Beauty returned to work in the morning to find no one even mentioned the dog or it's owner, so she assumed the magician had cast some sort of spell to make them forget and it hadn't affected her for whatever reason. Maybe it was Naga's protection, or perhaps the fact that she had seen enough magic in Obsidian's forest that she could never go back to being blind.

She was so caught up in her thoughts as she worked, she barely noticed the other girls giggling. They were twins and had fancy clothes on that were far too revealing for her taste, but with how conceited they seemed it was fitting. She had overheard them on several occasions admiring their boss Gaston when he wasn't around, which was highly inappropriate and while she understood that they were interested because he was as shallow as they were, she didn't agree with their romanticism of him like he was a god or something.

He was handsome on the outside certainly and while it might appear he worked at the animal shelter because he had compassion for living creatures, she had heard him bragging about how he loved hunting and the shelter was a good excuse to rid the world of animals without having to wait for the right seasons. It made her sick, even though she had always known there were plenty of people out in the world like him who took perverse pleasure in killing those they deemed lesser than themselves.

She hoped he had no idea Obsidian's domain existed, though there was no way to know since he never said where he got his "trophies". She shuddered at the thought of a cold blooded killer like Gaston hunting her friends and wished there was some way she could protect them besides keeping silent.

Those who wish to do harm will always find a way. Fret not, sweet one.

Naga?

Yes, it is me. I am sorry it has been so long, I have been strained by protecting all of us and sitting on my eggs. My telepathy was too weak to reach you till now. I have a message- you may return to our forest. Beast is telling me that as proof I should tell you "Obsidian says hello". Rather fitting name he lets you call him.

Beauty felt her cheeks color at the basilisk's teasing tone. I will come right after work.

Goodbye for now then, charmer.

She finished up her list of duties as quickly as she could and clocked out for the day. She slipped out when the twins weren't looking to avoid snide remarks and walked towards the familiar markers that indicated the safe path. She glanced around to make sure no one was in eyesight and walked in. She broke into a run as soon as she saw Obsidian in the clearing and hugged him.

"Hello, Beauty. I missed you too. You met the warlock's hellhound." He said quietly. It wasn't a question.

"Is that bad?"

"Not if he spared you. His eyes were blue, weren't they?"

She managed a nod.

"Naga and I suspected as much. He led that master of his over hill and dale far from our location. I am very relieved you are unharmed." He nuzzled her and crouched down. "Climb on, Naga wishes to see you as well."

She obliged and gently held some of his soft fur as he walked to Naga's part of the woods, happy to see nothing had changed as far as she could tell. "Any more problems with gorgon?"

"No, but we had to be certain. Where there is one nesting queen, usually there is another. I hunted the entire region and found only hints there had once been more, so I deduced they killed each other off or were annihilated by the colony I dealt with. Gorgon are extremely territorial and go to war quite often amongst themselves."

"A very good reason not to want them getting a foothold here."

He huffed in amusement. "Indeed. How is your father doing?"

"He has several furniture contracts now with nearby businesses and I hardly see him between building and delivering his products. I know it's good for him and earns us money, though that doesn't mean I miss him less."

"It's only natural. You two are close." He stopped in front of Naga who was coiled up.

"How nice to see you are well." Naga purred.

"Thanks, same to you. I was really worried for a while."

Naga bumped Beauty gently with her scaled nose. "Likewise, dearest heart. Anything new besides meeting a hellhound?"

"I booked myself a ticket for a convention to meet Seiko Wendell, an author who sounds like they know the magical realm."

"What an unusual name. Does it sound familiar, Beast?"

"No. Do you recognize it?"

"I am not certain, however I think I have heard it before. I will ponder a while."

Obsidian nodded and took Beauty back to the glade. "What would you like to now?"

"Is there anywhere in your realm I haven't seen yet?"

His tail twitched in thought. "A few, albeit I don't know if you will like them."

"Show me anyway?"

"As you wish." He headed passed the lake and up into the mountains. He stopped at mirky cascading ponds that had clearly once been fed by a now dried up waterfall.

"What happened here?"

"These were once enchanted waters. Alas, they have not flowed since before I was cursed. No one is sure why. Naga and I have speculated that it may have been because the Fae that used to live here left, or because a woodsman passed through here shortly after and kidnapped one of the water spirits."

"Kidnapped? Why?"

He shook his head. "Why do you think?"

She felt a pit in her stomach as she remembered how in some fairy tales, the spirits had despised humans because they took unwilling beings for their own pleasure. "Oh."

"Yes. Let's move on." He climbed higher till they reached the peak, covered in flowers that reminded her of lilacs and he stopped before they got close. "Do not try not to approach or touch these if you ever see them down below. These are pixie dwellings and they don't take kindly to even accidental intruders, nor being disturbed."

"Duly noted." She tucked her feet under her even though they were far away.

He nodded and traced the same path back down till the peak was out of view, then turned and made his way down a steep slope to a massive cave in the shadow of the neighboring mountain. "This is where I come after eating and sleep. You and Naga are the only ones who know of this place."

"I am honored by your trust."

"You earned it." He licked her cheek.