Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

A lex and I entered the grand dining hall holding hands. Nothing seemed quite as dire when I was with him. Too bad we couldn't be together all the time. It would be nice if Eve could clone him and make him pocket sized so I could take him everywhere. His presence would keep me grounded and make it easier to think straight.

Alex's parents, King Thalion and Queen Isabella greeted us first. Their smiles were warm as Alex's mom rushed to us and threw her arms around me. "I trust you slept well. I'm so glad you could share breakfast with us before you go."

"Good morning, Mother," Alex said before he tugged me out of her embrace.

"Good morning, son," the king said and then inclined his head to me. "Nishi.

Faith leaned across the table and smirked at me as I sat down. "Looks like you didn't get much sleep. I can see Alex kept you up half the night." She gestured to the back of her head. "You've still got sex hair."

I rolled my eyes at her and grabbed the mug of coffee in front of me. "That's not possible. We did it in the shower. "

That made my other friends laugh. My cheeks turned pink as I focused on sipping the hot beverage and looked around. The dining hall of the fae palace was a breathtaking sight to behold. It was a symphony of elegance and luxury. Tall arching pillars were intricately carved with scenes of nature. They stretched toward the vaulted ceiling, while delicate vines snaked their way along the walls. Blossoms of every color imaginable grew from the stems. Crystal chandeliers hung from above and glittered in the light coming in the picture window at the opposite end of the room.

The fae servants moved about with a graceful efficiency that bordered on otherworldly. They glided silently between us and delivered food to everyone. There were exotic fruits, pastries adorned with delicate swirls of frosting and edible flowers, steaming hot porridge, and trays of freshly-baked bread. The staff movements were as fluid as water and as silent as the whisper of a breeze.

The king and queen began serving themselves first. Dropping my hands into my lap, I wrung them together. "I had a vision last night." I hadn't meant to blurt that out so abruptly. My friends looked over immediately. "Artemis is no longer being hurt by Apollo, but she's trapped."

The table fell silent as they took in the gravity of my words. Alex's parents exchanged a meaningful glance, but to me, their expressions were unreadable. I just didn't know them well enough to decipher it yet. Regardless, it was clear that my vision had struck a nerve with everyone in the room. Even with the staff still present.

Alex filled a plate of food for me, and I stuffed a piece of a scone into my mouth. The taste of honeyed dough and coffee coated my tongue as Faith asked, "So, is having visions your new thing now?"

I lifted a hand and held it in front of my face as I talked around a mouthful, "I have no idea. "

Eve waved a piece of fruit on her fork. "She could be sending them to you. What matters right now is where she was located and how it felt to you. Is this something that seems urgent? Or can it wait?"

"Honestly, it felt pretty dire to me. It was almost as if she had nothing left to fight with. I've never seen her look so bad before. I couldn't see much of the room aside from light-colored wooden walls. Outside it was desolate," I began. "Imagine a scene out of a horror movie. In the distance I saw an abandoned industrial complex complete with rusting metal structures looming like skeletal remains. The air was cold, and a biting wind howled through the branches. And snow blanketed everything."

Damon's eyes widened in recognition. "I know that place," he interjected. "It's one of Apollo's sanctuaries."

"Of course, it is," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "Because why wouldn't the God of the Sun have a creepy, rundown hideout in the middle of nowhere? Perfect vacation spot."

Damon gave me a look. "My father established homes in places you'd never expect toward the end. All the gods were getting paranoid and finding better ways to hide from the others. Some of them have been abandoned for centuries. I imagine this would be one of them."

"I hope there is no one there because my gut tells me I have to go save Artemis right away," I insisted.

Alex sighed as he set his fork down. His expression troubled me when he looked at me. "I can't go with you. Things are tense here in the fae realm."

Faith raised an eyebrow. "What's going on, Alex?"

He ran a hand through his hair, looking weary. "It's a long story, but let's just say there's been a lot of unrest. Different factions seem to be vying for power and old grudges have flared up all over the place. It's like everyone's forgotten we're supposed to be united. Last week, there was an incident with a group trying to break into the royal archives. They claimed they had a right to some ancient relics."

King Thalion nodded gravely. "It's worse than that, Alex. We've had several attacks on our people in recent months. Ambushes in the forest, homes set on fire, even a few poisonings. The worst part is that no one can determine who's behind it. Our scouts come back with conflicting reports, and it's creating even more distrust among the factions."

Queen Isabella's face was a mask of concern. "The unrest is spreading. Just yesterday, a group of rebels tried to storm one of the outer gates. They were repelled, but the fact they dared to attack so openly is alarming."

Eve leaned forward. "Sounds like a mess. We would stay and help keep things from boiling over, but we have to deal with this first."

I nodded in agreement. "If Miletus manages to finish his ritual everyone will be in danger. But I understand why you can't go."

Alex smiled sadly at me. "I hate that I can't go with you, but my place is here right now."

I popped a piece of fruit into my mouth and tried to mask my disappointment. "We will manage without you. Let us know if you need any help. As soon as we stop Miletus, I will be back to help."

He gave me a small, appreciative smile. "I'll hold you to that."

As we finished breakfast, the atmosphere in the room was thick with the weight of our respective burdens. I could see the strain in Alex's eyes and the frustration at being torn between his duty to his realm and his desire to help us. I reached over and held his hand while I finished eating. It was all the reassurance I could offer him.

Once finished, I stood up and jerked my chin to my friends. "Well," I said, attempting to inject some levity into the room, "looks like we've all got our work cut out for us. Saving gods and keeping realms from falling apart. It's just another day in paradise, right?"

Tegan snorted. "You have a funny definition of paradise, Nishi."

I grinned. "It's either find the silver lining or let it wear me down. I prefer to look at the positives."

Despite my bravado, I couldn't shake the gnawing sense of unease. We had a mission to complete, and Alex had his own battles to fight here. I just hoped we'd both come out the other side in one piece.

As we gathered our things and prepared to leave the dining hall, Alex pulled me aside. "Nishi," he said softly, "I really wish I could be with you. It's killing me to send you out there without me."

I looked into his eyes, feeling a mixture of pride and sadness. "Don't worry, Alex. We'll get Artemis back and stop Miletus. You just keep things from falling apart here, okay?"

He wrapped his arms around my waist and said, "I love you." He pressed his lips to mine and kissed me soundly.

"I love you, too," I replied when he finally broke away.

With that, we parted ways, each of us heading into our own set of challenges. Saying goodbye to the fae realm was a mix of relief and regret. Alex's parents bid us farewell with grace and sincerity. My friends and I stepped through the portal and found ourselves back in the familiar surroundings of Ravenholde.

The shift from the ethereal beauty of the fae realm to the gritty reality of our world was jarring. Faith wasted no time dwelling on it. She immediately pulled out her phone and texted Greyson, hoping for another miracle. "I'm asking him if he can bypass the council chambers and send us to the location from your vision. I don't want to be delayed by Dumb and Dumber," Faith said as she typed furiously.

"Good idea," I praised her. We all held our breath, waiting for his response .

It came a few moments later. Her phone buzzed and Faith read the message aloud. "He says he can't do that because he's not familiar with the location and has no tie to it. He can only bypass the mainframe when it involves destinations he knows well."

"Dammit all," I muttered and clenched my hands into fists. "Back to the council chambers we go. Good thing Alex's car is here."

"You guys live interesting lives," Damon told us as he climbed into the vehicle. "I've never known more capable warriors in all my life. The Shrouded Nation is lucky to have you."

Eve barked a derisive laugh. "Tell that to Caton and Lucinda. They treat us like we're the banes of their existence."

Faith and Eve gave Damon a little more background on why they disliked us so much while I drove across town to the shifter lands where the chambers were located. I parked next to Faith's car a few minutes later and we hurried up the stairs.

Once inside the austere confines of the council chambers, a strange sense of calm washed over us. The usual tension of the place was oddly absent. For the third time in as many days, Lucinda and Caton, the council's most insufferable members, were nowhere to be seen.

Faith glanced around and her eyebrows knit together. "As nice as it is not to run into those two, it's worrying."

I smirked at her. "Does that mean you're going to look into why they've been absent?"

Faith snorted and had an expression of pure disdain on her face. "Not a chance."

"They're probably plotting some new way to make our lives miserable," Eve added.

Faith shook her head. "As much as I'd love to entertain that thought, I have a feeling it's connected to something bigger. But right now, we don't have time to figure it out."

We moved with purpose, our footsteps quickening as we approached the computer. "Agreed," I said .

The high ceilings and stone walls echoed our footsteps as we moved through the space. "Feels like we're in a tomb this time," Tegan muttered as her eyes darted around. "I half expect a skeleton to jump out at us."

"That would be just our luck," I quipped.

Eve paused at the computer and looked over at Damon. "Where are we going?"

"Juneau, Alaska. If you pull up a map, I will select the closest spot," Damon replied.

Eve nodded and typed something. She backed away when a map of Juneau popped on the screen. Damon took her place and zoomed in on a spot. Eve set a destination and activated the portal.

I headed for the oval light and told my friends, "Let's get out of here before Caton and Lucinda decide to show up and make our day even worse."

The brisk Alaskan air hit us like a slap in the face when we stepped through the portal. I inhaled the crisp, biting cold and the faint smell of pine. Damn, I hadn't thought to stop and grab jackets. This was next-level cold.

"Welcome to Juneau, Alaska," Damon announced. "We're just outside the city. My father's sanctuary is right through those woods."

I saw the abandoned building and the remnants of a church that had seen better days. It was just out of range in my vision. "I hope it's not far," I muttered. "It's freezing out here."

Faith snorted. "Come on, isn't this just what you always wanted? A surprise vacation to the middle of nowhere."

When our vantage point changed as we started walking, I could see the town nestled below. It was a beacon in the dense woods that surrounded us. Within a few feet, we had pines and spruces towering over us. We trudged through the forest. The only noise was the ground crunching beneath our feet. The silence was almost oppressive. Thankfully, it was broken only by the occasional rustle of wildlife.

"So, Damon," I said, needing a distraction from the fact that my fingers were now popsicles. "Can you explain why this sanctuary is so different from the one on the Greek island aside from what your father was trying to hide? I mean, I get him hiding, but I was expecting a little more ancient charm."

Damon chuckled. "Like I said, my father has places all over. Some were designed to be better hidden. Alaska's not exactly a tourist hotspot for Greek gods, you know. Although, I don't know if he's ever actually been here. I asked him once, but I can't for the life of me remember what he said."

Faith swatted away a low-hanging branch. "This place screams ‘hideout' more than ‘vacation home.' I can't see your dad here."

We didn't have to walk long until we stumbled upon a clearing. At the opposite end stood a massive, rustic log cabin. It was nestled among the trees like a secret. With critical eyes, I looked over the place. It was made of sturdy logs that had not been weathered by the harsh Alaskan climate. "That's definitely magic at work," I said, pointing to the pristine building.

Eve cocked her head to the side. "Agreed, but why is the sloping roof covered in moss and snow?"

"My father preserves his homes with a spell, but it doesn't repel nature entirely. Suppressing everything would leave too big of an energy signature to gods and demigods. If he did that, he would have no sanctuaries," Damon explained as we closed the distance to the cabin. Smoke started curling lazily from a stone chimney when we got halfway across the glade.

"It's a nice place," Faith commented. Her breath was visible in the cold air. "Looks like a hunter's retreat."

"Or a serial killer's hideout," Tegan added, eyeing the cabin warily .

"Only one way to find out," I said, marching toward the door. "Let's see if our lovely host is home."

Damon held up a hand, stopping me. "Let me deal with the ward." Damon pricked a finger and extended his hands before muttering a spell in ancient Greek. There was a flash of light and then he nodded at us. "It's clear."

The front door creaked open, revealing a surprisingly cozy interior. The main room was dominated by a large stone fireplace. It was big enough that I could walk into it upright. The flames inside cast flickering shadows on the log walls. Rustic furniture filled the space including overstuffed leather chairs, a worn wooden table, and shelves lined with old books and trinkets. It all combined to give the place a lived-in feel. It was quaint, almost charming, if you ignored the fact that we were here to confront a god and rescue Artemis.

I sighed as the warmth from the fireplace enveloped us. "Thank the gods it's warm." I rubbed my hands together.

"You've got that right." Eve gestured to the main part of the house. "Let's find Artemis and get out of here."

"Sounds like a plan," Damon replied as he took the lead. "Keep your guard up. There's something here that's pricking my alarm bells, but I can't pinpoint what."

"Fantastic," I muttered. "More mythical monsters to fight."

Damon rolled his eyes. "I'm not sensing any of those. Just be alert."

Faith saluted him and said, "Always are, god-boy." We fell silent then. I withdrew my kris knives, and Faith had her crossbow ready.

The cabin's silence was almost deafening. The only sounds were our own footsteps and the crackling of the fire. Tegan wrinkled her nose and went for her daggers. "For a god's sanctuary, this place is surprisingly cozy. There's got to be some creatures nearby," she remarked.

I shot her a wry smile, shaking my head. "It feels quaint," I replied, ‘but it's nothing short of grand. I swear it's three times the size of my modest house, if not more."

Damon chuckled at our banter, his eyes scanning the rooms. "Let's not get distracted," he reminded us. "We're here to find Artemis and get her out."

Nodding in agreement, we fanned out while remaining within eyesight. We searched every nook and cranny of the house for any sign of the goddess. The atmosphere was tense as we moved through the rooms. I practically jumped out of my skin every time the floorboards creaked beneath our feet.

Faith let out a low whistle as she examined an ornate painting hanging on the wall. "Not exactly what I expected from a god's hideout," she mused. Her gaze lingered on the intricate patterns painted on the canvas.

I shrugged and continued my hunt for any hidden compartments or secret passages. "Who knows what goes on in the mind of a god." My frustration grew with each passing moment.

Just as we were about to give up hope, Damon's sharp intake of breath caught our attention. "I think I found something," he called out. His voice echoed through the third floor.

We rushed to his side, finding him standing before a hidden door concealed behind a large cabinet. The power hit me immediately. "Artemis is behind here," I said as I reached for the latch.

Damon growled and snatched my arm. "He will have warded it. Let me."

I cringed and shot him a sheepish look. "Thanks," I mumbled.

We watched him repeat what he had done outside. Once he mentioned the idea, I knew he was right. It took him three tries and the addition of symbols he drew in the air for the flash of light this time.

With a soft click, the door swung open. A narrow staircase leading up to the attic was revealed. Our hearts pounded as we ascended without hesitation. The magic in the air grew heavier and the faint hum of power vibrated around us. Damon pushed open the door at the top of the stairs. There was a large, dimly-lit room on the other side.

My breath caught when I saw Artemis lying in the center of the room. She was huddled on a makeshift bed beneath a thin blanket. Relief flooded through me at the sight of her even though she looked like hell. "Artemis!" I exclaimed as I raced to her side. "Are you alright?"

She lifted a pale face to us. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of exhaustion and gratitude. "I'm weak," she admitted in a voice barely above a whisper. "My brother left toxic sigils all around me so I couldn't escape. But I'm alive."

"We'll get you out of here," Damon promised. He was gentle as he helped her to her feet.

As he freed her from the bed, Artemis leaned heavily on Damon. Her strength waned with every passing moment. "I need to get out of this attic." Her voice was barely audible as she spoke.

Damon lifted her into his arms and practically leaped down the stairs. The rest of us had to hurry and catch up to them in one of the third-floor bedrooms.

"We need your help, Artemis," I said. My gaze met hers with determination. "We need to find Apollo."

Artemis shook her head weakly. "I can't help you fight him," she confessed. "But I know where he is."

"Then that's all we need," I assured her. I didn't need to have a discussion with her about how we didn't plan on fighting him unless he refused to return to his realm.