Page 80 of Incubus

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Lilah

Whispers floatedpast me and shadowy shapes moved in the darkness. But I couldn’t move, couldn’t even lift a hand in defense. I was powerless, and Ares was there, right outside my field of vision. He’d captured me again, and this time he would make his threats—all of them—come true.

A burning pain shot through my chest, and I wailed with agony, feeling as if someone had poured molten silver directly into my heart. Then I felt hands on me, brushing away the tears that must have been rolling down my cheeks.

The touches were kind, not at all like those of Ares. The whispers became louder, and my eyesight began to clear. Tree branches hovered above me, swaying slightly in a gentle breeze.

The sky beyond was a dusky blue, and the sun was already hidden behind the slopes of the mountain. I had to be in a dream, for I could hear Elena’s voice, singing a clear tune meant only for the hunt. One that all the warrior maidens knew and sang each time we headed out of camp for sport or battle.

I turned my head and saw Elena sitting next to me, braiding wildflowers of the deepest crimson into my dark locks. I was back in the Forgotten Forest, wearing robes of forest green—Artemis’s color. It was a truly lovely dream.

“Elena?” It came out as the faintest whisper.

Elena’s song stopped so suddenly that I wished I’d never spoken. Its melodic tone vanished on the wind as Elena wrapped her arms around me and kissed me on the forehead.

“She’s back. She’s awake!” Elena yelled over her shoulder, never letting me go for a second.

Still dazed, I let myself be held, enjoying the embrace of the sister I thought I’d lost for good.

A patter of feet alerted me to my many sisters who were crowding around. My vision sharpened, and I could make out my old friends. I was surprised to find even Lynxia’s violet eyes were lit with a happy glow. Iphi and two other sisters rushed me, almost knocking me over with their simultaneous hugs.

“H-how?” The last moments of my life came back in a frightful rush—the dagger and the collapsing cave. And Roth, there with me in the worst sort of danger. An icy fear pierced my heart as I remembered him wounded and trapped.

“Roth?” I separated from my sisters and looked to Elena. “Where is he?”

Before she could answer, Apollo stepped from the crowd, his eyes bright as he surveyed the maidens before him. He was like a failed dieter at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

“Miss me?” His gaze settled on me.

I’d never seen a male in Artemis’s encampment—and clearly neither had the other warrior maidens. They couldn’t take their eyes off the golden-haired god.

“Don’t you want to know how I saved you?” A devilish glint lit his eyes.

“If you don’t tell me right now where he is, I’ll…I’ll…” I was having trouble coming up with the appropriate threat because I couldn’t even lift my arms for emphasis. It was as if I were partially paralyzed, though I could tell it was slowly wearing off.

“You’ll what? Attack the god whom you serve?” He was enjoying my predicament a little too much.

Wait, what?

“I serve Artemis, not you.”

Elena cleared her throat. My gaze strayed from Apollo to her.

“You serve Apollo now.”

The words didn’t make sense. “What?” Slowly and with much effort, I brought my hand to my neck. But the mark of Artemis was gone, replaced with an entirely foreign array of symbols.

“It was the only way.” Apollo winked at Lynxia, who had been eyeing him with open interest. Her cheeks colored, and she looked away.

“The only way to what?” I feared I already knew the answer.

“To bring you back.” Elena smiled. “You know the rules. Death must have his due and then only a god can resurrect a halfling, and only if the halfling agrees to give the god her allegiance. Apollo saved you from the cave. If he hadn’t chosen you to serve as one of his warrior maidens, you’d still be dead.”

I looked up into Apollo’s face. He seemed extremely pleased with himself, the mischievous look in his eye making me want to knee him ever so badly.

“She’s mostly right.” Apollo rubbed the stubble on his perfect jaw. “I did owe Roth a favor, so I gallantly rescued your tight little body from that disgusting lair.” He stared at my robe as if he could see right through it. “But she got one little thing wrong. Unlike my sis Artemis, there are no maidens in my service. Or at least, not for long.” He gave me and our audience a rakish smile.

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