Chapter Five

Atalanta tightly clasped Artemis' hand behind her back. She admired Artemis' nerve to come and investigate new things, albeit the physical danger surrounding his missions. But she sincerely hoped this latest expedition wouldn't get them into any trouble.

"Artemis, are you sure this is the right thing to do? I mean, look, we've only just turned up, and we've already created a fuss." Atalanta whispered anxiously. She wasn't actually worried any physical harm would befall them, she knew she could handle that, but Atalanta was more worried about the effects Artemis' intrusion will have on the sorcerers.

"I know Atalanta, but I really do want to learn more about them. Maybe it'll all be fine." Artemis gave her hand a gentle squeeze to reassure her. Although the tension did ease a little, Atalanta was far from reassured.

They had arrived in the early hours of the morning, just before the rush hour, except Roarhaven didn't seem to have a rush hour. It seemed like a sleepy little town which was very rough. Indeed, the streets were untended to, the folk Artemis and Atalanta had seen were shifty, and all in all the area was rather uninviting. Artemis shuddered to think of what might happen if he were forced to live here. They soon pulled in front of a shoddy looking hall, which had an oddly dressed chauffeur standing in the front. Butler temporarily parked in front of the chauffeur, drew down the window and said, "Is this the Sanctuary?"

The man looked shocked, as if he had never expected someone to ask. Indeed, those who were supposed to come to the Sanctuary would already know its location. "Sir, may I ask who you are?"

Butler shrugged and said, "I am Constantin Bashkir."

"And those who accompany you?"

Butler paused, and then said, "Give me a moment." He closed the window and turned to Juliet.

"What are you going to be called?" He asked her.

"Hmm. I think I'll be Jade Lock." Juliet ascertained.

"Okay, I'll ask those two now." And Butler spun around, unlocked the glass window behind him and said to Artemis, "Old friend, we are there, but we've hit an inconvenience. A chauffeur has asked for our names."

Artemis raised his eyebrows, and then chuckled, "Ah yes, Atalanta, why don't you go first?"

Atalanta nodded and said, "I'll be Clio Hunt."

"Good, I think I'll go by the name, Orion Hunt." Artemis grinned his vampirish grin and settled back into his seat. Butler shut the window, opened the side one, and muttered to chauffeur, "Jade Lock, Clio and Orion Hunt."

The Chauffeur bowed graciously and said, "Of course sir, now please could you park the car over there? Then hand me the keys and I shall take it to the exit car park."

Butler grunted, "Fine,"

"I like your Taken name. It certainly portrays your personality. But why did you choose it?" Artemis stared at his fiancée curiously.

"I don't know really, I just thought of the name on the spot." Atalanta told him.

"It's a beautiful name." Artemis soothed her.

"Do you know, if we ever have twins, then I would call them Clio and Cyan?" Atalanta tilted her head to the side, her face beaming. Artemis bit his lip. He did love Atalanta more than he had ever loved anything in his life; it was just, being Artemis, the talk of having children was little bit daunting.

"Yes, but let us concentrate on getting married." Artemis tried to steer the conversation away from the subject.

Atalanta giggled and teased Artemis lovingly, "Oh Artemis. I love you, do you know that? You're so awkward in a sweet way!" she leaned her head on his shoulder. "Please don't get us into too much trouble. You told me what happened when you kidnapped Holly, and that turned out fine in the end, but these are people, just like you and me. They don't share the same peaceful nature of the fairies. Please, let's not anger them; it would be too painful to lose you, right after my parents, and siblings."

Artemis held his breath. If only he could tell Atalanta how much he wanted to call this whole thing off, how much he felt the same way she did. Instead, he wrapped his arm tightly around her shoulder and held her against him. "I love you too. And we won't lose anyone. I promise."

So, standing in the hallway of the Sanctuary, the group waited for someone to accommodate them. Butler anxiously fingered his sig Sauer within his blazer pocket and paced around a little. Juliet checked her watch every so often, with a bored expression on her face which apparently many young men found extremely attractive, and Artemis was talking to Atalanta.

"You read my notes, didn't you? How much did you absorb?" Artemis smiled at her.

"These sorcerers are average people, except they have powers. Their powers are spilt into two types, Elementals and Adept. Elementals have control over, or can manipulate the elements, water, fire, air and earth." Atalanta recited. She gave Artemis a cheeky school girl grin.

Artemis decided to play along as the role of the school teacher, "Good, what else?"

"Well, even then, Adept magic is split into many disciplines. Obviously, an Adepts powers would outstrip an elementals powers by far, but it is possible for a powerful elemental to beat an Adept, depending on how strong both sides are."

"What about names?"

Atalanta sighed dramatically before carrying on. "Every person has three names. A true name, a chosen name and a taken name. One's true name is unknown to all, even the person themselves. It is where the person's power comes from. If one discovers their true name, then they would wield enormous power, as it they are literally deriving the magic from the source. But if one's true name was to be discovered before they found it themselves, then whoever uses it would have complete control over the person… A"

Artemis interrupted and whispered, "A chosen name is chosen for the person by their parents. Although it does provide a small degree of control over the person, the chosen name is the second line of defence against the knowledge of one's true name."

"And the taken name, which must be chosen carefully to suit one's personality, is the first line of defence. It has no amount of control over a person, and is the name sorcerers use to address each other." Atalanta finished off. She squeezed Artemis' hand and said, "Artemis, of course I remembered your research. Did you expect me not to?"

"Of course I expect you to remember; you remember everything. I always expect the best from you Atalanta." Artemis rolled his eyes and sarcastically huffed in disappointment.