The Hearth's Champion

Chapter 12

Artemis P.O.V

The second I saw him come out of the shadows, I felt myself smile a bit and my stomach do a pleasurable flip. 'Woah. Phoebe Artemis, control your emotions.' I scolded myself. I noticed he was carrying something wrapped in a blanket. After seeing the girl, I was confused. I knew better than to think he was touching the young maiden but the girls thought differently. Immediately, Phoebe, Atalanta, and Tracy nocked their bows and fired. What surprised me even more was how he turned around without a second thought, shielding the little girl. I freaked out even more when he crumbled to the ground. I expected the little girl to run away but she only cuddled to his limp form closer. The second he slipped into unconsciousness is when the little girl started sobbing. I was thankful Thalia wasn't here. If she knew what had happen, she'd stop at nothing to pound the girls who shot him. She was very protective over her cousin and after her forgiveness, she'd was even worse. All she worried about was Perseus. I walked up to the boys non-moving body. The second I got into arms reach, the little girl whirled on me holding a knife.

"Stay away from him." She snarled. My eyes widened to the sizes of dinner plates. Why was she so protective over the boy? Then it dawned on me. She doesn't know the true nature of males. They're all the same. Well, except for Perseus. But he doesn't need to know that. I took a staggering step towards her attempting to calm her down.

"Shh, young maiden. I wish you no harm. I've come to help your friend out. He's really hurt and he could die." She started crying again and the knife dropped to the ground. I picked her up in my arms.

"APOLLO!" I screamed into the sky. A few seconds later, my nitwit of a brother appeared. He had his usual cocky and pearly white smile on. I sent an arrow at his feet and he jumped before smiling again at me.

"Hey lil sis." I rolled my eyes completely forgetting there was a dying demigod behind me. "What's up? Does it have to do with your hunters? I feel a haiku coming!" He sang and summoned his guitar before his eyes widened. I looked to see what he was staring at and I nearly fell over. How could I forget? Apollo quickly ran to the demigods side and flashed him away causing the young girl to struggle in my grasp.

"Where'd he go? Where did he take him?" She demanded frantically. I figured Perseus wasn't just bringing her here for no reason, but to offer her a place into the hunt. It was no question that she had a bad experience with males and Perseus would be the only exception. Many of my hunters respected what he had accomplished. Hell, even myself was astounded by all his deeds. But, just because he was a two-time hero of Olympus doesn't mean that they have to like him. I feared for what the young hero would do when he awoke. I quickly dropped the little girl and told the hunters to take care of her. When she was out of my sight, I quickly flashed to my brothers whereabouts. Just as I thought, we were in his palace. However, I was meaning to flash right beside him. I gently pushed against the door only to find a wall of energy blocking my presence. I huffed in anger and sat down in a chair across from the door. I pondered over today's events.

Perseus showed up much to my own dismay. I had wanted to put an arrow through his eyes after I learned of his treachery. I had always respected him only to find out he's just like any other male. I was content for the next five years only to feel a very powerful being appear on earth. I thought that everyone else felt it and I was right because my father had called a meeting then and there. I then find the traitorous man and I nearly killed him in the spot. Chaos even vouched for his innocence which made me happy but also guilty. I had no idea why I was happy to be honest. Maybe it was because the only decent man on earth truly was the only decent male alive.

'Or maybe it's because you have some sort of fondness towards the demigod.' A voice spoke in my head. 'Aphrodite, so help me if you make me fall for him I will gut you like a pig, you hear me?!' I shouted angrily at the love goddess  only to hear a 'hmph'. I sighed and rubbed my head.