Young Writers Society

Loki held his hands up. "Cool down, Tem! It's only me!" 

Artemis's face remained stony. "I can see that." She gestured to the others. "Why have you brought these into my forest?" She sneered at Peridot. "And a daughter of that numbskull, La Fens, as well." 

"It's not what you think! We've captured her." He scowled. "Oh, give up the high and mighty goddess act, Tem. I'm sick of this. Can't I drop by and see you once in a while without being interrogated by the one-girl Mafia?" 

Artemis grinned. "Well, I have to look tough in front of my huntresses, don't I?" She relaxed and slung her bow over her shoulder. "Who are these lot?" 

Loki gestured to them. "Maia, Charlie, Alfie, and, er, Emerald or something." 

"Peridot," Peridot snapped. "And my father is NOT A NUMBSKULL!" 

Artemis glared at her. "Shut up." She turned to Loki. "What was that demon doing earlier?" 

"It seemed to be hunting us," said Maia. "But... I don't know why." 

Artemis scrutinised her. "You don't look that powerful. Wait a sec....." she grabbed Maia's necklace. "Gods of Olympus, I haven't seen one of these for years! Did you know you had a Power Stone hanging round your neck?" 

Maia frowned.  "What the heck is a Power Stone?" 

"You're a fairy, right?" 

Maia nodded. 

"Power Stones amplify a fairy's elemental magic. What's your element?" 

All fairies are able to control one element - earth, air, fire, water, ice or lightning. Eve was water. Maia was lightning. 

The only trouble was, she couldn't control that any more than her normal magic. 

"Lightning," she said. "But I'm not very good at it." 

Artemis beamed at her. "Congrats. Now you can control the other five." She turned back to Loki. "You need to teach her how to use that thing." 

"Hold on!" Maia cried. "You can't just drop a bombshell like that and walk away! How does it work? Is that how it killed the demon?" 

Artemis turned back to her. "To use a Power Stone, you just have to think about the element you want to use and the stone will do all the work for you. I can't use it, because it only works for fairies, but Loki and I can teach you how, if you want. Do you want to camp with me and my Hunters for the night? I'll even let you bring La Fens." 

"I'd love to," said Maia, and she meant it. Artemis seemed nice, if a little scary, and she really wanted to learn more about her necklace. "But we have to get to Marfak's Peak." She explained about her mother's vision. 

Artemis whistled. "That's a hard task you're taking on there, mate. Look, stay the night with us. It'll be safer - I don't trust that demon king to send another assassin after you. I'll give you a crash course on the stone, and in the morning, I can get you to Marfak's Peak. There's a really quick way that only I know." 

"Really?" Maia wanted to hug her. "I can't believe this. You've made everything so much easier." 

Artemis smiled. "I'm a goddess. That's what I do." She checked her watch. "I make it half past ten. If we start walking now, we should reach camp at about 11am. Do you like fish?" 

"Yes." 

"Good. We're right next to a river, so we'll catch some for lunch." She smiled. "You seem like a smart, brave girl. If you ever want to join my Hunt, you'd be welcome. But you have to be a maiden, so no boyfriends." 

Maia grinned. "Thanks for the offer. If I survive this mission, I'll think about it." 

Artemis laughed. "Come on. This way." 

"What about Peridot?" Charlie asked. 

"Oh, bring her if you must," Artemis called over her shoulder. 

As Maia fell into step behind the goddess, her mind went to her necklace. Would it really control all six elements? She felt like she was walking on clouds. No longer would she be the misfit who couldn't control her magic. That would show Aunt Lou!

As they departed from the clearing, there was a low hiss. The wind picked up, whistling around the clearing. 

A low voice growled, "Follow her. Bring her to me." 

"What about the godling and the wizards?" another hissed. 

The voice gave a low, rumbling laugh. "Kill them all. Slowly."