The Sixth Life of Medusa

37. Are You The Sloth?

Medusa halted, confused at the unexpected question. Map?

Yes, yes, Clotho answered in her usual light-hearted tone. You'll get the map and more stones than you need tomorrow.

More than I need? That was too generous; something didn't add up.

"Soft hands, why'd you stop?" Medusa blinked at Akrivi. They were standing in a dimly lit corridor that led to a flight of stairs.

"I need a moment to... think," she said.

"Whatever the patron needs," Akrivi replied with an easy shrug.

Why would I need an incentive to use a map? Usually, Clotho freely gave directions and offered pointers.

Using it comes with certain... risks, Clotho finally said after a beat of silence. And you may encounter my sister.

"Hey!" Medusa cried as her heart sank to the floor of her belly.

"No need to yell; I'm right here," Akrivi said, expression shifting from concern to exasperation. "

"I wasn't speaking to you." Medusa waved him away as she tried to make sense of Clotho's words.

He shook his head and whispered something about the misfortune of getting shackled to a loony customer.

But I never want to meet your sister again. Medusa had found that no amount of mental gymnastics could free her from the stain of that single encounter. She felt marked by a hunter.

Recall that my sister is searching for someone? You must get to them first.

Why? Medusa's unease worsened.

Finding them will bring answers, and those answers will also benefit me. That's why I'm giving you more than enough aether stones.

More than enough stones? How many high-grade stones are we talking about?

Fifty.

Medusa's hands flew to her mouth. That was more than the amount they paid at Tartarus' gate. Medusa's head swam. It was more than worth it. Not only will it make her plan with the dogs smoother, but she could also explore other uses of the stones.

All I have to do is find this person?

Yes. And the path to them cuts through Agria's nest. Quite convenient, no?

Medusa's eyes reduced to slits. It was too convenient. What aren't you telling me?

Um... let's see. Ah, almost forgot. I wouldn't be with you as you go about the search, Clotho said after a pause. I'll be away for a considerable period.

Why? It was always one bomb after another with Clotho. First, Akrivi being cursed, then the possibility of encountering her murder-incarnate sister, and now this?

You should be fine on your own. The time you spent in training has yielded good results, no? And I've provided lessons. You'll find them at the annexe along with the formula for the antivenom. Oh, and I also... Clotho chatted on, but Medusa wasn't listening.

Her mind raced as she considered the implication of Clotho's words. If she were facing her sister, would it be physical or as it was before? If it was the latter, she had the beaded band, and staying away from near-death experiences could help. But if the encounter was physical, that's something entirely different.

I... Medusa schooled her features and ignored the sinking feeling of abandonment and rising panic. I hope I won't have to face your sister physically.