Page 53 of Protected By Artemis

“And we also caught one of the people who set fire to our lodge.”

“Someone set fire to the lodge?” Apollo said. “What happened?”

Xavier quickly filled in the two gods. “…we have him in custody, but he won’t talk.”

“Hmm, give me a couple of minutes, and I could probably connect him to the Arcane,” Hephaestus said.

“This is great news,” Artemis exclaimed.

Cade looked over to Xavier, silent communication passing between them with one message:This was bad. “No, it’s not.”

“Huh?” Artemis cocked her head to the side. “We have solid proof that Arcane was the one who sent the bomb and set fire to the lodge. There’s even a clear motive.”

“Which is all good for the human authorities and the courts,” Cade said. “But we can’t do anything to avenge our pack. Where would we even start? Who’s really responsible? Their board?The shareholders? I mean, it’s not like we can just march into their offices and demand to fight the CEO.” It would have been better if the perpetrators had, in fact, been another pack. Shifter justice was swift and more direct.

“While we can’t get an eye for an eye,” Hephaestus said, “we can still make them pay with the evidence we have. I have a friend at the FBI who might be able to help us.”

“You have friends?” Apollo piped in, which earned him a scowl from Hephaestus.

“I’ll be right back.” The god of fire and forges closed his laptop and disappeared.

Artemis strode over to Cade. “Isn’t this great news? Finally, you and your pack will feel safe again.”

Cade was thankful Hephaestus and Apollo were here since that meant he couldn’t touch or even kiss Artemis. “Yeah, it’s good.”

“So,” Apollo began as he sank down on the leather sectional and stretched his arms out. “How’s it going, Cade? Hopefully, my dear sister hasn’t driven you crazy yet?”

Artemis turned away as her cheeks bloomed with a blush. “It was fine. Right, Cade?”

“Yeah. Just fine.”

“Are you sure?” Apollo’s blue gaze narrowed at them. “I thought for sure you’d have wrung her neck by now.”

Artemis swallowed audibly as she touched her neck with her hand. Cade’s cock throbbed at the memory of his hand there, collaring her as he?—

“I’m starving,” he announced.

“That’s the effect of the healing coma,” Xavier said. “We have food down at the community center. I can get you anything you want.”

“I’ll come with you,” Artemis said. “I could use some food too.”

“No, I’ll go?—”

“It’s okay,” she assured him. “You should stay here and…get an update on Geri from Apollo. Okay, bye!” She practically dragged Xavier out the door.

“Hmm. Strange.”

Cade swung around to face Apollo. “What?”

The god stretched out his legs and planted his feet on the coffee table. “I’ve never seen Artemis miss a chance to bicker with me. It was like she’s deliberately avoiding me.”

“Oh?” he said casually as he walked over to sit next to him. “How do you know?”

“Artemis can’t lie, and if she does, I’ll know it. Like, she’s stupid terrible at fibbing, right? So instead of trying to lie to me, she’ll try to avoid me instead.” Apollo rubbed his chin. “I wonder what she’s hiding from me.”

“So, how’s Geri?” Cade asked, hoping to switch the topic.

“Well, it’s only been a few days, but I’d say she’s really doing well….” As Apollo spoke of his mate, it was obvious that the god truly adored and cherished her. That gave Cade a sense of relief, at least, despite the turmoil inside him.

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