As Arti's Fist collides with my cheek I feel nothing but pain trying to make sense of what’s going on I look over at Cynthia who has the same bewildered expression I do. Were both clutching our faces as we straighten up.
"Arti what the hell " Before she can even answer she’s pushed me with both hands full force onto my ass.
Cynth walks towards me to help me up but ends up face first on the floor with a mouthful of dirt and Arti stood cross armed behind her not even looking sorry.
I’m getting kind of pissed as first it was a shock now, she’s just being vile. I stand up and make my way over to her not really knowing what I want to do but she knows Cynth is not a fighter.
"Arti why are you doing this " She doesn’t say anything again but comes at me fists clenched but I brace myself for the impact this time feet firmly on the ground ready to punch her in the stomach , its all over in seconds I threw my punch but Arti dodged it swiping my feet out from under my legs as she does and I find myself back on the floor the rage building in me .
Why is she doing this and why won’t she answer what the hell is wrong with her , I watch her as she walks towards Cynthia lifting her off the floor and throwing her at the nearest tree Cynth letting out a small whimper of pain as her back hits slides down the bark .
I’m sat up flabbergasted and this nonsense I’m watching unravel , Arti again heads for Cynthia scooping her up of the floor and I run at her back she drops her and I manage to land a punch in the back of her ribs before she throws me over her shoulder towards the same tree and land in a heap next to Cynth .
Cynth looks at me "*Why is she doing this* "
"I don’t know Cynth, but we need to work together to stop her "
We both get up ready to restrain Arti but we fail, each time she outsmarts us or moves like lightening and we end up on the floor , it carries on this way for another 15 minutes Cynth and I getting tired and Arti not even breaking a sweat .
"*Sel , you take out her legs and ill jump on her back* "
Both of us are raging and my ring is burning on my finger indicating that I’m about lose control ,turning to Cynth I not and notice that her eyes are flickering like she is also trying to battle the rage .
We attack.
We end up on the floor again this time when I look over to Cynth her eyes are glowing in that golden yellow she is staring at me as if she has noticed the same thing. I blink and give into this feeling of rage I’ve had enough of falling on my ass.
Not caring that she is my sister I launch at Artemis , Cynth close behind I land a punch to the cheek while she dodges Cynthia jab to the ribs were finally overcoming her bringing her down landing punch after punch as she’s on the floor .
"*ENOUGH*" The sound of Arti's voice brings me out of the rage she stands up small cut on her lip, but she is smiling. Looking over at Cynth she seems back to normal too.
"*Finally!* " Arti says as she wipes the blood from the corner of her mouth.
Cynthia is staring at her dumbfounded. "*Finally, what do you mean finally what was that Arti, Sel and I could have killed you* "
She laughs at this remark like it’s nothing.
"*You couldn't kill me your wolf wont allow it , it is a sister to my own*"
We both stare at her totally confused.
"*I needed you both to get angry I needed you to activate yourselves I guess to know what it feels like so we can practice honing in on that feeling so you can bring it about without needing to be in a fit of rage first* "
My mouth drops open in shock was she for real, I go to speak before Cynth gets there first.
"*Hold on so you beat the shit out of both of us to get us to get angry? there are so many ways you could have done that without leaving us bruised *"
I nod in agreement as she continues.
"*You could have you know borrowed a pair of shoes without asking or eaten my chocolate. This was a bit extreme don’t you think* "
Artemis rolls her eyes "*you need to know what it feels like for that power to activate when its fight or flight *"
She looks between us both her smile fading a little.
"*look let’s get you cleaned up Sel your head is Bleeding and Cynth I know your ribs are bruised and I’ll explain* "
we follow her to where we placed the bags Cynthia grabs out a medical kit, she hands me a wipe for my head and tends to Artemis lip checking her over for any other bruises.
We all get cleaned up and Cynth changes into her hoodie as her top was covered in dirt, I then notice her mark again and make a mental note to remind myself to talk to her about it. We’re drinking some tea when Artemis begins to speak again.
"*Look both of you I know that seems odd but it was the only way I could get you to feel what you need to , If mum was around we would have had more time we would have done this properly* " Her eyes dart to the floor and a little sadness clouds her eyes .
Pausing for a short moment she shakes it off and carries on.
"*When mum was teaching me, she was able to describe the feeling she was able to guide me through bringing it out of myself you see its less of a feeling and more like instinct watch* "
I stare at her as she blinks when her eyes open, they are glowing purple when she blinks and opens them again, they are back to normal.
"Is that what you want us to be able to do? you don’t look mad at all "
"*Selene that’s exactly what I want you to do , when you can you can then try to control your other abilities , Cynthia your healing will become more intense like the kind you had when the goddess gave you the gift*"
She turns to me , "*As for you Sel , I’m hoping that the shield you can produce you can amplify without or help and the reaching people minds by talking about them you might be able to turn that off*"
It would be nice to not have to think about thinking about people before I think about them. After finishing that thought I think that’s given me more of a headache more than the cut and bruise.
"*Selene, I’m also hoping that we can maybe unlock what else you can do as I do think there is more and with developing new skills in mind, I need to show you this* "
She stands up, her eyes glow and I a flash she is gone she then links us to turn around, she is stood miles away from us a small dot in the distance. A gust of wind blows past us and she is in front of us again.
"*I always knew that when Sel came of age we might develop more gifts, but I was happy with the fighting skills, this is just an added bonus *"
She looks at us both smiling and then Cynthia lets out a small cough.
"*While we are on the subject Arti, I was having lunch with Sigi in the garden the other day when this happened* "
She picked up a crumpled brown leaf from the floor besides her, as soon as her skin touches it flashes back to green and then starts growing more leaves appearing and a vine, Cynthia chucks it back on the ground.
"*Only problem is I can’t control it yet and well , I wouldn't recommend coming to my room anytime soon unless you like indoor gardens* " She covers her mouth with her hands to stop herself from giggling , this in turn sets Arti and I off .
We spend the rest of the afternoon being Guided by Arti on focusing the feeling or rage to activate our powers Cynthia catches on quickly and while we are eating the food Arti packed she’s playing with leaves on the ground again this time willing flowers to grow from the vines .
After lunch we train some more and finally, I master the switch on as Art keeps calling it, we then agree to head back to the house Ryan has been linking Artemis getting impatient and missing her I forget how much of a baby he is.
We laugh and remember when we were small and all the annoying things, we would do to one another and that is when I am reminded of what they have agreed to do. This afternoon was perfect I felt like had them back it felt like old times, but they were both so willing to die and give all this up. As these thoughts fill me head, I fall silent for the rest of the walk back.
Aching from all we do and still not wanting to stay very much we head up the stairs after the small some small talk between Arti and Cynth about heading to see their mates they both turn to me.
"*Sel what are you going to do you can hang out with me and Ryan* "
I let out a small chortle of laughter.
"I don’t think Ryan would appreciate that Arti he’s already stood over there waiting for us to be done"
We all turn to Ryan and he instantly looks away looking awkward, but he eyes still focused on Arti.
"I’m going to go and take a nap, you enjoy your time with lover boy "
They both giggle and she walks towards him Cynthia also giving me a hug and walking inside. It pains me to know I’ve just lied to them after this amazing day but I’m not going to sleep.
I’m heading upstairs to Calder's family library to find a way to save them from their so-called destiny.