Crossing Enemy Lines

Chapter Two : Him - Artemis

I can’t sleep that night.

I lay in my bed in the Healer’s home, shivering despite the warm air and sheets, as I toss and turn. Jasper clouds my thoughts. Every time I close my eyes, I see his face. I hate to admit it, but I wish he was here. I wish I was wrapped in his embrace, that his lips were on mine, and his hands were on my body. I know the danger of it, but I also know that I wouldn’t be able to stay away, even if I wanted to. Because my desire to be with him is just as strong as my desire to keep him safe.

You can’t have both, the rational part of me reminds. I frown and slide my hand down my thigh, wishing it was his. I can still feel the heat of when his lips were on mine, when his hands held me close to him. I hate how weak I’m being, that I react the way I do to him. But I can’t help it. I was made for him, and he was made for me. My hands slip lower, across my stomach and between my warm thighs. I sigh, low and heavy, and close my eyes. But as if to intentionally interrupt, there’s a knock. I jump and sit up before the Healer, Alice, enters.

“One of the Waterford boys got hit with an arrow.” Her once white nightgown billows around her in the gentle air coming through the vents. Her gray hair hangs loosely, just past her breasts.

“Good or bad witch?” I ask her. Her wrinkled mouth sets into a firm line. It was a dumb question. Only the bad witches’ arrows pose a threat.

“Get dressed quickly.” I nod before she leaves the room.

When Alice and I meet in the living room, she hands the heavy, black bag containing all we would need to save the boy. Her hands shake violently as she does. Her hair is twisted into a severe bun at the back of her neck. Her dress is dark green, a traditional color for our Healers. I follow her from the house, my feet crunching on the dry grass.

“I’m going to speed up your training,” she breathes quietly, her voice thin but heavy with unshed tears, “I don’t have much longer. But I’m confident that you can handle this. I would bring in someone else if I didn’t.” I look over at her as a crystal tears glides down her withered cheek. I squeeze her arm gently, a small comfort. I know she’s dying, but her acknowledging it makes it worse.

“Yes, ma’am. I won’t let you down.” She lets out a gentle chuckle. She grips my arm tightly as we go up the stairs of the Waterford porch. I open the unlocked door for her and look around.

Mason Waterford, the oldest of the boys, is waiting for us. He stands when we shut the door behind us. Wordlessly, he leads us to the youngest’s bedroom. He lays on the bed, face pinched in pain. Alice looks to the parents.

“Artemis is going to begin. We need to brew some things to stay off infection and halt the poison.” They nod, the woman holding in sobs. She all but runs from the room, leaving me, Mason, Alex, and James. Alex, only 10, is crying. I look at Mason.

“He doesn’t need to see this part.” Mason nods and gets his brother out of the room. I turn my attention to James. Only 8, he’s crying uncontrollably.

“James, chew this, it will help the pain.” He nods, watching me with big, yellow eyes. He takes the root I hand him and dutifully pops it into his mouth. The arrow, or what’s left of it, protrudes from his leg, covered in blood. He wears nothing but an oversized shirt, laying against towels that had been laid on his bed.

“I’ve got to take this out now. It’s going to hurt.” He spits out the root and nods. His bottom lip is trembling.

“Can you count down for me?” I nod. Mason walks in as I move to the side of the bed. He holds his brother’s hand before I carefully, and as quickly as possible, pull the arrow from his leg. He screams in pain, a sound that squeezes my heart. I find a salve in the bag made from the wolf’s flower. He winces as I carefully rub it into the wound. The redness around it almost instantly fades. His muscles relax under my cool hands as I work quickly. Alice feeds him a tea of brewed herbs and dabs a cool cloth across his forehead. I wrap his leg in a clean, white gauze.

“Stay off of it for a few days, and don’t shift. If it still hurts or hasn’t healed after a week, you come see us. Okay?” He nods before sitting up. He hugs me with a smile. I smile and rub his back gently. Alice nods in approval. She gives the parents instructions before leading me back home. She walks in silence, but when we stepped through the door, she sets her trembling hands on my shoulders.

“You did great, Artemis. I’m very proud of you.” I smile gratefully before she embraces me.

Softly, she breathes into my hair, “I want you to stay here full time until I pass. It won’t be too long. You’ll have the run of the house,” she inhales deeply, the sound rattling within her, “Even your vampire friend can visit. I just don’t want to be alone when it happens. And it will be easier to finish your training.” I hug her tightly but carefully, tears rolling freely down my cheeks.

“How’d you know?”

“You talk in your sleep. And when your lungs are slowly failing, it’s hard to sleep. And your scent right now. It’s okay. I won’t tell.” I bury my face in her shoulder and inhale the scent of her housecoat. It smells of herbs. Clove and vanilla and cinnamon mixed with the wolf’s flower. It fills my nose and wraps around me.

“I don’t know what I’ll do without you,” I manage, “You’ve raised me more than my own parents.” She gives a heavy laugh.

“I’ll always be with you, Artemis. Just as the Healer before me is with me. And in this way, we live on. Now, go and get some sleep.” I nod and head back to my room, knowing that I won’t be able to sleep.

Early morning sunlight floods through my window as the birds chirp. I raise my heavy eyelids and sit up. I know I need to get up and get dressed, but I’m exhausted. Yawning, I sit down on my bed and sigh. Alice knocks on the door and opens it. She’s already wears a dark green shirt and khaki pants. She offers me a thermos of coffee. I smile and accept it.

“Come on, you have to get going,” she tells me. I smile and grab my bag from the floor.

“I want to tell you something. I went through what you’re going through now. I was 19 when I met him. A vampire. And I rejected him. And I’ve regretted it every day since. You embrace him. I don’t want you to live like I have.” I nod, in awe of the enigma before me. She smiles and strokes my cheek.

“I know you haven’t heard this enough in your life, but I am so proud of you. Every day, I see what a wonderful woman you’ve become, and I know that I’ve played a role in your upbringing.” I smile and squeeze her wrinkled, shaking hand.

“I have to get to school, but when I get back, I’ll make us dinner. And get my stuff from my dad’s house.” Her brown skin crinkles around her eyes as she smiles. She opened the door for me and pats my shoulder.

“Have a good day. Learn stuff,” she tells me. I nod before heading out.

The school parking lot is already filled when I get there. It takes me a minute to find a good spot. I get out of the car, stumbling over my own foot just a little. The gravel crunches under my shoes as I walk. I look around the lot. He’s walking from his car, a two-door, gray jeep. I can’t help but smile as he catches my gaze and jogs over to me. He smiles widely, showing off his pointed canines.

“Hey,” he says the word like a breath he'd been holding, “How are you?” I smile and blush as I look at his handsome face.

“Tired. We had a call in the middle of the night. You?” Jasper smiles warmly and shrugs.

“Pretty good. I didn’t have that dream last night, so I actually got some sleep.” I smile and look down at my shoes.

“So, I’ve thought more about it. And I’m gonna try to make this work. I don’t want to get to 80 years old and be alone and sad because I ruined my chance at real happiness. So, let’s try this. And if it doesn’t work, we can move on and just pretend to have never met our mates.” His smile is brilliant, heart-stopping. He stops walking and pulls me to him. One arm encompasses my waist, and his free hand cups my cheek. His lips meet mine softly but with the urgency of a last kiss. They’re warm and soft and move against mine with confidence. I smile and kiss him back, laying my hand on the back of his neck. Heat licks up my legs slowly, like warm flames moving across my body. He pulls back sooner than I’d like, but I know that we can’t just make out in the parking lot. We walk to class together, stealing glances of the other as we walk. And as his hand encompasses mine, I couldn’t even consider regretting my decision.