“I’m not worried about it. He never would have called me here if I didn’t have a shot. You know he’s not a fan of losing.”
Fulla sighs, clearly exasperated with me. “You don’t understand what it’s really like here, Artemis. We’re treated differently and any female that speaks out is shamed and belittled. They’ll accuse you of special treatment for being a woman. That you’ve spread your legs for the right people. That you bribe and manipulate. Don’t be surprised if they accuse you of being a witch.”
“A witch? That’s stupid.” I snort, refusing to believe her. But she stares at me for an extended period and there’s no doubting her honesty.
“I’ve already had special treatment, according to some.”
I look away from the guys to Eros, who sits at a table with the group he was with last night. They hunch together, speaking in low tones and paying no attention to anybody. I caught his eye on the way in and laughed when he subconsciously touched his ear.
“Get through the meeting this morning and between me and Apollo’s group, we’ll make you into a champion this Academy has never seen.”
I nod, accepting her offer to help with social graces. I don’t deny that I also need a friend. A girl-friend that I can talk to and trust. “The guys said they’ll have a planning session after I speak with the judges. They can show me how to take advantage of our opponents’ weaknesses as well as show our strengths. They’ve learned them; I need to know too.”
“That’s something, I suppose.” Fulla pops a grape into her mouth and chews thoughtfully. “What do you think of them?”
“They’ll be good allies. They’re strong. Skilled.”
“No. I mean what do you think of them. Dion has his eye on you, and I’m betting he’s not the only one.” She arches a brow.
“I have more important concerns than which guy I’d like to kiss.”
Fulla’s eyes shine. “I don’t think Dion just wants to kiss you.”
I drink and glance back over at them. “I heard some girls last night talking about how I’ve never been with a man, and it’s true. But it doesn’t mean I’m about to jump the first one who offers. I know that’s what some of them must be thinking. Yes, I’d like to experiment with one of them, maybe more than one, they’re all very attractive, but…” I trail off as Fulla takes on the wide-eyed shock I’ve begun to notice when I speak frankly to her.
“Experiment?” she asks quietly.
“Sexually.” If possible, I think her eyes widen further. “Sorry. I know. Think before I speak.”
Fulla places a hand over mine and squeezes. “I like that the gods met their match.”
“And I’d like them to keep thinking I killed a man who saw me naked.” I chuckle. “Some rumors will help me keep the upper hand.”
A girl sitting at the opposite end of the table has kept her focus on eating, but as our conversation continued I noticed more furtive glances in my direction. How much has she heard, and how much of a gossip is she? I throw her a wide smile and she stares down at her plate, cheeks turning pink. Fulla nods, indicating we should stop the conversation, and I return to my breakfast.
I realize as soon as breakfast is over that I should have eaten lighter. The food settles in my belly like a heavy stone. I don’t like to admit that I’m nervous, but everything about this place makes me uneasy. It’s foreign and along with the food making me feel ill, I’m suddenly homesick.
“I might meet you outside,” I say to Fulla. “I need some air.”
She tips her head, concern on her face. “Are you okay? You can’t go far—we have to meet the judges in ten minutes.”
My aching belly twists with nerves. “I can sit on the wall opposite the dining hall.”
I’d rather walk into the courtyard, but the low walls where the building opens out to views across the campus will have to do; I’ll see some sunshine and escape the cloying atmosphere if I sit there. Before Fulla can protest more, I say goodbye and make my way across the walkway.
My mind wanders between thoughts of Apollo's journal entries and attempts to figure out what I’m facing when I meet the judges. I bet they’re all men. I should care what they think of me, but I don’t. I’m as eager to meet them and figure them out, as much as they will me. Perhaps one knows about my brother’s death.
As I’m musing, Loki appears, striding from the room and pushing his dark hair from his face. A few guys here have longer hair and in some cases, they look unkempt. Loki’s shines and, where it touches his face, accentuates his sharp cheekbones. The dark color contrasts with his paler skin and eyes as bright as Thor’s.
They called him a trickster, and there’s definitely something calculating in his eyes as he sizes up his surroundings. I imagine he’d be a formidable opponent in a battle of wits, as the smile he gives as he approaches is as disarming as Dion’s. He doesn’t have his brother’s bulk, but I won’t underestimate his strength.
Did he add something to Thor’s drink, or was he telling the truth and I genuinely beat him?
“Good morning, Art. How’s your head today?”
I scowl at the nickname. “Fine.”
“So, you weren’t drunk when you said those things to me and Dion last night?”
I tip my head. I never saw his response and I can’t figure out what he thinks now, either. “No.”
“Well, you’re certainly unconventional. I like that in a girl.” He pauses. “How do you feel about meeting the judges?”
I look behind him, expecting to see the others, but only two girls emerge. Did he come to speak to me?
“Are you worried I’ll fail the trial?” I ask.
“No, I’m just wondering. Being polite.”
But is he? Perhaps there’s a different worry in his eyes—not that I’ll fail, but that I’ll be hurt. How bad are these trials? Loki failed them. I bite back asking why he didn’t pass, partly because I don't want to poke a sore spot and partly because I don't want him to plant doubt.
Fulla appears behind Loki. “Artemis! We can’t be late.”
I rest my hands on the brick and tip my head back to breathe in the fresh air. “You said we had ten minutes.”
“Now five and we have to walk across the academy to reach their room. You can’t be late—it would show disrespect.”
Loki chuckles. “If only they knew how disrespectful Artemis intends to be.”
I shoot him a look. “Only of their archaic and unfair rules. Besides, this goes both ways. I’ll disrespect anybody who doesn’t respect who I am.”
“Man, the judges have their work cut out.” He nudges Fulla. “Right?”
“We need to hurry, Artemis.” Fulla begins to walk away. “Come on.”
“Later,” I say to Loki and begin to follow.
As I walk away, I feel his eyes on me.
15
ARTEMIS
There’s an entire separate wing designated for athletics. Fulla explains that these are typically used for everyone. Sports are a big thing here, but during the Trials, huge sections of the training facility are reserved for the competitors.
Fulla leaves me in the hallway and wishes me luck. My allies are nowhere to be seen.
“They’re afraid the judges will be biased if they see them with you,” my new friend explains. “Apollo’s death has made everyone paranoid. Publicly announcing an alliance at this point could be suicidal.”
It’s hard to comprehend that this place is dangerous—that a murderer lives in its walls. The forests were my home but predators lived around us at all times. We were constantly vigilant. Here, it’s easy to slip into passivity.
I’m instructed to go to a small room off the main gymnasium. In the middle sits a desk, a pen, and five pieces of paper. A clock begins the instant I sit in the chair. I have one hour to answer the one single question printed at the top of the sheet.
“Why are you a qualified candidate for the Trials?”
I consider all the reasons. I’m tough and strong. I have moral fortitude and unwavering confidence. There are a dozen directions to go in, but in the end, I answer in one sentence.
“I am the daughter of Zeus and Leto, the twin of Apollo and taking my brother’s place is my bloodright.”