Stomping back to the dugout to not interrupt theirmoment,I decide the load in the extra eighth bullet. Formerly, the one in the chamber. Still is. But it went from the first one to be free… to last.
If I could just kill them. Drop to my knees, covered in their blood, pray to the Great Ring until it hears. It’ll give me what I want. Because I’m the chosen one. It loves me, and me the most. Tirit lavdexi.
I drop against the wall of the trench and grab my chest. Why am I thinking this? I know I shouldn’t—Mistress Vincenza’s ‘homework.’ The necromancy book, it explained this. Just like how the Vampire Queen did her first spell.
Beneath full patronization, marked by a Ringborn’s eyes, there’s still a spectrum of access to the Ring. Simple skin contact with a Ringborn, or as one, is enough to draw out a little, and a little is enough to start hearing whispers of the music. At least, when someone is close to death.
I turn my head back. Lucia and Hanna are slowly following behind, a stack of smoke following.
I look to the ground. Only thirty years ago, the Immortal Queens ran through here, massacring soldiers with bertholite.
I close my eyes, and see pages after pages of introductory lessons to necromancy, flipped in the dark to the tune of forgotten meals.
My heart slowly soothes, thinking of getting help from Mistress Vincenza. She’ll understand what I’m going through. She’ll help.
But she’s not helping now. Right now, I’m finding a dark corner of the dugout to sleep in while my failed dates explore each other.
I pull out her pistol, cradling it in my hands. I slowly put my lips on its side. I wish she was here. The woman who cared at least enough to throw me a blanket.
Chapter 17
Grave Bites
There’s a cuddliness between Hanna and Lucia, something softer than anything else I’ve seen from Lucia.
Hanna grabs my hand. “Ghoul bite. Partially infected. Damn, I would’ve taken care of you last night if you told me.”
“You looked busy.”
“I had room to get a little busier.” She winks. “Lucia, be a dear and pick a butt off the ground.”
“Preparing me to be your apprentice?” Lucia hums while handing over a whole ash tray.
“I’m considering it…” Hanna unwraps a cigarette of opium, mixing it with the burnt tobacco and some water to create a salve which she applies to my hand with a bandage. “That’s the folk remedy. Your mistress should be able to heal it fully with her magic when you get back.”
Instead of correcting her, I just say, “thanks.”
Such dangerous plants, but they seem so loving and gentle like this.
I try to smile. “You’re a nice friend.”
“I enjoy you more than I should.” She blinks and pats my hand, tongue swirling in her mouth. “I’ll stay on call for whenever you’re finally ready, but even if that call never comes, you’re not bad as a friend.”
Lucia signs from behind, ‘she’s coming to our next hunt.‘
I snort in laughter nearly strong enough to lift my spirit. “You two are cute together.”
Without me.
“I know,” Hanna replies. “I’m thinking my girlfriend might also want a look at her. An innocent peak.”
I’ve never seen Lucia get so flustered.
They’re happy.
It’s unfair that I’m not.
It’s unfair that love can be so easy. That some people are born Ringborns with all the choice in the world. That the Ring won’t even think to grant its gift to anyone who won’t—
