Page 78 of Foul Days

Kosara let out an exasperated sigh. Was it that difficult to have a frank, honest conversation with a samodiva without her starting to misdirect and evade your questions, and tell you stories from hundreds of years ago?

No, of course not.

“Can I have your invitation?” Kosara said again.

The samodiva stared at her, her eyes black and shiny like beetles. “Maybe. I’ll think about it. It’s not like I need it. I’m not going to set my foot back in his palace until he apologises. Mark my words, my little troll, mark my words.”

Kosara casually leaned her hand on the knife’s handle, making it sink even deeper into the ground. The samodiva screamed.

“Fine, alright, you nasty goblin.” The samodiva clicked her fingers. A thin silver disc materialised in her hand. She sighed a quiet sigh, like the wind rustling through the trees, and handed the disc to Kosara.

It was hard but brittle, like quartz—though Kosara suspected whatever material it was made from didn’t come from this world. She couldn’t see any writing on it. When she ran her finger over it, it felt completely smooth.

“That’s it?” she asked.

“Yes,” the samodiva said.

“If you’re trying to trick me—”

“You know I can’t lie to you while you’ve got my veil, my dear half-witted hobgoblin. Lift it to the moonlight.”

Kosara did and gasped. A series of symbols appeared on the disc, gleaming like bright stars. It didn’t look like any language she’d ever seen before. It was so elaborate, it seemed almost impractical. As if its main purpose was looking beautiful.

“See?” the samodiva said. “Can I go now?”

Kosara knew she couldn’t keep the samodiva captive for much longer. The ground around the veil had started steaming. The knife’s wooden handle had turned black, and soon the blade would begin to melt.

Besides, Kosara had got what she’d come for. She pulled the knife out of the ground.

The samodiva inhaled deeply, as if she’d been suffocating. Her veil leaped into the air, and she caught it, draping it over her face. She stood up and towered over Asen and Kosara, her skin shining, her hair cascading down her back in silver waves. She didn’t look terrified anymore, she looked terrifying.

“It’s time for me to return to my sisters. Are you coming?” The samodiva extended a hand towards Asen. Her fingers hung in the air, white and long like a statue’s. Her eyes were black mirrors.

Even if he’d somehow managed to resist the samodiva’s magic before, there was no chance he’d manage it now. It was so strong even Kosara felt it, drawing her towards the monster like a magnet.

“He’s not going anywhere.” Kosara’s fingers grew pale around the knife’s handle. She was surprised by how angry she felt.

You’re not getting attached to the damned copper, are you? This was just like that time her dad had brought a bunny home to fatten it up before taking it to the butcher, and Kosara had made the silly mistake to name it.

“Are you coming?” the samodiva repeated, her magic growing even stronger, fogging up Kosara’s mind.

“He’s not going anywhere,” Kosara repeated through gritted teeth. She could imagine sinking the knife deep into the samodiva’s snow-white chest. Not that it would do much: it took a lot more to kill a samodiva. If anything, it would only make the monster angrier.

The samodiva made a gesture at Kosara’s face as if swatting a fly.

“Are you coming?” she said for the third time. Her magic was now so powerful, it saturated the air, making Kosara’s ears ring. She could almost taste it on her tongue.

Kosara gripped the knife. She had to do it. Otherwise, Asen’s death would be another damned thing to haunt her. She’d have to fight the samodiva without any magic of her own. She took a deep breath, preparing to strike—

“No, thanks,” Asen said, “I’m rather tired.”

“What?” The word tumbled out of Kosara’s mouth before she could stop it. She wasn’t sure who looked more surprised—she or the samodiva.

The samodiva recovered first. “Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure.”

“Very well.” She turned on her heel and walked back towards the square. Just before she’d disappeared between the trees, she looked over her shoulder at him, confusion in her eyes.

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