Daughter of the Sky, Son of the Earth

Chapter Thirteen

Water

My head was pounding, and my body was screaming in pain. It was the same pain that had woken me up. I couldn't think clearly as I forgot how I had come to feel like this. The last thing I could remember eating by the end of the hill, just looking out into the horizon. After that, my mind was blank.

I opened my eyes and tried to sit up but my body protested with a jolt of pain that ran down my spine. I winced and let myself fall back on the bed. I was breathing heavily and sweat was starting to form on my forehead as I clenched my jaw together. I needed to keep going, I couldn't stay here.

That's when I realized I wasn't on the hill like I had suspected. I wasn't even in the forest. My eyes widened as I scanned my surroundings. Wooden walls enclosed me in a small room. The smell of incense filled my nostrils as my eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. 

I was lying on a soft bed on the opposite side of the door. The room was very rustic but warm at the same time. There was an old heater powered by logs on one side of the room. Focusing my energy on getting up, I tried to sit down again, and the pain jolted me back to my original position. 

Fear and desperation began to overpower me as I tried to get up. I hadn't felt this useless since my transformation all those months ago. I didn't like it. I didn't know where I was or how I had ended up here. The cabin obviously looked habited, and the incense was proof that I wasn't alone here. 

With a sigh, I let my weight fall back on the bed. From the window, no light was coming through and I guessed that meant it was nighttime, I would have to wait until someone came to check up on me in the morning. Somehow, I didn't think I felt comfortable with that. 

To my surprise and relief, I heard the knob on the door turn before the door creaked open and someone walked inside. I took in a gulp; I didn't know if this person was a friend or just someone with a twisted mind who wanted to hurt me. 

I tried to reach for my blade, but it was no longer in my pocket. My heart began to pound in my chest as I became more anxious without a weapon to use as a defense. I could always use my powers, but I doubted they would work if I was this weak and hurt.

The lights of the room turned on and I quickly turned my head to see the person who had walked in and instantly, my face paled and I inhaled sharply. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. 

The woman in front of me looked like an older version of Aileen. She also had dark hair but hers was wavier. Her eyes were the same gray-colored eyes but without the ring of fire that Aileen had. Other than that, everything was exactly the same. There was no doubt in my mind about who this was. The Goddess of the Hunt: Artemis. 

"You're awake," she said in a neutral voice as she sat on a chair on the other side of the room. Her grey eyes scanned me thoroughly as if I was something foreign to her.

A silence filled the room as the two of us stared at each other and then the huntress got to her feet and grabbed the incense holder and threw the ashes on a trashcan nearby. 

"You took quite a hit," she said after a moment.

"I don't remember what happened," I said slowly. My voice sounded hoarse to my ears and my throat burned as I tried to talk. 

Artemis turned to face me with wide eyes and a worried expression on her face. "Amnesia. That isn't good. Wait here, I'm going to go get you some water and an elixir to help you feel better," she said before heading towards the door.

I rolled my eyes as I thought to myself, it wasn't like I could go anywhere. I was too weak and in pain to try to move. I didn't know where the sarcastic tone was coming from since I had always been very patient and understanding but for some reason, I felt a lingering dark presence inside of me. Something I hadn't felt before. It was strange. 

Using all my strength and pushing past the pain, I propped myself on my elbows and then pushed myself to sit. The pain in my back increased but I ignored it as I clenched my jaw together to keep from crying out and then sat upright. I was panting slightly, and I closed my eyes to will the throbs of pain to stop. 

A moment later, Artemis came back holding a mug of hot liquid in one hand, and on the other, she was holding a glass of water. She didn't look surprised to see me sitting up and she didn't say anything about it. 

"Here, drink this first," she said handing me the glass of water. I did what she told me and chugged the water down my throat. I felt very thirsty as if I hadn't drunk anything in days. 

Artemis didn't say anything as she watched me and as soon as I was done drinking the water, she handed me the warm mug. "What is this?" I asked slowly as I looked at the woman skeptically. It wasn't usual for me to be so untrusting, but I couldn't help it. Something about me felt... off.

 "It's the elixir I told you about. It's a gods' cure to anything. Well, almost anything. Some things cannot be cured because they cannot be changed. But I'm sure this will make you feel better. Trust me," she said softly. Her grey eyes looked into mine and for a moment, I pretended it was Aileen looking back at me. 

Slowly, I reached for the mug and then brought it up to my lips. It tasted sweet and creamy at the same time. It was the most delicious thing I had ever drunk. More than hot chocolate and that was saying something. 

"What's in this?" I asked as I pulled away from the mug. 

The huntress smiled and shrugged, "just the elixir that tastes like nothing. It was my brother's idea to incorporate honey into the mix, but I always add my own touch, a couple of drops of lemon. It still manages to keep its creamy form, but it enhances the taste of honey." Artemis sounded proud of her achievement, and I couldn't help but think Aileen was much like her. 

"Oh, and you must drink it all for it to have a full effect, or else you could be feeling better but for all we know, your ribs could still be broken," Artemis said with a shrug as she headed towards the chair on the corner. 

My eyes widened and she didn't have to tell me twice. Quickly, I drank the rest of the sweet liquid that seemed to numb my sore throat and warm my body. In a moment, I was feeling very sweaty and feverish. 

"Is this supposed to happen?" I asked as I felt a drop of sweat run down my temple. 

Artemis nodded her head and smiled. "Yes, that's how we know it's working. Don't worry, the effects will pass in the next couple of hours, but I would recommend you take it easy at least for today." 

I didn't say anything as my breathing sped up and I suddenly felt very dizzy. The huntress didn't look worried about what was happening, and she took out a book before immersing herself in reading. Raising an eyebrow, I looked at her, but she ignored my stare as I kept on feeling worse.

Without a warning, a stinging pain reached my eyes and my head, and I winced. I placed both of my hands to my head, feeling as if it were about to explode. A ringing sound echoed in my ears as I clenched my jaw together to keep from crying out loud.

Flashes of light coursed through my mind as images appeared in front of me. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion even though it was just seconds that felt eternal. 

When I was able to open my eyes again, Artemis was standing next to me with her cool hands on my forehead. "You were out for a couple of minutes, I just wanted to make sure you were alright," she explained as she pulled her hand back. 

I nodded my head and suddenly felt much better. My body was no longer hurting, and the headache and fever had stopped. "I can remember everything," I whispered in disbelief. 

Artemis nodded her head. "I suspected that was bound to happen. How are you feeling?"

I shook my head and chuckled. "Much better," I said as I moved too quickly to stand up and the floor under me started to move. 

"Careful, you have to take it easy, remember?" Artemis said as she kept me from falling. 

I nodded my head and took a deep breath as I straightened on my feet. "What was that thing that attacked me?" I asked through clenched teeth.

Artemis frowned, "it was a catoblepas, an ancient Greek monster. Normally they keep to themselves, but I think this one was targeting you. You're lucky to be alive. They're really strong and venomous, if they bite you, you're good as dead. Willow and Oak were the ones that heard all the commotion and warned me."

"Willow and Oak?" I asked in confusion. 

"My wolves. Those are their names. They didn't think you'd make it but they were wrong. You've got heart, Andrew," she said softly while holding my gaze.

"How do you know my name?" I asked with wide eyes.

Artemis chuckled and shook her head. "I may not live in Olympus with the rest of the gods, but gossip does fly. I know you're dating my daughter and I know you know who I am. Your mother told me about you."

I blushed and looked away. Now I knew how Aileen had felt when she met Athena. "Um... yes. You're Artemis."

The huntress smiled and nodded her head. "Okay then, now that we have introduced ourselves. Let's get you to the kitchen to make you something to eat."

Once we were at the kitchen, I sat down at the table and insisted on helping Artemis, but she was adamant about doing it herself. 

"What is this place?" I asked, trying to change the subject. 

Artemis smiled. "This is my cabin. The good thing is that it's portable. I take it all around the world while I hunt. And don't worry, monsters can't find you in here. There is a protective barrier around it so you can even use your powers in here and no one will know."

I nodded my head and eyed the cabin. The theme throughout it was rustic and vintage with a hint of romance. The smell of oakwood and pine filled my nostrils, making me feel much better now that I was out of that incense-infested room. 

Suddenly, two big grey wolves walked through the door and towards the kitchen. I stiffened as I took in their size. They were much bigger than your typical wolf. 

When their eyes landed on me, they let out a deep rumble and I stiffened even more. Noticing my reaction, Artemis laughed and shook her head. "They were just saying hello. They seem to like you," she said. 

One of the wolves walked towards me and placed its big wolf head on my lap. Gently, I ran my hands through his soft fur, and he closed his eyes. 

Artemis placed a plate filled with food in front of me and smiled. "Yep, Oak definitely likes you and she doesn't like anyone."

I laughed and shook my head. 

The more time that passed the better I felt. I was glad Artemis had been there with her wolves to save me. Soon, I'd be able to leave and continue with the mission. I had a feeling she was going to need my help sooner rather than later.