She thought about lighting it and watching the flames dance for the next several hours, or weeks even, or maybe she’d simply find her old bed and see how long she could sleep. Maybe when she woke, she’d find this all to be a dreadful nightmare.
But no, that wasn’t going to happen. And she couldn’t sleep, not with her skin starting to crawl once more and his stench still on her.
The gorgon dashed into her cave where walls protected her, and she raced all the way to the back. There, Euryale squeezed through a narrow crack, scraping her back and shoulders in the process. After a few feet, it widened into a small, but passable, tunnel. Light had no place there, but Euryale moved through it with ease, her vision quickly shifting to detect even the smallest variations of heat.
And where she was headed, there was a lot to be had.
The tunnel descended only a few dozen yards before making a hairpin turn and opening up into a cavern whose only item of note was the hot spring that filled nearly two-thirds of it.
For the second time that day, Euryale tossed her clothes, only this time, they couldn’t tear from her body fast enough. They’d scarcely hit the floor when she jumped into the scalding water. Her skin turned bright red, practically cooking, but she didn’t stop at a mere soaking. At the edge of the pool were a half dozen pumice stones. She grabbed the largest and roughest of the group and scraped it over her body twice as hard as she would have ever dared before.
Layers of skin sloughed with each stroke, the burning pain that accompanied it at first was simply a welcome distraction, but that distraction quickly turned into a euphoric feeling when she realized that beneath her old skin was a new body, a new her—a creature that had not been defiled and never would be.
An hour passed, maybe two, before she finished. Slowly, Euryale exited the now scarlet-tainted pool and grimaced with each move of her broken body. But before she left, she felt something tap her chest. A glance showed what it was: the copper pendant still hanging from her neck.
“Stop following me!” she screamed, ripping it from her body and hurling it into the water.
The moment it left her hand, her legs gave out. Euryale crashed to the floor, nearly cracking her skull open on a rocky outcropping. She was about to curse her existence when she realized she no longer sported a pair of legs, but rather once again, she had her serpentine tail coiled around her.
“Am I ever glad to see you,” she said, sitting up and admiring the tail. She ran her hands across its scales, loving how perfectly they glided across each other and how much strength the muscles underneath had. Most of all, she loved how much more of a monster it made her, a monster no one would want or even dare to touch.
Euryale left the hot spring, pushing through the crack once more, though this time finding it more difficult than before thanks to her serpentine lower half. Still, a small price to pay for something so empowering. When she returned to her cave, she gathered some nearby deadwood and set it alight in her fire pit. The flames quickly illuminated the walls with their orange glow and filled the air with a pleasing aroma.
She stood in front of it for a while, basking in the warmth with her hands outstretched, delighting in the occasional pop of wood that sent embers flying. When exhaustion took hold, mental and physical, she snaked to her former bed and curled atop it and tried to sleep.
Euryale must have lain there for an hour, maybe two, but sleep eluded her. Tension plagued her body, and her mind focused on every detail the world had around her, watching, listening, and waiting for her tormentor to come.
A couple of her vipers stiffened. Their tongues licked the air with nervous energy, and soon the others joined. Euryale sat up and focused. That taste she’d noted earlier in Olympus was back in the air. Faint and hard to discern due to the persistent smell of salt water, but there.
Light from the sun had long gone, and only a half moon provided any sort of light to her barren island. It was easy for the gorgon to slip out of her cave and stick to the shadows. She glided along the terrain, her senses heightened as they’d never been before. She felt every bump in the ground, every sharp point to even the smallest of rocks, against her scales. She could hear the moss grow on boulders far away, and spy the tiniest bits of smoke that still lingered in the air from her fire.
Her pupils narrowed to slits, the fear she had giving way to anger. She would find whoever this intruder was and take great pleasure peeling the flesh from his wretched body for the next thousand years. How dare he even think about putting a single foot upon her island.
Euryale paused near a jagged boulder she used to climb to watch the sunrise. She could taste the intruder even more now and to such a degree that she could pinpoint his location, not even fifty yards away and off to the side where a sharp cliff fell into the sea.
Was he still climbing it? Euryale didn’t know. Possibly, but he could simply be skirting along the top, trying to find the best angle at which to approach her cave. But this was her island, her home, her fortress. She knew every nook, every cranny, every spot one could hide or ambush, and she was going to have no trouble turning this predator into prey.
Euryale darted off, keeping low to the ground as her tail propelled her along. She flanked the trespasser’s position, pausing every now and then to ensure that yes, she still knew exactly where he was. When she reached a wide, flat ledge, she melded into the dark, her body contouring against a rocky wall, and watched the footpath a few dozen yards away.
She didn’t have to wait long.
A cloaked figure, hunched and carrying a short bow with a black arrow notched and ready, cautiously made his way toward her. His head constantly swept the area, no doubt looking for any sign of danger. A few times, he would take to the shadows as well, blending in to such a degree that to anyone else, he would’ve disappeared from view.
Whoever this was, sadly for him, had never stalked a gorgon before.
The heat from his body, even with the cloak, burned in Euryale’s vision like a bonfire at midnight. But to the man’s credit, he held still for a quarter-hour before breaking out of the shadows and creeping to his next spot.
Euryale watched, muscles tight, breath held, rattle held firmly in place. Three feet from his goal, the gorgon struck. She lunged out of the shadows with the speed of a black mamba. She hit the poor man so hard that his ribs shattered, and his spine broke three times over before his bow had a chance to leave his hand. The gorgon kept up her momentum and drove him into a nearby oak tree where he came to a sudden halt with a satisfying crunch.
With one hand, Euryale pinned him to the oak by the neck, her claws digging deep into his skin, and with the other, she tore away the hood. The intruder was someone she’d never seen before. He had dark, weathered skin that was broken up by countless scars. Gray symbols, the likes of which Euryale hadn’t seen before either, were painted on his cheeks and forehead, while his mouth and lips had turned crimson where blood bubbled out.
“Who sent you?” Euryale hissed, bringing her face close to his.
The man coughed, sending droplets of blood everywhere, and smiled. “Your days are numbered, gorgon. Yours. Your husband’s. Your children’s, unless you let me go and never return to Olympus.”
“The only thing in question right now is how fast and free of pain you want to die,” she growled. “Now, who was it? Athena? Typhon? Cronus?”
“It doesn’t matter,” he spat. “Everyone hates you. Everyone will use you.”
“Answer me!”
“Everyone will have their way with you—”
Euryale screamed and ripped the man’s throat out. His body fell to the ground with a quiet thump, and she stared at it for a few seconds with her teeth clenched. As good as what she’d done had felt, on some level, she regretted the rash act, if for no other reason than she would’ve liked to torture something useful out of him. Medusa was always good at that. Stheno, even more so.
Thoughts of her sisters drowned Euryale in a sea of grief. Images of waking up to the h
orrifying discovery of Medusa’s headless body resurfaced, and the only thing that managed to replace it was what happened right after, when she and Stheno made vows to look after each other until the end of time. While Stheno could say she’d lived up to the promise, could Euryale, given how her sister languished alone?
Euryale didn’t know.
She didn’t want to know, either.
A new scent drew her attention, crisp and energetic. Euryale twisted, claws ready, and was shocked to find Artemis a few paces away. The goddess’s bow was kept low in her grasp, though she did have an arrow notched.
“It seems you’ve done my work already,” Artemis said, nodding to the body at Euryale’s tail.
“Or I’ve stopped your assassin,” Euryale replied with a growl.
Artemis took no offense at the charge. Instead, she calmly took the arrow from her string and returned it to the quiver hanging from her hip. “We’re not enemies, Euryale,” she said. “I don’t wish to make you one, either.”
“Funny how you Olympians say such things but are so quick to reverse yourselves when the moment suits you,” Euryale spat. She could feel the rage building in her soul, the fire running through her veins, and the lust for vengeance clawing at her self-control. And with an Olympian before her, a daughter of Zeus, no less, how tempting it was to unleash her fury on the goddess.
“You’d best leave before I add you to my collection,” the gorgon said, gesturing back to her cave where her statues stood. “This is your one and only chance.”
Artemis held up a hand and replied with a soft voice. “I know what he did to you,” she said. “And my heart breaks for yours even thinking about bringing it up.”
“You have no idea what he did to me!” Euryale bellowed. “Don’t you dare come here and offer your worthless sympathies. I am not some helpless thing to be pitied!”
To the gorgon’s surprise, Artemis didn’t argue. She simply nodded and set her bow at her feet. “You’re right. I have no idea, only guesses. But I can see the wounds he gave your spirit, that wonderful soul who fought for those who cast her out when she had every right to side against them.”
“Maybe I should have.”
“It would be tempting, now more than ever, if you could go back and choose a different path to follow,” Artemis replied, beginning a slow approach. The goddess only managed a couple of steps before Euryale’s eyes turned black.
“Hear me out, please,” Artemis said, extending an open hand. “I know you’re feeling alone and vulnerable—”
“I am not vulnerable!”
“That’s not what I meant,” she said, still as calm as ever. “What I’m trying to say is that I’m here to help you, and more importantly, I’m not the only one who wants to.”
Euryale laughed mockingly. “You want to help me?”
“I do.”
“Why? You barely know me.”
“I know both strength and splendor are inside of you, unlike any other,” she replied. “But moreover, if I turn my back and ignore all that’s been done, how am I any better than he is, especially when I’m in a position to make a difference?”
Euryale eyed the goddess with skepticism. Deep down, she still felt Artemis couldn’t be trusted, but there was a small part of her that dared to believe that maybe there was some truth to her words.
“Give me your oaths then,” the gorgon said. “Oaths that bind you to me. Oaths that promise you’ll seek the justice I deserve. Make those oaths, and I’ll entertain your words; otherwise, whatever you say will be worthless to my ears.”
Artemis nodded, and as she placed her hand over her heart, she began to walk and give Euryale exactly what she wanted. “By the River Styx, I swear that I abhor how Zeus defiled you and will never defend his actions. Furthermore, I swear I shall fight to see justice done on your behalf and shall not relent until it’s been served or you desire it no more.”
Euryale’s throat tightened. She could scarcely believe the goddess’s vows, nor the strength in her tone that drove it. Before she knew it, Artemis had her embraced, at which point the gorgon sank into her arms.
“I hope you’ve got more than Alex in mind when you said others would help,” Euryale said with a pained laugh. “I’m not sure he’ll be enough.”
“There will be others,” Artemis said, still keeping her close. “Who, I’m not sure. But others. Athena is calling a special council tomorrow, and then we’ll see who sides with whom.”
“Athena? I would’ve guessed she’d defend her father to the end.”
Artemis pulled back and gave the gorgon a loving smile. She reached and brushed the tears off Euryale’s cheeks before replying. “No, Euryale,” she said softly. “She’s leading the charge against him.”
Euryale’s jaw dropped. “She is?”
“She is,” Artemis replied. “You’ll have to testify, though, tomorrow at noon. Will you?”
The world blurred, and colors grew vibrant and surreal. Euryale stood, detached from her body, trying to figure out what to say or do. She had to do something, didn’t she? But could she?
A gentle hand squeezed her shoulder. “Euryale, can you tell them what happened?”
“I don’t know,” she said, choking on her words. She couldn’t even talk when it was just her and Artemis, a goddess who’d sworn to stay at her side. How could she stand in front of the entire pantheon with their eyes questioning her, judging her?
“Perhaps there’s one more thing we can do to bolster your unparalleled bravery,” Artemis said.
“I’m hardly brave,” Euryale said, managing a forced laugh. “I’m terrified.”
“It’s not bravery if you’re not scared,” Artemis said. She then reached into the leather pouch hanging off her belt and handed the gorgon a small, glass globe that held flecks of silver and gold inside. “Take this, a gift from Athena.”
“What is it?”
“If you break it over your sister’s head, she’ll be restored to her former self,” Artemis said. “Though Athena is giving you this freely, I would be remiss in my duties as a mediator if I didn’t add that if you were to free Perseus, the act would be much appreciated.”
Euryale cried, laughed, and cried some more. “Of course,” she managed to blubber out. “I’ll draw you a map to where he is.”
Chapter Stheno
The moment she flipped her phone on, Euryale grimaced. She’d forgotten that she’d put it to sleep when she went for her bath, and now that she’d remembered to check it, she was horrified at the dozen messages waiting for her, all from Alex.
Using one hand to steer the chariot back to the world of mortals, Euryale sucked in a breath to steady herself and then used her other hand to dial her husband. He answered before the first ring had finished.
“Euryale?” he said. “Please tell me that’s you.”
“It’s me,” she replied, her voice surprisingly weak. “I’m okay.”
“What happened? Where are you, and why did you run off like that?”
Euryale froze at the question, unable to formulate any sort of reply. She knew what she should say, what she had to say to make him understand, to bring to light what she wanted nothing more than to cast into the deepest pits of darkness to be forgotten forever. But she couldn’t. Thinking about what Zeus had done, even in the abstract, was painful enough. To speak of it, however, made it all far too real. And what if Alex didn’t believe her? Certainly, he would, but maybe she was deluding herself on that, too. Or worse, what if he blamed her and thought she knew exactly what she was doing?
Gods, even she wondered at that last bit. Not in totality, but partially?
On some level, she’d felt the encounter seemed off, that “Alex” wasn’t acting as he normally did. Maybe she knew all along it wasn’t him. Maybe she wanted to be with someone else. Pain erupted across her midsection, and she doubled over, wrapping an arm around her stomach. No. No…she didn’t want that at all, she told herself. She never wanted it.
“Honey?
”
Alex’s voice pulled her out of the spiral she was in. “Sorry,” she said, trying to regain her composure. “I’ll explain later. I promise. Where are the kids?”
“They’re with me,” he said.
“Are they scared?”
“No,” he said. “I haven’t told them anything.”
“Good,” she said, sighing with relief. The last thing Euryale needed was her own children ashamed of her.
“Talk to me,” Alex pressed. “You can tell me anything. You know you can.”
“I know. I know,” she replied as she started to nervously rock back and forth. “Just keep them safe for now.”
“From who?”
“Someone tried to kill me,” she explained. When Alex gasped, she quickly filled in the details. “He didn’t stand a chance. You don’t need to worry about that.”
“That’s a hard thing not to worry about. Who was he?”
“Artemis thinks he was sent by Typhon,” she replied. “He’s the only one who makes sense, after all, which is why I need you to make sure the kids don’t wander off. Not until we put an end to him for good.”
Alex exhaled sharply. “Christ. That really can’t be good.”
“It’s not. But Tickles will protect them, I’m sure,” she said. “So, keep him around.”
“I wonder if we could borrow Cerberus, too,” Alex said. “Or maybe get a couple of guard hydras? They breed those, right? If not, man, oh man, we need to corner that market immediately before someone steals the idea.”
“Alex!”
“Sorry, you know I can get a little carried away when things go wonky.”
Euryale smiled, feeling her numbed heart warm. “I know, Alex. It’s okay.” She paused for a half breath, but she quickly feared he’d start to pry again, so she opted to end the conversation as quickly as she could. “I have to go,” she lied. “I’ll call you soon.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ll call soon,” she repeated before hastily ending the call. She spent a few seconds staring at the phone, second-guessing everything she’d said and done. She should’ve told him everything. Alex deserved that much, but…but she was too much of a coward. And now? How could she? It would go even worse than before. After all, it wasn’t exactly a topic one could bring up with, “Hi, honey, I forgot to mention one little thing when we talked five seconds ago…”
A Storm of Blood and Stone (Myths of Stone Book 3) Page 7