Out Of The Darkness
Yeah made a mistake a few chapters back, with bride not Vane's mate yet - need to go back and fix it! Vane's book was before Ash's
Chapter 14
Satara, Nick, Artemis And Oh My
Satara gasped when she felt a pain alerting her to the fact Acheron had left the building. The only reason she had gotten so near was the fact she had an Anti-Atlantean cloaking device. Nobody of Atlantean blood would know she was here. To everyone else she was a regular human, even to the were-hunters. Her father Apollo had given her that ability, so she could spy for him. What he didn't know was Satara used it to spy on him not for him. She was here for the journal, and she was determined to get it. She pulled back though, when she noticed Aimee Peltier with Ash's new 'pet' she couldn't get in. she couldn't touch the man with the bear there, she couldn't violate the sanctity of sanctuary. She'd tried it once before and almost been killed. Savitar had made his point very loudly, in only a way he could. She had learnt from that experience so she backed off, waiting in the shadows for her time. Then a thought struck her, Artemis, she'd make sure Acheron was gone for a while. It would give the Damon's a chance to act and grab the boy.
Then they'd get the journal.
She'd be free of Artemis for good, eleven thousand years she'd severed her. She hated every second of it, and worse she hated Ash. She'd given him an offer, to free them both yet he'd refused. In her book he deserved everything that he got.
She left the bar and once she was far enough away she went to her aunt's temple in Olympus.
"Harry can you wait tables?" asked Aimee asked.
"I doubt it's that hard," smirked Harry wryly, he had if they counted the years of serving his family like a common slave.
"Good, then come help," said Aimee, two of their staff had called in sick - humans honestly. They were prone to disease and sickness, but Aimee and the Were-Hunters were immune to such human illnesses. Once Harry was down the stairs a t-shirt and apron was flung at him. Grimacing he put the too large t-shirt on and the apron before he began serving people. He knew they were all Were-Hunters. The nearly raw steak was a dead give away really. Why bother cooking it? But they had to keep up their fronts. Harry understood that all too well, normal people shouldn't know about them.
"How do you do this all night? My face is beginning to hurt," said Harry he grabbed beer from the bar. He found it extremely odd to hear someone say 'hold the human hair'. They wanted drink that would completely inebriate a human. Were-Hunters had a higher metabolism rate so they could handle it. If a human drank it…lets just say they'd meet the floor before it touched their stomach. He was twitching his jaw from side to side, as if it ached from smiling so much.
Dev laughed in amusement, he knew the feeling, and it's why he preferred manning the door. He felt better just standing there looking tough. Plus he got to see the beautiful women before anyone else did. Harry had thought he was a Dark-Hunter, until he caught sight of his eyes. They were brown not the black Ash told him about. He'd since learned it had been a goof on them, Harry really liked Dev.
"Suck it up, we've been doing it for years," was all he said.
"Nice," said Harry grinning wryly as he went to serve the people that had just come in. He gave them their drinks first before getting their food. Looking around he noticed everyone else had been served. Other than a guy sitting by himself at the back. Harry noticed at one he had a bow and arrow mark on his arm. So this was a Dark-Hunter, he was wearing glasses so he couldn't see his eyes. He had a Fuck you attitude written across him, he would to if he had to deal with Daimon's all the time, and had suffered betrayal. Then again he had…but it hadn't cost him his life, just nearly his sanity and the belief in the world.
"What can I get you?" asked Harry arching an eyebrow curiously. He wondered what the Dark-Hunter would eat. So far it had just been Were-Hunter's he'd served so far.
Harry couldn't have been more stunned when the Dark-Hunter rounded the table and sniffed at his hair. He made a mental note to himself that they were fast.
"You stink of Acheron," said the stranger, he had a thick Cajun accent.
"You better remove your hands and step back," said Harry already fighting his magic to stop it from reacting.
"Or what?" said the Dark-Hunter his voice was cocky and smug.
Harry suddenly felt so much better about letting his magic loose, Nick found himself smashing into the wall behind him stuck there unable to get down. Not even using his Dark-Hunter magic could negate it. "What did you want? A medal?" asked Harry scathingly. Releasing his magic and letting Nick fall down in a heap on the floor.
"Nick you know better." said Dev walking forward.
"Let me," said Harry stopping Dev from reaching him, he raised Nick in the air, with his other hand opened the door of sanctuary flung the Cajun out. He landed stomach down on the curb, moaning in agony as his privates received the same damage as his entire front. The door swung shut again, Harry shook his head, well his secret was out now. "What the hell was that all about?" was that normal behaviour for Dark-Hunters?
"Nick has issues. Unfortunately, Ash seems to be his biggest one." said Dev giving Harry a wide berth. He'd sensed Nick trying to get himself down with his magic and failing. He wasn't about to be on the receiving end just in case he couldn't get down either. He respected the way Harry had handled it though. Whatever he was he could obviously handle himself, so much for him being human.
"How's that?" asked Harry his English accent even more noticeable.
"They used to be best friends and now they're mortal enemies. I didn't know Nick would be able to tell you were here with Ash or I wouldn't have let him in here. Sorry." said Dev.
"Nah, he's obviously not all bad, was just surprised, doesn't matter either way. As you just saw I can defend himself, nice to know my powers work on the Dark-Hunters without them being able to fight it off." he said a vicious grin on his face. "What the hell happened to make them enemies?"
"I honestly don't know. But given how close they were a few years ago, t must have been one hell of a fight." said Dev.
It was the first proper conversation they'd had he realized. Mostly they traded sarcastic remarks, not vicious mostly just banter ones. He'd thought he was seeing double or triple the other day, but he'd come to realize they were Quadruplets. Dev was the nicest of the bunch, and the easiest to identify with the tattoo.
A few more Were-Hunters pooled in and Harry went to serve them.
Ash froze in place; it took him a second to identify what was wrong. Harry, he had a feeling something was wrong. Despite the fact he could probably look after himself, he just had to know. He teleported himself straight to Sanctuary to find Harry pouring beer into a glass in front of him.
"Missed me?" asked Harry turning to see Ash behind him, smirking in amusement. He'd felt Ash enter, maybe his magic was finally beginning to get used to its surroundings and new magic.
Ash leaned against Harry and whispered words so low that not even the suddenly interested Were-Hunters couldn't hear. Harry on the other hand laughed in amusement, even if it did sound a little…breathless.
"You all right?" asked Harry, it seemed as though Ash had came here just to see him.
"Yeah I just…" before he snorted, feeling suddenly foolish. "Never mind."
"If you were about to say you had a bad feeling, it was right - Nick was just here." said Aimee. Sniggering at the mental picture Nick made flying into the wall, it had to have hurt Dark-Hunter or not. Too bad he'd be healed before he knew it.
"What happened?" asked Acheron, Nick hated him with every iota of his being. Although he couldn't blame him, since it was his fault. In anger he'd destroyed his best friend's life. In his defence Nick shouldn't have slept with Simi.
"Apparently I stink of you, you didn't tell me the Dark-Hunters senses were better than humans," said Harry nonchalantly. He levitated the drinks over to the impatient Were-Hunters and turned to face Ash.
"I can't believe that sack of shit. If he so much as breaths on you I'll rip out his throat." said Ash angrily. Nick's powers were formidable, nowhere near his level but maybe more than Harry's. He wasn't sure what Harry's power level was he'd only seen him in action once.
Dev laughed in amusement, learning against the other side of the bar. Some days this job was better than others, this was a very good day. "No fear there. Harry took him down on his own." said Dev rubbing his big paw like hands gleefully.
"What do you mean?" asked Ash curiously.
"He flung Nick at the wall," said Dev pointing at the hole behind him, "Let him go then flung him outside. He will probably be limping falsetto for a week. Let's just say he lost a fight with the sidewalk. I intend to make sure I don't piss him off, Nick's powers didn't undo his handy work."
"He should have listened to me and backed off, didn't want to hurt him until that cocky voice made me." said Harry shrugging his shoulders. "He's helping humans and he had my respect for that, until of course he destroyed it a few seconds after I met him."
"Really?" asked Ash impressed, it made him feel better, and if Dark-Hunter magic couldn't he doubted Daimon magic could. Not that he'd take that chance. He'd finally found someone, and he wasn't about to loose him.
"Yes," said Harry smugly. Nice to know he wasn't completely defenceless against the magical creatures he was mingling with now.
"Alright, since everything is under control I'll leave you to it and get back to my errands. I'll be back shortly." said Acheron.
"Be careful," said Harry, god or not, he doubted he'd stop worrying about Ash. One thing about Harry, he loved unconditionally, worried needlessly and fretted constantly.
Acheron nodded at Harry, touched by his concern before he flashed out again. He was just about to enter Liza's store when Artemis' shrill scream bounced around his brain.
ACHERON HERE NOW! Artemis yelled mentally.
I'm not your dog, Artemis. Ash replied.
Artemis appeared in front of Acheron on the street, her eyes flaming red. "Then if you wont heel, let's see if I can make your pet beg." she snarled and then she started to fade.
Ash grabbed her arm and held her beside him, "What are you talking about?" he hissed, but he had a funny feeling what she was going on about. Which filled him with worry, Harry might have powers but he doubted he had enough to fight Artemis.
"You didn't think you could go off and fuck someone and I wouldn't find out about it? You faithless pig! I'm going to make him scream like no mortal has before." snarled Artemis possessively.
Ash teleported them both to her Temple, in Olympus his entire mind filled with worry. He couldn't let anything happen to Harry, not for something that had made him realize there were people who cared. He'd known it, but never known one himself - until Harry. He held Artemis viciously against the wall as she shrieked at him.
"Let me go!" she snarled.
"Not until this gets settled." said Acheron shaking his head.
"Settle what? That you are a lying faithless bastard? How could you?" she hissed furiously. "I'll have his life, his soul, everything!"
"You won't touch him." said Acheron adamantly.
"You don't command me!" she shouted.
Acheron in his fury turned into his true destroyer's form, completely blue from head to toe. Black lips, black horns, black hair, yellow orange eyes shot through with red to top it off he had black claws. "Don't push me, Artemis. I haven't fed in weeks and in this matter, I will kill you. Do you understand?" he was a vicious sight to behold.
"I hate you," Artemis snarled at him.
"You've always hated me. Since the moment I first kissed you in your temple, you've despised me and I know it." said Acheron disgust evident in his tone.
Artemis screamed in fury, before she began sobbing as if her heart was being ripped into shred. She fought against him but was no match for the furious Atlantean. "That's not true! We were friends. I loved you!" she protested.
"You loved me so much that you watched as I was butchered on the floor at your feet. That's not love, Artie. I felt your relief when was dead!" scoffed Acheron, the lies she told herself were truly pathetic.
Artemis shook her head, "I brought you back because I loved you." she said still in denial.
"That's the lie you tell yourself, but I know the truth. You brought me back because you were afraid of my mother." said Acheron scornfully.
"I am a goddess!" she shrieked as if it explained everything.
"And I'm a god. One whose powers mocks yours and you know it." he said right back to the furious red head.
"You've betrayed me and I want vengeance for it!" she shrieked not liking the truth one bit.
"Then take it out on me." said Acheron.
Artemis froze and stopped struggling against the Atlantean destroyer. "What are you saying?" she said, calmly as if she hadn't just been screeching her lungs out.
"I'm the one who betrayed you. If you want to make someone bleed, then I offer myself to you as your victim. But you have to swear you'll never lay a hand on Harry. Ever." said Acheron. Watching Artemis, seeing the sexual gleam in her eye sickened him to the core. But she'd always got off on making him bleed and suffer. She always had.
Straightening up Artemis then said "Only if you swear not to use your powers to heal yourself. You will take the punishment you have earned and you will suffer for what you've done to me."
She had no idea she'd regret that - a lot sooner than anyone would think.
"I swear it." said Acheron.
"Release me," said Artemis lifting her chin demandingly.
"Not until I have your word," said Acheron he wasn't a stupid god, he'd learned the hard way.
"Oh I promise I won't go after your little pet." she said rolling her eyes.
"And that you wont send anyone else after him either." said Acheron.
Artemis balked, damn it, she had hoped he wouldn't ask that. "Fine, I swear your whore will never be hurt by me or any of my minions." she said pouting childishly. She looked as though she'd broken her favourite toy.
Acheron wrapped his hands around her neck, back to his normal human self "Call him a whore or any other insult again, I will kill you. Do you understand me? His name is Harry and you will call him nothing else."
"I understand," said Artemis coldly, "Now prepare yourself for me, whore."
Ash winced at her words, she knew what she was doing, and he hated her even more for it. He removed Simi from his body again, telling her she'd have to leave for a while. Simi wasn't happy with those orders; she hated leaving her Akri with the Heifer-goddess.
"Hi Simi," said Harry surprised to see her, "What's wrong sweetie?" he asked alarmed. He could only think of one reason to see her so forlorn. It made his heartbeat shake through the roof. Ash had been gone longer then he said he would.
"That old heifer bitch goddess is hurting Akri again and Akri wont let the Simi do anything to help him, bur the Simi isn't supposed to say anything about what the bitch-goddess does so forget the Simi said anything," said Simi. "Hook the Simi up with some ice-cream Akri-Harry. I need double scoops." she looked so beaten down.
"Hurt?" asked Harry his eyes narrowing furiously, his heart pounding with worry and fear. "Who's Heifer-goddess?" he had a sinking feeling he knew who it was though.
"The redheaded mean one that the Simi wants to eat, but Akri say 'No Simi. You can't eat Artemis' The Simi hates the heifer."
"Where's Ash?" asked Harry fury completely blinding through him, so much that even the Were-Hunter's were beginning to back away.
"On Olympus. He told the Simi to come and stay with you and make sure no one hurts you." said Simi.
"Shit, I have to do something," said Harry there was one thing Harry hated and it was being useless. Or seeing someone he loved being hurt and unable to stop it.
"We can't. Artemis hurt Akri worse if we try. Believe me, I know. He promised her she could hurt him if she didn't hurt you and the say okay, so now…the Simi hates the heifer goddess." said Simi.
"Excuse me," said Harry he had to leave before he hurt someone. His magic was getting out of control; he'd rather be alone when that happened. Where the hell was Olympus? Would he even be able to get there with his magic? He wasn't a god so he doubted it…did he need a god to get up there? He didn't know anyone! Damn this to hell he hated being useless. His magic leeched off him, breaking things, settling them on fire and shrinking them. His bed was smaller than a matchbox at the moment, but he didn't care.
"Hello Harry," said a new voice, appearing in.
Harry turned around, blasting her with his magic without thinking. She wasn't the least bit affected, she just waved her hand and his raging magic was under control as if he wasn't still furious.
"Who are you? And how the hell do you know my name?" demanded Harry gnashing his teeth. He looked at her, she looked around thirty years old, long flowing blonde locks with ice blue eyes that reminded him of the Malfoy's. She wore a long red dress/cloak thing he had no idea what it was called.
"I know your name because I have been watching over you these past days. I must say I haven't met anyone quite like you before; I'm deeply honoured to have this opportunity…as to who I am. You may know me as Hecate." said the Goddess her voice soft and soothing. She'd been alerted to him the day she's felt Acheron's god magic mingling with that of a Wizard. She'd learned everything she could about him, wanting every advantage when she finally met him. Her heart broke for what he'd been through, yet so deeply proud he hadn't become evil with all he'd endured. Like one Wizard she could name, Tom Riddle. Then she'd felt his magic flare so furiously that she knew it was time to interfere before he hurt himself or someone else.
Harry gulped, the goddess of witchcraft was in front of him, well no wonder his magic hadn't worked. What did she want with him? He didn't have time for this he had to help Ash. Maybe the way was staring him in the face...she was after all a goddess - she could take him to Olympus.
annnd the elusive Hecate finally makes an appearance *crowd roars* LOL poor Ash :( so what will happen? will Hecate give him powers? or just a small boost so he can go whever he pleases? or just knowledge to survive the new world? or immortality ;) you dont want to see Ash being beaten by Artie do you? i dont fancy adding it :( reading its enough for me! but if you want a reason to hate her more...welll i could write it! so will harry confront her or will ash be back before harry can go reak havoc in olympus? will he meet and get magic from appllymi before he goes to get revenge on artie? i soo want to add the bit where all the dark hunters and werewhunters come in and side with him XD it touched me more than anything else did in the book! R&R Please people :D