by J J King
Her confession took Arachne back a full step. Her brows drew down into a deep vee and a low growling sound emanated from deep within her chest. Cate watched in horror as Arachne balled her fists and skittered forward to within an inch of Medusa’s face. Pain and fury filled her voice as she hissed, “You think I deserved this?” Her voice arched higher, louder, echoing off the trees around them. “You think anyone deserves this?” Arachne gestured wildly to her eight legs.
Medusa shook her head slowly and blinked away the tears that filled her eyes. “Nobody deserves what she did to you. Nobody.” Tears spilled free and ran down her cheeks.
Arachne stilled and just stared, pulling back inch by inch. Emotion passed over her features as anger faded to grief, and frustration to something that looked to Cate like loneliness. Cate’s heart tugged. She remembered the feeling of being alone. Before she’d become part of Selene, she’d lived in the deepest shadows of the underworld, separated from humanity and the world. Even Hades’ realm was divided from her own. She’d lived in darkness with her hounds and the serpents that were attracted to her earthbound energies.
She hadn’t known how lonely she’d been until she’d been forced to share a body with a best friend. A sister.
She’d lose that, Cate thought. Over the years, as they’d grown closer, as they’d learned to respect, like and then love one another as family, they’d talked about what it would be like if they ever managed to ever achieve separation. She’d tried not to share her feelings on the matter too much, seeing as Selene, with her ever-positive attitude, only saw the bright side of the possibility. And why shouldn’t she? Selene had never felt the loneliness Cate had endured. She’d had friends, lovers, Endymion. She’d had a life in the world of the living while Cate had remained in the shadows.
She knew the truth even if they were both too afraid to say it aloud. If they were ever separated… No, she squeezed her eyes shut. It wasn’t if. When they were separated, she’d be alone again.
Maybe this time would be different, though, Cate reasoned. She knew love now, had family, and it wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility that she could have something with Morpheus. He certainly seemed to think there was something real between them even if she still questioned it.
Cate let herself feel the fear of that loss and tried once more to reach Arachne. She spoke from the heart. “I spent my life alone in the dark,” she started, swallowing back the emotion she rarely let overwhelm her. “I didn’t know anything other than darkness and solitude. I didn’t know how it could feel to be part of something, of someone, to love.” She trailed off, blinking to hold back the tears that filled her eyes.
It was so hard to let go of that final bit of control. Cate knew she’d lost some of her edge, the unaffected sharpness that she’d once wielded like a blade against her enemies, when she’d merged with Selene. She’d become something softer than what she’d been and to compensate she’d rarely let herself show emotion to anyone other than Selene. It went against her core to bend, to let herself appear weak, but they would die if she couldn’t.
Cate lifted her gaze to Medusa, surely one of the strongest women she’d ever met. Tears ran freely down her cheeks and her eyes gleamed with fear and hope. She’d lost almost everything and had come back from the edge. It didn’t make her weak, Cate realized, frowning. Medusa had pulled herself out of the darkness and had opened herself back up to love when love was what had condemned her and her sisters to a lifetime as monsters. Love had ruined their lives. Love had also saved their souls. Cate took a shuddering breath, steeled herself, and looked at Arachne.
“I gave up everything I was for Selene and I’d do it again in an instant. She means more to me than my life. And even though going through with this plan might result in our being separated and me being alone again,” Cate whispered this part, “I’ll do anything to make her happy.” A tear danced on the edge of her lashes then fell down her cheek and onto her chest. “I know what it feels like to be called a monster, to have no one. Arachne,” she pleaded, “you don’t have to live like this. We can find a way to release you from this spell. We can help you.”
Arachne’s eyes levelled on Cate and she found her gaze wandering up, away from the human orbs, to the four pitch black eyes that seemed to stare straight into her soul. They measured her as sweat ran down her face and spine, and found her…
“Why would you do that for me?” Arachne’s face was softer now and edged with confusion. She looked back and forth between both women, then shook her head as if in disbelief. “This,” she gestured to her deformities, “may be a curse beyond all measure but it did give me one blessing. I always know when someone is lying.”
Cate’s heart squeezed painfully for one short moment then she lifted her chin, knowing she’d spoken only the truth. Beyond Arachne, Medusa’s intense eyes said the same.
“Many have come here, you know. Seeking glory, wishing to rid the world of the monstrous Arachne.” She chuckled wryly. “I ate them. I know you think that’s gross but I’m not human, so don’t judge.”
“No judgement here,” Medusa called out. “I haven’t eaten anyone but I’ve killed my fair share of monster seekers.”
Cate arched an eyebrow. “I’m no saint myself and…” she drew out the response, “I may have eaten a heart or two in my time.” At Medusa’s shocked glance, she defended herself. “It was before I met Selene! Just ritualistic stuff. Queen of the witches and all that.”
There was silence for a long moment, then Arachne snorted and immediately threw up a hand to cover her mouth. The look of horror on her face was enough to snap Cate out of her shock. She bit down on the insides of her cheeks and willed herself not to laugh. Then Medusa made a strangled sound and all three of them burst into laughter.
Arachne laughed until tears washed over her face. Her lips peeled back, revealing those long fangs that had made Cate’s stomach quiver but now she barely noticed them. She wouldn’t be dying today.
“How about getting us down from these lovely webs you so considerately trapped us in,” Cate asked with a grin, wishing she had at least a single hand free to wipe her face. She must be a wreck.
Arachne laughed again and started towards Medusa since she was closest, then stopped. Her head whipped to the side and looked off into the forest, eyes sharp and afraid. Cate’s breath hitched.
“What is it?” she barely dared to murmur.
“Artemis,” Arachne answered in a terrified whisper. She glanced over at Cate and blinked several times, then rushed out an apology, “I’m so sorry.” She turned and ran in the opposite direction, leaving Cate and Medusa trapped and terrified.
Cate scanned the woods, looking for the goddess they’d come to find and wondering why Arachne had fled. What could make a monster such as she flee in fear?
“I’d say welcome to my forest, but I don’t really like company,” a woman’s voice said from deep within the shadows. Cate peered into the thick forest, trying to understand Arachne’s retreat, and gasped as Artemis stepped into the clearing dressed like an Amazon warrior princess with an arrow aimed directly at her heart.
CHAPTER NINE
“Seriously?” Cate couldn’t stop the question from exploding out of her mouth. In the midst of the fear, frustration surged, bringing out the snarkiness she prided herself on. “First Zeus, then Arachne, and now you want to kill us, too?” She let her head loll back and screamed, “Fuck!” drawing out the word until the echo overlapped and broke over them.
Artemis stared at her with wide eyes for a long moment, then lowered her bow and tilted her head to the side. “Zeus? What did that bastard do to you?”
Cate’s pulse leapt. She darted a glance over at Medusa who looked as shocked as she felt at their sudden stroke of luck.
“He tried to kill someone I,” Cate halted, uncertain how to explain her connection with Selene in the heat of the moment, “love very much.” She decided now wasn’t the time for lengthy explanations. Technically, she was Selene
and Selene was her, so saying she loved Endymion wasn’t untrue. Semantics.
Artemis eyed her warily then turned to question Medusa. “And what’s your beef with the big guy?”
Medusa huffed out a breath. “I owe her a favor.” She nodded toward Cate. “She helped me save my sister from Athena’s curse.”
“That’s right,” Artemis sauntered over to stand in front of Medusa, who levelled a gaze at the goddess as if she weren’t afraid at all. “You were Athena’s little pet. Were being the operative word.” She hummed thoughtfully. “How is my dear uncle Poseidon these days?”
“He’s doing good,” Medusa replied casually. “As is your brother. He sends his regards.”
Artemis narrowed her eyes. “You’re working with Apollo?” She sounded skeptical. “Why didn’t he come himself?”
“Because he said you were a man-hating recluse who wouldn’t appreciate having anyone besides a woman venture into your forest,” Cate decided to go with more snark since her earlier venting had gotten Artemis’ attention. Plus, it was what he’d said. Kind of.
Artemis whirled around, setting her steely gaze on Cate. Cate’s stomach twisted under the scrutiny and, for a moment, she questioned her decision, then Artemis’ lips quivered and she began to laugh. She pressed a hand against her stomach and laughed until tears ran down her cheeks while Cate and Medusa watched silently.
“My gods, you have bigger balls than any man I’ve ever met!” She quivered her arrow and reached into a pouch at her waist, coming up with a handful of gold powder. She took a deep breath and blew the powder over the web holding Cate in place. It stuck to the silk fibers and, before Cate’s eyes, disintegrated them.
She fell to her knees in front of the goddess, her limbs still weak from the toxins. Cate struggled to stand, unwilling to show more weakness than necessary, since her balls were what Artemis admired most about her.
“Thanks,” Cate managed to say as she wobbled in place, using the tree she’d been stuck to as a balance.
“The dust will remove the toxins from your blood in a few moments.” Artemis went to Medusa and, again, blew dust she retrieved from her pouch. Medusa, who’d been suspended in the air in her web, fell to the ground in a heap but managed to pull herself up after a few seconds. “Now,” she began after they were both steadier on their feet, “tell me about the old man.”
“He needs to be stopped,” Cate said boldly, knowing her audience wouldn’t contest her sentiment. “He may be king of the gods and father to most of you, but he’s also a giant jackass, a petty bastard, a jealous cunt, and a philanderer. His inability to keep his dick in his pants is the cause of most of our history’s horror stories.”
Artemis started nodding in agreement half way through Cate’s assessment. Cate’s hopes soared even higher that they’d be able to convince the infamously reclusive maiden archer to join them. She set her jaw and went through the details of their plan, as it were.
When she finished, Artemis tapped a finger against her full mouth and paced a few feet away. “So, your plan is to complete the triumvirate and…” she drew out the word, widening her eyes in question, “then what? What makes you think us three together will result in any more power than the two of you?”
“We don’t know for sure, but Selene spoke to Nyx about it and…”
Artemis’ hand shot up, stopping her mid-sentence. “You involved Nyx? Primordial goddess Nyx?” She looked aghast, just as Cate assumed she herself had looked when Selene had told her what she’d done.
Cate raised her hands in defense. “I said the same thing but Selene has a mind of her own and,” her heart twisted, “she’s been without the man she loves for a very long time because of Zeus’ pettiness.”
“Men,” Artemis spit the word out, looking disgusted. “They ruin everything.”
Cate let herself grin at that. She’d often felt exactly the same, although not lately, she realized. An image of Morpheus’ long dark hair and piercing blue eyes filled her mind, making her stomach flutter. “Not all of them,” she pointed out. “What about your brother?”
“Oh, he’s just as much of an asshole as the rest.” Artemis laughed. “He’s just my asshole and that makes him tolerable.” She adjusted the leather strap of her quiver and lifted her chin to point into the forest. “Come with me.” Artemis started off into the trees, not looking back to see how they were faring.
The toxins cleared from Cate’s system as they walked, leaving her head clearer and her body steadier. She didn’t ask Medusa how she felt as the gorgon had legendary healing abilities and had probably come around faster than she had.
They walked in silence for around ten minutes before stopping in another clearing. This one was bigger and filled with beautiful wild flowers that scented the air. Artemis made her way to an outcropping of rocks that formed a rudimentary table and four stools, and sat down, motioning for them to join her.
“The further we are into the Steni Forest, the safer we are from Zeus’ prying eyes.” She laid her bow on the table, reminding Cate of the movie Brave and glanced skyward. “Even out here in the open, he can’t penetrate the magic that protects this forest. Frankly, I’m surprised I haven’t been forced to share it with more sanctuary seekers.”
“You mean Arachne?” Cate asked, wondering what kind of relationship the goddess and the monster had, considering the way Arachne had fled when she’d sensed Artemis’ presence.
“Yeah, and a few others. You’d be surprised at who lurks in these woods.” She lowered her voice for impact then grinned.
Medusa sat and leaned forward on her elbows. “So, what’s up with you and Arachne? She took off when you showed up.”
Artemis shrugged. “She’s alright. She just sometimes gets a bit too ravenous and the forest creatures suffer.” She dismissed the topic with a absent wave of her hand. “Tell me more about the plan.” Her eyes sparkled with interest now. “How can we complete the triumvirate if you and Selene share a body? Will you have a stand in?”
“That’s the really cool part,” Cate said, letting her excitement show. “While it may not have been the brightest idea to bring Nyx into the picture, it did result in something amazing. Morpheus, her grandson, the god of dreams…”
“I know who Morpheus is, Hecate,” Artemis interrupted with an impatient smile.
“Right, yes. Sorry,” Cate apologized. “Well, he can create these dreamscapes that are kind of like this, protected from Zeus and anyone Morpheus doesn't want to enter. He controls every aspect of it. Our bodies don’t enter the dreamscape, they stay here on Earth but it just looks like we’re sleeping. He pulls our unconscious minds in, which is why he can summon both Selene and I at the same time.”
“And you can both tap into your magics in this dreamscape?” Artemis asked.
Cate nodded. “We can. It’s the perfect solution. We can complete the ritual in complete safety without Zeus ever knowing.”
Artemis chewed on her lower lip. “So, technically, you don’t need me to leave? I can stay here and just accept Morpheus’ invitation to dream FaceTime?”
Medusa snorted. “You should get out more often,” she said on a laugh. “You’re freaking hilarious.”
“I don’t see why you’d need to leave.” Her lips curled up. “Although you could probably use a little break from this place. As beautiful as it is here, it’s been kind of a rough trip.”
“That’s an understatement,” Medusa said under her breath.
“But,” Artemis said through a smile, apparently amused by all of this, “it was worth it, right? I mean, you did manage to fend off Arachne and convince me to help in your little adventure.”
Cate was about to say something about almost being eaten alive when Artemis’ words sunk in. “You’re in?” she asked, completely startled. She’d expected a lot more discussion and a lot more begging.
“I’m in.” Artemis extended her hand and shook firmly, giving her promise. She held Cate’s hand firmly and tugged her forward an i
nch. “Just promise me I won’t have to deal with dickheads.”
Medusa’s laughter was full and throaty. “The biggest dickhead in the group is your brother!”
Artemis was silent a moment then she, too, laughed. “Okay, then. I guess I can manage the rest. When Morpheus calls, I’ll answer.” She pushed up from the crude table and picked up her bow. “I’ll walk you back to where you came in. Maybe it’ll help you avoid a couple monsters.”
They left in high spirits, chatting easily about their communal hatred of most of the Olympian gods. Artemis agreed with Medusa that Athena was a scheming bitch who should burn in Tartarus and that Poseidon was one of the good ones.
“Although,” she countered on that topic, “I have seen him be a complete asshole. That whole thing between him and Athena over Athens was a shit show. Not that I was around for much of it, but I lived closer to Olympus then and the grape vine is undeniably strong. Plus,” she added, “nymphs are horrible gossips and my woods are always filled with them. And here we are.”
