Branches swayed overhead us. It was admittedly nice to back underneath trees, I didn't realize how much I missed them. Their cooling shade made the stroll almost pleasant, if not for where we were headed.

"Why them?" A permanent frown etched upon my face when I found out who we would be seeking help from.

Blue didn't bother to even glance at me as this was at least the fifth time I had brought up my displeasure with the choice. "You know love, this is partially your fault for bringing them up in the first place. Also stop frowning, you shall wrinkle your face."

"I didn't bring them up." I grumbled.

"No I suppose not, you just accused us of being one of them."

Gorgons, we were going to seek help from Gorgons. That was asking for trouble, it was dangerous...and, unfortunately, it was a good battle strategy. Turn everyone to stone. Worked on a manticore, and this would be far easier when all it took was a look. I stuck my tongue out at her, causing a peeling of laughter from the women.

"Adorable pet." Red cooed.

A fluttering of wings caught my attention, my eyes drifting to see a hawk flying off into the sky.

"Are there many halflings?"

"Hm? Halflings?" Red tapped her long finger against her temple. "I can't say I know of many, but there are definitely some. Don't one of the Gorgons have a half-child?"

Blue nodded along, her bobs in time with her flowing movements forward. "Yes I believe they do, a girl if I'm not mistaken."

"They kept her?" I stopped, shocked. 

They both halted, watching me curiously. "Of course, she is their child."

"But Pitri, Pitri said that humans and Others could have sawed his wings off and wanted to."

"That's true pet, but not for all on either side. I thought you learned that lesson already."

I sighed, starting to walk again. They glided alongside of me, making barely a sound despite their immense size. They were at least twice my height and that didn't include the about one of me long tail.

"They are close right?"

"Yes, in fact can't you smell them yet?"

My nose twitched in the air, seeking the scent. It came suddenly to me as the wind shifted to just the right direction, causing an instinctual elongation of my canines. This whole being companions with Others was going to take some time. I touched them with my tongue, tapping at them as though it would actually help them re-tract. The smell increased as silent figures in veils approached. There were three women with human bodies and snake hairs, the matriarchs, and five woman with snake bodies from the torso down. They really were similar to the Lamia in many ways.

"Dearest cousins, thank you for coming to greet us." Blue inclined her head in respect with Red following suit.

One of the matriarchs stepped forward, her movements like silk. "Why are you here...cousins?" The word tested on the woman's lips with hesitance.

"We mean not to intrude," Red began when she was interrupted.

"Then leave."

"This is a matter of urgency though, we had no where else to turn."

The veil floated as the gorgon shifted, I could feel their eyes on me beneath but a shimmering gauze of fabric separating us. It made me uneasy. I wished I had my swords.

"You brought a human into our midst."

"She is no ordinary human." Blue pushed her forward, encouraging. "Go on little lovely show them."

I stumbled forward, attempting to dig my feet into the ground and stay away from the beings that I feared. Blue though didn't give into my childish attempt, forcing me front and center. I leaked out a hissing breath between my teeth, trying to calm myself. I hopped between my feet, nerves making me not want to stop. If I could keep moving, I could be ready to run. I kept my eyes on the ground. The scientists had never been able to get a gorgon's eyes to test on me. Never able to capture one for DNA splicing or combat training, no hunter had ever came back. So for all I knew, their gaze would stone me same as anyone else.

A gauze whisked across my face, the veil fluttering in the wind with the stalking matriarch. She watched me beneath the shimmer, her red eyes just barely visible through the film. I shuddered, turning only to meet the face of another. All three had converged to inspect me. Up close I could hear the faint hissing that came from their snakes, communicating between the women without the need for words.