Page 124 of Anathema

“Maevyth!” Dolion’s voice carried an edge of panic.

“Quiet,” a deep, raspy voice spoke from behind.

I turned to the corner where I’d seen movement only a moment ago. “Is someone there?”

“They don’t like screams,” it answered.

I didn’t dare to look back at the gargantuan beast blocking my escape. “Wh-wh-who are you?”

“Sing. It will calm them.”

Sing? Had he lost his senses? How in seven hells could I be expected to sing anything, under the circumstances. “I … I don’t know if I can. I’m … shaking.”

“I won’t let them hurt you.” Though hoarse and terrifying, his voice held a certain sincerity.

“O-o-okay.” I inhaled a long, shaky breath, and exhaled one equally as shaky. Don’t think about the spiders.

Closing my eyes, I imagined my sister, and the nights she’d ask me to sing to her. I imagined the stars and my bed, and all the things that brought me comfort. I hummed at first, to see if I was even capable of forming a single note with my throat tight and my muscles locked. Fortunately, my body didn’t fail me, and I sang the song I knew best. The one that reminded me of watching my father mourn.

So wrapped up in the song and the memories playing inside my head, I didn’t notice the figure moving closer.

Until I opened my eyes.

Before me, a beastly creature crouched, his skin like bark and covered in black veins, his eyes two black and soulless orbs that stared back at me. Crooked horns protruded from his head, his lips peeled back over sharpened teeth.

A scream blasted out of me, as I kicked myself backward. The fear inside bore teeth that hooked into my stomach and chest, paralyzing me as the beast prowled closer.

The wrathavor from The Eating Woods!

“Please. Sing,” he said, lifting a bony finger to his lips that reminded me of a tree branch.

Every cell in my body shook and bounced, wild with the fear that cinched my lungs. My bottom lip quivered with the urge to cry, but I swallowed it back and nodded. Because I was trapped, and I had no intention of having my skin ripped from my flesh. Closing my eyes again, I forced myself to another place. Anywhere but there.

Something scratched my thighs, and I opened my eyes to find the humanoid creature resting his head in my lap, his thin, pale body curled into himself.

I could scarcely draw in a breath as I watched him. Waiting for the moment when he’d snap and dangle me from those bony hands, while he clawed away my skin.

He didn’t, though.

Instead, he merely lay across my legs, and I felt a bead of moisture slip over my shin.

Tears. His tears. Weeping, as I sang to him.

My pulse slowed. My breaths calmed.

He no longer looked terrifying to me.

In that moment, he reminded me of a child. A sad and desperate child who longed for contact.

As I sang, I lowered my hand toward his face, hesitating a moment. I stroked a gentle finger across his shoulder, and he startled, but didn’t move. I kept on singing as I rested my hand against him, and I felt him shake with a sob. Tears formed in my eyes. My heart clenched and broke for this poor, helpless creature, who seemed to want nothing more than a gentle touch.

I was no longer afraid.

I was furious at whoever had hurt him.

CHAPTER FORTY

ZEVANDER

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