Page 56 of Possession

I thought he’d never leave.

I sigh. It’s abundantly clear that Aris doesn’t trust Henry. In truth, I’m not certain about him either. Do I think Henry is helping us just to make amends? I don’t know. It’s a pretty thought, but it’s hard to imagine that’s his only motivation. I don’t know him; I’ve never known him. This could all be one elaborate trap, but the problem is that I can’t figure out how it works.

How does he benefit from walking away from his order to support me? He could’ve been sent by the Grand Mage, ordered to watch me, but it’s hard to picture such a blatant betrayal when he turns his blue eyes on me.

I take a breath. Let’s stay on task. What do we know? It happens when you feel a strong emotion.

Or when you feel fear, Aris agrees.

And neither of us know where I go. Beyond that, I’ve got nothing. No solutions, unless we want to try magic.

No magic.

Okay, then.

I head upstairs, the two of us going back and forth all the while. Finally, we decide just to test it, reasoning that our awareness of the situation might prevent me from fading. And if we fail, I’ll only be gone for a day or so. I’ve come back before; I’ll come back again.

Though Aris is different now, stronger. Pushing me aside to make room as he grows. So, who knows?

By this point, the suction feeling is familiar. I doubt I’ll ever be comfortable with it, but at least I know what to expect. It’s slower this time, maybe because Aris is trying to be more careful. As opposed to the usual abruptness, my limbs are now gently pulled, one at a time, each going numb as it is taken. When there is little left, I find myself spiraling through my stomach before finally settling in an unfeeling clump.

“Ahh,” Aris breathes, cracking our neck from side to side.

It’s strange, the things I feel in here. Sometimes there’s a dull twinkle of a muscle straining as it is used. Eyes will be rolled, hands fisted—I can’t control these things, but I sometimes feel the slight movements.

But mostly, I don’t feel anything.

Sensations like soft, warm, and wet are nonexistent. Only the cold isn’t absent, which might be why Aris liked to keep our cell so chilly; it was all he could feel.

“It’s good to be back,” he says in my voice, turning to take in our new room.

This is not going to do, Mary.

With that, he begins a self-guided tour of the house, soon discovering two larger bedrooms, one being a master suite. Aris is more than ready to fight for his claim to the biggest area, but we find none of Henry’s belongings inside, and it’s clear that the room isn’t being used. Aris is almost disappointed.

Anything you want to do? I ask as he sprawls on our new bed.

As Aris combs our hands over the bedspread, I wonder at what fabric it’s made of. What it feels like. How did Aris spend years without sensation? I’ve been without it for just a few minutes at a time and I feel slightly mad.

His hand abruptly stops moving, and he stands from the bed. Don’t think about it.

Distract me, then.

My lips twist into a manic grin. “How about we hunt down my imbecilic followers? I restrained myself at the party and let a few live for a future chase.”

Does everything have to be murder and carnage with you?

“They would be honored to die by my hands,” he says with a sniff, crossing our arms. “And why do you care what happens to them? Even your bleeding heart must feel some need for vengeance.”

I don’t have a good answer for him, and Aris, pleased to have stumped me, strides from the room with a self-satisfied breath.

Continuing his tour, Aris makes his way down the hall, stopping suddenly by a shut door. Before I can remind him of guest etiquette, he turns the knob and saunters into a dated library. The bookshelves are finely made, but the wood is worn from age and coated in a sheen of dust.

He looks up, and I quickly learn that this library doesn’t follow spatial rules. If it did, I would’ve noticed a tower connected to the house. In totality, it looks to be four stories tall, a spiral staircase connecting each level. The first floor has an open area with the shelves placed against the walls, each is about a story high with sliding ladders to help readers.

Aris wrinkles his nose. It smells.

Musty?

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