Artemis Fowl and the Master Experimentation

Chapter 19

Faylinn cried softly to herself as she laid curled up on the bed that was too small for her. She had left Artemis behind, unconscious, whilst the enemy had closed in on them. She hadn't heard he was ok and her imagination was making her think the worst had happened.

There was a knock on the door to the small room that she had been given in Police Plaza.

"GO AWAY!" she bellowed at the door.

"Your Majesty?" quavered a voice.

"If you come in here there will be an execution! And it will be by my hand!" she growled.

They didn't knock again.

Eventually the tears abated and Faylinn lay silently, staring up at the low ceiling. All she could see was Artemis's sleeping face. Would that be the last time she ever saw him? She hoped not.

Hours latter there was a knock at her door, but she didn't respond.

"Your Majesty?" called a male voice.

She didn't reply.

"Can I come in?"

"Do what you want, it's your Plaza," she snapped.

There was some whisperings and the door whooshed open and a uniformed fairy stepped in. He was a decorated officer, she could see, but she didn't care who he was or why he was here, she wanted to be alone. Why did nobody understand this? Her mother was the only person she'd want near her, but she'd been zoomed off elsewhere.

"You know, this cell is much like the one I was confined in for months on end whilst I was tortured," she said, turning her steely gaze on the fairy.

"This isn't a cell, your Majesty," said the fairy informatively, standing rod straight.

Faylinn sat up on the bed, throwing her legs over the edge.

"Oh yeah?" said Faylinn furiously, "I am confined to this tiny room, unable to leave, trapped in a place I don't know, underground. I think that you could easily call this a cell."

The fairy shifted awkwardly under her stare.

"What did you want, military boy?" she growled.

"An emergency meeting of the Council has been arranged," said the fairy, "your presence has been requested."

"And if I refuse?" she demanded.

"You are the next Queen, you may do what you wish. However, the Council has requested your presence. It would be wise to attend."

"Fine," she sighed, "give me ten minutes."

When the door had whooshed shut Faylinn smiled softly to herself and looked slightly to her left where the door of the small bathroom was ajar.

"How long where you standing there?" she asked softly.

"Long enough," replied Artemis, stepping through the solid door.

She was sad it wasn't the real, solid Artemis, but then again, an insubstantial Artemis was better than no Artemis at all.

"Are you safe?" she whispered.

"Yes. The Master caught up with me and Holly, but we are safe now. We are in a safe location not so far from you."

"You're above me?" she asked, eyes widening.

"No," said Artemis, grinning, "we are here, in Heaven."

"What's happening, Artemis?" she asked, looking at him pleadingly.