Chapter 31

SEBASTIAN

Standing before us was the goddess herself, Aphrodite. With her long, shiny red hair and a body that could make a nun blush, there was no denying her beauty.

“I’ll ask again, what are you men doing here? Did Ares send me gifts?” She clapped her hands together in excitement, eyeing us both like a buffet.

“A vampire and a Fae,” she said, licking her plump red lips. “Not my usual flavor, but I’ll make an exception.” Then she paused, sniffing the air. “Or was it vampire and Fae?”

Nick scoffed, chuckling softly. “Listen, lady, we’re here for different reasons and we’re not buying what you’re selling.”

I blinked. Did he just call her a prostitute?

“Is that so?” She walked over to him, circling like a hungry wolf. “Oh, I see, it seems someone is already in love.” She stopped, leaning forward and inhaling his scent, her eyes fluttering shut. Suddenly, they snapped open. “Oh my.” She giggled, skipping away from him and coming toward me. “Well, he’s very clearly spoken for. But what about you?”

I grabbed her by the throat before she could inhale. “Also spoken for, and I don’t have time for this. Where’s Artemis’s castle?”

Giggling, she removed my fingers from her neck. “You two are here for Artemis? Hmm.” From her tone, you could tell she’d lost interest. Maybe we should have at least pretended to be interested in her, considering she might have information that we needed. “I can possibly help you find her.”

“At what cost?” Gods and goddesses were selfish creatures. They’d never give you information or do anything for free. There was always a catch. I swear they’re worse than the Fae.

She winked. “One of you can go, but the other will stay and keep me company.”

“No.”

She pouted. “I had a feeling you’d say that.” Twirling a piece of hair around her finger, she looked us over again, then sighed. “I can tell whatever you need her for has to do with your lover. You two reek of desperation.” She laughed. “And only love makes us that desperate.”

Nick looked at me with a question. I shook my head at him. I wanted to see where she was going with this.

“Take that path there.” She pointed to a wooded area. I almost missed the small dirt path between the trees. “And it’ll take you to Artemis.”

I nodded my thanks, nudging Nick in the direction she pointed. It was best we got out of here before she decided not to be so generous.

“Do you think she gave us the right direction? She seemed a bit offended that we weren’t interested.” He side-eyed me. “Well, I wasn’t.”

I grabbed the back of his shirt, pulling him to a stop. “Are you suggesting that I was?”

He shook off my hold, cutting me a glare. “I’m saying you were looking at her like she was your next meal. So maybe you were.”

Before he could react, I grabbed him again, slamming him to the ground. “Don’t you ever question my loyalty,” I hissed, pressing my forearm against his throat.

He snarled, trying to get out of my hold. “Move, vamp, before I move you.”

I chuckled at the threat. “I’d like to see you try.”

Slow clapping from behind us put me on high alert. I jumped up to face the intruder. A tall, slender woman leaned against a tree, seemingly fascinated by us. “Aphrodite said I’d be receiving guests soon, but you guys didn’t make it far.” She looked back to the opening of the path. Indeed, we hadn’t made it far.

Nick chose that moment to get up from the ground, and if looks could kill—.

“What is it you’re seeking from me?”

Nick stayed silent, leaving me to answer. “The Bow of the Hunt.”

She laughed. What did these goddesses find so funny? “Are you now? Well.” She studied the two of us. “Why don’t we make this into a game? For my entertainment.”

“Isn’t it always for their entertainment?” Nick mumbled, and I couldn’t help but agree.

She reached behind her, pulling something from the bag strapped against her back. We watched as she pulled out a bow and arrow. “This is what you boys want.”

She loaded the arrow and aimed for a tree, letting it loose. The arrow hit the tree with a thwack. We watched as it started to decay right before our eyes. That’s why Lucifer wanted it.

“If you two can survive five minutes with me hunting you, I’ll give you the bow and arrow,” she said, a look of hunger in her eyes. Before I could say no, Nick opened his mouth.

“Deal.”

Her smile widened. “Well, get ready, boys. I’ll give you a two-minute head start.”

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” I silently raged at Nick as we ran through the forest. “She’s the Goddess of the Hunt for a reason.”

“We only need to survive for five minutes. All we have to do is not let her find us,” he stated calmly, like it was the easiest thing in the world. Like we weren’t being hunted by someone who was known as the best hunter in history. These children never use their brains.

NICK

Was I worried? No. Was I tired of the vamp? Yes. The arrogance he carried with him. Like he was in charge. Did he forget this was a joint mission?

“You do understand if she catches one of us, she will kill us. Do you know what that’ll do to Catalina?” I tried not to let his words get to me. It was best to not think of the consequences and focus on the game instead.

“I think we should split up. Better chances of her not finding us.” I split off before he could say anything. A vampire that’s afraid of getting caught? That’s new. Although I guess it had to do with him not having his powers.

Darting through the trees, I thought about which of my powers could help me in this situation. Shape-shifting? I looked around to see what the local wildlife looked like. Only I didn’t see any. Then I remembered, I also didn’t seem to have my powers. That was out, then.

Maybe I could just try staying ahead of her. I looked at my watch. It had already been three minutes. Just two more minutes and that bow was ours.

A crunching sound behind me had me freezing. I strained my ears to try and hear anything.

“I’m getting closer, little Fae,” a voice sing-songed from not so far away. Oh shit.

~Use camouflage if you have it.~ Sebastian’s voice sneaked into my mind.

He was right. I might as well try.

I didn’t have camouflage, but I could make myself invisible for a short amount of time. I looked for a place to hide, deciding on a nearby tree with a strong-looking branch.

It took me no more than a few seconds to climb it. Next, I focused on making myself invisible, watching first my hands disappear, then the rest of my body. It seemed not all of my powers were lost.

Thank God for that. Just in time too, as I heard another crunch. This time a body came with it.

Artemis walked through with her bow and arrow at the ready. She looked from side to side, staring hard in certain directions. From here, I could see the enjoyment on her face.

The sound of footsteps drew her attention. She grinned, taking off in that direction.

I waited a while before coming down, my invisibility already gone. I dropped with a thud, then dusted my knees off.

“Got you.” I froze at the voice. Turning slowly, I came face to face with Artemis.

Fuck, I was caught. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Sebastian walking toward us.

“Actually, that’s time.”

Artemis snapped back in shock, checking her watch. “Seems it is.” She sighed dramatically, unstrapping the bow from her back.

“I’m only giving you three arrows—make sure all are returned to me.”

I took the items from her with caution. “Good luck against the others.”

Sebastian and I watched her walk away, stunned by how easy that was.

“Let’s go. Our mate is waiting for us.”

We made our way back to the door we came through.