Finding the huntresses was quite easy. I had already been tracking them for the past few weeks.

I knew they were somewhere in the Austin hills. Tracking who knows what beast.

When I landed at their camp my pegasus began to moan. "Now Izzy, we've been over this, just because Butch isn't here doesn't mean your in danger." There I was talking about my brother to soothe a horse.

"Finally made up your mind?" a girl walked up to me. She was around sixteen, with a leather jacket and black jeans. A silver circlet sat on her head, the marking of Artemis' second in command. Thalia Grace daughter of Zeus.

I wanted to say yes and pledge myself to Artemis right then and there, but I knew I couldn't. Apollo needed my help and for whatever reason, I was going to save him.

"I need to speak with Artemis," I began.

"Then speak child," a young woman came out from a tent behind Thalia. I barely recognized Artemis in such an old form. Normally she was about eight. Now she was over twenty.

I told her the story... all of it. She cringed every time I mentioned her brother kiss or even touch me.

"I have known my brother was away but I didn't know..." she began. "Who would take him?"

Now we were sitting inside her cabin. The fire in the hearth reminded me of Apollo's eyes. I couldn't help but miss him.

"Does anyone have a grudge against him?" I asked.

She laughed, "He is beloved by all Olympians, the charmer." I could tell the annoyance in her tone.

"Then what's happened?" I couldn't continue before a voice came. It seemed to be coming from the fire. When I looked a face appeared. It morphed from one gorgeous face to another but all of them were the same person.

"My dear," the voice said giddily.

"Aphrodite," Artemis roared.

"No need to fret." Aphrodite voice was smooth, "I come to tell you that Apollo is safe, I have made sure of that."

"You took him! Why!" I screamed as I aimed an arrow at the fire.

Yes I am aware that yelling at a goddess is a bad plan, but I couldn't help myself.

"What better way to create a perfect romantic tale," she seemed to get even giddy as she talked.

"Romance?" I was confused, sure I wanted to help him, but not for those reasons.

"Ahhh ah ah," Aphrodite shook her head. "You know the tale of Psyche my dear daughter-in-law.

I shook my head. Psyche and Cupid was my favorite myth and keeping that story in mind I did not like where this was going.

"First you must prove your devotion to him,"

"Excuse me?" I was offended by the thought of devoting myself to a god.

"Yes dear, complete two of Psyche's tasks, then I will reveal his location." she clapped happily, "Oh my dear, I have been waiting on a good romance for so long!"

"I won't do that," I wanted to, but something in me was stopping me.

"Oh yes you can, just get that pesky lead out of your heart and you will be fine."

Everyone had mentioned the lead, but I never believed it until now. "How do I get rid of it?"

"Why just ask."

"You?" i was extremely confused.

"The world, wish it gone."

"How could it be that easy?"

"Well it's not that easy to dislodge one of my son's arrowheads but your mother removed most of it already."

"How come no one else told me this?"

I could tell she was become bored with the conversation, "No other god is the mother of Cupid."

"Alright... i wish the lead leave my heart?" i pleaded. It was not a second later that I felt a rush of relief unlike any other. My emotions did not hold themselves back. A small shard appeared in my hand. No larger than a penny, but I still can't believe it was in my heart. I was ready to do anything for Apollo now. "Which task?" I knew the story, all were impossible, but some less impossible than others.

"Well...." she pondered it as though she had never thought about it, "Well see when you get here"

My stomach turned. I was at the will of an insane god who only wanted a good show. She didn't care about if I died in the process, or if Apollo was harmed, she cared about her little fairytale and I was a pawn.

Artemis was not pleased however, "You can't steal a god to bubble up some love story!"

"My dear, we are gods, we can do whatever we want."

I knew at that moment I was glad not to be a god. They were brutal, selfish beings that didn't care about my hardship as long as they got what they wanted.

"I'll do it," the words slipped from me. Anything for Apollo. I didn't know why I felt this way but I did. I would die for him if I had to.

"Very well, come to my palace and I will guide you to your trials," with that she disappeared with the smoke.

I was beginning to love him back. Although the thought terrified me, it was correct. I felt something more than obligation. I wanted to find him, I wanted to be near him. I had to save him.

Before I left to find Aphrodite's palace, Artemis put a hand on my shoulder, "My dear, I want nothing more than you to join my hunt," she seemed to be regretting every word she spoke, "But I hope you know that unless he releases you, letting you be a hunter would mean I would be betraying him."

"I know," another reason I had to find Apollo. Whether I loved him or not, I still wished to be a huntress and I would have to beg for his blessing.