The temple walls trembled under the hunters' assault. Spears of sunlight burned against the stone, cracks spreading along the ancient carvings. Seraphina clutched Dorian's hand, pulling him deeper into the ruin, but there was nowhere left to run.
The leader stepped into the chamber, his golden mask gleaming like a second sun. His voice carried the weight of divine command.
"Daughter of Medusa. You cannot fight the will of Olympus. Lay down the relic, and I may yet grant your death a swift mercy."
The serpents on her head lashed out furiously, hissing so loud the walls echoed. Seraphina's chest heaved. "I'll never give it to you."
The hunter's voice grew cold. "Then watch the boy suffer."
At his gesture, two soldiers lunged. Rough hands seized Dorian's arms. He struggled, swinging his stick, but a spear shaft knocked it from his grasp. Seraphina screamed and charged, but a net of sunfire fell over her. The heat seared her skin, pressing her to her knees.
The serpents shrieked in agony, twisting against the glowing ropes. Seraphina gasped, clutching at the burning chains, but her strength failed.
The last thing she saw before the darkness closed was Dorian shouting her name.
---
When she woke, her world was iron and shadows.
She was in a cage, its bars etched with runes that hummed faintly with Apollo's power. The necklace still hung from her throat, but its glow was faint, as though smothered.
Dorian sat in the cage across from hers. His cheek was bruised, his clothes torn, but he managed a weak smile when he heard her stir.
"You're awake," he whispered.
Her throat was raw. "I'm sorry, Dorian… I couldn't stop them."
He shook his head. "Don't apologize. You tried." His blind eyes turned toward her, soft and steady. "We'll find a way out."
But the hopelessness in his voice cut her deeper than the chains.
The hunters' campfire crackled just beyond. She could see them laughing, sharpening their weapons, speaking of glory and reward.
"She's dangerous," one muttered, eyeing her cage. "Even with the relic. Better to cut her throat now."
"No," the leader said firmly. "Apollo will have her alive. The relic is his by right." He glanced at Seraphina, his mask reflecting the firelight. "Sleep well, gorgon child. Tomorrow, your curse will be stripped from you, and Olympus will drink your blood."
Seraphina curled into herself, pressing her forehead to her knees. The serpents coiled tight around her, silent for once.
She had never felt so powerless.
---
The night deepened. The camp grew quiet.
And then… a sound.
Soft footsteps, uneven, dragging slightly, as though the walker's body wasn't quite alive. Seraphina raised her head, eyes narrowing.
From the treeline emerged a small figure — a girl no older than twelve, with pale skin and eyes that glowed faintly green in the moonlight. Her clothes were tattered, her hair messy, but her smile was bright, almost mischievous.
Behind her came another figure — tall, elegant, his skin pale as ivory, his cloak flowing like liquid shadow. His eyes burned crimson, and when he smiled, fangs glinted.
The girl tilted her head at the cages. "See, Adrian? I told you I smelled iron and fear. Looks like we found it."
The vampire chuckled softly. "Indeed, Luna. And it seems we've stumbled upon something much more interesting than bandits." His gaze flicked to Seraphina's serpents. "A daughter of the gorgon. How rare."
Seraphina's serpents hissed warningly. "Who… who are you?"
The little girl grinned. "I'm Luna. I'm a zombie! Don't worry, I don't bite friends." She wrinkled her nose. "Only mean people."
Adrian inclined his head politely. "And I am Adrian. A traveler, of sorts. We wander where the night takes us." His crimson gaze slid to the cages. "And tonight, it seems, the night takes us here."
Seraphina blinked. "Why… why would you help me?"
Luna smirked, pulling something from behind her back — a rusted sword, almost too big for her. "Because I don't like bullies. And those shiny men smell like arrogance. I hate that smell."
Adrian's smile was colder, sharper. "And because fate has a strange way of weaving creatures like us together. Gorgons, vampires, zombies… the world calls us monsters, but perhaps monsters should stand together."
Before Seraphina could reply, the nearest hunter stirred. "Who goes there—"
Luna moved with startling speed. Her small frame darted forward, her sword slicing through the air. The hunter's cry was cut short as he fell, his torch sputtering out.
Chaos erupted.
Adrian blurred into motion, his cloak swirling. With one sweep of his hand, claws extended, he tore through a second hunter's armor. He moved like shadow and smoke, his fangs flashing.
Luna giggled, leaping between the men, her sword cutting with reckless joy. "Come on, Adrian! Don't let me have all the fun!"
The hunters shouted, scrambling to form a line, but they were no match. The vampire was too fast, the zombie too relentless.
Seraphina gripped the cage bars. "Dorian! They're—"
But before she could finish, Luna skipped toward them. With a grunt, she swung her sword against the lock. It shattered, sparks flying.
The cage door swung open.
"You're free!" Luna declared proudly, brushing dirt from her cheek. She turned to Dorian's cage and smashed that lock too.
Seraphina stumbled out, pulling Dorian close. Her serpents writhed in relief, brushing against her face.
"Why?" she asked again, breathless. "Why save us?"
Luna just grinned wider. "Because everyone deserves a second chance. Even gorgon girls and blind boys."
Adrian's crimson eyes softened briefly as he finished the last hunter, his claws dripping. "Come. More will come with the dawn. If you wish to live, you should walk with us."
Seraphina clutched the necklace at her chest, staring at her unlikely saviors. For the first time since leaving her cave, she didn't feel quite so alone.