The Hunters of Artemis

Chapter 20: Repeat

I woke up with a massive headache, lying on a soft comforter. I raised my hand to my face and saw the red spiderweb crawling up my arm. It all came rushing back. Lyra, the wolves... The visions flashed through my mind like fireworks, each one another explosion of emotional pain.

Tears started to streak down my face. I saw Robyn and just cried harder. 

I swear, I must have cried for an hour after explaining to Robyn. She was curled up on her bed, silent and still. I knew she must have been taking it pretty hard, otherwise she would have come down for dinner. While it was only Friday, we still had to do homework. Most of the kids at Gray Birch School went out and had parties on Friday, but I, as a Hunter, knew that if there was work to be done, it had to be done there and then.

I trekked back to my own room and closed the door, leaving it open just a sliver. Plopping myself down at the desk, I picked up the pencil and pressed it to the paper. 

There was a knock on the door. It couldn't be Rhea already; she had gone to comfort her sister. I croaked, "Come in. It's open."

Liam peeked his head inside the door. "Hey... Just wanted to make sure you were okay."

I sniffled. "I'm kinda meh." I sat up and wiped my eyes. 

"Can I come in?" he asked. I shrugged. He came over and sat on my bed facing me. "I... I know it's hard for you, but I promise we'll get Lyra back, okay?"

I dry heaved. "Tomorrow is her birthday and we're going to miss it!" I started crying again and Liam wrapped his arms around me. I leaned into him. "She was so excited. We... we wanted it to be special."

"How old is she turning?" he asked. 

"She's turning one hundred years-old. Robyn wanted to make her a special cake and everything... well, she was planning on it before, you know, this quest."

Another tear fell down my cheek. This time, Liam wiped it away for me. "I wish Lady Artemis had never asked us to go on this quest," I said angrily. But seriously, did Artemis need that Pegasus that much? Did she really want us to go on this dangerous quest just so she can have another animal companion? She already had like, twenty. While not all of them stayed with us 24/7, she still had way too many. Even for a goddess.

"Why did you agree to go on this quest then?" asked Liam casually.

I laughed harshly. "I partly joined the Hunters to not only get away from boys, but also to get some excitement in my life. Being a demigod was okay before, but I hadn't truly been out in the world. This was a chance to do just that: get out into the world."

"What did your mom think of it?" 

I shrugged. "She was okay I guess... she was a little upset that she wouldn't have any grandkids though."

Liam laughed. "She wasn't upset that you were going to join a group of immortal girls, but she was upset that you wouldn't have kids?"

I laughed too. It was kind of funny if you think about it. "Yeah. My mom is quite the character."

"Sounds like it." Liam rested his cheek against the top of my head. 

Confused, I asked, "What are you doing?"

He raised his head. "Uh... nothing."

I turned to face him; I could tell he was lying from the tone of his voice. "What's wrong, Liam?" Then I realized I was still leaning on him. "Oh. Sorry." I got up but he pulled me back down. 

"No! I mean, it's okay," he said and I relaxed, but not for long. I looked back up at him and his head moved in closer to mine. I moved my head away, but he kept coming. His lips met mine, for the second time, but this time, I didn't hit him. That is, until I realized what was happening. My eyes shot open and I jerked away. 

"Seriously?" I cried, jumping up off the bed. "Again?" I shoved him off of the bed and he went sprawling. "Why on earth would you do that if you know the consequences? Do you know what Rhea will do to you? Besides, I had thought you said that would be your only chance the first time you -- you kissed me. And you promised no funny business!"

He raised his hands in mock defense. "I said that might be my only chance. Obviously not..."

I slapped him. He put a hand to his cheek in disbelief. "You smacked me."

"Yeah, you bet I did." I slapped him again. I felt my face get hot and I knew that if I didn't control my anger, I would make an attempt at his life. It wouldn't be that hard.

Lucky for him, there was a knock on the door, and Rhea came bursting in. 

"Hey, Kat! How--" she started. She noticed Liam and glared at him. "Liam."

She gave me a look like what-in-Hades-is-he-doing-here?

Liam took the cue and smiled at me before leaving. I rolled my eyes, forcing myself not to kill him before flopping down onto the bed. 

"Ugh. I hate boys."