Page 34 of Crown of Serpents

How had they ended up on Joppa’s coast? She recalled him mentioning that they were headed for Seriphos. The island lay West of Cisthene, so how had they ended up so far South? The questions burned in Medusa’s mind — alongside with, who the Hades he really was? Or, more accurately,whatwas he? Did he know which god’s blood flowed through his veins?

But Medusa didn’t ask any questions. Instead, she shrugged, “That’s nice. Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I have been invited to the palace tonight — being on an official mission from King Polydectes. I will barter for a new ship as ours has been wrecked during the storm. And when I return … you and I will face each other in battle.”

So, he had finally decided to kill her. However, her upcoming demise was not the reason her stomach suddenly twisted.

“And what will happen to me while you’re gone?”

“Nothing. You’ll stay in your cell like a good little prisoner. My crew will keep an eye on you.”

Dread filled her body as the familiar tide of icy water began rising in her chest, terror threatening to seize control of her mind once more. He planned to leave her behind with his men. Alone. She still felt the scorch marks where their hands had grabbed her to drag her on deck. Their jeers echoed in her head. They had pulled her hair, and one of them had squeezed her rear when they had debated what to do with her. She had thrashed against their grip to make them see her as a wild beast that needed to be put down — not as a woman. Never as a woman, for she did not want to imagine how they would torture her then.

“No,” she gasped, bile rising in her throat.

She would rather die than be left to the whims of these men without Perseus keeping them in check. She didn’t understand his motives, but hehadstepped in when she had cried for help. Although he was intent on murdering her, he would grant her aswift death, at least. Regardless, it wasimperativethat she did not stay behind while Perseus was gone.

“No?” he scoffed, “since when are you the one giving orders around here?”

“Since I have a score to settle with the brutes that you fail to control. Leave me here, and I cannot promise you that you have a crew to return to!” she threatened with a trembling voice.

“I think you are forgetting that you are chained and locked behind iron bars. How do you plan to get your clutches on my men?”

He was right, of course. Her threats had lost all credibility when she had begged him to kill her. Moreover, she was blindfolded, shackled, and weak from her injury. Her head began spinning, and she tried to breathe — cold, unforgiving water filled her lungs instead. Medusa had promised herself that she would never be like this again. Weak. Vulnerable. Powerless.

As Perseus started to walk away, she blurted, “If you take me with you, I will tell you about the goddess that transformed me into this monster. I was mortal before I became a gorgon.”

He stopped dead in his tracks. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because I want to strike a deal. Let me accompany you, and I will answer your questions about how I became a monster and why I kill. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Perseus stood silent, as Medusa’s heart pounded. He seemed to ponder her offer, and she instinctively scrambled closer to the bars.

“Not badly enough that I’d risk you fleeing justice. What’s the plan? Will you attempt to run as soon as we step onshore, or will you wreak havoc in the Joppan palace first?”

Medusa’s stomach dropped as he took another step. He was going to leave her. Not that she could blame him for mistrusting her — but still. She had used her only leverage, and it had not been enough to free her from the clutches of his men. She decided then that even begging this man was not beneath her if it meant getting off this wretched ship.

“Please,” she whispered, the word bitter on her tongue. But he kept walking. "Please ... Perseus, isn't it? Please don't leave mewith them ... your men ... I don't … just take me with you."

She was shaking, clutching the bars to steady herself. Tears burned in her eyes, the blindfold growing damp, as the darkness of the waves threatened to engulf her again.

“I won’t run! I promise! Just … don’t leave me –”

Her voice broke, dying in her throat.

“Fine,” he snapped. “You will accompany me as my prisoner. I have to go to the market now, but I’ll return before sundown. Then, we leave for the feast … together.”

The world went still as the door shut behind Perseus. She would get off this ship. Medusa sagged back against the prison wall and chuckled as she brushed a tear off her cheek. How pathetic had she become, begging her captor to take her to a party?

…

Medusa had grown restless in her cell. How much time had passed since Perseus had left? The market's clamour had faded, replaced by the quiet hum of the harbour. It must be evening, she decided.

She began fidgeting. Ever since Perseus had left, her mind had been racing. Medusa had tested her shackles and the lock of her prison door. They held firm. She knew both opened with the key Perseus wore on his belt, from the soft jingle of the keys that accompanied his steps whenever he visited her. Medusa had to escape. No matter what she had promised in her desperation. This feast was her only chance. She would not survive a battle against Perseus, especially if he was a demigod, as she suspected. His divine blood would make him her equal even when she was healthy, not to mention his potential to wield lightning. Was that strike on the ship intentional, or had it been an accident, his temper getting the better of him?

Either way, she had to catch him off guard. She had to be smart if she wanted to live.

If only she could get out of these shackles. Perseus had mentioned they were crafted from adamant, a celestial material. Where had Perseus obtained them?

---