“Please,” I continue, rising to a sitting position despite the dizziness still clinging to me. “You must help me. We are of the same people. If you turn me away, you’ll leave me bound to a god whose magic you’ve already said you despise. Is that what you want? More of his power, spreading and taking control among your own kin?”
The cavern grows deathly still as my words hang in the air.
“If you want less of his magic in the world, you must help me break free. I am already tainted, and by turning me away, you only leave the curse to fester. The elves may still attack you, just because I was here. If it will directly help the elf king, and the darkness will spread. It’s not just my fate at risk—it’s everyone’s.”
I don’t know if that is exactly true, but Arion scares me. I don’t want anyone here to be hurt, I just want to be cured and left alone. Enduvida waits for me. I want to go home. To see my students, my home, my loom, my friends… I want time to nurture whatever is budding between me and Vann.
Once removed from Arion’s plans, those far more equipped to handle these situations will take the lead.
I need freedom from this like I need air.
The leader’s face softens ever so slightly. For a long moment, the witches are silent, considering my words. Then the leader speaks again.
“Very well. Because you are human, and your curse is woven with the magic of a god we despise, we will help you, Arlet of the Enduares. If not for you, then for those of our kind who will fall victim to this darkness, this god you carry." She straightens, then looks back at the others. “Nighttime is close. There is only one ritual I know of that can sever a connection to your god. It requires blood—yours, freely given.”
I swallow, my throat tight. "And Vann?"
She’s silent for a moment before responding. “You may see him after the ritual.”
I want to protest, but I know it is a bad idea to push. I cannot ask more of those who have already helped me. But if this is what it takes to free myself, I will endure it.
The leader gestures to two witches standing nearby. “You will bathe and be given fresh clothes. We will bring food to your companion.”
The two witches step forward, one of them the elderly woman from before.
“Wait!” I say. “What is your name?”
The woman smiles, her lips twisting up at the corners.
“Maelira.”
I nod my head. Strange, not at all like any of the human names I know. Despite everything, I feel giddy.
Just a few hours…
I can practically smell Enduvida. I was so full of new memories, ready to take back and apply to Lorepath. If the elves weren’t so close by, I would ask to stay. To glean as much as I can from this place.
“Nice to meet you, Maelira,” I say.
She gestures for the women to help me off the table. And I follow them, heart racing.
Chapter 36
VANN
The cavern is dark, lit only by the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi clinging to the walls like ghostly veins. The scent of damp earth and burning herbs filters through the air. Basil. Rosemary. It is strong enough to choke me.
“Hello?” I call out. “Good evening. Forgive me. I only?—”
“Enter,” a voice says in heavily accented enduar.
I walk through the stone passage and a room opens up. The witch with no name stands behind a rough, basalt table scattered with plants from the surface. She is draped in layers of black and wears a smooth, bone mask over her cheekbones and eyes. All that is left visible is the curve of her painted lips.
I do not falter as I set down the pouch of gold. It’s heavy—weighted with the sum of my most recent promotion, enough to buy Adra a hundred gifts—enough to secure a better home.
Instead, I will use it for this.
Adra does not know I have come. She would kill me if she did, but she had been so unsure lately, so insistent that she felt our time was drawing to a close.
