Page 44 of Oath of War
‘Yes, mage, those are the lives of those on this side of the Veil. I weave their threads, and I cut them when the time is right,’ she said, even though I hadn’t asked my question aloud. We stopped before a stone altar, and Arachne raised her hand, summoning one of the lights to her.
‘Alaric’va Shen’ra . . . What an interesting specimen he is. Hated from birth, tainted by a curse, yet his light is so bright. I could give him the peace of a painless death, or let him go back to the world where his suffering will continue ... for the right price. Time for your decision, mage.’
Dread rose in my core. ‘What is it that you ask of me?’
‘You have earned him a peaceful death by making it to my sanctum. He will drift away, his light fading as he relives the happiest moments of his life,’ she said, pausing to observe my reaction before a smirk lifted the corner of her mouth. ‘But for his life, I want a place in your soul.’
‘What?’ I gaped at her as she approached, shuffling backwards until my body hit the edge of the altar.
‘I see their threads,’ she said, raising a clawed finger to stroke my face. ‘The man and the dragon bound to you, entwined in your soul, so different and yet so much a part of you. I can see where they end, and you begin. I’ve never seen such a rich tapestry.’
Where is she going with this?
‘I could cut those threads,’ she mused, ‘take them for myself, but no ... I want something more. I will make you my avatar. Through you, I will walk your world.’
Her focus bore into me with such hunger that I couldn’t stop trembling. My breath hitched and sweat slicked my palms as I gripped the cold stone altar behind me. Her power was suffocating, pressing down like the oppressive heat before a summer storm, growing heavier with every passing second as black threads seeped from her body to wrap around mine.
I knew it was no idle threat. She could force the spirit out of my body and take possession of my form. There was nothing I could do against a goddess, yet as quickly as it arose, her power receded, and Arachne smiled.
‘That is your decision to make,’ she said smoothly. ‘Let him die peacefully, or accept my darkness. Allow me to live through you so you both may survive.’
I couldn’t stop shaking, even less so when she raised a single claw and tore through the thin strap that bound my breasts. ‘I see your scars . . . but I want more. You will Anchor the fae. I want to feel his life, too. You came seeking a bargain with a goddess—that is my price.’
A cold shiver ran down my spine, Arachne’s beautiful, cruel smile sending chills through me as she watched me, waiting for my decision. I couldn’t bear the weight of her gaze any longer.
‘I can Anchor Alaric, yes, but I can’t fuck a corpse. I need him alive and ... erm ... ready to perform?’ I stumbled over the words, heat rushing to my face.
She threw her head back and laughed, the sound echoing around us like the chime of a death knell. ‘Oh, I will have so much fun with you,’ she purred. ‘So, you accept my bargain?’
I swallowed hard and nodded. The moment my assent was given, she snapped her fingers, and Alaric rose from his knees. His movements were stiff but purposeful, walking towards her like a puppet on invisible strings. He stopped before her, his posture rigid.
‘Alaric’va Shen’ra, give yourself to me,’ she commanded, and with a gentleness that surprised me, she wrapped her hand around his neck, tilting his head to the side before sinking her fangs into his throat.
The soft, sickening sounds of her feeding tore at my nerves, and I had to fight the overwhelming urge to drag her away from him. But as my eyes locked with Ari’s, I could see the tension easing from his face, the pain dissipating with each pull of her lips. Colour returned to his cheeks, and my heart clenched with relief. Whatever consequences awaited me, it was worth it.
When she finally withdrew, her lips slick with his blood, Arachne turned her gaze towards me, and I nodded in silent agreement. It was my turn now.
‘Kneel and wait for us to finish,’ Arachne ordered, but Alaric looked at me, his jaw bunching in defiance.
‘Please.’
It was one word, but the moment I spoke it, he knelt, his eyes refusing to look away from mine.
‘Delightfully obstinate. He was able to resist me because of you,’ Arachne remarked, licking her lips. ‘Are you ready, child?’
‘No,’ I replied honestly. ‘But what difference does it make?’
‘No difference at all, but I let you keep your life. Does that not warm your heart?’
Inhuman appendages grabbed me by the waist, drawing me closer to the ever-weaving arms of the goddess. I gasped as the silk strands twisted into darkness, and before I could flinch, a single thread was thrust into my chest, briefly eclipsing the sigils of my Anchors.
‘Yes ...’ Arachne’s voice dropped to a low murmur. ‘You feel so right, so beautiful with my web weaved around your heart.’ The darkness spread through me, the pulse of her power sending my heartbeat into a frantic race. I felt her presence nestle within me, like a shadow.
She placed me gently on the altar, her movements graceful as she dangled above me on a silver thread. ‘Calm, child. Let it settle,’ she whispered, her voice a caress as I lay there trembling, exposed and cold.
I forced a breath, summoning every ounce of my will to meet her eyes, pushing my fear aside.
‘Will you possess me now, or imprison my soul?’ I demanded, my voice stronger than I felt.
