Page 153 of Eldritch
“Step back,” I warned, and like before, I closed my eyes, summoning the glyph. In one strike, I broke the lock, and Corwin’s eyes lit up.
“It’s true, then,” he said, his voice sketched in awe. “You really are a witch.”
“You’ve got some nerve.” Aleysia waved toward the lock. “Confine him again, Maeve, and let’s move along.”
“No!” Corwin lurched for the cell door. “I meant no insult.” Gripping the bars of his cell, he glanced around as if someone might hear him. “I’ve always sort of admired the witches, if I’m being honest. Oh, but don’t tell Sacton Crain I said that. He’d have me banished, for sure.”
Rolling my eyes, I stepped forward and unshackled the door, letting it open freely. “I’m not a witch. I don’t know what this is, or why it’s happening to me.”
“The priestess would know,” Father said from behind. “She is all-knowing.”
“Yes, well, unless you’re seeing visions of her, she’s not here. You mentioned food, Corwin?” Aleysia corralled him out of the cell and urged him forward. “Show us.”
“I have to find Zevander. I don’t have time to seek out food.”
Aleysia’s shoulders sagged. “For heaven’s sake, Maeve. Don’t you think Zevander would appreciate something to eat when you find him? Please, I cannot pass up the opportunity to eat something. Father needs to eat something,” she said, waving back at him.
“I’ll survive?—”
“Hush, Father, you’re wasting away as we speak.”
I groaned. “Fine. But we need to hurry. I have to find him. He’s not—” I caught myself, but the intrigue in Aleysia’s eyes told me I’d said enough.
“He’s notwhat?”
“Forget I said anything.” I stepped past her, refusing to entertain any of her questions. “C’mon, Corwin.”
“Yes, of course.” He scurried up to my side, and I glanced over to see him holding up the hem of his robe, as the two of us made our way down the corridor. “These are such a nuisance when you’re running for your life.”
“Tell me about it.”
“It’s almost…there, I’ve got it!” The lock on the door they stood before clicked, and when Aleysia opened it, they found a pantry in which a few dozen shelves stood packed with jars of food. More food than I’d seen in weeks.
“Dear God. You do give a damn about me.” Aleysia pushed to her feet, brushing at her skirts. “Who could’ve imagined?”
“Language, Aleysia,” Father said, stepping inside. “The Red God has provided.”
Frowning, I stepped past him for a jar of peaches. “The Red God would’ve watched us starve to death.” I could feel Father’s stern eyes burning into me from my periphery.
“You’ve lost your faith.”
“She never had it, Father. Nor did I, if we’re confessing our sins now.” Aleysia yanked a jar of meat from the shelf, and my frown deepened as I watched her open the corked top of it.
I lurched toward her, gripping her arm. “What are you doing? That meat is raw. You’ll be sick.”
Aleysia laughed. “This again. The whole world is sick, Maeve. As long as spiders aren’t pouring out of me, what does it matter? Let it rest.” Yanking her arm free, she resumed opening the jar, and I watched in horror as she devoured the raw meat inside, red juices streaking down her chin. She let out a moan and tipped her head back, as if it was the most delicious thing she’d ever tasted.
Corwin stood alongside me. “Exactly how long has it been since she’s, um…eaten?”
“Certainly not long enough for that.” I uncorked the jar I held and fished out one of the peaches. The moment the sweet flavor hit my tongue, I closed my eyes, briefly taken back to the days when grandfather would share a bowl of fresh peaches and warm honey bread.
I wasn’t there, though.
I was standing in a pantry of food, in the temple’s eerie dungeons, while Zevander remained missing. Scanning the shelves, I grabbed jars of meat, carrots, and apples. “Take a couple of jars, but not too much.”
An unsettling cold palmed the back of my neck, as they scrambled to collect the jars. “Wait.” The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. “We need to go. Now.”
We spun for the door. Two Vonkovyan soldiers stood blocking the way, their weapons trained on us. One of them lunged toward Aleysia and grabbed her arm, yanking her from the pantry.
