Stars-Crossed

Cassiopeia Hart

It was a long walk. Their clothes were dry from the day before, where they laid in the rain.

Cassiopeia was walking in middle with Muse at her side. Beckett and Zagon walked in the back, talking about wars, while Kasdeya took front. Her hands were out at her sides, opening the thorn bushes, letting them go through safely.

"If only they made girls like her in my teen years." Muse said, his eyes on the back of Kas.

"If only they make them human in mine." Cassi sighed.

The words Kas last spoke to her kept repeating in her mind. Kas wanted her to stay away, but Cassi didn't want to. She wanted Kas, and she hated the way she did.

"You're not bad looking yourself." Muse said, looking over at Cassi with his green snake eyes. His eyes moved up and down her body, scanning her.

Cassi shifted her body. She truly hated hormones and the way to smallest complaints from an attractive man made her feel.

Muse must've noticed her shift because he grinned wildly. His features from the sun was shining brightly, he snakes under his beanie was hissing wildly.

"Don't worry, Ms. Hart." Muse said. "You only have the hots for the Devils daughter. Not surprised though. She's hot."

"I'm a sixteen year old girl, my hormones are crazy, and I'm pretty sure the Devils daughter now wants me dead." Cassi said, flushed by his words.

"What's your point, Cassio?"

"My point: my "hots" can go for whomever I want."

"Oh, I love it." Muse grinned. "Though, I'm not the type of man to force it. You don't want me, babe. You want Horns."

"What if I don't?"

"Don't okay stupid." Muse said, his smile faded. "Don't play like that."

"I'm not playing."

"I can sense it, Cassio. You just don't want to believe that you want her anymore."

Cassi replayed those words over and over until they laid to rest in their tents. The words were true. She wanted herself to believe that Kas was just another person— in her case demon. But it was no point: she wanted Kas.

"Cassio." Called a voice from her tent.

Only one person called her that now. Muse.

"Can I come in?"  Muse asked.

"Whatever pleases you." Cassi said, laying with her chest up, staring up at her pointed tent roof.

"What are you doing?" Muse asked.

"In my mind." Cassi said. "Trying to figure out this and that. Whether I'll die in a few months, or be held in Hell, until God knows when."

"Me too." Muse said, sitting down by Cassi's feet, making the bed sink some more. "I don't even know what holds for me."

"You become mortal."

"That's if the Bounties don't kill me first." Muse said.

"Why would they want to kill you?" Cassi leaned up, facing the gorgon.

"Let's see: I'm helping their target cross the world."

"Why are you helping?" Cassi questioned. "I've thought of it— over and over— You can go to a warlock, a genie, or something.. someone can make you mortal, it won't just take Zagon or Kasdeya.. Why are you here, Muse?"

"Honest answer?"

"Honest answer only."

"I had a sister." Muse said. "She was like me. A Gorgon... She was a beauty to the world. She was beheaded by martyrs, as she stoned a preacher. He cut her snake, and she tried to fight back— in the end, she always tried to do the right thing. As I am now."