The Dark Lord's Seer

Reneging

** TW: The following chapter contains graphic descriptions of physical violence, sexual coercion and lack of established consent. DO NOT READ if you are not prepared to encounter such content. **

"What did you do, Tom?" It was the same question I'd cried out into the abyss during the vision. Only when I repeated it now, I whispered it fearfully.

He just sat there, staring back at me, his face set in an expression of stony determination.

"What - did - you - do?" I bit the words out emphatically, leaning forward in my seat and pressing my hands into the tabletop.

He narrowed his eyes at me, his voice a low whisper, "Seems like you already know."

I slapped my palms against the table, "That's impossible!"

I knew what I'd seen - and I knew the vision had been completely accurate. Yet nonetheless, my mind was still reeling, not ready to accept the horrific truth.

He'd split his soul from his body. Not once, but four times. He'd murdered to do it. Unspeakable dark magic. And he was planning on doing it again -

"How could you do such a thing? And why?"

"It's not your place to ask questions. You're here purely to be my eyes into the unseen."

But I ignored him. Still I pushed. I couldn't help myself; I couldn't let this go. The whole notion was so unfathomable to me.

"Never in my life have I encountered such dark, evil, unnatural –"

He pushed up out of his chair and flew over to me, pulling me out of my seat and towards him.

Grabbing the side of my face, he held me close and hissed in my ear, "Drop it."

My breath caught in my throat, and I froze against him. For a few seconds, I was only aware of the sound of his breath against me. Angry breathing: quick, bothered. I'd frustrated him. My attention flipped between his breathing and the feeling of his hand on my face. His hold on me was tight, possessive. I found myself painfully aware of how wildly my heart was beating in my chest.

I listened as his breathing gradually slowed, calmed.

"Now..." He whispered so quietly that I could barely hear him, "Again."

Again? Again as in ... ?

"Tom?"

"Another vision. Right now. And this time I want a proper prophecy. That didn't count - that was just a simple test."

I shook my head against him, "I - I can't do that Tom."

"And why not?" His hand began squeezing my face even more forcefully.

"Ow! You're hurting me! Stop that!"

But he didn't stop. Instead, his other hand shot up and around to the back of my neck, gripping me tightly, "You will give me another vision immediately."

"I won't!"

"Oh?"

"I won't - because I can't. Divining's incredibly taxing, both physically and mentally. Two sessions in a row? Impossible!"

He growled at this and pushed me back against the table. Hovering in, his hands boxed me in on either side, "If you're lying to me-"

"I'm not! Surely that's not so hard for you to comprehend!"

His eyes narrowed as he stared at me. Finally, he muttered icily, "Very well. Then we try again tonight, or else tomorrow morning."

"No!"