In Ansel’s cell.
One of Ruxnoth’s most loyal cultish fools.
The hulk of a man had those nasty shimmering whiteNihilumbrabinds coiled around the arms of his navy long-sleeve tee, also around the thighs of his white leather pants. But unlike what Winter had been subjected to, this version of the substance was more… portable. Ansel could move around, instead of having his feet set into the substance and forced into stasis. It was only neutralizing his necromantic power and abilities. His scuffed boots had the same shimmering white all over the soles, so that had to be the upgrade to what seemed to be an earlier version ofNihilumbra.
Although, he certainly wasn’t moving at this particular moment in time.
He was backed against the wall as Sylas drew close, one drawn out step at a time, which had Ansel tugging nervously at his white-blonde buzz cut in a bid to conceal his nerves.
It was not working in the least.
He tried a different tactic, narrowing his eyes and growling.
Ah,pretenders. They only ever made things worse for themselves.
There was no respect to be had in that.
“You can’t touch me while this poison is wrapped around me,” he sneered at Sylas.
Sylas snarled, his hand shooting out and snapping to Ansel’s throat, making the fool splutter and gag.
Temperance had allowed Sylas to be temporarily unaffected by it for the specific purpose of dealing with these necromancers, but as I saw him grimace and then heard him hiss when he remained touching Ansel, it seemed they’d meant it in the sensethat it wouldn’t confine him, or impact his magic, not that it wouldn’t cause him physical pain.
“You motherfucking fool,” Sylas growled at him. “You should’ve let this go years back. I warned you then what would happen if you didn’t.”
“What can I say, Sy? I’m consistent.”
“Obsessive,” Sylas bit back. “Pathetically obsessive over someone—now someones—not worth the veneration. Always so desperate for a Daddy. It’s some depraved shit you’ve got going on there. And now it’s Ruxnoth who you’re opening wide for. Before that, Morien, the fucker who stoked that sick fire in you, hmm?” He released him roughly. “I’m not knocking a kink, to be clear. I wish that was what this was.”
“Never thought you would. Although you couldn’t quite hide your distaste when it came to me and your father.”
“You mean the maniac who used you—for everything?”
“He didn’t! He didn’t do that!”
“Of course he did. And it’s never normal attachment with you. Is it, you demented motherfucker? You can’t function without being a bitch to a perceived wielder of supreme power, and the more twisted and dark the better for you.”
“What is it to you now? Ruxnoth is gone. You murdered your own father years back.”
“There it is. I murdered Morien.”
“Not sure what you’re getting at.”
“Sure you are. You want justice. Urgh, even using the word ‘justice’ when it comes to that piece of shit makes me sick. But that’s the way your twisted mind views it. You still believe he never intended to include you in the culling. He did. You weren’t an exception to him. One of those who was murdered was your girlfriend, if you recall? The woman you were with for several years? Ringing any bells?”
“Because he didn’t want a complication weakening my loyalty to him!” Ansel burst out with. “Do you get that? He trusted in me! I was his favorite! The son he never had!”
Sylas screwed up his face. “Urgh, never say that in this context again. Although, I’m always fine with being considered‘not his son’.Anytime, Ansel.”
Ansel lunged forward, but a single slam from Sylas’ glowing crimson palm had him smacking back against the wall.
“You never even tried to understand him, Sy! Instead, you ripped me from him! You ruined what we had!”
“I was protecting you, you fucking fool!” He got up close and snagged Ansel’s jaw. “You know the most foolish thing you’ve ever done, though? And, my, do you keep escalating as the years wear on. The most foolish thing was locking ontomyson!”
Ansel’s eyes shot wide. “Uh… what?”
“I know, so save your denial. I’ve been duly informed, you sick fuck.”
