The Crow King's Wife(142)

Zoelyn stared down at the bag in revulsion and slowly sank to the ground as she contemplated how many lives she held in the tiny leather bag. At least a dozen people had died to provide the bounty she held, possibly more, and despite what Grim was saying there was still a voice inside her screaming for her to absorb one immediately.

“The older you get the more you will require.” Grim continued with a sigh as he sat down facing her and crossed his legs under him. “It is the nature of the Undrae and the reason they were never allowed to exist long. Part of me hoped you would die in Rivana, and as terrible as that sounds, I would have mourned the loss of a dear friend but it would have saved us both from facing the inevitable.”

“And that would be?” Zoelyn pressed numbly. She could guess what he was going to say, but she wanted to hear him actual voice it.

“The moment when you can no longer control your curse and you are a danger to everyone around you. I doubt Seth will be able to kill enough to sustain you once the world is at peace.” Grim answered in a voice that seemed far too rational for what he was saying.

“How do you know that moment will come?” Zoelyn asked in a shaking voice.

“By watching how you already struggle to contain your powers.” Grim replied quietly.

“So you would rather just kill me now then? Is that why you banished Seth so it would be easier? ” Zoelyn demanded.

“I banished Seth because he is a demon and has no place in this world. It seemed the more rational action than the one my sword was hoping for. Ryvenken has several grievances against Seth and would have greatly preferred that I end his existence. I chose the more merciful course instead.” Grim explained with a weary sigh before shaking his head at her. “And no Zoey I am not here to kill you. I’m here to warn you of what you will become. For now you have yourself under control and as long as you can maintain that control I am content to allow you to live in honor of the friendship between us no matter how strained it is at this point.”

“How noble of you.” she muttered sourly as she turned her away from him to gaze into the darkened forest. She didn’t want him to see the revulsion on her face, or the hunger in her eyes.

“I am scarcely ever what would be considered noble and we both know that.” Grim corrected her calmly as he rose to his feet. “I am leaving Delvay tonight Zoey. You have cost me too much time already and for both our sakes I will pray I’m not too late already. I came here to warn you and nothing more. As long as you are in control we are at peace, but the moment I see you slip I will put you down. It is the only mercy I can offer and death at my hands will be far gentler than what others would do to one of your kind.”

“If you try to kill me Seth will stop you.” Zoelyn snapped though she couldn’t say why she spoke the words. Grim wasn’t trying to threaten her. He was warning her to never let her guard slip and she knew he was offering a kindness in his own way. He could have just as easily kept his silence and waited for her to grow careless without bothering to speak with her at all.

“And when Seth appears before me next Ryvenken will greet him personally.” Grim returned with a sad smile. “If I thought for a moment that Neph intentionally created you as you are I would kill him tonight, but I think it was an unfortunate mistake in his desperation to bring his sister back. I am trying to respect the love that he must feel for you to go to such drastic measures, but it is difficult for me knowing you will suffer for his sins. I will pray for you Zoey and I hope you can maintain control of yourself for years to come, but consider what I have said tonight and ask yourself how many should be forced to give up their lives so that you can continue to exist. For now it is the slaying of foes, but once the world is at peace it will be murder. How long can you live with that knowledge and truly be happy?”

Zoelyn watched in silence as Grim turned back toward the city then stared numbly down at the pile of death in her lap. Each stone represented someone Seth had killed to sate her and despite that knowledge she couldn’t keep herself from pulling a stone from the bag and clenching it tightly in her hand. Warmth flooded through her as ecstasy and disgust warred in her mind. She knew deep in her heart she couldn’t live with the knowledge of murder for long, but she couldn’t resist the temptation the stones held either. Anything to silence the ever present hunger was a blessing, and for now at least she had enough stones to sate her curse if she conserved them. Perhaps given enough time she could find another way to sate the hunger, but for now she chose to simply consider Seth’s gift as the spoils of war.