Artemis and Alexander walked through the forest, his hands in his pockets while she followed quietly. Birds chirped in the distance, and leaves rustled underfoot. Suddenly, Alexander stopped and stepped closer to her. His expression shifted as he listened closely to her heartbeat—his eyes narrowing before curling into a smile.
"Is something wrong, Master?" she asked, confused.
He didn't answer. Instead, he kept moving closer until her back gently met a tree.
"Ma-Master?"
"I have the sudden urge to do things to you right here," he murmured, voice low as he caged her between his arms.
Artemis blinked, flustered, before offering a soft smile. But his brow furrowed, and as he leaned in for a kiss—he stopped.
She waited, eyes closed.
It never came.
Her eyes fluttered open. His eyes had darkened.
Her smile faded. Her skin paled.
"Did you actually think I'd lock lips with a creature as filthy as you?" he growled.
"Wh-What do you mean, Master?" she stammered.
Without warning, Alexander grabbed her neck and slammed her against the tree. Her body lifted off the ground as he held her in a crushing grip.
"Ma-Master... I... I can't breathe... Ah!" she choked, clawing at his arm. But it was like steel. He didn't budge an inch.
—
Some minutes earlier
After finishing in the restroom cubicle, Artemis stepped out and moved toward the sink. As she washed her hands, she felt a presence behind her. Assuming she was blocking someone, she looked up.
"I'm sorry, I'm almost—" she froze.
Her eyes widened.
The woman behind her wasn't human. Grey, scaly skin covered her body, and a forked tongue slithered in and out of her mouth. Artemis stood paralyzed, too terrified to scream.
A second figure emerged from another cubicle. She looked human—too human.
Artemis' heart dropped.
The girl looked exactly like her. Same hair. Same eyes. Same outfit. Down to the shoes. The only difference was the wicked grin plastered on her doppelgänger's face.
"Found you," the creature behind her whispered.
Help...me... The words wouldn't come. Her voice was gone.
"Not so fast. We can't have you screaming for the Councilman, now can we?" her double cackled. The scaly creature lunged forward and clamped its hand around Artemis' throat.
A single tear rolled down her cheek as she struggled. Her vision dimmed.
"A…lex…ander…"
Everything went black.
—
Back in the forest
"Where is Artemis?" Alexander's voice was thunderous.
The girl he held stopped squirming. Then she smirked.
Her skin began to shift—cracking and darkening like dried, blackened seaweed. She hissed.
"As remarkable as always, Alexander Quinn. But you're too late. That bitch is done for," she cackled.
His jaw clenched.
"You know..." Half of her face twisted into Artemis'—perfectly mimicking her voice. "I can be her replacement." She slid a hand up his arm.
Alexander stared at her blankly.
Then he raised his fist—and drove it into her face.
The creature screamed, coughing black blood. Still, she laughed.
"How... How did you know I wasn't the real one?" she choked.
Alexander's grin turned demonic. His eyes glitched—shifting from deep red to terrifying, slitted crimson, like those of a dragon.
The gorgon paled instantly. Her mocking tone vanished.
"You...you...you are—" Her voice cracked in terror.
Alexander leaned in and whispered into her ear.
"Now be a good little girl and tell me where she is..." His voice was smooth. Deadly.
"Before I smash your insides into oblivion."
—
Artemis stirred. Her eyes fluttered open.
Her arms and legs were bound. Her mouth was gagged.
"Mmph! Mmph!" She thrashed, struggling.
"Stop that, you pest!" a rough voice snapped.
She froze.
Her eyes adjusted to the dim light, revealing a man and woman looming over her—both with cold, menacing stares.
"You're finally awake," the man said flatly. "Thought you were dead. You wouldn't be much use if you were."
Who… are these people? she swallowed hard.
The man turned to the woman.
"Elenore, are you sure Lisa will slow that beast down? He's not a senior Councilman for nothing."
"Relax, Darone. He seems to like this girl," she shrugged. "Should buy us a few hours."
"If the sacrifice escapes, the Grand Mistress will have us both burnt alive."
"Enough, Darone!"
Sacrifice? Grand Mistress? My double? Wait... I was kidnapped?!
Her heart raced. Her eyes widened.
Darone turned back to her. She flinched.
"But I have to admit—she's quite the looker." His grin was lecherous. Artemis recoiled in disgust.
"I wouldn't mind having a go at her."
"Touch her and you're dead," Elenore snapped.
"Fine, fine," he sighed, raising his hands. "All we're waiting for now is the Grand Mistress' orders. And where the hell is Ketra?"
"She's on another mission. She's keeping the Councilman off our trail—assuming Lisa fails," Elenore said, folding her arms and glaring down at Artemis with a smirk.
"Looks like your prince charming won't be coming to save you," she sneered.
The two laughed.
Artemis' eyes watered. She squirmed helplessly.
Alexander... where are you?
She shut her eyes, a single tear falling.