Cry of the Moon

Chapter 17: My New Apprentice

Artemis is the smallest thing I've ever seen. She stands barely to my shoulders, the complete opposite of her towering brother. I will admit, if Hera had to choose two gods to replace Helios and I, she had certainly chosen the right ones.

Apollo is tall and muscular with tanned skin, as though he spends his days basking in the sun. His long locks of hair are pulled into a messy knot at the back of his head and his golden eyes shine with a ferocity to match my brother. I can tell immediately that he is the type of person Helios will never get along with.

Artemis, on the other hand, though she may be small of stature, radiates an aura of peacefulness and curiosity. Her dark eyes dark around the room, always moving, taking in her surroundings. Her dark hair is short and wispy, pulled back by a silver circlet crowning her forehead. When I first see her, my first impression is that she's extremely shy, so I'm surprised when she's the first to step forward and dip into a small curtsy.

"Good evening," she says and her voice reminds me of a trickling stream on a beautiful summer's day. She turns to her brother, gesturing for him to come forward but he stays by the doorway to the palace, glowering. Artemis sighs, turning back to us.

"Please excuse my brother. Neither of us had a say in this... change, and he doesn't do well with following orders."

"It's a pleasure to have you both," Eos says and I can almost hear Helios roll his eyes.

"Let's just get this over with," he mutters, turning and walking out of the room. "The sun waits for no one, Apollo," he calls over his shoulder and the god scowls before following him out of the room.

Once the two are out of earshot, Eos turns to Artemis. "You know your brother and I know mine. Is there any chance something or someone doesn't get set on fire today?"

Artemis laughs. "There is no chance. I worry for the human towns below."

Eos grins. "I like you." She turns to me with a wink. "Unfortunately, I'm not a part of any of this so I'll leave you in the care of my sister. I should warn you, she can be quite chatty at times."

I smack her as she walks past me and I can hear her laughing as she walks away.

The room falls to an uncomfortable silence after she leaves. Artemis and I stare at each other, both waiting for the other the make the first move. Finally, Artemis sighs.

"I know what happened, just so you're aware. Hera told me everything. If you don't want anything to do with me, I get it. But I'm not my brother and I'm definitely not my stepmom. I actually want to learn about you, about Titans. My father refuses to speak to me about the Great War but the little I've heard is fascinating to me." She looks at me intently but I just stare back. What exactly does she want me to tell her? Does she want to know about the thousands of refugees Eos and I picked up and brought to Oceanus's palace, bloodied and bruised and running for their lives? Does she want to know how my father attempted to kill me? She calls the war fascinating and yet what exactly is fascinating about blood and fighting and homelessness. What is fascinating about children crying in the streets for parents that will never return?

Some of my thoughts must show on my face because Artemis's expression sinks into a frown. "I'm sorry," she tells me. "I didn't mean to offend you." She stares at me for a long moment, biting her lip as though deep in thought. Then she smiles at me. "My brother may be the god of medicine and healing, but I've picked up enough over the years to know that not all wounds are visible. I think you should spend some time with me and my hunters until you're ready to teach me, regardless of what Hera wants."

I frown at her, confused. Hunters? Of what exactly? For most gods I know, the answer would be obvious; hunters of mortals, of humans. Gods like to keep their respect that way. But Artemis doesn't seem to be the same as other gods.