it.
Lamia smiled at him and tore her hand free. He looked very shocked, but before either he or Lamia could say or think anything, she stepped forward and kissed him. She didn't know why, but she knew it was right. The kiss was tender and still passionate somehow. She relished the feelings that came with it. Eager, she pushed her tongue in his mouth and engaged his tongue in a wild dance.
When they pulled apart, she saw his pupils had dilated and saw the lust in his eyes. But she knew he wouldn't take advantage of her. She walked towards the pile of clothes and put on his shirt, not wanting to walk towars her home alone. She had made a decision; she would take him to her home so he could recover and she could pay him back for his help.
{ End Flashback}
Lamia opened her eyes and smiled sadly. She missed John. He had been the perfect husband and father. Kind, caring, loyal, funny.. All she had ever wanted. She hadn't expected it to happen, but she had grown to love him more than anything. A deep love that filled her with happiness and made her the woman she once was again. She was still really thankful for that.
What would have happened if John hadn't saved me? What if I had escaped? Would I be that monster, that murderer? Or- " Lamia.". Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice. She looked to her right, where Athena was standing and looked at her.
Athena frowned slightly. Lamia knew Athena had noticed she hadn't really listened. Lamia bit her lip. " Yes? What do you want to say Athena?". Athena sighed. " The meeting is over. We have decided you should stay on Olympus for now. We will find you a place, but if you want to you can stay at my place for now".
Lamia smiled. " I would love to. Sorry I wasn't paying attention that much, I was a little distracted". Athena smiled, her grey eyes softening for a moment. " I saw that. You looked really far away. You can tell me later why. Shall we go now?'. Lamia nodded and smiled. " Let's go".
They walked towards the exit, but Lamia had the feeling something wasn't right. She felt eyes in her back. Someone was looking at her. She looked briefly over her shoulder and saw who it was.
Zeus was staring at her. He was one of the last persons in the room and his expression was a mix of lust and , odly, jealousy. Lamia frowned and looked at Athena. " Do you know why your father is staring at me like that?".
Before Athena could answer, someone else behind them did. " Because of the look in your eyes while Athena was talking , darling. You were miles away, I bet you didn't even hear what she said. You looked dreamy , like you were thinking of an old flame. And I know it wasn't Zeus. Just like he knows" the voice said.