The Hunters of Artemis

Chapter 32: Lyra Belton

The next time I opened my eyes, the black bag was being torn off my face. I gagged. "Ugh. What do you spray on those things?" It took a minute for my eyes to adjust; for some reason, there was a huge bright light right in front of my face. I tried to look around, but I couldn't see anything beyond the light. 

"Hello?" I called. 

"Kat? Is that you?" A voice rang out from somewhere in the room.

Even though I couldn't see, I knew who had spoken. "Lyra? Lyra, where are you?"

"Across the room. You can't see me. It's too dark. Plus, there's a big light in your face." She laughed and I giggled. 

"It's good to hear your voice again, Lyra." I smiled and started to relax before I realized, Hey! I'm tied to a chair in a dark ominous room with one single light trained on me. That's a little bit suspicious. 

I struggled in my bonds, but I was tied up tight. I groaned and sat back. "Lyra, how long have you been here?''

"Ever since that day those wolves took me. They took me here through some portal of some sort. We went to Egypt and then took a plane down here. I tried to escape a few times at the airport, but somehow they always found me. I have a feeling they bugged me or something."

I winced. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you."

"Kat, don't blame yourself. Robyn tried and she got knocked out. It wouldn't have helped if you did too." 

I sighed. "Yeah. I guess you're right. So... what do we do now?"

"Well, you can try to move your chair out of the light somehow."

I nodded, knowing she'd see me and tried to scooch out of the light. I managed to move an inch. I kept jerking and somehow got out of the light. I sighed in relief and allowed my eyes to adjust to the darkness. 

In a minute, I could see Lyra sitting tied to a chair across the room. She was the only other thing in the room other than the light and myself. 

I heard a knock on the door that was right next to where the beam of light was aimed, then it opened. Jackson Lang stepped through with an evil grin on his face. "Well, hello, girls. What a surprise to see you here."

I growled. "What do you want, Jackie Chan?"

"Don't call me that." He glared at me. 

I smiled. "Jackie Chan it is."

Jackson stepped over to me and slapped me swiftly. "Shut up, girly."

I glared at him, my cheek stinging. "Back at you, Jack."

The man clenched his hands before turning away. "I don't have permission to kill you... yet. My boss wanted to come visit you first before we find the rest of your friends."

I rolled my eyes. "Lycaon wants to come visit us? How nice!"

"My boss isn't Lycaon. I'm talking about Lycaon's boss too."

I mock gasped. "You mean, like, the ultimate boss? Awesome! It's like a backstage VIP meeting!"

"You could say that." Jackson grinned and opened the door again. This time, a girl walked in. She was wearing a black leather jacket and black combat boots. Her black leggings sparkled slightly in the faint light. I couldn't see her properly; she was shielded by Jackson. 

"That's your boss? A little girl?" I laughed in disbelief. "Wow. I knew you were weak willed, but I didn't know you were this weak."

Jackson growled at me and moved to hit me but the girl put a hand on his arm. "Let me take care of this," she said in an achingly familiar voice.

Then she stepped into the light and I gasped. It was Rhea. My best friend. The girl who had always been there for me. The girl who had encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. The one who was my rock; she kept me grounded when I started to float away. But why was she here? Shouldn't she be with the others? And what was with the new outfit?

She smiled at me and Lyra. "Nice to see you again."

I gaped at her. "Rhea, what's going on?"

She shook her head. "My plan isn't finished just yet. When I have all the pieces in place, then I will explain. Until then, my friends. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to meet up with the others, revealing a secret door in the wall of the building. Ta ta!" She grinned and started to walk out. 

"You'll never get away with this," crowed Lyra. 

Rhea stopped with her hand on the door frame. "Don't all heroes say that before the villain succeeds?"

"Yeah, but the heroes escape and thwart the evil person's plans," I retorted. "By the way, I had no idea you could change clothes so quickly! Well done," I said, regaining some of my sarcasm back.

"Whatever. See you later!" She laughed and closed the door. Now Lyra and I were alone with Jackson, who had an evil grin on his face. 

Rolling my eyes, I said, "So what now? You're just going to stare at us?"

"No. I'm going to leave and you're going to wait for the rest of your pathetic friends to come. But I will see you later." He winked and left the room.

I sank back into the chair and groaned. "How did we get into this mess?" I asked no one in particular.

"When Artemis told us to find a monster that she doesn't need," grumbled Lyra.

My head jerked up. "So it's not just me? The feeling like this quest was a little pointless?"

Lyra nodded. "I had asked her why we were going, and she said it was a test of sorts. I have no idea what she was testing though. She never told me. I sure wish she had. Maybe we could have avoided this somehow." 

I saw her yawn and suddenly felt super tired myself. "I suppose the best we can do is be well rested for when we break out of this place..." I said.

She nodded again and closed her eyes. I did the same and we both fell asleep in the sort-of-darkness.