Chapter 12

I woke up breathing heavily and as hot as the deepest pit of Tarturus. I was crying. A burning sensation was starting in my feet and working it's way all the way up to my head where I grasped my hair and pulled trying to yank whatever it was out.

"Hey, hey, hey." I heard someone say and push me back down. I shot up again though. I recognized the voice of Kate Great. "Calm down. Ok?" she said but I stood up anyway. My eyes adjusted to the dark and started to take in my surroundings. It was a dark tent illuminated by the soft glow of candles. Something out of some movie. I could hear the lapping of waves and the soft whispering of Kasey and Andrew's voice. As if Kate was reading my mind she started to talk.

"Nauseating isn't it?" She asked with a smile. I rolled my eyes.

"Your one to talk. Look at you and Nico!" I exclaimed and winked at her.

"Cassandra, Cassandra, Cassandra." Kate said and she clicked her tongue. I got up and unzipped the tent but before I could Kate called back.

"Cassandra, don't mind my dad. He can be a jerk sometimes. I remember one time he gave me and Nico-"
"That's great." I said and it hit me from Kate's point of view. How awkward t must be. I was dating her dad. She must feel like crap. I nodded at her and walked out to think. It was colder than I expected for summer. I guess the island was colder than expected. Nico saw me coming out of the tent and walked over.

"Cassandra." He greeted. I nodded and was about to ask his opinion on the whole Apollo thing but suddenly the ocean started to glimmer. Kasey's eyes creased. Andrew ran over and grabbed Nico and my hands. It was an Iris message. From Olympus. I bit my lip and motioned from everyone else to go away but when I threw a Drachma into the ocean he face of Artemis appeared. I coughed and looked at my feet. We had not had a good relationship. She nodded at us.

"What do you want?" I muttered still looking at my feet.

"A answer." She said and I remembered the story of Leto and her children. I thought of the pointy arrows.

"I didn't say anything to Apollo that he hasn't said to me." I snapped but she raised an eyebrow at me.

"I was going to ask about the quest." She said and I flushed bright red.

"What would you like to know, my lady?" Kasey asked.

"I would like a moment alone with Miss Anderson." the goddess said and I nodded. Everyone cleared, awkwardly.

"What would you like to know?" I asked.

"What your there for."

"I don't really know. Something about a ancient curse and other things like that."

"Cassandra's curse?"

"I guess. That's what Prometheus said."

"Do not take it, Miss Anderson." Artemis said. "It was cause you suffering and pain. Have you located the cave yet?"

"I believe so, my lady."

"Have you met, Cassandra?"

"What is this a cross examination?"

"Just answer the question!" She said.

"No we have not met Cassandra."

"Let me warn you. You will be betrayed by a friend."

"Thanks for the news flash. Say, how's your brother doing?" I asked, prying on her weakness.

"He is none of your concern anymore, Cassandra Anderson."

"Really?"

"He does not love you anymore!"

"Didn't seem like that this morning..." I said and winked.

"Cassandra-"

"Say, does 'ill take you to the stars' sound like a love profession?"

"Miss Anderson-"
"What do you wear on a date to the stars?" I asked and Artemis was turning red in the face. I probably should have stopped but I didn't.

"I want to help you, Cassandra." She said.

"I suggested relationship counseling but he just wanted to get coffee." Suddenly the water started to bubble and boil then I spouted up like a volcano. I looked down and the goddess looked darker and her eyes looked a bit blacker.

"I am warning you, Cassandra. Heed my warning. Do not take to curse. It will destroy you."

"I'm stronger than I look." I snapped but the was already gone. My friends protruded from different places. I could tell that they'd heard the whole conversation. I didn't know what Artemis was talking about but I knew she was right. Curses are usually bad but the thought quickly left my mind as I grabbed my knife and sword then looked at my friends. I'd sort out matters of the cave latter. Right now, there was a prisoner of war I needed to rescue. Cassie needed help and I didn't give a crap what Artemis had said. Before anyone could talk me out of it Kasey, Zakk, and me melted into the shadows.