Page 2 of The Conquest of Medusa

Perseus frowned. “You people?”

“Never mind. Let me guess.” Medusa crossed her arms. “You need my blood to burn Cetus. While it is highly acidic and can cut through almost anything, I’m this big,” she said, indicating her size with her hands held inches apart. Then she stretched them further. “Cetus isthisbig. I know, because I spent some time in his underwater home as a guest and a student. Things got a little uncomfortable when he tried…well, you can guess. We had a falling out, so I left and haven’t seen him since. There’s not enough Gorgon blood between me and both my sisters to melt someone of his size down to soup. Killing me won’t help you. Sorry you’ve wasted your time, but I think we’re done.”

Medusa turned to leave until he called out, “I didn’t come for your blood. I need something else. Your witch’s sight. The one I’ve heard turns men and creatures alike to stone.”

With her head tilted to the side, she turned back. “What were you going to do to get my sight, cut my eyes out? Once again, Bubo, sorry to disappoint. But they’d most likely stop doing the stone trick if they’re not connected to a living person. The power comes from me, alive. They’re not magic marbles you can pull out of a sack and use whenever you want to, genius.”

“So, itisa power you possess. To turn men to stone?” Perseus asked, irritated by her insults to his intelligence but trying to stay focused.

“When I feel like it.”

“Then why didn’t you turn me to stone instead of having this fight that took all damned day?” he asked, exasperated now.

“Because I didn’t feel like it.” Medusa waved her fingertips at him in insolent farewell. “Take care, Son of Zeus. Good luck with Cetus. You’re gonna need it.”

He had to think fast if he was going to salvage this mission. And, he had to admit, he was a little reluctant to have their first meeting come to an end.

“I won’t need luck if I have the best fighter I’ve ever encountered on my side,” Perseus blurted out before she could take off.

Medusa threw her head back and laughed, a full-bodied sound that drew a smile from him. Above her, the first glimmers of moonlight shone. Its fullness would come in roughly one week. To Perseus, who gazed up at it, its light had become a countdown to the impending death of the princess or the total annihilation of her country. But right now, the moonlight was reflected in that strange, shimmering snow-white hair, and he couldn’t be sure which was brighter.

“Are you seriously asking me to be your sidekick after all this?” Medusa asked with incredulity.

“Sidekick? You? No, not at all,” Perseus said in a tone he hoped sounded reassuring. “You said it yourself, you’re a friend of it…his. We won’t have to hurt him. You can just talk to him on my behalf and ask him to let Andri go.”

“Hmm, I see. We went from Princess Andromeda to Andri. She’s your lover?” Though she still grinned, Medusa seemed a little less amused.

“Lover? I hardly know her,” Perseus scoffed. “I’m doing this because she’s done no harm to anyone, and her dying a miserable death to appease my uncle, who is being so irrational…well it wouldn’t be right. I can’t allow it.”

“So, you’re going to take time out from saving your mother to save another person you don’t even know? That’s really noble if that’s true but I doubt it. Not many men save beautiful young women purely for goodness’ sake without expecting anything in return,” Medusa drawled. But her eyes, dark as night, glanced at him from under her lashes with uncertainty.

After his many conquests of women of all backgrounds, it still came as a surprise to recognize attraction, and from a Gorgon, of all beings. Medusa found him attractive. Imagine that….

“What interests me is why you seem to care,” Perseus said after a pause.

“Idon’tcare.”

“Really? Because I sense that, despite your apparent disdain for me, my intelligence, and my honor, you’re interested in me. And you won’t help me if you think I’ll ride off into the sunset with Andromeda. You’re jealous. Yes, you are,” he said with increasing confidence as the shock moved across her face like a tidal wave. He walked toward her, but she held up a hand to keep him at arm’s length. At least this time it wasn’t the spear.

Progress.

“I’ve experienced many emotions over these many years in exile but trust me when I say jealousy isn’t one of them.” She was flustered. How he managed to discern that without being able to detect a blush under that green skin was a mystery but there it was.

“You’re lying. At the very least, if I haven’t inspired jealousy I have piqued your curiosity. Why don’t you let me come to your home and discuss this over a good supper? I’ll hunt for you,” he offered with a gaze that ran from her hair to her boots.

Her teeth flashed white against the soft emerald glow of her features. “Your loincloth must be made of something quite strong to hold up those brass balls of yours. My answer is no. Go away.”

And with a ruffle of her feathered wings, this time when she turned from him, she strode away. Perseus waited. Despite her protests, she was not so different from the countless women who’d fallen victim to his charms. If she turned to look, he was in.

Medusa walked over the hillside; her footsteps were sure upon the rocks. She climbed to the top and was about to retreat down the other side. His heart beat a fast rhythm as he held still and kept waiting, willing her to give in and show him the sign. Right before her descent, Medusa suddenly turned to cast a backward glance in his direction. Just one small look to see if he was still there. Perseus grinned and followed.

2

THE LAY OF THE LAND

MEDUSA

For the next three brilliant sunrises and starry nights, Medusa was subjected to an unwelcome, utterly irritating guest in her yard. The Son of Zeus wouldn’t give up and go away no matter how thoroughly she ignored him.

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