I dismounted, and Marduk mirrored me. Standing on either side of our bikes, we searched the surrounding area for a threat.
There were a few people walking around: a couple holding hands, a man jogging, and a woman walking her dog. It took me a moment to realize that it was the woman walking the dog that was making my Jörmungandr senses tingle.
At the same time I singled out the woman with the dog, Marduk focused on her also. Without even having to look at eachother, we walked to her, putting ourselves between her and Bec’s building.
She stopped walking and looked at us with the kind of smile you might give an overly tired and fractious child.
“Aren’t you both adorable,” she said, completely unconcerned about facing off with two fully grown world serpents.
The dog sitting at her feet tilted his head at us, as he was confused about why his walk had been interrupted.
“Go away,” Marduk said.
Her smile didn’t waver. “I live here.”
“No, you don’t,” Marduk said. “I haven’t seen you before.”
“I’ve been traveling, but I’m back,” she said. “I don’t know who you’re protecting, but I’m no threat to anyone unless someone attacks me.”
I wasn’t sure what this woman was, but as we talked, I could feel her aura becoming more powerful. I didn’t know too many creatures who could control their auras, but the few that could scared me enough to make me grab Marduk and pull him back as I stepped away from her.
She chuckled at my move. “Do you know what I am now?”
“I’m not sure, but you’re unique,” I said, becoming more alarmed with every passing moment. I could feel Marduk’s emotions matching mine. Then I felt a shock of recognition coming from him and a single word shot through our bond because my hand was still on his arm.
“Medusa,” we declared at the same time.
She gave a regal nod of her head. “Very good, young men.”
This creature was one of the few that was allowed to call us young men. I tightened my grip on Marduk’s arm. This was bad.
What do we do?I asked.
Even if Mom was here, we might not be able to defeat her,he responded.
We couldn’t leave her to potentially hurt Bec, but at the same time, we weren’t powerful enough to force her to leave.Do you think she’ll take a bribe? We could give her our Del Mar house.
“I can tell that you two are talking to each other,” she said with a chuckle. “Your auras flare slightly where you’re touching every time you speak. Tell me why you're so concerned? Perhaps we can solve this civilly."
“Our mate lives here,” I said. “She’s human.”
Marduk’s anger hit me like a slap.Why did you tell her that?
Because it’s our only option,I said.Other than invading Bec’s home and kidnapping her to take her far away from this medusa. We both know she’d never forgive us for that.
But she’d still be alive.
Let me talk! I might be able to find a solution that doesn’t alienate our mate,I snapped.
“Your mate lives here, but the two of you are sitting outside watching as if guarding her. Why aren’t you inside with her?” she said with a slow, considering drawl.
“She hasn’t agreed to be ours yet,” I said. “We’re respecting her boundaries.”
“That’s good,” she said. “Far too many magical creatures think that humans don’t have the same rights as them.”
The medusa’s aura flared, and I felt magic heat my skin as a wave of power washed over me.
Oh shit!Marduk exclaimed at the same time I hissed in surprise. It didn’t hurt, but it was startling.
