‘What’s going on Sera, what about Rocky?‘ I paced the fortune-telling shop.
‘Rocky’s at school Arti. I sent her a text not to go home.‘ Stella said.
I exhaled. Stella‘s Mom was a fortune teller. I used to be a regular customer before I knew her true nature. Stella told me to stop. Fortune tellers weren’t like psychics or mediums. They told your future, but it wasn’t always true. Most of it was straight out lies, but it wasn‘t their fault, it was just who they were.
Most of the fortunes Sera told me came true though. Like the one about the boy who‘d ask me to prom in high school or how a girl planned to steal my underwear during gym class. I really should have listened to that one.
‘Will you tell us what’s going on Mom?‘ Stella sat at the purple table which held a crystal ball and a deck of scary cards.
Sera wore a white scarf on her head and a blue jumpsuit. Her face was painted with orange eyeshadow and blazing red lipstick.
‘I was looking at your old high school photos and I got the fright of my life. Someone or something in the heavens knows. Broke into the trailer looking for power, thirty for it. I knew it was Artemis they wanted.’
‘Are you sure Sera?’ I leaned forward.
‘As sure as the sky is blue. I know I get them wrong, but I know when they are right. I don’t know when it‘s going to happen, I can admit that, but honey be careful.’
Sera‘s blue eyes held no mischief. Stella squeezed my hand under the table.
‘Goodness, maybe you girls should come live with me. I should read my cards again. I don’t like my girls being in trouble. I promise Archie I‘d take care of them.’ She dabbed her cheeks with her scarf.
Stella rolled her eyes, but said, ‘Mom’s right, you guys can come stay here. We‘ll share my room.’
Sera nodded; her mascara ran down her face. I sighed. I wasn‘t sure how convinced I was to be honest.
‘No, Stella, no need. If there is something after us then I’m sure Rocky and I can handle it. I mean we‘re not powerless.’ I offered them a small grin.
One of my fears as a little girl was that someone would learn about us and try to steal what we had. I wanted Sera to be wrong.
‘I guess you're right. Still think about it even for a couple days.’ Stella said.
``We can have a girls slumber party.’ Sera clapped her hands.
‘No, Mom.’ Stella moaned.
‘Oh, you’re such a party pooper Stella.‘
I laughed. Stella and I left Sera after a client walked in. The chill I had in the shop didn‘t leave me. I hoped with everything that Sera was wrong. It wasn’t the time for her to be right about something like this.
‘Let’s go to the university. There‘s a little party at the campus bar.’ She teased.
‘I don’t feel like drinking.‘
‘Please Artemis you barely do. Come on Rocky’s there, I don‘t doubt it.’ She looped her arm through mine.
Quarter of the university had shown up. I only knew a handful of people whom I exchanged pleasantries with then headed to the bar with Stella. She ordered us two glasses of red wine.
I spotted my sister dancing with her friends. A few more glasses and Rocky would be wasted. The music vibrated the table, I couldn‘t make out the words. Everyone else grinded it. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I whirled to see who it was.
‘Alfie!’ I grinned.
He smiled back, ‘Didn’t you say partying wasn't your thing?’
I pointed at Stella, ‘She made me.’
He chuckled. ‘She had to teach me her tricks.’
I laughed louder and harder than I should have. I coughed, too late for that. ‘Stella this is Alfie and Alfie this is my best friend in the whole world Stella.’
She pressed her lips together and smiled. Alfie smiled back.
‘I was just heading out. I'll catch you in a bit.’ He said.
My heart stopped running the marathon it was running.
‘See you later.’
Stella narrowed her eyes on me. I groaned, what now?
‘That’s the boy that texted you earlier?‘ She pointed.
I nodded. ‘What’s wrong with him?‘
She shrugged. ‘No nothing. He’s cute in a geeky sort of way. Geek‘s got something going on under their shirt.’ She sipped on her wine.
Heat rushed to my face. I liked his square glasses. ‘I wouldn’t know what he has under his shirt.‘
‘Not yet.’ She murmured.
‘Stella!’
‘What? It’s only a matter of time and you know it.‘ She grinned.
I wanted the ground to swallow me. Her phone buzzed, I half expected it to be Sera with another prophecy.
‘I have to go, it’s work.‘
‘I should leave too and take Rocky home.’
‘Why, she’s having fun?‘
‘I know, but a drunk Rocky is an impossible Rocky.’
Stella helped me pry Rocky away from her crew before leaving me for work. I half scanned for Alfie in the sea of people, though I couldn't find his black square glasses. On our way home I told a twenty five percent sober Rocky what Sera told me.
‘I doubt it! Nothing she says ever comes true!’ Rocky tripped over her own feet and fell into my arms. We were only a few minutes away from our trailer.
We had woken every other trailer owner.
‘Hush, people will think we’re crazy.‘
‘Their crazy.’ She murmured.
I shoved Rocky inside before she could open her mouth. Once she was in bed she‘d be out like a light. Thank goodness, she was the loudest drunk person ever. After locking my sister in I sat down in the cramped living room. I had a message from Alfie.
You left too early, running away from me?
Of course not. My sister was getting wasted, had 2 get her home.
I see. You owe me a date then.
I grinned.
No, I don‘t.
You owe me for tonight then.
Why don‘t you just ask me out?
I held in the oxygen as he replied.
Okay. Artemis, will you go out with me tomorrow?
I fought the squeals.
Yeah, I might do that.
***
‘Twin braids or one?’ I asked Rocky and Stella.
‘Why are you even braiding it?’ Rocky said with a mouthful of blueberry muffins.
Sera sent us a basket of blueberry and vanilla muffins earlier.
‘So… you really like him huh?’ Stella dragged her words out.
I couldn‘t help feeling she wasn’t happy for me. She looked at Alfie last night as if he was a convict. I didn‘t buy her niceness. She wasn’t impressed.
‘I’m only getting to know him, Stella.‘ My tone came out sharper than I intended.
‘Why? What’s wrong with him?‘ Rocky set her muffin down.
‘Nothing—’
‘There’s something off about him.‘ Stella cut me off.
‘Stella!’ I grumbled and set down my mascara. Alfie would be here any moment. We were heading to a movie then having dinner.
‘Aww, Stella, give her a break. Artemis hasn’t been with a man in ages. She needs a break. All she does is work. She's even lost weight.’ Rocky frowned.
Geez, thanks Rocky. I mentally slapped my forehead.
‘Doesn’t mean she has to go out with every average Joe. I‘ve never even seen him at school.’
Rocky shrugged.
‘Guys, that’s enough. It‘s just one date.’ My phone lit up with a notification. ‘Later guys.’ I kissed Rocky before darting out the door.
The cold breeze welcomed me. I ran to the shining black truck parked down the street. I wore a blue off shoulder, with an illusion of stars scattered across it. A bow and arrow necklace my dad gave me sat on my chest.
Alfie greeted me with a kiss on the cheek after I shut the door. His eyes roamed my curly hair, stopped at my neck before taking in my shimmering dress down to my legs.
‘You look stunning. I might have a hard time keeping you to myself.’ He grinned.
I chuckled. Hearing him speak put my nerves to bed. My best friend‘s criticism of him was totally uncalled for. Alfie was harmless. He had deep brown eyes, satin black hair and seductive red lips. He was easy going and I craved easy going. There was nothing off about him.
He picked a rom-com! How amazing was that? Instead of a terrible horror movie that would keep me up at night. I have to admit I wouldn‘t mind a nice action movie. Snuggling up under his arm made up for the cheesy lines I had to endure.When the movie was over, we went to a small diner in town. I couldn‘t shake the feeling there were eyes burning holes in the back of my head. When I turned all the customers were occupied with their meals or had their noses stuck in the evening paper.Alfie demanded all my attention, though it didn‘t quiet my anxiety. I couldn’t check because Alfie had claimed my mouth as his own. He didn‘t care who saw him devour my lips. Like magic released into the dark sky to give birth to stars as so were the explosions taking place inside me.When it was over the fire still burned. We hadn‘t touched our food. He guided me out of the diner, the night was still young, but the party was over on Al
I left the metal behind. I groaned as the nurse pulled the band aid around my shoulder. I was lucky it was only an arrow to the shoulder. Queen Hera‘s forces were none too underestimated. I learned that the hard way.I pulled a black shirt over my head. Anyone would think a mage queen challenging a kingdom of gods was foolish. Hera was determined to bring down the Olympiad. Zeus‘ army was equally determined to destroy her. Hera better pray she died in battle because nothing could be worse than the wrath of Zeus.The woman with long golden hair bowed. She gathered her things then vanished. I had been summoned by the goddess herself. I took the stairs to Zeus‘ personal floor, where only his legitimate wife and son lived. I walked the hall lined with tall women dressed in white satin, holding bowls of fruit.Each maiden flawless with hair that caressed the floor and a blank stare. Never to be touched by any man, simply to stand and be
‘This is the mage dimension?’Stella and I stepped out of a rat-infested alley. No squeaky-clean streets, no golden lanterns. One flickering lamp post lit up one street.‘Well, the more rugged part of the dimension.’‘You’re telling me,’ I muttered. ‘So, where do we start?’The roads were lined with hut sized brick buildings, each one with steps leading up to the front door. Most of them were double storey.‘Mom said to go to Calista’s saloon. Difficult people to deal with, they don’t take anything seriously.’ She rolled her eyes.‘What is it like?’ I rubbed my shoulders.‘It’s a ghost plaza, but they always have information if you can get them to take you seriously.’Great, at least we had a place to start.‘How come you never told me about this place? It isn’t much, but why didn’t yo
Rubble rolled off me. What the hell was that? Hera’s soldiers are getting stronger, this one chose the wrong challenge. She peered her head to see where my body landed in the building. Without drawing my wings, I shot into the air. Landing behind her, I grabbed her hand.She growled. Her fist burned bright amber. I pulled back, the scent of burning flesh smacked my face. She thrust her legs forward. I hurled a ball of light that flew into a building. The two-storey apartment blew up, bricks and wood collapsed into the alley.She turned around her brown eyes fixed on me before she slammed her wrists together. Another flamed arrowed shot at me. I raised my shield. The arrow cracked the centre of my protection. The collision sent my feet sliding in the gravel.‘Stop! I haven’t done anything wrong.’I stared at the building she hurled me through and cocked my head to the side. She bit her lip. I fisted the soil beneath me and pulled my
The one time I use my powers I land myself in shit. Thank goodness Daylen and Marcus didn’t rat me out. I didn’t come here to end up in jail the more time I wasted the more the more ground I lost on Rocky. I still couldn’t put my finger on why Daylen helped me he seemed intent of getting rid of me earlier. I hoped I wasn’t getting into something worse with these two.After the door slammed shut and a few more minutes of hiding I emerged from the room. Daylen slouched on a stool by the bar with a glass in his hand and Marcus seemed to be pondering something in the living room.Daylen looked like any washed up sailor after whatever confrontation he had. His pearly white suit was ripped and brown, yes that was my fault. He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his defined caramel toned chest. He had the brightest shade of brown eyes I’d ever seen.He looked up when I fully set foot in the living room. His hair wasn’t as curly as
Thousands of creatures lived in the mage dimension, others more populous than the next. Artemis could be a rare creature from the sea. I wanted her out of my head.Her hair stuck in my mind like her baked blueberry scent. Her hair had tiny loose curls, it was so dark it almost looked blue. She held power I couldn’t let Hera possess. I couldn’t allow myself to get sloppy and let her fall into my bed either. Things got messy when sex coupled with obligation.Artemis needed to stay away from my head. I had a court meeting to attend and all my attention had to go to the situation at hand. I was either early or got the wrong date. No one was ever late for these things. Solaris would have their heads.I tucked my notepad under my arm and pushed the door in. No guards stood outside and no voices came from inside. Although, a single woman stood staring at the tallest throne on the wall.‘Only the strongest ever sat on that
‘Look at the time where is he?’ Stella tapped her foot.I groaned, ‘I have no idea.’‘We can’t keep waiting. It’s getting late.’Her foot tapping was playing on my nerves. We’d been waiting for Daylen to show up for hours. The sun was setting and not even a letter of explanation popped up.I shook my head and paced to the door. He played me. He promised he’d help me find my sister and he wasn’t anywhere to be found now. Something more flashy must have popped up and he decided I was as good as a carton of expired milk.‘We should just go. We’ve wasted enough time as it is.’‘Yes, first you need a disguise.’‘Why?’‘You’re not from here and you need to look like you fit in. We’re not chopping your hair, but it has to go in a braid. You need leather lots of it. If anyone asks
‘How much do you trust this guy Stella?’ Alfie asked the second we walked out of the bar.‘He’s insane!’ I stalked ahead of them.‘I was told he’s a very reliable source and it makes sense. Arti! You’re special, you’re not a mage, you’re goddess! It’s so cool.’I shook my head. It couldn’t be. I couldn’t be, what did that mean for Rocky?‘No, Stella it’s not. It’s confusing and we didn’t get anything on Rocky.’She scratched her head, ‘Right. We should go back.’‘No, it doesn’t feel safe. There are places I hear kidnapped victims are held. Not nice places of course.’ Alfie said.‘No, kidding, but that will take forever.’‘Have you tried a locator spell?’Stella and I exchanged glanced.‘Would it work?&rs