Water's Reflection or Hero's Guilt

Chapter Twenty-Five

           “You visit me again, Lougriss. I trust you wanted to revisit the offer?”

          This morning, at breakfast, Terrance had noticed June's failed attempt at hiding her curse; he had pulled off her hood and seen how the fur was slowly reaching up her neck and throat, nearly at her chin. She had told him not to worry, but he wanted to hear none of it. As soon as they had finished their meal, he grabbed both her and Maya's hands, and pulled them out on the streets. Adam followed them closely. She had no idea where they were going, until she finally recognized the small streets of the Soulander slums. Madame Lyss.

          And now, they stood before her once more. Ume had led them through the hallway with the many tapestries. Madame Lyss was on the other side of the room, her other servant alongside her, touching her hand and serving as her voice.

          It sounded clear, though slow in the heavy aura of incense that hung in the room. Despite the accent, she was clear to understand. Terrance frowned at the old Librarian, and although her eyes were closed, he knew she saw. She reached out her other hand towards Maya, but when the little girl stirred, he closed his fingers around her hand, making sure she would not escape him.

          “Not this time, Lyss,” he said with little patience. “This time I won't talk to Maya, but to you. I won't argue with her, but with you.”

          At first, she remained quiet, and it seemed she intended to repeal this decision. But instead, her servant spoke, “If you are here to converse, you are quite welcome, Lougriss. If you intend to argue, you are allowed. But if you will not abide to the slightest formalities, you shall not find either—you shan’t find me willing, but ready to war with you.”

          The threat seemed eerily without emotion, which only made it more frightening, June thought. She wanted to tell Terrance to let go of Maya—that it would all be alright. But she could not; she could only watch the scene from the many reflections on glass bottles and small mirrors on the walls. In her place, right at Terrance's side, stood Maldafa, still in control of her body. The demon looked frightened, but June knew this was just an act—she looked like June would have looked.

          “If you are to address me personally, you may call me Madame Lyss,” the witch continued. “The use of any other title, you have not earned, nor can I imagine will you ever earn.”

          Terrance chuckled. “Does that tick you off?”

          “Shall I call you by your personal name, Lougriss? For I know many of them—some of which, I doubt you ever wish for anyone to hear...” Madame Lyss motioned with her free hand, which made several tapestries ripple. Terrance looked at it and frowned; this display of magic power put him ill at ease. “Or shall we agree on a format that we can both respect?”

          He gave a slight nod. “Let's do that. Although I stand by my statement: I will not allow you to speak through Maya this time. Whatever you have to say, you'll say through this woman.”

          “Yehma is her name,” the woman said. “And if you insist, I will use her instead of your friend. This matters little. What does matter, is that you are here.”