For a moment, nothing. Just a breeze. Stars dancing, mocking her, out of reach, out of her life.
Then, something shifted. A set of six stars spun into a coil. Their light brightened, became too much to watch. A burst of radiance. Trisha’s heart plummeted, but she wasn’t surprised. Of course,hehad heard her.
The understanding twisted her insides. No other in the Undying Lands ever called him by his name. A shadow, long, strenuous, glided through the ground. As it did, a chill went into her heart.
Trisha, my sweet mortal,the voice hissed. If you missed me this much, and so soon, all you needed was to step into my coils the last we met.Shi’as’ laugh was filled with glee.I’m glad you remembered my advice.
“Shi’as,” Trisha bit out. Her fingers trembled, sweat ran in rivulets down her temples, and her hair was clammy against her skull. “Why you?”
Why?He repeated, amused.I may answer one day. You’ve stirred more than you can guess.The shadow of a serpent slithered across the ground, bending the grass and the flowers. Just a mirage of his white-scaled body, and yet the plants and reeds bowed. Like water, his shape slithered down, circled thesoldiers, Reike, and the boys. The mule bayed, the horses whinnied.
What a delightful gathering, a feast laid out for me.He chuckled.I’m touched.
“They’re not your food, Shi’as,” she said quickly, heart racing. Godsdamnit. She could only imagine what kind of trouble she would get into if Shi’as were to make good on his words.
Could have fooled me.
“A trade. Safety. That’s why I called.” Even when she said the words, she knew how unprepared she was.
Safety? he mocked.Trisha, you know better than to ask that from me. Don’t you?
“Regardless, that is why I called you. I seek protection for my friends and those of mine, from those who would harm us.” She shot a glance toward Annath.
And what would you give me… for this protection? Your firstborn child? Your first memory?He made a sound like snapping his teeth.
“You desire such things?” The question slipped out against herself. Her fingers were growing numb, faltering. A dissonant chord broke through, and the shadows flickered.
Be quick, my sweet mortal. Your strength endures only so long. What will you give?
Her heart was thumped like a bird trying to escape its confinement, her vision growing blurry.
“A promise, Shi’as,” she whispered. “I’ll give you a promise.”
His gleeful laughter was full of poison.Whatever could you promise me that I’d want?
“To call you for the second time. That’s what you want, don’t you?”
A silence. Then a chuckle.Tempting. So very tempting.
“What more do you want?”
Ah. If you only knew.The blades of grass bowed as he hissed.But since I’m in such a magnanimous mood, I’ll do what you’ve asked. I’ll save you and your friends. Just be prepared for its price.
Twice she could call him, and the second time… She didn’t want to consider what it meant.
Don’t tell me you’re now afraid,Shi’as mocked her, words jagged like splintered glass.
“I’ll do it. I give you my word,” Trisha said, swallowing. She was giving herself to him on a silver plate, but what options did she have? Either agree, or reveal her magic for naught.
A low, sinister chuckle.Very well, Trisha. You’ve got yourself a deal. Protection for you and those of you. I’ll hold onto your promise. But you may call me only when you’ve learned the truth about your past and only then.
“Wh-What?” she stammered. The truth—didn’t she know it already?
He laughed.You’ll find out. Then, Trisha, you must call me.
The shadow circling her like a whirlwind unfolded, and the darkness spread as it did. Traversing toward the waiting men, toward Reike and the boys, all staring at her white-faced. It swirled, spread, moving toward Annath, Ernaut, and the waiting men. Too late, Trisha understood. Protection, to Shi’as, meant erasure. Obliteration. The enemy wouldn’t touch them because there’d be nothing left to touch with.
“No!” she shouted, but the words were too weak. Shi’as had already decided. Knowing what it would mean, what he’d bring.
