Daughter Of The Moon

Chapter 9

Luna

"I believe you." She says quietly, looking down at her hands, which are folded in her lap.

"Thanks." I reply quietly, looking up at the picture of Artemis. For a while, we are just completely silent; Zoe staring at her hands, and me at the picture.

"You look just like her," Zoe muses. "No wonder we all thought you were her."

"Yeah. I suppose." I can't bring myself to make some kind of clever remark after telling Zoe my life story. Her knowing so much about me somehow makes me feel vulnerable, something I know I can't afford to be now that I have to make a good reputation in Camp Halfblood.

"Do you know what this means?" Zoe turns her serious gaze to me. I shake my head slowly and stroke a single finger down the length of my ebony bow which sits on my lap. I'm almost dreading what she's about to say; anything from you can no longer cut your toast into the shape of little crescent moons like your dad used to to the fact that you're alive against the rules means immediate execution would be unthinkably bad.

"You can't stay in the Hermes cabin, that's for sure."

Huh. That's pretty good actually; it looks like me and my crescent-shaped-toast will be able to live another day. 

"So I think you should join the hunters."

"Sorry, what?" I say somewhat blearily, tearing my eyes away from my bow.

"You should join the hunters. Being fifteen like you are would make you the oldest hunter but me, but I'm almost sure that you're a daughter of Artemis, and if you carry her traits: bravery, honesty, archery, intelligence... so on, then becoming a hunter is definitely the best option for you. You get a strong group of friends, a life of adventure, immortality with few catches, and plenty of time with Artemis. All you have to give up is men and romantic love, which I'm sure that if you are Artemis's daughter, you won't miss. So what do you say?

Um... 100% yes! Is what my head is telling me. Seriously, immortality, friends, and a life or hunting with the only catch being men? But there's another voice coming from within, a strange voice that I've never heard before that sounds a little like a kind of mother-knows-best stereotype governess. You shouldn't give up on something you've never tried. And another even more random voice that says: Your mother broke the rules; she had you. And she's literally the goddess of hating guys.

Zoe must see the strange expression that comes with all these conflicting voices, and gives me a reassuring smile.

"It's quite a big step. When becoming a hunter was first offered to me, I thought I had found love. With a demigod hero no less." Zoe pulls a face, "So I said no. Him breaking my heart showed me the truth, and so I took the vow and became the first hunter. The first Daughter Of The Moon. We don't need men to live our lives, and I believe that mine has become much better without them. But nevertheless, it is a large step to take, and I believe that you need time to think. The lady Artemis will arrive in six weeks, which I'd say is plenty of time to think." Zoe gives me a warm smile, and I return it.

Six weeks. Six weeks is more than enough time for me to make a decision.

"Perfect." I grin at her. "Thank you for listening to me, believing me, and telling me your story as well. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an archery tournament to win." Zoe returns my grin and we stand up together, gathering our weapons and heading through the isles of silvery four-poster beds towards the door. Before we open it, she turns to me.

"So who will you be beating today, Luna Night?" She says with an amused smile. "Not one of the hunters, I hope; if you become their sister, they will never forgive you."

My grin becomes slightly cocky. "Well, Zoe Nightshade, you'll be pleased to know that it's a boy that I am beating. An Apollo boy, no less, Zack Johnson, so you shouldn't get too bored watching the show."

"He is a good archer, the best of the campers." Zoe says grudgingly, "You had better be as good as you think you are."

I grip by bow tightly, my competitive streak willing me to beat whatever record Zack Johnson has set.

"Don't worry. I'll show him what a Daughter Of The Moon can do."