Corruption is a thin, subtle blade.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqfSuIt2xO
The moon hung high in the sky by the time Steve reached his destination. He tightened the cloak he wore around his shoulders, over his favorite black tunic, as the shadow market fully came into view. It was a place where the pagans gathered together to commune with each other and sell their wares. Just knowing the location of the market would land him in boiling cauldron water if the coven ever found out, their reaction would be infinitely worse if they knew he frequented the place almost every week. A secretive smirk graced his features at the thought as the faint scents of herbs that the breeze carried through the air filled his nose. He perused many of the merchant stands every time he came but only one kept him coming back. It laid just to the right of the market’s center where the witches there usually sat to break bread. This particular merchant stand was unassuming at first glance and every time he reached the outskirts of it, the wooden stand that held the wares was almost always full. A canopy of rich purple fabric was draped over the top of two decently sized poles creating a smallish tent. Its dimly lit interior always gave the illusion of an entryway to the unknown. It was the actually walking space that led inside the tent that always blew him away because the stand turned out to not be one at all. Inside, the tent was actually the size of a large apothecary with books, precious stones, trinkets, and other wares spread out in all directions. He strolled slowly by the precious stones and trinkets, looking through them with his hand hovering over them to see if anything made a connection to his magic. He wasn’t looking for anything terribly specific but he did want something that would be attuned to him, something that would hold enough extra power over time so that he could perform the rituals of his ancestors. He didn’t understand how they were so powerful, they served the same morning star he did but something wasn’t adding up. Nothing in the old grimoires ever explained how they were able to accomplish the feats that earned his bloodline the reputation it had. There was certainly nothing that told him how he could increase his power beyond being tied to the Dark Lord.
He left the countertops that held the precious stones and trinkets to continue on his search in another section. He came to a stop by a rickety wooden shelf that held leather-bound spell books as he absentmindedly fingered the fabric that supported his left wrist. His most recent bout of catching and harvesting took a lot longer than he thought it would. The quarry fought him tooth and nail, injuring him in the process. He was still successful, of course, but that victory didn’t come without its challenges. Granted, he was a bit distracted this time around. His thoughts kept going back to the witch he met at Black Mass. Not even a full fortnight had passed and yet he still couldn’t stop wondering when he would see Lloyd again. The man had certainly made an impression on Steve, what with those broad shoulders and that icy blue stare, his all-encompassing aura and that heavy influence over the elements that seemed to radiate from his being. He wondered what kind of witch Lloyd was, how did the man get to be where he was, and if it was possible to learn from him. Steve had never felt such power before, it definitely felt different from that of his master. Using magic with the Dark Lord as a source always had a price, one that he was getting tired of paying. Running a hand over the spines of the books as he read through the titles, a flash of silver caught his eye. Looking down at the bottom of the shelf, he saw that it was a silver symbol catching the moonlight that lured him in. The symbol appeared to be a small selection of runes, that popped against the black of the leather, but it wasn’t any that he was familiar with. Picking it up, he noted the book was ice cold. He almost dropped it, his fingers taking the brunt of the stinging sensation. It almost took away all the warmth that his skin held, vaguely reminding him of the sensation from Lloyd’s kiss. The little black book pulsed in his hand, seemingly to the beat of his own heart, something he had never felt before in an inanimate object. Opening it to the first page, he rolled his eyes when he saw that the words weren’t even written in Greek because, of course, they weren’t. Closing it, he studied the symbols on the spine again. It looked like it could be a name but the letters were oddly shaped and didn’t seem to make much sense. Running a finger across what looked like the letters, lwyd, he tried to pronounce the name but just knew he failed miserably. It didn’t sound right at all. He debated on whether he should just put the book back or not. Opening it once more, he took a good look at the lettering on the pages. To his relief, he could pick out some of the words, others he knew would have to be carefully translated with the reference books back home. He definitely didn’t feel like doing all of that but this book was the only thing that appealed to him so far. Resolving to put even more work on his plate, he tucked the book under his non-injured arm and headed for the exit. The witch who sold these wares was always waiting on the outside of the tent for customers. It was a pretty good way to prevent stealing but the patrons who came to the shadow market were above such uncouth behaviors.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve seen you here.” Steve’s head snapped up as the cool air bit at his nose. The witch’s words caught him off guard. “Does your little coven know you mingle with heathens?”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOLu9vU3C0
“What the coven doesn’t know won’t hurt them, Noa.” A wry smile pulled at the corners of his lips. He knew the pagans prided themselves on secrecy. There were still those that deemed witchcraft in its entirety as dangerous, those that would send all of his kind to their deaths no matter whom they served.
She chuckled before gesturing to the book in his hand. “So, is that it then?”
“Yeah, that’s it.”
“Usually you get some trinkets and herbs. The stock not up to your standards or something?” She asked.
“Just…” he said trailing off before digging into his bag for drachma. “Trying something different tonight.”
“Well, good luck with that,” she said taking the coins in exchange for the little black book. “He waits for you.”
“Excuse me?” Steve stared at the witch, his jaw slightly gaped. Noa’s voice wasn’t her own that time, reminding him of what happened during Black Mass. “What did you just say?”
“I said thank you for your purchase.”
His eyes narrowed. He knew for a fact that was not what just came out of that woman’s mouth. Not bothering to continue on with the conversation, Steve packed the book into his bag and left Noa’s stand only to slam into a wall of concrete. He groaned as he stumbled to the ground. He put his hands out to break his fall only to realize that he was being held secure in a pair of strong, cool, arms.
“Are you alright?” He didn’t even need to hear the voice to know the owner of it. The massive arms still wrapped him gave it away, but he still looked up into those mesmerizing eyes anyway. They were still nordic blue but there was something else there tonight, the irises seemed to be more molten than icy.
“I’m fine and thank you for the help. Didn’t need to add any more injuries.”
“Oh, what happened?” Steve felt the cool breath caress his ear as Lloyd gently picked up his left hand and fingered the fabric covering his wrist. The sensation of his cool skin sent icicles racing up his arm.
“Oh, just a little mishap with catching a meal.”
“Ahh, was your quarry combative?” Lloyd asked still holding his hand.
“Something like that,” he said. He couldn’t help but feel as if Lloyd knew more about him than he was letting on.
“Well, why don’t you let me treat you to a meal?” Lloyd asked. “For nearly making you fall.”
“Oh, I—
“C’mon, please? I’d love the chance to get to know you better.” It was the please that did Steve in, that and those molten blues. Lloyd wasn’t nearly as in his space as he could have been but the man’s presence was seeping into his pores. The man was so earnest about it, as if he really wanted Steve to give him a chance. Nothing like Father Chad and his disgusting taunts. What could it hurt anyway? He wasn’t going to admit that the man hadn’t left his thoughts since they met and it wasn’t like he was agreeing to give Lloyd his hand in marriage. He could take him up on his offer, besides, he couldn’t deny that there was a pull between them. He, too, was interested in getting to know the witch better.
“They have a range of cuisine here in the market,” he said with tentative grin. “Would you like to eat here?”
“Yes.” As Lloyd held out his hand, Steve took it and allowed himself to be led to the heart of the market where tables had been set up for this very purpose. “Why don’t you pick us a table and I can get our food.”
“Alright,” he said after a beat. “I only eat from Eva and Vincent’s stand though, they are the only witches that prepare long pig here.”
“You got it.”
Steve smiled as he scoured the area for the perfect table. He was pleased when Lloyd didn’t bat an eye at his choice in meat. Very few witches outside his village could handle his diet choices, that was also the main reason he didn’t socialize very much outside the coven unless he was hunting or sating his more carnal desires. He didn’t have to wait very long for Lloyd to come back with sustenance either. Steve watched as he set the table with their dishes and beverages, it was nice to be treated like this. He was usually the one who took this role while he was out seducing maidens for their flesh, so this was a welcome change of pace. He couldn’t help but wonder if Lloyd would be willing to put in the effort and really chase him too.
“Do you pray before your meals?” Lloyd asked him.
He chuckled as he picked up a fork, a wry smile pulling at the corners of his lips. “No, I don’t.”18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFCMQMbOlv
“Well, I hope you enjoy it. The butcher said the meat was fresh.”
He smirked at Lloyd’s words as he dug in to the meal. After the first bite, Steve could certainly tell that it was fresh but it didn’t have anything of what he was capable of in the kitchen. “It’s good but it could do with some more seasoning.”
“More seasoning?” Lloyd’s bark of laughter brought a smile to his face. The man had a really nice laugh, he wouldn’t mind hearing it more often.
“So tell me, what really brought you to Black Mass the night we met?” Steve asked.
“It is as I told you,” Lloyd said with a knowing smirk. “The singing drew me in.”
“Mhm, right.” Steve shook his head as he continued eating, trading teasing barbs and coy smiles with Lloyd. He had just taken another bite, when the meat began to take on a gritty texture. Where the taste was succulent and savory, it seemed to turn into ash and sand on his tongue. Sputtering, he reached the cup nearest to him. Not thinking twice about the scarlet color of the liquid, he drank deeply from the chalice. His eyes widened as the flavor of berries transformed into copper with the scent of rust filling his nose. He coughed harshly as he sat the cup back down onto the table.
“Steve, are you alright?” Lloyd’s voice, his presence, became a calming balm to his senses as the mountain of a man came around the table to surround him in his cool arms again. He could feel his heartbeat spike as Lloyd took stock of his person, rubbing a hand up and down Steve’s back as the other tilted his head back so they could look at each other. “Can you breathe with me, Stevie?”
Steve mimicked Lloyd, taking deep breaths in and out until he got himself together. “I’m alright now, Lloyd. I was probably eating a little too fast.” Lloyd nodded, Steve noticed that he didn’t bother to remove his hands though.
“I’ve heard much about the witches in Edom who prefer flesh over that of animals,” Lloyd began to speak. Steve still sitting in the cocoon of the man’s arms could do nothing but listen as that smooth voice lulled him into sense of security. “I’m more intrigued about you though, the witch that provides for them.”
Steve could feel the telltale heat from the blush on his cheeks as he stared into those molten nordic blue eyes. “There’s a saying that even dead doves can be beautiful and Stevie, I truly can’t wait to see what great things you’ll do with them. Mhm, I think I might keep you.” Steve’s blush got deeper, reaching as high as the tips of his ears at Lloyd’s pretty words. All the while he never noticed that the book he just bought, that had gone momentarily forgotten in his bag, had begun to ice over the longer he stayed in Lloyd’s presence in the shadow market.
The devil’s hour is often when Steve found that his spells were the most potent, the ones that worked anyway. Ever since he found that grimoire in the shadow market, he had made a conscious effort to translate the text in its entirety. The only word he still struggled with was the very same as the small collection of symbols on the spine. Lwyd. All he could glean from the text itself that the symbols were actually a name, one that had its mark all over the little black book. Besides that, he had come across many spells and rituals that he was eager to try but was wary of exhausting himself. He was well aware of how much power he possessed and knew not to try anything too strenuous. A spell that seemed simple did pique his interest though and that is why it was only fitting that he return to the woods behind his home to try something new. With a staff in one hand and a bell in the other, he shook it once before drawing a pentacle into the ground as he chanted.
“Spirits of the forest, I pronounce my intention to thee. Come forth, seek me, and equal we will be.” He rang the bell once more and the delicate tone sung a hymn on the wind as he continued casting his spell. “Not a master and servant, but familiar to familiar. To share our knowledge, our spirit, and our traits.”
As the last tones from the bell rang out in the woods, Steve completed his spell. The only thing left for him to do now was wait and allow what he knew now was ancient magic to take root. He turned his back on the forest and began the trek back toward his home. If only he had been paying attention, he would have seen the figure slithering along after him hissing as it went.
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