I am Artemis

Attacked

Chatos(Inu)

After she left I looked down at the goddess. The tears on her face matched Akri's.

What did you show her?

Artemis

What did you show her?

I heard that thought as plain as day.

Artemis!

I shot up. The black dog was sitting at the door of the bed.

Artemis I'm hungry!

Apollo was in my temple. I had no time to prepare before my bedroom doors flung open. My body tensed. The hound began growling. I felt something odd about it. I had a feeling that Inu wasn't a hound. I willed a barrier around Inu.

"As I said before. I will not let you feed from me," I stood, summoning a vial and dagger, "I will not feed from you either."

He snarled.

"You have no choice, Artemis." He flew at me snarling.

I rushed backwards and rushed away from him.

"Artemis!!" Apollo yelled.

I was scared. Apollo slammed into me and I fell to the floor.

"I'm starving, sister. Now hold still." He ripped into my throat.

Tears gathered and fell against the floor. I bit my lip tight. I would not give him the satisfaction of hearing me whimper or scream. He was gripping my head and shoulder tightly. He was being rough and mean. I wanted to throw him off. I heard a growl.

"Inu stay! Stay boy," my voice cracked, "I'm okay."

I heard a whimper. Then Apollo snarled and bit harder.

"That's it." I reached up and yanked his hair hard.

It surprised him and he let go. I heard a growl and Apollo was off of me. I sat up.

"Inu no!" I rushed for Inu just as Apollo threw him across the room.

I quickly jumped in the way and hit the wall while Inu hit me. I ground my teeth as pain radiates up my spine. I hold Inu against me. He seems fine. I smiled down at him.

"Go back to Matera." I whispered.

Inu looked up at me. He looked surprised.

"I'm going to kill your blasted hound Artemis!" I glanced at Apollo stomping this way.

I pushed Inu off and got to my feet. I stood in front of Inu.

"Leave Apollo! I'm not afraid of you. Get out of my temple now!" I gripped him by the ear.

I pulled him to the balcony.

"Save yourself brother, stay out of my temple." I shoved him off the balcony.

I'll be back, sister.

He vanished. I fell to the ground. My throat was throbbing. I heard a scream.

Artemis!

I was transported to the location of the voice I heard in my head. I found a Dark Hunter surrounded by Daimons. I snapped my fingers. The Daimons were gone. I pulled my hair in front of the neck wound. I cocked my head at him. He looked surprised to see me.

"Well I never expected the lass to actually appear. I guess it's true what those dead Dark Hunters said." I felt mad, but that vanished quickly.

I knew I was angry because I was hurting. I was also angry because of how Artemis treated these humans after they were in her service. I smiled.

"Be safe Wulf." I said.

I walked away.

"Wait." I turned to Wulf.

"How do you know my name lassie?" I smiled.

"I know all of the Dark Hunter's identities. Thank you for calling on me. I must be going now before Ash arrives." I turned again.

"Who hurt you lass?" I froze.

I turned to Wulf.

"It matters not. I will be fine. Stay safe Wulf." I was back in my temple.

I left the bedroom and made my way to the bathing area. Artemis's maidens were waiting for me.

"Get out! Everybody out!" I yelled.

I wanted them gone. They quickly left. I stripped the clothes when they were gone. I stepped into the bath and hissed in pain. I hurt all over. I heard footsteps and then the door was pushed open. It was Inu.

"You stayed? Even when it got so dangerous? If Apollo knew what you really were he'd kill you. Please be careful next time, Inu." I lowered myself down.

I hissed as the hot water touched the wound on my neck. I was so sleepy. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I heard a splash and I turned to see Inu next to me.

"You don't listen well do you? Then again, Matera probably has you watching over me. I'd expect nothing less." I took a deep breath and immersed myself under the water.

I came up a moment later. My neck stung so bad. I leaned my head back against the edge and closed my eyes. I felt hungry, but ignored it. I would be fine for another day or two. I felt myself drifting off. My body was relaxed and the exhaustion caught up. I swore I heard my name before everything turned black.

Acheron

I finally went back to Artemis's temple. For two reasons. One, Wulf called me. He explained that Artemis came when he called. Secondly, Wulf mentioned Artemis looking a little worse for wear. When I arrived I frowned at the disarray.

"Artemis?" A black hound came bounding out of the bathroom.

It barked at me. I cocked my head.

Help.

It barked and rushed to the bathroom. I followed behind. Artemis was asleep and in the tub. The hound jumped in and whimpered.

Help her.

I got closer. I froze. Her throat was ripped to shreds and her face was bruised. The wound had begun to heal, but not at the rate it should. I stepped into the tub and stood over her. I saw my symbol on her collarbone. I was angry. I stepped out and was going to leave her.

Please.

I turned to the hound.

"No. Your owner will have to help herself." I turned away.

Friend.

The hound was growling at me. I glanced back as it stood next to Artemis in her bathing area.

Not my owner, friend!

A strange feeling welled up in my chest. I missed who Artemis was before she hurt me. I missed the friendship we used to have. Artemis cried out in pain. The hound turned to her and nudged her trying to comfort her. I felt jealous. Artemis screamed as though she was in pain. I stepped forward and saw my symbol on her body glowing red.

Please. Help.

Artemis whimpered. Tears were streaming down her face. The hound barked. Suddenly she shot up in the water. She didn't notice me. She took deep breaths. I saw the bruises along her back. She turned her head.

"Can I please have a moment Acheron. Thank you for helping Inu." She patted the hounds head.

She stood and a robe appeared on her shoulders. She pulled it tight and stepped out of the bath. She was tense. She glanced back at me.

"You do not have to stay, Acheron. I'm alright now." She left the bathroom.

I followed behind her. The disarray from earlier was gone. She was limping to her bed. She sat and placed her hand above her throat. A soft green glow appeared from her hand. I stepped closer. The wound was closing. She pulled her hand away. The robe vanished and she was in a forest green dress.