Twins of the Hunt - Book 3: The Rescue ??

1877 words

Raiden P.O.V.

I stared as the figure of a pegasus disappeared into the night. Ainsley would rescue Artemis; I'd had the same dream she'd likely had too. But why had she not waited for a quest?

"Are you okay, Raiden?" Orion's eyes followed my gaze sorrowfully.

"I'm fine." I clenched my axe. "We need to find Zoë."

"I saw her heading toward the Big House to find Chiron. Let's go there."

I nodded, and we jogged toward the Big House. I kicked the door open, and it fell, shattering into several small pieces. Chiron galloped down the hallway, wearing pink curlers on his tail. He contemplated us—Orion in minion pajamas with Snow at his side and me in gray sweatpants and a GUN-N'ROSES 2004 WORLD TOUR concert tee with clenched fists—before saying, "I assume you both are here for the reason as Zoë?"

"Duh," I said. "We need to talk, Chiron."

"I surmised that, Raiden." Chiron sighed. "Come to my office. Zoë is waiting there, and I do not wish to...er...upset her further, so let us hurry."

Zoë was upset alright. When we arrived in Chiron's office, she was pacing and muttering Ancient Greek curses. We settled down behind his desk in old mahogany chairs with Zoë glaring from between us.

"Well?" Chiron prompted.

"Lady Artemis has been captured," Zoë said. "The Hunters must depart at once."

"How do you know this?"

"I had a dream where my lady was ambushed by Aidan, Ainsley's twin brother. He is the lieutenant of Kronos. He distracted her enough for the children of Hecate to bombard her with spells, and Lady Artemis was enchained."

"And now Ainsley is gone," I added. "She left to rescue Artemis alone."

"My daughter is in grave danger, Chiron," Orion said. "We need to leave, now."

Chiron sighed again. "I'm afraid you cannot. You have Artemis's orders to remain here until the Winter Solstice."

I jumped to my feet and slammed my hand down on the desk, splitting it in half. "Do you not understand what's happening, Chiron? My sister is in danger! We need a quest, now!"

Zoë glowered even more. "I agree. We must leave. The Hunters can find Ainsley and Artemis with Phoebe's tracking, Orion and Raiden's power, and our strength in numbers."

"I am very sorry," Chiron said, "but I cannot allow the Hunters to leave. I cannot violate the direct orders of Artemis."

I'd had enough. The emotional whirlpool I had been corralling burst through a dam hole in my chest. I seized the TV on which I'd once watched the orientation video behind Chiron's desk and ripped it out of the wall.

"Don't you understand that lives are at stake here?" I roared. "Or are you too busy sucking up to the gods, Chiron?"

"Raiden-" Orion began.

"He doesn't care, Orion!" I hurled the TV across the room. It smashed against the opposite wall into numerous minute pieces.

Chiron appeared wary of me. "I am very sorry, Raiden."

"No, you're not," I snarled. "I would've thought as my brother, you would've understood more. Guess I was wrong." I stormed out. "I'm leaving!"I bellowed over my shoulder. "No one is to stop me, understand?"

I kicked the remains of the front door out of my way and raced toward Cabin Eight. I charged into the cabin, where most of the Hunters were still awake and chatting anxiously. I climbed up to my bunk and started stuffing everything into my rucksack.