"Kara is trying to find you," Cain mumbled against my arm. "Do I let her in?"

Yawning, I roll over to face him and snuggle back in. "No."

"She's persistent." His voice was rough with sleep, and as his arm pulled me closer, I was not ready to leave my safe little cocoon. "It's becoming annoying."

"You'll get used to it." Only an unspoken what if lingered between us. What if it was urgent, the furies, an attack... "Fine."

"Elise, what, oh!" Kara rambled, and daring to look over at her, she spun around to face the wall and not the bed before being drawn to the watery window. "What is this place?"

"I was never welcomed to stay at the main quarters," Cain answered, lazily rolling over and exposing my hiding place beside him. "What do you want?"

"Is it safe for me to turn around?" She asked cautiously.

"Yes." I groaned, pulling the blanket up over my head, which Cain tugged back down so I was forced to see her.

"Sorry, I thought you'd be awake by now. It's past noon." Kara frowned a slight blush on her cheeks. "I just got back from seeing Frigg, and she's put two guards on Vidar. She hadn't known about his connection to the twins, there is some bad blood there and somehow he had managed to hide it all. She feels terrible about it."

"Okay, she's forgiven, good, great, bye," I mumble into the pillow.

"You went alone?" Cain asked, not impressed by the idea.

"No. Hades and Hermes joined me." Cain nodded. "I also have a guard on Aphrodite. She's mostly harmless, but she has been enjoying his visits and I'm not leaving anything to chance."

"As much as I am enjoying this visit, can we continue it later?"

"Sorry," Kara smirked. "Think of it as payback for all those early mornings you put me through."

"They weren't early mornings, they were late nights." I point out.

"Sorry, my mistake because you don't sleep like a normal person."

"Hunter. My best work gets done at night."

"I'm sure it does." She teased. "And since when do you play the Hunter card?"

"Since now." I throw a pillow at her, which she easily catches and throws back. "Kara!"

"Elise!"

"Quit it!" Another pillow, and this time she throws it back harder.

"I need coffee." Cain decides, sitting up completely now. "Is Hades still here?"

Kara nodded. "He is planning on returning tonight."

I get a kiss on the cheek and he's gone, so I pull up the blanket again only Kara stays.

"What?"

"Tell me where to go to find Medusa." It isn't a question and now I'm awake. I'm also starving and the serious face that greets me as I sit up doesn't even fix that. "Please?"

"No, and not right now. Besides, I couldn't even if I wanted to. Cain took us there, and he had so many rules about what to do on our way to the portal I'd probably just end up getting us eaten or something. We couldn't use our powers for most of the trip, and he was babbling about the moon cycle for some reason," I took a breath. "And as if I'd just let you walk on in there by yourself. Chrysaor is a whole new world of crazy."

"Then I'll tell him to take me. Queen's orders. I was thinking about it after you left, and of course, she is the only option we have to save him, but after last time, you can't go. It is a risk I can't take." She decides.

"Queenie, that power is going to your head. You don't get to make that decision, and even if I can get Cain to show you, you are not going alone. I will be there with you."

"He won't' agree to it if you come, and we can't waste any more time." She sounded desperate. "Just let us go, and we can sort this out."

"No. I'm not letting him go without me, not after last time. You keep mentioning the risk of it all, and well, guess what? I am not prepared to take any either," I argued. "I want a shower, breakfast, a litre of coffee and then I'll put forward the request."

"And if he says no?"

"I'll make a very persuasive argument and change his mind." I decide.

"What are you up to?" Cain reappears, looking between us suspiciously and as he hands over a small green box, Medusa is forgotten.

"You didn't?" I nearly cry as I open the box, and the fresh doughnut hits my nose with a wave of sugary delight.

"Hades needed a minute, which gave me time to get there and back. I know you prefer them from the store."

"You're an enabler." Kara scolds, still smiling as she did so.

"Go away now, we need a moment." I'm practically drooling as I get it out of the box. "Oh, I'm going to enjoy you."

"I'll be with Hades," Cain smirks, disappearing.

"For the record, I meant you, because once I finish this, I'll be needing another moment with him to say thank you." I shrug. "Unless you want to keep staring at the wall?"

"Gross. Come find me later." She's gone and after putting crumbs all over the bed, I take a shower, and sure enough, I'm not alone for long. "Did you see Hades?"

"I did," Cain stands under the water behind me and I feel him relax as he kisses my shoulder. "You and Kara finish whatever you're plotting?"

"How did you get out of the Underworld?" I not so subtly change the topic. "Did he help you?"

"No, the bastard made me work it out for myself. I didn't think it was going to be possible, his abilities are stronger down there and I couldn't get out. I tried everything and was exhausted, so when he vanished with Hermes, and even the lost souls seemed as restless as Cerberus, I knew I was out of time. I got desperate and went back to Hecates cabin"

"Was she there?" I asked hopefully.

"No, but she left me a map on how to find my way out."

"Seriously?"

"I was going to burn the place down, when something nudged my leg right before I completely lost my temper," His hands pressed into my shoulders, then across my back in slow, steady strokes which felt amazing. "And there was this little piece of paper, the edges black and burnt as it sat on a pile of ash. It wasn't easy, but I got through just in time."

A finger ran along my spine making me shiver, signalling the massage was over and I turned around to face him. Nothing was hidden here, and it was when he was like this that he looked his most vulnerable. Maybe it was the water that did it; washing away all the masks that were always so carefully in place for the world to see. There was no power here, no Dark King or Fallen One. It was just Cain, just a man and as I realised just how much I loved him, I started to cry. Big ugly tears, that made him instantly in a panic.

"What's wrong?" He stepped back slightly, checking me over. "Elle, what is it?"

"I just love you, so damn much." I cried, holding him close.

"I, er, love you too?" I had to laugh at how awkwardly he just stood there, and taking a few deep breaths I managed to calm down. "Are you sure you're okay?"

I nod. "I just had to get that out."

"Good, I think?" He frowned.

"It was the doughnut that did it."

"Of course it was." He smirked, shutting off the water and wrapping a towel around me, before doing the same to himself. "So you gonna tell me what you and Kara are up to?"

"Oh right, well, I was thinking last night, about Deimos-"

"No." The answer is short and direct.

"What?" I frown. "I haven't even finished what I was going to say."

"You don't need to."

"I do if it means it'll bring him back."

"So you want to go back to the place we barely escaped from, to ask for another favour and expect them-" I stopped him, holding up my hand where the shield appeared. "I almost forgot about that."

"Exactly. Tell me she won't be super cooperative if we offer her this?" I start to feel hopeful again.

"Kara isn't coming." He decided. "They'll think we are trying to kill the queen."

"What I think I'm hearing is you're agreeing to this idea, minus Kara?"

"Yes, Elise." He groaned. "I liked Deimos too. He deserves better than what he got. That is a coward's tool, that does not need to remain in this world."

I can't believe it and practically tackle him onto the bed in a hug. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

"Are you going to cry about it again?" He teased, earning a slap across the chest as I sit up and straddled him. "What? It was cute."

"I'm not dressing up this time. What they see is what they get."

"Considering what that currently means, I'm not sure I want to take you after all." He frowns as I ditch the robe and my usual clothes replace it. "You're so damn beautiful either way. I changed my mind, lets just stay here and-"

"Let's save Deimos first." I kiss and smile against his lips. "Thank you."

I find Kara, cringing as I see Apollo and Hades with her. She abandons them instantly, rushing towards me hopefully.

"Well?"

"We're going." She looks relieved, and I shake my head. "We and as in, me and Cain."

"You're taking her, but not me?" Kara glares at Cain as he appears beside me. "What is wrong with you?"

"Where are you going?" Hades asks cautiously as they come closer to us.

"They're going to see if Medusa can help Deimos," Kara tells them, making Apollos' mouth pop open. Even Hades looks surprised. "Without me."

"You think she can?" Hades glances behind us towards the statue Deimos.

"It's our only option," Cain says simply.

"You have another option, take me too," She demands.

"You two are going?" Apollo frowns.

"I know, it's ridiculous!" Kara huffs.

"We, more so, Elise parted on good terms with them. They are private, untrusting creatures. They know us. I am not going to take strangers to invade their home, and risk upsetting them." He left no room for argument as he gave Kara a hard look. "We have one chance to do this."

"And you should take it." Hades agreed.

"I'm with Kara, it is a stupid idea. One day your luck will run out and-" Apollo started to rant.

"Thanks, but no thanks. We're going, see you tonight." I hesitated. "Hopefully."

"Elise!" He groaned.

"I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Relax," I roll my eyes.

"Do not joke about this," Kara joined in.

"I love you all, concern has been noted, but now we're just wasting time. I know what the cost of this going badly will be, we both do." I glance at Cain who is once again stuck in a staring contest with Apollo and they both look like they are about to finish what they started back home. "Let's go."

"Safe travels." Hades nods, as I take Cains hand and sure enough, we're back in the jungle.

"This isn't it?" It didn't stink and it wasn't sweltering hot either.

"Give me a second, I know he's going to follow. We do not need any surprise guests turning up to ruin it all." Sure enough, we are suddenly perched upon a cliff face, and as the wind hits us, we're by the ocean.

"He, they, wouldn't do that," I argue.

We're back in the forest, the cliff and suddenly I'm being pulled to duck down behind a boulder. I'm about to stand up, when sure enough, Apollo and Kara appear, looking around completely confused. Then we're gone and I know we're here as the smell I wanted to forget is back.

"That should confuse them enough to go back and forth for a little bit." Cain waves his hands over us before we start the walk. "If they get here, I've put a shield over us which will stop them from following past this point."

"I can't believe they did that!" I was angry.

"They care about you."

"They want to control me. I thought we were getting past all of that." I pout.

"They're scared too."

"Are you scared? Do you care?" I pushed, nearly stumbling over a log and the look on his face told me enough. "You don't act like they do. You also have a big, actually, you have a lime sized reason to do it."

"Not all the time, and not with everything. I begged you to stay off the mountain and just the other day I attempted to hide you in the Underworld." He pointed out. "Lime?"

"Blueberry isn't a blueberry anymore." I shrug. "I had looked at the app thing before we came over here."

He held up a lime. "He's this big?"

"Yeah, though that's kind of bigger than I expected it to be. Are you over-estimating it," I took it from him. "Or is this your average-sized lime?"

"I presume so."

"How big are watermelons then?" Sure enough, he was holding onto one with two hands. "Great, there goes all those good feelings I had. I am not ready to deal with this."

The fruit vanished, and looking ahead the smells got worse to the point I had to stop walking. Breakfast and my doughnut soon covered the jungle floor, while Cain rubbed my back until I stopped heaving.

"Not far now." He pointed out unhelpfully.

"Clearly, Sherlock." We made it through and even if I wanted to throw up it would be pointless as there was nothing left inside. "Gods, why."

I cleaned myself up and before sliding to the floor in the corridor, careful to avoid the scratch marks which only made me feel anxious. Cain hands me some water and I have to laugh at the protein bar; it takes a few minutes to settle my stomach and it did help to eat something.

"We can go back, or wait here and I'll go on if-" Cain offered.

"Nope. Let's do this." I get up and as we reach the other end, the door is already swinging open. "So much for the element of surprise."

"Yeah, it's not like they would have been able to know we were coming. No one would have heard that entrance."

"Blame your lime."

"Our lime," he smirks.

Just like the first time, Cain stops and bows ever so slightly before stepping inside and I copy him as we move into the darkness. The first display of jewels and treasures greet us and just like last time, the sight is breathtaking. We stop at the top of the stairs, and I can see him check for his powers which were still very much working and before we could start going lower, Chrysaor comes stumbling up them in excitement or terror. I'm not sure but take a cautious step behind Cain.

"Back. You're back. They're back." He's mumbled, tripping again so he faceplants into the stairs only a couple down from us before he's climbing Cain's leg and making a grab for my hand.

I kept it out of reach, allowing Cain to push him back. I'm not sure what he says to Chrysaor but the man stops his frantic movements to just look up at us. I cringe at the sight of the healing scratches that went down the left side of his face, neck and on the exposed part of his shoulder.

"My Friends!" He greets.

"I thought you didn't have friends?" I ask him hesitantly.

"You came back, did you not?" He tilts his head slightly before scratching the wounds which makes it start to ooze.

My stomach flips, and I quickly look away.

"We came to see Medusa," Cain tells him.

"No. Nope. No. No visitors. Not even you." Chrysaor points to the exit. "Leave."

I don't even know how it happened, but I'm suddenly grabbing the banister, reaching for Cain, for anything as Chrysaor has grabbed my arm and pulled me forward. I'm smothered in the stench of his sweat, and the rotting smell of his cuts as I'm held like a favourite toy. His hair swarms down his arms and against my own and I'm gagging as I feel his tongue roughly sliding on my cheek.

"I dream of you coming back to me," He rasps, and with a yelp, he's gone; crashing down the stairs to the next level.

I flick off the last few snakes that remained stuck on me and they all retreat towards their master, filling the empty spaces on his skull.

"Did you kill him?" I wipe my face, and my clothes, eager to get the feel of his touch off me. And the smell.

"I thought it would be wise not to." Cain checked me over and linked my hand with his as we slowly went towards our friend. "Not after last time."

We step over him, though I do make sure he's still breathing and as we enter the winding passages, I somehow take the lead. It feels different to last time, our powers remain and as a brighter light appears at the end of a passage, we keep going.

We were expected, as Medusa is sitting on a throne of bones that holds a creepy feel to it that Hades doesn't have. The snake skulls that are poised along the top of the chair make me nervous, much like the live swarm that watches us from her head. She's dressed in red today, her skin holding a similar shimmer to the scales of her hair and I can feel the curiosity in her gaze the second we enter the room.

"Back so soon?" She purrs. Cain dips his head slightly, and I do the same "Such good manners. Your mothers taught you well."

I see the tension in Cain's jaw and squeeze his hand before taking a step forward.

"What do you want from me today, Elise of the Bunting Clan?" Medusa smirked, toying with a coil of her hair. "It must be very, very important if it brings you to me."

"It is," I assure her. "We have to know, is it possible to reverse your curse from a man who has been turned to stone?"

She stood instantly, and from behind us I could hear Chrysaor coming in. Her snakes hissed and spat in our direction as a hint of sulphur filled the air. Cain glances subtly behind us, and I got the feeling it wasn't just her son coming in. The sound of a snake sliding across the dirt was unmissable and reaching out, I felt the two serpents nearing closer.

"You come here today to insult me?" She roared, the rattling tips of the other two sounding out and looking now, angry eyes and bared teeth greeted me.

"No. That is not our intention." I explain, stepping closer. "I seek your help."

"Any man that is turned to stone deserves his fate." She growled.

"This one didn't." I protested. "He may have had a dark past, but he was trying to be better and it happened while trying to save the Queen. He did not deserve this to happen to him!"

"They are mine!" She roared now, the ground trembling as her sisters snapped and struck towards us. "You have no idea what you are asking!"

I realise then what she thinks we're doing here. "I do not want one of yours. I have one of my own."

She jumps towards me so we're nearly nose to nose and I know she doesn't believe that I'm not here to steal one of the many men in her collection. Holding out my hands, my powers vanish and I shake my head, looking at Cain as he too is powerless.

"I have a gift for you, a trade if you will. I need my powers to get it."

Medusa laughs. "Silly child."

Cain is gone, the tails of the sisters wrapped around his torso as they close in on him hungrily.

"It's Perseus shield!" I scream. "I have Perseus's shield! Do not hurt him!"

They freeze as Chrysaor stands by laughing and clapping his hands, and Medusa grabs me, half dragging, half leading me down another corridor. I can't break free of her grip as we go along, so I struggle to keep up while Chrysaors laugh follows us. He's really reached the next level of crazy today.

"I have it, the shield, I need my powers. Please, the Erinyes or Furies whatever you call them had it and they used it on my friend Deimos. Please, help us. It's yours, don't hurt Cain, please. Do not hurt him!" I beg, trying to get it all out.

She shoves me forward, into a small room. There's only a desk and a mountain of books around it, and looking back at Medusa she studies me in the way that makes me think I'm about to become her dinner.

"What do you know of the Erinyes?" Medusa demanded.

"That there's three of them, they hate me and-" I suck in a breath. "Please, let Cain go. I made him come back. I thought you could help Deimos."

She holds up a hand, silencing me. My heart is racing and I'm scared I'm going to pass out as my hands tremble. The second I feel my powers, I'm holding the shield. Medusa shrieks as if even she can't look into it, throwing herself back from it dramatically.

"They had this?" She growled.

"Yes."

"And how did you get it?"

"I stabbed one of them in the chest and-"

"The sword, where is the sword you used?" Medusa demanded, covering her eyes with one hand as the other frantically reached towards me, swiping at the air as if she could conjure it up herself.

I handed it over. "Cain-"

"Is not important right now."

"To me he is."

She inspected the blade before running her tongue across it and moaning. "I knew this was your sword."

"Medusa please, no games. I need your help, again. I ask a lot, but this time I did not come empty-handed." I spun it around so the front pointed to the floor. "Please, I bring this to you as a gift."

She arches an eyebrow as she looks down at it now.

"I have crossed paths with the Erinyes. They once stood for justice, vengeance. Their anger was formed by the misdeeds of mortals and powers alike. I believed in them, as we all did, yet in my time of need when I begged and prayed for help, bloody, broken and alone, I was the one deemed unworthy. Tisiphone had appeared with Athena, inspiring punishment for a crime done to me!" Her voice wavered slightly, full of betrayal and rage. "How fitting it was upon this blade, she fell."

"You said no before, but I know Athena. It's hard to believe she was this, horrible-" I stopped, thinking about Apollo and how they all thought the worst based on his past.

I really didn't know any of them, but did it matter?

"My answer remains the same. She took everything from me, and in return, I claimed what was hers." She smirked, and I wondered what that could have been. "We had the opportunity to resolve our past, many many moons ago, and we did. All is how it should be."

I wondered what had happened between them, and didn't ask.

That was their business.

"Did you face it, the shield?" She asked softly.

"I did."

"And here you stand." Medusa smiled, handing me back the sword as she took the shield. She spun it around, looking into the front curiously. "It is beautiful, is it not?"

"I've never seen anything like it," I admit.

"They used to say that about me." She plucked a snake from her head and set it free, walking towards the table where she looked around for a moment before handing me a piece of paper. "She was beautiful, wasn't she?"

The woman in the drawing was perfect, and looking at Medusa who was still beautiful, just in a different way, their similarities were hard to find.

"She still is," I told her, handing it back. "I'll be honest, I like this version more. You are a survivor, in control of your fate."

"We might have that in common, one day."

"I hope we do." She spins the shield around in her hands, and motions for me to follow her. As I open my mouth, she shakes her head. "He is safe. Relax, surely you know he is capable of looking after himself. As are you."

"I do, but I love him. I want to stand at his side, and also, the last time I saw him your sisters were looking at him how I look at pizza." Well, how I used to look anyway. "So you can't blame me for needing reassurance while we do, this."

I just wasn't sure what this was right now. A warning, a game, a distraction - a chat between friends?

"So long as that is where he wants to stand with you, as well." She warns.

We end up in the real hall of treasures and stop at Perseus. I look around at the other horrified faces, though some looked surprised, excited - eager for the kill. With Perseus, he looks accepting of his fate. Medusa hesitates, before reaching up to strap the shield to his side. Her fingers do not touch him and as her wrist brushes against his side, her hand snaps away as if it had shocked her. Once it's there, the pearl surface slowly loses its shine and eventually ends up as stone like the rest of him.

"I speak of man's cruelty, of the strength we must possess to survive them, fight them, yet I am the greatest fool of all. I'd cut out my heart to scrub it clean of him if I could, though I fear that even that would not work." Medusa stares up at the man before us longingly and lI ook away, letting the woman enjoy wherever her heart had just gone back to. "Tell me of the one you seek to save?"

"He is Deimos, God of Terror. He's like Cain, all of them I guess. They're trying to be better, do better. They're so brooding and thoughtful, and angry and hurt. They just need a chance, someone to believe in them. I met him after his twin, Phobos, tried to kill me. I thought he would seek vengeance, instead, he offered his alliance. He's been helping us ever since."

"You still have your heart, to see them this way. You are so young, time has not yet wearied you, and all that you have endured so far has not broken you. You will find the lost ones, more likely, they will find you as the moth finds the flame. It is you who will decide whether they are worthy of being warmed by your light or burned by your fire." Her hand moved to my shoulder, but she didn't look away. "Do not let them dull your spark, young one. No man is worthy to own such a prize. Now, bring your Deimos to me."

I focus on the statue, using every bit of my willpower to bring him here. Her hand is replaced by another, and with Cain's help, Deimos is with us.

"He is handsome," Medusa muses, circling him. "Too bad his thoughts are filled with a woman. Men are all the same, lovesick fools who want to conquer and claim."

"Can you help him?" I ask, leaning back into Cain which makes Medusa shake her head, not impressed.

"It has been only hours," A snake slid up Deimos leg, moving higher and higher until it reached out to Medusa from his hand which she ignored. "This will not be too difficult."

I hug her before realising what I was doing and ever so slowly I feel her arm against my back as she hugs me too. Medusa steps away just as quickly, looking completely offended at what we just did before focusing on Deimos.

"Chrysaor, take our guests upstairs. There is work to be done. Send in my sisters."

"Can we stay?" I ask, not sure if I want to leave Deimos here unsupervised.

"Only if you wish to take his place?"

"We could keep her!" Chrysaor laughed excitedly, practically crawling to rub his face against my leg.

I pushed him away, yet as he moved to come back, Cain used a lot more force which sent him skidding across the floor.

"Even one of my blood can not resist a pretty face." Medusa doesn't hide her disgust as she bares her fangs at him. "Go. I'll do what I can for your friend."

"Thank you."

A second later we're near freedom, and I let out a big breath. "You're okay?"

"A few new bruises," He flexed his fingers and seeing the blood across his knuckles, I grab his hand. "And that. Good thing I was prepared this time."

Putting his hand behind his back, he pulls out a small golden dagger.

"I'm glad, I should have been too." I frown. "What if it was worse, and they attacked how they did before?"

"You're not a man with Powers, I'm sure you are safe here and last time wasn't the norm. I also think there's an element of pretending with Medusa which I feel is solely for my benefit. She wants me to see a monster and fear her, all of them. Maybe I should have stayed away, and let you and Kara go after all."

I think he was right. "She is different when we're together. I'm not sure her wounds will ever heal, and to have her heart and trust broken so badly, twice, with everything else she has endured, I don't think Medusa is a monster at all."

We find a place to sit and wait. Which turns into more waiting, and while Cain finds some old books to look through, I browse the cabinets of jewels. It's tempting to touch, and I purposefully walk around with my hands behind my back to stop the temptation. It's easy to sense the power some of these items hold, and like so much here I don't think everything is at it appears.

I end up on the floor beside Cain, napping while he reads. My butt is numb and every time I reopen my eyes, I'm disappointed to find we're still here, still waiting. The next time I do, I'm sure I heard footsteps and getting up, I nudge Cain. He must hear it too as he's up, the dagger now at his side as we near the stairs and we both stop as we see Chrysaor coming, his thin lanky frame hunched over thanks to the man he's carrying towards us.

Man.

Not statue.

"Deimos!" I gasp, rushing down to help him with Cain right behind me.

Chrysaor practically throws him at us with a grunt, and Cain grabs him before I fall under the unexpected weight.

"Mother said she will see you again." He grumbles, and I notice the bald patch that he now has on the side of his head. "This one will sleep until dawn. He is to rest until the new moon passes."

And then he just walks away.

Cain shifts Deimos around, managing to move him on his own as we head to the exit as our friend lets out a grunt which is more like a snore. I help as much as Cain lets me and the second we're back in the jungle, we walk just that little bit faster until we're able to take Deimos home.

We did it.

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