Hey, Everyone! Some secrets are revealed and two old friends return this chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 52
Deuce was still perplexed by what happened with the sword earlier as he arrived home. He had slid the sword down inside the back of his vest and hooked the cross-guard on the collar. He heard his mother call out as soon as he walked in.
"I ssssaved sssome dinner for you, Deuccccce. How did everything go?", she asked. All the parents had heard what was going on. Like the rest, Medusa was proud of her son for taking action. "Were you and your friendssss able to sssstop that zombie bitch?"
"Yeah, Mom", he said proudly, stepping into the living room to talk to her. "Moanica got away, but we stopped her. Something really strange happened, though."
"Really? What issss that?"
He took out the sword. Medusa gasped sharply and dropped her drink in shock. She slithered quickly to him and took the sword.
"Where did you get thissss sssword?!", she asked urgently. "Thisss isss one of the artifactssss sssstolen from your aunt'sss musssseum! The Sssssword of Perssssseusssss! A divine gift from hisss father Zeussss and forged by Hephaessstussss!"
"The Sword of Perseus?! Whoa!", Deuce was overwhelmed. "Some normie dude wearing armor tried to kill me with it tonight. But the sword, like, wouldn't let him."
"Tell me everything!", Medusa urged her son. He told her the whole story. A mixture of awe and realization was written on her face.
"Mom, you know something", he deduced. "How….Why did this happen? I need to know!"
Medusa sighed deeply. She had hoped to avoid this forever, but the truth could no longer be denied.
"My dear sssson. The ssssword could not harm you for the ssssame reasssson it presssented itsssself to you", she breathed. She handed the sword back to him, put her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes. "It issss becaussse Perssseussss…..issss your father."
"SAY WHAT?!"
"You already know the legendssss, and our family'sssss part in them. But now I mussssst tell you the sssstory of what happened after", she said, coiling into her favorite chair. He sat in another chair and listened with rapt attention.
She told the story of the many happy years Perseus lived and ruled a kingdom with his wife; Princess/Queen Andromeda and had many children. However, when Perseus died he ascended to Olympus, as did all demi-gods. Some, like Hercules, became gods themselves. Most, however, simply 'lived' there…..forever. His mortal-born wife and children went to the after-life, forever separated from him. In his despair, he returned to the mortal plane and wandered the Earth for millennia. Finally, he returned to the home of Medusa; on whom he had once taken pity and spared her life. She welcomed him kindly and offered him the hospitality of her home for as long as he needed. Over time, they fell in love.
Then Zeus decreed the time had come for the gods and demi-gods to stop meddling in the realms of mortals and commanded that all but a select few, like Eros, ascend to an even higher plane of existence. Perseus was forced to leave his new love, not realizing that the child he sired was growing in Medusa's womb.
"That'sssss why I could never tell you about your father", she said tearfully, concluding her story. "I loved him sssso much. Lossssing him becaussssse of a decree from your grandfather wassssss too painful for me to bear. Having you sssssaved me from dessssspair."
Medusa slithered over to her son, and cupped his cheek in her hand with a loving smile and tears in her eyes.
"You have my eyesssss and hair", she said. "But otherwissssse, you look jussssst like him. But to ever sssspeak of him wasssss too painful. Can you forgive me, my Sssson?"
It was a lot to take in. The story had moved the normally cool and laid-back young gorgon to tears. Deuce hugged his mother.
"I love you, Mom", he assured her. "Of course I forgive you."
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Lilith was crying her eyes out in the home of her cover identity. She already had over twenty 'missed calls' from Jason on her iCoffin. She just knew he was disgusted with her; not only with her demonic appearance, but also for lying to him. He was probably just calling to yell and break up with her, and she couldn't bear to hear it.
Suddenly a text-alert beeped. Lilith looked and saw it was from his number. A text might be easier to take. She took a breath to steel herself, and read the message.
'Lilith, plez, I kno this is weird. I just want 2 talk 2 u and I need 2 see u. plez tell me where u r?'
Her heart clenched and uncertainty plagued her thoughts. Her uncle warned her sternly not to blow her cover. But Jason already knew now. But was seeing him worth the risk of angering her uncle or the possibility of a face to face rejection from the guy she loved? She made her choice.
'1313 Mockingbird Circle, on the monster side of town. Come alone & make sure ur not seen.'
Twenty minutes later, she heard his backwards motor-trike pull in to the driveway. He was wearing his visored helmet to hide his face. She let him in when he knocked, and he removed his helmet once inside. Then he surprised her with a hug. She melted into his arms, her black leather halter-top allowing her to feel his hands on her bare back, making her tingle. Almost of it's own accord, her tail snaked around him, pulling him closer.
"I've missed you", he said, making her heart clench. "Please tell me what the hell is going on?"
"First, please swear that you'll keep all this secret?", she asked sheepishly. "And my uncle must never know I told you or that you found out about me?"
"I'd do anything for you, Lilith", he said. "You know that."
She sat down on the couch in mild relief, and he sat beside her; holding her hand tenderly. She told him everything; the Boogie Sand, her undercover mission as 'DeMona DeVille', her and her uncle's parts in the zombie invasion, everything. He listened to her every word.
"I'll keep your secret, Lilith", he said when she finished. "But I think your uncle is being a real jack-ass about this, no offense. I mean, I've met monsters who were like anybody else….or even cooler than some humans I know. And making you do this? Totally messed up."
"I know", she sniffed tearfully, spreading then folding the large bat-wings on her back. "I'm hideous! A disgusting monster!"
"Now you stop that right now!", he said firmly. "You're beautiful, Lilith! You're always beautiful to me."
"You're just saying that", she said with a coy smile.
"No….I'm not", Jason breathed warmly as he held her close. Then he tilted his head down and kissed her deeply, then again even more passionately. His every kiss, his every touch stoking the fire within her. She slid his jacket off his shoulders, then ripped his shirt off of him. She unzipped the front of her top as he untied it from behind her neck, allowing her barely contained, ample breasts to spill forth…..
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(Time-skip: Mid-term hex-ams have come and gone at Monster High, and the second semester has begun)
The guys and ghouls were gathered at the fountain before class. It was the first day of the new semester. Jinx and many others in school were excited about the opening of the day-care center at school, and many students had younger siblings with them who were enrolled. A few teen mothers had even returned to school now that they could bring their infants with them! Students who had signed up for classes related the child-care were on a rotating schedule to assist the experienced care-givers….one of whom was a normie! Grateful for being saved by the MH students during Moanica's Night of the Zomboys, she was there with her own infant and toddler.
Duncan and Clawdeen had just arrived, sipping their lattes.
"So your sister really blew a gasket when she found out?", Robecca asked, giggling.
"Yes!", Cleo laughed. "Nefera ranted, raved, and screamed until Daddy sent her to her tomb! My Deuce; Son of a demi-god! I guess she'll never give me a hard time about you again, will she, Sweetie?"
"I guess not", the gorgon chuckled. "So I guess your dad likes me now?"
"I almost feel sorry for Nerfera", Clawdeen smirked. "Almost."
"She needs to seriously grow up and change", Duncan said. "Or she will never find real love and the happiness that comes with it."
"Speaking of love", Frankie smiled, pointing toward the school entrance.
Abby was approaching with a big smile holding hands with a grinning boy with spiky, red hair, yellowish skin, and a MH letterman jacket with flames on the sleeves, who was a few inches shorter than the yeti.
"Am very happy annoyink Hot-Head is back!", Abby said, leaning her head against his. Everyone who knew him welcomed him back.
"Thanks, everyone!", he smiled. "It's good to be back!"
"Heath, I'd like you to meet some new friends this year", Clawd said. "Duncan, DJ, and Joe? This is Heath Burns; fire elemental.
"Good to meet'cha, Heath", DJ said. "I'm a cyborg."
"Cool!", Heath said, shaking his hand.
"S'up?", Joe said, offering a high-five. "I can turn into any material I touch."
"That's clawesome!", Heath said, completing the high-five.
"I've heard a lot about you", Duncan smirked, fist-bumping Heath. "Is it really true you set the swimming pool on fire?"
"Yeah, I did", he chuckled sheepishly. "But I've got way better control now. Are you really the son of Belloc?"
"Yeah", he smiled. "It took me a long time to accept who I am."
"I hear that, fire-brother."
"So are you ready for casketball season, Heath?", Clawd grinned.
"Am I ever!", Heath said enthusiastically. "But I think I'll just stick to casketball from now on, Clawd."
"Dude, I was just filling in on the Scream team while you were gone", Duncan said apologetically. "I got no problem with you taking your spot back when the Spring season starts."
"Are you kidding me, Dude?", Heath smiled, smacking Duncan on the back. "I watched all your games! You're a way better player than I ever was! My spot is yours, Bro!"
Many of those who knew Heath were amazed at this admission! It was very un-like the hot-headed braggart they used to know. Apparently, he learned a little humility along with control at Volcano Academy. Duncan smiled. He did love to play, and all his team-mates nodded in agreement.
The first bell rang just then, so they all went inside.
"I'll see you all later", Lagoona said. "I have to get to the pool. Kala Mer-ri might be coming for a visit!"
"That's voltageous news, Lagoona!", Frankie said.
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(The Great Scarrier Reef)
"Are you sure about this, Kala?", Posea asked.
"I can't risk going into another mating cycle, Posea!", Kala Mer'ri said in a desperate tone. "Last time, I tore through half the town on a horrific, hormonal rampage trying to catch and mate with Croc Dundeen before my Dad caught and restrained me! I even hurt my friends Pearl and Peri when they got in my way! Now Dad is away helping Leviathan, so there would be no one who could stop me this time."
"And what makes you so sure that it won't just happen at Monster High?", the daughter of Poseidon asked.
"Because there are no male sea monsters there", Kala smiled. "Just Lagoona and her freshy boyfriend, and she told me last night that he's home with a gill infection."
"So be it", Posea said. "But, you will take four of my sea-mares with you for company and keep an eye on you. Agreed?"
"Fine, fine", Kala said as four small sea-horse-tailed mer-sprites swam over to her. "Please just send me there!"
"Just one more thing", Posea said. "I'll give you the ability to change your tail and tentacles into legs and back at will. It should make walking around there easier for you."
xxXXxx
Lagoona was waiting by the Monster High pool. If Kala could convince Posea to send her, she should arrive any minute.
The pool suddenly began to swirl into a whirlpool with mystical light. When it died down and returned to normal, Kala Mer'ri emerged from the water.
"Kala!", Lagoona rushed to her childhood friend.
"Lagoona!", Kala hugged her with her four arms. "Thanks for helping me with this."
"No worries, mate!", Lagoona giggled. "It's the least I could do for the ghoul who scared the hell out of my ex-boyfriend. I almost wish you'd caught Croc the last time your cycle hit!"
"Ugh! I don't know why I chose him!", Kala laughed. "Thank the tides that my Dad stopped me!"
"You know how it is; a sea ghoul's mating cycle hits her, and she goes on a hormone-induced rampage to mate with the most physically suitable male around. Thank goodness that gets easier once we choose a willing mate."
"Speaking of", Kala grinned slyly. "How are things between you and Gil?"
"Couldn't be better", Lagoona sighed lovingly. "I just wish he weren't so sick."
"Actually, that's probably a good thing while I'm here!", Kala laughed.
"I guess you're right", Lagoona giggled. "Because no way am I sharing him! Let's head inside. The ghouls will be happy to see you."
"Sure. Just a sec", Kala said, then she turned back to the sea-mares in the pool. "Just stay here. Lagoona and I will be back later."
Kala then stepped out of the pool, and straightened her skirt.
"What the…? Kala! You have legs?!"
"I know, right? Posea gave me the ability to switch back and forth at will while I'm here", she smiled.
"That's clawesome!" Lagoona said. "Ms. Bloodgood gave us permission to sleep here in the school pool while you're visiting, and join me for classes."
Kala relaxed for the first time in days as she walked with Lagoona into Monster High. Over the course of the morning, she reconnected with all the guys and ghouls she had become friends with since Lagoona and her ghoulfriends came to visit the reef last year, plus meeting Jinx and two of the new guys this year: Joe Osmos, who was dating Venus; and DJ, a cyborg boy dating Robecca.
However, a strange….alluring scent came to her nose and gently tickled the back of her mind. She especially caught it whenever she was around Clawdeen. Kala shrugged it off and tried to ignore it. Nothing to worry about! Lagoona had assured her that the two of them were the only sea monsters at Monster High right now.
Lunchtime came around and the two of them went to the creepateria. All the guys and ghouls were there, plus a scaly new face who was sitting rather cozily with Clawdeen.
"Kala!", Clawdeen waved, prompting her to come closer. "I'd like you to meet my boyfriend!"
"Duncan Rosenblatt", the dreamy, golden-haired reptile said pleasantly, holding out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Kala."
She shook his hand, and she felt something at his touch...a tingle. Then she realized that the scent she'd been picking up all morning was coming from him! She smiled and shrugged it off. He's not a sea monster, no need to worry.
"Same here, Duncan", she smiled.
"You two have something in common", Lagoona smiled. "You're both the hybrid children of kaijus."
"No way!", Duncan exclaimed. "I thought I was the only one!"
"My mom was a mermaid", Kala explained. "And my Dad is the Kraken."
"Cool!", he said. "My mom is normie, and my Dad is Belloc."
"Your dad is Belloc?! The King of the Kaiju?", Kala said in shock. No wonder he was so deliciously handsome; he's a Prince! Wait…What?! "Wow!"
As lunch progressed, Duncan and Kala talked non-stop about what it was like growing up as the children of kaiju. Like how Kala's mom unfortunately died in childbirth, leaving her dad to raise her alone; and Duncan being raised as a normie by his mom most of his life. Clawdeen was ok with it. This was the first time Duncan had met anyone he had so much in common with, and she was confident in the loving loyalty of her mate.
"Meow. Hey, Kala", Toralei said, walking up with the twins.
"Toralei! Hey!", Kala stood to hug the werecat. "It's been awhile. What's new?"
"Yeah, Toralei", Clawdeen smirked, while the rest of the ghouls smiled knowingly. "What's new?"
"Reow! I don't know what you're talking about!", she glared at the werewolf.
"Let's see", Frankie grinned. "You three have been a lot nicer and more cooperative ever since….when was it? Oh yeah! The Halloween party!"
"Really?", Kala asked. "What happened?"
"Reow! Nothing! Nothing happened at all!", Toralei hissed as she and the twins blushed.
"Oh come on, Toralei!", Duncan smirked. "You haven't even tried to flirt with me since that night! The whole school already knows, so you might as well let the cat out of the bag!"
"Fine! Reow", she said resignedly, Meowlody and Purrsephone looking sheepish.
"We met three pranksters from New Salem High", Toralei said softly.
"What was that, Toralei?" Draculaura smiled knowingly. "We can't hear you?"
"We're dating normies, okay?!", Toralei exclaimed much louder this time. The entire creepateria broke out in applause and cheers. "We have a lot in common, ok?"
"Wow, Toralei", Kala said, then hugged her again. "I'm glad you three found guys who make you happy."
"Oh, you can say that again", Toralei smirked as the twins grinned, remembering their plans for pranks that they were working on for both schools for April Fools Day with Lee, Jamal, and Miguel! And while she couldn't speak for the twins' experiences with Jamal and Miguel; Toralei knew first-hand Lee was definitely as good a lover as he was a prankster!
The rest of the day, Kala's thoughts kept drifting back to Duncan. And the two classes they had together, she caught herself discreetly looking at him repeatedly. She shook her head to clear it.
'We have a lot in common, but he's no sea monster', she reminded herself. 'I am fine. I'm ok. I'm fine. I'm fine. I am in total control of myself and he is nothing more than a new friend…..no matter how yummy and dreamy he is….What?! Stop it!'
After school, the guys and ghouls threw an impromptu dinner party for Kala's arrival and visit. The pizzas, soda, chips, and cookies were enjoyed by all in and around the school swimming pool. Again, Kala found her gaze frequently drifting to Duncan as he partied with Clawdeen on his arm. She could tell they really love each other….dammit! Wait! What?!
The party began to break up around 8pm, as everyone began to say their 'good night'-s and 'see you tomorrow'-s to Kala and Lagoona.
Duncan walked up to Kala after Clawdeen had said her 'good night'.
"It was great meeting you, Kala", he smiled as he shook her hand again, then pulled her into a friendly hug. His alluring scent flooded her senses, and the feel of his sleeveless arms around her set her blood on fire! She could feel the hard muscles of his body, and began to melt inside. When he broke the hug, she didn't want it to end! "I'll see you tomorrow, my Kaiju Cousin."
"R-right! Of course!", she stammered as he walked over to Clawdeen, who wrapped her arm around his and walked away with him.
"Need a ride home, Beautiful?" he asked her.
"You know it, Hot-Stuff", she grinned. Then he leaned in to kiss her sweetly.
Kala Mer'ri stifled a hiss in her throat when she saw that. Wait. Why was she hissing? Ugh! Forget it!
"Hey, Lagoona", she called to her old friend. "Can I help you with your homework before we go to sleep?"
"Thanks, Kala, that would be great", Lagoona smiled. Then she looked up at the darkening sky. "I think we should leave a few of these tiki torches burning all night, Kala. It gets pretty dark out here."
xxXXxx
Author's notes: Perseus was Deuce's DAD?! Yup! I planned that reveal a long time ago, back when I first mentioned artifacts being stolen and Medusa telling Margaret the story of Perseus taking pity on her and sparing her life back in the day.
The "Jason/Lilith" lemon will appear soon in my rated 'M' work: "You Make Lemonade"! And come on guys; who hasn't had the fantasy of a she-demon with a heart of gold?
And what the hell is going on with Kala Mer'ri? Wait and see next chapter! LOL!
xxXXxx
