Chapter 3: Ice

Erisu shot straight up, her teeth bared defiantly.  On the floor, she saw a plate of food, and before any observations came, she realised she was very hungry.  She tore into the meat as if it were a piece of flimsy cardboard, and sucked down the water, which she immediately spat out.  It was warm; she hated warm tap water.  She hated tap water in general.  Then her eyes adjusted to the brightness as she stared around the room. 

It was a blank white, no color anywhere.  All walls, no windows; there was a sink, and a small closet which held a bathroom.  Besides the cot she was sitting on, and the plate and cup on the floor, there was not much else.  She was still hungry, and all of a sudden she noticed a light blinking in the corner of the room.  Without turning her violet stare to it, she said clearly, ”Show yourself, you cowardly warmblood.”  Of course Artemis answered back. 

“There is a way out.”

“You’re not going to show it to me.” 

“No,” he said warmly.  “But I might be a little more kind if you could tell me something.” She now noticed that her wings were chained, and numbed so that she couldn’t feel them.  She knew the hard chains must be doing a number on the delicate tissue.  Normally she would have created a mini windstorm in the room at this statement, but her wings hung feebly behind her, unmoving and unresponsive. 

Finally she turned her piercing gaze on the camera.  “What is it?”

Back in his study, Artemis pondered this response.  Even though fear and concern showed through her eyes, she was openly defiant, and would not let the emotions out.  Her voice was cold and unforgiving, very low for a girl’s.  But that’s what you get from being a half- dragon. 

“May I express a personal opinion Artemis?” Butler said.  He knew to be polite at this delicate stage, and Artemis was a little happy he had remebered. 

“What is it old friend?”

“She reminds me of an icicle; Sharp, cold and hard.”

Artemis sighed and turned his gaze to the screen.  “I have to admit I agree.”  He then flipped the switch on the microphone.  “I only wish for one of your scales.” 

This angered her.  “I have no scales yet.  Anyone with eyes could see that!” 

Artemis smiled his trademark vampire grin.  Cold and calculated she may be, but she had slipped up as easily as a normal grade schooler.  “Well, then I suppose you will be staying here quite a bit longer until you decide to lead us to your clan.” 

It was her turn to smile, and she did.  “You think you can handle it?  Really?  You, a warmblood, and a young one at that, are willing to journey to the farthest reaches of the sun, to the place of eternal night, get nearly eaten by my family, or a number of other dangerous beasts, just so you can have your scale?  You are what we dragons like to call obsessed.”

“You are not technically a dragon.”  Artemis said with his usual coolness.  It had the desired effect. 

She flew into a rage.  It was one thing to call her a half dragon, but to insult her, without even knowing of her powerful heritage, was a very stupid thing to do.  Her eyes turned pink, and her wings shot out of their chains, tearing the tissue.  She shouted at the camera, spraying spittle all over the screen.  “You will not live to see another sun warmblood!  The wrath of Kolakan shall be unleashed upon those who taint the name of him!!!” She calmed down a bit, blood dripping from the torn wing.  “I warn you warmblood, it will not be easy.  You will probably die, but it’s been a while since I’ve tasted human.”  This was a lie; she had never tasted human, but  Artemis almost believed it.  He shut the screen down, and deicded it would be best to go to sleep.  “Tend to our friend Butler, we must at least keep her alive.”

“Of course Artemis.”

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