Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

F iona

The evening air at Pymm's Pondside was filled with a bizarre mix of disbelief, wariness, tension, and the sweet scent of flowers. The Backside of Forty, along with our family, Grimgar, and Starla, were waiting for Kiirion. As well as enjoying the fact that we'd broken the Crimson Curse that had been killing Starla.

And then, in a burst of divine drama, Artemis appeared. On the drive. In her short white chiton. The shock of it stole my ability to talk for several seconds. She looked like she'd just fought a thunderstorm and lost. Her usually pristine appearance was ruffled, and her eyes showed unmistakable distress.

The ethereal glow of her divine presence cast flickering shadows on the grass, adding an otherworldly touch to the scene. Before anyone could react, Kiirion pulled in behind the cars, surveying the scene with wide eyes. His steps were hesitant but seeing Starla, he raced to her side, enveloping her in a protective hug. I noted the subtle ripple of magic that accompanied his touch. I think the pair were fated mates. Under other circumstances, I would have smiled and reveled in what we'd done for the couple more.

Artemis cut through the silence, her tone demanding attention. "Are you three listening?" The goddess thundered. "I said I need you. Now."

Grimgar, Kiirion, and Starla flinched, and even the gargoyle went pale. I glanced at Violet. The corner of her mouth twitched as we shared a look. Artemis didn't seem to appreciate that she was interrupting something important. She stood there with her arms crossed in impatience. The glow around her accentuated her divine frustration.

I was never one to mince words and had always spoken up with the goddess for all of us. I inhaled a deep breath for courage, because hello, she was a powerful being capable of killing me, and addressed Artemis. "We heard you. Perhaps you missed the obvious here. We're in the middle of dealing with some mortal matters. Petty love lives and such. You can go home, and we'll be with you shortly. Just hang tight."

Artemis didn't budge. Her arms remained crossed, and the air around her seemed to crackle with divine frustration. The ambiance of Pymm's Pondside, usually serene, now held a metric ton of fear. It was mostly coming from our guests. The raw, primal, we were going to die at any second, kind, that is. The Backside of Forty and our family were afraid of the reason for Artemis's visit.

I turned to Grimgar, whose attention was now solely focused on the goddess. "Is Starla completely healed?"

Grimgar nodded and had a look of relief in his eyes. "The curse is gone. She's back to her usual sparkly self."

With a nod of confirmation, I turned back to Artemis, "Alright, you can leave. We'll be there when we can."

Artemis's patience was wearing thin, but she conceded, disappearing with a swirl of silver sparkles. Oblivious to the rising tension, Kalli danced over to the glitter and picked it up in her hands, saying, "Pretty goddess!"

Kiirion was still a bit bewildered as he thanked us for everything. Starla gave us hugs before Kiirion escorted her away. I knew our friend would be okay with her fated mate. I could see his protectiveness as he helped her into his car.

"You three have very interesting lives," Grimgar said. "It makes me wish I was a different kind of guardian. I'd love to hang around here longer. I thought the rumors were false when they talked about you dealing with goddesses."

I smirked at Grimgar. "We'd take the help of a guardian. Artemis makes our life difficult."

A sudden hot blast of power blew over us, and we were staring at a pissed-off Artemis. "Excuse me. I saved your mortal life and made you into something. I give you purpose!"

Grimgar backed away. Aislinn lifted her hands. "You can go, Grimgar. Don't be a stranger. Kalli still wants to see your gargoyle sometime." The curse guardian inclined his head and partially shifted then shot into the air.

I focused on Artemis. "My comment wasn't meant as an insult. It was an observation. Since becoming your huntresses, we've almost died several times, and Grams was kidnapped. Now, what brings you here in this state?" I waved my hand up and down her figure, gesturing to what a mess she was.

Artemis got straight to the point. "In a recent visit to Mount Olympus, the usually serene divine gardens transformed into a realm of unforeseen peril. Someone is trying to kill me and take my power. It seems as if you haven't stopped those efforts after all. You need to try harder this time."

My brow furrowed. "I assure you that we stopped the Dark One months ago. It would help if we had more information about what happened in the garden."

Artemis rubbed her arms while her eyes roamed around the area warily. "I came across a shield when I was going to meet...someone. It was seemingly innocuous. As the goddess of the hunt, I am drawn to weapons and other accoutrement. Temptation led me to touch it. And in an instant, an insidious force began siphoning away the very essence of my divine power. Aghast, I recoiled, only to witness the shield's sudden disappearance. It left behind a disconcerting void."

Aislinn's hand was over her mouth, her horror written all over her face. "Was this another god? Mortals can't get to Olympus."

Artemis's eyes narrowed and flitted to Aislinn but didn't stop roaming. "Demigods can visit as well. But that's not the worst of it. Upon my return to my home, I found no solace. The shield followed me. It has been relentless in its pursuit of me. First it materialized on my deck. Then it appeared in my bedroom. It has hounded my every step. It defies the natural order, and I was left grappling with the unsettling reality that something, or someone, has harnessed forces beyond even my divine understanding."

I gaped at her. "Are you serious? Someone is able to breach your realm and send a talisman after you? One that's designed to steal your power and life."

"The magic sustaining my beautiful forest is tainted," Artemis lamented as if she hadn't heard me. Her voice carried the weight of divine responsibility and concern.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. "And you expect us to find out who set the shield as a trap."

Artemis shot me a glare, the light in her eyes emitting a flicker of annoyance. "I'm hungry. Bring me some ambrosia."

And just like that, the atmosphere shifted from divine distress to a fast-food order. My friends, family, and I exchanged glances. Grams was amused by the absurdity unfolding before us, while the rest of us shared a concern about surviving this case.

Aislinn, Violet, and I had stepped into the role of supernatural investigators shortly after I discovered my true heritage. And our cases had only become increasingly more bizarre and complex. Thank the gods that we were good at it, or I would be shitting my pants over this newest one.

Grams lifted a shoulder and broke the silence with a chuckle. "Well, I suppose that's a new one. Unfortunately, we don't have what you'd like."

How had the night gone from saving Starla to Artemis telling us she was being stalked by a cursed shield? And now we were supposed to be short order cooks for the goddess? Her request was surreal yet oddly ordinary.

Kalli threw her glittery hands in the air and pranced in a circle. "Ambrosia ice cweam! Yummy, yummy. I want some."

Bas, looking thoroughly perplexed, muttered, "I didn't sign up for this when I moved to Pymm's Pondside."

I patted my mate's chest. "But you did when you fell in love with me."

Artemis scowled at us. "My ambrosia?"

I shook my head. "Grams told you. We don't have any. I wouldn't even know where to get it. Let's head inside. We can make you something else."

Kalli grabbed Artemis's hand and tugged her toward the backdoor. "We habe ice cweam."

Grams chuckled as she followed. "I've got scouse cooking."

"That sounds perfect right about now," I said. My stomach rumbled, and my mouth watered. I loved Grams's stew. The gravy was always the right consistency, and the meat and veg were seasoned perfectly.

The aroma of the simmering food lingered in the air. It was a stark contrast to having a goddess sitting in the cozy living room of Pymm's Pondside. Artemis had visited our house often, but she had never sat like this among us waiting for a meal. She typically delivered her request and left.

Laughter bubbled in my chest when Grams announced that dinner was ready. Kalli practically flew through the air from the couch to a chair at the island. Artemis was slower and her face screwed up as she watched Grams dish out the scouse to Kalli.

Kalli held out a bite to the goddess. "Taste. It's yummy. And after we eat we can habe ice cweam." It was odd to see Artemis being guided by the whims of a young, enthusiastic Kalli.

Artemis shook her head. "That looks revolting."

"Then feel free to return to your home and eat your ambrosia," I told the goddess as I fixed a bowl for myself.

Thanos lifted his serving. "You don't know what you're missing, Auntie. This comfort food will make you feel better." The goddess's expression softened slightly. And by that, I mean it went from looking like she'd been offered road kill to we were trying to feed her moldy cheese.

I made myself take a step back and put myself in her shoes. Artemis was a goddess. And she was navigating the earthly culinary landscape. It would be like me going to a foreign country and being offered balut or gomutra. I didn't like undeveloped ducks or cow urine. In fact, it would make me sick. I had nothing else to offer Artemis and was surprised when she accepted the plate from Grams with a gracious smile.

The atmosphere shifted subtly as Kalli continued talking animatedly to Artemis about foods she liked while the goddess tasted the stew. Kalli's childlike innocence elicited an unexpected warmth from the usually stoic goddess. That made it easier for me to delve into my own meal .

Changing the subject while we ate, I asked, "So, about this shield. What else can you tell us?"

Artemis was once again the stern deity, refocused on her problem. "The shield is no ordinary relic. It's a creation of another god. One whose motives remain unknown to me. Find out who crafted it, and then we can determine how to dismantle its power."

Violet cocked her head to the side and pierced Artemis with her gaze. "Why haven't you gone home? You don't care for the food we've given you, and yet you didn't return for your ambrosia. Shouldn't you be safer there?"

Artemis's response carried a weight of uncertainty that caught us off guard. "Did you not hear me say how I've been dodging this magical shield? I don't know the extent of its power. It was able to grab my power and siphon it from me once. Granted, I'm stronger and was able to break the hold. But I won't risk Olympus until we understand its capabilities. Besides, I need to stay close to gather information."

The gravity of Artemis's request settled over us like a metric ton. Once I closed my mouth, I cleared my throat and asked, "So, you're asking to crash at Pymm's Pondside while we embark on this quest?"

Artemis was the embodiment of divine grace as she nodded. "Yes. Until this threat is dealt with, I'll stay close. I can be of assistance. Not to mention, I could do with the change of scenery."

Aislinn smiled at the goddess and looked between her and her daughter. "And you are able to boost the wards here? Or should Argies remain at our house for safety reasons?" Aislinn pointedly looked at her daughter.

Artemis inclined her head. "I don't need to enhance the wards. Selene's remains and the Flame have already done that. A being with even a flicker of darkness in their soul will not be able to cross the property line now."

Grams clapped her hands together. "Guess we're adding 'Goddess of the Hunt' to our list of houseguests. The amenities include cozy rooms, shared showers, and a cold draft. Breakfast is self-serve."

Despite the somber nature of the situation, Artemis allowed herself a small chuckle. "I appreciate your hospitality. I think I can help improve the accommodations. Let's get started on this quest. The sooner we find the shield, the sooner I can get back to my divine gardens and eating ambrosia."

I helped when Grams grabbed empty bowls and took them to the sink. I nearly jumped out of my skin when Artemis handed me a stack of dirty dishes. Once she was done wiping down the island, she held the storage container while Bas filed it with leftovers. She had seamlessly integrated into the mundane routines of life.

The goddess was accustomed to the grandeur of Mount Olympus yet was adapting to the peculiarities of mortal life with surprising grace. When kitchen clean-up was done, Kalli became Artemis's guide through getting ready for bed. I wrapped an arm around Aislinn's shoulders as we watched the goddess trudge up the stairs with Kalli. Laughter echoed from upstairs followed by a rumbling of the floor and walls.

Aislinn and I shared a frantic look before Ais took off. Panting, Violet and I followed behind. I had to steady myself when the risers beneath our feet rolled and shifted. Hard wood became marble and when we reached the landing, the quaint farmhouse style of the home was gone.

The décor was still there but the walls were now white. And there was more than there should have been. The tight hallway had become three, each big enough for two people to walk down side by side. The number of rooms had easily doubled.

We followed the laughter, and I stood stunned in the doorway to a bathroom I'd only ever dreamed of having. "What the hell just happened?"

Kalli waved her toothbrush at us. "'Temis made the house bigger. Look, she made me a bath I can swim in! I'll be like Kairi."

Grams came pounding up behind me. "What do you think you're doing changing my house like this?"

Artemis blinked, and a look of confusion crossed her face as she met Grams's pissed-off gaze. "I made your house better."

Grams's hands balled into fists. "In whose opinion? My house was perfectly fine the way it was. You had no right."

Artemis's eyes turned silver, and her energy exploded out of her. I grabbed Grams to pull her out of the room. "It's okay, Grams. We can talk about this later. Let's leave Kalli to finish teaching the goddess how to brush her teeth."

Grams was about to protest and push it, so I cast a spell silencing her as Violet helped me drag her out of the loo. I released the spell when we were back downstairs, and Grams rounded on me. "Why'd you do that? She ruined our house. Look at it." Grams flung her arms out and spun around.

I gaped at what I saw. The ceilings were now over ten feet high, the living room was doubled in size, and the kitchen was three times as big. The marble island could accommodate everyone without being right on top of each other. That was the saddest part for me. I loved our cozy kitchen.

"I'm the first one to tell Artemis off, but she's on the edge right now. It won't take her much to lash out. And I can't lose you again, Grams. We will deal with the house after we find the shield and its maker," I told her.

Grams gnashed her teeth together. "I don't like it. My house was good enough for a snobby goddess."

I wrapped my arms around Grams. "It has always been fit for a king or queen."

Grams stepped out of my embrace. "I'm going to make tea in my ridiculously big... well, the kitchen can stay. We need the room with how big the family is getting."

I smiled at her, nodded, and then looked over when I heard Kalli talking about the soft flowers on her pajamas. A laugh burst free of me when I saw Artemis and Kalli wearing matching pajamas. The goddess always appeared to be in her mid to late teens. Walking with Kalli in the same pajamas, she appeared even younger.

Aislinn picked up a book. "How about this story tonight?"

Kalli released Artemis and ran over. "Yeah! I lub the dwagons."

"Alright, give everyone hugs and I will tuck you in. Has our room moved?" Aislinn asked the goddess.

Artemis scowled at her. "How should I know. I added a suite for me and moved things around for privacy. The east wing is mine."

Grams made a noise. I clamped a hand over her mouth at the same time Aislinn nodded and picked Kalli up. As they disappeared, Grams stomped into the kitchen to make the tea she'd mentioned.

Violet took a seat on a new sofa. I was happy to note it matched the ones I loved. "Do we pay a visit to the gardens on Mount Olympus? Or start at your house, Artemis?"

Artemis's steely gaze revealed an unwavering determination. "My realm will be safer for you. Remember, mortals, you're dealing with forces beyond your understanding. Be cautious."

Collapsing onto the couch in the newly transformed living room, I thought over the options. "There has to be a more effective place to start looking. Neither of those locations are tied to the shield. It merely appeared there as it hunted Artemis. What else can you tell us about it?"

Artemis sat in an ornate chaise that was new to Pymm's Pondside. "I fear the shield is making me mortal. The thing has been bewitched."

Thanos looked at her like she'd lost her mind. "Artemis, no witch could render a goddess mortal. They can use Blood and Dark magic to steal your power, but that will kill you. And it's a long process that leaves a significant mark."

Violet and I exchanged glances. Her skepticism matched mine. Artemis, seemingly realizing the need for transparency, relented. "Fine, I don't think it's a witch."

Thanos's eyebrow rose on his forehead. "What do you suspect? You can save a lot of wasted time by being upfront."

Artemis sighed before she finally relented. "The shield is definitely of divine origin. I think that it's from Metis, one of the Titans. And it is still taking power from me. This little trick with the house made me even weaker. You need to find it before it completely drains me."

"We should call Nylah. She's a Relic Keeper and will be able to find it far faster," I told her.

Artemis shook her head. "No. We aren't involving Nylah. You need to stop talking and get to work."

I was quick to challenge Artemis's decision to exclude Nylah. "If it's a divine relic, why not involve Nylah? This is her forte."

Artemis's response was pointed. "This isn't a task for the Relic Keeper. I need your help, mortals. You've faced divine challenges before."

I sensed a deeper layer to Artemis's request. "Why the aversion to Nylah? What aren't you telling us?" I persisted.

Artemis stood up and did that thing where she grew to tower over us. "Find the shield, uncover its origin, and neutralize its power. That's your task. Now go. Time is of the essence."

"We need a plan before we start," I pointed out as Grams brought tea into the living room.

I poured myself a cup and sat back to consider all we'd learned. The revelation about the shield's divine origin from Metis, one of the Titans, was an important clue. Weren't all of the Titans locked in Tartarus? What was she all about?

I pressed Artemis for more details. "Metis is the Titaness of wisdom, right? Why would she create a shield to harm you? And how would she do that? Isn't she locked up in the Underworld?"

Artemis sighed, the sound carrying the weight of ancient grievances. "Metis is not locked with the rest of them. She was smart and maneuvered around being locked up. She was once a confidante of mine and offered me divine counsel. But power has a way of corrupting even the most enlightened minds. She grew resentful of the Olympian rule and seeks to undermine us."

As Artemis spoke, the room seemed to echo with the distant whispers of forgotten alliances and broken bonds. Aislinn had rejoined us as the goddess was telling her tale and now asked, "What did you do to incur her wrath, Artemis?"

Artemis's eyes reflected the sorrow of ancient betrayals as she revealed the source of Metis's animosity. "It was a disagreement over the mortal world. Metis believed in strict control and manipulation, while I advocated for free will. Our ideologies clashed, and the bitterness festered."

Violet had a knack for tuning into the fine points. She picked up on the nuances of power dynamics between the goddesses and got the picture before anyone else. "So, she crafted this shield to siphon your power, to make you mortal," Violet said.

Artemis looked like she'd sucked on a lemon as she reluctantly nodded in agreement.