It was the second time Vos’iin visited her that Veleria realized something was wrong with her. She seized immediately upon seeing him, and fainted momentarily when Vos’iin filled her mouth with blood once more and kissed her again.
Darkness filled the room, as did silence, other than whatever breaths Vos’iin took against her.
She thought of Alk’Hath then, although the title itself lent her little recollection, as Veleria had known her by another name.
It bothers me none. Those who would seek to use the Judgment of Phos against me would soon know their place beneath me.
Veleria coughed, groaning a little while Caellach regulated their temperature. The sorcerer was still in the building, so they allowed Vos’iin their fun while Veleria lost herself in the memory of a more comforting presence.
I want you to know me as more than a sorceress. Call me by the name my mother gave me.
Deep though she buried it, Veleria could still remember even if nothing else resurfaced.
Amalthea.
Suddenly she was choking. One of his hands was around her throat, while the other—the sharp, armored one—began to cut lines from her clavicle down to her breasts, in which Vos’iin began to trace with his lips.
She focused on her breathing despite her fractured mind.
How much have I forgotten?
She asked this to her companion.
Many details were lost to you in death.
It was a simple, honest reply, but Veleria could feel tears welling up in her eyes.
She saved me, she told Caellach. She saved me, but he tried to rape me—Vos’iin even killed me, so why would Alk’Hath send him after me?
Pulling away from her, Vos’iin released her throat. She coughed, glaring all the while despite the fact that she could barely see him. She hated him.
“What does the sorceress want with Veleria?” She asked. If she could get him talking, then at least Vos’iin would stop violating her.
“Ready to talk?” Vos’iin laughed a little as he sat down on the chair across from her. Now she could only see the minor glow in his amber eyes. “I’m not privy to the reason why. Now let me ask you a question. Is there any possibility that the woman herself will rescue Giarmund?”
“No, and why would she?”
He cackled at this.
“I knew it. As if that kitten could have enough bite to oppose me, let alone Alk’Hath herself. What the hell was Raker even doing…” He pushed the chair back. Before he left, he ran bloodied fingers through her hair and leaned in close to her ear. “This room isn’t fitting for you. We’ll head back to the demesne soon.”
They wouldn’t, although Veleria chose not to comment.
Once he was outside, Vos’iin locked the door as usual and then found Corvus in their workshop. The familiar they had stationed at the door told the sorcerer of his arrival.
“What is it is now?” Corvus asked, turning from a set of half-filled and empty vials to level a cold gaze with Vos’iin.
“She knows we’re waiting for Veleria.” He said.
“Fuck,” Corvus mumbled. “What did she say?”
“She said Veleria isn’t coming.” The elf shrugged. “It looks like it was just her.”
The vial in their hand shattered. Despite the glass cutting into their fingers, Corvus balled their gloved hand into a fist.
I refuse to believe that, they thought. That elf is not who they say they are. The Mask of Many Faces is amiss, and bullshit Melissa has it.
“Fine, we return empty handed.” Corvus said suddenly. They started to pick out the shards with their other hand. “Get what you need and we’ll head back within the week.”
Vos’iin shrugged before he walked away. Internally they were fuming, especially at that little pissant for being so smug that he had a pet named Valenne to take home. Except, it was that Corvus knew better. They had managed enough sleep to think more on the situation, and had pressed the cold steel of a dagger against Adrian’s crotch long enough to learn a few things.
When worn, the Mask of Many Faces diminished the presence of the wearer. They were hard to see when observed by a sorcerer because it hid them from the leylines.
But what if they wanted to be observed?
The elf that Vos’iin had so fallen for was far too perfect. Corvus knew that. They ticked all of his boxes and yet they were slumming it in this little town? They snickered at the thought.
While they could try to uncover the truth here, they figured it was better to wait and surprise Alk’Hath with her treasured doll.