Across The Ages (On Hold)

III

The Lieutenant of the Hunt, Zoë Nightshade glared at the man who called himself Riptide. She knew something was off about him. He was just so powerful that she wasn't sure if he was a minor god, or a demigod but really powerful.

There was also the fact that she got the feeling she knew him from somewhere. And that name? Ugh, he was bothering her without even being there to do it.

"You know, you truly are perplexed about me aren't you, Miss Nightshade? It's been quite awhile since I've had the opportunity to speak to someone of your caliber, daughter of Atlas."

Zoë froze. How did he know such things? For Riptides part, he just smirked. He remembered the fun times back before he had to send her away that they exchanged barbs back and forth. He'd come to find it endearing. But when she whirled on him, angrier than anything he'd ever seen, he wasn't too sure.

"Where do you get off saying things of such a nature? As for that, how do you even know?"

Riptide sighed. "Maybe because we used to know each other. But those days are long gone. I didn't realize how much Artemis would change you, nor how much time really did pass. For that, I am sorry."

Zoë was unsure of herself now. He said they knew each other, but had never met anyone who went by the name, Riptide. There was only one person she ever remembered who was even called that. Back in the final years of Troy, a man who rescued her. He'd lost his sword in battle, yet, he'd refused to stay out of the fight the next day, even though none of the swords he tried fit his hand well.

She gave him a gift, a sword made from her own powers. The Greeks had taken to calling him Riptide for the name of the sword he wielded and the way the enemy broke away but was still slain before they realized it.

But there was no way this could be him. That man had died millennia ago, trying to defend one of his dead friends homelands. So, who was he? How did he know so much about her?

Her fists clenched as anger welled up in her. How was it, a mere demigod knew so much about her but refused to tell her? Where did he get off talking to Artemis that way? Why did he seem so familiar?

She wanted answers, but was sure that he'd never reveal them. At least not willingly. What could she do to get him to speak? Seduce him? No, as soon as that idea popped in, she threw it out. She wasn't sure he wouldn't force her to do anything against her will when he realized it was just a scam to get him to reveal his secrets.

Trick him? Maybe, but she wasn't sure that would work either. He seemed a lot smarter than someone easily duped into letting go of something he's held on to so tightly. He infuriated her. She couldn't figure him out. Not his personality, the extent of his powers, who he was, or how they knew each other.

"Well, how do you do it?"

He looked at her. Or she thought he did, as his hooded head turned in her direction. "Do what?" he asked.

"How do you live with yourself. After all, you are a male. You've probably raped more women than the number of monsters you've killed."

Riptide jerked back, eyes flashing. The sky overhead darkened and the temperature dropped rapidly. "Raped more women than monsters I've killed, huh?" His jaw was tight and locked into place, as if it were the only thing keeping him from lashing out.

Fear sparked in Zoë's eyes, the first bit since she believed herself to be alone. And one person...one MAN, had helped her. But this wasn't him, so why should she treat him differently than the other men she belittled and even killed?

Before he could do anything rash, Riptide disappeared into mist, leaving Zoë standing there alone and still scared.