Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

V iolet

As we peered into the shimmering depths of the scrying water, the image that emerged sent a shiver down my spine. There was something familiar about it to me. "This is clearly Greek," Fiona remarked dryly. "But that could be anywhere in the world. As we know, there are temples all over the place."

I couldn't help but agree with her assessment as I continued to study the image. But then, something stirred within me, a flicker of recognition that danced on the edge of my consciousness. And then it hit me like a bolt of lightning. "Wait a minute," I interjected, my voice tinged with disbelief. "I think I know this place."

"What is it? And how in the hell do you know it? Has Thanos been taking you around to temples in your free time?" Aislinn asked.

I turned to face Fiona and Aislinn, excitement bubbling up inside me. "Thanos can't be away from the Hellmouth. I recall it from our visit to Athens a couple of months ago," I explained. My words rushed out in a torrent of realization. "I remember stumbling upon it during one of our explorations of the Acropolis."

As the puzzle pieces fell into place, a surge of hope renewed my energy. She was sorely mistaken if Nyx thought she could hide out in plain sight on the Acropolis. The ripples of the water distorted the image for a few seconds. As if my comment sparked more magic, the image zoomed out. And sure enough, the Acropolis in Athens loomed before us. It was bathed in the warm glow of the Grecian sun. Its ancient stones whispered tales of gods and heroes, of triumphs and tragedies echoing through the annals of history.

But amidst the grandeur of this iconic landmark, my eyes caught on a lesser-known structure tucked away in the shadows along the hill. It stood as a silent sentinel. Its weathered columns bore the weight of centuries past. Moss clung to its ancient stones, and ivy wound its way up the crumbling facade.

"Looks like we're taking another trip. We should call the guys and Grams and update them before we arrange a flight," Fiona suggested.

Aislinn nodded, and at the same time, she sighed. "I was looking forward to having an afternoon at the beach here."

"You know better than to tempt fate like that," I teased her as Fiona pulled out her phone and dialed.

The digital interface flickered to life, illuminating the dimly lit room with Bas's concerned visage. His image wavered slightly on the screen, mirroring the uncertainty that danced in his eyes. "Gods, it's good to see your beautiful face." Bas's voice crackled through the speaker. "Did you find the shield? Are you coming home?"

"It's good to see you too, love," Fiona responded reassuringly. Thanos, Argies, Grams, and Artemis filed in behind Bas on the screen. "We found the shield, but we don't have it yet," she continued.

I stepped forward with my gaze locked on Thanos. "We managed to track Nyx down to a temple on the Acropolis. I think she's trying to hide in plain sight. Few would believe a goddess would go to a place so active with mundies."

Bas's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his features contorting with disbelief. "And I assume you're going there to go after her. I don't like it. Confronting her in such a populated area is too risky."

Fiona nodded emphatically. "Tell us about it. Nyx could cause untold destruction there. We have to stop her."

Artemis's face hardened and she pointed at us through the screen. "I can handle Nyx," she asserted confidently. She was on the same side of the call as Bas, but her voice echoed through our room.

Fiona's jaw clenched in frustration as she shared a look with us. Her eyes blazing with frustration. "With all due respect, Artemis, you can't confront her right now. Things are too unstable." Her tone was laced with defiance.

Before Artemis could respond, I stepped forward, hoping to defuse the goddess before she went off the deep end. "We spoke with Metis," I added. "And it sounded like there is more to this situation than meets the eye." I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before continuing. "We told you how Metis mentioned some complications with Nyx and the shield. If you try to go after her while she has the shield, there is no telling what it will do to you. You know Nyx's actions have made the thing highly unstable. The last thing we need if for it to suck you into her realm where she could chain you to the wall in her twisted laboratory."

Artemis's eyes narrowed in anger. "Fine. Get to the shield before she does more. And before Metis manages to recover from her ordeal and find Nyx." Her glare would have killed a lesser person. "And be careful. This isn't just about defeating Nyx. It's about preventing her from stealing my power or enslaving me."

I wasn't so sure about that. I would almost rather create another Godstone and collect Nyx's energy. She had already proven she would go to great lengths to garner power. Rather than saying anything along those lines, I nodded in agreement. We didn't want her to join us in Greece.

"We will catch the next flight out," Fiona replied.

Artemis shook her head and scowled. "No. I'll have one of my maidens set up a portal from your hotel room to my home in Athens," she announced, her tone laced with irritation. "That way, you won't have to rely on mundane means of travel and arrive after Metis gets her hands on the shield."

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her sudden generosity. "Well, isn't that convenient," I muttered under my breath, barely containing my sarcasm.

Artemis shot me a sharp look before continuing. "But don't get too excited," she added in a tone that could have frozen us on the spot. "I'm not your damn taxi. And setting up a portal like this will cost my maiden greatly, so don't think this is something you can start asking for regularly."

Fiona offered a small nod of understanding. "Of course. We wouldn't want to inconvenience you."

Artemis ignored Fiona's jab and turned her attention back to the task at hand. "You'll need to inform the hotel owner about the portal," she instructed. "And let him know I'll use an inner wall so he doesn't lose an exterior one that will weaken the structure."

Fiona hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "We appreciate the offer, Artemis. But we can't risk causing any trouble for Bartleby. We'll catch the next flight."

Bas interjected before Artemis could respond. "You'll take the portal," he declared firmly. His tone left no room for argument. "Metis is still healing, and you need to get to Athens as soon as possible."

We nodded in agreement. It was actually going to be nice to get there right away and get this done. "Sounds like a plan," I added before Fiona could say anything else and draw out an argument.

With our course of action decided, the FaceTime call ended. We made our way downstairs to find Bartleby. My anticipation built with each step. As we explained the situation to him, his eyes widened in surprise. His support of our efforts remained unwavering. "Don't worry about a thing," he assured us. "I'm honored to help the goddess however I can."

Fiona patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll make sure Artemis compensates you for the damage."

"Expect a pile of gold and gems in your room shortly," Aislinn added.

He promised we didn't need to do that and assured us he would speak with our neighbors. We headed back to our room. Once there, I reached for my phone and dialed Nylah's number. I wanted to make a plan now so we were prepared when we found the shield.

I ignored the way my friends looked at me as it rang and I packed my bag. "Hey, Nylah," I greeted when she answered the call. "We need your help in Athens. Could you meet us there?"

"What's up? Did you find the shield?" Nylah asked.

"We believe we did. The goddess Nyx has it, and we must be prepared to act fast to secure it before she takes it from us."

"Your timing couldn't have been better. I'm taking my girls to Athens next week for Spring Break. But I'll be there as fast as Brylan can fly me. And I will bring Kaiya and Aeira along," she promised.

With Nylah's support secured, I ended the call and turned to my companions. "How long do you think..." My question trailed off as the portal swirled to life. I couldn't help but marvel at the raw power coursing through the room. It crackled with energy and illuminated the space with a vibrant glow that danced across the walls. With a mighty whoosh, the magic engulfed the wall between our rooms, consuming it in a dazzling display of light and sound. I shielded my eyes from the brilliance, squinting through the glare to see the couple next door talking to Bartleby. Their expressions ranged from shock to awe as they witnessed the spectacle unfolding.

We wasted no time in grabbing our luggage and stepping through the portal as it beckoned us forward. We were instantly transported from one room to the next. This time, the transition was seamless and surreal.

As we emerged on the other side, we found ourselves standing in the entry of a grand mansion. It was a sight to behold, with ornate pillars and sweeping arches that spoke of opulence and grandeur. Before we could take in our surroundings fully, a flurry of activity erupted around us as half a dozen maidens raced to catch one of their own as she collapsed.

Unlike the last time we saw them, they were dressed in tights and oversized tunics. It was a far cry from the traditional chitons we had seen them wear in Artemis's realm. Their clothing was practical yet elegant, fitting with their goddess's influence.

The portal closed behind us with a soft hum, leaving us standing in Artemis's house. I glanced out the big picture window to our right and caught sight of the Acropolis in the distance. It was so close I could practically touch it.

Fiona's gaze lingered on the fallen maiden. Her expression was filled with concern. "We should help her," she insisted. This was the nurse in her coming to the fore .

Normally, I would agree with helping another. Aislinn and I exchanged a knowing look. Seeing that her resolve matched mine, I shook my head at Fiona. "We need to continue our mission," I reminded her. "Time is of the essence."

A few of the maidens inclined their heads and stayed back as the fallen one was carried away. "Violet is right. You must continue. We will make sure Annabelle is cared for."

Fiona sighed and dropped her suitcase. Aislinn and I did the same, and I glanced around the opulent foyer of Artemis's mansion, searching for any sign of weaponry. "Any chance you've got something sharp and pointy hidden away?" I ask.

The maidens shared a knowing look before one stepped forward with a graceful gesture. "Follow us," she said, her voice carrying an air of quiet authority. With a nod, we trailed after them. Our curiosity was piqued by the promise of armaments.

They led us down a dimly lit corridor, the walls adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of hunts and battles. Artemis was featured prominently in each one. That wasn't surprising at all. At the end of the hall, a seemingly ordinary wall section slid open to reveal a hidden chamber. My eyes widened in surprise at the sight that greeted us.

The chamber was a veritable treasure trove of weapons, each meticulously displayed on ornate stands or racks. Swords of every shape and size lined one wall, their blades gleamed brightly in the soft light. Bows and quivers hung from hooks, while shelves held an assortment of arrows. Each looked like it had been fletched with care.

I ran my fingers along the hilt of a finely crafted dagger. I marveled at the intricate designs etched into the blade. Its weight felt comfortable in my hand. And, oddly enough, it was reassuring in its familiarity.

"Weapons fit for a goddess's personal guard," Fiona remarked with a smile.

The maidens nodded in agreement, their expressions serene yet determined. "Choose wisely," one of them advised, her gaze meeting mine with a steely resolve. "And do not worry. Should you lose them, they will return here where we can secure them from falling into mundie hands."

We each selected a dagger from the display with a nod of gratitude. The metal was cool against our skin. As we strapped the weapons to our waists, the maidens stepped back. To my surprise, their eyes were filled with admiration and respect.

"Thank you," I said sincerely. "We'll make sure to put these to good use."

The maidens offered a silent nod of acknowledgment before retreating into the shadows, leaving us alone in the chamber. We shared a glance, donned our chosen weapons, and swapped the shorts and tank top we'd been wearing for far too long for more practical jeans and t-shirts. Aislinn smiled up at us as she tied her boots. "Ready to take on Nyx?"

A fierce determination lit up Fiona's eyes as she grinned. "More than ready," she replied.

With a final adjustment to our daggers, we headed out the door. The afternoon sun beat down on us, but it wasn't hot yet. My heart pounded in my chest. We were willingly walking into the temple of a goddess who was pissed at us.

It didn't take long to reach the base of the hill leading to the Acropolis. As we ascended the steep, winding path, the ancient stones beneath our boots groaned with each step. It was as if they protested our intrusion into their age-old sanctuary. More than likely, it was my imagination. I got nothing back when I tried to open my magical senses and pick up what was happening. It was likely nothing more than the vibrations our movements made .

Sweat beaded on our brows while the midday sun beat down mercilessly upon us. It was getting hotter with each passing minute. Driven by a sense of urgency and purpose, I pushed forward. "Could this hill be any steeper?" I muttered between labored breaths. I shot Fiona and Aislinn a sidelong glance and noted they were similarly struggling with the climb.

Fiona chuckled wryly. "Oh, I'm sure it could, Violet. Let's just be grateful it's not."

I rolled my eyes at her retort, though a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Leave it to Fiona to find solace in even the most arduous situations. The conversation turned to our upcoming confrontation. "Do you think Nyx will still be injured?" Aislinn wondered aloud.

I shrugged, though the thought weighed heavily on my mind. "Hard to say. She's been gone for almost an hour. We should prepare for the worst."

"I agree," Fiona said, pulling out her phone. She typed up a quick message. "I let Nylah know of our whereabouts on the Acropolis. Just in case she arrives before we leave here," she explained, tucking the device back into her pocket.

When we reached the spot indicated in the scrying water, we ducked into the shadows cast by the surrounding ruins. Our breaths came in short, ragged gasps. Fiona and I exchanged a knowing look before we began to weave our magic. We needed to hide the three of us from the mundies milling around.

The air crackled with energy as the spell tried to take shape. The sensation was unnerving this time. It was like trying to corral a tempest within the confines of our own minds. At least it didn't blow up on us when it encountered the goddess's power. We pressed on and remained focused on the task at hand.

While we worked, Aislinn's connection to the elements came to the fore as she sent gentle ripples through the ground, her brow furrowed with concentration. Watching her, I asked, "What are you doing?"

She licked her lips and glanced up at us. "Looking for...there! I sense an opening," she told us excitedly. "I figured we would need to go underground and decided to search the earth for the way in.

Fiona clapped her on the shoulder. "Brilliant thinking!"

Aislinn smiled proudly as she led the way. Fiona and I followed behind. Our footsteps were deadened by our spell as we stepped into the temple. There was no sound as we descended into the darkness below. The air grew cooler, and the musty scent of ancient ruins filled our nostrils. The dim light cast eerie shadows across the crumbling walls. There were few torches hanging on the walls and it lent an air of foreboding to our surroundings.

We navigated the labyrinthine tunnels slowly and silently. We had no idea what to expect and weren't about to run headlong into a trap. Fiona and I felt our way magically as we walked. We were doing so well until we rounded a corner. When we did, we came face to face with our greatest challenge yet.

A hoard of shadowy creatures blocked our path. A vice tightened around my chest when I saw their eyes gleaming with malice. Their distorted forms twisted and writhed in the dim light. With a shared glance, we readied ourselves for battle. There was a chance the three of us wouldn't come out of this alive.