15-One step back

  -Chapter Start: Four days later, August 12th, 5:11pm

  Four days had passed since Zylas and Ainai sat through the intimate horror show that was my past, dragged across the shared mindscape and laid bare before them like a corpse on a table. The toll it took on me didn’t wait to make itself known as the very next day it hit like a freight train. I had a splitting migraine that made my skull feel like it was packed with broken glass, and scattered flashes of memory that played on repeat like a cursed slideshow. I didn’t leave the house. Hell, I barely left the couch.

  When I finally stirred sometime past midday, Valia was gone. Light bled through the cracks in the windows, narrow shafts dancing perilously close to my face. My head rested against her personal pillow, subtly marked by her scent, and in place of her usual sleeping form was a bundled blanket, clumsily weighted to mimic her presence.

  After forcing myself into a lukewarm shower and choking down some water with the apple she’d left on the counter, I crawled right back into my nest on the couch. My limbs ached, not from injury, but from the emotional whiplash. Between vivid flashes of the mutilation of the town, to the more personal and intimate dealings of Yao and Seren… Even Arc’s memories were bleeding through. I couldn’t get back to sleep, not truly. I buried myself in the shadows of the blankets and tried faking a peace that wouldn’t come.

  At some point that day, the CDS tried to send a messenger to me to no avail. With only two doors in the entire house, with the front door barred by physical means and bathroom left ajar, their only option would be to physically go to my address. So, they reached out to Valia instead. She read aloud the mail for me, as I was in no shape to move. Much less read the smaller font they used. Four new candidates had been selected to partner with me during outings. It appears they were replacements to cover for Jaskrim’s absence, and I was expected to work alongside at least one of them in the coming days.

  Beyond Valia doting on me like I was a half-dead bird she'd taken under her wing, not much else happened that day.

  The following morning, the migraine was still there, lingering like the smoke after a house fire. But I managed to wake up just before Valia slipped out for her own errands. She invited me on a short walk, and I accepted—not because I felt better, but because I didn’t want to be alone with my own thoughts again.

  The clouds overhead were low and heavy, a grey ceiling that muted the sun and dulled the world to a tolerable glow. A blessing, honestly.

  Valia spoke gently as we strolled. “I’ve been helping out at Dionysus’ Haven again. Reconnecting with a few old acquaintances.”

  She hesitated, then added with a soft chuckle, “Dio’s been… poking his head out a lot more lately. He’s kind of like a second dad to everyone. Open-door policy, you know? Always makes time if someone needs him. Though, most days he’s buried in paperwork or whatever nonsense he won’t talk about.”

  I hummed in acknowledgment, shielding my eyes from a sudden breeze.

  Halfway to the Haven, the migraine spiked again—white-hot needles behind my eyes. I told Valia I needed to head back, and she gave me that familiar concerned look before letting me go.

  The walk home was a blur of grimacing steps and half-closed eyes. It would’ve been uneventful… if not for the brief, unmistakable glimpse of a white-haired kid, Lord. I don’t think he noticed me as he strolled casually in the direction of Baku’s shop, his pace unhurried and general air of carefreeness.

  I made it home just before my body gave out completely, collapsing into the couch in a half-doze that passed for something close to rest. Time slipped past me in indistinct waves, until Valia returned, heralded by the mouthwatering aroma of something warm and rich. She came bearing a small mountain of leftovers, courtesy of Dio apparently. Toast and smoked ham, venison steaks, roasted potatoes… all packed in generous, Valia-sized portions that would probably last us several days. For the first time in recent memory, my fridge was full. And between the wafting scents, the low flicker of candlelight, and the quiet hum Valia was so fond of making in good moods, I nearly forgot the weight of the past few days.

  Finally, yesterday had an odd rhythm to it. I slipped back into my old morning workout routine: pushups, sit-ups, and various stretches using the reinforced bar wedged across the doorway. Valia, naturally, watched with a smirk from the couch, tail flicking with amusement.

  At one point, I noticed a strange mark near the grip. It looked like rust at first. It was dark and jagged around the edges. I brushed a finger over it curiously.

  “Oh, that?” Valia tilted her head. “That’s a rune. I etched it so I could move the bar if you ever locked up and I needed in.”

  I blinked. “Move it how?”

  “Dio taught me how to link it with our contracts. If it’s pressed flush against the door and I push energy through it, the bar phases just enough to open it. You really didn’t wonder how I got in yesterday?” She chuckled, clearly proud of herself.

  “I… didn’t even realize I’d locked it.” I admitted, scratching the back of my neck as I re-secured the bar in place.

  I headed to the bathroom for a much-needed rinse. The water was warm, but it didn’t chase away the mental fatigue over the last few days, much less today. As I stood beneath the stream, the sharp bite of my migraine returned, spiking behind my eyes like lightning on the backs of my retinas. Normally, that kind of pain would be enough to rouse Lilith, her voice pressing against the edges of my thoughts, countering it with her usual sardonic remarks or guidance.

  But she remained silent.

  It was only then, through the fog of pain and steam, that I noticed how absent she’d been. No murmurs. No flicker of emotion. No pulsing warmth in the back of my mind. It had been days, I realized, since I’d last heard her voice. She’d done this before, withdrawn entirely after something taxing for extended periods of time. But, it’s never felt so empty like it did now.

  As I towelled off, I paused in front of the mirror, water still trailing down my skin. The world felt heavier somehow, dimmer at the edges. And then, barely perceptible at first, I felt it. The slow, creeping bleed of her presence slipping back into my mind. Like smoke curling beneath a closed door… A whisper without words… A shadowy shape, taking form again.

  With nothing planned that day, Valia and I spent the afternoon lounging, talking about everything and nothing in particular. Hours passed like molasses. Until, eventually, Lilith stirred fully. It didn’t take long for her to catch up—and even less time for her to latch onto the part she didn’t like.

  ‘You what?’ she had murmured in my thoughts, incredulous.

  “Hey, who’s… Klee… Shasht?” Valia asked as she dropped beside me on the couch. Her fur brushed against my arm as she curled into my side like it was the most natural thing in the world. No hesitation. The weight and heat of her body bled into mine, grounding and overwhelming in the way only she could manage. She held up my phone, and a soft chime sounded just as I looked down:

  New Message!

  “That’s his Spirit Walker friend.” Lilith quipped, her tone dry and a little sluggish. Valia twitched at the sound of her voice, a subtle lift of fur along her neck. Her ears flicked back, tense for a heartbeat before she relaxed again. She didn’t say anything, but I felt the subtle stiffening of her form.

  “I haven’t heard from him in a few months.” I replied as I gently took the phone back from her. My eyes drifted her way… and didn’t return.

  Despite the mental fog I’d been in all week, I’d started noticing things. The way she moved more gently around me. The way she moved more gently when near me. The way she ate slower, took smaller bites, looked up more often mid-chew. Her laughter was softer now. Not muted, not fake… just quieter. Calmer. As if she was trying not to disturb something fragile… Simple gestures. Deliberate ones.

  ‘Come now, Daegon…’ Lilith's voice nudged gently, more amused than chastising. I realized Valia was watching me again—half-smile on her lips, that look she’d been giving me more and more lately. One of understanding. Or maybe just seeing me, in a way few ever had.

  I looked down and tapped the message.

  No text. Just an address. And a time and a date.

  “That’s typical.” I muttered. Shasht never wasted time with extra words. If he was reaching out, it probably wasn’t a courtesy call. “Tomorrow? That’s pretty quick, even for him.”

  Valia leaned in again, chin resting lightly on my shoulder. Her breath was warm where it touched bare skin, soft and steady. Her eyes flicked down to the screen, lingering alongside mine. “That’s a decent walk away,” she said, voice low. “Did you want me to come with you?”

  I hesitated for a beat, then quickly typed out a reply.

  +1, F.C?

  “F.C?” Valia echoed, tilting her head slightly, ears twitching. The tone in her voice made it clear she wasn’t offended—just puzzled.

  “Yeah… Friendly Cryptid.” I said, scratching the back of my neck. “A, uh, Contract Bearer. Or, well—you in this case.” I tried not to sound as awkward as I felt. “Shasht always believed in harmony between cryptids and humans. Said he met with ‘FCs’ all the time when he travelled. I was usually the opposite end of that discussion.”

  “Huh.” Valia mused, a quiet hum vibrating in her throat. “Can’t say I’ve heard us called that before.” She shifted slightly, more of her weight sinking against me. It was obvious she wasn’t trying to sleep, but definitely wanted the comfort of the closeness.

  Time slipped by, the soft hush of the room stretching out. Her breathing slowed. The rise and fall of her chest matched my own before long.

  Eventually, the phone vibrated in my hand—just once.

  A single thumbs-up emoji blinked on the screen.

  -

  ‘Thunk… Thunk… Thunk…’

  Valia raised and dropped the rusted knocker again. It was shaped like a crow—or maybe a raven—gripping a curved bone in its beak. Two small, polished stones were set into the eyes, a deep reflective blue that shimmered unnervingly in the overcast light.

  “You sure we’re at the right place?” she asked, stepping back to survey the old building. The mansion loomed like it hadn’t been lived in for a decade, all shadowed windows and sagging gutters.

  She was bundled in baggier clothes, a loose hoodie and layers that masked most of her frame. Her tail still gave her away, curling with a lazy rhythm behind her. Up close, her muzzle was obvious—but from a distance, with her hood drawn and her ears tucked surprisingly well underneath, she could pass for someone simply cold. It made me wonder how often I’d passed other Contract Holders in Eerie’s Respite without realizing.

  ‘More than you’d think.’ Lilith murmured, her voice returning in slow, focused syllables—more responsive now than she'd been all morning. ‘But not all of them are as… pronounced as her.’

  “This is the address he sent.” I checked my phone again, flipping between the map and the message. “Looks run-down, but… maybe we just go in?”

  Valia arched a brow. “Would your friend actually invite you to some abandoned mansion?”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time.” I said with a smirk. “One time, he had us meet at a grain distribution warehouse in the middle of a blackout. Another time, a defunct water treatment plant outside…”

  Before I could finish, a heavy grinding noise echoed from the door—a deep metallic tthhuummmm as the lock disengaged.

  Valia stepped in closer, wrapping an arm through mine. I thought, just for a second, that she might be nervous. But when I looked, she was already grinning, her tail swaying with renewed energy.

  The door opened slowly, revealing a tall man in a worn but carefully maintained leather coat, patchwork and personalized.

  “Yá’át’ééh, Daegon. And Ma?iitsoh.” He spoke, his voice deep but gentle.

  His hair was long and braided, adorned with polished beads. A thick, frayed blanket wrapped around his shoulders, woven in old patterns, rich with color and warmth. His belt jingled faintly—charms and pouches of hand-crafted items for rituals or protection.

  “My, how the winds have changed you.” he began with a soft smile. “Once, you would’ve cried Anaye at the mere thought of one such as her. Now you arrive with a being closer than I thought you’d ever let near. Come in. Rest. We’ll speak soon.”

  “I’m Valia, nice to meet you.” Valia greeted him with a smile as we walked up together, offering her hand. Shasht nodded once sincerely, as he clasped hers with both hands. To our right, a younger male, in his twenties, stood guarded near the interior side of the door. Behind him loomed a large, vault-like contraption that could seal the entire front entrance. He was tense, arms stiff at his sides.

  “Worry not, Tsin. If Daegon trusts her, we’re in the safest hands available.” Shasht said without looking back.

  Valia shot me a sideways glance as we stepped inside. “You were that bad?”

  Shasht chuckled as he led us up the main staircase. The inside of the mansion was in far better condition than the exterior suggested. Papers, notes, and stacks of books covered many surfaces, but the place smelled faintly of incense and dried herbs—sage, maybe, or sandalwood. Beneath it, something warmer tugged at my senses… something satisfying.

  “Had a tendency to keep to myself… You know the rest.” I muttered, glancing into a dark room as we passed.

  “What was it you needed me to come so quickly for?” I asked, trailing just behind him and looking into a passing room. Sadly, it was dark and mostly empty with nothing of note.

  “Procurement, and a touch of curiosity.” Shasht spoke simply as we entered what felt like a large dining room. Before us was a long table, with plates and silverware already lined out.

  “I assume your appetite holds?” Shasht asked, sitting near the end of the table and gesturing for us to sit across.

  “Not as much as hers.” I joked, as Valia took the edge seat and I sat next to her.

  “Hey, it takes a lot to keep up my figure.” She cooed, unzipping her hoodie halfway and pulling down her hood. Her ears sprang free with a dramatic floop, as a small chortle escaped me at the sight.

  A smile bloomed on her face when she caught me watching. “Why do you always laugh when my ears do that?”

  “I honestly don’t know.” I chuckled, shaking my head. “Just… makes me feel lighter, I guess.”

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Shasht simply smiled at our playful interaction, reaching calmly into one of the many pouches at his waist. From it, he pulled a small turquoise stone and set it gently on the table.

  The moment it touched the wood, Valia’s ears perked, just slightly, but enough for me to notice. Her gaze locked onto it like it called to something deeper.

  “What are you looking to—” I started, but Shasht raised a hand.

  “Later.” he said, quiet but firm. “That’s less important than this.” His fingers motioned between Valia and me.

  “Last we spoke, you mentioned an encounter with Avanyu. A frightening tale. Your words, not mine.” He paused, folding his hands. “So tell me… how does one who’s seen such shadows come to sit so comfortably beside a Ma?iitsoh?”

  “Well… it’s a long story.” I said, scratching the back of my head. A sheepish grin tugged at my mouth.

  A sudden warmth radiated through my arm, pulling my attention. I looked down to find Valia’s hand brushing mine under the table, subtle but grounding.

  “He was brought in by an Alpha.” she chimed in, her voice casual, almost amused. “Alive, and mostly unharmed. That was… surprising to a lot of us. A week or so later, he let me spend the night after a bit of pestering, instead of making me walk all the way back to… elsewhere.”

  There was a slight hiccup in her voice at the end—just enough to catch.

  “There’s more to it than that.” I added, glancing sideways at her. Her blue eyes held mine, warm and honest, enough to make me forget where I was. I blinked and looked back to Shasht. “The shadow’s been… more active. And I’ve been dragged deep into their world.” I hesitated. “Really deep.”

  Shasht simply nodded. “Take care, then. When your story settles into a rhythm, I will be here. Ready to listen to every note.”

  Just then, a wheeled cart rattled across the wooden floor. Tsin and a young woman pushed it in from the side hall. The moment she saw Valia, the girl gasped and froze in place.

  Valia’s ears twitched at the sound. She turned and offered a polite, almost amused wave.

  “Come now, Lyra.” Shasht said gently. “She is the guest I mentioned.”

  “S-s-s-s-s-sorry!” Lyra stammered, fumbling the cart forward in a rush. The smell of warm spices and cooked meats filled the room, drifting in thick waves. The dishes they began placing around the table were clearly crafted with care, and clearly meant for more people than just us three.

  Lyra and Tsin quickly distributed the food across six seats. Tsin then took a place beside Shasht without a word, while Lyra lingered awkwardly at the opposite end—her wide eyes still fixed on Valia.

  “Need somethin’, hun?” Valia asked with a teasing smile.

  Lyra blinked, as if realizing for the first time she’d been staring. “I-I… m-may I… t-touch you?” she stammered, blushing furiously as she brought both hands up to cover her mouth.

  Valia turned to me with a mischievous glint. “Hmmm… I dunno. What do you think, Daegon?”

  Before I could answer, she picked up my hand with one of hers, slowly stroking her thumb along the back in lazy, deliberate motions. She rested her other elbow on the table, angling it as an open, welcoming gesture aimed squarely at Lyra.

  There was another pause, long enough to feel eternal, before Lyra worked up the courage to step closer. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached out and touched Valia’s.

  “You’re… so soft.” she murmured in awe, gently trailing her fingers down Valia’s arm and back again.

  “Like a big ol’ teddy bear.” Valia said proudly.

  “That could catch, kill, and gut a deer in under a minute.” I added, grinning.

  “That’d be my mother.” Valia shot back, snorting playfully as Lyra gave a quiet giggle and finally sat down beside me.

  “Honestly, I figured you would have said your father.” I responded, glancing at the spread of food before us as Tsin and Lyra began eating, with Shasht following gracefully.

  “Mmm, well I’ll tell you more on that later.” Valia said quietly as she leaned slightly.

  -

  The meal carried on as Shasht and I indulged in a bit of reminiscence. Once we finished, Valia and I helped move the plates back onto the cart, drawing appreciative smiles from Lyra and Tsin. We then accompanied Shasht to a room adorned with faded portraits and ancient maps. The space was furnished with a mix of chairs and couches that whispered stories of days long past. I followed Valia to a worn but comfortable couch, while Shasht sank into a well-loved rocking chair.

  “It’s good to see you in such high spirits, Daegon.” Shasht began, his voice warm as I felt Valia’s tail tuck neatly behind me. She had claimed one side of the couch, sprawling out with the satisfaction of a good meal. Thankfully, not onto me this time.

  “It’s takes some getting used to.” I replied, glancing over at the turquoise stone he handled with careful reverence. Valia began to hum a soft tune as she gazed upward at the ceiling, lost in thought. “Whose house is this?”

  “An old friend of ours.” Shasht answered plainly, following Valia’s steady gaze to the ornate ceiling. “They haven’t been seen in some time, so I’ve taken to refurbishing it in their absence… With a little help, as you’ve seen. This project has kept me from other duties, which is where I hope you might lend a hand.”

  “You’re going to need more materials for your cleansings, and your travels then.” I remarked, the conversation turning toward logistics. “It might take longer than normal since I have a job now, but I should be able to help.”

  “Curious. Where is your employment.” Shasht asked, turning his attentive gaze back to me. His tone was teasing yet sincere, and Valia’s eyes danced with interest, aware that my answer wouldn’t be straightforward.

  “Ah well…” I began, unsure on how to express is. “Let’s just say, it can take me to some very faraway places. Places I’ve never seen or heard of before.”

  “I see. Now, to expand on my needs.” Shasht continued as he rose and produced a long-curved fang from a side pouch. Valia tilted her head for a moment before parting her lips to feel one of her own viscous fangs.

  “Ah nope, mine are longer. Definitely not a wolf fang.” she declared, glancing between the two of us.

  “A normal wolf’s fang.” Shasht corrected with a chuckle, placing it back in its pouch. “I’m beginning to run low on animal bones, herbs, and precious stones.”

  With a light toss, he sent a stone sailing toward Valia, who caught it deftly as her eyes widened. It was the turquoise stone again, smooth and captivating.

  “Rare stones, too?” I asked, watching as Valia examined it with awe.

  “Indeed. Anything that would distract the spirits.” Shasht replied succinctly.

  A curious thought sprung forth, realizing the interesting position I’ve been placed in. With my work in the CDS, and connections such as Utagawa or even Zylas, I might be able to move goods not normally accessible from one Bastion, or Bastions in general, to another in small amounts. In fact, would it be possible to setup Shasht as a delivery point? Would any of that be overstepping my employment at the CDS?

  ‘Just deliver your own messages to designated targets.’ Lilith spoke up, catching me a bit off guard. That might just work.

  ‘Of course it’ll work, it’s a non-payment, non-priority delivery requesting yourself to deliver a package.’

  “The Shadow has given you an idea, hasn’t it?” Shasht spoke with a slight smile, prompting Valia to quickly turn and look at me.

  “Y-yeah, it has.” I spoke a bit off guard as Valia handed me the rounded stone. It was smooth, its surface cool against my fingers. I tossed it back to Shasht, who secured it into a pouch on his belt. “I’ve got a few ideas, so I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Happy to hear. As always, I’ll be happy to clean, repair, and provide any more tools you may need, or want.” Shasht replied settling back down into his rocking chair. “That concludes our meet. You and your friend will be allowed entry during the day, and safety to sleep at night… If the need arises. “

  “We thank you for that, Shasht.” I replied standing up, and offering a hand for Valia to follow suit.

  -

  The trip to and from Shasht’s new residence was a long one on foot, stretching well over an hour in each direction. Without Valia guiding us, it might’ve taken longer, perhaps even doubled, given how overgrown and forgotten some stretches of Eerie’s Respite had become. Vines choked streetlights that hadn’t worked in years, and shattered pavement gave way to patches of wild grass that swallowed curbs whole.

  “It’s mostly safe. Neither humans nor Contractors really come through here anymore.” Valia explained as we threaded through the decay. “This used to be a park before this sector’s wall was damaged beyond repair. Everyone cleared out after that.”

  I wasn’t sure exactly when it happened, but somewhere along the way, as dusk deepened into night, my eyes adjusted naturally, vision sharpening until it felt as though daylight had never left. Every fallen branch, every slight movement in the underbrush became crisp and clear.

  Valia walked a few steps ahead of me, her pace fluid and playful, almost like a quiet rhythm played only in her head. She hummed something tuneless yet oddly familiar, her steps weaving around debris and roots like it was second nature. Occasionally, she’d glance back over her shoulder with a warm smile, sometimes drifting into small talk while walking backward. But the moment my eyes shifted, she slowed, drifting to walk beside me instead.

  “Sooo, do those eyes help you see in the dark too?” she asked, looping her arm through mine. Her body was warm against the cool night air, her casual closeness enough to send a ripple of heat through my chest. Her gaze flitted between me and the path ahead, playful yet searching.

  “A bit yeah. It’s almost like… everything’s lit up again, like noon under a clear sky,” I murmured, glancing at her sidelong. Her aura, a serene shade of blue just a touch deeper than her eyes, pulsed gently around her. It wasn’t just light—it felt like warmth. Being this close, I could see it brushing against me, curling softly as if it were drawn to my presence. “It’s still odd, seeing everyone’s energy.”

  “Rrriiggghht, you passed out from Zylas’.” she said, her voice half-laugh, half-reminder. She slowed her step again, tilting her head in thought. “So, what does this energy actually look like?”

  I glanced upward, trying to wrap language around something that wasn’t entirely visual. “It’s like… a blanket, maybe? A see-through one, different for everyone. It moves. Has texture. Color too. But not just seen—more like... felt.”

  “Ooh. What does mine look like?” she asked, stopping in her tracks and stepping in front of me, her grin wide and teasing. “Come on, tell me!”

  “A cool blue.” I said, giving her a once-over again. “Darker than your eyes, but not cold. It moves like water, like soft waves just under the surface.”

  I didn’t mention how it always seemed to stretch toward me, how her presence felt like safety. She hummed, pleased with the answer, then reached out, laced her fingers through mine, and resumed walking.

  “You sure are filled with mysteries.” she quipped, releasing my hand and sauntering forward again.

  “We’ve got time if you’ve got more questions.” I offered, half-distracted as a rustling sound to my right caught my attention. Something large moved in the brush.

  “Oh? Well, how about Shasht then?” Valia asked, following my gaze. “What exactly does he do? He felt... off.”

  A thick-furred wolverine emerged from the undergrowth, its body low and deliberate, as if sizing us up. Leaves clung to its coarse coat, and its small eyes glinted faintly in the dark.

  “He’s a Spirit Walker’” I replied, watching as the creature lingered before disappearing back into the trees. “It’s hard to believe, but he can split himself, body and soul. He travels vast distances without ever taking a step, talks to entities most can’t see, even interacts with spiritual Contract Holders. He’s able to tell when someone’s haunted… or hosting something else. That’s how he found me, actually.”

  I paused, memories resurfacing like old bruises.

  “I wanted nothing to do with him or his group. They were convinced I was plagued by a ‘great shadow,’ and wouldn’t let it go. Things got messy when she almost killed one of their more... enthusiastic members. But eventually, we found a middle ground. Shasht came to respect my skillset, and he started trading favors… Usually things from outside Eerie’s Respite. Supplies. Knowledge. Sometimes, the silence I usually brought with me.”

  The winding forest path gave way to familiar asphalt, cracked but recognizable. The thick tangle of wilderness thinned, giving us a view of the tree-covered road ahead. Just beyond the branches, the faint shape of our home waited… Quiet and dark, but unmistakably ours.

  -

  “As much as I enjoy Shasht’s presence, I’m happy we’re back to our own place.” I remarked while closing the door and moving the bars back on before rubbing the back of my neck. The familiar quiet settled over us like a warm blanket as the latch clicked shut. I exhaled, slow and quiet, then leaned back against the wall, letting the stillness wash over me.

  The migraine, which had been gnawing behind my eyes all day, chose that moment to flare in earnest. My eyelids drifted closed as the pain surged again—deep, rhythmic, pulsing. I hadn’t realized how much I’d been holding back.

  Then I flinched.

  Cold fingers brushed the nape of my neck with a precision that startled more than soothed. I hadn’t heard her move. Valia’s touch was careful, her fingertips pressing gently where I’d been rubbing.

  “You were doing it like this, right?” she asked, her voice just above a whisper.

  She moved her fingers in soft, swirling motions, and I couldn’t help the low sigh that escaped me. Heat bloomed beneath the surface of my skin as tension unwound in slow, reluctant coils. A few seconds passed, then her hands slipped around my neck. Her thumbs pressed deeper into the muscles at the base of my skull.

  “Me from a month ago would’ve freaked with your hands like this.” I muttered, head tilting with her movements, caught between relief and fatigue.

  “Hmm? Oh. I guess you would have.” Her tone drifted, like her thoughts were already elsewhere. She paused. “Did you want to talk about what happened during your visit?”

  I opened my eyes a sliver, tension replacing the relief just moments before. Slowly, I reached up, hands meeting hers at the base of my neck. Her fur was cool, smooth, grounding. I drew her hands downward, pulling her against me in a clumsy embrace.

  She chuckled softly, nuzzling into my shoulder. The warmth of her breath at my neck made my chest ache for a reason I couldn’t name.

  “I owe you more than that, if you’re willing to listen to it all.” My voice had dropped with the weight of it, leaning into her, grateful for the quiet.

  Before she could answer, a bizarre knock shattered the moment.

  ‘Knock… Knock knock…. Knockknockknockknockknockknock-’

  “Who the hell.” Valia growled, turning to face the slightly trembling door. My eyes darted to the bathroom—door ajar—then to the front window. No one in sight.

  Valia caught my confused glance, unlatched the security bars, and pulled the door open with swift irritation.

  “Hi, hello yes sorry sorry it’s late. Is Dae-. Ah yes hello!” chirped the ever-relentless CDS Faun, skittering past Valia like a breeze with legs.

  “Good, good news for you.”

  “Hey, ques—” I tried to interject as they slapped an envelope into my hand. The familiar shimmer of my Contract flashed beside me.

  “Ask, quick please!” the Faun chirped, already elbow-deep in their courier bag, likely prepping for the next dozen deliveries.

  “Am I allowed to deliver my own mail? And can humans be a delivery point?”

  “Yes, yes yes and…” The Faun froze mid-rummage, blinking up at me like I’d dropped a riddle from another dimension.

  They paced once, turned, doubled back, then pointed at me with a look of epiphany.

  “Human getting mail? Well, rules say nothing of it. Inspection consideration registration compensation restrictions and… Oh, occultist clause! OH but this is just a normal human so not that but they could… Time, time! I will put a request in for you at headquarters.”

  My headache doubled as their words spun around me in a cyclone of red tape and rushed bureaucracy. I gave a weary nod toward the Contract beside me, which dissolved into blue flames in response.

  “Yes, they will have answers to all human and self-delivery questions prepared. Bye, bye bye for now Daegon!”

  With a final wave, the Faun slipped past Valia and vanished beyond the threshold.

  Valia lingered at the open door for a moment, staring out like she needed to make sure the creature was truly gone. Then, with a click, she sealed it again.

  “Now I have a headache.” she muttered, walking back to my side, eyes on the envelope. I carefully opened it, fingers brushing over rough paper and the faint scent of ink. Two messages inside.

  “Tomorrow afternoon, looks like I have job… And another one later on.” I spoke, reading the message over.

  “Sounds fun.” Valia replied as she ran a hand through my hair, tousling it with mock tenderness before wandering to the couch. “Hey, come be my pillow while we talk.”

  -

  Later, once we were curled up on the couch—her head rising and falling in a steady rhythm against my chest—I began to explain. I recounted every detail of my visit to Ainai: the fragments of memory, the hidden truths unearthed, and the long, painful lead-up to Lilith’s appearance. Valia listened intently, interjecting only when I faltered for breath or when my words stumbled. The room was filled with the low hum of our shared silence and the faint scent of burning incense that danced in the dim light. I could sense the weight of my memories pressing against me, and I knew Valia had questions buried behind her calm gaze.

  As I reached the part about the village, my voice faltered and I felt my throat tighten. When I paused too long, Lilith spoke.

  “Which leads Daegon to a very important dilemma.” she said through me, her voice thick with disdain. “He made a mistake. One I normally clean up swiftly.”

  “What, you want my soul? That’s not going to happen.” Valia snapped back without hesitation.

  “Cute. I want a Contract.”

  “Also not going to happen.” Valia returned just as quickly. “I’d rather not be tied down to anyone.”

  “Then we have a problem.” Lilith said—my mouth, her words. I glanced down at Valia. She was already watching me, unwavering.

  “Can’t we just… trust her?” I asked, knowing I was treading foolish ground.

  “About as much as—” Lilith began.

  “I swear if you say Seren I’m... Really going to be agitated with you.” I cut her off before she could twist the knife.

  A long silence stretched between us. Valia shifted slightly, pressing her ear closer to my chest, as if listening not just for a heartbeat, but for what it meant.

  ‘If we trust her, and the wrong person learns of me… I could end up wiping out the entire Bastion.’ Lilith whispered in my mind, colder than before.

  “Why don’t you wish to be known?” Valia asked, eyes sharp. “You wiped out your captors before, right? Daegon’s the only one who knows how to re-contain you, and he’s far from a martyr.”

  “Wait, how do you know that?” I sat up, startled, as realization clicked into place.

  Valia rolled off me and thudded onto the floor with a groan. Something heavy slid across wood. From under the couch, she pulled out a thick package.

  Kalth’s package, which contained all the information the Keepers of Chained Twilight.

  “You just sorta left it sticking out, so I got curious.” she said, like it was nothing.

  “Which means…” I muttered.

  “She technically knew of me without your intervention.” Lilith said, her tone a shade too displeased.

  “So she’s free of our Contract demands.” I whispered, then repeated it louder as it sank in. “She’s free of our Contract. She has prior knowledge. I’m not the reason she knows.”

  “Wait, can you explain that?” Valia asked, curling beside me again, her head resting near my legs.

  “A part of our Contract states I dictate the life of those who learn of my existence, if it be through my intervention or Daegon’s yearning.” Lilith stated.

  “But why is it so important to remain so secretive?” Valia said, clarifying her question.

  “Well… Because of who Lilith is, secrecy is important is since… I also don’t want to go around killing people.” I began. “She’s bound to my body, so I’m the limiting factor. She can bypass that with… Others souls, or energy…”

  “And because she’s an almighty pain in the ass, there’s those that would see you as a weakness to exploit her for that.” Valia summarized.

  “Quite.” Lilith briskly answered, borrowing my mouth once more. “If you see any value in not only your own life, but Daegon’s, you’ll never utter my name… I’ve slaughtered countless more, for much, much less.”

  There was a quiet tension in the air once more.

  “Even if I don’t understand it all, if it keeps you safe I wouldn’t tell a soul.” Valia poked my knee before looking up at me. She carefully slid the package back under the couch and rejoined me on the couch.

  “She’d really try to take out all of the Bastion?” Valia asked, looking over.

  “Lets continue with the story.” Lilith answered through me, smiling without warmth.

  Lilith. So, I get to reveal a bit of the contract to fix it early, while making it practical. #JustWrite-A-ThonThings

  lot of time to think on these questions myself, and don't have clear answers. I don't have a goal or answer planned out ahead of time with a lot of these 'non-plot' events, so when I'm writing from that character's POV... Things just sort of happen. I'm not the Captain of their choices, I'm just as much along for the ride as the next person!