This land was his. His and his alone. The abandoned temple was his. The surrounding forest was his. The portion of road that cut through the edge of his territory was his. The beach at the bottom of the cliff on the other side of his territory was his. It may not be some grand kingdom but it belonged to Andreas and he would always defend it.

Because this was home. This is where the gorgon is safe. Just him and the statue garden that's slowly been built over the years. He doesn't need or want anyone else. This is enough. He's sure of it.

But if that's the case, why dos he feel this way?

As he stands atop the cliff the morning after a big storm and peers down at the remains of a ship wreck scattered along his beach and a lone figure crawling out of the dark ocean's grasp...he feels a warmth in his chest he hasn't since this damned curse was put on him. The snakes on his head hiss and coil and stretch, clearly able to sense the turmoil within him as well.

Who was the survivor of the wreck? And how can he...not...kill this one?