Itshook from side to side, still avoiding his gaze.
“Squire,”Zaria said, gesturing to the exit with her axe.“Don’t make me drag you.”
Hedidn’t move.He stared at the skull until it finally looked his way.The bonewas hollow and cracked, its nasal cavity shadowed, the teeth squirming againstits jaw.
“Whydid you attack us in the catacombs?”Isaac asked.
Theskull glanced at Zaria, then back at him.One of the arms raised two of itsfingers.The skull clacked its jaws together, making a dry, hollow sound.
“Whatis that supposed to mean?”
Theskull hesitated, looking down at its arms.A moment later, the bones on thefloor began to squirm.
EXPECTEDONE
NOT TWO
“Expectedone,” Isaac repeated.He felt a moment of clarity.“Oh.You expected me to bealone.When you saw Zaria with me....”
Theskull nodded.
CONFUSION
ANGER
“Oh,what,” Zaria asked, “it were just ‘cause I was here, gracin’my furry visage?That ain’t an excuse.You didn’t recognize your son?”
Theskull looked at Isaac, shaking its head.
HOWCOULD I
“What’sthat say?”Zaria asked.
“Heasked how he could’ve recognized me.”
Zariaglared at the skull.“I’m gonna fuckin’ smack you, honest to gods.”
Thebones moved quickly.
NORECOGNITION
NOMIRROR
FORGET
TIME
BERITH
YOU
DEAD
“Holdon,” Isaac said.“Slow down.What about Berith?You thought him and I weredead?”
Theskull shook its head.Below, bones whirled and flew.
HE TOLDME YOU WERE DEAD
