Beauty started the long walk home with a lot on her mind. Her father had called before she'd left the forest to let her know he would have to stop for the night in Somerset because a semi had tipped over, leaking gasoline and the freeway had been shut down to clean up the fire hazard. She suddenly felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up and realized how alone on the road. There weren't even cars, which was extremely unusual and that set her on edge. It had never occurred to her to bring a weapon, though she was wishing she had. She looked around nervously, seeing nothing out of the ordinary.

Run, Beauty!

Naga?! How can I hear-

RUN!

She obeyed, noticing something following in the increasing darkness.

Do not look behind you, child!

She heard slithering as she ran faster, forcing herself not to turn around to see what persued her. The instinct was almost too strong, especially when she heard it collide with what she assumed was a protection spell Obsidian appeared in front of her close to her home.

"Quickly, into your house! Don't look or come outside till I call for you!"

She flew inside the front door and slammed it shut, collapsing with burning lungs as she gasped for breath, this reminding her how out of shape she was. She could hear fighting outside as she caught her breath, clutching her hands to her breasts. Please let Obsidian win. I'm just getting to know him and cannot lose him. I need to be able to help him break his curse. She prayed silently, though she wasn't sure to whom. Her family had never been the religious sort, nor part of any denomination. Perhaps she meant for whatever gods were listening, or the universe. She cringed as an unearthly shriek fill the air, biting back a whimper and holding her breath as silence fell.

"Beauty..."

She flew outside as there was a loud thud and found Obsidian collapsed on her porch, covered in blood. "You're hurt."

"If you think I'm bad you should see the gorgon I beheaded." He nodded to the scaled corpse.

"I don't remember you mentioning them as inhabitants of your forest."

"They aren't, nor have they dared to come down from their caves near the state you call Wyoming for nearly seven hundred years." He struggled to stand and fell back down with a wince. "Where there is one there are usually more."

She saw several large gashes on his hind legs and forepaws. "You can't fight them like this, Obsidian."

"I heal fast. You and your town are in danger. Their hunting parties are large and this was only a scout. If he doesn't return, they will come out in force."

"Can't someone help you?"

"Naga's on her nest and her mate is not comfortable with leaving because he fears he will hurt the innocent due to his blindness and their children are going through a rebellious phase." He licked his wounds. "There is no one else in the forest that would dare to invoke the wrath of the gorgon."

"Why not? The gorgon will eat them too."

"Maybe, maybe not. I have done all I can to put wards around your house. My magic isn't as strong as Naga's, but hopefully it will be enough. If anything does get through, use a mirror to see and a sharp knife ought to pierce their hide."

"But-"

He stood up. "You cannot come with me, it is too dangerous."

"Obsidian-"

"Please, Beauty. Promise me you'll stay."

"Only if you promise you'll come back alive."

He gently licked tears from her cheeks she hadn't realized she'd shed. "I will do everything I can."

"Then I will stay here."

"Thank you."

She kissed his furred cheek. "For luck."

He made his purr-like sound in acknowledgement and ran off.

Beauty paced back and forth inside her house, unable to do anything besides worry about Obsidian. He had been gone nearly all night and she hadn't heard anything from Naga either. She snacked on some crackers to try to settle her upset stomach, washing it down with a bit of milk. It seemed to help a little, though the food didn't fill her much and she doubted she could eat more without being sick. She nearly jumped out of her skin when her cell phone rang.

"Hi, Dad."

"Hey sweetie, just calling to let you know I'm back on the road heading home again."

"Okay. Be safe."

"You sound worried. Something wrong?"

"I haven't heard from Obsidian since last night. It's probably nothing, but I can't help it."

"I am certain he's fine from what you've told me unless something else is going on."

She sighed. "He went off to fight a hunting party of gorgon."

"Gorgon? You mean like Medusa from the story of Perseus?"

"Kinda sounds like I'm making it all up, doesn't it?"

"My dear, you were never one to tell tall tales. Will you be okay till I get back home?"

"Yeah, I think so. Maybe Obsidian will return in the meantime."

"That's the spirit. I will see you soon, Beauty."

"Drive safe, Dad."

"I shall do my best."

She chuckled a bit after he hung up and took a shower. She dressed and ate a little more, relieved when she heard Obsidian calling for her outside. She ran through the door and hugged him. "Thank goodness you're okay!"

"I am sorry that I worried you. I hunted down all the gorgons in the area and then paid their queen a visit. I warned her if her people ever came back I would overthrow her kingdom."

"And how did she take it?"

Obsidian's fiery eyes darkened. "Let's just say I had no choice but to follow through on my threat."

"So we're safe?"

"I don't have an answer for you in that regard. I must consult with Naga and see if her clairvoyance can see any more threats. I will come see you, you must not enter the forest until I am certain I can promise your safety."

She sighed. "I will wait for you."

He nuzzled her gently and left.