A/N: So, here's the next chapter. I know, not much happens :P. Stuff will get going soon though, I think.

this chapter is dedicated to Zeef, whom I thank for the review, and, I think, very fitting analogy. :)

R&R everyone (And I do NOT own Artemis Fowl . . . which I think is pretty obvious)

Foaly's voice came over the earpiece. "How's the Mud boy?"

"He's awake," Holly said. "But he seems very tired, and sometimes I think he's in pain."

"Did Number One say anything about that?"

"He said that he couldn't actually get rid of the magic . . . just, kind of, shut it away in a drawer. It won't stay locked away forever." Holly sighed, flopping back in the huge bed. "What did you find?"

"Not much," Foaly said. "Glimmer was an only child, and her parents died pretty early in her childhood. She grew up with foster parents Rose and Cedar Grew, but they died a few years ago of natural causes. And no one came forward with having known her before she . . . went a bit crazy."

"So we're in the dark in that way," Holly said, passing a hand over her eyes. "We're going in blind. Speaking of which, where are we going?"

"I was able to track Glimmer's magical signature from what Number One gave me. She's not actually too far from you. You know that place where you first met Artemis?" Oh, that was a way to put it. Holly wasn't likely to forget that place any time soon.

"I remember," she said.

"Well, Glimmer's been hanging out there. Not that I'm surprised. She needs a constant source of magic to uphold all her power. As far as we can tell, she's got a few human goons with her."

"Mesmerized?" Holly guessed.

"Probably. But the question I'm asking . . . is why she went after Artemis. She's been off the grid for years. Unless she somehow spent the last few decades down in Haven, someone's giving her information."

Holly opened her eyes, staring at the creamy white high ceiling. Her eyes lazily traced the designs as she thought this over. "So . . . you think there's someone in Haven informing Glimmer of things that happen?"

"Yes."

"Can you look into that? And keep it quiet. We don't want the perp to know we're looking for them."

"Of course Captain Short. I'll call up Mulch and Doodah Day, shall I?"

Holly smiled. The PI business was flourishing, and the two ex-cons even consulted for the LEP every once in a while. With a heavy consultation fee. "Make sure to tell them . . . well, tell Mulch anyway, that Artemis needs his help. Maybe they won't charge us an arm and a leg this time," she said with a little laugh.

"Sure thing. And . . . um . . . Holly?"

"Yes, Foaly?" The Centaur had said 'um', and Holly had learned to read this as signs of bad news, or at least something she wouldn't like to hear.

"Be careful. We don't know what Artemis was Mesmerized to do."

"He said he didn't remember," Holly said, and so what if her voice was a touch defensive? She knew what Foaly was hinting at.

"This is Artemis Fowl, Holly. No one has any idea how his brain works, except him, and maybe that brother of his. Artemis' personal little Mini-me; Myles, I think. My point is," Foaly said. "Artemis may very well know, and be scared by it, or maybe he's afraid you'd be scared of it."

"You think he was told to do something to me," Holly said, somewhat furious. She clenched the heavy comforter in her right hand, squeezing it as hard as she could.

"To you or Number One," Foaly admitted. "Admit it Holly. Why else would Glimmer Vendera have targeted him? Artemis and you were two key players, along with Mulch Diggums, in bringing down Opal Koboi. If it's someone in Haven, or even Atlantis, who's giving Glimmer information from underground, they'll have told her about that, and possibly about that little thing with Turnball Root. She'll want to get you two out of the way, and I doubt she'd say no to eliminating the most powerful warlock ever." Foaly paused for a second, before continuing. "And that would fit in with other things I've learned about Glimmer's Mesmerizing abilities. Often times, the few fairies who managed to resist her power were told to kill people close to them, or destroy something that played a key part in their childhood, or in making them who they are. To Artemis, you are both."

Holly let out a long breath, slowly unclenching her hand. "So you're saying I need to keep an eye on him?"

"I'm saying, it would be a good idea if he sat this one out. Or at least, he stayed in a stress-free environment and you communicated via electronics. Not that I'm saying that's going to happen, not with your luck. But you need to know if he feels the magic taking control again. Things like headaches, excessive pain, that kind of thing. Or maybe if he seems short of breath a lot. That often indicates pain." Foaly sighed. "I'm sorry, I know I'm not being much help here. But the LEP has had to close all tunnels to the surface to keep Vendera from getting to Haven. We can't send any backup. You're on your own again Holly."

"No, Foaly. You are not changing the topic of conversation right now. Artemis. You say it's a good idea for him to sit this out, and I almost agree with you. The problem, is that we need him. In tight situations, a helmet radio is not going to be able to help us. We'll just need to find out how much he didn't tell us. His parents were in the room after all, perhaps he just didn't want them to worry."

"That would be a losing battle, Holly. You just told them all about your little adventures. I'd say they're probably plenty worried."

"Which would be what he was thinking. Maybe. That he didn't want to worry them more."

"Be careful on this one Holly. I know you took down Glimmer before, but now she's likely out for revenge; and with more magic than Opal Koboi could ever dream of having. Your luck may run out on this one."

"Just . . . just focus on finding her informer," Holly said. "I'll worry about Artemis." Then she terminated, just lying there for a minute before sitting up and jumping to the thick rug. Time to ask Artemis some questions in private, and hope he answered honestly.