Moving On | Percy x Artemis

nine

A R T E M I S

The dogs were growing crazier as we travelled along a long dusty road. We were in the middle of nowhere and I was beginning to be very tired of this chase. But we must be getting closer and I can't wait to get back home.

The past few days I had been discussing with Thalia the methods we will use to capture Percy and take him back. From what Thalia had told me, it sounded like he would not come quietly. I was fully prepared to knock him out or tie him up or even call in my brother and borrow his sun chariot if things got desperate.

But it turned out, I didn't need any detailed plan.

Perseus Jackson, the great hero who scared even the gods with his power, was knocked out on the side of the road. 

He looked different than in my visions of him, skinnier and scruffier. And yet despite that, he was quite beautiful lying there, his dark hair messy and his tanned skin marked with bruises.

Bruises. 

Blood. 

He's hurt. 

Thalia utters the words almost as I think them. 

She rushes to his side and moves his hands away from his chest. There is blood on his hands, dried and browning. 

How long has he been like this? 

This is not acceptable. The gods will definitely not be happy if I return with him looking like this. I am furious at this boy for messing everything up. And yet his face is so pale and he suddenly looks so young and fragile. He is just a mortal after all. 

"Give him some Ambrosia," I tell Thalia, moving closer so I can see how bad the wound really is. 

Thalia fishes cubes of Ambrosia out of one of her pockets and tries to feed it to him but he's unresponsive. 

"He won't wake up!" Thalia says, her eyes looking frantic. I imagine she's seen enough of her mortal friends die and doesn't have any desire to see that happen again. Sadly, being immortal has its cost. 

I kneel down beside the boy and inspect the wound, it's small but rather deep, probably made by some sort of small dagger or knife. It won't be hard to fix. 

I unclasp a small bottle from my belt and tap a few drops of nectar onto his lips. I watch him for a few long seconds, waiting for the healing power of the nectar to do its job. 

For a long moment I think he will die like the girl he loved before him. And a small part of me is almost sad, if he really is as powerful as everyone thinks it would be such a waste for him to die. 

And then his eyes flicker open and I hear him release a small breath. 

His eyes. 

They catch me off guard, those eyes. They are ocean green and so bright, like they can see through me. 

I can't look away, he's caught me in his gaze, and there is a flicker of confusion for a second while he tries to figure out who I am. 

And then his eyes widen and his mouth curls downwards. 

"Artemis," He says. "Are you here to arrest me?" 

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author's note

ahhh thank you so much for 5k reads! and thanks for all the great comments! i love reading what you think about this story and where you think it will go next. 

love you all so much! 

xoxo