Alone - In Spirit

CHP 9

I took shallow, quiet breaths as I hugged my knees to my chest, sitting against the wall of the basement. Artemis watched me quietly for a few moments.
"Hawke...?"
My eyes flicked to him, but I didn't say anything.
"... You know about supernaturals, don't you?"
I hesitated but nodded softly.
"So, you knew I was a witch the whole time...?"
I nodded quietly again. He frowned but knew better than to complain. Neither of us had that privilege anymore.

"What was your family like? Or were you always her... pet..."
I stared loosely at the ground for a minute, flashes of faces I almost didn't recognize burning my eyes and making me want to cry.
"They were nice. Busy, but nice." I answered quietly.
"I miss them."
Artemis watched me with a soft solemnity in his eyes.
"I wish I could say the same..."
"You can."
He frowned at me.
"Sure, and I can ride unicorns too."
"You have Xera and Vanessa." I looked out the tiny window.
"They're your family."
Artemis was about to argue but stayed quiet instead. He looked almost appreciative; I couldn't fathom why.

A couple of hours later Artemis had somehow fallen asleep, probably exhausted, and I could hear Mr. Johnson leaving for work. That meant Felicity would be down soon for work. I wondered vaguely if she'd split us up or have us work together. I stopped after a few minutes.
"Artemis." He stirred before sitting up and blinking around. A darkness sank into his eyes as he remembered what had happened. I missed the bright green, I hoped it would be seen again on the full moon.

"Oh good, you two are already awake." Felicity's whip cracked against the wall and Artemis scooted away from her. Obviously, he'd never been whipped before, there wasn't a scar on him.
I can protect him.
I don't know why I thought it, and I definitely should not have acted on it if I had any common sense. Maybe I really was going insane.

"Stop." Her glare turned to me but she did stop.
"Don't you dare tell me what to do you brat." She glared thinly at me.
"... What if you hurt me instead?" I suggested. Artemis looked at me like I was out of my mind.
Felicity stared for a moment before laughing.
"Don't tell me you actually care for him?"
I forced myself to keep my usual composure. Any and all emotion could be detected as weakness, and then she'd hurt him just to piss me off and rub it in my face that I can't do anything.
"Clearly he's not ready for it. He could die if you get carried away." I responded calculatedly.
"Then you'd have wasted your money, whereas you can hurt me as much as you like."
I glad Felicity agreed to it, even though I knew I was in a world of pain.
I'm an alpha. I can take it.

I think.
I tensed as Felicity sent Artemis upstairs and he hesitated, which I was sure would earn me another smack. Despite it I was patient with him and kept my mouth shut.
She's sending him upstairs.
What does that mean for me?