Kuri Hikawa stood in the shadowy grove outside Fowl Manor, her piercing blue eyes fixed on the shimmering air above. Her wings quivered faintly as she felt the telltale hum of ancient magic ripple through the atmosphere.

"They've activated the time stop," she murmured, the weight of the moment settling in her chest. "We have minutes at best before the LEP arrive. We must move now."

Reiko stood beside her, adjusting the strap of her satchel and rolling her shoulders. "Well, then. Dealer's choice."

"I'll handle the boy," Kuri said decisively, her gaze hardening. "You focus on releasing Ava."

Reiko snorted, a sly grin spreading across her face. "You keep calling him 'the boy' like he's some helpless kid. You know Artemis is our age, right?"

Kuri ignored the comment, though the faintest hint of color rose to her cheeks. "Focus, Reiko."

"Fine, fine," Reiko said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Just try not to fall for his supposed charm, okay?"

Kuri shot her a glare, but Reiko had already activated the spell. The two shimmered out of sight, disappearing into the depths of Fowl Manor.

Xxx

Reiko materialized in front of a locked door on the second floor of the manor. She glanced around, ensuring no one was nearby, then knelt to examine the lock. With a flick of her wrist and a whispered spell, the mechanism clicked open.

"Too easy," she muttered, pushing the door inward.

Inside, Ava sat perched on the edge of a grand canopy bed, her wings folded neatly behind her. The faint glow of fairy magic danced across her form, but her expression was calm—too calm for someone in captivity.

"Reiko," Ava said, her green eyes scanning her cousin's pixie glamour. "What a ridiculous disguise. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. The children have come to rescue me."

"Get up," Reiko ordered, her voice sharp. "We don't have time for dramatics. The time stop is already in place, and I'm not leaving Kuri alone with that human for long."

Ava didn't move, her gaze drifting toward the window. "I was hoping Billie would come," she said softly, almost wistfully. "But I suppose I expect too much from her, don't I?"

Reiko frowned, her fists tightening. "This isn't the time to talk about Billie."

"Isn't it?" Ava's voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it. "You still worry, don't you? About Kuri. The monster inside her… can you be sure it won't surface? Can you be sure she won't kill that human?"

Reiko stiffened, but she didn't reply. Instead, she grabbed Ava's arm and hauled her off the bed. "Let's go."

Xxx

Kuri shimmered into existence in Artemis Fowl's study, materializing behind the grand leather chair where the young genius sat. The room was as pristine and calculating as its occupant, every detail carefully curated to reflect control. Books lined the shelves in perfect order, and the glow of advanced technology cast strange shadows on the walls.

Kuri stepped forward, her voice cutting through the quiet like a blade. "Your bodyguard is making his rounds. You're alone."

Artemis Fowl didn't flinch. He leaned back in his chair, his pale hands steepled under his chin. "I see. So, not all fairies are bound by their precious laws. Are you the first representative they've sent? Or did the LEP underestimate me yet again?"

Kuri's lips curved into a small, humorless smile. "The LEP has nothing to do with me. You don't even understand what you've done, do you?"

Artemis tilted his head, his sharp blue eyes studying her. "Do enlighten me. I imagine you've rehearsed the speech."

Kuri's wings fluttered slightly, betraying her irritation, but she remained calm. "When you attacked that fairy, she fought back with dignity. She went down with her pride intact. Do you know why?"

"No," Artemis said, his voice calm, though his hand drifted toward a hidden button under the desk. "But I'm sure you'll tell me."

Before he could press the button, Kuri moved. She was behind him in an instant, her hand wrapping around his wrist, her other arm brushing against his waist. Artemis froze, her touch both cold and electric, like a jolt of static energy.

"You won't be calling for help," she whispered in his ear, her breath warm against his skin. "It's just you and me now."

Artemis's mind raced, but his body betrayed him. He was acutely aware of the faint floral scent that clung to her and the strength in her grip. "I assume you're going to give me a demonstration of your supposed superiority."

Kuri's eyes narrowed. "Superiority has nothing to do with it. I'm here for my cousin. You're here because you made a mistake."

Artemis opened his mouth to reply, but suddenly, he couldn't breathe. He was lifted into the air, his feet dangling as if an invisible hand had wrapped around his throat. Kuri's arms remained at her sides, her gaze focused, her magic bending the air around him like a vice.

For the first time in years, Artemis felt genuine fear. This wasn't the restrained magic of the LEP or the predictable rules of the fairy world. Kuri was something else entirely.

"Are you going to kill me?" Artemis choked out, his voice strained but defiant.

Kuri tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "That depends," she said softly, her voice almost tender. "Do you think you deserve to live after what you've done?"

Artemis's mind raced for a response, but the truth was, he didn't know. For all his calculations, he hadn't expected this—a girl his age, brimming with power and fire, willing to risk everything to save her family.