Worry cuts through the woman like an icy stab into her very gut. The fae's heart wrenching at the distinct sight of the small poisonous snake upon the smooth surface of the hunter's deadly blade. Her eyes narrowing slightly as that concern has her halting, had her very power faltering even though the mask of composure seemed solidified in place. A mask she has mastered from when she was nothing but a youngling in the wake of her mother's death. But if the woman were to have faltered it would be in this moment, the fondness for her snakes causing that flash of heavy worry flooded the rich chestnut hues of her eyes. Those words uttered almost close to a plea, that command softening slightly. How perfectly still despite her body remaining poised in a regal stance as though it had not been long at all since, she had ever been a queen. Once a queen, always a queen.

She made no move to stop him, even though that pang within her caused that worry to gnaw wickedly at her to protect her precious serpent. Perhaps she should have been more careful than to tempt that hunter she hardly knew. The exotic woman usually portraying far more tact than she had as she stood up for that massive snake at her back. But there was something about him, something within that arrogant demeanor that has her pushing. All it took was a careful maneuver, and her snake would be in harm's way. In a movement that surprises her, the hunter then offers her that snake, who was all but frozen in place upon that blade she had no doubts was sharp enough to slice a hair in two. Her gaze intently focused upon him before lowers her gaze to that drawn blade, refusing to cross the threshold of striking distance. It was in that very plea slipped unbidden from her lips, that perhaps gave her weakness away. She might have underestimated the hunter, blinded by his ego that she ignored the strategic man beneath.

He is like stone, his face unreadable, unwavering beneath her eagle's eye. She had no reason to trust this hunter, and in all truth, he frustrated her, if only for the fact that he had unhinged her near 2000-year resolve. The Egyptian fae could not remember the last time she had been unhinged. His own response uttered smoothly as the scales upon the snake, not missing a beat, lowering his steel to allow the snake to slither abruptly toward her, the juvenile sliding effortlessly along the damp ground as though it hovered above it. The Egyptian queen's controlled movements smoothly lower her to the ground, her dress pooling upon the ground, allowing her jewel clad hand to descend the sound of her bangles clinking together. In only a moment the serpent ensnares her wrist as though it were nothing more than an ornament and not one of most deadly snakes in the world. She rises with equal composure, his arrogance once again bleeding out into the dank sewers, the duo seeming to be destined to be at odds. His confidence that even with the poison of her deadly snake it would not be enough to escape him. He began to move dismissively away, toward the entrance of that dank dismal space. He paused if only to trifle with her further. Those words nothing short of inciting the queen, instead a knowing gleam of recognition crossed the fae's features. "You undervalue my talents in evasiveness.. but of course, down here.. I suppose I am your mercy. But perhaps on other terms, I cannot be caught let alone found..." For that much she was absolutely sure of. She had gone as far as feigning her own death. She Egyptian queen had remained a secret for nearly two millennia, she could surely evade one lone hunter.

She had handled men like him before. But he did little to invoke trust with her. The man deemed nearly impossible. How confident she was and could be, but it was like that charm had all but fled her and in return, she so confronted him to leave. What had ever fueled her now, the hunter seemingly brought it out of her, far more than she had ever allowed herself before. Very few men had ever come close to unhinging her and here, this blond warrior was doing so single-handedly! "You are an exasperating man... but I suspect you are already privy of such." She issued with an exasperated huff. Cleo so lost that once solidified composure. She bit back that challenge that so rose within her, knowing better than to challenge the golden hunter right here and now. A battle she was sure to lose. She had not survived nearly this long by acting foolish. She anticipates the hunter taking his leave, so she could deal with the serpent her own way.

Even if it meant putting the beast down, unfortunately, the more likely scenario given his history of violence, even if pained her to do so. She could do so at least out of compassion rather than the unforgiving blade of a hunter. He had been fighting her, up until recently. The creature was strong, its will, unlike anything she had ever felt before, full of so much blatant hate it nearly lashed out at her. Yet it was that composure slipping that had caused her connection to the beast to falter. Her attention seemed keen to focus upon the blonde hunter who so smugly walked away as if he had defeated her! Like he had won... a battle that had transpired in which she was hardly privy of. He opened his mouth once more, his words cut short when suddenly there was defiance to his tone, in which she could only assume that was only something she would disagree with... She had become too trusting of that creature at her back, too lax... too focused on the pompous hunter that seemed so fixated on getting the last word. It happened.... Her power slipping. She hadn't truly become aware of it until that dragonesque snake soon plunged into the water, its binds all but severed from her entirely. It seemed to possess some sort of immunity to her affinity, she had never felt a serpent so able to fight her sway. Even she could not hide that look of surprise at her own failure... that she had failed when she never had before.

The hefty creature moved surprisingly, far too quickly to do a thing about it, taking with it dislodged grime, loosened cement, and gunk that splashed within the waters. But after it had slipped into the water.... It was utterly silent, but regardless of it being free from view, she could feel it, beneath the murky confines of the running water below. For a moment there wasn't a sign of the snake, but even she knew better. In but a few long moments longer, that snake burst from its hiding spot beneath the water, like a vengeful beast, its eyes near slits filled with rage, fangs bared and ready.. But the blonde hunter had already quickly leaped into action, in mere moments, the man appearing nothing more than a blur in the dark, he was at her. His strong hands purposely reaching out for her, pulling her flush into his trained physique. She had not a moment to react, as he so proficiently dodged out of the way of the rancorous creature who seemed out for blood. She swore she could feel the whoosh of air of that snake nearly missing her, unable to stop its strike that met nothing but air.

She gasped at the surprise of it, flinching as if she expected contact. She reached her power toward the snake, but it was like it was in vain as if bouncing easily off a shield, a meek arrow hitting an impenetrable forcefield. Her fingers so dung into his flesh, as he all but strongly whisked her away, she remained unwilling to let go until she was sure she was safe. His head lowered so his lips pressed against her ear, his deep voice humming through her very bones. Her body pressed flush against his own. His words no less prodding and yet those hushed tones but the manner in which they were slickly uttered were distraction enough. A shiver dared to oppose her, making sure her feet were firmly planted upon the ground. "I can see that.. along with you... saving me. " She paused tilting her head near daringly and yet surprise that radiated from her warm chestnut brown eyes that slid upward to meet his own, tilting her chin while making no move to push him away. "He has locked me out.. like he is resistant to me.. he is fueled by anger that cannot be satisfied." She added pointedly. He hardly let go, his strong stance seeming to linger. It was clear the snake had to die. The snake had already retreated into the murky depths of the water.. making no move to attack them yet but there was no denying it was simply biding it precious time for its next assault. In a moment he released her, the woman allowing her own grip to fall away, stepping backward. The Egyptian fae hardly stood idle for long, sliding the side of her dress up to her caramel thigh to where she stashed her two daggers on the thigh holster. Either hand holding one within their grip like she knew how to wield them because she did. She slid her gaze back to his pristine blue eyes expecting to see the same disgruntled expression.

"It's always better with two.." She stated with a self-assured finality, after all, they wouldn't be in this mess if she wasn't so fixated that the beast could not be saved.

"Do you wish to be the bait.. or should I?" She questioned matter-of-fact tone, she had never thought those words would ever cross her lips. Her fingers toying with the hilt of the blade. It was apparent that the giant snake hardly waited for them to squabble over that very planning as it punched from the watery surface.. Cleo seeing an opening to lure its attention upon the rage-filled beast. She moved quickly like prey, ensnaring its attention as it began to alter its trajectory to propel itself toward her. It would seem, there was enough trust in that hunter to not be able to resist that desire to play the hero he seemed too intent to be. What a curious hunter he was.