Page 8 of Bound

The flames she had used to heat the rocks started to die. Ruby pointed at it, and the flames soared so high she startled and had to lean back.

She was even more powerful in the Bygone’s void than in the mortal realm. It didn’t make sense. Then again, apparently, she didn’t know as much as she thought. The Bygone didn’t lure souls to their doom; he guided them out of it. Neither Skullstalker she’d met had eaten her. Mating rituals weren’t a rumor. And nothing in this terrifying forest had attacked her yet.

The dog spirit barked, resting its head on her knee and wagging its tail hopefully.

“You don’t even need to eat,” she told it. She poked at the orange eggs, which had crisped up nicely on the heated rocks. “What do you think, will these turn me into a frog?”

The dog spirit licked its chops.

Ruby sighed. Then she tucked a piece of egg into her mouth.

It tasted… fine. A little spicy, which she wasn’t used to. But otherwise, it tasted like any normal egg. And the more she chewed, the more she enjoyed the spice.

She was halfway through the second egg when a voice spoke up behind her.

“Mortal. What are you doing?”

Ruby shrieked and whirled around.

Slate loomed above her, his frown visible below his skull mask.

The dog spirit barked and jumped up at him enthusiastically.

Ruby eyed him worriedly, waiting for Slate to smite it. Or banish it. Or whatever Slate did to spirits that annoyed him. For all he called himself a ‘guide,’ he had confessed to wanting to eat her earlier.

But Slate only pushed the dog off with a distracted frown. Then, to her surprise, he gave the dog a pat behind its ears. He even retracted his claws, the dog whining happily under his touch.

Ruby wiped spicy grease off her mouth. “I… I found these eggs. Is that okay?”

Slate didn’t respond. He was staring at her with an expression she couldn’t identify. He was still petting the dog, looming over her so closely she could see the grooves in his white horns.

Then she noticed his lips part. His fangs glinted beneath them, impossibly sharp.

He’s hungry, Ruby realized with a jolt of cold fear.He’s thinking of eating me again.

She stepped back warily. “Slate?”

Slate blinked, startled. Then he straightened. “Why were you hungry? It hasn’t been long since I left.”

Ruby sagged with relief. Nobody was getting eaten today.

“With all due respect,” she said carefully. “It’s been at least a night.”

“Has it? Hmm.” Slate looked toward the blue flames. They went out immediately, and Ruby tried not to be disappointed. She had enjoyed playing with her suddenly powerful magic.

He held out a hand. “Come.”

Ruby eyed his long fingers cautiously. “Where are we going this time?”

“To my castle.”

“Castle,” Ruby blurted. She looked around the forest she just spent the night in, cold and uncomfortable. He had acastle?

“Yes,” Slate said impatiently. “I must prepare you for the ritual.”

Ruby shivered. Last night’s dream drifted back, imagining those sharp fangs trailing over her skin.

“Little witch,” Slate said impatiently.

---