Page 12 of Crown of Serpents

The tall one on his left grinned. “There you are. We’ve missed your pretty face inside, puppet!”

The barmaid whirled and nearly emptied the contents of her bucket as she slammed into the chest of one the third man. He chuckled and wrapped his arm around her waist, “Careful now. We would not want you to get wet –yet.”

The others laughed as they circled the girl.

Medusa sat up on her haunches, inhaling deeply to contain her anger.She could not let the serpents break free just yet.

The bushy-browed man stepped closer to the barmaid, lowering his voice, “Forgive my friend here for his lewdness. He merely meant to say that this tavern is nothing without your lovely presence.”

The girl’s eyes darted between the man who held her and the door as if counting how many steps she would need to escape. Medusa knew she would never make it.

With a nervous laugh, the barmaid said, “I apologise. I should probably hurry inside then to ensure our customers stay entertained.”

She attempted a step toward the tavern door, but the first manblocked her path while the tall one snaked an arm around her. He squeezed her backside, and she squealed.

The man with the beard lifted her chin. “Now, why would you do that? After all, we are outside now and having so much fun, aren’t we boys?”

They grunted their agreement.

“Please, I don’t want any trouble … just let me go back inside.”

Medusa recognised the desperation in her voice instantly. She sounded small and powerless.

“Come on, puppet. Don’t be scared. We’re not here to hurt you. We want to cheer you up a little … after … well … your recent loss.”

The first one — clearly the leader — grabbed and pulled her against him, forcing his lips on hers. With surprising speed, the woman sunk her knee into his groin. It was a futile attempt. The other two pinned her against the wall, her head cracking against the stone.

Medusa emerged from the shadow, back hunched, cane in hand.“I believe the girl asked you to let her go.”

The man with the beard paid Medusa no heed as he approached the barmaid and grabbed her by the throat.

He spat in her face, “I will make you regret that, you little bitch. Now, I won’t be as gentle.”

Medusa whacked him with her cane. “That is no way to talk to a lady. Let the girl go and get out of here!”

Medusa did not flinch as the bearded man smacked her with the back of his hand.“Crawl back to the hole where you came from and mind your own business, old hag!”

A wicked smile curved Medusa’s lips as she took another step. She had decided to kill the three men the moment they stepped out of the tavern, but now – now, she was going to take her time. Instead of turning them into stone, she would rip them into ribbons with her bare hands.

“Close your eyes and keep them shut no matter what,” she ordered the barmaid with an icy voice.

The barmaid stared at her in bewilderment.

“Now!”

The girl obeyed.

Medusa lunged for the first man. Before he could draw his weapon, she had his manhood in her hands, her sharp nails digging into his flesh and ripping his favourite body part off. She made sure not to look him in the eyes.

The man toppled over with a scream. Medusa flung the ripped organ and turned to others.

The men had drawn their weapons and stared at her with horror. The barmaid trembled between them, but she obeyed Medusa’s command and kept her eyes shut.

Medusa flashed her canines at the men as she assessed them, warm blood dripping from her fingers. The giant pointed his sword toward her, but the other merely had a rusty dagger. Not much of a match for her.

“So, boys, which one of you wants to die first?” Medusa crooned as she slowly took off her hood.The serpents writhed atop her head, baring their venomous fangs.

The shorter man stumbled a step back, the blade trembling in his filthy hand, while the giant merely gaped at her, eyes wide in terror and skin suddenly pallid. Medusa chuckled.Cowards.

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