Nothing.
Depressed, she started for her bedroom.
"Who are you? And why have you called for me?"
She froze at the sound of the peeved, thickly accented voice behind her.
Turning around, she saw an incredibly tall, beautiful woman standing by her sofa. Artemis had long, curly auburn hair that spiraled around the face of an angel and vibrant green eyes that didn't look happy to be here.
The goddess was dressed in a long, white sheathlike dress and stood with her hands on her hips.
"Are you Artemis?"
"Gee, let me think. Did you call for Artemis or for Peter Pan?"
Well, Artemis was definitely not a late-night person. She gave a whole new meaning to the word cranky. "I called for Artemis."
"Then since I'm not dressed in green and have the body of a woman and not some prepubescent boy, I guess I must be she."
"Are you always this irritable?"
"Are you always this stupid?" She crossed her arms over her chest and gave Sunshine a withering glare. "Look, little human, I have no patience for you. You're not one of my subjects and that medallion around your neck greatly offends me. So tell me what you want so I can tell you to go bugger off."
This was not looking good. Talon's boss-lady was a serious bitch. "I wanted to ask you if I could get Talon's soul back from you."
She cocked her head at the question. "You mean Speirr of the Morrigantes? The Celtic chieftain I snagged away from the Morrigan?"
"Yes."
"No."
"No?" Sunshine asked in disbelief.
"Is there an echo? No, human, his soul belongs to me and you can't have it."
"Why not?"
"Because I said so."
Sunshine was aghast. Furious at her too. Artemis would never be voted Miss Congeniality. The goddess needed some personal-relationship seminars. "Well, that just makes it official then, doesn't it?"
Artemis arched a haughty brow. "Little girl, have you any idea who or what you're dealing with?"
Sunshine took a deep breath and prayed for patience. She couldn't afford to lose her temper with the person who happened to own Talon's soul. Not if she wanted it back.
Not to mention the small fact that as a goddess, Artemis could probably wish her dead if she made her mad enough.
"I know, Artemis. I'm sorry. I don't mean to offend you. I am in love with Talon and I want us to have a future together. I would do anything to keep him with me. Can you not understand that?"
Artemis's face softened a degree, as if she could relate. "Yes, I understand."
"Then can I-"
"The answer is still no."
"Why?"
"Because nothing in this world is ever free. If you want his soul back you have to earn it or pay for it."