Nemesis flew through the trees like a phantom torn from hell, her body crashing through bark and stone as Artemis kept her pinned. His jaws sank into her shoulder, dragging her deeper into the forest where the others couldn't see…couldn't hear.
She didn't scream.
She laughed.
"You always were the rabid one," she hissed, blood running black down her throat. "So predictable."
Artemis roared, slamming her against a boulder. Her skull cracked hard…but the sound only made her smile widen.
"You hit like a prince pretending to be a beast."
He lunged again.
This time, she was ready.
A pulse of shadow burst from her chest, sending him flying. He hit the forest floor hard, shifted midair, landing as a man. Naked, panting, cut open along his ribs, but still burning with fury.
"I will tear your tongue out before you speak her name again," he spat.
Nemesis hovered above the ground now, her feet not touching the earth, her black dress flickering like flame.
