Read Online Artemis the Brave by Suzanne Williams, Joan Holub - Free Book Online Page B

walked toward Dionysus and Poseidon to point out something that seemed to annoy them as well.
    Artemis and Persephone jumped up to intercept Aphrodite. “What did Orion say to you?” asked Persephone.
    “He keeps trying to give me acting lessons,” Aphrodite complained. “He thinks he’s the director!”
    “I’m sure he’s only trying to help,” said Artemis. Orion had so much more experience with theater than everyone else.
    Aphrodite frowned. “Well, he’s not helping. Would you ask him to stop?”
    “Me? Why don’t you ask him?”
    “I have, but he won’t listen. First he won the lead from poor Dionysus. But it looks like that isn’t enough for him. He’s trying to make his part bigger by stealing all the best lines and scenes from everyone for himself. I’m beginning to think your brother was right about him. Orion’s an egomaniac.”
    “He does seem ambitious,” Persephone said as if to soften Aphrodite’s remark.
    Though his ambition troubled Artemis a little too, she pushed her concern away. “He’s used to being a star and—”
    Aphrodite cut her off. “Why do you keep defending him?”
    “Because,” Artemis said lamely.
    “Because you like him,” said Aphrodite, folding her arms.
    Artemis shrugged, a little embarrassed. “Because I think he’s mega-tastic.”
    “Stop saying that word, ‘mega,’” said Aphrodite. “You’re starting to sound just like him. And that’s not a compliment.”
    Artemis glanced at Persephone, hoping for support. After all, no one, including herself, had liked Hades much when Persephone first started seeing him. If anyone would understand what Artemis was going through, it would be her.
    But Persephone just shrugged. “Aphrodite’s right. All you’ve talked about for the last week is Orion, Orion, Orion. If anyone says a word against him, you take his side.”
    “I’m sorry you don’t like him,” said Artemis, feeling a little annoyed. “I think he’s interesting. Just as you find Hades interesting,” she couldn’t help adding. “Don’t you think you could be as wrong about Orion as I—and everyone else—was about Hades?”
    “I guess so,” Persephone said uncertainly.
    Aphrodite sighed. “Okay, point taken. New topic. So, are we all still on for shopping this weekend? Athena’s busy rehearsing with the chorus now, but she said she’s up for it tomorrow afternoon.”
    “Artemis!” Orion snapped his fingers. “Where’s my script?”
    At the sound of his voice, Artemis jumped. “Coming!” she called to him. Then, in a quieter voice, she told her friends, “Sorry, but I can’t make it this weekend. I promised to help Orion with his lines before the play starts next week. You guys have fun without me, though.”
    Aphrodite stalked a few steps away. Then she turned around and glared at Artemis. “First rule of friendship: Never, ever dump your friends over a guy.”
    Persephone touched Artemis’s arm. “We just don’t want you to get hurt. Think about what we said, okay?”
    What in the world is she talking about? wondered Artemis. Why would she get hurt? She and Orion were getting along astronomically well, thank you very much. He spent more time with her than anyone.
    “Artemis?” Orion called impatiently.
    “Gotta go,” she told her friends, dashing off. Oomph. Not looking where she was going, Artemis ran straight into her brother halfway across the room.
    “Thought I might find you here,” said Apollo.
    “Huh?” Then she noticed he was carrying his bow and quiver. She put her fingers to her lips in horror. “Oh no! I forgot archery practice this afternoon, didn’t I?”
    His expression tightened. “Exactly.”
    “I’m so sorry. It’s just that I got caught up in the play.”
    Apollo’s brows went up. “Since when do you like theater more than archery?”
    She shrugged. “Well . . .” Her eyes went to the stage and Orion.
    Apollo followed her gaze. His eyes narrowed. “I don’t get it. What do you see in