He was going to lock her up. That seemed like the only way he could keep Cas safe.
She ran off once again, leaving the stupid school to do some kind of ridiculous magical errand. She kept saying that it was nothing, that she could see when they would attack, but something in his gut told him differently. Cassia was taking risks, risks she shouldn’t have to chance with an immortal by her side. Apollo was good for something after all. He couldn’t fight the other pantheon, but his presence would scare a good number of them off. But he couldn’t do that when the girl who needed protection ran around like a hunter seeking the Tessumian fox.
The bell rang signaling the end of the day. Apollo went straight to Cas’s locker hoping that she made it back in time. The only thing at her locker was a note that had her now familiar writing on it. Apollo moved it from the slats and tore it open.
You need to stop worrying. I’ve snuck around for years now. By the time you will read this, which should be around 3:15, I’ll be back at the apartment. You can yell at me there.
-Cassia
He made the letter vanish between his hands, turning it to a fine dust that scattered in the air. Since his family had split to do whatever they needed to do today, that meant Apollo had the ride home to himself. It was relaxing, letting the windows down and driving as fast as he wanted. No mortal cops would pull him over. While most of their magic had been limited as part of their punishment, he still had power over mortal minds. That and disappearing whenever he wanted to make avoiding mortals easier. Apollo hardly had any quiet time in his existence, so when he got it, he used it. It gave him time to think about Cassia. Part of Apollo kind of admired her tenacity. She stood up to him without any fear, which was rare from a mortal.
Maybe he was approaching it from the wrong way. He didn’t want to yell at her like her parents did. He understood that the path she chose was the best option, but it still left him wary. It only takes a thought, less than a mere second for the future to change.
As soon as his chariot was parked, Apollo vanished and appeared before the door that led to his study. The wards wouldn’t stop him or Artemis from appearing. He gave it a quick series of taps before letting himself in.
Cas was staring at the wall with his arms crossed over her chest. It was covered in notes and pictures, many of them the security measures she had spent the last week researching. She plotted out how to get past all of them. Her planning was as close to flawless that a mortal could come up with something Athena even noted. Apollo had offered some suggestions, which she took in stride. Even Artemis, although begrudgingly, admitted she was good at coming up with a game plan.
“Just so you know, I didn’t even see one Egyptian while I was out today,” Cass explained as she added a note to the board. She held a crystal in her hand, which she carefully set on the shelf below.
“Is that what you had to leave to get?” Apollo asked as he nodded his head towards the crystal.
“Yes. It will help fuel the spell to lift the disorientation enchantment. Getting hit with that would royally suck and most likely be the thing that kills me.”
“You should have told me.”
“Told you what?”
“That you were leaving the school with no protection.”
Cas glanced towards him before rearranging some of the notes. “I did tell you.”
Apollo rolled his eyes. “Yes, you mentioned it in passing and the next thing I know, you’ve vanished from class without a goodbye.”
“I had a window that worked to my advantage. It would have been riskier if I waited.”
“That doesn’t matter, Cassia.”
“It does matter. There were no possibilities as long as I went in that window,” she huffed. “It was the safest option. I’m not a child, Apollo. I know what I’m doing.”
“Wrong. There are always possibilities. You are putting too much stock in your visions lately. The future can change at any moment.” She turned towards him then, her brows raised.
“I know that.”
“Do you?”
Cassia heaved a long sigh. “I do. Believe me, of all the mortals that are involved with immortal shenanigans, I probably know it the best. I’m not going to change my life and stay scared because of small possibilities. That’s what makes life worth it.” She paused for just a moment and looked down at the floor. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
Apollo took a step closer to her. There was barely a foot of space between them. Apollo knew that Cassia could and would take care of herself. She was smart, resourceful, and beautifully determined. She looked up at him, her eyes focused on his face. Her expression was neutral, but there was a tension in her eyes that Apollo hadn’t seen before. He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I get that. I want you to take care of yourself. I don’t want you to take unnecessary risks when you have help available.”
“And how am I supposed to do that? Every day is a risk until I get this accomplished.”
“You could take me with you.”
“Why would you do that? I already told you, if the Egyptians find out you are helping me, they will involve your father. I’m not risking--”
Apollo placed his hand against her cheek, stopping her mid-sentence. A blush crept up underneath his hand, making the couple of freckles she had stand out.
“I’ll take that chance. I know how to be covert when I want to as well, Cas.”
“If Zeus finds out-“
“He won’t,” Apollo swore. “Check me if you don’t believe me.”
Cas studied his face for a minutes before her eyes drifted close. Apollo could sense the chaos behind them, the never-ending visions colliding the future with the now. Her eyes squinted just a bit before opening to that violet expanse.
“It’s almost impossible,” she admitted quietly. “It’s a small chance if you go with whatever you are thinking of now.”
“Exactly,” Apollo agreed. “I’m not asking you to stop, Cassia. That would be like telling a volcano not to erupt when it clearly is. But you do have power, far more than you know. That makes you a target. I’d like to see that potential start to grow. But you need help sometimes. I’m asking you to take mine.”
Cas stared at him for a moment, her teeth worrying against her bottom lip. Apollo was almost surprised she wasn’t drawing blood.
“You think I have potential? That sounds an awful lot like you want to keep the insanity inside my head.”
“Do you want your visions completely gone?” Apollo thought he knew the answer, but Cas hesitated. There was something hidden in her expression, anxiety or fear, he wasn’t sure which.
“As much as I hate them, I’ve never been without them. It’s been a part of me for so long, to not have them…”
“It would feel like a part of you was missing.”
Cas nodded her head. “I just wish people would believe me. Is it all or nothing? You remove my curse by taking away my gift?”
Apollo sat down in one of the chairs near his desk. “It’s one option, yes. But it is not the only option. It would be the safest, though.”
“Like cutting off a dead limb,” she mumbled. “I don’t want that.”
“Then, that option is off the table. I’m going to try to get you what you need. Let’s get the Egyptian pantheon off your back, and then we can discuss the possible ways to reverse it. I don’t want to unknowingly make it worse.”
“That would be bad,” Cas admitted with a grin. “I think we make our move in three days when the full moon rises. Can I walk through the plan with you?”
“Let’s hear it,” Apollo stated. He hoped that whatever she came up with wasn’t the most dangerous way, but knowing Cassia Woodard, she would make it as harrowing as possible.
Pre-Cal would be the death of her; Artemis was sure of it.
Something about learning had always frazzled Artemis. She was smart, to be sure. She picked up on things quickly. Math was always something she didn’t really have the patience for, and today, it showed. She’d already broken two pencils during the class and was working on her third. She could just finish the homework with a mere thought, something she itched to do, but the man beside her stopped her from doing that.
“Stop looking at me like that,” she lowly huffed, “or I will make you regret ever running into me again.”
Artemis had to admit she was glad for his presence. After everything was brought to light, it only took a talk with the school secretary to have Orion transferred to a few of her classes. Math was one she had done on purpose. He’d shown an affinity for math since they had reunited.
“Duly noted,” Orion murmured, fighting a grin. He went back to his work, effortlessly completing another problem on their assignment. She watched him for just a moment, admiring the furrowing of his brow, the way his lips would twitch to the side when he knew he’d completed the problem correctly.
“How?” she spat, frustrated.
“How what?”
“How do you manage to do that so fluidly without magic?”
Orion turned to her, his brow raised playfully. “Besides the fact I’ve endured high school over and over?” He let out a sigh at Artemis’s expression. “You just have to remember the rules, Artemis.”
“I’ve got a rule for you.” She tapped the paper with her eraser, magically filling out every problem. “I can do whatever I want!”
Orion pursed his lips and nodded his head. “Of course, my Lady. But if you would ever like help in doing it without magic, I will be glad to assist.”
“I don’t need assistance, just like I will never truly need math.”
Orion shook his head but remained quiet. They worked in silence, well Artemis pretended to look busy, for the next few minutes until the bell rang. Lunch couldn’t come soon enough. They quickly left the classroom looking for the others. Most of them were already at the table, their fare in front of them. Orion left her to go get their food.
“How was class?” Hermes asked.
“Boring as usual,” Artemis mumbled. She looked around the table, noting who they were missing. Athena was meticulously working on her homework. Aphrodite was speaking to Hestia and Apollo, while Hermes’ attention was mostly on his phone. “Where’s Cassia?”
“Said she had to run an errand,” Apollo explained. Artemis noticed the tightening of his brow as he said it, that worried expression he seldom wore. Artemis had watched them closely the past few days. Apollo was acting…different. She’d known her brother for thousands of years, through relationship after relationship. He had shown admiration, even if the motive behind it was lust, but this was different. He truly cared for her, more so than she’d seen in a very long time. And it was more than the guilt from his curse. His eyes actually softened at her when she wasn’t looking. But something about her unnerved Artemis. Maybe it was the way she would occasionally look at Artemis with pity in her eyes like she knew something but wouldn’t say. Which with her gift, that theory was probably true.
“You didn’t want to go with her?”
Apollo shook his head. “I offered but she said this was the first opening, and it would be better if she was alone.”
“She’ll come back,” Orion noted as he sat down. “She always does.”
“Just depends if it is in one piece or not,” Aphrodite added. Both Apollo and Orion looked up at that with angry glares.
“I’m in one piece, thank you very much.”
Cassia appeared down at the end of the table, making Orion jump. She was perched just across from her brother, a satisfied grin on her face.
“Oh, well, that’s disappointing. Would have made things so much more interesting today,” Aphrodite lamented.
“You look excited,” Apollo noted.
“I am. I got something that will help us steal the book. And I got off scot-free! They aren’t even going to notice that it is missing until it is too late to do anything about it.”
“About what?” Orion stated. A collective groan left all of them.
“I’ll explain later,” Artemis sighed. “What did you manage to steal?”
“Oh, just the plans that outline what security measures the book has,” Cas explained. “We’ll be able to know everything before going in there.”
“And how did you manage to do that?” Apollo asked in wonder.
“You remember when I had my moment in the training room last night?” Apollo nodded his head. “I saw a glimpse, but it wasn’t certain until this morning. There was a tiny window that I could get in and out without everyone knowing. The guard was being changed, and I’d remembered where Isis and Thoth set the plans. It only took a quick spell to cover my presence, and I made a copy of the scroll to replace it with. They will figure it out after my attempt,” she added with a grimace.
“And what will that cause?” Artemis asked.
“If I fail, then my ass is grass because they will know it was me. If I do manage to make it, they would be pissed, but because of the blackmail, they won’t do anything about it.”
“Cas, how could you possibly know that?” Orion looked worried. The table collectively ignored his comment. Artemis shook her head, knowing she would have to explain everything, again.
“The protections on the book aren’t as extensive as I thought. They believe that the first two obstacles protect it enough, but there are weaknesses in them.” Cas smiled before grabbing the apple Apollo had on his plate. “This almost doubled the odds that we will succeed.”
“Who said you could have that Apple?”
“You were going to offer it to me, were you not?”
“Smartass,” Apollo chuckled affectionally.
Yeah…there was definitely something more there for him.
#
Artemis loved the woods. Being there was the best feeling in the world, and it was made even better with Orion there. It felt like old times, which she missed more than she could say. They were lying in some grass underneath the trees, the late afternoon sun lazily lighting the spaces in the trees. A slight breeze filtered through, making the temp almost comfortable. Artemis knew her presence had a little to do with it, but it didn’t change how much she enjoyed it.
Artemis rolled over to look at Orion. He was laying on his back, his arms resting under his head. His eyes were closed, lashes fluttering in his sleep. Artemis always thought he was handsome. After all the years, he still appealed to her the most. Laying as he was, his shirt had ridden up, showing off his taut lower stomach. Artemis ached to touch it, to see if his skin was as soft as she remembered.
“What are you doing?” His voice was lazy and still half asleep.
“Laying here, same as you,” Artemis snapped as she rolled back over. Her gaze burned into the canopy. She refused to look at that smug grin he had on his face.
“Of course,” he acquiesced. “Just thought you should know, that if there is something you want, I’d be happy to give it to you. You don’t even have to ask.”
Dammit all. That was one thing she liked about Orion. He could read her mood as easily as Artemis could follow a quarry’s trail. He was always respectful without going overboard. She waited a few minutes, her thoughts warring between touching his stomach or to deny Orion the satisfaction of reading her so thoroughly.
Need won out over want.
Artemis rolled back over and reached for his stomach, tracing the edge of his shirt right at the edge of his hips. His skin was soft and smooth with plenty of muscle underneath. He was a honed warrior, and that made her smile. She wanted to feel that pressed against her, to know what laying against that would feel like. But she couldn’t do it.
When Artemis looked up, Orion was staring at her, his eyes filled with something that she couldn’t just pin down. He tilted his head to the side. “Artemis, what is it? Something wrong?”
“No, nothing is wrong.”
It was a lie. The only wrong thing was how she felt warring with her duty. Ever since that stupid talk with her siblings, she couldn’t get the thought out of her head. She wanted to taste him again, to feel his lips move against her own. There were so many things she wanted, and each one would go against the vow she took. Hermes did have a point. After all this time, one would think she could just do whatever she pleased. Would there be consequences? Would what she gained be worth it?
“Do what you want, Artemis.” His whispered words were soft, full of the same want she suspected that she had. “You are in charge.”
She was in charge. Remaining a maiden didn’t mean that there weren’t other things they could do. So, Artemis did what she wanted and met his lips with her own.
It was just as good at the time before. A part of her was acting on pure instinct. She deepened the kiss, making Orion make a noise that made her blood boil in a good way. His hand was half in her hair, gently holding her to him. She was pressed against his side, his free arm wound around her waist. It was better than anything she’d experienced before, even the high from a hood hunt.
“If you ever tell anyone about this, I’ll make death seem good.”
Orion rolled over, putting Artemis on her back as he hovered over her. “Noted.”
The sun god had seen his fair share of mortal bravery. Hercules, Achilles, and Hector were some of the first names that came to find. In recent years, Percy Jackson was placed among their ranks. Their acts on the battlefield and successful endeavors were impressive by even immortal standards. It took a lot to leave an impression on an immortal. It was evident that now Cassia Woodard's name would be forever ingrained in his and his family's minds as well.
It had been a long time since a mortal stood among Apollo's family with such calm and careful assurance. It was a little unnerving, if he was honest. There were many things they were privy to as immortal gods and goddesses. Not knowing something was extremely annoying, and try as they might, they didn't know the future as well as the myths led on. The girl was one of those annoying unknown things. Her future, her role in all of this madness, was yet to be revealed. Cassia was a wildcard, an ace in the hole. Apollo didn't fail to notice the knowing gleam in his families' eyes as she told her tale. She could be very valuable, and his family would take advantage. There was admiration beside that greedy glint in their eyes, something Apollo would have to be careful to watch.
Apollo would not let them use her. She was no pawn to be brandished about on a whim. She was a queen, and he had a feeling would run the board, if given the chance. She only needed support to do so.
Cas kept out a lot of personal details, which Apollo understood. She handled their questions gracefully, artfully. He suspected that she knew what they would ask, especially with Athena.
"So, can you call your vision at will?" Athena inquired.
"I can, my Lady, but when I do, what I see isn't as reliable," Cas murmured with her brow furrowed, "the odds are better the closer to the actual event in that regard. And to answer your question, Lady Aphrodite, I didn't rat you out because I knew it would make Orion happy in the end. I'd just hoped to avoid the shit show that most likely came with it."
Aphrodite just grinned and shook her head. "Amazing. And how do you know how likely the outcome is? Is it a feeling?"
"Not exactly. Some are more solid and defined, clearer in quality, than others. They feel like reality, but then it ends, like I've just woken up. It's more like…dreaming, I suppose. The clearer the vision, the more likely its outcome."
Apollo wondered if she'd ever used her gift for personal gain. Cas looked in his direction with a knowing grin. She didn't answer his question aloud, only gave him a glimpse of the mischief in her eyes before covertly nodding her head. He suspected that what she wanted to say would make him laugh, which brought an even wider smile to his face.
"Now I remember your grandmother! Ha! She went to work for one of the merchant guilds in New Rome! That's why you looked familiar. I think her name was…Emma? Eve?"
Cas bit her lip, looking a little uncomfortable. "Evelyn?"
"That's it! She was a lot of fun, while it lasted. I'm sure your mother picked up her no shit attitude."
"She did," Cas murmured as her eyes glazed slightly.
"Too bad it didn't last. She got rather put out with me when she realized I'd been with someone else, and that woman-"
"Stop talking, Hermes, you are making this awkward. I'm sure she doesn't want to hear how her grandfather slept with half the Californian population in the 70s," Aphrodite chided.
"The 70s were fun," he mused with a grin. "I think you know what I mean. Weren't you and Ares getting along swimmingly back then? Seem to remember nothing but love and war." Aphrodite pursed her lips as her eyes narrowed in distaste.
"Don't even mention his name. He's pissed me off for the last time."
"And how many times have we heard that?" Athena scoffed. "I'm sure yours and Hermes's list of conquests is quite extensive, but I don't particularly want to hear about them."
"My conquests?" Hermes scoffed. "I know you didn't stay holed up in Olympus the whole time that decade. I seem to remember the Athena cabin having a lot of children popping in around the latter part of the 70s."
"At least I remember what their names are! I don't whore myself out!"
"This isn't awkward at all," Cas muttered under her breath. Apollo snorted. Being the only mortal around immortals had to be disconcerting. They might look her age, but they were eons older, which left almost no topic uncovered.
"Trust me, I've heard worse," he muttered back to her. "This is tame."
"Oh, I believe that."
"Hermes! You can't just talk about that!" Hestia yelped. Apollo and Cas both tuned back into the conversation. All the color had left Hestia, leaving her pallor ghostly. Apollo's sister had gone an uncomfortable shade of red, which Orion nearly matched. Even Athena, who kept her head cool in most situations, was staring at Hermes with her mouth gaping.
"I'm telling you, it's been years. I bet you could do it if you want to!"
"Oh no," Cas whispered, her own cheeks turning a flaming red.
"What?" Apollo muttered. Cas shook her head violently before looking down at the floor.
"We can't just…we made a vow, Hermes," Athena stuttered.
"It's the twenty-first century, for crying out loud! I think we are long past there being repercussions for breaking a vow that no one worships you for anymore. Besides, we all know that Hestia just took the vow so that Poseidon and Apollo wouldn't start fighting!"
"Do not question my honor on this," Hestia snarled in response. Her eyes lit up, flames dancing in them. "I do not go back on my word."
"I'm sure you have served it faithfully since then, but I bet that wasn't the case before, now, was it?"
Hestia's color muddled. They all knew that her and Poseidon had a thing when the younger generation was still small. Unlike Aphrodite and Hephaestus, Hestia wouldn't openly cheat with him while he was married to Amphitrite. Still, there were rumors that before Poseidon had married, that the two of them had a few intimate encounters.
"And look at these two!" Hermes huffed while throwing a finger in Artemis and Orion's direction. "Artemis was being a snot nosed little punk before he came back, and you all know it. He's already made her bearable, so maybe taking it a step further might do her some good!"
"I w-would never," Orion stammered out.
"Damn right he would never!" Artemis countered. "Maybe I'm just glad that I'm no longer being lied to!"
"Maybe so, but I must say, Hermes has a point. A good rendezvous does do something for the soul," Aphrodite mused with a knowing grin. "Perhaps Apollo could more eloquently explain?"
"And feel my sister's wrath?" Apollo scoffed. "No thank you. I'm not in the mood to piss her off."
"That's wise," Artemis agreed. Apollo stole a glance at his sister, who glanced suspiciously at the girl beside him. Cas had turned a deep shade of red beside him, looking intent on memorizing the grain pattern in the wood flooring.
"I just think that maybe these three need to let loose and experience some pleasure in their existences! I mean get that stick out of your ass and," Hermes trailed off, a huge grin erupting. "Actually, that's a good place to start."
"First of all, what in the actual fuck," Artemis snapped. "and second of all, that's a little intense, is it not?" Artemis looked to her brother.
"Ah, well, it depends." Sex really wasn't all that embarrassing to him. He'd been with many people in his existence, men and women. Despite the numerous about of encounters he had, there were a handful that left a lasting impression. Some encounters faded over time, while others involved people he would never forget. Daphne and Hyacinth were a couple of the more prominent ones. And Cassandra…
"I don't think that would be a particularly good experiment for one's first time, but it of course depends on the couple. For some, it's the only option."
"Oh," Artemis huffed as realization hit her.
"You are telling me you three have never thought about it? Never saw someone that made you just want to lose yourself in them? Someone that made your semblance of a human heart beat wildly out of control, where every single inch of you comes undone at a mere touch?"
The three of them looked thoughtful, which was more telling than they realized. Apollo concluded that they had indeed thought about it. By the dreamy look in his sister's eye, he suspected that those thoughts had been rather recent.
"Absolutely not," Athena stated.
"Liar!"
"I need a drink," Cas whispered, just loud enough for Apollo to hear. She slipped away from the arguing immortals. Apollo followed her into the kitchen. Cas sat at the island with a bottle of water in her hands, staring at it. Her vision was glazed, lost in some vision.
"Are you okay?" Apollo laid his hand on her back.
Cas shook her head, clearing it of her thoughts. She turned to Apollo, searching his face for something.
"Yeah, I think so."
"I'm sorry for the talk. When you've been alive for as long as we have, no topic seems to be off the table."
"The talk didn't bother me," she muttered. "What I saw as a result, however, did."
"Sounds like something you didn't particularly want knowledge of." He wanted to ask what she just saw, but her closed expression and the blush on her cheeks told him that it wasn't something she really wanted to share.
"Not really. It's just a possibility; nothing concrete yet."
Apollo removed his hand and grabbed a drink for himself. His family was arguing passionately now, their heated words garnering some of their gifts. Athena kept making weapons appear, and Hermes kept finding a way to take them from her as they argued. Artemis had her daggers in her hands, while flames kept erupting from Hestia.
"You wanted to marry your Aunt?" Cas questioned with a raised brow.
"Long story," he responded, cringing slightly. Hestia's denial hadn't bothered him for long. It was a long time ago, and really, he only wanted it for the power it would have given him. Hestia was beautiful, and there was no doubt he would enjoy himself, would be happy, and maybe she would have been, too. In the end, Apollo thought her refusal was for the best. She wanted something that he just couldn't give her.
"I know godly DNA doesn't exist, that it really doesn't matter, but still, it's all a little weird. Reminds me of a soap opera."
"Imagine being in it."
Cas laughed at that. "I'd get killed."
"I wouldn't let that happen." For a moment, Apollo allowed himself to think about it. If Cas stuck around, if the promise he made to protect her turned into something that lasted…what would that be like? What if she became immortal? What if, in time, their friendship turned into something more? Apollo's human heart stuttered at the possibility. He wasn't sure how deep his affections for Cassia Woodard ran, but he knew one thing. He didn't want to be parted from her, not yet.
"I've wondered," Cas whispered.
"Wondered what?" Apollo studied her as she played with the label on her bottle.
"What it would be like."
A blush stole Apollo's cheeks. He'd never felt ashamed at what he's done. He'd openly talk about it around anyone, really, but talking about it with Cas felt different, more intimate. Talking to her about it made butterflies explode in his stomach, made him almost queasy with nervousness.
"You have?"
Cas dipped her head. "I've seen what falling in love is like, seen what mortals and immortals will do for pleasure. I've wondered what it would be like to trust someone like that, to have someone trust me. But with this curse?" she stopped, a harsh huff of breath leaving her.
"You'll get it."
Cas turned towards Apollo, her expression neutral. However, there was a hint of hope in her eyes, something that made Apollo desperate to see on her whole face. He wanted to touch her again, to lay his hands on her neck and feel the stuttering pulse beneath her skin, the shaky way she breathed at his touch. He'd longed for it since yesterday morning, since he'd felt how warm and soft the skin of her waist was. It was unwise to get any more involved, but the line had been crossed a long time ago. He reached out, laying his hand on her forearm. The world seemed to sing at the connection, at the inevitability of it.
"I'm going to find a way to ease your burden, Cassia Woodard. And when you find that person, be it mortal or immortal, do not settle for anything, nothing less than care and devotion that you deserve. They should treat you like the queen you are."
A devastating blush rose on her cheeks. "Doesn't it go both ways? What of my care and devotion? What should I give them?"
"Cas," Apollo sighed. Her lips quirked to the side.
"You do have more than enough experience."
"Why are you asking me?"
Cas shrugged her shoulders. "I don't have many friends. Orion is just as inexperienced as I am. Plus, you see what he turns into when the subject come up." She gestured to Orion, who was currently covering his face with his hands as Artemis and Hermes went at each other above him. "I know you will be honest with me."
"So you consider me a friend?" he questioned with an easy grin. Cas laughed.
"Yeah, I think we are to that point. It won't stay that way if you avoid my question."
He turned towards her. A strand of hair had fallen into her face, begging to be moved. He fought moving any closer. "In the ideal situation, you would give equally, but that is not always the case. Some conquer the need for gratification, hold out for those they deem worthy of intimacy. They take their time with the relationship. For others, it is purely physical. I've had both. The biggest thing is to know what you are getting into, which situation are you in. When motives are unequal, that's what leads to heartache. If you question it, don't give them anything you feel uncomfortable parting with until you are sure of what they want."
She nodded her head in thought. Apollo hadn't always been clear with his motives in relationships. He'd hurt people. Most were collateral damage, caught up in immortal games. He didn't want that for the girl beside him. He was going to fight to make sure that this girl stayed out of his families' schemes.
Apollo only hoped that was possible.
Monday morning started out as dreary as the rest of them.
Artemis and Orion left the previous night, something about getting in a forest jaunt before class on Monday. Apollo had taken the hint not to pry, which he was only too happy to oblige. That left the burden of responsibility of dealing with their houseguest, which he didn't exactly mind. Cas was an earlier riser, just like him. They'd trained again, Apollo consistently winning. He wanted to challenge her, make her better. They were working on using her sight to assist her in fights. The visions might not be as clear, but they offered her an advantage that could save her life.
The drive to school was quiet, but the silence was comforting, easy. When they made it to the school, Apollo appeared at her door, opening it for her. Cas bit her lip as she stepped out of the vehicle.
"Thanks," she mused.
"Want coffee? We have time."
"Are you trying to make up for the ass kicking you handed me this morning?"
"Partially," he jested. "I really didn't mean to knock you out." His tone might be light and joking, but Apollo was terrified in that moment. He pushed her too hard, overestimating the amount of force he used. He didn't even breathe until her eyes opened back up.
"I know. Really, it's kind of handy to have your trainer also able to instantly heal you. Dealing with a concussion today would have sucked."
"I've yet to hear my thank you." Apollo waited for her to start towards the nearest coffee shop, which happened to be only a block away. Cas glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, a smirk growing.
"I'll say it if you buy me coffee."
"I'm beginning to think you are using me, Cassia Woodard."
"Just now figuring that out?"
"Hey! Where are you two venturing off to?" Hermes practically collided into them, Athena not far behind.
"Much needed caffeine," Apollo explained. Being stuck in a mortal form got exhausting at times. "Want to join?"
"I'm in."
"I have to organize some notes, but I will take a Grande soy vanilla latte, extra shot of expresso," Athena added in a huff.
"Is there a please there?" Apollo questioned. Athena shot him a withering glare before heading towards the school. "Guess not."
"You know you have to get it, right?" Cas hinted. Apollo gave her a resigned sigh.
"I deserve an award for proper sibling behavior."
"Yeah, right," Hermes chortled.
Together, they headed towards the coffee shop. There was a narrow alleyway that cut through two buildings, saving them from having to take the long way around the block. Thankfully, the line was short. They quickly ordered their beverages and headed back to the school, caffeine in tow. Zeus was keeping a better eye on them since Artemis's disappearance, and it wouldn't surprise Apollo if he had some underling charged with verifying they showed up every day.
"Thank the gods for espresso," Cas sighed as she took a sip.
"Actually, only one god to thank," Hermes pointed out. "Athena inspired that one."
"Really?"
Hermes and Cas began chatting back and forth, Apollo watching them with careful amusement. There was something in Hermes's eyes that bothered him. Maybe it was just an overreaction, but –
"Oh, for fuck's sake," Cas swore.
They had just entered the alley. At the end stood three men, all looking menacingly in Cas's direction. She sighed heavily beside Apollo.
"Can you please hold this?" She held out her latte, which Apollo warily took from her. The three weren't gods, that he was positive of, but they were still powerful. Magicians, ones that honed the magic of the Pharaohs they descended from. They were young for adult mortals, all in their 20s, from what Apollo gathered. While he had no doubt that Cas could protect herself, he knew she was sore from training this morning. He didn't want her to injure herself again.
"Cas, maybe I should-"
"Thanks for the offer, but I need to send a solid message. I've got this."
"You sure about that?" Hermes questioned, his eyes narrowed in the men's direction.
"I don't need anyone to fight my battles for me," Cas swore. She strode forward, looking agitated beyond belief. "Really, Joseph? You've sunk to hunting teenage girls now?"
"You got a mighty large price on your head, darling."
She stopped and put her hands on her hips. "I'm going to ask nicely for you to leave. Tell all your magician friends that this is between me and Isis, which means you need to keep your abnormally large noses out of it. No bounty is worth the pain I will inflict."
"No can do."
Cas shrugged her shoulders and pulled out one of the daggers Apollo gave her from the inside of her jacket before taking it off. "Have it your way, then."
She vanished.
Joseph's eyes narrowed while the other's widened in terror. Cas appeared behind one of the men and snatched him up before disappearing again, only to reappear on the fire escape and drop him a good twenty feet. Apollo expected the sickening crunch of bone when the man hit the pavement, the bones not able to handle the force of the fall. A shattering scream left the man as he hit, spurring the other two into action. Cas was already on the other one, quickly disarming him of his weapon and knocking him out with a swift hit from the hilt of her dagger. Joseph yelled out something in Egyptian, a symbol forming over his palm, which made Cas clutch her head. Another word from Joseph sent the weapon flying to the other end of the alley, well out of Cassia's reach. She hit her knees as Joseph strode forward, a satisfied look on his face.
"They talk all about how skilled you are, but you are nothing but a"
Joseph didn't finish that sentence. As soon as he was close enough, Cas shifted, swinging her legs around, sending Joseph falling to his back. She whispered a few words, her blade flying back to her hand before she placed it against Joseph's throat.
"We both know that if I really wanted to kill all three of you, that you would already be dead. Consider this the only warning I give to the magician guilds. Attack me again, and I won't hesitate to end a life. Keep sending assassins, and I will destroy all that you hold dear. Do I make myself clear?"
"You are a monster," the man breathed. Apollo noticed the brief flick of pain in her eyes before her jaw tensed.
"We are all someone's monster." Cas rose from the man, keeping her dagger pointed in his direction. "Leave before I change my mind. And get your guy some medical attention," she added as she pointed to the one who she dropped.
Cas stepped over Joseph, walking back towards the two Olympians. She took her drink back from Apollo and drank deeply. When she finished, she looked back at her attackers, who were making a portal to leave.
"Mind if we go around?"
"Not at all. That was impressive," Hermes pointed out. Cas simply shrugged her shoulders. He gave Hermes a look. Apollo needed to talk to Cas. Something about the morning seemed to impact her more than usual. Plus, that gleam in Hermes's eyes had strengthened considerably, which left Apollo uneasy.
"Hermes, can you go ahead and take that to Athena?"
"Uh, sure." Hermes vanished on the spot, leaving Cas and Apollo alone. She began walking back towards the school, her brow furrowed in thought. They walked in silence for a while, until the school was back in view.
Apollo cleared his throat. "Are you okay?"
"Not really."
"You shouldn't feel guilty for that."
"You really think so?" she murmured.
"They were trying to harm you, Cassia," Apollo reminded her. "You gave them fair warning." Cas took a sip of her drink, letting the silence speak for her. "And how often are you expecting attacks like that?"
"Not often," she muttered. "They didn't realize that you were with me. The immortals aren't going to try anything unless I'm alone, at least for now. Hopefully, that ended whatever magicians planned on coming after me."
"Cas," Apollo began. He could hear the deception in her words, the careful way she worded herself. Something was wrong.
"Thank you," she blurted, turning towards him. "For everything this morning. For everything you may do."
Before Apollo could reply, she quickened her pace, leaving him behind in front of the school.
Hope you enjoyed! I'm trying to work on this story more, but be patient with me as I'm also dedicating a lot of time to my original stuff.
It took a long time for Artemis to realize how fate worked.
It came with the territory of being an immortal. As much as she detested the whole notion, she'd learned the hard way that there are just some things even the gods could not change. Some things couldn't be explained. Granted, there wasn't much. One of the things she never understood was the oracles. It was part of the chaos, the magic, of the world. They were closely tied to the design, seeing all the possibilities that could be, along with the ones that would never change.
Artemis was still trying to understand the girl, especially now that she knew more about her.
Cassia stood at the bar in the kitchen, looking uncomfortable under Artemis's gaze. Orion stood between them, concern marking his brow. It might have been perfectly normal for people to wake up at this ungodly hour on a Sunday, but the harried voices, the tension and concern in which she could hear them speak, did nothing to calm her. She promptly got out of bed to see what the hell was so important to wake her up when she walked in on the three of them discussing this girl's hair brained scheme over breakfast, of all things. Her family wasn't due to arrive until this afternoon, so she fully intended on spending the morning being lazy. Not that she didn't enjoy a good hunting discussion, but this was madness. Orion would want to help her, which would only get him killed faster. She didn't forgive the idiot just for him to die before he had too! It didn't matter what the girl had seen. There was no way in Hades she was letting Orion go on a quest that would end in his premature death.
"It's suicidal," she snapped. "Stealing from a goddess is never a good idea." Cas shrank at the iciness in her tone, towards Apollo. He playfully bumped into her, trying to ease the tension.
"She's not going to kill you, Cas," he explained. Cas quickly glanced at Artemis while biting her lip.
"He's right, you know. I'm still deciding if you are useful enough to keep around."
"Or until you temper gets the best of you," Cas countered. She opened her mouth to add something else before quickly shutting it.
"Her temper?" Apollo questioned. Cas reluctantly nodded her head.
"I mean no disrespect, my lady," she offered as she turned back towards Artemis. "It's just that, um, in some futures, you do kill me."
"Really?" Artemis mused. "Well, since you are a being of forethought, I would assume you would have the intelligence to avoid the situations that end in your death."
"I try," she offered before stealing a quick glance at Orion.
"It's not that simple, Artemis, and you know it," her brother huffed. Artemis simply rolled her eyes.
"Fate, grand design, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah. Whatever. It doesn't take a genius or an oracle to see that this plan is doomed from the start." Yes, some things were meant to be. She had an eerie feeling that this girl appeared in their lives at the right time for the right moment. She didn't feel any particular ill will towards the girl. In fact, she intended on helping her brother free her from the curse. Artemis just wanted to make sure that Orion didn't die before he had to.
"It was just an outline," Orion countered. "It's not like we are going to walk into the Egyptian fortress with a t-shirt that says, 'We are here to steal your book.' We were just talking, Artemis."
"Really, because that's exactly what it sounded like to me! And a damned book, for Hades' sake, will not fix your problem."
"I believe this book will. It contains some of the oldest and most powerful spells known to the universe. I can clarify some of the specifics if you like?" Cas supplied. "It may be the solution I need, but I'm still figuring out the best way to obtain it. We'd really just started discussing it, and I'd love to have your strategic input as a goddess. After all, you are the ultimate hunter, and it is extremely rare that you are denied your prey."
"Hasn't happened yet." Artemis smiled, a chilling one that promised death and pain should anyone cross her. She had to admit, the girl knew her way with immortals. She offered the right amount of flattery. Cas's gaze was steady, unrelenting. She'd stand her ground, no matter what Artemis threatened her with. That was something she respected about her. "So your solution is to steal something of the Egyptians? What book, exactly, do you want to steal?"
"The book of Tope," Orion answered.
"Thoth," Cas corrected.
"That's what I said!"
"The god of intelligence?" Artemis clarified. It'd been a while since she'd interacted at all with the Egyptian pantheon. They usually made a point to stay out of each other's business. They were too obsessed with their spells for her taste.
"Yes. Although, I think he may lack some common sense."
"I wouldn't let him here you say that," Apollo mused with a grin. Cas smiled back at him.
"He would probably agree with me now." Cas frowned. "That is, if he doesn't kill me first. I die at his hands just as much as your sister's."
"What did you do?" Orion spurted.
"I did what I was told to do," she countered. "I didn't purposely pick a fight with him! He's nice enough, I suppose. Not my fault that he had this insane idea to write down all of the mysteries and knowledge of the world so that it could be used for future teaching. All he wanted was proof that he does, in fact, know everything."
"Mysteries of the world? Like what specifically?" Apollo asked warily.
"Everything. And I mean, everything. There is the usual stuff, like burial rights, rules of humanity and conscience, how empires should be run, laws of nature, etc. He didn't stop there. There were entries about magic and power that created the world, ways to exploit the weaknesses of immortals. Basically, some pretty nasty stuff that would be disastrous in the hands of the wrong person, which is why Isis hired me to steal it."
"What makes it any better in her hands?"
"It doesn't, really, except that she would make sure no one could use it but her. Thoth tends to be a little, um, scatterbrained?" She laughed a little at that. "He gets easily distracted because there's so much going on up there." Cas tapped her temple. "Set was sneaking in, getting little peeks of things he definitely doesn't need to know about and was using it to his advantage. From what I gathered, he exploited some info that almost caused the end of the world a few years ago. She and her son, Horus, demanded that Thoth give it up, but he refused, because it was his book, his baby, I believe was the endearment he used. While I think Thoth would be more honest in its use, she was the lesser of the evils at the time. I think she eventually plans on giving it back, at least from what I've seen. Probably to teach him a lesson to keep his more dangerous toys out of the wrong hands and actually apply that intelligence he boasts about so much."
"I highly doubt that. How can you possibly know a goddess's motives? It's not like you are an oracle or something," Orion chided her. "Artemis is right."
Cas's face immediately fell before she looked down at her mug, sorrow overtaking her features. Artemis had to admit, whatever tiny portion of compassion she retained in her immortal soul felt for the girl. It was a wonder she wasn't more damaged than she already was, constantly being put down and disregarded. This curse was her and Apollo's responsibility to fix. Artemis sent a tiny zap of power into Orion, making him jump and yelp.
"Ouch! What was that for!?"
"A reminder. Orion, she is an Oracle. Remember, the whole cursed thing? She sees the future."
"Oh…right. You're cursed?" he asked Cas in clarification. She smiled grimly before exposing the top of her shoulder.
"Fifteen years and counting."
"Back to the topic at hand. This is all well and good, but I still don't understand how this will help," Artemis mused. "How will this book fix things? Are you going to use it for leverage? Trade your freedom for the book?"
"Well, not exactly. Now that my name is out, all the nasties that I stole from and tricked know who I am. Isis may not swing the sword, but she effectively gave everyone free rein to kill me. Without her protection, the threat of her retribution, there's no way that I'll be alive for long. It's only a matter of time before my luck runs out."
"She can't be reasoned with?"
"Um, trying to reason her will not go over well. I mean, she might can be, eventually, when she calms down, but how would you react if you thought someone close to you, a supposedly loyal servant, betrayed you to your rivals?"
"I'd wonder who else you were talking to," Apollo admitted.
"And eliminate the threat before it became one," Artemis added.
Cas nodded her head. "I need leverage. And there's a spell in that book that will give me one. Having that in my arsenal will keep Set and any other Egyptian immortal that values their existence far away from me."
"And that is-?" Artemis began.
"A spell to scatter the essence of an Egyptian immortal. I think you all used something similar with Kronos, but I'm not an expert."
"That's a pretty bold move," Artemis noted. "And why don't they have it already?"
"I have to give Thoth some credit here. See, from what I understand, unlike the other pantheons, they don't really have demigod children. I don't know the specifics nor care to do so, but they use descendants of their Pharaohs or whatever to unleash their will upon the world. Anyways, that spell, created by Chaos itself, can only be read with mortal eyes. Thoth put it in there to keep it safe. The book hasn't been in mortal hands in thousands of years. So yeah, that's why I want to steal that book, and it's the only possibility I see where I don't die."
"It would be a definitive solution, I'll give you that. Still an insane attempt to try it. Do you have a plan or any idea on how to do that?" Artemis questioned.
"Nope. Haven't really had time to research or experiment with my parents disowning me and avoiding death at every turn. Good news? I helped put it where it is. Isis doesn't know that I know of the spell, so I have a slight advantage there."
"That's something to handle tomorrow. Today, we need to deal with the family," Apollo responded. Cas grimaced and laid her hand down on the table. "Not excited to explain things to your grandfather?"
"Ugh, don't say that. All of this is weird enough."
"Please tell me you are not her grandfather!" Orion stuttered. Both Cas and Apollo looked absolutely appalled.
"Gods, no!" Cas snorted.
"Absolutely not!" Apollo yelped.
"Hermes, right?" Artemis pondered. "Well, Mercury, I guess, since your parents were Roman demigods."
"Yeah, he was my Mother's father. My dad is a child of Bellona."
"Interesting combination," Artemis noted. War with the talent of thieves? No wonder she was recruited at such a young age. She'd make a good hunter, for sure, but something told Artemis that her brother would be displeased with that.
Cas's gaze seemed to fog for a second before she rubbed her head. "Athena will be here earlier than expected. She wants answers."
"Of course she does," Apollo grumbled. "Probably already has about fifty different plans laid out."
"More like six, but, yeah she does," Cas said, her tone patient and understanding. However, there was a frown on her face, her eyes narrowed in confusion. "I'm going to get a shower." She downed the last of her coffee before disappearing.
Orion turned to Artemis, probably to ask about using her shower, and she waved her hand half-heartedly. Orion offered her a wink before striding down the hall. She waited until she heard the door to her room open and close before she turned to Apollo. He was sipping on his coffee, gazing out the window with a contemplative look on his face.
"It'll get stuck like that," Artemis teased him. He gave no response other than taking another sip. "Are you mad at me now or something?"
"No," he ventured. "Just thinking."
"About?"
"Everything." His whispered words were soft, full of regret. He turned to her, his normally sky blue eyes a few shades darker than normal. "I need your help with this, Artemis. I want to set things right, to help her. I know we can't interfere much, but I have to find a way to fix this."
"Have you thought of going to Isis yourself?" Artemis wondered.
"It'll only bring it to father's knowledge, from what Cas has seen," Apollo explained with a deep sigh. "Wasn't worth the risk, as she put it. The poor girl is trying to keep us out of trouble, too."
"Her burdens are heavy," Artemis said.
"Heavier than they ever should have been."
"Do you trust her, brother?" Not that Artemis didn't believe the girl, but they'd been down this road before. It'd been millennia since mortals were so close in their affairs. The last time ended in the Trojan War. Was history repeating itself, their follies coming back to bite them in the ass, just like last time?
"Unequivocally."
Artemis nodded her head. "She knew I would meet Orion again. She knew how much it would mean to us. " It felt like a betrayal, whispering those words, admitting the depth of her feeling for the mortal hunter. If there was anyone in the world she could admit it to, it was her brother.
"I know you worry for him, but trust that the last thing Cas wants is for him to get hurt. You don't have to be so goddessy with her."
"She could get him killed," Artemis countered. Obviously, they were close enough that Orion wouldn't let her do this alone.
"Cas wouldn't let anyone harm a single hair on his head. She's done a lot more for him than you can possibly imagine," Apollo added. Before Artemis could ask, her brother vanished, leaving her alone in the kitchen.
Hope you enjoyed! :) Sorry it has been so long!
Thank you for sticking with me! Please reblog, if you feel like it.
Apollo paced the room, worry making him walk in circles around the main living area and kitchen. Over five hours had passed since he dropped her and Orion off in Egypt, both of them on an attempt to steal this damned book. He’d helped in every way he could for the past week, him and Artemis both. They couldn’t go with her, unfortunately. In every vision that Cas had, their help on the actual mission led to utter chaos. One possibility even included the end of the world. Apollo wanted to take that chance, but Cas talked him out of it. Orion kept pestering to join her, which was a whole other problem.
It was dangerous. With him doubting everything pertaining to a vision, Apollo was sure that the boy would make a false step and end up dead. Artemis was vehemently opposed to it at first, but Apollo had to admit, it made him feel better if she didn’t go alone. It took some bargaining, but finally, the plan was approved for him to join her. There was only one thing Apollo had to do.
Thankfully, he’d made some headway of his own in the quest to relieve Cas of her curse. He took some inspiration from his little diviner and tried a spell on a bracelet. He hoped that it would allow the wearer to remember her sight and the truth of it. All of the Olympians were in support of it, seeing as how annoying it was that Orion couldn’t remember a damned thing about it for more than five minutes. The bracelet idea did work, sort of. While it did let Orion remember, it was on a limited time frame. The longest the bracelet lasted was six hours, a deadline that was quickly approaching.
Artemis looked ready to murder. She held a dagger in each hand and gripped them like her immortal existence depended on it. She kept looking at the clock as her grip grew tighter around the handles. Cas was supposed to call Apollo when she was a safe distance away from the pyramid and Egypt. She was going to transport the two of them to Sicily, a distance she felt comfortable with after they retrieved the book or failed trying. Being in the old Greek and Roman stomping grounds would help keep the Egyptians from chasing after them. They never did well in the place of another pantheon’s old dominion.
They should have been back by now! Per Cassia’s plan, it should have only taken a few hours at most. Apollo counted that as no more than four, and as they clocked ticked on, one agonizing second after another-
Artemis gasped and vanished. Apollo was about to track her down, but she reappeared with Cas and Orion in tow. One of them looked pristinely healthy; the other was covered in blood.
“Shut up, Orion.”
“I swear to all the gods, Greek, Egyptian, whatever, that you did the stupidest thing in the world. I could have avoided it, Cas! You should have let me do it, and we wouldn’t be in this situation.”
“You would have died, asshat.” Cas’s voice was weak but still full of sarcasm.
“Oh, I highly doubt that.”
“What happened!?” Apollo questioned as Orion laid Cas down on the couch. The left side of her was covered in blood. Her face was pale with dark shadows beginning to form under her eyes. Her injury was serious from what Apollo could tell. He lifted up her shirt and gazed upon the rough puncture wound in her abdomen. From what he could guess, it looked like an arrow. He began carefully healing the wound, taking the time to make sure everything would be perfectly restored. “Who took the arrow out?”
“Not an arrow,” Cas tiredly replied. “It was a stake type thing. Went straight through.”
“You are lucky. This grazed your liver. Just a millimeter over and you would be dead.”
“Goodie.”
“I told her that she was too tired to vanish across the pit! It was magically triggered,” Orion explained. “As soon as she vanished, all these darts start going back and forth. She was short by a foot. I could’ve easily run through it, but oh no, Cas stated that I would die an- OUCH!”
Artemis slapped him in the back of the head, which Apollo thought he deserved. “She’s an oracle, numskull! She saw you die, but you didn’t believe her.”
“What!?”
“I’m glad she’s handling that,” Cas breathed as Apollo continued to heal her. “I’m sorry it took so long. The fire enchantment took longer to get through than expected.”
“Did the spell we helped you with not take it down?” Apollo almost sighed in relief, but he didn’t want to let on how happy he was that Cas was back. Not whole, not yet, but back.
“Yes, it helped, but it kept losing power against it. We had to do it in sections.”
“That’s why you are so tired. I should have prepared you for that possibility.”
“It wasn’t your f-fault, Apollo.” Cassia grimaced as Apollo put the final touch on the wound. “I didn’t think t-to check it. If it’s anyone’s fault, the blame is on me.”
Orion walked over looking stricken. He knelt by the couch and took her hand. “Cas, I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe I said all those things to you.”
“It’s fine, Orion. You didn’t know.” Her voice was beyond exhausted. Before he could do it, Artemis snapped her fingers and put her in clean clothes. Already her eyes were beginning to shut, exhaustion overtaking her. While Apollo had magic to heal her, it wasn’t without a price. A wound like this would leave her weak for at least a few days.
“Come on, kid. You are going to bed.” Apollo took Cassia in his arms.
“Not a kid,” she whined, but it was barely audible. She didn’t protest like he suspected the unexhausted part of her wanted to. Instead, her head lolled against his shoulder already half asleep. Orion looked like he was about to protest more vocally on her behalf, but Artemis placed her hand on his shoulder and held him back. Some quickly whispered words in his ear relaxed his expression, which Apollo was glad for.
As he walked back to her room, Apollo let the relief wash over him. It had been a long time since he’d been thankful for denying his Uncle another soul in the underworld. While he couldn’t deny what fate had in store, Apollo was ecstatic Cassia was still with him. Well, he was more than glad…what he felt…he hadn’t felt like this in millennia. The more he was around his diviner, the more he realized that he was falling for her. It was more than basic infatuation, a temporary crush. Something in the universe bound them together, and it was more than his curse or her gift. Part of him had been denying it.
As much as he’d grown to care for her, he knew better. She deserved better than his waring tendencies and mood swings. She deserved someone to grow old with, someone that would know about her gift and believe her, at silly times and when it mattered most. She deserved the world, and with him…while he would try his best, she would end up with disappointment in the end. They always did. Perks of being an immortal.
Cas stirred as he laid her down and pulled the blanket up around her. A sleepy smile graced her features before she sighed deeply. “Thank you.”
“Now we are even,” he teased her. Apollo brushed her hair away from her face. While he would never be deserving of her, Apollo would make sure she had every comfort. He would make sure that every moment would be filled with happiness. If he was destined to leave Cassia Woodard, he would make sure that when he did, she was loved and cherished, but most importantly, believed. She blinked her eyes a few times, a questioning look taking over her face.
“What’s wrong?”
“I…I don’t like to see you hurt.” His words brought a devastating blush to her cheeks. “Please tell me that this was all worth it. I don’t see a book in your hands, Cassia.”
“That’s because Orion took it from me when I was bleeding all over the place. He should have it in his pocket.” Cas rolled to her side and curled up. “I couldn’t have done it without you.” Her mumbled words were almost too faint to hear.
He hoped that she would never have to find out what being without him meant.
Artemis turned on the spot, ready to unleash a whole barrel of pent up rage towards Orion. Her brother had lied to her, again. Someone had plotted against them during that damned Trojan War. Now, she had to deal with all of that, her punishment, and the hunters on top of figuring out whatever was going on with Orion. The fates had a sense of humor, it seemed. However, Artemis wasn't laughing.
"Tell me to sit down again, and I will skin you alive," she snarled.
Orion held up his hands in a placating gesture. Artemis eyed him for a moment before continuing her path in front of the windows. She felt his watchful gaze for another moment or two before getting up and heading to the kitchen. Why, Artemis had no idea. She and her brother never really used it. Being immortal meant that they didn't have to eat anything other than the occasional sip of nectar or square of ambrosia. There was some decent human food out there, like French fries, for example, and if they wanted it, all she had to do was think it, no cooking required. Perks of being an immortal goddess.
Artemis turned and almost collided with Orion, who held a burgundy can in his hand. He held it out to her, his lips turned up in the barest hint of a smile.
"How do you know I like Dr. Pepper?"
"Because you always make it appear, and your fridge is full of nothing but that, along with some orange juice and green tea. We both know the latter aren't yours."
"What do you want? A gold star? Good for you for paying attention." She took it from him, popping the top and taking a deep swig. It was past seven now, several hours after her brother went after the mortal. She glanced up at the night sky, painfully aware that the moon was darker than usual. It matched her mood. What if her brother had gotten into trouble with another pantheon? What if he was hurt? Other immortals could hurt other immortals, and if her brother got himself hurt over a mortal girl of all things…
Orion placed his hand on her forearm, giving it a brief squeeze before dropping it. He stood silently at her side, letting her brood. Orion knew her well enough to know that words weren't going to help. That fact alone kept her somewhat calm. How was it after all this time, he still knew these things, that he paid enough attention to her to know things you couldn't just tell someone? Artemis took a step closer, brushing her fingers against his arm. She appreciated the gesture, even if she wasn't sure how to respond. Didn't people typically seek solace in the arms of a lo…respected friend when things were going badly? For just a moment, Artemis thought about having Orion's arms around her, laying her head against his shoulder, basking in the warmth of his skin. Part of it sounded nice. It also sounded scary enough that she'd avoid him for another millennium. That thought almost turned into an action before a familiar ping reached her ears.
"Someone is coming."
Artemis and her brother got this particular penthouse for a reason. It provided the security they needed, thanks to a few important magical alterations. No one, not even an immortal, could just barge in. They had to have Artemis or Apollo's permission to enter. Not even their father could come knocking on their door without an invitation. Plus, they occupied the whole floor, so the elevator only opened to their foyer. It gave them the retreat, the privacy, that they needed. Also, it was a very handy way to keep wandering mortals out of their business. Artemis ran to entrance just as the familiar creak of the double doors to the foyer opened.
"Apollo, where in the gods have…you…"
Cas walked in, Apollo trailing behind her. He carried a duffel bag, most likely the girl's, on his shoulder. She looked up at Artemis, her expression beyond exhausted. Her face was pale, the skin around her eyes swollen and red. Orion finally caught up to her, standing by the huntress.
"Cas?" he whispered, his voice laced with worry. Cas's eyes widened before taking a step back from Artemis. The anger hit Artemis a moment later.
"What is she doing here?" Artemis snapped, jealousy fueling her attitude. A dagger appeared in her hand, which she pointed towards the girl. "Someone who throws knives at my brother has no business in my house."
"Sorry about that," Cas murmured quietly to Apollo before looking down at the floor. Cas looked down at the floor, pulling into herself while her brother took a step closer. He placed his hand on her shoulder before giving it a comforting squeeze.
"I deserved it. Just don't make it a habit," he added teasingly. "Cas is going to be staying with us for a while," Apollo answered to Artemis, his voice firm.
"So glad you cleared that with me first!"
The look Apollo gave her almost made her cringe. Even he looked tired, but that glare made her take a step back, right into Orion. He placed his hands on her shoulders, sending a comforting yet annoying flutter through her chest.
"I told you to warn her," Cas whispered, her voice thick and raw.
"My sister knows when she's being irrational," Apollo countered as he sent her a knowing stare. Artemis crossed her arms in front of her chest. In the back of her mind, yes, she knew it was irrational. Cas being here had nothing to do with Orion and everything to do with her brother, but Artemis needed to hear it. The practical side of her had vacated for the moment. Orion's hand came to Artemis's back, rubbing soothing circles, a comforting weight that kept her tethered. Why did it feel so intimate all the sudden? How many times had Orion rubbed her shoulders, her hands? It tamed the jealous monster inside of her, made her practically purr with contentment.
"Cas…. are you okay?" Orion questioned.
Cas looked up, her expression still sad, but Artemis could have sworn there was a smile somewhere in her eyes, deeply lurking.
"Not really," she murmured. Orion let go of Artemis, taking a step towards Cas.
"Look, I know you probably don't want to talk about it, but- "
"I don't care if she wants to or not," Artemis interrupted. "I think if she gets to stay at our house, then we should get to know what the hell is going on."
Cas shrank back even further from them. What little color she had, that sparkle of light in her eyes faded. Artemis could feel the fragile wall around the girl's heart crack, letting some of the warring emotions pour through. Anger, jealously, regret…so much regret and pain.
"Tomorrow," Apollo proclaimed. He placed his hand on Cas's back, steering her away from them, leading her to the guest rooms nearest to Apollo's. "Come on, let's get you settled in."
"Apollo!" Artemis called, her indignation tainting her voice. He turned to look at her over his shoulder, his eyes alight with burning light, glowing with godly power.
"Enough, Artemis." The look her gave her, unwavering and patient, wasn't to be questioned. "Give me a moment and then we'll talk."
Artemis knew the smart thing was to wait for her brother, to let him explain things. Smart wasn't really her forte this evening. She was tired of her family playing their games, tired of everyone selfishly acting on their own agendas. Artemis needed answers, dammit, and like hell was anyone, even her brother-
"Artemis."
She turned in Orion's grasp, ready to snap his arm in half for even daring to think he could stop her. His eyes were narrowed down the hallway, his expression steely calm. "Do what he says."
"If you think for one minute- "
"Not for him, Artemis. Cas needs the quiet. Besides, if I don't have you here to stop me, I might go in there myself. Do you really want your brother to kill me?"
Artemis narrowed her eyes. "Are you asking me for a favor? What happened to please? Or offering a lifetime of servitude?"
Orion's mouth twisted to the side in a smirk. "If I thought the please would help, then I would have added it. We both know groveling is your preferred form of appeasement."
"And begging. I do enjoy begging."
"And that," he agreed, reaching quickly for her hand. He laced their fingers together, pulling her back into the living room. "As for the lifetime of servitude, you've always had it. All you had to do was find me."
That declaration brought a blush to Artemis's cheeks, made her heartrate skip and race. She followed Orion to the couch, where they both took a seat. Artemis made her Dr. Pepper appear in her hand, taking a sip while willing the remainder the blush away. "You really don't like them together, do you?"
"With your brother's reputation? No, I don't. I don't even want to think about them being friends."
"You really had no idea she was cursed?" Artemis questioned. They'd talked about it earlier today. Troy was after Orion's initial death. He was small when it occurred and in Greece. She explained everything that happened, what she suspected. Orion filled in some of the blanks for her, but to be certain, it needed to be confirmed by her brother.
"What curse?"
Gods and Tartarus above, this was going to get annoying. "She's got the sight. Cursed to never be believed by a mortal, dooming you to continually forget. Remember?"
"Um…a little." He concentrated for a moment, no doubt rethinking memories with the newfound knowledge. "No," Orion whispered. "I mean, there were times that she said things that seemed so outlandish, so crazy. But who am I to judge? I've been a toddler over a hundred times."
Artemis huffed a laugh. She leaned back and studied Orion. A question burned on her tongue, one she would hate herself for asking. It would make her seem so weak, so mortal. Disgusting.
"Cas was special. I always knew it," Orion sighed. "I knew her parents were demigods when I met them. I thought that was what I always felt, a trace she got from them."
Special? That word, the reverence in his voice, poked at an already tender spot. "I suppose she's talented enough for a mortal. And decently pretty…" But special? The question burned even harder. What good was it being a goddess if she couldn't know the answer to a question without asking?
Orion twisted towards her. "Are you jealous?"
"Excuse me!?"
"You are. Wow."
"I. AM. NOT. JEALOUS." Anger dripped from every syllable. Her eyes glowed silver, but Orion didn't shrink back. "I am a goddess, the master of the hunt and wild. Why would I ever envy a meager mortal?"
"Because they can have something you can't have. They can love."
Artemis really didn't know what to say to that. She balled her fists in an effort not to blast Orion to pieces. "You care for her. I know you do."
"And you are right. I do care for Cas, a lot. But it's not the same way I feel about you." He leaned towards her, tucking a fallen strand of hair behind her ear. "You forget how intense it is, how wild and awful human emotions are. You have no reason to be jealous, Artemis."
"So, you've never…you've never even thought about-?" She wanted to blast herself for even uttering part of her thoughts.
"Not even once. Cas is like my annoying younger sister, kind of like how you feel about your younger brother." A laugh left Artemis. She loved being reminded that she was the older sibling. "She'll never be in the same league as you, Artemis."
"Well, she can't be," Artemis reiterated. She pointed towards the other side of the penthouse. "Mortal." Then, she pointed at her chest. "Goddess. I win. Every time."
Orion grabbed Artemis's hand, quick enough that it surprised her. He placed a soft, chaste kiss on the back of it, his gaze searing her.
"Even if Cas was immortal, if a hundred goddesses were vying for my affections, they would never compare to you, my lady."
Those softly spoken words were almost her undoing. She leaned forward, wanting to taste his lips again, to feel his callused hands on her cheeks-
"We'll need to keep it down. I just gave Cas a sleeping potion, but it won't go into effect for a…um, am I interrupting something?"
Artemis pulled herself away from Orion, giving her brother a glare that almost matched the one he gave earlier. Apollo simply smiled in response before heading to the fridge to get a bottle of water.
"You have some explaining to do," Artemis reminded him.
"I'm well aware," he replied. "And I'll explain things to the both of you, but on one condition."
"What's that?"
"You don't talk to Cas about it until she brings it up."
Artemis was about to protest, but the brush of Orion's knuckles against her thigh sent her mind reeling.
"I can live with that," Orion agreed. "Artemis?"
Artemis nodded her head. Apollo recapped what Artemis already knew, that Cassia bore Cassandra's curse, that she had the sight but would never be believed by a mortal. He went on the explain how he found out, how Cas had seen Artemis's departure, how she tried to stop it from happening. For a moment, the knowledge made Artemis mad, but it was eased when he explained that she was also what brought Artemis back. He explained her background, the extent of her curse, how she worked for the Egyptians. Apparently, her brother attempted to do something valiant, to protect her from harm, and he ending up harming her instead.
"So, that's why she's here," Artemis mused. "You feel guilty. And she's got a bounty on her head." Plus, you care for her, a lot. She didn't say it out loud, but conveyed it with her eyes. Apollo's only response was a withering glare.
"She'd be dead if I left her in that house. She'd be in that house alone."
"Why?" Orion questioned. "Did something happen to Cas's parents?"
"No. To protect them, who I do not think are the least bit deserving of it after seeing how they treat her, we convinced them to go back to New Rome. The will formally disown her in front of the Senate. One of us will need to make a quick appearance there. It was the only way they would live."
"Your little fortune teller needs to be under the protection of a pantheon. Since New Rome is out for her, you volunteered us for the task. Goodie."
"I owe her, Artemis. For more than one thing," Apollo admitted uneasily. Gods did not like to be in the debt of a mortal.
"Yeah, you do. And, I must grudgingly admit, so do I. I'm the one that suggested Cassandra's punishment. You didn't come up with that curse all on your own." Artemis sighed. "If we are going to Tartarus, might as well do it thoroughly. We'll have to explain to the others, make sure this stays out of our Father and Uncles' ears. Better yet, the rest of the council. I do not want to deal with Hera." Apollo nodded his head in agreement.
"All those times, I didn't believe her," Orion marveled sadly. "I gave up asking her why after the first few times. She really meant it when she said I wouldn't believe her if she did."
"Yeah, she did," Apollo assured him. "But I'm going to fix that. At least, I'm going to try."
"We are also going to have to find a way to get the Egyptians off her back," Artemis pointed out. She had to admit, that part, a little bit of much needed action and rule breaking, sounded kind of fun.
"She has an idea about that, actually," Apollo divulged with a grin. "That, however, can be discussed tomorrow. I've had a long day, and it's time for some much-needed sleep. Goodnight, you two. Don't do anything I would do."
This time, it was Orion who threw a pillow at him. Apollo let out a halfhearted laugh before disappearing down the hallway. It was quiet for a minute, each of them lost in their own thoughts.
"Artemis, don't let me forget what she did."
She looked at Orion, confused at what he meant. "Are you talking about bringing me back?"
"Not only that. I didn't believe her. Every day she told me, she reminded me to the point that it was driving me insane," he explained, anguish tainting his voice. "We even fought about it."
"Fought about what?"
"I'd lost hope a long time ago, Artemis. I hadn't prayed to any of you in lifetimes. Cas kept telling me that the person I was meant to be with would come into my life. She kept on and on, and it just made me angrier and…I prayed to Aphrodite because of Cas. I prayed for the goddess of love to please shut her up or do something about it, that if there was a way for me to see you again, to speak to you again, I'd pay any price. And she listened."
"She saw it," Artemis whispered, realizing what the girl must have done.
"I think so. I guess we must ask her. Apollo said you would have to remind me. I know it will be annoying. Just don't let me forget. Please."
Artemis nodded her head. Now, it seemed Artemis was even deeper in Cassia's debt. She couldn't offer much in the way of lifting her curse, but she could keep her friend from forgetting. "I won't."
I hope you enjoyed this! It took me a bit to get it right, and I'm not 100% happy with it. I know I missed some typos b/c its late and...yeah. I will be off work all next week, so I hope to get you another update just after Christmas. Thank you for reading, and please like or reblog! :)
