Bite Me

[chapter five]

[Ar • te • mis]

His voice was cold but Artemis instantly felt bad for saying what he did when he saw Holly's eyes widen with what he assumed was fear. There was no apologies, as it would ruin his reputation but Artemis bit his lip to try and regain his composure. Holly glared back at him after calming herself down, not losing her resolve to piss him off. No one talks back to me like this normally, you're different... Holly Short, you're earning more and more of my interest.

"I don't really care, but this conservation is lagging on." Holly said, avoiding eye contact for the most part. "Can you do whatever you were planning to do and then let me go? I can't take much more of this snapping back and forth because I can't throw any fists." Which was still true, considering her arms were tied around her back and still not untied.

Artemis sighed. "Turn around."

"What?"

"I said turn around."

"I heard you," responded Holly, "what I meant to say was, why?"

"Can you just do it? You'll thank me for what I'm doing." He responded, keeping his patience in check. No human has pushed his buttons like this, and Artemis did enjoy the challenge he was getting from Holly.

Holly cursed something under her breath and turned around, secretly hoping he was going to untie her wrists. The stinging was becoming to make them ache so as soon as they were off, Holly assumed she would feel instant relief. Please don't be going to feed on me, at least give me the fair chance by having my hands free. She silently prayed, closing her eyes as she clenched her fists.

And to her luck, Artemis carefully pulled off the ropes that were severely annoying. Holly was surprised to say the least, rubbing her aching wrists when he was done. He cocked an eyebrow at her surprised look when she turned around, slightly offended that she assumed he'd do something else.

"Don't mistake me with my father, Holly, I'm not as cruel as him. Besides, I could smell the dry blood on the rope which was because of your foolishness, right? Dom doesn't mistreat my..." The words 'Human Cattle' got stuck in Artemis' throat because he didn't want to downgrade her to that. "... meals. At least, until I'm done with them, that is."

Holly put her arms to her side and let out a mix of annoyance and confusion sigh. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I won't struggle when you feed on me right now. However if this ever happens to me again, I will punch you straight in the nose."

"How lovely."

"Shut up," she said, running a hand against her neck. "I suppose since you're family is immortal... you must be a creature of the night."

Artemis was visible disgusted, as if he had tasted vile. "If you are thinking I am a werewolf, you are surely wrong. I am not a filthy mutt like them, I actually have class and I am sophisticated." He said, before putting back on a straight expression. "I am a vampire, which I'm sure if I told you that when we first met, you would laugh in my face, but it is the truth."

"Wait... so that means you're going..." Holly paled slightly, but she didn't know how else someone could feed on another without being a cannibal.

"Yes, I am planning to drink your blood, Holly Short. The prick will hurt but since you are a soldier from what I know, it won't bother you one bit." He said calmly.

Holly took a short step back and felt the cold wall through her shirt. "Okay..." She took a deep breath and tried to relax. "Okay, just do it. I'll be able to handle it." She didn't know if that was the truth or not, but faking confidence has gotten her far.

Artemis grabbed her wrists and pushed her against the wall, quickly regretting as he saw her pained expression from her sore wrists. He bit his tongue and suppressed the emotion quickly, as it was too strange and uncommon for him to understand why. Holly adjusted uncomfortably in his grasp, wishing she was anywhere else but here. Her eyes was shut tightly as she breathed carefully, a tactic she learned while training for the LEP. To calm yourself down is to help yourself focus on what's happening better.

I'm sorry, is what Artemis conscious wanted to tell Holly but he didn't let the words out. As his father would say, that would be a sign of weakness-- "Artemis Fowl the II! You are to never show weakness in front of human, there are no exceptions!"-- his sapphire eyes rested on her smooth caramel skin. Oh how he wished there was at least one exception, it would be for this human that can show strength and fear at the same time. His hands pushed down her shirt slightly, only enough to fully expose her neck and nothing else.

"G... Get it over with, Fowl, I don't want to be here all night." Gasped Holly as the contact of his warm breath against her neck rendered her speech almost useless. Artemis went to bite her neck, as the thought of getting blood made his desperateness for food worse, but he hesitated. This surprised the both of them and caused the room to fall silent.

I never hesitate, I have never hesitated for anyone... what... who is this girl? Artemis thought to himself, cringing at what his father would say if he saw this. The urge to feed but the urge to not harm this girl was stronger.

"What are you doing?" Holly asked, fidgeting in place as she resisted the urge to kick him away. "Unless feeding is you burying your face into my neck, get on with it." I'm trying, thought Artemis, but I can't.

He pulled away from her and sighed, giving her the personal space she was wishing for. "You are formally allowed to leave this manor, I will not force you to stay any longer. Just avoid any of my family members, normally Dom has to carry out my victims. I do not normally spare my meals," this is actually the first time, "so I don't want to cause a scene. Do you understand?"

Holly was legitimately stunned for a second, trying to process what he said. Once she got the basic idea through her surprised brain, she stammered out. "Wait... you're actually... letting me go? Without doing anything to me?" Her words were slowed, and stumbled over each other, as she didn't believe it.

Artemis looked away for a second before nodded curtly in agreement. "Yes, I'm letting you go. This is your opportunity, Holly Short, to leave and never return. We won't bother you anymore, I promise, and I don't break my promises." Holly was still shocked but decided it was time to pull herself together and stand up straight.

She adjusted her shirt before clearing her throat, not making eye contact. "Then, I'm going to leave. If you bother me after this, Fo... Artemis, I will not take it lightly. Understand?"

"Understood." I don't know if I can keep this promise.

[Fo • wl]