Two younger male students guard the doors, but they open them quickly when they see my face. I stride in and see the party down a flight of stairs; musicians play in the corner and a few people dance on a black and white checked floor. The majority of the room is set around couches and comfortable chairs. Clumps of students, male and female, gather in small groups, and apprehension fills my belly as I feel out of place.
A hand touches my back and I spin, grabbing the wrist. Dion towers over me, smiling down with affection. “You’ve got quite the reflexes, dear Artemis.” He makes no attempt to move from my grasp. His other hand is occupied with a silver goblet.
“You shouldn’t sneak up like that.”
“You shouldn’t look so damn hot. How can I resist?” He winks and my stomach flip-flops. “What can I get you to drink?”
“Surprise me.” Fulla is right. I need to take care around this man.
His eyes light up and he takes my hand in his and escorts me down the stairs. He takes me to a secluded corner of the room, a level up so that the entire party is in view. Fulla slipped away the instant we arrived, sealing herself to a small group of females.
The other members of my alliance are already there, plus a few females of various stages of beauty. They hang on Thor, eyeing me warily—suspiciously. I thumb the blade on my belt. What if one of these people murdered my brother?
Triton watches me, as if daring me to lash out. Is that what he expects? Or perhaps what he wants. I’m not a fool, just temperamental.
“Artemis!” Thor interrupts, his mug of mead already empty. “You came, and look, Triton! She took off the dress that terrified you so much.”
“It didn’t terrify me,” he replies, glaring at his friend. “It was just a little unconventional. And you know, filled with deadly weapons.” He gives me a curious stare. “Don’t think I didn’t see them.”
Observant, then. I’ll give him credit. Is he aware of the knife currently strapped to my inner thigh? I’m unsure what to make of Triton. He seemed proud to give me all the information at dinner, but his undertone was clear: you’re a girl and I’m not sure I trust you. Obviously, my immersion into this community hasn’t been as seamless as I’d hoped.
Before I can reply, I feel that same warm hand on my back again but I maintain my composure. “Here you go, love.” Dion presses a pewter cup in my hand. “The finest wine from my family’s vineyard. Come, sit and join us.”
I ease into a seat between Loki and Dion, feeling like the filling of a sandwich. Loki is slumped down in his seat, eyes half-hidden behind his dark fringe as he darts a look around the room, watching everybody in silence.
I again sense his discomfort, despite him being part of the group who are center of attention, and warm to him a little more. Perhaps I’m not the only one on the edge of this society. I want to ask outright why he ignored me at dinner. I sense he’s on edge around me; of all the guys, does he distrust me the most? I’m curious why he isn’t part of the Trials, but I doubt asking would be a good idea.
Sipping my wine, I study Loki, trying to figure it out. They say he is Thor’s brother. I can’t imagine how their blood is the same. He’s slight to Thor’s imposing muscles, his smile is smug, more a smirk than the wide grin Thor uses when he tips his head back in laughter. There’s a slyness in his expression. His fingers are thin and nimble, like one of the artists back home. Can he draw or play an instrument, or does he use those fingers to create dangerous plans?
I consider, for the briefest of moments, what fingers like that would feel like on my skin.
“You know, in polite society,” Loki says, leaning over and speaking in a soft voice, “staring is considered rude.”
My eyes widen. Guess I wasn’t so discreet.
“You’re not the first to try to figure out the puzzle of me and my step-brother and why we look so different. The whoreish behavior of all gods often make it impossible to track who shares the same father.”
I blink. “Did you just call Odin a whore?” These people are so strange.
He shrugs and takes a small, controlled sip of wine. I glance across from me and frown when I spot Triton sitting to the side, face miserable.
“What’s his problem?” I ask.
“He’d rather be studying.”
“For the Trials?” I don’t blame him. I’d like to get a better understanding myself.
“That, among other things.” Loki smiles devilishly at the others and lowers his voice. “I put vanishing ink in Triton’s pen, so he gave up his study and decided to come here to drink away his frustration. He’ll have to write it all over again in the morning.”
The girls sitting with us laugh. I frown. “That seems cruel. Why would you do such a thing?”
Loki shrugs, giving him a boyish ease. “For shits and giggles.”
“Loki is our resident trickster and gets his kicks from causing trouble. It’s hilarious and usually harmless, until he sets his sights on you.” Dion leans over. “I’ve been cleaning butterflies out of my room for three months.”
“I’ll remember to pay attention around him,” I say.
Loki chuckles and stares into his wine glass. Is he planning something already?
Why did my brother choose such allies? Will I find an explanation in his journal? No wonder no one had his back when he was attacked—the group spend their time on stupid games, girls, and drinking.
I take another sip of my wine. It is delicious and I’m not one to hold back when the wine is good. Dion sees my cup is nearly empty and waves over a servant to refill it.
“Be careful,” he says. “Wine from my family’s vineyard is strong and can sneak up on you.”
I laugh and touch his chin. His eyebrows raise in surprise, but these people underestimate me. They don’t know me. I’m no lightweight. I swallow the contents in the glass and wait for another.
11
THOR
How the hell is Artemis keeping a conversation going? Venus sits opposite me, enjoying her wine, but she’s descended into incoherent slurring and giggling as she drapes herself across Triton. He sits bolt-upright, as if she’s about to eat him alive.
I give him the thumbs-up but he shifts away slightly and looks away from me. Unperturbed, she stands and Eros beckons her over. Man, Triton needs to get laid, and soon.
I switch my attention back to Artemis, who’s head to head with Dion. His body language leaves nothing to the imagination. His arm hangs across the back of the sofa, fingers a hair’s breadth from touching her neck. I’m amused he doesn’t, because he would’ve started subtle touches on most girls by now.
If Dion’s waiting for Artemis to drunkenly fall into his arms, he’ll have to wait a while.
This Artemis looks different to the one I first met, lying in the grass in her tatty clothes. I didn’t get a good look at anything but her face then, but I’m certainly getting an eyeful when she leans down to pick up her wine glass. But that’s not the only thing captivating about Artemis. She has a confidence in herself and a take-no-crap attitude that sets her apart from most girls. With her red hair tamed and eyes twinkling with happiness rather than suspicion, she’s kind of…normal. No, she isn’t normal, she’s stunning. Different.
A challenge.
Others were horrified by her dress at the dinner earlier, but I appreciated the chance to see more of her.
And I intend to see all of her soon. Dion can take a back seat.
The one sticking point is, I don’t like how she reminds me of Apollo, or that she’s blunt with me. Girls are never blunt with me. Loki laughed and told me he can’t wait to see what happens when we clash. The thought unnerves me more than I’d like to admit, even to myself.
I’m unsure what I expected; I didn’t think too hard because I was pissed she’d been chosen as Apollo’s replacement. I heard rumors that those who failed the first time may be able to retry for Apollo’s spot, but Zeus firmly quashed that idea.
Because that will happen.
Loki muttered something about favoritism, but quietly we know there’s a reason. Looking at her, I can see what the issue is: she has the potential to be as powerful as any god.
Artemis has the potential to win a Trial and beat me.
“Man, that girl can drink even more than the fabled Thor,” calls out Adonis. “Look at how many she’s had.”
Skoll snickers. “Yeah, I bet he’s never had a girl match him like this before.”