Page 39 of Of Song and Darkness

My pulse drummed a little harder as I lifted my eyes to meet hers. “The Dark Hydra is an evil being created by Hades to destroy everything in the oceans. Poseidon was the only one who could defeat the monster. He locked it away, but now, with his death, the Dark Hydra has been released, and its poisonous Dark Water is spreading throughout the oceans, killing anything in its path. If it’s not stopped, everything of the sea will perish.”

Medusa's eyes narrowed as she absorbed the gravity of my words. The faint hiss of her serpentine hair seemed to echo the tension in the room. “Everything…” Medusa echoed.

There was a sheen in her eyes, a far-off look that hinted at her depth of thought. She absentmindedly reached up and ran her fingers across the delicate silver chain. I watched her, unmoving.

She finally focused her attention back on me. “You will be sure to spread the word that I, Medusa, was not the monster everyone proclaimed me to be and that I willingly sacrificed myself to save those of the oceans.”

It felt like someone dumped a handful of sand down my throat as I tried to swallow past my emotions. The word don’t was on the tip of my tongue, but I bit down until I tasted my blood. This was her right, her decision to make, and if Medusa sacrificed herself to save the lives of thousands, I would ensure the entire oceanic realm named her a hero.

My muscles tightened as I stood up straighter. “I promise everyone will know what you have done.”

A tear dripped down Medusa’s face, splattering across the green-tinted skin of her chest just below the locket. Medusa reached up with shaky hands and unclasped the locket.

A sad smile tugged her lips. “I forgave Poseidon for what he did to me. Sometimes, the bad things that happen in our lives turn into the best things that could have ever happened to us.” Medusa handed me the locket, and just as soon as she released it, her body began to slowly turn to stone. “Finally, I will be at peace and alone no more.”

My vision blurred with unshed tears as her life dwindled and her body morphed into solid rock. I stepped back as the snakes on her head dropped from her body and slithered out of the cave. I marveled at her face, now clear of serpents. She truly was lovely.

With a trembling hand, I reached up to brush away the liquid tear trailing down her stony cheek. She stood there, a beautiful statue, one that should be remembered.

I glanced down at the silver locket tightly clenched in my hands. It pulsated with power against my flesh. Up close, I observed the finely crafted locket, its shiny metal etched with an intricate wave pattern. Against my better judgment, I fastened the clasp around my neck for safekeeping and looked back at the statue of Medusa one last time.

“Rhea!” A voice boomed down the cave, bouncing off the walls with such force that debris and dust fell from above.

In a matter of seconds, Kai was at the cavern’s entrance. Something within me snapped upon seeing him. I once hated him with every fiber of my being and all he stood for, but overtime, he had slowly melded into something more than just a slayer of my kind. His gaze swallowed me whole as I slowly approached him. He stepped forward, his eyebrows drawn together, betraying his concern. I threw myself into his arms, burying my face in his chest, and soaked his shirt with tears of sorrow I had bravely withheld from Medusa.

Kai reached up, brushing the palm of his hand against my cheek while his other hand kept a death grip on his sword. I wanted to stay buried in his embrace longer, but he lifted my face from his chest.

His gaze brushed down the length of my body and then settled back on my mine. “Are you hurt?”

“No.” I exhaled.

His fingers slid to the back of my neck, urging me to return to the safe cocoon of his strong arms. I pressed the side of my face to the hollow of his neck and felt his Adam’s apple bob in his throat. I lifted my gaze and followed his to the statue of Medusa. Something flashed across his eyes. Anger? Hate? I couldn’t tell, it was gone as quickly as it appeared. He glanced down at me, his gaze snaring on the locket around my neck.

Kai lifted his hand like he intended to touch it but then dropped his hand to his side. “Let’s get out of here.”

I nodded and went to collect my discarded sword.

“Where did you get this?” Kai’s deep voice rumbled, shaking me to my core as he motioned at my borrowed sword.

My run-in with Flynt replayed in my head like a dirty nightmare.

“I found it on deck,” I lied.

Kai reached across me, plucking the sword from my hand. “Flynt would never leave his sword on deck.”

“Who says it’s Flynt’s sword?” I countered. It looked like any other blade to me. How could Kai possibly know it belonged to Flynt?

Kai flipped the sword upside down, pointing the hilt in my direction. My stomach knotted when I saw the scribbled markings on the handle that clearly spelled FLYNT.

Kai stepped toward me, brushing the hilt of the sword against my collarbone in a threatening but tantalizing manner. “Now I ask again, sea demon. How did you get his sword?”

I breathed deeply, remembering his threat of what he would do to me if I used my siren song on him or his crew. I bit my bottom lip but stopped the second Kai’s pupils dilated, focusing on my mouth. My blood turned to liquid fire as he stepped into my personal space.

“Don’t lie to me,” he warned.

I stood up straighter, refusing to back down to him. “I will not take the blame for his actions. I would have never used my song on him if he had kept his hands to himself.”

When Kai’s upper lip curled into a snarl, I stepped back. He latched onto my wrist, tugging my body to his. My body quaked at his nearness, but I wasn’t sure if it was out of fear or his proximity.

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