Grand Staircase

Never one to shy away from or spare others from harsh truth, I reply, "Yes, you did."

'I was angry, Crest. I was already angry with Artemis, because he destroyed my trust in him. He did something that i couldnt forgive him for...and then to tp it off, he arrested my husband. This doesnt escuse it, i know that, but i was just so...i hated him so much then. but i was wrong.'

"Repeat, the action is what matters, not the motivation." She was gaining even fewer sympathy votes from me this way.

I run my hand through my hair, furstated at myself. 'I know the action is what matters. me taking action was going to the trial and trying to stopp it. and before you say, i know that isnt enough.'

I turn away from her, "Stay away from my family. That's the only warning you'll get."

'Warning before what? youll arrest me? kill me?' I shrug. 'We both know thats not going to hppen. im going to work until i can get back what i threw away with artemis, so please dont bother with the empty threatss.'

I step closer to her and grab her collar, "That was not a threat. That was a guarantee."

I stare at him calmly. 'Dont bother guaranteeing it either then. I need Artemis, Crest. He keeps me...he stops me becoming like crouch.'

"No you do not. As far as I'm concerned, you're just as bad as he is."

I flinch. 'I dont want to be like him...'

I turn my back on her, "Take that warning to heart. I WILL act on it if you try anything."

'You ever wonder why i act like i do? why people look at me and think i will be just like crouch? Because when i ask for help, from you, from anyone, you all turn away from me. you are the ones pushing me to be darker.'

"Artemis didn't, and you stabbed him in the back."

'He betrayed me by digging through my brain and making me forget things, just like my father did. He betrayed me before i hurt him.'

"he was protecting his family. Surely YOU of all people can understand that."

'I do understand that, but he knew what that meant to me...' I shake my head. 'Try and see it from my point of veiw, crest. I promised him i wouldnt do anything to hurt your family, but he still went against me and wiped things from my memory. That is the one thing...i cannot forgive anyone from. And i am not making excuses, but i am not the only one in the wrong. If he had trusted me, maybe none of this would have happened...'

"Crouch has you in his back pocket. You were a risk to be mitigated."

'Crouch may be my brother but i do not tell him everything. i would never have told him anything to do with your family, and Artemis should have known that.'

"You say that now. But everyone can crack."

I shake my head. 'All the time since i have know about my family, have i ever tried to hurt my friends who do not follow crouch? apart from this time? No. I would never, ever have endangered your family like that. Deep down, you know that.'

"Everyone is capable of betrayal>"

'Including you and everyone of your family.'

"I've never betrayed anyone in my life."

'theres always time for a first, crest'.

I glare at her coldly, "Not in this field..."