Oath of the Alpha - Eva Dresden Page 0,19

refused to believe that such power could be hers. Terrified of the very idea that she might be capable of anything nearing that magnitude, she could not deny the events that had led her to this very moment. Otaso, Er’it, the guards, even this piece of the woods, all of them affected by her presence alone, and not often for the better. “I don’t want it.”

“It isn’t up to you. This is your lot in life, whether you like it or not, girl. The only thing you control now is how it is used.”

“I’ll do it. I’ll kill myself, then.”

Marilsa snorted, the chilling green of her eyes rolling toward the sky.

“I could do it!”

“Yes, I am sure you could. Lie down and die, then. I’ll not stop you.”

Aida recoiled from the jagged blade Marilsa held out to her, scooting back in the thick weeds to get away from the vicious gleam sliding along the curved edges of the metal. It seemed far easier when she thought it, said it. Faced now with the very means to enact her final moments, Aida floundered, stricken and plagued by the constant companion of her fear.

“Not as strong as I thought you were by half.” Marilsa sneered, turning her head to spit in the grass. “Won’t do anything with it, refuse to end it. You just going to let them do as they wish, then?”

“I… You can’t expect me to…” Aida whined and flung a hand through the air, an aimless gesture to indicate everything and nothing at all. Her heart writhed with her grief, with all the things she would never experience again. Least of all was the way her soul seemed to call her to run as fast as she could to find Er’it and throw herself in his arms, begging him to make her feel safe for just a moment more.

“Rhyn Lirkinson will sell you to whoever has the most coin. Now that he knows who and what you are, he is eager to be rid of you and for as much as he can weasel out of some idiot.” Marilsa’s eyes took on a faded, distant sheen, lost in the flames mirrored in her bright green gaze. Her voice changed, turning husky, rich, measured words easing into the night air. “The one who makes your pretty eyes all misty, he will ruin himself. Destroy everything he holds dear. Heart and soul sundered forever. Destruction will be his companion, devastation his love.”

Wide eyes fixed on Marilsa, Aida shivered as a haze of power whispered through the air. A wave of green specks glowed in the darkness, dancing through the night as they scattered through the woods. The fae lights growing no dimmer as they continued on, they drifted deeper into the trees until Aida could discern no sign of them.

Marilsa grunted. Seeming to collapse on her hunched form, she appeared feeble and frail in the warm glow of the fire, her heavy-lidded gaze weary.

“Marilsa, are you well?” Aida didn’t hesitate, snatching up the bag of food as she crawled over to Marilsa’s side. One arm looped around the old woman’s shoulders, Aida pulled out the first thing that came to hand. Some sort of bread, the thick crust would be too difficult for Marilsa in this weakened state. Nod decisive, Aida tore open the roll and ripped out the softer insides, pushing the spongy piece into Marilsa’s hand. “Eat something. I think it helps.”

She knew Otaso often ate large amounts when he worked his magics. Er’it, too, seemed the same. Hoping it would help Marilsa in the same way, Aida sat by her side and fed her small bites. Taking a different, smaller knife from Marilsa’s belt to cut bite-sized pieces from another pear, she offered those as well. Each mouthful appeared to give a little more strength until Marilsa waved her off, grumbling and waving stiff hands.

“You would coddle the wolf that bit you, wouldn’t you?” Marilsa asked with a huff.

“I don’t know.” Aida shrugged and scooted away, though she did not go far. “I might. A wolf is only an animal. It is not their fault. They must eat the same as I do.”

“Vrazys preserve me, you are a little idiot.”

“Who is Vrazys?”

“Not a who, a what. The triad. Goddesses that make up the Oscaran religion.”

“Oh. All right.” Aida nodded as if she had any understanding of what that meant. There were no goddesses in the Abyss. It was an endless void, a place where everything went in the