56

Artemisia

I shrieked as I jerked awake. My heart palpitated and my eyes widened as I gazed around. Sweat dribbled down my forehead. It wasn't like I had seen a monster chasing me like always, I had had the dream of Artemis again, but I couldn't remember what she had said.

I wanted to get the information about why I was seeing the goddess in my dream and the strange sensation I had been feeling inside me since the attack, but I couldn't due to the activity that was happening- trying to get to the cause of the attack as well as training to curb several damages of unexpected future attacks.

I gazed at myself and I remembered what had happened last night as I stared at the ripped nightie on me.

I feel like trash last night, I still feel that way. But, there was nothing I could do to wipe away the feeling from me. The nightie I donned was ripped from the shoulder downwards, one of my breasts was on display and it looked like I had gone into battle with a Bear as several angry lines were on my wrists and laps.

My hands clenched and I grimaced as the image of Sin popped into my head.

I was aware I had done nothing to deserve what he had done, yet he had been a jerk and had forced me into doing what I didn't want.

He had made me look like a toy he bought. I believe he did buy me from my parents but I thought we were past that.

Yesterday, he was more like a totally different person. Someone I didn't know anymore and worst was, he didn't care if I enjoyed what he did or not.

Sin's hand and presence had always ignited pleasure in me. I didn't need to think twice before I melted whilst he was touching me.

But, I felt nothing yesterday. Absolutely nothing!

Wincing, I stepped down from the bed, then walked towards the bathroom to wash up myself. As soon as I was done I stepped into the room, then walked towards the large closet. The door went ajar instantly and I flinched as Sin strode in.

I stared in fright as he stepped towards me.

His face was sporting a day-old beard and he looked haggard. The shirt he donned was hung loosely around his body and I'd have thought it to be sexy if not for the look on his face.

Just like last night, he was sporting a murderous look at me and he seemed like he was ready to pounce on me.

"I believe you enjoyed last night?" He rasped, caressing my face. He pulled me by my hair and shoved me to the wall.

I winced as my tender breasts smashed the hard wall.

"What are you doing, Sin?!" I asked as his hot breath fanned my neck. I perceived alcohol in his breath as well.

I didn't know him to be a drunkard. He had never gotten drunk in my presence before. Right now, I wonder if it was the alcohol that was controlling him.

"I am taking what is mine." He grunted.

My eyes enlarged as he shoved me towards the large bed. He removed his belt, undid his zip and came down on me.

He was doing what he did yet again. He was acting inhuman. He didn't apologise for what he did and he didn't seem to care.

It was as if all feelings were out of him. He was far from the person I know.

Even though I was aware of the monster locked within him, I saw him fully as human and incapable of being cruel until now.

Sin's hand collided with my cheeks and I winced as my teeth bit the inside of my mouth.

What had I done to deserve this?! I kept asking myself over and over again but no answer came.

Sin kept on assaulting me and when I couldn't take it any longer, I slipped out of consciousness.

********

My body ached and I couldn't lift my hands. I felt someone shaking me, but I could barely do anything.

I just lay on the bed, trying to think of whether to come awake to face the cruelty of the world or pretend as if I was dead.

Though no one would believe I was dead as I was still breathing, it was better to stay asleep than experience what I had been experiencing for a few hours now.

"Artemis!"

I jerked awake as Julie's voice snapped.

I moaned as I tried to pry my eyes open. It felt heavy as if I had an extra weight keeping it close.

"What is going on? I have been trying to make you come awake!"

"What?!" I croaked whilst gazing at Julie with unfocused eyes.

She looked kind of weird as I saw a double of her in front of me. And I couldn't hear whatever she was saying. I could only see her mouth moving and I nodded at each word.

"You need to see this." She groaned, shaking me.

I blinked back the haziness at the back of my eyes due to the urgency in her voice.

I stared at her with my now focused eyes, I saw her frightened and a little bit upset.

"What is wrong?" I mumbled, kneading the back of my neck which was sore due to how Sin had gripped me.

"It's Sinclair." She mumbled. Then added with an eye roll. "And Your sister dearest."

"What happened to them?!" I asked, dashing out of bed to the door.

"You might need to put something on," Julie said, halting me.

I groaned whilst looking at the state of the gown I was in. Julie tilted her brow and I shrugged, ignoring the questions flashing in her eyes.

"What is wrong with my sister and Sin?" I asked whilst ransacking the wardrobe for something appropriate.

Did something happen that made him act weird with me? Perhaps, something had happened because Sin had never been that cruel to the extent of forcing me against my will. He had hit me but not as hard as he had done yesterday.

"Well, you need to see for yourself," Julie repeated.

I stared into her eyes and I sensed she was trying so hard to keep it away from me.

I followed Julie out of the room to Emma's room. I halted at the door as I took in what was before me.

Sin and Emma were wrapped around each other. Both were sleeping soundly as if they didn't care about whatever was going on.

I tossed my head backwards and let out a burst of laughter.

It didn't look anything funny and I wondered why I was laughing.

I believed it was because of the situation, that was the reason.

When the laughter died down, I stared in shock at both who were still snuggled into each other.

Emma was the first to come awake, before Sin.

Her eyes collided with mine and for a brief second, shock registered in her eyes. Perhaps, at my presence in the room, before her lips curved up into a small smile.

"Oh, Artemisia." She said, covering her mouth with her hands.

"I-I…" She stuttered. Her eyes fluttered, and she shook Sin who was still staring blankly at her.

"Save it. I don't want to hear whatever comes out of your filthy mouth." I said.

That was the truth, no matter what came out of her mouth, it would definitely be a lie.

I didn't know why I was acting so surprised since Emma had been eyeing Sin for some time now.

I believed whatever was happening was meant to happen sooner than later.

But, I felt betrayed. Even though Sin was acting weird these days, which I knew he would come around again as he always does, I didn't believe he'd be with Emma on the bed.

After everything, we've had together. He sure knows how to disappoint me.

"What do you have to say?" I asked as I saw Sin's mouth opening.

I shook my head and grimaced as nothing came out of it.

"I guess nothing." He said, monotonously.

"Nothing?!" I questioned in disbelief. "What do you mean by nothing?!"

"Nothing." Sin repeated.

He rose from the bed, snatched his shirt from where it was lying on the floor and stepped away from the room without looking back.

I let out a relieved breath. At least he was decent. It would have been more embarrassing to have Julie see him without pants on.

Even though she didn't feel anything for him, I didn't want her to see him that way.

I glared at Emma as soon as Sin left.

"I didn't know you could ever do that to me."

"Your loss, Sis." She said with a shrug. She rose gingerly from the bed, did a little stretch and let out a loud groan.

"What you did is terrible, Emma. You know he is off limit, sleeping with him is stupid."

"Spare me the lecture, Puhless." Emma drawled, cutting Julie off. "I got him first, she literally stole him from him."

My hands clenched into fists and she scowled.

"You f**king rejected him!" I yelled, stepping towards her.

"He wanted me as well, sister dearest." Emma grinned. "He's just with you to take over the throne."

"That's an awful thing for you to say."

"Whatever," She said.

I stalked towards Emma. I was far too pissed with what she had done, and seeing the smug look on her face made me more furious."

"Chill," Julie mumbled, tugging me back. "She's not worth it."

I struggled in Julie's grasp as she tugged me away from the room. She didn't let go until we got inside my room.