Daughter Of The Moon

Chapter 1

Artemis

The moon rose as it always does, and as it rises, so do I.

I linger by his window as I have done for the last few months. He sits right in the middle of the room, gazing up at the stars through the  domed glass roof of the astronomy observatory.

Ever since it was abandoned six months ago, 21-year-old Jacob Night has been living here, spending the day asleep with the blinds drawn over the huge windows that surround the observatory, and emerging at night to do his astronomy research.

Ever since he practically became nocturnal, his skin has become as pale as the full moon, striking against his ink-black mop of tousled hair and piercing blue eyes. So unusual for a human, but so beautiful to me.

My name is Artemis, goddess of the hunt and the moon.

Oh yes, and I suppose I ought to mention I am the goddess of maidenhood as well.

I had been content to spend the eons defying men, leading the hunt with my beloved hunters, and spending my immortal life as a young girl.

But then I saw Jacob Night.

With his love for the moon, striking appearance and peculiar personality, this young man is the undoubtedly different to the rest of the male specis. I have renounced men, but Jacob Night is making that a challenge after Zeus knows how many milena of steering clear of them.

Tonight, as usual, I shall watch him from his window, and try to find a flaw like a short temper, some ridiculous allergy, a believer in the subjugation of women, or something that all men have, to try and give me a reason to stay away from him.

But I guess I will be coming again tomorrow.

Abruptly, Jacob's head snaps towards the window, and he speaks, "Who are you?"

I decide not to answer, and shrink back further away from the windowsill.

"Please come in, tell me that I'm not mad, seeing beautiful women outside my window at one in the morning." He sounds so soulful, almost sad, and it breaks my heart.

I point at the windows, and they whoosh open, letting in the night breeze. He flinches at the cold, and I flinch too at his pain. Then I step through the window, and perch on the sill, able to make a quick getaway if needed. He sits a little straighter in his seat, and surveys me with a face devoid of emotion as if he sees moon goddesses stepping through his windows every night.

I leave the window sill and walk towards the desk on which he is working. The paper he is writing on his type writer on the stages of the moon is beyond knowledge I have ever seen a mortal possess.

"Very good, Jacob Night. Though your analysis on the waxing and waning of the moon could go a little deeper, your knowledge can only be exceeded by my own on the subject of the moon. For a mortal... you are very knowledgeable." This is a very big complement, and he passes the test by thanking me very eloquently.

But then the inevitable question comes.

"Who are you?" He asks, wonder in his bright blue eyes.

"Artemis." I reply. "Goddess of the moon."

"It's lovely to meet you, Artemis."

I smile, and sit on the edge of the desk in silence. Jacob doesn't seem to care about finishing his report, and simply looks at me with huge eyes. "All my life I have dreamed of spirits and gods, and here you are." He whispers, cautioning me with his eyes before reaching a porcelain finger up to caress my cheek. For some reason, I don't object, though why this is I don't know. Many men have tried to touch me before, and each one is now roaming the wilderness as a Jackalope.