The Reaper's Curse

Towards the Blazing Abyss

"You didn't tell me he would forget everything," Lilith says as she eyes the table overflowing with food. So many foods, piping hot and wafting those overwhelming spices that shove up her nose. She doubts she can even choke down a single bite.

The reaper shrugs. "Not everything is because of me. What happened to his mind is a typical human reaction to stress."

The reaper rises, stalking around the long dining table⎯⎯⎯⎯closer and closer, each movement smooth and lethal, a predator blooded with power. 

"I know you're on edge because of your father. But I promised you that I will not harm him. And I keep my promises." It is an effort to keep still⎯⎯⎯⎯especially as the reaper picks up a dish, brings it over to her, and piles some meat and sauce on her plate. "Before you ask again, yes, the food is safe to eat."

Lilith says quietly, "When did I ask for your help?" Anything, anything to keep her well away.

The reaper lips twitch into a snarl, her pseudo, calm demeanour fracturing. "Get your attitude straight. If I talk to you nicely you should do the same!"

Lilith shoots to her feet, and is about to kick back her chair when invisible hands clamp down onto her arms and shove her back into the seat.

"Do not do whatever it was you were contemplating," the reaper says.

Lilith goes still as the tang of magic sears her nose. She tries to twist in the chair, testing the invisible bonds. But her arms are secured, and her back is pressed into the wood so hard that it aches. She glances at the knife beside her plate. She should have gone for it first⎯⎯⎯⎯futile effort or not.

"You're going to sit at this table and eat, princess," the reaper snarls.

The invisible bonds loosen, and Lilith winces as she whacks her hands on the underside of the table. The bonds on her legs and middle remain intact. One glance at the reaper's smouldering white eyes tells her what she wants to know: she isn't going to get up from this table until she eats something.

Lilith picks up the fork beside her hand and stabs it into the meat on her plate a few times before gingerly bringing it to her lips.

The reaper scoffs. "Let that poor piece of meat be my face all you want. As long as you eat." Lilith looses a breath as the woman returns to her seat by the opposite end of the table and pours herself a glass of wine, slowly turning the bottle, with the thoroughness of nursing.

Bit by bit, crumb by crumb, Lilith slowly digs into the mountain on her plate. All the while, the reaper remains in the same position, watching Lilith with those unmoving eyes. 

"First you starve me, and then you force-feed me," Lilith says as she finishes the last mouthful of meat. "What are you trying to do?"

A small, sardonic laugh from the reaper. "Nothing. Don't question every single little thing I do. It's best for you not to think so much." The bonds at Lilith's ankles loosen, and then disappear, leaving behind an odd coldness. 

Lilith tenses. "What am I supposed to do then?"

"Whatever you want," the reaper says without hesitation.

"What about my daily reapings?"

"I'll bring them to you. For now. Until you don't pass out at the mere sight of blood."

A retort rises to Lilith's lips, but she keeps her mouth shut. She slowly gets up from her chair and steps away, unsure of herself, as if bracing for the reaper to lash out with her powers again. As if afraid that the reaper had read her mind. But the impact does not come.