The Guardian Chronicles: Chapter Four

The day passed by slowly. Arya talked to me about Beijing, and as I had guessed, Artemis. She was glad that I was happy being with him. Sometimes I wondered if she seemed more like a mother because I had told her when we were little and would play castle that she could be my royal advisor.As the hours dragged on, I watched Irina with profound intensity. She glared at me every time she passed me, but otherwise acted as if nothing had happened last night. When I returned to my room after lunch, there was a note lying on my vanity table. I picked it up and flopped on the bed to read it.

Luna--Please meet me in our "place" by the lake after sunset. I need to talk to you. It's important.--Arya

I waited for sunset in silence. Finally, my wait was over. I took out my diary and quickly scrawled an entry.

Dear Diary,

Going to meet Arya. Will finish entry upon return.

I threw the book under the bed and headed through the courtyard and into the woods toward the lake.Irina was waiting."Where is Arya?" I didn't hide my emotions this time. I made it clear that I wanted her dead, that I wanted to kill her. She made it clear that she felt the same way about me. She took a step toward me, her eyes burning with hatred."Your sister is at home, of course. Are you honestly stupid enough to believe that she would be here? Silly girl...""The note was from you. But how did you--""Oh, it was all too easy to get your little sister to dispense the proper information." She smirked."Now, let's finish our little battle, shall we?" She lunged at me, and I leapt to the left. She caught my ankle, and I landed hard on the ground. She grabbed my right wrist, and stood, pulling me with her. I turned to run. She jerked my wrist, turning me to face her and snapping the bone. I cried out, but she slapped her hand over my mouth, muffling my scream. I tried to break free, but her grip would not break.Finally, I was able to loosen her grip, and I bit down on her hand. She let go, and I slid to the ground. I turned to run toward the castle, which was behind her. Before I could get far enough from her, however, she brought her hand toward my face. I felt her hand hit my cheek, and I fell backwards. My head hit a tree as Irina came to stand near me."I've had enough of your little games, Brat. It's over. I win." Before I could register anything, her dagger was in her hand. The dagger, however, was not my worst problem.In my attempt to understand, I had failed to notice that on her back was a silver scabbard, from which she now pulled a second blade, this one the length of my entire arm. She came toward me, her hatred for me burning like fire in her eyes. I couldn't move, I couldn't think, I couldn't scream. I could only lay there bleeding and crying. She continued her advance, and the longer blade pointed at my heart. I cried out as the blade pierced my skin, and Irina continued to come closer. I closed my eyes and waited for my aunt to put me out of my misery.The pain stopped as quickly as it had started. I opened my eyes. Irina was on the ground and Artemis stood over her. The blade was now in his hand, and the tip was buried in Irina's ribs. Artemis left the blade where it was and came to me. He lifted me ever so gently into his arms and stared away from my wounded aunt. I noticed that we were not headed toward the castle, but toward the lake. As he carried me, I realized that my face was wet, but not with blood. Rain? I looked up with what little strength I had left and realized that I was not wet with rain, either. I looked at the lake as the tears began to run down the face of my beloved Artemis.We finally reached the clearing around the lake, and Artemis laid me gently on the grass beside the water. He grasped my hand, and I wanted more than anything to comfort him, to tell him that I was going to be alright. The fact that I couldn't only made the pain worse. Finally, I mustered up enough enough strength to speak."Artemis?" My voice was an almost inaudible whisper, but he heard me, and looked straight into my eyes."Yes, Luna?""I love you." He pulled me to him, tears falling freely. Then, I closed my eyes and saw nothing more...