Lieutenant

Chapter 22

AlexusAP- For some reason some of the chapters appeared to be only drafts, so if you wondered what the update was, it was because Wattpad is being weird. :/ Anyways, enjoy.

The centuries that followed were full of exhaustion and love as the universe shifted through times of war and peace that called upon action and departures. It was full of loss as beloved hunters passed and empty slots were filled with hurting young girls who learned how to smile.

It was an accident that they ran into the ground of three but it was unavoidable. Zoë despised the boy from her first glance at him. He held himself with much more authority than he held let alone deserved. Oh, he reminded her so much of Hercules and Orion she had the urge to send him off on his own.

Only she couldn't. Not while the young girls depended on him. The seven or eight-year-old with blonde hair and grey eyes was adorable. Intelligent like her mother. Artemis immediately brightened at the sight of her very young niece.

"And you, my dear, must be quite smart." She mused, kneeling in front of the tiny grey-eyed girl.

"That's what Thals says!" She smiled happily eyes glinting brightly. "She says my mommy is smart!"

"Indeed she is." Artemis nodded glancing over her shoulder at Zoë who softened slightly at the expression on the goddess' face.

"You know her?" The little girl questioned hopefully.

"Quite well actually. She is my sister. I love her very much and I believe she's mentioned you to me before. Annabeth is it?" Annabeth's eyes widened in awe and she turned, slapping the boy on the arm.

"Luke, Luke, she knows my mom! My mom told her about me!" It was adorable to see her excitement but Luke, the boy just shook his head, eyes narrowing at Artemis.

"She's just saying that to make you feel better." He sighed wrapping an arm around her tiny shoulders. Annabeth's face quickly turned crestfallen.

"I would be careful about crushing young holes so easily mister Castellan. You of all people should know I tell no lies. I am not as...easily fooled and disillusioned like the others." Artemis' posture straightened and her gaze grew harsh.

Her attention shifted to the older girl who hadn't stopped pacing the entire time. She was tall for her age, punk style contrasting with her pale skin and vibrant eyes. She was beautiful. No wonder the boy as so attached.

"What is it that makes thy nervous?" Zoë questioned. Zoë had read more than her fill of Shakespeare and old languages books in the era of literature. It had altered her speech but Artemis adored it.

"We can't stay here. We have to go. They'll come here and-" Artemis held up a hand silencing the girl and giving her pause.

"They will do no such thing. My hunters and I are skilled in ways you may not comprehend. A monster would be more than foolish to trespass here. You are safe. I promise you that." The girl nodded and hesitantly sat next to her friends, leg bouncing sporadically. "I understand your nerves however Thalia Grace."

"You do?" She asked. Artemis nodded patiently.

"I have been in situations no different than yours. When I battled Giants I was given little rest until it was over. The persistence of fighting, wandering, tiredness. It is not unknown to me." Artemis explained. Zoë watched Thalia relax at that. "It is not unknown to any of us."

"What about the prim and proper one?" Luke asked eyes regarding Zoë carefully. She tried not to bristle at his attitude.

"I assure you I have had my fair share of a painful past." Zoë spoke carefully in response.