Page 8 of Possession

“Get away from us,” Aris bites out. Sometimes I can calm him down. Pet, stroke. This isn’t one of those times. “Leave.”

“I misspoke, Aris,” he says, but Aris is quite done.

“Now.”

The silence that follows is thick and awkward. Finally, the Grand Mage clears his throat. “Why don’t the two of you take some time to think this over, and—”

“There’s nothing to consider. There is no deal.”

Aris! You can’t just—I know he upset you, but we need to talk about this!

I will never serve him. And did you not hear what he said? He wants to separate us!

My brain stutters over that last detail. The Grand Mage hadn’t mentioned any new discoveries, so from what I know now, separation will kill me. How is this deal in my best interest at all?

Exactly, Mary. This benefits him and him alone.

The Grand Mage’s eyes dart behind him, and a few mages exchange looks. “You’re being a bit impetuous,” says the Grand Mage when he faces us again.

“Why don’t I make this clear for your infantile, unbearably human brain?” Aris says. “I will never help you. I will never work with you. I will never serve you.”

The Grand Mage swallows, a shadow crossing his face. For the first time, and only for a second, he looks almost nervous, maybe even frightened. And then, as soon as I notice, the worry disappears; he is pleasant again, plastering a jovial smile on his face. Ever the negotiator and leader. He can pretend it didn’t happen all he wants, but Aris and I both saw.

Why does he want your help so badly? Why does he want it now? I ask Aris, but he doesn’t respond. He’s already speaking.

“One day,” the god goes on, “I will be free of this place. I will be free, and I will take your feeble magic. I will strip you bare, and you will have no defense when I rip you to shreds. I will kill you and everything that opposes me, and then I will rule this world on my own. You offer me nothing because you are nothing.”

“I see.” The Grand Mage purses his lips. Maybe the part about murder and world domination went too far. “Well, that is unfortunate.”

I spot Henry in the background, his face an expressionless mask. He’s looking at me now, watching this disaster unfold, but I know who he really sees is Aris. When they look at me, that’s all they see. That’s why I’m here. It doesn’t matter if there’s a Mary. It doesn’t matter if I’m inside—not if he’s in there, too.

Those gathered stand aside, creating an aisle for the Grand Mage. He makes a real show of leaving, walking slower than necessary. Each mage he passes takes a deep, dramatic bow, foreheads almost clunking together with so many gathered in the small room.

All too soon, they’re gone, and the conference is over as soon as it started.

I feel my lips come back, but they’re numb now. I’m too tired to use them. I go to the bed, pulling my knees to my chest. What if that was our only shot at getting out of here, Aris?

I meant what I said. I’ll stay here until you die. Then the spell will be broken; the amulet will fail. I’ll be free, and without any conditions.

That’s easy for him to say—he lives forever. I have seventy years, maybe eighty if I’m lucky (Is it lucky to live a long life when imprisoned?). My life is a blip to him, but it’s all I’ll ever have.

What about me? What if there’s a way to remove the amulet and keep me alive? You didn’t even hear him out. Am I supposed to spend my life trapped down here?

The thought sends me spiraling. Escape is something I haven’t considered for some time, and now that I have the tentative option, the grief crushes me. I’m going to be stuck down here, forever. I really am a pawn. I really don’t matter.

I’ll never have a life—not a real one, anyway. I’ll never get married, or see my parents again. I’ll never talk to anyone!

You can talk to me.

“I don’t want to talk to you,” I say miserably, burying my face in my hands.

He considers this for a few moments. He isn’t offended, but thoughtful. You have no one else, Aris says, not unkindly. I’m all you have, Mary. Haven’t you learned that by now?

Anger comes easily. It’s simple. What’s harder is acceptance.

He’s right. He is all I have. We’re partners, whether I want it or not. There’s no use in fighting it; there’s no getting out.

I take a few calming breaths and convince myself that what just happened doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change anything, not when Aris is uncompromising, and not when we can’t trust the Grand Mage. Yes, working with him would get me out of this basement, but it would get me out in a body bag.

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