"You excited?" Jim asked, smiling up at Maddie as they walked toward the helicopter pad. Ahead, the air churned with the percussive whump of rotor blades. Helicopters lifted skyward for patrol while others settled onto the tarmac from last night's work.

  "Very much! It's been so long!" Maddie beamed.

  "Thanks for letting me come along, mija," said Veronica, adjusting her dress cap. Unlike her usual mottled combat attire, she'd opted for the same dress uniform Jim wore for formal occasions, matching his look today.

  "Of course," Maddie nodded, shivering with excitement. "I really want you to meet them too."

  "And look at all these gifts for your sisters—not to mention the catering container. So fancy!" the other woman teased with a grin, her arms laden with an assortment of wrapped packages in one hand and a large food container in the other.

  "I prepared it all myself. Do you think it's excessive?"

  "Nah," Veronica chuckled. "I think it looks great. Hope it all goes well."

  "Me too." Maddie's gaze momentarily shifted from Veronica to the ground, her tone a touch nervous.

  A mix of emotions washed over Jim—excitement at the prospect of meeting the Gorgon sisters, curiosity about what they'd be like in person, and an underlying nervousness about whether their offerings would be enough to convince them to join. Don't overthink it, he told himself. It's going to be fine, no matter what.

  The three of them worked together to load the helicopter before climbing in. As the Black Hawk's engines roared to life, the aircraft shuddered, then lifted off, carrying them toward the southwest.

  After what felt like hours, the pilot signaled to Maddie from the cockpit. "We're approaching the general location now. Recognize anything?"

  Jim handed Maddie his binoculars, looking over her shoulder as she scanned the horizon. He squinted, a part of him thinking he could somehow know what a gorgon dwelling would look like. The landscape featured steep, gray cliffs, much like those surrounding Fort Bogart, dotted with towering pedestal rock formations. Then Maddie's eyes locked onto something unmistakable. Jim followed her stare. Amid the stone giants, one particular formation stood out—larger and more defined, with a small stone dwelling nestled precariously near its edge. A thin stream of smoke curled lazily from a hole in the roof, a quiet sign of life against the otherwise barren landscape.

  She shivered. "That one over there," she said, her voice firm as she pointed toward the formation. "That's the one."

  Maddie returned the binoculars to Jim, and he leaned forward, getting a closer look at the area she had identified. His gaze traced the contours of the terrain, searching for a suitable landing spot. After a few moments, he nodded and pointed toward a flat clearing near the dwelling.

  Jim motioned to the pilot. "There. Can we bring her down?"

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  The pilot nodded, slowing the aircraft in a steady descent. He angled the helicopter so its side faced the dwelling as they touched down.

  The three passengers jumped out the moment the Black Hawk's wheels met the ground. eyes all fixed on the rock dwelling ahead—something a popular stone-age cartoon family might live in. From what appeared to be an entrance, two heads cautiously peeked out.

  "I think I see them," Veronica murmured.

  Maddie adjusted her headscarf and smoothed the fabric of her dress. "Yes, that must be them."

  She led the way, the others trailing behind, Veronica carried the food and gift containers.

  A familiar voice called out, tinged with disbelief, "Medusa? Is that you?"

  "It's me!" Maddie shouted back, words ringing with excitement.

  "Oh, heavens, it's really you!" another voice cried out in joy.

  Dark figures burst from the opening in the rock dwelling. At first, they sprinted, but within seconds, enormous, powerful wings unfurled, catching the wind as they began to soar. Almost angelic, but darker in color, they spread wider than the figures were tall. Jim froze with awe as he watched the flying figures sail gracefully through the air, Veronica following suit as the pair approached.

  Maddie was swept into a warm embrace before she could react. The three women clung to one another with smiles brighter than Helios. Laughter echoed among the cliffs.

  "It's been so long!" one of them exclaimed.

  "Yes! How have you been?" Maddie asked.

  "We've been all right, but it hasn't been the same without you."

  Maddie pulled back slightly, drinking in the sight of her sisters. Their familiar faces, full of warmth, made her tear up.

  "Look at you, all grown up!" one marveled. "We heard about the snakes, and about how you can turn people to stone. Is that why you wear those shields over your eyes? To keep us safe?"

  Maddie's smile turned wry. "Yes. It's for everyone's safety." She turned to the shorter one. "And you? How have you been? Staying out of trouble?"

  Her sister threw her head back with a gleeful laugh. "Of course not! Trouble always finds me, no matter where I go."

  Veronica cleared her throat, drawing Maddie's attention.

  Maddie smiled. "I'm getting so carried away. Let me introduce you to my companions. Stheno and Euryale, meet Jim and Veronica—my friends."

  "S-then-oh and Your-Riley?" Veronica repeated slowly, testing the unfamiliar names.

  The taller sister replied with a smile. "You almost have it. I'm Stheno, and this is You-Rye-a-lee."

  Stheno was clearly the older of the two—tall and slender with an hourglass figure. Long, fiery-red hair framed sharp eyes of a matching color. Blue-green eyeshadow made from malachite and limestone contrasted her pale skin. Her features were strong: a firm jawline, a prominent nose, and fangs like Maddie's, though longer.

  Simple gold jewelry adorned her wrists, arms, and forehead. A long white tunic hugged her body, with a high slit up one side revealing her thigh. Leather sandals with straps wound up her calves, typical of their era.

  Euryale shared some of her sister's features. However, she was shorter, her hair instead jet-black, her eyes a striking green, and her nose softer, more button-like.

  Both women had long, unkempt nails — reminiscent of how Maddie's had once been.

  "Nice to meet you, Stheno," Jim said, then turned to Euryale. "And you as well."

  Stheno smirked and crossed her arms. "How charming. You're not the first man I've met, but you're certainly the first who hasn't tried to kill us."

  Jim sighed under his breath as he took in the words. As nice and civil as they seem up close, nobody in this age would dare come near. They had been labeled as monsters in this period, and that label would unfortunately stick forever."Why would anyone try to kill you? You seem lovely," he asked.

  Stheno's eyes widened in surprise. "Thank you for saying so, though that tells me you're definitely not from around here."

  Veronica chuckled. "You're right about that."

  The gorgon sighed with theatrical flair. "Well then, why don't you all come inside? We can finally discuss everything that's happened since we last saw our dear sister."

  "That sounds wonderful," Jim replied.