Sunshine stood there for several minutes, debating what she should do about Talon.
But in the end, she knew what her heart demanded she do…
She'd asked Psyche if it were possible to summon a goddess. She wasn't sure if Psyche had been honest, but there was only one way to find out.
"Artemis," she said out loud. "I summon you to human form.
"
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Nothing happened.
There was no sound, no great flash of light.
Nothing.
Depressed, she started for her bedroom.
"Who are you? And why have you called for me?
"
She froze at the sound of the peeved, thickly accented voice behind her.
Turning around, she saw an incredibly tall, beautiful woman standing by her sofa. Artemis had long, curly auburn hair that spiraled around the face of an angel and vibrant green eyes that didn't look happy to be here.
The goddess was dressed in a long, white sheathlike dress and stood with her hands on her hips.
"Are you Artemis?
"
"Gee, let me think. Did you call for Artemis or for Peter Pan?
"
Well, Artemis was definitelynot a late-night person. She gave a whole new meaning to the wordcranky
.
"I called for Artemis.
"
"Then since I'm not dressed in green and have the body of a woman and not some prepubescent boy, I
guess I must be she.
"
"Are you always this irritable?
"
"Are you always this stupid?" She crossed her arms over her chest and gave Sunshine a withering glare.
"Look, little human, I have no patience for you. You're not one of my subjects and that medallion around your neck greatly offends me. So tell me what you want so I can tell you to go bugger off.
"
This was not looking good. Talon's boss-lady was a serious bitch. "I wanted to ask you if I could get Talon's soul back from you.
"
She cocked her head at the question. "You mean Speirr of the Morrigántes? The Celtic chieftain I
snagged away from the Morrigán?
"
"Yes.
"
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"No.
"
"No?" Sunshine asked in disbelief.
"Is there an echo? No, human, his soul belongs to me and you can't have it.
"
"Why not?
"
"Because I said so.
"
Sunshine was aghast. Furious at her too. Artemis would never be voted Miss Congeniality. The goddess needed some personal-relationship seminars. "Well, that just makes it official then, doesn't it?
"
Artemis arched a haughty brow. "Little girl, have you any idea who or what you're dealing with?
"
Sunshine took a deep breath and prayed for patience. She couldn't afford to lose her temper with the person who happened to own Talon's soul. Not if she wanted it back.
Not to mention the small fact that as a goddess, Artemis could probably wish her dead if she made her mad enough.
"I know, Artemis. I'm sorry. I don't mean to offend you. I am in love with Talon and I want us to have a future together. I would do anything to keep him with me. Can you not understand that?"
Artemis's face softened a degree, as if she could relate. "Yes, I understand."
"Then can I—"
"The answer is still no."
"Why?"
"Because nothing in this world is ever free. If you want his soul back you have to earn it or pay for it."
"How?"
Artemis shrugged. "Youcan't. You have nothing I want or value, therefore you have nothing to barter with."
"Oh, come on, are you serious?"
"Deadly." Artemis flashed into vapor and vanished.
Ugh! Sunshine wanted to throttle the woman. How could she be so selfish?
"Artemis!" she called out before she could stop herself. "You seriously suck!"
Closing her eyes, Sunshine sighed. What was she to do now? There was no way that selfish heifer would ever let go of Talon's soul.
What were they going to do?
Amanda Devereaux-Hunter woke up at seven-thirty in the morning. She glanced absently at the clock and closed her eyes, then jerked to full alertness as the time dawned on her.
It was seven-thirtya.m . and her infant daughter, Marissa, hadn't awakened for her five o'clock feeding.
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Not quite panicked, but definitely concerned about her baby, she got up and went to the nursery in the room beside hers.
As she neared the crib, her heart stopped.
It was empty.
At only three weeks of age, there was no chance Marissa had gotten up and walked away.
Oh God, it was Desiderius!
He'd come back for them!
Terror gripped her at the thought. Ever since she and Kyrian had defeated that monster, she'd had recurring nightmares of him returning from the dead for vengeance against them.
"Kyrian!" She raced back to the bed and woke her husband.
"What is it?" he asked grumpily.
"It's Marissa. She's gone."
Kyrian sat up, fully alert now. "Gone where?"
"She's not in her crib. I don't know where she is."