Shattered

Gay

Bianca was eating her lunch with the rest of the hunters when Phoebe pulled her off to the side.

"Bianca, you must come with me," Phoebe whispered to her, ushering her away from the other hunters. "Lady Artemis wants to see you immediately."

Bianca set her fork down and looked beside her, to Thalia who had a worried expression on her features, probably for Bianca's sake but gave her an encouraging thumbs up.

"Yes, uh, okay," Bianca said, stumbling off the bench and grabbing her tray. She hoped she wasn't in trouble.

"That won't be necessary. The meeting will be quick. It's just... personal advice she wants to give you. New paths, she had called it."

Bianca bit her lip, but set her plate back down, and followed Phoebe to Artemis' tent. Many of the fellow hunters gave her curious glances as they watch Phoebe lead Bianca away. The pale skinned girl's eye met with Thalia's who looked on with a sense of apprehension.

What was happening?

Phoebe held open the door, letting a scampering daughter of Hades in.

Artemis was lying on her hammock, gazing into at a cloud of mist, which Bianca recognized was an Iris Message. Before she had the correct angle to peer in however, the Goddess of the Hunt slashed away the mirage.

"Bianca Di-Angelo. Excellent. We have much to discuss about your future."

"Uhh, we do? I mean, yes milady! Of course," Bianca said quickly nodding.

Artemis gave a melancholic wisp of a smile before turning to Phoebe with a stern expression. "I'd like this meeting to be private, Phoebe. Please make sure we aren't disturbed."

Phoebe quickly nodded, before filing out.

There was a moment of silence, as the daughter of Hades stood in the scrutiny of the goddess of the Hunt.

After a pregnant pause, the silence was broken with: "So, you like that Thalia Grace, don't you?"

Bianca gasped; sweat began to bead down her forehead.

"Uhh, umm." She stammered, staring at her shoes. She couldn't match the goddess' gaze. For a second, she thought to possible lie to the goddess but that seemed like a terribly bad idea. Finally, she said "Yes. Did Rachel tell you?

Artemis shook her head, her auburn curls bouncing as they followed her bobbing head. "Do you trust Rachel so little, girl. It was not she who told me, I have simply observed. While I try my best at being grounded to this plane of existence, you must not forget that I am also a goddess. I can read minds Bianca, and yours is like a book."

Artemis gazed over her with a piercing gaze that tore into her soul.

"I want to let you know, while the Hunt does not tolerate any form of romantic relationship whether it be with a man, or otherwise-,"

Bianca looked down shivering at the cold words. She had not expecting this, but then again, she wasn't sure what to expect once Artemis found out.

"I'll try to -"

Artemis looked at her, frowning sadly. ""You did not let me finish, my dear. While that is usually the case, there have been certain key exceptions by my decree. You have fallen too hard into Aphrodite's hold for me to be able to convince your mind. It wouldn't be all right if I force you to suppress your emotions."

"Milady, I -"

Artemis regarded Bianca with interest. "I must confess, I've been playing Aphrodite's game too, lately. More than any virgin goddess should ever. Considering Percy and Zoe's -"