Thread: Ancients Reborn: The Gods and Goddesses Greece (Raivh and Blair1216)

Even after Scarlet fell unconscious, Cerberus remained by her side, barking in a futile effort to wake her. Low growls came from his throat as night set in and creatures began to come out, prowling through the night. He lay down beside the woman, curled against her back, ears forward and alert. His head rotated from side to side, nose to the air, trying to smell past the blustering wind and gusting snow. Cerberus! Preston continued to call, growing more and more irritated with each passing minute. It was an hour before he found the black pit, and the dog was anything but friendly as he approached. Jumping to his feet, the snow that had fallen atop his silky black coat exploding into the air, Cerberus snarled and gnashed his teeth, strong jaws snapping with the force of each bark that erupted from his chest. Preston swore and pressed on, commanding the dog to obey. When he got close enough to the dog, Cerberus sat down, cowering and shivering in the snow, not accustomed to being out in the elements for as long as he had been. Reaching down, Preston grabbed a hold of the animals collar, but the canine refused to budge, muscles locked in place. Cerberus sat there, a dead weight, and growled, teeth bared in obvious aggravation. Jerking his head away, the dog pushed his snout under the snow and scratched at the ground, flopping back down beside Scarlets limp, cold body. Large eyes searched his masters face, and Preston stared down at the dog, confusion and irritation written on his countenance. Stepping closer, Preston reached a hand out to brush some snow off of Cerberuss shoulder. The dog was shivering, and would no doubt be sick for the next week. Get up! Preston bellowed, yanking Cerberuss collar. The dog flailed, pushing snow off of Scarlets body, revealing her to Prestons green eyes. In the cold, despite the howling wind, everything seemed to grow quiet. Heat coursed through his veins, and he swiped his hand over the young womans body, revealing her shoulders, her blonde hair, and then her slender face and bruised jaw. Clenching his teeth, he shifted, lowering himself and kneeling in the snow beside her. Heartbeat strong and swift, Preston inhaled deeply and brought Scarlet into his arms. He held her, looking over her body his own was tense, every muscle strung tight, as if repulsed to be cradling her against the almost unnatural warmth of his chest. She was light, her skin paler than usual, but he couldnt tell if that was because of the cold or something more. His gaze fell to her blood stained elbow, and he turned, heading for the house. It was almost against his will that his legs moved, knees driving up to push onward, back down the slope and through the snow, to the house. He cast a glance over his shoulder at the pitbull following close at his heels, staring up Scarlets snow-covered blonde locks. Much later, Preston was pushing through the front door, stomping snow off inside and walking toward the stairs. Dr. Haskell rose from his chair in the living room, gray eyebrows knitted together, that same solemn expression riddling his wrinkled features. Scaling the stairs, Preston refused to look down into Scarlets face. Come tend to her, he said, speaking loud enough for the old man to hear. Shes fainted, but shes still breathing shallowly. Shes not damned yet. Just then, he turned his face down and peered upon her countenance. The muscles in his jaw strained, and he swallowed, quickening his pace. When he reached her room, the broken chair cleared away and the space restored to order, Preston carried her in and set her down on her bed. Preston? Where was she? Dr. Haskell inquired rather breathlessly. We searched everywhere. Combed the woods, and called for Cerberus. The dog padded in and flopped down beside Scarlets bed, muzzle resting on his front paws. He let out a whine, and jerked his head up as Preston stepped back. It doesnt matter, Preston replied, heading for the door. He lowered his voice before he stepped out into the hall. And I dont think Persephone will be leaving again. Shutting the door behind him, he left the professor to care for the young womans injuries. In his room, Preston stripped down bare, his clothes saturated from hiking so long in the blizzard-like weather outside. After taking another long, hot shower to cure his body of the numb sensation it had acquired out in the frigid weather, Preston slept. It was a long, deep slumber that would last until mid-afternoon. While he slept, he dreamt of her, of Persephoneof Scarlet. And when he awoke, it was with a start. He landed on the floor with a loud bang, the sheets and blankets coiled about his nude physique. His headache had yet to leave him, but he attributed part of it to be his excursion in the snow to search for his dog, which led him to the unconscious young woman. Slowly, he got to his feet, the sheets and blankets falling away into a heap on the floor, where he left them to dress, pulling on a pair of jeans and a dark gray T-shirt before wandering downstairs. His stomach was growling fiercely, but he lost his appetite the moment he saw the professor striding toward him. Preston, she various contusions over the surface of her body, and I fear that her jaw is cracked, but have not been able to examine it with the proper tools, Dr. Haskell began. I know you are responsible for most, if not all, of her injuries. So I insist you help me move her from her room to my office. Before Preston could argue or deny, the old man pointed toward the stairs with what was almost a flick of his wrist, a command, not a suggestion. Up in Scarlets room, Preston stared first at Cerberus lying at the womans feet, and then into her face. His green gaze remained icy, even when his arms slid under her, one beneath her back, and the other under her knees. He lifted her with a grand bit of ease and followed the professor down the hall, through a door, down another, smaller corridor, and then into another room. Set her down on the table over there, Dr. Haskell demanded, pointing to a padded examination surface. And then sit down. Growing irritated with all of the doctors commands, Preston still did as told. It was a couple hours before Dr. Haskell announced that her jaw wasnt cracked however, it was severely bruised and swollen, the result of a careless and powerful blow. Without bothering to ask, he turned to Preston. When she wakes, you will help her down to the kitchen. And you will help her to get something in her system. Soft foods only. Nothing solid. Vanishing, he left the two alone, and Preston sat at a distance from the young woman, staring over at her with his intense green gaze. Cerberus was seated at his feet, shoulder pressed to the side of his masters leg, dark eyes fixated on Scarlet.