Valiant Heart by Angela Addams Page A

garbled sometimes, led us in certain directions.
    In the past six months we’d made contact with Artemis more times than not. Ella’s special brand of herbs, her knowledge of different chants, helped us make a connection that had failed us for years. We were desperate to keep the Goddess talking to us, guiding in her convoluted way.
    I didn’t presume to understand the mystical workings of Artemis and could only hope that her greater plan was something beneficial…with the Goddesses though, that was sometimes iffy. What I did know was that you didn’t want to piss off Artemis. Given our history with the woman and the fact that I was feeling the symptoms of one of her ancient punishments already—lusting for my Hunter—I wouldn’t want to cross her. If she was directing us to this purpose, then that’s what we were going to do. We lived to serve. Or something like that.
    I skirted along the edge of the camp, cutting through the forest and down a familiar path. Even with the limited light cast from the rising moon, I knew my way well enough to avoid any major pitfalls and was at the small body of water in only a few minutes.
    The lake was surrounded by forest and rocks. Big huge boulders with giant tree roots snaking down and dipping into the water. Moss was everywhere, vines too. It was fed by an underground hot spring. The water was calm, steam rising into the crisp night air. I knelt and opened my bag, then pulled out a small case that held the basic toiletries, including a body wash, shampoo conditioner combo pack that was biodegradable, safe for use in the lake. Just because I was in the wilderness didn’t mean I couldn’t have some of the comforts of home.
    I unstrapped my weapon holsters, then took them off, putting them on the ground, hilt toward the lake, just in case I needed them. I slipped out of my clothes and draped them on a tree trunk. Digging through my bag, I swapped out a clean pair of panties and bra for later, and set them aside on one of the giant boulders that was conveniently set up like a table. The stone was still warm from the sun and I pressed my palm against it. It was another reason why I loved this particular camp. I’d be able to lie out and dry in the night air, not getting too chilled thanks to the thermal heat that the boulders seemed to trap.
    If the place wasn’t infested with roaming beasts and too close to wolf territory, I’d have made it my home.
    Naked, save for the one remaining weapon holster strapped to my calf—a blade I never went without—and shivering a little, I pulled my hair from the ponytail and then waded into the lake. The water cold against my feet at first, warm tendrils snaking around my ankles as I walked farther in.
    â€œAhhh.” I moaned as the water crept up and around my waist, the soothing current cycling around me. I crouched, soaking myself from the neck down, my butt resting on the muddy, pebbly bottom, the ends of my hair wet and heavy, tugging my head with the churning water. It was like a gentle massage, watery fingers easing the tension away.
    Which reminded me of Kelly’s massage across Lance’s shoulders earlier, her hands on his flesh, the moan he’d given.
    â€œGrrrr.”
    I slipped under water and pushed myself deeper, letting the sound of the current wash away any more thoughts of him or her. My hair swirled around me, the water as clear as it could be with the limited light from the moon. Tranquility, peace, if only for a moment. I turned and swam toward the center, the lake so deep it was all darkness below. No weeds or icky things—just warm, fresh bliss.
    When I broke the surface, I instantly got a shiver of unease. My heart ramped up, thudding painfully. The lake was silent. The only sound my breathing and the lapping of the water against my body as I swayed to keep upright, treading water. The forest sounds came from a distance, leaves rustling, branches