Hunters of Artemis

Chapter One

❝ the beginning of everything ❞

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EDEN CROW HAD NEVER been afraid of the dark. Not like her older brother, Alec, once had. No, Eden has never been afraid of the dark per se—just what could lurk in the dark. Of the unknown which prowled through the shadows, sheltered by its keen protection. Eden feared what she couldn't see, couldn't touch for reassurance—of the persistent unknown.

It was in the dark that her father abandoned her many years ago. He came, illuminated by a strip of moonlight, his face solemn with what Eden now knew was understanding. Ronan Crow knew what he was doing, and knew what he had to do before he left. So, like a brush of wind, he came and kissed Eden on the head for perhaps a few seconds longer than normal. But then, as the air changed so did he and he left, melting into the shadows outside Eden's room. Never to be seen again. And at that point, even Eden knew she'd never be able to find him.

In the bar just south of campus, the strobe lights did nothing to illuminate the small space hijacked by dozens of dancing college students. Strips of light would flash, highlighting some dark corners and intoxicated faces. But, Eden could barely see a few feet ahead of her. They were animals in a cage, blind to everything that wasn't inside with them; the charming music, the alcohol slithering seductively through their veins and the warm presence of people beside them.

Eden didn't really enjoy going to gigs. Especially ones so cramped that if she moved her elbow, she was sure to initiate some sort of fight. Nevertheless, she always attended if not to satisfy her friends and their irritatingly persuasive persistence.

In the booming chasm of darkness, Eden heard someone calling her name. She shifted slightly and caught sight of Alyssa Knowles, her roommate and closest friend. While Eden wasn't a major fan of this place, Alyssa treated it like home. She thrived amidst the masses, happily riding the wave of intoxication with the rest of these people.

Alyssa's face was unravelled, blessed with the gift of blissful ignorance. "Eden! Isn't this amazing?" Alyssa shouted loudly with sprinkled glee.

Despite her discomfort, Eden grinned. "It's like a dream," she replied.

"You know sarcasm is poisonous," Alyssa commented with a daringly high brow. Her face was barely washed in a thin pool of light, and Eden struggled to decipher her expression. But, she knew it was along the lines of a grin.

"So is that stuff." Eden nodded to the beer dangling in Alyssa's grasp.

With a startlingly loud laugh, Alyssa moved her drink away as if Eden was about to snatch it from her hand.

Eden and Alyssa were roommates and had been for a few months. Both were just as wrung taut with nerves about their first year of college. Trepidation practically smothered their dorm room the first few nights. Eden spent the early days pacing campus, trying to analyse and dissect it; where she would go to classes, where she should hang out, where not to go. More importantly where she could hide if her roommate ended up being a psychopathic killer.

Although, it wasn't long before Eden and Alyssa warmed up to each other. All due to Alyssa, of course. Her method for breaking the ice included a ton of vodka shots and terrible indie music. It worked a treat.

As the beat dropped and everyone flew upwards in a breezing wave, Alyssa brought her face close to Eden's. So close that Eden could spot the tiny beads of sweat, glistening on her brown cheeks like specks of gold. "Warning, crazy ex-girlfriend on your right," she slurred.