The Search for Artemis - By P. D. Griffith Page 0,134

work. Drake Harper went into league with the CEOs of two other giants of industry and secretly developed the Triumvirate of Titans.”

Ainsley Ross-Harper stood up from her desk and began to pace along the back wall of the office. She sounded strange, as if her conscience was torn between despising and pitying her husband.

“This alliance entered into the business of organized crime, particularly in the trade of intelligence, weapons and blackmail to strong arm governments into carrying out their agenda and instigating conflicts that work to the Triumvirate’s benefit. Before anyone could stop them, they had created a network of influence so strong and tightly woven that there appears to be no destroying them.

“The Pallas Corporation, in particular, deals in the acquisition and study of military secrets, industrial intelligence, scientific developments and technological advances. And their client list is extensive; not only being hired by wealthy citizens and families, but also corporations and governments.

“This is where you come in Celia.” Ainsley placed her arms on the back of her chair and leaned forward, looking at Celia determinedly. “We need your help. The Triumvirate is growing stronger every day, and the United States has asked that we somehow help in dismantling my former husband’s empire.

“You see, like the Academy, Drake Harper has created a facility to train psychokinetics. He calls it the Gymnasium, but through that facility, he’s manipulating teenagers like you to become his personal army of supreme soldiers.

“As far as we know, only the highest operatives of the company know what the Pallas Corporation truly is. They tell everyone else that they are under the employ of the United States government, in the business of acquiring and understanding intelligence from around the world to ensure the continued safety and superiority of the nation. The majority of the students, however, think of the place as nothing more than a school.

Ainsley came around her chair and sat back down at her desk. Clasping her hands and setting them on the tabletop, she continued, “Celia, there is something else I must tell you. . . . something about your—”

The memory randomly faded into black for a moment, but then resurfaced.

“Celia,” Ainsley said as if nothing had happened. “We would like you to go to the Gymnasium, undercover, and help us determine how deep this pit of deceit goes. We also need you to find something—anything—that will show us how to destroy them.” Ainsley’s voice was now impassioned. “We need you to find the chink in their iron-clad armor.”

White light absorbed the memory, and Celia began to speak to him telepathically.

So that’s how it all happened. That day I became Artemis. That day I found a purpose greater than myself. As my apocratusis occurred in the Academy, we were able to stage a false one publicly and wait until the Gymnasium found me. Just like you, they brought me here, and ever since I’ve been working to find a way to take them down, all the while posing as a normal student.

How could this be the truth? Landon thought. What scared him the most was that he saw the logic in her argument. Ainsley Ross-Harper had used almost the identical words that Dr. Brighton had used when Landon was told about the Pantheon and what it did for the country. Was everything a lie? Were they really deceiving everyone? How far down did the deception go? Dr. Brighton can’t know this is going on. No, he couldn’t believe it—he couldn’t allow himself to believe it. The Gymnasium was his home, and the Pantheon members . . . his brothers. No matter what, this was where he belonged.

Unable to see anymore, Landon fought to reject Celia’s hold on his mind. He painfully yanked his consciousness back into his body, straining to sever their connection. Then, with a peculiar feeling in his gut, Landon felt his mind clear of Celia’s memories, and he opened his eyes.

They were still in the Secret Garden, sitting on the cool stone floor of the arbor. Celia had opened her eyes too, and was now looking at Landon with a needy expression. She needed him to understand.

“Landon, what you just saw—it’s the truth!” she said.

“But why?” Landon asked loudly. Landon rose from his feet and began to pace in a small circle. He ran his fingers through his hair as he continued to process everything Celia had showed him. “Celia, why? Why does the Gymnasium have to be the liars? What’s not to say that Metis Labs is the one