"It has to be done," Artemis told herself quietly, the words bitter on her tongue.
"I'm sorry, Selene," she whispered, barely able to hear herself over the rush in her ears. Her voice cracked with guilt as her hand hovered above the small crib. "I didn't mean for any of this. But I have to fix my mistakes… before it's too late."
A soft, eerie glow began to pulse in her palm, quiet and deadly. The hum of power filled the room like distant thunder.
And then—
"Artemis…"
The voice was faint, fragile. Her name, spoken like a plea.
Artemis froze. She turned sharply toward the bed, her heart thudding hard against her ribs. But Megan hadn't woken. She lay nestled against the hunter's chest, her brow creased with emotion even in sleep.
"Artemis… please come back to me."
Artemis stood still, like stone. The glow in her palm flickered, a heartbeat of hesitation breaking through her resolve.
Megan shifted again, her lips parting in another whisper. "Artemis…"
