The dog whined as she opened the door, looked up at her. Then turning, with a low growl, Rough loped quickly toward the high mountains.
Whatever danger threatened Demo, he would share. Whatever enemy imperiled his master, he too would face.
She sighed, whispered, "Perhaps, perhaps . . . "
Misshapen head, twisted body, covered with hide plated with metallic scales, it stood tall above them.
But he is not the only one to recognize the creature.
Beside him Persephone starts, cries out. "No, let me be free of you!"
A gasping chortle issued from the swollen lips of the creature.
"Ah, princess, it is fit we meet here by the Tarn of Eternity.
Only its waters can still the fires of Hell. And even they
cannot still my love for you."
The words, meant to express deep feelings, were grotesque when voiced in a broken, harsh whine by the monstrosity. And yet Demo noted, the eyes held a devotion that was real.
"Pluto, go back to your world. Leave me to live in peace with my mother. I will never return to Hades. Better a short life on earth than eternity in Hades."
"Persephone, I will never release you. My love for you is without an end. You will be mine forever."