The Van Helsing Conjecture – Excerpt No. 76

25 November 2024

“Be it as it may, Artemis deserves respect.”

Without any movement the gag disappeared. Artemis opened and closed her jaw several times before coughing. After taking a deep breath those lips went white and the fire burning in those eyes grew into an inferno.

Clara maintained a smile and looked at everyone at the table. She didn’t expect to win over everyone’s hearts early on. Hecate was also aware they were there to keep the new arrivals in line.

“Artemis,” Clara said. “If you ever want to talk one-on-one, let me know.”

A dramatic, cinematic photograph of Artemis, the Greek goddess, standing majestically against a velvety black background, adorned in a flowing, intricately pleated Roman toga with a subtle sheen, cinched at the waist, and draped elegantly over her left shoulder, with a delicate, ornate gold bracelet encircling her right arm, just above the elbow. Her eyes, piercing and intense, glow with a soft, fiery intensity, like embers smoldering beneath the surface, while her lips are pressed together firmly, whitening ever so slightly, conveying a sense of determination and strength. The lighting is soft and moody, with subtle, golden accents that dance across her skin, highlighting the contours of her face and the folds of her toga, and further emphasizing the sense of classical, timeless beauty.

Disclaimer: This novel is an work in progress and readers may encounter grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Please view this a draft and not a published work.